AI-generated practice question — model-generated for extra practice, not a previous-year CBSE board question.
Mrs Pumphrey called the narrator in a distraught state because her dog Tricki had become very lazy and listless. He refused to eat his food, had no energy, and would lie on his rug all day without moving. She was extremely worried about his deteriorating condition and did not know what to do.
This question tests reading comprehension from A Triumph of Surgery. The answer refers to events at the beginning of the story — Tricki's overeating and resulting illness led to Mrs Pumphrey's panicked call. Note that the source passages provided do not directly state this, but it is the well-known textbook content from Chapter 1. Examiners expect you to mention Tricki's lethargy, refusal to eat, and Mrs Pumphrey's worry. Two clear points = 2 marks.