Read the given extract and answer the questions that follow. Untouchable, a…
2024
Read the given extract and answer the questions that follow.
Untouchable, a charming French comedy about two friends who have almost nothing in common, has been a huge international success. But before the story became a cinematic sensation, how exactly did a rich French aristocrat and an Algerian immigrant with a criminal past become good friends? Philip and Abdul first met in Paris in 1993 when Philip was looking for a nurse. He was from a very wealthy family. At one time he had been a successful business man, living a life of great luxury. Then he had a terrible paragliding accident and lost the use of his arms and legs. Life in a wheelchair was lonely and boring. Philip was struggling to imagine the future, and he needed practical help with his day-to-day life.
Philip interviewed more than 80 people for the job of a nurse. But none of them seemed right. Then he met Abdul, who had quit a life of crime in Algeria and moved to France to look for work. He was lively, intelligent and quick-thinking, with a crazy sense of humour. Philip got on with Abdul immediately, and he offered him the job. The two men didn't have much in common. Abdul loved pop music, but Philip preferred classical music. Philip loved modern art, but Abdul hated it. Philip's family was sure that he had made a bad choice. They believed that Philip needed someone much more sensible. Meanwhile, Abdul wasn't planning on staying in the job for long.
However, their working relationship quickly developed into a close friendship. Abdul gave Philip the support he needed. More importantly, his energy and sense of humour brought fun and excitement back into Philip's life. Abdul helped Philip make trips to other countries. Both of them now live in different countries, each with a wife and family. They keep in touch regularly. All that really matters to their friendship, though, it is their shared love of laughter and adventure.
Which aspect of Abdul's personality is not true?
- A.
He had a criminal past record.
- B.
He was quick-witted and supportive.
- C.
He shared a close rapport with his employer.
- D.
He preferred listening to classical music.
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: D
In a literal (detail-based) reading comprehension item that asks which statement is NOT true, the option that must be selected is the one that contradicts an explicit statement made in the passage; every other option restates a fact the passage states directly about the person in question.
Checking each statement about Abdul against the passage:
The claim that he had a criminal past record matches the passage's own words that he 'had quit a life of crime in Algeria.'
The claim that he was quick-witted and supportive matches the passage's description of him as 'quick-thinking' with a sense of humour, and its statement that he 'gave Philip the support he needed.'
The claim that he shared a close rapport with his employer matches the passage's statement that their 'working relationship quickly developed into a close friendship.'
The claim that he preferred listening to classical music contradicts the passage, which states that 'Abdul loved pop music, but Philip preferred classical music' — the classical-music preference belongs to Philip, not Abdul.
Re-reading the sentence about musical taste confirms the two preferences are assigned to different people in the passage, so the statement that swaps this attribution to Abdul is the one not supported by the text.
Therefore, the statement about preferring classical music is the aspect of Abdul's personality that is not true, as required by the question.