Read the following passages carefully and answer the questions given below them:
At the hour of sunset, as had long ; been his custom, Ernest was to speak to a group of neighbours in the open air. Together ‘ he and the poet went to the meeting place, arm in arm. From there could be seen the s Great Stone Face.
Ernest threw a look of familiar kindness around upon his audience. He began to speak to the people what was in his heart and mind. His words had power, because they agreed s with his thoughts; and his thoughts had reality and depth, because they harmonised with the life which he had always lived. It was not mere breath that the preacher uttered; they were the words of life. A life of good deeds and selfless love was melted into them. The poet, as he listened, felt that the life and character of Ernest were a nobler strain of poetry than he had ever written. His eyes filled with tears and he said to himself that never was there so worthy a sage as that mild, sweet, thoughtful face, with the glory of white hair diffused about it.
(1) What did Ernest use to do at sunset ?
(2) What was special about Ernest’s speech ?
(3) What do you understand by the word ’strain’ used in this passage?
(4) What was the impression of Ernest’s speech on the poet?
