Question Stimulus :- DIRECTIONS: Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions given below it. Long, long ago in a big forest, there were many trees, among the cluster of trees, there was a very tall pine tree. He was so tall that he could talk to the stars in the sky. He could easily gaze over the heads of the other trees. One day, late in the evening, the pine tree saw a little girl approaching him. He could see her only because of his height. She was in tears. The pine tree bent as low as he could and asked the weeping girl. ‘What is the matter? Why are you crying?’ the little girl, still sobbing replied, ‘I was gathering flowers for the goddess Durga, Who I believe, would help my parents to overcome their poverty and I have lost my way’. The pine tree said to the little girl, ‘It is late in the evening. It will not be possible for you to return to your house, which is at the other end at the forest. Sleep for the night at this place.’ The pine tree pointed out to an open cavelike place under him. The little girl was frightened of wild animals. The girl quickly crept into the cave-like place. The pine tree was happy and pleased with himself. He stood like a soldier guarding the place. The girl woke up in the morning and was amazed to see the pine tree standing like a guard outside the cave. Then her gaze travelled to the heap of flowers that she had gathered the previous night. The flowers lay withering on the ground. The pine tree understood what was going on in the girl’s mind. He wrapped his branches around the nearby flower trees and shook them gently. The little girl’s eyes brightened. But a great surprise awaited her. The pine tree brought out a bag of gold coins which had been lying for years in the hole in its trunk and gave it to the girl. With teary eyes she thanked her benefactor and went away. Which word in the passage means ‘the state of being extremely poor’?