English Language & Literature — AI-generated practice question

Mrs Pumphrey genuinely loves Tricki, yet her over-indulgence is the direct cause of his illness — making over-indulgence disguised as care the story's central theme.

She feeds him "extras between meals" — malt, cod-liver oil, Horlicks, cream cakes, and chocolates — believing he suffers from malnutrition. In reality, he becomes "hugely fat, like a bloated sausage," with bloodshot eyes and no energy. She admits she cannot "harden her heart" to refuse him food, and she ignores Mr Herriot's earlier advice to cut sweets.

Exercise is equally neglected; his only activity is short walks, and ring-throwing has stopped entirely. Every comfort — a wardrobe of coats, multiple beds, toys — is provided, yet basic health needs are ignored.

The cure requires no surgery — just a fortnight of plain food and exercise. Mrs Pumphrey's mistaking Tricki's recovery for "a triumph of surgery" shows she never recognises that her own pampering was the problem.

Source: A Triumph of Surgery, Chapter 1, Footprints without Feet

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What examiners look for in this question:

• A clear statement of the theme (over-indulgence as harm)
• Specific textual evidence: the extra foods, refusal to cut sweets, lack of exercise, unnecessary accessories
• The irony that love causes illness
• The resolution proving no surgery was needed — just removal of pampering
• Mrs Pumphrey's final misunderstanding ("triumph of surgery") as a clinching irony

Key tip: Don't just retell the story. Every point must link back to the theme — "over-indulgence disguised as care." Use short, direct quotes from the passage to show the examiner you've read closely.