Complete Exam Guide Subject-wise practice platform
Robinson Crusoe · English Literature

When Crusoe realizes he is stranded on an uninhabited island, what mechanical and literary method does he adopt to track the passage of time and preserve his sanity?

  1. He creates an intricate water-clock out of hollowed-out bamboo stalks.
  2. He carves a daily notch on a large wooden cross driven into the ground where he first landed.
  3. He paints representations of the solar system on the inner walls of his cave.
  4. He relies entirely on his memory and stops trying to measure standard calendar days.
Show answer and explanation

Correct answer: He carves a daily notch on a large wooden cross driven into the ground where he first landed.

To prevent himself from losing his understanding of the calendar and the Sabbath, Crusoe erects a large post on the shore and cuts a notch into it with his knife every single day. This physical calendar underscores his commitment to maintaining rational, European structures of time and labor despite his absolute isolation. It also allows him to structure his narrative with chronological precision.

Difficulty: Medium Question 3 of 10

Practice all 10 Robinson Crusoe questions

Keep practicing

More Robinson Crusoe questions