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NVS Staff Nurse - 2022
English
Medium

Why does the writer compare the old lady with a bird using the expression 'veritable magpie'?

Appeared in: NVS Staff Nurse - 2022

Explanation

  • The expression 'veritable magpie' is a well-established literary metaphor.
  • In folklore and common language, magpies are famously associated with the behavior of collecting and hoarding miscellaneous items, particularly shiny ones.
  • The word 'veritable' means 'true' or 'genuine,' which serves to emphasize that the old lady perfectly embodied this specific hoarding characteristic.
  • Therefore, the comparison directly points to her habit of stashing things away.

Why Other Options Were Wrong

  • Option A: This is too general. While birds can be excitable, the specific metaphor of a 'magpie' points to a more distinct behavior than general excitability.
  • Option B: The metaphor describes a behavioral trait, not physical appearance. Comparisons of appearance would use different language, such as 'bird-like' or describing specific features like a 'beak-like nose'.
  • Option D: This confuses two different idioms. The idiom for being noisy is 'to chatter like a magpie.' Being called a magpie (noun) primarily refers to the hoarding trait.

Related Visual

An infographic illustrating common animal metaphors in English. It would show an animal e.g., fox, owl, lion, magpie and the primary trait it represents cunning, wise, brave,...
Clinical Relevance
  • Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Literary Metaphors and Idiomatic Expressions as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
  • While not a clinical question, understanding figurative language is vital for effective communication in healthcare. Patients may use metaphors to describe their symptoms or feelings (e.g., 'a stabbing pain,' 'a heavy heart'), and a nurse's ability to interpret this language is key to providing empathetic and accurate care.
  • The behavior of hoarding itself can be a clinical sign. Compulsive hoarding is a recognized disorder that can have significant health and safety implications, such as creating unsanitary living conditions or fire hazards. It is known to increase with age.
  • What if the question was in a clinical context, stating 'A nurse notes a patient's room is filled with collected items, and the patient is referred to as a veritable magpie by family'? The nurse should recognize this as a potential sign of hoarding disorder and perform a more thorough assessment of the patient's mental health and living conditions, rather than dismissing it as a simple quirk.
How to Approach the Question
  • First, identify the key phrase in the question, which is the idiom 'veritable magpie'.
  • Break down the phrase. 'Veritable' is an intensifier meaning 'true' or 'genuine'. The core of the metaphor is the 'magpie'.
  • Recall or deduce the common cultural associations with the word 'magpie'. Think about how this bird is portrayed in stories or common sayings.
  • Magpies are known for two things: being noisy ('chattering like a magpie') and collecting/hoarding shiny objects.
  • Evaluate the options. The question asks why she is called a magpie (a noun), which usually refers to a person's fundamental nature, rather than a temporary action like chattering.
  • Compare the options to the known traits. 'Stashed things' directly matches the hoarding behavior associated with magpies, making it the strongest answer.
Concept Tested & Keywords
  • Concept Tested: Literary Metaphors and Idiomatic Expressions
  • Stem keywords: compare, old lady, veritable magpie
  • Lead-in keywords: Why

Question ID

Q28qmY1cWi_zKk1T8za44W

Reference Book

E6 Robert Boland, Marcia L. Verduin - Kaplan and Sadock's Comprehensive Text of Psychiatry-Wolters Kluwer Health (2024) (pp 1-16525 of 16525) p. 13698-13700

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