I managed to find the complete exercise on the Internet, given that you haven't provided us with all options given to you. 1. cogitating = contemplatingTo cogitate means to think about something (cogito in Latin literally means 'to think). Contemplating means to mull over a couple (or a lot) of options which is what Mr. Gamefield is doing in the excerpt above - he is thinking of ways to pay his rent.
2. cudgeling = beatingA cudgel is a short stick which you can use as a weapon. So if you cudgel something or someone, it means that you are beating them with a cudgel, because it is a thick stick, almost like a bat. So this person was metaphorically cudgeling his brain, but literally cudgeling his donkey.
3. regaled = rewardedThe verb to regale has two meanings - it can either mean 'to entertain someone,' or it can mean 'to supply someone with something.' Here, the latter meaning is used - the donkey thought he would be given a cabbage-stalk or two for his hard work
Can we see the paragraph and if there’s answer choices can I see them to?
c. the forced door to the birdcage
Mrs. Wright asked Mrs. Peters and Mrs. Hales to go to the farmhouse and collect a few things for her. The trifles began with Mrs. Wrights kitchen described (by the two) as messy and hastily deserted.
