Passage:
"And among other things, the poor pigeons, I perceive, were loth to leave their houses, but hovered about the windows and balconies till they were, some of them burned, their wings, and fell down."
Question:
Which of these is nearest in meaning to the word loth, as it is used in the passage above?
A.) Eager
B.) Prepared
C.) Unable
D.) Reluctant
. . .
Answer:
D.) Reluctant

The passage displays the incompetence of the pigeons and the word "loth" illustrates their "reluctance" to abandon their houses as their wings have been set on fire. They reminisce their old days when they flew around the 'windows and balconies'. The word 'loth' intensifies their struggle to leave their houses and thus, they are called "poor" to exemplify the helplessness of their situation. The first option proves against the beginning of the passage where they have sympathized,(by using "poor") so, they can't be eager to leave their houses. Neither were they prepared for it. However, they were unable to leave but more reluctant as they had an affinity to their houses. This makes us conclude with D as the answer.