GARDE 09

PROSE

1. THE FUN THEY HAD

I Answer these questions in a few words or a couple of sentences each.

1. How old are Margie and Tommy?

Margie is eleven and Tommy is thirteen years old.

2. What did Margie write in her diary?

Margie wrote in her diary. “Today 17 May, 2157 Tommy found a

real book.”

3. Has Margie ever seen a book before?

No. Margie had never seen a book before.

4. What things about the book did she find strange?

The book had a yellow and wrinkled page. The words of the book were still.
They did not move as the words moved on the computer screen. She found
these things strange.

5. What do you think a telebook is?

A telebook is displayed on the television screen and the text of a telebook is

similar to a book.
GARDE 09

II. Answer each of these questions in two or three paragraphs. (100-150

words).

1. What are the main features of the mechanical teachers and the schoolrooms
that Margie and Tommy have in the story?

Margie and Tommy have mechanical teachers. They need not go to

school to get a formal education. The mechanical teacher is placed in one of the
rooms of the house and they can get knowledge of various subjects individually.
They don’t have classrooms where students sit together. Their teacher has many
telebooks. So they don’t require books and exercise books. The examination
system is very different. They are to do homework in a different way. Margie has
to write them out in a punch code they made her learn when she was six years old,
and the mechanical teacher calculated the marks in no time. So the system of
Margie’s education is technologically advanced and not based on printed books.

2. Why did Margie hate school? Why did she think the old kind of school
must have been fun?

Margie hated school because she had a mechanical teacher. It was in

her house. She was supposed to sit in that room alone to complete her hometask or
assignments. The part Margie hated most was the slot where she had to put
homework and test papers. The mechanical teacher calculated the marks in no
time in Geography and she had been doing worse. So she hated it more than ever.

She thought that the old schools must have been fun because the students
used to sit together in the classroom. They enjoyed, laughed and shouted in the
GARDE 09

schoolyard. Children need company to hone their skills. If they are isolated, they
get depressed and dejected, Margie also feels alienated.

2.The Sound of Music (Part 1)

Thinking About the Text:

I. Answer the questions in a few words or a couple of sentences each:

1. How old was Evelyn when she went to the Royal Academy of Music?

Ans: Evelyn was not even seventeen when she went to the Royal Academy of

Music.

2. When was her deafness first noticed? When was it confirmed?

Ans: Her deafness was noticed when she was eight-year old. It was confirmed by
the time she was eleven.

II. Answer each of these questions in a short paragraph:

1. Who helped her to continue with music? What did he do and say?

Ans: Ron Forbes helped her to continue with music. He spotted her potential and
said, “Don’t listen through your ears, try to sense it some other way.” He began by
tuning two large drums to different notes.

2. Name the various places and causes for which Evelyn performs.

Ans: Evelyn performed free concerts in prisons and hospitals. She made music her
life and performed many regular concerts.

III. Answer the question in two or three paragraphs:

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1. How does Evelyn hear music?

Ans: Evelyn became deaf by the time she was eleven. But she did not give up. She
was determined to lead a normal life and pursue her interest in music. Ron Forbes,
a percussionist, spotted her potential. He asked her not to listen through ears but try
to sense it some other way. She realised she could feel the higher drum from the
waist up and the lower one from the waist down. Forbes repeated the exercise and
soon Evelyn discovered that she could sense certain notes in different parts of her
body. She learnt to open her body and mind to sounds and vibrations. She herself
explained, “It pours in through every part of my body. It tingles in the skin, my
cheekbones and even in my hair”. When she played on the xylophone, she could
sense the sound passing up the stick into her fingerprints. By leaning against the
drums, she could feel the resonances flowing into her body. On the wooden floor
she used to remove her shoes so that the vibrations may pass through her bare feet
and up her legs.

The Sound of Music (Part 2)

I. Answer these questions in 30 – 40 words:

1. Why did Aurangzeb ban the playing of the pungi?

Ans: Aurangzeb banned the playing of the pungi because it had a shrill and
unpleasant sound.

2. How is a shehnai different from a pungi?

Ans: A shehnai is a pipe with a natural hollow that is longer and broader than a
pungi. It has seven holes on the body of the pipe.
GARDE 09

3. Where was the shehnai traditionally played? How did Bismillah Khan change
this?

Ans: The shehnai was played traditionally in the temple at the royal courts and at
weddings. The credit must go to Bismillah Khan to take this instrument onto the
classical stage.

4. When and how did Bismillah Khan get his big break?

Ans: Bismillah Khan got his big break with the opening of the All India Radio in
Lucknow in 1938.

5. Where did Bismillah khan play the Shehnai on 15 August 1947? Why was the
event historic?

Ans: Bismillah Khan played the shehnai on 15 August 1947 at the Red Fort. He
was the first Indian to greet the nation with his musical instrument. This event was
historic because we got independence on that day. He poured his heart out in the
presence of many people including Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru.

6. Why did Bismillah Khan refuse to start a shehnai school in the USA?

Ans: Bismillah Khan refused to start a shehnai school in the USA because he never
wanted to leave India. He loved India so much and he did not want to settle
anywhere except India. That is why whenever he was in a foreign country, he kept
yearning to see Hindustan.

7. Find at least 2 instances in the text which tell you that Bismillah Khan loves
India and Benares.
GARDE 09

Ans: Bismillah Khan loves India and Benares from the bottom of his heart. He says
that he misses the holy Ganga and India when he goes abroad. While in Mumbai,
he thinks of only Benares and the holy river. And when he is in Benares, he
remembers the unique mattha of Dumraon.

3. THE LITTLE GIRL

I. Answer these questions in a few words or a couple of sentences each.

1. Why was the little girl afraid of her father?
The little girl was afraid of her father because of his rude and arrogant
behaviour. She stuttered only with her father. He never interacted with her
politely and humbly.
2. Why did her father intend to punish?
Kezia’s grandmother asked her to give a birthday present to his father. She
made a cushion using some shuts of fine paper which she found on her mother’s
bed table. It was an important speech but she tore those pages. So her father
intended to punish her.
3. What did Kezia expect of her father?
Kezia expected that her father should play with her and speak politely. She
needed affection and love. She felt segregated from the mainstream of life due to
her father’s behaviour.
4. How did the Macdonalds make her feel?
The Macdonalds lived next door. They had five children. The children were
playing with their father and they all were enjoying themselves and laughing. She
thought that there were different sorts of fathers.
5. Explain the nightmare that she had.
GARDE 09

She had a nightmare of the butcher with a knife and a rope, who came nearer
and nearer, smiling that dreadful smile, while she could not move. She stood still
and cried, Grandma!

II. LONG ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS (80 WORDS)

1. What message does the author wish to convey through Kezia’s story?
Kezia’s story is very touching. It shows that Kezia misinterprets her
parent’s attitude and behaviour because of her innocence. She thinks that her
father does not love her. She concludes that he is rude and arrogant. He punishes
her with a ruler. Moreover, he never plays with her and never spends time with
her. But in the end of the story he shows his affection and love towards Kezia
when she is in dire need of her father’s protection. He makes her feel comfortable
and lays beside her so that she may enjoy sound sleep and she may not feel
frightened due to a nightmare. The author intends to say that parents can never go
against their children. They persistently strive hard for accumulating wealth to
provide all the basic necessities to their wards.

2. That night there was a hue and cry in the house. “Why did her father get
agitated?
One day, when Kezia was kept indoors with a cold, her grandmother
suggested she make a pin-cushion for her father. She stitched three sides of the
cushion and went to her mother’s bedroom to look for scraps with which she could
fill the cushion. On the bed-table she discovered a great many sheets of fine paper,
gathered them up, tore them into tiny pieces and stuffed her case, then sewed up
the fourth side.
GARDE 09

That night there was a hue and cry in the house because those papers were
important. It was a great speech for the Port Authority. So her parents were in
search of those sheets. This was the reason that her father got agitated and
punished her with a ruler.

4.A Truly Beautiful Mind

Thinking About the Text:

1. Who had these opinions about Einstein?

(i) He was boring.
(ii) He was stupid and would never succeed in life.

(iii) He was a freak.

Ans:

(i) His playmates

(ii)A headmaster
(iii) His mother

2. Explain what the reasons for the following:

(i) Einstein leaving the school in Munich for good.
(ii) Einstein wanted to study in Switzerland rather than in
Munich.
GARDE 09

(iii) Einstein saw in Mileva an ally.

(iv) What do these tell you about Einstein?

(i) Einstein left the school in Munich because he did not like the discipline
of the school. He hated the school’s regimentation and often clashed with
teachers.
(ii) Albert’s parents moved to Milan and left their son with relatives. After
prolonged discussion, Einstein got his wish to continue his education in
German-speaking Switzerland. Actually, it was more liberal than
Munich.
(iii) Einstein saw an ally in Mileva because just like him, she too was against
‘Philistines’ i.e. the people in Einstein’s family and at the university with
whom he was constantly at odds.
(iv)The above things tell us that Einstein was a genius and had the
capabilities to achieve his targets. Moreover, he had his own view of life.
He liked freedom too much.

3. What did Einstein call his desk drawer at the patent office? Why?

Ans: Einstein called his desk drawer at the patent office the “bureau of
theoretical physics”. Einstein was actually developing his own ideas in secret
and his drawer had all the evidence which could reveal the secret.

4. Why did Einstein write a letter to Franklin Roosevelt?

Ans: With the emergence of Nazis in Germany, Einstein immigrated to the

United States. It was the fact that the Nazis had the ability to develop the atomic
GARDE 09

bomb. It could destroy the whole world. So he warned Franklin D. Roosevelt in

his letter.

5. How did Einstein react to the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki?

Ans: The atomic bomb devastated the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and
Nagasaki. He was deeply shaken by the extent of the destruction and wrote a
public missive to the United Nations.

6. Why does the world remember Einstein as a ‘world citizen”?

Ans: The world remembers Einstein as a “world citizen” because he believed in

universal peace. When there was the rat race for becoming atomic power, he
was worried about the aftermath of the bomb. He was really a world citizen
who was concerned with humanity.

6.My Childhood

- APJ Abdul Kalam

Thinking About the Text:

I Answer these questions in one or two sentences each:

1. Where was Abdul Kalam’s house?

Ans: Abdul Kalam’s house was on the Mosque Street in Rameswaram.

GARDE 09

2. What do you think Dinamani is the name of? Give a reason for your
answer.

Ans: Dinamani is the name of a newspaper. Abdul Kalam attempts to trace the
Second World War’s news in the headlines of this newspaper.

3. Who were Abdul Kalam’s school friends? What did they later become?

Ans: Ramanadha Sastry, Aravindan and Sivaprakasan were his school friends.
Ramanadha Sastry became a priest of the Rameswaram temple. Aravindan went
into the business of arranging transport for visiting pilgrims. Sivaprakasan became
a catering contractor for the Southern Railways.

4. How did Abdul Kalam earn his first wages?

Ans: Abdul Kalam earned his first wages by distributing newspapers.

5. Had he earned any money before that? In what way?

Ans: Yes, he earned money before also. He used to collect the tamarind seeds and
sell them to a provision shop on Mosque Street. A day’s collection would fetch
him the princely sum of one anna.

II. Answer each of these questions in a short paragraph:

1. How does the author describe: (i) his father (ii) his mother (iii)
himself

Ans: (i) The author describes his father as a wise and generous person. He felt
happy when he helped others. He did not have much formal education and riches.
GARDE 09

He was a man of confidence and great wisdom. He avoided inessential comforts

and luxuries.

(ii) His mother was a noble and kind – hearted woman. She used to feed a large
number of people. She had all the attributes of a typical Indian mother.

(iii) I was born into a middle – class Tamil family. I was a short boy to tall
and handsome parents. I studied physics and aerospace engineering and became a
scientist.

2. What characteristics does he say he inherited from his parents?

Ans: The author inherited humility and benevolence from his parents. He learnt
lessons in honesty and integrity from his parents. He was self- disciplined because
of his parents’ exemplary life.

III. Answer the following in two or three paragraphs each:

1. “On the whole, the small society of Rameswaram was very rigid in
terms of the segregation of different social groups,” says the author.

(i) Which social groups does he mention? Were these groups

easily identifiable (for example, by the way they dressed)

Ans: The author talks about the people who belong to various castes and follow
various religious preachings. Yes, these groups were easily identifiable. Their
dressing, traditions, culture and rituals were different.
GARDE 09

(ii) Were they aware only of their differences or did they also
naturally share friendships and experiences? (Think of the
bedtime stories in Kalam’s house; of who his friends were;
and of what used to take place in the pond near his house)

Ans: They did share their personal experiences and friendships. Lakshmana Sastry
summoned the teacher who separated the author and his friend in the class and told
him that he should not spread the poison of social inequality and communal
intolerance in the minds of innocent children.

(iii) The author speaks both of people who were very aware of
the differences among them and those who tried to bridge
these differences. Can you identify such people in the text?

Ans: The school teacher encouraged communal differences and Lakshmana Sastry
and Sivasubramania Iyer discouraged this malpractice.

(iv) Narrate two incidents that show how differences can be

created, and also how they can be resolved. How can people
change their attitudes?

Ans: The influential people can do both the things. A teacher has the ability to
bridge communal differences and can play with sentiments of the innocent and
ignorant people. This is what the new teacher did. But the Science teacher
Sivasubramania Iyer changed his wife’s attitude and showed her the right path.

2. (i) Why did Abdul Kalam want to leave Rameswaram?

GARDE 09

Ans: Abdul Kalam wanted to leave Rameswaram to study at the district

headquarters in Ramanathapuram.

(ii) What did his father say to this?

Ans: His father said that he knew he had to go away to grow. He gave the example
of a seagull and said that a seagull flies across the sun alone and without a nest.

(iii) What do you think his words mean? Why do you think he spoke those
words?

Ans: He spoke these words because he intended to hone his skill. He knew the
harsh reality of life that children may have to live far from their parents to make
their career and earn their livelihood. So he showed his wisdom and intelligence in
uttering these words.

7.Packing

Thinking about the Text

I. Answer the following questions in a short paragraph:

1. How many characters are there in the narrative? Narrate them. (Don’t
forget the dog!)

Ans: There are four characters in the narrative including the dog. They are the
narrator, George, Harris and the fourth is the dog named Montmorency.

2. Why did the narrator (Jerome) volunteer to do the packing?

GARDE 09

Ans: The narrator felt that he knew more about packing than any other person
living. Moreover, he would get an opportunity to boss the job and George and
Harris would do the job under his direction.

3. How did Gerome and Harris react to this? Did Jerome like their
reaction?

Ans: George and Harris accepted the narrator’s suggestion readily. But Jerome did
not like it.

4. What was Jerome’s real intention when he offered to pack?

Ans: Jerome’s real intention was to boss the job. He wanted Harris and George to
work under his guidance and instructions. But they accepted the proposal and sat
idle on the chairs comfortably.

5. What did Harris say after the bag was shut and strapped? Why do you
think he waited till then to ask?

Ans: After the bag was shut and strapped, Harris pointed out that Jerome had
forgotten to pack his boots. I think that he waited till then because he thought that
Jerome would pack the boots in the end.

6. What ‘horrible idea’ occurred to Jerome a little later?

Ans: Jerome was going to close the bag after putting the boots in it. He suddenly
thought of his toothbrush. While travelling, he must need the toothbrush which he
packed in the bag. Now he had to search for it in the bag.

7. Where did Jerome finally find the toothbrush?

GARDE 09

Ans: Jerome tried his best to find the toothbrush. He unpacked the bag but could
not find it. He put the things back one by one, and held everything up and shook it.
At last, he found it inside a boot.

8. Why did Jerome have to reopen the packed bag?

Ans: Jerome packed his spectacles in the bag. So he had to reopen the packed bag.

9. What did George and Harris offer to pack and why?

Ans: George and Harris offered to pack hampers because they wanted Jerome to
take some rest. They decided to pack the rest of things themselves.

10. What does Jerome say was Montmorency’s ambition in life? What do
you think of Montmorency and why?

Ans: Montmorency’s ambition in life is to interfere with others and be abused. He

wants to be a perfect nuisance and make people mad. If things are thrown at his
head, he feels his day has not been wasted. To get somebody to stumble over him
and curse him steadily for an hour is his highest aim and object. He came and sat
on things, just when they were going to be packed. He put his leg into the jam and
worried about the teaspoons and pretended that lemons were rats and got into the
hamper and killed three of them.

It is the natural, original sin that is born in him that makes him do things like that.

II. Answer the following questions in two or three paragraphs:

GARDE 09

1. Of the three, Jerome, George and Harris, who do you think is the best
or worst packer? Support your answer with details from the text.

Ans: Of the three, Harris is the worst packer in this world. But none of them is the
perfect packer. All of them are confused and do not know what is to be placed and
where. So far as Jerome is concerned he unpacked the bag to find his toothbrush in
a boot. He also packs his spectacles in the bag. Harris and George start their work
in a light hearted spirit. There are piles of plates, cups, kettles, bottles, jars, pies,
stoves, cakes and tomatoes. They break a cup. Harris packs the strawberry jam on
top of a tomato and squashes it. They have to pick out the tomato with a teaspoon.
George treads on the butter. He gets it off from his slipper and puts it in the kettle.
He puts it down on a chair and Harris sits on it. It sticks to him and then they look
for it all over the room. In this way they created chaos in the room.

2. How did Montmorency ‘contribute’ to the packing?

Ans: Montmorency’s contribution to the packing cannot be forgotten. His

ambition in life was to disturb others and be abused by them. He came and sat on
things, just when they were going to be packed and he put his leg into the jam. He
disturbed everything. He pretended the lemons to be rats and got into the hamper
and killed three of them.

Montmorency wanted to be a perfect nuisance and make people mad. If things are
thrown at his head, he feels his day has not been wasted. To get somebody to
stumble over him, and curse him steadily for an hour was his highest aim and
objective. When he succeeded in accomplishing it, his conceit became quite
unbearable.
GARDE 09

3. Do you find this story funny? What are the humorous elements in it?

Ans: The story is really humorous and funny. Jerome’s episode of packing and
Montmorency’s contribution have made the story funny and interesting. Jerome
was confused about his toothbrush and found it in a boot. He also packed his
spectacles in the bag. The incident of butter makes the reader laugh. George treads
on the butter and it sticks to his slipper. Later he puts it on the chair. Harris sits on
the chair and it sticks to his bottom. They squash the tomatoes by putting the
strawberry jam on them.

Montmorency’s pretension for the lemons to be rats is also fascinating and funny.
These incidents are described in an orderly and perfect way.

8.Reach for the Top

Thinking About the Text:

I Answer these questions in one or two sentences each:

1. Why was the ‘holy man’ who gave Santosh’s mother his blessings
surprised?

Ans: The ‘holy man’ who gave Santosh’s mother his blessings was surprised
because her grandmother sought blessings for a daughter. In this society most of
the people ask the seers to bless for a son.

2. Give an example to show that even as a young girl Santosh was not ready
to accept anything unreasonable.
GARDE 09

Ans: She used to wear shorts and not the traditional dresses meant for girls.

3. Why was Santosh sent to the local school?

Ans: She was sent to the local school in line with the prevailing custom in the
family.

4. When did she leave home for Delhi and why?

Ans: She left home for Delhi to get proper education. She was sixteen at that
time.

5. Why did Santosh’s parents agree to pay for her schooling in Delhi?
What mental qualities of Santosh are brought into light by this incident?

Ans: Her parents got ready because she informed them of her plans to earn
money by working part time to pay her school fees.

II. Answer each of these questions in a short paragraph:

(about 30 words)

1. How did Santosh begin to climb mountains?

Ans: She wished to climb mountains when she watched villagers from her room,
going up the hill and suddenly vanishing after a while. One day, she decided to
check it out herself. She found nobody except a few mountaineers. Later she saved
money and enrolled in a course at Uttarkashi’s Nehru Institute of Mountaineering.
Then she began climbing Mountains every year.
GARDE 09

2. What incidents during the Everest expedition show Santosh’s concern

for her teammates?

Ans: Santosh Yadav provided special care to a climber who lay dying at the south
pole in 1992 Everest Mission. She saved Mohan Singh, who would have lost his
life had she not shared her oxygen with him.

3. What shows her concern for the environment?

Ans: Santosh was really concerned for the environment. She collected and brought
down 500 kilograms of garbage from the Himalayas.

4. How does she describe her feelings at the summit of Everest?

Ans: She said that it took some time for the enormity of the moment to sink in. She
was delighted at this moment and proudly unfurled the Indian tricolor.

5. Santosh Yadav got into the record books both times she scaled Mt.
Everest. What were the reasons for this?

Ans: She is the youngest woman who has scaled Everest. She is the only woman
who has climbed Everest twice.

9.The Bond of Love

Thinking About The Text:

I. Answer the following questions:

1. “I got him for her by accident.”

GARDE 09

(i) Who says this?

The author says this.

(ii) Who do ‘him’ and ‘her’ refer to?

‘Him’ refers to the baby bear and ‘her’ refers to the author’s wife.

(iii) What is the incident referred to here?

The incident refers to the coaching of the baby bear.

2. “He stood on his head in delight.”

(i) Who does ‘he’ refer to?

‘He’ refers to the baby bear.

(ii) Why was he delighted?

‘He’ was delighted to see the author’s wife after a long time.

3. “We all missed him greatly: but in a sense we were relieved.”

(i) Who does ‘we all’ stand for?

The author, his wife and son.

(ii) Who did they miss?

They missed the baby bear.

(iii) Why did they nevertheless feel relieved?

GARDE 09

They felt relieved because it was getting difficult to keep the baby bear at
home.

11.If I Were You

-DOUGLAS JAMES

I.SUMMARY

If I Were You is a play written by Douglas James. It begins with the

telephonic conversation of a dramatist, Gerrard who was preparing to leave his
house in order to attend a rehearsal. After hanging up the phone call, he starts
packing his travel bag. While he is engaged in his work, he suddenly notices an
intruder who has silently entered from his right side. Gerrard notices that the
unknown man resembles him quite a bit and is holding a revolver in his hand. The
intruder without wasting any time asks Gerrard to raise his hands up in the air.
Gerrard on the other hand, is surprisingly relaxed and does not panic at gunpoint.
He starts chatting with the intruder and asks his name pleasantly.
The intruder starts interrogating Gerrard about his details. Gerrard requests him to
discuss in a comfortable position, so the intruder asks him to sit down on a chair.
As they start talking again, he asks Gerrard if he stays alone and owns a car. To
this, the dramatist replies that he often travels due to the nature of his work. One of
his bags is always kept packed as there are days when he needs to travel out for
some urgent work. Besides, Gerrard also tells the intruder that he often talks on the
telephone without meeting his tradesmen in reality.
Meanwhile, Gerrard also enquires about the intruder’s whereabouts and the latter
tells him that he is a criminal who mainly robs jewellery. Further, he also killed a
policeman and he wishes to take Gerrard’s identity by killing him so that he can
evade his arrest completely. Hearing this, Gerrard realises that the intruder is not as
smart as he had assumed him to be. So, he manipulates the intruder wittingly to
believe him. Gerrard quickly makes up a story and states that he has a mysterious
life of his own. He convinces him to believe his words and tells the intruder that
GARDE 09

the police is also after Gerrard for a murder. Now if the intruder kills him, the
police would anyway catch him on account of Gerrard’s misdeeds.
Hearing this, the intruder believes Gerrard’s story when the latter asks him to go to
the garage and flee from the house through that route. So, Gerrard opens the garage
door and pushes the intruder inside which is actually a cupboard and locks him up
inside. Soon after, he informs the police about the criminal’s whereabouts and
hands him over to them. Thus, we see that Gerrard’s presence of mind and
alertness saved him from a life-threatening situation.

II. Answer these questions.

1. “At last a sympathetic audience.”

i.Who says this?

Gerrard says this.

ii.Why does he say it?

He says this because the intruder becomes sympathetic towards him.

iii.is he sarcastic or serious?

He is, no doubt, sarcastic.

2.Why does the intruder choose Gerrard as the man whose identity he wants
to take on?

The intruder chose Gerrard as the man whose identity he wants to take on
because he is a kind of a mystery man. He phones his orders and sometimes goes
away suddenly and comes back just the same.
GARDE 09

3. “I said it with bullets.”

i. Who says this?

Gerrard says this.

ii. What does it mean?

It means that he is not an ordinary person. He is very dangerous.

iii. Is it the truth? What is the speaker’s reason for saying this?

NO, he wants the intruder to change his idea of killing him.

4.What is Gerrard’s profession? Quote the parts of the play that support your
answer.

Gerrard is a dramatist. He says, “Sorry I can’t let you have the props in time
for rehearsal…

5. “You’ll soon stop being smart.”

i. Who says this?

The intruder says this.

ii. Why does the speaker say it?

He says it because Gerrard does not seem afraid of his gun even.

iii. What according to the speaker will stop Gerrard from being smart?

According to the speaker, the bullet will stop Gerrard from being smart.
GARDE 09

6. “They can’t hang me twice.”

i. Who says this

The intruder says this.

ii. Why does the speaker say it?

The speaker says it because he wants to murder Gerrard. And he has already
murdered someone. So the police cannot hang him twice.

7. “A mystery I propose to explain.” What is the mystery the speaker proposes

to explain?

The speaker wants the intruder to explain what mystery is associated with
him. The mystery is about Gerrard placing his orders on the telephone. And he
goes out suddenly and returns in the same way.

8. “This is your big surprise.”

i. Where has this been said in the play?

Gerrard speaks this line. He tells the intruder that if he is not hanged for his
murder, he will certainly be hanged being Vincent Charles Gerrard. At this time he
utters these words.

ii. What is the surprise?

The big surprise is that Gerrard will not be killed by him. He is right in
saying this.
GARDE 09

II. Answer the following questions in 30-40 words each:

1. On two occasions Bruno ate/drank something that should not be

eaten/drunk. What happened to him on these occasions?

Ans: Bruno ate Barium Carbonate which was put to kill the rats and mice.
Paralysis set in to the extent that he could not stand on his feet. Once he drank
one gallon of engine oil. But it had no ill effects whatsoever.

2. Was Bruno a loving and playful pet? Why, then, did he have to be sent
away?

Ans: Yes, Bruno was a loving and playful pet. But he was mischievous also.
The bear became very attached to the narrator’s two Alsatian dogs and the
children of the tenants. Bruno had grown many times the size he was when he
came. Now his name was changed to Baba. Now he was getting too big to be
kept at home. So he was sent to a zoo.

3. How was the problem of what to do with Bruno finally solved?

Ans: Bruno was not feeling happy after getting separated from the narrator’s
family. He was getting weak every day. The narrator’s wife went to Mysore to
meet Bruno. After seeing his pitiful condition she decided to get Bruno back
home. The narrator and his wife made special arrangements for Bruno and
created all facilities for him. At last Bruno was back home in a small cage.
GARDE 09

POEM

1.The Road Not Taken - Robert Frost

Thinking About the Poem

1. Where does the traveller find himself? What problems does he face?

Answer: The traveller finds himself at a point where two roads diverged. His
problem is to decide on which road he should walk.

2. Discuss what these phrases mean to you.

i) a yellow wood

ii) it was grassy and wanted wear

GARDE 09

iii) the passing there

iv) leaves no step had trodden black

v) how way leads on to way

Answer: i) A forest in the autumn season

ii) The road was grassy because it was a less travelled road. It wanted people to
move on it.

iii) It implies walking on the road.

iv) It means the leaves had not been crushed under the feet of travellers.

v) How does one road lead to another?

3. Is there any difference between the two roads as the poet describes them?

i) in stanzas two and three?

ii) in the last two lines of the poem?

Answer: i) There is no difference between the two roads in stanzas two and three.

ii) In the last two lines of the poem the poet tells that the road he opted for
is less travelled.

4. What do you think the last two lines of the poem mean? (Looking back,
does the poet regret his choice or accept it?)
GARDE 09

Answer: The last two lines have the quintessence of the poem. The poet expresses
his opinion that it becomes difficult for a normal human being to change his/her
decision. The poet intends to walk on the first road but he couldn't do so because
life doesn't offer multiple chances to choose. The decision taken may ruin one's
future or lead one to success. It makes all the difference. He now repents for not
getting a chance to travel on the first road.

II.

1. Have you ever had to make a difficult choice (or do you think you will have
difficult choices to make)? How will you make the choice (for what reasons)?

Answer: Such situations occur in everyone's life. In today's world people have
numerous alternatives. But the decision should be taken after considering all the
ins and outs of the situation. We must ruminate over the disadvantages also.

2. After you have made a choice do you always think about what might have
been, or do you accept the reality?

Answer: One should live in the present and not in the past. The philosophy of 'is'
is the key to attaining success. Life is not a bed of roses. It's hurdles are to be
crossed bravely. One must not feel nervous and get dejected in the trying
circumstances. In some instances, one needs to be confident about the choice
he/she makes.

2.Wind

Thinking About the Poem:

GARDE 09

1. What are the things the wind does in the first stanza?

Ans: The wind breaks the doors of the window, scatters the papers and throws
down the books on the shelf. It also tears the pages of the books and brings rain.

2. Have you seen anybody winnow grain at home or in a paddy field? What do
people use for winnowing?

Ans: Yes, I have seen ladies winnow grain in my village. People winnow grains to
remove straws, chaff and dust found in grains there.

3. What does the poet say the wind god winnows?

Ans: The wind god winnows all the things available at home.

4. How do we make wind our friend?

Ans: The poet suggests that we should build strong houses and fix the doors firmly
to make friends with the wind. Moreover, we should be strong enough to face the
difficulties in life.

5. What do the last four lines of the poem mean to you?

Ans: The last four lines convey the message that those who are not determined and
lack confidence face defeat. And those who set their targets and make sincere
efforts are not disturbed by any obstacle.

6. How does the poet speak to the wind – in anger or with humour? You must
also have seen or heard of the wind “crumbling lives”. What is your response
to this? Is it the same as the poet’s?
GARDE 09

Ans: The poet speaks to the wind with humour. I opine that the poet’s behaviour is
pertinent, and I have also seen the wind devastating the property mercilessly. The
poet invites the wind to attack him and intends to prepare himself for the attack.

3.RAIN ON THE ROOF

I. Answer these questions in a few words or a couple of sentences each.

1. When you were a young child, did your mother tuck you in, as the poet’s did?

Yes, my mother used to tuck me in when I was a child. Whenever I said that
I could not do that, she embraced me and took me in her lap to get that work done.
She used to feel sad and dejected if I was involved in any mishap.

2. Do you like rain? What do you do when it rains steadily or heavily as described
in the poem?

Yes, I like rain and prefer to take a bath for some time. But when it rains
heavily. I stay inside and enjoy the beauty of nature.

3. Does everybody have a cosy bed to lie in when it rains? Look around you and
describe how different kinds of people or animals spend time, seek shelter, etc.
during rain.

No, everybody is not so fortunate to have a cosy bed to lie in when it rains.
There are some people who live at railway platforms and bus terminals. They
don’t have a bed sheet to talk about comfortable beds.

There are so many animals who don’t have any shelter and tremble under the
dark sky in the rainy season.
GARDE 09

5. A LEGEND OF THE NORTHLAND

I. Answer these questions in a few words or a couple of sentences each.

1. Which country or countries do you think “the Northland” refers to?

It is a country in the north where days are short and nights are long.

2. What did Saint Peter ask the old lady for? What was the lady’s reaction?

Saint Peter asked the old lady for aims. The lady behaved miserly and kept
changing the size of the cake but could not give him anything to eat.

3. How did he punish her?

He crushed her and made her a woodpecker.

4. How does the woodpecker get her food?

The woodpecker bores the hard and dry wood to get her food.

5. Do you think that the old lady would have been so ungenerous if she had known
Who Saint Peter really was? What would she have done then?

No, she would not have done this. She might have given him the smallest
piece of cake.

6. Is this a true story? Which part of this poem do you feel is the most important?

No, it is an imaginative story. It is a legend. The third stanza of the poem is

very important.
GARDE 09

7. What is a legend? Why is this poem called a legend?

A legend is a story from ancient times about people and events. The title of
the poem tells that it is a legend. The poet himself says that ‘I don’t believe it is
true’.

8. Write the story of ‘A Legend of the Northland’ in about ten sentences.

The poem is a story of an old woman. She is asked by Saint Peter for alms
who have become weak with fasting and travelling. But her greed forced her not
to give him anything. He becomes angry and makes her a woodpecker who bores
hard and dry wood to get food. Her clothes are burnt to ashes and she is left with a
cap on her head. She continues boring into hard wood for her little food.

6. NO MEN ARE FOREIGN

I. Answer these questions in a few words or a couple of sentences each.

1. What message does the poet want to convey?

The poet wants to say that there should be no discrimination on the basis of

nationality. It is inhuman to tease one because of one’s foreign background. He

wants people to discourage this practice and love their fellow human beings.

2. How does the poet prove that there are no foreign countries?
GARDE 09

The poet proves it with the help of nature. Everyone shares the sun, earth

and air. They have the same body structure and its functioning elements. So there

should be no biased attitude towards anyone.

3. What does the poet ask us to remember in the last stanza?

The poet warns the ordinary and innocent people whose emotions and

sentiments are stirred by some selfish people. Their immoral acts and poisonous

views don’t deserve attention.

4. How do we become responsible for the war?

Everyone is responsible for the war. If we start hating our brothers, we will

become the cause of tension. And the tension will certainly convert into war one

day. So nobody should hate and despise anyone.

8. ON KILLING A TREE

I. Answer these questions in a few words or a couple of sentences each.

1. Can a “simple jab of the knife” kill a tree? Why not?

GARDE 09

No, a simple jab of a knife does not have the ability to kill the tree. It has to
go through various processes. If its root is not removed from the earth. It will
sprout again.

2. How has the tree grown to its full size? List the words suggestive of its life and
activity.

The tree consumes the earth, and rises out of it feeding upon its crust. It
absorbs years of sunlight, air and water.

3. What is the meaning of “bleeding bark”? What makes it bleed?

‘Bleeding bark’ means the twigs which are cut mercilessly. They leave a
liquid substance. If any part of the human body is cut, bleeding starts. In the
same way the liquid substance comes out from the branch of a tree. The human
beings’ axe makes it bleed.

4. The poet says “No” in the beginning of the third stanza. What does he mean by
this?

‘No’ is used to emphasize the perspective that chopping or hacking will not
be sufficient for killing a tree.

5. What is the meaning of “anchoring earth” and “earth cave”?

It means that the earth protects it like a mother. ‘Earth Cave’ implies a hole
inside it. The tree spreads its roots underneath that hole.

9. THE SNAKE TRYING

GARDE 09

I. Answer these questions in a few words or a couple of sentences each.

1. How does the snake protect itself? What kind of body does he have?

The snake moves with sudden carvings gliding through the water to protect

himself from the attack. He has a thin, long body.

2. How does the poet describe his shapes?

The poet says that the snake makes beautiful and graceful shapes. He is

mesmerized to see the zig-zag walk of the snake.

3. What does the poet appeal to?

· The poet is a very kind and generous man. He is sympathetic to

the snake.

· So it appeals to let him go safely to his place.

4. Where does the snake vanish?

The snake vanishes in the ripples among the green thin reeds.
GARDE 09

SUPPLEMENTARY

1. THE LOST CHILD

I. Answer these questions in a few words or a couple of sentences each.

1. What are the things the child sees on his way to the fair? Why does he lag
behind?
GARDE 09

On his way to the fair the child sees toys, balloons of different colour,
garland of gulmohur, swing and a snake-charmer playing a flute. He gets attracted
towards all these things. So, he lags behind.

2. In the fair he wants many things. What are they? Why does he move on
without waiting for an answer?

The child wants many things in the fair. He is willing to have toys, different
sweets, garland, balloons of different colours and has a keen desire to enjoy
roundabouts. He moves on without waiting for an answer because he knows that
his parents will not buy all these things for him.

3. When does he realise that he has lost his way? How have his anxiety and
insecurity been described?

The child sees a roundabout in the fair and gets attracted to it. He is desirous
to have a ride on it. He asks his parents for permission to enjoy it. Having no
response on the part of his parents he realises that he has lost his way. He starts
crying bitterly at once and runs here and there in search of them.

4. Why does the lost child lose interest in the things that he had wanted
earlier?

The lost child loses interest in the things he had wanted earlier because he
loses his parents in the fair. Nothing is more important than parents for a child.
So, he wants them first.

5. What do you think happens in the end? Does the child find his parents?
GARDE 09

I think the child finds his parents at last. The kind-hearted person must have
tried his best to find his parents. On the other hand the parents of the child must
have left no stone unturned to find their child.

II. LONG ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS:

1. Describe the scene of the fair.

The fair was organised to celebrate the festival of spring. The scene of the
fair was full of excitement. It was a crowded place.People from different parts of
society visited the fair. The atmosphere was quite noisy. There were many
decorated shops. There were toys, balloons of different colours, garland of
gulmohar, swing and the special things that attracted the people. Children with
their parents enjoyed the swing. There was enjoyment all around. In the fair, there
was hustle and bustle. Many groups of men, women and children could be seen
easily..

2. Discuss the behaviour of the child before and after his separation from the
parents.

The child looked happy when he entered the fair. He was fascinated towards
all things he saw. He was willing to have sweets, a garland of gulmohur and
balloons. Apart from all these things the child had keen interest in round-about
and wanted to enjoy the music played by the snake-charmer. Though his demands
were not satisfied yet he enjoyed the fair.

But when he was separated from his parents, his mood was totally different.
He was filled with fear and became restless. Tears started rolling down from his
GARDE 09

eyes. A kind –hearted man lifted him up. He took him to the round-about and
offered him other things. But the child had no interest in all these things.

2.The Adventures of Toto

Think About It

1. How does Toto come to grandfather’s private zoo?

Ans: Grandfather loved animals. One day he saw this attractive monkey with a

tonga driver. The monkey was tied to a feeding trough and seemed out of place

there. Grandfather had a great liking for animals. So, he decided to buy Toto

from the tonga driver and bought it for five rupees.

2. “Toto was a pretty monkey.” In what sense is Toto pretty?

Ans: Toto had bright eyes sparkling with mischief, pearly white teeth, quick

and wicked fingers and a gracious tail which served as a third hand. The smile

of Toto was cute and frightened elderly Anglo-Indian ladies. Altogether all

these qualities made him pretty.

3. Why does grandfather take Toto to Saharanpur and how? Why does

the ticket collector insist on calling Toto a dog?

GARDE 09

Ans: Toto was a mischievous monkey. He kept disturbing all other animals in

grandfather’s private zoo. It seemed that only grandfather could manage him

properly. So, he took Toto to Saharanpur in a bag. The ticket collector called

Toto a dog as the monkey did not qualify the category of human beings.

4. How does Toto take a bath? Where has he learnt to do this? How

does Toto almost boil himself alive?

Ans: Toto cunningly tested the temperature with his hand then gradually

stepped into the bathtub. He stepped first one foot, then the other, until he was

into the water up to his neck. He rubbed himself all over with the soap. He

learned it all from the author. One Day Toto got in a large kitchen kettle which

was on fire to boil. He enjoyed the warm water but when the water turned out to

be hot, he jumped up and down. Suddenly the grandmother arrived and pulled

him out in half-boiled condition.

5. Why does the author say, “Toto was not the sort of pet we could keep

for long”?
GARDE 09

Ans: Author’s statement about Toto proves itself if we take Toto’s misdeeds

into consideration. Nobody could afford the frequent losses. He disturbed all

other animals too. Obviously, Toto was not the sort of pet we could keep for

long.

3. In the Kingdom of Fools

Think About It

1. What are the two strange things the guru and his disciple find in the

Kingdom of Fools?

The Guru and the disciple found that in the Kingdom of Fools people used to work

during nights and sleep during days. Everything was cheap and cost the same.

2. Why does the disciple decide to stay in the Kingdom of Fools? Is it a good

idea?

Everything was cheap in the Kingdom of Fools. The disciple had a peculiar diet.

He was tempted by the cheap food. So, he decided to stay in that kingdom. It was

not a good idea to stay there for a long time as one could be in danger any time

because of the unpredictable behavior of fools.

GARDE 09

3. Name all the people who are tried in the king’s court and give the

reasons for their trial.

The owner of the house i.e. the merchant, the bricklayer, the dancing girl and the

goldsmith were tried in the king’s court. They all were tried because the thief died

when the wall of the merchant's house had collapsed. The merchant was tried for

building a weak wall. The bricklayer was tried for doing his work carelessly. The

dancing girl was tried for disturbing the concentration of the bricklayer. The

goldsmith was blamed for making the dancing girl walk up and down to his house

a dozen times.

4. Who is the real culprit according to the king? Why does he escape

punishment?

The merchant’s dead father was held responsible for making the wall weak. But

according to the king the rich merchant was the real culprit because he had

inherited both the sins and riches of his father. He escaped the punishment because

he was too thin to fit the stake.

GARDE 09

5. What are the Guru’s words of wisdom? When does the disciple

remember them?

The Guru was full of wisdom and knew well that the unpredictable behavior of the

fools could create danger anytime. The Guru’s words were, “They are all fools.

This won’t last very long, and you can’t tell what they’ll do to you next”. The

disciple remembered them when he was arrested by the men of the king to execute

merely because he fitted the stake. It was because of the Guru’s words of wisdom

that the execution was postponed.

6. How does the Guru manage to save his disciple’s life?

The Guru arrived on time to save his disciple and created a drama. He told the king

that it was not an ordinary stake and whoever went to the stake first would become

the king in the next life. The second to die would become his minister. The king

wanted to avail himself of the opportunity. The Guru and his disciple were

released. Thus the Guru managed to save his disciple’s life.

5.The Happy Prince

Think About It:

GARDE 09

1. Why do the courtiers call the prince ‘the Happy Prince’? Is he really

happy? What does he see all around him?

Ans: He was a prince when he was alive. Being a prince he never knew

sorrow and suffering. So, the courtiers called him ‘the happy prince’.

But he was not happy in a real sense as his heart could feel the misery

of needy people. He saw the miserable conditions of people around

him.

2. Why does the Happy Prince send a ruby for the seamstress? What does

the swallow do in the seamstress’ house?

Ans: The seamstress was tired due to overwork. She was so poor that she

could not buy oranges for her little sick son. Her son was thirsty. The

Happy Prince saw the poor lady and her son. He felt pity for them. So,

he sent a ruby for her. The swallow came to the poor woman’s house

and laid the ruby on the table beside her. The bird fanned the boy’s

forehead with wings and flew back to the Happy Prince.

3. For whom does the prince send the sapphires and why?
GARDE 09

Ans: The playwright was very poor. He was incapable of buying food and

firewood. The prince sent the sapphires for the playwright so that he

could finish a play for the director of the theatre in time. The princess

sent his second sapphire to a poor match girl. Her matches had fallen

out the gutter. She was afraid that her father would beat her for this

loss. So, she was helped by the prince by sending her the second

sapphire.

4. What did the swallow see when it was flying over the city?

Ans: The swallow saw all categories of people. He found the rich making

merry in their beautiful houses and beggars begging sitting at the

gates. He also saw a group of wandering children who were poverty-

stricken.

5. Why did the swallow not leave the prince and go to Egypt?

Ans: At first, the swallow was willing to go to Egypt just after discharging

his duty properly. But when he saw Prince’s activities of charity and
GARDE 09

kindness he got impressed. On the other hand now the Happy Prince

had become totally blind due to the deeds of charity. In this condition,

he could not leave the Prince helpless. He left the idea of going to

Egypt and decided to serve the Prince.

6. What are the precious things mentioned in the story? Why are they

precious?

Ans: The leaden heart of the Happy Prince and the dead swallow are the

two precious things mentioned in the story. They are precious as they

did various deeds for the welfare of people and sacrificed their lives

for the sake of others.

6. WEATHERING THE STORM IN ERSAMA

I. Answer these questions in a few words or a couple of sentences each.

1. When did the cyclone hit Orissa and what were its effects?

In the evening of 27 October 1999, the cyclone hit Orissa and caused
devastation all around. The dreadful consequences of the cyclone ruined society
and disturbed life.

2. When did Prashant decide to go to his village? Did he find his family?
GARDE 09

After two days the rain ceased and the rain waters began to recede slowly.
Prashant is determined to go to his village. He found his family in a shelter.

3. Where did Prashant go seven years after his mother’s death?

Prashant went to the block headquarters of Erasma, a small town in coastal

Orissa. This town was around eighteen kilometres from his village. He went there
with one of his friends to spend the day.

4. Describe the scene after the storm and heavy rain.

The scene after the storm and heavy rain was quite tragic. There were dead
bodies and uprooted trees all around. A brown sheet of water covered everything.
There were screams and water everywhere.

5. When did the rain cease? What was its result?

The rain ceased after two days. There was nothing but water all around.
Because of heavy rain there was little hope for the betterment of the flood victims.

II. LONG ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS:

1. Write the character-sketch of Prashant.

Prashant was a young boy. He was a brave fellow. He had the qualities of a
great leader. He saw the devastation very closely. He was soft at heart. He kept
thinking about his family during his stay with his friend. He took the initiative and
decided to help others. He organised various groups and assigned them their
duties. He formed a youth task force to improve the condition. He thought about
all categories of people. He was daring and opposed the decision of the
GARDE 09

government. related to the setting up of separate institutions for widows and

orphans. He was the real hero. He helped others selflessly. It was due to his
support that the rehabilitation work could progress fast.

2. Describe the desperate situation in the shelter.

After the devastation the shelter was established. It was established at

Kalikuda. Around 2500 people were there. The whole atmosphere was grimmy.
The people survived on green coconuts. The men, the women and the children
looked helpless. They were filled with fear and groaning for the dead. Prashant
took the initiative and organised many groups. They succeeded in their efforts and
got rice to eat. They got relief packages sent through helicopters. There were filth,
vomit, urine and floating carcasses around and inside the shelter. Life seemed
slow here. The people there passed their time gossiping and performing several
activities. The situation of the shelter showed the clear picture of suffering
humanity.

7. The Last Leaf

- O. Henry

Think About It:

1. What is Johnsy’s illness? What can cure her, the medicine or the willingness
to live?
GARDE 09

Ans: Johnsy, a young artist, was ill. She was suffering from pneumonia. But later
on she suffered from a misconception that she would die soon as the last leaf on
the creeper would fall down. The medicine had no effect on her. Her willingness to
live could cure her.

2. Do you think the feeling of depression Johnsy has is common among

teenagers?

Ans: Life has two aspects i.e. positive and negative. It depends upon us how we
take it. Nowadays it is very common that teenagers are getting depressed because
of cut throat competition. On the other hand, a majority of teenagers who take life
positively and face difficulties boldly never lose hope and proceed further.

3. Behrman has a dream. What is it? Will it come true?

Ans: Behrman had a dream to paint a masterpiece in his life. He kept waiting for
the opportunity to give it a practical shape. Yes, he could materialize his dream
when he painted the last leaf of the ivy creeper.

4. What is Behrman’s masterpiece? What makes Sue say so?

Ans: Behrman was a 60 year old artist who had a dream to paint a masterpiece. His
painting of an ivy leaf was his masterpiece which saved the life of Johnsy. It was
such a painting that it was not easy to make out whether the leaf was real or it was
just a painting. When Behrman died painting this life saving painting, Sue called it
a masterpiece.

8.A House is Not a Home

GARDE 09

Think about it:

1. What does the author notice on Sunday afternoon? What is his

mother’s reaction? What does she do?

Ans: The author, while doing his homework noticed the smoke pouring in
through the seams of the ceiling. The room was filled with smoke very quickly.
The author and his mother ran outside to save their life. His mother ran out of
the house with a small metal box full of important documents. She became so
crazy that she rushed back to the house just after dropping the box.

2. Why does he break down in tears after the fire?

Ans: The author’s house was completely burned down. Five hours later when
the fire was finally put out, he realized at once that his cat was nowhere to be
found. He had to face the loss of old school, his house and cat. In such a state,
he cried and broke down in tears.

3. Why is the author deeply embarrassed the next day in school? Which
words show his fear and insecurity?

Ans: The author was full of remorse as he was left with nothing. He didn’t have
proper dress and study material. He had no backpack. He had a feeling of
insecurity. All things appeared strange to him. He was deeply shocked and
seemed frustrated. The words uttered by him “Was I destined to be an outcast
and a geek all my life? I didn’t want to grow up, change or have to handle life,
if it was going to be this way. I just wanted to curl up and die” reveal his fear
and insecurity.
GARDE 09

4.The cat and the author are very fond of each other. How has this been
shown in the story? Where was the cat after the fire? Who brings it back
and how?

Ans: The author loved his cat very much. He never considered her far from
him. She kept sitting beside him when he did his homework and other
household work. When the author found his cat back, his happiness was beyond
the limits. He grabbed her quickly and felt relieved. This proved that they were
very fond of each other.

The cat ran over a mile away when the house was on fire. A stranger lady
brought it back as there was a phone number written on the collar of the cat.

5. What actions of the schoolmates change the author’s understanding of

life and people, and comfort him emotionally? How does his loneliness
vanish and how does he start participating in life?

Ans: His schoolmates bought up school supplies, notebooks, and all kinds of
clothes for the author in order to help him. It was a matter of surprise and too
difficult to believe for him. He got emotional satisfaction. People who had
never spoken, introduced themselves one by one. All things seemed new and
created interest in his life. Now, he had all the things he used to have. He started
enjoying his life as usual.

6. What is the meaning of “My cat was back and so was I”? Has the author
gone anywhere? Why does he say that he is also back?
GARDE 09

Ans: Here the author wants to point out that life without affection is useless. He
was depressed after a great loss in all fields. His old school and teachers were
always in his mind. The fire had reduced his house to ashes. His cat was also
not with him. In such circumstances he considered himself dead and had no
interest in life. In the end as soon as the conditions took the turn he felt relieved.
Now he had all the things with him. The author had not gone anywhere. It was
his state of mind. He recovered from this gloomy state and started enjoying life
when he got his cat back.

10: The Beggar

Think About It

1. Has Lushkoff become a beggar by circumstance or by chance?

Ans: Lushkoff was a middle – aged man and belonged to the Russian choir. He
was not a born beggar. He was sacked from the choir because of his drinking
habits. He became a beggar by choice as he did not like to work hard at the stage.

2. What reasons does he give to Sergei for his lying?

Ans: Lushkoff told the truth and accepted that he was a liar. Formerly he used to
be a singer. He told lies to seek the favour of others. If he had spoken the truth
none would have helped him. So, he decided to tell lies.

3. Is Lushkoff a willing worker? Why, then, does he agree to chop wood

for Sergei?
GARDE 09

Ans: No, he was not a willing worker. He was too weak to work. He had lost his
strength and stamina due to his habit of drinking and secondly he was a middle
aged man. He agreed to chop wood because of pride and shame and he had been
trapped by his own words. So he had no other way but to accept Sergei’s offer.

4. Sergei says, “I am happy that my words have taken effect.” Why does
he say so? Is he right in saying so?

Ans: Sergei looked satisfied with the performance of the beggar and felt happy.
When Lushkoff’s job of packing and hauling the furniture was over, he praised
him while handing him a rouble. But he was not right in saying so because
Lushkoff had not developed the habit of working hard. He was still an idle fellow.

5. Lushkoff is earning thirty five roubles a month. How is he obliged to

Sergei for this?

Ans: Sergei played a very important role in improving the condition of the beggar.
It was because of Sergei that Lushkoff could earn thirty five roubles a month. He
offered him the job to chop wood at his home. Later on he sent him to one of his
friends to do the job of copying. Lushkoff was highly obliged to Sergei because
now he was a notary because of him.

6. During their conversation Lushkoff reveals that Sergei’s cook, Olga, is

responsible for the positive change in him. How has Olga saved Lushkoff?

Ans: Olga was a social and sympathetic lady. She loved humanity. She realized the
condition of Lushkoff and tried her best to improve the same. She did the work of
his part as she wanted to change him. She kept criticizing him in order to improve
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him. He realized her feelings towards him and a change took place in his heart. So,
Olga was responsible for the positive change in him.