Text Book Solutions All Class

LONG ANSWER QUESTIONS

Q1. Describe the seven stages in a man’s life. What are the attributes of each stage according to Shakespeare?
 Or
According to Shakespeare, there are seven stages in a man’s life and these stages are universal. Justify this statement in light of the poem ‘The Seven Ages’. [CBSE 2010 (Term II)]

Ans. The seven stages in a man’s life are :

1. Infancy,
2. School Boy,
3. Lover,
4. Soldier,
5. Judge,
6. Old-Age,
7. Very old age.

As an infant he only pukes and cries. As a schoolboy he moves about sulking, unwillingly carrying his school bag to the school. As a lover he keeps sighing like a furnace. As a soldier he is heroic, seeking reputation, willing to face total annihilation, he is rash and foolish. He risks his life to become immortal. As a judge he is wise, he gains weight, sports a beard and wears well-cut clothes and is always offering good advice to others. The sixth stage is of old age. He grows weak and thin. His teeth become loose and his legs become thin. In the seventh stage he is too old, without teeth, eyesight and taste. This is his second childhood and also the time to make his exit from the world.

Q2. What message does Shakespeare’s ‘The Seven Ages’ convey? [CBSE 2010 (Term II)]

Ans. Shakespeare wishes to point out that human life is transitory, we are in this world for a short span of time. We are born with a predetermined destiny and we must accept our fate with grace and humility. Every human being has to pass through the necessary stages of childhood, adolescence, youth, middle age and finally death. Death and birth are like the ‘entrances’ and ‘exits’ of actors and are in God’s hands. So we should not complain or grumble but perform our roles with dignity. Since life is short we, should not resort to arrogance or vanity. We are mere puppets in the hands of the puppetmaster i.e. God, so gratitude and compliance is expected from us.

Q3. ‘‘Sighing like furnace, with a woeful ballad made to his mistress’ eyebrow.’’ Why does a lover behave thus?

Ans. In his youth, he becomes a lover. Falls in love and plays the role of a romantic lover. He writes love songs and when sad and separated from his beloved, he draws deep and hot breaths like the bellows of a blacksmith. He writes sad tragic ballads, sentimental verses tragic and poetic descriptions of his love life. He is always unhappy and sad.

Q4. With eyes severe and beard of formal cut, full of wise saws and modern instances.” Which stage is this? State the reason for this kind of behaviour. [CBSE 2010 (Term II)]

Ans. His eyes have a severe expression and his beard displays a formal cut. He is always giving wise advice to others, always connecting them with present-day instances. This is the stage when a man plays the role of a Magistrate. He accepts the bribe of chicken and meat. He is living a life of ease and has put on a good weight. He has been an irresponsible youth a sentimental fool/lover, a daring soldier, so the time is ripe for him to play this role of a wise adviser.

Q5. Why is the world compared to a stage by Shakespeare?

Ans. Stage is a platform in a theatre, where actors perform their roles and all the action is enacted. The roles of the actors are written by the playwright and performed according to the directions of the director. Similarly, life is a performance and this world is akin to a stage, where men are born to perform certain roles, predetermined by God. Human beings cannot choose their roles, they are placed in situations and circumstances according to divine choice. Their births and deaths are also in God’s power. Shakespeare was one of the greatest dramatists of his time and each of the plays he wrote appeared to be small segments from life itself. So the comparison of the world to a stage, life to a drama, is an age-old concept.

Q6. Describe the fourth and fifth stages of man’s life.

Ans. In the fourth stage of his life, man performs the role of a soldier. He is fierce like a leopard, full of vigour and can be easily provoked. He is prone to jealousy and a desire to safeguard his reputation. In the fifth stage of his life he grows fat and huge, his eyes acquire a serious expression and his beard is very formal. He is always advising others and performs the role of a justice, who is desirous of impressing others.

LONG ANSWER QUESTIONS

Q1. Discuss the effect of the Solitary Reaper’s song on the listeners. Why is it compared to the nightingale and the cuckoo?

Ans. The poet describes the solitary reaper’s song, filling the deep valleys, sweeter than the voice of a nightingale. It is more welcome than a nightingale’s chant heard by weary travellers in the shady haunts of the Arabian desert. It is more thrilling than a cuckoo bird’s song which in the spring time can break the silence of the seas. It made the poet stand motionless and still to listen and carry it with him in his heart as he mounted up the hill never to forget it evermore. References to the Arabian sands and Scotland’s Hebrides (far-off Islands) impart an exotic feeling.

Q2. Discuss the scenic beauty of the background. How does it highlight the musicality of the song of the solitary reaper?

Ans. The scenic beauty is captured and displayed by the poet in vale profound, overflowing with the sound (the solitary reaper’s song), “Weary bands of travellers in some shady haunts among the Arabian sands”. Breaking the silence of the seas among the farthest Hebrides.

Q3. What impresses the poet? Why?

Ans. William Wordsworth describes and exemplifies a once in a lifetime kind of memory’ that is meant to be taken out of the storehouse of memory and enjoyed forever. The poet is struck by the beauty and the melody of the mountain girl, working in harmony with her surroundings. The maiden’s song enchants the poet and the melancholy strain makes him wonder at the content of the song. The melody and enchanting quality of her song remind him of the nightingale and the cuckoo but the intensity of her song overflows and reverberates throughout the valley. Whether she was singing about a battle or common sorrows or illness of a loved one, the poet has no idea. The solitary reaper’s song leaves a lasting impression on the poet’s mind and he believes that the memory of this song will be with him forever.

Q4. What message does the poet wish to convey in the poem?

Ans. What impresses the poet in the song is not its content but its emotionally expressive music. This feeling could have no ending and it communicates wordlessly something universal about the human condition. Despite the ‘melancholy strain’, the poet proceeds on his way, his ‘heart’ carrying her music. For that reason, the poem relates to an ‘ecstatic moment’ in which a passer-by transcends the limitations of mortality. Both the song and the poet can go on together. It also expresses the thought that the appeal and music is universal, language is not important.

Q5. Wordsworth had a wonderful experience listening to the highland girl while out for a walk in the countryside. He comes home and pens down his feelings in his diary immediately. Write his diary. [CBSE 2010 (Term I)]

Dear Diary,

Today, after a long time, I heard a song more melodious than a nightingale and a cuckoo bird. I am so thrilled that I want to pour my feelings into you. The highland lass who I heard singing while climbing the hill was so engrossed in her work of reaping the crop that she was totally oblivious of her surroundings. Although I could not understand the dialect she was singing but from the melancholy notes of her song I was able to gauge that it related to some unhappy memories, or some battles fought long ago. I was so mesmerised and spellbound that I was held motionless and still. But the memory of her song will always remain fresh for me. It has left an indelible mark on my mind. Oh God! it is still resounding in my ears.

LONG ANSWER QUESTIONS

Q1. What is the theme of the poem ‘The Road Not Taken’?

Ans. The regret in life when we do not make the right decision. Life is full of challenges and difficult decisions have to be made on which depends on our future life and success. When this happens and we make a choice out of many or two then the choices or choice not made keeps haunting us making us ponder what could have happened if we had made that choice which we did not, if we had taken that road, which we did not take.

Q2. Which road does the poet choose? Why? Is he happy about his decision?

Ans. He chose the road not frequented, which had not been trodden so far; reflecting and arguing with himself that maybe someday he would come back, find that road and walk on it. But somewhere in his mind, he is troubled with the thought that maybe he would not be able to do so. Life does not deal in rewinding and coming back to end one’s decisions or undo mistakes. We have to continue with the decision we make whatever the outcome.

Q3. Why was it so difficult for the poet to make a decision? Give reasons.

Ans. It was difficult for the poet to make a decision as he had no idea what any of them had in store for him. He was at a difficult time in his life, to remain in the USA where he was not given recognition or to migrate to England. Only the future could tell. It was like taking a leap in the dark. Who could tell its result? It was difficult to say how he would be received in England as his experience of his birthplace the USA was bitter.

Q4. What is the moral presented by the poet in the poem ‘The Road Not Taken’?

Ans. This is an inspirational poem and quite tricky, according to Robert Frost himself. The poem presents an antithesis. The traveller comes to a fork and wishes to take both, which is impossible. One of the roads is described as grassy and ‘wanting wear’, then he says that both the roads look the same. This represents the eternal dilemma of man: he finds the grass greener always on the other side.

This poem is a call for the reader to forge his or her way in life and not follow the path that others have taken. This poem encourages self-reliance, reinforces the power of independent thinking and sticking to one’s decisions. The poet does not moralise about choice, he simply says that choice is inevitable and you will never know till you have lived the ‘difference’. So there is nothing right or wrong about a choice, it is all relative. Whatever direction one takes one must pack it with determination and zest for one can never turn the clock back, or relive that moment.

Q5. As the poet who took the road not taken by many people, write a letter to your friend stating how “it has made all the difference”. [CBSE 2010 (Term I)]

Dear Smith,

As you know that I have established myself as a poet but this journey of life had not been very simple. I must tell you about the day when I was facing a dilemma to choose between the two roads to walk upon and I chose the one which was less frequented, leaving the first one for some other day. I know fully well that I will not get a chance to go back to it. Now I wish I had taken the first road. But friend, this is the irony of life, we cannot travel on all the available roads, no matter however we wish to. The basic thing is to make the right choice because after that we can’t undo them. It is only the future that will reveal whether our decision was right or wrong. Since I took the road less travelled by, it has made all the difference—The outcome is known to you.

Rest in next letter.

Yours
Robert Frost

Q6. Based on your understanding of the poem ‘The Road Not Taken’, write a diary entry of the speaker in the poem about the day he had to make a choice. [CBSE 2010 (Term I)]

Dear Diary

24 Sept. 2011

After a long time, I got a chance to reveal my inner feelings to you. Today, although I am a well-established poet, I cannot forget the day when I was standing at a place where I had to make a choice of profession. I decided to choose the one which was not followed by many. Although I considered all the factors, even then I was unsure whether it was foolproof. I knew fully well that once the choice is made I have to move on, there is no rewinding or opportunity for coming back and exercising the choice again.
Now I wish that I had taken the other road as I had to go a long way and struggle hard to establish myself. But, this is the irony of life, we cannot travel on all the available roads, no matter however we may wish to. The grass is always greener on the other side. We have to continue with the decisions we make whatever the outcome. I should also not regret mine. I am quite content with my decision.

Q7. Describe the two roads the author finds.
 Ans. One day during his walk, the poet reached a point of bifurcation. There were two roads and he had to take only one. He stood there surveying the pros and cons and looks at both the roads with great care. The poet looked at the road, as far his eyes could see till it bent in the undergrowth. He saw that the other road was more grassy and needed to be travelled upon. But when he had gone a little ahead, he saw that the other road was also grassy.

LONG ANSWER QUESTIONS

Q1. “Tennyson’s poem offers a visual treat of sight and sound.” Discuss by giving examples from the poem ‘The Brook’.

Ans. Lord Tennyson provides us a visual treat of sight and sound using words like—bicker, murmur, chatter, babble, and trebles for sound. A murmur means making soft sounds, bicker means to flow with a loud noise, treble is a high pitched sound in music. Chatter means making meaningless sound, so the brook chatters in little sharps and trebles, it babbles on the pebbles thus giving us a treat of sound. The visual treats are conveyed by — I make a sudden sally and sparkle among the fern, I steal by lawns. I slide by hazel covers. I move the sweet forget-me-nots. I slip, I slide, I gloom, I glance — sometimes it moves gently, sometimes forcefully. ‘It moves in and out’ mean it makes a zigzag movement like a snake.

Q2. The journey of the brook is narrated by the brook itself. Discuss the effectiveness of the first-person narration, used by Lord Tennyson.

Ans. The brook is an inanimate object but the poet by introducing the device of personification makes it tell its experiences as it flows downhills, valleys, villages, and fields and finally joins a river. The brook relates the tale of its journey in detail and with accuracy. Its movements and the sounds it makes as it moves over pebbles, stony paths, as it cuts its own banks and lets the beams of the sundance on its waters, how it carries flowers and fish along with it to the big river. There is vividness, liveliness and an effectively painted picture of a brook taking its natural course which comes alive before our eyes.

Q3. What is the moral message in the poem ‘The Brook’?
 OR
 How is the brook a symbol of human life?

Ans. The poem ‘The Brook’ not only describes the journey of the brook but it also parallels the journey of human life. The poet wishes to highlight one important difference, that human life is transitory and comes to an end with death but the brook is immortal, its journey continues non-stop.

The brook passes through many ups and downs like the highs and lows of human life. The brook passes through various places, which affects its smooth flow. Similarly, human beings also encounter different problems, which affect their personality in turn. Just as the brook meets many kinds of life, like trout and grayling, similarly human beings interact with different people in the journey of life. They help and support them, just like the brook sustains many flowers, plants, and sea-life. The brook imparts its zest and verve like human beings. Somewhere it is noisy, somewhere it is calm, like the peace and aggression depicted by human beings.

So the brook is a symbol of the struggle of life, of meeting different odds, to remain undeterred in facing challenges, without any fear and still continues in one’s pursuit. The brook provides a valuable lesson to remain unshaken in one’s goal to accept the joys and sorrows in one’s stride and still remain steadfast. So the brook and life symbolize constant movement, change, dynamism, and renewal.

Q4. Describe the journey of the Brook, originating from the ‘haunts of coot and heron’, joining the river, as its final destination.

Ans. The brook travels through various places. It starts its journey somewhere in the mountains, which are home to birds like coot and heron. It emerges suddenly from a plateau and falls down into a valley. On its way, it passes through various hills, ridges, villages, and lawns. It makes various kinds of movements like swirl, spiral, sally, bicker, etc. Sometimes it makes curved whistling movements, moving over pebbles, flowers, fish. It attains progress over the plain area. Hordes of birds skim over the surface of the water to catch fish. The brook looks beautiful as the starlight seems to be trapped on its surface, producing a net-like effect. Before reaching its final destination, the brook takes on a slow and lingering movement. In the end, it makes a final dash to meet the brimming river.

LONG ANSWER QUESTIONS

Q1. Pescud is short and not the stuff heroes are made of. Yet he wins Jessie. What do you think were the main reasons that went in his favour? CBSE 2011 (Term II)]
Ans. Pescud was short and ordinary looking, and not the stuff heroes are made of. But the fact is that it was not his physical appearance that had impressed Jessie. She had liked his honesty and the space he had given her and Colonel Allyn to just give him one chance. He had said. “If I couldn’t make a hit with the little lady, I’d clear out, and not bother anymore.” More than his physical looks, it was his personality which had been in his favour. Like a perfect salesman, he had been successful in impressing the Colonel. He had understood that the Colonel could be easily flattered if he listened to his stories, anecdotes, and humorous occurrences. All these things went in his favour and he was able to win Jessic.

Q2. Give a short sketch of Colonel Allyn.
 Ans. Colonel Allyn was a tall old man, with a smooth face and white hair, and looked as proud as Julius Caeser. Although he wore shabby clothes, his personality was such that the writer feels that in his presence, the place seemed to light up. On the one hand, he seemed to be very strict but talking to Pescud surprisingly, he (Colonel) took a great liking to him. He was very fond of telling stories to or listening to them. This is evident from the following statement made by him — “The relating of anecdotes and humorous occurrences has always seemed to me, Mr. Pescud, to be a particularly agreeable way of promoting and perpetuating amenities between friends.” Thus he can be said to be a friendly person with a strict and proud look.

Q3. Pescud appeared unassuming and none of his friends could ever associate him with any act of adventure. The writer could not get over Pescud’s story. He writes a letter to a common friend, James Cameroon, marvelling at the “surprise packet” – called Pescud. Write this letter to him.

Ans.

Dear James

I have been busy with my business so I could not write. But there is something interesting I want to share with you. Do you remember we had a friend, John A. Pescud? Last summer while I was travelling to Pittsburgh for some business work, I happened to meet him on the train. He is working as a salesman for a plate-glass company, and I met him after a gap of two years. Do you remember how ordinary-looking he used to be? Not only that, he used to be so dull and unadventurous. During my acquaintance with him earlier, I had never known his views on life, romance, literature, and ethics. During our meetings earlier, we used to just discuss matters of local topics and then part.

This time when I talked to him, I found him to be such a surprise packet. I was shocked to hear from him about his ‘Adventurous’. proposal to a girl, his courageous encounter with her father, and ultimately his marriage to her which took place a year ago. And do you know who is the girl whom he has married? She belongs to a royal family and her father is a lineal descendant of belted earls. There is so much difference in their status —she is a princess whereas Pescud is just an ordinary American! Isn’t it amazing that a person like him who is no hero, turned out to be such a ‘surprise packet’? I’ll tell you more about him when we meet.

How is everybody else at your home? Do reply soon.

Yours
O. Henry

Q4. As Jessie write a letter to a friend on how you met Pescud and why you decided to marry him. (about 125 words) [CBSE 2011 (Term II)]

Dear friend,

Sumedha

I am going to tell you about my chance meeting with Pescud.

While I was returning from Illinois, where I had gone to see my aunt, I noticed a man who followed me on each station that I got down at — whether it was Cincinnati or Shelbyville, Frankford or Lexington, and lastly Virginia — my city. He didn’t know that I had noticed him. After three days, while I was walking in the front yard, down next to the paling fence, he came to me and asked about some Mr. Hinkle’s address. I knew he did it just to start a conversation with me. I could instantly sense the feeling of deep affection he had for me. When I told him that he had come quite a long distance from Pittsburg, he said that he could have gone a thousand miles farther. Then he honestly told me about his liking for me and without imposing himself on me, he told me that he wanted me to develop a liking for him. I am amazed at his grit and perseverance, and the kind of attention he gave me. Nobody has ever talked to me like that. I am quite impressed by his earnestness and the honesty with which he told my father about his background and the business he was purshing. I have really developed a liking for him and have decided to marry him. I am sure that you will also appreciate my choice after you meet him. Rest in the next letter.

Your friend
Jessie

Q5. Discuss the significance of the title, ‘Bestseller’. What role does this play in the life of John Pescud ?
Ans. Bestsellers are known to spin imaginative yarns bordering on fantasy and melodrama. The story revolves around incredible romance between a beautiful maiden from the most affluent royal family and a hero who is ordinary in terms of looks and family background but extraordinary in terms of his bravery and determination to win the lady. He has a heart to ‘do and dare’. Pescud’s story is no different. He sees him in a train. It is love at first sight. He follows her from Cincinnati i to louisville, forgetting the fact that he was on a business tour. When he comes to know that Jessie hailed from a royal family, like a bestseller hero, he is not disheartened. He proposes and wins the lady despite the gulf of differences in their family backgrounds. Pescud’s story has all the elements of a best seller—romance, struggle, obstacles, suspense and finally the victory.

LONG ANSWER QUESTIONS 

Q1. Harold’s parents were too perceptive and concerned. Yet they failed to see the reality of their son’s interests. Bring out the truth of this statement by giving evidence from the text.

Ans. Harold’s parents were extremely proud of his intelligence. They knew that he was a prodigy and were highly concerned that Bill’s profession should be hidden from him. They regarded him as a person showing a bit too much class for them. But they failed to see the reality of their son’s interests. This is evident from the reaction of Harold when he comes to know the reality. He cries and says that it was a rotten thing to hide everything from him. He tells them that he had a bet with his friend, Dicky Saunders, that Jimmy Murphy would not last ten rounds. Harold also tells Jerry that he’s been interested in all these things since he was a kid. He also says that all the fellows with him were very keen on discussing about the boxers’ performances. Harold himself names the boxers one after the other, which amazingly shows his field of interest which his parents were completely unaware of.

Q2. Do you agree that Mrs. Bramble is obsessed of dominating not only her husband but also her son?

Ans. 
I do believe that Mrs. Bramble is obsessed with dominating both her husband and her son. She refers to herself in the third person when she talks to her son. Harold doesn’t like this because he feels that she does so as she considers him a baby.

While talking to her husband too, Mrs. Bramble is quite blunt. When she sees Bill who has come home while he was supposed to be training, she gets angry and says, “I want a plain answer to a plain question. What are you doing here, Bill, instead of being at the ‘White Hart?” When Bill tells her that he is not going to fight with Murphy, she’s furious and says, “How about the money?” She also says,“ Goodness knows I’ve never liked your profession, Bill ….” These instances clearly show that she fully dominates and controls the life of her husband too.

Q3. Life will never be the same again for Harold. In a day, his world has changed. Unable to keep the suspense that his father is a famous boxer ‘Young Porky’, he writes a letter to his friend Philip, expressing his happiness. Write this letter for him.

Ans. 

May 2, 2011
Dear Philip

I have got some big news to share with you and cannot wait.

Do you know we were talking too often about the game of boxing? In school also, I have friends with whom I used to have bets for the victory of our favourite boxers. But the most shocking discovery for me is that my father himself is the most famous boxer, ‘Young Porky.’ Shocked?

It so happened that my parents kept it hidden from me that my father was a professional boxer. They had told me that he was a commercial traveller. They told me that they had hidden this fact from me because this profession involved a lot of wraths, and they thought that it would hurt me to know that my father was doing something so disgraceful. Phillip, I’m just taken aback by their simplicity, love, and care for me!

I am so happy and proud of being the son of such a famous boxer. For the coming contest, I had a bet with my friend, Dicky Saunders that ‘Young Porky’ would defeat Jimmy Murphy — not knowing that my father was Young Porky. Do you know Philip that students tease me in school by calling me ‘Goggles’. Had they known that my father is ‘Young Porky’, they would never dare to do so. I am so happy that now I can really boast about this among my schoolmates. I can’t tell you how full of pride I am that it’s my father who has achieved that level of admiration of people which many others yearn for!

It will really take quite some time for me to get used to this happiness. At present, I’m just numb with the excitement of being the son of such a great person. I can even imagine your reaction at reading this letter.

How’s everybody at your place? Do reply soon.

Your friend

Harold

Q4. Bill has made a comeback. He has gone back to what he liked best – boxing. He makes a diary entry revealing his feelings and surprise at failing to judge his son.

Ans. 

May 3, 2011

Dear Diary

I had decided to fight my last boxing fight, the twenty round contest with Murphy at the National Sporting Club, for which I was training at the White Hart. I had thought that I would retire from the boxing profession after this and join some school or college as an instructor. Jane and I were so afraid that if Harold, our child with such high intellectual capabilities, would come to know of my boxing profession, he would die of shame. But when I decided to withdraw from this last contest too, Jerry, the trainer became too wild, and in a fit of anger, told the truth to Harold. I was shocked to death at this!

The way Harold reacted jolted me out of an unreasonable feeling of guilt. I am so ashamed that I had misjudged my own son! In fact, Harold cried and was sad that I had hidden this fact from him. He was so proud of the fact that I was ‘Young Porky’ for whose victory he was betting with his friends in the school. I am so amazed at the fact that Jane and I, who were so concerned about the welfare of our son, did not have the least idea that he was so fond of boxing. How I repent about all the years that I have wasted by not sharing my achievement with my son! He would have been so happy and proud of it — only if we had understood his likes and dislikes. On our part, both Jane and I were extra cautious about Harold’s intellectual bent of mind and did not want to hurt him at all. Anyway, now when everything is clear, I have decided not only to carry on with my boxing career but also to excel in it further. Even Jane, who did not earlier approve of my profession, will be proud of it. Harold has really been far maturer than we thought him to be.

Bill Bramble

Q5. Give a character-sketch of Harold.
 OR 
Harold was just like any other child. How was his personality reflected in the end different from what you had read in the beginning? Discuss. [CBSE 2010 (Term-II)]

Ans. Harold is just ten-years-old, and for his age, he has achieved far more. He is a ‘prodigy’, a child who has exceptional intellectual qualities, and so his parents regard him as ‘being of a superior order’. He is hardworking and a brilliant student, who is devoted to his books. His behaviour is also exemplary, and he is a model of goodness and perfect intelligence. In spite of all this, he is not proud of his intellectual level. In fact, when he comes to know of his father’s boxing profession, the way he associates so much value to it, is amazing for everybody present there.
He is an absolutely down-to-earth person, with no airs about himself. His character surely reveals that he believes in perfection and has a lot of respect for excellence, be it in the field of studies or sports. He is not a dumb bookworm, but an active and smart person who carries his own opinion, and knows how to express it too.

Q6. Do you think Bill Bramble was cut out to be a professional boxer on all counts?
Ans. Bill Bramble’s character reveals that to be a professional boxer one need not be violent in nature, especially with people in one’s private life. So far as his profession was concerned, he was a tough boxer to fight with. This is evident from the admiration millions of people had for him, and from the way, newspapers liked to cover his achievements. So his nature and his profession can be considered as absolutely contradictory to each other. But his ability to hit his fellow-man in the eye while apparently aiming an attack on his stomach, and vice versa, had won him laurels. Among London’s teeming millions there was not a man, weighing eight stone four, whom he could not overcome in a twenty round contest.

Thus, in my opinion, he was surely cut out to be a professional boxer on all counts.

Q7. Mrs. Bramble has finally realised that Harold has grown up. He is no more her pet, he is a mature young boy with his private likes, dislikes, and convictions. She writes a diary entry, expressing her surprise and her failure in misjudging the other dimensions of Harold’s personality. Write this diary for her.

Ans.

May 3, 2010

Dear Diary

For me, Harold was always a very small child, and I talked to him as if he was a baby. I could sometimes feel that he did not like to be addressed in such a way as I could see a slight frown on his brow. But the way he handled the entire situation, the entire tension, told us that he is a mature young boy and has his private likes, dislikes and convictions. I am absolutely shocked at my failure to judge my own son’s personality. I never had even the slightest inkling that he was so fond of boxing and that he had so much respect and admiration for ‘Young Porky’. Both Bill and I were hiding the fact that his own father was ‘Young Porky’ because we thought, he being such a brilliant student academically, would be ashamed of his father’s profession. But were proved wrong. In fact, he felt bad that we had hidden this fact from him. He said that he was proud of his father being ‘Young Porky’ and that he would feel great telling his friends about it. We are so relieved and admire our son all the more now. I must say that Harold is not a baby as I used to think but a mature person with a well-defined personality, and I’m very happy about it.

Jane Bramble

Q8. Do you think that Harold’s parents did the right thing by hiding that his father was a professional boxer?
Ans. The bond between parents and a child is not only very close and emotional, but also based on the firm ground of total trust. All ethics, values are imparted to the child by his parents. Love, tender care grows manifold as the child grows. In case of the Bramble family, they thrived in the glory of their prodigy–Harold. No wonder, Harold always performed better than their expectations. He was of keen intellect, winning prizes everywhere. In fact they basked in the sunshine of his achievements that they started getting an inferiority complex. They hesitated to do anything that would bring disgrace or make him feel that they were less respectable than others.

Bill Bramble had immense pride in his boxing skills. Media, fame, money that once attracted him the most, faded away once Harold was born. They thought that boxing was uncultured, was meant for “men of wrath and they could never bring anything of this type to Harold’s notice. So began the season of deceit, hiding secrets, though it is all for their dear son’s welfare.

In the process of hiding the truth, they end up hurting their son the most. Parent’s achievements mean the world for the children. This falsehood had caused permanent scars on the psyche of Harold. He may not show, but deep within, he would never forgive his parents. In their over protectiveness, they had failed to note that Harold was a young boy, with the natural craze for games and betting. He suffered due to peer-pressure; his natural desire was the subject of envy among his classmates, which his parents had deprived him of.

So parents should be cautious, shield their child from problems, but not overshadow his growth. Honesty and trust are the most important factors for any relationship to grow.

Q9. How was Mr. Bramble’s nature in total contrast to his physical abilities?
Ans. Mr. Bramble was a successful boxer by profession, which requires immense physical strength to defeat the opponent. He was a tough fighter and was affectionately known to a large section of the inhabitants of London, as “Young Porky”. Among all London’s teeming millions, there was not a man, weighing eight stone four, whom he could not overcome in a twenty round contest.

But Mr. Bramble’s nature was a total contrast to his physical abilities. In private life, he was the mildest and the most obliging of men, and always yielded to everybody. At one place in the story, the writer describes his walk as that of a ‘diffident crab’ implying that he did not have much self-confidence. His sensitive nature and sense of sacrifice for his son also show how soft he was at heart.

LONG ANSWER QUESTIONS

Q1. Can you guess the thoughts that were raging in the Sergeant and Corporal Turnbull’s minds when Quelch happened to annoy them?

Ans. When Quelch interrupted the Sergeant, initially he did not react much and went on lecturing. But that interruption had angered him terribly in the mind, and so when his lecture was over, perhaps in the hope of revenge, he asked questions after questions from Quelch. The sergeant must have felt terribly miserable and helpless after this as Quelch gave all the answers, and it only resulted in his glory.

In the case of Corporal, interruption by Quelch had a stronger impact. Although initially he also did not react, his brow tightened, indicating that he completely resented Quelch’s interruption. He was more revengeful than the sergeant and to pull Quelch down, he assigned him the job of permanent cookhouse duties.

Q2. None had ever dared to outsmart and rub the Corporal in the wrong way. No wonder Turnbull’s ego was hurt, he felt outraged. He writes an informal letter to his friend, Peter Smith in Dunkirk, expressing his surprise at the unexpected behaviour of a new under trainee and how he set him right.

Ans.
Dear Peter,

Now when I’ve settled down at this place, I thought of penning down a few lines to you. There is something very strange that I have come across here. Yesterday, while I was taking a lesson on a hand grenade, I had an encounter with a very strange under-trainee, called Quelch. Would you believe that he had the audacity and grit to interrupt me in my lecture by giving additional information on the subject just to prove his superiority over others? Not only that, his condescending and rude manner of speaking to me almost brought my blood to a boil.

I thought I must set him right, and so I assigned him the job of cookhouse duties to deflate his bloated ego. I could see that all the other members of the squad were very happy and relieved to get rid of this constant nonsense of Private Quelch. It seems he has just one aim in life-to pull-down everybody else around him, so I think the job assigned to him should be able to set him right.

Sometimes, this kind of discipline is also required. How about you and your new batch there? Rest on meeting.

Yours

Turnbull

Q3. What were the factors that led to the decline of Private Quelch? Do you think his fall from grace was justified? Why/Why not?

Ans. Private Quelch was a conceited young man who could not handle his own knowledge. He was brainy, diligent, enthusiastic, gifted with excellent memory but his modus operandi was wrong. Knowledge, if it is flaunted, used to overshadow and belittle others, can never bring significant gains. Knowledge is humility, its aim is to enlighten others.

In his pursuit of glory, Private Quelch disregards this basic fact. He is very self centred, egoistic and in his desperation to earn a stripe, he happily tries to trample others in the race. His knowledge does not bring glory, it results in condemnation. Sergeant and Corporal Turnbull hate him, they want him out of their way. They sense that he was a nuisance to the squad, so he is relegated to the cookhouse.

Quelch’s greatest flaw is that he is not genuine, every gesture, every action is ‘put on’, artificially planned to impress others. No wonder the squad is fed up of his sermonising through his endless lectures on human behaviour. So his fall from grace was expected and well deserved.

Q4. You expected appreciation for the Professor from Corporal Turnbull. But it was a shock of your life when the corporal assigned him permanent duty in the cook house. Write a diary entry expressing your feelings for him. (about 125 words) [CBSE 2011 (Term II)]

Dear Diary

Today was the most shocking day of my life. In the morning when Corporal Turnbull was giving us a lecture on hand grenade, Quelch, as usual, interfered by giving the detailed knowledge he had on the subject. Corporal did not react and I was feeling very happy inside to see such a knowledgeable person amongst us. And when, after the lecture, corporal showered him with questions, he answered them with ease. I admired him for his diverse knowledge and expected an applaud from the corporal for him. At the end of the session when the corporal said, ‘‘The platoon officer has asked me to nominate someone for …..,’’ I thought that some important work was going to be handed down to Quelch, but I got the shock of my life when he was assigned the cookhouse duties. His knowledge did not bring him glory but resulted in condemnation. I am really feeling sorry for him.

Q5. Imagine you are the Professor. You have been given the permanent cookhouse duties as a punishment. Write a diary entry describing your feelings about the experiences you had there and also explaining your side of the story. [CBSE 2011 (Term II)]

Dear Diary,                        
29th August 2011

Today I felt greatly depressed and dejected when I was assigned permanent cookhouse duties for no fault of mine. Never in my mind, I had imagined that I’ll be punished for my knowledge. I didn’t want to annoy the corporal by exhibiting my knowledge of the subject. My sole aim was to excel in my field because being an orphan I had struggled a lot and wanted to do something big in my life. But it was very unfortunate of me that I did not know the right way to behave in the army as there was nobody to guide me. I do not know what destiny has in store for me. Whatever has happened I accept it as God’s will and will try to improve upon myself.

LONG ANSWER QuesUESTIONS

Ques 1. How did Hooper become paralyzed? How did Marcy and others react to this fatal accident?

Ans. One autumn night, when Hooper was driving back home, a car suddenly pulled in front of his car without warning. It was a serious accident and Hooper suffered from subdural haemorrhage in the motor section of the brain, leaving his left side completely paralyzed. 

When Marcy reached the hospital, she was shocked to see that her husband couldn’t talk, he could only breathe and see, and his vision was double. She knew that Hooper was very critical and that he would have to be in the hospital for a long time, so she sent Duke to the kennel. Secretly, she used to cry, watching her husband’s grin fade away.

Ques 2. ‘On January 4, Hooper made the big move.’ What was this big move? Was this move welcome or did it create further problems?

Ans. The big move made by Hooper on January 4, was that for the first time, without Duke’s help, he walked the distance of 200 metres from the clinic to the local branch office of his company. 

For a person who had been paralysed, with there being hardly any hope of his recovery, it was really a big move. Everyone was amazed to see him in his office. When he told the manager that he wanted to continue work initially for one hour, everyone was shocked. 

In the company headquarters, Chuck’s move presented tough problems because, seeing Chuck’s courage and determination, nobody had the courage to tell him that he wouldn’t be able to handle his old job. 

Moreover, they didn’t know what to do with his demand to do a desk job just for an hour, when his job as a salesman required him to move around all the time.

Ques 3. Is ‘it irony of Fate’ that Duke who had nursed Hooper back to normalcy, had to meet such a terrible end? Discuss.

Ans. When Chuck was admitted to the hospital after his accident, every effort made by the doctors and others had failed to cure his paralysis. The intelligent effort made by Duke had changed an impossible situation into a possible one. 

It is really an irony that he who had nursed Hooper back to normalcy, himself met with an accident. Just like Hooper, he was also hit by a vehicle. It is ironic that he who had been successful in bringing life to Hooper, himself could not survive and met with such a terrible end.

Ques 4. “Firm determination and strong will-power can achieve even the impossible.’’ How does this statement prove true in case of Chuck Hooper?

Ans. Tragedy is inevitable in human life. The only variable is what we do about it. Whether we choose to overcome handicaps or wallow in it, it is our choice. So tragedy proves to be the true touchstone of a person’s character. 

Chuck Hooper could have chosen to remain paralyzed and not respond to Duke’s helpful gestures. Duke awakens what was lying dormant in Hooper’s mind, the will to fight back and emerge victorious.

Life had ceased to be a cakewalk for Hooper. Misery, regret, depression had reduced him to a vegetable. When Duke offers challenges, it is Hooper who rises to meet them. 

Pain, exhaustion, frustration take their toll but ‘Never say die’ spirit spurs him on. Days and weeks stretch into months. Step by step planning, setting deadlines – all were strategies towards a greater objective. 

Hooper doesn’t want to remain an object of pity. Instead, he becomes an inspiration for others in his daily trek. Neighbours and passers by became a testimony to Hooper’s daily progress towards sanity and normalcy. His pattern of progress is painful, stretches too long but in the end yields results.

Hooper manages to walk not only to his office but is also ready to resume his duties. But he is not fit for a full day’s work. So he walks through the street, pulled faster and faster by Duke, to step up his endurance and stability. 

Life takes a full circle and Hooper becomes the Regional Manager. Destiny wishes him to move on in life, even without Duke. 

Though Duke was not with him in Hooper’s final triumph, what he had imparted to Hooper had already become an inseparable part of Hooper’s psyche. Firm determination, perseverance, and strong will can never be thwarted.

Ques 5. You are Chuck Hooper. Write a page in your diary expressing your feelings the day you were appointed Assistant National Sales Manager.
 OR
 As Chuck you are in receipt of the order from the headquarters, announcing your promotion. Write a page in your diary glorifying the role of Duke and how he was instrumental in getting you the promotion.

Dear Diary
25th August 2011

Today I am feeling happy as well as sad. I am feeling happy because I have been promoted as an Asst. National Sales Manager, and sad because the one who made all this possible for me is no more in this world. 

I clearly remember the day Duke was brought home from the kennel where he was sent after my accident. After being paralyzed, I had lost all hopes of my recovery but it was Duke who awakened my dormant will to fight back. 

It was he who always stood by me when I tripped while trying to walk. He helped me take my first step. It was he who made it possible for me to go to my office and restart my job. Even after Duke’s death, as a tribute to him, I continued my struggle to walk. 

Today I am overwhelmed because this is not an ordinary promotion but a very significant one as Duke’s efforts has changed an impossible thing into a possible one.

Ques 6. Marcy was not fond of dogs and more so of big dogs. Yet when Duke died, she was devastated. After many days she was able to pen down her feelings in her diary. Write a page of Marcy’s diary.

Dear Diary

Duke died an unnatural death and I am feeling devastated. I know that I am not very fond of dogs and more so of big dogs but Duke’s death has created a void in my life. I remember the day when Hooper brought Duke home against my wishes but later on he became an indispensable part of our life. 

It was he who made Hooper stand on his feet after every effort made by the doctors and others had failed to cure his paralysis. The intelligent efforts made by Duke has changed an impossible situation into a possible one. 

Duke was not only faithful and loyal but was also gifted with extraordinary powers of intuition, foresight, and in-depth understanding of human psychology. He knew exactly how he could accomplish the impossible task of making Chuck walk. 

It is irony that he who hard nursed Hooper back to normalcy, himself met with an accident. Just like Hooper, he was also hit by a vehicle. He who had been successful in bringing life to Hooper, himself could not survive and met with such a terrible end. May God rest his soul in peace.

Q1. The granddaughter proves to be a catalyst in the grandmother’s pursuit of knowledge. Discuss.

Ans: A significant role in the grandmother’s pursuit of knowledge is played by her granddaughter. Initially, the granddaughter would read out episodes from the story ‘Kashi Yatre’ to her every week. She took it upon herself to teach the Kannada alphabet to her grandmother, setting the Dussehra festival as a deadline for her to learn to read. With great dedication, the grandmother engaged in reading, repeating, writing, and reciting, while her granddaughter provided unwavering support. Ultimately, the grandmother succeeded in reading ‘Kashi Yatre’ independently.

Q2. Why does the grandmother identify with the protagonist of the ‘Kashi Yatre’? What does this tell you about her character?
Ans: The protagonist of Kashi Yatre is an old lady who longs to visit Kashi (Varanasi) but sacrifices her savings to help a poor orphan get married. Many Hindus believe that visiting Kashi and worshipping Lord Vishweshwara is the ultimate act of virtue. Although the grandmother has never been to Kashi, she shares this desire, yet finds joy in cooking and caring for her grandchildren. This connection leads her to identify with the protagonist of Kashi Yatre. This identification reveals that she is a religious woman, deeply loving and affectionate. Her actions demonstrate a selfless nature, prioritising the happiness of others over her own desires.

Q3. The grandmother believes in scriptures and Hindu mythology, yet she touches the feet of her granddaughter. Why?
Ans: According to Hindu scriptures, touching the feet of elders is a traditional sign of respect. Typically, elders do not touch the feet of younger individuals. However, the grandmother touched her granddaughter’s feet as a gesture of respect because she had been her teacher. The granddaughter had taught her with such affection that the grandmother felt she deserved this honour. Thanks to her granddaughter’s guidance, she became confident and independent enough to read any novel on her own.

Q4. Give a character sketch of the grandmother as depicted in the lesson, ‘‘How I Taught My Grandmother To Read.’’
Ans: Grandmother is the central character in the lesson, representing a life dedicated to family and routine. At sixty-two years old, she is grey-haired and wrinkled, having spent her life focused on kitchen chores and the well-being of her family. Her mundane lifestyle is brightened by the works of Triveni, a renowned Kannada writer, whose novel Kashi Yatre ignites her desire to visit Kashi, a significant pilgrimage site for Hindus. The grandmother deeply empathises with the protagonist’s struggles, reflecting her own religious beliefs and commitment to worshipping Lord Vishweshwara. Her determination is evident in her quest to learn the Kannada alphabet, despite her age. She is fiercely independent and dislikes feeling helpless, which is why she never asks anyone in the village to read the story to her. Her frustration over not knowing the next episode of Kashi Yatre drives her to take action. The way she rubs her hands over the pictures and words illustrates her intense desire to learn. Triveni’s writing awakens her long-buried passion for literature and education. The grandmother becomes not only a dedicated student but also embodies the lesson that one is never too old to learn and that a teacher deserves respect, regardless of age.

Q5. As grandmother in the story ‘How I Taught My Grandmother to Read’ write a diary entry on your transformation.
 OR
 You are the grandmother. Write your feelings in your diary when your granddaughter gave you the novel ‘Kashi Yatre’. [CBSE 2010 (TERM 1)]
Ans: Dear Diary, 25th August 2011 I am on cloud nine today because I can finally read the episode of Kashi Yatre on my own! I remember the day my granddaughter gave me the magazine featuring this novel. Since I was uneducated, she would read each episode to me. Like the main character, I had a strong desire to visit Kashi, but obstacles kept me from going. I felt a deep connection with the protagonist and eagerly awaited each new episode. However, when my granddaughter went to a wedding, I felt helpless without her to read to me. In that moment, I decided to learn the Kannada alphabet, and my granddaughter helped me with this. Now, I feel so light and independent! I am incredibly grateful to my granddaughter. If she hadn’t introduced me to the magazine, I might never have experienced this joy.

Q6. Imagine you are the grandmother. In about 150 words, write a letter to share your thoughts, feelings, ambitions and resolutions as a neo-literate.  [CBSE 2010 (Term 1)]
Ans: Dear Krishna, How are you? I have some exciting news to share — I have learned to read the Kannada alphabet! As you know, we couldn’t attend school because education for girls was not valued back then. Until Sudha gave me the magazine featuring ‘Kashi Yatre’, I never realised its importance. I became so engrossed in the story that I eagerly awaited each episode for Sudha to read to me. However, when she was absent, I found myself unable to read it, which left a void in my life. This experience ignited my desire to learn. Now, at the age of 62, I feel independent. I encourage you to also try learning the Kannada alphabet. It brings me immense joy to read and write, and I have decided to dedicate some time to teaching the ladies in my neighbourhood. More in my next letter. 
Your friend, Avva.

Q7. You are Sudha Murthy. Write a letter to your friend telling her how and why you taught your grandmother to read.  [CBSE 2010 (Term 1)]
Ans: Dear Mamta, I hope you are well. I am writing to share a special experience about my grandmother, who has become my student. Recently, after attending a wedding, she approached me in tears. This was surprising, as she has always been a strong woman. Her tears were due to her helplessness in not being able to read. At the age of sixty-two, she decided to learn the alphabet. I accepted the challenge to teach her the Kannada alphabet, setting the Dussehra festival as our goal. With great dedication, she worked hard—reading, writing, and reciting. I supported her throughout this journey. When she finally read Kashi Yatre on her own, she came to me and touched my feet. I was taken aback, but she explained, “One is never too old to learn, and a teacher deserves respect, regardless of age.” I look forward to sharing more in my next letter. 
Warm regards, Sudha.

Summary of the Play

The play opens with a scene in the Bishop’s kitchen. Bishop’s younger sister Persome and maid servant Marie are busy in conversation, while the soup is being cooked on the stove. Persome is worried that her brother has gone out in extreme cold. When she learns that her brother has gone to see Marie’s ailing mother, she bursts out in anger at the
selfishness of the people, who went about troubling him. Persome’s anger is genuine because her brother has already sold off his estate, furniture and other valuables to help the poor and the needy. Persome is shocked to discover further that the Bishop has even sold off his silver salt-cellars to help another ailing lady, to pay her rent.

Try yourself:

Why is Persome angry in the opening scene of the play?

• A.Because her brother has sold off his estate and furniture.
• B.Because her brother has gone out in extreme cold.
• C.Because her brother has been troubling people.
• D.Because her brother has sold off his silver salt-cellars.

View Solution

The Bishop promptly arrives and dispatches Marie to tend to her mother. He gives away his comforter to her to ward off the cold outside. Persome gets very furious and says, “You’ll sell your candlesticks next.” The Bishop thanked her for giving him the idea, although he admits that the candlesticks were his proud possessions, a gift from his dying mother and he would not like to part with them.

Persome takes leave and the Bishop settles down to read. It is already midnight. A convict enters the room stealthily, seizes the Bishop from behind and demands something to eat. He threatens to kill the Bishop if he raises an alarm. The Bishop is unflustered. He calls the convict ‘son’ and wakes his sister to serve some food and wine to the convict. He also calms down Persome who was frightened to see the knife in the convict’s hand.

The convict pounces on the food greedily. After eating, the convict warms up to the Bishop and relates his sad story. He tells the Bishop that he was once a normal man. He had a wife and a home, but no work. So he stole to feed his sick wife. He was caught and sentenced to serve ten years in prison. He was chained like an animal and beaten mercilessly and fed on filth. The Bishop consoles him and arranges for him to rest there for the night.

Try yourself:

What does the Bishop do when the convict demands something to eat?

• A.He ignores the convict and continues reading.
• B.He screams for help and tries to escape.
• C.He calls the convict ‘son’ and asks his sister to serve food and wine.
• D.He fights back and tries to overpower the convict.

View Solution

The next morning Persome finds that the convict and the silver candlesticks are missing. She raises an alarm and informs the Bishop about the theft. The Bishop is upset but
he refuses to report to the police.

Soon a Sergeant appears with two soldiers and the convicts in chains. They had arrested the convict on the suspicion of stealing the Bishop’s candlesticks. The Bishop tells the police that the convict was his friend and he had gifted the candlesticks to him. The police free the convict and go away. The convict is thunderstruck by such kindness. He promises to reform himself and begin his life anew. The Bishop blesses him and gifts the candlesticks to him. He shows him a secret path to Paris, where the convict could lead a safe and respectable life.