10th Std THE BOOK THAT SAVED THE EARTH

THE BOOK THAT SAVED THE EARTH

Answer the following questions in 30-40 words each.
(a) What is Think-Tank’s second guess about books?
Think-Tank’s second guess about books is that they are communication
devices. He orders Omega to listen to them (books). He puts a book to his
ears and tries hard to listen. Think-Tank asks Omega if he can listen to
something from them. Omega replies that they may not be on the correct
frequency.
(b) What is the time and place of the story at the beginning?
This is a science fantasy. This imaginary story is set in the twenty-fifth
century. The place is the Museum of Ancient History. Department of the
Twentieth Century. There is a historian sitting at a table. There is a movie
projector on the table.
(c) Why was the twentieth century called the ‘Era of the Book’?
The twentieth century was often called the ‘Era of the Books’ because in those
days there were books for everything from anteaters to Zulus. Books taught
people how to, when to, where to and why to. They illustrated, educated,
punctuated and decorated.
(d) How did one old book of nursery rhymes save the Earth from a Martian invasion?
This book is totally misunderstood by the Martians. The Martians thought
that earthlings were planning to invade Mars. So, they cancelled their
invasion of Earth and went back. Think-Tank totally misunderstands the
book. Phrases like ‘shell’, ‘silver’, ‘garden’ gave him a false idea that
earthlings grew silver and weapons. He starts thinking that earthlings are
very advanced technologically.
Q2 Answer the following questions in in 100 -150 words.
(a) The play, The Book That Saved the Earth’ conveys the message that
misunderstanding of cultural differences between various races can cause confusion and conflict. Based on your reading of the play, write how such
confusion and conflicts can be checked so that peace and harmony is maintained.
The confusion in the mind of Think-Tank occurred due to the literal
interpretation of the nursery rhymes in the book-‘Mother Goose’. To ensure
that conflicts are checked so that peace and harmony are maintained, cultural
differences should be sorted out by initially sending mature and wise people
from one culture to the other to establish contact before deciding to wage
war. Think-Tank had sent an initial probe, but the crew members of the probe
were not sufficiently intelligent or mature to understand Earth’s culture. That
is why they literally interpreted the nursery rhymes and caused
misunderstanding in the mind of Think-Tank.
(b) Compare and contrast the characters of Noodle and Think-Tank.
Noodle and Think-Tank have contrasting characters. Think-Tank likes to be
called the ‘Great and the Mighty’. He orders and commands. He is the ruler of
Mars, but has no intelligence. He thinks books to be sandwiches. He is wrong
about everything. He demands that the crew obey him. He likes to pass on
other’s idea as his own. He is a coward who simply boasts about his power.
Noodle, his apprentice, is very clever and wise. He corrects the mistakes of
the ruler (Think-Tank) very gently. He never takes credit for his ideas. But he
offers them to the ruler very gently. Think-Tank makes them his own.

10th Std THE PROPOSAL

THE PROPOSAL

Answer the following questions in 30-40 words each.
(a) How does Natalya react when she comes to know that Lomov had come to propose?
When Natalya cames to know that Lomov had come there to propose her she
was shocked. She wails, changes her stance and asks her father to fetch
Lomov.
(b) How does Lomov come to Chubukov’s house? What for does he come? How is he
received?
Lomov came to Chubukov’s house in the evening dress with gloves on. He
cames to propose to his daughter Natalya. He is received with all the respect
by Chubukov.
(c) What is the cause of the second quarrel between Natalya and Lomov?
Lomov starts praising the qualities of the dog Guess. But Natalya says that
her dog which she purchased for 85 roubles is much better than his dog
Guess. Both of them praise the qualities of their dogs. Now they start
quarrelling on this topic. They again start shouting at each other.
(d) Natalya was not Lomov’s real love. But still, he wanted to marry her. Give two
reasons for his decision.
Though Lomov was not in love with Natalya, he wanted to marry her because
he was suffering due to a weak heart and sleep-sickness. He wanted a
companion who could look after him.
Q3 Answer the following questions in in 100 -120 words.
(a) Draw a brief character-sketch of Natalya.
Natalya is the heroine of the play ‘The Proposal’. She is twenty-five years old.
She is still unmarried. It causes great worry to her father. Natalya wishes that
somebody should love her and propose to her. Her father calls her ‘a love-
sick cat.’ She is very quarrelsome. She quarrels with others over trifles. Lomov
comes to propose to her, but she starts quarrelling with him over the
ownership of a piece of land. Lomov leaves her house in a fit of anger. When
she comes to know that he had come to propose to her, she starts weeping.
She asks her father to bring him back. When Lomov comes back, she tries to
please him. But after some time, she starts quarrelling with him on the
question of dogs. Lomov faints and she again begins to wail lest she should
lose the opportunity for marriage. After some time, Lomov regains
consciousness. Her father does not want to lose this opportunity. He at once
puts Natalya’s hand in the hands of Lomov. He announces that they are
engaged with each other. Natalya becomes very happy. But she again starts
quarrelling with him. Thus Natalya is an interesting character.
(b) Neighbours must have a cordial relationship which Lomov and Natalya do not
have. Describe the first fight between them.
Lomov and Natalya meet and rather than proposing her he gets off the point.
He tells her how he inherited his land and how he respects her father. He also
tells Natalya that his Oxen meadows touch Natalya’s Birchwood. On hearing this, Natalya says that Oxen Meadows are theirs. They start arguing about it.
Lomov clarifies that he is talking about the Oxen Meadows that are between
her Birchwoods and Burnt marsh. Natalya again insists that they are theirs.
Lomov refuses it. He tells her that his aunt’s grandmother gave those
meadows to her father’s grandfather. The peasants used the land for forty
years and started regarding it as their own. Natalya’s father comes and also
starts quarreling with Lomov. They get into a heated argument and resort to
name-calling. After some time, Lomov leaves their house.

10th Std THE TALE OF CUSTARD THE DRAGON

THE TALE OF CUSTARD THE DRAGON

Answer the following questions in 30-40 words each.
(a) What did Custard look like?
Custard looked really dangerous with spikes on his top and scales
underneath. His mouth was like a fireplace and nose like a chimney. His toes
looked like daggers.
(b) Why did Belinda and her pets prove ungrateful to Custard who killed the pirate?
Belinda and her pets showed a temporary appreciation of Custard’s heroic
feat. Belinda embraced him and other pets danced around him. But they
again started indulging in self-patting and self-praise. They showed their
ungratefulness by undermining and not acknowledging Custard heroic fight
with the pirate.
(c) Describe the appearance of the pirate.
The pirate looked quite dreadful and dominating. He carried a pistol in his
left as well as in right hand. He held a shining dagger in his mouth. His beard
was black and one of his legs was of wood. It seemed that his intentions were
terrible.
(d) Why did Belinda tickle Custard mercilessly? Why was he teased as `Percival’?
Belinda had a very poor opinion of Custard. She considered him a coward and
always taunted and tickled him for being so. All other pets, Ink, Blink and
Mustard mocked at Custard’s timidity and lack of courage. Tauntingly, they
called him Percival, who was a brave knight of King Arthur.

Q3 Answer the following questions in in 100 -150 words.
(a) Evaluate Ogden Nash’s ‘The Tale of Custard the Dragon’ as a ballad. What message
does the poet give to the readers in this poem?
Ballads are stories told in verse. Generally, ballads are tales of adventures and
heroism. In the poem, the poet does present the encounter of Custard and
the pirate in the typical spirit of a ballad. The four-line stanzas have the
rhyme scheme: aabb throughout the poem.
Ogden Nash gives a subtle message to the readers through the fate of Custard, the dragon. In this world of deceit, self-confidence, self-dependence
and self-respect are essentials to earn your rightful place among your peers.
The mere presence of physical strength is not enough. The more important
point is that you must be conscious of your strength. You must be fully aware
of the fact that many others who are far inferior in strength and power
should have no right to taunt and ridicule you.
(b) Describe the fight between the dragon and the pirate. In spite of being so powerful
and displaying rare bravery, why is Custard called a coward?
The dragon had big sharp teeth, and spikes on top of him and scales
underneath but everyone boasted about their bravery and called him a
coward. But when the pirate entered, all were scared and ran away except
Custard who faced him boldly, attacked him, hit him hard with his forceful
tail and gobbled every bit of him. All of them later felt obliged to Custard for
saving their lives.
No doubt, Custard has a lot of physical strength. However, Custard had very
low self-esteem which is why he kept demanding for a nice safe cage. It is
because of this demand; he was called a coward by the other pets.

10th Std Anne Gregory

Answer the following questions in 30-40 words:

1. What was not liked by the young men?

Ans. The young men do not love the real person but love the appearances. Everyone wants one should be loved for his actual personality and not by what he looks like. The young man does not like grey or yellow hair and they do not care for inner beauty but loves the physical beauty.

2. The young woman’s hair is yellow coloured. She is ready to change her hair colour to another colour. Why would she want to do so?

Ans. The young woman is ready to do so because she wants someone to love her. Moreover’ she wants that someone should love her for her inner beauty and not for the colour of her hair.

3. What is the central idea of the poem ‘For Anne Gregory’?

Ans. The central theme of the poem is that young men often love appearances and not the real person within. Everyone wants that he or she should be loved for what he or she is from inside. The poet feels that only inner beauty is the true essence of life. The poem states that physical beauty may be important for young men or the human beings.He the almighty loves the human beings irrespective of their colour or physical features.

4. What does the old religious man have to say?

Ans. The old religious man says that he has found a text which proves that only God could love us for ourselves alone and not for physical beauty. He is the only one who truly loves us, as he has created us the way we are.

Q.5. What is the central idea of the poem `For Anne Gregory’?

Ans. The poem conveys the idea that physical beauty may be important for young men or human beings. But God does not love human beings for their physical beauty. In this poem, the poet gives an example of a lover who loves the yellow hair of a young lady but does not like her ramparts. The lady disapproves his love.

Q.6. To whom is the first stanza of the poem addressed? What does the speaker say to her?

Ans. The first stanza of the poem is addressed to a lady named Anne Gregory. She had a great influence on the poet. He had great respect for her. He tells her that although she is a noble lady, yet nobody would love her for herself alone.

Q.7. What makes a young man not to love the woman referred to in the first stanza?

Ans. The woman has beautiful yellow hair. But the outer part of her ears is not attractive. The poet says that never shall man love her only for herself.

Q.8. What does the woman say she can do to make herself more desirable to young men? What does this show?

Ans. The woman says that she would dye her hair brown, black or in carrot colour. This shows that young men give more importance to physical appearance than inner beauty.

Q.9. What does the religious man tell the poet about God’s love for man?

Ans. The religious man has told the poet that he has found a religious text. According to that, God loves a person, not for his or her physical qualities. He loves human beings for their inner qualities.


Q10. Why shall a young person never be thrown into despair?

Ans. Generally, a young man develops some fascination for a beautiful lady. Sometimes the external appearance of the lady affects him deeply. The honey-coloured hair of the lady may lead him to love her without caring for the inherent qualities of her head and heart. It may throw him into despair.

Q11. What are those ‘great honey-coloured ramparts’ at the ears of that young lady? What is the poetic device used here?

Ans. The blonde hair of Anne Gregory is honey-coloured. The long honey-coloured hair falls down in curls covering her ears. The long hair falling on the ears look like the wide walls or ramparts around a fort. The poet uses ‘metaphor’ quite effectively to produce the desired effect.

Q12. Why should a young man never love a young woman for ‘herself alone’?

Ans. A young man is generally attracted by the outward appearances of a young woman. Her beautiful face or her blonde hair may attract him towards her. It is quite possible that a young man may never love a woman for what she actually is. He never loves her for ‘herself alone’.

Q13. What does the lady want to do and why?

Ans. The young lady, Anne Gregory doesn’t like that a young man should love her for her external appearance or for her beautiful yellow hair. External appearances can easily be changed. She can dye her hair black, brown or of carrot’s, the way she likes. She wants that she should be loved not for her yellow hair but for ‘herself-alone’.

Q14. Why doesn’t the young woman like to be loved for her yellow hair? What does she want to prove?

Ans. The young lady has a point to prove. She wants to prove that she can change her external appearance or the colour of her hair easily. She can dye her hair brown, black or of carrot’s colour. But she doesn’t want to be loved for her beautiful long yellow hair. She should be loved for `herself alone’ or for what she actually is.

Q15. What did the old religious man declare? What did he want to prove?

Ans. The poet heard an old religious man declare one truth the previous night. He quoted a text to prove his point. He wanted to prove that only God can love a woman for ‘herself alone’ without caring for her beautiful exterior or yellow hair. Human beings can’t resist external temptations or appearances.

Q16. What is the difference between God’s attitude towards a young woman and the attitude of humans towards her?

Ans. God goes beyond external appearances. God loves a woman for ‘herself alone’. He pays no attention to her beautiful looks or yellow hair. On the other hand, humans can’t go beyond outward appearances and beautiful yellow hair.

Q17. What is the theme or the central idea of the poem?

Ans. In ‘For Anne Gregory’ W.B. Yeats gives a definite message. Human beings can’t go beyond external appearances. Their love is just skin-deep. A young woman like Anne Gregory may be liked and loved not for what she actually is but for the colour of her hair. Only godliness in man can penetrate and go beyond these physical appearances and see the inner beauty and nobility of the soul.

Q18. What are the honey-coloured ramparts?

Ans. The ramparts are the honey-coloured or golden hair of the young woman hanging down her ears for a kind of defensive wall for her rosy cheeks, red lips and starry eyes.

Q19. How will the hair-dye help Anne?

Ans. The hair-dye will help Anne in changing the colour of her hair from yellow to brown or black or carrot. Thus she would prove that a young lover loves her for herself alone and not for her honey coloured hair.

LONG ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS

Q1. Do we love people because we like their appearances or we are fascinated by their physical appearances? How does Anne Gregory want to be loved?

Ans. This is the world of pomp and show. Things and people are often liked and loved not because of their merit but because of their external appearances. Anne Gregory’s honey-coloured yellowish hair look like the ramparts of a fort when they fall on her ears. There are many who love Anne Gregory only for her yellow hair. However, Anne doesn’t like to be liked and loved this way. After all, how does the colour matter? She can dye her hair the way she likes. She can dye them brown, black, of carrot’s colour or the way she likes. If her lover likes only for her beautiful hair, she won’t accept him. She should be loved for `herself alone’. But this world doesn’t go by her wish. Only God can love a person for what he is. Human beings will go on being tempted by beautiful yellow hair.

Q2. Appearances may be deceptive. People are not objects,they should be valued for being themselves. What lesson does the poet want to give to the readers through this poem?

Ans. Truly stated that people are not objects and appearances may be deceptive. A person should be liked and loved for being himself or ‘herself. Outwardly appearances do tempt and dazzle us. There may be many persons who would love to see Anne’s beautiful hair falling over her ears like the ramparts of a fort. Many would love Anne Gregory for her beautiful yellow hair. It would be difficult to find a real lover who loves Anne for `herself alone’. What is so great about yellow hair? Anne ridicules the idea of being loved for her yellow hair. She can dye her hair the way she likes — brown, black, carrot or yellow. But the irony of this world is that people will go on being tempted and dazzled by glamour, show and outwardly appearances. Only God can love a person for ‘himself or herself’ alone.

10th Std Bholi

Answer the following questions in 30-40 words:

1.” God cannot be everywhere, so he created Mothers”. Do you think Bholi’s mother complies with this statement? Give reasons supporting your answer.                           

Ans. Bholi’s mother does not comply with this statement at all for certain reasons like ,Bholi’s mother never took care of her , neither in childhood nor in young age,She was not concerned even about her studies or clothing.
 She did not bother about Bholi’s groom. Whether he was an aged person, limping or a greedy one, whether he will honour her daughter or keep her as a slave in his house,she has never shown concern towards her for any thing.

2. Describe Bholi’s feelings when her teacher assured to make her the most learned in her village.

Ans. Bholi was sent to school because the Tehsildar compelled Ramlal to send one of his daughters to school, so that it may prove a role model for other girls. She was a slow learner and stammered while speaking and all the children in the school made fun of her. But her teacher encouraged her and made all efforts to make her the most learned in her village. She was impressed by her soft and soothing voice. She felt comfortable and stopped stammering. Now she was full of confidence and learned all the syllabus taught by her teacher.

3. Give two points to demonstrate that Bholi’s wedding was a grand one. 

Ans. Bholi’s marriage was fixed with Bishamber who had a big shop, his own house and several thousand in the bank. It was a grand marriage. A brass-band playing a popular tune from an Indian film headed the procession. Secondly, the bridegroom was riding on a decorated horse. He came there with a big party of friends and relatives which looked like a procession.

4. What two actions did Bholi take to stop her marriage to Bishamber?

Ans. Bholi’s marriage was going to take place with Bishamber who himself was forty-five or fifty years old. He also limped and had two children from his first wife. Even then he demanded 5000 rupees as dowry. Bholi stopped the marriage by throwing away the garland in the fire. She threw away the veil and asked her father to take back the money and refused to marry Bishamber.

5. How did Bholi console her father in the end?

Ans. Bholi consoled her father that even if she did not get married, she would take care of her parents in their old age. She also tells them that she would teach in the same school and earn her livelihood from where she had learnt so much .

6. Draw a conclusion as to why Bholi’s teacher felt like an artist admiring her masterpiece.

Ans. Bholi’s teacher felt like an artist admiring her masterpiece, when she realized how her soothing words, education, and motivation gave confidence to Bholi to face the world and transformed her from a girl who was unsure about herself and a backward child, to a bold and confident girl.

Q7. Why was Sulekha called Bholi, the simpleton?

Ans.` Sulekha’ means a woman who writes with a beautiful handwriting . Ironically, Bholi of the story was considered to be a backward child. She was called a ‘simpleton’ or a witless girl. She fell off her cot in early childhood, and a part of her brain was damaged. All the girls of Ramlal except Bholi were good looking and healthy. Bholi couldn’t speak properly and stammered. Her pock-marks made her far from being pretty. Everyone mocked and made fun of such a stammering simpleton.

8. What did the Tehsildar suggest to Ramlal?

Ans. The Tehsildar had come to the village to open the first elementary school for girls. He told Ramlal that as a revenue official he is the representative of the government in the village, and so should set an example for the villagers by sending his daughters to school.

9. Why was Sulekha nicknamed Bholi and why did Sulekha start stammering?

Ans. When Sulekha was ten months old, she fell down from the cot on her head. Some part of her brain was damaged. That was why she remained a backward child and came to be called as Bholi, the simpleton.
 Sulekha could not speak until she was five. When at last she learnt to speak she started stammering because other children often made fun of her and mimicked her.

10. Everyone’s first day at school is generally filled with fun, joy and happiness. How was Bholi’s first day at school?

Ans. The teacher gave her a book having colourful pictures of animals. With every picture was a word in big black letters. The teacher told her that she would be able to read that book in a month. Then she would give her a bigger book. She liked the book very much. Thus she enjoyed her first day in school.

11. How was Bholi different from the other children at home?

Ans. When Bholi was 10 months old, she fell from a cot. This damaged a part of her brain and affected her intelligence. She became a slow learner, a retarded child. So, she was called Bholi’, a simpleton. When she was two years old, she had an attack of smallpox that left pockmarks on her face and she looked ugly. Rest of her brothers and sisters were normal.

12. What idea do you form of Ramlal’s personality?

Ans. Ramlal was the revenue officer of the village. He was a prosperous farmer and had seven children. He was orthodox. He did not believe in the ideology of sending girls to school as it would be difficult to find a good match for them. He wanted to get rid of Bholi as she was ugly and not intelligent.

Q13. Describe two accidents that had disfigured Bholi and made her a backward child.

Ans. At birth, Bholi was very fair and pretty. When she was two years old, she had an attack of smallpox. Her entire body was permanently disfigured with deep pock-marks. When she was just ten months old, she fell off her cot. Perhaps a part of her brain was damaged. It made her a backward child. She learnt to speak at the age of five and stammered while speaking.

Q14.Was Ramlal happy to send Bholi to school? If not, why did he send her there?

Ans.No girl in the family had ever gone to school. Bholi’s mother believed if they sent their daughters to school, then no one would marry them. But an unexpected thing happened. The Tehsildar who inaugurated the first girl school in the village asked Ramlal to set an example before the villagers. He must send his daughters to school. Ramlal couldn’t afford to disobey the Tehsildar. So, Bholi was sent to school.

Q15. Why was Bholi frightened to go to school?

Ans. No girl in the family had ever gone to school. The next day, when Ramlal held her hand to take her to school, Bholi was frightened. She did not know what school was. She thought that perhaps her parents were punishing her away from the house by sending her to school. So, she cried in terror and pulled her hand away from her father’s grip.

Q16. What preparations were made to send Bholi to school? When did she begin to think that school was a better place than her home?

Ans. Ramlal asked his wife to arrange some decent clothes for Bholi. He didn’t want the teachers and other school girls to make any bad image of the family. Therefore, Bholi was lucky to get a clean dress that didn’t fit Champa. Bholi was bathed. Oil was rubbed into her dry and damaged hair. Only then Bholi began to think that she was going to a better place than to her home.

Q17.How was Bholi’s first day at the school? Did she enjoy it?

Ans. Ramlal handed over Bholi to the headmistress. She asked Bholi to sit down in a corner in one of the classes. Bholi was glad to find so many girls of her age in the class. She hoped to make one of them her friend. She couldn’t understand what the teacher was saying. She liked the pictures of birds and animals on the wall. The teacher asked her name but Bholi couldn’t pronounce it in spite of many efforts. The kind and friendly teacher encouraged her and Bholi could pronounce her name, “Bh-Bh-Bho-Bholi”. The teacher patted her on her success. Bholi felt comforted and relieved.


Q18. How did the teacher help Bholi to pronounce her name full and clearly?

Ans. The teacher asked Bholi to tell her name. She could stammer “Bh-Bho-Bho” only. She began to cry, and tears rolled down her eyes. Girls still laughed at her. But the teacher comforted her. Her voice was very soothing. She made another effort but failed. The teacher encouraged her. And Bholi made the last effort and spoke, Bh — Bh — Bho — Bholi.” She was relieved as if it was a great achievement. The teacher patted her on her success.

Q19. “In time you will be more learned than anyone else in the village,” said the teacher to Bholi. What was the basis of reposting such confidence in a girl who even couldn’t pronounce her name properly?

Ans. Bholi stammered and couldn’t even pronounce her full name to the teacher. The teacher succeeded and made her speak: “Bh! Bh — Bho — Bholi.” She asked her to come to school every day. The teacher gave her a picture book and hoped that she would finish it within a month. In time, she would be more learned than anyone else in the village. Then, no one would ever be able to laugh at her.

Q20. When and why did Bholi feel that her heart was throbbing with new hope and a new life?

Ans. Bholi had achieved what she could have never even dreamed. With the encouragement and help of her teacher she could pronounce her name: “Bh —Bho — Bholi” and say: “Ye — Ye-Yes.” Then the teacher gave her a picture book. She was sure that Bholi would finish it within a week. In time she would be more learned than anyone in the village. Then, nobody would ever dare to laugh at her. Bholi felt her heart throbbing with new hope and new life.


Q21. Was Ramlal happy with Bishamber’s proposal? What was the opinion of Bholi’s mother about this unequal match?

Ans. Ramlal was worried about Bholi. She had neither good looks nor intelligence. The proposal of Bishamber for her marriage was a pleasant surprise for him. His wife gave acceptance to this unequal match. She felt that Bholi was lucky to have such a rich bridegroom. He had a big grocery  shop, his own house and several thousand rupees in the bank. Moreover, he was not asking for dowry,initially.

Q22. Was Bishamber Nath a suitable bridegroom for Bholi? Give your opinion.

Ans.No, Bishamber was not at all a suitable match for Bholi. No doubt, he was rich, had a big shop, a house of his own and thousands of rupees in the bank. But he was mean, greedy and a worthless man. When he came to know of the pock-marks on Bholi’s face, he demanded a dowry of 5000 rupees to marry her. Even the turban of Ramlal at his feet couldn’t melt his heart. Bholi did the right thing to reject him.


Q23. Why didn’t Bholi at first oppose the proposal of the unequal match? Why did she agree to it?

Ans. Bholi knew that she was just a burden for her parents. They thought her worthless and couldn’t even dream of a good marriage proposal for her. When she realised that her parents were happy to find such a rich and prosperous bridegroom for her, she bowed to their wish. She didn’t oppose it to keep the honour of the family intact. she agreed to many a man who was of the age of her father and had grown up children from his first wife.

Q25. What preparations had Bishamber made on the wedding day? What was the reaction of Bholi’s parents and elder sisters regarding the celebrations?

Ans. The bridegroom, Bishamber, was a well-to-do grocer. He was happy and excited about the wedding day. He had come with a large party of friends and relatives with him for the wedding. A brass-band headed the procession. It was playing a popular tune of a film. Ramlal was over-joyed to see such pomp and splendour. Bholi’s elder sisters were envious of her luck.

Q26. What happened when Bishamber took a quick glance at his bride’s face?

Ans. The auspicious moment had come. The bridegroom lifted the garland of yellow marigolds. A woman slipped back the silken veil from the bride’s face. Bishamber took a quick glance. The garland remained poised in his hand. He shouted that the bride had pockmarks on her face. If he was to marry her, her father must give him five thousand rupees.


Q27. How did Ramlal react to Bishamber’s demand of 5000 rupees to marry Bholi?

Ans. Bishamber clearly declared that if he married Bholi, her father would give him 5000 rupees. Ramlal went and placed his turban at Bishamber’s feet. He begged him not to humiliate him in that manner. He was ready to give 2000 rupees. Bishamber didn’t budge. Ramlal went inside and came back with the money and placed the bundle of notes at Bishamber’s feet.


Q28. Why did Bholi throw the wedding garland into the fire?

Ans. Earlier, Bholi couldn’t oppose the proposal as she wanted to save the honour of the family. But now enough was enough. Bishamber had no regard and respect for her parents. He was ready to marry her for 5000 rupees. When he moved forward to garland her, she threw the wedding garland away into the force. She declared that she would not have such a mean, greedy and cowardly person as her husband.

Q29. How did Bholi react to the remarks of an old woman who called her “a shameless girl” and “a harmless dumb cow?”

Ans. When Bholi refused to accept a mean, greedy and cowardly man as her husband, everybody was stunned. An old woman called her “a shameless girl.” She had thought her “a harmless dumb cow.” Bholi turned violently on the old woman. She told that everybody had thought her a dumb cow and so they wanted to hand her over to such a heartless creature. She reminded that the ‘dumb cow’ had got a tongue now and she could speak out to defend herself.

Q30. How did Ramlal react after the ceremony ended with the departure of the bridegroom alone?


Ans. Ramlal stood silently rooted to the ground. His head bowed with the weight of grief and sorrow. He turned to Bholi and asked what would happen to her now. No one would ever marry her. He asked, “What shall we do with you?”

Q31. A grieved father asked Bholi: “But what about you? No one will ever marry you now,” What was Bholi’s reply to his grieved father?

Ans. When her grieved father showed her anxiety about her still unmarried daughter, Bholi replied calmly and steadily. He asked her father not to worry about her. She assured that she would serve him and her mother in their old age. And she also told that she would teach in the same school where she had learnt so much.

Q32. How did the teacher react to Bholi’s wish expressed in the end?

Ans. The teacher had all along stood there in a corner. She had been watching the whole drama. She also heard Bholi saying that she would teach in the same school where she had learnt so much. Bholi turned to the teacher for affirmation. The teacher replied, “Yes, Bholi, of course’. She felt as if her mission had been completed.

10th Std Bholi

Bholi

What's the theme of the Story, ' Bholi'?

Bholi is the story of a village girl who was discriminated as she had pock-marks on her face, stammered and was considered to be a simpleton. Bholi suffered an attack of smallpox when she was just two years old. She damaged a part of her brain when she fell off from the cot ,when she was 10making nths old. Education transformed ‘a dumb cow’ into a fearless and courageous girl. First, she agreed to many an unequal match, Bishamber, just to maintain the honour of the family. Her father, Ramlal, put even his turban at the feet of the greedy bridegroom. He accepted to many a girl with pock-marks only after getting 5000 rupees as dowry. Bholi showed the courage of throwing away the ceremonial garland into the fire. She refused to have a mean, greedy and contemptible coward like Bishamber Nath as her husband.

Read the extracts given below carefully and answer the questions that follow:

1. Ramlal was overjoyed to see such pomp and splendour. He had never dreamt that his fourth daughter would have such a grand wedding. Bholi’s elder sisters who had come for the occasion were envious of her luck.

(a) Whose marriage is referred to here?

(b) What had Ramlal never expected?

(c) Why were Bholi’s elder sisters envious of her luck?

(d) How was the marriage procession of Bholi?

Ans. (a) Bholi’s marriage is referred to here.

(b) Ramlal had never expected such pomp, splendour and a grand wedding.

(c) Her elder sisters were envious of her grand wedding.

(d) The marriage procession came with great pomp and show. Everyone expected marriage to be grand.

2. Bishamber raised the garland to place it around the bride’s neck; but before he could do so, Bholi’s hand struck out like a streak of lightning and the garland was flung into the fire. She got up and threw away the veil.

(a) What did Bholi do?

(b) Why did she do it?

(c) Why did Bholi at first agree to an unequal match?

(d) Later, she rejected the marriage. What does this tell us about her?

Ans. (a) Bholi suddenly stood up and threw away the garland into the fire.

(b) Because she did not agree to the condition of Bishamber of five thousand rupees.

(c) This was because; she never wanted to add to the worries of her parents by her refusal.

(d) Her behaviours reflected that she was no longer a timid, tame, dumb-driven cow but a bold, confident and self-respecting girl.

3. “What’s the matter with you, you fool?” shouted Ramlal. “I am only taking you to school.” Then he told his wife, “Let her wear some decent clothes today, or else what will the teacher and the other school girls think of us when they see her?”

(a) Who is speaking and to whom?

(b) What did he want his wife to do?

(c) Why was Bholi scared to go to school?

(d) What made her feel that she was going to a better place than her home?

Ans. (a) Ramlal is speaking to Bholi.

(b) He wanted his wife to get Bholi ready for the school.

(c) Bholi did not know what a school was like. Actually, she had no idea of a school.

(d) When, she was given a bath, decent clothes to wear, her hair was oiled and combed, she thought so.

4.”When the school bell rang, all the girls scurried out of the classroom, but Bholi dared not leave her corner. Her head still lowered, she kept on sobbing.”

(a) Why didn’t Bholi dare to come out of her classroom?

(b) How many children did Ramlal have?

(c) Why was Bholi sobbing?

(d) Why do you think she finds her teacher different from the people at home?

Ans. (a) Bholi did not dare to come out of her classroom because it was her first day in school. Also, she had a complex that other girls would laugh at her for stammering.

(b) Ramlal have Seven children.

(c) She had an inferiority complex as other girls were laughing at her for stammering.

(d) The soft, sweet, soothing voice, sympathetic and encouraging behaviour of her teacher made him much different from the people heat home.


5. That was why she remained a backward child and came to he was known as Bholi, the simpleton.

(a) Who is being described here?

(b) Why did she remain a ‘backward’ child?

(c) Who was Bholi?

(d) What was the real name of Bholi?

Ans. (a)  Sulekha or Bholi is being described here.

(b) When she was ten months old, she had fallen off the cot on her head, which had perhaps damaged some part of her brain.

(c) Bholi was the fourth daughter of Numberdar Ramlal.

(d) The real name of Bholi is Sulekha.

6. Left alone, the poor girl looked about her with fear-laden There were several rooms, and in each room girls like her squatted on mats, reading from books or writing on slates.

(a) Which place is described here?

(b) Who is the ‘poor girl’?

(c) Why does the girl look around with fear-laden eyes?

(d) What was Bholi’s reaction when her father asked her to come with him to school?

Ans. (a) The school to which Bholi is taken to by her father is described here.

(b) Sulekha ,that is Bholi is the `poor girl’.

(c) She looked so because it was the first time she was being taken to a place away from home.

(d) She was afraid. She had no idea of a school.

11th Std THE BROWNING VERSION

THE BROWNING VERSION

Short Answer questions

1.Why did Taplow stay back at school on the last day of his form?

Ans. Taplow had come back to school to do extra work. He was ordered by his teacher Mr Crocker-Harris. The boy had missed a day the previous week. So Crocker-Harris had called him to pay for it and make up for the loss.

2. Who are the two teacher-characters in the play? What information do you get about them?

Ans. The two teachers arc Mr Crocker-Harris and Frank. Crocker-Harris teaches the Latin language while Frank teaches science. Crocker-Harris is middle-aged and strict. Frank is a young science teacher. The students are scared of Crocker-Harris. Frank wonders how Crocker-Harris had managed to over-awe the students, though he does not even beat them; Frank is envious of him.

3. Taplow has a grudge against his Latin master, Crocker-Harris. Why?

Ans. Taplow is a young boy in the fifth form. He loves to play golf on a fine day. But he dare not disobey Mr Crocker-Harris who had called him to school a day before the final results were to be declared. Taplow is made to do extra work to make up for his absence one day the previous week. His promotion is to be decided by Crocker-Harris.

Taplow’s grudge is that Crocker-harris is overstrict and even Inhuman. He does not give the boy any assurance about his promotion in spite of calling him to do extra work.

4. How does Taplow make fun of his teacher? Why? Who encourages him to ridicule Mr Crocker-Harris?

Ans. Taplow is a young boy, studying in the fifth form. His final result is to be announced the next day. He asks Mr Crocker-Harris about his chances for promotion. But Crocker-Harris gives him a vague answer. He tells the boy that he would get what he deserves, no less and no more. Moreover, Mr Crocker-harris has called Taplow to do extra work even on the last day of school. This irritates the boy and he makes fun of his teacher in front of Mr Frank. Taplow is encouraged by Frank to mimic Crocker-Harris’s voice and repeat his words. This is how he tries to hit back at the teacher.

5. Taplow says that Crocker-harris is hardly human. What makes him say that?

Ans. Taplow is a little-outspoken boy. He speaks out his mind honestly. His personal equation with Crocker-Harris is not smooth. One day Mr Crocker-Harris told a Latin joke in the class and no one laughed at it because not a single student understood it, including Taplow. Still, Taplow laughed out of politeness; but then his teacher asked him to explain the joke. This makes Taplow feel that he is hardly human.

6. How does Frank read Taplow’s motive behind doing extra work?

Ans. Frank is a science teacher who knows well the nature of his colleague. He does not approve of Crocker-Harris’s step to call a boy to do extra work on the last day of school. He points out that Taplow can now hope to get his promotion through doing extra work.

7. What is meant by ‘remove’ in English schools?

Ans. In English schools, the word ‘remove’ means promotion to the next higher class. Much depended on the rating given by Crocker-Harris to Taplow. So the boy is nervous and afraid about his result.

8. How does Taplow recount the incident of Crocker-Harris’s joke in the class?

Ans. One day Mr Crocker-Harris told a Latin joke in the class. No student laughed at it because no one understood it. Taplow was no exception. Still, he laughed at the poor joke out of common politeness. Crocker-Harris cornered him. He asked Taplow to explain the joke to other boys. That was Crocker-Harris’s way of dealing with the boys. He did not like it even if someone tried to help him.

9. What does Taplow think of Mr Crocker-Harris?

Ans. Taplow, the fifth form boy, is a good judge of persons, especially his teachers. He ridicules Crocker-Harris whom he calls ‘hardly human’. He mocks his master by mimicking his voice and words. He is mortally afraid of Crocker-Harris. He dare not disobey or go Against the wishes of Crocker-Harris. But at the same time, he has a word of praise as well for his teacher. He tells Frank that Crocker-harris never beats a boy although he is shrivelled up like a nut at heart. And he is not a ‘sadist’. Like one or two other teachers who got pleasure out of giving pain. Crocker-Harris’s drawback was that he hated it even when people tried to like him. Taplow finally tells Frank that in spite of all this he did like Crocker-Harris better than other teachers.

10. How does Taplow react on the arrival of Mrs Crocker-Harris?

Ans. Taplow was frightened to see Millie. His fear was that she must have heard what he had been saying about Mr Crocker-Harris. In case, she reports the matter to her husband. Taplow will miss his promotion.

11. How does Taplow finally get back his freedom?

Ans. It is Mrs Millie Crocker-Harris who finally comes to the rescue of Taplow. She reports that Crocker-Harris will not be back early. Hence, Taplow had better go. He can at least run away for 15 minutes and come back later. She assures the boy that no harm will come to him. She gives him a doctor’s prescription and tells him to bring medicines for Mr Crocker-Harris. This being a good excuse, Taplow goes out free from fear.
Short Answer questions

Long Answer Questions

1. What brings Taplow to the staff room? Who does he meet there?

Ans. Taplow, a fifth-grade student, goes to school on the last day. He is called by Mr Crocker-Harris to do extra work for missing a day the previous week. He is waiting for the Latin teacher in the staff room. Frank, the young science teacher, arrives and starts talking to him. They discuss Crocker-harris. In fact, Frank is envious of Crocker-Harris hold on the young boys. He encourages Taplow to give his honest opinion about his master. And Taplow makes some negative remarks. He levels several charges against Crocker-Harris. He calls him ‘hardly human’, a poor teacher of Latin, and a person who hates people to be liked by them. Taplow finally meets Mrs Crocker-Harris who sends him to the chemist to bring some medicines. This way, Taplow feels relieved and gets his freedom for a while.

2. What impression do you form of Frank and Mrs Crocker-Harris?

Ans. Frank is a young science teacher at the school. We get to know about him from his conversation with the boy Taplow. On the whole, he appears to be a mean and petty person. He envies Crocker-Harris, who keeps his students under control. He provokes Taplow to comment on his teacher and also to imitate his voice. This is unbecoming of a teacher to discuss his colleague with a boy. He suggests to Taplow to slip away because Crocker-Harris is late in coming and the weather is fine. Mrs Millie Crocker-Harris is a kind hearted and easy going person. She is very smart. She rescues Taplow by sending him out on an errand.

3. What is your assessment of Taplow as a student? Write his brief character-sketch as well.

Ans. Taplow, a student of the fifth form, is 16 years old. He is very talkative and outspoken. He gets carried away easily. On being provoked by Frank, he opens his heart out and speaks  Critically about his Latin teacher. He is mortally afraid of Crocker-Harris although the master never beats any boy. He dare not ‘cut’ his master because Crocker-Harris might even follow him to his home. He calls Crocker-harris secretive and one who can not be easily pleased. Crocker-Harris refuses to tell the boy about his final result before the stipulated time. Taplow crosses the limit when he says that Crocker-harris is ‘hardly human’. On the whole, Taplow is quite honest and gullible. He ridicules his teacher and mimics his voice. He uses derogatory words for his teacher. He discusses one teacher with another foolishly. His actions show that he is not mature enough.

4. Who is Millie? What is her role in the play?

Ans. Millie is the wife of Mr Crocker-Harris. She is a thin woman in her late thirties. But she dresses smartly and speaks confidently. As she enters the school premises, she stands for a while behind a curtain to overhear the conversation between Taplow and Frank. Even if she has heard them, she gives no hint of it. She is quite unlike her harsh husband. She is kind and gentle. She tells Taplow to go and enjoy himself. But the boy dare not cut Crocker-Harris. So she finds an excuse to free him. She asks him to go to the chemist to bring some medicines for his master. She smilingly agrees to take the blame on herself if Crocker-Harris is angry. Thus, she outshines all the other three characters in the story.

5. Who are the two teacher-characters in the play? What information do you get about them?
Ans. The two teachers are Mr Crocker-Harris and Frank. Crocker-Harris teaches the Latin language while Frank teaches science. Crocker-Harris is middle-aged and strict. Frank is frank enough.Frank is a young science teacher at the school. We get to know about him from his conversation with the boy Taplow. On the whole, he appears to be a mean and petty person.
Tallow added, inside he is like a nut; he hates people to like him; he is hardly human; gives a vague answer to the boy about his result. But Taplow has a word of praise also for his teacher. He doesn’t beat the boys. He is not a sadist. He abides by the rules of the school and never declares the result before time. Still, all the boys in the class are scared to death of Crocker-Harris. Taplow finally admits that he likes Crocker-Harris spite of being scared of him.

10th Std THE SERMON AT BENARAS

THE SETMONS AT BENARAS

1)What is the theme or Central Idea of the Lesson The Sermon at Benares
OR
Do the Literary Analysis of the story The Sermon at Benares.

‘Sermon At Benares’ is the story of an unfortunate woman Kisa Gotami. She had lost her only one. In her grief, she carried the dead body of her son from one place to another. In the end, she came to Lord Buddha. She needed the medicine that could cure her son. The Buddha asked her to bring him a handful of mustard seed from a house where no one had lost a child, husband, parent or friend. Kisa Gotami didn’t find a house where some beloved one had not died in it. She thought to herself that it was the fate of mankind. Death was inevitable. Nobody can avoid dying. The world is afflicted with death and decay. The wise don’t grieve. `He who has overcome all soon will become free from sorrow, and be blessed.’

2)Give the Character Sketch of Gautama Buddha.

Gautama Buddha is the founder of the religion Buddhism. He was a spiritual teacher who had gained enlightenment of seeing the world’s pains and greed. Buddha preached that human life is very short and it is full of sorrows and pains. He cleared that our brief life is full of troubles and pains. Everyone on this earth has to one day meet with death.

3)Through the story of Kisa Gotami, what did the Buddha try to preach to the common man?

Ans. Buddha said that death is common to all mortals. Those who are born must die one day. You cannot avoid it. Death is certain. He taught this, through the story of Kisa Gotami, Kisa was a common woman whose son had died. She could not believe it and carried her son to neighbours requesting them to give her medicine to cure him. People thought that she was not in her senses. She approached Buddha. He asked her to procure a handful of mustard seeds but he put a condition that they should be procured from a house where no death has ever taken place. Kisa could not find such a house. She, sad and depressed, sat on the sideways and watched city lights that flickered and extinguished. It made her realize that human lives flicker and extinguish as well and that death is an unavoidable phenomenon. She thought herself to be selfish for thinking only about her grief.

Extract Based / comprehension test Questions and Answers of The Sermon at Benares

Read the extracts and answer the questions that follow.

1.”The Buddha preached his first sermon at the city of Benares, most holy of the dipping places on the River Ganges; that sermon has been preserved and is given here. It reflects the Buddha’s wisdom about one inscrutable kind of suffering.”

(a) Name the holiest of the dipping places on the River Ganges where the Buddha preached his first sermon.

(b) What does Buddha’s first sermon reflect?

(c) What did Gautama do after getting on light emend?

(d) How was he known as then?

Ans. (a) The holiest of the dipping places on the River Ganges where the Buddha preached his first sermon was at Benares.

(b) Buddha’s wisdom about one inscrutable kind of suffering.

(c) After getting enlightenment, he began to teach and share his new understandings with the common people.

(d) As he started preaching, he was known as Buddha, meaning, the awakened or the enlightened one.

2. “Kisa Gotami became weary and hopeless and sat down at the wayside watching the lights of the city, as they flickered up and were extinguished again. At last the darkness of the night reigned everywhere.”

(a) Why do you think Kisa Gotami became weary and hopeless?

(b) How many sons did Kisa Gautami have?

(c) What did she notice while sitting at the wayside?

(d) What message did she get from the flickering and extinguishing lights of the city?

Ans. (a) It was because she could not find a house where no one had died.

(b) Kisa Gautami had only one son.

(c) She noticed the flickering lights of the city.

(d) Their lives flicker up and are extinguished.

3. At twelve, he was sent away for schooling in the Hindu sacred scriptures and years later he returned home to marry a princess. They had a son and lived for ten Y befitting royalty. At about the age of twenty-five, the prince heretofore shielded from sufferings of the world, while out hunting chanced upon a sick man, then an aged than a funeral procession, and finally a monk begging for alms. These sights so move that he at once became a beggar and went out into the world to seek enlighten concerning the sorrows he had witnessed.

(a) What happened at the age of twelve?

(b) What happened when he was out hunting?

(c) Where was he sent away for schooling?

(d) When did he marry?

Ans. (a) At twelve, he was sent away for schooling in the Hindi; sacred seen

(b) He saw a sick man, then human image man and then a funeral procession-

(c) He was sent away for Schooling in the Hindu sacred scriptures.

(d) He married at the age en after completing his schooling.

4. At about the age of tweet e, the prince, hereto the world, while out hunting chanced upon a sick man, then an aged man than a farmer the procession, and finally a monk begging for alms. These sights so moved him that he at once ante a beggar and went out into the world to seek enlightenment concerning the sorrows he had witnessed. He wandered for seven years and finally sat down under a fig tree, where he vowed to stay until enlightenment came. Enlightened after seven days, he renamed the tree the Buddha Tree (Tree of Wisdom) and began to teach and to share his new understandings. At that point, he became known as the Buddha (the Awakened or the Enlightened).

(a) When was Gautam Buddha’s first encounter with suffering?

(b) How did he react to it?

(c) Why did the prince have no experience of the sufferings of the world till the age of twenty-five?

(d) What effect did the sights have on him?

(a) Gautam Buddha’s first encounter was when he went out hunting.

(b) He renounced the worldly comforts and left home to seek enlightenment from these Sorrows.

(c) This was because he was shielded from the sufferings of the world.

(d) He went out for enlightenment.

5. Buddha said, “The life of mortals in this world is troubled and brief and combined with pain. For there is not any means by which those that have been born can avoid dying; after reaching old age there is death; of such a nature are living beings. As ripe fruits are early in danger of falling, so mortals, when born, are always in danger of death. As all earthen vessels made by the Potter end in being broken, so is the life of mortals. Both young and adult, both those who are fools and those who are wise, all fall. into the power of death, all are subject to death.”

(a) What did the Buddha say about the life of the people?

(b) What does a ripe fruit fear?

(c) What happens after reaching age?

(d) What, according to Buddha, death is avoidable?

Ans. (a) The life of people is troubled and brief and combined with pain.

(b) A ripe fruit fears the danger of falling.

(c) There is death after birth.

(d) There is not any means by which those that have been born, can avoid dying.

6. Kisa Gotami had an only son and he died. In her grief she carried the dead child to all her neighbours, asking them for medicine, and the people said, “She has lost her senses dead.” At length, Kisa Gotamimet a man who replied to her request; “I can’t give thee! nines for thy child, but I know a physician who can.” And the girl said, “Pray to tell me, sir, o is it?” And the man replied, “Go to Sakyamuni, the Buddha.” Kisa Gotami repaired to tile Buddha and cried: “Lord and Master, give me the medicine that will cure my boy”.

(a) Why was Kisa Gotami in grief?

(b) What did she ask of all her neighbours?

(c) What had happened to Kisa Gotami’sonly son?

(d) Who did she carry her dead child to in her grief?

Ans. (a)Kisa Gotami was in grief because her son was dead.

(b) She asked them for medicine.

(c) He was dead.

(d)In grief she carried her dead child to all her neighbours.

7. Of those who, overcome by death, depart from life, a father cannot save his son, for kinsmen their relations. Mark ! While relatives are looking on and lamenting deeply, one by one mortal are carried off, like an ox that is led to the slaughter. So the world is afflicted with death and decay, therefore, the wise do not grieve, knowing the terms of the world. Not from weeping nor from grieving will anyone obtain peace of mind; on the contrary, his pain will be the greater and his body will suffer. He will make himself sick and pale, yet the dead are not saved by his lamentation.

(a) What is the fate of mortals?

(b) Why do the wise not grieve?

(c) Why does the writer compare mortals with an ox?

(d) How does ‘lamentation’ harm a person?

Ans. (a) The fate of mortals is death.

(b) Wise does not grieve because they know the terms of the world that one who is must die one day. They neither weep nor grieve.

(c) Both of them have to die and are led to ‘slaughter’.

(d) It makes one sick and pale; one does not get peace of mind.

8. The Buddha answered: “I want a handful of mustard seeds.” And when the girl in joy promised to procure it, the Buddha added: “The mustard seeds must be taken house where no one has lost a child, husband, parent or friend.”

(a) Identify ‘I’ in the passage.

(b) What did the Buddha ask the girl for?

(c) What was the condition imposed on the girl?

(d) In this way, what did the Buddha want Kisa Gotami to understand?

Ans. (a)'I’ in the passage is Gautama Buddha.

(b) To procure mustard seeds.

(c) The condition was that no one in the family had lost a man from the house.

(d) Buddha wanted Kisa Gotami to understand that all men who live have to die. pea is inevitable and cannot be avoided.


Answer the following questions in 30-40 words:

1. Who is referred to as “wise” by the Buddha in his sermons?
Buddha preached in his sermons that everything that is born will die one day. Death is inevitable: both young and adult or fools and wise are subject to death.
According to Buddha, people who realise and accept this fact and do not lament are wise.

2. How did the Buddha teach Kisa Gotami the truth of life?
Buddha changed Kisa’s thinking with the help of a simple act—asking her to
procure a handful of mustard seeds from the house where no one had died. She could not understand it. But, gradually she understood that death is inevitable.

3. Describe the life of Gautama Buddha before enlightenment.
Buddha was earlier a prince and lived in luxury. When he encountered suffering and grief, it made him sad. He renounced everything and went in search of way to get rid of suffering. He wandered for seven years. Then, one day, he sat under a fig tree and vowed not to leave until he was enlightened.

4. What moved Siddhartha Gautama to seek the path of enlightenment?
While going for hunting Siddhartha Gautam saw a sick man, an old man, a funeral procession and a monk begging. This encounter with the sufferings of human beings moved him to seek the path of enlightenment.

5. What did the Buddha preach to the people?
Buddha said that death is common to all mortals. You cannot avoid it. No amount of weeping and lamenting can bring back a dead. So wise men don’t grieve.
Weeping and lamenting rather spoil one’s health. To gain peace in life, one must not lament, complain or grieve about their loss.


Short answer type questions :

Answer the following questions in 30-40 words:
1. Kisa compared human life to an inanimate object. What is it and why does she do so?

Ans. Kisa compared human life with the lights of the city which flicker up and extinguished again and the darkness of the night spreads everywhere. Similarly, the human takes birth, flickers up and then extinguished the life of the remains. She compared so because the darkness of sadness spreads in use she was as in great grief of the death of his

2. Where and when did Siddhartha become the Buddha?

Ans. At the age of 25, Siddhartha came across a sick man then an old man, age sight moved funeral procession and finally a monk.he left his palace and wandered for seven years to find enlightenment . He finally attained peace and enlightenment and renamed himself as Buddha.

3. Which people are referred to as “wise” by the Buddha in his sermons?

Ans. Buddha preached in his sermons that everything that is born will come to its end. Death is inevitable: both young and adult or fools and wise are subject to death. But the people who do not grieve knowing the terms of the world are called wise people. Wise people neither weep nor grieve.

4. Why was Kisa Gotamis remorseful?

Ans. Kisa Gotami’s only son had died. She was grief-stricken. Carrying the dead son, she went to all her neighbours to get some medicine that would cure her son. A man sent her to the Buddha who asked her to procure a handful of mustard seeds from a house where no one had died, but she couldn’t find such a house and was thus sad.

5. Why was Gautama known as the Buddha?

Ans. Gautama sat under a pipal tree until he attained enlightenment. After seven days he got enlightenment and began to teach and share his new understandings. So he came to be known as the Buddha (the Awakened or the Enlightened).


6. How did the Buddha teach Kisa Gotami the truth of life?

Ans. Buddha changed Kisa’s thinking with the help of a simple act by asking her to procure a handful of mustard seeds from that house where none had died. She could not understand it. But, gradually she understood that death is inevitable.

7. Describe the life of Gautama Buddha before enlightenment.

Ans. Buddha was earlier a prince and lived in luxury. When he encountered suffering and grief, it made him sad and sorrowful. He renounced everything and went in search of riddance from suffering. He wandered for seven years. Then, one day, he sat under a fig tree and vowed not to leave until he was enlightened.

8. To seek peace one has to draw out the arrow of lamentation. State two values projected through the statement.

Ans.No lamenting can bring someone’s dear and near ones back to life. Neither can they stop one’s death. Lamenting tells upon one’s health. He becomes sick and pale. He loses appetite and interest in life. One has to learn that death is inevitable.

9. What sights moved Siddhartha Gautama to seek the path of enlightenment?

Ans. While going for hunting Gautam saw a sick man, an old man, a funeral procession and a monk begging. This encounter with the sufferings and grief moved him and he left to seek the path of enlightenment.

10. What did the Buddha preach to the people?

Ans. Buddha said that death is common to all mortals. You cannot avoid it. No amount of Weeping and lamenting can bring back a dead. So wise men don’t grieve. Weeping and Lamenting rather spoil one’s health. To overcome sorrow, become free of sorrow.

11. What happened to Kisa Gotami’s son? What did she ask her neighbours to give her?

Ans. When her son died, Kisa Gautama went from house to house in order to ask for as everyone said that she was out of her senses to invite for her son. But she didn’t get any it2nat her son was dead.

12. How do weeping and grieving affect us in the Sermon at Benares?
Ans. Weeping and grieving bring no gains. It rather spoils one’s health and gives truer ‘, I Only you take out the arrow of lamentation and get composed you will get peace of overcome sorrow, become free of sorrow. I again go from house to house after she speaks with the Buddha.

13. Mention the incidents which prompted Prince Siddhartha to become a beggar.

Ans. Siddhartha while going for hunting saw a sick man, an old man, a funeral procession and a monk begging. This was his first encounter with suffering and grief. It made him sad and he immediately renounced everything.

14. What did Kisa Gotami learn in the end?

Ans. Kisa Gotami wandered from house to house to get a handful of mustard seeds but could not find it. She realized that death is common to all. All living beings have to die. She had been selfish in her grief.

15. What is Gautam Buddha’s opinion about death?

Ans. Buddha says that the world is a valley of death. There is a path that leads man to immortality reality that has been cleansed of all selfishness. Death is common to all. One who is born will die as well. Death is imminent. The life of mortals in this world is troubled and brief and combined with pain.

16. Who was Gautam Buddha? When and where was he born?

Ans. Gautam Buddha was the earlier prince, Siddhartha who got enlightenment under a fig tree and was then named as Gautam Buddha. He was born as a prince in North India.

17. Kisa Gotami was selfish and grief-stricken. Justify.

Ans. Kisa Gotami lost her only son. In her grief, she carried her dead child everywhere and asked people to cure him. As instructed by Buddha she went door to door to get a handful of mustard seeds with condition that there should not be any loss of a child. Husband, parent or friend. In her grief, she forgot that everyone had to suffer such type of loss in his or her family Death is common to all. But in her grief, she became selfish and tried to full fill the condition that was impossible.

18. What does she ask for the second time around? Does she get it? Why not?

Ans. Buddha asked her to procure a handful of mustard seeds but he put a condition that it should be procured from a house where no death had ever taken place. She went from house to house but could not find such a residence.

Q.19. Who was Gautama Buddha?

Ans. Gautama Buddha was a prince in northern India. His full name was Siddhartha Gautama and he was sent away for schooling at the age of twelve. He married Yashodhara when he returned after four years.

Q.20. How did Siddhartha Gautama get the name of Buddha?

Ans. Siddhartha Gautama sat under a big peepal tree, where he vowed to stay until enlightenment came. He was enlightened after seven days. He began to teach and share his new understandings. Then he came to be known as Buddha.

Q.21. What did Buddha ask the lady to do?

Ans. Buddha asked the lady to bring a handful of mustard-seeds. But these must be taken from a house where no one had ever lost a child, husband or a friend. Then he would be able to help her.

Q.22. What does Gautama Buddha say about the life and death of human beings?

Ans. Gautama Buddha says that the life of human beings in this world is troubled, brief and combined with pain. It is because there is not any means by which those that have been born can avoid dying.

Q.23. Can an aggrieved person get peace of mind by weeping or grieving?

Ans. No, nobody can get peace of mind by weeping or grieving. Rather, his pain will be greater and his body will suffer by doing so. He will make himself sick and pale.

Q.24. Where did Buddha preach his first sermon?

Ans. After attainment of enlightenment, Buddha preached his first sermon at the holy city of Banaras which is situated on the sacred river Ganges.

Q.25. With what does Buddha compare the death and decay of human beings?

Ans. Gautama Buddha says that just as ripe fruit are liable to fall, so mortals when horn arc always in danger of death. An earthen vessel made by the potter end in being broken, the life of all mortals will ultimately meet death.

Q26. Describe the early life of Gautama Buddha.

Ans. Gautama Buddha began life as a prince. He was named Siddhartha Gautama. He was sent away for schooling in the Hindu sacred scriptures at twelve. When he returned home, he was married to a princess. He lived in royal luxury, shielded from the sufferings up to the age of twenty-five.

Q27. What were the sights that moved and shocked Gautama?

Ans. Prince Gautama had been deliberately shielded from all the sufferings of the world. One day he chanced upon a sick man, then an aged man and then a funeral procession. Finally, he saw a monk begging for alms. These sights moved him. He went out into the world to seek the solution of all these sufferings. He wanted to seek enlightenment.

Q28.What did Kisa Gotami do when her only son died? What did her neighbours think about her?

Ans. Kisa Gautami’s only son had died. She was overwhelmed with grief She carried the dead child to all her neighbours. She asked them for the medicine to cure her son. The neighbours thought she had lost her senses. A dead child could never be cured.

Q29.How did Kisa Gotami go to the Buddha? What did Buddha ask Gotami to do?

Ans. A man advised Kisa Gotami to go to Sakyamuni, the Buddha. He was the physician who could cure her dead son. She went to the Buddha. He asked Kisa Gotami to bring a handful of mustard seeds from a house. The house must be such where no one had lost a child, husband, parent or friend.

Q 30. Did Kisa Gotami get a handful of mustard seeds as directed by the Buddha?

Ans. Poor Kisa Gotami went from house to house. The people pitied her and were ready to give a handful of mustard seeds to her. But, she couldn’t find a house where no one had lost a child, husband, parent or friend.

Long answer type questions:

Answer the following questions in 100-120 words:

1)“To seek peace one should draw out the arrow of lamentation.” What do you infer from the Buddha’s statement?
Buddha said that death is common to all mortals. Those who are born must die one day. You cannot avoid it. Death is certain. As ripe fruits fall off the trees and meet an end so do the lives of the mortals. Life of a man is like an earthen pot that breaks and meets its end. No amount of weeping and lamenting can bring a dead back to life. So, wise men don’t grieve. They understand that it is the law of nature. Also, weeping and lamenting bring no gains. It rather spoils one’s health and gives more pain. If only you take out the arrow of lamentation and get composed you will get peace of mind.

2. Describe the journey of Siddhartha Gautama becoming the Buddha.
Gautama Buddha began his life as a royal prince. He was named Siddhartha Gautama. At twelve, Gautama was sent away for schooling in the Hindu sacred
scriptures. At the age of sixteen, he returned home to marry a princess. The prince was deliberately shielded from all sufferings of the world. But this attempt failed when the prince while out hunting chanced upon a sick man. Then, he saw an aged man. He also chanced to see a funeral procession. Finally, he saw a monk, begging for alms. These sights of suffering, sickness and decay shocked and moved the prince. He wanted to seek the final solution of all these sorrows and sufferings. He wandered for seven Years in search of enlightenment. Finally, he sat down under a fig tree. He meditated there until he was enlightened after seven days. He renamed the tree as Bodhi Tree or the Tree of Wisdom. He became known as the Buddha or the Enlightened one. Then Buddha gave his first sermon at Benares on the River Ganges.

Questions from the text book.

Answer the following questions in 30-40 words:
1. Who is referred to as “wise” by the Buddha in his sermons?
Buddha preached in his sermons that everything that is born will die one day. Death is inevitable: both young and adult or fools and wise are subject to death. According to Buddha, people who realise and accept this fact and do not lament are wise.

2. How did the Buddha teach Kisa Gotami the truth of life?
Buddha changed Kisa’s thinking with the help of a simple act—asking her to
procure a handful of mustard seeds from the house where no one had died. She could not understand it. But, gradually she understood that death is inevitable.

3. Describe the life of Gautama Buddha before enlightenment.
Buddha was earlier a prince and lived in luxury. When he encountered suffering and grief, it made him sad. He renounced everything and went in search of way to
get rid of suffering. He wandered for seven years. Then, one day, he sat under a fig tree and vowed not to leave until he was enlightened.

4. What moved Siddhartha Gautama to seek the path of enlightenment?
While going for hunting Siddhartha Gautam saw a sick man, an old man, a funeral procession and a monk begging. This encounter with the sufferings of human beings moved him to seek the path of enlightenment.

5. What did the Buddha preach to the people?
Buddha said that death is common to all mortals. You cannot avoid it. No amount of weeping and lamenting can bring back a dead. So wise men don’t grieve. Weeping and lamenting rather spoil one’s health. To gain peace in life, one must not lament, complain or grieve about their loss.

Thinking about the Text

1. Why did Prince Siddhartha leave the palace and become a beggar?

Once Prince Siddhartha, while hunting saw a sick man, then an aged man, then a funeral procession and finally a monk begging for alms. Looking at this, he left the palace and became a beggar to search for enlightenment.

2. When her son dies, Kisa Gotami goes from house to house. What does she ask for?Does she get it? Why not?

When Kisa Gotami’s son died, she went from house to house, asking if she could get some medicine that would cure her child.No, she did not get it because her child was dead and no medicine could havebrought him back to life.

3. What does Kisa Gotami understand the second time that she failed to understand the first time? Was this what the Buddha wanted her to understand?

Kisa Gotami understood the second time that death is common to all and that she was being selfish in her grief. There was no house where some beloved had not died. Yes, this is what the Buddha wanted her to understand.so Buddha's way of preaching helped her to accept and understand the brutal truth of her son's death.

4. Why do you think Kisa Gotami understood this only the second time? In what way did the Buddha change her understanding?

At the first , she was only thinking about her grief and was therefore asking for a medicine that would cure her son. When she met the Buddha, he asked her to get a handful of mustard seeds from a house where no has died. He did this purposely to make her realize that there was not a single house where no beloved
had died, she felt dejected that she could not gather the mustard seeds. Then, when she sat and thought about it, she realized that the fate of men is such that they live and die. Death is common to all. This was what the Buddha had intended her to understand.

10th Std THE HACK DRIVER

THE HACK DRIVER

Read the extracts given belle carefully and answer the questions that follow:

1.I” ll tells you what. I’ve got a hack to get it out and we can drive around together and find liking know most of the places flee out”.

(a) Who does refer to here?

(b) Why did the lawyer come to fad Lukens?

(c) Who befriends him in New Mullion?

(d)Where dim the hack drivers take him?

Ans. (a) I refer, to the hack driver.

(b)The lawyer came to find Lukens as he had the summons to serve him.

(c), He befriended a hack driver who a red-faced man about forty having pleasant was paid charming personality.

(d) He offered to help him find Lutkins. He took him to various places which Lutkins frequently visited.

2. I loved him for this. By myself, I might never have found Lutkins. With the hack briers knowing help, I was sure of getting my man. I took him into my confidence and told him that I wanted to serve the summons on Lutkins-which the man had refused to be a witness when his information would have quickly settled our case. The driver listened earnestly. In the end, he hit me on the shoulder and laughed.

(a) ‘I loved him for this’. Who do T and him’ refer to?

(b) What did the lawyer tell Bill?

(c) Why did the narrator love him?

(d)What does the hack driver say about Lutkins?

Ans. (a) I refers to the young lawyer and he stands for the hack driver.

(b) The lawyer told Bill that he wanted to serve the summons to Lutkins.

(c) The narrator loved him because he was very open-minded, friendly and ready to help a stranger.

(d) He told the lawyer that Lutkins was a careless, dishonest wanderer. He was not really bad but it was hard to recover money from him.

3. What really hurt me was that when I served the summons, Lutkins and his mother laughed at me as though 1 were a bright boy of seven. With loving kindness, they begged me to go with them to a neighbour’s house for a cup of coffee.

(a) Who is?

(b) What hurts the lawyer?

(c) Why did Lutkins take the lawyer to his neighbour’s house?

(d) Do you think the lawyer was gullible?

Ans. (a) ‘I’ is the lawyer

(b) The laughter and behaviour of Lutkins and his mother hurt the lawyer.

(c) This was because Lutkins’ neighbours were anxious to meet the lawyer as they had missed seeing the lawyer the previous day.

(d) Yes, I think the lawyer was gullible. He was tricked and be fooled by the hack driver.

4. We left that peaceful scene of meadows and woods and resumed our search of Oliver Ida tins. We could not find him. At last, Bill cornered a friend of Lutkins and made him admit what came out to his mother’s farm, three miles north.” We drove out there, laying plans.

(a) Who are ‘We’?

(b) Why are ‘we’ searching for Oliver Lutkins?

(c) Why could the lawyer not find Lutkins?

(d) What character traits of the lawyer do these lines reveal?

Ans. (a) ‘We’ stands for the lawyer and the hack driver.

(b) They wore searching Oliver Lutkins to serve him the summons.

(r) Lutkins is the hack driver himself with whom the lawyer spends the whole day.

(d) The lawyer is a nature-lover, simple and over-trusting person.

5. Some of the larger and more self-confident ones even beat me up. I hated this unpleasant work and the side of city life it revealed to me.

(a) Who was the speaker here?

(b) What was the unpleasant work he is talking about?

(c) Why did he hate the work?

(d) What job did the narrator get after graduation?

Ans. (a) the narrator of the story ‘The Hack Driver’.

(b) He was a junior assistant clerk.

(c) It was because he had the job of serving summons to the guilty persons, who sometimes were more powerful than the narrator, and so beat him up.

(d) The narrator got the job of a junior assistant clerk in a big law firm.


1)Give the character sketch of Oliver Lutkins.

Oliver Lutkins is a crook who lives in the country town of New Mullion. Though he lives in a small town, he easily cheats the lawyer who comes to serve a summons on him. He pretends to be Bill Magnuson, the hack driver and manages to cheat the narrator of his money. He manages to convey the lawyer that it is very difficult to trace Lutkins. He takes the lawyer to many shops but does not allow the lawyer to directly talk with the people. Over a few hours, Bill takes the narrator all over the town where they keep missing Lutkins by small periods of time. He is also a friendly person. When the lawyer comes to New Multi on a second time, Lutkins invites the lawyer for a cup of coffee in his friend’s house. Bill painted Lutkins as a dishonest person. He owed money to a lot of people. He had a talent for dishonesty. Though he lived in a rural town, he managed to trick and mislead a lawyer belonging to the city.

2. Give the character sketch of The Narrator.

And.The narrator is a lawyer who hates city life. He thinks of pursuing a career in a small town. He goes to New Mullion to serve a summons on Oliver Lutkins. We find him gullible, and he is easily misled by Lutkins himself, who poses as the hack driver, Bill. Bill takes money from the lawyer and gives misleading information about Lutkins. He visits a number of places in New Mullion with Bill but is not able to meet Lutkins. Since he visited new Mullion for an important matter, he failed to be careful in carrying out his job. The narrator appears to be a novice and not a seasoned legal mind. He had a romantic view of country (rural) life but was easily conned by crooks in New Mullion.

Short Answer Type Important Questions

Answer the following questions in 30-40 words:

1. Why do you think Bill offered to help the narrator find Lutkins?

Ans. Bill himself was Lutkins. He knew that the lawyer is searching for him. He wanted to play a prank on him and offered to help him find Lutkins. Even he made some money in this process and made him wander here and there. He and his mother made a fool of the narrator and had great laughter.

2. The writer wasn’t very fond of new mullion when he reached the place. What made him grow fond of the village and its people?

Ans. Initially, the writer did not like the village. His eager expectations of a sweet and simple country village were severely disappointed but the friendly behaviour of Bill made him grow fond of the village and its people. He was so open and full of warmth and affection that the writer was touched.

3.’But he was no more dishonest than I’. Elaborate the statement with reference to ‘The HackDriver’.                                                                 
Ans. The lawyer charged a handsome amount from his firm to visit new mullion. He was given some amount to expend in the process of searching Lutkins. But he paid very little money to the hack driver. Bill already knew that the lawyer was searching for him, still, he made him wander here and there, and even charged him two dollars an hour for six hours, including one hour of his lunchtime. This made the lawyer utter these words.

4. Write the plan suggested by Bill for lunch and state the reason behind it.

Ans. The lawyer felt hungry and wanted to eat something in a restaurant but Bill suggested him to take lunch at his home cooked by his wife. He told him that it will cost him cheaper than the restaurant because she won’t charge him more than half a dollar. He did so because he wanted to make some money out of it. Secondly, it will take nearly cur hour to go there and have lunch so ho will be charged another two dollars for it. Thus it was a good business for him.

5. What qualities of the hack driver impressed the young lawyer?

Ans. The hack driver’s cheerful face and friendly manner made the lawyer conclude that he liked people. The hack driver’s openness, again made the lawyer glow in the warmth of affection.

6. Describe the feelings of the young lawyer when he came to know the reality of the hack driver at last.

Ans. As long as the lawyer did not know that the hack driver was Lutkins himself, he enjoyed the hack driver’s company and glowed in the warmth of his affection. But as the identity of the hack driver was revealed, the lawyer felt very quite hurt. This was especially when Lukens and his mother laughed at the lawyer as though h he rye was a boy when he served the summons. Later, however, he acknowledged their loving kindness too.

7. On his way back, the narrator did not worry about his failure to find Lukens. What was the reason behind his carefree attitude?

Ans. On his way back, the lawyer did not worry about the failure of his mission, for he was too busy thinking about Bill Magnuson, the hack driver. In fact, he even started considering his return to New Mullion to practice law. He found Bill deep and richly human and pictured an honest and happy life in the village.

8. Discuss the character of the young lawyer as depicted in the chapter The Hack Driver’?

Ans. The narrator who is a lawyer is a man who could be taken for a ride very easily. He easily gets flattered by affection and warmth and fails to apply logic to even essential things. The hack driver who is Lukens himself, whom the narrator wants to meet, thus dupes him very easily. The gullible nature of the narrator invites our sympathy for him.

9. The hack driver at New Mullion befriended the lawyer. What did he do after that?

Ans. After befriending the lawyer, the hack driver who was Lukens himself offered to ‘search for’ Lukens to whom the lawyer had to serve the summon. He first took the lawyer to Fritz’s shop, then to Mustafa’s and Gray’s barber shops and then to the poolroom. Later, he took the lawyer to his wife for lunch for half a dollar and finally to `Lukens’ mother.

10. How did Bill paint a picture of people in words?

Ans. The Bill, the hack driver was very talkative. He won his confidence. He drove him to various places telling that the villagers would help him in fading Lukens.

11. Why was the lawyer happy about the day?

Ans. The lawyer was asked to go to a small village, New Mullion, to serve the summons to Lutkins. He was happy to go as he had expected the countryside town to be green and refreshing -a respite from the crowded, noisy, dry atmosphere of the city. Hence he was happy.

12. How was the hack driver recognized?

Ans. Next morning, the lawyer was sent back to New Mullion with a man who knew Lutkins by face. At the station, the lawyer saw Bill talking to Lutkin's mother in a friendly manner. He was surprised or rather shocked to know that Bill was no other but Lutkins himself.

13. What did the hack driver tell the narrator about Lutkins’ mother?

Ans.  He said that she was nine feet tall and four feet thick as a cat and could talk sharp. She was a real terror. Once, she almost took off his skin because he did not treat the box she had given to him to carry as delicately as a box of eggs.

14. Why could the lawyer not find Lutkins?

Ans. The lawyer could not find Lutkins because the hack driver, Bill himself was Lutkins. ‘Inca the lawyer had not seen or met him before, he could not identify him and Lutkins took adman tautly. Anti nerved a practical joke on him.

15. Does the narrator serve the summons that day? If’ not, why?

Ans. The narrator could not serve the summons that day as he could not find ‘, Aka’s, ‘it did not know that the hack driver named Bill was actually Lutkins himself and was making a practical joke on him in the name of helping him in searching Lutkins.

16. How did Lutkins' mother receive the narrator?

Ans. The hack driver took him to the farm of Lutkins' mother. He introduced the lawyer and told her that he had come to serve summons to Lutkins and had legal right to search the property. The mother got irritated and attacked him with hot iron rods. Both got scared and ran away.

17. How did the hack driver describe Lutkins?

Ans. The hack driver told the narrator that Lutkins was very popular among the fellow villagers. He was a careless, dishonest wanderer and could be seen here, there, everywhere. He was always up to one thing or the other. He owed money to several people.

18. Why did the young lawyer wish to return to New Mullion?

Ans. Although the young lawyer failed to serve summons to Lutkins, he was so much impressed with the warmth and helpful nature of the country people that he felt excited. He planned to practice at New Mullion and leave his job.

Q19. What kind of a job was the narrator usually entrusted with? Why wasn’t he satisfied with his job in the city?

Ans. The narrator was a junior assistant clerk in a magnificent law firm. He was sent, not to prepare legal briefs but to serve the summons. He had to act like a cheap private detective. It wasn’t easy and safe to go to the ‘dirty’ and ‘shadowy’ corners of the city. Sometimes he was even beaten up by toughs. He hated his job and working in such a hostile environment in the city.

Q20. Why did he consider fleeing to his home town?

Ans. Serving summons in the dirty and shadowy corners of the city was quite an unpleasant job. On many occasions, he was beaten up by the musclemen and toughs. He even considered fleeing to his home town because it was more pleasant and safe to work there. He could have been a real lawyer there without going through the job of a cheap detective.

Q21. Why did the lawyer rejoice at his new assignment?

Ans. Working in the dirty and shadowy parts of the city was becoming more dangerous and difficult for the lawyer. He was overjoyed when his law firm sent him out forty miles out in the country to a town called New Mullion. He was to serve a summons on a man called Oliver Lutkins. They needed this man as a witness in a legal case. The idea of visiting a country town with cleaner surroundings was quite a welcome and romantic diversion for him.

Q22. Why was the narrator disappointed when he got to New Mullion? What was the only ‘agreeable sight’ about the place?

Ans. The narrator had formed quite a romantic and pleasant picture of this country town called New Mullion. When he reached there, his eager expectations were belied. He was very much disappointed. Its streets were narrow rivers of mud. Its shops were either badly painted or not painted at all. The only agreeable sight about the place was the delivery man at the station who called himself Bill.

Q23. What impression did the narrator (the lawyer) form of Bill when he met him for the first time?

Ans. The narrator found the delivery man at the station as the only ‘agreeable sight’ in New Mullion. The man called himself Bill and he was a hack driver. He was about forty. He looked red-faced and cheerful. He looked thick in the middle. His working clothes were dirty and worn out. His manners were pleasant and friendly. The narrator was happy to meet such a man.

Q24. What did the narrator tell Bill and what was his reply about Oliver Lutkins?

Ans. The narrator himself told Bill the purpose of his visit to New Mullion. He told him that he had come there in search of a man named Oliver Lutkins. Bill seemed to be a little surprised and asked, “Lutkins?” Then he replied that he saw Lutkins around there about an hour ago. It was difficult to catch him. He was always up to something or the other. Perhaps he could be found in the back of Fritz’s shop trying to set up a poker game. Bill told the lawyer that he knew the places Lutkins usually could be found in.

Q25. Why did the narrator feel that Bill had already made it his own task to find Oliver Lutkins for him?

Ans. The narrator found Bill very open and friendly. He ‘glowed with warmth’ of his affection. Bill wanted the business but his kindness was real. He offered his carriage for two dollars an hour. The narrator was happy to pay to such a good fellow. Bill assured the narrator that he knew about all the places where Lutkins usually could be found out. The narrator began to feel that Bill had made it his own task to find Oliver Lutkins for him.

Q26. Why did the narrator feel that ‘Bill seemed to admire Lutkins for dishonesty? Why did he feel that if he had been a policeman, he would have regretted sending him to jail?

Ans. Bill told the narrator that Oliver Lutkins was “not really bad”. He was a hard fellow to be caught. He was always up to something or the other. He played a lot of pokers. He was good at deceiving people. The narrator felt that Bill seemed to admire Lutkins’ talent for dishonesty. Had he been a policeman, he would have regretted sending Bill to jail.

Q27. Why did the narrator and Bill proceed to Fritz and why did Bill ask him to keep out of sight behind him?

Ans. Bill told the narrator that probably Oliver Lutkins was trying to start a poker game in the back of Fritz’s shop. Bill led him there and he asked the narrator to hide behind him. Fritz hesitated and then admitted that Lutkins was there a little while ago. Bill kept the narrator behind him because he didn’t want him to talk to any person directly. Had he done so, Bill would have been exposed at once that he was playing a double role. He was Lutkins himself.

Q28. What information did the narrator get after visiting Gustaf? Gray’s barber shops and other places in New Mullion?

Ans. They drove to Gustaf’s barbershop. Again Bill entered first. The lawyer remained at the door. Gustaff replied angrily that he hadn’t seen him. If they found him, they could collect the money he owed him. Then, Bill took him to Gray’s shop. Perhaps, Lutkins had gone there for a shave. They were told that they missed Lutkins by only five minutes. They got the same answer at the pool room and elsewhere in the town.

Q29. Why did the narrator feel that Bill’s helpfulness for him was not entirely of brotherly love?

Ans. The narrator began to understand that Bill’s helpfulness for him was not completely of brotherly love. He was a perfect businessman. The narrator paid him for six hours, including the lunch hour. Bill was paid 2 dollars for an hour. But the narrator realised that Bill was not more dishonest than him. He charged the whole amount from the firm.

Q30. Why did Bill take the narrator to Bill’s terrible mother in the end? Why had she once ‘almost’ taken Bill’s skin off?

Ans. In the end, Bill stopped a friend of Lutkins. He made him admit that Oliver had gone to his mother’s farm. Bill told the narrator that Oliver Lutkins’ mother was a terror. Once, he faced her anger because she felt that Bill had not handled her trunk with proper care. She almost took his skin off. She was 9 feet tall and 4 feet thick and quick as a cat.

Q31. Describe the narrator’s encounter with Lutkins’ terrible mother. Why was he asked to move out immediately by Bill?

Ans. Bill drove the narrator into a poor farmyard. There they were faced by a huge and cheerful old woman. Bill bravely went up to her and asked about her son, Oliver Lutkins. She shouted that she didn’t know anything about him. Bill told her that they had a legal right to search the house. This made her famous. She went inside and came out with an iron rod from the hearth. She threatened to burn them alive if they dared to do such a thing. Bill asked the narrator to go out at once before she could murder them.

Q32. Why did the narrator worry very little about his failure and considered returning to New Mullion to practice law?

Ans. The narrator worried very little about his failure to trace Oliver Lutkins. He was busy thinking about Bill Magnuson. He considered returning to New Mullion to practise law. After all, he could find such honest and human people like Bill only in New Mullion. He would feel honoured to have soft-spoken and wise neighbours like Fritz and Gustaff and a hundred others. He pictured an honest, happy and a new way of life there.

Extrapolative answers

Answer the following questions in 100-120 words:

1. The hack driver misguided the lawyer and led him on the wrong path. How could the lawyer be proactive?
The hack driver misguided the lawyer and openly drove him all over the
village. He took him places such as Gustaff’s barber shop, Gray’s barber shop, pool room, and his mother’s farmyard. He charged him two dollars an hour for all his visits. He himself talked low of Lukens and did not allow him to meet anyone directly.
The lawyer could have been more protective in some ways. He should have talked to more people rather than enjoy a whole day at the expense of the
firm. He should not have hidden behind the hack driver but should have tried
to talk once to the villagers. He should not have given the lead to the hack
driver. Instead, he should have led this visit himself, inquiring with more and
more people.

2. Narrate the narrator’s first visit to New Mullion.
The author/lawyer was sent to New Mullion to serve summons to Lutkins. At the station, he met a cheerful hack driver who was Lutkins himself. He took advantage of the situation as the author who had never met Lutkins before could not identify him. The fun-loving Lutkins introduced himself as Bill. He offered him all his help to find Lukens. He took him all over the village but in vain. He entertained the author with his lucid description of the village folk, charged him two dollars per hour and half a dollar for food. The author was impressed by the warm affection, kind and helpful nature of Bill and the
hospitality and cooperation of the villagers. He thought of leaving his present job and starting his legal practice at New Mullion.

3. Why was the narrator sent to New Mullion? Why didn’t he succeed in his mission on his
first visit?
The narrator was a junior assistant clerk in a magnificent legal firm. His job was not to prepare legal briefs but to serve the summons. He was sent to New Mullion, a country town about forty miles away from his city. He was to serve a summons to a person named Oliver Lutkins. Lutkins was needed in a legal case as a witness.
The narrator’s first visit to New Mullion was a complete failure. He couldn’t
find even a trace of Oliver Lutkins. Actually, the delivery man and the hack driver Bill, who met him at the station, were responsible for this failure. Bill be-friended the lawyer assuring him that he knew the places where Lutkins usually used to hang about. He told a lie that he had seen Lutkins just an hour ago.
Then, Bill drove the narrator to the different parts of the town and meeting
different people there. Actually, Bill planned the whole false drama the
moment he came to know that the narrator was searching for Oliver Lutkins.
Everywhere he went, he kept the narrator standing behind him at the door. He didn’t allow him to interrogate people directly about Lutkins. They drove toFritz’s, to Gustaff’s, Gray’s barber shop and to the poolroom. Everywhere they
got the same answer that Lutkins had left only a while ago. All this was pre-
planned by Bill and the search was bound to end in failure.

4. Give a character-sketch of the narrator or the lawyer of the story, ‘The Hack Driver’?
The narrator was a junior assistant clerk in a magnificent law firm. His work was not to prepare legal briefs but to serve the summons. The narrator was fed up with his job as he had to visit many dirty and shadowy corners of the city.
On several occasions, he was attacked and beaten up by musclemen and toughs of these areas. He even considered fleeing to his country town.
The narrator was highly gullible. He didn’t behave like a seasoned legal mind.
He was so much impressed with Bill that he became totally dependent on him.
He failed to keep his mission a secret to himself. By disclosing that he had
come to serve a summons on Oliver Lutkins, he gave the crafty and clever Bill enough space and time to confuse and misdirect his search. Bill, who was Oliver Lutkins himself, drove him aimlessly without allowing the narrator to talk directly to the people. He feared lest he should be exposed.
The narrator had a romantic yearning for country life and its people. After his
first visit, he didn’t mind his failure but planned to come to New Mullion again
to start his legal practice there. The narrator proved himself a novice and not a seasoned legal mind. When he served summons, Lutkins and his mother laughed at him as if he were a seven-year-old boy.

5. Bill or Oliver Lutkins was a complete contrast to the narrator. How did a seasoned crook like Lutkins outwit the gullible lawyer proving him a novice and just a bright boy of seven?
Certainly, both the main characters of the story are totally different. Bill or
Lutkins manoeuvres and plots under the garb of friendliness. The narrator is
outwitted and deceived due to his gullibility. Bill (Lutkins) knows how to
confuse and misdirect the narrator’s search for Oliver Lutkins. He befriends the lawyer convincing him that he is the only person in New Mullion who can help him in finding out Oliver Lutkins. He overpowers the narrator’s capacity for reasoning and thinking. The narrator becomes a soft target of cunning Lutkins. He allows giving Lutkins all the space and time that he needed to plan out and scheme things. The narrator became just a willing puppet in Bill’s hands.
Actually, he danced to his tunes. Bill’s pretensions clouded the narrator’s
wisdom and sense of discretion. Bill (Lutkins) was not a crook and fraud but an honest man full of human values for him. The cunning Lutkins had the last
laugh. When the narrator served summons, Lutkins and his mother laughed as if he were a seven-year-old boy.