Summary & Question-answers of The Chapter:5-The Snake & the Mirror with the concerned video

The Snake and The Mirror Summary in English

This is a story about a homoeopathic doctor during his early career days. The narrator of this story is the doctor himself, where he narrates this story to some individuals. In this story, the doctor tells us that he lived in a small rented room during that time.

Furthermore the tiles of the room were supported by gables which in turn were supported by the beam. Moreover, rats were roaming all over the room and there was no electricity supply. Hence, the room was in a dire state.

In the doctors’ story, it was the summer season going on and it was night. The doctor came back to his room after finishing his meal at a restaurant. The room was certainly dark due to lack of electricity. As such the doctor made use of a kerosene lamp to lighten up his room. The doctor also took off his coat and shirt.

There were two windows in the room that were opened by him. After sitting on a chair, the doctor took a medical book to read. On the table, there was a large mirror and a lamp.

Due to the immense summer heat, it was too hot for the doctor to sleep. So, he began to gaze in the mirror and became lost in admiring himself. Furthermore, whilst admiring himself, a desire came in him to look more presentable. Gradually, there was a shifting of his thoughts from self-admiration to future marriage. The doctor thought of marrying a rich doctor, who was rich and fat.

The doctor didn’t pay much attention to the sudden silence and the scampering from the rats came to a halt. Furthermore, there was a sound of something falling but the doctor was slow to react. By the time, he had a look, there was a snake wriggling on the back of the chair.  Soon, the snake coiled on the left arm of the doctor. The snake was merely inches away from his face. Consequently, the doctor went into a deep shock and became like a statue. At this moment, the doctor felt the presence of God. It seems that this snake was like a punishment from God to the doctor due to his being too arrogant. Soon, he came to the realization that he was a mere human and he should not boast.

At this realization of his true worth, the snake left the doctor and moved towards the mirror. As such, the doctor silently escaped and his life was saved. After the conclusion of the doctor’s narrative, some interested listeners asked him some questions related to the story.Page No 60:

Question 1:

Discuss in pairs and answer each question below in a short paragraph (30 − 40 words).

1. “The sound was familiar one.” What sound did the doctor hear? What did he think it was? How many times did he hear it? (Find the places in the text.) When and why did the sounds stop?

2. What two “important” and “earth-shaking” decisions did the doctor take while he was looking into the mirror?

3. “I looked into the mirror and smiled,” says the doctor. A little later he says, “I forgot my danger and smiled feebly at myself.” What is the doctor’s opinion about himself when: (i) he first smiles, and (ii) he smiles again? In what way do his thoughts change in between, and why?

ANSWER:

1. The doctor heard a scuttling sound, which he thought to be of the rats.

He heard it thrice: as he entered his room; after combing; while looking at himself in the mirror.

The sounds stopped after the doctor heard a dull thud, because the snake had fallen to the ground.

2. While looking into the mirror, the doctor took two “important” and “earth shaking” decisions: that he would shave daily and grow a thin moustache; and that he would always wear an attractive smile on his face to look handsome

3. (i) When the doctor first smiles, he has an inflated opinion of himself, admiring his looks and profession.

(ii) In the second instance, the doctor smiles at his foolishness and helplessness.

His thoughts change after his encounter with the snake—from being a proud doctor he moves on to accept his stupidity.

Page No 60:

Question 2:

This story about a frightening incident is narrated in a humorous way. What makes it humorous? (Think of the contrasts it presents between dreams and reality. Some of them are listed below.)

1. (i) The kind of person the doctor is (money, possessions)

(ii) The kind of person he wants to be (appearance, ambition)

2. (i) The person he wants to marry

(ii) The person he actually marries

3. (i) His thoughts when he looks into the mirror

(ii) His thoughts when the snake is coiled around his arm

Write short paragraphs on each of these to get your answer.

ANSWER:

What makes this frightening story humourous is the interspersion of humourous and witty comments in the narration. Besides, the presentation of contrasts between dreams and reality also contribute to the humour element in the story. Some such contrasts are discussed below.

1. There is a visible discrepancy between the lifestyle of the doctor and his high opinion of himself. Even with a meagre income and modest living condition, he considers himself an eligible bachelor. He is extremely proud of his looks and profession. The special attention that he lays on his looks—on his moustache, hair and smile—to look handsome brings in the element of humour in the story.

2. There is also a contradiction between the kind of wife the doctor aspires for and the lady he finally marries. The doctor wants to marry a rich woman doctor. He also wants his wife to be fat, who would not be able to catch hold of him if someday he does something silly and has to run away from her. But, contrary to his wishes, he ends up getting married to a slim lady who could run like a “sprinter”.

3. When the doctor looks into the mirror, he is full of admiration for himself and thinks of ways to make his self more appealing. He decides to shave daily and keep a thin moustache. He regards his smile quite attractive and resolves to smile always. But, when the snake is coiled around his arm, he smiles for a different reason. This time it is at his foolishness and stupidity, as he did not have any medicines for snakebite. Perhaps he realises the futility of his vanity.

Page No 61:

Question 1:

Here are some sentences from the text. Say which of them tell you, that the author: (a) was afraid of the snake, (b) was proud of his appearance, (c) had a sense of humour, (d) was no longer afraid of the snake.

1. I was turned to stone.

2. I was no mere image cut in granite.

3. The arm was beginning to be drained of strength.

4. I tried in my imagination to write in bright letters outside my little heart the words, ‘O God’.

5. I didn’t tremble. I didn’t cry out.

6. I looked into the mirror and smiled. It was an attractive smile.

7. I was suddenly a man of flesh and blood.

8. I was after all a bachelor, and a doctor too on top of it!

9. The fellow had such a sense of cleanliness...! The rascal could have taken it and used it after washing it with soap and water.

10. Was it trying to make an important decision about growing a moustache or using eye shadow and mascara or wearing a vermilion spot on its forehead?

Summary & Question-answers of The Chapter: 3- The Shepherd's Treasure with the concerned video

Summary 

A poor shepherd lived in Iran. He was illiterate but very wise and helpful. Soon he became so famous for his wisdom and friendly nature that the king of that country wanted to meet him. So he dressed himself as a shepherd and went to his cave.The shepherd welcomed him, gave him a share of his frugal supper and also talked to him wisely. The king was very impressed and made him the governor of a small district. Although the shepherd got power and respect, he still remained humble, helpful and sympathetic towards the people. Soon he became famous as a kind and just governor.The other governors became jealous of his fame and started speaking ill of him and accusing him of stealing from the taxes and hoarding money in an iron chest. The king ordered him to open the box which the shepherd always carried with him. When the box was opened, the governors were embarrassed to see an old blanket in it.On being asked the reason for carrying an old blanket with him, the shepherd replied with quiet dignity that if at any point of time, the king took away his new cloak (meaning his position) the blanket will still protect him, as it was his oldest friend.The king was very pleased and the jealous governors were humiliated. He made him the governor of a much bigger district that very day.Page No 10:

Question 1:

The shepherd hadn’t been to school because

(i) he was very poor.

(ii) there were very few schools in those days.

(iii) he wasn’t interested in studies.

Choose the right answer.

Answer:

The shepherd hadn’t been to school because (ii) there were very few schools in those days.

Question 2:

Who visited the shepherd one day, and why?

Answer:

One day the king of that country visited the shepherd in disguise. He visited the shepherd because he had heard that the shepherd was very wise and understood people’s sorrows and troubles, and helped them face their problems with courage and common sense. The shepherd was famous for his wisdom and friendly nature.

Question 3:

Why did the other governors grow jealous of the shepherd?

Answer:

The people loved and honoured the shepherd for his wisdom, sympathy and goodness. His fame as a fair and wise governor soon spread throughout the country. This was why the other governors grew terribly jealous of him.

Question 4:

Why was the new governor called to the palace?

Answer:

The other governors grew jealous of the shepherd and began talking to the king against him. They said that he was very dishonest, and kept for himself part of the money that he collected as tax. They added that perhaps the iron chest that he carried with him contained the treasure he had secretly collected. At first, the king did not pay attention to these reports, but finally, he called the governor to his palace to find if these reports were true.

Question 5:

Why was everyone delighted to see the iron chest on the camel’s back?

Answer:

Everyone was delighted to see the iron chest on the camel’s back because they thought it contained the treasure that the shepherd had secretly collected, and finally, the shepherd’s dishonesty would be revealed in front of the king.

Question 6:

(i) What did the iron chest contain?

(ii) Why did the shepherd always carry it?

(iii) Is it an example of the shepherd’s humility or wisdom or both?

Answer:

(i) The iron chest contained an old blanket.

(ii) The shepherd said that the old blanket was the only treasure he had. It was his oldest friend. It would still protect him if at any time the king would take away his new cloaks. Therefore, the shepherd always carried it with him.

(iii) It is an example of the shepherd’s humility as well as his wisdom. The old blanket always reminded him that he had been a poor shepherd. It also proved that he was wise not to rely on the wealth that the king had given him.

Question 7:

How did the king reward the new governor?

Answer:

The king was pleased with the shepherd and he made him the governor of a much bigger district that very day.

Summary & Question-answers of The Chapter: 3- The Selfish Giant with the concerned video

The Selfish Giant- Summary

 The Selfish Giant owns a garden where every afternoon after the school, children would come and play. It was a large garden with soft green grass, twelve peach trees that bore fruit in autumn and flowers that came out of the grass. The birds would sing in the garden and children would stop their games in order to listen to them. Suddenly, the Giant came back one day, and scared all the children away. He had been on a visit to his friend, the Cornish Ogre for seven years. As he saw the children playing, he told them that no one except him can play in the garden and built huge walls around it. He put up a notice board saying “TRESPASSERS WILL BE PROSECUTED”. Poor children had nowhere to play. They tried playing on the road but it was too dusty and filled with hard rocks. The children began to remember how happy they were, when they played in the  garden.

Then came the spring season, all across the country but in the Giant’s garden, it was still winter. The only residents in his garden were Frost and the Snow that covered the trees and grass. They invited the North Wind over who came wrapped in fur and roared all day about the garden. They thought it was a delightful place and invited the Hail who came dressed in grey. The Giant wondered when the Spring would come in his garden while the Frost, the Snow, the North Wind and the Hail stayed happily. Even Autumn refused to come as he thought that the Giant was too selfish.

One morning, as the Giant laid awake in his bed, he heard some mesmerising music. He thought that the King’s musicians were passing by but in actuality, it was the linnet’s song that sounded so sweet.  As the Giant woke up to see, he saw the most wonderful sight. The children had crept in through a small hole in the wall. With them in the garden, the trees were happy, the birds had come back, the flowers grew out of the ground and the Spring finally came. But in the farthest corner of the garden, there was still winter. As he tried to look, he saw a little boy who was so short that he couldn’t reach till one of the branches of the tree. The Giant ran to help him but instead, scared all the kids away. Only the boy in the farthest corner had stayed because he could not see the approaching Giant because his eyes were filled with tears. The Giant helped him climb the tree and the little boy hugged and kissed him in return. Upon seeing the transformed behaviour of the Giant, the rest of the kids returned back and with them.

The Giant broke down the wall and opened the garden for kids. Every afternoon, children would come to play with him after school. The Giant kept looking for that boy he once helped but unfortunately, he never came and no one knew about him.

Years passed by, and the Giant grew old and weak. He now only watched the children play. One winter morning, as he looked out of his window, he saw a marvellous sight. In the farthest corner of the garden, the tree was covered with white blossoms. Its branches were golden and it bore silver fruit. Underneath the tree, he saw the little boy that he once helped. Joyously, he went downstairs and into the garden to meet him but as soon as he went near him, the Giant grew angry. The child had imprints of two nails on his hands and two on his little feet. The Giant asked the kid the name of the person who wounded him. The child told him that those were the Wounds of Love. Instantly, the Giant was struck with awe and he knelt before the child. The little child told him that once he allowed him to play in his garden, now it was time for the Giant to come in his garden, which is paradise. In the afternoon, when the children came to play in the Giant’s garden, they found the Giant lying lifeless on the ground with white blossoms all over him.

Comprehension Check (Page 20)

Question 1:

Why is the Giant called selfish?

Answer:

The Giant is called selfish because he prohibited the children from playing in his garden. He built a high wall all around it and put up a notice-board in it stating that all trespassers will be prosecuted.

Question 2:

On one occasion the children said: “How happy we are here!”

Later they said: “How happy we were there!”

What are they referring to in both the cases?

Answer:

In the first case, the children expressed their happiness while playing in the Giant’s garden. They would go to play in the garden after returning from school and had a wonderful time playing around the garden.

In the second instance, the children were referring to the Giant’s garden where they would go and play after returning from school. They talked with one other how they would enjoy playing around the garden where trees bore beautiful flowers and fruits and birds sang sweet songs. However, after the Giant stopped them by building a high wall around the garden, they could no longer enter it.

The children were referring to the Giant’s beautiful garden in both the cases.

Question 3:

(i) When spring came, it was still winter in the garden. What does winter stand for or indicate here?

(ii) Winter has been presented like a story with its own characters and their activities. Describe the story in your own words.

Answer:

(i) When Spring came, it was still Winter in the garden. In the story, Winter denotes desolate and negative atmosphere where the trees and flowers never blossom. Winter is also used to indicate a gloomy and depressing environment which brings in sadness and laziness. In such cold weather, there is snow everywhere and cold winds blow all around where trees tend to droop and birds do not chirp. As the children were not playing in the Giant’s garden, Spring did not enter it. As a result, even the trees did not blossom and the birds did not sing sweet songs in the garden.

(ii) When Spring came all over the country, the trees started to blossom and the birds started to sing except the Giant’s garden, where winter had still prevailed. The birds did not sing and the trees forgot to blossom as the children did not come to play in the garden. One day, a beautiful flower blossomed from the grass but when it saw the notice-board, it felt sorry for the children and slipped back into the ground again. Seeing all this, Winter was pleased as there was Snow and Frost everywhere. Snow covered the entire garden with her huge white cloak and Frost painted all the trees in silver. They then invited the North Wind that was wrapped in furs and he blew strongly across the garden. Along with him, came Hail that rattled the roof of the castle for three hours every day until most of the slates were broken. He ran all around the garden as fast as he could. He was dressed in grey attire and his breath also felt like ice.

Question 4:

Was the Giant happy or sad over the state of the garden?

Answer:

The Giant was extremely saddened to see the condition of the garden. Neither Spring nor Summer or Autumn came to visit it. It was in a miserable state as Snow, Frost, North Wind and Hail did not seem to leave his garden. He often wondered why Spring was so late in arriving at his garden.

Question 5:

What effect did the linnet’s song have over Hail and the North Wind?

Answer:

Hearing the linnet sing, the Hail stopped dancing over his head and the North Wind stopped roaring. Soon, the Giant could hear a delicious perfume come to him through the open casement and he jumped out of his bed in excitement.

Comprehension Check (Page 24)

Question 1:

(i) The Giant saw a most wonderful sight. What did he see?

(ii) What did he realise on seeing it?

Answer:

(i) The Giant saw that the children had crept into his garden through a little hole in the wall and sat on the branches of the trees. As the children filled the garden, the trees were delighted to see them and they blossomed in full swing. The Giant was mesmerized seeing this wonderful sight as he saw the birds were also twittering around in joy and the flowers bloomed in happiness.

(ii) The Giant realised soon enough that Spring was late in visiting his garden because he did not allow the children to play in it. He realised that he had been very selfish in prohibiting the children from playing in his garden by building a high wall all around it.

Question 2:

Why was it still winter in one corner of the garden?

Answer:

As the children played in the garden, the Giant noticed that in one corner of it, there was a tree that was still covered with Snow and Frost. The North Wind blew strongly and was roaring over it. The Giant came closer and noticed a small boy was standing in front of it, who was so tiny that he could not climb the branches of the tree. As the tree remained untouched by the child, Winter still prevailed in that corner of the garden.

Question 3:

Describe the first meeting of the little boy and the Giant.

Answer:

The Giant met the little boy in front of the tree that was covered with Snow and Frost. Winter still prevailed in that corner of the garden. Seeing the little boy’s inability to reach the branches of the tree, the Giant gently took him in his arms and put him up on the tree. Soon the tree blossomed with joy and the birds came to sing on it. The little boy stretched his tiny arms around the Giant’s neck and kissed him gently to express his gratitude towards him.

Question 4:

Describe their second meeting after a long interval.

Answer:

One winter morning, the Giant looked out of the window as he knew that Spring was sleeping and the flowers were taking rest. He wondered if he would ever meet the little boy again whom he loved so dearly. Suddenly while rubbing his eyes, he noticed a wonderful sight. In the farthest corner of the garden, there was a tree that was covered with lovely white blossoms. Its branches were golden and silver fruit hung down from them. Just underneath the tree, there stood the little boy whom he had loved so dearly and was eagerly waiting for him. The Giant quickly ran down the stairs of his house in great joy and hastened towards the garden to reach out to the child. But when he noticed the nail imprints on the little boy’s hands and feet, he got angry and asked him who caused him such injury. He said that he would avenge and slay the person whoever caused the little one so much pain and injury. Hearing this, the child told the Giant that these were the wounds of love. The little boy further added that as the Giant was kind enough to allow him to play in his garden, he had come to take the Giant along with him to his garden in Paradise.

Question 5:

The Giant lay dead, all covered with white blossoms. What does this sentence indicate about the once selfish Giant?

Answer:

“The Giant lay dead, all covered with white blossoms.” The sentence indicates that the Giant was blessed to live in Paradise after his death. As he was no longer selfish and cruel, he was covered with white blossoms in his garden. The white blossoms indicated that the Giant had a peaceful death.

Summary & Question-answers of The Poem:4- The Lake Isle of Innisfree with the concerned video

The Lake Isle of Innisfree Summary The poet is reminded of his past, his boyhood, when he visited the peaceful Lake Isle of Innisfree. He wants to go there and says that he will live there all alone. He wants to build a small cabin with clay and wattles. He would grow beans and get a honeybee hive for honey to survive on.The poet describes the peaceful natural surroundings of the lake. He says that the scene of the cloudy mornings, the shining stars, the glowing Sun and birds flying in the sky give him peace. He feels relaxed to hear the pleasant sound of the cricket’s song.The poet feels the urgency to go to the lake Isle of Innisfree. In the depth of his heart, he can hear the sound of the lake waters hitting the shore. It is as if the lake is calling him. He hears the sound everywhere – either on the crowded roads or the grey – coloured pavements of the city in which he lives. This indicates that he wants to escape from the artificial life of the city into the peaceful surroundings of nature. 

Questions and Answers

1. What kind of place is Innisfree? Think about:

(i) the three things the poet wants to do when he goes back there (stanza I);

(ii) what he hears and sees there and its effect on him (stanza II);

(iii) what he hears in his “heart’s core” even when he is far away from Innisfree (stanza III).

A.

(i) The three things that the poet wants to do when he goes to Innisfree are as follows –

a) he wants to build a small cabin with clay and wattles.

b) he wants to plant nine rows of beans.

c) he wants to keep a honeybee hive.

(ii) The poet sees the cloudy morning which looks like the sky is wearing a veil. He hears the song of the cricket. He sees the linnet bird flying in the evening sky. The shimmering stars in the night sky and the purplish glow of the afternoon Sun. All these give him a feeling of being at peace.

(iii) Even when the poet is far away from Innisfree, he hears the sound of the lake water hitting the shore in the depth of his heart.

2. By now you may have concluded that Innisfree is a simple, natural place,full of beauty and peace. How does the poet contrast it with where he now stands? (Read stanza III.)

A. The poet describes lake Innisfree as a place full of the bounties of nature. He sees the cloudy sky, the shimmering stars in the night sky, the purplish glow of the afternoon Sun and the linnet bird flying in the evening sky. The sound of the cricket’s song is also pleasing to him. On the other hand, the place where he stands now is an urban place which is devoid of all these beauties of nature. He says that there are roadways and grey – coloured pavements around him.

3. Do you think Innisfree is only a place, or a state of mind? Does the poet actually miss the place of his boyhood days?

A. Innisfree is a place that the poet used to visit in his boyhood. As he lives in the city now, he expresses a desire to go to Innisfree which had peaceful surroundings. This shows his state of mind. Yes, he misses lake Innisfree when he says that the sound of the lake water hitting the shore echoes in the core of his heart.

Summary & Question-answers of The Chapter: 2- The Friendly Mongoose with the concerned video

Summary of The Friendly Mongoose

In the beginning of the chapter, a farmer who used to live in a village with his wife and a new born child has been introduced. Once the farmer told his wife that he wished to have a pet as a companion for his son. His wife also gave a nod to this and the farmer brought a baby mongoose with him the next day.

One day leaving their son and the mongoose alone in the house, the farmer's wife went to the market to buy some groceries. At that time, the farmer was also in the field. 
When the farmer’s wife came back home,she saw the mouth and paws of the mongoose smeared with blood. She thought that it had killed their baby.So,she killed the mongoose by hitting it with a basket full of groceries .

Afterwards, she realized that her baby was fast asleep, and a black snake was lying dead. She understood that the mongoose had killed the snake and saved her son. She repented her action but it was too late.Mongoose

1. Why did the farmer bring a baby mongoose into the house?

A. The farmer brought a baby mongoose into the house to give a companion to his baby.

2. Why didn’t the farmer’s wife want to leave the baby alone with the mongoose?

A.She didn’t want to leave the baby alone with the mongoose because after all it was an animal.

3. What was the farmer’s comment on his wife’s fears?

A.His comment was that the mongoose was a lovely animal .It was as sweet as their own baby.

4. Why did the farmer’s wife strike the mongoose with her basket?

A.The farmer’s wife striked the mongoose with her basket because she thought that he had killed her baby.

5. Did she repent her hasty action? How does she show her repentance?

A.Yes,she repented.She showed her repentance by crying and saying what she had done and staring continuously at the dead animal.

 

Summary & Question-answers of The Chapter : 3- The Midnight Visitor with the concerned video

The Midnight Visitor Summary in EnglishThis story is about the witty secret agent Ausable. He was with a writer friend Fowler. They planned to spend time in the evening. Then Fowler realized that he is exactly the opposite of what he had imagined about him. Ausable told Fowler that he had been thinking wrong and very soon he would be looking at a very important report which would change the country’s future. Then both went to his room. But, when they enter the room another guy Max with a gun was standing in the room. He asked them to be comfortable until the reports related to missiles arrived.This was really an adventurous experience for the Fowler while meeting with a secret agent. Meanwhile, Ausable started with a story about a hypothetical balcony below the window of his room. While this talk was going on, someone was continuously knocking at the door. Ausable said that the police were at the door came to check him and his room on a regular basis. Max, pointing his gun towards both of them, said that he would be waiting in the balcony and during this time Ausable should send away the police otherwise he would shoot them.Read more English Chapter Summaries hereAs the doorknob is turned in loud, Max jumps out of the window and they heard a loud scream. The door opens and a waiter comes in. The waiter says that he has brought the wine that Ausable had ordered. He keeps the bottle, tray and glasses there on the table and leaves. Fowler is surprised after seeing all that. Fowler asked him about the police. Then Ausable replied that there was no police. Fowler again asked about Max, who was waiting in the balcony outside the window. Then Ausable replied that the person would not return as there was no balcony at all.This shows the quick wit of Ausable as he took advantage of the situation and successfully made Max nervous. Under his nervousness, he jumped out of the window without any thought. He jumped from the top floor of the hotel and hence died. Thus, Ausable outwitted Max and saved himself from a very dangerous situation.Page No 14:

Question 1:

How is Ausable different from other secret agents?

Answer:

Ausable was different from other secret agents in more ways than one. He had a small room in the musty corridor of a gloomy French hotel. It was on the sixth and top floor and it was scarcely the setting for a romantic adventure. He was extremely fat. Inspite of living in Paris for over twenty years, he spoke French and German only passably and had an American accent. Instead of getting messages slipped into his hands by dark-eyed beauties, he got only a telephone call making an appointment. In these ways, he was different from the conventional notion of a spy.

Question 2:

Who is Fowler and what is his first authentic thrill of the day?

Answer:

Fowler was a writer and he had come to meet Ausable.

Fowler’s first authentic thrill of the day came when he saw a man in Ausable’s room pointing a pistol towards Ausable and himself.

Page No 15:

Question 1:

How has Max got in?

Answer:

Max had got into the room with a passkey or a master key.

Question 2:

How does Ausable say he got in?

Answer:

Ausable said that he thought Max had got into the room through the balcony. He said that it was the second time in a month that somebody had got into his room this way.

Page No 18:

Question 1:

“Ausable did not fit any description of a secret agent Fowler hand ever read.” What do secret agents in books and films look like, in your opinion? Discuss in groups or in class some stories or movies featuring spies, detectives and secret agents, and compare their appearance with that of Ausable in this story. (You may mention characters from fiction in languages other than English. In English fiction you may have come across Sherlock Holmes, Hercule Poirot, or Miss Marple. Hove you watched any movies featuring James Bond?)

Answer:

This question requires you to use your own perspective as well as your analytical skills. The answer to the question would vary from one person to another. It is suggested that you read the text carefully and try attempting it on your own.

Question 2:

How does Ausable manage to make Max believe that there is a balcony attached to his room? Look back at his detailed description of it. What makes it a convincing story?

Answer:

Ausable created a convincing story about the presence of a balcony. He said that twice in a month somebody had entered his room through the balcony. On being questioned by Max about the balcony, he replied with extreme irritation that it was not his balcony. This reaction, which looked natural, played a part in convincing Max. He further told Max explanatorily that his room was earlier a part of a larger unit and the adjoining room was the one which had the balcony. He said that it extended under his window. His manner of description and speaking convinced Max that there was indeed a balcony under his window.

Question 3:

Looking back at the story, when do you think Ausable thought up his plan for getting rid of Max? Do you think he had worked out his plan in detail right from the beginning? Or did he make up a plan taking advantage of events as they happened?

Answer:

It seems that Ausable had worked out the plan right from the beginning. He did not take any time to let Max know about the presence of a balcony. His story seemed pretty much thought out and he was convincing in his narration. The timing of the knock on the door was perfect because he had already asked the waiter, Henry, to bring him a bottle of drink and two glasses after he returned. Therefore, he was expecting his knock on the door and accordingly, he told Max that it was the police whom he had asked to check in to make sure everything was alright. At the end, the calm with which he told Fowler, who was terrified, that there was no police and that he had expected the waiter to come in with his order shows that he was not surprised by the sudden turn of events and Max’s turning up at his room. Such a detailed and well-knit plan gives the impression that it was pre-planned and that he was prepared for it

Summary & Question-answers of The Poem:3-The Quarrel with the concerned video

The Quarrel Poem Summary

The poet is trying to explain how a quarrel between two brothers began and ended without any reason. The poet says that he quarrelled with his brother over something and he was not even aware why he was quarelling about. One thing was giving way  to another and while fighting both of them fell down. Initially, it was a small, petty issue but gradually, it became serious.The poet was claiming to be right whereas at heart he knew that he was wrong. Both of them didn’t like one another. In the afternoon, something went wrong.Then, suddenly, his brother hit him on the back and asked him to come along as it is not possible or right to linger the issues throughout the night. He also  claimed to be on the wrong side. So he was actually right. It shows his generosity.

Working with the poem (Page 4)

Question 

With your partner try to guess the meaning of the underlined phrase

(i) And somehow we fell out

(ii) The afternoon turned black

Answer

fell out – quarrelled or argue

turned black – was spoiled or wasted due to bad or tensed mood

Question 2

Read these lines from the poem

(i) One thing led to another

(ii) The start of it was slight

(iii) The end of it was strong

(iv) The afternoon turned black

(v) Thumped me on the back

Discuss with your partner what these lines mean

Answer

(i) During the argument, one thing led to another

(ii) The start and cause of the quarrel was petty and small

(iii) The quarrel ended on a sour note which had a long lasting effect

(iv) The quarrel spoiled the mood of the quarrelling persons and the afternoon became intolerably sad

(v) Patted on the back in an amiable manner

Question 

Describe a recent quarrel that you have had with your brother, sister or friend. How did it start? What did you quarrel about? How did it end.

Answer

Sohan is my best friend at school. I invited him to my birthday party, but he did not turn up for the celebrations. Suddenly he started behaving awkwardly and our relationship turned bitter. At school the next day, we had an argument about the incident. We both didn’t talk to each other for a few days. Both of us remained tense and sad on those days. Since we were missing each other, we decided to patch up. Therefore, we confronted each other and resolved our differences amicably. We shook hands and hugged each other and promised to renew our friendship in a fresh manner.