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Treasure Chest Workbook Answers Chapter 3 The Model Millionaire

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Treasure Chest Workbook Answers Chapter 3 The Model Millionaire

Treasure Chest Workbook Answers Chapter 3 The Model Millionaire

The Model Millionaire Comprehension Questions Answers

Read the extracts and answer the following questions:

Passage – 1.

To make matters worse, he was in love. The girl he loved was Laura Merton, the daughter of a retired Colonel who had lost his temper and his digestion in India, and had never found either of them again. Laura adored him, and he was ready to kiss her shoe-strings. They were the handsomest couple in London, and had not a penny-piece between them.

The Colonel was very fond of Hughie, but would not hear of any engagement.’Come to me, my boy, when you have got ten thousand pounds of your own, and we will see about it,’ he used to say; and Hughie looked very glum on those days, and had to go to Laura for consolation.

1. Whom did Hughie love?
2. Who was Laura Merton?
3. What was the bar in their marriage?
4. Why did Hughie look gloom?
5. What was the condition of marriage?
Answer:
1. Hughie loved Laura Merton, a beautiful lady.
2. Laura Merton was the lover of Hughie and the daughter of a colonel.
3. Laura’s father was unwilling to get his daughter married with Hughie unless he owned ten thousand pounds.
4. Hughie looked glum because he had not the ten thousand pounds to marry Laura.
5. The condition of the marriage was that Hughie should own ten thousand pounds.

Passage – 2.

Personally he was a strange rough fellow, with a freckled face and a red ragged beard. However, when he took up the brush he was a real master, and his pictures were eagerly sought after. He had been very much attracted by Hughie at first, it must be acknowledged, entirely on account of his personal charm.

‘The only people a painter should know,’ he used to say, ‘are people who are beautiful, people who are an artistic pleasure to look at and an intellectual repose to talk to. Men who are dandies and women who are darlings rule the world, at least they should do so.’ However, after he got to know Hughie better, he liked him quite as much for his bright buoyant spirits and his generous reckless nature, and had given him the permanent entree to his studio.

1. How was Alan Trevor?
2. When was he a real master?
3. How did Alan Trevor look?
4. Why did he give him permanent entry into his studio?
Answer:
1. Alan Trevor was a strange rough fellow, with a freckled face and a red ragged beard.
2. When Alan Trevor took a brush in his hand he became a master painter.
3. Trevor looked strange and rough but he was a master painter.
4. He gave him permanent entry to his studio because of his bright spirits and generous reckless nature.

Passage – 3.

When Hughie came in he found Trevor putting the finishing touches to a wonderful life-size picture of a beggar-man. The beggar himself was standing on a raised platform in a corner of the studio. He was a wizened old man, with a face like wrinkled parchment, and a most piteous expression.

Over his shoulders was flung a coarse brown cloak, all tears and tatters; his thick boots were patched and cobbled, and with one hand he leant on a rough stick, while with the other he held out his battered hat for alms.
‘What an amazing model!’ whispered Hughie, as he shook hands with his friend.
‘An amazing model?’ shouted Trevor at the top of his voice; T should think so! Such beggars as he are not to be met with every day. A living Velasquez! My stars! what an etching Rembrandt would have made of him!’

1. What was Trevor doing when Hughie came?
2. Where did the beggar stand?
3. How was the beggar?
4. What did the beggar have on his both hands?
5. What did Trevor say seeing the model?
Answer:
1. When Hughie came Trevor was busy in giving the finishing touch to a wonderful life size picture of a beggar man.
2. The beggar stood on a raised platform in a corner of the studio.
3. The beggar was a wizened old man with a face like wrinkled parchment and a most piteous expression. Over his shoulders was flung a coarse brown cloak all tears and tatters.
4. With one hand the beggar leaned on a rough stick and in the other hand he held out his battered hat for alms.
5. Seeing the model Trevor shouted by saying that it was an amazing model.

Passage – 4.

The old beggar-man took advantage of Trevor’s absence to rest for a moment on a wooden bench that was behind him. He looked so forlorn and wretched that Hughie could not help pitying him, and felt in his pockets to see what money he had.

All he could find was a sovereign and some coppers. ‘Poor old fellow,’ he thought to himself, ‘he wants it more than I do, but it means no hansoms for a fortnight;’ and he walked across the studio and slipped the sovereign into the beggar’s hand. The old man started, and a faint smile flitted across his withered lips. ‘Thank you, sir,’ he said, ‘thank you.’

1. What was the advantage that the beggar took?
2. Why did Hughie have pity on the beggar?
3. Why did Hughie offer to the beggar?
4. Why did the beggar smile?
5. What did the beggar say?
Answer:
1. The beggar took the advantage of Trevor’s absence and rested for a moment on a wooden bench.
2. The beggar looked so forlorn and wretched that Hughie had pity on him.
3. Hughie offered a sovereign into the beggars hand.
4. The beggar smiled at the kindness of Hughie.
5. The beggar thanked him for his generousity.

Passage – 5.

Then Trevor arrived, and Hughie took his leave, blushing a little at what he had done. He spent the day with Laura, got a charming scolding for his extravagance, and had to walk home. That night he strolled into the Palette Club about eleven o’clock, and found Trevor sitting by himself in the smoking-room drinking hock and seltzer. ‘Well, Alan, did you get the picture finished all right?’ he said, as he lit his cigarette.

1. When did Hughie take leave?
2. Where did Hughie spend the day?
3. What did Hughie find in the Pallette club?
4. What did Hughie ask Alan?
5. Why did he get a charming scolding?
Answer:
1. When Trevor arrived Hughie took his leave.
2. Hughie spent the day with Laura.
3. In the Pallette club Hughie found Trevor sitting by himself in the smoking room drinking hock and seltzer.
4. Hughie asked Alan when he got the picture finished all right.
5. He got a charming scolding for his extravagance and walked to home.

Passage – 6.

‘My dear Alan’, cried Hughie, ‘I shall probably find him waiting for me when I go home. But of course you are only joking. Poor old wretch! I wish I could do something for him. I think it is dreadful that any one should be so miserable. I have got heaps of old clothes at home – do you think he would care for any of them? Why, his rags were falling to bits.

‘But he looks splendid in them’, said Trevor. T wouldn’t paint him in a frock-coat for anything. What you call rags I call romance. What seems poverty to you is picturesqueness to me. However, I’ll tell him of your offer.’
‘Alan’, said Hughie seriously, ‘you painters are a heartless lot.’ ‘An artist’s heart is his head’, replied Trevor; ‘and besides, our business is to realise the world as we see it, not to reform it as we know it. And now tell me how Laura is. The old model was quite interested in her.’

1. What he wished to do for him?
2. What is romance to Alan?
3. According to Hughie how were the painters?
4. What was the business of a painter?
5. Who was interested about Laura?
Answer:
1. He wished that he could do something for Hughie.
2. Alan would not paint him in a frock coat because what he called rags, he called it romance.
3. According to Hughie the painters were heartless a lot and an artists heart is his head.
4. The business of a painter is to realise the world as they see it and not to reform it.
5. The old model Baron was interested about Laura Merton.

Passage-7.

‘My dear boy,’ said Trevor, smiling, ‘that old beggar, as you call him, is one of the richest men in Europe. He could buy all London to-morrow without overdrawing his account. He has a house in every capital, dines off gold plate, and can prevent Russia going to war when he chooses.’
‘What on earth do you mean?’ exclaimed Hughie.
‘What I say,’ said Trevor. ‘The old man you saw to-day in the studio was Baron Hausberg. He is a great friend of mine, buys all my pictures and that sort of thing, and gave me a commission a month ago to paint him as a beggar. And I must say he made a magnificent figure in his rags, or perhaps I should say in my rags; they are an old suit I got in Spain.’

1. What did Trevor say about the beggar?
2. Who was the old man in the studio?
3. Describe the beggar’s activities.
4. What did he give to Trevor to paint him?
5. Who was Baron Housberg?
Answer:
1. Trevor smilingly told that the old beggar was one of the richest men in Europe. He was able to buy all London the next day without over drawing his account. He had a house in every capital. He took dinner in gold plate and could prevent Russia going to war when he chose.
2. The old man in the studio was Baron Housberg. He was a good friend of Trevor.
3. Baron Housberg bought all his pictures and a month ago gave him a commission to paint him as a beggar.
4. He gave Trevor some commission for painting him as a beggar in his studio.
5. Housberg was a Baron, a very rich person and he was a very good friend of Trevor.

Passage – 8.

‘Well, to begin with, Hughie’, said Trevor, ‘it never entered my mind that you went about distributing alms in that reckless way. I can understand your kissing a pretty model, but your giving a sovereign to an ugly one – by Jove, no! Besides, the fact is that I really was not at home today to any one; and when you came in I didn’t know whether Hausberg would like his name mentioned. You know he wasn’t in full dress.
‘What a duffer he must think me!’ said Hughie.
‘Not at all. He was in the highest spirits after you left; kept chuckling to himself and rubbing his old wrinkled hands together. I couldn’t make out why he was so interested to know all about you; but I see it all now. He’ll invest your sovereign for you, Hughie, pay you the interest every six months, and have a capital story to tell after dinner.’

1. What did Trevor say to Hughie?
2. What was the real fact?
3. What was the opinion of Trevor?
4. What did Trevor fail to make out?
5. What he had to say about Hughie?
Answer:
1. Trevor said that he did not expect Hughie to give alms in the reckless way.
2. The real fact was that he was not at home and he did not if Housberg would like his name mentioned.
3. The opinion of Trevor was that he could not make out why he was so interested to know about Hughie.
4. Trevor failed to make out why he was so interested about Hughie.
5. About Hughie he said that he would invest his sovereign for Hughie. He would pay him the interest every six months.

Passage – 9.

I am an unlucky devil’, growled Hughie. ‘The best thing I can do is to go to bed; and, my dear Alan, you mustn’t tell anyone. I shouldn’t dare show my face in the Row.’
‘Nonsense! It reflects the highest credit on your philanthropic spirit, Hughie. And don’t run away. Have another cigarette, and you can talk about Laura as much as you like.’ However, Hughie wouldn’t stop, but walked home, feeling very unhappy, and leaving Alan Trevor in fits of laughter.

1. Why did Hughie think himself unlucky?
2. What he can do best?
3. What did Trevor tell Hughie?
4. How did Trevor pacify Hughie?
5. What was the condition of Hughie?
Answer:
1. Hughie thought himself unlucky as he gave a sovereign to the Baron without knowing his identity.
2. He could do best to go to bed and he should not dare to show his face to anyone for shame.
3. Trevor told Hughie not to run away and requested to smoke another cigarette. He could talk about Laura as much as he liked.
4. Trevor pacified Hughie by saying that he should forget that incident and think about Laura, his lover.
5. Hughie was very unhappy and left Alan Trevor in fits of laughter.

Passage-10.

“The Baron”, said the old gentleman, with a smile, ‘has commissioned me to bring you this letter;’ and he extended a sealed envelope. On the outside was written, ‘A wedding present to Hugh Erskine and Laura Merton, from an old beggar,’ and inside was a cheque for £ 10,000. When they were married Alan Trevor was the bestman, and the Baron made a speech at the wedding breakfast.
‘Millionaire models,’ remarked Alan, ‘are rare enough; but, by Jove, model millionaires are rarer still!’

1. Why did Hughie want apology?
2. Why did the Baron send to Hughie?
3. What was written on the envelope?
4. What was inside the envelope?
5. What did Alan remark in the wedding ceremony?
Answer:
1. Hughie wanted apology because he gave a Sovereign to the Baron considering him a real beggar?
2. Baron sent an envelope to Hughie.
3. On the outside of the envelope it was written-A wedding present to Hughie Errkine and Laura Merton from an old beggar.
4. Inside the envelope there was a cheque of £ 10,000.
5. Alan remarked, ‘Millionaire models’ ‘are rare enough; but, by Jove, model millionaires are rarer still.

The Model Millionaire About the Story

Oscar wilde’s short story ‘The Model Millionaire’ tells us about a young man, who helps a beggar only to discover the begger as a millionaire. In the story the author shows that the rich are not always heartless or unsympathetic. Hughie Erskine, a nice fellow is a failure in his life. He is ambitious and is in love with a girl named Laura Merton. But he is unable to marry her as he has not ten thousand pounds of his own.

He got a chance to meet Baron Housberg, a billionaire. But he does not know him. But the meeting proves to be a turning point in his life. The Baron gifted him ten thousand pounds by which he is able to marry Laura Merton. It was simply because Hughie has given him one sovereign in his friend’s studio, when he was posing as a beggar. The Baron seems to have been greatly influenced by his generous nature. The desire to help him reveals that the Baron himself is a generous and kind person.

The Model Millionaire About the Author

Oscar wilde was an Irish poet. He was one of the most popular playwrights in London. He is famous for his wit and clever use of language. Oscar Wilde was born in Dublin in the year 1854, on 16th October. He was educated in Dublin and Oxford. His first volume of poems was published in the year 1881. He wrote fiction, drama and essays for novelty.

He had a versatile genious and so entered into the all departments of literature. His important works are ‘The Happy Prince’, ‘Seflish Giant’, ‘The picture of Dorian Gray’, ‘Lady windermere’s Fan’ and ‘The Importance of Being Earnest’. He passed away on 30th November, 1900 in Paris, France.

The Model Millionaire Brief Summary

ughie Erskine was a very good looking young man with his crisp brown hair, his clear-cut profile and his grey eyes. He was very popular among men and women. He had every accomplishment besides making money. He kept changing everything but he failed to build a career. For six months he tried his hand on the Stock Exchange. For a little longer he was a tea merchant. Afterwards he had tried to sell a dry sherry. But in all the fields he was a failure.

Hughie’s father willed him his cavalry sword, and a history of the peninsular in fifteen volumes. Hughie hung the first over his looking glass and put the second on a shelf between Ruff’s Guide and Bailey’s Magazine. He lived on two hundred a year that an old aunt allowed him. He failed in every career. He became nothing, a delightful ineffective youth with a perfect profile without profession.

Hughie fell in love with a rich girl Laura Merton, the daughter of a retired colonel; who had lost his temper and digestion in India and had never found of them again. Laura loved him and he was also loved to kiss her shoestrings. They were a couple in London. The colonel also liked Hughie but he was not in favour of engagement. He was ready to allow them to get married if Hughie had ten thousand pounds of his own.

Once Hughie visited his painter friend Alan Trevor. Alan was giving the finishing touches to a wonderful life size picture of a beggar in his studio when Hughie entered there. In one corner of the studio the beggar was standing. He was a wizened old man with a face like wrinkled parchment and with the most piteous expression.

In one hand he had a rough stick and in other hand he held out his battered hat for alms. Alan went out to meet the frame maker. The old beggar sat down on the wooden bench behind him. Looking at the miserable looks of the beggar Hughie was touched very much. He put a sovereign and some coppers in the beggars hand. The beggar thanked him with a smile.

Hughie went to the Palette Club at 11pm at night. There he found Alan in the smoking room. They talked about the model of the beggar. Alan informed Hughie that the model of his picture was not at all a beggar but a millionaire. Hearing from Alan he was surprised. The name of the millionaire was Baron Housberg. Unhappily Hughie returned home but Alan laughed loudly. Hughie having mistaken the Baron for a beggar gave him sovereign. He was very sorry for his mistake to treat a richman to a beggar.

He had fear in mind that the Baron might take his act of generousity as an insult. In the next morning Baron’s messenger brought a letter for Hughie. In the envelope there was a cheque of ten thousand pounds, which was a wedding gift to Hughie and Laura Merton from Baron Housberg. In the marriage day Alan Trevor was the best man and the Baron gave a lecture at the wedding breakfast. He said, ‘Millionaire models were rare enough, but model millionaires are rarer still’.

Glossary

1. Privilege — advantage
2. fascinating charming
3. accomplishment — success
4. bequeathed — willed,
5. Peko’e — a quality tea,
6. gloom — looking dejected
7. ineffectual — unsucessful
8. freckled — small spots on skin
9. repose — rest
10. buoyant — cheerful
11. pitious — kind
12. wizened — wrinkled due to age
13. forlorn — sad,
14. hansoms — a horse carriage
15. conquest — victory/win
16. relentless — cruel
17. extravagance — spending lavishly
18. duffer — stupid
19. growled — made low sound
20. stammered — stuttered.

Plot : The story The Model Milionaire by Oscar wilde has a well knit plot. Hughie Erskine, the hero of the story is handsome, popular and charming. But his financial condition was not well. He tried to succeed in various business but all in Vain. His one of the elderly aunts gave him two hundred pounds a year. He has fallen in love with Laura Merton a young woman. Colonel Merton Laura’s father liked Hughie but as he was poor he denied the marriage proposal.

He gave a condition to Hughie to earn ten thousand pounds and only then he will allow her daughter to marry. Once Hughie went to meet his painter friend Alan Trevor. Alan was busy in painting an old beggar ‘with torn clothes and a stick in his hand. In other hand he had an old hat to beg for money. His wrinkled face was very sad. Before leaving the room Alan gave the old beggar a sovereign and the beggar was very happy

At night Hughie and Alan met again. The old man asked him many questions about him, Alan told him all with his love affair. Huaring that Hughie was not happy. At that time Alan told him that the beggar was a millionaire actually. Then Hughie was ashamed to give him a sovereign. The next day a messenger from Baron came to Hughie and gave him an envelope. The envelope contained a wedding gift from ‘an Old beggar’. Hughie found a cheque inside the envelope of ten thousand pounds. Thus Hughie and Laura got married.

Theme : Some qualities of human life like generousity, friendship, pity, love and gratitude are beautifully depicted in the short story. ‘The Model Millionaire’ by Oscar Wilde. Apart from that the story contains the theme of commitment, charity, connection, struggle and happiness. Hughie, the protagonist was be fooled to think that the Baron was a beggar.

His assumption was based on the dress and what he told him. That is why Hughie hands the Baron a sovereign. The act of kindness is the fact that he gives more than he can really afford to. The generousity of Hughie has an unexpected positive consequences. The Baron repays him with ten thousand pounds as wedding present. In this way the story establishes the idea that if there are millionaire models there are also model millionaries with golden hearts.

The Model Millionaire Characters

Hughie Erskine :

Hughie Erskine, the hero of the story is a handsome, good looking man with crisp brown hair. He has a clearcut profile and grey eyes. He is popular to everybody, men and women. He tries many professions but he was unsuccessful in all his endeavour. So, he was very unhappy and fed up.

He was sincerely in love with Laura Merton and was always ready to kiss her shoestrings. Laura also loved him. But his poverty appeared as a bar as Laura’s father refused to get his daughter married with Hughie unless he earned ten thousand pounds.

Hughie’s heart was golden. He was a kind hearted person as being touched by the miserable financial condition of the poor beggar in his friend’s studio, he gave him a sovereign that he had. This act of his kindness changed his life. Actually, the beggar was Baron Housberg a millionaire. He repaid his kindness by giving him a gift of ten thousand pounds.

Alan Trevor :

Alan Trevor was a friend of Hughie. He was a successful painter. He is a strange rough fellow /with a freckled face and a redragged beard. But when he took the brush he was an ideal painter. His pictures were very famous. He believed that a painter should know only the people who were beautiful and in which the artistic pleasures were available. He was a sincere friend.

Always he used to answer the questions of Hughe’s simply. When Hughie was absent Alan told Baron Housberg everything about him. He revealed his love affair with Laura and her father’s views about marriage. The incident about Hughie’s love affairs touched his heart deeply. He presented Hughie’s ten thousand pounds. He was present at Hughie’s wedding and acted as the best person. He also praised the good gesture of Baron Housberg and called him a model millionaire.

Baron Housberg :

Baron Housberg was a millionaire in the oscar wilde’s story ‘The Model Millionaire’. Although he was a millionaire he was not at all proud of his wealth. We could call it as his fancy as he liked to pose himself as a beggar. Hughie saw him in tattered clothes and patched and cobbled boot he had pity in his mind. Pitiously he gave him a sovereign and he accepted with thanks. But the Baron had a golden heart. He came to know the problems of Hughie, he decided to help him. He sent a messenger to Hughie house with an envelope containing a cheque of ten thousand pounds. That is why Alan described him as a model millionaire.

Setting :

The story ‘The Model Millionaire’ by Oscar wilde was published in the newspaper The World in June, 1887. The setting of the story was of late nineteenth century Europe. The central characters lived and interacted with one another at that time. Baron Housberg was one of the richest men in Europe. In Alan Trevor’s studio most of the actions took place. A small part of action took place at the Palette Club where Hughie and Alan met at night.

Style :

The short story ‘The Model Millionaire’ deals with a poor person’s life like Hughie. Inspite of his poverty he was a charming young man with a beautiful face and handsome physique. The author followed the traditional style of narration in the story.

The story moved from present to future. The language is lucid and simple. The story is quite interesting with the author’s comments and humourous observations. Such as Romance is the privilege of the rich. To make the matter worse he was in love. Those saying made the story enjoyable. The concluding sentence Millionaire models are rare but model millionaires are rarer still has become a proverb almost.

Title :

The highlights of the story The Model Millionaire’ highlighted the kindness of a rich and unassuming man who presented ten thousand pounds for the wedding of true lovers, namely Hughie and Laura Merton. In this sense the title is apt and significant.

Baron Housberg is a millionaire. He was the model of a beggar in tattered clothes, torm boots holding a staff in one hand and a hat in the other to accept alms. Hughie was moved to see the wretched condition. He gave him a sovereign Later when the Baron came to know that Hughie was a very poor fellow he presented him ten thousand pounds. Thus, the Baron proved that he was not only a millionaire model but also a model millionaire because his heart was golden like the rich men should have. So, the title is apt and appropriate.

The Model Millionaire Critical Appreciation

The story The Model Millionaire by Oscar wilde is actually the good samaritan tale and in this story the samaritan is aptly rewarded. The writing style is very attractive and so, the story wins the heart of the readers. Hughie Erskine is a young and good looking man. He is poor because he is not clever. He tries many business but fails so he is fully unfit for the commercial world.

He loves Laura who is the daughter of a retired colonel. He is ready to permit his daughter to marry Hughie if he owns ten thousand pounds. Thus, his love affair was at a stake. But fortunately, he meets Baron Housberg and his life changes with his gift he is able to marry his beloved Laura. The author wants to say that only the money do not soothe one’s soul unless he utilizes the money to help the needy. The narrative style of story telling is very attractive. The author’s personal comments add to the story a new attraction.

The Model Millionaire Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)

Read the questions given below and tick the correct answer:

Question 1.
The author says Romance is the privilege of the …………..
a. poor
b. rich
c. talented
d. intelligent
Answer:
b. rich.

Question 2.
The poor should be practical and …………..
a. witty
b. hard working
c. prosaic
d. labourious
Answer:
c. Prosaic.

Question 3.
Hughie had crisp hair …………..
a. black
b. red
c. white
d. brown
Answer:
d. brown.

Question 4.
History of Peninsular war had volumes……………
a. ten
b. fifteen
c. twelve
d. eleven
Answer:
b. fifteen.

Question 5.
Hughie loved …………..
a. Laura Merton
b. Shelley
c. Ruby
d. Kavita
Answer:
a. Laura Merton.

Question 6.
Besides being a painter Trevor was also a/an …………..
a. architect
b. carpenter
c. artist
d. none of the above
Answer:
c. artist.

Question 7.
The beggar was an old man …………..
a. wizened
b. thain
c. fat
d. none of the above
Answer:
a. wizened.

Question 8.
Hughie gave the beggar a …………..
a. bag
b. purse
c. a sovereign
d. none of the above
Answer:
c. a sovereign.

Question 9.
The lover of Hughie was the daughter of a …………..
a. officer
b. painter
c. artist
d. colonel
Answer:
c. colonel.

Question 10.
I will be back in a moment’ where did the speaker, go?
a. to the kitchen
b. to talk to Baron
c. to see the frame maker
d. to bring paint
Answer:
c. to see the frame maker.

Question 11.
An artist’s heart is in his …………..
a. mind
b. head
c. soul
d. feelings
Answer:
b. head.

Question 12.
Who gave a speech in the wedding breakfast?
a. Alan Trevor
b. Baron Housberg
c. Laura Merton
d. None of the above
Answer:
b. Baron Housberg.

Treasure Chest A Collection of ICSE Chapter Workbook Answers

Treasure Chest Workbook Answers Chapter 2 Oliver Asks for More

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Treasure Chest Workbook Answers Chapter 2 Oliver Asks for More

Treasure Chest Workbook Answers Chapter 2 Oliver Asks for More

Oliver Asks for More Comprehension Questions Answers

Read the extracts and answer the following questions:

Passage -1.

Among other buildings in a town in England, there was a house for poor people who had no money and nowhere to live. This was called the workhouse. Oliver Twist was born in a workhouse. His mother, a young woman, lay ill in bed. A doctor and an old woman stood by her side. She lifted her head from the pillow.
‘Let me see the child and die,’ she said.
‘Oh, you mustn’t talk about dying yet,’ said the doctor.
‘No, dear,’ said the old woman. ‘You are too young to die’.
The young woman shook her head and held out her hand towards the child.
The doctor put the child in her arms. She pressed her cold white lips to its face, and then fell back.
‘She is dead,’ said the doctor.

1. What was called the workhouse?
2. Where was Oliver born?
3. Who was Oliver’s mother?
4. Who stood by her side?
5. What did the mother say before death?
Answer:
1. In a town in England there was a house for poor people. This was called work house.
2. Oliver was born in the workhouse.
3. Oliver’s mother was a young woman who lay in bed.
4. A doctor and an old woman stood by the young lady.
5. Before death the mother requested to show her the child and she died.

Passage – 2.

The doctor put the child in her arms. She pressed her cold white lips to its face, and then fell back.
‘She is dead,’ said the doctor.
‘Yes, poor dear,’ said the old woman, as she took the child away from its dead mother. ‘Poor dear.’
‘She was a good-looking girl,’ said the doctor, as he put on his hat and gloves. ‘Where did she come from?’
‘She was brought here last night,’ said the old woman.
‘She was lying in the street. She had walked a long way and her shoes had holes in them. Nobody knows where she came from, or where she was going to.

1. Who was she?
2. How did she fall back?
3. What did the doctor tell about the mother.
4. What did the old man do?
5. When did she come there and how?
Answer:
1. She was a young ill woman who gave birth to Oliver.
2. The doctor put Oliver in her arms according to her request. She pressed her cold white lips to its face and then fell back to die.
3. The doctor after examining her body declared that she was dead.
4. The old woman took away the poor child from her mother to nurse.
5. She had walked a long way as her shoes had holes. Nobody knew from where she came and where she was going.

Passage – 3.

He went home to his dinner. The old woman sat down on a chair in front of the fire and began to dress the baby. She dressed him in the very old clothes used for babies who were born in the workhouse. The child was an orphan, born into a world which had no love or pity for him. No one was able to discover who the baby’s father was, or what his mother’s name was. Mr Bumble, an important officer in the town, invented a name for the baby. He chose the name Oliver Twist.

1. How did the woman dress the baby?
2. How was the child born?
3. Who was Mr. Bumble?
4. Who named the orphaned boy?
5. What did the old woman do when the doctor went for dinner?
Answer:
1. The old woman dressed the baby sitting down on a chair in front of the fire.
2. The child was born into a world which had no pity and love for him as he was an orphan.
3. Mr. Bumble was an important officer in the town.
4. Mr. Bumble named the orphaned boy as Oliver Twist.
5. The old woman sat down on a chair in front of a fire and dressed the baby with old clothes.

Passage – 4.

At the age of nine, Oliver was a pale, thin child. He and the other workhouse boys never had enough warm clothes or food. They were given only three meals of thin soup every day. On Sundays they had a small piece of bread. They were fed in a big hail. A large pot stood at one end of the room, and the soup was served by the master. Each boy had one small bowl of soup and no more. The bowls never needed washing, because the boys cleaned them with their spoons until they shone.

1. How was oliver when he was nine?
2. What was the condition of workhouse boys?
3. What did the boys get as food in the workhouse?
4. How was the food served?
5. What was the conditon of the bowls?
Answer:
1. At the age of nine Oliver was a pale thin child.
2. The workhouse boys were ill-treated. They never had enough warm clothes or food.
3. In the workhouse the boys got only three meals of thin soup daily. On sundays they used to get a small piece of bread.
4. The boys were fed in a big hall. A large pot was kept at one end of the room. Each boy had one small bowl of soup and no more.
5. The bowls were untidy. They never needed washing as the boys cleaned them with their spoons until they shone.

Passage-5.

One day Oliver and his friends decided that one boy would walk up to the master after supper and ask for more soup. Oliver was chosen. In the evening, the boys sat down at the tables. The master stood by the pot, and the soup was served. It disappeared quickly. The boys whispered and made signs to Oliver. He stood up from the table and went to the master, with his bowl and spoon in his hands.

1. What did Oliver and his friends decide?
2. Who was chosen to say the master?
3. Why did the food vanish quickly?
4. How did Oliver go to the master?
5. What did Oliver say to the master?
Answer:
1. Oliver and his friends decided to ask the master for more soup.
2. Oliver was chosen to say the master for more soup.
3. The food vanished quickly as the boys were very hungry.
4. Oliver went to the master with his bowl and spoon in his hand.
5. Oliver requested his master to give him some more soup.

Passage – 6.

The master was a fat, healthy man,but he went very pale. He looked with surprise at the small boy.
‘What?’ said the master at last in a quiet voice.
‘Please, sir,,’ repeated Oliver, T want some more.’
The master hit Oliver with his spoon, then seized him and cried for help. Mr Bumble rushed into the room, and the master told him what Oliver had said.
‘He asked for more?’ Mr Bumble cried. T cannot believe it. One day they will hang the boy.’
He took Oliver away and shut him in a dark room. The next morning a notice appeared on the workhouse gate. Five pounds were offered to anybody who would take Oliver Twist.

1. How was the master?
2. Why the master was pale?
3. What type of treatment did Oliver get?
4. What punishment did Oliver get?
5. What was the post morning notice?
Answer:
1. The master was a fat healthy man. But he went very pale and surprised at the request of the small boy.
2. The master heard the request of Oliver. He became pale after the request as there was no soup at all.
3. Oliver was taken away from there and he was shut in a dark room.
4. The punishment was confinement in a dark separate room for a week.
5. The post morning notice announced that five pounds would be offered to anybody who would take Oliver Twist.

Passage-7.

Oliver was a prisoner in that cold, dark room for a whole week. Every morning he was taken outside to wash, and Mr. Bumble beat him with a stick. Then he was taken into the large hall where the boys had their soup. Mr Bumble beat him in front of everybody. He cried all day. When night came he tried to sleep, but he was cold, lonely and frightened. But one day, outside the high workhouse gate, Mr Bumble met Mr Sowerberry. Mr Sowerberry was a tall, thin man who wore black clothes and made coffins. Many of his coffins were for the poor people who died in the workhouse.

1. What treatment did Oliver get?
2. How was Oliver at the night of confinement?
3. Who was Sowerberry?
4. How did Sowerberry dress?
5. What was the profession of Sowerberry?
Answer:
1. Every morning Oliver was taken out to wash and Mr. Bumble beat him with a stick.
2. In the nights of confinement Oliver tried to sleep but he was cold, lonely and frightened.
3. Mr. Sowerberry was tall and thin man. He met Mr. Bumble in the workhouse gate.
4. Mr. Sowerberry wore black clothes.
5. Mr. Sowerberry was coffin maker for the poor who died in the workhouse.

Oliver Asks for More About the Story

Charles Dickens is regarded as one of the greatest novelist of the victorian era. He was an English writer and social critic. Charles Dickens was born on 7th February, 1812 in Landport, Portsmouth United Kingdom. At the age of only 12 years he had to leave school as his father was in prison. At first he worked in a shoe factory. He started his writing Career When he was working as an office boy.

At the age of 24 years he wrote his first novel. He got worldwide fame through his novels like Oliver Twist, Great Expectations, Bleak House, David Copperfield and A Tale of two cities. He was the creator of immortal characters like Oliver Twist, Micawber and Pecksniff. He has written 15 novels.This famous novelist passed away on 9th June, 1870 at Gods Hill Palace, United Kingdom.

Oliver Asks for More About the Author

Source : The story ‘Oliver Asks for More’ is an extract from the novel ‘Oliver Twist’ of Charles Dickens.

Story : In the workhouse orphan Oliver and his companions were ill-treated and starved. Oliver was brought to a Children’s home where he had to face almost starvation. The story clearly pointed out the ill-treatment with the poor orphaned kids in the orphanage. They were given insufficient food and they suffered from slow starvation. Even they were not allowed to ask for more food. Oliver was punished as he asked for more food.

Oliver Asks for More Brief Summary

In an unidentified place in a work house a child was born. He lost his mother when the infant was struggling for survival. At that time a doctor and an old woman stood by. The mother faintly murmured when she heard the sound of the child’s voice by saying, Let me see the child and die. Both the wishes of the mother were granted as the doctor put the baby in her amrs. She kept her white cold lips to his face and died.

In reply to the doctor’s question the woman informed him that in the previous night she was brought there. She was lying in the street. Nobody knew from where she came there. The doctor looked at the girl’s left hand and said, The usual story, she has no ring on her finger. The doctor went away. The old woman dressed the infant with old clothes for babies.

No one was able to find out the parentage of the baby. Mr. Bumble, an important officer of the town named the baby Oliver Twist. When Oliver was nine years old he was a pale thin child. In the work house the boys were given only three meals of thin soup daily. On Sundays they got a piece of bread. In a big hall the boys were fed. One day Oliver and his companions planned that they would ask the master for more soup.

One day during soup serving it vanished quickly. Oliver asked his master for more soup. The master became pale hearing the question. Oliver repeated the question. The master cried for help. Mr Bumble came running into the room. He was told about the happening. He could not believe the incident. He took Oliver away and shut him in a dark room.

Oliver was sentenced to confinement immediately. A notice was pasted in the gate in the next morning that the home would offer five pounds to anyone who would accept Oliver as an apprentice in his work place. One day Mr. Bumble met Mr. Sowerberry. He asked him if anybody wanted a boy with five pounds. With this raising his stick he pointed out to the notice pasted in the gate.

Glossary:

1. Lifted — raised
2. Discover — find
3. Shook — moved
4. Disappeared — vanished
5. Orphan — a person who lost his parents
6. Warm — hot
7. Coffins — boxes for the dead bodies.
8. Supper — meal before bed time.
9. Whispered — talked in low tone.
10. Pointed — indicated.
11. Explained — described.
12. Pot — Container
13. Decided — took decision
14. Rushed — came running.

Theme : The story ‘Oliver Asks for More’ deals with the painful life of Oliver and the Cruel treatment that he received in the orphanage. The main theme of the story is that the small children who need love and care should not be neglected and beaten. They are forced to go through a hard life which they are unable to endure.

From the story we know that Oilver and other boys of the workhouse are tortured mercilessly. They all are ill-fed and beaten for no reason at all. Even they are kept in a dark room. Actually they are compelled to die in starvation gradually. Dickens pointed out the miserable condition of the workhouse children and he wanted to draw our attention and expected that we should treat them with sympathy. It is actually a social crime.

Plot : The story ‘Oliver Asks for more’ is taken from the novel Oliver Twist by charles Dickens. Two incidents are described in the short story. Actually this is an episode The story centres round the incident of the life of Oliver Twist at the workhouse. In the workhouse where Oliver used to stay gave only three meagre meals of thin soup daily.

One day it was decided that Oliver would ask for more soup from the master so, he asks for more. The master was at a loss. On the repeated request of Oliver the master called Mr. Bumble. He informed him of the incident. Oliver was beaten cruelly and he was shut up in a dark room.

Oliver Asks for More Characters

Oliver Twist :

The entire short story deals with the character of Oliver Twist. He was an orphan. He was born in a workhouse where poor homeless. people lived. His mother died soon after his birth. His parentage was unknown to everyday. Mr. Bumble gave him the name Oliver Twist.

When Oliver was nine years old he was a pale thin Child. He never got sufficient food and worm clothes to protect his body from cold. He was given three meals of thin soup there. On Sundays he got a small piece of bread.

The workhouse boarders decided to ask for more soup one day. Oliver was chosen to place the demand. The master was shaken hearing the demand of Oliver. Due to his protest he was shut in a cold dark room. He was beaten regularly. For a week he stayed as a prisoner in the cold dark room. Daily he is beaten with a stick in front of everybody when he is taken outside. At night he tries to sleep but he feels frightened and lonely.

Setting :

In London in a workhouse the story is set. The author treats the setting with awful subtlety. He did not mention the town or state and the date when the action of the story took place. We, the readers come to know that the events occur in a workhouse which is common to every localities.

In this way the author proclaims that he is going to deal with topics of general import. Willingly he keeps the immediate setting vague to the readers. His goal is to draw attention on the workhouse and the activities therein. In the workhouses, the boys are ill-treated and they are compelled to live on partly starvation.

Title :

The title of the story ‘Oliver Asks for More’ is just and appropriate. Oliver and his companions in the workhouse never had enough food and warm clothes. Daily they got three meals with thin soup. The boys themselves cleaned the bowls with their spoons so, the bowls were not properly cleaned. Each boy received one bowl of soup only.

One day Oliver and his companions decided that they would ask the master for more soup. Oliver was chosen to raise the question to the master. In the evening the soup was taken when it was served. Oliver taking his bowl went to the master and asked for more soup.

The master was amazed and went pale. He called Mr. Bumble. He was very angry. He shut Oliver in a dark room. In this way it is clear that the story revolves round Oliver’s asking for more soup and the punishment that he received. So, the title is apt and justified.

Style :

In this short story Charles Dickens has adhered to the traditional technique of story telling. The starting of a novel is always important. The author faces the problem of setting down the opening words in the first chapter. Here the method is chosen to regulate the overall organization of the book.

Time management is one of the elements of technique which draws the attention of the readers. The passage of time can be seen through chronological events. This can be done through dramatic presentation or narrative summary. Sometimes the writer resorts to bare statement.

In this story Dickens describes the brief account of Oliver’s birth and thereafter the statement starts — ‘Oliver is nine years old’. Thus, the reader is not made aware of the passing time.

Oliver Asks for More Critical Appreciation

The story Oliver Asks for More deals with the story of an orphan, named Oliver. He is brought up to children’s home. The young boys who lived in the orphanage were treated with inhuman cruelty. The board members were of the thought that they should be starved quickly outside or inside the workhouse.

If anyone asks for more he is beaten mercilessly. The story shows how the contemporary society ill-treated poor orphaned kids. At that age the children should be treated with love and care. But they are harshly treated and cruelly exploited. Here the author used the irony with devastating effect. If we compare with thin Oliver we see the master was fat and healthy.

Oliver Asks for More Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)

Read the questions given below and tick the correct answer:

Question 1.
Oliver Twist was born in a ………….
a. park
b. clinic
c. workhouse
d. a deserted building
Answer:
c. workhouse.

Question 2.
The name Oliver Twist was given by ………….
a. Swabble
b. Bumble
c. Unwin
d. an old woman of workhouse
Answer:
b. Bumble.

Question 3.
Mr. Sowerberry made………….
a. Coffins
b. shoes
c. utensils
d. buildings
Answer:
b. coffins.

Question 4.
Oliver remained prisoner for………….
a. a week
b. six months
c. five days
d. 24 hours
Answer:
a. a week.

Question 5.
Oliver asked for more soup and the master reacted with ………….
a. pleasure
b. surprise
c. shout
d. started beating
Answer:
d. started beating.

Question 6.
The taker of Oliver Twist would get ………….
a. ten
b. five
c. one
d. four pounds
Answer:
b. five

Question 7.
The soup disappeared soon because ………….
a. it was not enough
b. it was tasty
c. boys were hungry
d. all of the above
Answer:
c. boys were hungry.

Question 8.
The bowls never needed washing because ………….
a. they were made of glass
b. made of bone china
c. the boys cleaned them with spoons
d. all of the above
Answer:
c. the boys cleaned them with spoons.

Question 9.
Oliver’s mother pressed her cold lips to his face and ………….
a. smiled
b. cried
c. died
d. slept
Answer:
c. died.

Question 10.
The Master was ………….
a. fat
b. fat and healthy
c. thin
d. Pale
Answer:
b. fat and healthy.

Question 11.
The child was an orphan. The child was ………….
a. Bumble
b. Oliver
c. doctor
d. none of the above
Answer:
b. Oliver.

Question 12.
The master hit Oliver with a ………….
a. spoon
b. bowl
c. stick
d. none of the above
Answer:
a. spoon.

Question 13.
Mr. Sowerberry was ………….
a. tall
b. tall and thin
c. fat
d. none of the above
Answer:
b. tall and thin.

Question 14.
The taker of Oliver was offered ………….
a. 10
b. 12
c. 15
d. 5 pounds.
Answer:
d. 5 pounds.

Question 15.
The girl who gave birth to Oliver was ………….
a. married
b. unmarried
c. widow
d. none of the above
Answer:
b. unmarried.

Treasure Chest A Collection of ICSE Chapter Workbook Answers

Treasure Chest Workbook Answers Chapter 1 Bonku Babu’s Friend

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Treasure Chest Workbook Answers Chapter 1 Bonku Babu’s Friend

Treasure Chest Workbook Answers Chapter 1 Bonku Babu’s Friend

Bonku Babu’s Friend Comprehension Questions Answers

Read the extracts and answer the following questions:

Passage – 1.

No one had ever seen Bonku Babu get cross. To tell the truth, it was difficult to imagine what he might say or do, if one day he did get angry. It was not as if there was never any reason for him to lose his temper. For the last twenty-two years, Bonku Babu had taught geography and Bengali at the Kankurgachhi Village Primary School.

Every year, a new batch of students replaced the old one, but old or new, the tradition of teasing poor Bonku Babu continued among all the students. Some drew his cartoon on the blackboard; others put glue on his chair; or, on the night of Kali Puja, they lit a chasing rocket and set it off right behind him.

a. What was the profession of Bonkubabu? How long has be been in his profession?
b. How did the students tease Bonkubabu?
c. What was the tradition that continued against Bonkubabu?
d. What impression do you get about Bonkubabu?
e. How did Bonkubabu condemn the students?
Answer:
a. Bonkubabu was a teacher of Kankurgachhi village Primary School. He has been in this profession for long twenty two years. He taught Bengali and geography there.

b. The students drew his cartoon in the blackboard, others kept glue on his chair. In the Kalipuja night they lit chasing rocket and set it off right behind him. Thus, the students teased Bonkubabu.

c. Although the flow of students change every year still the teasing of Bonkubabu continued among the students.

d. Bankubabu was a very simple village people. He was fond of students. He did not lose his temper for the teasing by his beloved students.

e. Bonkubabu condemned the students for teasing by saying shame on the students.

Passage – 2.

Only the other day-less than two months ago-they were talking about ghosts. Usually, Bonkubabu kept his mouth shut. That day, for some unknown reason, he opened it and declared that he was not afraid of ghosts, that was all! But it was enough to offer a golden opportunity to the others. On his way back home later that night, Bonku Babu was attacked by a ‘spook’.

As he was passing under a tamarind tree, a tall, thin figure leapt down and landed on his back. As it happened, this apparition had smeared black ink all over itself, possibly at the suggestion of someone at the meeting. Bonku Babu was not frightened. But he was injured. For three days, his neck ached. Worst of all – his new kurta was torn and it had black stains all over. What kind of a joke was this?

a. What did Bonkubabu declarae in the add?
b. What did his associates plan?
c. What was the figure according to you?
d. Why Bonkubabu could not recognise the apparition?
e. How was Bonkubabu affected in the encounters?
Answer:
a. In the adda Bonkubabu declared that he was not afraid of the ghosts.

b. His associates planned to prove his declaration false. So, they attacked him as a spook when he was returning home late in the night.

c. I think the figure of spook was of his disguised associates.

d. It was dark night and the way under the tamarind tree was deep dark. So he could not identify the figure.

e. In the encounter with Bonkubabu the apparition had smeared black ink all over him. He was injured. His neck ached for three days. His new Kurta was torn and it had black stains all over.

Passage-3.

On one particular day, the topic of conversation was space -in other words, they were talking of spaceships and space-travel. Soon after sunset, a moving point of light had been seen in the northern sky. A similar light was seen three months ago, which had led to much speculation.

In the end, it had turned out to be a Russian satellite, called Khotka – or was it Phoska? Anyway, this satellite was supposed to be going round the earth at a height of 400 miles, and providing a lot of valuable information to scientists.

a. What was the topic of conversation?
b. Where was the moving light seen?
c. What was Khotka?
d. How was the satellite going round?
e. What did the satellite provide?
Answer:
a. The topic of conversation was about spaceships and space-travel.

b. The moving light was seen in the northern sky three months ago with much speculation.

c. Khotka or Phoska had turned to be a Russian satellite.

d. The satellite was supposed to be going round the earth at a height of 400 miles.

e. The satellite provided a lot of valuable information to scientists.

Passage – 4.

Bonku Babu fell silent. But several questions rose in his mind. Was it really impossible? If an alien had to visit the earth, would it really matter where it arrived first? It might not aim to go straight to any other part of the world. AH right, it was highly unlikely that such a thing would happen in Kankurgachhi village, but who was to say for sure that it could not happen at all?

Sripati Babu was silent so far. Now, as he shifted in his seat, everyone looked at him. He put his cup down and spoke knowledgeably: “Look, if someone from a different planet does come to earth, I can assure you that he will not come to this Godforsaken place. Those aliens are no fools. It is my belief that they are sahibs, and they will land in some western country, where all the sahibs live. Understand?”

a. What were the several questions?
b. What was the speculation?
c. What was the impression of Sripatibabu?
d. Where will the aliens may land?
Answer:
a. The several questions that arose there why the alien would land at Kankurgacchi.

b. The speculation was that it was quite unlikely that an alien would land at a remote village like Kankurgacchi.

c. Sripatibabu impressed that an alien was a sahib and no fool at all.

d. Sripatibabu believed that they would land in some western country.

Passage-5.

Bonku Babu did not reply, but wondered silently: if anyone were to actually look for a specimen, weren’t the others just as suitable? Look at Sripati Babu. His chin was so much like a camel’s. And that Bhairav Chakravarty, his eyes were like the eyes of a tortoise.

Nidhu Babu looked like a rat, Ramkanai like a goat, and Chandi Babu like a flittermouse. If a zoo really had to be filled up…! Tears sprang to his eyes. Bonku Babu had come to the meeting hoping, for once, to enjoy himself. That was clearly not to be. He could not stay here any longer. He got to his feet?

a. Why did not Bonkubabu reply?
b. What did Bonkubabu thought about Bhairavbabu?
c. How could a zoo be filled up?
d. Why did Bonkubabu come to the meeting?
e. Why everyone laughed?
Answer:
a. Bonkubabu did not reply because as the specimens were present in the meeting in his house.

b. About Bhairavbabu, Bonkubabu thought the eyes of his were like the eyes of tortoise.

c. A zoo could be filled up with the regulars of Sripatibabu as his chin was like the camels, Bhairav Babus eyes were like the tortoise, Nidhubabu was like a rat, Ramkanai like was a goat and Chandibabu was like a fittermouse.

d. Bonkubabu used to come to the meeting to enjoy the association of the regular members like Bhairavbabu, Sripatibabu, Nidhubabu and Ramkanai.

e. Everyone laughed at because Sripatibabu nick named every associates comparing them with animals.

Passage – 6.

Puzzled, Bonku Babu walked another twenty yards, and then he suddenly saw the light. At first, he thought that a fire had broken out. Bang in the middle of Poncha Ghosh’s bamboo grove, in the clearing near a small pond, quite a large area was glowing pink.

A dull light shone on every branch and every leaf. Down below, the ground behind the pond was lit by a much stronger pink light. But it was not a fire, for it was still. Bonku Babu kept moving. All at once, his ears began ringing. He felt as if someone was humming loudly – a long, steady noise there was no way he could stop it. Bonku Babu broke out into goose pimples, but an irrepressible curiosity drove him further forward.

a. Describe the light referred to here.
b. How did the ground look behind the pond?
c. Why did Bonku think that a fire had broken out?
d. What was the effect of the noise on Bonkubabu?
e. Why did he move forward?
Answer:
a. The light referred to here appeared to Bonku as a fire in the bamboo grove. Quite a large area was glowing pink.

b. Behind the pond the ground was lit by a much stronger pink light.

c. Bonku thought that a fire had broken out because suddenly he saw the light.

d. The noise had no effect on Bonkubabu as he saw the light clearing near a small pond.

e. Bonkubabu moved forward because the light was not a fire as it was still.

Passage – 7.

Through that door emerged a head – like a plain, smooth ball – and then the body of a weird creature. Its arms and legs were amazingly thin. With the exception of its head, its whole body was covered by a shiny, pink outfit. Instead of ears, it had tiny holes on each side of its head.

On the face were two holes where there should have been a nose, and another gaping hole instead of a mouth. There was no sign of hair anywhere. Its eyes were round and bright yellow. They appeared to be glowing in the dark.

a. What came out of the strange object?
b. How did the creature look?
c. Describe the face of the person.
d. What did the creature have instead of ears?
e. Describe the face of the strange object.
Answer:
a. From the strange object emerged a head like a plain smooth ball and then body of a weird creature.

b. The creature looked weird. Its arms and legs were amazingly thin. The whole body of the creature was covered by a shiny pink outfit.

c. The face of the person had two holes instead of nose and mouth. There was no sign of hair anywhere.

d. Instead of ears the creature had tiny holes on each side.

e. Same as answer of c.

Passage – 8.

Bonku Babu did not know what to say. He was feeling quite uncomfortable, for the creature had reached out and was examining Bonku Babu’s arms and legs with its long, bony fingers. When it finished, it introduced itself. “I am Ang, from the planet Craneus.

A far superior being than man.” What! This creature, barely four feet tall, with such thin limbs and weird face, was superior to man? Bonku Babu nearly burst out laughing. Ang read his mind immediately. “There’s no need to be so sceptical. I can prove it. How many languages do you know?

a. What did the creature tell about himself?
b. How did the creature prove that he was superior?
c. What was the reaction of Bonku?
d. How many languages did the creature know?
e. Who was Ang and where from did he come?
Answer:
a. The creature introduced himself as Ang who came from planet craneus.

b. The creature proved himself superior as it knew 14000 languages.

c. Bonku was amazed to know that Ang was a superior person than human being.

d. The creature knew 14000 languages.

e. Ang was a strange figure who came from planet craneus.

Passage-9.

Ang took out a small tube, one end of which was covered by a piece of glass. “Take a look through this!” Ang invited. Bonku Babu peered through die glass, and felt all his hair rise. Could this be true? Could he really believe his eyes? Before him stretched an endless expanse of snow, dotted with large hillocks, also covered with ice and snow.

Above him, against a deep blue sky, all the colours of a rainbow were forming different patterns, changing every second. The Aurora Borealis! What was that? An igloo. There was a group of polar bears. Wait, there was another animal. A strange, peculiar creature… Yes! It was a walrus. There were two of them, in fact. And they were fighting. Their tusks were bared -large as radishes – and they were attacking each other. Streams of bright red blood were flowing on the soft white snow…

a. How was the small tube of Ang?
b. What did Bonku see through the glass?
c. How was the sky through the glass?
d. What was Aurora Borealis?
e. What was walrus?
Answer:
a. Ang showed a small tube to Bonku and the end of which was covered by a piece of glass.

b. Through the glass Bonku saw the endless expanse of snow covered with ice and snow.

c. Through the glass the sky was deep blue and all the colours of a rainbow were forming different patterns changing every second.

d. The Aurora Borealis is an igloo where a group of polar bears were seen.

e. Walrus was a strange peculiar creature. They were two fighting with bared tusks as large as radishes.

Passage- 10.

The next day was a Sunday. Everyone had turned up for their usual meeting at Sripati Babu’s home. There was a report in the local paper about a strange light, but it was only a small report. This light had been seen by a handful of people in only two places in Bengal. It was therefore being put in the same category as sightings of flying saucers. Tonight Poncha Ghosh was also present at the meeting. He was talking about his bamboo grove.

All the bamboos around the pond in the middle of the wood had lost all their leaves. It was not unusual for leaves to drop off in winter, but for so many plants to become totally bare overnight was certainly a remarkable occurrence. Everyone was talking about it when suddenly Bhairav Chakravarty said, “Why is Bonku so late today?”

a. What was the report of the local newspaper about strange light?
b. What was Poncha Ghosh saying?
c. What was the effect of the light on the trees?
d. What was the remarkable occurance?
e. What was the day?
Answer:
a. The local newspapers briefly reported that a handful of people saw the light.

b. Poncha Ghosh was saying about his bamboo grove and told that the leaves of the bamboo trees had fallen.

c. The trees had become totally bare overnight. According to Poncha Ghosh it was a remarkable occurance.

d. Same as c. above.

e. The day was Saturday. The discussion took place on Sunday evening.

Bonku Babu’s Friend About the Story

A short story means a story which is short in structure. It is an account of one or more incidents.There are five characteristics of a short story. They are

  • Precision
  • Clearness of expression
  • Suspense
  • Curiosity and
  • Surprising twist at the end.

Origin : Instinctly human beings are fond of tales. In our ancient myths, fables, folktales, ballads, parables were the source of our enjoyments. A short story is mainly a 20th century critical enterprise. The aim of the short story is to produce a single narrative with the greatest economy of means. There is no hard and fast rule about the word limit of a story but it is presumed that about five hundred words as a masterpiece.

Style : Like all the literary works the short story has a style of its own. The plot of a short story consists of five main elements. They are

  • Exposition
  • Rise of action
  • Climax
  • Fall of action and
  • Resolution.

According to Rabindranath Tagore a short story is short in size, small incidents of our daily life are depicted in it, the language should be simple and lucid, without many incidents and characters, there should not be advice but there must be a curiosity in our mind at the end of it.
‘Banku Babu’s Friend’ — Satyaj it Roy

Bonku Babu’s Friend About the Author

Satyajit Roy (192 1-1992) :  Satyajit Roy was one of the great sons of mother India. He belonged to an aristrocratic Bengali family. He was born on 2nd May, 1921 at 100 Garpar Road Kolkata. His father Sukumar Roy was a well known poet and his mother Suprova Dcvi was a home maker. Upendra Kishore Roy Chowdhury, a children favourite writer was his grandfather.

Education : His early education was at Baflygunge Government High School, Kolkata (formerly Calcutta). He was graduated from Presidency College. He was a student of Viswa Bharati, Shantiniketan for a brief period of time.

Service : In 1943 he joined the British Advertising Company as a Junior Visualiser. But he was mainly a film maker. Apart from that he was a musician, graphic designer, advertisement maker, calligraphist and a prolific writer. He published fictions, novels, short stories, graphic designs.

As a film director he prepared 28 films, 5 feature films and 3 television films. He wrote about 60 books. His famous character creations are ‘Felud&, Topse, Jatayu’, ‘Professor Shanku etc. In 1955 his famous film Pather Panchali based on the novel of Bibhuti Bhusan Bandopadhyay gained international fame and awards.

Awards : He got many awards like Padmashri,Padmabibhusan, Akademi, and the Bharatratna award from the goverment of India.

Death : This great artist passed away on 23rd April, 1992. We are proud of him.

Source of the story : Banku Babu’s Friend is an excerpt from Three Rays : Stories from Satyajit Roy’. This short story is included in the syllabus for its vast popularity among the young learners of our country.

Bonku Babu’s Friend Brief Summary

Bankubihari Dutta was a teacher of Bengali and Geography in Kankurgachhi village Primary School. He was not upset although his students used to tease him. He never lost his temper and endurance. He loved to teach his few good students, gave them snacks in his house and told them foreign stories.

In the weekends Bankubabu used to visit lawyer Sripati Majumder’s residence with other regulars. Almost all his mates made fun with him. During discussion once Bankubabu declared that he had no fear about the ghosts. Later on a day a thin ghost landed down on his back and smeared black ink, all over him. In spite of repeated teasing he did not stop to visit Sripati Babu’s house.

Once when they were talking about space travel he turned the topic to aliens. They rejected his suggestion that Kankurgachi was an insignificant place for an alien visit. As they laughed at Bankubabu he left the meeting. Once on his half way Bankubabu saw strange light in the bamboo grove.

He also heard a humming sound. Bankubabu thought the visible mound like object was rising and falling as if it was breathing. From the object a strange creature appeared. His head was like a ball with thin arms and legs. He asked Banku if the place was earth. He introduced himself as Ang from planet craneus. He demanded his superiority than earthly people.

He was 833 years old and he knew 14000 languages. He gave Bonku a stone like object which could make the enemy powerless without harm. Afterwards through a tube he showed Banku the North Pole with bears and walrus. Later he showed him Brazil with the dense forest piranhas and a large Anaconda even larger than a python.

Ang pointed out that Ang was very meek and mild so, he was unable to progress properly. He advised Bonku to protest aganist injustice always. Within a few seconds Ang entered into his spaceship and disappeared. Banku was very happy to meet Ang. Next day on Sunday Bonku went to Sripati’s house as his last visit. He boldly declared the faults of his associates, and insulted them for their indecent behaviour.

Title : The entire story centres round the activities of Bonkubabu and his adda associates and Ang, the strange creature from planet craneus. As the theme of the story is about Banku and his adda associates the title of the story in appropriate.

Glossary

1. Nudged — pushed
2. teasing — harrasing
3. specimens — examples
4. pranksters — prankplayers
5. auspicious — holy/sacred
6. ceric — wrong
7. translucent — unclear
8. submerged — partly below the water surface
9. endurance — patience
10. apparition — ghost
11. ached — pained
12. ridicule — mockery
13. speculation — conjecture
14. obscure — unclear
15. humbug — talkative
16. feigned — pretended
17. rudely — impolitely
18. fittermouse — a kind of bat
19. auspicious — holy/sacred
20. radiant — bright
21. stunned — confused
22. immobile — motionless
23. astounded — surprised greatly
24. veered off — sudden change of direction
25. Sceptical — doubtful
26. impenetrable — impassable
27. foliage leaves, monstrous huge,
29. incredible unbelievable
30. uproariously — very loudly
31. sycophants — flatterers.

Plot : Bankubabu’s Friend has a well structured plot with skill and meticulous attitude of the author. Cowardly school teacher Bonkubabu is treated with disrespect by his students, friends and associates. He had the lack of courage. He had to suffer insult and humiliation everywhere. His meeting with Ang changed his life. Banku was transformed to a loveable character after his encounter with Ang.

Theme : Friendship is the main theme of the story ‘Bankubabu’s Friend’. According to Sripati Majumder friendship is only for passing time with fun and enjoyment. Bonkubabu was sincere in his friendship as he did not mind in the teasing. But Sripati is not sincere about friendship.

Ang, the alien was the other friend of Bonku. He advised Bonku not to bow down before injustice. He also advised him to protest boldly and not to put up with insults. Due to encounter with Ang Bonku gathered courage and in Sripati’s house he pointed out the faults of others. Thus, the fun lovers became silent.

Bonku Babu’s Friend Characters

Bonkubabu is a primary school teacher of Kankurgachhi village Primary School. He teaches Bengali and Geography. He is a good teacher still his students tease him regularly. But he does not mind for that. He loves to teach. A few good students visit his house.

He tells them stories. He is a very good story teller and he enthralls his students with exciting adventures. In the weekends Bonku visits his friend and lawyer Sripati Majumder’s house. In Sripati’s house his regular group members take opportunity of his simplicity and he is ridiculed.

Even Sripati also joins them in the mockery. Suddenly Bonku has a meeting with Ang an alien and that brings a change in his behaviour. Ang advises him to be courageous and to protest against injustice. He is no longer a coward now.

Next day he goes to Sripati’s house and announces the short comings of all other regulars. Now he speaks the truth boldly and other regulars fails to raise a voice against him. He shows them their proper position and bids good bye to them for ever. In Poncha Ghose’s bamboo grove Ang, the alien meets him. Ang lands there from the spaceship by mistake. Due to failure of his instruments he lands on the earth.

Ang comes from the planet craneus. Banku is amazed to see his strange figure. Ang was a creature with superior intelligence. He is 833 years old and he knows 14000 languages. He has a tube like instrument through which he can look’ at any part of the solar system. He shows Bonku his favourite places of the world.

Ang is clever enough to understand the weakness of Bonkubabu. He advises him to come out from diffidence. His advise makes a magic on Bonku. His advice transforms Bonku and he is able cross the border of his cowardness and becomes a bold person to protest against the injustice of his regular associates.

Style : In a traditional style Satyajit creates the character of Bonkubabu and Ang in the story. Satyajit Roy is a pioneer of writing science fictions. The atmosphere is created in such a manner that everything seems to be a probability.

Elaborately Ray describes the weakend visits of Bonku to Sripati’s house where various topics like ghosts to spaceships are discussed. In this way the writer builds the climax atmosphere. It is distinctly established in the story that if someone from other plants desires to come he can land anywhere in the country. Thereafter with the radiation of light the entry of alien Ang is described.

The village Kankurgachhi is in a remote area. So, the simple language used by Ray is suitable for the residence of the village. Roy describes the physical appearance of Ang in a nice manner. His head is like a ball and his arms and legs are thin. In the place of mouth and nose there are two holes. Through which as if we are able to see Ang face to face. His writing style is appropriate for the subject matter of the story.

Bonku Babu’s Friend Critical Appreciation

Bonku Bibu’s Friend’ is a famous and popular story that gains interest of the readers. Bonkubabu a sheepish village primary teacher gets a chance to meet Ang, an alien of planet Craneus. Ang informs that the residents of Craneous planet are far superior than the people of earth. He shows Bonku a tube like instrument to prove that the people of planet Craneous are superior than the people of earth. Bonku’s conversation with Ang in a funny manner makes the story a famous work.

Bonku Babu’s Friend Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)

Read the questions given below and tick the correct answer:

Question 1.
Satyajit Ray’s fathers name was ……………..
a. Sukumar
b. Upendrakishore
c. Devendranath
d. Rabindranath
Answer:
a. Sukumar

Question 2.
Bonkubabu used to teach ……………..
a. English
b. Maths
c. Bengali
d. Bengali and Geography
Answer:
d. Bengali and Geography

Question 3.
Bonkubabu has been teaching in school for the last …………….
a. 10
b. 20
c. 22
d. 25 years
Answer:
c. 22

Question 4.
Bonkubabu at the weekends used to visit …………….
a. Ram’s
b. Rahim’s
c. Sripati’s
d. Rabin’s house
Answer:
c. Sripati’s

Question 5.
Banku babu used to tell his students stories from …………….
a. African life
b. North Pole discovery
c. human flesh eating Brazil fish
d. all of the above
Answer:
c. human flesh eating Brazil fish

Question 6.
Under a tamarid tree Bonkubabu was attacked by ………………..
a. decoits
b. robbers
c. ghosts
d. a spook
Answer:
d. a spook

Question 7.
Sripatibabu says if some one from different planet would land in ………………..
a. USA
b. India
c. Eastern country
d. Western country
Answer:
d. Western country

Question 8.
The eyes of Ang was ………………..
a. round and bright yellow
b. shinning red
c. small
d. all of the above
Answer:
a. round and bright yellow

Question 9.
Ang came from planet ………………..
a. Neptune
b. Saturn
c. Uranus
d. Craneus
Answer:
d. Craneus

Question 10.
Ang was supposed to go to …………………
a. Pluto
b. Venus
c. Mars
d. Jupiters
Answer:
a. Plutos

Question 11.
Sripatibabu was a ………………..
a. teacher
b. lawyer
c. doctor
d. none of the above
Answer:
b. lawyer

Question 12.
Bankubabu was not using ………………..
a. cycle
b. motorcar
c. torch
d. torch or lantern
Answer:
d. torch or lantern

Question 13.
Ang knew ………………..
a. 10,000
b. 11,000
c. 12,000
d. 14,000 languages
Answer:
d. 14,000 languages

Question 14.
Ang was ………………..
a. 100
b. 200
c. 833
d. 1000 years old
Answer:
c. 833

Question 15.
Ang’s eyes were ………………..
a. bright yellow
b. bright red
c. bright black
d. bright green
Answer:
a. bright yellow

Question 16.
The title Bonku Babu was ………………..
a. Das
b. Dutta
c. Bose
d. Sen
Answer:
b. Dutta

Question 17.
Finishing his speech, Bankubabu slapped the back of ………………..
a. Bhairav Chakraborty
b. Dasu Sen
c. Sripati Majumder
d. Ramkanai
Answer:
a. Bhairav Chakraborty

Question 18.
At the end the cup fell from the hand of ………………..
a. Ramkanai
b. Bhairab
c. Sripati
d. Nidhubabu
Answer:
a. Ramkanai

Question 19.
A moving point of light was seen in the ………………..
a. easten
b. western
c. northern
d. southern sky
Answer:
c. northern

Question 20.
One night Banku Babu was attacked by a ………………..
a. ghost
b. spook
c. giant
d. woman
Answer:
b. spook

Treasure Chest A Collection of ICSE Chapter Workbook Answers

The Last Lesson Summary, Theme by Alphonse Daudet

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The Last Lesson Summary, Theme by Alphonse Daudet

The Last Lesson Summary, Theme by Alphonse Daudet

The Last Lesson Summary

‘The Last Lesson’ is a short story written by Alphonse Daudet. In this story, the writer had used the first person narrative technique to tell his story. Here, the speaker is a little boy named Franz who is a resident of Alsace-Lorraine district of France that has been captured lately by the Prussians.

The story is set in Alsace, a not so popular town. Little Franz narrates the whole story. The story opens up with Franz, rushing to school as he has a late start on that beautiful warm morning, Franz. He is afraid of Monsieur Hamel because he thinks that he will be scolded for being late and not preparing his French lesson on participles.

On his way to school, Franz passes through the town square, and in front of the town hall he sees a small group of people reading notices posted on a Bulletin Board. These are notices posted by the Prussians concerning orders issued from headquarters. While Franz is running across the square, Wachter, the blacksmith, calls to him that there is no need to hurry. Franz thinks that Wachter is teasing him.

He reaches school, gaspingly but he gets upset as there is no noise or confusion to cover his entrance. Instead, this day, there is the silence and stillness of the Sunday. Frightened and red-faced, he enters the classroom; instead of giving Franz a harsh scolding, however, Monsieur Hamel politely tells him to go to his seat.

Gradually, Franz notices the differences that the day has brought. Monsieur Hamel is all dressed up in his Sunday best, the clothes that he wears when prizes are given or on inspection days. Franz’s classmates are especially solemn this day. Then his attention is drawn to the back of the room, where villagers are seated, and to Hauser, there with his old primer spread across his knees.

He couldn’t understand until Hamel declares the notice which is served from Berlin that now onwards no French would be taught in schools of Alsace and Lorraine because only German would be taught in the schools. Franz becomes shocked. Hamel emotionally requests students to be more attentive for their last French lesson. Franz now realises everything.

It is like a thunder has struck him. He couldn’t accept the fact that it was their last lesson. After that, there would be no French lesson. He repents for not paying much attention in learning French as he hardly learnt any. He feels sad about Mr Hamel. He forgets about his cranky nature.

Now he realizes that the teacher has worn this dress in honour of his last lesson. He also understands why older people were present in class as they were repenting why they never bothered to go to school and they were there to show their respect to their teacher, who served them for forty years.

When Franz’s name is called to recite the lesson, he makes mistakes and could even speak few words but M. Hamel does not scold him rather he advises him that one should not waste his precious time just by living under the impression that there is plenty of time and says about the French language that it is the most beautiful, clearest and most logical language of the world.

People must stick with their language and it will prove to be a key to their prison in case they are enslaved. Eventually, Mr Hamel stands up with a very heavy heart. He looks sad as he walks to the blackboard, takes a chalk and writes on it “Vive La France” that means “Long Live France” and declares that the class is dismissed.

The Last Lesson About the Author Alphonse Daudet

Alphonse Daudet was born in Mimes, as a child Alphonse Daudet experienced the heady delights of a sun-drenched Provence and the darkening contrasts of his family’s steadily worsening financial condition. His father, a silk manufacturer, had to abandon business there in 1849, moving the family north to Lyons; never fully recovering from the depression which followed the Revolution of 1848, the Daudets finally lost everything in 1857.

After a few months he was rescued by his elder brother Ernest, who brought him to Paris and generously encouraged the boy’s already evident literary talents. Until 1865 the young Daudet enjoyed financial security as a comfortable undersecretary to the Due de Momy a position accorded, in almost fairy tale manner, by a chance notice of the Empress Eugenie.

In these years he collaborated in writing a number of one-act plays helped toward the stage by the Due de Moray’s influence. Daudet decided to live solely by his pen after the duke’s death, and in 1866 the first of his regionalist sketches, or Lettres de mon moulin, based on Proven9al folklore began appearing in Paris papers.

Two years later Daudet’s first long work, Le Petit chose (The Little Good-for-nothing), was completed; largely autobiographical, this early novel speaks of boyhood joys and travails but in the end leads its hero to the failure and obscurity which Daudet’s recent successes were to forestall. He was Married in 1867.

During his last years Daudet suffered from the consequences of a venereal disease, which he had contracted in his youth. He depicted his own life in “Thirty Years of Paris” and “My Literary Life,” 1888. His satirical novel about the Academie Frangaise, “The Immortal,” 1888 was considered a revenge-Daudet was never elected a member. Daudet died in Champrosay, on 15 December 1897.

The Last Lesson Theme

The story The Last Lesson’ focuses on the importance of language to the people of a country. Here, the language around which the story revolves around is the French language. Through the story, the writer expresses that tt is the duty of every citizen to safeguard the language as it connects with the person’s identity.

“Chauvinism” i.e. devotion for or against someone or something, is also depicted here. If the language is of the ruling class, we notice “Linguistic Chauvinism”. Language defines the identity of the people. It shows the people their origin, culture and habits.

If a country loses its own language, people lose their own identity. This story also shows the importance of the mother tongue of the people, which is French here. The story proceeds further showing the grave concerns of the students when the lesson on French suddenly gets stopped by order.

The Last Lesson Title of the Story

Through the title of the story, ‘The Last Lesson’, the very theme of the story is clearly depicted. The story talks about the last lesson in French that M. Hamel was about to give as the Prussians order him to cease teaching French at once. In this story, we see Franz a little boy who was not at all interested in taking his lessons seriously.

But on that very day, when he learnt the news that the teaching of French would be ceased in school, he became awestruck. M. Hamel, who usually intimidated his students with an iron ruler that he used to slap on their desks, on that very day, appeared very gentle, solemn and reflective as it was his last lesson. The story ended on a very sad note where M. Hamel was seen writing “Vive La France!” on the blackboard that meant Long Live France. It was indeed his last lesson. Therefore the title of the story ‘The Last Lesson’ is apt.

The Last Lesson About the Story

The story “The Last Lesson” impresses on one’s love for language. Through this story, the writer preaches that one should take his mother tongue seriously and culture it with love and respect. In this story we see Franz, a little boy, who comes to know that that day will be the last day of their French lesson in school, by order. He becomes shocked because it is an unusual news to him.

He regrets for not being attentive in learning French and taking his lessons casually. The teacher Monsieur Hamel becomes very emotional and ends his last class on the French language emotionally. He looks sad as he walks to the blackboard, takes a chalk and writes on it “Vive La France” that means “Long Live France” and declares that the class is dismisse

The Last Lesson Characters

Franz:

Franz is a little boy of school-going age who is the protagonist of the story and narrator as well. Franz often skips school and doesn’t prepare for lessons because he is not particularly interested in learning. One day he arrives at school to learn that the French language will no longer be taught in school after an order sent down from Berlin to the occupying Prussian forces. Franz feels very sad and repents for not paying attention to his lessons when he had the chance.

Monsieur Hamel:

M. Hamel is Franz’s teacher and schoolmaster who teacher French in school. The Prussians order him to cease teaching French which breaks him down. While Hamel usually intimidates his students with an iron ruler that he slaps on their desks, on his last day, he is gentle, somber, and reflective as he conducts his last French lesson. At the end of the day, he writes “Vive La France!” on the chalkboard before sending the students away.

Hauser:

Hauser is an older gentleman Franz recognizes from the village. Franz is surprised to see Hauser sitting on the benches in the back of the schoolroom alongside several other adults from the village. By the end of the story, Hauser is in tears as he reads from a rudimentary language textbook and speaks simple syllables and letters aloud with the youngest students.

Wachter:

He is considered as a blacksmith in a village in the French region of Alsace-Lorraine. As he hurries to school, the narrator, Franz, passes Wachter standing in front of the town hall bulletin-board. Wachter tells him not to go sp fast, and Franz thinks the blacksmith is making fun of him. Later, it is unfolded the real reason behind Wachter’s words.

The Last Lesson Main Points to Remember

  • Franz is not willing, rather afraid to go to school as he has not learnt participles.
  • Franz just loves to enjoy the beauty of nature and does not care much about other things like learning.
  • He reaches school late but is afraid as he has not prepared his French lesson. But after reaching school Franz notices unnatural silence that surprises him. Soon he comes to know the real cause.
  • Hamel announces that that day is the last lesson in French.
  • Franz is awestruck. He laments for not taking his lesson seriously.
  • He now understands the reason why teacher is well dressed and villagers sitting at the back.
  • M. Hamel realizes that all three, he himself, the children and the parents are to be blamed for losing respect and regards for the mother tongue.
  • He glorifies the French language, becomes emotional and then writes on the blackboard “Vive La France” which means “Long Live France.”
  • Franz remembers his last lesson and the story ends there on a sad note.

The Last Lesson Annotations and Vocabulary

Dread — to feel extremely worried or frightened about something
Drilling — a tool or machine that makes holes
Tempting — Appealing to or attracting someone, even if wrong or unwise
Apprentice — someone who has agreed to work for a skilled person for a particular period of time and often for low payment, in order to learn that person’s skills
Bub — a form of address used to a man, sometimes in a slightly angry way
Commotion — a sudden, short period of noise, confusion, or excited movement
Fright — the feeling of fear, especially if felt suddenly, or an experience of fear that happens suddenly
Embroidered — to decorate cloth or clothing with patterns or pictures consisting of stitches that are sewn directly onto the material
Primer — a type of paint that you put on a surface before the main paint is put on.
Grave — a place in the ground where a dead person is buried
Wretches — a person who experiences something unpleasant
Cranky — easily annoyed or upset
Terrible –very unpleasant or serious or of low quality
Twined — to wrap round an object several times
Chanted — to repeat or sing a word or phrase continuously
Angelus — prayers said in the morning, in the middle of the day and in the evening in the Roman Catholic Church
Vive La France — Long live France
Gazing — to look at something or someone for a long time, especially in surprise or admiration
Cooed –When birds such as doves and pigeons coo, they make a low soft sound
Reproach — to criticize someone, especially for not being successful or not doing what is expected.

Treasure Chest A Collection of ICSE Short Stories Workbook Answers

The Pedestrian Summary, Theme by Ray Bradbury

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The Pedestrian Summary, Theme by Ray Bradbury

The Pedestrian Summary, Theme by Ray Bradbury

The Pedestrian Summary

“The Pedestrian” is short story which can be tagged as a science fiction, written by Ray Bradbury. This story takes us to an imaginary world of 2053, that describes one night in the life of Leonard Mead, the protagonist, who is a resident of an unnamed city in the year 2053.

Mead enjoys walking the city streets alone every night. As he walks the empty streets, he passes the homes of other citizens, who are surprisingly inside every day, watching television for hours. It is a very strange habit of those common people who do not do anything except this.

Leonard has been doing this strolling for ten years and never encountered another person, since all the other people remain inside their homes, mesmerized by the light entertainment programs on their television screens.

The other citizens are described as if they are dead: “gray phantoms” living in “tombs.” While walking, Mead enjoys taking in the sights, sounds, and smells of the natural world. He also talks to himself, addressing the people in the homes, asking under his breath what they are watching on television.

Once, on a specific night, however, Mead meets a robotic police car the only one left in the city, since crime is virtually nonexistent as no one has the need or wish to do anything else except watching television. The car interrogates Mead, trying to discover why he is out by himself. This questioning reveals that Mead is nonconformist in many ways: he doesn’t own a television; he is unmarried and lives alone.

He is also a writer in a society that does not even value the written word. Upon revealing the depth of Mead’s nonconformity, the car instructs Mead get in and informs him he is being taken to a psychiatric institution because he is suspected to have regressive tendencies that need to be studied for. The car then drives away with Mead inside. The story ends here, leaving the readers wonder, what could have happened then with Leonard Mead.

The Pedestrian About the Author Ray Bradbury

Ray Douglas Bradbury known for American science fiction author. Ray Douglas Bradbury was born Ray Douglas Bradbury on August 22, 1920, in Waukegan, Illinois. He was the third son in the family. His father, Leonard Spaulding Bradbury, was a telephone lineman and technician. His mother, Esther Marie Bradbury (nee Moberg), was a Swedish immigrant. His family settled in Los Angeles, California.

There, young Bradbury often roller-skated through Hollywood, trying to spot celebrities. He attended Los Angeles High School, where he was involved in the drama club. He graduated from high school in 1938 and had no more formal education. He learned from reading works of such writers as Lev Tolstoy and Fyodor Dostoevsky, among others.

From 1938-1942, he was selling newspapers on the streets of Los Angeles, spending days in the local library and nights at the typewriter. At that time, he published his stories in fanzines. In 1941, he became a paid writer when the pulp magazine Science Stories published his short story, titled “Pendulum”, and he was a full-time writer by the end of 1942.

His first book – “Dark Carnival” – was a collection of stories published in 1947. That same year, he married Marguerite McClure. Maggie, as she was affectionately called, was the only woman Bradbury ever dated. They had four daughters.

Ray Bradbury shot to international fame after publication of “The Martian Chronicles” in 1950, a collection of short stories partially based on ideas from ancient Greek and Roman mythology. The film adaptation by director Frangois Truffaut, starring Julie Christie, received several nominations.

His other novels and stories also have been adapted to films and television, as well as for radio, theatre and comic books. Bradbury had written episodes for Alfred Hitchcock’s television series, as well as for many other television productions. His total literary output is close to 600 short stories, more than 30 books and numerous poems and plays. He was writing daily.

In 2004, Bradbury received a National Medal of Aits. The Apollo 15 astronauts named an impact crater on the moon “Dandelion Crater”, after his novel, “Dandelion Wine”. He also received the World Fantasy Award for Lifetime Achievement, the Grand Master Award from Science Fiction Writers of America, an Emmy Award for his work as a writer on “The Halloween Tree”, and many other awards and honors. Ray Bradbury died on June 6, 2012, at the age of 91, in Los Angeles, California.

The Pedestrian Theme

The short story “The Pedestrian” is called is one of the best creations of Ray Bradbury where a fictional world of 2053 is portrayed. In this story, the protagonist, Leonard Mead shows that though he lives a very normal and usual life, he is tagged as a not so normal person with unusual habits.

In this story, Leonard is seen strolling every night in the city where every person, except him is busy spending their precious time idly and meaninglessly, in front of the TV for hours The people of the city do not care about anything else except watching TV.

Leonard has been doing this strolling for ten years and never encountered another person, since all the other people remain inside their homes, mesmerized by the light entertainment programs on their television screens. But Leonard’s strolling gets interrupted by a police car one day. The robotic voice from the car interrogates him, trying to discover why he is out by himself.

And in that process, the voice finds him suspicious and instructs him to get inside the car. Though he does not appear to have committed a crime, his apparently unusual behaviour leads the police to take him off to a course of psychological reprogramming, to turn him into a mindless person like the other inhabitants of the city, because, to them, that is a very much normal and civilised way to lead life. The story ends abruptly, leaving the readers imagine, the future consequences.

The Pedestrian Title of the Story

The story “The Pedestrian” is about a pedestrian named Leonard Mead and his experiences while he does his evening walk in a city of 2053. While walking, he sees no one outside as everyone is busy in enjoying the meaningless shows on their television and he keeps on witnessing this same scenario each evening. No one has the least energy to go outside so Leonard enjoys his solitary walk while talking to himself sometimes.

The author, Ray Bradbury depicts the beauty of the outside world, i.e. the road, the nature and the environment and others in a picturesque way. Leonard is unmarried and he does not even have a, television, unlike others. He thinks, nobody wants him so he takes his walk alone and in mind, searches for company. His sudden meet with a police car one day, becomes somehow perilous to him as the robotic voice coming from the car, founds him guilty for roaming around and not watch a TV.

Though he tries to explain that he has to bad intentions and he just walks every evening and returns home at night, the robotic voice does not believe him and this orders him to get in the car. The car passes his house and takes him to a psychiatric centre because the robotic voice doubts his mental stability and thus it thinks that he needs some treatment for having regressive tendencies.

The story ends there abruptly without giving a hint of what would happen to Leonard, next. So throughout the story, he is depicted as a perfect pedestrian who has no other intentions except walking. He just loves to walk and enjoy the beauty outside though this habit leads him to a difficult path eventually. Thus it can be said that the title of this story is apt.

The Pedestrian About the Story

The short story ‘The Pedestrian’, written by Ray Bradbury, is actually a science fiction that talks about a night in the life of Leonard Mead who is a resident of an unnamed city of 2053. He is the protagonist of the story who enjoys walking in the city alone at every night.

The experience he gathers is insightful and strange as well. In this story, Ray, through his characterisation and imagery shows us that if mankind reaches the point where the society could lose its humanity, then it nuight stop to exist as well.

The Pedestrian Setting of the Story

The story “The Pedestrian” is one of the marvellous creations of Ray Bradbury where he portrays a man named Leonard Mead who goes for a walk every evening alone because he has no one to give him company. Everyone remains busy in watching television inside the house and do not have any intention to get out and enjoy the beauty of the natural environment.

But eventually this habit of his leads him to a difficult path. A police car stops him and though he triés to explain that he has no evil intention, the robotic voice coming from the police car forces him to get inside. The car passes his house and takes him to a psychiatric centre because the robotic voice doubts his mental stability and thus it thinks that he needs some treatment for having regressive tendencies.

The story is purely set in a street of a city. The story begins there, proceeds there and ends there abruptly. There is no other spot mentioned where the story proceeds further. After going through the story, it can be said this setting chose by the writer, is perfect for the plot of the story. There could not be anything better.

The Pedestrian Main Points to Remember

  • This story is set in a world of the future where people sit idly and passively in front of their TV every evening.
  • This short story takes us to 2053 where a man named Leonard Mead strolls the city alone every night. He is the one in the city who, unlike others, refuses to do so and does not even own a television.
  • As the goes on, the readers come to know that spending hours and hours in front of the television
    has become not only common or normal but also, in effect, the law.
  • Meanwhile, Leonard meets with a police car and after a brief interview, he is ordered to hop in the car, at the back.
  • Leonard comes to know that the car is empty and voice that was speaking to him was automated. The car takes him with it because his intention of walking at night alone, turns out suspicious.
  • Once he is inside the car, he is informed that he is taken to a psychiatric centre that researches “Regressive Tendencies.”
  • Though he is driven past his home, the police car refuses to stop.

The Pedestrian Annotations and Vocabulary

Grassy — Covered with grass
Intersection — An occasion when two lines cross, or the place where this happens
Unequal — different in size, level, amount, etc.
Graveyard — A place, often next to a church, where dead people are buried
Whispered — to speak very quietly, using the breath but not the voice
Hawk — A type of large bird that catches small birds and animals for food
Murmur — To speak or say something very quietly
Stumbled — To step awkwardly while walking or running and fall.
Cloverleaf — A connection between two roads consisting of four smaller
Illumination — lighting or light
Incredible — impossible to believe or extraordinary
Specimen — something shown or examined as an example
Tomblike — monument for housing or commemorating a dead person
Air conditioner — a machine that keeps the air in a building cool
Peer — To look carefully or with difficulty
Surge — A sudden and great increase
Thunderous — extremely loud
Phantoms — a spirit of a dead person believed by some to visit the living as a pale, almost transparent form of a person, animal, or other object
Manifest — To show something clearly, through signs or actions
Blaze — To burn brightly and strongly

Treasure Chest A Collection of ICSE Short Stories Workbook Answers

The Boy Who Broke The Bank Summary, Theme by Ruskin Bond

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The Boy Who Broke The Bank Summary by Ruskin Bond

The Boy Who Broke The Bank Summary, Theme by Ruskin Bond

The Boy Who Broke The Bank Summary

The boy who broke the bank” is a very interesting story written by Raskin Bond. The story relates to the murmuring of a sweeper boy Nathu about irregular payment of his salary. It takes the shape of a rumour and results into the collapse of a bank. In the end of the story, Nathu, who is responsible for the whole episode, wonders innocently about the incident.

Seth Govind Ram owns a bank at Pipalngar town. The bank is financially very sound and has won the trust of the depositors. Nathu is a sweeper in the bank. One day, while sweeping the steps of the bank, he grumbles about the irregular payment of his salary by the bank authorities.

Sitaram, the washer man’s son learns about Nathu’s complaints. In his loose talk with Mrs. Srivastava, Sitaram says that bank could not pay its employees. Mrs. Srivastava misunderstands Sitaram’s statement. She believes that the Piplangar bank is about to collapse. The rumour spreads like a wild fire in the entire town.

The customers in shock demand their money back. They start stoning the bank building and break the glasses. The next day when Nathu goes to the bank for his duty, he finds a lot of broken glasses and stones. He wonders how it happened.

He murmurs angrily that the bank authorities are not paying him regularly on one hand and are also increasing his work. For him the event is a mystery. This story is basically about how rumors and lack of communication can cause many problems and be destructive.

The Boy Who Broke The Bank About the Author Ruskin Bond

Ruskin Bond Born on May 19, 1934, in Kasauli, India, he was the son of Edith Clarke and Aubrey Bond. His father served in the Royal Air Force and frequently moved from places to places along with his son. When he was eight, his parents separated and his mother left him.

His father’s undivided attention helped him grow. He felt loved and secure but his tragic departure from his life left him lonely and broken. Following the sudden demise of his father, he moved to Dehradun where his grandmother raised him. He received his early education from Bishop Cotton School in Shimla.

He completed his graduation and moved to England and stayed at his aunt’s house for four years. The first twenty years of his life groomed him to be a good writer as it developed his personality in such a way. Despite his suffering and lonely childhood, Bond developed an optimistic outlook on life. He chose the path of becoming an earnest writer that his father wished him to follow.

At the age of 17 in London, he began to write his first novel, The Room on the Roof. The novel charts the life of an orphaned Anglo-Indian teenager. The book has a strong autobiographical element as it’s based on his actual experiences living in a small rented room on the roof in Dehradun. It was not published until he was twenty-one. He was awarded John Liewellyn Rhys Memorial prize for his first novel.

He returned to India and worked as a journalist in Delhi and Dehradun for a few years. Later, he relocated to a town in the Himalayan foothills, Mussoorie, where he pursued freelance writing since 1963.

His essays and articles were published in numerous magazines, such as The Pioneer, The Leader, The Tribune and The Telegraph. Till now he has written over three hundred short stories, essays and novels and over thirty children’s books. Additionally, he penned two autobiographical volumes; Scenes from a Writer’s Life and The Lamp is Lit; Leaves from a Journal.

His works have also been adapted for television and film. A BBC TV-series is based on his debut novel, short story Susanna’s Seven Husbands was adapted into a film as 7 Khoon Maaf and film Junoon is inspired by his A Flight of Pigeons. He received the Sahitya Academy award in 1992 for his book, Our Trees Still Grow in Dehra. Ruskin was also awarded the Padma Shri (1999), and Padma Vibhushan.

The Boy Who Broke The Bank Theme

The short story ‘The Boy Who Broke the Bank’ centres round Nathu, a sweeper boy who was not being paid by the bank for his job, for long period of time. Because of this, a rumour had spread that the bank was getting collapsed because it had no money left to pay even the wages of a sweeper boy. This rumour spread everywhere like a wild fire.

All the account holders started harassing the bank manager for returning their money back to them. The bank manager requested the raging crowd for some more time, but they just wanted their money just then. So, out of rage they damaged the bank. When Nathu came the next day, he saw broken glasses and stones everywhere. He grumbled as he found he had to clean more but without wages.

After he finished cleaning, he was waiting for the manager to get his money when suddenly he was informed that the bank was collapsed. Though he was the main reason for the collapse of the bank, he remained ignorant about the fact. The story ended on an ironical note.

The Boy Who Broke The Bank Title of the Story

The short story ‘The Boy Who Broke the Bank’ based on a boy Nathu, a sweeper boy who was the centre of attraction of the story. Nathu was working in a bank as a sweeper but he was not being paid for a long period which made him anxious and depressed. He was totally agitated and wanted his money back as soon as possible. His agitation made a rumour that spread like a wild fire.

The rumour that die bank was unable to pay him made all the customers worried. The customers thought that the bank had devoured all the money so the anxious and worried customers wanted all their money back. This demand created a huge pressure on the Bank Manager.

He could not handle that pressure and thus requested the raging crowd for some more time but they just wanted their money back. So, the angry crowd broke the bank. Ignorant Nathu, when came to the bank for work the next day, found broken glasses and stones everywhere.

He could not understand why the property was damaged though he was the main reason, unknowingly. He grumbled because he had to clean more but without wages. After he finished cleaning, he was waiting for the manager so that he could get his money when suddenly he was informed that the bank was collapsed. Nathu remained awestruck and the story ended there. So, in spite of being solely responsible, Nathu remained ignorant of the total mess that he had made. So, the title is apt.

The Boy Who Broke the Bank About the Story

Phatik was a mischievous boy who was a nuisance to his mother. Just like a 14 year old teenage boy, he was naughty, turbulent, wild and impulsive. His younger brother Makhan was just like the opposite. He was quiet. good and fond of reading. One day, while pushing a wooden log into the water that was meant to be shaped as the mast of a boat, Makhan showed objection and at this they had a fight.

At home, when Phatik was questioned about this, he behaved aggressively. It was then his uncle arrived from Calcutta and agreed to take Phatik with him.’ At Calcutta he had some adjustment issues with the new family and new atmosphere.

His aunt and cousins did not welcome him and he faced several troubles in new school. Moreover he felt the need of returning to his village but could not do so. Somehow he ended up getting terribly sick and eventually died. He could not reach his home ultimately.

The Boy Who Broke The Bank Setting of the Story

The story ‘The Boy Who Broke the Bank’ was set on the Pipalnagar bank where a sweeper boy named Nathu used to work. The whole story revolves around this bank from where Nathu was not getting his wages and thus began the confusion. Rumours went on that the bank was not able to pay wages of even a sweeper boy and this rumour spread in a very rapid manner.

Customers thought that the bank manager devoured ail their money and so wanted their money back right then. They did not even pay any heed to the manager’s request for giving him some more time and damaged the bank to satisfy their anger. The next day, Nathu when came to the bank for work, he found everything broken but he did not know what had happened and how had happened.

Being ignorant, he grumbled because he had to clean more and suddenly got to know that the bank was collapsed. So, the story began with the bank, proceeded with the situation of the bank and ended showing the collapse of the bank. So, it can be said that the story is well-set.

The Boy Who Broke The Bank Main Points to Remember

  • Nathu was a sweeper who sweeps and cleanses the floor and steps of Pipalnagar Bank owned by Seth Govind Ram.
  • He was worried because he was not getting paid by the bank for a long period of time.
  • This situation of Nathu got rumoured. Everybody started talking about this.
  • Soon words spread that the bank had no money to pay him and it was getting collapsed.
  • I Soon the account holders got panicked, they thought their money would be lost.
  • They charged the manager and demanded their money back.
  • They did not pay heed to any request of the manager and did not even give him time to arrange such huge amounts.
  • The raging crowd even damaged the bank premises.
  • The totally ignorant Nathu came to work at the bank and witnessed the pathetic condition of the bank premises.
  • He had to know the news of the collapse of the bank from another person. Though he was the sole reason for all the mess, he remained awestruck hearing this. After all, he did not know a thing about this!!

The Boy Who Broke The Bank Annotations and Vocabulary

Grumbled — to mutter in discontent
Banging — hitting
Annoyed — angry
Emphasize — giving stress on something
Plodded — to walk heavily
Customary — commonly practised
Affirmed — confirmed
Wages — earning
Startled — shocked
Dashed out — rushed out
Beeline — a straight course
Squatting — to crouch or sit on the ground
Alms — contribution
Speculating — to ponder a subject
Imminent — happening soon
Indulge — to yield to the desire of
Harassed — humiliated and exhausted
Dilemma — a situation involving such a choice
Clutter — to run in disorder
Determined — having reached a decision

Treasure Chest A Collection of ICSE Short Stories Workbook Answers

Advice to Youth Summary, Theme, Critical Appreciation by Mark Twain

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Advice to Youth Summary by Mark Twain

Advice to Youth Summary, Theme, Critical Appreciation by Mark Twain

Advice to Youth Summary

“Advice to youth” (1882) is a bitterly satirical essay by Mark Twain. His style is personal, authentic and is written almost in the form of a discourse. In the essay, the reader finds a typical American turning on the Old world the sceptical eye of the new. And the result is somewhat a philistine, but vivid and amusing pictures of his mind.

In his posthumous collected works, editor’s notes have conjecturally assigned the address of the discourse to the Boston Saturday morning club. However, it finally took the shape of a universal address. In the essay, Twain’s advice to youth is primarily confined to six elements.

These include: selective obedience towards parents, respecting superiors, the wisdom of going to bed early and waking up early, lying, firearm protocol, and the importance of good books, of which his own (the Innocents Abroad, is also included. The essay impregnates a pungent satire, often garnished with bitter humour. His didacticism is bold, direct and sarcastic especially while his words of wisdom are preached to the youth.

Advice to Youth About the Author Mark Twain

Mark Twain was the pen-name of Samuel L. Clemens (1835-1910). Born in Florida, Missouri, he was in turn a pilot on the Mississippi, a silver-miner in Nevada, a journalist, and an editor. A pleasure-trip to Europe provided him with material for The Innocents Abroad (1869), which established his reputation as an American humorist of the first rank.

Twain’s work falls into three main classes, travel books, novels of the Mississippi, and romances. In the first group we have, in addition to The innocents Abroad, Roughing It (1872), an account of his own experiences in the West, A tramp Abroad (1880), which tells of further travels in Europe, an following the equator (1897), in which he writes of the world -wide lecture tour made toward the end of his life. His best work is to be found in the novels of the Mississippi. The adventures of Tom Sawyer (1876) and

The adventures of Huckleberry Finn (1885) break away from the cultured gentility of New England literature to give vivid, realistic, and racy pictures of life in the Southern states. Of the two, Huckleberry Finn is generally adjudged the greater, in that it plumbs deeper levels of human experience than the more romantic Tom Sawyer.

Life on the Mississippi (1883), though a travelogue, belongs to this group, for its first half also deals with the great waterway, as twain remembered it from his youth. The romances, which include The prince and the pauper (1881), A Connecticut Yankee in KING Arthur’s court (1889), and Joan of Arc (1896), are of a poorer quality. In these twain lacked the stimulus of personal experience.

Advice to Youth Theme

Mark Twain’s “Advice to youth” is written in a spirit typical of an American, to some extent rebellions against the old, established ways of faith as well as the practices in the society behind his didacticism, he lurks a bitter satire that openly criticizes societal hypocrisy of the older generation. He advocates for respect for superior and others where as at the same time advises to hit an offender with a brick in an opportune moment.

And at the same time he pleads that in case the offenders’ offence was not intentional, the brick-hitter must beg to be forgiven as it was a matter of misunderstanding. He also speaks for non-violence, charity and kindness much though he announces that these qualities are long forgotten.

His message “Leave dynamite to the low and unrefined” clearly expresses his rebellions view about the younger generations. The adage connotes that the youth must have fire in the belly for action-not always explosive but as and when the situation demands, they must use it. He has out and out ridiculed the age-old idea of

disciplinary rules that govern people’s life. Instead of working up early in the morning, he advises to tram a lark (perhaps sky lark, a singing bird) to sing its wake-up songs as late as 9:30 a.m making it convenient for a willful riser. About lying, Mark Twain suggests a will planned, deliberate, well ebbed lie that generate “confidence, elegance, and precise ‘and never get cough albeit the older generation believe just the opposite.

His advocacy for the protocol in handling fire-arms is also typically personal. A mock gun-fire may came a scene of hilarious amusement for the by-standers, but not for the targeted people. In the essay, the reader feels the spirit of his “The Innocent’s abroad” (1869) wherein he, a typical American is turning on the Old world the sceptical eye of the new. Thus the essay has become a philistine but vivid and amusing piece of literary out.

Mark Twain’s “Advice to youth” is believed to be an excerpt from his 750 page Autobiography which he wrote on his death bed and instructed that it be not published until 100 years after his death, is on the NY times best seller list and is being called the “Dad book of the year.” Some critics say that this irreverent, inappropriate, funny advice was delivered to a group of American young girls.

“Advice to youth” is a satirical essay by Mark Twain in 1882. However, while the exact audience of his speech is uncertain, it is most probably American. In his posthumous collected works, editor’s notes have conjecturally assigned the address to the Boston Saturday morning club. Interpreted by scholars as a critique of authority, Twain’s. “Advice to youth” may have been a topical response to the prohibition of alcohol in Kansas in 1881, a legislature action which many residents found deeply upsetting.

Advice to Youth Critical Appreciation

Mark Twain’s “Advice to youth” is an advisory and a mock-serious essay criticizing the Old order and their seamy side of moral values. Almost every sentence is paradoxical, impregnating caustic humour and satire. In the essay, twain advises the young generation to be pragmatic to the demand of the situation and act accordingly.

In doing so, he has used a variety of figures of speech when he advises to be respectful to the superiors and be non-violent, he advises the younger generations to used bricks to hit such superiors if ever they offend the youth, and seek forgiveness if such offence was unintentional. Another example of irony coupled with sarcasm is his advice to be careful while lying. He believes that lying is an art if not caught while he believes, “Truth is mighty and will prevail.”

Parallelism is also used to express his contempt for the seniors. He says “Always obey your parents, when they are present”, and it connotes that parents can be disobeyed when they are absent. Thus in every sentence and throughout the essay he has sallied with a mock-seriousness creating pungent humour often resulting into bitter satire preaching there by a necessity to think in the clear light of argument, and not blindly follow the age-old moral dictums of the old order.

Advice to Youth Title of the Story

In “Advice to youth”, Mark Twain exposes the inanity of the old, authoritative order and ridicule with his direct, bold whip of satire. Twain mercilessly hits out at the worn-out ideas that the older generation has handed down to their young successors. He criticizes the idea of truthfulness, respect, kindness, protocol of firearms and propounds the idea of wisdom through realistic wisdom.

His humour ranges from farce to plunge satire. He has shown how the older generation has grown up through the same errors and omissions that they expect their younger generation to avoid and draw a clean state. This discourse is a mock-serious one bringing out the follies and foibles of mankind and a message for younger generation to mature through the common trials and trivialities that are likely to come in the course of life’s journey. Therefore, the title is justified.

Advice to Youth Annotations and Vocabulary

Inquired — Ask for information
Didactic — Advising
Longed — Have a strong wish or desire
Tender — Gentleness, kindness, affection
Enduring — Durable
Beseechingly — Marked by earnest pleading
Urgingly — Same as above
Humouring that superstition — Affirming the belief
Do not take resort to extreme measures — Not to adopt violent means
Leave dynamite to the low and unrefined — Keep the fire in mind. Some authorities say get up with the sun, some say get up with one thing-Different opinion about
the right time to wake up.
Lark — Skylark, a singing bird
Temperate — Moderation and self restraint
Elegance — Graceful and stylish
Precision — Accuracy and exactness
Accomplishment — Successful achievements
Graceful — Elegant
Diligence — Labour
Painstaking — Laborious
Eminence — Acknowledged superiority
Tedious — Boring
Peerless — Priceless
Lofty — High Maxim ‚ A short, pithy statement expressing a general truth
The most majestic compound fracture of faced which any of woman born has yet achieved — Truth which nobody could achieve
Sewn — Joint, fasten or repair
A truth is not hard to kill, and a lie well told is immortal — A truth can be subdued with fabricated evidences, and an articulated lie lives for many years.
Anesthesia — Insensitivity
Unceasing — Non stop
Preposterous — Utterly absurd or ridiculous
Slander — Action or crime of making a false spoken statement damaging to a person’s reputation.
The sorrow and suffering that have caused through the innocent but heedless handling of firearms — Careless use of guns causing damage human lives
Old and gray — Old and experienced
Battered — Injured by repeated blows or punishment
Meddle — Interfering in something that is not one’s concern
Unerring — Flawless

Prism A Collection of ISC Short Stories Workbook Answers

The Last Lesson Story Questions and Answers & MCQs

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The Last Lesson Story Questions and Answers

The Last Lesson Story Questions and Answers & MCQs

A. Read the passage given below and answer the questions that follow:

I started for school very late that morning and was in great dread of a scolding, especially because M. Hamel had said that he would question us on participles, and I did not know the first word about them. For a moment I thought of running away and spending the day out of doors. It was so warm, so bright!

The birds were chirping at the edge of the woods, and in the open field back of the sawmill, the Prussian soldiers were drilling. It was all much more tempting than the rule for participles, but I had the strength to resist, and hurried off to school.

When I passed the town hall there was a crowd in front of the bulletin- board. For the last two years all our bad news had come from there the lost battles, the draft, the orders of the commanding officer – and I thought to myself, without stopping: “What can be the matter now?”

Question 1.
Why did the speaker start late for school?
Answer:
The speaker was not at all interested in taking his lessons seriously and on that very day he was also afraid to go to school because he knew that he would get scolded. So, he started late for school.

Question 2.
What was Franz expected to be prepared with for school that day?
Answer:
Franz was expected to prepare the lesson on participles but he did not even know the first word about them.

Question 3.
Why did Franz think of running away?
Answer:
Franz did not prepare his lesson on participles. He did not have the least idea about that lesson. So he was afraid of getting scolded by M. Hamel. So he thought of running away as he wanted to enjoy his time at the outdoors to feel and witness the beauty of nature.

Question 4.
Why was there a crowd in front of the bulletin- board?
Answer:
There was some news that created a disturbance among the students. It was guessed that there must be something alarming that might bring trouble for them. That is why there was a crowd in front of the bulletin-board to know about the matter.

B. Read the passage given below and answer the questions that follow:

Then, as I hurried by as fast as I could go, the blacksmith, Wachter, who was there, with his apprentice, reading the bulletin, called after me, “Don’t go so fast, bub; you’ll get to your school in plenty of time!” I thought he was making fun of me, and reached M. Hamel’s little garden all out of breath.

Usually, when school began, there was a great bustle, which could be heard out in the street, the opening and closing of desks, lessons repeated in unison, very loud, with our hands over our ears to understand better, and the teacher’s great ruler rapping on the table.

But now it was all so still! I had counted on the commotion to get to my desk without being seen; but, of course, that day everything had to be as quiet as Sunday morning. Through the window I saw my classmates, already in their places, and M. Hamel walking up and down with his terrible iron ruler under his arm. I had to open the door and go in before everybody. You can imagine how I blushed and how frightened I was.

Question 1.
… “Don’t go so fast, bub; you’ll get to your school in plenty of time!”- Who is the speaker here? Why did he say so?
Answer:
Here, the speaker is Wachter, who is considered as the blacksmith in the village. He said so because that day the school was not going on in its usual way. There was something wrong that broke the normal which Wachter already knew.

Question  2.
What did Franz notice?
Answer:
Franz, after entering school, noticed that there was something unusual. He saw that everything was very still with no trace of the usual commotion. It was as quiet as Sunday morning. It made him a bit tensed.

Question 3.
Write in your own words a few words about Wachter-
Answer:
He is considered as a blacksmith in a village in the French region of Alsace-Lorraine. As he hurries to school, the narrator, Franz, passes Wachter standing in front of the town hall bulletin-board. Wachter tells him not to go so fast, and Franz thinks the blacksmith is making fun of him. Later, it is unfolded the real reason behind Wachter’s words.

Question 4.
Why was Franz afraid of M. Hamel?
Answer:
Franz did not prepare his lesson on participles. He was not at all interested in learning any. As M. Hamel was their language teacher, he was afraid because he thought he would get scolded. M. Hamel was a very strict teacher so he thought he would not spare him.

C. Read the passage given below and answer the questions that follow:

But nothing happened. M. Hamel saw me and said very kindly, “Go to your place quickly, little Franz. We were beginning without you.” I jumped over the bench and sat down at my desk. Not till then, when I had got a little over my fright, did I see that our teacher had on his beautiful green coat, his frilled shirt, and the little black silk cap, all embroidered, that he never wore except on inspection and prize days.

Besides, the whole school seemed so strange and solemn. But the thing that surprised me most was to see, on the back benches that were always empty, the village people sitting quietly like ourselves; old Hauser, with his three-cornered hat, the former mayor, the former postmaster, and several others besides. Everybody looked sad; and Hauser had brought an old primer, thumbed at the edges, and he held it open on his knees with his great spectacles lying across the pages.

Question 1.
… “Go to your place quickly, little Franz”- Who is the speaker here? Why did he say so?
Answer:
Here the speaker is M. Hamel. Franz reached late to school therefore he was late in class. As M. Hamel had an important thing to say to his students, he told him so. He did not had time for any more delay.

Question 2.
What surprised Franz the most?
Answer:
During M. Hamel’s class, the back benches used to remain empty but on that very day Franz noticed that the village people were sitting quietly on the back benches like the students including Hauser, the former mayor, the former postmaster, and others.

Question 3.
Write a few words about Hauser.
Answer:
Hauser is an older gentleman Franz recognizes from the village. Franz is surprised to see Hauser sitting on the benches in the back of the schoolroom alongside several other adults from the village. By the end of the story, Hauser is in tears as he reads from a rudimentary language textbook and speaks simple syllables and letters aloud with the youngest students.

Question 4.
What was unusual about the school that Franz noticed when he entered the school?
Answer:
Our entering the school, Franz noticed that there was unusual silence. There was no noise of opening and closing of desks. The village elders had occupied the last benches that were always empty. M Hamel was in his very fine Sunday clothes. Everybody looked sad.

D. Read the passage given below and answer the questions that follow:

What a thunderclap these words were to me! Oh, the wretches; that was what they had put up at the town-hall! My last French lesson! Why, I hardly knew how to write! I should never learn any more! I must stop there, then! Oh, how sorry I was for not learning my lessons, for seeking birds’ eggs, or going sliding on the Saar! My books, that had seemed such a nuisance a while ago, so heavy to carry, my grammar, and my history of the saints, were old friends now that I couldn’t give up.

And M. Hamel, too; the idea that he was going away, that I should never see him again, made me forget all about his ruler and how cranky he was. Poor man! It was in honour of this last lesson that he had put on his fine Sunday clothes, and now I understood why the old men of the village were sitting there in the back of the room.

It was because they were sorry, too, that they had not gone to school more. It was their way of thanking our master for his forty years of faithful service and of showing their respect for the country that was theirs no more.

Question 1.
… “What a thunderclap these words were to me!”-Who said this? Why?
Answer:
This was said by Franz, a little boy of school going age. When he reached school and entered M. Hamel’s class, M. Hamel declared that that would be their last class on French as the order had come that only German would be taught in schools. That is why he said so.

Question 2.
… “Why, I hardly knew how to write!”- Why did the speaker say so?
Answer:
The speaker, Franz, never took his lessons seriously. He loved to remain playful and inattentive in class. But when he heard from M. Hamel that that would be their last class on French as by order only German would be taught in schools, the speaker regretted by saying that he hardly knew how to write in French.

Question 3.
Why were the old men of the village were sitting in the back of the room?
Answer:
When the old men learnt about the order, they felt shocked and sad as well. They too feel regretted because they too had not gone to school more. But they wanted to thank M. Hamel forty years of faithful service. So, to express their gratitude and show their respect for the country, they were sitting in the back of the room.

Question 4.
How did Franz’s feelings about Mr. Hamel and school change?
Answer:
Franz now felt ashamed and extremely sad for Mr. Hamel. He forgot all about his rod and cranky nature because he now understood his mistakes and felt ashamed for not taking his lessons seriously. Mr Hamel thus became a symbol of courage, strength and patriotism for him.

The Last Lesson Story MCQs

Choose the correct alternative to complete the following sentences:

Question 1.
What does ‘The Last Lesson’ symbolize?
a. Loss
b. Loss of freedom
c. Loss of language
d. Loss of language and freedom
Answer:
d. Loss of language and freedom

Question 2.
From which country did Alphonse Daudet belong?
a. India
b. France
c. England
d. New Zealand
Answer:
b. France

Question 3.
What human tendency does the story ‘The Last Lesson’ highlight?
a. Procrastination
b. Male Chauvinism
c. Courage
d. Cowardice
Answer:
a. Procrastination

Question 4.
Why was Franz reluctant to go to school?
a. School was boring
b. Lesson on participles was not prepared
c. He didn’t like his teacher
d. None of the above
Answer:
b. Lesson on participles was not prepared

Question 5.
What was the image of Mr M Hamel among his studepts, initially?
a. A loving teacher
b. An understanding teacher
c. A strict teacher
d. A kind and humble teacher
Answer:
c. A strict teacher

Question 6.
What does “The Last Lesson” signify?
a. Change of Government
b. Change in life
c. Change of power
d. Change of teachers
Answer:
d. Change of teachers

Question 7.
What do the marching soldiers under the windows represent?
a. The dawn of Prussia in defeat of French people
b. The defeat of Prussia
c. The victory of French people
d. None of these
Answer:
b. The defeat of Prussia

Question 8.
Who wrote the story ‘The Last Lesson’?
a. Alphonse Daudet
b. Oscar Wilde
c. Rabindranath Tagore
d. Charles Dickens
Answer:
a. Alphonse Daudet

Question 9.
Who occupied the back benches in the class?
a. Weak students
b. Teachers
c. Monitors of the class
d. Village elders
Answer:
d. Village elders

Question 10.
What did Franz find on reaching the school?
a. People were dancing
b. Strange people
c. Strange quietness
d. Police patrolling
Answer:
c. Strange quietness

Question 11.
Why was Franz surprised?
a. Because of village elders
b. Because of M. Hamel’s kind and polite behaviour
c. Because of students’ behaviour
d. Because of police patrolling
Answer:
b. Because of M. Hamel’s kind and polite behaviour

Question 12.
Why was Franz feeling regretful and sad?
a. For not learning his mother tongue
b. For reaching late
c. For not learning participles
d. For change of the Government
Answer:
a. For not learning his mother tongue

Question 13.
Whom did M. Hamel blame for not sending students to school?
a. Parents
b. Friends
c. Teachers
d. Watchman
Answer:
a. Parents

Question 14.
What did Hauser bring?
a. Sweets
b. Friends
c. Children
d. Old primer
Answer:
d. Old primer

Question 15.
Why was Franz shocked to see M. Hamel?
a. Because of his formal dress
b. Because he gave sweets
c. Because he had a flower in his hand
d. All of these
Answer:
a. Because of his formal dress

Question 16.
What bad news used to come from the Bulletin Board?
a. Lost battles
b. The draft
c. Orders of commanding officers
d. All of these
Answer:
d. All of these

Question 17.
What unusual thing did Franz notice that day?
a. Crowd in school
b. Soldiers in the school
c. Quietness in the school
d. All of these
Answer:
c. Quietness in the school

Question 18.
Which language would the students study from the next day?
a. English
b. German
c. Dutch
d. Spanish
Answer:
b. German

Question 19.
Who was M.Hamel?
a. Language teacher
b. A spy
c. Soldier
d. School Principal
Answer:
a. Language teacher

Question 20.
What does the story highlight?
a. Power
b. Money
c. Transition
d. People
Answer:
c. Transition

Question 21.
Why were the parents sending their children to the farms and mills?
a. To play
b. To meet friends
c. To meet relatives
d. To earn money
Answer:
d. To earn money

Question 22.
For how many years did M. Hamel serve the school?
a. 20 years
b. 40 years
c. 35 years
d. 30 years
Answer:
b. 40 years

Question 23.
Why did the villagers come to meet M. Hamel in the school?
a. To show gratitude
b. To gossip
c. To say goodbye
d. To complain
Answer:
a. To show gratitude

Question 24.
Why did Mr. M. Hamel call the French language the most beautiful?
a. Because it was his native language
b. Because people were from France
c. Because it was the clearest and logical
d. None of these
Answer:
c. Because it was the clearest and logical

Question 25.
What lesson was Franz expected to prepare?
a. Song
b. Dance
c. Essay writing
d. Participles
Answer:
d. Participles

Question 26.
When people are enslaved, what key do they have to the prison, according to M. Hamel?
a. Aggressiveness
b. Mother tongue
c. Power
d. Their behaviour
Answer:
b. Mother tongue

Question 27.
What did Mr. Hamel bring for his class on his last day at school?
a. New pens
b. Sweets
c. New notebook
d. Story book
Answer:
c. New notebook

Question 28.
What attitude of M. Hamel surprised Franz?
a. Soft and kind
b. Rude
c. Firm and strict
d. All
Answer:
a. Soft and kind

Question 29.
In which year was “The Last Lesson” written?
a. 1869 – 1870
b. 1870 – 1871
c. 1872- 1873
d. 1870 – 1872
Answer:
b. 1870 – 1871

Treasure Chest A Collection of ICSE Short Stories Workbook Answers

The Elevator Story Questions and Answers & MCQs

by
The Elevator Story Questions and Answers

The Elevator Story Questions and Answers & MCQs

A. Read the following passage and answer the given questions:

It was an old building with an old elevator – a very small elevator, which could carry only three people. Martin, a thin twelve-year-old, felt nervous in it from the first day he and his father moved into the apartment. Of course he was always uncomfortable in elevators, afraid that they would fall, but this one was especially unpleasant.

Perhaps this was because of the poor lighting and the dirty walls. Perhaps it was because of the door, which never stayed open long enough, and slammed shut with a loud clanging noise. Perhaps it was the way the elevator shuddered each time it left a floor, as if it was exhausted. Maybe it was simply too small. It seemed crowded even with only two people in it.

The stairs were no better. Martin tried them one day after school. There were no windows, and the lights were not working. Martin’s footsteps echoed behind him on the cement, as though there was another person climbing, getting closer. By the time he reached his home on the seventeenth floor, he was gasping for breath.

Question 1.
Who was Martin?
Answer:
Martin was a thin, twelve-year-old boy who was of nervous temperament. He also had a fear of elevators and thus always felt uncomfortable in it because he was afraid that he might fall.

Question 2.
How was the elevator of his building?
Answer:
The elevator of his building was an old one that could cany only three people. It had poor lighting and dirty walls. The door never stayed open long enough and slammed shut with a loud clanging noise.

Question 3.
How were the stairs?
Answer:
The stairs were no better. The environment there was dull and stuffy. There were no windows and the lights were not working. Whenever Martin used to take stairs he felt gasping for breath.

Question 4.
What idea do you get from the above mentioned passage?
Answer:
The above mentioned passage talked about Martin and his discomfort about elevators. His experience
of taking the stairs is also depicted here. He did not like his experience of either of those but he had to take any of those to go up and down.

B. Read the following passage and answer the given questions:

Martin’s father worked at home. He wanted to know why Martin was out of breath. “Why didn’t you take the elevator?” he asked, frowning at Martin. You’re not only skinny and weak and bad at sports, his face seemed to say, but you are also a coward. After that, Martin always took the elevator. He would have to get used to it, he told himself, just like he got used to being bullied at school.

But he didn’t get used to it. He was always afraid that it would stop suddenly and he would be trapped inside it for hours by himself. But it wasn’t much better when there were other passengers. He didn’t like to be close to them. He also disliked the way people tried hard not to look at one another, staring at nothing.

Question 1.
How was Martin’s father?
Answer:
Martin’s father worked at home who did not pay any heed to his son’s words. He considered his son not only skinny and weak but also a coward. He thought that his son used to get afraid in almost everything so instead of listening to him, he preferred avoiding.

Question 2.
Why did Martin always took the elevator?
Answer:
Martin did not want people to make fun of him. He did not want people know about his fears or weak points. He knew that even his father thought of him a coward. So, ignoring his fear and discomfort, he always took the elevator.

Question 3.
What was Martin always afraid of?
Answer:
Though Martin always had to take the elevator even if he was not comfortable enough, he was always afraid that it would stop suddenly and he would be trapped inside of it for hours all by himself. He also disliked the way people tried hard not to look at each other, staring at nothing.

Question 4.
Why was Martin out of breath?
Answer:
Martin did not like taking the elevator. So, he once tried taking the stairs. But his experience was not good. The environment there was dull and stuffy. There were no windows and the lights were not working. So, when he finally reached his floor, he was out of breath.

C. Read the following passage and answer the given questions:

He thought about her all day. Did she live in the building? He had never seen her before, and the building was not very big. Maybe she was visiting somebody? But 7.30 in the morning was too early for visiting.

Martin felt nervous when he got back to the building after school. But why should he be afraid of an old lady? He felt ashamed of himself. He pressed the button and stepped into the elevator, hoping that it would not stop, but it stopped on the third floor. Martin watched the door slide open, revealing a green coat, a piggish face and blue eyes which were already staring at him as if she knew he would be there.

It wasn’t possible. It was like a nightmare. But there she was. “Going up!” said Martin, his voice little more than a squeak. She nodded, and stepped on. The door slammed. He watched her pudgy hand move towards the buttons. She pressed, not fourteen, but eighteen, the top floor. The elevator trembled and began to go up. The fat lady watched him.

This morning she got on at the fourteenth floor, so why did she get on at the third floor today and go up to eighteen? The elevator seemed to be moving more slowly than usual. Martin wanted to press seven, so that he could get out and walk up the stairs, but he couldn’t reach the buttons without touching her, and he didn’t want to do that.

Question 1.
Why did Martin keep think about that strange lady?
Answer:
The appearance of the strange lady made him tremble from inside. He started feeling nervous because he knew that he had to meet her again. That is why he kept on thinking about her whereabouts.

Question 2.
What happened when the elevator stopped on the third floor?
Answer:
When the elevator stopped at the third floor, the fat lady with a piggish face and blue eyes stepped on wearing a green coat. She kept on staring at Martin and pressed the button of reaching the top floor.

Question 3.
Why did Martin feel that the elevator was moving “more slowly than usual”?
Answer:
With the strange, fat lady in the elevator, Martin was feeling nervous and panicky. Various queries were flooding his mind and so he wanted to get out of this uncomfortable situation as soon as possible. He did not want to look at her or was not even interested in having an interaction with her. That is why he felt that the evelator was moving very slowly.

Question 4.
Do you think that the behaviour of the lady was unusual?
Answer:
Yes, according to me, the lady’s appearance and outlook could trigger a sense of fear in mind. The way she kept on following Martin, the way she used to stare at him could make anyone nervous and scared. Though her intention was not known, yet it could be said that she was unusually unnatural.

D. Read the following passage and answer the given questions:

In the morning, when the elevator door opened, the fat lady was waiting for him. Martin stood there, unable to move, then backed away. As she saw him, her expression changed. She smiled as the door slammed.

Martin started running down the stairs. The stairs were dark and he fell. His father was silent on the way to hospital, disappointed and angry with him for being a coward and a fool. Martin had broken his leg and needed to walk on crutches. He could not use the stairs now. Was that why the fat lady had smiled? Did she know what would happen?

At least his father was with him in the elevator on the way back from the hospital. There was no room for the fat lady to get in, and if she did, his father would see her and maybe he would understand. When he got home, he could stay in the apartment for a few days. The doctor said that he had to rest as much as possible. Martin felt quite safe from the fat lady now.

“Oh, I almost forgot,” his father reached out and pressed number nine.
“What are you doing?” asked Martin, trying not to sound afraid.
“I promised to visit Mrs. Ullman,” said his father, looking at his watch as he stepped out of the elevator. “Let me go with you. I want to visit her too!” Martin pleaded, struggling to move on his crutches. But the door was already closing. “Afraid to be in the elevator alone?” said his father. “Grow up, Martin”. The door slammed shut.

Question 1.
Why did Martin start running down the stairs?
Answer:
Martin felt scared whenever he saw the old lady and she also kept on following him. So when he saw her again in the morning, he tried to escape her. So, he decided to take the stairs and started running down.

Question 2.
How did Martin injure his leg? What happened then?
Answer:
The stairs were dark so while running down, he fell and broke his leg. When his father came to know this, he took him to the hospital but he was disappointed and angry with him for being a coward and fool.

Question 3.
Why did Martin feel quite safe from the fat lady?
Answer:
When the doctor released Martin from the hospital, he felt quite safe from the fat lady because as he had a broken leg he could not take the stairs but in the elevator, he was not alone. His father was accompanying him. So he had no fear to be alone with her if she showed up.

Question 4.
Why has Martin again left alone in the elevator?
Answer:
While accompanying Martin in the elevator, his father suddenly remembered his promise of meeting Mrs Ullman that day. So he stepped out of the elevator leaving him alone in the elevator. Though Martin requested him a lot, instead of staying, he advised Martin not to be afraid. He told him to be brave and went away.

The Elevator Story MCQs

Choose the correct alternative to complete the following sentences:

Question 1.
How many people can travel in the elevator?
a. Three people
b. Four people
c. Ten people
Answer:
a. Three people

Question 2.
How older is Martin?
a. 10 years old
b. 15 years old
c. 12 years old
Answer:
c. 12 years old

Question 3.
In which flower Martin’s home was situated?
a. 8th Floor
b. 14th Floor
c. 17th Floor
Answer:
c. 17th Floor

Question 4.
Where did Martin’s father work?
a. At office
b. At home
c. At a shop
Answer:
b. At home

Question 5.
“Why didn’t you take the elevator?”- Who is mentioned as ‘you’?
a. Martin
b. Martin’s father
c. None of them
Answer:
a. Martin

Question 6.
On which floor was the elevator stopped?
a. 2nd floor
b. 14th floor
c. 8th floor
Answer:
b. 14th floor

Question 7.
Who is stuck in the elevator?
a. A small boy
b. Martin
c. A fat lady
Answer:
c. A fat lady

Question 8.
Who has blue eyes in the story ‘The Elevator’?
a. Fat lady
b. Martin
c. Martin’s father
Answer:
a. Fat lady

Question 9.
Where did Martin run?
a. To home
b. To school
c. To market
Answer:
b. To school

Question 10.
According to Martin what time is too early for visiting?
a. 7:30 a.m.
b. 7:30 p.m.
c. 8:00 a.m.
Answer:
a. 7:30 a.m.

Question 11.
Why Martin felt ashamed of him?
a. Because he afraid of his father
b. Because he afraid of the elevator
c. Because he afraid of an old lady
Answer:
c. Because he afraid of an old lady

Question 12.
“Have you ever noticed a strange lady in the elevator?” Who said this?
a. Fat lady
b. Martin
c. Martin’s father
Answer:
b. Martin

Question 13.
How many times in a day the old lady travel with Martin in the elevator?
a. One time
b. Three times
c. Two times
Answer:
c. Two times

Question 14.
“You’re afraid,”- Who said this?
a. Martin’s father
b. Fat lady
c. None of them
Answer:
a. Martin’s father

Question 15.
How was Martin’s leg fractured?
a. By playing
b. Fell from stairs
c. Fell from bus
Answer:
b. Fell from stairs

Question 16.
Who took Martin to the hospital?
a. The old lady
b. His father
c. His friends
Answer:
b. His father

Question 17.
Why did Martin feel safe from the fat lady?
a. Because the doctor said that he had to rest as much as possible
b. Because the old lady was gone
c. Because his father gives him protection
Answer:
a. Because the doctor said that he had to rest as much as possible

Question 18.
“I promised to visit Mrs. Ullman,”-Who said this?
a. Martin
b. The old lady
c. Martins father
Answer:
c. Martins father

Question 19.
Who is afraid to be in the elevator alone?
a. The old lady
b. Martin
c. Martin’s father
Answer:
b. Martin

Question 20.
In which floor was the fat lady waiting for him?
a. 10th floor
b. 17th floor
c. 11th floor
Answer:
a. 10th floor

Question 21.
“Hello, Martin,” Who said this?
a. Martins father
b. Mrs. Ullman
c. The old fat lady
Answer:
c. The old fat lady

Question 22.
Where did Martin not want to cry?
a. In front of his father
b. In front of his friend
c. In front of Mrs. Ullman
Answer:
a. In front of his father

Question 23.
Who wrote the story ‘The Elevator’?
a. Stephen Leacock
b. William Sleator
c. Alphonse Daudet
Answer:
b. William Sleator

Question 24.
Why did Martin start running down the stairs?
a. Because he saw his father
b. Because he saw Mrs. Ullman
c. Because he saw the old fat lady in the elevator
Answer:
c. Because he saw the old fat lady in the elevator

Question 25.
Who slept very little?
a. Martin
b. The old lady
c. Martins father
Answer:
a. Martin

Treasure Chest A Collection of ICSE Short Stories Workbook Answers

The Pedestrian Story Questions and Answers & MCQs

by
The Pedestrian Story Questions and Answers

The Pedestrian Story Questions and Answers & MCQs

A. Read the passage given below and answer the questions that follow:

To enter out into that silence that was the city at eight o’clock of a misty evening in November, to put your feet upon that buckling concrete walk, to step over grassy seams and make your way, hands in pockets, through the silences, that was what Mr. Leonard Mead most dearly loved to do.

He would stand upon the comer of an intersection and peer down long moonlit avenues of sidewalk in four directions, deciding which way to go, but it really made no difference; he was alone in this world of A.D. 2053, or as good as alone, and with a final decision made, a path selected, he would stride off, sending patterns of frosty air before him like the smoke of a cigar. Sometimes he would walk for hours and miles and return only at midnight to his house.

And on his way he would see the cottages and homes with their dark windows, and it was not unequal to walking through a graveyard where only the faintest glimmers of firefly light appeared in flickers behind the windows. Sudden gray phantoms seemed to manifest upon inner room walls where a curtain was still undrawn against the night, or there were whisperings and murmurs where a window in a tomblike building was still open.

Question 1.
Who was the pedestrian?
Answer:
The pedestrian was a simple and usual person named Leonard Mead who loves to have his evening walk at the roads of a city, which remains silent every evening, years after years.

Question 2.
What did Leonard love?
Answer:
Leonard loved to walk in the misty evenings in November, putting his feet upon the buckling concrete walk, stepping over the grassy seams, making his way through the silences.

Question 3.
Which year is mentioned in the story? Why was Leonard alone?
Answer:
The year 2053 is mentioned here. Leonard was alone because there was no one outside to enjoy the beauty of the evening. People were inside as they were busy in their own meaningless habit and so the streets were empty. Therefore, while walking, he sometimes spent hours and walked for miles and returned only at midnight to his house.

Question 4.
What did Leonard use to see on his way?
Answer:
On his way, while walking, Leonard used to see cottages and homes with their dark windows behind which people used to stay busy in their own world. The writer here used the imagery of the ‘gray phantoms’ to express how lifeless lives these inside- people used to live.

B. Read the passage given below and answer the questions that follow:

Mr. Leonard Mead would pause, cock his head, listen, look, and march on, his feet making no noise on the lumpy walk. For long ago he had wisely changed to sneakers when strolling at night, because the dogs in intermittent squads would parallel his journey with barkings if he wore hard heels, and lights might click on and faces appear and an entire street be startled by the passing of a lone figure, himself, in the early November evening.

On this particular evening he began his journey in a westerly direction, toward the hidden sea. There was a good crystal frost in the air; it cut the nose and made the lungs blaze like a Christmas tree inside; you could feel the cold light going on and off, all the branches filled with invisible snow.

He listened to the faint push of his soft shoes through autumn leaves with satisfaction, and whistled a cold quiet whistle between his teeth, occasionally picking up a leaf as he passed, examining its skeletal pattern in the infrequent lamplights as he went on, smelling its rusty smell.

Question 1.
… “he had wisely changed to sneakers when strolling at night”—Why?
Answer:
As the street of the city were of no people, the dogs used to roam around freely without fear. Therefore he had to walk very quietly at night to avoid the dogs’ squad. Due to this, he could not even wear – hard heels.

Question 2.
Why was Leonard the lone figure in the streets of early November evening?
Answer:
In the beautiful November evenings, people were busy inside their houses with their television. Therefore, no one was outside to enjoy the beauty of the environment except Leonard. So, he was the lone figure in the streets.

Question 3.
… “There was a good crystal frost in the air” – Why?
Answer:
As it was the month of November, winter had crept into the city and made the environment cold and freezing. The wintry air carried chills in it and so it felt like “there was a good crystal frost in the air” that “cut the nose” making the lungs blaze, as if there was a Christmas tree inside.

Question 4.
What is talked about in the above passage?
Answer:
In the above passage, the loneliness of Leonard is depicted. As there was no one at the streets, he had to stroll alone every evening. The beauty of the cold November evenings is beautifully painted with the description of the cold air, branches of the trees with “invisible snow”, the falling of the autumn leaves, and so on.

C. Read the passage given below and answer the questions that follow:

“Hello, in there,” he whispered to every house on every side as he moved. “What’s up tonight on Channel 4, Channel 7, Channel 9? Where are the cowboys rushing, and do I see the United States Cavalry over the next hill to the rescue?” The street was silent and long and empty, with only his shadow moving like the shadow of a hawk in midcountry.

If he closed his eyes and stood very still, frozen, he could imagine himself upon the center of a plain, a wintry, windless Arizona desert with no house in a thousand miles, and only dry river beds, the streets, for company. “What is it now?” he asked the houses, noticing his wrist watch. “Eight-thirty P.M.? Time for a dozen assorted murders? A quiz? A revue? A comedian falling off the stage?”

Question 1.
“Hello, in there,” – Who is the speaker here? To whom did he speak?
Answer:
Here, the speaker is Leonard Mead, the lone stroller of the night. As he was the lone stroller in the streets of the city, he had no one to keep him company. So, he spoke to every house on every side as he moved, imagining those to be his listeners.

Question 2.
“What’s up tonight on Channel 4, Channel 7, Channel 9?”- Why did the speaker say so?
Answer:
The speaker Mr Leonard said so because everyone in each house was busy in watching television every evening and so they had no intention to go outside. Leonard knew this. So, imagining each house as his companion, he said so.

Question 3.
Why was Leonard’s shadow compared with the “shadow of a hawk”?
Answer:
Leonard was the only person who was taking a walk at the evening in the streets. There was no one outside and that is why the streets were “silent and long and empty.” As he was the lone figure, his shadow was compared with the shadow of a hawk. Like a hawk, he used to stand alone and looked at the houses, seeking for company.

Question 4.
… “Eight-thirty P.M.? Time for a dozen assorted murders?”- Why did the speaker say so?
Answer:
The speaker, Leonard, was a lone stroller in the streets. He used to spend his evenings, walking alone for hours, enjoying the beauty of the surroundings. He longed for company but he could not get any as everyone was busy in watching television. He wanted to know what contents they used to see every day, avoiding everything around them. So, guessing what could be the contents, he said so.

D. Read the passage given below and answer the questions that follow:

“Was that a murmur of laughter from within a moon- white house?” He hesitated, but went on when nothing more happened. He stumbled over a particularly uneven section of sidewalk. The cement was vanishing under flowers and grass. In ten years of walking by night or day, for thousands of miles, he had never met another person walking, not once in all that time.

He came to a cloverleaf intersection which stood silent where two main highways crossed the town. During the day it was a thunderous surge of cars, the gas stations open, a great insect rustling and a ceaseless jockeying for position as the scarab beetles, a faint incense puttering from their exhausts, skimmed homeward to the far directions.

But now these highways, too, were like streams in a dry season, all stone and bed and moon radiance. He turned back on a side street, circling around toward his home. He was within a block of his destination when the lone car turned a corner quite suddenly and flashed a fierce white cone of light upon him. He stood entranced, not unlike a night moth, stunned by the illumination, and then drawn toward it.

Question 1.
… “Was that a murmur of laughter from within a moon-white house?”- Why did the speaker say so?
Answer:
As the speaker, Leonard, was the lone stroller, he used to seek company every evening but unfortunately, he could not get any because there was no one outside. Everyone was busy in watching television and he had been experiencing this for years. So, in mind, he sometimes hallucinated voices of people. That is why he said so.

Question 2.
For how many years was Leonard walking? How many miles did he cover?
Answer:
Leonard had been walking for ten years alone, without a single company to keep. He covered thousands of miles like this, with a hope that he might find someone at the road, someday.

Question 3.
What would happen during the days?
Answer:
During the days, number of cars used to roam in the streets, honking. The gas stations were open and there were lots of activities happening outside. Unlike the evenings, there was not a single hint of silence. It seems, that everyone had their own work to do, own duties to perform.

Question 4.
According to you, how did the speaker feel, being alone?
Answer:
No one in this world, liked to stay alone all the time. According to me, Leonard though enjoyed his walks, in mind he felt somewhat miserable being the lone stroller. He longed for company and as he did not get any, he used to talk to the houses, considering the houses to be his listeners.

E. Read the passage given below and answer the questions that follow:

A metallic voice called to him: “Stand still. Stay where you are! Don’t move!” He halted. “Put up your hands!” “But-” he said. “Your hands up! Or we’ll shoot!” The police, of course, but what a rare, incredible thing; in a city of three million, there was only one police car left, wasn’t that correct?

Ever since a year ago, 2052, the election year, the force had been cut down from three cars to one. Crime was ebbing; there was no need now for the police, save for this one lone car wandering and wandering the empty streets.

“Your name?” said the police car in a metallic whisper. He couldn’t see the men in it for the bright light in his eyes. “Leonard Mead,” he said. “Speak up!” “Leonard Mead!” “Business or profession?” “I guess you’d call me a writer.” “No profession,” said the police car, as if talking to itself.

The light held him fixed, like a museum specimen, needle thrust through chest. “You might say that,” said Mr. Mead. He hadn’t written in years. Magazines and books didn’t sell any more. Everything went on in the tomblike houses at night now, he thought, continuing his fancy. The tombs, ill-lit by television light, where the people sat like the dead, the gray or multicolored lights touching their faces, but never really touching them.

Question 1.
… “Stand still. Stay where you are!”—Who is the speaker here? Who is the person spoken to?
Answer:
Here, the speaker is a metallic voice that called to Leonard. The person spoken to is Leonard Mead, who enjoys his walk alone every evening, without any company.

Question 2.
… “Leonard Mead!” “Business or profession?” – Why did the speaker say so?
Answer:
The speaker here is a metallic voice that stopped Leonard when he was enjoying his evening walk. As there was no one on the street, the metallic voice doubted Leonard’s intention. The metallic voice was coming from a police car. So, out of suspicion, the speaker wanted to know his whereabouts.

Question 3.
… “I guess you’d call me a writer.”—Who is the speaker? Why did he say so?
Answer:
Here the speaker is Leonard Mead. When Leonard was stopped by a police car and was asked about his profession, he said so. Though he could have been called a writer, he had not written in years and his magazines and books did not sell anymore. It was as if, he had no such profession.

Question 4.
… “Your hands up! Or we’ll shoot!” Why did the speaker say so?
Answer:
Here, the speaker is a metallic voice coming from a police car. The voice, seeing Leonard alone at night, doubted his intentions. As there was no one outside, the voice considered him to be an anti-social or a person with an evil intention. That is why, the speaker said so to know about his whereabouts.

The Pedestrian Story MCQs

Choose the correct alternative to complete the following sentences:

Question 1.
Where does Mr Leonard Mead like to stand?
a. Top of the hills
b. In the market
c. Comer of an intersection
d. Any other place
Answer:
c. Comer of an intersection

Question 2.
When was he alone?
a. A.D. 2053
b. A.D. 2054
c. A.D. 2052
d. A.D. 2043
Answer:
a. A.D. 2053

Question 3.
When was Mr Leonard Mead going for a walk?
a. At morning
b. At night
c. At day
d. At evening
Answer:
d. At evening

Question 4.
On a particular evening, to which way Mr Leonard Mead began his journey?
a. South direction
b. South direction towards the hidden sea
c. Westerly direction, towards the hidden sea
d. Towards graveyard
Answer:
c. Westerly direction, towards the hidden sea

Question 5.
“Hello, in there” – Who is the speaker here?
a. The writer
b. Mr. Leonard Mead
c. Every house on every side of the road
d. None of them
Answer:
b. Mr. Leonard Mead

Question 6.
“If he closed his eyes and stood very still”- Where could he imagine himself?
a. He imagined himself at Arizona desert
b. He imagined himself at Thar Desert
c. He imagined himself at play ground
d. He imagined himself at home
Answer:
a. He imagined himself at Arizona desert

Question 7.
What with was the narrator’s shadow compared?
a. Tiger
b. Unicom
c. Hawk
d. Crow
Answer:
c. Hawk

Question 8.
“What is it now?”—To whom did Mr Leonard Mead ask this?
a. To the street
b. To the houses
c. To the tree
d. To the hawk
Answer:
b. To the houses

Question 9.
What was the time when Mr Leonard Mead noticed his watch?
a. Eight-twenty P.M
b. Seven P.M
c. Eight-thirty five P.M
d. Eight-thirty P.M
Answer:
d. Eight-thirty P.M

Question 10.
From which house did the murmur of laughter come?
a. Moon-white house
b. White house
c. Black house
d. Red house
Answer:
a. Moon-white house

Question 11.
For how long was Mr Leonard Mead walking?
a. Five years
b. Nine years
c. Ten years
d. Eleven Years
Answer:
c. Ten years

Question 12.
“Stand still. Stay where you are! Don’t move!”— Who said this?
a. Mr Leonard Mead
b. The narrator
c. The writer
d. The police
Answer:
d. The police

Question 13.
How many people lived in the city?
a. Three million
b. Two million
c. Five million
d. Ten million
Answer:
a. Three million

Question 14.
How many police cars. was/were left in the city?
a. Ten
b. One
c. Twenty
d. Five
Answer:
b. One

Question 15.
In which year was the election conducted?
a. 2018
b. 2023
c. 2050
d. 2052
Answer:
d. 2052

Question 16.
Why couldn’t he see the men?
a. Because of snow
b. Because he was blind
c. Because of the bright light in his eyes
d. Because of the sunlight
Answer:
c. Because of the bright light in his eyes

Question 17.
“No profession”—Who said this?
a. Mr Leonard Mead
b. The police
c. The writer
d. None of them
Answer:
b. The police

Question 18.
From where did the gray or multicolored lights come?
a. From the television
b. From the sky
c. From the lamppost
d. From the bulb
Answer:
a. From the television

Question 19.
“I protest!”—Who said this?
a. The Police
b. The Writer
c. Mr Mead
d. None of them
Answer:
c. Mr Mead

Question 20.
What is Mr Mead’s house number?
a. Ten
b. Twelve
c. Nine
d. Eleven
Answer:
d. Eleven

Question 21.
Why was Mr Mead walking?
a. For air
b. For a person to meet
c. For food
d. For his office
Answer:
a. For air

Question 22.
Where did the people sit like the dead?
a. In front of doctor
b. In front of television
c. In front of police
d. In front of people
Answer:
b. In front of television

Question 23.
“That’s my house”—Who said this?
a. Mr Mead
b. The police
c. The writer
d. None of them
Answer:
a. Mr Mead

Question 24.
Who wrote the story “The Pedestrian”?
a. Rabindranath Tagore
b. Satyajit Ray
c. Ray Bradbury
d. Oscar Wilde
Answer:
c. Ray Bradbury

Question 25.
In which month is the story set?
a. January
b. November
c. December
d. March
Answer:
b. November

Question 26.
What time is mentioned at the beginning of the story?
a. Nine O’clock
b. Ten O’clock
c. Seven O’clock
d. Eight O’clock
Answer:
d. Eight O’clock

Question 27.
When did Mr Leonard Mead use to return his house?
a. At evening
b. At midnight
c. At morning
d. At afternoon
Answer:
b. At midnight

Question 28.
How was the voice that was coming from the police car?
a. Sweet
b. Loud
c. Metallic
d. Rough
Answer:
c. Metallic

Question 29.
In which year was Ray Bradbury born?
a. 1920
b. 1820
c. 1930
d. 1910
Answer:
a. 1920

Question 30.
In which year Ray Bradbury died?
a. 2014
b. 2012
c. 2011
d. 2015
Answer:
b. 2012

Treasure Chest A Collection of ICSE Short Stories Workbook Answers