SHORT QUESTIONS (BOOK-I)FOR INTELLIGENT STUDENTS
1. BUTTON, BUTTON
Q.NO.l: Why did Norma consider the tone and attitude of Mr. Steward offensive?
Answer: Norma considered the tone and attitude of Mr. Steward offensive because she was busy in performing domestic chores and had no spare time to attend anybody but he insisted on meeting her. Moreover, he was talking to Norma as if he were discussing some business deal with her. Third, he was also an unbidden guest.
Q.NO.2: Why did Arthur disagree with his wife?
Answer: Norma was avaricious by nature. She wanted to get 50,000 dollars by pushing the button at any cost even if someone was killed. However, Arthur’s heart was full of the milk of human kindness. He considered it an immoral act to kill a person just for the sake of money. He called it a murder.
Q.NO.3: Why did Norma persuade her husband to agree with her?
Answer: Norma was not contented with what she had. When Steward offered her 50,000 dollars for pressing the butting, she started persuading Arthur because she wanted to get this money to fulfill her dreams of having nicer apartment, nicer furniture, and nicer clothes. However, she failed badly in her attempt.
Q.NO.4: What were the reasons Norma gave to her husband to accept the offer?
Answer: Norma gave the following reasons to her husband to accept the offer. First, she told Arthur that it might be some psychological research. Secondly, she argued that it was not immoral to kill any person for the sake of money. Thirdly, she expressed her wishes to be the part of elite class.
Q.NO.5: Why did Mr. Steward continue persuading Norma?
Answer: Steward who was on a secret mission and wanted to spread threat through button unit, had already judged the greedy nature of Norma. He had realized that unlike her husband, she could do anything for the sake of money. That’s why, he gave Norma an enticing offer of fifty thousand dollars and continued persuading Norma.
Q.NO.6: What was the message Norma received on pushing the button?
Answer: Having pushed the button, Norma received a telephonic call from Lenox Hill Hospital. She was informed of the subway accident. She was told that her husband had been pushed before a train by a mob of people and was killed. It was very shocking and heart rending news for her.
Q.NO.7: What is the significance of Arthur’s life insurance policy?
Answer: Steward knows about Arthur’s insurance policy with double indemnity and takes advantage of it because he knows if Arthur is killed, he or his organization will have to pay her nothing. It clearly shows the importance of Arthur’s life insurance policy because the whole story is based on it.
Q.NO.8: Did Norma remain Normal on hearing the news of the accident of her husband?
Answer: No, Norma did not remain normal on hearing the news of her husband’s death. She could neither seem to breathe nor walk. She felt as if something cold had pressed at her skull. In anger and confusion, she began to smash the button unit on the sink edge.
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CLEARING IN THE SKY
Q.NO.l: Why didn’t the old man follow the advice of the doctors?
Answer: The old man did not follow the advice of the doctors because of these reasons. First, the old man was a man of strong will power. Second, he was to bring home the bacon. Thirdly, he wanted to enjoy nature and remain in its company because he was a true lover of nature.
Q.NO.2: What had the doctors told the old man?
Answer: The doctors did not advise the old man rather they warned him to avoid hard work because he could not afford so much work and fatigue with a weak heart otherwise he would die soon but he paid no heed to their advice and continued to work with great spirit.
Q.NO.3: Where did the old man take his son?
Answer: The old man had done something extraordinary on highest point of his farm. There was a patch of land which he himself had cleared and planted tomatoes, potatoes and yams there. He took his son there because he wanted to show his son his achievement and praise his effort.
Q.No.4: Had the son ever been there?
Answer: Yes, the son had visited this patch of land on the highest point of his father’s farm frequently except the last three years. However, he had never seen anything extraordinary there. But, now he went there with his father after the lapse of three years.
Q.NO.5: What were the names of the vegetables the old man grew on his form?
Answer: As a true lover of nature, the old man wanted to remain in the company of nature. So, he adopted plantation to fulfill his desire. That’s why, he did not follow the advice of the doctors and potatoes, tomatoes, yams and pumpkins on his form. Earlier, he also grew beans and pumpkins.
Q.NO.6: Why did the old man take the steep path?
Answer: The old man took the steep path for the following reasons. First, he did not surrender before the unfavourable circumstances going against him. Secondly, it was only one way of knowing that he was getting better all the time. Thirdly, he wanted to show all the farming skills to his son.
Q.NO.7: Why did the son at the age of six cry?
Answer: The son would often go the fields with his father and play there. Once, his father made a wooden plough for him when he was six. He lost that plough in a furrow and began to cry. His father made another wooden plough for him. However, he did not like the second one.
Q.NO.8: What were the feelings of the old man at the age of seventy?
Answer: The old man had great feelings at that age. He was a live wire and as happy as a lark. He loved to visit those places he knew and loved. He had an ardent desire to touch, sift and whiff the rich loam and to taste the fruit of his farm.
Q.NO.9: Why had the old man planted his secret garden?
Answer: The old man had planted his secret garden because of the following reasons. First, his family did not allow him to plant this garden with a weak-heart. Second, he wanted to spend his time in the lap of nature. Third, he wanted to refresh the golden memories of his youth.
- DARK THEY WERE, AND GOLDEN EYED
Q.NO.1: Why did Harry want to go back to the earth?
Answer: He wanted to go back to the earth because of the following reasons. First, the climate at the Mars was excruciating. Second, as fear was his unbidden partner, he apprehended that he would lose his identity if he stayed at the Mars. Third, he loved the earth and earthly things.
Q.NO.2: Why did he want to stay at Mars?
Answer: He wanted to stay at the Mars because of the fear of war on the earth. Second, he had no source to go back because all the space rockets had been destroyed. However, he hoped that one day, the rockets would come to the Mars and take them out of the whirlpool of difficulties.
Q.NO.3: What was the climate they faced?
Answer: They had a hell of time facing a very severe, uncongenial and unfavourable climate at the Mars. It was very hot in summer and very cold in winter. The wind blew as if to flake away their identities. It had totally changed their physical appearance. It had burnt their houses.
Q.NO.4: What was the condition of Bittering family on hearing the news of war on the earth?
Answer: The condition of Bittering family on hearing the news of war on the earth was very pitiable. They became worried and anxious. Mother held onto her husband and daughter. Their daughter started to weep. Sweat poured from Bittering’s face and hand. He was drenched in the hotness of his fear.
Q.NO.5: What did they want to grow?
Answer: To survive at the Mars and keep themselves busy, they decided to grow crops, vegetables and fruits of the Earth. So, they grew crops like peach trees, onions and other vegetables on the Mars but they got frightened to see the growth of these crops.
Q.NO.6: What was the condition of their house?
Answer: Their house was affected badly by the weather at the Mars. It had lost its original shape. The air had done something to it. The air had burnt it. The fog at night had also affected it. The boards became out of shape. It didn’t look an earthman’s house.
Q.NO.7: What was the advice Harry gave to the people?
Answer: Harry advised the people to build a rocket to go back to the earth because he had some blueprints with which they would be able to build a right pretty rocket in almost twenty-five years. They would be able at last to escape from this hell like place and go back to the earth.
Q.NO.8: How much dangerous a Martian virus can be?
Answer: A Martian virus is a microorganism which can be very dangerous and fatal. It can change their physical appearance. The people can become dark, thin and slander and golden-eyed. It can damage their houses. We see that Martian virus fostered all these changes in the people at the Mars.
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THANK YOU, M’AM
Q.NO.1: What was the time when the boy tried to snatch the purse of the woman?
Answer: It was about eleven o’clock and very dark at night when the boy tried to snatch the purse of the woman.
Q.NO.2: What happened to the boy when he tried to snatch the purse of the woman?
Answer: When the boy tried to snatch the purse of the woman, he gave her purse a sudden abrupt pull and the strap broke. The boy’s weight and the weight of the purse combined caused him to lose his balance. He fell on his back on the side walk. His legs flew up.
Q.NO.3: What was the reaction of the woman?
Answer: The woman was infuriated at the boy’s effort of snatching her purse. She simply turned around and kicked him on his buttocks. Then, she picked the boy up by his shirt front and shook him with great force until his teeth rattled. She held him tightly and ordered him to pick up her purse.
Q.NO.4: What was the condition of the people when they saw the incident?
Answer: At that time, some passersby who witnessed the incident stopped and turned to look at both of them but no one showed any reaction. To show no reaction at this happening shows indifference, selfishness and apathy of the modern people who do not care for others who are in some trouble.
Q.NO.5: How did the boy look physically?
Answer: The boy was fourteen or fifteen. He was wearing tennis shoes and blue jeans. He looked very weak and thin physically. It seemed that he had not even washed his face for many days because his face was unclean and dirty.
Q.NO.6: What was the condition of the boy when the woman gave him a few jerks?
Answer: The boy was greatly disturbed and upset when the woman gave him few jerks. His teeth began to rattle. Sweat popped on his face and he began to struggle to be free. But he became incapacitated before the woman. However, he requested her to let him loose but she did not release him.
Q.NO.7: Why did the woman ask the boy to wash his face?
Answer: The boy was in a poor condition. His face was unclean and dirty. It seemed that he had not washed his face for many days. The woman took pity on him. She wanted him to look presentable and teach him good manners. So, she asked the boy to wash his face to look neat and attractive.
Q.NO.8: Why didn’t the boy run from the house of the woman?
Answer: Actually, the woman applied the best psychological trick to the boy by not keeping an eye on him to give him confidence. It worked wonder and the boy felt ashamed of his mistake. He did not want to lose his trusty now. That’s why, the boy did not run from the house of the woman.
Q.NO.9: Why didn’t the woman watch the boy while preparing a dish?
Answer: The woman was a practical lady. She realized that the poor financial condition of the boy might have compelled him to adopt satanic ways. That’s why, she played with his psyche and did not watch him while preparing dish because she wanted to give him confidence and teach good manners by showing trust on him.
Q.NO.10: What was the nature of woman’s job?
Answer: The woman was very industrious. She worked in a hotel beauty shop to meet the needs of her life through fair means. The hotel beauty shop stayed open late. Here, the women of all kinds like blondes, redheads and Spanish came. She did the work of doing up their hair.
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THE PIECE OF STRING
Q.NO.1: Why did Manana accuse Hubert of picking up the lost book?
Answer: Manana saw Hubert picking something at the same place where the pocket-book was lost. He thought that Hubert had picked up the pocket book. But actually Hubert had picked up a piece of string. Manana mistook the string for a pocket-book and accused Hubert of picking up the pocket-book.
Q.NO.2: What did the people think of Hubert when they heard the return of the pocket-book by some other person?
Answer: When the people heard the return of the pocket-book by some other person, they amused themselved with the thinking that Hubert might have dropped the pocket-book to prove his artlessness and innocence. They were not ready to believe Hubert.
Q.NO.3: Why did George give the pocket-book to his employer?
Answer: George found the pocket-book on the road to the village market. But, as he was illiterate and could not read the papers inside the purse, it was the best option for him to give the pocket-book to his employer and he did the same so that it might reach its real owner.
Q.N0.4: What did make Hubert shameful?
Answer: Hubert tried to satisfy the people by giving his statement and presentation but they were not ready to believe him. As he was a sensitive and edgy person, he took it to his heart. He was unable to bear the stigma of being called a liar. It made Hubert shameful.
Q.NO.5: Why did the people make fun of his innocence?
Answer: The people poked fun at his innocence because he pleaded for his innocence again and again. They were habitual in concocting such stories. They thought that he was making only lame excuses to prove himself innocent. They thought that his guilt had made him ill.
Q.NO.6: Why did he keep claiming his innocence before his death?
Answer: He was greatly dejected at the accusation of picking up the pocket-book. He was called a liar. It hurt his soul. He wanted to restore his respect in the eyes of people before his death. He wanted to be declared an honest man. That’s why, he kept claiming his innocence.
- THE REWARD
Q.No.1: What was the subject discussed at the club?
Answer: The subject discussed at the club was of opportunity and determination to achieve success in any field of life. Some like Terbut said that opportunity was necessary to get success which millions of never had it. And some like Jorkens said that determination was required to have success.
Q.NO.2: What did Terbut think of Jorkens argument?
Answer: Jorkens said that determination was needed for success. Terbut disagreed with Jorkens and said that anything could not be got by having just some determination. Opportunity was also required to get success.
Q.NO.3: How did Jorkens convince that a man can become a skating champion of the Sahara?
Answer: Jorkens convinced that a man could become a skating champion of the Sahara but first, he would make money and build a skating rink in the Sahara. Then, he would organize a competition there and become the champion of the Sahara but only through determination and giving all the time to it.
Q.NO.4: How did Gorgios persuade his people to make his country strong?
Answer: Gorgios joined politics and made excellent speeches to preach his ambition. He also told them that the presence of a young athlete at the court exhibiting perfect physical fitness would strengthen their soldiers. They would be able to win the rights of the nation in the battles against their accursed neighbours.
Q.NO.5: What was the view point of the parents of Gorgios?
Answer: Gorgios thought that only determination was required to gain success. However, his parents did not agree with Gorgios. They thought that only determination could do nothing. Opportunity was also required for success. Gorgios also realized and acknowledged it but very late.
Q.NO.6: What were the arrangements made for the function of inauguration?
Answer: Splendid arrangements were made for the function of inauguration. Great curtains of red and gold were hung along the walls. The lights glittered and a band played softly. The throne-room was converted into a gymnasium. The members of the Royal house were seated there at one end of the raised platform.
Q.NO.7: Describe the scene of inauguration. Write five sentences.
Answer: The old man appeared on the stage in the flood of golden lights. He was wearing tight-fitting suit and pointed shoes. When he tried to show a trick and raised his hand, the applause broke out assuring him that they were expecting nothing from him. Then, he was led to a seat. He had achieved his aim.
O.NO.8: What were the feelings of George on that occasion?
Answer: He had mixed feelings of pride as well as sadness. He was proud of himself because with his unflinching courage and determination, he had got his aim after a great struggle of more than sixty years. However, he was sad because he was too old and weak to perform any trick before the audience.
Q.NO.9: Did Gorgios use any short cut to achieve his ambition?
Answer: No, he did not use any short cut to get his aim. He remained determined for more than sixty years and joined politics to convince his people through speeches. He had to face the opposition but he stuck to his ambition and wore down the opposing arguments. In the end, he became successful.
Q.NO.10: For how long had Gorgios to stick to get his ambition achieved?
Answer: Gorgios was sixteen when he decided to become a court acrobat. This post was to be created. So, he joined politics to preach his ambition openly. Although he had to face the opposition from the people, he remained determined. And at last, he got his aim after a long struggle of sixty years.
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THE USE OF FORCE
Q.NO.1: What was the condition of the parents on the arrival of the doctor?
Answer: The parents were sitting in the kitchen on the arrival of the doctor. They moved towards the doctor but the doctor suggested them not to bother. They were eyeing the doctor up and down distrustfully. They were so worried that they were not telling the doctor more than they should have told him.
Q.NO.2: What was the behaviour of the child with the doctor?
Answer: The girl was an obdurate and stubborn girl. She was in aggressive mood. She saw at the doctor with her cold steady eyes. Her face was flushed. She was not ready to follow the instructions of the doctor and show her throat to the doctor.
Q.No.3: Had the girl fever?
Answer: Yes, the girl had a fever for three days. She was suffering from throat disease but she was afraid of the doctor’s treatment. That’s why, she had not been ready to show her throat to the doctor and had been hiding her throat disease from her parents for three days.
Q.NO.4: Did the girl change her expression when the doctor said, “Does your throat hurt you?”
Answer: No, the girl’s expression did not change when the doctor asked her of her throat hurt her. She was looking at the doctor with her cold steady eyes. She neither moved nor lifted her eyes from the doctor’s face.
Q.NO.5: Why did the doctor call the girl by her first name?
Answer: The doctor called her by her first name as a bit of gentle coaxing. He wanted to win her sympathy and to be friendly with her to make her trust him. It was the best professional manner and a psychological trick by the doctor to win the trust of his patient.
Q.NO.6: Did the girl promptly respond to the instruction of the doctor?
Answer: Like all the children, she did not co-operate with the doctor. She did not respond promptly to the doctor. She was not ready to open her mouth even the doctor showed her his hands that he had nothing in his hands.
Q.NO.7: Why did the parents rebuke her?
Answer: The parents of the girl and the doctor asked the girl again and again to open her mouth for the examination but she didn’t follow them. She became rough in her attitude towards the doctor. Even she threw his glasses on the kitchen floor. That’s why, the parents rebuked her for her rude behaviour.
Q.NO.8: What was the threat the doctor gave to the child for not showing her throat?
Answer: When all the efforts made by the doctor failed and the girl crossed all the limits of obduracy, the doctor also lost his patience. He threatened the girl saying that she would be taken to hospital or the doctor would open her mouth by force.
Q.NO.9: Why did she break the wooden blade?
Answer: When the doctor forcefully inserted the blade into her mouth to open and examine it, she broke it to show her anger and as a sign of protest because she did not want to be examined by the doctor and wanted to avoid his treatment at any cost.
Q.NO.10: What was the condition of the tonsils of the sick girl?
Answer: The tonsils of the girl were covered with membrane. She had a painful red throat. She was suffering from diphtheria. That’s why, she was faced with fever. She needed medical treatment but she had been hiding that sore throat for three days at least in order to escape the treatment of the doctor.
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THE GULISTAN OF SADI
Q.NO.1. What was the advice given by Nushirvan to his people?
Answer: Nushirvan was a just and an upright ruler. He was against brutality, injustice and oppression. That’s why, he advised his people to do justice to other people in any condition at any cost. He advised them to help the weak against the strong. He also advised them to avoid cruelty.
Q.NO.2. What was the remedy suggested by the physician for the disease of the king?
Answer: When the king didn’t recover after the continuous treatment, he invited so many physicians to find some way of his treatment. The physicians agreed that the disease of the king could not be cured except by means of bile of a person having certain qualities.
Q.NO.3. Why did the boy look to the sky and smile?
Answer: The boy was being slaughtered for the treatment of the king. He was disappointed with the lust of his parents and cruelty and injustice of the king and the Qazi. In disappointment, he looked to the sky smiling and prayed to God for mercy and refuge because he had no other refuge besides God, Almighty.
Q.NO.4. What should be the role of a Qazi?
Answer: The role of a Qazi is very crucial to run the affairs of a state in a smooth way. He should have great knowledge of social and moral laws. He should be free of any prejudice and partiality. He should be kind, honest, just to others and God-fearing. He should be a role model for the others.
Q.NO.5. Why did the king weep?
Answer: After hearing the words of the boy, the king felt disturbed. He was ashamed to think that he was dependent upon others to save his life while the little boy was seeking justice from God. He thought it better to die than to shed the blood of an innocent boy. This very idea made the king weep.
Q.NO.6. How did the king recover?
Answer: Having realized his mistake, the king became disturbed and felt ashamed of himself. He released the boy and presented him with a lot of wealth. The king took pity on the boy and in return God took pity on him and blessed him with health and new life.
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THE FOOLISH QUACK
Q.No.1: What is a clump of trees?
Answer: The word ‘Clump’ means a group of things which are growing together. So, the clump of trees means the group or cluster of the trees growing very close to each other. A clump of trees is often a part of an oasis in a desert.
Q.NO.2. What was stuck in the camel’s throat?
Answer: When the camel-men set their camels to graze, a camel entered the melon field and tried to eat the melon. Unluckily, a melon stuck in his throat and he was about to die.
Q.NO.3. What did the quack pretend to cure?
Answer: When the quack observed the treatment of the camel-men with the camel, he thought that it was the best treatment for the patient of goiter. So, he went to the next village and pretended that he could cure goiter.
Q.NO.4. What did the quack do with the woman?
Answer: He tied up the woman’s throat and struck with a mallet the swollen part with so much force that she could not bear that blow and expired at once. Actually, the man had applied the same treatment as was applied by one of the camel-men.
Q.NO.5. What was the result of the cure?
Answer: What could be the result of treating an old woman with a hammer to cure goiter? The result of the cure was surely the death of the woman. The treatment which the man applied to the old woman was not suitable for a feeble old woman rather it was the treatment for the animals.
Q.NO.6. What was the punishment inflicted upon the quack by the villagers?
Answer: The villagers compelled him to dig the grave of the old lady and bury the victim of his mistaken treatment. Owing to the stiff and hard ground, he made very low progress. However, when he finished the task of digging the dead woman’s grave, he was beaten by the villagers. Then, they let him go.
Q.NO.7. For whom did the quack dig the grave?
Answer: The quack dug the grave of the old woman whom he had killed by his wrong treatment. He had to do so under necessity because if he had not dug the grave of the old woman, he would have been taken to the king for severe punishment.
Q.NO.8. What did the quack do in the next village?
Answer: Having dug the grave of the old woman, the man was beaten and released by the villagers. However, instead of learning any lesson from this punishment, he shouldered his bundle, went to the next village and again pretended that he was a doctor who could cure goiter.
Q.NO.9. Why didn’t the villagers let the old man cured?
Answer: When he said that he would not be compelled to dig the grave of the old man if the old man died, the villagers thought that he was not a specialist doctor. That’s why, they did not let him cure the old man because before he started his treatment, he was talking of digging the patient’s grave.
Q.NO.10. Why did the quack come back to the camel-men?
Answer: The quack was not ready to give in. He thought that the camel-men had not shown him the real treatment to cure goiter. A woman was killed due to her wrong treatment. Thinking that, he came back to the camel-men because he wanted to know the real treatment of goiter from them.
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A MILD ATTACK OF LOCUSTS
Q.NO.1. What are locusts?
Answer: Locusts are migratory insects which are found in Asia and Africa. They have very negative influence on the crops. They damage the crops and vegetables completely. They are called swarms when they fly in groups and are in millions. Their attack is called natural catastrophe.
Q.NO.2. Why did the farmers throw wet leaves on fire?
Answer: The farmers knew that the swarms were allergic to smoke and its unpleasant smell. That’s why, they threw wet leaves on the fire to make the smoke more and more acrid and black so that the black and acrid smoke might compel the locusts to leave the land.
Q.NO.3. What was the desire of every farmer?
Answer: Every farmer showed some selfishness. No one was ready to see his crops in a damaging condition. That’s why, every farmer wanted to see his crops free from the locusts. He wished that the locusts should overlook his farm and migrate to the next farm. It was only fair to warn each other.
Q.NO.4. Did Margaret know what to do to keep the locusts away?
Answer: Margaret had never experienced such calamity. It was her first experience to see the crops under the attack of dangerous swarms. That’s why, she did not know what to do to keep the locusts away. She was feeling herself like a survivor after war.
Q.NO.5. What was the condition of trees?
Answer: The condition of trees was bad after the swarms attacked the crops. They were queer and clotted with insects. Their boughs weighed to the ground under the weight of the locusts. Many trees and their leaves were eaten away. A tree down the slope leaned over and settled heavily to the ground.
Q.NO.6. How did old Stephen treat the stray locusts which he found on his pocket?
Answer: Old Stephen picked a stray locust from the pocket of his shirt. It was full of eggs. He feared that millions of young hoppers would come out of these eggs. They might play havoc with the crops and cause destruction on a large scale. Fearing it, he split it down with his thumbnail.
Q.NO.7. Are the hoppers different from the locusts?
Answer: Hoppers are as much different from the locusts as s child is different from a man. The hoppers are young locusts that are born from the eggs of the locusts, while the locusts are fully grown insects. Hoppers jump from point to point while locusts fly and jump fast.
Q.NO.8. Did Margaret lose heart on the loss of crops?
Answer: She was disturbed and felt like a survivor after the war. But she did not lose her heart and become hopeless to see the devastated and mangled land. She was ready to face the attacks of locusts for two or three years more. She wanted to struggle against them and to have new crops once again.
Q.NO.9. Why are the locusts compared with bad weather?
Answer: The bad weather is sudden and mars the crops on a large scale. Like bad weather, the locusts are also sudden and eat away the crops. They can come any time if once they attack. Owing to the same functions of locusts and bad weather, locusts are compared with bad weather.
Q.NO.10. Why did the men eat their supper with good appetites?
Answer: All day, they had been fighting against the locusts to save their crops. They had been burning fires and producing sounds with cans and metal pieces. They became tired after doing this strenuous job. However, they did not feel the loss of the crops and ate their supper with good appetites.
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I HAVE A DREAM
Q.No.1: Why was the reason of Negor’s discontentment?
Answer: The Negros were discontented because the white men hated and disliked them. They did not have emancipation to enjoy their rights. They faced injustice, storms of persecution and cruelty of the police. Their condition was worse than the animals.
Q.NO.2. What are the qualities of the veterans of creative suffering?
Answer: The veterans of creative sufferings are brave and courageous enough to face any hardship. They are passionate and determined. They are never ready to give in. They are ready to sacrifice their lives for their country. They think that unearned suffering is redemptive.
Q.NO.3. What is the dream of Martin Luther King Jr?
Answer: He dreamed that one day all the nations would remove the differences of colour and creed and display brotherhood. No one would be judged by the colour of his skin. There would be no injustice and oppression in the world. There would be equal chances for everyone to progress.
Q.NO.4. What should be the faith of Negroes?
Answer: The Negroes should believe that their suffering without any cause would be fruitful at last. They should not be disappointed at all. It will win God’s favour. They should think that all men are equal. They should think that soon their worries will be over.
Q.NO.5. What was the necessity of pleading the case of Negroes freedom?
Answer: The Negroes were considered inferior and treated inhumanly. They were faced with trials and tribulations. They did not have equal chances of making progress. It was their right to fight for their freedom. That’s why, it was necessary to plead the case of the Negroes.
Q.NO.6. What should be the criterion of judgment for a person?
Answer: No one is superior or inferior to anybody on the basis of his colour or creed. The criterion of judgment of a person should be the qualities of his character not the colour of his skin. It should be his courage to speak and fight for truth, his ability and his knowledge, not his colour, status or connections.
Q.NO.7. Do the Negroes enjoy liberty in all parts of the country?
Answer: In the past, the Negroes did not enjoy liberty in any part of the country. They were hated and considered slaves by the white men. But now, they have gained freedom and equality in every field of life because of the efforts of Martin Luther King and his companions. Now, they have equal chances of making progress.
Q.NO.8. From which part of the country the Negroes gathered there?
Answer: The Negroes gathered there from Alabama, South Carolina, Georgia, other northern cities and from all the parts of the country. Their purpose was to get equality and chances to go to the highest positions in every walk of life because their condition was worse than animals. They wanted to have equal rights for everyone.
Q.NO.9. Write down the songs in your own words?
Answer: It is a song in praise of one’s country. According to the song, this land, America is a very sweet land of liberty. It is the land of Martin Luther’s ancestors. It is the land for which he sings in love. It is the land of pilgrim’s pride. He wants to see equality and freedom in every part of the land.
Q.No.10: What is the effect of repetition of words?
Answer: The effect of repetition of words has a great effect on the mind of the readers. Firstly, it lays stress on main idea. Secondly, it creates a sweet sound effect. Thirdly, it gives musical quality and charm. Fourthly, the repeated words settle in our minds to be remembered forever.
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THE GIFT OF THE MAGI
Q.NO.1. How much did she save for Christmas?
Answer: Della was Jim’s wife. Their family was in poor condition. She wanted to present a gift to Jim on Christmas. She strived hard to collect very little amount of one hundred and eighty seven cents. It shows her love for Jim who was very dear to her and she wanted to buy a gift for him.
Q.NO.2.Why did she feel pride in the beauty of her hair?
Answer: Della had very long and beautiful hair. She was proud of the beauty of her hair because she knew that her hair was more beautiful than any queen’s jewels and gifts. It fell about her like a stream of brown waterfall. It reached below her knee. It made itself into a dress for her.
Q.NO.3. Why did she sell her hair?
Answer: Della loved Jim passionately. On the eve of Christmas, she wanted to present him a gift as a token of her love but she didn’t have enough money. That’s why, she sold her hair for twenty dollars so that she might be able to make Christmas memorable forever.
Q.NO.4. Why did Jim sell the gold watch?
Answer: Jim loved Della passionately. Like his wife, he also wanted to present her a gift on Christmas but he had no money. He did not want to celebrate Christmas without giving her a gift. That’s why, he sold gold watch to buy a gift of beautiful combs for Della’s beautiful hair.
Q.NO.5. Why did they want to present gifts?
Answer: Both Jim and Della had pure and passionate love for each other. Christmas was the best occasion for them to display their love for each other. That’s why, they wanted to present gifts to each other as a token of their sincere and pure love and did not want to miss that chance.
Q.NO.6. Why did she feel sad on losing her hair?
Answer: After losing her hair, she felt sad because first she thought that she would not look beautiful without her hair. Secondly, she would lose her respect in the eyes of Jim. He would think that she was not a good girl rather she was a characterless girl who worked for money.
Q.NO.7.Why didn’t Jim welcome her when he stepped in?
Answer: When Jim stepped in, he saw Della without her beautiful and long hair. He did not welcome her and became dejected because actually he had bought a gift of beautiful combs as a gift of Christmas for her hair but she had lost her hair.
Q.NO.8.What did he bring out from his coat?
Answer: He brought out something tied in paper from inside his coat and threw it on the table. When Della opened it, she found the gift of Chrsitmas. They were the same beautiful golden combs which she had longed for but could not have them due to her poor financial condition.
Q.NO.9. How beautiful was the gold watch chain?
Answer: The gold watch chain was very beautiful. It was simply made. It was costly and perfect for Jim’s gold watch. It had quietness and value. Its value was in its rich and pure material. It seemed to shine softly like the warm feelings of Della’s love for Jim.
Q.NO.10. What was the wisdom in selling the most valuable things?
Answer: Both Jim and Della sold the most valuable things which they owned. They just wanted to express their true love and caring attitude for each other and nothing else. We can say that there was no element of wisdom in selling the most valuable things.
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GOD BE PRAISED
Q.NO.1. What was alias Abul’s full name?
Answer: Abul’s full name was Maulvi Abul Barkat Ali. He led prayers in a village.
Q.No.2: What was his turban known as and where did it originally come from?
Answer: Moulvi Abul always wore a light brown turban on his head. It was known as Mashadi Lungi. The reason for its name was that it originally came from Mashad, a city of Iran.
Q.NO.3. What did he always carry with him?
Answer: Like a typical Molvi, Moulvi Abul had always a walking stick with him. It was a sort of scepter. It had decorative bands of brass and gilt. Molvi looked really graceful while walking with this walking stick.
Q.NO.4. Describe Maulvi’s appearance.
Answer: Maulvi Abul had bulging eyes. He used fragrant oil for his hair. He wore silver rings with large turquoise stones. He wore a turban on his head, known as Mashadi Lungi. He had also a walking stick. It was just like a scepter. It had decorative bands of brass and gilt.
Q.NO.5 & 6. How much did Maulvi collect on every Eid? How much was distributed among the needy and the poor?
Answer: After his sermon on every Eid, he collected 150 to 200 rupees from his devotees. However, he distributed 40 to 50 rupees in the presence of the worshippers among the needy and the poor of the village. After that he asked the people to pray to God and thank Him for His blessings.
Q.NO.7.What was the name of his eldest daughter?
Answer: The name of his eldest daughter was Mehrun. She was married to Shamim Ahmad, the son of a Hafiz and an erstwhile disciple of Moulvi Abul. She had been married with great splendor. After her marriage, Molvi felt light like a feather.
Q.NO.8. What was the name of the member of the District Board where the Maulvi lived?
Answer: Chaudhry Fatehdad was the member of the District Board where the Maulvi lived. He was the Head of the village. He was rich and pious Muslim. He was the same person who had been the main source of inspiration for Moulvi Abul.
Q.NO.9. What was the name of his wife?
Answer: The name of his wife was Zaibunnisa. She proved herself a good wife. Through thick and thin, she stood by her husband and remained true to him.
Q.NO.10. Write the names of other two daughters who are mentioned in the story.
Answer: The names of other two daughters who are mentioned in the story are Zabada and Shamsun.
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OVER COAT
Q.NO.1. What was the colour of the overcoat of the young man? OR What was the condition of the coat the young man was wearing?
Answer: The overcoat the young man had put on was brown. It had a cream coloured half opened rose in its button hole. It was made of pure and fine material. Its lapels were stiff. The sleeves were well creased. Its buttons were made of horns. The young man seemed to be very happy in it.
Q.NO.2. What was his appearance?
Answer: The young man was well-groomed. He had thin moustaches and wore side burns. He was wearing brown overcoat. He was also wearing a green felt hat at a rakish angle. A white silk scarf was knotted at his neck. In one of his hands, he had a stick which he twirled jauntily.
Q.NO.3. Why did the people come out on the Mall?
Answer: It was a Saturday evening in mid-winter. It was very cold. It was the intense cold that forced the people to come out on the Mall to walk actively so that they might keep themselves warm by walking anf enjoy the gaiety of the streets.
Q.NO.4.What were the people wearing who came on the Mall?
Answer: Most of the people who came on the Mall were wearing overcoats. Their overcoats were of different kinds i.e. from astrakhan to the rough military khaki overcoat. Most of them were bought from second-hand clothes shops.
Q.NO.5. Why was the cat shivering?
Answer: The weather was cold and rough outside. Everyone was feeling the effect of cold. A small lean cat was also feeling and shivering due to cold. It rubbed against the young man’s legs and mewed. He stroked it and it leapt up onto the bench.
Q.NO.6. Why did the driver of the truck speed away after the accident?
Answer: The driver of the truck had heard a shriek. He had actually slowed down for a moment but thinking that something serious had happened and he would be handed over to the police on the charge of the murder, he sped away into the night taking the advantage of the darkness.
Q.No.7: Who took the young man to the hospital?
Answer: After the accident, a large crowd of people had collected at the place of occurrence. The young man was badly hurt. He needed immediate treatment. Someone stopped the car. The young man was loaded into it and taken to the hospital.
Q.NO.8. What was playing in one of the restaurants?
Answer: An orchestra was being played in one of the restaurants. It made the atmosphere lively and uplifting. Different people were present inside the restaurant. Those who were outside the restaurant seemed to be enjoying this foreign music more than those who were sitting inside because they were listening in silence.
- THE ANGEL AND THE AUTHOR—- AND OTHERS
Q.NO.1. At what point of journey in his dream did the author hear the throbbing sound of wings?
Answer: There was faint light buried beneath darkness when the author heard the throbbing sound of wings. The throbbing sound was the sound of the wings of the Recording Angel. Actually, it was his dream in which he found himself dead. He was being taken up in the sky.
Q.NO.2. What time of year was it?
Answer: It was about a fortnight after Christmas when the writer saw the dream. He found that he had died and was being taken up in the sky.
Q.NO.3. What does the writer like about Christmas?
Answer: The writer likes the individual as well as joint efforts of the people to do good to others on the eve of Christmas. Christmas makes everybody kind and generous. Everyone performs good deeds. All this is delightful and sensational for the writer.
Q.NO.4. Write down the five deeds the author has admitted are a great joy on Christmas?
Answer: The deeds of great joy on Christmas are following.
- He gave money to four charity dinners.
- He raised fund for the poor curates.
- He donated 12 photographs signed by him to a charity bazaar.
- He sent his old clothes as well as new coat to the rummage sale.
- He bought a riffle ticket to help the needy.
Q.NO.5: Why are the noble deeds always a great joy for the author?
Answer: The noble deeds are always a great joy for the author because he feels pleasure in doing something for the needy. He gets spiritual satisfaction after committing these noble deeds. They are also a source of motivation and inspiration for others to be kind, helpful and virtuous.