Namma Kalvi

ENGLISH GUIDE & WORK BOOK

(The Ultimate Guidance for Success)

11
Based on the New Syllabus

F
r 2 Books
1. English Drill Book
e 2. IDEAL Question Bank
e
Authors

S. GURUVAYURAPPAN, M.A., M.Sc., M.Phil., M.Ed., G. GEOFFREY DAVIDSON

Director, Namakkal. Director Training, Salem.

A. GOPAL, M.A., M.Ed., M.Phil., T.S. RAAM KAPIL, M.A., M.Phil., B.Ed.,
MAM Matric Hr. Sec. School, Mettur, Salem. PG Asst. in English, Salem.

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Unit 1  Prose XI   ENGLISH 1

U
N 1 THE PORTRAIT OF A LADY
I Khushwant Singh
PROSE
T
About the Author
Author : Khushwant Singh
Born : 15th August 1915, Punjab.
Education :  Law at Stephen’s College, New Delhi.  King’s College, London.
Career :  Lawyer in London and Lahore  Indian Foreign Service  Journalist
Famous Works :  The Mark of Vishnu  A Train to Pakistan  We Indians
 Success Mantra  A History of Sikhs  Death at my Door Step
Awards :  Padma Bhusan, 1974.  Padma Vibhushan, 2007.
 Sahitya Academi Fellowship Award, 2010.
Died : 20th March 2014

Warm Up Page: 1

Based on the visuals given give five words/phrases each to describe these two family types.

NUCLEAR FAMILY JOINT FAMILY

More time for each other More of sharing
Greater privacy Less privacy
Greater responsibility Shared responsibility
Self-supporting Dictated life style
Limited wants More wants for more people

SUMMARY
This short story ‘The Portrait of a Lady’ has been written by the famous Indian writer Khushwant
Singh. He served as the editor of several literary and news magazines. As a writer he is best known for his
keen secularism, sarcasm and love for poetry. In this short story he describes the love and affection between
a grandson and a grandmother. It may have some auto biographical notes.
The grandmother was an old lady with wrinkled skin. She must have been very pretty in her youth.
Her husband, the grandfather’s portrait was hung above the mantelpiece in the drawing room. He wore a
big turban and loose fitting clothes. He had a long white beard which covered the major portion of his chest
and he looked as if he was hundred years old. Grandmother had always been short, fat and slightly bent.
She walked around the house in clean white dress. She always kept one hand on her waist to balance her
stoop and the other telling the beads of her rosary.
The grandmother and the author were good friends. The author was left with his grandmother
in the village because his parents went to live in the city. She used to help him to go to school. Everyday
morning she recited her prayer thinking that the author would listen and learn the prayer by heart. When
she accompanied him to school she carried some stale chapattis for the stray dogs. While the children inside
a temple learnt alphabet and prayer, she sat inside and read the scriptures.
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2 XI   ENGLISH Unit 1  Prose

When the parents were settled comfortably in the city they called the author and the grandmother.
In the city, the author and his grandmother were not very close. She did not accompany him to school. She
was not happy to know that in the city school they did not teach about God. She was not interested in the
music class too. When he joined the University he was given a separate room and the common link between
grandson and grandmother was broken. She spent most of her time with the spinning wheel reciting her
prayers. In the afternoon she sat in the verandah feeding hundreds of little sparrows with broken bread
pieces.
When he went abroad for further studies, his grandmother went up to the railway station. But
she was not emotional. After five years he came back and she was at the station to receive him. When she
embraced him he could hear her reciting prayers.
That evening a change came over her. She did not pray. She collected some old ladies from the
neighbourhood and was playing a drum for a long time without minding their words to stop that. Next day
she fell ill. The doctor said that it was not serious. But she said that her end was near. She stopped talking
to her people. She lay peacefully in bed praying with her beads. In a short time she died. When her body
was lifted for cremation thousands of sparrows spread all over the place. When the author’s mother threw
some bread crumbs they refused to eat. When her body was carried out of the house, all the sparrows flew
away quietly.

GLOSSARY Page: 4-5

mantelpiece - shelf projecting from the wall above a fireplace

absurd - inconsistent / illogical
fables - tales / stories
hobbled - walked unsteadily
puckered - wrinkled
expanse - wide area
monotonous - unchanging / boring
snapped - broke / cut
seclusion - isolation
bedlam - noisy confusion
perched - sat / rested
rebukes - scoldings
dilapidated - damaged
pallor - an unhealthy pale appearance
shroud - cloth used to wrap a dead person

MEANINGS

wrinkled lines on the face and skin pretty beautiful, attractive

portrait painting, drawing or photograph mantelpiece place above the fire place
sort type revolting opposing
absurd stupid, illogical fables stories
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Unit 1  Prose XI   ENGLISH 3

bent not straight certain sure

terribly very hobbled walked unsteadily
spotless clean stoop bent
locks hair scattered spread everywhere
pale whitish puckered wrinkled
constantly regularly inaudible cannot be heard
expanse widespread, large area serenity calmness
contentment satisfaction monotonous boring
bothered minded stale old, not fresh
several many growling barking
rolled by passed by distressed upset
snapped broke seclusion isolation
resignation calm acceptance rarely sometimes
reciting saying relaxed rested
veritable real bedlam noisy confusion
perched sat shooed drove away
cherished enjoyed clasped embraced
frivolous playful rebukes scolding
sagging hanging dilapidated damaged
persuade induce mild slight
omitted left out protested objected
ignored disregarded suspect doubt
pallor unhealthy pale customary routine
shroud cloth to cover the dead body mourning feeling sad
crude rough cremated burnt
wrapped covered corpse dead body

ADDITIONAL EXERCISES

EXERCISE WITH ANSWER

Choose the correct synonym for each of the following from the options given.
1. That seemed to be quite absurd and undignified.
a) stupid b) healthy c) cunning d) kind

2. She hobbled about the house in spotless white.

a) walked straight b) walked unsteadily c) walked quickly d) walked happily

3. Her silver locks were scattered untidily over her pale puckered face.
a) clean b) calm c) wrinkled d) beautiful
4. An expanse of pure white serenity breathing peace and contentment.
a) limited b) shrunk c) vastness d) taste
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4 XI   ENGLISH Unit 1  Prose

5. She said her morning prayer in a monotonous sing song.

a) interesting b) meaningful c) pious d) boring

6. The common link of friendship was snapped.

a) strengthened b) avoided c) needed d) broken

7. My grandmother accepted her seclusion with resignation.

a) readiness b) isolation c) involvement d) need

8. Hundreds of little birds collected around her creating a veritable bedlam of chirruping.
a) mistake b) beginning c) ending d) confusion

9. Some came and perched on her legs.

a) ran b) sat c) gave d) bit

10. Her happiest moments were with her sparrows whom she fed longer and with frivolous
rebukes.
a) praise b) kindness c) scolding d) talking

11. For several hours she thumped the sagging skins of the dilapidated drum.
a) good b) damaged c) professional d) big

12. A peaceful pallor spread on her face and we knew that she was dead.
a) darkness b) whiteness c) happiness d) sadness
13. She had been old and wrinkled for the twenty years that I had known her.
a) spotted b) crumpled c) spirited d) shortened

14 She had been young and pretty, and even had a husband.
a) pious b) kind c) humble d) beautiful

15. She hobbled about the house in spotless white.

a) dirty b) dull c) bright d) clean

16. One hand resting on her waist to balance her stoop and the other telling the beads of her
rosary.
a) walk b) breath c) bent d) dress

17. Her silver locks were scattered untidily.

a) given b) tied c) opened d) spread

18. Her lips constantly moved in inaudible prayer.

a) strong b) meaningful c) careful d) noiseless

19. An expanse of pure white serenity breathing peace and contentment.

a) satisfaction b) interaction c) commitment d) affection

20. From sunrise to sunset she sat by her wheel spinning and reciting prayer.
a) saying b) preparing c) writing d) listening

Answers
1. a 2. b 3. c 4. c 5. d 6. d 7. b 8. d 9. b 10. c
11. b 12. b 13. b 14. d 15. d 16. c 17. d 18. d 19. a 20. a
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Unit 1  Prose XI   ENGLISH 5

SELF EVALUATION
Choose the correct synonym for each of the following from the options given.
1. He did not look the sort of person who would have wife and children.
a) type b) small c) short d) rich

2. As for my grandmother being young and pretty, the thought was almost revolting.
a) fighting b) accepting c) opposing d) reaching

3. No, we were certain she had been always been as we had known her.
a) doubtful b) hard c) easy d) sure

4. Old, so terribly old that she could not have grown older.
a) very b) happily c) quickly d) slowly

5. Her silver locks were scattered untidily.

a) cover b) hair c) dress d) hand

6. Her silver locks were scattered untidily over her pale puckered face.
a) bright b) clean c) whitish d) coloured

7. Her lips constantly moved in inaudible prayer.

a) regularly b) quietly c) quickly d) slowly

8. An expanse of pure white serenity breathing peace and contentment.

a) scenery b) calmness c) quickness d) fast

9. I loved her voice but never bothered to learn it.

a) asked b) minded c) went d) pushed

10. After a breakfast of a thick, stale chapatti we went to school.

a) fresh b) many c) little d) old

11. She carried several stale chapattis with her for the village dogs.
a) few b) many c) small d) big

12. As the years rolled by we saw less of each other.

a) passed by b) stormed in c) called on d) broke into

13. She was distressed that there was no teaching about God and the scriptures.
a) ready b) understood c) upset d) asked

14. My grandmother accepted her seclusion with resignation.

a) acceptance b) attitude c) smile d) anger

15. She rarely left her spinning wheel to talk to anyone.

a) often b) never c) sometimes d) always

16. Only in the afternoon she relaxed for a while to feed the sparrows.
a) worked b) rested c) talked d) listened
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6 XI   ENGLISH Unit 1  Prose

17. Hundreds of little birds collected around her creating a veritable bedlam of chirruping.
a) various b) great c) real d) unreal

18. She smiled but never shooed them away.

a) shot b) looked at c) carried d) drove

19. When I left I cherished the moist imprint as perhaps the last sign of physical contact
between us.
a) enjoyed b) thought c) noticed d) pushed

20. While she clasped me in her arms I could hear her reciting her prayers.
a) clapped b) touched c) pushed d) embraced

21. Her happiest moments were with her sparrows whom she fed longer and with frivolous
rebukes.
a) serious b) playful c) favour d) hard

22. For several hours she thumped the sagging skins of the dilapidated drum.
a) hanging b) tight c) strong d) mild

23. We had to persuade her to stop to avoid overstraining.

a) dissuade b) extend c)influence d) listen to

24. It was a mild fever.

a) strong b) heavy c) high d) slight

25. Only a few hours before the close of the last chapter of her life she had omitted to pray.
a) started b) left out c) remained in d) joined

26. We protested.
a) supported b) gathered c) helped d) objected

27. But she ignored our protests.

a) disregarded b) regarded c) accepted d) understood

28. Even before we could suspect her lips stopped moving.

a) understand b) mistook c) doubt d) sure of

29. We lifted her off the bed and, as is customary laid her on the ground.
a) understanding b) heavy c) light d) routine

30. We went to her room with a crude stretcher to take her to be cremated.
a) rough b) refined c) small d) large

OPPOSITES

wrinkled × smooth hard × soft

loose × tight absurd × reasonable
short × long fat × lean
bent × straight certain × doubtful
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Unit 1  Prose XI   ENGLISH 7

spotless × stained scattered × gathered

pale × bright constantly × inconstantly
inaudible × audible pure × impure
serenity × agitation contentment × dissatisfaction
monotonous × interesting tiny × big
thick × thin stale × fresh
distressed × joyful rarely × often
snapped × joined cherished × hated
moist × dry arrival × departure
frivolous × sensible rebuke × praise
dilapidated × stable persuade × dissuade
mild × strong near × far
omitted × included, added protested × agreed
ignored × accepted customary × abnormal / unusual
crude × refined

ADDITIONAL EXERCISES

EXERCISE WITH ANSWER

Choose the most accurate of the four given words which is opposite to the usage of the
underlined word in the following sentences.

1. That seemed quite absurd and undignified.

a) ridiculous b) silly c) reasonable d) strange

2. No, we were certain she had always been as we had known her.
a) sure b) truly c) doubtful d) clear
3. Her lips constantly moved in inaudible prayer.
a) unconstantly b) inconstantly c) disconstantly d) misconstantly

4. An expanse of pure white serenity breathing peace and contentment.

a) agitation b) calmness c) stillness d) disturbed

5. She said her morning prayer in a monotonous sing-song.

a) boring b) dull c) tedious d) interesting

6. She was distressed that there was no teaching about God and the scriptures.
a) dejected b) frustrated c) dismayed d) joyful

7. When I left I cherished the moist imprint as perhaps the last sign of physical contact
between us.
a) hated b) enjoyed c) tried d) took

8. On my first day of arrival her happiest moments were with her sparrows whom she fed
longer and with frivolous rebukes.
a) sensible b) playful c) laughing d) wonderful
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8 XI   ENGLISH Unit 1  Prose

9. We had to persuade her to stop overstraining.

a) dissuade b) invade c) assure d) compel

10. We lifted her off the bed and as is customary laid her on the ground.
a) normal b) requested c) abnormal d) unaccounted

Answers
1. c 2. c 3. b 4. a 5. d 6. d 7. a 8. a 9. a 10. c

SELF EVALUATION

Choose the most accurate of the four given words which is opposite to the usage of the
underlined word in the following sentences.

1. She had been old and wrinkled for twenty years that I had known her.
a) crushed b) crumbled c) straight d) bend

2. She had even had a husband, but that was hard to believe.
a) easy b) soft c) difficult d) accepted

3. He wore a big turban and loose fitting clothes.

a) free b) movable c) tight d) decent

4. She had always been short and fat and slightly bent.
a) small b) huge c) big d) tall

5. She had always been short and fat and slightly bent.
a) thin b) thick c) familiar d) known

6. She had always been short and fat and slightly bent.
a) folded b) straight c) crooked d) beautiful

7. She hobbled about the house in spotless white.

a) clean b) neat c) dotted d) dirty

8. Her silver locks were scattered untidily over her pale puckered face.
a) spread b) sprinkled c) gathered d) dispersed

9. Her silver locks were scattered untidily over her pale puckered face.
a) bright b) dull c) light d) soft

10. Her lips constantly moved in inaudible prayer.

a) quite b) noisy c) silent d) knowingly

11. An expanse of pure white serenity breathing peace and contentment.

a) unpolluted b) untainted c) impure d) dispure

12. An expanse of pure white serenity breathing peace and contentment.

a) discontentment b) inconstentment c) satisfaction c) acceptance

13. She had already washed and plastered with yellow chalk, a tiny earthen ink-pot.
a) small b) big c) hard d) soft
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Unit 1  Prose XI   ENGLISH 9

14. After a breakfast of thick, stale chapatti with a little butter and sugar spread on it.
a) heavy b) plenty c) thin d) thing

15. After a breakfast of thick, stale chapatti with a little butter and sugar spread on it.
a) fresh b) old c) many d) few

16. The link of friendship was snapped.

a) broken b) joined c) appreciated d) hated

17. She rarely left her spinning wheel to talk to anyone.

a) seldom b) hardly c) often d) thinly

18. When I left I cherished the moist imprint as perhaps the last sign of physical contact
between us.
a) watery b) dipped c) dry d) warm

19. On my first day of arrival her happiest moments were with her sparrows whom she fed
longer and with frivolous rebukes.
a) reaching b) visited c) happened d) departure

20. On my first day of arrival her happiest moments were with her sparrows whom she fed
longer and with frivolous rebukes.
a) curse b) punishments c) praise d) requests

21. For several hours she thumped the sagging skins of the dilapidated drum.
a) damaged b) destroyed c) old d) stable

22. It was a mild fever.

a) slight b) serious c) known d) strange

23. Only a few hours before the close of the last chapter of her life she had omitted to pray.
a) left out b) joined c) included d) absent

24. We protested. But she ignored our protests.

a) started b) ended c) disagreed d) agreed

25. We protested. But she ignored our protests.

a) accepted b) rejected c) shouted at d) looked at

26. We went to her room with a crude stretcher.

a) rough b) thin c) big d) refined

TEXTUAL EXERCISES

1. Answer the following in one or two sentences based on your understanding of the story.
Page: 5
a. Describe the grandfather as seen in the portrait.
In the portrait the grandfather was found wearing a big turban and loose fitting clothes. He had a long
white beard which covered the major portion of his chest and he looked as if he was hundred years
old.
b. Why was the author left with his grandmother in the village?
The author was left with his grandmother in the village because his parents went to live in the city.
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10 XI   ENGLISH Unit 1  Prose

c. Where did the author study in his childhood?

The author studied in the village in his childhood. His school was attached to a temple and the priest
was their teacher.

d. Why did the grandmother accompany the author to school?

The grandmother accompanied the author to school because she had a chance to feed the stray dogs
with stale chapattis. Moreover she had time to read scriptures inside the temple.

e. What made the dogs follow the grandmother after school hours?
When the grandmother with the author went back home, she used to throw chapattis to the dogs. So
the dogs followed the grandmother after school hours.

f. Why didn’t the grandmother feel sentimental when the author went abroad for higher
education?
The grandmother was old but she believed that she would live to see the author after his completion
of studies abroad. So she was not sentimental.

g. What was the happiest time of the day for grandmother?

In the afternoon the grandmother felt relaxed to feed the sparrows with bits of bread. That was the
happiest time of the day for grandmother.

ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS
Answer the following in one or two sentences.
1. What was the grandmother’s reaction when the author went abroad?
The grandmother went to the railway station. She was not emotional. She was saying her prayers with
the beads of her rosary. She silently kissed him on his forehead.

2. Why did the grandmother carry stale chapattis with her?

She carried the stale chapattis to feed the street dogs.

3. When was the common friendship between grandmother and grandson broken?
When he joined the university for higher education, he was given a separate room. Then the common
friendship was broken.

4. Describe the life of the grandmother after the friendship with the author was snapped.
She accepted her isolation with resignation. She spent her time with the spinning wheel reciting her
prayers. In the afternoon, she was feeding a host of sparrows with bits of bread.

5. How did the sparrows react at the death of the grandmother?

Thousands of sparrows sat scattered on the floor without their usual chirruping. The author’s mother
tried to feed them but they refused to eat. When the body was carried, they flew away quietly.

2. Answer the following questions in three or four sentences each. Page: 5

a. Describe the author’s grandmother.

The author’s grandmother was an old woman with wrinkled skin. She had been like that for twenty
years. Once she had been young and pretty.

b. What was the daily routine of the grandmother at home?

The grandmother walked about the house in neat white dress. She always had a rosary with her. Every
morning she woke the author up for the school. While she bathed him, she said her prayer. Then she
went to school with him. She had some stale chapattis with her to feed the stray dogs.
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Unit 1  Prose XI   ENGLISH 11

c. How is school education in the village different from that in the city?
The village school was attached to a temple. The priest acted as the teacher and taught the children
alphabet and morning prayer. In the city, children are taught English, Western Science and music.
There is no teaching about God and the scriptures.
d. The grandmother appreciated the value of education. Give instances in support of your
answer.
According to the grandmother children should be taught prayer and scriptures. She was very upset to
know that in city school there was no teaching about God. She did not think that the subjects taught
in the school would teach any value to the children.
e. The grandmother was strong-minded. Justify.
When the author decided to go abroad for further studies, he thought that the grandmother would be
upset. But she was not sentimental. When she went to the railway station with the author, she did not
show any emotion. She only prayed for the author.
f. How did the grandmother spend the last few hours of her life?
When the grandmother realised that her end had come, she stopped her prayer. She gathered
some women. She got an old drum and sang the home-coming of warriors. The next morning she
was taken ill. The doctor said that it was not serious. But she said that her end was near.
She stopped talking to her people. She lay peacefully in bed praying and saying her beads. In a short
time she died.

3. Answer the following in a paragraph of 100 – 150 words each.

a. The grandmother played a vital role in the author’s formative years. Give your own example
of how elders have a positive influence on the younger generation. Include examples from
the story also.
Title The Portrait of a Lady
Author khushwant Singh
Theme Orthodox Grand mother’s bonding with grandson

My grandmother always went to school with me because the school was attached to the temple.

In the lesson ‘The Portrait of a Lady’, Khushwant Singh describes the importance of the
grandmother in shaping the life of the author. When the author was a child, his whole life was filled
with the activities of his grandmother. When the author was left to the care of the grandmother, he was
led by her from morning till evening. In his formative period, she taught him the importance of prayer
and God. Usually the elders play a vital role in the life of children. Elders are experienced people who
understand what is good for the future of the children. So they could have a positive influence on the
younger generation. In this story the grandmother took him to a school which was attached to the
temple. There children were taught good values. She showed her strong will to the author which must
have influenced him.

Kids don’t remember what you try to teach them. They remember what you are.

b. As young Khushwant Singh, write a letter to your parents describing your daily routine
expressing your thoughts and feelings about staying in the village.
Ayothiapattanam,
Salem,
28 June 2020.
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12 XI   ENGLISH Unit 1  Prose

Dear Appa and Amma,

I am doing well here. I hope you both are fine there. My grandma takes care of me
well. Everyday morning she wakes me up with her prayer song. Though it is in a monotonous tone,
I like it. She bathes me and gets me ready to go to school. Then she will get my slate, a small tiny
earthen ink-pot and a red pen. She will tie them all in a bundle and give it to me. She will take some
stale chapattis with her and accompany me to the school. My school is attached to a temple and the
priest teaches us alphabet and morning prayer while we sit in the verandah. Grandma will sit inside
and read the scriptures. In the evening many stray dogs will follow us and grandma will feed them
with the stale chapattis. I enjoy my life in the village. But I always miss you both. When will you
come here?
Your loving son,
Khushwant Singh.

c. Animals are capable of empathy. Substantiate this statement with examples from the
story as well as your own experiences.

Title The Portrait of a Lady

Author khushwant Singh
Theme Sympathetic lady and empathetic animals

When we carried my grandmother’s corpse off, they flew away quietly.

Animals are capable of empathy. Their love towards their owners cannot be described.
Dogs will always follow their owners even if they beat them. Sometimes they follow their cars or two-
wheelers. In this story the little sparrows were fed by the grandmother every day. They sat on her
legs, shoulders and head. She also enjoyed that. Every day they waited for her. On her death day the
sparrows came but refused to eat the little crumbs. When her body was lifted they flew away quietly.
My uncle had a big dog. When he died, all of us totally forgot about the dog. When his body was
lifted for cremation, the dog gave a groaning voice. Then we realised that the dog did not eat
anything the whole day. After the ceremony, my aunty gave some food but it refused to eat. It died
the next day.
Love of animals is deeper than that of man.

ADDITIONAL PARAGRAPHS

Answer the following in a paragraph of 100 – 150 words each.

1. How do you say that the grandmother was a pious lady? Give examples from the story

Title The Portrait of a Lady

Author khushwant Singh
Theme Pious lady’s bonding with grandson

While children sat in rows on either side of the verandah singing the alphabet or
the prayers in a chorus, my grandmother sat inside reading the scriptures.

This short story ‘The Portrait of a Lady’ was written by the famous Indian writer Kushwant
Singh. The grandmother was an old lady with wrinkled skin. She walked around the house in clean
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Unit 1  Prose XI   ENGLISH 13

white dress. Every morning she recited her prayer thinking that the author would listen and learn the
prayer by heart. When she accompanied him to school she carried some stale chapattis for the stray
dogs. While the children inside the temple learnt alphabet and prayer, she sat inside and read the
scriptures. When she went to the city she was not happy to know that in the city school they did not
teach about God. She was not interested in the music class too. When he joined the university he was
given a separate room. She spent most of her time with the spinning wheel reciting her prayers, When
she embraced him at the railway station he could hear her reciting prayers. One evening a change
came over her. She did not pray. Next day she fell ill. She lay peacefully in bed praying with her beads.
In a short time she died.

God created women to enjoy piety and spread it everywhere.

2. Describe the last days of the grandmother.

Title The Portrait of a Lady

Author khushwant Singh
Theme Pious lady’s bonding with grandson

She lay peacefully in bed praying and telling her beads.

This short story ‘The Portrait of a Lady’ was written by the famous Indian writer Kushwant
Singh. The grandmother was an old lady with wrinkled skin. She walked around the house in clean
white dress. She always kept one hand on her waist to balance her bent. When she went to city she was
not happy to know that in the city school they did not teach about God. She was not interested in the
music class too. She spent most of her time with the spinning wheel reciting her prayers. One evening
a change came over her. She did not pray. She collected some old ladies from the neighbourhood and
was playing a drum for a long time without minding others’ words to stop that. Next day she fell ill.
The doctor said that it was not serious. But she said that her end was near. She stopped talking to her
people. She lay peacefully in bed praying with her beads. In a short time she died. When her body
was lifted for cremation thousands of sparrows spread all over the place. When his mother threw some
bread crumbs they refused to eat. When her body was carried out of the house, all the sparrows flew
away quietly.

A peaceful pallor spread on her face and we knew that she was dead.

VOCABULARY
a) Read the following words and choose the correct antonyms from the options given.
Page: 5

Words Options Answer

moist a. marshy b. arid c. slimy d. sultry arid
frivolous a. serious b. sad c. furious d. happy serious
omitted a. isolated b. rejected c. contracted d. included included
protest a. promote b. apprehend c. accept d. project accept
serenity a. simplicity b. anxiety c. absurdity d. stupidity anxiety
scattered a. sprinkled b. multiplied c. gathered d. covered gathered
monotonous a. interesting b. tiresome c. fragrant d. satisfying interesting
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14 XI   ENGLISH Unit 1  Prose

b) Fill in the blanks choosing the appropriate compound words from those given in the box.
Reeta hurried along the road, dressed in her spotless new dress towards the bus stop. Before sunset
she had to reach the house of her grandmother. But the first half-hour travel was slow due to traffic
jam. Her homecoming would be regarded with joy. She was overstraining herself to reach the place.
When she finally stepped into the courtyard, she was received with a big hug by her kind aunt. She
was in time to join the gentlefolk at the village for a singsong.

singsong overstraining spotless gentlefolk grandmother

courtyard sunset half-hour homecoming

c) Match the words in Column A with their pairs in Column B to form compound words and
write them in Column C.

A B C
mantel lashes mantelpiece
eye wheel eyelashes
water gate waterproof
bee knob beehive
toll piece tollgate
door proof doorknob
spinning hive spinning wheel

d) Frame meaningful sentences of your own using the following expressions from the story.
Use a dictionary if required.
i) the thought was almost revolting
We proposed to visit Kashmir but the thought was almost revolting.
ii) an expanse of pure white serenity
Sitting along with the grandchildren, she was like an expanse of pure white serenity.
iii) a turning point
A job in an MNC was a turning point in Gita’s life.
iv) accepted her seclusion with resignation
The Sadhu accepted his seclusion with resignation.
v) frivolous rebukes
The children enjoyed the frivolous rebukes from their kind grandmother.

e) Prefixes and Suffixes Page: 7

l A prefix is a letter or a group of letters which is added to the beginning of a root word in order to
modify it. Usually the new word formed is the opposite of the given word.
eg: in + audible - inaudible
l A suffix is a letter or a group of letters added to the end of a root word. By adding suffixes the
grammatical function of the word changes.
eg: constant + ly - constantly
l Words that are derived or formed from the base word by adding prefixes and suffixes are called
‘derivatives’.
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Unit 1  Prose XI   ENGLISH 15

Form two derivatives from each of the following words.

Eg: honest - dishonest, honesty
manage manger management
differ different difference
beauty beautify beautiful
peace peaceful peacefulness
arrange arranger arrangement
collect collector collection
approve disapprove approval
narrate narrator narration
class classic classical

f) Homophones and Confusables

l Homophone is a word which is pronounced like another word but has a different spelling or meaning.
eg: rite, right
Fill in the blanks with suitable homophones .
i) brake/break
a) We have a short break between the sessions.
b) The car skidded to a halt when I applied the brake.
ii) waste/waist
a) Shivani wears a belt around her waist.
b) We should never misuse or waste natural resources.

iii) principle/principal
a) Oxygen is the principal element present in the earth’s crust.
b) Both these machines work on the same principle.
iv) bread/bred
a) Turtles should be bred in a healthy environment.
b) I like to have toasted bread for breakfast.
v) lesson/lessen
a) This medicine will lessen your pain.
b) Finally, the manager learnt a lesson the hard way.
vi) pale/pail
a) The child looks very sick and pale.
b) I need a pail of water to wash these cups.
vii) through/threw
a) Ravi picked the banana peel and threw it in the dustbin.
b) The soldiers had to pass through a dark tunnel.

viii) corps/corpse Page: 8

a) The corpse was covered with a shroud.
b) A five-day annual training camp for the senior cadets of National Cadet Corps has been organised.
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16 XI   ENGLISH Unit 1  Prose

LISTENING ACTIVITY

Read the following statements and the given options. Now, listen to your teacher read
aloud a passage or play it on a recorder. You may listen to it again if required to help you
choose the right options.
i) According to Napoleon ‘Good mothers make good _______.
a) housewives b) jobs c) nations d) ideas Ans: c
ii) Mothers exhibit _______ love.
a) unauthorized b) unapproved c) unacceptable d) unconditional Ans: d
iii) _______ mothers care much for their children.
a) Adapted b) Adopted c) Adoptive d) Adaptable Ans: c
iv) _______ is the most important thing in the world.
a) Wealth b) Power c) Love d) Influence Ans: c
v) Love should be extended to _______ too.
a) friends b) relative c) countrymen d) creatures Ans: d

SPEAKING ACTIVITY

a) Work in pairs and arrive at five points that bring out the benefits and challenges of living
in either a nuclear family or a joint family. Share your views with your class.

NUCLEAR FAMILY
Benefits Challenges
1. Personalised attention. Limited role models.
2. Accommodative spirit. Limited companions for play.
3. Financial status satisfactory. Lack of support from the elders.
4. Sharing and caring. Lack of personal help during emergency.
5. Good education affordable. Greater responsibility to shoulder.

b) Build a conversation of eight to ten sets of exchange, with your grandmother discussing
the incidents that happened in your school that day.
Peter : Hi, grandma. Let me tell you what happened during lunch.
Grandma : Anything unusual?
Peter : Yes. My friend Velan shed tears.
Grandma : Did anyone beat or scold him?
Peter : No, grandma. He belongs to a financially backward family. Today, he came to school
without taking breakfast.
Grandma : He did not have anything to eat at lunch.
Peter : Yes, but I sat near him and shared my food with him.
Grandma : Wonderful! Sharing is strengthening.
Peter : Velan shed tears while eating the meal. I told him I would bring extra meal for him
daily.
Grandma : I appreciate your gesture of kindness. God bless you and Velan!
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Unit 1  Prose XI   ENGLISH 17

c) Every member contributes to forming a happy family. Share your views for a minute or two
with your class.
Every member ought to contribute to forming a happy family. A spirit of accommodation
is essential. Petty quarrels can be avoided by understanding and adjusting. Sharing is strength. By
shouldering responsibilities willingly, the members of the family lead a friction-free life. No one should
give in to a feeling of superiority. One should treat the other equally, and no room should be given for
bias or prejudice. All should work together to make the family a university of values and virtues.

READING

Read the passage on “Laughter Therapy” and answer the questions that follow. Page: 10

a. How does laughter help one to cope with stress?

Laughter provides full support for your muscles. It releases a rush of stress breaking endorphins.

b. Which word in the text (para 2) means the same as ‘dedicated’?

committed.

c. Why do you think voluntary laughter provides the same physiological as well as
psychological benefits as spontaneous laughter?
Laughter comes from the body, not from the mind. To get the benefit of laughter one need not feel it
in mind.

d. ‘Laughter is the best medicine’. Explain.

Laughter removes stress from our body. Breathing exercises are used to prepare the lungs for laughter.
Laughter combines a method of acting and visualization. Laughter helps in psychological development.

e. Given below is a set of activities. Which of these are followed in the ‘Laughter Yoga’
technique?
• clapping • breathing exercises • chanting
• stretching of arms and legs • eye contact

f. ‘Laughter therapy also plays a crucial role in social bonding.’ How?

Laughter therapy brings many people together. They work together to achieve the same goal. It brings
team spirit among the people. So it plays a crucial role in social bonding.

GRAMMAR

Articles and Determiners

• Determiners are words placed in front of a noun to clarify what the noun refers to.

Types of Determiners
Articles Demonstrative Possessive adjectives
my, your, his, her, its, our, your,
a, an, the this, that, these, those
their
Quantifiers Numbers Ordinals
some, any, few, little, more, one, two, three, four,
first, second, third, last, next
much, every twenty, hundred
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18 XI   ENGLISH Unit 1  Prose

a. Read the paragraph below and fill in the blanks using ‘a’, ‘an’ or ‘the’. Page: 11
It is said that 1 the computer is 2 an electronic extension of the human brain. Therefore, in
principle, 3 a computer can do all those activities which 4 the human brain can do. Today
computers are found to be 5 the most useful devices as knowledge providers. Another important
field of application of computers is 6 the development of robots. 7 The internet has brought
8 a drastic change in communication systems.

b. In the following paragraph, insert ‘a’, ‘an’ or ‘the’ wherever necessary and rewrite the
sentences.
In our family, we have planned to take the children to a zoo next Sunday. A van has been arranged and
we are sure to have a comfortable journey. The zoo is an interesting place for the children who enjoy
watching the animals and want to know more about them. Even the youngsters love to visit the zoo.

c. Fill in the blanks with appropriate determiners. (Articles have been included)
Once the emperor gave a bag of seeds to this council of ministers and said that he would give them six
months’ time to grow the seeds. Whoever does a good job will be made the second emperor of that
empire. All the ministers took their task seriously. After six months some minsters had small plants in
their pots. A few had very large plants. Others had medium sized plants. The emperor entered the
hall. He was much amused to see some plants. He called the first minister and asked him what he
did with the seed. The first minister explained the process he adopted to make his plant grow. The
emperor called all the other ministers to explain what they did. Only one minister had come with an
empty pot. They laughed loudly at the foolishness of this minister. But the emperor applauded him
and made him the second Emperor. Do you know why? He had given them boiled seeds which would
not grow. Only that minister was honest.

d. Fill in the blanks with appropriate determiners.

i) They came early but there was little (little/a little) work to do.
ii) Anand invited a few (few/a few) friends for the birthday party.
iii) The teacher gave every (all/every) student a separate topic for the assignment.
iv) Most of (Most of/Many) the water overflowed from the tank.
v) Each one of my friends (friend/friends) wished me on my birthday.
vi) Vijai had no (no/any) idea of the problem.
vii) Adhi had taken many (much/many)photos during the programme.
viii) Some (Some/Few) girls who attended the class informed the others about the test.

Tenses Page: 14

a. Fill in the blanks with the correct form of the verbs in brackets and read the completed
passage aloud.
The people of India, as a whole, 1 are (be) warm hearted and hospitable. Any calamity in any part
of the world immediately 2 arises (arise) their charity and generosity and a committee 3 will be (be)
promptly 4 set (set) up to collect funds to help the distressed. The most endearing quality in them 5
is (be) the respect they show for the work done in any capacity. They 6 believe (believe) in what we
7 call (call) the dignity of labour.

b. Now, use the verbs given in brackets in the following sentences in their correct forms.
1. I like (like) to spend time with my friend whenever I am (be) free.
2. He is (is) likely to miss the train. He is running (run) up to the station.
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Unit 1  Prose XI   ENGLISH 19

3. At the moment they are waiting (wait) at the bus-stop. But I do not know (not know) their plans
for the journey.
4. They firmly believe (believe) in the existence of God.
5. We hear (hear) a lot of noise because the new buildings transmit (transmit) sound vacant.
6. She always makes (make) excuses for coming late.
7. The Prime Minister leaves (leave) for America to meet the delegates tomorrow.

c. You are a commentator for a 5000 metre running race. Use simple present and present
continuous tenses and complete the commentary from the beginning to the end of the
race. Read the completed passage aloud.
The 5000 metre race is about to begin. Lined up at the starting point, from left to right, are John of
Great Britain, Peter of Nigeria and Jeeva of India. The runners are warming up for great event. Now
they 1 are taking (take) their positions on the track. They 2 are (be) all ready for the start. There 3
goes (go) the starter’s gun! Yes, the race has begun. John 4 is leading (lead) and Jeeva 5 is following
(follow) him closely.
d. Read the extract from Kayal’s diary entry regarding her Nepal Trek, and fill in the blanks
with the correct tense form of the verbs given in brackets.
DAY 1. We left (leave) Anna International Airport in Chennai two days ago catching a direct flight
to Kathmandu in Nepal. We spent (spend) a day sightseeing. Kathmandu is full of people,
rickshaws and the smell of sandalwood, I’ve never been (be) on a trip like this before. So
I’m really excited.
DAY 2. It was raining (rain) when we reached Pokhara, Nepal’s second largest city, and saw the
snowy peaks of the Himalayas for the first time. We reached (reach) Pokhara after a hair-
raising six-hour bus journey along very narrow roads with a lot of hairpin bends. The bus
was (be) so full that one person had to share the driver’s seat.
DAY 3. We began (begin) our trek at last. We are at about 900 metres and the weather is warm and
humid. For lunch we had chips and yak cheese sandwiches. I didn’t like them very much.
I’m thrilled that we pitched (pitch) tents for our camps in the dense forests. Page: 15
DAY 4. Yesterday a landslide blocked (block) our path and we had to use ropes to get over it. This
morning we walked along the river Kali Gandaki through dense forests of oak trees and
we pitched our camp at Tukuche below the Annapurna mountain range. The main danger
in addition to landslides, is ‘yak attack.’ Yaks are (be) not dangerous but you have to be
careful if you meet a herd of them because they can push you off the sides of the mountain.

DAY 5. We met a lot of children on our trek through the villages. They were playing (play) in the
pool of muddy rain water as we left the place. We have already climbed 2,400 metres.
Up here, it never rains (rain) and there are no trees. It is (be) windy and dusty and I am
always thirsty.

DAY 6. Yesterday we went (go) to the mountainside of the township of Mukthinath, at 3600 metres.
The thin air with less oxygen there left (leave) us breathless. We felt (feel) that we couldn’t
go any further. We drank (drink) a lot of extra fluids to prevent altitude sickness.

DAY 7. We turned around today and started to descend to Jomosom. As we went down, the
oxygen filled our blood again and we seemed to fly (fly) stead of walking.
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20 XI   ENGLISH Unit 1  Prose

DAY 8. We went back to Pokhara in a small plane yesterday. It was exciting (excite) when we were
flying (fly) between the mountain peaks. We arrived in Kathmandu this afternoon and we
spent (spend) our last few hours in shopping. We leave for Chennai tomorrow. We’ve had
a trip of a lifetime.

e. In the following passage, circle the verbs in simple present tense and underline the verbs
in simple past. The first one has been done for you.

i) Unless one is upright there is no use in being a charming fellow. Sometimes it is better
to be honest than attractive. These are the great truths of modern life which Shyam never
realised. He never said an ill-natured word in his life. He was always polite and spoke softly to
everybody.
ii) That night he strolled into the Palette Club about eleven o’clock, and found Trevor sitting by himself in
the long room. “Well Alan, did you get the picture finished all right?” he said, as he lit his cigarette.
“Finished and framed, my boy!” answered Trevor, “and by-the-bye, you have made a conquest. That
old model you saw is quite devoted to you. I had to tell him all about you – who you are ,
where you live , what your income is , what prospects you have .”

iii) “And now tell me how Laura is . The old model was quite interested in her.” “You don’t mean
to say you talked to him about her?”said Hughie. “Certainly I did. He knows all about the
relentless colonel, the lovely Laura, and the 10000.” “You told that old beggar all my private affairs?”
cried Hughie, looking very red and angry. “My dear Alan,” cried Hughie, “I shall probably find him
waiting for me when I go home.”

f. Fill in the blanks using Past perfect tense forms of the verbs. Page: 16

i) I had never seen (see) such a beautiful sunrise before I came here.
ii) We were not able to stay overnight as we had not reserved (reserve) the tickets in advance.
iii) Nirmala had been (be) to the concert several times.
iv) Mariappan knew Pudukottai so well because he had lived (live) there for five years.
v) Yusuf understood the problem because he had experienced (experience) the situation earlier.
vi) Catherine did not have any cash because she had lost (lose) her purse.
vii) My father had been (be) to Mumbai once before.
viii) The cat had chased (chase) the bird before it flew out of yard.
ix) Edith had visited (visit) several doctors before she found out what the problem was with her knee.
x) If we had called (call) the manager ahead, we would not have needed to wait so long for a table.

g. Read the following news report and underline the past perfect forms of the verb and circle
the simple past tense form of the verb.
INDIA BEAT PAKISTAN TO WIN BLIND CRICKET WORLD CUP
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Unit 1  Prose XI   ENGLISH 21

Chasing a huge target of 308 runs, India romped home in the penultimate over of the match to
defeat Pakistan and win the Blind Cricket World Cup. India started off their chase in a cracking
manner, but had lost two quick wickets. Sunil Ramesh rose to the occasion as he played a great
knock to help India beat Pakistan and had scored 93 runs. Earlier India had won the toss and
had decided to bowl first. Pakistan had amassed a huge score of 307 for eight in 40 overs. Their
openers had given them a brisk start which the later batsmen capitalized on.

h. Read the following extract and fill in the spaces with the right form of verbs and complete
the passage. The first one done for you.
i) The poet stops to hear the maiden singing while she 1 is cutting (cut) and 2 binding (bind) the
grain. The song of the lady 3 fascinates (fascinate) the poet who 4 is standing (stand) there to
listen to the song. The girl 5 is singing (sing) a sad song.
ii) During the monsoon, a tender slightly warm breeze 1 blows (blow) on a cloudless afternoon. A
sort of fragrance 2 rises (rise) from the wet grass and trees in the sunlight. It 3 seems (seem)
as if the warm breath of the exhausted earth 4 falls (fall) against one’s skin. A sweet voiced bird
somewhere 5 chirps (chirp) repeatedly.

i. Read the news item that appeared in a daily and fill the blanks with suitable forms of the
verbs given in brackets. Page: 17
Ever since social networking sites entered our lives, they 1 have served (serve) as platforms where
users could use the virtual space offered by these social media. However, recent incidents 2 have
caused (cause) many to question the freedom to express views on various issues and in some cases it
3 has become (become) a dangerous platform. Social Contact 4 has transformed (transform) people.
They 5 have developed (develop) an addiction to it.

j. Read the following passage and correct the errors you come across.
1. Rajan slowly settle down in his retired life. His pension plus what his wife bring from the household
work she does helped them to meet their requirements. Life is easy until one Sunday. His
granddaughter Madhu come crying. The clay doll in her hand had broken into two. Rajan pacify her
and promise to mend it. This small repair work become the founding stone of a very prosperous
venture into making clay dolls which earn him great respect.
Ans: Rajan slowly settled down to his retired life. His pension plus what his wife brought from
the household work she did helped them to meet their requirements. Life was easy until
one Sunday. His granddaughter came crying. The clay doll in her hand had broken into
two. Rajan pacified her and promised to mend it. This small repair work became the
founding stone of a very prosperous venture into making clay dolls which earned him great
respect.
2. Games and sports helps in recreation. Soccer, cricket, lawn tennis or wrestling is eagerly watched
by millions of fans all over a world. It helps one got a temporary relief from the tensions of a day.
The dedication displayed by all player in the field indicates the mental and spiritual development of
the player.
Ans: Games and sports help in recreation. Soccer, cricket, lawn tennis or wrestling are eagerly
watched by millions of fans all over the world. It helps one get a temporary relief from the
tensions of a day. The dedication displayed by all players in the field indicates the mental
and spiritual development of the players.
 www.nammakalvi.in

22 XI   ENGLISH Unit 1  Prose

WRITING
a. Notice
i. Prepare a notice to be displayed on the notice board of your school or the students of
Class 11, informing them about the educational tour that has been arranged for them
in the next month.

GOVT. HR. SEC. SCHOOL

Tirunelveli - 1.
ATTENTION
STUDENTS OF CLASS 11
EDUCATIONAL TOUR
20th June, 2020
PROPOSED PLACE – KODAIKANAL
PROPOSED DATES – 7 & 8 JULY
Interested students can enrol their names to
Mr. Shankar, English teacher on or before 4 July.
xxx
(Class Leader)

ii. Write a notice about the inauguration of a laughter club in your school.

Mahatma Gandhi HSS, Tirunelveli.

Inauguration of NSK Laughter Club
20 June 2020
This is to inform the students of I & II year Higher Secondary class that it has been proposed to
start NSK LAUGHTER CLUB in our school. Its inauguration will be at 4.30 pm on 28 June 2020.
It will be conducted in our school playground. All the Higher Secondary students are invited to
attend the function.
Sd/-
SPL.

b. Message. Page: 18

You are the Sports Captain of your school. Write a message to the Physical Director
requesting him to be present during theMessage
football team selection scheduled for tomorrow.
15 June
3.30 pm
Dear sir,
As you know, tomorrow we have football team selection at 4 pm in our school
football ground. I request you to be present during the selection time.
Sd/-
Balu, (Sports Captain)
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Unit 1  Prose XI   ENGLISH 23

c. Do you exercise regularly? If you do, which of the following activities do you prefer?
Discuss and share with your partner a few ideas about your preference.
a) walking b) working out in a gym c) swimming d) cycling
Yes, I exercise regularly. I prefer walking in the early morning. It is very pleasant because
I breathe in fresh, pure air. There is little noise. There is little traffic. Everywhere peace and serenity
reigns. It is a great pleasure watching a few women spilling water infront of their houses and drawing
kolams with colour powder. Listening to the birds chirp refreshes me. So, I prefer walking.
TASK Page: 19

You are Mani/Megalai of class XI, President of the English Club of your school. Draft
a speech of the topic ‘Reading Maketh a Complete Man’ to be delivered in the school
assembly.
“Reading makes a full man” said English philosopher Sir Francis Bacon and no truer words
were said than these. Reading nourishes the intellect and nurtures the imagination. There is nothing
more relaxing and soothing than sitting in the corner of a room with a book in your hands. Without
travelling, without even moving an inch, the reader is transported to a new world and is exposed to a
new culture and new ideas.
Good books are storehouses of human knowledge and wisdom. Anyone who has the key
can enter these store houses and enrich himself. What is the key? Simply the readiness to read. He
who can read can store his mind with the noble thoughts of the great thinkers of the world. The man
who never opens a book has a comparatively empty mind. He, no doubt, learns something from his
own experience and from others; but to what mankind has learnt and thought and done, his mind is a
blank. But he who reads widely and judiciously has a full mind.
The aim of education is to draw out or develop our faculties. Reading is one of the means
by which we educate ourselves; hence reading has the same aim as education, namely development
of our faculties. Man is born imperfect and by life-long endeavour he tries to perfect himself. Reading
the thoughts of great men fills him with nobility and inspiration, and acquaintance with current history,
science and literature fits him for the struggles of life. No doubt reading books gives you a cutting edge.
It equips you with all the requisites to make you emerge successful in the field chosen by you. It infuses
in you the skills to solve any problem and make an informed decision.
Certainly, reading makes a full man.

]]]]
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24 XI   ENGLISH Unit 1  Poem

U
N 1 ONCE UPON A TIME
I Gabriel Okara
POEM
T
About the Author
Author : Gabriel Okara
Born : 24th April 1921, Nigeria.
Education : Self - Educated man
Career :  Book binder  Journalist  Radio broadcaster  Newspaper editor
Famous Works :  The fisherman’s invocation  The Voice  Little Snake and Little Frog
 Yesterday may be Tomorrow  The Call of the River Nun
Awards :  Best award for Literature, 1953  Commonwealth Poetry Award

Warm Up Page: 20

a. Guess what friendly words these two gentlemen exchange when shaking hands.

Hi, Smith, How are You?

Hi, David, I am fine, thank you. How are you?

So far so good. I am pleased to be with you again.

b. The children in the picture are watching an exciting sporting event, where their school
team is winning. Suggest suitable utterances reflecting their feelings:

1. Hey! We are winning the match!

2. The last ball, give us a sixer!
3. O, that’s a fine shot!
4. Look at the movement of the bat!

c. Given a chance, any adult would wish to become a child again for many reasons. Fill the
boxes with some of what you imagine could be the reasons.

e.g. I need not worry about project deadlines. I need not work on holidays to complete the
target.
I can wear my pyjamas the whole day. On holidays I can get up late.
I can sleep as long as I like. Any time during my summer vacation, I can
play with my friends.
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Unit 1  Poem XI   ENGLISH 25

SUMMARY

The poem ‘Once Upon a Time’ has been written by Gabriel Okara, a poet and novelist. His poems
transit from everyday reality to moments of delight and moves back to reality. In this poem he laments
the negative change in the society. The modern society has become hypocritical in everything. He tells the
modern children how he was when he was young and the change the society brought on him when he grew
up. It is written in the form of a monologue. The poet Okara in this narrative monologue condemns the
duplicity displayed by adults both in their words and actions. Here, a father laments to his son about the
negative changes that come into the attitude and behaviour of humans, when they grow into adults.
He says that people used to be truthful when they laughed and the honesty would be reflected in
their eyes. But, people of modern times laugh outwardly. Their handshakes used to be warm and happy
conveying a sense of closeness, but nowadays the handshakes have become a mere outward show. Now
people are not trust-worthy and have become so selfish that they are concerned only about their personal
benefits.
People welcome others and exchange pleasant enquiries, but those words come only from their
tongues and not from the depth of their hearts. Humans have learnt the art of changing their facial
expressions according to situations merely to ensure social acceptance. They wear masks and exhibit
multiple faces.
The poet admits that he has also changed into a hypocrite. However, he tells his son that though
he fakes his expressions, he does all these against his will. He says that he wants to become a child again
and laugh genuinely. He wants to unlearn the unreal things and relearn how to laugh genuinely as he had
done once upon a time. When he laughs before the mirror he sees no expression. His teeth are bare like
that of the fangs of a snake. So, he asks his son to show him how to laugh the way he used to laugh when
he was a kid like him.

GLOSSARY Page: 22

laugh with their teeth - to fake a laugh, laugh without associated emotions
ice-block-cold eyes - eyes lacking a feeling of warmth or endearing expression
search behind my shadow - people are hypocritical and they don’t mean what they say
While their left hands search - evaluating the narrator’s worth and power or calculating how he
my empty pockets could be exploited
cocktail face - face showing mixed emotions
conforming smiles like a fixed - wearing a standard deceitful artificial smile on all occasions
portrait smile
good-riddance - expression of relief at being free of an unwanted person
fangs - teeth of a venomous snake, used to inject poison

MEANINGS

indeed sure
portrait smile artificial smile
conforming matching / agreeing
muting toning down
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26 XI   ENGLISH Unit 1  Poem

TEXTUAL EXERCISES Page: 23

1. Based on your understanding of the poem answer the following questions in one or two
sentences each.
a. What do you associate with the title of the poem?
Once upon a time people were true to their words and deeds. Now-a-days people are hypocrites.
b. What is the relationship between the narrator and the listener?
Narrator is the father and the listener is the son.
c. What happens to the poet when he visits someone for the third time?
When the poet visits someone for the third time he is not welcomed by the other.
d. Pick out the expressions that indicate conflicting ideas.
Laugh with their teeth, ice-block-cold-eyes, shake hands without hearts, cocktail face, portrait smile, to
say “goodbye” to mean ‘good-riddance
e. How does the poet compare his face with dresses?
As we change the dresses according to different occasions, we change our face according to different
people and occasions.
f. What does the poet mean when he says ‘goodbye’?
When the poet says ‘goodbye’, he means ‘good-riddance’. It means that the poet is relieved of an
unwanted person.
g. What pleasantries does the poet use to fake cordiality?
The poet uses pleasantries like “Feel at home”, and “come again” to fake cordiality.
h. What does he desire to unlearn and relearn?
He desires to unlearn all the hypocritical behaviour and relearn real human relationship.
i. How is the poet’s laugh reflected in the mirror?
The mirror reflects the poet’s laugh as a laughter with the teeth; fake laughter.
j. What does the poet long for?
The poet longs for the old life with human values where we had real laughter and real concern for
others.
k. Mention the qualities the child in the poem symbolises.
The child in this poem symbolises good qualities of human life without hypocrisy.

2. Fill in the blanks choosing the words from the box given and complete the summary of the
poem.
The poet Okara in this narrative monologue painfully condemns the (a) duplicity displayed by
adults both in their words and actions. Here, a father laments to his son about the negative changes that
creep into the attitude and behaviour of humans, when they grow into (b) adults. He says that people
used to be (c) genuine when they laugh and the honesty would be reflected in their eyes. But, people of
modern times laugh (d) superficially. Their handshakes used to be warm and happy conveying a sense of
togetherness, but nowadays the handshakes have become a mere (e) falsity. He warns his son that people
are not trust-worthy and have become selfish that they are concerned only about their (f) personal benefits.
People utter words of welcome and exchange (g) pleasantries, but those words come only from
the tip of their tongues and not from the depth of their hearts. Humans have learnt the art of changing their
(h) facial expressions according to situations merely to ensure social acceptance. They wear (i) masks and
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Unit 1  Poem XI   ENGLISH 27

exhibit multiple faces. The narrator admits that he has also changed into a hypocrite. However, he tells his
son that though he (j) fakes his expressions, he does all these against his will. He says he wants to become
a (k) child again and laugh genuinely. He wants to (l) unlearn the unreal things and (m) relearn how to
laugh as he had done once upon a time. When he laughs before the (n) mirror he sees no expression. His
teeth are bare like that of the (o) fangs of a snake. So, he asks his son to show him how to laugh the way
he used to laugh, when he was a kid like him.

relearn adults facial personal fangs child fakes superficially

duplicity genuine unlearn falsity masks mirror pleasantries

3. A. Interpret each of the following expressions used in the poem, in one or two lines. Page: 24

i. ‘laugh with their eyes’

In the olden days people had real laughter, not fake laughter. Their eyes could reflect the reality in
their laughter.
ii. ‘shake hands without hearts’
In the modern world handshake is fake and it does not come from the heart.
iii. ‘like a fixed portrait smile’
The smile in a portrait is a meaningless smile. The smile of the modern time people is compared
with the smile in a portrait.
iv. ‘hands search my empty pocket’
To show that the handshake of the modern man is fake the poet gives this line. When he shakes
hands he tries to find out the financial and social worth of the other person.
v. ‘to unlearn all these muting things’
The poet wants his laughter to be real. But now he has learnt to smile like others with false face.
Now he wants to unlearn whatever he has learnt from the modern world.
B. Read the lines given below and answer the questions that follow.
i. ‘But now they only laugh with their teeth,
While their ice-block-cold eyes …….’
a) Who are ‘they’?
‘They’ are the people of the modern world.
b) Explain: ice-block-cold-eyes.
‘Ice-block-cold-eyes’ means people laugh without feeling of warmth or endearing expression.
c) Identify the figure of speech used here.
Metaphor.
ii. ‘Most of all, I want to relearn
How to laugh, for my laugh in the mirror
Shows only the teeth like a snake’s fangs’.
a) Why does the poet want to relearn how to laugh?
Now the poet has realised that he has only a fake laughter. But he wants to give real laughter.
So he wants to relearn how to laugh.
b) Whom does the poet want to relearn from?
He wants to relearn from his son.
c) Mention the figure of speech used here.
Simile.
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28 XI   ENGLISH Unit 1  Poem

ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS

Read the following sets of poetic lines and answer the questions that follow

1. “Once upon a time, son

They used to laugh with their hearts’
a) Who is addressed by the poet here?
The poet’s son is addressed here.
b) When did they laugh with their hearts?
Once upon a time or long back they laughed with their hearts.
c) What does the poet mean by ‘laugh with their heart’?
By the phrase ‘laugh with their heart’, the poet means genuine laughter, not outward laughter.

2. ‘Now they shake hands without hearts

While their left hands search
My empty pockets’.
a) What does the poet mean in the first line?
The poet means that people’s handshake is not genuine.
b) What do their left hands do?
Their left hands search the pocket of the other.
c) Why should their hands search the pockets?
They are trying to find out the worth of the other person – whether he is rich or influential.

3. ‘Cocktail face, with all their conforming smiles

Like a fixed portrait smile’.
a) What is a cocktail face?
Cocktail face is a face which shows mixed emotions.

b) How do they smile?

Their smile is not genuine. Their smile is deceitful and artificial.

4. I have also learnt to say “Goodbye”

When I mean “Good-riddance”

a) What does the poet mean by “Goodbye”?

His wish is fake. When he says goodbye he means that he is happy to get rid of him.

b) What does the poet mean by “Good-riddance”?

He means that he is happy to be free from an unwanted person.

C. Explain the following lines with reference to the context. Page: 24

i. ‘Once upon a time, son

They used to laugh with their eyes’
Reference :
These lines are taken from the poem ‘Once Upon a Time’ written by Gabriel Okara, a Nigerian poet.
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Unit 1  Poem XI   ENGLISH 29

Context :
The poet recalls with anguish how the people in the olden days laughed quite naturally.
Explanation :
In this poem the poet says that in the olden days people had real human values and in the modern
world people have only fake human values. In the past the poet used to give real laughter which could
be seen in his happy eyes.

ii. ‘There will be no thrice’

Reference :
Gabriel Okara utters this line in his poem ‘Once Upon a Time’.
Context :
The poet utters these words when he tries to explain how people meet each other in the modern times.
Explanation :
In this poem he says that in the olden days people had real human values and in the modern world
people have only fake human values. In the modern time when people meet others, they say without
meaning ‘feel at home’, and ‘come again’. But if we visit them for the third time we will not be
welcomed.

iii. ‘I have learned to wear my faces

Like dresses’
Reference :
These lines are taken from the poem ‘Once Upon a Time’ written by Gabriel Okara, a Nigerian poet.
Context :
The poet painfully says people change their faces according to the situation.
Explanation :
In this poem he says that in the olden days people had real human values and in the modern world
people have only fake human values. In the modern time people change their facial expressions
according to the situation. Thus they become hypocrites. The poet also has learnt to wear many faces
just as he changes his dresses.

iv. ‘I want to be what I used to be’

Reference :
These lines are taken from the poem ‘Once Upon a Time’ written by Gabriel Okara, a Nigerian poet.
Context :
The poet wants to say that he is not happy to be what he is...
Explanation :
In this poem he says that in the olden days people had real human values and in the modern world people
have only fake human values. In the modern world people’s laughter, handshakes and pleasantries are
fake, not real. The poet also follows this now but he wants to be as real as he was in the past.
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30 XI   ENGLISH Unit 1  Poem

ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS

Explain the following lines with reference to the context.

1. ‘But now they only laugh with their teeth
While their ice-block-cold eyes
Search behind my shadow’
Reference :
These lines are taken from the poem ‘Once Upon a Time’ written by Gabriel Okara, a Nigerian poet.
Context :
The poet utters these lines when he wants to say that people do not give real laughter.
Explanation :
In the olden days, people had real human values and in the modern world people have only fake
human values. Once they laughed genuinely but now their laughter is fake. They laugh only by showing
their teeth without any feeling. Their eyes lack a feeling of warmth. People are hypocritical and they
do not mean what they say.

2. ‘There was a time indeed

Then used to shake hands with their hearts
But that’s gone, son’.
Reference :
These lines are taken from the poem ‘Once Upon a Time’ written by Gabriel Okara, a Nigerian poet.
Context :
The poet wants to say that people gave meaningful handshakes in the olden days.
Explanation :
The poet says that in the olden days, people had real human values and in the modern world people
have only fake human values. Once people shook hands with others with strong feelings in their hearts
but now people shake hands only for a show.
3. ‘Office face, street face, host face
Cocktail face, with all their conforming smiles
Like a fixed portrait smile’
Reference :
These lines are taken from the poem ‘Once Upon a Time’ written by Gabriel Okara, a Nigerian poet.
Context :
The poet utters these lines when he wants to say that people change their faces according to the
demands of occasion.
Explanation :
In the olden days, people had real human values and in the modern world people have only fake
human values. Now-a-days people show different faces in different places. They have separate faces
for office, street and as host. So the face shows mixed emotions and they have a standard deceitful
artificial smile on all occasions.
4. ‘And I have learned too
To laugh with only my teeth
And shake hands without my heart’
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Unit 1  Poem XI   ENGLISH 31

Reference :
These lines are taken from the poem ‘Once Upon a Time’ written by Gabriel Okara, a Nigerian poet.
Context :
The poet wants to say that he has also changed in the modern time.
Explanation :
The poet says that in the olden days, people had real human values and in the modern world people
have only fake human values. Now people laugh without feelings and shake hands without any warmth.
The poet accepts that he too has learnt to laugh only by showing his teeth and to shake hands with no
feeling in his heart.
4. Answer the following questions in about 100 – 150 words. Page: 24

i. Explain the things that the poet has learnt when he grew into an adult.

Poem Once Upon a Time

Poet Gabriel Okara
Theme Duplicity displayed by modern man

But now they only laugh with their teeth

While their ice-block-cold eyes
Search behind my shadow

Gabriel Okara (born 1921) is a Nigerian poet and novelist. His verse has been translated
into several languages. Okara’s typical poem transits from everyday reality to moments of delight and
moves back to reality making a complete circle.
The poet Okara in his poem ‘Once Upon a Time’ painfully condemns the duplicity displayed
by adults both in their words and actions. Here, a father laments to his son about the negative changes
that creep into the attitude and behaviour of humans when they grow into adults. He used to be
genuine when he laughed. But now his laughter is fake. He has learnt to laugh without any feeling.
Their handshakes used to be warm and happy conveying a sense of togetherness, but nowadays the
handshakes have become a mere falsity. He too has learnt to give such handshakes. He has again
learnt how to welcome people with words coming only from the lips. Now he can change the facial
expressions according to the situations.

Cocktail face, with all their confronting smiles

Like a fixed portrait smile

ii. This poem is nothing but the criticism of modern life. Justify this statement.

Poem Once Upon a Time

Poet Gabriel Okara
Theme Duplicity displayed by modern man

There will be no thrice –

For then I find doors shut on me

Gabriel Okara (born 1921) is a Nigerian poet and novelist. His verse has been translated
into several languages. Okara’s typical poem transits from everyday reality to moments of delight and
moves back to reality making a complete circle.
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32 XI   ENGLISH Unit 1  Poem

The poet Okara in his poem ‘Once Upon a Time’ painfully condemns the duplicity displayed
by adults both in their words and actions. The poet laments about the negative changes that have
come upon the modern society. In the modern world people do not have real laughter; they have only
fake laughter. Their eyes do not show any feeling when they laugh. The handshakes have become
mere duplicity. People do not have the warmth when they shake hands with others. The words of
welcome come only from the lips, not from the heart. Nowadays people change their faces as they
change their dresses. The facial expressions change according to the situation. Thus the poet criticises
the modern life.

Without being glad; and to say “It’s been

Nice talking to you”, after being bored

iii. ‘Face is the index of the mind’. Does this adage concur with the views of the poet?

Poem Once Upon a Time

Poet Gabriel Okara
Theme Duplicity displayed by modern man

I have learned to wear many faces

Like dresses – home face
Office face, street face, host face

Gabriel Okara (born 1921) is a Nigerian poet and novelist. His verse has been translated
into several languages. Okara’s typical poem transits from everyday reality to moments of delight and
moves back to reality making a complete circle.
The poet Okara in his poem ‘Once Upon a Time’ painfully condemns the duplicity displayed
by adults both in their words and actions. The poet laments about the negative changes that have
come upon the modern society. It is an old saying ‘Face is the index of the mind’. It means that face
can reflect the real mind of a person. But because of the changes brought into the modern world this
proverb has lost its meaning. People laugh concealing their real intention. People’s handshakes do
not come from their hearts. So the face does not show reality. In the same way people give words of
welcome only from the lips. In the modern world people change their face as they change their dress.
Now, in no way does the face show the real mind of a person.

And I have learned too

To laugh with only my teeth

ADDITIONAL PARAGRAPHS

Answer the following questions in about 100 – 150 words.

1. What does the poet try to convey in the poem ’Once Upon a Time’?

Poem Once Upon a Time

Poet Gabriel Okara
Theme Duplicity displayed by modern man

Once up on a time, son

They used to laugh with their hearts
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Unit 1  Poem XI   ENGLISH 33

The poem ‘Once Upon a Time’ was written by Gabriel Okara, a poet and novelist. In this
poem he laments the negative change in the society. The modern society has become hypocritical in
everything. He tells the modern children how he was when he was young and the change, the society
brought on him when he grew up. It is written in the form of monologue. The poet Okara in this
narrative monologue condemns the duplicity displayed by adults both in their words and actions. Here,
a father laments to his son about the negative changes that come into the attitude and behaviour of
humans, when they grow into adults. He says that people used to be truthful when they laughed and
the honesty would be reflected in their eyes. But, people of modern times laugh outwardly. People
welcome others and exchange pleasant enquiries, but those words come only from their tongues
and not from the depth of their hearts. The poet admits that he has also changed into a hypocrite.
However, he admits that though he fakes his expressions, he does all these against his will.

So show me, son

How to laugh; show me dhow

5. LISTENING ACTIVITY

First read the questions given below. Next, listen to an excerpt from a poem read out by your
teacher or played in a recorder. Note how a child admires and praises the abilities of his/her
father. Then tick the right answers from the options given below.
i) When the furnace needs to be repaired, they have to hire a man.
a) heater b) furnace c) stove d) oven

ii) Father knows no word like fail.

a) fail b) frail c) jail d) snail

iii) It is certain that the father would restore the confidence of the family members.
a) glory b) prosperity c) confidence d) happiness

iv) The father will not be able to mend a broken chair.

a) table b) bench c) chair d) stool

v) The children expect their mother to guide them in action.

a) mother b) father c) teacher d) guardian

]]]]
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34 XI   ENGLISH Unit 1  Supplementary

U
N 1 AFTER TWENTY YEARS
I O. Henry
SUPPLEMENTARY
T
About the Author
Author : O. Henry (William Sydney Porter)
Born : 11th September, 1862 - North Corolina, America.
Personal interest : Reading Newspapers and Books
Fame in prison :  3 years’ imprisonment for misuse of money  Started writing in prison
Famous Works :  The Gift of the Magi  The Ransom of Red Chief  The Third Ingredient
 A Retrieved Reformation  The Cop and the Anthem.
Speciality : Unexpected twist at the end of his stories, Witticism.  Clever Word Play
Died : 5th June, 1910.

Warm Up Page: 27

a. What do you expect your close friends to do for you? Beautify the petals with your thoughts.
n
play

tai
ter
en

guide
vate
moti
Friends
e
icis sup
crit por
t
care
re
sha

b. i. Find out when the International Day of Friendship is celebrated.

30 July.

ii. How is that day celebrated?

On 27 April 2011 the General Assembly of the United Nations declared 30 July as official
International Friendship Day. However, some countries, including India, celebrate Friendship Day on
the first Sunday of August. In Oberlin, Ohio, Friendship Day is celebrated on 8 April each year. Initially
created by the greeting card industry, evidence from social networking sites shows a revival of interest
in the holiday that may have grown with the spread of the Internet, particularly in India, Bangladesh,
and Malaysia. Digital communication modes such as the Internet and cell phones may be helping to
popularize the custom, since greeting friends en masse is now easier than before.
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Unit 1  Supplementary XI   ENGLISH 35

c. We have heard of the proverb ‘Familiarity breeds contempt’. Do you think that the passage
of time strengthens friendship? Share your reasons with your class.
Yes, I think that the passage of time strengthens friendship. A true friend is one who shares
our joys and sorrows. He not only entertains us but also motivates us. He guides us when we are
indecisive or directionless. He points out our mistakes gently and makes us choose the right path. His
words of consolation in times of trials and tribulations go a long way in bringing normalcy. He may be
out of sight but he is not out of mind. He may be far away but he keeps communicating with us. He
participates in all our functions. There is no doubt the passage of time makes true friendship stronger.

SUMMARY

The short story ‘After Twenty Years’ has been written by O. Henry whose original name was William
Sydney Porter. He is a well-known American short story writer. His works romanticized the life of ordinary
people in New York City. Here he describes the lives of two friends who parted company twenty years back
– how each one changed his life according to the situation.
‘After Twenty Years’ is a story that opens with a policeman on night patrol. It’s nearly 10.00’ at
night. It is quiet as he walks his beat, checking locks for safety. Suddenly, a figure standing in a doorway
catches his attention, and he approaches him. The person speaks up and reassures the officer that he is not
looking to cause any trouble – just waiting for a friend with whom he had made an appointment 20 years
ago to meet at that spot.
The man lights a cigar and tells the lawman about his friend Jimmy Wells, who was more like a
brother to him when they were young. He praises Jimmy’s character and assures the policeman that he will
keep their appointment for 10.00. As it’s already quite nearly ten, the officer asks if the man will wait any
longer for Jimmy, and the patient friend says he will give him half an hour and the lawman continues his
patrol. The patrolman realises that the other man has become very rich.
About 20 minutes later, another man approaches and calls the waiting friend by name - Bob. As the
two men greet each other heartily, Bob begins to recognize some unfamiliar characteristics in his friend – he
seems taller than he remembered. He accepts his friend’s reply that he has grown some in 20 years, until
they come across the bright lights of a drug store.
Here, Bob realizes that the man in front of him does not have the same nose as Jimmy, but it is far
too late for him to escape arrest from the plainclothesman posing as Jimmy. Before taking him into custody,
however, the officer hands Bob a note from Patrolman Wells whom he has unwittingly met earlier. One who
came before was actually his friend Bob who is a police man. He realised that Bob is the silky Bob who is a
wanted criminal in the north. Jimmy admits he recognized Bob’s face from a Chicago police bulletin but did
not have the heart to arrest him.

GLOSSARY Page: 31

avenue – a wide street

habitual – regular
nigh – almost
twirling – twisting and spinning around
intricate – complicated
stalwart – physically strong
swagger – walk in a confident way
vicinity – the surrounding area (neighbourhood)
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36 XI   ENGLISH Unit 1  Supplementary

reassuringly – making someone feel less doubtful

proposition – theory or system
plodder – one who toils slowly but steadily
wits – intelligent people
groove – a dull routine that does not change
razor-edge – a critical situation
dismally – without happiness and cheer
absurdity – quality of being silly and foolish
egotism – a feeling of self-importance
outline – describe
wires – sends a telegraphic message

1. Answer the following questions in a sentence or two each, based on your understanding of the
story.

a) Describe the appearance of the policeman on the beat.

The policeman on the beat moved in the street impressively. He was twisting his club with some
complicated movement. He was a physically strong man.

b) What did he keep doing while on his rounds?

He was looking at the doors of the shops and turning now and then to watch the traffic carefully.

c) Why were the streets devoid of people?

The streets were devoid of people because of the chilly gusts of wind with imminent rain.

d) What story did the man standing near the hardware store tell the passing cop?
The man standing near the hardware store told the passing cop that he was waiting for his friend
Jimmy Wells. Both of them had made a promise twenty years ago to meet at the same time.

e) What used to be there in the place of that shop twenty years ago?
A restaurant named Big Joe Brady’s used to be there in the place of the shop twenty years ago.

f) Describe the man awaiting the arrival of his friend.

The man awaiting the arrival of his friend had a pale squire-jawed face. He had keen eyes and a little
white scar near his right eye brow. His scarf pin was a large diamond.

g) Why did the friends part ways?

The friends parted ways to find their livelihood in their own way. One went to the West and the other
stayed in New York.

h) When and how did Bob realise that the tall man was not his friend?
When they came to a bright electric lamp, Bob looked at the other man. The other man’s nose was
different from his friend’s nose. So he realised that the tall man was not his friend.

i) Who was the tall man?

The tall man was a policeman in plainclothes who was sent by Wells, the patrolman.

j) What did he give Bob?

He gave a note from Wells to Bob.
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Unit 1  Supplementary XI   ENGLISH 37

2. State whether the following statements are true or false.

a) The cop suddenly slowed his walk, when he heard the barking of dogs. False
b) The friends grew up together in the city of New York. True
c) Both Jimmy and Bob were of the same age. False
d) The friends parted one night after watching a movie together. False
e) The friends could not keep in touch because they lost each other’s phone numbers. False
f) Bob wanted to stay for half an hour more than the appointed time. True
g) Jimmy grew a little taller after he was twenty. False
h) Bob realised that the tall man was not Jimmy Wells from the shape of his nose. True

3. What does each of the following mean in the story? Choose the right option. Page: 32

a) on the beat:
i) moving around hitting every one with a stick
ii) on duty walking around the assigned area
iii) marching with his heart beating fast
b) a guardian of peace:
i) a watchman ii) a holy man iii) a policeman
c) arm in arm:
i) with arms linked together ii) with weapons in hands iii) with handcuffs on wrists
d) plainclothes man:
i) a man who wears simple clothes for grand occasions
ii) a policeman in civilian clothes while on duty
iii) a cine artist in ordinary costumes

4. Answer the following questions in three or four sentences each.

a) What did Bob share with the cop about their friendship?
Bob said that he and his Jimmy lived together in New York. They were good friends. Twenty
years back they had dined in Big Joe Brady’s restaurant. They decided to find their own ways for the
livelihood. After the dinner they had taken a promise that they would meet in the place at the same
time after twenty years. Bob went to the West and Jimmy stayed in New York

b) What are the strengths and weaknesses of Jimmy Wells from Bob’s point of view?
Jimmy would not go out of New York. He could not earn as much as Bob. Jimmy was slow in his
dealings but a good fellow. He would surely keep his promise of meeting him at the particular place
though he had taken the promise twenty years ago.

c) Was Bob hopeful of his friend’s arrival? How do you know?

Bob was hopeful that his friend would come to meet him. He told the policeman that his friend
would never forget his promise. He was ready to wait for half an hour more than the appointed time.

d) How did the cop come to understand that Bob had been successful in the West?
Bob had an expensive large diamond scarf pin which an ordinary man could not wear. When Bob
took out his watch to see the time the cop noticed that it was a handsome watch with the attachment
of small diamonds. Thus he came to understand that Bob had been successful in the West.

e) Bob’s life in the West was not a bed of roses. Give reasons.
Bob said that the life in the west was not that easy. The West had put him into many critical
situations. He had to compete with many people to earn his livelihood.
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38 XI   ENGLISH Unit 1  Supplementary

f) Why didn’t Jimmy Wells, being a cop himself, arrest Bob?

Jimmy Wells gave a letter to Bob through the plainclothes man. He wrote that when he saw Bob’s
face he understood he was the wanted criminal in Chicago. But he himself could not arrest him because
he was once his best friend.
g) Who do you think has been more successful between the two? Give reasons.
Jimmy Wells has been more successful than Bob. He is now a respectable police man though his
earning may not be as big as what Bob has. Bob has become a criminal and has earned huge money.
But he could not lead a peaceful life.

5. Answer the following questions in a paragraph of about 150 words each.

a) Compare and contrast the character of Jimmy Wells and Bob with suitable references from
the story to support your view.
After Twenty Years written by O. Henry – Jimmy Well and Bob friends – lived in New York – parted – to
meet after 20 years – Bob to West – Wells stayed – Bob changed a lot – a criminal – Wells a policeman
– Bob came – Couldn’t recognise – Wells identified – respected friendship – sent another policeman –
arrested Bob
O. Henry in his short story ‘After Twenty Years’ describes the friendship of two men, Jimmy
Wells and Bob. They lived in New York. When Bob was eighteen and Jimmy was twenty, they decided
to go their own way to find their livelihood. When they parted, they decided to meet each other after
twenty years. On that day they dined in Big Joe Brady’s restaurant and said they would meet in the
same place at the same time after twenty years. Bob went to the West and Wells stayed in New York.
So far they did not have much difference in their characters. But the West changed Bob a lot. He
became a criminal and earned a lot. Wells became a respectable policeman. As they planned, Bob came
to the place at the scheduled time. Wells was also in the same place as the patrolman. Wells identified
Bob as the wanted criminal from Chicago but Bob could not identify Wells. In the twenty years Bob
became very rich with the ill-gotten money. Wells was not that rich in terms of money but he was rich in
character. He respected his friendship with Bob so he did not arrest him. He sent another plainclothes
man to arrest him.

Sweet is the memory of distant friends! Like the mellow rays of the departing sun,
it falls tenderly, yet sadly, on the heart. - Washington Irking

b) ‘Means should justify the end’ Explain the adage with reference to O. Henry’s story.
Steps should be right – steps to justify the end – Well and Bob friends – Bob rich with ill gotten money
– Wells respectable policeman – Bob rich end – means bad – ill gotten money – no help – end justifies
the means
‘Means should justify the end’. It means the steps we take to reach the end should be right
socially and morally. The steps should justify the end when we reach it. The end may be to become
rich but the steps we take to reach our end should justify the end. If we become rich by foul means,
the means will not justify the end. O. Henry, in his short story ‘After Twenty Years’ introduces two
characters – Jimmy Wells and Bob. Both were good friends. They parted ways to search for their
livelihood. Wells became a respectable policeman but he was not very rich. Bob became very rich but
only with ill-gotten money. He was a criminal and he was wanted by the police. His end might be great
but his means would never justify the end. At the end of the story the money he had earned through
his criminal activities did not help him. Wells’ end is not very great but his means as a professional
policeman justify his end.
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Unit 1  Supplementary XI   ENGLISH 39

c) ‘Tell me who your friends are and I shall tell you who you are’. How will you explain this
statement in the light of Jimmy’s and Bob’s friendship?
O. Henry in his short story ‘After Twenty Years’ introduces two friends – Jimmy Wells and
Bob. They were friends for many years. Both of them lived in New York. When Bob was eighteen and
Wells was twenty they parted ways to find their own means to earn money. When they parted, they
decided to meet after twenty years in the same place at the same time. Bob went to the West to find
his ways but Wells stayed in New York. After twenty years Bob came to the place and he was met by a
patrolman. The patrolman was none other than Wells. He realised Bob but he understood that he was
the criminal wanted in Chicago. But he did not want to arrest his friend so he sent another policeman
in plainclothes to arrest him. In the beginning their friendship might prove the statement true. But at
the end it was totally different.

d) To your shock you find out that your friend is indulging in some wrong activity. Will you
avoid him/her or try to correct him/her? Give reasons for your answer.
If my friend is indulging in some wrong activity surely it will shock me. I will not avoid him
but I will try to correct him. I can give many reasons for this. To err is human. Most of the time people
fall into some wrong activity because of some unforeseen circumstances. We have to decide whether
we should hate the man or the situation. I will hate the sin rather than the sinner. I have the hope that
my friend will listen to me if I tell him in the proper way. Moreover my friend is a nice guy and he can
change his way of life if he comes to realise the serious consequences of his action. So I will try my
best to mend him, not end friendship.

e) What would you do in this situation, if you were Jimmy Wells? Substantiate your reason.
If I were Jimmy Wells I must have done the same as Wells has done. Bob had become a
hard core criminal. If he had just started slipping form the right attitude there might have been some
possibilities to help him pull out of his criminal activities. But in the given situation it is very difficult
to change him. Moreover as a responsible patrolman I may not have any other choice. If I avoided
arresting him, he would as usual indulge in unlawful activities to hoard wealth. It is likely that he might
attempt homicide to rob the hapless people. Moreover, evading duty would prick my conscience as an
honest policeman. In my opinion, nobody is above law. Since duty consciousness takes precedence
over friendship, I have Hobson’s choice in this case.

ADDITIONAL PARAGRAPHS

Answer the following questions in a paragraph of about 150 words each.

1. Why did Wells avoid arresting Bob?
After Twenty Years written by O. Henry – Jimmy Well and Bob friends – lived in New York – parted – to
meet after 20 years – Bob to West – Wells stayed – Bob changed a lot – a criminal – Wells a policeman
– Bob came – Couldn’t recognise – Wells identified – respected friendship – sent another policeman –
arrested Bob
O. Henry in his short story ‘After Twenty Years’ introduces two friends – Jimmy Wells and
Bob. They were friends for many years. Both of them lived in New York. When Bob was eighteen and
Wells was twenty they parted ways to find their own means to earn money. When they parted, they
decided to meet after twenty years in the same place at the same time. Bob went to the West to find
his ways but Wells stayed in New York. After twenty years Bob came to the place and he was met by a
patrolman. The patrolman was none other than Wells. He realised Bob but he understood that he was
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40 XI   ENGLISH Unit 1  Supplementary

the criminal wanted in Chicago. But he did not want to arrest his friend so he sent another policeman
in plainclothes to arrest him. It shows that he honoured his friendship but at the same time he wanted
to do his duty as an honest policeman.

2. Describe what happened when Bob met the plain clothed man.
10 at night – a policeman – a man at the doorway – waiting for his friend – Jimmy Wells – appointed
20 years ago – ready to wait for half an hour – 20 minutes later – friend called him Bob – Bob felt
unfamiliar traits – new man took him to custody –handed over a letter – first man Jimmy – did not want
to arrest himself
‘After Twenty Years’ is a story that opens with a policeman on night patrol. It was nearly
10.00’ at night. Suddenly, a man standing in a doorway caught his attention. The man said that he
was just waiting for a friend with whom he had made an appointment 20 years ago to meet at that
spot at 10 pm. The man lit a cigar and told the lawman about his friend, Jimmy Wells. As it’s already
quite nearly ten, the officer asked him if the man would wait any longer for Jimmy, and he replied that
he would give him half an hour and the lawman continued his patrol. About 20 minutes later, another
man approached and called the waiting friend by name - Bob. As the two men greeted each other
heartily, Bob began to recognize some unfamiliar characteristics in his friend – he seemed taller than
he remembered. Then, Bob realized that the man in front of him did not have the same nose as Jimmy,
but it was far too late for him to escape arrest from the plainclothesman posing as Jimmy. Before
taking him into custody, however, the officer handed Bob a note from Patrolman Wells whom he had
unwittingly met earlier. One who came before was actually his friend Bob, who was a police man. He
realised that Bob was the silky Bob, who was a wanted criminal in the north. Jimmy admitted that he
recognized Bob’s face from a Chicago police bulletin but did not have the heart to arrest him himself.

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