TREASURE CHEST

Section II: Short Stories

1. BONKU BABU’S FRIEND

Section A: Multiple-Choice Questions

1. Who among the following was a good storyteller?

(a) Nidhi Babu.
(b) Bhairav Chakravarty.
(c) Bonku Babu.
(d) Sripati Majumdar.

2. Why does Bonku Babu say, “Shame on you boys!”?

(a) The boys teased Bonku Babu.
(b) The boys were fond of throwing stress to Bonku Babu.
(c) They abused him in the class.
(d) The boys insulted him in the class.

3. Which of the following is correct about Bonku Babu?

(a) Bonku Babu was a prankster.
(b) He was a storyteller.
(c) He was a bad tempered teacher.
(d) He was a day-dreamer.

4. What is referred to as a “golden opportunity”?

(a) To scare Bonku Babu with a ‘spook’.
(b) To find a tamarind tree to hang a spook.
(c) To find spaceships in the village.
(d) To meet an alien.

5. Besides his injured neck what harm did the spook do to Bonku Babu?
(a) He was attacked by a “spook”.
(b) His new kurta was torn and black stains all over.
(c) He was forced to sing.
(d) His shoes were hidden.

6. Why did Bonku Babu leave early that day?

(a) Everybody was hurling bitter remarks on him.
(b) He was in a hurry to correct the papers.
(c) He felt that it was not a congenial environment for him.
(d) He was very much shocked.

7. What was Ramkanai’s idea about “Saturday”?

(a) Saturday is week end.
(b) Saturday is inauspicious.
(c) Saturday is auspicious for ghosts and spooks.
(d) To avoid doing any good work on Saturday.

8. Why was the silence eerie according to Bonku Babu?

(a) There was absolute silence.
(b) It was evening time.
(c) The animals were asleep.
(d) There was no light, only a dull light shone on every branch.

9. Why was Bonku Babu feeling uncomfortable with the alien?

(a) The creature was unusually tall and had a weird face.
(b) Bonku Babu was afraid of him.
(c) The strange creature was examining Bonku Babu’s arms and legs.
(d) He suspected the creature to be a ghost.

10. Why was Bonku Babu not able to move even an inch?
(a) Ang’s pebble like object had made him immobile.
(b) He was froze at the sight of the spaceship.
(c) He was afraid of ghost.
(d) He was puzzled at the sight of Ang.

Section B: Context Questions

I. Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow:

For the last twenty-two years, Bonku Babu had taught geography and Bengali at the
Kankurgachhi Village Primary School. Every year, a new batch of students replaced the
old one, but old or new, the tradition of teasing poor Bonku Babu continued among all
the students.

(i) What in the extract shows that the students were teasing Bonku Babu for a long time?
A. Bonku Babu has been a teacher for ‘twenty-two years’ – every year there has been a
‘tradition’ of teasing him – tradition is the transmission of practices over generations,
here batches of students.

(ii) What form of teasing was used by his students?

A. Drew his caricature on the blackboard – put glue on his chair – on the night of Kali
puja set off a rocket behind him.
(iii) How did Bonku Babu react to the teasing by the students?
A. Ignored it – chide them gently saying, “Shame on you, boys!” – Never lost his
temper.

(iv) According to Bonku Babu, what made his life as a teacher worth living?
A. The few good students whom he invited to his home – regale them with stories and
plied them with homemade goodies.

(v) Why did Bonku Babu put up with the teasing?

A. Bonku Banu was practical person – knew if he let the teasing affect him – would lose
his job – would not be able to get another, he was too old – middle-aged.

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

(i) What made his associates arrange an attack on Bonku Babu by a ‘spook’? How is it
shown in the story that the attack was arranged by his associates?
A. Bonku Babu never had a contrary opinion to his associates but when he declared he
did not believe in ghosts it gave the latter a fresh opportunity to have fun, so they
arranged for the spook attack – a tall thin person painted in black ink jumped on Bonku
Babu when he was passing under a tamarind tree.

(ii) Describe in your own words the attack by the ‘spook’.

A. As he was passing under a tamarind tree, a tall, thin
figure leapt down and landed on his back. As it happened, this apparition had smeared
black ink all over itself, as suggested by someone at the meeting.

(iii)What happened to Bonku Babu as a result of the attack?

A. He injured his neck – his new kurta tore – his new kurta has black stains all over.

(iv) What was the favourable condition for the ‘spook’ to attack?
A. Bonku Babu was a creature of routine – took the same path – dark night – Bonku
Babu had declared he was not afraid of ghosts.

(v) Why did Bonku Babu attend the meeting despite the attack by the spook? If he were
not to attend the meeting, what would happen? What does it show about the rural life
in his area?
A. Sripati Babu in whose house meetings were held was an important person in the
school committee and in the village. He would lose the patronage and goodwill of
Sripati
Babu. In the story, the middle-class men of the village happily reconciled to their
ordinary prosaic lives in a world rooted in their typical middle-class ethos and
traditions.
They enjoyed bullying and making fun of Bonku Babu.

II. Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow:

That particular evening, Bonku Babu was the first to spot the strange light. Then he
called Nidhi Babu and showed it to him. However, when he arrived at the meeting, he
found that Nidhu Babu had coolly claimed full credit for being the first person to see it
and was boasting a great deal about it. Bonku Babu said nothing.

(i) Why did Nidhi Babu say that he was the first person to spot the strange light? What
does it show about his character?
A. To get credit for the sighting – Nidhi Babu is a clever manipulative opportunist.

(ii) What does Bonku Babu’s silence show about his character?
A. He was laid back – did not want to be alienated from the group – avoided conflicts.
He lacked self confidence to defend himself.

(iii) Later, why did they change the topic of satellites?

A. Nobody in the group knew anything about satellites – instead of showing their
ignorance they preferred to change the topic.

(iv) What did Ramkanai say about human achievement?

A. Launching a satellite into space was a great human
achievement.

(v) What is the prospect of a rocket landing in the village? Why? What was Bonku
Babu’s view on this?
A. None – the village is insignificant in comparison to Calcutta in our country – Bonku
Babu – optimist – saw it as a possibility.

IV. Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow:
“Consider his looks, not to mention his brains…yes, Bunkum would be the ideal
specimen!”
“Right. Suitable for keeping in a museum. Or a zoo,” Ramkanai chipped in.
Bonku Babu did not reply, but wondered silently: if anyone were to actually look for a
specimen, weren’t the others just as suitable? Look at Sripati Babu. His chin was so
much like a camel’s. And that Bhairav Chakravarty, his eyes were like the eyes of a
tortoise.
Nidhi Babu looked like a rat, Ramkanai like a goat, and Chandi Babu like a flittermouse.
If a zoo really had to be filled up…!
Tears sprang to his eyes.
(i) Why did he call Bonku Babu an ‘ideal specimen’ and for whom?
A. An ‘ideal specimen’ because he dared to believe their was important enough for an
alien to land – said sarcastically – ideal specimen for aliens to take and study.

(ii) Why did he call him as ‘Bunkum’? What does it show about his perception of Bonku
Babu?
A. Called him Bunkum to ridicule modification of his name (Bonku) loose by meaning
useless – Perceives Bonku Babu to be timid and foolish – a jester.

(iii) Name three of his associates whom Bonku Babu says could be other specimens.
What reason does he give for his choice?
A. Sripati Babu – chin like a camel. Bhairav Chakravarty – eyes like that of a tortoise.
Nidhi Babu – rat – Ramkanai; goat – Chandi Babu – flittermouse (Any three)

(iv) Why did Bonku Babu wonder silently about his associates? What would have
happened if he had spoken?
A. They were joking that Bonku Babu would be an ideal specimen for aliens to study –
He feared ostracisation by the powerful Sripati Babu leading to loss of his job.

(v) How did Bonku Babu reply to each of his associates

mentioned in the extract at the end of the story.
A. Chandi Babu – Too childish for his age – hiding other’s belongings – Nidhi Babu –
motorist – Sripati Babu – Bonku Babu would no longer attend his meetings and would
send his cat to lick the latter’s feet like the sycophants.

V. Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow:
Puzzled, Bonku Babu walked another twenty yards, and then he suddenly saw the
light.
At first, he thought that a fire had broken out. Bang in the middle of Poncha Ghosh’s
the bamboo grove, in the clearing near a small pond, quite a large area was glowing
pink. A dull light shone on every branch and every leaf. Down below, the ground
behind the pond was lit by a much stronger pink light.

(i) From where was Bonku Babu coming? Was he in a hurry that day?
A. Sripati Babu’s meeting of the village men – dark moonless night and he had no torch
– avoid spooks sent by his associates.

(ii) Describe what Bonku Babu saw in front of him?

A. Saw a light in the middle of Poncha Ghosh’s bamboo grove – large area near the
pond was glowing in pink – every leaf and branch reflected a dull light – dark pink
light behind the pond.

(iii) What made Bonku Babu think that fire had broken out in the area? How did he
react?
A. He saw a light coming from Poncha Ghosh’s bamboo farm on a moonless dark night.
He went closer to investigate and realised there was no fire but something giving out
pink light.

(iv) Briefly describe the object that Bonku Babu saw.

A. Large inverted glass bowl completely covered the pond – it gave out a translucent
pink light that illuminated the whole area.

(v) Imagine yourself to be in Bonku Babu’s place. What would you have done? Why?
A. I would have run away to call for help – eerie light from the field coupled with a
strange humming sound – scary scenario would seek aid.

VI. Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow:
“I am Ang, from the planet Craneus. A far superior being
than man.” What! This creature, barely four feet tall, with such thin limbs and weird
face, was superior to man? Bonku Babu nearly burst out laughing. Ang read his mind
immediately. “There’s no need to be so sceptical. I can prove it. How many languages
do you know?”

(i) Who was Ang? Describe his appearance – according to the extract.
A. An alien from planet Craneus – short about four feet tall – thin limbs, a strange face –
comical appearance.

(ii) Why does he say he is superior to human beings?

A. He had instruments and a spaceship that allowed him to travel easily.

(iii) What does Ang say about his knowledge of languages?

A. Knows 14,000 languages including 31 languages spoken on planets outside the solar
system across planets as well as beyond the solar system.

(iv) How does Bonku Babu react when Ang greeted him?
A. He was surprised and then confused about the meaning, language and speaker. He
was shocked at being spoken to in English.

(v) Compare Ang and Bonku Babu.

A. Refer to ‘Characterisation’.

VII. Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow:
Bonku Babu peered through the glass and felt all his hair rise. Could this be true? Could
he really believe his eyes? Before him stretched an endless expanse of snow, dotted with
large hillocks, also covered with ice and snow. Above him, against a deep blue sky, all
the colors of a rainbow were forming different patterns, changing every second. The
Aurora Borealis! What was that? An igloo. There was a group of polar bears. Wait, there
was another animal. A strange, peculiar creature…
(i) What did Bonku Babu think he wanted to see?
A. He wanted to see the world, the Himalayas, the seashore at Digha, the Sunderbans
and the famous banyan tree in Shibpur’s botanical gardens.

(ii) What was ‘the glass’ who gave it to Bonku Babu? Why?
A. The glass was like a telescope – allowed Bonku Babu to see snow covered mountains,
the Aurora Borealis, and igloo power bears and walrus.

(iii) Which was the strange, peculiar creature?

A. A walrus fighting with another baring their white tusks – attacking one another –
injuring one another – blood on the snow.

(iv) When Ang mentioned Brazil what was the first thought that came to Bonku Babu?
What does it show about Bonku Babu’s character?
A. Piranhas – deadly carnivorous fish – scientific mind – child like curiosity – eager to
see what he read or studied.

(v) After watching through the tube for sometime, why could not Bonku Babu bear to
watch anymore? What did Ang ask after Bonku Babu watched through the instrument?
A. He watched in the horrifying scene of piranhas devouring a crocodile from inside –
the crocodile consumed the piranhas – they ate their way out through his fresh – this
horrified Bonku Babu – Ang asked Bonku Babu if he was convinced of the farmer’s
superiority.

VIII. Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow:
Look, I have been observing you. And I have examined your arms and legs. You belong
to a much inferior species. There is no doubt about that. However, as human beings go,
you are not too bad. I mean, you are a good man. But you have a major fault. You are
much too meek and mild. That is why you have made so little progress in life. You
must always speak up against injustice, and protest if anyone hurts or insults you
without any provocation. To take things quietly is wrong, not just for man, but for any
creature anywhere. Anyway, it was nice to have met you although I wasn't really
supposed to be here at this time. There's no point in wasting more time on your Earth. I
had better go."

(i) According to Ang what was Bonku Babu’s major fault? Why did Ang say that Bonku
Babu made little progress in life?
A. He is meek and mild – he did not protest against injustice or when he was hurt or
insulted – wrong to be quiet when there is injustice done.

(ii) What did Ang advice Bonku Babu to do if anyone hurt him without any
provocation?
A. He must act, not take things quietly – must speak up and protest.
(iii) Why did Ang leave the place in a hurry?
A. He had erroneously landed on earth so he was in a hurry to leave. He was supposed
to be at Pluto and his instruments malfunctioned landing him on earth.

(iv) State whether Ang really existed or was a literary

device to show one’s self-confidence.
A. Refer to ‘Self confidence’ under Themes.

(v) How did Bonku Babu take Ang’s advice? What was its result?
A. Refer to ‘Friendship’ under Themes.

2. OLIVER ASKS FOR MORE

Section A: Multiple- Choice Questions

1. A workhouse shows
(a) The story is set in Victorian Era
(b) Harsh living conditions
(c) Abject poverty in England
(d) All of the above

2. After the doctor assisted in the birth of the baby, he

(a) Went to tend to other patients
(b) Went home to have dinner
(c) Went to speak to Mr. Bumble
(d) All of the above

3. How did the old woman conclude that the young woman had come from far away?
(a) Nobody knew her
(b) Her shoes had holes
(c) She was lying on the pavement
(d) All of the above

4. How did they know that the young woman was not married?
(a) She did not have a ring on her finger on her left hand
(b) She was found lying on the street
(c) She walked alone all the way
(d) None of the above

5. Who gave the name to Oliver Twist?

(a) The old woman
(b) Mr. Bumble
(c) The doctor at the workhouse
(d) The young woman
6. The bowls never needed washing as the boys
(a) drank up all the soup and cleaned them with their spoons
(b) were given new bowls
(c) got them cleaned by others
(d) None of the above

7. Why did the master turn pale?

(a) The soup had finished
(b) He was sick
(c) Oliver asked him for more food
(d) The boys hit him

8. What punishment was given to Oliver for asking more food?

(a) He was made to clean the entire workhouse
(b) He was made to clean all the bowls
(c) He was asked to cook for everyone
(d) He Oliver was shut up for a week in solitary confinement

9. How much money was offered to the person who would take Oliver?
(a) Twenty pounds
(b) Five pounds
(c) Two pounds
(d) One pound

10. Who was Mr. Sowerberry?

(a) Cook in the workhouse
(b) A coffin maker for the workhouse
(c) A friend of Mr. Bumble
(d) A member of the board
Section B: Context Questions

I. Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow:
Oliver Twist was born in a workhouse. His mother, a young woman. lay ill in bed. A
doctor and an old woman stood by her side. She lifted her head from the pillow.
‘Let me see the child and die’, she said.
‘Oh, you mustn’t talk about dying yet’, said the doctor.

(i) What is a workhouse? What does it say about the setting of the story?
A. Workhouse is an institution where poor are housed. In the story neither the name of
the town or city is given nor a date when the action took place. The only fact that is in
focus is that events occur in a workhouse, an institution where poor people are ill-
treated and ill-fed. As such, Dickens wants to portray a common social issue and
leaving its immediate setting quite vague.
(ii) Who were present in the room when Oliver was born? Why?
A. The doctor, the old woman and Oliver’s mother – Oliver’s mother was lying in the
street – bought to the workhouse.

(iii) What was Oliver’s mother wish? How did she try to fulfil her wish? What
happened to the young woman soon after that?
A. To see her newborn’s face and die – she lifted her head and asked to see his face –
she pressed her lips to his face and died.

(iv) What did the old woman tell her about her wish? What did the old woman say
about her to the doctor?
A. She was too young to die so she must not talk of it. She was brought to the
workhouse as she had collapsed and was lying on the street.

(v) What evidence is given in the story to say that the young woman was poor and not
married?
A. Lying on the street – shoes with holes – nobody knew her or where she came from –
no ring on the ring finger of her left hand showing she was not married.

II. Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow:
The doctor raised the dead woman's left hand.
‘The usual story,' he said. ‘I see that she has no ring on her finger. She wasn't married.
Good night!'
He went home to his dinner. The old woman sat down on a chair in front
of the fire and began to dress the baby. She dressed him in the very old clothes used for
babies who were born in the workhouse. The child was an orphan, born into a world
which had no love or pity for him.

(i) When the doctor raised the young woman’s hand, what did he notice? What does
this indicate about the young woman?
A. There was no ring on the ring finger of her left hand – customary of married persons
to have a wedding band on the ring finger of the left hand – she was not married.

(ii) What did the old woman do after the doctor went home? What does this say about
life in a workhouse?
A. Sat down on a chair by the fire and began dressing up the baby in old clothes used
by the babies born in the workhouse – many babies were born and clothed in old
clothes that were handed down from one baby to the next.

(iii) Who gave the name to the new baby? What logic did he follow while naming the
babies?
A. Mr. Bumble, an important officer in town – He followed alphabetic order i.e. A to Z.
(iv) Oliver was an orphan ‘born into a world which had no love or pity for him’. Give
example from the extract that Oliver experienced lack of love.
A. She dressed the baby in the very old clothes used for babies who were born in the
workhouse.

(v) What was the condition of children in England as shown in the story?
A. Refer to ‘Children in Poverty’ under Themes.

III. Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow:
No one was able to discover who the baby’s father was, or what his mother’s name was.
Mr. Bumble, an important officer in the town, invented a name for the baby. He chose
the name Oliver Twist.
‘We name the new babies here in order from A to Z’, he explained when people asked.
‘I named the last one Swubble. This one is Twist. The next one will be Unwin’.

(i) Why was no one able to discover the identities of the baby’s parents?
A. The mother was found in the street with no signs of identification and the father was
unknown.

(ii) Who was Mr. Bumble? What did he do for the baby?
A. An important officer in the town. He named the baby as was the practice of naming
orphans in the workhouse.

(iii) How the babies were named? What does the name Twist allude to?
A. Mr. Bumble named them in alphabetic order A to Z. Twist – the complex path the
baby’s life would likely take – born in a world devoid of love and pity for him.

(iv) Why did Oliver look thin and pale? How do you think the other boys looked? Give
reasons to support your answer?
A. Oliver was fed only thin soup for three meals so he was malnourished. Other boys
also must have been thin and pale – the bowls shine as the boys consumed every dreg
of soup.

(v) What was the normal food given to the boys? What was the extra food given to them
on Sundays? What does it reflect about the inmates of the workhouse?
A. One small bowl of thin soup thrice a day – On Sundays they got a piece of bread –
they wore perpetually hungry, and lack of nutrition made them weak and likely to die
young.

IV. Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow:
One day Oliver and his friends decided that one boy would walk up to the master after
supper and ask for more soup. Oliver was chosen.
In the evening, the boys sat down at the tables. The master stood by the pot, and the
soup was served. It disappeared quickly. The boys whispered and made signs to Oliver.
He stood up from the table and went to the master, with his bowl and spoon in his
hands.
‘Please, sir’, he said, ‘I want some more’.
The master was a fat, healthy man, but he went very pale. He looked with surprise at
the small boy.
‘What?’, said the master at last in a quiet voice.
‘Please, sir’ repeated Oliver, ‘I want some more.’
The master hit Oliver with his spoon, then seized him and cried for help. Mr. Bumble
rushed into the room, and the master told him what Oliver had said.
‘He asked for more?’, Mr. Bumble cried. ‘I cannot believe it. One day they will hang the
boy’.

(i) What is said about the physical appearance of the master? Why was he surprised?
A. Fat healthy man – a boy dared to ask for more soup – children were not expected to
ask for anything.

(ii) Why was Oliver hit with the master’s spoon? What was Oliver’s asking for more
food seen as?
A. Oliver dared to ask for more – the master was infuriated and hit him with what he
had in his hand, the spoon in this case. Asking for more – act of rebellion and criminal
transgression.

(iii) Whom did the master call for help? What did that person say against Oliver?
A. Mr. Bumble. He could not believe that Oliver asked for more and he would be
hanged one day.

(iv) How did he punish Oliver? Was the punishment proportionate to the offence?
A. He took him away and shut him in a dark room for a week – beat him in front of
everyone – put up a notice offering five pounds to anyone who took in Oliver.

(v) What are your feelings for young helpless Oliver?

A. Refer to ‘Child Abuse’ under Themes.

V. Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow:
Oliver was a prisoner in that cold, dark room for a whole week. Every morning he was
taken outside to wash, and Mr. Bumble beat him with a stick. Then he was taken into
the large hall where the boys had their soup. Mr. Bumble beat him in front of
everybody. He cried all day. When night came, he tried to sleep, but he was cold,
lonely, and frightened.

(i) Who shut Oliver in the cold dark room? Where was Oliver imprisoned for a whole
week and why?
A. Mr. Bumble. Cold dark room because he had dared to ask for more food.
(ii) What forced Oliver to make that offence? Why was he chosen to commit that
offence?
A. Oliver and his companions were expected to survive on three meals of thin soup
leaving them hungry all the time. Oliver was a thin pale child, being the weakest and
meekest was probably the reason he was chosen.

(iii) Was it proper for Mr. Bumble to beat Oliver in front of everyone? Why did he do
so?
A. No. He did so not only to punish Oliver but also to create a fear in everyone so that
none would dare to ask for more.

(iv) What are your feelings for Mr. Bumble and the workhouse culture of Victorian
Times?
A. Shock and horror – how can a human being be treated as such – fortunate to be born
at another time and place where a family is child-centric and society respects the rights
of a child – Fundamental Rights and Duties of our Constitution.

(v) Why could Oliver not sleep at night? What does it show about the condition of
children in Victorian England?
A. He was feeling cold, hungry, and isolated and frightened. Refer to ‘Child Abuse’
under Themes.

VI. Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow:
But one day, outside the high workhouse gate, Mr. Bumble met Mr. Sowerberry. Mr.
Sowerberry was a tall, thin man who wore black clothes and made coffins. Many of his
coffins were for the poor people who died in the workhouse.

(i) Who was Mr. Sowerberry? Describe his appearance.

A. Coffin maker – tall, thin man – wore black clothes.

(ii) What do you think his black clothes signify? What was the notice at the gate? What
did the notice state?
A. Death – he was a coffin maker – The notice was put up to show a boy was available
to be employed. It stated that anyone who would take in Oliver would also get five
pounds for doing so.

(iii) Why did Mr. Bumble say that he would be rich one day?
A. With so many work house inmates dying, more coffins would be required making
the coffin maker rich.

(iv) Which theme of the story is reflected in the extract? Explain it briefly.
A. Refer to ‘Children in Poverty’ under Themes.

(v) What does the notice reflect about the treatment of children in Victorian Times?
A. Refer to ‘Mortality and Children’ under Critical Appreciation.

3. THE MODEL MILLIONAIRE

Section A: Multiple-Choice Questions

1. What made Alan Trevor given Hughie a permanent entrée to his studio?
(a) His indifference towards the family
(b) His pauperism
(c) Hughie’s spirits and kindness
(d) His bright ideas

2. What was the special feature of the model beggar?

(a) His patched and cobbled boots
(b) His battered hat
(c) His torn and tattered clock
(d) His piteous expression

3. What did Hughie do during Trevor’s absence?

(a) He admired Trevor’s paintings
(b) He smoked a cigarette
(c) He gave a sovereign to the beggar
(d) He admired the looks of the model

4. “What a duffer he must think me!” said Hughie. Why?

(a) He could not differentiate between a rich man and himself
(b) He could not understand Trevor’s paintings
(c) He gave money to a model thinking him as a beggar
(d) None of the above

5. Why did Hughie think he should apologise to the Baron?

(a) He felt that he had insulted him
(b) He felt that he had hurt him
(c) He felt that he had made a mistake by giving him a sovereign
(d) He was afraid on knowing that he was Baron

6. “It reflects the highest credit on your philanthropic spirit” is an appreciation from
whom and for whom?
(a) Laura Merton for Hughie
(b) Alan Trevor for Hughie
(c) Baron Hausberg for Hughie
(d) Colonel for Laura Merton

7. What does “Millionaire models are rare enough” indicate?

(a) Modelling does not pay well so millionaire models are rare
(b) Models are always available but are poor
(c) Models who are millionaires are hardly found
(d) Models are costly so a model is a millionaire

8. Which figure of speech is used in the line:

‘that old beggar, as you can see him, is one of the richest men in Europe’.
(a) Irony
(b) Metaphor
(c) Personification
(d) Simile

9. “But what was a butterfly among bulls and bears” means

(a) Hughie liked butterflies
(b) Hughie did not fit in at the Stock Exchange
(c) There were butterflies around bulls and bears
(d) None of the above

10. Which literary device is used in the line:

“Laura adored him and he was ready to kiss her shoe-strings”?
(a) Imagery
(b) Metaphor
(c) Hyperbole
(d) Irony

11. The theme of the story is

(a) Generosity
(b) Morality
(c) Wealth
(d) All of the above

12. Whose point of view is the narrator showing when he says, “He looked so
forlorn”
(a) Hughie’s
(b) Trevor’s
(c) The audience’s
(d) None of the above

13. Who is ‘he’ and whose rags were they in the line – “he made a magnificent
figure in his rags”?
(a) Trevor, Hughie’s
(b) Baron, Trevor’s
(c) Hughie, Baron’s
(d) Baron, Baron’s

14. According to Trevor where is an artist’s heart?

(a) In his chest
(b) In his stomach
(c) In his work
(d) In his mind

Section B: Context Questions

I. Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow:
Unless one is wealthy there is no use in being a charming fellow. Romance is the
privilege of the rich, not the profession of the unemployed. The poor should be
practical and prosaic. It is better to have a permanent income than to be
fascinating. These are the great truths of modern life which Hughie Erskine
never realised. Poor Hughie! Intellectually. we must admit, he was not of much
importance. He never said a brilliant
of even an ill-natured thing in his life. But then he was wonderfully good-
looking, with his crisp brown hair, his clear-cut profile, and his grey eyes.

(i) What is said about wealth in the extract? Give the meaning of ‘The poor
should be prosaic’.
A. Only those who possess wealth can be romantic. The poor should be practical
and have their hopes and aspirations grounded in reality.

(ii) Give two positive qualities of Hughie. What was his drawback?
A. Hughie was very good looking with brown hair, grey eyes, and chiseled face –
He never said an ill-natured thing – he was kind – He was not intellectually
gifted – he had no permanent income.

(iii) What did his father bequeath him? What did he do with his inheritance.
A. •A cavalry sword – hung over his looking glass. •History of Peninsular war
(fifteen volumes) on a shelf between Ruff’s guide and Bailey’s naparave.

(iv) How did Hughie make a living? What was his experience in the Stock
Exchange and in other concerns?
A. Allowance from his aunt of two hundred pounds – after working six months
felt out of place at the Stock Exchange – Was unsuccessful at the tea-merchant
and at selling dry sherry.
(v) Give the meaning of the following:
“Ultimately he became nothing, a delightful ineffectual young man with a
perfect profile and no profession.”
A. Ultimately Hughie had no achievements nor a permanent income. Despite his
good looks and kind nature he did not have a profession or occupation.

II. Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow:
To make matters worse, he was in love. The girl he loved was Laura Merton, the
daughter of a retired Colonel who had lost his temper and his digestion in India,
and had never found either of them again. Laura adored him, and he was ready
to kiss her shoe-strings.

(i) Who is ‘he’ referred to in the extract? What troubles he had earlier in his life?
A. Hughie – He was simply unable to make money. He survived on an
allowance of two hundred pounds a year given by an old aunt. His father had
left him with an inheritance of a cavalry sword and History of the Peninsular
War in fifteen volumes. In order to earn money, he had tried the stock exchange,
worked under a tea merchant, and sold dry sherry.

(ii) Give the meaning of “who had lost his temper and digestion in India.” With
reference to India, what theme is referred to?
A. He had served in the army and had been posted to India. He has a nasty
disposition and suffered from digestive issues rendering him perpetually
cranking. He was not rich either. Theme of Wealth.

(iii) Name and explain the figure of speech used in the following, “and he was
ready to kiss her shoe-strings”.
A. Hyperbole – figure of speech in which exaggeration is used for emphasis – He
was ready to do absolutely anything for Laura.

(iv) They were the handsomest couple in London but what was lacking in their
lives? How did they obtain it?
A. They were unable to get married as Hughie did not have ten thousand
pounds of his own as per Laura’s father’s condition. He felt sorry for a poor
beggar and gave him a sovereign. The beggar was a very wealthy man who
rewarded Hughie with ten thousand pounds as a wedding gift.
(v) What was the Colonel’s attitude towards Hughie? What does that say about
Hughie? Which characteristic trait of the Colonel is reflected in his attitude
towards Hughie?
A. The Colonel liked Hughie but he was practical as he knew Hughie was
kindhearted and good looking but he lacked financial stability and security.

III. Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow:
One morning, as he was on his way to Holland Park, where the Mertons lived, he
dropped in to see a great friend of his, Alan Trevor. Trevor was a painter. But he
was also an artist, and artists are rather rare. Personally, he was a strange rough
fellow, with a freckled face and a red ragged beard. However, when he took up
the brush, he was a real master, and his pictures were eagerly sought after.

(i) Who is ‘he’ referred to in the extract? Where did he go? Why?
A. Hughie – He went to see his artist and painter friend Alan Trevor whose
studio was on his way to Holland Park. This was possibly a routine, or he just
wanted to chat up with Trevor.

(ii) Describe Alan Trevor’s appearance.

A. A strange and rough appearance with a freckled face and an unkempt beard.

(iii) What is said about Trevor as an artist? Why was he attracted by Hughie?
A. He was a master artist – art is well received by critics and patrons – Hughie’s
good looks first attracted him but later Hughies’ optimist – sin and generosity
made Hughie even more attractive.

(iv) According to Trevor whom should an artist know?

A. Good looking and intellectually stimulating – dandies and darlings should
rule the world.

(v) Why did Trevor give permanent entry to Hughie to his studio? What does
that show about Trevor?
A. Hughie was not only very good looking, but he was always in high spirits and
was kind hearted. - Trevor gave importance to looks as well as good nature –
appreciated beauty both outside and inside a human being.

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

(i) Who was the beggar-man? Describe his appearance at the studio.
A. Baron Hausberg, one of the wealthiest men in Europe. The beggar was a very
old man. His face was so wrinkled that the skin resembled parchment and he
wore a most piteous expression. His clothes and shoes showed signs of being
torn-repaired-torn again.

(ii) What was a model paid for a sitting? How much does an artist get for a
picture?
A. A shilling an hour – two thousand guineas.

(iii) According to Hughie what must be paid to a model? How is that a comment
on Victorian society at that time?
A. A percentage of the proceeds from the sale of paintings. During this time
socialism calling for redistribution of wealth – was gathering momentum. The
author has shown that the rich can voluntarily redistribute their wealth by
encouraging Victorian moral values like kindness and generosity.

(iv) What does Trevor say to imply that an artist’s work is hard?
A. An artist is no better than a manual labourer – laying on the paint is a task –
standing all day at one’s easel is enough tiresome activity.

(v) What is profitable – manual work or intellectual work? Why?

A. Intellectual work – manual work gets paid for the work – like a shilling an
hour the model gets – intellectual work or the artist works as hard as a manual
labour but earns a lot (two thousand guineas).

V. Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow:
‘Don’t run away, Hughie’, he said, as he went out, ‘I will be back in a moment.
The old beggar-man took advantage of Trevor’s absence to rest for a moment on
a wooden bench that was behind him. He looked so forlorn and wretched that
Hughie could not help pitying him.

(i) Why did Hughie pity the beggar-man? What did he do to help him?
A. The beggar had a piteous expression – wore torn and tattered clothes and
shoes – moved Hughie – gave the beggar the only money he had as a sovereign.

(ii) Which theme prevalent in the Victorian Period is shown in the action of
Hughie?
A. Class consciousness. Refer to it under Themes.

(iii) What was the reaction of the beggar-man while receiving alms from Hughie?
A. The beggar smiled and thanked Hughie. The Baron was attracted to the
kindness Hughie showed and when he came to know about Hughie and Laura,
he decided to help them by giving Hughie a check of ten thousand pounds as a
wedding gift. And with this money, Hughie was able to finally marry Laura.

(iv) State the impact of Hughie’s charity.

A. Laura scolded him for his ‘extravagance’. Trevor told Hughie that the model
was interested in the latter and had made enquiries about him and Laura.
Hughie became ‘red and angry’. But the next moment he felt shocked and
ashamed when Trevor told him that the beggar was actually Baron Hausberg, a
very rich man who had commissioned Trevor to paint him as a beggar. The
Baron had sent Hughie a cheque of £10,000 as a wedding gift.

(v) What was the reaction of Laura and Trevor on Hughie’s charity?
A. Laura – scolded him for his extravagance.
Trevor – was amused – he told the beggar all about Hughie’s state of affairs.

VI. Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow:
‘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 – ’
(i) What conquest did Hughie make?
A. He was able to impress Baron Hausberg who had commissioned Trevor to
paint him as a beggar. The Baron was one of the richest men in Europe.

(ii) How was the conquest made?

A. Hughie, felt so sorry on seeing his piteous condition that he gave him a
sovereign – almost all the money he had. The Baron was attracted to the kindness
Hughie showed.

(iii) What was the immediate fear of Hughie when he would go home?
A. Hughie was afraid that the beggar had seen that he had a soft corner for the
beggar - would harass him for more money.

(iv) Give the meaning of

(a) “What you call rags, I call romance. What seems poverty to you is
picturesqueness to me”
(b) “An artist’s heart is in his head”
A. (a) Alan’s definition of beauty even included someone wearing rags.
(b) An artist sets his heart i.e., works on an artwork only if he sees there would
be a profit.

(v) What was told to the beggar-man about Hughie? What was Hughie’s reaction
on knowing that Trevor had told the beggar about Hughie and Laura?
A. Who he was – where he lived – what was his source of income – his difficulty
in marrying the love of his life – the colonel’s condition – first very angry then
shocked then highly embarrassed.

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

(i) Who was the old gentleman who brought the letter? What were the contents
in the sealed envelope?
A. Monsieur Gustave Naudin, Baron Hausberg’s representative – cheque for ten
thousand pounds – a wedding gift present to Hughie and Lara.

(ii) How did the Baron know that Hughie was in need of money? What did he do
to fulfil his need?
A. Trevor told him about all of Hughie’s affairs – sent a cheque of ten thousand
pounds as a wedding gift.

(iii) What role did Trevor play in finalizing Hughie’s marriage to Laura?
A. When the Baron dressed as an ugly beggar, he enquired about Hughie. Trevor
gave him all the information – Hughie’s poverty and his inability to marry Laura.
At some level he must have felt that the Baron might help Hughie. He served as
Hughie’s best-man at the wedding.

(iv) The story shows that the poor are generous in helping others. How did
Hughie’s charity to the beggar give him rich dividends?
A. Refer to ‘Generosity’ under Themes.

(v) Explain the meaning of

“Millionaire models are rare enough, but model millionaires are rare still!”
4. Refer to Title.

4. THE HOME-COMING
Section A: Multiple-Choice Questions

1. Phatik was the _________ among the boys of the village.

(a) youngest
(b) ringleader
(c) oldest
(d) smartest

2. Why was Phatik frightened after Makhan beat him up?

(a) He will not be allowed to play near the river bank
(b) His mother would believe Makhan’s version of the incident
(c) He would be sent to Calcutta
(d) He would lose his position of a leader

3. Which characteristic trait of Bishamber’s personality is revealed by his act of

taking Phatik with him to Calcutta?
(a) Compassionate
(b) Selfish
(c) Egoist
(d) None of the above

4. “Screaming Like the Furies” means

(a) being happy
(b) being sad
(c) being extremely angry
(d) being excited

5. Which figure of speech is used in the line “The servant was the master on this
occasion”?
(a) Irony
(b) Alliteration
(c) Simile
(d) Metaphor

6. What did Phatik bequeath to his brother before going to Calcutta?

(a) His fishing rod
(b) His big kite
(c) His marbles
(d) All of the above

7. What is meant by ‘on pins and needles’

(a) Being scared
(b) Getting hurt
(c) In a state of suspense
(d) Being happy

8. Phatik asked his uncle _____ when he opened his eyes.

(a) what was the time
(b) had the holidays come
(c) why his aunt didn’t like him
(d) what day it was

9. The theme of the story is

(a) State of confusion
(b) Isolation
(c) Responsibility
(d) Both (b) and (c)
Section B: Context Questions

I. Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow:
But just as the fun was about to begin, Makhan, Phatik’s younger brother,
sauntered up, and sat down on the log in front of them all without a word. The
boys were puzzled for a moment. He was pushed, rather timidly, by one of the
boys and told to get up but he remained quite unconcerned. He appeared like a
young philosopher meditating on the futility of games. Phatik was furious.
“Makhan,”, he cried, if you don’t get down this minute I’ll thrash you!”

(i) Who was Makhan? Where was he? What is meant by “sauntered up”?
A. The protagonist Phatik’s younger brother – by the riverside – Makhan came
up slowly and silently – catching his brother and friends unexpected.

(ii) What was the ‘fun’ that was about to begin? What did Makhan do to spoil the
fun?
A. Phatik and his companions planned to shift the log away from the mud-flat –
the owner would be shocked and angry – that would be ‘fun’ – Makhan sat on
the log, and it could not be moved.
(iii) What did one of the boys do and why? How did Makhan react to it?
A. Pushed Makhan from the log – Makhan did not react – continued sitting on
the log.

(iv) Why was Phatik furious? What did he ask his band of companions to do
after this extract?
A. Makhan foiled their plan of having fun. He asked his companions to push the
log together with Makhan.

(v) Did Phatik hit Makhan? Why? Which two characteristic traits of Phatik are
revealed in this extract?
A. No – he knew Makhan would run to their mother and Phatik would get into
trouble – Quick to anger and foresight.

II. Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow:
It was just at this critical juncture that the grey-haired stranger arrived. He asked
what the matter was. Phatik looked sheepish and ashamed.

(i) What was the ‘critical juncture’? What had happened before ‘this juncture’?
A. Phatik had just pushed aside his mother to stop her from hitting him and she
was furious – Makhan had accused Phatik of hitting him.

(ii) Who was the grey-haired stranger? Why did he come there?
A. Phatik’s maternal uncle – he had lost touch with his sister as he had gone to
Bombay – returned to Calcutta – found out about his sister’s widowhood and his
fatherless nephews.

(iii) Why did Phatik feel ashamed on seeing the stranger?

A. The stranger had enquired of him where the Chakravortis lived – Phatik had
been vague – when the stranger repeated his question, Phatik was rude to him.

(iv) How did Phatik react to the stranger’s offer when he reached home? Which
characteristic trait of Phatik is revealed by his reaction?
A. He was elated – youthful optimism – he believed life would be better at
Calcutta.

(v) State any two traits of the stranger’s personality in the story.
A. Refer to ‘Bishamber’ under Characterisation.

III. Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow:
He was told by his sister that Phatik was a perpetual nuisance. He was lazy,
disobedient, and wild. But Makhan was as good as gold, as quiet as a lamb, and
very fond of reading, Bishamber kindly offered to take Phatik off his sister’s
hands, and educate him with his own children in Calcutta.

(i)Who was ‘he’ referred to in the first line of the extract? What was Phatik’s
mother’s complaint about him?
A. Bishamber. Phatik’s mother believed that he was a nuisance – he was lazy,
disobedient, and wild.

(ii) How according to Phatik’s mother, was Makhan different in his behaviour
from his brother?
A. Yes – Makhan was the exact opposite of Phatik. The former was good while
the latter was a nuisance while Phatik was lazy, disobedient, and wild – Makhan
was good, quiet, and fond of reading.

(iii) What did Bishamber offer to do? Why?

A. Offered to take Phatik to Calcutta and to educate him with his own children –
His sister was a poor widow with two sons of whom the elder one was quite a
handful.

(iv) How welcome was Phatik in Bishamber’s family? What was its effect on
Phatik?
A. Bishamber’s wife was upset at the thought of having a naughty village boy
along with three of her own. Phatik became an epitome of misery.

(v) How is the theme of abandonment hinted upon in the story?

A. Refer to ‘Love and Isolation’ under Themes.

IV. Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow:
The widowed mother readily agreed. When his uncle asked Phatik if he would
like to go to Calcutta with him, his joy knew no bounds, and he said, “Oh, yes,
uncle!” In a way that made it quite clear that he meant it. It was an immense
relief to the mother to get rid of Phatik.

(i) Why did Phatik’s mother agree to send Phatik to Calcutta?

A. The mother is prejudiced against Phatik because she thinks he is lazy,
disobedient, and wild. She prefers Makhan as he is docile and studious.

(ii) Why was Phatik excited to go to Calcutta? Explain ‘that he meant it’.
A. He was tired of Makhan interfering in his affairs followed by misreporting to
their mother and getting a thrashing from their mother. He said he would go
with his uncle happily and literally was happy to go.

(iii) Do you think Phatik’s mother’s decision to send Phatik to Calcutta was
correct? Why?
A. By going to Calcutta, poor Phatik lost his share of love from his mother
forever. At his maternal uncle’s house, he felt that he was an unwelcome guest.
(iv) After seeing Phatik’s eagerness to go to Calcutta, how does his mother feel?
Which characteristic trait of his mother is revealed through her feelings about
Phatik at that moment?
A. At first relief – then sorrow that he was going and was happy to leave – Relief
shows she was a human being dealing with more than she could handle –
Sorrow shows her motherly love for her son.

(v) How were Phatik’s hopes dashed on reaching his uncle’s house in Calcutta?
A. Phatik was the ringleader amongst his friends in the village, while in Calcutta,
he left neglected “like a stray dog that has lost its master”. The boy whose
proposal was unanimously seconded in the village, found himself being jeered
and insulted by his own cousins and classmates in Calcutta.

V. Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow:
She was by no means pleased with this unnecessary addition to her family. She
found her own three boys quite enough to manage without taking anyone else.
And to bring a village lad of fourteen into their midst was terribly upsetting.
Bishamber should really have thought twice before committing such an
indiscretion.

(i) Who is referred to as ‘she’ in the extract? What was the “unnecessary addition
to her family”?
A. Bishamber’s wife and Phatik’s aunt. Phatik, her husband’s nephew – insolent
village teenager.

(ii) Why was Phatik’s aunt annoyed to see Phatik?

A. She had three boys of her own whom she could barely manage. Phatik was a
naughty insolent village boy. His addition to her brood would mean more
expenditure and more work.

(iii) Why was sending a village lad of fourteen to unknown people in an

unknown place terribly upsetting? Which theme is involved in Phatik’s mother’s
decision?
A. Refer to ‘Love and Isolation’ under Themes.

(iv) How correct was Bishamber in taking his nephew, Phatik to Calcutta?
A. Bishamber wanted to help his widowed sister and his nephew but Phatik was
further isolated in Calcutta. He got desperate enough to run away, fell gravely ill
and died – It appears to be an incorrect decision of Bishamber.

(v) What were the consequences of taking him to Calcutta?

A. He was bullied and insulted in school. His cousins did not support him.
Phatik felt isolated and homesick. He longed to go back home. He found himself
totally alienated and ran away from his uncle’s house. He fell sick after getting
wet in the rain. Although his mother came to see him after getting the news of
his sickness. He died a premature death.
VI. Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow:
One day he summoned up all his courage, and asked his uncle, “Uncle, when can
I go home?”
His uncle answered, “Wait till the holidays come”. But the holidays would not
come till November, and there was a long time still to wait.

(i) Who ‘summoned up all his courage’? Why did he want to go home?
A. Phatik. He was miserable as he felt isolated and unloved.

(ii) How did he feel when his uncle told him to wait till the holidays come? Why
did his uncle not take him to his home immediately?
A. He felt sad as holidays would come in November – Firstly it would be in the
middle of the term – his studies would be affected – Secondly it must be
expensive – Thirdly he wanted the boy to settle in.

(iii) Which characteristic traits of his uncle are revealed in the extract?
A. Kindhearted, paternal – he understood that Phatik was feeling homesick.

(iv) Did ‘he’ wait for the holidays to go home? Give reasons to support your
answer.
A. No. He ran away – got wet – fell gravely ill.

(v) Which theme is highlighted in the extract?

A. Refer to Themes.

VII. Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow:
One day Phatik lost his lesson-book. Even with the help of books he had found it
very difficult indeed to prepare his lesson. Now it was impossible. Day after day
the teacher would cane him unmercifully. His condition became so abjectly
miserable that even his cousins were ashamed to own him. They began to jeer
and insult him more than the other boys. He went to his aunt at last and told her
that he had lost his book.
His aunt pursed her lips in contempt, and said, “You great clumsy, country lout.
How can I afford, with all my family, to buy you new books five times a month?”

(i) Why was it difficult for Phatik to prepare his lesson even with the help of
books?
A. Phatik was a boy from the village where the level of studies was lower – he
was more interested in mischief so he must have struggled with studies in his
village itself.

(ii) What was Phatik’s image in the school? Did his teacher treat him according to
the perception formed because of that image? Give a reason.
A. He was the most backward boy. Yes, because Phatik patiently suffer the
corporal punishment meted out to him by the teacher.

(iii) Why were Phatik’s cousins ashamed to own him? What was their fear in
owning him?
A. Phatik was an outcast in school – an object were ashamed to be associated
with him – they did not want to be outcasts.

(iv) Why did Phatik go to his aunt for helping him to get a new lesson-book?
How did his aunt react to it?
A. Phatik could not study without the lesson-book so when he lost one he was
caned by the teacher – which forced him to ask his aunt to get him a new lesson-
book. His aunt got angry – she called him a great clumsy village lout – she said
she could not afford to buy him a new lesson-book.

(v) How was Phatik’s aunt similar to his mother in her treatment of Phatik? Give
reasons to justify your answer.
A. Both were harsh – mother blindly believed in the lies told by Makhan and
thrashed Phatik -Aunt felt he was a burden thrust upon her she was rude,
abusive, and uncaring towards him.

VIII. Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow:
The fever rose very high, and all that night the boy was delirious. Bishamber
brought in a doctor. Phatik opened his eyes flushed with fever, and looked up to
the ceiling, and said vacantly, “Uncle, have the holidays come yet? May I go
home?”
(i) How did Phatik become ill? Why did he want to go home so desperately?
A. Phatik had a headache and was shivering – fearing his aunt’s wrath he ran
away – got wet in the rain – became very ill. He was totally homesick.

(ii) What is meant by delirious? Why was he delirious?

A. Delirious refers to an acutely disturbed state of mind manifested through
restlessness, illusions, and incoherence. The high fever caused Phatik to be
delirious.

(iii) Why did he ask his uncle whether the ‘holidays have come’? Did he get the
‘holidays’?
A. Phatik was delirious due to the high fever – he was having illusions of life in
his village – that he asked his uncle whether holidays have come – yes – his
mother hugged him lovingly.

(iv) How are the ‘holidays’ related to the title of the story.
A. Refer to Title.

(v) What feelings do you have for Phatik at this juncture? Give reasons to
support your answer.
A. Feel bad for him – empathy towards him – Refer to ‘Teenage Angst’ under
Themes.

5. THE BOY WHO BROKE THE BANK

Section A: Multiple-Choice Questions

1. How did Nathu emphasize his annoyance?

(a) By rousing dust while brooming
(b) By breaking the pan by hitting it
(c) By plodding barefoot on the road outside the bank
(d) By sitting on the steps of the bank instead of brooming

2. Who was the person whom Sitaram met at the fourth home he visited?
(a) Mrs. Bhushan
(b) Mrs. Srivastava
(c) Deep Chand
(d) Ganpat
3. In whose employment did Sitaram try to look for a job for Nathu?
(a) Mrs. Bhushan
(b) Mrs. Srivastava
(c) Deep Chand
(d) Ganpat

4. Why was Sitaram glad in the beginning of the story?

(a) He was able to help both his friend and his customer
(b) He did not have an account in the bank
(c) He had completed his rounds of delivering clothes
(d) All of the above

5. Mrs. Srivastava misunderstood Sitaram’s statement and started believing that

the Pipalnagar Bank was on the verge of
(a) insolvency
(b) debt
(c) loss
(d) bankruptcy

6. What did Mrs. Bhushan say about the bank?

(a) The bank was not paying its sweeper
(b) The bank was about to go bankrupt
(c) The bank was going to close down
(d) The bank was sound and in safe hands

7. What was Deep Chand’s profession?

(a) A sweeper
(b) A shopkeeper
(c) A barber
(d) A merchant

8. What did Deep Chand’s customer do when he heard the news?

(a) Scolded Deep Chand for injuring him while shaving
(b) Talked to Mrs. Srivastava
(c) Broke the bank’s glass panels
(d) Rushed to contact Govind Ram on telephone.

9. In the story, Seth Govind Ram

(a) was holidaying in Kashmir
(b) harassed the Bank’s Manager
(c) decided to rush back to the bank
(d) All of the above

10. Which of the following is NOT true about Ganpat, the beggar?
(a) He was not lame
(b) He had a thousand rupees in the bank
(c) He was miraculously cured
(d) None of the above

11. According to the rumours, what had Seth Govind Ram done?
(a) Indulged in luxuries
(b) Had run away from the country
(c) Had committed suicide
(d) All of the above

12. What did the account holders demand from the bank?
(a) Justice
(b) Their locker keys
(c) Immediate release of their money
(d) Information about the bank

13. What is the moral of the story, ‘A Boy Who Broke the Bank’?
(a) Banks are risky for saving money
(b) Rumours are destructive
(c) Rumours connect people
(d) None of the above.

Section B: Context Questions

I. Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow:
Nathu grumbled to himself as he swept the steps of the Pipalnagar Bank, owned
by Seth Govind Ram. He used the small broom hurriedly and carelessly, and the
dust, after rising in a cloud above his head settled down again on the steps. As
Nathu was banging his pan against a dustbin, Sitaram, the washerman’s son,
passed by.
Sitaram was on his delivery round. He had a bundle of freshly pressed clothes
balanced on his head.
‘Don’t raise such dust’, he called out to Nathu. ‘Are you annoyed because they
are still refusing to pay you an extra two rupees a month?’

(i) Who was Nathu? Briefly describe what he was doing.

A. Nathu – sweeper boy – annoyed and frustrated so raised dust while brooming
the steps of the bank.

(ii) Why was he doing his duty hurriedly and carelessly?

A. Annoyed – not paid his salary nor the two rupees a month he had asked for.
Frustrated – he had no means for redressal of his problems.

(iii) Why did Nathu bang his pan against the dustbin? What does this action tell
us about Nathu’s state of mind?
A. He wanted to show his annoyance – Other than raising dust and banging his
pan he could do nothing – pragmatic.

(iv) Who was Sitaram? What did he ask Nathu? How did he try to help Nathu?
A. Sitaram, the washerman’s son, was Nathu’s friend and well-wisher. Sitaram,
being from the same social strata, understood Nathu and tried his best to get a
job for him. It was in this attempt he told Mrs. Srivastava about Nathu and that
the latter was looking for a job.

(v) Why was the incident of not paying the salary introduced in the beginning of
the story? What were its consequences?
A. Refer to Title.

II. Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow:
Mrs. Srivastava had to do some shopping. She gave instructions to the ayah
about looking after the baby and told the cook not to be late with the mid-day
meal. Then she set out for the Pipalnagar market place, to make her customary
tour of the cloth shops.
A large shady tamarind tree grew at one end of the bazaar, and it was here that
Mrs. Srivastava found her friend Mrs. Bhushan sheltering from the heat.

(i) Who was Mrs. Srivastava? How can you say that she cares for her family?
A. A resident of Pipalnagar – gave instructions for caring about the baby –
ensured her family got meals on time.

(ii) What did she do at the market? Do you think it was a regular practice? Why?
A. She went to purchase cloth after making a ‘customary tour’ – she knows
where to find her friend to chat up with after shopping.

(iii) What did Mrs. Bhushan and Mrs. Srivastava talk about?
A. First discussed the summer heat – cloth purchased by Mrs. Srivastava – shade,
texture, and design – Finally Seth Govind Ram’s bank cannot pay its employees.
(iv) What apparently had happened to the Pipalnagar Bank? How did the news
spread?
A. It was unable to pay its employees – sweeper had not received his wages for a
month – the sweeper grumbled to Sitaram who tried to get him a job told Mrs.
Srivastava who told Mrs. Bhushan who told her husband and the rumor spread.

(v) Briefly describe the conversation between Mrs. Bhushan and her husband.
What does this say about them?
A. Mrs. Bhushan knew her husband would be chatting with some shop owner or
customer – she claimed she was looking for him – he was busy flitting from one
shop to another – both are middle-aged – comfortable with one another – a lot of
time to kill.

III. Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow:
Deep Chand who was cutting the hair of an elderly gentleman, was so startled
that his hand shook and he nicked his customer’s right ear. The customer yelped
with pain and distress; pain, because of the cut, and distress because of the awful
news he had just heard. With one side of his neck still unshaven, he sped across
the road to the general merchant’s store where there was a telephone.

(i) Who was Deep Chand? Who gave him the news? Why?
A. Deep Chand was the barber – his neighbour Mr. Kishore, the photographer
asked him if he knew that the Pipalnagar bank was about to collapse, and he
should withdraw all his money from it.

(ii) How did he react to the rumour? Do you think he followed the advice given
to him?
A. He was startled – nicked his customer’s right ear – distressed – he must have
rushed to the bank.

(iii) How did the customer react? Was his reaction followed by other people in
the town?
A. Jumped up with one side of his neck not shaven – rushed to the store across
the road – tried to contact Seth Govind Ram by telephone. Yes.

(iv) What was it that concerned the customer more than his injury? What does
this reflect about the general tendency of the customers of the bank?
A. He too was a customer of the bank so he will lose his money if the bank
collapsed – they were all insecure and did not trust the bank for the safe keeping
of their money.
(v) Name two people who spread the rumour. How did each get the news and
how he/she spread it?
A. Mrs. Bhushan – from Mrs. Srivastava – told her husband Kamal Kishore –
photographer – overheard Mrs. Bhushan telling her husband – shouted to his
neighbour Deep Chand, the barber.

IV. Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow:
‘The bird has flown! Seth Govind Ram has left town. Definitely, it means a
collapse.’ And then he dashed out of the shop, making a beeline for his office and
chequebook.

(i) “The bird has flown!”. What did Deep Chand mean by this?
A. Seth Govind Ram had fled the city with all the money of the bank –
confirming that the bank was on the verge of collapsing.

(ii) How did Deep Chand’s action contribute to the possible collapse of the bank?
A. Deep Chand rushed to withdraw his money from the bank – the commotion
that rose in the market spread throughout the city – shopkeeper, vendors, etc.
told each other and their customers – all rushed to withdraw their cash.

(iii) How did Deep Chand conclude that the bank had collapsed?
A. His customer was unable to contact the owner of the bank – bank had stopped
paying its employees.

(iv) Who was responsible for the apparent collapse of the bank? Why do you
think so?
A. I think it was Deep Chand. He is the one who got excited and nicked his
customer – who jumped up – ran to call Seth – Deep Chand and his customer –
caused commotion in the market leading to the cascading events resulting in to
the collapse of the bank.

(v) How does the story show that the people trusted one another without finding
out the real cause behind the rumour?
A. Refer to ‘Trust’ under Themes.

V. Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow:
Men stood in groups at street corners discussing the situation. Pipalnagar seldom
had a crisis, seldom or never had floods, earthquakes, or drought; and the
imminent crash of the Pipalnagar Bank set everyone talking and speculating and
rushing about in a frenzy. Some boasted of their farsightedness, congratulating
themselves on having already taken out their money, or on never having put any
in; others speculated on the reasons for the crash, putting it all down to excesses
indulged in by Seth Govind Ram. The Seth had fled the state, said one. He had
fled the country, said another, he was hiding in Pipalnagar, said a third. He had
hanged himself from the tamarind tree, said a fourth, and had been found that
morning by the sweeper-boy.

(i) What were the men who stood in groups talking about?
A. The town was in a crisis with the crashing of its financial institution, the bank
– foresight in not investing in the bank – withdrawing in time – luxurious life of
the Seth.

(ii) How did the people react? What made them think that Seth Govind Ram had
fled with their money?
A. Seth Govind Ram was held responsible for the collapse of the bank. He was
not contactable as he was holidaying in Kashmir. He might have been aloof and
not mixing with the townsfolk or they would have known of his trip.

(iii) What were the rumours about Seth Govind Ram?

A. Fled the state – fled the country – hiding in the town – hanged himself from
the tamarind tree – sweeper boy had found the body.

(iv) Why was the tamarind tree important?

A. The tamarind tree is a large and shady tree at one end of the bazaar, which
provided shade as well as a meeting point for the townsfolk centre of all social
activity.

(v) Do you believe that the way Seth Govind Ram behaved made the rumours
easier to believe? Give reasons to support your answer.
A. Yes. Refer to ‘Superiority Complex of the Rich’ under Critical Appreciation.

VI. Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow:
People were turned back from the counters and told to return the following day.
They did not like the sound of that. And so, they gathered outside, on the steps
of the bank shouting, ‘Give us our money or we’ll break in!’ and ‘Fetch the Seth,
we know he’s hiding in a safe deposit locker!’ Mischief makers who didn’t have a
paisa in the bank, joined the crowd and aggravated their mood. The manager
stood at the door and tried to placate them.

(i) Who were the people at the counters? Why were they asked to return the next
day?
A. Those who hard sewed their money and deposited in the bank – bank’s
customers – the bank had run out of its cash.

(ii) What was their reaction? Why was anyone not able to ‘Fetch the Seth’? Why?
A. They shouted – resorted to pelting stores at the bank – Seth was holidaying in
a houseboat in Kashmir.

(iii) Why did the mischief makers, who didn’t even have a paisa in the bank join
the crowd? How did the crowd mentality of the masses add to the confusion?
A. To add to the confusion – one brick had a cascading effect – more stones
thrown – shouting of slogans – damage to the bank as well as its investors.

(iv) What do you think would have happened outside the bank after the brick
was hurled through the air?
A. People picked up whatever they found and hurled it at the bank – shouting
slogans against the bank – employees must have locked themselves inside –
crowd must have gradually dispersed.

(v) According to you, which incident reflected the madness of the town?
A. The hurling of the brick at the window followed by vandalism of the bank.
We can see this from the impact of the rumour in the story, where all the bank
employees would lose their jobs due to the rumour and the local people would
have to go another thirty miles for banking transactions. This is of particular
importance today as we live in a world of instant news that one post on social
media can do great harm.

VII. Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow:
He declared that the bank had plenty of money but no immediate means of
collecting it; he urged them to go home and come back the next day.
‘We want it now!’ chanted some of the crowd. ‘Now,now,now!’ And a brick
hurtled through the air and crashed through the plate glass window of the
Pipalnagar Bank.

(i) How did the manager try to pacify the crowd?

A. He tried to speak to them – pacify them – assure them that the bank had the
money – that he would organize cash for them the next day.

(ii) Was he speaking the truth? What did the crowd do when they were asked to
come the next day?
A. Yes. They resorted to vandalism and shouting slogans. They wanted their
money immediately.
(iii) Why did people want their money as soon as possible? Why didn’t anyone
believe the manager? Why did the townsfolk merely rely on the rumours?
A. They had come to believe that the bank was on the verge of collapse – the
manager stayed aloof hence the mistrust – they trusted one another – the owner
was unreachable.

(iv) What is the irony in the situation mentioned in the extract?

A. The bank had lot of money in the form of investments but did not have cash.

(v) The tongue is mightier than the sword. How does this story support this
statement.
A. Refer to ‘Rumours can be Fatal’ under Themes.

VIII. Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow:
He cried, ‘Hooligans! Sons of donkeys! As though it isn’t bad enough to be paid
late, it seems my work has also to be increased!’ He smote the steps with his
broom scattering the refuse.
‘Good morning, Nathu’ said the washerman’s boy getting down from his bicycle.
‘Are you ready to take up a new job from the first of next month’?

(i) What made Nathu angry enough to swear? What does this say about his
status?
A. He had not been paid his salary the previous month – he was annoyed but
could do nothing other than grumble – typical poor working boy.

(ii) What new job is the washerman’s boy talking about? How frequently does he
meet Nathu?
A. The job of a sweeper at Mrs. Srivastava’s house – Daily when he goes
collecting or distributing clothes for his father the washerman.

(iii) What had happened? Why would Nathu have to take up a new job?
A. Nathu was not paid his salary nor the additional two rupees he had asked for.
He grumbled about it leading to a rumour that the bank did not have funds. The
bank where he worked had collapsed.

(iv) What was supposed to happen later in the morning?

A. The manager had promised to collect funds from the nearby bank and repay
Pipalnagar Bank’s customers.

(v) The boy who broke the bank was the last to know it. Comment.
A. Nathu was a typical poor working boy who was quite unaware of what was
happening around him. His poverty did not allow him to think beyond his own
problems. His grumbling at not getting paid led to the collapse of the bank. He
was quite puzzled when he came to know that the Pipalnagar Bank had
collapsed in a day. He quite innocently commented, ‘I wonder how it could have
happened’ though he is the one responsible for it.