Karma by Khushwant Singh Page 1

Questions and Answers

What was Lady Lal wearing on her nose?

A gold bangle

A pearl necklace

A diamond nose-ring (correct)

A silver earring

What did Lady Lal buy from the hawker's stall?

A bottle of water

A silver betel leaf case (correct)

Some mango pickle

A bundle of chapatties

Why did Lady Lal prefer to stay in the zenana?

Because it was less crowded

Because she didn't know English and didn't understand Western ways (correct)

Because it was more comfortable

Because she was traveling alone

What did Lady Lal eat while she was waiting?

A bundle of cramped chapatties and some mango pickle Signup and view all the answers

What was the occupation of Lady Lal's master?

A vizier and a barrister Signup and view all the answers

What was Lady Lal's master doing while she was waiting?

He was waiting in the waiting room Signup and view all the answers

What would Sir Mohan often wear while traveling?

A Balliol tie Signup and view all the answers

What would Sir Mohan use to 'commune with his dear old England'?

The Englishman Signup and view all the answers

What would someone often ask to borrow from Sir Mohan?

The Times newspaper Signup and view all the answers

Why did Sir Mohan find it difficult to adjust to life in India?

Because he missed his life in England Signup and view all the answers

What did Sir Mohan's gold cigarette case contain?

English cigarettes Signup and view all the answers

What was the woman doing with the sweets?

Thrusting them into her mouth Signup and view all the answers

How did Sir Mohan get the English cigarettes in India?

The passage does not provide this information Signup and view all the answers

What is Sir Mohan's attitude towards excitement, bustle, and hurry?

He views it as exhibitions of bad breeding Signup and view all the answers

Where did Sir Mohan acquire his manners and attitudes?

During his five years abroad Signup and view all the answers

How does Sir Mohan speak Hindustani?

Rarely and only when necessary Signup and view all the answers

What is Sir Mohan hoping to do during his journey?

Have an impressive conversation Signup and view all the answers

What is Sir Mohan's goal when interacting with English people?

To have an impressive conversation Signup and view all the answers

Why did Sir Mohan's thoughts get disturbed?

The bearer announced the installation of the Sahib's luggage. Signup and view all the answers

Where did Sir Mohan sit in the compartment?

In a corner. Signup and view all the answers

What was Sir Mohan reading in the compartment?

A newspaper he had read before. Signup and view all the answers

Why did the soldiers enter Sir Mohan's compartment?

They were looking for a vacant seat. Signup and view all the answers

What did Jim point to when saying 'Janta - Reserved. Army - Fauj'?

His khaki shirt. Signup and view all the answers

Why did the soldiers order Sir Mohan to get out?

He was occupying a reserved seat. Signup and view all the answers

What was Sir Mohan trying to do when he was thrown out of the train?

Report Bill and Jim to the authorities Signup and view all the answers

What was Lady Lal doing as the train was clearing the station?

Spitting out betel saliva Signup and view all the answers

Why did Bill and Jim pause again?

They were unsure of their English Signup and view all the answers

What happened to Sir Mohan's belongings?

They were thrown out of the train Signup and view all the answers

What was the reaction of Sir Mohan when he was thrown out of the train?

He lost his speech and was glued to the earth Signup and view all the answers

Where was Lachmi sitting?

In the zenana compartment Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Lady Lal's Journey

Lady Lal, a native woman, is traveling with her master, Sir Mohan, a vizier and barrister, who travels first class.
She is waiting on the platform with a steel trunk and talking to a coolie, asking about the zenana compartment.
She buys some goods from a hawker's stall and eats while sitting on her trunk, chatting with the coolie.

Sir Mohan's Character

Sir Mohan has a Balliol tie, indicating his Oxford education.
He is a well-bred, refined, and cultured individual who has adopted English manners and attitudes during his five years abroad.
He rarely speaks Hindustani, preferring to speak English, and is fond of conversations on various subjects.
He is highly educated, having attended the University of Oxford, and has an impressive command of the English language.

The Train Incident

Sir Mohan waits in the waiting room, then boards a first-class coupe, looking forward to meeting English officers.
Two inebriated English soldiers enter his compartment, mistake him for a native, and ask him to leave, physically removing his luggage and him from the train.
Sir Mohan, outraged and protests, but the soldiers are unyielding, striking him and throwing him off the train.

Contrast Between Sir Mohan and Lady Lal

Sir Mohan, a well-educated, refined, and anglicized Indian, is mistreated by English soldiers.
Lady Lal, a native woman, travels in the zenana compartment, eats, and chats with a coolie, seemingly content with her situation.

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Description

This quiz is based on the first page of the novel 'Karma' by Khushwant Singh, describing a lady's actions at a railway platform.