CC 6 Notes - Commercial Communication - 2019-20 PDF

ENGLISH GUETA – NOTES – DR. ALKESH PATEL UGBCom Sem. – 6 Commercial Communication (CC) - Vi 2019- 20 Title - Petals of Life University paper style: (2.30 hours, four questions, 70 marks) Text: (1) Two Thanksgiving Day Gentlemen – O. Henry, (2...

ENGLISH GUETA – NOTES – DR. ALKESH PATEL UGBCom Sem. – 6 Commercial Communication (CC) - Vi 2019- 20 Title - Petals of Life University paper style: (2.30 hours, four questions, 70 marks) Text: (1) Two Thanksgiving Day Gentlemen – O. Henry, (2) Real Freedom – J. Krishnamurti (3) Let’s Go Home – Kewlian Sio, (4) A Devoted Son – Anita Desai, (5) The False Gems – Guy de Maupassant Topics. Units and Questions Marks Text: Unit I – Petals of Life Petals of LifeQ. 1 (a) Answer in brief: 3/5 questions 09 (b) Write a short note: 1/3 short notes 08 Import – Unit II – Import – Export Correspondence Export Q.2 Import – Export Letters: 1/2 17 Correspondence (i) introductory letter by an Indian exporter to an overseas importer (ii) an inquiry from a foreign importer to an Indian exporter, (iii) a reply from an Indian exporter to an inquiry by a foreign importer, (iv) a request to a bank to open an irrevocable letter of credit, (v) intimation of an Indian importer to an exporter for the opening of an irrevocable letter of credit, (vi) overseas exporter’s intimation regarding the shipment of goods Business Unit III – Business Reports Reports (a) Individual and (b) Committee Reports 17 Q.3 Individual or Committee report Individual reports: (i) opening a sales depot of the company, (ii) establishing a welfare centre for the employees, (iii) performance appraisal of the employees, (iv) a fire accident in the factory Committee reports: (v) decline in sales of a company’s products, (vi) demands and grievances of the workers, (vii) inspection of branches, (viii) taking over an industrial unit Market Report Unit IV (A) and (B) and Vocabulary Comprehension of a Market Report (of about 200 words) + MCQs from Q. 4 (a) Read the market report and answer the questions (to ask Unit - I only four questions) 08 (b) Match the following: Vocabulary 06 (1 to 35 words only) (c) Choose the appropriate options (Unit I) 05 E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.englishgueta.in Free Android App of English GUETA is available on Play Store Please visit the Facebook page of English GUETA also for latest updates…  ENGLISH GUETA – NOTES – DR. ALKESH PATEL Petals of Life (Section – II) Lesson One – Two Thanksgiving Day Gentlemen by O. Henry (1862 - 1910) Summary: Thanksgiving Day is a special holiday in the United States of America. On this day, many people eat a traditional dinner of roast turkey with their families. Two Thanksgiving Day Gentlemen is the story of Old Pete’s efforts to continue the tradition of the Thanksgiving Day dinner under special circumstances. Old Pete was a poor man. On each Thanksgiving Day for nine years, exactly at one o’clock, he sat on the usual bench in Union Square (New York). And the Old Gentleman came and offered Old Pete a Thanksgiving Day dinner at the same restaurant. This Thanksgiving Day Old Pete came to the same bench at his usual time. However, he was not hungry. Old Pete was only following the Thanksgiving Day tradition. This Thanksgiving Day, while Old Pete was on his way to Union Square, he was offered an unexpected meal. Two rich old ladies had a large home on Fifth Avenue. On Thanksgiving Day, it was their custom to feed the first hungry-looking person that passed their door. This time it was Old Pete whom the servant of the ladies invited for a Thanksgiving Day dinner. The two ladies served Pete like a king and fed him more than he could eat. He was full of soup, oysters, roast turkey, apple pie and ice cream. When Pete was sitting on the bench in Union Square, he could hardly breathe or move. When he saw the Old Gentleman coming toward him, Pete wanted to run but he couldn’t get up. The Old Gentleman was tall and thin. He was sixty years old. He had no family and lived alone. He was aristocrat-looking and carried a cane. Each Thanksgiving Day, on seeing Old Pete, the Old Gentleman expressed his happiness to see him healthy after a gap of a year. Pete thought he was a part of the nine-year old tradition. He was not hungry but he had no courage to tell the Old Gentleman that he had already eaten. Instead, he said that he was very hungry. The Old Gentleman then took Pete to the same restaurant for a Thanksgiving Day dinner. When they entered the restaurant, the smell of food made Pete sick. But he ate the dinner – soup, oysters, roast turkey, pie and everything – like a hero. When the dinner was over, Pete and the Old Gentleman parted at the door of the restaurant and walked away in the opposite directions. Soon Pete had a terrible pain in the stomach. He fell unconscious. He was taken to a hospital in an ambulance. Pete had an attack of indigestion. An hour later the Old Gentleman was also brought to the same hospital. But it was a case of starvation and not of indigestion. The Old Gentleman told one of the nurses that he had not eaten for three days. ----- Answer the following questions in brief: Two Thanksgiving Day Gentlemen - O. Henry 1. What do many people do on Thanksgiving Day in the US? OR What did Pete do on every Thanksgiving Day? Two Thanksgiving Day Gentlemen is the story of Old Pete’s efforts to continue the tradition of the Thanksgiving Day dinner under special circumstances. Thanksgiving Day is a special holiday in the USA. On this day, many people eat a traditional dinner of roast turkey with their families. Old Pete was a poor man. On each Thanksgiving Day for nine years, exactly at one o’clock, he sat on the usual bench in Union Square. And the Old Gentleman came and offered Old Pete a Thanksgiving Day dinner at the same restaurant. 2. How did Pete become a part of the custom that the two rich old ladies practised on Thanksgiving Day? OR What was Pete’s condition when he came to Union Square and took his seat? E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.englishgueta.in Free Android App of English GUETA is available on Play Store Please visit the Facebook page of English GUETA also for latest updates…  ENGLISH GUETA – NOTES – DR. ALKESH PATEL For nine years, the Old Gentleman offered a Thanksgiving Day dinner to Old Pete. Two rich old ladies lived on Fifth Avenue. It was their Thanksgiving Day tradition to invite for dinner the first hungry-looking person that passed their door. This time Old Pete became a part of the rich ladies’ Thanksgiving Day tradition. They fed Pete more than he could eat. He was full of soup, oysters, roast turkey, apple pie and ice cream. The buttons on his shirt and coat were about to burst. He could hardly breathe or move. When Pete saw the Old Gentleman coming toward him, he wanted to run but he couldn’t get up. 3. Why did Pete want to run away when he saw the Old Gentleman coming toward him? OR Why did Pete not tell the Old Gentleman that he had already eaten? OR What happened to Pete soon after having finished the Thanksgiving Day dinner at the restaurant? Old Pete was not hungry on this Thanksgiving Day. He came to Union Square just to maintain the tradition. When Pete was sitting on the bench, he could hardly breathe or move. When he saw the Old Gentleman coming toward him, Pete wanted to run but he couldn’t get up. However, he had no courage to tell him that he had already eaten. Instead, Pete said that he was very hungry. Soon after having finished the Thanksgiving Day dinner, Pete had a terrible pain in the stomach. He fell unconscious. He was taken to a hospital in an ambulance. Pete had an attack of indigestion. 4. Describe the appearance of the Old Gentleman who had been offering Old Pete a Thanksgiving Dinner for nine years. The Old Gentleman offered Old Pete a Thanksgiving Day dinner for nine years. The Old Gentleman was sixty years old. He was tall and thin. He had no family and lived alone. He looked like an aristocrat but he was not really rich. He carried a cane and, as years passed, he leaned more on his cane. He always dressed in black. His hair grew whiter and thinner during the nine years. Each Thanksgiving Day, on seeing Old Pete, the Old Gentleman expressed his happiness to see him healthy after a gap of a year. 5. How did Pete and the Old Gentleman happen to meet again after they had parted? OR What is the surprising thing we get to know about the Old Gentleman at the end of the story? When the Thanksgiving Day dinner was over, Old Pete and the Old Gentleman parted at the door of the restaurant. They walked away in opposite directions. Soon Pete had a terrible pain in the stomach. He fell unconscious. He was taken to a hospital in an ambulance. Pete had an attack of indigestion. An hour later the Old Gentleman was also brought to the same hospital. But it was a case of starvation. Thus, the two Thanksgiving Day gentlemen happened to meet again soon after they had parted. The surprising thing we get to know is that the Old Gentleman was not really rich though he looked like an aristocrat. Short Note/s: Two Thanksgiving Day Gentlemen - O. Henry The end of the story Two Thanksgiving Day Gentlemen or The Old Pete and the Old Gentleman On Thanksgiving Day, many people in the USA eat a traditional dinner of roast turkey with their families. Old Pete was a poor man. On each Thanksgiving Day for nine years, exactly at one o’clock, he sat on the usual bench in Union Square. An Old Gentleman came and offered Old Pete a Thanksgiving Day dinner at the same restaurant. The Old Gentleman was sixty years old. He was tall and thin. He looked like an aristocrat but he was not really rich. He carried a cane and, as years passed, he leaned more on his cane. He always dressed in black. Two rich old ladies lived on Fifth Avenue in New York. This Thanksgiving Day, they invited Old Pete for a dinner. The rich ladies fed him more than he could eat. Old Pete was not hungry. When he saw the Old Gentleman E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.englishgueta.in Free Android App of English GUETA is available on Play Store Please visit the Facebook page of English GUETA also for latest updates…  ENGLISH GUETA – NOTES – DR. ALKESH PATEL coming toward him, Pete wanted to run but he couldn’t get up. However, he told the Old Gentleman that he was very hungry. When the Thanksgiving Day dinner was over, Pete and the Old Gentleman parted at the door of the restaurant. They walked away in opposite directions. Soon Pete had a terrible pain in the stomach. He fell unconscious. Pete had an attack of indigestion. He was taken to a hospital in an ambulance. An hour later the Old Gentleman was also brought to the same hospital. But it was a case of starvation and not of indigestion. Thus, the two Thanksgiving Day gentlemen happened to meet again after they had parted. Two Thanksgiving Day Gentlemen is the story of Old Pete’s efforts to continue the tradition of the Thanksgiving Day dinner under special circumstances. Points for MCQs: Two Thanksgiving Day Gentlemen - O. Henry 1. Many people in the US eat a traditional dinner of roast turkey on Thanksgiving Day. 2. On one Thanksgiving Day, two rich old ladies offered an unexpected dinner to Old Pete. 3. The Old Gentleman always dressed in black and white like an aristocrat. 4. Old Pete was taken to the hospital for the attack of indigestion. 5. The Old Gentleman was taken to the hospital for the effects of starvation. Lesson Two – Real Freedom by Dr. J. Krishnamurti (1895 - 1986) Summary: Fear prevents initiative. It makes us cling to people (parents, sons, daughters, husbands, wives) and things (possessions, power, positions) as a creeper clings to a tree. That is an outward form of fear. When we have an inward or a psychological fear, we are afraid of public opinion and dread to stand alone. Inward fear makes us cling to traditions and respectability. To most old people and people who are inwardly empty, tradition matters a great deal. Tradition is imitative and not creative. It is a meaningless repetition of customs. Imitation destroys initiative and creativity. A free mind is not burdened with tradition or imitation. We may need to follow traditions in certain matters – the clothes we wear, the books we read, the language we speak etc. But we need to go beyond the level of imitation and feel free to think for ourselves in these matters too. What is a free mind? The mind cannot be free where there is fear. When there is fear, our mind is like a house surrounded by a fence or by barbed wire. So long as we want something – a better job, heaven – the mind cannot be free. A mind is free if there is no desire to imitate a tradition, to follow others, to amass wealth and to gain power or prestige. When the mind is free, there is no desire to show off. A free mind has no sense of imitation. To achieve freedom of mind, we need to understand how it works and operates. Young people can more easily get rid of tradition and imitation. Indians are more tradition-bound. They follow the authority of parents, leaders, gurus, rituals and public opinion. The older civilization has a greater burden of traditions. Even when there is a political freedom, the individuals are not really free to think for themselves. They remain confined to certain ideas. When there is imitation, deep down there is fear. One cannot think freely if there is fear. To make our minds free, we must examine our traditions and imitations. We must become conscious of traditions and study and question them to be free from them. We must not accept anything blindly even if it has been followed for more than thirty centuries. The world does not need more imitators, leaders and followers. The world needs individuals who are free to think, to be creative, to love and learn right things. E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.englishgueta.in Free Android App of English GUETA is available on Play Store Please visit the Facebook page of English GUETA also for latest updates…  ENGLISH GUETA – NOTES – DR. ALKESH PATEL ----- Answer the following questions in brief: Real Freedom - Dr. J. Krishnamurti 1. How does fear affect our way of living? OR How do people try to hide their fear? OR Why, according to J Krishnamurti, do we have a tendency to imitate others? J. Krishnamurti explains how fear affects our way of living. Fear prevents free thinking and initiative. There are two forms of fear: outward and inward. The outward form of fear makes us cling to people and things as a creeper clings to a tree. When we have an inward or a psychological fear, we are afraid of public opinion and dread to stand alone. Inward fear makes us cling to traditions and respectability. The mind cannot be free where there is fear. 2. How can we awaken the creative process within ourselves? OR When, according to J. Krishnamurti, does freedom of mind come into being? The mind cannot be free where there is fear. So long as we want something – a better job, heaven – the mind cannot be free. A mind is free if there is no desire to imitate a tradition, to follow others, to amass wealth and to gain power or prestige. A free mind is not burdened with tradition or imitation. To make our minds free, we must examine our traditions and imitations. Young people can more easily get rid of tradition and imitation. To achieve freedom of mind, we need to understand how it works and operates. 3. How do people become tradition-bound in India? India is an old civilization. The older the civilization, the greater is the burden of traditions. Indians are more tradition-bound. They follow the authority of parents, leaders, gurus, rituals and public opinion. Even when there is a political freedom, the individuals are not really free to think for themselves. They remain confined to certain ideas. When there is imitation, deep down there is fear. One cannot think freely if there is fear. To make our minds free, we must examine our traditions and imitations. 4. What, according to, J. Krishnamurti, do we need in this world? J. KrishnamUrti says that the world does not need more imitators, leaders and followers. The world needs individuals who are free to think, to be creative, to love and learn right things. Even when there is a political freedom, the individuals are not really free to think for themselves. They remain confined to certain ideas. We must become conscious of traditions and study and question them to be free from them. We must not accept anything blindly even if it has been followed for more than thirty centuries. Short Note/s: Real Freedom - Dr. J. Krishnamurti J. Krishnamurti’s views on freedom of mind J. Krishnamurti explains how fear affects our way of living. Fear prevents free thinking and initiative. The outward form of fear makes us cling to people and things as a creeper clings to a tree. When we have an inward or a psychological fear, we are afraid of public opinion and dread to stand alone. Inward fear makes us cling to traditions and respectability. The mind cannot be free where there is fear. So long as we want something – a better job, heaven – the mind cannot be free. A mind is free if there is no desire to imitate a tradition, to follow others, to amass wealth and to gain power or prestige. A free mind is not burdened with tradition or imitation. To make our minds free, we must examine our traditions and imitations. India is an old civilization. Indians are more tradition-bound. They follow E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.englishgueta.in Free Android App of English GUETA is available on Play Store Please visit the Facebook page of English GUETA also for latest updates…  ENGLISH GUETA – NOTES – DR. ALKESH PATEL the authority of parents, leaders, gurus, rituals and public opinion. Even when there is a political freedom, the individuals are not really free to think for themselves. They remain confined to certain ideas. J. Krishnamurti says that the world does not need more imitators, leaders and followers. The world needs individuals who are free to think, to be creative, to love and learn right things. We must become conscious of traditions and study and question them to be free from them. We must not accept anything blindly even if it has been followed for more than thirty centuries. A free mind has no sense of imitation. To achieve freedom of mind, we need to understand how it works and operates. Points for MCQs: Real Freedom - Dr. J. Krishnamurti 1. According to J Krishnamurti, we dread to stand alone when we are inwardly afraid. 2. J Krishnamurti says that we cling to people and things when we have outward fear. 3. J Krishnamurti states that fear destroys initiative. 4. Mind cannot be free when there is fear, according to J Krishnamurti. 5. J Krishnamurti states that the older the civilization, the greater is the weight of tradition. Lesson Three – Let’s Go Home by Kewlian Sio (1936) Summary: It was a Saturday morning. The students were going to school in the school bus. The boy was so interested in marbles that he began to forget everything when the students talked about them (marbles). He even forgot that his mother had died a week ago. The boy was very sensitive and absent-minded for his age. The boy always liked Saturday because the next day was Sunday. Even the classes on Saturday were not so bad as on other school days. He had a special liking for Saturday evening. He had lost his father. But he had a good time with his mother on Saturday evening. He had little homework. The mother finished cooking early. They both were free. Saturday evening meant a lot for them. On Saturday morning the boy had reading, arithmetic and English classes. He always fell asleep in the arithmetic class. After lunch, the boy had history and geography lessons. The students spent the last hour of the school in the library. The boy read the tale of a clever prince who defeated a monster and escaped from his clutches. He wanted to tell his mother this story when he got home. The boy did not take the bus but walked back home with four other friends – Ned, Ram, Peter and Gopal. The sun was warm and bright. The boy thought of the lemon pie that his mother would have prepared for him. The thought made him want to hurry home. He took a short cut and bade a farewell to his friends. The other boys remarked that he did not live there. But the boy walked on happily in the anticipation of the home, the mother and the lemon-pie. The red roof of the home came into his view. He visualized the white walls, the curtains flying in the windows and his mother waving to him from the kitchen. But soon he slowed down to a snail’s pace and stopped altogether. The windows of the house were closed. There were no flying curtains to welcome him. The flowers and the plants in the garden had been left without care. The boy remembered that he was not living there anymore. He had moved to his aunt’s house up the hill. He was left alone after his mother had died a week ago. He stood still looking at the house. His throat became choked. His eyes were filled with tears. The boy wanted to cry a lot. But he could only cry quietly. ----- Answer the following questions in brief: Let’s Go Home - Kewlian Sio 1. Why did the boy begin to forget everything in the school bus? E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.englishgueta.in Free Android App of English GUETA is available on Play Store Please visit the Facebook page of English GUETA also for latest updates…  ENGLISH GUETA – NOTES – DR. ALKESH PATEL It was a Saturday morning. The students were going to school in the school bus. Someone started talking about marbles. The boy was very much interested in marbles. He began to forget everything as listened to the students talk about marbles. He even forgot that his mother had died a week ago. The boy was very sensitive and absent-minded for his age. At the end of the school, he walked down to his old home which had been closed after his mother’s death. 2. Why did the boy like Saturday? OR What did the boy want to tell his mother after getting back home? The boy always liked Saturday because the next day was Sunday. Even the classes on Saturday were not so bad. On Saturday morning, the boy had reading, arithmetic and English classes. The students spent the last hour of the school in the library. The boy read the tale of a clever prince who defeated a monster and escaped from his clutches. He wanted to tell his mother this story when he got home. The boy had little homework on Saturday. Saturday evening meant a lot for him because he and his mother spent the free time together. 3. How did the boy go back home in the evening? OR Which thought made the boy want to hurry home after the end of school? OR What did the boy expect to see on returning home? The boy did not take the bus but walked back home with four other friends – Ned, Ram, Peter and Gopal. He thought of the lemon pie that his mother would have prepared for him. The thought made him want to hurry home. He took a short cut. The other boys remarked that he did not live there. But he walked on happily in the anticipation of the home, the mother and the lemon-pie. The red roof of the home came into his view. He expected to see his mother waving to him from the kitchen. But soon he slowed down to a snail’s pace and stopped altogether. 4. What did the boy suddenly realize at the end of the story? What was its effect on him? The boy did not take the bus but walked back home. He took a short cut. He thought of the lemon pie that his mother would have prepared for him. The red roof of the home came into his view. But soon he slowed down to a snail’s pace and stopped altogether. The windows of the house were closed. There were no flying curtains to welcome him. The flowers and the plants in the garden had been left without care. The boy remembered that his mother had died a week ago. He was not living there anymore. His eyes were filled with tears. The boy wanted to cry a lot. But he could only cry quietly. Short Note/s: Let’s Go Home - Kewlian Sio The pathos in the story Let’s Go Home or The irony in the title Let’s Go Home It was a Saturday morning. When the students in the school bus talked about marbles, the boy began to forget everything. He even forgot that his mother had died a week ago. The boy was very sensitive and absent- minded for his age. The boy always liked Saturday because the next day was Sunday. Even the classes on Saturday were not so bad. On Saturday, the students spent the last hour of the school in the library. The boy read the tale of a clever prince who defeated a monster and escaped from his clutches. The boy had little homework on Saturday. Saturday evening meant a lot for him because he and his mother spent the free time together. E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.englishgueta.in Free Android App of English GUETA is available on Play Store Please visit the Facebook page of English GUETA also for latest updates…  ENGLISH GUETA – NOTES – DR. ALKESH PATEL The boy did not take the bus but walked back home with four other friends – Ned, Ram, Peter and Gopal. He thought of the lemon pie that his mother would have prepared for him. The thought made him want to hurry home. He took a short cut. The other boys remarked that he did not live there. But he walked on happily in the anticipation of the home, the mother and the lemon-pie. The red roof of the home came into his view. He expected to see his mother waving to him from the kitchen. But soon the boy slowed down to a snail’s pace and stopped altogether. The windows of the house were closed. There were no flying curtains to welcome him. The flowers and the plants in the garden had been left without care. The boy remembered that his mother had died a week ago. He was not living there anymore. His eyes were filled with tears. The boy wanted to cry a lot. But he could only cry quietly. The title Let’s Go Home is ironic. It is a pathetic story. Points for MCQs: Let’s Go Home - Kewlian Sio 1. The discussion about the marbles made the boy forget about his mother’s death. 2. The boy always fell asleep in the arithmetic class. 3. The boy’s mother used to give him lemon-pie on Saturdays as he returned from the school. 4. The boy had gone to live with his aunt after his mother’s death. 5. The boy’s mother had died a week ago. Lesson Four – A Devoted Son by Anita Desai (1936) Summary: Rakesh’s father, Varma, lived with his family in a small house. Their shabby little colony was situated at the edge of the town. Rubbish vans spilled their contents on the road near the house. Pigs and rag-pickers moved freely in the area. Varma, whose father sold vegetables, had never gone to school. He worked at a kerosene depot. But Rakesh brought the Varma family glory. Rakesh was the first boy in the family to get an education. Varma and his wife sacrificed much to educate their son. Rakesh was a brilliant student. He stood first in the country and got admission in a medical college. He completed his MD and also won a scholarship to study in the USA. He got his training in the most prestigious American hospitals. After he returned from the USA, Rakesh touched his father’s feet. Even the envious neighbours admitted that Rakesh was a devoted son. Rakesh’s mother felt very happy that he had not brought a foreign wife with him from the USA. In fact, Rakesh married the uneducated girl that his mother had chosen for him. Rakesh and his wife continued to live in the same small house with the parents. For many years Rakesh worked in a city hospital. Then he set up his own clinic. He became the richest doctor (surgeon) in the town. But Rakesh pressed his mother’s feet and personally took care of her in her last illness. Old Varma, who retired from his post after forty years of service, broke down after his wife’s death. He fell ill frequently. Rakesh cared for the old man and brought him the morning tea and read the news to him. The father felt gratified to have such a devoted son. But Rakesh made his old father’s life miserable when he began to behave more like a doctor than a son. Over-obsessed about his father’s health, Rakesh strictly supervised his diet. Sweets and fried food were prohibited. He weighed the food that was given to his father. Varma got a frugal meal – dry bread, boiled lentils and vegetables - twice a day. The supply of betel had also been cut off. While Varma craved for natural foods, Rakesh administered pills and tonics to him. The desperate old man bribed his grandson to buy sweets from the bazaar. Rakesh scolded his father for eating bazaar food and for teaching his son to tell lies. Medicines kept Varma alive but he lost the desire to live. There was only one pleasure in Old Varma’s life now - the visits from his elderly neighbours. But only few old companions had the capacity to walk to Old E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.englishgueta.in Free Android App of English GUETA is available on Play Store Please visit the Facebook page of English GUETA also for latest updates…  ENGLISH GUETA – NOTES – DR. ALKESH PATEL Varma’s house. Old Bhatia was a next door neighbour. Occasionally Bhatia came and talked with Varma. They chewed betel leaves and talked of their own illnesses. Bhatia was suffering from piles. He thought things must be easier for Varma because he had a doctor in the house to look after him. Varma opened his heart to Bhatia and told him that his son and daughter-in-law (Veena) did not give him enough food to eat. ----- Answer the following questions in brief: A Devoted Son - Anita Desai 1. What was the first thing Rakesh did when he saw his exam results in the newspapers? OR How did Rakesh bring glory to his family? OR How did Rakesh pursue his studies? Rakesh scanned the results of the exam in the newspapers. He had stood first in the country. At the time, his father (Varma) was sipping tea in the veranda. The first thing Rakesh did was to touch his father’s feet. Rakesh was the first boy in the family to get an education. Varma and his wife sacrificed much to educate their son. Rakesh got admission in a medical college. He completed his MD and also won a scholarship to study in the USA. He got his training in the most prestigious American hospitals. All acknowledged his talent and skill as a surgeon. Rakesh became the richest doctor in the town. 2. Describe in brief the professional success of Rakesh. OR How did Rakesh win fame and fortune? Rakesh’s father, Varma, lived with his family in a small house. Their shabby little colony was situated at the edge of the town. Rubbish vans spilled their contents on the road near the house. Pigs and rag-pickers moved freely in the area. But Rakesh completed his MD and also won a scholarship to study in the USA. He got his training in the most prestigious American hospitals. After returning home, Rakesh worked in the city hospital and eventually became its director. Then he gave up the job and started his own clinic. Rakesh became the richest doctor in the town. All acknowledged his talent and skill as a surgeon. 3. How did Rakesh take care of his father’s diet? Rakesh was not only an excellent surgeon but also a devoted son. However, after his mother’s death, his devotion to his father made the old man’s life miserable. Over-obsessed about his father’s health, Rakesh strictly supervised his diet. Sweets and fried food were prohibited. He weighed the food that was given to his father. Old Varma got a frugal meal – dry bread, boiled lentils and vegetables - twice a day. The supply of betel had also been cut off. While Varma craved for natural foods, Rakesh administered pills and tonics to him. 4. What did Varma do when he wanted to eat sweets? OR How did Rakesh react when he found that his father bribed his children to buy sweets? Rakesh began to behave more like a doctor than a son. He strictly supervised Old Varma’s diet. Sweets and fried food were prohibited. Varma got a frugal meal – dry bread, boiled lentils and vegetables - twice a day. While the old man craved for natural foods, Rakesh administered pills and tonics to him. The desperate old man bribed his grandson to buy sweets from the bazaar. Rakesh was angry. He scolded his father for eating bazaar food. He said that his father was teaching his son to tell lies. 5. What made Varma jealous of his neighbour, Old Bhatia? OR What were Varma’s complaints against his devoted son Rakesh? OR Why did Varma express his wish to die? E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.englishgueta.in Free Android App of English GUETA is available on Play Store Please visit the Facebook page of English GUETA also for latest updates…  ENGLISH GUETA – NOTES – DR. ALKESH PATEL While Old Varma craved for natural foods, Rakesh administered pills and tonics to him. There was only one pleasure in Varma’s life now - the visits from his elderly neighbours. Old Bhatia was a next door neighbour. Occasionally Bhatia came and talked with Varma. They talked of their own illnesses. Bhatia thought things must be easier for Varma because he had a doctor in the house. Varma opened his heart to Bhatia and told him that his son and daughter-in-law (Veena) did not give him enough food to eat. Medicines kept Old Varma alive but he lost the desire to live. Short Note/s: A Devoted Son - Anita Desai Old Varma’s complaints against his devoted son, Rakesh or The irony in the title A Devoted Son Rakesh touched his father, Varma’s feet when he stood first in the exam in the country. He was the first boy in the family to get an education. Varma and his wife sacrificed much to educate their son. Rakesh completed his MD and also won a scholarship to study in the USA. After returning home, Rakesh worked in the city hospital and eventually became its director. Then he gave up the job and started his own clinic. Rakesh became the richest doctor in the town. Rakesh won fame and fortune as a surgeon. But he and his wife lived in the same old house with his parents. Rakesh pressed his mother’s feet and personally took care of her in her last illness. Old Varma broke down after his wife’s death. He fell ill frequently. Rakesh cared for the old man and brought him the morning tea and read the news to him. Rakesh was not only an excellent surgeon but also a devoted son. However, his devotion made his father life miserable. Rakesh strictly supervised Old Varma’s diet. While the father craved for natural foods, Rakesh administered pills and tonics to him. There was only one pleasure Varma’s life now - the visits from his elderly neighbours. Old Bhatia occasionally came and talked with Varma. He thought things must be easier for Varma because he had a doctor in the house. Varma told Bhatia that his son did not give him enough food to eat. Medicines kept Old Varma alive but he lost the desire to live. There is irony in the title A Devoted Son. Points for MCQs: A Devoted Son - Anita Desai 1. Rakesh told his father that he had stood first in the exam in the country. 2. Rakesh got a scholarship to study in the USA. 3. Old Varma had worked in the kerosene depot for 40 years. 4. Veena was the name of Rakesh’s wife. 5. Old Bhatia occasionally came to meet Old Varma. Lesson Five – The False Gems by Guy de Maupassant (1850 - 1893) Summary: Monsieur Lantin was a clerk in the Department of Interior. He earned 3500 francs a year. At a reception in Paris, he met a beautiful young girl. He fell deeply in love with her. The girl was the daughter of a provincial tax collector. Her father had been dead for several years. The girl’s mother had brought her to Paris to find a husband for her. They were not rich but their family was respectable. The young girl was a perfect specimen of the virtuous woman. Any sensible young man could trust to be happy with her. Modesty and simplicity made the girl more charming. The imperceptible smile on her lips reflected a pure and lovely soul. People thought that no one could find a better wife than this girl. M. Lantin E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.englishgueta.in Free Android App of English GUETA is available on Play Store Please visit the Facebook page of English GUETA also for latest updates…  ENGLISH GUETA – NOTES – DR. ALKESH PATEL proposed to her and she agreed to marry him. The girl made Lantin unspeakably happy. She managed the household on his modest income so cleverly that he seemed to live in luxury. She took good care of him. After six years, Lantin loved his wife more than he did during the first days of his marriage. Lantin thought that his wife had only two weaknesses: (a) the love for the theater, and (b) the taste for imitation jewelry. She frequently watched the plays, often the first shows of the new ones. After the day’s work at the office, Lantin was tired and the plays bored him. With a great difficulty, Lantin persuaded his wife to go to the theatre in the company of her female friends (wives of petty officials). The other fault of Lantin’s wife, in his view, was the taste for imitation jewelry. She could not afford to buy real jewelry, so she collected rhinestones (shining like diamonds) for her ears, a string of false pearls, bracelets of imitation gold and combs set with glass jewels. She loved the false gems passionately and kept them in a leather box. The false jewels gave her a deep and secret joy. She remarked to Lantin that they (the jewels) looked as if they were real. However, he called them “trash.” She continued to buy jewels till the last days of her life. Lantin argued with his wife that beauty and modesty were the rarest ornaments of a woman. One evening, M. Lantin’s wife went to the opera. She caught a chill that night. The next morning, she coughed. Eight days later she died of inflammation of the lungs. Lantin was greatly shocked. He wept ceaselessly. His hair turned white in one month. He kept his wife’s room as she had left it on the day of her death. At office, he did not mix with others and from time to time expressed his grief with heartrending sobs. Lantin soon realized that his income was not sufficient to cover even his daily needs. But his wife used to give him excellent wine and tasty food with his modest salary. Lantin wondered how she managed to do it. He got into debt. One morning he found that he didn’t have a cent in his pocket. He decided to sell something to repay the debt. Lantin always hated the false jewels. The sight of these jewels spoiled the memory of his darling wife. He decided to sell them. A heavy necklace was the first item that he sold. Though only an imitation, it was a specimen of fine workmanship. He hoped to make six or seven francs by selling it. He was even ashamed to offer such a worthless article for sale. It would have exposed his miserable life before the jewellers. The first jeweller offered 15000 francs for the necklace. Lantin thought that the jeweller could not distinguish between the real from the imitation diamonds. He left the store without any argument. The next jeweller was surprised to have a look at the necklace. He said it had been sold by him. He offered 18000 francs if Lantin could explain how he got the necklace. Then Lantin sold the earrings, the bracelets, the rings, the set of emeralds and sapphires, and the gold chain. He got a total of one hundred and forty-three thousand francs for the ‘false’ jewelry. The jeweller remarked that the lady might have invested all her money in precious stones. Money changed Lantin. He drank expensive wine. He hired a carriage and boasted of being a rich man having two hundred thousand francs. He went to his office to resign his position. He told his boss that he had inherited 300000 francs. At Café Anglais, he informed the gentleman sitting beside him that he had inherited a fortune of 400000 francs. He went to watch a play and, for the first time in his life, he was not bored at the theatre. Six months later M. Lantin married again. His second wife was a virtuous man. She made his life miserable. ----- Answer the following questions in brief: The False Gems - Guy de Maupassant E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.englishgueta.in Free Android App of English GUETA is available on Play Store Please visit the Facebook page of English GUETA also for latest updates…  ENGLISH GUETA – NOTES – DR. ALKESH PATEL 1. Who was Monsieur Lantin? How did he marry the young girl? OR Describe the young girl who Lantin had fallen in love with. OR Why was Lantin unspeakably happy with his wife? Monsieur Lantin was a clerk in the Department of Interior. He earned 3500 francs a year. At a reception in Paris, he met a beautiful young girl. He fell deeply in love with her. The girl was the daughter of a provincial tax collector. Her father had been dead for several years. The girl’s mother had brought her to Paris to find a husband for her. The smile on her lips reflected a pure and lovely soul. After the marriage, the girl made Lantin unspeakably happy. After six years, Lantin loved his wife more than he did during the first days of his marriage. 2. What are the two things that M. Lantin did not like in his wife? Lantin’s wife made him unspeakably happy. After six years, he loved her more than he did during the first days of his marriage. But Lantin thought that his wife had only two weaknesses: (a) the love for the theater, and (b) the taste for imitation jewelry. She frequently watched the plays. With a great difficulty, Lantin persuaded his wife to go to the theatre in the company of her female friends. Lantin’s wife regularly bought false jewelry because they could not afford to buy real one. Lantin told her that beauty and modesty were the rarest ornaments of a woman. 3. How did M. Lantin’s wife die? OR What was M. Lantin’s condition after his wife’s death? One evening, M. Lantin’s wife went to the opera. She caught a chill that night. The next morning, she coughed. Eight days later she died of inflammation of the lungs. Lantin was greatly shocked. He wept ceaselessly. His hair turned white in one month. He kept his wife’s room as she had left it on the day of her death. At office, he did not mix with others and from time to time expressed his grief with heartrending sobs. Very soon Lantin realized that his income was not sufficient to cover even his daily needs. 4. What was M. Lantin’s financial situation after his wife’s death? OR Why did Lantin sell his late wife’s jewels? OR What change did wealth bring about in Lantin’s personality? Days after his wife’s death, Lantin realized that his income was not sufficient to cover his daily needs. He wondered how, with his modest salary, his wife managed to give him excellent wine and tasty food. One morning Lantin found that he didn’t have a cent in his pocket. He got 140,000 francs from selling his wife’s ‘false’ jewelry. Money changed Lantin. Now he drank expensive wine. He hired a carriage and boasted of being a rich man. He went to watch a play and, for the first time in his life, he was not bored at the theatre. 5. What kind of a person was M. Lantin’s second wife? OR How did his second wife cause M. Lantin so much sorrow? Lantin’s first wife was a beautiful young girl. She made him unspeakably happy. Even with Lantin’s modest salary, she managed to give him excellent wine and tasty food. When Lantin got 140,000 francs for his late wife’s ‘false’ jewelry, he realized that she was not a virtuous woman. She must have had an affair with some rich man. Lantin married again after six months. His second wife was a virtuous woman. But she made his life miserable. Short Note/s: The False Gems - Guy de Maupassant The significance of the title: The False Gems or The character of Monsieur Lantin E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.englishgueta.in Free Android App of English GUETA is available on Play Store Please visit the Facebook page of English GUETA also for latest updates…  ENGLISH GUETA – NOTES – DR. ALKESH PATEL Monsieur Lantin was a clerk in the Department of Interior. He earned 3500 francs a year. He fell deeply in love with a beautiful young girl. The smile on her lips reflected a pure and lovely soul. After the marriage, the girl made Lantin unspeakably happy. Even on his modest income, he seemed to live in luxury. After six years, Lantin loved his wife more than he did during the first days of his marriage. But Lantin thought that his wife had only two weaknesses: (a) the love for the theater, and (b) the taste for imitation jewelry. He told her that beauty and modesty were the rarest ornaments of a woman. Lantin’s wife died of inflammation of the lungs. He was greatly shocked. He wept ceaselessly. Very soon Lantin realized that his income was not sufficient to cover even his daily needs. He wondered how, with his modest salary, his wife managed to give him excellent wine and tasty food. He sold his wife’s ‘false’ jewelry and became a rich man overnight. Money changed Lantin. He drank expensive wine. He hired a carriage and boasted of being a rich man. He went to watch a play and, for the first time in his life, he was not bored at the theatre. Lantin’s first wife was a beautiful young girl. She made him unspeakably happy. Even with Lantin’s modest salary, she managed to give him excellent wine and tasty food. When Lantin got 140,000 francs for his late wife’s ‘false’ jewelry, he realized that she was not a virtuous woman. She must have had an affair with some rich man. Lantin married again after six months. His second wife was a virtuous woman. But she made his life miserable. Points for MCQs: The False Gems - Guy de Maupassant 1. Lantin’s wife was the daughter of a provincial tax-collector. 2. Lantin’s salary was 3500 francs a year. 3. Lantin’s wife had two weaknesses – the love for false jewelry and the taste for the theatre. 4. Lantin got 18000 francs by selling the heavy necklace. 5. Lantin made about 140,000 francs from all of his late wife’s “false” jewelry. ------------- X --- X --- X --- X --- X ------------- E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.englishgueta.in Free Android App of English GUETA is available on Play Store Please visit the Facebook page of English GUETA also for latest updates…