English Set-1 First Year PDF

ENGLISH NOTES SET-I SHORT QUESTIONS BOOK-I-SHORT STORIES BOOK-III- ONE ACT PLAY & POEMS Page 1  Lesson No. 1 Button, Button (Richard Matheson) Richard Burton...

ENGLISH NOTES SET-I SHORT QUESTIONS BOOK-I-SHORT STORIES BOOK-III- ONE ACT PLAY & POEMS Page 1  Lesson No. 1 Button, Button (Richard Matheson) Richard Burton Matheson was an American author and screenwriter, primarily in the fantasy, horror, and science fiction genres. Born: February 20, 1926, Allendale, New Jersey, United States Died: June 23, 2013, Calabasas, California, United States Movies: The Last Man on Earth, The Omega Man, Duel, more Short stories: Born of Man and Woman, Blood Son, Through Channels, Dress of White Silk, SRL Ad Children: Richard Christian Matheson, Chris Matheson, Ali Marie Matheson 1. Why did Norma consider the tone and attitude of Mr. Steward offensive? Norma considered the tone and attitude of Mr. Steward offensive because she did not pay heed to his words. She did not want to listen to him. She was busy in her chores. 2. Why did Arthur disagree with his wife? Arthur disagreed with his wife because he considered it immoral to kill anyone for the sake of money. He gave importance to moral and ethical values. 3. Why did Norma try to persuade her husband to agree with her? Norma tried to persuade her husband to agree with her because she wanted to earn $50,000 for the betterment of their life. She had plans for better life style. 4. What arguments (reasons) did Norma give to convince her husband that Steward’s plan to kill someone somewhere in the world was not a crime? Norma gave reasons to her husband to accept the offer that it might be a psychological research or some rich man was playing game with the people. 5. Why did Mr. Steward persuade Norma to push the button unit? Mr. Steward had already known about the greedy nature of Norma. So, he continued to persuade her to accept the offer for the completion of his experiment. 6. What news did Norma receive after pushing the button? After pushing the button, Norma received the message about the accidental death of her husband. It was shocking news for her. 7. What is the significance of Arthur’s life insurance policy? The significance of Arthur’s life insurance policy is that in case of his death, his family can receive it with double indemnity. It was the same amount offered by Mr. Steward. 8. Did Norma remain normal on hearing the death of her husband? No, she did not remain normal on hearing the death of her husband. She lost her wits for sometime. She could not control her shaking head. 9. What was written on the piece of paper? It was written on the piece of paper: “Mr. Steward will call on you at 8.00 P.M.” Page 2  10. What did Steward bring out from his pocket and what was in it? Mr. Steward brought out from his pocket a small sealed envelope in which there was a key to the bell-unit dome. 11. What did Steward tell Arthur about the button? Steward told Arthur that if he pushed the button, somewhere in the world, someone he did not know would die. In return, he would get fifty thousand dollars. 12. What was the reaction of Steward when Norma asked him whom he represented? On hearing Norma’s question, Mr. Steward became confused and embarrassed. 13. Why did Steward leave his card before leaving their house? Mr. Steward left his card so that Norma and Arthur might consider his offer and contact him again. 14. Why was Norma interested in the offer? (OR) What did Norma want to do with the money? Norma was interested in the offer as she wanted to have a trip towards Europe, to have a cottage in island, a well-furnished house and a car with that money. 15. Why does Arthur call pushing the button and killing some person “murder”? Arthur believes killing anyone is a murder. No matter you know him or not. It is morally unethical. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Lesson No. 2 Clearing in the Sky (Jess Stuart) Jesse Hilton Stuart was an American writer who is known for writing short stories, poetry, and novels about Southern Appalachia. Born: August 8, 1906, Greenup County, Kentucky, United States Died: February 17, 1984, Ironton, Ohio, United States Nationality: American Spouse: Naomi Norris Education: Lincoln Memorial University (1926–1929), Vanderbilt University 1. Why didn’t the old man follow the advice of the doctors? The old man did not follow the advice of the doctors because he thought that rest and laziness would bring death near to him while hard work would make addition to his life. 2. What had the doctors advised the old man not to do? Page 3  The doctors had advised the old man not to walk even the length of a city block. But the old man walked home by covering a distance of five miles. He told his wife what the doctor had said. 3. Where did the old man take his son? The old man took his son to the top of the mountain to make him see the patch of clearing where he had prepared a new farm. It was on the top of the mountain. 4. Had the son ever been there before? He had been there many times except for the last three years. All his time from childhood to boyhood had been spent there. 5. What were the names of the vegetables, the old man grew on his farm? The old man grew potatoes, tomatoes and yams on his farm. These were grown in very neat cultivating styles. 6. Why did the old man take the steep path? The old man took the steep path because it was the only way to assess his physical fitness, strength and stamina. He wanted to know about his latest health conditions. 7. Why did the son cry at the age of six? The son cried at the age of six because he had lost his wooden toy plough in the furrows. It was a toy plough made by his father for him. 8. What were the feelings of the old man at the age of seventy? At the age of seventy, the old man recalled his precious past days fraught with golden memories of natural beauty. He enjoyed his nostalgia. 9. Why had the old man planted his secret garden? According to the old man, anything grown in a new soil had better flavour than the things grown in an old soil. That is why he had planted his secret garden. 10. How many years, according to the old man, does the good book allow to man to spend upon this earth? According to the old man, the good book or Bible allows man three score years and ten i.e. seventy years to spend on this earth. 11. How old were Jess’ parents when they cleared the mountain slope together? At that time, Jess’ mother was nineteen and his father was twenty-two. 12. Why were there so many paths coming from the old man’s flat up to the second steep bluff? Whenever the old man grew weak or sick, he made an easier path. But, as he regained his health, he made a steeper path. 13. What piece of advice had been given to the old man by the doctors? The doctors had advised him to take complete rest and enjoy the few remaining days of his life with his family. 14. Why did the old man still remember the mountain? The falling of hickories, the morning wind in August, grown rabbits in October and their hounds, Scout and Rags were all unforgettable memories for the old man which had indelible imprints on his mind. 15. Why did the old man fence the clearing? Page 4  The old man fenced the clearing just to protect it from the strayed animals. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Lesson No. 3 Dark They were, and Golden-Eyed (Ray Bradbury) Ray Douglas Bradbury was an American fantasy, science fiction, horror and mystery fiction author. Best known for his dystopian novel Fahrenheit 451 and for the science fiction and horror stories gathered. Born: August 22, 1920, Waukegan, Illinois, United States Died: June 5, 2012, Los Angeles, California, United States Short stories: A Sound of Thunder, There Will Come Soft Rains, more Influenced by: George Orwell, Aldous Huxley, Edgar Allan Poe, more Awards: Helmerich Award, Prometheus Hall of Fame Award, more 1. Why did Harry want to go back to earth? Harry felt horrifying changes within him and his family due to dangerous climate the moment they set foot on the Mars That is why he wanted to go back. 2. Why did Harry want to stay on Mars? Harry wanted to stay on Mars because there was war on earth. All the rockets on the earth had been destroyed. So, he had to wait there till the arrival of a new rocket from the earth. 3. What was the climate they faced? They faced a very severe climate with sizzling and scorching air on Mars which would change the colour of their eyes and skin. 4. What was the condition of the Bitterings on hearing the news of war on earth? On hearing the news of war on earth, the Bitterigs family horribly terrified and thought that they were stranded on Mars forever and ever. 5. What did they want to grow? They wanted to grow some vegetables and crops that they grew on the earth. They wanted to enjoy Erath like life style there on Mars. 6. What was the condition of their house? The condition of their house was very bad. Strong and blazing wind in the day time and dense fog at night destroyed everything. The boards were curved and bent due to heavy fog. 7. What advice did Harry give to the people? Harry advised the people to build a rocket so that they might be able to go back to the earth. He had felt horrifying changes. He wanted to go back to the earth as soon as possible. 8. How much dangerous a Martian virus can be? Page 5  The Martian virus may be in the shape of a seed or a pollen grain. It can be so dangerous that it can change not only the colour of their skin and eyes but it can also snatch away their memories and identities. 9. What did they feel when they arrived at the planet Mars? When they reached the planet Mars, they felt as if they were standing at the centre of a vacuum. Harry’s wife seemed to be flying like a whirlwind. Children looked like seeds. 10. What were the names of the members of the Bitterings? The names of the members of the Bitterings were: Harry, Cora, Dan, Laura and David. 11. Why did they escape from the earth and reached Mars? They escaped from the earth because they feared that one day; atom bomb would destroy the whole earth. 12. What was the answer of Harry when Laura asked him: ‘father, what will we do?’? In response to Laura’s question, Harry told her that they would continue their business; they would raise crops and children and wait until the war ended and the rocket came again. 13. What changes occurred in Harry and his wife? Harry turned black and his eyes became golden. He looked as young as his eldest son. Similarly, his wife became golden and slender as his daughter. 14. What happened to the other people? All other people disappeared. It remained a mystery whether they were killed by the natives or some fatal disease killed them. 15. What was reported by the lieutenant to the captain as to the Martians? He told the captain that they were dark, very friendly and spoke English. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Lesson No. 4 Thank You, M’am (Langston Hughes) James Mercer Langston Hughes was an American poet, social activist, novelist, playwright, and columnist. He was one of the earliest innovators of the then-new literary art form called jazz poetry. Born: February 1, 1902, Joplin, Missouri, United States Died: May 22, 1967, New York City, New York, United States Poems: Montage of a Dream Deferred, more Awards: Spingarn Medal, Quill Award for Poetry, more Parents: Caroline Mercer Langston, James Nathaniel Hughes 1. What was the time when the boy tried to snatch the purse of the woman? It was 11 ‘o clock at night when the boy tried to snatch the purse of the woman. 2. What happened to the boy when he tried to snatch the purse? Page 6  When the boy tried to snatch the purse of the woman, he fell down. The woman kicked him forcefully on his back and held him tightly. 3. What was the conduct of the people who saw the incident? They all were indifferent to this incident. Some passed by and some stopped just to see the incident. 4. What was the reaction of the woman? She turned around and kicked him on his back and, then, picked the boy up by his shirt front and shook him forcibly. 5. How did the boy look physically? The boy was about fourteen or fifteen years old. He was weak and thin. He was frail and willow-wild. 6. How did the boy feel that the woman was not alone? The boy felt so when he found the doors opened and heard the other roomers laughing and talking. 7. Why did the woman ask the boy to wash his face? The woman asked the boy to wash his face because his face was dirty. 8. Why didn’t the boy run from the house of the woman? The boy did not run from the woman’s house because her attitude towards him was loving and sympathetic. He did not want to be mistrusted by the woman. 9. Why didn’t the woman watch the boy while preparing a dish? The woman didn’t watch the boy while preparing a dish because she seemed to have a trust on him. 10. What was the nature of the woman’s job? The woman was a beautician and worked in a hotel beauty shop where women of different nationalities, tastes and colours used to come. 11. Why, in your opinion, the woman tells the boy her complete name? She does so as she wants to tell him that she is not an ordinary, weak and timid woman. 12. Why did the woman want to go to her home soon? The woman wanted to go to her home soon because she was hungry and she wanted to cook something to eat. 13. What advice is given by the woman to the boy? She advises him that the shoes got by devilish ways will burn his feet. 14. What did the boy want to say to the woman when she saw him off at the door? The boy wanted to say something more than mere “Thank you”. He was feeling much obliged. But, he was so overwhelmed by his emotions that he could not utter any word. 15. What was not in the purse? There was everything in the purse except a hammer and nails. 16. Why did the boy lose his balance? The boy lost his balance because of his own weight and the weight of the purse. 17. What was the condition of the boy when the woman gave him few jerks? When the woman gave the boy a few jerks, he got frightened and stopped struggling to release himself from the bitter grip of the woman. Page 7  ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Lesson No. 5 The Piece of String (Guy De Maupassant) Henri René Albert Guy de Maupassant was a popular French writer, considered one of the fathers of the modern short story and one of the form's finest exponents. Born: August 5, 1850, Tourville-sur-Arques, France Died: July 6, 1893, Passy, Paris, France Short stories: The Necklace, Boule de Suif, Deux Amis, Pierrot, La Maison Tellier, Mademoiselle Fifi, La Peur, Suicides Parents: Laure Le Poittevin, Gustave de Maupassant Children: Honoré Lucien Litzelmann, Jeanne Lucienne Litzelmann, Marthe Marguerite Litzelmann 1. Why did Manana accuse Hubert of picking the lost pocket-book? Manana accused Hubert of picking the lost pocket-book because he had seen him picking something from the mud. In fact, Hubert had picked just a small piece of string and Manana took it for pocket book. 2. What did the people think of Hubert when they heard the return of the pocket-book by some other person? People were still not willing to believe Hubert. They thought that Hubert himself had dropped the pocket book somewhere to prove himself innocent. They also said: “Those are lying excuses”. 3. Why did George give the pocket-book to his employer? George gave the pocket book to his employer because he was illiterate and could not read whose name was written on the book. 4. What made Hubert shameful? People accused him of what he had not done. To be called a liar made him shameful. 5. Why did the people make fun of his innocence? People made fun of his innocence just to accuse, to abuse him and to amuse themselves. Page 8 6. Why did he keep claiming his innocence before his death? The blame which was resting on him gave him utmost mental torment. To restore his lost honour and make people believe that he was not a thief, he kept on claiming his innocence. 7. Who took Hubert to the Mayer’s office? A police officer took Hurbert to the Mayer’s office. 8. What did the diners discuss? The diners discussed the crops and the weather which was favourable for the green things but not for wheat. 9. What announcement did the drumbeater make? The drumbeater announced about the loss of a black leather book containing five hundred shillings and some business papers. He also announced that the finder should return it to the Mayor’s office or Mr.James and receive the reward of 20 shillings. 10. What did the Mayor say in favour of Manana? The Mayor said that Manana was a trustworthy man and he could not mistake the cord for a pocket book. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Lesson No. 6 The Reward (Pen Name: Lord Dunsany) Edward John Moreton Drax Plunkett, 18th Baron of Dunsany was an Irish writer and dramatist, notable for his work, mostly in fantasy, published under the name Lord Dunsany. Born: July 24, 1878, London, United Kingdom Died: October 25, 1957, Dublin, Republic of Ireland Spouse: Beatrice Child Villiers (m. 1904–1957) Movies: Dean Spanley, It Happened Tomorrow Children: Randal Plunkett, 19th Baron of Dunsany 1. What was the subject discussed at the club? The subject discussed at the club was ‘opportunity and determination’. 2. What did Terbut think of Jorkens’s argument? Terbut disagreed with Jorkens’ argument and was of the opinion that opportunity was needed for success. 3. How did Jorkens convince that a man can become a skating champion of the Sahara? Jorkens said that a man could become a skating champion of the Sahara if he made money, built a skating-rink there, organized a competition and gave all his time to win his goal. 4. How did Gorgios persuade his people to make his country strong? Page 9  Gorgios persuaded his people to make his country strong by asking them to create a post of acrobat. He would be a vigorous example of physical fitness whose performance in the court would inspire the soldiers to defend their country and their rights. 5. What was the viewpoint of the parents of Gorgios? The viewpoint of the parents of Gorgios was that one could achieve one’s goal with firm determination and fortitude. 6. What were the arrangements made for the function of inauguration? For the function of inauguration, the great throne-room was turned into a kind of gymnasium. The members of the Royal House seated along a raised platform. The principal officers stood beside and behind them. Lights glittered, a band in pale green and gold played softly. 7. Describe the scene of inauguration. Write five sentences. Lights shone and a band played softly. In the flood of golden light, the old man appeared in his brilliant uniform. He walked slowly, with the help of a golden stick in his pointed shoes. He was going to perform some trick when the people applauded him assuring that he needed not perform any actual trick. He bowed to express his feelings of gratitude. 8. What were the feelings of Gorgios on the occasion? Gorgios looked a bit sad. He had won his goal. But now, he was too old to perform any trick. However, he was satisfied that he had succeeded in materializing the dream. 9 Did Gorgios use any short cut to achieve his ambition? No, he did not use any shortcut to achieve his ambition. 10. For how long Gorgios had to stick to get his ambition achieved? Gorgios had to stick for more than sixty years to get his ambition achieved. 11. How did Gorgios become a good athlete? At the age of sixteen, Gorgios became a good athlete as he had won the high jump, the hurdles and a hundred yards at his school. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Lesson No. 7 The Use of Force (William Carlos Williams) William Carlos Williams was an American poet closely associated with modernism and imagism. He was also a pediatrician and general practitioner of medicine. Born: September 17, 1883, Rutherford, New Jersey, United States Died: March 4, 1963, Rutherford, New Jersey, United States Spouse: Florence Williams (m. 1912–1963) Influenced by: Ezra Pound, Walt Whitman, James Joyce, John Keats Awards: Pulitzer Prize for Poetry, National Book Award for Poetry, more 1. What was the condition of the parents on the arrival of the doctor? Page 10  On the arrival of the doctor, the condition of the parents was very bad. They were upset and worried. The mother looked startled and apologetic. 2. What was the behaviour of the child with the doctor? The behaviour of the child with the doctor was very revolting. She was rude and non- cooperative. She did not want to be examined by the doctor. 3. She had a fever for three days, hadn’t she? Yes, she had a fever for three days. She had been hiding her sore throat for three days. 4. Did the girl change her expression when the doctor said; “Does your throat hurt you?” No, the girl did not change her expression. She continuously stared at him with her cold steady eyes. 5. Why did the doctor call the sick girl by her first name? The doctor called the sick girl by her first name to show his affection and friendliness. He also wanted to pacify her. 6. Did the sick girl promptly respond to the instruction of the doctor? No, she did not respond to his instruction. She remained adamant in her behavior. She did not obey him. 7. Why did the parents rebuke her? The parents rebuked her because the girl had attacked the doctor and had thrown his glasses away. 8. What was the threat of the doctor to the child for not showing her throat? The doctor threatened her to use force. He also told her that she would die if she did not show her throat. 9. Why did she break the wooden blade? As she was stubborn and obdurate and did not want to show her throat to the doctor, she broke the wooden blade. 10. What was the condition of the tonsils of the sick girl? The condition of the tonsils of the sick girl was very bad. They were covered with membrane. It was the sure sign of diphtheria. 11. How did the child look by appearance? The girl was beautiful but stubborn and quarrelsome. She had thick blonde hair. Her face flushed but still it was expressionless. She was as strong as a heifer. 12. Why did the parents keep the sick child in the kitchen? The parents kept the sick child in the kitchen as she had been suffering from fever for three days, her parents wanted to keep her warm and protected. 13. How did the doctor succeed in examining her throat? The doctor asked her father to hold her wrists tightly and he overpowered her and forced the silver spoon back of her teeth and down her throat. Now, it was easy to see the exact condition of her throat. 14. Describe the feelings of the doctor in his struggle to diagnose the disease. The doctor had to face strong resistance from the child. She even threw his glasses away. The doctor got furious. He threatened her. He wanted to give the child a good thrashing but he tried to control himself. Page 11 15. Under what circumstances, the use of force can be justified? In no circumstances the use of force can be justified. But, sometimes, it becomes essential to use force in order to stop or uproot any evil. 16. Did the sick girl change her expressions? No, she did not change any expression but stared the doctor with her steady eyes. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Lesson No. 8 The Gulistan of Sadi (Sheikh Sadi) 1. What was the advice given by Nushirvan to his people? Nushirvan advised his people to avoid oppression and exploitation. He asked them to pay for anything that they get from other people. 2. What was the remedy suggested by the physicians for the disease of the king? The physicians suggested that the disease could be cured by the bile of a person who possessed certain qualities. 3. Why did the boy look to the sky and smile? The boy looked to the sky and smiled to seek God’s help because his parents, the Qazi and the king all wanted to kill him. 4. What should be the role of a Qazi? The role of a Qazi should be to remain impartial and do justice to both the rich and the poor. 5. Why did the king weep? The king wept because he was disturbed to hear the sad tale of the boy. He was also ashamed of what he was going to do with the boy. 6. How did the king recover? The king recovered because he had repented and had spared the life of the poor boy. 7. How did Edwin Arnold describe Gulistan? Edwin Arnold described Gulistan as “an intellectual plaao, a literary curry; a kebab of a versatile genius”. 8. Why did the slave cry and tremble? The slave cried and trembled in fear of being drowned. Page 12  9. How did the other people present in the boat try to pacify the slave? The other people present in the boat tried to pacify the slave by kindness and affection. 10. How did the sergeant pacify the slave? The sergeant pacified the slave by throwing him into the sea. 11. Why did the slave become calm when he was taken out of water? After facing the risk of drowning he knew the value and security of the boat. 12. Why did Nushirvan ask to pay for the salt? He did so because it should not become a custom and the village be ruined. 13. Why was the boy sent to a village? The boy was sent to a village to bring some salt. 14. What was being roasted for Nushirvan? A deer was being roasted for Nushirvan. 15. Who was discovered to possess the qualities mentioned by the doctors? The son of a farmer was discovered who possessed the qualities mentioned by the doctors. 16. What decree was issued by the Qazi? The Qazi issued a decree that the blood of a person could be shed for the health of the king. 17. What was the effect of the boy’s speech on the king? The king felt disturbed and he could not control his tears. 18. How did the king seek the consent of the boy’s parents? The king sought the consent of the boy’s parents by offering them a huge amount of money. 19. What did the king do with the boy? The king kissed the head and eyes of the boy and gave him a lot of wealth. 20. What does Emerson say about Sheikh Sadi? He tells that Sadi speaks to all nations and is always modern. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Lesson No. 9 THE FOOLISH QUACK ( Folk Tale) 1. What is a clump of trees? A group of densely grown trees is called a clump of trees or cluster of trees. 2. What was stuck in the camel’s throat? A melon was stuck in the camel’s throat. 3. What did the quack pretend to cure? The quack pretended to cure goiter. 4. What did the quack do with the old woman? The quack tied up the woman’s throat with the blanket and struck the swollen part with full force. The woman died instantly due to his foolish treatment. 5. What was the result of the cure? The poor old woman expired (died) instantly as a result of the treatment of the foolish quack. 6. What was the punishment inflicted upon the quack by the villagers? The villagers first asked the quack to dig the grave of the old woman and then they beat him badly. 7. For whom did the quack dig the grave? The quack dug the grave for the old woman. 8. What did the quack do in the next village? Page 13  In the next village the quack again pretended to be a doctor. 9. Why didn’t the villagers let the old man cured? The villagers did not let the old man cured because the quack had started talking about digging the old man’s grave before starting his treatment. 10. Why did the quack come back to the camel-men? The quack came back to the camel-men to blame them and to tell them that he followed their way of treating goiter but unlike their camel, his patient died. 11. Why did the camel-men call the quack a stupid? They called him stupid as he did not know the difference between humans and animals. Unlike animals, the humans’ soft body cannot stand the strong blow of a mallet. 12. How did one of the camel-men make the quack realize his stupidity? He struck the quack with a heavy stick bound with iron rings which felled him to the earth. 13. What promise did the so-called quack make to himself? He decided that he would never make a false claim to be a doctor. 14. How did the owner cure his camel? The owner tied a blanket round camel’s neck and struck the place with great force. The melon broke in the throat and the camel was out of trouble. 15. What was the result of the punishment? The quack did not learn any lesson from his punishment and repeated the same stupidity while going to the next village. 16. What did the quack ask the villagers before the treatment of the old man? He asked them that he would not dig his grave in case he was killed during his treatment. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Lesson No. 10 A Mild Attack of Locusts (Doris Lessing) Doris May Lessing CH was a British novelist, poet, playwright, librettist, biographer and short story writer. Born: October 22, 1919, Kermanshah, Iran Died: November 17, 2013, London, United Kingdom Children: Jean Wisdom, Peter Lessing, John Wisdom Awards: Nobel Prize in Literature, Somerset Maugham Award, more Movies: Adore, Memoirs of a Survivor, Killing Heat, Mon Amie Victoria 1. What are locusts? Locusts are winged insects that fly in swarms and destroy crops. Page 14  2. Why did the farmers throw wet leaves on fire? The farmers threw wet leaves on fire to make the smoke more sharp and dark. 3. What was the desire/hope of every farmer? It was the desire of every farmer that the locusts spared his farm and went on to the next. 4. Did Margaret know what to do to keep the locusts away? No, Margaret did not know what to do to keep the locusts away. 5. What was the condition of trees? The condition of the trees was very bad. Their branches were bent because of the heavy weight of locusts. 6. How did old Stephen treat the stray locust which he found on his shirt? He crushed it with his thumbnail. 7. Are the hoppers different from the locusts? No, the hoppers are not different from locusts. They are, in fact, progeny or off-spring of locusts. 8. Did Margaret lose heart on the loss of crops? Yes, Margaret lost heart on the loss of crops and considered it a great damage. 9. Why are the locusts compared with bad weather? The locusts are compared with bad weather because locusts and bad weather both are unpredictable. 10. Why did the men eat their supper with good appetites? The men ate their supper with good appetites because they had worked very hard all the day long to fight the locusts. Moreover, they did not take their loss to heart. 11. Why did the people beat cans and other metal pots? The people beat cans and other metal pots to keep the locusts away from their fields. 12. What could have happened if the main swarm had succeeded in settling on the farms? If the main swarm had succeeded in settling on the farm, they could have laid eggs and eaten everything. Afterwards young locusts or the hoppers came out of the eggs and thus their number might grow in millions and millions. 13. What was the use of ploughshare? The ploughshare was there to summon the labourers in trouble. 14. How according to Old Stephen they could keep locusts away? He suggested making enough smoke and noise till the sunset so that they all might settle somewhere. 15. Why were they still beating the gongs after the attack of a great swarm of locusts? OR What was their good hope about the main swarm of the locusts? They were beating the gongs to keep the main swarm away that was full of eggs so that they might not lay the eggs and it was their hope. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Lesson No. 11 I Have a Dream Page 15  (Martin Luther King) Martin Luther King, Jr. was an American Baptist minister, activist, humanitarian, and leader in the African-American Civil Rights Movement. Born: January 15, 1929, Atlanta, Georgia, United States Assassinated: April 4, 1968, Memphis, Tennessee, United States Spouse: Coretta Scott King (m. 1953–1968) Children: Dexter Scott King, Bernice King, Yolanda King, Martin Luther King III Parents: Alberta Williams King, Martin Luther King, Sr. Influenced by: Mahatma Gandhi, Abraham Lincoln, more 1. What was the cause of Negroes’ discontentment? The cause of Negroes’ discontentment was that they were treated as slaves. They had been deprived of their basic rights and were considered inferior to the white people. 2. What are the qualities of the “veterans of creative suffering”? The following are the qualities of the veterans of creative suffering: a. They face all test and trial with patience and courage. b. They never lose heart or get despaired. c. They keep on working hard with the faith that unearned suffering is always redemptive. 3. What is the dream of Martin Luther King? The dream of Martin Luther King is to see his nation free, his people being treated equally and an environment of justice, equality and brotherhood prevailing everywhere. 4. What should be the faith of Negroes? The faith of Negroes should be that one day; they shall win freedom and will be treated equally. 5. What was the necessity of pleading the case of Negroes freedom? They were the victims of injustice and inequality. So, it was necessary for some sincere leader to plead the case for them. 6. What should be the criterion of judgment for a person? The criterion of judgment for a person should be the greatness of his character and not the colour of his skin. 7. Do the Negroes enjoy liberty in all the parts of their country? No, they were not enjoying liberty in all parts of their country. In some parts of the country, they were treated as slaves. Page 16 8. From which part of the country, the Negroes gathered there? The Negroes gathered there from Mississippi, Alabama, South Carolina, Georgia, Louisiana, and many other Northern cities. 9. Write down the song in your own words? My country is the sweet land of freedom. I sing for my land where my fathers died and which is the pride of all pilgrims who come here to visit sacred shrines. So, let the song of freedom be heard from all sides of the mountain. 10. What is the effect of the repetition of words? The effect of the repetition of words is that we properly understand the meaning of the information that the writer or the speaker wants to inculcate in our minds. 11. What is the dream of the writer as to the red hills of Georgia? He wants to see the sons of former owners and the sons of the former slaves playing together. 12. What is the dream of the writer as to the state of Mississippi? He wants to see the state of Mississippi a center of freedom and justice instead of injustice and oppression. 13. What is the dream of the writer as to his four children? He wants to see his children being judged by their character, not by their skin-colour. 14. What is the dream of the writer as to the state of Alabama? He wants to see the governor of Alabama preaching equality. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Lesson No. 12 The Gift of the Magi (O. Henry) William Sydney Porter, known by his pen name O. Henry, was an American writer. O. Henry's short stories are known for their wit, wordplay, warm characterization, and surprise endings. Born: September 11, 1862, Greensboro, North Carolina, United States Died: June 5, 1910, New York City, New York, United States Full name: William Sydney Porter Short stories: The Gift of the Magi, The Ransom of Red Chief, more Movies: O. Henry's Full House, Alias Jimmy Valentine, Raincoat, more 1. How much did she save for Christmas? She saved one dollar and eighty-seven cents for Christmas. 2. Why did she feel pride in the beauty of her hair? Page 17  She felt pride in the beauty of her hair because they were long, brown, more valuable and beautiful than any queen’s gifts and Jewels. 3. Why did she sell her hair? She sold her hair because she wanted to buy a beautiful gift for Jim. 4. Why did Jim feel pride in his gold watch? Jim knew that no king had such a valuable gold thing as owned by him. 5. Why did they want to present the gifts? Della and Jim loved each other from the core of their hearts. They could not think of celebrating Christmas without presenting the gifts to each other. 6. Why did she feel sad on losing her hair? Della felt sad on losing her hair because she had long, brown and beautiful hair and she loved them much. 7. Why did not Jim welcome her when he stepped in? Jim did not welcome Della when he stepped in because he was extremely shocked to see all Della’s hair removed from her head. He had just bought combs for her hair after selling his watch. Now, his precious gift was of no use. 8. What did he bring out from his coat? Jim brought out beautiful and costly combs from his coat. 9. How beautiful was the gold watch chain? Though the gold watch chain was very simply made, yet it looked very beautiful and valuable. Its value was in its rich and pure material. 10. What was the wisdom in selling the most valuable things? OR How do we find the purity in their love for each other? Love demands sacrifice and sacrifice strengthens love. Both sacrificed their precious belongings for each other and, thus, showed that nothing is more precious or valuable than one’s beloved. 11. What was special in Della‘s hair? Her hair reached below her knee. It was almost like a dress for her. 12. Why did Jim sell the gold watch? Jim wanted to buy a gift for Della but he had not enough money to buy one. So, he sold his watch to get money. 13. What did they buy for each other? Della bought a gold chain for Jim and Jim bought combs with jewels attached to them. 14. What was common between Jim and the gold chain? Both were simple, quiet and valuable. 15. Why was she fearful of Jim after she got her hair removed? She thought that Jim might not like her outlook after getting her hair removed. 16. Who were the Magi? The Magi were the wise Kings who first brought gifts for the Christ. The wise men who came to seek and honor the infant Jesus were named Gaspar, Balthasar, and Melchior. 17. What thing made the James Dillingham Youngs feel pride? Page 18  They were proud of two things. Jim took pride in his gold watch whereas Della felt pride in her hair Lesson No. 13 God Be Praised (Ahmed Nadeem Qasmi) Ahmad Nadeem Qasmi born Ahmad Shah Awan on 20 November 1916 – died 10 July 2006, was an Urdu and English language Pakistani poet, journalist, literary critic, dramatist and short story author. Born: November 20, 1916, Anga, Punjab Died: July 10, 2006, Lahore Education: University of the Punjab Books: Flower on a Grave: Poems from Ahmad Nadeem Qasimi, more Children: Naheed Qasimi 1. What was Alias Abul’s full name? His full name was Maulvi Abul Barkat alias Abul 2. What was his turban known as and where it originally came from? His turban was known as “Mashadi lungi” it originally came from Mashad in Iran. 3. What did he always carry with him? He always carried with him a decorated walking stick, a sort of scepter. 4. Describe Maulvi’s appearance. On his head, he wore a light brown turban known as Mashadi lungi. He always carried a walking stick. He used fragrant oil for his hair and wore silver rings with large turquoise stones. 5. How much did the Maulvi collect on every Eid? The Maulvi collected 150-200 rupees on every Eid which were collected from the devotees. 6. How much were was distributed among the needy and the poor? 40 to 50 rupees were distributed among the needy and the poor at the presence of worshippers. 7. What was the name of the eldest daughter? Mehrunisa was the name of the eldest daughter. 8. Who was the member of district board where the Maulvi lived? Chaudhry Fatehdad was the member of the District Board where the Maulvi lived. 9. What was the name of his wife? The name of his wife was Zaibunisa. 10. Write the names of the other two daughters who are mentioned in the story? The manes of the other two daughters were; Shmasan and zabda. Page 19 11. To whom was Mehrun married? Mehrun was married to Shamim Ahmad. 12. Did Abul ask people to pray for him? No, Abul asked people not to pray for him because God had blessed him with everything: health, peace of mind and freedom from care. 13. How much had the pair of shoes for his first born cost him? It cost him just one rupee. 14. How much had the pair of shoes for his youngest daughter, Umda, cost him? It cost him five rupees and twelve annas. 15. What did his wife do when he talked about the price of the shoes? His wife silently lifted a corner of the quilt to expose Umda’s small, bare dainty feet. 16. After paying the price of the shoes, what did he vow with Allah? He vowed with Allah that he, in future, would never use the powdered tobacco. 17. What changes occurred in Maulvi when Mehrun reached the age of 14? Maulvi’s prayers became intense and prolonged. He also began straying from one Surah to another and sometimes, he repeated the same chapter twice in the same part of the prayer. 18. What had Fatehdad been sending to Maulvi Saheb every evening for years? He had been sending home baked bread smeared with ghee and an earthen bowl of ‘dal ’ for many years. 19. What did Fatehdad consider his daily offering to Maulvi Abul? He considered it a part of his daily worship. 20. What would happen if the daily offering of the evening meal was delayed? Chaudhry Fatehdad would carry it himself to Maulvi Abul’ s house. 21. How did Zaibunnisa help in case of ever increasing responsibilities? She started teaching the Holy Quran to the young girls of the village. 22. What else Fatehdad used to give Maulvi every year? He used to present new clothes to Maulvi every year after harvest. 23. Who inaugurated Shamim Ahmad’s shop? Maulvi Abul inaugurated Shamim Ahmad’s shop. 24. Where did Maulvi take Shamim Ahmad when the latter came to his house? Maulvi took Shamim Ahmad to a room at one end of the mosque. This room was dark and it was used for offering special prayers in solitude. 25. What did Shamim Ahmad request Maulvi Abul? Shamim Ahmad requested Maulvi Abul to accept him as his slave i.e., his son-in-law. 26. What was the effect of Shamim’s request on the Maulvi? He was overjoyed and tears of happiness rolled down his cheeks. 27. What gift did Fatehdad give to Maulvi for his daughter? He gave a pair of gold pendants with large, shining stones wrapped in a hundred-rupee note. 28. Why were the gay songs not sung on the wedding ceremony of Mehrun? The gay songs were not sung on the wedding ceremony of Mehrun because it was Maulvi Abul Barkat’s residence and no music could be allowed in his house. Page 20 29. What was the reaction of the women when the articles of dowry were exhibited in the courtyard? When the articles were exhibited in the courtyard, they felt jealous of them. 30. What did Maulvi observe soon after the marriage of his first daughter? He observed that his second daughter, Zabda had suddenly matured. 31. What were the two main sources of inspiration for Maulvi Abul? The two main sources of inspiration for Maulvi Abul were Allah and Fatehdad. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Lesson No. 14 Over Coat (Ghulam Abbas) Ghulam Abbas was a short story writer. Ghulam Abbas was married twice. His first wife was called Zakira and he had five children with her including four daughters and a son. Born: 1909, Amritsar, India Died: November 2, 1982, Karachi 1. What was the colour of the overcoat of the young man? Its colour was brown. It was an old overcoat. 2. What was his appearance? His hair was sleek and shining. He wore side burns. His moustache was thin. He was wearing a brown overcoat. There was a cream coloured half opened rose in its buttonhole. He was wearing a green flat hat at a rakish angle. A white silk scarf was knotted at his neck. He was holding a short polished cane and he was moving it joyously. 3. Why did the people come out on the Mall? As the evening advanced the cold became more intense. It was cold that induced people to seek comfort in pleasure. Therefore, they came out on the Mall to amuse themselves. 4. What were the people wearing who came on the Mall? People from all the classes of society were present on the Mall. Most of them were wearing different kinds of overcoats from the astrakhan to the rough military khaki. 5. Why was the cat shivering? The small cat was feeling the penetrating cold. It might be hungry; therefore, it was shivering and mewing. 6. Why did the driver of the truck speed away after the accident? Page 21  If the driver was caught, he would have been beaten and handed over to the police. Therefore, he ran away from the site of the accident. 7. Who took the young man after accident to the hospital? The passersby loaded the young man in a car and took him to a nearby hospital. 8. What was playing in one of the restaurants? An orchestra was playing in one of the restaurants. Everyone was enjoying this performance. 9. How were the icy gusts of wind affecting every one? All were walking quickly to keep them warm whereas the young man was immune to them. 10. To what extent, the young man in his coat looked “dandy”. He looked so dandy that tonga-walllas and the taxi-drivers invited him to have their services. 11. What kind of people were there around the orchestra? Some passersby, taxi-drivers, tonga-wallas, labourers and beggars gathered there. 12. What did the young man do in the Western music shop? He examined skillfully a Spanish guitar and played some notes on a German piano. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Lesson No. 15 The Angel and The Author – and others (Jerome k. Jerome) Jerome Klapka Jerome was an English writer and humourist, best known for the comic travelogue Three Men in a Boat. Born: May 2, 1859, Walsall, United Kingdom Died: June 14, 1927, Northampton, United Kingdom Education: St Marylebone Grammar School Movies: Three Men in a Boat 1. At what point of journey in his dream, did the author hear the throbbing sound of wings? The author heard the throbbing sound of the wings of an angel when he was at a lofty point of his journey near the sky. At that time, the faint brightness buried beneath darkness. 2. What time of the year was it? It was a fortnight after Christmas. As such, it was 9th of January. 3. What does the author like about Christmas? Page 22  For the writer, it is a delightful sensation to see all men and women becoming generous on Christmas. He greatly appreciates the kind-hearted attitude at Christmas. 4. Write down the good deeds the author has admitted are a great joy on Christmas. The author thinks that on the eve of Christmas, everybody becomes generous. He has lovely sentiments for others. People love to give alms to the poor and help them in different ways. 5. What noble deed was done with the Daily Telegraph’s Sixpenny Fund? He gave five shillings subscription for the unemployed. 6. What noble deed was done with the Our Boys? He gave performance of Talbot Champneys in Our Boys in aid of the fund for Poor Curates. 7. What did the writer do at Fund for the Destitute British in Johannesburg? He booked four balcony seats for the fund. 8. What did the writer do at the rummage sale? He sent all his old clothes including a coat that was still in the better condition and he could use it again. 9. Why noble deeds are always a great joy for the author? The noble deeds are always a great joy for the author because he thinks that his children would remember him for those deeds. That is why he wants to keep a diary to jot down all his noble deeds so that his children may read them and be proud of him ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (ONE ACT PLAYS) SHORT QUESTIONS PLAY #1 HEAT LIGHTING Robert F. Carroll 1. Why couldn’t the girl describe the killer? She could not describe the killer because she had not seen him clearly. 2. What were the circumstances that forced her to leave her car? She had to leave her car on the road because it had run out of gas. 3. Why did she ask for help from the first man? She asked for help from the first man because she thought that the killer was chasing her. 4. What was the condition of the weather? The weather was stormy. There was thunder and lightning. 5. Why did the second man accuse the first man of lying? The second man accused the First Man of lying because the First Man was telling a lie that no other person was present in the room whereas the second man had already seen the girl there through the glass of the door. 6. Did the girl become suspicious of the first man as the play progresses? No, the girl did not become suspicious of the first man as the play progresses. 7. What is the impression of her about the second man? She thought that the second man was the killer. 8. Why didn’t she accompany the second man? She did not accompany the second man because she thought that he might be the killer. Page 23  9. What was the condition of the girl when she entered the room? She was sobbing and was out of breath. Her clothes were wet and muddy. Her hair was untidy and scattered. 10. What did the girl see in the lightning? She saw a man dragging a corpse of a woman from the front door of the car. 11. What did the man at the bus station advise her to do immediately? He advised her to get to the police immediately. 12. Why didn’t the girl want to inform the police? It was because she was afraid. Moreover, she could not tell the exact features of the man who was dragging the corpse. 13. Why was the man at the bus station asking so many questions about the features and dress of the killer? He was asking the girl these questions to ascertain whether the girl had watched him clearly and whether she would recognize him or not. 14. How did the second man help the girl got over her fear of lightning? He took her to the window and asked her to watch the sky when there was a big flash. He told her that she would never get over being afraid of things if she did not face them. 15. When did the girl realize that the first man was the killer? The girl realized that the first man was the real killer when he took a flashlight from his pocket. It was the same flashlight that the girl had lost when he was chasing her. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- VISIT TO A SMALL PLANET PLAY #2 Gore Vidal was an American writer and a public intellectual known for his patrician manner, epigrammatic wit, and polished style of writing. Born: October 3, 1925, West Point, New York, United States Died: July 31, 2012, Hollywood Hills, California, United States Movies: Caligula, Gattaca, Ben-Hur, Suddenly, Last Summer, more Influenced by: Truman Capote, Italo Calvino, Mark Twain, more Parents: Eugene Luther Vidal, Nina Gore 1. How does kreton prove his extraordinary powers? Kreton can hear and read people’s minds. He tells Powers thrice what he is thinking. When the troops try to destroy his spaceship, he makes its door shut and raises some kind of invisible wall all around it. Similarly, when Powers and AIDE rush at him, he forces them to stop within a foot of him. At the end, he tells Mrs. Spelding what she is thinking is wrong. It is not a dream. He is very much there and she will find him there next morning too. Page 24 2. What is the purpose of the visit of Kreton? As Kreton says the purpose of his coming here is to take the charge of the whole world. The earth is also his field of study and he wants to see the progress it has made. 3. How much advanced is the civilization of Kreton than that of the earth? According to Kreton the civilization on the earth is only just beginning. The people of the earth are only in the initial stages. He belongs to the most advanced civilization that cannot be compared with the earthen civilization. 4. Can the people of the earth compete with the people of Kreton? The people of earth cannot compete with those of Kreton in any respect. They are inferior to them in knowledge, science, technology, civilization, intelligence, wisdom and compression. 5. How much damaging is violence in life? Write five sentences. The illegal use of unjustified force, or the effect created by the threat of this is called violence. Violence brings destruction. It destroys peace and order of a society. It brings sorrows and sufferings. It crushes the good elements of a society. 6. What type of life do you foresee in the year 5000? The world is changing very rapidly. In the year 5000, there will be amazing rule of science and technology. Man will find out new worlds, new ways of living and new fields of study. But, along with all this progress, he will lose all his humanity, selflessness and the basic instinct of love. Most probably at such a moment, when life would become mechanical, dull and passionless, man would destroy all his civilization and culture and prefer to go back to the lap of nature. 7. How much impressive were the morals of Kreton? He was very polite, courteous, tolerant and patient. He tried to satisfy everyone with love. When the troops tried to destroy his flying saucer, he raised a wall around it. When General Powers and his AIDE attacked him, he forced them to stop stunned within a foot of him. He did not harm or punish them. 8. What is the role of general powers in the play? General Powers is a very important and vigorous member of the Nation Guard. He is much concerned about the security of his country. He remains in touch with the concerned agencies to keep himself aware of the current situation. He considers Kreton a threat to his country so he treats him harshly. 9. What is the theme of the study of Kreton? The theme of the study of Kreton is to know about the earth, its inhabitants and especially the period of its progress and development. 10. How does kreton impress General Powers? He tells Powers thrice what he is thinking. When the troops try to destroy his spaceship, he makes its door shut and raises some kind of invisible wall all around it. Similarly, when Powers and AIDE rush at him, he forces them to stop within a foot of him. 11. Describe the strange visitor in your own words? The visitor is in his forties. He is a mild, pleasant-looking man with side-whiskers. He is in the dress of1860 fashion. His name is Kreton. Page 25  12. Describe the scene of the play in your words? It is a starry night. The location is Mr. Roger Spelding’s house in Maryland. Spelding, his wife, his daughter and two technicians are present in the house. Spelding is a TV newscaster and interviewer. When the play begins, a bright thing is seen coming from the sky. Spelding is speaking into microphone and is commenting on the nature and appearance of that shining object. 13. Give the gist of Spelding’s announcement? In his announcement about the luminous flying object, Spelding tells the American people that the object is nothing but a meteor passing through the earth’s orbit. Quoting general powers, he rejects the probability of the existence of life on any other planet and says that man will be the first to travel in space. 14. Mother and father America.” What does this phrase mean? The phrase means that the Americans are patriot at hearts. They love their country as much as they love their parents, and they won’t let anyone harm the integrity, stability and the peace of their beloved country. 15. Close to the warm pulse beat of the nation.” What does it mean? The phrase means that Roger Spelding is close to the people of America who are enthusiastic and eager to know something new from him about the latest developments. 16. In Spelding’s estimate, what type of boy is John? In spelding’s estimate John is a slow and sluggish boy. He is a work-shirker. He cannot keep pace with the over changing time. He is not a get-up-and-go type of a boy. Therefore, he is not an appropriate match for his daughter. 17. “_ _ _ _he has no get –up –and –go.” what does it mean? It means that he (John) is lazy and sluggish by nature. He is least ambitious and hardly ready to do any positive and lucrative work. 18. More thankless than a serpent’s tooth is an ungrateful child.” What child Spelding is referring to in this dialogue?” In this dialogue, Spelding is referring to the thanklessness of his own daughter, Ellen, who, against her father’s will wants to marry John. 19. Did Spelding quote Shakespeare correctly? No, he didn’t. The correct quotation is; “More deadly than serpent’s tooth is an ungrateful child.” 20. How does John enter, and what news does he convey to the Spelldings? John enters breathlessly, and tells the Speldings that the spaceship is going to land right here. 21. How does Spelding react to the news told by John? Spelding refutes John, saying that the flying object is not a spaceship but a meteor which is passing through the earth’s orbit. 22. Where does Mrs.Spelding propose to go when she sees the luminous object falling? When Mrs. Spelding sees the luminous object falling, she proposes to go down to the cellar. 23. What is optical illusion? Optical illusion is a visual deception. It is a state of mind when things appear to us quite contrary to their real nature. Page 26 24. What is mass hysteria? It means a situation in which a lot of people of a certain region react to something in an uncontrolled or unreasonable way. 25. Where has the object exactly landed? The object has landed exactly in the backyard rose-garden which belongs to Mrs. Spelding. 26. What is Ellen’s supposition about kreton? Ellen calls Kreton’s arrival as some kind of publicity stunt -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- PLAY # 3 THE OYSTER AND THE PEARL August 31, 1908 Fresno, California, U.S. May 18, 1981 (aged 72) Died Fresno, California, U.S. Ararat Cemetery, Fresno Resting place Komitas Pantheon, Yerevan, Armenia Novelist, playwright, short story Occupation writer Nationality Armenian American Period 1934–1980 The Armenian and the Armenian (1935) Notable works My Heart's in the Highlands (1939) The Time of Your Life (1939) My Name Is Aram (1940) Page 27  The Human Comedy (1943) Pulitzer Prize for Drama (1940) Notable awards Academy Award for Best Story (1943) Spouse Carol Grace (1943–49, 1951–52) Aram Saroyan (b. 1943) Children Lucy Saroyan (1946–2003 1. Where does the play take place? The play takes place at Harry Van Dusen’s barbershop in O.K-by-the-sea, California. 2. Why is Harry sitting in the barber’s chair? Harry is sitting in the barber’s chair to have a haircut. 3. According to Harry, how does one bring merriment to the tired old human heart? According to Harry one brings merriment of the tired old human heart by composing music, painting a picture, writing a book or inventing some philosophy. 4. What is Harry’s philosophy? Harry’s philosophy is a way to live life with relaxation and repose. 5. How much did Harry pay for his barber shop? How long has he been in O.K.-by-the-sea? Harry paid seventy-five dollars for his barber shop. He has been in O.K-by-the –sea for twenty-four years. 6. How long has Harry been in O.K.-by-the-Sea? He has been there for the last 24 years. How many barbers are there in O.K.-by-the-sea? There is only one barber, Harry Van Dusen, in O.K.-by-the-Sea. 7. How much does Harry charge for haircuts? Harry charges a dollar for a haircut. But, often he takes a half or a quarter. 8. Where is Clay going? Clay is going down to the beach. 9. Why does Clay need money? Clay needs money to get his father to come back home and to buy his mother a present. 10. What has happened to Clay’s father? Clay’s father, Clark, after quarrelling with his wife, leaves the house without informing anybody. One month has passed but he has not come back. 11. What does Clay want to put in the newspaper? Clay wants to put an advertisement about his father in the local newspaper. 12. Who is Miss McCutcheon? How does she feel about her job? Miss. McCutcheon is a teacher. She feels that her job is difficult because the children are not responsive. They are rude and uncivilized. So, she wants to quit her job. But, she cannot take some final decision because at the same time she wants to continue. Page 28 13. What is Miss McCutcheon looking for? How does she feel about the children of the town? She is looking for a chance to teach. But, children are unruly, uninterested and irresponsible. The only thing they are interested in, is game on the sea shore. 14. What does Harry advise her to do? Harry advises her to teach the children English, singing, dancing and cooking. But, he also asks her to go back to San Francisco if her going there is good for her. 15. What kind of haircut does Miss McCutcheon want? Miss McCutcheon wants a poodle haircut. 16. Can Harry give a poodle haircut? No, Harry cannot give a poodle haircut. 17. What does Miss McCutcheon think that a poodle haircut will do for her appearance? Miss McCutcheon thinks that a poodle haircut will change her appearance. She will become simple and plain and thus fit for this place. 18. Where has Clark Larrabee been? How did he get to O.K.-by-the-Sea? Clark has been working in Salinas. He got a ride down in a truck and reached the O.K.-by- the-sea. 19. What does Clark give Harry? For what purpose? He gives thirty dollars to Harry to give them to Clay for his mother. 20. How far is it to Hollywood from O.K.-by-the-Sea? Hollywood is at a distance of about two hundred miles from O.K.-by-the-sea. 21. What work does the man do? He is a writer. 22. What did Clay find near the Black Rock? Clay found an oyster near the Black Rock. 23. What does Clay believe is in the oyster? How much is it worth? Clay believes that there is a costly pearl in the oyster. Its worth is at least three hundred dollars. 24. Does Miss McCutcheon believe that there is a pearl in the oyster? No, Miss. McCutcheon does not believe that there is a peal in the oyster. 25. Why does Miss McCutcheon have a chair with three legs? Miss McCutcheon has a chair with three legs. She says that she wants to bring things from the sea the same as everybody else in town. 26. What kind of judge was judge Applegarth? Applegarth was not the judge of any court. He was called judge simply because once he had judged animals at a county fair. 27. What year is it? It is 1953 28. What does Greeley have in a bottle? Greeley has sea water in a bottle. 29. Who suggests that they should open the oyster? Page 29  Miss McCutcheon suggests that they should open the oyster. 30. Why do they want Wozzeck to come? They want Wozzeck to come because he has got some useful instruments and can open the oyster easily. Moreover, Harry knows that Wozzeck has also got a few pretty pearls. His plan is to ask Wozzeck to put a pearl in the oyster and then pretend as if the pearl was already there. 31. How does Harry describe the inhabitants of O.K.-by-the-sea? He says that the people of O.k.-by-the-Sea are all poor. A few people find jobs hardly for two months. A few get pensions. Every family has a garden and a few chickens, and they make a few dollars selling vegetables and eggs. 32. How does Miss McCutcheon view Harry’s thinking about the pearl in the oyster? Miss McCutcheon criticizes Harry for supporting the idea of a pearl in the oyster. She says that in this way the children would not be able to learn or face realities. At this he discloses the truth that he wants to help Clay so that he may fulfill his innocent and noble desires. 33. Why does the judge think that Miss McCutcheon will not last as a teacher? What kind of teacher does he think is needed? He thinks that she is too beautiful and young to be a teacher in that town. He thinks that their school needs an old and experienced teacher to control the children and run the school properly. 34. What is Applegarth’s complaint about the sea? He thinks that the quality of the stuff the sea’s washing up isn’t good any more. 35. What kind of gadget does the writer describe? The writer tells about a gadget that is found in New York. It is like a safety razor. Anybody can give anybody else a haircut with it. 36. Who buys the oyster? How much does he pay? The writer buys the oyster and he pays three hundred dollars for it. 37. Does the writer open the oyster? Why not? The writer does not open the oyster because he thinks that the pearl is still growing. He wants to have the whole thing. But, most probably, he does not open the oyster because he knows that there is no pearl in it. He has bought it just to help a poor family. The third possibility is that he is a writer and here he has got an interesting story. Perhaps, it is because of this that he says, ‘the whole thing’s a pearl’. 38. Why does Clark Larrabee return? Clark Larrabee reads the advertisement in the paper about him. When he comes to know that his family is worried about him, he decides to return home. 39. What does the writer do with the oyster? The write holds the oyster in front of him as if it were an egg, and looks at it carefully, turning it in his fingers and then after some time, he puts it in his coat pocket. 40. Does Harry follow his own philosophy? Yes, Harry takes things easy. He is not worried about anything, not even about his business. He does not have any craze for earning money. He is contented and self-satisfied. He is a good natured man and wants to distribute pleasures as much as he can among his fellow beings. He Page 30  gives sane pieces of advice, helps others and tries to keep everybody in high spirits. And all this he does without any intention of getting reward or any desire of being praised. POEMS SHORT QUESTIONS Poem#1 The Rain William Henry Davies or W. H. Davies was a Welsh poet and writer. Davies spent a significant part of his life as a tramp or hobo, in the United Kingdom and United States, but became one of the most popular poets of his time. Born: July 3, 1871, Newport, Wales, United Kingdom Died: September 26, 1940, Nailsworth, United Kingdom 1. What does the poet hear? He hears the leaves drinking rain. 2. What does the poet mean by ‘rich leaves’? By rich leaves, the poet means green leaves which are at the top and saturated with rain drops. 3. How are rich leaves giving the poor leaves beneath? They are giving them drop by drop. 4. What does the poet mean by ‘poor leaves’? By poor leaves, the poet means the leaves which are beneath and get drop after drop from the rich leaves. 5. What happens when the sun comes out? When the sun comes out, it spreads its light which brightens the dark drops of water. 6. Why does the poet call it a lovely sight? When the sun shines, it makes everything bright. Its light brings a ray of hope and prosperity. So, he calls it a lovely sight. 7. What is the symbolic significance of ‘rich leaves, poor leaves, rain and sun’? Symbolically, ‘Rich leaves’ stand for the rich, ‘Poor leaves’ stand for the poor, ‘Rain’ stands for wealth, and ‘Sun’ stands for progress and prosperity. 8. What is the central idea (Theme) of the poem “The Rain”? Page 31 “The Rain” is a musical display of rain which is a natural phenomenon. The poet is a poor, homeless but an optimist who observes the dark and bright aspects of life juxtaposingly. The scene of the sun shining after the rain is a ray of hope, pleasure and prosperity for him. Poem #2 Night Mail Wystan Hugh Auden was an Anglo-American poet, born in England, an American citizen, and regarded by many critics as one of the greatest writers of the 20th century. Born: February 21, 1907, York, United Kingdom Died: September 29, 1973, Vienna, Austria Full name: Wystan Hugh Auden Spouse: Erika Mann (m. 1935–1969) Books: The Age of Anxiety, The Dyer's Hand, more Old Brig Inn, Beattock, Dumfries and Galloway 1. Which border does Night Mail cross? The Night Mail crosses the border between England and Scotland. It is a means of communication for the inhabitants of these countries. 2. What does the train bring for the people? It brings mail for everyone. It brings all type of letters for the rich and the poor people. 3. What sort of the letters does the Night Mail bring? The Night Mail brings different sorts of letters including formal, informal, business letters and love letters.. 4. What is against the Night Mail? The steep ascent is against her but it always reaches on time. 5. What does the Night Mail shovel (throw) over her shoulder? It shovels steam over her shoulder. 6. What is meant by blank faced couches of Night Mail? It means the couches of the Mail train don’t have any windows with passengers. 7. Why do the sheep-dogs not change its course? They have learnt by experience that it doesn’t bother at their barking. 8. Why do people not wake when the Night-Mail passes? They have got used to its noise so they do not bother about it. 9. What places does the train pass? It passes by grassland, the cotton fields, moorland, mountains and plain fields. 10. What is the reaction of the birds and dogs when the train passes by them? Page 32  When the train passes by the birds and dogs, they show different reaction. The birds look at it from their bushes with surprise. The dogs do not take notice and go on sleeping. 11. What is the central idea (Theme) of the poem “Night Mail”? The poet describes the journey of a mail train that travels all night to bring cheques, postal orders and letters for the people of different cities and towns. It passes through steep slops and smooth plains. It is always on time as it follows a time schedule.. Poem#3 Loveliest of Trees, the Cherry Now Alfred Edward Housman, usually known as A. E. Housman, was an English classical scholar and poet, best known to the general public for his cycle of poems A Shropshire Lad. Born: March 26, 1859, Bromsgrove, United Kingdom Died: April 30, 1936, Cambridge, United Kingdom Siblings: Laurence Housman Education: Bromsgrove School, St John's College, Oxford, University of Oxford 1. Which fruit tree is mentioned in the poem? Cherry tree is mentioned in this poem. 2. What time of the year is mentioned in the first stanza? The poet mentions the religious festival of Easter which is celebrated on the 21st March. 3. Where does cherry tree stand? The cherry tree stands on the woodland ride. 4. Which dress is the cherry tree wearing and why? The cherry is wearing white for Easter tide. 5. How old is the poet? The poet is twenty years old. 6. How many years are there in a score? There are twenty years in a score. 7. What is the central idea (Theme) of the poem “Loveliest of Trees, the Cherry Now”? Beauty in all its forms is enchanting but the poet is especially attracted by the beauty of a cherry tree whose branches are loaded with white flowers. He wants to enjoy its beauty forever but very short span of life does not allow him to do so. Poem#4 O WHERE ARE YOU GOING? Wystan Hugh Auden was an Anglo-American poet, born in England, an American citizen, and regarded by many critics as one of the greatest writers of the 20th century. Born: February 21, 1907, York, United Kingdom Died: September 29, 1973, Vienna, Austria Page 33  Full name: Wystan Hugh Auden Spouse: Erika Mann (m. 1935–1969) Books: The Age of Anxiety, The Dyer's Hand, more 1. What kind of feelings does the poet create in the minds of the readers? The feelings that the poet wants to create in the minds of the readers are those of courage and fearlessness. He tells us that the way to glory and success is full of trials and tribulations. 2. What do you feel after reading the poem? After reading the poem, I feel a new vigour and confidence. I understand that in order to succeed in my life, I will have to work very hard and if I remain firm in my struggle, I will achieve my goal. 3. What does the title of the poem signify? The title of the poem signifies a hidden warning. A person wants to achieve some goal and the questioner asks him about his goal in such a way as to discourage him. 4. Who are the two persons talking in the poem? One of the two persons is the Reader who is afraid of the dangers and perils of life. The other is the Rider who is bold and ready to face the dangers in life. 5. What lesson does the poem teach us? It teaches us a lesson that the way to glory and success is vague and uncertain. With courage and perseverance, we can overcome hurdle in life. We also come to know that success is for those who are courageous and brave and take risk in life. 6. What is the central idea (Theme) of the poem “O WHERE ARE YOU GOING?”? It is a dialogue between two imaginary persons: Reader and Rider. The rider is bold, courageous. He is ambitious to make his way through thick and thin. The reader is afraid and tries his best to prevent the rider to go ahead. But, being bold, he moves forward thinking that life is action, not contemplation. Poem#5) IN THE STREET OF THE FRUIT STALLS Jon Stallworthy FBA FRSL was Professor Emeritus of English at the University of Oxford. He was also a Fellow of Wolfson College, a poet, and a literary critic. Stallworthy was born in London. Born: January 18, 1935, London, United Kingdom Died: November 19, 2014 Education: Magdalen College, Oxford (1961), Rugby School Awards: E. M. Forster Award, Guggenheim Fellowship for Humanities, US & Canada Edited works: The Oxford Book of War Poetry, Poems of Wilfred Owen, Collected Poems, A Book of Love Poetry Page 34 1. What are the feelings of the poet standing in the dark? The poet is standing in the dark street. He is worried because there is a threat of war, misery and poverty in the world. 2. How are the fruit decorated on the fruit stall? They are decorated like Pyramid like pile. 3. How do the fruit look like? The fruit look like cannon balls. 4. Why has the poet used” cannon balls” to describe the fruit? The poet is afraid of the threat of the war in the world and the fruit are round, so, he deems them as cannon balls. 5. What colour do the cannon balls glow? They glow red –hot and gold hot from within. 6. Where do the dark children enter? The dark children enter the lantern’s orbit (circle) 7. How do the moon and sun look like? The moon is compacted to a rind and the sun in a pitted skin. 8. What do the children do with the fruit? They take it, break it open and let gold or silver fountain wet their mouth. 9. How much do the children spend? They spend a coin. 10. What wets the children’s body parts? A gold or silver fountain wets their body parts. 11. What does the poet mean when he says about the children: “They forget the dark street I am standing in”? The poet means that the children are innocent. They are happy. They do not know about war, misery and poverty in the world. They are unaware of the hardships of life. They enjoy themselves and forget the miseries of the world. 12. What is the central idea (Theme) of the poem “In the Street of the Food Stalls”? This is a symbolic poem. The present day world is threatened with war, terrorism, disease and poverty. But all these evils have failed to crush man’s innate love for peace and pleasure. The innocent children enjoy fruit. They are free from all miseries of the world. Poem#6 SINDHI WOMAN Page 35  Jon Stallworthy FBA FRSL was Professor Emeritus of English at the University of Oxford. He was also a Fellow of Wolfson College, a poet, and a literary critic. Stallworthy was born in London. Born: January 18, 1935, London, United Kingdom Died: November 19, 2014 Education: Magdalen College, Oxford (1961), Rugby School Awards: E. M. Forster Award, Guggenheim Fellowship for Humanities, US & Canada Edited works: The Oxford Book of War Poetry, Poems of Wilfred Owen, Collected Poems, A Book of Love Poetry 1. What picture of a Sindhi woman has the poet created? The Sindhi woman is passing through the bazaar walking smoothly. She is bare-footed, but there is no jerk in her gait. She has a stone jar on her head, but she is not bent under this weight. 2. Where and how is a Sindhi woman going through? The Sindhi woman is going through the bazaar walking smoothly. 3. What is the Sindhi woman carrying? She is carrying a stone jar high on her head. 4. What does the Sindhi woman cross? She crosses stones, garbage, waste matter and crumbs of glass. 5. How are the slums (narrow dirty streets) of Karachi? They are full of stones, garbage, human waste and pieces of glass. 6. What does the poet reflect (think) when he watches the Sindhi woman? He thinks that those who learn to walk beneath the weight stand most straight. 7. What is the central idea (Theme) of the poem“SINDHI WOMAN”? In this poem, homage has been paid to work which makes man strong, vigilant, diligent and active. It gives dignity to man’s life. On the other hand, an idle man soon decays and perishes. Only hard work and steadfastness can lend grace to life. Poem#7 TIMES 1. What is “Ecclesiastes”? “Ecclesiastes” is the name of a book in the Bible. It is attributed to Solomon. It means the preacher. It consists of reflections on the vanity of human life. 2. A time to keep silence / And a time to speak. Explain? Page 36  Both speech and silence are important, but each has a time. We should speak when it is necessary. We should be silent when it is not time to speak. 3. How does the poet use contrast to show the work of time? The poet uses contrast. There is a time to be born, a time to die. There is a time to sow, a time to reap. There is a time to keep things; a time to throw them away. There is a time to keep silence; a time to speak. 4. Why doesn’t anything happen without a reason? There is a reason for everything to happen. 5. What is the central idea (Theme) of the poem” Times”? Nothing in this world happens out of place. Everything is scheduled according to a specific time. The time of everything is pre-scheduled by God, not by man. Therefore we should have faith in the decree of fate. Poem#8 OZYMANDIAS Percy Bysshe Shelley was one of the major English Romantic poets, and is regarded by some critics as amongst the finest lyric poets in the English language. Born: August 4, 1792, Horsham, United Kingdom Died: July 8, 1822, Lerici, Italy Spouse: Mary Shelley (m. 1816–1822), Harriet Westbrook (m. 1811–1816) Influenced by: George Gordon Byron, William Godwin, John Milton, more Books: Queen Mab, Adonais : 1821, The Revolt of Islam, more 1. Whom did the poet meet? He met a traveler from an antique land. He told the poet that in the desert he had seen the broken statue of a king, Ozymandias. 2. What did the traveler say to the poet? He told him that two bodiless legs of stone stand in the desert near a shattered face. 3. What do the expressions on the face of the statue tell? They tell that statue maker very well explained the inner nature of the person of the statue. 4. Who was Ozymandias? He was a great king of ancient Egypt. He was proud of his achievements. 5. What was written on the Pedestal? “My name is Ozymandias, King of Kings, and look on my works.” 6. What kind of feelings does the poet create in the mind of the reader? “This poem is an irony on the pride of a powerful king. We get the idea that worldly glory is short-lived. Time brings end to all achievements of man, and death is a great leveler. Page 37 7. Why does the traveller praise the sculptor?? The traveller praises the sculptor for the perfection of his art. The frowns on the face, wrinkled lips, impressive personality of the statue reveal the pride of the king. 8. What is the central idea (Theme) of the poem” Ozymandias”? This is a very ironic poem which describes the pride of a man and the wretched reality of his life. Man becomes proud of his success. He thinks that he has toppled the world. He forgets that life is merciless. Time brings all leisure of man to an end, and death is a great leveller. Poem#9 The Feed (Ahmed Nadeem Qasmi) Ahmad Nadeem Qasmi born Ahmad Shah Awan on 20 November 1916 – died 10 July 2006, was an Urdu and English language Pakistani poet, journalist, literary critic, dramatist and short story author. Born: November 20, 1916, Anga, Punjab Died: July 10, 2006, Lahore Education: University of the Punjab Books: Flower on a Grave: Poems from Ahmad Nadeem Qasimi, more Children: Naheed Qasimi 1. What does the sparrow hold in her beak? The sparrow holds in her beak a grain of millet. 2. Which line in the first stanza tells us that the young ones have no feathers? Third line in the first stanza tells us that the young ones have no feathers. Here they have been described as so small and tiny. 3. How many young ones are to be fed? Ten young ones are to be fed. 4. What is the dilemma of the mother sparrow? The trouble of the mother sparrow is that she has only one grain of millet and there are ten off-springs which are to be fed. 5. What is the central idea (Theme) of the poem” The Feed”? The poet has apparently described the love of mother sparrow for her young ones. But, in reality, he has asked man to invent not weapons but means to distribute food among the hungry people of the world. Poem# 10 THE HOLLOW MEN Page 38  Thomas Stearns Eliot OM, usually known as T. S. Eliot, was an essayist, publisher, playwright, literary and social critic, and "one of the twentieth century's major poets". He was born in St. Louis, Missouri, to an old Yankee family. Born: September 26, 1888, St. Louis, Missouri, United States Died: January 4, 1965, Kensington, London, United Kingdom Books: The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock, more Poems: The Waste Land, The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock, more Influenced by: Ezra Pound, William Shakespeare, W. B. Yeats, more 1. Why does the poet call the modern men hollow men? The poet calls modern men hollow because they are devoid of moral and ethical values. They have no virtues with them. They are devoid of faith. 2. Why does the poet call the modern man stuffed men? The poet calls modern men stuffed because they are filled with immoral and unethical values. They are greedy. They have every vice in them. 3. What does the poet compare the whispers of hollow men? The poet says that their whispers are quiet and meaningless as the wind in the dry grass, or as the sound of creeping rats over the pieces of glass. He means to say that they speak to each other but convey nothing. 4. What does the phrase “gesture without motion “mean? It means we seem to have strength. But it is only the appearance of strength. Inwardly we are weak and without motion. We have no real spirit and zeal. 5. What does the poet mean by “head piece filled with straw”? The poet means that modern man has lost his creative power. His head is filled with worthless ideas. He is good for nothing. 6. What does the poet say about lost souls and hollow men? The poet tells about the people who have died. They were brave men with definite aims in life. He means to say that even sinners with courage to face life are better than men without wisdom and creativity. 7. What is the central idea (Theme) of the poem” The Hollow Men”? Human beings have become soulless. They try to depend upon each other but they cannot make a society. Their entire endeavor is the running of rats or the swish of grass. We do have shapes but inside there is nothing. We only seem to be walking souls but actually we are not. Poem#11 LEISURE Page 39  William Henry Davies or W. H. Davies was a Welsh poet and writer. Davies spent a significant part of his life as a tramp or hobo, in the United Kingdom and United States, but became one of the most popular poets of his time. Born: July 3, 1871, Newport, Wales, United Kingdom Died: September 26, 1940, Nailsworth, United Kingdom 1. Why is our life full of care? Our life is full of care because we don’t have time to look at the beautiful scenes of nature. 2. What should we do standing beneath the boughs? We should stare as long as a sheep or cows to enjoy the beauty of the nature. 3. What has the poet compared stream with? The poet has compared stream with skies at night full of stars. 4. What is the significance of the title of the poem ‘Leisure’? Through the title “Leisure” the poet gives his philosophy of life. “Leisure” means time availability of time when one is free to relax and enjoy life as he wishes. 5. When does our life become useless? Our life becomes useless when we ignore the beauty and the joys of life due to our rushed and hasty routine. 6. What is personification and what has been personified in the poem “Leisure”? When the qualities of living being are given to some abstract noun it is called personification. In the poem ‘Beauty’ has been personified. 7. What is the central idea (Theme) of the poem” Leisure”? The poet has based this poem on personal experience. He thinks that one is so busy in coping with daily routine of life that most of the beauty and the joys of life are ignored Poem#12 RUBI’AT Sir Muhammad Iqbal, widely known as Allama Iqbal, was an academic, poet, barrister, philosopher, and politician in British India who is widely regarded as having inspired the Pakistan Movement. Born: November 9, 1877, Sialkot Died: April 21, 1938, Lahore Buried: Tomb of Muhammad Iqbal, Lahore Children: Javid Iqbal, Aftab Iqbal, Miraj Begum Parents: Imam Bibi, Sheikh Noor Muhammad 1. Who was Abraham (A.S.)? Hazrat Abraham (A.S) was the prophet of Allah. Page 40 2. What is worse than slavery? Having no faith is worse than slavery. If we have no faith in God, We are slave to everything. 3. Who cannot compete with the civilization of Mecca? Europe cannot compete with the civilization of Mecca. 4. What has made the efforts of the Muslims fruitless? The lack of love for human beings and God has made the efforts of the Muslims fruitless. 5. What is the moral lesson of the poem? The moral lesson of the poem is that the Muslims should not follow the life style and culture of Europe. They should, rather, revive the true spirit of Islam and follow its teachings. 6. What is the present state of the Muslims as given in the last stanza of the poem? The present state of the Muslim is that they are devoid of warmth of love. They have become careless and indifferent to the sufferings of the other people. They do not offer their prayers with zeal and fervour. The result is that they have been deprived of peace and internal tranquility. 7. What is the moral lesson of the poem? A strong and true faith in God and love for humanity is necessary to lead a successful life in the world. We should love Allah. We must be united and regain our warmth and spiritual feelings of love. 8. What is the central idea (Theme) of the poem “Rubi’at”? In this modern era of allurement faith in God should be strong like Abraham (A.S). The Muslims Harmony depends on true faith in Islam. The Europeans are devoid of this true faith, so, we should avoid following them. The lack of love for humanity has made the efforts of the Muslims fruitless. Poem#13 A TALE OF TWO CITIES John Peter 1. Why did the people look powerless and helpless? The people looked powerless and helpless because the two atom bombs brought great destruction. Thousands of people were dead. Those who