Class 11

Odisha State Board CHSE Odisha Class 11 Invitation to English 2 Solutions Non-Detailed Chapter 4 The One and only Houdini Textbook Exercise Questions and Answers.

Class 11th Invitation English Non-Detailed Chapter 4 The One and only Houdini Question Answers CHSE Odisha

The One and only Houdini Class 11 Questions and Answers

Unit – I

Gist :
The writer takes us back to the swimming pool at New York’s Shelton Hotel. In response to Houdini’s declaration, a box is ready. After he enters inside, it will be tightly closed. The pool now becomes the scene of an incredible performance. Driven by curiosity, people are gathering here. The reporter finds a telephone and an alarm bell with batteries inside the box for eventualities. According to Collins, he is going without air for even an hour. Houdini is as good as words. In the mean time, Dr. MacConnell emerges on the scene. He has already checked Houdini’s blood pressure and pulse. Everything is fine. The reporter is interested to know how long he can live without air. To the doctor, it is a difficult question.

He comes to know of Houdini’s knowledge of breathing easily and saving the oxygen. His condition is stable, yet he is fifty-two. The doctor is sure of Houdini’s ability to cope with danger. Now Houdini clad in a black swimming suit appears, smiling and determined. He expresses his thanks to the ladies and gentlemen for coming to see his performance. He is going to explode the myth that a man can live only three minutes without air. Now we find Houdini in the box. Several men are engaged in sealing it tightly. Then the box was submerged in the swimming pool of Hotel Shelton. Joseph Rinn, the official time keeper is in charge of counting every minute of Houdini’s stay in the box. The reporter is optimistic.

Glossary :
edge : the sharp side of something (କୌଣସି ଜିନିଷର ତୀକ୍ଷ୍ଣ ପାର୍ଶ୍ୱ)
sealed: closed tightly (ଜୋରରେ ବନ୍ଦ)
soldered: firmly fixed with solder (solder is easily melted metal) (ସୋଲ୍ଡର ସହିତ ଦୃଢ଼ ଭାବରେ ସ୍ଥିର କରାୟାଇଛି)
trick : cheating, a fraud (ଠକେଇ, ଜାଲିଆତି)
emergencies : sudden happenings which make it necessary to act without delay (ଜରୁରୀକାଳୀନ ପରିସ୍ଥିତି)
And days : Houdini is as good as his words (ଏବଂ ଦିନଗୁଡିକ)
Concerned : anxious (t) (ଚିନ୍ତିତ)
signal (v): to give a sign (ଏକ ଚିହ୍ନ ଦେବାକୁ)
build (n): general shape or size of a person’s body (ଜଣେ ବ୍ୟକ୍ତିର ଶରୀରର ସାଧାରଣ ଆକାର ବା ଆକାର)
He himself: Housini is firm in his determination (ସେ ନିଜେ)
motioning: making a sign (ଏକ ଚିହ୍ନ ତିଆରି କରିବା)
will : desire (ଇଚ୍ଛା)
rocked: moved backwards and forwards (ପଛକୁ ଏବଂ ଆଗକୁ ଗତି କଲା)
admire : praise (ପ୍ରଶଂସା)

Unit – II

Gist:
Five minutes have passed ever since he was in a sealed casket submerged in the swimming pool. In the meantime, the reporter probes his past. His real name is Ehrich Weiss. His native place is Appleton, Wisconsin. He was born in 1874. His father was a Jewish priest. Houdini, renowned for his remarkable magic tricks, has an astonishing control over his body. He excels in the art of putting his shoulders out of position. When he was working for a locksmith, Ehrich knew technique of opening handcuffs with small, sharp pointed instruments. He also took interest in reading about Robert Houdini, the renowned French magician. At last he relinquished his job and became a professional magician under the name of Harry Houdini.

The reporter gives a picture of Houdini’s married life. Bessie is his wife. She was a magician too. Houdini is known for his sensational escape acts. Bessie has stood by her husband through thick and thin. Rinn informs that twenty minutes have passed. Tension mounts. Houdini has a tension-ridden career. His underwater box escape is a case in point. Handcuffed and chained, Harry Houdini is placed in a wooden box which firmly shut with nails. The box is then left underwater. Houdini accepts the challenge in his characteristic tricky manner. He swims to the surface safe and sound in a few minutes. This also demonstrates his skill in using tricks. Rinn, the official time-keeper keeps on counting time. Twenty five minutes have gone. In Houdini, the reporter finds an unusual person. He admires Houdini’s incredible control of chest muscles. He excels others in the act of moving around inside the jacket at the time of relaxation. The reporter is lavish in his praise, ‘There’s only one Houdini.’

Thirty minutes have trickled by. The reporter sees one of the swimmers standing on the box lose his balance. Other swimmers are no better. The box has moved up quickly above the water level. The reporter is worried. He enquires of Mr. Collins, about his condition. Collins talks to Houdini and says that he is fine. Rinn announces that thirty minutes have passed since Houdini’s adventure. The reporter brims with confidence. Houdini’s rigorous training for three weeks seems to be rewarded. The reporter thinks of Houdini’s march to a spectacular success. Forty minutes have elapsed. Meanwhile, the reporter refers eloquently to Houdini’s wonderful stomach muscles, that have resisted the fists of big, strong men. Forty-five minutes have already gone.

Glossary:
amazing : astonishing ବିସ୍ମୟକର)
dislocate : put out of position (ପଦରୁ ବାହାର)
straitjacket(ଷ୍ଟ୍ରେଟ୍ ଜାକେଟ୍) : kind of garment once used to prevent madman from struggling
rabbi: Jewish priest (ଇହୁଦୀ ପୁରୋହିତ)
locksmith: one who makes locks (ଯିଏ ତାଲା ତିଆରି କରେ)
a bit picks : a little small, sharp-pointed instruments (ଟିକିଏ ବାଛି ନେଲେ)
quit: give up (ତ୍ୟାଗ କରିବା)
idol : somebody greatly admired or loved (ଆଦର୍ଶ)
catch sight of: see (ଦେଖିବା)
career : way of making a living; profession (ବୃଭି)
bobbed up : moved up quickly (ଦ୍ରୁତ ଗତିରେ ଉପରକୁ ଉଠିଲା)
paying off : rewarding (ପୁରସ୍କାର ପ୍ରଦାନକାରୀ)
sources : places from which information comes or is got (ସୂତ୍ର)
claims : says, declares (କହୁଛି, ଘୋଷଣା କରୁଛି)
punch (v) : strike hard with the fist (ମୁଠା ସାହାୟ୍ୟରେ ଜୋରରେ ପ୍ରହାର କରନ୍ତୁ)
tensed : stiffened or hardened (ଦୃଢ଼ୀଭୂତ)
withstand : resist (ପ୍ରତିରୋଧ କରିବା)

Unit – III

Gist :
Houdini’s well-being concern the people. Everybody seems to be nervous. The doctors seem especially panicky. The reporter enquires of Dr. MaConnell about Houdini’s present condition. The doctor is really not aware of anything about him. Fifty minutes have gone. Other reporters are furiously taking track of Houdini’s adventurous mission. Time does not wait for anybody. Rinn announces – “Fifty minutes !” A group of grim-looking doctors seem to arguing with James Collins, Houdini’s assistant. Collins pleads his helplessness. The doctor advises him to be sensible and pull Houdini out of the box when an hour is up. Collins is adamant. The doctor insists him on responding to his advise. Collins contacts Houdini and apprising him of the doctors’ pressure on him to bring him out of the casket and an hour has passed. He gives them good news. Houdini is doing well. But the reporter’s anxiety continues.

Now one hour and thirteen minutes are up. Collins learns that the box has developed a leak and only a little trickle of water is entering. Houdini tells him that he faces no danger. The reporter promptly responds: “Houdini has nerves of steel.’’ This section comes to a terrific end. In spite of spending one hour and thirty-one minutes, underwater without air, Houdini emerges victorious. His secret lies in making very few body movements while in the box and taking short breaths. Houdini knows no panic. He has trained to reconcile himself to any situation. We see him in the reporter’s eyes: ‘You ’re a fantastic man, Mr. Harry Houdini!’

Glossary:
on edge : nervous (ସ୍ନାୟବିକ)
exhaustion : tiredness (ଅବସାଦ)
superstitious: full of superstition (ଅନ୍ଧବିଶ୍ୱାସରେ ପୂର୍ଣ୍ଣ)
grim : (here) anxious (ଉତ୍କଣ୍ଠିତ)
sensible : intelligent (ବିଚକ୍ଷଣ)
urging : persuading (ପ୍ରରୋଚନା)
sprung a leak : appeared to have a leak (ଲିକ୍ ହୋଇଥିବା ଜଣାପଡ଼ିଥିଲା)
trickle : thin flow (ପତଳା ପ୍ରବାହ)
dizzy : feeling as if everything is whirling (ସବୁ ଘୂରିବା ଭଳି)
panic (v) : a sudden fright (ହଠାତ୍ ଭୟ)
calm : quiet (ଶାନ୍ତ)
fantastic : wonderful (ଅଦ୍ଭୁତ)

Think it out :

Question 1.
What was the feat that Houdini took up in Hotel Shelton?
Answer:
The feat that Houdini took up in Hotel Shelton was to remain in a sealed casket or coffin submerged in a swimming pool. He was to stay inside the tightly closed box for an hour and that too without air. According to Mr. Collins, his assistant, Houdini was serious about being buried alive.

Question 2.
What were Houdini’s purposes behind doing this miraculous act?
Answer:
Houdini’s purposes behind doing this miraculous act were to disprove science and thereby, to show that determination can shake mountains. It is well-known that man can only live only three minutes without air, but he is going to stay without air for over an hour. Houdini is committed and according to Collins: ‘Houdini does what he says.’

Question 3.
Discuss how he prepared to do the act.
Answer:
Houdini undertook a rigorous training for three weeks at a stretch. He practised the habit of holding his breath in the course of his underwater escapes. He trained long and hard with great patience before doing the act. He developed a mastery over his body control. Determination, hard work and calm acceptance of any challenge were his forte.

Question 4.
Focus on the role of the reporter during Houdini’s performance.
Answer:
From beginning to the end, the reporter had a keen watch on Houdini’s, spectacular performance in New York’s Hotel Shelton. He is the first to communicate Houdini’s ordeal in the swimming pool of New York’s Hotel Shelton to the public. He always keeps on touch with Dr. McConnell, Collins, Houdini’s assistant and Joseph Rinn, the official time-keeper. He probes Houdini’s past. As minutes trickle by, the reporter’s reaction fluctuates from anxiety to confidence. Houdini’s incredible feat of remaining in a sealed box, submerged in the swimming pool of the Hotel Shelton, overwhelms him. His admiration of Houdini’s knows no bound.

Question 5.
Describe some of Houdini’s previous achievements.
Answer:
Houdini was an Austrian-Hungarian born. American stunt performer, noted for his sensational escape acts from handcuffs and jails in the length and breadth of the country and Europe. Once he was handcuffed to the bars in a jail cell. While kissing him for good luck, his wife Bessie passed a small lock tool from her mouth to his. Several minutes later Houdini took his jailers by surprise. His handcuff was no more. He walked freely into their office. His underwater escape is another achievement. Besides, Houdini became a professional magician under the name of Harry Houdini.

Question 6.
Why does the reporter say to Houdini, You’re a fantastic man?
Answer:
The reporter here is a keen observer of Houdini’s miraculous act of remaining in a tightly-closed box, submerged in the swimming pool of New York’s Hotel Shelton for one hour and thirty minutes. Houdini comes out with flying colours, putting an end to everyone’s fear, tension and anxiety. That he is able to survive so long in such a situation bears the stamp of his determination. Houdini states that he had trained himself to remain calm in the face of any situation. These facts make the reporter say to Houdini, ‘You’re a fantastic man.’

Question 7.
Bring out the important aspects of Houdini’s character.
Answer:
Harry Houdini is a many-faceted character. He is a magician. He is also known for his sensational escape acts. He is an incredible stuntman. His act of remaining in a sealed box, submerged in the swimming pool of New York’s Hotel Shelton for one hour and a half is indeed unprecedented. He is the epitome of commitment. He does not understand the language of fear. To maintain calmness in any situation is his forte. We see him through the doctor’s eyes: ‘Houdini’s an amazing man!’ The reporter aptly remarks, ‘You’re a fantastic man, Mr. Harry Houdini.’ Houdini’s life shows that an ordinary human being can achieve anything through determination and hard work.

CHSE Odisha Class 11 English The One and only Houdini Important Questions and Answers

Question 1.
Read through the extract and answer the questions that follow.

Reporter Thanks, Mr. Collins. It’s hard to believe that a man can live without air for over an hour. Oh, here come the doctors. Dr. McConnell, have you seen Houdini?
Dr. MaConnell: Yes, I just checked his blood pressure and pulse rate. They’re both normal.
Reporter: How last without long do you think Houdini will air?
Dr. MaConnell: That’s a difficult question. When they seal the box, there will be enough oxygen inside for the average man to take fifty breaths. Houdini says he knows how to breathe easily and save the oxygen. He is in good condition, but still he’s fifty two years old. I’d guess he might be able to get by without air for fifteen minutes.
Reporter: And after that?
Dr. MaConnell: After that Houdini had better telephone for help or ring his alarm bell – if he still has the strength.
Reporter: Are you doctors worried?
Dr. MaConnell: Well, we’re concerned. Houdini’s no fool. He isn’t trying to kill himself. But there’s always the danger that he’ll pass out before he can signal for help.
Reporter: There’s Houdini now! He’s wearing a black swimming suit. For a man his age, his build is great. He’s smiling. He seems sure of himself. Now he’s motioning for silence!
Houdini: Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for coming. As you know, it has often been written that a man can live only three minutes without air. I’m going to prove that that is wrong. If I die, it will be by the will of God and my own foolishness.
Reporter: Houdini’s in the box now. Several men are putting the iron cover in place. This is it! A man is soldering the cover. The box will be lowered into the shallow end of this pool. Then a team of swimmers will stand on the box to keep it level beneath the surface of the water. So far, the only person I’ve seen who doesn’t look nervous is Houdini. Well, they’re lowering the box. It’s under! Joseph Rinn, the official
timekeeper, has started the clock. Mr. Rinn, what are your plans?

Questions :
(i) Throw light on the conversation between the reporter and Dr. McConnell. What does it reveal?
(ii) What does the reporter tell us about Houdini’s imperial ordeal?

Answers :
(i) The reporter asks Dr. McConnell if he has checked Houdini. The doctor replies that his blood pressure and pulse rate are Both normal. The reporter asks the doctor how long he thinks Houdini will breathe. McConnell in his reply, states that the average man breaths fifty times in a sealed box, but Houdini is an exception. He knows the technique of breathing easily, but the doctor guessing he could remain without air for fifteen minutes. After that Houdini would be advised to seek help. The conversation between the two reveals their concern for Houdini.
(ii) The reporter apprises all of Houdini’s presence inside the box. After sealing it firmly, several men will put the box into the shallow end of the swimming pool. After that a team of swimmers will stand on it to maintain it level below the surface of the water. The reporter says that he has never seen such a person as Houdini, for he never looks nervous, despite this great ordeal. We also learn that Joseph Rinn, the official time-keeper has a look at the watch.

Question 2.
Read through the extract and answer the questions that follow.
Reporter: Well, Houdini is going past the limit suggested by Dr. Mc Connell! I wonder how his wife Bessie, is taking this. I haven’t been able to catch sight of her. She’s also a magician. After she married Houdini, they both had an act that played in many theatres. She dropped out after Houdini became famous for his escapes from handcuffs and jails throughout the country and in Europe. She still helped him, though. Once, after Houdini had been searched and handcuffed to the bars in a jail cell, she kissed him for good luck. It was more than good luck she offered. She also passed a lock pick from her mouth to his. Several minutes later, Houdini surprised his jailers by walking into their office.
Rinn: Twenty minutes!
Reporter: The tension here is growing. But tension has followed Houdini through most of his career. Take his underwater box escape, for example. He is handcuffed and chained. Then he’s put in a wooden box and it’s nailed shut. After that the box is dropped underwater. Minutes later Houdini swims to the surface. In that act, though, he uses tricks. He has lock picks and other special tools hidden on him or in the box. But there’s always the risk that the picks or tools will fail. Most people wouldn’t try Houdini’s escape tricks even if they knew how to do them.

Questions :
(i) Describe the part played by Bessie in Houdini’s life.
(ii) Describe of Houdini’s feat of underwater escape.

Answers :
(i) Houdini is widely known for his sensational escapes. Bessie, a magician, plays an important part in her husband’s life. Both had showed magic in many theatres. Houdini’s life is a saga of escape from handcuffs and jails in the length and breadth of the country and in Europe. Bessie stood by him through thick and thin. Once she kissed her husband for good luck. He was in a prison cell. In the course of offering her good luck, Bessie passed a small lock tool from her mouth to his. Several minutes later, the jailers, to their astonishment, saw Houdini walk into their office.
(ii) Houdini, handcuffed and chained, was put in a wooden box which was tightly sealed with nails. Then it was dropped underwater. After some minutes, Houdini swims to the surface safe and sound by using tricks, though he possesses lock picks and other special instruments not visible to others. This underwater box escape is one of Houdini’s wonderful feats.

Question 3.
Read through the extract and answer the questions that follow.
Reporter: Well, one can only wonder how he’s doing in the box. He still has a long time to go. Of course, he is unusual. Did you know that he can tie and untie rope with either foot? That won’t help him now, but it’s another example of his body control. He also has great control of his chest muscles. Before he’s bound into a straitjacket, he fills his chest with air. Later, when he relaxes, he can move around inside the jacket. Perhaps it sounds easy. But others have tried the same trick and failed. There’s only one Houdini!
Rinn: Thirty minutes!
Reporter: Oh – oh! There’s trouble! One of the swimmers standing on the box has lost his balance. He’s failing into the water! Now the other swimmers are falling, too. The box has bobbed up above the water level. I wonder if Houdini caused the box to move. Mr. Collins, is Houdini all right?
Collins: Quiet, sir, I’m calling Houdini. Harry, can you hear me?
Houdini: Yes.
Collins: The swimmers fell off the box. They’re getting back on now. That’s what caused the movement of the box. Are you all right?
Houdini: Fine.
Reporter: Mr. Collins, Houdini’s voice sounded faint. Is he well?
Collins: That’s what he said. I believe him.
Rinn: Thirty-five minutes!
Reporter: Houdini’s training seems to be paying off. According to sources around here, he has been training for three weeks. Also, he probably learned a lot about holding his breath while doing his underwater escapes. Anyway, it’s no secret that Houdini always trains long and hard before he does anything for the public. He wants to be sure that he can do anything he claims he will do. And right now he seems on his way to an amazing success.
Rinn: Forty minutes!
Reporter: When I was talking before about Houdini’s chest muscles, I failed to mention his stomach. Quite often, he lets local strongmen punch him in the stomach as hard as they can. Of course, his stomach muscles are tensed, but they have to be almost as hard as steel to withstand the fists of big, strong men.

Questions :
(i) Give an account of Houdini’s chest muscles and stomach muscles.
(ii) What picture of Houdini do you get in the extract?

Answers :
(i) The reporter presents a very clear picture of Houdini’s chest and stomach muscles. He eloquently refers to Houdini’s great control of his chest muscles. Before being bound into a straitjacket, he fill his chest with air. But, in times of relaxation, he has the ability to move around inside the jacket. The reporter then throws light on Houdini’s stomach muscles. Very often, he allows local strong men punch his Stomach in the hardest possible manner. His stomach muscles tensed, but they have to be as hard as steel to resist the fists of big, strong men.
(ii) We see Houdini through the reporter’s eyes, “Of course, he is unusual.” He has the ability to tie and untie rope with either foot. He is remarkable for his great control over his chest muscles. Before being bound into a straightjacket, he pumps air into his chest. In his moments of relaxation, he is capable of moving around inside the jacket. But others have tried the same trick but in vain. The reporter aptly remarks, ‘There ‘s only one Houdini.’ Houdini resorts to rigorous training before he does anything for the public.

Question 4.
Read through the extract and answer the questions that follow.
Collins: All right. Houdini, can you hear me? You have just passed an hour. The doctors are urging me to pull you out. What do you say?
Houdini I’ll let you know when I’m ready.
Rinn: One hour and one minute!
Collins: Well, you heard him, gentlemen. He seems to be doing well.
Reporter: Rinn’s going to be calling out each minute from here on. I’ll get back to him. Meanwhile, I’d like to hear from one of the doctors. Is this a world’s record, Doctor?
Doctor: As far as I know, it is. If I weren’t here, I don’t think I would believe it. Houdini’s an amazing man!
Reporter: He certainly is, Doctor, and thank you. Well, people are whispering to one another around the pool. When Houdini passed the hour mark, some of the crowd seemed to relax somewhat. Still Houdini is far from safe. I’m going to try to pick up the time.
Rinn: One hour and thirteen minutes!
Reporter: Did you hear that? What a man. Wait! Collins has a call from Houdini.
Collins: Had enough, sir?
Houdini: No. The box has sprung a leak. But there’s no danger. Only a slight trickle of water is coming in.
Collins: Are you sure?
Houdini: Yes.
Reporter: Houdini has nerves of steel. He’s under there with no air, and the water is leaking in on him. Yet he’s going to stay.
Rinn: One hour and twenty-five minutes.
Reporter: I must say, I wish he would come up. I’m probably more nervous than he is. Even Collins seems to be showing some concern.
Rinn: One hour and thirty minutes.
Reporter: This may be it! Collins has a call.
Houdini: Jim, get me up.
Reporter: They’re raising the box. Now they’re opening it. I wish they’d hurry.
Rinn: One hour and thirty-one minutes.
Reporter: Dr. McConnell has Houdini’s arms. He’s checking the magician’s pulse and blood pressure. How is he, Doctor?
Dr. McConnell: His pulse and blood pressure are very low. The man’s suffering from exhaustion.
Houdini: Nonsense! I feel a little dizzy, that’s all! If I do an hour or so of exercise. I’ll feel fine.
Reporter: Mr. Houdini, congratulations! How did you do it? Was it a trick?
Houdini: It was no trick. I took a series of deep breaths before the cover was soldered on. I made very few body movements while in the box and took short breaths. That’s all. I certainly hope that trapped coal miners and deep-sea divers take a lesson from this.
Reporter: How can they take a lesson from your performance. Mr. Houdini? You’re in perfect physical condition.
Houdini: They must learn not to panic. If you panic, your body needs more air. I have trained myself to remain calm in all situations. Everyone should do the same.

Questions :
(i) Describe Collin’s contact with Houdini.
(ii) What happens after Houdini comes out of the box?

Answers :
(i) The doctor and the reporter are concerned about Houdini, because there has been no sign from the man in the box yet. They insist on Collins, Houdini’s assistant, to talk to him. Collins informs him of the passage of an hour and the doctors pressure on him to pull him (Houdini) out. Collins waits for his reply. He learns that he is doing well and shares this information with them. Collins gets a call from Houdini concerning the leak in the box and a slight trickle of water coming in.
(ii) After Houdini comes out of the iron box in a triumphant fashion, the reporter congratulated him on remaining for one hour and thirty-one minutes in a sealed box and that too submerged in a swimming pool. He asks Houdini if he had resorted to a trick for his success. Houdini says that there was no trick. He had taken a series of deep breaths before the cover of the box was firmly fixed with solder. During his stay inside the box, he made few body movements and took short breaths. Above all, he has trained himself to remain calm in the face of any situation. In the reporter’s view, Houdini is a fantastic man.

Introducing the Author :
Dr. Robert Lado is one of the founders of contrastive linguistics which as a sub-disciple of applied linguistics served the purpose of improving language teaching material. He is a prolific writer. His works include over 60 books and many articles that deal with various topics ranging from linguistics to language testing and cross-cultural understanding.

About the Story :
‘The One and Only Houdini’, as the title signifies, throws light on Houdini’s miraculous act. Houdini’s second variation on Buried Alive was an endurance test designed to expose mystical Egyptian performer Rahman Bey, who claimed to use supernatural powers to remain in a sealed casket for an hour. Houdini bettered Bey on August 5, 1926, by remaining in a sealed casket, or coffin, submerged in the swimming pool of New York’s Hotel Shelton for one hour and a half. Houdini claimed he did not use any trickery or supernatural powers to accomplish this feat, just controlled breathing.

Summary :
It was August 5, 1926. All eyes were set on the swimming pool at New York’s Hotel Shelton. James Collins, Houdini’s assistant, Dr. Mc Connell and Joseph Rinn, the official time-keeper were present. People were gathering gradually at the pool. They were placing the iron box near the pool’s edge. It comprised a telephone and an alarm bell with batteries.

Harry Houdini clad in a black swimming suit appeared there. He was fifty-two, yet he was in good physical condition. Before getting inside the box, Houdini thanked everyone for coming to see his performance. He was going to disprove the theory that a man could live only three minutes without air. Houdini was inside the box now. Then it was tightly sealed. A team of swimmers would stand on the box before it was submerged in the swimming pool. The swimmers were instructed to keep the box level beneath the surface of the water as a result of which Houdini will not be moved backwards and forwards. The countdown started.

Houdini who was keen on going without air for an hour made him an object of attention. His success would come out in all newspapers all over the world. The reporter probed Houdini’s past. His real name was Ehrich Weiss, who was born in Appleton, Wisconsin. He was interested in magic. He became a professional magician under the name of Harry Houdini. He was married. Houdini was widely known for his sensational escape acts. Bessie had played a great role in her husband’s life. Minutes trickled by. Nobody knows what Houdini was doing inside the box. He had undertaken this ordeal after undergoing rigorous training for three weeks. Houdini possessed strong chest muscles. His tough stomach muscles resisted the fists of big, strong men.

With the passing of minutes, fear and anxiety gripped the people. There was no response from Houdini. The doctor in particular advised Collins to pull him out of the box when an hour was up. After interacting with Houdini, Collins declared that he seems to have smooth sailing. Doctor’s anxiety gave way to admiration. Houdini was an amazing man! Collins got a call from him. The box had developed a leak and only a slight trickle of water was entering. Everybody was understandably concerned. It was now one hour and thirty minutes. The box was opened. To everyone’s stunned disbelief, Houdini emerged out of it with flying colours. The reporter congratulated him. One key to his achievement lay in his ability to be calm in the face of any situation. The topic comes to close with the reporter’s fabulous remark, ‘You’re a fantastic man, Mr. Harry Houdini!’

ସାରାଂଶ :

Harry Houdini ଥିଲେ ଜଣେ ପ୍ରସିଦ୍ଧ ଯାଦୁକର । ତାଙ୍କ ସ୍ତ୍ରୀ Bessie ମଧ୍ୟ ଜଣେ ଯାଦୁକର ଥିଲେ । ସେମାନେ ଉଭୟ ଅନେକ ମ୍ୟାଜିକ୍ ସୋ ଦେଖାଇଛନ୍ତି । ତାଙ୍କର ସବୁଠୁ ଭଲ ସୋ ଥିଲା, Houdini ଙ୍କୁ ହ୍ୟାଣ୍ଟକପ୍ ପକାଇଦେଲେ ସେ ଆପଣାଛାଏଁ ହ୍ୟାଣ୍ଡକପ୍ ଖୋଲିଦେଇ ଚାଲିଆସୁଥିଲେ । ତାଙ୍କୁ ପାଣିଭିତରେ ବୁଡ଼ାଇ ରଖୁଲେ ସେ ଆପେ ଆପେ କୂଳରେ ଲାଗିଯାଉଥିଲେ । ତାଙ୍କର ଯାଦୁଖେଳର ୟୁରୋପରେ ଖୁବ୍ ନାଁ ଥିଲା । ଦିନେ Houdini ଘୋଷଣା କଲେ ଯେ ସେ ଗୋଟେ ନିବୁଜ ବାକ୍ସ ଭିତରେ ରହିବେ ଓ ବାକ୍ସଟି ପାଣିଭିତରେ ବୁଡ଼ାଯିବ । ବାକ୍ସ ଭିତରେ ଟେଲିଫୋନ୍, କଲିଂବେଲ ରହିବ । କିଛି ଲୋକ ବାକ୍ସଟିକୁ ପାଣିଭିତରେ ସ୍ଥିର ଭାବରେ ଧରି ରଖୁବେ । ବିଜ୍ଞାନ କୁହେ, ମଣିଷ ବିନା ବାୟୁରେ ମାତ୍ର ତିନିମିନିଟ୍ ରହିପାରିବ। ମାତ୍ର ସେ ପ୍ରମାଣ କରିଦେବେ ଯେ ସେ ବିନା ବାୟୁରେ ଏକ ଘଣ୍ଟାକାଳ ରହିପାରିବେ ।

Houdini ଙ୍କ ଅଲୌକିକ ଘଟଣା ଦେଖିବାକୁ ସେଦିନ ପୋଖରୀ କୂଳରେ ହଜାର ହଜାର ଲୋକ ଭିଡ଼ ଜମାଇଥାନ୍ତି । ତାଙ୍କ ସହକାରୀ Collins ସାମ୍ବାଦିକମାନଙ୍କୁ ତାଙ୍କ ଗୁରୁଙ୍କ ବିଷୟରେ ବୁଝାଉଥାଏ । Dr. Mcconnell ପ୍ରସ୍ତୁତ ଥାଆନ୍ତି, କାଳେ କିଛି ଅଘଟଣ ଘଟିବ । Rinn ପ୍ରସ୍ତୁତ ଥାଆନ୍ତି ସମୟ ଗଣିବେ । ପ୍ରତି ପାଞ୍ଚ ମିନିଟ୍‌ରେ ଥରେ ଲେଖାଏଁ ଘୋଷଣା କରିବେ । ଘଣ୍ଟାଏ ଡେଇଁଗଲାପରେ ଯଦି Houdini ନ ଆସନ୍ତି ଓ ଭଲ ଥାଆନ୍ତି, ତେବେ ସେ ତେଣିକି ପ୍ରତ୍ୟେକ ଏକ ମିନିଟ୍ ଘୋଷଣା କରିବେ । Houdini ଧୀର ଓ ହସହସ ମୁହଁରେ ଆସିଲେ । ସେ ସମବେତ ଜନତାଙ୍କୁ ଅଭିବାଦନ ଜଣାଇଲେ ଓ କହିଲେ, ମୁଁ ଆଜି ବିଜ୍ଞାନର ନିୟମକୁ ଭାଙ୍ଗିବାକୁ ଯାଉଛି । ଯଦି ସଫଳ ହେଲି ଭଲକଥା । ଯଦି ମରିଗଲି, ତା ହେଲେ ଜାଣିବ, ଈଶ୍ବର ବୋଧହୁଏ ମୋର ମୁର୍ଖମିକୁ ସହିଲେ ନାହିଁ । Houdini ବାକ୍ସରେ ପଶିଲେ । ତା’ପୂର୍ବରୁ ଡାକ୍ତର ତାଙ୍କର ହୃତ୍‌ସ୍ପନ୍ଦନ ନାଡ଼ି ପରୀକ୍ଷା କରି ଦେଖୁଥିଲେ ଯେ ସେ ସଂପୂର୍ଣ୍ଣ ସୁସ୍ଥ ଅଛନ୍ତି । ଏଥର ବାକ୍ସକୁ ଭଲଭାବରେ ନିବୁଜ କରାଗଲା । ତାକୁ ପାଣିଭିତରେ ବୁଡ଼ାଇ ରଖାଗଲା ଓ କିଛିଲୋକ ବାସଟିକୁ ପାଣିଭିତରେ ସ୍ଥିରକରି ରଖୁଲେ । ଏଣେ Rinn ଗଣନା ଆରମ୍ଭ କଲେ ।

ମିନିଟ୍ ପରେ ମିନିଟ୍ ଗଡ଼ିଚାଲିଲା । ସାମ୍ବାଦିକ ଜଣକ Collins ଓ ଅନ୍ୟମାନଙ୍କଠାରୁ Houdini ଙ୍କ ବିଷୟରେ ବିଭିନ୍ନ ଖବର ସଂଗ୍ରହ କରୁଥାନ୍ତି । ସେ ଜଣେ ଦକ୍ଷ ଯାଦୁକର । ସେ ନିଜ ଦେହରୁ ହାତକାଢ଼ି ନେଉଥିଲେ । ସେ ୧୮୭୪ ମସିହାରେ Appleton ରେ ଜନ୍ମ ନେଇଥିଲେ । ତାଙ୍କର ପ୍ରକୃତ ନାଁ Enrich Weiss I ତାଙ୍କ ପରିବାର ଖୁବ୍‌ ଗରିବ ଥିଲା । ଏଣୁ ସେ ପିଲାଟି ଦିନରୁ ପରିବାର ପୋଷିବାପାଇଁ କାମ କରୁଥିଲେ । ସେତେବେଳେ ସେ ହ୍ୟାଣ୍ଡକପ୍ ଖୋଲିବାର କଳାକୌଶଳ ଶିଖୁଥିଲେ । ସେ ମଧ୍ୟ ବେଳେବେଳେ ଫରାସି ଯାଦୁକର Robert Houdini ଙ୍କ ରଚିତ କିଛି ବହି ପଢ଼ି ଖୁବ୍ ପ୍ରଭାବିତ ହେଲେ ଓ ନିଜ ନାଁ ବଦଳାଇ ନିଜକୁ Harry Houdini ନାମରେ ପରିଣତ କରାଇଲେ । ସମୟ ଗଡ଼ି ଚାଲିଥାଏ । Rinn ପାଞ୍ଚ, ଦଶ, ପନ୍ଦର, କୋଡ଼ିଏ ଏମିତି ଗଣିଚାଲିଥାଆନ୍ତି । ଯେଉଁ ଲୋକମାନେ ବାକ୍ସକୁ ଧରିଥିଲେ, ସେମାନେ ଖସି ପଡ଼ିଲେ । ଲୋକମାନେ ଉତ୍କଣ୍ଠିତ ହୋଇପଡ଼ିଲେ । ଭାବିଲେ, Houdini ବୋଧହୁଏ ବାହାରକୁ ଆସିବାକୁ ଚେଷ୍ଟା କରୁଛନ୍ତି । Collins ଟେଲିଫୋନ୍ ଲଗାଇ ପଚାରିଲେ Houdini! | 66 ଅଛନ୍ତି ? ସେ ଉତ୍ତର ଦେଲେ, ଭଲ ଅଛି’’ । ଡାକ୍ତରମାନେ ମତଦେଲେ, ବାକ୍ସଭିତରେ ଯେତିକି ବାୟୁ ଅଛି ସେଥ‌ିରେ ଜଣେ ଲୋକ ପଚାଶ ଥର ନିଃଶ୍ବାସ ନେଇପାରିବ । ତା’ପରେ ସେ ନିଶ୍ଚୟ ଅଶ୍ୱସ୍ତି ଅନୁଭବ କରିବ । ସେ ନିଶ୍ଚୟ ବାକ୍ସ ଖୋଲିବାକୁ କହିବେ । Collins କହିଲେ – ମୁଁ ତାଙ୍କୁ ଯେତିକି ଜାଣିଛି, ସେ ସମୟ କେବେ ଆସିବ ନାହିଁ । କାରଣ Houdini କୌଣସି କଥାକୁ ପାଞ୍ଚ ଦଶଥର ପରୀକ୍ଷା ନ କରି ଜଣଙ୍କ ଆଗରେ ପେଶ୍ କରନ୍ତି ନାହିଁ ।

ବେଳକୁ ବେଳ ସାମ୍ବାଦିକଙ୍କ ଭିଡ଼ ଜମିଲା । ଡାକ୍ତରମାନେ ମଧ୍ୟ ଆସି ପହଞ୍ଚିଲେ । ସେମାନେ କହିଲେ – ଏହା ଏକ ଆତ୍ମଘାତୀ କାର୍ଯ୍ୟ । Houdini ଙ୍କୁ ଏଥୁରୁ ନିବୃତ୍ତ କରାଯାଉ । ଏହା ଭିତରେ ଘଣ୍ଟାଏ ବି ହୋଇଗଲା । ଲୋକମାନେ କିଛି ସମୟପାଇଁ ଖୁସି ଦେଖାଗଲେ । ଭାବିଲେ, ଏଥର Houdini ବାହାରକୁ ଆସିବାକୁ କହିବେ । ମାତ୍ର ସେମିତି କିଛି ହେଲା ନାହିଁ । ଡାକ୍ତରମାନେ ବାଧ୍ୟ କରିବାରୁ Collins ପୁଣିଥରେ ଟେଲିଫୋନ୍ ଲଗାଇ ପଚାରିଲେ – Houdini ! ଡାକ୍ତରମାନେ ବାଧ୍ୟକରୁଛନ୍ତି ବାହାରକୁ ଆସିବାପାଇଁ । Houdini ଉତ୍ତର ଦେଲେ – ମୁଁ କହିଲେ ମତେ ଉପରକୁ ନେବ । ଏଥର ଲୋକମାନେ କୁହାକୁହି ହେଲେ – Houdini ନିଃଶ୍ଵାସ ପ୍ରଶ୍ଵାସ ରୋଧ କରିବା ତାଲିମ ପାଇଛନ୍ତି । ସେ ବିନା ବାୟୁରେ ରହିବାର କୌଶଳ ଶିଖ୍ଯାଇଛନ୍ତି । ଏହା ଭିତରେ ଏକ ଘଣ୍ଟା ତିରିଶ ମିନିଟ୍ ହେଲା । ଏଥର Houdini ଙ୍କ ଠାରୁ ସଂକେତ ଆସିଲା ତାଙ୍କ ବାହାରକୁ ଆଣିବାପାଇଁ । ଲୋକମାନେ ଏକଘଣ୍ଟା ଏକତିରିଶ ମିନିଟ୍‌ରେ ବାକ୍ସ ଖୋଲିଲେ । ଡାକ୍ତରମାନେ Houdiniଙ୍କ ସ୍ବାସ୍ଥ୍ୟ ପରୀକ୍ଷା କଲେ । କିଛି ବ୍ୟତିକ୍ରମ ହୋଇନଥିଲା । ସାମ୍ବାଦିକମାନେ Houdiniଙ୍କୁ ଅଭିନନ୍ଦନ ଜଣାଇଲେ ।

ଏଥର ସାମ୍ବାଦିକମାନେ Houdini ଙ୍କୁ ପଚାରିଲେ ଏହା କେମିତି ସଂଭବ ହେଲା ? Houdini କହିଲେ ଏଥ‌ିରେ ଯାଦୁବିଦ୍ୟା ନାହିଁ । ଏହା ଏକ ସାଧନା ମାତ୍ର । ମୁଁ ନିଃଶ୍ଵାସ ରୋଧ କରିବା ଶିଖୁ ଯାଇଛି । ଏହା ମତେ ଏତେ ସମୟ ବାକ୍ସ ଭିତରେ ବଞ୍ଚାଇ ରଖୁ । ଶ୍ଵାସକ୍ରିୟା ଖୁବ୍ ମନ୍ଥର ଥିଲା । ସାମ୍ବାଦିକମାନେ ପଚାରିଲେ – ଆପଣ ଯୁବଗୋଷ୍ଠୀଙ୍କୁ କି ବାର୍ତ୍ତା ଦେବେ ? Houdini କହିଲେ – ସେମାନେ ଭୟ କରିବା ଛାଡ଼ି ଦିଅନ୍ତୁ । ସେମାନେ ଯେ କୌଣସି ପରିସ୍ଥିତିକୁ ସହଜ, ସରଳ ଓ ଶାନ୍ତ ଭାବରେ ସାମ୍ନା କରିବାକୁ ଶିଖନ୍ତୁ । ସମସ୍ତେ Houdini ଙ୍କର ଜୟଗାନ କଲେ ।

Read More:

• Three Questions Question Answer
• After Twenty Years Question Answer
• The Open Window Question Answer
• The One and only Houdini Question Answer
• Childhood Question Answer
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Odisha State Board CHSE Odisha Class 11 Approaches to English Book 1 Solutions Unit 1 Text A: Memories of Crossgates School Textbook Activity Questions and Answers.

Class 11th Alternative English Chapter 1 Memories of Crossgates School Question Answers CHSE Odisha

Memories of Crossgates School Class 11 Questions and Answers

Activity – 1

Comprehension:
Look at the passage again and put a tick mark against the correct alternative.
(a) The writer describes the pleasure of school life enjoyed during.
(i) Winter,
(ii) Summer,
(iii) Summer and Winter.
Answer:
Summer (✓)

(b) The phrase ‘taking fee walk’ in line 15 is given within question marks to indicate.
(i) that the writer does not approve of the master’s talking a walk.
(ii) that the mortar was actually keeping watch over the boys on fee pretext of taking the walk.
(iii) fee mortar had gone on a visit to the town on the pretex of taking a walk.
Answer:
That the mortar was actually keeping watch over the boys on fee pretext of taking the walks. (✓)

Activity – 2

Comprehension:
Answer the following question briefly as you can.
(a) At what time of the day did the writer bath in fee sea?
Answer:
In the afternoon of the day, the writer took bath in fee sea.

(b) Did he enjoy swimming among the chalk boulders or have a sense suffering for it? What words in the text tell you the’ answer?
Answer:
The author had a pleasant pain for his swimming among the’ chalk boulder. lt was painful because he was full of cuts when he was back at home. The words – “bathed dangerously” and “covered; with cuts” tell us this answer in the text.

(c) What was the boys’ “special treat” in mid-summer evening?
Answer:
The boy had a “special treat” in mid-summer evenings when they were not driven off to hed arid were allowed to go about the grounds in the long twilight terminating in a drive into the swimming bath at about 9 O’clock.

(d) Who were Orwell’s favourite authors in his boyhood ?”
Answer:
Ian Hay, Thackeray, Kipling and H.GWells were Orwell’s favourite authors in his boyhood.

(e) What are the different kinds of caterpillars ‘ that’ Orwell mentions in the passage?
Answer:
The silky green and purple puss moth, the ghostly green popular lewk, the private hawk are the kinds of caterpillars that Orwell mentions in the passage.

(f) What does Orwell say about his “hopeless love affair”?
Answer:
Orwell had a proud love for cricket till he was eighteen. But he was not cricket till he was eighteen. But he was not at all well at the game. Therefore it was “hopeless Ipye affair- a relentless love without any yield.

(g) What does Orwell learn from his experiences at Crossgates School?
Answer:
Orwell learnt a lot of sweet and bitter experiences at Crossgates school. The childhood days were the formative years when children enjoy moving about scot-free. This experience helps to build up the conviction that the things one wants ‘most are always unattainable.

Activity – 3

Writing:
Write in points, the six pleasures of school life that the writer mentions in the passage.
Answer:
The six pleasures of school life that the writer mentions in the passage are:
(1) Bathing dangerously among the chalk boulder in the sea in the returning afternoon.
(2) Deriving special pleasure from mid summer evenings to move about the grounds in the long twilight and taking a dive into the swimming bath at about 9 O’clock.
(3) Walking early on summer morning and having an hour’s undisturbed reading of his favourite authors like Ian Hary, Thackery, Kipling and H.G Wells.
(4) Devoting to cricket hopelessly because he was not good at this game in spite of his sincere efforts.
(5) Keeping caterpillars and dragging a beg-net along the bottom the dew ponds to collect biological specimens.
(6) Escaping long enough from the master with the illicitly purchased of tiny insects.

Activity – 4

Grammar:
Subject-verb Agreement in ’There’ constructions will you please give Text-A another look to find out how many ‘there….’ sentences are used by the author? Notice that sentence-2 in the text-Sentences on summer afternoons there were wonderful expeditions across the Downs…. is a ‘there…’ sentence. Write the sentence number as well as the ‘there…’ sentence you find in the text.
Answer:
Sentence-3: And there were still more wonderful midsummer evening when as a special treat, we were not driven off to bed as usual but allowed to wander about the grounds in the long twilight, ending up with a plunge into the swimming bath at about 9 O’clock.

Sentence-4: There was the joy of walking early on summer morning and getting in an hour’s undisturbed reading (Ian Hay, Thackery, Kipling and H.G. Wells were, the favourite authors of my boyhood) in the sunlight sleeping dormitory.

Sentence-5: There was also cricket which I was no good act but with which 1 conducted a sort of hopeless love affair upto the age of about eighteen.

Sentence-6: And there was the pleasure of keeping caterpillars-the silky iron and purple puss-math, the ghostly green popular park, the privet hawk, large as one’s third finger specimens of which could be illicitly purchased for sixpence at a shop in the town-and when one could escape long enough from the morter who was “taking the walk” share was the excitement of dredging the dew-ponds on the Downs for enormous newts with orange coloured Bellies.

You can very well notice that the verb ‘there’- sentences is either was or more. As you known the verb in an English sentence agrees with the subject in number and person.

Example:
(1) He was ready.
(2) They were ready,
(3) I am reading English grammar today.
(4) She is writing a letter to his friend now.

The subject ‘he’ in sentence-1 is singular in number and so, a singular verb ‘was’ has been used- The sentence would. be wrong if a ‘plural’ verb, such as were, was used. Also notice that verb ‘were’ in sentence two agrees with the subject they in respect of plurality.

The verbs in sentences (3) and (4), do not differ in number i.e., both of them have singular subjects, but they do differ in person. ‘I’ is a first person pronoun, while ‘she’ is a third-person pronoun. So the difference in the verb ‘am’ and ‘is’ are according to them.

In sentences 1-4, the subject comes before the verb. In these sentences, however,’ there’ comes in the subject position while the real subject (which is .also. known as the postponed subject), occurs after the verb. You can, now look back at your list of these sentences above and notice that the verb after there is ‘was’ or ‘were’ according to whether the postponed subject is singular or plural. Thus, in sentence 2 of the text-Sometimes on summer afternoon, there were wonderful expeditions…. the verb ‘were’ is plural because the postponed subject wonderful expeditions is plural. In sentence 4 of the text-there was the Joy of walking easily the singular verb was agrees with the singular postponed subject the Joy of walking early.

Now fill in each blank in the following letter with an appropriate verb from the following list:
is required
is take
do not object
are
attract
is wanted.

Dated the 11th June 2001
To
The Chairperson.
Bhimpur Municipality,
Bhimpur.
Madam,
I would like to express my concern at the growing number of so-called lottery centres in our town.
There__________ several reasons why I object to these places. Firstly, die operators under the false promise Of an easy fortune, _________quite substantial amounts of money away from the poor people who ate least able to afford it. Secondly, While I __________ to gambling in principle, I feel that this particular kind, where no skill __________ on the part of the betting person, is especially Offensive and deadening to the intellect. Thirdly, these establishments often ____________ undesirable individuals into the neighbourhood. Lastly, die physical appearance of these places is must unattractive, and there __________ almost always a lot of noise around. I hope that the Municipal Council will consider very carefully whether this mindless kind of gambling is what _______________ in this traditionally peaceful town.

Yours faithfully,
Smita Samantray.

Answer:
To
The Chairperson
Bhimpur Municipality,
Bhimpur.
Madam,
I would like to express my concern at the growing number of so-called lottery centres in our town.
There are several reasons why I object to these places. Firstly, the operators under the false promise of an easy fortune, take quite substantial amounts of money away from the poor people who are least able to afford it. Secondly, while I do not object to gambling in principle, I feel that this particular kind, where no skill is required in the part of the betting person, is especially offensive and deadening to the intellect. Thirdly, these establishments often attract undersirable individuals into the neighbourhood. Lastly, the physical appearance of these places is must unattractive, and there is almost always a lot of noise around. I hope that the Municipal Council will consider very carefully whether this mindless kind of gambling is what is wanted in this traditionally peaceful town.

Yours faithfully,
Smita Samantray.

Section- A
Pre-reading Activity:
Before reading the following passage which presents George Orwell’s recollection of his school days, write three main things which you remember about your school days.
(1)
(2)
(3)
Now read Text A below quickly to see what Orwell remembers about his school days.

Section- B
Pre-reading Activity:
The text you are going to read in this section has the title “Make Me a Child Again. Just for Tonight”. Almost every one of us has fond memories of childhood, and therefore wants to become a child again. Can you write below three possible reasons why people want to become children again?
(1)
(2)
(3)

Pre-reading Tips:
In this section, you will read a passage or learning. Your primary aim here is to grasp the central meaning of the passage. To do this rapidly and accurately, you have to adopt aggressive reading. In other words, you must get into the habit of speeding through words and you must try to focus on the broad structure, of the passage while reading.

Try to recognise the author’s pattern of thinking and to realise how the detail serve to highlight the main ideas, but don’t let these details slow you down Skim or Skip whenever you feel, you can safely do so, that is, where, you are reasonably sure that you know what the next sentence or paragraph will contain. In order to detect the author’s pattern of thinking and to understand what, in essence,the author is trying to say, you don’t have to read every single word or every single sentence. By thinking along with the author’s pattern of thinking, you can predict what is likely to come next, and whether it is important, less important or completely unimportant to the central meaning of the text. Now cruise through Text-B with conscious pressure on your speed, with an awareness that you must go first. As average learner on the Alternative English course needs 4 to 6 minutes to complete a quick reading of the passage with the aim of grasping the central idea of the piece.

Extra Activity – 4(A)

A. Make sentences of your own using the following:
horde
expeditions
bath
wander
plunge
ghostly
specimen
illicit
escape
excitement

Answer:
horde – He encountered a horde of critical situations.
expeditions – We pray God before starting our expeditions.
wander – The mad man wanders the whole Say.
bath – We should have our baths before praying God.
plunge – We plunge into a river before swimming.
ghostly – The terrorists made the atmosphere ghostly.
specimen – The bank requires specimen signature before opening an account.
illicit – It is illicit to keep gun without licence.
escape – The criminal made all possible efforts to escape punishment
excitement – One cant act well without excitement.

B. Supply appropriate prepositions in the blanks:

(a) We go by the river __________ summer evenings.
(b) He came back from the forest covered __________ cuts.
(c) We were not driven ___________ to bed as used but allowed to wander __________ the grounds _______the long twilight ending up with a plunge ___________ the swimming bath ____________ 9 O’clock.
(d) There was also cricket which I was no good ‘ but ___________ which I conducted a sort of hopeless love affair ____________ the a sort of hopeless love affair ___________ the age of about eighteen.
(e) This business __________ being out ___________ a walk coming across something _________ fascinating interest and then being dragged __________ it by a yell ___________the mortar, like a dog jerked onwards ___________ die leash, is an important feature ___________ school life.

Answer:
(a) We go by the river on summer evening.
(b) He came back from the forest covered with cuts.
(c) We were not driven off to bed as usual. but allowed to wander about the grounds In the long twilight ending up with a plunge into the swimming bath at about 9 O’clock.
(d) There was also cricket which 1 was no good at but with which I conducted a sort of hopeless love affairs upto the age of about eighteen.
(e) This business of being out for a week coming across something of fascinating interest and then being dogged away from it by a yell from the mortar like a dog jerked onwards by the leash. It is an important feature of school life.

C. Use the following :
cover
finger
treat
purchase
ground
escape
end
master
conduct
walk
Answer:
cover :
(N) The cover of this book is attractive.
(V) They covered the idol with flowers.
treat:
(N) Going on a horse’s back gives a special treat.
(V) They treated their guests with respect.
ground:
(N) Your argument has no ground.
(V) This building grounds on a solid structure.
end:
(N) The play has a tragic end.
(V) The play ends with a tragic note.
finger:
(N) Our fingers are not equal.
(V) He fingers well in typing.
purchase:
(N) Business centres round.
(V) He purchased a car yesterday.
escape:
(N) He had no escape from such a crime.
(V) At last, the criminal escaped from the prison.
Master:
(N) The master scolded his servant for his mistake.
(V) He has mastered English language well.

Memories of Crossgates School Summary in English

However, George Orwell had memories at Crossgates School. They were both sweet and bitter memories. He, very often, had beautiful expeditions to different spots. These were Downs, a vast grassy land, and Beachy Head an attractive spot for summer days. He also took baths in Beachy Head. Sometimes, he returned home with injuries. They also had special pleasure from the midsummer evenings. He also very often wander about in the twilight. He also derived great pleasure by taking a dive into the swimming bath. He had also great mirth of getting up early on summer mornings and also reading Ian Hay. Thacjceran, Kipling and H.G. Wells works. Actually, he was not very good at cricket, but this did not imply that he did not love it. On the other hand, he loved cricket upto eighteen. He also took tremendous joy in the forbidden churphase of tiny insects and ran ‘away from the mortar who was “taking the walk”. He had pleasant experiences in bringing up bag nets to collect newts with dredges. He was also bringing up other biological specimens.

Outlines of the Eassay :

• George Or well had memories at Crossgates School.
• They were both sweet and bitter memories.
• He, very often, had beautiful expeditions to different spots.
• These were Downs, a vast grassy land and Beachy Head, an attractive spot for summer days.
• He also took baths in Beachy Head.
• Sometimes, he returned home with injuries.
• He also had special pleasure from the mid-summer evening.
• He also very often wandered about in the twilight.
• He also derived great pleasure by diving into the summer bath.
• He had also great joy of getting up early on summer mornings.
• He derived great joy by reading land Hay, Thackery, Kipling and H.G Wells works.
• However, he was not very good at cricket.
• This did not imply that he did not love it.
• Actually, he loved cricket upto eighteen.
• He also took tremendous joy in the forbidden purchase of tiny insects.
• He ran away from the mortar who was ‘taking the walk’.
• He had pleasant experiences in bringing up beg nets to collect newts with dredges.
• He was also bringing up other biological specimens.

Word Meaning:
horde – a lot of, a great number, crowd, a group of.
expeditions – journeys, movement, wanderings.
the Downs – vast- grassy land.
treat (n) – joy, pleasure, pleasant experience.
wander – roam, move, travel, go about.
twilight – faint half-light after sunset or before sunrise.
walking – getting up from bed, go without sleep.
illicitly – illegally, unlawfully.
purchased – bought, had or exchanged for money.
escape – run away from free sight of
excitement – stirring up, provocation.
dredging – dragging a bag net along the bottom to collect biological specimens.
depends – small ponds.
enormous – large, huge, very big in size.
newts – small aquatic animals wife a moist skin, short legs a long tail.
yell – sound, shout or noise produces from a.distance.
unattainable – which, can not be obtained easily.

Read More:

• Text A: Memories of Crossgates School Question Answer
• Text B: Make me a child again, Just for tonight Question Answer
• Text C: Confessions of a Misspent Youth Question Answer
• Text D: A Time to Think Question Answer

Odisha State Board CHSE Odisha Class 11 Approaches to English Book 2 Solutions Short Stories Chapter 1 The Rainbow-Bird Textbook Exercise Questions and Answers.

Class 11th Alternative English Short Stories Chapter 1 The Rainbow-Bird Question Answers CHSE Odisha

The Rainbow-Bird Class 11 Questions and Answers

Section- I

Questions For Discussion:
Question 1.
Why was Maggie unmindful in the classroom the whole afternoon?
Answer:
Maggie was unmindful in the classroom the whole after-noon because her mind had been filled with the vision of the Rain-bow bird.

Question 2.
“The hands crawled down the cracked face of the clock with aggravating slowness….”. What does this expression suggest ?
Answer:
Maggie felt as if the hands of the c,ock were consider ably slow. A small spare of time seemed very long to her. Waiting makes time longer. And therefore she felt that the hands of the clock were very slow in their movement as her mind was preoccupied with the thought of the bird.

Question 3.
Why did Maggie avoid the other girls of the class?
Answer:
Maggie avoided the other girls of the class because she never wished them to find out her secret. She looked down upon their empty faces and their coldly-mocking eyes. They also made fun of her because she carried beetles.

Question 4.
What did Maggie do when the school was over?
Answer:
When the school was over, Maggie had a look at Don. She also raced down to the bottom fence along through the bushes that covered the side of the hill.

Question 5.
How did Maggie feel at the sight of the rainbow bird and the world of the school? What do they signify?
Answer:
However, Maggie felt exulted and Proud at the sight of the rainbow bird and she felt nervous and at the world of the school. However, the former signifies the world of happiness and the latter the world, of unhappiness.

Question 6.
Which lines present a contrast between the world of the bird and the world of the school? What do they signify?
Answer:
The lines 13 to 21 present a contrast world of the bird and the world of the school. They signify the dullness of the world of the bird.

Question 7.
“It is a bird now”. In which context does Maggie’s mother say so? Why ‘now’? Does it imply that Maggie had other obsessions earlier? Which ones? (See Paragraph 5)
Answer:
Maggie’s mother says so when she hears the girl mutter on the pillow. It is “now” because, she chirps like at the moment, Maggie had other obsessions also, because she carried beetle wings and cowries about in her matchbox to stare at under the dark.

Focusing Questions:

Question 1.
What does this section of the story tell us about Maggie’s preoccupation with the bird?
Answer:
“The Rainbow Bird” is, undoubtedly, Vance Palmer’s outstanding and typical short story. The first section of the story explains us about Maggie’s preoccupation with the bird. We know that Maggie’s mind has been filled with the vision of the bird. The bird is blue-green shot with gold, its tail an arrow. The girl could scarcely know what she was writing. It has become a regular feature with her. When the school was over, she had. a look at Don. She raced down to the bottom fence along through the bushes that covered the side of the hill. Don was limping because of his sore toe, flushed and breathless Maggie had reached the bottom of the gully before he came out of the undergrowth.

However from the end if the playground, she could hear the other girls her classmates calling her. She did not pay any heed to their voices: She looked down upon their empty faces, their coldly mocking’ eyes. They made fun with her because she carried beetle wings and cowries about in her matchbox to stare at under the desk. Maggie walked along with Don. They went up the other hills across a cleared paddock that lay beside the beach, Before the eyes of both of them won die deep cleft left by the store truck when it was bogged months before and the title round hole with a heap of sand in front of it. Such a tinny tunnel in the side of the rut that no of could notice unless he saw the bird fly out. There had been a sudden burr of wing almost beneath their feet. A shimmer of opal in the sun-bright ajr and then a stillness as the bird settled on the sbe-oak thirty yards away, making their hearts turn over with the sheer beauty of its bronze and luminous green.

It was a rainbow bird which had come from that rounded tunnel in the sandy earth where the couch grass was growing over the old rut, Moreover, the strange bird was shining out of the grainy grey branches. It was only rarely they surprised her in the nest for as usually seemed to feel the puttering the vibration of their feet along the ground and sleep out unobserved. But, they never had to look far for her. There in the she-oak, she shone, flame-bright and radiant as if she had just dropped from the blue sky. The vision came back to Maggie each night before the closed her eyes in sleep. It seemed that it belonged to a different world from that of the school. As a matter of fact, the section 1 deals with the imaginative aspects, of Maggie whose mind gets preoccupied with the thought of the bird. Her farfetched ‘imagination caries her forwards and her vision drags her to the world of the bird,” a world of brightness, joy and soothing.

Question 2.
How does the storyteller show the contrast between the real world of the school and ‘ the’ world of Maggie’s dreams?
Answer:
Vance Palmer is an eminent and outstanding master in the art of storytelling. In this discussing story “The Rainbow Bird”, he displays a sharp contrast between the real world of the school with the dreamy and imaginative world of Maggie very intensely in the first section of the story. The two world have been beautifully gestaposed and a succinct picture of the both has been trickily extricated.

Actually, the world of the school was real. But Maggie was preoccupied with the imagination of the rainbow bird and she feels herself out off from the real and physical world devoting herself wholeheartedly to the world of imagination. While at school, she scarcely knew what she was writing. It was usual with her every day. She was impatient with the passage of time, which she thought passed very slowly. The teacher’s voice for her was like the droning of a blowfly against the window pane.

As a matter of fact, the world of the school was regarded, here, as dull, drab, monotonous, gloomy, pale, colourless and charmless. The life has been routined and schemed. It is traditional, prosaic and uninteresting. On the whole, the imaginative world is more flamboyant, gorgeous, enjoyable, rapturous, elusive and devoting them the real world.

Vocabulary:
A. Use the following in sentences of your own:
squirm
beg
skim
rut
cavern
burr
growl
shimmer
blaze
mutter
Answer:
Squirm – He squirmed as a ball hit his head.
skim – I like skim milk.
cavern – I Having seen a tiger, the hare hit itself in the cavern.
growl – The servant did a mistake and so he growled like a dog.
blaze – People telephoned the fire brigade as the house was in blaze.
bog – He, unfortunately, bogged in the marshy land.
rut – This wheel has ruts on the soft soil.
burn – The madman burred at me.
shimmer – The light shimmer due to power disturbance.
mutter – The dull student muttered the answer due to the fear of a mistake.

B. Write the noun forms of the following:
mental
deep
hairy
monthly
momentary
sandy
empty
miraculous
impatient
different

Answer:
mental – mind
deep – depth
hairy – hait
monthly – month
momentary – moment
sandy – sand
empty – emptiness
miraculous – miracle
impatient – impatience
different – difference

Grammar:
Fill in the blanks with suitable prepositions.
1. In my way to school, I saw a soldier _________uniform.
2. He married a lady _________ thirty.
3. He is a man _________ quiet temperament.
4. I saw him going to the field _______ spade.
5. Skill comes _________ practice.
6. The shop was destroyed ________ a fire.
7. The case is investigated __________ police.
8. This letter is written __________ink, not _________pencil.
9. This picture is drawn ________ pencil.
10. He wrote ________ left hand.
11. They won the game _________ case.
12. The world is heading __________another war.
13. When I was going __________marked I saw a beggar ________a broken leg.
14. The train ________ Ambala leaves at 2 p.m.
15. He is __________ London, He wants __________visit Konark.
16. The boys threw stones __________the beggar.
17. Don’t laugh _________ others.
18. Wine is made ___________grape.
19. Your ring is made ___________ gold.
20. Her mother died _________pneumonia.
21. Her father is living __________ New York today.
22. subash Bose was born ___________Cuttack.
23. Now, she is living __________a beautiful house just _________the end of the street.
24. We met __________ Padhihari Pathagar.
25. Her husband works _________a factory.
26. They are living ___________ a flat ___________ Bhubaneswar.
27. He was brought up ___________ a village.
28. He is working _________ a tea plantation.
29. His brother is __________ a bank.
30. They live ___________ 23, Lajpat Road.
31. The monk is living _________ a forest __________the end of the village.
32. She teaches English __________ a school.
33. All know he is not ___________homte. He is __________his office.
34. All who live ________ India are IndiAnswer:
35. The plane landed _________ an island _____________the Indian Ocean.
36. His father works __________ the railways.
37. What’s the distance in miles __________Bhubaneswar and Delhi.
38. The Chief Guest distributed sweets ________ students.
39. He is known all _______ the world as a champion of the poor.
40. Put your signature________ nine.
41. Your pen is __________ your desk.
42. His portrait is handing __________ the fire place.
43. The box is __________ the rack.
44. There is a garden _______my house.
45. His house is just _______ the road.
46. The road is _________ repair.
47. He is _________ criticism. All knew __________ his honesty.
48. Now, twenty men are working ___________him.
49. He can’t sign the contract as he ___________ age.
50. Banki is __________Cuttack, on the Mahanadi.
51. He has no command ________himself.
52. Fix a revenue stamp and sign _________ it.
53. To wear long hair has becoihe a fashion _________young people.
54. He has no command _________himself.
55. We shall start _________ dinner.
56. A woman is _________ gold necklace.
57. I saw a soldier_________ uniform.
58. A farmer was going to field __________a plough on his soldier.
59. He is a man _________ quiet habits.
60. The woman __________pimples on her face quarrelled with your aunt yesterday.
Answer:
1. In my way to school, 1 saw a soldier in uniform.
2. He married a lady of thirty.
3. He is a man of quiet temperament.
4. I saw him going to the field with a spade.
5. Skill comes from practice.
6. The shop was destroyed by a fire.
7. The case is investigated by police.
8. This letter is written in ink, not in pencil.
9. This picture is drawn with pencil.
10. He wrote by left hand.
11. They won the game with ease.
12. The world is heading towards another war.
13. When I was gring to market I saw a beggar with a broken leg.
14. The train for Ambala leaves at 2 p.m.
15. He is from London, He wants to visit Konark.
16. The boys threw stones at the beggar.
17. Don’t laugh at others.
18. Wine is made from grape.
19. Your ring is made of gold.
20. Her mother died of pneumonia.
21. Her father is living for New York today.
22. Subash Bose was bom in Cuttack .
23. Now, she is living m a beautiful house just at the end of the street.
24. We met at Padhihari Pathagar.
25. Her husband works in a factory.
26. They are living in a flat in Bhubaneswar.
27. He was brought up in a village.
28. He is working on a tea plantation.
29. His brother is in a bank.
30. They live at 23, Lajpat Road.
31. The monk is living in a forest at the end of the village.
32. She teaches English in a school.
33. All know he is not at home. He is in his office.
34. All who live m India are IndiAnswer:
35. The plane landed on an Island in the Indian Ocean.
36. His father works on the railways.
37. What’s the distance in miles between Bhubaneswar and Delhi.
38. The Chief Guest distributed sweets among students.
39. He is known all over the world as a champion of the poor.
40. Put your signature below nine.
41. Your pen is under your desk.
42. His portrait is hanging over the fire place.
43. The box is before the rack.
44. There is a garden across my house.
45. His house is just under the road.
46. The road is above repair.
47. He is under criticism. All knew about his honesty.
48. Now, twenty men are working under him.
49. He can’t sign the contract as he is above age.
50. Banki is under Cuttack on the Mahartadi.
51. He has no command oyter himself.
52. Fix a revenue stamp and sign among if.
53. To wear long hair has become a fashion over young people.
54. He has no command after himself.
55. We shall start before dinner.
56. A woman is m gold necklace.
57. 1 saw a soldier in uniform.
58. A farmer was going tja field with a plough on his soldier.
59. He is a man of quiet habits.
60. The woman with pimples on her face quarrelled with your aunt yesterday.

Section – II

Questions For Discussion:
Question 1.
Whom did Maggie and Don meet near the she_oak? What he was What he was doing there?
Answer:
Maggie and Dgn met Cafferty, the honey Man near the she_oak. He was standing almost the nest and looking down into the she-oak by the beach.

Question 2.
How was Maggie shocked on? How her feeling of excitement and joy changed suddenly to one of fear anger and hatred for the man?[Note: Horror laid an icy hand on the girl’s heart, ‘Try to understand’ the significance of this statement.
Answer:
Actually, Maggie had run covering a long distance so as to see the rainbow bird. But she was highly surprised to find something unreal that diminished he excitement. She found Cafferty the Honey man Man standing with a gun who had already hunted a Rainbow bird and kept it in pocket. She ran away in fear and fell on ground in sorrow. His lively spirit depressed.

Question 3.
“Beast! that’s what you are…A beast”. How do these words characterise the feelings of the small girl when she finds that her world of joy and wonder had been destroyed?
Answer:
Maggie had cherished a great joy and excitement to see the colorful Rainbow bird for which she had run a long distance from school. But, to her utter dismay, she found that the bird had been hunted down by Cafferty, the Honey Man. This caused a heavy shock to her. She felt nervous and terrified and knew that her world of joy and wonder had been shattered by Honey Mali. Her state of grief remained no bound. She could not utter a single word. She murmured calling him a beast.

Question 4.
Why did Cafferty swear to wipe the birds off the face of earth?
Answer:
Actually, Cafferty was a Honey Man who was much concerned with the bees, But the Rainbow birds which are very bright and colorful relish in eating bees. This makes a problem to both the bees and Cafferty. For this reason, he was determined to wipe the birds off the face of earth.

Question 5.
“There was dull passion in his absorbed eyes, a sense of warning against evil.” How does this sentence portray the attitude of the Honey Man. What contrast do you mark between the world of Maggie and the world of Cafferty?
Answer:
This statement is the reaction of the Honey Man against the innocent birds. It actually, a war against the evils as the ‘ in-bow birds for the Honey Man are evils, fact, the world of Maggie and that offerty are poles apart. However, Maggie’s role is one of love, joy and beauty whereas that of Cafferty is one of cruelty, hatred and destruction.

Question 6.
What /difference do you mark between the attitudes of Maggie and Don? Does Don support Cafferty? Explain, You’ll now come to the last part of the story while reading it, try to find answers to the following questions.
(i) What happens to Honey Man after the bird is killed?
(ii) How does Maggie look at the happening?
Answer:
Maggie and Don had the urge to visit the brightly coloured Rainbow birds. But Don was rather more practical whereas Maggie lived in a world of fantasy and imagination. She forgot everything for the bird. She felt sony and perplexed at die killing of the bird by Cafferty. On the other hand, Don although supported Maggie and was also against the Honey Man proved to be more practical and consoled her to cope with the- situation come whatever it may be.

Vocabulary:
A. Derive adjectives from the following words in the text, earth, death, suddenly, contempt, heat, hair, fire, home, solidity, stormy, people, moment, thought, obey, color, bag, proudly, sand, sheep, fear, trouble, child, confuse, heart, boy, eye, bewilder, .air, satisfied, color, face, horror, passion, hand, war, right, winter, shadows, superiority, father.
Answer:
earth – earthly
death – dead
suddenly – sudden
contempt – contemptuous
heat – hot
hair – hairy
fire – fiery
home – homely
solidity – solid
storm – stormy
people – popular
moment – momentary
thought – thoughtful
obey – obedient
colour – colourful
bag – baggy
proudly – proud
sand – sandy
sheep – sheepish
fear – fearful
trouble – troublesome
child – childish
confuse – confused
heart – hearty
boy – boyish
eye – ocular
bewilder – bewildered
air – airy
satisfied – satisfactory
colour – colourful
face – facial
horror – horrible
passion – passionate
hand – handy
war – warring
right – rightful
winter – wintry
shadow – shadowy
superiority – superior
father – paternal

B. Derive nouns from the following words in the text:
bathe, red, sure, obey, close, sandy, warm, new, intense, good, wonderful, green, dark, desperate, wooden, different, believe, reveal, hot, grow, thick, distant, solid, die, proudly, pretend, small, occasional, bewilder, noisy, satisfied, thoughtful, rob, drowsy, soft, gracious, heavy, serve, dull, hopeful, absorb, oppress, awkward, visible, dead, lustrous, feel, triumphant, airy.
Answer:
words – Noun
bathe – bath
red – redness
sure – surety
obey – obedience
close – closeness
sandy – sand
warm – warmth
new – newness
intense – intensity
good – goodness
wonderful – wonder
airy – air
dark – darkness
desperate – despair
wooden – wood
different – difference
believe – belief
reveal – revelation
hot – heat
grow – growth
thick – thickness
distant – distance
solid – solidity
die – death
proudly – pride
pretend – pretense
small – smallness
occasional – occasion
bewilder – bewilderment
noisy – noise
satisfied – satisfaction
thoughtful – thought
rob – robber
drowsy – drowsiness
soft – softness
gracious – grace
heavy – heaviness
serve – service
dull – dullness
hopeful – hope
absorb – absorption
oppress – oppression
awkward – awkwardness
visible – vision
dead – death
luster – lustrous
feel – feeling
triumphant – triumphantly

Grammar
A. Replace the Adverbs with Suitable adverb phrases.
1. Our guest will arrive
2. He spoke
3. Park your car
4. Read the book
5. The soldiers fought
6. He spoke on disarmament
7. The boys played
8. She completed the work
9. Their team played
10. He worked
11. My friend responded
12. She met her friend
13. Who was present with you
14. Corruption is the cheapest thing
15. She went away

B. Replace the following adverb phrases with suitable adverbs:
1. In India flourished a glorious civilization
2. Now we live in a
3. The workers completed the work
4. Pursue your aim
5. My mother treated the beggars
6. The thief entered into the room
7. The deer vanished into the forest
8. He broke his misfortune
9. The old man blessed me with
10. I shall join you r
11. He does it :
12. I called them .
13. She waited
14. He sold his commodities
15. The winning team returned

C. Fill in the blanks With “fairly” or “rather”.
1. His son is _________ clever.
2. Jatin’s answer is _________ better than’ Minu’s.
3. His daughter is __________a stupid girl.
4. He is __________ kind. You can approach him for help.
5. This packet is __________ small. I can easily take it in my pocket.
6. This packet is ___________ big. I can’t take it .
7. Your box is __________ small to contain all these articles.
8. This room is _________ precious. I like it.
9. This room is___________ spacious. I don’t like, such room.
10 The weather is _________ better today.
11. This room is _________ difficult to solve.
12. Your performance is _________ satisfactory.
13. Your son is a __________intelligent boy
14. He gave me a ________ silly book.
15. It is a __________good remark.

D. Complete the following sentences by adding suitable to infinite.
1. Do you like …………..
2. She agreed………..
3. The principal allowed us ………………
4. The society expects you……………
5. This dog is too heavy……………….
6. This bag is small enough ………………
7. The old woman wants someone ……………..
8. Will you give me something……………
9. Her story is too tragic…………..
10. She has an interesting story………………..
11. This essay is too difficult………………
12. I have nothing……………….
13. She does not know how………………
14. He didn’t know where …………………
15. We have many problems………………..
16. This poem is too philosophical………………
17. This pencil is too hard………………..
18. I do not know where……………………….
19. I request him…………………
20. I consented him……………………..

Answers:
A. The adverbs are replaced with suitable adverb phrases.
1. Our guest will arrive soon.
2. He spoke gently.
3. Park your car there.
4. Read the book thoroughly.
5. The soldiers fought bravely.
6. He spoke eloquently on disarmament.
7. The tyjys played cheerfully:
8. She completed the work satisfactorily.
9. Their team played carelessly.
10. He worked industriously.
11. My friend responded promptly.
12. She met her friend here.
13. Who was present with you then?
14. Corruption is the cheapest thing every where.
15. She went away hurriedly.

B. The given adverb phrases are replaced with suitable adverbs.
1. Once upon a time in India flourished a glorious civilization.
2. Now he lived in a foreign country.
3. The workers completed the work with satisfaction.
4. Pursue your aim with resolution.
5. My mother treated the beggars with kindness.
6. The thief entered into the room in silence.
7. The deer vanished into the forest at a great speed.
8. He bore his misfortune with patience.
9. The old man blessed me with all his heart.
10. I shall join you in a short while.
11. He does it as a habit.
12. I called them in a loud voice.
13. She waited with great anxiety.
14. He sold his commodities with profit.
15. The winning team returned in triumph.

C. The blanks are filled with ‘fairly’ or ‘rather’.
1. His son is fairly clever.
2. Jatin’s answer is rather better than Minu’s.
3. His daughter is rather a stupid girl.
4. He is fairly kind. You can approach him for help.
5. This packet is fairly small. can easily take it in my pocket.
6. This packet is rather big. I can’t take it
7. Your box is rather small to contain all these articles.
8. This room is fairly precious. 1 like it.
9. This room is rather specious. I don’t like such room.
10. The weather is fairly better today.
11. This sum is rather difficult to solve.
12. Your performance is fairly satisfactory.
13. Your son is fairly intelligent hoy.
14. He gave me a rather silly look.
15. It is a fairly good remark.

D. The sentences are completed by adding suitable to infinite.
1. Do you like to organise a party?
2. She agreed to help his friend.
3. The principal allowed us to fill in the forms.
4. The society expects you to do something spectacular.
5. This dog is too heavy to lift.
6. This bag is small enough to contain all these items.
7. The old woman wants someone to help her.
8. Will you give me something to eat?
9. Her story is too tragic to listen to.
10. She has an interesting stoiy to tell.
11. This essay is too difficult to write.
12. I have nothing to say.
13. She does not know how to drive.
14. He didn’t know where to go.
15. We have many problems to solve.
16. This poem is too philosophical to understand.
17. This pencil is too hard to write with.
18. I do not know where to go.
19. I request him to come.
20. I consented him to give money

Section – III

Questions For Discussion:
Question 1.
What ideas sweep Maggie’s mind after she returned home and threw herself on the bed? Do you mark the difference between Maggie’s feelings in Section-I and those in Section III? (Note: Wonder and Magic – they had gone out of everything: this line is a key to the understanding of the changed world of Maggie).
Answer:
After returning from the field, Maggie went upstairs, she threw herself down Upon the bed and she started thinking of the cruel face of the Honey Man and the bleeding dead bird came to her eyes repeatedly.

Question 2.
What did Maggie imagine when she heard voices between broken drift of sleep?
Answer:
Maggie imagined when she heard voices between broken drifts of sleep that perhaps the Honey Man had died.

Question 3.
How did she react when she was told that Cafferty had been injured ?’ Why did she think “everything had come right”?
Answer:
When Maggie came to know that Cafferty was injured she thought that he should die. She meant that right thing befalls a right man at right time.

Question 4.
Do you find in her a vengeful attitude? Does she feel that justice has been done? What impression do you form about her from her reaction to the Honey Man’s suffering?
Answer:
There is certainly a tone of vengeful attitude. She feels that justice has been meted out. This proves that Maggie’s reaction against killing the rainbow bird is at the apex.

Question 5.
What change do you mark in her in the last paragraph? Has there been a restoration of her world of joy and wonder? How did she imagine about the rainbow bird and the Honey Man.
Answer:
The deadly reaction of Maggie against the Honey Man continued up to the last stanza. She went on with the thought that the Honey Man was standing in the same place is before. The restoration is possible in dream. The rainbow bird and the Honey Man are antagonistic

Questions For Composition:
Question 1.
How does the rainbow bird created a world of wonder and magic for Maggie?
Answer:
The short story “The Rainbow Bird” is written by Vance Palmer, an eminent and outstanding storyteller. His stories are imaginative, thought-provoking and using. In this discussion story, his presentation of an Australian bird that is a Rainbow bird creating a world of wonder and magic for a little girl Maggie is really superb and fantastic. Actually, the rainbow bird automatically aggravated a World of wonder and magic in the psych of Maggie. The imaginative and attractive colour of the beautiful bird has already captivated her delicate mind. So her tender psyche is preoccupied with the idea of the bird and she thinks about it in every breath of her life. She feels disinterested like reading at home and school. In fact, she remains brooding’ over the fascinating bird which is undoubtedly for her a world of wonder and magic.

However, the imagination of the attractive coloured rainbow-bird has entirely captured her mind. She does not cherish any interest in her study at school. Whenever she gets a little bit of leisure, she starts brooding over the thought of seeing the bird. She gets enticed and bewitched by the bird and so runs to see it straightforwardly. She is accompanied by Don. The other students, of the school follow suit. She rushed to the spot to see the bird. But she discovers Cafferty the Honey Man there holding a gun. He has already hunted a rainbow bird before they arrive. The bird is blood-drenched. It is inside the Honey Man’s pocket. He dangles it in front of them. Maggie stands perplexed and shocked. Her heart becomes hardened and stupefied at the uncompromising shock. Out of utter disgust and irritation, she calls the Honey Man a ‘Beast’.

On the other hand, the Honey Man is determined to wipe all such type of tribes off the earth, because they are beefeaters. He moves away. Maggie and Don returned home. Father had been waiting /or their arrival outside. She scarcely eats any thing at home. Her mind has been highly sorrow-stricken by the thought of the dead bird and uncompromising hatred for the Honey Man. She goes upstairs directly without doing his home task’s. After a few minutes her mother arrives with a candle light. But she is being hunted by sleeplessness. She has nothing in her mind but the dead bird and the hideous man. Her mother informs her about that hideous man’s accident. So she starts thinking that such a brutal and hateful man should die.

Her mother marks that she has not slept till then. Even Maggie wanted to know whether he had died. She does not pay any heed to her mother saying that he is a good man. After all she returns to the dreamy state thinking about the dead bird and the brutal and hideous man like the, Cafferty. She thinks God must punish such a cruel man. As a matter of fact, the depiction of the imaginative and dreamy psyche of a little child. Maggie is superb and fantastic. Although imaginative, it on the other hand, carries a bit of truth which straightforwardly expresses the brutality of the man against the natural animals.

Question 2.
Discuss how the story comes full circle with restoration of Maggie’s world of joy and wonder.
Answer:
In fact, it is undoubtedly, accepted that the story “The Rainbow Bird” is one of the superb and fantastic creation of Vance Palmer, a prominent and outstanding story teller. Palmer’s description of Maggie’s world of joy and wonder is really inspiring and heart-enduring. The main character of the story is the little girl Maggie. She is school going. She remains under the hangover of dream and joy throughout the story. She remains in undated the thought of the bird anywhere atod everywhere. She only thinks of the beautiful bird at school. The thought of beautiful bud has disinterested her from her study. She only thinks about die bird on and on. She, is not at all aware of, anything else., Even she runs to see the bird whenever she gets a little bit of chance.

Actually, she is highly fascinated by the vision of this rainbow bird. She galloped with Don to see the bird. She was extremely surprised to discover Cafferty, the Honey Man there. It was that Honey Man who had already killed the rainbow bird. It was because such type of birds like rainbow bird eat the bees. He was standing there with a gun. He had already hunted a beautiful rainbow bird with his gun and kept it in one of his pockets. She was vehemently perplexed and shocked by the sight of that Honey Man. That man showed them the dead blood-drenched rainbow bird dangling it before their eyes. Maggie was entirely irritated by this and ran away with terror and nervousness. She fell
down on the grassy ground. She feels as if she were dead. She was so vexed and sorry that she could not express this by any words. She called him a ‘beast’. On the other hand, the cruel man only said that he was determined to wipe such birds from the earth because these are bee-eaters. Telling this, he departed from the place.

However, Don tried to console her and they returned home. Father had been waiting for them. They reached home and she went upstairs and laid on her bed. She started brooding over the dead hunted bird and about that hideous and brutal man. She came down for supper and then returned back to upstairs. she laid into the but sleep could not come to her eyes. The image 0f that crooked and brutal Honey Man pinched her mind again and over again. She saw the dangling of mat blood-drenched hunting bird in front of her eyes. she abuses on, Her mother marked her abnormal and odd behaviours. Her mother said m Honey Man would be taken to the hospital, as, he was injured hts though by an accident. Maggie thought that it was Gods not judgment for a hideous and cruel man like him. she got relieved because, the birds would be rescued from the clutches of a killer.

As a matter of fact, Palmer’s treatment of the story is really full circle with the restoration of Maggie’s world of joy and wonder. The opening of the story depicting Maggie’s world of joy and wonder ends with be same world of joy and wonder. The conclusion of the story at least provides solace and consolation and pacification to her perplexed and perverted mind of the middle of the story. In short, Palmer’s treatment of the story is superb, thought-provoking and alluring.

Question 3.
Give an account of the contrasting attitudes of Maggie and the other around her to the rainbow bird.
Answer:
In fact, the outstanding storyteller Vance Palmer of the story “The Rainbow Bird” is a superb master in his portrayal of contrasting characters. However, he has vividly observed the attitude of the contrasting characters who are varied and different in tone and temper. He has beautifully contrasted the characters in the following three sets –
i) Maggie and the other school children.
ii) Maggie and Don and
iii) Maggie and Cafferty.
Let us now discuss these contrasting characters in detail.

(i) Maggie and the other school children:
However, Maggie and the other schoolchildren stand in sharp contrast to one another. Maggie’s mind was only concerned with the vision of the beautiful rainbow bird at school. Her hair followed her intense, grape-dark eyes and she scarcely knew what she was writing. This was happening incessantly with her every day at school. On the other hand, die other students were not responsive as her; the colorful and fascinating bird. They squirmed in their seats and folded papers darts to throw across the room. Maggie lived for the intense attraction of seeing the colorful shape of the beautiful bird. After the school was over, she had a look at Don and raced down to the bottom fence along through the bushes that covered the side of the hill.

(ii) Maggie and Don:
Again, the second set of characters are Maggie and Don. They are also contrasted in their attitude towards the beautiful rainbow bird. It is certain that Don consented Maggie to escort her in order to see the GFC rainbow bird, but in reality, he was not so much esthetically bewitched by it. Again he was also not equally burr as Maggie was when they discovered Cafferty at the place having with a gun. Maggie’s running out in great sorrow and terror and falling down on the grass proved out of intense shock whereas Don kept on standing looking at the bereaved Maggie unconcerned with the blood-drenched dead rainbow bird.

(iii) Maggie and Cafferty:
However, the third set of contrasting characters and Maggie and Cafferty, the Honey Man. They are deeply contrasted in the story. They are just like two poles apart. They stand at the extreme ends in their attitudes towards the rainbow bird. In one hand, Maggie loves the little bright colourful beautiful bird, on the other hand, the Cafferty looks down upon such birds. It is because, they eat away the bees. Even he is determined to wipe the birds off the earth. Therefore, when Maggie is portrayed as love-incarnate and live-incarnate, the Honey Man is portrayed as death incinerate for the innocent beautiful birds. As a matter of fact, Palmer, depiction of the above contrasting set of characters is superb and excellent. Even he portrays them with their variegated and contrasting attitude. On the whole, Palmer’s portrayal is inspiring, alluring and heart-rendering.

Grammar:

Supply Preposition:
They panted ___________ the other hill and ____________ a cleared that lay_ them and the beach. Before the eyes __________ both __________. them was the deep cleft left by the store truck when it was bogged months before and the little round hole _________ a heap _________ sand __________ front __________ it. Such a tiny turned ___________ the side __________ the rut that no one would notice unless she saw the bird fly__________ They had cone ___________ it together when they were looking ___________ mushrooms, there had a sudden burr ____________ wings almost ____________ their feet, a shimmer___________ opal ____________ the sun-bright air and then a stillness as the bird settled ____________ the she-oak thirty yards away, making their hearts turn _________ the sheer beauty ___________ its bronze and luminous green.
Answer:
They panted up the other hill and across a cleared paddock that lay between them and the beach. Before the eyes, of both of them was the deep cleft left by the store truck when it was bogged months before and the little round hole with a heap of sand in front of it. Such a tiny turned m the side of the rut that no one would notice unless he saw the bird fly put. They had come on it together when, they were looking for mushrooms, there had a sudden burr of wings almost beneath their feet, a shimmer of opal in the sun-bright air and then a stillness as the bird settled on the sea-oak thirty yards away, making their hearts turn over with the shear beauty of its bronze and luminous green.

Notes on the story-writer and the Story:
Vance Palmer (1885-1959) is a Australian story writer who had considerable reputation among the Common Wealth literary figures. His writings are marked by an interesting portrait of the phenomenal world with its amazing beauty and wonder. With his deft sketch of manners and behavior especially the responses of the young, and tender minds, some of the stories are very impressively drawn. lie excels in the study of “the innocence of the oneself-conscious years” and ‘‘the beginning makes towards discoveries and disappointments which are an essential part of growing up”. His narrative is very often enriched by an evocative use of symbols.

The story in the beginning depicts the innocent joys of childhood days a visionary world of beauty and wonder. The rainbow bird with its multiple shining colours has a magic spell on the small girl. But, the joy and wonder does not last long: to the utmost shock and depression of the child it is totally demolished with the killing of the rainbow bird that represents for her entire world of enthralling beauty and splendor. The Honey Man for her Satan bent upon destroying God’s beautiful creation and design through to others beautiful creation and design through to others accident of the Honey Man, in her opinion, is retributive, and it signifies the ultimate triumph of good over evil.

With the grant of poetic and divine Justice,’ there is a restoration of the earlier world of magic and music, of course at the imaginative and psychic level of the child. The contrast between the two worlds is quite transparent. The rainbow bird has a symbolic significance, most of the lines in the story with their alliterative system have a poetic effect and serve as appropriate expression of the child’s shimmering world of beauty and wonder.

Section- I

Pre-reading Activity:
It is always a pleasure to remember how in your childhood days you ran after the colorful butterflies, how you wanted to keep pets and spend most of your time in their company and how you developed an attachment to the birds and animals. Here is a story depicting a small girl’s love and concern for a colorful Australian bird befittingly called the rainbow bird.

Gist:
Paragraphs: 1-9
Maggie’s mind had been deeply thinking about the sight of a bird. The bird was blue-green shot with gold, its tail an arrow. After the school was over, she had a look at Don. She was racing down to the bottom fence along through the bushes. Don was limping because of his sore toe. She ran breathlessly. She heard her friends call her to wait. She did not listen to them. She was coming back with beetle wings and cowries about in her matchbox.

Paragraphs: 10-14
They went up the bill across a cleared 21) small grass field. They encountered a crack which was sunk month .before. It was a little 22) round hole with a heap of sand before it. A 23) bird flew out of it. It was a rainbow bird. It 24) had come out of the rounded tunnel. Don had 25) wanted to put his hand in and feel if there were any young ones, but Maggie had caught his arm in despair. Her eyes were filled with tear. The bird was seen skimming through the air.

Analytical outlines:

• Maggie’s mind had been filled with the sight of a bird.
• The bird was blue-green shot with gold its tail an arrow.
• She did not know what she was writing.
• After the school was over, she had a look at Don.
• They raced towards the fence
• They raced through the bushes that covered the side of the hill.
• Don was limping.
• Because His toe was sore.
• Maggie had reached the bottom of the gully.
• Her friends woe calling her from the end of the playground.
• But she tried to shut their voices from her ears.
• None of them must find out her secret.
• She looked down upon their empty faces.
• She also despaired their coldly-mocking eyes.
• They made fun of her.
• Because she carried beetle wings.
• She cowries about in her matchbox.
• She did this to stare at under her desk.
• Maggie and Don went up the other hills.
• They went across a cleared paddock.
• The paddock was situated by the side of the beach.
• They had come on it together.
• They were looking for mushrooms.
• They heard a sudden burr of wings.
• They saw a shimmer of opal in die sun bright air.
• Then a stillness profiled the place.
• It was because the bird Settled on the she-oak tree.
• It was thirty yards away from them.
• It was a rainbow bird.
• It had come from the rounded tunnel in the sandy, place.
• The couch grass was growing there.
• Don had wanted to put his hand in.
• He felt of there were any young ones.
• But Maggie had caught his arm.
• She was looking desperate.
• The strange bird sat shining Put of the greenly-grass branches.
• She seemed to feel the puttering vibration of their feet along the ground.
• She stop and unobserved.
• It seemed as if the bird had fallen from the blue sky.
• Sometimes they saw her skimming through the air.
• While flying, it took long, sweeping curves and pausing at the top of the curve.
• The vision came back to Magg night before she closed her eyes in sleep.
• It belonged to a different world from the school the each.

Meanings of difficult words:

Blowfly – an insect that deposits its larval or carrier, excrement etc., or in the wounds of living animals.
squirmed – twisted the’ body as in pain or discomfort.
dart – a pointed missile, arrow.
skim – a thin layer, or film formed on a liquid.
cavern – a deep cave, hollow place.
gully – a water-worn ravine, a narrow channel made by rainwater.
beetle – an insect with hard horny forewings.
cowries -highly polished and usually brightly coloured shells,
growl – to utter a deep rough sound like a dog.
blazes – flames of fire.
paddock – a small grass field.
chafed – divided into two, crack.
bogged – sunk and stuck fast in a marsh or quagmire.
rut – a furrow made by wheels on soft ground.
burr – whisper or murmur.
shimmer – shine with a soft unsteady light.
opal – a type of white stone with changing colours in it.
she-oak – a variety of oak tree.
thistledown – the’ tufted feathery parachutes of thistle seeds,
luminous – clear, bright, shining.
desperate – furious, state of utter despair.

Section – II

Gist:
Paragraphs: 15-20
Maggie and Don quickly passed across the road. They went away the spindle-legged house with no fence around it. They also went away the red-roofed cottage where the bathing suits hung to dry. They thought that they would surely be out that afternoon. It was, indeed, surprising to observe those bits f of living colour down there in the dark. Of course, it would be much more amazing when/they would come out into the light. All on a sudden. Maggie started running snatching 1 Don’s arm. But Don prohibited her running. He said her that somebody was there. So they were to wait for some-time. Don stood glancing at the dark big figure on the slope ever looking the sea. It was Cafferty the Honey Man. He was standing almost on the nest looking down into the sea-oak by the beach. They saw him having a gun with him. The girl was terrified.

Paragraphs: 21-32
All on a sudden, Maggie started running. She became out of breath when she reached Cafferty. She asked him what he was doing with the gun there. She wanted to know whether he was shooting something. Actually, he had already killed a rainbow bird and put it in his pocket. He was waiting for its mate which would be killed within a short time. He I took the bird out of his pocket and dangled it. before her eyes. The girl fell on the turf calling him a ‘beast’.

Paragraphs: 33-36
Cafferty moved off down the beach. He was moving off shouldering his gun. His gait had a lumbering heaviness. Maggie was still lying prone on the turf, her face in her arms. Don watched her a while and ill-at-ease. Picking up the dead bird that Cafferty had thrown on the grass, he fingered it clum silly. He wondered if there were any bees in its crop. The boy called Maggie to rise because the other kids would be coming along very soon. She rose from the grass looking at the bird with reddened eyes. She told him to clutch away, but the boy insisted that he would make it home and skin it. But he hesitated for moment and then obeyed her.

Analytical outlines:

• Maggie and Don quickly passed across the road.
• They went away the spindle-legged house.
• It was having no fence around it.
• They also went away the red roofed cottage.
• In this, the bathing suits were hung to diy.
• They thought that they would surely be out that afternoon.
• It was, indeed, very surprising to observe these bits of living colour down there in the dark.
• Of course, it would be much more amazing.
• At any moment, they would come out into the light.
• Suddenly, Maggie started running.
• She snatched Don’s arm.
• But Don prohibited her running.
• He said her that somebody was there.
• So they were to wait for sometime.
• Don stood glancing at the dark big figure on the slope overlooking the sea.
• It was Cafferty, the Honey Man.
• He was standing almost on the nest.
• He was looking down into the sea-oak by the beach.
• They saw him having a gun with hint.
• The girl was terrified.
• All at sudden, Maggie started running.
• She became out of breath.
• She reached near Cofferty.
• She asked him what he was doing with the gun there.
• She wanted to know whether he was shooting something.
• Actually, he had already killed a Rambow bird.
• He put it in his pocket.
• He was waiting for its mate.
• He would kill its mate very soon.
• He took the bird out of his pocket.
• He dangled it before her eyes.
• The girl fell on the turf.
• She called him a ‘beast’.
• Cafferty moved off down the beach.
• He was moving off shouldering his gun.
• His gait had a lumbering heaviness.
• Maggie was still lying prone on the turf.
• Don watched her a while.
• He marked she was ill at ease.
• Picking up the dead bird, the Cafferty had thrown on the grass.
• He fingered it clumsily.
• He wondered if there were any bees in its crop.
• The boy called Maggie to rise.
• Because, the other kids would be coming along very soon
• She rese from the grass looking at the bird with reddened eyes.
• She told him to clutch it away.
• But the boy insisted that he would take it home.
• He would skin it at home.
• But he hesitated for a moment.
• At last, he obeyed her words.

Meaning of the difficult words:

cheeping – the chirping of a young bird, twittering of a bird.
mullet – a kind of sea-fish.
turf – surface of land matted with roots of grass.
dangled – hung in the air
ruffled – wrinkled, disordered.
plumage – a natural covering of feathers.
sheepish – embarrassed, in a trance.
hulking – bulky, heavy and clumsy.
humy – (Australian) any crude aborigine hut of shelter.
creek – small in let of sea or river, a watercourse smaller than a river.
vermin – harmful, small-sized disgusting insects difficult to control.
DinKum – (Australian) a swear meaning genuinely or honestly speaking.
Shanghai – drug applied to make somebody unconscious.
lumbering – moving clumsily or heavily.
crop – throat of a bird.

Section-III

Gist:
Paragraphs: 37-40
Father was waiting for Maggie and Don at the bowser outside the store. Don had to go for orders on his pony. Maggie went upstairs and threw herself down on the bed. Whenever she closed her eyes she could see the Honey Man’s evil face. After her evening meal she went upstairs again without doing her homework. Her mother shouted for her but Maggie was still lying awake. She imagined herself running down the slope and stopping suddenly to see the bird. But she could recall nothing but the Honey Man and the bleeding dead bird.

Paragraphs: 41-50
It was raining lightly. So it was making scarcely any sound upon the roof. People were coming and going in the store below. All other noises were dumped. She thought of buying the dead bird. Her mother appeared there with a candle. Her mother asked why she was not asleep till then.‘She also said that Mr. Cafferty had a little accident of When he had been waiting at the shop for ambulance in order to be taken into hospital. Listening to this Maggie’s eyes got widened. She wanted to know whether he was dead. Her mother replied negatively. He had an Injury on the thigh. So Maggie said that he had to die. Her mother could not grasp anything and was wanted to know why the child Was saying that. She also added that everybody loved the Honey Man and he would be right very soon. Her mother told her to sleep.’Maggie again kept thinking of the event.

Analytical outlines:

• Father was waiting for Maggie and Don.
• He was waiting at the bowser outside the store.
• Don had to go for orders on his pony.
• Maggie went upstairs
• She threw herself down on the bed.
• She tried to close her eyes.
• But she could see the Honey Man’s evil face.
• After her evening meal, she went upstairs again.
• She had not done her homework.
• Her mother shouted for her.
• But Maggie was still lying .awake.
• She imagined herself running down the slope.
• She stopped suddenly to see the bird.
• But she could remember nothing.
• She could recall Only the Honey Man.
• She could also remember the bleeding dead bird.
• It was raining lightly.
• So it was making scarcely any sound upon the roof.
• People were coming and going in the store below.
• All other tortoises were silent.
• She was thinking about buying the dead bird.
• Her mother appeared there with a candle.
• Listening to this, Maggie’s eyes got widened.
• Maggie wanted to know whether he.
• Her mother asked why she was not asleep till then.
• She also said that Mr. Cafferty had little accident.
• So, he had been waiting at the shop for ambulance.
• He wanted it in order to go to hospital.
• Listening to this, Maggie’s eyes got widened.
• Maggie wanted to know whether he was dead.
• Her mother replied negatively.
• She fold that he had an injury on the thigh.
• So Maggie said that he had to die.
• Her mother could not understand anything.
• She wanted to know about it.
• She added that everybody loved the Hopey Man.
• She wished that he would be all right very soon.
• Her mother told her to sleep.
• At last Maggie again kept thinking of that event.

Meaning of difficult words:
bowser – truck filled with a tank.
trudge – to walk with labour or effort.
flung – threw
swaggering round – walking with a sense of superiority.

Read More:

• The Rainbow-Bird Question Answer
• The Eyes Have It Question Answer
• The Little Wife Question Answer

Odisha State Board CHSE Odisha Class 11 Invitation to English 2 Solutions Non-Detailed Chapter 1 Three Questions Textbook Exercise Questions and Answers.

Class 11th Invitation English Non-Detailed Chapter 1 Three Questions Question Answers CHSE Odisha

Three Questions Class 11 Questions and Answers

Unit – 1

Gist :
A king was worried, because he had three questions constantly troubling him. He wanted to know what was the right time for the right work with the right person, who were the most important men whom he should consult and what was the most important work. Many learned persons came but failed to satisfy the king with their answers. Some said that the right time could be ascertained if the king consulted a table of days, months and years strictly. Others said the king should seek the help of a magician. In reply to the second question, some said the people the king most needed were the council of ministers, others said they were priests or doctors. To the third question, the answer was equally confusing. The king could not agree with anyone of them. So he decided to approach a learned hermit living in a wood. In other words, the hermit was living far from the madding crowd. He was famous for wisdom.

Glossary:
above all: more than anything else (ଅନ୍ୟ ସମସ୍ତ ବିଷୟଠାରୁ ଅଧିକ )
occurred: came to mind (ମୁଣ୍ଡକୁ )
proclaimed:  made known publicly or officially (ଆନୁଷ୍ଠାନିକ ଭାବରେ)
pastimes: things done to pass time pleasantly (ସମୟ)
Reward: prize (ପୁରସ୍କାର)
beforehand: in advance (ଆଗୁଆ)
letting: allowing (ଅନୁମତି)
absorbed: giving the whole mind to (ମଜ୍ଜିଯିବା)
skill: expertness (ବିଶେଷଜ୍ଞତା)
warfare: the state of being at war (ଯୁଦ୍ଧ)

Think it out

Question 1.
What were the three questions that occurred to the king? What did he do get the answers to his questions?
Answer:
The three questions that occurred to the king were if he was always aware of the right time to start everything, whether he had the knowledge of who the perfect people to listen to, and whom to get rid of, and at last if he was alive to do what the most genuine work to perform. To get the answers to his questions, he announced a great reward for anybody who would answer these three questions satisfactorily.

Question 2.
What answers did the wise men give to his first question?
Answer:
The happy prospect of being rewarded by the king fabulously attracted many wise men. They made a beeline to the presence of the king hoping to answer his questions. In reply to the first question, some suggested that the king ought to consult a table of days, months and years in order to know the right time to do the right work. Others advised him to consult a council. Yet there were some who even suggested to the king to seek the help of a magician in the matter.

Question 3.
How did the wise men answer his second question?
Answer:
In reply to the second question, the wise men were not unanimous in their answers. Some said that the king should consult his councillors. Others said he should consult priests and doctors; while some said the warriors were the most necessary.

Question 4.
What answers did the king get for his third question?
Answer:
The king got various answers for his third question from the wise men. In their opinion they differ from each other. Some wise men replied that the important thing in the world was science. To others, it was skill in warfare. The answer did not end there. Some other wise men replied that it was religious worship.

Question 5.
Why did he decide to consult a hermit?
Answer:
Different answers to his three important questions failed to satisfy the king. In other words, he did not subscribe to any of the answers provided by the wise men. There was a hermit who was exceedingly famous for his wisdom. Therefore, the king decided to consult a hermit.

Unit – II

Gist :
The king approached the hermit in the guise of a common man. The holy man was then digging a hole outside. He blessed the visitor and went about his work. The king asked him the three questions seeking his answers. But the hermit didn’t bother to answer the questions. He went on digging the hole as before. He looked very tired. The king took pity on the old man and offered his help. The hermit took rest and the king went on digging the hole till it was evening. He was now impatient and begged the holy man to answer his questions. But the holy man was as silent as before. In the mean time, a man came running towards them.

He was bleeding profusely from a wound in his stomach. The king was moved and washed the man’s wound and bandaged it. The hermit served the man too. Both of them carried the wounded man inside and laid him on a bed. Being tired the king fell asleep on the threshold. When he woke up, he heard the wounded man aplogising to him. It was now revealed that the man was a former enemy of the king who had followed him to kill him, but he was found out by the king’s bodyguards and was mortally wounded by them. The man said that if the king had been late, he would have killed him. The king was happy to know that a die hard enemy of his had been won over so easily. The wounded man swore to devote the rest of his life serving the king.

Glossary:
quitted : left ବାମ
cell : a single room ଗୋଟିଏ କୋଠରୀ
hermit : a holy person living alone ଏକ ପବିତ୍ର ବ୍ୟକ୍ତି
dismounted : climbed down ବିସର୍ଜନ
approached : went towards ଆଡକୁ ଗଲା |
unfastened : opened ଖୋଲିଲା
soaked : wet ଓଦା
ceased : stopped ଅଟକି ଗଲା
revived : got well again ପୁଣି ଭଲ ହୋଇଗଲା
crouched down : ଆଣ୍ଠେଇ
threshold : doorstep ସୀମା
frail : weak and thin ଦୁର୍ବଳ ଏବଂ ପତଳା
spade: an instrument for digging (କୋଡ଼ି)
fainting : collapsing (ଅଚେତ, ବେହୋସ )
moaning : making a low mournful sound ଏକ କମ୍ ଶୋକର ଶବ୍ଦ ଶୁଣିବା
feebly: slowly (ଧୀରେ ଧୀରେ)
intently : eagerly ଉତ୍ସାହର ସହିତ
executed : punished by death ମୃତ୍ୟୁ ଦ୍ୱାରା ଦଣ୍ଡିତ
ambush : hiding ଲୁଚି
restore : to give back ଫେରାଇବାକୁ

Think it out :

Question 1.
Where did the king meet the hermit? How did the hermit receive the king?
Answer:
The king clad in simple clothes met the hermit in the wood which was his permanent abode. The hermit’s meeting was only confined to the common folk. However, he received the king as usual. There was not a touch of extra-ordinariness about it. After greeting the king, the hermit kept on digging the ground in front of his hut.

Question 2.
How did the king help the hermit?
Answer:
The king saw the hermit digging the ground single-handedly. The old man was weak and frail and skinny. He seemed exhausted. The king took pity on him and kind as he was, he wished to lend a helping hand to the holy man. He took the spade from him and dug the ground himself. Thus, the king helped the hermit.

Question 3.
How did the king nurse the wounded stranger?
Answer:
As soon as the king saw the wounded stranger, he along with the hermit opened his clothing. He carefully washed and bandaged the large wound in his stomach with his handkerchief, yet the blood kept on flowing. Therefore, the king again and again removed the bandage soaked with blood, and washed and bandaged it once again. At last blood stopped flowing. The injured man came to his senses and asked for water. The king rose to the occasion. At last, he along with the hermit carried the wounded stranger to the hut.

Question 4.
Why did the wounded person desire to serve the king as his most faithful slave?
Answer:
The wounded man was a die-hard enemy of the king. The king had executed his brother and confiscated his property. So the man wanted to take revenge by killing the king while he was paying visit to the hermit alone. But the way with which the king nursed him and saved his life moved the man. It was unbelievable. The hostility he had nurtured for the king vanished. His heart was filled with repentance. Therefore, the wounded person desired to serve the king as his most faithful servant

Unit: III

Gist :
The king wanted to return to the palace. He again approached the hermit seeking answers to his questions. But the holy man replied smilingly that he had already had his answers. The right time is the time which is ‘now’, the right work is the work before you and the right person is the one with whom you are. The most important affair is to do good to the man who needs your help at the moment. The king understood everything. He took up the work that the holy man had been doing and that work and that time were the most important ones. The hermit who was before him was the most important man needing his care and attention.

Glossary :
taken leave of : ଛୁଟି
wounded : ଆହତ
injured : ଆହତ
porch : a covered entrance to a house ଗୋଟିଏ ଘରର ଆଚ୍ଛାଦିତ ପ୍ରବେଶ
sowing : scattering seeds over ବୁଣିବା
pitied : showed pity ଦୟା
attended to : treated ଚିକିତ୍ସିତ
made peace : ଶାନ୍ତି ସ୍ଥାପନ କଲା
dealings : treatment କାରବାର
that…. life ତାହା …. ଜୀବନ: God had sent man into this life for the welfare of all ସମସ୍ତଙ୍କ କଲ୍ୟାଣ ପାଇଁ man ଶ୍ବର ମନୁଷ୍ୟକୁ ଏହି ଜୀବନରେ ପଠାଇଥିଲେ

Think it out:

Question 1.
How did the hermit answer the king’s questions?
Answer:
Before taking leave of him, the king again asked the hermit to answer his three questions, but he was told that he had already been answered. The most important time for him the day before was when he was digging the bed, the most important man was the hermit. Afterwards when he attended to the wounded stranger that was the right time, the stranger the right man and the help given was the most important work otherwise the injured man would have died. Therefore the right time is always the present time, the most important man is one whom one deals with at that time and the right occupation is to help others.

Question 2.
Was the king satisfied with the hermit’s answers? Give a reasoned answer.
Answer:
The king was greatly satisfied with the hermit’s answers. Each answer the hermit gave to his questions was relevant. For instance, the enemy would have killed the king, had he not digged the ground and consequently, staying with him. The hermit’s focus on ‘now’ impressed him most. The king was satisfied, when the hermit wanted him to do good to the man of that moment is the most important affair, because
God has created man only for this purpose.

CHSE Odisha Class 11 English Three Questions Important Questions and Answers

Question 1.
Read through the extract and answer the questions that follow.
The hermit lived in a wood which he never quitted, and he received none but common folk. So the King put on simple clothes, and before reaching the hermit’s cell dismounted from his horse, and, leaving his body-guard behind, went on alone. When the King approached, the hermit was digging the gound in front of his hut. Seeing the King, he greeted him and went on digging. The hermit was frail and weak, and each time he stuck his spade into the ground and turned a little earth, he breathed heavily. The King went up to him and said : “I have come to you, wise hermit, to ask you to answer three questions: How can I learn to do the right thing at the right time ? Who are the people I most need, and to whom should I, therefore, pay more attention than to the rest ? And, what affairs are the most important, and need my first attention ?” The hermit listened to the King, but answered nothing. He just spat on his hand and recommenced digging.
“You are tired,” said the King, “let me take the spade and work awhile for you.”
“Thanks !” said the hermit, and, giving the spade to the King, he sat down on the ground.
When he had dug two beds, the King stopped and repeated his questions.
The hermit again gave no answer, but rose, stretched out his hand for the spade, and said: “Now rest awhile and let me work a bit.”
But the King did not give him the spade, and continued to dig. One hour passed, and another. The sun began to sink behind the trees, and the king at last stuck the spade into the ground, and said :
“I came to you, wise man, for an answer to my questions. If you can give me none, tell me so, and I will return home.”
“Here comes some one running,” said the hermit, “let us see who it is.”
The King turned round, and saw a bearded man come running out of the wood. The man held his hands pressed against his stomach, and blood was flowing from under them. When he reached the King, he fell fainting on the ground moaning feebly. The King and the hermit unfastened the man’s clothing. There was a large wound in his stomach.
Questions :
(i) Throw light on the hermit.
(ii) What picture of the king do you find in the extract?

Answers :
(i) The hermit lived in a forest. He was very fond of this place. He identified himself with the common man and shared their feelings. Against this backdrop, he received none except the common folk. He was the epitome of great values. He cordially greeted the king clad in common clothes, the hermit was thin and weak. He believed in the philosophy of duty. In spite of being physically weak, he was digging the soil with a spade. In him, the king found a wise man. He was interested to ask his questions to the hermit.

(ii) The extract presents the king in a bright light. He is averse to exhibiting his royal glamour. He was simple to the core. He meets the hermit, putting on simple clothes. He understands the feelings of the hermit. He is a kindhearted person. He cannot stand the sight of the hermit digging the soil with a spade. The king takes the tool from him and performs his work. Despite everything, his curiosity to ask his questions to the hermit and find answers does not diminish. The king also shows kidness to the injured bearded man.

Question 2.
Read through the extract and answer the questions that follow.
The King turned round, and saw a bearded man come running out of the wood. The man held his hands pressed against his stomach, and blood was flowing from under them. When he reached the King, he fell fainting on the ground moaning feebly. The King and the hermit unfastened the man’s clothing. There was a large wound in his stomach. The King washed it as best he could, and bandaged it with his handkerchief and with a towel the hermit had. But the blood would not stop flowing, and the King again and again removed the bandage soaked with warm blood, and washed and rebandaged the wound. When at last the blood ceased flowing, the man revived and asked for something to drink. The King brought fresh water and gave it to him. Meanwhile the sun had set, and it had become cool. So the King, with the hermit’s help, carried the wounded man into the hut and laid him on the bed. Lying on the bed the man closed his eyes and was quiet, but the King was so tired with his walk and with the work he had done, that he crouched down on the threshold, and also fell asleep- so soundly that he slept all through the short summer night. When he awoke in the morning, it was long before he could remember where he was, or who was the strange bearded man lying on the bed and gazing intently at him with shining eyes.
“Forgive me !” said the bearded man in a weak voice, when he saw that the King was awake and was looking at him.
“I do not know you, and have nothing to forgive you for,” said the King.
“You do not know me, but I know you. I am that enemy of yours who swore to revenge himself on you, because you executed his brother and seized his property. I knew you had gone alone to see the hermit, and I resolved to kill you on your way back. But the day passed and you did not return. So I came out from my ambush to find you, and I came upon your bodyguard, and they recognized me, and wounded me. I escaped from them, but should have bled to death had you not dressed my wound. I wished to kill you, and you have saved my life. Now, if I live, and if you wish it, I will serve you as your most faithful slave, and will bid my sons do the same. Forgive me !” The King was very glad to have made peace with his enemy so easily, and to have gained him for a friend, and he not only forgave him, but said he would send his servants and his own physician to attend him, and promised to restore his property.

Questions :
(i) What made the king enjoy a sound sleep?
(ii) Describe the meeting between the injured person and the king.

Answers :
(i) The king came forward to relieve the wise hermit of his work, because the latter was thin and weak. He did not allow the hermit to go on digging with the spade. The king requested him to give him the spade. He kept on doing his work. The hermit want him to take rest, but in vain. In the meanwhile. a bearded person came running out of the wood, with blood gushing from the stomach. The king and the hermit rose to the occasion. At last, they helped him carry to the hut. Walk and work made the king dog-tired. At last, he fell a sound sleep.
(ii) The king learnt that the bearded man was his enemy, because of his act of executing his brother and seizing his property. Knowing that he had come alone to meet the hermit, the man had promised to slay him. On the way his soldiers recognised him and attacked him. But for the king’s compassion, he would have been bled to death. Again, the man expressed his wish to serve the king and be his most trusted servant, and begged the king’s forgiveness. The king was glad to establish peace with his enemy and promised to give his property back.

Question 3.
Read through the extract and answer the questions that follow.
Having taken leave of the wounded man, the King went out into the porch and looked around for the hermit. Before going away he wished once more to beg an answer to the questions he had put. The hermit was outside, on his knees sowing seeds in the beds that had been dug the day before.
The King approached him, and said:
“For the last time, I pray you to answer my questions, wise man.”
“You have already been answered !” said the hermit, still crouching on his thin legs, and looking up at the King, who stood before him.
“How answered? What do you mean ?” asked the King.
“Do you not see,” replied the hermit. “If you had not pitied my weakness
yesterday, and had not dug those beds for me, but had gone your way, that man would have attacked you, and you would have repented of not having stayed with me. So the most important time was when you were digging the beds, and I was the most important man, and to do me good was your most important business. Afterwards when that man ran to us, the most important time was when you were attending to him, for if you had not bound up his wounds he would have died without having made peace with you. So he was the most important man, and what you did for him was your most important business. Remember then : there is only one time that is important Now! It is the most important time because it is the only time when we have any power. The most necessary man is he with whom you are, for no man knows whether he will ever have dealings with any one else: and the most important affair is, to do him good, because for that purpose alone was man sent into this life !”

Questions :
(i) How was the king’s life saved?
(ii) What idea of the writer’s message do you get in the extract?

Answers :
(i) Kind hearted as the was, the king took pity on the hermit and wished to lend him a helping hand. He took the spade from the hermit and dug the ground till sunset. If he had not stayed with the holy person and gone away, he would have attacked by his enemy, who resolved to kill him. Because of his kindness and helpful nature his life was saved.
(ii) This extract forms the essence of the story ‘Three Questions”. Tolstoy here conveys a very salutary message to mankind. His emphasis on ‘now’ is a case in point. Man’s present moment always needs a careful attention. The writer brings home another fact that man’s life on this earth should not be meaningless. God has created him to serve mankind. Man should not lose sight of this fact.

Introducing the Author
Count Leo Tolstoy (1828-1910), a great moral teacher of recent times, was an eminent writer and thinker of Russia. In 1879, he underwent a spiritual transformation which he has described in his ‘Confession’. He was a staunch believer in God: his love for men was matchless. His amazing creativity finds expression in his books novels, plays and exhortations. His writings were censored, but nothing could stop him from preaching the virtues of self-purification, love and compassion for all forms of life. He had a great impact on Gandhiji, the sage-politician of India. His short stories are remarkable for great moral conviction and deep religious spirit. The style is simple and is packed with realistic details and colloquial diction purged of all rhetoric.

About the Story
Tolstoy’s ‘Three Questions’ gives us a piece of practical wisdom. It prescribes for man three moral ways of living. The scriptural persuasiveness of tone accounts for its impact and appeal. We are ever in need of guidance and wisdom to know the right way and time to do the right thing with the right person. But man is often at a loss to know this. So he gropes in moral and spiritual darkness and in his confusion and bewilderment does the wrong things detrimental to him and the society as well. Faced with such a situation, a king had to go to a hermit in the guise of a common man where he had to do hard work, spend the night and know things the hard way. As a reward, however, the answers he found were fully satisfactory and convincing.

Summary
Once, a king was in a pensive and reflective mood. He was racking his brain to find apt answers to three important questions – how to know the right time to do the right thing* how to know who the right people were to listen to, and what was the most important things to do. He thought that if he got answers to these tricky questions he could conduct his affairs smoothly and wisely.

Many learned people came to the palace to answer these questions. But the king found their answers quite unsatisfactory. The answers were various and even contradictory. In reply to the first question, some said that the king ought have to draw up a table of days, months and years and live strictly according to it. Others suggested that he should abandon idle pastimes and the habit of procrastination. In reply to the second question, the answers were equally confusing.

Some said that a council of wise men must be handy for ready consultation. Yet others suggested that the help of a magician ought to be sought in this regard. To the third question, as to what was the most important work or occupation, some replied that it was science; others said it was skill in warfare or religious worship. The king could agree with none of them. So he sought the advice of a learned sage living in a wood. The king went to the holy hermit in the guise of a common man. When he reached the hermitage, he saw the skinny hermit digging a hole. He was in sweats. The king asked him the three questions and begged him to answer them. But the hermit paid little heed to the king’s repeated queries. He went on digging till he was damn tired.

The king offered to dig the hole himself. The hermit handed over the spade to the king and took rest. The king dug and dug till it was night. The hermit was as silent as before. At this moment, a wounded man came running. The hermit and the king nursed him. The king bandaged his wound and forgot all about his questions. They carried the wounded man inside and laid him on the bed. The man fell silent. He seemed to have felt better. The king was so tired that he too fell asleep on the threshold. When he woke up, he saw that the wounded man was fixing his gaze on him. The identity of the wounded man was revealed.

He was a die-hard enemy of the king, who had followed him to kill him on his way to the hermitage. But as the king was detained long at the hermitage, he came out of his hide and was wounded mortally by the king’s bodyguards. The man apologised to the king and swore to be his faithful slave the rest of his life. The king was happy to know that he had won over his enemy with such ease. The king took leave of the wounded man and before leaving the hermitage, approached the hermit again.

He was now disgusted with the holy man’s puzzling silence. When he asked the questions for the last time, the hermit replied that he had already got the answers. The king was startled. But the holy man explained to him that the right time was the time at hand. It was ‘now’ which was most important. The king took pity on the hermit and helped him in the work. For him, that time was the most opportune one and that work was the most important one. The hermit was the most necessary man at that time. The most necessary man is he with whom one is at the moment and the most important affair is, to do him good. Man is sent into this life to serve his fellow beings. The king got his answers and returned to the palace wiser and more enlightened.

ସାରାଂଶ :

ଲିଓ ଟଲ୍‌ଷ୍ଟୟଙ୍କଦ୍ବାରା ରଚିତ ଉକ୍ତ କ୍ଷୁଦ୍ରଗଳ୍ପଟିରେ ମଣିଷମାନଙ୍କ ପାଇଁ ଏକ ଅମୂଲ୍ୟ ଉପଦେଶ ପ୍ରଦାନ କରାଯାଇଅଛି । ପ୍ରତ୍ୟେକ ମଣିଷ ଆପଣାର ଜୀବନ କ୍ଷେତ୍ରରେ ବହୁ ଘାତ ପ୍ରତିଘାତର ସମ୍ମୁଖୀନ ହୋଇ ଭୂଲୁଣ୍ଠିତ ହେବାବେଳେ ଭାବିବସେ ଯେ ଯଦି ସେ ସଫଳତା ହାସଲ କରିବାର ଉପାୟ ଓ କଳାଟିକୁ ଜାଣିପାରନ୍ତା, ସେ ହୁଏତ ଆପଣାର ଜୀବନଟିକୁ ସରସ, ସୁନ୍ଦର ଓ ଋଦ୍ଧିମନ୍ତ କରିପାରନ୍ତା । ସେ ଜାଣେନାହିଁ ଯେ ସାଫଲ୍ୟର ଚାବିକାଠି ତା’ର ହାତ ପାହାନ୍ତାରେ, ତା’ର ଚେତନାର ଉପର ସ୍ତରରେ – ଖାଲି ଯାହା ତାହାର ଦୃହକ୍ଳିଷ୍ଟ, ବିକ୍ଷୁବ୍‌ଧ ମାନସିକତା ଯୋଗୁଁ ସେ ଏବେ ବି ଅଜ୍ଞାନ ଅନ୍ଧକାରରେ ଆଚ୍ଛନ୍ନ, ମରୀଚିକାର ପଛରେ ନିୟତ ଧାବମାନ ।

ଏକଦା ଜଣେ ରାଜାଙ୍କର ମନେହେଲା ଯେ ଯଦି ସେ ତିନୋଟି ପ୍ରଶ୍ନର ଉତ୍ତର ପାଇପାରନ୍ତେ, ତେବେ ସେ କେବେହେଲେ ବିଫଳତାର ଗହ୍ଵରରେ ପତିତ ହୁଅନ୍ତେ ନାହିଁ । ପ୍ରଥମ ପ୍ରଶ୍ନ – କାର୍ଯ୍ୟ ଆରମ୍ଭ କରିବାର ପ୍ରକୃଷ୍ଟ ସମୟ କ’ଣ ? ଦ୍ଵିତୀୟ ପ୍ରଶ୍ନ – ଉତ୍ତମ ପରାମର୍ଶଦାତା ଓ ଉତ୍ତମ ବ୍ୟକ୍ତି କିଏ ଯାହାଙ୍କ ଉପରେ ସେ ନିର୍ଭର କରିପାରିବେ ଏବଂ ଯାହାଙ୍କ ପାଇଁ ସେ ଆପଣାକୁ ଉତ୍ସର୍ଗ କରିପାରିବେ ? ତୃତୀୟ ପ୍ରଶ୍ନ – ସର୍ବୋତ୍କୃଷ୍ଟ କାର୍ଯ୍ୟଟି କ’ଣ ? ଯଥା ସମୟରେ ରାଜ୍ୟସାରା ଡେଙ୍ଗୁରା ଦିଆଗଲା । ଯେଉଁ ବିଜ୍ଞବ୍ୟକ୍ତି ରାଜାଙ୍କର ଏହି ତିନୋଟି ପ୍ରଶ୍ନର ଉତ୍ତର ଦେଇପାରିବେ ତାଙ୍କୁ ବିପୁଳ ଭାବରେ ପୁରସ୍କୃତ କରାଯିବାର ଘୋଷଣା କରାଗଲା । କିନ୍ତୁ ହାୟ, ଅନେକ ବିଜ୍ଞବ୍ୟକ୍ତି ପୁରସ୍କାର ଲୋଭରେ ପ୍ରଶ୍ନର ଉତ୍ତର ଦେବାକୁ ଚେଷ୍ଟାକଲେ ମଧ୍ୟ ରାଜା କୌଣସି ଉତ୍ତରରେ ସନ୍ତୁଷ୍ଟ ହୋଇପାରିଲେ ନାହିଁ । ଭିନ୍ନ ଭିନ୍ନ ବିଜ୍ଞବ୍ୟକ୍ତି ଭିନ୍ନ ଭିନ୍ନ ଉତ୍ତର ଦେଲେ ।

ପ୍ରଥମ ପ୍ରଶ୍ନର ଉତ୍ତରରେ କିଏ ଉପଦେଶ ଦେଲେ ଗୋଟିଏ ଉତ୍ତମ ପଞ୍ଜିକାରୁ କାର୍ଯ୍ୟାରମ୍ଭର ସଠିକ୍ ତିଥି, ବାର, ନକ୍ଷତ୍ର ଜାଣିବାକୁ ତ ଅନ୍ୟ କେତେକ ବେଶ୍ ଦାର୍ଶନିକ ଭାବରେ ଉପଦେଶ ଦେଲେ ଯେ ରାଜା ଆଳସ୍ୟର ବଶବର୍ତ୍ତୀ ନ ହୋଇ ଯେଉଁ କାର୍ଯ୍ୟ ଯେତେବେଳେ କରିବାର କଥା ତାହା ଯଥାଶୀଘ୍ର ସମ୍ପାଦନ କରିବା ଶ୍ରେୟସ୍କର । ସେହିଭଳି ଦ୍ୱିତୀୟ ପ୍ରଶ୍ନର ଉତ୍ତରରେ କିଏ ରାଜାଙ୍କୁ ମନ୍ତ୍ରିପରିଷଦ ଉତ୍ତମ ପରାମର୍ଶ ଦେଇପାରିବେ ବୋଲି କହିଲେ ତ ଆଉ କେତେକ ରାଜପୁରୋହିତ କିମ୍ବା ରାଜବୈଦ୍ୟ କିମ୍ବା ସୈନ୍ୟସାମନ୍ତ ଉପଯୁକ୍ତ ବ୍ୟକ୍ତି ବା ପରାମର୍ଶଦାତା ବୋଲି ଘୋଷଣା କଲେ । ତୃତୀୟ ପ୍ରଶ୍ନର ଉତ୍ତରରେ କିଏ ଜ୍ଞାନାର୍ଜନ ସର୍ବଶ୍ରେଷ୍ଠ ବୃତ୍ତି ବୋଲି କହିଲେ ତ ଆଉ କିଏ ଯୁଦ୍ଧବିଗ୍ରହ କିମ୍ବା ଧାର୍ମିକ ଅନୁଷ୍ଠାନମାନ ଉତ୍ତମ ବୃତ୍ତି ବୋଲି କହିଲେ । ସୁତରାଂ ରାଜା ତିନୋଟି ପ୍ରଶ୍ନର କୌଣସି ସଠିକ୍ ସନ୍ତୋଷଜନକ ଉତ୍ତର ପାଇପାରିଲେ ନାହିଁ ଏବଂ ତାଙ୍କର ଜିଜ୍ଞାସା ପ୍ରବଳରୁ ପ୍ରବଳତର ହେଲା । ପରିଶେଷରେ ରାଜା ରାଜ୍ୟର ଏକ ଅରଣ୍ୟର ନିକାଞ୍ଚନ ପରିବେଶରେ ଏକ କୁଟୀରରେ ରହୁଥ‌ିବା ଜଣେ ଜ୍ଞାନୀ ସାଧୁଙ୍କ ପାଖକୁ ତାଙ୍କ ପ୍ରଶ୍ନର ଉତ୍ତର ପାଇବାପାଇଁ ଛଦ୍ମବେଶରେ ଗଲେ ।

ସାଧୁଙ୍କ ବାସସ୍ଥାନର ଅନତି ଦୂରରେ ରାଜାଙ୍କର ଅଙ୍ଗରକ୍ଷକମାନେ ରହିଲେ । ରାଜା ଘୋଡ଼ାରୁ ଓହ୍ଲାଇ ଏକ ସାଧାରଣ ଜନତାର ଛଦ୍ମବେଶରେ ସାଧୁଙ୍କୁ ଭେଟିବାକୁ ଗଲେ । ଯେତେବେଳେ ରାଜା ସାଧୁଙ୍କୁ ଭେଟିଲେ, ସେତେବେଳେ ସେହି ଜ୍ଞାନୀ ବୃଦ୍ଧି ଆପଣାର କୁଟୀରର ବାହାର ପ୍ରଦେଶରେ ମାଟି ହାଣି ଏକ ଶସ୍ୟପଟାଳି ତିଆରି କରିବାରେ ବ୍ୟସ୍ତ ଥା’ନ୍ତି । ଦୁର୍ବଳ ଶରୀର ତାଙ୍କର କଠିନ କାର୍ଯ୍ୟ ପାଇଁ ଅନୁପଯୁକ୍ତ ଥିଲେ ବି ସାଧୁ ନିର୍ବିକାର ଭାବରେ ମାଟି ଖୋଳି ଚାଲିଥା’ନ୍ତି । ରାଜା ଖୁବ୍ ବିନମ୍ରତାର ସହ ସାଧୁଙ୍କୁ ନିଜର ଆସିବାର ଅଭିପ୍ରାୟ ଜଣାଇଲେ ଏବଂ ତିନୋଟି ପ୍ରଶ୍ନର ଉତ୍ତର ଦେବାପାଇଁ ଅନୁରୋଧ କଲେ; କିନ୍ତୁ ସାଧୁଜଣଙ୍କ ରାଜାଙ୍କ ପ୍ରଶ୍ନ ଶୁଣି ନ ଶୁଣିବାର ଅଭିନୟ କଲେ ଏବଂ ପୂର୍ବବତ୍ ମାଟିଖୋଳା କାମରେ ଲାଗିପଡ଼ିଲେ । ଦୟାଳୁ ରାଜା ସାଧୁଙ୍କୁ କାର୍ଯ୍ୟରେ ସାହାଯ୍ୟ କରିବାପାଇଁ ନିଜେ ମାଟି ଖୋଳିବାରେ ଲାଗିଲେ ଓ ସାଧୁଜଣଙ୍କ ବିଶ୍ରାମ ନେବାପାଇଁ ବସିପଡ଼ିଲେ । ଘଣ୍ଟା ଘଣ୍ଟା ଧରି ରାଜା ଶସ୍ୟପଟାଳି ହାଣି ଚାଲିଲେ ମଧ୍ୟ ସାଧୁ ତାଙ୍କ ପ୍ରଶ୍ନର ଉତ୍ତର ଦେଲେ ନାହିଁ ।

ସନ୍ଧ୍ୟା ଉପନୀତ । ଦୂରରୁ ଜଣେ ବ୍ୟକ୍ତି ବିକଳ ଚିତ୍କାର କରି ଦୌଡ଼ିଆସି ସାଧୁ ଓ ରାଜାଙ୍କ ପାଖରେ ଭୂପତିତ ହେଲେ । ତାଙ୍କର ପେଟରେ ଏକ ବିରାଟ କ୍ଷତ ଏବଂ ସେଥିରୁ ପ୍ରବଳ ରକ୍ତସ୍ରାବ ହେଉଥାଏ। ରାଜା ଓ ସାଧୁ ତା’ର ଉପଯୁକ୍ତ ସେବାଯତ୍ନ କଲାପରେ ଲୋକଟି ସାଷ୍ଟମ ହେଲା । ରାଜା କ୍ଲାନ୍ତ ହୋଇଥିବାରୁ କୁଡ଼ିଆର ଗୋଟିଏ କୋଣରେ ଶୋଇ ପଡ଼ିଲେ । ନିଦରୁ ଉଠିବା ପରେ ସେ ଜାଣିଲେ ଯେ ଯେଉଁ ବ୍ୟକ୍ତିର ସେ ସେବାଶ୍ରୁଶ୍ରୂଷା କରିଥିଲେ ସେ ତାଙ୍କର ଜଣେ ଘୋର ଶତ୍ରୁ ଯିଏକି ତାଙ୍କୁ ମାରିବାପାଇଁ ଅରଣ୍ୟକୁ ଆସିଥିଲା । ଯାହାହେଉ, ସେ ଲୋଟି ବର୍ତ୍ତମାନ ଅନୁତପ୍ତ ଏବଂ ସବୁଦିନ ପାଇଁ ରାଜାଙ୍କର ବିଶ୍ବସ୍ତ ଭୃତ୍ୟ ହୋଇ ରହିବାପାଇଁ ସେ ଶପଥବଦ୍ଧ ହେଲା । ଖୁବ୍ ସହଜରେ ଆପଣାର ଜଣେ ପ୍ରଚଣ୍ଡ ଶତ୍ରୁର ହୃଦୟ ଜୟ କରିପାରିଥିବାରୁ ରାଜା ଆନନ୍ଦିତ ହେଲେ । ତେବେ ଆଉ ବେଶି କାଳ ସାଧୁଙ୍କ କୁଟୀରରେ ରହିବା ଆବଶ୍ୟକତା ନ ଥ‌ିବାରୁ ସେ ଯିବାକୁ ବାହାରିଲେ; କିନ୍ତୁ ରାଜପ୍ରାସାଦକୁ ଫେରିଯିବା ପୂର୍ବରୁ ଶେଷଥର ପାଇଁ ସାଧୁଙ୍କଠାରୁ ତିନୋଟି ପ୍ରଶ୍ନର ଉତ୍ତର ଆଶାକରି ପୁନଶ୍ଚ ତାଙ୍କୁ ସେହି ପ୍ରଶ୍ନ ପଚାରି ବସିଲେ । ରହସ୍ୟମୟ ହସ ହସି ସାଧୁ କହିଲେ ଯେ ରାଜା ତାଙ୍କ ପ୍ରଶ୍ନର ଉତ୍ତର କେବେଠାରୁ ପାଇ ସାରିଛନ୍ତି । ଚକିତ ରାଜା ସାଧୁଙ୍କର ଏହି ଇଙ୍ଗିତ ବୁଝି ନ ପାରିବାରୁ ସାଧୁ ବୁଝାଇଦେଲେ ।

ଯେତେବେଳେ ରାଜା ସାଧୁଙ୍କୁ ମାଟି ହାଣିବାର ଦେଖ‌ିଲେ ଏବଂ ତାଙ୍କ ଉପରେ ଦୟାପ୍ରକାଶ କରି ତାଙ୍କୁ ସାହାଯ୍ୟ କରିବାପାଇଁ ନିଜେ ମାଟି ହାଣିଲେ, ସେ ତାଙ୍କର ଅଜ୍ଞାତସାରରେ ଆପଣାର ପ୍ରଥମ ପ୍ରଶ୍ନର ଉତ୍ତର ପାଇଗଲେ । କାର୍ଯ୍ୟ ଆରମ୍ଭ କରିବାର ପ୍ରକୃଷ୍ଟ ସମୟ ସର୍ବଦା ବର୍ତ୍ତମାନ । ତୁମ ସମ୍ମୁଖରେ ଯେଉଁ କାର୍ଯ୍ୟ ଉପସ୍ଥିତ, ସେହି ମୁହୂଉଁଟି ହିଁ ସେହି କାର୍ଯ୍ୟ ଆରମ୍ଭ କରିବାର ସର୍ବଶ୍ରେଷ୍ଠ ମୁହୂର୍ଭ । ତୁମ ସମ୍ମୁଖରେ ଯେଉଁ ବ୍ୟକ୍ତି ତୁମର ସାହାଯ୍ୟ ପାଇଁ ଉପସ୍ଥିତ, ସେହି ବ୍ୟକ୍ତି ହିଁ ତୁମ ପାଇଁ ସର୍ବଶ୍ରେଷ୍ଠ ବ୍ୟକ୍ତି ଏବଂ ସେହି ବ୍ୟକ୍ତିର ସେବା ହିଁ ତୁମର ସର୍ବଶ୍ରେଷ୍ଠ ବୃତ୍ତି । ଠିକ୍ ଯେମିତି ରାଜା ଆହତ ବ୍ୟକ୍ତିର ସେବା କରିଛନ୍ତି, ତାହାହିଁ ହେଉଛି ତାଙ୍କ ପାଇଁ ସର୍ବଶ୍ରେଷ୍ଠ କର୍ମ, ସର୍ବଶ୍ରେଷ୍ଠ ମୁହୂର୍ତ୍ତ ରାଜାଙ୍କର ଜ୍ଞାନୋଦୟ ହେଲା। ସେ ତାଙ୍କର ତିନୋଟି ପ୍ରଶ୍ନର ସନ୍ତୋଷଜନକ ଉତ୍ତର ପାଇ ପ୍ରାଜ୍ଞ ସାଧୁଙ୍କୁ ପ୍ରଣାମ କଲେ ଓ ସହର୍ଷ ମନରେ ରାଜପ୍ରାସାଦକୁ ଫେରିଆସିଲେ ।

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Odisha State Board CHSE Odisha Class 11 Invitation to English 1 Solutions Poem 3 The Inchcape Rock Textbook Exercise Questions and Answers.

Class 11th Invitation English Poem Chapter 3 The Inchcape Rock Question Answers CHSE Odisha

The Inchcape Rock Class 11 Questions and Answers

Unit – I
Gist with Glossary
Gist:
The poet presents a picture of stillness. The air, the sea, the ship, her sails, and the ocean all look motionless. The slow rise and fall of waves failed to move the Inchcape Bell, a dangerous reef off the east coast of Scotland near the mouth of the river of Tay. During sunny days it could be easily noticed but during a storm, the ships would meet their death because of it. So to solve this problem the Abbot of Aberbrothok placed a bell on this rock. The bell would be heard loud and clear during a storm and as a result, would warn the sailors that the fatal Inchcape Rock was near. His humanitarian deed helped many a sailor know the presence of the dangerous rock. It was but natural that the Abbot of Abberbrothok won their blessings.

Glossary:
Stir: movement.(ଗତି)
Still: motionless. (ସ୍ଥିର)
Keel: bottom part of the ship. ( ଜାହାଜର ତଳଭାଗ)
Inchcape Rock: a perilous reef off the east coast of Scotland near the mouth of the river Tay.
Placed: fixed .(ଥୋଇଦେଲେ)
Buoy: a floating object on the sea to mark a dangerous rock. (ସମୁଦ୍ରରେ ଏକ ଭାସମାନ ବସ୍ତୁ |ଏକ ବିପଜ୍ଜନକ ପଥର ଚିହ୍ନ କରିବାକୁ |)
Surge’S Well: the rise of the tidal waves. (ଜୁଆରିଆ ଢେଉର ଉତ୍‌ଥାନ)
The Mariners: the sailors. (ମେରାଇନର୍ସ)
Perilous: dangerous. (ଭୟଙ୍କର )

Think It Out

Question 1.
How does the poet describe the Inchcape Rock?
Answer:
The poet states that the Inchcape Rock was a few inches high above the surface of the sea in low tide and was completely covered by the sea in high tide or when the sea was rough.

Question 2.
Was the Inchcape Rock dangerous? Give your reasons.
Answer:
The Inchcape Rock was quite dangerous because during sunny days the huge stone could be easily noticed, but it was completely covered by the sea at a high tide or when the sea swelled. As a result, many ships had been wrecked.

Question 3.
Why did the Abbot place a bell on the Inchcape Rock?
Answer:
The Abbot placed a bell on the Inchcape Rock to warn the sailors of the presence of this fatal rock nearby.

Question 4.
When did the Inchcape bell ring?
Answer:
The Inchcape bell rang during a storm or when the sea swelled.

Question 5
Why did the mariners bless the Abbot?
Answer:
Mariners blessed the Abbot because he saved many imminent shipwrecks during the storm by placing a bell on the perilous Inchcape Rock. In other words, humanitarian deeds gave them strength where nature was inhospitable.

Unit – II
Gist with Glossary
Gist :
The poet describes the cheering power of spring. The glittering sun, the screaming of seabirds, and the visible Inchcape filled the air with great joy. The beauty of spring made Sir Ralph the Rover, a sea pirate, cheerful beyond words. But his cheerful spirit gave way to mischief. His eye was fixed on the Inchcape Rock. The bell placed by the Abbot of Abberbrothok was a great disadvantage for him because he plundered the ships that were wrecked by the Inchcape Rock. So he decided to cut the bell from the rock. He was very happy now since there was no more bell. There was a lot more loot! The sailors would not bless the Abbot of Abberbrothok anymore.

Glossary:
Gay: here brightly. (ଆନନ୍ଦରେ )
screamed: made a loud high cry. (ଚିତକାର କରୁଥିଲେ)
wheeled: turned around quickly. (ହଠାତ୍ ବୁଲିପଡ଼ିଲେ)
speck: a very small part.(ଏକ କ୍ଷୁଦ୍ର ଅଂଶ )
He fell…. spring: The pirate Ralph the Rover was in high spirits because of spring, a season of joy and excitement.
His heart…….. excess: the pirate’s joy knew no limits.
But…. wickedness: His pleasure gave way to mischief.
Quoth: said (କହିଲେ)
Put Out: (here) make the ship ready (ପ୍ରସ୍ତୁତ କର)
I’ll…..Aberbrothok: Sir Ralph the Rover is determined to cause pain to the Abbot of Aberbrothok by cutting the bell.
Down……..sound: The bell sunk beneath the tide producing a low sound.

Think It Out

Question 1.
How does the poet express ‘the cheering power of spring’?
Answer:
The poet expresses the cheering power of spring in terms of the bright sun, screaming birds, and joy in their sounds. Merriment was in the air.

Question 2.
How did Ralph come across the Inchcape Bell?
Answer:
Ralph came across the Inchcape Bell by walking his deck and focusing his attention on it when spring set in and it surfaced on the calm sea.

Question 3.
What was the effect of ‘the cheering power of spring’ on Ralph?
Answer:
The cheering power of spring made Ralph whistle and sing and filled his heart with great delight.

Question 4.
What kind of a person was Ralph? Which line tells you so?
Answer:
Ralph was a wicked person to the backbone. The line ‘His heart was mirthful to excess’ tells us so.

Question 5.
What act of wickedness did he do?
Answer:
He committed a wicked deed by cutting the bell that the Abbot of Aberbrothok had placed on the dangerous Inchcape Rock.

Question 6.
Why did he do the wicked act?
Answer:
He did the wicked act because the sailors would not bless the Abbot of Aberbrothok.

Unit – III
Gist with Glossary
Gist :
As a result of his plundering spree, Sir Ralph the Rover became very rich in no time and came back to the shore of Scotland. It was a very stormy day. There was a thick haze and a strong gale and it was nearing nighttime. It was so dark that they could hot see the land. Sir Ralph tried to give his sailors courage by saying that the moon would soon appear and that they would be able to see. However, they still could not see and everybody wished they could hear the Inchcape bell. The ship soon struck the rock and everybody was in despair. Sir Ralph was cursing himself as the ship was sinking beneath the tide. Even as he was dying, Ralph could hear one dreadful sound. It was as if it was the warning sound of the Inchcape bell, it was as if it was the sound of the Devil ringing his knell.

Glossary:
scoured: searched for ships in the sea for plundering (ରେ ଜାହାଜ ଖୋଜିଲା | ଲୁଣ୍ଠନ ପାଇଁ ସମୁଦ୍ର)
Many A Day: many days (ଅନେକ ଦିନ)
Plunder: loot (ଲୁଣ୍ଠନ)
Loot: dense (ଘନ, ଘଞ୍ଚ)
Haze: fog (କୁହୁଡ଼ି)
Gale: storm (ଝଡ଼)
Died Away: stopped (ବନ୍ଦ ହୋଇଗଲା)
Canst: can
Swell: rise (ଉତ୍‌ଥାନ)
Strikes: hits (ବାଡ଼ି ହୋଇଗଲା )
Shivering: trembling ( ଦୋଳାୟମାନ )
‘Oh….. Rock’: The helplessness of the mariners is indicated by deep shock
Despair: misery (ଦୁର୍ଦ୍ଦଶା )
Dreadful : fearful (ଭୟଙ୍କର )
The Devil…. knell: This line signifies Ralph’s death.

Think It Out

Question 1.
How did Ralph become rich?
Answer:
Ralph became rich by plundering the ships that met with wrecks.

Question 2.
Why did the ship lose its way in the sea while it was heading towards Scotland?
Answer:
The ship lost its way in the sea while it was heading towards Scotland because of a dense fog and a strong gale. Besides, it was nearing nighttime.

Question 3.
Why did a mariner think that they were near the shore?
Answer:
A mariner thought that they were near the shore.

Question 4.
‘Oh, Christ! it is the Inchcape Rock’ – why did the mariners exclaim so?
Answer:
The mariners exclaimed so in their stale hopelessness. To their stunned disbelief, they feel the presence of the dangerous Inchcape Rock and consequently think of their imminent death. In Christ, they see their savior.

Question 5.
Why did Sir Ralph curse himself?
Answer:
Sir Ralph cursed himself because he realized that his notorious act of cutting the bell to tarnish the image of the Abbot of Aberbrothok paved the way for the sinking of his own ship in the roaring waves of the sea.

Question 6.
‘The Devil below was ringing his knell.’- what does this expression mean?
Answer:
The expression ‘The Devil below was ringing his knell’ means the death of the notorious Ralph the Rover. Even as he was dying, he could hear one fearful sound as if it was the warning sound of the Inchcape bell. It was as if the Devil was ringing the sound of his disaster.

Question 7.
Do you find this poem musical? The rhyme scheme of the first stanza is AABB (sea-A, be-A, motion-B, ocean-B). Is the rhyme scheme the same for all the stanzas?
Answer:
We find this poem completely musical. The poet’s profuse use of alliteration ‘S’ sea/ship/still and so on justifies this fact. The rhyme scheme is the same for all the stanzas.

CHSE Odisha Class 11 English The Inchcape Rock Important Questions and Answers

A.Short Answer Type Questions with Answers

1. Read through the extract and answer the questions that follow.

No stir in the air, no stir in the sea,
The ship was still as she could be,
Her sails from heaven received no motion,
Her keel was steady in the ocean.

Without either sign or sound of their shock
The waves flowed over the Inchcape Rock;
So little they rose, so little they fell,
They did not move the Inchcape Bell.

The Abbot of Aberbrothok
Had placed that bell on the Inchcape Rock;
On a buoy in the storm it floated and swung,
And over the waves its warning rung.

When the Rock was hid by the surge’s swell,
The mariners heard the warning bell;
And then they knew the perilous Rock,
And blessed the Abbot of Aberbrothok.

Questions :
(i) What picture do the first two lines present?

(ii) “Her sails from heaven received no motion;” What does the expression ‘Her sails’ refer to?

(iii) In spite of flowing over the Inchcape Rock, why didn’t the waves move its bell?

(iv) What made the Inchcape Rock unseen?

(v) What picture of the Abbot of Aberbrothok do you get in the extract?

Answers :
(i) The first two lines present a graphic description of calm nature. There is no movement either in the air or any roar in the sea. The ship was motionless,

(ii) The expression ‘Her sails’ refers to the ship’s sails.

(iii) The waves did not move Inchcape bell, in spite of flowing over the Inchcape Rock, because of their excessively slow rise and fall.

(iv) Rise of the tidal waves made the Inchcape Rock unseen.

(v) The extract presents a picture benevolence associated with the Abbot of Aberbrothok. His act of placing the bell on Inchcape Rock for the interest of the mariners is a case in point.

2. Read through the extract and answer the questions that follow.

The sun in heaven was shining gay,
All things were joyful on that day;
The sea-birds screamed as they wheeled round
And there was joyance in their sound.

The buoy of the Inchcape Bell was seen
A darker speck on the ocean green;
Sir Ralph the Rover walked his deck,
And he fixed his eye on the darker speck.

He felt the cheering power of spring;
It made him whistle, it made him sing;
His heart was mirthful to excess.
But the Rover’s mirth was wickedness

Questions :
(i) How does the poet describe the sun?

(ii) What did the seabirds do and what did they produce?

(iii) How do you account for the repetition of ‘darker speck’?

(iv) “It made him whistle.” What does ‘It’ refer to?

Answers :
(i) The poet gives a description of the bright sun.

(ii) The seabirds screamed as they wheel around. There was joy in their sound.

(iii) Sir Ralph the Rover could not take his eye off the darker speck visible on the green ocean. Later his act of dealing with it becomes the focus of the poem and the repetition.

(iv) ‘It’ refers to the cheering power of spring.

3. Read through the extract and answer the questions that follow.

His eye was on the Inchcape float;
Quoth he, ‘My men, put out the boat,
And row me to the Inchcape Rock,
And I’ll plague the Abbot of Aberbrothok’

The boat is lowered, the boatmen row,
And to the Inchcape Rock they go;
Sir Ralph bent over from the boat,
And he cut, the Bell from the Inchcape float.

Down sunk the Bell with a gurgling sound;
The bubbles rose and burst around;
Quoth Sir Ralph, ‘The next who comes to the Rock
Won’t bless the Abbot of Aberbrothok.’

Questions :
(i) What did Ralph say to his men?

(ii) ‘And I’ll plague the Abbot of Aberbrothok” – what aspect of Ralph’s character does this describe?

(iii) How did Ralph cut the bell?

(iv) What happened after he cut the bell?

(v) ‘Quoth Sir Ralph, ‘The next who comes to the Rock
Won’t bless the Abbot of Aberbrothok.’
What device does the Southey use here?

Answers :
(i) Ralph said to his men to get the boat ready and row him to the Inchcape Rock.
(ii) This line presents Ralph as a sadist.

(iii) Ralph cut the bell by bending over the boat.

(iv) After he cut the bell, it sunk down into the sea making a gurgling sound.

(v) The device poet Southey uses here is irony. Sir Ralph the Rover cut the Inchcape bell and eventually paid the penalty.

4. Read through the extract and answer the questions that follow.

Sir Ralph the Rover sailed away,
He scoured the seas for many a day;
And now grown rich with plundered store
He steers his course for Scotland’s shore.

So thick a haze o’erspreads the sky
They cannot see the sun on high;
The wind hath blown gale all day,
At evening it hath died away
On the deck the Rover takes his stand.

So dark it is they see no land.
Quoth Sir Ralph, ‘It will be lighter soon,
For there is a dawn of the rising moon.’

‘Canst hear’, said one ‘the breakers roar?
For methinks we should be near the shore’
‘Now where we are I cannot tell,
But I wish I could hear the Inchcape Bell.’

Questions :
(i) What did Sir Ralph do for many days?

(ii) Why were the mariners not able to see the sun?

(iii) When did the wind stop?

(iv) Why was the land not visible to the mariners?

(v) What did a mariner wish?

Answers :
(i) Sir Ralph searched for the ships in the sea and kept on plundering them for many days.

(ii) The mariners were not able to see the sun, because of dense fog that had overspread the sky.

(iii) The wind stopped in the evening.

(iv) The land was not visible to the mariners, because it was dark everywhere.

(v) A marinor wished he had heard the Inchcape Bell

5. Read through the extract and answer the questions that follow.

They hear no sound; the swell is strong;
Though the wind hath fallen they drift along,
Till the vessel strikes with a shivering shock
‘Oh Christ ! It is Inchcape Rock’.

Sir Ralph the Rover tore his hair,
He cursed himself in his despair;
The waves rush in on every side;
The ship is sinking beneath the tide.

But even in his dying fear
One dreadful sound could the Rover hear,
A sound as if with the Inchcape Bell
The Devil below was ringing his knell.

Questions :
(i) ‘They hear no sound;’ who are they?

(ii) ‘Sir Ralph the Rover tore his hair.’ What poetic device is used here?

(iii) Why was the ship sinking?

(iv) What sort of sound did Ralph hear?

(v) In what condition did Ralph find himself?

Answers :
(i) They are Sir Ralph the Rover and the other mariners who accompanied him.

(ii) Alliteration is used here. The repetition of ‘R’ here justifies this fact.

(iii) The ship was sinking beneath the stormy sea because it struck the Inchcape Rock in the darkness of night.

(iv) Ralph heard a sound that was quite fearful as the sound of the Inchcape bell.

(v) Ralph found himself in a state of dread, despair, and belated repentance.

B. Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) with Answers
Choose the correct option.
Unit – I
The test
Lines 1 to 16

No stir in the air…………………………. Abbot of Aberbrothok
Question 1.
What is ‘Inchcape Rock’?
(a) the name of a rock on the east coast of Scotland near the mouth of the river Tay.
(b) the name of a ship that could cross all obstacles.
(c) the name of a sea animal that is very dangerous.
(d) none of the above.
Answer:
(a) the name of a rock on the east coast of Scotland near the mouth of the river Tay.

Question 2.
The first four lines present a similar picture of air, sea, ship, sails, and ocean. What is that?
(a) stormy.
(b) stillness.
(c) sometimes stormy and sometimes calm.
(d) none of the above.
Answer:
(b) stillness.

Question 3.
What do you mean by the word ‘keel’?
(a) the old form of the word hill.
(b) bottom of the sea.
(c) the bottom part of the ship.
(d) top of the rock.
Answer:
(c) the bottom part of the ship.

Question 4.
What did happen to the Inchcape Rock when there was low tide?
(a) fully visible.
(b) only its top was visible.
(c) not visible.
(d) none of the above.
Answer:
(b) only its top was visible.

Question 5.
What did happen to the Inchcape Rock when there was high tide?
(a) completely covered by seawater.
(b) only its top was visible.
(c) the rock moves away to one side of the sea.
(d) the rock floats on the sea like a ship.
Answer:
(a) completely covered by seawater.

Question 6.
What did happen to ships that could not see the Inchcape Rock?
(a) they could not move.
(b) they returned away.
(c) they got wrecked.
(d) they passed away in another direction.
Answer:
(c) they got wrecked.

Question 7.
What did Abbot do to save the ships from the wreckage?
(a) He fixed a red flag on the Rock.
(b) He fixed a bell that rang in an abnormal situation on the sea.
(c) He fixed a huge magnet to check the movement of the sea.
(d) none of the above.
Answer:
(b) He fixed a bell that rang in an abnormal situation on the sea.

Question 8.
When did the Inchcape bell ring?
(a) during the visit of a ship.
(b) during the low tide in the sea.
(c) during a storm or when the sea swelled.
(d) during the attack of sea pirates.
Answer:
(c) during a storm or when the sea swelled.

Question 9.
The ‘bell’ floated and swung on a_________.
(a) log.
(b) pole.
(c) pillar.
(d) buoy.
Answer:
(d) buoy.

Question 10.
The ‘bell’ worked as a________ to the ship
(a) information.
(b) warning.
(c) signal.
(d) sailing.
Answer:
(b) warning.

Question 11.
What do you mean by the word ‘buoy’?
(a) a flying object.
(b) a sinking object.
(c) a floating object.
(d) a moving object.
Answer:
(c) a floating object.

Question 12.
What do you mean by the words ‘surge’s swell’?
(a) rise of the ship on the rock.
(b) rise of the tidal waves.
(c) rise of the rock on the sea.
(d) rise of seawater on the banks.
Answer:
(b) rise of the tidal waves.

Question 13.
How the Inchcape Rock was hidden?
(a) by the low tide.
(b) by the darkness.
(c) by the clouds.
(d) by the high tide.
Answer:
(d) by the high tide.

Question 14.
Who did hear the warning bell?
(a) the sea pirates.
(c) the mariners.
(b) the visitors.
(d) the ship owners.
Answer:
(c) the mariners.

Question 15.
What do you mean by the word ‘mariners’?
(a) the engineers.
(b) the pirates.
(c) the sailors.
(d) the passengers.
Answer:
(c) the sailors.

Question 16.
How was the rock described by the boat?
(a) pleasures.
(b) disadvantageous.
(c) advantageous.
(d) perilous.
Answer:
(d) perilous.

Question 17. Who did bless Abbot?
(a) the visitors.
(b) the mariners.
(c) the ship owners.
(d) none of the above.
Answer:
(b) the mariners.

Question 18.
‘Aberbrothok’ is associated with_________.
(a) the mariners.
(b) the Inchcape Rock.
(c) the ship.
(d) Abbot.
Answer:
(d) Abbot.

Unit – II
The test
Lines 17 to 40

The sun in heaven…………………. Abbot of Aberbrothok
Question 19.
The description of the sun in line 17 of the poem signifies :
(a) scorching sun.
(b) setting sun.
(c) rising sun.
(d) pleasant bright, sun.
Answer:
(d) pleasant bright, sun.

Question 20.
What does the screaming sound of sea birds signify?
(a) melancholy.
(b) joyance.
(c) a sight of horror.
(d) a bad day.
Answer:
(b) joyance.

Question 21.
How was the buoy of the Inchcape Bell seen on the sea?
(a) a brighter spot.
(b) a green speck.
(c) a darker speck.
(d) a white speck.
Answer:
(c) a darker speck.

Question 22.
Whose eye was fixed on the darker speck?
(a) the poets.
(b) the mariners.
(c) Sir Ralph’s.
(d) Pirates.
Answer:
(c) Sir Ralph’s.

Question 23.
What do you mean by the word ‘speck’?
(a) a very big spot.
(b) a very small spot.
(c) a bright spot.
(d) an invisible spot.
Answer:
(b) a very small spot.

Question 24.
What, according to the poet, the bright sun, screaming of birds and their joyance do signify?
(a) terrible summer.
(b) cheerful spring.
(c) the happy memory.
(d) unpleasant day.
Answer:
(b) cheerful spring.

Question 25.
Who was mirthful by the cheerful spring?
(a) the poet.
(d) the visitor.
(c) Sir Ralph.
(b) the mariner.
Answer:
(c) Sir Ralph.

Question 26.
What was the secrecy of Sir Ralph’s mirth?
(a) success.
(b) cheerful spring.
(c) wickedness.
(d) achievement.
Answer:
(c) wickedness.

Question 27.
What do you mean by the word ‘mirth’?
(a) delight.
(b) bad feeling.
(c) mourn.
(d) danger.
Answer:
(a) delight.

Question 28.
What did Sir Ralph want to do?
(a) to praise Abbot.
(b) to blame Abbot.
(c) to destroy Inchcape Rock.
(d) to earn a good name.
Answer:
(b) to blame Abbot.

Question 29.
What did he do to blame Abbot?
(a) stopped the bell ringing.
(b) cut the bell from the buoy.
(c) criticized Abbot in public.
(d) proved Abbot’s method was wrong.
Answer:
(b) cut the bell from the buoy.

Question 30.
What did Sir Ralph say after cutting the bell from the Inchcape Rock?
(a) everybody would praise him.
(b) he would fix a new bell.
(c) the next who comes to the Rock won’t bless the Abbot.
(d) none of the above.
Answer:
(c) the next who comes to the Rock won’t bless the Abbot.

Question 31.
What does the word ‘plague’ mean?
(a) cause pleasure.
(b) cause success.
(c) cause accident.
(d) cause pain.
Answer:
(d) cause pain.

Unit – III
The Text
Lines 41 to 68

Sir Ralph……………………ringing his knell
Question 32.
Sir Ralph was a ………………..
(a) ranger.
(b) rover.
(c) counselor.
(d) doctor.
Answer:
(d) doctor.

Question 33.
What did he do moving into the sea?
(a) visiting different places.
(b) discovering the things in the sea.
(c) plundering the ships for wealth.
(d) none of the above.
Answer:
(c) plundering the ships for wealth.

Question 34.
What did he do at last?
(a) enjoyed his days in the sea.
(b) returned to Scotland’s shore.
(c) crossed Inchcape safely.
(d) fulfilled his mission.
Answer:
(b) returned to Scotland’s shore.

Question 35.
How was the weather when Sir Ralph’s ship was near Scotland’s shore?
(a) dark, foggy, and stormy.
(b) bright, clear, and fine.
(c) cloudy, smoky, and semi-darkness.
(d) none of the above.
Answer:
(a) dark, foggy, and stormy.

Question 36.
But standing on the deck of the ship, Sir Ralph was hopeful of a clear day with the rising of_________.
(a) sun.
(b) stars.
(c) moon.
(d) a bright celestial object.
Answer:
(c) moon.

Question 37.
Why was the land not visible to the mariners of Sir Ralph’s ship?
(a) because of darkness.
(b) because they were far from the shore.
(c) because mariners had no microscope.
(d) all of the above.
Answer:
(a) because of darkness.

Question 38.
But one of the mariners could hear the________.
(a) wreck of a ship.
(b) thunder on a ship.
(c) Inchcape Bell.
(d) sound of a sea animal.
Answer:
(c) Inchcape Bell.

Question 39.
At last, the ship lost its way and got wrecked hitting against________.
(a) the other ship.
(b) the Inchcape Rock.
(c) a huge sea animal.
(d) none of the above.
Answer:
(b) the Inchcape Rock.

Question 40.
What did Sir Ralph do in despair?
(a) pray God.
(b) scolded his mariners.
(c) cursed himself.
(d) cursed Abbot.
Answer:
(c) cursed himself.

Question 41.
While dying in fear, Sir Ralph could hear a sound similar to________.
(a) band party drum.
(b) Thunder.
(c) sweet music.
(d) Inchcape Bell.
Answer:
(d) Inchcape Bell.

Question 42.
Who was in fact ringing this bell?
(a) Abbot.
(b) the Devil.
(c) Inchcape Bell.
(d) mariners.
Answer:
(b) the Devil.

Question 43.
What does the last line of the poem signify?
(a) death of Sir Ralph.
(b) end of his journey.
(c) a lesson taught to him.
(d) none of the above.
Answer:
(a) death of Sir Ralph.

Question 44.
Who is the author of the poem “Inchcape Bell”?
(a) Robert Frost.
(b) Robert Smith.
(c) Robert Stewart.
(d) Robert Southey.
Answer:
(d) Robert Southey.

Introducing The Poet :
Robert Southey was an English poet of the Romantic School, one of the so-called “Lake poets” and poet laureate for 30 years. His poems often told a story and were set in faraway lands. Although his fame has been long eclipsed by that of his contemporaries and friends William Wordsworth and Samuel Taylor Coleridge, Southey’s verse still enjoys some popularity.

Moreover, Southey was a prolific letter writer, literary scholar, essay writer, historian, and biographer. His biographies include the life and works of John Bunyan, John Wesley, William Cowper, Oliver Cromwell, and Horatio Nelson. The last has rarely been out of print since its publication in 1813 and was adapted for the screen in the 1926 British film, Nelson.

He was also a renowned Portuguese and Spanish scholar, translating a number of works from those two countries into English and writing both a History of Brazil (part of his planned History of Portugal which was never completed) and a History of the Peninsular War. Perhaps his most enduring contribution to literary history is the immortal children’s classic, The Story of the Three Bears, the original Goldilock story.

About The Poem :
The Inchcape Rock is based on the fact that a wicked man always pays the penalty in the long run. Here Sir Ralph the Rover is a case in point. He exhibits a common proverb – ‘As you sow, so you reap.” His wicked act of removing the bell from the perilous Inchcape Rock paved the way for his death. In short, Robert Southey hits at the cruel deed of Sir Ralph the Rover who perishes for the crime of removing the Inchcape bell and his unpardonable sins against humanity.

Summary:
The poem begins with a graphic description of calm nature. There is no movement either in the air or any roar in the sea. The ship is silent so also are her sails. The bottom part of the ship is steady in the ocean. There is no sign of any disaster. The poet takes us back to the Inchcape Rock, a perilous roof off the east coast of Scotland near the mouth of the river Tay. During sunny days it can be easily noticed but during a storm, the ship meets its death because of it. Here comes the role of benevolent the Abbot, of Aberbrothok. To tide over this problem, he places a bell on this rock. The bell can be heard loud and clean when the sea is rough and hence warn the sailors of their presence near the fatal Inchcape Rock.

Now a pirate called Sir Ralph the Rover emerges on the scene. It is spring. The bright sun and the loud sound produced by the sea birds create an atmosphere of joy. Meanwhile, Ralph caught sight of a very small spot which is the bell placed by the Abbot of Aberbrothok upon the dangerous rock. He cannot take his eyes off it. He deeply feels the exciting power of spring. Driven by merriment, he whistles and sings. His heart leaps in joy, but his delight gives way to mischief. His eyes are fixed on the Inchcape Rock. Tom by hatred, is keen on destroying the good name of the Abbot of Aberbrothok. Human nature dies hard. Ralph, out of malice towards the Abbot, commits the sin of removing the bell. As a result, it sinks down producing a low sound. The bubbles surface and bursts around.

With the bell gone, Ralph searches for the seas for many days and keeps on plundering the ships that meet with wrecks. He becomes rich again. His ship moves towards Scotland’s shore, but a dense fog stormy wind and darkness prevent Ralph and his mariners from seeing the land. But Sir Ralph does not lose his heart. He tries to give his sailors courage by saying that the moon will soon appear and they will be able to see, but in vain. The ship soon strikes the rock. Everybody sinks into despair. Ralph’s misery knows no end. He tears his hair and curses himself, but it is too late.

The poem ends on a note of tragedy. Ralph finds the ship sinking beneath the tide. In his dying fear, he can hear one fearful sound as if it was the warning sound of the Inchcape bell. It is as if the Devil below were ringing Ralph’s death knell.

ସାରାଂଶ:
କବିତାଟି ଆରମ୍ଭ ହୁଏ ଶାନ୍ତ ସରଳ ପ୍ରକୃତିର ଏକ ଚିତ୍ରି ବର୍ଣ୍ଣନାରୁ । ସମୁଦ୍ରରେ କୌଣସି ଗର୍ଜନ ନ ଥିଲା କିମ୍ବା ନ ଥିଲା କିଛି ଚଳଚଞ୍ଚଳତା । ଜାହାଜ ଗତି କରି ଚାଲୁଥାଏ । ଧ୍ଵଂସର କୌଣସି ସଙ୍କେତ ନ ଥାଏ । କବି ଆମକୁ ନେଇଯାଆନ୍ତି ସ୍କଟଲ୍ୟାଣ୍ଡର ପୂର୍ବ ଉପକୂଳରେ ଥିବା ଘାତକ Inchcape Rock ନିକଟକୁ, ଯାହାକି ନିମ୍ନ ଜୁଆର ସମୟରେ ଉପରକୁ ଅଳ୍ପ ଦିଶେ ଓ ଉଚ୍ଚ ଜୁଆର ସମୟରେ ସମ୍ପୂର୍ଣ୍ଣ ବୁଡ଼ିଯାଏ। Tay ନଦୀର ମୁହାଣରେ ଏହି Inchcape Rock ଥିଲା । ପାଣିରେ ସମ୍ପୂର୍ଣ୍ଣ ବୁଡ଼ିଯାଇଥିବା ସମୟରେ ଅନେକ ଜାହାଜ ଏଥିରେ ବାଡ଼େଇ ହୋଇ ଖଣ୍ଡ ବିଖଣ୍ଡ ହୋଇଯାଏ । କାରଣ ଏହି ସମୟରେ ନାବିକମାନେ ଏହି Rockକୁ ଦେଖିପାରନ୍ତି ନାହିଁ । ଏହି ସମସ୍ୟାକୁ ସମାଧାନ କରିବାପାଇଁ ଜଣେ ଧର୍ମଯାଜକ The Abbot of Abberbrothok ଏହି ପଥର ଉପରେ ଏକ ଭାସମାନ ବସ୍ତୁକୁ ବାନ୍ଧି ତା’ ଉପରେ ଏକ ଘଣ୍ଟି ରଖିଲେ । ଯେତେବେଳେ ସମୁଦ୍ର ଅଶାନ୍ତ ହୋଇଉଠେ ଏବଂ ଉଚ୍ଚ ଜୁଆର ହୋଇଥାଏ, ଏହି ଘଣ୍ଟି ହଲିଦୋହଲି ଏକ ସତର୍କ ଶବ୍ଦ ସୃଷ୍ଟି କରେ ।

ଏହି ଘଣ୍ଟି ଶବ୍ଦ ଶୁଣି ନାବିକମାନେ ଜାହାଜକୁ ଅନ୍ୟ ମାର୍ଗରେ ନିଅନ୍ତି ଏବଂ ନିଶ୍ଚିତ ମୃତ୍ୟୁରୁ ରକ୍ଷାପାଆନ୍ତି । ତେଣୁ ନାବିକମାନେ Abbotଙ୍କ ଏହି କାର୍ଯ୍ୟପାଇଁ ସହୃଦୟର ସହିତ ଧନ୍ୟବାଦ ଜଣାନ୍ତି । ଦିନେ Sir Ralph the Rover ସେଇ ବାଟ ଦେଇ ଜାହାକ ଚଳାଇ ଆସୁଥିଲେ । ସେ ପଥର ଉପରେ ଭାସମାନ ବସ୍ତୁ ସହ ସଂଲଗ୍ନ ଘଣ୍ଟି ଦେଖିଲେ ଏବଂ ନାବିକମାନଙ୍କଠାରୁ The Abbotଙ୍କ ବିଷୟରେ ପ୍ରଶଂସା ଶୁଣିଲେ । ହିଂସାରେ ତାଙ୍କର ହୃଦୟ ଜଳିଉଠିଲା । ନିଷ୍ପଭି କଲେ The Abbot of Aberbrothokଙ୍କର ଏହି ସୁନାମକୁ ସେ ଭାଙ୍ଗି ଚୁର୍‌ମାର୍ କରିଦେବେ । ନାବିକମାନଙ୍କୁ ଆଦେଶ ଦେଲେ ଜାହାଜକୁ ସେହି ଘଣ୍ଟି ପାଖକୁ ନେଇଯିବା ପାଇଁ । ସେଠାରେ ପହଞ୍ଚି ସେ ଘଣ୍ଟିଟିକୁ କାଟିଦେଲେ । ତାହା କ୍ଷୀଣ ଶବ୍ଦ ସହିତ ବୁଡ଼ିଗଲା । Sir Ralph ତାକୁ ଚାହିଁ କହିଲେ – ଏଥର ଏଠିକି ଯେଉଁ ନାବିକମାନେ ଆସିବେ ସେମାନେ ଆଉ The Abbotଙ୍କୁ ପ୍ରଶଂସା କରିବେ ନାହିଁ । କାରଣ ତାଙ୍କ ଘଣ୍ଟି ଆଉ ଏଠି ନାହିଁ । ଏହି Inchcape ଘଣ୍ଟିକୁ ଧ୍ୱଂସ କରି ନିଜର ହୃଦୟର ନିଭୃତ କୋଣରେ ଅମାପ ଗର୍ବକୁ ବହନ କରି ଜାହାଜ ଆଗକୁ ନେଇ ଚାଲିଲେ Sir Ralph । ସେ ସମୁଦ୍ରରେ ଅନେକ ଦିନ ଭ୍ରମଣ କରି ଅନ୍ୟ ଜାହାଜମାନଙ୍କରୁ ପ୍ରଚୁର ଉପସ୍ଥିତି ଦୃଶ୍ୟମାନ ହେଲା ନାହିଁ । ସକାଳେ କ୍ଷିପ୍ର ଗତିରେ ପ୍ରବହମାନ ବାୟୁର ଗତି ସନ୍ଧ୍ୟାବେଳକୁ ସ୍ଥିର ହୋଇଗଲା । Sir Ralph ଡେକ୍ ଉପରେ ଠିଆ ହୋଇ ଚାରିଆଡ଼କୁ ଚାହିଁଲେ । ସେ କେଉଁଆଡ଼େ ବି ସ୍ଥଳଭାଗ ଦେଖିପାରିଲେ ନାହିଁ । ତଥାପି ବି ସେ ନାବିକମାନଙ୍କୁ ବ୍ୟସ୍ତ ନ ହେବାପାଇଁ କହିଲେ । ଆଶ୍ବାସନା ଦେଲେ ଖୁବ୍ ଶୀଘ୍ର ଆଲୋକର ପ୍ରତୀୟମାନ ହେବ । କାରଣ ଅଳ୍ପ ସମୟ ମଧ୍ୟରେ ଜହ୍ନ ଉଇଁବ ଓ ପରିଷ୍କାର ଦେଖାଯିବ ।

କେହି ଜଣେ ନାବିକ କହିଲେ ସେମାନେ ବୋଧେ Inchcape Rock ନିକଟରେ ପହଞ୍ଚିଗଲେଣି । ଆଉ ଜଣେ ନାବିକ କହିଲେ ଯଦି ସେମାନେ Inchcape Rockର ସେହି ଘଣ୍ଟିର ଶବ୍ଦ ଶୁଣିପାରିଥା’ନ୍ତେ କି ? ଢେଉର କ୍ଷିପ୍ରତାରେ ଜାହାଜ ଆଗକୁ ମାଡ଼ି ଚାଲିଲା । ଅନ୍ଧାରରେ କିଛି ଦେଖାଯାଉ ନ ଥାଏ । ଜାହାଜଟି ପିଟି ହୋଇଗଲା ଏକ ଶିଳାଖଣ୍ଡରେ ଏବଂ ଖଣ୍ଡ ବିଖଣ୍ଡିତ ହୋଇଗଲା । ନାବିକମାନେ ଚିତ୍କାର କରି ଉଠିଲେ – ହେ ଭଗବାନ ! ଏଇଟା ତ Inchcape Rock । Sir Ralph ନିଜ କୃତକର୍ମ ପାଇଁ ନିଜକୁ ନିନ୍ଦୁଥା’ନ୍ତି । ଏଥିପାଇଁ ସମୟ ବହୁତ ବିଳମ୍ବ ହୋଇଯାଇଥିଲା । ସେ ସେଦିନ ଯଦି Inchcape Rockର ଘଣ୍ଟିଟିକୁ କାଟିଦେଇ ନ ଥା’ନ୍ତେ, ଓ ନାବିକମାନେ ନିଶ୍ଚିତ ମୃତ୍ୟୁମୁଖରୁ ରକ୍ଷା ପାଇପାରିଥା’ନ୍ତେ । Sir Ralphଙ୍କର ସମସ୍ତ ଚେଷ୍ଟା ବଞ୍ଚିବାପାଇଁ ବିଫଳ ହେଲା । ସେ ଅତଳ ସମୁଦ୍ରର ଗର୍ଭରେ ବୁଡ଼ିଗଲେ । ସେତେବେଳେ ସେ ଏକ ଭୟଙ୍କର ଘଣ୍ଟି ଶବ୍ଦ ଶୁଣିଲେ, ସତେ ଯେପରି ତାହା Inchcape ଘଣ୍ଟି ଶବ୍ଦ ଥିଲା । ବୋଧହୁଏ ସାଗର ତଳ ଶୟତାନ ସେ ଘଣ୍ଟିଟିକୁ ବଜାଉଥଲା ।

CHSE Odisha 11th Class English Poetry:

• Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening Question Answer
• Oft, in the Stilly Night Question Answer
• The Inchcape Rock Question Answer
• To My True Friend Question Answer
• Fishing Question Answer

Odisha State Board CHSE Odisha Class 11 Invitation to English 2 Solutions Non-Detailed Chapter 3 The Open Window Textbook Exercise Questions and Answers.

Class 11th Invitation English Non-Detailed Chapter 3 The Open Window Question Answers CHSE Odisha

The Open Window Class 11 Questions and Answers

Unit – I

Gist:
Mr. Nuttel and Vera are introduced and an immediate impression is given of Vera’s calmness and Mr. Nuttel’s nervousness. Mr. Framton Nuttel needs a rest because of overworking. Therefore, he has come to stay in a country village. Following a suggestion of his sister he has called on Mrs. Sappleton.

He is greeted by her niece Vera, a very self-possessed young lady of fifteen. She asks Nuttel if he knows many of the people round there. He says that he hardly knows anyone. His sister was staying there at the rectory some four years ago. Vera now invents a story and narrates it to Nuttel. She refers to her aunt’s tragedy that had occurred just three years ago. She draws his attention to the open window through which her husband and two young brothers set out for their day’s shooting.

They never came back. They were lost in a marsh having hidden dangers. It was a dreadful wet summer. Their bodies were never recovered. Here Vera’s voice undergoes a change. She narrates that her aunt always thinks that they will return someday. The little brown spaniel that was lost with them will also walk in at that window. Therefore, the window is kept open every evening till it is quite dusk. Vera stops narrating the story when she sees Mrs. Sappleton comes in.

Glossary:
presently : soon (ବର୍ତ୍ତମାନ)
self possessed : calm and confident (ଶାନ୍ତ ଏବଂ ଆତ୍ମବିଶ୍ୱାସୀ)
endeavoured : tried (ଚେଷ୍ଟା କଲା)
flatter: praise highly with a motive (ଏକ ଉଦ୍ଦେଶ୍ୟ ସହିତ ଉଚ୍ଚ ପ୍ରଶଂସା କର)
formal: conventional (ପାରମ୍ପରିକ)
nerve cure: getting rid of the feeling of nervousness (ସ୍ନାୟୁ ଉପଶମ)
migrate: move from one place to another (ଗୋଟିଏ ସ୍ଥାନରୁ ଅନ୍ୟ ସ୍ଥାନକୁ ଯାଆନ୍ତୁ)
rural retreat : a place of refuge : a safe and quiet or secluded place in a countryside (ଆଶ୍ରୟସ୍ଥଳ)
put up with : endure (ସହ୍ୟ କର)
discounting : disregarding (ଅବହେଳା)
moping : passing (time) in a dull state of mind (ଏକ ଦୁର୍ବଳ ଅବସ୍ଥାରେ (ସମୟ) ମନ ର ସ୍ତିତି)
nice division : ageable type of hosts (ବୟୋଜ୍ୟେଷ୍ଠ ପ୍ରକାରର ହୋଷ୍ଟ)
communion : sharing of thoughts (ଚିନ୍ତାଧାରା ବାଣ୍ଟିବା)
rectory : a house where the rector (priest) of a church lives ଏକ ଘର ଯେଉଁଠାରେ ଏକ ଚର୍ଚ୍ଚର ରେକ୍ଟର (ପୁରୋହିତ) ରୁହନ୍ତି
caller : one who has visited (ଯିଏ ପରିଦର୍ଶନ କରିଛନ୍ତି)
undefinable : vague (ଅସ୍ପଷ୍ଟ)
masculine habitation : the dwelling of men (ମନୁଷ୍ୟମାନଙ୍କର ବାସସ୍ଥାନ)
out of place : irrelevant (ଅପ୍ରାସଙ୍ଗିକ)
three years today : exactly three years ago (ଠିକ୍ ତିନି ବର୍ଷ ପୂର୍ବେ)
engulfed : covered over (ଆଚ୍ଛାଦିତ)
treacherous bog : a marsh having hidden dangers (ବିଶ୍ୱାସଘାତକ)
falteringly : in broken voice (ଭଙ୍ଗା ସ୍ୱରରେ)
spaniel : breed of dog with large ears which hang down (ସ୍ପାନିଏଲ୍)
dreadful : horrible (ଭୟଙ୍କର)
gave way : changed (ପରିବର୍ତ୍ତିତ)
moor : open and uncultivated land (ଖୋଲା ଏବଂ ଅଣସଂରକ୍ଷିତ ଜମି)
snipe : one kind of bird (ଏକ ପ୍ରକାର ପକ୍ଷୀ)
French window: a long window having two sashes hinged at sides and opening in the middle (ଫରାସୀ ୱିଣ୍ଡୋ)
tease : make fun of in a playful way (ଏକ ଖେଳାତ୍ମକ ଉପାୟରେ ପରିହାସ କର)
creepy : gloomy (ଉଦାସ)
got on her nerves : disturbed her (ତାଙ୍କୁ ବିଚଳିତ କଲା)
broke off : stopped suddenly (ହଠାତ୍ ଅଟକି ଗଲା)
shadder : shake (ହଲେଇବା)
bustled : moved busily (ବ୍ୟସ୍ତ ଭାବରେ ଗତି କଲା)

Think it out:

Question 1.
Why did Nuttel visit Mrs. Sappieton?
Answer:
Mr. Framton Nuttel was reeling under nervous break-down. He was ailing. The doctor advised him rest. For him change of place was the need of the hour. The doctor instructed him to get rid of mental excitement and violent physical exercise. Therefore, Framton Nuttel called on Mrs. Sappieton, a friend of his sister, with letters of introduction.

Question 2.
What did the young lady say about her aunt’s tragedy to Nuttel?
Answer:
According to Vera, her aunt’s greatest tragedy happened just three years ago. It was a dreadful wet summer. Mrs. Sappleton’s husband and her two young brothers went off for their day’s shooting. They never came back. While crossing the moor to their favourite snipe-shotting ground, they were engulfed in the treacherous piece of wet, spongy ground. Their bodies could not be traced. The little spaniel was also lost with them. Her poor aunt always hoped that they would come back one day.

Unit – II

Gist:
Mrs. Sappleton talks cheerfully about her husband and her brothers. She is sure that her husband and her brothers will come home directly from shooting. She rattles on cheerfully about the shooting and the scarcity of birds. To Framton it is all purely horrible. He makes a vain endeavour to turn the talk on to a less ghastly topic. He is conscious of his hostess’s scant attention towards him. Her eyes are focused on the open window and the lawn beyond.

Framton announces that the doctors have advised him complete rest. He should be free from mental excitement and violent physical exercise. Mrs. Sappleton did not pay any heed to Framton’s words. Her voice changes at the last moment. It seems as if her husband and her two younger brothers were returning from a muddy grave. Framton shivers slightly and turns towards the niece. Vera is horrified. She is staring through the open window.

Framton is filled with nameless fear. He sees the three men with guns under their arms coming towards the house followed by a tired brown spaniel. Silently they come near the house. Wildly seizing his hat and stick, he runs out through the front door and the gate. Mrs. Sappleton thinks that Mr. Framton Nuttel is a very strange fellow. Vera again makes up a plausible story about his fear of dogs. Romance at short notice is Vera’s speciality.

Glossary:
briskly: quickly, actively (ତୀବ୍ର ଭାବରେ)
marshes: a tract of wet and soft land (ଓଦା ଏବଂ କୋମଳ ଜମିର ଏକ ଟ୍ରାକ୍ଟ)
mess: disorder (ବିଶୃଙ୍ଖଳା)
rattled on: spoke continuously and in a lively way (ନିରନ୍ତର ଏବଂ ଜୀବନ୍ତ କଥା ହେଲା)
to turn the talk: to change the talk (କଥାବାର୍ତ୍ତା ପରିବର୍ତ୍ତନ କରିବାକୁ)
desperate: vain (ବୃଥା)
ghastly: dreadful (ଭୟଭୀତ)
a fragment of her attention: Mrs. Sappleton was taking little notice of Framton Nuttel’s words (ଶ୍ରୀମତୀ ସାପଲେଟନ୍ ଫ୍ରାମଟନ୍ ନଟେଲଙ୍କ କଥା ଉପରେ ଅଳ୍ପ ଧ୍ୟାନ ଦେଉଥିଲେ)
tragic anniversary: the annual date of the sad event (ବିଷାଦମୟ ଘଟଣାର ବାର୍ଷିକ ତାରିଖ)
violent: (here) hard (ପ୍ରଚଣ୍ଡ)
delusion: false belief (ମିଥ୍ୟା ବିଶ୍ୱାସ)
prospects: the probabilities of gain (ଧନଲାଭର ସମ୍ଭାବନା ରହିଛି)
scarcity: shortage (ଅଭାବ)
straying: wandering (ଚଳଚଞ୍ଚଳ)
infirmities: diseases (ରୋଗ)
yawn: open the mouth as when bored (ପାଟିକୁ ଯେତିକି ଖୋଲନ୍ତୁ, ବୋର୍ ହେବା ସମୟରେ ସେତିକି ଖୋଲନ୍ତୁ)
dazed horror: fear which makes one incapable of thinking (ବିସ୍ମିତ ବିଭୀଷିକା)
swung: turned (ମୋଡ଼ା ଯାଇଥିବା)
hoarse: rough (ରୁକ୍ଷ)
chanted: sang (ସଙ୍ଗ୍)
grabbed at: took hastily (ତରବରିଆ ଭାବରେ)
gravel-drive: a private road paved with small pebbles (ଗ୍ରାଭେଲ୍-ଡ୍ରାଇଭ୍)
headlong retreat: hasty return (ତରବରିଆ ପ୍ରତ୍ୟାବର୍ତ୍ତନ)
imminent: ready to take place (ପ୍ରସ୍ତୁତ ହୋଇ ରହିଥାନ୍ତି)
collision: clash (ମୁହାଁମୁହିଁ ହେବା)
mackintosh: a rain coat, so called after the name of the inventor Charles Macintosh (ମ୍ୟାକିନ୍ଟଶ)
bolted: dashed away (ଦୂରକୁ ଚାଲିଗଲା)
dashed off : ran quickly (ଶୀଘ୍ର ଦୌଡ଼ିବା)
ghost: the spirit of a dead person (ମୃତ ବ୍ୟକ୍ତିଙ୍କ ଆତ୍ମା)
cemetery: a burial ground (ଏକ ସମାଧି ସ୍ଥଳ)
pariah dogs: stray unclaimed dogs (ଅଜଣା କୁକୁରଙ୍କ ଉପଦ୍ରବ)
snarling: growling (ବର୍ଦ୍ଧମାନ)

Think it out:

Question 1.
What did Mrs. Sappleton say about her husband and brothers to Mr. Nuttel?
Answer:
Mrs. Sappleton said that her husband and brothers would come home directly from shooting, and they always came in through the open window. They had been out for snipe in the marshes that day. She talked merrily about the shooting and the scarcity of birds, and the prospects for duck in the winter.

Question 2.
How did Mr. Nuttel react to her?
Answer:
A man of nervous disposition as he was, Framton felt ill at ease to listen only to Mrs. Sappleton’s strange story of her husband and brothers. Vera had already told her the story of the open window. He knew that Mrs. Sappleton took little notice of him and her eyes were constantly directed towards the open window. As a result, Mrs. Sappleton’s story of her husband and brothers was purely horrible to him. He made a vain effort to switch over to other topic. It was an unfortunate coincidence that he had paid his visit on this tragic anniversary.

Question 3.
Why did Mr. Nuttel leave Mrs. Sappleton’s house in a hurry?
Answer:
The hunting party that comprised Mrs. Sappleton’s husband and her brothers and their spaniel really returned in the dim light of the afternoon. They were walking across the lawn towards the window. They all carried guns under their arms. One of them had a white coat hung over his shoulders. A tired brown spaniel closely followed the three figures. They neared the house silently. As soon as Nuttel saw them, he was horrified at the thought that they were ghosts of the dead. Therefore, he left Mrs. Sappleton’s house in a hurry.

Question 4.
How did Vera explain the cause of Nuttel’s sudden disappearance?
Answer:
When the hunting party and their spaniel really returned in the dim light of the afternoon, poor Nuttel was horrified at the thought that they were the ghosts of the dead and suddenly left that place. Vera calmly invented another story to explain Mrs. Nuttel’s sudden departure. She explained that the poor fellow was terribly afraid of dogs for he had once been chased by a group of stray dogs on the banks of the Ganges and he was forced to spend one whole night in a gravel.

Question 5.
How does Vera create romance at short notice in the story?
Answer:
Vera is capable of inventing stories from her own mind on any person or situation within a few seconds. When she knows that Mr. Nuttel is a stranger to the family, she invents a story on the open window of the house and narrates it to Mr. Framton Nuttel. That story makes Nuttel terrified. When Nuttel runs away from the house at the moment of return of Mrs. Sappleton’s husband and her two brothers considering them ghosts, Vera, justifies it by telling another story to Mrs. Sappleton. This proves that ‘romance at short notice’ is Vera’s speciality.

CHSE Odisha Class 11 English The Open Window Important Questions and Answers

Question 1.
Read through the extract and answer the questions that follow.
“My aunt will be down presently, Mr. Nuttel,” said a very self-possessed young lady of fifteen; “in the meantime you must try and put up with me.”
Framton Nuttel endeavored to say the correct something which should duly flatter the niece of the moment without unduly discounting the aunt that was to come. Privately he doubted more than ever whether these formal visits on a succession of total strangers would do much towards helping the nerve cure which he was supposed to be undergoing.
“I know how it will be,” his sister had said when he was preparing to migrate to this rural retreat; “you will bury yourself down there and not speak to a living soul, and your nerves will be worse than ever from moping. I shall just give you letters of introduction to all the people I know there. Some of them, as far as I can remember, were quite nice.”
Framton wondered whether Mrs. Sappleton, the lady to whom he was presenting one of the letters of introduction came into the nice division.
“Do you know many of the people round here ?” asked the niece, when she judged that they had had sufficient silent communion.
“Hardly a soul,” said Framton. “My sister was staying here, at the rectory, you know, some four years ago, and she gave me letters of introduction to some of the people here.”
He made the last statement in a tone of distinct regret.
“Then you know practically nothing about my aunt ?” pursued the self possessed young lady.
“Only her name and address,” admitted the caller. He was wondering whether Mrs. Sappleton was in the married or widowed state. An undefinable something about the room seemed to suggest masculine habitation.
“Her great tragedy happened just three years ago,” said the child; “that would be since your sister’s time.”
“Her tragedy ?” asked Framton; somehow in this restful country spot tragedies seemed out of place.
“You may wonder why we keep that window wide open on an October afternoon,” said the niece, indicating a large French window that opened on to a lawn.
“It is quite warm for the time of the year,” said Framton; “but has that window got anything to do with the tragedy?”
“Out through that window, three years ago to a day, her husband and her two young brothers went off for their day’s shooting. They never came back. In crossing the moor to their favorite snipe-shooting ground they were all three engulfed in a treacherous piece of bog. It had been that dreadful wet summer, you know, and places that were safe in other years gave way suddenly without warning. Their bodies were never recovered. That was the dreadful part of it.” Here the child’s voice lost its self-possessed note and became flateringly human. “Poor aunt always thinks that they will come back someday, they and the little brown spaniel that was lost with them, and walk in at that window just as they used to do. That is why the window is kept open every evening till it is quite dusk. Poor dear aunt, she has often told me how they went out, her husband with his white waterproof coat over his arm, and Ronnie, her youngest brother, singing ‘Bertie, why do you bound?’ as he always did to tease her, because she said it got on her nerves. Do you know, sometimes on still, quiet evenings like this, I almost get a creepy feeling that they will all walk in through that window She broke off with a little shudder. It was a relief to Framton when the aunt bustled into the room with a whirl of apologies for being late in making her appearance.

Questions :
(i) What light does the extract throw on the character of Vera?
(ii) What do you know about Mrs. Sappleton as outlined in the extract?

Answers:
(i) The story, ‘The Open Window’ is built around Vera. She is young. She is fifteen. She is cool, confident and composed. She is a fascinating entertainer. She treats Framton Nuttel well. She is a picture of confidence. She handles a nervous person like Framton quite amicably. She has a flair for inventing plausibe stories. She sees the open window and quickly decides to tell him a story.
(ii) Mrs. Sappleton is Vera’s aunt. She is known to Nuttel’s sister. At the suggestion of his sister, he had called on Mrs. Sappleton, but her absence surprises him. He wonders whether Mrs. Sappleton is in the married state or the widowed state. According to Vera’s description, Mrs. Sappleton never sees the dark side of life. She is exceedingly optimistic. She is convinced that her husband and two brothers will come back one day. They had gone for shooting through the window three years ago and never came back. But still she has not given up hope. She has not lost her heart.

Introducing the Author:
Saki was the pseudonym of Hector Hugo Munro. He was born in Burma, where his father was a police officer, but as his mother died when he was still an infant, he was brought up by his aunts in England where he was educated. At 23 he became an officer in the Burma Police, but returned to England and began working as a journalist. He assumed the name ‘Saki’, the name of the cup-bearer in Omar Rubaiyat and began to write novels and short stories under this pen name. It is his short stories that have earned him his reputation as a writer. They are published in four volumes – Reginald, Reginald in Russia, The Chronicles of Clovis, Beasts and Super-beasts. In 1914 he joined the army and fought for his country. He was killed in action in 1916 in France shot through the head while resting in a narrow crater and thus joined the list of great English writers who lost their lives in the First World War.

About the Story:
A self-possessed young lady of fifteen receives a nervous young man called Nuttel in the short absence of her aunt. After ascertaining that the young man knows nothing about her aunt, the young lady coolly invents the story of her aunt’s husband and her brother’s death in a spine-hunting expedition and her aunt’s belief that they will come in through the open window. Mr. Nuttel listens to the story with rapt attention. The young lady also invents another story to explain Mr. Nuttel’s sudden departure.

Summary:
Vera cool, confident, composed young lady of fifteen receives a nervous young man called Nuttel in the short absence of her aunt. He is in need of rest and as a result of over-exertion, he visits the house of Mrs. Sappleton, a friend of his sister. Vera finds that Mr. Nuttel is a stranger and knows very little about Mrs. Sappleton’s family. She understands his feelings well and gives him an excellent company. She entertains Mr. Nuttel by inventing a story.

Vera sees the open window and quickly decides to tell him a story about it. She tells him that it is the anniversary of that dreadful day when her aunt’s husband and her two young brothers had died. They had gone for their day’s shooting. They were engulfed in a treacherous piece of bog. They never came back. It had been the dreadful wet summer. Their bodies were never recovered. Here Vera’s voice lost its confident note and trembled with human emotion. Her aunt often told how they went out, her husband with his white water-proof coat over his arm, and Ronnie her youngest brother.

Vera stops suddenly in the middle of her speech at the sight of her aunt Mrs. Sappleton. She enters the room with a whirl of apologies, for being late. Her presence is a relief to Framton. Mrs. Sappleton expects them not to mind the open window. She says briskly that her husband and brothers will come back home directly from shooting, and they always come in this way. They have been out for birds in the marshes that day. There is no end to her lively talk about the shooting, the scarcity of birds, and the prospects for duck in the winter. To Mr. Framton Nuttel, it is all purely horrible to listen. He makes a vain effort to change the topic. He feels that his hostess is taking a little notice of him. Instead, her eyes are constantly directed towards the open window. It is an unfortunate coincidence that he has called on her on this tragic anniversary.

He had come there only on the advice of the doctor. All on a sudden, Mrs. Sappleton becomes alert. The hunting party and their spaniel really return in the dim light of the afternoon. Nuttel is horrified at the thought that they are the ghosts of the dead and he bolts away in an unceremonious hurry. And the young lady invents another story to explain Mr. Nuttel’s sudden departure. The poor fellow is terribly afraid of dogs for he had been once chased by a group of stray dogs on the banks of the Ganges and he was forced to spend one whole night in a grave. Romance at short notice is Vera’s speciality.

ସାରାଂଶ :

ଶାନ୍ତ ସ୍ଵଭାବବିଶିଷ୍ଟ ଓ ଆତ୍ମପ୍ରତ୍ୟୟପୂର୍ଣ୍ଣ ତରୁଣୀ ହେଉଛି ଭେରା । ତା’ର ବୟସ ହେଉଛି ମାତ୍ର ୧୫ ବର୍ଷ । ଥରେ ତାଙ୍କ ଖୁଡ଼ୀ ଶ୍ରୀମତୀ ସାପଲ୍ଟଟନ୍‌ଙ୍କ ଅନୁପସ୍ଥିତିରେ ମି. ନ୍ୟୁଟେଲ୍ ନାମକ ଜଣେ ଯୁବକ ଅତ୍ୟନ୍ତ ଶ୍ରାନ୍ତକ୍ଲାନ୍ତ ହୋଇ ବିଶ୍ରାମ ନେବା ଉଦ୍ଦେଶ୍ୟରେ ତାଙ୍କ ଘରେ ଆସି ଉପସ୍ଥିତ ହୋଇଛନ୍ତି । ତାଙ୍କ ଭଉଣୀ ଶ୍ରୀମତୀ ସାପଲ୍ଟଟନ୍‌ଙ୍କ ସହ ପୂର୍ବରୁ ପରିଚିତ । ଉଭୟଙ୍କ ଭିତରେ ଘନିଷ୍ଠତା ମଧ୍ୟ ଅଛି । ଭେରା ଜାଣିବାକୁ ପାଇଛି, ମି. ନ୍ୟୁଟେଲ ଜଣେ ଅପରିଚିତ ବ୍ୟକ୍ତି । ଶ୍ରୀମତୀ ସାପଲ୍ଟନ୍‌ଙ୍କ ପରିବାର ବିଷୟରେ ସେ ବିଶେଷ କିଛି ଜାଣନ୍ତି ନାହିଁ । ତାଙ୍କର ବିଶ୍ରାମ ଦରକାର । ତେଣୁ ଭଉଣୀଙ୍କ ପରାମର୍ଶକ୍ରମେ ସେ ଶ୍ରୀମତୀ ସାପଲ୍ଟନ୍‌ଙ୍କ ଗ୍ରାମ୍ୟ-ଗୃହରେ କେବଳ ବିଶ୍ରାମ ନେବାକୁ ଆସିଛନ୍ତି । ମି. ନ୍ୟୁଟେଲ୍‌ଙ୍କ ମନର ଅବସ୍ଥା ଭଲ ଭାବରେ ଜାଣିପାରି ସେ ତାଙ୍କୁ ଘରେ ଆଶ୍ରୟ ଦେଇଛନ୍ତି ଓ ନିଜର ସାନିଧ୍ୟ ଦେଇ ତାଙ୍କୁ ଆପ୍ୟାୟିତ କରିଛନ୍ତି । ସେଥ‌ିପାଇଁ ମଧ୍ୟ ମନରୁ ଗୋଟାଏ କାହାଣୀ ଆବିଷ୍କାର କରି ତାଙ୍କୁ ଶୁଣାଇଛନ୍ତି ।

ଯେଉଁ କକ୍ଷରେ ସେମାନେ ଆଳାପରତ, ତାହାର ଗୋଟାଏ ଝରକା ଖୋଲା ରହିଛି। ସେହି ଖୋଲା ଝରକା ବିଷୟରେ ତାଙ୍କୁ ଗୋଟାଏ କାହାଣୀ ଶୁଣାଇଦେବାକୁ ଭେରା ମନସ୍ଥ କରିଛି । କାହାଣୀଟିର ବର୍ଣ୍ଣନା କରିବାକୁ ଯାଇ ସେ କହିଛି – ‘‘ଆଜି ହେଉଛି ସେହି ଭୟାବହ ଦିନର ଏକବର୍ଷ ପୂର୍ତ୍ତି । ଠିକ୍ ଆଜିର ଦିନରେ ମୋର ଖୁଡ଼ୀଙ୍କର ସ୍ଵାମୀ ଓ ତାଙ୍କର ଦୁଇଜଣ ତରୁଣ ଭାଇଙ୍କର ମୃତ୍ୟୁ ଘଟିଥିଲା । ସେମାନେ ଶିକାର କରିବାକୁ ଯାଇଥିଲେ । ଜଙ୍ଗଲ ମଧ୍ୟରେ ଗୋଟାଏ କାଦୁଆ ସନ୍ତସନ୍ତିଆ ସ୍ଥାନ ଥିଲା । ସେଥିରେ ପୂରି ରହିଥିଲା ତରଳ ପଙ୍କ । ଉପରୁ ତାହାର କୌଣସି ସୂଚନା ପଙ୍କ ଭିତରେ ଡୁବିଯାଇ ଅଦୃଶ୍ୟ ହୋଇଯାଉଥିଲା । ସେହି ପଙ୍କ ଭିତରେ ସେହି ଶିକାରୀ ଦଳ ମଧ୍ୟ ସମାଧି ନେଇଥିଲେ । ତା’ ପରଠାରୁ ସେମାନେ ଆଉ ଫେରି ନାହାନ୍ତି । ଏହା ଥିଲା ଏକ ଭୟାବହ ଆର୍ଦ୍ର ଗ୍ରୀଷ୍ମକାଳର ଘଟଣା । ସେମାନଙ୍କ ମୃତଦେହକୁ ମଧ୍ଯ କୌଣସି ଉପାୟରେ ସେହି ଗର୍ଭରୁ ବାହାର କରାଯାଇ ପାରିନଥିଲା ।’’ ଏତିକି କହି ଭେରାର କଣ୍ଠସ୍ଵରରୁ ହଜିଯାଇଛି ଆତ୍ମପ୍ରତ୍ୟୟର ଚିହ୍ନ – ତାହା ମାନବିକ କୋମଳ ଭାବାବେଗରେ କମ୍ପିତ ହୋଇଉଠିଛି । ଭେରା ତା’ ଖୁଡ଼ୀଙ୍କ ମୁହଁରୁ ଶୁଣିଛି, ଶିକାର କରିବାକୁ ଗଲାଦିନ ତା’ ସ୍ଵାମୀ ଅସ୍ତ୍ରଶସ୍ତ୍ରରେ ସଜ୍ଜିତ ଥିଲେ ଏବଂ ତାଙ୍କ ସାନକକା ପିନ୍ଧିଥିଲେ ଧଳାରଙ୍ଗର ୱାଟର୍ ପ୍ରୁଫ୍-କନାର କୋଟ୍ ।

ବର୍ଣ୍ଣନାର ମଝିରେ ହଠାତ୍‌ ଭେରା ଅଟକି ଯାଇଛି । କାରଣ ତା’ ଖୁଡ଼ୀ ଶ୍ରୀମତୀ ସାପଲ୍ଟଟନ୍ ଠିକ୍ ସେତିକିବେଳେ ସେଠାରେ ଉପସ୍ଥିତ ହୋଇଛନ୍ତି । ବିଳମ୍ବ ହୋଇଥିବାରୁ ନିଜର ତ୍ରୁଟି ପାଇଁ ବହୁ କ୍ଷମାଭିକ୍ଷା କରି ସେ କକ୍ଷ ମଧ୍ୟକୁ ପ୍ରବେଶ କରିଛନ୍ତି । ତାଙ୍କର ଉପସ୍ଥିତି ମି. ଫ୍ରାଫ୍‌ଟନ୍‌ ନ୍ୟୁଟେଲ୍‌ଙ୍କ ପାଇଁ ଆଶ୍ବସ୍ତିର କାରଣ ହୋଇଛି । ଉନ୍ମୁକ୍ତ ବାତାୟନ ବିଷୟରେ ସଚେତନ ନ ହେବାକୁ ସେ ଦୁଇଜଣଙ୍କୁ ଅନୁରୋଧ କରିଛନ୍ତି । ସେ ମଧ୍ୟ ଏକ ସୂଚନା ଦେଇ ପ୍ରକାଶ କରିଛନ୍ତି, ତାଙ୍କର ସ୍ଵାମୀ ଓ ଦୁଇଭାଇ ଏହି ଝରକା ଦେଇ ସର୍ବଦା ଶିକାର କରିବାକୁ ଯାଆନ୍ତି ଓ ସେହିବାଟେ ମଧ୍ଯ ଫେରି ଆସନ୍ତି । ଏଣୁ ଶିକାର ପରେ ସେମାନେ ସେହି ଝରକାବାଟେ ପ୍ରତ୍ୟାବର୍ତ୍ତନ କରିବେ ବୋଲି ସେ ତାକୁ ଉନ୍ମୁକ୍ତ ରଖୁଛନ୍ତି । ଆଜି ମଧ୍ୟ ସେମାନେ ଜଳପୂର୍ଣ ନିମ୍ନଭୂମିରେ ପକ୍ଷୀ ଶିକାର କରିବାକୁ ଯାଇଛନ୍ତି । ତାଙ୍କର ଗପର ଯେପରି ଅନ୍ତ ନାହିଁ । ସେ ଶିକାର, ପକ୍ଷୀମାନଙ୍କର ସ୍ଵଚ୍ଛତା ଏବଂ ଜଳାଶୟ ଭୂମିରେ ବତକ ମିଳିବାର ଉଜ୍ଜଳ ସମ୍ଭାବନା ବିଷୟରେ ଗଳ୍ପ କରି ଚାଲିଥା’ନ୍ତି । ସେଗୁଡ଼ା ଶୁଣିବାକୁ ମି. ନ୍ୟୁଟେଲ୍‌ଙ୍କୁ ଭଲ ଲାଗୁନଥାଏ। କାରଣ ସେ ସବୁଥରେ ଭରି ରହିଛି ସମ୍ପୂର୍ଣ୍ଣ ଭୟାବହ ଚିତ୍ର । ଗଳ୍ପର ବିଷୟବସ୍ତୁକୁ ପରିବର୍ତ୍ତିତ କରିଦେବାପାଇଁ ସେ ଚେଷ୍ଟା କରିଛନ୍ତି । ମାତ୍ର ତାଙ୍କର ଉଦ୍ୟମ ବ୍ୟର୍ଥ ଧାରଣା ତାଙ୍କ ମନରେ ସୃଷ୍ଟି ହୋଇଛି । ଏହା ପରିବର୍ତ୍ତେ ତାଙ୍କର ଆଖ୍ ସିଧାସଳଖ ବାରମ୍ବାର ସେହି ଖୋଲା ଝରକା ଉପରେ ବୁଲିଆସୁଛି । ସେହି ଦୁଃଖଦ ଘଟଣାର ବର୍ଷ-ପୂର୍ତ୍ତି ଦିନରେ ସେ ତାଙ୍କୁ ସାକ୍ଷାତ କରିବା ଘଟଣାକୁ ଏକ ଦୁର୍ଭାଗ୍ୟଜନକ ଆକସ୍ମିକ ଯୋଗସୂତ୍ର ବୋଲି ମନରେ ଭାବୁଥାଆନ୍ତି । କେବଳ ଡାକ୍ତରଙ୍କ ପରାମର୍ଶକ୍ରମେ ଜଳବାୟୁର ପରିବର୍ତ୍ତନ ପାଇଁ ତାଙ୍କର ସେ ସ୍ଥାନକୁ ଆଗମନ ହୋଇଥିଲା । ତା’ ବ୍ୟତୀତ, ଏଠାକୁ ଆଗମନର ଅନ୍ୟ କୌଣସି କାରଣ ହିଁ ନ ଥିଲା ।

ହଠାତ୍ ଶ୍ରୀମତୀ ସାପଲ୍ଟଟନ୍‌ ସତର୍କ ହୋଇଗଲେ । କାରଣ ସେ ଦେଖିବାକୁ ପାଇଲେ, ଅପରାହ୍ନର ସେହି ମ୍ଳାନ ଆଲୋକରେ ଶିକାରୀଦଳ ତାଙ୍କ ଶିକାରୀ କୁକୁର ସହିତ ଫେରି ଆସିଛନ୍ତି । ଅଳ୍ପ ସମୟ ଭିତରେ ସେମାନେ ସେହି ମୁକ୍ତ ବାତାୟନ ଦେଇ କକ୍ଷ ଭିତରେ ପ୍ରବେଶ କରିବେ । ମି. ନ୍ୟୁଟେଲ୍ ତାହା ଶୁଣି ଭୟଭୀତ ହୋଇଗଲେ । କାରଣ ତାଙ୍କ ଆଖୁରେ ସେମାନେ ଥିଲେ ମୃତପ୍ରାଣୀମାନଙ୍କର ଭୂତ । ଏଣୁ ସେ କୌଣସି ଲୌକିକତା ରକ୍ଷା ନ କରି ଉନ୍ମାଦଙ୍କ ପରି ସେହି କକ୍ଷରୁ ଝଡ଼ ବେଗରେ ନିଶ୍ରାନ୍ତ ହୋଇଗଲେ । ମି. ନ୍ୟୁଟେଲ୍‌ଙ୍କ ସେହି ଆଶୁ ପ୍ରସ୍ଥାନର କାରଣ ଦର୍ଶାଇବାକୁ ଯାଇ ଭେରା ଆଉ ଗୋଟିଏ ନୂତନ କାହାଣୀ ସଙ୍ଗେ ସଙ୍ଗେ ଆବିଷ୍କାର କରି ଶ୍ରୀମତୀ ସାପଲ୍ଟଟନ୍‌ଙ୍କୁ ଶୁଣାଇଲେ । ତାଙ୍କ ମତରେ, ବିଚାରା ମି. ନ୍ୟୁଟେଲ୍ କୁକୁରମାନଙ୍କୁ ଭୀଷଣ ଭୟ କରନ୍ତି । କାରଣ ଏକଦା ଦଳେ ବୁଲାକୁକୁର ତାଙ୍କୁ ଗଙ୍ଗା କୂଳକୁ ତଡ଼ିନେଇ ଯାଇଥିଲେ । ସେତେବେଳେ ରାତ୍ରି ସମୟ । ବିଚରା ନ୍ୟୁଟେଲ୍‌ଙ୍କୁ ଗୋଟାଏ କବର ଭିତରେ ଲୁଚିରହି ସାରାରାତି ବିତାଇବାକୁ ପଡ଼ିଥିଲା ।

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Odisha State Board CHSE Odisha Class 11 Invitation to English 2 Solutions Non-Detailed Chapter 5 Childhood Textbook Exercise Questions and Answers.

Class 11th Invitation English Non-Detailed Chapter 5 Childhood Question Answers CHSE Odisha

Childhood Class 11 Questions and Answers

Unit – I

Gist :
Going down the memory lane, Nehru states that his childhood was a dull and protective one. He grow up in an environment where his cousins often talked about arrogant and humiliating manners of the English people towards Indians and the latter’s duty to tolerate it. Besides, they discussed numerous facts connected with the difference between the rulers and the ruled. The author failed to understand anything. In spite of killing an Indian, an Englishman was declared innocent by a jury that comprised his own countrymen. Even the most crowded railway compartment were reserved for the English people. On the other hand, Indians were deprived of getting a seat, although they remained empty. Reservation was avilable for the former so far as benches and chairs in the public parks were concerned. Strangely enough, an Englishman was entitled to possess an unreserved compartment. As a result, the author developed anger towards the foreign rulers of his country. An Indian’s aggressive attack gladdened him. The way one of his cousins treated an Englishman and more frequently with Europeans and Asians is a case in point. Quarrels with them were common in the course of railway journeys in particular. Despite his angry feelings towards the foreign rulers, Nehru had no such feeling against individual Englishmen.

Glossary :
related: connected (ସଂଯୁକ୍ତ)
sheltered : protected (ସୁରକ୍ଷିତ)
uneventful : dull (କୁଣ୍ଠିତ)
overbearing : arrogant, proud (ଅହଂକାରୀ, ଗର୍ବୀ)
Eurasians : Europeans and Asians (ଇଉରୋପୀୟ ଓ ଏସୀୟ)
Instances: cases (ମାମଲା)
conflicts : difference (ପାର୍ଥକ୍ୟ)
acquitted : not found guilty (ଦୋଷୀ ସାବ୍ୟସ୍ତ ହୋଇନାହିଁ )
filled with : full of (ପୂର୍ଣ)
resentment : anger (କ୍ରୋଧ)
alien : foreigner (ବିଦେଶୀ)
infrequently : occasionally (ବେଳେବେଳେ)
encounters : meeting (ସଭା)
pick : start (ଆରମ୍ଭ କର)
oneness : unity (ଏକତ୍ଵ ଭାବ; ଏକତା)
offensive : rude (ଅଭଦ୍ର)
resent: hate (ଘୃଣା)
in my heart : sincerely (ଆନ୍ତରିକତାର ସହିତ)

Think it out:

Question 1.
Why did Nehru resent the behaviour of Englishmen in general in India?
Answer:
The English people treated Indians with disdain and arrogance. In spite of killing an Indian, they were declared innocent by a jury of their own countrymen. Reservations in railway trains, were meant only for English people, however crowded they might be. Indian people were deprived of travelling in them, in spite of remaining empty. Seats even in unreserved compartment were not allotted to them, but to an Englishman. Reservation concerning benches and chairs in public parks was meant for EuropeAnswer: His cousins talked about these facts and he listened to them as a child. Therefore, Nehru resented the behaviour of Englishmen in general in India.

Question 2.
How did he feel about the individual Englishman in India?
Answer:
In spite of resentment against the presence and unjust behaviour of the British government, Nehru didn’t have any feeling of animosity against individual Englishmen. English Governess took care of Nehru. At time he saw, the presence of English friends of his father’s calling on him. He rather heartily admired the English.

Unit -II

Gist :
Nehru recollects how their house echoed with his father’s roaring laughter that became famous in Allahabad. It happened when he was in a relaxing mood after the friends left his house. Sometimes curiosity led the writer to peep and understand the conversations of these great people. If he was seen doing so, he forcibly taken to the room. Fear seized him. His father made him sit on his knee for a while. Once he caught sight of his father and his friends drink whisky. He rushed to his mother, horrorstricken and told her that his father was drinking blood. The author deeply loved his father. To him, he was the epitome of strength and courage and cleverness, eclipsing all other men. The author had witnessed his father losing his temper at servants and others. To him, his father seemed to be ferocious at that time. The way he treated a servant made him tremble in fear, blended sometimes with anger. Nevertheless, his father was endowed with a sense of humour, a strong will and self-control. When he became old, his devastating temper abated in a great measure.

Glossary:
resound : echo (ଇକୋ)
Tremendous : profound (ବିରାଟ)
peep: Look quickly and furtively (ଶୀଘ୍ର ଏବଂ ଚତୁରତାର ସହ ଦେଖ)
embodiment: a typical living example (ଏକ ସାଧାରଣ ଜୀବନ୍ତ ଉଦାହରଣ)
treasure (v) : to keep something as extremely valuable (ଧନ)
shivered : trembled (ଥରି ଉଠିଲା)
fright : fear (ଭୟ)
iron : very strong (ବହୁତ ଶକ୍ତିଶାଳୀ)
indulge in : to do something that one likes (କିଛି କରିବାକୁ ଯାହା ପସନ୍ଦ କରେ)

Think it out :

Question 1.
How did Nehru’s father spend his evenings in Allahabad?
Answer:
Nehru’s father usually spent his evenings in the midst of his friends in his house. He relaxed with them after the day’s stress. The house would echo with his roaring laughter. His laugh carved out a name for itself in Allahaband. Nehru’s father
enjoyed drinking whisky with his friends.

Question 2.
How does Nehru express his admiration for his father?
Answer:
Nehru admires his father profusely. To him, his father was the epitome of strength, courage and cleverness. He was superior to all in these respects. He cherished the hope that he would be like him in future. In spite of possessing devastating temper, his father possessed a strong sense of humour and a determined will. With the growth of age, his father’s temper abated.

Unit -III

Gist :
Nehru remembers how he felt a prey to his father’s terrible ill-temper, when he was about five or six. One day he greedily looked at two fountain-pens on his father’s office table. Debating with himself that his father would not need both of them at the same time and this prompted him to take one. Later a mighty search for it was on. Nehru grew panicky at his guilt, but he did not confess it. They found out the pen. The author’s wrong deed came to light before everybody. The author was given a terrible thrashing. He wilted under severe pain and utter shame. Mother was the source of solace to him at that’moment, but he had not any grumbling for his father for inflicting punishment on him. His admiration and affection for him remained as strong as ever, but fear was always there. He never feared his mother, because she would always approved him for anything he did. Because of her overwhelming love for him, Nehru tried to influence her a bit. He confided everything to his mother, but never to his father. He praised his mother’s beauty and loved her astonishingly small and beautiful hands. Nehru’s mother hailed from Kashmir.

Glossary :
recollections : memory (ସ୍ମୃତି)
victim : prey (ଶିକାର)
mighty : massive (ବିରାଟ)
got frightened : got panicky (ଭୟଭୀତ ହେଲା)
confess : admit (ସ୍ୱୀକାର କର)
proclaim (v) : declare (ଘୋଷଣା କର)
mortification : shame (ଲଜ୍ଜା)
disgrace : dishonour (ଅପମାନ)
quivering : trembling (କମ୍ପିତ)
aching : injured (ଆହତ)
ill-will : bad intention (ଖରାପ ଉଦ୍ଦେଶ୍ୟ)
admiration : praise (ପ୍ରଶଂସା)
condone : approve anything (କ୍ଷମା କରିବା)
indiscriminating : overwhelming (ପ୍ରକମ୍ପିତ)
confide : have confidence (ଆତ୍ମବିଶ୍ୱାସ ରଖନ୍ତୁ)
petite : small, thin, attractive (ଛୋଟ, ପତଳା, ଆକର୍ଷଣୀୟ)
dominate : influence (ପ୍ରଭାବ)
amazingly : astonishingly (ଆଶ୍ଚର୍ୟ୍ୟଜନକ ଭାବେ)

Think it out

Question 1.
Narrate briefly how Nehru became a victim of his father’s temper. What was the effect of this incident on him?
Answer:
When he was about five or six, Nehru caught sight of two fountain-pens on his father’s office table and looked at them greedily. He debated with himself if his father would use both at the same time. So he took one of them, Later his family made a massive search for the lost pen. Nehru got panicky, but didn’t admit his guilt. The pen was found out. Father burst into anger and inflinced a severe blow on him. Nehru suffered pain and shame. Mother applied various creams and ointments to his aching and trembling body.

Question 2.
What impression of Nehru’s mother do you get from this unit?
Answer:
This unit presents Nehru’s mother in a bright light. She was a forgiving woman. She approved everything Nehru did in his childhood, because of her abundant and overwhelming love for him. He told everything to his mother, as she seemed closer to him. Nehru’s mbther was thin, short and attractive. He praised her beauty and loved her astonishingly small and beautiful hands and feet. Nehru’s mother hailed from Kashmir.

Unit -IV

Gist :
The author cherishes the memory of his father’s Munshi Mubarak Ali, who hailed from a rich family of Badaun that had met with ruin and partial destruction as a result of the Rebellion of 1857 and the English troops respectively. This tragedy made Mubarak gentle and patient with everybody and with children in particular. In him, Nehru found a safe shelter in his moments of sorrow or trouble. In Nehru’s childhood, he seemed to be a picture of very ancient and full of knowledge of the past. Mubarak was a great story-teller. When Nehru grew up, his trustworthy Mubarak Ali was no more. He listened to the stories from the Ramayana and the Mahabharata narrated by his mother and aunt and this contributed to Nehru’s knowledge of Indian folkfore and mythology during his childhood.

Glossary:
confidant: trusted person (ବିଶ୍ୱସ୍ତ ବ୍ୟକ୍ତି)
well-to-do : rich (ଧନୀ)
exterminate (v) : destroy (ବିନାଶ କର)
affliction : suffering (ଦୁଃଖ କଷ୍ଟ)
forbearing : patient ରୋଗୀ
haven : safe place (ନିରାପଦ ସ୍ଥାନ)
refuge : shelter (ଆଶ୍ରୟସ୍ଥଳୀ)
ancient : old (ପୁରାତନ)
lore : knowledge (ଜ୍ଞାନ)
snuggle up : get closer (ନିକଟତର ହେବା)
innumerable : countless (ଅଗଣିତ)
Arabian Nights : Thousand One Night’s Tale of the Arabian Nights (ଥାଉଜେଣ୍ଡ ବାନ ନାଇଟ୍ସ ଟେଲ ଅଫ ଦ ଆରବିଆନ୍ ନାଇଟ୍ସ)
precious : valuable (ମୂଲ୍ୟବାନ)
possession : treasure (ରତ୍ନଭଣ୍ଡାର)
inexhaustible : never-ending (ଚିରନ୍ତନ)

Think it out :

Question 1.
How does Nehru cherish the memory of Mubarak Ali?
Answer:
Mubarak Ali, his father’s Munshi, and Nehru’s one of the early trustworthy persons, came from a rich family. Unfortunately, the Rebellion of 1857 ruined his family and the English troops had partially destroyed it. In spite of great suffering, Mubarak never lost his heart. This tragedy made him gentle and patient with everybody. He was a source of consolation to Nehru’s trouble. He was a remarkable story-teller and the narrator of the painful happenings in 1857 and 58. When Nehfu grew up, Mubarak was no more.

Question 2.
How did Nehru acquire the knowledge of Indian folklore and mythology during his childhood?
Answer:
Nehru was fortunate to listen to stories from the old Hindu mythology during his childhood. Besides, he lent his years to the epics such as, the Ramayana and the Mahabharata. His mother and aunt always narrated these stories to him. Nehru’s aunt, the widow of Pandit Nand Lai, possessed a vast knowledge of old indian books. She knew stories that knew no end. In this way, Nehru acquired the knowledge of Indian folklore and mythology during his childhood.

Unit -V

Gist :
Nehru did not have clear ideas of religion during his childhood. Father and his older cousins dealt with it very lightly. Nehru rather enjoyed various religious ceremonies performed by the women of the family. Sometimes he went to the Ganges for a dip with his mother. Sometimes they visited temples in Allahabad and so on. But all this did not greatly influence him. Nehru goes back to his childhood days when festivals such as, the Holi, the Divali, the Janamsthami were celebrated with pomp and grandeur. The Muslims also celebrated the Mohurrum. The two Id days found their Munshiji in the big mosque for prayers. He was elegantly dressed. The author was nicely treated in his house. Most of the other Hindus did not observe some special celebrations which were important for the Nehru’s family and other Kashmiris. The Naoraz is a case in point. All of them put on new dresses and the young people were given small amounts of money as tips.

Glossary:
hazy : not clear (ଅସ୍ପଷ୍ଟ)
notions : ideas (ବିଚାର)
casual : temporary (ଅସ୍ଥାୟୀ)
revelry : noisy fun, merrymaking (ହୋ-ହଲ୍ଲା ମଜା, ହୁଳହୁଳି)
squirt : sprinkle (ସିଞ୍ଚନ କରିବା)
lit up : lighted (ଆଲୋକିତ)
conquest : victory (ବିଜୟ)
assembled : gathered (ଏକତ୍ରୀତ)
attire : dress (ବେଶଭୂଷା)
dainties : tasty food (ସୁସ୍ୱାଦୁ ଖାଦ୍ୟ)
tips : to give a small amount of money (ଅଳ୍ପ କିଛି ଟଙ୍କା ଦେବା ପାଇଁ)

Think it out:

Question 1.
How does Nehru recall the religious atmosphere in his home during his childhood?
Answer:
Nehru had hazy ideas of religion during his childhood. Father and his older cousins treated the matter in a lighter vein. Nevertheless, some sort of religious atmosphere prevailed in his family. The women of the family took part in various ceremonies and rituals from time to time. Nehru rather enjoyed it, yet he tried to take a leaf out of the casual attitude of the grown-up men of the family. Sometimes, he go to the Ganges with his mother or aunt for a dip and visited temples in Allahabad or Benares.

Question 2.
How did Nehru family observe various festivals when he was a child?
Answer:
Nehru’s family observed various festivals such as, the Holi, the Divali, the festival of light, the Janamsthami, the Dasehra and Ram Lila, Rakshabandhan, Bhayya Duj and the Naoroz in a very enthusiastic manner. Festivity was in the air, during the Holi and the Divali. They all observed the Holi by sprinkling water at each other and the Divali by lighting their houses with thousands of dim light in earthen cups. The tableaux and processions connected with the Dusehra and Ram Lila attracted multitude of people.

Unit -VI

Gist:
Nehru had great fascination for his birthdays. He enjoyed them to his heart’s content during his childhood. He was the focus of these particular days. Early in the morning he was weighed in a very big balance against some bags packed with wheat and other articles. Then they were given away among the poor. Nehru was clad in clothes. He received gifts. Later, a party took place on the occasion. He felt the central figure of his birthday ceremony. His complaint against this occasion that it did not come all the time. Of course, he tried to revolt for more continuous birthdays. Once he accompanied the whole family went to a distant town to attend a marriage. The journeys were quite enjoyable. The marriage house was packed with many families and as a result, he never felt lonely. These occasions filled all the children’ with great joy.

Glossary:
array: put on a ceremonial dress (ଆନୁଷ୍ଠାନିକ ପୋଷାକ ପରିଧାନ କରନ୍ତୁ)
grievance: complaint (ଅଭିୟୋଗ)
agitation: revolt (ବିଦ୍ରୋହ କରିବା)
advancing: growing (କ୍ରମବର୍ଦ୍ଧିଷ୍ଣୁ)
journeyed: travelled (ଯାତ୍ରା କଲେ)
numerous: many (ଅନେକ)
our … mischief (ଆମର) : Nehru and other children enjoyed playing and doing mischief to the brim

Think it out:

Question 1.
How did Nehru enjoy his birthdays during his childhood?
Answer:
Nehru enjoyed his birthdays to his heart’s content during his childhood. He played the most important part in his birth anniversary. He was full of excitement that day. Early in the morning he was weighed in a very big balance against some bags packed with wheat and other articles and they were given away to the poor. He was clad in new clothes and received gifts. His family hosted a party in the evening.

Question 2.
What was his grievane against this occasion?
Answer:
Nehru’s main grievance against his birthdays during his childhood that they did not come frequently. They occurred so rarely. Of course, he tried to start a revolt for more frequent birthdays. At that time, he was not aware of one stark truth that birthdays signalled the growth of ag

Unit – VII

Gist :
Nehru hits at the extravagant ceremonies in India. The rich and the poor spend lavishly on marriage. It is a mere waste. As a result, they are worthy of blame. Their vulgar show lacks artistic and aesthetic value. The middle classes are most affected. The poor do not mind spending carelessly, they incur heavy loans from the money lenders. Their social customs drive them to a quagmire of poverty. Of course, the poor lead terribly dull and boring lives. An occasional marriage celebration brings them a sort of happiness. In it, they find themselves in a world where life’s toil and tiredness do not exist.

These occasions are a source of consolation in thier miserable existence. Here they laugh and make merry. Nehru wants them to give up such show at any cost. However, he is sympathetic to the poor with regard to their pompous wedding ceremonies. He holds the same attitude towards the middle classes. These marriages make them united socially in a great measure. The poor and middle class people meet their distant relations and old friends after a long time. Vastness of India’s size deprives them of being together so easily. Therefore marriage celebrations have gained popularity.

Glossary:
condemnation : blame (ଦୋଷ ଦେବା)
extravagant : spending a lot of money (ପ୍ରଚୁର ଅର୍ଥ ବ୍ୟୟ କରି ଚଳୁଛନ୍ତି)
display : show (ପ୍ରଦର୍ଶନ କରିବା)
aesthetic: showing artistic taste (କଳାତ୍ମକ ରୁଚି ଦେଖାଇବା)
burdensome: hard to bear (ସହିବାକୁ କଷ୍ଟ ହୁଏ)
monotonous : boring (ଅବଶୋଷଣ)
toil: hard work (କଠିନ ପରିଶ୍ରମ)
refuge: shelter (ଆଶ୍ରୟସ୍ଥଳୀ)
domesticity: family life (ପାରିବାରିକ ଜୀବନ)
prosaic: uninteresting (ଅନାସକ୍ତ)
lessen: reduce (ହ୍ରାସ କରିବା)
rival: opponent (ପ୍ରତିଦ୍ୱନ୍ଦ୍ୱୀ)

Think it out:

Question 1.
How did Nehru enjoy himself when his family visited relatives living in distant towns to take part in wedding ceremonies?
Answer:
Not necessary. (This unit does not contain the answer.)

Question 2.
How does Nehru view customs of Indian marriages?
Answer:
Nehru’s view on customs of Indian marriages is critical out and out. The rich and the poor, in his opinion, are worthy of blame because of their wasteful and pompous show. They spend a lot of money on marriage ceremonies. Besides, waste, they sometimes seems to be untasteful that lacks artistic value of any sort. It is indeed painful.

Question 3.
Why is he sympathetic to the poor with regard to their extravagant wedding ceremonies?
Answer:
In spite of their extravagant display, the poor’ evoke Nehru’s sympathy. It is true that their poverty is attributed to their social customs. Their life is excessively dull and boring. An occasional marriage brings cheers to their lives. They feast, laugh and make merry on these occasions. They get a respite from their dreary domestic work and hard toil.

Question 4.
What is Nehru’s observation on the brighter side of wasteful marriage ceremonies?
Answer:
Nehru sees the brighter side of wasteful marriage ceremonies. These marriages pave the way for social unions. As a result, distant relations and old friends got a chance to meet each other after a long gap. It is difficult for friends to meet and for many to meet at the same times is more difficult if one takes India’s vast size into account.

Unit – VIII

Gist:
Nehru focusses on the status of Kashmiri women in the society. They never adopted purdah system. They adopted it partially in relation to non-Kashmiris. Their social status was marked by the greater freedom they enjoyed in the society then many others in North India. Kashmiri feats and ceremonies showed a sign of their togetherness. Of course the boys and girls lacked the freedom of modern West. In this way the author’s early life passed. At times his family quarrels reached a dangerous pitch. His father got angry. When these hapenings caught his attention, Nehru felt very sad.

Father’s interference sent shock waves down their spins. The little incident of his childhood lingers in memory. At the age of seven or eight, riding was a daily routine for him. A sawar from a cavalry unit always accompanied him. One evening Nehru fell down and as a result his small horse, a good-looking animal, partly Arab, came back alone to his home. At that time his father \vas hosting a tennis party. A great shocked feeling ran through all and all the party led by his father went in search of him. All kinds of vehicles were pressed into action. They met Nehru on the way and he was given a special treatment.

Glossary:
seclusion : isolation (ବିଚ୍ଛିନ୍ନତା)
prevailing : existing (ପ୍ରଚଳିତ)
inevitable : unavoidable (ଅପରିହାର୍ୟ୍ୟ)
squabble : quarrel (ବାଦବିବାଦ)
assumed unusual proportions : reached a high pitch (ଏକ ଉଚ୍ଚ ପିଚ୍ରେ ପହଞ୍ଚିଥିଲେ)
reached…..ears : Nehru’s father heard (ଶୁଣିଲେ ନେହେରୁଙ୍କ ବାପା)
disagreebale : unpleasant (ଅରୁଚିକର)
intervention : interference (ହସ୍ତକ୍ଷେପ)
cavalry (ଅଶ୍ୱାରୋହୀ ବାହିନୀ) : in the past, the post of an army consisting of soldiers who rode horses
pony : a small horse (ଏକ ଛୋଟ ଘୋଡା)
pretty : good-looking (ସୁନ୍ଦରୀ ସୁନ୍ଦରୀ)
consternation : a shocked, or worried feeling (ଏକ ଚକିତ, କିମ୍ବା ଚିନ୍ତିତ ଅନୁଭବ)
set out : started (ଆରମ୍ଭ)
deed : work (କାର୍ୟ୍ୟ)

Think it out:

Question 1.
How does Nehru focus on the status of Kashmiri women in the society?
Answer:
Nehru collects those times when the Kashimiri women enjoyed greater status in society. They lived more freely than many other women in North India. They never experienced the isolation of other women. They did not have any veil. They matched the free social life of men and women. Every Kashimiri’s house was open for every Kashmiri. Men and women took part in Kashmiri feasts and ceremonies.

Question 2.
How does he record his adventure with horse-riding during his childhood?
Answer:
Nehru graphically records his adventure with horse-riding during his childhood. At the age of eight he frequently went for a ride in the company of a sawar. One evening, Nehru fell off his good-looking small horse. As a result, it got back home without him. At that time his father was hosting a tennis party. A shocked feeling ran through all and the entire family and party led by his father set out in search of him. They met him on the way. He was accorded a fabulous treatment.

CHSE Odisha Class 11 English Childhood Important Questions and Answers

Question 1.
Read through the extract and answer the questions that follow.
In the evenings usually many friends came to visit father and he would relax after the tension of the day and the house would resound with his tremendous laughter. His laugh became famous in Allahabad. Sometimes I would peep at him and his friends from behind a curtain trying to make out what these great big people said to each other. If I was caught in the act I would be dragged out and, rather frightened, made to sit for a while on father’s knee. Once I saw him drinking claret or some other red wine. Whisky I knew. I had often seen him and his friends drink it. But the new red stuff filled me with horror and I rushed to my mother to tell her that father was drinking blood. I admired father tremendously. He seemed to me the embodiment of strength and courage and cleverness, far above all the other men I saw, and I treasured the hope that when I grew up I would be rather like him. But much as I admired him and loved him I feared him also. I had seen him losing his temper at servants and others and he seemed to me terrible then and I shivered with fright, mixed sometimes with resentment, at the treatment of a servant. His temper was indeed an awful thing and even in after years I do not think I ever came across anything to match it in its own line. But, fortunately, he had a strong sense of humour also and an iron will, and he could control himself as a rule. As he grew older this power of control grew and it was very rare for him to indulge in anything like his old temper.

Questions :
(i) Describe Nehru’s childhood memories as outlined in the first part of the extract.
(ii) Throw light on the temper displayed by his Nehru’s father.

Answers :
(i) Nehru’s childhood memories as outlined in the extract were a blend of fear and curiosity. He recollects his father’s roaring laughter in the midst of his friends. Sometimes driven by curiosity, Nehru looked secretly at him and his friend’s from behind a curtain to understand what they were talking. If he was caught while doing so, he was pulled, and fear-stricken, he had to sit for a while on his father’s knee. Nehru had also seen father and his friends drank whisky. He, full of horror, ran to his mother to apprise her of his father’s act of drinking blood.
(ii) Nehru’s father was a man of devastating temper. He had seen his father losing his temper at his servants and others. His treatment of a servant made Nehru tremble in fear. As a result, at times, he was filled with anger at his father. However, his father’s old temper did not last long. With the growth of age, his habit almost became a thing of the past.

Question 2.
Read through the extract and answer the questions that follow.
But more than all these festivals I was interested in one annual event in which I played the central part – the celebration of the anniversary of my birth. This was a day of great excitement for me. Early in the morning I was weighed in a huge balance against some bagfuls of wheat and other articles which were then distributed to the poor, and then I arrayed myself in new clothes and received presents, and later in the day there was a party. 1 felt the hero of the occasion. My chief grievance was that my birthday came so rarely. Indeed I tried to start an agitation for more frequent birthdays. I did not realize then that a time would come when birthdays would become unpleasant reminders of advancing age. Sometimes the whole family journeyed to a distant town to attend a marriage, either of a cousin of mine or of some more distant relation or friend. Those were exciting journeys for us, children, for all rules were relaxed during these marriage festivities and we had the free run of the place. Numerous families usually lived crowded together in the shadi-khana, the marriage house, where the party stayed, and there were many boys and girls and children. On these occasions I could not complain of loneliness and we had our heart’s fill of play and mischief, with an occasional scolding from our elders.

Questions :
(i) Nehru enjoyed his birthdays to his heart’s content. Do you agree?
(ii) How did Nehru enjoy himself when his family visited relatives living in distant towns to take part in wedding ceremonies?

Answers :
(i) Yes, Nehru certainly enjoyed his birthdays to his heart’s content. He played the pivotal role in the celebration of the anniversary of his birth. He was full of great excitement on his birthday. A big balance was used to weigh him against some bags packed with wheat and other articles. They were then given away to the poor. Nehru was clad in new clothes and received presents. His family hosted a party. In his moment of happiness and excitement, Nehru forgot that a time would be inevitable when birthdays would be reminders of growing age.
(ii) Sometimes the entire Nehru family went to distant town to take part in a marriage either of his cousin or of some other more distant relation or friend. Nehru and other children found these journeys quite exciting. Those were the occasions when they freely laughed and made merry. There was a crowd of many families living together in the marriage house. Nehru’s enjoyment knew no end in the marriage ceremonies.

Question 3.
Read through the extract and answer the questions that follow.
Kashmiris have had one advantage over many others in India, especially in the north. They have never had any purdah, or seclusion of women, among themselves. Finding this custom prevailing in the Indian plains, when they came down, they adopted it, but only partly and in so far as their relations with others and non-Kashmiris were concerned. That was considered then in northern India, where most of the Kashmiris stayed, an inevitable sign of social status. But among themselves they stuck to the free social life of men and women, and every
Kashmiri had the free entree into any Kashmiri house. In Kashmiri feasts and ceremonies men and women met together and sat together, though often the women would sit in one bunch. Boys and girls used to meet on a more or less equal footing. They did not, of course, have the freedom of the modern West. So passed my early years. Sometimes, as was inevitable in a large family, there were family squabbles. When these happened to assume unusual proportions, they reached my father’s ears and he was angry and seemed to think that all such happenings were due to the folly of women. I did not understand what exactly had happened but I saw that something was very wrong, as people seemed to speak in a peculiarly disagreeable way or to avoid each other. I felt very unhappy. Father’s intervention, when it took place, shook us all up.

Questions :
(i) What picture of Kashmiri women do you find in the extract?
(ii) Describe Nehru’s recollection of family quarrels during his childhood.

Answers :
Kashmiri women stole a march over many others in north’ India. They enjoyed a greater freedom in the society than those living in this part of the country. They never used any sort of veil among themselves. They only partly adopted this system in interacting with others and non-Kashmiris. On the whole, Kashmiri women enjoyed a great social status. Kashmiri house freely welcomed all, men and women alike. They enjoyed the feasts together. Going down the memory lane, Nehru recollects family quarrels in a large family like his. When these unpleasant happenings took a very ugly turn, they could not go unnoticed. Nehru’s father got angry. He seemed to think that all such happenings were attributed due to the stupidity of women. Nehru failed to make out what exactly took place in the family and this made him sad.

Introducing the Author:
Jawaharlal, independent India’s first Prime Minister, was also one of the finest writers of English prose. Intellectual fervour and statesmanly ferosity seldom go together. He belonged to that galaxy of writers, who are considered to be of vital intellectual dimension. His books, which include Glimpses of World History, The Discovery of India and his autobiography and many letters and speeches, are the proof of his literary skill. He has made a substantial contribution to Enligsh literature. Reading Nehru’s writings produce a kind of intoxication.

About the Story :
Childhood, an extract from Nehru’s autobiography as the title suggests, throws light on Nehru’s memories of childhood. He deals with many things such as, his high regards for his father, religious atmosphere in his house, enjoyment of his birthdays and so on.

Summary :
The topic begins with Nehru’s recollection of the discussions of his cousins. He failed to make out, what they said. But their talks were built around the arrogant and humiliating behaviour of the English rulers towards the people of India. Indians were subjected to blatant injustice of the Englishmen. In Spite of killing an Indian, they were declared innocent by a jury of their own countrymen. Reservations in railway trains, were meant only for Enlgish people, however crowded they might be. Indian people were deprived of travelling in them, in spite of remaining empty.

Seats even in unreserved compartment were not allotted to them, but to an Englishman. Reservation concerning benches and chairs in public parks was meant for EuropeAnswer: His cousins talked about these facts and he listed to them as a child. Therefore, Nehru resented the behaviour of Englishmen in general in India. Despite his hatred for the presence and unjust behaviour of the British government, Nehru didn’t have any feeling of animosity against individual Englishmen. English Governess took care of Nehru. At time he said, the presence of English friends of his father, calling on him. He rather heartily admired the English.

Nehru’s father usually spent his evening in the midst of his friends in his house. He relaxed with them after the day’s stress. The house would echo with his roaring laughter. His laugh carved out a name for itself in Allahaband. Nehru’s father enjoyed drinking whisky with his friends. Nehru admires his father profusely. To him, his father was the epitome of strength, courage and cleverness. He was superior to all in these respects. He cherished the hope that he would be like him in future. In spite of possessing, devastating temper, his father possessed a string sense of humour and a determined will. With the growth of age, his father’s temper abated.

Nehru walking down the memory lane, remembers one painful incident in his life. When he was about five or six, Nehru caught sight of two fountain-pens on his father’s office table and looked at them greedily. He debated with himself if his father would use both at the same time. So he took one of them. Later his family made a massive search for the lost pen. Nehru got panicky, but didn’t admit his guilt. The pen was found out. Father burst into anger and inflicted a severe blow on him. Nehru suffered pain and shame. Mother applied various creams and ointments to his aching and trembling body. Nehru throws light on his mother. She was a forgiving woman. She approved everything Nehru did in his childhood, because of her abundant and overwhelming love for him. He told everything to his mother, as she seemed closer to him. Nehru’s mother was thin, short and attractive. He praised her beauty and loved her astonishingly small and beautiful hands and feet. Nehru’s mother hailed from Kashmir.

Nehru also does not forget to recollect how he cherishes the memory of Mubarak Ali, his father’s Munshi and his own trustworthy person, who came of a rich family. Unfortunately, the Rebellion of 1857 ruined his family and the English troops had partially destroyed it. In spite of great suffering, Mubarak never lost his heart. This tragedy made him gentle and patient with everybody. He was a source of consolation to Nehru’s trouble. He was a remarkable story-teller and the narrator of the painful happenings in 1857 and 58. When Nehru grew up, Mubarak was no more.

Nehru was fortunate to listen to stories from the old Hindu mythology during his childhood. Besides, he lent his years to the epics such as, the Ramayana and the Mahabharata. His mother and aunt always narrated these stories to him. Nehru’s aunt, the widow of Pandit Nand Lai, possessed a vast knowledge of old Indian books. She knew stories that knew no end. Therefore, Nehru acquired the knowledge of Indian folklore and mythology during his childhood. Nehru had hazy notions of religion during his childhood. He recalls the religious atmosphere in his home during his childhood. Father and his older cousins dealt with it very lightly. Nerhu rather enjoyed various religious ceremonies performed by the women of the family. Sometimes he went to the Ganges for a dip with his mother.

Sometimes they visited temples in Allahabad and so on. But all this did not greatly influenced him. Nehru’s family observed various festivals such as, the Holi, the Divali, the festival of light, the Janamsthami, the Dasehra and Ram Lila, Rakshabandhan, Bhayya Duj, and the Naoroz in a very enthusiastic manner. Festivity was in the air, during the Holi and the Divali. They all observed Holi by sprinkling water at each other and the Divali by lighting their houses with thousands of dim lights in earthen cups. The tableaux and processions connected with the Dusehra and Ram Lila attracted multitude of people. Nehru had great fascination for his birthdays. He enjoyed his birthdays to his heart’s content. He played the most important part in his birth anniversary. He was full of excitement that day. Early in the morning he was weighed in a very big balance against some bags packed with wheat and other articles and they were given away to the poor. He was clad in new clothes and received gifts.

His family hosted a party on the occasion. In those days, he was not aware of the fact that there would be a time when birthdays would become stark reminders of growing age. Nehru’s main grievance against his birthdays during his childhood that they did not come frequently. They occurred so rarely. Of course, he tried to start a revolt for more frequent birthdays. Nehru hits at the extravagant ceremonies in India. The rich and the poor spend lavishly on marriage. It is a mere waste. As a result, they are worthy of blame. Their vulgar show lacks artistic or aesthetic value. The middle classes are most affected. The poor do not mind spending carelessly, they incur heavy loans from the money-lenders. Their social customs drive them to a quagmire of poverty. Of course, the poor lead terribly dull and boring lives. An occasional marriage celebration brings them a sort of happiness. In it, they find themselves in a world where life’s toil and tiredness do not exist. These occasions are a source of consolation in thier miserable existence. Here they laugh and make merry. Nehru wants them to give up such show at any cost.

However, he is sympathetic to the poor with regard to their pompous wedding ceremonies. He holds the same attitude towards the middle classes. These marriages make them united socially in a great measure. The poor and middle class people meet their distant relations and old friends after a long time. Vastness of India’s size deprives them of being together so easily. Therefore marriage celebrations have gained popularity. Nehru collects those times when the Kashmiri women enjoyed greater status in society. They lived more freely than many other women in North India. They never experienced the isolation of other women. They did not have any veil. They matched the free social life of men and women. Every Kashmiri’s house was open for every Kashmiri people. Men and women took part in Kashmiri feasts and ceremonies. The topic comes to a close with Nehru recording his adventure with horse-riding during his childhood. At the age of eight, he frequently went for a ride in the company of a sawar. One evening, Nehru fell off his good-looking small horse. As a result, it got back home without him. At that time his father was hosting a tennis party. A shocked feeling ran through all and the entire family led by his father set out in search of him. They met him on the way. He was accorded a fabulous treatment.

ସାରାଂଶ :

ପଣ୍ଡିତ ଜବାହରଲାଲ ନେହେରୁଙ୍କ ବାଲ୍ୟକାଳ ସୁରକ୍ଷିତ, କିନ୍ତୁ ଘଟଣାବହୁଳ ନଥିଲା । ପରିବାରର ବୟସ୍କ ଲୋକେ ତାଙ୍କ ସମ୍ପର୍କୀୟ ଭାଇଙ୍କ ବିଷୟରେ କଥାବାର୍ତ୍ତା ହେଉଥୁବାର ସେ ଶୁଣୁଥିଲେ; କିନ୍ତୁ କିଛି ବୁଝିପାରୁନଥିଲେ । ବେଳେ ବେଳେ ସେ ଇଂରେଜ ଓ ୟୁରେସିଆମାନଙ୍କର ଦାୟିକପଣିଆ ବିଷୟରେ ଶୁଣିଥିଲେ । ସେମାନେ ଭାରତୀୟମାନଙ୍କୁ କିଭଳି ହେୟ ମନେକରୁଥିଲେ ତାହା ଶୁଣି ବାଳକ ନେହେରୁ ଦୁଃଖାଭିଭୂତ ହେଉଥିଲା । ଶାସକଗୋଷ୍ଠୀ ଓ ଶାସିତମାନଙ୍କ ମଧ୍ୟରେ ମଝିରେ ମଝିରେ କଳହ ହେଉଥ‌ିବା ବିଷୟରେ ନେହେରୁ ପରିବାରରେ ଆଲୋଚନା ହେଉଥିଲା । ଏହା ଏକ ଅଖ୍ୟାତି ବିଶିଷ୍ଟ ଘଟଣା ହେଉଥିଲା ଏବଂ ଭାରତୀୟମାନେ ନ୍ୟାୟୋଚିତ ବିଚାରରୁ ବଞ୍ଚିତ ହେଉଥିଲେ ।

ରେଳଗାଡ଼ି ଯେତେ ଭିଡ଼ ହେଉ ପଛକେ ହେଉଥିଲା ଏବଂ ଭାରତୀୟମାନେ ନ୍ୟାୟୋଚିତ ବିଚାରରୁ ବଞ୍ଚିତ ହେଉଥିଲେ । ରେଳଗାଡ଼ି ଯେତେ ଭିଡ଼ ହେଉ ପଛକେ ଇଂରେଜ ୟୁରେସିଆମାନଙ୍କ ପାଇଁ ରେଳଡ଼ବା ସଂରକ୍ଷିତ ରହୁଥିଲା ଏବଂ କୌଣସି ଭାରତୀୟଙ୍କୁ ସେ ଡବା ମଧ୍ୟକୁ ପ୍ରବେଶ କରିବା ନିଷିଦ୍ଧ ଥିଲା । ଏପରିକି ସଂରକ୍ଷିତ ନଥିବା ଡବାଗୁଡିକ ମଧ୍ୟ ଇଂରେଜମାନଙ୍କ ଦ୍ବାରା ଦଖଲ କରାଯାଉଥିଲା । ସାଧାରଣ ପାର୍କଗୁଡିକରେ ବେଞ୍ଚ ଓ ଚୌକିଗୁଡ଼ିକ ମଧ୍ୟ ଗୋରାମାନଙ୍କ ପାଇଁ ସଂରକ୍ଷିତ ରହୁଥିଲା । ଏହିସବୁ ବିଷୟଶୁଣି ନେହେରୁଙ୍କ ମନ ଇଂରେଜମାନଙ୍କ ପ୍ରତି ଘୃଣାପୂର୍ଣ୍ଣ ହୋଇ ଉଠୁଥିଲା । ଯଦି ସେ ଶୁଣିବାକୁ ପାଆନ୍ତି ଯେ, କୌଣସି ସ୍ଥାନରେ ଭାରତୀୟ ଜଣେ ଇଂରେଜ ଲୋକକୁ ମାଡ଼ ଦେଇଛି ସେ ଭାରି ଖୁସି ହେଉଥିଲେ । ବିଶେଷକରି ଯଦି ନେହେରୁଙ୍କ ବନ୍ଧୁ ବା ସମ୍ପର୍କୀୟ କେହି ଏପରି କାର୍ଯ୍ୟରେ ଦଳିତ ହେଉଥିଲେ ତେବେ ତାଙ୍କ ଆନନ୍ଦର ସୀମା କହିଲେ ନସରେ । ୟୁରେସିୟମାନେ ଇଂରେଜମାନଙ୍କୁ ପୂର୍ଣ୍ଣ ସମର୍ଥନ କରୁଥିଲେ ଏବଂ ଭାରତୀୟମାନଙ୍କୁ ନାନାପ୍ରକାର କଷ୍ଟ ଦେଉଥିଲେ ।

ନେହେରୁଙ୍କୁ ବାଲ୍ୟକାଳରୁ ଶ୍ଵେତାଙ୍ଗ ବିଦେଶୀ ଶାସକମାନଙ୍କ ପ୍ରତି ଘୃଣାଭାବ ଥିଲା । କିନ୍ତୁ କୌଣସି ବ୍ୟକ୍ତିବିଶେଷଙ୍କୁ ସେ ଘୃଣା କରୁନଥିଲେ । ତାଙ୍କ ପିତାଙ୍କ ଅନେକ ଗୋରାବନ୍ଧୁ ତାଙ୍କ ପରିବାରକୁ ଆସୁଥିଲେ । ତାଙ୍କର ଜଣେ ଇଂରେଜ ଗୃହଶିକ୍ଷୟିତ୍ରୀ ଥିଲେ । ସାଧାରଣତଃ ସନ୍ଧ୍ୟାବେଳେ ତାଙ୍କ ପିତାଙ୍କୁ ସାକ୍ଷାତ କରିବା ପାଇଁ ଅନେକ ବନ୍ଧୁ ଆସୁଥିଲେ । ବହୁ ସମୟ ପର୍ଯ୍ୟନ୍ତ ଆଲୋଚନା ହେଉଥିଲା । ତାଙ୍କ ପିତା ଅଶ୍ଵସ୍ତ ବୋଧ କରୁଥିଲେ । ନେହେରୁ ଲୁଚି ସବୁ ଦେଖନ୍ତି ଓ ଶୁଣନ୍ତି । ଯସି ସେ ଏହି କାର୍ଯ୍ୟରତ ବେଳେ ଧରାପଡନ୍ତି ତେବେ ମୋତିଲାଲ ନେହେରୁ ତାଙ୍କୁ ନେଇ ନିଜ କୋଳରେ ବସାନ୍ତି ଓ ସେ ବନ୍ଧୁମାନଙ୍କ ସହ ପିତାଙ୍କ ଆଲୋଚନା ଓ ସୁରାପାନ ମଧ୍ଯ ଦେଖନ୍ତି । ଥରେ ତାଙ୍କ ପିତା ସ୍ଵିସ୍କ ବା ପ୍ଲାରେଟ୍ ଏକ ପ୍ରକାର ନାଲି ସୁରାପାନ କରୁଥିବା ବେଳେ ନେହେରୁ ଦେଖ‌ିଲେ ଓ ସେ ଭୀଷଣ ଭୟଭୀତ ହୋଇ ନିଜ ମାତାଙ୍କ ନିକଟକୁ ଦୌଡ଼ିଲେ ଏବଂ ତାଙ୍କୁ କହିଲେ ଯେ ବାପା ରକ୍ତଦାନ କରୁଛନ୍ତି ।

ନେହେରୁ ନିଜ ପିତାଙ୍କର ବହୁ ପ୍ରଶଂସା କରୁଥିଲେ । ବାପା ତାଙ୍କ ପାଇଁ ବଳ, ସାହସିକତା ଓ ଚତୁଋତାର ଅବତାର ଥିଲେ । ବାଳକ ନେହେରୁ ନିଜ ପିତାଙ୍କ ପରି ହେବା ପାଇଁ ଦୃଢ଼ ଆଶା ପୋଷଣ କରିଥିଲେ । ଭକ୍ତି ଓ ପ୍ରଶଂସା ସହ ସେ ବାପାଙ୍କୁ ଭୟ ମଧ୍ୟ କରୁଥିଲେ । ନିଜ ଭୃତ୍ୟମାନଙ୍କ ପ୍ରତି ମୋତିଲାଲ ପ୍ରଚଣ୍ଡ କ୍ରୋଧ କରୁଥିଲେ । ଏହା ଦେଖ୍ ନେହେରୁ ଭୟରେ ଥରୁଥିଲେ । ତାଙ୍କ ବାପାଙ୍କ ପରି କେହି ରାଗୀଲୋକ ସେ ଦେଖୁ ନଥ‌ିବା ଉଲ୍ଲେଖ କରିଛନ୍ତି । ପ୍ରଚଣ୍ଡ କ୍ରୋଧ ସାଙ୍ଗକୁ ତାଙ୍କର ରସିକତା, ଲୌହ ଇଚ୍ଛା ତାଙ୍କୁ ସହଜରେ ଆୟତ୍ତାଧୀନ କରିପାରୁଥିଲା । ବୟସ ଅଧିକ ହେବା ସଙ୍ଗେ ସଙ୍ଗେ ଆତ୍ମସଞ୍ଜମ ଶକ୍ତି ମଧ୍ୟ ବଢିବାକୁ ଲାଗିଲା । ବାଲ୍ୟକାଳର ଗୋଟିଏ ଘଟଣା ବିଷୟରେ ସେ ଉଲ୍ଲେଖ କରିଛନ୍ତି । ତାଙ୍କର ବୟସ ସେତେବେଳେ ପ୍ରାୟ ପାଞ୍ଚ ବର୍ଷ କି ଛ’ ବର୍ଷ ହେବ ସେ ବାପାଙ୍କ ଅଫିସ୍ ଟେବୁଲ୍ ଉପରେ ଦୁଇଟି ଝରକଲମ ଦେଖୁଲେ । ତାଙ୍କର ଲୋଭ ହେଲା । ମନେ ମନେ ବିଚାରିଲେ ବାପା ତ ଥରକେ ଦୁଇଟିଯାକ କଲମ ବ୍ୟବହାର କରିବେ ନାହିଁ, ତେଣୁ ସେ ଗୋଟିଏ କଲମ ଲୁଚାଇ ନେଇଆସିଲେ । ତା’ପରେ ଏକ ବଡ଼ଧରଣର କଲମ ଖୋଜା ଅଭିଯାନ ଆରମ୍ଭ ହେଲା । ଏଣେ ନେହେରୁ ମଧ୍ୟ ନିଜ ଦୋଷ ସ୍ଵୀକାର କରୁନାହାନ୍ତି ।

ବାପା ଭୀଷଣ ରାଗି ଗଲେଣି । ଶେଷରେ କଲମ ଧରାପଡ଼ିବାରୁ ବାପା ନେହେରୁଙ୍କୁ ଏକ ବ୍ରହ୍ମଚାପୁଡା ଦେଲେ । ଖୁବ୍ ମାଡଖାଇଲେ । ଅନେକ ଦିନ ପର୍ଯ୍ୟନ୍ତ କ୍ଷତସ୍ଥାନଗୁଡ଼ିକରେ କ୍ରିମ୍ ଓ’ ଅଏଣ୍ଟମେଣ୍ଟ ବୋଳାଗଲା । ଛୋଟ କୋମଳ ଶରୀରଟା ଖାଲି ଥରୁଥାଏ ନେହେରୁ ନିଜ ମା’ଙ୍କୁ ଖାତିର କରୁନଥିଲେ । ତାଙ୍କ ମା’ ତାଙ୍କର ସବୁ ଦୋଷ କ୍ଷମାକରି ଦେଉଥିଲେ । ସେ ନେହେରୁଙ୍କୁ ଅତ୍ୟଧିକ ସ୍ନେହ ଓ ପ୍ରେମ କରୁଥିଲେ । ବେଳେବେଳେ ନେହେରୁ ମା’ଙ୍କ ଉପରେ ହାକିମ କରୁଥିଲେ । ବାପାଙ୍କ ଅପେକ୍ଷା ତାଙ୍କର ଅଧିକାଂଶ ସମୟ ମା’ଙ୍କ ଗହଣରେ କଟୁଥିଲା ଏବଂ ସେ ନିଜର ଗୁପ୍ତ କଥା ମା ଙ୍କୁ ହିଁ କହୁଥିଲେ । ନେହେରୁ ନିଜ ମା’ଙ୍କ କ୍ଷୁଦ୍ରାକୃତିକୁ ପସନ୍ଦ କରୁଥିଲେ । ନେହେରୁଙ୍କ ଅନ୍ୟଜଣେ ବିଶ୍ବସ୍ତ ବନ୍ଧୁ ଥିଲେ ତାଙ୍କ ପିତାଙ୍କ ମୁନ୍‌ସୀ ମୁବାରକ ଅଲ୍ଲୀ । ସେ ବଦୌନ ଇଲାକାରୁ ଜଣେ ଧନୀ ପରିବାରରୁ ଆସିଥିଲେ । ୧୮୫୭ ସିପାହୀ ବିଦ୍ରୋହ ତାଙ୍କ ପରିବାରକୁ ନଷ୍ଟ କରିପକାଇଲା । ବୃଦ୍ଧ ମୁବାରକ ଅଲ୍ଲୀ ସର୍ବହରା ହେଲାପରେ ବଡ଼ ବିନୟୀ, ଧୈର୍ଯ୍ୟଶାଳୀ ବ୍ୟକ୍ତି ହୋଇଥିଲେ । ନେହେରୁ ଓ ପରିବାରର ଅନ୍ୟପିଲାମାନେ ତାଙ୍କଠାରୁ ଅନେକ କାହାଣୀ ଶୁଣୁଥିଲେ । ନେହେରୁଙ୍କ ଯୁବକବେଳେ ମୁସିଜୀଙ୍କ ବିୟୋଗ ଘଟିଲା, କିନ୍ତୁ ବହୁକାଳ ପର୍ଯ୍ୟନ୍ତ ନେହେରୁଙ୍କ ମନରେ ମୁନ୍‌ସିଜୀଙ୍କ ସ୍ମୃତି ଜାଗ୍ରତ ଥିଲା । ଏହାଛଡା ସେ ହିନ୍ଦୁ ପୁରାଣ ନେହେରୁଙ୍କ ଧର୍ମ ବିଷୟରେ ଭଲ ଧାରଣା ନଥିଲା । ତାଙ୍କ ପିତା ଓ ପିତାଙ୍କ ସମ୍ପର୍କୀୟ ବଡ଼ ଭାଇ ଧର୍ମ ପ୍ରତି ବିଶେଷ ଆଗ୍ରହ କରୁନଥିଲେ । ପରିବାରର ମହିଳାମାନେ ନାନାପ୍ରକାର ପୂଜାକାର୍ଯ୍ୟ କରୁଥିଲେ । ଗଙ୍ଗାରେ ବୁଡ଼ ପକାଇଥିଲେ ।

ବେଳେବେଳେ ନେହେରୁ ସେମାନଙ୍କ ସହ ବୁଡ଼ ପକାଇବାକୁ ଗଙ୍ଗାସାଗର ଯାଉଥିଲେ । ଆହ୍ଲାବାଦ କିମ୍ବା ବନାରସରେ ଥିବା ମନ୍ଦିର ଦର୍ଶନ ପାଇଁ ଯାଉଥିଲେ । କେବେ କେବେ ସେ ସନ୍ନ୍ୟାସୀମାନଙ୍କୁ ଦର୍ଶନ କରୁଥିଲେ କିନ୍ତୁ ଏସବୁ ସତ୍ତ୍ଵେ ସେ ଧର୍ମପ୍ରତି ମନ୍ଦିର ଦର୍ଶନ ପାଇଁ ଯାଉଥିଲେ । କେବେ କେବେ ସେ ସନ୍ନ୍ୟାସୀମାନଙ୍କୁ ଦର୍ଶନ କରୁଥିଲେ କିନ୍ତୁ ଏସବୁ ସତ୍ତ୍ଵେ ସେ ଧର୍ମପ୍ରତି ବିଶେଷ ଆଗ୍ରହ ଦେଖାଇ ନଥୁଲେ କି ସେସବୁର କୌଣସି ପ୍ରଭାବ ତାଙ୍କ ଉପରେ ପଡୁନଥିଲା ପଣ୍ଡିତ ନେହେରୁ ନିଜ ବାଲ୍ୟକାଳରେ ଭାରତରେ ପାଳିତ ହେଉଥିବା ବିଭିନ୍ନ ପର୍ବପର୍ବାଣିମାନଙ୍କଦ୍ୱାରା କିଭଳି ପ୍ରଭାବିତ ଓ ଆନନ୍ଦିତ ହେଉଥଲେ ସେ ବିଷୟରେ ଉଲ୍ଲେଖ କରିଛନ୍ତି । ହୋଲି ପର୍ବ ବେଳେ ସାରା ସହର ଆନନ୍ଦରେ କୋଳାହଳପୂର୍ଣ୍ଣ ହେବା ସଙ୍ଗେ ସଙ୍ଗେ ଖେଳ ଏକ ଅପୂର୍ବ ଆନନ୍ଦ ସୃଷ୍ଟି କରିଥିଲା । ଦୀପାବଳୀ, ଜନ୍ମାଷ୍ଟମୀ, ଦଶହରା ଓ ରାମଲୀଳା ଇତ୍ୟାଦି ପିଲାମାନଙ୍କ ମନରେ ଢ଼େର ଆନନ୍ଦ ଦେଉଥିଲା ।

ସହରର ପିଲାମାନେ ରାମଲୀଳା ମଇଦାନରେ ରାବଣବଧ ଓ ରାମଚନ୍ଦ୍ରଙ୍କ ଲଙ୍କା ଆକ୍ରମଣ ଦେଖ୍ ଖୁବ୍ ଆନନ୍ଦିତ ହୁଅନ୍ତି । ଏହାଛଡ଼ା ମହରମ ପର୍ବର ଶୋଭାଯାତ୍ରା ଦେଖିବାକୁ ଅନେକ ଲୋକ ସମାଗମ ହେଉଥିଲେ । କାଶ୍ମୀରମାନଙ୍କ ମଧ୍ୟରେ ଏକ ପର୍ବ ପାଳନ ହୁଏ ଯାହା ଭାରତର ଅନ୍ୟାନ୍ୟ ସ୍ଥାନରେ ପାଳିତ ହୁଏ ନାହିଁ । ଏହି ପର୍ବକୁ ‘ନୌରୋଜ’ କୁହାଯାଏ । ସମ୍ବତ ପଞ୍ଜିକାନୁସାରେ ଏହା ନବବର୍ଷ ଦିବସରୂପେ ପାଳିତ ହୁଏ । ନେହେରୁଙ୍କ ଜନ୍ମଦିନ ଉତ୍ସବ ଖୁବ୍‌ ଜାକଜମକରେ ପାଳିତ ହେଉଥିଲା । ତାଙ୍କ ମନରେ ଏକ ଅବଶୋଷ ଯେ ଏହା ବର୍ଷରେ ବହୁବାର ପାଳିତ ନ ହୋଇ ବର୍ଷକୁ ଥରେ ମାତ୍ର ପାଳିତ କାହିଁକି ହେଉଛି । ପିଲାବେଳେ ତାଙ୍କ ଜନ୍ମଦିନ ଉତ୍ସବରେ ସେ ଏକ ତରାଜୁରେ ବସୁଥିଲେ । ଅନ୍ୟ ପଟେ ଗହମ ଓ ଅନ୍ୟାନ୍ୟ ଦ୍ରବ୍ୟ ଓଜନ କରାଯାଇ ଦରିଦ୍ରମାନଙ୍କ ମଧ୍ୟରେ ବିତରଣ କରାଯାଉଥିଲା ।

ନେହେରୁ ନୂଆ ବସ୍ତ୍ର ପିନ୍ଧୁଥିଲେ, ଅନେକ ଉପହାରମାନ ପାଉଥିବାବେଳେ ତାଙ୍କ ପରିବାରର ସଦସ୍ୟମାନେ ବିବାହ ଉତ୍ସବରେ ଯୋଗ ଦେବାପାଇଁ ଦୂରସ୍ଥାନମାନଙ୍କୁ ଯାତ୍ରା କରୁଥିଲେ । ପିଲାମାନଙ୍କ ମନରେ ଆନନ୍ଦର ସୀମା ରହୁନଥିଲା । ନେହେରୁ ଆଡ଼ମ୍ବରପୂର୍ଣ ବିବାହ କାର୍ଯ୍ୟକୁ ତୀବ୍ର ସମାଲୋଚନା କରିଛନ୍ତି । ଧନୀ କିମ୍ବା ଗରିବ ଭାରତୀୟମାନେ ବିବାହ ବ୍ରତାଦି କାର୍ଯ୍ୟକ୍ରମରେ ପ୍ରଚୁର ଅର୍ଥ ଖର୍ଚ୍ଚ କରୁଥିଲେ । ମଧ୍ୟବିତ୍ତ ପରିବାର ଓ ନିମ୍ନଶ୍ରେଣୀର ଲୋକମାନେ ଏହି କାର୍ଯ୍ୟରେ ଅଯଥା ଋଣଗ୍ରସ୍ତ ହୋଇ ସର୍ବସ୍ଟାନ୍ତ ହେଉଥିଲେ । କିନ୍ତୁ ପ୍ରାଚୀନ ପରମ୍ପରାରୁ ବାଦ ପଡୁନଥିଲେ । ସମାଜ କ’ଣ କହିଲା, ଲୋକେ କ’ଣ କହିବେ, ଏକଥା ସେମାନଙ୍କୁ ସର୍ବହରା କରୁଥିଲା । ଏହାଛଡ଼ା ଭାରତ ଭଳି ଏକ ମହାନ ଦେଶରେ ବନ୍ଧୁମାନଙ୍କୁ ସାକ୍ଷାତ କରିବା ଏକ ବ୍ୟୟସାପେକ୍ଷ ବ୍ୟାପାର ।

କାଶ୍ମୀରବାସୀମାନେ ବିଶେଷ କରି ମହିଳାମାନେ ପର୍ଦାପ୍ରଥା ପାଳନ କରୁନଥୁଲେ କି ନିର୍ଜନ ଗୃହରେ ଲୁଚି ରହୁନଥଲେ । ସେମାନଙ୍କ ମଧ୍ୟରେ ସ୍ବାଧୀନ ଜୀବନ ପଦ୍ଧତି ପ୍ରଚଳିତ ଥିଲା । ପୁରୁଷ ଓ ମହିଳାମାନେ ଏକତ୍ର ବିବାହ ଆଉ ଉତ୍ସବରେ ରୁଣ୍ଡ ହେଉଥିଲେ । ଏକତ୍ର ବସି ଭୋଜି ସଭାରେ ଖାଇବା ପିଇବା କାର୍ଯ୍ୟ ହେଉଥିଲା । ବାଳକବାଳିକାମାନେ ଏକାଠି ମିଳିମିଶି ହସଖୁସିରେ ମାତୁଥିଲେ । ପରିଶେଷରେ ନେହେରୁ ବାଲ୍ୟକାଳରେ ଗୋଟିଏ ସ୍ମରଣୀୟ ଘଟଣା ଉଲ୍ଲେଖ କରି ପ୍ରବନ୍ଧଟିକୁ ସମାପ୍ତ କରିଛନ୍ତି । ସେତେବେଳେ ନେହେରୁଙ୍କୁପ୍ରାୟ ସାତ ଆଠ ବର୍ଷ । ନିଜ ସର ସହ ସେ ପ୍ରତ୍ୟହ ଅଶ୍ଵାରୋହଣ ଶିକ୍ଷା କରୁଥିଲେ । ଦିନେ ସନ୍ଧ୍ୟାବେଳେ ସେ ଘୋଡ଼ାଉପରୁ ପଡ଼ିଗଲେ ଏବଂ ଘୋଡ଼ାଟା ତାଙ୍କୁ ଛାଡ଼ି ଏକା ଘରକୁ ଫେରିଲା । ନେହେରୁଙ୍କୁ ନଦେଖୁ ସମସ୍ତେ ବ୍ୟସ୍ତ ହେଲେ । ବାପା ଓ ଅନ୍ୟମାନେ ନାନା ସ୍ଥାନରେ ବାହାରି ଚାରିଆଡ଼େ ଖୋଜିଲେ । ବାଟରେ ଭେଟ ହେଲା ଏବଂ ନେହେରୁ ସତେ ଯେପରି ଏକ ସାହସିକ କାର୍ଯ୍ୟକରିଛନ୍ତି ସେଭଳି ବ୍ୟବହାର ପାଇଲେ ।

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Odisha State Board CHSE Odisha Class 11 Approaches to English Book 2 Solutions Short Stories Chapter 3 The Little Wife Textbook Exercise Questions and Answers.

Class 11th Alternative English Short Stories Chapter 3 The Little Wife Question Answers CHSE Odisha

The Little Wife Class 11 Questions and Answers

Section – I

Questions For Discussion:

Question 1.
Can you guess where Joe Hunckley worked? What made you guess so?
Answer:
Joe Hunckley most probably worked as businessman in a business centre. The writer makes use of an expression “the buyer” in the starry which provides the clue to know that he is a businessman.

Question 2.
What was the occasion of his getting into the 2.23 train? Was it in a normal state of time?
Answer:
It was unusually hot for early June outside the heat waves shimmered and danced above the hot slag road bud and the muddy river that run by the station when Joe got into the 2.23 train. He was in a hurry and tension when he got into the train. He was not in a normal state of mind.

Question 3.
What was the initial reaction of Joe to the first telegram?
Answer:
The telegram had upset Joe. It had come so suddenly so unexpectedly that he felt vaguely that somebody was playing a joke on him. He sat for a time staring at his fingernails.

Question 4.
Who were his co-travellers? How was the journey?
Answer:
His co-travelers were two young girls leaning out of the window and waving to their friends whose eyes were shining and cheeks flushing with laughter with the excitement at the prospect of going away and a gaunt farm woman sitting across the aisle. The journey was a mixture of pain and pleasure.

Question 5.
What things came to his mind after re-reading the telegram? Do you get any idea about his married life in this section?
Answer:
After re-reading the telegram, Joe’s hands clenched suddenly and then relieved. It had all happened so suddenly, he could not quite get it through his head, even yet. He thought that Bessie was getting along so nicely she had no trouble at all and the baby wasn’t expected for a month. This section deals with his married life. When he got married Bessie’s mother had come to live with them as a matter of course. He was rather „ glad of that arrangement.

Question 6.
Which lines show that he was upset and worried?
Answer:
The lines “The telegram had upset Joe: it had come so suddenly so unexpectedly”, “He felt confused and helpless. It was difficult to believe that Bessie was so desperately sick.

Question 7.
What does his finding fault with the doctors reveal about him?
Answer:
Suddenly, Joe had a clear picture of his wife lying in their bed, her face white with suffering and a quick panic gripped his heart. To measure himself he whispered, “Those doctors don’t know everything”. This throws light on his flinging mud at the others who are clean and innocent.

Section – II

Questions For Discussion:

Question 1.
How did Joe behave when he received the second telegram? How did he evade the stark and painful reality? Why did he not open the telegram?
Answer:
Joe’s throat felt tight and he. noticed that his hands were trembling. He wished to put his head on the window sill but he was afraid that people would think him sick and try to talk to him. He placed the unopened telegram on the seat beside him and stared at it for a long time. He tore the telegram up into tiny bits and threw away in order to evade the stark and painful reality. He did not open the telegram because it brings him tension and suffering.

Question 2.
There’s no need of going so fast, we’ve got all the time in the world. What do these words signify? Are they a happy utterance?
Answer:
These words signify the movement of the running train in a high Speed. The countryside appearance and its beauty had to somewhat intoxicate him and the speedy train was robbing him of his sightseeing. These are not a happy utterance. He was sick of the situation.

Question 3.
Does Joe tear the second telegram to pieces? What does it reflect? Where do you get the evidence of his fixation with death of his little wife?
Answer:
Thinking that the telegram was not true and he did not believe the sickness of his wife and that his tension was intense in him due to the rushing in of telegrams one after the other. Joe felt the necessity of fearing the second telegram which had caused a lot of weariness in him.

Question 4.
Why was Joe sorry that the conductor could not stay longer?
Answer:
Joe was in good humour after tearing the telegram into tiny bits. He came back to his seat when the conductor arrived for checking tickets. Joe felt like telling about his life and their marital relationships. However, the conductor went off without giving him more time for this. Joe felt extremely sorry because he felt an imperative need of talking to someone. He felt that he must talk about Bessie

Question 5.
How does Joe try to overcome his depression? What does his conversation with the fellow travellers reveal?
Answer:
Joe tries to surmount his depression by holding uninvited talks with the two young girls who were travelling in the same compartment. His conversation with them reveals his excessive emotional output of his love for his wife Bessie even in the unwarranted situation.

Question 6.
Give an account of Joe’s affair with Bessie as related by Joe.
Answer:
Bessie and Joe had been married for a year and had been very happy. The only bad thing is that he didn’t get home very often. Bessie was the finest little wife a man ever had. She didn’t complain at all about his being away so much. She had given birth to a baby son.

Question 7.
What were the fellow travellers, reaction to Joe’s incessant talk about Bessie and his married life? Were they sympathetic? Do they know about his mental condition? Justify your answer. Now, you are going to read the last part of the story. How do you think the story will end?
Answer:
Joe went on talking about his married life with Bessie to the fellow travellers- two young girls and an old woman. At the outset, they, cooperated with him to enjoy the emotional incident of married life. But they were not at all sympathetic with him. They rather poured slanting comments and finally they left him leaving him alone. They got bored to listen to such personal things for a long time. They didn’t understand his mental condition.

Grammar:
A. Fill in the blanks with suitable infinitive, participle or gerund derived from the verbs given in the brackets.
1. Have you seen anyone at the gate? (stand)
2. Those apples are sweet, (eat)
3. We caught him pickle in the kitchen, (eat)
4. She is very clever at excuses, (make)
5. It is dangerous to live wire, (touch)
6. We saw the storm; (approach)
7. He likes historical places (visit)
8. I saw her with her son. (play)
9. I am not afraid of the truth, (speak)
10. Will you allow us here? (park)
11. His remarks left us. (think)
12. It is delightful a walk in the morning, (have)
13. It would be a mistake your father’s advice, (ignore)
14. He is tired of (sing).

B. Fill in the blanks.
1. If I make a promise, I_________.
2. If it rains, you will __________.
3. If you throw a stone at the glass, the glass __________.
4. I can’t understand you, unless you __________.
5. If you don’t read carefully, you __________.
6. If he comes to invite me, I __________.
7. If demand increases, price __________.
8. Unless you pass the test __________.
9. If you work hard, you __________.
10. If you heat a metal __________.
11. If you take away his toys, __________.
12. If you come early, __________.
13. If you go to the doctor, __________.
14. If you switch on the light,__________.
15. If she does well in her examination, __________.

C. Fill in the blanks:
1. If he were here __________.
2. If it rained __________.
3. If you ate too much __________.
4. He could come, if you __________.
5. What, would happen if they __________.
6. What would happen if that tree __________.
7. She would speak to you __________.
8. If 1 have enough money __________.
9. If I were you, __________.
10. He would not be so fat __________.
11. If she were a king __________.
12. If wishes were horses __________.
13. This curry would taste better__________.
14. If the bus collided against the bridge __________.
15. We should all be glad __________.

D. Fill in the blanks.
1. There would have been a tragic accident __________.
2. If it had not been raining __________.
3. The patient would have died __________.
4. If he had not explained it __________.
5. I would have been glad __________.
6. We would have staged the drama __________.
7. I could have helped you __________.
8. I-would have joined the army __________.
9. You would have been very angry __________.
10. If she had worked harder __________.
11. If they had admitted the feet__________.
12. If the government had taken adequate steps __________.
13. If I had known that you were so busy__________.
14. Had he come to call me__________.
15. He would never get the job __________.
Answers :
A. Blanks are filled in with suitable infinitives, participles or gerunds desired from the verbs given in the brackets:
1. Have you seen anyone standing at the gate?
2. Those apples are sweet to eat.
3. We caught him dating pickle in the kitchen.
4. She is very clever at making excuses.
5. It is dangerous to touch a live wire.
6. We saw the storm approaching.
7. He likes visiting historical places.
8. I saw her with her playing son.
9. I am not afraid of speaking the truth’.
10. Will you allow us to park here ?
11. His remarks left us to think.
12. It is delightful to have a walk in the morning.
13. It would be a mistake to ignore your fellow’s advice.
14. He is tired of singing.

B. Fill in the blanks:
1. If I make a promise, I shall keep it.
2. If it rains, you will cancel the programme.
3. If you throw a stone at the glass, the glass will break.
4. I can’t understand you, unless you explain it properly.
5. If you don’t read carefully, you will make mistakes.
6. If he comes -to invite me, I shall go to the party.
7. If demand increases, price goes up.
8. Unless you pass the test, vou can’t fill in the forms.
9. If you work hard, vou will succeed.
10. If you heat a metal, it will expand.
11. If you take away his toys, he will’ cry.
12. If you come early, we will reach soon.
13. If you go to the doctor, he will come immediately.
14. If you switch on the light, vou will see the new book.
15. If she does well in her examination, she will go for higher studies.

C. Fill in the blanks.
1. If he were here, I would take his advice.
2. If it rained, I would postpone the programme.
3. If you ate too much, you would be very fat.
4. He could come, if vou invited him.
5. What would happen, if they didn’t come.
6. What would happen, if that tree broke.
7. She would speak to you if vou permitted her.
8. If I had enough money I would lend vou some.
9. If I were you, I would help him.
10. He would not be so tat if he did dieting.
11. If she were a king she would- be despotic.
12. If wishes were horses beggars would ride them.
13. This curry would taste better if it had more salt in it.
14. If the bus collided against the bridge none could escape.
15. We should all be glad if he was here.

D. Fill in the blanks.
1. There would have been a tragic accident, if the driver had not been careful.
2. If it had not been raining we would have played the match.
3. The patient would have died if the – doctor had not come.
4. If he had not explained it I wouldn’t have understood it.
5. I would have been glad if you had told. it to me before.
6. We would have staged the drama, if it hadn’t rained.
7. I could have helped you if I had been there.
8. I would have joined the army if I had physical fitness.
9. You would have, been very angry if you had been in my place.
10. If she had worked harder she could have succeeded.
11. If they had admitted the fact, It would have helped- them.
12. If the government had taken adequate steps, the disease would have been checked.
13. If I had known that you were so busy, I wouldn’t have disturbed you.
14. Had he come to call me I could have gone with him.
15. He would never get the job if he didn’t work hard.

Section-III

Questions For Discussion:
Question 1.
What impression did the fellow travellers take about Joe from his continuous talk?
Answer:
The fellow travellers at first thought Joe was jolly and high spirited, but after some times, they came to the conclusion that he must he a little drunk or possibly demented.

Question 2.
What idea does this section offer about his marriage?
What does his incessant talk about his little wife reveal?
Was he conscious of the listeners and also the time?
Answer:
This section tells that Joe and Bessie had been married one year ago and his little wife didn’t go in for a lot of show. They had spent their honeymoon in New Orleans and had visited all the places there. She was an excellent cook and housekeeper.

Question 3.
Why did a feeling of terror sweep over him after he met Mrs. Thompkins?
Answer:
Mrs. Thompkins was dressed in black and had a black veil. Her eyes were red and swollen. She asked is he had received her telegrams. She looked boldly into his eyes. A sudden terror swept over him.

Question 4.
What do his final words to his mother-in-law reveal?
Answer:
His final words to his mother-in-law were, “I didn’t read your telegram. I didn’t want to know that she was dead. I wanted to keep her alive a little longer.” This means his little wife was alive in his thought so long as he had not known from the telegram that she was dead. She continued to live in him till he knew that she had died.

Question 5.
What is the focus in the story?
Answer:
The main focus in the story is the telepathic function over Joe regarding the death of his little wife. His becoming restless and talking a lot about her reveal that his wife must have been dead.

Question 6.
Why did Joe repeatedly use the expression ‘my little wife’?
Was he successful in hiding his mental condition before the fellow travellers?
Answer:
Joe said, “My little Wife” repeatedly with the fellow travellers out of affection. He was not successful in hiding his mental condition before them.

Question 7.
In which lines do you know that Bessie was no more?
Answer:
The lines — “She (Mrs. Thompkins) was dressed in black and she wore a black veil” I didn’t want to know that she was dead. I wanted to keep her alive a little longer”— give an impression that Bessie was dead.

Question 8.
Can you guess what would have been the story if the second telegram had been opened and had contained the message of Bessie’s improving health?
Answer:
If the second’ telegram had been opened and had contained the message of Bessie’s improving health, Joe would have been very happy and contented, would have not lost mental equilibrium.

Composition :

Question 1.
Give an account of behaviour of Joe after he received the second telegram.
Answer:
When Joe received the second telegram, we marked a sea change in him. His behaviour changed altogether. Joe’s throat felt tight and he noticed that his hands were trembling. He wished to put his head on the window sill but he was afraid people would think him sick and try to talk him. He placed the unopened telegram on the seat beside him and stared of it for a long time. At last, he read the first telegram very slowly. He looked up quickly and saw that the two young, girls had turned around and were watching him, making laughing remark to each other behind their hands. He rose from his seat feeling weak and slightly nauseated the unopened telegram in his hand. He passed through several coaches until he reached the end of the train and went out on the near vestibule.

He had a sudden wish to jump from the end of the train and run off into the woods:
However, Joe kept turning over in his hand thinking, “I’ve got to open it now; I’ve got to open it and read it. Finally, he said aloud.;, It’s not true ! I don’t believe it !” He repeated those words a number of times and then he said, “It’s from the House about that cancellation in meridian.” Moreover, he tore the unopened telegram into tiny bits and threw the pieces from the end of the train. He reached the seat as the conductor came through the train. He told the conductor that he was going to see his little wife at home. The conductor passed some light remarks on him and his wife.

He then went off and Joe was sorry for his departure. He felt an imperative need of talking to some. He felt that he must talk about Bessie to someone. He saw two young girls smiling at him. Joe understood perfectly. He started talking to them. When the young girls got off the train, Joe followed them and saw them off. He came back but again felt like talking about his little wife to some people. He wished to smoke a cigarette, but saw three people in the smoker.‘He saw the old lady having lunch with her husband. He went forward and asked for talking to them. The old gentleman consented and Joe went on with the usual talk about his little wife. He even talked about their honeymoon at New OrleAnswer: The old gentleman was surprised to hear such unnecessary talk of Joe. As a matter of fact, Joe’s mind was entirely disturbed after receiving the second telegram. That is why he started behaving in a peculiar and queer manner.

Question 2.
Write a note on Joe’s relationship with Bessie leading to their marriage.
Answer:
The story “The Little Wife” is written by William March, a prominent and outstanding American storyteller. His stories dealt upon the dramatic or critical moments of life, his discerning study of man and manners especially of their psychic responses at such moment, makes his stories very interesting and powerful. Here, the protagonist Joe, describes his premarital relationship with Bessie leading to their wedlock. His emotional out part propelled him to present this relationship at a great length.

However, Joe started talking rapidly about it to the two young girls and the old lady. He told in detail of the first time he had met Bessie. It had been in the home of Jack Barnes, one of the boy he had met on the road and he had been invited over for dinner and a little study poker later. Mrs. Bernes didn’t play poker, so, Bessie who lived across the street had been invited over to keep Mrs. Barnes company while the man played. He had liked Bessie at once and the boys had kidded him about not keeping his mind on the same. He had never told anybody this before, but when the boys started kidding him he made up his mind not to look at Bessie again as he didn’t want her to think that he was fresh, but he couldn’t stop looking at her and every time he caught her eye she would smile in a sweet friendly sort of way.

At last, everybody noticed it and they started joking Bessie too,- but she had not minded at all. He had lost $14.50 that night, but had met Bessie. Bessie can’t be called exactly beautiful, but she was sweet and nice. Bessie was the sort of girl that any man would want to marry. He told to their courtesy. He quoted whole paragraph from letters that she had written to prove a particular point which he had brought up. Bessie had not liked him especially, not right at first, at any rate, of course she had liked him as a friend from the first but not in any serious way. There were one or two other fellows hanging around too.

Bessie had a great deal of attention, she could have gone out every night with a different man if she had wanted to. Being on the opportunity to see her after or maybe that was an advantage any way he wrote her everyday. Then, finally they had become engaged. She hadn’t even let him kiss her until then. He knew from the first that she would make a wonderful little wife, but he was stilt puzzled why a girl as superior as Bessie would want to marry him. In fact, Joe’s relationship with Bessie is very interesting and thought-provoking. The storyteller has tried to provide a vivid description about Joe’s premarital relationship with Bessie.

Question 3.
Justify the title of the story “The Little Wife”.
Answer:
In fact the story “The Little Wife” is one of the most typical masterpiece of William March, an eminent, popular and outstanding American storyteller. He is really a great master to provide apt and suggestive titles to his stories. The title of the present story is a burning example expressing those qualities. Actually, every work of art has a title which dominates over the labyrinth of the whole work. It is, in fact, the central idea around which the other ideas revolve.

Of course, the title of a work of art can be appropriately compared with a signboard of a shop. As an attractive, colourful and gorgeous signboard automatically arrests the attention of the customer, similarly a beautiful and apt title attracts the attention of the reader towards the piece of art and even it makes them spellbound to completely go through it as soon as possible”. Just like a good signboard spells out the contents of a shop, likewise the beautiful and attractive title of a piece of art speaks about the volumes of the ideas contained therein. In this discussing story, the writer has repeatedly used the title in the story giving much emphasis on the little wife.

However, the protagonist’s wife Bessie is here described as the little wife. Joe refers to this little wife again and over again. It is that little wife Bessie whom Joe had married one year ago. She had been with him after their love before marriage. She had been blessed with a baby son about which Joe receives an express telegram from his mother-in-law regarding her giving birth to a sort The first telegram says that the mother and baby. were getting on rapidly. But the second telegram tells about the locating truth of life. The second telegram entirely disturbs and confused the mind of Joe. He was so much irritated by the very word telegram that he had even not gone through the second one. He moves from coach to coach so as to brood over his little wife. He decided to jump off the train and disappear into the forest.

Of course, then he came back and furiously explained all that had been associated with Bessie starting from their love to the marital life and having a baby thereafter. He even didn’t forget to describe their love, marriage and honeymoon trips to New Orleans where they had a pleasant experience. In the concluding part of the story, it is .found that the little wife is dead. The stern and stark reality of life had reached. prematurely sweeping away a nice partner.

In fact, it is very much clear from the story that the title of the story is apt and suggestive. We have marked that the entire story is appropriately concerned with the little wife. Again the ending of the story, although it is pathetic, still then it is concerned, with the death of the little wife. In short, March’s, dealing with the title is superb and fantastic.

Vocabulary:
Make sentences using the following:

stow	shimmer	swab	aisle
gaunt	protruded	itinerary	giggle
vestibule	mangy	demented	cuspidor
flabby	petulant	droop	jaunty
announce	supplement	excuse	advantage
engage

Answer:
stow – Don’t stow your luggage out of sight.
shimmer – A dim light shimmered in a distance.
swab – He washed his bike and then swabbed it.
aisle – An old lady was sitting in the aisle of the train.
gaunt – He looks gaunt after his prolonged illness.
protruded – His lower chin is little protruded.
itinerary – He had a pleasant itinerary experience.
giggle – The girls giggled at the young man’s story.
vestibule – Joe went to the vestibule with the second telegram in hand.
mangy – There sleeps a mangy cat under the cat.
demented – After his wife’s demise, he was demented.
cuspidor – Spit into the cuspidor.
flabby – The girl was quite soft and flabby.
petulant – The old man is quite petulant in temperament.
droop – He is having a drooping posture.
jaunty – His jaunty walking reveals his romantic personality.
announce – TV announced the approach of a terrible cyclone.
supplement – His article supplemented to, my, preparation.
excuse – Scarcity of time for preparing for the examination is not an excuse.
advantage – Rising early from bed is an advantage to health.
engage – He is engaged in a risky matter.

Grammar:
A. Fill in the blanks with suitable forms of ‘be’, ‘have’ or ‘do’.
1. Man_________an animal.
2. _________quiet.
3. He didn’t do well. No, he
4. Your cycle makes a lot of sound. Yes, it __________.
5. He spoke a lot. Yes, he __________.
6. __________ a good time.
7. Will you __________ a cup of tea?
8. Her brother __________ a reporter.
9. What are you __________ to night?
10. __________ remember to come in time.
11. I_________visited the states.
12. He __________ eaten all the mangoes before I arrived.
13. She __________ singing when her husband was playing harmonium.
14. She __________ a house at Berhampur.
15. Your son __________ a red ball in his hand.
16. I __________ do better next time.
17. Come what many, I not retreat.
18. __________ you come to dine with us?
19. __________ I make tea for you?
20. He__________be 18 this week.
21. Members __________ bring their identity cards to the general body meeting.
22. He won’t come __________ he?
23. Let us go the theatre __________we?
24. The train __________reach Delhi a day after tomorrow.
25. I_________ see you tomorrow.
26. He __________ be dismissed for his misconduct.
27. I_________ never see your face again.
28. She __________ obey her parents.
29. All students pay their tuition fees on 10th of every month.
30. The Chief Minister __________ came to inaugurate the annual function of our College.
31. __________you lend me your pen?
32. Have a cup of tea, __________ you?
33. I_________ be thirty after two years.
34. You__________ be rewarded for your success.
35. I __________ help you.
36. He suggested that we __________ go on a ride.
37. After super she __________ take a glass of milk.
38. They ran last they __________ miss the train.
39. You __________ not talk in such a loud voice inside an auditorium.
40. He is determined that he ____ join politics.
41. She worked hard so that she __________ keep a position.
42. __________ you mind closing the door.
43. The students __________ actively participate in social work.
44. He __________ not have behaved so roughly with his wife.
45. He __________ like to know about his duty.
46. Your report __________be ready before 20th January.
47. Your answer is wrong, can you say what _________ it be?
48. I _________ like you to be punctual.
49. _________you mind closing the door?
50. She wrote me that she_________ arrive in the airport at 1 1 p.m.
51. When _________ he done? He _________ be late.
52. Where ___________ you keep the picture.
53. It’s late. You _________ leave now.
54. _________you like to have tea?
55. ___________ you mind lending me your book?

Answer:
1. Man is an animal.
2. Be quiet.
3. He didn’t do well. No, he does.
4. Your cycle makes a lot of sound. Yes, it does.
5. He spoke a lot, yes, he did.
6. Have a good time?
7. Will you have a cup of tea?
8. Her brother is, a reporter.
9. What are you doing tonight.
10. Do you remember to come in time.
11. I have visited the states.
12. He has eaten all the mangoes before I arrived
13. She was singing when her husband was playing harmonium.
14. She has a house at Berhampur.
15. Your son has a red ball in his hand.
16, I will do better next time.
17. Come what money? I will not retreat.
18. Will you come to dine with us?
19. Shall I make tea for you?
20. He win be 18 this week.
21. Members shall bring their identity cards to the general body meeting.
22. He won’t come, will he?
23. Let us go to the theater, shall we?
24. The train will reach Delhi a day after tomorrow.
25. I shall see you tomorrow.
26. He shall be dismissed for his misconduct.
27. I will never see your face again.
28. She shall obey her parents.
29. All students will pay their tuition fees on 10th of every month.
30. The Chief Minister will come to inaugurate the annual function of our college.
31. Will you lend me your pen?
32. Have a cup of tea, will you?
33. I shall be thirty after two years.
34. You shall be rewarded for your success.
35. I will help you.
36. He suggested that one should go on a ride.
37. After supper she would take a glass of milk.
38 They ran fast they should miss the train.
39. You should not talk in such a loud voice inside an auditorium.
40. He is determined that he would join politics.
41. She worked hard so that she should keep a position.
42. Would you mind closing the door?
43. The students should actively participate in social works.
44. He would not have behaved so roughly with his wife.
45. He would like to know about his duty.
46. Your report should be ready before 20th January.
47. Your answer is wrong, can you say what should it be?
48. I would like you to be punctual.
49. Would you mind closing the door?
50. She wrote me that she would arrive in the airport at 11 p.m.
51. When should he come? He would be late.
52. Where should you keep the picture?
53. It’s late. You should leave now.
54. Would you like to have tea?
55. Would you mind lending me your book!

Section – I

Pre-reading Activity:
How do you feel when the postman knocks on your door and says that you have a telegram? Have you read R.K. Narayan’s story “The Gateman’s Gift” where the protagonist a retired gentleman avoids opening a registered letter, lest it should contain some bad news.
How do you feel when you receive the news of a close relative being treated in a hospital?

Notes on the Writer:
William March (1804-1954), a prominent American writer, has made a significant mark in the realm of short stories. His stories dealt upon the dramatic or critical moments of life, his discerning study of men and manners especially of their psychic responses at such moment makes his stories very interesting and powerful.

The Story:
The present story enacts a drama of terrible tension procedure lingering for about 5 hours of a train journey (from 2.28 p.m. to 7.35 p.m.). Joe’s behaviour throughout the journey with the unopened telegram is a clear demonstration of his restlessness and fear- psychosis. After he throws away the torn pieces of the telegram outside he feels relieved and gay. This mark of gaiety and relief is nothing but a psychic projection of an intense longing to keep his dear ‘little wife’ alive a little longer. All his words and abnormal behaviour in the compartment manifest a fear due to lack of courage to face the most painful reality. His reminiscences about his love for Bessie, thereafter leading to marriage and his obsession with his little wife seem to provide him an escape from the dreadful truth he wants to forget. The memories of his most intimate moments with his dear wife only serve to highlight the pathos and psychological strain witnessed in the story are justaposed to lay the light heartedness of the fellow passengers and their responses to the babbling of Joe. The spry with its atmosphere of gloom and depression reminds us of the dreadful finality of death.

Gist:
Paragraphs: 1-3
Joe Hinckley set out for a train journey. He selected a seat on the shady side of the train. It was very hot for early June. The time was 2.28 p.m. when the train was five minutes late. He could not pack his things due to lack of time. He had little time after getting. telegram from Mrs. Thompkins, the telegram. had upset Joe. He felt vague that someone was playing a joke on him. He was confused. and helpless. It was difficult to believe that” Bassie was so desperately sick. He sat staring at his fingernails. He, all of sudden, recalled an appointment of 4. O’clock and he rose so ” quickly from his seat for sending a message to explain his absence. But he realised that the train was in motion.

Paragraphs: 4-7
Two young girls were leaning out of the window. Their eyes were shining and their cheeks were flushed and they were laughing with excitement at the prospect of going away. A farm woman sat across the aisle, whose red-veined eyes projected. Her neck was swollen with a goiter. She held a bouquet of crepe- myrtle. Beside her she had placed her straw suitcase and several bulky paper-wrapped parcels. Joe took from his pocket the telegram that he had received from his mother-in-law and read it again.

Paragraphs: 8-9
All at sudden, Joe’s hands clenched and then relaxed. Then at two O’clock, he had gone back to the hotel to freshen up and the clerk had reached in his box and had taken out the key to this room and the telegram which had been waiting for him for two hours. Joe read it twice and then looked at the address to make sure that the message was really for him. He had arranged his itinerary so that he would be with his wife Bessie when the baby was born. Joe leaned his head against the real plush of the seat. He felt numb and ‘ very tired. At first the signature “Mother” had puzzled him because he could not understand what his mother would be doing in mobile with I Bessie. Then he realised that it was Bessie’s mother who had sent him the telegram.

Paragraph: 10
When he had married Bessie, her mother had come to live with them. He was rather glad of that arrangement. His work j. made it impossible for him to get home often than every other week and many times it was difficult for him to get home that often. He couldn’t disappoint Bessie, no matter what happened. Three years of married life had been the happiest that he had ever known. Bessie had been happy too. Suddenly, he had a clear picture of her lying on their bed, her face white with suffering and a quick panic gripped his heart. To assume himself he whispered that those doctors don’t know everything. She would be all right. Mrs. Thompkins her mother was excited and terrified.

Analytical outlines:

• Joe Hinkley set out for a train journey.
• He selected a seat on the shady side of the train.
• It was very hot for early June.
• The time was 2.28 p.m.
• The train was five minute late at that time.
• He could not pack his things due to lack of time.
• He had little time after getting telegram from Mrs. Thompkins.
• The telegram had upset Joe.
• He felt vaguely that someone had played joke with him.
• He was confused.
• He was also helpless.
• Bessie was desperately sick.
• It was beyond his belief.
• He sat staring at his fingernails.
• Suddenly, he recalled an appointment of 4 O’clock.
• He rose quickly from his seat.
• He sent a message to explain his absence.
• But he realised that the train was in motion.
• Two young girls were leaning out of the window.
• Their eyes were shining.
• Their cheeks were flushed.
• They were laughing with excitement at the prospect of going away.
• A farm woman sat across the aisle.
• Her red-reined eyes were projected.
• Her, neck was swollen with a goitre.
• She held a bouquet of crepe-myrtle.
• Beside her, she had placed her straw suitcase.
• She had also placed several bulky paper wrapped parcels.
• Joe took the telegram from his pocket.
• He had received it from his mother-in-law.
• He read it again.
• Suddenly, Joe’s hand clenched and then relaxed.
• It was two O’clock then.
• He had gone back to the hotel to freshen up.
• The clerk had reached in his box.
• He hud taken out the key to this room and the telegram.
• The telegram had been waiting for him for two- hours.
• Joe read it twice.
• He looked at the address.
• He was sure that the message was really for him.
• He had arranged his itinerary.
• He would be with his wife Bessie.
• Joe leaned his head against the red plush of the seat.
• He felt numb and very tired.
• At first the signature “Mother” had puzzled him.
• Because, he could not understand what his to other would be doing in mobile with Bessie.
• Then he realised that it was Bessie’s mother.
• He knew that she had sent him the telegram.
• When he married Bessie, her mother had come to live with them.
• He was rather glad of that arrangement.
• He was remaining busy with his work.
• He was not able to visit her always.
• He was coming home often than every other week.
• Many times it was difficult for him to come home even often.
• He could not disappoint Bessie no matter what happened.
• Their year of married life had been the happiest.
• Bessie had been happy too.
• Suddenly, she became bed sick.
• Her face was white with suffering.
• A quick panic gripped his heart.
• He whispered that those doctors don’t know anything.
• He consoled her that she would be all right.
• Her mother Mrs. Thompkins was excited and terrified.

Meaning of difficult words:
stow – put away, to Store, place.
shimmer – shine with a soft, unsteady light, gleam tremulously.
swab – to clean or dry with a piece of cloth.
aisle – way for walking alone, between blocks of seats.
gaunt – lean, grim, haggard-looking, extremely thin and bony, emaciated.
protruded – stood out, projected, trust forward.
goiter – an enlargement of thyroid gland on the front and sides of the neck.
crepe-myrtle – a tall Chinese shrub having pink purple or white flowers grown as an ornamental in the southern and western U.S.
drone – to make a dull continuously monotonous sound, humming sound.
wheage – to make a sound resembling difficult breathing.
itinerary – a detailed plan for a journey, esp a list of places to visit, a plan of travel.
smuthy – dirty, filthy, obscene.

Section – II

Gist:
Paragraphs: 11-12
In front of Joe was seated a White haired old gentle man who opened his bag and took out a travelling cap. He had some difficulty in fastening the cutch while holding his straw hat in his hand but his wife sitting with him took the bag and fastened it at once. Then she took his hat and held it on her lap. She was reading a magazine. The Negro porter came down the aisle, who had a telegram in his hand. Reaching the centre he called out, “Telegram for Mr. J.G. Hinckley !” Joe let him call the name three times before he claimed the message. The porter explained that the telegram had been delivered to the train by a messenger from the American Hotel. Joe gave the porter twenty-five cents for a tip and went back to his seat.

Paragraphs: 13-15
The country’ woman looked up instantly and turned her eyes away. The young girls laughed and whispered and looked boldly at Joe and the old gentle man went to the smoking room with a cigarette. Joe felt his hands trembling. He placed the unopened telegram on the seat and stared at it for a long time. At last, he re-read the first telegram very slowly. He thought it might have been from Mrs Thompkins or from Boykin Rosen or from house. He looked up and saw the two young girls had turned around and were watching him making remarks to reach behind their hands. He rose from his seat weak and nauseated with the unopened telegram in his hand. He passed through several coaches until he reached the end of the train and went out on the rear vestibule. He had a sudden wish to jump from the train and ran off into the woods. But he felt that such an act would look very strange. The brakeman with a lantern in hand asked whether he was feeling all right. He replied in affirmative. The break-man disappeared and Joe was happy.

Paragraphs: 16-17
The train marched past the countryside. A little Negro girl with a patched pink dress ran down to the track and waved her hand. A lame old country man ploughing in his stumpy field, pulled up his mangy mule to share at the passing train. He felt sick. He didn’t want people to notice him or talk to him. He kept turning the telegram over in his hand thinking that he had got to open it then. He said it was not true. He said that the telegram was not from Mrs. Thompkins, it was from house. He tore the unopened telegram into small pieces and threw the pieces from the end of the train immediately, he felt better. He felt that everything was all right and decided to go home and see his little wife. He laughed happily. He went back to his seat. He felt gay and relieved.

Paragraphs: 18-19
Joe reached his seat as the conductor came through the train. He nodded pleasantly as he gave up his ticket. Joe laughed with ringing heartiness and the conductor looked at him in surprise. The conductor asked him the reason why he was laughing. He replied because, he was going to see his little wife at home. The conductor replied that’s fine, simply fine. He shook Joe’s hand.’Joe laughed again. The conductor said to give his regards to madam.

Paragraphs: 20-26
Joe was sorry that the conductor could not stay longer. He felt an imperative talking to some one particularly about Bessie. He looked around and the two young girls smiled at him. Joe decided that he would go over and talk to them. He walked over casually and seated himself. He asked where they were going to. The blue-eyed girl replied that they would be getting off at Flomation. They were going home for summer vacation. Joe gravely said to get all the education they could and the girls laughed. Joe laughed too. The old lady across the aisle put down her magazine and started laughing too Joe waited until the girls had exhausted themselves. He said that he ought to sound fatterly, he has just got a telegram that he has become father for the first time.

Paragraphs: 27-31
This interested the young girls who crowded him questions which they wanted to know about it. Joe felt very happy. The old lady had moved in her seat in order to hear better. Joe said that his mother-in-law Mrs. Thompkins had sent him telegram following Bessie giving birth to a baby son and both mother and son were doing well. Bessie and he had been married for a year. The old lady asked what he was going to name his baby. The reply was not exactly beautiful. She was sweet and nice. She was the sort of girl that any man would want to marry.

Paragraphs: 32-34
He went on speaking how they were engaged and ultimately married. He also told how he was once determined not to marry at all. Two hours after, his audience was getting bored but Joe did not realize it. Finally, the old gentleman with the cap came back from the smoking room. He also never spared his mother-in-law whom he described like anything.

Analytical outlines:

• In front of Joe, a white haired old gentle man was seated.
• He opened his bed.
• He took out a travelling cap.
• He had some difficulty in fastening the cutch.
• He held his straw hat in his hand.
• His wife took the bag.
• She fastened it at once.
• Then she took his hat.
• She held it on her lap.
• She was reading a magazine.
• The Negro porter came down the aisle.
• He had a telegram in his hand.
• He came to the center.
• He called out, ‘Telegram for Mr. J.G Hinkley”.
• Joe let him call the name three times before he claimed the message.
• The porter explained about it.
• It had been delivered to the train.
• It was delivered by a messenger from the American Hotel.
• Joe gave the porter twenty-five cents for a tip.
• He went back to his seat.
• The country woman looked up instantly.
• He turned her eyes away.
• The young girls laughed.
• They whispered and looked boldly.
• The old gentleman went to the smoking room with a cigarette.
• Joe felt his hand trembling.
• He placed the unopened telegram on the seat.
• He stared at it for a long time.
• At last, he re-read the first telegram very slowly.
• He thought it might have been from Mrs. Thompkins.
• Even it might have been from Boykin Rosen or from house.
• He looked up.
• He saw the two young girls had turned around.
• They were watching him.
• They were making remarks to reach behind their hands.
• He rose from his seat weak and nauseated with the Unopened telegram in his hand.
• He passed through several coaches.
• He reached the end of the train.
• He went out on the rear vestibule.
• He had a sudden wish to jump from the train.
• He wished to run off into the woods.
• But he felt that such an act would look very strange.
• The brakeman was holding a lantern.
• He asked him if he was feeling alright.
• He replied in affirmative.
• The brakeman disappeared.
• Joe became happy.
• The train marched past the countryside.
• A little Negro girl ran down to die track.
• She was wearing a patched pink dress.
• She waved her hand.
• A lame old county man ploughing in his stumpy field.
• He pulled up his mangy mule to share at the passing train.
• He felt sick.
• He did not want people to notice or talk to him.
• He kept turning the telegram over in his hand.
• He was about to open it then.
• He said it was not true.
• He said that it was not from Mrs. Thonipkins.
• But it was from house.
• He tore the unopened telegram into small pieces.
• He threw the pieces from the train immediately.
• Then he felt better.
• He felt that everything was alright.
• He decided to go home and see his little wife.
• He laughed happily.
• He went back to his seat.
• He felt gay and relieved.
• Joe reached his seat.
• The conductor came through the train.
• He nodded pleasantly as he gave up his ticket.
• Joe laughed with ringing heartiness.
• His conductor looked at him in surprise.
• The conductor asked him the reason of laughing.
• He replied because, he is going to see his little wife at home.
• The conductor replied it was fine.
• He shook Joe’s hand.
• Joe laughed again.
• The conductor said to give his regards to madam.
• Joe was sorry for the departure of the conductor.
• He felt an imperative talking to someone, particularly about Bessie.
• He looked around.
• The two young girls smiled.
• Joe decided to talk to them.
• He asked where they were going to.
• The blue-eyed girl replied that they were to Flomation.
• They were going home for summer vacation.
• Joe advised them to get all the education they could.*
• The girls laughed.
• Joe laughed too.
• The old lady across the aisle put down the magazine.
• She started laughing too.
• Joe waited until the girls had exhausted themselves.
• He said that he ought to sound fatherly.
• He got a telegram that he has become a father for the first time.
• This interested the young girls.
• They crowded him questions.
• They wanted to know about it
• Joe felt very happy.
• The old lady moved in her seat to hear better.
• He received the telegram from his mother-in-law.
• He is informed that his wife had given birth to a baby son.
• Both the mother and son were doing well
• Bessie and he had been married for a year.
• The old lady asked what he was going to name his baby.
• The reply was not exactly beautiful.
• She was sweet and nice.
• She was the sort of girl that any man woud want to many.
• He went on speaking how they were engaged.
• At last they were married.
• He also told how he was once determined not to marry at all.
• Finally, the old gentleman came back from the smoking room with the cap.
• He also never spared his mother-in-law.
• He described her like anything.

Meaning of difficult words:
giggle – titter, laugh in a silly manner.
vestibule – part of a railway carriage connecting win anti with access to the next.
mangy – affected by mangy (a skin disease affecting animals and sometimes men and characterized by loss of hair and scabby eruptions).
elbow/nudge – push slightly, especially with the elbow.
snap – a quick, sharp speech or manner of speaking.
cockeyed – (slang) foolish or obscured.
kid (v) – to tease or jest with.

Section-III

Gist:
Paragraphs: 35-40
At last, the train reached Flomation. The porter canie to help the girls off with their bags. They were very glad to get away. They were also a little nervous. There was something about Joe that they couldn’t understand. At first, they had thought him jolly and high spirited, but after a time they came to the conclusion that he must be drunk or slightly demented. Joe helped them off the train and on the platform. The black-eyed girl waved her hand and said to give her love to Bessie and the son and the blue-eyed girl said to be sure and kiss the baby for her. The two girls looked at each other and started laughing. Joe came back to the coach again. He was again restless. He decided to have a cigarette. He found three men in the smoking room. They were telling jokes and laughing when Joe came in. Joe wanted to talk to them about Bessie but he couldn’t bring her name up in such an atmosphere. He went to his seat.

Paragraphs: 41-45
A bright-skinned waiter came through the train announcing the first calf for dinner. At first, he thought to have dinner on the train, but then thought that Mrs. Thompkins would be waiting for him with a nice preparation of meals at home. He again felt like telling about his wife and went to the old couple engaged in taking their lunch on the train. He went to them and asked if he could talk to them. The old man replied positively. The old lady looked at her husband reproachfully. Joe talked of his wedding. .

Paragraphs: 46-49
Then he told of the honey-money, they had spent in New Orleans, all the places they had visited there and just what Bessie had thought and said about each one. He went on talking. He told of the first week of their married life and how happy they were in those days. He also told that Bessie was a marvellous cook. He talked of her Jove for the home he had purchased for her and her unbound pleasure when she knew that she was going to have a baby. The old gentleman was staring at Joe in a puzzled manner. Joe had lost all idea of time. He talked on and on rapidly and excitedly. He had get as far as Bessie’s plans for the child’s education when the porter touched him in die arm and told him that they were pulling into station at mobile. He gave the porter a tip and stepped off the train jauntily. When he turned to pick up his bag he saw that the woman with the waiter was staring at him. He went and said “Goodbye, lady, I hope you have a nice trip.” The woman stared at him until he was out of sight.

Paragraphs: 50-54
On the other side of the iron fence, Joe saw Mrs. Thompkins. She was dressed in black and she wore a black veil. Joe went over to her briskly and Mrs. Thompkins put her arms around him and kissed him twice saying “Poor Joe !”. Joe noticed that her eyes were red and swollen. She asked whether he had got her telegram. He replied positively. She again asked whether he had .got her second telegram. He leaned against the iron fence for support and Mrs. Thompkins, held his hand. Joe at last said the truth that he had not read her telegram. He didn’t want to know that Bessie was dead. He sat down on an empty baggage truck and hide his face in his hands.

Analytical Outlines:

• At last, the train reached Flomation.
• The porter came to help the girls.
• They were very glad to get away.
• They were also a little nervous.
• There was something about Joe.
• They could not understand it.
• At first, they had thought him jolly and high-spirited.
• Later on they thought that he must be drunk or slightly demented.
• Joe helped them off the train.
• The black-eyed girl waved her hand.
• She said to give her love to Bessie and the son.
• The blue-eyed girl said to kiss the baby for her.
• The two girls looked at each other.
• They also started laughing.
• Joe came back to the coach again.
• He was again restless.
• He decided to have a cigarette.
• He found three men in the smoker.
• They were joking and laughing.
• Joe wanted to talk to them about Bessie.
• But he could not do it in such an atmosphere.
• He went to his seat.
• A bright-skinned waiter came through the train.
• He announced the first call for dinner.
• At first, he thought to have dinner.
• But he gave up this thought.
• As Mrs. Thompkins would be waiting >. him for dinner.
• The old couple were taking their lunch.
• Joe went there to talk with them about Bessie.
• He begged permission to talk with them.
• The old gentle man replied positively.
• Joe started talking about his wedding.
• Then he told about the honeymoon.
• They had spent it in New OrleAnswer:
• He had visited all the places there.
• He told them about Bessie’s thought.
• He told about the first week of their married life.
• They were very happy in those days.
• He also told that Bessie ’was a marvellous cook.
• He talked of her love for the home.
• He talked about her unbound pleasure.
• As she knew that she was going to have a baby.
• The old gentle man was staring at Joe.
• He started at a puzzled manner.
• Joe had lost all idle of time.
• He talked on and on rapidly and excitedly.
• He had got as far as Bessie’s plan for child’s education.
• The porter touched him in his arm.
• He told that they were coming to the – station very soon.
• He gave the porter a tip.
• The train stopped off jauntily.
• He turned to pick up his bag.
• He marked the woman staring at him.
• He bade her good-bye.
• Joe saw Mrs. Thompkins on the other side of the iron fence.
• She was dressed in black.
• She wore a black veil.
• Joe went over to her briskly.
• Mrs. Thompkins put her arms around him.
• She kissed him twice.
• She said him poor Joe.
• Joe noticed that her eyes were red and swollen.
• She asked whether he had got her telegram.
• Joe replied positively.
• She again asked whether he received the second telegram.
• He leaned against the iron fence.
• She hold his hand.
• Joe said that he received the second telegram, but he did not go through it.
• So, he didn’t know that Bessie was dead.
• He sat down on an empty baggage truck.
• He hid his face in his hands.

Meaning of difficult words :
demented – made mad, insane.
cuspidor – spitoon
flabby – soft, yielding.
petulant – showing impatience and irritation.
droop – handing down.
jaunty – an easy and sprightly manner.

Read More:

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• The Eyes Have It Question Answer
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Odisha State Board CHSE Odisha Class 11 Invitation to English 1 Solutions Chapter 3 The Golden Touch Textbook Exercise Questions and Answers.

Class 11th Invitation English Chapter 3 The Golden Touch Question Answers CHSE Odisha

The Golden Touch Class 11 Questions and Answers

UNIT – I
Gist with Glossary

Gist:
The legendary king Midas’s madness for gold had no limit. To him, the most precious thing in the world was gold. The love that he had for his little daughter Marygold was no less. It was his earnest wish to see everything such as the golden light of the sun at the evening, a bunch of sweet yellow flowers, and the most beautiful roses in his garden turn into gold. Even the king’s intense love for music in his youth paled into insignificance before the sound of coins, one against another. He always dreamt about gold. He could not resist the temptation of counting his gold pieces.

One morning the sight of an unknown person caught his attention. His astonishment knew no bounds to see him in his treasure room which he himself had locked. He asked Midas, why he was not satisfied, despite being vastly wealthy. He gave vent to his wish that everything he touched would become gold. It would give him supreme happiness. The stranger fulfilled the king’s desire. The following day, at sunrise the latter’s dream came true. He had the Golden Touch at his disposal. Strangely enough, the stranger had vanished.

Glossary:
besides : in addition to (ଏତଦ୍‌ବ୍ୟତୀତ)
dearly : deeply (ଗଭୀର ଭାବରେ)
precious : valuable (ମୂଲ୍ୟବାନ)
treasure-room : here, the room where king Midas had kept bars of gold (ଗନ୍ତାଘର )
brightened : shone (ଉଜ୍ଜ୍ବଳି ଉଠିଲା)
vividly : clearly (ପ୍ରାଞ୍ଜଳ ଭାବରେ)

Think it:
Question 1.
What do you learn about King Midas from the first two paragraphs of the story?
Answer:
The first two paragraphs throw light on King Midas’s vast wealth and his obsession with gold.

Question 2.
What did he wish when saw the golden light of the evening sun?
Answer:
When he saw the golden light of the evening sun, he wished it could change everything into genuine gold.

Question 3.
Why didn’t he like the roses in his garden?
Answer:
He didn’t like the rose in his garden, because they were not made of gold.

Question 4.
How did he spend his time in his ‘treasure room’?
Answer:
He spent his time in his treasure room counting his gold pieces. Besides, he held the bars of gold and praised his gold cups and plates.

Question 5.
How did he come across the stranger?
Answer:
He came across the stranger when his treasure room was bathed in bright sunshine; he found the latter in his locked room.

Question 6.
How did King Midas answer the stranger’s question, “What else do you want ?”
Answer:
When the stranger asked him ‘What else do you want ?’, the king expressed his wish that everything he would touch could be changed into gold. Besides, he was sick of collecting his wealth at a very slow rate.

Question 7.
How did the stranger fulfill his wishes?
Answer:
The stranger fulfilled his ambition by telling him that the following day at sunrise, he would find the Golden Touch at his disposal.

UNIT – II
Gist with Glossary

Gist:
This unit begins with the king’s discovery that his desire for the golden touch had not been fulfilled. His bed had not changed into gold. His sadness did not last long. A sudden sight of the reflection of the golden light of the earliest sunrise on him worked wonders. The sheet on his bed turned into a cloth of gold. The first sunbeam had truly brought the Golden Touch. Driven by excitement, he touched everything – one of the legs of the bed, the curtain at the window, his dress, and spectacles. There was gold everywhere. The loss of spectacles didn’t matter to him much.

The gold was more precious than his pair of spectacles and his daughter Marygold would read to him. The magic touch turned everything into gold, beginning from the brass handle of the door, and the rose trees, the constant source of his pride and joy in the past. At the moment, he went into breakfast that morning, his little beautiful daughter Marygold came in crying bitterly. When he kissed her, she wore a terrible look, with her little face, beautiful hair, and her little body gone. She became a hard golden figure.

Glossary:
turned into gold: transformed into gold (ସୁନା ହୋଇଗଲା)
disappointed : sad (ଦୁଃଖ)
sunbeam : sunlight (ସୂର୍ଯ୍ୟକିରଣ )
put on : wore (ପିନ୍ଧିଲେ)
bitterly: in a painful or unhappy mood (ଦୁଃଖଦ ଅବସ୍ଥାରେ)
scent : fragrance (ସୁଗନ୍ଧ)
comfort : (here) console (ସାନା ଦେବା )
terrible : ferocious (ଭୟଙ୍କର )

Think it out:
Question 1.
When did the king discover that his desire for the golden touch had been fulfilled?
Answer:
The king discovered that his desire for the golden touch had been fulfilled at the sight of his bed sheet transformed into a cloth of gold.

Question 2.
Why was the king not sad when his spectacles turned into gold?
Answer:
The king was not sad when his spectacles turned into gold, because he felt that a pair of spectacles was not as precious as the Golden Touch. Besides, her daughter Marygold could read to him.

Question 3.
What was Marygold’s complaint about the golden rose?
Answer:
Marygold’s complaint about the golden rose was that it had become yellow and hard and lost its fragrance.

Question 4.
How did the king console his daughter?
Answer:
The king consoled his daughter stating that she should not think of it at all because these rose flowers that had turned into gold were invaluable. He lovingly said to her to sit and take her breakfast.

Question 5.
Why couldn’t the king enjoy his breakfast?
Answer:
The king couldn’t enjoy his breakfast which included eggs, fish, bread, butter, and a spoonful of coffee, because they all became gold.

Question 6.
What happened to Marygold when the king kissed her?
Answer:
When the king kissed her, the king saw before him a terrible figure instead of his little daughter. Her sweet face, her beautiful hair, and her little body had all gone. There stood a statue of solid gold.

UNIT-III
Gist with Glossary

Gist:
King Midas sank into despair at the loss of everything he loved including his dear little daughter Marygold. In the meantime, the stranger reappeared and enquired him about his Golden Touch. He narrated his tale of woe to the former. He now realized the futility of the Golden Touch. He was terribly thirsty and pined for a cup of cold water to taste. The stranger kept on asking him what he preferred – the Golden touch or a piece of bread and gold or his own little daughter. The grief-stricken father wanted his daughter to get back. His repentance made the stranger remark that he was wiser than before. The stranger knew human nature dies hard and the king was no different. Midas had now become a virulent hater of gold.

He trembled in fear at the sight of a fly perching on his nose and at once felt the ground turning into a small piece of gold. In order to get rid of the burden of the golden touch, the stranger advised the king to go to the end of his garden, and wash in the water of the river there. This was not all. He should bring some of the same water and sprinkle it over anything, he wished to change back again. The king rose to the occasion without wasting time. To his utter delight, he got his lost daughter back by sprinkling water on her. Marygold was kept in dark about this painful incident. The king started his life afresh in the midst of his loving daughter and his garden full of fragrant roses.

Glossary:
lingered (here) saw for some time (କିଛି ସମୟ ପାଇଁ ଦେଖୁବା)
despair : misery (ଦୁର୍ଦ୍ଦଶା)
passionately : the state of mind caused by passion (ଆଗ୍ର ହାନ୍ତି ତ ହୋଇ)
scrap: piece (ଖଣ୍ଡ)
weight : (here) the burden of greed for gold

Think it out:
Question 1.
How did the king realize that the golden touch was a useless gift for him?
Answer:
The king realized that the golden touch was a useless gift for him because it deprived him of everything that he loved, especially his sweet little daughter Marygold. The king had become a grief-stricken person.

Question 2.
‘You are wiser than you were’ – why did the stranger say so?
Answer:
The stranger said so because he marked that the king was seething with repentance for his obsession with gold. The king wished he had not given one hair of his daughter’s head in exchange for the power to transform the entire earth into gold.

Question 3.
What did the stranger advise the king to do to get rid of his golden touch?
Answer:
In order to get rid of his golden touch, the stranger advised the king to go to the end of his garden, and wash in the water of the river there. This was not all. He should bring some of the same water and sprinkle it over anything he wished to change back again.

Question 4.
How did the king get back his daughter?
Answer:
The king got his daughter back by going straight to the golden figure of his daughter and then sprinkling some water brought from the river on her.

Question 5.
Is the story a tragic or comic one? Give your reasons.
Answer:
The story, The Golden Touch is not a tragic one, because though the grief-stricken king could not look at Marygold, there is no death inevitable. Instead, the story is a comic one. King Midas, the protagonist of the story, in spite of his sadness, makes us laugh at his blind love of gold. How can a father make his loving little daughter a victim of his boundless greed? His reaction at the loss of everything he loved and his belated realization of his mistakes and above all, the stranger’s words contribute to the comic aspect of the story, although there are patches of pathos.

Post-Reading Activities:

A. Arrange the following sentences according to their logical order.
(a) Midas said, ‘I wish everything I touch could be turned into gold’.
(b) ‘The Golden Touch !’ exclaimed the stranger.
(c) Midas said, ‘It would give me perfect happiness’.
(d) The stranger said, ‘Tomorrow at sunrise you will find that you have the Golden Touch’.
(e) King Midas came across a stranger smiling at him.
(f) The stranger asked, ‘What do you want ?’
(g) He guessed that the stranger was no ordinary person.
Answer:
(e) King Midas came across a stranger smiling at him.
(g) He guessed that the stranger was no ordinary person.
(f) The stranger asked, ‘What do you want ?’
(a) Midas said, ‘I wish everything I touch could be turned into gold’.
(b) ‘The Golden Touch !’ exclaimed the stranger.
(c) Midas said, ‘It would give me perfect happiness’.
(d) The stranger said, ‘Tomorrow at sunrise you will find that you have the Golden Touch’.

B. Doing with words.
1. Write the antonyms of the following words :
love —
bright —
perfect —
wise —
please —
usual —
happiness —
common —
beautiful —
careful —
proud —
sincere —
Answer:
love — hate
bright —dull
perfect — imperfect
wise — fool
please — displease
usual — unusual
happiness — sadness
common — uncommon
beautiful — ugly
careful — careless
proud — humble
sincere — insincere

B. Match the expressions in column A with their one-word substitution in column B.

Answer:

3. Write the nouns derived from the following verbs :
collect        ______________
satisfy        ______________
exclaim      ______________
disappoint ______________
reflect        ______________
astonish    ______________
expect       ______________
Answer:
collect        — collection
satisfy        — satisfaction
exclaim      — exclamation
disappoint — disappointment
reflect        — reflection
astonish     — astonishment
expect       — expectation

4. Fill in the blanks with the adjectival forms of the following nouns:
gold        _____________
beauty    _____________
palace     _____________
magic      _____________
spectacle _____________
comfort   _____________
sorrow     _____________
passion    _____________
Answer:
gold        — golden
beauty    — beautiful
palace     — palatial
magic      — magical
spectacle — spectacular
comfort   — comfortable
Sorrow     — sorrowful
passion    — passionate

5. Fill in the blanks with the verbs from which the following nouns have been
speech        _______________
thought      _______________
excitement _______________
collection   ________________
service       _______________
Answer:
speech        — speak
thought      — think
excitement — excite
collection   — collect
service        — serve

CHSE Odisha Class 11 English The Golden Touch Fours Important Questions and Answers

I. Short Answer Type Questions with Answers

1. Read through the extract and answer the questions that follow.
Long ago, there lived a very rich man called Midas. Besides being rich, he was a king, and he had a little daughter called Marygold. King Midas loved gold more than anything else in the world. He liked being a king, chiefly because he loved his golden crown. He loved his daughter dearly too, and the more he loved her, the more gold he wanted for her sake. When King Midas saw the golden light of the sun in the evening, he wished it could turn everything into real gold. When Marygold came to him with a bunch of sweet yellow flowers, he would say, ‘If they were as golden as they look, they would be worth picking !’.

Even the roses in his garden did not please him anymore – the largest and sweetest and most beautiful roses ever seen – because they were not made of gold. And although the king was very fond of music in his youth, the only music he loved now was the sound of gold coins, one against another. At last, King Midas could not bear to touch anything that was not gold. He used to go down to a secret room under his palace where he kept his precious store. He would let himself in and count his gold pieces. He would hold the bars of gold and admire his gold cups and plates until he could hardly bear to leave them.

Now in those days, a great many wonderful things used to happen just as they do today. One morning King Midas was in his treasure room when he noticed that the sun was shining into the room more brightly than usual. Not only that, but a stranger stood there, smiling at him in the light of the sunbeam. King Midas knew that he had locked himself in as usual, and so he guessed that his visitor was no ordinary person. The stranger looked at the gold pieces that the king was counting. ‘You seem to be a very rich man’ he said. ‘But it has taken me a long time to collect this gold’, said King Midas. ‘If I could live a thousand years, I might have time to get richer.

Questions :
(i) Why did King Midas like being a king?
(ii) How did he respond, when his daughter came to him with a bunch of beautiful yellow flowers?
(iii) What did the king love deeply in his youth?
(iv) Why did he not want to touch anything at last?
(v) What led the king to guess that the stranger was not an ordinary person?

Answers :
(i) King Midas liked being a king, mainly because he was fond of his golden crown.
(ii) When his daughter came to him with a bunch of beautiful yellow flowers, he would pick them, if they were as golden as they looked.
(iii) The king loved music deeply in his youth.
(iv) His frenzied desire for gold refrained him from touching anything at last. In other words, he was not interested to touch anything that was not gold.
(v) In spite of his treasure room being locked by himself, to his astonishment the king found the stranger inside it. This led the king to guess that the stranger was not an ordinary person.

2. Read through the extract and answer the questions that follow.
The next morning, King Midas awoke before dawn. He looked eagerly to see if his bed had been turned into gold. But no; it was exactly as it had been before. He lay, very disappointed, looking around his room. Suddenly, the earliest sunbeam of the rising sun shone through the window and up to the ceiling above. It seemed to reflect its golden light toward him. Looking at the sheet on his bed, Midas was astonished to find that it had become cloth of gold. The Golden Touch had truly come to him, with the first sunbeam. King Midas got out of bed in excitement. He touched one of the legs of the bed as he did so – and it immediately became a golden pillar.

He pulled the curtain at the window, and at once it became golden, too. He put on his clothes and found himself dressed in golden cloth. He took up his spectacles and put them on – and he found he could see nothing at all. The glasses had turned into gold and he could not see through them. He took them off again. ‘Never mind’, he thought to himself. ‘The Golden Touch is worth more than a pair of spectacles, and Marygold will be able to read to me.’ King Midas went downstairs and into the garden. He noticed that even the brass handle of the door became gold as soon as he turned it. Then he went among the rose trees that had always been his pride and joy in the past.

When he went to breakfast that morning, he felt more hungry than usual. While he was waiting for his eggs to be ready, little Marygold came in crying bitterly. ‘Look, father !’ she cried, holding out a golden rose. ‘I went to pick you some roses and they are yellow and hard, and their sweet scent is gone.’ ‘Never mind, my dear’, said her father. ‘They are worth much more like that. Sit down and eat your breakfast.’ He poured himself a cup of coffee as he spoke. The coffee pot was a golden one when he put it back on the table. Then he tried a spoonful of coffee, to see if it was sweet enough. But it had become liquid gold.

Questions :
(i) When did King Midas get up the following morning?
(ii) How did he first make use of the Golden touch and what was the result?
(iii) What had always been his object of pride and happiness in the past?
(iv) ‘But it had become liquid gold.’ What does ‘it’ refer to?
(v) Suggest a suitable title for the extract.

Answers :
(i) The following morning, King Midas got up before the crack of dawn.
(ii) He made use of the Golden touch for the first time by touching one of the legs of the bed and at once it turned into a golden pillar.
(iii) The rose trees in his garden had always been the object of his pride and happiness in the past.
(iv) ‘It’ refers to a spoonful of coffee.
(v) King Midas and his irresistible temptation for gold.

3. Read through the extract and answer the questions that follow.
In despair, Midas looked about him. Suddenly he saw the stranger that had visited him the day before. ‘Well Midas’, said the stranger. ‘How do you like having the Golden touch ?’ ‘I have lost everything I really loved’, said King Midas. ‘I am full of sorrow and regret. Gold is of no use to me now.’ ‘So you have learnt something since yesterday ?’ asked the stranger. ‘Now which is worth more – the Golden Touch or a cup of cold water ?’ ‘Oh, blessed water !’ exclaimed Midas. ‘Will I ever taste it again?’ ‘The Golden Touch – or a piece of bread ?’ the stranger said. ‘A piece of bread’, answered Midas, ‘is worth all the gold on earth !’

‘Gold – or your own little daughter ?’ asked the stranger. ‘Oh – my child, my child !’ cried poor Midas. ‘I would not have given one hair of her head for the power to change the whole earth into gold !’ The stranger looked seriously at King Midas. ‘You are wiser than you were’, he said. ‘Your heart is still flesh and blood. You know truly that the common things of life, which are within everyone’s reach, are more valuable than riches. Tell me, do you want to keep the Golden Touch ?’ ‘No, it is hateful to me now’, said Midas, passionately. A fly settled on the king’s nose and immediately fell to the floor, a small scrap of gold.

Midas shuddered. ‘Then go down to the end of your garden’, said the stranger, ‘and wash in the water of the river there. Then bring some of the same water and sprinkle it over anything that you wish to change back again. If you do this, truly and sincerely, you can set right again the results of your greed of gold.’ King Midas bowed his head. When he looked up again, the stranger had vanished. The king ran at once to the river. Without waiting to take off his clothes, he dived in. In the coolness of the water, he felt at once that a weight had been lifted from his heart and body.

Questions :
(i) What was the king’s response to the stranger’s question concerning the possession of the Golden Touch?
(ii) “Well I ever taste it again ?” What does ‘it’ refer to?
(iii) Why did Midas tremble in fear?
(iv) What were the results of the king’s greed of gold?
(v) ‘The felt at once that a weight had been lifted from his heart and body.’ What does the ‘weight’ refer to?

Answers :
(i) The king’s response to the stranger’s question concerning the possession of the Golden Touch was only deep sorrow and regret. He was sad at the loss of everything he loved.
(ii) ‘It’ refers to a cup of cold water the king yearned for.
(iii) Midas trembled in fear at the sight of a fly that perched on his nose and at once fell to the floor, eventually turning into a small scrap of gold.
(iv) As a result, of his greed for gold, the king lost everything including precious water and his beloved little daughter Marygold.
(v) The ‘weight’ refers to Midas’s boundless greed for gold.

II. Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) with Answers
Choose the correct option.

Unit – I
The text
Long ago ……… stranger had go.

Question 1.
Long long ago there lived a very rich man called :
(a) Midas
(b) Devdas
(c) Raidas
(d) Bidas
Answer:
(a) Midas

Question 2.
Besides being rich, Midas was a :
(a) merchant
(b) Minister
(c) Chief
(d) king
Answer:
(d) king

Question 3.
Midas had a little daughter called :
(a) Marygold
(b) Rose
(c) Sunshine
(d) Nainegold
Answer:
(a) Marygold

Question 4.
King Midas liked being a king, chiefly because he loved his :
(a) golden chair
(b) golden crown
(c) people
(d) name and fame
Answer:
(b) golden crown

Question 5.
King Midas was a lover of more than anything else in the world.
(a) Silver
(b) platinum
(c) gold
(d) Diamond
Answer:
(c) gold

Question 6.
King Midas wished everything to turn into :
(a) real platinum
(b) real diamond
(c) real silver
(d) real gold
Answer:
(d) real gold

Question 7.
The king was very fond of music in his youth, the only music he loved now was :
(a) the sound of birds
(b) the sound of gold coins
(c) the roar of wild animals
(d) the sound of drums
Answer:
(b) the sound of gold coins

Question 8.
King Midas could not bear to touch anything that was not:
(a) plastic
(b) Silver
(c) gold
(d) Diamond
Answer:
(c) gold

Question 9.
King used to go down to a secret room under his palace where he kept his :
(a) precious gold
(b) coal
(c) precious metals
(d) valuable books and maps
Answer:
(a) precious gold

Question 10.
One morning King Midas was in his treasure room and he noticed that:
(a) the sun was shining into the room more brightly than usual
(b) birds were singing a song beautifully
(c) the golds were being doubled magically
(d) the sun had not risen yet
Answer:
(a) the sun was shining into the room more brightly than usual

Question 11.
Who do you think, standing in front and smiling at the king in the light of a sunbeam
(a) king’s daughter Marygold
(b) the queen
(c) a stranger
(d) the minister
Answer:
(c) a stranger

Question 12.
King Midas knew that he had locked himself in as usual and so he guessed that his visitor was :
(a) no special person
(b) no ordinary person
(c) no poor person
(d) no rich person
Answer:
(b) no ordinary person

Question 13.
Midas thought carefully. This was a wonderful chance, and he felt that the stranger had :
(a) spiritual powers
(b) magical powers
(c) no power
(d) physical powers
Answer:
(b) magical powers

Question 14.
“I am tired of collecting my riches so slowly. I wish everything I touch could be turned into gold.” Who said this?
(a) daughter Marygold
(b) the minister
(c) the stranger
(d) the king
Answer:
(d) the king

Question 15.
The stranger granted his wish to be fulfilled, i.e.
(a) wish to have a son
(b) the Golden Touch
(c) three wishes
(d) none of the above
Answer:
(b) the Golden Touch

Unit – II
The text
The next morning ……..what had be done?

Question 16.
The next morning, King Midas awoke before dawn and looked eagerly to see :
(a) if his bed had been turned into gold
(b) if his bed had been turned into a bed of roses
(c) if his bed had been turned into a hanging swing
(d) none of these
Answer:
(a) if his bed had been turned into gold

Question 17.
The Golden Touch had truly come to the king :
(a) with his first touch
(b) with the first sunbeam
(c) with his first sight
(d) all of the above
Answer:
(b) with the first sunbeam

Question 18.
After a touch, the things turn into gold. And with this he found himself in :
(a) a sad mood
(b) an angry mood
(c) excitement
(d) a worrying situation
Answer:
(c) excitement

Question 19.
Marygold was holding out a golden rose.
(a) happy
(b) angry
(c) sad
(d) crying bitterly
Answer:
(d) crying bitterly

Question 20.
King Midas tried a spoonful of coffee, to see if it was sweet enough. But it had become :
(a) poison
(b) sour
(c) liquid gold
(d) bitter
Answer:
(c) liquid gold

Question 21.
But the eggs, the fish, the bread, the butter, and all the food was uneatable for the
(a) daughter Marygold
(b) king
(c) stranger
(d) Queen
Answer:
(b) king

Question 22.
King Midas turned annoyed, sad, and worried because :
(a) he was unable to eat anything because of his Golden Touch
(b) he was unable to rule over his state
(c) he was unable to see anything
(d) none of the above
Answer:
(a) he was unable to eat anything because of his Golden Touch

Question 23.
Midas bent down and kissed his :
(a) gold coins
(b) little daughter
(c) cups and plates
(d) all of the above
Answer:
(b) little daughter

Question 24.
What do you think, that might happen to Marygold after getting a kiss from his father?
(a) she became more affectionate toward her father
(b) she became happy
(c) she turns into an ugly girl
(d) she became a statue of gold
Answer:
(d) she became a statue of gold

Question 25.
What terrible change came over Marygold? Her sweet little face, lovely hair, and little body turned into.
(a) yellow gold, golden metal, and a figure of soid gold
(b) white diamond, shinning metal, and a hard substance
(c) shining platinum and precious metal
(d) none of the above
Answer:
(a) yellow gold, golden metal, and a figure of sold gold

Unit – III
The text
This story ………..roses.

Question 26.
King Midas felt so sad and sorrowful that he wished, he was the in all the world, if only his beloved daughter could be herself again.
(a) richest man
(b) happiest man
(c) poorest man
(d) honest man
Answer:
(c) poorest man

Question 27.
In despair, Midas looked about him and suddenly he saw that had visited him the day before.
(a) stranger
(b) Marygold
(c) known person
(d) none of the above
Answer:
(a) stranger

Question 28.
“I have lost everything I really loved; I am full of sorrow and regret. Gold is of no use to me now.” What does the expression show?
(a) the king is in excitement
(b) the king is sad
(c) the king is repenting for his deed
(d) the king is happy, what happened
Answer:
(c) the king is repenting for his deed

Question 29.
After having the joy of ‘the Golden Touch’, the king’s view changed :
(a) the Golden Touch is worthful than anything
(b) the Golden Touch is of no use if man’s need is not satisfied
(c) both (a) and (b)
(d) none of the above
Answer:
(b) the Golden Touch is of no use if man’s need is not satisfied

Question 30.
Midas wanted everything back to normal because :
(a) those were worthful
(b) those were his wants
(c) those were useless
(d) those were his needs
Answer:
(d) those were his needs

Question 31.
“I wouldn’t have given one hair of her head for the power to change the whole earth into gold!” This expression said by the king shows :
(a) his hate for his daughter
(b) duty towards his daughter
(c) love for his daughter
(d) all of the above
Answer:
(c) love for his daughter

Question 32.
“You are wiser than you were,” he said. “Your heart is still flesh and blood.” Here ‘you’ and ‘he’ stands for
(a) king and daughter
(b) king and stranger
(c) stranger and king
(d) daughter and stranger
Answer:
(b) king and stranger

Question 33.
Word ‘shuddered’ means
(a) tremble or shake violently
(b) rearrange
(c) avoid or reject
(d) past part
Answer:
(a) tremble or shake violently

Introducing the Author:
Nathaniel Hawthorne is an American novelist and short story writer. Much of Hawthorne’s writing centers on New England, with many works featuring moral allegories with a puritanical inspiration. His fiction works are considered part of the Romantic movement and more specifically, dark romanticism. His themes often center on the inherent evil and sin of humanity, and his works have deep psychological complexity.

About the Topic:
‘The Golden Touch, as the title implies, deals with King Midas’s boundless greed for gold. The inevitable happened. The legendary king sank into despair. At last his obsession with the yellow metal filled him with great repentance and changed his attitude.

Summary:
Hawthorne’s story, ‘The Golden Touch’, takes us back to a long past when there lived king Midas who was vastly wealthy. He was the father of a little daughter Marygold by name. His fascination in gold was more than anything else in the world. He also loved his daughter deeply. The spectacle of the golden light of the sun evoked his strong wish – everything could change into real gold. Even the largest and sweetest and most beautiful roses paled into significance before this precious yellow metal. In his youth, he loved music deeply, but now the sound of gold coins, one against another fascinated him most.

At last, kind Midas’s desire for gold became irresistible. He became a frequent visitor to a secret treasure room under his palace. He would allow himself in, count his gold pieces and hold the bars of gold. One morning, when the sun was shining brightly, he was in his treasure room which was locked inside. In the meantime, he noticed an unknown person, standing there, giving a smile at him in the sunlight. His amazement knew no bounds to see the stranger. The king did not make out how he came inside the locked room. As a result, he guessed the stranger was not an ordinary person.

The unknown person came to know of the king’s insatiable desire for gold; therefore, the former asked the latter what he wanted. The king expressed his wish that everything he touched could transform into gold. His wish to have the Golden Touch filled the stranger with surprise. He asked the king if he would not regret it. The king’s response was swift – it would give him perfect happiness. The stranger fulfilled his wish. He said to the king that the next day at sunrise, he would have his coveted Golden touch. The light of the sunbeam was too bright for Midas to see anything around him.

To his amazement, the stranger had vanished, when he opened his eyes. The following morning, the king discovered that his desire for the golden touch had not been fulfilled. His bed had not changed into gold. His sadness did not last long. A sudden sight of the reflection of the golden light of the earliest sunrise on him worked wonders. The sheet on his bed turned into a cloth of gold. The first sunbeam had truly brought the Golden Touch. Driven by excitement, he touched everything – one of the legs of the bed, the curtain at the window, his dress, and spectacles.

There was gold everywhere. The loss of spectacles didn’t matter to him much. The gold was more precious than his pair of spectacles and his daughter Marygold would read to him. The magic touch turned everything into gold beginning from the brass handle of the door, and the rose trees, the constant source of his pride and joy in the past. At the moment, he went into breakfast that morning, his little beautiful daughter Marygold came in crying bitterly. When he kissed her, she wore a terrible look, with her little face, beautiful hair, and her little body gone.

She became a hard golden figure. We find king Midas in a dejected mood. He plunged into deepening despair at the loss of everything he loved including his dear little daughter Marygold. In the meantime, the stranger reappeared and enquired him about his Golden Touch. He narrated his tale of woe to the former. He now realized the futility of the Golden Touch. He was terribly thirsty and pined for a cup of cold water to taste. The stranger kept on asking him what he preferred – the Golden touch or a piece of bread and gold or his own little daughter.

The grief-stricken father wanted his daughter to get back. His repentance made the stranger remark that he was wiser than before. The stranger knew human nature dies hard and the king was no different. Midas had now become a virulent hater of gold. He trembled in fear at the sight of a fly perching on his nose at once felt the ground turning into a piece of gold. In order to get rid of the burden of his Golden Touch, the stranger advised him to go down to the end of his garden, wash in the water of the river there, bring some of the same water and sprinkle it over anything he wished to change back again.

If the king does this sincerely and truly he can rectify his greed for gold. The king magnificently rose to the occasion. The story ends on a happy note. At first, the king sprinkled the water on the golden figure of his little daughter, Marygold. The inevitable happened. He got back his daughter again. Marygold was kept in dark about this unfortunate and painful incident. The king and his daughter lived happily.

ସାରାଂଶ:
ହଥର୍ୟଙ୍କ ଗଳ୍ପ ‘The golden Touch’ ଆମକୁ ଭସାଇଦିଏ ଏକ ସୁଦୂର ଅତୀତକୁ ଯେତେବେଳେ ଅହେତୁକଭାବେ ସୁନା ପ୍ରତି ଲୋଭ ଥିବା ଏକ ଶକ୍ତିଶାଳୀ ଓ ଧନୀ ରାଜା ବାସ କରୁଥିଲେ ଯାହାଙ୍କ ନାମ ଥିଲା ମିଦାସ୍ । Marygold ନାମକ ତାଙ୍କର ଗୋଟିଏ କୁନି ଝିଅ ଥିଲା। ପୃଥ‌ିବୀର ସବୁ ଜିନିଷଠାରୁ ସେ ସୁନାକୁ ବେଶି ଭଲ ପାଉଥିଲେ । ତା’ ସହିତ ସେ ତାଙ୍କର କନ୍ୟାକୁ ମଧ୍ୟ ଅତି ନିବିଡ଼ଭାବେ ଭଲ ପାଉଥିଲେ । ଅସ୍ଥାୟମାନ ସୂର୍ଯ୍ୟଙ୍କର ସୁନେଲି କିରଣକୁ ଦେଖ୍ ସେ ଭାବୁଥିଲେ ଏହା ସବୁ ଜିନିଷକୁ ସୁନାରେ ପରିଣତ କରିପାରନ୍ତା କି ? ତାଙ୍କ ଦୃଷ୍ଟିରେ ଏହି ମୂଲ୍ୟବାନ୍ ସୁନେଲୀ ଧାତୁର ମୂଲ୍ୟତୁଳନାରେ ସୁନ୍ଦର ଗୋଲାପଗୁଡ଼ିକର ମୂଲ୍ୟ କିଛି ନ ଥିଲା । ତାଙ୍କ ଝିଅ ଆଣିଥିବା ସୁନେଲି ରଙ୍ଗର ଫୁଲଟିକୁ ଦେଖି ରାଜା ଖୁସି ହୋଇ ନ ଥିଲେ କାରଣ ତାହା ସୁନାରେ ନିର୍ମିତ ନ ଥିଲା ।

ତାଙ୍କ ଯୁବାବସ୍ଥାରେ ସେ ସଙ୍ଗୀତକୁ ଗଭୀରଭାବେ ଭଲ ପାଉଥିଲେ ଏବଂ ଏବେ ଭଲ ପାଉଛନ୍ତି ସୁନାକୁ । ପରିଶେଷରେ ସୁନା ପ୍ରତି ତାଙ୍କର ଅହେତୁକ ଲୋଭ ବୃଦ୍ଧି ପାଇବାରେ ଲାଗିଲା । ତାଙ୍କ ପ୍ରାସାଦରେ ଥ‌ିବା ମୂଲ୍ୟବାନ ଜିନିଷର ଭଣ୍ଡାର ଏକ ଗୋପନ କୋଠରିକୁ ସେ ସୁନାର ମୁଦ୍ରା ଗଣିବାକୁ ବାରମ୍ବାର ପ୍ରବେଶ କରୁଥିଲେ । ତାଙ୍କ ପାଖରେ ସୁନାର ସ୍ତମ୍ଭ, ସୁନାର ପ୍ଲେଟ୍ ଓ ସୁନାର ପାଣିପାତ୍ର ସବୁ ରହିଥିଲା । ଦିନେ ସକାଳେ ଯେତେବେଳେ ସୂର୍ଯ୍ୟଙ୍କର ସୁନେଲି କିରଣ ବିଛେଇ ହୋଇ ପଡ଼ିଥିଲା, ଭିତର ପାଖରୁ ବନ୍ଦଥ‌ିବା ଗୁପ୍ତ କୋଠରି ଭିତରେ ଥାଇ ସେ ଦେଖିଲେ ଯେ ଜଣେ ଅପରିଚିତ ବ୍ୟକ୍ତ ସେଠାରେ ଠିଆ ହୋଇ ତାଙ୍କୁ ଚାହିଁ ସ୍ମିତହାସ୍ୟ କରୁଛନ୍ତି । ରାଜା ଅନୁମାନ କଲେ ଯେ ସେହି ଅପରିଚିତ ବ୍ୟକ୍ତିଜଣଙ୍କ ଜଣେ ସାଧାରଣ ମଣିଷ ହୋଇ ନପାରନ୍ତି । ଅପରିଚିତ ବ୍ୟକ୍ତିଜଣଙ୍କ ରାଜାଙ୍କର ସୁନା ପ୍ରତି ଥିବା ଅତୃପ୍ତ ଲୋଭ ବିଷୟରେ ଜାଣିପାରିଲେ ।

ରାଜା କ’ଣ ଚାହାନ୍ତି ବୋଲି ସେ ପ୍ରଶ୍ନ କଲେ । ରାଜା ଜାଣିଥିଲେ ସେ ଜଣେ ଅସାଧାରଣ ଅଲୌକିକ ବ୍ୟକ୍ତି ଥିଲେ । ତେଣୁ ରାଜା ବର ପ୍ରାର୍ଥନା କଲେ ଯେ ସେ ଯାହା ଛୁଇଁବେ ସେସବୁ ସୁନାରେ ପରିଣତ ହୋଇଯାଉ । ରାଜାଙ୍କର ଏହି ପ୍ରାର୍ଥନାରେ ଅପରିଚିତ ବ୍ୟକ୍ତିଜଣକ ଆଶ୍ଚର୍ଯ୍ୟ ହୋଇଗଲେ ଏବଂ ରାଜାଙ୍କୁ ପଚାରିଲେ ତାଙ୍କର ଏଥ‌ିରେ କୌଣସି ଅନୁଶୋଚନା ରହିବ ନାହିଁ ତ ! ରାଜା ଚଳଚଞ୍ଚଳ ମନରେ ଉତ୍ତର ଦେଲେ ଯେ ସେ ଏହି ବର ପାଇଲେ ଅତ୍ୟନ୍ତ ଖୁସି ହେବେ। ରାଜାଙ୍କର ଇଚ୍ଛା ପୂର୍ଣ ହେଉ ବୋଲି ସେ ବର ଦେଲେ । ସେ ରାଜାଙ୍କୁ କହିଲେ ଯେ ତା’ ପରଦିନ ସୂର୍ଯ୍ୟୋଦୟ ସମୟରେ ସେ ଏହି ସ୍ଵର୍ଣ୍ଣ ସ୍ପର୍ଶର ଫଳ ପ୍ରାପ୍ତ ହେବେ । ସୂର୍ଯ୍ୟଙ୍କ ରଶ୍ମି ଏତେ ଉଜ୍ଜ୍ଵଳ ଥିଲା ଯେ ରାଜା ତାଙ୍କ ଚତୁପାର୍ଶ୍ଵରେ ଥ‌ିବା କୌଣସି ଜିନିଷ ଦେଖି ପାରୁ ନ ଥିଲେ । ଯେତେବେଳେ ରାଜା ଆଖି ଖୋଲିଲେ, ସେ ସେହି ଅଦୃଶ୍ୟ ବ୍ୟକ୍ତିଜଣଙ୍କୁ ଦେଖିବାକୁ ପାଇଲେ ନାହିଁ ।

ସେ ଅଦୃଶ୍ୟ ହୋଇ ଯାଇଥିଲେ । ପରଦିନ ରାଜା ଶୀଘ୍ର ଶଯ୍ୟାତ୍ୟାଗ କରି ଦେଖିଲେ ଯେ ତାଙ୍କର ସ୍ଵର୍ଣ୍ଣ ସ୍ପର୍ଶର ବରଟି ପରିପୂର୍ଣ୍ଣ ହୋଇନାହିଁ । ତାଙ୍କର ଶଯ୍ୟା ସୁବର୍ଣ୍ଣରେ ପରିଣତ ହୋଇନାହିଁ । ସେ ଦୁଃଖରେ ଭାଙ୍ଗିପଡ଼ିଲେ । ତା’ପରେ ସୂର୍ଯ୍ୟଙ୍କର ସୁନେଲି କିରଣ ଝରକା ଦେଇ ତାଙ୍କ ଶଯ୍ୟାରେ ପଡ଼ିଲା । ତାଙ୍କ ବିଛଣା ଚାଦରଟି ସୁନାରେ ପରିଣତ ହୋଇଥିବା ଦେଖ୍ ସେ ଖୁସିରେ ଆତ୍ମହରା ହୋଇଗଲେ । ସେ ସବୁ ଜିନିଷକୁ ସ୍ପର୍ଶ କରିବାକୁ ଇଚ୍ଛାକଲେ । ତା’ପରେ ଖଟର ଗୋଟେ ଗୋଡ଼, ଝରକାର ପରଦା ଓ ନିଜ ପୋଷାକକୁ ଛୁଇଁଦେଲେ, ସବୁଯାକ ଜିନିଷ ସୁନା ପାଲଟିଗଲା । ତାଙ୍କର ସ୍ପର୍ଶରେ ତାଙ୍କର ଚଷମାଟି ମଧ୍ଯ ସୁନା ପାଲଟିଗଲା । ଏଥରେ ତାଙ୍କର ତିଳେମାତ୍ର ମନଦୁଃଖ ହେଲା ନାହିଁ । କାରଣ ଚଷମା ଅପେକ୍ଷା ସୁନା ଥିଲା ତାଙ୍କ ପାଇଁ ଅଧିକ ମୂଲ୍ୟବାନ୍ । ଏହି ଚମତ୍କାର ସ୍ପର୍ଶରେ ସବୁକିଛି ସୁନାରେ ପରିଣତ ହୋଇଗଲା ।

ତାଙ୍କ ଅତୀତର ଗର୍ବ ଓ ଖୁସିର ଉତ୍ସ ଗୋଲାପ ଗଛଗୁଡ଼ିକ ମଧ୍ୟ ସୁନାରେ ପରିଣତ ହୋଇଗଲା । ଏହି ସମୟରେ ତାଙ୍କ ପାଖକୁ ତାଙ୍କର ଝିଅ ଏକ ସୁନାର ଗୋଲାପ ଫୁଲ ଧରି କାନ୍ଦି କାନ୍ଦି ଆସିଲା ଏବଂ ଏହାର ବାସ୍ନା ଚାଲିଯାଇଥିବାରୁ ବ୍ୟସ୍ତ ହୋଇପଡ଼ିଲା । ରାଜା ନିଜେ କଫି ପିଇବାକୁ ଇଚ୍ଛା କରି, ସେ କଫି ଗ୍ଲାସ୍‌କୁ ସ୍ପର୍ଶ କରନ୍ତେ ତାହା ତରଳ ସୁନା ପାଲଟିଗଲା । ଭୋକିଲା ରାଜା ଜଳଖୁଆ ପାଇଁ ମାଛ, ଅଣ୍ଡା, ରୁଟି ଓ ଲହୁଣି ଖାଇବାକୁ ଚାହାନ୍ତେ, ସେସବୁ ତାଙ୍କ ସ୍ପର୍ଶ ପାଇବା ପରେ ସୁନାରେ ପରିଣତ ହୋଇଗଲା । ସେ ଖାଇ ନ ପାରିବାରୁ ମନ ଦୁଃଖ କଲେ । ଏହି ସମୟରେ ତାଙ୍କ ମନଦୁଃଖର କାରଣ ବିଷୟରେ ତାଙ୍କ କୁନି ଝିଅ ତାଙ୍କୁ ପଚାରିଲେ । ରାଜା ତାଙ୍କୁ ଚୁମ୍ବନ ଦେଲେ । ଫଳରେ ମେରିଗୋଲ୍ଡର ଶରୀରରେ ଏକ ଭୟଙ୍କର ପରିବର୍ତ୍ତନ ଘଟିଲା । ତାଙ୍କର କୁନି ସୁନ୍ଦର ମୁଖମଣ୍ଡଳ, ସୁନ୍ଦର କେଶରାଶି ଏବଂ କୁନି କୋମଳ ଶରୀରଟି କଠିନ ସୁନାରେ ପରିଣତ ହୋଇଯାଇଛି ।

ଯେତେବେଳେ Marygoldର ଶରୀରଟି ସୁନା ପାଲଟିଗଲା, ରାଜା ଆଶ୍ଚର୍ଯ୍ୟ ହୋଇଗଲେ ଏବଂ ଦୁଃଖ ଓ ଶୋକରେ ଭାଙ୍ଗିପଡ଼ିଲେ । ସବୁ ଜିନିଷ ସୁନାରେ ପରିଣତ ହୋଇଯିବା ହେତୁ ସେ ଗଭୀର ଦୁଃଖରେ ମର୍ମାହତ ହୋଇଗଲେ । ନିଜ ଝିଅର ପୂର୍ବ ଅବସ୍ଥା ଫେରି ପାଇବାପାଇଁ ସେ ବ୍ୟାକୁଳ ହୋଇ ଉଠିଲେ । ଏହି ସମୟରେ ସେହି ଅପରିଚିତ ବ୍ୟକ୍ତିଜଣକ ପୁନର୍ବାର ଆବିର୍ଭାବ ହେଲେ ଏବଂ ସେହି ବରର ପୂର୍ଣ୍ଣତା ବିଷୟରେ ଜାଣିବାକୁ ଚାହିଁଲେ । ରାଜା ତାଙ୍କ ଦୁଃଖର କାହାଣୀ ବର୍ଣ୍ଣନା କଲେ । ଏହି Golden Touchର ମୂଲ୍ୟହୀନତା ବିଷୟରେ ସେ ଅନୁଭବ କରିପାରିଲେ । ସେହି ଅପରିଚିତ ବ୍ୟକ୍ତିଜଣଙ୍କ ରାଜାଙ୍କୁ ପଚାରିଲେ ସୁନା କିମ୍ବା ଏକ ଗ୍ଲାସ୍ ପାଣି କେଉଁଟି ବିଶେଷ ଦରକାର ? ରାଜା ଉତ୍ତର ଦେଲେ ଜୀବନରେ ବଞ୍ଚିବାପାଇଁ ପାଣିର ଆବଶ୍ୟକତା ଅପରିହାର୍ଯ୍ୟ ।

ଅପରିଚିତ ବ୍ୟକ୍ତିଟି ପୁନର୍ବାର ରାଜାଙ୍କୁ ପଚାରିଲେ ସୁନା ଏବଂ ରୁଟି ମଧ୍ୟରୁ ତାଙ୍କ ପାଇଁ କେଉଁଟି ଅଧ୍ଵ ମୂଲ୍ୟବାନ୍ ? ତା’ପରେ ପଚାରିଲେ ସୁନା କିମ୍ବା ତାଙ୍କର କୁନି ଝିଅ ମଧ୍ୟରୁ ତାଙ୍କ ପାଇଁ କେଉଁଟି ମୂଲ୍ୟବାନ ? ଦୁଃଖରେ ଭାଙ୍ଗିପଡ଼ିଥିବା ରାଜା ତାଙ୍କ ଝିଅକୁ ପୁନର୍ବାର ଫେରି ପାଇବାପାଇଁ ବ୍ୟାକୁଳ ହୋଇଉଠିଲେ । ରାଜାଙ୍କର ଶୋଚନାରୁ ଜଣାଗଲା ଯେ ରାଜା ପୂର୍ବାପେକ୍ଷା ଅଧିକା ଜ୍ଞାନୀ ହୋଇ ପାରିଛନ୍ତି । ରାଜା ସୁନାକୁ ଘୃଣା କରୁଥିଲେ । ତାଙ୍କ ନାକରେ ବସିଥିବା ମାଛିଟି ତତ୍‌କ୍ଷଣାତ୍ କ୍ଷୁଦ୍ର ସୁନାଖଣ୍ଡଟିଏ ହୋଇ ମାଟିରେ ପଡ଼ିଲା । ଏହି ସ୍ପର୍ଷ ସ୍ପର୍ଶ ବରପ୍ରାପ୍ତିରୁ ମୁକ୍ତ ହେବା ପାଇଁ ରାଜା ବ୍ୟାକୁଳ ହୋଇପଡ଼ିଲେ । ଅପରିଚିତ ବ୍ୟକ୍ତିଜଣଙ୍କ ତାଙ୍କୁ ଉପଦେଶ ଦେଇ କହିଲେ ଯେ ବଗିଚାର ଶେଷରେ ଥିବା ନଦୀକୁ ଯାଇ ସ୍ନାନ କରିବେ ଏବଂ କିଛି ଜଳ ଆଣି ଯାହାକୁ ପୂର୍ବାବସ୍ଥାକୁ ଆଣିବାକୁ ଚାହୁଁଥ‌ିବେ ତାହାକୁ ତା’ ଉପରେ ସିଞ୍ଚନ କରିବେ ।

ତା’ପରେ ସେ ସେସବୁକୁ ତା’ର ପୂର୍ବ ଅବସ୍ଥାରେ ଫେରି ପାଇବେ । ସେ ତତ୍‌କ୍ଷଣାତ୍‌ ନଦୀରେ ସ୍ନାନ କଲେ ଓ ନଦୀରୁ ପାଣି ଆଣି ନିଜ ଝିଅ ଉପରେ ସିଞ୍ଚନ କଲେ ଓ ଅନ୍ୟାନ୍ୟ ଜିନିଷ ଉପରେ ମଧ୍ୟ ସିଞ୍ଚନ କଲେ । ଫଳରେ ସେଗୁଡ଼ିକ ପୂର୍ବ ଅବସ୍ଥାକୁ ଫେରିଆସିଲା। Marygoldଙ୍କୁ ଏହି ଦୁର୍ଭାଗ୍ୟ ଓ ଦୁଃଖଦ ଘଟଣା ବିଷୟରେ ଜଣାଇ ଦିଆଗଲା ନାହିଁ । ରାଜା ଅନୁଭବ କରିପାରିଲେ ଯେ ସୁନାର ସମୁଦ୍ର ଅପେକ୍ଷା ସେ ଆଣିଥିବା ପାଣି ମାଠିଆର ମୂଲ୍ୟ ବହୁତ ଅଧିକ । ଏହାପରେ ରାଜା ତାଙ୍କ ଝିଅକୁ ନେଇ ଖୁସିରେ ଜୀବନ ବିତାଇଲେ ।

BSE Odisha 11th Class English:

• Standing Up for Yourself Question Answer
• The Legend behind a Legend Question Answer
• The Golden Touch Question Answer
• In London In Minus Fours Question Answer
• The Cancer Fight, from Hiroshima to Houston Question Answer

Odisha State Board CHSE Odisha Class 11 Invitation to English 1 Solutions Chapter 5 The Cancer Fight, from Hiroshima to Houston Textbook Exercise Questions and Answers.

Class 11th Invitation English Chapter 5 The Cancer Fight, from Hiroshima to Houston Question Answers CHSE Odisha

The Cancer Fight, from Hiroshima to Houston Class 11 Questions and Answers

UNIT -I
Gist with Glossary:

Gist:
The writer takes us to her native Hiroshima in 1945 when it was completely destroyed by the atomic bomb explosion. Its long-term effects resulted in the deaths of about half of her relatives. Her father was also not spared. This tragedy evoked both her fascination with and her dread of radiation. The early death of her very dear friend Sadako Sasaki as a result of radiation-linked blood cancer or bone marrow made her take an oath to become a cancer doctor.

Today Dr. Komaki as the clinical chief and Program Director of Thoracic Radiation Oncology at The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Centre in Houston is one of the world’s distinguished researchers and advocates of proton radiation beam therapy with which radiation-related cancer patients are treated. Private hospitals are not suitable for the treatment of these patients on trial, because they lack adequate manpower, qualitative review boards, and maintenance of strict quality control of treatment. Komaki’s motto is to educate students, trainees, and patients to focus on living healthy lives. Besides, she wants to inspire them to reach their goal to help others.

Glossary:
exploded : shattered violently (ବିସ୍ଫୋରଣ ହେଲା)
devastated : completely destroyed (ସମ୍ପୂର୍ଣ୍ଣରୂପେ ଧ୍ବଂସ କରିଦେଲା)
fascination : charm (ଆକର୍ଷଣ)
leukemia : a type of cancer of the blood or bone marrow (ଏକପ୍ରକାର କର୍କଟ ରୋଗ)
sophisticated: advanced (ଆଧୁନିକ)
oncologist : a doctor who treats cancer (କର୍କଟ ରୋଗ ଚିକିତ୍ସକ)
review : a formal assessment of something to institute necessary changes (ତର୍ଜମା)
compliance : action according to standard (ମାନାନୁସାରୀ କାର୍ଯ୍ୟ)
innovators : those who introduces new thoughts (ନବ ପ୍ରଦର୍ଶକ)
achieve : fulfil (ହାସଲ କରିବା)
goal : objective (ଲକ୍ଷ୍ୟ)

Think it out:
Question 1.
How did Hiroshima become a part of world history?
Answer:
Hiroshima became a part of world history during the final stages of World War II in 1945 when America dropped the atomic bomb on Hiroshima. Many lives were lost. Innumerable people suffered from cancer of the blood or bone marrow. The city was completely destroyed.

Question 2.
What are the three traumatic events of Ritsuko’s childhood?
Answer:
The three traumatic events of Ritsuko’s childhood were the atomic bomb explosion on her native city Hiroshima in 1945, the deaths of about half her relatives, including her father and the death of her most intimate friend Sadako Sasaki at the age as a result of radiation-related blood cancer.

Question 3.
What were the results of these experiences for Ritsuko?
Answer:
The results of these experiences for Ritsuko were her vow to become a cancer doctor. Her dream came true and she became a famous cancer specialist.

Question 4.
What is Dr. Komaki’s specialization?
Answer:
Dr. Komaki’s specialization was the application of radiation creatively in the treatment of cancer.

Question 5.
What is she famous for?
Answer:
She is famous as one of the world’s leading researchers and advocates of proton radiation beam therapy.

Question 6.
How do oncologists view proton radiation beam therapy?
Answer:
Oncologists view proton radiation beam therapy as the safest and most effective.

Question 7.
Why does she prefer to work at a university?
Answer:
She prefers to work in a university because she can do her work much better in the backdrop of a university program that is not available at private institutions.

Question 8.
Do you think she likes to teach? Why do you think so?
Answer:
Yes, she likes to teach, because she is interested to share her knowledge with future scientists who introduce new ideas of things.

Question 9.
What is she more interested in research and patient care or money? Why do you think so?
Answer:
She is more interested in research and patient care than money. Her focus on proton radiation therapy to treat cancer patients, her keen interest in sharing her knowledge with future innovators, and her desire to create awareness among all sorts of people concerning healthy lives splendidly exemplify this fact.

Question 10.
What is her mission in life?
Answer:
Her mission in life is to educate younger people – students, trainees, and patients to lead healthy lives and achieve their objective to help others.

Question 11.
Explain the meaning of this expression : (she) no longer fears it.
Answer:
The atomic bomb explosion in her native city was devastating. It resulted in the loss of innumerable lives including his relatives and father. They all died of radiation-related cancer. Komaki was shocked. Later, he learned the technique of applying radiation in an innovative manner and hence no longer fears it.

UNIT – II
Gist with Glossary:

Gist:
This unit begins with the definition of proton therapy. It is a form of treatment that damages and eventually destroys cancerous cells of the exact spot of the affected tumor with the help of charging particles. There is a difference between proton therapy and photon therapy; the latter is not as good as the former. Proton therapy is confined to a particular area. It is powerful too. Photon therapy, in spite of killing cancerous cells, has side effects. It leads to an increase in secondary cancer. Proton therapy plays a great role in striking specific tumors precisely. It results in the minimization of injury to other organs.

Besides, photons (X-rays) emit 90 percent of their cancer-fighting energy, as they pierce the skin. But their utility is lost by 40 percent. Proton therapy is more effective for patients who suffer from prostate cancer. Proton therapy is used for those whose localized cancer has not affected the distant parts of the body. It has a great effect on children in particular. Proton therapy also helps the elderly, because their excessively weak skin cannot resist the power of radiation therapy. Komaki’s patients think that proton therapy is fabulous because they can tolerate it more easily than photon treatment.

Glossary :
ionizing : charging (ଚାର୍ଜିତ)
tumor : a swelling part of body caused by an abnormal growth of tissue
ultimately : eventually (ଘଟଣାକ୍ରମେ )
radiation therapy : treatment of cancer by using radiation (ବିକିରଣଦ୍ବାରା ଚିକିତ୍ସା)
dosage : medicinal dose (ଔଷଧର ମାତ୍ରା)
hits : affects (କ୍ଷତିଗ୍ରସ୍ତ କରେ)
toxicity : the quality of being poisonous (ବିଷାକ୍ତ)
reduce : minimize (କମାଇ ଦେବା)
specific : particular (ନିର୍ଦ୍ଦିଷ୍ଟ )
precisely : exactly (ନିର୍ଦ୍ଦିଷ୍ଟଭାବେ)
in addition : besides (ଏଥ୍ ସହିତ)
feasible : viable (ଫଳପ୍ରଦଭାବେ କାର୍ଯ୍ୟ କରିବାର ସାମର୍ଥ୍ୟ)
penetrate : go deep (ପ୍ରବେଶ କରେ)
further : any more (ପୁନର୍ବାର)
calibrated : measured (ପରିମାପ କରାଗଲେ )
efficacy : effectiveness (ସଫଳତା)
simultaneously : at the same time (ଏକସମୟରେ)
collateral damage : injury to other organs (ଅନ୍ୟାନ୍ୟ ଅଙ୍ଗର କ୍ଷତି)
withstand : resist (ସହ୍ୟ କରିବା)
stresses : emphasizes (ଜୋର୍ ଦେବା)
fabulous : very great (ଖୁବ୍ ବେଶି )
amazing : astonishing (ଆଶ୍ଚର୍ଯ୍ୟକର)
tolerate : bear (ସହ୍ୟ କରିବା)

Think it out:
Question 1.
What is proton therapy?
Answer:
Proton therapy refers to the treatment of cancer by focusing charging particles on the exact tumor-affected spot to damage and eventually destroy its cancerous cells.

Question 2.
What are the damaging side effects of photon therapy?
Answer:
The damaging side effects of photon therapy are pneumonitis, esophagitis, and poisonous bone marrow. It also contributes to the growth of secondary cancers.

Question 3.
What are the advantages of proton therapy over photon therapy?
Answer:
The advantages of proton therapy are better in comparison to photon therapy, because of its confinement only to the affected part of the body, no side effects, and reduction in the destruction of other organs.

Question 4.
Do you think proton therapy is more effective at certain stages of cancer?
Answer:
Yes, I think proton therapy is more effective for prostate cancer.

Question 5.
For what stage of cancer is proton therapy the most useful?
Answer:
Proton therapy is the most useful for those whose localized cancer has not affected the distant parts of the body.

Question 6.
For which age groups is proton therapy the best? Why?
Answer:
Proton therapy is the best both for children and the elderly, because, it causes little, if any, injury to the former’s still-growing tissues and organs surrounding the tumors. In the same way, it helps the elderly because tissues and organs surrounding their tumors are very weak to resist usual radiation treatment.

Question 7.
Why do her patients think proton therapy is fabulous?
Answer:
Komaki’s patients think that proton therapy is fabulous because this treatment itself makes them seldom sick. Besides, it is astonishing, they can tolerate it easily in comparison to photon treatment.

UNIT-III
Gist with Glossary

Gist:
In the course of her externship, internship, residency, and fellowship in Milwaukee, Komaki came to know the importance of radiation in the treatment of cancer. Besides, she learned that localized radiation therapy was not so harmful as chemotherapy. In 1985, she along with Cox set out to Newyork to work with Dr. Eric Hall, who was, at that time, a renowned global authority on the effects of the atomic bomb on human beings. In 1988, she spent years of research work in this field at UT M.D. Anderson. Proton therapy started in 1954.

The Harvard Cyclotron Laboratory in partnership with Massachusetts General Hospital started treating cancer patients. The necessary technology was very costly. Therefore, the treatment did not go beyond the physics research lab until 1990. The first hospital-based program commenced with the opening of the Proton Treatment Center at Loma Linda University Medical Center in southern California. Their keen interest in proton therapy and the relentless effects of having a similar unit at UT M.D. Anderson, Huston at last bore fruit.

Now there are many such centers established in America. Today Komaki and her colleagues treat thoracic malignancies, at least 10 to 15 patients every day. Proton therapy continues for about seven weeks. In Komaki’s view, they have a long way to go. She opines that proton therapy is very important so far as the future of cancer care is concerned. She is hopeful to make the patients more comfortable by destroying cancer cells, but not killing normal cells. They can lead a normal life during treatments. Dr. Ritsuko Komaki and her colleagues at UT M.D. Anderson will be a leader in this field in the future.

Glossary :
viable : possible (ସମ୍ଭାବ୍ୟ)
chemotherapy: treatment of cancer using chemical substances
scattered: spread throughout
leading : famous (ପ୍ରସିଦ୍ଧ ବା ବିଖ୍ୟାତ)
commence: start or begin (ଆରମ୍ଭ ହେଲା)
expensive : costly (ବ୍ୟୟବହୁଳ)
intrigued : interested to know more (ଅଧୁକ ଜାଣିବାକୁ ଆଗ୍ରହୀ)
begin to push: to try their best
paid off : rewarded (ପୁରସ୍କୃତ ହେଲେ)
dosimetrists: experts in the dosage of
radiation scanning: cause a beam to traverse across a surface
secondary malignancy: a cancer that arises in the background of another malignancy
at the forefront: in the lead (ମୁଖ୍ୟ, ଆଗୁଆ)

Think it out:
Question 1.
What different kinds of therapies were used for treating cancer before the use of proton therapy?
Answer:
Different kinds of therapies such as surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, and photon theory were used for treating cancer before proton therapy.

Question 2.
What did Komaki initially learn about treating cancer?
Answer:
Komaki initially learned that surgery was the only possible method for treating cancer.

Question 3.
What did she learn about cancer treatment in the USA?
Answer:
In the U.S.A., she learned how radiation therapy was meant for cancer treatment.

Question 4.
What two things did Komaki learn about radiation?
Answer:
During her stay in the U.S.A., she learned that localized radiation treatment was not so harmful as chemotherapy in the treatment of cancer. Besides, she was aware of an important thing – it was quite different from radiation therapy.

Question 5.
How did Komaki and her husband start proton therapy at Anderson Cancer Center?
Answer:
Proton therapy research in the Proton Treatment Center at Loma Linda University Medical Center in southern California greatly interested Komaki and her husband. They visited Loma Linda to try their best to open a similar unit at UT M.D. Anderson in Houston. Their efforts were rewarded in 2006. The $ 125 million Proton Therapy Centre came into existence paving the way for a complete range of proton treatments.

Question 6.
When did proton therapy first start?
Answer:
Proton therapy was first started in 1954.

Question 7.
What is Komaki’s opinion on proton therapy?
Answer:
In Komaki’s opinion, proton therapy is of great importance to the future of cancer care. The patients, she views, can lead a normal life during treatments.

Post-Reading Activities:

Doing with words :
We can know the meanings of words by looking up a dictionary and finding out how a word had been used in a text. In a dictionary, words come in alphabetical order. The main word is called the headword. However, we should try to guess the meanings of words first from the context. That is the best way to learn new words.
(a) Match each word with its definition. Go back to the text for clues.
(b) Then, put the headwords in alphabetical order.

Answer:
(a)

(b)

CHSE Odisha Class 11 English The Cancer Fight, from Hiroshima to Houston Important Questions and Answers

I. Short Answer Type Questions with Answers

1. Read through the extract and answer the questions that follow.
Dr. Ritsuko Komaki was living with her family near Osaka when the atomic bomb exploded on her native Hiroshima in 1945. But the family returned to the devastated city when she was four, and Komaki grew up a witness to the long-term effects, which likely contributed heavily to the death of about half her relatives, including her father. Like many Japanese, she developed both a fascination with and fear of radiation. When her close friend Sadako Sasaki died at age 11 of radiation-related leukemia, Komaki vowed to become a cancer doctor.

Today, Dr. Komaki has learned how to apply radiation creatively and no longer fears it; instead, as clinical section chief and Program Director of Thoracic Radiation Oncology at The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, she uses it in increasingly sophisticated ways to fight cancer. She is one of the world’s leading researchers and advocates of proton radiation beam therapy, an emerging treatment that many oncologists consider the safest and most effective available.

And according to Komaki, her work is much better done in the context of a university program than at private institutions. “Our patients, including all of our proton patients, are treated under clinical trials,” which monitor results on large numbers of patients, she points out. “It’s difficult to treat patients on trials at private hospitals or clinics. They don’t have enough manpower, and they don’t have review boards that can check on compliance of eligibility and maintain strict quality control of treatment.

This means patients get better care here.” Recently awarded the Juan A. del Regato Foundation Gold Medal for best educator and teacher, the higher education setting also allows Dr. Komaki to share her knowledge with future innovators. “I try always to educate younger people – students and trainees, as well as patients – to live healthy lives and achieve their goal to help others.”

Questions :
(i) Why did Komaki take an oath to become a cancer doctor?
(ii) Name the university Dr. Komaki is working at now as clinical section chief and Program Director of thoracic Radiation Oncology.
(iii) “……….. which monitor results on large numbers of patients ”. What does the word ‘which’ refer to?
(iv) Why has she been recently awarded the Juan A. del Regato Foundation Gold Medal?
(v) What helps Dr. Komaki share her knowledge with future innovators?

Answers :
(i) Komaki took an oath to become a cancer doctor because her intimate friend Sadako Sasaki died of radiation-related leukemia when she was only 11.
(ii) The university Dr. Komaki is working at now as clinical section chief and Program Director of Thoracic Radiation Oncology is The University of Texas.
(iii) The word ‘which’ refers to the clinical trials meant for the treatment of all radiation-linked cancer patients.
(iv) She has been recently awarded the Juan A. del Regato Foundation Gold Medal for best educator and teacher.
(v) The higher education background helps Dr. Komaki share her knowledge with future innovators.

2. Read through the extract and answer the questions that follow.
Proton therapy, like other forms of radiation, aims ionizing particles (in this case, protons) onto a target tumor to damage and ultimately destroy its cancerous cells. But proton beams are much more localized and powerful than the X-rays used in more established radiation therapies. In the latter, the dosage is big enough to kill the cancerous cells, but some radiation also hits the healthy cells around the tumor. This can cause such side effects as pneumonitis, esophagitis, and bone marrow toxicity, or lead to the growth of secondary cancers.

To reduce damage to healthy tissues by a scattered dose of low radiation, the oncologist requires sharply delineated radiation, and proton beams are shaped to almost perfectly match the specific tumor and aimed to strike it precisely. Collateral damage is thus minimal, making it feasible to hit cancer with much bigger doses. In addition, photons (X-rays) release up to 90 percent of their cancer-fighting energy as they penetrate the skin, and lose 30 percent of it by the time they reach the tumor.

Meaning their overall effectiveness is reduced by 40 percent; they also exit out the rear of the tumor to further damage healthy tissues behind it. By controlling the speed with which it is shot into the body, the proton beam is calibrated to be at 30 percent of its maximum efficacy near the skin level while gathering full strength when it actually reaches the tumor and it barely exits the body at all.

Questions :
(i) ‘In the latter, the dosage is big enough to kill the cancer cells ….’ What does ‘the latter’ refer to?
(ii) What can be instrumental in the growth of secondary cancers?
(iii) “…………. as they penetrate the skin ” What does ‘they’ refer to?
(iv) What happens when they go into the skin?
(v) Give a suitable title to the extract.

Answers :
(i) ‘The latter’ refers to the X-rays used in more well-known radiation therapies.
(ii) When X-rays are used in radiation therapy, some radiation is likely to hit the healthy cells around the tumor, they can be instrumental in the growth of secondary cancers.
(iii) ‘They’ refers to photons (X-rays) that release up to 90 percent of their cancer-fighting energy as they pierce the skin.
(iv) When they go into the skin, photons lose 30 percent of their cancer¬fighting energy by the time they reach the tumor.
(v) Proton therapy and its advantages.

3. Read through the extract and answer the questions that follow.
Komaki says the treatment is most recommended for those whose localized cancer has not spread to distant parts of the body. The success rate against prostate cancer, for example, is around 90 to 95 percent. But proton therapy succeeds against many of the 130 known forms of cancer. A recent study led by Komaki and her husband Dr. James Cox, Head of the division of Radiation Oncology at UT M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, shows that proton therapy, when used simultaneously with chemotherapy to treat lung cancer, causes significantly less damage to surrounding healthy cells than other forms of radiation.

It’s also particularly effective for children, because it causes little if any, collateral damage to their still-growing tissues and organs. Likewise, the elderly are strong candidates because tissues and organs surrounding their tumors are often too weak to withstand the more commonly employed radiation treatments. Dr. Komaki also stresses that the side effects are minimal, noting one patient who played a round of golf following each of his daily outpatient treatments. “Patients think this is fabulous,” she says. “You know why? They rarely get sick from proton treatment itself! ‘Are you sure you’re giving me the treatment ?’ they ask. It’s amazing how much proton treatment they can tolerate compared to photon treatment.”

Questions :
(i) For whom is the proton therapy recommended?
(ii) Who is Dr. James Cox?
(iii) “It’s also particularly effective for children.” What does ‘it’ refer to?
(iv) What does the expression ‘collateral damage’ mean?
(v) What, according to the cancer patients, is quite astonishing?

Answers :
(i) Proton therapy is recommended for those whose localized cancer has not affected other distant parts of the body.
(ii) Dr. James Cox is the Head of the division of Radiation Oncology at UT M. D. Anderson Cancer Center. He is the husband of Dr. Komaki.
(iii) ‘It’ refers to proton therapy.
(iv) The expression ‘collateral damage’ refers to/means an injury caused to the patient’s other organs, besides the affected one.
(v) According to cancer patients, it is quite astonishing how they can tolerate proton treatment so easily in comparison to photon treatment.

4. Read through the extract and answer the questions that follow.
When she entered medical school in Hiroshima, Komaki was taught that surgery was the only viable cancer cure. But in the 1970s – while doing her externship, internship, residency, and fellowship in Milwaukee – she began learning “how radiation could cure people, and that gave it a different meaning to me than just the atomic bomb,” she says.

She came to view localized radiation treatment as less harmful than chemotherapy and realized that it couldn’t be equated at all with the scattered, uncontrolled radiation to the whole body that comes with exposure to an atomic bomb. In 1985, she and Cox went to the Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center in New York to work with Dr. Eric Hall, then a leading international authority on the effects of the atomic bomb on humans. In 1988, she began putting her years of research to work at UT M.D. Anderson.

Though protons were discovered by Ernest Rutherford in 1919, proton therapy didn’t commence until 1954, at Berkeley nuclear physics labs. The Harvard Cyclotron Laboratory partnered with Massachusetts General Hospital to begin treating cancer patients in 1961. But necessary technology is so expensive that treatment remained confined to physics research labs until 1990. That’s when the Proton Treatment Center opened at Loma Linda University Medical Center in southern California to offer the first hospital-based program.

Questions :
(i) Where and when did Dr. Komaki pursue her externship, internship, residency, and fellowship?
(ii) How does a person’s entire body become a victim of scattered and uncontrolled radiation?
(iii) Who was Dr. Eric Hall?
(iv) When did Komaki begin to spend her years of research working at UT M. D. Anderson?
(v) Why did the treatment of cancer patients wait till 1990?

Answers :
(i) Dr. Komaki pursued her externship, internship, residency, and fellowship in Milwaukee in the 1970s.
(ii) A person’s entire body becomes a victim of scattered and uncontrolled radiation that comes with exposure to an atom bomb.
(iii) Dr. Eric Hall was a prominent global authority on the effects of the atomic bomb on human beings.
(iv) In 1988 Komaki began to spend her years of research work at UT M. D. Anderson.
(v) The treatment of cancer patients waited till 1990, because of costly necessary technology.

5. Read through the extract and answer the questions that follow.
Intrigued by the proton therapy research then available, Komaki and Cox visited Loma Linda early on and began to push for a similar unit at UT M. D. Anderson when they returned to Houston. Their efforts paid off in 2006 when the $ 125 million Proton Therapy Center opened its doors offering a complete range of proton treatments. It is the only such facility in the Southwest. (In addition to Houston and Loma Linda, the nation now has centers in Florida, Indiana, and Massachusetts, with several, more being planned.)

Today, Komaki and her colleagues treat thoracic malignancies – therapy that requires a team of seven doctors, several physicians and dosimetrists, and a couple of dozen technicians – in 10 to 15 patients daily, with four of them taking proton therapy. Like other radiation treatments, proton therapy runs for about seven weeks. In all, the Proton Therapy Center, with Dr. Andrew Lee as medical director, treats 75 to 80 patients daily. To Komaki, this is just the beginning. “Our physicists have already made a machine here that creates a scanning beam,” she says.

“We’re the only place in the world with a scanning beam, which means we can remove neutron contamination.” (Neutrons are created when protons enter the body; though it happens rarely they can cause secondary malignancy a decade or more later.) She also believes that proton therapy is extremely important to the future of cancer care. “The patients are already sick from cancer,” she says, “why make them get sicker from treatment? Now, we can make them more comfortable – killing cancer cells but not killing normal cells. Now, they can live a normal life while getting treatments.” Whatever happens next in this field, Dr. Ritsuko Komaki and her colleagues at UT M. D. Anderson are likely to be at the forefront.

Questions :
(i) ‘………… and began to push for a similar unit at UT M. D. Anderson’ -What does ‘a similar unit’ refer to?
(ii) How did Komaki and Cox succeed in their efforts?
(iii) Name the places where a complete range of proton treatments is available.
(iv) Who is a dosimetrist ?
(v) How long does proton therapy continue?

Answers :
(i) ‘A similar unit’ refers to the proton therapy center.
(ii) Komaki and Cox succeeded in their efforts in 2006 when the $ 125 million Proton Therapy Centre was set up in Houston providing all sorts of proton treatments.
(iii) The places where a complete range of proton treatments is available are California, Houston, Florida, Indiana, and Massachusetts.
(iv) A dosimetrist is an expert in the dosage of radiation.
(v) Proton therapy continues for about seven weeks.

II. Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) with Answers
Choose the correct option.

Unit – I
The text
Dr. Ritsuko Komaki ……….. to help others.

Question 1.
Name the author of the prose “The Cancer Fight, From Hiroshima to Houston”.
(a) Ritsuko Komaki
(b) Sadako Sasaki
(c) James Cox
(d) Eric Hall
Answer:
(a) Ritsuko Komaki

Question 2.
Dr. Ritsuko Komaki is a radition :
(a) oncologist at MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, USA
(b) a psychologist at RD Moursan Cancer Center in Hiroshima, Japan
(c) eye specialist at MD Anderson Eye Center in Berlin, Germany
(d) an anthropologist at AD Pitson Anthro Center in Tokyo, Japan
Answer:
(a) oncologist at MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, USA

Question 3.
Dr. Ritsuko is a radiation oncologist and also
(a) an advocate of civil cases
(b) an advocate of proton therapy
(c) an advocate of neuron therapy
(d) a judge at Hiroshima
Answer:
(b) an advocate of proton therapy

Question 4.
During the final stages of World War II in 1945, two atomic bombs were dropped on the cites of
(a) Hiroshima and Houston in Japan and USA
(b) Stalin and Berlin in Germany
(c) Hiroshima and Nagasaki in Japan
(d) None of the above
Answer:
(c) Hiroshima and Nagasaki in Japan

Question 5.
Name the first atomic bomb which was dropped in the city of Hiroshima and when?
(a) The Old Man, 26 August 1946
(b) The Young Boy 16 August 1954
(c) The Little Boy, 6 August 1945
(d) The Little Girl, 6 August 1944
Answer:
(c) The Little Boy, 6 August 1945

Question 6.
Name the second atomic bomb, which was dropped in the city of Nagasaki, and when?
(a) The Fat Woman, 9th Aug. 1945
(b) The Super Man, 9th Aug. 1954
(c) The Thin Man, 19th Sept. 1948
(d) The Fat Man, 9th Aug. 1945
Answer:
(d) The Fat Man, 9th Aug. 1945

Question 7.
Dr. Ritsuko Komaki was living with her family near :
(a) Sobosan
(b) Osaka
(c) Okayama
(d) Yamaguchi
Answer:
(b) Osaka

Question 8.
What vowed Komaki to become a cancer doctor?
(a) when her close friend Sadako Sasaki died at age 11 of radiation-related leukemia
(b) she developed both a fascination with and fear of radiation
(c) a long term effects which likely contributed heavily to the deaths of about half her relatives including her father
(d) both, (a) and (c)
Answer:
(a) when her close friend Sadako Sasaki died at age 11 of radiation-related leukemia

Question 9.
After becoming a cancer doctor, she uses it in increasingly sophisticated ways to :
(a) fight cancer
(b) fight diabetics
(c) fight leukemia
(d) fight bone marrow
Answer:
(a) fight cancer

Question 10.
Being the chief of the Clinical Section, she was also :
(a) the Program Director of Leukemia Radiation Oncology
(b) the Program Director of Thoracic Radiation Oncology
(c) Program Director of Bone-marrow
(d) none of the above
Answer:
(b) the Program Director of Thoracic Radiation Oncology

Question 11.
What does ‘leukemia’ mean?
(a) a disease
(b) throat cancer
(c) a type of cancer of the blood or bone marrow
(d) brain tumor
Answer:
(c) a type of cancer of the blood or bone marrow

Question 12.
Who do you think can we say as Oncologist?
(a) a doctor who treats bone marrow
(b) a doctor who treats rheumatism
(c) a doctor who treats cancer.
(d) none of the above
Answer:
(c) a doctor who treats cancer.

Question 13.
One who introduces new ideas of things
(a) inheritor
(b) intrigued
(c) inhibitor
(d) innovator
Answer:
(d) innovator

Question 14.
‘Compliance’ means
(a) obedience
(b) advanced
(c) obligation
(d) oblige
Answer:
(a) obedience

Question 15.
For which Komaki was awarded the Juan A. del Regato Foundation Gold Medal?
(a) for best radiation oncologist
(b) for best educator and teacher
(c) for the best expert in the treatment of cancer
(d) for the lady of the year
Answer:
(b) for best educator and teacher

Question 16.
Why does she try to educate younger people – students and trainees as well as patients?
(a) for the easy and early treatment of disease
(b) to make them know how to prevent diseases in life
(c) to live healthy lives and achieve their goal to help others
(d) none of the above
Answer:
(c) to live healthy lives and achieve their goal to help others

Unit – II
The text
Proton therapy …………… photon treatment.

Question 17.
What is proton therapy?
(a) Proton therapy, like other forms of radiation, aims ionizing particles onto a target tumor to damage and ultimately destroy its cancerous cells.
(b) Proton therapy, same as other forms of radiation, aims separated particles onto a target leukemia to destroy and ultimately damage its poisonous cells.
(c) both (a) and (b)
(d) none of the above
Answer:
(a) Proton therapy, like other forms of radiation, aims ionizing particles onto a target tumor to damage and ultimately destroy its cancerous cells.

Question 18.
___________are much more localized and powerful than the X-rays used in more established radiation therapies.
(a) neutron beams
(b) nuclear beams
(c) proton beams
(d) all of the above
Answer:
(c) proton beams

Question 19.
___________is big enough to kill the cancerous cells but some radiation also hits the healthy cells around the tumor,
(a) dose
(b) dosage
(c) drugs
(d) dorsal
Answer:
(b) dosage

Question 20.
Side effects of radiation are :
(a) pneumonitis
(b) esophagitis or lead to the growth of secondary cancers
(c) bone-marrow toxicity
(d) all of the above
Answer:
(d) all of the above

Question 21.
To reduce damage to healthy tissues by a scattered dose of low radiation, the oncologist requires :
(a) sharply delineated radiation
(b) proton beams, shaped to almost perfectly match the specific tumor
(c) aimed to strike it precisely
(d) all of the above
Answer:
(d) all of the above

Question 22.
Name the unit of electromagnetic energy which release up to 90 percent of the cancer-fighting energy, as they penetrate the skin.
(a) photon (X-rays)
(b) neutrons
(c) protons
(d) phototropism
Answer:
(a) photon (X-rays)

Question 23.
The success rate against prostate cancer, for example, is around :
(a) 90 to 95 percent
(b) 80 to 90 percent
(c) 95 to 100 percent
(d) 70 to 85 percent
Answer:
(a) 90 to 95 percent

Question 24.
Identify the name and occupation of Komaki’s husband.
(a) Dr. J. H. Frost, Head of the Division of Radiation Psychology at AT.M.D. Anderson Brain Academy
(b) Dr. John Marshall, Head of the division of Rheumatism at UTM.D Anderson Bone Center
(c) Dr. James Cox, Head of the division of Radiation Oncology at UT.M.D Anderson Cancer Center
(d) none of the above
Answer:
(c) Dr. James Cox, Head of the division of Radiation Oncology at UT.M.D Anderson Cancer Center

Question 25.
What do you mean by ‘efficacy’?
(a) efficiency
(b) effectiveness
(c) effort
(d) eradicate
Answer:
(b) effectiveness

Question 26.
‘Calibrated’ means :
(a) added
(b) calculated
(c) sum
(d) measured
Answer:
(d) measured

Question 27.
What does ‘collateral damage’ mean?
(a) injury to other organs
(b) injury to skeletal organs
(c) damage to all parts of the body
(d) all of the above
Answer:
(a) injury to other organs

Question 28.
The quality of being poisonous :
(a) toxicity
(b) tumor
(c) drugs
(d) none of the above
Answer:
(a) toxicity

Question 29.
Radiation therapy means :
(a) treatment of cancer by using radiation
(b) treatment of brain tumors by using radiation
(c) treatment of leukemia by using radiation
(d) treatment of rheumatism by using medicines and oils for external use only
Answer:
(a) treatment of cancer by using radiation

Unit – III
Warm-up
The Text
Surgery radiation …………. forefront.

Question 30.
Before proton therapy was adopted what were the methods used for treating cancer?
(a) surgery, radiation
(b) chemotherapy
(c) photon therapy
(d) all of the above
Answer:

Question 31.
Name the place where Komaki did her externship, internship, residency and fellowship and learned ‘how radiation could cure people’.
(a) Milwaukee
(b) Hiroshima
(c) Houston
(d) Nilwaukee
Answer:
(a) Milwauke

Question 32.
When did Komaki and her husband, Cox went to Columbia Presbyterian Medical Centre in Newyork and to work with whom ?
(a) 1986, Prof. Eric Hall
(b) 1985, Dr. Eric Hall
(c) 1998, Dr. Aric Hall
(d) 1958, Dr. Muric Mall
Answer:
(b) 1985, Dr. Eric Hall

Question 33.
Komaki began putting her years of research to work at UT.M. D. Anderson is
(a) 1989
(b) 1999
(c) 1988
(d) 1888
Answer:
(c) 1988

Question 34.
When did protons were discovered and by whom?
(a) protons were discovered by Ernest Rutherford in 1919
(b) protons were deciphered by Ymest Rutherford in 1981
(c) protons were discovered by Ernest Rutherford in 1920
(d) protons were discovered by Komaki in 1919
Answer:
(a) protons were discovered by Ernest Rutherford in 1919

Question 35.
Proton therapy didn’t commence until _____________ at Berkeley nuclear physics labs.
(a) 1945
(b) 1964
(c) 1953
(d) 1954
Answer:
(d) 1954

Question 36.
_____________ Laboratory partnered with Massachusetts General Hospital to begin treating cancer patients in 1961.
(a) The Harvard Cyclotron
(b) The Harvord Kyclotron
(c) The Warvord Cyclotron
(d) none of these
Answer:
(a) The Harvard Cyclotron

Question 37.
Proton Treatment Center opened at _____________ University Medical Center in southern California to offer the first hospital-based program.
(a) Loma Linda
(b) Oxford
(c) Cambridge
(d) Austria
Answer:
(a) Loma Linda

Question 38.
Whose efforts paid off in 2006, when the $ 125 million Proton Therapy Center opened its doors offering a complete range of proton treatments?
(a) Komaki and Dr. Eric Hall
(b) Komaki and Dr. Andrew Lee
(c) Komaki and her husband Cox
(d) none of the above
Answer:
(c) Komaki and her husband Cox

Question 39.
What is that therapy that requires a team of seven doctors, several physicians and dosimetrists, and a couple of dozen technicians in 10-15 patients daily with four of them taking proton therapy?
(a) Thoracic malignancies
(b) Oracic malignancies
(c) Thoranic maliganancious
(d) none of the above
Answer:
(a) Thoracic malignancies

Question 40.
Like other radiation treatments, proton therapy runs about :
(a) seven months
(b) seven hours
(c) seven days
(d) seven weeks
Answer:
(d) seven weeks

Question 41.
In all, the Proton Therapy Center, with Dr. Andrew Lee as medical director, treats :
(a) 76 to 86 patients daily
(b) 75 to 80 patients every month
(c) 75 to 80 patients every week
(d) 75 to 80 patients daily
Answer:
(d) 75 to 80 patients daily

Question 42.
What does secondary malignancy mean?
(a) cancer that arises in the background of another malignancy
(b) cancer that arises in the spot of another malignancy
(c) both (a) and (b)
(d) none of the above
Answer:
(a) cancer that arises in the background of another malignancy

Question 43.
Expert in dosage of radiation means:
(a) medicinal dose
(b) malignancy
(c) toxicity
(d) dosimetrist
Answer:
(d) dosimetris

Question 44.
Word ‘intrigued’ refers to :
(a) fearless
(b) very complicated
(c) interested to know more
(d) forming part of the basic nature of something
Answer:
(c) interested to know more

Question 45.
What do you understand by the term ‘commence’?
(a) recover
(b) begin
(c) conclusion
(d) restart
Answer:
(b) begin

Introducing the Author:
Dr. Ritsuko Komaki, a radiation cancer specialist at MD Anderson Cancer Centre in Houston, U.S.A., is an ardent champion of proton therapy.

About the Topic:
This article throws light on Dr. Ritsuko’s immense contribution towards the treatment of radiation-related ailments. She has a high opinion on proton therapy.

Summary:
The atomic bomb explosion on her native Hiroshima in 1945 had a profound effect on Ritsuko. The city was completely destroyed. She grew up to be a spectator of its devastating effect. He saw one tragedy after another: the deaths of about half her relatives, her father, and last of all, the death of her very intimate friend Sadako Sasaki at the age of 11 of radiation-related blood cancer. She could not remain silent. These three traumatic events made her take an oath to become a cancer doctor.

Now Ritsuko has learnt the method of applying, radiation in a creative manner. As a result, her fear of it becomes a thing of the past. Today Dr. Komaki, as clinical section chief and Program Director of Thoracic Radiation Oncology at The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston is one of the world’s distinguished researchers and advocates of proton radiation beam therapy with which radiation-related cancer patients are treated.

Private hospitals are not suitable for the treatment of these patients on trial, because they lack adequate manpower, qualitative review boards, and maintenance of strict quality control of treatment. Komaki’s motto is to educate students, trainees, and patients to focus on living healthy lives. Besides, she wants to inspire them to reach their goal to help others. Ritsuko throws light on proton therapy. It is a form of treatment that damages and eventually destroys cancerous cells of the exact spot of the affected tumor with the help of charging particles.

There is a difference between proton therapy and photon therapy; the latter is not as good as the former. Proton therapy is confined to a particular area. It is powerful too. Photon therapy, in spite of killing cancerous cells, has side effects. It leads to an increase in secondary cancer. Proton therapy plays a great role in striking the specific tumor precisely. It results in the minimization of injury to other organs. Besides, photons (X-rays) emit 90 percent of their cancer-fighting energy, as they pierce the skin. But their utility is lost by 40 percent.

Proton therapy is more effective for patients who suffer from prostate cancer. Proton therapy is most useful for those whose localized cancer has not affected the distant parts of the body. It has a great effect on children in particular. Proton therapy also helps the elderly, because their excessively weak skin cannot resist the power of radiation therapy. Komaki’s patients think that proton therapy is fabulous because they can tolerate it more easily than photon treatment.

When Komai became a student of a medical school in Hiroshima, she learned that only surgery was a possible cancer cure. In the course of her externship, internship, residency, and fellowship in Milwaukee, Komaki came to know the importance of radiation in the treatment of cancer. Besides, she learnt that localized radiation therapy was not so harmful as chemotherapy. In 1985, she along with Cox set out for New York to work with Dr. Eric Hall, who was, at that time, a renowned global authority on the effects of the atomic bomb on human beings.

In 1988, she spent years of research work in this field at UT M.D. Anderson. Proton therapy started in 1954. The Harvard Cyclotron Laboratory in partnership with Massachusetts General Hospital started treating cancer patients. The necessary technology was very costly. Therefore, the treatment did not go beyond physics research labs until 1990. The first hospital-based program commenced with the opening of the Proton Treatment Center at Loma Linda University Medical Center in southern California.

Their keen interest to know more about proton therapy and their ceaseless efforts were eventually rewarded. The Proton Therapy Center came into existence in 2006, paving the way for providing a complete range of proton treatments. Today Komaki and her colleagues treat their patients with this therapy that requires many specialists. To Komaki, this is not the end of the road. She looks beyond the present. With a heart full of delight, she declares that this is the only place in the world having a scanning beam.

In her view, proton therapy is of great use to the future of cancer care. Komaki and her colleagues are trying to make the lives of the patients more comfortable than ever before, by destroying cancer cells, but not normal cells. The time has come when they lead a normal life during treatments. Dr. Ritsuko and her colleagues at UT M.D. Anderson may take a leading part in whatever takes place in this domain in future.

ସାରାଂଶ:
ଜାପାନର ହିରୋସୀମାରେ ୧୯୪୫ ମସିହାରେ ପଡ଼ିଥିବା ପରମାଣୁ ବୋମାର ପ୍ରଭାବ ରିକୋଙ୍କ ଉପରେ ଗଭୀର ଭାବେ ପ୍ରଭାବ ପକାଇଥିଲା । ପରମାଣୁ ବୋମା ସହରଟିକୁ ସମ୍ପୂର୍ଣ୍ଣଭାବେ ଧ୍ବସ୍ତବିଧ୍ବସ୍ତ କରିଦେଇଥିଲା । ଡାଃ ରିକୋ କୋମାକି ଏହି ଧ୍ୱଂସକାରୀ ପ୍ରଭାବର ପ୍ରତ୍ୟକ୍ଷଦର୍ଶୀରୂପେ ଧୀରେ ଧୀରେ ବଡ଼ ହୋଇଥିଲେ । ସେ ଗୋଟିଏ ଦୁଃଖଦ ଘଟଣା ପରେ ଅନ୍ୟ ଏକ ଦୁଃଖ ଘଟଣା ଦେଖୁଥିଲେ । ଅର୍ବାଧ‌ିକ ନିଜ ସମ୍ପର୍କୀୟମାନଙ୍କ ମୃତ୍ୟୁ, ନିଜ ବାପାଙ୍କ ମୃତ୍ୟୁ ଏବଂ ସର୍ବୋପରି ନିଜର ଅତି ଘନିଷ୍ଠ ବନ୍ଧୁ ସଡ଼ାକୋ ସାସାକିଙ୍କ ୧୧ ବର୍ଷ ବୟସରେ ଏହି ପରମାଣୁ ବୋମାର ତେଜସ୍କ୍ରିୟ ରଶ୍ମିର ପ୍ରଭାବରେ ରକ୍ତ କର୍କଟ ରୋଗ ଯୋଗୁଁ ମୃତ୍ୟୁ ତାଙ୍କୁ ବିବ୍ରତ ଓ ଅତିଷ୍ଠ କରିଦେଇଥିଲା । ସେ ନୀରବହୋଇ ରହିପାରିଲେ ନାହିଁ ।

ଏହି ତିନୋଟି ଦୁଃଖଦ ଘଟଣା ତାଙ୍କୁ ଜଣେ କର୍କଟ ରୋଗ ଚିକିତ୍ସକ ହେବାପାଇଁ ପ୍ରତିଜ୍ଞାବଦ୍ଧ କରାଇଥିଲା । ବର୍ତ୍ତମାନ ରିକୋ କୋମାକି ଏହି ତେଜସ୍କ୍ରିୟ ରଶ୍ମିର ସର୍ଜନାତ୍ମକ ପ୍ରୟୋଗ କରି ଚିକିତ୍ସା କରିପାରୁଛନ୍ତି । ଫଳରେ ତାଙ୍କର ଭୟ ଦୂର ହୋଇପାରିଛି । ବର୍ତ୍ତମାନ ସେ ହୋଷ୍ଟନରେ ଥିବା Taxas M.D. Anderson Cancer Centreର Thoracic Radiation Oncologyର ମୁଖ୍ୟ ଓ ପ୍ରୋଗ୍ରାମ ନିର୍ଦ୍ଦେଶକ ଭାବେ ବିଶ୍ଵର ସ୍ୱନାମଧନ୍ୟ ଗବେଷକ ଏବଂ ପ୍ରୋଟନ ରଶ୍ମିର ପ୍ରୟୋଗରେ କର୍କଟ ବ୍ୟାଧ୍ ଚିକିତ୍ସା ପଦ୍ଧତିର ସମର୍ଥକମାନଙ୍କ ମଧ୍ୟରେ ଜଣେ ଭାବେ ଗଣା ହେଉଛନ୍ତି । ତାଙ୍କ ମତରେ ଘରୋଇ ଚିକିତ୍ସାଳୟଗୁଡ଼ିକ ଚିକିତ୍ସା ଓ ପରୀକ୍ଷା ପାଇଁ ଅନୁପଯୁକ୍ତ, କାରଣ ସେମାନଙ୍କ ପାଖରେ ଆବଶ୍ୟକୀୟ ଦକ୍ଷ ଚିକିତ୍ସକ ଗୁଣାତ୍ମକ ସମୀକ୍ଷାମଣ୍ଡଳୀ, ଏବଂ ଗୁଣାତ୍ମକ ଚିକିତ୍ସା ପଦ୍ଧତିର ଅଭାବ ରହିଛି ।

ଶିକ୍ଷାର୍ଥୀ, ତାଲିମ ପାଉଥ‌ିବା ବ୍ୟକ୍ତି ଏବଂ ରୋଗୀମାନଙ୍କୁ ସ୍ବାସ୍ଥ୍ୟକର ଜୀବନ ବଞ୍ଚିବା ପାଇଁ ଶିକ୍ଷା ଦେବାକୁ ସେମାନଙ୍କ ଲକ୍ଷ୍ୟ ରହିଛି । ଏହାଛଡ଼ା କୋମାକି ଚାହାନ୍ତି ସେମାନଙ୍କ ଲକ୍ଷ୍ୟପ୍ରାପ୍ତି ପାଇଁ ସେମାନେ ଅନ୍ୟମାନଙ୍କୁ ସାହାଯ୍ୟ କରିବା ଉପରେ ଗୁରୁତ୍ଵ ଦେବା ଉଚିତ । ରିଟ୍ସ୍କୋ ପ୍ରୋଟନ୍ ଚିକିତ୍ସା ପଦ୍ଧତି ଉପରେ ଆଲୋକପାତ କରିଛନ୍ତି । ଏହି ଚିକିତ୍ସା ପଦ୍ଧତି ମାଧ୍ୟମରେ ଟ୍ୟୁମରର ନିର୍ଦ୍ଦିଷ୍ଟ କ୍ଷତିଗ୍ରସ୍ତ ସ୍ଥାନରେ କର୍କଟ ସଂକ୍ରମିତ କୋଷଗୁଡ଼ିକୁ ଚାର୍ଜିତ କଣିକାଗୁଡ଼ିକ ସାହାଯ୍ୟରେ ନଷ୍ଟ କରି ଦିଆଯାଏ । ଫୋଟନ୍ ଚିକିତ୍ସା ପ୍ରୋଟନ୍‌ ଚିକିତ୍ସା ଅପେକ୍ଷା ଉତ୍ତମ ନୁହେଁ । ପ୍ରୋଟନ୍ ଚିକିତ୍ସା ଏକ ନିର୍ଦ୍ଦିଷ୍ଟ ସ୍ଥାନରେ ସୀମାବଦ୍ଧ ରହେ । ଏହା ମଧ୍ୟ ଅଧ‌ିକ ଶକ୍ତିଶାଳୀ । ଫୋଟନ୍ ଚିକିତ୍ସା ପଦ୍ଧତି କର୍କଟ କୋଷଗୁଡ଼ିକୁ ନଷ୍ଟ କରୁଥିବା ସତ୍ତ୍ବେ ଏହାର ବିଭିନ୍ନ ପାର୍ଶ୍ଵ ପ୍ରତିକ୍ରିୟା ଥାଏ ।

ଏହା କର୍କଟ ରୋଗକୁ ବଢ଼େଇ ଦେବାରେ ସହାୟକ ହୋଇଥାଏ । ପ୍ରୋଟନ୍ ଚିକିତ୍ସା ମାଧ୍ୟମରେ ଟ୍ୟୁମରକୁ ନିର୍ଦ୍ଦିଷ୍ଟଭାବେ ଆଘାତ କରାଯାଇପାରେ । ଅନ୍ୟ ଅଙ୍ଗପ୍ରତ୍ୟଙ୍ଗଗୁଡ଼ିକ ଅପାତତଃ କମ୍ କ୍ଷତି ହୋଇଥାଏ । ଫୋଟନ ଚିକିତ୍ସା ପଦ୍ଧତିରେ ବିକିରିତ ରଶ୍ମି ଶରୀରରେ ପ୍ରବେଶ କରିବା ସମୟରେ ୨୦ ପ୍ରତିଶତ କର୍କଟ ରୋଗ ପ୍ରତିରୋଧକ ଶକ୍ତି ଉତ୍ପନ୍ନ କରିଥାଏ । କିନ୍ତୁ ତା’ର 40 ପ୍ରତିଶତ ଉପଯୋଗିତା ନଷ୍ଟ ହୋଇଥଯାଏ । ପ୍ରାରମ୍ଭିକ ପର୍ଯ୍ୟାୟର କର୍କଟ ରୋଗୀମାନଙ୍କ ପାଇଁ ପ୍ରୋଟନ୍ ଚିକିତ୍ସା ପଦ୍ଧତି ଅଧ‌ିକ ଫଳପ୍ରସୂ । ଯେଉଁମାନଙ୍କର ନିର୍ଦ୍ଦିଷ୍ଟ ଅଂଶ କର୍କଟ ସଂକ୍ରମିତ ମାତ୍ର ଅନ୍ୟ ଅଂଶ ସୁସ୍ଥ ଅଛି ସେମାନଙ୍କ ପାଇଁ ଏହି ପଦ୍ଧତି ଅଧ୍ଵ ଫଳପ୍ରଦ । ପିଲାମାନଙ୍କ ପାଇଁ ଏହା ଅଧିକ ଫଳପ୍ରଦ ହୋଇଥାଏ ।

ବୟସ୍କମାନଙ୍କ ପାଇଁ ମଧ୍ୟ ଏହା ଲାଭଦାୟକ କାରଣ ସେମାନଙ୍କ ଅତି ଦୁର୍ବଳ ଚର୍ମ ବିକିରଣ ପଦ୍ଧତିର ତୀବ୍ରତାକୁ ସହ୍ୟ କରିପାରେ ନାହିଁ । କୋମାକିଙ୍କର ରୋଗୀମାନେ ଭାବନ୍ତି ଯେ ପ୍ରୋଟନ୍ ଚିକିତ୍ସା ହେଉଛି ସୁଖକର କାରଣ ସେମାନେ ଏହାକୁ ଫୋଟନ୍ ଚିକିତ୍ସା ଅପେକ୍ଷା ସହଜରେ ସହ୍ୟ କରିପାରନ୍ତି । ଯେତେବେଳେ କୋମାକି ହିରୋସୀମା ମେଡ଼ିକାଲ ବିଦ୍ୟାଳୟର ଛାତ୍ରୀ ଥିଲେ, କର୍କଟ ରୋଗର କେବଳ ଅସ୍ତ୍ରୋପଚାର ମାଧ୍ୟମରେ ସମ୍ଭବ ବୋଲି ଶିକ୍ଷାଲାଭ କରିଥିଲେ । Milwaukeeଠାରେ ସେ କର୍କଟ ରୋଗର ଚିକିତ୍ସା କ୍ଷେତ୍ରରେ ବିକିରଣର ଗୁରୁତ୍ଵ ବିଷୟରେ ଜାଣିଲେ l ଏହା ବ୍ୟତୀତ ସେ ଜାଣିଲେ ଯେ ବିକିରଣ ଚିକିତ୍ସା ଠାରୁ କମ୍ କ୍ଷତିକାରକ ଅଟେ । ୧୯୮୫ ମସିହାରେ ସେ Coxଙ୍କ ସହିତ New York ଅଭିମୁଖେ ଯାତ୍ରା କଲେ Dr. Eric Hallଙ୍କ ସହିତ କାମ କରିବା ପାଇଁ ଯେ କି ମନୁଷ୍ୟ ସମାଜ ଉପରେ ପରମାଣୁ ବୋମାର ପ୍ରଭାବ ଉପରେ କାର୍ଯ୍ୟ କରୁଥିଲେ । ୧୯୮୮ରେ UT M.D. Andersonଠାରେ ଏହି ସମ୍ବନ୍ଧରେ ଗବେଷଣା କରିଥିଲେ ।

ପ୍ରୋଟନ୍ ଚିକିତ୍ସା ଆରମ୍ଭ ହେଲା ୧୯୪୫ରେ । The Havard Cyclotron Laboratory ଓ Massachussetts General Hospital ଏକତ୍ର ମିଶି କର୍କଟ ରୋଗୀମାନଙ୍କ ଚିକିତ୍ସା ଆରମ୍ଭ କଲେ । ଏଥିରେ ବ୍ୟବହୃତ ଯନ୍ତ୍ରପାତିଗୁଡ଼ିକ ବହୁତ ବ୍ୟୟବହୁଳ ଥିଲା ! ତେଣୁ ଏହି ଚିକିତ୍ସା ପଦାର୍ଥ ବିଜ୍ଞାନର ଗବେଷଣାଗାର ବାହାରକୁ ୧୯୯୦ ମସିହା ପର୍ଯ୍ୟନ୍ତ ଯାଇପାରି ନ ଥିଲା । ଦକ୍ଷିଣ କାଲିଫଣ୍ଡିଆର Loma Linda University Medical Centreରେ ପ୍ରୋଟନ୍ ଚିକିତ୍ସା କେନ୍ଦ୍ର ଆରମ୍ଭ ହୋଇଥିଲା । ପରିଶେଷରେ ସେମାନଙ୍କର ପରିଶ୍ରମର ଉପଯୁକ୍ତ ପୁରସ୍କାର ସେମାନେ ପାଇଥିଲେ । ପ୍ରୋଟନ୍‌ ଚିକିତ୍ସା କେନ୍ଦ୍ର ୨୦୦୬ ମସିହାରେ ଆରମ୍ଭ ହୋଇଥିଲା ।

ଏବେ କୋମାକି ଏବଂ ତାଙ୍କର ସହକର୍ମୀମାନେ ଏହି ଚିକିତ୍ସାରେ ନିଯୁକ୍ତ ଅଛନ୍ତି । କୋମାକିଙ୍କ ମତରେ ଏହା ଆରମ୍ଭ ମାତ୍ର । ସେ ଭବିଷ୍ୟତ ଉପରେ ଦୃଷ୍ଟି ନିବଦ୍ଧ କରିଛନ୍ତି । ସେ ଗର୍ବର ସହ କହନ୍ତି ଯେ କର୍କଟ ରୋଗର ସଫଳ ବିକିରଣ ଚିକିତ୍ସା ପାଇଁ ତାହା ହିଁ ଏକମାତ୍ର ଚିକିତ୍ସାଳୟ । ତାଙ୍କ ମତରେ କର୍କଟ ବ୍ୟାଧର ଆରୋଗ୍ୟ ନିମନ୍ତେ ପ୍ରୋଟନ ଚିକିତ୍ସା ପଦ୍ଧତି ଉପାଦେୟତା ଖୁବ୍ ବେଶି । କୋମାକି ଓ ତାଙ୍କ ସହକର୍ମୀମାନେ କର୍କଟରୋଗୀମାନଙ୍କର କେବଳ କ୍ୟାନସର ସଂକ୍ରମିତ କୋଷଗୁଡ଼ିକୁ ନଷ୍ଟ କରିଦେଇ ସେମାନଙ୍କୁ ଆରାମପ୍ରଦ ଜୀବନ ବଞ୍ଚିବାକୁ ସୁଯୋଗ ଦେବାପାଇଁ ଉଦ୍ୟମ କରୁଛନ୍ତି । ସମୟ ଆସିବ ଯେତେବେଳେ ସେମାନେ ଚିକିତ୍ସା ସମୟରେ ମଧ୍ୟ ସାଧାରଣ ଜୀବନଯାପନ କରିପାରିବେ । କର୍କଟ ବ୍ୟାଧ୍ ଚିକିତ୍ସା କ୍ଷେତ୍ରରେ ଭବିଷ୍ୟତରେ ଯାହାକି ଅଗ୍ରଗତି ହେବ ସେଥୁରେ କୋମାକି ଏବଂ ତାଙ୍କ ସହକର୍ମୀମାନେ ହିଁ ଅଗ୍ରଣୀ ଭୂମିକା ନେବାର ସମ୍ଭାବନା ଅଛି ।

BSE Odisha 11th Class English:

• Standing Up for Yourself Question Answer
• The Legend behind a Legend Question Answer
• The Golden Touch Question Answer
• In London In Minus Fours Question Answer
• The Cancer Fight, from Hiroshima to Houston Question Answer

Odisha State Board CHSE Odisha Class 11 Invitation to English 1 Solutions Chapter 4 In London In Minus Fours Textbook Exercise Questions and Answers.

Class 11th Invitation English Chapter 4 In London In Minus Fours Question Answers CHSE Odisha

In London In Minus Fours Class 11 Questions and Answers

UNIT – I
Gist with Glossary:

Gist:
Gandhiji left Bombay at noon on August 29, 1931, on his way to London. His youngest son Devadas and his chief secretary Mahadev Desai accompanied him. Besides them, there was Miss Slade, Pyarelal Nayyar, and Pandit Malaviya with him. He was going to attend the Second Round Table Conference in London as the sole delegate and representative of India. He was staying at Kingsley Hall. On his customary morning walks he was going through the slum areas. He came in homely contact with many men and women who were on the way to their work.

Glossary:
S.S. Rajputna : Steam Ship Rajputana
out-Boswelled Boswell: Mahadev Desai, Gandhiji’s secretary seemed to excel Boswell, a celebrated biographer of Samuel Johnson, in the art of keeping diaries
aide : assistant (ସହକାରୀ)
Pandit Malaviya : Madan Mohan Malaviya
millionaire: a person whose assets are worth one million pounds or dollars or more (କୋଟିପତି,ଧନକୁବେର )
segment : section (ଭାଗ)
a segment of vocal India: a large section of people who spoke in India’s interest
slum : humble dwelling of poor people (ଦରିଦ୍ର ବସ୍ତି)
sidle : walk in a shy or nervous way (ବିଷଣ୍ଣଭାବେ ଚାଲିବା)

Think it out:
Question 1.
Why was Gandhi chosen as the sole delegate of Congress to the Second Round Table Conference?
Answer:
Gandhi was chosen as the sole delegate of Congress to the Second Round Table Conference because he was the real spokesman of the organization. He also represented the vast majority of Indians who loudly spoke in India’s interest.

Question 2.
How did Gandhi befriend the men and women of the slum areas of London?
Answer:
During his stay at Kingsley Hall in London, Gandhi used to go on his morning walks. In the course of his morning walk, he was going through the nearby slum areas. On the way, he met many men and women who were going to work. They were drawn towards him. They smiled at him. He drew them into the conversation. A loving relationship developed between them. Gandhi used to go to their homes and ultimately made friends with them.

UNIT-II
Gist with Glossary :

Gist:
King George V and Queen Mary invited Gandhiji to tea in Buckingham Palace. The whole country’s focus was on Gandhiji’s dress. Gandhiji came to the palace with their usual loincloth, sandals, a shawl, and his dollar watch hanging loosely. He enjoyed himself everywhere in the company of the most dignified personalities of England. Among them were Lord Irwin, wartime Prime Minister Devid Lloyd George, the Archbishop of Canterbury, Field Marshal Smuts, Bernard Shaw, and the like. Winston Churchill denied meeting him.

He addressed many public meetings. Hi’s staying at Oxford was memorable. There he explained clearly what the independence of India meant. He wanted the end of British rule in India. He would love to see India as an equal partner with Britain. His views on India’s independence were as clear as crystal. He did not desire her freedom for the sake of freedom only. He wanted it on the basis of mutual help.

Glossary:
buzz : talk noisely (ଉଚ୍ଚ ସ୍ୱରରେ କଥା ହେବା )
incessantly : continuously (କ୍ରମାଗତ ଭାବରେ |)
plus-fours: more clothing than the usual items of the Englishman’s dress namely suit, shirt, hat, and tie
minus-fours: only clothing of homespun loincloth and shawl, but not any conventional items
agog: anxious to know
loincloth: a piece of cloth covering the middle of the body, folded between the legs (ଆଣ୍ଠୁ ନ ଲୁଚୁଥିବା ଲୁଗା)
dangling : hanging loosely (ଢିଲା ଭାବରେ ଝୁଲି ଝୁଲି)
dollar watch : dollar like round shaped pocket watch (ଡଲାର ଆକୃତିର ପକେଟ୍ ଘଣ୍ଟା)
Bernard Shaw : (1856-1960) distinguished British dramatist, public speaker and free thinker
appendectomy : surgical removal of appendicites ଆପେଣ୍ଡିସାଇଟ୍‌ ବହିଷ୍କରଣ)
innumerable: numberless (ଅସଂଖ୍ୟ,ଅଗଣିତ)
memorable : deserving to be remembered (ସ୍ମରଣୀୟ)
Empire : The British Empire (ବ୍ରିଟିଶ ସାମ୍ରାଜ୍ୟ)
grieve : cause grief to (ଦୁଃଖଦାୟକ)
Emperorship: the power of supreme rule over subject nations (ସମ୍ରାଟତ୍ଵ)
Dominions: self-governing countries of the British Commonwealth (ଉପନିବେଶ )
equal terms : equal status (ସମାନ ମର୍ଯ୍ୟାଦା )
prevision : foresight (ପୂର୍ବଦୃଷ୍ଟି)
Commonwealth: former British Colonies forming a group of free nations associating politically for the common good
discern : see clearly (ସ୍ପଷ୍ଟ ଭାବରେ ଦେଖିବା)
isolated independence: freedom alone or for its own sake (କେବଳ ସ୍ଵାଧୀନତା)
voluntary interdependence : willing acceptance of mutual help (ସ୍ଵେଚ୍ଛାକୃ ତ ପରସ୍ପର ନିର୍ଭରଶୀଳତା )
treasure (v) : hold at great value (ଗୁରୁତ୍ଵ ଦେବା )
viable: feasible, capable of success (ଫଳପ୍ରଦ)

Think it out:
Question 1.
What was Gandhi’s reply to the journalists’ question about his dress?
Answer:
When the journalists questioned Gandhi about his dress, he replied that the British people had more clothing than their usual dress namely a suit, shirt, hat, and tie. But he was dressed short of those conventional items – a very simple clothing of homespun loincloth and a shawl.

Question 2.
How was Gandhi dressed when he went to see King George V?
Answer:
When Gandhi went to see King George V, he was dressed in his usual loincloth, sandals, a shawl, and his dangling dollar watch.

Question 3.
What did Gandhi say in reply to the question of whether he had enough on during his meeting with the King?
Answer:
During Gandhi’s meeting with King George V, someone asked him if he had enough on. Gandhi replied that the king had enough on for both of them.

Question 4.
How did Gandhi enjoy himself in London?
Answer:
In London, Gandhi enjoyed himself everywhere in the company of the most dignified personalities of England. Among them were Lord Irwin, wartime Prime Minister David Lloyd George, the Archbishop of Canterbury, Field Marshal Smuts, Bernard Shaw, and the like. Winston Churchill denied meeting him. He addressed many public meetings.

Question 5.
What was Gandhi’s idea of Free India as a dominion in the Commonwealth?
Answer:
Gandhi’s idea of free India as a dominion in the Commonwealth was unique. He clearly but forcefully stated his stand on free India. The British Emperor must leave India. He would love to be an equal partner with the Dominions. He would like to have a partnership based on equal terms. He would not want to hurt England, but to share her joys and sufferings.

Question 6.
What did Gandhi mean by the ‘creative interdependence’ of the member nations of the Commonwealth?
Answer:
Mutual help among the member nations of the Commonwealth, Gandhi said, was to need of the hour. Gandhi would love to see these nations bound by the mystical bond of love, friendship, work, progress, and security. To him ‘Creative interdependence’ meant better life.

UNIT – III
Gist with Glossary:

Gist :
His charming and frank manners won him, innumerable friends. He bravely went to Lancashire where his stirring agitation for khadi caused massive unemployment, still, he was cheered by the multitude of people. Someone took a photograph of Gandhi in his khadi from neck to knee. Gandhiji started his real work outside the official Round Table Conference. Gandhi’s work started at 3.45 a.m. and ended at 2 p.m. The Round Table Conference was heading towards an inevitable failure.

The British took a rigid stand, they clearly conveyed fully their view not to leave India at all. But they were ready to give importance to India’s standpoint, it’s yearning to be free. An agreement could not be reached. The British Government provided two specially trained policemen for Gandhi’s security. Gandhi never kept them at a distance like other dignitaries. He developed a strong personal relationship with them. From India, he sent each a watch as a mark of his profound love.

Glossary:
frankness : openness (ଖୋଲାଖୋଲି)
humanity : humanitarian feeling (ମାନବିକତା)
creative : having power to create (ସର୍ଜନଶୀଳ)
accessibility : readiness to mix with (ମିଶାଣିଆ ପ୍ରକୃତି)
lion’s den : lion’s cave, a dangerous place. (ସିଂହଗୁମ୍ଫା)
Gandhi’s boycott of foreign cloth paralysed Lancashire cloth mills. The mill owners were highly critical of him.
agitation : unrest (ଆନ୍ଦୋଳନ)
wrapped : covered (ଆବୃତ ହୋଇଥିଲା)
homespun : cloth for which the spinning is done at home (ଘରୋଇ ବୁଣା)
squeezed : pressed from all sides (ସବୁପଟୁ ଚାପି ହୋଇ ରହିଥିଲା)
applaud : praise (ପ୍ରଶଂସା)
embarrassment : mental discomfort (ମାନସିକ ଅସ୍ବସ୍ତି)
softening : making soft (କୋମଳ କରିବା)
brutalisation : transforming men to brutes (ପାଶବିକ ଅତ୍ୟାଚାର)
respite : rest (ବିଶ୍ରାମ)
abandon : give up (ତ୍ୟାଗ କରିବା, ପରିତ୍ୟାଗ କରିବା)
irresistible : which cannot be stopped (ଅଦମନୀୟ)
yearning : eagerness (ଆଗ୍ରହ)
preserve : keep from loss (ସଂରକ୍ଷଣ କର |)
Scotland Yard : London Metropolitan police
royalty : persons of royal descent (ରାଜକୀୟତା)
dignitaries : important personalities (ମର୍ଯ୍ୟାଦାସମ୍ପନ୍ନ ବ୍ୟକ୍ତିବିଶେଷ )
at arm’s length : at a safe distance (ନିରାପଦ ଦୂରତ୍ବରେ )
engraved : carved (ଖୋଦିତ ହୋଇଥିଲା)

Think it out:
Question 1.
Which qualities in Gandhi turned his opponents to friends?
Answer:
Gandhi believed in love and not hatred. He would not hurt the sentiments of his opponents. He was full of warmth. He was extremely frank. He was a symbol of humanity. Everybody who came in contact with him felt his love for the world and paid him back with love. He had faith in himself. All these qualities in Gandhi turned his opponents to friends.

Question 2.
How did he make friends even among those he hurt?
Answer:
He made friends even among those he hurt by mixing with them freely and lovingly.

Question 3.
What was Gandhi’s work in London outside the Round Table Conference?
Answer:
Gandhi’s work in London outside the Round Table Conference was very important. He aimed at softening the British attitude. He was trying his best to meet the people and preach the concept of love and faith among them. The Government was treating human beings as beasts. He felt his meeting with the people outside the Conference would sow the seeds of love and friendship for the future. It would help in changing the brutal British spirit in later years.

Question 4.
Why did the Second Round Table Conference fail to bring about an agreement?
Answer:
The British Government took a very tough stand in the Second Round Table Conference on India’s demand for freedom. A member of the British delegation clearly stated that Britain would never leave India while at the same time they would try their best to keenly understand India’s views. The British policy was as clear as crystal. India’s eagerness to be free was met with Britain’s stubborn wish to stay in the country. Therefore, the Second Round Table Conference failed to bring about an agreement.

Question 5.
How did Gandhi treat the Scotland Yard detectives?
Answer:
The British Government provided two Scotland Yard detectives to guard Gandhi in England. Gandhi was very close to them. He never kept them at a distance as most dignitaries did. He was very free and frank with them and visited their homes. He treated them with the warmth of love. He treated them as a part of his family. Gandhi sent each a watch from India and this revealed his deep personal love for two Scotland Yard detectives.

Post-Reading Activities:

Doing with words :
A. Match the italicized expressions in the text below with their synonyms given in the table.
1. The audience praises the speaker who can make a nice speech by clapping of hands.
2. The 15th of August is an unforgettable day for the Indians.
3. The country is excited over a possible outbreak of war.
4. Digging gold mines in Orissa is not a feasible project.
5. Nobody can see clearly the real cause of the spread of violence.
6. Rapid industrialization has brought in the condition of being treated in a cruel and savage manner of human beings.
7. A large section of public opinion is in favor of the nationalization of road transport.

Synonyms segment	Italicized expressions a large section
agog
memorable
viable
discern
applaud
brutalization

Answer:

Synonyms segment	Italicized expressions a large section
agog	excited
memorable	unforgettable
viable	feasible
discern	see clearly
applaud	Praises by clapping of hands
brutalization	The condition of being treated in a cruel and savage manner

B. Make new words by adding -en.
Example: soft – soften
hard       ___________
strength ___________
length    ___________
light       ___________
height    ___________
bright    ___________
tight      ___________
Answer:
hard        harden
strength  strengthen
length     lengthen
light        lighten
height     heighten
bright      brighten
tight        tighten

C. Make sentences using the following expressions :
out-number, sidle up, pay respect, cut off, and above all, at arm’s length
Answer:
out-number — Girls out-numbered the boys in the debate competition,
sidle up        —  The children sidle up to me and held my hand,
pay respect  — Pay respect to your teachers.
cut off          — Balasore was cut off from the outside world in the last flood,
above all      — Gandhiji was a politician, a writer, a moralist; above all, he was a humanist.
at arm’s length — We should keep the anti-social elements at our arm’s length.

D. Mark the use of articles (a, an, the) in the following sentences :
(a) Kingsley Hall was an East Settlement House in London.
(b) The Mahatma had a good laugh.
(c) Gandhi addressed a union of mill workers at Darwen.
(d) Gandhi sailed from Bombay on the S. S. Rajputana.
Note : (i) how in (a), (b), and (c) countable nouns are preceded by the articles a/ an.
(ii) ‘the is used before ‘Mahatma’ which is specified in (b) and before nouns denoting names of ships, rivers, mountains ranges, etc. as in (d).
(iii) Adjectives when preceded by ‘the’ denote class, e.g. the rich, the virtuous, etc. and are used as nouns.

Insert the appropriate articles where necessary in the right places in the sentences given below :
1. Pyarelal was aide of Gandhiji.
2. Gandhiji was sole delegate to Second Round Table Conference.
3. He spent considerable portion of his salary for poor.
4. After graduation she joined university.
5. Germans are industrious nation.
6. Mr. James is European journalist.
7. Gandhiji’s dream did not become reality.
8. Delightful picture of leader was taken outside the Greenfield Mill.
9. Rich lead life of unrest.
10. I like beauty of this place.
Answers:
1. Pyarelal was an aide of Gandhiji.
2. Gandhiji was the sole delegate to the Second Round Table Conference.
3. He spent a considerable portion of his salary for the poor.
4. After graduation she joined a university.
5. The Germans are an industrious nation.
6. Mr. James is a European journalist.
7. Gandhiji’s dream did not become a reality.
8. A delightful picture of the leader was taken outside the Greenfield Mill.
9. The rich lead a life of unrest.
10. I like the beauty of this place.

E. A preposition links nouns, pronouns, and phrases to other words in a sentence. Use the appropriate prepositions in the blanks.
1. He was sent as a delegate _____  the general body meeting. (for/to)
2. The social workers took a walk _____ the nearby slum areas. (through/into)
3. Pay proper respect ________ your superiors. (for/to)
4. She smiled _____ me while passing by our house. (to/at)
5. What do you mean _____ democracy? (for/by)
6. He was wrapped in _____ white cotton cloth. (in/by)
7. He engaged them in _____ conversation. (with/in)
Answer:
1. He was sent as a delegate to the general body meeting.
2. The social workers took a walk through the nearby slum areas.
3. Pay proper respect to your superiors.
4. She smiled at me while passing by our house.
5. What do you mean by democracy?
6. He was wrapped in a white cotton cloth.
7. He engaged them in conversation.

CHSE Odisha Class 11 English In London In Minus Fours Important Questions and Answers

I. Short Answer Type Questions with Answers

1. Read through the extract and answer the questions that follow.
Gandhi sailed from Bombay on the S.S. Rajputana at noon on August 29, 1931, accompanied by his youngest son, Devadas, his chief secretary, Mahadev Desai, who, he said, “out-Boswelled Boswell,” Miss Slade, Pyarelal Nayyar, an aide, G.D. Birla, the textile millionaire, Pandit Malaviya, and Mrs. Naidu. Gandhi was proceeding as a sole delegate of Congress to the Second Round Table Conference in London. No other delegates were necessary since he spoke for the organization and for a considerable segment of vocal India.

In London from September 12th to December 5th, he stayed, most of the time, at Kingsley Hall, an East Settlement House, as a guest of Muriel Lester, who had visited him in 1926. Mornings he took walks through the nearby slum areas, and men and women on the way to work would smile at him and he engaged them in conversation and later came to their homes. Children called him “Uncle Gandhi” and sidled up to him and held his hand. One mischief-loving youngster called out, “Hey, Gandhi, where’s your trousers ?” The Mahatma had a good laugh.

Questions :
(i) When did Gandhi sail from Bombay?
(ii) Explain the expression ‘out-Boswelled Boswell’.
(iii) Where and how long Gandhiji did stay in London?
(iv) Where did he take morning walks?
(v) How did the Mahatma respond, when one mischief-loving youngster called out, “Hey Gandhi, where’re your trousers ?”

Answers :
(i) It was at noon on August 29, 1931, when Gandhi sailed from Bombay.
(ii) The expression ‘out-Boswelled Boswell’ is indicative of the fact that Mahadev Desai, Gandhi’s chief secretary, seemed to outshine Boswell in the art of keeping diaries.
(iii) In London Gandhi stayed, most of the time, at Kingsley Hall, an East Settlement House from September 12th to December 5th. He was a guest of Muriel Lester.
(iv) He took morning walks through the nearby slum areas heavily populated by the poor.
(v) When one mischief-loving youngster called out, “Hey, Gandhi, where’s your trousers ?”, the Mahatma laughed heartily.

2. Read through the extract and answer the questions that follow.
He was a wonderful newspaper copy, and journalists buzzed around him incessantly. One reporter questioned Gandhi about his dress. “You people,” he replied, “wear plus-fours, mine are minus-fours.” When he was invited to tea in Buckingham Palace with King George V and Queen Mary, all of England was agog over what he would wear. He wore the usual loincloth, sandals, a shawl, and his dangling dollar watch. Subsequently, someone asked Gandhi whether he had enough on. “The King,” he replied, “had enough on for both of us.”

He enjoyed himself everywhere. He had talks with Lord Irwin, wartime Prime Minister David Lloyd George, the Archbishop of Canterbury, Field Marshal Smuts, Bernard Shaw, and scores of others, and went down into the country near Reading to pay his respects to Colonel Maddock who had performed the appendectomy on him in Poona jail. Winston Churchill refused to see him. He also addressed innumerable public meetings and spent two memorable weekends at Oxford.

In these and in the private conversations he tried, above all else, to explain what he meant by the independence of India. He would cut India off “from the Empire entirely, from the British nation not at all, if I want India to, gain and not to grieve. The Emperorship must go and I should love to be an equal partner with Britain sharing her joys and sorrows and an equal partner with the Dominions. But it must be a partnership on equal terms.”

He was describing precisely and with remarkable precision, the status free India assumed in the Commonwealth in 1948. He went even further; he saw what many of his followers have not yet discerned. “Isolated independence is not the goal,” he asserted. “It is voluntary interdependence. Liberated colonies so treasure their new-found independence; they think it is a viable reality. But the law of nature in love, friendship, work, progress, and security, is creative interdependence.

Questions :
(i) Why did journalists talk noisely around him ceaselessly?
(ii) How did Winston Churchill react to Gandhi’s visit?
(iii) How does the writer describe his two weekends at Oxford?
(iv) Explain Gandhi’s statement “Isolated independence is not the goal.”
(v) ‘……………… they think it is a viable reality.’ What does the word ‘they’ refer to?

Answers :
(i) Journalists talked noisely around Gandhi ceaselessly, as he was a remarkable newspaper copy. In other words, he excelled in the art of answering their questions in a loving and simple manner.
(ii) Winston Churchill declined to meet Gandhi.
(iii) The writer states that Gandhi’s two weekends at Oxford were unforgettable.
(iv) Gandhi’s concept of “Isolated independence” carries great significance. India’s freedom alone is not enough. Many of his followers have not realized this concept. For the national independence was an end. It was good in itself. But for Gandhi, it was a means to an end – the end begins with love, peace, and progress for all the newly-liberated nations of the world.
(v) ‘They’ refers to liberated countries.

3. Read through the extract and answer the questions that follow;
Everywhere he made friends by his charm, frankness, humanity, and accessibility. He even walked into the lion’s den in Lancashire where his agitation for khadi and against foreign cloth had caused painful unemployment. At a meeting of the textile mill workers, one man said, “I am one of the unemployed, but if I was in India I would say the same thing that Mr. Gandhi is saying.” A delightful photograph taken outside the Greenfield Mill at Darwen shows Gandhi wrapped in white homespun from neck to knee, for it was cold, and squeezed in among cheering, applauding women, one of whom, to his embarrassment, is holding his hand.

He made friends even among those he hurt. “I found that my work lies outside the Conference,” he told a London audience. ‘This is the real Round Table Conference The seed which is being sown now may result in softening the British spirit and in preventing the brutalization of human beings.” Mahadev Desai’s diaries show that the Mahatma often got to bed at 2 A.M., awoke at 3.45 A.M. for prayers, wrote letters and read papers, rested again from 5 to 6, and had no respite from then till the next morning at 1 or 2 A.M, Small wonder that he occasionally slept at sessions of the Conference.

He did not give it his best. The Round Table Conference was bound to fail. Lord Reading, a member of the British delegation, formulated the British purpose in one sentence: “I believe that the true policy between Britain and India is that we should in this country strive all we can to give effect to the views of India while preserving at the same time our own position, which we must not and cannot abandon. An irresistible force, India’s yearning to be free, met an immovable object, Britain’s wish to stay in India. That made agreement impossible.

The British government had assigned two Scotland Yard detectives to guard Gandhi in England. They were special policemen, giants in size, who usually protected royalty. They grew to like ‘the little man’. Unlike most dignitaries, Gandhi did not keep them at arm’s length or ignore them. He discussed public affairs with them and visited their homes. Before leaving England he requested that they be allowed to accompany him to Brindisi, Italy, whence he would sail for India. Their chief asked the reason why. “Because they are part of my family,” Gandhi replied. From India, he sent each a watch engraved with “With love from Mr. Gandhi.”

Questions :
(i) “He even walked into the lion’s den in Lancashire.” Explain the significance of the ‘lion’s den’ here.
(ii) “………………….to his embarrassment, is holding his hand.” What do the words ‘his hand’ refer to?
(iii) Describe Gandhiji’s daily routine.
(iv) Explain the expression ‘an irresistible force’.
(v) What qualities of Gandhiji are highlighted in the extract?

Answers :
(i) The ‘lion’s den’ literally refers to a cave where the lion lives. Here it signifies a dangerous place. Lancashire with its cloth mills, became a dangerous place for Gandhi because his agitation for khadi and the boycott of foreign cloth India paralyzed the mills there. But still, he was fearless in his campaign.
(ii) The words ‘his hand’ refer to Gandhiji’s hand.
(iii) Gandhi’s day started at 3.45 a.m. when he went for prayer. There he started writing letters and reading papers. He was taking rest for an hour from 5 to 6. From then he had no rest. He worked incessantly till the next morning at 1 to 2 a.m. He retired to bed at 2 a.m.
(iv) The expression ‘an irresistible force’ throws light on India’s eagerness to be free from the shackles of British imperialism that could not be held in check.
(v) The extract highlights Gandhiji’s charm, openness, humanity, simplicity, fearlessness, and above all, his love for all.

II. Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) with Answers
Choose the correct option.

Unit – I
The text
Gandhi sailed ………………. good laugh.

Question 1.
Gandhi sailed from Bombay on the:
(a) S. S. Rajputana at noon on August 29, 1931
(b) Mayflower at the morning on August 15, 1947
(c) Vikrant at night on August 9, 1913
(d) Victoria at the evening on August 2, 1934
Answer:
(a) S. S. Rajputana at noon on August 29, 1931

Question 2.
Gandhi was accompanied by his youngest son :
(a) Raidas
(b) Bikash
(c) Devadas
(d) none of the above
Answer:
(c) Devadas

Question 3.
Gandhi’s chief secretary. Mahadev Desai was also known as:
(a) ‘out-loss welled loss well
(b) ‘out-Boswelled Boswell’
(c) ‘out-TossweIIed Tosswell’
(d) ‘out-Mosswelled Mosswell’
Answer:
(b) ‘out-Boswelled Boswell’

Question 4.
Miss Slade Pyarcial Nayyar an aide of G. D. Bina, the textile millionaire. Pandit Malaviya and Mrs. Naidu were also accompanied with:
(a) Gandhi
(b) Nehru
(c) Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel
(d) Bhagat Singh
Answer:
(a) Gandhi

Question 5.
Gandhi was proceeding as a sole delegate of Congress to the :
(a) First Round Table Conference in the USA
(b) Third Round Table Conference in Germany
(c) Second Round Table Conference in London
(d) none of the above
Answer:
(c) Second Round Table Conference in London

Question 6.
S. S. Rajputana was a:
(a) steamship
(b) boat
(c) train
(d) none of the above
Answer:
(a) steamship

Question 7.
No other delegates were necessary since he spoke for the organization and for a considerable :
(a) a segment of a slum area
(b) part of the urban area
(c) section of local India
(d) a segment of vocal India
Answer:
(d) a segment of vocal India

Question 8.
In London, Gandhi stayed most of the time, at :
(a) Princely Sunglow, a West Settlement House from 12th Jan. — 5th Apr.
(b) Wingsley Hall, a North Settlement House from 12th Apr. — 7th July
(c) Lessley Apartment an South Settlement House from 9th Aug. — 15th Sept.
(d) Kingsley Hall, an East Settlement House from 12th Sept. — 5th Dec.
Answer:
(d) Kingsley Hall, an East Settlement House from 12th Sept. — 5th Dec.

Question 9.
Gandhi stayed there as a guest of Muriel Lester, who had visited him in :
(a) 1950
(b) 1926
(c) 1920
(d)1914
Answer:
(b) 1926

Question 10.
Gandhi, in the mornings; took walks through the nearby :
(a) urban areas
(b) local areas
(c) slum areas
(d) all of the above
Answer:
(c) slum areas

Question 11.
“Men and women on the way to work would smile at him and he engaged them in conversation and later came to their homes.” Here ‘he’ refers to:
(a) Devadas
(b) Gandhi
(c) Nehru
(d) none of these
Answer:
(b) Gandhi

Question 12.
Children called Gandhi
(a) Bapu
(b) Mohandas
(c) Gandhi’s Uncle
(d) Uncle Gandhi
Answer:
(d) Uncle Gandhi

Question 13.
In this context, the word ‘sidled means :
(a) walked in a shy or nervous way
(b) walked in a smart or prompt way
(C) walked in a scary way
(d) none of the above
Answer:
(a) walked in a shy or nervous way

Question 14.
“Hey, Gandhi. where’re your trousers ?“ In this expression, who told to whom?
(a) one mischievous boy to Gandhi
(b) one mischief-loving youngster to Gandhi
(c) a little girl to Gandhi
(d) none of these
Answer:
(b) one mischief-loving youngster to Gandhi

Question 15.
Hearing this Mahatma Gandhi had a:
(a) good smile
(b) good expression
(c) good laugh
(d) all of the above
Answer:
(c) good laugh

Question 16.
The Second Round Table Conference in London was an important landmark in the history of:
(a) American Freedom Movement
(b) France Freedom Movement
(c) African Freedom Movement
(d) Indian Freedom Movement
Answer:
(d) Indian Freedom Movement

Question 17.
The Second Round Table Conference was held in London from
(a) 17th Sept. 1931 — 10th Dec, 1932
(b) 27th Sept. 1913— 10th Nov, 1913
(c) 7th Oct. 1942 — 1st Dec, 1943
(d) 7th Sept. 1931 — 1st Dec, 1931
Answer:
(d) 7th Sept. 1931 — 1st Dec, 1931

Question 18.
“In London In Minus Fours” forms a chapter in :
(a) The Life of Sarojini Naidu (1905)
(b) The Life of Shakespeare (1942)
(c) The Life of Mahatma Gandhi (1950)
(d) The Life of Jawaharlal Nehru (1951)
Answer:
(c) The Life of Mahatma Gandhi (1950)

Question 19.
In this essay, the author portrays the character of:
(a) Devadas
(b) Gandhiji
(c) Nehru
(d) all of the above
Answer:
(b) Gandhiji

Question 20.
Who do you think? The author of n London In Munus Fours”?
(a) Louis Fischer (1896—1970)
(b) Nathaniel Hawthorne (1804—1864)
(c) Yevgeny Aleksandrovich Yeviushenko (1933— )
(d) Khushwant Singh (1915— )
Answer:
(a) Louis Fischer (1896—1970)

Question 21.
Louis Fischer was outstanding :
(a) English writer, novelist, and essayist
(b) American writer, columnist, and analyst of world affairs
(c) Russian poet, dramatist, and actor
(d) Radiation Oncologist, USA
Answer:
(b) American writer, columnist, and analyst of world affairs

Question 22.
Who among the below occupies a unique place among Gandhiji’s admirers in the West?
(a) Louis Fischer
(b) Rahindranath Tagore
(c) Khuswant Singh
(d) Jawaharlal Nehru
Answer:
(a) Louis Fischer

Question 23.
Louis Fischer had closely studied the life and teachings of
(a) Napoleon Bonaparte
(h) Hitler
(c) Mahatma Gandhi
(d) Sardar Vahlabhbhai Patel
Answer:
(c) Mahatma Gandhi

Question 24.
Vio,-d ‘aide in this chapter means :
(a) assistant
(b) Ofticer-in-Gerieral
(c) peon
(d) supporter
Answer:
(a) assistant

Question 25.
In this essay the author portrays the character of Gandhiji more as a humane human being than as a :
(a) socialist
(b) nationalist
(c) politician
(d) magician
Answer:
(c) politician

Unit — II
The text
He was a …………….. interdependence.

Question 26.
Gandhiji was :
(a) handsome in dress and rude in manners
(b) humble in dress and simple in manners
(c) expensive in dress and simple in manners
(d) none of the above
Answer:
(b) humble in dress and simple in manners

Question 27.
Gandhiji had a unique approach to his goal of complete freedom:
(a) America
(b) Africa
(c) India
(d) France
Answer:
(c) India

Question 28.
He was a wonderful newspaper copy and journalists buried around him incessantly. What does the expression refer to? The center of attraction that
is why :
(a) Gandhiji was a wise person journalists moved around him
(b) Gandhiji was a handsome person journalist stayed with him
(c) Gandhiji was a charming political leader journalist moved around him
(d) none of the above
Answer:
(a) Gandhiji was a wise person journalists moved around him

Question 29.
What does the expression plus fours and minus fours’ refers o
(a) more clothing than the usual items of the Englishman’s dress (plus fours); without these conventional items but simple clothing of homespun loin cloth and a shawl (minus fours)
(b) Gorgeous clothing (minus fours); simple clothing (plus fours)
(c) without clothes (minus fours); clothes covering from top to toe (plus fours)
(d) none of the above
Answer:
(a) more clothing than the usual items of the Englishman’s dress (plus fours); without these conventional items but simple clothing of homespun loin cloth and a shawl (minus fours)

Question 30.
Gandhiji invited to tea in :
(a) Lenburg Palace
(b) Switzer Palace
(c) Mahima Palace
(d) Buckingham Palace
Answer:
(d) Buckingham Palace

Question 31.
Gandhiji was invited to Buckingham palace by:
(a) King George V and Queen Elizabeth
(b) King George V and Queen Mary
(c) King Washington V and Queen Victoria
(d) none of the above
Answer:
(b) King George V and Queen Mary

Question 32.
The time of meeting with King George V and Queen Mary. Gandhiji wore
(a) loincloth and a shawl
(b) sandals
(c) dangling dollar watch
(d) all of the above
Answer:
(d) all of the above

Question 33.
Where did Gandhi go to pay his respects to Colonel Maddock?
(a) to the country
(b) to Ireland
(c) to Scotland
(d) to Buckingham Palace
Answer:
(a) to the country

Question 34.
What do you mean by the word appendectomy?
(a) surgical operation of the kidney
(b) surgical operation of the liver
(c) surgical removal of appendicitis
(d) none of the above
Answer:
(c) surgical removal of appendicitis

Question 35.
Who among the following refused to meet Gandhi?
(a) Bernard Shaw
(b) David Lloyd
(c) Winston Churchill
(d) Clement Atlee
Answer:
(c) Winston Churchill

Question 36.
“He had talks with Lord Erwin, wartime Prime Minister David Lloyd George. the Archbishop of Canterbury, Field Marshal Smuts, Bernard Shaw and scores of others.”
Here, ‘he’ stands for:
(a) King George V
(b) Gandhiji
(c) Queen Mary
(d) none of the above
Answer:
(b) Gandhiji

Question 37.
Gandhiji addressed innumerable public meetings and spent two memorable weekends at :
(a) Utkal
(b) Delhi
(c) Ravenshaw
(d) Oxford
Answer:
(d) Oxford

Question 38.
What does Gandhi mean by ‘Independence of India’?
(a) Gandhi wanted the Emperorship to go and he should love to be an equal partner with Britain sharing his joys and sorrows and an equal panner with the Dominions.
(b) Gandhi wanted the Empcrorship to stay and he should hate to be an equal partner with France sharing his joys and happiness and an unequal partner with the
Dominions.
(c) both (a) and (b)
(d) none of these
Answer:
(a) Gandhi wanted the Emperorship to go and he should love to be an equal partner with Britain sharing his joys and sorrows and an equal panner with the Dominions.

Question 39.
With remarkable precision, the status free India assumed in the Commonwealth in
(a) 1947
(b)1998
(c) 1984
(d) 1948
Answer:
(d) 1948

Question 40.
“Isolated independence is not the goal” he asserted. It is the voluntary interdependence”. Here ‘he’ stands for:
(a) Nehru
(b) Napoleon Bonaparte
(c) Subash Chandra Bose
(d) Gandhiji
Answer:
(d) Gandhiji

Question 41.
What do you mean by the term ‘viable’?
(a) see clearly
(b) feasible
(C) foresight
(d) unforgettable
Answer:
(b) feasible

Question 42.
But the law of nature in love, friendship, work, progress, and security is creative
(a) incesantly
(b) interdependence
(c) treasure
(d) agog
Answer:
(b) interdependence

Unit – III
The text
Everywhere …………….. Mr. Gandhi.

Question 43.
Everywhere Gandhi made friends by his:
(a) charm, frankness, humanity, and accessibility
(b) spell, narrow and nican thinking, inhumanity, inaccessibility
(c) kind, honest, violent, rude, behavior
(d) none of the above
Answer:
(a) charm, frankness, humanity, and accessibility

Question 44.
Name the place where Gandhi went where his agitation for khadi and against foreign cloth had caused painful unemployment. His going there was also known as entering the lion’s den.
(a) Srilanka
(b) London
(c) Lancashire
(d) Pakistan
Answer:
(c) Lancashire

Question 45.
“I am one of the unemployed, but if I was in India, I would say the same thing that Mr. Gandhi is saying.” Who do you think had expressed it?
(a) a woman
(b) a man
(c) both (a) and
(b) (d)a child
Answer:
(b) a man

Question 46.
A delightful photograph was taken outside the:
(a) Eden Garden Stadium at Kolkata
(b) Greenfield Mill at Darwen
(c) Red Fort at Delhi
(d) none of the above
Answer:
(b) Greenfield Mill at Darwen

Question 47.
What do you mean by the term homespun?
(a) home-made cloth
(b) cloth for which the spinning is done at textile mills
(c) cloth for which the spinning is done at home
(d) none of these
Answer:
(c) cloth for which the spinning is done at home

Question 48.
The term applaud means:
(a) show appreciation by clapping of hands
(b) mental discomfort
(c) openness
(d) apologize
Answer:
(a) show appreciation by clapping of hands

Question 49.
‘I found that my work lies outside the Conference. The seed which is being sown now may result in softening the British spirit and in preventing the brutalization of human beings.” Who do you think has expressed this expression and to whom?
(a) Gandhi to an African audience in First Round Table Conference
(b) Gandhi to a London audience in the Second Round Table Conference
(C) Gandhi to an Indian audience in a meeting
(d) none of the above
Answer:
(b) Gandhi to a London audience in the Second Round Table Conference

Question 50.
Identify the meaning of ‘brutalization’.
(a) the condition of being treated in a cruel and savage manner
(b) the condition of being well-treated and in a good manner
(c) both (a) and (b)
(d) only (b)
Answer:
(a) the condition of being treated in a cruel and savage manner

Question 51.
Mahatma often got to bed at :
(a) 2 AM; awoke at 4:45 AM
(b) 2 AM; awoke at 2:45 AM
(C) 2 AM; awoke at 5:00 AM
(d) 2 AM; awoke at 3:45 AM
Answer:
(d) 2 AM; awoke at 3:45 AM

Question 52.
Gandhi slept only for a day.
(a) 16 hours and IS minutes
(b) 1 hour and 40 minutes
(c) 4 hours and 45 minutes
(d) 2 hours and 45 minutes
Answer:
(d) 2 hours and 45 minutes

Question 53.
Small wonder that Gandhi occasionally slept at :
(a) meetings
(b) examination hail
(c) sessions of the conference
(d) work
Answer:
(c) sessions of the conference

Question 54.
The British government had assigned _____ to guard Gandhi in England.
(a) two Scotland Yard detectives
(b) three Ireland Yard policeman
(c) two England army men
(d) 4 sepoys
Answer:
(a) two Scotland Yard detectives

Question 55.
Before leaving England Gandhi requested that they be allowed to accompany him to __________ hence tie would sail for India.
(a) Siberia, Russia
(b) Brindisi, Italy
(c) Venice, Austria
(d) none of the above
Answer:
(b) Brindisi, Italy

Question 56.
What do you mean by the term “at arm’s Length”?
(a) length of ami
(b) at a safe distance
(c) long distance
(d) none of the above
Answer:
(b) at a safe distance

Question 57.
Dignitaries mean:
(a) important personalities
(b) name and fame
(c) dignity
(d) density
Answer:
(a) important personalities

Question 58.
An irresistible force. India’s yearning to be fice met an immovable object. Britain’s wish to stay in India. In this expression, the term ‘yearning’ means:
(a) to earn
(b) saving
(c) glad
(d) eagerness
Answer:
(d) eagerness

Question 59.
Word ‘abandon’ means:
(a) give up
(b) recover
(C) give away
(d) give in
Answer:
(a) give up

Question 60.
Irresistible refers to :
(a) fixed or static
(b) restless
(c) incessantly
(d) hat cannot be resisted or stopped
Answer:
(d) hat cannot be resisted or stopped

The Author:
Louis Fischer is a many-splendoured genius. He is an eminent American writer, journalist, and commentator on international affairs. He is a greater admirer of Mahatma Gandhi and is the author of ‘The Life of Mahatma Gandhi’ he has closely studied the life and teachings of Mahatma Gandhi in this book. His book ‘This is Our World is dedicated to the Gandhians of all countries. Fischer writes with great personal affection for Gandhiji and a deep understanding of his life and ideals. He writes in a journalistic and racy style.

Introducing the Topic:
‘In London in Minus, Four’s is an extract from Fischer’s remarkable biography. ‘The Life of Mahatma Gandhi’. This extract deals with Gandhiji’s visit to London as India’s emissary to the Second Round Table Conference, in 1931. In this essay, Fischer highlights Gandhiji’s dress in London, and his free and humble manners. Besides, he brings Gandhiji’s strength of mind and firmness of pursuance to light.

Summary:
‘In London in Minus Fours’, an extract from Fischer’s biography ‘The Life of Mahatma Gandhi’, deals with Gandhiji’s visit to London as an emissary to the Second Round Table Conference, 1931. Accompanied by Devadas, Mahadev Desai, Miss Slade, Pyarelal Nayyar, Pandit Malaviya, and Mrs. Naidu, Gandhi set out for London on August 29, 1931. He was going to attend the Second Round Table Conference in London.

He was singularly enough for the occasion because his voice was the voice of the vast section of people who spoke in India’s interest. His stay at Kingsley Hall as a guest of Muriel Lester was memorable. In the course of his customary morning walks, he was going through the nearby slum areas. As a result, he came in contact with men and women. Soon a homely relationship flourished between them. He was an attraction to the journalists who were curious to know about his dress.

The whole of England was fixed on Gandhiji’s presence in Buckingham Palace with King George V and Queen Mary. Gandhiji’s simple dress confounded all. He was there with his usual loincloth, sandals, a shawl, and his dangling dollar watch. He was a light-hearted man, enjoying himself everywhere. Fischer writes about Gandhiji’s meeting with all ranges of people like Lord Irwin, wartime Prime Minister, David Lloyd George, the Archbishop of Canterbury, Field Marshal Smuts, and Bernard Shaw, the great dramatist.

He also went to pay his tributes to Colonel Maddock. But Churchill refused to meet him. He had addressed many public meetings and his stay at Oxford was remarkable. He explained the concept of the independence of India with authority and without a shred of bitterness. The independence of India meant the end of the Emperorship in India. He loved to see India as an equal partner with Britain, which might be based on equal terms. His concept of India’s independence was unique.

He did not desire India’s freedom for the sake of freedom only, but he wanted it on the basis of mutual help. He desires love, friendship, work, and progress for all the world. Gandhiji had a rare personality. His charm, frankness, and boundless humanity disarmed his enemies. He was fearless. With a heart full of courage, he entered Lancashire where his agitation for khadi and against foreign cloth was in full cry. His campaign caused massive unemployment, but still, he was lustily cheered by the multitude of men and women: His real work began outside the Round Table Conference.

It was amidst the masses where he had sown the seeds which would bring about change in the rigid British spirit in the future. His days in London were marked by hectic engagements from 3.45 a.m. to 2 p.m. The Round Table Conference was doomed to failure. The British stand and India’s yearning for freedom were poles apart. Britain blew hot and cold in the same breath. The country was determined to stay back in India.

But India’s eagerness to get rid of the British dominion was equally at its deepest. Gandhiji was a towering personality. The British Government provided two Scotland-yard detectives to guide Gandhi. Lover of humanity as he was, he loved them and never kept them at a distance like other dignitaries. From India, Gandhiji sent each a watch as a token of his deep love.

ସାରାଂଶ:
୧୯୩୧ ମସିହା ଅଗଷ୍ଟ ୨୯ ତାରିଖରେ ମହାତ୍ମାଗାନ୍ଧୀ ଲଣ୍ଡନ ଯାତ୍ରା କରିଥିଲେ । ତାଙ୍କ ସହିତ ତାଙ୍କ ସାନପୁଅ ଦେବଦାସ, ତାଙ୍କର ମୁଖ୍ୟ ସେକ୍ରେଟାରୀ ମହାଦେବ ଦେଶାଇ, ମିସ୍ ବ୍ଲେଡ୍, ପ୍ୟାରେଲାଲ୍ ନାୟାର, ଜି.ଡି. ବିରଳା, ପଣ୍ଡିତ ମାଲବ୍ୟ ଏବଂ ସରୋଜିନୀ ନାଇଡୁ ଯାଇଥିଲେ । ଲଣ୍ଡନରେ ଅନୁଷ୍ଠିତ ହେଉଥ‌ିବା ଦ୍ଵିତୀୟ ଗୋଲ୍-ଟେବୁଲ ବୈଠକକୁ କଂଗ୍ରେସର ପ୍ରତିନିଧ‌ିରୂପେ ଗାନ୍ଧୀ ଯାଇଥିଲେ ।
ଲଣ୍ଡନରେ ସେ ୧୨ ସେପ୍ଟେମ୍ବରରୁ ୫ ଡିସେମ୍ବର ପର୍ଯ୍ୟନ୍ତ ‘କିଙ୍ଗସ୍‌ ହଲ୍’ରେ ମ୍ୟୁରିଏଲ ଲେସ୍‌ଟାର୍‌ଙ୍କ ଅତିଥିରୂପେ ରହିଥିଲେ । ୧୯୨୬ ମସିହାରେ ଭାରତରେ ତାଙ୍କ ସହିତ ସମ୍ପର୍କ ସ୍ଥାପିତ ହୋଇଥିଲା। ଗାନ୍ଧିଜୀ ତାଙ୍କ ପ୍ରାତଃ ଭ୍ରମଣ କାଳରେ ନିକଟସ୍ଥ ସହରତଳି ଅଞ୍ଚଳର ବସ୍ତିଜାଗାକୁ ଯାଉଥିଲେ । ଫଳରେ ସାଧାରଣ ନରନାରୀଙ୍କ ସମ୍ପର୍କରେ ସେ ଆସିପାରିଥିଲେ ।

ସାମ୍ବାଦିକମାନଙ୍କ ନିମନ୍ତେ ସେ ଏକ ଆକର୍ଷଣ ଥିଲେ । ସେମାନେ ତାଙ୍କ ପୋଷାକ ବିଷୟରେ ଜାଣିବାକୁ ବିଶେଷ ଆଗ୍ରହୀ ଥିଲେ । ସେ ଯେତେବେଳେ ବକିଙ୍ଗହାମ୍ ରାଜପ୍ରାସାଦକୁ ରାଜା ଓ ରାଣୀଙ୍କ ସହିତ ଚା’ ପାନ ପାଇଁ ନିମନ୍ତ୍ରିତ ହେଲେ ସେତେବେଳେ ସେ କ’ଣ ପରିଧାନ କରି ଯିବେ ତାହା ଜାଣିବାପାଇଁ ସମଗ୍ର ଲଣ୍ଡନ ଅଧୀର ହୋଇଉଠିଥିଲା । ସେ କିନ୍ତୁ ତାଙ୍କର ସେହି ସାଧାରଣ ପୋଷାକ ଅର୍ଥାତ୍ ଧୋତି, ଶାଲ ଓ ପାଦରେ ଚପଲ ମାଡ଼ି ଯାଇଥିଲେ । ଘଣ୍ଟାଟିଏ ମଧ୍ଯ ସବୁଦିନ ପରି ତାଙ୍କ ଅଣ୍ଟାରେ ଝୁଲୁଥିଲା । ସେ ସବୁଠାରେ ନିଜର ଉପସ୍ଥିତିରେ ଆନନ୍ଦ ଅନୁଭବ କରିଥିଲେ । ସେ ଲର୍ଡ ଇର୍‌ଉଇନ୍, ଡେଭିଡ୍ ଲଏଡ୍ ଜର୍ଜ, ସ୍କ, ବର୍ଣାଡ଼ ଶ’ ଏବଂ ଆହୁରି ଅନେକ ବ୍ୟକ୍ତିଙ୍କୁ ସାକ୍ଷାତ୍‌ କରିଥିଲେ । କିନ୍ତୁ ଚଢିଲ୍ ତାଙ୍କୁ ସାକ୍ଷାତ୍ କରିବାକୁ ମନା କରିଦେଇଥିଲେ ।

ସେ ଅନେକ ସାଧାରଣ ସଭାରେ ଭାଷଣ ଦେଇଥିଲେ ଏବଂ ଅକ୍‌ସ୍ପୋର୍ଡରେ ତାଙ୍କର ରହଣିକାଳ ବେଶ୍ ସ୍ମରଣଯୋଗ୍ୟ ଥିଲା । ନିଜ ଭାଷଣରେ ଏବଂ ବିଶିଷ୍ଟ ବ୍ୟକ୍ତିଙ୍କ ସହିତ କଥାବାର୍ତ୍ତାରେ ଭାରତର ସ୍ଵାଧୀନତା ସମ୍ପର୍କରେ ତାଙ୍କର ମନୋଭାବ ଏବଂ ଦୃଷ୍ଟିକୋଣ ବିଷୟରେ ସେ ବୁଝାଇବାକୁ ଚେଷ୍ଟା କରିଥିଲେ । ସେ ଭାରତର ସ୍ଵାଧୀନତାର ଅର୍ଥ ଇଂରେଜମାନଙ୍କର ସମ୍ରାଟତ୍ଵର ପରିସମାପ୍ତି ବୋଲି କହିଥିଲେ । ବ୍ରିଟେନ୍ ସହିତ ସମଅଂଶୀଦାର ରୂପେ ସେ ଭାରତକୁ ଦେଖିବାକୁ ଚାହିଁଥିଲେ । ସମତା ଭିତ୍ତିରେ ଏହି ଭାବଚେତନା ପ୍ରତିଷ୍ଠିତ ହେବା ଉଚିତ ବୋଲି ସେ କହିଥିଲେ । କେବଳ ସ୍ଵାଧୀନତା ପାଇଁ ସ୍ଵାଧୀନତା ତାଙ୍କର ଲକ୍ଷ୍ୟ ନ ଥିଲା। ପାରସ୍ପରିକ ସହଯୋଗ ଓ ସମ୍ମାନବୋଧ, ପ୍ରେମ ଏବଂ ବନ୍ଧୁତ୍ଵର ଭିରି ଉପରେ ତାଙ୍କର ସ୍ଵାଧୀନତା ସମ୍ପର୍କିତ ଭାବଚେତନା ପ୍ରତିଷ୍ଠିତ ଥିଲା । ଭାରତ ଉପରେ ଇଂରେଜମାନଙ୍କର ରାଜତ୍ଵ କରିବାର ମନୋଭାବର ପୂର୍ଣଚ୍ଛେଦ ସେ ଚାହିଁଥିଲେ ।

ଗାନ୍ଧିଜୀ ଏକ ବିଚକ୍ଷଣ ବ୍ୟକ୍ତିତ୍ଵ ଥିଲେ । ତାଙ୍କର ସରଳ ଓ ନିଷ୍କପଟ ହୃଦୟ ମାନବଜାତିକୁ ଭଲ ପାଇବାରେ ଆଗ୍ରହ ତାଙ୍କର ଶତ୍ରୁମାନଙ୍କୁ ସ୍ତବ୍‌ଧ କରିଦେଇଥିଲା । ସେ ନିଭୀକ ଓ ସାହସୀ ଥିଲେ । ବିଦେଶୀ ବସ୍ତ୍ର ବର୍ଜନ ଏବଂ ଖଦି ଆନ୍ଦୋଳନ ପାଇଁ ତାଙ୍କ ଆହ୍ୱାନ ଯୋଗୁଁ ଲାଙ୍କାସାୟାରରେ ତାଙ୍କ ବିରୁଦ୍ଧରେ ଉତ୍ତେଜନା ଥିଲା । ତଥାପି ଲାଙ୍କାସାୟାରରେ ଅଗଣିତ ନରନାରୀ ତାଙ୍କୁ ବିପୁଳ ଆନନ୍ଦରେ ସ୍ଵାଗତ କରିଥିଲେ । ଗୋଲ୍‌ଟେବୁଲ ବୈଠକ ବାହାରେ ତାଙ୍କର ପ୍ରକୃତ କାର୍ଯ୍ୟ ଆରମ୍ଭ ହୋଇଥିଲା । ବ୍ରିଟିଶ୍ ଭାବଧାରାରେ ପରିବର୍ତ୍ତନ ଆଣିବାପାଇଁ ସେ ଜନସାଧାରଣଙ୍କ ଭିତରେ ହିଁ ନୂତନ ଚିନ୍ତାଧାରା ସଞ୍ଚାର କରିବାପାଇଁ ଚେଷ୍ଟା କରିଥିଲେ । ସେ ଅନୁଭବ କରିଥିଲେ ଯେ, ସେ ଯେଉଁ ବୀଜ ବପନ କରିଛନ୍ତି ତାହାର ପରିଣତିସ୍ୱରୂପ ବ୍ରିଟିଶ୍ ଜାତିର ମନରେ ପରିବର୍ତ୍ତନ ଆସିବ ଏବଂ ସେମାନେ ମଣିଷଜାତିକୁ ପଶୁପରି ବ୍ୟବହାର କରିବେ ନାହିଁ । ମହାଦେବ ଦେଶାଇଙ୍କ ଡାଏରୀରୁ ଜଣାପଡ଼ିଥିଲା ଯେ ଲଣ୍ଡନରେ ଗାନ୍ଧିଜୀ ରାତି ୨ଟାରେ ଶୋଇବାକୁ ଯାଉଥିଲେ ଏବଂ ୩ଟା ୪୫ ମିନିଟ୍‌ରେ ଶଯ୍ୟାତ୍ୟାଗ କରୁଥିଲେ ।

ତା’ପରେ ଚିଠିଲେଖା, ସମ୍ବାଦପତ୍ର ପାଠ, ପ୍ରାର୍ଥନା ଏବଂ ପୁଣି ୫ଟାରୁ ୬ଟା ପର୍ଯ୍ୟନ୍ତ ବିଶ୍ରାମ । ତା’ପରେ ପୁଣି କାର୍ଯ୍ୟବ୍ୟସ୍ତତା ଭିତରେ ୨ଟା ପର୍ଯ୍ୟନ୍ତ ସେ କର୍ମଚଞ୍ଚଳ ରହୁଥିଲେ । ଗୋଲଟେବୁଲ ବୈଠକ ବ୍ୟର୍ଥ ହୋଇଥିଲା । ଇଂରେଜମାନଙ୍କର ଚିନ୍ତାଧାରା ସହିତ ଭାରତର ମନୋଭାବ ଦୁଇଟି ସମାନ୍ତରାଳ ସରଳରେଖା ପରି ପ୍ରତୀତ ହେଲା । ଇଂରେଜମାନେ ଭାରତରେ ପ୍ରଭୁତ୍ଵ ଚାହିଁଥିଲେ; କିନ୍ତୁ ଭାରତ ଚାହିଁଥିଲା ଏହି ପ୍ରଭୁତ୍ଵ ମନୋଭାବର ପରିସମାପ୍ତି । ଲଣ୍ଡନରେ ଗାନ୍ଧିଜୀଙ୍କ ନିରାପତ୍ତା ପାଇଁ ବ୍ରିଟିଶ୍ ସରକାର ଦୁଇଜଣ ଗୋଇନ୍ଦାଙ୍କୁ ନିଯୁକ୍ତ କରିଥିଲେ । ଗାନ୍ଧିଜୀ ସେମାନଙ୍କଠାରୁ ଦୂରରେ ରହୁ ନ ଥିଲେ କିମ୍ବା ସେମାନଙ୍କୁ ଉପେକ୍ଷା କରି ନଥିଲେ । ସେ ସେମାନଙ୍କ ସହିତ ବିଭିନ୍ନ ସମସ୍ୟା ସମ୍ପର୍କରେ ଆଲୋଚନା କରୁଥିଲେ ଏବଂ ଏପରିକି ସେମାନଙ୍କର ଘରକୁ ମଧ୍ୟ ଯାଇଥିଲେ । ଭାରତକୁ ଫେରି ସେ ସେମାନଙ୍କ ପାଇଁ ସ୍ନେହ ଓ ଶ୍ରଦ୍ଧାର ପ୍ରତୀକରୂପେ ଗୋଟିଏ ଲେଖାଏଁ ଘଣ୍ଟା ଉପହାର ପଠାଇଥିଲେ ।

BSE Odisha 11th Class English:

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