About the author:
A.J. Cronin (1896–1974) was a doctor by training. He practiced medicine in Wales and in London. It was while recovering from a breakdown in health that he wrote his first novel Hatter’s Castel. It was a huge success. Cronin gave up practicing medicine and took to writing as a career. He wrote a number, of novels and short stories, among his best–known novels are the ‘Citadel’, ‘The key of the Kingdom’, and ‘The Spanish Gardener’. Some of his novels have been made into successful films. The title of the story is that of one of the early plays of Shakespeare. The story recounts the hard life chosen by two young boys so that they could pay for the treatment of their sister afflicted with tuberculosis. The boys’ sacrifice, sincerity and devotion to the cause and the maturity they display in their actions gives a new hope for humanity. Summary: Nicola and Jacopo work very hard to keep their sister well and cured from tuberculosis of the spine. The war has orphaned them and they are doing their best to keep the family together. They show a lot of love and devotion for each other. They were true gentlemen as they were selfless. 1) The narrator realizes why Nicola and Jacopo work so hard. Yet he does not go in to meet their sister nor does he speak to them about what he learns from the nurse. Working in groups, discuss the following aspects of the story and share your views with the class. a) The love and devotion, and the family values Nicola and Jacopo display. Ans: Nicola and Jacopo work very hard to keep their sister well and cured from tuberculosis of the spine. The war has orphaned them and they are doing their best to keep the family together. They show a lot of love and devotion for each other. They were true gentlemen as they were selfless and did not disclose their family secrets. b) Their pride in themselves and their family. Ans: They are impoverished by war yet their spirit is not broken. They have been separated from their only sister who is older to them but who is almost on death bed. Yet they stay together and keep in touch with her in the hospital thus exhibiting family pride and loyalty. They do not discuss her with anyone. c) The trust they place in the narrator. Ans: They take a liking to the narrator and are of an immense help to him. He pays them well for all their timely services rendered to him and so they are very eager to help him. Gradually they trust him and even allow him to drive them to the villa; where they visit their invalid sister. d) The reason the narrator does not disclose to them that he knows their secret. Ans: The narrator is very touched by the scene at the hospital He does not want the little boys to know that he has followed them into the villa (hospital), he stood outside and watched carefully the beautiful family scene in the cubicle. He saw the two boys sitting with their sick sister who was propped up in bed and who was very pleased by their chatter. As the boys did not want him to enter the villa in the first place he did not disclose to them what he saw there. It was their secret, and he liked to keep it that way. 2) What do you understand by the following statements: a) “We do many things, sir,” Nicola answered seriously. He glanced at us hopefully. Ans: Nicola told the two gentlemen that they were doing any odd jobs that came their way in order to earn their living. b) He coloured deeply under his sunburn, then grew pale. Ans: This statement means that he was very embarrassed when he was asked what he did with the money he earned by doing so many jobs. He did not spend any money on his food nor on his clothes. c) He smiled uncomfortably. “Just plans, sir,” he answered in a low voice. Ans: When the author asked him if he saved his money in order to migrate to America he simply said that even if he liked to go there he had other plans on which to spend his money. When asked “what plans” he simply said “plans” as he was unwilling to tell the author about them. d) Yet in both these boyish faces there was a seriousness which was far beyond their years. Ans: These two boys were young Jacopo who was as lively as a squirrel and Nicola whose smile was very steady and engaging yet these two boys had a seriousness which was far beyond their years as they had a heavy burden of responsibility to bear – that of their sick sister afflicted by tuberculosis of the spine. They were working hard to pay for her treatment. 3) Answer the following questions briefly: a) Why didn’t Luigi, the driver, approve of the two boys? Ans: The two boys were very shabbily dressed and they were selling wild strawberries. Their hair was entangled, their skin was dirty and dark brown and their clothes hung loosely on their skinny bodies. Hence Luigi disapproved of them. b) Why were the narrator and his companion impressed by the two boys? Ans: The narrator and his companion were impressed by the two boys because despite their young age, their ragged looks, and their skinny frames they were cheerful, hardworking and very knowledgeable about the area in which they lived. They were ready to do any odd jobs to pay for their living. c) Why was the author surprised to see Nicola and Jacopo working as shoeshine boys? Ans: The author was surprised to see Nicola and Jacopa working as shoe–shine boys because the author was under the impression that they picked fruit for a living. The author did not know that they performed successfully any task available. 6) Two Gentlemen of Verona is written in the first person. A story written in the first person is a first–hand account of events told or narrated through the eyes of a single character, typically the main character. Stories written in the first person are easily identified by the use of the pronoun ‘I’ rather than ‘he or she’. The reader will see phrases such as “I said, I thought,” rather than “he said, she thought,” Everything is experienced through the eyes of a single character, and all thoughts and observations are limited to that one person. There can be no outside observer. If the narrator does not see or experience an event first–hand, it cannot be a part of the story. All scenes in the story are filtered through this person’s unique perception. The third–person is a narrative mode in which both the reader and author observe the situation either through the senses and thoughts of more than one character, or through an overarching godlike perspective that sees and knows everything that happens and everything the characters are thinking. In this mode of narration, the narrator can tell the reader things that the main character does not know. Rewrite any part of the story you like in the third person. Ans: The two boys reaching the villa entered a cubicle which was part of a hospital. A nurse took us to that cubicle and we saw the two boys sitting beside a girl of about twenty two. She was propped up on a pillow and was wearing a pretty lace jacket and was listening to their stories intently. She looked like her brothers; she had soft tender eyes. There were several books, a vase of wild flowers and some fruit besides her table. She was suffering from tuberculosis of the spine and the two were working hard to pay her hospital bills. 7) Write down the character sketches of the brothers Nicola and Jacopo. Ans: In the first two meetings with the boys the narrator felt a kind of strange attraction and seriousness in them. He developed a kind of curiosity to know more about them. Strangely, he found them almost wherever he went. In his talk to them he learnt about the two boys sold fruits, hawked newspapers, shined shoes and conducted tourists round the town. They ran errands also. Due to their multiplicity of work they proved very useful for the narrator. They brought him a pack of American cigarettes, seats for the opera or the name of a good restaurant. They could be depended upon. The narrator knew from the nurse about their family and how it was destroyed by the war. Before that they lived a comfortable and cultured life as their father was a well known singer. They worked themselves to the bone only to earn money for their sister’s illness. Their great devotion to duty and survival instincts coupled with capacity to endure made a mark on the reader. They proved otherwise from their appearance. The narrator now knew everything about these ‘Gentleman of Verona’ who had a moral duty towards their sister. That’s why they were called “Two Gentlemen of Verona” and we see in them a new nobility and a greater hope for human life and human society
25 Comments
SAMPLE QUESTIONS ENGLISH (COMMUNICATIVE) (101) CLASS X _SUMMATIVE ASSESSMENT II (2013-14)29/10/2013 Q Read the passage given below carefully. 10 marks
“DAIJA” It was Monday morning when the phone rang. It was my mother. After talking for a minute, she said “I am giving the phone to someone. Talk to her." "Hello," came a familiar voice and I immediately knew who was at the other end. I was very happy to hear that voice. It had been too long. "Daija! How are you? When did you come there?" "Just yesterday. I am fine. How are you?" said Daija Daija was my grandparents' helping hand for many years. She came to work for them almost 51 years ago. My mother was just seven years old then. Daija came unannounced. She had heard that my grandparents were looking for a maid and she travelled for two days to apply for the job. She was around 20 years old then. Daija was puny. She frequently laughed out loud. Her husband had left her for another woman but this had not embittered her about life. Slowly, she became part of the family. Her real name was Kamlaben but my mother would call her “Daija" affectionately and it stuck to her for the rest of her life. Her personality was such that she became the life of every festival and get-together. She was a good dancer and though she did not have a good voice she enjoyed singing too. When my mother was married and moved to another town, Daija cried more than my grandmother. When my mother was pregnant she came to live with her. Every winter, we used to go to our grandparents’ place for holidays and she became our playmate. She would hide some special food from my grandmother to give us later. My grandmother could not do without her. When my grandfather died 10 years ago, she became my grandmother's sole companion. They had disagreements but that didn't bother either of them. But once grandfather was gone, Daija started feeling insecure. My grandmother, who was six years older than Daija, was also not keeping well. Daija would take care of her but who would take care of Daija? She was already 72. One day, she came to my mother and took out about Rs. 6,000, which she had saved. She said "Kamala, please secure a place for me in an old age home. I may not be staying here for a long time." My mother dismissed her but that act remained in her mind. Sometimes, she would discuss Daija’s future with my father. Daija, too old by now to do everything herself, had other maids helping her. She was now the task manager. At times, we could not differentiate her from our grandmother. She was as influential. Then, one day after 45 years, without warning, her husband came to visit her. She had no feelings. She had not seen him for all these years. The other woman had passed away leaving her grown-up son, who was earning decent lives for themselves. The husband himself had made a name in palmistry. Now he was expecting her to come back. She was not sure. He left without an answer. It took her a long time to decide. She finally decided to go .The day she left, a vacuum was created in our lives. There was no one to take her place. Today, we miss her laughs, her unconditional love and her spontaneity. She still visits my grandmother on every festival. These days, Daija has been travelling around with her husband, and his son takes care of her. Some people like Daija leave a void in lives, and are always remembered. Q On the basis of your reading of the above passage, complete the following statement briefly. 1 x 6 = 6 marks 1. Daija came to their house _____________________________________. 2. Daija’s personality was ________________________________________. 3. Her husband had _____________________________________________. 4. The narrator could not differentiate between Daija and her grandmother because_____________________. 5. Daija wanted to go to an old age home because_________________________. 6. She eventually decided to _____________________________. Q Answer the following questions briefly. 1 mark a) What was Daija‟s husband doing? Q Find words from the passage which mean the same as the words given below: 1 x 3 = 3 marks a) space b) avoided c) readiness Q Read the following passage carefully: 5 marks Have you heard people saying that the 'rupiah makes the world go round? Do you know the story of the rupee? The word rupee comes from the Sanskrit term ‘ Rupya’ or ‘ Rupa’ which means silver. The very early coins before the second century BC, were all made of silver but the coins were neither of any standard weight nor had any face or value printed on them. It was Sher Shah Suri who first gave the name “rupia” to the silver coins. The last silver coins were minted in 1940 with the face of King George VI on them. In 1942 the silver coin was replaced by a cupro-nickel coin for the first time. Money was invented by man to get power but now money has become more powerful than man. All over the world, money and power go together. The more money a person has, the more successful he is judged to be. A rich man is accepted by society even if he is corrupt or evil. Man works hard to earn more and more money and saves a lot of it. He thinks that money will give him more freedom to enjoy himself and to have lots of fun. He thinks he will not be anyone's slave but be his own master. But soon he becomes the slave of money. The more he has, the more he wants. He is never satisfied with what he has got but always wants something more even though he knows that in the end, he cannot carry anything with him. Money can buy everything but it cannot buy peace or happiness or a ticket to heaven. Read the following questions and write the option you consider the most appropriate in your answer sheet: (a) The early coins were made of………………………. (i) copper (ii) gold (iii) silver (iv) lead (b) The cupro-nickel coins came into existence in the year…………………………… (i) 1924 (ii) 1942 (iii) 1429 (iv) 1294 (c)Today money is…………………….. (i) less powerful than man (ii) equal to man (iii) more powerful than man (iv) none of the above (d) Society willingly accepts……………………... from a rich man. (i) honesty (ii) corruption (iii) bribery (iv) none of the above (e) The word satisfied can be replaced by……………………… (i) contended (ii) happy (iii) fulfilled (iv) overjoyed SECTION B 25 Marks Q Notice: Your school has planned an inter class debate competition. Write a notice for the school notice-board informing students of the competition giving details like date, time venue, contact person etc in 50-60 words. 3 marks Q You have to rush for your tuition class, and nobody is at home. Leave a message for your mother informing her about the same. 3 marks OR Your mother promised you to buy a new I-Pad or any gadget, on achieving a good result. You are waiting the good result, as well as the I-Pad. Explain your anticipation in a diary – entry. Q Recently your colony has witnessed and suffered acute water shortage. As the Secretary of your RWA, write a letter to the Chairman DJB highlighting the problem and suggesting ways to solve the issue. Or Write a letter to your younger brother, who has got admission in a hostel, emphasizing the importance of a good breakfast. 5 marks Q It was a dark night. There was no one at home suddenly it started raining. I could hear the distant howling of the wild cats and suddenly ……. 5 marks Q It was a dark night. There was no one at home suddenly it started raining. I could hear the distant howling of the wild cats and suddenly ……. 5 marks Q The students of today are becoming ‘Couch Potatoes’ due to their excess T.V. viewing habit. This has a negative effect not only and their health, but overall personality. Write an article, expressing your views on the same. 5 marks Q Write a speech, to be given in the morning assembly, talking about the importance of education in one’s life. 5 marks Section - C: Grammar 20 Marks Q Read the paragraph given below and fills in the blanks with the help of options that follow. 4 marks Humans have always thought of the moon as living. In earlier times, it was seen that it had always been changing. Since it was the brightest star in the dark sky, humans watched and wondered why it i) Humans (ii) always afraid of the dark, so the bright light (iii) both welcome and mysterious. Today, we still feel fear or mystery when we (iv) ......... at the moon. It is these feelings which keep the old superstitions about the moon alive. (i) (a) change (b) is changing (c) changed (d) was changing (ii) (a) had (b) have been (c) were (d) got (iii) (a) were (b) was (c) had (d) has (iv) (a) looks (b) looking (c) look (d) looked Q Complete the following passage by filling up the blanks. Write the correction in your answer sheet. 4 marks Pollution (a)……………. the destroying of environment. It (b)……………………. to the degeneration of soil, air water. Soil, air and water (c)……………………been degraded by waste, smoke and chemicals. In metro cities problem (d)…………………….become very serious. Smoke from chimneys and automobiles (e)……………………… polluting the air. The acid rain (f)………………………. to degeneration of buildings. Government should take strict measures if it (g)……………………… to protect the earth. Man's greed and selfishness (h)………………………….the major causes of pollution. Q Rearrange the following jumbled words to make meaningful sentences and write the same in the answer sheet. 1 x 4 = 4 marks (a) in/other animals/elephant/an/excels/ intelligence (b) displays/ he/ his intelligence/little actions/in his (c) with a difficulty/a way out/whenever/with/his intelligence/faced/he finds (d)one/the/of/loved/most/animals/world/in/the Q The following paragraph has not been edited. There is one error in each line. Identify the error in each line, and write it along with the word that comes before and the word that comes after in your answer sheet. The first one has been done as an example. 4 marks Example: On reaching his room he entire broke he entirely broke down, and became a prey for the most i. ________ violent agitation. The vulgarity of those twins, and ii. ________ the gross materialism of Mrs. Otis, was naturally iii. ________ extremely annoying, but what really distress him iv. ________ most was that he had been unable to wear the suit of mail. Q Read the following conversation between two friends, Ginnie and Dimpi and complete the paragraph that follows. 4 marks Ginnie: Why have you not brought my dress? Dimpi: I haven’t brought it because I had gone to my cousin's house with my mother, so I forgot to keep it. Ginnie: Don't give me lame excuses. I want to know the truth. Dimpi: I am sorry Ginnie. I was playing with my friends till late. I forgot that you needed it today. Ginnie asked Dimpi (a) ………………….. .Dimpi said that she (b) …………………………. Ginnie (c) …………………………… and further added that (d)…………………… Dimpi said that he was sorry and further added that she was playing with her friends and she had forgotten that she needed it that day. SECTION – D: LITERATURE 25 Marks Q Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow by writing the correct option in the answer sheet. 1 x 3 = 3 marks Gainst death and all oblivious enmity shall you pace forth, your paradise shall still find room. Even in the eyes of all posterity, That wear this world out to the ending doom. a) Why would the young man be remembered by the future generations? i) Because he is very brave ii) Because he is very philanthropic iii) Because he has written immortal verses iv) Because he is very religions b) What does the poet mean by ending doom? i) The day when war would come to an end. ii) The day when the whole mankind will die iii) The day when the whole earth will be destroyed iv) The day on which God will decide the fate of all mortal beings. c) What is the tone of these lines? i) Pessimistic ii) Sad iii) Confident iv) optimistic Q Read the following extract carefully and answers the questions that follow by choosing the most appropriate alternative from those given below: “I’ve seen a weekend cottage near Darking that I should rather like to buy,” said Miss Mebbin with seeming irrelevance. “Six hundred and eighty, freehold. Quite a bargain, only I don’t happen to have the money.” 1 x 3 = 3 marks a) Who is Miss Mebbin talking to? b) Why is Miss Mebbin talking about the cottage when she can’t afford to buy it? c) What does the phrase ‘seeming irrelevance’ here means? Q Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow: 1 x 3 = 3 marks “What are they coming for? They haven’t been here for ages.” (a) Who is coming? (b) Why are they coming? (c) Why haven’t they been here for ages? Q Answer the following in about 50-60 words each. 2 x 3 = 6 marks a.) “We do many things, sir‟. Explain this statement with reference to the context. b.) Why had the tiger turned to eating of small animals? c.) Why did the postmaster call Ali a pest? Q Answer any one of the following in about 125 words. 5 marks ‘Tough day’s never last but tough people do’. Explain this statement with reference to the two boys. OR Do you admire the frog for his intelligence or criticize him for his cruelty? Explain, with suitable examples |
Blog SeaRCH Link
All
Join Us For Update |