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प्रश्न
Answer the following question briefly.
Do you agree with the narrator calling the assembly of women "manipulators?" Give reasons.
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उत्तर
The narrator rightly calls the assembly of women manipulators. Lavinia “manipulated” by buying Ouija board but says that it is for John’s research. Laura Hinkle manipulates John by trying to be flirtatious in order to learn working on the Ouija board.
APPEARS IN
संबंधित प्रश्न
I only waved denial and gurgled in my throat. She went on “It’s bad enough to have you flirt over the Ouija board with that hussy ----.”
(a) What was John denying?
(b) What does the word ‘hussy’ mean?
(c) Why did Lavinia think that John was flirting?
John Hallock could never displease Jenkins. Why?
How does the lesson, 'A Shady Plot' remind us that man has no right to invoke supernatural powers through Ouija boards, Tarot cards etc to solve his problems and that one should face life boldly and overcome difficulties using wit and intelligence. Write in 80−100 words.
The title of the story is A Shady Plot. The dictionary defines the words as:
shady adjective
The title of the story is A Shady Plot. The dictionary defines the words as:
plot noun.
Based on your reading of the story answer the following question by ticking the correct option.
The narrator earns his living by ………………………….
Based on your reading of the story answer the following question by ticking the correct option.
The writer was overconfident about his ability to write ghost stories because ……
Based on your reading of the story answer the following question by ticking the correct option.
When the narrator says his wife is never so pretty as when she's doing something she
knows he disapproves of, his tone is …………………….
Answer the following question briefly.
Which genre of stories does Jenkins want the narrator to write? Why?
Answer the following question briefly.
Does the narrator like writing ghost stories? Support your answer with evidence
from the story.
Answer the following question briefly.
Why is John's wife angry? What does she decide to do?
Answer the following question briefly.
Why does John wish himself to be dead?
The narrator and his wife reveal something about their character through their words and actions. We also learn about them from what other people say. Can you pick out the words that describe them from the box given below? Also, pick out lines and instances from the story to illustrate your choice.
| shy arrogant loyal clever overconfident manipulative protective self- disparaging suspicious sceptical jealous fearless firm shrewd strong gullible sly creative loves novelty and thrills |
| Person | Extract from story | What it tells us about the character |
| John Hallock | 1. …in the end things had always come my way….. somehow I'd always been able to dig one (plot) up for him, so I'd begun to get a bit cocky as to my ability (to write stories). | 1. ____________ |
| 2. "But my ghosts aren't a bit like you----". | 2. sceptical | |
| 3. We scout around until we find a writer without ideas and with a mind soft enough to accept impression. | 3. gullible | |
| 4. .................................................................. | 4. creative | |
| 5. ................................................................... | 5. protective | |
| LaviniaHallock | 1. .................................................................... | 1. loves novelty and thrills |
| 2..................................................................... | 2. spendthrift | |
| 3. ..................................................................... | 3. suspicious | |
| 4. ....................................................................... | 4. jealous | |
| 5. Buys the Ouija board but says it is for John's research. | 5. manipulative | |
| 6. Does not flinch when she meets the ghost but talks to her casually. | 6. strong |
Gladolia, the narrator's cook, is an African. The language she speaks is different from that of the others. This is known as Dialect. A dialect consists of words or phrases that reflect the regional variety of a language. An author often uses a dialect to make the dialogue more authentic. Initially, a dialogue may seem a little difficult to understand. However, as you continue reading, the language becomes more comprehensible.
Working in groups, write what Gladolia's words mean as shown.
| Column A | Column B |
| • Misto Hallock | • Mister Hallock |
| • de Missus | |
| • sho t'inks you's lost! | |
| • she done 'phone you dis mawnin' | |
| • fo' de lawd's sake | |
| • not to stop to argify now | |
| • I's gwine t' quit. | |
| • I don't like no hoodoos. | |
| • I'se done lef' dis place | |
| • I is |
Read and understand the following ghost phrases and expressions:
a) To give up the ghost-- to die or to stop trying
b) Aghost of a chance-- a poor chance, not likely to happen
c) The ghost at the feast-- something or someone that spoils your enjoyment by
reminding you of something unpleasant
d) Ghost town-- a town which most people have left, abandoned and deserted
e) Ghost-write- to write for someone else
f) Lay the ghost of something/somebody (to rest)-- to finally stop being worried
or upset by something or someone that has worried or upset you for a long time
g) Ghost image -- secondary image, especially. one appearing on a television
screen as a white shadow, caused by poor or double reception or by a defect in the
receiver
h) the ghost of a smile - faint trace of a smile
i) As white as a ghost- very pale or white in the face
Now complete the following story by using the appropriate phrases in the blanks
given below:
I was alone in a place that bore a deserted look like that of a ________________. I increased
the pace of my footsteps as I walked through the dark forest. I felt someone walking behind
me. I turned immediately and spotted the contour of a figure in the form of a ___________________ .It smiled at me wickedly .I started shaking with fear and perspiring
profusely when I felt its skeletal hand upon my neck. I woke up with a start, relieved that it was only a nightmare. This was not the first time I had had one. It had all started when I had watched the horrendous horror film with a eerie ghost character that had a scary ghost of a smile on its face.It had been almost a month. The strange thing was that I saw a similar face at the station the next morning. That was uncanny. I was to attend a dinner at my friend's at Northanger Abbey that night. I had decided to narrate my experience to the group that would assemble there. Although I knew, there was _________________________ that they would be convinced. After everyone had finished pouring their drinks to themselves, I cleared my throat and started narrating my spooky experience. However, every one of the group started accusing me of being _______________________ and held me responsible for spoiling the spirit of revelry. I gave up the ghost and sat quietly waiting for the party to be over. Back at home, the fears returned .I knew I had to talk about my experience to somebody to feel better. I have now decided to ______________ and publish my experience under a pseudonym. Only then can I ____________________.
Ghosts and haunting have fascinated the public for centuries. Although many doubt the existence of ghosts or other paranormal entities, many people dedicate their lives to searching and recording paranormal activity. Ghost tours, support groups and research societies, to name just a few, permeate our society and seek to answer questions about paranormal activity. Interview your friends, relatives and people in your neighbourhood about whether they believe in the existence of ghosts. Ask them to tell you of any specific experiences they might have had in this context. In your groups, identify the most fascinating anecdote you have gathered on the basis of your interactions. Narrate it to the class
Answer the following question:
The Ghost was particularly angry with Washington and wished to frighten him
because…. ...................................................................(Complete the statement)
Answer the following question.
The Ghost was most angry with ….(Complete the statement by ticking the correct
option)
Answer the following question:
In the story "Shady Plot", why did Helen appear in bits and pieces?
