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प्रश्न
Do you think physical appearance matters most for a secret agent? Answer giving reasons in the context of the story ‘The Midnight Visitor.
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उत्तर
Physical appearance is important for heroes like James Bond who act in movies or plays. They need sophisticated cars, a royal lifestyle to flaunt about. But in reality, a detective or a secret agent is not much different from an ordinary citizen at least in appearance. He is an ordinary person who thinks and acts with extraordinary intelligence. When it comes to the question of survival, sharpness of wit and handsome looks would help a person, the disappointment of Fowler, the journalist is very obvious. The young and romantic writer envisioned mysterious figures in the night, the crack of pistols, etc.
The writer must have cherished the idea of beauties with dark eyes passing on secret notes. But he has witnessed nothing but dull music in a French hotel with a sloppy man who made a prosaic appointment only in a prosaic telephone call. Ausable raises the expectations of both the readers and Fowler when he mentions the important paper he waited which many men and women had risked their lives to possess. The drama that ensues in the room testifies the fact that there is no correlation whatsoever between the sharpness of wit and the physical appearance of a person. Only after Fowler witnesses how Ausable had outwitted Max to choose his own death without moving from his armchair, he realizes the truth.
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संबंधित प्रश्न
What made Aksionov leave the inn before dawn?
Did Makar feel guilty when he heard Aksionov’s story?
What was Aksionov’s realization by the end of the story?
Why did Aksionov’s wife suspect him of involvement in the murder?
Compare and contrast the main characters, Aksionov and Makar Semyonich, in the story
Describe the life of Aksionov in prison.
Describe the lifeboat.
Did Pi want Richard Parker to die? Answer, giving reasons.
Water is the elixir of life. Substantiate the statement with reference to the story of 'Life Of Pi'.
If you were lost at sea for as long as Pi was, what is the one item you would want with you? Write a diary entry in which you identify the item and explain why it is the one thing you would want with you.
Sequence the following incidents logically to write the summary of the story ‘Life of Pi’.
- As he looked around, he was shocked to find Richard Parker on board.
- His search for water took him dangerously close to Richard Parker but nothing could stop him – neither Richard Parker nor the hyena.
- Pi left Richard Parker in a jungle and reunited with his family.
- Pi came back to life and his senses after drinking the elixir of life.
- He understood that it was Richard Parker who helped him survive for 227 days.
- He was pinned by weakness having had no food, water, or even sleep for nearly three days.
- Strangely his thirst overpowered his fear of Richard Parker and he went about exploring for freshwater.
- A little later, he succeeded in his search, when he found stacks of cans of drinking water.
- Pi was stranded in the Pacific on a lifeboat.
- Then, he realized that Parker who scared him earlier brought him peace, purpose, and wholeness.
We judge people around us, based on their qualities and actions. We brand some people as good and some bad. What qualities, do you think, characterise a gentleman? Some of them may be merely external and some others internal
When we see a few coins scattered on the ground, we would probably pick them up on the sly or walk away ignoring them. What if it was an envelope full of ` 2000 bills? How are people likely to react in such a situation?
Discuss with a partner and share your views.
What had Donovan told John?
What was Mr. Marshall’s offer to Baldwin?
Who do you think exhibits true friendship–Baldwin or Gresham? Justify your answer.
Now match the idioms under column A with their meanings in column B:
| A. IDIOMS | B. MEANINGS |
| save one’s skin | a sudden unexpected event or news |
| make both ends meet | to be the most powerful |
| a bolt out of a clear sky | viewed with suspicion and distrust |
| go to grave | to protect oneself from difficulty |
| have the whip hand | manage one’s expenses within one’s income |
| under a cloud | to exit the world |
Certain professionals can be identified by their appearance.
What comes to your mind first when you think of a ‘pilot’ or a ‘traffic policeman’? Discuss in pairs and share your thoughts with the class.
Mention two features of Ausable that were uncharacteristic of a detective.
Where did Max try to hide himself?
How did the three men react to the knocking at the door?
Look at the following expressions used in the story. Match them with their meanings.
| let down | to complain or scold |
| chuckled to himself | try one’s luck/take a risk |
| take cheer | become enraged |
| raise the devil | disappointed |
| black with anger | laughed softly to himself |
| take chances | to be encouraged |
What happens to Margot while the teacher is out of the classroom?
Now read the sentence below. Complete them appropriately with the word you identified from the grid.
The children ______Margot as she ______the Sun.
Now read the sentence below. Complete them appropriately with the word you identified from the grid.
When the Sun comes out, the children ______the Sun.
Study the title of the play “Remember Caesar”. Who is Caesar? What is he remembered for? Let us go through the pages of history succinctly to answer the above questions.
- Julius Caesar was a brilliant military general and great Roman monarch.
- He was born on the 13th of July in 100 BC (BCE).
- He created the Julian calendar which is the basis for today’s calendar.
- He was assassinated by a group of Roman senators in 44 BC(BCE).
- The day that Julius Caesar was murdered, 15th March was called the Ides of March in ancient Rome.
Why was the speaker keen to know what day it was?
What was the truth about the crumpled piece of paper?
Compare the character traits of Lord Weston and his wife.
