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प्रश्न
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
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उत्तर
Ghosts, paranormal entities all these sound spooky and give me goosebumps. I interviewed some of imy friends and came to know about their most eerie experiences. However, some of the stories were really scary and I want to share one such story with you. It so happened that one of the my friends was visiting his grandparents’ place by train. It was night-time and there was no one in the compartment except my friend. He took out his sleeping bag and making himself comfortable started reading a book. While reading, he fell asleep. He woke up suddenly on hearing a knock at the door of his compartment that was bolted from inside, the train had halted at a platform. He got down from his berth and opened the door. But there was nobody outside. After bolting the door, he turned and again came a knock, this time louder than before. Suddenly, he recoiled in horror as he saw a small, white icy cold hand coming out of the closed door of the compartment. A strange scraping sound could also be hared that frightened him out of his wits. He shrieked loudly and was about to faint when the train began to move and he came back to his senses. When the T.T. arrived he shared this strange experience with him and was shocked to hear that many people had claimed to have seen the hand. For the rest of the journey, my friend just sat and prayed to God and felt relieved only when he reached his grandparents’ home safely. I also shuddered to hear his account.
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संबंधित प्रश्न
John Hallock could never displease Jenkins. Why?
Read the extract given below and answer briefly the questions that follow:
"I hadn't the shade of an idea, but at the time that didn't worry me in the least. You see, I had often been like that before...."
(i) Who is 'I' ? What did he not have an idea about?
(ii) Why was he not worried?
(iii) What had actually happened earlier to make things right for him?
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.
Based on your reading of the story answer the following question by ticking the correct option.
What made the writer overconfident about his ability to write ghost stories?
Based on your reading of the story answer the following question by ticking the correct option.
The sight of the ghost materialising in his room filled the narrator with ………
Based on your reading of the story answer the following question by ticking the correct option.
John wants the ghost to disappear before his wife enters the room and waves his arms
at the ghost with something of the motion of a beginner when learning to swim. His
movement shows his ………………………
Based on your reading of the story answer the following question by ticking the correct option.
The ghost says "It's all your fault.'It' here refers to ………………………
Answer the following question briefly.
Which genre of stories does Jenkins want the narrator to write? Why?
Answer the following question briefly.
Why had Helen, the ghost, been helping the narrator write ghost stories? Why was she going on strike? What condition did she place for providing continued help?
Answer the following question briefly.
What message does the ghost convey to the group assembled in the narrator's house? What is their reaction to the message?
Answer the following question briefly.
Do you agree with the narrator calling the assembly of women "manipulators?" Give reasons.
Answer the following question briefly.
John's apprehensions about his wife's reaction to her encounter with the ghost are
unfounded. Justify.
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 |
While conventional Ghost stories are scary and gruesome, several modern versions are humorous. The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde, is one of the best ghost stories written in the vein of comic satire. The story that you just read is another example in case. Humour arises out of the narrator's ability to laugh at himself, clever use of language as well as comic situations. Discuss within your groups what makes the story, A Shady Plot humorous. Share your views during a class discussion.
Answer the following question:
The Ghost was particularly angry with Washington and wished to frighten him
because…. ...................................................................(Complete the statement)
Write two striking qualities of the Ghost as revealed in this extract.
a) _____________________
b) _____________________
Answer the following question:
In the story "Shady Plot", why did Helen appear in bits and pieces?
