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प्रश्न
Narrate the circumstances that led to the narrator getting into a tight corner, by his own folly
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उत्तर
Lucas learned that an auction was in progress. His friend suggested that they peeped in, to watch the fun. Despite the caution from his friend, he started bidding at moderate rates. He had only 63 pounds in his account. A bidder was supposed to have a minimum of 500 pounds to take part in the bid. As bidding for most of the paintings were started with two or three digits in guineas, the author sailed through raising the stakes of many paintings and staying behind watching millionaires bid with higher prices. But one painting viz big Daubigny was launched at an offer price of 4000 Guineas.
Only one bidder showed interest. The rest were in silence. The author heard himself say “and fifty”. After seconds of uncomfortable silence, the dealer banged the hammer indicating the acceptance of the narrator’s offer of 4050 guineas for the painting. It was only then the narrator realized that he was in a tight comer. He wished a firing squad would be welcomed to eliminate him and put an end to his mental agony. He had no friends or relatives or even money lenders who could extend him a loan to raise the money. He had got into a mess of his own choice.
“Auction houses run a rigged game. They know exactly how many people will be bidding on work and exactly who they are. In a gallery, works of art just need to pay. ”
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संबंधित प्रश्न
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Many of us have unused, old but valuable items at home. If we wish to get rid of them, we can sell them at an auction. Items like paintings, jewels, household articles, vehicles, even houses can be auctioned.
The flowchart below will help you understand how an auction is conducted.
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The narrator heard his own voice saying, ‘and fifty’. What does this suggest?
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How did the narrator take advantage of the situation?
Form a meaningful summary of the lesson by rewriting the numbers in the correct sequence:
| a) The narrator had only 63 pounds with him and did not know how to manage the situation. | |
| b) The narrator thought of all his relations from whom he could borrow. | |
| c) Unfortunately he had made the highest bid. | |
| d) The narrator entered Christie’s as his friend persuaded him to visit the saleroom. | |
| e) Every time someone else made a higher bid and the narrator was not caught. | |
| f) The narrator on a sudden impulse added 50 more guineas, to the amount offered. | |
| g) His friend joined him then but left immediately unable to control his laughter. | |
| h) He even thought of borrowing from moneylenders and considered the possibility of confessing the truth to the staff at Christie’s. | |
| i) The picture was declared sold to the narrator. | |
| j) After some time a picture was put up and a bid for 4000 guineas was raised. | |
| k) A sudden stroke of luck befell the narrator when he heard that the gent who had made the bid of 4000 guineas would offer him the additional 50 guineas and buy the picture. | |
| l) The narrator kept bidding just for fun. | |
| m) The picture was given away to the other bidder and the narrator was saved from humiliation. | |
| n) His friend had left the place roaring with laughter at the narrator’s predicament. | |
| o) The narrator was quite happy at the offer but demanded 100 guineas instead of the 50. Now there was no need for him to make any payment. |
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