Question

Read the following passage and do the activities:

The news spread through the bazaar with the rapidity of forest fire. From the general merchant’s it travelled to the shop, circulated amongst the customers, and then spread with them in various directions, to the betel-seller, the tailor, the free vendor, the jeweller, the beggar sitting on the pavement. Old Ganpat the beggar, had a crooked leg. He had been squatting on the pavement for years, calling for alms. In the evening someone would come with a barrow and take him away. He had never been known to walk. But now, on learning that the bank was about to collapse, Ganpat astonished everyone, leaping to his feet and actually running at top speed in the direction of the bank. It soon became known that he had a thousand rupees in savings! Men stood in groups at street corners discussing the situation. Pipalnagar seldom had a crisis, seldom or never had floods, earthquakes or drought; and the imminent crash of the Pipalnagar Bank set everyone talking and speculating and rushing about in a frenzy.

B1. List the names of at least four characters from whom the rumour was spread:     [2]

1. ............
2. ............
3. ............
4. ............

B2. Rearrange the following events as per their sequence:     [2]

1. It soon became known that the beggar had a thousand rupees in saving.
2. Old Ganpat had been squatting on the pavement for years.
3. Men stood in groups discussing the situation.
4. The news spread through the bazaar with rapidity of forest fire.

B3. Write the describing words for the following from the passage:     [2]

1. .......... leg
2. .......... merchant
3. .......... directions
4. .......... speed

B4. Do as directed:     [2]

1. The news spread through the bazaar.
   (Frame a Wh - type question to get underlined part as an answer.)     [1]
2. The news travelled to the shop and circulated amongst the customers.
   (Choose the option in which ‘not only - but also’ is used appropriately).     [1]
   
   1. The news travelled not only to the shop but also circulated amongst the customers.
   2. Not only the news travelled to the shop but also circulated amongst the customers.
   3. The news not only travelled to the shop and circulated but also amongst the customers.
   4. The news not only travelled to the shop but also circulated amongst the customers.

B5. Do you think rumours are harmful? Support your answer.     [2]

Answer 1

B1. The characters from whom the rumour was spread -

1. The tailor
2. The free vendor
3. The jeweller
4. The beggar

B2. 

1. The news spread through the bazaar with rapidity of forest fire.
2. Old Ganpat had been squatting on the pavement for years.
3. It soon became known that the beggar had a thousand rupees in savings.
4. Men stood in groups discussing the situation.

B3.

1. crooked leg
2. general merchant
3. various directions
4. top speed

B4.

1. What spread through the bazaar?
2. The news not only travelled to the shop but also circulated amongst the customers.

B5. Yes. Rumours are very harmful because they spread wrong information and often target individuals or groups. It may damage someone’s personal or professional image. They can create misunderstandings and conflicts among friends, family, co-workers and society. They can mislead people and cause panic.