CBSE solutions for इंग्लिश लिटरेचर रीडर कक्षा १० chapter Unit 1 F. 1 - Two Gentlemen of Verona [Latest edition]

What are the qualities of a "gentleman"? Work with your partner and complete the following web-chart by listing the qualities of a gentleman.

Based on your discussion above, what do you think the story is about?

Now read the story given below. Your teacher may use a variety of techniques for
different parts of the story e.g.
• Silent reading
• One student reading aloud to the whole class
• Students reading in small groups
• Dramatised reading in small groups

What was the reason for the driver’s disapproval of the narrator buying fruit from the two boys?

What impressed the narrator the most about the boys?

Their ______.

Jacopo asked the narrator to drive them to Poleta Why was Nicola uncomfortable with it?

The narrator decided against going inside Lucia's room as ______.

The author chose to remain silent on their return journey because he thought the boys ______.

Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow.

(i) We can say that the demeanour of the two boys was remarkable because they were ______.

Select the correct option.

1. innocent but clever
2. lively but serious
3. young but mature
4. childish but engaging

(ii) What does the writer wish to imply via the comparison of Jacopo to a squirrel?

(iii) How did the boys prove useful for the narrator and his companion? Select the most appropriate option.

1. Brought them newspapers.
2. Guided them to good restaurants.
3. Found American cigarettes for them.
4. Sold fruits to them.

1. 1. (1), (3) and (5)
   2. (2), (3) and (4)
   3. (1), (2) and (5)
   4. (1), (2) and (4)

(iv) Select the suitable word from the extract, to complete the following.

happy : sad : : pacify : ______

1. provoke
2. remarkable
3. steady
4. engage

(v) Select a phrase from the extract that means the same as, ‘to circulate’.

Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow.

(i) What does the narrator’s remark ‘... the way you and Jacopo work...’refer to?

1. Sale of certain products.
2. Manner of working.
3. Readiness to lend aid.
4. Open to doing add jobs.

(ii) How did the narrator’s question impact Nicola? It made him feel ______.

1. surprised
2. embarrassed
3. confused
4. scared

(iii) State one aspect that might have led the narrator to think that the boys must be saving to emigrate to America.

(iv) Which of the following remarks shows that the narrator observed things keenly?

1. ‘The way you and Jacopo work, you must earn quite a bit.’
2. ‘When I see you have a meal it’s usually black bread and figs.’
3. ‘What do you do with your money?’
4. ‘You must be saving up to emigrate to America.’

(v) What does the sunburn help you deduce about Nicola?

What do you understand by the following statement?

"We do many things, sir," Nicola answered seriously. He glanced at us hopefully.

What do you understand by the following statement?

 He smiled uncomfortably. "Just plans, sir," he answered in a low voice.

What do you understand by the following statement?

Yet in both these boyish faces there was a seriousness which was far beyond their years.

Why was the author surprised to see Nicola and Jacopo working as shoeshine
boys?

The story is full of surprises. Briefly mention any two such instances.

Why were the boys in the deserted square at night? What character traits do they
exhibit?

The narrator asks the boys, “Must you work so hard? You both look rather tired.”
The boys replied, “We are not complaining, sir.” What do you learn about the boys
from their reply?

Support the opinion that the narrator was kind and sensitive.

Do you think the boys looked after Lucia willingly? Give reasons for your answer.

Appearances are deceptive. Discuss with reference to the two boys.

How does the story 'Two Gentlemen of Verona' promise hope for society?

The story of the two boys, as revealed by the nurse, deeply impacts the narrator. He decides to write a diary entry, recording how he feels inspired by the grit, determination and selfless actions of the two gentlemen of Verona. As the narrator, write the entry.

When Lucia gets well she writes a letter to Nicola and Jacopo to express her feelings of gratitude and admiration for them. As Lucia, write the letter.

Look at the italic words in the following examples.
a. We bought their biggest basket, then set off toward town.
b. One night we came upon them in the windy and deserted square.
c. He bit his lip, then in a rather put out tone he said, 'Very well.'
d. I shook my head and turned away.

Here are a few more. Match the phrases to their meanings.

Now use the phrases given above to complete the following sentences.

1. The landlord was suspicious of the two men staying in his flat so he called the police and ……………. them …………….
2. Early in the morning we packed our bags and …………… for a hike over the mountain.
3. Janvi ……………………. some photographs of her grandfather in the old trunk.
4. My father ……………….. his own business 10 years ago.
5. The Bank …………………………….. Paul's request for a loan.
6. The Corporation's decision to reduce the leave of the employees …………………… a lot of opposition.

Two Gentlemen of Verona is written in the first person. A story written in the first person is a first-hand account of events told or narrated through the eyes of a single character, typically the main character. Stories written in the first person are easily identified by the use of the pronoun 'I' rather than 'he or she'.

The reader will see phrases such as "I said, I thought," rather than "he said, she thought." Everything is experienced through the eyes of a single character, and all thoughts and observations are limited to that one person. There can be no outside  observer. If the narrator does not see or experience an event first-hand, it cannot be a part of the story. All scenes in the story are filtered through this person's unique perception.

The third-person is a narrative mode in which both the reader and author observe the situation either through the senses and thoughts of more than one character, or through an overarching godlike perspective that sees and knows everything that happens and everything the characters are thinking. In this mode of narration, the narrator can tell the reader things that the main character does not know, or things that none of the characters know.
Rewrite, in third person, any part of story you like.

The narrator realises why Nicola and Jacopo work so hard. Yet he does not go in to meet their sister nor does he speak to them about what he learns from the nurse. Working in groups, discuss the following aspects of the story and share your views with the class.
a) The love, devotion and the family values Nicola and Jacopo display.
b) Their pride in themselves and their family
c) The trust they place in the narrator
d) The reason the narrator does not disclose to them that he knows their secret.

As the narrator, write an article on the lesson of love, faith and trust that you have
learnt from the two young boys of Verona.

After her brothers' visit, Lucia writes a page in her diary about her past life and
her present situation. As Lucia, write the diary entry in about 150 words.

Listen to an excerpt from the diary of a 13 year old girl Zlata Fillipovic who writes of the horrors of war in Sarajevo in her book Zlata’s Diary. 

As you listen, complete the following statements.

1. The first sign of approaching war was …………………………………………….
2. The family went into the cellar when ………………………………………………
3. The 'awful cellar' was the only place that could save their lives because …………………
4. Zlata's friend, Nina died when ………………………………………………….......
5. Zlata and her father were worried about her mother's safety because ......................…