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Question
Do you think the boys looked after Lucia willingly? Give reasons for your answer.
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Solution
Undoubtedly the boys, Nicola and Jacopo, looked after Lucia willingly. We see them working very hard day and night. They were always willing to work. Whatever job came their way, they picked it up without hesitation. They sold strawberries, they shined shoes, they hawked newspapers, they acted as guides and they earned sufficient money. But we never see them spending that money on their personal pleasures. They spent only a meagre sum on black bread and figs. Even the writer made a guess that they must be saving money for migrating to America to have a better life. But no, later on, we come to know that they spent a major portion of their money on medical treatment of their sister, Lucia who was suffering from tuberculosis of the spine. The entire picture of the hospital and the information given by the nurse reveal the truth that they looked after their sister willingly. They paid hospital dues regularly without being a defaulter. They visited their sister at Poleta every Sunday. They covered the distance of 30 kilometres from Verona to Poleta on hired bicycles. They did not do all this under any compulsion or obligation. They loved their sister and cared for her. This emotional bond of love and mutual trust furnished them with a spirit of sacrifice and dedication to their noble cause. Thus, they looked after Lucia willingly.
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RELATED QUESTIONS
Based on your discussion above, what do you think the story is about?
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 ______.
What do you understand by the following statement?
"We do many things, sir," Nicola answered seriously. He glanced at us hopefully.
Answer the following question briefly.
Why didn't Luigi, the driver, approve of the two boys?
Answer the following question briefly.
Why were the narrator and his companion impressed by the two boys?
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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
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Appearances are deceptive. Discuss with reference to the two boys.
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
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Answer the following question:
What will Shakespeare's friend realize when he rises on the Day of Judgment?
Read the given excerpt and answer the questions briefly.
| “Well," I said, "we're leaving on Monday. Is there anything I can do for you before we go?" Nicola shook his head, but suddenly Jacopo said, “Sir," he burst out, "every Sunday we make a visit to the country, to Poleta, 30 kilometres from here. Usually we hire bicycles. But tomorrow, since you are so kind, you might send us in your car." I had already told Luigi he might have the Sunday off. However, I answered, “I'll drive you out myself." There was a pause. Nicola was glaring at his young brother in vexation. "We could not think of troubling you, sir." "It won't be any trouble." |
- Identify the phrase that indicates that the visit to Poleta on Sundays is significant as a routine or tradition. (1)
- What does the narrator's offer to drive the brothers to Poleta reveal about his character? (1)
- Why was there a pause after the narrator’s offer? (1)
- State one reason why Jacopo might have wanted a car ride despite the choice of hired bicycles? (1)
