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Question
Examine the subtle humour in the narration of the story that lightens the gravity of the subject matter.
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Solution
The story's wittiest character is the detective Sherlock Holmes whose digressions are the most fun. How in the middle of a sensitive interrogation he points out to the suspect that he appears to be an English, though the suspect exclaims that he is an American. In the beginning, when Holmes is explaining the case to Watson, he remarks that there is a chance to make money with this case as if it is they and not the Garridebs who will be given the inheritance Alexander Garrideb. The most interesting part is the style with which Holmes talks or discusses any information. Even while explaining a serious matter he adapts a casual style. For example, again while in the beginning, Holmes is explaining the case to Watson, he did not give away the people already involved in the case. However, he tells that Nathan is already taken in as Watson comes across his name in the directory. He did not even tell the name of the mastermind John Garrideb until Mrs. Hudson approached with the card signed by Garrideb. There are many such instances that make the mystery light-hearted and the reader is not burned by it.
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The eight other runners pulled up on their heels
The ones who had trained for so long to complete
one by one they all turned around and went back to help him
And brought the young boy to his feet.
Then all the nine runners joined hands and continued
The hundred-yard dash now reduced to a walk
And a banner above that said (Special Olympics)
Could not have been more on the mark.
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They came to the finish line holding hands still
And a standing ovation and nine beaming faces
Said more than these words ever will.
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Explain the following phrases in a sentence or two.
(a) Pulled up on their heels
(b) Brought the young boy to his feet.
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Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions that follow:
For some time Mother had greatly envied us our swimming, both in the daytime and at night, but as she pointed out when we suggested she join us, she was far too old for that sort of thing. Eventually, however, under constant pressure from us, Mother paid a visit into town and returned to the villa coyly bearing a mysterious parcel. Opening this she astonished us all by holding up an extraordinary shapeless garment of black cloth, covered from top to bottom with hundreds of frills and pleats and tucks.
‘Well, what do you think of it?’ Mother asked.
We stared at the odd garment and wondered what it was for.
‘What is it?’ asked Larry at length.
‘It’s a bathing-costume, of course,’ said Mother. “What on earth did you think it was?’ ‘It looks to me like a badly-skinned whale,’ said Larry, peering at it closely.
You can’t possibly wear that, Mother,’ said Margo, horrified, Shy, it looks as though it was made in nineteen-twenty.’
‘What are all those frills and things for?’ asked Larry with interest.
‘Decoration, of course,’ said Mother indignantly.
‘What a jolly idea! Don’t forget to shake the fish out of them when you come out of the water.’
‘Well, I like it, anyway,’ Mother said firmly, wrapping the monstrosity up again, ‘and I’m going to wear it.’
‘You’ll have to be careful you don’t get waterlogged, with all that cloth around you,’ said Leslie seriously.
‘Mother, it’s awful; you can’t wear it,’ said Margo. ‘Why on earth didn’t you get something more up to date?’
‘ When you get to my age, dear, you can’t go around in a two-piece bathing suit… you don’t have the figure for it.’
‘I’d love to know what sort of figure that was designed for,’ remarked Larry.
‘You really are hopeless, Mother,’ said Margo despairingly.
‘But I like it… and I’m not asking you to wear it,’ Mother pointed out angrily.
‘That’s right, you do what you want to do,’ agreed Larry; ‘don’t be put off. It’ll probably suit you very well if you can grow another three or four legs to go with it.’
Mother snorted indignantly and swept upstairs to try on her costume. Presently she called to us to come and see the effect, and we all trooped up to the bedroom. Roger the dog, was the first to enter, and on being greeted by this strange apparition clad in its voluminous black costume rippling with frills, he retreated hurriedly through the door, backward, barking ferociously. It was some time before we could persuade him that it really was Mother, and even then he kept giving her vaguely uncertain looks from the corner of his eye. However, in spite of all opposition, Mother stuck to her tent-like bathing- suit, and in the end we gave up.
In order to celebrate her first entry into the sea we decided to have a moonlight picnic down at the bay, and sent an invitation to Theodore, who was the only stranger that Mother would tolerate on such a great occasion. The day for the great immersion arrived, food and wine were prepared, the boat was cleaned out and filled with cushions and everything was ready when Theodore turned up.
One word answers or short phrases will be accepted.
- peering
- ferociously
- immersion
(b) Answer the following questions briefly in your own words.
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(c)
(i) In not more than 60 words describe what happened after mother went upstairs to try on her costume.
(ii) Give a title to your summary in 3 (c) (i). Give a reason to justify your choice.
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|
brusquely |
attuned himself |
|
queer rhythmic frenzy |
wrenching |
|
flush of prosperity |
daze of bewilderment |
|
wide-eyed wonder and eager homage |
|
|
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tremulous deliberation |
|
on terms of a perpetual feud |
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(i) ______________________________
(ii) ______________________________
(iii) _____________________________
(iv) _____________________________
(v) _____________________________
(vi) ____________________________
(vii) ___________________________
(viii) ___________________________
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| Jo | Laurie | Grandpa |
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A Bio - Poem is an essay about oneself in the form of poetry.
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Line 6: Who needs (three things)
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|
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Fill in the form given below.
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| Shopkeeper | Sure. Which colour? |
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| Rathi | Give me the ______rupee pen. |
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| Rathi | ______. |
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| Rathi | ______ |
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 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
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| A | B | ||
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| complex | antique | determined | |
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| plough | hammer | ||
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That special human quality does the poem 'Nine Gold Medals' celebrate?
