Advertisements
Advertisements
Question
Narrate the circumstances that led to the narrator getting into a tight corner, by his own folly
Advertisements
Solution
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. ”
APPEARS IN
RELATED QUESTIONS
Nuclear Family or Joint Family
Based on the visuals given above, give five words/phrases each, to describe these two family types.
| Nuclear family | Joint family | ||
How sharp is your memory?
Take this five-minute memory test. The teacher will read out a series of 30 words, one by one. Some of them will be repeated. Whenever you hear a word for the first time, write ‘N’ (for New) in the corresponding box, and when you hear a repeated word write ‘R’. After completing this task, check your results. Compare it with your friends and see where you stand.
| 1 | N | 11 | 21 | ||
| 2 | 12 | 22 | |||
| 3 | 13 | 23 | |||
| 4 | 14 | 24 | |||
| 5 | 15 | 25 | |||
| 6 | 16 | 26 | |||
| 7 | 17 | 27 | |||
| 8 | 18 | 28 | |||
| 9 | 19 | 29 | |||
| 10 | 20 | 30 |
Name a few things that a person remembers easily.
What are the articles the writer forgets most often?
Who are the citizens of ‘dreamland’? Why?
The list of articles lost in trains suggest that sportsmen have worse memories than their ordinary serious-minded fellows. Why does Lynd say this?
We found a ______of biscuits in the old man’s shirt ______. (pocket/packet)
How does the narrator describe the man who approached him?
How does the Narrator show the presence of mind in the sudden turn of events?
‘Tight Corner’ means a ______.
What was the narrator’s financial condition?
What could have been the best way for the narrator, to get himself out of the tight corner?
Work in pairs. Look at the mind map below and add a few other features of democracy you can think of. Share your answers with the class.
- e.g. sharing and caring
Why are universities necessary for a society?
In what ways have universities improved the society?
How can a graduate give back to his/her society?
‘Wisdom was meant for the mansion, not for the marketplace’ -What does this statement signify?
Students are instilled with some of the essential values and skills while at the universities. Enumerate them.
How do Universities mould students apart from imparting academic education to them?
Give a few instances of Bryson’s confused acts.
What were the contents of Bryson’s bag?
How would staying away from liquid mischief benefit Bryson?
How would staying away from liquid mischief benefit Bryson?
Can a clumsy person train himself/ herself to overcome shortcomings? How could this be done?
As a fellow passenger of Bill Bryson on the flight, make a diary entry describing his clumsy behaviour during the trip and the inconveniences caused to others as a result of his nervousness.
