Advertisements
Advertisements
Question
The list of articles lost in trains suggest that sportsmen have worse memories than their ordinary serious-minded fellows. Why does Lynd say this?
Advertisements
Solution
A considerable number of footballs and cricket bats were forgotten by young sportsmen. Serious-minded ordinary citizens forget less. The author Lynd infers that the sportsmen’s forgetfulness is justified as their minds are full of the vision of the playing field. Their heads are in the stars and among the clouds. Keeping their hearts in boots, young sportsmen rush home to talk about their exploits and are naturally more absent-minded than serious-minded ordinary folks.
APPEARS IN
RELATED QUESTIONS
In India, the number of women pursuing careers in sports is considerably less, when compared to men. What do you think are the reasons? Discuss with a partner and share the ideas with the class.
How forgetful are you?
Have you ever lost or misplaced anything of value due to forgetfulness?
At times, instances of forgetfulness may land us in a tight spot or in a difficult situation. Therefore, we need to find ways to remember what we have to do or carry with us. One suchway is to make a mental checklist that we can verify before starting any activity.
Now discuss with your partner and think of some practical ideas to overcome forgetfulness, in your day-to-day activities.
| e.g. setting an alarm | |
Discuss and share your views with the class on the following.
Is forgetfulness a result of carelessness or preoccupation?
What does Lynd actually wonder at?
How do psychologists interpret forgetfulness?
What does the author mean when he says the letter in his pocket leads an unadventurous life?
When does human memory work with less than its usual capacity?
Why, according to Lynd, should taking medicines be one of the easiest actions to remember?
Kahlil Gibran states ‘Forgetfulness is a form of freedom.’ Write an article for your school magazine, linking your ideas logically and giving appropriate examples.
Many of us have unused, old but valuable items at home. If we wish to get rid of them, we can sell them at an auction. Items like paintings, jewels, household articles, vehicles, even houses can be auctioned.
The flowchart below will help you understand how an auction is conducted.

Why was the author sure he would not be caught?
What did the falling of the hammer indicate?
What is the difference between a physical and mental tight corner?
What was the bidder’s offer to the narrator?
Form a meaningful summary of the lesson by rewriting the numbers in the correct sequence:
| a) The narrator had only 63 pounds with him and did not know how to manage the situation. | |
| b) The narrator thought of all his relations from whom he could borrow. | |
| c) Unfortunately he had made the highest bid. | |
| d) The narrator entered Christie’s as his friend persuaded him to visit the saleroom. | |
| e) Every time someone else made a higher bid and the narrator was not caught. | |
| f) The narrator on a sudden impulse added 50 more guineas, to the amount offered. | |
| g) His friend joined him then but left immediately unable to control his laughter. | |
| h) He even thought of borrowing from moneylenders and considered the possibility of confessing the truth to the staff at Christie’s. | |
| i) The picture was declared sold to the narrator. | |
| j) After some time a picture was put up and a bid for 4000 guineas was raised. | |
| k) A sudden stroke of luck befell the narrator when he heard that the gent who had made the bid of 4000 guineas would offer him the additional 50 guineas and buy the picture. | |
| l) The narrator kept bidding just for fun. | |
| m) The picture was given away to the other bidder and the narrator was saved from humiliation. | |
| n) His friend had left the place roaring with laughter at the narrator’s predicament. | |
| o) The narrator was quite happy at the offer but demanded 100 guineas instead of the 50. Now there was no need for him to make any payment. |
Trace the thoughts that went on in the mind of the narrator when picture after picture was put up and sold at the auction.
As the narrator, make a diary entry about the tight corner you faced at Christie’s and how you were saved from the dire situation.
Who does the speaker claim to represent?
In what ways have universities improved the society?
Students are instilled with some of the essential values and skills while at the universities. Enumerate them.
Common men contribute to the maintenance of institutions of higher education. Explain this statement.
How does the speaker highlight the importance of giving back to the society?
Describe the fluttery cascade of things tumbling from the bag.
What was the reaction of Bryson’s wife to his antics?
Bring out the pun in the title ‘The Accidental Tourist’ (one who happens to travel by accident or one who meets with accidents often on his or her trips!).
Can a clumsy person train himself/ herself to overcome shortcomings? How could this be done?
