Advertisements
Advertisements
Question
What made the friend laugh heartily?
Advertisements
Solution
The author’s friend realized that he had got into a pickle and there was no possible escape. Looking. at the crisis from outside made him laugh heartily.
APPEARS IN
RELATED QUESTIONS
How do psychologists interpret forgetfulness?
What does the author mean when he says the letter in his pocket leads an unadventurous life?
The list of articles lost in trains suggest that sportsmen have worse memories than their ordinary serious-minded fellows. Why does Lynd say this?
What kind of absent-mindedness is regarded as a virtue by Lynd?
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.

What can you say about the author’s attitude when he high-handedly participated in the auction?
What came as a shock to the author?
How does the narrator describe the man who approached him?
“And I got it.” Here ‘it’ refers to the ______.
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?
How did the narrator take advantage of the situation?
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. |
Who provides these common facilities? Tick the appropriate source.
- Parents
- Educational institutions
- The Department of Education
- Social Service Organizations
- Other agencies
Discuss this aspect with your partner and share your views on how students can give back to society.
In what ways have universities improved the society?
How can a graduate give back to his/her society?
Often on formal occasions, we admire friends and strangers who appear elegant, who are pleasant to converse with, and who conduct themselves gracefully. At times, we also see people who are awkward, nervous, and doubtful about their next move. Recall a few examples of awkward actions that can cause discomfort or disturbance to others like spilling a cup of a hot drink on someone nearby.
Give a few instances of Bryson’s confused acts.
What were the contents of Bryson’s bag?
Why did the author’s concern over tobacco shift to his finger?
How would staying away from liquid mischief benefit Bryson?
Why doesn’t Bryson seem to be able to do easily what others seem to? Give a few reasons.
What was the reaction of Bryson’s wife to his antics?
Briefly describe the ‘accidents’ encountered on the flight by Bryson.
‘… But, when it’s my own - well, I think hysterics are fully justified’ – How?
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.
