The Beggar

 

1.                        Has Lushkoff become a beggar by circumstance or by choice?

Lushkoff became a beggar by circumstance, not choice. Alcoholism ruined his singing career and left him too weak for labour, forcing him into begging for survival.

1.                        What reasons does he give to Sergei for his telling lies?

Lushkoff explains to Sergei that he tells lies because honest stories about his life—a failed singer ruined by alcoholism—fail to evoke pity, so he fabricates tales like calling himself a schoolteacher or a student to get alms.

1.                        Is Lushkoff a willing worker? Why, then, does he agree to chop wood for Sergei?

No, Lushkoff is not a willing worker.

Alcoholism had sapped his strength, leaving him physically unfit for labour.

He agrees to chop wood simply from pride and shame and beacause he had been trapped by his own words.

1.                        Sergei says, “I am happy that my words have taken effect.” Why does he say so? Is he right in saying this?

Sergei says this because he believes his scolding and advice made Lushkoff give up begging and change his life.

He is not completely right. The real reason for Lushkoff’s change was Olga’s kindness and sympathy, which touched his heart and reformed him.

1.                        Lushkoff is earning thirty-five roubles a month. How is he obliged to Sergei for this?

Lushkoff is obliged to Sergei because Sergei gave him his first honest work opportunity (chopping wood), which restored his self-respect and led to a copying job with Sergei's friend, enabling Lushkoff to become a well-paid notary earning 35 roubles monthly.

1.                        During their conversation Lushkoff reveals that Sergei’s cook, Olga, is responsible for the positive change in him. How has Olga saved Lushkoff?

Olga saved Lushkoff by secretly chopping the wood for him, knowing his alcoholism had left him too weak for the task.

While scolding him harshly to awaken his conscience, her tears, pity, and selfless acts restored his self-respect, inspiring him to quit drinking and embrace an honest life.

Subject-Verb Concord(Agreement)

 

Subject-Verb Concord: 

I. The Basic Foundations

1. The Number Rule: Singular subjects take singular verbs; plural subjects take plural verbs.

   • The boy runs. / The boys run.

2. The "And" Rule: Two nouns joined by and usually take a plural verb.

   • Economics and History are interesting subjects.

3. The Compound Unit Exception: If two nouns joined by and suggest one idea or a single person, use a singular verb.

   • Bread and butter is a wholesome food.

   • Slow and steady wins the race.

4. The Article Test: If "The" is used before only the first noun, it’s one person (singular). If "The" is used before both, they are two people (plural).

   • The Secretary and Treasurer has resigned. (One person)

   • The Secretary and the Treasurer have resigned. (Two people)

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II. Tricky Connectives (The "First Subject" Rule)

5. Intervening Phrases: Words like as well as, along with, together with, besides, and accompanied by do not change the number of the subject. Agree with the first noun.

   • The teacher, along with the students, is going on a trip.

6. The Proximity Rule (Or/Nor): When subjects are joined by or or nor, the verb agrees with the nearest subject.

   • Neither you nor he is responsible.

   • Neither he nor you are responsible.

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III. Indefinite Pronouns & Quantifiers

7. The "Each/Every" Rule: Each, every, everyone, someone, nobody are always singular.

   • Each of the candidates was interviewed.

8. "A Number" vs. "The Number": * “A number of” means many (Plural).

   • “The number of” refers to a specific total (Singular).

   • A number of students were late. / The number of latecomers is small.

9. The Fraction/Percentage Rule: The verb depends on what comes after "of."

   • Half of the cake is gone. / Half of the cakes are gone.

10. "Many a": This formal structure always takes a singular verb.

    • Many a flower is born to blush unseen.

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IV. Specialized Nouns

11. Academic Subjects: Nouns like Economics, Physics, and Mathematics are singular.

    • Mathematics is essential for science.

12. Collective Nouns: Singular if the group acts together; plural if they disagree.

    • The committee has issued its report.

    • The committee were divided in their opinions.

13. The "Pair" Rule: Nouns like scissors, spectacles, and trousers are plural unless you use "a pair of."

    • His spectacles are broken. / This pair of spectacles is new.

14. Measurement Units: Money, time, and distance are treated as a single unit.

    • Ten kilometers is a long walk.

    • Five hundred rupees is too much for this pen.

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V. Advanced Structures

15. Inverted Sentences: In sentences starting with there or here, the subject follows the verb.

    • There is a book. / There are books.

16. Relative Pronouns: The verb agrees with the word immediately before who/which/that.

    • It is I who am to blame.

    • He is one of the men who do not smoke.

17. Subjunctive (The "Were" Rule): For wishes or imaginary conditions, always use were.

    • If I were the Prime Minister, I would change the law.

18. Uncountable Nouns: Furniture, news, information, luggage, and scenery are always singular.

    • The furniture is old. / The news is shocking.

19. Titles: Names of books or countries are singular.

    • Gulliver’s Travels is a great satire.

20. "None of": While often singular in formal tests, it can be plural in modern usage depending on the noun after "of."

    • None of the work is done. / None of the students have finished.

If I were you

 I. Answer these questions. 

 1. “At last a sympathetic audience.”

 i. Who says this? 

 Gerrard says this line.

ii. Why does he say it? 

 He says it when the Intruder asks him to talk about himself. Gerrard is currently being held at gunpoint, and by pretending that the Intruder is a "sympathetic listener," he starts to spin a made-up story about his past to distract the criminal and gain the upper hand.

iii. Is he sarcastic or serious? 

 He is being sarcastic. Gerrard is a playwright and a man of wit; he knows the Intruder isn't actually "sympathetic" (since the man intends to kill him), but he uses humour and irony to stay calm and keep the Intruder off-balance. 

2. Why does the intruder choose Gerrard as the man whose identity he wants to take on? 

 The Intruder chooses Gerrard because they are physically similar in build, making it easy to impersonate him. Additionally, Gerrard is a seclusive mystery man who lives in a lonely cottage and rarely meets people, which would allow the Intruder to live undetected by the police.

3. “I said it with bullets.”

 i. Who says this? 

 Gerrard says this to the Intruder. 

ii. What does it mean?

 It means that he settled a dispute or responded to a situation by using a gun (firing bullets) rather than just using words. He is implying that he committed a violent crime or murder.

iii. Is it the truth? What is the speaker’s reason for saying this? 

 No, it is not the truth. Gerrard is a playwright, not a criminal. He tells this lie to convince the Intruder that he is also a dangerous man on the run from the police. By doing this, he makes the Intruder believe that killing Gerrard and stealing his identity would be useless, as the police are already hunting "Gerrard" anyway.

4. What is Gerrard’s profession? Quote the parts of the play that support your answer. 

 Gerrard is a playwright. The following quotes support this: His response to the Intruder: "I can’t let you have the props in time for rehearsal... I’m putting it in my next play." The items in his bag: "It’s a disguise outfit; false moustaches and what-not." His dramatic dialogue: "This is your big scene," and "In most melodramas the villain is foolish enough to delay his killing..."

5. “You’ll soon stop being smart.” 

 i. Who says this? 

 The Intruder says this to Gerrard.

ii. Why does the speaker say it?

 He says it because he is annoyed by Gerrard’s calm, witty, and carefree attitude. Gerrard does not seem afraid of the gun, and the Intruder wants to intimidate him and show him who is in control.

iii.What according to the speaker will stop Gerrard from being smart? 

 According to the Intruder, Gerrard will stop being smart once he realizes that the Intruder actually intends to kill him. He believes that the fear of death will make Gerrard lose his wit and start "crawling" for his life. 

6. “They can’t hang me twice.”

 i. Who says this? 

 The Intruder says this.

ii. Why does the speaker say it? 

 He says it because he has already committed a murder (killing a policeman). He explains that since the punishment for murder is death, he has nothing to lose by killing Gerrard; the law cannot execute him twice for two different murders.

7. “A mystery I propose to explain.” What is the mystery the speaker proposes to explain? 

 The "mystery" he proposes to explain is his own fake criminal identity and why he lives such a secretive life. To save himself, Gerrard invents a story claiming that he is also a criminal and a murderer. He explains that the "mystery" of his sudden disappearances and his habit of only using the phone to deal with people is because he is hiding from the police. He tells the Intruder that if he takes on Gerrard's identity, he will still be arrested because the police are already hunting "Gerrard" for a crime he supposedly committed.

8. “This is your big surprise.”

 i. Where has this been said in the play? 

 First Instance: The Intruder says this to Gerrard shortly after breaking into his cottage. At this point, the Intruder is in control and is threatening Gerrard with a revolver. 

 Second Instance: Gerrard says this to the Intruder toward the end of the play. He mimics the Intruder’s earlier words to lead into his fabricated story about being a criminal himself.

ii. What is the surprise? 

 The Intruder’s Surprise: His surprise is his plan to murder Gerrard and take on his identity. He intends to live as "Vincent Charles Gerrard" to escape the police, as he believes they cannot hang him twice for two different murders. Gerrard’s Surprise: His surprise is a clever lie. He tells the Intruder that he is also a murderer on the run and is expecting a "trouble shooter" (the police) to arrive at any moment. He shows the Intruder his "disguise kit" (false moustaches and props) as proof. This "surprise" is a trap designed to trick the Intruder into the cupboard.

A Slumber did my spirit seal

 1. “A slumber did my spirit seal”, says the poet. That is, a deep sleep ‘closed off’ his soul (or mind). How does the poet react to his loved one’s death? Does he feel deep sense of grief? Or does he feel a great peace? 

 In "A Slumber Did My Spirit Seal," the poet’s reaction to his loved one’s death is characterized by a profound sense of numbness and shock rather than an outburst of typical grief. Initially, he describes his spirit as being "sealed" by a slumber, suggesting that he was in a state of deep denial or a trance-like state where he was blind to the reality of mortality. This "slumber" acted as a protective layer that kept him away from "human fears." However, as the poem progresses, his reaction shifts toward a great, solemn peace. Instead of mourning her loss with traditional sorrow, he finds a philosophical consolation in the fact that she has become an immortal part of the universe. By imagining her rolled round in "earth’s diurnal course" along with "rocks, and stones, and trees," he accepts that while she is lost as a human being, she has achieved a permanent, peaceful existence within the eternal cycle of nature.

2. The passing of time will no longer affect her, says the poet. Which lines of the poem say this? 

 “She seemed a thing that could not feel 

 the touch of earthly years”.

3. How does the poet imagine her to be, after death? Does he think of her as a person living in a very happy state (a ‘heaven’)? Or does he see her now as a part of nature? In which lines of the poem do you find your answer? 

 The poet imagines her not as living in a happy “heaven” but as having become a part of nature itself. This is clear in the final lines: "Rolled round in earth’s diurnal course, With rocks, and stones, and trees." Here, she is merged with the earth, moving daily with the planet’s rotation, no longer an individual but united with non-living natural elements—rocks, stones, and trees. Thus, the poet envisions her after death as beyond human joy or sorrow, simply existing in the eternal cycle of nature.

Kathmandu

Answer these questions in one or two words or in short phrases. 

 1. Name the two temples the author visited in Kathmandu.

 Pashupatinath and Baudhnath Stupa. 

 2. The writer says, “All this I wash down with Coca Cola.” What does ‘all this’ refer to? 

 Corn-on-the-cob and marzipan. 

 3. What does Vikram Seth compare to the quills of a porcupine? 

 The flutes tied on the top of the flute seller’s pole. 

 4. Name five kinds of flutes. 

 The reed neh, the recorder, the Japanese shakuhachi, the deep bansuri, the breathy flutes of South America, the high pitched Chinese f lutes. 

Answer each question in a short paragraph. 

 1. What difference does the author note between the flute seller and the other hawkers? 

 The author notes that, unlike the other hawkers who loudly shout to attract customers, the flute seller remains calm and quiet, simply playing his flute slowly and thoughtfully without any noisy display. 

 2. What is the belief at Pashupatinath about the end of Kaliyug? 

 At Pashupatinath, people believe that there is a small shrine in the Bagmati river which is only partly visible, and when this shrine emerges fully, the goddess inside it will escape and the evil period of Kaliyug on earth will come to an end.

3. The author has drawn powerful images and pictures. Pick out three examples each of 

 i. the atmosphere of ‘febrile confusion’ outside the temple of Pashupatinath (for example: some people trying to get the priest’s attention are elbowed aside…)

ii. the things he sees

iii. the sounds he hears

i. Priests, hawkers, devotees, tourists, cows, monkeys, pigeons and dogs all roam about the temple grounds, creating a crowded, restless scene. Some worshippers trying to catch the priest’s attention are elbowed aside by others pushing their way to the front. A party of saffron-clad Westerners struggles for permission to enter the temple through the main gate, adding to the sense of tension and disorder.

ii. The immense white dome of the Baudhnath Stupa ringed by a road with small shops selling felt bags, Tibetan prints and silver jewellery. Fruit sellers, flute sellers, postcard hawkers and shops selling cosmetics, f ilm rolls, chocolates, copper utensils and Nepalese antiques on the crowded streets of Kathmandu. A flute seller holding a long pole with about fifty or sixty flutes of different kinds stuck into it like the branches of a tree.

iii. Film songs blaring from the radios in the shops. The honking of car horns and the continuous ringing of bicycle bells in the busy streets. Vendors shouting out their wares, along with the soft, continuous music of the f lute seller’s many flutes.

Answer the following questions in not more than 100-150 words each. 

1. Compare and contrast the atmosphere in and around the Baudhnath shrine with the Pashupatinath temple.

 In and around the Pashupatinath temple, the atmosphere is chaotic and restless, marked by what the author calls “febrile confusion.” Crowds of priests, hawkers, devotees, tourists, and even animals push and jostle, creating noise, disorder and constant movement. People elbow one another to get closer to the priest, monkeys fight, and funeral pyres burn on the Bagmati’s banks, adding to the disturbing bustle. In contrast, the Baudhnath shrine has a calm, spiritual and still atmosphere. The huge white dome stands in serene silence, with only a few people moving quietly around it, and small Tibetan shops lining the outer circle without breaking the sense of peace. The author experiences Baudhnath as a “haven of quietness” amid Kathmandu’s busy streets.

2. How does the author describe Kathmandu’s busiest streets? 

 The author describes Kathmandu’s busiest streets as narrow, crowded and full of life, calling them “vivid, mercenary and religious.” They are lined with small shrines and flower decked deities, and packed with fruit sellers, f lute sellers, postcard hawkers and shops selling chocolates, film rolls, Western cosmetics, copper utensils and Nepalese antiques. Film songs blare from radios, car horns honk, bicycle bells ring and vendors shout out their wares, while stray cows bellow at the sound of motorcycles, creating a deafening confusion of sounds.

3. “To hear any flute is to be drawn into the commonality of all mankind.” Why does the author say this? 

 The author says this because the flute is a universal instrument that exists in almost every culture, though in different forms and names. Whether it is the Indian bansuri, the Japanese shakuhachi or the Western flute, all are simple hollow pipes that produce music through human breath, just like the human voice. This shared principle makes their music feel natural and intimate. The sound of any flute expresses basic human emotions such as sorrow, longing, peace and joy, which are common to all people irrespective of country, religion or language. By listening to a flute, one is reminded that human experiences and feelings are fundamentally the same everywhere, and this draws us into a sense of kinship with the whole of mankind.

On Killing a Tree

11.  Can a “simple jab of the knife” kill a tree? Why not?

No, a "simple jab of the knife" cannot kill a tree. It only wounds the outer bark, which quickly heals itself as the tree's sap rises, allowing it to recover. The true source of the tree's life and strength—its roots—remains undamaged and anchored in the earth. 

12.  How has the tree grown to its full size? List the words suggestive of its life and activity.

The tree has grown to its full size over a long time by consuming the earth—drawing nourishment from the soil and absorbing years of sunlight, air, and water. Words suggestive of its life and activity include: 'grown slowly,' 'consuming the earth,' 'rising out of it,' 'feeding upon its crust,' 'sprouting leaves,' and evidence of its vitality like 'bleeding bark' and the ability to 'heal' and 'expand again to former size.' This highlights its deep connection to the environment and its tenacious capacity for survival.

13.    What is the meaning of “bleeding bark”? What makes it bleed?

"Bleeding bark" is a metaphor used to describe the tree's sap or life fluid flowing out of the wounded areas. It is made to "bleed" when the tree is hacked and chopped by human effort, severing the tissues beneath the bark and causing the sap to ooze out as a form of suffering and a natural attempt to heal the injury.

24.  The poet says “No” in the beginning of the third stanza. What does he mean by this?

The poet says "No" to assert that merely hacking and chopping the tree is insufficient to kill it. He means that despite causing significant wounds to the trunk, the tree's powerful roots remain intact in the earth, guaranteeing its rapid recovery and eventual return to its full size.

15. What is the meaning of “anchoring earth” and “earth cave”?

Both "anchoring earth" and "earth cave" are metaphors. The "anchoring earth" is the soil that holds the tree's roots securely in place, providing the essential stability and nourishment that sustain its life. The "earth cave" is the deep hole or hollow in the ground where the tree's powerful roots have been safely lodged and hidden for years, emphasizing the depth of its connection and the protective sanctuary the earth provides.

26. What does he mean by “the strength of the tree exposed”?

By "the strength of the tree exposed," the poet means that the true source of the tree's life and resilience—its white, wet, and sensitive roots—are finally revealed after being pulled out of the earth. The roots, which were previously hidden, protected, and responsible for anchoring and nourishing the tree, represent its strength, and by exposing them, the process of killing the tree is completed.

37. What finally kills the tree?

What finally kills the tree is the complete act of uprooting it, wrenching the sensitive roots entirely out of the secure "anchoring earth." Once exposed, the roots—the true source of its life and strength—are then left to suffer scorching, choking, browning, and withering by the harsh sunlight and air, which permanently separates the tree from its life-support system.

Reach For the Top - Santosh Yadav

 

Thinking about the Text
(Page 102)

I.           Answer these questions in one or two sentences each. (The paragraph numbers within brackets provide clues to the answers.)

1.Why was the ‘holy man’ who gave Santosh’s mother his blessings surprised? (1)

The 'holy man' who gave Santosh's mother his blessings was surprised because she did not ask for a son, which was the traditional and expected blessing in their village. Instead, Santosh's grandmother intervened and requested a blessing for a daughter for Santosh's mother.

1.Give an example to show that even as a young girl Santosh was not ready to accept anything unreasonable. (2)

Santosh Yadav was a non-conformist from a young age, refusing to accept anything she deemed unreasonable. The most telling early example was her refusal to wear traditional Indian dresses, choosing instead to wear shorts in a society where girls were strictly expected to adhere to conventional attire.

2.Why was Santosh sent to the local school? (3)

Santosh Yadav was sent to the local village school because it was the prevailing custom in her family and the local society.

3.When did she leave home for Delhi, and why? (4)

Santosh Yadav left home for Delhi when she turned sixteen.

She left because she was facing immense pressure from her parents to get married, in line with the prevailing custom of her village. Santosh, however, was determined to get a proper education before marriage.

4.Why did Santosh’s parents agree to pay for her schooling in Delhi? What mental qualities of Santosh are brought into light by this incident? (4)

Santosh's parents initially refused to pay for her education in Delhi, but they finally agreed after she firmly and politely informed them of her plan to work part-time to earn the school fees herself. This incident highlights Santosh's strong will and determination, showing her unwavering focus on achieving her goal of a proper education.

II.           Answer each of these questions in a short paragraph (about 30 words).

1.How did Santosh begin to climb mountains?

Santosh's interest in climbing mountains started when she was staying at the Kasturba Hostel in Jaipur for her college education. Her room overlooked the Aravalli Hills, and she would often see local villagers ascending the hill and disappearing. Driven by curiosity, she went to investigate one day and found the mountaineers. She approached them and asked if she could join, and they not only gave her a positive and encouraging reply but also motivated her to take up climbing professionally. This initial encounter inspired her to save money and enrol herself at the Nehru Institute of Mountaineering in Uttarkashi.

2.What incidents during the Everest expedition show Santosh’s concern for her team-mates?

Santosh Yadav's deep concern for her teammates during the Everest expedition was evident in two significant incidents. Firstly, she demonstrated exceptional selflessness by sharing her oxygen with a severely ill fellow climber, Mohan Singh, which ultimately saved his life. Secondly, she made immense efforts to provide special care to another dying climber at the South Col, although sadly, she was unsuccessful in saving him. These actions underscore her compassionate nature and strong team spirit, showing that she prioritised the well-being and safety of her climbing partners over her own needs.

3.What shows her concern for the environment?

Santosh Yadav demonstrated her commitment to the environment after successfully conquering Mount Everest by carrying down 500 kilograms of garbage from the Himalayas. This significant effort to clean up the mountain, a part of her expedition's environmental initiative, clearly shows her deep concern for environmental conservation and her sense of responsibility toward protecting the pristine and fragile Himalayan ecosystem.

4.How does she describe her feelings at the summit of the Everest?

Santosh described her feelings at the summit of Mount Everest as "indescribable," noting that it took some time for the enormity of the moment to truly "sink in." Her most powerful feeling was one of intense patriotism and pride as she held the Indian tricolour aloft on the "roof of the world." She also experienced a spiritual moment of profound ecstasy, affirming that the overwhelming sense of achievement, pride, and spiritual bliss was beyond words.

5.Santosh Yadav got into the record books both times she scaled Mt. Everest. What were the reasons for this?

Santosh Yadav secured her place in the record books on two separate occasions when scaling Mount Everest. The first time, in 1992, she became the youngest woman in the world to reach the summit. Her second, even more remarkable feat came in 1993, when she climbed the peak again as part of an Indo-Nepalese Women's Expedition, making her the only woman in the world to have scaled Mount Everest twice.