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)

---

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.

---

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.

---

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.

---

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.