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STD X LITERATURE POETRY THE MIRROR (Q.) When the poet says that the mirror has no preconceptions it means: i. It reflects your image objectively. ii. It gives a biased view of the person. iii. It is emotionally involved with the person whose image it reflects. (Ans) It reflects your image objectively. (Q.) What is the woman bending over? (Ans) The woman is bending over the lake. (Q.) Why does the woman bend over? (Ans) The woman bends over to see her reflection. (Q.) Is she satisfied with what she observes? Give reasons for your answers. (Ans) No, she is not satisfied with what she observes. In fact she is very upset and begins to cry. (Q.) Why has the mirror been described as being unmisted? What is that the poet is trying to convey about the nature of the mirror? (Ans) The mirror has been described as being unmisted as it is unbiased and has complete clarity. It gives the person a true reflection of their appearance. The poet means to say that the Mirror is a keen observer and is not affected by the whims of the people. (Q.) How does the Mirror swallow? What is the poetic device used here? (Ans) The Mirror has the keen power of assimilating or absorbing everything it sees. The poetic device used here is personification. It is compared to a person who swallows everything. Therefore it is also a metaphor. (Q.) Find out words from the poem used to describe the mirror. (Ans) The words used to describe the Mirror are: Exact, silver, unmisted, truthful, four cornered, not cruel etc. (Q.) There are number of examples of personification in this poem. Find and enlist them. (Ans) I am silver and exact. I have no preconceptions. Whatever I see I swallow immediately. I am not cruel, only truthful. (Q.) The mirror says, I am not cruel, only truthful. How? (Ans) The mirror reflects everything as it is. It gives the person a true reflection of his/her appearance. Some people cannot accept the reality. So the mirror says that he is not cruel but he just reflects the truth. (Q.) Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow. I am important to her. She comes and goes. Each morning it is her face that replaces the darkness. In me she has drowned a young girl, and in me an old woman Rises toward her day after day, like a terrible fish. (a) Why does the poet refer to the woman as a terrible fish? (b) Why has the young girl drowned? (c) Identify the figure of speech used in the extract. (Ans) (a) The woman has grown old and has lost her beauty. She behaves like a fish out of water feeling

terrible. (b) The young girl has drowned because she has lost her youth and beauty and is now an old woman. (c) The figure of speech used in the above extract is simile in the line Rises toward her day after day, like a terrible fish. (Q.) Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow. Now I am a lake. A woman bends over me, Searching my reaches for what she really is. Then she turns to those liars, the candles or the moon. I see her back, and reflect it faithfully. She rewards me with tears and an agitation of hands. (a) Name the poem and the poet. (b) Why are the candles and moon called liars? (c) What does the phrase the agitation of hands signify? (Ans) (a) The poem is Mirror written by Sylvia Plath. (b) The candles and the moon are called liars as they do not reflect a true image. (c) The agitation of hands signifies that the woman is very worried about her lost youth and feels helpless. (Q.) Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow. The eye of a little god, four-cornered. Most of the time I meditate on the opposite wall. It is pink, with speckles. (a) Whom does I refer to? (b) Why is I referred to as a four-cornered god? (c) Name the poem and the poet. (Ans) (a) I refers to the mirror. (b) The mirror like God watches everyone objectively and impartially from all the four angles. (c) The poem is Mirror written by Sylvia Plath. (Q.) Describe the qualities which the mirror possesses? (Ans) The mirror has no preconceived ideas as it faithfully reflects the exact image of what it sees. It does not pass any judgment. It is objective and impartial and does not show any emotion. The mirror is not emotionally involved with the person whose image it reflects. It also has the power to absorb what it sees. The mirror like God watches everyone objectively and impartially from all the four angles. Some people may think that the mirror is cruel because it reflects their true self but it is not cruel only truthful. So the qualities of the mirror can be summarised in these words namely: truthful, honest, exact and impartial. (Q.) Imagine that you are the woman who is disturbed by your reflection in the mirror. Make a diary entry and express your feelings. (Ans) Wednesday, February 23 6:30 p.m. Dear Diary A truth dawned on me when I stood in front of the mirror to admire my beauty that I was no longer a young and beautiful girl. I was very upset about gradually losing my beauty. I saw the signs of advancing age on my face in the mirror. Observing the wrinkles on my face in the mirror, pained my heart. I turned towards the candles and the moon to see myself. As they give a faint light, they did not reflect my true self. I am not able to accept the truth that my beauty is diminishing. I am no more a beautiful young girl. I have turned into an old woman. Although I know that I am heading towards old age, yet I go again and again to the mirror to rediscover the young girl that had drowned in the mirror.

(Q.) Comment on the use of personification in the poem Mirror. (Ans) In the poem Mirror, Sylvia Plath has personified the mirror. The poem is in the form of a monologue. The mirror is the speaker in the poem. The mirror says that it has no preconceived notions and reflects truthfully what it sees. The mirror calls itself unmisted as it is unaffected by emotions. The mirror says that it spends its time by meditating, on the opposite wall which is pink and filled with speckles. It has grown very close to its heart because of its long association with it. The mirror says, I have looked as it is so long. So it can be said that the poetess has made use of the personification effectively in the poem.

LITERATURE FICTIONTWO GENTLEMEN OF VERONA (Q.1) Read the extracts given below and answer the questions that follow. Write each answer in your answer sheet in one or two sentences only. Well, I said, were leaving on Monday. Is there anything I can do for you before we go? Nicola shook his head, but suddenly Jacopo said, Sir, he burst out, every Sunday we make a visit to the country, to Poleta, 30 kilometres from here. Usually we hire bicycles. But tomorrow, since you are so kind, you might send us in your car. (a) Who is I in the first sentence? (b) Why did they go to Poleta every Sunday? (c) From the above lines, what difference do you find in the nature of two brothers? (Ans) (a) I in the first sentence is the narrator of the story. (b) They went to Poleta every Sunday to meet their ailing sister and pay for her treatment. (c) Nicola is more serious and mature as compared to his age, whereas Jacopo is still childish and doesnt mind availing the opportunity of taking help from the narrator. (Q.2) Ah, yes. Her face lit up; she opened the door to admit me. Nicola and Jacopo. I will take you up. She led me through a cool, tiled vestibule into the hospital --- for hospital the villa had become. At the door of a little cubicle the nurse paused, put her finger to her lips, and with a smile bade me look through the glass partition. The two boys were seated at the bedside of a girl of about twenty, who propped up on pillows, wearing a pretty lace jacket, was listening to their chatter, her eyes were soft and tender. (a) Who do She and me in second sentence refer to? (b) Why did the nurse pause at the little cubicle? (c) was listening to their chatter, her eyes soft and tender means that (Ans) (a) She refers to the nurse and me refers to the narrator. (b) She did not want to disturb the affectionate meeting between the two brothers and their sister. (c) she was listening to their continuous and excited talk with love for them in her (Q.3)What had happened to the parents and the house of Nicola and Jacopo? (Ans) Nicola and Jacopo had lost their mother earlier only. Their father, who was an established singer, was killed in the war when Italy was attacked by Germany. Their house was blown off by a bomb, so both these brothers, as well as their sister Lucia, were rendered homeless. (Q.4) Although Nicola and Jacopo are young boys, the narrator refers to them as gentlemen. Why does he do so? (Ans) In order to pay for the medical expenses of their ailing sister, Nicola and Jacopo worked hard; sold fruit and newspaper, polished shoes, etc. They had tremendous patience, self-respect, love and devotion. Family values along with their pride and determination make the narrator call them gentlemen. (Q.5) We do many things, sir, Nicola answered seriously. What were those many things he was referring to?

(Ans) They did different things like selling newspapers, fruits, polishing shoes, delivering messages, showing the tourists around the city, etc. They worked very hard to pay the bills of the hospital so that their sister could lead a normal life again. (Q.6) Imagine that you are the narrator. Write a page in your diary reflecting your thoughts on how you felt after what you saw in the hospital, in about 150 words. (Ans) Day: Date: Time: Dear Diary Today, I took Nicola and Jacopo to Poleta in my car. When we reached the destination, the boys leapt out of the car and just disappeared inside a big villa. Out of curiosity, I also went inside. I was shocked to see the two boys sitting near an ailing girl. I just peeped from outside the room and did not interfere when they were sharing their close moments with each other. A nurse told me about their tragic life. Now, I have understood why the two boys had been working so hard and why they were ready to do any kind of work. I have an immense appreciation for them. Even though they faced terrible miseries, they have not opted for begging. They have pride in themselves and their family. Even while going back in the car, I didnt discuss anything about what I came to know of their family as I felt that the boys would feel more contented and comfortable if they knew that their secret was intact. My respect for them has grown even more now. (Q.7) After her brothers leave, Lucia writes a letter to an old time friend about her past life, present situation and her brothers sacrifice. As Lucia, write a letter to your friend, Annie, in about 150 words. (Ans) Dear Annie You would be shocked to get a letter from me after such a long time. Hope you are fine by the grace of God. Today, I am going to tell you what we have gone through all these years. You know that my mother had died early, but my father, a famous singer, provided us a luxurious life. Later, my father was killed in the war, and our house was blown off by a bomb. The Germans ruled the city for three years. My brothers joined the Resistance Movement to overthrow the Germans. We have led such a miserable life since then. I am suffering from tuberculosis and my two little brothers have got me admitted in the hospital, and are working day and night to earn for my treatment. They are working with complete devotion and taking full care of me. Every Sunday, they come to meet me in the hospital and make all the payments. One day, I hope to recover as a result of their efforts. Do write to me about yourself. Your friend Lucia (Q.8) Imagine that you are Nicola. Write a page in your diary reflecting your thoughts on how you feel about your familys problems. (Ans) Day: Time: Dear Diary Our life has changed drastically after my fathers death. We lost our house also in the bombing done by the Germans. The worst thing that happened was that when Jacopo and I returned after the war got over, we found that our sister, Lucia was suffering from tuberculosis of the spine. This was the biggest blow to us as now we have no one else in the world except our dear sister. We are working as hard as possible to get her treated. It will be the happiest day of our life to see her singing and walking once again. Both Jacopo and I have no regrets at working so hard. Our only wish is to see her fit Date:

again. Oh! I hate wars. How much misery can they bring in the lives of the people for no fault of theirs! We were leading such a comfortable life with our father till this war shattered our life so badly. I really wish no wars ever occur in this world! Nicola (Q.9) Read the extract and answer the following questions by choosing the most appropriate options. Next morning, coming out of our hotel, we saw our friends bent over shoeshine boxes beside the fountain in the public square, doing a brisk business. We watched for a few moments; then as trade slackened we went over. They greeted us with friendly faces. I thought you picked fruit for a living, I said. We do many things, sir, Nicola answered seriously. (i) In the first line, we refers to a) the two brothers. b) the narrator and his friend. c) the narrator and his driver. d) the nurse and Lucia. (ii) The narrator was surprised to see the two brothers doing shoe shining because a) they belonged to rich families. b) he had seen them begging earlier. c) they were too young to do that work. d) he had seen them selling fruits earlier. (iii) The reason why Nicola answered seriously was because a) they were doing many things to earn enough for their sisters recovery. b) of their plan to visit America. c) he didnt like the interference of the narrator. d) they were working to help the poor. (Ans) (i) b) the narrator and his friend. (ii) (d) he had seen them selling fruits earlier. (iii) (a) they were doing many things to earn enough for their sisters recovery. (Q.10) Read the extract and answer the following questions by choosing the most appropriate options. When the war was over, and we had peace at last, they came back to their beloved sister. And they found her ...... suffering from tuberculosis of the spine. She paused, took a quick breath. Did they give up? I do not have to answer that question. They brought her here, persuaded us to take her into the hospital. In the twelve months she has been our patient she has made good progress. There is every hope that one day she will walk - and sing - again. (i) The war referred to here was between a) Germany and Russia. b) Germany and France. c) Germany and Italy. d) Germany and USA. (ii) When the Germans ruled their country, the boys a) joined the Resistance Movement. b) decided to support them. c) lived a life of comfort with their family. d) worked hard day and night.

(iii) In the hospital, the condition of Lucia a) had gone worse. b) had made some recovery. c) had made a considerably good recovery. d) had remained as it was. (Ans) (i) c) Germany and Italy. (ii) a) joined the Resistance Movement. (iii) c) had made a considerably good recovery. (Q.11) Read the extract and answer the following questions by choosing the most appropriate options. (a) But next morning, when I went over to the fountain to have my shoes shined, I said, Nicola, the way you and Jacopo work, you must earn quite a bit. You spend nothing on clothes. You eat little enough --when I see you have a meal its usually black bread and figs. Tell me, what do you do with your money? He coloured deeply under his sunburn, then grew pale. He looked to the ground. You must be saving up to emigrate to America, I suggested. He looked at me sideways, spoke with an effort. We should greatly like to go to the States. But here, at present, we have other plans. What plans? He smiled uncomfortably. Just plans, sir, he answered in a low voice. (i) The narrator is quite surprised as to a) how the two brothers were dressed up so nicely. b) where the two brothers were spending their money. c) why they were looking so tired. d) why they were wasting all the money they earned. (ii) Nicola grew pale because a) what they earned was not enough. b) his brother wasted a lot of his money. c) everyone treated them badly. d) there was some problem which he didnt want to share. (iii) The plan that Nicola is referring to is a) their sisters recovery. b) their visit to America. c) building a new house. d) giving charity to the needy. (Ans) (i) (b)where the two brothers were spending their money. (ii) (d) there was some problem which he didnt want to share. (iii) (a) their sisters recovery. (Q.12) Read the extract and answer the following questions by choosing the most appropriate options. I shook my head and turned away. I felt I could not bear to intrude upon this happy family party. But at the foot of the staircase, I drew up and begged her to tell me all she knew about these boys. She was eager to do so. They were, she explained, quite alone in the world, except for this sister, Lucia. Their father, a widower, a well-known singer, had been killed in the early part of the war. Shortly afterward a bomb had destroyed their home and thrown the three children into the streets. (i) The narrator turned away because a) he was in a hurry to return to Verona. b) he was angry that the boys had kept a secret from them. c) he could not bear to see the sad scene. d) he did not want to disturb the family union.

(ii) The narrator was desperate to know about the background of the boys as a) he suspected the boys to be thieves. b) the scene inside the glass room had created curiosity in him. c) he didnt like the way the boys kept everything secret. d) he wanted to provide work to the boys. (iii) The boys mother had a) been killed in the war. b) left the family and gone away. c) joined the resistance movement and never returned. d) died earlier only. (Ans) (i) d) he did not want to disturb the family union. (ii) b) the scene inside the glass room had created curiosity in him. (iii) (d) died earlier only. (Q.13) Of course, everything is so difficult now, food so scarce and dear, we could not keep going unless we charged a fee. But every week, Lucias brothers have made their payment. She added simply, I dont know what they do, I do not ask. Work is scarce in Verona. But whatever it is, I know they do it well. Yes, I agreed. They couldnt do it better. (i) Everything was so difficult and food was so scarce because a) the war had created shortages. b) food had been exported. c) there had been a failure of rainfall. d) of a revolution in the country. (ii) The fee was being charged from the boys for a) taking care of the boys. b) building a house for them. c) treating their sisters illness. d) training them to fight in a war. (iii) When the nurse said that the two boys paid the bills and whatever work they must be doing for it, they must be doing it well. The narrator agreed with the nurse because a) he did not want to oppose the nurse. b) he didnt know the reality. c) there was no option but to agree with her. d) he had seen how the boys toiled day and night to earn the money. (Ans) (i) a) the war had created shortages. (ii) c) treating their sisters illness. (iii) (d) he had seen how the boys toiled day and night to earn the money. (Q.14) I waited outside until the boys rejoined me, then drove them back to the city. They sat beside me, not speaking. For my part, I did not say a word - I knew they would prefer to feel that they had safely kept their secret. Yet their devotion had touched me deeply. War had not broken their spirit. Their selfless action brought a new nobility to human life, gave promise of a greater hope for human society. (i) The narrator was waiting for the boys outside the a) hotel. b) deserted square. c) tourist place. d) villa. (ii) They sat beside the narrator not speaking, probably, because a) they were angry with him. b) Lucia had scolded them. c) they were worried about the debt they had to pay. d) they were thinking about their sisters illness. (iii) War had not broken their spirit means that

a) they were determined to face all the difficulties war had brought upon them. b) they had decided to fight for their country. c) they wished to have more wars. d) they loved to work more and more. (Ans) (i) d) villa. (ii) d) they were thinking about their sisters illness. (iii) (a) they were determined to face all the difficulties war had brought upon them. (Q.15) They had always known a comfortable and cultured life Lucia had herself been training as a singer and they had suffered horribly from near starvation and exposure to the cold winter. For months they had barely kept themselves alive in a sort of shelter they built with their own hands amidst the rubble. Then for three years the Germans ruled the city. The boys grew to hate the Germans. When the resistance movement began secretly to form, they were among the first to join. (i) The boys lost their comfortable life because a) of their sisters illness. b) of the war. c) they had left their home. d) their house had been destroyed. (ii) After the bombing of their house, they a) built a sort of shelter with their own hands. b) left the place and shifted to another city. c) built the same type of house again. d) appealed to the government to provide them another house. (iii) The boys joined the resistance movement so that they could a) help the Germans rule in a better way. b) stop any other country from attacking Italy. c) help in overthrowing the Germans. d) demand the government to compensate for their losses. (Ans) (i) b) of the war. (ii) a) built a sort of shelter with their own hands. (iii) (c) help in overthrowing the Germans. (Q.16) Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow. Write each answer in your answer sheet in one or two sentences only. Ah, yes. Her face lit up; she opened the door to admit me. Nicola and Jacopo. I will take you up. (a) Who is she? (b) Why did her face lighten up? (c) Where did she take the narrator? (Ans) (a) She is the nurse who is looking after Lucia. (b) She was happy to see that someone apart from her brothers had come to meet the sick girl. (c) She led the narrator through a cool, tiled vestibule at the door of a little cubicle where Nicola and Jacopo were chatting with Lucia. (Q.17) For months they had barely kept themselves alive in a sort of shelter they built with their own hands amidst the rubble. Then for three years the Germans ruled the city. The boys grew to hate the Germans. When the resistance movement began secretly to form they were among the first to join. (a) What does the word rubble refer to in the first sentence? (b) Why did the boys start hating the Germans? (c) they were among the first to join the resistance movement means (Ans) (a) Rubble refers to the ruins of the boys house which had been bombed. (b) The German attack on their country had killed their father and shattered the happiness in their life.

(c) They did not wish to let go the opportunity to get even with the Germans and throw them out of their country. Also, it reflects their hatred for the Germans, for having brought upon them so many problems. They considered them as personal enemies. (Q.18) I shook my head and turned away. I felt I could not bear to intrude upon this happy family party. But at the foot of the staircase I drew up and begged her to tell me all she knew about these boys. She was eager to do so. They were, she explained, quite alone in the world, except for this sister, Lucia. (a) Who is I here? Where is he? (b) Why was the narrator desperate to know about the boys life? (c) Why were they alone in the world? (Ans) (a) I is the narrator. He is in the hospital where Lucia is admitted. (b) The boys worked very hard but never disclosed any of their problems to the narrator. Now, after what he saw in the hospital made him curious to know more about their life. (c) Their mother had expired when they were young. Their father got killed in the war caused by German attack on their country. (Q.19) Why are you out so late, Nicola? Waiting for the last bus from Padua. We shall sell all our papers when it comes in. Must you work so hard? You both look rather tired. We are not complaining, sir." (a) Who is talking with Nicola? (b) Why did the boys work so hard at such a young age? (c) We are not complaining, sir. What does this show about the nature of the boys? (Ans) (a) The narrator. (b) They worked so hard to pay the hospital bills of their sister who was suffering from tuberculosis of the spine. (c) They were thorough gentlemen, highly patient, hard working, and dedicated to the cause of their sister. They accepted their fate stoically. (Q.20) There was a pause. Nicola was glaring at his young brother in vexation. We could not think of troubling you, sir. It wont be any trouble. He bit his lip, then, in a rather put out tone, he said, Very well. (a) Why was Nicola glaring at his younger brother? (b) It wont be any trouble. Did the narrator really mean it? (c) Why was Nicolas tone put out even when the narrator was eager to help them? (Ans) (a) He didnt like the way Jacopo had asked the narrator, without any hesitation, to send them by his car to Poleta. (b) The writer really wanted to do something for the boys to express his appreciation for their hard work and dedication. Yes, he did mean it. (c) Nicola did not want the narrator to know about his sisters illness and other problems they were facing. He wanted to keep it all a secret as he was quite conscious of his self respect. Now, there was a chance of that secret spilling out, hence his tone was put out. (Q.21) She paused, took a quick breath. Did they give up? I do not have to answer that question. They brought her here, persuaded us to take her into the hospital. In the twelve months she has been our patient she has made good progress. There is every hope that one day she will walk - and sing - again. (a) Who is she in the first sentence? (b) What did they not give up? (c) Why could their sister not walk and sing? (Ans)

(a) She is the nurse. (b) They did not give up their hope to beat the hardships they were facing in life at such a young age. (c) She was suffering from tuberculosis of the spine, and had become bedridden, so, she could not walk and sing. (Q.22) As we drove through the foothills of the Alps, two small boys stopped us on the outskirts of Verona. They were selling wild strawberries. Dont buy, warned Luigi, our cautious driver. You will get fruit much better in Verona. Besides, these boys..... (a) Whom does we in the first sentence refer to? (b) What did the driver warn them about and why (c) Besides, these boys...... What other reason did he give? (Ans) (a) The narrator and his friend. (b) He warned them not to buy the wild strawberries from the boys as much better fruit would be available in Verona. (c) He shrugged indicating that it was not good to buy them from the boys who were so shabbily dressed up. (Q.23) "Next morning, coming out of our hotel, we saw our friends bent over shoeshine boxes beside the fountain in the public square, doing a brisk business. a. Who are referred to as our friends? b. What business are they doing now? c. Why does the speaker call them friends? (Ans) a. The two brothers Nicola and Jacopo are referred here as our friends. b. They are polishing shoes. c. The speaker had already met these boys before and bought fruits from them. They are no more strangers to him. (Q.24) You spend nothing on clothes. You eat little enough-when I see you have a meal its usually black bread and figs. Tell me what do you do with your money? He coloured deeply under his sunburn, then grew pale. He looked to the ground. a. Who is he? b. What do they actually do with their money? c. What made him look sad and why? (Ans) a. He is Nicola, the elder brother. b. They spend their money on the treatment of their only sister Lucia who has been suffering from Tuberculosis of the spine. c. The narrator wanted to know what the two boys do with their money. This suddenly made Nicola remember their ailing sister and looked sad. He did not want the narrator to be sympathetic towards them. (Q.25) " I shook my head and turned away. I felt I could not bear to intrude upon this happy family party. But at the foot of the staircase I drew up and begged her to tell me all she knew about these boys. a. Who does she in the above extract refer to? b. Why did the speaker not go in? c. What did the speaker want to know from her? What does it reveal about his nature? (Ans) a. She in the above extract refers to the nurse who is attending Lucia. b. The speaker did not go in as he believes in respecting privacy of others. He thought perhaps the boys had come to be reunited with their family and he should not play spoilsport. c. He wanted to know almost everything about the two boys. This reveals that the narrator does not miss out to notice and observe human life and society no matter how subtle and trifle they might appear to others. (Q.26)

They brought her here, persuaded us to take her into the hospital. In the twelve months she has been our patient she has made good progress. There is every hope that one day she will walk-and sing again. a. Who is admitted in the hospital? b. Why has she been in the hospital and for how long? c. Why is it important for her to sing again? (Ans) a. Lucia, the only sister of Nicola and Jacopo. b. She has been in the hospital because she is suffering from tuberculosis of the spine for a year. c. It is important for her to sing again as she had already received formal singing-training. She should do it to keep the family legacy and for the future of her two brothers. (Q.27) When the resistance movement began secretly to form they were among the first to join. When the war was over, and we had peace at last, they came back to their beloved sister. a. Who is the speaker and who is he/she speaking to? b. Which war is the speaker referring to? c. Who are they? Why did they join the resistance movement? (Ans) a. The speaker is the nurse who is looking after Lucia. b. The speaker is referring to the war between Germany and Italy. c. They are Nicola and Jacopo, the two brothers. They were among the first to join the resistance movement to show their strong dislike and disapproval of the Germans. (Q.28) Luigi did not approve of the two boys. Why? (Ans) Luigi, the driver, did not approve of the two boys because of their untidy and ragged appearance. Moreover, he felt that better quality of strawberry would be found at Verona. (Q.29) Why were the narrator and his friend impressed by the two boys? (Ans) Although the two boys who were brothers, looked too shabby with worn out clothes, skinny figures, dark complexion and tangled hair, the narrator and his companion were impressed by the earnestness and devotion in their eyes, at their age. (Q.30) What sight did the narrator and his friend see on the next day, in Verona? (Ans) Next day in Verona, when they were coming out of their hotel, they saw the two boys bent over shoeshine boxes beside the fountain in the public square, doing a brisk business. They were surprised as they had thought that the two boys sold only fruits. (Q.31) What opinion did the narrator make of the two brothers when they went on a round to visit places? (Ans) As they went on a round, the narrators interest in them redeveloped by their striking conduct. He found them childish enough, and in many ways quite simple. Jacopo was bubbly as a squirrel. Nicolas smile was stable and appealing. Yet in both the boyish faces there was a seriousness which was far beyond their years. (Q.32) In which way could Nicola and Jacopo be relied upon to satisfy the needs of the narrator and his friend? (Ans) The two brothers proved to be extremely useful to the narrator and his friend. Whenever they wanted a pack of American cigarettes, or seats for the opera or the name of a good restaurant, they would just contact Nicola and Jacopo, who satisfied their needs very well. (Q.33) What did the narrator see in the deserted square? (Ans) One night, in the windy and deserted square, the narrator saw the two brothers resting on the stone pavement beneath the lights. Nicola sat upright, tired. A bundle of unsold newspapers lay at his feet. Jacopo was asleep with his head resting upon his brothers shoulder. (Q.34) Why did Nicola grow pale when the narrator asked them about their expenses?

(Ans) The narrator had asked the boys what they did with their money as they did not seem to spend much on their clothes or food. Nicola grew pale because there was pain in his heart for his sisters suffering, which he did not want to reveal to the narrator. He thought that he might have to reveal a well kept family secret about his sisters suffering to the narrator-the mere thought of it hurt his self-respect and he grew pale. (Q.35) Before leaving Verona, what did the narrator ask the two brothers and why? (Ans) The narrator really admired the nature and behaviour of the two brothers. Doing something for them would give him happiness. So, he asked them if there was something he could do for them before leaving on Monday.

(Q.36) What caused a shock for the narrator when he drove the two boys to a tiny village? (Ans) The narrator had thought that their destination would be some humble dwelling. But when, directed by Jacopo, he drew up at a large red-roofed villa, surrounded by a high stone wall, he could scarcely believe his eyes at what he saw. (Q.37) What did the narrator see through the glass partition? (Ans) The narrator saw that Nicola and Jacopo were sitting at the bedside of a girl of about twenty who was propped up on pillows, wearing a pretty lace jacket, and was listening to their chatter. Her eyes were soft and tender. She had a strong resemblance to her brothers. (Q.38) Why did the boys hate the Germans? (Ans) Due to German attack on Italy, the boys father was killed in the war. A bomb blast destroyed their house. They, along with their sister, came on the streets. Meanwhile, Lucia developed tuberculosis of the spine. Their life became very difficult, all because of the Germans and hence, they hated them. (Q.39) Where did the nurse take the author in the hospital and what did she do? (Ans) The nurse led the author through a cool, tiled hall into the villa which was more of a hospital. At the door of a little cubicle the nurse paused, put her finger to her lips, and with a smile gestured him to look through the glass partition. (Q.40) What did the author see inside the small cubicle? (Ans) The two boys were seated at the bedside of a girl of about twenty, listening to their chatter. She resembled her brothers. A vase of wild flowers stood on her table, beside a dish of fruit and several books. (Q.41) Standing outside the cubicle, what did the nurse ask the author? What did the author do? (Ans) The nurse asked the author if he would not like to go inside to meet Lucia as it would make her happy. He shook his head and turned away as he could not bear to intrude upon that happy family union. (Q.42) What quality of the two boys impressed the narrator the most? (Ans) There was an element of seriousness on the face of the boys which was far beyond their age. Their willingness to work was a kind of quality that impressed the narrator the most. During summer days, under the hot sun, they shined shoes, sold fruit, hawked newspapers, conducted tourists round the town, and ran errands. (Q.43) Did the family of the boys have a comfortable life before? What made them impoverish? (Ans) Yes, the family was living a very cultured and comfortable life. Their father had been a well-known singer and sister Lucia had also been training as a singer. They had been living a peaceful life until the war between Germany and Italy which took away their father and all happiness, leaving Lucia suffering from the deadly tuberculosis of the spine. (Q.44) How did the friendship develop between the narrator and the two boys ?

(Ans) For the first time, the narrator had met the boys at the outskirt of Verona and bought some fruits from them. He was impressed with them for some strange reasons. Thereafter, they frequently met at various corners of the city and developed a sort of instant friendship. (Q.45) How did the boys prove useful to the narrator and his companion? (Ans) The boys were frequently seen by the narrator and his companion for a week. Whenever the narrator or his driver Luigi wanted a pack of American cigarettes, or seats for the opera, or the name of a good restaurant, the boys would be relied upon to satisfy their needs. (Q.46) What did the boys usually do on Sundays? (Ans) Every Sunday, the duo usually hired bicycles to visit their village Poleta which is 30 kilometres from Verona city. They used to reunite with their beloved sister Lucia for an hour or two, pay her treatment charges and return to the city again. (Q.47) Why did the narrator not tell the boys that he had come to know everything about them from the nurse? (Ans) The narrator observed that the boys preferred to keep their sisters illness and their familys misfortune secret. He simply did not want to interrupt the earnestness displayed by the two boys and hurt their pride by intruding upon their privacy. (Q.48) Why do you think Nicola and Jacopo would prefer to keep their family misfortune secret from the narrator? (Ans) The two brothers were epithet of courage and confidence. They clearly did not like to live on charity and benevolence. They worked tirelessly with all sincerity to earn for the treatment of their ailing sister and sent across a message nothing is impossible if there is a will to do. They did not prefer people to take them as helpless boys and be sympathetic towards them. (Q.49) Imagine that you are the narrator. After you return from Verona, you ponder upon the life of Nicola and Jacopo. Write a page in your diary reflecting your thoughts. (Ans) 24th August, Thursday 10 p.m. Dear Diary, I cannot but wonder over the life of Nicola and Jacopo. It is amazing to see such little boys having so much of determination to fight with the difficulties of life. With no parents and no one to help them, the work they are doing is beyond ones imagination. Nicola, who is just thirteen years old and Jacopo, twelve, did every kind of work from shining shoes, selling fruit, newspapers, conducting tourists around the town, and running errands even during these summer days, under the hot sun. One windy midnight, it was amazing to see them sitting on the stone pavement at the deserted Square waiting for the bus to come so that they could sell the left over newspapers. It is really worth appreciating that they are doing so much of hard work so that they can earn enough to pay the hospital bills where their sister is getting treated for tuberculosis. I have immense respect for their spirit of not giving up easily. I pray that their sister gets well soon. They have no one else except her in their life. (Q.50) Yes, I agreed. They couldnt do it better. Why did the author say this to the nurse (150 words) (Ans) The nurse told the narrator that every week, Lucias brothers made the payment for their sisters treatment. She added with simplicity that neither did she know what they did to earn that money, nor did she ask them. She said that she knew that work was scarce in Verona but whatever may be the case, the boys paid the money regularly. She said that although she didnt know what they did, but whatever they did was done very well. At this, the narrator said, Yes. They couldnt do it better. The narrator knew well how much hard work the boys were doing to earn that money. He had seen them selling different items, polishing shoes, taking tourists on a round; in fact, anything they could do to earn as much as possible to pay the hospital bills and see their

sister healthy again. These words spoken by the narrator contain the deepest regard he has for their courage and devotion. (Q.51) Years later, Jacopo writes a letter to the narrator, remembering their visit to the village in his car, the experience and their present status. Write Jacopos letter in about 150 words. (Ans) Lis villa, Verona 15th September, 2011 Dear A.J Sun is shining bright here, we are no more in shining business. Nicola has just completed his Masters and about to move to the States for his higher studies. Dont be surprised. I too have completed my Graduation in Psychology. I thank you many times, for making our last visit to the village quite memorable. I knew how I mustered courage to ask you to take us to our village. Of course, Nicola did not like my idea. He has always been like that. Sir, you know Lucia is perfectly alright. She is now one of the most celebrated singers in the city. She has a five year contract with The Verona Motel. By the grace of God, all is perfectly well with us. I must tell you how I liked you when you drove us to the hospital. You had been so gracious and so generous those days, and did not even once make us feel that you were outside our small family. Hope to hear from you soon. Yours Jacopo (Q.52) Imagine yourself the nurse who was looking after Lucia in the hospital. Write a letter to one of your friends highlighting the selfless love and supreme sacrifices made the two brothers for their only sister. (Ans) Mission Hospital 24th November, 2011 Dear Alisha, I wish to share with you something which has moved me much to my wonder and admiration. I am going to tell about the two brothers who were alone in this world except for their sister Lucia. Their father, once a well known singer, had been killed in the early part of the war. Their home had been destroyed by a bomb; the three children were thrown into the streets. For months, they had barely kept themselves alive in a sort of shelter they built with their own hands amidst the rubble. For three years, the Germans ruled the city; the boys grew to hate the Germans. The war was over; at last peace had settled in. The boys came back to their sister and found her suffering from tuberculosis of the spine. They brought her here, persuaded us to take her into the hospital. We could not keep the girl unless we charged fees. But every week Lucias brothers made the payments. I dont know even today what they did though work was scarce in Verona. But I am sure whatever they did, they did it well. War had not broken their spirit. They made supreme sacrifices to save their sister. They couldnt do it better. Your friend, Sister Diana (Q.53) After her brothers visit, Lucia writes a letter to her friend Melissa about her past life and her present situation. As Lucia, write the letter in about 150 words. (Ans) B26, Verona 13th September ,2011 Dear Melissa, It is extremely difficult to forget the trauma and agony we have gone through all these years. My mother had died early, but my father provided us with all possible comforts and luxuries as long as he was alive. Unfortunately, he was killed in the war, and our house was blown off by a bomb. The Germans ruled the city for three years. My brothers joined the Resistance Movement to overthrow the Germans.

We have led a precariously despondent life since then. I am suffering from tuberculosis of the spine. My two little brothers have got me admitted in the hospital, and are working day and night to earn for my treatment. My tears roll down as I see them toil so hard at this tender age. Every Sunday, they come to meet me in the hospital and make all the payments. I am greatly indebted to both of them. At times I wonder if I could ever repay the debt. I hope to recover soon, I hope to become a professional singer so that I may support my beloved little brothers to resume their education. I want to give them all possible comforts in the days to come. Once again we all will live a peaceful life. Hope to hear from you soon. Yours friendly, Lucia