Question

Read the following passage and do the activities.

A1. Relate the following qualities with the two characters of the story:

 

	Narrator	Anil
(1)
(2)

 

He took to his room over the Jumna Sweet shop and told me I could sleep on the balcony. But the meal I cooked that night must have been terrible because Anil gave it to a stray dog and told me to be off. But I just hung around, smiling in my most appealing way, and he couldn't help laughing. Later, he patted me on the head and said never mind, he'd teach me to cook. He also taught me to write my name and said he would soon teach me to write whole sentences and add numbers. I was grateful. I knew that once I could write like an educated man there would be no limit to what I could achieve. It was quite pleasant working for Anil. I made the tea in the morning and then would take my time buying the day's supplies, usually making a profit of about a rupee a day. I think he knew I made a little money this way but he did not seem to mind. Anil made money by fits and starts. He would borrow one week, and lend the next. He kept worrying about his next cheque, but as soon as it arrived he would go out and celebrate. It seems he wrote for magazines a queer way to make a living! One evening he came home with a small bundle of notes, saying he had just sold a book to a publisher. At night, I saw him tuck the money under the mattress.

A2. State whether true or false:

1. Anil liked what the narrator cooked.
2. Anil taught the narrator to write his name.
3. Anil was a wealthy person.
4. Anil made money by fits and starts.

A3. Match the words to their meanings.

(1) Pleasant	Strange
(2) Fits and starts	Satisfactory
(3) Queer	Give
(4) Lend	Irregular bursts of activities

A4. Do as directed:

Frame 'Wh' questions with reference to the phrases underlined below. (Change the first person pronouns to second person)

1. He taught me to write my name.
2. I think he knew I made a little money this way but he did not seem to mind.

A5. Give a brief description of Anil and the narrator's characters.

Answer 1

A1.

	Narrator	Anil
(1)	Illiterate	Helpful
(2)	Curious	Educated

A2. 

1. False
2. True
3. False
4. True.

A3. 

(1) Pleasant	Satisfactory
(2) Fits and starts	Irregular bursts of activities
(3) Queer	Strange
(4) Lend	Give

A4. 

1. What did he teach you?
2. Who knew that you made a little money that way?

A5. The narrator was a pick-pocket who stole small items to support himself. He was a pro at what he did and frequently used a different name to remain anonymous. Anil led him to his room, where he not only provided him with sanctuary but also tutored him in reading and writing. The narrator was changed by Anil's selfless love, care, and compassion for him; he now lives a life of integrity and honour.