English

If the Christmas spirit is about selflessness, forgiveness and becoming 'better' versions of ourselves amongst other things, Edla Willmansson is the epitome of this spirit. - English Core

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Question

If the Christmas spirit is about selflessness, forgiveness and becoming 'better' versions of ourselves amongst other things, Edla Willmansson is the epitome of this spirit. Justify with two points of evidence from The Rattrap.

Answer in Brief

Solution

Edla

Despite knowing the truth about the peddler - 

  • gave him shelter and treated him with full respect. (forgiveness)
  • even invited him for Christmas next year. (better version of herself)
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Notes

Marking Skills

Content -

  • Award 1 mark for 2 complete valid points
  • Award ½ mark for 1 valid point

Expression –

1 mark when both given aspects are included

  • Answer organised effectively
  • The language used needs to display inference (based on …. reveals that …. etc.)

½ mark when either aspect is missing

  • Deduct ½ mark from the overall score if the error density is high (more than a total of 2 spellings and grammatical errors).
The Rattrap
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2022-2023 (March) Sample

RELATED QUESTIONS

Answer the following question in 120-150 words: 

The peddler thinks that the whole world is a rattrap. This view of life is true only of himself and of no one else in the story. Comment.


Answer the following question in 120−150 words:        

The peddler believed that the whole world is a rattrap. How did he himself get caught in the same?  


Answer the following question in 120-150 words : 

Edla proved to be much more persuasive than her father while dealing with peddler. Comment.


Answer the following in 125-150 words:  

How did the peddler feel after robbing the crofter? What course did he adopt and how did he react to the new situation? What does his reaction reveal?


When and how did the peddler realise that he had fallen into a rattrap ? How could he get out of it ? 


Notice these expressions in the text. Infer their meanings from the context.

  1. keep body and soul together
  2. hunger gleamed in his eyes
  3. plods along the road
  4. unwonted joy
  5. impenetrable prison
  6. nodded a haughty consent
  7. eased his way
  8. fallen into a line of thought
  9. things have gone downhill

From where did the peddler get the idea of the world being a rattrap?


Why was he amused by this idea?


Did the peddler expect the kind of hospitality that he received from the crofter?


Why was the crofter so talkative and friendly with the peddler?


Why did he show the thirty kroner to the peddler?


Did the peddler respect the confidence reposed in him by the crofter?


What made the peddler think that he had indeed fallen into a rattrap?


Why did the ironmaster speak kindly to the peddler and invite him home?


Why did the peddler decline the invitation?


When did the ironmaster realise his mistake?


What did the peddler say in his defence when it was clear that he was not the person the ironmaster had thought he was?


Why did Edla still entertain the peddler even after she knew the truth about him?


Why did the peddler sign himself as Captain von Stahle?


How does the peddler interpret the acts of kindness and hospitality shown by the crofter, the ironmaster and his daughter?


What made the peddler finally change his ways?


How does the metaphor of the rattrap serve to highlight the human predicament?


The peddler comes out as a person with a subtle sense of humour. How does this serve in lightening the seriousness of the theme of the story and also endear him to us?


Discuss the following in groups of four. Each group can deal with one topic. Present the views of your group to the whole class.

The reader’s sympathy is with the peddler right from the beginning of the story. Why is this so? Is the sympathy justified?


Discuss the following in groups of four. Each group can deal with one topic. Present the views of your group to the whole class.

The story also focuses on human loneliness and the need to bond with others.


Discuss the following in groups of four. Each group can deal with one topic. Present the views of your group to the whole class.

Have you known/heard of an episode where a good deed or an act of kindness has changed a person’s view of the world?


The man selling rattraps is referred to by many terms such as “peddler, stranger” etc. Pick out all such references to him. What does each of these labels indicate of the context or the attitude of the people around him?


Mjölis is a card game of Sweden.

Name a few indoor games played in your region. ‘Chopar’ could be an example.


Mistaken identity led to a discovery of a new one for the rattrap peddler. How did this impact him?


In Edla's dealing with the peddler, she was compassionate and generous. Discuss with reference to the story "The Rattrap".


What Christmas present did the peddler give Edla? Explain its significance.


Why was the peddler surprised at the hospitality he received from the crofter?


Read the given extract and answer the questions.

“I am thinking of this stranger here,” said Edla. “He walks and walks the whole year long, and there is probably not a single place in the whole country where he is welcome and can feel at home. Wherever he turns he is chased away. Always he is afraid of being arrested and cross-examined. I should like to have him enjoy a day of peace with us here – just one in the whole year.”
  1. Complete the following sentence with the most appropriate option: (1)
    Edla wished the Pedlar to have a peaceful day because ______.
    1. the Pedlar had worked for Edla
    2. the Pedlar had not been released from jail
    3. the Pedlar had been staying at the forge
    4. the Pedlar had always been looked with suspicion
  2. Select a suitable word from the extract to complete the analogy. (1)
    single : multiple :: abroad : ______.
  3. In the above extract, Edla comes across as ______. (1)
    1. conscientious
    2. pretentions
    3. compassionate
    4. selfless
  4. Based on the above extract, choose the statement which is true. (1)
    1. Relationships are rattraps.
    2. Money is important in the world.
    3. Criminal is not born but made.
    4. Christmas is a time of charity.
  5. In the context of the given extract, which day is referred to in the expression 'just one in the whole year'? (1)
  6. What does the expression 'he is cross examined' suggest? (1)

Answer the following question in about 40-50 words.

Explain the metaphor of the rattrap.


Answer the following question in about 40-50 words.

Who was Edla Willmansson? Why did she visit the forge at night?


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