Question

Read the following extracts and answer the questions given below.

The next day both men got up in good season. The crofter was in a hurry to milk his cow, and the other man probably thought he should not stay in bed when the head of the house had gotten up. They left the cottage at the same time. The crofter locked the door and put the key in his pocket. The man with the rattraps said goodbye and thank you, and thereupon each went his own way. But half, an hour later, the rattrap peddler stood again before the door. He did not try to get in, however. He only went up to the window, smashed a pane, stuck it in his hand, and got hold of the pouch with the thirty Kronor. He took the money and thrust it into his own pocket. Then he hung the leather pouch very carefully back in its place and went away. (The Rattrap)

1. Select the correct option from those given in brackets, to fill in the blank.
   The behaviour of the peddler as described in the above extract is an act of ______.  (deceit/obedience)
2. “Both men got up in good season.” The author uses the expression ‘good season’ to denote that ______.
   1. They slept for a long time.
   2. They got up in a good mood.
   3. They got up early and timely.
   4. They got up hurriedly.
3. State the irony in the peddler’s response. “The man with the rattraps said good bye and thank you.”

4. Choose the correct option:
   The flaw in the peddler’s character as reflected in the above extract is ______.

   1. He is jealous of rich people.
   2. He indulges in self-pity.
   3. He can rob his benefactor.
   4. He can sleep anywhere without any hesitation.
5. Complete the following sentence:
   The role of the cow in the crofter’s life is ______.
   
6. Choose one instance from the above extract to show that the peddler acted like a well-mannered person.

Answer 1

1. The behaviour of the peddler as described in the above extract is an act of deceit.
2. “Both men got up in good season.” The author uses the expression ‘good season’ to denote that they got up early and timely.

3. The irony in the peddler’s response is that he expresses gratitude and politeness to the crofter before leaving, but later returns to steal his money. His kind words contradict his dishonest actions, making it an example of situational irony.

4. The flaw in the peddler’s character as reflected in the above extract is he can rob his benefactor.
5. The role of the cow in the crofter’s life is that it provides him with a source of livelihood by giving milk, which he sells for income.
6. The peddler acted like a well-mannered person when he said “goodbye and thank you” to the crofter before leaving, displaying politeness and gratitude.