UNIT 1

HUMAN BONDS
SECTION 1-MY BIG BROTHER
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Q1.The elder brother was not good at academics. How does the
narrator convey this?
Ans1. This happens when the elder brother tells the narrator that he was
stuck in a class for two to three years. The academic difference
between them was also less as compared to their age difference.

Q2. What was the impact of the elder brother’s lectures on the narrator?
Ans2. The narrator would start crying when his elder brother lectured
him. He felt demoralized,
sank into hopelessness and thought of going home.

Q3. What was the difference in the personalities of the two brothers?
Ans3. The narrator was younger to his elder brother by five years. The
elder brother was studious
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Q4. ‘The violation would begin on the very first day.’ What
is the narrator referring to in this line?
Ans4. The narrator had made a timetable in his pledge to
devote time to studies. He did not follow it on the very
first day is what is meant here.
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Q5. How did the elder brother’s sermons change when he
failed for the first time?
Ans5. The elder brother had lost his self esteem because
of his failure and the narrator’s success. The narrator had
stopped showing respect to him.The elder brother tries to
make the narrator understand that pride has its fall and it
destroys people. He makes him understand the difficulty
level of each class and suggests a change of attitude
towards studies.
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Q6. What was the elder brother’s reaction to
failing for the second time?
Ans6. The elder brother broke down when he
heard the news of his failure. This was felt more
because the narrator had once more topped the
class. He then softened a bit and restrained
himself when there was a chance to scold his
younger brother.
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Q7. What does the last line of the chapter reflect about the
interpersonal relationships between the siblings?
Ans7. It shows the bridging of the gap between the two
brothers. They had begun to understand each other better
and had developed a new kind of relationship that had
respect for each other’s views and love for each other.
Q8. What is the irony in the story?
Ans8. The irony lies in the statements made by the elder
brother. He spends too much time studying and still fails the
examinations whereas the narrator spends time studying and
playing and still tops the class.
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