SHORT STORY – QUESTION ANSWER REVISION MODULE

Pritam Chatterjee
9874673310

REMEMBER -

1. Extract questons are to be thoroughly praticsed. Write and revise and write.
2. Long questions of specific chapters provided. Those who want to attempt can practise. Preferrably,
answer extract questions.
3. Remember the Order of importance of the chapters. Practise, according to order.
4. For practice go from least comfortable to most comfortable.

CHIEF SEATTLE’S SPEECH

1. There was a time when our people ….somewhat to blame.

a) Who is the speaker? What is the context of his speech?

b) What has the speaker said about the number of his people in comparison to the new occupants of the
land?
c) What has he said about the Big Chief’s offer before the extract?
d) What reasons does the speaker give as to why his people were also to blame for the situation they now
find themselves in?
e) What examples does the speaker give to show he is doubtful about the deal offered by the Big Chief?

2. Youth is impulsive….Thus it has ever been –

a) Who is the speaker? Name the place and occasion where and when the speech is delivered.
b) How is the youth by nature? When do they grow angry?
c) What do young men do when they are angry? What does it denote?
d) What had made the youth angry? What does Seattle hope for?
e) Why does Seattle want to end the hostilities between the two?

3. But let us hope that the hostilities between us may never return….know better –
a) From where has the extract been taken? Who is referred to as ‘us’?
b) Why does the speaker hope that the hostilities between us may never return? What hostilities is he
referring to?
c) What does the speaker have to say about revenge?
d) What happens when the young Red Indians get angry? What does their action signify?
e) What opinion can you form of the speaker from the above extract?

4. To us the ashes of our ancestors are sacred and their resting place ……written in the hearts of our people –

a) What is the difference in the attitude of the Red Indians and the White Men about their dead?
b) What does Chief Seattle say about the religion of the White Man in the extract? What religion is this?
What does this utterance suggest about Seattle’s opinion about this religion?
 c) How is the Red Man’s religion described by Seattle?
d) How are the dead of the two religion different?
e) What does this extract tell about the difference in the attitude of the White Man and the Red Man
towards their ancestors?

5. His people are many….to live comfortably –

a) To what does the White Chief’s people compared? What does it signify?
b) How does Seattle describe the Red people? What is the purpose of this comparison?
c) What message has the White Chief sent?
d) What is Seattle’s opinion about this message?
e) How does he justify his opinion?

6. Your God is not our God!....stronger every day –

a) Why does Chief Seattle say ‘Your God is not our God’?
b) How does the God of the White people treat them?
c) What is God’s attitude towards Red people?
d) What is said about the Great Spirit?
e) How is Seattle’s state of mind brought out through the extract?

7. A few more moons……We will see –

a) What grim fate does the speaker foretell about the future of the Red Man?
b) What does the speaker predict about the future of the White Man?
c) What proposition has been made to the speaker? What condition does the speaker make regarding his
acceptance of his proposition?
d) Why does the speaker say – “We may be brothers after all”?
e) What importance does he give for the importance of this proposition?
f) What elements does he refer to in order to show his indelible connection between the elements of
nature and the Red Indians?
g) Where and when would the White Indians never find themselves alone?

8. (a) Why does the speaker say ‘tomorrow it may be overcast with clouds’? (b) Who are the ‘Great Chief’ and
the ‘Big Chief’? (c) How much are Seattle’s words reliable? (d) What is the reaction of Seattle to the greetings
sent by the Big Chief at Washington? (e) What is said about the number of – White Men, Red Men (before),
Red men (now)? (f) What message does the White Chief send to the native people? (g) Who are Haidas and
Tsimshians? How will they cease to frighten the native? (h) What is the offer sent by George? (i) What does
Seattle say about Christianity? (j) What is the common destiny? How does he show that it is nature’s law? (k)
When do the shadowy spirits visit the places? (l) Explain why there is “no place dedicated to solitude”? (m)
What is the attitude of dead towards the objects of nature? [From Notes]

THE OLD MAN AT THE BRIDGE

9. “And you have no family?” I asked, watching the far end of the bridge.

a) Who are the speakers? Where are they?

b) Describe the old man sitting. What other information do we receive about him?
c) What was the narrator’s business? What did the old man tell about his family?
 10. There was nothing to do about him. It was Easter Sunday and the Fascists were advancing toward the Ebro.

a) Who is the narrator of the story? Where is he? Why?

b) Where is the story set? What is happening at this time?
c) What is all the good luck the old man would have?
d) Why has the old man been reduced to this state?
e) What are the feelings of the narrator for the old man?

11. “Did you leave the dove cage unlocked?” I asked…….taking care of animals –

a) Who is the narrator? Whom is he addressing? Where are they? Describe the weather that day.
b) What day is it? How is the image of the release of doves symbolic?
c) What was the person spoken to worried about? What was he not particularly concerned about? Why?
d) What was the activity at the bridge? Why did the narrator urge the person to get up and try to talk?
e) What else do you know about this person? What can you assess about the physical and mental condition
of this person?
f) How does this depict the sadness of war?

12. I was watching the bridge and the African looking country……I asked.

a) Who is the narrator? What did he have to do?

b) Who is the narrator speaking to? Where are they? Why are they there?
c) What does this person tell about the animals?
d) What else does this man tell about himself?
e) What advice does this man give to this person? What change can you observe in the narrator’s attitude
towards this person?

13. (a) What does the old man mean by “I am without politics”? (b) Describe the old man. (c) What is the first
question that the narrator asks the old man? What does he answer? Why does the old man smile? (c) Why
doesn’t the old man cross the bridge and escape to a safer place? (d) What does the soldier advise the old
man to do?(e) Give the character sketch of the old man. (f) Give the character sketch of the soldier. (g)
Symbolisms – Ebro River, Animals, Bridge, Easter Day. [From Notes]

A HORSE AND TWO GOATS

14. His wife lit the domestic fire at dawn, boiled water in a mud pot, threw into it a handful of millet flour added
salt and gave her husband his first nourishment of the day.

a) Who is ‘his’ here? Where did the man live?

b) What had Muni owned in his prosperous days? What is the state of her fortunes now?
c) What did Muni wish to eat which enraged his wife?
d) What did she ask him to bring?
e) How did the shopkeeper treat Muni?

15. The foreigner followed his look and decided that it would be a sound policy –

a) What did Muni often dream of?

b) How was the foreigner dressed? Why did Muni feel the urge to run when he first laid eyes on him? What
stopped him from doing so?
c) Muni assumed that a recent incident had brought this visitor to his village. Give details of the incident.
d) Why was the visitor actually interested in? What did he offer Muni soon after they met? Why did the
offer surprise Muni?
 Which part of the story do you find most amusing? Give reasons for your answer.

16. He sat on the pedestal for the rest of the day. The advantage of this was that he could watch the highway
and see the lorries and buses pass through to the hills –

a) Who is he? What was he doing? Why had he come there?

b) What advantage did he get by sitting in this place?
c) What is said about the pedestal immediately after the extract? What did Muni do there?
d) Describe the statue of the horse as it was in its heyday.
e) Describe the confusion that occurred in relation to the horse.

17. Then the visitor, feeling that he had spent too much time already, said, “Tell me, will you accept a hundred
rupees or not for the horse?”

a) Who is the visitor? Describe him.

b) Why does he fell that he has spent too much time already?
c) Which horse is being referred to by the visitor? How much will he pay for the horse?
d) What does the visitor have to say about the soldier?
e) Who is Ruth? What will she do? Why will the visitor have to cancel his air ticket?

HEARTS AND HANDS

18. “It’s Miss Fairchild”, he said, with a smile. “I’ll ask you to excuse the other hand; -

a) Who is ‘he’ here? With whom is he talking?

b) What did Mr. Easton ask to excuse and why?
c) Describe the companion of ‘he’.
d) What did ‘he’ show Miss. Fairchild?
e) How did Miss Fairchild react on seeing the bracelet?

19. Well Mr. Easton, if you will make me speak first…..just at present.

a) Describe Mrs. Fairchild and Mr. Easton.

b) Where does the above conversation occur? Why was Mr. Easton embarrassed when Miss Fairchild
addressed him?
c) How was Mr. Easton’s other hand otherwise engaged? How does Miss Fairchild react when he raises his
right hand to show her what he meant?
d) How does Miss Fairchild feel about Mr. Easton? How does she try to convey these feelings to him?
e) The story has a surprise ending. How is the surprise revealed to the reader?

20. “You will execuse me for speaking miss, but, I see you’re acquainted with the marshal here. “ –

a) To whom were these words addressed? What made the speaker say, “You’ll excuse me for speaking,
miss”? Where were they at the moment?
b) How was the appearance of the speaker different from that of Easton?
c) Where were the two men going? Why?
d) What does the speaker request Miss Fairchild to tell the marshal? Why?
e) Bring out the irony in this conversation. What opinion do you form of the character of the real marshal?
 21. The younger man roused himself sharply at the sound of her voice, seemed to struggle with a slight
embarrassment which he threw off instantly and then clasped her fingers with his left hand –

a) Who was the young man? Whose voice is being referred to here? Who do the two meet?
b) Why did the young man clasp her fingers with his left hand? What were his feelings?
c) What change came over the girl when she saw the handcuff?
d) What do you think Easton was going to say when he was interrupted?
e) Who is the other man with Easton? Why does he interrupt the conversation? What does this tell about
him?

22. The girl’s eyes, fascinated, went back, widening a little to rest upon the glittering handcuffs. “Don’t you
worry about them, miss”, said the other man.

a) Who is the girl mentioned in the extract? Why was she fascinated?
b) What do all marshalls do? Why?
c) Who is the other man? What does he say about Mr. Easton?
d) What was the relationship between the girl and Mr. Easton?
e) What opinion do you form of the other man?

A FACE IN THE DARK

23. “What are you doing out here boy?” asked Mr. Oliver sharply, moving closer to the boy so that he could
recognize the miscreant.

a) Who was Mr. Oliver? What had been said about the school?
b) Where would Mr. Oliver stroll in the evening? Which route did Mr. Oliver follow to return?
c) Describe the boy.
d) What did Oliver see when the boy looked at his face?

24. It had no eyes, ears, nose or mouth. It was just a round smooth head…

a) Who was Mr. Oliver? Where did he encounter it?

b) Where did Oliver work? Why did Life Magazine described this place as the ‘Eton of the East’?
c) Why had Oliver approached ‘it’ in the first place? What had he mistaken it for?
d) What is a lantern Who holding the lantern? Why did Mr. Oliver feel relieved at the sight of the lantern?
e) Briefly describe the meeting between the lantern-bearer and Mr. Oliver. State one reason why this is a
horror story.

25. The Simla Bazar with its cinema and restaurants was about three miles from the school, and Mr. Oliver, a
bachelor, usually strolled into the town in the evening, returning after dark, when he would take a short cut
through the pine forest.

a) Who was Mr. Oliver? Where did he usually go in the evening?

b) What kind of school did Mr. Oliver teach in? What had the Life Magazine called it?
c) Describe the atmosphere when Mr. Oliver was returning to school on that particular night?
d) What did Mr. Oliver see as he moved down the narrow forest path?
e) What was Mr. Oliver’s initial reaction on seeing the boy? Why did it change?
 26. The torch fell from his trembling hand. He turned and scrambled down the path, running blindly through the
trees and calling for help –

a) Who is he? Where is he? What had brought him there?

b) Why was his hand trembling?
c) What does he see immediately after this extract?
d) Does anyone come to help him? If so, who is it?
e) If you were Mr. Oliver what would your feelings be at the end of the story?

27. No face Sahib…No eyes, nose, mouth-nothing –

a) Who is the Sahib? Wjat do you know about him?

b) Where did the Sahib work? Describe his workplace.
c) Where had the Sahib gone? Where was he now? What was his state of mind?
d) What had the sahib seen?
e) Whom was the sahib speaking to? What happened after the extract? What do you think about the whole
incident – fact or imagination? Why?

28. Mr. Oliver, an Anglo Indian teacher…hill station of Shimla –

a) Describe the school where Oliver taught.

b) Where did he stroll before returning to the school.
c) What was the short cut to the school? Describe it. Why wasn’t Mr. Oliver afraid to take this short cut?
d) Whom did Mr. Oliver see on a rock? What was this person doing?
e) What happened when this person looked up? What other shock awaited him?

29. And that’s where the story should end. But, for Mr. Oliver it did not end here.

a) Describe Mr. Oliver.

b) How do you know that Oliver was a conscientious teacher?
c) What did Mr. Oliver just see?
d) Where was Mr. Oliver right now? What was the atmosphere like?
e) What is ominous about the words in the extract? What happened afterwards?

AN ANGEL IN DISGUISE
30. Joe felt the child start and shrink against him. He did not reply, except by a look –

a) Who was Joe Thompson? Why was his wife angry with him?
b) What kind of a person was Mrs. Joe Thompson?
c) What did Joe request his wife to do?
d) What change did it bring in Mrs. Thompson?
e) Who was the ‘Angel in disguise’ and how did she change their life?

31. “What is to be done with the children?” That was the chief question now.

a) What was the chief question? Why was it being asked and by whom?
b) How had the mother died? Who was present there? What would be done with the mother?
c) Describe the children mentioned in the extract.
d) Who took in John and Kate and why? Why was Maggie left behind?
e) Explain with reason who is the Angel in disguise here?
 32. “No, dear”, he answered in a kind voice, going to the bed, and stooping down over the child –

a) Who is he? What has been said about him immediately before this extract?
b) Who is the child? What had happened to her?
c) What does he do immediately after the extract?
d) Who do they meet after this? How does this person treat the child?
e) What effect does the child have on this person?

33. What light and blessing did that sick and helpless child bring to the home…a precious burden –

a) Who is referred to as ‘precious burden’? Why?

b) What type of person was Mr. Thompson before set met Maggie?
c) How was Mrs. Thompson transformed? Explain.
d) Comment on the ending of the story.

34. For a little while the man stood…..don’t leave me here alone!

a) Who was Maggie? In what condition was she?

b) What had happened at home? Where were her brother and sister? Who was Mr. Thompson? What kind
of person was he?
c) What did Mr. Thompson say and so in response to Maggie’s request?
d) How was Maggie taken care of at Thompson’s household?

35. For this Chapter specifically refer to the notes Extract NO. – 4 and 5.

THE LITTLE MATCH GIRL

36. So the little girl walked about the street on her naked feet…

a) Who was she? What can you conclude about her condition?
b) What time of the year was it? Why did she not want to go home?
c) What did she use the matches for? What happened when she lit the first match?
d) Whom did she love dearly? What did she say when this person appeared before her?
e) What happened to the little girl at the end of the story? Would you consider this as a happy ending?
Give a reason to support your answer.

37. She huddled down in a heap in a corner…not a single penny –

a) Who is ‘she’ referred to in the extract? Describe her appearance.

b) What is special about the day when this incident takes place? How is the weather on this day? Why was
she out in such weather?
c) Why was the girl walking barefeet? What had happened to her footwear?
d) Why didn’t she dare to go back home? What do we get to know about her home immediately after the
extract?
e) What does the girl do after this extract? Why? What does she see?

38. But in the cold dawn, in the corner…half a packed had been burnt –
 a) Who is the little girl? Where was she? What is her condition?
b) Why was she out on the streets? Why did she freeze to death?
c) Why was the girl holding a packet of burnt matches?
d) What do the rosy cheeks and smiling lips of the dead girl symbolize?
e) Does the story have a happy ending?

39. She struck another match….the rich merchant’s house –

a) What happened when she struck another match?

b) Where was she? Why had she come there?
c) Where had she seen a Christmas tree the previous year? How is the Christmas tree in the extract
different from the one she had seen the previous year?
d) What is said about the Christmas tree immediately after the extract?
e) What happened when the match went out?

40. They had been her mother’s, so you can imagine……children of his own –

a) Where was the little girl? What was she doing? Why?
b) What do we get to know about the size of the slippers?
c) How did the little girl lose them? Where were the slippers?
d) What is the narrator trying to convey through the mention of the slippers?

41. He gave her a shove. But, she did not move….She felt them go away.

a) Who is she? Describe her.

b) Where is the story set? Mention any two ways in which the way of life on their planet differs from life on
earth?
c) To what does she compare the sun? What does this tell us about her?
d) Why did the other children not come to her aid when William shoved her?
e) How does her behavior set her apart from the others? Why do you supposed the other children treat her
the way they do?

MY GREATEST OLYMPIC PRIZE

42. An angry athelete is an athelete who will make mistakes…I thought bitterly –

a) Who is ‘I’ here? How had ‘I’ prepared for the Games?
b) Why did ‘I’ fail to qualify in the qualifying jumps?
c) How did he curse himself?
d) Who came to talk to Jesse? What did he offer Jesse?
e) What did Luz tell Jesse that would help him qualify the trials?

43. I’d trained, sweated….I had my eye especially on the running broad jump –

a) Who is the speaker? For how long had he trained, sweated and disciplined himself? What games are
being referred to?
b) What was the main thought in the mind of the speaker? Where was the speaker at the time? Which
event did he have his eye on?
 c) What was everyone expecting of the speaker? Why?
d) Why was the speaker startled when he went for the broad jumps trials? Explain in detail.
e) Why was it important for the speaker to win the event at this time? What would happen if he lost?

44. An angry athelete….I fouled even worse –

a) Who is referred to as “An angry athelete”? What is said about angry atheletes? Who says so?
b) What was making the athlete angry?
c) What were the speaker’s feelings on his performance?
d) Which action of the speaker after this extract revealed his disgust at himself? Who made him calm
down?
e) What advice did the person who calmed when the speaker down give to him? What does this tell us
about his character?

45. When I finally got up to leave ….even if that meant my winning -

a) Who is Luz Long? What would he do the next day? Why?
b) Where had Jesse gone? Why?
c) What did he do there?
d) How did the two competitors perform the next day?
e) What did Jesse and Luz realize when Jesse rose to leave? What does Jesse say about this later on in the
narrative?

SOME POSSIBLE LONG QUESTIONS

46. (a) Why did Joe Thompson take Maggie home? How did he manage to convince his wife to all Maggie to stay
for one night? (b) Describe the sight Joe Thompson saw when he looked into the window. (c) Narrate the
interaction that Joe and Jane Thompson had with Maggie afterwards? How did Jane’s decision change? How
did Maggie prove to be an angel in disguise?

47. (a) Why does Joe Thompson refer to scripture while talking to his wife? What did he say about the
scriptiure? (b) How does Thompson convince his wife to keep Maggie?

48. (a) How are the Red and White Man different in their religious beliefs and spiritual practices? (b) How does
Seattle present the force of his argument for the statement – ‘Your God is not our God’? (c) How does
Seattle conclude? What condition does he lay? Why does he say that the White Man will never be alone?

49. (a) How is the attachment of the Red Man with the environment evident in Seattle’s words? (b) How is the
destiny of both the White and the Red common? (c) What would happen once the entire tribe of the Red
Men are wiped out?

50. (a) What do you know about Mr. Oliver and his evening outing into the town? (b) What did Mr. Oliver see in
the forest? What did he say? (c) How did Mr. Oliver get the shock of his life? How effect is the end of the
story?