Assignments in Communicative English Class-X (Term-I)

Section D: Literature
The Dear Departed
ASSIGNMENT 1
(Reference to Context MCQs)
Read the following extracts and choose the correct (iii) From the above statement it is clear that Mrs
option. Slater was
1. Mrs Slater : Im amazed at you, Victoria, I really (a) resourceful (b) miserly
am. How you can gallivanting about in the street (c) greedy (d) vain
with your grandfather lying dead and cold
upstairs, I dont know. Be off now, and change Answer : (i) ________ (ii) ________ (iii) _________
your dress before your Aunt Elizabeth and your 3. Victoria : Are we pinching it before Aunt Elizabeth
uncle Ben come. It would never do for them to find comes?
you in colours. Henry : (Shocked) No, my child. Grandpa gave it
(i) Mrs Slater is angry with Victoria because to your mother before he died.
(a) she is moving around too much (i) Victorias remarks reflect upon the behavior
(b) she is wasting time in the street of the adults that they are
(c) she hasnt changed her dress (a) hypocrites (b) mercenary
(d) shes not bothered about her grandfathers (c) greed-driven (d) clever
death (ii) Henry proves to be __________ from his
(ii) Aunt Elizabeth and Ben are paying a visit to statement.
(a) offer condolence for the old mans death (a) submissive (b) gullible
(c) hen-pecked (d) vulnerable
(b) check upon the old man
(c) lay their hands on his belongings (iii) Such pretensions and manipulative behavior
(d) to slow to Mrs Slater their sorrow over the ends up __________ the lives of children like
death Victoria
(a) benefitting (b) guiding
(iii) Mrs Slater appears to be a lady who is very
(c) harming (d) confusing
particular about
(a) ceremonies Answer : (i) ________ (ii) ________ (iii) _________
(b) relatives
4. Mrs Slater : I could never fancy buying ready-
(c) condolence
made things.
(d) mourning dresses on death
Ms Jordan : No? For myself its such a relief to get
Answer : (i) ________ (ii) ________ (iii) _________ into the black.
2. Mrs Slater : My hearts fit to break when I see the (i) The above conversation reveals that both the
trifles that belonged to grandfather lying around, daughters are not __________ regarding the
and think hell never use them again. death of their father.
Here! youd better wear these slippers of (a) emotional (b) grief-stricken
grandfathers now : Its lucky hed just got a new (c) sad (d) concerned
pair. (ii) Death has become an occasion for only
(i) Mrs Slater is very disturbed because (a) sad expressions
(a) her father is dead (b) flaunting mourning dresses
(b) his things are lying scattered (c) funeral services
(c) she has to make arrangements (d) prayers
(d) she cannot afford to have his things wasted (iii) The above conversation reveals that both the
(ii) Mrs Slater is very resourceful as sisters are
(a) she manages to make all the arrangements (a) Jealous (b) Competitive
(b) she is able to use her fathers slippers (c) Vicious (d) Concerned
(c) she has managed to inform her sister Answer : (i) ________ (ii) ________ (iii) _________
(d) she has managed to get tea ready for relatives
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 5. Mrs Jordan :I like Never Forgotten. Its refined (ii) The comment of Ben is
Henry : Yes, but its rather soon for that (a) humorous (b) pretentious
Ben : You couldnt very well forget him the day (c) ironical (d) pretentious
after (iii) The relatives above are discussing about
(i) Do you believe the conversation taking place __________ to be given in the newspaper.
above is (a) obituary (b) announcement
(a) emotional (b) authentic (c) tribute (d) notice
(c) genuine (d) heart-felt
Answer : (i) ________ (ii) ________ (iii) _________

ASSIGNMENT 2
(Reference to Context NON-MCQs)
Read the following extracts and answer the questions that follow :
1. It would never do for them to find you in colours.
(i) Identify the speaker and the listener.
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(ii) Who is referred to as them in the above statement?
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(iii) Explain in colours
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(iv) What is the context of the above remark?
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2. Elizabeths that sharp shell see Im after it and shell drive a hard bargain over it. Eli, what it is to have a
low money grubbing spirit?
(i) What is Elizabeths relation with the speaker?
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(ii) What bargain is being discussed here?
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(iii) Explain low money grubbing spirit.
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(iv) What do the above remarks reflect about the speakers attitude and nature?
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3. No, my child, Grandpa gave it to your mother before he died.

(i) Identify the speaker and the listener.
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(ii) What does it refer to?
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 (iii) What impression do you form of the speakers from the above statement?
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(iv) What do you think will be the impact of the above statement on the listener?
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4. He is too honourable to have gone without paying his premium?

(i) Who is the speaker and who is the listener?
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(ii) Who is He in the above statement?

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(iii) What is the speakers relation with the person mentioned.

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(iv) What is the speakers conception of honour?

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5. I like Never Forgotten. Its refined.

(i) Who is the speaker?
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(ii) What is the context of the above remark?

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(iii) For whom is Never forgotten used?

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(iv) Point out the irony inherent in the above remark.

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6. Hes done it on purpose, just to annoy us

(i) Identify He and us.
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(ii) Mention the context of the above remark.

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(iii) What mistake has the person mentioned made?

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(iv) Do you think the speakers and the others like him deserve that kind of treatment?
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(ii) What exactly has been going on in the house?

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(iii) Who is the speaker and whom is he addressing?

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(iv) What do the above remarks reflect about the listeners?

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8. Mrs Jordan, You know father, its quite time you come to live with us again wed make you very
comfortable.
(i) What has brought about the above change in the speakers attitude?
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(ii) What about the above turn of events?
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(iii) Who is instrumental in this change and why?
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(iv) What does it reflect about Mrs Jordans character?
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9. I felt I was bit of a burden to you, so I found someone whod think it a pleasure to look after me.
(i) For whom is the speaker supposed to be a burden?
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(ii) Who is the speaker and who are the listeners?
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(iii) Who has the speaker found to look after him?
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(iv) How does the speakers decision affect the listeners?
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ASSIGNMENT 3
SHORT ANSWER QUESTIONS
1. Why does Mrs Slater instruct Victoria to change her dress?
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 2. Why were Mr and Mrs Jordan visiting the Slaters after so many years?
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3. Henry says I suppose its in the family. Why does Henry make this comment and what does it reflect
about the two sisters?
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4. Mother and me is going to bring grandfathers bureau down here. Who makes this remark and in what
context? What does this reflect about the speaker?
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5. For myself its such a relief to get into the black. Who makes the above remark and what is the context?
Ans :

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 6. Mrs Slater says, he must have gone round to the Ring-O-Bells afterwards, for he came in as merry as
a sand boy regarding Abel Merryweather. Do you think this remark is a prediction of the things to come?
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7. Mrs Jordan, we want a verse that says how much we loved him and refers to all his good qualities and

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says what a heavy loss were had. Point out the irony in this remark.
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8. After all Ive done for him, having to put up with him in the house these three years. Its nothing short
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of swindling who makes this remark and what does this reflect about the speakers attitude?
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9. Describe the reaction of all Slaters and the Jordans when Abel Merryweather walks in the parlour?
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 10. Why are Amelia and Elizabeth reluctant to tell the truth to their father regarding their mourning dresses?
What stories do they cook up to convince their father?
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11. Why does Mr Abel Merryweather decide to make another will? What is the reaction of the others?

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12. What is the most surprising announcement made by Mr Abel in the end? How does it affect the other
characters?
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ASSIGNMENT 4
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LONG ANSWER QUESTIONS

1. You are a neighbour of Mrs Slater on Upper Cornbank Street. You have witnessed the indifferent and
insensitive manner in which Mrs Slater looks after her father and how the poor father contrives ways to
stay out of the house. Write a letter to a friend expressing your grave concern at the way in which the
elderly people are neglected.
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2. Discuss the character-sketch of Mrs Jordan and Mrs Slater as opposed to the characters of their husbands.

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3. Victoria is the only one who loves her grandfather. She is also a witness to the manipulations and the
mercenary behaviour of her parents and her aunt and uncle. She writes a diary expressing shock at their
attitude and the emotional loss she would undergo after her grandfathers departure.
Ans :

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 4. Many years have elapsed. Mr Abel Merryweather passed away some years back. Mrs Slater is old and she
realises how greedily she had behaved with her father. She is grief-stricken and regrets her actions. She

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unburdens her self in a diary-entry. Compose this on her behalf.

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