How did the instructor “build a swimmer” out of Douglas?
For every three months he was attached with a belt. He went back and forth across the pool. On each trip across the pool a bit of panic seized him. Each time instructor made him waved his hold on the rope and he went under, come of the old terror returned and freezed his legs. Then he taught him to put his face under water and exhale, and to rave his nose and inhale held him at the ride of the pool and taught him kick with his legs. He practiced a lot and finally instructor told him that you are ready to swim. Thus piece by piece he built a swimmer.
How did this experience affect him?
How did Douglas overcome his fear of water?
Why was Douglas determined to get over his fear of water?
How does Douglas make clear to the reader the sense of panic that gripped him as he almost drowned? Describe the details that have made the description vivid.
Why does Douglas as an adult recount a childhood experience of terror and his conquering of it? What larger meaning does he draw from this experience?
How did Douglas make sure that he conquered the old terror?
What is the “misadventure” that William Douglas speaks about?
What were the series of emotions and fears that Douglas experienced when he was thrown into the pool? What plans did he make to come to the surface?
What was Franz expected to be prepared with for school that day?
What is Saheb looking for in the garbage dumps? Where is he and where has he come from?
From where did the peddler get the idea of the world being a rattrap?
Strike out what is not true in the following.
a. Rajkumar Shukla was
(i) a sharecropper.
(ii) a politician.
(iii) delegate.
(iv) a landlord.
b. Rajkumar Shukla was
(i) poor.
(ii) physically strong.
(iii) illiterate.
What does the writer mean by ‘the fiery misery’ of those subjected to make-up’?
What are some of the positive views on interviews?
Where was it most likely that the two girls would find work after school?
What did Franz notice that was unusual about the school that day?
What explanations does the author offer for the children not wearing footwear?
Why was he amused by this idea?
What does the writer mean by ‘the fiery misery’ of those subjected to make-up’?
How is Mukesh’s attitude to his situation different from that of his family?
How did the episode change the plight of the peasants?
What is the belief in some primitive cultures about being photographed?
What was Franz expected to be prepared with for school that day?
What is the example of national integration that the author refers to?
Would you agree that promises made to poor children are rarely kept? Why do you think this happens in the incidents narrated in the text?
The people in this story suddenly realise how precious their language is to them. What shows you this? Why does this happen?
Who was The Boss of Gemini Studios?
Do you think Umberto Eco likes being interviewed? Give reasons for your opinion.