How did his mother help him?
Richard Ebright’s mother helped him by giving him confidence in his interest in learning. She took him on trips, bought him telescopes, microscopes, cameras, mounting materials and some equipments, and helped him in various ways. He was her whole life after his father died. If Richard didn't have anything to do, she found things for him to do and learn. Even the book was given to him by his mother that became a turning point in his life. Hence, it can be said his mother played a crucial role in the making of the scientist.
Do you think this is a real-life episode, or mere fiction? Or is it a mixture of both?
“Griffin was rather a lawless person.” Comment.
“Ausable did not fit any description of a secret agent Fowler had ever read.” What do secret agents in books and films look like, in your opinion? Discuss in groups or in class some stories or movies featuring spies, detectives and secret agents, and compare their appearance with that of Ausable in this story. (You may mention characters from fiction in languages other than English. In English fiction you may have come across Sherlock Holmes, Hercule Poirot, or Miss Marple. Have you watched any movies featuring James Bond?)
How does Ausable manage to make Max believe that there is a balcony attached to his room? Look back at his detailed description of it. What makes it a convincing story?
Horace Danby was a meticulous planner but still he faltered. Where did he go wrong and why?
What kind of a person do you think the narrator, a veterinary surgeon, is? Would you say he is tactful as well as full of commonsense?
What was the cause of Matilda’s ruin? How could she have avoided it?
The course of the Loisels’ life changed due to the necklace. Comment.
Bholi’s story must have moved you. Do you think girl children are not treated at par with boys? You are aware that the government has introduced a scheme to save the girl child as the sex ratio is declining. The scheme is called Beti Bachao Beti Padhao, Save the Girl Child. Read about the scheme and design a poster in groups of four and display on the school notice board.
How does he treat the dog?
Do you think this is a real-life episode, or mere fiction? Or is it a mixture of both?
Why did Bholi at first agree to an unequal match? Why did she later reject the marriage? What does this tell us about her?
Bholi had many apprehensions about going to school. What made her feel that she was going to a better place than her home?
How has Max got in?
Does the narrator serve the summons that day?
What was the cause of Matilda’s ruin? How could she have avoided it?
What kind of a person is Mme Loisel — why is she always unhappy?
Why is Mrs Pumphrey worried about Tricki?
If you were caught in a situation like this, how would you have dealt with it?
Why are books referred to as a man’s best companion? Which is your favourite book and why? Write a paragraph about that book.