How to deal with novel genre

I am very thankful to Dr. Suhashini Jadhav, Dr. Dipak Damodare, Dr. Gajanan Malokar , Avinash Rade , Pravin Muley, Dr. Shubhra Roy, Suniti Moharil, Anil Bagade and Sunil Patil for guiding and inspiring to come with this write-up. 

    Students are very much concerned about the preparation of the novel genre for some reason.The major shift in this section of Novel Genre is that this is memory based. So far as students are used to writing answers from the extracts in the activity sheet itself. For these 16 marks there will be no help from the activity sheet itself. So thorough knowledge of all 4 items in this section is very necessary. Students should follow the guidelines to understand the novel genre. In the Activity Sheet activities on History of Novel are MCQ based. These activities are True/ False, Match the pairs, odd out, fill in the blanks, chronological order, complete the table, choosing the alternative etc. For completing the activities of True/False, Fill in the blanks, Choose the alternative, students should write complete sentences. Only options are not acceptable. To match the pairs, write pairs. Matching only alphabets and numbers is not acceptable. In chronological order use numbers in order 1234. 

 1. Reading of the novel extract twice is essential. 

 2. Think about the happenings in the chapters of novel ie. plot of the chapters.Try to narrate important events. 

 3. Point out places and occurrence of events there. Look for the time ( year, season, period) references. Think about its relation with the story. It will help you to understand the setting of the novel. 

 4. Point out main characters, know their physique and qualities.Every fictional character has one dominant disposition, along with subsequent or supporting character traits. Usually there are two ways to understand a fictional character - what he does and what he says. Along with this, what he says about himself, what other characters say about him, how are his reactions to the events and actions in the novel, these things also help us to understand the character. Try to find out strength and weaknesses of the characters. 

 5. Point out important dialogues and their speaker, their effect ( change in thinking, working, turning the novel etc.). Find out the use of uncommon words, sentence/s, phrases etc (language ). Focus on the language used there. 

 6. Focus on the central idea of the novel and extract. Try to know what the narrator wants to tell. 

7. Identify the type of novel.... 'To Sir With Love' autobiographical novel, 'The Sign of Four' detective novel 'Around the World in Eighty Days' adventurous novel . 

8.Find out the twists and turns in the novel (conflict ). Try to know about the inner struggle of the character and also struggle between two characters. 

9. Study the impact and influence of events/incidents/language/even characters etc on the readers (you). 

10. Point out references where the reader ( here the student ) is motivated/ forced/ compelled to read the full length novel. 

11. We need to understand the message or moral of the novel.

Prafulla Mahure 

Mahatma Gandhi Jr College Gadchandur Moderator Nagpur Division

Grammar Competancy

1.8 Vovaging Towards Excellence: Question Bank

 Read the extract and solve the activities.                         (12)

I scored 100% marks in Mathematics in almost all the examinations that I appeared for from my 1st standard until IIT, barring only a few times. I stood 16th in the SSC Board (at that time, this examination was for the whole of Maharashtra, including Nagpur) and I stood 1st in the University in all subjects put together. Those days, you could get an admission into IIT without the entrance test (JEE) if you had secured the 1st rank in the University. Therefore, I did not have to appear for the 

entrance test to get the admission into IIT, but nobody in Solapur told me about it, for I doubt if anybody in Solapur even knew about this rule. Therefore, I appeared for the entrance examination, and I secured a very good rank in the same. I was quite happy getting into IIT, but my joy was short lived. At Solapur I had not seen any building which was more than three storeyed. Mumbai however was full of skyscrapers. At IIT, most of the students and professors used to converse in English whereas my 

English was very poor. I had my entire education in Marathi. My spoken English was quite pathetic. Not only did I have a very weak vocabulary, but, my pronunciation also was terrible and my construction of English sentences very awkward to say the least. Due to all this, I was feeling quite lonely and terrified in Mumbai in general and  IIT in particular. I had developed an inferiority complex and wanted to run away from IIT and even Mumbai.

One day, I was sitting at my mess table in the hostel sipping tea when a senior guy came and sat on the chair adjacent to me. He was a convent educated guy with fairly sophisticated English- at least spoken or colloquial English. He was a bit arrogant and wanted to pull my leg. He tried to engage in some conversation with me and started pointing out errors in just about every sentence or everything that I said. After about 5 minutes he walked away after insulting me.

 I felt extremely humiliated and upset. As it is, I was feeling quite depressed and diffident and this incident was the last straw. I was almost broken. I felt out of place there and literally wanted to run away to Solapur that very moment. However, it was only my self-esteem which stopped me. Suddenly, a feeling of determination and strength came over me and gripped me. Despite hailing from Solapur, if I could be a rank holder in the school, college and IIT with many awards in Mathematics, there must be something right with me. Why should I give up? And that too for a silly and small thing like English? I was not to give up anymore, and I was determined to fight back.

IIT, most of the students and professors used to converse in English whereas my 

English was very poor. I had my entire education in Marathi. My spoken English was 

quite pathetic. Not only did I have a very weak vocabulary, but, my pronunciation 

also was terrible and my construction of English sentences very awkward to say the 

least. Due to all this, I was feeling quite lonely and terrified in Mumbai in general .

A1 Complete the given statements. (2)

i. The writer got admission in IIT as he got good rank in the entrance examination for IIT.

ii. The poor English of the writer was responsible for his sense of feeling quite lonely and terrified in Mumbai.

A2 Describe the state of mind of the writer when he came from Solapur. (2)

Ans: When he came to IIT Mumbai from Solapur, he was very happy. But his happiness and joy was short lived. Seeing the skyscrapers in Mumbai  he developed inferiority complex . He wanted to run away from Mumbai . 

A3 The incident of the insult by a senior was a blessing in disguise for the writer. Explain. (2)

Ans:  After the insult by a senior guy, the writer literally wanted to run away. But his self esteem stopped him doing so. A feeling determination and strength came over him. He decided to fight back . That incident turned to be a blessing in disguise. 

A4 We need a punch to push ourselves forward. Share your experience. (2)

Ans: We need punch to push ourselves forward. I was very weak in mathematics. The teacher and students used to tease me. They called me discovery of zero. It made me very upset. One of my friends offered to teach me. I started working hard and got 100 out of 100 in final exam. 

A5 Do as directed. (2)

i. Not only did I have a very weak vocabulary, but my pronunciation also was terrible.

[Choose correct alternative to rewrite the sentence as a simple sentence]

a. I had a very weak vocabulary with terrible pronunciation.

b. I had a very weak vocabulary and my pronunciation was terrible.

c. I did have a very weak vocabulary along with terrible pronunciation.

d. I had a weak vocabulary as well as terrible pronunciation.

ii. I felt extremely humiliated.

[Choose correct alternative to rewrite the sentence using the noun form of the underlined word.]

a. I felt extremely humiliation.

b. I felt extremely humiliating.

c. I felt extreme humiliation.

d. I felt extreme humiliating.

A6 Prepare a word register for ‘language’

Ans : feelings , communication, thought, spoken , written, literature, messages, letter, sound, alphabets, vowels, consonants 

Click for

Question Bank Solutions 'On Saying Please'

Big Data Big Insight

An Astrologer's Day

Activities on On Saying Please

Std 12 English Yuvakbharti

Question and answer on On Saying'Please'.

Read the extract and complete the activities given below: (12)

The young lift-man in a City office who threw a passenger out of his lift the other morning and was fined for the offence was undoubtedly in the wrong. It was a question of “Please.” The complainant entering the lift, said, “Top.” The lift-man demanded “Top-please,” and this concession being refused he not only declined to comply with the instruction, but hurled the passenger out of the lift. This, of course 

was carrying a comment on manner too far. Discourtesy is not a legal offence, and it does not excuse assault and battery. If a burglar breaks into my house and I knock him down, the law will acquit me, and if I am physically assaulted, it will permit me to retaliate with reasonable violence. It does this because the burglar and my assailant have broken quite definite commands of the law. But no legal system could attempt to legislate against bad manners or could sanction the use of violence against something which it does not itself recognize as a legally punishable offence. And our sympathy with the liftman, we must admit that the law is reasonable. It would never do if we were at liberty to box people’s ears because we did not like their behaviour, or the tone of their voices, or the scowl on their faces. Our fists would never be idle, and the gutters of the city would run with blood all day. I may be as uncivil as I may please and the law will protect me against violent retaliation. I may be haughty or boorish and there is no penalty to pay except the penalty of being written down an ill￾mannered fellow. The law does not compel me to say “Please” or to attune my voice to other people’s sensibilities any more than it says that I shall not wax my moustache or dye my hair or wear ringlets down my back. It does not recognize the laceration of our feelings as a case for compensation. There is no allowance for moral and intellectual damages in these matters.

A1. Read the following statements and pick out the statement which expresses the 

intention of the writer. (2)

i. There is an importance of good manners and civility.

ii. The wound on one’s self-respect is more painful than physical wound.

iii. One needs to be courteous with a liftman.

iv. Strict laws can civilize people.

A2. Pick out some examples of behaviour from the extract that are not punishable under law. (Any four) (2)

Ans :  The following behaviours are not punishable. 

A) Showing dislike for others' behaviour, or the tone of their voices, or the scowl on their faces. 

B) One can be uncivil as much as he likes.

C) Not waxing moustache or dye hair. 

A3. “The passenger damaged the liftman’s self- respect”. Support your answer with some facts from the extract. (2)

Ans : The complainant entering the lift, said, “Top.” The lift-man demanded “Top-please,” and this concession being refused he not only declined to comply with the instruction, but hurled the passenger out of the lift. This, of course was carrying a comment on manner too far

A4. What if- ‘Discourtesy is a legal offence?’ Write your response in about 30 words.(2)

Ans : If discourtesy is a legal offence, police station will have pouring complaints. The courts will have a long pending cases. The people will be seen fighting here and there. 

A5. Do as directed. (2)

1) If I am physically assaulted, it will permit me to retaliate.

(Choose correct alternative to use ‘unless’)

i. Unless I am physically assaulted, it will permit me to retaliate.

ii. Unless I am physically assaulted, it would not permit me to retaliate.

iii. Unless I am physically assaulted, it will not permit me to retaliate.

iv. Unless I am not physically assaulted, it will not permit me to retaliate.

2) The law will protect me against violent retaliation.

(Choose correct alternative to use a modal auxiliary showing ‘obligation’)

i. The law can protect me against violent retaliation.

ii. The law could protect me against violent retaliation.

iii. The law may protect me against violent retaliation.

iv. The law must protect me against violent retaliation.

A6. Find out the words from the passage which mean the following: (2)

i. Lack of courtesy-  discourtesy

ii. Fight with the fists - box

iii. Uncultured - boorish

iv. An attacker - assailant

4.4 The Sign of Four

Q. 5 D Answer in about 50 words to the questions given below. (2x2 = 4 marks)

1. The reception of six pearls helps the story to move forward by providing some 

connection with the other happenings. Illustrate.

Ans :  The reception of six pearls gives a breakthrough to the story 'The Sign of Four'. Mary Morston, the major character in the story has received six pearls from an unknown person one per year. With the last pearl there was a note for meeting. She approached the detective Holmes to get help. Holmes and his friend Dr. Watson agreed to accompany her to an the unknown person. The story moves forward to and unfolds the secret of pearls received by her. 

2. Describe the desired destination of the parties in your words by providing some details.

Ans : Miss Morstan, Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson were on their desired destination. They were taken to the forbidden neighborhood. The area was not inhabited. Their cab stopped at a house which was as dark as others. A single glimmer appeared in the kitchen. It was a third rate suburban dwelling house. Here they were invited to discuss about some important issue about the treasure.

3. Write the character sketch of Sherlock Holmes as a professional detective. 

Ans:  Sherlock Holmes is a  major character in the story. He is a professional detective. In the novel 'Sign Of Four' Mary Mortsan gives her case to Holmes to solve.  He has a business tone and extraordinary concentration dealing with his client. He is very peculiar in dealing with the case. He derives some conclusion from handwriting. He goes to the root of the case and comes with a solution. He is a kind and brilliant detective. 

4. Compare the thought process of Holmes and Dr. Watson in handling the case.

Ans: Holmes is of the opinion that the judgment should not be biased by personal qualities. He observes the handwriting in the note and draws conclusion that the writer is a man of self esteem and character. For Holmes there is no mystery in the case. To Watson the handwriting seems legible and regular. 

5. Narrate the case of Miss Morstan in your words. 

Ans: Mary Morstan's father disappeared on 3rd of December, 1878 from a hotel. She was about to meet him at the hotel. She complained about the missing of her father at the police station. She advertised about it. She met her father's friend Major Sholto. But he was not found. Then in 1882 she found an advertisement for her address. She responded to the advertisement and she received a pearl. Since then she received such pearls for six years. With the last pearls she had a letter with a message - She was wronged and should have justice. 

6. Sherlock Holmes deduced facts from the back files of the times. Justify by providing 

few details.

Ans: Sherlock Holmes found after consulting the back files of the Times that Major Sholto died upon the 28th of April 1882. Within a week of his death, Mary Morstan receives a valuable present repeatedly. In a letter with a last pearl she is described as wronged woman. Sherlock Holmes deduced that it was about her father. Sholto's hair knows something about the mystery about Mary's father's disappearance. 

7. ‘You are a wronged woman, and shall have justice’. Interpret the statement to highlight the conflict in Miss Morstan’s mind.

Ans: Mary Morstan receives a precious pearl every year since 1882. In the sixth year with a pearl there was a letter which reads 'You are a wronged woman, and shall have justice’. Her father major Morstan who was an officer in an Indian regiment. He reached London but disappeared before meeting his daughter. His friend Sholto and Major Morstan had looted treasure. But Sholto cheated Morstan. Sholto told this to his sons. They wanted to compensate and so they arranged Meeting with Mary Morstan by writing the letter.

8. Dr. Watson reflects Miss Morstan's state of mind. Discuss with some examples.

Ans: Dr Watson was nervous and depressed as he was accompanying Mary Morstan and Holmes. He sensed that Mary Morstan also was suffering from the same feeling.  

9. Holmes had a competence about the route of their travel. Suggest some points to clarify the statement.

Ans: Sherlock Holmes had a competence about the route of their travel in London. On the journey he muttered the names of places such as Rochester Row, Vincent Squae Vauxhall Bridge Road, Wordsworth Road Stockwll Place Robert Street . 

10. The mention of new places adds a pace to the story. Justify.

Ans : The story opens at the place of Sherlock Holmes. It takes us to Lyceum Theatre. The story takes us to family estate of Thaddeus. The mention of places like the Thames and Baker Street adds pace to the story. It has also references to  Agra, Andaman Islands.

11. Mary Morstan found Holmes as right person to handle her case. Give reason

Ans: Sherlock Holmes had unraveled  Mrs Cecil Forrester domestic complication. She was impressed with his kindness and skills. She recommended her employee Mary Morstan  to hand over her case to Holmes. With his skills he solved her case too. 

12. Write the character sketch of Dr. Watson as a sensitive character.

Ans: Dr Watson is a narrator of the novel 'Sign of Four'. He appears as a friend of Sherlock Holmes. He helps Holmes in his profession of detective. He is a very sensitive. He is ready to help even the clients of Holmes. He is attracted to Mary Morstan in the very first meeting. 

13. The paper found in the desk of captain Morstan is the center of the action. Explain.

Ans : Mary Morstan found a curious paper in her father's trunk. She brought the paper for Holmes to observe. Observing the paper he concluded that the paper was an important documents. The paper was of Indian make and appeared as a map . On the paper  the words were written 'The Sign of Four, - Jonathan Small, Mahomet Singh, Abdullah Khan, Dost Akbar.' The story is about the hidden treasure described in the paper. 

 

14. “I may be very obtuse, Holmes, but I fail to see what this suggests.” Justify the statement by highlighting the difference in deducing the case.

Ans :  Sherlock Holmes finds no great mystery in the case of Mary Morstan. He finds some suggestive facts from the Times. It reads that Major Sholto died on the 28th of April, 1882. Dr.  Watson fails to connect this fact with Mary's case. But Holmes deduces  that Mary's father who disappeared knew  Sholto in London. After Sholto's death Mary received a pearl and letter. 

15. Find support from the text which elaborates the tone of the narrator when he compares himself with Miss Morstan.

16. The narrator makes Miss Morstan’s journey comfortable while going to an unknown place. Narrate in your words.

Ans : The narrator, Miss Morstan and Sherlock Holmes were on journey to unknown place.  The narrator endeavoured to cheer and amuse Miss Morstan by memories of his adventures in Afghanistan. He told her anecdotes. 

17. ‘The coachman is described as a faithful servant’. Justify the statement in your words.

Ans : In the novel the coachman is described as faithful servant. He had to carry Miss Morstan and her two friends. Mary Morstan, Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson reached at the Lyceum Theatre. A small, dark, brisk man in the dress of coachman was waiting for them. On seeing them he enquired if they were the parties with Mary Morstan. He scanned them with penetrating and questioning eyes. He asked Mary to promise that her  companions were not police officers. He carried them only after she promised.

18. Holmes, Dr. Watson and Mary Morstan reached at the third pillar of the Lyceum Theatre. Describe the state of mind of the trio.

Ans : Dr. Watson was nervous and depressed . Miss Morstan was also suffering from the same feeling. They were engaged on strange business. Sherlock Holmes remained unaffected from petty influences. 

4.3 Around The World in Eighty Days

 5 C Answer in about 50 words to the questions given below. (2x2 marks)

1. Explain how the author has made use of International Date Line and time zones in his novel.

Ans : Phileas Fog accepts the challenge of going around the world in eighty days. The members of the Reform club in England accepts the wager for twenty-thousand pounds. Fog goes around the world. He goes through Brindisi, Suez, Mumbai, Kolkata, Hong Kong, Yokohama , San Fransico, New York  and Liverpool. He thinks that he has missed the deadline of eighty days and hasn't reached London. His companion Passepartout  learns that their journey through the different time zones had gained them a day. They reached London a day before the deadline. The author has aptly used time zones in his novel 'Around the World in Eighty days.' 

2. 'Money was never a concern for Mr. Phileas Fogg; it was for honour he accepted the 

wager.' Discuss.

Ans: Mr Phileas Fogg has the opportunity to double his fortune. But Fogg's adventurous journey has nothing to with the money. He accepts the wager to preserve his hon our and prove his worth. He wants to show the members of the Reform Club  that he can do anything he sets out to do. He spends nearly all of his money along the way . This shows that for Fogg, honour is more important than money. 

3. Phileas Fogg's travel around the world was full of adventures and surprises. Illustrate.

Ans : The title  'Around The World in Eighty Days'  itself indicates the adventures in the novel. The novelist takes the readers to a journey of many hair-raising incidents and exciting, adventurous and thrilling places. The journey with trains and ships add adventures. To the surprise Fogg wins the heart of a beautiful and charming woman in India. The detective arrests Fogg at Liverpool. The great surprise is that he keeps his word travelling around the world in eighty days. 

4. Explain how the time gained of a full day is revealed to Mr. Fogg.

Ans : Passepartout is sent to engage a clergyman. He runs out out to get a reverend to marry Fogg and Aouda whom Fogg brought from India. The marraige is to be solemnised the next day on Monday according to them. Passepartout learns that the next is Sunday not Monday. He concludes that their journey through the different time zones had gained them a day. and that they are not late. He hurries home and reveals the truth to Mr Fogg.  

5. Passepartout stations himself outside Phileas’ door. Give reasons.

Ans: Passepartout stations himself outside Phileas' door because he wants to keep watch upon his master. Mr. Phileas confined himself as he thought he didn't reach London in time and lost the wager. Knowing that Englishmen  governed by a fixed idea sometimes resort to suicide. Mr Phileas may do that.  Passepartout wants to avert the situation if happens. He remains outside Phileas's door without the knowledge of Phileas. 

6. Passepartout blamed himself for the misfortune of his master. Justify.

Ans : Passepartout blamed himself for the misfortune of his master Mr Fogg. He had concealed Fix's errand from his master. Fix had revealed his true character and purpose . If he had warned his master about Fix's purpose, his master would have given proof of his innocence. Fix would not have been on the heels of his master to arrest him.

7. Compare the remorse in the minds of Mr. Fogg and Aouda for the seeming failure of his wager.

Ans: Aouda is surprised when Mr Fogg is arrested. Her heart revolts against a charge of robbery on Fogg. She weeps bitterly as she can do nothing to save her protector. Mr. Fogg thought that he was rich enough when he decided bring Aouda from India. She would be free and happy. But as he lost his wager he was ruined. 

8. Explain the stress on the mind of Fogg after returning from world tour at Saville Row.

Ans: After returning from the world tour at Saville Row, he did not open the windows and doors. No appearance of change was visible. He bore his misfortune with calmness. He could not sleep throughout the night. He did not take his breakfast and dinner. He buried himself in setting the affairs right. 

9. Narrate the happenings at Reform Club on the 80th day of the wager.

Ans : The  five club members awaited Mr Fogg at Reform club on the 80th  day of the wager. They were excited about winning the wager as they were sure Mr Fogg would not reach there in time . Thomas Flanagan enquired about arrival of last train. They were constantly looking at the clock. They counted the seconds. At the fifty-fifth second a loud cry was heard followed by applause. And Phileas Fogg appeared before the pendulum beat the sixtieth second. He put his promise of traveling the world in 80 days. 

10. There was no general agreement about Mr. Fogg’s success in the opponents. Discuss.

11. Narrate the happenings at a prison where Fogg was kept under arrest.

Ans: Mr Fogg was kept in prison. He was arrested by Fix, the detective for robbery. Passepartout would have fallen upon Fix had he not been held by some policemen.  Aouda and he had remained at the prison to see Mr Fogg. Mr Fogg seated motionless, calm and without anger on the bench. At thirty-three past two Fix disclosed that the real robber is arrested and he set Mr Fogg free. 

12. All is well that ends well. Justify in the light of the extract from the novel ‘Around the 

World in Eighty Days.’

Ans : Mr. Phileas Fogg 

13. Winning the heart is preferred to the winning of wager. Express by supporting the 

details.

Language Study MCQ Test