Montfort School , Dhenkanal.
Class: VIII
Subject: English 1
Time-45mins Full Marks-20
Q. Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions that follow:
My family was not rich. We just managed to make both ends meet. We economised on everything. We bought food on subsidised rates and our meals had no variety. My sisters made their dresses at home and I used to go through terrible scenes on account of lost buttons and torn trousers. Uncle Jules, my father's brother, was the only hope of the family. I had heard about him since childhood; so I knew details of his life up to the day of his departure for America Uncle Jules had visibly diminished my father's share of the inheritance after he had swallowed his own.
Once, he wrote to us saying that he would soon make up for the damage done by him. After two years, another letter arrived informing us that he was undertaking a long sea voyage on account of his business and he hoped to see us once he would return. Uncle Jules, who up to that time had not been worth his salt, suddenly became a good man. For ten years, nothing was heard from him; but as time went on my father's hope grew.
His letter became the gospel of the family. It was read on the slightest pretext and it was shown to everybody. Thousands of schemes were planned on the strength of his expected return. One day, following the wedding of one of my sisters, all of us took a trip to America.
At a distance on the deck, an old ragged sailor was opening oysters with his knife and passing them to some gentlemen. He was dirty, wrinkled, and didn't lift his eyes from his work. Both my sisters and my brother-in-law, gathered around the old man to buy some oysters. My father suddenly appeared to be worried and said in a low voice, "It's strange that the man opening the oysters looks like Jules."
My father enquired from the captain, who confirmed that it was indeed Jules, my Uncle Jules, My father murmured: "What a catastrophe!" My parents were visibly upset
and it was decided that in my brother-in-law's presence none of us would acknowledge Uncle Jules as our family member. It would be such a shame if we did. I was given five francs to pay for the oysters my sisters had bought. As Jules returned the change, I gave him a generous tip, carefully observing him all the time.
As we approached the harbour, a violent desire seized me to see my legendary uncle
who had fallen from grace. I wanted to say something consoling to him, something tender but by then no one was eating any more oysters and he had disappeared.
(a)Give the meaning of the following words as used in the passage: One word answers or short phrases will be accepted. (3)
(i) subsidised (line 2)
(ii) swallowed (line 7)
(iii) seized (line 29)
(b) Answer the following questions briefly in your own words,
(i) What kind of life did the narrator's family lead? (2)
(ii)What damage did Uncle Jules do to the family? (1)
(iii) How did the family react to the expected return of Uncle Jules? (2)
(iv) State the circumstances that led to the recognition of Uncle Jules on the ship. (2)
(v)How did the narrator's parents react after recognising Jules? Why? (2)
(c) In not more than 50 words, narrate how the great hopes of the family were shattered at the end. (8)
Answers
Answer:
Answers for the multiple questions from the passage.
Explanation:
From the above question,
They have given a passage, we have to answer the questions from the given passage.
The great hopes of the family were shattered when they realised the man opening oysters on the ship was none other than their own Uncle Jules, who had fallen from grace. Despite wanting to say something consoling to him, they decided to pretend that they did not recognise him in order to avoid any shame. As they reached the harbour, Uncle Jules had already disappeared, leaving the family with an overwhelming sense of sadness.
Give the meaning of the following words as used in the passage: One word answers or short phrases will be accepted.
(i) subsidised (adj): Reduced in price.
(ii) swallowed (verb): Consumed or absorbed.
(iii) seized (verb): To take hold of suddenly or forcibly.
Answer the following questions briefly in your own words,
(i) What kind of life did the narrator's family lead? (2)
- The narrator's family led a modest and frugal life. They economised on everything and their meals had no variety.
(ii)What damage did Uncle Jules do to the family? (1)
- Uncle Jules had visibly diminished my father's share of the inheritance after he had consumed his own.
(iii) How did the family react to the expected return of Uncle Jules? (2)
- The family was filled with hope and anticipation as they eagerly awaited Uncle Jules' return. Thousands of schemes were planned on the strength of his expected return.
(iv) State the circumstances that led to the recognition of Uncle Jules on the ship.
- The recognition of Uncle Jules on the ship was triggered when the narrator's father noticed a resemblance between the old man opening oysters and Jules.
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