"Question 1 Discuss in pairs and answer each question below in a short paragraph (30 − 40 words). 1. “The sound was familiar one.” What sound did the doctor hear? What did he think it was? How many times did he hear it? (Find the places in the text.) When and why did the sounds stop? 2. What two “important” and “earth-shaking” decisions did the doctor take while he was looking into the mirror? 3. “I looked into the mirror and smiled,” says the doctor. A little later he says, “I forgot my danger and smiled feebly at myself.” What is the doctor’s opinion about himself when: (i) he first smiles, and (ii) he smiles again? In what way do his thoughts change in between, and why?
Class 9 - English - The Snake and the Mirror Page -60"
Answers
Answer 1:
The doctor heard the sounds of some rats which he thought were making noise. Taking it in an easy his perception made him feel that it was the noise of rats. He hot the noise almost about three times. When a dull thud came as if a rubber tube had fallen suddenly, the sound stops then.
Answer 2:
The following were the two important and earth shaking decisions that the doctor took while he was looking into the mirror -
» He would shave daily and grow a thin moustache to look more handsome.
» He would always keep an attractive smile on his face.
Answer 3:
» When did doctor first smiles, he has a pretentious opinion of himself, admiring his looks and his profession.
» In the second exemplification, the doctor smiles at his foolishness and helplessness.
His thoughts change after his encounter with the snake - from being a proud doctor he moves on to accept his foolishness.