Question

QUESTION – 1

Read carefully the passage given below and answer the questions (a) and (b) that follow.

All answers must be based on information given in the passage.

I was for a long time resistant to the idea of a mosquito net over my head - a net of any kind in fact,

being under the entirely naive impression that I was perfectly capable of facing the world, asleep or

awake, without a protective shield. True, there had been an exception. When I paid a girl friend a visit in

upper Assam, a mosquito net was arranged around my bed, rather elegantly I thought, recalling a bygone

age. The bottom edge brushed the floor of my bedroom and climbing into bed after lifting the net gingerly

had its charm.

Come winter, a circus descends on the maidan next to my home. Not having seen the circus, I don't

know whether flies, bugs, mosquitoes or fleas perform tricks there. But I do know that, come the Big Top,

my home is invaded by mosquitoes, scores of them, crying for blood, perhaps out of a sense of frustration

after being upstaged at the circus by much larger artistes. And, believe me, if thwarted, they drone even

louder. Hell hath no fury as that of a mosquito scorned.

I am now a firm convert to the mosquito net cult. The ugly nails which had to be hammered into

my lovely Asian Paints blue wall, the acrobatics which precede the fixing of the net every evening and its

dismantling the next morning, the hassle of it all brings rich dividends in the form of a cosier home within a

home. I carefully lift one corner and creep into my bed, hoping I have eluded the invading armies, tuck that

particular end under the mattress and lie down with a deep sigh of relief. If I still hear the drone of the

mosquito beating its wings against the net, all I say is, "Sorry mosquito, Good Night me."

(a) Give the meanings of the following words as they are used in the passage.

(i) elegantly

(ii) gingerly

(iii) upstaged (iv) thwarted

(v) scorned

(b) Answer the following questions briefly in your own words as far as possible.

(i)Why was the author resistant to a mosquito net over him?

(ii) What charming experience did he have in upper Assam?

(iii) 'Come winter...’ What happens then?

(iv) ‘Hell hath no fury as that of a mosquito scorned.’ Explain what the author means by this

statement.

(v) Give an example of the author's sense of humour.​

Answer 1

Answer:

Word Meaning

Elegantly in a graceful and stylish manner.

gingerly in a careful or cautious manner.

upstaged divert attention from (someone) towards oneself.

thwarted prevent (someone) from accomplishing something

scorned feel or express contempt or disdain for.