Question

Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions that follow: (1) With my mother's permission and blessings, I set off exultantly for Bombay, but on arrival there, friends told my brother that the Indian Ocean was rough in June and July, and as this was my first voyage, I should not be allowed to sail until November. Someone also reported that a steamer had just been sunk in a gale. This made my brother uneasy, and he refused to take the risk of allowing me to sail immediately. Leaving me with a friend of mine in Bombay, he returned to Rajkot to resume his duty. Time hung heavily on my hands in Bombay. I dreamt continually of going to England. (2) Meanwhile my caste-people were agitated over my going abroad. No Modh Bania had been to England up to now, and if I dared to do so, I ought to be brought to book! A general meeting of the caste was called and I was summoned to appear before it. I went. How I suddenly managed to muster up courage I do not know. Nothing daunted, and without the slightest hesitation, I came before the meeting. (3) The Sheth – the headman of the community – who was distantly related to me and was on very good terms with my father, thus accosted me: ' In the opinion of the caste, your proposal to go to England is not proper. Our religion forbids voyages abroad. We have also heard that it is not possible to live there without compromising our religion!’ To which I replied: ‘I do not think it is at all against our religion to go to England. I intend going there for further studies. And I have already solemnly promised to my mother to abstain from three things you fear the most. I am sure the vow will keep me safe.’ (4) ‘But,' rejoined the Sheth, 'You know my relations with your father and you ought to listen to my advice.’ 'I know ,' said I. ‘You are as an elder to me. But I am helpless in this matter. I cannot alter my resolve to go to England. My father’s friend and adviser , who is a learned Brahman,needs no objection to my going to England, and my mother and brother have also given me their permission.’ ' But will you disregard the orders of the caste?’ ‘I am really helpless. I think the caste should not interfere in the matter.’ This incensed the Sheth. He swore at me and pronounced his order: ' This boy shall be treated as an outcaste from today. Whoever helps him shall be punishable with a fine of one rupee four annas.’ (5) The order had no effect on me, and I took my leave of the Sheth. Based on an excerpt from the story of 'My Experiments with Truth' by Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi a) Why was the author extremely happy while leaving for Bombay? Why was he restless after reaching there? (2) b) Who was the 'Sheth'? What 'proposal' of the narrator did he find 'improper' and why? (2) c) In what ways did the author's opinion about going abroad differ from that of his fellow caste men? (2) d) Why was the Sheth upset at the author’s refusal to agree to his advice? How did he express his anger? (2) VOCABULARY (1x4=4) e) Which word in paragraph 1 can be replaced by the word 'cheerfully'? f) Which word in paragraph 2 of then passage is similar in meaning to 'frightened'? g) Find a word in paragraph 3 that means the opposite of 'avoided or ignored' ? h) Which word in paragraph 4 means 'extremely angry’?

Answer 1

Answer:

7.2

a. extiltantly

b agitated

c accompanied

d incensed