Question 1.
Why did the man stare at Bepin Babu in disbelief ?
The man reminded Bepin Babu of was trip to Roneh. But Bepin Babu denied of his visit. This made the man. Therefore, he was staring at him in disbelief.
Question 2.
Where did Bepin Babu say he went in October ’58 ?
Bepin Babu said that he had gone to Kanpur at his friend’s place in October 58.
Question 3.
Mention any three (or more) things that Parimal Ghose knew about Bepin Babu.
Parimal Ghose knew that Bepin Babu always carries a bag of books with him, he had no children, he had lost his wife 10 years ago and his only brother died insane.
Question 4.
Why did Bepin Babu worry about what Parimal Ghose had said ?
He was worried as all those were intimate personal details which only a close person could know. Moreover, Bepin Babu did not know the man Parimal Ghose.
Question 5.
How did he try to decide who was right-his memory or Parimal Ghose?
He decided to call Dinesh Mukerji who was there with him at that time at Ranchi. He would decide what was right.
Question 6.
Why did Bepin Babu hesitate to visit Mr. Mukerji? Why did he finally decide to phone him?
He thought that if he visits Dinesh and confirms the trip, he would think him insane. Moreover, he could not take his ruthless sarcasm. In order to know about the truth, he finally decided to call him.
Question 7.
What did Mr. Mukerji say? Did it comfort Bepin Babu, or add to his worries?
Dinesh Mukerji confirmed that he was there in Ranchi in ’58 with him. It makes Bepin Babu more worried as he could not remember that episode.
Question 8.
Who was Chuni Lal ? What did he want from Bepin Babu ?
Chuni Lal was Bepin Babu’s school friend. He wanted some help to get a job from his friend as he was jobless these days.
Question 9.
Why was Dr. Chanda puzzled ? What was unusual about Bepin Babu’s loss of memory ?
Dr. Chanda had never experienced such type of a case about loss of memory. Bepin Babu had forgotten only one incident. It was unusual about his loss of memory.
Question 10.
Had Bepin Babu really lost his memory and forgotten all about a trip to Ranchi?
No, Bepin Babu had not forgotten anything. Chuni Lal made his plan to teach him a lesson. Bepin Babu had never been to Ranchi.
Question 11.
Why do you think Chuni Lal did what he did? Chuni Lal says he has no money; what is it that he does have ?
Bepin Babu had not helped Chuni Lal in getting a job in his hard times. Chunilal has no money but he possesses a good memory. He did all to teach him a lesson.
Question 12.
The author describes Bepin Babu as a serious and hardworking man. What evidence can you find in the story to support this ?
Bepin Babu did not like mixing with people, had a few friends, lived alone and didn’t like spending time in idle conversation. He had been working for a big firm for the past more than 2 decades. Moreover, he had a reputation for being a conscientious worker.
Question 13.
Why did Bepin Babu change his mind about meeting Chuni Lal ? What was the result of this meeting ?
Bepin Babu thought that Chuni Lal would remember something about his Ranchi trip in 1958. Chuni Lal confirmed his visit to Ranchi in ’58. Moreover he also informed that it was he who arranged for his ticket to Ranchi and got one of the fans repaired in his railway boggy.
Question 14.
Bepin Babu lost consciousness at Hudroo Falls. What do you think was the reason for this ?
Bepin Babu went to Hudroo Falls. But he could not find any clue which could remind him that he had been there in Ranchi earlier. He thought he had no hope left and soon would lose everything. At that moment he got depressed and lost his mind. It overburdened him with the thought of loss of memory.
Question 15.
How do you think Bepin Babu reacted when he found out that Chunni Lal had tricked him ?
I think that Bepin Babu must have regretted for not doing anything for his old friend Chuni Lal who was going through tough time.
Question 16.
Look at these two sentences.
• He had to buy at least five books to last him through the week.
• Bepin had to ask Chuni to leave.
Had to is used to show that it was very important or necessary for Bepin Babu to do something. He had no choice. We can also use ‘have to’/has to’ in the same way. Fill in the blanks below using ‘had to’l ‘have to’l ‘has to’ :
(i) I ………………….. cut my hair every month.
(ii) We …………………… go for swimming lessons last year.
(iii) She ……………. tell the principal the truth.
(iv) They ………………….. take the baby to the doctor.
(v) We …………………… complain to the police about the noise.
(vi) Romit …….. finish his homework before he could come out to play.
(vii) I ……… repair my cycle yesterday.
(i) have to
(ii) had to
(iii) had to
(iv) had to
(v) had to
(vi) has to
(vii) had to.
Question 17.
Here are a few idioms that you will find in the story. Look for them in the dictionary in the following way. First, arrange them in the order in which you would find them in a dictionary. (Clue: An idiom is usually listed under the first noun, verb, adjective or adverb in it. Ignore articles or prepositions in the idiom). To help you, we have put in bold the word under which you must look for the idiom in the dictionary.)
(i) at/from close quarters – (close : adjective)
(ii) break into a sinile – (break : verb; look under ‘break into something’)
(iii) carry on – (carry : verb)
(iv) have a clean record – (you may find related meanings under both these words)
(iv) beat about the bush – (verb)
Now refer to your dictionary and find out what they mean.
(i) At/from close quarters-to stand near somebody to observe something about him
(ii) Break into a smile-to pass instant smile to the other person
(iii) Carry on-to continue in a process
(iv) have a clean record-keep something for reference
(v) Beat about the bush-not to say exactly.
Question 18.
Study the sentences in the columns below.
| A | B |
| I saw this movie yesterday. | I have seen this movie already. |
| Bepin Babu worked here for a week last year. | Bepin Babu has worked here since 2003. |
| Chunilal wrote to a publisher last week. | Chunilal has written to a publisher. |
| I visited Ranchi once, long ago. | I have visited Ranchi once before. |
Compare the sentence in the two columns, especially the verb forms.
Answer the following questions about each pair of sentences.
(i) Which column tells us that Bepin Babu is still working at the same place ?
(ii) Which column suggests that Chuni Lal is now waiting for a reply from the publisher?
(iii) Which column suggests that the person still remembers the movie he saw ?
(iv) Which column suggests that the experience of visiting Ranchi is still fresh in the speaker’s mind ?
Question 19.
Given below are jumbled sentences. Working in groups, rearrange the words in each sentence to form correct sentences.
You will find that each sentence contains an idiomatic expression that you have come across in the lesson. Underline the idiom and write down its meaning. Then use your dictionary to check the meaning.
One sentence has been worked out for you as an example.
Jumbled sentence: vanished/The car/seemed to/into thin/have/air.
The car seemed to have vanished into thin air.
Idiom: vanished into thin air— disappeared or vanished in a mysterious way
(i) Stop/and tell me/beating about/what you want/the bush
Ans: …………………….
Idiom : ……………………….
(ii) don’t pay/if you/attention/you might/the wrong train/to the announcement/board
Ans: …………………….
Idiom : ……………………….
(iii) The villagers/tried/the crime/on the young woman/to pin
Ans: …………………….
Idiom : ……………………….
(iv) Bepin Babu/orders to/telling people/under/loved/doctor’s/eat early/that he was
Ans: …………………….
Idiom : ……………………….
(v) the students/The teacher/his eyebrows/when/said that/all their lessons/raised/they had revised
Ans: …………………….
Idiom : ……………………….
Answer:
(i) Stop beating about the bush and tell me what you want.
Idiom\ Beating about the bush—not to say exactly.
(ii) If you don’t pay attention to the announcement, you might board the wrong train.
Idiom: Pay attention to—be attentive.
(iiii) The villagers tried to pin the crime on the young woman.
Idiom: To pin the crime— accuse someone for.
(iv) Bepin Babu loved telling people that he has under doctor’s orders to eat early.
Idiom : To eat early—to eat something at quick intervals.
(iv) The teacher raised his eyebrows when the students said that they had visited all their lessons.
Idiom : Raised his eyebrows—to look in surprise or anger.
Question 20.
What do you think happened after Bepin Babu came to know the truth ? Was he angry with his
I think Bepin Babu must have regretted his selfish attitude. He was not angry with his friend for playing such a trick on him. He had learnt a lesson from the situation.
Question 21.
Imagine you are Bepin Choudhury. You have received Chunilal’s letter and feel ashamed that you did not bother to help an old friend down on his luck. Now you want to do something for him. Write a letter to Chunilal promising to help him soon.
Kolkata Dear Chunilal,
Got your letter and noted the contents. Of course, you are angry with me. I feel ashamed for not helping you instantly. You told me that you were down on your luck. Even then I did not pay attention to your request. I am extremely sorry. I have already realized my mistake and lend a helping hand to you. You are requested to tell me how I can help you and in which manner. It will be my great pleasure if I could do something.