A Bitterly Cold Night by Premchand

Class 7 - English - New Learning to Communicate - Literary Reader

Let’s infer

Question 1. Were Halku and Jabra fond of each other? Give a reason for your answer.

Answer:

Yes, Halku and Jabra appear to be fond of each other. Halku is concerned for Jabra's comfort and well-being and tries to find ways to protect him from the cold. He also speaks to Jabra as if he understands him, patting his back and trying to console him. Additionally, Jabra looks at Halku with eyes "overflowing with love." These actions suggest that Halku and Jabra have a close relationship.

Question 2. Why did Halku embrace Jabra even though his body stank? 

Answer:

Halku embraced Jabra despite the fact that the dog stank because he needed comfort in a difficult moment. He was cold and struggling with poverty, and his wife had just taken away the money he had saved for a blanket. Halku was feeling discouraged and defeated, and Jabra provided him with a source of comfort and love.

Question 3. Why did Halku not chase away the wild cattle eating the crop?

Answer:

Halku did not want to chase away the wild cattle because he preferred to stay warm and cozy by the fire. He was also fed up sleeping outside in the cold and allowed the cattle to destro his crop.

Question 4. Why did Halku have a look of contentment when he saw the ruined field? 

Answer:

Halku had a look of contentment when he saw the ruined field because he would not have to sleep nights out in the biting cold doing tenant farming.

Question 5. Was Halku exploited by his landlord? Give reasons in support of your answer.

Answer:

Yes Halku was exploited by his landlord. When his wife requests him to put off paying the landlort so as to buy blanket for winter, Halku told her that if not paid the landlord would threaten and insult him. His wife requests him to give up tenant faming saying that the work was killing Halku and it would never enable them to pay off their debts. All this indicate that Halku was exploited by his landlord.

Let's discuss

1. Was it fair on the part of the landlord to make Halku spend a cold night out in the open? 

Answer:

It was not fair on the part of the landlord to make Halku spend a cold night out in the open. It is unfortunate that landlords or people in position never bother about the poeple who work under them. The only thing that worries them is money and profit. Halku’s story is representative of the exploitation that is prevalent in society.

2. Since Halku was getting paid for guarding the field, he shouldn't have allowed the wild cattle to destroy the crop.

Answer:

Halku was not getting paid enough and the exploitation and suffering he was undergoing somehow compelled him to allow the wild cattle to destroy the crop. Apparently it appears incorrect that Halku allowed the wild cattle to destroy the crop but under the circumstances he did the right thing.

Pip’s Adventure by Charles Dickens

Class 7 - English - New Learning to Communicate - Literary Reader - Chapter 7 - Pip's Adventure

Let’s infer

Question 1. Why did Pip live with his sister, Mrs Joe Gargery? 

Answer:

Pip lived with his sister, Mrs Joe Gargery because he was an orphan and had no other family to take care of him. Mrs Joe Gargery was his legal guardian and raised him from a young age.

Question 2. a. Where did Pip meet the convict?

Answer:

Pip meets the convict in the graveyard near his home. In this graveyard, Pip’s parents and siblings were buried.

Question 2. b. Did he feel threatened by the convict? Why?

Answer:

Yes, Pip felt threatened by the convict when he first met him in the graveyard. The convict was a frightening figure, dressed in rough clothes and with a menacing demeanour. He threatened Pip with physical harm if he did not comply with his demands for food and a file. Pip was a young boy at the time and felt scared and intimidated by the convict, who was a stranger to him.

Question 3. The convict ordered Pip to get him a file. What use do you think he had of the file?

Answer:

The convict ordered Pip to bring him a file because he needed it to remove the leg irons that were holding him captive. The convict was trying to break free from the authorities who were pursuing him and the file was necessary for him to remove the shackles and regain his freedom.

Question 4. What food did Pip steal for the convict?

Answer:

1. bread and cheese, mincemeat, and a pie 

Question 5. What did Pip feel when he ran into a group of soldiers?

Let’s discuss

1. We should extend our kindness to everyone from all walks of life.
   
   Answer:
   In "Great Expectations"(Pip’s Adventure) by Charles Dickens, the theme of extending kindness to others, regardless of their social status or background, is a recurring one. The story shows how Pip learns the importance of treating people with kindness and compassion, no matter who they are or what they have done.

For example, when Pip meets the convict in the graveyard, he is initially afraid and intimidated, but he also feels compassion for the man's plight and agrees to help him. This act of kindness towards a stranger leads to a series of events that change Pip's life forever. The story suggests that extending kindness to others can have a profound impact on both the recipient and the giver.

Additionally, the character of Joe Gargery, Pip's brother-in-law, represents the idea that people should be judged based on their inner qualities and not their external circumstances. Joe is a simple blacksmith who is always kind and compassionate, despite his humble origins and lack of education. He serves as an example of how people from all walks of life can embody the qualities of kindness and generosity.

In conclusion, "Great Expectations"(Pip’s Adventure) encourages the reader to extend kindness and compassion to everyone, regardless of their background or social status. The story shows that this act of kindness can have a profound impact on both the recipient and the giver, and that people should be judged based on their inner qualities and not their external circumstances.

2. As children, we are often haunted with irrational fears.
   
   Answer:
   In "Great Expectations" by Charles Dickens, the character of Pip serves as an example of how children can be haunted by irrational fears. As a young boy, Pip is afraid of many things, including the dark, the unknown, and the mysterious convict he meets in the graveyard. These fears are rooted in his imagination and lack of experience, but they nonetheless have a profound impact on his life.

For example, Pip's fear of the unknown leads him to believe that the convict he meets in the graveyard is a dangerous and evil person, when in reality he is just a desperate and scared man. Similarly, Pip's fear of the dark and the unknown leads him to believe in ghosts and other supernatural beings, causing him to experience feelings of terror and anxiety.

The story of Pip demonstrates how children can be easily influenced by their fears, and how these fears can shape their perceptions and beliefs. The fears of childhood can linger into adulthood, affecting a person's experiences and relationships with others. The story suggests that it is important to understand and confront these fears, rather than letting them control our lives.

In conclusion, "Great Expectations" highlights the theme that, as children, we are often haunted by irrational fears, which can shape our perceptions and beliefs. The story shows that it is important to understand and confront these fears, rather than letting them control our lives, in order to overcome them and live a more fulfilling life.