Comprehension check:-

Q 1. Why did the man stare at Bepin Babu in disbelief?

Ans. Bepin Babu was reminded of his trip to Ranchi by the man. Bepin Babu, however, asserted that he had never visited Ranchi. The man then looked incredulously at Bepin Babu.

Q 2. Where did Bepin Babu say he went in October ’58?

Ans. Bepin Babu recalled visiting his friend Haridas Bagch in Kanpur in October 1958.

Q 3. Mention any three (or more) things that Parimal Ghose knew about Bepin Babu.

Ans. He was aware of Bepin Babu’s infertility, his wife’s death ten years prior, and the insane death of his only sibling. 

Comprehension Check:-

Q 1. Why did Bepin Babu worry about what Parimal Ghose had said?

Ans. When Bepin Babu learned that Parimal Ghose knew a lot of personal information about him, he was shocked. However, he was certain that he had never visited Ranchi. He thought he was going crazy. Thus, he was concerned.

Q 2. How did he try to decide who was right-his memory or Parimal Ghose?

Ans. He made the choice to call Dinesh Mukerji. He discovered Parimal Ghose was correct.

Q 3. Why did Bepin Babu hesitate to visit Mr Mukerji? Why did he finally decide to phone him?

Ans. Bepin Babu believed that Mr Mukerji would believe him to be insane. He would feel insulted by his comments. So he was hesitant to go see him. To end the shame on his face, he ultimately made the decision to call him.

Q 4. What did Mr Mukerji say? Did it comfort Bepin Babu, or add to his worries?

Ans. Mr Mukerji claimed that Bepin accompanied him when he visited Ranchi in 1958. This anxiety was added.

Comprehension check:-

Q 1. Who was Chunnilal? What did he want from Bepin Babu?

Ans. Bepin Babu had known Chunnilal for a long time. Because of his recent bad luck, he asked Bepin Babu to find him a job.

Q 2. Why was Dr Chanda puzzled? What was unusual about Bepin Babu’s loss of memory?

Ans. Bepin Babu could recall every moment of his life, but he had no memory of his trip to Ranchi. His illness had an unnatural quality to it. The symptoms confused Dr. Chanda.

Comprehension check:-

Q 1. Had Bepin Babu really lost his memory and forgotten all about a trip to Ranchi?

Ans. No, memory loss was not a condition that Bepin Babu had. He was working quickly and effectively in his office. Chunilal, one of his old friends, pulled the trick on him. He was positive that Ranchi was not who he was.

Q 2. Why do you think Chunilal did what he did? Chunilal says he has no money: what is it that he does have?

Ans. Being wealthy had significantly altered Bepin Babu. In difficult times, he did not assist Chunilal, an old friend. Chunilal intended to discipline him. He, therefore, played a prank on him. He lacks resources but possesses creative ability.

Working with the text:-

Q 1. The author describes Bepin Babu as a serious and hardworking man. What evidence can find in the story to support this?

Ans. Bepin Babu was lonely. He didn’t mix with the wrong crowd. Few were his friends. He disliked wasting time in idle conversation. He was known for working tirelessly and diligently in his office.

Q 2. Why did Bepin Babu change his mind about meeting Chunilal? What was the result of this meeting?

Ans. Bepin Babu was aware that Chunilal might have memories of the 58 trip—the journey to Ranchi. His condition grew worse after hearing what Chunilal had to say about the journey.

Q 3. Bepin Babu lost consciousness at Hudroo Falls. What do you think was the reason for this?

Ans. Bepin Babu was having trouble remembering the trip to Ranchi. He hoped to be able to recall the journey to see Hudroo Falls. But when he got there, he realised he had never been there before. He experienced a severe shock and passed out.

Q 4. How do you think Bepin Babu reacted when he found out that Chunilal had tricked him?

Ans. Bepin Babu must have felt guilty for treating a former classmate insensitively and harshly. He must be regretting not assisting his friend during difficult times. However, he must have discovered a great release from the stress caused by memory loss.

Working with Language

Q.1  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’/ ‘have to’/’has to’.

1.  I ______ cut my hair every month.
2.  We ______  go for swimming lessons last year.
3.  She  _____ tells the principal the truth.
4. They ____  take the baby to the doctor.
5. We ______  complain to the police about the noise.
6. I _____ repair my cycle yesterday.

Ans.  I have to cut my hair every month.

We had to go for swimming lessons last year.

She has to tell the principal the truth.

They had to take the baby to the doctor.

We have to complain to the police about the noise.

I had to repair my cycle yesterday.

Q 2. 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 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 smile              (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)

(v) Beat about the bush         (verb)

Now refer to your dictionary and find out what they mean.

Ans.(i) at/from close quarters  —-very near

(ii) break into a smile  —–smile suddenly

(iii) carry on ——— to continue

(iv) have a clean record —–not involved in bad activities

(v) beat about the bush —–not to say something directly

Q 3. Study the sentences in the columns below :-

Compare the sentences 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?

Ans. Column-B.

(ii) Which column suggests that Chunilal is now waiting for a reply from the publisher?

Ans. Column-A.

(iii) Which column suggests that the person still remembers the movie he saw?

 Ans. Column-B.

(iv) Which column suggests that the experience of visiting Ranchi is still fresh in the speaker’s mind?

 Ans. Column-B.

Q 4. 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.

 Ans : 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 / doctors / 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 :- _____________________________________________

Ans  :- 

(i) Ans:- Stop beating about the bush and tell me what you want.

Idiom: Beat about the bush- not to say something directly

(ii) Ans:- If you don’t pay attention to the announcement, you might board the wrong tram.

Idiom: pay attention-listen carefully.

(iii) Ans:- The villagers tried to pin the crime on the young woman.

Idiom: pin the crime-to blame, someone, for something.

(iv) Ans:- Bepin Babu loved telling people that he was under doctor’s orders to eat early.

 Idiom: under doctor’s orders-under treatment.

(v) Ans:- The teacher raised his eyebrows when the students said that they had revised all their lessons.

 Idiom: raised his eyebrows-to show resentment.

Speaking and Writing:-

Q 1. What do you think happened after Bepin Babu came to know the truth ? Was he angry with this friend for playing such a trick on him ? Or do you think he decided to help a friend in need?

Ans. Chunilal had played Bepin Babu a very cruel joke, which had made his life a misery. He was afraid he would have to spend the rest of his days in an asylum. Therefore, when Bepin Babu learned the truth, he might have felt guilty and angry for failing to assist his friend in need. I believe that he would have sent for Chunilal had he known the truth. He offered to assist him if he needed it.

Q 2. 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.

Ans.

Bepin Choudhury,

Calcutta / Kolkata

May 9, 2021

Dear Chunni,

I just got your letter today. I was deeply hurt to learn of your bad luck. However, I regret most that I was unable to comprehend your situation and assist you when you needed it. Please accept my apology for this carelessness. Please come right away to my office tomorrow, per my request. I’d try my hardest to help you find employment.

The provision of tours and travel services to our company’s employees is covered by a contract. You’ll be back on track if you win that contract. So, only visit me tomorrow. Seize the opportunity.

Yours lovingly

Bepin Babu