Passage 1: Nathu grumbled ………………… and see me tomorrow.
Paraphrase
Nathu,
the sweeper of the Pipalnagar Bank (owned by Seth Govind Ram), was grumbling as
he swept the steps. He used his small broom carelessly, so that the dust rose
in the air and settled again on the steps. While banging his pan against a
dustbin, Sitaram, the washerman’s son, passed by carrying freshly pressed
clothes on his head.
Sitaram
asked Nathu why he was raising so much dust. He teased him, asking if he was
angry because the bank refused to pay him two extra rupees per month.
Nathu
complained that he hadn’t even received his regular salary and it was already
the twentieth of the month. He said that it was shocking for a bank to withhold
a poor man’s pay, and he decided he would leave the job as soon as he got his
money. To show his anger, he banged the pan loudly against the dustbin.
Sitaram
wished him luck and promised to look out for jobs for him. He walked barefoot
down the road with his big bundle of clothes.
At
the fourth house on his round, Sitaram heard the lady (Mrs. Srivastava) saying
she needed a sweeper. He immediately suggested Nathu, telling her that the bank
wasn’t paying him his wages and he wanted to leave. Mrs. Srivastava told him to
send Nathu to her the next day.
Glossary
Grumbled
– complained in a low, bad-tempered way.
Swept
– cleaned with a broom.
Pipalnagar
Bank – the fictional bank in the story, owned by Seth Govind Ram.
Hurriedly
– quickly.
Carelessly
– without attention or effort.
Dustbin
– a container for rubbish/garbage.
Delivery
round – the daily route followed to deliver things.
Plodded
– walked slowly and heavily, as if tired.
Bundle
– a collection of clothes tied together.
Barefoot
– without shoes or sandals.
Mention
– to say or refer to something.
In
need of – requiring or wanting something.
Suit
– to be right or appropriate for.
Withhold
– refuse to give or delay giving.
20
MCQs with Answers
1.
Who owned the Pipalnagar Bank?
a)
Mrs. Srivastava
b)
Sitaram
c)
Seth Govind Ram
d)
Nathu
Ans:
c) Seth Govind Ram
2.
Who was Nathu?
a)
Washerman’s son
b)
The sweeper of the bank
c)
A shopkeeper
d)
The owner of the bank
Ans:
b) The sweeper of the bank
3.
How did Nathu sweep the steps?
a)
Carefully
b)
Cheerfully
c)
Hurriedly and carelessly
d)
Slowly and neatly
Ans:
c) Hurriedly and carelessly
4.
What happened to the dust after Nathu swept?
a)
It disappeared
b)
It rose and settled again on the steps
c)
It blew away
d)
It turned to mud
Ans:
b) It rose and settled again on the steps
5.
Who passed by while Nathu was banging his pan?
a)
Mrs. Srivastava
b)
Seth Govind Ram
c)
Sitaram
d)
A policeman
Ans:
c) Sitaram
6.
What was Sitaram carrying on his head?
a)
Books
b)
A basket of fruit
c)
A bundle of freshly pressed clothes
d)
Pots and pans
Ans:
c) A bundle of freshly pressed clothes
7.
What did Sitaram ask Nathu not to do?
a)
Shout loudly
b)
Raise so much dust
c)
Quit his job
d)
Throw rubbish on the road
Ans:
b) Raise so much dust
8.
Why was Nathu annoyed?
a)
Because the bank refused him a bonus
b)
Because he had not received his pay
c)
Because the broom was broken
d)
Because people mocked him
Ans:
b) Because he had not received his pay
9.
What extra payment had Nathu demanded?
a)
Two rupees per day
b)
Two rupees a week
c)
Two rupees a month
d)
Five rupees a month
Ans:
c) Two rupees a month
10.
What date was it when Nathu complained of no salary?
a)
10th of the month
b)
15th of the month
c)
20th of the month
d)
Last day of the month
Ans:
c) 20th of the month
11.
What did Nathu decide to do after getting his salary?
a)
Ask for more work
b)
Leave the bank job
c)
Buy new clothes
d)
Fight with Seth Govind Ram
Ans:
b) Leave the bank job
12.
What did Nathu bang against the dustbin?
a)
His broom
b)
His pan
c)
His bundle of clothes
d)
His fist
Ans:
b) His pan
13.
How did Sitaram promise to help Nathu?
a)
By giving him money
b)
By speaking to the bank manager
c)
By finding a job for him
d)
By buying him food
Ans:
c) By finding a job for him
14.
How did Sitaram walk?
a)
Quickly
b)
Lightly
c)
Barefoot and plodding
d)
In a hurry
Ans:
c) Barefoot and plodding
15.
What hid most of Sitaram’s head and shoulders?
a)
His turban
b)
His shawl
c)
His big bundle of clothes
d)
His hat
Ans:
c) His big bundle of clothes
16.
Who needed a sweeper?
a)
Mrs. Srivastava
b)
Seth Govind Ram
c)
Sitaram
d)
A policeman
Ans:
a) Mrs. Srivastava
17.
Who suggested Nathu’s name to Mrs. Srivastava?
a)
Seth Govind Ram
b)
Sitaram
c)
A neighbour
d)
Nathu himself
Ans:
b) Sitaram
18.
Why did Sitaram say Nathu wanted to leave the bank?
a)
Because of too much work
b)
Because he had no house
c)
Because he wasn’t getting his pay
d)
Because he was sick
Ans:
c) Because he wasn’t getting his pay
19.
When did Mrs. Srivastava ask Nathu to come?
a)
Today
b)
Tomorrow
c)
Next week
d)
Never
Ans:
b) Tomorrow
20.
What quality of Sitaram is shown when he recommended Nathu?
a)
Laziness
b)
Selfishness
c)
Helpfulness
d)
Carelessness
Ans:
c) Helpfulness
🔹 20 One-Mark
Questions (with Answers)
1.
Who was sweeping the steps of the Pipalnagar Bank?
Nathu,
the sweeper-boy, was sweeping the steps of the Pipalnagar Bank.
2.
Who owned the Pipalnagar Bank?
Seth
Govind Ram owned the Pipalnagar Bank.
3.
What kind of broom did Nathu use?
He
used a small broom.
4.
How did Nathu sweep the steps?
He
swept hurriedly and carelessly.
5.
What happened to the dust when Nathu swept?
The
dust rose in a cloud above his head and settled back on the steps.
6.
Whom did Nathu meet while sweeping?
He
met Sitaram, the washerman’s son.
7.
What was Sitaram carrying?
He
was carrying a bundle of freshly pressed clothes on his head.
8.
What did Sitaram tell Nathu when he saw the dust?
He
told him not to raise so much dust.
9.
Why was Nathu annoyed?
Because
he had not received his regular pay from the bank.
10.
Which date of the month was it when Nathu complained?
It
was the twentieth of the month.
11.
What extra payment was Nathu asking for?
An
extra two rupees a month.
12.
What did Nathu decide to do after getting his money?
He
decided to leave the bank job.
13.
Why did Nathu bang the pan against the dustbin?
To
emphasize his point and give himself confidence.
14.
What did Sitaram promise to do for Nathu?
He
promised to look out for a job that might suit him.
15.
How did Sitaram walk on the road?
He
plodded barefoot along the road.
16.
What hid most of Sitaram’s head and shoulders?
The
big bundle of clothes.
17.
Whose house did Sitaram visit at the fourth stop?
He
visited Mrs. Srivastava’s house.
18.
What did Mrs. Srivastava need?
She
needed a sweeper.
19.
What did Sitaram tell Mrs. Srivastava about Nathu?
He
told her that Nathu was looking for work as the bank wasn’t paying him.
20.
When did Mrs. Srivastava ask Nathu to come and see her?
She
asked him to come the next day.
🔹 10 Two-Mark Questions (50 words
each)
1.
Why was Nathu unhappy with his job at the bank?
Nathu
was unhappy because he had not received his regular salary, even though it was
already the twentieth of the month. He also felt insulted that the bank had
refused to pay him an extra two rupees per month. This made him angry and
frustrated.
2.
What did Nathu plan to do after receiving his pay?
Nathu
planned to leave his job at the bank once he got his pending salary. He was
upset with the management for withholding his pay and felt he could not
continue working there any longer. He wanted to look for another job
immediately after being paid.
3.
How did Nathu express his anger while sweeping?
Nathu
swept hurriedly and carelessly, raising a lot of dust. He grumbled to himself
in frustration. To make his point stronger, he banged his pan against the
dustbin several times. This action gave him confidence and emphasized his
determination to quit the job soon.
4.
What was Sitaram’s profession and what was he doing?
Sitaram
was the washerman’s son. He worked by delivering bundles of freshly pressed
clothes to customers’ homes. In the story, he is described walking barefoot
along the road with a large bundle of clothes balanced on his head, visiting
different houses on his delivery round.
5.
What did Sitaram promise to do for Nathu?
Sitaram
was sympathetic towards Nathu’s situation. He promised to keep a lookout for
any job opportunities that might suit him. This shows his helpful nature.
Later, when he visited Mrs. Srivastava’s house, he even recommended Nathu for
the sweeper’s job she needed filled.
6.
What conversation took place between Nathu and Sitaram about money?
Sitaram
asked if Nathu was annoyed because the bank refused to pay him two extra rupees
a month. Nathu angrily replied that he had not even received his regular pay,
though it was already the twentieth. He complained bitterly that a bank should
not withhold wages.
7.
What did Mrs. Srivastava tell Sitaram when he mentioned Nathu?
When
Sitaram told her that Nathu was looking for work because the bank had not paid
him, Mrs. Srivastava responded with interest. She said that she was indeed
looking for a sweeper. She asked Sitaram to send Nathu to her house the next
day to discuss it.
8.
How did Sitaram describe Nathu’s job situation to Mrs. Srivastava?
Sitaram
told Mrs. Srivastava that Nathu was presently employed with the bank but wanted
to leave because they weren’t paying his wages. He suggested that Nathu would
be available for work from the following month, indirectly creating a rumor
about the bank’s financial condition.
9.
What qualities of Sitaram are revealed in the extract?
Sitaram
is shown as helpful, friendly, and observant. He notices Nathu’s problem and
offers to help by finding him another job. He also takes initiative when he
hears about Mrs. Srivastava’s need for a sweeper, suggesting Nathu immediately.
His kindness contrasts with Nathu’s irritation.
10.
How did Mrs. Srivastava react to Sitaram’s information?
Mrs.
Srivastava was surprised but pleased to hear that a sweeper was available. She
immediately expressed her interest and asked Sitaram to send Nathu to her house
the next day. Her response was practical and opportunistic, as she needed
someone urgently for household work.
🔹 5 Three-Mark
Questions (80 words each)
1.
Why was Nathu angry with the bank and how did he show it?
Nathu
was deeply annoyed because, despite it being the twentieth of the month, he had
not received his regular wages. He felt humiliated that a bank, of all places,
could delay the salary of a poor man like him. Moreover, his request for an
extra two rupees a month had been refused. To express his anger, he grumbled
aloud, swept carelessly, and banged his pan against the dustbin to give himself
confidence and assert his decision to quit.
2.
Describe the meeting between Nathu and Sitaram.
While
Nathu was angrily sweeping the steps of the Pipalnagar Bank, Sitaram, the
washerman’s son, passed by with a heavy bundle of freshly pressed clothes
balanced on his head. Seeing the dust rise, Sitaram asked Nathu not to raise so
much dirt and teased him about not getting his two extra rupees. This prompted
Nathu to complain about not even receiving his regular pay. Sitaram sympathized
and promised to find him another job, showing his concern and friendliness.
3.
What impression do you form of Nathu’s character from this extract?
Nathu
appears to be a hardworking but frustrated sweeper. He feels undervalued and
exploited by the bank authorities because they withheld his pay. His constant
grumbling and careless sweeping reflect his irritation. Yet, his decision to
quit once paid shows his sense of self-respect. He is poor, insecure, and
dependent on his wages for survival. His actions, like banging the pan, reflect
both anger and helplessness. Overall, he is a victim of circumstances,
struggling for financial stability.
4.
How did Sitaram help Nathu without his knowledge?
Sitaram,
on hearing Nathu’s complaints, sympathized with him and promised to look for
suitable work. Later, when he visited Mrs. Srivastava’s house, he overheard her
need for a sweeper. Without hesitation, he suggested Nathu for the job,
mentioning that the bank was not paying him. Though innocent in intention, his
words unintentionally planted a seed of doubt about the bank’s financial
stability, which would later spread as a rumor. His kindness indirectly
triggered the larger crisis of the story.
5.
What role does Mrs. Srivastava play in carrying forward the plot?
Though
her part is brief, Mrs. Srivastava plays a key role in continuing the chain of
misunderstanding. When Sitaram mentioned that Nathu wanted to leave the bank
due to non-payment of salary, she took interest and asked to see him. This
seemingly small conversation added credibility to the rumor that the bank could
not pay its employees. Her acceptance of Sitaram’s version without questioning
reflects how quickly gossip spreads. Thus, she unknowingly helps in developing
the rumor that eventually causes panic in Pipalnagar.
RTC
Questions & Answers
Extract
1
Nathu
grumbled to himself as he swept the steps of the Pipalnagar Bank, owned by Seth
Govind Ram. He used the small broom hurriedly and carelessly, and the dust,
after rising in a cloud above his head, settled down again on the steps.
Q1.
Who was Nathu and what work was he doing here?
Ans.
Nathu was a sweeper employed at Pipalnagar Bank. He was cleaning the steps of
the bank with a small broom.
Q2.
Why was Nathu grumbling?
Ans.
He was upset because he had not received his salary for two months and was
worried about managing his expenses.
Q3.
Who was the owner of the bank?
Ans.
The bank was owned by Seth Govind Ram, a wealthy businessman of Pipalnagar.
Q4.
What does the line “hurriedly and carelessly” show about Nathu’s mood?
Ans.
It shows that Nathu was annoyed and frustrated, so he was not doing his work
properly.
Q5.
How does this extract set the tone of the story?
Ans.
It introduces Nathu’s irritation, which later triggers gossip and
misunderstanding that leads to the rumour about the bank’s collapse.
Extract
2
“I
don’t get my pay on time. How am I to live? My landlord is after me for the
rent. He has given me notice. If I don’t pay him this week, out I go.”
Q1.
Who is the speaker here?
Ans.
Nathu, the sweeper of Pipalnagar Bank, is the speaker.
Q2.
Why was the landlord after him?
Ans.
The landlord was demanding rent, and since Nathu had not been paid his salary,
he could not pay it.
Q3.
How did Nathu express his frustration?
Ans.
He complained angrily and shared his difficulties with Sitaram, the washerman’s
son.
Q4.
To whom did Nathu say these words?
Ans.
He said them to Sitaram, who had stopped to talk while passing by.
Q5.
How does this complaint play a role in the spreading of rumours?
Ans.
Sitaram repeated Nathu’s complaint to others, and it was twisted into a rumour
that the bank itself was facing financial trouble.
Extract
3
“Have
you heard?” said Sitaram to his mother, “the bank hasn’t paid Nathu for two
months. He is shouting about it all over the place.”
Q1.
Who was Sitaram?
Ans.
Sitaram was the washerman’s son who carried clothes to customers.
Q2.
Who had told him about the non-payment?
Ans.
Nathu himself had told Sitaram while complaining about his difficulties.
Q3.
What was Sitaram’s mistake in retelling the matter?
Ans.
He exaggerated Nathu’s complaint, making it sound as if the bank itself had no
money, instead of just Nathu not being paid.
Q4.
How did Sitaram’s words affect the listeners?
Ans.
They became suspicious of the bank’s stability and started gossiping about its
possible collapse.
Q5.
What theme of the story is highlighted here?
Ans.
The theme of gossip and rumours spreading quickly in small towns is
highlighted.
Extract
4
“Is
it true the bank is going bankrupt?” asked Mrs. Srivastava. “That’s what I
heard,” said another lady. “My cousin withdrew all her money yesterday.”
Q1.
Who were these ladies?
Ans.
They were local townspeople gossiping about the Pipalnagar Bank in the bazaar.
Q2.
What rumour were they discussing?
Ans.
They were discussing the rumour that the Pipalnagar Bank was going bankrupt.
Q3.
Was this rumour true?
Ans.
No, it was completely false. The bank was stable, but gossip distorted the
facts.
Q4.
How did such conversations affect the public?
Ans.
They caused panic among depositors, who rushed to the bank to withdraw their
money.
Q5.
What does this show about human psychology?
Ans.
It shows that people are quick to believe rumours and act out of fear without
verifying facts.
Extract
5
By
noon, there was a crowd outside the bank, demanding their money. Clerks and
cashiers tried to handle the rush, but the rumour had spread too far. The bank
was said to have collapsed, although Seth Govind Ram was holidaying in Kashmir,
unaware of the chaos.
Q1.
Why had people gathered outside the bank?
Ans.
They had gathered in panic to withdraw their money because of the rumour that
the bank had collapsed.
Q2.
How did the bank staff react to the situation?
Ans.
The clerks and cashiers tried to control the rush but could not stop the panic.
Q3.
What was the rumour about the bank?
Ans.
The rumour was that the Pipalnagar Bank had collapsed or gone bankrupt.
Q4.
Where was Seth Govind Ram at this time?
Ans.
He was holidaying in Kashmir, unaware of the crisis in Pipalnagar.
Q5.
What irony is shown in this ending?
Ans.
The bank did not actually collapse, but people’s panic caused by rumours made
it appear so—ironically, “the boy who broke the bank” was Nathu, though
unknowingly.
Passage
2: And Sitaram, glad that …………………………..a flower garden.
Paraphrase
Sitaram,
happy that he had helped both a customer and his friend, carried his bag on his
shoulder and walked away.
Meanwhile,
Mrs. Srivastava needed to shop. Before leaving, she instructed the ayah (maid)
to take care of the baby and told the cook not to delay the midday meal. She
then left for the Pipalnagar market to visit the cloth shops, as usual.
At one end of the market stood a
big tamarind tree, giving plenty of shade. Under it, Mrs. Srivastava found her
friend, Mrs. Bhushan, resting from the heat. Mrs. Bhushan was fanning herself
with a large handkerchief. She complained about the summer, saying it was the
hottest ever in Pipalnagar. Then she showed her friend a piece of cloth she
intended to buy, and for five minutes they talked about its colour, quality,
and design.
After this topic was over, Mrs.
Srivastava told her friend: “Do you know that Seth Govind Ram’s bank cannot
even pay its staff? The sweeper complained to me this morning that he hasn’t
been paid for more than a month!”
“Terrible!” said Mrs. Bhushan. “If
they cannot pay the sweeper, then surely no one else is being paid either.”
She
then left her friend and went to find her husband, who was sitting outside
Kamal Kishore’s photo shop, chatting with the owner.
When
she saw him, she said angrily: “So here you are! I’ve been searching for you
for an hour. Where did you vanish?”
“Nowhere,” replied Mr. Bhushan
calmly. “If you had stayed in one shop, I could have found you easily. But you
keep moving from one shop to another, like a bee hopping from flower to
flower.”
Glossary
Hoisted
his bag – lifted/carrying his bag
Ayah
– maid or female servant
Customary
– usual, habitual
Tamarind
tree – a large tropical tree giving shade
Bazaar
– market place
Sheltering
– taking cover, resting from heat
Affirmed
– declared with certainty
Shade,
texture, design – qualities of cloth (colour tone, feel, pattern)
Shocking
– surprising and disturbing
In
a bad way – in financial difficulty, troubled
Stationary
– staying in one place
Like
a bee in a flower garden – simile meaning moving quickly from one shop to
another, restless
20
MCQs with Answers
1.
Who carried a bag on his shoulder and went away?
a)
Nathu
b)
Sitaram
c)
Govind Ram
d)
Kamal Kishore
Answer:
b) Sitaram
2.
Before leaving for shopping, what did Mrs. Srivastava do?
a)
Locked the house
b)
Gave instructions to the ayah and cook
c)
Went straight to the bazaar
d)
Called her husband
Answer:
b) Gave instructions to the ayah and cook
3.
Where did Mrs. Srivastava go for shopping?
a)
Kamal Kishore’s shop
b)
Seth Govind Ram’s bank
c)
Pipalnagar marketplace
d)
Bus stand
Answer:
c) Pipalnagar marketplace
4.
What type of tree grew at the bazaar?
a)
Neem
b)
Tamarind
c)
Mango
d)
Banyan
Answer:
b) Tamarind
5.
Who was fanning herself with a handkerchief?
a)
Mrs. Srivastava
b)
Ayah
c)
Mrs. Bhushan
d)
Cook
Answer:
c) Mrs. Bhushan
6.
What did Mrs. Bhushan complain about?
a)
Expensive cloth
b)
The extreme summer heat
c)
Her husband’s laziness
d)
Noisy market
Answer:
b) The extreme summer heat
7.
What was shown by Mrs. Bhushan to Mrs. Srivastava?
a)
Jewellery
b)
A sample of cloth
c)
Fruits
d)
A handkerchief
Answer:
b) A sample of cloth
8.
What did the two ladies discuss for five minutes?
a)
Market gossip
b)
Price of vegetables
c)
Cloth’s shade, texture, and design
d)
Ayah’s behaviour
Answer:
c) Cloth’s shade, texture, and design
9.
Who complained about unpaid wages?
a)
The cook
b)
The sweeper (Nathu)
c)
Kamal Kishore
d)
Mr. Bhushan
Answer:
b) The sweeper (Nathu)
10.
How long had the sweeper not been paid?
a)
A week
b)
Fifteen days
c)
One month
d)
Two months
Answer:
c) One month
11.
What was Mrs. Bhushan’s reaction to unpaid wages?
a)
She laughed
b)
She was shocked
c)
She ignored it
d)
She scolded Nathu
Answer:
b) She was shocked
12.
Who did Mrs. Bhushan go to find after meeting Mrs. Srivastava?
a)
Nathu
b)
Her ayah
c)
Her husband
d)
Govind Ram
Answer:
c) Her husband
13.
Where was Mr. Bhushan sitting?
a)
Inside the bank
b)
At home
c)
Outside Kamal Kishore’s photo shop
d)
Under the tamarind tree
Answer:
c) Outside Kamal Kishore’s photo shop
14.
With whom was Mr. Bhushan talking?
a)
Seth Govind Ram
b)
A customer
c)
Kamal Kishore
d)
The sweeper
Answer:
c) Kamal Kishore
15.
How long had Mrs. Bhushan been looking for her husband?
a)
Half an hour
b)
One hour
c)
Ten minutes
d)
Two hours
Answer:
b) One hour
16.
What did Mr. Bhushan say about his wife’s shopping habit?
a)
She spent too much
b)
She moved like a bee in a flower garden
c)
She was too slow
d)
She disliked shopping
Answer:
b) She moved like a bee in a flower garden
17.
What does the simile “like a bee in a flower garden” suggest?
a)
She was hardworking
b)
She moved quickly from one shop to another
c)
She loved honey
d)
She was noisy
Answer:
b) She moved quickly from one shop to another
18.
Who was the owner of the photographic shop?
a)
Govind Ram
b)
Kamal Kishore
c)
Nathu
d)
Sitaram
Answer:
b) Kamal Kishore
19.
Who spread the rumour about the bank first?
a)
Mrs. Srivastava
b)
Mrs. Bhushan
c)
Mr. Bhushan
d)
Sitaram
Answer:
a) Mrs. Srivastava
20.
The passage is taken from which story?
a)
The Model Millionaire
b)
The Pedestrian
c)
The Boy Who Broke the Bank
d)
A Doctor’s Journal Entry
Answer:
c) The Boy Who Broke the Bank
B.
One-Mark Questions (20)
1.
Who hoisted his bag on his shoulders?
Ans.
Sitaram.
2.
Whom had Sitaram helped before leaving?
Ans.
Both a customer and his friend.
3.
Where did Mrs. Srivastava go after giving instructions at home?
Ans.
She went to the Pipalnagar marketplace.
4.
What was Mrs. Srivastava’s main shopping interest?
Ans.
Cloth shops.
5.
Where did Mrs. Srivastava find her friend?
Ans.
Under a shady tamarind tree in the bazaar.
6.
Who was fanning herself with a large handkerchief?
Ans.
Mrs. Bhushan.
7.
What did Mrs. Bhushan complain about?
Ans.
The extreme summer heat.
8.
What did Mrs. Bhushan claim about the heat?
Ans.
That it was the hottest summer in the history of Pipalnagar.
9.
What did Mrs. Bhushan show Mrs. Srivastava?
Ans.
A sample of cloth she planned to buy.
10.
For how long did the two ladies discuss the cloth?
Ans.
For five minutes.
11.
What three aspects of cloth did they discuss?
Ans.
Shade, texture, and design.
12.
Who mentioned Seth Govind Ram’s bank’s problems?
Ans.
Mrs. Srivastava.
13.
Who complained about unpaid wages to Mrs. Srivastava?
Ans.
The bank sweeper, Nathu.
14.
How long had the sweeper not been paid?
Ans.
For over a month.
15.
What was Mrs. Bhushan’s reaction to the news?
Ans.
She said, “Shocking!”
16.
What did Mrs. Bhushan assume if the sweeper wasn’t paid?
Ans.
That no other employees were getting paid either.
17.
Where did Mrs. Bhushan go after leaving her friend?
Ans.
In search of her husband.
18.
Where was Mr. Bhushan found?
Ans.
In front of Kamal Kishore’s photographic shop.
19.
Who was Mr. Bhushan talking with?
Ans.
Kamal Kishore, the owner of the shop.
20.
What comparison did Mr. Bhushan use for his wife’s shopping habit?
Ans. He compared her to a bee in a
flower garden.
C.
Two-Mark Questions (10) (~50 words each)
1.
What did Mrs. Srivastava do before leaving for the market?
Ans.
She instructed the ayah to look after the baby and told the cook not to be late
with the midday meal. After giving these instructions, she set out for the
Pipalnagar marketplace to make her usual round of the cloth shops.
2.
Describe the setting where Mrs. Srivastava met Mrs. Bhushan.
Ans.
At one end of the Pipalnagar bazaar, there was a large shady tamarind tree. It
was under this tree that Mrs. Srivastava found her friend, Mrs. Bhushan, who
was resting there and trying to escape the scorching summer heat.
3.
How did Mrs. Bhushan protect herself from the heat?
Ans.
Mrs. Bhushan was fanning herself with a large handkerchief while sitting under
the shade of the tamarind tree. She also complained about the hot weather,
insisting that it was the hottest summer in the history of Pipalnagar.
4.
What cloth-related discussion took place between the two ladies?
Ans.
Mrs. Bhushan showed Mrs. Srivastava a sample of cloth she intended to buy. For
about five minutes, they discussed the cloth’s shade, texture, and design
before moving on to other topics of conversation.
5.
What information did Mrs. Srivastava share about the bank?
Ans.
She told her friend that Seth Govind Ram’s bank could not even pay its
employees. She said the sweeper, Nathu, had complained that he had not received
his wages for over a month, which she considered alarming.
6.
How did Mrs. Bhushan react to the bank news?
Ans.
She was shocked. She immediately assumed that if the bank was unable to pay
even its sweeper, then the other employees must also not be receiving their
salaries, indicating serious financial trouble for the bank.
7.
Where did Mrs. Bhushan go after talking to her friend?
Ans.
She left Mrs. Srivastava at the tamarind tree and went to look for her husband.
Eventually, she found him sitting outside Kamal Kishore’s photographic shop,
engaged in conversation with the shop’s owner.
8.
What complaint did Mrs. Bhushan make to her husband?
Ans.
She complained that she had been searching for him for nearly an hour. She
expressed her irritation at his absence, asking where he had disappeared during
her long search.
9.
What was Mr. Bhushan’s witty reply to his wife?
Ans.
He said that if she had stayed in one place instead of moving around from shop
to shop, he could have found her easily. He compared her constant shopping to a
bee moving among flowers in a garden.
10.
How does this passage show the spread of rumors?
Ans.
The passage shows how gossip spreads quickly: Nathu’s private complaint about
wages was passed to Sitaram, then to Mrs. Srivastava, and further to Mrs.
Bhushan, who exaggerated its seriousness. Each repetition spread the rumor more
widely in Pipalnagar.
D.
Three-Mark Questions (3) (~80 words each)
1.
Explain how the conversation between Mrs. Srivastava and Mrs. Bhushan reflects
the theme of gossip in the story.
Ans.
The story shows how a simple complaint can grow into a damaging rumor. Mrs.
Srivastava casually repeats the sweeper’s grievance to her friend, Mrs.
Bhushan. Instead of checking the facts, Mrs. Bhushan immediately assumes the
worst—that none of the employees are being paid. This exaggeration fuels
suspicion and contributes to the rapid spread of false information in the
community, eventually leading to panic about the bank’s stability.
2.
What role do Mrs. Srivastava and Mrs. Bhushan play in the chain of events?
Ans.
Both women act as carriers of gossip. Mrs. Srivastava passes on Nathu’s
personal complaint without concern for its accuracy. Mrs. Bhushan exaggerates
the news further, assuming all employees are unpaid. Their careless
conversation, though casual, becomes part of the rumor chain that spreads
throughout Pipalnagar, showing how ordinary people unknowingly escalate small
issues into community-wide concerns.
3.
Describe the significance of the tamarind tree scene in the passage.
Ans.
The tamarind tree serves as both a resting place and a center of gossip. In the
hot bazaar, it becomes a meeting point for Mrs. Srivastava and Mrs. Bhushan.
Their idle conversation under its shade triggers the spread of a damaging rumor
about the bank. The tree, therefore, symbolizes how informal public spaces can
become breeding grounds for misinformation, influencing the flow of events in
small towns like Pipalnagar.
4.
How is humor used in the interaction between Mr. and Mrs. Bhushan?
Ans.
The author uses light humor to portray the couple’s banter. Mrs. Bhushan scolds
her husband for being difficult to find, while Mr. Bhushan cleverly replies
that her constant movement made her hard to locate. His comparison of her
shopping habits to a bee in a flower garden adds a playful touch, reflecting
marital teasing and everyday humor, which lightens the otherwise serious theme
of spreading rumors about the bank’s crisis.
5.
In what ways does this passage highlight the dangers of miscommunication?
Ans.
The passage highlights how small, unchecked remarks can have large
consequences. Nathu’s simple complaint about unpaid wages, repeated by Mrs.
Srivastava and misinterpreted by Mrs. Bhushan, quickly turns into alarming
news. Each retelling magnifies the problem. Without verification, such
miscommunication spreads fear and distrust. This demonstrates how
misinformation, even when spread casually, can escalate into public panic,
showing the fragile nature of trust in communities like Pipalnagar.
E.
RTC (Reference to Context) – 5 Extracts with 5 Questions Each
Extract
1
“And
Sitaram, glad that he had been of service to both a customer and his friend,
hoisted his bag on his shoulders and went his way.”
Q1.
Who was Sitaram?
A1.
Sitaram was the washerman’s son in Pipalnagar.
Q2.
Whom had he served in this line?
A2.
He had served both Mrs. Srivastava (a customer) and his friend Nathu (the
sweeper).
Q3.
How did he help his friend?
A3.
He told Mrs. Srivastava about Nathu’s need for work, thereby trying to find him
employment.
Q4.
What action of Sitaram is described here?
A4.
He hoisted his bag on his shoulders and left.
Q5.
What impression do we get of Sitaram’s character?
A5.
He appears helpful, cheerful, and content after doing a small service.
Extract
2
“Mrs.
Srivastava had to do some shopping.”
Q1.
Who was Mrs. Srivastava?
A1.
She was a housewife from Pipalnagar and a customer of Sitaram’s family.
Q2.
What was she preparing to do?
A2.
She was preparing to go shopping.
Q3.
Where was she going for shopping?
A3.
She was going to the Pipalnagar marketplace.
Q4.
What kind of shopping did she usually do?
A4.
She usually visited cloth shops, making her customary tour there.
Q5.
How is this shopping linked to the story’s main incident?
A5.
During her shopping, she spread the rumour about the bank, causing public
panic.
Extract
3
“She
gave instructions to the ayah about looking after the baby, and told the cook
not to be late with the mid-day meal.”
Q1.
What instructions did Mrs. Srivastava give before leaving home?
A1.
She told the ayah to look after the baby and instructed the cook to be on time
with lunch.
Q2.
What does the mention of an ayah suggest about her family?
A2.
It suggests that she came from a well-off family that could afford domestic
servants.
Q3.
Why did she give such instructions?
A3.
She wanted to ensure her home duties were in order before going shopping.
Q4.
What does this reveal about her as a homemaker?
A4.
She was responsible and cared for her family’s smooth functioning.
Q5.
Which meal is referred to in this passage?
A5.
The mid-day meal (lunch).
Extract
4
“Then
she set out for the Pipalnagar marketplace, to make her customary tour of the
cloth shops.”
Q1.
Where did Mrs. Srivastava go?
A1.
She went to the Pipalnagar marketplace.
Q2.
What kind of shops did she usually visit?
A2.
She usually visited cloth shops.
Q3.
What does the word customary indicate here?
A3.
It shows that this was her regular habit or routine.
Q4.
How does her outing affect the chain of events in the story?
A4.
During her outing, she spread the bank rumour which eventually caused a crisis.
Q5.
What does this line reveal about her lifestyle?
A5.
It shows she had leisure time and financial comfort to shop regularly.
Extract
5
(Continuing
the same passage, slightly implied)
“She
gave instructions… and then she set out for the Pipalnagar marketplace…”
Q1.
What preparations did she make before leaving?
A1.
She gave instructions to her servants and ensured her home was in order.
Q2.
Why is her shopping trip important in the story?
A2.
Because she becomes one of the first carriers of the false news about the bank.
Q3.
What role does gossip play in this part?
A3.
Gossip is shown as a casual activity that can unexpectedly lead to serious
consequences.
Q4.
Who had given her the idea that the bank was in trouble?
A4.
Sitaram, the washerman’s son.
Q5.
What theme of the story does this highlight?
A5.
It highlights the theme of how rumours spread quickly and create panic in
society.
Page
3: Don’t start grumbling ……………………….. on the pavement.
🔹 Paraphrase
Kamal
Kishore was told that the Pipalnagar Bank had stopped paying its employees and
might go bankrupt. Shocked, he passed this information to his neighbour, barber
Deep Chand, warning him to withdraw his money quickly. Deep Chand, startled,
accidentally cut an elderly customer’s ear while shaving. The customer,
distressed both by the injury and the alarming news, rushed to the general
merchant’s shop to make a phone call to Seth Govind Ram, the bank’s owner. On
learning that the Seth was away in Kashmir, he wrongly assumed the banker had
run away to avoid responsibility. He returned to the barber’s shop and spread
the “confirmed” rumour that the bank had collapsed. The story spread rapidly
through the bazaar, from shopkeepers to beggars, like a raging forest fire.
🔹 Glossary
Bankrupt
– unable to pay debts
Collapse
– complete failure or breakdown
Partition
– a divider or wall between two places
Startled
– suddenly shocked or surprised
Nicked
– made a small cut
Yelped
– gave a short, sharp cry of pain
Distress
– suffering, pain, or worry
Beeline
– the shortest, quickest path
The
bird has flown – an expression meaning someone has escaped or run away
Rapid
as forest fire – spreading very quickly
🔹 MCQs with Answers
1.
Who first spread the news of the bank not paying employees?
(a)
Nathu
(b)
Sitaram
(c)
Kamal Kishore
(d)
Sitaram told Kamal Kishore
Ans.
(d) Sitaram told Kamal Kishore
2.
What shop did Kamal Kishore own?
(a)
A grocery shop
(b)
A furniture shop
(c)
A barber shop
(d)
A jewellery shop
Ans.
(b) A furniture shop
3.
Who was Deep Chand?
(a)
A grocer
(b)
A banker
(c)
A barber
(d)
A fruit vendor
Ans.
(c) A barber
4.
Whom did Deep Chand accidentally cut?
(a)
Kamal Kishore
(b)
An elderly gentleman
(c)
Seth Govind Ram
(d)
A beggar
Ans.
(b) An elderly gentleman
5.
Why did the elderly gentleman run to the merchant’s shop?
(a)
To complain about the barber
(b)
To use the telephone
(c)
To buy something
(d)
To meet Seth Govind Ram
Ans.
(b) To use the telephone
6.
Where was Seth Govind Ram at the time?
(a)
Delhi
(b)
Calcutta
(d)
Pipalnagar
Ans.
(c) Kashmir
7.
What did the elderly gentleman assume about Seth?
(a)
He was genuinely on holiday
(c)
He was in hospital
(d)
He had closed the bank
Ans.
(b) He had run away
8.
How did the news spread through the bazaar?
(a)
Slowly
(b)
Secretly
(c)
Like a forest fire
(d)
It did not spread
Ans.
(c) Like a forest fire
🔹 20 One-Mark
Questions with Answers
1.
Who informed Kamal Kishore about the bank? – Another man in conversation
2.
Which bank was rumoured to be collapsing? – The Pipalnagar Bank
3.
Why did Kamal Kishore sit up suddenly? – He was shocked at the news
4.
Whom did Kishore ask about the bank? – Deep Chand, the barber
5.
What warning did Kishore give Deep Chand? – To withdraw his money quickly
6.
Who was getting a shave in Deep Chand’s shop? – An elderly gentleman
7.
What mistake did the barber make? – He nicked the customer’s ear
8.
Why did the customer yelp? – From pain and bad news
9.
Where did the customer run after leaving the shop? – The general merchant’s
store
10.
Why did he go to the general merchant’s? – To use the telephone
11.
Whose number did he dial? – Seth Govind Ram’s
12.
Was Seth at home? – No
13.
Where was Seth? – Holidaying in Kashmir
14.
Did the elderly man believe this? – No
15.
What did he assume instead? – That Seth had run away
16.
What words did he use for Seth’s escape? – “The bird has flown”
17.
Where did the elderly man rush after making the call? – Back to the barber’s
shop
18.
What did he announce there? – That Seth had left town and the bank would
collapse
19.
How did the news spread? – Rapidly, like a forest fire
20.
To whom did the news spread in the bazaar? – Traders, vendors, and beggars
🔹 10 Two-Mark Questions (≈50
words each)
1.
Why did Kamal Kishore get alarmed?
Ans.
Kamal Kishore was told that the Pipalnagar Bank had stopped paying employees
and was close to collapsing. As a shop owner, he feared the consequences of
such financial failure. This news worried him and made him pass it on quickly
to others, starting the rumour chain.
2.
How did the rumour affect Deep Chand?
Ans.
Deep Chand was shaving an elderly customer when Kamal Kishore told him the bank
might collapse. Startled by the news, his hand shook, and he accidentally cut
his customer’s ear. This shows how sudden rumours can disturb people’s
concentration and cause unexpected accidents.
3.
Why was the elderly gentleman in distress?
Ans.
The elderly customer was distressed both because of the pain from the cut on
his ear and because of the shocking news that the bank might collapse. He felt
insecure about his money and immediately rushed to confirm the situation,
showing panic caused by gossip.
4.
Where did the elderly man run, and why?
Ans.
He ran to the general merchant’s store where there was a telephone. He wanted
to contact Seth Govind Ram, the owner of the Pipalnagar Bank, to check the
truth of the rumour. His hurried action shows how quickly fear spreads in a
community.
5.
What happened when he called Seth Govind Ram?
Ans.
When the elderly man called, he was told that Seth Govind Ram was away in
Kashmir. Instead of accepting this simple explanation, the man assumed that
Seth had run away to escape financial responsibility. His mistrust fueled the
rumour further.
6.
What conclusion did the elderly man draw?
Ans.
He concluded that the banker had fled and the bank would definitely collapse.
This conclusion was not based on facts but on fear and suspicion, proving how
gossip twists truth into panic and spreads like wildfire among people.
7.
How did he spread the news further?
Ans.
After hearing that Seth was away, the elderly man rushed back to the barber’s
shop and loudly declared that Seth had left town and the bank was finished. His
words acted like confirmation for everyone listening, and they carried the news
forward.
8.
How did the rumour spread in the bazaar?
Ans.
The rumour spread with the speed of a forest fire. From the general merchant’s
shop, it moved to the grain dealer, then to other customers, and finally
reached every shopkeeper, vendor, and beggar in the bazaar. Gossip made the
entire town restless.
9.
What does the phrase “the bird has flown” mean in the story?
Ans.
In the story, the phrase means that Seth Govind Ram had supposedly run away to
escape his duties. The elderly man used this idiom to exaggerate the situation,
and it became evidence for others that the bank was collapsing.
10.
What role did mistrust play in spreading the rumour?
Ans.
Mistrust made the elderly man doubt Seth’s holiday in Kashmir. Instead of
believing the truth, he assumed escape. This mistrust spread panic, turning an
ordinary absence into a sign of crisis. Thus, mistrust acted as fuel for the
rumour’s wildfire spread.
🔹 5 Three-Mark Questions (≈80
words each)
1.
Describe how Kamal Kishore reacted to the news of the bank.
Ans.
When Kamal Kishore heard that the Pipalnagar Bank had stopped paying salaries
and was about to collapse, he became alarmed. Although he did not personally
have an account, he knew his neighbour did. He quickly called out to Deep
Chand, the barber, and advised him to withdraw his money. This shows how even
those not directly involved become messengers of fear, spreading half-baked
news without confirming its truth.
2.
How did Deep Chand’s accident show the impact of rumours?
Ans.
Chand was shaving an elderly gentleman when Kamal Kishore warned him about the
bank’s collapse. The shocking news startled him so much that his hand shook,
and he accidentally cut his customer’s ear. The customer’s pain and the bad
news combined to create panic. This incident shows that rumours can have
immediate physical and social effects, disturbing normal work and spreading
anxiety in unexpected ways.
3.
What was the reaction of the elderly customer to the rumour?
Ans.
The elderly customer was deeply troubled. Already in pain from the barber’s
cut, he was alarmed by the news of the bank’s possible collapse. Without even
finishing his shave, he ran to the general merchant’s shop to make a phone call
to Seth Govind Ram. On hearing Seth was in Kashmir, he assumed the banker had
fled, spreading further panic by telling everyone that the bank was ruined.
4.
How did the elderly man’s assumption worsen the situation?
Ans.
The elderly man refused to believe that Seth Govind Ram was simply on holiday.
Instead, he assumed that Seth had run away to avoid responsibility. This false
assumption became “proof” for others that the bank had collapsed. He carried
this news back to the barber’s shop and spread it further. His mistrust and
hasty judgment gave the rumour more credibility and caused widespread panic in
the bazaar.
5.
Explain how the rumour spread like a forest fire in the bazaar.
Ans.
The rumour began with Kamal Kishore and spread quickly through Deep Chand, the
elderly customer, and finally into the bazaar. From the general merchant’s shop
it passed to the grain dealer, then to the bootmaker, fruit vendor, jeweller,
and even beggars. Everyone repeated it, adding their own doubts and fears. Like
a forest fire, it needed no proof—just fuel from gossip and mistrust. Very
soon, the entire bazaar believed the bank had collapsed.
🔹 5 RTC Extracts with Questions
RTC
1
“The
Pipalnagar Bank is about to collapse. You’d better get your money out as soon
as you can!”
Q1.
Who is the speaker here? – Kamal Kishore
Q2.
To whom is this addressed? – Deep Chand, the barber
Q3.
What was the rumour about the bank? – That it was about to collapse
Q4.
Did Kamal Kishore himself have an account in the bank? – No
Q5.
Why did he still spread the rumour? – Because his neighbour had an account
RTC
2
“Deep
Chand, who was cutting the hair of an elderly gentleman, was so startled that
his hand shook and he nicked his customer’s right ear.”
Q1.
Why was Deep Chand startled? – He heard about the bank’s collapse
Q2.
Who told him the news? – Kamal Kishore
Q3.
Who got hurt because of this? – The elderly customer
Q4.
What was the barber doing at that time? – Shaving the gentleman
Q5.
What does this show about rumours? – They disturb and harm people suddenly
RTC
3
“The
bird has flown! Seth Govind Ram has left town. Definitely it means a collapse.”
Q1.
Who said this? – The elderly gentleman
Q2.
Where was Seth actually? – Holidaying in Kashmir
Q3.
What did the speaker assume? – That Seth had run away
Q4.
What does the phrase “the bird has flown” mean? – The person has escaped
Q5.
How did this statement affect the rumour? – It gave false confirmation and
spread panic.
RTC
4
“With
one side of his neck still unshaven, he sped across the road to the general
merchant’s store where there was a telephone.”
Q1.
Who is “he” here? – The elderly gentleman
Q2.
Why did he leave the barber’s shop? – To call Seth Govind Ram
Q3.
Why was his shave incomplete? – He left in panic after hearing the news
Q4.
What does this show about his state of mind? – He was anxious and impatient
Q5.
How does this add humour to the story? – A half-shaved man running in panic
looks comical
RTC
5
“The
news spread through the bazaar with the rapidity of forest fire.”
Q1.
What was the news? – That the Pipalnagar Bank was collapsing
Q2.
Who first started the rumour? – Nathu, indirectly, then Sitaram
Q3.
How did it reach the bazaar? – Through Kamal Kishore, Deep Chand, and the
elderly man
Q4.
What is compared to a forest fire here? – The spread of the rumour
Q5.
What does this simile suggest? – That rumours spread fast and uncontrollably.
Passage
4: Old Ganpat the beggar ………………………aggravated their mood.
Paraphrase
Old
Ganpat, a beggar with a crooked leg, had spent years sitting on the pavement,
begging. People had only seen him being carried away in a trolley at night. No
one had ever seen him walk. But the moment he heard that the bank was about to
collapse, he shocked everyone by jumping to his feet and running fast towards
the bank. People soon learned that he had a thousand rupees in savings there!
In
Pipalnagar, men gathered in groups on street corners to discuss the crisis. The
town rarely faced disasters like floods, earthquakes, or droughts. So, the news
of the bank’s possible failure made everyone restless. Some people bragged
about being wise enough to withdraw their money earlier, or about never
trusting the bank in the first place. Others tried to explain the bank’s
downfall by blaming Seth Govind Ram for overspending. Rumours spread—some said
he had fled the State, others the country, another claimed he was hiding in
Pipalnagar, and one even said he had hanged himself on the tamarind tree and
was discovered by the sweeper-boy.
By
noon, the small bank had run out of cash. The worried manager faced a dilemma.
Emergency funds could be arranged only from a bank thirty miles away, but he
doubted the crowd would wait. Seth Govind Ram, who lived comfortably on his
houseboat in Kashmir, was unreachable.
People
were turned away from the counters and asked to return the next day. This
angered them. They gathered outside the bank shouting, “Give us our money or
we’ll break in!” and “Fetch the Seth—we know he’s hiding in a locker!”
Mischief-makers, who had no money in the bank, also joined the crowd and
worsened the situation.
Glossary
Alms
– money or food given to the poor
Trolley
– a small wheeled cart used to carry things or people
Crooked
leg – bent or deformed leg
Collapse
– sudden failure or breakdown
Speculating
– forming theories or guesses without firm evidence
Excesses
– overindulgent, reckless spending or behaviour
Harassed
– troubled, stressed, or worried
Dilemma
– a difficult situation with no easy solution
Emergency
funds – money kept aside for urgent use
Counters
– desks in a bank where transactions take place
Mischief-makers
– people who deliberately create trouble
Aggravated
– made worse, intensified
MCQs
with Answers
1.
What surprised everyone about old Ganpat?
a)
He was taken to the bank in a trolley
b)
He ran on his own legs
c)
He shouted loudly
d)
He had no savings
Answer:
b) He ran on his own legs
2.
How much savings did Ganpat have in the bank?
a)
500 rupees
b)
750 rupees
c)
1000 rupees
d)
2000 rupees
Answer:
c) 1000 rupees
3.
What kind of disasters were rare in Pipalnagar?
a)
Bank crashes
b)
Floods, earthquakes, and droughts
c)
Famines and wars
d)
Riots and epidemics
Answer:
b) Floods, earthquakes, and droughts
4.
What did people blame Seth Govind Ram for?
a)
Theft
b)
Excesses and reckless living
c)
Cheating the customers
d)
Bribery
Answer:
b) Excesses and reckless living
5.
Where was Seth Govind Ram actually staying?
a)
Abroad
b)
Hiding in Pipalnagar
c)
On his houseboat in Kashmir
d)
At the tamarind tree
Answer:
c) On his houseboat in Kashmir
One
Mark Questions (20)
1.
Who was Ganpat?
Ans.
A beggar with a crooked leg.
2.
What surprised everyone about Ganpat?
Ans.
He suddenly ran on his own feet.
3.
How much money did Ganpat have in the bank?
Ans.
One thousand rupees.
4.
Where did Ganpat usually sit?
Ans.
On the pavement.
5.
How was Ganpat usually carried away?
Ans.
In a trolley or barrow.
6.
What was rare in Pipalnagar?
Ans.
Floods, earthquakes, and droughts.
7.
What made people restless?
Ans.
The news of the bank’s possible collapse.
8.
What did some men boast about?
Ans.
Taking out their money earlier.
9.
Who was blamed for the crash?
Ans.
Seth Govind Ram.
10.
What did one rumour say about the Seth?
Ans.
That he fled the country.
11.
Where did another rumour say the Seth was hiding?
Ans.
In Pipalnagar.
12.
What did one claim about the tamarind tree?
Ans.
That Seth had hanged himself there.
13.
What problem did the manager face?
Ans.
The bank ran out of ready cash.
14.
How far was the nearest bank for emergency funds?
Ans.
Thirty miles away.
15.
Where was Seth Govind Ram staying?
Ans.
On his houseboat in Kashmir.
16.
What happened by noon?
Ans.
The bank had no ready cash left.
17.
What did the crowd shout outside the bank?
Ans.
“Give us our money or we’ll break in!”
18.
Who joined the angry crowd?
Ans.
Mischief-makers without deposits.
19.
What did people accuse the Seth of doing?
Ans.
Hiding in a safe deposit locker.
20.
How did the mischief-makers affect the crowd?
Ans.
They worsened their mood.
2
Mark Questions (10)
1.
Why was Ganpat’s running surprising to the people?
Ans.
Ganpat was a beggar with a crooked leg who had always been seen sitting on the
pavement or carried away in a trolley. His sudden ability to run at top speed
shocked everyone.
2.
What did people learn about Ganpat’s savings?
Ans.
They learned that he had a thousand rupees deposited in the Pipalnagar Bank,
which explained his sudden concern.
3.
Why was the crash of the bank a big issue in Pipalnagar?
Ans.
Pipalnagar seldom faced disasters like floods, droughts, or earthquakes, so the
bank crisis was unusual and created panic.
4.
What did some men boast about during the crisis?
Ans.
Some bragged that they had already withdrawn their money or had wisely never
trusted the bank with deposits.
5.
What reasons did people give for the bank’s collapse?
Ans.
They speculated that Seth Govind Ram’s excessive lifestyle and wasteful
spending caused it.
6.
What rumours spread about Seth Govind Ram?
Ans.
Rumours claimed he had fled the state, fled the country, was hiding in
Pipalnagar, or had even hanged himself.
7.
What was the dilemma of the manager?
Ans.
The bank ran out of cash, and though funds could be arranged from a bank thirty
miles away, he feared the crowd wouldn’t wait.
8.
Why couldn’t the manager contact Seth Govind Ram?
Ans.
Because the Seth was staying far away on his houseboat in Kashmir.
9.
How did the people react when told to come back next day?
They
grew angry, gathered outside, shouted threats, and demanded their money
immediately.
10.
How did mischief-makers worsen the situation?
Ans.
Though they had no money in the bank, they joined the crowd, spread anger, and
encouraged violent threats.
3
Mark Questions (5)
1.
Describe the transformation in old Ganpat’s behaviour when he heard about the
bank’s collapse.
Ans.
Ganpat, a beggar with a crooked leg who had always been immobile, shocked
everyone by suddenly jumping to his feet and running quickly to the bank. His
unusual energy revealed his anxiety about the safety of his thousand-rupee
savings.
2.
How did people in Pipalnagar react to the news of the bank’s possible failure?
Ans.
Groups gathered at street corners, discussed, speculated, and spread rumours.
Some felt proud of having withdrawn their money earlier, others blamed Seth
Govind Ram, and several rumours circulated about his whereabouts and fate.
3.
What rumours circulated about Seth Govind Ram during the crisis?
Ans.
Rumours varied—some said he fled the State, some claimed he fled the country,
others insisted he was hiding in Pipalnagar, and one even declared he had
hanged himself from a tamarind tree.
4.
What difficulties did the bank manager face by noon?
Ans.
By noon, the bank had no ready cash left. The manager could only arrange
emergency funds from a bank thirty miles away, but feared the crowd’s
impatience. Moreover, he could not contact Seth Govind Ram, who was far away in
Kashmir.
5.
How did the crowd outside the bank become violent?
Ans.
When customers were turned back and told to return the next day, they shouted
angrily, threatening to break in and demanding the Seth’s presence.
Mischief-makers joined them, further aggravating the mood.
5
RTC (Reference to Context) with Extracts
Extract
1:
“Old
Ganpat the beggar, had a crooked leg… But now, on learning that the bank was
about to collapse, Ganpat astonished everyone by leaping to his feet and
actually running at top speed in the direction of the bank.”
Q1.
Who was Ganpat? – A beggar with a crooked leg.
Q2.
Why was his running surprising? – Because he was always seen sitting or carried
away in a trolley.
Q3.
Why did he suddenly run? – To protect his savings in the bank.
Q4.
How much money did he have in the bank? – One thousand rupees.
Q5.
What does this incident reveal about panic? – It shows how fear of losing money
can cause dramatic behaviour.
Extract
2:
“Men
stood in groups at street corners discussing the situation… rushing about in
frenzy.”
Q1.
Where was this scene taking place? – In Pipalnagar.
Q2.
Why were people gathered in groups? – To discuss the bank crisis.
Q3.
What disasters were rare in Pipalnagar? – Floods, earthquakes, and droughts.
Q4.
How did the townspeople react to the crisis? – They speculated, boasted, and
spread rumours.
Q5.
What does this tell us about human nature? – People panic easily and spread
gossip in uncertain times.
Extract
3:
“The
Seth had fled the State, said one… found that morning by the sweeper-boy.”
Q1.
Who is the Seth referred to here? – Seth Govind Ram, owner of the bank.
Q2.
What did people speculate about him? – That he had fled or even committed
suicide.
Q3.
What does this show about rumour-spreading? – People exaggerate and invent
stories in crises.
Q4.
Were any of these rumours true? – No, he was in Kashmir.
Q5.
Why did people believe such rumours? – Because they were frightened and lacked
real information.
Extract
4:
“By
noon the small bank had gone through all its ready cash… on his houseboat in
Kashmir.”
Q1.
What was the situation in the bank by noon? – It had run out of ready cash.
Q2.
What was the manager’s dilemma? – Whether the crowd would wait for funds from
another bank.
Q3.
How far away was the other bank? – Thirty miles away.
Q4.
Why couldn’t Seth Govind Ram be contacted? – He was staying in Kashmir.
Q5.
What does this reveal about the bank’s preparedness? – It was poorly equipped
to handle emergencies.
Extract
5:
“They
did not like the sound of that. And so they gathered outside… aggravated their
mood.”
Q1.
What did the manager tell the people? – To return the following day.
Q2.
How did the crowd react? – They grew angry and shouted threats.
Q3.
What slogans did they raise? – “Give us our money or we’ll break in!”
Q4.
Who made the situation worse? – Mischief-makers without deposits.
Q5.
What does this scene highlight? – The dangerous spread of mob mentality.
Passage
5: The manager stood ……………………………. it could have happened.
The
bank manager tried to calm the angry crowd outside the Pipalnagar Bank. He
assured them that the bank had enough money but lacked the means to pay it out
immediately. He requested them to return the next day. The crowd grew
impatient, demanding their money at once. In anger, someone threw a brick,
breaking the bank’s glass window.
The
following morning, Nathu, the sweeper, came to clean the bank steps. He was
horrified to see broken glass, stones, and rubbish scattered everywhere.
Complaining that his work was already hard and his wages were paid late, he
angrily swept the steps. Just then, Sitaram, the washerman’s son, stopped on
his bicycle and teasingly asked if Nathu was ready for a new job, since the
bank was closing down.
Confused,
Nathu asked how that was possible. Sitaram cheerfully told him to wait and see,
as half the town would soon arrive to demand their money. He then rode away
happily, not worried as he had no bank account. Nathu muttered to himself while
cleaning, then sat down on the steps to wait for the manager and to claim his
pay. Looking thoughtfully, he wondered in surprise how the bank could have
collapsed.
Glossary
1.
Placate – to calm or pacify angry people.
2.
Immediate means – available resources at the moment.
3.
Hurtled – moved or flew with great speed.
4.
Plate glass – a large sheet of clear, flat glass used in windows.
5.
Refuse – waste or rubbish.
6.
Cluttering – making a place untidy with scattered objects.
7.
Gesture of horror – movement of hands showing shock or disgust.
8.
Hooligans – troublemakers or rowdy people.
9.
Sons of donkeys – (insult) foolish or stupid people.
10.
Muttering – speaking in a low or unclear voice.
11.
Collapse – sudden failure or breakdown.
12.
Smote – struck forcefully.
13.
Cheerfully – in a happy and carefree manner.
14.
Determine – firmly decide.
15.
Claim – demand something as a right.
20
MCQs with Answers
1.
Who tried to placate the angry crowd?
a)
Nathu
b)
Sitaram
c)
The manager
d)
The ayah
Ans.
c) The manager
2.
What did the manager say the bank lacked?
a)
Customers
b)
Immediate means to collect money
c)
Safety
d)
Account books
Ans.
b) Immediate means to collect money
3.
What did the crowd chant?
a)
“Pay us tomorrow”
b)
“Now, now, now!”
c)
“Close the bank”
d)
“We want justice”
Ans.
b) “Now, now, now!”
4.
What object broke the bank’s glass window?
a)
A stone
b)
A brick
c)
A bicycle
d)
A chair
Ans.
b) A brick
5.
Who arrived next morning to sweep the steps?
a)
Sitaram
b)
Nathu
c)
The manager
d)
The ayah
Ans.
b) Nathu
6.
What did Nathu see on the steps?
a)
Flowers
b)
Broken glass and rubbish
c)
Money
d)
Empty sacks
Ans.
b) Broken glass and rubbish
7.
How did Nathu feel seeing the mess?
a)
Happy
b)
Shocked and disgusted
c)
Excited
d)
Careless
Ans.
b) Shocked and disgusted
8.
What insult did Nathu shout?
a)
“Idiots!”
b)
“Hooligans! Sons of donkeys!”
c)
“Lazy fellows!”
d)
“Dogs!”
Ans.
b) “Hooligans! Sons of donkeys!”
9.
Who came on a bicycle?
a)
The bank manager
b)
The cook
c)
Sitaram
d)
A policeman
Ans.
c) Sitaram
10.
What job did Sitaram offer Nathu?
a)
Cook
b)
Sweeper at a new place
c)
Clerk
d)
Farmer
Ans.
b) Sweeper at a new place
11.
Why did Sitaram say Nathu needed a new job?
a)
Because the bank was going out of business
b)
Because he was lazy
c)
Because he was rude
d)
Because he was sick
Ans.
a) Because the bank was going out of business
12.
Did Sitaram have a bank account?
a)
Yes
b)
No
c)
Only a little money
d)
He closed it
Ans.
b) No
13.
What was Nathu determined to get?
a)
His broom
b)
His pay
c)
His food
d)
His house
Ans.
b) His pay
14.
Where did Nathu sit after cleaning?
a)
On the highest step
b)
Under a tree
c)
On a bench
d)
On his bicycle
Ans.
a) On the highest step
15.
Who was Nathu waiting for?
a)
Sitaram
b)
The manager
c)
The ayah
d)
Seth Govind Ram
Ans.
b) The manager
16.
What did Nathu think had collapsed?
a)
The crowd
b)
The bank
c)
His broom
d)
The manager’s house
Ans.
b) The bank
17.
How did Sitaram wave goodbye?
a)
Angrily
b)
Cheerfully
c)
Sadly
d)
Quietly
Ans.
b) Cheerfully
18.
What was Nathu muttering about?
a)
His late pay and work
b)
His lost broom
c)
His family
d)
His food
Ans.
a) His late pay and work
19.
Who broke the bank’s window?
a)
Sitaram
b)
The crowd
c)
Nathu
d)
The manager
Ans.
b) The crowd
20.
What was Nathu’s final reaction?
a)
He laughed
b)
He was thoughtful and surprised
c)
He shouted
d)
He slept
Ans.
b) He was thoughtful and surprised
20
One-Mark Questions with Answers
1.
Who is the sweeper at Pipalnagar Bank? – Nathu
2.
Who owned the bank? – Seth Govind Ram
3.
Who tried to pacify the crowd? – The manager
4.
What did the crowd demand? – Money immediately
5.
What crashed through the glass window? – A brick
6.
Who called the rioters “sons of donkeys”? – Nathu
7.
Who arrived on a bicycle? – Sitaram, the washerman’s boy
8.
What job offer did Sitaram mention? – New job from next month
9.
Why did Sitaram tease Nathu? – Because the bank was closing
10.
Who did not have a bank account? – Sitaram
11.
What did Nathu see on the steps in the morning? – Broken glass and refuse
12.
What did Nathu do with his broom? – Struck the steps angrily
13.
Who sped away cheerfully? – Sitaram
14.
Why was Nathu determined to wait? – For his pay
15.
Where did Nathu sit after sweeping? – On the highest step
16.
Who was supposed to pay Nathu? – The manager
17.
What did Nathu think had collapsed? – The bank
18.
What was Nathu muttering about? – His late pay and hard work
19.
What did the manager assure the crowd? – That the bank had plenty of money
20.
How did Nathu feel at the end? – Thoughtful and surprised
10
Two-Mark Questions (≈50 words each)
1.
Why did the crowd grow restless outside the bank?
Ans.
The crowd grew restless because they wanted to withdraw their money
immediately. The manager told them the bank had funds but no immediate way to
release them. This angered the people, who began chanting “Now, now, now!”
until someone threw a brick through the glass window.
2.
What did Nathu find when he came to sweep the steps?
Ans.
When Nathu arrived at the bank the next morning, he found the steps littered
with rubbish, broken glass, and stones. Shocked and angry, he raised his hands
in disgust and complained that his work had increased though he was already
paid late.
3.
How did Nathu express his anger on seeing the mess?
Ans.
Nathu cried out “Hooligans! Sons of donkeys!” to insult the troublemakers. He
was annoyed that he had to clean the extra mess. He struck the steps forcefully
with his broom, scattering the rubbish, while continuing to complain about his
hardships and late wages.
4.
What was Sitaram’s news about the bank?
Ans.
Sitaram told Nathu that the bank was going out of business and half the town
would soon come to claim their money. He even suggested Nathu should look for
another job, teasing him about losing his present employment.
5.
Why was Sitaram not worried about the bank’s failure?
Ans.
Sitaram was cheerful because he did not have a bank account. He had nothing to
lose even if the bank closed. For him, it was only gossip and entertainment, so
he could joke freely about Nathu’s future.
6.
Why did Nathu sit on the highest step after cleaning?
Ans.
Nathu sat on the highest step after sweeping the rubbish to wait for the
manager. He was determined not to leave without collecting his overdue wages,
since he was already frustrated by delayed payments.
7.
What was the manager’s assurance to the crowd?
Ans.
The manager tried to calm the crowd by assuring them that the bank had plenty
of money. However, he explained that there was no immediate means of collecting
and distributing it. He urged them to go home and return the next day.
8.
How did the crowd respond to the manager’s request?
Ans.
The crowd refused to listen and shouted “Now, now, now!” in unison. Their
impatience turned into aggression, and soon a brick was thrown through the
large glass window of the Pipalnagar Bank, causing destruction and panic.
9.
What did Nathu wonder at the end?
Ans.
Nathu sat thoughtfully, wondering how the bank could have collapsed. He had
never expected such a downfall. While still worried about his pay, he was
surprised by the sudden turn of events and the spreading rumours about the
bank’s closure.
10.
What shows Nathu’s frustration in this passage?
Ans.
Nathu’s frustration is shown in his complaints about late payment, his angry
insults toward the hooligans, his violent broom strokes scattering the rubbish,
and his muttering to himself. He also showed determination to stay until he
received his wages.
5
Three-Mark Questions (≈80 words each)
1.
Describe the incident that led to the breaking of the bank’s glass window.
Ans.
The Pipalnagar Bank faced unrest when anxious depositors gathered to withdraw
their money. The manager tried to calm them, saying the bank had funds but
lacked immediate means to release them. This explanation failed to satisfy the
impatient crowd. They chanted “Now, now, now!” in anger. The situation quickly
escalated, and in the heat of the moment, someone threw a brick through the
bank’s large glass window, symbolizing the growing panic and mistrust among the
people.
2.
How did Nathu react to the mess outside the bank the next morning?
Ans.
Nathu, the sweeper, arrived at the bank early to find broken glass, stones, and
refuse scattered across the steps. Horrified and disgusted, he cried out
angrily, calling the rioters “hooligans” and “sons of donkeys.” Already upset
about being paid late, he complained that his workload had increased unfairly.
He struck the steps with his broom violently, venting his frustration. His
reaction showed both his irritation at the extra work and his broader anger
about his poor treatment as an employee.
3.
What role did Sitaram play in spreading the rumour of the bank’s collapse?
Ans.
Sitaram, the washerman’s son, played a key role in spreading the rumour. He
teasingly told Nathu that he would need a new job because the bank was going
out of business. He added that half the town would soon arrive to claim their
money. Though he was cheerful and unconcerned since he had no account in the
bank, his words helped strengthen the idea that the bank had collapsed. This
gossip contributed to the wider panic in Pipalnagar.
4.
How does Ruskin Bond show the difference between Nathu and Sitaram’s attitudes?
Ans.
Ruskin Bond contrasts the two characters effectively. Nathu is worried,
frustrated, and angry because of his late wages and extra work. He feels
insecure about his livelihood and determined to get his pay. In contrast,
Sitaram is carefree and cheerful. He jokes about the bank’s failure and rides
away happily because he has nothing to lose. This contrast highlights how
rumours spread more easily among those who are not directly affected, while the
vulnerable feel anxious and insecure.
5.
Why does Nathu find the bank’s collapse unbelievable?
Ans.
At the end, Nathu sat thoughtfully, wondering how the bank could have
collapsed. He did not fully understand the financial matters behind the
rumours, but he was aware of the chaos around him. His disbelief reflects his
confusion: although he heard gossip about the bank failing, he could not
imagine such an established institution shutting down. His only concern was his
pending salary. Ruskin Bond uses Nathu’s innocent disbelief to show how rumours
can create panic even without facts.
RTC
1
“We
want it now! chanted some of the crowd. ‘Now, now, now!’ And a brick hurtled
through the air and crashed through the plate glass window of the Pipalnagar
Bank.”
Q1.
Who were demanding money?
–
The angry depositors gathered outside the Pipalnagar Bank.
Q2.
Why were they impatient?
–
They wanted to withdraw their money immediately and did not trust the manager’s
assurance.
Q3.
What happened as a result of their anger?
–
A brick was thrown and it smashed the glass window of the bank.
Q4.
Who had earlier tried to calm them?
–
The bank manager.
Q5.
What does this incident signify?
–
It marks the beginning of panic, violence, and the spread of rumours that the
bank had collapsed.
RTC
2
“Hooligans!
Sons of donkeys! As though it isn’t bad enough to be paid late, it seems my
work has also to be increased!”
Q1.
Who said these words?
–
Nathu, the sweeper of the bank.
Q2.
What had he seen that made him so angry?
–
The bank steps covered with refuse, broken glass, and stones after the crowd’s
violence.
Q3.
Why did he complain about being paid late?
–
Because his salary was often delayed by the bank management.
Q4.
How did he vent his anger?
–
By insulting the rioters and striking the steps with his broom.
Q5.
What does this passage reveal about Nathu’s state of mind?
–
He is frustrated, overworked, poorly treated, and resentful, though still
responsible enough to do his duty.
RTC
3
“Are
you ready to take up a new job from the first of next month? You’ll have to I
suppose, now that the bank is going out of business.”
Q1.
Who is the speaker?
–
Sitaram, the washerman’s son.
Q2.
To whom is this said?
–
To Nathu, the sweeper.
Q3.
Why does the speaker say Nathu must find a new job?
–
Because he believes, or pretends to believe, that the bank is closing down.
Q4.
Was this information correct?
–
No, it was only gossip and part of the spreading rumour.
Q5.
What does this show about Sitaram’s character?
–
He is carefree, light-hearted, and does not realize how his words fuel panic.
RTC
4
“Well
you’d better wait here until half the population of Pipalnagar arrives to claim
their money.”
Q1.
Who is the speaker here?
–
Sitaram, the washerman’s boy.
Q2.
Why does he make this remark?
–
To tease Nathu and suggest that everyone will soon rush to the bank to withdraw
their money.
Q3.
What does this remark imply about the bank?
–
That it has collapsed and people no longer trust it.
Q4.
Did Sitaram himself have a bank account?
–
No, he had no account and was not worried about the bank’s fate.
Q5.
What is the effect of such remarks on others?
–
They help spread rumours and increase panic in Pipalnagar.
RTC
5
“Who
would have thought the bank would collapse!’ he said to himself, and looked
thoughtfully into the distance.”
Q1.
Who is the speaker?
–
Nathu, the bank sweeper.
Q2.
What was he doing before this?
–
He had finished sweeping the steps and was waiting for the manager to get his
pay.
Q3.
Why does he think the bank has collapsed?
–
Because of the rumours spread by Sitaram and the behaviour of the crowd.
Q4.
What does this show about Nathu’s understanding of the situation?
–
He does not know the truth and simply accepts gossip.
Q5.
Why is this line ironic?
–
Because Nathu’s innocent remark strengthens the rumour, making him unknowingly
responsible for helping “break the bank.”
Compiled
by Dr. Shankar D Mishra
WhatsApp
nos. 8249297412/8270604524
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