10th STD - ENGLISH - UNIT 2 - PROSE - The Night the Ghost Got In - James Grover Thurber & LISTENING ,SPEAKING , READING , WRITING - QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

SUMMARY
 
     ‘The Night the Ghost Got In’ is a short story written by James Thurber. It is a fictionalized account of a night in his childhood. On the night of November, 17 1915, Thurber was taking a bath. He heard some footsteps.It was around 1 in the morning. He thought that it must be his father and brother, Roy. They had gone to Indiana and were expected back at any time. When he put his head out of the door, he did not see anyone. He wrapped a towel around his waist and walked out into the hallway. He heard footsteps again. He woke his brother, Herman, to help him find out what was going on. They did not see anyone and did not hear anything anymore, so they went back to their rooms and closed the doors.
       Their mother was awakened by the slamming of the doors and wanted to know what was going on. She believed there were burglars in the house and threw a shoe into the window of the neighbour’s house. The neighbour was very angry. When he came to know that she had done it to wake him up to call the police he was calm. She asked him to call the police. The police arrived with few reporters, and things just went wild. The grandfather ended up shooting one of the policemen in the arm, thinking that he was a deserter. They found no evidence and left. The next morning at breakfast, the family did not think the grandfather would remember anything. But he sat down andasked what the cops were doing in the house last night.
 
GLOSSARY B.P.No. 34
 
hullabaloo (v) –       lot of loud noise made by people who are excited.
patrolman (n) –        a patrolling police officer.
attic (n) –                  a space or room inside or partly inside the roof of a building
slammed (v) –          shut a door or window forcefully and loudly.
gruffly (adv.) –         sadly
intuitively (adv.) – without conscious reasoning, instinctively
whammed (v) –        struck something forcefully
bevelled (v) –           reduced to a slopping edge
rending (v) –            tearing to pieces
yanked (v) –             pulled with a jerk
zither (n) – a musical instrument consisting of a flat wooden sound box with numerous strings stretched across it, placed horizontally and played with fingers
guinea pig (n) –        a domesticated tailless South American rodent originally raised for food
hysterical (adj.) –     affected by wildly uncontrolled emotion
creaking (v) – making a squeaking sound when being moved
indignant (adj.) – feeling or showing anger or annoyance at what is perceived as unfair treatment
holster (n) –             a holder made of leather for carrying handgun
rafter (n) –               a beam forming part of the internal framework of a roof
deserter (n) –           a person who leaves the armed force without permissio
 
A. Answer the following questions in a sentence or two. B.P.No. 34
 
1. Why was the narrator sorry to have paid attention to the footsteps?
As he paid attention to the footsteps he made a big confusion in his family. His misjudgment even
brought police to his house. So the narrator was sorry to have paid attention to the footsteps.
 
2. Why did Herman and the author slam the doors?
Herman and the author did not see anyone and did not hear anything anymore, so they went back to
their rooms and slammed the doors.
 
3. What woke up the mother?
Slamming of the door woke up the mother.
 
4. What do you understand by the mother’s act of throwing the shoe?
The mother wanted to call the police for help but she could not use her phone as it was downstairs.
She had to wake up her neighbour to call the police. She had no other way rather than throwing the
shoe at their window glass to wake them up.
 
5. Why do you think Mrs. Bodwell wanted to sell the house?
Mrs. Bodwell thought that her neighbour had broken the window glass to trouble them. She did not
want to tolerate such behaviour. So she wanted to sell the house .
 
6. How did the cops manage to enter the locked house?
The cops broke open the door and entered the house.
 
7. Why were the policemen prevented from entering grandfather’s room?
The grandfather was sleeping in the attic. He was against the deserters. If he saw the cops he would
think they were the deserters and he would act in a wild way.
 
8. Who used the zither and how?
Roy had won the zither in a pool tournament. It was used by the guinea pig to sleep.
 
9. Mention the things the grandfather imagined.
The grandfather imagined that the cops were the deserters from meade’s army, trying to hide away in
his attic.
 
B. Answer the following questions in about 100-150 words. B.P.No. 35
 
1. Describe the funny incident that caused the confusion in the house.
Prose The Night the Ghost Got In
Author James Grover Thurber
Theme Dramatic fuss about mysterious sounds
In the confusion we stay with each other, happy to be
together, speaking without uttering a single word.
                                 ‘The Night the Ghost Got In’, is a short story written by James Thurber. It is a fictionalized account of a night in his childhood. On the night of November, 17 1915, Thurber was taking a bath suddenly he heard some footsteps. It was around 1 in the morning. He thought that it must be his father and brother, Roy. They had gone to Indiana and were expected back at any time. When he put his head out the door, he did not see anyone. He wrapped a towel around his waist and walked out into the hallway. He heard footsteps again. He woke his brother, Herman, to help him find out what was going on. They did not see anyone and did not hear anything anymore, so they went back to their rooms and closed the doors. Their mother was awakened by the slamming of the doors and wanted to know what was going on. She believed there were burglars in the house. Somehow with the help of the neighbour she informed the police. The police arrived with a few reporters and things just went wild. The grandfather ended up shooting one of the policemen in the arm, thinking that he was a deserter.
They found no evidence and left.
If you’re not confused, you’re not paying attention.
 
2. Narrate the extensive search operation made by the policemen in the house.
 
Prose The Night the Ghost Got In
Author James Grover Thurber
Theme Dramatic fuss about mysterious sounds
Confusion is a word we have invented for
an order which is not yet understood
                ‘The Night the Ghost Got In’, is a short story written by James Thurber. It is a fictionalized account of a night in his childhood. The author was in the bathroom and around I in the morning he heard some steps. He and his brother searched here and there but no one was seen. So they closed their room doors with a bang. The sound of the bang woke up the mother. When she heard about the footsteps she thought there must be some burglars. Somehow with the help of the neighbour she called the police and they came in a short time. The police broke open the door and entered the house. They could not find anybody. They opened all the drawers and windows and searched everywhere. They pulled beds from the walls and they removed the clothes from the closets. They saw the zither which was used by guinea pig to sleep. The cops were reluctant to leave without getting their hand on  omebody besides grandfather; the night had been distinctly a defeat for them. Finally they could not find anybody.  Confusion is the welcome mat at the door of creativity.
 
VOCABULARY B.P.No. 35
 
Slang Expression
Slang is a type of language consisting of words and phrases that are regarded as very informal
and more common in speech than writing. They are typically restricted to a particular context or
group of people.
 
C. Look at the following expressions from the text. With the help of your teacher rewrite  them in standard English. One has been done for you.
 
1. ‘Musta got away –whatt’d he like? Must got away-what was he like?
2. ‘Looky here, Joe Look in here, Joe.
3. ‘No sign o’ nothing’ ` No sign of anything.
4. ‘Back t’ the lines ye goodaam’ Back to the lines you good man (godown)
5. ‘What was the idée of all them cops tarryhootin’
round the house last night?’
What was the idea of all of the cops tarry
hooting round the house last night?
 
 Singular and Plural Forms
 
In this lesson, we find plural forms such as furniture, houses, windows, burglars, boxes, shelves,
policemen. You may notice that these words have taken up different suffixes to form plurals. This is
because English words have different origins.
D. Complete the given tabular column with the suitable plural forms.
Singular Plural Singular Plural
chair chairs formula formulae
box boxes child children
eskimo eskimos deer deer
lady ladies loaf loaves
radius radii hero heroes
 
LISTENING B.P.No. 36
 
E. Listen to the story and answer the following.
 
1. The rich man was from....
a) Nagaland                            b) Thailand                             c) Finland               Ans : b) Thailand
2. Where did Chulong catch the bird?
Chulong caught the bird from a bush in his garden.
3. Why did Chulong catch the bird?
Chulong caught the bird because it was a strange bird and he wanted to make money by selling it .
4. What will happen to the bird in imprisonment?
The bird will lose its beauty and sweet voice in imprisonment.
5. What did the bird suggest Chulong, in exchange for its freedom?
The bird suggested that it would give him three simple rules in exchange of its freedom.
6. Does Chulong want to earn money honestly?
No, Chulong does not want to earn money honestly.
7. What were Chulong’s plans for the bird?
Chulong’s plans for the bird were to catch it and sell it for good money.
8. Who is wise according to you?
The bird is wiser than Chulong
9. Was the bird a crow?
No, the bird was not a crow.
10. What are the three rules given by the bird?
• Never believe anything others say
• Never be sad for something which you do not have
• Never throw away what you have in hand
 
SPEAKING B.P.No. 36
 
F. Quiz: Who am I?
Sample questions to ask. Answers must be ‘yes’ or ‘no’ only.
• Are you a male (female)?
• Are you a famous personality?
• Are you a singer (dancer, actor)?
• Are you a historical figure?
• Are you young (old)?
• Are you alive now?
• Does your name start with ‘___’ ?
• Is he/she ____ ?
G. Use this passage to play the game. You can collect information on other famous  personalities and play too. B.P.No. 36
 
      Charlie Chaplin was born on April 16, 1889, in London England. His birth name was Charles Spencer Chaplin, though he had many nicknames growing up such as Charlie, Charlot, and The Little Tramp. His father, Charles Chaplin, and his mother, Hannah Chaplin, were inducted into the music hall of fame, leading the way to his exposure even as a young boy. His first onstage moment was when he was 5 years old; he sang a song that was intended to be sung by his own mother; she had become ill at the time of the performance, so little Charlie Chaplin stood instead and performed for his mother.
                Charlie Chaplin came to the United States in 1910, at the age of 21. He was brought to New York, which was known to be a great place to start out for anyone trying to become a professional actor. Two years later, in 1913, Chaplin signed his very first contract at Keystone and it was no time before he headed to Hollywood. His first movie premiered in 1914, “Making a Living,” and went on to make over 35 movies total in that year alone. Charlie Chaplin grew to become one of the most popular and successful actors of all time. The moment that really kicked off his long career was in 1921 when he starred in, and produced, his first full length film called “The Kid.” From then on, most people all over the world knew Charlie Chaplin and loved his movies. He had a great career and life, dying on December 25, 1977, in Vevey, Switzerland. He had apparently died of natural causes in his sleep from old age.
 
Questions:
 
• Are you a male?
• Are you a foreigner?
• Are you from US?
• Are you from London?
• Are you an actor?
• Are you living?
• Are you a comedian
 
READING B.P.No. 38
 
H. Read the incident again and answer the following questions.
 
1. What was the writer always asked to do whenever he planned to go abroad?
The writer was asked to bring something like a vaccine, ceramic paint and tie.
2. What did Gilson want the writer to bring for him?
Gilson wanted the writer to bring for him a tie with a letter G on it.
3. When did the writer remember the fact that he had to buy something for Mr. Gilson?
When the airport bus was waiting outside the hotel he remembered the fact that he had to buy something for Mr. Gilson.
4. Why were the other passengers in the flight gazing at the writer?
The passengers were gazing at the writer because he was late to the flight and the flight was waiting for him.
5. What is the humour element in the above incident?
He faced much trouble and spent a lot to get the tie but he left it in the taxi and got onto the plane.
 
I. Suggesting titles:
 
Title summarises the story. Each paragraph is a part of the story. Look at the following expressions and
find out the paragraphs that best suit these expressions.
 
1. Oh, No! But it happens!
 “Oh, so you’re going abroad? Can you bring me back…..?” I’ve been asked to bring back a vaccine for a course. Once I searched the suburbs of Paris for two days for a special brand of
ceramic paint. Having spent a lot of money for Cartier lighter refills, I had them confiscated at the airport just before boarding because the gas might be dangerous in the air.
 
2. Don’t let out your travelling dates.
      Now, two months before a trip, I stop talking to people so they won’t suspect I’m about to travel. But someone always catches me.” I’ve heard you’re going to New York, and I want you to get something for me. It’s just a little thing you can find anywhere. I don’t know exactly how much it costs, but it shouldn’t be much. We’ll settle up when you get back”.
 
3. Anyway, people will be people.
                 What Gilson asked me to buy was, in fact a little thing: a tie. But not just any tie. He wanted a tie with a small embroidered G. Any colour would do, as long as it had his  nitial. Look, this is a special flight, I explained. We are only staying Saturday through Tuesday. On the day we arrived I didn’t have time to think about the tie, but strolling around on Sunday I did see one shop window. They were cheap, just a dollar, but all the shops were closed.
 
4. Search begins
                 It was only when I saw our airport bus waiting outside the hotel that I remembered the tie. I told the group to go on. I would get a taxi to the airport. And so I went in search of a nearby shop where I had seen ties. But I couldn’t find it. I walked further down the street-one, two, three blocks - all in vain. Back at the hotel, a bit anxious now, I took my suitcase, got a taxi and asked the driver to rush to the street where I had seen them. The driver stopped at each shop we passed so I could look from the window. The stores had all sorts of ties, but not the kind I was looking for. When I finally thought I had located the right shop, I decided to go in and check. The driver refused to wait. Parking was prohibited, he said. I promised to double the fare, jumped out and ran into the shop. Was I going to miss the plane just for a damned tie? The salesman was unbearably slow. When I realized that the smallest change I had was a ten dollar note, I grabbed ten ties of different colours so I wouldn’t have to wait for change. I rushed out with the ties in a paper bag.
 
5. Things are not that easy.
     On the street I looked around. The taxi had vanished, taking my suitcase. What is more, I was going to miss the plane. I ran to the corner, and hope flared up again: the taxi was waiting in the next street. Quick to the airport! As I settled down inside the taxi. I sighed with relief. Gilson was going to have enough initialized ties to last him a lifetime.
 
6. Hurry invites worry.
                 When I reached the airport, I paid the taxi driver the double fare and grabbed my suitcase. Panting, I boarded the plane under the reproachful gaze of the other passengers, all primly seated with their seat belts fastened. Ready to take off. Departure had been delayed because of me. “At least I hope you found your tie”, said one who knew the story. “I did”, I answered triumphantly. After making myself comfortable, I reached for the paper bag to show the ties. I had left it behind; in the taxi.
 
J. Look at the following situations the writer was in. He could have avoided the situation and saved himself. Glance through the write up again and comment on what the writer  should have done in the following situations.
 
• Gilson asked the writer to bring a tie.
He should be firm to say no
• On the day of arrival, the writer had no time to think about the tie.
He should have tried to spend some time to search for the tie.
• The writer remembered about the tie when the bus was leaving for the airport.
 He should not have gone in search of the tie. He should have taken the bus to the airport.
• The writer walked down in search of the shop.
He should not have gone in search of the tie at that time.
• The writer rushed out with the tie in a paper bag.
He should not have gone to the shop to buy a tie.
 
K. State whether the following statements are true or false.
 
1.The narrator searched for three days to buy ceramic paint.              Ans : False
2.The author was going to New York.                                                     Ans : True
3.Gilson asked the narrator to buy a tie.                                                   Ans : True
4.The taxi driver took away the narrator’s suitcase.                                 Ans : False
5.Departure was delayed because of the author.                                       Ans : True
6.The author left the ties in the taxi.                                                       Ans : True
 
WRITING B.P.No. 39
 
M. Write a speech for your school Literary Association Celebration with the given lead.
B.P.No. 40
1. Opening
2. Purpose
3. Audience
4. Language – Some Good Describing Words (Adverbs and
Adjectives), Emotive Words, Imagery etc.
5. Ending
 Distinguished Chief Guest, respected Principal, beloved Supervisor, Teachers, Parents and my dear friends! Good evening!
                                 On this auspicious occasion I stand before you with extreme pleasure on behalf of English Literary Association of our School. First of all, let me express my deep gratitude to you all for selecting me President of ELA.
                                 E L A has been a prestigious Association in our school since its inception. It has been working rigorously during the past few years focusing on the improvement of reading, writing, speaking and listening skills of the students. Our vision is to make our school’ a full-fledged English medium school where each student speaks and communicates through English. We know that it is a Herculean task still we aspire and labour for it. A Chinese proverb says “if you are planning for a year sow corns; if you are planning for a decade plant trees and if you are planning for a life time, educate people.” Language is the medium through which educational process fulfills its aims. So it is highly essential that students should be able to handle language confidently. The E L A has been conducting many varied activities and competitions to improve the language skills of the students. “Practice makes a man perfect”. We do believe in the proverb and constantly endeavour to achieve our aim.
      To conclude, let me once again express my heartfelt gratitude to the management, teachers, and students who all honoured me by giving this great responsibility. I will try my level best to fulfill the visions and missions of E L A. Once again thank you one and all 

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