• Two Gentlemen Of Verona

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10th Class - English

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10th Class - English
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NCERT Solutions for Class 10 English Literature Chapter 1 Two Gentlemen of Verona

TextBook Question

Question 1.
What are the qualities of a "gentleman"? Work with your partner and complete the following web-chart by listing the qualities of a gentleman?
Answer: Following are the qualities found in a gentleman :
  • courteous
  • polite
  • considerate
  • honest
  • sincere
  • caring and loving
A gentleman indeed has consideration for others and their feelings. He never hurts anybody deliberately. He is honest in his dealings with others and behaves well in trying circumstances.
Question 2.
Based on your discussion above what do you think the story is about?

Answer:
The story is about human love mutual understanding and sincerity. It teaches us that we should be courteous and considerate towards others. We should care for others and work not only for ourselves but also for the happiness of others. We should be honest and hard working

Question 3.
Based on your reading of the story answer the following questions by ticking the correct options?
I. The driver did not approve of the narrator buying fruit from the two boys because?
  • the boys were untidy and poorly dressed
  • the strawberries were not fresh
  • they were asking for a heavy price
  • the driver did not approve of small boys who worked
Answer:
  • the boys were untidy and poorly dressed
II. The narrator was most impressed by the boys?
  • desire to earn money
  • willingness to work
  • ability to perform many tasks
  • sense of fun
Answer:
  • ability to perform many tasks
III. Nicola was not pleased when Jacopo asked the narrator to drive them to Poleta as he?
  • did not want a stranger to become involved with their plans
  • preferred going to Poleta by train so that he could enjoy the scenery
  • did not want to ask anyone for favours
  • did not want to take help from someone he did not know well
Answer:
  • did not want a stranger to become involved with their plans
IV. The narrator did not go inside Lucia room as?
  • he did not want to intrude into their privacy
  • he thought that the boys would object
  • Lucia would not welcome a stranger
  • the boys would feel he was spying on them
Answer:
  • he did not want to intrude into their privacy
V. The boys were the first to join the resistance movement against the Germans because?
  • the Germans had hurt their sister
  • Germans ruled the city
  • the Germans had ruined their family
  • the Germans had destroyed their home
Answer:
  • the Germans had ruined their family
VI. The author did not speak to the boys on their return journey because?
  • he thought the boys would prefer to keep their secret
  • he thought the boys were ashamed of their sister condition
  • he thought they wouldnt tell him the truth
  • he thought the boys might ask him for money for their sister
Answer:
  • he thought the boys would prefer to keep their secret
Question 4.
What do you understand by the following statements?
I. "We do many things sir" Nicola answered seriously. He glanced at us hopefully

Answer:
When the narrator let out his misconceived notion about Nicola and Jacopo that selling and picking of fruits was their only source of income Nicola tried to correct him. He told him that they did many things like taking the visitors to the places of interest in Verona like Juliet s Tomb. A hope of getting more business from the writer revived in his heart and his eyes gleamed hopefully. The narrator noticed this fact fully well.

II. He coloured deeply under his sunburn then grew pale

Answer:
The narrator asked Nicola that they worked very hard and earned enough money but neither they spent it on clothes nor on good food then what actually they did with their money. On hearing the words of the narrator Nicola blushed red with anxiety and confusion and his brownish sun-burnt complexion made it quite apparent to the eyes of the narrator and then suddenly his face became pale as he feared that now their secret that they saved. money for the medical treatment of their sister who was suffering from tuberculosis of the spine was at the verge of being leaked out.

III.He smiled uncomfortably. "Just plans sir" he answered in a low voice

Answer:
The narrator asked Nicola whether they were saving money for migrating to America to have a better life. On hearing this Nicola told him that they had som e other plans. When the narrator wanted to know specifically that what plans they had Nicola tried to evade him simply by saying just plans because he did not want to tell narrator that they save money for getting their sister cured off tuberculosis of the spine in the ho spital at Poleta.

IV. Yet in both these boyish faces there was a seriousness which was far beyond their years

Answer:
The narrator was deeply impressed by the childish and artl ess expression of the faces of Nicola and Jacopo. They appeared to him to be very innocetc and simple. But he also noticed a seriousness on their feces which could never be found on the faces of the children of their age. The narrator means that in their looks and age they were innocent children but in their thinking and actions they appeared to be quite mature. The seriousness which maturity brings on the faces of responsible elderly persons was present on faces of these two small boys aged thirteen and twelve.

Question 5.
Answer the following questions briefly?
I. Why didnt Luigi the driver approve of the two boys

Answer:
Luigi the driver did not approve of the two boys because they had shabby appearance.

II. Why were the narrator and his companion impressed by the two boys

Answer:
Their innocent and courteous behaviour impressed the narrator and his companion.

III. Why was the author surprised to see Nicola and Jacopo working as shoeshine boys

Answer:
The author was surprised to see Nicola and Jacopo working as shoeshine boys because he thought that they earned their living by fruit-picking.

IV. How were the boys useful to the author

Answer:
The boys arranged American cigarette packs and tickets of opera for the writer. They could also tell the names of good restaurants.

V. Why were the boys in the deserted square at night? What character traits do they exhibit

Answer:
The boys were present in the deserted square at night because they were waiting for the last bus from Padua to sell newspapers to the passengers who dismounted the bus. This incident throws light on their characters. The boys were very hard-working and always willing to find and do work for earning money.

VI. The narrator asks the boys "Must you work so hard? You both look rather tired." The boys reply "We are not complaining sir. " What do you learn about the boys from their reply

Answer:
The reply of the boys shows their spirit of self-resignation and willingness to work hard. It shows that they were not working under compulsion but of their sweet will. It appears as if they had set an aim before them and the achievement of that goal was their sole concern.

VII. When the narrator asks the boys about their plans they are evasive. Why dont they disclose their problems

Answer:
The boys specially Nicola happens to be very evasive when the narrator asks them about their plans. It is simply because they do not want to share their secret plans with strangers. It is quite likely that their sense of self-respect prevents them from becoming an object of pity.

Question 6.
Discuss the following questions and write the answers in your notebook?
I. Appearances are deceptive. Discuss with reference to the two boys

Answer:
This statement is true to a large extent in the case of the boys.
The boys appeared to be quite dirty and clumsy in their shabby and ill-fitted clothes.
But their poor appearances hid personalities which were very rich in human values and gentlemanly qualities.
As the story proceeds further their qualities are revealed to us one by one.
Their shabby appearances also deceived Luigi the driver of the narrator at first.
All the incidents and events which are described by the writer quite clearly remove the layers of deception.
We come to know about their hard-working nature.
Day and night they liked to work for earning money not because they were greedy and mercenaries but because they needed enough money for the medical treatment of their sister Lucia who was suffering from tuberculosis of the spine.
Clean and tidy hospital the small cubicle of Lucia with a vase of flowers dish of fruits and a pile of books reveal the loving care with which they looked after their sister.
They spent only a meagre sum of money on black bread and figs which they ate only to keep themselves alive.
The major portion of their earning was spent on the medical treatment of their sister.
They may be shabby and dirty in appearance but their actions and intentions were not dirty.
Rather they appeared to be shining gems of humanity.
They symbolise human love spirit of sacrifice complete dedication to ones cause mutual trust and a great sense of honesty and sincerity very rare to be found at a time when the war had dried up all fountains of human values and completely destroyed moralistic oudook.

II. Do you think the boys looked after Lucia willingly ? Give reasons for your answer

Answer:
Undoubtedly the boys Nicola and Jacopo looked after Lucia willingly.
We see them working very hard day and night.
They were always willing to work. Whatever job came their way they picked it up without hesitation.
They sold strawberries they shined shoes they hawked newspapers they acted as guides and they earned sufficient money.
But we never see them spending that money on their personal pleasures.
They spent only a meagre sum on black bread and figs.
Even the writer made a guess that they must be saving money for migrating to America to have a better life.
But no later on we come to know that they spent a major portion of their money on medical treatment of their sister Lucia who was suffering from tuberculosis of the spine. The entire picture of the hospital and the information given by the nurse reveal the truth that they looked after their sister willingly. They paid hospital dues regularly without being a defaulter.
They visited their sister at Poleta every Sunday.
They covered the distance of 30 kilometres from Verona to Poleta on hired bicycles.
They did not do all this under any compulsion or obligation.
They loved their sister and cared for her.
This emotional bond of love and mutual trust furnished them with a spirit of sacrifice and dedication to their noble cause.
Thus they looked after Lucia willingly.

III. How does the story Two Gentlemen of Veronapromise hope for society

Answer:
The story Two Gentlemen of Verona has been written in the background of post-war time.
Second world war was over.
The Germans destroyed towns and cities along with a general massacre.
The furies of war dried up all springs of human love kindness and faith.
But in this story we find that flame of human love and sacrifice is kept burning by two boys whose lives were darkened by the blackout of war.
They lost their father their house and their happiness.
But it is evident that war tortured them not only physically but their interior their heart and spirit also did not remain untouched by evils of war.
Furies of war make men selfish cruel inconsiderate and inhuman.
But here we see the two boys working hard to earn money not for themselves but for their sick sister.
They sacrificed their personal comforts.
They wore old clothes and ate black bread and figs just to keep them alive and fit for more hard work.
Their sole concern was to earn as much money as they could.
They willingly and readily picked up every job which came their way. They did it not out of greed but to save their only sister Lucia from the jaws of fatal tuberculosis.
They spent a major portion of their money to pay off hospital dues and to keep their sister well fed and well clad.
Undoubtedly the character of Nicola and Jacopo set an example of noble humanity before the materialistic world of today. The story promises hope for the modern society.

Question 7.
Look at the italic words in the following examples?
  • We bought their biggest basket then set off toward town
  • One night we came upon them in the windy and deserted square
  • He bit his lip then in a rather put out tone he said Very well.
  • I shook my head and turned away

Here are a few more. Match the phrases to their meanings


Phrases Meanings set up to start on a journey break down to tolerate a situation or a person set off to lose control of your feelings and start crying put up with to enter put off put off put off to start/establish a company come in to refuse/reject come across to postpone come up against to try to get help/advice/sympathy from someone turn down to wear turn in to meet or find by chance to meet or find by chance to inform on or deliver up Now use the phrases given above to complete the following sentences
  • The landlord was suspicious of the two men staying in his flat so he called the police and ..... them .....
  • Early in the morning we packed our bags and ..... for a hike over the mountain
  • Janvi ..... some photographs of her grandfather in the old trunk
  • My father ..... his own business 10 years ago
  • The Bank ..... Paul request for a loan
  • The Corporation decision to reduce the leave of the employees ..... a lot of opposition
Answer: Phrases Meanings Meanings to start/establish a company break down to lose control of your feelings and start crying set off set off put up with to tolerate a situation or a person put off to postpone put on to wear come in to enter come across to meet or find by chance come up against to be faced with or opposed by turn down to refuse/reject turn in to inform on or deliver up turn to to try to get help/advice sympathy from someone
  • turned in
  • set off
  • came across
  • set up
  • turned down
  • came across
Question 8.
Two Gentlemen of Verona is written in the first person. A story written in the first person is a first-hand account of events told or narrated through the eyes of a single character typically the main character. Stories written in the first person are easily identified by the use of the pronoun T rather than he or she. The reader will see phrases such as "I said I thought" rather than "he said she thought." Everything is experienced through the eyes of a single character and all thoughts and observations are limited to that one person. There can be no outside observer. If the narrator does not see or experience an event at first hand it cannot be a part of the story. All scenes in the story are filtered through this person unique perception. The third-person is a narrative mode in which both the reader and the author observe the situation either through the senses and thoughts of more than one character or through an overarching godlike perspective that sees and knows everything that happens and everything the characters are thinking. In this mode of narration the narrator can tell the reader things that the main character does not know or things that none of the characters know. Rewrite any part of the story you like in the third person?

Answer:
The following afternoon they drove to the tiny village set high upon the hillside. He imagined that their destination would be some humble dwelling.
But directed by Jacopo they drew up at a large red-roofed villa surrounded by a high stone wall.
He could scarcely believe his eyes and before he could recover breath his two passengers had leaped from the car

Question 9.
The narrator realises why Nicola and Jacopo work so hard. Yet he does not go r in to meet their sister nor does he speak to them about what he learns from the nurse. Working in groups discuss the following aspects of the story and share your views with the class?
I. The love and devotion and the family values Nicola and Jacopo display

Answer:
Nicola and Jacopo embody brotherly love devotion and family values.
They are two small boys whose actions represent those human emotions which are rare to be found in the children of their age group.
They worked hard day and night for earning money.
They readily took up any job which could bring money for them in a fair way.
They did not spend their hard-earned money on them. Rather they saved it for the medical treatment of their sister Lucia who was suffering from tuberculosis of the spine.

II. Their pride in themselves and their family

Answer:
Nicola and Jacopo fell on evil days due to war.
In such conditions the boys of their age are very likely to become pickpockets cheats drug addicts and burglars but Nicola and Jacopo were never seen doing any unfair and fraudulent job.
They worked hard for money and earned it with their labour and industry. Nor did they ever beg.
It was simply because they were proud of their cultured family which lived with dignity and honour before war Their father was a famous singer of his times. The war deprived them of all comforts and pleasures but they still retained the happy memories of those golden days.
They did not tell about the disease of their sister to the writer though the writer was so kind because they did not want any one to show pity to them.
They had a great sense of self-respect and pride.

III. The trust they place in the narrator

Answer:
The narrator developed a soft corner in his heart for Nicola and Jacopo gradually as he met them every now and then doing one job or the other.
Their behaviour also impressed the writer.
The boys also developed a fancy for him. But we find that Nicola did not trust him as much as Jacopo did.
When the writer offered to do something for them Nicola made a silent refusal by shaking his head.
But Jacopo the younger boy at once requested him to give a lift to them in his car to Poleta 30 kilometres from Verona where they went every Sunday on hired bicycles.
Nicola looked angrily at his brother and told the writer that they would not like to trouble him.
He did not want that they should go to Poleta because his sister Lucia was recovering there from tuberculosis.
He did not want the writer to know about this because neither he wanted to have any financial help from any one nor to become an object of pity.

IV. The reason the narrator does not disclose to them that he knows their secret

Answer:
The writer is an intelligent man.
He has come to know by a discussion about the plans earlier with Nicola that the boys did not want to share their secret plans with him.
His visit to Poleta where Lucia their sister was hospitalised made their secret plans very clear for which they were saving their hard-earned money.
He knows fully well that their feelings will be deeply hurt if he discloses to them that he knows their secret.

Writing Task

Question 10.
As the narrator write an article on the lesson of love faith and trust that you have learnt from the two young boys of Verona?

Answer:
The story of Nicola and Jacopo teaches us a moralistic lesson of love faith and trust.
These qualities are imparted to human beings by God the Almighty.
We can call them Godly qualities without which our coexistence with others will become impossible.
We should not be selfish and inconsiderate towards others.
Why should not hurt the feelings of others.
We should have faith in others.
Suppose if I dont care for my parents brothers sisters friends and neighbours then who will care for me and the process will go on and one day this world will become a jungle where only wild animals live who just pounce upon others and tear them apart to satisfy their hunger.
We should love others care for others and must have mutual understanding and trust.
We are the best creation of God. We are different from animals.
Only the human qualities of love faith and trust distinguish us from wild beasts

Question 11.
After her brothers visit Lucia writes a page in her diary about her past life and her present situation. As Lucia write the diary entry in about 150 words?

Answer:15-3-20XX Monday 10 p.m. Poleta It is the happiest day for me because it reminds me of both my creator and my caring brothers. God above and my brothers below are my only source of hope and happiness. As usual my brothers visited me.
They brought flowers fruits and good novels for me. We reminisced our golden days when we lived with our parents in a beautiful house.
Then the hateful Germans attacked our town and destroyed our house and killed our father who was a sweet voiced singer.
When he performed in the opera house the entire hall resounded with the joyful clapping of the people.
Unluckily I developed tuberculosis of the spine. My brothers worked hard and admitted me here.
I am happy as my doctors and nurse tell me that soon I will be able to stand and walk.
When I become a singer I will put my brothers in a good school.
They will not work as hard as they do now for my sake.
They will study and I will cook delicious food for them.
I will try to give them a lot of happiness.
They are everything for me.
May God bless them

Listening Task

Question 12.
Listen to an excerpt from the diary of a 13 year old girl Zlata Fillipovic who writes of the horrors of war in Sarajevo in her book Zlata Diary. Based on your listening of the passage complete the following statements?
  • The first sign of approaching war was .....
  • The family went into the cellar when .....
  • The awful cellar was the only place that could save their lives because .....
  • Zlata friend Nina died when .....
  • Zlata and her father were worried about her mother safety because .....
Answer:
  • that people were leaving Sarajeno and crowding the airport train and bus stations
  • the shooting started
  • their bedrooms faced the hills that was too dangerous a situation and the cellar was the safest place
  • a shell fell in the park and a piece of sharpnel lodged in her brain
  • two shells exploded in the street and one in the market where her mother had gone and she had still not come home. They feared if she was alive

Important Question

NCERT CBSE for Class 10 English Literature Chapter 1 Two Gentlemen of Verona Important Questions

Question 1:
He smiled uncomfortably. ‘Just plans sir’. He answered in a low voice.
Year of Question:(Board 2014, Set 8L1922Q)

(a) Who is ’he’ in the above lines ?
(b) Why did ‘he’ smile uncomfortably ?
(c) What are the ‘plans’ being talked about ?

Answer:
(a) ‘He’ is Nicola in above lines. 1
(b) He smiled uncomfortably because he didn’t want to share his plans with the narrator. 1
(c) The ‘plans’ being talked about are those of emigrating to America. 1

Question 2:
The following afternoon we drove to the tiny village set high upon the hill side.
Year of Question:(Board Term-I 2013, Set 5007)

(a) Who went on a trip to the tiny village ?
(b) Which village had they driven to ?
(c) Why was the narrator surprised when Jacopo directed him as to where he should stop ?

Answer:
(a) The narrator and the two brothers, Nicola and Jacopo went on the trip. 1
(b) They had gone to Poleta. 1
(c) He thought they would stop at some humble dwelling, but Jacopo guided him to a large villa. 1
(CBSE Marking Scheme, 2013)

Question 3:
"We should greatly like to go to the states. But here, at present, we have other plans."
Year of Question:(Board Term-I 2013, Set 8SRR)

(a) Who is the speaker of the above lines and whom is he talking to ?
(b) Why doesn’t the speaker elaborate the other plans that he has ?
(c) What characteristic traits of the speaker are revealed from the above lines

Answer:
(a) Nicola is speaking to the narrator. 1
(b) Because he wanted to keep his secret about the treatment of his tuberculosis afflicted sister. 1
(c) Soft spoken, polite, wishing to fight his battle independently, self-respect, responsible, doesn’t share his problems 1 (reserved).

Question 4:
They greeted us with friendly faces.
"I thought you picked fruit for a living", I said.
Year of Question:(Board Term-I 2012, Set 41)

(a) Who are ‘they’ ? ‘
(b) How did ‘they’ greet the narrator ?
(c) What did the narrator think ‘they’ did for a living ?
Answer:
(a) Jacopo and Nicola. 1
(b) They greeted him with a smile. 1
(c) The narrator thought that they picked fruit for a living. 1

Question 5:
There was a pause. Nicola was glaring at his younger brother in vexation. "We could not think of troubling you, sir."
Year of Question: (Board Term-I 2011, Set 43)

(a) Why was Nicola glaring at his younger brother ?
(b) What favour did his younger brother ask from the narrator ?
(c) What trait of Nicola’s character is revealed in these lines ?

Answer:
(a) Nicola was glaring at his younger brother in vexation because he was asking for a favour from a stranger which was against their self-respect. 1
(b) The younger brother Jacopo had asked the narrator if he could drive them to Poleta, 30 kilometre from Verona in a car on Sunday. 1
(c) His self-respect is revealed through his behaviour. 1

Question 6:
"The two boys were seated at the bedside of a girl of about 20, who propped up on pillows wearing a pretty lace jacket, was listening to their chatter, her eyes soft and tender."
Year of Question:(Board Term-I 2011, Set 50)

(a) Who are the two boys referred to here ?
(b) Where are the boys at present ?
(c) Who is the girl ? Why was she propped up on the pillows ?

Answer:
(a) Nicola and Jacopo. 1
(b) In a hospital at Poleta, visiting th eir ailing sister, Lucia. 1
(c) The girl was their sister, Lucia. She was suffering from tuberculosis of the spine and was undergoing treatment. 1

Question 7:
‘You must be saving to emigrate to America’, I suggested. He looked at me sideways, and spoke with an effort.
Year of Question:(Board Term-I 2011, Set 27)

(a) Who is ‘he’ referred to here ?
(b) Why did the author make such a suggestion ?
(c) What answer did he give with an effort ?

Answer:
(a) Nicola is referred to as ‘he’ here. 1
(b) He did so on seeing the boys working hard. 1
(c) He answered that they had other plans. 1

Question 8:
‘When the resistance movement began secretly to form they were among the first to join. When the war was over and we had peace at last, they came back to their beloved sister.’
Year of Question:(Board Term-I 2011, Set 19)

(a) Who are the ‘they’ referred to here ?
(b) Why did they join the resistance movement ?
(c) What had happened to their sister ?

Answer:
(a) ‘They’ are referred to the two boys-Nicola and Jacopo. 1
(b) They joined the resistance movement because they had suffered during the war and so hated the Germans. 1
(c) Their sister was suffering from tuberculosis. 1

Question 9:
I had already told Luigi he might have the Sunday off. However, I answered, "I’ll drive you out myself."
Year of Question:(Board Term-I 2011, Set 44)

(a) Who was Luigi ?
(b) Which was their destination ?
(c) Who was the narrator speaking to ?

Answer:
(a) Luigi was the narrator’s driver. 1
(b) Their destination was a hospital where they used to go to meet their sister. 1
(c) The narrator was speaking to Jacopo and Nicola. 1

Two Gentlemen of Verona Short Answer Type Questions

Question 1:
Why didn’t the narrator go inside Lucia’s room in the hospital ? What character trait is revealed here ?
Year of Question:(Board Term-I 2012, Set 28)

Answer:
The narrator didn’t go inside Lucia’s room in the hospital as he didn’t want to interfere in the personal life of the two little boys. The’ narrator showed respect to the personal life of the boys.

Question 2:
Although Nicola and Jacopo are young boys, the author refers to them as Gentlemen. Why did he do so ?
Year of Question:(Board Term-I 2012, Set 38)

Answer:
The boys had lost their home and their father had been killed in the war as well. The war had led them to the streets. Their sister was suffering from tuberculosis of the spine. They worked very hard to pay for her treatment. It did not break their spirit. They remained dedicated and selfless. They would rather work hard and earn money than have anybody feel sorry for them and help them.

Question 3:
Draw the contrast between ‘childish’ and ‘artless’ faces and the seriousness beyond their years visible on them.
Year of Question:(Board Term-I 2012, Set 43)

Answer:
They were both of a tender age. Outwardly, their faces looked ‘boyish’ and ‘artless’. They were far from clever or cunning. However, their responsibilities had made them mature before their age, so there was a seriousness beyond their years and it was visible on their faces.

Question 4:
Why did the boys join the resistance movement against the Germans ?
Year of Question:(Board Term-I 2012, Set 52)

Answer:
The boys joined the resistance movement against the Germans because their house had been bombed and their parents had been killed in the war. They had been orphaned and their sister was in the hospital. They were full of vengeance against the Germans.

Question 5:
Why did Nicola and Jacopo develop hatred for the Germans ?
Year of Question:(Board Term-I 2012, Set 54)

Answer:
Their house had been bombed and their father was killed by the Germans. They were orphaned after the war and had no home. So, they hated the Germans. ‘

Question 6:
How did the boys impress the narrator and his companion ?
Year of Question:(Board Term-I 2012, Set 63)

Answer:
The boys were very young but eager to do any odd jobs, for a little money. They were resourceful and dogged in their determination to do useful work. This impressed the narrator and his companion. The boys’ intention was to do a good job and earn money, not to impress anyone.

Question 7:
Who is Lucia ? What is she suffering from ?
Year of Question:(Board Term-I 2012, Set 32)

Answer:
Lucia was the elder sister of Nicola and Jacopo. She was suffering from tuberculosis of the spine and was in a hospital for treatment.

Question 8:
What were the narrator’s feelings for the boys at first ? What change did they undergo and why ?
Year of Question:(Board Term-I 2012, Set 34)

Answer:
At first, the narrator was impressed by the hard work the boys put in. He became fond of them when he saw them looking after their sister who was ill. He was full of admiration.

Question 9:
Why didn’t the two boys disclose their problems to the author ?
Year of Question:(Board Term-I 2011, Set 11)

Answer:
The two boys Nicola and Jacopo were too dignified to disturb a stranger with their personal matters. They did not want anyone to intrude into their privacy. So, they kept their problems a secret.

Question 10:
Why were the narrator and his companion impressed by the two boys ?
Year of Question:(Board Term-I 2011, Set 13)
Or
Which qualities of the boys impressed the author in the story ‘Two Gentlemen of Verona’ ?

Answer:
The narrator and his companion were impressed by the two boys as they were very hard working. They loved their sister deeply and above all, they had the spirit of sacrifice.

Question 11:
What are the odd jobs Jacopo and Nicola did for a living ?
Year of Question:(Board Term-I 2011, Set 16)

Answer:
Jacopo and Nicola were very hard working boys. They shined shoes, sold fruits, hawked newspapers, conducted tourists round the town and ran errands for the narrator.

Question 12:
Why were Jacopo and Nicola working hard ?
Year of Question: (Board Term-I 2011, Set 14)

Answer:
Jacopo and Nicola were working hard as their sister was suffering from tuberculosis and was under treatment. They were collecting money for her treatment.

Question 13:
Why were the two boys living in the streets of Verona ?
Year of Question:(Board Term-I 2011, Set 19)

Answer:
Jacopo and Nicola’s father had been killed in the early part of the war. Their home was destroyed by a bomb and they were on the streets. They had no place to live.

Question 14:
What did the nurse tell the author about the boys ?
Year of Question:(Board Term-I 2011, Set 29)

Answer:
The nurse told him that the two boys had no one except their sick sister in this world. They worked very hard to earn money for the treatment of their sister.

Question 15:
Why were the boys waiting for the last bus from Padua?
Year of Question:(Board Term-I 2011, Set 25)

Answer:
The two boys were very hard working. They were waiting for the last bus so as to sell their papers.

Question 16:
Justify the title ‘Two Gentlemen of Verona’.
Year of Question:(Board Term-I 2011, Set 23)

Answer:
The two boys behaved in a gentlemanly way in the story. They were kind and caring towards their sister and very polite towards others. They never wanted to exploit other’s pity or kindness to achieve their end. War did not spoil their gentle nature. Hence, the title ‘Two Gentlemen of Verona’ is justified.

Question 17:
How were the boys useful to the author in ‘Two Gentlemen of Verona’?
Year of Question:(Board Term-I 2011, Set 40)

Answer:
The two boys helped the narrator by arranging seats for the Opera, providing a pack of American Cigarattes, taking them around Juliet’s Tomb. Whenever they wanted the name of a good restaurant they used to help them. Thus, they helped them in many ways.

Question 18:
How did the loss of parents in the war affect the two boys ?
Year of Question:(2011)

Answer:
The loss of parents in the war forced them to work hard not only for themselves but also to take on the responsibility of getting their sister treated, for which they worked hard and did all kinds of odd jobs. This lent them a seriousness beyond their ages.

Question 19:
What did the narrator see when he looked through the glass partition ?
Year of Question:(2010)

Answer:
He saw the two boys seated at the bedside of a girl. She resembled the boys and was listening to their chatter.

Two Gentlemen of Verona Long Answer Type Questions

Question 1: - Each question carries 4 Marks
Imagine yourself to be the narrator of the story, ‘Two Gentlemen of Verona’. Write a letter to one of your friends to contribute some money to aid the treatment of Lucia.
Year of Question:(Board Term-I 2012, Set EC2,036)

Answer:
45 New Avenue Street
Verona
9 April 2014
Dear Albert

Last week, I met two boys who can be called the Gentlemen of Verona. They are very hard-working boys. I have taken a liking to them and that’s why I want to help those two boys, Jacopo and Nicola. They are putting in extra labour for their sister ‘Lucia’ who is not well, and is suffering from tuberculosis of the spine. For her treatment a lot of money is required. I’ve decided to help them by paying their hospital bills for as long as I can afford. Suddenly, I recalled you and thought to ask you also about contributing some money to aid Lucia’s treatment. I know you’re a philanthropist and would not hesitate to help them.

Waiting for an early reply from your end.
Yours sincerely
A. J. Cronin

Question 2:
‘The two boys’ devotion had touched me deeply. War had not broken their spirit. Their selfless action brought a new nobility to human life, gave promise of a greater hope for human society.
Year of Question:(Board Term-I 2011, Set 16)

Answer:
The narrator was deeply touched by the devotion of Jacopo and Nicola towards their work. They did not resort to any short cut method. They had self-respect and were highly secretive in not revealing their personal problems to the strangers. Their love and care for their sister also touched the narrator. He realized that these two boys were the embodiment of selflessness, nobility, gentlemanliness who gave promise of a greater hope for the human society. In these days of variety of disasters and distractions faced by the humans, the two boys stood apart to show him hope, faith, positive thinking. He knew their hard work would take them a long way.

Question 3:
You are the nurse at the hospital. You are happy that you could share everything about the boys with the narrator. Write a diary entry about meeting the narrator and what you shared with him.
Year of Question:(Board Term-I 2011, Set 14)

Answer:
Saturday, 10 January, 2014
11:30 pm
Dear Diary

I am very impressed by the two boys who visit their ailing sister, Lucia, every week. One week, they did not come alone. They were accompanied by a gentleman who wanted to know about the boys. I told him that they were all alone in the world. Their father was a widower and a singer but had been killed in a war. The bomb destroyed their home. Their sister suffered from tuberculosis of the spine. These boys loved their sister and had deep affection for her. They admitted her to this hospital. But they have to work very hard as the bills are quite high. The good thing about these boys is that they are paying the bills every week. May God give them happiness.

Question 4:
‘Where there is a will, there is a way’. How did the two boys prove it ?
Year of Question:(Board Term-I 2011, Set 29)

Answer:
The two boys, Nicola and Jacopo, were very hard working. Fate had never smiled on them. Their home had been destroyed and they lost their father in a bomb-blast. Their sister was suffering from tuberculosis of the spine. But this did not deter their spirit. They admitted her to a nearby hospital and ensured that they paid the bill every week. For this they earned money by hawking newspapers, selling fruits, shining shoes, running errands and what not. Even war did not break their spirit. In a way, they fought against all odds and never lost the battle. They were trying their best to come out victorious from this battle.

Question 5:
Appearances are deceptive. Discuss with reference to the two boys.
Year of Question:(Board Term-I 2009, Set 29)

Answer:
Appearances are deceptive. Nicola and Jacopo both were two little boys aged 13 and 12. They were shabbily dressed. The very first time when the author met them, they were selling wild strawberries but after that they were seen shining shoes, arranging seats for opera, showing visitors through the town and so on. Nobody could expect such hard work from two little boys of their age. They always wore shabby clothes and ate black bread and figs. Looking at the amount of earning, they could have taken a much better meal and clothes. No doubt, they earned quite a lot but had to make payments for the hospital bills of their sister so they never spent anything on themselves.

Two Gentlemen of Verona Value Based Questions

Question 1: (3 marks each)
Both the boys at Verona were full of grit, determination and hope. At a young age they exhibited qualities that are difficult to come even in adults. This story teaches us not to lose hope and courage even in adverse situations. Elaborate.
Year of Question:(Board Term-I 2013, Set 101)

Answer:
Jacopo and Nicola, though too young to face adverse situations, did not lose hope and courage. They were not ready to accept defeat at the hands of circumstances.
Their family and home had been destroyed by a bomb-blast and their sister suffered from the tuberculosis of the spine.
They had no money for her treatment. But they did not lose hope.
They got her admitted in a hospital at Poleta and worked day and night to pay the bills of the hospital.
They sold fruits, hawked newspaper, conducted tourists round the town, polished the shoes and what not.
They worked real hard to earn money and saved it for the treatment of their sister.
They never spent money on themselves.
The adverse situations did not break their spirits and they remained dedicated and selfless.
Thus, the story teaches us not to lose hope and courage.
Rather we should face life as it comes.
Running away from the problem is not the solution but finding ways to come out of the problems shows the real manly spirit.

Question 2:
Both Nicola and Jacopo have grown up and are successful and respectable citizens. They were asked to inaugurate a ‘HOME’ for the abandoned children.
Imagine yourself to be Nicola, address the gathering expressing your views on ‘Child Care’.
Year of Question:(Board Term-I 2012, Set EC2,050)

Answer:

Child Care

A very good morning to all present here.
Today, we are very happy to be here among you and a part of the inauguration ceremony of ‘HOME’.
We both are of the opinion that childhood is the most precious time of a person’s life but it sometimes gets blotted by the curse of child-labour.
The reasons for child labour like poverty,lack of education, lack of parental care, wasteful war, etc., mar the innocence of the children.
Even we had a bad childhood.
We had got destroyed in the German war.
Our father was killed in the war and we turned orphans at the tender age of 13 years and 12 years.
We can’t forget the day when we came to know that our sister Lucia was suffering from tuberculosis of the spine.
We had no money for her medical expenses.
We decided to work day and night for it but there was scarcity of jobs in Verona.
Yet we did not lose courage.
We did all sorts of odd jobs to make both ends meet and finally the day arrived when our sister got well.
We were very happy.
I personally feel that the government should come forward to help the needy children and provide them education so that they can lead a happy and prosperous life.
Educated children will definitely blossom into responsible adults.
I hope ‘HOME’ will also work to help the abandoned children so that they don’t lose their childhood.

Thank you.

Question 3:
Imagine you are Lucia. You have been told by the nurse in the hospital that you have completely recovered from your illness and you can go home tomorrow. You are very happy and thankful to your brothers. Write a diary entry in about 150 words, expressing your gratitude to your brothers and mentioning your future plans. Also mention the value and feeling of love towards your brothers.
Year of Question:(Board Term-I 2009, Set EC2,050)

Answer:
Wednesday
13 June20xx
10:30 p.m.

Dear Diary

I am very happy and excited today as the nurse who was looking after me in the hospital, informed me that I have completely recovered from my illness and now I can go home.
I have been in the hospital for many months and was waiting for this day to arrive.
But all the credit goes to my younger brothers, Jacopo and Nicola, who faced many hardships to pay my medical bills.
I really admire their sense of duty and love for me even though they are much younger in age.
I have realized the value of having caring siblings.
The way they looked after me was amazing.
I had never expected to be taken care of so tenderly after my parents’ death.
I really thank God that my brothers love me so much. I’ve decided that once I’m out in the world, I’ll work as a singer and with the earnings will give my brothers a good life.
They have suffered a lot.
But now I can see a ray of hope.
May God bless my brothers.

Lucia

Important Questions and Answers from "Two Gentlemen of Verona" by A.J. Cronin (Grade 10 Level)

Question1.
Why didnt Luigi, the driver, approve of the two boys?

Answer:

  • Nicola and Jacopo appeared in shabby clothes
  • Luigi thought they were not trustworthy because of their poor appearance
  • He suggested the narrator could buy better fruit in Verona
Question2.
Why were the narrator and his companion impressed by the two boys?

Answer:

  • The boys were polite and had a sense of responsibility beyond their years
  • They performed multiple jobs such as selling fruit, shining shoes, and guiding tourists
  • Despite their poverty, they were diligent and self-reliant
Question3.
Why was the narrator surprised to see Nicola and Jacopo working as shoeshine boys?

Answer:

  • The boys were doing different jobs every time he saw them
  • It showed that they were willing to do anything to earn money, regardless of the task
Question4.
How were the boys useful to the author?

Answer:

  • They provided local information about restaurants and tourist spots
  • They helped get opera tickets and ran errands like getting American cigarettes
  • The boys were dependable and resourceful
Question5.
Why were the boys in the deserted square at night?

Answer:

  • They were waiting for the last bus from Padua to sell their newspapers
  • This shows their hard work and dedication to earning money for their sister
Question6.
What do we learn from the boys response, "We are not complaining, sir"?

Answer:

  • The boys were humble and did not feel entitled to an easier life
  • They accepted their situation with strength and maturity
Question7.
Why did Nicola and Jacopo keep their plans secret?

Answer:

  • They were private about their personal life
  • They didnt want to burden others or ask for help
  • They felt pride in handling their problems on their own
Question8.
Why didnt the narrator go into Lucias room when he learned about her?

Answer:

  • He respected the boys privacy and did not want to intrude on their family time
  • He understood the boys would prefer to keep their situation private
Question9.
How do Nicola and Jacopo display family values and devotion?

Answer:

  • They worked hard to pay for their sister Lucias treatment for tuberculosis
  • Despite being young, they took on the responsibility of supporting their family
  • Their love and sacrifice for their sister showed deep family loyalty
Question10.
How does the story give hope for society?

Answer:

  • The boys selflessness, despite their own struggles, gives hope for a better future
  • Their determination and strength show that goodness and nobility can survive even in hard times like war
Question11.
What were the boys backgrounds?

Answer:

  • They had a comfortable life before the war
  • Their father, a well-known singer, was killed, and their home was destroyed
  • They joined the resistance movement against the Germans
  • After the war, they devoted themselves to helping their sister recover from her illness

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