CBSE Class 10 English The Two Gentlemen of Verona Assignment

Q1- Appearance can be deceptive. Discuss with reference to the two boys in `Two Gentlemen of Verona`
Value Points
-One is likely to reach a wrong conclusion if one goes just by appearance.
-Superficial image may lead to wrong decision.
-Looks are not always the mirror.

Q2- How does the story `Two Gentlemen of Verona` is the hope for the society?
Value Points-
- A definite message to humanity.
- Difficulties and war could not break their spirit.
- Lived with self-respect and dignity.

I Read the following extracts and answer the given questions.

a) “They were childish enough, and in many ways quite artless. Jacopo was as lively as a squirrel. Nicola’s smile was steady and engaging. Yet in both these boyish faces there was a seriousness which was far beyond their years.”
i) Why does the narrator call them ‘childish’ and ‘artless’?
ii) Contrast the different styles of Nicola and Jacopo.
iii) What is the antonym of the word ‘artful’ in the passage?

b) “Of course, everything is so difficult now, food so scarce and dear we could not keep going unless we charged a fee.”
i) Who is the speaker and who is the listener?
ii) Why was food so expensive?
iii) For what purpose does the speaker need to charge a fee?

c) “Nicola was glaring at his younger brother in vexation. “We could not think of troubling you, sir.”
i) Why did Nicola glare at his brother in vexation?
ii) Who is ‘you’ being referred to?
iii) In what way would the listener be put to trouble?

II. Short Answer Questions: (30-40 words)
1. What qualities of Nicola and Jacopo made the narrator call them ‘the two gentlemen’?
2. How did Luigi show his disapproval on seeing the two boys and why? 
3. How did the narrator discover the family background of the two boys? How did the war affect their family?

III. Long Answer Question: (100-120 words)
After her brothers’ visit, the ever grateful Lucia writes a page in her diary about her past life and her present situation. Write the diary entry in about 120 words.

IV. Value Based Question 
Nicola and Jacopo taught the narrator the noble values of love, faith and trust. Inspired by their ethics he decides to write an article. Imagine you are the narrator and write an article in about 150 words. 

Question : How did the “Two Gentlemen of Verona”,Nicola and Jacopo give promise of greater hope for human society? Justify the title . What message does the story convey?
Ans. a) Aptly and rationally titled.
b) Virtuous, devoted to their cause.
c) Self- respecting and dignified.
d) Sympathetic, kind hearted and full of human values.

TWO GENTLEMEN OF VERONA

SUMMARY

The story is of two young boys- their determination to challenge the challenges of life with spirit and human ways.
The narrator of the story comes across two young boys- Nicola & Jacopo during the course of one of his visits to the city of Verona. Their first appearance, as wild straw berry sellers, impresses the narrator a lot.
During his stay in the city hotel he comes to know so many things about these boys or rather the brothers who have become a great asset for him and his friends by facilitating them in many ways- arranging Opera tickets, guiding them to different places and making arrangements for their daily requirements.
The brothers work tirelessly day and night and this makes the narrator very curious about them- Why they do multiple work for earning and that too endlessly?

The narrator finds the answer of all his questions when he gets the opportunity of returning some favour of the two gentlemen just one day before his return journey in form of driving them to a country side on a particular Sunday.
The narrator comes to know that the two brothers have been working so hard to meet the expenses for the treatment of their tuberculosis suffering elder sister.

He also comes to know about their past which had been very challenging.
The nurse who attends their sister tells the narrator that the brothers lost their parents in their early childhood, faced a war against the Germans, faced homelessness and loneliness but they never gave up. Amidst all the crises they have kept their goodness intact.

CHARACTER SKETCH OF THE MAIN CHARACTERS NICOLA & JACOPO

Nicola & Jacopo have endured immense suffering at the young age. They are homeless, parent-less and lonely. They face serious adversities in their life but nothing dampens their spirit to live life lively. They are hardworking, responsible, purposeful, serious, self- respecting and full of sense of pride. They both are honest and truthful. They dedicate themselves for the purpose and never think of following wrong path. They both carry the spirit of patriotism. Nicola is more mature than Jacopo but they are perfect foil for each other. They carry family values of love, care and sacrifice and in their characters we see hope for human society.

EXTRACT BASED COMPREHENSION QUESTION EXERCISES

[A] “Gazing at the two little figures, with their brown skins, tangled hair and dark earnest eyes, we felt ourselves strangely attracted.”

(a) Why is the narrator so attracted by the boys?
(b) How does he help these boys?
(c) What is the meaning of the word ‘earnest’?

Answers.
(a) The narrator is attracted by the honesty and sincerity of the boys which he feels in their eyes.
(b) He helps the boys by buying their biggest basket of wild straw berries.
(c) serious or sincere

[B] “As we made the rounds, my interest was again provoked by their remarkable demeanour.”

(a) What is the narrator very curious to know about?
(b) What does the narrator notice about the boys?
(c) What is the meaning of the word- demeanour?

Answers.
(a) The narrator is very curious to know about the reason of the boys’ serious approach towards life at this tender age.
(b) The narrator notices the seriousness or sense of purpose in the boys.
(c) way of behavior/attitude

[C] “You must be saving up to emigrate to America, I suggested. He looked at me sideways, spoke with an effort.”

(a) Why does the narrator make this comment?
(b) How does Nicola react at this statement?
(c) What is the meaning of the word- emigrate?

Answers.
(a) The narrator makes this comment as he fails to reason out that why the boys work hard and try to save money.
(b) Nicola doesn’t find the remark very tasteful.
(c) to settle in another country

SHORT ANSWER VALUE BASED QUESTIONS WITH ANSWER

Q. The story emphasises on the significance on family system and relationship.Comment upon the statement.
Answer. The boys reflect some remarkable family values even at that tender age. They are an epitome of selflessness, devotion, determination, sacrifice, diligence, love and care which are basic family values.
The war destroys everything they had-parents, home, family, childhood, schooling, joy and mirth. Their sister is suffering from tuberculosis of spine and is hospitalised; even then they are not despaired. They resolve to build a new life for themselves and their sister. They not only get their sister admitted but also they work very hard to meet the expenses of her treatment. All this they must well have learnt from their family. Thus, they signify the importance of family values.

ADDITIONAL SHORT ANSWER/VALUE BASED QUESTIONS FOR PRACTICE

Q.1. What led the boys to dislike the Germans?

Q.2. The narrator preferred to keep the secret which the boys did not want to reveal. What was the secret and why did the boys want to keep it?

Q.3. How does the narrator find both the brothers helpful for him?

Q.4.Compare and contrast the characters of the two brothers.

Q.5.Describe the miserable life condition of the brothers after the war?

Q.6. Give examples of hard work and determination of the two brothers.

Q.7.What similarity do you find in the characters of both the brothers and the Grandmother of the story How I taught my grand-mother to read?

Q.8.What are the multiple works done by both the brothers to serve their purpose?

Q.9. Faced with a very serious crisis of their life the two brothers decide to fight it out.What were the other options before them?

Q.10. Why don’t the two brothers share the problems of their life to others?

Q.11. How does the writer try to return the favour of the two brothers?

Q.12.What was the reason of the relentless working of the brothers?

Q.13.The Nurse feels proud and surprised about the two brothers. Why?

Q.14.Why doesn’t the narrator ask anything from the brothers about their sister and their difficulty?

Q.15.What does Nicola mean by when he says- ‘We are not complaining’?

Q.16. Detail about the family life of the brothers before they became homeless?

Q.17.Is it proper to call both the brothers ‘gentle-men’. Why?

VALUE BASED QUESTIONS

Q.1. ‘Appearances are deceptive’. Discuss with reference to Nicola and Jacopo. What values do you learn from them?

Q.2. ‘Tough days don’t last long but tough people do’. Explain with reference to the two boys.

Q.3. How does the story ‘Two Gentlemen of Verona’ promise hope for society? How can you promise hope for society?

Q.4.What can one learn from the story and the life of the two brothers?

Q.5. The attitude and the characters of the two brothers convey great message for us.What is the message and how do they convey it?

Q.6.The story reflects upon the disastrous impact of war on humanity. Reflect upon the statement in the context of the story.

Q.7. Wars also reflect upon the man’s ability to overcome stiff ordeals. In the context of the story comment on this.

Q.8. Family upbringing has a lot to do with the formation of an individual’s character.Comment upon the statement.