Chapter 9: A Bicycle in Good Repair

Comprehension Check

Page 128

Question 1:

“I got up early, for me.” It implies that …………………

(i) he was an early riser.

(ii) he was a late riser.

(iii) he got up late that morning.Mark the correct answer.

Answer:

(ii) he was a late riser.

Question 2:

The bicycle “goes easily enough in the morning and a little stiffly after lunch,” The remark is …………..

(i) humourous ….

(ii) inaccurate

(iii) sarcastic

(iv) enjoyable

(v) meaningless.

Mark your choice/choices.

Answer:

(i) humourous

(ii) sarcastic

Question 3:

The friend shook the bicycle violently. Find two or three sentences in the text which express the.author’s disapproval of it.

Answer:

(i) I said, “Don’t do that; you’ll hurt it.”’

(ii) I did not see why he should shake it; it had not done anything to him.

(iii) I felt much as I should had he started whacking my dog.

Question 4:

“…………if not, it would make a serious difference to the machine.” What does “it” refer to ?

Answer:

“It” refers to the small balls of the bicycle, which had been dropped when the author’s friend opened the bicycle.

Working with the Text

Answer the following questions:

Question 1:

Did the front wheel really wobble? What is your opinion? Give a reason for your answer.

Answer:

No, I don’t think the front wheel really wobbles. It was the author’s friend who had caught hold of the front wheel and claimed that it wobbled. He said so after violently shaking the front wheel. The author resisted because he had no problem with the front wheel. Later on, also it was proved that the author’s friend was a novice. So, I think the front wheel did not wobble really and nothing was wrong with the bicycle.

Question 2:

In what condition did the author find the bicycle when he returned from the tool shed ?

Answer:

After returning from the tool shed, the author found that his friend was sitting on the ground with the front wheel between his legs. He was moving it between his fingers.

Question 3:

“Nothing is easier than taking off the gear-case.” Comment on or continue this sentence in the light of what actually happens.

Answer:

The author’s and took off the gear-case easily. But actually the author wanted that his friend should not take off the gear-case. He tried to stop him because he had learnt that buying of a new cycle was cheaper than repairing the gear-case.

Question 4:

What special treatment did the chain receive ?

Answer:

The author’s friend did not spare the chain also. He took off the gear case to take uff the chain. He tightened it till it would not move and then he loosened it too much. Thus this way the chain got very loose.

Question 5:

The friend has two qualities- he knows what he is doing and is absolutely sure it is good. Find the two phrases in the text which mean the same.

Answer:

The two phrases are : “Cheery confidence” and “inexplicable hopefulness”.

Question 6:

Describe the fight between the man and the machine. Find the relevant sentences in the text and write them.

Answer:

The relevant sentences are given below:

“Then he lost his temper and tried bulleying the thing.” One moment the bicycle would be on the gravel path, and he on top of it, the next, the position would be reversed-he on the gravel path, the bicycle on him.”

Now he would be standing flushed with victory, the bicycle firmly fixed between his legs. But his triumph would be short lived. By a sudden quick movement it would free itself, and turning upon him, hit him sharply over the head with one of its handles.

Working with Language

Question 1:

Read the following sentences:

• We should go for a long bicycle ride.
• I ought to have been firm.
• We mustn’t lose any of them.

I suggested that he should hold the fork, and that I should handle the wheel. The words in italics are modal auxiliaries. Modal auxiliaries are used with verbs to express notions such as possibility, permission, willingness, obligation, necessity, etc. ‘Should,”must’ and ‘ought to generally express moral obligation, necessity and desirability.

Look at the following.

• We should go on a holiday. (suggestion : It is a good idea for us to go on a holiday.)
• He is not too well these days. He must see a doctor before he becomes worse. (compulsion or necessity: It is absolutely essential or necessary for him to see a doctor.)
• You ought to listen to me. I am well over a decade older than you. (more emphatic than ‘should’: Since I am older than you, it is advisable that you listen to me.)

Note: ‘Should’ and ‘ought to are often used interchangeably’

Rewrite each of the following sentences using should ought to must in place of the italicised words.

Make other changes wherever necessary.

(i) You are obliged to do your duty irrespective of consequences.

(ii) You will do well to study at least for an hour every day.

(iii) The doctor says it is necessary for her to sleep eight hours every night.

(iv) It is right that you show respect towards elders and affection towards youngsters.

(v) If you want to stay healthy, exercise regularly.

(vi) It is good for you to take a walk every morning.

(vii) It is strongly advised that you don’t stand on your head.

(viii) As he has a cold, it is better for him to go to bed.

Answer:

(i) You ought to do your duty irrespective of consequences.

(ii) You should study at least for an hour every day.

(iii) The doctor says she must sleep eight hours every day.

(iv) You should show respect towards elders and affection towards youngsters.

(v) You should exercise regularly if you want to stay healthy.

(vi) You should take a walk every morning.

(vii) You must not stand on your head.

(viii) As he has a cold, he ought to go to bed.

Question 2:

Use should/must ought to appropriately in the following sentences.

(i) People who live in glass houses …… ………… not throw stones.

(ii) You ……………. wipe your feet before coming into the house, especially during the rains.

(iii) You ……… do what the teacher tells you.

(iv) The pupils were told they ………………… write more neatly.

(v) Sign in front of a park: You ……. …….. not walk on the grass.

(vi) You ……………………. be ashamed of yourself having made such a remark.

(vii) He left home at 9 o’clock. He ……….. …………. be here any minute.

(viii) “Whatever happened to the chocolate cake ?” “How …………………….. I know ? I have just arrived.”

Answer:

(i) should

(ii) must

(iii) ought to

(iv) should

(v) must

(vi) ought to

(vii) should

(viii) should.

Question 3:

Two or more single sentences can be combined to form a single sentence.

Read the following:

I made an effort, and was pleased with myself.

This sentence in the fact a combination of two sentences.

• I made an effort.
• I was pleased with myself.

Now read this sentence.

I did not see why he should shake it.

This is also a combination of two sentences.

• I did not see (it). A
• Why should he shake it?

Divide each of the following sentences into its parts. Write meaningful parts. If necessary, supply a word or two to make each part meaningful.

(i) I went to the tool shed to see what I could find. (3 parts)

(ii) When I came back he was sitting on the ground. (2 parts)

(iii) We may as well see what’s the matter with it, now it is out. (3 parts)

(iv) He said he hoped we had got them all. (3 parts)

(v) I had to confess he was right. (2 parts)

Answer:

(i) (a) I went to the tool shed.

(b) I went to see there.

(c) What could I find there?

(ii) (a) I came back from the tool shed.

(b) I found him sitting on the ground.

(iii) (a) We may as well see.

(b) What the matter is ?

(c) Now it is out.

(iv) (a) He said (it).

(b) He hoped to get the balls.

(c) They would find all of them.

(v) (a) I had to confessed it.

(b) He was right.

Question 4:

‘en’ acts as a prefix (put at the beginning) or as a suffix (put at the end) to form new words.

en + courage = encourage

weak + en = weaken

‘en’ at the beginning or at the end of a word is not always a prefix or a suffix. It is then an integral part of the word.

ending

barren

(i) Now arrange the words given in the box under the three headings-prefix, suffix and part of the word.

(ii) Find new words in your textbook and put them under the same headings.