Class 9, NCERT English Literature Reader (Communicative)
The Man Who Knew Too Much
by - Alexander Baron
NCERT answers - CBSE guide - NCERT solutions for Class 9 English
Question.2: Now, read about the “Professor”
Who Knew Too Much and find out if he knew enough!
Answer: Not important for exam
however, you may try to do it yourself.
Question.3: The “Professor” knew too much.
How did he prove himself? Fill up the space with suitable examples from the
story, using the given clues:
(a) about muzzle velocity
(b) after a thirty mile walk
(c) his salute on payday
(d) the loud sound of a high flying invisible aeroplane
(e) about hand grenades
(f) during cookhouse duties
Answer:
(a) He knew
that the exact muzzle velocity is 2440 feet per second.
(b) He was
totally tireless and in good spirits to start singing.
(c) His salute
at the pay table was an example for all others.
(d) The
Professor was able to identify the aeroplane by its harsh noise made by the
high tip speed of the airscrew.
(e) He gave a
beautiful lecture on hand grenades.
(f) He was aware
of the vitamin values of the potatoes and so, knew how the potatoes should be
boiled, cooked and preserved.
Question.4:
Based on your reading of the story, answer the following questions by choosing
the correct options.
(a) Private Quelch was nick-named “Professor” because of _______.
i.
His
appearance
ii.
His knowledge
iii.
His habit of
reading
iv.
His habit of
sermonizing.
(b) One could hammer nails
into Corporal Turnbull without his noticing it because _______.
i.
He was a
strong and sturdy man
ii.
He was
oblivious to his surroundings
iii.
He was a
brave Corporal
iv.
He was used
to it.
(c) The author and his friend Trower fled from the scene as _______.
i.
They had to
catch a train
ii.
They could
not stand Private Quelch exhibiting his knowledge
iii.
They felt
they would have to lend a helping hand
iv.
They did not
want to meet the cooks.
Answer: (a) ii. (b) i. (c) ii.
Question.5: Answer the following questions
briefly:
(a) What is a "nickname"? Can you suggest another one for
Private Quelch?
(b) Private Quelch looked like "Professor" when the author
first met him at the training depot. Why?
(c) What does the dark, sun-dried appearance of the Sergeant suggest
about him?
(d) How was Private Quelch's knowledge exposed even further as the
Sergeant's classes went on?
(e) What did the Professor mean by "intelligent reading"?
(f) What were the Professor's ambitions in the army?
(g) Did Private Quelch's day to day practices take him towards his
goal? How can you make out?
(h) Describe Corporal Turnbull.
(i) How did Private Quelch manage to anger the Corporal?
(j) Do you think Private Quelch learnt a lesson when he was chosen
for cookhouse duties? Give reasons for your answer.
Answer (a): A nickname is a familiar or pet name
given to a person, animal or something used
humorously or affectionately instead of the real name and usually based on a
conspicuous characteristic of the person or thing involved. I would suggest "Mr.
Know All" as another nickname for Private Quelch.
Answer (b): Private Quelch looked like a professor because he was lanky, behaved rather stoopingly and frowning through his horn-rimmed spectacles.
Answer (c): The sun-dried appearance of the Sergeant suggests that he had been exposed to hot and harsh climate.
Answer (d): In an anticipation to take revenge, the Sergeant turned to Private Quelch with a series of questions. Private Quelch was very prompt and answered all the questions correctly. He was able to give technical definitions, the parts of the rifle, its use and care. This exposed his knowledge even further.
Answer (e): By “intelligent reading” the Professor meant to say that he had studied his books diligently, carefully and with thorough understanding.
Answer (f): Professor's ambition was to get a commission in the army. He wanted to get a stripe as the first step in this direction.
Answer (g): Yes, Private Quelch's day to day practices took him towards his goal. He borrowed training manuals and studied them thoroughly. His salute at the pay table was a model for others. He cleaned out his hut so thoroughly that even an orderly officer had no hesitation to praise him profusely. His gestures helped him to outshine everybody else.
Answer (h): Corporal Turnbull was a young, robust person who had come back from Dunkirk with all his equipment intact. Even his pet kitten was in his pocket. He was a man not to be trifled with. He was so sturdy that you could hammer nails into him without his noticing it.
Answer (i): The Corporal was lecturing to the privates on grenades. All of them were listening in a scared silence. He told them that outer part of the grenade is divided into many fragments. Private Quelch interrupted him to say that the exact number of fragments was forty-four. The Corporal was annoyed but he continued with his lecture. Then Quelch interrupted him again saying that he would first tell them about the five characteristics of the grenade. The Corporal was angry but he kept his annoyance under control and threw the grenade to Quelch and asked him to give the lecture.
Answer (j): Private Quelch was a man of irrepressible spirit. He did not learn a lesson when he was chosen for permanent cookhouse duties. Even in the kitchen he seemed to have read about food and nutrition. He protested against the unscientific and unhygienic methods by which the potatoes were peeled and so, their nutritious values were being wasted in cookhouse.
NCERT answers of remaining exercise questions of English Literature Reader
(Communicative) “The Man Who Knew Too Much”:-
Solutions of CBSE Extra Questions:
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