Class : 9 - Unit - 4 - Prose - Seventeen Oranges

 Unit - 4 - Prose - Seventeen Oranges

 

Unit – 4 – Prose - Seventeen Oranges

1. Where did the narrator work?
→ He worked for the Swift Delivery Company.

2. What was the narrator’s job in the docks?
→ He drove a little pony-and-cart to deliver goods.

3. What was Clem Jones carrying in the box?
→ He was carrying a large Dutch cheese.

4. What happened when the box was opened?
→ A ship’s cat jumped out and ran back into the docks.

5. Did the narrator believe Clem’s story?
→ Yes, he believed it and even admired Clem’s cleverness.

6. What was the narrator carrying in his pockets?
→ Seventeen oranges.

7. Who is Pongo?
→ Pongo is a policeman who worked at the docks.

8. Why did Pongo want to bring another policeman?
→ To act as a witness when the case was brought to court.

9. What did the voice in the narrator’s head tell him to do?
→ It told him to eat the oranges and swallow the peels and pips to destroy the evidence.

10. Why did the policemen arrive a little late to the cabin?
→ They saw some carts at the dock gate and stopped to talk to the drivers.

11. What did the narrator do with the pips and peels?
→ He swallowed all the pips and peels along with the oranges to get rid of the evidence.

 

A. From your reading of the text, choose the correct answers from the options given below.

1. The narrator was very fond of ________________

         a) reading detective stories.

         b) driving a pony-and-cart.

         c) eating oranges.

        d) munching away at something.

2. The narrator was searched by the policeman, because __________

        a) the oranges could be smelt.

        b) he was singing songs.

        c) he was carrying a box.

        d) his pockets were bulging.

3. The narrator kept his mouth shut when questioned by Pongo, because __________

      a) anything said would be held as evidence against him.

      b) the oranges would fall out.

      c) he did not steal the oranges.

      d) he was scared of Pongo.

4. The voice in the narrator’s head advised him to____________

       a) confess the truth to Pongo.

       b) eat all the oranges.

       c) deny his guilt.

      d) hide all the oranges.

5. Pongo found no trace of the oranges on the table, because ______

      a) Pongo’s mate had stolen them.

      b) all the oranges were sold.

      c) the narrator had eaten them all.

      d) they disappeared mysteriously.

Answer :

1.       The narrator was very fond of
→ c) eating oranges.

2.       The narrator was searched by the policeman, because
→ d) his pockets were bulging.

3.       The narrator kept his mouth shut when questioned by Pongo, because
→ a) anything said would be held as evidence against him.

4.       The voice in the narrator’s head advised him to
→ b) eat all the oranges.

5.       Pongo found no trace of the oranges on the table, because
→ c) the narrator had eaten them all.

 

B. Answer the following questions briefly in one or two sentences.

1. Why did the narrator call Clem Jones a careful planner?
   → Because Clem cleverly tricked the policeman by using a cat to hide a stolen cheese in a box.
2. What was Clem Jones carrying in the box during his second attempt?
   → He was carrying a large Dutch cheese.
3. Why did the policeman suspect the narrator?
   → Because his apron string broke and his bulging pockets made Pongo suspicious.
4. What did Pongo consider as evidence against the narrator?
   → The seventeen oranges he found in the narrator’s pockets.
5. How did the narrator feel when he was alone in Pongo’s cabin?
   → He felt very worried and feared losing his job or going to prison.
6. What did the narrator do to get rid of the evidence?
   → He ate all the oranges including the peels and pips.
7. What did Pongo do when he found no oranges on the table?
   → He searched the narrator and the cabin, got angry, but eventually had to let him go.
8. Why were the policemen not able to bring any charges against the narrator?
   → Because there was no evidence left – the narrator had eaten it all.
9. How did the narrator feel after eating seventeen oranges?
   → He felt very sick for a week.
10. What happened to the narrator’s love for oranges after the incident?
    → He never ate an orange again.

C. Answer the following in about 80-100 words.

1. Narrate the clever strategy followed by Clem Jones to deceive Pongo.
→ Clem Jones cleverly used a ship’s cat as a decoy to deceive Pongo. When the policeman asked him to open the box, Clem warned him that the cat would escape. Upon opening, a cat jumped out and ran back into the docks. Clem pretended to chase it, then returned with the same box. In reality, he had used this opportunity to smuggle a large Dutch cheese into the box. His trick worked because Pongo believed the box still held the cat, not the stolen item.

2. Describe the confrontation between the narrator and Pongo.
→ The narrator was caught by Pongo with seventeen oranges hidden in his pockets. Pongo searched him, found the fruits, and locked him in a cabin to get another policeman as a witness. In a desperate attempt to escape punishment, the narrator ate all the oranges, including the pips and peels. When Pongo returned, he found no evidence and was forced to let the narrator go. Though he got away, the narrator felt extremely sick and never touched an orange again.

 

 

D. Find the synonyms for the underlined words

1. The voice in his head asked the narrator to eat the evidence.

   a) proof    b)    contradict    c) disprove     d) refute

2. Clem looked at Pongo furiously.

    a) politely    b) gently    c) angrily    d) calmly

3. When Pongo caught the narrator with the oranges, he was very frightened.

    a) undaunted    b) afraid    c) valiant   d) brave

4. The narrator was quiet, when Pongo questioned him.

    a) furious     b) noisy     c) silent     d) agitated

5. The narrator was in trouble because he took the oranges.

     a) peace     b) difficulty      c) harmony     d) comfort

Answer :

1. The voice in his head asked the narrator to eat the evidence.
   → a) proof
2. Clem looked at Pongo furiously.
   → c) angrily
3. When Pongo caught the narrator with the oranges, he was very frightened.
   → b) afraid
4. The narrator was quiet, when Pongo questioned him.
   → c) silent
5. The narrator was in trouble because he took the oranges.
   → b) difficulty

E. Find the antonyms for the underlined words in the following sentences.

1. Seventeen oranges were hidden in the narrator’s pockets.

     a)  exposed     b) masked    c) concealed    d) buried

2. Clem Jones was ordered to open the box.

      a) prepared     b) arranged      c) forced    d) requested

3. Pongo locked the narrator inside the cabin.

     a) closed      b) sealed        c) released    d) chocked

4. Pongo carefully searched the narrator’s pockets.

           a) attentively      b) carelessly        c) cautiously    d) strictly

5. The narrator of the story felt very sick for a week.

      a) healthy         b) disordered        c) feeble       d) unhealthy

Answer :

1. Seventeen oranges were hidden in the narrator’s pockets.
   → a) exposed
2. Clem Jones was ordered to open the box.
   → d) requested
3. Pongo locked the narrator inside the cabin.
   → c) released
4. Pongo carefully searched the narrator’s pockets.
   → b) carelessly
5. The narrator of the story felt very sick for a week.
   → a) healthy

*Listen to the play "The Red Peacock".

The incidents described in the one act play happen as a result of people’s responses and actions.

Krishna Deva Raya’s greedy minister, Chatur Pandit, arrives at the court with a red peacock.

Krishna Deva Raya: I have never seen such a creature!

Courtiers: We agree.

Chatur Pandit: Please accept this gift, Your Majesty! My servants searched the jungles to find this creature.

Tenali Raman (thinks): How can a bird so bright survive in the jungle? It will be easily spotted by other animals.

Krishna Deva Raya: Thank you, Chatur Pandit! How can we reward you?

Chatur Pandit: Your Majesty, 1000 gold coins will be enough, as I spent that to get the bird.

Tenali Raman: Your Majesty, I think we should observe this peacock for a while before we give Chatur Pandit his reward. I will go to the jungles and get more birds like these.

Krishna Deva Raya: Alright, Tenali. You have two weeks.

(Tenali Raman did not go to the jungles.)

Tenali Raman (to his attendants): Look for the person who has painted thatpeacock red.

Attendants: Yes, sir!

(The attendants found the painter.)

Tenali Raman (to the painter): Don’t worry,I won’t punish you. Just paint another fourpeacocks the same colour.

Painter: Yes sir.

(Tenali Raman takes the peacocks to the court, two weeks later.)

Krishna Deva Raya: Bravo, Tenali.  Treasurer, give him 1000 gold coins.

Tenali Raman: That is not what they cost, Your Majesty.

Krishna Deva Raya: What is your price then, Tenali Raman?

Tenali Raman: A bucket of water, a bag of red paint, and a gold coin for this artist.

Krishna Deva Raya (angrily): Chatur Pandit, I sentence you to…

Tenali Raman: Your Majesty, your desire for fame led you to believe a red peacock could exist. For a long time, there has been needless spending on such curiosities. It is better that your subjects are prosperous, rather than a display of wealth. I request you to let Chatur Pandit go and reward the artist for highlighting this matter.

Krishna Deva Raya: You’re right, Tenali.

Chatur Pandit (falls at the king’s feet): Your Majesty, please forgive me.

Krishna Deva Raya: I will do so, but you are banished from the court for a month. And you must return the gifts you got earlier.

(It starts to rain and the peacocks dance. The rain washes off their red colour.)

Krishna Deva Raya (laughs): Look, Tenali!

(Tenali smiles.)

(The people of the kingdom dance in the rain.)

The people (to each other): We are lucky to have a king who is not afraid to admithis mistake.

(Chatur Pandit walks home alone in the rain.)

F. Complete the table with suitable responses.

CAUSE	ACTION	EFFECT
1. Krishna Deva Raya wants all the best things in the world.	He pays 1000 gold coins for the red peacock.	He is tricked into spending money on a fake curiosity.
2. Chatur Pandit is greedy and wants to get rich.	He brings a painted peacock to the king as a rare gift.	The king banishes him from the court for a month.
3. Tenali Raman suspects the red peacock is fake.	He hires a painter and paints four peacocks red.	He proves that the king spends money needlessly.

 

 

G. Answer the following questions based on your listening.

1. Why did Chatur Pandit ask the king for 1000 gold coins?
   → He claimed that he had spent 1000 gold coins to find and bring the rare red peacock.
2. Where did Chatur Pandit find the red peacock?
   → He did not find it in the jungle; it was actually a regular peacock painted red by a painter.
3. What sort of a person was Chatur Pandit?
   → Chatur Pandit was greedy and dishonest, as he tried to deceive the king for money.
4. State whether the statement is true or false.
   Tenali was given three weeks to bring more red peacocks.
   → False. (He was given two weeks.)
5. Why did the people feel that they were lucky to have Krishna Deva Raya as their king?
   → Because he was wise enough to admit his mistake and valued the prosperity of his people over false displays of wealth.

 

H. Work in groups of four. Choose one of the situations given below. Discuss how the story would have been different if,

i) Pongo had pardoned the narrator after scolding him.

ii) Pongo had arrived on the scene before the last orange was eaten.

iii) Pongo had forgotten to lock the door properly but the narrator only discovered it just before Pongo returned.

Share your ideas with the rest of the class.

Answer :

        i.            If Pongo had pardoned the narrator after scolding him
→ The narrator would have been relieved and grateful. He might have learned a lesson and become more honest in the future. The story would have ended on a softer note, with kindness and forgiveness.

       ii.            If Pongo had arrived before the last orange was eaten
→ Pongo would have caught the narrator red-handed. The narrator wouldn't have been able to destroy the evidence, and he might have been punished more severely.

     iii.            If Pongo had forgotten to lock the door properly, and the narrator only discovered it just before Pongo returned
→ The narrator might have escaped at the last moment, and Pongo would have been confused about how he got out. The story would have had a suspenseful and surprising twist.

 

Writing

I. Work in groups and discuss. Then write a diary entry in about 60-80 words describing your feelings and emotions for the given situations.

Imagine, you are Pongo.

1. Your feelings when you caught the boy.

2. Your feelings and emotions when you came back and found the oranges gone.

Diary Entry (Imagine You Are Pongo)

1. Your feelings when you caught the boy
Dear Diary,
Today I caught a young boy hiding something suspicious. I was shocked to find oranges in his pockets. I felt disappointed and angry. I didn’t expect such dishonesty. He looked scared, but I had to do my duty.

2. Your feelings when you came back and found the oranges gone
Dear Diary,
When I returned to the cabin, I was stunned to see the oranges gone. I couldn’t believe he had eaten all of them! I was amazed and frustrated. I had no evidence left to prove the theft. What a clever boy!

 

Now, read this hilarious anecdote from the life of a journalist and enjoy.

                                                    In 1977, Mr. Nicholas Scotti, a journalist from San Francisco, flew from America to Italy to visit his cousins.The plane stopped for an hour in JFK Airport in New York. Mr. Scotti thought he was at Rome Airport and got off the plane. Of course his cousins were not there to meet him. Mr. Scotti spent two days in New york believing he was in Rome. In their letters his cousins always talked about the traffic problems and the famous building in Rome. Mr. Scotti decided to find their home without their help.On his journey round the city, Mr. Scotti asked a policeman to tell him the way to the bus station, Mr. Scotti asked him in Italian. Luckily, the policeman was an Italian from Naples, Italy and could reply in the same language. On the next day, after 12 hours of travelling round by buses, Mr. Scotti was surprised that the policemen and drivers speak in English. A policeman tried to tell him that he was in New york, but Mr Scotti didn’t believe it and even got angry.

 

J. Complete the following table with information from the anecdote about

Mr. Scotti’s short trip.

Name                                        :          Nicholas Scotti

Occupation

Reason for his trip

Means of transport

Destination

 Mr. Scotti’s Travel Table

Name	Occupation	Reason for his trip	Means of transport	Destination
Nicholas Scotti	Journalist	To visit his cousins in Italy	Airplane	Rome, Italy

 

 

K. Circle the best option.

1. In New York Mr Scotti left the plane because he thought he

                   (a) had to change the plane.            (b) was in Rome.    (c) had to phone his cousins.           (d) had to look at the airport.

2. He decided to find his cousins’ home without their help. He asked the policeman for information in Italian because he

           (a) thought he was in Italy.           (b) knew the policeman.           (c) didn’t speak any other language.                    

             (d) liked the language.

3. On the next day, Mr Scotti was __________ at how the local people responded to his queries.

       (a) surprised       (b) unhappy        (c) glad        (d) upset

4. Circle three words that best describe Mr. Scotti

         clever / unlucky / stupid / successful / miserable / happy

 

Answer :

1. (b) was in Rome.
2. (a) thought he was in Italy.
3. (a) surprised
4. unlucky, stupid, miserable (circle these)

 

L. Have you experienced any unexpected turn of events in your life? What happened? How did you feel about it at that moment? How do you feel about it now? Write an article for your school magazine describing your experience in about 150 words.

Answer :

 Article for the School Magazine

Title: A Day of Mistaken Identity

Last year, I had a funny but slightly embarrassing experience. I was supposed to attend a science workshop at a nearby college. Excited and a bit nervous, I reached the venue early, signed in, and joined the first session. As the presentation continued, I realized they were discussing advanced biology—something I didn’t study at all!

Confused, I checked the event brochure and to my shock, I was in a medical seminar for MBBS students! I had entered the wrong hall in the same building. I quietly slipped out and found the correct place next door. At that moment, I felt embarrassed and flustered.

Now, when I think about it, I laugh. It taught me to always double-check the details before entering anywhere. Life has a funny way of teaching lessons!

 

A. Given below in Column A are some phrasal verbs taken from the text. Find the meanings by using a dictionary and complete Column B.

Phrasal Verb                                      -              Meaning

1. fond of

2. hidden away

3. lock up

4. laughed at

5. look at

6. bring up

7. gave up

8. went through

9. finish off

10. figure out

Answer :

S. No.	Column A (Phrasal Verb)	Column B (Meaning)
1.	fond of	to like someone or something very much
2.	hidden away	kept in a secret or safe place
3.	lock up	to secure something by locking it
4.	laughed at	to mock or make fun of someone
5.	look at	to direct your eyes toward something
6.	bring up	to mention or start talking about something
7.	gave up	to stop doing something or trying
8.	went through	to experience or endure something
9.	finish off	to complete or end something completely
10.	figure out	to understand or solve something

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Can you?

Example: Can you play the guitar?

Now you try:

Can you -------------------?

Can you -------------------?

Can you -------------------?

Can you -------------------?

Answer :

 

📝 Can you...? (Write your own sentences)

Example:
Can you play the guitar?

Now you try:

• Can you sing songs?
• Can you play cricket?
• Can you ride a bicycle?
• Can you draw a picture?

C. Do’s and Don’ts (Necessity, Obligation and Permission)

Choose the correct option.

1. We use ______ (should/must/ought to) when something is compulsory, obligatory

and important.

2. We use ______ (should/must/ought to) when something is the right thing to do.

3. We use ______ (should/must/ought to) when something is suggested or recommended.

Answer :

1. We use must when something is compulsory, obligatory and important.
2. We use ought to when something is the right thing to do.
3. We use should when something is suggested or recommended.

 

D. Complete the sentences with one of the modal verbs given below.

can, can’t, could, couldn’t, may, shouldn’t

1. Students ____________ be quiet when they write the examination.

2. You ____________ wear a coat, it’s quite warm.

3. ____________ open the window? It is very hot in the room.

4. I ____________ go to the school yesterday because I was ill.

5. When she was eighteen, she____________ run fast.

6. You ____________ drive fast. It’s not safe.

7. Sachin is a famous cricketer. He ____________ bat well.

Answer :

1.       Students should be quiet when they write the examination.

2.       You shouldn’t wear a coat, it’s quite warm.

3.       Can I open the window? It is very hot in the room.

4.       I couldn’t go to the school yesterday because I was ill.

5.       When she was eighteen, she could run fast.

6.       You shouldn’t drive fast. It’s not safe.

7.       Sachin is a famous cricketer. He can bat well.

 

E. You are Aadhav. While you were away on a holiday, your house was burgled. Use appropriate modals and complete the letter to your friend telling him/ her about it.

No. 36, Gandhi Road

Chennai – 45

04 August 2018

Dear Ramesh,

How are you? I feel sad to inform you that my house was burgled last week when I was on a holiday. Burglars ______ have known from the accumulated newspaper pile that I had gone away. When I came back last Sunday, I found the back-door lock broken. I ______ have forgotten to bolt the back-door from inside and they _______ have entered through it. My room was ransacked. They took my laptop and other valuables. I ______ have deposited the jewellery in a bank locker to avoid this loss. I _______ have informed my neighbours about my week-long trip. Well, I have registered an FIR with the police. They are investigating the case. They have assured that I _____ get my jewels back. Theburglars ______ be caught very soon. Convey my regards to all at home.

Yours lovingly,

Aadhav

Answer :

No. 36, Gandhi Road
Chennai – 45
04 August 2018

Dear Ramesh,

How are you? I feel sad to inform you that my house was burgled last week when I was on a holiday. Burglars must have known from the accumulated newspaper pile that I had gone away. When I came back last Sunday, I found the back-door lock broken. I might have forgotten to bolt the back-door from inside and they could have entered through it. My room was ransacked. They took my laptop and other valuables. I should have deposited the jewellery in a bank locker to avoid this loss. I should have informed my neighbours about my week-long trip. Well, I have registered an FIR with the police. They are investigating the case. They have assured that I may get my jewels back. The burglars must be caught very soon.

Convey my regards to all at home.

Yours lovingly,
Aadhav

 

G. Fill in the blanks with appropriate modals.

(will, shall, would, should, can, could, may, might, ought to)

Milk is a nutritious food enriched with vitamins and proteins. We ________take milk regularly so that we _______not develop deficiencies in our body. Aged persons, children and patients ________take milk in sufficient quantities as it provides strength to their body. We _______supplement it with fruits, vegetables and pulses for proper growth of the body. But we _______consume milk of good quality. Otherwise it _______cause harm to the body. We _______be very careful while selecting our food items because there are chances that these _______ be adulterated. We _______ protect our health.

Answer :

Milk is a nutritious food enriched with vitamins and proteins.
We should take milk regularly so that we may not develop deficiencies in our body.
Aged persons, children and patients ought to take milk in sufficient quantities as it provides strength to their body. We should supplement it with fruits, vegetables and pulses for proper growth of the body.
But we must consume milk of good quality. Otherwise it might cause harm to the body.
We should be very careful while selecting our food items because there are chances that these could be adulterated. We must protect our health.