Class 10 : Unit 2 – Prose – The night the ghost got in

Unit 2 – Prose – The night the ghost got in

A. Answer the following questions:

a. Where was the author when he heard the noise?
The author was in the bathroom, drying himself with a towel after taking a bath.

b. What did the narrator think the unusual sound was?
At first, he thought it was his father or brother Roy. Later, he suspected it might be a burglar.

c. What were the various sounds the brothers heard when they went downstairs?
They heard footsteps walking rapidly around the dining-room table and then rushing up the stairs.

d. Who were the narrator's neighbours?
The neighbours were Mr. and Mrs. Bodwell.

e. How did the Bodwells react, when a shoe was thrown into their house?
Mr. Bodwell became angry and started shouting, while Mrs. Bodwell said they would sell the house and return to Peoria.

f. What did the Bodwells think when they heard the mother shout?
At first, Mr. Bodwell thought the burglars were in his own house.

g. What was the grandfather wearing?
He was wearing a long flannel nightgown, long woollen pants, a nightcap, and a leather jacket around his chest.

h. What conclusions did grandfather jump to when he saw the cops?
He thought the policemen were deserters from General Meade's army during the Civil War.

i. Were the policemen willing to leave the house?
No, they were reluctant to leave without arresting someone, as the situation seemed suspicious.

j. What made the reporter gaze at the author?
The author was wearing his mother's dress because he couldn’t find anything else to wear, which puzzled and amused the reporter.

 

A. Answer the following questions in a sentence or two:

1. Why was the narrator sorry to have paid attention to the footsteps?
Because it led to chaos in the house, with his mother calling the police and his grandfather shooting a policeman.

2. Why did Herman and the author slam the doors?
They were frightened by the footsteps coming up the stairs and slammed the doors in panic.

3. What woke up the mother?
The sound of the slamming doors woke her up.

4. What do you understand by the mother’s act of throwing the shoe?
It shows her quick thinking and impulsive nature to get help by drawing attention to their house.

5. Why do you think Mrs. Bodwell wanted to sell the house?
She was disturbed by the chaos and unexpected events happening at night, including the window breaking.

6. How did the cops manage to enter the locked house?
They broke the heavy front door using their shoulders and entered the house.

7. Why were the policemen prevented from entering grandfather's room?
The narrator feared the grandfather might react violently, as he was living in a delusional state and thought the cops were army deserters.

8. Who used the zither and how?
The family’s pet guinea pig used the zither as a bed, refusing to sleep anywhere else.

9. Mention the events that the grandfather imagined.
He imagined the policemen were cowardly deserters from Meade's army during the Civil War and attacked them.

B. Answer the following questions in about 100–150 words:

1. Describe the funny incident that caused the confusion in the house.
The funny incident began when the narrator heard footsteps downstairs and suspected it was a ghost. He woke his brother Herman, and together they listened to the mysterious sounds. Their fear led to slamming doors, which woke up their mother. She panicked and assumed there were burglars in the house. Unable to use the phone, she threw a shoe through the neighbour’s window to get help. Mr. Bodwell, the neighbour, called the police. The police arrived in large numbers and conducted a chaotic search. Meanwhile, the grandfather, thinking the cops were army deserters, attacked them and even fired a gun. The entire episode was a result of misunderstanding and overactive imagination, turning an ordinary night into one filled with comic confusion.

2. Narrate the extensive search operation made by the policemen in the house.
The police arrived in force with a Ford sedan, motorcycles, and even a patrol wagon. They broke down the front door and stormed the house, flashing lights in every direction. They searched every room thoroughly—yanking open drawers, pulling beds away from walls, and throwing clothes out of closets. They even questioned the narrator, who was in a towel and later wearing his mother’s dress. In the attic, things got worse when the grandfather mistook them for army deserters and attacked them, injuring one officer and firing a gun. The situation became more absurd as the police grew suspicious of the family. Eventually, they left, frustrated and empty-handed, after a night of chaos caused by imagined ghosts and miscommunication.

 

C. Look at the following expressions from the text. With the help of your teacher rewrite them in standard English. One has been done for you.

Original Expression	Standard English Version
1. ‘Musta got away – whatt’d he like?’	Must have got away – What was he like?
2. ‘Looky here, Joe’	Look here, Joe
3. ‘No sign o’ nothing’	No sign of anything
4. ‘Back t’ the lines ye goodaam’	Back to the lines, you good-for-nothing!
5. ‘What was the idee of all them cops tarryhootin’ round the house last night?’	What was the idea of all those police officers making a racket around the house last night?

 

D. Complete the given tabular column with the suitable plural forms.

 Singular and Plural Forms

Singular	Plural
chair	Chairs
box	Boxes
eskimo	Eskimos
lady	Ladies
radius	Radii
formula	formulas / formulae (both are correct)
child	Children
deer	Deer
loaf	Loaves
hero	Heroes

 

E. Listen to the story and answer the following.

A Short Story :

Three Simple Rules

This Short Story Three Simple Rules is quite interesting to all the people. Enjoy reading this story. Once there was a rich man in Thailand. His name was Chulong. He was a very rich man. Yet he wanted more riches, more money.  One day he was walking in his garden. He saw a strange bird in a bush. It was very small. But it had very beautiful and colorful features. Its voice was also very sweet. Chulong had never seen such a bird in his life. He slowly went near the bush unseen. He caught the bird. Now the bird began to speak. “Why have you caught me?” the bird asked.

“I want to make money. I can sell you for a big amount,” replied Chulong.

“But you are already rich. Why do you want more?” asked the bird.

“Because I want to become richer and richer,” replied Chulong.

“But do not dream of making money through me!” said the bird. It further added, “You can not sell me. Nobody will buy me, because, in imprisonment, I lose my beauty and my sweet voice.” Then it slowly turned into a black bird. The beautiful features were now looking like the feathers of a crow. Chulong’s hopes of making money were shattered. He said angrily, “I will kill you, and I will eat your meat.”

“Eat me! I am so small. You will not get any meat out of me,” replied the bird.

Chulong could not answer. The bird then suggested, “Well set me free. In return I shall teach you three simple but useful rules.” “What is the use of the rules? I want only money,” said Chulong. He was irritated.

“But these rules can profit you greatly,” added the bird.

“Profit me! Really? Then I shall set you free. But how can I trust you? You may fly away,” said Chulong.

“I give you my word. And I always keep my word,” said the bird.

Chulong wanted to take a chance. He released the bird. It flew up at once. Then it sat on the branch of a tree. Its color started changing. It became beautiful again. Chulong asked, “Now teach me the rules.”

“Certainly,” said the bird.

Then it added, “The first rule is Never Believe everything others say. The second rule is Never be sad about something you do not have. The third rule is Never throw away what you have in your hand.”

“You silly bird,” shouted Chulong. And he added, “These three rules are known to every one. You have cheated me.”

But the bird said, “Chulong, just sit down for a while. Think about all your actions of today. You had me in your hands, but you threw me away (released me). You believed all that I said. And you are sad about not having me. The rules are simple. But you never followed them. Now do you see the value of the rules?” so saying the bird flew away and disappeared from his sight.

Comprehension Questions

1. The rich man was from...
   b) Thailand
2. Where did Chulong catch the bird?
   In his garden, from a bush.
3. Why did Chulong catch the bird?
   He wanted to sell it and make more money.
4. What will happen to the bird in imprisonment?
   It will lose its beauty and sweet voice.
5. What did the bird suggest Chulong, in exchange for its freedom?
   It offered to teach him three useful rules.
6. Did Chulong want to earn money honestly?
   No, he just wanted to get richer by any means.
7. What were Chulong’s plans for the bird?
   First, to sell it for money; later, to kill and eat it when it lost its beauty.
8. Who is wise according to you?
   The bird, because it gave wise advice and kept its word.
9. Was the bird a crow?
   No, it only turned black like a crow temporarily.
10. What were the three rules given by the bird?

Never believe everything others say.

Never be sad about something you do not have.

Never throw away what you have in your hand.

Read the following incident carefully to answer the questions that follow

The Tie that does not Bind

“Oh, so you’re going abroad? Can you bring me back…..?” I’ve been asked to bring back a vaccine for a course. Once I searched the suburbs of Paris for two days for a special brand of ceramic paint. Having spent a lot of money for Cartier lighter refills, I had them confiscated at the airport just before boarding because the gas might be dangerous in the air. Now, two months before a trip, I stop talking to people so they won’t suspect I’m about to travel. But someone always catches me.” I’ve heard you’re going to New York, and I want you to get something for me. It’s just a little thing you can find anywhere. I don’t know exactly how much it costs, but it shouldn’t be much. We’ll settle up when you get back”. What Gilson asked me to buy was, in fact a little thing: a tie. But not just any tie. He wanted a tie with a small embroidered G. Any colour would do, as long as it had his initial. Look , this is a special flight, I explained . We are only staying Saturday through Tuesday. On the day we arrived I didn’t have time to think about the tie, but strolling around on Sunday I did see ties bearing various letters in more than one shop window. They were cheap, just a dollar, but all the shops were closed. On Monday, lunch lasted the whole afternoon. Then it was Tuesday morning, time to leave. It was only when I saw our airport bus waiting outside the hotel that I remembered the tie. I told the group to go on. I would get a taxi to the airport. And so I went in search of a nearby shop where I had seen ties. But I couldn’t find it. I walked further down the street-one, two, three blocks - all in vain. Back at the hotel, a bit anxious now, I took my suitcase, got a taxi and asked the driver to rush to the street where I had seen them. The driver stopped at each shop we passed so I could look from the window. The stores had all sorts of ties, but not the kind I was looking forWhen I finally thought I had located the right shop, I decided to go in and check. The driver refused to wait. Parkingwas prohibited, he said. I promised to double the fare, jumped out and ran into the shop. Was I going to miss the plane just for a damned tie?

The salesman was unbearably slow. When I realized that the smallest change I had was a ten dollar note , I grabbed ten ties of different colours so I wouldn’t have to wait for change. I rushed out with the ties in a paper bag. On the street I looked around. The taxi had vanished, taking my suitcase. What is more, I was going to miss the plane.

I ran to the corner, and hope flared up again: the taxi was waiting in the next street. Quick to the airport! As I settled down inside the taxi. I sighed with relief. Gilson was going to have enough initialized ties to last him a lifetime. When I reached the airport, I paid the taxi driver the double fare and grabbed my suitcase. Panting, I boarded the plane under the reproachful gaze of the other passengers, all primly seated with their seat belts fastened. Ready to take off. Departure had been delayed because of me.

“At least I hope you found your tie”, said one who knew the story.

“I did”, I answered triumphantly.

After making myself comfortable, I reached for the paper bag to show the ties. I had left it behind; in the taxi.

Fernando Sabino.

 

H. Answer the following questions:

1. What was the writer always asked to do whenever he planned to go abroad?
   He was always asked to bring back something—such as gifts or specific items—for other people.
2. What did Gilson want the writer to bring for him?
   Gilson wanted a tie with a small embroidered G, in any colour.
3. When did the writer remember the fact that he had to buy something for Mr. Gilson?
   He remembered it only when he saw the airport bus waiting outside the hotel on Tuesday morning, just before leaving.
4. Why were the other passengers in the flight gazing at the writer?
   Because the flight was delayed because of him, and he boarded last, panting and in a rush.
5. What is the humour element in the above incident?
   The humour lies in the irony: after all the running, shopping, and stress to buy the ties—he left the bag in the taxi and boarded the plane without it. All his effort was for nothing!

I. Suggesting titles for each paragraph

Match the expressions with the appropriate parts of the story:

1. Oh, No! But it happens!
   → When the narrator realizes he left the ties in the taxi.
   (Last paragraph)
2. Don’t let out your travelling dates
   → When the narrator says he stops talking to people before travel so they won’t ask him for favours.
   (Early paragraph)
3. Anyway, people will be people
   → When someone still finds out he’s going abroad and asks him to get something.
   (Shortly after the previous paragraph)
4. Search begins
   → When the narrator starts looking for the shop to buy the tie.
   (From “I told the group to go on…”)
5. Things are not that easy
   → When he faces trouble finding the shop, dealing with the taxi driver, and a slow salesman.
   (During the search and buying)
6. Hurry invites worry
   → When the narrator forgets the bag in the taxi after rushing.
   (Final twist in the story)

 

J. Suggestions for what the writer should have done

Here’s how the writer could have avoided the situations:

• Gilson asked the writer to bring a tie.
  → The writer should have either politely refused or noted it down as a top priority and bought it early.
• On the day of arrival, the writer had no time to think about the tie.
  → He could have planned and used spare time on Sunday morning to buy it instead of postponing.
• The writer remembered about the tie when the bus was leaving for the airport.
  → He should have kept a checklist or reminder so he wouldn't forget important tasks.
• The writer walked down in search of the shop.
  → He could have asked for directions or marked the shop's location earlier.
• The writer rushed out with the tie in a paper bag.
  → He should have double-checked for all belongings before getting out of the taxi.

 

K. True or False

1. The narrator searched for three days to buy ceramic paint.
   → False (It was in Paris on a different occasion, not in this story)
2. The author was going to New York.
   → True
3. Gilson asked the narrator to buy a tie.
   → True
4. The taxi driver took away the narrator’s suitcase.
   → False (The taxi drove off but returned later; the narrator got the suitcase back)
5. Departure was delayed because of the author.
   → True
6. The author left the ties in the taxi.
   → True

 

M. Write a speech for your school Literary Association celebration with the given lead.

Speech for Literary Association Celebration

1) Opening
Good morning to everyone gathered here—respected Principal, beloved teachers, enthusiastic students, and dear friends.
It gives me immense pleasure to stand before you on this special occasion of our Literary Association Celebration, a day where creativity, expression, and imagination take centre stage.

2) Purpose
We are here today to celebrate not just the art of writing and speaking, but the power of words to inspire change, to stir emotions, and to connect minds across generations. The Literary Association is more than just a school club—it is a platform that encourages us to explore our thoughts, express our dreams, and discover the magic hidden in language.

3) Audience
To all my fellow students who have a story waiting to be told, to our teachers who guide our words and sharpen our voices, and to everyone who believes in the beauty of books, poems, speeches, and stories—this celebration is for you.

4) Language
Let us remember—words can be like soft rain nurturing the mind or like lightning striking deep into the heart. They can build worlds and tear down walls.
A single sentence, written with honesty and emotion, can carry more power than a thousand swords.
Whether you're a shy poet scribbling in your notebook or a bold orator standing on stage, your voice matters. Let your words be brave, let them shine.

5) Ending
As we continue with today’s celebration—through competitions, recitations, and creative displays—let’s remember to listen, to appreciate, and to encourage each other.
Let us be inspired, and let us keep writing, speaking, and dreaming.
Because after all, in the world of literature, every voice is a masterpiece waiting to be heard.
Thank you, and let the celebration begin!

A. Nagarajan and Dhanalakshmi want to buy a new house. They have come to see a

house for sale. Complete the conversation below by adding a, an or the.

Nagarajan: Well, here we are, No.8, Kaveri Street. I think this is the house we saw online. What do you think of the location?

Dhanalakshmi: It is in a nice neighbourhood. And it’s close to the railway station.

Nagarajan: And the bus stop is not too far away.

Dhanalakshmi: How many rooms are there?

Nagarajan: There are three rooms, a kitchen and a balcony.

Dhanalakshmi: There is a lawn behind the house, right?

Nagarajan: That’s right, the lawn is actually quite large. Did you see any photos of the living room, online? What does it look like?

Dhanalakshmi: The living room looks great. It looks bright and airy. It has a nice view of the hills. But the kitchen looks a little small.

Nagarajan: And, I remember you said there isn’t a store room, right?

Dhanalakshmi: No, but there is an attic, where we can store things.

Nagarajan: I hope this house is a better option.

Dhanalakshmi: Let's wait for the real estate agent. She said, she would be here at three o’clock.

Nagarajan: Look. There she is!

D. Fill in the blanks by choosing the most appropriate prepositional phrase from the given options.

1. Everything falls to the ground _______ earth’s gravitational pull.

a. in addition to b. because of c. cause of

2. The trial was conducted ___________ the procedure of law.

a. in accordance with b. due to c. despite of

3. There is a temple right ________ my house.

a. in back of b. apart from c. in front of

4. As a ________ of his hard work, he achieved the target.

a. instead of b. result of c. apart from

5. Failure is often the __________ negligence.

a. effect of b. consequence of c. reason of

6. Children are given toys ____________ sweets on Children’s day.

a. on top of b. in addition to c. due to

7. The parents must be informed ___________ any indiscipline conduct of their wards.

a. because of b. in case of c. in spite of

8. He didn’t turn up ____________ his busy schedule.

a. consequence of b. due to c. except for

9. Global warming is ______________ the green house emission.

a. an effect of b. in spite of c. in addition to

10. _____________ several warnings, he continued to swim.

a. due to b. in spite of c. because of

Answer :

1. Everything falls to the ground because of earth’s gravitational pull.
   ✅ Answer: b. because of
2. The trial was conducted in accordance with the procedure of law.
   ✅ Answer: a. in accordance with
3. There is a temple right in front of my house.
   ✅ Answer: c. in front of
4. As a result of his hard work, he achieved the target.
   ✅ Answer: b. result of
5. Failure is often the consequence of negligence.
   ✅ Answer: b. consequence of
6. Children are given toys in addition to sweets on Children’s day.
   ✅ Answer: b. in addition to
7. The parents must be informed in case of any indiscipline conduct of their wards.
   ✅ Answer: b. in case of
8. He didn’t turn up due to his busy schedule.
   ✅ Answer: b. due to
9. Global warming is an effect of the greenhouse emission.
   ✅ Answer: a. an effect of
10. In spite of several warnings, he continued to swim.
    ✅ Answer: b. in spite of

E. Edit the passage (correcting the underlined prepositional phrases):

Original (with incorrect prepositional phrases):
Janu is studying in class X. In the event of the teachers she is a disciplined student. In addition to her poverty, she is always neat. Many students like her in case of her simplicity. According to her studies, she also participates in sports. She gets on with everyone in case of age and gender in the school. In opposition to taking leave, she ensures that she completes the work given before she goes to school next day.

Corrected Version:
Janu is studying in class X. According to the teachers, she is a disciplined student. In spite of her poverty, she is always neat. Many students like her because of her simplicity. In addition to her studies, she also participates in sports. She gets on with everyone regardless of age and gender in the school. Instead of taking leave, she ensures that she completes the work given before she goes to school next day.