Class 10 Literature Reader Chapter 4 Question Answers - Chapter 4 - A Shady Plot

LONG ANSWER QUESTIONS

1. John had become a nervous wreck. It had been a hard journey back to normalcy and marital bliss. He writes a diary entry expressing these feelings. Write this for him.

Ans:

Dear Diary,
What a harrowing and emotional nightmare I have gone through! On God! These days will always remain permanently etched in my memory. Imagine a ghost helping you with the stories and thus causing your marriage to break. How I was saved at the last minute, is a marvel. Those days, when Helen had threatened me and then Lavinia refused to give up the Ouija board; I was accused of infidelity, I could neither sleep nor walkout. I wish I had confided in my wife before. Thank God! Everything is now as normal as before. But this traumatic period of time, I will never forget. All's well that ends well.
John Hallock.

2. John’s new ghost story is a hit and proves to be a bestseller. Jenkins throws a party in his honor and John is asked to give a speech regarding the success of his work and the inspiration behind it. Prepare the speech of him.

Ans:

Dear friends,
I am deeply obliged for your best wishes and support for my success. Believe me friends, I am not an expert in ghost stories but somehow a good plot occurs out of the blue and becomes the solid ground of my stories. I know, you find my stories very fascinating and thrilling
as most ghost stories are. Well, stories can only work if there is someone to inspire or guide you. Even though I have an angel sitting on my shoulders to steer the course of my stories. I hope it continues this way.
Thanks.

3. Helen, the ghost had close encounters with human beings like John. She goes back to her world and mulls over this experience she had on earth. She writes a diary entry regarding the behavior of human beings and the fickleness of their relationships. Write this diary entry for her.

Ans: 

Dear Diary,
This was my first opportunity to have close encounters with human beings for a long stretch of time. Basically we stay out of bounds but now I was forced to materialize in person and threaten John, as there was no other option. I know John is basically a good guy, vulnerable and kind but his wife is too dominating. He is so scared of her and she started doubting her husband at the mention of a mere word ‘Helen’. John was trying to hide me, not to distress her, but look at how she behaved. These human beings have fickle relationships, despite all. I think we are better off for we keep our relationships intact
Helen

4. Do you believe ‘A Shady Plot’ qualifies as a good ghost story?

Ans: Yes, this is a very good story with the most interesting storyline and plot. The plot has been inspired by a real-life experience which makes it authentic. It has suspense, it is scary with ghosts walking in and out, but the best part is the humor. The story is not the stereotype one,
it is funny and hilarious. It is very interesting to know that even ghosts get fed up of haunting and they are dragged out of their beds at all hours. This story is full of surprises and that is the best quality of a ghost story.