Long Answer Questions (with Solutions) - Villa for Sale

LONG ANSWER QUESTIONS

Q1. Give a character sketch of Juliette.

Ans. Juliette appears to be fickle-minded and easily swayed by her immediate worries. She panics when the villa attracts no buyers and blames herself for the purchase. At the same time she is an opportunist in the sense that she wants to recover her loss quickly; she quotes a price of two hundred thousand fifty francs after earlier being willing to accept less. In her dealings with Jeanne and Gaston she uses common sales tactics - flattery, bargaining and pressure - to close the sale. Her mood changes quickly: she becomes irritated at Gaston's remarks one moment and, when she fears losing the buyer, she turns pleading and conciliatory the next. Overall, Juliette is emotional, inexperienced in business and driven more by anxiety than by clear-sighted strategy.

Q2. Discuss the character traits of Mrs Al Smith. What is her significance in the context of the lesson? [CBSE 2010 (Term I)]

Ans : Mrs Al Smith is shown as a wealthy, brisk and impatient woman who takes pride in being American. She displays a clear superiority complex about American ways and repeatedly suggests that Europeans should copy them. She seems used to quick decisions and prefers not to be troubled by details. Her background in films and her wealth make her an impulsive buyer who readily accepts a convenient price and pays by cheque without much questioning.

Mrs Al Smith's significance lies in the effect she has on the plot. Her sudden arrival and mistaken assumption about Gaston's role create a turning twist in the narrative. Her haste and readiness to pay introduce humour and enable Gaston to secure a profit. Without her, the unexpected and profitable outcome of the scene would not have been possible.

Q3. What were the attempts made by Juliette to sell the villa?

Ans : Juliette began by putting up a for sale signboard and felt anxious when no one visited for a month. When Jeanne and Gaston did arrive, Juliette used every sales device she knew. She described the villa's conveniences - electricity, gas, water, telephone, drainage and the fixtures - to show its value. She used flattery to appeal to Jeanne's liking of the house, applied bargaining to reach a price, and added gentle pressure and emotional appeals by suggesting that Jeanne seemed to belong to the house already. In short, Juliette tried practical and psychological tactics to finalise the sale.

Q4. Why is Gaston not interested in buying the villa? How does he convince his wife - first in backing out of the deal and later in sealing the deal? [CBSE 2010 (Term I)]

Ans.  Initially Gaston is not interested because he realises the villa will be used mostly by Jeanne's parents and relatives for most of the year, while the couple themselves would use it only briefly. He dislikes the idea of investing his savings for a property that primarily benefits his wife's family. To discourage the purchase he speaks bluntly, refuses to be involved and tries to dampen Jeanne's enthusiasm when dealing with Juliette.

After the unexpected turn of events that earns him a profit of one hundred thousand francs, Gaston's attitude changes completely. He then convinces Jeanne that he has changed his mind to please her, that he has no objection to her parents staying there, and that the villa will be useful for them in their old age. In this way he both reassures Jeanne and secures the purchase to her satisfaction.

Q5. Who is better in business - Juliette or Gaston? Why?

Ans :  Gaston is the better businessman. Business success here depends on foresight, opportunism and quick decision-making rather than honesty or sentiment. Juliette is inexperienced in real estate, emotional about her loss and keen simply to recover her money. She uses ordinary sales techniques but lacks the shrewdness to see an unusual opportunity.

Gaston, by contrast, is shrewd, decisive and opportunistic. He lets Mrs Al Smith's mistake go uncorrected, negotiates a higher price and secures a neat profit of one hundred thousand francs. His quick action and ability to exploit the situation make him far more successful in business than Juliette, who simply lacks business acumen.

Q6. Gaston, being a keen observer, made mental notes about Mrs. Al Smith, her behaviour and her opinions. Describe Mrs. Al Smith and your meeting with her to your business partner in a letter, telling him about the profitable deal that you made. [CBSE 2010 (Term I)]

Ans:

Dear Tim,

I must tell you about a most surprising piece of luck. I went with Jeanne to see a villa she liked. While she was upstairs with the owner, Juliette, I stayed below. Soon after, a hurried lady arrived - Mrs Al Smith, a rich woman from the film world, proud of being American and keen to act quickly.

She assumed I was the owner and wanted to buy at once. Juliette had told us the price was two hundred thousand francs. I told Mrs Al Smith I would sell for three hundred thousand francs. She agreed immediately and handed me a cheque. I then completed the bargain with Juliette, bought the villa for two hundred thousand francs and sold it to Mrs Al Smith for three hundred thousand francs. Can you believe it? A clear profit of one hundred thousand francs in a few minutes, without any real effort.

I am still astonished at my own good fortune. Write back soon.

Yours
Gaston

Q7. Juliette's maid is witness to the activities that take place in the Villa that day. She is in dilemma whether to tell Juliette how Gaston sold the Villa before buying it or to keep quiet about it as the money has been paid. She writes a page in her diary expressing her feelings. Write her diary. [CBSE 2010 (Term I)]

Ans:

Dear Diary,

I am in terrible doubt tonight. I watched everything that happened at the villa and I know how Gaston managed to sell it before he actually bought it. Part of me wants to tell Juliette the whole truth because I care for her and I would hate her to learn of the trick from someone else. If she finds out I knew and kept quiet, she might never trust me again.

On the other hand, Juliette has received the money and seems content. Telling her now will only hurt and upset her. I cannot bear to see her distressed. I feel betrayed by Gaston and angry at the deceit, yet I also feel protective of Juliette. I pray for guidance and hope I do the right thing. Oh God, please show me the way.

Q8. Jeanne is unable to understand Gaston's reason for buying the Villa after objecting so much; she comes home and quickly writes a letter to her mother sharing her anxiety, jubilation and relief at the purchase. Write her letter. [CBSE 2010 (Term I)]

Ans:

Dear mother,

I can hardly contain my joy. Gaston has bought the villa I wanted for you and Papa. At first he refused because he thought it was a poor investment - after all, we would use it for only a short time each year. I argued with him and feared I could not persuade him.

But in the end everything turned out well. He agreed and bought the villa so that you and Papa can live there comfortably. I am so relieved that you will not have to spend your remaining years in that old, dilapidated house. We will renovate and settle in as soon as we can. Tell Papa that I love him and that I did my best for the family.

Your daughter
Jeanne