Short & Long Questions Answers: The Night the Ghost Got In | Gul Mohar Class 8: Book Solutions, Summaries & Worksheets PDF Download

Short Answer Questions

Q2: What action did the mother take to alert the neighbor, and why did she do it?
Ans: Mother threw a shoe through the neighbor’s window because she believed burglars were in the house. Her instinctive action showed her panic and determination to protect the family, alerting the neighbor quickly and escalating the chaotic situation.

Q3: How did Herman respond when he first heard the ghostly footsteps?
Ans: Herman was frightened and hesitant, moving like a cautious, “despondent beagle.” He preferred to retreat to his room rather than investigate. His reaction shows he was naturally timid and easily alarmed by unusual, mysterious events.

Q4: Who was in the attic and how did he react to the police?
Ans: Grandfather was in the attic. When the police arrived, he mistook them for deserters and attacked them aggressively while wearing a nightgown and nightcap, causing chaos. His reaction added both humor and suspense to the night’s events.

Q5: What did the narrator first think the source of the footsteps was, and how did his suspicion change?
Ans: Initially, the narrator thought the footsteps were his father or brother. Later, he suspected a burglar. Only after some time did he consider that a ghost might be responsible, showing how confusion grew as the strange noises continued.

Q6: How did the mother’s misunderstanding affect the neighbor and the family?
Ans: Mother shouted “Burglars!” and threw a shoe, alarming the neighbor and creating chaos. Her actions escalated the situation, causing the police to arrive. This misunderstanding increased fear, confusion, and the comedic effect of the story.

Q7: Describe the actions of the police and their effect on the household.
Ans: The police broke the front door, searched every room, opened drawers, and moved furniture. Their exaggerated behavior increased confusion and panic, making a minor ghostly disturbance appear like a full-scale emergency.

Q8: Explain the incident with the zither and why the police found it unusual.
Ans: The police examined a zither that had belonged to the family’s guinea pig. They found it unusual because it seemed like an odd item to be important, which added to the confusion and humor of the chaotic night.

Q9: How did grandfather respond to the police in the attic, and what was the outcome?
Ans: Believing the police were deserters, grandfather attacked them. One officer was hit, others retreated, and the attic became chaotic. His reaction created suspense, humor, and highlighted his bravery, quick temper, and imaginative nature.

Q10: Why did the reporter act suspiciously when speaking to the narrator?
Ans: The reporter looked suspicious because the narrator claimed ghosts were responsible for the disturbances. The story sounded unbelievable, and the reporter could not understand how ordinary events could appear so absurd and chaotic.

Long Answer Questions

Q2: How does James Thurber use humor to show the family’s reactions and the chaos of the night?
Ans: Thurber uses exaggeration, absurdity, and deadpan narration to create humor. Mother throwing a shoe at the neighbor, the police ransacking the house, and grandfather attacking officers thinking they were deserters are all absurd yet entertaining events. The narrator’s calm, detailed description contrasts with the chaos, making frightening events appear funny. Thurber highlights how ordinary situations, like footsteps in a house, can be blown out of proportion. Humor arises from fear, confusion, and exaggerated actions, showing the reader how panic and misunderstandings can turn a simple night into a ridiculous and memorable adventure.

Q3: Explain how the police reacted to the situation and how their actions increased the confusion.
Ans: The police arrived in a sedan, motorcycles, and a patrol wagon. They banged at doors, shone flashlights, tore through furniture, and searched every corner. Their serious and exaggerated actions made the harmless ghost disturbance seem like a real emergency. The family became alarmed, and the chaotic scene intensified. The police, unaware of the actual cause, contributed to the confusion, making the night even more hectic and funny. Their overreaction highlights the absurdity of the situation and provides comic relief while emphasizing the contrast between the imagined danger and the harmless truth behind the disturbances.

Q4: Discuss grandfather’s personality and his role in creating confusion during the night.
Ans: Grandfather is imaginative, brave, and quick-tempered. Mistaking the police for deserters, he attacked them wearing a nightgown and nightcap. His actions increased chaos, frightened the officers, and provided comic relief. He showed courage, quick thinking, and a mischievous sense of humor. By actively confronting what he believed were enemies, he intensified the night’s confusion while also highlighting his bold and lively personality. Grandfather’s behavior turned a simple misunderstanding into a memorable, chaotic, and funny episode, demonstrating how his presence and actions became central to the story’s humor and tension.

Q5: How did each family member react to the ghostly disturbances, and how did their reactions affect the story?
Ans: The narrator was cautious and curious, Herman was frightened and hesitant, mother panicked and overreacted, and grandfather was confused but aggressive. Their combined reactions created tension, fear, and humor. The interactions of their distinct personalities caused misunderstandings, escalated the chaos, and made the story engaging and entertaining. Each character contributed uniquely to the absurdity, showing how ordinary events can become dramatic and hilarious when filtered through fear, imagination, and miscommunication, making the story both suspenseful and comical.