Long Answer Questions (with Solutions) - Two Gentlemen of Verona | Literature Reader Class 10 PDF Download

LONG ANSWER QUESTIONS

Q.1. Nicola is happy to see the improvement in his sister’s condition. He writes a letter to his friend James, expressing his feelings and satisfaction they were deriving in their valiant efforts to help their sister. Write the letter on his behalf.
Ans.
Oxford Street
ABC City

Date: ................
Dear James,

I just wish to share my happiness with you that Lucia is really showing signs of improvement and maybe the day is not far off, when she will walk and sing again. The hard work and the struggle that Jacopo and I have put in is proving worthwhile and reaping a harvest. Believe me, Lucia has become our prime focus, day in and day out. We are single-mindedly driven by one sole reason — Lucia’s recuperation (wellness) from tuberculosis. The wounds inflicted (caused) by war would be forgotten if Lucia gets well. Our efforts have received God’s grace. Please pray for me.

Love.
Nicola

Q.2. Both the boys have left a deep imprint on the author’s minds. When the author gets back to his city, he writes an article titled, “PROFILES IN COURAGE”, recounting the brave efforts of the two brothers. Respecting their feelings, he uses fictitious names for the two boys. Write the article.
Ans. Profiles in Courage
War can destabilize (less safe) people, it tends to break the human spirit and it is extremely difficult to bounce back and struggle again. This extraordinary feat was performed by two brothers of Verona, who with great grit (courage) and perseverance (determination), not only saved themselves but also provided for their sister, who had contracted Tuberculosis. Both slaved day in and day out, took on every possible job, worked late nights, starved themselves but still remained cheerful. They were too mature for their age and never gave vent to their misery. By saving their sister, building a house out of the rubble, they have become role-models for others, by their superhuman efforts.

Q.3. The nurse is full of admiration for the two brothers and their sister Lucia. She is astonished at the great efforts all are making towards their future. Lucia is bravely fighting her handicap, her brothers are defying all physical barriers to aid their sister. The nurse writes a letter to her sister Mary, praising this family of fighters who are the real survivors in the great battle of life.
Ans.
Park Street
ABC City
15th October, 20……

Dear Mary,

Sorry, I couldn’t write earlier. As you know, I am in Poleta, looking after a bedridden girl of 20, who has contracted TB. Her name is Lucia and she is very cheerful and bravely fighting her handicap. Mary, you’d not believe how extraordinary her two brothers are! Both the brothers are very young. Their parents had died in the war and now they are slaving every day to provide medical treatment for their sister. I have never asked what they do, but they bring sufficient money for Lucia’s treatment. The brothers face all the hardships, they are sacrificing everything to provide the best care for their sister. Even she is showing great signs of recovery. I hope I live to see that day.

Love,
Megan

Q.4. Answer any one of the following in about 150 words.
“The two boys’ devotion had touched me deeply. War had not broken their spirit. Their selfless action brought a new nobility to human life, gave promise of a greater hope for human society.”
Comment upon this statement made by the narrator of the lesson, “Two Gentlemen of Verona” bringing out the reasons. [C.B.S.E. 2011 (T-1)]
Ans. War, tragedies and adversities (difficulties) shake people to the core. They prove to be great testing times which end up in glory or in disaster. In the similar circumstances amidst (middle) the ravages (destruction) of war, the two boys, Nicola and Jacopo depicted great maturity, wisdom and faith. Their die-hard nature prevented them from succumbing (to stop fighting) to the cruelty of war, waged by Germany.

The children’s father had been killed in the war and a bomb had destroyed their home and rendered (left) them homeless. They kept themselves alive by building a shelter out of the rubble of their house. Their sister, Lucia, contracted tuberculosis of the spine due to cold and starvation (suffering due to lack of food) and had been admitted to a hospital. They pitched in their best efforts to sustain their sister, Lucia. Both slaved day in and day out, took on every possible job, worked late nights, starved themselves to earn sufficient money for Lucia’s treatment. Their own misery and poverty did not mean anything to the boys. By their earnest endeavor (try hard) and selfless attitude they brought a new nobility (honour) to human life and promised a greater hope for human society.

Q.5. Answer the following in about 150 words. You are Lucia the ailing sister of the two boys. Write a letter to your friend about your past life and your present situation, as you are on the way to recovery, with the help of your younger brothers. [C.B.S.E. 2011 (T-1)] 
Ans. Dear Margret,

I just want to share my happiness with you that I am on my way to recovery with the help of Nicola and Jacopo.

Margret, you must be astonished by what I am talking about, because you do not know what happened to me and my family after Germany waged (continued) a war on us. I could not tell you earlier as I lost your address in the rubble of our home which was destroyed by a bomb. My father was killed in the war and we three were rendered homeless. My budding career in the field of singing also came to an end. Worst of all, I contracted tuberculosis of the spine and was admitted to a hospital. It is only the die-heart spirit of two angels — Nicola and Jacopo — which has kept me alive. My heart bleeds when I see the deprived and ragged (untidy) faces of my younger brothers who are valiantly (courage) trying to sustain me. They never tell me what they do, but I can well imagine the burden they are bearing at such a young age.

It was only yesterday when I had such a fulfilled life. I can never forgive war. I am eagerly waiting for the day when I will walk! when I will sing! when my brothers will enjoy a childhood they had missed.

Rest in the next letter.

Yours,
Lucia