MCQ - Two Gentlemen Of Verona - Class 10 MCQ

Archibald Joseph Cronin (19 July 1896 – 6 January 1981) was a Scottish physician and novelist. His best-known novel The Citadel (1937) tells of a Scottish doctor in a Welsh mining village, who shoots up the career ladder in London.

The author, A.J. Cronin, was initially a doctor by training. He practiced medicine in Wales and London but gave it up after recovering from a breakdown in health to pursue a career as a writer.

The narrator and his companion drove through the foothills of the Alps as they were approaching Verona. This is mentioned at the beginning of the story.

The narrator's driver is named Luigi. He is the one who warns the narrator not to buy fruit from the boys and accompanies them during their travels.

The boys in the story were described as being untidy in their appearance. One of the boys wore a worn jersey and cut-off khaki pants, while the other had a shortened army tunic. Despite their shabby and untidy clothing, their serious and sincere demeanor left a strong impression on the narrator.

The boys were selling wild strawberries as mentioned in the story when the narrator and his companions drove through the foothills of the Alps near Verona. The boys were offering the wild strawberries to the travelers, which is the fruit they were selling​.

Lucia, the sister of the two boys Nicola and Jacopo, was about 20 years old. This is mentioned in the story when the nurse describes her as being around 20 and adds that she was suffering from tuberculosis of the spine.

The story is set in Verona, a city in Italy, which is where the narrator and his companion drove to. Verona is mentioned several times throughout the story, including the location where they meet the two boys, Nicola and Jacopo​.

In the sentence "As we made the rounds, my interest was again provoked by their remarkable demeanour," the word 'demeanour' refers to the appearance and behaviour of the two boys, which caught the narrator's attention. It suggests that their conduct and mannerisms were striking and left a lasting impression on him.

The boys were waiting for the last bus from Padua on the windy and deserted square. This is mentioned when the narrator asks Nicola why they were out so late, and Nicola explains they were waiting for the bus to arrive so they could sell the remaining newspapers.

A 'tunic' is described in the story as a loose outer garment that does not have sleeves. One of the boys was wearing a shortened army tunic, which was gathered in loose folds around his skinny frame​.

The driver was cautious when warning the narrator not to buy fruits from the boys. He advised against purchasing the fruit, suggesting that the fruit in Verona would be better, and expressed disapproval of the boys' shabby appearance.

In the sentence "Yet, gazing at the two dark earnest eyes," the term 'earnest' refers to the sincere expression in the boys' eyes. It conveys that the boys were serious and genuine in their demeanor, showing deep sincerity in their actions and intentions.

The narrator and his companion stay in Hotel in Verona.

The two boys, Nicola and Jacopo, were engaged in a brisk business of shining shoes beside the fountain in the public square. This is mentioned in the story when the narrator observes them working energetically as trade picked up​.

Lucia, the sister of Nicola and Jacopo, was suffering from tuberculosis of the spine. This is mentioned in the story when the nurse explains that the children had suffered a lot due to the war, and their sister was left with tuberculosis of the spine, which led to her being hospitalized.

Poleta, the village the boys visited, was 30 kilometers from their workplace. Jacopo mentions this distance when he asks the narrator for a ride to the village, explaining that they usually hire bicycles for the trip.

In the story, Jacopo is described as being lively like a squirrel. This comparison highlights his energetic and playful nature, contrasting with the seriousness that he also displays​.

Lucia, the sister of Nicola and Jacopo, was training as a singer before she became ill with tuberculosis of the spine. The nurse explains that Lucia had been pursuing a career in singing before the illness struck​.

The narrator refers to the two boys as gentlemen because of their gentleman-like qualities, such as their selflessness, sincerity, and maturity beyond their years. Despite their humble and difficult circumstances, they exhibited devotion, responsibility, and care for their sister, which impressed the narrator and earned them this respectful title​.