Here are a few idioms that you will find in the story. Look for them in the dictionary in the following way.

First, arrange them in the order in which you would find them in a dictionary.

(Clue: An idiom is usually listed under the first noun, verb, adjective or adverb in it. Ignore articles or prepositions in the idiom).

To help you, we have put in bold the word under which you must look for the idiom in the dictionary.)

(i) at/from close quarters (close: adjective)

(ii) break into a smile (break: verb; look under ‘break into something)

(iii) carry on (carry: verb)

(iv) have a clean record (you may find related meanings under both these words).

(v) beat about the bush (verb)

Now refer to your dictionary and find out what they mean.

Why was Dr. Chanda puzzled? What was unusual about Bepin Babu’s loss of memory?

Study the sentences in the columns below:

Compare the sentences in the two columns, especially the verb forms.

Answer the following questions about each pair of sentences.

(i) Which column tells us that Bepin Babu is still working at the same place?

(ii) Which column suggests that Chunilal is now waiting for a reply from the publisher?

(iii) Which column suggests that the person still remembers the movie he saw?

(iv) Which column suggests that the experience of visiting Ranchi is still fresh in the speaker’s mind?

Why do you think Chunilal did what he did? Chunilal says he has no money; what is it that he does have?

Here are a few idioms that you will find in the story. Look for them in the dictionary in the following way.

First, arrange them in the order in which you would find them in a dictionary.

(Clue: An idiom is usually listed under the first noun, verb, adjective or adverb in it. Ignore articles or prepositions in the idiom).

To help you, we have put in bold the word under which you must look for the idiom in the dictionary.)

(i) at/from close quarters (close: adjective)

(ii) break into a smile (break: verb; look under ‘break into something)

(iii) carry on (carry: verb)

(iv) have a clean record (you may find related meanings under both these words).

(v) beat about the bush (verb)

Now refer to your dictionary and find out what they mean.

Imagine you are Bepin Choudhury. You have received Chunilal’s letter and feel ashamed of that you did not bother to help an old friend down on his luck. Now you want to do something for him.

Write a letter to Chunilal promising to help him soon.

Or

A prank is a childish trick. Do you remember any incident when someone played a prank on you or your friend? Describe the

prank in a paragraph.

What do you think happened after Bepin Babu came to know the truth? Was he angry with this friend for playing such a trick on him? Or do you think he decided to help a friend in need?

Who was Chunilal? What did he want from Bepin Babu?

Given below are jumbled sentences. Working in groups, rearrange the words in each sentence to form correct sentences.

You will find that each sentence contains an idiomatic expression that you have come across in the lesson. Underline the idiom and write down its meaning. Then use your dictionary to check the meaning.

(i) Stop/and tell me/beating about/what you want/the bush.

(ii) don’t pay/If you/ attention/you might/the wrong train/to the announcement/board

(iii) The villagers/tried/the crime/on the young woman/to pin.

(iv) Bepin Babu/orders to/telling people/under/loved/doctor’s/eat early/that he was.

(v) the students/The teacher/his eyebrows/ when/said that/all their lessons/raised/they had revised.

Had Bepin Babu really lost his memory and forgotten all about a trip to Ranchi?

Mention any three (or more) things that Parimal Ghose knew about Bepin babu.