Page 1 - Iswaran the Storyteller
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MOMENTS


                                               ISAWRAN THE STORYTELLER

        Questions based on an extract

        A. Read the following extract and answer the questions that follow:
        He was a bachelor. His needs were simple and he was able to adjust himself to all kinds of odd conditions,
        whether it was an ill-equipped circuit house or a makeshift canvas tent in the middle of a stone quarry. But
        one asset he had was his cook, Iswaran. The cook was quite attached to Mahendra and followed him
        uncomplainingly wherever he was posted. He cooked for Mahendra, washed his clothes and chatted away
        with his master at night. He could weave out endless stories and anecdotes on varied subjects.

        Q1. Who is “he” in the above extract?
        Q2. List two characteristics of this person.
        Q3. What kind of places did he have to live in?
        Q4. Why did he have to live like this?

        B. Read the following extract and answer the questions that follow:
        Iswaran also had an amazing capacity to produce vegetables and cooking ingredients, seemingly out of
        nowhere, in the middle of a desolate landscape with no shops visible for miles around. He would
        miraculously conjure up the most delicious dishes made with fresh vegetables within an hour of arriving at
        the zinc-sheet shelter at the new workplace.

        Q1. Who is ‘he’ in the above lines?
        Q2. Why is he being appreciated here?
        Q3. What was a zinc-sheet shelter?
        Q4. What do you understand by “desolate landscape”?

        C. Read the following extract and answer the questions that follow:
        “Well, a veterinary doctor was summoned to revive the animal,” Iswaran would shrug casually. “Two days
        later it was led away by its mahout to the jungle.” “Well, how did you manage to do it, Iswaran — how did
        you bring down the beast?” “It has something to do with a Japanese art, I think, sir. Karate or jiu-jitsu it is
        called. I had read about it somewhere. It temporarily paralyses the nervous system, you see.” Not a day
        passed without Iswaran recounting some story packed with adventure, horror and suspense.

        Q1. Who speaks these lines and to whom?
        Q2. What is the topic of discussion here?
        Q3. List the two martial arts mentioned here.
        Q4. Where did he learn about that art?

        D. Read the following extract and answer the questions that follow:
        One morning when Mahendra was having breakfast Iswaran asked, “Can I make something special for
        dinner tonight, sir? After all, today is an auspicious day — according to tradition we prepare various
        delicacies to feed the spirits of our ancestors today, sir.” That night Mahendra enjoyed the most delicious
        dinner and complimented Iswaran on his culinary skills. He seemed very pleased but, unexpectedly,
        launched into a most garish account involving the supernatural.

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