Gujarat Board GSEB Class 11 English Textbook Solutions Hornbill Chapter 6 The Browning Version Textbook Exercise Important Questions and Answers, Notes Pdf.
Gujarat Board Textbook Solutions Class 11 English Hornbill Chapter 6 The Browning Version
GSEB Class 11 English The Browning Version Text Book Questions and Answers
Understanding the Text
Question 1.
Comment on the attitude shown by Taplow towards Crocker-Harris.
Answer:
Crocker-Harris is Taplow’s teacher. According to Taplow and me also; Mr Crocker- Harris is a strict disciplinarian. He was a hardworking teacher and fully devoted to his duty as he called Taplow even on the last day of school to make up for his missed class. No student in his entire career has a courage to ‘cut’ Mr Crocker-Harris.
He is neither partial nor biased; he will give Taplow whatever he deserves. He tries to maintain an appropriate distance from his students. He never responds the feelings shown by his students and remains shrivel. He is a man of principals and keeps the rules of the school. His students like him even after his strict behaviour. His colleagues, even Frank, envy him for the effect he has on the students. He is strict but not a sadist that he seems to be.
Question 2.
Does Frank seem to encourage Taplow’s comments on Crocker-Harris ?
Answer:
Frank encourages Taplow to comment on Mr Crocker-Harris by cleverly asking Taplow several questions. He appreciated Taplow’s imitation of Mr Crocker-Harris and also asks him to repeat it.
Question 3.
What do you gather about Crocker- Harris from the play?
Answer:
Mr Harris is a teacher who would not compromise on the rules and regulations to suffice the sentiments of students. He believes in fair assessment of his students and is not swayed by emotions, as the man is hardly human. He is not a sadist, but strict in performance of his duties. Even on his last day at school, when he is over busy in own affairs he does not neglect his duty towards students.
Talking about the Text
Discuss the following with your partners:
Question 1.
Talking about teachers among your friends.
Answer:
The most common trait among students is to talk about their teachers. Students have tremendous capacity to analyze the qualities (good or bad) of their teachers. Even a dumb student can understand, whether if a teacher is proficient in his subject or not. That is the reason, after each class, students form groups and discuss what had happened in the foregone period. Students, generally, pass comments on the teachers’ appearance also.
A well-dressed and smarty turned out teacher is always appreciated by the students. If one listens to the comments of the students one could easily decipher one fact – a teacher who is however strict but honest and unbiased, and knows his subject will definitely earn respect from his students. Nothing is more important for students, than a teacher’s ability to make them understand their subject.
Question 2.
The manner you adopt when you talk about a teacher to other teachers.
Answer:
We are always very guarded in voicing our opinions about a teacher when we talk to other teachers. First of all, we are never very sure that our comments about a teacher will not be passed to him/her by others. We always have this lingering doubt that, after all, these teachers work together and their work culture demands to be interactive with their colleagues.
Sometimes, we come across some teachers who ask misleading questions about other teachers as we saw in the lesson ‘The Browning Version’. Frankly, it appears as if Frank was restricting Taplow to pass uncharitable comments on Crocker- Harris but, in fact, he wanted him to give a comprehensive report of Crocker-Harris. In similar circumstances, sometimes we lose our guard and say things about other teachers that may or may not be appropriate. One thing that all of us should understand is that before passing negative comments on our ‘teachers’, we have to ensure whom we are talking to.
Question 3.
Reading plays is more interesting than studying science.
Answer:
There is no doubt that reading plays is more interesting than studying science because reading plays makes us imaginative and provides us ideas about human life and behaviour. It has good language that is helpful in building our linguistic skills. It is a source of entertainment and enjoyment. Reading science has its own merits. It provides us knowledge and fill us with modern approach. Practicals that we do in laboratories are also useful in daily life. Science makes our future growth possible.
Working with Words
A sadist is a person who gets pleasure out of giving pain to others.
Given below are some dictionary definitions of certain kinds of persons.
Find out the words that fit these descriptions :
(1) A person who considers it very important that things should be correct or genuine e.g., in the use of language or in the arts: P ………………………
(2) A person who believes that war and violence are wrong and will not fight in a war: P………..
(3) A person who believes that nothing really exists: N………….
(4) A person who is always hopeful and expects the best in all things: O……………
(5) A person who follows generally accepted norms of behaviour: C ………….
(6) A person who believes that material possessions are all that matter in life: M…………. ’
Answer:
(1) Perfectionist
(2) Pacifist
(3) Nihilist
(4 ) Optimist
(5) Conventionalist
(6) Materialist
Things to Do
Based on the text enact your own version of the play. Work in pairs.
Answer:
Students will prepare their own version of the play and enact it.
GSEB Class 12 English The Browning Version Additional Important Questions and Answers
Questions – Answers (Textual)
Answer the following questions in four to five sentences each:
Question 1.
Where did Taplow meet Frank?
Answer:
Taplow had been asked to do some extra work by Mr Crocker-Harris. He was waiting for the master In the school. Frank also caine there and met Taplow.
Question 2.
What subjects does Taplow want to opt for? Why?
Answer:
Taplow feels if his grades are good, he would opt for science. He feels science is more interesting than the study of classics.
Question 3.
What does Mr Frank suggest Taplow to do because Mr Crocker-Harris is ten minutes late ?
Answer:
Frank asked Taplow not to wait for Mr Crocker-Harris and play golf but Taplow is really shocked and is afraid that Mr Crocker-Harris may follow him home or do something else.
Question 4.
Why does Mr Frank envy Mr Crocker-Harris ?
Answer:
Mr Frank envies Mr Crocker-Harris for the effect he has on the boys in the class. Mr Crocker-Harris does not tell the results before they are officially announced. And in spite of making students take extra work they still like Mr Crocker-Harris.
Question 5.
How does Mr Crocker-Harris differ from other masters In his reactions towards others?
Answer:
Mr Crocker-Harris did not get pleasure out of giving pain. He was not a sadist. In fact he had no feelings. He was all dry like a nut. He seemed to hate the idea of people liking him.
Question 6.
Who is a sadist ? Why is Taplow afraid of Mr Crocker-Harris even though the latter is not a sadist?
Answer:
A sadist is a person who gets pleasure while inflicting pain on others. Taplow says that he would not be so frightened of Mr Crocker-Harris if he were a sadist. He would at least show his feelings. Mr Crocker-Harris was indifferent and was like a nut.
Question 7.
Which incident does Taplow narrate to prove the fact that Mr Crocker-Harris does not like being liked?
Answer:
Taplow narrates the incident about one day when Mr Crocker-Harris made one of his classical jokes in the class which no one understood. Taplow laughed out of politeness. Instead of feeling thankful, Mr Crocker-Harris asked Taplow to explain the joke to the class. This incident proved that Mr Crocker-Harris did not like ‘being liked’.
Question 8.
What is Taplow’s attitude towards Mr Crocker-Harris ?
Answer:
Taplow is respectful towards Mr Crocker- Harris and likes him even though he is afraid of him and dare not cut the extra work even on the last day of the term.
Question 9.
Does Frank seem to encourage Taplow’s comments on Mr Crocker-Harris?
Answer:
Frank encourages Taplow to comment on Mr Crocker-Harris by cleverly asking Taplow several questions. He appreciated Taplow’s imitation of Mr Crocker-Harris and also asks him to repeat it.
Question 10.
Who was Millie Mr Crocker-Harris? What was she like?
Answer:
Millie Mr Crocker-Harris was the young wife of Mr Crocker-Harris. She was a thin woman in her late 30s. She was more smartly dressed than the other school masters’ wives.
Question 11.
How does Millie Mr Crocker-Harris send Taplow away?
Answer:
On seeing Taplow, Millie Crocker-Harris points out that her husband was at the Bursar’s so he could go away for a quarter of an hour. But Taplow does not move. Millie assures him that she would take the blame. She takes out a prescription and requests him to bring some medicines from the chemist for her.
Question 12.
How does Taplow react to Millie’s arrival?
Answer:
Taplow is nervous. He is unable to control his emotions and whispers to FVank if he thinks she has heard their conversation. Taplow feels that if she tells Mr Crocker-Harris, he would lose his form.
Reading Comprehension (Textual)
Read the following passages and select the most appropriate options as answers to the questions given below them:
Question 1.
Prank: I believe there is a rule that form results should only be announced by the headmaster on the last day of term.
Taplow: Yes – but who else pays attention to it-except Mr Crocker-Harris?
Prank: I don’t, I admit – but that’s no criterion. So you’ve got to wait until tomorrow to know your fate, have you?
Taplow: Yes, sir.
Frank: Supposing the answer is favourable – what then?
Taplow: Oh – science, sir, of course.
Prank: (sadly) Yes. We get all the slackers.
Questions:
1. When should results be declared ?
A. When the headmaster decides.
B. Soon after the exam.
C. On the last day of the term.
D. At the end of the month.
Answer:
C. On the last day of the term.
2. Here the word ‘fate’ refers to ……………….
A. the result he is going to get.
B. good luck.
C. bad luck.
D. his miserable life.
Answer:
A. the result he is going to get.
3. Between the two teachers, according to Taplow, Mr Crocker-Harris is ………………..
A. more strict and caring.
B. more responsible.
C. careless and irresponsible.
D. Both ‘A’ and ‘B’
Answer:
D. Both ‘A’ and ‘B’
4. To Mr Prank, Taplow is one of the students.
A. dilligent
B. good for nothing
C. responsible
D. goal-oriented
Answer:
B. good for nothing
Question 2.
Prank: Look, what time did Mr Crocker- Harris tell you to be here?
Taplow: Six-thirty, sir.
Frank: Well, he’s ten minutes late. Why don’t you cut? You could still play golf before lock-up.
Taplow: (really shocked) Oh, no. I couldn’t cut. Cut the Crock-Mr Crocker- Harris ? I shouldn’t think it’s ever been done in the whole time he’s been here. God knows what would happen if I did. He’d probably follow me home, or something.
Frank: I must admit I envy him the effect he seems to have on you boys in the form. You all seem scared to death of him. What does he do – beat you all, or something ?
Taplow: Good Lord, no. He’s not a sadist, like one or two of the others.
Questions:
1. What do the words, “Why don’t you cut?” mean?
A. Protest
B. Make an argument
C. Steal time
D. Appreciate
Answer:
C. Steal time
2. “……………. before lock-up” means …………..
A. ‘before he takes you under his control.’
B. ‘before you go in his custody.’
C. ‘before somebody coupels you to follow his orders.’
D. Both ‘A’ and ‘B’
Answer:
D. Both ‘A’ and ‘B’
3. What, according to Taplow, has never been done in case of Mr Crocker-Harris?
A. That he has ever been late.
B. That he has never scolded a student for no reason.
C. That he has forgotten some matter.
D. That he has never insulted someone.
Answer:
A. That he has ever been late.
4. Pick out the word from the passage which means ‘sadist’.
A. One who treats others very kindly.
B. One who envies others.
C. One who seeks pleasure from cruelty.
D. One who hates cruelty.
Answer:
C. One who seeks pleasure from cruelty.
Question 3.
Frank: I’m sure you’re exaggerating.
Taplow: No, sir. I’m not. In form the other day he made one of his classical jokes. Of course nobody laughed because nobody understood it, myself included. Still, I knew he’d meant it as funny, so I laughed. Out of ordinary common politeness, and feeling a bit sorry for him for having made a poor joke. Now I can’t remember what the joke was, but suppose I make it. Now you laugh, sir. (Frank laughs)
Taplow: (in a gentle, throaty voice) “Taplow-you laughed at my little joke, I noticed. I must confess that I am pleased at the advance – your Latin has made since you so readily have understood what the rest of the form did not. I Perhaps, now, you would be good enough to explain it to them, so that they too can share your pleasure.”
Questions:
1. Nobody laughed at the joke made by Mr Crocker-Harris because …………………
A. it was not so funny.
B. everybody was scared of being punished if laughed.
C. nobody understood it.
D. they had heard that joke previously.
Answer:
C. nobody understood it.
2. Only Taplow laughed at the joke made by Mr Crocker-Harris …………….
A. for he wanted to please him.
B. out of ordinary common politeness.
C. for feeling sorry as he had made a poor joke.
D. Both ‘B’ and ‘C’
Answer:
D. Both ‘B’ and ‘C’
3. What Taplow speaks in his gentle, throaty voice is actually……………………….
A. an imitation of what Mr Crocker-Harris might have spoken.
B. something that Mr Frank might have spoken.
C. cutting a joke on himself.
D. None of these three
Answer:
A. an imitation of what Mr Crocker-Harris might have spoken.
4. Here the word ‘form’ stands for………………
A. ‘a data-paper to fill in.’
B. ‘students in the class.’
C. ‘teachers.’
D. ‘school’.
Answer:
B. ‘students in the class.’
Question 4.
Millie: (to Taplow) Waiting for my husband ?
Taplow: (moving down left of the table) Er-yes.
Millie: He’s at the Bursar’s and might be there quite a time. If I were you I’d go.
Taplow: (doubtfully) He said most particularly I was to come.
Millie: Well, why don’t you run away for a quarter of an hour and come back? (She unpacks some things from the basket.)
Taplow: Supposing he gets here before me ?
Millie: (smiling) I’ll take the blame. (She takes a prescription out of the basket.) I tell you what-you can do a job for him. Take this prescription to the chemist and get it made up.
Taplow: All right, Mrs Crocker-Harris. (He crosses towards the door up right.)
Questions:
1. Whom was Taplow waiting for?
A. Millie
B. Mr Crocker-Harris
C. Mr Frank
D. His principal
Answer:
B. Mr Crocker-Harris
2. Millie is ……………….
A. a teacher in Taplow’s school.
B. Mr Crocker-Harris’s sister.
C. Mr Crocker-Harris’s wife.
D. the principal of that school.
Answer:
C. Mr Crocker-Harris’s wife.
3. Millie asks Taplow ………………
A. to have a break for a quarter of an hour.
B. to obey Mr Crocker-Harris strictly.
C. not to follow the advice of Mr Frank.
D. not to wait for Mr Crocker-Harris.
Answer:
A. to have a break for a quarter of an hour.
4. Millie guarantees Taplow of not getting scared of Mr Crocker-Harris as…
A. she will request Mr Crocker-Harris not to punish him.
B. she will take blame on her if in case.
C. Mr Crocker-Harris is a kind person.
D. Mr Crocker-Harris has no prejudice against him.
Answer:
B. she will take blame on her if in case.
Grammar
Vocabulary
Fill in the blanks choosing the correct words given in the brackets and write the answers only:
Question 1.
(ordinary, dare, apply, outright, sure, remove, sort, asked)
Taplow: Well, I’m not so …………..1……………, sir. That would be true of the …………….2…………. masters, all right. They just wouldn’t ………….3……….. not to give a chap a remove after his taking extra work. But those …………..4…………. of rules don’t …………..5……….. to the Crock-Mr Crocker-Harris. I ……………..6…………… him yesterday ………….7………….. if he’d given me a …………….8………….. and do you know what he said, sir ?
Answer:
1. sure
2. ordinary
3. dare
4. sort
5. apply
6. asked
7. outright
8. remove
Question 2.
(politeness, classical, suppose, understood, remember, form, sorry, meant)
Taplow: No, sir. I’m not. In …………….1…………. the other day he made one of his ………….2…………… jokes. Of course nobody laughed because nobody …………..3…………. it, myself included. Still, I knew he’d ………….4………… it as funny, so I laughed. Out of ordinary common ………….5…………., and feeling a bit ……………6…………. for him for having made a poor joke. Now I can’t …………….7…………. what the joke was, but ……………8…………. I make it. Now you laugh, sir.
Answer:
1. form
2. classical
3. understood
4. meant
5. politeness
6. sorry
7. remember
8. suppose
Rectification
Rectify the errors in the following passages:
Question 1.
“My dear Taplow I have given you exact what you deserve. No less; and certain no more.”
Do you know sir, I thinking he may have mark me down rather than up, for taking extra work.
Answer:
| Error | Correction |
| exact | exactly |
| certain | certainly |
| thinking | think |
| mark | marked |
Question 2.
Supposing the answer is favour we get all the slackers. I am extreme interested in science, sir.
Are you? I’m not. Not in the less, in the science I have to teach. It’s a good deal more excite.
Answer:
| favour | favourable |
| extreme | extremely |
| less | least |
| excite | exciting |
Question 3.
What was that Crocker-Harris say to you ? Just repeat it. Imitate again “My dear Taplow, I have give you.” What time did Crocker tell you to be here. You could still playing before lock-up.
Answer:
| say | said |
| Imitate | Imitating |
| give | given |
| playing | play |
Replacing Phrases – Idioms
Choose the correct meanings of the phrases/idioms and rewrite the sentences:
1. The slackers in our class often bunked classes, (idlers, smarter ones, prankers)
2. I would not read that muck! (book, unpleasant stuff, myth)
3. We were kept in for the preparation of that event, (invited, put to work, detained)
4. The crowd were carried away by his passionate speech, (became greatly excited, started shouting, turned into a riot)
5. Profits are shrivelling as the recession gets worse. (bluging, becoming smaller, ascending)
Answer:
1. The idlers in our class often bunked classes.
2. I would not read that unpleasant stuff!
3. We were detained for the preparation of that event.
4. The crowd were became greatly excited by his passionate speech.
5. Profits are becoming smaller as the recession gets worse.
Punctuations
Punctuate the following passages:
Question 1.
Taplow: well no sir I don’t think the play is muck – exactly I suppose in a way it’s rather a good plot really a wife murdering her husband and all that
Answer:
Taplow: Well, no, sir. I don’t think the play is muck – exactly. I suppose, in a way, it’s rather a good plot, really, a wife murdering her husband and all that.
Question 2.
Taplow: imitating again my dear Taplow I have given you exactly what you deserve no less and certainly no more
Answer:
Taplow: (imitating again) “my dear Taplow, I have given you exactly what you deserve. No less; and certainly no more.”
Question 3.
Frank: Don’t you know if you’ve got your remove
Taplow: No sir Mr Crocker-Harris doesn’t tell us the results like the other masters
Frank: Why not
Taplow: Well you know what he’s like sir
Answer:
Frank: Don’t you know if you’ve got your remove.
Taplow: No sir, Mr Crocker-Harris doesn’t tell us the results like the other masters.
Frank: Why not ?
Taplow: Well, you know what he’s like, sir.
Indirect Narration
Turn the following dialogues into Indirect form of narration:
Question 1.
Taplow: I mean, the man’s hardly human. (He breaks off quickly) Sorry sir. Have I gone too far ?
Frank: Yes. Much too far.
Taplow: Sorry, sir. I got carried away.
Frank: Evidently. (He picks up a newspaper and opens it). Er Taplow.
Taplow: Yes sir ?
Frank: What was that Crocker-Harris said to you? Just repeat it. Would you?
Answer:
Taplow said that he meant that the man was hardly human, (he broke off quickly) he added that he was sorry and asked respectfully if he had gone too far. Frank agreed that he had gone much too far. Addressing him as sir Taplow accepted that he had got carried away. Frank commented that he had evidently got carried away. Then he called upon Taplow who responded to his call. Frank asked him what that was that Crocker-Harris had said to him. He asked him to just repeat that and asked him if he would.
Question 2.
Frank: (looking severe) Not in the least like him. Read your nice Aeschylus and be quiet.
Taplow: (with dislike) Aeschylus.
Frank: Look, what time did Mr Crocker- Harris tell you to be here ?
Taplow: Six-thirty, sir.
Frank: Well, he’s ten minutes late. Why don’t you cut ? You could still play golf before lock-up.
Answer:
Looking severe Frank commented that it was not in the least like him. He then asked Taplow to read his nice Aeschylus and to be quiet. Taplow expressed his dislike about reading Aeschylus. Drawing his attention Frank asked Taplow what time Crocker-Harris had told him to be there. Taplow replied respectfully that he had asked him to be there at six-thirty. Frank informed that he was ten minutes late. He suggested why he did not cut and added that he could still play golf before lock-up.
Question 3.
Frank: I don’t know any boy who doesn’t use that for his own purposes.
Taplow: Well, it’s natural sir. But not with Crock –
Frank: Mr Crocker-Harris Taplow: Mr Crocker-Harris. The funny thing is that in’ spite of everything, I do rather like him. I can’t help it. Frank : I’m sure you’re exaggerating.
Answer:
Frank said that be didn’t know any boy who did not use that for his own purpose. Taplow agreed with him and said that was natural. But it was not so with Crock. Frank checked*, him by telling him it was Crocker-Harris. Taplow heeded the warning and corrected himself by saying Mr Crocker-Harris and further commented that the funny thing was that in spite of everything, he did rather like him and that he could not help it. Frank assured him that he was exaggerating.
Question 4.
Swami: I can’t go so late to the class.
Father : I agree, but you’ll have to; it is your own fault. You should have asked me before deciding to stay away.
Swami: What will the teacher think if I go so late ?
Father: Tell him you had a headache and so are late.
Swami: He will beat me if I say so.
Answer:
Swami protected that he could not go so late to the class. Father agreed with him and added that he would have to go to the class as it is his own fault. He reminded him (Swami) that he should have asked him before deciding to stay away. Being worried Swami asked what the teacher would think if he went so late. Father suggested that he (Swami) should tell the teacher he had headache and so he was late. Swami told that the teacher would beat him. If he said so.
Transformation of Sentences
Rewrite the following sentences as directed:
Question 1.
Only the principal should announce the form results on the last day of the term. (Use ‘none but!)
Answer:
None but the principal should announced the form result on the last day of the term.
Question 2.
Who else pays attention to it? (Make Assertive.)
Answer:
Nobody else pays attention to it.
Question 3.
You have got to wait until tomorrow, to know your fate. (Add Question Tag.)
Answer:
You have got to wait until tomorrow, to know your fate, haven’t you ?
Question 4.
Most masters think we boys don’t understand a thing. (Use ‘some’.)
Answer:
Some masters do not think that we boys do not understand a thing.
Question 5.
have given you exactly what you deserve. (Make Negative.)
Answer:
I have not given you exactly what you don’t exactly deserve.
Question 6.
Supposing the answer is favourable. (Make Complex.)
Answer:
Suppose that the answer is favourable.
Question 7.
I am extremely interested in science. (Use ‘extremely’ as ‘adjective’.)
Answer:
My interests in science are extreme.
Question 8.
I missed a day last week when I was ill. (Make Simple.)
Answer:
On my being ill I missed a day last week.
Question 9.
Being shrivelled up inside like a nut he seems to hate people. (Make Compound.)
Answer:
He is shrivelled up inside like a nut and seems to hate people.
Question 10.
He does not have feelings. (Make Affirmative.)
Answer:
He is feelingless.
The Browning Version Summary in English
The Browning Version Introduction:
Sir Terence Rattigan was one of the Britain’s greatest playwrights. He was knighted in 1977. He was born on the 10th June, 1911. He was educated at Harrow and Trinity College, Oxford. In 1934 he became a full playwright. Name of some of his successful plays are French without Tears, After Dance, Flare Path, Love in Idleness, The Browning Version etc. He died on November 30, 1977.
The Browning Version Summary:
This play is an extract from the play ‘The Browning Version’ written by Terence Rattigan. Taplow is a student. He has been asked to stay behind by Mr Crocker-Harris, one of the teachers in a school. That day was the last day of the school before the holidays. Since the student had been ill for a day during the week and missed his class, Mr Crocker-Harris had given him some extra work and so he was still in school. The had told Taplow that he would be back by 6:30 before he left. Till then Taplow had to remain in school. It is now 6:40. But Mr Crocker-Harris had not returned.
Another teacher Mr Frank came there and saw Taplow waiting for Mr Crocker-Harris. Mr Frank tells Taplow to go as Mr. Crocker had not arrived then. But Taplow refuses to do that as he is afraid of Mr Crocker. Mr Frank envies Mr Crocker- Harris for the fear the students had developed for Mr Crocker. He also encourages Taplow to make fun of Mr Crocker-Harris. At that time Mrs Crocker-Harris arrives at the scene. She informs Taplow that her husband had gone somewhere and would take some time to be back. She also tells Taplow to go and play untill Mr Crocker- Harris came back. But Taplow was afraid to leave.
That instance Mrs Crocker assures Taplow that she would take the blame on her if he would go to the chemist and buy some medicines for her. She actually intended to send Taplow from there. She was not urgently in need of the medicines. She only had a strong urge to help the poor boy to enjoy his freedom. Mr Crocker would not mind because the prescription given by the doctor was for him and not Mrs Millie Crocker-Harris. Taplow’s marks are to be given by Mr Crocker.
He was yet to declare marks for Taplow. If Mr Crocker would not find Taplow on his arrival then he would not give him (results) the required division. In such a case Taplow would not be promoted. It was for this reason that Taplow did not want to take a chance of leaving the school before the arrival of Mr Crocker-Harris. When he comes to know that the medicines are for Mr Crocker he is convinced to go to the chemist and leaves the school.