English Core > Literature Class 12 > Flamingo Prose

Read the following extracts and answer the questions for ANY ONE of the given two (A) or (B): (A) The next day both men got up in good season. The crofter was in a hurry to milk his cow, and the other man probably thought he should not stay in bed when the head of the house had gotten up. They left the cottage at the same time. The crofter locked the door and put the key in his pocket. The man with the rattraps said good bye and thank you, and thereupon each went his own way. But half an hour later the rattrap peddler stood again before the door. He did not try to get in, however. He only went up to the window, smashed a pane, stuck in his hand, and got hold of the pouch with the thirty Kronor. He took the money and thrust it into his own pocket. Then he hung the leather pouch very carefully back in its place and went away. (The Rattrap)

(i) Select the correct option from those given in brackets, to fill in the blank. The behaviour of the peddler as described in the above extract is an act of (deceit / obedience). (1 mark) (ii) "Both men got up in good season". The author uses the expression 'good season' to denote that (1 mark) (A) They slept for a long time. (B) They got up in a good mood. (C) They got up early and timely. (D) They got up hurriedly. (iii) State the irony in the peddler's response. "The man with the rattraps said good bye and thank you". (1 mark) (iv) Choose the correct option: The flaw in the peddler's character as reflected in the above extract is (1 mark) (A) He is jealous of rich people. (B) He indulges in self-pity. (C) He can rob his benefactor. (D) He can sleep anywhere without any hesitation. (v) Complete the following sentence: The role of cow in the crofter's life is ________. (1 mark) (vi) Choose one instance from the above extract to show that peddler acted like a well-mannered person. (1 mark)