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Karnataka State Syllabus Class 10 English Prose Chapter 5 The Concert
The Concert Questions and Answers, Summary, Notes
Check your understanding:
Question 1.
Which word in the first paragraph describes the manner of the girl when she saw the newspaper?
Answer:
Excitedly.
Question 2.
Why do you think the mother cautioned the girl?
Answer:
The mother thought that the boy who was unwell was asleep and the voice of the girl would disturb him. We mustn’t miss the chance’.
Question 3.
What chance did the boy not like to miss? Why? Do you think the boy would get a chance in future?
Answer:
The boy didn’t want to miss Pandit Ravishankar’s concert because it dies a chance of a lifetime. It was rare opportunity, such a great artist never give their concert frequently. No, I wouldn’t think the boy would get a chance in the future because he was in his last stage of life.
Question 4.
Imagine you were the mother of the boy. Would you have reacted differently in the situation? If so, how?
Answer:
No, the mother is caring towards the boy and is worried that the boy would exert himself. So she urges him to lie down and take rest.
Question 5.
Read the third paragraph. He raised himself up without any help. The mother murmured with (a catch in her throat’ on seeing him. What does this suggest about the condition of the boy? Read the fourth paragraph and answer.
Answer:
The boy was in serious condition. Doctors gave up hopes, medicine could not work on him. His end was not far, even he was not able to breathe, oxygen was necessary for him.
Check your understanding:
Question 1.
For a moment, Smita had forgotten something. What was it?
Answer:
For a moment, Smita had forgotten that her brother was very ill.
Question 2.
In what way was truly frightening to Smita?
Answer:
The truth was frightening because Smita knew that Anant was going to die.
Question 3.
Do you consider Anant a talented boy? Justify with support from the text.
OR
Anant was a talented boy’. Mention any two of his talents.
OR
How can you say that Anant was a talented boy?
Answer:
Yes, Anant was a talented boy. He was a multi-faceted student because he was good at many things. He was the best table tennis player in school and the fastest runner. He was a Sitarist too and at the tender age of fifteen, he could compose his own tunes, which had surprised his Guru.
Question 4.
‘They had come with high hopes’.
a) What were their ‘high hopes’?
b) Do you think their lies would be fulfilled? Support your, answer.
c) Doctors said something to the parents. Were those words of hope or words of despair? (para 6)
d) ‘They did not voice their fears’. Who does the word ‘they’ stand for?
i) doctors ii) friends iii) family members. (Choose the right answer) (Para 6)
Answer:
a. Their high hopes were he would again walk and run. He would take in the forthcoming table-tennis tournament. He would play sitar and would be a great Sitarist one day.
b. No, their hopes wouldn’t be fulfilled. But his condition became worse day by day. The Doctors also lost their hopes.
c. The Doctor’s words are words of despair.
d. They stand for family members.
Question 5.
‘Her eyes filled with tears.’ Were they tears of happiness or sorrow? Give reasons.
Answer:
Smita’s eyes were filled with tears, that was the tears of sorrow. Because her brother Anant was very ill and he was not able to go to the concert though he had so much of desire to attend the concert.
Question 6.
‘Suddenly a daring thought came to her.’ Can you guess what thought Smita had?
Answer:
Yes, we can guess that thought. She made up her mind to meet Pandit Ravishankar and she would convince him by explaining the condition of her brother. If he obliges, it was good but there was no harm in trying that.
Check your understanding:
Question 1.
The word ‘gasp’, according to the dictionary, suggests surprise or pain. Which meaning is relevant in this context? (Para 10)
Answer:
‘ The dictionary meaning of ‘gasp’ catches your breath, puff, huff etc. It can stand for surprise, shock or sudden intake of breath. In,the context it stands for pain as the boy has problems with breathing.
Question 2.
As Smita sat listening to the music, she was spellbound. But, all the while, her mind was echoing something else. What was that?
Answer:
All the time the sentence uttered by her brother, “The chance of a lifetime,” kept echoing in her ears.
Question 3.
Why does the writer use the word ‘wriggled’ to describe Smita’s movement?
Answer:
Smita had to move through the crowds. So the word ‘wriggled’ is used to describe her movement because wriggle means to move about in a constricted manner.
Question 4.
Smita’s nervousness is suggested by the phrase ‘her heart beating loudly’ in paragraph 12. Identify two more phrases that describe a similar state in the next paragraph.
Answer:
Her knees felt weak and her tongue was dry.
Question 5.
Did Smita tell what she had in her mind to the musicians? Who responded to her request immediately? What was the response?
Answer:
Yes, Smita told the musicians what she had in mind. But the mustachioed man was the first one to respond and he told Smita not to bother Panditji with such requests as Panditji was a busy man.
Question 6.
Do you think the response of the artists was unusual? If not, why?
Answer:
Yes, we don’t come across kind people very often in life. Moreover, as the moustachioed man said, Panditji was indeed a busy man. Yet, both the musicians decided to respond positively to the request of Smita, showing the goodness of their heart.
Question 7.
The neighbours could not believe their eyes. Why do you think they felt like this?
Answer:
It was unbelievable that Pandit Ravi Shankar, a renowned artiste, visited the house of aunt Sushila.
Question 8.
Read the last paragraph, which very effectively but briefly describes the end. Exchange your feelings with your partner.
Answer:
Anant’s lifetime desire was to see and listen Pandit Ravishankar’s Sitar Concert. His body was very weak and could not tolerate such a big astonishment. On the contrary, he satisfied his wish. At this happy moment, his life went out of his body gently, very gently. This was very effective and fascinating.
Question 9.
Can you say that the concert was entertaining to Smita? Justify your answer.
Answer:
No, the concert was not at all entertaining to Smita. Because she had a plan, that was echoing in her mind. She simply listened to the music, her brother’s words were reminding her in every beat of the tabla.
Question 10.
Smita was nervous as she stood before the wizard. Which sentence suggests this?
Answer:
Her knees felt weak, her tongue dry.
Question 11.
Did Pandit Ravi Shankar and Ustad Allah Rakha perform in the boy’s house? Do you think this was an unusual incident? If yes, give reasons.
Answer:
Yes, of course, Pandit Ravishankar and Ustad Allah Rakha performed in the boy’s house. This was an unusual incident because the famous artists coming to a common boy’s apartment and gave a performance was a big deal and it shows the simple and kindness of the great personalities.
Think about the text:
Question 1.
Do you like the story? Why?
I like/don’t like, because ______ (one other reason is given. you may give as many other reasons as you like)
a) This is a story about music.
b) _______________
c) _______________
d) _______________
I like the story because
Answer:
a) This is a story about music.
b) This is a story about a sister’s love for her brother.
c) This is a story about the goodness of people.
d) This is a story about the last wish of a dying boy being fulfilled.
Question 2.
In your opinion, which words in the list below describe Anant’s character or state? Write Yes/No in the space given.
[Refer a dictionary for the words that you are not sure of]
The boy is _________
a) energetic ______
b) robust ______
c) aesthetic ______
d) imaginative ______
e) confident ______
Answer:
a) Energetic – No
b) Robust – No
c) Aesthetic – Yes
d) Imaginative – Yes
e) Confident – Yes, because even in his illness he is firm when he says, “I must hear him and see him. It’s the chance of a lifetime.”
Question 3.
Look at the following phrases in the lesson. They are descriptive. Categorise them in columns ‘A’ and ‘B’ appropriately, (spellbound; unfolding the gates of enchantment; plaintive notes; fast twinkling ones; first notes; wonder; dream; unfolding ragas)
Answer:
Question 4.
Ustad Sahib and Pandit Ravi Shankar agreed to perform for the boy. What made them agree to do so? What would you have done if you were the musician?
OR
What makes the readers appreciate Ravi Shankar and Ustad Allah Rakha?
Answer:
It is clear that basically Ustad Sahib and Pandit Ravi Shankar were good human beings who were capable of feeling for others. They must have felt moved by the story of the little boy whose days were numbered, but who waited for the chance of a lifetime to come his way. So in spite of being busy people, they spontaneously decided to visit the boy to play for him. They must have also been moved by the earnest efforts and genuine feelings of the sister who had mustered enough courage to approach them with an out-of-the-ordinary request. If I were the musician, I too would do the same thing. The satisfaction of making another human being, that too a young boy who is in the throes of death, happy is incomparable.
Question 5.
What arrangements would you make if Pandit Ravi Shankar and Allah Rakha were coming to your house? [You may include in your answer such arrangements – one example is given. Think of others and write them in the bubbles]. Note: Answers need not be the same for all.
Answer:
Since the musicians came to perform for a dying boy, it would be inappropriate to invite others. The situation cannot be taken as a celebration. The only arrangement I would make is to record the music, both audio and video, so that if, by the grace of God, Anant lived, he would have the pleasure of listening to the heavenly music again.
Question 6.
Do you like the ending of the story? Why? If you don’t, how would you like to end it?
Answer:
No, I don’t like sad endings. I would have wanted music to bring about miraculous changes in the boy, improving his condition so that, as his parents and sister had hoped, he was even able to play in the table tennis tournament again.
Question 7.
Suppose you are Smita and invite Pandit Ravi Shankar (PRS) to your home. Imagine the conversation that follows and write it. Some clues are given.
- You (Smita): Good evening sir. May I have a word with you, please?
- PRS: Well?
- You: My brother ________fan of yours.
- PRS: I’m glad ________ here?
- You: No, he can’t ________ cancer.
- PRS: I’m sorry ________ How can I ________ ?
- You: Would you ________ with me to see him ________
- PRS: (looking at others) What do you say?
- You: Please, I beg you all to come and play for him.
- Mustachioed man: Are you joking? Do you know ________ to? Don’t bother
- PRS: __________ silly talk.
- You: Sh! (Silencing him) What __________ Ustad?
- Allah Rakha: (after some thought) Don’t weep. Don’t worry, child. We’ll be ________ tomorrow.
Answer:
- You: Good evening sir. May I have a word with you, please?
- PRS: Well?
- You: My brother is an ardent fan of yours.
- PRS: I’m glad to hear that. Where is he? Has he too come for the concert? Is he here?
- You: No, he can’t move out of the house. He is suffering from cancer.
- PRS: I’m sorry… What a terrible blow it must be in your life… Do take care and be courageous. How can I bring a cheerful note into your sad life?
- You: Would you please come with me to see him?
- PRS: (looking at others) What do you say?
- You: Please, I beg you all to come and play for him.
- Mustachioed man: Are you joking? Do you know whom you are speaking to? Don’t bother such a busy man with your silly talk.
- PRS: Sh! What do you say Ustad?
- Alla Rakha: Don’t weep. Don’t worry, child. We’ll be there tomorrow.
Question 8.
In the course of the story, whom do you consider to be more worried, Smita or Anant?
Answer:
It is Smita who is more worried because she has understood that doctors have given up hopes of Anant’s recovery. She is very upset when she witnesses the desire of her brother to attend the concert, but his physical inability to leave the bed. She perhaps realises that if this chance is not taken, Anant would never get the chance of listening to Pandit Ravi Shankar again. On the other hand, Anant might not have known the seriousness of his condition because everyone around him posed to be cheerful and tried to behave normal.
Question 9.
Some incidents in the story are given in a jumbled order. Rearrange them as they occur in the story.
a) Smita bit her lip in self-reproach.
b) A large moustachioed man gave a long boring speech.
c) Smita read the newspaper and got excited.
d) Pandit Ravi Shankar and Ustad Allah Rakha started playing in the boy’s house.
e) Smita was lost in her thoughts in the park.
f) Mother said, ‘This is not the last time they are going to play.’
g) Anant said, ‘It’s the chance of a lifetime.’
Answer:
c) Smita read the newspaper and got excited. (Para 1)
g) Anant said, ‘It’s the chance of a lifetime.’ (Para 4)
a) Smita bit her lip in self-reproach. (Para 5)
f) Mother said, ‘This is not the last time they are going to play.’ (Para 6)
e) Smita was lost in her thoughts in the park. (Para 8)
b) A large mustachioed man gave a long boring speech. (Para 11)
d) Pandit Ravi Shankar and Ustad Allah Rakha started playing in the boy’s house. (Para 16)
Question 10.
a) Identify the paragraphs in which the incidents stated above occur.
b) Read each paragraph again and summarise them in your awn words.
Answer:
Paragraph 1: The first paragraph describes Smita’s excitement over the newspaper announcement of Pandit Ravi Shankar’s sitar recital programme the next day at Bombay in the Shanmukhananda Auditorium.
Paragraph 4 describes Anant’s desire to hear and see Pandit Ravi Shankar as he considers it the chance of a lifetime. But sadly, even as he expresses his desire, he gasps for breath and is given oxygen from the cylinder.
Paragraph 5 explains Smita’s sense of guilt on disturbing her sick brother by talking excitedly about Pandit Ravi Shankar’s programme. She recollects sadly the bitter truth that her brother, only fifteen, is suffering from cancer. She also recollects the happier days when her brother shone as a table tennis champion and the fastest runner. She also remembers their Sitar lessons and the truth that her brother was better than she was at many things. Yet, she and her parents pretend as though everything would be all right and they would return to their home in Gaganpur from Bombay where they have come for treatment.
Paragraph 6 places before the readers the sad fact that even as Anant’s family was hoping for a miraculous recovery of Anant, the doctors themselves had lost hope. They had instructed the family to take Anant home and keep him happy. It’s then that he comes to know about Pandit Ravi Shankar’s recital. His mother who knows that he is not in a position to attend a concert tells him consolingly that it was not the last time that the Pandit was playing with his musicians and that Anant could attend a programme when he got better.
In paragraph 8 we see that even as people around her in the park are involved in various activities, Smita is lost in thought because she is thinking of how to turn Anant’s desire of seeing and hearing Pandit Ravi Shankar into a reality.
Paragraph 11 captures the beauty of the concert. It describes how Smita was enthralled by the music. However, even as she is caught in the magic of the music, Anant’s words that it’s a rare chance to hear Pandit Ravi Shankar keep echoing in her ears. The paragraph also states that a moustachioed man delivered a long and boring speech before the progamme came to an end.
Paragraph 16, which is the last paragraph, describes the noble gesture of Pandit Ravi Shankar and Ustad Allah Rakha playing for the boy and the last breath going out of the boy even as he happily listens to his favourite musician.
Question 11.
Match the following:
Answer:
Question 12.
Give titles of your choice to the different sections of the unit: (one is done for you) you may have more than one title for each of them. Justify your choice. Section 1 (Paras 1-4) Section 2 (Paras 4-9) Section 3 (Paras 10-16) – “Dream come true” / “Chance of a Lifetime”/ “The impossible becomes possible” / A daring thought becomes true / Great artists invited home / Great artists perform at kid’s bedside.
Answer:
Section 1 (Paras 1-4) – The Chance of a Lifetime
Justification: In the first four paragraphs we see Smita getting excited over the news of the programme of Pandit Ravi Shankar and Anant referring to it as the chance of a lifetime. All that follows is what Smita does to give to her dying brother this chance of a lifetime.
Section 2 (Paras 4-9) – The Daring Resolve
Justification: It is in these paragraphs that we find Smita, who feels deeply for her dying brother, deciding to attend the concert, not because she wants to enjoy it, but because she has already taken the decision of approaching the Pandit with a request to play privately for her brother.
Enrich your vocabulary:
Task 1: Complete the crossword with the help of the following clues:
Across and Down. Refer to the dictionary for any help.
Clues Across
1. To make a sound louder (7)
7. A short unit in music, or part of a pub (3)
8. A lot of musicians who play together (9)
11. A kind of dance popular in the 1950s (5) – (given in the crossword)
13. To call off. To give up something that was planned (6)
14. We’ll begin the work Thursday (preposition) (2)
15. Top rock stars a lot of money (verb) (4)
16. A collective word used to describe trumpets, trombones, etc. (5)
17. A song sung by two people (4)
18. If you want to record a song, you should make of a good studio. (3)
Clues Down
1. Preposition (2)
2. It is not stereo (4)
3. A long-playing record (2) – (given in the crossword)
4. Music and painting are examples of this (3)
5. The maestro keeps looking at it, as he conducts the orchestra (6)
6. Another name for the word instrument’(5)
7. The most famous pop group of all time (7) – (given in the crossword)
9. Musical entertainment to the audience (7)
10. It might be a C.D., or else a ‘vinyl.’ It repeats the voice when desired. (6)
12. A flutist plays, but a vocalist (5)
16. It has forms like – is,%m, was etc.
Answer:
Clues Across
1. Amplify 7. Bar 8. Orchestra 11. Twist 13. Cancel 14. On 15. Earn 16. Brass 17. Duet 18. Use
Task 1: Read the lesson carefully and represent the events/incidents in the flow chart. You may have as many boxes in between as you think appropriate.
Answer:
Practice Writing:
Task 1: Drafting an invitation
This is a letter of invitation to a music concert. Read carefully.
Now draft an invitation with a programme chart to the concert of your favourite musician.
Answer:
Task 2: Drafting a wedding invitation
This is a wedding invitation card which is designed by the parents of the bride.
Imagine you are one of the parents/sisters/brothers of the bridegroom and ‘ draft an invitation.
Answer:
Finite verbs and Non-finite verbs:
Task 1: Read the paragraph and classify the underlined verbs into Finite verbs and Non-finite verbs. Write the tense of the finite verbs and the type of non-finite verbs. Two examples are given.
Smita Mt her lip in self-reproach. She had been so excited at seeing the announcement that she had not remembered that her brother was very ill. She had seen how the doctors had shaken their heads gravely and spoken words that neither she nor even her parents could understand. But somewhere deep inside, Smita had known the frightening truth that Anant was going to die. The word cancer had hung in the air. Her brother was dying of cancer even though she pretended that all would be well and they would return together, a small family of four, to their home in Gaganpur. And he was only fifteen, and the best table-tennis player in the school and the fastest runner. He was learning to play the sitar; they were both taking sitar lessons, but Anant was better than her as in many other things. He was already able to compose his own tunes to the astonishment of their guru. Then cancer had struck and they had come to Bombay so that he could he treated at the cancer hospital in the city.
Task 2: Look at the signs below. Frame appropriate sentences on each of them. First, identify the verbs. Then analyze each verb as in task 1 above. One example is done.
Analysis of verbs:
1. are – finite – present tense
2. requested – non-finite – en participle
3. to keep off – non-finite – infinitive with to Please turn off your cell phones, turn – present tense.
Visitors are requested to remove their shoes. Are – present tense, requested – non-finite -en participle, to remove – to-infinitive.
Please avoid food and drink inside the auditorium. Avoid – present tense No dogs are allowed in the apartment. Are – present tense, allowed – nonfinite -en participle.
Smoking is prohibited. Smoking (no tense) – gerund, is – present tense, prohibited – non-finite -en participle.
Customers are requested to use the bins. Are – present tense, requested – non-finite -en participle, to use — to-infinitive.
Tourists are requested to refrain from fishing. Are – present tense, requested – non finite -en participle, to refrain – to-infinitive, fishing – -mg participle/gerund.
Make reference:
MR 1 Decode the following sms into sentences: – (one has been done for you)
- ‘Try it jst Is again,’ he wudsA.
Sentence: ‘Try it just once again,’ he would say. - Yday, i rot leaVletta 2 hm.
- My sis gt 8T% n mats n 2nd tst.
- bravo India Id match
- w’rgunA excursion on satdy 2 historical places.
- Im ill, i cnot attend today’s skool so plz givyr notes in d evng
- do d hmwrk quickly n zzzwel. Gudn8.
Answer:
- ‘Try it just once again,’ he would say.
- Yesterday, I wrote a leave letter to him.
- My sister got 80 percent in Mathematics in the second test.
- Bravo! India won the match.
- We are going on an excursion on Saturday to historical places.
- I’m ill, I cannot attend today’s school. So please give your notes in the evening.
- Do the homework quickly and sleep well. Good night.
The Concert Additional Questions and Answers
Answer the following questions in a word or a sentence each:
Question 1.
Where was Pandit Ravi Shankar’s concert going to be held?
Answer:
At the Shanmukhananda Auditorium in Bombay.
Question 2.
What was Anant suffering from?
Answer:
From cancer.
Question 3.
What was the name of Anant’s sister?
Answer:
Smita.
Question 4.
How old was Anant?
Answer:
Fifteen.
Question 5.
Anant was a resident of which place?
Answer:
Gaganpur.
Question 6.
Why had Anant been brought to Bombay?
Answer:
For treatment at the cancer hospital in the city.
Question 7.
Where did Anant and his family stay whenever they came to Bombay?
Answer:
At aunt Sushila’s apartment.
Question 8.
Why did Anant need all the sleep and rest he could get?
Answer:
Anant was suffering from cancer and so he needed a lot of sleep and rest.
Question 9.
Why did the doctors recommend that Anant be taken home?
Answer:
The doctors knew that there was no hope of recovery and so they asked his family to take Anant home.
Question 10.
When did the parents realize that Anant had not many days to live?
Answer:
When the doctors at the cancer hospital advised the parents to take Anant home, give him the things he liked and indulge him, they realized that he had not many days to live.
Question 11.
What did Anant consider ‘the chance of a lifetime”?
Answer:
According to Anant, the opportunity to listen to Pandit Ravi Shankar live was the chance of a lifetime.
Question 12.
How did the parents keep Anant happy?
OR
How did Anant’s family treat him without ‘voicing their fears”?
Answer:
When the doctors at the cancer hospital advised the parents to take Anant home, give him the things he liked and indulge him, they realized’ that he had not many days to live. Without voicing their fears the parents laughed and smiled and talked and surrounded Anant with whatever made him happy. They fulfilled his every need and gave whatever he asked for.
Question 13.
Why did aunt Sushila suggest a walk in the park to Smita?
Answer:
Smita was feeling bad that her brother was too sick to attend the concert; so her aunt suggested that she take a walk in the park to feel better.
Question 14.
What was the effect of Pandit Ravi Shankar’s music on Smita?
Answer:
When the first notes from Pandit Ravi Shankar’s sitar came over the air, Smita felt as if the gates of enchantment and wonder were opening. She was spellbound as she listened to the unfolding ragas, the slow plaintive notes and the fast twinkling ones.
Question 15.
What did Smita hear in every beat of the tabla?
Answer:
Smita heard Anant’s voice saying ‘the chance of a lifetime’ in every beat of the tabla.
Question 16.
Who made a boring speech at the end of the concert?
Answer:
A large moustachioed man made a long boring speech at the end of the concert.
Question 17.
What request did Smita make to Pandit Ravi Shankar?
Answer:
Smita requested Pandit Ravi Shankar to perform for her brother who had been diagnosed with cancer.
Question 18.
Who performed at aunt Sushila’splace?
Answer:
Pandit Ravi Shankar and Ustad Allah Rakha.
Question 19.
Which instrument did Ustad Allah Rakha play?
Answer:
The tabla.
Question 20.
Which instrument did Pandit Ravi Shankar play?
Answer:
The sitar.
Question 21.
Why did Smita approach Pandit Ravishankar?
Answer:
Smita approached Pandit Ravishankar to request him to perform for her brother, an ardent fan of his, who had been diagnosed with cancer and was unable to move out of the house.
Question 22.
Smita, on seeing the newspaper, almost shouted with excitement. Why did she react so?
Answer:
On seeing the newspaper, Smita almost shouted with excitement over the announcement of Pandit Ravi Shankar’s sitar recital programme the next day at Bombay. Both Smita and her brother Anant were learning sitar and as Anant said, it was the chance of a lifetime to see and hear the maestro.
Answer the following questions in 2-3 sentences each:
Question 1.
Where did Anant’s family stay in Bombay?
Answer:
Anant’s family stayed with Aunt Sushila. Though her apartment was not big, she always welcomed them.
Question 2.
From which place did Anant’s family come to Bombay? Why?
Answer:
Anant’s family came from Gaganpur. The family came to Bombay for Anant’s treatment as Anant was suffering from cancer.
Question 3.
Anant was a brilliant boy. Give examples to prove this.
OR
Anant was a talented boy. Justify the statement.
Answer:
Though he was only fifteen, Anant was the best table tennis player and the fastest runner in the school. He was learning to play the sitar and he was already able to compose his own tunes to the astonishment of his guru.
Question 4.
Why did Smita’s family move to Bombay?
Answer:
Smita’s brother Anant was suffering from cancer. The family moved to Bombay from their native town Gangapur, so that he could be treated at the cancer hospital in the city.
Question 5.
In what way was the truth frightening to Smita?
Answer:
Though Smita and her family had pretended Anant would get well, she had known that Anant was going to die of cancer. This was frightening to Smita.
Question 6.
“They had come with high hopes”. What hopes did Anant’s parents have?
Answer:
Anant’s parents had high hopes in the miracles of modern science. They thought that he would be cured. He could then talk and run again and could even take part in the forthcoming table tennis tournament.
Question 7.
Aunt Sushila was a generous lady. How would you justify this statement?
Answer:
Whenever Smita’s family came to Bombay for Anant’s treatment, they stayed in aunt Sushila’s house. Her apartment was small but there was always room for them. By this we can say that aunt Sushila was a generous lady.
Question 8.
What did the doctors say to Anant’s parents? Were the words of hope or words of despair?
Answer:
As Anant’s condition grew worse with every passing day, the doctors asked Anant’s parents to take him home and give him whatever he liked. They were words of despair because his parents realized that he could no longer be cured and that he had not many days to live.
Question 9.
How did Smita enjoy the concert?
Answer:
Smita was spellbound by the music. As the first notes came over the air, she felt as if the gates of enchantment and wonder were opening. She was spellbound listening to the unfolding ragas, the slow plaintive notes and the fast twinkling ones.
Question 10.
The neighbours could not believe their eyes. Why do you think they felt like this?
OR
“The artists visiting Anant was unusual.”Justify.
Answer:
The neighbours could not believe their eyes when they saw the music maestros get down from the taxi in front of their block because they never expected such famous people to heed to the request of a small girl to fulfill her brother’s wish. Pandit Ravi Shankar and Ustad Allah Rakha were world class musicians and busy people. Hence their visiting Anant was unusual.
Question 11.
How did Smita feel when she attended the music concert?
Answer:
Though Smita was enchanted by the heavenly music of Pandit Ravi Shankar, she was preoccupied. She was constantly thinking of her brother’s wish to hear the music of Pandit Ravi Shankar and wondering whether she would be able to convince the musician to play exclusively for the boy.
Question 12.
Why was Smita excited while reading the newspaper?
Answer:
Smita was excited while reading the newspaper because of the announcement of Pandit Ravi Shankar’s recital the next day at the Shanmukhananda Auditorium. Both Smita and her brother were great admirers of Pandit Ravi Shankar.
Question 13.
Why do you think the mother cautioned the girl?
Answer:
The mother was worried about her ailing son and she did not want him to be disturbed in any way. She didn’t want him to be disturbed especially when he was asleep. She also knew that the news about Pandit Raid Shankar would unnecessarily excite him and tempt him.
Question 14.
What was the chance of a lifetime for Anant?
Answer:
Listening to Ravi Shankar was the chance of a lifetime for Anant. It is ironic that Anant doesn’t have a lot of time left in this life to fulfill his desire of listening to Pandit Ravi Shankar were he to lose this chance
Question 15.
What was the daring thought that came to Smita?
Answer:
The thought that came to Smita was indeed daring. She was planning to request the renowned musician to play exclusively for her brother by paying a visit to the place where they stayed. It was something that others wouldn’t even have dreamt of.
Question 16.
Did Pandit Ravi Shankar and Ustad Allah Rakha keep their promise? How?
Answer:
Yes, indeed. They paid a visit to the boy and played exclusively for him. Though it is sad that the boy breathed his last as he listened to the music, it is relieving that as life went gently out of him, he was surrounded with happiness.
Question 17.
How did Smitha fulfil her brother’s wish?
OR
What was the intention of Smita’s going to the concert?
OR
Why did Smita request Pandit Ravi Shankar to visit her house?
Answer:
Smitha attended the programme of Pandit Ravi Shankar with her father, not so much for her sake, but for the sake of her brother. At the end of the programme she approached Pandit Ravi Shankar and explained to him her brother’s condition of being very close to death and requested him to play for him. Pandit Ravi Shankar and his tabla artiste Ustad Allah Rakha decided to play for the boy the next morning and they kept their promise.
Question 18.
“I must hear him and see him”, the boy repeated.
“It’s the chance of a lifetime.”
Did he really get this chance? When was it?
Answer:
The boy had always wanted to hear and see Pandit Ravi Shankar. Yes, the boy got his chance when Pandit Ravi Shankar and Ustad Allah Rakha paid him a visit and played exclusively for him.
Question 19.
What admirable qualities do you find in Pandit Ravi Shankar and Ustad Allah Rakha?
Answer:
Both Pandit Ravi Shankar and Ustad Allah Rakha were renowned names in the field of music. Yet they were the very epitome of humility and humanity. First of all, they gave a patient hearing to Smitha though they too must have been tired after the concert. Secondly, they went to the apartment of the dying boy to offer a home concert and fulfil his desire of listening to Pandit Ravishankar. Thus we find compassion in the hearts of Pandit and Ustad.
Answer the following questions in 5-6 / 8-10 sentences each:
Question 1.
What light does the story throw on human relationships?
Answer:
Despite the fact that the story is a sad one, the close bond among the family members . and the concern of the musicians for the boy stand as a testimony to the beauty of human relationships. We see the love of the family members for Anant. They relocate to Bombay with the hope of getting Anant cured. We see the love of the sister who resolves daringly to fulfil the wish of her brother. We see aunt Sushila being so warm towards the family and always welcoming them into her house. Finally we see the musicians doing so much for the little boy who is a total stranger to them without expecting anything in return. All these instances show the beauty of human relationships.
Question 2.
Comment on the title ‘The Concert’.
Answer:
The title ‘The Concert’ is an interesting one because the piece begins with references to a concert of Pandit Ravi Shankar and ends with a concert by Pandit Ravi Shankar, but the two concerts are totally different in nature. The first reference is to a ticketed show at Shanmukhananda Auditorium, in Bombay. The last one is a private recital at aunt Sushila’s apartment exclusively for the ailing boy. Though the first recital is an enthralling one, the last recital is unique because it is to fulfil the last wish of a dying boy. Though this is not for money, what the musicians earn is the love of the whole family of Anant. They would have earned the admiration of the neighbours too. Every time when readers read about the incident, the musicians gain the respect of the readers too. Thus the concert can be taken as a lifetime experience not only for the boy, but also for the musicians themselves.
Question 3.
‘Where there is a will, there is a way. How is this saying apt for Smita?
Answer:
Smita’s determination to fulfill the desire of her ailing brother is an example to show that where there is a will, there is a way. On knowing her brother’s desire to attend Pandit Ravi Shankar’s recital, Smita decided to do something that others wouldn’t even have dreamt of. She decided to convince Pandit Ravi Shankar to play exclusively for the dying boy. She managed to approach Pandit Ravi Shankar and explained the situation to him. Pandit Ravi Shankar, like a true gentleman, agreed to do what was requested of him and brought immense peace and happiness to the dying boy. Thus we see that the power of conviction, the power of persuasion and the power of love can make the impossible possible.
Read the following extracts and answer the questions given below them:
Question 1.
‘It’s the chance of a lifetime.’
a) Who makes this statement? OR Who does ‘he’ refer to?
b) What was the chance of a lifetime?
c) Was the speaker able to grab this chance of a lifetime? Why?
d) Why was he feeling so?
Answer:
a) Anant.
b) Pandit Ravi Shankar was performing live. To see and hear him was the chance of a lifetime.
c) No. Anant, was suffering from cancer. He was no longer in the condition to even get up from bed let alone attend the recital.
d) He was excited to see and hear Pandit Ravishankar, a sitar maestro, as he was also learning sitar.
Question 2.
They had come with high hopes.
a) What were their ‘high hopes’?
b) Were their hopes fulfilled?
c) Who does ‘they’ refer to?
d) The doctors said something to the parents. Were those words of hope or words of despair?
Answer:
a) Anant’s family had come to Bombay to treat him for cancer with high hopes in the miracles of modern science.
b) They had hoped that Anant would be cured in the hospital and bounce back to normal life. But their hopes weren’t fulfilled because the doctors had given up hope of curing the boy. They had asked the parents to take the boy home as no treatment would help the boy.
c) Anant’s parents.
d) The doctors asked Anant’s parents to take him home, give him the things he likes and indulge him. These were words of despair.
Question 3.
“And I spoke to him, and he’ll come tomorrow morning with the tabla Ustad, and they’ll play for you.”
a) Who is T mentioned here?
b) Who is the ‘he’ mentioned in the extract?
c) What was unusual about their decision to play?
Answer:
a) Smita.
b) Pandit Ravi Shankar.
c) The decision of Pandit Ravi Shankar and Ustad Allah Rakha to play for Anant was an unusual decision because we do not expect such distinguished artistes to give private performances. Getting their dates for even public performances is an uphill task. Moreover, Smita’s family is not an influential or wealthy family. All these make the decision unusual and extraordinary.
Question 4.
“You’ll wake him up. You know he needs all the sleep and rest he can get”.
a) Who was sleeping?
b) Why does he need rest?
c) Who does ‘you’ refer to?
Answer:
a) Anant.
b) Anant was suffering from cancer and had become very weak. So he needed rest.
c) Smita.
Question 5.
“We mustn’t miss the chance”.
a) Who is the speaker?
b) What chance did the boy not like to miss?
c) Why is he so eager to make use of it?
Answer:
a) The boy, Anant.
b) The boy did not like to miss the chance of attending Pandit Ravi Shankar’s music concert.
c) The boy himself was learning the sitar. He was suffering from cancer and was very ill. He thought he might not get another chance, so he was eager to make use of it.
Question 6.
“Take him home. Give him the things he likes, indulge him”.
a) Who said these words?
b) Why did they say so?
c) Did they bring him home?
Answer:
a) The doctors who were treating Anant.
b) Anant’s condition grew worse with each passing day. The doctors knew that the boy had not many days to live. This made them to say so.
c) Yes, his parents brought him home.
Question 7.
“A walk in the park might make you feel better”.
a) Who suggested a walk in the park?
b) How did she feel in the park?
c) Why did the speaker make the statement?
Answer:
a) Aunt Sushila suggested Smita a walk in the park.
b) Smita felt alone in the midst of people who were walking, running;, playing etc. She was lost in her thoughts.
c) Because Smita was sad that Anant could not accompany her to the concert.
Question 8.
“But they did not voice their fears”.
a) Who does ‘they’ refer to? OR Who did not voice their fears?
b) What did Anant’s parents fear?/What was the fear?
c) How did they behave towards him?
Answer:
a) Anant’s parents.
b) Anant’s parents feared that the boy had not many days to live.
c) They laughed, talked and surrounded Anant with whatever made him happy. They fulfilled his every need and gave whatever he asked for.
Question 9.
“Panditji is a busy man. You must not bother him with such requests”
a) Who made this statement?
b) Who is the ‘you’ referred to?
c) What was the request?
Answer:
a) A large mustachioed man.
b) Smita.
c) Anant had been diagnosed with cancer and was unable to move out of the house. So she approached Pandit Ravi Shankar to request him to come to their house and play for Anant.
Question 10.
They could not believe their eyes. (tItis It’s not possible?” they said.
a) Who could not believe their eyes?
b) What could they not believe?
c) Why couldn’t they believe their eyes?
Answer:
a) Neighbours of aunt Sushila could not believe their eyes.
b) Pandit Ravi Shankar and Ustad Allah Rakha had come to aunt Sushila’s house to play for Anant.
c) The neighbours couldn’t believe their eyes because it was nothing short of a miracle.
Question 11.
“Enjoy yourself, lucky you!”
a) Who is you’ referred to here?
b) Who is considered as lucky?
c) Why is she lucky?
Answer:
a) Smita.
b) Smita is considered as lucky.
c) She is lucky because she was going to attend the music concert of Pandit Ravi Shankar, with her father. But Anant could not go because of ill health.
Question 12.
“No, how can I? We’ve always done things together”.
a) Who is the ‘P in the extract?
b) Who has done things together?
c) Why is it not possible now?
Answer:
a) Smita.
b) Anant and Smita.
c) It is hot possible now because Anant had cancer and was confined to bed. He could not go anywhere with Smita.
Question 13.
‘Tomorrow morning we perform for the boy’
a) Who said this?
b) Who is the boy?
c) Who would perform for the boy?
d) Why would they perform?
e) Where was the concert arranged?
Answer:
a) Pandit Ravi Shankar.
b) Anant.
c) Pandit Ravi Shankar along with Ustad Allah Rakha would perform for the boy.
d) The boy, who was suffering from cancer, had expressed his desire to attend the recital of Pandit Ravi Shankar. But it was not possible as his illness didn’t allow him to move out of the house. So, on being requested by the boy’s sister, the musician decided to play for the boy at his place.
e) At aunt Sushila’s house.
Question 14.
“Little girl, said the moustachioed man who had made the long speech. Panditji is a busy man, you must not bother him with such requests.”
a) Who is the moustachioed man?
b) Who does ‘you’ refer to?
c) Why did the listener come there?/What was the request?
Answer:
a) The organiser of the concert who gave a long speech.
b) Smita.
c) To request Panditji to come to her house and play for her brother Anant who was suffering from cancer and had not long to live.
Question 15.
They could not believe their eyes. “It is It’s not possible” they said.
a) Who is referred to as ‘they’?
b) What was not possible for them to believe?
c) Why did they feel so?
Answer:
a) The neighbours of aunt Sushila.
b) That Pandit Ravi Shankar and Ustad Allah Rakha visited aunt Sushila’s house.
c) Pandit Ravi Shankar and Ustad Allah Rakha were world class musicians and busy people. Hence they were surprised when they came to play for Anant.
Question 16.
“This is not the last time they are going to play.”
a) Whom does ‘they’ refer to?
b) Who is the speaker? To whom did the speaker say so?
c) Why did the speaker say so?
Answer:
a) Pandit Ravi Shankar and Ustad Allah Rakha.
b) Anant’s mother said this to Anant.
c) Anant had always wanted to hear and see Pandit Ravi Shankar and now he was performing live. Anant considered it the chance of a lifetime. It was then that his mother made this statement. Anant, was suffering from cancer and was no longer in the condition to even get up from bed let alone attend the recital.
Multiple Choice Questions
Question 1.
Smita had known the frightening truth that
A) her brother was sick
B) her brother had cancer
C) her brother was sleeping
D) her brother was going to die
Answer:
D) her brother was going to die
Question 2.
Anant had astonished his guru
A) by learning too quickly
B) by playing very fast
C) by composing his own tunes
D) by learning on his own
Answer:
C) by composing his own tunes
Question 3.
Anant’s family hoped that one day, Anant
A) would watch a music concert
B) would be a great sitarist
C) would be a great tabla player
D) would play with Pandit Ravi Shankar
Answer:
B) would be a great sitarist
Question 4.
Smita’s eyes filled with tears because
A) she was feeling bad about going to the concert
B) she felt bad that her brother was too sick to attend the concert
C) she wanted to relieve her emotional stress
D) there was dust in her eyes
Answer:
B) she felt bad that her brother was too sick to attend the concert
Question 5.
Smita cried out with a choked voice to her aunt because
A) her brother was sick
B) she couldn’t believe that she was going to the concert
C) her brother was going to die
D) she didn’t want to go to the concert without her brother
Answer:
D) she didn’t want to go to the concert without her brother
Question 6.
In every beat of the tabla, Smita
A) heard a unique note
B) heard two notes
C) heard her brother’s voice
D) heard her mother’s voice
Answer:
C) heard her brother’s voice
Question 7.
The moustachioed man told Smita that
A) Panditji would fulfil her request
B) Panditji would not fulfil her request
C) she should be more polite
D) Panditji was a busy man
Answer:
D) Panditji was a busy man
Question 8.
Ustad saheb suggested that
A) they should perform for the boy
B) they should not entertain such requests
C) they shouldn’t perform for the boy
D) they should entertain such requests
Answer:
A) they should perform for the boy
Question 9.
Aunt Sushila’s neighbours were shocked
A) to find out that Anant had cancer
B) Anant was going to die
C) to see Panditji and Ustad saheb
D) to know who Panditji and Ustad saheb were
Answer:
C) to see Panditji and Ustad saheb
Question 10.
As Pandit Ravi Shankar and Ustad Alla Rakha played for Anant
A) he felt very happy
B) he was spellbound
C) the life went out of him
D) he fell asleep
Answer:
C) the life went out of him
Question 11.
The phrase ‘there was always room for them’ metaphorically means
A) aunt Sushila never made them feel unwanted
B) aunt Sushila left the guest room free for them
C) aunt Sushila cleaned the room for them
D) aunt Sushila gave them the key of the room
Answer:
A) aunt Sushila never made them feel unwanted
Question 12.
‘It’s the chance of a lifetime’, said Anant. What was the chance of a lifetime?
A) playing sitar
B) playing with his sister
C) attending Pandit Ravi Shankar’s concert
D) going to cancer hospital.
Answer:
C) attending Pandit Ravi Shankar’s concert
Question 13.
Smita and Anant’s home town is
A) Bombay
B) Gaganpur
C) Lucknow
D) Delhi.
Answer:
B) Gaganpur
Question 14.
Anant was suffering from
A) hypertension
B) tuberculosis
C) hepatitis-B
D) cancer.
Answer:
D) cancer.
Question 15.
Smita’s family moved to Bombay
A) so that Anant could learn sitar
B) so that Anant could learn tennis
C) so that Anant could be treated at the cancer hospital
D) so that Anant could attend concerts.
Answer:
C) so that Anant could be treated at the cancer hospital
Question 16.
In Bombay, Anant and his family stayed
A) with aunt Sushila
B) in a hospital
C) in a hostel
D) in a hotel.
Answer:
B) in a hospital
Question 17.
“They did not voice their fears”. Who does the word ‘they’ refer to?
A) doctors
B) friends
C) family members
D) neighbours.
Answer:
C) family members
Question 18.
The great wizard of music who played tabla with Pandit Ravi Shankar, was
A) Ustad Allah Rakha
B) Zakir Hussain
C) Amjad Ali Khan
D) A.R. Rahman
Answer:
A) Ustad Allah Rakha
Question 19.
“Suddenly a daring thought came to her”. What was the daring thought?
A) to ask music maestros to play for her brother in her house
B) to take Anant to the music concert
C) to take Anant to the cancer hospital
D) to go to the concert with her father.
Answer:
A) to ask music maestros to play for her brother in her house
Question 20.
“He actually raised himself up without help” she murmured with a catch in her throat. The underlined phrase shows that
A) she had a sore throat
B) someone had caught her by the throat
C) she was filled with grief
D) she had tied something round her throat.
Answer:
C) she was filled with grief
Question 21.
“You know he needs all the sleep and rest he can get”. Smita’s mother said this because the boy
A) had practiced hard for the table tennis tournament
B) had just finished his examination
C) had come back from a long trip
D) was very ill and weak.
Answer:
D) was very ill and weak.
Question 22.
“Take him home. Give him the things he likes”. The doctors said this because
A) Anant had been completely cured
B) they knew he had not many days to live
C) there were too many patients in the hospital
D) Anant was not happy in the hospital.
Answer:
B) they knew he had not many days to live
Question 23.
“They had come with high hopes”. Their hopes were that
A) they could get tickets to the concert
B) Pandit Ravi Shankar would come to their house
C) the doctors would be able to cure Anant
D) they could stay with aunt Sushila.
Answer:
C) the doctors would be able to cure Anant
Question 24.
“We perform for the boy”. Who said this?
A) Ustad Allah Rakha
B) Pandit Ravi Shankar
C) The moustachioed man
D) Aunt Sushila.
Answer:
B) Pandit Ravi Shankar
The Concert Summary in English
‘The Concert’ is a beautiful lesson of how a sister fulfils the last desire of her brother. The story, based on a real-life incident, revolves around a fifteen-year-old boy Anant, who is diagnosed with cancer. The family comes to Bombay for treatment with the hope that Anant would be cured of his illness. But to their dismay the doctors ask them to take Anant home, indirectly implying that no treatment would help him. They stay at aunt Sushila’s place and whenever Anant has breathing problems, he is provided oxygen from a cylinder. He is totally bedridden and the only thing left for the family to do is to pray to God.
It’s then that Anant’s sister Smita, a sixteen-year-old girl, reads in the newspaper about Pandit Ravi Shankar’s sitar recital program in the city. She is highly excited as both she and her brother used to learn Sitar. Anant was precocious and could compose his own tunes. He too is equally excited to know about the recital and considers it the chance of a lifetime if one were able to hear Pandit Ravi Shankar.
The sister is deeply hurt that her brother is unable to make it and when her mother asks her to go, she is not keen because until then she and her brother had done everything together. Looking at her disturbed state aunt Sushila suggests that she take a walk in the park and it’s in the park that Smita gets an idea and she resolves to carry it out.
She attends the program with her father and at the end of the program approaches Pandit Ravi Shankar and explains to him her brother’s condition and requests him to play for him. Pandit Ravi Shankar and his tabla artiste Ustad Allah Rakha decide to play for the boy the next morning and they keep their promise. The next day, Sushila’s neighbors are stunned to see the two great musicians visit the humble dwelling of aunt Sushila and play for Anant. The boy listens to the music and even as a great and beautiful happiness surrounds him, life goes out of him gently.
The Concert Summary in Kannada
Glossary:
- Pandit itavisnanxar: An Indian musician, composer and a sitar player
- excited: feeling or showing happiness and enthusiasm
- maestro: a great performer, especially a musician
- sprang: moved quickly and suddenly towards a particular place
- with a catch in her throat: with a feeling of great sorrow
- unbidden: (usually used after the verb) without being asked, invited or expected
- self-reproach: a blame or criticism against oneself
- gravely: seriously
- pretend: to behave in a particular way, in order to make other people believe something that is not true
- astonishment: a feeling of very great surprise
- miracle: an act or event that does not follow the laws of nature and is believed to be caused by God
- hung in the air: worrying someone
- choked voice: voice filled with sadness
- enchantment: a feeling of great pleasure
- ovation: enthusiastic clapping by an audience who stand up from their seats as a sign of their appreciation
- wriggle: to twist and turn the body or part of it with quick short movements
- wizard: a person who is especially good at something
- bother: trouble or worry
- Allah Rakha: an Indian tabla player; a frequent accompanist to Pandit Ravishankar
- block: a tall building that has flats