NCERT Solutions for Class 9 English Literature Chapter 3 The Man Who Knew Too Much
- The ‘Professor’ knew too much. How did he prove himself? Fill up the space with suitable examples from the story, using the given clues:
(a) about muzzle velocity: ___________________________________
(b) after a thirty mile walk: ___________________________________
(c) his salute on payday: ____________________________________
(d) the loud sound of a high flying invisible aeroplane: _______________
(e) about hand grenades: ___________________________________
(f) during cook house duties: _________________________________
Answer
(a) He knew that the muzzle velocity was two thousand, four hundred and forty feet per second.
(b) He was not only tireless but infuriated all with his horrible heartiness. “What about a song, chaps?” he would say.
(c) His salute at the pay table was a model to behold.
(d) He could recognise the model of the plane by just its sound when it flew past.
(e) He knew exactly how many fragments the outside of a grenade was divided into.
(f) He wanted a more hygienic and vitamin preserving way of peeling vegetables to be followed. - A. Based on your reading of the story, answer the following questions by choosing the correct options.
(a) Private Quelch was nick-named ‘Professor’ because of _
(i) his appearance.
(ii) his knowledge.
(iii) his habit of reading.
(iv) his habit of sermonising.
Answer
(iv) his habit of sermonising.
(b) One could hammer nails into Corporal Turnbull without his noticing it because
(i) he was a strong and sturdy man.
(ii) he was oblivious to his suroundings.
(iii) he was a brave corporal.
(iv) he was used to it.
Answer
(i) he was a strong and sturdy man.
(c) The author and his friend Trower fled from the scene as
(i) they had to catch a train
(ii) they could not stand Private Quelch exhibiting his knowledge
(iii) they felt they would have to lend a helping hand.
(iv) they did not want to meet the cooks.
Answer
(ii) they could not stand Private Quelch exhibiting his knowledge
d) The main reason that the Professor remain unflinched despite the retaliation of his batch-mates was due to the fact that
(i) his desire to impress people overruled the humiliation he experienced each time.
(ii) his miraculously tireless personality couldn’t stop him from working extra hard.
(iii) he was so involved in excelling that he barely noticed sarcastic comments.
(iv) he knew that the only way to earn respect is through hard work.
Answer
(iii) he was so involved in excelling that he barely noticed sarcastic comments.
e) Choose the expression that uses the same literary device as used in the line “he was so tough that you could hammer nails into him without his noticing it.”
(i) My mom made enough food to feed an army last night.
(ii) My alarm clock yells at me to get out of bed every morning.
(iii) The car complained as the key was roughly turned in its ignition.
(iv) Lightning danced across the sky like a fairy beating against the clouds.
Answer
(i) My mom made enough food to feed an army last night.
4.B. Read the given extracts and answer the questions that follow:
Without even a glance upward the Professor announced, “That, of course, is a North American Harvard Trainer. It can be unmistakably identified by the harsh engine note, due to the high tip speed of the airscrew.” What could a gang of louts like us do with a man like that?
(i) Choose the option that best describes the traits of the Professor in the given extract.
1. patience
2. awareness
3. knowledge
4. flamboyance
5. kindness
a) 1, 2, 3
b) 2, 3, 4
c) 2, 3, 5
d) 3, 4, 5
Answer
b) 2, 3, 4
ii) The author refers to himself and his peers as ‘louts’ to
a) bring out the contrast with the Professor.
b) comment on the expertise in other fields.
c) draw attention to lack of teamwork in all.
d) accept the display of undisciplined behaviour.
Answer
a) bring out the contrast with the Professor.
2. In the silence that followed a dark flush stained the tan of the Corporal’s face. “Here,” he said at last, “you give this lecture”. As if afraid to say any more, he tossed the grenade to the Professor. Quite unabashed, Private Quelch climbed to his feet and with the attitude of a man coming into his birth-right gave us an unexceptionable lecture on the grenade.
i) Choose the statement that is NOT TRUE about the depiction of the scene described in the above lines.
a) Private Quelch knew more about hand grenades than Turnbull.
b) Turnbull was not someone who would let things go easily.
c) The entire batch was stunned at Quelch’s audacity.
d) Quelch was able to impress Turnbull with his vast knowledge.
Answer
iii) The silence that follows Quelch’s remarks shows that the entire batch did not
a) wish to see Turnbull humiliated.
b) want Quelch embarrassed.
c) know how to react
d) care for the conversation.
iv) The fact that Quelch delivered the lecture when asked to do so shows that he
a) wanted to teach Turnbull a valuable lesson.
b) failed to take the hint that Turnbull felt insulted.
c) knew when to flaunt his knowledge for his own benefit.
d) established himself as a man superior to Turnbull
A. Based on your reading of the story, answer the following questions by choosing the correct options.
(a) Private Quelch was nick-named ‘Professor’ because of _
(i) his appearance.
(ii) his knowledge.
(iii) his habit of reading.
(iv) his habit of sermonising.
Answer
(iv) his habit of sermonising.
(b) One could hammer nails into Corporal Turnbull without his noticing it because
(i) he was a strong and sturdy man.
(ii) he was oblivious to his suroundings.
(iii) he was a brave corporal.
(iv) he was used to it.
Answer
(i) he was a strong and sturdy man.
(c) The author and his friend Trower fled from the scene as
(i) they had to catch a train
(ii) they could not stand Private Quelch exhibiting his knowledge
(iii) they felt they would have to lend a helping hand.
(iv) they did not want to meet the cooks.
Answer
(ii) they could not stand Private Quelch exhibiting his knowledge
d) The main reason that the Professor remain unflinched despite the retaliation of his batch-mates was due to the fact that
(i) his desire to impress people overruled the humiliation he experienced each time.
(ii) his miraculously tireless personality couldn’t stop him from working extra hard.
(iii) he was so involved in excelling that he barely noticed sarcastic comments.
(iv) he knew that the only way to earn respect is through hard work.
Answer
(iii) he was so involved in excelling that he barely noticed sarcastic comments.
e) Choose the expression that uses the same literary device as used in the line “he was so tough that you could hammer nails into him without his noticing it.”
(i) My mom made enough food to feed an army last night.
(ii) My alarm clock yells at me to get out of bed every morning.
(iii) The car complained as the key was roughly turned in its ignition.
(iv) Lightning danced across the sky like a fairy beating against the clouds.
Answer
(i) My mom made enough food to feed an army last night.
4.B. Read the given extracts and answer the questions that follow:
Without even a glance upward the Professor announced, “That, of course, is a North American Harvard Trainer. It can be unmistakably identified by the harsh engine note, due to the high tip speed of the airscrew.” What could a gang of louts like us do with a man like that?
(i) Choose the option that best describes the traits of the Professor in the given extract.
1. patience
2. awareness
3. knowledge
4. flamboyance
5. kindness
a) 1, 2, 3
b) 2, 3, 4
c) 2, 3, 5
d) 3, 4, 5
ii) The author refers to himself and his peers as ‘louts’ to
a) bring out the contrast with the Professor.
b) comment on the expertise in other fields.
c) draw attention to lack of teamwork in all.
d) accept the display of undisciplined behaviour.
2. In the silence that followed a dark flush stained the tan of the Corporal’s face. “Here,” he said at last, “you give this lecture”. As if afraid to say any more, he tossed the grenade to the Professor. Quite unabashed, Private Quelch climbed to his feet and with the attitude of a man coming into his birth-right gave us an unexceptionable lecture on the grenade.
i) Choose the statement that is NOT TRUE about the depiction of the scene described in the above lines.
a) Private Quelch knew more about hand grenades than Turnbull.
b) Turnbull was not someone who would let things go easily.
c) The entire batch was stunned at Quelch’s audacity.
d) Quelch was able to impress Turnbull with his vast knowledge.
iii) The silence that follows Quelch’s remarks shows that the entire batch did not
a) wish to see Turnbull humiliated.
b) want Quelch embarrassed.
c) know how to react
d) care for the conversation.
iv) The fact that Quelch delivered the lecture when asked to do so shows that he
a) wanted to teach Turnbull a valuable lesson.
b) failed to take the hint that Turnbull felt insulted.
c) knew when to flaunt his knowledge for his own benefit.
d) established himself as a man superior to Turnbull - Answer the following questions briefly.
(a) What is a ‘nickname’? Can you suggest another one for Private Quelch?
Answer
A nickname is an informal, often humorous name given to a person based on some characteristic. Another suitable nickname for Private Quelch could be “Mr. Know-it-All.”
(b) Private Quelch looked like a ‘Professor’ when the author first met him at the training depot. Why?
Answer
He was lanky, stooping, wore horn-rimmed glasses, and had a serious, frowning look, all of which gave him the appearance of a professor.
(c) What does the dark, sun-dried appearance of the Sergeant suggest about him?
Answer
The dark, sun-dried appearance of the Sergeant suggests that he has spent most of his time out in the field.
(d) How was Private Quelch’s knowledge exposed even further as the Sergeant’s class went on?
Answer
He answered all the Sergeant’s questions correctly, quoted technical data from memory, and corrected others publicly, showing his wide knowledge.
(e) What did the Professor mean by “intelligent reading”?
Answer
By “intelligent reading”, the Professor meant reading the right material at the right time.
(f) What were the Professor’s ambitions in the army?
Answer
The Professor wanted his stripes, that is, he wanted a commission in the army.
(g) Did Private Quelch’s day to day practises take him closer towards his goal? How can you make out?
Answer
Yes, Private Quelch’s knowledge about all military matters, his manner of salute, and his drive to achieve his goal all took him closer to his goal.
However, his way of dealing with his instructors was not what was expected.
(h) How did Private Quelch manage to anger the Corporal?
Answer
He publicly corrected the Corporal during a lecture on grenades, pointing out segments and suggesting a different approach, which was seen as disrespectful.
(i) Do you think Private Quelch learnt a lesson when he was chosen for cookhouse duties? Give reasons for your answer.
Answer
Probably not. Even while peeling potatoes, he continued lecturing others about hygiene and food waste, showing that he hadn’t changed his know-it-all attitude.
(j) Elaborate on any one character trait of Corporal Turnbull with evidence from the text.
Answer
Corporal Turnbull was a composed soldier who believed in discipline and could not be provoked easily. He patiently observed and approached a person decisively. When Private Quelch started his lecture upon grenades by interrupting Turnbull, it didn’t provoke him, rather he stood and watched, impassive, except for a searching intentness of gaze on Quelch.
(k) Infer the reason that left the squad horrified when Turnbull asked Quelch to deliver the lesson.
Answer
Corporal Turnbull had a tremendous reputation among the squad for being tough and disciplined. He was someone not to be fooled around and was not someone to be rubbed around the wrong way. Quelch’s audacity to interrupt Turnbull’s lecture and the series of events that followed, left the squad horrified. - Answer in detail
(a) Quelch’s character teaches us that with hard work one also needs to have social and emotional intelligence. Justify.
(b) Seeking and sharing knowledge about things is perceived as a quality and not a trait that needs to be curbed. Analyse why the Professor’s knowledge made this quality turn sour.
(c) Private Quelch knew ‘too much’. Give reasons to prove that he was unable to win the admiration of his superior officers or his colleagues. - (a) Write down the positive and negative traits of Private Quelch by quoting instances from the story.
Positive traits Instances from the story
i) ____________ __________________
ii) ____________ __________________
iii) ____________ __________________
iv) ____________ __________________
Negative traits Instances from the story
i) ____________ __________________
ii) ____________ __________________
iii) ____________ __________________ iv) ____________ __________________
(b) Now, share your notes with the class. Add details if you need to.
(c) Attempt a character sketch of Private Quelch using your notes in about 100 words.
