THE BELL

              11. The Bell

Word Meaning

1. Sanctuary – the most holy part of a religious building

- People are not allowed to enter the sanctuary wearing slippers.

2. Goaded - to cause somebody to do something by making him angry 

- the leader goaded the common people into starting a revolt.

3. Menaced – threatened 

- the police menaced the thief.

4. Precarious – likely to fall

- She had to walk on a precarious floor.

5. Savage – severe

- Farmers suffer a savage blow in absence of rain.

6. Major-domo -  a long serving servant 

- my major domo is very honest.

7. Loathsome - extremely unpleasant - The child is disliked for his loathsome habits 

8. Strategic- done as a part of plan

- His strategic retreat save his life.

9. Facade - the front of a building 

- The facade of the building is very attractive.

10. Revelling - taking delight 

- A group of boys revelled all night.

11. Perfunctory - routine 

- she gave a perfunctory greeting to her boss.

12. Floundering – struggling to move

- Animals are floundering in the shallow river.

13. Imprecation – spoken course

- Her imprecation will destroy your life.

14. Vehement – strong 

- Yesterday the wind was very vehement 

15. Stile – a set of steps

- She entered the house using the stile.

16. Conspiratorially – secretly 

- She look at me conspiratorially 

17. Eloquent – Clear and strong

- She expressed the fact eloquently.

18. Conspicuous – noticeable

- Her hairstyle is conspicuous.

A.Answer these questions briefly

1. What did the girl wish to do?

Ans- The girl wished to ring the bell of the sanctuary at the hour of lamp lighting.

2. What justification did the girl give for her desire to ring the bell?

Ans- The justification that the girl gave for her desire to ring the bell was that if Thangam could ring the bell so could she.

4. What was the girl’s opinion about the adults?

Ans-The girl’s opinion about the adults was that they had not taken her seriously and that she had to accept their wisdom and authority and unquestioningly.

9. Why did the girl not want kelu Nair to accompany her?

Ans- The girl did not want kelu Nair to accompany her because she felt ridiculous being escorted by him. She felt that she was capable of going alone.

B. Answer these questions with reference to the context.

1. Besides, she added, goading them deliberately, we are all equal in the eyes of God. She was not quit sure whether they had heard this bit for they had already turned away in discussed...

a) who is she?

Ans- She is the girl who dared to ring the bell.

b) whom was she talking to? 

Ans- She was talking to her family members.

c) what did she want to prove?

Ans- She wanted to prove that all were equal in the eyes of God.

d) why had they turn away in disgust?

Ans-They had turned away in disgust because they were shocked to hear the view points of the girl.

C. Answer these questions.

1. In what way do you think the opening sentence of the story is significant?

Ans-It says something unusual was to happen. It creates a sense of suspense.

3. Why did the girl say, ‘we are all equal in the eyes of God’?

Ans- The girl said so because she was not allowed to ring the bell while the priest’s daughter was.

5. Why do you think Kelu Nair was asked to accompany the girl?

Ans- I think Kelu Nair was asked to accompany the girl so that she would be safe.

6. Explain the phrase ‘strategic blend of authority and appeal’.

Ans- If she managed to convince Kelu Nair to do what  she wanted through the use of her authority and some amount of appeal.

9. Did the girl feel any guilt after doing what she did? Give reasons.

Ans-No, the girl did not feel any guilt after doing what she did rather she felt a thousand voices singing within her. She was sure that the golden had God within the temple had accepted her gesture with love.

10. Do you think that the girl did the right thing? Give reasons for your answer.

Ans-Yes, the girl did the right thing because we all are equal in the eyes of God; and so there should not be any rule for a special group of people to forbid to ring the temple bell.