Unit -1

Working with words

A. Find the words from the text that match with the following
meanings.

a. Shuffle – walking by dragging one’s feet along or without lifting

them fully from the ground
b. Doodle – drawing pictures or patterns while thinking about
something else
c. Plaque – a piece of flat metal with writing on it
. Precepts – a general rule intended to regulate behavior or thought
e. Sneaky – move or go in a furtive or stealthy way

B. Define the following thinking skills.

a. Convergent thinking Convergent thinking is the type of thinking

that focuses on coming up with the single, well-established answer to
a problem. It is oriented toward deriving the single best, or most
often correct answer to a question.

b. Divergent thinking Divergent thinking is a thought process or

method used to generate creative ideas by exploring many possible
solutions. Many possible solutions are explored in a short amount of
time, and unexpected connections are drawn.

c. Critical thinking Critical thinking is the analysis of facts to form

a judgment. The subject is complex, and several different definitions
exist, which generally include the rational, skeptical, unbiased
analysis, or evaluation of factual evidence.
d. Creative thinking Creativity is the ability to generate a thought or
an idea that is completely new, appealing, and useful. Creative
thinking is a skill that enables you to come up with original and
unconventional ideas.
Comprehension

Answer the following questions.

a. Who was Jack? How did he make children laugh?

Jack was a kind of like other kids and had a lot of friends. He made
children laugh by saying jokes.

b. Why are “Sharks” important to Reid?

Sharks are important to Reid because they keep ocean clean by eating
dead organisms.

c. What does Mr. Browne think about the most important thing?
Mr. Browne thinks that the most important thing is to know oneself,
or own character’s and evaluate them to bring the best version of
someone.

d. What is that has not been noticed by the student?

The thing that has not been noticed by the student is the message in
the notice board of the school entrance gate that writes – “Know
Thyself”.

e. How did Jack make fun of the English class?

Jack made fun of the English class by saying that they were there to
attend English class to the teacher’s question “Why are you here?”.
f. What were the students going to do at the end of the month?
The students were going to write an essay on the basis of the
Brownie’s percept at the end of the month.

g. What particular act of students surprised a girl student?

Students used to come up with their very own personal precept, write
it on a postcard, and mail it to Mr. Brownie after their graduation,
this thing surprised the girl student.
Critical Thinking

a. Have you made your own precept after you read this lesson?
What is it? Share it with your friends.
Yes, I have made my own precept after reading this lessons. They are
as follows:
"Success is temporary but failure is permanent"
"Always stay Positive"
"Believe in Karma rather than fate & quote"
"Anything that happens, happens for good"

b. According to Josh Lanyon, “If there was one life skill everyone
on the planet needed, it was the ability to think with critical
objectivity.” Justify this statement with your logic.
Josh Lanyon’s statement regarding critical objectivity somewhat
reflects the core idea related to the development of human skills on
this planet. He has presented the fact behind the skills of the people
of this planet. Here, Josh has related life skills of people of this
planet with critical objectivity. According to him, the need for life
skills itself was the ability within people to think with critical
objectivity.
People on this planet moved along with different life skills in their
lives. From ancient times up to now, people have been doing
development in the sector of skill development and invention. The
development of people on this planet was possible due to their ability
of critical objectivity which runs along with their life skills
knowingly and unknowingly.

Critical objectivity always moves along with life skills. People have
applied various life skills in their lives which means they can think
with critical objectives. Behind all these life skills, the ability of
thinking with critical objectivity always remain with them.
Writing

Write an email to your friend explaining an interesting class you

had.
From: binodkumar12@gmail.com
To: shristi2011@gmail.com
Subject: Interesting class that I had

Dear Shristi,
I hope this letter finds you in good health and high spirits. I am doing
pretty fine here. I am writing to you in order to share my experience
of my English classes.

Compared to any other classes I have taken during my school history,

I feel that no other classes could give me so many joys, knowledge
and pleasures than the English class could do. I learned it was quite
good and, in every test, I got the best mark in the class. I learned not
only a lot of basic English knowledge in my middle school but also
the personal characteristics which lead my interests along through my
later education life.

When I was in my middle school, it used to be a great thing when I

know that there would be an English class tomorrow morning
because I could enjoy another interesting 45 minutes during the class.
Rather than other classes, like Science, Nepali or Mathematics, I
established my English-relative interests’ group in social media,
which give me a great benefit in my study in the university. I believe
no other class can inspire me so far to pursue a scientific result.

Another important thing I achieved through the English class is to

collaborate with other students. I think it certainly formed my
teamwork sprite when I entered the career position as an engineer. I
can still clearly remember my English teachers of primary school and
high school. They are all the people of great patient and instructive
characteristic. They told me not to quit when I failed again and again.
They give me a lot of confidence and disciplines of the mind toward
success. Saying that English class is the only class that I used to
enjoy most, I would like to end this mail.

Regards,
Binod Kumar
Grammar

Rewrite the following sentences adding appropriate question tag.

a. Gill does not know Ann, does he?

b. I’m very patient, aren’t I?
c. They’d never met me before, had they?
d. Listen carefully, will you?
e. Let’s have a break, shall we?
f. Let us invite them, will you?
g. Hari used to live in France as a boy, didn’t he?
h. You’d better not take a hard drink, had you?
i. Sheep eat grass, don’t they?
j. Mr. Pande can speak nine languages, can’t he?
k. She’s finished her classes, hasn’t she?
l. She barely managed to reach the goal, did she?
m. Don’t let him swim in that pond, will you?
n. There are lots of people here, aren’t there?

Read the following situations. What do you say in these

situations? Use question tags.

a. The sky is full of cloud. You can see lightning and hear
thunder.
It’s going to rain soon, isn’t it?

b. You want to pay the taxi fare but you are short by 100 rupees.
Shyam, you have to lend me Rs. 100, haven’t you?

c. You have met a stranger at a party and you want to have a

chat with him/ her.
We will talk later, won’t we?

d. You came out of the film hall with your friend. You enjoyed
the film.
The film was very enjoyable, wasn’t it?

e. You and your friend listened to a comedian on the stage and

felt spellbound by his/her performance.
He gave an excellent presentation, didn’t he?

f. You think your friend’s father has arrived from the US but you
are not sure.
Your father has not arrived from US, has he?

g. You think Susan will join the new job tomorrow but you are
not sure.
Susan will go to her new job tomorrow, won’t she?

h. Your friend’s hair looks too short.

You have got too short hair, haven’t you?

i. You want to go for a picnic with your friends in class.

Let’s go to picnic, shall we?

j. You want permission from your father to go for a walk.

Let me go for an evening walk, will you?

Unit - 2
Family

A. Find words from the text and solve the puzzle. Clues are given
below.
ACROSS

1. the custom having more than one wife at the same time = Polygamy

5. to find acceptable way of dealing with opposing ideas, needs etc.

= Solution

6. the process at which towns, streets, etc. are built where there was once
countryside = Urbanization

7. the process in which somebody learns to behave in an acceptable way

in their society = Socialization

DOWN

1. ruled or controlled by men = Patriarchal

2. the act of taking over a position = Domination

3. done in a way without caring if people are shocked = Blatant

4. single-parent = Lone Parent

B. Find the meanings of the following family-related words and use

them in your own sentences.

nuclear family
-Families with two parents and one or more children are referred to as
nuclear families.

Sentence: After adopting the nuclear family model, we've forgotten to

care for the old people.

monogamy

= The system of marrying one person at a time.

Sentence: Forbidding monogamy and insisting that all men have

numerous women, Muhammad quit the religious cult in protest.

Sibling-in-law

- The spouse of one's sibling or the sibling of one's spouse is referred to

as one's sibling-in-law.

Sentence: My sibling-in-law has returned from Australia and currently

living with us.

Milk kinship

= Breastfeeding women and their non-biological nursing babies are

considered "milk kinship", and future marriages between "milk brothers
and sisters" are forbidden.
Sentence: She is not my biological mother but yet we have a milk
kinship because She had breastfed me when I was an infant.

Matrilineal

- System in which ancestry is traceable via maternal rather than paternal

lines (the latter being termed patrilineage or patriline).

Sentence: Matrilineal system has not been inherited in our society yet.

Nepotism - Such a condition when people in positions of authority or

influence provide preferential treatment and employment to their close
relatives or friends. Sentence: There's no doubt about it, Shyam is a fool,
still his father hired him with nepotism.

Maternity-State or feeling of being mother, motherhood

Sentence: She is not a woman with an interest in maternity

C. The following words are from the above text. Each word has two
parts.

polygamy, unmarried, nontraditional, dissolution, inequitable

poly, un, non, dis and in are prefixes. They make new words when they
are added to the beginning of other root words.
Make at least five words using the prefixes given. Consult a
dictionary to learn how they change the meaning of root words.

pre-

Prefix : Present Prepare preface pre-teen

semi- Semiconductor semiformal semiweekly.

semidesert semiliquid.

sub- Subshell Sub See subaltern, subeditor, submarine,

subordinate,

mis- misspelt, misshaped misspell mistrust mismatch

mono- Monopoly Monogamy Monocotyledon monogram,

monograph, monolingual,

un- Unnatural, Unable Unaware Unveil Unnecessary

in- Inhuman, indeed Infant Insane Invent

inter Interconnection interim interloper intermittent interpose

intersperse

Comprehension
 A. The headings of the first five paragraphs of the above text are
given below. Write paragraph number next to them.

a. Patriarchal family = 3rd Paragraph

b. Functions of the family = 2nd Paragraph

c. Modern model of family = 5th Paragraph

d. Effects of industrialization on family structure = 4th paragraph

e. Defining family = 1st paragraph

B. Answer the following questions.

a. What type of family is thought to be the oldest form of the

family?

- Nuclear family is considered to be the oldest of all family forms.

b. How does a family provide security to its members?

- Security is a major benefit of a family, both physically and mentally. If

necessary, a strong family will provide protection against pressures from
the outside world and provide its members the confidence they need to
confront these challenges.

c. What were the features of medieval European families?

- The main feature of Medieval European family is that it was male-
dominated and extended.

d. What caused the dissolution of extended families in the West?

- The major cause of the dissolution of extended families in Western

countries is industrialization and urbanization. These two factors have
primarily brought numerous new developments. Unmarried youths in
particular abandoned rural areas to work in factories in metropolitan
areas. As a result of this procedure, a number of extended families were
dissolved.

e. What change occurred in gender role in the modern family that

emerged after the Industrial Revolution?

-Originally, the industrial revolution led to the domestication of women,

as men went to occupations in other sectors, and women were expected
to care for the children. Similarly, Family responsibilities that were
previously believed to be entirely male or female were changed into
shared responsibilities. Also, as divorce rates rose, so did the number of
one-parent families.

f. What is family law?

- Legal problems related to family relationships, such as adoption and

divorce, are dealt with under the field of law, which is called family law.
Children's issues are handled by family law attorneys as well as other
relevant legal issues.

g. How is modern marriage defined?

-Simply modern marriages are defined as such marriage where the
husband and wife share responsibilities. Traditional weddings have
trapped the couples into their predetermined roles without a choice.
Modern marriages make individual choices possible. The couples are
regarded as equal partners and women have a role in decision-making
for the family.

h. What do special family courts try to do?

- Family court is a special court for legal issues originating from family
connections. The family court is typically a combination of various
kinds of courts, such as the courts and orphan courts, which deal with
specific family issues such as matrimonial issues, spousal property, the
legitimacy of any person, maintenance, guardianship of the person or
custody of or access to any minor.

i. What does the legislation on child labour and child abuse declare?

- The legislation on child labour and child abuse declares that "No child
below the age of fourteen years shall be employed to work in any factory
or mine or employed in an hazardous employment." It further asserts on
child interest-based behaviours to be done and of free education and
health care.

j. What is common among most legal systems regarding property?

- In most legal systems a departed family member can deal with property
sharing. The will or legacy describes the decedents' desires for such
distribution, however, what appears to be irrational or unfair provisions
could be opposed by the spouse or child survivors. In case property is
not claimed, there are also laws which recognize family claims (i.e., with
no will to determine its distribution).

Critical thinking

a. What changes have started to occur in Nepali families in recent

days? What impacts will they bring on the society? Discuss.

- In today's families in Nepal, though patriarchy has its deep rooted

presence, some changes have started to roll out. Women are being
independent. They are not only trapped in hope doing home activities
that were predetermined. Gender equality and equal rights are evolving
in Nepal in gradual pace. Every member of the family understands each
other happily and may share an idea, the concept in the family. Both
men and women can control the household, their own country, in Nepali
households.

At the past, marriages were organized by parents and all social traditions
were followed. However, today's trend is totally different and young
people in Nepali society decide their future independent and marriage,
particularly in universities and colleges, friend groups are active. The
reason for rising the ratio of divorce is because parents do not participate
and adolescents have made mistaken decisions about the wrong results.

In today's development oriented families, everyone in the family, male

and female, has equal rights. The tradition of living in joint family is
barely prevails in Nepali society. Nowadays, young couples desire to
live with children, husbands and women in a nuclear family with full
happiness, yet on the other hand divorce is rapidly increasing in Nepal as
a result of the nuclear family's misunderstanding. The feeling of
selfishness has emerged out and people expect their sensation to gratify
nowadays.

The major advantage that a nuclear family has is a separate entity that is
completely free of older members' supervision. The children in the
nuclear family are closer to their parents and they may readily talk to
themselves about their concerns. People in a nuclear family can freely
make their decisions and set new regulations and rules for their little
households. Nuclear families are financially stable enough to live with
their children in luxury. Women have a lot of time in the nuclear family
to take care of their children, but they also can control things as they
like.

But on the other hand, you can't receive support instantly in your
emergency in a nuclear household. Children cannot grow up with their
grandparents as well as other family members and they do not
comprehend the culture and values of the family for this reason.
A nuclear family is not helping, so women must play several duties,
such as cooking, babysitting, and so on, so it's hard for them to take care
of themselves or manage their relationship with others. The husband and
wife of a nuclear family generally work, and their children are neglected
and emotionally unsafe. They will start to feel lonely when they go free.
Housewives, in particular, may feel alone if no one speaks.

b. We see many elderly people in the elderly homes these days in

Nepal. Some of them are abandoned while others live there
willingly. Do you think Nepali people are deviating from their
traditional culture? Give reasons.
- Majority of people in today's society have lost their souls, promised to
earn money to themselves. Our desire for owning and enjoying material
things creates this scenario. We weren't as old, the elders were respected,
adored in a common family structure, were the apple of the eye. Now it's
all nuclear, family, arms, theory of the single child. Happiness is the
main motivation, as if we're going to live forever. Everything else is
thrown away. This is the cause of the sad condition of seniors' families'
ideals and the culprits are western culture and materialistic views.

In Nepali society, after greed, study reasons and industrialization is also

the cause of sorry state of our elderly people. People are busy at their
work and jobs, have no time to take care for their old parents. That is
why even parents do not will to stay with their offspring with the fear of
being neglected. Nepali people are not actually deviating from their
traditional culture, but the time and busy work schedules and desire of
having a very small or nuclear family is the main cause of such state of
older people in our society.

Writing

a. Write an essay on The Importance of Family.

Importance of Family

Family is defined as a group of one or more parents and their children

living together as a unit. Family is a valuable gift that god has given to
us. Love, support, and a shared set of values are all provided by the
family. Each member of the family teaches and serves the others, and
they participate in each other's pleasures and sorrows in life together.
People grow in their families.
A child's family is the single most significant impact on his or her
development. Since their infancy, children have relied on their parents
and relatives to protect them and care for their basic necessities, as well
as to educate them. Families and parents are the first people a kid meets.
In addition to providing protection and identity, families instill values in
all members, regardless of age. The family comes to the rescue when a
member of the family is insecure or in danger and needs assistance. He
develops a sense of self and a basis for the rest of his life as a result.
This includes the familial values, which form the basis for his personal
moral code. Time spent with family teaches people the importance of
love, gratitude, and open communication. Maintaining family customs
also reinforces the significance of the bond between members of the
family. We call them "family traditions" because they're events that
families share on a regular basis. In addition to creating a lifetime of
memories, these events offer family members a greater feeling of
belonging. Every member of the family feels significant because of the
connection that is formed.

In nutshell, God's greatest gift to us is our family. On other words, it's

the first lesson in how to relate to people. 'Family' has a great deal of
meaning. In other words, it is feeling safe, having someone you can rely
on, and having someone with whom you can talk about your difficulties
with. But it also entails mutual respect and a shared sense of
responsibility for others.

b. Some individuals believe that living in a nuclear family is

preferable. Others believe that living with extended relatives is
preferable. What are your thoughts? Write an essay comparing and
contrasting the benefits and drawbacks of each.
The ideal family is one that allows each family member to develop and
have his or her own space, appreciates ideas and views, believes in
equality, and shares mutual respect and understanding. Of course, every
family has its unique set of problems. However, the family that
overcomes all of this and does not drag the problems are the ideal.

If members of a joint family or a nuclear family aren't permitted to

express themselves properly, they may feel very lonely and a feeling of
lack of freedom.

A nuclear family has its own set of disadvantages. At times, you may
feel lost. Especially while parenting small children without the
assistance of parents or other family members. A combined family may
be more beneficial in this regard. But, before I form a judgment, I should
note that, since a joint family has many people, there may be many
diverse views and conflicts.

There are many Joint family's advantages. Children have a great time.
Whenever you need it, you may ask for help. Childs learn moral values
from elder people. There are enough people in your life to take care of.
It makes reduction in workload.

On the other hand, Young couples have less alone time. Everything is a
family affair, therefore it's unusual to see a couple out and about on their
own. Their schedules for domestic chores may vary.

Overwhelming amounts of unwelcome advice leave little room for

experimentation. The rules are enforced with more rigor. Last but not
least, there is the issue of money. As long as the family's income is
derived from a shared source, it is OK. It is tough to manage finances if
everyone earns differently. Either the high-income individual has to pay
more, or the quality of life for him/her would be much lower if everyone
paid equally.

So, to summarize my opinion, it depends on who makes up the family.

Members must be patient with one another. There are happy nuclear
families as well as happy joint families.

Grammar

Modal verbs

A. Study the given sentences carefully.

a. Please read this letter for me. I can't see without my glasses.

b. After working for a couple of years in China, I can speak Chinese

now.

c. When he was 40, he could earn six-digit salary.

d. After six hours' climbing, we were able to reach the summit.

e. Yesterday, I lost my keys. I looked for them everywhere but I

couldn't find.

Simple logical trick-

Use should - when 80% Chances are there

Use Might - when 50% chances are there

Use would - for conditional statements

Use must – use for present and future reference to express obligation,
give orders and give advice.

Use could - when there is an option

B. Choose the best answer to complete the sentences.

a. 'How much was your parking ticket?' 'Fifty rupees.' 'Oh well, it could
have been worse.'

i. could have ii. must have iii. should have

b. It might have got lost in the post. These things happen sometimes.

i. can't have ii. might have iii. must have

c. 'Sorry I'm late. I got delayed at work.'

'You could have called. I was really worried about you.'

i. must have ii. could have iii. would have

d. 'I don't think he meant to be rude.' 'He must have said sorry.'
i. must have ii. might have iii. would have

e. 'Whose signature is this?' 'I don't know. It could be Manoj's. That

looks a bit like an M.'

i. must ii. could iii. should

f. I had it when I left the office so I must have lost it on the way to
home.

i. mustn't have ii. must have iii. should have

g. You might think it's funny, but I think it's pathetic.

i. might ii. should iii. could

C. Complete the following sentences with appropriate endings. Use

correct modal verbs.

Example: She could be a doctor; however,…………….…………… .

She could be a doctor; however, she preferred to be an advocate.

a. At the end of the course, students must submit their assignments.

b. If you want to earn a lot of money, you should work hard for smarter
things.

c. You were not in your house yesterday. You might have been with
your friends for movie.
d. I'm quite busy tomorrow. I could not join you on morning walk.

e. When you were a small kid, you might be notorious.

f. My car is broken. I might buy a new one.

g. I've got a fast speed internet at home. I should not misuse it for
unnecessary things.

h. Even though she didn't study well, she might have passed the exam.

i. There are plenty of newspapers in the library. You can pick one if you
want.

j. What do you think you were doing, playing in the road? You could be
hurt on a accident.

k. I have no time. I could not waste more time anymore.

l. You don't look well. You might be delirious.

Unit-3 Sports

A. Many English words are from other languages, such as

redemption in the news above comes from the Latin word
redimere, a combination of re(d)-, meaning “back,” and emerge,
meaning“buy.”

Now, find out the origin and the meaning of the following words
from the text.
Penalty : From Middle French pénalité
a punishment imposed for breaking a law, rule, or contract

Major : From Latin word “great” and French word “majeur”

important, serious, or significant.

Stadium : From Latin word meaning “study”, “zeal”, “dedication”

A center for the study of the Liberal Arts

Trophy : From the French trophée in 1513, Old French trophee, from Latin
trophaeum
A cup or other decorative object awarded as a prize for a victory or
success.

Defender : From the Latin word in this sense was “defensor” and Old
French “defendeor”
One who protects from injury a champion

Anthem : From Greek antiphōnos

A rousing or uplifting song identified with a particular group, body, or
cause.

Dejection : From the Latin deicere meaning “throw down.”

A sad and depressed state; low spirits.

Jubilant : From Latin word “jubilare”

Making a joyful noise

Record : From Latin word “cor” and “re-”

A thing constituting a piece of evidence about the past, especially an
account kept in writing or some other permanent form.

Suave : From Latin word ” suavis” means “agreeable.”

Charming, confident, and elegant

Podium : From Greek word “pous and pod” meaning “foot”

finish first, second, or third, so as to appear on a podium to receive an
award.

Tournament : Form old French torneiement

A series of contests between a number of competitors, competing for an
overall prize.

Reminiscent : From Latin word “reminisce” meaning remembering

Tending to remind one of something.

Incredible : From Latin word “In-” meaning “not” and “credibills” meaning
is “believe.”

Savor : Form Latin word “sapere” meaning “to taste”

B. Consult a dictionary and define the following terms related to

cricket.

Stump:
Each of the three upright pieces of wood which form a wicket.

Crease:
Any of a number of lines marked on the pitch at specified places.

Boundary:
A hit crossing the limits of the field, scoring four or six runs.

Sixer:
A hit for 6 runs.

Googly:
Type of deceptive delivery bowled by a right-arm leg-spin bowler.

Leg-by:
A run scored from a ball that has touched part of the batsman’s body
(apart from the hand) without touching the bat.

Wicket:
Each of the sets of three stumps with two bails across the top at either end
of the pitch

Maiden:
An over in which no runs are scored.
Pitch:
The strip of ground between the two sets of stumps.

Power-play:
The set of overs with special fielding rules during a limited-overs cricket
match

No-ball:
An unlawfully delivered ball, counting one as an extra to the batting side if
not otherwise scored from.

Yorker:
A ball bowled that hits the cricket pitch around the batsman’s feet.

C. Pronunciation
Divide the following words into two groups in accordance with
their pronunciation /aɪ/ and

/aɪ/
Fine, shine, why, height, bright, might, five, sight, white, by

/eɪ/
Rein, rail, sleigh, snail, break, fake, eight, game, claim, friend, gait, hail,
frame

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Comprehension

A. State whether the following sentences are True or False or

Not Given.

a. England was the champion of 1996 World Cup Football. – True

b. Italy bagged its first Euro Cup trophy in the Euro Cup 2020. – True
c. The English team has won more trophies in International Football than
Italy. – False
d. According to the captain of the English team, the pain of losing a match
has lasting effects. – Not Given
e. The Italian team was playing in their home ground. – False
f. The goalkeeper of the Italian team had performed the best than any
other players in the match. – True

B. Answer the following questions.

a. Why does the reporter say that England is waiting to heal its
half-century long pain?
The reporter said that England is waiting to heal its half-century pain
because England had not won any title after 1966 A.D.

b. How did the Italian players react as soon as they became the
champions?
The Italian players reacted by shouting into a TV camera amid the
celebrations, mocking the famous lyric “it’s coming home” from the
England team’s anthem as soon as they became the champions.

c. Why did Saka and Sancho cry?

Saka and Sancho cried because of their third straight penalty failure.

d. Penalty shoot-out has long been a bitter experience for the

English team. Why?
Penalty shoot-out has long been a bitter experience for the English team
because they missed three penalty shoot-outs consequently.

e. State the contribution of Roberto Mancini to the Italian

football.
Less than four years ago, Italy fell to the lowest point in its footballing
history with failing to qualify for the World Cup for the first time in six
decades. They are now the best team in Europe and with a national record
of 34 games unbeaten under Roberto Mancini. Mancini brought great
confidence to the Italian football team and went all out to win the Euro
2020.
f. How does the Euro Cup final 2020 remind the audiences of the
2018 World Cup semifinals? How?
The Euro Cup Final 2020 remind the audiences of the 2018 World Cup
semifinals because England also scored early against Croatia then spent
most of the game chasing its opponent’s midfield before losing in extra
time.

Critical thinking

a. “Every match is a new opportunity. Put its failure behind and

start over again.” Does this apply to the Italian football team
when we analyze their performance from their failure to qualify
for the World Cup Football to their victory in the European
Championship in these four years?

Yes, the statement “Every match is a new opportunity. Put its failure
behind and start over again” applies to the Italian football team. Italy is
constantly improving and investing more and more in the improvement of
its football team. Despite having faced so many challenges, digesting so
many defeats, we can say that they have continued to improve and now
the football culture in Italy is second to none.

There is no place in the world where a typical technician is more qualified

than another. Every casual Italian staff member is excellent in
rehabilitation, strategy and organization. Wherever they go, they have a
manager who can lead a top club to success. They have an upscale
nightclub. Juventus has a rich history, well-organized organization and a
management team that is able to bring out the best in every player they
sign. Few clubs reach this level of competence, which should be the
standard. Think of the three biggest clubs in Europe: Bayern Munich, Real
Madrid and Manchester City.

In the last four years Italy has undergone radical changes under Mancini.
The Azzurri won 4-2 on penalties after taking the lead with Federico
Chiesa, but came back from a draw by Alvaro Morata, who scored 1-1
goals and needed added time before the Italians won by 4-2 on penalties.
From this we can say that Italian football team constantly learned from
their past games and hence qualified for the World Cup Football to their
victory in the European Championship in these four years.

b. When a team plays in a home ground, it gets a huge support

from the audience in the stadium. Does this support them to win
the match or the players may feel pressure to win and thus lose?
What do you think?
I think a team playing in the home ground gets huge support and
confidence from their home fans but the teams from other places get huge
disadvantages; according to their zone, climate, and fan follower. Many
teams have been won Match on home ground. More than 100 teams won
the match on the home ground.

In team sports, the term home ground – also called home field describes
the benefit that the home team is said to gain over the visiting team. This
benefit has been attributed to psychological effects by the supporting fans
on the competitors or referees. Also, the players are used to, playing on
their home ground due to which they can easily play there, despite of the
weather, pitch or ground condition. But the visiting teams suffer from
changing time zones or climates, or from the rigors of travel; and in some
sports, to specific rules that favor the home team directly or indirectly.

According to my views, in Euro Cup 2020 England lost the final match
against Italy due to their fear and lack of faith. They had not won any
match after 1966 A.D so that they had less hope and got more pressure
from the home ground fans. Therefore, getting a huge support from the
audience in the stadium does both i.e., supports the team to win the match
as well as the players may feel pressure to win and thus lose.

Writing

A. The following passage does not have any punctuation marks.

Punctuate it with appropriate punctuation marks.
A lot of people try to get away from home for a few days each year for a
holiday. There are lots of things to choose from, and where you go
depends on how much money you’ve got to spend. Ideas for holidays
include relaxing on a beach, exploring cities, and skiing. One man wanted
to go to Australia but thought he’d never have enough money to get there.
He’d go to his brother's caravan at the seaside instead. A young woman
wanted to go clubbing in Ibiza as she’d heard it was a lot of fun.

Grammar

B. Complete the following sentences with much, many, few or

little.

a. He is an introvert. He has got very few friends.

b. I am busy in preparing my examinations. I have very little time to give
to you.
c. The entire winter season was dry this year. We had little rain.
d. Our town has almost been modernized. There are few old buildings left.
e. You can come today. I haven’t got much to do.
f. The party was crowded. There were too many people.
g. How many photographs did you take while you were in Switzerland?
h. There was little traffic so I came in time.
i. Can I borrow few books from you?
j. Mohan can’t be a good teacher. He has little patience.

C. Put each or every in the following sentences.

a. The party split into three factions, each faction headed by a former
prime minister.
b. Leap years occur every four years.
c. Every parent worries about their children.
d. We had a great time in Singapore. We enjoyed every minute of our
time.
e. I could catch the main idea of his speech but I didn’t
understand each of his words.
f. In Nepal, every motorcycle rider should wear a helmet.
g. You must read each of these books for the exam.

D. Rewrite the following sentences using all of, most of, none of,
both of or some of.

a. Your garden is superb. Most of the flowers are beautiful.

b. Do you know Bharat and Kamal? Of course, I do. Both of them are my
friends.
c. I bought a box of apples thinking it would be cheaper but I was
mistaken. All of them were rotten.
d. When I was in the town, I asked some people for direction but none
of them were able to help me. I had to call my friend.
e. We all were soaked in the rain because none of us had carried an
umbrella.
f. My father is healthy in his seventies but he feels isolated because all
of his friends are dead now.
g. All of the tourists are not Chinese. Some of them are Korean too.

E. Choose the best word from the brackets to complete the

sentences.

a. Give me the money I owe you. (which/the/a/an)

b. I want the boat which would take me to the island. (the/an/those/a)
c. Could you pour me some water, please? (many/few/these/some)
d. Only a few employees know how important the project was. (a few/a
little/little/few)
e. He was looking for an umbrella. (an/a/those/these)
f. A large amount of water was evaporated due to excessive heat. (A
large number of/ A lot of/ A large amount of/Many)

Unit -4
Working with words

A. Choose the correct words from the box to complete the

following sentences.

a. I think that covering up the facts is equivalent to lying really.

b. If there is not a substantial move to public transport, we will
have deceleration and the whole regeneration will not work.

c. Each new leader would blame his predecessor for all the evils of the
past.

d. We have, in fact, envisioned a better world and have made it happen.

e. The main linear actuators of the pneumatic systems are cylinders.

f. The barrel was short and the bullet emerged at subsonic speed.

g. The city is said to receive two-fifths of the total freight delivered in the
country.

h. It would still take four hours to get down, in a spiral of gridlock.

i. Apparently, the magician will be doing some levitation on the stage

tomorrow.

j. We might be experiencing some turbulence on this flight due to an

approaching electrical storm.

B. Add three more words that are formed with the following
prefixes.

a. hyper
hyperloop, hypersensitive, hyperlipidaemia, hyperinflation.

b. ultra
ultrahigh, ultralight, ultrashort, ultrabasic, ultrafiche.

c. up
uphill, Upwork, upside, uplift

d. over
overcoming, overwhelm, overdrunk, oversized

e. multi
multibillion, multinational, multicultural, multiply

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Comprehension

Answer the following questions.

a. What is a hyperloop? How does it work?

Hyperloop is a planned train that would be capable of travelling at
incredible speeds. It’s superfast because it’s enclosed in a tube with no air
in it. As a result of the lack of air, there will be no friction to slow the train
down.

b. How is hyperloop more beneficial than the traditional trains?

Hyperloop is much beneficial and superior than any traditional or a high-
speed rail. It’s less expensive and uses less energy since the track doesn’t
have to provide electricity to the pods constantly and because the pods
may depart every 30 seconds, it’s more like a demand-based service.

c. Does hyperloop have a successful history? How?

No, it does not have a successful history since the original concept for
hyperloop was to use waggons and pneumatic tubes to transport mail and
parcels between buildings.

d. Write the contributions of Robert Goddard and Elon Musk for

the development of hyperloop.
In order to provide ultra-fast intercity transport, Space X and Tesla founder
Elon Musk created the hyperloop idea. In addition to automobiles, aircraft,
boats, and trains, Elon envisions a “fifth mode” of transportation that
utilises travel pods housed within steel tubes. He revived interest in the
idea of hyperloop in August 2013 with his ‘Hyperloop Alpha’ paper.

The ‘vactrain’ idea, created by Robert Goddard in the early 20th century,
is clearly a prototype of the hyperloop. Since then, a slew of similar
concepts have been proposed.

e. What relation does speed have with air resistance? Explain.

More Air resistance decreases the speed of a moving body and vice versa.
Since, Hyperloop will travel through the vacuum tubes, the speed will
drastically increase as the result of no-air resistance.

f. What are hyperloop capsules compared with? How are they

similar?
Because both Hyperloop and Boeing 747 accelerate at the same measure
of acceleration, Hyperloop capsules are likened to Boeing 747.

g. How do the passengers feel while travelling via hyperloop?

What will be done to make it luxurious?
On a hyperloop, the passengers feel approximately the same as riding a
lift or a passenger aircraft. The cabin shows beautiful scenery and each
passenger has access to his or her own private amusement systems, to let
them have a easeful travel.

h. Why does the writer doubt about the success of hyperloop?

What does the success depend on?
Hyperloop’s success will be determined on the destinations, the local
economy, and the geographical location. The author has concerns
regarding hyperloop’s viability because of the enormous multibillion-dollar
expenditure and the fact that the projects are still in the pilot and
experimental phases. In the past, Nikola Tesla and Elon Musk had already
closed the same concept program, due to no response from government
authorities.

Critical thinking
a. Is the hyperloop the future of transportation or just a dream?
What do you think? Justify your opinion with suitable reasons.
Basically, Hyperloop is a conceptual transport system in which passengers
are loaded into pods and fired through vacuum tubes all at a supersonic
speed. Hyperloop isn’t just about speed; it also aims to be environmentally
friendly.

The concept just like of Hyperloop is not new though. Pneumatic tubes for
the parcel, mail, and money transfers found widespread acceptance in the
19th century and are still used at supermarkets, postal sorting stations,
and banks today. Hyperloop’s concept resembles the pneumatic mail
delivery systems. Even flying on the air seemed to be impossible on past
days but now travelling via air is common for us. So no one can say that
it’s not possible because everything which was a dream once, is reality
now.

In conclusion, we can see that Hyperloop may become the future of

transportation systems worldwide. If this becomes a reality, even though it
is not expected for decades, there will be an immense impact on ordinary
people’s lives. Apart from the convenience and the green impact, we can
also hope for economic success.

However, despite the immense promise, new technologies take time, and
will be a while until we can travel in a pod inside a sealed tube with a
sound only as loud as a gentle ‘SWOOSH.’

b. The number of private vehicles is increasing day by day in

Nepal beyond the capacity of our infrastructure. What do you
think should be done to curb the ever-growing number of private
vehicles? Discuss.
The number of private vehicles is increasing day by day in Nepal beyond
the capacity of our infrastructure and is outpacing the country’s
infrastructure. The number of Nepalese who own personal cars is steadily
increasing. Despite the fact that it eases their day to day life, its causing
great environmental loses. Private vehicles should be prohibited since
their widespread usage degrades the environment and increases
emissions of hazardous gases that will create major problems in the
future. To control this critical situation some safety measures had to be
taken.

The best approach is to discourage people from opting to buy cars. This
can be effectively done by increasing toll fare for cars and by devising a
system of progressive taxation on cars. The system can have an upper
limit on the number of cars owned per family and the rate of tax on each
car can be increased as the number of cars bought keep rising.

But these efforts would be meaningless unless they are accompanied by

measures to encourage people to use public transport by revamping the
dismal public transit system in Nepal. More buses need to ply during rush
hour and the buses must be made more comfortable (by using better
cushions, air conditioning, better suspension, etc…). Punctuality and
reliability of public transport systems must be upheld. Cleanliness and
hygiene must be kept in mind while maintaining bus and train stations.

The above approaches must be complemented with efforts to change the

false notion the using public transport is contemptible. The best weapon to
deal with this is to make public transport as dignified and pleasant as
possible.

Grammar

B. Rewrite the following sentences with the correct form of the

verbs in the brackets.

a. The invitation is for one person. I don’t mind whether you or

she (come) to the party.
The invitation is for one person. I don’t mind whether you or she comes to
the party.

b. Neither the MPs nor the Prime Minister (have) felt regret for
the party split.
Neither the MPs nor the Prime Minister has felt regret for the party split.

c. I don’t care whether he or she (win) the lottery.

I don’t care whether he or she wins the lottery.

d. Either the Kantipur or the Republica (be) used for the

advertisement.
Either the Kantipur or the Republica is used for the advertisement.

e. She speaks in a strange accent. Neither I nor my sister

(understand) her.
She speaks in a strange accent. Neither I nor my sister understands her.

f. I forgot whether the singers or the actress (be) given the Film
Fair Award last year.
I forgot whether the singers or the actress was given the Film Fair Award
last year.

g. Neither the tracksuit nor the pajamas (fit) me perfectly.

Neither the tracksuit nor the pajamas fit me perfectly.

h. Neither the gas fire nor the electric heaters (be) suitable for
room heating.
Neither the gas fire nor the electric heaters are suitable for room heating.

C. This passage contains the agreement errors. Correct the

subjects or verbs that don’t agree with each other. Remember to
use present tense in your corrections.

Corrected Passage:
Within the state of Arizona, Rob, along with his family, moves frequently
from city to city. After his arrival, one of his first tasks was to find an
apartment close to work, as he did not have a car. Usually, there are many
different places to choose from, and he considers cost, location, and
luxury. If one apartment has a washing machine and dryer and costs four
hundred dollars a month, he prefers to rent it over another apartment
which has significantly less rent and is located two blocks from a
 Laundromat. Rob’s family never wanted to live in an apartment on the
thirteenth floor, since all of them fear heights. He also tried to choose an
apartment with a landlord recommended by former tenants. Everybody
knows that it is important to find a responsible landlord. Rob and his wife
love to cook together when both are free, so they need a spacious, well-
equipped kitchen. Rob often looks for a place with an air conditioner
because there are so many scorching days and nights in Arizona.
Whenever Rob finds a new apartment, all of his concerns disappear. He
felt relieved and called his mother. Someone understands!

1. A Matter of Husbands

Ferenc Molnar (Translated by Benjamin Glazer)

About the Author

 Ferenc Molnar (1878-1952)

 Celebrate and controversial playwright of Hungary

 personal experience in literary works,

 He migrated to the USA to escape persecution of Hungarian Jews during WW II and later adopted
American citizenship

 He plays are relevant and performed all over the world,

 His plays: -
 The devil (1907)
 Lilion (1909)
 The Guardsman (1910)
 The Swan (1920)
 The Play's the Thing (1926)

characters:
 Famous Actress

 Earnest Young Woman

 Alfred (Husband to the Famous Actress and Lover to The Earnest Young Woman)

Setting: Drawing room in an apartment of the Famous Actress, afternoon

Summary:

"A Matter of Husbands" is a one act play written by a famous Hungarian playwright Ferenc
Molnar. All the actions in the play take place in a drawing room of the Famous Actress. The play
begins with the Earnest Young Woman sitting nervously on the edge of a gilt chair. Her mouth is
dry. She is dressed in a very modest frock, hat and furs. From the curtained door of a private
room the Famous Actress enters the drawing room.

The Famous Actress wants to know the reason The Earnest Young Woman visits her for. The
Earnest Young Woman emotionally begs her husband from the Famous Actress. This makes the
Famous Actress surprised. The Earnest Young Woman describes her husband who is blond and
of medium height and spectacled. He is a lawyer by profession. His name is Alfred. She
desperately begs her husband back. The Famous Actress can't understand what the Earnest
Young Woman is saying for. She denies that Mr. Alfred is with her. She admits that she has met
him one or two times on backstage. Even she doesn't know that Alfred wears spectacles. The
Earnest Young Woman says that Alfred takes off his spectacles to impress the Famous Actress
because he loves her. He doesn't like the Earnest Young Woman so she implores the Famous
Actress to return back her husband. The Famous Actress thinks that the Earnest Young Woman
is acting like a foolish because she a bad idea about her husband and the Famous Actress. But the
Earnest Young Woman insists that her husband loves the Famous Actress because he sends her
flowers all the time. The Famous Actress denies it. She says that she has never received any
flowers from Alfred. The Earnest Young Woman claims that Alfred sends flower to the Famous
Actress twice a week. In response the Famous Actress blames the Earnest Young Woman that
she is lying or somebody is lying to her. As evidence the Earnest Young Woman shows a letter
written to The Famous Actress by her husband. She reads the letter written passionately for an
apology. When she listens to the letter, she gets surprised. The letter has been found out by the
Earnest Young Woman on her husband's desk. He has forgotten that he is probably intending to
send to the Famous Actress through a messenger. She weeps and blames the Famous Actress that
she has stolen her husband. The Earnest Young Woman further says that the Famous Actress
wears beautiful dresses and looks attractive to allure her husband. The Famous Actress makes
the Earnest Young Woman sure that she has never received any flowers or letters or anything
else from her husband. According to the Famous Actress, The Earnest Young Woman is not
affectionate to her husband and always gets angry with him. Alfred is playing a little comedy to
make her jealous, and wants to receive her interest in him pretending that he loves the Famous
Actress. The Earnest Young Woman is surprised. The Famous Actress convinces the Earnest
Young Woman that any man connected with theater plays such a trick to regain his wife or
sweetheart's affection. They invent a fake love story with one of theater actresses. But the wives
believe this is true. She also admits that she has taken part in such a fake love affair with Alfred
to make the Earnest Young Woman and her husband's marriage life beautiful and to prevent a
divorce. The Famous Actress further convinces the Earnest Young Woman that her husband is
making her jealous to regain her love. Actually, he he writes letter and leaves it behind him on
the desk so that his wife sees and reads it. He orders flowers by the telephone in the morning and
cancels them in the evening. He has also kept a lock of hair that belongs to the Famous Actress.
All the activities are merely to arouse jealous in The Earnest Young Woman. The Famous
Actress assures that if both of them fall in love to each other Alfred never forgets to leave letters
written to the Famous Actress on his desk. The Famous Actress has helped Alfred because he
has requested her to write a passionate letter to him aiming to show the letter to the Famous
Actress by a chance. Unfortunately, the Earnest Young Woman has not seen any one out of ten
such letters. The Earnest Young Woman considers herself to be a fool. She is convinced. The
Famous Actress advices her not be a fool like this again regarding any matter between them. The
Earnest Young Woman ensures The Famous Actress and leaves happily. As soon as she leaves,
the Earnest Young woman calls Alfred who is hiding in a secret room listening his wife and the
Famous Actress talks about him.

Understanding the text

Answer the following questions

a. What favor does Earnest Young Woman ask from the Famous Actress?
Ans:- The Famous Actress believes that her husband Alfred has fallen in love with The
Earnest Young Woman as she finds several evidences such as her husband sending flowers
and letters to The Famous Actress. She has allured her husband so The Earnest Young
Woman asks favor from the Famous Actress to return her husband back.

b. What, according to The Earnest Young Woman, are the indications that her husband
has fallen in love with Famous Actress?
Ans:- According the the Earnest Young Woman there are several indications that her
husband has fallen in love with Famous Actress. Her husband Alfred always tries to impress
the Famous Actress when she is around him. He has written several passionate letters. He
sends flowers in her drawing room twice a week. Most of time he is absent from her wife and
so on.

c. Is Earnest Young Woman convinced by the argument of Famous Actress? How?

Ans:- In the beginning of the play The Earnest Young Woman seems quite nervous and sad.
She goes at the Famous Actress's house to beg her husband back. When the Famous Actress
finds that the Earnest Young Woman is suspicious about their illegal relation, she convinces
the Earnest Young Woman that their affair is not real. She admits that she has taken part in
 that affair only to help Alfred to regain affection from his wife making her jealous. Sending
flowers and letters to the Famous Actress by Alfred is not real. She further claims that Alfred
has also kept a lock of her hair his his drawers. When the Famous Actress discloses these
entire things The Earnest Young Woman realizes herself to be a fool and happily leaves the
room.

d. Where is the Earnest Young Woman's husband hiding himself as they are talking about
him?
Ans:- The Earnest Young Woman's Husband, Mr. Alfred, is hiding himself in a private room
which is close to the drawing room of the Famous Actress while the two women are talking
about him.

e. When do you feel that Famous Actress is really good at acting?

Ans:- Until we read the last part of the play, we believe that The Famous Actress is really
taking part in a fake love affair with Alfred to help him regain his wife's affection. But at the
last we are surprised when The Famous Actress calls Alfred in the drawing room as soon as
The Earnest Young Woman leaves. At that time we fell that The Famous Actress is really
good at acting.

f. How do we come to know that Famous Actress and the husband of Earnest Young
Woman are in love?
Ans:-When we dive into the middle part and until the end of the drama, we believe what The
Famous Actress says to convince The Earnest Young Woman about the pretended love affair.
But when we know that Alfred is hiding himself in a private room of The Famous Actress,
we come to know that their love affair is real one.

g. Write down the plot of the play in a paragraph.

Ans:- The play "A Matter of Husband" begins and ends in the drawing room of The Famous
Actress. In the beginning, The Earnest Young Woman is seen sitting nervously on the edge
of a gilt chair. When The Famous Actress enters in the drawing room from her private room,
The Famous Actress emotionally begs her husband back from The Earnest Young Woman.
Her Husband's name is Alfred who is a lawyer of the manager of The Famous Actress. He is
a blond man of a moderate height and wears spectacles. The Famous Actress denies that she
has any sort of affair with Alfred except she has met him once or twice on backstage. She
even doesn't know that he wears spectacles. The Earnest Young Woman believes that her
husband takes off glasses when The Famous Actress is around him. The Famous Actress
blames The Earnest Young Woman a foolish for having such a mean idea about them. The
Earnest Young Woman finds evidences of Alfred sending flowers and letters to The Famous
Actress. The Famous Actress insists that it is a lie. To convince The Famous Actress, The
Earnest Young Woman shows a letter written to her by her husband. The Earnest Young
Woman has found out the letter on his desk. She sobs and blames The Famous Actress that
she has stolen her husband. She further says that The Famous Actress looks attractive and
wears beautiful dresses to allure her husband. The Famous Actress denies that she has
received any flowers and letters from Alfred. The Famous Actress blames The Earnest
Young Woman that she is not being very good to Alfred where as she used to be in the past.
Alfred is just playing a comedy to make her wife jealous and to revive her interest in him.
 The Famous Actress says that she has taken part in this affair to help Alfred to get his wife's
affection back and to make their married life better. Alfred is not sending flower to The
Famous Actress. The reality is that he orders the flower in the morning and cancels in the
evening. The letters are written just to show The Earnest Young Woman. The Famous
Actress also reveals that Alfred has kept a lock of hair that belongs to her in his drawer. The
Famous Actress claims that she is not like other girls on the theater. Then The Earnest Young
Woman is convinced and leaves the room happily. The Famous Actress suggests The Earnest
Young Woman not to be fool like this again. As soon as The Earnest Young Woman leaves
the room, The Famous Actress calls Alfred who is hiding in her secret room.

Reference to the context

a. Sketch the character of Famous Actress.
Ans:- The Famous Actress is a clever theater artist. She is fashionable, and keeps herself
attractive all the times. She dresses like a royal princess and a Greek goddess. She blackens
her eyebrows and reddens her lips and waxes her lashes and paints her faces. She always
keeps herself beautiful to lure men. As an actress, she can make people believe acting even in
real life. She seems good and helpful person in her real life. But inwardly she is corrupted
and unaffected of any kind of emotion. She is really having an affair with Alfred, a husband
to The Earnest Young Woman. When The Earnest Young Woman knows that she has taken
her husband, The Famous Actress diverts her mind that she has taken part in affair with
Alfred just to make his marital relation with The Earnest Young Woman fruitful. She acts far
better in her real life than on the stage. Her cunning character is only revealed when we know
that she is hiding Alfred in her private room. She is an immoral girl who nourishes an
extramarital relation with Alfred. In spite of emotional appeal made by The Earnest Young
Woman she continues her affair with Alfred. She is really a harmful girl who spoils other's
married life.

b. Shed light on the difference between and ordinary woman and an actress.
Ans:- There are two main female characters in the story. These two female characters are
different to each other. The ordinary woman is named The Earnest Young Woman who is
wife to Alfred. The Famous Actress is another character. As her name suggests, she
performs on the theater. The Earnest Woman who is known as an ordinary woman is a
straight forward woman. She is innocent and gullible kind of person. She is not as beautiful
as The Famous Actress. She is normal type of housewife who doesn't care on her dress up
and make up. The Famous Actress is so attractive and keeps herself attractive to lure males.
She is immoral who secretly involve in illegal relationship with Alfred. She is so much
cunning as she is able to keep another woman in illusion acting really in her real life. As an
artist she satisfies audiences through her role playing, she convinces The Earnest Young
Woman realistically that she has any illegal relation with Alfred. Without being much critical
and analyzing what The Famous Actress says, The Earnest Young Woman easily trusts her.
These two female characters represent two types of women: innocent and cunning ones.

c. According to Famous Actress, men associated with theatre use the theater actresses to
make their estranged wives jealous so as to woo them back. Do you agree with her
argument? Why? Why not?
 Ans:- When The Earnest Young Woman finds out that The Famous Actress is having an
illegal affair with Alfred, to convince her, The Famous Actress says that men associated with
theatre use the theater actresses to make their estranged wives jealous and so as to woo them
back. But I don't agree with her. Alfred is not using The Famous Actress to make his
estranged wife jealous so as to woo her back. Alfred really loves her and he is hiding in the
secret room of The Famous Actress. Her argument and the reality are totally different. At the
last of the play we come to know that most of the Alfred spends his time in a private room of
The Famous Actress. If the Famous Actress was telling the truth, Alfred would not be hiding
in her secret room.

d. How does Famous Actress make a fool of Earnest Young Woman?

Ans:- The Famous Actress makes a fool of Earnest Young Woman through her fake
arguments. She talks cunningly with The Earnest Young Woman when she comes to tell The
Famous Actress to return her husband. She has strong evidences that Alfred is having an
extramarital affair with The Famous Actress. Despite these evidences, The Famous Actress is
able to convince that she is not having any kind of love affair with Alfred. She is so clever
and easily diverts the mind of innocent woman. Whatever evidences The Earnest Young
Woman finds are proved to be wrong by the Famous Actress. The Famous Actress uses the
fault of The Earnest Young Woman to woo her. These days The Earnest Young Woman is
not as affectionate to Mr. Alfred as she used to be. The Famous Actress caught the same
point and convinces the so-called love affair is just meant to make The Earnest Young
Woman jealous so that she could be affectionate to him again. She proudly says that she is
helping Alfred to regain his wife affection back.

e. The conversation between the two women takes place on the stage of the theatre. What
role does the theatre house as a part of setting play in A Matter for Husband?
Ans:- The stage of the theatre is a place where characters play their roles of the respected
play. It is place where people enjoy what the characters act out. It is the place where illusions
are depicted as real. The setting of the play "A Matter of Husbands" is on the stage of a
theater house. The play is trying to show the real life of theater actress but some theater
artists don't show any differences in their behaviors either in real life or in theater life. These
artists keep people in illusion either they are acting on the stage or in normal life. Every place
acts like theater to such people. Only common people like us can differentiate between real
life and theater life. Theater artists gain such a power to convert real incident into illusion
and illusion into real incident. Every place is like a stage of theater for them.

f. What do you think about the ending of the play?

Ans:- This is a short one act play that ends surprisingly. The twist that the audiences face at
the last of the play is unbelievable. The dramatic skill of Ferenc is outstanding. No audience
expects such a surprising ending of the play. Everything goes on normally while The Famous
Actress is convincing The Earnest Young Woman about her misunderstanding regarding the
affair between The Famous Actress and Alfred. Along with The Earnest Young Woman, we
also trust that The Famous Actress is really doing good work for making the married life
between Alfred and his wife fruitful. But actually she is making the marriage ruined. It is
 known when she calls Alfred out from her secret room where he is hiding. The ending is
unexpected. This play shows that some people are trying to be good to us but inwardly they
are stabbing knife to us.

Reference beyond the text

a. Write a paragraph describing your favorite actor/actress.
My favorite actor is Aamir Khan who was born in 1965. His full name is Mohammed Aamir Hussain. He
is one of the most versatile actors in the Hindi film industry. He has established himself as one of the most
popular and influential actors of Bollywood. Known as ‘Mr. Perfectionist’, Aamir Khan has always
enthralled his audience with amazing movies. I have always been a fan of Aamir Khan ever since I first
saw his full leading roll movie ‘Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak’ released in 1988. Aamir Khan started as the
chocolate boy in the film industry and matured as an actor as he did more and more movies. His idea of
reading the script first and then selecting the role is what appeals me about him. The most famous
romantic movie he played is Dil which was released on 22 June 1990, however he has given 100s of hit
movies. It is a movie about two lovers who get married against their parents' will.

b. John Cassavetes says, "I'm very worried about the depiction of women on the screen. It's
gotten worse than ever and it is related to their being either high- or low-class
concubines….There's nothing to do with the dreams of women, or woman as the dream,
nothing to do with the quirky part of her, the wonder or her." How do you assess
Famous Actress in the light of Cassavetes' argument about the portrayal of women?

A Matter of Husbands
 Themes:

Desire, Attention, Foreign

Scene Synopsis
Having arrived at the Famous Actress' Dressing room, The Earnest Young woman
laments her lack of beauty and eloquence.

Play Synopsis
The Earnest woman comes to the famous actress' dressing room to find out if her
husband is indeed having an affair. The famous actress advises the wife that she ends
up in staged relationships at times, where husbands devise a way to rouse the love of
their wives while pretending to have an affair. The Earnest woman comes to realize it
is all just a charade. Or is it?

Earnest Young Woman says

No. I'll read it to you.
(She opens it and reads mournfully)

"My darling, Shan't be able to call for you at the theater tonight. Urgent business. A
thousand apologies. Ten thousand kisses. Alfred." I found it on his desk this morning.
He probably intended to send it to the theater by messenger. But he forgot it. And I
opened it.

(She weeps.)

Why mustn't I? You steal my husband and I mustn't cry! Oh, I know how little it means
to you. And how easy it is for you. One night you dress like a royal princess, and the
next night you undress like a Greek goddess. You blacken your eyebrows and redden
your lips and wax your lashes and paint your face. You have cosmetics and bright
lights to make you seem beautiful. An author's lines to make you seem witty and wise.
No wonder a poor, simple-minded lawyer falls in love with you. What chance have I
against you in my cheap little frock, my own lips and eyebrows, my own unstudied
ways? I don't know how to strut and pose and lure a man. I haven't got Mr.
Shakespeare to write beautiful speeches for me. In reality you may be more stupid
than I am, but I admit that when it comes to alluring men I am no match for you.

A MATTER OF HUSBANDS
a play in one-act

by Ferenc Molnar

translated by Benjamin Glazer

The following one-act play is reprinted from Ten Minute Plays. Ed. Pierre Loving. New York: Brentano's, 1923. It is now in the public domain
and may therefore be performed without royalties.

CHARACTERS

Famous Actress
Earnest Young Woman

[The scene is a drawing room, but a screen, a sofa and a chair will do, provided that the design and
colorings are exotic and suggestive of the apartment of the famous Hungarian actress in which this
dialogue takes place. The time is late afternoon, and when the curtain rises the Earnest Young Woman is
discovered, poised nervously on the edge of a gilt chair. It is plain she has been sitting there a long time.
For perhaps the fiftieth time she is studying the furnishings of the room and regarding the curtained door
with a glance that would be impatient if it were not so palpably frightened. And now and then she licks her
lips as if her mouth was dry. She is dressed in a very modest frock and wears her hat and furs. At last the
Famous Actress enters through the curtained door at the right which leads to her boudoir.]

FAMOUS ACTRESS: You wished to see me?

EARNEST YOUNG WOMAN: [She gulps emotionally] Yes.

FAMOUS ACTRESS: What can I do for you?

EARNEST YOUNG WOMAN: [Extends her arms in a beseeching gesture] Give me back my husband!

FAMOUS ACTRESS: Give you back your husband!

EARNEST YOUNG WOMAN: Yes. [The FAMOUS ACTRESS only stares at her in speechless
bewilderment.] You are wondering which one he is.... He is a blond man, not very tall, wears spectacles.
He is a lawyer, your manager's lawyer. Alfred is his first name.

FAMOUS ACTRESS: Oh! I have met him--yes.

EARNEST YOUNG WOMAN: I know you have. I implore you, give him back to me.

[There is a long pause.]

FAMOUS ACTRESS: You mustn't mistake my silence for embarrassment. I am at a loss because--I don't
quite see how I can give you back your husband when I haven't got him to give.

EARNEST YOUNG WOMAN: You just admitted that you knew him.

FAMOUS ACTRESS: That scarcely implies that I have taken him from you. Of course I know him. He
drew up my last contract. And it seems to me I have seen him once or twice since then--backstage. A
rather nice-spoken, fair-haired man. Did you say he wore spectacles?

EARNEST YOUNG WOMAN: Yes.

FAMOUS ACTRESS: I don't remember him with spectacles.

EARNEST YOUNG WOMAN: He probably took them off. He wanted to look his best to you. He is in love
with you. He never takes them off when I'm around. He doesn't care how he looks when I'm around. He
doesn't love me. I implore you, give him back to me!

FAMOUS ACTRESS: If you weren't such a very foolish young woman I should be very angry with you.
Wherever did you get the idea that I have taken your husband from you?

EARNEST YOUNG WOMAN: He sends you flowers all the time.

FAMOUS ACTRESS: That's not true.

EARNEST YOUNG WOMAN: It is!

FAMOUS ACTRESS: It isn't. He never sent me a flower in all his life. Did he tell you he did?

EARNEST YOUNG WOMAN: No. I found out at the florist's. The flowers are sent to your dressing room
twice a week and charged to him.
FAMOUS ACTRESS: That's a lie.

EARNEST YOUNG WOMAN: Do you mean to say that I am lying?

FAMOUS ACTRESS: I mean to say that someone is lying to you.

EARNEST YOUNG WOMAN: [Fumbles in her bag for a letter] And what about this letter?

FAMOUS ACTRESS: Letter?

EARNEST YOUNG WOMAN: He wrote it to you. And he said--

FAMOUS ACTRESS: He wrote it to me? Let me see.

EARNEST YOUNG WOMAN: No. I'll read it to you. [She opens it and reads mournfully] "My darling,
Shan't be able to call for you at the theater tonight. Urgent business. A thousand apologies. Ten thousand
kisses. Alfred."

FAMOUS ACTRESS: Oh!

EARNEST YOUNG WOMAN: I found it on his desk this morning. He probably intended to send it to the
theater by messenger. But he forgot it. And I opened it. [She weeps.]

FAMOUS ACTRESS: You mustn't cry.

EARNEST YOUNG WOMAN: [Sobbing] Why mustn't I? You steal my husband and I mustn't cry! Oh, I
know how little it means to you. And how easy it is for you. One night you dress like a royal princess, and
the next night you undress like a Greek goddess. You blacken your eyebrows and redden your lips and
wax your lashes and paint your face. You have cosmetics and bright lights to make you seem beautiful.
An author's lines to make you seem witty and wise. No wonder a poor, simple-minded lawyer falls in love
with you. What chance have I against you in my cheap little frock, my own lips and eyebrows, my own
unstudied ways? I don't know how to strut and pose and lure a man. I haven't got Mr. Shakespeare to
write beautiful speeches for me. In reality you may be more stupid than I am, but I admit that when it
comes to alluring men I am no match for you.

FAMOUS ACTRESS: [Without anger, slowly, regards her appraisingly] This is a very interesting case.

EARNEST YOUNG WOMAN: What is?

FAMOUS ACTRESS: Yours.

EARNEST YOUNG WOMAN: Mine? What do you mean?

FAMOUS ACTRESS: I mean that I never received a flower, or a letter, or anything else from your
husband. Tell me, haven't you and your husband been getting on rather badly of late?

EARNEST YOUNG WOMAN: Yes, of course.

FAMOUS ACTRESS: You used to be very affectionate to each other?

EARNEST YOUNG WOMAN: Why, yes.

FAMOUS ACTRESS: And of late you have been quite cold?

EARNEST YOUNG WOMAN: Yes.

FAMOUS ACTRESS: Of course! A typical case.... My dear, if you knew how often we actresses meet this
sort of thing! It is perfectly clear that your husband has been playing a little comedy to make you jealous,
to revive your interest in him.

EARNEST YOUNG WOMAN: [Dumbfounded, staring] Do you really think that? Do you mean to say such
a thing has happened to you before?

FAMOUS ACTRESS: Endless times. It happens to every actress who is moderately pretty and
successful. It is one of the oldest expedients in the world, and we actresses are such conspicuous targets
for it! There is scarcely a man connected with the theater who doesn't make use of us in that way some
time or another--authors, composers, scene designers, lawyers, orchestra leaders, even the managers
themselves. To regain a wife or sweetheart's affections all they need to do is invent a love affair with one
of us. The wife is always so ready to believe it. Usually we don't know a thing about it. But even when it is
brought to our notice we don't mind so much. At least we have the consolation of knowing that we are the
means of making many a marriage happy which might otherwise have ended in the divorce court.

EARNEST YOUNG WOMAN: But how--how could I know?

FAMOUS ACTRESS: [With a gracious little laugh] There, dear, you mustn't apologize. You couldn't know,
of course. It seems so plausible. You fancy your husband in an atmosphere of perpetual temptation, in a
backstage world full of beautiful sirens without scruples or morals. One actress, you suppose, is more
dangerous than a hundred ordinary women. You hate us and fear us. None understands that better than
your husband, who is evidently a very cunning lawyer. And so he plays on your fear and jealousy to
regain the love you deny him. He writes a letter and leaves it behind him on the desk. Trust a lawyer
never to do that unintentionally. He orders flowers for me by telephone in the morning and probably
cancels the order the moment he reaches his office. By the way, hasn't he a lock of my hair?

EARNEST YOUNG WOMAN: Yes. In his desk drawer. I brought it with me.

FAMOUS ACTRESS: Yes. They bribe my hair-dresser to steal from me. It is a wonder I have any hair left
at all.

EARNEST YOUNG WOMAN: [Happily] Is that how he got it?

FAMOUS ACTRESS: I can't imagine how else. Tell me, hasn't he left any of my love letters lying around?

EARNEST YOUNG WOMAN: [In alarm] No.

FAMOUS ACTRESS: Don't be alarmed. I haven't written him any.

EARNEST YOUNG WOMAN: Then what made you--?

FAMOUS ACTRESS: I might have if he had come to me frankly and said: "I say, Sara, will you do
something for me? My wife and I aren't getting on so well. Would you write me a passionate love letter
that I can leave lying around at home where she may find it?" I should certainly have done it for him. I'd
have written a letter that would have made you weep into your pillow for a fortnight. I wrote ten like that for
a very eminent playwright once. But he had no luck with them. His wife was such a proper person she
returned them all to him unread.

EARNEST YOUNG WOMAN: How clever you are! How good!

FAMOUS ACTRESS: I'm neither better nor worse than any other girl in the theater. Even though you do
consider us such monsters.

EARNEST YOUNG WOMAN: [Contritely] I have been a perfect fool.

FAMOUS ACTRESS: Well, you do look a bit silly, standing there with tears in your eyes, and your face
flushed with happiness because you have discovered that a little blond man with spectacles loves you,
after all. My dear, no man deserves to be adored as much as that. But then it's your own affair, isn't it?

EARNEST YOUNG WOMAN: Yes.

FAMOUS ACTRESS: Yet I want to give you a parting bit of advice: don't let him fool you like this again.

EARNEST YOUNG WOMAN: He won't. Never fear!

FAMOUS ACTRESS: No matter what you may find in his pockets--letters, handkerchiefs, my photograph,
no matter what flowers he sends, or letters he writes, or appointments he makes--don't be taken in a
second time.

EARNEST YOUNG WOMAN: You may be sure of that. And you won't say anything to him about my
coming here, will you?

FAMOUS ACTRESS: Not a word. I'm angry with him for not having come to me frankly for permission to
use my name the way he did.

EARNEST YOUNG WOMAN: You are a dear, and I don't know how to thank you.

FAMOUS ACTRESS: Now you mustn't begin crying all over again.

EARNEST YOUNG WOMAN: You have made me so happy!

[She kisses the FAMOUS ACTRESS impetuously, wetting her cheek with tears; then she rushes out. The
door closes behind her. There is a pause.]

FAMOUS ACTRESS: [Goes to the door of her boudoir, calls] All right, Alfred. You can come in now. She
has gone.

THE CURTAIN FALLS