I.
SHORT ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS
1. Why was Nicola not willing to share his 'plans' with the narrator?
Nicola didn’t want to share their plans because he was proud and didn’t want sympathy or charity. He wanted
to keep their personal struggles private and maintain dignity.
2. What were the boys doing on the outskirts of Verona and who were they?
The boys, Nicola and Jacopo, were selling strawberries on the outskirts of Verona. They were young brothers
who had suffered greatly during the war but worked hard to support their sister.
3. How were the two boys dressed up and how did they look?
They were shabbily dressed in worn-out clothes. They looked tired, underfed, and frail but had determination
and seriousness far beyond their age.
4. How many things did Nicola and Jacopo do to earn a living?
They polished shoes, sold fruits, ran errands, conducted tourists, and distributed newspapers – doing
whatever they could to earn money honestly.
5. How did the boys prove extremely useful to the narrator and Luigi?
They acted as helpful guides and assistants, offering valuable services like arranging food, tickets, and giving
local information with efficiency and reliability.
6. Why did they wait for the last bus?
They waited for the last bus to save money on transportation, as they visited their sister in the hospital
secretly and couldn’t afford to spend unnecessarily.
7. Why didn't they tell their plans to the narrator?
They wanted to keep their personal life and struggles private. They didn’t want pity or help; they were self-
reliant and dignified.
8. Why did Nicola glare at his brother in vexation?
Nicola glared at Jacopo when he eagerly asked the narrator for a ride, fearing that their secret (about their
sister) would be revealed.
9. What did the narrator see through the glass partition in the hospital?
He saw a girl, Lucia, lying in bed, who looked very beautiful and peaceful. The nurse told him that she was
recovering from tuberculosis and was the boys' sister.
10. Why did the boys hate the Germans?
Their father had been killed by the Germans and their home destroyed during the war. They were forced to
live in a war-torn environment, making them resentful.
11. How did the boys give a new hope for humanity?
Despite their suffering, they worked hard, remained honest, and selflessly cared for their sister. Their courage
and love stood as a symbol of human resilience and goodness.
III. LONG ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS
1. Describe the various works done by the boys to earn a living. How did they prove useful to the
narrator and Luigi?
Nicola and Jacopo did many odd jobs: polishing shoes, selling fruits, distributing newspapers, conducting
tourists, and running errands. They worked from early morning till night. For the narrator and Luigi, they
arranged accommodation, helped with local guidance, and assisted in many ways. Their honesty, hard work,
and dedication impressed the narrator deeply.
2. They struggled and sacrificed not only to get food and clothes but for a noble cause. What was their
cause and how did they fulfill it?
Their noble cause was to care for their ailing sister, Lucia, who was suffering from tuberculosis of the spine.
They secretly saved every penny to pay for her treatment and stayed hopeful. Their tireless efforts and
sacrifices showed their deep love and devotion to their family.
3. The narrator records the struggles and devotions of the boys in his diary. Reproduce that entry in
about 100 words in your own words.
Today, I discovered the real reason behind Nicola and Jacopo’s hard work. They are not just errand boys—they
are warriors of love and sacrifice. Every day they labor endlessly not for themselves, but for their sister, Lucia,
who is ill and in a hospital. They have been doing this silently, never asking for help or sympathy. Their
courage, dignity, and sense of responsibility moved me deeply. These two boys have shown me that even in
times of great suffering, the human spirit can rise high with love and selflessness.
4. How were Nicola and Jacopo a symbol of selfless sacrifice and devotion for a cause? How can they be
a great hope for human society?
Nicola and Jacopo were true examples of selfless sacrifice. Despite their hardships, they didn’t give up or turn
to wrong means. Their only focus was to support their sister’s recovery. Their actions showed immense love,
courage, and maturity. In a world filled with selfishness, their story inspires hope. They prove that even the
young can act with great nobility and remind society of the power of love and human values.
