Why was the twentieth century called the ‘Era of the Book’?
The twentieth century was often called the era of the book because in those days there were books about everything from the ant eaters to Zulus. Books taught people everything that 'how to' and 'when to' and 'where to' and 'why to'. They adorned, educated, punctuated and even decorated.
Noodle avoids offending Think-Tank but at the same time he corrects his mistakes. How does he manage to do that?
If you were in Noodle’s place, how would you handle Think-Tank’s mistakes?
What guesses are made by Think–Tank about the books found on earth?
Why are books referred to as a man’s best companion? Which is your favourite book and why? Write a paragraph about that book.
Who tried to invade the earth in the twenty-first century?
Do you think books are being replaced by the electronic media? Can we do away with books altogether?
Why is Mrs Pumphrey worried about Tricki?
How is Ausable different from other secret agents?
What does Horace Danby like to collect?
How did the invisible man first become visible?
How did a book become a turning point in Richard Ebright’s life?
What kind of a person is Mme Loisel — why is she always unhappy?
Why is the lawyer sent to New Mullion? What does he first think about the place?
Why is Bholi’s father worried about her?
Who does ‘I’ refer to in this story?
What does she do to help him? Is she wise in this?
What experiments and projects does he then undertake?
How has Max got in?
Why did Bholi at first agree to an unequal match? Why did she later reject the marriage? What does this tell us about her?
What kind of a person is Mme Loisel — why is she always unhappy?
Who is Fowler and what is his first authentic thrill of the day?
What fresh problem now disturbs Mme Loisel?
Bholi’s story must have moved you. Do you think girl children are not treated at par with boys? You are aware that the government has introduced a scheme to save the girl child as the sex ratio is declining. The scheme is called Beti Bachao Beti Padhao, Save the Girl Child. Read about the scheme and design a poster in groups of four and display on the school notice board.
“Ausable did not fit any description of a secret agent Fowler had ever read.” What do secret agents in books and films look like, in your opinion? Discuss in groups or in class some stories or movies featuring spies, detectives and secret agents, and compare their appearance with that of Ausable in this story. (You may mention characters from fiction in languages other than English. In English fiction you may have come across Sherlock Holmes, Hercule Poirot, or Miss Marple. Have you watched any movies featuring James Bond?)
What was the cause of Matilda’s ruin? How could she have avoided it?
The course of the Loisels’ life changed due to the necklace. Comment.