How did his mother help him?
Richard Ebright’s mother helped him by giving him confidence in his interest in learning. She took him on trips, bought him telescopes, microscopes, cameras, mounting materials and some equipments, and helped him in various ways. He was her whole life after his father died. If Richard didn't have anything to do, she found things for him to do and learn. Even the book was given to him by his mother that became a turning point in his life. Hence, it can be said his mother played a crucial role in the making of the scientist.
How did a book become a turning point in Richard Ebright’s life?
What experiments and projects does he then undertake?
How can one become a scientist, an economist, a historian... ? Does it simply involve reading many books on the subject? Does it involve observing, thinking and doing experiments?
You must have read about cells and DNA in your science books. Discuss Richard Ebright’s work in the light of what you have studied. If you get an opportunity to work like Richard Ebright on projects and experiments, which field would you like to work on and why?
What lesson does Ebright learn when he does not win anything at a science fair?
What are the qualities that go into the making of a scientist?
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?
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?
Why was the twentieth century called the ‘Era of the Book’?
Who does ‘I’ refer to in this story?
What does she do to help him? Is she wise in this?
How has Max got in?
Do you think the lawyer was gullible? How could he have avoided being taken for a ride?
“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?)
Does she find her teacher different from the people at home?
For what unusual reasons is Bholi sent to school?
Why did Bholi at first agree to an unequal match? Why did she later reject the marriage? What does this tell us about her?
Why is Bholi’s father worried about her?
What other extraordinary things happen at the inn?
What does she do to help him? Is she wise in this?
What fresh problem now disturbs Mme Loisel?