What are the qualities that go into the making of a scientist?
The author introduced three qualities that go as the perfect ingredients into the making of a scientist: Rate mind, curiosity and the will to win for the right reasons.
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?
How did his mother help him?
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?
Why does he steal every year?
Does Bholi enjoy her first day at school?
The course of the Loisels’ life changed due to the necklace. Comment.
How did the invisible man first become visible?
What would have happened to Matilda if she had confessed to her friend that she had lost her necklace?
Bholi had many apprehensions about going to school. What made her feel that she was going to a better place than her home?
When the lawyer reached New Mullion, did ‘Bill’ know that he was looking for Lutkins? When do you think Bill came up with his plan for fooling the lawyer?
What does he get from Anil in return for his work?
What are the subtle ways in which the lady manages to deceive Horace Danby into thinking she is the lady of the house? Why doesn’t Horace suspect that something is wrong?
“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?)