Here are given the question answers to the lesson ‘At Marlow’ as published in the class 6 English textbook wind Chimes. A summary is also given. Click here for other lessons from the class 6 Wind Chimes book.
Summary
On their way back to their boat from a morning bath, J, George, and Harris, accompanied by Montmorency, stumbled upon an extraordinary black tom cat. Montmorency charged at the cat, but the feline’s icy disdain and lack of trepidation left him eviscerated and embarrassed.
After the encounter, the friends proceeded to restock their food supplies and, being gourmands, they ended up buying a gargantuan amount of food. The process of carrying their purchases back to the boat was so extensive that it almost became a public spectacle in the small town of Marlow. The procession of shop assistants was joined by vagrants, loafers, and even stray animals, taking on a life of its own.
When they finally reached the landing stage, the boatman mistook them for travelers on a steam launch or a houseboat due to the sheer amount of supplies they had with them.
Comprehension
Answers:
- The narrator’s affection for cats is evident in how he lovingly speaks to them, pets them, and receives their reciprocation.
- Upon spotting the cat, Montmorency exclaimed with joy and eagerly chased after it.
- “A fairly appreciable proportion of its nose” means a large chunk of its nose.
- Despite Montmorency’s attempts at intimidation, the cat remained unfazed, causing Montmorency to become unnerved.
- Montmorency found himself on the losing end of the confrontation with the cat.
- The friends wanted to ensure the purchased items were delivered promptly, so they wouldn’t be left waiting.
Answers:
- a. The confrontation between Montmorency and the tomcat is being talked about.
b. The narrator thinks that it is a part of the fox-terrier nature to be aggressive.
c. This line turns out to be ironic because at the end of the face-off, it is Montmorency who departs
with his tail between his legs. - a. Montmorency’s instincts of chasing any cat he sees are being referred to here.
b. This time, Montmorency is completely outdone and intimidated by the tomcat.
c. ‘But this time’ implies that the outcome was actually unlikely. - a. The freinds’ departure from Marlow is being described here.
b. Dignified implies elegance, while ostentatious implies tastelessness.
c. Subjective question so attempt yourself
Answers:
- With half of its tail missing, a large part of its nose gone, and one ear absent, the black tomcat had a muscular physique. Yet, there was something about it that seemed positively disreputable.
- The narrator had a fondness for cats, petting and speaking affectionately to them, and they reciprocated. However, Montmorency immediately attacked any cat he came across.
- The narrator found fox terriers to be quite aggressive and rowdy. It took years of effort to tone down their behaviour.
- The tomcat looked like an animal that had fought its share of street battles. It was unfazed by Montmorency’s aggression.
- Sitting in the middle of the road, the tomcat stared at Montmorency.
- Despite his initial aggression, Montmorency was quickly intimidated by the tomcat’s silent authority. The tomcat hardly moved, but Montmorency soon fled with his tail between his legs.
- The outcome of the confrontation between Montmorency and the tomcat was unlikely. Despite Montmorency’s history of chasing cats, he not only lost but was made a joke of by the tomcat.
- The conversation was a humorous anti-climax for Montmorency’s prestige. The cat’s intimidating, disdainful appearance reduced Montmorency to a scared, embarrassing mess. He wanted to leave the area as soon as possible and felt insulted by the loss of his reputation as a cat-commanding dog. Retiring to the unimportant position in the rear, he pondered the incident’s impact on his courage.
- The extract itself says that their exit from Marlow was one of their greatest successes. It is termed by them as ‘dignified and impressive without being ostentatious. The procession of shop assistants carrying their purchases to the boat is extraordinary.
It was dignified for them but was ostentatious also as it became a public spectacle in the small town of Marlow. The procession takes a life of its own as it is joined by vagrants and loafers and stray animals. In fact, when they reach the landing stage, the boatman suspects they were travelling on a steam launch or on a houseboat!
It can be said that they had employed their clever tricks to create the impression they might have desired and wished from the heart and were also successful in their attempts. - 10. The quiet air of authority exuded by the tomcat is a testament to the fact that aggression is rarely the solution to confrontations. Montmorency serves as a perfect example of how wild aggression fails to impress. In contrast, quiet courage is a more effective approach.
Vocabulary
Answers:
1. very slowly
2. a situation that causes a lot of problems when one starts to deal with it
3. a foolish and hopeless search for or pursuit of something unattainable
4. a keen or close watch
5. a person or thing used as a subject for an experiment
6. careless in the way that one moves or behaves
7. be anxious about something
8. wait a moment
Grammar
Answers:
1. or, 2. so, 3. yet, 4. so, 5. for, 6. and
Answers:
both…and: Both his mother and his father will be there at the school PTM.
not only…but also: He not only read the book but also remembered what he had read.
either…or: You can either stay home or come with us.
neither…nor: Neither he nor his friend is to blame for the mistake.
whether…or: I don’t know whether he will like the gift or not.
Answers:
1. while 2. in spite of 3. Despite 4. until 5. by 6. All in all 7. furthermore 8. unless
Answers:
1. in (P)
2. on (P)
3. in (T)
4. at (P)
5. at (T); in (P)
6. on (T)
7. on (T)
8. in (P); at (P)
