Class 9 English Literature Reader Villa for Sale
Extract Based Questions (3 Marks each)
Read the extract given below and answer the questions/complete the sentences that follow:
Question 1:
“While you were upstairs, I had been thinking a lot about your papa and mamma.”
(a) Who spoke these words and to whom?
(b) How does the statement differ from the statement made by him earlier?
(c) What impression do you form about the speaker? (Board Term I 2015, BR7GWHM)
Answer:
(a) Gaston speaks these words to jeanne.
(b) Earlier he did not want Jeanne’s parents to stay with them but now he is showing concarn for them.
(c) He is a selfish and hypocritical man.
Question 1:
“While you were upstairs, I had been thinking a lot about your papa and mamma.”
(a) Who spoke these words and to whom?
(b) How does the statement differ from the statement made by him earlier?
(c) What impression do you form about the speaker? (Board Term I 2015, BR7GWHM)
Answer:
(a) Gaston speaks these words to jeanne.
(b) Earlier he did not want Jeanne’s parents to stay with them but now he is showing concarn for them.
(c) He is a selfish and hypocritical man.
Question 2:
Mind you, if someone had bought it on the very day I placed it for sale, then I might have felt sorry because I would have wondered if I hadn’t been a fool to sell at all.
(a) How long ago had the speaker put up her Villa for sale?
(b) Why would she have considered herself a fool if she had managed to sell it on the day she put up the notice?
(c) In what way is. her remark ironic? (Board Term I 2014, FROK4WI)
Answer:
(a) The speaker had put up her villa for sale more than a month ago.
(b) Because then she would have realized the villa’s true Worth too late.
(c) She is fooled by Gaston and loses a lot of money. (CBSE Marking Scheme, 2014) (1 × 3 = 3)
Mind you, if someone had bought it on the very day I placed it for sale, then I might have felt sorry because I would have wondered if I hadn’t been a fool to sell at all.
(a) How long ago had the speaker put up her Villa for sale?
(b) Why would she have considered herself a fool if she had managed to sell it on the day she put up the notice?
(c) In what way is. her remark ironic? (Board Term I 2014, FROK4WI)
Answer:
(a) The speaker had put up her villa for sale more than a month ago.
(b) Because then she would have realized the villa’s true Worth too late.
(c) She is fooled by Gaston and loses a lot of money. (CBSE Marking Scheme, 2014) (1 × 3 = 3)
Question 3:
Please don’t joke, Gaston. What this lady says is perfectly right.Will you tell me, Madame, what price you are asking for the Villa?
(a) Who asks Gaston not to joke? Who does ‘this lady’ refer to?
(b) What was the joke told by Gaston?
(c) Why was Gaston joking while speaking to the lady? (Board Term I 2014, NCT-R)
Answer:
(a) Jeanne asks Gaston not to joke. ‘This lady refers to Juliette.
(b) ‘On the principle of people who like children and haven’t any can always go and live near a school’.
(c) Gaston was joking because he was not at all interested in buying the villa. (1 × 3 = 3)
Please don’t joke, Gaston. What this lady says is perfectly right.Will you tell me, Madame, what price you are asking for the Villa?
(a) Who asks Gaston not to joke? Who does ‘this lady’ refer to?
(b) What was the joke told by Gaston?
(c) Why was Gaston joking while speaking to the lady? (Board Term I 2014, NCT-R)
Answer:
(a) Jeanne asks Gaston not to joke. ‘This lady refers to Juliette.
(b) ‘On the principle of people who like children and haven’t any can always go and live near a school’.
(c) Gaston was joking because he was not at all interested in buying the villa. (1 × 3 = 3)
Question 4:
“You are an exception.Frenchmen usually have to consult about ten people before they get a move on listen! Do you or don’t you want to sell this house?”
(a) Who is the speaker of these lines?
(b) Who is being talked about here?
(c) What is the nationality of the speaker? (Board Term I 2012, Set 34)
Answer:
(a) Mrs. Al. Smith a Hollywood filmmaker.
(b) Frenchmen.
(c) American. (1 × 3 = 3)
“You are an exception.Frenchmen usually have to consult about ten people before they get a move on listen! Do you or don’t you want to sell this house?”
(a) Who is the speaker of these lines?
(b) Who is being talked about here?
(c) What is the nationality of the speaker? (Board Term I 2012, Set 34)
Answer:
(a) Mrs. Al. Smith a Hollywood filmmaker.
(b) Frenchmen.
(c) American. (1 × 3 = 3)
Question 5:
“You said just now, Madame, that times were hard…
Would you like me to get you the engagement?
(a) Who speaks these lines and to whom?
(b) Were ‘times’ really bad for Madame?
(c) What ‘engagement’ was the speaker talking about? (Board Term I 2012, Set 35)
Answer:
(a) These lines are spoken by the Maid to the Juliette.
(b) Yes, the times were really bad for the Madame.She was hard pressed for money.
(c) The speaker was talking about the rote of a cook in a film. (1 × 3 = 3)
“You said just now, Madame, that times were hard…
Would you like me to get you the engagement?
(a) Who speaks these lines and to whom?
(b) Were ‘times’ really bad for Madame?
(c) What ‘engagement’ was the speaker talking about? (Board Term I 2012, Set 35)
Answer:
(a) These lines are spoken by the Maid to the Juliette.
(b) Yes, the times were really bad for the Madame.She was hard pressed for money.
(c) The speaker was talking about the rote of a cook in a film. (1 × 3 = 3)
Question 6:
“Nobody thinks about anything else round here now. You see, they pay so well. The manager is offering a thousand francs for a real beggar who has had nothing to eat for two days.”
(a) Who is the speaker of these lines?
(b) To whom is she speaking?
(c) What proposal does she make to the listener? (Board Term I 2012, Set 37)
Answer:
(a) The Maid.
(b) Juliette.
(c) The Maid proposes to the listener to take up a rote in a film in order to supplement her dwindling income. (1 × 3 = 3)
“Nobody thinks about anything else round here now. You see, they pay so well. The manager is offering a thousand francs for a real beggar who has had nothing to eat for two days.”
(a) Who is the speaker of these lines?
(b) To whom is she speaking?
(c) What proposal does she make to the listener? (Board Term I 2012, Set 37)
Answer:
(a) The Maid.
(b) Juliette.
(c) The Maid proposes to the listener to take up a rote in a film in order to supplement her dwindling income. (1 × 3 = 3)
Question 7:
“That was a month ago and now I have only one thought, that is to get the wretched place off my hands. I would sacrifice it at any price.One hundred thousand francs if necessary and that’s only twice what it cost me.”
(a) Who is the speaker in the above lines?
(b) ‘Why does the speaker refer to the place as ‘wretched’?
(c) How much will the speaker sell the place for? (Board Term I 2012, Set 38)
Answer:
(a) Juliette.
(b) Juliette was in need of money and no one had come to purchase the villa yet. So, she refers to the place as wretched.
(c) 100 thousand francs. (1 × 3 = 3)
“That was a month ago and now I have only one thought, that is to get the wretched place off my hands. I would sacrifice it at any price.One hundred thousand francs if necessary and that’s only twice what it cost me.”
(a) Who is the speaker in the above lines?
(b) ‘Why does the speaker refer to the place as ‘wretched’?
(c) How much will the speaker sell the place for? (Board Term I 2012, Set 38)
Answer:
(a) Juliette.
(b) Juliette was in need of money and no one had come to purchase the villa yet. So, she refers to the place as wretched.
(c) 100 thousand francs. (1 × 3 = 3)
Question 8:
“I made a hundred thousand francs and a Corot!”
(a) Who is the speaker here? What question is he/she answering?
(b) ‘A Corot’ What does this expression mean in the conversation?
(c) What quality of the speaker’s character is revealed here? (Board Term I 2012, Set 39)
Answer:
(a) The speaker is Gaston. He is talking about the profit he has made.
(b) A Corot refers to the painting of the great French painter.
(c) It shows that the speaker is shrewd and money-minded. (1 × 3 = 3)
“I made a hundred thousand francs and a Corot!”
(a) Who is the speaker here? What question is he/she answering?
(b) ‘A Corot’ What does this expression mean in the conversation?
(c) What quality of the speaker’s character is revealed here? (Board Term I 2012, Set 39)
Answer:
(a) The speaker is Gaston. He is talking about the profit he has made.
(b) A Corot refers to the painting of the great French painter.
(c) It shows that the speaker is shrewd and money-minded. (1 × 3 = 3)
Question 9:
“I am going upstairs for a moment. If that is the lady, tell her I will not be long. It won’t do to give her the impression that I am waiting for her.”
(a) Who speaks these words to whom?
(b) Who is the ‘lady’ here? Why is she expected to visit the speaker?
(c) What does the speaker try to pretend here? (Board Term I 2012, Set 40)
Answer:
(a) Juliette to her maid.
(b) The lady is Jeanne who had come to see the villa. .
(c) Juliette was trying to show that she was not waiting for Jeanne. She didn’t want to seem too eager.
(1 × 3 = 3)
“I am going upstairs for a moment. If that is the lady, tell her I will not be long. It won’t do to give her the impression that I am waiting for her.”
(a) Who speaks these words to whom?
(b) Who is the ‘lady’ here? Why is she expected to visit the speaker?
(c) What does the speaker try to pretend here? (Board Term I 2012, Set 40)
Answer:
(a) Juliette to her maid.
(b) The lady is Jeanne who had come to see the villa. .
(c) Juliette was trying to show that she was not waiting for Jeanne. She didn’t want to seem too eager.
(1 × 3 = 3)
Question 10:
“But the sign has been hanging on the gate for over a month now and I am beginning to be afraid that the day I bought it was when I was the real fool.”
(a) Who is the speaker in the above extract?
(b) What sign has been hanging on the gate for more than a month?
(c) Why does the Speaker feel that she was a fool? (Board Term I 2012, Set 41,42)
Answer:
(a) Juliette.
(b) for Sale’ was the sigh hanging on the gate for more than a month.
(c) The speaker felt that she was foolish to have purchased the villa. She also felt that she had paid more than it was worth. (1×3=3)
“But the sign has been hanging on the gate for over a month now and I am beginning to be afraid that the day I bought it was when I was the real fool.”
(a) Who is the speaker in the above extract?
(b) What sign has been hanging on the gate for more than a month?
(c) Why does the Speaker feel that she was a fool? (Board Term I 2012, Set 41,42)
Answer:
(a) Juliette.
(b) for Sale’ was the sigh hanging on the gate for more than a month.
(c) The speaker felt that she was foolish to have purchased the villa. She also felt that she had paid more than it was worth. (1×3=3)
Question 11:
“I am going upstairs for a moment. If that is the lady, tell her I will not be long. It won’t do to give her the impression that I am waiting for her.”
(a) Why is the speaker going upstairs?
(b) ‘It Won’t do to give her the impression’, what impression is the speaker talking about?
(c) What character traits of the speaker are revealed in the above passage? (Board Term I 2012, Set 43)
Answer:
(a) The speaker is going upstairs to avoid the lady.
(b) The speaker is talking about the impression that there were no buyers for the villa.
(c) The speaker is calculating, clever and pretentious. (1 × 3 = 3)
“I am going upstairs for a moment. If that is the lady, tell her I will not be long. It won’t do to give her the impression that I am waiting for her.”
(a) Why is the speaker going upstairs?
(b) ‘It Won’t do to give her the impression’, what impression is the speaker talking about?
(c) What character traits of the speaker are revealed in the above passage? (Board Term I 2012, Set 43)
Answer:
(a) The speaker is going upstairs to avoid the lady.
(b) The speaker is talking about the impression that there were no buyers for the villa.
(c) The speaker is calculating, clever and pretentious. (1 × 3 = 3)
Question 12:
“You are an exception. Frenchmen usually have to consult about ten people before they get a move on,”
(a) Who is the speaker?
(b) Why is the speaker interested in buying that villa?
(c) Why does the speaker feel that Mr. Gaston is an exception? (Board Term I 2012, Set 44)
Answer:
(a) Mrs. Al. Smith, a Hollywood film maker.
(b) The speaker is interested in buying the villa because it is near Paramount Studios where she was supposed to shoot for a movie.
(c) The speaker feels that Mr. Gatson is an exception because he made the deal very fast and did not consult anyone. (1 × 3 = 3)
“You are an exception. Frenchmen usually have to consult about ten people before they get a move on,”
(a) Who is the speaker?
(b) Why is the speaker interested in buying that villa?
(c) Why does the speaker feel that Mr. Gaston is an exception? (Board Term I 2012, Set 44)
Answer:
(a) Mrs. Al. Smith, a Hollywood film maker.
(b) The speaker is interested in buying the villa because it is near Paramount Studios where she was supposed to shoot for a movie.
(c) The speaker feels that Mr. Gatson is an exception because he made the deal very fast and did not consult anyone. (1 × 3 = 3)
Question 13:
‘I tell you what I will do. I will be philanthropic and let you have it for two hundred thousand.”
(a) Who is the speaker?
(b) What is the speaker going to do?
(c) What is two hundred thousand? (Board Term I 2012, Set 45)
Answer:
(a) The speaker is Juliette.
(b) The speaker is going to sell her villa.
(c) Two hundred thousand francs is the selling price for the villa. (1 × 3 = 3)
‘I tell you what I will do. I will be philanthropic and let you have it for two hundred thousand.”
(a) Who is the speaker?
(b) What is the speaker going to do?
(c) What is two hundred thousand? (Board Term I 2012, Set 45)
Answer:
(a) The speaker is Juliette.
(b) The speaker is going to sell her villa.
(c) Two hundred thousand francs is the selling price for the villa. (1 × 3 = 3)
Question 14:
“You folk are queer. You think about the past all time. We always think about the future.”
(a) Who are ‘you’ and ‘we’ here?
(b) What is the difference between ‘you’ and’ we?
(c) Why does the speaker can “you” queer? (Board Term I 2012, Set 46)
Answer:
(a) ‘You’ are the Frenchmen while ‘we’ are the Americans.
(b) Difference between the Frenchmen and the Americans is in the thinking about past and future respectively.
(c) The speaker calls the Frenchmen queer because they think about the past. (1 × 3 = 3)
“You folk are queer. You think about the past all time. We always think about the future.”
(a) Who are ‘you’ and ‘we’ here?
(b) What is the difference between ‘you’ and’ we?
(c) Why does the speaker can “you” queer? (Board Term I 2012, Set 46)
Answer:
(a) ‘You’ are the Frenchmen while ‘we’ are the Americans.
(b) Difference between the Frenchmen and the Americans is in the thinking about past and future respectively.
(c) The speaker calls the Frenchmen queer because they think about the past. (1 × 3 = 3)
Short Answer Type Questions (30-40 Words) (2 marks each)
Question 1:
What was the maid’s suggestion to Juliette in the play ‘A Villa For Sale’?
(Board Term I,2015 6SOOKQ5)
Answer:
Value Points:
Maid shows concern-suggests she join the movie she was acting in offers to teach her cooking.
Detailed Answer: As Juliette’s business was hitting an all time low, her maid suggested her to play the part of a cook in a movie so as to earn some money she also offered to teach her cooking.
What was the maid’s suggestion to Juliette in the play ‘A Villa For Sale’?
(Board Term I,2015 6SOOKQ5)
Answer:
Value Points:
Maid shows concern-suggests she join the movie she was acting in offers to teach her cooking.
Detailed Answer: As Juliette’s business was hitting an all time low, her maid suggested her to play the part of a cook in a movie so as to earn some money she also offered to teach her cooking.
Question 2:
Why was Mrs. Al Smith not interested in going over the house?
(Board Term I,2015 6SOOKQ5)
Answer:
Value Points:
She wanted to bring it down and raise a new building. (CBSE Marking Scheme, 2015)
Detailed Answer : Mrs. Al Smith, an American lady, wanted a place near Paramount where she was going to shoot some films so she wanted to bring the villa down and raise a new building convenient for her So she was not interested in going over the house.
Why was Mrs. Al Smith not interested in going over the house?
(Board Term I,2015 6SOOKQ5)
Answer:
Value Points:
She wanted to bring it down and raise a new building. (CBSE Marking Scheme, 2015)
Detailed Answer : Mrs. Al Smith, an American lady, wanted a place near Paramount where she was going to shoot some films so she wanted to bring the villa down and raise a new building convenient for her So she was not interested in going over the house.
Question 3:Does Sacha Guitry’s ‘ A Villa For Sale’ define human behaviour through the character of Gaston? Give reasons.
(Board Term I,2015 BR7GWHM)
Answer:
Yes, the playwright, devised Gaston’s character to satirize the vices that exist in man owing to competition for material acquisitions.Gaston is selfish and makes every attempt not for his wife.
(CBSE Marking Scheme, 2015)
(Board Term I,2015 BR7GWHM)
Answer:
Yes, the playwright, devised Gaston’s character to satirize the vices that exist in man owing to competition for material acquisitions.Gaston is selfish and makes every attempt not for his wife.
(CBSE Marking Scheme, 2015)
Question 4:
Why does Juliette call her house ‘a wretched place’? (Board Term I,2015 BR7GWHM)
Answer:
Value Points:
(a) Juliette could not get any prospective buyers.
(b) The sign ‘For Sale’ had been put up for one month. (CBSE Marking Scheme, 2015)
Detailed Answer: The sign ‘For Sale’ had been put up for one month by Juliette. She was expecting a healthy deal, but could not get any prospective buyers. This set her calling her house ‘a wretched place’,
Why does Juliette call her house ‘a wretched place’? (Board Term I,2015 BR7GWHM)
Answer:
Value Points:
(a) Juliette could not get any prospective buyers.
(b) The sign ‘For Sale’ had been put up for one month. (CBSE Marking Scheme, 2015)
Detailed Answer: The sign ‘For Sale’ had been put up for one month by Juliette. She was expecting a healthy deal, but could not get any prospective buyers. This set her calling her house ‘a wretched place’,
Question 5:
Why is Gaston not interested in buying the villa in the beginning?
(Board Term 1,2013 AGRO091; 2012, Set 28)
Answer:
Gaston was reluctant to buy the villa because he thought his wife was buying it for her parents, who would bring her sister’s children with them.
Why is Gaston not interested in buying the villa in the beginning?
(Board Term 1,2013 AGRO091; 2012, Set 28)
Answer:
Gaston was reluctant to buy the villa because he thought his wife was buying it for her parents, who would bring her sister’s children with them.
Question 6:
What is your impression about Mrs. Al Smith? (Board Term I, 2013 XIT1MG7; 2012, Set 37)
Answer:
Mrs. Al. Smith is a rich American lady who is engaged in making films. She is a self-opinionated, over-confident and a brusque lady. She is prejudiced against the French people and has a high opinion of Americans. In the end, she is outsmarted by Gaston, who is a Frenchman.
What is your impression about Mrs. Al Smith? (Board Term I, 2013 XIT1MG7; 2012, Set 37)
Answer:
Mrs. Al. Smith is a rich American lady who is engaged in making films. She is a self-opinionated, over-confident and a brusque lady. She is prejudiced against the French people and has a high opinion of Americans. In the end, she is outsmarted by Gaston, who is a Frenchman.
Question 7:
How did Jeanne react to Gaston’s decision to purchase the villa? (Board Term I,2012, Set 51)
Answer:
Jeanne was extremely surprised at Gaston’s decision to purchase the villa. She was taken aback by her husband’s views and his sudden change of plans.
How did Jeanne react to Gaston’s decision to purchase the villa? (Board Term I,2012, Set 51)
Answer:
Jeanne was extremely surprised at Gaston’s decision to purchase the villa. She was taken aback by her husband’s views and his sudden change of plans.
Question 8:
What proposal does the maid make to Juliette? Why? (Board Term I,2012, Set 35)
Answer:
The maid’s proposal to Juliette was that she should accept the role of a cook in a film as she was facing great financial difficulties.
What proposal does the maid make to Juliette? Why? (Board Term I,2012, Set 35)
Answer:
The maid’s proposal to Juliette was that she should accept the role of a cook in a film as she was facing great financial difficulties.
Question 9:
Why did Gaston quote three hundred thousand francs for the villa? (Board Term I,2012, Set 52)
Answer:
Gaston did not want to spend money on a villa that would later be utilized more by his wife’s parents and her sister’s children. He quoted only three thousand francs for the villa with an expectation that the owner would refuse to sell off the villa at such a low price and he then would not be forced by his wife any longer.
Why did Gaston quote three hundred thousand francs for the villa? (Board Term I,2012, Set 52)
Answer:
Gaston did not want to spend money on a villa that would later be utilized more by his wife’s parents and her sister’s children. He quoted only three thousand francs for the villa with an expectation that the owner would refuse to sell off the villa at such a low price and he then would not be forced by his wife any longer.
Question 10:
Why was Jeanne so desperate to buy a villa in the play, ‘A Villa for Sale’? (Board Term I,2012, Set 38)
Or
Why does Jeanne want to buy a villa? (Textual)
Answer:
Jeanne was desperate to buy a villa for her parents so that they could come and stay with Jeanne for a month or so every year. She also wanted to make a modern kind of study.
Why was Jeanne so desperate to buy a villa in the play, ‘A Villa for Sale’? (Board Term I,2012, Set 38)
Or
Why does Jeanne want to buy a villa? (Textual)
Answer:
Jeanne was desperate to buy a villa for her parents so that they could come and stay with Jeanne for a month or so every year. She also wanted to make a modern kind of study.
Question 11:
Who is better in business—Juliette or Gaston? Why? (Board Term I,2012, Set 53; 2010, Set C1, C2)
Or
How does Gaston eventually prove himself better in business than Juliette? (Board Term I,2010, Set 1)
Answer:
Gaston was a better businessman as he outsmarts Juliette in making a deal. Juliette waits for one month before, Gaston sells it within seconds, without even buying it, and that too at a much higher price.
Who is better in business—Juliette or Gaston? Why? (Board Term I,2012, Set 53; 2010, Set C1, C2)
Or
How does Gaston eventually prove himself better in business than Juliette? (Board Term I,2010, Set 1)
Answer:
Gaston was a better businessman as he outsmarts Juliette in making a deal. Juliette waits for one month before, Gaston sells it within seconds, without even buying it, and that too at a much higher price.
Question 12:
Briefly describe Mrs. Al Smith. (Board Term 1- 2012, Set 55)
Answer:
Mrs. Al Smith is an American lady who works in films. She is a rich business woman who does not like, to waste time. She is highly self-opinionated and a jingoist. She is thoroughly professional by nature and quick in taking decisions.
Briefly describe Mrs. Al Smith. (Board Term 1- 2012, Set 55)
Answer:
Mrs. Al Smith is an American lady who works in films. She is a rich business woman who does not like, to waste time. She is highly self-opinionated and a jingoist. She is thoroughly professional by nature and quick in taking decisions.
Question 13:
What were the expectations of Juliette after putting the ‘Villa for Sale’ sign?
(Board Term I 2012, Set 59)
Answer:
Juliette was facing hard time as her business was running very low. She decided to sell off her villa. Since it was near Joinville, the French Hollywood, she was expecting to find a buyer soon who would be willing to buy it for a good price.
What were the expectations of Juliette after putting the ‘Villa for Sale’ sign?
(Board Term I 2012, Set 59)
Answer:
Juliette was facing hard time as her business was running very low. She decided to sell off her villa. Since it was near Joinville, the French Hollywood, she was expecting to find a buyer soon who would be willing to buy it for a good price.
Question 14:
Explain “the whole thing was going to be much more of a sell than a sale.”
(Board Term 12012, Set 63)
Answer:
Juliette had put her villa for sale expecting a healthy deal but even after a period of one month, she could not strike a good deal as there were hardly any buyers. This set her thinking that the task of selling the villa may not be a profitable proposal. Rather it may prove to be a great disappointment.
Explain “the whole thing was going to be much more of a sell than a sale.”
(Board Term 12012, Set 63)
Answer:
Juliette had put her villa for sale expecting a healthy deal but even after a period of one month, she could not strike a good deal as there were hardly any buyers. This set her thinking that the task of selling the villa may not be a profitable proposal. Rather it may prove to be a great disappointment.
Question 15:
What were the flaws pointed out by Gaston in the villa put up for sale by Juliette?
(Board Term I 2012, Set 63)
Answer:
Gaston pointed out that the garden was merely a yard with a patch of grass in the middle. The salon was impossible and the one existing could not be called a salon. He felt that the 25 yards of cretonne and a desk of paint was no special offer at all.
What were the flaws pointed out by Gaston in the villa put up for sale by Juliette?
(Board Term I 2012, Set 63)
Answer:
Gaston pointed out that the garden was merely a yard with a patch of grass in the middle. The salon was impossible and the one existing could not be called a salon. He felt that the 25 yards of cretonne and a desk of paint was no special offer at all.
Question 16:
“On the principle of people who like children and haven’t any can always go and live near a school.” Explain this comment contextually. (Board Term I 2012, Set 65)
Answer:
Gaston made this comment in response to Juliette’s observation that even though the garden of the villa was very small yet it made no difference as it was surrounded by other gardens. In harmony with this line of thought, people who don’t have children of their own but like children, ran go and live near a school
“On the principle of people who like children and haven’t any can always go and live near a school.” Explain this comment contextually. (Board Term I 2012, Set 65)
Answer:
Gaston made this comment in response to Juliette’s observation that even though the garden of the villa was very small yet it made no difference as it was surrounded by other gardens. In harmony with this line of thought, people who don’t have children of their own but like children, ran go and live near a school
Question 17:
In what way did Juliette flatter Jeanne? (Board Term I 2012, Set 67)
Answer:
Juliette flattered Jeanne by saying that the villa would suit her as she suited it and also by saying that there was no other graceful house for the elegant lady Jeanne.
In what way did Juliette flatter Jeanne? (Board Term I 2012, Set 67)
Answer:
Juliette flattered Jeanne by saying that the villa would suit her as she suited it and also by saying that there was no other graceful house for the elegant lady Jeanne.
Question 18:
Why is Mrs. Al Smith in a hurry? (Board Term I 2012, Set 69)
Answer:
Mrs. Al Smith was a film maker. She did not waste time as she always had a lot of work to do. She did not have time for petty things. Hence, she was always in a hurry.
Why is Mrs. Al Smith in a hurry? (Board Term I 2012, Set 69)
Answer:
Mrs. Al Smith was a film maker. She did not waste time as she always had a lot of work to do. She did not have time for petty things. Hence, she was always in a hurry.
Question 19:
Why was Juliette disappointed? (Board Term I 2012, Set 70)
Answer:
Juliette was in a hurry to dispose off the villa as her business was very low. As the villa was near Joinville, near French Hollywood, she was expecting to find a buyer soon for a lucrative price. She felt disappointed as she was unable to find a suitable buyer for her villa even after a month.
Why was Juliette disappointed? (Board Term I 2012, Set 70)
Answer:
Juliette was in a hurry to dispose off the villa as her business was very low. As the villa was near Joinville, near French Hollywood, she was expecting to find a buyer soon for a lucrative price. She felt disappointed as she was unable to find a suitable buyer for her villa even after a month.
Question 20:
Why did Mrs. Al Smith want to buy the Villa? (Board Term I 2010, Set B1)
Answer:
Mrs. Al Smith was an American lady who worked in films. She wanted a place near Paramount where she was going to shoot some films as it would be quite convenient for her.
Why did Mrs. Al Smith want to buy the Villa? (Board Term I 2010, Set B1)
Answer:
Mrs. Al Smith was an American lady who worked in films. She wanted a place near Paramount where she was going to shoot some films as it would be quite convenient for her.
Question 21:
Give any two personality traits of Jeanne. Support your answer with examples.
(Board Term I 2010, Set C2)
Answer:
Two personality traits of Jeanne are as follows:
(i) Jeanne is easily impressed. Juliette’s praise of her impresses her and she Feels flattered.
(ii) She is docile. She takes her criticism lightly.
Give any two personality traits of Jeanne. Support your answer with examples.
(Board Term I 2010, Set C2)
Answer:
Two personality traits of Jeanne are as follows:
(i) Jeanne is easily impressed. Juliette’s praise of her impresses her and she Feels flattered.
(ii) She is docile. She takes her criticism lightly.
Question 22:
In the end, Gaston has changed his views of buying the Villa. Give reasons to support your answer.
(Board Term I 2010, Set A1)
Answer:
He has done better business during the absence of Juliette and Jeanne. Being an opportunist, he Ranges his mood of buying the Villa in the end.
In the end, Gaston has changed his views of buying the Villa. Give reasons to support your answer.
(Board Term I 2010, Set A1)
Answer:
He has done better business during the absence of Juliette and Jeanne. Being an opportunist, he Ranges his mood of buying the Villa in the end.
Question 23:
Why did the maid agree to act in the film? (Board Term I 2010, Set A1)
Answer:
Her mistress gave her a fixed salary and she would earn much more by acting daily for one hour only. So, the maid agreed to act in films to add spice to her salary.
Why did the maid agree to act in the film? (Board Term I 2010, Set A1)
Answer:
Her mistress gave her a fixed salary and she would earn much more by acting daily for one hour only. So, the maid agreed to act in films to add spice to her salary.
Question 24:
Gaston was indeed a clever businessman. Explain. (Board Term I 2010, Set B2)
Answer:
Gaston really proved to be a clever businessman. Very cleverly he sold Juliette’s Villa, pretending to be its real owner, for three hundred thousand francs. He then bought the villa for two hundred thousand francs, thus making a cool hundred thousand francs profit for himself.
Gaston was indeed a clever businessman. Explain. (Board Term I 2010, Set B2)
Answer:
Gaston really proved to be a clever businessman. Very cleverly he sold Juliette’s Villa, pretending to be its real owner, for three hundred thousand francs. He then bought the villa for two hundred thousand francs, thus making a cool hundred thousand francs profit for himself.
Question 25:
While you were upstairs, I have been thinking a lot about Papa and Mama. Describe how Gaston contradicts himself through this dialogue. (Board Term I 2010, Set C2)
Answer:
Earlier, he did not want Jeanne’s parents to stay with them, but now he is showing concern for them.
While you were upstairs, I have been thinking a lot about Papa and Mama. Describe how Gaston contradicts himself through this dialogue. (Board Term I 2010, Set C2)
Answer:
Earlier, he did not want Jeanne’s parents to stay with them, but now he is showing concern for them.
Long Answer Type Questions (80-100 Words) (4 Marks each)
Question 1:
Do you agree that Mrs, Al Smith is the representative of the American outlook. How?
(Board Term I 2014, FROK4WI)
Answer:
I do agree that Mrs. Al Smith is the representative of American outlook. She is always complaining that the French people have a queer way of doing business. They usually consult ten people before they decide on anything. She takes pride in saying that the Americans only think about the future whereas the French stick to the past. Thus she is proud of her culture and critical of the French. She also believes that Frenchmen are apprehensive and backward looking. She is not justified in her opinion. Gaston proves that he is a shrewd businessman who can outsmart any American.
Do you agree that Mrs, Al Smith is the representative of the American outlook. How?
(Board Term I 2014, FROK4WI)
Answer:
I do agree that Mrs. Al Smith is the representative of American outlook. She is always complaining that the French people have a queer way of doing business. They usually consult ten people before they decide on anything. She takes pride in saying that the Americans only think about the future whereas the French stick to the past. Thus she is proud of her culture and critical of the French. She also believes that Frenchmen are apprehensive and backward looking. She is not justified in her opinion. Gaston proves that he is a shrewd businessman who can outsmart any American.
Question 2:
Why was Mrs. Al Smith not interested in going over the house?
(Board Term I 2014, MZPO310)
Answer:
Being an American filmmaker, Mrs. A1 Smith wanted a place near Paramount where she was going to shoot some films. She wanted to knock the villa down and build a bungalow in its place. So, she wasn’t interested in going over the house. Moreover, she trusts and believes others easily. She does not care to examine and analyse Others when she presumes that Gaston is the owner of the villa, she asks him the price of the villa and gives him a Cheque for the amount and leaves the place in a hurry.
Why was Mrs. Al Smith not interested in going over the house?
(Board Term I 2014, MZPO310)
Answer:
Being an American filmmaker, Mrs. A1 Smith wanted a place near Paramount where she was going to shoot some films. She wanted to knock the villa down and build a bungalow in its place. So, she wasn’t interested in going over the house. Moreover, she trusts and believes others easily. She does not care to examine and analyse Others when she presumes that Gaston is the owner of the villa, she asks him the price of the villa and gives him a Cheque for the amount and leaves the place in a hurry.
Question 3:Gaston clinched a deal with Mrs. Al Smith and made a good profit. Will you call his deed a businessman’s skill or unethical practice?Discuss the values Gaston lacked and what would you have done if you had been Gaston? (Board Term I 2014, ZEZDXJX)
Or
How was the sale of the villa a battle of wits between Gaston and Juliette in the play ‘villa for sale’?Discuss the values Gaston should have possessed with regard to moral ethics.
(Board Term I 2014, FROK4WI)Answer:Value Points :
Or
How was the sale of the villa a battle of wits between Gaston and Juliette in the play ‘villa for sale’?Discuss the values Gaston should have possessed with regard to moral ethics.
(Board Term I 2014, FROK4WI)Answer:Value Points :
- juliette had thought of giving away the villa at only double the price she had bought it. – later changes her mind on seeing Gaston and Juliette – quotes a really high price – lower it only a little
- Gaston – not interested in buying the villa – initially – changes his mind on meeting Mrs. Al Smith.
- Juliette doesn’t harm anybody – does business ethically.
- Values – moral standards, rightful, concerned, trustworthy.
Detalied Answer :julitte had thought of giving away the villa at only double the price she had bought it But later she changed her mind on seeing Gaston and Jeanne and quoted a price really higher then its actual worth. Gaston too was not interested in buying the villa but eventually changed his mind on meeting Mrs. Al Smith. Juliette didn’t harm as she did business ethically. On the contrary, Gaston was unethical, manipulative, unscrupulous and opportunistic. He first rolls in his villainy and never bothers about social or moral values.Thus,Gaston should have possessed moral standards, righteousness and truth.
Question 4:
Imagine you are Gaston. Write a letter to your father telling him how chance and intelligent thinking helped you make a huge profit (150 words). (Board Term I 2012, Set 39)
Answer:
43, Ashok Vihar
New Delhi
16th September, 20xx
Dear Father,
I am thrilled today as I have struck upon a deal in which I have made a huge profit.
Jeanne had a craze for a villa. I was not keen on buying one, so only went to have a look for Jeanne’s satisfaction. Juliette, the owner of the villa, demanded two hundred thousand francs which I felt was quite high. When Jeanne had gone upstairs to see the villa, I came across Mrs. Al Smith, who was keen to buy the villa for three hundred thousand francs. 1 realized it was a good opportunity to make a profit. So, I pretended to be the owner of the house and struck a good deal with Mrs. Al Smith making a profit of hundred thousand francs, i am sure you would appreciate my presence of mind. See you soon.
Yours affectionately,
Gaston
Imagine you are Gaston. Write a letter to your father telling him how chance and intelligent thinking helped you make a huge profit (150 words). (Board Term I 2012, Set 39)
Answer:
43, Ashok Vihar
New Delhi
16th September, 20xx
Dear Father,
I am thrilled today as I have struck upon a deal in which I have made a huge profit.
Jeanne had a craze for a villa. I was not keen on buying one, so only went to have a look for Jeanne’s satisfaction. Juliette, the owner of the villa, demanded two hundred thousand francs which I felt was quite high. When Jeanne had gone upstairs to see the villa, I came across Mrs. Al Smith, who was keen to buy the villa for three hundred thousand francs. 1 realized it was a good opportunity to make a profit. So, I pretended to be the owner of the house and struck a good deal with Mrs. Al Smith making a profit of hundred thousand francs, i am sure you would appreciate my presence of mind. See you soon.
Yours affectionately,
Gaston
Question 5:
You are Gaston. Write a diary entry expressing your Joy on having made a huge profit by selling the villa. Also, share your feelings of regret for cheating your unsuspecting wife. Write the diary entry in about 150 words. (Value Based Question) (Board Term I 2012, Set 34)
Answer:
Saturday 30th December, 20xx 10.00 p.m.
Dear Diary,
Jeanne’s craze for a villa led Us to Juliett’s villa. I was uninterested in buying the villa but went there to have a look for Jeanne’s satisfaction. When the ladies went for an inspection of the villa, there was an entry of Mrs. Al Smith. She was in a great hurry and hence, mistook me to be the owner of the villa. Taking advantage of the situation, 1 got her to make a deal, thereby earning a profit of a hundred thousand francs. My wife was pleasantly surprised when I finalized the deal with Juliette. Although I am happy to strike this deal, at the same time I regret cheating my wife, Jeanne. She does not suspect my actions. Tomorrow, I shall tell her the reality. Hope she too will excuse me this time. I pledge not to cheat her again in the future. It was immoral and unethical to indulge in such an act. I shouldn’t have betrayed her confidence. I shall apologise to her, first thing in the morning.
Thank you diary.
You are Gaston. Write a diary entry expressing your Joy on having made a huge profit by selling the villa. Also, share your feelings of regret for cheating your unsuspecting wife. Write the diary entry in about 150 words. (Value Based Question) (Board Term I 2012, Set 34)
Answer:
Saturday 30th December, 20xx 10.00 p.m.
Dear Diary,
Jeanne’s craze for a villa led Us to Juliett’s villa. I was uninterested in buying the villa but went there to have a look for Jeanne’s satisfaction. When the ladies went for an inspection of the villa, there was an entry of Mrs. Al Smith. She was in a great hurry and hence, mistook me to be the owner of the villa. Taking advantage of the situation, 1 got her to make a deal, thereby earning a profit of a hundred thousand francs. My wife was pleasantly surprised when I finalized the deal with Juliette. Although I am happy to strike this deal, at the same time I regret cheating my wife, Jeanne. She does not suspect my actions. Tomorrow, I shall tell her the reality. Hope she too will excuse me this time. I pledge not to cheat her again in the future. It was immoral and unethical to indulge in such an act. I shouldn’t have betrayed her confidence. I shall apologise to her, first thing in the morning.
Thank you diary.
Question 6:
Imagine you are Jeanne Gaston’s wife. You come to know about Gaston’s dishonest deal. Write a letter to Mrs. Juliette revealing the truth mid requesting her to cancel the deal with Gaston and to sign a fresh, deal with Mrs. A1 Smith in 150 words. (Value Based Question) (Board Term I 2012, Set 50)
Answer:
43, Ashok Vihar
New Delhi
2nd January, 20 xx
Dear Juliette,
I am greatly disheartened and shocked by the unprincipled behaviour of my husband. He has showed his true colours of cleverness. He has proved himself to be shrewd, calculating, business-minded and opportunistic. Initially, he was unwilling to buy the villa for he feared that the villa would be occupied by my parents and sister’s children. Later I was shocked when I came to know the truth that he has cheated both you and me. He has made a handsome profit out of the deal.
f am shocked to realize that my feelings are not important to him. I have lost trust in my husband and want to teach him a lesson. I request you to kindly cancel the deal with Gaston and sign a fresh deal with Mrs. Al Smith. Thanks.
Yours truly
Jeanne
Imagine you are Jeanne Gaston’s wife. You come to know about Gaston’s dishonest deal. Write a letter to Mrs. Juliette revealing the truth mid requesting her to cancel the deal with Gaston and to sign a fresh, deal with Mrs. A1 Smith in 150 words. (Value Based Question) (Board Term I 2012, Set 50)
Answer:
43, Ashok Vihar
New Delhi
2nd January, 20 xx
Dear Juliette,
I am greatly disheartened and shocked by the unprincipled behaviour of my husband. He has showed his true colours of cleverness. He has proved himself to be shrewd, calculating, business-minded and opportunistic. Initially, he was unwilling to buy the villa for he feared that the villa would be occupied by my parents and sister’s children. Later I was shocked when I came to know the truth that he has cheated both you and me. He has made a handsome profit out of the deal.
f am shocked to realize that my feelings are not important to him. I have lost trust in my husband and want to teach him a lesson. I request you to kindly cancel the deal with Gaston and sign a fresh deal with Mrs. Al Smith. Thanks.
Yours truly
Jeanne
Question 7:
You are Jeanne. After coming home, you realize that the villa was not actually bought and your husband has fooled both you and the landlady of toe villa. You are filled with rage, disgust and helplessness because of your husband’s betrayal. Write your feelings in the form of a diary entry. (Board Term I 2012, Set 41)
Or
You are Jeanne. After coming home you realize that the villa was not actually bought and your husband has fooled both you and toe landlady of toe villa. You are angry as you find yourself in a helpless situation. Express your feelings in your diary. (Board Term I 2012, Set 48)
Answer:
Sunday 20thOctober,20xx 10:00p.m.
Dear Diary,
I am full of disgust after being cheated by Gaston today. I am disheartened to learn that I have been fooled by him. It was very selfish of him to say that he was buying toe villa for my parents, hater, I was shocked when I came to know the truth. He has cheated both Juliette mid myself. Now, 1 understand why he was in such a hurry to buy toe villa. He has proved himself to be very practical and money minded. How could he be so uncaring of my feelings? I am feeling very depressed and curse the day when I got married to him. His behaviour has lately been very unprincipled and unscrupulous, I wish Gaston would have behaved better I feel so helpless because of his betrayal I have decided I shall not talk to him. .
Goodnight.
You are Jeanne. After coming home, you realize that the villa was not actually bought and your husband has fooled both you and the landlady of toe villa. You are filled with rage, disgust and helplessness because of your husband’s betrayal. Write your feelings in the form of a diary entry. (Board Term I 2012, Set 41)
Or
You are Jeanne. After coming home you realize that the villa was not actually bought and your husband has fooled both you and toe landlady of toe villa. You are angry as you find yourself in a helpless situation. Express your feelings in your diary. (Board Term I 2012, Set 48)
Answer:
Sunday 20thOctober,20xx 10:00p.m.
Dear Diary,
I am full of disgust after being cheated by Gaston today. I am disheartened to learn that I have been fooled by him. It was very selfish of him to say that he was buying toe villa for my parents, hater, I was shocked when I came to know the truth. He has cheated both Juliette mid myself. Now, 1 understand why he was in such a hurry to buy toe villa. He has proved himself to be very practical and money minded. How could he be so uncaring of my feelings? I am feeling very depressed and curse the day when I got married to him. His behaviour has lately been very unprincipled and unscrupulous, I wish Gaston would have behaved better I feel so helpless because of his betrayal I have decided I shall not talk to him. .
Goodnight.
Question 8:
What does the sale of toe villa reveal about Gaston? (Board Term I 2012, Set 44)
Answer: Jeanne wanted the villa for her parents and her sister’s children. Gaston was not at all enthralled on account of it and found fault in the villa and said that the price was too high for the purchase. Juliette, the owner of the villa offered two hundred thousand francs while Mrs. Al Smith was ready to buy it for three hundred thousand francs. As Mr. Gaston was mistaken for the owner, he struck the deal iii order to make money. Gaston is an opportunist. He was clever and hypocritical. He could turn any situation to his advantage. He had great presence of mind and insight into Mrs. Al Smith’s psychology,
What does the sale of toe villa reveal about Gaston? (Board Term I 2012, Set 44)
Answer: Jeanne wanted the villa for her parents and her sister’s children. Gaston was not at all enthralled on account of it and found fault in the villa and said that the price was too high for the purchase. Juliette, the owner of the villa offered two hundred thousand francs while Mrs. Al Smith was ready to buy it for three hundred thousand francs. As Mr. Gaston was mistaken for the owner, he struck the deal iii order to make money. Gaston is an opportunist. He was clever and hypocritical. He could turn any situation to his advantage. He had great presence of mind and insight into Mrs. Al Smith’s psychology,
Question 9:
Do you think Gaston is a shrewd businessman or a plain cheater? Give reasons to support your answer. (Value based) (Board Term I 2012, Set 60)
Answer:
Gaston was not a cheater, but a shrewd businessman. He had a strong business instinct. Seeing Mrs. Al Smith, he sensed profit. He showed presence of mind by posing as the owner of the villa and selling it for three hundred thousand francs. He then bought the villa for two hundred thousand francs, thereby making a clear and effortless profit of one hundred thousand francs.
Do you think Gaston is a shrewd businessman or a plain cheater? Give reasons to support your answer. (Value based) (Board Term I 2012, Set 60)
Answer:
Gaston was not a cheater, but a shrewd businessman. He had a strong business instinct. Seeing Mrs. Al Smith, he sensed profit. He showed presence of mind by posing as the owner of the villa and selling it for three hundred thousand francs. He then bought the villa for two hundred thousand francs, thereby making a clear and effortless profit of one hundred thousand francs.
Question 10:
You are Gaston.You reveal your fake deal with Mrs. Al Smith to your wife Jeanne and she leaves you to stay with her parents. Write a letter to her expressing your repentance over the issue and requesting her to come back. (Value Based Question) (Board Term I 2012, Set 54)
Answer:
73-A, Joinville ‘
Britain
14th October, 20xx
Dear Jeanne,
I was well aware of the fact that you wanted toe villa for your parents. Though I was disinterested1 in the beginning, I had reconciled with the situation. Entry of Mrs. Al Smith made me sense profit and I could not refrain myself from making toe deal with her I had.no intention of hurting you or anyone else. I just tried to grab the opportunity that came to me. I am sorry for the betrayal and will surely undo toe wrong. ! shall buy an equally elegant villa for your family. But please come back early.
Waiting for you.
Gaston
You are Gaston.You reveal your fake deal with Mrs. Al Smith to your wife Jeanne and she leaves you to stay with her parents. Write a letter to her expressing your repentance over the issue and requesting her to come back. (Value Based Question) (Board Term I 2012, Set 54)
Answer:
73-A, Joinville ‘
Britain
14th October, 20xx
Dear Jeanne,
I was well aware of the fact that you wanted toe villa for your parents. Though I was disinterested1 in the beginning, I had reconciled with the situation. Entry of Mrs. Al Smith made me sense profit and I could not refrain myself from making toe deal with her I had.no intention of hurting you or anyone else. I just tried to grab the opportunity that came to me. I am sorry for the betrayal and will surely undo toe wrong. ! shall buy an equally elegant villa for your family. But please come back early.
Waiting for you.
Gaston
