PRACTICE ASSIGNMENT

Two Gentlemen Of Verona

Read the extracts given below and answer the questions that follow:
They were selling wild strawberries. "Don't buy," warned Luigi, our cautious driver. "You will
get fruit much better in Verona. Besides, these boys..He shrugged his shoulders to convey
his disapproval of their shabby appearance. (Page 4)
Answer the following questions:
(a) Who were selling wild strawberries?
(b) Why does the narrator call Luigi a cautious driver?
(c) What did Luigi want to convey and why?
2.They were childish enough, and in many ways quite artless. Jacopo was lively as a squirrel.
Nicola's smile was steady and engaging. Yet in both these boyish faces there was a seriousness
which was far beyond their years. (Page 4)
Questions
(a) Why does the narrator call them 'childish' and 'artless'?
(b) Contrast two different styles of Nicola and Jacopo.
(c) What brought a 'seriousness' far 'beyond their years' on their boyish faces?
3. "Why are you out so late, Nicola?"
"Waiting for the last bus from Padua. We shall sell all our paper when it comes in."
"Must you work so hard? You both look rather tired."
"We are not complaining, sir."
Questions
(a) Where were the two boys out so late and why?
(b) What did the narrator guess about them and how?
(c) What trait of their character is revealed in the last line?
4. "You must be saving up to immigrate to America," I suggested. He looked at me
sideways, spoke with an effort.
"We should greatly like to go to the States. But here, at present, we have other
plans."
"What plans?"
He smiled uncomfortably. "Just plans, sir," he answered in a low voice.
(Page 5)
Questions
(a) Why did the author think that the boys would immigrate to America?
(b) Who is 'He' in the second line and why did he smile uncomfortably?
(c) Why didn't they want to tell their plan?

5. There was a pause. Nicola was glaring at his younger brother in vexation. "We could not
think of troubling you, sir."
(Page 5)
Questions
(a) Why was Nicola glaring at his younger brother in vexation?
(b) What favour did his younger brother ask from the narrator?
(c) What trait of Nicola's character is revealed in these lines?
6. I waited outside until the boys rejoined me, then drove them back to the city. They sat b eside
me not speaking. For my part, I did not say a word - I knew they would prefer to feel that they
had safely kept their secret. Yet their devotion had touched me deeply. War had not broken
their spirit. Their selfless action brought a new nobility to human life, gave promise of a greater
hope for human society. (Page 7)

Questions
(a) How did the narrator and the boys behave while they were in the car?
(b) What was their secret and what would they prefer to feel?
(c) How were the boys a hope for humanity?