Gujarat Board GSEB Class 9 English Textbook Solutions Beehive Chapter 11 If I Were You Textbook Exercise Important Questions and Answers, Notes Pdf.
Gujarat Board Textbook Solutions Class 9 English Beehive Chapter 11 If I Were You
GSEB Class 9 English If I Were You Text Book Questions and Answers
Thinking about the Text
I. Answer these questions:
Question 1.
“At last a sympathetic audience.”
(i) Who says this ?
(ii) Why does he say it?
(iii) Is he sarcastic or serious ?
Answer:
(i) The speaker of the given line is Gerrard.
(ii) He says it as he is asked by the intruder to speak about himself.
(iii) He speaks the given dialogue sarcastically and not seriously.
Question 2.
Why does the intruder choose Gerrard as the man whose identity he wants to take on ?
Answer:
The intruder chooses Gerrard as the S man whose identity he wants to take on as ? they were of similar built.
Question 3.
“I said it with bullets.” ?
(i) Who says this ?
(ii) What does it mean ?
(iii) Is it the truth ? What is the speaker’s reason for saying this ?
Answer:
(i) Gerrard says the given line.
(ii) It means that when things went wrong, he had used his gun to shoot someone for his escape.
(iii) No, it is not the truth. The speaker says this to save himself from getting shot by the intruder.
Question 4.
What is Gerrard’s profession? Quote
the parts of the play that support your answer.
Answer:
Gerrard is a playwright by profession. Several parts of the play reflect this. Some of s these are:
- “This is all very melodramatic, not very original, perhaps, but…”
- “At last a sympathetic audience !
- “In most melodramas the villain is foolish enough to delay his killing long enough s to be frustrated”.
- “I said you were luckier than most melodramatic villains.” ?
- “That’s a disguise outfit; false moustaches and what not”.
- Sorry I can’t let you have the props in time for rehearsal, I’ve had a spot of bother – quite amusing. I think I‘ll put it in my next play.”
Question 5.
“You’ll soon stop being smart.”
(i) Who says this ?
(ii) Why does the speaker say it ?
(iii) What according to the speaker will stop Gerrard from being smart ?
Answer:
(i) The intruder says the line under reference.
(ii) Peeved at the smartness displayed by Gerrard, the intruder says this to warn him against acting smart as he is unaware of the consequences that he might suffer.
(iii) The speaker thinks that Gerrard would stop acting smart once he comes to know about his plan to kill Gerrard and take over his identity.
Question 6.
“They can’t hang me twice.”
(i) Who says this ?
(ii) Why does the speaker say it ?
Answer:
(i) The intruder says the line.
(ii) The intruder had been telling Gerrard that he had murdered one man, and that he would not shy away from murdering him too. This is because the police could not hang him twice for two murders.
Question 7.
“A mystery I propose to explain.” What is the mystery the speaker proposes to explain ? –
Answer:
The mystery that Gerrard proposed to explain was the story he made up to dodge the intruder and save his own life. The story was that Gerrard himself was a criminal like the intruder. He asked the intruder why else would he not meet any tradespeople and be a bit of a mystery man here today and gone tomorrow. The game was up as things had suddenly gone wrong for him. He had committed a murder and got away. Unfortunately, one of his men had been arrested and certain things were found which his men should have burnt. He said that he was expecting some trouble that night and therefore, his bag was packed and he was ready to escape.
Question 8.
“This is your big surprise.”
(i) Where has this been said in the play ?
(ii) What is the surprise ?
Answer:
(i) This has been said twice in the play. On the first occasion, it is spoken by the intruder while revealing his plan to kill Gerrard. Secondly, it is spoken by Gerrard before he reveals his fictitious identity to the intruder.
(ii) The intruder’s surprise is his plan to kill Gerrard and take on his identity to lead a secure and hassle-free life. Whereas, Gerrard’s surprise is his fictious identity, his way of refraining the intruder from killing him.
Thinking about Language
I. Consult your dictionary and choose the correct word from the pairs given in the brackets:
(1) The (site, cite) of the accident was (ghastly/ghostly).
(2) Our college (principle/principal) is very strict.
(3) I studied (continuously/continually) for eight hours.
(4) The fog had an adverse (affect/effect) on the traffic.
(5) Cezanne, the famous French painter, was a brilliant (artist/artiste).
(6) The book that you gave me yesterday is an extraordinary (collage/college) of science fiction and mystery.
(7) Our school will (host/hoist) an exhibition on cruelty to animals and wildlife conservation.
(8) Screw the lid tightly onto the top of the bottle and (shake /shape) well before using the contents.
Answer:
(1) The site of the accident was ghastly.
(2) Our college principal is very strict.
(3) I studied continuously for eight hours.
(4) The fog had an adverse effect on the traffic.
(5) Cezanne, the famous French painter, was a brilliant artist.
(6) The book that you gave me yesterday is an extraordinary collage of science fiction and mystery.
(7) Our school will host an exhibition on cruelty to animals and wildlife conservation.
(8) Screw the lid tightly onto the top of the bottle and shake well before using the contents.
II. Irony is when we say one thing but mean another, usually the opposite of what we say. When someone makes a mistake and you say, “Oh! that was clever!”, that is irony. You’re saying ‘clever’ to mean ‘not clever’.
We use a slightly different tone of voice when we use these words ironically.
Read the play carefully and find the words and expressions Gerrard uses in an ironic way. Then say what these expressions really mean. Two examples have been given below. Write down three more such expressions along with what they really mean.
| What the author says | What he means |
| 1. Why, this is a surprise, Mr – er – | He pretends that the intruder is a social visitor whom he is welcoming. In this way he hides his fear. |
| 2. At last a sympathetic audience ! | He pretends that the intruder wants to listen to him, whereas actually the intruder wants to find out information for his own use. |
Answer:
| What the author says | What he means |
| 1. You won’t kill me for a very good reason. | Gerrard is just pretending to have a ‘very good reason’ even though there is no such reason. |
| 2. Sorry I can’t let you have the props in time for rehearsal, I’ve had a spot of – bother – quite amusing. | The ‘spot of bother’ that Gerrard calls ‘quite amusing’ is actually a life-threa¬tening situation, where a criminal actually threatens to kill him. |
| 3.You have been so modest. | Here, Gerrard means that it is immodest on the part of the intruder to know so much about him without disclosing his own identity. |
Writing
Question 1.
Which of the words below describe Gerrard and which describe the Intruder?
Write a paragraph each about Gerrard and the Intruder to show what qualities they have. (You can use some of the words given above.)
Answer:
The words that describe Gerrard are cool, confident, witty, nonchalant, humorous and clever. The Intruder could be described by the words like flashy and smart. Gerrard is a cool and confident playwright. He is a witty fellow, as is evident from the way he tackles a grave situation in which he finds himself face to face with a dangerous criminal. When he is asked for his personal information by the Intruder, he talks to him in a nonchalant and humorous manner. He cleverly convinces the Intruder that he too is a criminal and then manages to lock him up in his wardrobe.
The Intruder enters Gerrard’s premises dressed in flashy clothes. He is smart in his attempt to extract all the personal information about Gerrard. But he is outsmarted by Gerrard’s wit. He fails to see through Gerrard’s concocted story about himself.
Question 2.
Convert the play into a story (150-200 words). Your story should be as exciting and as witty as the play. Provide a suitable title to it.
Answer:
On Confronting an Intruder
One day, a professional playwright named Gerrard is visited by a flamboyantly dressed Intruder. The Intruder points a gun at him. Even though he is alarmed, Gerrard starts a conversation with him in a nonchalant manner. In time, the Intruder reveals his plan to extract all the information from Gerrard before killing him. This he wants so that after killing him he can take on his identity and start living as Gerrard, freely and without the fear of being hunted and imprisoned by the police.
But, Gerrard cleverly concocts a story about him being a criminal like him. He says that he has a man posted on the main road who shall inform him if the police approaches. He shows him his travelling bag, fake moustaches to make the Intruder believe his story. And believe he does. Finally, Gerrard shows him a door to exit, which is actually of a cupboard. He pushes and locks the Intruder inside, and picks up the fallen revolver. He then informs the Sergeant of the criminal. In this way, the’ clever and witty playwright Gerrard manages to save himself from the Intruder.
(A model answer has been provided for students’ reference. It is strongly recommended that students prepare the answer on their own.)
GSEB Class 9 English If I Were You Additional Important Questions and Answers
Reading Comprehension
Read the following passages and select the most appropriate answers for the questions given below them:
Question 1.
(He puts down the phone and goes to the divan on the left, where there is a travelling bag, and starts packing. Whilst he is thus engaged, another man, similar in build to Gerrard enters from the right silently – revolver in hand. He is flashily dressed in an overcoat and a soft hat. He bumps accidentally against the table, and at the sound Gerrard turns quickly.)
GERRARD: (pleasantly) Why, this is a surprise, Mr- er-
INTRUDER: I’m glad you’re pleased to see me. I don’t think you’ll be pleased for long. Put those paws up !
GERRARD: This is all very melodramatic, not very original, perhaps, but ………..
INTRUDER: Trying to be calm and – er –
GERRARD: ‘Nonchalant’ is your word, I think.
INTRUDER: Thanks a lot. Tfou’ll soon stop being smart. I’ll make you crawl. I want to know a few things, see.
Questions:
1. The text within the brackets reads the …………….. of the play.
A. pretask
B. background
C. gist
D. summary
Answer:
B. background
2. ‘Flashily dressed’ means …………………
A. ‘wearing expensive dress’.
B. ‘wearing cheap and showy dress’.
C. ‘wearing a scary dress’.
D. ‘dressed up quite neatly.’
Answer:
B. ‘wearing cheap and showy dress’.
3. Give popular expression for ‘put those paws up’.
A.‘Stand up’.
B.‘Stand still’.
C. ‘Hands up’.
D.‘Don’t move’.
Answer:
C. ‘Hands up’.
4. The meaning of the word ‘nonchalant1 is ………………
A.‘indifferent’.
B. ‘careful’.
C.‘attentive’.
D.‘graceful’.
Answer:
A.‘indifferent’.
Question 2.
INTRUDER: My speciality’s jewel robbery. Your car will do me a treat. It’s certainly a dandy bus.
GERRARD: I’m afraid jewels are few and far between in the wilds of Essex.
INTRUDER: So are the cops. I can retire here nicely for a little while.
GERRARD: You mean to live with me A trifle sudden isn’t it; you’ve not been invited.
INTRUDER: You won’t be here long; so I didn’t trouble to ask.
GERRARD: What do you mean ?
INTRUDER: This is your big surprise. I’m going s to kill you.
GERRARD: A little harsh, isn’t it ?
INTRUDER: (with heavy sarcasm) Yeah, I’ll be sorry to do it. I’ve taken a fancy to you, but it’s just got to be done.
GERRARD: Why add murder to your other crimes ? It’s a grave step you’re taking.
INTRUDER: I’m not taking it for fun. I’ve been hunted long enough. I’m wanted for murder already, and they can’t hang me twice.
GERRARD: You’re planning a gratuitous double, so to speak. Admitted you’ve nothing to lose, but what have you to gain ?
Questions:
1. ‘To do a treat’ means ………………
A. ‘do some favour’.
B. ‘be helpful / useful’.
C. ‘get me entrapped’.
D. Both ‘A’ and ‘B’
Answer:
D. Both ‘A’ and ‘B’
2. What, according to the Intruder, will be a surprise for Gerrard ?
A. That he will live with him for some time.
B. That he will kill him.
C. That he will lend him his car.
D. That he will disclose his secrets.
Answer:
B. That he will kill him.
3. The phrase ‘take a fancy to’ means ………………..
A. ‘create problem for’.
B. ‘help someone out’.
C. ‘develop a fondness for’.
D. ‘think seriously about’.
Answer:
C. ‘develop a fondness for’.
4. One of the following sentences is incorrect. Pick it out.
A. Intruder is threatening Gerrard to kill him.
B. Gerrard is afraid and tries to convince Intruder not to kill him.
C. Gerrard is quite indifferent to the S threatenings of Intruder.
D. If Intruder kills Gerrard, he will be convicted for double murder.
Answer:
B. Gerrard is afraid and tries to convince Intruder not to kill him.
Question 3.
INTRUDER: (preparing to shoot) As I said before, this conversation bores me.
GERRARD: Don’t be a fool. If you shoot, you’ll s hang for sure. If not as yourself, then ? as Vincent Charles Gerrard.
INTRUDER: What is this ?
GERRARD: This is your big surprise. I said s you wouldn’t kill me and I was ? right. Why do you think I am here today and gone tomorrow, never see tradespeople? You say my habits would suit you. You are a crook. Do you think I am a Sunday-school
teacher ?
The game’s up as far as I’m ( concerned. Things went wrong with me. I said it with bullets and got away. Unfortunately they got one of my men, and found things the fool should have burnt. Tonight I’m expecting trouble. My bag’s packed ready to clear off. There it is.
INTRUDER: It’s a bag all right and this is a gun all right. What’s all this ?
GERRARD: That’s a disguise outfit; false moustaches and what not. Now do you believe me ?
Questions:
1. What does Gerrard want to convey through the words ‘Do you think I am a Sunday- school teacher ?
A. That he is equally smart as Intruder.
B. That he is not a straight-forward fellow.
C. That as a teacher, he works on weekdays, too.
D. Both ‘A’ and ‘B’
Answer:
D. Both ‘A’ and ‘B’
2. What has gone wrong with Gerrard as he narrates ?
A. He has killed somebody.
B. His accomplice was caught red-handed.
C. He has allowed Intruder to enter his house.
D. Both ‘A’ and ‘B’
Answer:
D. Both ‘A’ and ‘B’
3. ‘Tonight I am expecting trouble.’What trouble does he expect ?
A. That Intruder will kill him.
B. That police will arrest him.
C. That he will be killed by someone.
D. That he will have to leave the country.
Answer:
B. That police will arrest him.
4. Gerrard keeps a disguise outfit ready to ………………..
A. flee hiding his identity.
B. befool Intruder.
C. lend it to Intruder to help him.
D. None of these three
Answer:
A. flee hiding his identity.
Answer the following questions in three to four sentences each:
Question 1.
What crime had the intruder committed ?
Answer:
He had committed a robbery in the town. He was going to be caught by a cop. He killed the cop and escaped. Now he could be hanged if he was caught.
Question 2.
Gerrard said, “You have been so modest.” Was Gerrard being funny, truthful or ironical ? Give reasons for your answer.
Answer:
The intruder had been very rude to Gerrard. He had a revolver in his hand. He had ‘ordered Gerrard to put his hands up. But Gerrard wanted to win the intruder’s confidence. So he tried to be a little funny by saying, “You have been so modest.”
Question 3.
Why did Gerrard send for the sergeant ?
Answer:
Gerrard had come to know all about the intruder. He knew he had killed a cop and the police was after him. Very cleverly he was able to lock the intruder in his cupboard. Then he sent for the sergeant to have the intruder arrested.
Answer the following questions in five to six sentences each:
Question 1.
Why had the intruder planned to kill Gerrard ? Did he succeed in his plan ? Why ?
Answer:
The intruder was a criminal. He had killed a cop. The police was after him. He could be hanged if he was caught. He found that Gerrard looked quite like him. So he decided to kill Gerrard. Then he could take on his identity and live as Gerrard and never be caught. He had only to wear Gerrard’s clothes and specs. That was why he broke into Gerrard’s house with a revolver. But all his plan failed. Gerrard proved too clever for him. He made a fool of the intruder. He locked him in the cupboard and got him arrested.
Question 2.
What story does Gerrard tell the intruder about himself? Do you think it is a true story ?
Answer:
Gerrard tells the intruder that he, too, is a criminal like him. He says that once things went wrong with him. He had to use bullets. He was able to get away. But the police got one of his men. They found on him some papers. The man should have burnt these papers. But he hadn’t and the police found them. From those papers, they came to know of Gerrard’s name and address. Now they could reach there any time. Gerrard says that he had packed his bag and was ready to run away.
It is not a true story. Gerrard has made it up to trap the intruder. He wants to have him arrested.
Question 3.
How does Gerrard make a fool of the intruder and have him arrested ?
Answer:
Gerrard talks to the intruder pleasantly. He tells him that he too is a criminal like him. He says that once things went wrong with him. He used bullets. He was able to get away. But now the police was after him. They had found his name and address. He could be arrested any time. So he had packed his bag. He had planned to run away in his car. He opens a door. He says the door leads to his garage. The intruder believes Gerrard’s story. He agrees to run away with him. But as soon as he steps in, Gerrard locks the door. It is not the door to any garage. It is the door of a cupboard. Thus, Gerrard traps the intruder and has him arrested.
Question 4.
What estimate do you form of Gerrard’s character from the play ‘If I Were You’?
Answer:
Gerrard was very intelligent. He had great presence of mind. And he had a sense of humour also. The intruder enters his house. He has a revolver in his hand. But Gerrard doesn’t get afraid. He remains calm. He keeps his presence of mind. He talks to the intruder in a pleasant manner. He even tries to be humorous. He never lets the situation become very serious. He never says anything that can make the intruder very angry. He wins the intruder’s confidence. He gets everything out of him. Then he makes up a clever story. The intruder is taken in by it. He gets locked in the cupboard. All this shows how intelligent Gerrard is. He is a stage artist. But in real life also, he proves a great actor.
Vocabulary And Grammar
Vocabulary
Fill in the blanks choosing the correct words given in the brackets:
(1) (pleased, long, glad, think)
Intruder : I’m ……………a………….. you’re …………b…………. to see me. I don’t ……………c………… you’ll be pleased for …………..d……………..
Answer:
a. glad
b. pleased
c. think
d. long
(2) (twice, enough, hunted, murder)
Intruder: I‘am not taking it for fun. I’ve been ……………..a………….. long …………..b…………… . I’m wanted for …………..c……………… already, and they can’t hang me …………d…………..
Answer:
a. hunted
b. enough
c. murder
d.twice
Grammar
Rectify the errors in the passage:
(1)
GERRARD: Are you American, and is that morely a clever imitation ?
INTRUDER: Listen, this gun has no toy. I can hurt you without kill you and still get my answer.
GERRARD: Of course, unless you put it like that, I’ll be glad to assist you. I did possess a car, and it’s in the garage.
| Errors | Corrections |
| (a) and | or |
| (b) morely | merely |
| (c) has | is |
| (d) kill | killing |
| (e) unless | if |
| (f) did | do |
(2)
Answer:
GERRARD: And when precisely have you got ? It didn’t require a great brain breaking into my little cottage.
INTRUDER: When you know what I have broken into your little cottage, you are surprised, and it won’t be a pleasant surprise.
GERRARD: With you figured so largely in it, that is understandig. By the way, what particular
line of crime do you embrace ?
| Errors | Corrections |
| (a) when | where |
| (b) breaking | to break |
| (c) what | why |
| (d) are | will be |
| (e) figured | figuring |
| (f) under- standing | Under- standable |
(3)
Answer:
GERRARD: You’re planning a gratuitous double, as to speak.
Admitted you’ve something to lose, but what have you to gain ?
INTRUDER: I’ve got freedom to gain. As with myself, I’m a poor
hunting rat. As Vincent Charles Gerrard I’m free to
go to places and do everything I can eat well and sleep and without had to be ready to beat it at
the sight of a cop.
| Errors | Corrections |
| (a) as | so |
| (b) something | nothing |
| (c) with | for |
| (d) hunting | hunted |
| (e) everything | nothing |
| (f) had | having |
Fill in the blanks using article(s), conjunctions(s) and preposition(s) at the 3 correct places:
(1) GERRARD: You seem to have taken ……………a………….. considerable amount ………………b……………. trouble. ……………c…………. you know so much …………..d…………… me, won’t you say something about yourself?
INTRUDER: I could tell you plenty, You think you’re smart, ……………..e…………… I’m ………….f………. top of the class round here.
Answer:
a. a
b. of
c. Since
d. about
e. but
f. the
(2) GERRARD: …………..a…………. God’s sake clear ………….b………….. muddled head …………..c……………. yours ……………..d ……………… let’s go. Come …………..e…………… me ……………f…………. the car.
Answer:
a. For
b. that
c. of
d. and
e. with
f. in
Punctuate the following passage:
INTRUDER sit down there and no funny business motions to a chair and seats himself s on the divan by the bag now then we’ll have a nice little talk about yourself
Answer:
INTRUDER : Sit down there, and no funny business. (Motions to a chair, and seats himself on the divan by the bag.) Now then, we’ll have a nice little talk about yourself!
Convert the following into Indirect Speech:
INTRUDER: Never mind my name. I like yours better, Mr Gerrard. What are your Christian names ?
GERRARD: Vincent Charles.
INTRUDER: Do you run a car ? .
GERRARD: No
Answer:
Intruder asked Gerrard never to mind his name and added that he liked his (name) better. Then in an authoritative tone, he asked Gerrard what his Christian names were. Gerrard replied that they were Vincent Charles. Intruder asked him further if he ran a car. Gerrard relied negatively.
Rewrite as directed:
(1) You’re not dealing with a fool. (Turn into Affirmative.)
(2) If you put it like that, I’ll be glad to assist you. (Use ‘Unless’.)
(3) Why add murder to your other crimes ? (Turn into Assertive.)
(4) Your clothes will let you down if you’re not careful, ……………….. ? (Add a Question Tag.)
(5) You were luckier than most melodramatic villains. (Change the Degree.)
(6) If you shoot, you’ll hang for sure. (Use ‘otherwise’.)
(7) Let me out of here ! (Use ‘Allow’.)
Answer:
(1) You’re dealing with a smart man.
(2) Unless you put it like that, I’ll not be glad to assist you.
(3) You should not add murder to your other crimes.
(4) Your clothes will let you down if you’re not careful, won’t they ?
(5) Most melodramatic villains were not so lucky as you.
(6) Don’t shoot otherwise you’ll hang for sure.
(7) Allow me to be out of here.
If I Were You Summary in English
If I Were You Summary:
This play tells the story of a criminal who breaks into a lonely house. A man named Gerrard lives in this house. The intruder has killed a cop and the police is after him. He knows that Gerrard has some physical resemblance to him. So he has planned to kill Gerrard and take on his identity. But Gerrard proves- too smart for the intruder. He makes up a story to fool the intruder. He tells the intruder that he, too, is a criminal like him. He says that he has also killed someone and the police is after him.
He tells the intruder that he can help him in getting away from there in his car. He opens a door and asks the intruder to get inside. He says that through that door, they can go straight to the garage. But as soon as the intruder steps in, Gerrard shuts the door and locks it. It was not the way to a garage. It was the door of a cupboard! Thus Gerrard traps the intruder very cleverly. Then he sends for the police to arrest him.