The story begins with the narrator, John Hallock, recounting how he came to write a ghost story. His editor, Jenkins, specifically requested a supernatural tale, and although John was initially unsure of what to write, he knew that inspiration would eventually come, as ........................
A Shady Plot - Interact in English: Literature Reader - Class 10 - English
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Back Questions - A Shady Plot | Interact in English: Literature Reader | Literature | English | Class 10
What made the writer overconfident about his ability to write ghost stories ?
a) He was contacted whenever magazines wanted a ghost story
b) He was always able to write a ghost story whenever he had to write one
c) He had an Ouija board
d) He knew the ghost lady would help him write a good ghost story
b) He was always able to write a ghost story whenever he had to write one
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The sight of the ghost materialising in his room filled the narrator with ………
a) fear
b) excitement
c) joy
d) anticipation
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Sign up nowJohn wants the ghost to disappear before his wife enters the room and waves his arms at the ghost with something of the motion of a beginner when learning to swim. What does it reveal about John? His_________________.
a) fear
b) amusement
c) desperation
d) anxiety
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Sign up nowWhen the narrator says his wife is never so pretty as when she's doing something she knows he disapproves of, his tone is _________________.
a) amused
b) ironic
c) angry
d) irritated
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Sign up nowThe ghost says "It's all your fault.'It' here refers to the ___________________.
a) narrator's wife's anger
b) ghost's anger
c) narrator's wife leaving him
d) ghost materialising in sections.
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Sign up nowWe scout around until we find a writer without ideas and with a mind soft enough to accept the impression. The case is brought to the attention of the main office, and one of us is assigned to it. When that case is finished we bring in a report.
(i) What does ‘we’ refer to in the above lines?
(ii) Select the most appropriate option based on (1) and (2).
- ‘The case is brought to the attention of the main office, and one of us is assigned to it.’
- Helen says that she helped John many times when he was thinking hard.
- A. (1) is the reason for (2)
- B. (1) is the result of (2)
- C. (1) is independent of (2)
- D. (2) is the reason for (1)
(iii) Choose the most appropriate option which shows the speaker’s character with reference to the extract.
A. Creative
B. Gullible
C. Jealous
D. Sceptical
(iv) ‘We scout around...’What purpose does the scouting serve?
(v) Select the option that displays the appropriate features that can be associated with task completion, as mentioned in the extract.
- organisation
- autocracy
- delegation of duty
- competitiveness
- need for recognition
A. Only (4)
B. (2), (3) and (5)
C. (1) and (3)
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Sign up nowWhich genre of stories does Jenkins want the narrator to write? Why?
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Sign up nowDoes the narrator like writing ghost stories? Support your answer with evidence from the story.
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Sign up nowWhat makes Helen, the ghost and her other co-ghosts organize The Writer's Inspiration Bureau?
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Sign up nowWhy had Helen, the ghost, been helping the narrator write ghost stories? Why was she going on strike? What condition did she place for providing continued help?
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Sign up nowHow does the ghost undermine the narrator's faith in his ability to write ghost stories?
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Sign up nowWhy does John want the ghost to disappear before his wife appears on the scene? What impression of his wife's character do you form from his words?
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Sign up nowWhy does the narrator hesitate to be a partner to Laura Hinkle during the Ouija Board Party?
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Sign up nowWhat message does the ghost convey to the group assembled in the narrator's house? What is their reaction to the message?
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Sign up nowDo you agree with the narrator calling the assembly of women "manipulators?" Give reasons
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Sign up nowWhy does John wish himself to be dead? Also, explain Helen’s role in resolving that phase in his life.
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Sign up nowWhen confronted by Lavinia about his flirtations over the Ouija Board, John insists that 'the affair was quite above-board, I assure you, my love'. Bring out the pun in John's statement.
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Sign up nowJohn's apprehensions about his wife's reaction to her encounter with the ghost are unfounded. Justify.
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Sign up nowAfter her reconciliation with her husband, John Hallock, Lavinia writes a letter to her friend expressing how her relationship with him has almost been on the verge of breaking and what has saved it. Write her a letter.
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Sign up nowJohn Hallock reflects upon his experience with Helen's ghost and in retrospect he finds it quite amusing. All the same he is relieved that he is no longer plagued by it. Ironically, the same ghost inspires his creativity and he writes a diary entry reflecting upon the comical aspect of his experience. Write his diary entry.
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Sign up nowExtra Questions - A Shady Plot | Interact in English: Literature Reader | Literature | English | Class 10
I remained silent while she lit the lamps, thankful that her back was turned to me. When I am nervous or excited there is a muscle in my face that starts to twitch, and this pulls up one corner of my mouth and gives the appearance of an idiotic grin. So far I had managed to conceal this affliction from Lavinia. “You know I bought the loveliest thing this afternoon. Everybody’s wild over them I”
- Why was the author thankful that her back was turned to him?
- Why was the author nervous?
- What loveliest thing is being talked about here?
- The author was thankful that her back was turned to him because when he was nervous or excited, a muscle in his face would twitch, giving the appearance of an idiotic grin. He had managed to conceal this affliction from Lavinia so far.
- The author was nervous because a ghost had just visited him and demanded that he persuade people to stop using Ouija boards in exchange for help with his writing. The ghost also warned him about a strike of the spirits.
- The loveliest thing being talked about here is an Ouija board, which Lavinia had bought that afternoon.
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She had seated herself on the arm of my chair and was looking dreamily across the room. I started and turned around. There was nothing there, and I sank back with relief. So far, so good . “Oh, certainly, they’re thrilling all right.”
- Why did the author turn around?
- Why did the author sink back in relief when he saw there was nothing around?
- Why are the Ouija boards thrilling?
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Sign up nowQuiz - A Shady Plot | Interact in English: Literature Reader | Class 10 Literature | English
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Unlock now 🔓About the Author - A Shady Plot | Interact in English: Literature Reader | Class 10 Literature | English
Elsie Brown was an American author who primarily wrote mystery and detective fiction. Born in 1883, she penned many short stories and novels, often featuring supernatural elements and intriguing plot twists. Her work was popular during her time and was published in various magazines, such as "The Black Mask" and "Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine." Despite her success, little is known about her personal life, and she remains a somewhat mysterious figure in literary history.
Summary - A Shady Plot | Interact in English: Literature Reader | Class 10 Literature | English
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Plot - A Shady Plot | Interact in English: Literature Reader | Class 10 Literature | English
John is a struggling writer who specializes in ghost stories, though not by choice. His editor, Jenkins, pressures him to write ghost stories since they sell well, and John has been able to produce them successfully, despite not knowing exactly how he comes up with these mysterious plots. One night, as he is trying to come up with a new plot, he is visited by a ghost who reveals that she, and her colleagues at the Writer's Inspiration Bureau, are the source of his ghost stories. She informs him that the ghosts are going on strike and will no...
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Unlock now 🔓Important Lines - A Shady Plot | Interact in English: Literature Reader | Class 10 Literature | English
- "Jenkins was responsible." - This line introduces the character of Jenkins, who is a significant figure in the story as he is the one who consistently asks the protagonist to write ghost stories and is the reason the protagonist decides to write another one at the beginning of the story.
- "A ghost story had been the first fiction I had written." - This line is important because it establishes a connection between the protagonist and ghost stories, explaining why he is consistently asked to write them for Jenkins.
- "But at the time that didn't worry me in the least." - This line foreshadows the challenges the protagonist will face while trying to write the new ghost story, hinting that he may face a mysterious problem in completing it.
- "Something to give 'em the horrors; that's what the public wants, and your ghosts are live propositions." - This line emphasizes the public's fascination with ...
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Unlock now 🔓Character Sketches - A Shady Plot | Interact in English: Literature Reader | Class 10 Literature | English
- John Hallock: John Hallock is the protagonist and narrator of the story. He is a struggling writer who primarily writes ghost stories for Jenkins’ magazine. John is a practical man with a sarcastic sense of humor and exhibits insecurity about his writing abilities. He doesn’t specialize in ghost stories, but they seem to “specialize in him.” He is dependent on the mysterious forces or ghosts that help him with his story ideas, although he is not fully aware of their involvement. John is married to Lavinia and is often ....
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Unlock now 🔓Vocabulary - A Shady Plot | Interact in English: Literature Reader | Class 10 Literature | English
dunned : persistently ask for something that is overdue
The landlord was dunning me for the overdue rent payment.cocky : overconfident
His cocky attitude rubbed everyone the wrong way.shirtwaist : a woman's blouse shaped like a man's shirt
She wore a shirtwaist blouse to work.drivelling : speak nonsense
He was drivelling on............................
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