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Answer any FIVE of the following in about 30-40 words each.
22.
Why did Ravi decide to follow Grandpa secretly rather than either stopping him or going with him openly?
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How to answer:
30-40 words. State the two impossible options, then explain the middle path Ravi chose.
If Ravi stopped Grandpa, the old man would feel hurt and treated like a baby. If Ravi accompanied him openly, Grandpa would feel supervised and resentful. Following secretly was the only way to keep Grandpa safe while preserving his dignity.
23.
What does Ravi's reaction on finding Grandpa asleep at home reveal about his character?
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How to answer:
30-40 words. Name the emotions (relief, affection) and connect each to a specific action.
Ravi kneels by the bed, presses his cheek to Grandpa's face, and hugs the sleeping old man - actions that reveal deep relief and genuine affection. These spontaneous gestures show that his care for Grandpa goes far beyond duty.
24.
Why does Grandpa say Ravi 'disappeared' when speaking to Vidya, instead of directly saying that Ravi had been following him?
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How to answer:
30-40 words. Think about Grandpa's character - is he confrontational or indirect?
Grandpa prefers wit and irony over direct confrontation. By saying Ravi 'disappeared' he simultaneously reports Ravi's absence and hints that something happened, without making a formal accusation. This preserves the joke - and the secret - between himself and Ravi.
25.
How does the author show that Grandpa's 'memory lapses' are selective rather than general?
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How to answer:
30-40 words. Contrast what he forgets with what he remembers.
Grandpa forgets names of people he meets often, yet he remembers precise chess moves from historic matches, prepares birthday gifts for every family member, and sees through Ravi's detective disguise. His memory works well in domains he cares about - chess, relationships, birthdays - and poorly in areas he finds trivial.
26.
What does Grandpa's act of giving birthday gifts to others on his own birthday tell us about how he sees himself within the family?
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How to answer:
30-40 words. Focus on the role reversal and what it reveals about self-image.
By giving rather than receiving on his birthday, Grandpa signals that he still sees himself as a provider and nurturer - the head of the family in spirit, not a dependent who must be cared for. Even at 75, he defines himself through what he can give, not what he needs.
27.
Why does the story leave the ending ambiguous - we never know for certain whether Grandpa's twinkle was innocent or mischievous?
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How to answer:
30-40 words. Explain what the ambiguity achieves for the reader.
The ambiguity is deliberate: it invites the reader to look back over the whole story and reconsider every moment. If Grandpa knew all along, the story gains a second layer. If he did not, the detective book is a happy coincidence. Either way, the uncertainty keeps Grandpa the most interesting and unpredictable character in the story.
