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Extract from the Play
RAM DATT
:
(Wiping his brow)
We have journeyed far from home, yet the prospect of finding work still
eludes
us.
HAR DATT
:
How long has it been since we left our village?
SHIV DATT
:
I believe it has been over a week—perhaps even longer.
RAM DATT
:
Ten days, to be precise. Every day feels longer than the last.
Summary in Bullet Points
- Ram Datt wipes sweat from his forehead. This shows that the journey has been hot and tiring. brow = forehead
- The four friends have travelled for ten days, but they still have not found work.
- Ram Datt feels that every day is becoming longer because their search has been difficult.
-
The extract says that the chance of finding work still “eludes” them.
prospect
= chance or possibility
eludes = remains difficult to obtain
Board Pattern
Questions Mapped to Exam Format
Short Answer
2 marks
Why does Ram Datt say that finding work still “eludes” them?
2 Marks
How to answer:
Explain the word in the context of their ten-day journey.
View Answer
Answer: Work still “eludes” them because they have travelled for ten days but have not yet found suitable employment. Their goal remains difficult to obtain.
Longer Short Answer
3 marks
What do the first few speeches tell us about the difficulty of their journey?
3 Marks
How to answer:
Use the length of the journey and Ram Datt’s physical action.
View Answer
Answer: Ram Datt wipes his brow, showing heat and tiredness. The men have been away from their village for ten days, and every day feels longer. Their words show that the journey is physically tiring and that the search for work is uncertain.
