A TRYST WITH ENGLISH

  Short Answers Why was Tutankhamun’s death considered a mystery? → Because he died unexpectedly at a young age, and scientists were uncertain whether it was due to illness, accident, or murder. What efforts were made to preserve Tut’s mummy? → Carter’s team carefully removed the mummy from the coffin, cut it into pieces when it got stuck due to resins, and later reassembled and preserved it in a climate-controlled glass case. What new technology was used in Tut’s examination in 2005? → A CT scan (computed tomography) machine was used to create detailed three-dimensional images of Tut’s body without disturbing it. Why was Tut’s mummy taken out of the tomb after so many years? → To conduct a CT scan to find the cause of his death and to learn more about ancient Egyptian mummification and royal lineage. What difficulties did Carter face while removing Tut’s body from the coffin? → The mummy was firmly cemented with hardened resins; to free it, Carter had to cut the body apa...

Robert Frost’s poem “A Roadside Stand” presents a moving picture of the contrast between the rural poor and the urban rich, highlighting the deep social and economic divide in modern life. 1. Setting and Introduction The poem begins with a simple, vivid description of a small roadside stand put up by poor villagers along a highway. They have arranged a few things for sale — wild berries, golden squash, and other small produce — hoping that the passing city traffic will stop and buy something. However, the “polished traffic” — a reference to rich urban people driving by in their luxurious cars — pays no attention. The poet observes how these poor villagers wait with hope and disappointment as one car after another passes without stopping. 2. The Villagers’ Hopes and Dreams The villagers have simple dreams. They long to earn some money, improve their living conditions, and enjoy a life with comfort, dignity, and respect. They look at the city people with admiration and envy, thinkin...

Summary Louis Fischer begins the chapter by recalling his meeting with Mahatma Gandhi at Sevagram Ashram in 1942. Gandhi shared his desire to start the process of British withdrawal from India, which began in 1917. At the Congress session in Lucknow in December 1916, Gandhi met a farmer named Rajkumar Shukla, who sought his help in addressing the unfair treatment faced by farmers under the landlord system in Bihar. Shukla persistently followed Gandhi until he agreed to visit Champaran. Later, from Calcutta, Shukla took Gandhi to lawyer Rajendra Prasad’s house in Patna, but Prasad was away, so Gandhi proceeded to Muzaffarpur. He was welcomed at the station by Professor J.B. Kripalani and several students. Despite fear among locals of supporting Gandhi, Professor Malkani— a government school teacher— hosted him for two days. Gandhi learned that the farmers, who were sharecroppers, were forced to grow indigo on fifteen percent of their land and give the entire harvest to British landlords...

 *Mother's Day* Summary  "Mother's Day" by J.B. Priestley is a one-act comedy that satirizes the dynamics within a typical family and explores the theme of unappreciated domestic work. The play centers around Mrs. Annie Pearson, a gentle and devoted housewife whose family members—her husband George, daughter Doris, and son Cyril—take her efforts for granted. They expect her to cook, clean, and take care of them without recognizing her hard work or showing appreciation. The story begins with Mrs. Pearson confiding in her neighbor, Mrs. Fitzgerald, about her family’s lack of respect. Mrs. Fitzgerald, a strong-willed and assertive woman with experience in handling people, suggests a bold solution: they should exchange personalities temporarily to teach Mrs. Pearson's family a lesson. Although Mrs. Pearson is initially hesitant, she agrees to the swap after some persuasion. Through a magical spell, Mrs. Fitzgerald and Mrs. Pearson exchange personalities. The transform...