If I Were You Chapter 6 English NCERT Solution ||Beehive|| Class 9
Thinking about the Text (Page 115)
I. Answer these questions.
1. “At last a sympathetic audience.”
(i) Who says this?
(ii) Why does he say it?
(iii) Is he sarcastic or serious?
Answer :
- “At last a sympathetic audience.”
- (i) Who says this?
- Gerrard says this.
- (ii) Why does he say it?
- He says this because the intruder, who has broken into his house, seems to be listening to him attentively. Gerrard is trying to manipulate the situation to his advantage.
- (iii) Is he sarcastic or serious?
- He is sarcastic. Gerrard is using sarcasm to mock the intruder.
2. Why does the intruder choose Gerrard as the man whose identity he wants
to take on?
Answer : The intruder chooses Gerrard because they have similar physical features, and Gerrard lives alone without many visitors. This makes it easier for the intruder to assume Gerrard’s identity and avoid the police.
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 said it with bullets.”
- (i) Who says this?
- Gerrard says this.
- (ii) What does it mean?
- It means that Gerrard claims he used a gun to deal with a dangerous situation.
- (iii) Is it the truth? What is the speaker’s reason for saying this?
- No, it is not the truth. Gerrard says this to deceive the intruder and make him believe that Gerrard is dangerous and capable of defending himself.
4. What is Gerrard’s profession? Quote the parts of the play that support your
answer.
Answer : Gerrard is a playwright by profession. This is supported by his line in the play where he says, "Sorry, I can’t let you have the props in time for rehearsal… I think I’ll put it in my next play"
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 :
- “You’ll soon stop being smart.”
- (i) Who says this?
- The intruder says this.
- (ii) Why does the speaker say it?
- The intruder says this because he is frustrated by Gerrard’s calm and witty demeanor. He wants to intimidate Gerrard and make him stop outsmarting him.
- (iii) What according to the speaker will stop Gerrard from being smart?
- According to the intruder, a bullet will stop Gerrard from being smart. He believes that once Gerrard is shot, he will no longer be able to outsmart him.
7. “A mystery I propose to explain.” What is the mystery the speaker proposes
to explain?
Answer : The mystery Gerrard proposes to explain is about his sudden and secretive comings and goings, which have puzzled the intruder. Gerrard hints that his mysterious behavior is due to his involvement in some dangerous activities, making the intruder believe that Gerrard is not an ordinary person.
8. “This is your big surprise.”
(i) Where has this been said in the play?
(ii) What is the surprise?
Answer : This is your big surprise.”
- (i) Where has this been said in the play?
- This line is said by Gerrard when he reveals his plan to the intruder.
- (ii) What is the surprise?
- The surprise is that Gerrard has tricked the intruder. He reveals that he has already anticipated such a situation and has a plan to escape, which ultimately leads to the intruder being captured.