English Literature - ...

About the passage

A.  Read to understand

1.   Write T for statements that are true and F for those that are false.

     a.   The stranger asked the mason to build a vault on the fountain. _____

     b.   The stranger gave the mason three pieces of gold for the job. _____

     c.   The mason was left outside a church at the end of the first night’s work. ______

     d.   The money that the mason had received for his work lasted fourteen days. _____

     e.   The landlord could not find any tenants for the house as it was in total disrepair. ______

     f.    The mason offered to buy the worn-down house from the landlord at a low price. ______

 

2.   Choose the correct options.

     a.   The stranger chose the mason for the job because he wanted

                     i.        the best bricklayer in the city.

                    ii.        someone who could be relied upon.

                  iii.        a person who could work for very little money.

 

     b.   ‘The poor mason’s hair rose on his head at these words.’ This means that the mason

                     i.        was really frightened at what he thought he had to do.

                    ii.        was quite excited and looked forward to his next task.

                  iii.        was very angry with the stranger for hiding his motives.

 

     c.   The landlord chose the mason for the job because he wanted

                     i.        the best bricklayer in the city.

                    ii.        someone who could be relied upon.

                  iii.        a person who would work for very little money.

3.  Answer the following questions.

     a.   What conditions did the mason lay down before agreeing to work for the stranger?

     b.   The blindfold of the mason was removed in a court. Where was the court located? What did the mason see over there?

     c.   What terrified the mason? When was his mind put at ease?

     d.   What did the stranger ask the mason to do after giving him the two pieces of gold?

     e.   Why did landlord complain about the ‘old miser’s’ house?

B.  Read to infer

1.   Why did the stranger blindfold the mason and lead him to and from the house by different and complex routes?

2.   Do you think the mason was both honest and clever? Give reasons for your answer.

3.   Do you think the mason lived up to the expectations of both the stranger and the landlord? Give reasons for your answer.

 

C.  Discuss

1.   We are told that the mason ‘increased rapidly in wealth’. The landlord and other people would certainly have wondered about how the poor mason had become one of the richest men in Granada. How do you think the mason would have answered their queries?

2.   Can you think of any other story in which the main character comes into possession of unexpected wealth? Share the story in class, and compare it with ‘The Adventure of the Mason’.