Solution of Chapter 1. The Lament (NCERT - English Woven Words Book)

Comment on the indifference that meets Iona’s attempts to share his grief with his fellow human beings.

What impression of the character of Iona do you get from this story?

How does the horse serve as a true friend and companion to Iona?

Discuss the following in pairs

Empathy and understanding are going out of modern society.

The individual experiences intense alienation from the society

around him or her.

Discuss the following in pairs

Behind the public face of the people in various occupations is a whole saga of personal suffering and joy which they wish to

share with others.

The story begins with a description of the setting. How does this serve as a fitting prelude to the events described in the story?

Comment on the graphic detail with which the various passengers who took Iona’s cab are described.

This short story revolves around a single important event. Discuss how the narrative is woven around this central fact.

The story begins and ends with Iona and his horse. Comment on the significance of this to the plot of the story.

Look at the following set of words and mention what is common to them both in form and meaning:

snuffle, snort, sniffle, snore

Look at the words given in the box below

snigger , wriggle , sneak , squeak

squawk, titter, pant, chuckle

giggle, jeer, chortle, guffaw

sigh, sidle, boo, shriek

scramble, croak, straggle, plod gasp

Now classify them according to their closeness in meaning to the words are given below

Explain the associations that the color ‘white’ has in the story.

What does the phrase ‘as if he were on needles’ mean? Can you think of another phrase with a similar meaning substituting the word ‘needles’?