Page 63 - English Expedition Class 6

William Sydney Porter (1862–1910), who wrote under the pseudonym 30
of O. Henry, was an American writer. He is known for his short stories with
a twist in the tale towards the end. Among his popular stories are: ‘The Last
Leaf’, ‘The Gift of the Magi’, ‘The Guilty Party’ and ‘The Ransom of Red Chief’.

Comprehension

A. Tick the most suitable answer to the following questions.
1. How was the waiting man related to Jimmy Wells?
a. They were cousins. b. They were old friends.

c. They were business partners. d. They were neighbours.
2. How would you describe the waiting man?
a. shy and reserved b. angry and off ensive

c. friendly and easy-going d. none of the above
3. What did Bob mean when he said, ‘. . . the West is a pretty big proposition, and I kept hustling
around over it pretty lively’?
a. It was a large place where one could lose oneself.

b. It took time to move around to see the place.
c. It wasn’t a place where one could have fun.

d. It was competitive and one had to work hard to succeed.
4. Bob said he had come a thousand miles to see Jimmy. Where did the two men live?
a. Jimmy in New York and Bob in the West b. Jimmy in the West and Bob in New York

c. both in New York d. both in the West
5. What is the meaning of ‘egotism enlarged by success’?
a. He had health issues. b. He was full of himself.

c. He was a nervous wreck. d. all of the above

B. Answer the questions with reference to the context.
1. ‘Rather a long time between meets . . .’

a. Who said this?
b. Whom did he say this to?

c. What was he referring to?

30 pseudonym: a fi ctitious name used instead of one’s real name, especially by a writer
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