A Shady Plot Extra Questions and Answers Class 10 English Literature

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A Shady Plot Extra Questions and Answers Class 10 English Literature

A Shady Plot Extra Questions and Answers Short Answer Type

Question 1.
Bring out the irony in the statement: “I didn’t specialise in ghost stories, but more or less they seemed to specialise in me.”
Answer:
The narrator did not write ghost stories out of choice. He wanted to write other genres. But it was his ghost stories that were popular and so he got into writing those. Ironically, it was the ghost, Helen, who helped him write these stories.

Question 2.
What does the narrator mean by “And I had never found it healthy to contradict Jenkins”?
Answer:
The narrator said that he had realised that when Jenkins gave him work to do, it was better to agree to what he said. He could not risk Jenkins getting angry and withdrawing the offer or not giving him any work in the future.

Question 3.
Though the narrator did not particularly like writing ghost stories, why did he do so?
Answer:
The narrator’s ghost stories were popular with the readers and Jenkins preferred him to write ghost stories. Moreover, no other magazine was ready to publish his writing. He needed this extra income from writing to pay the rent or the grocer’s bill.

Question 4.
What was the narrator’s attitude towards his writing ability? Was it justified?
Answer:
The narrator had become overconfident and cocky about his writing ability. He did not realise that the plots were being put in his mind by the ghost.

Question 5.
Briefly describe the ghost.
Answer:
The ghost was long and angular, with enormous fishy eyes behind big bone-rimmed spectacles, with her hair in a tight wad at the back of her head and a solid jaw. She wore a stiff white shirtwaist and a plaid skirt.

Question6.
Why did the ghost materialise?
Answer:
The narrator had not been able to think of a plot for his story and had been calling on heaven and earth all afternoon to help him write a story. The ghost had materialised as a result of his call for help to tell him that no help would be forthcoming as the ghosts were going on strike.

Question 7.
Why were the ghosts created by Helen in the narrator’s mind different from her? Do you think her estimation was correct?
Answer:
Helen felt that if she created ghosts like herself, the readers may not like them. She was correct because the narrator’s ghost stories are very popular.

Question 8.
What condition did she place on the narrator for providing him help?
Answer:
Helen wanted the narrator to get the fanatics using Ouija boards to stop asking questions. The ghosts have had to give up haunting almost entirely as they were really busy answering questions the Ouija board users were asking.

Question 9.
What impression do you form of Lavinia before you meet her?
Answer:
We learn that Lavinia, John’s wife likes to go shopping. She also had the tendency to take on every new fad that came along and perform it so often that people became tired of it. We further learn that she was very sensitive.

Question 10.
What was the narrator’s reaction when he was nervous or excited? When does Lavinia encounter this reaction?
Answer:
When the narrator was nervous or excited, a muscle in his face twitched pulling up one comer of his mouth into an idiotic grin. He had managed to conceal this affliction from Lavinia. But when Helen sent a message to him on all the Ouija boards, he felt his face twitch in the spasm of that idiotic grin.

Question 11.
What new fad had Lavinia adopted? What was the irony in this?
Answer:
Lavinia had picked up an Ouija board from a bumper sale as they were the latest craze. The Ouija board was her latest whim. This was ironic because the ghost had just told John to get his friends and acquaintances to stop using the Ouija board.

Question 12.
In what way did Lavinia think that the Ouija board would be helpful to John?
Answer:
Lavinia thought the Ouija board would help him write his stories. If he wanted to write a historical novel, he would not have to research old books in the public library. All he would have to do would be to get out his Ouija board and talk to Napoleon or William the Conqueror or Helen of Troy. He would have all the local colour he needed, without a speck of trouble.

Question 13.
Though at first Lavinia mentions Helen of Troy as one of the possible subjects of his novels, she quickly dismisses her. What does this show about her?
Answer:
Lavinia says the Ouija board would help John research heroes of history like Napoleon or William the Conqueror or Helen of Troy. She quickly dismisses Helen of Troy as a subject for a novel. This shows she is possessive of John and jealous if he pays attention to another woman, even if the woman is a ghost.

Question 14.
Why did Lavinia refuse to return the Ouija board?
Answer:
Lavinia said the Ouija board was bought at a bumper sale and so was non-returnable. She also said she believed in the hereafter and the messages conveyed through the board.

Question 15.
Why was the narrator late as he came home that Saturday? Why did Gladolia warn John?
Answer:
Friday had been a half day, and of course when John went to office on Saturday the work had piled up. Gladolia told him that as he was late, Lavinia was likely to be angry as she had invited people over for a party. She had called John’s office and conveyed a message for him to return early. Gladolia advised John not
to argue with his wife.

Question 16.
What party had Lavinia organised? What feelings did this evoke in John?
Answer:
Lavinia had called her friends for an Ouija board party. John was anxious and looked around with trepidation as he expected the ghost of Helen to materialise. He was worried how his wife would react.

Question 17.
Whom did John have to partner? Why?
Answer:
Lavinia told John to partner Laura Hinkle as her partner Mrs William Augustus Wainright had called up at the last moment to say that she could not possibly come. As a result Laura Hinkle had no partner.

Question 18.
Why did John wish Laura Hinkle was cheating on the Ouija board? Did his fears come out true?
Answer:
When the narrator noticed some force tugging the board about, he hoped it was Laura Hinkle. He did not want •the ghost, Helen, to send a message. His fears came true as Helen was the one who was sending the message.

Question 19.
Why does the ghost return the day after the incident of the Ouija board?
Answer:
Helen was sent by the other ghosts to find out when the narrator’s wife was going to get rid of that Ouija board.

Question 20.
What do you think would be the plot for the narrator’s next story?
Answer:
The plot of John’s next story would be about his encounter with the ghost of Helen.

A Shady Plot Extra Questions and Answers Long Answer Type

Question 1.
Write a brief character sketch of John Hallock.
Answer:
John Hallock was cocky and overconfident about his ability to write ghost stories and he did not believe in Helen and was sceptical about ghosts. He was creative as he was able to write stories and also protective of his wife. He was gentle and kind with Gladolia.

Question 2.
Write a brief character sketch of Lavinia Hallock.
Answer:
Lavinia Hallock was whimsical and loved novelty and thrills. She picked up fads with enthusiasm. She was also suspicious and jealous and got upset with John and Laura. Lavinia was manipulative and did not let John have his way. She was strong as a person and took the appearance of the ghost in her stride.

Question 3.
Imagine that you are Gladolia. Write a letter to your friend describing the events at the Hallock household.
Answer:
The mistress got an Ouija board and called her friends over for ^ session. The ghosts began sending messages through the Ouija board. I wanted to leave as the Ouija board contraptions and hoodoos scare me. Thankfully the mistress burnt the board and I think I will stay here for now.

Question 4.
Imagine you are one of the members of the Book Club. Write a brief account of the incident of the Ouija boards.
Answer:
I was invited to Lavinia Hallock’s place for a session with the Ouija board. The session started and the message ‘traitor’ appeared on it. I wanted to ask John Hallock the reason behind this message as I found that he behaved in a suspicious manner. I am sure there was a mystery behind this message.

Question 5.
Imagine that you are the ghost of Helen of Troy. Report to the others how you have got Lavinia Hallock to get rid of the Ouija board.
Answer:
I think that the Ouija board is a new fad, which is catching on really fast. Ghosts waste lot of time answering questions from these people. I had warned John Hallock to stop his friends and acquaintances from using the Outa board as it is an utter waste of our time. But he took part in this session with his wife. The message which appeared on the Ouija board called him a traitor. His wife was angry and I met her and she was convinced that the board should be burnt.

Question 6.
You are a regular reader of the magazine John Hallock writes for. Review his story A Shady Plot.
Answer:
The name of the story is A Shady Plot. It is about a writer of ghost stories who is helped by a ghost to write his plots. His wife gets an Ouija board and he is warned by the ghost to get rid of it. A ghost sends messages during an Ouija board session and she gets rid of the Ouija board. Among the characters, John is shown to be a man who loves his wife Lavinia and is tolerant of her foibles. Lavinia is shown to be a whimsical, jealous and suspicious person. The character of the ghost is interesting and she materialises at times. The story is an interesting read as it has humorous touches.

Question 7.
You are John Hallock. Write a diary entry after the day’s events are over and your wife has burnt the Ouija board.
Answer:
The day started badly. Lavinia slept in the guest room as she was angry and even threatened me with divorce. Next was the appearance of the ghost and she was angry too.
Gladolia warned me against using hoodoos and magic. Lavinia encountered Helen and finally decided to get rid of the Ouija board and now things are back to normal.

Question 8.
You are Lavinia Hallock. Write a diary entry on the day’s events when your friends come for the Ouija board party.
Answer:
I bought an Ouija board as it is the latest craze and my friends came over for a party. I was bothered by John and his behaviour. Lately his behaviour has been suspicious and I found him talking to himself. He has been, returning late from office. In the Ouija board session I had told him to partner Laura Hinkle and he tried to flirt with her. I think I will divorce him and then he can do what he wants.

Question 9.
What lesson does John Hancock learn from his encounter with the ghost?
Answer:
John Hancock, a reluctant writer of ghost stories, starts getting cocky about his ability to write ghost stories at will. One day, he is’visited by a ghost, who is part of a writers’ inspiration bureau, members of which inspire authors like Hancock to write. The ghost demands a favour from him. She tells the writer that they are on a strike because of constant use of ouija boards and requests the writer to stop people from using the board.

Later, Hancock’s wife brings an ouija board, and hosts an ouija board party. The writer is forced to use the board by his wife. The angry ghost then plays havoc with his married life, leading to a big dispute with his wife. Hancock realises his ideas come as inspiration from the ghosts and writes about the incident. The value that one can derive from this story is that one should not be overconfident about one’s own ability

A Shady Plot Extra Questions and Answers Reference to the Context

Read the following passages taken from A Shady Plot and answer the given questions:

Question 1.
“Hallock, ” he had said to me, “give us another on the supernatural this time. Something to give ’em the horrors; that’s what the public wants, and your ghosts are live propositions. ”

(a) Who is ‘he’?
Answer:
‘He’ is Jenkins, the editor of a magazine.

(b) What does he want Hallock to do?
Answer:
Jenkins wants Hallock to write a ghost story for the magazine.

(c) Why does he want Hallock to do it?
Answer:
Jenkins wants Hallock to write the story because his ghost stories are popular with the readers.

Question 2.
“Jenkins always seemed to have an uncanny knowledge as to when the landlord or the grocer were pestering me, and he dunned me for a ghost. ”

(a) Who is ‘he’?
Answer:
‘He’ is Jenkins, the editor of the magazine for which Hallock writes.

(b) Why is Jenkin’s knowledge uncanny?
Answer:
Jenkin always knew, as if through some mysterious powers, when the narrator needed money.

(c) Explain ‘he dunne,d me for a ghost.’
Answer:
The editor persistently asked the narrator to write a ghost story for the magazine.

Question 3.
“She was long and angular, with enormous fishy eyes behind big bone-rimmed spectacles, and her hair in a tightwad at the back of her head…”

(a) Who was she? What was her name?
Answer:
She was a ghost. When alive, her name had been Helen of Troy, New York.

(b) Why had she appeared to the narrator?
Answer:
Helen of Troy wanted the narrator to get his friends and acquaintances to stop using the Ouija board.

(c) How had she helped the narrator in the past?
Answer:
Helen of Troy had helped the narrator by putting ideas for ghost stories in his head.

Question 4.
“But my ghosts are n’t a bit like you… ”

(a) Who says this and to whom?
Answer:
John Hallock, the narrator, says this to the ghost, Helen.

(b) Why does he say this?
Answer:
The ghost claimed that she was the one who had suggested the plots of the ghost stories that the narrator wrote. A

(c) What does the listener reply?
Answer:
Helen of Troy said the readers wouldn’t believe him if the ghosts were like her.

Question 5.
“The very idea of that horrible scarecrow so much as touching me! And wouldn’t my wife be shocked! ”

(a) Who is the scarecrow?
Answer:
The scarecrow referred to here is Helen, the ghost.

(b) Why does the scarecrow touch the speaker?
Answer:
The ghost had told the narrator that she had often leant over his shoulder while he was writing to give him ideas.

(c) Why would the narrator’s wife be shocked?
Answer:
The narrator’s wife being sensitive, and scared even of a mouse, would be terrified of the ghost and become hysterical.

Question 6.
“There was a time when We had nothing much to occupy us and used to haunt a little on the side, purely for amusement, but not anymore. ”

(a) Who is the speaker?
Answer:
The speaker is Helen, the ghost.

(b) What does she not like to do anymore?
Answer:
The ghost does not wish to sit at a desk and answer questions on the Ouija board any more.

Question 7.
“I remembered her craze for taking up new fads and a premonitory chill crept up the back of my neck. ”

(a) Who is the speaker? Who is the ‘her’?
Answer:
The narrator is the speaker. ‘Her’ is the speaker’s wife.

(b) What premonition does the speaker get?
Answer:
Hallock feels that his wife may have got an Ouija board.

Question 8.
“Misto Hallock, de Missus shot ’inks you are lost! She says she done ‘phone you dis mawnin ’ to be home early, but fo ’ de Lawd’s sake not to stop to largely now, but get ready fo ’ de company an come on down.

(a) Who is the speaker?
Answer:
The speaker is the narrator’s cook, Gladolia.

(b) Why had the listener’s wife tried to call him?
Answer:
The listener’s wife had called him to tell him they had guests coming over in the evening and he should be home on time.

(c) What advice does the speaker give?
Answer:
Gladolia tells him not to argue with his wife but to change his clothes and come down.

Question 9.
“Then it began to fly around so fast that I gave up any attempt to follow it. My companion was bending forward and had started to spell out loud: ‘T-r-a-i-t-o-r. ’ Traitor! Why, what does she mean?’’

(a) Who is being called a ‘traitor’?
Answer:
The narrator, John Hallock, is being called a traitor.

(b) Who is calling him a traitor?
Answer:
The ghost is calling him a traitor.

(c) Why is he being called a traitor?
Answer:
The ghost had wanted the narrator to get his friends and acquaintances to stop using the Ouija board but he was using it himself.

Question 10.
“Misto Hallock, ” came from the hall outside, “Misto Hallock, I’m gwine t ’quit. I don’t like no hoodoos. And the steps retreated. ”

(a) Who is the speaker?
Answer:
The speaker is the narrator’s cook, Gladolia.

(b) What is the speaker saying?
Answer:
Gladolia says that she is going to leave the job.

(c) What reason does the speaker give?
Answer:
Gladolia tells him that she does not wish to stay where people placed charms and curses on others.