Expert Detectives 




Summary of the lesson:

The excerpt portrays a conversation between Maya, Nishad, and Seven, who are intrigued by their neighbor Mr. Nath's mysterious behavior. Maya is convinced that Mr. Nath is a criminal, based on various observations such as his secluded lifestyle, lack of communication with others, and suspicious behavior. She constructs elaborate theories about his potential criminal activities, including having an accomplice and hiding loot.

On the other hand, Nishad is more sympathetic towards Mr. Nath, considering his loneliness and thin appearance as signs of potential hardship rather than criminality. Despite Maya's insistence, Nishad expresses a desire to befriend Mr. Nath and understand his situation better.

Their differing perspectives lead to arguments, with Maya adamantly maintaining her belief in Mr. Nath's criminality while Nishad challenges her assumptions and chooses empathy over suspicion. The excerpt ends with Nishad's decision to befriend Mr. Nath despite Maya's warnings.

In summary, the lesson explores themes of judgment, empathy, and the complexities of human behavior, highlighting how different individuals perceive and respond to the same situation differently. Maya represents suspicion and skepticism, while Nishad embodies empathy and curiosity, ultimately showcasing the importance of understanding and compassion in interpersonal interactions.



Word

Meaning

Expert

विशेषज्ञ

Detectives

जासूस

monster

राक्षस

afford

खर्च करना

crook

बदमाश

probably

शायद

stashed

छुपाया हुआ

criminal

आपराधिक

certainly

निश्चित रूप से

appearance

दिखावट

knocked

खटखटाया

recognised

मान्यता प्राप्त

obviously

स्पष्टतः

thrust

जोर

peek

झाँकना

disappointed

निराश

patting

थपथपाना

sighed

आह भरी

ordinary

साधारण

retorted

जवाब दिया

fury

क्रोध

questioningly

प्रश्न करते हुए

tenants

किरायेदार

accomplice

साथी

bribing

रिश्वत

glared

घूरना

bothering

परेशान

chatter

बकवास

whirling

चक्कर लगाना



Questions and Answers


1. What did Nishad give Mr Nath? Why? 

Nishad gave Mr. Nath a bar of chocolate. He did this because he believed Mr. Nath looked thin and possibly starving, showing compassion and concern for his well-being.


2. What is “strange” about Mr Nath’s Sundays? 

What is "strange" about Mr. Nath's Sundays is that almost every Sunday, he receives two lunches delivered to his room, and the same man, described as tall, fair, stout, and wearing spectacles, accompanies the delivery. This visitor talks a lot unlike Mr. Nath, who hardly speaks.


3. Why did Nishad and Maya get a holiday? 

Nishad and Maya got a holiday because the monsoons broke, causing heavy rain and flooding that made it impossible for traffic to move through the flooded roads, resulting in an unexpected holiday from school.


4. What does Nishad find out about Mr Nath from Ramesh? Arrange the information as suggested below. 
• What he eats 
• When he eats 
• What he drinks, and when 
• How he pays 

From Ramesh, Nishad finds out the following information about Mr. Nath:

What he eats: Two chapattis, some dal, and a vegetable.

When he eats: Two meals every morning and evening, along with two cups of tea, one in the morning and one in the afternoon.

What he drinks, and when: Two cups of tea, one in the morning and one in the afternoon.

How he pays: Mr. Nath pays cash for his meals and tips well.


5. Why does Maya think Mr Nath is a crook? Who does she say the Sunday visitor is? 

Maya thinks Mr. Nath is a crook because of various reasons: She believes he doesn't look like a starving person due to the food deliveries from the restaurant downstairs.
She assumes he must have money stashed away somewhere due to his ability to pay for meals and tip well.
Maya suggests that Mr. Nath's Sunday visitor might be his accomplice in crime, implying that Mr. Nath is involved in illegal activities.


6. Does Nishad agree with Maya about Mr Nath? How does he feel about him?


Nishad does not agree with Maya about Mr. Nath being a crook. He feels differently about him: Nishad feels sympathetic towards Mr. Nath, showing concern for his well-being and loneliness.
He expresses a desire to befriend Mr. Nath despite Maya's suspicions.
Nishad does not believe Mr. Nath is a bad person, citing his kindness towards Ramesh as evidence against Maya's theory.



Working with language-
Answer 1.
(i) finger tips – the ends of one’s fingers (ii) the tip of your nose – the pointed end of your nose (iii) tip the water out of – empty a bucket by tilting it the bucket (iv) have something on – if you take this advice the tip of your tongue (v) tip the boat over – make the boat overturn (vi) tip him a rupee – give a rupee to him, to thank him (vii) the tip of the bat – the end of the bat (viii) the police were – the police were told, or tipped off warned (ix) if you take my tip – be about to say something (x) the bat tipped the ball – the bat lightly touched

2 . The words helper, companion, partner and accomplice have very similar meanings, but each word is typically used in certain phrases. Can you fill in the blanks below with the
most commonly used words? A dictionary may help you. (i) business (ii) my on the journey (iii) I’m mother’s little . (iv) a faithful such as a dog (v) the thief’s (vi) find a good (vii) tennis/ golf / bridge (viii) his in his criminal activities
Answer -
(i) business partner (ii) my companion on the journey (iii) I'm my mother's little helper. (iv) a faithful companion such as a dog (v) the thief's accomplice (vi) find a good partner (vii) tennis/golf/bridge partner (viii) his accomplice in his criminal activities


3. Answer

Additional uses of the word "break":

(ix) Break a record - surpass or set a new achievement or milestone. (x) Break the ice - initiate conversation or ease tension in a social situation. (xi) Break a habit - stop or overcome a regular behavior or routine. (xii) Break a promise - fail to keep a commitment or agreement. (xiii) Break a code - decipher or decode encrypted information. (xiv) Break ground - begin construction or excavation work on a project. (xv) Break a bone - sustain a fracture in a bone due to injury or trauma.


Mystery of talking fan

1. Fans don’t talk, but it is possible to imagine that they do. What is it, then, that sounds like the fan’s chatter?

The chatter of the fan is likely the sound it makes when it's running. Although fans don't actually talk, the noise they produce can be imagined as chatter.

2. Complete the following sentences. (i) The chatter is electrical because ____________ The chatter is electrical because it refers to the humming or buzzing sound produced by the fan's motor and blades when it's running.

(ii) It is mysterious because________________ It is mysterious because the noise may be faint or indistinct, leading to speculation or imagination about what the fan might be saying.

3. What do you think the talking fan was demanding?

The talking fan was likely demanding oil for its motor. The poem suggests that once it received the oil, its chatter stopped, indicating that the oiling of its motor resolved the issue.

4. How does an electric fan manage to throw so much air when it is switched on?

An electric fan throws air when it's switched on due to the rotation of its blades. The electric motor inside the fan powers the rotation of the blades, creating airflow. The design of the blades is such that they push air forward, creating a breeze.

5. Is there a ‘talking fan’ in your house? Create a dialogue between the fan and a mechanic.

Dialogue between the fan and a mechanic: Fan: (whirring sound) Help! I'm making strange noises. Mechanic: Ah, it seems like your motor needs some oiling. Let me take a look. Fan: Thank you! I've been feeling a bit stiff lately. Mechanic: No problem, a little oil should get you back to your smooth, quiet self. Fan: (after being oiled) Ah, that feels much better. Thank you, mechanic! Mechanic: You're welcome! Just remember to get regular maintenance to keep running smoothly.