The Beggar by Anton Chekhov - Moments - Class 9 - NCERT - Q&A Solved

Summary of "The Beggar"

"The Beggar" by Anton Chekhov is a story about Lushkoff, a beggar who deceives people by lying about his circumstances to gain their sympathy and money. He tells Sergei, an advocate, that he was once a village schoolteacher and later a student, but Sergei recognizes him as a former singer dismissed for drunkenness. Sergei offers Lushkoff work chopping wood instead of giving him money.

Lushkoff reluctantly agrees, not out of willingness to work but out of pride and shame. Sergei's cook, Olga, does most of the wood chopping for him out of compassion. Over time, Sergei finds Lushkoff more work and eventually gets him a job copying documents. Two years later, Lushkoff meets Sergei again and reveals that he is now a notary, earning thirty-five roubles a month. He credits his transformation to Olga's kindness and Sergei's support, stating that Olga's actions inspired him to change his ways and stop drinking​.

Answers to Questions

1. Has Lushkoff become a beggar by circumstance or by choice?
   
   Lushkoff became a beggar by circumstance, as he lost his position as a singer in a Russian choir due to his alcoholism and had no other means to support himself​.
   

2. What reasons does he give to Sergei for his telling lies? Lushkoff admits to Sergei that he lies because he finds it impossible to survive by telling the truth, as no one would give him anything if he were honest about his past.

3. Is Lushkoff a willing worker? Why, then, does he agree to chop wood for Sergei?
   
   
   Lushkoff is not a willing worker. He agrees to chop wood out of pride and shame, feeling trapped by his own words and not wanting to admit his helplessness.

4. Sergei says, "I am happy that my words have taken effect." Why does he say so? Is he right in saying this?
   
   
   Sergei believes that his words have motivated Lushkoff to change his ways and stop drinking. While Sergei's encouragement helped, it was actually Olga's compassion and assistance that had the most significant impact on Lushkoff's transformation.

5. Lushkoff is earning thirty-five roubles a month. How is he obliged to Sergei for this?
   
   
   Lushkoff is obliged to Sergei for giving him a chance to work, which set him on the path to his current job as a notary. Sergei provided him with the initial opportunities to earn money and change his lifestyle.

6. During their conversation, Lushkoff reveals that Sergei’s cook, Olga, is responsible for the positive change in him. How has Olga saved Lushkoff?
   
   
   Olga saved Lushkoff by secretly chopping the wood for him and showing him kindness and compassion. Her noble deeds and words inspired him to stop drinking and change his life for the better.

 

MCQs - The Lament by Anton Chekhov - Class 11 - Woven Words - Elective English

Multiple Choice Questions - The Lament by Anton Chekhov - Class 11 - Woven Words - Elective English CBSE Latest pattern for online test/examination

1. “It is twilight.” in the opening lines of the story. It indicates that:
1. It was morning time
2. It was evening time
3. It was a cloudy afternoon
4. It was a winter forenoon
2. The main character in the story is:
1. Lona Topatov
2. Iona Potapov
3. Iona Povatov
4. Oina Potapov
3. The story is set in ______________ season.
1. Summer
2. Spring
3. Rainy
4. Winter
4. The profession of the main character in the story is:
1. Hack driver
2. Cabdriver
3. Taxidriver
4. Horse driver
5. The entire opening paragraph paints a __________ picture in the story.
1. Gloomy
2. Joyous
3. Colourful
4. Blank
6. The horse (used by the main character) earlier worked in:
1. The armed forces
2. The police
3. Horse racing
4. Farms
7. Fill in the blank: "His little horse is also quite white, and remains motionless; its immobility, its angularity and its straight wooden-looking legs, even close by, give it the appearance of a gingerbread horse worth a_____________."
1. Penny
2. Rouble
3. Kopek
4. Pi
8. While waiting for a fare, Iona and his horse hear the first call:
1. ‘Cabby for Viborg Way!’
2. ‘Cabby, to the Police Bridge!’
3. ‘Cabby, to Central Avenue!’
4. ‘Cabby for Downtown Street!’
9. The first fare call that Iona receives is from___________.
1. An officer
2. A policeman
3. Three young men
4. A passerby
10. Who says, ‘What are you doing, werewolf!’?
1. The humpback
2. A coachman from a private carriage
3. A furious passerby
4. None of the above
11. What is the name of Iona’s son in the story?
1. Bernie
2. Barin
3. Burn
4. Bob
12. Who among the following is Iona’s daughter?
1. Anissia
2. Amelia
3. Adele
4. Maria
13. The three young men wanted Iona to take them to____________.
1. Viborg Way
2. Police Bridge
3. Central Avenue
4. Downtown Street
14. The three young men offered Iona a fare of two____________ for their destination.
1. Griveniks
2. Kopeks
3. Roubles
4. Cents
15. Iona agreed with the fare offered by the three young men because___________________.
1. It was a fair price for the destination.
2. The three young men were very abusive and he feared they might harm him if he refused them.
3. He was very sad and to him, it was all the same as long as they were fares.
4. He thought it better to earn some money instead of sitting idle.
16. Among the three young men there were__________.
1. One lanky, one fat and a humpback
2. Three lanky fellows and a humpback
3. Two short and lean fellows and a humpback
4. Two lanky fellows and a humpback
17. ‘Last night at the Donkmasoves, Vaska and I drank the whole of four bottles of cognac.’ says one of the lanky ones. The other lanky man ____________.
1. Agreed with his statement
2. Got angry and said it was a lie
3. Said that he too enjoyed the drink
4. Became sad as he missed the drink
18. In response to Iona’s talk ‘‘My son… died this week.’ who said that ‘We must all die.’
1. Humpback
2. The officer
3. One of the lanky fellows
4. The hall porter
19. ‘Friend, what sort of time is it?’ Iona asks ____________.
1. Humpback
2. The officer
3. One of the lanky fellows
4. A hall porter
20. Iona tries to share his grief with many people in the story. Which one has the correct order? A: The Officer, B: The Three Young Men, C: A Hall Porter, D: A Young Cabdriver.
1. A B C D
2. D A B C
3. C A B D
4. D C B A
21. How did Iona’s son die?
1. High fever
2. Road accident
3. Tuberculosis
4. Snakebite
22. Why does Iona think that it is better to talk to women?
1. They are patient listeners
2. They are more empathetic than men
3. They are more emotional
4. All of the above
23. Apart from being a cab-horse, what other role does the horse play for Iona?
1. The horse also tills Iona’s farm
2. The horse acts as a good friend and companion to whom Iona finally shares his grief.
3. The horse has no other role
4. The horse gives him warmth on cold winter nights
24. What has been the most painful thing for Iona?
1. His son’s untimely death
2. The fact that he was not able to share his grief with anyone
3. The behaviour of people on the streets who constantly cursed him
4. The three young men who swore and made fun of him

KEY

B	6. D	11. B	16. D	21. B
B	7. C	12. A	17. B	22. A
D	8. A	13. B	18. A	23. D
B	9. A	14. A	19. D	24. B
A	10. D	15. C	20. A	25. B