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What were the hardships faced by Nicola and Jacopo?
The boys Nicola and Jacopo were mature enough to face the hardships of life. They were only 13 and 12 years yet they looked and behaved wonderfully remarkable. They were childish and innocent yet they were wise, responsible and mature. Nicola and Jacopo worked hard day and night. The boys were saving to immigrate to the States.
The narrator was most impressed by the boys'
desire to earn money
willingness to work
ability to perform many tasks
sense of fun.
C.
ability to perform many tasks
Nicola was not pleased when Jacopo asked the narrator to drive them to Poleta as he
did not want a stranger to become involved with their plans
preferred going to Poleta by train so that he could enjoy the scenery
did not want to ask help from anyone for favours
did not want to take help from someone he did not know well
A.
did not want a stranger to become involved with their plans
The narrator did not go inside Lucia's room as
he did not want to intrude into their privacy
he thought that the boys would object
Lucia would not welcome a stranger
the boys would feel he was spying on them.
A.
he did not want to intrude into their privacy
The author did not speak to the boys on their journey because
he thought the boys would prefer to keep their secret
he thought the boys were ashamed of their sister's condition
he thought they wouldn't tell him the truth
he thought the boys might ask him for money for their sister
A.
he thought the boys would prefer to keep their secret
'We do many things, sir,' Nicola answered seriously. He glanced at us hopefully.
In this statement, Nicola is trying to say that the two brothers do many things for a living. They were looking at the author in hope that he might ask them for other services and they would earn some money.
He coloured deeply under his sunburn, then grew pale.
When the author spoke to Nicola and said that the way they work, they must earn quite a bit. They don't spend their earnings on their clothes or food then where do they spend it. He didn't know how to respond because he did not want to share their personal secrets with a stranger.
He smiled uncomfortably. 'Just plans, sir,' he answered in a low voice.
When the author suggested that they must be saving up to emigrate to America, Nicola replied that they currently have different plans. On asking by the author, he said 'just plans' as he didn't want to share their plans with him.
Yet in both these boyish faces there was a seriousness which was far beyond their years.
By this statement, I understand that the two brothers were matured enough for their ages. They were small teens and at the age of playing, they were working and earning money. At this early age, they took responsibilities on their shoulders.
Why didn't Luigi, the driver, approve of the two?
Luigi, the driver, didn't approve of the two because he thought that the strawberries they were selling would not be fresh as both of the two boys were shabbily dressed.
Why were the narrator and his companion impressed by the two boys?
The narrator and his companion were impressed by the two boys because they were so matured, responsible and hard working at their small ages. They were doing several jobs to earn for living. They were deliberately working more to save money for their sister.
Why was the author surprised to see Nicola and Jacopo working as shoeshine boys?
The author was surprised to see Nicola and Jacopo working as shoeshine boys because the previous day, he had seen them selling strawberries and that day they were polishing shoes. He had not expected that.
How were the boys useful to the author?
The boys were extremely useful to the author as they brought him a pack of American cigarettes, tickets for opera, told him the name of a good restaurant.
Why were the boys in the deserted square at night? What character traits do they exhibit?
The boys were in the deserted square at night because they were waiting for the last bus from Padua to sell their unsold newspapers. This shows that they were so hard working, patient, mature, responsible and the ones who do not rest before completing the task in hand.
The narrator asks the boys, 'Must you work so hard? You both look rather tired.' The boys reply, 'We are not complaining, sir.' What do you learn about the boys from their reply?
From their reply, I learn that once we know the importance of our work, we must be responsible enough to complete it without complaining or making excuses.
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When the narrator asks the boys about their plans, they are evasive. Why don't they disclose their problems?
They did not disclose their problems to the narrator because they considered that the problems were their own and they were dealing with them in their own way. Their brotherly love, maturity and the belief in between them were so strong that they didn't want anyone's consent or any sort of interference in their personal matters.
Appearances are deceptive. Discuss with the reference to the boys.
Our appearance can't tell about our personality because we haven't created ourselves or the circumstances we are in. Like in the story, the two boys who were shabbily dressed and looked aimless were carrying big hearts inside. They were selflessly working hard for their sister.
Do you think the boys looked after Lucia willingly? Give reasons for your answer.
Yes, the boys looked after Lucia willingly because they were not only working to make a living but were selflessly working harder to save money for their beloved sister.
How does the story 'Two Gentlemen of Verona' promise hope for society?
The story gives a beautiful message of eternal love and the emotional bonding between the three siblings. It tells us that when mutual love becomes one's power then no opposite situations can defeat him or her. If we will spread love in the society then everyone will be happy and healthy. Where there is a love, there is life and hope.
Match the phrases to their meaning.
| A. set up | (i) to start on a journey |
| B. break down | (ii) to tolerate a situation or a person |
| C. set off | (iii) to lose control of your feelings and start crying |
| D. put up with | (iv) to wear |
| E. put off | (v) to postpone |
| F. put on | (vi) to start/establish a company |
A. set up | (i) to start/establish a company |
B. break down | (ii) to lose control of your feelings and start crying |
C. set off | (iii) to start on a journey |
D. put up with | (iv) to tolerate a situation or a person |
E. put off | (v) to postpone |
F. put on | (vi) to wear |
| A. come in | (i) to refuse/reject |
| B. come across | (ii) to enter |
| C. come up against | (iii) to try to get help/advice/sympathy from someone |
| D. turn down | (iv) to be faced with or opposed by |
| E. turn in | (v) to meet or find by chance |
| F. turn to | (vi) to inform on or deliver up |
A. come in | (i) to enter |
B. come across | (ii) to meet or find by chance |
C. come up against | (iii) to be faced with or opposed by |
D. turn down | (iv) to refuse/reject |
E. turn in | (v) to try to get help/advice/sympathy from someone |
F. turn to | (vi) to inform on or deliver up |
6. The Corporation's decision to reduce the leave of the employees ____ a lot of opposition.
came up against
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