Chapter 4 Bepin Choudhury’s Lapse of Memory Important Questions Class 8 Honeydew English
Short Answer Type Questions
Question 1. Why was Dr. Chanda puzzled? What was unusual about Bepin Babu’s loss of memory?
Answer
Paresh Chanda was a young physician. He had never dealt a case of memory loss. So he was puzzled. He gave a suggestioh to Bepin Babu to visit Ranchi again.
Question 2. How did he try to decide who was right in his memory or Parimal Ghose?
Answer
Bepin Babu tried to check the people who were supposed to have a link with the Ranchi trip. He asked Dinesh Mukherjee about the trips. Dinesh Mukherjee increased his duality as he made a positive statement for Ranchi trip.
Question 3. Who was Chunni? What kind of relationship do they share?
Answer
Chunni Lai had been at school with Bepin Babu. He was not well off so he often visited him to get help in finding work. But Bepin Babu disliked him.
Question 4. Why do you think was ‘Bepin Babu’s head reeled’?
Answer
Bepin Babu was sure that he never visited Ranchi. But the intruder narrated incidents’with so much of conviction that Bepin Babu started doubting himself. He tried to find the reason of his forgetfulness.
Question 5. How did Bepin get a cut on his right knee?
Answer
Bepin Choudhary could not recollect about the reason of the scar. He was told by Parimal Ghose that he had a fall in Hudroo and cut his right knee. He bought him iodine.
Question 6. Who sent the letter to Bepin and what was written there?
Answer
The letter was sent by Chunnilal. He wrote that he had no money, his resources were limited. What he had was imagination, which he had used to write a novel and it would be published soon.
Question 7. According to man, where was Bepin Choudhary in ’58?
Answer
According to man, Bepin Babu was in his bungalow in Ranchi. But according to Bepin, he spent a puja in 1958 with a friend in Kanpur.
Question 8. Why did Bepin Choudhury drop at Kalicharan’s in new market?
Answer
On every Monday, Bepin Choudhury dropped at Kalicharan’s new market to buy books. Crime stories, ghost stories and thriller stories he had to buy at least 5 at a time to last him through the week.
Question 9. What happened with Bepin Choudhary at Ranchi? How did Mr. Parimal help him?
Answer
Bepin Choudhary had a fall in Hudroo and cut his right knee. Then Parimal brought iodine to him. He also fixed up car for him to go to Netarhat, the next day.
Question 10. Why did Bepin Babu said that there is no hope for him?
Answer
Bepin Babu said that there is no hope for him because when he reached to Ranchi he did not have memory of his trip. He went to Hudroo Falls also but found nothing, and now he thought that he would lose everything; his will to work, his confidence, his ability etc.
Question 11. What did the man say about himself?
Answer
The man was surprised and said that they met every day for a whole week. He also arranged a car for him to take him to the Hudroo Falls in Ranchi in the year 1958.
Question 12. Do you think that Parimal successfully convinced Bepin about his visit to Ranchi?
Answer
Bepin was sure that he never visited Ranchi. Although Parimal gave him evidence and references. Bepin left him in utter disbelief.
Question 13. Who was Chunilal? What did he want from Bepin Babu?
Answer
Chunilal was an old schoolmate of Bepin Babu. He had been having a rough time lately and had been – coming to see Bepin Babu for a job.
Question 14. How do you think Bepin Babu reacted when he found out that Chunilal had tricked him?
Answer
Bepin Babu must be regretting when he found the truth about Chunilal. He must be upset for not helping his old friend who was in such a bad condition. Bepin Babu would be also angry on Chunilal for creating so much of chaos in his peaceful life.
Question 15. Who was observing Bepin Choudhary at bodk shop?
Answer
The man was Parimal Ghose, who met Bepin in 1958 in Ranchi. He used to meet Bepin whole week to arrange car to take him to the Hudroo Falls.
Question 16. What happened at Kalicharan’s shop?
Answer
Bepin Babu used to buy books every Monday. One day, he observed that someone was looking at him keenly. He introduced himself as Parimal Ghose.
Question 17. What details of the family were known to Parimal and how?
Answer
Parimal told him that he spoke about his family. He had no children and his wife died about ten years ago. His younger brother had died insane. He said that he had revealed all the details by himself. Yet Bepin didn’t believe him.
Question 18. What was Bepin ‘sleuthing’ about?
Answer
Bepin Babu called up Dinesh Mukerji to enquire about his visit to Ranchi. As Parimal Ghose mentioned him name when he was narrating incidents about Ranchi.
Question 19. What did Mr. Mukerji say? Did it comfort Bepin Babu, or add to his worries?
Answer
Mr. Mukerji confirmed that Bepin Babu had been to Ranchi in October 58. This further made him uncomfortable. Bepin Babu became so worried that he even lost his appetite.
Question 20. Why did Bepin like to read books?
Answer
Bepin Chaudhury was fond of reading books. He lived alone and did not mix up with others neither did he like to waste his time in idle chats.
Question 21. At last what did Bepin said to Dr. Chandra?
Answer
Bepin said that “I’m fine. It all came back as soon as I got off the train at Ranchi”, and he called him because he had pain in his hip because he fell in Ranchi and a painkiller could work on it.
Question 22. What arrangements were made during his stay in Ranchi?
Answer
Parimal informed Bepin that he stayed in a bungalow as he didn’t like hotel food and preferred to have his meals cooked by ‘bawarchi’.
Question 23. Who was Haridas? Where did he go?
Answer
Haridas was a friend of Bepin who stayed in Kanpur. Bepin visited him in October 1958 during puja. When Bepin was in a conflict with Parimal, he wanted to write to him. Then he realized that Haridas had left with his wife for Japan.
Question 24. Why did the man stare at Bepin Babu in disbelief?
Answer
The man stared at Bepin Babu in disbelief because Bepin Babu did not recognise him even though he was sure that he knew him and had met him in Ranchi.
Question 25. Why did Bepin Babu hesitate to visit Mr. Mukerji? Why did he finally decide to phone him?
Answer
Bepin Babu hesitated to visit Mr. Mukerji thinking that it would be ridiculous if he had really visited Ranchi. Mukerji would think Bepin Babu had gone mad. Hence, Bepin Babu finally decided to phone him.
Question 26. Had Bepin Babu reallyTost his memory and forgotten all about a trip to Ranchi?
Answer
No, Bepin Babu had not really lost his memory. In fact, he had never been to Ranchi. It was all a plan made by Chunilal to teach him a lesson.
Long Answer Type Questions
Question 1. The author describes Bepin Babu as a serious and hardworking man. What evidence can you find in the story to support this?
Answer
Bepin Babu was a serious and hardworking man. He worked daily in his office. He did not like to mix with the people and had few friends. He lived alone and didn’t like to spend time in idle chat. He had been working for a big firm for the past 25 years and had a reputation for being a tireless conscientious worker.
Question 2. Bepin Chaudhary was losing confidence because of the force created around. What would you do to restore faith and confidence?
Answer
Chunni Lai manipulated everything. He sent a man who concocted story with conviction. At first, he was unmoved, but later started interrogating himself. He tried to relive the places then only he realized the truth. If were at his place, I would have snapped the intruder and won’t let him disturb my inner peace.
Question 3. Why was ‘his head in a swirl’?
Answer
Bepin was in dilemma because Parimal concocted a fake story about Bepin’s visit to Ranchi. He was at one of the important position in his office. He was doing his job perfectly. So he felt why such an important trip was slipped off his mind. ‘Is he getting insane’ he started losing faith over himself.
Question 4. Mention any three (or more) things that Parimal Ghose knew about Bepin Babu.
Answer
Bepin Babu’s intimate secrets were known to Parimal Ghose:
- He knew Bepin Babu had no children.
- He had lost his wife 1 year ago.
- His brother was died insane.
Question 5. Who was Paresh Chandra? And what he suggested for Bepin?
Answer
Paresh Chandra was a young physician with a pair of bright eyes and a sharp nose. He suggested Bepin to go to Ranchi once again that can make him to remind the entire trip. Dr. Chandra also doesn’t know much about this kind of disease but he gave suggestion and some tranquilliser and a nerve tonic to make him sleep well.
Question 6. Why did Bepin Babu change his mind about meeting Chunilal? What was the result of this meeting?
Answer
Bepin Babu changed his mind about meeting Chunilal because he thought that it might be possible that the latter remember something about the Ranchi trip. When Chunilal confirmed that Bepin Babu had been to Ranchi Bepin Babu decided to see a specialist doctor.
Question 7. Why dp you think Chunilal did what he did? Chunilal says he had no money: What is it that he does have?
Answer
Chunilal did what he did because Bepin Babu did not help him at a time when he had no money and required a job. However, Bepin Babu did not do anything for him. So he wanted to punish him by rekindling haunting memory of his fall near Hudroo. Chunilal seems to be a good writer with very fertile imagination. That is what he believes would help him to tide over his bad phase.
Question 8. Why did Bepin Babu worry about what Parimal Ghose had said?
Answer
Bepin Babu continuously worried about what Parimal Ghose had said because he had shown that he knew many intimate facts about him. He knew about the bag of books, his wife’s death and his brother’s insanity. Considering that Parimal Ghose knew so much about him. Bepin Bapu couldn’t say with conviction that he was making a mistake about the Ranchi trip.
Question 9. How did you know that the man knew Bepin Chaudhary?
Answer
We got to know that the man knew him because he gave a brief description about Bepin that is: He always carries books with him. He had no children and his wife passed away 10 years ago. He didn’t like hotel food and so he had his meal cooked by Bawarchi.
Question 10. Chunni Lai was talented yet ‘kept turning up like a bad penny’. What do you get about the character of Chunni Lai?
Answer
Chunni Lai was a creative person. He was full of imagination and depicted the force as a reality. He successfully befooled Bepin Babu and manipulated him so well that he started doubting himself. Although he was close to perfection and skill, yet he used it in a wrong way. He thrived the one whom he visit seeking help. He should have understood his talent and used it constructively rather than harassing an intelligent man who was busy doing his own work. Chunni Lai was revengeful and tricked Bepin Babu.
Extract Based Questions
Extract 1
Every Monday, on his way back from work, Bepin Choudhury would drop in at Kalicharan’s in New Market to buy books. Crime stories, ghost stories and thrillers. He had to buy at least five at a time to last him through the week. He lived alone, was not a good mixer, had few friends, and didn’t like spending time in idle chat. Today, at Kalicharan’s, Bepin Babu had the feeling that someone was observing him from close quarters. He turned round and found himself looking at a round faced, meek looking man who now broke into a smile. “I don’t suppose you recognise me.” “Have we met before?” asked Bepin Babu. The man looked greatly surprised. “We met every day for a whole week. I arranged for a car to take you to the Hudroo falls. In 1958. In Ranchi. My name is Parimal Ghose.” “Ranchi?”
Questions
(i) What did Bepin do every Monday?
(ii) Why was Bepin engrossed in reading?
(iii) What was Bepin Babu suspicious of?
(iv) What did Parimal tell about himself?
(v) Choose a word/ phrase from the passage which means ‘direst and close contact’.
Answers
(i) Bepin Choudhary bought books of crime stories, ghost stories and thrillers from Kalicharan’s New market every Monday.
(ii) Bepin lived alone in his house. He was not a good mixer. He had only a few friends and didn’t like spending time in idle chat.
(iii) Bepin Babu felt that somebody was keeping at an eye on him who was observing him.
(iv) Parimal Ghose revealed that he met him everyday during his stay in Ranchi in 1958. He had arranged a car for him to take him to the Hudroo falls.
(v) Close quarters.
Extract 2
Was he losing his mind? But how could that be? He was working daily in his office. It was a big firm, and he was doing a responsible job. He wasn’t aware of anything ever going seriously wrong. Only today he spoke for half an hour at an important meeting. And yet… And yet the man knew a great deal about him. How? He even seemed to know some intimate details. The bag of books, wife’s death, brother’s insanity… The only mistake was about his having gone to Ranchi. Not a mistake; a deliberate lie. In ’58, during the Pujas, he was in Kanpur at his friend Haridas Bagchi’s place. All Bepin Babu had to do was write to — no, there was no way of writing to Haridas. Bepin Babu suddenly remembered that Haridas had left with his wife for Japan some weeks ago, and he didn’t have his address.
Questions
(i) What was the conflict in Bepin Babu’s mind?
(ii) Where was Bepin Babu in October 1958?
(iii) Why did Bepin say ‘No, there was To Haridas’?
(iv) What were the ‘intimate details’ that Parimal Ghose was aware of?
(v) Explain ‘losing his mind’.
Answer
(i) Bepin Babu was working in office and he was performing his duties with responsibility. He spoke for half an hour at an important meeting. Yet he was not sure of his mental state.
(ii) Bepin Babu was in Kanpur October 1958 at his friend Haridas Bagchi’s place.
(iii) Bepin wanted to contact Haridas, then he remembered that Haridas had left with his wife for Japan some weeks ago.
(iv) Parimal Ghose knew about the intimate details about the bag of books, wife’s death, brother’s insanity etc.
(v) Bepin was initially confident that Parimal mistook him for someone else. But his lie shook him. He started doubting himself.
Extract 3
Doubtless it was Bepin’s condition which made Chunilal leave without mentioning anything about a job. Paresh Chanda was a young physician with a pair of bright eyes and a sharp nose. He became thoughtful when he heard about Bepin Babu’s symptoms. “Look, Dr Chanda,” said Bepin Babu desperately, “You must cure me of this horrible illness. I can’t tell you how it’s affecting my work.” Dr Chanda shook his head. ‘You know what, Mr Choudhury,” he said. “I’ve never had to deal with a case such as yours. Frankly, this is quite outside my field of experience. But I have one suggestion. I don’t know if it’ll work, but it’s worth a try. It can do no harm.” Bepin Babu leaned forward anxiously.
Questions
(i) What did Chunni Lai come for?
(ii) Describe the appearance of Paresh Chanda.
(iii) Why was Bepin Babu desperate?
(iv) What was the analysis of Dr. about mental condition of Bepin Babu?
(v) What was the suggestion of his doctor?
Answer
(i) Chunni Lai visited Bepin’s place to take his help in finding a suitable job for him.
(ii) Paresh Chandra was a young physician with a pair of bright eyes and a sharp nose.
(iii) Bepin Babu was desperate to get cure of his horrible illness of forgetfulness.
(iv) Bepin Babu visited the doctor to analyse the medical condition and he could not find anything suspicious in him.
(v) The doctor suggested him to visit Ranchi. Once again to get real experience he could make out if he had really visited those places.
Extract 4
Getting off the train at Ranchi next morning, he realised at once that he had never been there before. He came out of the station, took a taxi and drove around the town for a while. He realised that the streets, the buildings, the hotels, the bazaars, the Morabadi Hill – with none of these had he the slightest acquaintance. Would a trip to the Hudroo Falls help? He didn’t believe so, but, at the same time, he didn’t wish to leave with the feeling that he hadn’t tried enough. So he arranged for a car and left for Hudroo in the afternoon. At five o’clock the same afternoon in Hudroo, two Gujarati gentlemen from a group of picnickers discovered Bepin Babu lying unconscious beside a boulder. When he came round, the first thing Bepin Babu said was, “I’m finished. There’s no hope left.”
Questions
(i) How was he sure that he had not visited Ranchi before?
(ii) Why did the trip to the Hudroo Falls plan?
(iii) What had happened to Bepin Babu in Hudroo?
(iv) Why do you think Bepin said ‘I’m finished’?
(v) Why was ‘no hope left’ for Bepin Babu?
Answer
(i) Bepin Babu visited Ranchi by hiring a taxi. He realized that the streets, the buildings, the hotels, the bazaars etc were not familiar at all.
(ii) Bepin Babu was sure that he had not visited the place before. But he did not want to take a chance so he went to Hudroo Falls.
(iii) Bepin Babu was lying unconscious beside a boulder. Two Gujarati gentleman found him.
(iv) Bepin visited Ranchi with the hope to remember any incident or place to relate his previous trip to Ranchi. But he couldn’t relate anything. He was thus in a state of shock that he had lost his memory.
(v) Bepin Babu lost faith in his memory. He was totally devastated. He worked hard and managed solution by engaging himself in reading books. The false story had so much of impact on his mind that he lost all his hope of leading a normal life.