A Bicycle in Good Repair – NCERT Solutions

Q. Mark the correct answer.

1. “I got up early, for me,” It implies that
   1. he was an early riser.
   2. he was a late riser.
   3. he got up late that morning.
2. The bicycle “goes easily enough in the morning and a little stiffly after lunch.” The remark is
   1. humorous.
   2. Inaccurate.
   3. sarcastic.
   4. enjoyable.
   5. meaningless.

Answer

1. he was a late riser.
2. humorous

Q. The friend shook the bicycle violently. Find two or three sentences in the text which express the author’s disapproval of it.

Answer

1. Don’t do that, you’ll hurt it.
2. It doesn’t if you don’t wobble it.
3. Don’t you trouble about it any more, you will make yourself tired.

Q. “…If not, it would make a serious difference to the machine.” What does ‘it’ refer to?

Ans. ‘It’ refers to the ball bearing.

Q. Did the front wheel really wobble? What is your opinion? Give a reason for your answer.

Ans. The front wheel did wobble but very little. It didn’t need immediate repair. The writer had no trouble with his bicycle.

Q. In what condition did the author find the bicycle when he returned from the tool shed?

Ans. When the author returned from the tool shed, his friend had already taken off the front wheel. The remaining part of the machine was lying on the stony path.

Q. “Nothing is easier than taking off the gear-case”. Comment on or continue this sentence in the light of what actually happens.

Ans. The friend had over-confidence in his skill to set the bicycle right. He had certainly no problem in taking off the gear box. But, as he realised later, it was very difficult to refix it.

Q. What special treatment did the chain receive?

Ans. The chain was a little loose. The friend tightened it so hard that it would not move at all. He then made it loose again. But this time the chain became twice as loose as before.

Q. The friend has two qualities, he knows what he is doing and is absolutely sure it is good. Find the two phrases in the text which mean the same.

Answer

• Cheery confidence in yourself
• your inexplicable hopefulness.

Q. Describe ‘the fight’ between the man and the machine. Find the relevant sentences in the text and write them.

Ans. The author’s friend was rash and overconfident of his skill. He started setting the bicycle right. It was, so to say, a fight between him and the cycle. He first took off the front wheel and then the gear-box. He faced a lot of problems in fixing them again. He grappled with the machine and hurt himself badly.

Q. Rewrite each of the following sentences using should/ ought to/must in place of the italicised words. Make other changes wherever necessary.

1. You are obliged to do your duty irrespective of consequences.
2. You will do well to study at least for an hour every day.
3. The doctor says it is necessary for her to sleep eight hours every night.
4. It is right that you show respect towards elders and affection towards youngsters.
5. If you want to stay healthy, exercise regularly.
6. It is good for you to take a walk every morning.
7. It is strongly advised that you don’t stand on your head.
8. As he has a cold, it is better for him to go to bed.

Answer

1. You must do your duty irrespective of consequences.
2. You should study at least for an hour every day.
3. The doctor says she must sleep eight hours every night.
4. You ought to show respect towards elders and affection towards youngsters.
5. If you want to stay healthy you must exercise regularly not take.
6. You should take a walk every morning.
7. You must not stand on your head.
8. As he has a cold, he should go to bed.

Q. Use should/must/ought to appropriately in the following sentences.

1. People who live in glass houses _____________ not throw stones.
2. You _____________ wipe your feet before coming into the house, especially during the rains.
3. You _____________ do what the teacher tells you.
4. The pupils were told that they _____________ write more neatly.
5. Sign in front of a park: You _____________ not walk on the grass.
6. You _____________ be ashamed of yourself having made such a remark.
7. He left home at 9 o’clock. He _____________ be here any minute.
8. “Whatever happened to the chocolate cake?” “How _____________ I know? I have just arrived.”

Answer

1. People who live in glass houses should not throw stones.
2. You must wipe your feet before coming into the house, especially during the rains.
3. You must do what the teacher tells you.
4. The pupils were told that they should write more neatly.
5. Sign in front of a park: You must not walk on the grass. (vi)
6. You ought to be ashamed of yourself having made such a remark.
7. He left home at 9 o’clock. He should be here any minute.
8. “Whatever happened to the chocolate cake?” “How should I know? I have just arrived.”

Q. Divide each of the following sentences into its parts. Write meaningful parts. If necessary, supply a word or two to make each part meaningful.

1. I went to the tool shed to see what I could find. (3 parts)
2. When I came back he was sitting on the ground. (2 parts)
3. We may as well see what’s the matter with it, now it is out. (3 parts)
4. He said he hoped we had got them all. (3 parts)
5. I had to confess he was right. (2 parts)

Answer

1. I went to the tool shed. I wanted a tool. I wanted to see what I could find.
2. I came back. He was sitting on the ground.
3. We may as well see. What is the matter with it? Now it is out.
4. He said. He hoped. We had got them all.
5. I had to confess it. He was right.