Fair Play – NCERT Solutions

Q. Match the sentences under I with those under II.

I

1. Jumman and Algu were the best of friends.
2. Jumman’s aunt transferred her property to him.
3. The aunt decided to appeal to the panchayat.
4. Algu was unwilling to support the aunt.
5. Jumman was very happy to hear Algu’s name as head Panch.

II

1. He believed that his friend would never go against him.
2. She wanted justice.
3. In the absence of one, the other took care of his family.
4. The condition was that he would be responsible for her welfare.
5. The bond of friendship between him and Jumman was very strong.

Answer

Part I	Part II
1. Jumman and Algu were the best of friends.	3. In the absence of one, the other took care of his family.
2. Jumman’s aunt transferred her property to him.	4. The condition was that he would be responsible for her welfare.
3. The aunt decided to appeal to the panchayat.	2. She wanted justice.
4. Algu was unwilling to support the aunt.	5. The bond of friendship between him and Jumman was very strong.
5. Jumman was very happy to hear Algu’s name as head Panch.	1. He believed that his friend would never go against him.

Q. “My wife knows best how to run the house.”

Ans. Jumman speaks these words to his aunt. He wanted to get rid of his aunt. He did not want to give her any allowance.

Q. “But is it right, my son, to keep mum and not say what you consider just and fair?”

Ans. The old aunt says these words to Algu Chowdhry. Algu was unwilling to give his judgement against his best friend.

Q. “What have you to say in your defence?”

Ans. Algu said these words to Jumman when he occupied the seat of the head panch. He was keen to do justice.

Q. “I can’t pay you a penny for the wretched beast you sold me.”

Ans. Sahu said this to Algu Chowdhry. Algu had sold his bullock to Samjhu Sahu. The bullock died because Sahu overworked and underfed the animal. When Algu demanded his money, Algu dishonestly refused to pay him a penny.

Q. “Victory to the panchayat. This is justice.”

Ans. Jumman was the head panch. He could easily give his verdict against Algu. But the seat of panch made him fair and just. He asked Sahu to pay the money to Algu. At this Algu shouted with joy and welcomed the fair judgement.

Q. “Then the situation changed.” What is being referred to?

Ans. The situation changed after the transfer of property. Jumman forgot his promise to look after his old aunt. He as well as his wife began to ill-treat her.

Q. When Jumman’s aunt realised that she was not welcome in his house, what arrangement did she suggest?

Ans. Jumman’s aunt could not bear insults any more. She wanted to cook her food separately. She demanded monthly allowance from her nephew.

Q. What was the villagers’ reaction when the aunt explained her case to them?

Ans. The old woman went to several villagers to explain her case and get their support. But some showed sympathy, and some laughed at her. A few advised her to make peace with Jumman.

Q. Why was Jumman happy over Algu’s nomination as head Panch?

Ans. Algu and Jumman were fast friends. So Jumman hoped to get the verdict in his favour. Naturally he felt happy when the aunt named Algu to act as head Panch.

Q. “God lives in the heart of the Panch”, the aunt said. What did she mean?

Ans. The aunt meant that a person in the seat of a judge becomes fair and just like God. He is not guided by his personal likes and dislikes. He can not do any injustice. He is God’s representative.

Q. What was Algu’s verdict as head Panch? How did Jumman take it?

Ans. Algu heard the case and gave a fair judgement. He asked Jumman either to pay a monthly allowance to his aunt or transfer the property in her name. Jumman was stunned. He became Algu’s enemy. He decided to take revenge on Algu.

Q. Algu found himself in a tight spot. What was his problem?

Ans. Algu sold his bullock to Samjhu Sahu, a cartman. Sahu promised to pay the price within a month. But during this period he took so much work from the animal that it died. Sahu became dishonest. He refused to pay the money.

Q. Why was Algu upset over Jumman’s nomination as head Panch?

Ans. Algu was upset because Jumman was already annoyed with him. So he thought Jumman would take his revenge.

Q. What was Jumman’s verdict as head Panch? How did Algu take it?

Ans. Jumman’s verdict was that Sahu had to pay the price of bullock to Algu. Because when Sahu purchased the bullock from Algu it was hale and hearty. This was a genuine decision. Algu took it happily and said it was victory of panchayat.

Q. Which of the following sums up the story best?

1. “I also know that you will not kill your conscience for the sake of friendship.”
2. “Let no one deviate from the path of justice and truth for friendship or enmity.”
3. “The voice of the Panch is the voice of God.” Give a reason for your choice.

Ans. I think the second statement sums up the story best. The person in the seat of a judge becomes fair and just.

Q. Replace the italicised portion of each sentence below with a suitable phrase from the box. Make necessary changes, wherever required.

look after, swallow, make it up, keep mum, go into, ease one’s conscience, as ill luck would have it, a tight spot, take chances, my heart sank

1. The best way to avoid an unnecessary argument is to remain silent.
2. Unfortunately, the train I was trying to catch was cancelled.
3. He has been told not to take risks while driving a car through a crowded street.
4. The patient needs to be properly taken care of.
5. Why don’t the two of you end your quarrel by shaking hands?
6. I was in a difficult situation till my friends came to my rescue.
7. When I saw a pile of dirty dishes, I felt very disappointed.
8. I will examine the matter carefully before commenting on it.
9. They criticised him in the meeting but he accepted without protest all the criticism.
10. It will free me from worry to know that I had done nothing wrong.

Answer

1. The best way to avoid an unnecessary argument is to keep mum.
2. As ill luck would have it; the train I was trying to catch was cancelled.
3. He has been told not to take chances while driving a car through a crowded street.
4. The patient needs to be properly looked after.
5. Why don’t the two of you make it up by shaking hands?
6. I was in a tight spot till my friends came to my rescue.
7. When I saw a pile of dirty dishes, my heart sank.
8. I will go into the matter carefully before commenting on it.
9. They criticised him in the meeting but he swallowed all the criticism.
10. It will ease my conscience to know that I had done nothing wrong.

Q. Look at the following phrases and their meanings. Use the phrases to fill in the blanks in the sentences given below.

• set up — put in place or start
• set aside — save or keep for a particular purpose
• set down — write or record
• set out — start on a journey
• set in — begin and seem likely to continue

1. Why don’t you __________ your ideas on paper?
2. A fund has been __________ for the soldiers’ families.
3. We should __________ a little money every month.
4. You should buy some woollens before winter __________.
5. They __________ on the last stage of their journey.

Answer

1. set down
2. set up
3. set aside
4. sets in
5. set out

Q. Your teacher will speak the words listed below. Write against each a word of opposite meaning.

1. old
2. wet
3. open
4. blunt
5. forget

Answer

1. new
2. dry
3. closed
4. sharp
5. remember