Q. What was the author’s opinion about Mr Gessler as a bootmaker?
Ans. The author had a very high opinion about Mr Gessler. He used the best leather and made durable boots.
Q. Why did the author visit the shop so infrequently?
Ans. The boots made by Gessler fitted well and lasted long. So the author did not have to visit the shop frequently.
Q. What was the effect on Mr. Gessler of the author’s remark about a certain pair of boots?
Ans. The author, by the way, told Mr. Gessler that the boots last made by him cracked. Gessler couldn’t believe it. He was shocked and speechless. He promised to mend them or adjust the money in the next bill.
Q. What was Mr. Gessler’s complaint against ‘big firms’?
Ans. Mr Gessler’s complaint against big firms was that they did not bother about the quality of their product. They wanted to supply the order at the earliest. They advertised their products. They pushed poor boot-makers out of their trade.
Q. Why did the author order so many pairs of boots? Did he really need them?
Ans. No, the author, infact, did not need so many pairs of boots. He placed order for them only out of sympathy for a talented and skilled shoemaker.
Q. Study the following phrases and their meanings. Use them appropriately to complete the sentences that follow.
Look after: take care of
Look down on: disapprove or regard as inferior
Look in (on someone): make a short visit
Look into: investigate
Look out: be careful
Look up: improve
Look up to: admire
- After a very long spell of heat, the weather is ______________ at last.
- We have no right to ______________ people who do small jobs.
- Nitin has always ______________ his uncle, who is a selfmade man.
- The police are ______________ the matter thoroughly.
- If you want to go out, I will ______________ the children for you.
- I promise to ______________ on your brother when I visit Lucknow next.
- ______________ when you are crossing the main road.
Answer
- looking up
- look down on
- looked up to
- looking into
- look after
- Look in
- Look out
Q. Do you think Mr. Gessler was a failure as a bootmaker or as a competitive businessman?
Ans. Mr. Gessler was decidedly a successful bootmaker. He made only quality boots, using the best leather and skill. But as a competitive businessman he was a complete failure. He lost his customers because of delay, and starved himself to death.
Q. What is the significance of the title? To whom or to what does it refer?
Ans. The title of the story ‘Quality’ is very apt and significant. It refers to the modern business practices. Nobody bothers about the quality of the product. There is a mad race for making quick money.