Short Questions with Answers
1. Who is the “she” in the poem?
Answer : “She” is the neighbor who found out about the murder.
2. What did “she” think the red stains were?
Answer : She thought they were spilled red ink or nail polish.
3. What made her realize something was wrong?
Answer : She saw flies gathering, which made her suspect a problem.
4. Who did she call for help?
Answer : She called the police.
5. What did she say about Shyam to Mrs. Guha?
Answer : She said Shyam was a sweet and smiling boy but a bit slow.
6. Who lived with the old couple?
Answer : A servant boy named Shyam lived with them.
7. What gifts did the old couple receive from their children?
Answer : They got gifts like silver and Banarasi saris from their sons in the US.
8. What weapons were used in the murder?
Answer : Steel rods and knives were used to kill the couple.
9. What things were stolen from the house?
Answer : Two TVs, radios, jewelry, Banarasi saris, and cash were taken.
10. What item was left behind by the thieves?
Answer : The thieves left a laptop behind.
11. Why didn’t the killers take the laptop?
Answer : They didn’t know its value or left it behind in a hurry.
12. Who made the list of missing items?
Answer : A cousin of the old couple made the list.
13. How was Shyam identified?
Answer : A video showed him serving at a party, and his address was noted.
14. Where was Shyam caught by the police?
Answer : Shyam was caught in his home village.
15. What did Shyam have when he was arrested?
Answer : He had fifty rupees and a sari for his mother.
16. What does the phrase “Bihari chokkra” show?
Answer : It shows bias against people from Bihar.
17. Who helped Shyam in the crime?
Answer : His accomplices helped him commit the murder and theft.
18. What did the officer use to block the bad smell?
Answer : He used a big handkerchief to cover his nose.
19. What kind of silence is mentioned in the poem?
Answer : A lonely silence, broken by barking dogs, is described.
20. How does the poem describe the old couple’s life?
Answer : They lived alone with only their servant to help them.
Medium Questions with Answers
1. How did the neighbor realize something was wrong?
Answer : The neighbor initially thought the red stains were ink or nail polish. After seeing flies gathering near the door, she suspected something was wrong. This led her to call the police and report the situation.
2. What role did Shyam play in the crime?
Answer : Shyam, the servant boy, let the thieves into the house and helped plan the murders. He betrayed the trust of the old couple who employed him. His role in the crime shocked everyone who believed he was harmless.
3. What does the poem reveal about the old couple’s life?
Answer : The old couple lived alone, relying on their servant for help. Their children sent gifts from the US but rarely visited them. This isolation made them vulnerable to crime and betrayal.
4. What does the officer’s comment about “Bihari chokkra” show?
Answer : The officer’s comment reflects bias against people from Bihar, assuming they are involved in crimes. This prejudice distracts from fair investigation. The poem criticizes such stereotypes as harmful and unfair.
5. Why is calling Shyam “sweet” ironic?
Answer : Shyam appeared kind and harmless but secretly planned a violent crime. The irony lies in the contrast between his perceived innocence and his cruel actions. This shows how appearances can be misleading.
6. How was Shyam caught by the police?
Answer : Shyam was identified through a video taken at a party where he served trays. His address was noted, which helped the police track him to his village. He was arrested with some stolen items in his possession.
7. What message does the poem give about loneliness?
Answer : The poem shows how the old couple’s loneliness made them dependent on an untrustworthy servant. Their children’s absence left them vulnerable to crime. It highlights the risks of living alone without family support.
8. What does the inventory of stolen items reveal?
Answer : The inventory included valuable items like jewelry, cash, and saris, showing the thieves’ greed. The laptop was left behind, suggesting ignorance or haste. This reveals the materialistic motive behind the crime.
9. How does the poem describe Delhi’s atmosphere during the crime?
Answer : The city is described as foggy and silent, with occasional barking dogs breaking the stillness. This creates an eerie and lonely atmosphere. It reflects the vulnerability and isolation of the old couple.
10. What does the poem say about justice?
Answer : Justice was served when Shyam was caught and punished. However, the poem highlights deeper societal problems like neglect and prejudice. It emphasizes that true justice requires addressing these underlying issues.
Long Questions with Answers
1. How does the poem show the problems of old people living alone?
Answer : The old couple lived alone, with no family nearby to support them. They depended on Shyam, their servant, who betrayed them. Their children sent gifts but didn’t visit or ensure their safety. This loneliness made them easy targets for crime. The poem highlights the vulnerability of old people in such situations.
2. What role did Shyam play in the crime, and how was he caught?
Answer : Shyam worked for the old couple but secretly planned the crime. He let his accomplices in and helped murder the couple using knives and rods. Afterward, the police identified him from a video showing his address. He was arrested in his village with stolen money and a sari. His betrayal shocked everyone.
3. How does the poem use irony to explain its themes?
Answer : Shyam is called “sweet,” but he plans a brutal murder, showing irony. The couple’s trust in him contrasts with his betrayal. Even the officer’s biased remarks about “Bihari chokkra” show unfair stereotypes. The children’s gifts symbolize love, but they failed to protect their parents. These ironies highlight deep societal flaws.
4. What does the officer’s remark about “Bihari chokkra” tell us?
Answer : The officer assumes the killer must be from Bihar, showing his prejudice. This stereotype reflects a lack of fairness and professionalism. The poem criticizes such attitudes, which harm justice. It asks readers to question their own biases.
5. What is the atmosphere of the night described in the poem?
Answer : The night is described as foggy, quiet, and lonely, with barking dogs breaking the silence. This eerie setting adds tension to the story. It mirrors the isolation of the old couple and the danger they faced. The atmosphere highlights the theme of urban loneliness.
6. What does the poem say about the treatment of old people in families?
Answer : The poem shows how the couple’s children sent gifts but didn’t provide real care. Their absence left the couple dependent on a servant, leading to tragedy. The poem calls for better family support to ensure the safety of elderly people.
7. How did the murder happen, and what was stolen?
Answer : Shyam let his accomplices into the house at night, and they killed the couple. Steel rods and knives were used in the crime. They stole jewelry, cash, TVs, and saris but left a laptop behind. This shows their haste and greed.
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