A Trick
Short Questions with Answers
1. Who wrote the story “A Trick”?
- The story “A Trick” was written by Dr. R.K. Sinha.
2. Where did Dr. R.K. Sinha obtain his D.Phil?
- Dr. R.K. Sinha obtained his D.Phil from Oxford University.
3. What was the subject of Dr. Sinha’s research at Oxford?
- The subject of Dr. Sinha’s research at Oxford was “Literary influence on D.H. Lawrence.”
4. How long did Dr. R.K. Sinha serve at Patna University?
- Dr. R.K. Sinha served at Patna University for 42 years.
5. What role did Dr. Sinha hold at the university?
- Dr. R.K. Sinha was the head of the Postgraduate Department of English for 27 years.
6. What was Varma’s initial reaction to the narrator’s congratulations?
- Varma reacted coldly and suspiciously to the narrator’s congratulations.
7. What reason did the group give Varma for congratulating him?
- The group told Varma that Mr. Chatterjee had announced he stood first in the exam.
8. Who was Mr. Chatterjee in the story?
- Mr. Chatterjee was a professor who taught English.
9. Why did the narrator and his friends congratulate Varma?
- The narrator and his friends congratulated Varma as part of a trick to deceive him.
10. What did the narrator say about English examiners?
- The narrator said English examiners look for “the spark of genius” in answers.
11. How did Varma react to the praise for his answers?
- Varma felt pleased and began describing his answers with joy.
12. What did the group do to keep Varma engaged in their trick?
- The group praised Varma’s exam answers and read Tagore’s poems to keep him engaged.
13. What poems by Tagore were mentioned in the story?
- Poems like “Urvasi” and “Sonar Tari” by Tagore were mentioned in the story.
14. What realization did the narrator have during the evening?
- The narrator realized the extent of their careless fraud against Varma.
15. What was Varma’s reaction after visiting Mr. Chatterjee?
- Varma was humiliated and furious after learning it was a trick.
16. What caused the jealousy between Varma and Sinha?
- The jealousy stemmed from their past arguments and competitive nature.
17. How did Varma express his anger after discovering the truth?
- Varma wrote a letter asking for his books back from the narrator and his friends.
18. What did the narrator feel after realizing Varma’s humiliation?
- The narrator felt remorse and guilt for causing Varma’s grief.
19. What dream did the narrator have after the incident?
- The narrator dreamt about being judged and punished for his actions.
20. What was the narrator’s final feeling about the whole event?
- The narrator felt regret and wished to make amends for the harm done to Varma.
Medium Questions with Answers
1. Why did Varma feel suspicious when congratulated by the narrator?
- Varma felt suspicious because such cordial gestures were rare among the students. He noticed a stealthy glance passed between the group, which made him doubt their intentions. However, he could not completely disregard their words.
2. What role did Mr. Chatterjee’s comments play in the trick?
- Mr. Chatterjee’s eccentric comments about Roll 14 scoring high marks were used to support the trick. The narrator and his friends used these remarks to make Varma believe he stood first. This gave the trick more credibility.
3. How did the group keep the deception going?
- The group complimented Varma on his exam answers and encouraged his confidence. They praised his best responses and made him feel proud. Their continuous talk kept him engaged in the lie.
4. What did the narrator say about examiners to convince Varma?
- The narrator claimed that examiners in English focus on the “spark of genius” rather than fully completed answers. He gave an example of a math professor who gave high marks for partially answered questions. This reassured Varma.
5. What impact did Tagore’s poems have on the group?
- The group found Tagore’s poems enchanting, even though they did not fully understand them. The beauty of the words and the rhythm created a dreamlike atmosphere. However, Varma was distracted by thoughts of success.
6. How did Varma’s attitude change after the trick?
- Initially, Varma was elated and deeply engaged in the group’s praises. However, after realizing the truth, he felt humiliated and betrayed. His joy turned into anger and sorrow.
7. What was the underlying cause of rivalry between Varma and Sinha?
- The rivalry between Varma and Sinha was fueled by mutual jealousy and competition. An earlier argument over a trivial matter had escalated their tension. This jealousy influenced their actions during the trick.
8. What did Varma do after finding out the truth?
- Varma confronted Mr. Chatterjee to verify the information and realized it was a hoax. Furious, he wrote letters to the group demanding his books back. He later expressed his anger directly to the narrator.
9. Why did the narrator feel remorse after the incident?
- The narrator realized the pain and humiliation caused to Varma by the trick. He felt guilty for hurting Varma’s pride and regretted his actions. The prank no longer seemed fun or harmless.
10. How did the dream affect the narrator’s feelings?
- In his dream, the narrator imagined being judged and punished for his actions. This experience heightened his guilt and made him reflect deeply on his behavior. He woke up feeling exhausted and regretful.
11. What happened on the day the exam results were announced?
- On the result day, there was suspense as the professors withheld the marks. Eventually, the narrator learned he had actually stood first. This revelation left him confused about how to feel.
12. What was the final resolution between the narrator and Varma?
- Both the narrator and Varma felt remorse for their actions and words. They silently acknowledged their mistakes and began to move past the incident. Their shared regret created a moment of mutual understanding.
Long Questions with Answers
1. How did the narrator and his friends use vanity to trick Varma?
- The narrator and his friends flattered Varma’s intelligence and exam answers to boost his ego. They fabricated a story about him standing first in the exam and supported it with fake details. This played on Varma’s desire for recognition and made him believe the lie. Ultimately, his vanity overpowered his doubts.
2. What was the significance of Tagore’s poems in the story?
- The group read Tagore’s poems like “Urvasi” and “Sonar Tari” to celebrate Varma’s imagined success. The poems’ beauty and rhythm created a dreamy atmosphere for the group. However, Varma’s focus remained on his imagined achievement rather than the poetry. This highlighted how success can overshadow artistic appreciation.
3. What emotions did Varma experience during the incident?
- Varma experienced a rollercoaster of emotions, starting with suspicion and hesitation. As the group praised him, he felt joy and pride. Upon discovering the truth, he felt humiliation, anger, and betrayal. His emotions ultimately shifted to regret and sorrow.
4. What role did competition play in the conflict between Varma and Sinha?
- The rivalry between Varma and Sinha stemmed from their competitive natures and mutual envy. Small arguments, like one about the book Vanity Fair, fueled their tension. This competition influenced Sinha’s participation in the trick, adding personal jealousy to the prank.
5. Why did the narrator describe the prank as “frail” and “slender”?
- The narrator recognized that the prank was based on fragile lies that could easily fall apart. It temporarily transported Varma into a false world of success and joy. However, the slightest hint of reality could shatter the illusion, leading to humiliation and pain.
6. What realization did the narrator have after the prank went wrong?
- The narrator realized the depth of Varma’s hurt and his own responsibility for it. He understood that the prank, though meant as fun, had caused real harm. This realization led him to reflect on the consequences of his actions and feel genuine remorse.
7. How did Varma’s reaction to the prank reveal his character?
- Varma’s initial joy showed his deep desire for success and recognition. His anger and humiliation after discovering the truth revealed his pride and sensitivity. Ultimately, his regret over his harsh words reflected his capacity for self-reflection and forgiveness.
8. What is the central theme of “A Trick”?
- The central theme of “A Trick” is the impact of deception and the fragility of human pride. The story explores how lies, even in jest, can lead to unintended consequences. It also highlights the complexity of emotions like jealousy, guilt, and remorse in human relationships.
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