1. “Cambridge was my metaphor for England.” To the writer,
(i) Cambridge was a reputed university in England.
(ii) England was famous for Cambridge.
(iii) Cambridge was the real England.

2. The writer phoned Stephen Hawking’s house
(i) from the nearest phone booth.
(ii) from outside a phone booth.
(iii) from inside a phone booth.

3. Every time he spoke to the scientist, the writer felt guilty
because
(i) he wasn’t sure what he wanted to ask.
(ii) he forced the scientist to use his voice synthesiser.
(iii) he was face to face with a legend.

4. “I felt a huge relief... in the possibilities of my body.” In the
given context, the highlighted words refer to
(i) shifting in the wheelchair, turning the wrist.
(ii) standing up, walking.
(iii) speaking, writing.

1. (i) Did the prospect of meeting Stephen Hawking make the writer nervous?
If so, why?
(ii) Did he at the same time feel very excited? If so, why?

2. Guess the first question put to the scientist by the writer.

3. Stephen Hawking said, “I’ve had no choice.” Does the writer think there
was a choice? What was it?

4. “I could feel his anguish.” What could be the anguish?

5. What endeared the scientist to the writer so that he said he was looking at
one of the most beautiful men in the world?

6. Read aloud the description of ‘the beautiful’ man. Which is the most beautiful
sentence in the description?

7. (i) If ‘the lantern’ is the man, what would its ‘walls’ be?
(ii) What is housed within the thin walls?
(iii) What general conclusion does the writer draw from this comparison?

8. What is the scientist’s message for the disabled?

9. Why does the writer refer to the guitar incident? Which idea does it
support?

10. The writer expresses his great gratitude to Stephen Hawking. What is the
gratitude for?

11. Complete the following sentences taking their appropriate parts from both
the boxes below.
(i) There was his assistant on the line ...
(ii) You get fed up with people asking you to be brave, ...
(iii) There he was, ...
(iv) You look at his eyes which can speak, ...
(v) It doesn’t do much good to know ...

A
tapping at a little switch in his hand
and I told him
that there are people
as if you have a courage account
and they are saying something huge and urgent

B
trying to find the words on his computer.
I had come in a wheelchair from India.
on which you are too lazy to draw a cheque.
smiling with admiration to see you breathing still.
it is hard to tell what.

guide succeed chair travel pale draw true
(i) I met a ____________ from an antique land.
(ii) I need special ____________ in mathematics. I can’t count the number
of times I have failed in the subject.
(iii) The guide called Stephen Hawking a worthy ____________ to Issac
Newton.
(iv) His other problems ____________ into insignificance beside this
unforeseen mishap.
(v) The meeting was ____________ by the youngest member of the board.
(vi) Some people say ‘yours ____________’ when they informally refer to
themselves.
(vii) I wish it had been a ____________ match. We would have been spared
the noise of celebrations, at least.

walk stick → ..a walking stick
Now make six such phrases using the words given in the box.
read/session  •  smile/face  •  revolve/chair
walk/tour     •  dance/doll  •  win/chance

(i) He has two brothers. _______ are lawyers.
(ii) More than ten persons called. _______ of them wanted to see you.
(iii) They _______ cheered the team.
(iv) _______ her parents are teachers.
(v) How much have you got? Give me _______ of it.

(i) My friend has one of the _______ cars on the road. (fast)
(ii) This is the _______ story I have ever read. (interesting)
(iii) What you are doing now is _______ than what you did yesterday. (easy)
(iv) Ramesh and his wife are both _______. (short)
(v) He arrived _______ as usual. Even the chief guest came _______ than
he did. (late, early)

Book asks to underline stressed syllables. Helpful marking (bold = primary stress):