ENGLISH [Communicative] Textual questions : [2M]

Gaston did not want to spend money on a villa that would later be utilized more by his wife's parents and her sister's children. He quoted only three thousand francs for the villa with an expectation that the owner would refuse to sell off the villa at such a low price and he then would not be forced by his wife any longer.

Privates were the soldiers without rank. They received training in musketry, handling hand grenades and other methods of warfare as well as physical training.

Pescud checked into a hotel Bay View House posing as a salesman taking orders for plate-glass. Later he brought its landlord around to local gossip and thus got the information.

Mrs. Bramble is presented as a dominating and decisive personality. She is feared and respected by Mr. Bramble and her brother Major Percy. She takes all the major decisions. Mr. Bramble is made to yield to her in good humour. The very naming of Harold proves that when it comes to decision making, Mrs. Bramble has the final say. The poor husband had to withdraw his suggestion with the utmost good humour. Mrs. Bramble is a possessive and overprotective mother. Harold doesn't like that she should address him as if she is addressing a baby. Mrs. Bramble is highly proud of bringing such a prodigy as Harold into the world. Harold's unique character and his perfection becomes a drawback for her. She persuades her husband that Harold should not be disgraced and embarrassed by knowing Bill's real profession. Here, she is totally mistaken like Mr. Bramble and Major Percy. She fails to see the other side of Harold's personality. She can't even dream that her spectacled and scholarly son can have such a deep interest in boxing.
Ironically, Mrs. Bramble fails to understand that Bill's true identity could have been a matter of pride and swanking for Harold. But she is more practical than Bill. No doubt, she hates Bill's profession. She realises that Bill's boxing career has earned a lot of money for the family. With that money they could give Harold the best possible education. She is shocked when she comes to know that Bill has withdrawn from the contest against Murphy.

The rain can be called a messenger of mercy as it brings relief to the parched earth by providing it water and at the same time it cures the ailment of the clouds.

Shakespeare compares this world to a stage in a theatre. He compares all men and women to players or actors and actresses of the stage. Like the stage in a theatre, life too has its exits and entrances. Men and women take birth and enter the stage of life. They play their roles and after living through seven stages of life, depart from the world.

The Solitary Reaper' is a poem in which beautiful comparisons have been made. The girl is compared to the talented singers of nature like the nightingale and the cuckoo bird. But her song is even more melodious than theirs. The song mesmerises the poet who stands still just to listen to the melodious song of the reaper.