Chapter 4 Bepin Choudhury’s Lapse of Memory Solutions

Table of contents

Comprehension Check (Page 62)

Q1. Why did the man stare at Bepin Babu in disbelief?

Ans: The man, Parimal Ghose, was shocked when Bepin Babu did not recognise him. They had met in Ranchi, and Parimal could not believe that Bepin had forgotten this encounter.

Key points include:

• Parimal was certain they had met.
• He found it hard to accept Bepin’s memory lapse.
• Parimal knew personal details about Bepin, which added to his disbelief.

Q2. Where did Bepin Babu say he went in October’ 58?

Ans: Bepin Babu stated that in October 1958, he was in Kanpur, where he spent the Puja holidays with a friend.

Q3. Mention any three (or more) things that Parimal Ghose knew about Bepin Babu.

Ans: Parimal Ghose had several insights about Bepin Babu:

• He knew that Bepin Babu’s wife had passed away.
• He was aware that Bepin Babu’s only brother had died in the same year, in a lunatic asylum in Ranchi.
• He understood that Bepin Babu had no children.
• He recognised that Bepin Babu was a lover of books.

Comprehension Check (Page 65)

Q1. Why did Bepin Babu worry about what Parimal Ghose had said?

Ans: Bepin Babu was disturbed by the personal details that Parimal Ghose shared about his life. He felt it was unlikely for Ghose to lie, which made him question his own memory regarding a visit to Ranchi.

• Bepin Babu was surprised to hear intimate facts about himself.
• He wondered if he had truly forgotten about his trip to Ranchi.
• The accuracy of Ghose’s claims made Bepin uneasy.

Q2. How did he try to decide who was right— his memory or Parimal Ghose?

Ans: To resolve the confusion about his visit to Ranchi, Bepin Babu decided to contact Dinesh Mukerji. Parimal Ghose had mentioned that Mukerji was also in Ranchi at that time.

Q3. Why did Bepin Babu hesitate to visit Mr. Mukerji? Why did he finally decide to phone him?

Ans: Bepin Babu hesitated to visit Mr. Mukerji because he thought it would seem ridiculous if he had actually been to Ranchi. He feared that Mukerji might think he was mad.

Ultimately, he decided to phone Mukerji for the following reasons:

• He wanted to clarify the situation without facing embarrassment in person.
• He realised that Chuni might remember details about the trip to Ranchi.
• He believed it was better to settle the matter over the phone.

Q4. What did Mr. Mukerji say? Did it comfort Bepin Babu, or add to his worries?

Ans: Mr Mukerji’s response was unclear. He mentioned that he had been to Ranchi twice but was uncertain about the details of the trip. This left Bepin Babu feeling more confused.

• Bepin Babu wanted precise information, which he did not receive.
• His uncertainty about the trip added to his worries.
• As a result, he lost his appetite and felt increasingly troubled.

Comprehension Check (Page 68)

Q1. Who was Chunilal? What did he want from Bepin Babu?

Ans: Chunilal was an old friend of Bepin Babu, having attended school together. Recently, Chunilal had been facing difficulties and sought a favour from Bepin regarding a job.

Q2. Why was Dr. Chanda puzzled? What was unusual about Bepin Babu’s loss of memory?

Ans: Dr. Paresh Chanda was a young physician who found himself puzzled by a unique case of memory loss. His confusion stemmed from the fact that he had never encountered such a situation before.

The unusual aspect of Bepin Babu’s memory loss was that he could recall everything from his past, except for one specific event. This led Dr. Chanda to suggest that Bepin Babu revisit Ranchi, as seeing the place might help trigger his memory.

Comprehension Check (Page 70)

Q1. Had Bepin Babu really lost his memory and forgotten all about a trip to Ranchi?

Ans: No, Bepin Babu did not lose his memory regarding a trip to Ranchi. It was a trick played by Chunilal.

Q2. Why do you think Chunilal did what he did? Chunilal says he has no money; what is it that he does have?

Ans: Chunilal was upset because his former friend, Bepin Babu, did not assist him during a difficult time. Although Chunilal claimed to have no money, he possessed a strong imagination. To retaliate against Bepin’s indifference, he devised a clever trick.

Chunilal created a false memory, intending to make Bepin doubt his own mental state. In his letter, he explained that his actions were a response to Bepin’s lack of support when he needed it most.

Working with the Text (Page 70)

Q1. The author describes Bepin Babu as a serious and hardworking man. What evidence can you find in the story to support this?

Ans: Bepin Babu is portrayed as a serious and hardworking individual through various aspects of his character and behaviour:

• He was dedicated to his job, attending the office regularly.
• Bepin Babu held a responsible position, indicating his commitment to his work.
• His serious nature meant he did not engage in idle chatter, focusing instead on his tasks.
• He was described as honest, further emphasising his integrity.

Q2. Why did Bepin Babu change his mind about meeting Chunilal? What was the result of this meeting?

Ans: Bepin Babu changed his mind about meeting Chunilal because he began to doubt whether he had truly lost his memory. He thought that Chunilal might help clarify his confusion, prompting him to meet.

• Bepin Babu’s initial reluctance stemmed from his uncertainty about his memory.
• He believed Chunilal could provide insights into his past, particularly regarding a trip to Ranchi.
• Ultimately, this meeting allowed Bepin Babu to confront his doubts and seek clarity.

Q3. Bepin Babu lost consciousness at Hundroo Falls. What do you think was the reason for this?

Ans: Bepin Babu likely lost consciousness at Hundroo Falls due to a slip or fall.

Q4. How do you think Bepin Babu reacted when he found out that Chunilal had tricked him? [Old NCERT]

Ans: Bepin Babu’s reaction to discovering that Chunilal had tricked him was a mix of emotions:

• He felt regret for not helping Chunilal.
• He recognised Chunilal’s trick as a test.
• He likely experienced shock, anger, and embarrassment.

Working with Language (Page 71)

 Q1. Look at these two sentences.

• He had to buy at least five books to last him through the week. 
• Bepin had to ask Chuni to leave.

Had to is used to show that it was very important or necessary for Bepin Babu to do something. He had no choice. We can also use ‘have to’/‘has to’ in the same way.

Fill in the blanks below using ‘had to’/have to’/‘has to’.

 (i) I __________________ cut my hair every month. 

Ans. have to

(ii) We _______________ go for swimming lessons last year.
 Ans. had to

(iii) She _______________ tell the principal the truth.
 Ans. had to

(iv) They _______________ take the baby to the doctor.
 Ans. had to

(v) We __________________ complain to the police about the noise.
 Ans. have to

(vi) Romit __________________ finish his homework before he could come out to play.
 Ans. had to

(vii) I __________________ repair my cycle yesterday. 
 Ans. had to

Q2.Here are a few idioms that you will find in the story. Look for them in the dictionary in the following way
First, arrange them in the order in which you would find them in a dictionary. (Clue: An idiom is usually listed under the first noun, verb, adjective or adverb in it. Ignore articles or prepositions in the idiom).
To help you, we have put in bold the word under which you must look for the  idiom in the dictionary.)

(i) at/from close quarters         (close: adjective)
(ii) break into a smile               (break: verb; look under ‘break into  something’)
(iii) carry on                             (carry: verb)
(iv) have a clean record           (you may find related meanings under both these words).
(v) beat about the bush           (verb)

Now refer to your dictionary and find out what they mean.

Ans. Idiom Meaning

(i) at/from close quarters  – from nearby
(ii) break into a smile – smile suddenly
(iii) carry on – continue the task
(iv) have a clean record – clean conduct throughout
(v) beat about the bush –  to make guess without proper knowledge; to make a vague idea.

 Q3. Study the sentences in the columns below:

Compare the sentences in the two columns, especially the verb forms. Write the following questions about each pair of sentences.

(i) Which column tells us that Bepin Babu is still working at the same place?
 Ans. Column A 

(ii) Which column suggests that Chunilal is now waiting for a reply from the publisher?
 Ans. Column A 

(iii) Which column suggests that the person still remembers the movie he saw?
 Ans. Column B

(iv) Which column suggests that the experience of visiting Ranchi is still fresh in the speaker’s mind?
 Ans. Column A 

Q4. Given below are jumbled sentences. Working in groups, rearrange the words in each sentence to form correct sentences.
You will find that each sentence contains an idiomatic expression that you have come across in the lesson. Underline the idiom and write down its meaning. Then, use your dictionary to check the meaning.
One sentence has been worked out for you as an example
Jumbled sentence: vanished/The car/seemed to/into thin/have/air.

Ans. The car seemed to have vanished into thin air.
Idiom: vanished into thin air: disappeared or vanished in a mysterious way.

(i) Stop/and tell me/beating about/what you want/the bush.
Ans. Stop beating about the bush and tell me what you want.
Idiom: beating about the bush—talk vaguely

(ii) don’t pay/If you/attention/you might/the wrong train/to the announcement board.
Ans. If you don’t pay attention to the announcement, you might board the wrong train.
Idiom: Pay attention: be careful

(iii) The villagers/tried/the crime/on the young woman/to pin.
Ans. The villagers tried to pin the crime on the young woman.
Idiom: Pin the crime on (implicate the wrong person)

(iv) Bepin Babu/orders to/telling people/under/loved/doctor’s/eat early/that he was.
Ans. Bepin Babu loved telling people that he was under a doctor’s order to eat early.
Idiom: Under one’s order (doctor’s): under the instruction of someone

(v) the students/The teacher/his eyebrows/when/said that/all their lessons/raised/ they had revised.
Ans. The teacher raised his eyebrows when the students said that they had revised all their lessons. (showed his assessment).
Idiom: Raised the eyebrows—to feel annoyed: showing annoyance.

Speaking and Writing (Page 73)

Q1. What do you think happened after Bepin Babu came to know the truth? Was he angry with this friend for playing such a trick on him? Or do you think he decided to help a friend in need?

Ans: Bepin Babu discovered the truth about Chunilal’s actions, which were a trick to test their friendship. His feelings were mixed:

• Relief: He was glad to learn that he had not actually lost his memory.
• Anger: He felt a bit upset with Chunilal for not being genuinely helpful.
• Awkwardness: Chunilal’s trick made Bepin feel uncomfortable.

Despite these feelings, Bepin likely chose to support his friend in need.

Q2. Imagine you are Bepin Choudhury. You have received Chunilal’s letter and feel ashamed of that you did not bother to help an old friend down on his luck. Now you want to do something for him. Write a letter to Chunilal promising to help him soon.

Or

A prank is a childish trick. Do you remember any incident when someone played a prank on you or your friends? Describe the prank in a paragraph.

Ans:

15th November, 20XX

My Dear Chunilal,

Thank you for your letter dated 10th November. I am truly sorry for letting you down and understand your feelings of resentment.

I have some good news to share. I spoke to my friend in Delhi, and he has agreed to offer you a position as assistant manager in his firm.

Please come to meet me on Sunday, and I will introduce you to him.

With regards,

Yours sincerely,

Bepin Choudhury

Or

On March 26, I received a letter from a friend with exciting news: I had been granted a scholarship! He invited me to visit him in April so we could go together to the school superintendent’s office. I was overjoyed and even shared sweets with my neighbours. However, when I arrived at his house, I found him laughing at me. It was April Fool’s Day! I quickly got over it and appreciated the clever prank.