The Boy Who Broke the Bank: ICSE Class 9 English answers

Summary

Nathu, the sweeper-boy of the Pipalnagar Bank, is disgruntled because he hasn’t received his salary even by the twentieth of the month. He vents his frustration while sweeping the bank’s steps, raising a cloud of dust. Sitaram, the washerman’s son, passes by and comments on Nathu’s apparent annoyance. Nathu shares his grievances about the delayed payment and his intention to quit the job soon. As Sitaram continues his delivery round, he learns of a household in need of a sweeper. He suggests Nathu for the position, citing the bank’s delay in paying him.

Mrs. Srivastava, a resident of Pipalnagar, learns from Sitaram about Nathu’s payment issues. She later meets her friend, Mrs. Bhushan, under a tamarind tree in the market. They discuss the bank’s inability to pay even its sweeper, speculating about its financial health. The news spreads like wildfire. Kamal Kishore, a shop owner, learns about it and shares the information with his neighbor, Deep Chand, the barber. The news causes panic, with Deep Chand accidentally nicking a customer’s ear upon hearing it.

The rumor intensifies as it spreads throughout the bazaar. People discuss the bank’s potential collapse, and some even believe that the bank’s owner, Seth Govind Ram, has fled the town. The most astonishing reaction comes from old Ganpat, a beggar with a crooked leg who had been immobile for years. Upon hearing about the bank’s situation, he suddenly stands up and runs towards the bank, revealing that he has savings of a thousand rupees.

By noon, the bank runs out of ready cash. The manager is in a tight spot, as emergency funds can only be obtained from a distant bank. With no way to contact Seth Govind Ram, who is believed to be on a houseboat in Kashmir, the bank’s staff asks the customers to return the next day. This doesn’t sit well with the crowd, who demand their money immediately. The situation escalates as people gather outside the bank, shouting and demanding their money. Some even threaten to break in, while others believe Seth Govind Ram is hiding inside the bank.

The next morning, Nathu arrives to sweep the bank’s steps and finds the aftermath of the previous day’s chaos: broken glass, stones, and refuse. He expresses his disdain for the mess and the increased workload. A boy informs him about the bank’s situation, suggesting Nathu might need to find a new job soon. Nathu sits on the bank’s steps, waiting for the manager, determined to get his pay. He reflects on the unexpected turn of events, wondering how the bank could have collapsed.

The story highlights the power of rumors and the chaos they can cause in a community. Through the lens of a small town and its bank, Bond explores human reactions to uncertainty and the domino effect of a single piece of unverified information.

Evergreen workbook answers/solutions

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Which of the following statements is NOT true?

(a) Mrs Srivastava was in need of a sweeper.
(b) Kamal Kishore has an account in Pipal Nagar bank.
(c) Deep Chand was so much startled by the news that he nicked his customer’s right ear.
(d) The news about the bank spread like wild fire.

Answer: (b) Kamal Kishore has an account in Pipal Nagar bank.

2. “I don’t wish to talk about it”, complained the sweeper boy: What did he not wish to talk about?

(a) that he had not received his regular pay
(b) that the bank had refused to pay him extra two rupees a month.
(c) that he was overworked
(d) that the bank was about to collapse

Answer: (b) that the bank had refused to pay him extra two rupees a month.

3. The story The Boy who Broke the Bank’ is about …………………

(a) foolishness of a boy
(b) rumour mongering
(c) problems of banks
(d) life in Pipalnagar

Answer: (b) rumour mongering

4. Choose the option that shows the correct relationship between statement (1) and statement (2).
1. “I know of a sweeper boy who’s looking out for work”.
2. He’s with the bank just now but they aren’t giving him his pay, and he wants to leave!

(a) 1 is an example of 2.
(b) 1 is in contradiction of 2.
(c) 1 is independent of 2.
(d) 2 is the cause for 1

Answer: (d) 2 is the cause for 1

5. The general tone of the story The Boy who Broke the Bank’ is …………………

(a) sentimental
(b) humorous
(c) didactic
(d) none of the above

Answer: (b) humorous

6. Select the option that lists the sequence of events in the correct order.
1. The news of bankruptcy of the bank and Seth Govind Ram’s escape spread through the market and the town.
2. Mrs. Bhushan told her husband about the bankruptcy of the bank.
3. Mrs. Srivastava informed Mrs Bhushan about the bank’s inability to pay its employees.
4. Nathu’s friend Sitaram tells Mrs Srivastava that Nathu was not getting his pay from the bank and was ready to leave the job.

(a) 2, 3, 1, 4
(b) 4, 3, 2, 1
(c) 1, 2, 3, 4
(d) 3, 1, 2, 4

Answer: (b) 4, 3, 2, 1

7. The rumour spreads about the bank going bankrupt.
Which of the following words best describes the way this rumour is spread ?

(a) surprising
(b) shocking
(c) humorous
(d) planned

Answer: (a) surprising

8. Which of the following statements is NOT true of Nathu ?

(a) Nathu knows Sitaram very well.
(b) Nathu is a sweeper in a bank.
(c) The bank has not raised his salary.
(d) Nathu knows that the bank is going to collapse.

Answer: (d) Nathu knows that the bank is going to collapse.

9. Mrs Srivastava tells Mrs. Bhushan, ‘Only this morning I heard a complaint from their sweeper, who hasn’t received his wages for over a month!”
It makes Mrs. Bhushan feel …. .

(a) happy
(b) nervous
(c) shocked
(d) angry

Answer: (c) shocked

10. While sweeping the steps of the bank Nathu grumbled because …………………

(a) he was abused by the manager
(b) he was made to work very hard
(c) he had not been given his salary
(d) all of the above

Answer: (c) he had not been given his salary

11. Nathu expected to be paid by the bank …………………

(a) due respect
(b) a chair to sit
(c) a new broom every month
(d) extra two rupees a month

Answer: (d) extra two rupees a month

12. Nathu banged the pan against the dustbin several times to ………………… .

(a) register his protest
(b) emphasize his point
(c) warn the bank employees
(d) none of the above

Answer: (b) emphasize his point

13. Mrs Bhushan concluded that if the bank could not pay the sweeper they must be …………………

(a) running at a loss
(b) in a good way
(c) in a bad way
(d) going to dismiss the boy

Answer: (c) in a bad way

14. Who ran out of the barber’s shop with one side of the face still unshaven ?

(a) Deep chand
(b) Seth Govind Ram
(c) an elderly gentleman
(d) Mr Bhushan

Answer: (c) an elderly gentleman

15. Who astonished everyone by leaping to his feet and running in the direction of the bank ?

(a) Deep Chand
(b) an elderly gentleman
(c) old Ganpat, the beggar
(d) Kamal Kishore

Answer: (c) old Ganpat, the beggar

16. Rumour spreads that Seth Govind Ram had ………………… .

(a) fled the state
(b) committed suicide
(c) been hiding in Pipalnagar
(d) all of the above

Answer: (d) all of the above

17. The bank had gone through all its cash and the harassed manager …………………

(a) was in dilemma
(b) had gone on leave
(c) tried to contact Seth Govind Ram
(d) was threatened by people.

Answer: (a) was in dilemma

18. Mischief makers who didn’t have a paisa in the bank also …………………

(a) raised the slogans
(b) joined the crowd
(c) entered the bank
(d) all of the above

Answer: (b) joined the crowd

Comprehension Passages

PASSAGE-1

Nathu grumbled to himself as he swept the steps of the Pipalnagar Bank, owned by Seth Govind Ram. He used the small broom hurriedly and carelessly, and the dust, after rising in a cloud above his head settled down again on the steps. As Nathu was banging his pan against a dustbin, Sitaram, the washerman’s son, passed by.
Sitaram was on his delivery round. He had a bundle of freshly pressed clothes balanced on his head.
‘Don’t raise such dust’ he called out to Nathu. ‘Are you annoyed because they are still refusing to pay you an extra two rupees a month?’

(i) What tells you that Nathu is not happy and contented?

Answer: Nathu’s unhappiness and lack of contentment are shown by his grumbling to himself, his hurried and careless sweeping which caused the dust to settle back on the steps, and his banging of his pan against a dustbin. He also complained to Sitaram that he hadn’t received his regular pay even though it was the twentieth of the month, and declared his intention to leave the job as soon as he got his money, banging his pan again to emphasize his point.

(ii) Using a small broom he raised the dust. What does the word ‘he’ refer to ? Did the dust disappear?

Answer: The word ‘he’ refers to Nathu. The dust did not disappear; after rising in a cloud above Nathu’s head, it settled down again on the steps.

(iii) Who happened to pass by while Nathu was working? Where was that person going?

Answer: Sitaram, the washerman’s son, happened to pass by while Nathu was working. Sitaram was on his delivery round.

(iv) What did the passerby ask Nathu? What was his tone?

Answer: The passerby, Sitaram, first called out to Nathu not to raise such dust. Then, observing Nathu in a sad mood, he asked Nathu if he was annoyed because the bank was still refusing to pay him an extra two rupees a month. His tone seemed concerned.

(v) What shows that what Nathu is doing is useless?

Answer: The fact that Nathu used the small broom hurriedly and carelessly, and the dust, after rising in a cloud above his head, settled down again on the steps, shows that his sweeping was useless.

PASSAGE-2

‘Well, I wish you luck,’ said Sitaram. ‘I’ll keep a lookout for any jobs that might suit you.’ And he plodded barefoot along the road, the big bundle of clothes hiding most of his head and shoulders.
At the fourth home he visited, Sitaram heard the lady of the house mention that she was in need of a sweeper. Tying his bundle together, he said; ‘I know of a sweeper boy who’s looking for work. He can start from next month. He’s with the bank just now but they aren’t giving him his pay, and he wants to leave.’
‘Is that so?’ said Mrs Srivastava. ‘Well, tell him to come and see me tomorrow.’

(i) What had Nathu told Sitaram earlier?

Answer: Earlier, Nathu had complained to Sitaram that he hadn’t even received his regular pay, even though it was the twentieth of the month. Nathu had also expressed his annoyance that the bank was refusing to pay him an extra two rupees a month and had declared that as soon as he got his money, he would leave the job and not work there for another week.

(ii) What assurance did Sitaram give to Nathu before leaving? What did Sitaram carry on his head?

Answer: Before leaving, Sitaram wished Nathu luck and gave him the assurance that he would keep a lookout for any jobs that might suit him. Sitaram carried a big bundle of freshly pressed clothes on his head, which was so large that it hid most of his head and shoulders.

(iii) Who is referred to as the lady of the house ? What did Sitaram hear accidentally?

Answer: The lady of the house referred to is Mrs. Srivastava. Sitaram accidentally heard Mrs. Srivastava mention that she was in need of a sweeper.

(iv) What did Sitaram tell Mrs Srivastava about the sweeper boy ?

Answer: Sitaram told Mrs. Srivastava that he knew of a sweeper boy, Nathu, who was looking for work and could start from the next month. He explained that the boy was currently working with the bank, but they were not giving him his pay, and so he wanted to leave.

(v) What do you think of Sitaram?

Answer: I think Sitaram is a kind, helpful, and well-meaning boy. He is a sincere friend to Nathu and tries to be of service to both his friend and his customer, Mrs. Srivastava. He seems quite innocent and simple, and he doesn’t realize the serious consequences his casual remark about Nathu’s pay might lead to.

PASSAGE-3

She then showed Mrs Srivastava a sample of the cloth she was going to buy, and for five minutes they discussed its shade, texture and design. Having exhausted this topic, Mrs Srivastava said, ‘Do you know, my dear, that Seth Govind Ram’s bank can’t even pay its employees ? Only this morning I heard a complaint from their sweeper, who hasn’t received his wages for over a month!’
‘Shocking!’ remarked Mrs Bhushan. ‘If they can’t pay the sweeper they must be in a bad way. None of the others could be getting paid either.’

(i) Who is ‘she’ referred to in the first line? What did she show to Mrs Srivastava?

Answer: ‘She’ in the first line refers to Mrs. Bhushan. Mrs. Bhushan showed Mrs. Srivastava a sample of the cloth she was going to buy.

(ii) What piece of information did Mrs. Srivastava share with Mrs. Bhushan?

Answer: Mrs. Srivastava shared the piece of information with Mrs. Bhushan that Seth Govind Ram’s bank couldn’t even pay its employees. She added that only that morning she had heard a complaint from their sweeper, who hadn’t received his wages for over a month.

(iii) Who is the sweeper referred to in the extract ? What was his complaint?

Answer: The sweeper referred to in the extract is Nathu. His complaint, as relayed by Mrs. Srivastava, was that he hadn’t received his wages for over a month.

(iv) How did Mrs Bhushan react to the piece of information she received ? Was her reaction normal or exaggerated?

Answer: Mrs. Bhushan reacted with a remark of “Shocking!” She then concluded that if the bank couldn’t pay the sweeper, they must be in a bad way and that none of the other employees could be getting paid either. Her reaction was exaggerated because she jumped to a sweeping conclusion about all employees and the bank’s overall condition based on a single sweeper’s complaint.

(v) What impression do you form of Mrs Bhushan ?

Answer: I form the impression that Mrs. Bhushan is someone who is quick to believe and spread sensational information without verifying it. She seems to readily accept and amplify negative news, jumping to dramatic conclusions, such as the bank being in a “bad way” and no other employees being paid, based on limited information. She also appears to be a gossip, as she quickly relays this information.

PASSAGE-4

‘So there you are!’ cried Mrs Bhushan, ‘I’ve been looking for you for almost an hour. Where did you disappear ?’
‘Nowhere,’ replied Mr Bhushan. ‘Had you remained stationary in one shop, I might have found you. But you go from one shop to another, like a bee in a flower garden.’
‘Don’t start grumbling. The heat is trying enough. I don’t know what’s happening to Pipalnagar. Even the bank’s about to go bankrupt.’
‘What’s that?’ said Kamal Kishore, sitting up suddenly. ‘Which bank ?’
‘Why the Pipalnagar bank of course. I hear they have stopped paying employees. Don’t tell me you have an account there, Mr Kishore ?’

(i) Where did Mrs Bhushan find her husband finally? What was he doing?

Answer: Mrs. Bhushan finally found her husband sitting in front of Kamal Kishore’s photographic shop, where he was talking with the owner, Kamal Kishore.

(ii) ‘But you go from one shop to another, like a bee in a flower garden’. Which figure of speech is used here, and why?

Answer: The figure of speech used here is a simile. It is a simile because Mr. Bhushan directly compares his wife’s movement from one shop to another with the movement of a bee in a flower garden, using the word ‘like’, to emphasize her flitting and busy shopping style.

(iii) What did Mrs Bhushan tell her husband? When did she get this information?

Answer: Mrs. Bhushan told her husband that she didn’t know what was happening to Pipalnagar and then added that even the bank was about to go bankrupt, claiming she heard they had stopped paying employees. She had received the initial piece of information about the sweeper not being paid from Mrs. Srivastava a little earlier in the market, and from that, she had concluded the bank was in a bad way and about to go bankrupt.

(iv) How did Kamal Kishore react on the information given by Mrs Bhushan? Why?

Answer: On hearing the information from Mrs. Bhushan that the Pipalnagar bank was about to go bankrupt, Kamal Kishore reacted by sitting up suddenly and asking, “What’s that? Which bank?” He reacted this way because the news of a bank, especially a local one, going bankrupt was startling and potentially serious.

(v) Did Kamal Kishore have an account in the Pipalnagar bank ? To whom did he immediately pass on this information?

Answer: No, Kamal Kishore did not have an account in the Pipalnagar bank; he stated that his neighbour had one. He immediately passed on the information to his neighbour, Deep Chand, who was the keeper of the barber shop next door.

PASSAGE-5

‘No, but my neighbour has!’ he exclaimed; and he called out over the low partition to the keeper of the barber shop next door. ‘Deep Chand, have you heard the latest? The Pipalnagar Bank is about to collapse. You’d better get your money out as soon as you can!’
Deep Chand who was cutting the hair of an elderly gentleman, was so startled that his hand shook and he nicked his customer’s right ear. The customer yelped with pain and distress: pain, because of the cut, and distress because of the awful news he had just heard. With one side of his neck still unshaven, he sped across the road to the general merchant’s store where there was a telephone.

(i) Who is Kamal Kishore’s neighbour? What is his profession?

Answer: Kamal Kishore’s neighbour is Deep Chand. Deep Chand’s profession is that of a barber, as he is the keeper of the barber shop.

(ii) What made Deep Chand nick his customer’s right ear ? What could be the reason?

Answer: Deep Chand nicked his customer’s right ear because he was so startled by the news from Kamal Kishore that the Pipalnagar Bank was about to collapse. The reason was the shock and alarm caused by this news, which made his hand shake while he was cutting the elderly gentleman’s hair.

(iii) How did the elderly person react when his ear was nipped?

Answer: When his ear was nipped, the elderly gentleman yelped with pain from the cut and also with distress because of the awful news he had just heard about the bank collapsing.

(iv) What did the elderly gentleman do in the general merchant’s shop?

Answer: In the general merchant’s shop, the elderly gentleman, with one side of his neck still unshaven, used the telephone to dial Seth Govind Ram’s number.

(v) Comment on the way the rumour about the bankruptcy of the bank spread.

Answer: The rumour about the bank’s bankruptcy spread with alarming speed and distortion through a chain of people. It began with Nathu’s simple complaint about unpaid wages, which Sitaram mentioned to Mrs. Srivastava. Mrs. Srivastava then told Mrs. Bhushan that the bank couldn’t pay its sweeper. Mrs. Bhushan exaggerated this to her husband, saying the bank was about to go bankrupt. This was overheard by Kamal Kishore, who, despite not having an account himself, passed the now more alarming news to his neighbour Deep Chand, the barber. Deep Chand’s startled reaction led to him nicking his customer, and this customer, in a state of pain and distress from both the cut and the news, rushed to call Seth Govind Ram. Upon finding the Seth was away, he concluded the Seth had fled and the bank’s collapse was definite, further fueling the rumour which then spread like wildfire through the bazaar.

PASSAGE-6

Men stood in groups at street corners discussing the situation. Pipalnagar seldom had a crisis, seldom or never had floods, earthquakes or drought; and the imminent crash of the Pipalnagar Bank set everyone talking and speculating and rushing about in a frenzy. Some boasted of their farsightedness, congratulating themselves on having already taken out their money, or on never having put any in; others speculated on the reasons for the crash, putting it all down to excesses indulged in by Seth Govind Ram. The Seth had fled the State, said one. He had fled the country, said another, he was hiding in Pipalnagar, said a third. He had hanged himself from the tamarind tree, said a fourth, and had been found that morning by the sweeper-boy.

(i) What shows that life in Pipalnagar had mostly been smooth?

Answer: The statement that “Pipalnagar seldom had a crisis, seldom or never had floods, earthquakes or drought” shows that life in Pipalnagar had mostly been smooth and uneventful.

(ii) Rumours spread like wild fire. Comment in the context of the given passage.

Answer: The passage clearly shows rumours spreading like wildfire. The news of the bank’s imminent crash caused everyone in Pipalnagar to talk, speculate, and rush about in a frenzy. Various unsubstantiated theories about Seth Govind Ram’s actions and whereabouts quickly emerged and circulated: some said he indulged in excesses, others claimed he had fled the State or the country, one suggested he was hiding in Pipalnagar, and an even more dramatic rumour was that he had hanged himself from the tamarind tree and been found by the sweeper-boy. This rapid spread of increasingly sensational and unverified stories illustrates the wildfire nature of rumour.

(iii) What according to the people was the reason of the collapse of the bank?

Answer: According to some people, the reason for the collapse of the bank was excesses indulged in by Seth Govind Ram. Others speculated that his fleeing the State or country, or his hiding, or even his supposed suicide, were indicative of the reasons for the collapse, implying financial mismanagement or an inability to face the consequences.

(iv) What impression do you form of the people of Pipalnagar? Why?

Answer: I form the impression that the people of Pipalnagar are prone to panic, speculation, and spreading rumours. Faced with the news of the bank’s potential crash, they engaged in frenzied talking and speculating rather than seeking verified information. They readily believed and circulated various dramatic and unconfirmed stories about Seth Govind Ram. Some also displayed a tendency to boast about their supposed farsightedness. This suggests a community that is easily swayed by gossip and perhaps finds a certain excitement in such a crisis, given their usually uneventful lives.

(v) Who, according to you, were feeling happy at the collapse of the bank?

Answer: According to the passage, those who “boasted of their farsightedness, congratulating themselves on having already taken out their money, or on never having put any in” were likely feeling a sense of satisfaction or happiness. Their actions or inactions were seemingly validated by the bank’s impending collapse, making them feel clever or wise. Additionally, mischief-makers mentioned later in the story, who had no money in the bank, might also have derived some enjoyment from the ensuing chaos.

PASSAGE-7

‘We want it now!’ chanted some of the crowd. ‘Now, now, now!’ And a brick hurtled through the air and crashed through the plate glass window of the Pipalnagar Bank.
Nathu arrived next morning to sweep the steps of the bank. He saw the refuse and the broken glass and the stones cluttering the steps. Raising his hands in a gesture of horror and disgust he cried: ‘Hooligans! Sons of donkeys! As though it isn’t bad enough to be paid late, it seems my work has also to be increased!’ He smote the steps with his broom scattering the refuse.

(i) Some of the crowd chanted, “We want it now.” What does ‘it’ stand for in this context?

Answer: In this context, ‘it’ stands for the money that the crowd members had deposited in the Pipalnagar Bank. They were demanding the immediate withdrawal of their funds.

(ii) Who, do you think, would have thrown the brick?

Answer: I think the brick would have been thrown by an agitated and frustrated member of the crowd, possibly one who was panicking about losing their money, or it could have been a mischief-maker who had joined the crowd to aggravate the situation, as mentioned later in the story.

(iii) How did Nathu react on seeing the refuse and the broken glass ?

Answer: On seeing the refuse, broken glass, and stones cluttering the steps of the bank, Nathu reacted with horror and disgust. He raised his hands in a gesture reflecting these feelings and cried out, calling the perpetrators “Hooligans! Sons of donkeys!” and lamenting that his work had been increased on top of being paid late. He then angrily smote the steps with his broom, scattering the refuse.

(iv) Why is Nathu feeling so upset ?

Answer: Nathu is feeling so upset primarily because the mess created by the crowd, including broken glass and stones, meant that his workload as a sweeper had increased significantly. This was compounded by his existing frustration over not being paid his salary on time. He viewed the damage as an act of senseless hooliganism, which added to his disgust and anger.

(v) Soon after this happening who came on the scene and talked to Nathu? What did he say?

Answer: Soon after Nathu discovered the mess, Sitaram, the washerman’s boy, arrived on his bicycle.

Sitaram greeted Nathu and asked him if he was ready to take up a new job from the first of the next month, supposing he would have to, now that the bank was going out of business. He also asked Nathu if he hadn’t heard the news and advised him that he had better wait there until half the population of Pipalnagar arrived to claim their money.

Project Assignments

1. Describe the sequence of events that results in the destruction of the bank.

Answer: The destruction of the Pipalnagar Bank is a result of a chain reaction of rumours and escalating panic, originating from a very small incident:

Nathu, the sweeper-boy, grumbles about his irregular pay and the bank’s refusal to give him a two-rupee raise. He tells Sitaram, the washerman’s son, that he will leave the job as soon as he gets his pay.
Sitaram, trying to find Nathu a new job, mentions to Mrs. Srivastava that Nathu wants to leave the bank because “they aren’t giving him his pay.”
Mrs. Srivastava, while shopping, tells her friend Mrs. Bhushan that Seth Govind Ram’s bank “can’t even pay its employees” and that the sweeper hasn’t received wages for over a month.
Mrs. Bhushan concludes that if the bank can’t pay the sweeper, it “must be in a bad way” and that “none of the others could be getting paid either.”
Mrs. Bhushan then tells her husband, whom she finds at Kamal Kishore’s photographic shop, that “even the bank’s about to go bankrupt” because she hears “they have stopped paying employees.”
Kamal Kishore, the shop owner, overhears this. Though he doesn’t have an account, he exclaims that his neighbour, Deep Chand (the barber), does. He calls out to Deep Chand that the Pipalnagar Bank is “about to collapse” and he should get his money out.
Deep Chand is so startled that his hand shakes, and he nicks his elderly customer’s right ear.
The elderly customer, yelping with pain from the cut and distress from the “awful news,” rushes to the general merchant’s store to use the telephone. He tries to call Seth Govind Ram but learns the Seth is holidaying in Kashmir.
The customer, not believing this, concludes, “The bird has flown! Seth Govind Ram has left town. Definitely, it means a collapse.” He then dashes to his office for his chequebook.
This news spreads through the bazaar “with the rapidity of forest fire,” from the general merchant’s to other shops, among customers, and to the betel-seller, tailor, free vendor, jeweller, and even Old Ganpat the beggar.
Old Ganpat, who has a thousand rupees in savings, astonishes everyone by running to the bank.
A crowd gathers at the bank, speculating wildly: Seth Govind Ram has fled the State, fled the country, is hiding in Pipalnagar, or has hanged himself from the tamarind tree.
By noon, the bank runs out of ready cash. The manager is in a dilemma, unable to get emergency funds or contact Seth Govind Ram.
People are turned away from the counters and told to return the next day. This angers them.
The crowd gathers on the bank steps, shouting, “Give us our money or we’ll break in!” and “Fetch the Seth, we know he’s hiding in a safe deposit locker!” Mischief-makers join in, aggravating the mood.
The manager tries to placate them, stating the bank has plenty of money but no immediate means of collecting it.
The crowd chants, “We want it now!” and a brick is thrown, crashing through the bank’s plate glass window, effectively “breaking” the bank.

2. Bring out the comic elements in the story ‘The Boy who Broke the Bank’.

Answer: “The Boy who Broke the Bank” is rich in comic elements, primarily stemming from irony, exaggeration, and the absurdity of human behaviour:

Nathu’s Sweeping: His initial act of sweeping “hurriedly and carelessly,” causing dust to rise and settle back, is a small, almost slapstick, image of futile effort.
Mr. Bhushan’s Simile: Mr. Bhushan’s remark to his wife, “But you go from one shop to another, like a bee in a flower garden,” is a humorous, if slightly exasperated, observation of her shopping habits.
Deep Chand’s Mishap: The barber, Deep Chand, being so startled by the news of the bank’s collapse that he nicks his customer’s ear is a classic comic situation, mixing shock with minor physical comedy.
The Elderly Gentleman’s Haste: The image of the elderly gentleman, with “one side of his neck still unshaven,” speeding first to the general merchant’s store and then dashing to his office for his chequebook, is comically absurd.
Rumour Escalation: The way the rumour snowballs is inherently comic. It starts with an unpaid sweeper and rapidly escalates to the bank being on the verge of collapse, and then to wild, dramatic tales about Seth Govind Ram.
Speculations about Seth Govind Ram: The varied and increasingly outlandish theories about Seth Govind Ram’s fate – fleeing the state, fleeing the country, hiding in Pipalnagar, or even having “hanged himself from the tamarind tree” and being found by Nathu – are darkly humorous due to their sheer baselessness and melodrama.
Old Ganpat the Beggar: The most striking comic element is Old Ganpat. Known for his crooked leg and for never having been seen walking, he “astonished everyone by leaping to his feet and actually running at top speed in the direction of the bank” upon hearing the news. The subsequent revelation that this beggar has a thousand rupees in savings adds another layer of irony and humour.
Mischief-Makers: The detail that “Mischief makers who didn’t have a paisa in the bank, joined the crowd and aggravated their mood” is a cynical but comic observation on human nature.
Nathu’s Reaction to the Aftermath: When Nathu arrives the next morning to find broken glass and stones, his primary lament is, “As though it isn’t bad enough to be paid late, it seems my work has also to be increased!” His focus on his increased workload rather than the bank’s collapse is deeply ironic and funny.
The Final Irony: The story ends with Nathu, the unwitting catalyst for the entire chaos, muttering to himself, “Who would have thought the bank would collapse! … I wonder how it could have happened…” This highlights the profound irony of the situation, as he is completely oblivious to his role.
The Title: The title itself, “The Boy who Broke the Bank,” is ironic, as Nathu is an innocent boy who had no intention or direct action in breaking the bank; it was broken by the town’s collective panic.

3. Give an account of people’s coming to the bank to get their money withdrawn.

Answer: The news of the Pipalnagar Bank’s impending collapse spread with incredible speed, leading to a frantic rush of people to withdraw their money:

Once the rumour took hold in the bazaar, it “set everyone talking and speculating and rushing about in a frenzy.”
One of the first and most surprising individuals to react was Old Ganpat the beggar, who, despite his physical impairment, ran at top speed towards the bank upon learning it was about to collapse, as he had a thousand rupees in savings.
Men gathered in groups at street corners, discussing the alarming situation.
A general rush to the bank ensued as people, gripped by panic, sought to retrieve their funds.
By noon, the small bank had exhausted all its ready cash due to the sheer volume of withdrawal requests.
The bank manager found himself in a difficult situation, as emergency funds could only be obtained from another bank thirty miles away, and he couldn’t contact Seth Govind Ram in Kashmir.
Consequently, people were turned back from the counters and instructed to return the following day.
This news was not well-received. The crowd, now feeling more anxious and distrustful, gathered outside on the steps of the bank.
Their frustration boiled over into angry shouts: “Give us our money or we’ll break in!” and “Fetch the Seth, we know he’s hiding in a safe deposit locker!”
The situation was further inflamed by mischief-makers, who, despite having no money in the bank, joined the crowd and aggravated their agitated mood.
The bank manager attempted to placate the crowd by explaining that the bank had plenty of money but lacked the immediate means to distribute it, urging them to go home and return the next day.
However, the crowd was beyond reasoning and chanted, “We want it now! Now, now, now!” This culminated in an act of violence when a brick was hurled through the air, crashing through the plate glass window of the Pipalnagar Bank.

4. “It is not the boy Nathu who causes the fall of the bank. It is rather the people’s behaviour that causes the fall of the bank”. Discuss.

Answer: This statement is largely accurate. While Nathu’s grumbling about his unpaid salary was the initial spark, it was the subsequent irrational, panicky, and rumour-driven behaviour of the people of Pipalnagar that fanned this spark into a destructive fire, leading to the bank’s collapse.

Nathu’s role was entirely unintentional and indirect. His complaint was a personal grievance, common in many workplaces, about delayed payment and a denied raise. He expressed his frustration to Sitaram, intending to find another job. He had no malice towards the bank and certainly no plan to cause its downfall. He remains innocent and bewildered by the events at the end of the story.

The true cause of the bank’s fall lies in the collective behaviour of the townspeople:

The Chain of Rumour and Exaggeration: Sitaram slightly misconstrued Nathu’s reason for leaving when speaking to Mrs. Srivastava. Mrs. Srivastava then significantly exaggerated the situation to Mrs. Bhushan, claiming the bank “can’t even pay its employees.” Mrs. Bhushan further amplified this, concluding the bank must be in a “bad way” and then telling her husband it was “about to go bankrupt.” Each retelling added a layer of distortion and alarm, transforming a minor issue into a major crisis.
Lack of Verification and Critical Thinking: At no point did any of the key rumour-spreaders attempt to verify the information. Mrs. Bhushan, Kamal Kishore, and the elderly gentleman all accepted hearsay as fact and acted upon it, spreading the panic further. A simple inquiry at the bank by any of these individuals might have quelled the rumour early on.
Mob Psychology and Panic: Once the rumour reached the bazaar, it spread “with the rapidity of forest fire.” The people of Pipalnagar, described as seldom having a crisis, reacted with frenzied speculation and a rush to withdraw their money. This mass panic created a self-fulfilling prophecy. The bank, though likely solvent, could not handle simultaneous withdrawal demands from a large portion of its depositors.
Irrational Speculation: The wild and baseless speculations about Seth Govind Ram’s whereabouts and actions (fleeing, hiding, even suicide) fueled the panic and convinced people that the bank was indeed doomed. This shows a community susceptible to believing the worst without evidence.
Destructive Actions: The crowd’s behaviour at the bank—shouting, making threats (“Give us our money or we’ll break in!”), and ultimately resorting to violence by throwing a brick through the window—demonstrates how fear and misinformation can lead to destructive actions. The mischief-makers who joined the crowd further exacerbated the situation.

Morning Star workbook answers/solutions

Multiple Choice Questions II

1. How did Nathu emphasise his annoyance?

(a) By rousing dust while brooming
(b) By breaking the pan by hitting it
(c) By plodding barefoot on the road outside the bank
(d) By sitting on the steps of the bank instead of brooming.

Answer: (a) By rousing dust while brooming

2. Who was the person whom Sitaram met at the fourth home he visited?

(a) Mrs Bhushan
(b) Mrs Srivastava
(c) Deep Chand
(d) Ganpat

Answer: (b) Mrs Srivastava

3. In whose employment did Sitaram try to look for a job for Nathu?

(a) Mrs Bhushan
(b) Mrs Srivastava
(c) Deep Chand
(d) Ganpat

Answer: (b) Mrs Srivastava

4. Why was Sitaram glad in the beginning of the story?

(a) He was able to help both his friend and his customer
(b) He did not have an account in the bank
(c) He had completed his rounds of delivering clothes
(d) All of the above

Answer: (d) All of the above

5. Mrs Srivastava misunderstood Sitaram’s statement and started believing that the Pipalnagar bank was on the verge of

(a) insolvency.
(b) debt.
(c) loss.
(d) bankruptcy.

Answer: (d) bankruptcy

6. What did Mrs Bhushan say about the bank?

(a) The bank was not paying its sweeper
(b) The bank was about to go bankrupt
(c) The bank was going to close down
(d) The bank was sound and in safe hands

Answer: (b) The bank was about to go bankrupt

7. What was Deep Chand’s profession?

(a) A sweeper
(b) A shopkeeper
(c) A barber
(d) A merchant

Answer: (c) A barber

8. What did Deep Chand’s customer do when he heard the news?

(a) Scolded Deep Chand for injuring him while shaving
(b) Talked to Mrs Srivastava
(c) Broke the bank’s glass panels
(d) Rushed to contact Govind Ram on telephone.

Answer: (d) Rushed to contact Govind Ram on telephone

9. In the story, Seth Govind Ram

(a) was holidaying in Kashmir.
(b) harassed the Bank’s Manager.
(c) decided to rush back to the bank.
(d) All of the above.

Answer: (c) decided to rush back to the bank.

10. Which of the following is NOT true about Ganpat, the beggar?

(a) He was not lame
(b) He had a thousand rupees in the bank
(c) He was miraculously cured
(d) None of the above

Answer: (d) None of the above.

11. According to the rumours, what had Seth Govind Ram done?

(a) Indulged in luxuries
(b) Had run away from the country
(c) Had committed suicide
(d) All of the above

Answer: (d) All of the above.

12. What did the account holders demand from the bank?

(a) Justice
(b) Their locker keys
(c) Immediate release of their money
(d) Information about the bank.

Answer: (c) Immediate release of their money.

13. What is the moral of the story, ‘A Boy Who Broke The Bank?

(a) Banks are risky for saving money
(b) Rumours are destructive
(c) Rumours connect people
(d) None of the above

Answer: (b) Rumours are destructive.

Comprehension Passages II

Extract 1

Nathu grumbled to himself as he swept the steps of the Pipalnagar Bank, owned by Seth Govind Ram. He used the small broom hurriedly and carelessly, and the dust, after rising in a cloud above his head settled down again on the steps. As Nathu was banging his pan against a dustbin, Sitaram, the washerman’s son, passed by. Sitaram was on his delivery round. He had a bundle of freshly pressed clothes balanced on his head. ‘Don’t raise such dust,’ he called out to Nathu. ‘Are you annoyed because they are still refusing to pay you an extra two rupees a month?”

(i) Who was Nathu? Briefly describe what he was doing.

Answer: Nathu was the sweeper of the Pipalnagar Bank. He was sweeping the steps of the bank hurriedly and carelessly, causing the dust to rise and settle back again.

(ii) Why was he doing his duty hurriedly and carelessly?

Answer: Nathu was annoyed because he hadn’t received his salary yet, which made him perform his duty hurriedly and carelessly.

(iii) Why did Nathu bang his pan against the dustbin? What does this action tell us about Nathu’s state of mind?

Answer: Nathu banged his pan against the dustbin out of frustration. This action reflects his anger and dissatisfaction, likely caused by the delay in receiving his salary.

(iv) Who was Sitaram? What did he ask Nathu? How did he try to help Nathu?

Answer: Sitaram was the washerman’s son. He asked Nathu if he was upset because the bank still refused to pay him an extra two rupees a month. Sitaram tried to help by mentioning that he would look out for other job opportunities for Nathu.

(v) Why was the incident of not paying the salary introduced in the beginning of the story? What were its consequences?

Answer: The incident of not paying the salary was introduced to set the stage for the growing discontent in the town. This seemingly small issue sparked rumours that eventually led to the chaos surrounding the bank.

Extract 2

Mrs. Srivastava had to do some shopping. She gave instructions to the ayah about looking after the baby, and told the cook not to be late with the mid-day meal. Then she set out for the Pipalnagar market place, to make her customary tour of the cloth shops. A large shady tamarind tree grew at one end of the bazaar, and it was here that Mrs. Srivastava found her friend Mrs. Bhushan sheltering from the heat.

(i) Who was Mrs Srivastava? How can you say that she cares for her family?

Answer: Mrs. Srivastava was a housewife. She gave instructions to her ayah to look after the baby and told the cook not to delay the midday meal before heading to the market, showing she was attentive to her household’s needs.

(ii) What did she do at the market? Do you think it was a regular practice? Why?

Answer: Mrs. Srivastava went to the market to browse cloth shops. It seems to be a regular practice, as it is mentioned that she made a customary tour of the shops.

(iii) What did Mrs. Bhushan and Mrs. Srivastava talk about?

Answer: They initially discussed the heat and the cloth Mrs. Bhushan was buying. Later, Mrs. Srivastava mentioned that the bank was unable to pay its employees, which they both found shocking.

(iv) What apparently had happened to the Pipalnagar Bank? How did the news spread?

Answer: A rumour began that the bank couldn’t pay its employees, suggesting it was in financial trouble. This news spread rapidly from one person to another, amplifying as it went.

(v) Briefly describe the conversation between Mrs Bhushan and her husband. What does this say about them?

Answer: Mrs. Bhushan told her husband about the bank’s financial trouble, which he found concerning. The conversation shows they were worried about the implications of the rumour, despite not having direct involvement with the bank.

Extract 3

Deep Chand who was cutting the hair of an elderly gentleman, was so startled that his hand shook and he nicked his customer’s right ear The customer yelped with pain and distress: pain, because of the cut, and distress because of the awful news he had just heard. With one side of his neck still unshaven, he sped across the road to the general merchant’s store where there was a telephone.

(i) Who was Deep Chand? Who gave him the news? Why?

Answer: Deep Chand was a barber. He was informed about the bank’s collapse by Kamal Kishore, the shop owner, who heard the rumour from his customers.

(ii) How did he react to the rumour? Do you think he followed the advice given to him?

Answer: Deep Chand was startled, leading him to nick his customer’s ear. It seems he believed the rumour, but there’s no indication that he took any specific action based on the advice.

(iii) How did his customer react? Was his reaction followed by other people in the town?

Answer: The customer panicked, rushing to find out more about the bank. His panic mirrored the town’s general reaction, as others quickly followed suit in their frenzy.

(iv) What was it that concerned the customer more than his injury? What does this reflect about the general tendency of the customers of the bank?

Answer: The customer was more concerned about the rumour of the bank’s collapse than his injury, showing how quickly fear spread among the bank’s clients, overriding rational thinking.

(v) Name two people who spread the rumour. How did each get the news and how he/she spread it?

Answer: Sitaram, the washerman’s son, mentioned Nathu’s unpaid wages, and Mrs. Srivastava spread this further to her friend Mrs. Bhushan, who then shared it with her husband.

Extract 4

‘The bird has flown! Seth Govind Ram has left town. Definitely, it means a collapse.’ And then he dashed out of the shop, making a beeline for his office and chequebook.

(i) “The bird has flown!”. What did Deep Chand meant by this?

Answer: Deep Chand meant that Seth Govind Ram, the bank’s owner, had left town, leading people to believe the bank had collapsed.

(ii) How did Deep Chand’s action contribute to the possible collapse of the bank?

Answer: Deep Chand’s belief in the rumour and his reaction helped spread panic, contributing to the growing distrust that worsened the bank’s situation.

(iii) How did Deep Chand conclude that the bank had collapsed?

Answer: Deep Chand assumed that Seth Govind Ram’s absence from town indicated the bank had collapsed.

(iv) Who was responsible for the apparent collapse of the bank? Why do you think so?

Answer: The townspeople were responsible for the apparent collapse, as they fueled the rumour without verifying the facts, leading to unnecessary panic.

(v) How does the story show that the people trusted one another without finding out the real cause behind the rumour?

Answer: The story demonstrates how people spread and acted on rumours without questioning their validity, showing a blind trust in the gossip circulating in the town.

Extract 5

Men stood in groups at street corners discussing the situation. Pipalnagar seldom had a crisis, seldom or never had floods, earthquakes or drought, and the imminent crash of the Pipalnagar Bank set everyone talking and speculating and rushing about in a frenzy. Some boasted of their farsightedness, congratulating themselves on having already taken out their money, or on never having put any in; others speculated on the reasons for the crash, putting it all down to excesses indulged in by Seth Govind Ram. The Seth had fled the state, said one. He had fled the country, said another, he was hiding in Pipalnagar, said a third. He had hanged himself from the tamarind tree, said a fourth, and had been found that morning by the sweeper-boy.

(i) What were the men who stood in groups talking about?

Answer: The men were discussing the imminent collapse of the Pipalnagar Bank. They were speculating about what could have caused the bank to crash.

(ii) How did the people react? What made them think that Seth Govind Ram had fled with their money?

Answer: The people panicked and started speculating about Seth Govind Ram’s whereabouts. They believed that his absence, combined with the rumours of unpaid wages, meant he had fled with their money.

(iii) What were the rumours about Seth Govind Ram?

Answer: There were various rumours: some said Seth had fled the state, others claimed he had fled the country, while others even speculated that he had hanged himself from the tamarind tree and been found by the sweeper-boy.

(iv) Why was the tamarind tree important?

Answer: The tamarind tree was mentioned in the rumours as the place where Seth Govind Ram allegedly hanged himself, adding to the drama and speculation surrounding his disappearance.

(v) Do you think that the way Seth Govind Ram behaved made the rumours easier to believe? Give reasons to support your answer.

Answer: Yes, because Seth Govind Ram’s absence during a time of financial crisis fueled people’s imaginations and fears, making it easier for them to believe that he had fled or committed suicide, even without any real evidence.

Extract 6

People were turned back from the counters and told to return the following day. They did not like the sound of that. And so they gathered outside, on the steps of the bank shouting ‘Give us our money or we’ll break in!” and Fetch the Seth, we know he’s hiding in a safe deposit locker!” Mischief makers who didn’t have a paisa in the bank, joined the crowd and aggravated their mood. The manager stood at the door and tried to placate them.

(i) Who were the people at the counters? Why were they asked to return the next day?

Answer: The people at the counters were the bank’s customers who had come to withdraw their money. They were asked to return the next day because the bank had run out of ready cash and needed time to collect funds.

(ii) What was their reaction? Why was anyone not able to ‘Fetch’ the Seth? Why?

Answer: The customers were angry and frustrated. They shouted threats to break into the bank. They couldn’t ‘Fetch’ Seth Govind Ram because he was on holiday in Kashmir, although many believed he was hiding somewhere.

(iii) Why did the mischief makers, who didn’t even have a paisa in the bank join the crowd? How did the crowd mentality of the masses add to the confusion?

Answer: The mischief-makers joined the crowd to stir up trouble and aggravate the situation, despite having no personal stake in the bank. The crowd mentality escalated the confusion and panic, leading to irrational behavior.

(iv) What, do you think, would have happened outside the bank after the brick was hurled through the air?

Answer: After the brick was thrown, the situation likely would have turned violent, with the crowd becoming even more aggressive and potentially forcing their way into the bank.

(v) According to you, which incident reflected the madness of the town?

Answer: The incident of the beggar, Ganpat, who had never been seen walking, suddenly leaping to his feet and running to the bank when he heard the rumours, reflects the sheer madness and panic that had overtaken the town.

Extract 7

He declared that the bank had plenty of money but no immediate means of collecting it; he urged them to go home and come back the next day. We want it now!” chanted some of the crowd. Now, now, now!” And a brick hurtled through the air and crashed through the plate glass window of the Pipalnagar Bank.

(i) How did the manager try to pacify the crowd?

Answer: The manager tried to pacify the crowd by assuring them that the bank had plenty of money, but it would take time to collect it. He urged them to return the next day.

(ii) Was he speaking the truth? What did the crowd do when they were asked to come the next day?

Answer: The manager was telling the truth, but the crowd didn’t believe him. Instead of calming down, they chanted, demanding their money immediately, and someone threw a brick through the bank’s window.

(iii) Why did people want their money as soon as possible? Why didn’t anyone believe the manager? Why did the townsfolk merely rely on the rumours?

Answer: People wanted their money quickly because they feared the bank would collapse and they would lose everything. The manager’s words were overshadowed by the panic and rumours that spread, which made the townsfolk distrust official reassurances.

(iv) What is the irony in the situation mentioned in the extract?

Answer: The irony lies in the fact that the bank wasn’t actually in danger of collapsing, but the townspeople’s irrational behavior, based on false rumours, might have caused it to collapse.

(v) The tongue is mightier than the sword. How does this story support this statement?

Answer: This story shows how a simple comment about unpaid wages spiraled into a full-blown crisis, illustrating the immense power of words to influence and create havoc, sometimes more destructively than physical force.

Extract 8

He cried: “Hooligans! Sons of donkeys! As though it isn’t bad enough to be paid late, it seems my work has also to be increased!” He smote the steps with his broom scattering the refuse.‘Good morning, Nathu,’ said the washerman’s boy getting down from his bicycle. ‘Are you ready to take up a new job from the first of next month’?

(i) What made Nathu angry enough to swear? What does this say about his status?

Answer: Nathu was angry because he hadn’t been paid on time, and now, after the chaos at the bank, his workload had increased due to the mess. This reflects his frustration with his low status and the poor treatment he faced as a low-wage worker.

(ii) What new job is the washerman’s boy talking about? How frequently does he meet Nathu?

Answer: The washerman’s boy was talking about a new job as a sweeper that Nathu could start from the first of next month. He seems to meet Nathu regularly during his rounds.

(iii) What had happened? Why would Nathu have to take up a new job?

Answer: The chaos surrounding the bank and the rumour of its collapse might lead to Nathu losing his current job, forcing him to take up a new one.

(iv) What was supposed to happen later in the morning?

Answer: Later in the morning, the customers of the bank were expected to arrive, demanding their money and potentially causing further chaos.

(v) The boy who broke the bank was the last to know it. Comment.

Answer: Nathu, whose complaint about unpaid wages indirectly sparked the rumours that led to the bank’s downfall, was ironically the last person to find out about the chaos he had unknowingly caused.

Extras

Questions and Answers

Extract 1

Sitaram was on his delivery round. He had a bundle of freshly pressed clothes balanced on his head.

‘Don’t raise such dust,’ he called out to Nathu. ‘Are you annoyed because they are still refusing to pay you an extra two rupees a month?’

(i) Why was Nathu grumbling while sweeping the steps?

Answer: Nathu was frustrated because the bank had not paid him his regular salary, and he was still waiting for a raise of two rupees a month.

(ii) What did Sitaram ask Nathu?

Answer: Sitaram asked Nathu if he was upset because the bank had refused to give him an additional two rupees per month.

(iii) How did Nathu express his frustration?

Answer: Nathu banged his pan against the dustbin multiple times to emphasize his frustration about not receiving his salary.

(iv) What did Sitaram promise Nathu?

Answer: Sitaram promised Nathu that he would keep a lookout for any job opportunities that might suit him.

(v) How did Nathu’s actions reflect his emotional state?

Answer: Nathu’s hurried and careless sweeping, combined with his banging of the pan, revealed his deep frustration and dissatisfaction with his unpaid wages.

Extract 2

At the fourth home he visited, Sitaram heard the lady of the house mention that she was in need of a sweeper. Tying his bundle together, he said; ‘I know of a sweeper boy who’s looking for work. He can start from next month. He’s with the bank just now, but they aren’t giving him his pay, and he wants to leave.’

‘Is that so?’ said Mrs. Srivastava. ‘Well, tell him to come and see me tomorrow.’

(i) What information did Sitaram provide to Mrs. Srivastava?

Answer: Sitaram informed Mrs. Srivastava that Nathu, a sweeper working at the bank, was looking for a new job because the bank had not paid him.

(ii) How did Mrs. Srivastava respond to Sitaram’s information?

Answer: Mrs. Srivastava asked Sitaram to tell Nathu to visit her the next day to discuss a potential job.

(iii) Why did Sitaram mention Nathu to Mrs. Srivastava?

Answer: Sitaram mentioned Nathu to help both his friend, who was looking for a new job, and Mrs. Srivastava, who needed a sweeper.

(iv) How did Sitaram feel after this exchange?

Answer: Sitaram felt pleased, as he had been of service to both his friend and a customer by connecting them.

(v) What does this passage reveal about the nature of employment in Pipalnagar?

Answer: The passage suggests that employment in Pipalnagar was informal and word-of-mouth played a significant role in securing jobs.

Extract 3

A large shady tamarind tree grew at one end of the bazaar, and it was here that Mrs. Srivastava found her friend Mrs. Bhushan sheltering from the heat. […] Having exhausted this topic, Mrs. Srivastava said, ‘Do you know, my dear, that Seth Govind Ram’s bank can’t even pay its employees? Only this morning I heard a complaint from their sweeper, who hasn’t received his wages for over a month!’

‘Shocking!’ remarked Mrs. Bhushan. ‘If they can’t pay the sweeper, they must be in a bad way. None of the others could be getting paid either.’

(i) What did Mrs. Srivastava reveal to her friend about the bank?

Answer: Mrs. Srivastava told her friend that the Pipalnagar Bank couldn’t pay its employees, including the sweeper, who hadn’t received his wages for over a month.

(ii) What was Mrs. Bhushan’s reaction to this news?

Answer: Mrs. Bhushan was shocked and assumed that if the bank couldn’t pay the sweeper, it must be struggling to pay all its employees.

(iii) How did Mrs. Srivastava contribute to the spread of the rumour?

Answer: By casually mentioning Nathu’s delayed payment, Mrs. Srivastava unknowingly contributed to the speculation that the bank was in financial trouble.

(iv) What does the conversation between Mrs. Srivastava and Mrs. Bhushan illustrate about human behaviour?

Answer: It illustrates how quickly rumours can spread, especially when based on incomplete or misunderstood information.

(v) How does this passage mark the beginning of the rumour spreading?

Answer: This passage shows how a simple conversation between two people about a delayed salary turned into speculation about the bank’s financial stability, triggering a chain of misinformation.

Extract 4

The news spread through the bazaar with the rapidity of a forest fire. From the general merchant’s, it travelled to the shop, circulated amongst the customers, and then spread with them in various directions, to the betel-seller, the tailor, the jeweller, the beggar sitting on the pavement.

(i) How did the rumour about the bank spread in the bazaar?

Answer: The rumour spread quickly from the general merchant’s shop to other shops, customers, and even beggars, spreading like wildfire throughout the bazaar.

(ii) What does the phrase ‘rapidity of a forest fire’ imply about the rumour’s spread?

Answer: It implies that the rumour spread extremely fast and uncontrollably, affecting everyone in its path.

(iii) How did different people in the bazaar contribute to the rumour?

Answer: People in the bazaar, such as shopkeepers and customers, shared and passed on the rumour, each adding their own interpretations and exaggerations.

(iv) What role does the setting of the bazaar play in the spread of the rumour?

Answer: The bazaar, being a central and bustling place, facilitated the rapid spread of the rumour as people constantly interacted and communicated with one another.

(v) How does this passage highlight the power of word-of-mouth communication?

Answer: The passage shows that in a close-knit community, word-of-mouth communication can quickly escalate a small issue into a widespread crisis, often with exaggerated consequences.

Extract 5

By noon, the small bank had gone through all its ready cash, and the harassed manager was in a dilemma. Emergency funds could only be obtained from another bank some thirty miles distant, and he wasn’t sure he could persuade the crowd to wait until then. […] People were turned back from the counters and told to return the following day.

(i) What was the manager’s dilemma?

Answer: The manager was in a dilemma because the bank had run out of cash, and the emergency funds were 30 miles away, making it difficult to satisfy the impatient crowd.

(ii) Why was the crowd outside the bank growing restless?

Answer: The crowd grew restless because they were told to return the next day for their money, which made them fear that the bank was on the verge of collapse.

(iii) What prevented the manager from solving the cash problem immediately?

Answer: The distance to the emergency funds, coupled with the impossibility of calming the agitated crowd, prevented the manager from solving the cash problem immediately.

(iv) How does this passage depict the bank’s crisis intensifying?

Answer: The passage shows the bank running out of cash and the manager’s inability to access funds quickly, which intensifies the panic among the public.

(v) What does the crowd’s reaction to being turned away suggest about their trust in the bank?

Answer: The crowd’s refusal to leave and increasing hostility suggest that their trust in the bank had rapidly deteriorated, further fuelling the crisis.

Extract 6

Deep Chand, who was cutting the hair of an elderly gentleman, was so startled that his hand shook and he nicked his customer’s right ear. The customer yelped with pain and distress: pain, because of the cut, and distress because of the awful news he had just heard. With one side of his neck still unshaven, he sped across the road to the general merchant’s store where there was a telephone. He dialled Seth Govind Ram’s number. The Seth was not at home. Where was he, then? The Seth was holidaying in Kashmir.

(i) How did Deep Chand’s customer react to the rumour about the bank?

Answer: The customer was distressed by the rumour and immediately sought to contact Seth Govind Ram to confirm the news, despite being in the middle of a haircut.

(ii) What happened when the customer tried to contact Seth Govind Ram?

Answer: The customer was told that Seth Govind Ram was on holiday in Kashmir, which increased his suspicion and concern about the bank’s stability.

(iii) How does this scene depict the spread of panic?

Answer: The scene shows how panic and fear spread irrationally, with the customer leaving mid-haircut to try and verify the rumour, illustrating how quickly people were gripped by fear.

(iv) What role does the absent Seth Govind Ram play in the growing rumour?

Answer: Seth Govind Ram’s absence from Pipalnagar fuels the rumour, as people interpret his holiday as a sign that he has fled due to the bank’s financial troubles.

(v) How does the customer’s reaction escalate the situation?

Answer: The customer’s reaction—abandoning his haircut and spreading more gossip—escalates the situation by further convincing others that something is wrong with the bank.

Extract 7

Old Ganpat the beggar had a crooked leg. He had been squatting on the pavement for years, calling for alms. […] But now, on learning that the bank was about to collapse, Ganpat astonished everyone by leaping to his feet and actually running at top speed in the direction of the bank. It soon became known that he had a thousand rupees in savings!

(i) How did the rumour about the bank’s collapse affect Ganpat?

Answer: The rumour prompted Ganpat, a beggar who had been immobile for years, to suddenly run to the bank, revealing that he had significant savings of a thousand rupees.

(ii) Why was Ganpat’s reaction surprising to others?

Answer: Ganpat’s reaction was surprising because, despite being seen as crippled for years, he suddenly stood up and ran, revealing his ability to walk and his secret savings.

(iii) What does Ganpat’s reaction tell us about human behaviour in times of crisis?

Answer: Ganpat’s reaction shows that in times of crisis, even those who seem least affected or powerless may react dramatically to protect their interests.

(iv) How does Ganpat’s hidden savings affect perceptions of him?

Answer: The revelation that Ganpat had a thousand rupees in savings changes the perception of him from a mere beggar to someone with hidden wealth and more at stake in the crisis.

(v) What role does Ganpat play in the escalating tension?

Answer: Ganpat’s sudden, dramatic action adds to the escalating tension, as even a beggar with secret savings is now rushing to withdraw his money, reinforcing the panic.

Extract 8

Nathu arrived next morning to sweep the steps of the bank. He saw the refuse and the broken glass and the stones cluttering the steps. Raising his hands in a gesture of horror and disgust he cried: ‘Hooligans! Sons of donkeys! As though it isn’t bad enough to be paid late, it seems my work has also to be increased!’

(i) What did Nathu find when he arrived at the bank the next morning?

Answer: Nathu found the bank in disarray, with broken glass, stones, and refuse littering the steps, the result of a mob’s anger from the previous day.

(ii) How did Nathu react to the state of the bank?

Answer: Nathu was horrified and disgusted, lamenting that not only was his salary delayed, but now his work was increased due to the mess caused by the mob.

(iii) What does Nathu’s reaction reveal about his knowledge of the previous day’s events?

Answer: Nathu’s reaction suggests he was unaware of the full extent of the chaos caused by the rumours about the bank’s collapse, as he blamed the disorder on hooligans without understanding the context.

(iv) How does Nathu’s comment about not being paid reflect the broader theme of the story?

Answer: Nathu’s comment about not being paid ties into the broader theme of how small grievances and rumours can snowball into larger problems, in this case leading to the perceived collapse of the bank.

(v) What does this passage suggest about Nathu’s role in the story?

Answer: Nathu’s role, though seemingly minor, serves as the catalyst for the entire crisis, as his complaint about unpaid wages sparks the rumour that leads to the bank’s near-collapse.

MCQs (Knowledge Based)

1. Who was the owner of the Pipalnagar Bank?

(a) Nathu
(b) Sitaram
(c) Seth Govind Ram
(d) Mrs. Srivastava

Answer: (c) Seth Govind Ram

2. How did Nathu use the small broom while sweeping the steps of the bank?

(a) Slowly and carefully
(b) Hurriedly and carelessly
(c) Methodically and thoroughly
(d) Joyfully and skillfully

Answer: (b) Hurriedly and carelessly

3. What was Sitaram, the washerman’s son, doing when he passed by Nathu?

(a) Going to the market
(b) Playing with friends
(c) On his delivery round
(d) Looking for a job

Answer: (c) On his delivery round

4. What did Sitaram initially assume was the reason for Nathu’s annoyance?

(a) The bank was closing down.
(b) He had lost his sweeping pan.
(c) The bank refused to pay him an extra two rupees a month.
(d) He was given too much work.

Answer: (c) The bank refused to pay him an extra two rupees a month.

5. What was Nathu’s primary complaint to Sitaram regarding his job at the bank?

(a) He wanted a longer holiday.
(b) He hadn’t received his regular pay.
(c) His broom was too small.
(d) He disliked the bank manager.

Answer: (b) He hadn’t received his regular pay.

6. Nathu declared, “As soon as I get my money, I’m off!” What did he mean by “I’m off”?

(a) He would go on a vacation.
(b) He would buy new clothes.
(c) He would leave his job at the bank.
(d) He would report the bank to the authorities.

Answer: (c) He would leave his job at the bank.

7. How did Nathu emphasize his decision to leave his job?

(a) He shouted loudly at Sitaram.
(b) He wrote a letter of resignation.
(c) He threw his broom away.
(d) He banged his pan against the dustbin several times.

Answer: (d) He banged his pan against the dustbin several times.

8. What did Sitaram tell Nathu he would do for him?

(a) Lend him some money.
(b) Help him with his sweeping.
(c) Keep a lookout for any jobs that might suit him.
(d) Speak to the bank manager on his behalf.

Answer: (c) Keep a lookout for any jobs that might suit him.

9. At whose house did Sitaram hear that a sweeper was needed?

(a) Mrs. Bhushan’s house
(b) Kamal Kishore’s house
(c) Seth Govind Ram’s house
(d) Mrs. Srivastava’s house

Answer: (d) Mrs. Srivastava’s house

10. What reason did Sitaram give Mrs. Srivastava for the sweeper boy wanting to leave his current job at the bank?

(a) The bank was too far from his home.
(b) He found a better paying job.
(c) They weren’t giving him his pay.
(d) He had an argument with the manager.

Answer: (c) They weren’t giving him his pay.

11. What did Mrs. Srivastava ask Sitaram to do after hearing about the sweeper boy?

(a) Tell the boy to start work immediately.
(b) Give the boy an advance payment.
(c) Tell the boy to come and see her tomorrow.
(d) Forget about the boy as she found someone else.

Answer: (c) Tell the boy to come and see her tomorrow.

12. After Sitaram left, what did Mrs. Srivastava instruct her ayah to do?

(a) Prepare the mid-day meal.
(b) Go to the Pipalnagar market.
(c) Look after the baby.
(d) Clean the house.

Answer: (c) Look after the baby.

13. Where did Mrs. Srivastava go for her customary tour of the cloth shops?

(a) The town square
(b) The Pipalnagar market place
(c) The shopping mall
(d) The main street

Answer: (b) The Pipalnagar market place

14. Under which tree did Mrs. Srivastava find her friend Mrs. Bhushan?

(a) A mango tree
(b) A banyan tree
(c) A neem tree
(d) A large shady tamarind tree

Answer: (d) A large shady tamarind tree

15. What was Mrs. Bhushan complaining about when Mrs. Srivastava met her?

(a) The high price of cloth
(b) The crowded market
(c) The summer heat
(d) Her husband’s absence

Answer: (c) The summer heat

16. After discussing a cloth sample, what information did Mrs. Srivastava share with Mrs. Bhushan about Seth Govind Ram’s bank?

(a) The bank was offering new loan schemes.
(b) The bank was celebrating its anniversary.
(c) The bank couldn’t even pay its employees.
(d) The bank had hired a new manager.

Answer: (c) The bank couldn’t even pay its employees.

17. According to Mrs. Srivastava, the bank’s sweeper hadn’t received his wages for how long?

(a) For a week
(b) For two weeks
(c) For over a month
(d) For three months

Answer: (c) For over a month

18. What was Mrs. Bhushan’s immediate remark upon hearing that the bank couldn’t pay its sweeper?

(a) “Unbelievable!”
(b) “Shocking!”
(c) “That’s terrible!”
(d) “Is that true?”

Answer: (b) “Shocking!”

19. What did Mrs. Bhushan conclude if the bank couldn’t pay the sweeper?

(a) The sweeper must be lazy.
(b) The bank must be in a bad way.
(c) The manager was corrupt.
(d) The other employees were getting paid double.

Answer: (b) The bank must be in a bad way.

20. Where was Mr. Bhushan sitting when his wife found him?

(a) Inside Kamal Kishore’s photographic shop
(b) At the cloth shop
(c) In front of Kamal Kishore’s photographic shop
(d) Under the tamarind tree

Answer: (c) In front of Kamal Kishore’s photographic shop

21. Mr. Bhushan told his wife, “Had you remained stationary in one shop, I might have found you.” What did he compare her to?

(a) A butterfly in a field
(b) A bird flitting from tree to tree
(c) A bee in a flower garden
(d) A child lost in a fair

Answer: (c) A bee in a flower garden

22. What did Mrs. Bhushan tell her husband was happening to the Pipalnagar bank?

(a) It was being renovated.
(b) It was about to go bankrupt.
(c) It was hiring new staff.
(d) It was offering higher interest rates.

Answer: (b) It was about to go bankrupt.

23. Who owned the photographic shop where Mr. Bhushan was sitting?

(a) Deep Chand
(b) Seth Govind Ram
(c) Sitaram
(d) Kamal Kishore

Answer: (d) Kamal Kishore

24. What was Kamal Kishore’s immediate reaction upon hearing the Pipalnagar bank was about to go bankrupt?

(a) He remained calm.
(b) He laughed it off.
(c) He sat up suddenly and asked “Which bank?”
(d) He fainted.

Answer: (c) He sat up suddenly and asked “Which bank?”

25. To whom did Kamal Kishore shout the news about the bank’s impending collapse?

(a) Sitaram, the washerman’s son
(b) The owner of the general merchant’s store
(c) Deep Chand, the keeper of the barber shop
(d) Mrs. Srivastava

Answer: (c) Deep Chand, the keeper of the barber shop

26. What was Deep Chand, the barber, doing when he heard the news from Kamal Kishore?

(a) Sweeping his shop
(b) Reading a newspaper
(c) Cutting the hair of an elderly gentleman
(d) Talking to another customer

Answer: (c) Cutting the hair of an elderly gentleman

27. What was the consequence of Deep Chand being startled by the news?

(a) He dropped his scissors.
(b) He shouted in alarm.
(c) He nicked his customer’s right ear.
(d) He fainted.

Answer: (c) He nicked his customer’s right ear.

28. The elderly gentleman yelped with pain and distress. What was the cause of his distress?

(a) The pain from the cut only
(b) The sight of blood
(c) The awful news he had just heard about the bank
(d) The barber’s apology

Answer: (c) The awful news he had just heard about the bank

29. Where did the elderly gentleman, with one side of his neck still unshaven, speed across the road to?

(a) The Pipalnagar Bank
(b) His home
(c) The police station
(d) The general merchant’s store

Answer: (d) The general merchant’s store

30. What information did the elderly gentleman receive when he tried to contact Seth Govind Ram?

(a) The Seth was busy in a meeting.
(b) The Seth was holidaying in Kashmir.
(c) The Seth had sold the bank.
(d) The Seth refused to talk.

Answer: (b) The Seth was holidaying in Kashmir.

31. What did the elderly gentleman exclaim to Deep Chand after failing to reach Seth Govind Ram?

(a) “The line is busy!”
(b) “The Seth is a fraud!”
(c) “The bird has flown!”
(d) “We are all ruined!”

Answer: (c) “The bird has flown!”

32. The news of the bank’s impending collapse spread through the bazaar with the rapidity of what?

(a) A speeding train
(b) A gust of wind
(c) A forest fire
(d) A flock of birds

Answer: (c) A forest fire

33. Which of these individuals was NOT mentioned as someone the news spread to in the bazaar?

(a) The betel-seller
(b) The tailor
(c) The school teacher
(d) The jeweller

Answer: (c) The school teacher

34. What was physically distinctive about Old Ganpat the beggar?

(a) He was blind.
(b) He had a crooked leg.
(c) He was deaf.
(d) He had lost an arm.

Answer: (b) He had a crooked leg.

35. What did Old Ganpat, who had never been known to walk, do upon learning the bank was about to collapse?

(a) He started crying loudly.
(b) He fainted on the pavement.
(c) He leaped to his feet and ran towards the bank.
(d) He calmly asked for more details.

Answer: (c) He leaped to his feet and ran towards the bank.

36. How much money was it rumoured that Old Ganpat had in savings at the bank?

(a) A hundred rupees
(b) Five hundred rupees
(c) A thousand rupees
(d) Ten thousand rupees

Answer: (c) A thousand rupees

37. Which of the following crises had Pipalnagar seldom or never experienced before the bank crash?

(a) Floods
(b) Earthquakes
(c) Drought
(d) All of the above

Answer: (d) All of the above

38. Which of these was NOT a speculation about Seth Govind Ram’s whereabouts or actions?

(a) He had fled the State.
(b) He was hiding in Pipalnagar.
(c) He had hanged himself from the tamarind tree.
(d) He had donated all his money to charity.

Answer: (d) He had donated all his money to charity.

39. By noon, what was the situation at the Pipalnagar Bank regarding its cash?

(a) It had received fresh cash supply.
(b) It had gone through all its ready cash.
(c) It had temporarily stopped transactions.
(d) It had doubled its security.

Answer: (b) It had gone through all its ready cash.

40. What was the manager’s major difficulty in obtaining emergency funds?

(a) The other bank was closed for the day.
(b) The other bank was some thirty miles distant.
(c) He had no means of transport.
(d) He forgot the name of the other bank.

Answer: (b) The other bank was some thirty miles distant.

41. What did the bank staff tell the people when they were turned back from the counters?

(a) The bank was closed indefinitely.
(b) Seth Govind Ram would address them soon.
(c) To return the following day.
(d) Their money was safe.

Answer: (c) To return the following day.

42. Which of these was NOT something the crowd shouted outside the bank?

(a) ‘Give us our money or we’ll break in!’
(b) ‘Fetch the Seth, we know he’s hiding in a safe deposit locker!’
(c) ‘The manager must resign!’
(d) ‘We want it now!’

Answer: (c) ‘The manager must resign!’

43. Who joined the crowd and aggravated their mood, despite not having any money in the bank?

(a) Local politicians
(b) Mischief makers
(c) Rival bank employees
(d) Newspaper reporters

Answer: (b) Mischief makers

44. What did the bank manager try to do when he stood at the door facing the crowd?

(a) He tried to escape.
(b) He tried to call the police.
(c) He tried to placate them.
(d) He tried to distribute forms.

Answer: (c) He tried to placate them.

45. What object was hurtled through the air and crashed through the plate glass window of the Pipalnagar Bank?

(a) A stone
(b) A bottle
(c) A brick
(d) A wooden plank

Answer: (c) A brick

46. When Nathu arrived the next morning, what did he see cluttering the steps of the bank?

(a) Only dust and leaves
(b) Refuse, broken glass, and stones
(c) A notice of closure
(d) A long queue of people

Answer: (b) Refuse, broken glass, and stones

47. Nathu cried: ‘Hooligans! Sons of donkeys!’ What did he feel had increased due to their actions?

(a) His salary
(b) His fear
(c) His work
(d) His respect for the bank

Answer: (c) His work

48. How did Nathu react to the refuse on the steps?

(a) He refused to clean it.
(b) He reported it to the manager.
(c) He smote the steps with his broom scattering the refuse.
(d) He sat down and cried.

Answer: (c) He smote the steps with his broom scattering the refuse.

49. What news did Sitaram, the washerman’s boy, give Nathu the morning after the incident?

(a) That Nathu was fired.
(b) That the bank was offering a reward for information.
(c) That the bank was going out of business.
(d) That Seth Govind Ram had returned.

Answer: (c) That the bank was going out of business.

50. What did Sitaram cheerfully wave as he sped away on his cycle, after talking to Nathu?

(a) A newspaper
(b) His hand
(c) A bundle of clothes
(d) Nothing, he just waved cheerfully.

Answer: (d) Nothing, he just waved cheerfully.

51. After Sitaram left, what was Nathu determined to do as he waited for the manager?

(a) To find a new job immediately.
(b) To help clean up the bank.
(c) To get his pay.
(d) To talk to the police.

Answer: (c) To get his pay.

52. What was Nathu’s final thought as he looked thoughtfully into the distance?

(a) “I should have left this job sooner.”
(b) “Who will pay me now?”
(c) “I wonder how it could have happened…”
(d) “Sitaram is a true friend.”

Answer: (c) “I wonder how it could have happened…”

53. Which of the following characters did NOT play a direct role in spreading the rumour about the bank’s financial trouble?

(a) Sitaram
(b) Mrs. Srivastava
(c) Nathu
(d) Kamal Kishore

Answer: (c) Nathu

54. The story suggests that the collapse of the Pipalnagar Bank was primarily due to:

(a) Seth Govind Ram’s mismanagement.
(b) A genuine lack of funds.
(c) A run on the bank caused by a rumour.
(d) The manager’s incompetence.

Answer: (c) A run on the bank caused by a rumour.

55. What was the initial problem that Nathu, the sweeper-boy, was facing?

(a) He was overworked and underappreciated.
(b) He was not being paid his regular salary on time.
(c) He was being asked to do tasks outside his job description.
(d) He was being threatened with dismissal.

Answer: (b) He was not being paid his regular salary on time.

56. Mrs. Bhushan told her husband that the bank had stopped paying employees. Where did she get this information?

(a) From Kamal Kishore
(b) From Mrs. Srivastava
(c) From Deep Chand
(d) She read it in the newspaper

Answer: (b) From Mrs. Srivastava

57. The elderly gentleman who got his ear nicked rushed to the general merchant’s store to use the telephone. Who was he trying to call?

(a) The police
(b) His family
(c) Seth Govind Ram
(d) The bank manager

Answer: (c) Seth Govind Ram

58. Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of the way the rumour spread?

(a) It spread rapidly.
(b) It was verified at each step.
(c) It grew more exaggerated as it spread.
(d) It caused panic among the people.

Answer: (b) It was verified at each step.

59. What was the actual situation of Seth Govind Ram when the bank run occurred?

(a) He had fled the country.
(b) He was hiding in Pipalnagar.
(c) He was holidaying in Kashmir.
(d) He had died.

Answer: (c) He was holidaying in Kashmir.

60. What does the story “The Boy who Broke the Bank” primarily illustrate?

(a) The importance of paying employees on time.
(b) The irresponsible nature of small-town people.
(c) The destructive power of rumours.
(d) The inefficiency of old banking systems.

Answer: (c) The destructive power of rumours.

61. Sitaram told Mrs. Srivastava about Nathu because he was:

(a) Trying to cause trouble for the bank.
(b) Glad to be of service to both a customer and his friend.
(c) Hoping to get a reward from Mrs. Srivastava.
(d) Annoyed with Nathu’s constant grumbling.

Answer: (b) Glad to be of service to both a customer and his friend.

62. Mrs. Srivastava’s reason for telling Mrs. Bhushan about the bank’s sweeper was likely:

(a) To deliberately start a rumour.
(b) To express genuine concern for the sweeper.
(c) As a piece of gossip after exhausting other topics.
(d) To warn Mrs. Bhushan about the bank.

Answer: (c) As a piece of gossip after exhausting other topics.

63. Mr. Bhushan’s comment to his wife, “But you go from one shop to another, like a bee in a flower garden,” suggests he found her shopping habits to be:

(a) Efficient and quick.
(b) Focused and decisive.
(c) Restless and hard to track.
(d) Economical and wise.

Answer: (c) Restless and hard to track.

64. The elderly gentleman’s distress was due to “the awful news he had just heard.” This implies that he likely:

(a) Worked for the bank.
(b) Had a large sum of money in the bank.
(c) Was a close friend of Seth Govind Ram.
(d) Was responsible for the bank’s security.

Answer: (b) Had a large sum of money in the bank.

65. The reaction of Old Ganpat, the beggar, to the news of the bank’s collapse was surprising because:

(a) Beggars were not expected to have bank accounts.
(b) He was known to be very wealthy.
(c) He had always pretended to be unable to walk.
(d) He showed no interest in money.

Answer: (c) He had always pretended to be unable to walk.

66. The manager’s statement that “the bank had plenty of money but no immediate means of collecting it” implies:

(a) The bank’s assets were tied up elsewhere.
(b) The staff had stolen the ready cash.
(c) The bank was waiting for a government bailout.
(d) He was lying to calm the crowd.

Answer: (a) The bank’s assets were tied up elsewhere.

67. Which of the following statements about Sitaram is NOT true?

(a) He was the washerman’s son.
(b) He carried a bundle of freshly pressed clothes on his head.
(c) He had a bank account at Pipalnagar Bank.
(d) He tried to help Nathu find a new job.

Answer: (c) He had a bank account at Pipalnagar Bank.

68. The “mischief makers who didn’t have a paisa in the bank” joined the crowd to:

(a) Try and withdraw money they didn’t have.
(b) Offer help to the distressed depositors.
(c) Report the events to the local newspaper.
(d) Aggravate the mood and enjoy the chaos.

Answer: (d) Aggravate the mood and enjoy the chaos.

69. Nathu’s final words, “I wonder how it could have happened…” highlight his:

(a) Guilt for causing the bank’s collapse.
(b) Anger at the bank manager.
(c) Innocence and lack of understanding of the rumour’s impact.
(d) Plan to investigate the bank’s failure.

Answer: (c) Innocence and lack of understanding of the rumour’s impact.

70. The setting of Pipalnagar is depicted as a town where:

(a) People are generally well-informed and cautious.
(b) News travels slowly and is often ignored.
(c) Crises are common and people are used to them.
(d) Gossip and rumours can easily take hold and spread.

Answer: (d) Gossip and rumours can easily take hold and spread.

MCQs (Competency Based)

1. Select the option that shows the correct relationship between statement (1) and statement (2).

(1) Nathu grumbled to himself as he swept the steps of the Pipalnagar Bank.
(2) He hadn’t even received his regular pay, and it was the twentieth of the month.

(a) (1) is an example of (2).
(b) (1) is independent of (2).
(c) (2) is the cause for (1).
(d) (1) is in contradiction of (2).

Answer: (c) (2) is the cause for (1).

2. Choose the option that lists the sequence of events in the correct order regarding the initial spread of the news.

I. Sitaram tells Mrs. Srivastava that a sweeper boy at the bank isn’t being paid and wants to leave.
II. Nathu complains to Sitaram about not receiving his pay.
III. Mrs. Srivastava tells Mrs. Bhushan that Seth Govind Ram’s bank can’t pay its employees.
IV. Mrs. Srivastava hears from Sitaram that she is in need of a sweeper.

(a) II, IV, I, III
(b) IV, II, I, III
(c) II, I, IV, III
(d) I, II, III, IV

Answer: (a) II, IV, I, III

3. Select the option that shows the correct relationship between statement (1) and statement (2).

(1) Mrs. Bhushan concluded that if the bank couldn’t pay the sweeper, they must be in a bad way.
(2) Mrs. Srivastava informed Mrs. Bhushan that the bank’s sweeper hadn’t received his wages for over a month.

(a) (1) is the cause for (2).
(b) (2) is the cause for (1).
(c) (1) is independent of (2).
(d) (1) contradicts (2).

Answer: (b) (2) is the cause for (1).

4. Choose the option that lists the sequence of events in the correct order as the rumour intensifies.

I. Deep Chand, the barber, nicks his customer’s ear upon hearing the bank is about to collapse.
II. Mrs. Bhushan tells her husband the bank is about to go bankrupt.
III. Kamal Kishore tells Deep Chand the Pipalnagar Bank is about to collapse.
IV. The elderly gentleman, after failing to reach Seth Govind Ram, declares “The bird has flown!”

(a) II, III, I, IV
(b) III, II, I, IV
(c) II, I, III, IV
(d) I, II, IV, III

Answer: (a) II, III, I, IV

5. Select the option that shows the correct relationship between statement (1) and statement (2).

(1) The news spread through the bazaar with the rapidity of forest fire.
(2) The elderly gentleman told Deep Chand that Seth Govind Ram had left town, implying a collapse.

(a) (1) is an example of (2).
(b) (2) is a contributing factor to (1).
(c) (1) is independent of (2).
(d) (1) contradicts (2).

Answer: (b) (2) is a contributing factor to (1).

6. Choose the option that lists the sequence of events leading to the chaos at the bank.

I. People were turned back from the counters and told to return the following day.
II. Old Ganpat the beggar ran towards the bank.
III. The small bank had gone through all its ready cash.
IV. A brick crashed through the plate glass window of the bank.

(a) II, III, I, IV
(b) III, II, I, IV
(c) II, I, III, IV
(d) I, III, II, IV

Answer: (a) II, III, I, IV

7. Select the option that shows the correct relationship between statement (1) and statement (2).

(1) Nathu arrived the next morning to sweep the steps and saw refuse, broken glass, and stones.
(2) The crowd outside the bank had become agitated and violent the previous day.

(a) (1) is the cause of (2).
(b) (2) is the cause of (1).
(c) (1) is independent of (2).
(d) (1) is an example of (2)’s consequences.

Answer: (d) (1) is an example of (2)’s consequences.

8. Nathu’s statement, “As though it isn’t bad enough to be paid late, it seems my work has also to be increased!” reveals his feeling of:

(a) Gratitude for having a job.
(b) Frustration and exasperation.
(c) Fear of losing his job.
(d) Amusement at the situation.

Answer: (b) Frustration and exasperation.

9. The primary reason for the Pipalnagar Bank’s collapse was:

(a) Seth Govind Ram’s actual absconding with funds.
(b) The manager’s inability to secure emergency funds quickly.
(c) A widespread panic triggered by an unverified rumour.
(d) Nathu’s deliberate attempt to sabotage the bank.

Answer: (c) A widespread panic triggered by an unverified rumour.

10. Sitaram’s decision to tell Mrs. Srivastava about Nathu’s situation was motivated by:

(a) A desire to see the bank fail.
(b) An attempt to help both his friend Nathu and his customer Mrs. Srivastava.
(c) A personal grudge against the bank manager.
(d) Instructions from Nathu to spread the word.

Answer: (b) An attempt to help both his friend Nathu and his customer Mrs. Srivastava.

11. The chain of rumour transmission demonstrates that:

(a) People in Pipalnagar carefully verify information.
(b) Small pieces of information can be distorted and amplified.
(c) The bank had a history of financial instability.
(d) Sitaram was the most influential person in town.

Answer: (b) Small pieces of information can be distorted and amplified.

12. The elderly gentleman’s urgent attempt to call Seth Govind Ram after his ear was nicked indicates:

(a) He wanted to complain about the barber.
(b) He was concerned about the safety of his money in the bank.
(c) He was a close associate of Seth Govind Ram.
(d) He wanted to offer financial assistance to the bank.

Answer: (b) He was concerned about the safety of his money in the bank.

13. The manager’s inability to contact Seth Govind Ram in Kashmir contributed to the crisis because:

(a) Seth Govind Ram was the only one who knew the bank’s financial status.
(b) It fueled the rumour that the Seth had deliberately disappeared.
(c) The manager needed the Seth’s permission to access emergency funds.
(d) The crowd would only listen to Seth Govind Ram.

Answer: (b) It fueled the rumour that the Seth had deliberately disappeared.

14. Nathu’s final thought, “I wonder how it could have happened…” is ironic because:

(a) He was fully aware of his role in starting the rumour.
(b) He was the one who broke the bank’s window.
(c) His simple complaint, unintentionally, set off the chain of events.
(d) He had secretly withdrawn all his money earlier.

Answer: (c) His simple complaint, unintentionally, set off the chain of events.

15. The actions of “mischief makers who didn’t have a paisa in the bank” show that:

(a) Everyone in Pipalnagar was a depositor at the bank.
(b) Some people exploit chaotic situations for their own amusement or to cause further trouble.
(c) They were trying to help the genuine depositors.
(d) They believed the bank owed them money for other reasons.

Answer: (b) Some people exploit chaotic situations for their own amusement or to cause further trouble.

Ron'e Dutta

Ron'e Dutta is a journalist, teacher, aspiring novelist, and blogger who manages Online Free Notes. An avid reader of Victorian literature, his favourite book is Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë. He dreams of travelling the world. You can connect with him on social media. He does personal writing on ronism.

Get notes of other classes and subjects

NBSE	SEBA/AHSEC
NCERT	TBSE
WBBSE/WHCHSE	ICSE/ISC
BSEM/COHSEM	Custom Notes for Teachers
MBOSE	Question Papers

Notify change in syllabus/books	Sell PDFs of your books
Request notes not available now	Share PDFs of question papers

5 comments

Yuvnesh Agarwal January 12, 2024 at 11:42 am

class 9 . ICSE. pre examination 2023 what was he carrying on his head where was he going
the question is from the story The boy who broke the bank…….

Reply
1. Suresh Kumar February 20, 2024 at 10:05 pm
  
  He was carrying a bundle of clothes on his head
  As he was a son of washerman,He was going to deliver the washed clothes
  
  Reply
Krishna February 15, 2025 at 2:10 pm

Best answers

Reply
YouTube February 22, 2025 at 3:06 pm

This website has been a great relief.
Ever since I started searching for ICSE English answers, I always found misleading websites, which were either too expensive or unsatisfactory.
All that hassle is now over, since I have found Online Free Notes.
I will surely recommend this website to all my peers.
Please continue doing the good work. You are helping millions of students across the globe, and that too, completely for free.

Thank you very much!

Reply
Drishant Patel March 15, 2025 at 4:34 pm

Who ever made this website is a LEGEND .
IT WAS A RILIEF BY SEEING THESE ANSWERS.

Reply