An Astrologer's Day by R. K. Narayan/ Class XI / ENGB/ WBCHSE

 An Astrologer's Day 

R.K. Narayan 

Punctually¹ at midday he opened his bag and spread out his professional² equipment³, which consisted⁴ of a dozen cowrie⁵ shells, a square piece of cloth with obscure⁶ mystic⁷ charts on it, a notebook and a bundle of palmyra⁸ writing. His forehead was resplendent⁹ with sacred¹⁰ ash and vermilion¹¹, and his eyes sparkled with a sharp abnormal gleam¹² which was really an outcome of a continual searching look for customers, but which his simple clients took to be a prophetic¹³ light and felt comforted.

The power of his eyes was considerably  enhanced¹⁴ by their position-placed as they were between the painted forehead and the dark whiskers¹⁵ which streamed down his cheeks: even a half-wit's eyes¹⁶ would sparkle in such a setting. To crown¹⁷ the effect he wound¹⁸ a saffron-colored turban around his head. This color scheme¹⁹ never failed.

The astrologer is sitting under the boughs of a spreading tamarind tree...

People were attracted to him as bees are attracted to cosmos²⁰ or dahlia stalks²¹. He sat under the boughs²² of a spreading tamarind tree which flanked²³ a path running through the Town Hall Park. It was a remarkable place in many ways: a surging²⁴ crowd was always moving up and down this narrow road morning till night. A variety of trades and occupations was represented all along its way: medicine-sellers, sellers of stolen hard- ware and junk, magicians and, above all, an auctioneer²⁵ of cheap cloth, who created enough din⁹⁵ all day to attract the whole town. Next to him in vociferousness²⁶ came a vendor of fried groundnuts²⁷, who gave his ware a fancy name each day, calling it Bombay Ice-Cream one day, and on the next Delhi Almond, and on the third Raja's Delicacy, and so on and so forth, and people flocked²⁸ to him. A considerable portion of this crowd dallied²⁹ before the astrologer³⁰ too. The astrologer transacted³¹ his business by the light of a flare³² which crackled³³ and smoked up above the groundnut heap nearby.

Half the enchantment³⁴ of the place was due to the fact that it did not have the benefit of municipal lighting. The place was lit up by shop lights. One or two had hissing³⁵ gaslights, some had naked flares stuck on poles, some were lit up by old cycle lamps and one or two, like the astrologer's, man- aged without lights of their own. It was a bewildering³⁶ criss-cross³⁷ of light rays and moving shadows. This suited the astrologer very well, for the simple reason that he had not in the least intended to be an astrologer when he began life; and he knew no more of what was going to happen to others than he knew what was going to happen to himself next minute. He was as much a stranger³⁸ to the stars as were his innocent customers. Yet he said things which pleased and astonished everyone: that was more a matter of study, practice and shrewd³⁹ guesswork. All the same, it was as much an honest man's labor as any other, and he deserved the wages⁴⁰ he carried home at the end of a day.

Criss-cross of light rays...

He had left his village without any previous thought or plan. If he had continued  there he would have carried on the work of his forefathers⁴¹—namely, tilling the land, living, marrying and ripening⁴² in his cornfield and ancestral home. But that was not to be. He had to leave home without telling anyone, and he could not rest till he left it behind a couple of hundred miles. To a villager it is a great deal, as if an ocean flowed between.

He had a working analysis of mankind's troubles: marriage, money and the tangles⁴³ of human ties. Long practice had sharpened his perception⁴⁴. Within five minutes he understood what was wrong. He charged three pice⁴⁵ per question and never opened his mouth till the other had spoken for at least ten minutes, which provided him enough stuff⁴⁶ for a dozen answers and advices. When he told the person before him, gazing at his palm, "In many ways you are not getting the fullest results for your efforts," nine out of ten were disposed⁴⁷ to agree with him. Or he questioned: "Is there any woman in your family, maybe even a distant relative, who is not well disposed⁴⁸ towards you?" Or he gave an analysis of character: "Most of your troubles are due to your nature. How can you be otherwise with Saturn where he is? You have an impetuous⁴⁹ nature and a rough exterior⁵⁰." This endeared⁵¹ him to their hearts immediately, for even the mildest of us loves to think that he has a forbidding exterior.

The nuts-vendor blew out his flare and rose to go home. This was a signal for the astrologer to bundle up too, since it left him in darkness except for a little shaft⁵² of green light which strayed⁵³ in from somewhere and touched the ground before him. He picked up his cowrie shells and paraphernalia⁵⁴ and was putting them back into his bag when the green shaft of light was blotted out; he looked up and saw a man standing before him. He sensed a possible client and said: "You look so careworn⁵⁵. It will do you good to sit down for a while and chat with me." The other grumbled⁵⁶ some vague⁵⁷ reply. The astrologer pressed his invitation; whereupon the other thrust⁵⁸ his palm under his nose, saying: "You call yourself an astrologer?" The astrologer felt challenged and said, tilting⁵⁹ the other's palm towards the green shaft of light: "Yours is a nature..." "Oh, stop that," the other said. "Tell me something worthwhile...."

He looked up and saw a man standing before him

Our friend felt piqued⁶⁰. "I charge only three pice per question, and what you get ought to be good enough for your money...." At this the other withdrew his arm, took out an anna and flung it out to him, saying, "I have some questions to ask. If I prove you are bluffing⁶¹, you must return that anna to me with interest⁶²."

"If you find my answers satisfactory, will you give me five rupees?"

"No."

"Or will you give me eight annas?" 

"All right, provided you give me twice as much if you are wrong," said the stranger. This pact was accepted after a little further argument. The astrologer sent up a prayer to heaven as the other lit a cheroot⁶³. The astrologer caught a glimpse⁶⁴ of his face by the matchlight. There was a pause as cars hooted⁶⁵ on the road, jutka⁶⁶ drivers swore at their horses and the babble⁶⁷ of the crowd agitated⁶⁸ the semi-darkness of the park. The other sat down, sucking his cheroot, puffing out, sat there ruthlessly⁶⁹. The astrologer felt very uncomfortable. "Here, take your anna back. I am not used to such challenges. It is late for me today...." 

He made preparations to bundle up. The other held his wrist and said, "You can't get out of it now. You dragged me in while I was passing." The astrologer shivered⁷⁰ in his grip; and his voice shook and became faint. "Leave me today. I will speak to you tomorrow." The other thrust his palm in his face and said, "Challenge is challenge. Go on." The astrologer proceeded with his throat drying up. "There is a woman..."

"Stop," said the other. "I don't want all that. Shall I succeed in my present search or not? Answer this and go. Otherwise I will not let you go till you disgorge⁷¹" all your coins." The astrologer muttered a few incantations⁷² and replied, "All right. I will speak. But will you give me a rupee if what I say is convincing⁷³? Otherwise I will not open my mouth, and you may do what you like." After a good deal of haggling⁷⁴ the other agreed. The astrologer said, "You were left for dead. Am I right?"

"Ah, tell me more."

"A knife has passed through you once?" said the astrologer.

"Good fellow!" He bared⁷⁵ his chest to show the scar⁷⁶. "What else?"

"And then you were pushed into a well nearby in the field. You were left for dead." 

"I should have been dead if some passerby had not chanced to peep⁷⁷ into the well," exclaimed the other, overwhelmed⁷⁸ by enthusiasm. "When shall I get at him?" he asked, clenching⁷⁹ his fist⁸⁰.

Knifed and pushed into a well ...

"In the next world," answered the astrologer. "He died four months ago in a far-off town. You will never see any more of him." The other groaned⁸¹ on hearing it. The astrologer proceeded.

"Guru Nayak-"

"You know my name!" the other said, taken aback⁸².

"As I know all other things. Guru Nayak, listen carefully to what I have to say. Your village is two days' journey due north of this town. Take the next train and be gone. I see once again great danger to your life if you go from home." He took out a pinch⁸³ of sacred ash and held it out to him. "Rub it on your forehead and go home. Never travel southward again, and you will live to be a hundred."

"Why should I leave home again?" the other said reflectively⁸⁴. "I was only going away now and then to look for him and to choke out⁸⁵ his life if I met him." He shook his head regretfully⁸⁶. "He has escaped my hands. I hope at least he died as he deserved.""Yes," said the astrologer. "He was crushed under a lorry." The other looked gratified⁸⁷ to hear it.

I was going away now and then to look for him and to choke out his life if I met him...

The place was deserted by the time the astrologer picked up his articles and put them into his bag. The green shaft was also gone, leaving the place in darkness and silence. The stranger had gone off into the night, after giving the astrologer a handful of coins.

It was nearly midnight when the astrologer reached home. His wife was waiting for him at the door and demanded an explanation. He flung the coins at her and said, "Count them. One man gave all that."

"Twelve and a half annas," she said, counting. She was overjoyed. "I can buy some jaggery's⁸⁸ and coconut tomorrow. The child has been asking for sweets for so many days now. I will prepare some nice stuff⁸⁹ for her."

"The swine⁹⁰ has cheated me! He promised me a rupee," said the astrologer. She looked up at him. "You look worried. What is wrong?"

"Nothing."

After dinner, sitting on the pyol⁹¹, he told her, "Do you know a great load is gone from me today? I thought I had the blood of a man on my hands all these years. That was the reason why I ran away from home, settled here and married you. He is alive."

She gasped, "You tried to kill!"

"Yes, in our village, when I was a silly⁹² youngster. We drank, gambled⁹³ and quarreled badly one day- why think of it now? Time to sleep," he said, yawning⁹⁴, and stretched himself on the pyol.

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Word Notes with Bengali Meaning 

1. Punctually¹ - Maintaining correct time (যথাসময়ে)
2. professional² - Relating to a profession or trade ( পেশাদার  )
3. equipment³ - The set of necessary tools ( সরঞ্জাম )
4. consisted⁴ -  be composed or made up of; included ( যার মধ্যে ছিল )
5. cowrie⁵ - A small snail commonly found in the warm, shallow water of the Pacific and Indian Oceans  ( কড়ি )
6. obscure⁶ - Difficult to understand  ( অস্পষ্ট বা বোঝা যায় লা এমন জটিল )
7. mystic⁷ - Having secret meaning  ( রহস্যময়  )
8. palmyra⁸ - Paper made from the leaves of the palmyra tree  ( তালপাতার লেখা )
9. resplendent⁹ - Having a very bright appearance  ( ঝলমল  )
10. sacred¹⁰ - Holy  ( পবিত্র  )
11. vermilion¹¹ - A red pigment  ( সিঁদুর  )
12. gleam¹² - Reflecting bright light  ( জ্বলজ্বল  )
13. prophetic¹³ - Of a fortune-teller ( ভবিষ্যদ্বাণীমূলক )
14. enhanced¹⁴ - to improve something or to make something look better ( উন্নত করেছিল )
15. dark whiskers¹⁵ - Long black hairs growing on a man's face  ( কালো গোঁফ )
16. a half-wit's eyes¹⁶ - The eyes of a stupid person  ( অল্পবুদ্ধির মানুষের চোখ )
17. crown¹⁷ - Dominating over everything  ( মুকুট / বাড়ানোর জন্য )
18. wound¹⁸ - Covered around  ( জড়িয়েছিল )
19. scheme¹⁹ - Combination  ( পরিকল্পনা )
20. cosmos²⁰ - an ornamental plant of the daisy family, which bears single brightly coloured flowers and is native to Mexico and warm regions of America.  ( কসমস ফুল যা ডেইজি পরিবারের একটি শোভাময় উদ্ভিদ, যা একক উজ্জ্বল রঙের ফুল বহন করে এবং মেক্সিকো এবং আমেরিকার উষ্ণ অঞ্চলে পাওয়া যায় )
21. stalks²¹ - one of the long thin parts of a plant which the flowers, leaves or fruit grow on ( ডাল )
22. boughs²² - one of the main branches of a tree ( শাখা )
23. flanked²³ - Situated at the side of  ( পাশে অবস্থিত ছিল )
24. surging²⁴ - a sudden strong movement in a particular direction by a large number of people or things ( ঢেউ খেলানো বা উত্থাল )
25. auctioneer²⁵ - A person in charge of an auction or public sale ( নিলামকারী )
26. vociferousness²⁶ - Noisy outcrying  ( কোলাহলপূর্ণ )
27. groundnuts²⁷ - Peanut  ( চিনাবাদাম )
28. flocked²⁸ - Gathered  ( ভিড় করেছিল )
29. dallied²⁹ - Wasted time  ( সময় কাটাত )
30. astrologer³⁰ - Fortune-teller  ( জ্যোতিষী )
31. transacted³¹ - conduct or carry out ( ব্যবসা পরিচালনা করত )
32. flare³² - A burning lamp or oven ( মশাল বা লম্ফবাতি )
33. crackled³³ - Passed with sound  ( পটপট শব্দ করা )
34. enchantment³⁴ - Magical impact of light and darkness  ( মোহ  )
35. hissing³⁵ - to make a sound like a very long ‘s’ to show that you are angry or do not like something ( হিস হিস বা শ শ শব্দ করা )
36. bewildering³⁶  - Confusing  ( বিভ্রান্তিকর )
37. criss-cross³⁷ - Pattern  ( এলোমেলো অবস্থা )
38. stranger³⁸ - Unknown  ( অপরিচিত  বা অন্যদের  )
39. shrewd³⁹ - Clever  ( ধূর্ত বা চতুর )
40. wages⁴⁰ - the regular amount of money that you earn for a week’s work ( মজুরি  )
41. forefathers⁴¹ - Ancestors  ( পূর্বপুরুষেরা )
42. ripening⁴² - to make or become ripe ( পরিপক্ক হওয়া )
43. tangles⁴³ - twist together into a confused mass ( জট )
44. perception⁴⁴ - Idea or an awareness, ability to notice  ( উপলব্ধি  )
45. pice⁴⁵ - a former monetary unit of India and Pakistan, equal to one quarter of an anna (  তিন পয়সা  )
46. stuff⁴⁶ - used to refer to something without using its name ( উপাদান  )
47. disposed⁴⁷ - Inclined or ready  ( প্রস্তুত থাকত )
48. well disposed⁴⁸ - Favourable ( সন্তুষ্ট )
49. impetuous⁴⁹ - Rash; Tending to act suddenly  ( আবেগপ্রবণ )
50. rough exterior⁵⁰ - Fierce personality  ( রুক্ষ বাহ্যিক রূপ )
51. endeared⁵¹ - Bring one in favour  ( প্রিয় করে তুলত )
52. shaft⁵² - Passage or beam of light (আলোর রশ্মি   )
53. strayed⁵³ - Travelled or diverged ( বিচ্যুত হয়ে )
54. paraphernalia⁵⁴ - Equipment; Things used in a particular activity  ( সরঞ্জামগুলো  )
55. careworn⁵⁵ - Tired, worried and unhappy  ( চিন্তিত  )
56. grumbled⁵⁶ - Uttered with annoyance  ( গোঁজরাতে লাগল বা অভিযোগ করতে লাগল )
57. vague⁵⁷ - Not clear  ( অস্পষ্ট   )
58. thrust⁵⁸ - to push somebody/something suddenly or violently; to move quickly and suddenly in a particular direction ( ঠেলে দেওয়া )
59. tilting⁵⁹ - to move, or make something move, into a position with one end or side higher than the other  ( কাত করা )
60. piqued⁶⁰ - a feeling of irritation or resentment resulting from a slight, especially to one's pride. ( বিরক্ত  )
61. bluffing⁶¹ - to try to make people believe that something is true when it is not, usually by appearing very confident ( ধাপ্পাবাজি করছো )
62. interest⁶² - the money that you pay for borrowing money from a bank, etc. or the money that you earn when you keep money in a bank, etc.     or,      a desire to learn or hear more about somebody/something or to be involved with somebody/something ( সুদ বা আগ্রহ )
63. cheroot⁶³ - a cigar with both ends open ( চুরুট  )
64. glimpse⁶⁴ - a very quick and not complete view of somebody/something ( ঝলক  )
65. hooted⁶⁵ - to sound the horn of a car or to make a loud noise ( হর্ন বাজালো )
66. jutka⁶⁶ - A jutka is a type of light, horse-drawn cart commonly used in India, particularly in the past, for transportation ( জুটকা হল এক ধরনের হালকা, ঘোড়ায় টানা গাড়ি যা সাধারণত ভারতে, বিশেষ করে অতীতে পরিবহনের জন্য ব্যবহৃত হত )
67. babble⁶⁷ - the sound of many voices talking at the same time ( কলরব  )
68. agitated⁶⁸ - worried or excited ( উত্তেজিত করেছিল )
69. ruthlessly⁶⁹ - unscrupulously or callously ( নির্মমভাবে  )
70. shivered⁷⁰ - to shake slightly, especially because one is cold or frightened ( কাঁপতে লাগল )
71. disgorge⁷¹- pour (something) out ( উগরে দেওয়া  )
72. incantations⁷² - special words that have a magic effect when spoken, sung or chanted; the act of speaking, singing or chanting these words ( মন্ত্র  )
73. convincing⁷³ -  able to make somebody believe something or trustworthy or believable (  বিশ্বাসী বা প্রত্যয়যোগ্য)
74. haggling⁷⁴ -  to argue with somebody until you reach an agreement, especially about the price of something ( দরাদরি )
75. bared⁷⁵ -  uncover (a part of the body or other thing) and expose it to view or reveal (  অনাবৃত করা )
76. scar⁷⁶ - a mark on the skin that is caused by a cut that skin has grown over or flaw  ( ঘাতের দাগ )
77.  peep⁷⁷ -  to look at something quickly and secretly, especially through a small opening or keek or give a look or take a look ( উঁকি মারা )
78. overwhelmed⁷⁸ - to cause somebody to feel such a strong emotion that he/she does not know how to react or rapt in or nonplussed or abounding ( মগ্ন বা আবিষ্ট বা আচ্ছন্ন)
79. clenching⁷⁹ - clinch or to close or hold tightly ( দৃঢ় মুষ্টিতে আঁকড়াইয়া ধরা)
80. fist⁸⁰ - a hand with the fingers closed together tightly (  মুষ্টি )
81. groaned⁸¹ - to make a deep sad sound because you are in pain, or to show that you are unhappy about something or sob (গভীর আর্তনাদ করা )
82. taken aback⁸² - to be shocked or surprised by something unexpected or startled ( হতচকিত )
83. pinch⁸³ - to hold a piece of somebody’s skin tightly between your thumb and first finger, especially in order to hurt somebody or the amount of something that you can pick up with your thumb and first finger ( চিমটি  )
84. reflectively⁸⁴ - in a way that someone is thinking carefully and quietly or in a thoughtful manner ( চিন্তাশীলভাবে )
85. choke out⁸⁵ - to cause someone to lose consciousness by applying a chokehold in a fight or to  struggle to speak due to strong emotion ( দম বন্ধ করা)
86. regretfully⁸⁶ - in a way that shows that you feel sorry about something (  দুঃখের সাথে)
87. gratified⁸⁷ - to give somebody pleasure and satisfaction (  তৃপ্ত বা সন্তুষ্ট)
88. jaggery⁸⁸ - a traditional unrefined sugar product made from sugarcane or palm / palm-sugar ( গুড়  )
89. stuff⁸⁹ - a collection of things, materials or ideas when you don't need to be specific or accessories or food or nourishment ( জিনিসপত্র বা খাদ্যদ্রব্য বা মিষ্টি)
90. swine⁹⁰ - a very unpleasant person (  শুয়োরের বাচ্চা ' গালি দেওয়া' বা জানোয়ার)
91. pyol⁹¹ - a common architectural feature in South Indian houses, serving as a porch or front stoop ( উঁচু বারান্দা )
92. silly⁹² - not showing thought or understanding; foolish (বোকা  )
93. gamble⁹³ - to bet money on the result of a card game, horse race, etc. (  জুয়া খেলা)
94. yawning⁹⁴ - to open your mouth wide and breathe in deeply, especially when you are tired or bored or gape (  হাই তোলা বা বিজৃম্ভণ করা)
95. din⁹⁵ - a lot of unpleasant noise that continues for some time or deafen or overmike ( হট্টগোল বা কানে তালা লাগানো শব্দ)

Ten Lines are ENOUGH 

1. The Astrologer's deceptive appearance at midday.
2. The physical setting of the place of the Astrologer's business.
3. At the time of bundling up, the story took an unexpected turn when the astrologer found a stranger and persuaded the stranger into consult him.
4. The astrologer discovered that the client was the person whom he had knifed years before and had left in a well for dead. Fortunately, the client couldn't recognise the astrologer.
5. The client forced the astrologer to do his job.
6. The astrologer manages the situation by giving convincing replies to all the queries and returned home at midnight.
7. The astrologer earned twelve and a half annas from the client, Guru Nayak.
8. The astrologer confessed honestly before his wife.
9. The astrologer got relief of the bloodstain on his hands on knowing Guru Nayak alive.
10. At last the astrologer became free from the charge of murder.

Questions carrying 1 mark each

 1. His forehead was resplendent with
   (A) sacred ash and vermilion
   (B) vermilion and chandan
   (C) sacred ash and chandan
   (D) sacred ash and saffron colour

ANS: sacred ash and vermilion
 2. Simple clients of the astrologer mistook his sharp abnormal gleam
   (A) as a divine grace
   (B) as a supernatural thing
   (C) as a prophetic light
   (D) as something astounding

ANS: as a prophetic light
 3. The setting is so enchanting that
   (A) a half-wit's eyes would sparkle
   (B) even a wise person feel attracted
   (C) even a beast is likely to be cheated
   (D) eyes of any person would look bright

ANS: a half-wit's eyes would sparkle
 4. Lured by the abnormal gleam of the astrologer's sparkling eyes, the clients
   (A) felt comforted
   (B) felt humiliated
   (C) felt elated
   (D) felt joy

ANS: felt comforted
 5. The power of astrologer's eyes was considerably enhanced by
   (A) their position between the painted forehead and the dark whiskers
   (B) their position between the sacred forehead and the turban
   (C) their position between the eyebrows
   (D) none of the above

ANS: their position between the painted forehead and the dark whiskers
 6. The dark whiskers of the astrologer
   (A) streamed down his cheeks
   (B) streamed down his shoulder
   (C) streamed down his eyes
   (D) streamed down his nose

ANS: streamed down his cheeks
 7. What, according to the author, crowned the effect of the astrologer's appearance?
   (A) Sacred ash on the forehead
   (B) Vermilion on the forehead
   (C) Searching look that attracted clients
   (D) A saffron-coloured turban around his head

ANS: A saffron-coloured turban around his head
 8. 'Palmyra writing' refers to writing
   (A) on the paper made from the palmyra tree
   (B) writing on the palm of a person
   (C) writing about palmistry
   (D) both (A) and (C)

ANS: both (A) and (C)
 9. Attraction of the people towards the astrologer is similar to (or compared to)
   (A) the attraction of the bees to cosmos or dahlia flowers
   (B) attraction of insects to cosmos or dahlia stalks
   (C) attraction of the bird to its nest
   (D) attraction of the ants to food stuff

ANS:
 10. The astrologer sat
   (A) under the boughs of a spreading tamarind tree
   (B) under the shade of a bokul tree
   (C) under the boughs of a spreading neem tree
   (D) under the boughs of a spreading banyan tree

ANS:

 11. 'It was a remarkable place in many ways.' Here the word 'place' refers to

   (A) the native village of the astrologer

   (B) the place where the astrologer waited for his clients

   (C) the place where the astrologer lived with his family

   (D) the place where Guru Nayak had come from

ANS:

 12. The place where the astrologer would sit and wait for his clients was located

   (A) at the corner of the city centre

   (B) on one side of the path running through the Town Hall Park

   (C) adjoining to a village park

   (D) none of the above

ANS:

 13. The place where the astrologer would sit is remarkable because

   (A) a surging crowd was always move up and down this narrow road morning till night

   (B) some half-wits would always move up and down this narrow road morning till night

   (C) many great people would visit that place

   (D) of the noise produced by the horns of vehicles

ANS:

 14. 'A variety of trades and occupations was represented all along its way.' This 'variety' includes

   (A) medicine sellers

   (B) sellers of stolen hardware and junk

   (C) magicians, and, above all, an auctioneer of cheap cloth

   (D) all of the above

ANS:

 15. Who created enough din all day to attract the whole town?

   (A) Medicine sellers

   (B) Sellers of stolen hardware and junk

   (C) Magicians, and, above all, an auctioneer of cheap cloth

   (D) All of the above

ANS:

 16. Who gave his ware a fancy name each day?

   (A) Vendor of fried groundnut

   (B) Food seller

   (C) Seller of clothes

   (D) Seller of chanachur

ANS:

 17. The fancy names fried-groundnut seller would use include

   (A) "Bombay Ice Cream"

   (B) "Delhi Almond"

   (C) "Raja's Delicacy"

   (D) All of the above

ANS:

 18. To whom did people flock in the story 'An Astrologer's Day'?

   (A) Vendor of Chinese food

   (B) Vendor of South Indian food

   (C) Vendor of fried groundnut

   (D) Vendor of junk food

ANS:

 19. Who dallied before the astrologer?

   (A) A few persons

   (B) A considerable portion of this crowd

   (C) A small part of the crowd

   (D) A lot of people

ANS:

 20. Which light helped the astrologer transact his business?

   (A) The light of a flare

   (B) The light of a street lamp

   (C) The light of an old cycle lamp

   (D) The light of the park

ANS:

 21. The light which crackled and smoked up above the groundnut heap helped

   (A) the fried groundnut vendor to transact his business

   (B) the cloth vendor to transact his business

   (C) the magician to transact his business

   (D) the astrologer to transact his business

ANS:

 22. Half the enchantment of the place was due to the fact that

   (A) it did not have the benefit of municipal lighting

   (B) it was bright with street lights

   (C) it was decorated with hissing gaslights

   (D) it had the benefit of municipal lighting

ANS:

 23. The place of business, as mentioned in the short story 'An Astrologer's Day', was lit up by

   (A) shop lights

   (B) municipal lighting

   (C) gaslights

   (D) cycle lamps

ANS:

 24. The astrologer managed his business

   (A) in the street light

   (B) without his own light

   (C) in the gaslights

   (D) with his own light

ANS:

 25. The place where the astrologer transacted his business was marked by

   (A) bewildering crisscross of light rays and moving shadows

   (B) shadowy enchantment

   (C) bright light in the background of deep darkness

   (D) none of these

ANS:

 26. What suited the astrologer?

   (A) The bewildering crisscross of light rays and moving shadows

   (B) The place that attracted people

   (C) The professional equipment he had

   (D) The din of the vendors

ANS:

 27. Why did the crisscross of light and shade suit the astrologer very well?

   (A) Because he had not in the least intended to be an astrologer when he began life

   (B) Because he was well-trained in palmistry

   (C) Because he had the ability to act as an astrologer

   (D) Because interplay of light and shade hypnotizes a person

ANS:

 28. According to R. K. Narayan, the astrologer was as much a stranger to the stars

   (A) as were his innocent customers

   (B) as were the other vendors

   (C) as were his family members

   (D) as were the residents of Malgudi

ANS:

 29. Whatever the astrologer said

   (A) pleased and astonished everyone

   (B) annoyed his customers

   (C) attracted the passerby

   (D) failed to convince anybody

ANS:

 30. The astrologer's art of fortune-telling was a matter of

   (A) study

   (B) practice

   (C) shrewd guesswork

   (D) all of the above

ANS:

 31 According to R. K. Narayan, the astrologer's income was

   (A) as much an honest man's labour as any other

   (B) as much a dishonest man's labour as any cheat

   (C) less than an honest man's income

   (D) more than an honest man's income

ANS:

 32. The astrologer had left his village

   (A) with a plan to be an astrologer

   (B) without any previous thought or plan

   (C) without money but with a plan

   (D) without any plan but with a huge amount of money

 ANS:

33. The astrologer was born and brought up

   (A) in a farmer's family

   (B) in an astrologer's family

   (C) in an educated family

   (D) in a fisherman's family

ANS:

 34. If the astrologer had continued his life in the village, he would have carried on

   (A) cultivating the land

   (B) catching the fish

   (C) an astrologer's business

   (D) teaching in a village pathsala

ANS:

 35. The work of the astrologer's forefathers is/are

   (A) tilling the land, living, marrying, and ripening in the cornfield

   (B) making earthen pots

   (C) weaving clothes

   (D) tending cattle and hunting

ANS:

 36. The present address of the astrologer is

   (A) a hundred mile away from his village home

   (B) a couple of hundred miles away from his village home

   (C) three hundred miles away from his village home

   (D) four hundred miles away from his village home

ANS:

 37. The astrologer had to leave home

   (A) without telling anyone

   (B) after consultation with his friend Guru Nayak

   (C) after consultation with his family members

   (D) none of the above

ANS:

 38. To a villager, it is a great deal

   (A) to be settled in an unknown town

   (B) to be educated

   (C) to be established as a serviceman

   (D) to be established in another village

ANS:

 39. As an astrologer he had a working analysis of

   (A) mankind's troubles

   (B) mankind's happy moments

   (C) mankind's progress

   (D) mankind's ambition

ANS:

 40. According to R. K. Narayan, mankind's troubles include

   (A) marriage and money

   (B) marriage and the tangles of human ties

   (C) money and the tangles of human ties

   (D) marriage and money and the tangles of human ties

ANS:

 41. Long practice had

   (A) sharpened the astrologer's perception of human troubles

   (B) sharpened the astrologer's perception of human affection

   (C) sharpened the astrologer's perception of human entanglements

   (D) sharpened the astrologer's perception of human interests

ANS:

 42. The astrologer developed the ability to understand what was wrong

   (A) within fifteen minutes

   (B) within ten minutes

   (C) within five minutes

   (D) within a minute

ANS:

 43. For each question, the astrologer charged

   (A) five pies

   (B) four pies

   (C) three pies

   (D) two pies

ANS:

 44. The astrologer never opened his mouth till the other had spoken for

   (A) at least five minutes

   (B) at least ten minutes

   (C) at least fifteen minutes

   (D) at least two minutes

ANS:

 45. The client's initial words provided the astrologer

   (A) enough clues for understanding the client

   (B) enough stuff for his queries to follow

   (C) enough stuff for a dozen answers and advices

   (D) enough clues for three questions to be asked

ANS:

 46. When the astrologer would say, "In many ways you are not getting the results for your efforts."

   (A) 70% people were disposed to agree with him

   (B) 80% people were disposed to agree with him

   (C) 90% people were disposed to agree with him

   (D) 99% people were disposed to agree with him

ANS:

 49. When the astrologer questioned or gave an analysis of character

   (A) this endeared him to the clients' hearts immediately

   (B) this made his clients a bit confused

   (C) this made his customers angry

   (D) this created a typical sensation

ANS:

 50. What was a signal for the astrologer to bundle up?

   (A) The cloth seller blew out his flare and rose to go home

   (B) The nuts vendor blew out his flare and rose to go home

   (C) The medicine-sellers blew out his flare and rose to go home

   (D) The food-seller blew out his flare and rose to go home

ANS:

 51. What left the astrologer in darkness?

   (A) The closing of medicine shops

   (B) Rising of the cheap cloth-seller

   (C) Rising of the nuts vendor

   (D) Sudden load-shedding

ANS:

 52. When the nuts vendor blew out his flare

   (A) the astrologer had to stay in complete darkness

   (B) a little shaft of green light which strayed in from somewhere

   (C) the astrologer would lit up a cheroot

   (D) the astrologer lighted his own lamp

ANS:

 53. When the green shaft of light was blotted out, the astrologer would

   (A) pick up his equipment to put them back into his bag

   (B) touch his cowrie shells with keen interest

   (C) fold his charts and pick up paraphernalia

   (D) sit alone to count the day's collection

ANS:

 54. When the astrologer was packing his articles, he looked and

   (A) saw a man standing before him

   (B) saw a policeman standing before him

   (C) saw an old man standing before him

   (D) saw his fellow seller waiting for him

ANS:

 55. The astrologer sensed the man standing before him to be

   (A) a client

   (B) a thief

   (C) a shadow

   (D) a mischief-maker

ANS:

 56. When the stranger thrust his palm under his nose, saying "You call yourself an astrologer?"

   (A) The astrologer felt elated

   (B) The astrologer became extremely happy

   (C) The astrologer felt challenged

   (D) The astrologer became dumb

ANS:

 57. The astrologer assured the stranger that what he would get

   (A) ought to be good enough for his money

   (B) ought to be something more than his money's worth

   (C) something equal to the value of his time and money

   (D) none of the above

ANS:

 58. The pact/bet between the astrologer and the stranger was accepted

   (A) then and there

   (B) after a hard bargain

   (C) within a moment

   (D) without argument

ANS:

 59. When the astrologer sent up a prayer to heaven

   (A) the stranger lit a cheroot

   (B) the stranger walked to and fro

   (C) the stranger began to mutter

   (D) the stranger caught hold of the astrologer's hand

ANS:

 60. The astrologer caught a glimpse of the stranger's face

   (A) by the match light

   (B) by the street light

   (C) by the light of the passing car

   (D) by light of nuts vendor

ANS:

 61. During the pause between the pact and its execution

   (A) cars hooted on the road

   (B) jutka drivers swore at their horses

   (C) the babble of the crowd agitated the semidarkness of the park

   (D) all of the above

ANS:

 62. As the astrologer felt very uncomfortable

   (A) he refused to accept the challenge

   (B) he attempted to run away from the place

   (C) he lit a cheroot

   (D) he looked upset

ANS:

 63. The astrologer wanted to give the stranger's anna back on the ground that

   (A) he was not used to such challenges

   (B) it was late for him that day

   (C) both (A) and (B)

   (D) none of the above

ANS:

 64. When the astrologer made his preparations to bundle up

   (A) the stranger demanded his money back

   (B) the stranger requested him to go through his palm

   (C) the stranger held the astrologer's wrist and did not allow him to go

   (D) the stranger did nothing

ANS:

 65. As the astrologer was forced to accept the challenge

   (A) his throat dried up

   (B) he leapt up in joy

   (C) he proceeded fearlessly

   (D) he began to stammer

ANS:

 66. "Shall I succeed in my present search or not? Answer this and go. Otherwise I will not let you go till you disgorge all your coins." Who is the speaker?

   (A) The astrologer

   (B) The stranger (Guru Nayak)

   (C) The astrologer's wife

   (D) The nuts vendor

ANS:

 67. "The astrologer muttered a few incantations..." What does the expression 'incantations' mean here?

   (A) Words used in worshipping

   (B) Words used in magic

   (C) Words used in tending cattle

   (D) Words used in military training

ANS:

 68. Finally the astrologer agreed to open his mouth on condition that

   (A) the stranger would pay one rupee after being convinced

   (B) the stranger would pay one rupee even if not convinced

   (C) the stranger would pay one rupee whether convinced or not

   (D) the stranger would pay one rupee before opening mouth

ANS:

 69. When the astrologer said that the stranger was left for dead

   (A) the stranger became furious

   (B) the stranger wanted to get more information

   (C) the stranger felt uneasy

   (D) the stranger left the place

ANS:

 70. As soon as the astrologer mentioned if a knife had passed through the stranger once

   (A) the stranger bared his chest to show the scar

   (B) the stranger became angry

   (C) the stranger did not believe the astrologer

   (D) the stranger protested in a loud voice

ANS:

 71. "After a good deal of haggling the other agreed."-Here the word 'haggling' means

   (A) a discussion

   (B) prolonged bargaining

   (C) ethical consideration

   (D) nagging

ANS:

 72. The stranger was pushed into

   (A) a pond in the village

   (B) a well nearby in the field

   (C) a river flowing through the town

   (D) a tank in the village

ANS:

 73. Overwhelmed by enthusiasm the stranger confessed that

   (A) he should have been dead if some passerby had not chanced to peep into the well

   (B) had no chance of death except his bleeding

   (C) a passerby had heard his cry but did not rescue

   (D) a passerby had heard his cry but did not peep into the well

ANS:

 74. As the stranger wanted to get at the person who had stabbed him, the stranger replied

   (A) that the person had been in the next world

   (B) that the person had escaped from the country

   (C) that the person had vanished after stabbing

   (D) that the person was in front of him

ANS:

 75. The astrologer informed the stranger that the person he had been searching

   (A) died four months ago in a far-off town

   (B) died four months ago in a nearby town

   (C) died four years ago in a far-off town

   (D) died four days ago in a far-off town

ANS:

 76. As the astrologer pronounced "Guru Nayak"

   (A) the stranger leapt up in bewilderment

   (B) the stranger was taken aback

   (C) the stranger was not at all astonished

   (D) the stranger recognized the astrologer

ANS:

 77. According to the astrologer

   (A) Guru Nayak's village is two days' journey due north of the town

   (B) Guru Nayak's village is two days' journey due south of the town

   (C) Guru Nayak's village is two days' journey due east of the town

   (D) Guru Nayak's village is two days' journey due west of the town

ANS:

 78. The astrologer said that he knew

   (A) only the name of the stranger

   (B) only how he was stabbed and rescued

   (C) only the person who stabbed Guru Nayak

   (D) all about Guru Nayak

ANS:

 79. The astrologer advised Guru Nayak

   (A) to take the next bus and be gone

   (B) to take the next train and be gone

   (C) to stay in his house for the night

   (D) not to travel at night

ANS:

 80. The astrologer predicted a great danger to Guru Nayak's life

   (A) if he would go from home

   (B) if he would stay in the town

   (C) if he would travel by train

   (D) if he would travel by bus

ANS:

 81. Taking out a pinch of sacred ash the astrologer held it to him and advised him

   (A) to rub it on his forehead and go home

   (B) to keep the ash in a container

   (C) to worship this sacred ash everyday

   (D) to take care of his health

ANS:

 82. The astrologer advised Guru Nayak

   (A) not to travel eastward

   (B) not to travel southward again

   (C) not to travel westward

   (D) not to travel northward again

ANS:

 83. The astrologer predicted that to follow his advice was

   (A) to live to be a hundred

   (B) to live to be a octogenarian

   (C) to live a span of ninety years

   (D) to lead a happy life for the rest of his life

ANS:

 84. Guru Nayak's target in life is

   (A) to look for the person who had stabbed him and to renew friendship with him, if possible

   (B) to look for the person who had rescued him and to reward him, if possible

   (C) to look for the person who had peeped into the well and saved his life, if possible

   (D) to look for the person who had stabbed him and to choke out his life, if possible

ANS:

 85. Guru Nayak had at least one point of consolation that

   (A) the person who had stabbed him died as he had deserved

   (B) the person who had rescued him is still living

   (C) the person who had stabbed is still living

   (D) the person who had peeped into the well had been rewarded

ANS:

 86. The astrologer informed Guru Nayak that the person who had stabbed him

   (A) was crushed under a lorry

   (B) died of cholera

   (C) was crushed under a train

   (D) committed suicide

ANS:

 87. Hearing that the man was run over by a lorry, Guru Nayak

   (A) looked gratified

   (B) dissatisfied

   (C) felt shocked

   (D) looked very sad

ANS:

 88. Finally when the astrologer picked up his articles and put them into his bag

   (A) the place was full of din and bustle

   (B) the place looked bright

   (C) the place was deserted

   (D) the place looked beautiful

ANS:

 89. As the green shaft was gone

   (A) the place was left in extreme chaos

   (B) the place was left in darkness

   (C) the place was left in silence

   (D) the place was left in darkness and silence

ANS:

 90. When the astrologer reached home after the day's ordeal

   (A) it was nearly midnight

   (B) it was midnight

   (C) it was midday

   (D) it was nearly midday

ANS:

 91. When the astrologer reached home

   (A) his wife was waiting for him at the door

   (B) his wife demanded an explanation

   (C) both (A) and (B)

   (D) none of these

ANS:

 92. Without giving an explanation for being late, the astrologer

   (A) flung the coins at his wife and asked her to count them

   (B) went to the basin to wash his hands and face

   (C) smiled at his wife reluctantly

   (D) sat on the pyol and took rest

ANS:

 93. The astrologer would open his bag

   (A) punctually in the morning

   (B) at 12 noon everyday

   (C) punctually in the evening

   (D) punctually at midnight

ANS:

 94. The 'professional equipment' of the astrologer consists of

   (A) a square piece of cloth with obscure mystic chart

   (B) a notebook and a bundle of palmyra writing

   (C) a dozen of cowrie shells

   (D) all of the above

ANS:

 95. The expression 'professional equipment' refers to

   (A) articles required for a make-up artist

   (B) charts and models for teaching

   (C) articles related to an amateur artist

   (D) items required for a particular job or trade

ANS:

 96. The forehead of the astrologer looked

   (A) dark

   (B) resplendent

   (C) shadowy

   (D) none of the above

ANS:

 97. Astrologer's eyes sparkled with a sharp, abnormal gleam because

   (A) he used eyeliner

   (B) of a continual searching look for customers

   (C) 

   (D) 

ANS:

 98. Counting the coins amounting twelve and a half annas

   (A) the astrologer's wife was surprised

   (B) the astrologer's wife was unhappy

   (C) the astrologer's wife was overjoyed

   (D) the astrologer's wife was not a bit excited

ANS:

 99. The astrologer's income excited his wife to

   (A) to buy some jaggery and coconut tomorrow

   (B) to buy some bangles and ribbon the next day

   (C) to buy some grocery items the next day

   (D) to buy some vegetables the next day

ANS:

 100. The astrologer's wife was glad to count the coins because

   (A) it would help her meet the demand of their family

   (B) it would help her meet the demand of their child

   (C) it would help her meet the demand of her husband

   (D) it would help her meet the demand of her own

ANS:

 101. The child has been asking for

   (A) sweets

   (B) toys

   (C) school dress

   (D) a smartphone

ANS:

 102. "The swine has cheated me!"—Who says this?

   (A) The astrologer's wife

   (B) The astrologer

   (C) The astrologer's daughter

   (D) Guru Nayak

ANS:

 103. "The swine has cheated me!"—Who is the 'swine' referred to here?

   (A) The astrologer's wife

   (B) The astrologer

   (C) The astrologer's daughter

   (D) Guru Nayak

 104. In the hard deal, Guru Nayak promised to pay

   (A) the astrologer a rupee

   (B) the astrologer more than a rupee

   (C) the astrologer less than a rupee

   (D) the astrologer twelve and a half annas

 105. In the astrologer's estimate, Guru Nayak had

   (A) paid more than the agreed sum

   (B) exactly the agreed sum

   (C) cheated the astrologer by paying less than the promised sum

   (D) kept his promise and paid twelve and a half annas

 106. Looking up at him the astrologer's wife guessed that there had been something wrong with the astrologer because

   (A) he looked worried

   (B) he looked pale

   (C) he looked different

   (D) he looked tired

 107. "Do you know a great load is gone from me today?"—What is the 'load'?

   (A) The load of a bag full of professional equipment

   (B) The load of failure in attracting the clients

   (C) The load of the charge of murder and blood-stain on his hands

   (D) The load of running his family in extreme poverty

 108. Why did the astrologer run away from home to settle in an unknown town?

   (A) Because he had the blood of a man on his hands all these years

   (B) Because he had the money of a man on his hands all these years

   (C) Because he became bankrupt

   (D) Because he had no source of income

 109. Seeing Guru Nayak alive, the astrologer came to the conclusion that

   (A) he is a murderer

   (B) he is no longer a murderer

   (C) he will be jailed for his attempt to murder Guru Nayak

   (D) he is still in danger as Guru Nayak is not dead

 110. Before his wife, the astrologer confesses that

   (A) he tried to rescue a person in his village, when he was a silly youngster

   (B) he tried to cheat a person in his village, when he was a silly youngster

   (C) he tried to kill a person in his village, when he was a silly youngster

   (D) he tried to help a person in his village, when he was a silly youngster

 111. Knowing the actual cause of the astrologer'-s running away from his home, his wife

   (A) stared at him searchingly

   (B) gasped for breath

   (C) was taken aback

   (D) was very happy

 112. Before attempting to murder Guru Nayak, the astrologer

   (A) drank with him

   (B) gambled with him

   (C) quarreled badly with him

   (D) all of the above

 113. The short story, 'An Astrologer's Day', ends with

   (A) the astrologer's stretching himself on the pyol

   (B) the astrologer's wife stretching herself on the pyol

   (C) the astrologer's sitting on the pyol after dinner

   (D) the astrologer's yawning

 114. R. K. Narayan's 'An Astrologer's Day' is

   (A) the title story of a 1947 collection

   (B) the title story of 'Malgudi Days'

   (C) a story from 'Lawley Road'

   (D) a story from 'New Stories'

 115. The narrative element in 'An Astrologer's Day' is

   (A) slight and linear

   (B) complicated and cyclical

   (C) full complexity of events

   (D) an account of an astrologer's day in his village home

 116. In the story 'An Astrologer's Day', a town astrologer coaxes a reluctant client into consulting

   (A) at noon

   (B) in the evening

   (C) at the end of the day's business

   (D) in the afternoon

 117. The client in 'An Astrologer's Day' wants to know

   (A) when he would be able to meet his friend

   (B) when he would be able to locate his enemy

   (C) when he would be able to recover his lost property

   (D) when he would be able to overcome his troubles

 118. The client in 'An Astrologer's Day' actually wanted

   (A) to avenge himself

   (B) to free himself from the charge of murder

   (C) to find out his old friend

   (D) to get back his lost property

 119. The client in 'An Astrologer's Day' failed to recognize/ understand

   (A) the enemy whom he seeks

   (B) that the astrologer was the enemy whom he seeks

   (C) that astrologer could predict well

   (D) the weakness of the astrologer

 120. The astrologer with his painted forehead, dark whiskers and saffron-coloured turban

   (A) appeared to be a person endowed with divine grace

   (B) looked every inch as an astrologer

   (C) looked very smart and handsome

   (D) none of these

 121. The astrologer was able to recapitulate the client's past so thoroughly because

   (A) the astrologer had the power of vision and insight

   (B) the astrologer could recognize the client as the person whom he had knifed

   (C) the client provided the astrologer enough clues

   (D) none of these

 122. 'An Astrologer's Day' is marked by

   (A) multiplicity of ironies

   (B) abundance of metaphors and similes

   (C) complicated plot structure

   (D) portrayal of rustic life

 123. The astrologer had

   (A) the requisite expertise

   (B) proper knowledge and training

   (C) strength of common sense, keen observation and shrewd guesswork

   (D) all of the above

 124. Which one is ironical?

   (A) The client has come to the town in search of his enemy

   (B) The astrologer is himself the subject of the client's query

   (C) The astrologer tries to attract his clients

   (D) The astrologer's wife was happy with the day's income

 125. The astrologer was reluctant to advise the client because

   (A) he recognized his client

   (B) his client forced him to advise

   (C) his client's behavior was rude

   (D) he was very much tired

 126. In his deal with the astrologer, the client gained a little victory by

   (A) giving the astrologer only twelve and a half annas in place of a rupee

   (B) knowing detailed account of his enemy

   (C) forcing the reluctant astrologer to do his job against his will

   (D) knowing what danger awaited him

 127. The story 'An Astrologer's Day' opens with

   (A) a long description of the astrologer's appearance

   (B) a long description of the setting in which the astrologer operates

   (C) a description of a variety of trades and occupations

   (D) all of the above

 128. The skilful use of colour and small details in the opening of 'An Astrologer's Day'

   (A) recaptures evocatively the small town scene

   (B) represents the rustic beauty of the place

   (C) exposes the problem and complication

   (D) presents the beauty of a bright city

 129. What adds to the magical enchantment of the place is

   (A) the cacophony of traders and customers

   (B) the interplay of light and shade

   (C) different types of lights

   (D) variety of trades and occupations

 130. The use of Indian words like "jutka", "jaggery", "pyol"

   (A) provides a distraction

   (B) affects the flow of the story

   (C) adds local colour to the story

   (D) does not contribute to the appeal of the story

 131. That the astrologer accidentally meets the same person he is trying to escape is

   (A) an example of irony of words

   (B) an example of irony of fate

   (C) an example of verbal irony

   (D) none of these

 132. The title 'An Astrologer's Day' is appropriate because

   (A) the time duration of the story is a day in the astrologer's life

   (B) it was a special day that relieved the astrologer from the charge of murder

   (C) it was a day when the astrologer could make some money

   (D) all of the above

 133. The time duration of the story 'An Astrologer's Day' is

   (A) midday to evening

   (B) midday to nearly midnight

   (C) midnight to midday

   (D) midnight to morning

 134. The dominant theme of the story 'An Astrologer's Day' is

   (A) superstition

   (B) blind faith

   (C) human greed

   (D) irony of fate

 135. The astrologer represents the character trait of

   (A) honesty

   (B) hypocrisy

   (C) fellow-feeling

   (D) simplicity

 136. The client represents the character trait of

   (A) honesty and simplicity

   (B) hypocrisy and ill-temper

   (C) fellow-feeling and simplicity

   (D) straight-forwardness and revengefulness

 137. What sort of literary device abounds in the story?

   (A) Irony

   (B) Simile

   (C) Metaphor

   (D) Epigram

 138. What the astrologer discloses about the name of client and his past is

   (A) true

   (B) false

   (C) partly true

   (D) partly false

 139. What the astrologer discloses about the assailant and his death is

   (A) true

   (B) false

   (C) partly true

   (D) partly false

 140. Simple clients felt comforted because

   (A) the astrologer was an expert in his profession

   (B) clients took his gleaming eyes to be prophetic light

   (C) the astrologer was shrewd

   (D) the astrologer had a working analysis of mankind's troubles

 141. People flocked to the nuts-vendor as

   (A) he had his own light

   (B) he looked handsome

   (C) he gave his ware a fancy name each day

   (D) he had a painted forehead

 142. The words of the astrologer pleased and astonished everyone because

   (A) he knew what was going to happen to others

   (B) study, long practice and shrewd guesswork had sharpened his perception

   (C) he became an astrologer only to show his deep knowledge of the stars

   (D) he followed his customers in light and shade

 143. The astrologer never opened his mouth till a client had spoken for ten minutes because

   (A) the client's speech provided him enough stuff for a dozen answers and advices

   (B) he believed in the principle, "talk less, work more"

   (C) he wanted to allow his clients to be free and frank with him

   (D) it would allow the client to be attentive

 144. The nuts-vendor blew out his flare as

   (A) he was tired of shouting his trade cry

   (B) he wanted to go home

   (C) much of his groundnut was sold

   (D) the fuel of his flare exhausted

 145. The astrologer picked up his cowrie shells and paraphernalia as

   (A) the nuts vendor blew out his flare

   (B) there no benefit of municipal light

   (C) the place became deserted

   (D) his own light went off

 146. The astrologer felt very uncomfortable because

   (A) he was late

   (B) the nuts-vendor blew out his flare and he was in darkness

   (C) he got a glimpse of the client for whom he had left his village

   (D) he was challenged by the stranger

 147. The client was taken aback as

   (A) the astrologer knew his name

   (B) the astrologer was right in his judgement

   (C) the astrologer had an impressive appearance

   (D) the astrologer accepted the challenge

 148. The astrologer's wife demanded an explanation because

   (A) the astrologer looked tired

   (B) the astrologer returned home rather early

   (C) the astrologer was late in returning home

   (D) the astrologer reached home without his bag

 149. A great load was gone from the astrologer that day because

   (A) he was successful as a astrologer

   (B) he earned a lot that day

   (C) he was free from the accusation of murder

   (D) he was able to do his job in darkness

Declaration: Use Numeric UI font to get the Bengali font perfectly . Select the text and touch the 'Read Aloud ' option and set the speed at '3' to listen the whole text as one is telling you story and get better understanding.