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The Snake and the Mirror
Summary
Learning Objectives
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Detailed Notes
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Exam Tips & Common Mistakes
Common Mistakes and Exam Tips
Common Pitfalls
- Misinterpretation of Characters: Students often confuse the doctor's humorous self-reflection with his actual fear of the snake. It's important to distinguish between his vanity and the real danger he faces.
- Overlooking Humor: The story's humor is derived from the contrast between the doctor's aspirations and his reality. Students may miss this if they focus solely on the frightening elements.
- Ignoring Context: The setting of the story (a small, rented room without electricity) plays a crucial role in understanding the doctor's predicament. Failing to consider this can lead to misunderstandings of his actions and decisions.
Tips for Exam Preparation
- Focus on Character Analysis: Pay attention to the doctor's decisions and how they reflect his personality. Understanding his motivations can help answer character-based questions.
- Identify Themes: Recognize the themes of vanity, fear, and humor in the story. This will aid in answering thematic questions effectively.
- Practice Quoting: Be prepared to quote specific lines that illustrate the doctor's character and the humor in the story. This can strengthen your answers.
- Discuss the Irony: Be ready to discuss the irony of the doctor's situation, especially how his desire to appear handsome contrasts with the reality of his fear.
- Review Key Events: Make a timeline of key events in the story to help remember the sequence and significance of actions taken by the doctor.
Practice & Assessment
Multiple Choice Questions
A.
A stethoscope
B.
A dirty vest
C.
A pair of shoes
D.
A book
Correct Answer: B
Solution:
The thief left behind the doctor's dirty vest as a final insult.
A.
He turns her into a woodpecker.
B.
He takes away all her food.
C.
He makes her house disappear.
D.
He curses her to live in poverty.
Correct Answer: A
Solution:
Saint Peter punishes the old lady by turning her into a woodpecker for her ungenerous behavior.
A.
He called the police.
B.
He took a bath and changed clothes.
C.
He went to sleep.
D.
He ate dinner.
Correct Answer: B
Solution:
The doctor smeared oil all over himself, took a bath, and changed into fresh clothes.
A.
He fainted
B.
He quietly left the room
C.
He called for help
D.
He tried to catch the snake
Correct Answer: B
Solution:
The doctor quietly got up from the chair and went out through the door into the veranda.
A.
To wear glasses to look more intellectual.
B.
To shave daily and grow a thin moustache.
C.
To start wearing a hat.
D.
To change his hairstyle completely.
Correct Answer: B
Solution:
The doctor decides to shave daily and grow a thin moustache to enhance his appearance.
A.
His medical books
B.
His clothes
C.
Most of his belongings
D.
His money
Correct Answer: C
Solution:
The doctor found that most of his belongings had been removed by a thief.
A.
He ignored it and continued reading.
B.
He ran out of the room.
C.
He looked up to see what it was.
D.
He closed the windows.
Correct Answer: A
Solution:
The doctor heard the sound but continued with his activities, indicating he was accustomed to it.
A.
He runs to a friend's house.
B.
He calls for help.
C.
He faints from shock.
D.
He captures the snake in a bag.
Correct Answer: A
Solution:
After the snake unwinds itself from his arm, the doctor runs to a friend's house for safety.
A.
It is a symbol of vanity and self-reflection.
B.
It is used to distract the snake.
C.
It represents the doctor's wealth.
D.
It is a family heirloom.
Correct Answer: A
Solution:
The mirror serves as a symbol of vanity and self-reflection, as the doctor contemplates his appearance and life decisions.
A.
He screamed for help.
B.
He sat still and did not move.
C.
He tried to shake it off.
D.
He ran out of the room immediately.
Correct Answer: B
Solution:
The doctor did not jump, tremble, or cry out. He sat still as the snake coiled around his arm.
A.
He screamed loudly.
B.
He sat still and did not move.
C.
He tried to shake the snake off.
D.
He called for help.
Correct Answer: B
Solution:
The doctor did not jump or cry out; he sat still like a stone.
A.
Humans are natural prey for snakes.
B.
Snakes attack humans out of aggression.
C.
Snakebites occur when snakes defend themselves.
D.
Humans provoke snakes intentionally.
Correct Answer: C
Solution:
The text explains that nearly all snakebites in humans occur when a snake is defending itself, as humans are not natural prey for snakes.
A.
To shave daily and grow a thin moustache
B.
To marry a woman doctor with plenty of money
C.
To move to a new house
D.
To change his medical practice
Correct Answer: A
Solution:
While looking into the mirror, the doctor decides to shave daily and grow a thin moustache to look more handsome.
A.
To shave daily and grow a thin moustache
B.
To buy a new set of clothes
C.
To start wearing glasses
D.
To change his hairstyle completely
Correct Answer: A
Solution:
The doctor decides to shave daily and grow a thin moustache to look more handsome, as he is a bachelor and a doctor.
A.
He screams and jumps out of the chair.
B.
He remains still and does not cry out.
C.
He tries to shake the snake off immediately.
D.
He attempts to catch the snake with his hands.
Correct Answer: B
Solution:
When the snake lands on him, the doctor remains still and does not cry out, as he is too petrified to move.
A.
She should be a famous actress.
B.
She should be a fast runner.
C.
She should be fat so she couldn't catch him if he ran.
D.
She should be a great cook.
Correct Answer: C
Solution:
The doctor humorously thought that his future wife should be fat so that if he made a mistake, she couldn't catch him if he ran.
A.
Everything was as he left it.
B.
The room was cleaned out by a thief.
C.
The snake was still there.
D.
His friend was waiting for him.
Correct Answer: B
Solution:
When the doctor returned to his room, he found that a thief had removed most of his things, leaving behind only a dirty vest.
A.
Because he liked fat women.
B.
Because he thought she would be rich.
C.
So she couldn't chase him if he needed to run away.
D.
Because he thought she would be kind.
Correct Answer: C
Solution:
The doctor humorously thought that if he made a mistake, a fat wife wouldn't be able to chase him.
A.
The thief left behind a note.
B.
The thief took only valuable items.
C.
The thief left behind his dirty vest.
D.
The thief cleaned the room.
Correct Answer: C
Solution:
The doctor found it humorous that the thief left behind his dirty vest.
A.
He jumps up and screams.
B.
He remains frozen and silent.
C.
He tries to shake the snake off.
D.
He calls for help.
Correct Answer: B
Solution:
The doctor remains frozen and silent, likening himself to a stone image, as the snake coils around his arm.
A.
Wear a new coat
B.
Grow a beard
C.
Shave daily and grow a thin moustache
D.
Wear glasses
Correct Answer: C
Solution:
The doctor decided to shave daily and grow a thin moustache to look more handsome.
A.
To move to a new city.
B.
To shave daily and grow a thin moustache.
C.
To sell his practice.
D.
To buy a new house.
Correct Answer: B
Solution:
The doctor decided to shave daily and grow a thin moustache to look more handsome.
A.
He wants to be a famous singer but can't sing.
B.
He wants to marry a rich woman but marries a sprinter.
C.
He wants to be a wealthy businessman but is a poor doctor.
D.
He wants to live in a mansion but lives in a small room.
Correct Answer: B
Solution:
The doctor humorously contrasts his desire to marry a rich woman doctor with his actual marriage to a thin, sprinter-like woman.
A.
Boiling spaghetti and whistling to music
B.
Reading a book
C.
Talking on the phone
D.
Sleeping
Correct Answer: A
Solution:
The doctor was in the kitchen, boiling a potful of spaghetti and whistling along with an FM broadcast.
A.
It bites him
B.
It admires itself in the mirror
C.
It coils around his neck
D.
It slithers away quickly
Correct Answer: B
Solution:
The snake surprises the doctor by admiring itself in the mirror, which allows the doctor to escape.
A.
He was expecting an important call later.
B.
He was busy with a patient.
C.
The spaghetti was nearly done and the music was reaching a climax.
D.
He was too tired to answer.
Correct Answer: C
Solution:
The doctor wanted to ignore the phone because the spaghetti was nearly done and Claudio Abbado was bringing the London Symphony to its musical climax.
A.
He realized it was a non-venomous snake.
B.
He was able to escape the room safely.
C.
He knew he could call for help.
D.
He found his lost belongings.
Correct Answer: B
Solution:
The doctor felt relief because he was able to quietly leave the room and escape to safety.
A.
He immediately calls for help.
B.
He runs to a friend's house.
C.
He faints from shock.
D.
He tries to catch the snake.
Correct Answer: B
Solution:
After the snake leaves, the doctor runs to a friend's house, as he is still shaken by the incident.
A.
So she can cook delicious meals
B.
So she won't be able to chase him if he needs to run away
C.
So she can help him with his medical practice
D.
So she can provide financial support
Correct Answer: B
Solution:
The doctor humorously reasons that if he marries a fat woman, she won't be able to chase him if he makes a mistake and needs to run away.
A.
He screamed for help.
B.
He remained motionless and silent.
C.
He attempted to shake the snake off.
D.
He ran out of the room immediately.
Correct Answer: B
Solution:
The doctor did not jump, tremble, or cry out. He sat still, holding his breath.
A.
He was waiting for the spaghetti to finish cooking.
B.
He was enjoying the music of Claudio Abbado.
C.
He was expecting an important call later.
D.
He was afraid of burning the spaghetti.
Correct Answer: B
Solution:
The doctor wanted to ignore the phone because Claudio Abbado was bringing the London Symphony to its musical climax.
A.
He screamed and tried to shake it off.
B.
He sat still and did not move.
C.
He attempted to grab the snake's head.
D.
He immediately ran out of the room.
Correct Answer: B
Solution:
The doctor was so shocked that he sat still, almost like a stone, not daring to move for fear of provoking the snake.
A.
It attacked the doctor.
B.
It slithered away into the darkness.
C.
It admired its reflection and then left the doctor.
D.
It coiled tighter around the doctor's arm.
Correct Answer: C
Solution:
The snake looked into the mirror, seemed to admire its reflection, and then unwound itself from the doctor's arm.
A.
To shave daily and grow a thin moustache.
B.
To move to a new city for better opportunities.
C.
To buy a new set of medical equipment.
D.
To write a book about his experiences.
Correct Answer: A
Solution:
While looking into the mirror, the doctor decides to shave daily and grow a thin moustache to look more handsome, as he was a bachelor and a doctor.
A.
To shave daily and grow a thin moustache; to always keep an attractive smile.
B.
To marry a woman doctor with plenty of money; to move to a bigger house.
C.
To become a famous doctor; to write a book about snakes.
D.
To never look into a mirror again; to sell his house.
Correct Answer: A
Solution:
While looking into the mirror, the doctor decides to shave daily and grow a thin moustache to look more handsome, and to always keep an attractive smile on his face.
A.
Grow a beard.
B.
Wear a new coat.
C.
Shave daily and grow a thin moustache.
D.
Get a new hairstyle.
Correct Answer: C
Solution:
The doctor decided to shave daily and grow a thin moustache to look more handsome.
A.
He wants her to be a doctor, but he marries a teacher.
B.
He wants her to be thin, but marries a plump woman.
C.
He wants her to be fat so she cannot chase him, but marries a thin woman.
D.
He wants her to be rich, but marries a poor woman.
Correct Answer: C
Solution:
The doctor humorously imagines marrying a fat woman so she cannot chase him if he needs to run away, but in reality, he marries a thin woman.
A.
The sound of a snake hissing.
B.
The sound of rats moving.
C.
The sound of a telephone ringing.
D.
The sound of a door creaking.
Correct Answer: B
Solution:
The doctor heard the familiar sound of rats moving when he opened the door to his room.
A.
His medical books.
B.
His clothes.
C.
Most of his belongings.
D.
His furniture.
Correct Answer: C
Solution:
When the doctor returned with his friends, he found that most of his belongings were missing.
A.
He was waiting for the spaghetti to finish cooking.
B.
He was listening to music.
C.
He was expecting an important call later.
D.
He was talking to someone else.
Correct Answer: A
Solution:
The doctor ignored the phone call because the spaghetti was nearly done.
True or False
Correct Answer: False
Solution:
The doctor could not sleep due to the regular traffic of rats and had to go out to the veranda for air.
Correct Answer: True
Solution:
The doctor wanted to marry a woman doctor who had plenty of money and a good medical practice.
Correct Answer: True
Solution:
The doctor describes himself as being 'turned to stone' and feeling the presence of God, indicating his fear.
Correct Answer: True
Solution:
The doctor was proud of his appearance, as he admired his looks in the mirror and made decisions to enhance his appearance.
Correct Answer: True
Solution:
The doctor wanted to ignore the phone because the spaghetti was nearly done and Claudio Abbado was bringing the London Symphony to its musical climax.
Correct Answer: False
Solution:
The doctor initially decided to marry a woman doctor who was fat, so she couldn't catch him if he needed to run away.
Correct Answer: False
Solution:
The doctor wanted to marry a woman doctor who was fat so she couldn't catch him if he needed to run away.
Correct Answer: False
Solution:
The text states that humans are too large for cobras to swallow whole and they have no means of chopping us up into bite-size pieces.
Correct Answer: True
Solution:
The doctor felt the great presence of the creator of the world and the universe during the incident with the snake.
Correct Answer: False
Solution:
The story is narrated in a humorous way, contrasting the doctor's dreams and reality, which adds humor to the narrative.
Correct Answer: False
Solution:
Humans are not the natural prey of any venomous snake, including the Indian cobra. Nearly all snakebites in humans occur when a snake feels threatened.
Correct Answer: True
Solution:
The snake turned its head to look into the mirror, possibly admiring its own beauty.
Correct Answer: True
Solution:
The text suggests that the snake looked into the mirror and seemed to admire its own beauty.
Correct Answer: True
Solution:
The doctor was indeed afraid when the snake coiled around his arm, as indicated by his thoughts and reactions in the story.
Correct Answer: False
Solution:
The thief left behind the doctor's dirty vest as a final insult.
Correct Answer: True
Solution:
The Indian cobra is indeed recognized for its intimidating appearance and venomous bite, as described in the text.
Correct Answer: True
Solution:
The doctor humorously noted that the thief had a sense of cleanliness for leaving behind his dirty vest.
Correct Answer: False
Solution:
The doctor never saw the snake again after the incident.
Correct Answer: True
Solution:
The doctor decided to shave daily and grow a thin moustache to look more handsome.