The Luncheon – Textbook Questions and Answers | Class 10 English

Discuss with your partner: (a) Have you ever been invited to lunch at a hotel by your friend? (b) What was the occasion? (c) Did you enjoy the lunch? Why?

People with foibles are often not conscious of them. Do you agree or disagree? Why?

Where and when did they decide to have luncheon?

What is the profession of the narrator?

When was the lady free?

‘I never eat anything for luncheon.’ Explain the irony in this line.

What does the use of the word ‘sank’ suggest about the narrator’s feelings?

What do you think the woman reassured the narrator about?

‘I was past caring now.’ Explain why the narrator feels this way.

‘Then a terrible thing happened.’ Describe the narrator’s emotion at this point. Why does he express this emotion?

How many things did the guest eat in all?

Choose the correct option and fill in the blanks (addressed, luncheon, generously, unwise, insist): (a) The chief guest ____ the students. (b) The crow was ____ to sing. (c) I invited my relatives to ____. (d) Parents always ____ on children to be all-rounders. (e) The king decided to donate his wealth among his subjects ____.

Find various instances which create humour in ‘The Luncheon’ and the particular line from the story. (One is given: the woman is a voracious eater – “Follow my example, and never eat more than one thing for luncheon.”)

Who said these words and under what circumstances? 1. I never eat anything for luncheon. 2. It’s many years since we first met. 3. Are you still hungry? 4. I don’t believe in overloading my stomach. 5. I’ll eat nothing for dinner tonight.

Although the author was not a vindictive man, he was very happy to see her weigh twenty-one stone and had finally had his revenge. What makes him say this? Explain.

The author uses expressions like ‘My heart sank’ and ‘Panic seized me’. What was the reason for this? Explain.

What are the instances which create humour in ‘The Luncheon’?

Describe the use of irony and humour in ‘The Luncheon’.

Pick out the words and phrases that indicate that the author was not financially well off. (Given: word – not afford; phrase – beyond my means.)

Put the following events into correct order: (a) She gave me her last kind advice how to improve my eating habits. (b) I met her in the theatre after many years and I could hardly recognise her. (c) Twenty years ago, I lived in Paris and earned just enough money to get by. (d) I was really scared what could happen when I would pay the bill. (e) “I never eat anything for luncheon.” (f) I ordered a mutton chop for myself. (g) She had read a book of mine. (h) She ordered asparagus. (i) She suggested him to invite her to a famous and expensive restaurant. (j) I didn’t have dinner for the rest of the month.

Describe the use of irony in ‘The Luncheon’. Pick sentences that are examples of irony and give their direct meaning and hidden meaning. (One is given: ‘If I cut out coffee for the next two weeks’ – to stop drinking coffee – to stop spending money in order to save money.)

Fill in the blanks with the words/phrases in the appropriate form (startle, catch sight of, overload, water, pass): 1. “I never ____ my stomach,” she said. 2. I was ____ when the menu was brought. 3. The author ____ the guest at the play. 4. I had seen asparagus in the shops; my mouth often ____ at the sight of them. 5. The author’s guest was ____ through Paris.

Use appropriate articles: 1. I have just had ____ snack. 2. I have ____ cup of coffee in the morning. 3. I want just ____ ice cream and coffee. 4. The author and his guest gave ____ order and then waited for ____ asparagus to be cooked.

Classify the words into noun, verb, adjective and adverb: modest, luncheon, generously, rank, restaurant, appearance, large, expensive, watch, coffee, brought, afford, practical, apartment, moment, brightly, started, thoroughly.

Identify what ‘could’ indicates: (a) Lack of rain could cause drought. (possibility/condition) (b) Abhi could perform well in his school days. (suggestion/past ability) (c) Instead of playing computer games you could play real games with friends. (past ability/suggestion) (d) Could I use your computer for surfing the net? (possibility/request) (e) We could go on an excursion, if we didn’t have exams. (suggestion/condition)

Fill in the gaps with appropriate prepositions: I waited ___ the airport ___ Atlanta. My old school-mate was going to arrive ___ New Airlines ___ Mumbai, ___ 21st ___ March ___ the year 2018. We had not met ___ 40 years ___ 1978. She was going to stay ___ a week ___ me ___ Atlanta ___ 21st ___ 27th March, 2018. My joy knew no bounds when I saw her ___ 40 years. ___ home, I introduced her ___ my family. Then I took her ___ a big mall ___ shopping. It was just ___ my house. We went ___ the street and climbed ___ using the elevator, ___ the staircase.

On the occasion of Diwali, write a letter to your friend inviting him/her to celebrate the festival in an innovative way. Hints: time and place, other friends also invited, special dish prepared, post-lunch fun programmes, innovative activity.