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5. Identify and write the line from the story which tells you that Ben is fascinated towards

whitewashing.
6. Why does the author say that ‘Tom was rolling in wealth’? What kind of wealth had he

accumulated?

7. How does Tom feel at the end of the story?

Reference to the context

Read the lines from the story and answer the questions that follow.

1. ‘You see, Aunt Polly’s awful particular about this fence—right here on the street, you know—but if
it was the back fence I wouldn’t mind and she wouldn’t. Yes, she’s awful particular about this fence;
it’s got to be done very careful.’

a. What was the speaker doing at the moment of saying these words?

b. What made the speaker say these words?

c. What impact did these words have on the person being spoken to?

d. What is the tone of the speaker in these lines?

i. bossy ii. simple iii. caring iv. spiteful

2. He had discovered a great law of human action, without knowing it—namely, that in order to
make a man or a boy want a thing, it is only necessary to make the thing difficult to attain.

a. Who had discovered a great law of human action?
i. Ben ii. Tom iii. Billy iv. Johnny

b. What discovery did the person make?
c. Which incident helped the person discover this truth?

d. How did this discovery benefit the person?

Time to think and answer

1. Do you think the story is funny? Give reasons for your answer. 21 c critical thinking
st
2. Aunt Polly wanted to punish Tom by making him whitewash the fence. After reading the

story, do you think Aunt Polly was successful in punishing him?

3. Do you think Tom was sure about befooling Ben? Give reasons for your answer.

4. Aunt Polly punished Tom by asking him to whitewash the fence on a Saturday. Was she too
harsh in doing so? Give reasons for your answer. 21 c critical thinking
st

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