Class 11 Refund Exercise
Summary
A former student named Wasserkopf returns to his old school after eighteen years. He arrogantly demands a refund of his tuition fees, claiming he didn't get his money's worth. The teachers give him a test and twist his incorrect answers into being correct. Wasserkopf insults the teachers, but they praise his responses to expel him as an excellent student.
Understanding the text
Answer the following questions.
a. Why does Wasserkopf demand a refund of his tuition fees from the school?
➜ Wasserkopf asks for his tuition money back from the school because he can't find a job. He's failed at getting work and believes his education is to blame. He's struggling and wants his money back.
b. Why does Wasserkopf consider himself good for nothing?
➜ Wasserkopf sees himself as worthless because he keeps failing to find a job. He's been rejected a lot and has no money. He feels like he's no good.
c. What did the teachers decide to do when Wasserkopf asked for a refund?
➜ The teachers decide to help Wasserkopf by making his wrong answers seem right during the re-exam. They agree to pass him no matter what he says.
d. Why did Wasserkopf give ridiculous answers? Why did the teachers accept these answers?
➜ Wasserkopf gives silly answers on purpose to fail the exam and get his money back. The teachers go along with it to make him pass and protect the school's image.
e. How does the Mathematics Master describe Wasserkopf’s character?
➜The Math Teacher thinks Wasserkopf is tricky and trying to fail the exam on purpose. He doesn't like Wasserkopf's attitude and words.
f. How did the teachers outwit Wasserkopf?
➜ The teachers use their smarts to make Wasserkopf's wrong answers seem right. Wasserkopf is surprised when he passes the exam. His plan fails, and he's kicked out of school.
g. What is the final judgment on Waserkopf’s demand of refund?
➜ The teachers reject Wasserkopf's refund request. Most of them say his answers are right. The principal even praises him and says he's done great in all his subjects.
Reference to the context
a. Read the extract from the play given below and answer the questions that follow:
“It’s possible I’ve changed. What the hell…! Your class records will show I’ve got a right to come here.”
i. Who is the speaker? Who is he speaking to?
➜ Wasserkopf is talking. He is talking to the school principal.
ii. Why is the speaker say these words?
➜ The speaker is saying these words because they believe their records show they have a right to be at the school.
iii. Where is the speaker at this moment?
➜ The speaker is in the Principal's office.
b. Read the extract dialogue given below and answer the questions that follow:
“THE STAFF: (bowing, heartily) How do you do?
WASSERKOPF: Who the hell are you? Sit down, you loafers! (He grins, waiting to be thrown out)
THE PRINCIPAL: How dare you –”
i. What is to be the response to ‘How do you do?’
➜ The reply is 'I am fine.'
ii. Is Wasserkopf’s response polite enough to the staff?
➜No, Wasserkopf's reply is not nice. He uses mean words.
iii. How does Wasserkopf rebuke the staff?
➜ Wasserkopf scolds the staff by calling them "loafers" and asking who they are.
iv. What does the principal mean by ‘How dare you -’?
➜ The Principal is upset that Wasserkopf is speaking rudely to the staff.
c. Explain the following line of the play:
“Because I didn’t get my money’s worth, that’s why!”
➜ This line means that the person is demanding their money back because they feel they didn't learn enough from their education.
d. What is the theme of the play?
➜ The theme of the play is cleverness and working together. It shows teachers being smart and working as a team when dealing with a difficult student like Wasserkopf. The play also makes fun of the education system.
e. Sketch the character of Wasserkopf.
➜ Wasserkopf is a rude and greedy man. He's forty years old and poor. He doesn't have good manners and has been fired from jobs before. He thinks he's worthless. He demands his tuition money back from the school without being polite. He calls teachers mean names and doesn't show respect.
Reference beyond the text
a. The play is a satire on the present day education system. Do you think that our education system does not prepare students for life? Discuss.
➜ Yes, I think our education system doesn't prepare students well for life. It's not practical and doesn't teach useful skills. Many educated people lack real knowledge and struggle in their jobs.
b. Our education system focuses on memorisation rather than creative thinking. Do you think the knowledge imparted by education may not have practical relevance in one’s day-to-day life? Who do you blame for this?
➜ Yes, education often focuses on memorizing, not thinking creatively. The things we learn might not be helpful in daily life. The blame falls on the way education is structured.
c. Most of the students want to learn just for examination rather than knowledge. Do you think that certificate will help them in their future career?
➜ No, certificates won't necessarily help in careers. Many students just study for exams, not for real learning. This approach won't give them the skills they need later on.
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