When Hafeez was in the eleventh standard, his Principal said to him that he had been seeing him since day one. He was a good student. However, he had never studied. The principal told him that so far he had taken care of him, but from then on he was by himself. He mentioned how Hafeez’s mother had worked extremely hard to bring him up and had paid all his fees for all those years. However, he had only played games. He thus told Hafeez to rise to the occasion and study. These words influenced Hafeez in a deep manner.

Question - 3 : -
“... that year I did not step out onto the field.” What was he busy doing that year?

Answer - 3 : -

He was busy studying that year. He went for prayers, and just ate and studied.

Question - 4 : - What “distraction” did Hafeez Contractor create one day?

Answer - 4 : - Hafeez mentions how one day he did not want to study. Thus, he decided to create a “distraction”, and for one whole hour, he played ‘chor-police’ with his classmates.

Question - 5 : -
Is it likely that someone who is original and intelligent does not do very well at school? Should such a learner be called a failure? If not, why not?

Answer - 5 : -

It is likely that someone who is original and intelligent does not do very well at school. Such a learner should not be called a failure as everyone has his or her own strengths and weaknesses. Those who are academically brilliant do well in other fields. Hafeez Contractor was not a very good student. However, he had the talent for construction, and he is now one of the leading architects. Each individual has his or her own individual talents, which may or may not be visible in the academic report. That is why students should be encouraged to showcase their talents, and work on them. They should not be called failures.

Question - 6 : -
Who, in your view, is an ‘unusual’ learner?

Answer - 6 : -

This question requires you to use your own perspective as well as your analytical skills. The answer to the question would vary from one person to another. It is suggested that you read the text carefully and try attempting it on your own.

Question - 7 : -
What can schools do to draw out the best in unusual learners? Suggest whatever seems reasonable to you.

Answer - 7 : -

Question - 8 : -
Hafeez Contractor wanted to join the police force. Why didn’t he?

Answer - 8 : -

Hefeez Contractor did not join the police force because his mother told him not to. His mother told him to do his graduation.

Question - 9 : -
In the architect’s office, Hafeez Contractor was advised to drop everything and join architecture. Why?

Answer - 9 : -

When Hafeez Contractor was in the architect’s office, he saw somebody drawing a window detail. He told him that his drawing was wrong, and that the window he had drawn would not open. Later, it was found that the drawing was indeed wrong. Seeing this, his cousin’s husband asked him to draw a few specific things, which he immediately did. He then asked him to design a house and he completed this task as well. His potential for architecture was clearly visible from these incidents. Thus, he was told to drop everything and join architecture.

Question - 10 : - What was Mrs Gupta’s advice to Hafeez contractor?

Answer - 10 : - Mrs. Gupta, who was Hafeez Contractor’s teacher in the second and third grades, advised him to become an architect when he grew up.

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