The writer carefully builds up an atmosphere of loneliness and grief in the story. Working in groups, pick out words/ phrases from the story that builds up the atmosphere. Copy the following table in your notebook and complete it.

Answer the following questions briefly.

"Ali came out very slowly, turning after every few steps to gaze at the post office.

His eyes were filled with tears of helplessness, for his patience was exhausted, even though he still had faith." Why were Ali's eyes filled with tears of helplessness? What had exhausted his patience but not his faith?

Answer the following questions briefly.

"Tortured by doubt and remorse, he sat down in the glow of the charcoal sigri to wait." Who is tortured by doubt and remorse? Why? What is he waiting for?

Complete the table by explaining the following phrases/ sentences in your own words:

Now you are going to listen to an article about the break-up of the Joint Family system in India.

As you listen to the passage complete the boxes given below.