The Signalman is a short story written by Charles Dickens which centres on a railway signalman who is being haunted by a ghost. The story begins with the narrator calling out the signalman in the railway cutting. He entered the gloomy, dark, isolated tunnel and entered ............................
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Extra Questions - The Signalman | My English Folder | Literature | English | Class 8
What had the apparition warned him earlier? What had happened each time?
The first time the apparition appeared, it warned the signalman by crying, "Halloa! Below there! Look out! Look out!" and waving its arm. Within six hours after this warning, a terrible accident occurred on the railway line, with dead and wounded brought along through the tunnel over the spot where the figure had stood.
The second time the apparition appeared, it was silent and leaned against the shaft of the light with both hands covering its face in a mourning gesture. That very day, a beautiful young lady died instantaneously in one of the train compartments and was brought into the signalman's hut, and laid down on the floor between the signalman and the narrator.
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What had the signalman been warned the third time? How did he feel?
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Sign up nowBack Questions - The Signalman | My English Folder | Literature | English | Class 8
The story you have just read is
i. a ghost story.
ii. a true story.
iii. an autobiographical story.
iv. a fantasy
i. a ghost story.
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The story is told from the point of view of
i. The author, Charles Dickens
ii. One of the characters in the story
iii. the signalman
iv. the strange apparition
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Sign up nowYou were particularly impressed with
i. the description of the setting of the story.
ii. the mysterious apparition and events connected with it.
iii. the behaviour of the signalman
iv. the surprise ending of the story
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Sign up nowWhen the narrator of the story encounters the signalman for the first time, he notices that the man appears to be under some strain. Quote three statements made by the narrator that reveals this.
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Sign up nowHow does the narrator describe the place in which the signalman carries out his work? What effect does the place have on the narrator? What are your feelings at this point of the story?
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Sign up nowWhat was the nature of the signalman's duties? What did the narrator think about the way in which he carried out his duties? Quote a sentence to justify.
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Sign up nowIn a word, I should have set this man down as one of the safest of men to be employed in that capacity, but for the circumstance? What was the circumstance that the narrator found strange about the signalman?
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Sign up nowThe sentences given below are from the signalman's account of the ghostly incidents that have been troubling him. Place the sentences in the appropriate boxes in the table
- Tries to convince the signalman that his imagination is playing tricks on him
- Nothing has happened yet, but the signalman is convinced that some terrible event is about to take place
- Stood near red light one hand across his eyes-waved with the other called out: 'Halloa below there Look out! Look out!'
- The same day a train stopped at the station-a beautiful lady had died-her body was brought to the signalman's room
- Stands at red light waves hand as if to say 'For God's sake, clear the way!' calls out in agony: "Below there! Look out! Look out!' rings the signalman's bell
- Within six hours of its appearance a terrible accident took place on the line and the bodies of casualties were brought to the station through the tunnel
- Pushes his chair back in an involuntary reaction his mouth is dry
- Didn't cry out or wave-leaned against the shaft of the red hands covered both eyes in an attitude of mourning
- Feels a disagreeable shudder pass through him
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Sign up nowa. Refer to or quote lines or sentences from the story to show that a. the narrator felt that the signalman was hallucinating,
b. the narrator was, nevertheless, affected by the signalman's description of the events
c. the narrator was moved by the obvious suffering of the signalman
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Sign up nowSome dreadful calamity will happen. It is not to be doubted this third time, after what has gone before. But surely this is a cruel haunting of me. What can I do?
a. Who is the speaker of these lines? To whom is he speaking? Why is he so sure that some dreadful calamity" will happen?
b. Why does he describe this as a 'cruel haunting of him?
c. What is the speaker's state of mind at this time? How does the other person react to the words of the speaker?
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Sign up nowWith an irresistible sense that something was wrong, I descended the notched path with all the speed I could make. What causes the narrator to feel that something is wrong? Is he right?
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Sign up nowWhat does the narrator learn about the circumstances of the signalman's death? What was strange or unusual about the manner of his death?
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Sign up now.....clammy stone that became oozier and wetter as I went down
i. The rocks became warmer as he went down.
ii. the rocks were already moist and became more damp the lower he went.
iii. the rocks were dry and remained so.
iv. The rocks were cold and dry and became worse
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Sign up now..... as solitary and dismal a place as ever I saw
i. The narrator had been in such a place before.
ii. It was a busy and cheerful place.
iii. it was an isolated and mournful environment.
iv. The narrator had never see such a scene before.
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Sign up now..... the inexplicable air upon him....
i. he was gasping for breath.
ii. the narrator cold not understand him.
iii. he had a look that could not be described or explained
iv. The signalman seemed confused and afraid.
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Sign up now.... he said, ruminating....
i. loudly
ii. hesitatingly
iii. thoughtfully
iv. sadly
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Sign up nowDreadful calamity
i. terrible tragedy
ii. unforeseen event
iii. serious accident
iv. Future incident
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Sign up now..... somebody with credit to be believed and power to act
i. unreliable and ineffective
ii. rich and famous
iii. trusted and influential
iv. weak and powerless
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Sign up nowIrresistible sense that something was wrong.
i. a feeling
ii. a suspicion
iii. an awareness
iv. a strong feeling
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Sign up nowImagine you are the narrator of the story. How did you feel about learning about the circumstances of the signalman's death? Do you feel any regret? Could you have possibly done anything to prevent his death?
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Sign up nowDo you think human beings control their own destiny or are the events in our lives and the manner of our death pre-ordained? Discuss.
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Sign up nowMake a detailed list of all the words, expressions and descriptions used by the author to create a feeling of suspense, mystery and tension in the story. You could collect these details under the following headings:
a. The setting of the story
b. The behaviour of the signalman
c. The reactions of the narrator to the attitude and behaviour of the signalman
d. The reactions of the narrator and the signalman to the ghostly occurrences
e. The ending of the story.
Using the details you have gathered, write about three paragraphs (not more than 250 words) to demonstrate how the author generators a feeling of tension and suspense in his story, building up to and preparing the reader for the death of the signalman.
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Sign up nowThe Signalman - Line by line explanation in Hindi | My English Folder | Class 8 Literature | English
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Vocabulary - Flashcards - The Signalman | My English Folder | Class 8 Literature | English
About the Author - The Signalman | My English Folder | Class 8 Literature | English
Charles Dickens (1812-1870) was a renowned English writer and social critic, widely regarded as one of the greatest novelists of the Victorian era. Born in Portsmouth, England, Dickens faced financial struggles during his early life, which significantly influenced his later work. His novels and short stories, characterized by their vivid imagery, memorable characters, and biting social commentary, continue to captivate readers worldwide.
Dickens' work often addresses issues such as poverty, social inequality, and the harsh conditions faced by the working class. Some of his most famous novels include "Oliver Twist," "A Tale of Two Cities," "Great Expectations," and "A Christmas Carol." Through his writing, Dickens not only entertain readers but also raised awareness about social issues and inspired reforms. His literary legacy endures, with adaptations of his work continuing to appear in various forms of media, such as film, television, and theatre productions.
Summary - The Signalman | My English Folder | Class 8 Literature | English
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Plot - The Signalman | My English Folder | Class 8 Literature | English
The plot of the chapter revolves around the narrator's encounter with a railway signalman who is haunted by a mysterious figure. This figure appears to the signalman at the mouth of a tunnel, issuing warnings before tragic accidents occur on the railway.....
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Unlock now 🔓Important Lines - The Signalman | My English Folder | Class 8 Literature | English
- "Halloa! Below there!" - This line is important as it is the first and recurring phrase used by the mysterious figure to get the signalman's attention. It sets the stage for the eerie and suspenseful atmosphere of the story.
- "I am troubled, sir, I am troubled." - The signalman's confession of his distress to the narrator reveals his vulnerability and adds....
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Unlock now 🔓Vocabulary - The Signalman | My English Folder | Class 8 Literature | English
- Notched – carved
The artisan notched the wood to create a decorative pattern. - Precipitate – steep
The path became increasingly precipitate as we climbed up the mountain. - Clammy – damp and slimy
His clammy hands left damp and slimy marks on the glass. - Sallow – of an unhealthy, pale..........................
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Unlock now 🔓Themes - The Signalman | My English Folder | Class 8 Literature | English
1. Supernatural Elements:
The most prominent theme in the story is the supernatural. The signalman is haunted by an apparition that foretells tragic events on the railway line. The author leaves it unclear whether these apparitions are real or are the products of the signalman’s......
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