A Passage to India

The book is set India in the 1920s. It’s a story of Dr Aziz, an Indian doctor, his friend Mr Fielding, a British professor and two British women Mrs Moore and Miss Adela Quested. Due to something that happens in the Marabar Caves, the characters find themselves in the uncertainty and confusion of a changing India which draws attention to the difficult relationship between Indians and British.

In this reader you will find:

– Information about E. M. Forster’s life and writing

– A focus on The History of English Colonialism

– A focus on religion and race in India during English Colonialism

– A focus on daily life in India during Colonialism

– Glossary of difficult words

– Comprehension and grammar exercises including B2 Firststyle activities

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Classic literature Justice

Downloadable Audio Files

STAGE 1 600 headwords Elementary A1 Movers

STAGE 2 800 headwords Pre-Intermediate A2 Key

STAGE 3 1000 headwords Intermediate B1 Preliminary

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STAGE 4 1800 headwords Upper Intermediate B2 First

STAGE 5 2500 headwords Advanced C1 Advanced

STAGE 6 Unabridged Texts Proficiency C2 Proficiency

The pleasure of Reading Eli Readers is a beautifully illustrated series of timeless classics and specially-written stories for learners of English.

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Book brief

A Passage to India is a 1924 Modernist novel written by English author E.M.

Forster.

The story is told through an unnamed narrator who also lets the reader understand the inner state of the characters and is based on Forster’s experiences in India.

The story is set in the 1920s in India during British Rule and the Indian Independence Movement.

The story centres around Dr Aziz, a young Indian doctor, who’s accused of attacking a young Englishwoman, Adela Quested, during a trip to the Marabar Caves.

Main themes include the difficulty of EnglishIndian friendship, racial tension, and religion.

In this reader:

21st Century Skills

To encourage students to connect the story to the world they live in.

First B2 level activities.

Culture Notes

Glossary Picture Caption

Audio

Brief cultural information.

An explanation of difficult words.

A brief explanation of the picture.

These icons indicate the parts of the story that are recorded: start stop

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The FSC certification guarantees that the paper used in these publications comes from certified forests, promoting responsible forestry management worldwide.

For this series of ELI graded readers, we have planted 5000 new trees.

A Passage to India

Retold and Activities by Alice Venessa Bever

Illustrated by Lucia Sforza

Young Adult Eli Readers

The ELI Readers collection is a complete range of books and plays for readers of all ages, ranging from captivating contemporary stories to timeless classics. There are four series, each catering for a different age group: First ELI Readers, Young ELI Readers, Teen ELI Readers and Young Adult ELI Readers. The books are carefully edited and beautifully illustrated to capture the essence of the stories and plots. The readers are supplemented with ‘Focus on’ texts packed with background cultural information about the writers and their lives and times.

A Passage to India

E.

M. Forster

Retold and Activities

Alice Venessa Bever

Illustrated

Lucia Sforza

ELI Readers

Founder and Series Editors

Paola Accattoli, Grazia Ancillani, Daniele Garbuglia (Art Director)

Graphic Design

Tiziana Barigelletti

Production Manager

Francesco Capitano

Photo credits

Shutterstock

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© New edition: 2022

First edition: 2020

ELi, Gruppo editoriale ELi

P.O. Box 6

62019 Recanati (MC)

Italy

T +39 071750701

F +39 071977851

info@elionline.com

www.elionline.com

Typeset in 10,5 / 15 pt Monotype Fulmar

Printed in Italy by Tecnostampa – Pigini

Group Printing Division

Loreto – Trevi (Italia) – ERA 425.10

ISBN 978-88-536-3259-3

www.eligradedreaders.com

Main Characters

DR AZIZ

A young, intelligent, Indian doctor in Chandrapore, he’s the protagonist of the story and has to fight to prove his innocence after being accused of a crime.

RONNY HEASLOP

Mrs Moore’s son, and the Magistrate in Chandrapore.

MISS ADELA QUESTED

A young woman from England who travels to India with Mrs Moore to decide whether or not to marry Mrs Moore’s son, Ronny.

MRS MOORE

An elderly Englishwoman who travels to India with Adela Quested and becomes friends with Dr Aziz. She hopes that Adela will marry her son, Ronny.

CYRIL FIELDING

The headmaster of Government College near Chandrapore, he’s different from most of the English in India and becomes friends with Aziz.

MRS TURTON

Mr Turton’s wife, she’s typical of the English in India who are rude to the local people.

PROFESSOR GODBOLE

A Brahman Hindu who teaches at Fielding’s college.

MR TURTON

The Collector, the man who governs Chandrapore.

MR MCBRYDE

The Superintendent of police in Chandrapore.

MAJOR CALLENDAR

A civil surgeon (head of the hospital) in Chandrapore, he treats Dr Aziz very badly.

Before you Read

Reading Comprehension

1 Find the correct word to fill in each gap in this text about Aziz. Aziz is an intelligent young widower who lives (1) .................... Chandrapore, India and has three children. He’s a doctor who has a good sense of humour but is also emotional. He thinks (2) .................... deciding what is right and wrong behaviour is actually part of social correctness and therefore believes (3) .................... good intentions rather (4) .................... the black and white idea of right or wrong. He has confused feelings (5) the British in India but (6) .................... his confusion, he does feel affection (7) .................... some of the British people he gets to know.

Vocabulary

2 You’ll see these words in Chapter 1. Complete the table with the correct forms, checking the meaning in your dictionary when necessary.

Listening B2 First

3 Listen to the beginning of Chapter 1. Choose the best answer A, B, or C for the following questions.

1 The city of Chandrapore is:

A enormous.

B extraordinary.

C ordinary.

2 The Ganges River in Chandrapore is:

A considered holy.

B not seen because of the market.

C a popular tourist destination.

3 From the colonial area, Chandrapore looks:

A attractive.

B mysterious.

C abandoned.

4 Mahmoud Ali and Hamidullah were discussing:

A whether British people were better than Indians.

B whether British people were friendly.

C whether Indians and British people could be friends.

5 The friends agreed that:

A Indians and English people could be friends only in England.

B Indians and English people could never be friends.

C Indians and English people could only be friends in India.

6 It takes ............................. for British women to become unbearable.

A two years

B two months

C six months

The Mosque Chapter One

The small city of Chandrapore is an ordinary city, except for the mysterious Marabar Caves which are in the hills in the distance. In this city the Ganges River isn’t considered holy* and there are no steps to walk to the water. The view of the river is hidden by the markets. The nicest houses in the city come from two hundred years ago. The rest of the landscape is dirty and dull.

Beyond the city are the British buildings which are efficient and simple. From this view, Chandrapore looks pretty because the worst parts of it aren’t visible because of the thick greenery and fruit trees beyond the railway running next to the river. People who are new to the area must be driven down to the centre in order to understand how it is in reality. The only thing that connects the two contrasting areas is the sky which is ever-present.

A young man named Aziz arrived at his uncle Hamidullah’s home by bicycle.

‘I’m so sorry for being late!’

His other friend Mahmoud Ali had arrived before him and the two of them were discussing whether Indians and English people could be friends. Mahmoud Ali and Hamidullah had been talking about their different experiences with British people, both positive and negative*.

holy connected with God or a particular belief positive and negative good and bad

In the end, the friends decided that Indians could only be friends with an English person if they both live in England.

‘It takes two years for an Englishman and six months for an Englishwoman in India to become unbearable,’ said Hamidullah.

Before dinner Aziz spoke with Hamidullah’s wife (who was also his aunt) through a purdah.

‘You should have remarried after your wife’s death.’

‘One marriage is enough for me,’ said Aziz.

Though his children had moved to a different city to live with his mother-in-law, he could see them whenever he wanted to.

They sat down to eat dinner with Hamidullah’s cousin and Aziz happily started reading poetry aloud, something he loved to do. The guests were entertained by this typical Indian way of publically reciting* poems. Unfortunately, Aziz was interrupted by a servant who gave him a note saying that he needed to go to Major Callendar’s bungalow* right away. This made Aziz quite frustrated* but Callendar, the head of the hospital, was his boss. He had to leave dinner and abandon his poetry reading to find out what Callendar needed.

On the way to the Callendars, Aziz’s bike got a puncture* so he hired a tonga to take him. As soon as Aziz arrived at Callendar’s bungalow, two English ladies, Mrs Callendar and Mrs Lesley, came out of the house and rudely stepped up into his tonga and left.

Discovering that Major Callendar had gone out without having left a message for him, Aziz decided not to write a note. He simply told the servant to advise the major that Aziz had in fact come as requested. Since all the tongas of Chandrapore were at the Club and the ladies had taken his, Aziz decided to walk home.

recite repeat aloud from memory in front of an audience

bungalow a building developed in India which is a type of low house with one floor or upper rooms in the roof

frustrated feeling annoyed because you can’t change a situation that you don’t like puncture a small hole in a tyre, the black part that covers the wheel

A purdah is a curtain worn or used by women so they’re separated from men and strangers.

A tonga is a light vehicle used in India which is pulled by a horse or a donkey.

Mrs Moore wants to find out about the real India.

While walking in the night air, Aziz decided to stop to rest at his favourite mosque. He always felt very at home there and believed the mosque to be a symbol* of Islam and love. He was filled with emotion and started to cry. Suddenly he saw a column* moving which he thought might be a ghost! He’d confused the column for an Englishwoman and Aziz wasn’t happy about her being there.

‘Madam! You can’t be here. This is a mosque and it’s a holy place! And take off your shoes!’ Aziz shouted angrily.

‘But I did take them off. I left them at the entrance to the mosque. I know that God is here.’ The woman spoke cautiously.

‘I’m sorry, I thought you were just like the other English ladies. What’s your name?’

The woman shyly told him that her name was Mrs Moore. She’d decided to leave the Club earlier because she’d seen the play before in London and it was too hot for her inside.

‘I’m so sorry for scaring* you but it isn’t a good idea to go out at night by yourself.’

This started a friendly conversation between them. Aziz told Mrs Moore that he was a doctor and she mentioned that her son was Ronny Heaslop, the City Magistrate.

Aziz knew him well. Then the two discovered that they both had two sons and a daughter. As the conversation became more relaxed, Aziz revealed* that he didn’t like Mrs Callendar. Mrs Moore seemed to be sympathetic* towards him so he continued to talk to her about how he’d been treated badly on various occasions by British people.

‘You’re an Oriental because you can sense* who you like and who you don’t like,’ he told Mrs Moore before walking her to the Club.

symbol (here) something that stands for a belief column

reveal tell (usually a secret) sympathetic feeling or showing care or understanding sense feel, know

scare frighten

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‘I’d invite you in but I’m not a member,’ Mrs Moore said as they arrived at the gates.

‘I’m an Indian so I can never go to the Club, not even with the invitation of a guest,’ replied Aziz plainly as he walked away.

On the path he looked at the beautiful moon and his treasured mosque and felt content.

Mrs Moore entered the Club again and met Adela Quested, the woman she’d accompanied* to India from England to possibly marry her son. As neither of them wanted to watch the play, they chatted together to pass the time. Adela told her that she wanted to see the real India and Mrs Moore felt the same.

Mrs Moore was tired after her walk and bored of her surroundings. She began thinking about how her new life was dull, especially after the exciting journey they’d taken to arrive there.

Her thoughts were interrupted by Mr Turton, the Collector* who offered drinks to the two women. He went on to speak of Mrs Moore’s son who was helping out with the play, praising him and saying that Ronny was a man of honour. His mother was quite surprised by this as she’d never thought of her son in that way. After the play finished, Ronny joined the two women.

‘I want to see the real India!’ Adela said.

Hearing this, the women at the club looked at Adela strangely. Being quite racist* towards the Indians, they were surprised by her interest to want to meet Indians and know their country.

‘Indians can’t be trusted!’ the women warned Miss Quested.

Ronny asked Cyril Fielding, the headmaster at Government College, his advice on seeing ‘the real India’ and he replied:

accompany go with as a companion Collector the most important British official in Chandrapore

racist showing dislike and lack of respect for someone just because they’re different from you in some way

‘Go and see real Indians if you want to see the real India,’ and walked away.

The English ladies were shocked by his comment and continued to speak about the Indians quite harshly* until Mr Turton interrupted them.

‘I could have a Bridge Party at my home if you like.’ He explained that it wouldn’t be a party for card playing but a party to bridge* the two cultures*. Both Indians and English people would be present.

Adela was thankful to Mr Turton. On the way home with Adela and Ronny, Mrs Moore felt better and looked up at the sky, especially the moon. It made her think of heaven.

When they passed by the mosque, she mentioned the man she’d met earlier. Ronny was surprised that she’d wandered out alone and said that it wasn’t a good idea. Mrs Moore responded stating* that ‘the young doctor’ had said the same thing to her. Her description made Ronny think that the man she was speaking of was English though his identity was a mystery to him. He didn’t know any young British doctors in town. He was shocked when he understood that his mother had been chatting to an Indian but when he learned that it was Aziz, a man he knew, he was relieved.

‘I have no problems with him. But did he say anything bad about the English?’ Ronny asked his mother after they’d returned to the bungalow and Adela had gone to bed.

‘He doesn’t really like the Callendars,’ said Mrs Moore. She didn’t think this information was something that would interest her son. Instead, he told her he was going to tell the Major because it wasn’t right for an Indian to speak badly about his boss.

harshly in an unkind way bridge (here) join, fill the space between

culture the ideas, traditions and social behaviour of a particular people or society state say

‘Oh, no! Please don’t say anything. It was a private conversation.’ Mrs Moore was worried but her son felt that telling Major Callendar was the right thing to do.

‘I’d want him to do the same thing for me. In India, private does not exist.’

Mrs Moore didn’t understand what he meant.

Ronny continued to tell her about the place of Indians in society using words and expressions she’d never heard him say before. He seemed unreasonable and repeated that Aziz hadn’t been correct in speaking to his mother about Major Callendar.

‘An Indian can’t say those things to a British lady.’

He thought that the young doctor had been inappropriate*.

In the end, Ronny agreed to keep quiet only if his mother would promise not to talk about Dr Aziz anymore to Adela. Ronny wasn’t comfortable with her being so curious about the Indians.

‘What if she starts worrying about how we treat the Indians?’ he thought to himself. Mrs Moore agreed to do as her son wished and they kissed good night.

Mrs Moore continued thinking about Aziz when she was alone in her room. At first he’d been angry at her, then kind and then he’d complained about a lot of things. He’d been open with her and so emotional. As she was going to bed, she saw a wasp* asleep on a hook*. Thinking of all the animals which deserve respect, she didn’t bother it.

‘You’re lovely,’ she said kindly.

The next day Mr Turton sent invitations to his Bridge Party to all the Indian gentleman in Chandrapore who found the gesture*

inappropriate unsuitable behaviour wasp hook

gesture (here) action, decision

surprising and curious. The invitation also stated that women could come without their purdah!

The Indian men discussed the upcoming* event and the reason they thought Mr Turton was having the party. Some were impressed by the invitation but the event would be far from where they lived and not easy to get to. Mahmoud Ali believed that Mr Turton had been ordered by the Lieutenant-General to organise the Bridge Party.

The most important man in the group, the Nawab Bahadur said he’d go to the party. This got the attention of the group.

‘You’ll be thought to be cheap if you accept the invitation,’ said one of the men, Ram Chand.

This kind of expression wasn’t very polite, especially to someone so prominent*.

‘You can’t say that to him!’ said Mahmoud Ali.

The Nawab Bahadur was the leading landowner of the district* who was also a philanthropist*.

He decided he wasn’t offended by the comment.

‘I don’t think it’ll be ‘cheap’ if I go or if any of us attend the party. Mr Turton’s invitation was written very well.’

He left, saying as he went that he’d see the other men at the event. As he was an important and hospitable* person in the community, the other gentlemen then began to encourage each other to go to the party. Around the group were others who’d never be invited to such a party. Either they weren’t educated or wealthy enough or they were missionaries who weren’t part of the rest of the British.

upcoming happening soon prominent leading, very important district an area of a city or country

philanthropist a person who tries to help others, especially by giving a large amount of money hospitable friendly and welcoming to visitors or guests

Nawab is a Muslim nobleman or person of high status.

Bahadur is an honourable title given to officers in British India.

Reading B2 First

1 Choose the correct answer A, B, C or D.

1 People who are new to the area must be driven down to the city because

A they think the city is dangerous.

B they think the city is too far.

C they don’t know the roads to the city.

D they don’t have their own transportation.

2 A purdah is used to

A protect women from men.

B protect women from the sun.

C hide women’s faces from men and strangers.

D allow women to keep cool.

3 After learning that Major Callendar is no longer at his home, Aziz decides to

A write him a note.

B wait for him.

C leave a message with the servant for him.

D go looking for him.

4 When Mrs Moore says: ‘I’d invite you in but I’m not a member,’ Aziz tells her

A that he’d love to join her sometime.

B that he didn’t really like the Club.

C that he’d already been to the Club.

D that he could never go to the Club because he was Indian.

5 Who’s Miss Adela Quested?

A The possible future wife of Mrs Moore’s son, Ronny.

B The new wife of Ronny Heaslep.

C Ronny Heaslep’s friend.

D Mrs Moore’s daughter from her second marriage.

6 How did Ronny feel when he learned that the Indian man in the mosque was Aziz?

A Relieved.

B Angry.

C Indifferent.

D Surprised.

7 How did Mrs Moore react when she saw a wasp?

A She screamed.

B She trapped it and put it outside.

C She spoke kindly to it.

D She ran away from it.

8 The Nawab Bahadur thought

A Mr Turton’s invitation was written poorly.

B Mr Turton was cheap.

C anyone who went to the Bridge Party was cheap.

D Mr Turton’s invitation was written well.

Grammar B2 First

2 Read the text below and choose the best answer (A, B, C, D) to fill in the gap.

The Ganges River

The Ganges River which (1) ............... across India and Bangladesh has always been (2) ............... to be one of the most important rivers in the world. It’s 2,525 kilometres (3) ............... and runs through the western Himalayan mountains in the Indian state of Uttarakhand and (4) ............... the Gangetic plain of India and Bangladesh in the south and east. It (5) ............... into the Bay of Bengal. The river is important to the millions of people who live (6) ............... it and it’s very holy to Hindus. (7) ..............., pollution has become a major threat to both humans and animals who live near the river. The Ganga Action Plan wants to help clean the water although it’s been criticised for bad planning and (8) ............... support from those in power.

1A is B starts

2A deserved B thought about

length B long

occupies D flows

considered

counted on

4A across B above

underneath

below 5A falls B stops

closes

6A in B of

8A losing of B lack of

long

beside 7A However B Therefore

finishing of D finding of

The Club was the social centre for English officials where they could relax, be entertained and do sport.

The Bridge Party Chapter Two

The guests at the Bridge Party, were waiting for Mr Turton to arrive. All the Indians who’d been invited had arrived early. Mrs Moore and Miss Quested did the same because they wanted to be polite. Arriving at the party and observing the situation, Adela was disappointed to see the large division between the British and the Indians. The Indian guests were standing on one side of the garden and the English on the other. Mrs Moore and Adela talked with Ronny and Mrs Turton who didn’t feel the same way. Ronny wasn’t interested in the party at all.

‘No one here is important. The important people are those who aren’t at this party.’

Mrs Moore and Miss Quested understood that this wasn’t the party that they’d hoped for. The English and Indians weren’t ‘mixing*’ at all. As they waited for Mr Turton, Mrs Turton and Ronny continued to discuss the clothing of the Indian guests which were a combination of Eastern and Western styles. Other English guests talked about the play from the night before at the Club. Mrs Moore couldn’t believe how her son had changed – he’d become less tolerant* than when he was in England.

When Mr Turton arrived, he told his wife to assist* him with the guests.

‘You need to help with the party.’

mix (here) socialise tolerant show that you’re willing to allow the existence of opinions or behaviour that you maybe don’t agree with

assist help

The English and Indians don’t mix very well at the party.

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Urdu is a language closely connected to Hindi but written in Persian, which is widely used in India and is the official language of Pakistan.

‘What am I supposed to do? I didn’t think any of the Indian women would come!’ she said.

So, she took Adela and Mrs Moore to meet a small group of Indian ladies. She reminded them that being English, they were higher in class* and better than the Indian ladies and all Indians.

Mrs Moore asked Mrs Turton to introduce them. When Mrs Turton greeted the Indian women, she spoke a few basic* words of Urdu to them which she’d learned so she could communicate with her servants.

‘Tell the women that I’m sorry I can’t speak to them in their language,’ said Mrs Moore and to Mrs Turton’s surprise, one of the Indian women replied in English. Mrs Turton had no idea that they knew the language. If they understood her, she’d have less power over them.

But Mrs Moore and Miss Quested felt differently. They were content because they could now communicate with the Indian guests. They tried to chat with the women but the Indian women weren’t comfortable and acted uncertainly. It was a strange situation for them as they weren’t used to speaking to English women and weren’t sure how to act. Eventually the ladies were able to have an actual conversation with two women in the group. Mrs Moore, delighted to have had the opportunity to speak with them, had an idea, and turned to Mrs Bhattacharya, one of the Indian women she’d been speaking with as she was leaving.

‘May Miss Quested and I come to visit you sometime at your home?’

‘Yes, that would be fine.’

‘Is Thursday morning alright?’

‘We’re going to Calcutta on Thursday.’

Mrs Moore was confused as to whether she’d be creating a problem for them by visiting if they were travelling that day.

class (here) position in society basic (here) only what is absolutely necessary

Mr Bhattacharya had heard the conversation with his wife and walked over to reassure Mrs Moore.

‘No, Mrs Moore, it isn’t a problem at all. We’ll send a carriage* for you at your home on Thursday morning,’ said Mr Bhattacharya.

He laughed pleasantly as did the other Indians in the crowd, though it was unclear to Mrs Moore if she’d offended them or if there really was no problem like he’d said.

The three women then left quickly, saying goodbye to the Indian women and walking back to the place where other English people were standing.

Mr Turton went around greeting everyone at the party and was very cheerful. He didn’t mind hosting* the party. He knew that it was a good idea to have a Bridge Party though he also thought that everyone at the party was there only for their own reasons. Most of the Indian guests were grateful for the invitation but some people like Mahmoud Ali were convinced that Turton was only having the party because of a request by his superiors. Regardless*, the Indians stood around and were happy that they’d been invited to a high official’s home. It was an honour for them to be there.

Mr Fielding, the headmaster at Government College was genuinely* very open to meeting the people at the party; eating, talking and drinking with everyone around him. He worked with many Indians at the school and he was very comfortable with them. They liked him as well and enjoyed being with him. He was pleased to hear that Mrs Moore and Adela, the English ladies who’d recently arrived in Chandrapore, had shown interest in meeting the Indian guests.

Mr Fielding met Mrs Moore and Miss Quested and after

carriage a kind of transport pulled by horses host receive and entertain

regardless despite this genuinely really, honestly

understanding that they might enjoy a different kind of experience from the Bridge Party, he invited the two ladies to tea at his home.

‘I’d like to meet more Indians,’ said Adela. ‘And why were the English people so rude to them?’ She hadn’t liked the situation at the party at all.

Fielding agreed with her but wasn’t sure if Adela truly* cared about the Indian people and had an honest interest in meeting them.

‘Do you know Dr Aziz?’ she asked.

Mr Fielding had heard a lot about him though he’d never actually met him.

‘I can invite him as well. I won’t ask Mr Heaslop to come – I know he’s busy with work.’

‘Yes, he is,’ said Adela.

As they left, Adela looked at the hills and thought about her possible life in India. They all went to the Club after the party and later had dinner with the McBrydes and Miss Derek. They ate typical British food and Miss Derek talked and laughed about how she thought her experience in India had been very funny.

Adela imagined how her life would be limited* to these kinds of meetings if she were to marry Ronny. She promised herself she wouldn’t become like the other English guests at the party who were arrogant to the Indians. However, Adela was glad she’d met Mr Fielding and Mrs Bhattacharya at the party and hoped she’d meet other people like them.

After dinner, Adela went to bed and Ronny and his mother had another talk. Mrs Moore told her son that Adela was upset about how the English had acted towards the Indians at the party.

‘That’s so typical of a woman to worry about something insignificant*!

truly genuinely, really limited when it isn’t possible to do what you want, for example because of rules

insignificant not worth considering

I work for the British government. It’s not my job to be nice to them.’

‘We must be kind to the Indians. We’re here to be pleasant to them. It’s what God wants,’ answered Mrs Moore.

Ronny worried about his mother and how she was becoming more religious*. He felt that this indicated that she wasn’t well. Mrs Moore regretted mentioning God to Ronny even though religion had been on her mind since she’d arrived in India. More than that, she was upset that she hadn’t talked to her son about the real reason she was in India. The conversation had gone in a direction that she hadn’t planned. She wanted to know if he and Adela would marry and wanted to know his feelings. In her mind, they should have discussed this instead of talking about the Indians.

When Doctor Callendar saw Aziz at the hospital he yelled at him for not passing by his home when summoned* the day before. Although Aziz tried to explain why it’d taken him so long, the doctor didn’t care and didn’t listen to him. Major Callendar never tried to understand him or the other Indians. Aziz was used to this kind of behaviour and didn’t take it too seriously.

Aziz didn’t go to the Bridge Party although at first he’d planned to do so. He’d heard about the party and then his colleague, an older man called Panna Lal had asked if they could go together. Panna Lal thought it would look good to the other guests and the hosts if the two doctors arrived together. Mr Lal said he’d pick up Aziz, but when he came to his house, Aziz wasn’t there. So, he went to the party alone.

Aziz had decided not to go because it was the anniversary* of his wife’s death. She’d died while having their third child. He wasn’t in the mood to be social and wanted to spend time thinking about her

religious (adj) religion (n) the belief in a god or gods summon order (someone) to be present

anniversary (here) remembering every year the exact day someone died

and honouring her memory. He didn’t have any desire to spend time with Callendar and other British people on this particular day.

Aziz was sad and decided to go to the post office to send a telegram to his children without leaving a message for Panna Lal telling him where he’d gone. When he returned home, he took out a picture of his wife. He thought about the sadness of death and how much he missed her.

Later, Aziz decided to stop by Hamidullah’s home to say hello to him. He was still at the Bridge Party so he decided to borrow his pony* to practise polo* on the town lawn*. While he was there, he met another Englishman and they played polo together for a while*. Though they’d had a nice exchange, they never introduced themselves to each other.

On his way home Panna Lal called to him from the road. He was angry that Aziz hadn’t told him that he wouldn’t go to the Bridge Party.

‘Where were you? I waited for you! You could have told your servant to give me a message.’

‘I’m sorry. I had to go to the post office.’

‘You should have told me. Also, people at the party wanted to know where you were. You should be careful; people might talk about you behind your back.’

‘I don’t care what you or other people think. I’ll do what I want.’ Aziz knew that he was being rude but he didn’t care.

He returned home to find an invitation to Mr Fielding’s home for tea and his mood changed. He was very happy because he’d always wanted to meet him. Mr Fielding was different from the other British living in Chandrapore.

pony a small type of horse polo a game similar to hockey played on horseback

lawn an area of grass kept cut short for a while for some time

Mr Fielding liked teaching very much and had a good heart. He enjoyed getting to know the other Indians and didn’t have much in common with his own countrymen.

Though the other Englishmen accepted Mr Fielding in spite of* the fact they didn’t fully trust him, their wives didn’t. They disliked him and didn’t appreciate* that he didn’t do the typical things that other English people did. He only went to the Club to play billiards* and tennis and he enjoyed the company of Indians. Also, he’d say things that were strange like whites were “pink-grey” — they thought this was strange.

in spite of despite appreciate (here) understand, admire billiards

Reading Comprehension

1 Read each sentence and decide whether it’s True (T) or False (F).

1 Mrs Turton told Adela and Mrs Moore that they were better than the Indian women. ■ ■

2 The Indian women didn’t speak English. ■ ■

3 Mrs Moore asked Mr Bhattacharya to come to her house for tea. ■ ■

4 Adela wasn’t sure about her life in India with Ronny.

5 Ronny thought the English should be kind to the Indians.

6 Mrs Moore wanted to talk about Ronny and Adela.

7 Major Callendar understood why Aziz was late coming to his home.

8 Aziz didn’t go to the Bridge Party because he had to work. ■ ■

9 Aziz forgot about his meeting with Panna Lal. ■ ■

10 Hamidullah and Aziz played polo together. ■ ■

11 Aziz was happy when he received an invitation to Mr Fielding’s home.

12 Mr Fielding found it easy to be with both English and Indian people.

13 Englishwomen liked Mr Fielding.

Vocabulary

2 Complete the sentences with the correct form of the verbs in the box. treasure • think • persuade • consider • delight

1 Aziz .............................. his wife’s memory.

2 Mrs Moore and Miss Quested .............................. to be invited to tea at Mr Fielding’s home.

3 Adela .............................. marrying Ronny and staying in India.

4 Even Panna Lal’s invitation to give Aziz a ride couldn’t .............................. him to go to the party.

5 Mr Fielding .............................. of very well by the Englishwomen.

Listening B2 First

3 Listen to the first part of Chapter 3 and choose A, B, C for the best answer.

1 Aziz felt ............................... at Mr Fielding’s home.

A depressed

B comfortable

C annoyed

2 Mr Fielding said that ............................... were also coming to his house.

A Mr Godbole and Hamidullah

B Mrs Moore and Miss Quested

C Mrs Moore, Miss Quested and Mr Godbole

3 Aziz was ............................... when he learned Mrs Moore and Miss Quested were coming to tea.

A disappointed

B confused

C delighted

4 According to Aziz, Mrs Moore was ............................... and Adela wasn’t attractive.

A old

B elegant

C generous

5 Mr Fielding suggested that Aziz talk about ............................... .

A Colonialism

B Indian Art

C Post-impressionism

6 The Battacharyas ............................... .

A came with their carriage to meet the ladies

B refused to come to meet the ladies

C didn’t meet the ladies in the morning

Tea at Mr Fielding’s Chapter Three

When Aziz arrived at Fielding’s home, the professor was getting dressed. Although they didn’t know each other, the two men spoke openly and easily. Aziz felt very comfortable at the teacher’s home. When Mr Fielding broke the stud* on his shirt collar, Aziz gave him his own. It was easy speaking to the teacher and he was happy to be there.

‘Two women are also coming to tea,’ said Mr Fielding.

‘Who? I don’t know any ladies.’ Aziz had forgotten meeting Mrs Moore in the mosque.

When Mr Fielding told him their names, he remembered Mrs Moore but was still disappointed. He wanted to spend time alone with the teacher so he could get to know him better.

Mr Fielding suggested that Aziz ask Miss Quested about PostImpressionism and quickly Aziz was offended because Mr Fielding implied* that the young doctor knew nothing about things like art and culture. Aziz then learned that a man he knew, Professor Godbole, would also come to Mr Fielding’s.

When the women arrived for tea, the situation stayed informal. Aziz found it easy to talk to the English ladies and he spoke to them like men. Aziz saw Adela as very plain and Mrs Moore as quite elderly so he didn’t feel he had to act formal around them.

stud like a button for clothing imply express something but not in a direct way

PostImpressionism is the name of the style of a varied group of late 19th century and early 20th century artists including Van Gogh and Gauguin.

The four guests talked about how the ladies hadn’t seen the Battacharyas that morning as planned and that no carriage had come to pick them up. When they went to their home, the Battacharyas weren’t there.

‘You can come to my home,’ said Aziz though he didn’t think they would actually take the invitation seriously.

‘That would be fantastic!’ said Adela.

Aziz didn’t really want the ladies to see his house, it was too simple a home for English ladies to visit. He changed the topic* to Indian architecture*, talking about certain features of Mr Fielding’s home. Though he didn’t have all the facts correct, Mr Fielding decided not to say anything. He didn’t want to ruin the conversation or make his new friend feel embarrassed.

Mr Godbole arrived and sat quietly as the group continued to talk to each other.

‘Would you like to stay in India?’ Aziz asked Adela. Without thinking, Adela replied, ‘I can’t.’

Later she realised that by saying she couldn’t stay in India she meant that she wouldn’t marry Ronny. Mrs Moore was also surprised by this. To distract* her, Mr Fielding took her on a visit of the college grounds. Adela stayed with Mr Godbole and Aziz in Mr Fielding’s home.

Adela asked Aziz again about visiting his home but Aziz suggested going to see the Marabar Caves instead.

‘What are they like?’ asked Adela.

Aziz couldn’t describe them because he’d never been there so he asked Mr Godbole to talk about them. He wasn’t very specific* and Aziz felt Mr Godbole wasn’t telling the whole truth about the caves.

topic talking point architecture the art or practice of designing buildings

distract draw someone’s attention away from something specific clear

It was like he was hiding something.

All of a sudden, Ronny arrived to take the two ladies to a polo match, ignoring and saying nothing to Aziz and Mr Godbole.

Aziz was very offended that Ronny didn’t speak to them. Ronny continued to ignore him.

‘How could you leave Adela alone with two Indians?’ asked Ronny when Mr Fielding returned with Mrs Moore. Ronny wanted to leave immediately.

‘But we haven’t heard you sing yet, Mr Godbole,’ said Adela. Godbole began to sing a song in Hindu which no one but the servants understood. When he finished, he explained that it was a song about God not coming.

As they drove away from Mr Fielding’s, Adela looked out at the hills and thought about Ronny. She’d known him in England and thought he was a nice person but she didn’t like how he was acting in India. He’d been rude when he came to Mr Fielding’s and in general had an indifferent* view of Indians that she didn’t accept. She wasn’t happy. Ronny talked about how Aziz looked silly without the stud on his collar and said that he was ridiculous organising the trip to the caves. This made Adela even more depressed. She didn’t like the person Ronny had become.

‘I’m excited about going to the Caves,’ said Adela to Mrs Moore.

‘You won’t go to the Marabar Caves! That’s ridiculous,’ said Ronny. They began to argue.

Mrs Moore asked to go home because she felt uncomfortable with the two young people fighting. She wanted some peace. They took her home and then continued on to see a polo match. When they sat down, Adela turned to Ronny.

indifferent not showing or feeling interest

At Mr Fielding’s home, where Professor Godbole sings a song.

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‘We need to talk. I don’t think we should get married.’

Ronny was sad to hear Adela’s news but he surprised her with his calm reaction.

‘I understand, Adela. You have the right to make your own decisions. I’m tired, though and don’t want to talk about this anymore.’

‘I’m sorry for causing any trouble for you or your mother.’

Even though Ronny wasn’t happy about Adela’s decision, the two decided to stay friends. They were both relieved and felt more relaxed than they’d been before. While they spoke, Adela watched a beautiful little green bird and thought that such a big decision should have a little more excitement.

‘Which kind of bird is that, Ronny?’ asked Adela.

Ronny didn’t know. Adela thought about how this represented* India to her - that nothing was clear or easily defined.

The bird flew away just as the Nawad Bahadur appeared. He greeted the two young people and offered to take them for a ride in his new car. They agreed to go although Adela’s desire* to see ‘the real India’ had become less strong after her recent experiences.

Adela and Ronny sat in the back of the car as they travelled in the wild Indian countryside. The ride was bumpy* and Adela’s hand accidentally touched Ronny’s. The two of them felt thrilled* and though neither moved closer to each other, they didn’t move their hands away. Suddenly the car hit something and stopped. They all climbed out of the car to see what had happened.

‘It must have been a hyena*,’ said Adela.

As they discussed the accident, another car approached. It was Miss Derek.

represent (here) be a symbol of desire a strong feeling of wanting something or wishing for something to happen bumpy not smooth

thrilled extremely pleased and excited hyena

Miss Derek offered to give them a lift. The Nawad Bahadur talked too much and Miss Derek spoke in a rough manner. Soon Adela and Ronny were both annoyed with the Nawad Bahadur and Miss Derek and this made them even closer.

Since being in the car, Adela had started to feel differently about Ronny and believed they did have things in common. When they arrived at the bungalow, their hands touched again but this time Adela pressed her hand against Ronny’s and he returned the touch. She told him she regretted what she’d said while watching the polo.

Without officially saying it, her change in feelings meant that they’d be married. Adela immediately had doubts again about that as she thought again how she’d become just like the other Englishwomen if she got married to Ronny and lived a typical life in India.

‘Let’s tell my mother about our plans!’ said Ronny. They told Mrs Moore about their engagement who thought to herself that she’d return to England. They had a pleasant dinner and Adela and Ronny spoke about their future, laughing about the Nawad Bahadur. They also told Mrs Moore about the car accident.

‘It was a ghost,’ Ronny’s mother said with a shiver.

Ronny returned to his office to work and Adela and Mrs Moore played cards and talked. Adela apologised to Mrs Moore for having said that she’d leave India.

‘I don’t know if I’ve been a good person in India,’ said Adela. ‘Don’t worry, Adela. This is a new place and it takes time to get used to such a different situation.’

‘Mrs Moore, why did you say that the hyena was a ghost?’

‘Oh, I wasn’t thinking. I was distracted. Of course it was a hyena.’

The Nawab Bahadur waited for his car in Chandrapore after the accident. He thought about his secret: nine years ago he’d killed a man with his car in the same place as he’d hit the hyena. The Nawab Bahadur was found innocent and generously compensated* the family but he reflected on what could have happened that evening with Adela and Ronny. The crowd around him was listening carefully.

‘It was the ghost of the man who hit my car tonight.’

Aziz was there and wasn’t feeling well. He listened to the Nawab Bahadur but thought that Indians should stop being so superstitious*. Because Aziz was feeling a little ill, he stayed at home the next three days. He also reflected on all the women he’d known in his life, even for brief periods of time. He wanted to return to Calcutta and maybe meet a woman. He knew that dating wasn’t typical for Indians but he felt it was good for him. He knew Major Callendar wouldn’t allow him to go though he knew Mr Fielding would accept his feelings. Mr Fielding was the only English person who understood Indians.

He called for his servant Hassan to take care of the flies that were annoying him in his room and then was surprised by friends who’d come to see him. The group was worried because Professor Godbole was ill as well.

The men gossiped* that Godbole was ill because Hindus weren’t very clean or maybe Mr Fielding had put something in the tea that had made the two of them sick.

Talking about Hindus made Aziz think about Arabic poetry which he enjoyed very much. He started to recite a poem that didn’t have anything to do with what the men had been talking about. The room became silent and even if all of the men didn’t know poetry, it made

compensate give someone money because you recognise loss, suffering or injury caused by you

superstitious when you believe in supernatural forces that can lead to good or bad luck gossip conversation about others, involving details that aren’t confirmed as being true

them happy and they reflected on the possibility of a united India.

Hamidullah was the only one who understood poems and was reflecting on the meeting that he’d attend later on in the day about creating an Independent India. People from many religions would be there and the meetings were never successful. They only agreed when they spoke badly about the English. He was glad that Aziz wasn’t interested in politics.

‘Aziz, we should go. Please feel better soon! We need you,’ spoke Hamidullah softly to Aziz.

Aziz thought this was very kind of Hamidullah and was very thankful.

Before they left, Panna Lal, his Hindu colleague at the hospital came to check on Aziz. Major Callendar wanted to know if Aziz was really sick and to know if he had a temperature. Major Callendar never believed Indians. Dr Lal realised that the temperature wasn’t very high but he didn’t say anything. Even though Dr Lal was still angry with Aziz about the Bridge Party, he thought he also might want to stay home one day and maybe Dr Aziz would return the favour for him.

On July 18, 1947, in accordance with the British Parliament’s India Independence Act, the Union of India and Pakistan were created from the former “British India” that had been a part of the British Empire.

Reading Comprehension

1 Answer the questions about Chapter 3, then discuss them with your partner.

1 Why didn’t Aziz want the others to come to Mr Fielding’s?

2 What was Mr Godbole’s song about?

3 Why did Mrs Moore ask to be taken home?

4 How did Adela compare the little bird to India?

5 Why didn’t Miss Quested want to go in the car?

6 Who gave them a ride after the accident?

7 What news did Adela and Ronny tell Mrs Moore when they returned home?

8 What was Nawad Bahadur’s secret?

9 Why did Aziz stay home?

10 Who came to visit Aziz when he was home?

11 Why did Major Callendar send Dr Lal to Aziz’s home?

Vocabulary

2 Complete the sentences with the adjectives from the box. offended • surprised • thrilled • comfortable • simple • ridiculous • disappointed

1 Aziz felt ................................... in Mr Fielding’s home and they spoke easily together.

2 Aziz felt ................................... when he heard the ladies were coming because he’d rather have spoken to Mr Fielding alone.

3 Aziz felt ................................... when Mr Fielding implied he might not know anything about art.

4 Aziz thought his home was too ................................... for English ladies to visit.

5 Mrs Moore was ................................... when Adela said she couldn’t stay in India.

6 Ronny thought the idea of visiting the caves was ................................... .

7 Adela and Ronny felt ................................... when their hands touched accidentally.

Grammar B2 First

3 Complete this part of Chapter 3 with one word for each space. As they drove (1) ....................... from Mr Fielding’s, Adela (2) ....................... out at the hills and thought about Ronny. She’d known him in England and thought he was a nice person but she didn’t like (3) ....................... he was acting in India. He’d been rude when he (4) ....................... to Mr Fielding’s and in general had an indifferent (5) ....................... of Indians that she didn’t accept. She wasn’t happy. Ronny (6) ....................... about how silly Aziz had looked without the stud on his collar and said that he was ridiculous organising the trip to the caves. This (7) ....................... Adela (8) ....................... more depressed. She didn’t like the person Ronny had become.

1 A up B away C through D across

2 A saw B watched C looked D observed

3 A how B which C why D when

4 A arrived B travelled C reached D came

5 A aspect B view C mind D way

6 A said B told C talked D forgot

7 A had B got C let D made

8 A even B as C a D so

Speaking

21st Century Skills

4 Discuss the following questions with a partner, giving reasons for your answers.

1 How important is it to learn about the cultures of other countries?

2 What reasons nowadays make people leave their country to go and live elsewhere?

3 Would you consider going to work abroad in the future? Why? / Why not?

4 What are the major difficulties that a foreigner has to face when trying to settle in a new country?

5 Can you think of any signs of racism in your town or city?

New Friendships Chapter Four

Aziz’s friends thanked Dr Lal for checking on Aziz and asked about Professor Godbole. Dr Lal said that the illness wasn’t at all serious.

Aziz laughed at his friends who’d said that Mr Godbole had been very ill when he wasn’t. The men began to argue amongst themselves about gossiping and bad behaviour.

Then Mr Fielding arrived to check on Aziz. The men were happy that an Englishman was visiting their friend.

‘Are you or aren’t you ill?’ asked Mr Fielding.

‘He’s doing well and not so well,’ replied Hamidullah, a man that Mr Fielding knew and liked.

The men began to ask Mr Fielding about his belief in God and what he thought about England’s presence in India. Fielding told them that in his opinion, God didn’t exist. He wasn’t sure if England was doing the right thing in India – he was only there for the job.

‘Maybe the Indians will throw out the British,’ said Mr Fielding.

‘Indians don’t do that kind of thing, Mr Fielding. We wouldn’t throw another race out of our country,’ said Hamidullah.

Mr Fielding’s beliefs shocked the men and he hadn’t been modest* at all. As they left, Mr Fielding felt disappointed because he’d liked

modest (here) not wanting to seem too strong about what you think

Aziz when he met him and thought that visiting him at his home would have made them closer.

It was too hot outside while they waited for their horses and no one was cheerful. The Indian men went home instead of back to work because of the hot weather. Mr Fielding continued to wait for someone to bring him his horse.

Mr Fielding decided to get his horse himself when Aziz called to him from inside the house. ‘I know my house isn’t nice. You probably don’t want to stay. Before you leave, would you open that drawer?’ Mr Fielding unlocked it and found the picture of Aziz’s wife.

‘You’re the first English person I’ve ever shown this to.’

Mr Fielding truly appreciated this gesture. Aziz explained that he showed it to him because the professor had been so kind to him.

‘You’re my friend and a brother to me. All India needs is a little kindness. Mr Fielding, why aren’t you married and why don’t you have any children? You could marry Miss Quested.’

‘I don’t want to have children. I loved someone a long time ago but it ended. As for Miss Quested, I’d never marry her, she’s not my type. Also, she’s engaged to Mr Heaslop.’

Aziz appreciated Mr Fielding’s open manner with him but warned him about speaking this way to others. It could be a scandal and he could lose his job. Mr Fielding agreed that he should be more careful in the future.

‘But I’ll never lose my job because I have a government position. I just want to be a free man and teach people to be individuals*.’

Before Mr Fielding went home, Aziz confessed that he’d asked his

individual (here) a person who has his own thoughts and opinions and doesn’t just follow a group

servant not to help him so that he could have more time alone with him. When Mr Fielding left, Aziz thought that he was a unique person. He was happy that the two of them knew each other – sharing the photograph with him had made them much closer.

The Marabar Hills are older than anything else on earth. They’ve been here since earth began, before the River Ganges or the Himalayas existed. Over time the area changed and hills containing caves were formed.

The Marabar Caves each have a tunnel of about two and a half metres long, one and a half metres high and a metre wide. These tunnels lead to a circular area which is six metres wide. They’re all very similar so when a visitor sees one cave, they’ve seen every cave. They represent emptiness and even the animals seem to share this feeling. Even though the caves are very dark, if someone lights a match* in the circular area, the flame* will be seen all around them because the inside of the caves is very shiny. They look polished* and are very dramatic with all of the different shapes and sizes of granite*. However, the sides of the caves aren’t like the circular part and seem dull, especially without a match.

It’s said that there are other caves with no entrances and that there are more of these ‘secret caves’ than the caves that people can visit. The most unusual cave is shaped like a bubble* and has a large boulder* which moves in the wind on the top of the highest hill. It’s called the Kawa Dol.

Adela looked at the romantic hills of Marabar while she was at the Club.

‘I’d really like to go to the Caves. Dr Aziz said that he’d take us

match a tool for starting a fire flame

polished made smooth and shiny granite a very hard rock often used as a building stone

bubble a thin rounded shape with air or liquid inside it boulder a large rock, typically one that is made smooth from the elements

Aziz shows Mr Fielding the picture of his wife.

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For Hindus, the cow is a holy animal so they never eat beef.

but he hasn’t arranged anything yet,’ she said to Miss Derek without thinking much about it.

One of the servants heard her and in a short time the news reached Aziz. He was horrified* because by the time the information came to him, he was told that she was offended which she wasn’t at all. He didn’t think they’d remember his invitation as he’d forgotten about what he’d said at Mr Fielding’s tea.

He decided that he had to make arrangements and immediately began asking people he knew to come to a picnic at the caves, including Mr Fielding and Mr Godbole. Mr Fielding didn’t want to go and he felt that the caves were dull as well. However, he said he’d come to the picnic and also help his new friend Aziz by asking Mrs Moore and Adela to come too. Aziz thought it was better for Mr Fielding to ask them. Ronny couldn’t come though he agreed to let Adela and his mother go if Mr Fielding promised to go with them. Although no one was very excited about going, they all accepted the invitation.

Aziz was worried about this picnic not because it was a long journey but because of the responsibility. He wasn’t a high official and wasn’t sure how to organise the trip.

There was so much to consider for his different guests like transport, food and drink. Godbole was Hindu and could only eat and drink certain things, and the English needed their own kind of food and drinks.

When Aziz asked Major Callendar for a half day off of work, at first, he refused. Then, although he wasn’t sure, he agreed after Mr Fielding approached him. Aziz’s friends cautioned* him to be on time with the English so he slept at the train station with his servants because the train left very early in the morning.

horrified extremely shocked and filled with horror caution say something as a warning

On the day of the journey, the first people to arrive were Mrs Moore and Miss Quested with their servant Antony. He’d hoped Mr Fielding would arrive first – if he were there, he’d relax a little. However, when he saw the ladies he felt glad.

‘I’m so happy that you’ve come!’

The ladies weren’t as happy as Aziz but they were kind to him and thanked him for arranging the day. In the station there was a lot of confusion but Miss Quested and Mrs Moore said nothing. They treated Aziz the same as they’d have done with anyone and this made Aziz very pleased.

Their servant, Antony, wasn’t very helpful or polite so Adela asked Aziz to dismiss* him. He wouldn’t leave because Ronny had ordered him to stay there with them at all times. Finally, after being paid, he left the station.

Aziz helped the ladies settle in the all-female compartment*. He was worried because neither Mr Fielding nor Godbole had arrived yet.

‘What will we do? Where are they? English people are never late,’ thought Aziz as he planned the day’s events with the servants. He wanted everything to be perfect.

The train began to move just as they saw Mr Fielding and Mr Godbole arriving. Aziz yelled at Mr Fielding to jump on.

‘We’re late because of Godbole’s prayers!’ Mr Fielding said as Aziz tried to pull him onto the train.

Mr Godbole felt embarrassed because it was true: he’d forgotten about the time while he was praying. Though Aziz tried, he wasn’t successful in helping Mr Fielding. He and Godbole didn’t manage to get on the train and Aziz was sure that the trip would be a disaster.

dismiss order or allow to leave compartment (here) a part of the train

In India, the summer months of May and June are very hot with temperatures usually about 35°C, but sometimes even reaching 50°C at certain times of the day.

‘I’m so sorry ladies, but this journey is ruined!’

Mrs Moore reassured him by saying that everything would be fantastic and Adela said that the two men had been silly for being late. Sitting in his second-class train carriage, Aziz felt relieved because the two Englishwomen had been kind to him. He especially felt appreciation for Mrs Moore for being so considerate* and reasonable. Even though Aziz had never been to the caves, he was going to prove to the people who said he couldn’t organise such a trip that the event would be a success. He smiled as he looked out into the darkness of the countryside.

Since hearing Mr Godbole sing, Mrs Moore and Miss Quested hadn’t felt any emotion. Mrs Moore accepted this while Miss Quested pretended to be enthusiastic.

Adela knew she should be excited about her engagement to Ronny and about finally seeing ‘the real India’ but she wasn’t excited by anything. Adela was eager to experience something new. A cheerful butler* served them tea and food and she was glad Antony wasn’t with them anymore.

Mrs Moore wanted to sleep but Adela started talking.

‘I don’t want Antony to work for us. He was rude at the station.’

‘He’ll be better at the wedding. He can stay with me and we’ll get an extra servant. I’m used to him and he’ll help me during the hot weather,’ said Mrs Moore.

Mrs Moore wasn’t feeling well and wasn’t interested in talking about the marriage. She suffered in the heat and since Adela and Ronny wanted to wait until May to have the ceremony, she couldn’t return to England shortly after the wedding because it’d be too hot to travel.

considerate thoughtful of the feelings of others butler the most important male servant whose duty is to make sure meals are served in the correct way

She’d have to remain in India until it was cooler. Adela continued to talk about the plans but Mrs Moore felt she couldn’t give the couple any more advice. She opened the shutters* to see the landscape but she could only see darkness.

‘This is near where we hit the hyena,’ said Adela.

The sky was bright orange but just as the sun was coming up nothing happened and this depressed her. As they looked out of the train window, the women remembered the romantic landscape of England and how pretty the mountains and lakes were.

shutters a pair of boards inside or outside a window that can be closed for safety or to keep the light out

Reading Comprehension

1 Decide if the sentences about Chapter 4 are True (T) or False (F).

1 Aziz’s friends were surprised by Mr Fielding’s beliefs. ■

2 Mr Fielding called Aziz his brother.

3 The Kawa Dol is the name of a famous river near the Marabar Caves.

4 Mrs Moore was angry that Aziz hadn’t invited them to the caves.

5 Mr Fielding had no desire to go to the caves.

6 Mrs Moore and Miss Quested were kind to Aziz when they arrived at the station.

7 Antony left the station as soon as Adela asked him to.

8 Adela and Mrs Moore felt enthusiastic about going to the caves.

9 Mrs Moore disliked warm weather.

10 The ladies thought the sunrise from the train was beautiful.

Writing and Reflection

21st Century Skills

2a At the beginning of her time in India, Adela continues to express her need to see “the real India”. How have her feelings changed in Chapter 4? What happened to make her feel differently?

2b Why is it so important to Aziz to organise the trip to the caves? What does he do to make his guests feel honoured and taken care of? Do you think he was successful (why or why not)?

Grammar B2 First

3 Use the word given, without changing it, to complete the second sentence so that it means the same as the first one. You must use between two and five words, including the word given.

1 Mr Fielding told them his thoughts about England’s presence in India. THOUGHT

Mr Fielding told them ...................................................... about England’s presence in India.

2 It was too hot so the men went home instead of going back to work. COOL

It wasn’t ........................................ to work, so the men went home instead.

3 All the Marabar Caves look very similar. SAME

All the Marabar Caves ............................................................. .

4 Aziz was horrified when he thought the ladies were offended. HORROR

Aziz was ........................................ when he thought the ladies were offended.

5 Aziz felt worried because he was responsible for the trip. RESPONSIBILITY

Aziz felt worried because .................................................................. the trip.

6 Antony agreed to leave them after being paid. UNTIL

Antony didn’t agree to leave them ....................................................... paid.

Pre-Reading Activity • Chapter Five

Speaking

21st Century Skills

4a Discuss these predictions about Chapter 5 with a partner.

1 Mrs Moore will feel better in the caves because they’re cool.

2 Aziz will stop worrying about if the ladies are enjoying themselves.

3 Someone will get lost in the caves.

4 Aziz will regret having organised the trip.

5 The two ladies will be excited and pleased about everything they see.

4b Read Chapter 5 to see if you guessed right or wrong.

The Caves Chapter Five

Dr Aziz approached the ladies as the train began to stop. They could see an elephant next to the tracks*. Although the women told Aziz that they were very surprised to see the elephant, they didn’t really feel that way and weren’t excited about it. Aziz was so happy because it’d been very difficult to find an elephant – it was the most important feature of the picnic and he wanted them to be impressed.

Aziz told them that they’d be back in Chandrapore to see Ronny by a quarter past one in the afternoon.

‘I wanted to plan everything perfectly but if you’d like to make any changes, please tell me.’

They got on the elephant and the servants followed in tongas. The line of people was like a parade*, just without colour. This attracted the locals* who also decided to go to the caves with them. During the ride, Miss Quested thought she saw a snake and told the villagers who agreed with her, saying it was a cobra. However, when she looked with her binoculars, she saw that it wasn’t actually a snake, but a piece of wood, yet the villagers insisted that it was in fact a dangerous cobra. Nothing was explained to the women as they continued on to the caves and the heat from the Kawa Dol made things even more

On the train to the caves. Miss Quested has her binoculars with her so she can see everything in detail.

tracks (here) the lines a train travels along parade lots of people and things like carriages or animals moving along the streets to celebrate a special event

the locals (here) the people who live in that area

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Emperor Babur (14831530) was the founder and the first Emperor of the Mughal Empire, which controlled a great part of South Asia between the 16th and 19th centuries.

difficult. The ladies didn’t think that it was an attractive place or the kind of place worth visiting at all and weren’t enjoying the trip.

Aziz was so pleased with his organisation that he didn’t notice anything. Without Professor Godbole’s help, Aziz wasn’t a good guide. He spoke confidently but didn’t actually know anything about the surroundings.

When they finally arrived at the caves, Mrs Moore wasn’t impressed by them at all. However, there was an elegant picnic waiting for them.

Aziz was proud of himself as he spoke with Mrs Moore and Miss Quested while the servants prepared some food for them.

‘It’s wonderful having you as my guests. I feel like the Emperor Babur!’

He continued talking about other emperors and the two ladies enjoyed hearing the stories and his opinions. Adela said that she hoped that someday there could be something ‘universal*’ in India.

‘I’m going to marry Ronny Heaslop. How can I avoid becoming like the British women I know? I don’t want to be rude towards the Indians!’

Aziz was happy to hear her say that but he decided to be quiet and not get involved.

‘I’m sure you’ll be very happy. You’re different from the others and will never be impolite. Come along, let’s go to the caves!’

The first cave was easy to reach and seemed dull at first to Mrs Moore. It was crowded because there were too many villagers in the cave with them, and she almost fainted. It was smelly*, she lost Aziz and Adela and something strange touched her in the dark. She screamed and heard an echo*. She was terrified as any kind of noise seemed to echo in the cave making a ‘boom*’ sound.

universal (here) of all people or things in the world smelly having an unpleasant smell

echo the repetition of a sound due to the reflection of sound waves from something boom a loud, deep, echoing noise

When Mrs Moore was at last out of the cave she saw Aziz and Adela smiling so she smiled as well even if she wasn’t happy at all. She watched people exit the cave and realised that she was the one with the problem. Everyone else seemed normal. She understood that it’d only been a baby who’d touched her and frightened her. Nothing bad had been there but she hadn’t enjoyed it. She hadn’t even seen the reflection of Aziz’s match in the circular space.

‘I don’t think I’ll go to the next cave because I don’t feel like climbing. You go with Aziz – it’d offend him if neither of us sees it. I’ll sit in the shade and wait for breakfast.’

Aziz assured Mrs Moore that they wouldn’t take a long time.

‘Thank you for being honest with me, like a friend would be.’

‘Next time don’t let so many people come into the caves with you,’ said Mrs Moore.

They left and Mrs Moore decided to write a letter to her other children, Stella and Ralph but couldn’t write because all she could hear was the echo. She began to feel that her life and all of life had no value.

Aziz, Adela and the guide continued on their way to visit the next cave. They were going to climb to see the Kawa Dol but decided it was too far away. The guide took them to other caves yet they were just like the first cave they saw.

As they walked, Aziz worried if breakfast would be satisfactory for everyone while Adela thought about her marriage. Aziz didn’t have much to say to Adela as he didn’t really have much in common with her.

Adela reflected on how she and Ronny would be fine together because they were both sensible, but she also knew that they didn’t

The British colonial Empire of India permitted Islamic provinces to allow husbands to have more than one wife. For the rest of the country, this practice had only been followed in ancient India by rulers and kings.

love each other. Adela stopped to think about what she should do about Ronny when Aziz asked her if he was walking too fast.

‘No, don’t worry, I’m fine. Thank you. Are you married, Dr Aziz?’

‘Yes, I am, but my wife isn’t in Chandrapore at the moment.’

‘Do you have children?’

‘Yes, I have three,’ replied Aziz.

‘Do you only have one wife?’ asked Adela.

Even though Aziz hadn’t told the truth about his wife, he was shocked and embarrassed by Adela’s question. How could she ask something like that? What did she mean? Without saying anything, Aziz quickly went into a cave so he could be calm again.

Then Adela also went into a cave. She was bored with sightseeing* and was thinking about her marriage.

While he was in the cave Aziz thought of what he could say to Adela to explain his sudden disappearance. When he came out, he couldn’t see her. The guide said she’d gone into another cave but he didn’t know which one. He just moved his hand in the direction of the caves.

Aziz thought he heard a car in the distance.

‘Which cave? There are twelve caves here!’

Aziz panicked while the guide did nothing. The guide continued pointing in a general way to the caves and clearly had no idea where she was.

Aziz and the guide went to look for Miss Quested but the caves were very confusing - they couldn’t see anything. He was so angry with the guide that he hit him and the guide ran away, leaving Aziz alone.

‘I’m finished,’ he thought. Then he looked down below to find Adela talking to another woman.

sightseeing visiting places of interest in a particular area

He was relieved to know she was alright and didn’t think her behaviour strange. He imagined that she’d heard the car and wanted to go for a drive. As he walked down to the camp he found her binoculars at the entrance to a cave. They were broken so he put them in his pocket. He heard the car starting and saw Mrs Moore and Mr Fielding at the picnic area. He was so happy to see his friend!

Mr Fielding apologised for missing the train and explained that Miss Derek had taken him to the Marabar. He realised that was the woman he’d seen talking to Adela.

‘Aziz! Where’s Adela?’ asked Mr Fielding.

‘She’s fine. She’s talking to Miss Derek.’

Miss Derek’s driver appeared saying that Miss Derek had taken Adela back to Chandrapore. Aziz didn’t think this was odd but Mr Fielding knew something was wrong. Miss Derek had been talking the entire way to the camp about how excited she was to be there and spend time with Indians.

Aziz assured everyone that Adela had only gone to see her friend and things were fine. Mr Fielding went up to see a cave and returned not impressed. The group started to leave the caves so they could catch the train.

‘Aziz, where exactly did you leave Miss Quested?’ asked Fielding.

Aziz indicated the Kawa Dol. Mr Fielding thought it looked difficult to climb.

‘Did she go alone?’

Even though Aziz didn’t really know how Adela had got into the cave, he said that the guide had helped her.

Aziz was lying but wanted to keep the mood light and cheerful.

‘So you saw Miss Quested and the guide get back safely?’

‘Yes, of course! I saw them, and when Miss Quested got back, she went with Miss Derek in the car. She’s a very independent woman, you know.’

‘Well, I hope she was OK.’

‘Of course she is. If she wasn’t, she’d have asked me for help. Don’t worry, it’s fine!’

‘I do worry. They’ve been rude to leave so suddenly.’

Aziz felt very happy that his picnic had been a success. He thought about his new friend who he began to think of by his first name Cyril, not Mr Fielding. When they got on the train, Mrs Moore tried to sleep and the men went into their carriage. Aziz was sad the trip was over. Then suddenly, as soon as the train arrived in Chandrapore, Mr Haq, the police inspector, opened the door of the carriage where Aziz and Mr Fielding were sitting.

‘Dr Aziz, you’re being arrested.’

Mr Fielding was sure there had been a mistake.

‘What is he being arrested for?’

‘These are my orders. I can’t say. If you want information, you need to speak with Mr McBryde.’

‘OK, I will. Come on, Aziz. Everything will be fine.’

Aziz started to cry. Then suddenly he tried to escape but Mr Fielding caught him in time. He knew if Aziz ran away, then his situation would become much worse.

‘We’ll go together. Take my arm and never act like a criminal.’

Ronny came to collect Mrs Moore. The station was very busy and confusing as they tried to make their way through the many people but

before they could make it out of the crowd, Mr Fielding was called by Mr Turton. Aziz was left alone to go with Mr Haq to the police station.

In the waiting room with closed doors guarded by a servant, Mr Turton told Mr Fielding what he’d heard about what had happened. Aziz had tried to harm Adela in the caves.

Mr Fielding didn’t believe him.

‘No, no, no! That’s not possible. Not Aziz!’

Aziz was his friend and he was sure he was innocent.

‘I called you so that you wouldn’t damage your reputation* by walking with him to the police station.’

‘But who made this accusation*?’

‘Miss Derek and the victim*, Miss Quested.’

‘She’s mad,’ said Fielding.

‘You can’t say that, Mr Fielding. You must apologise for that comment right now!’

‘Yes, I’m sorry for saying that. But there must have been a mistake! I’m sure of it.’

reputation the beliefs and opinions that are generally held about someone accusation saying that someone has done something wrong

victim a person who’s been harmed, injured or killed due to a crime, accident or other events

Reading Comprehension

1 Put these events from Chapter 5 into the correct order from 1 to 10.

A ■ Mr Turton said that an accusation had been made.

B ■ Aziz found Adela’s binoculars.

C ■ They got on the elephant.

D ■ Aziz said he felt like an emperor.

E ■ Mr Turton told Fielding to leave.

F ■ Mr Fielding arrived at the Marabar Caves.

G ■ Aziz panicked.

H ■ Mrs Moore felt something touch her in the cave.

I ■ Adela asked if Aziz had another wife.

J ■ Aziz said he saw Miss Quested leave with Miss Derek.

Grammar B2 First

2 Complete the second sentence so that it means the same as the first. Use between two and five words. You must use the word given.

1 Aziz thought the picnic had been a success.

ACCORDING

The picnic was successful, ........................................................... .

2 ‘I think Aziz is innocent,’ said Mr Fielding. BELIEVED

Mr Fielding ........................................................... .

3 ‘I will use force if you run away,’ the officer said to Aziz. UNLESS

‘I won’t use force ...........................................................,’ the officer said to Aziz.

4 Aziz went to the station with the police officer by himself. OWN

Aziz went ........................................................... to the station with the police officer.

3 Read the questions and give your opinion. Give reasons for your answers.

1 In Chapter 5 Mr Fielding was confused about why Adela had left with Miss Derek but when Aziz told him what had happened, he believed him. Later on, Mr Turton told him what he’d heard but he still thought Aziz was innocent. Why do you think Mr Fielding wasn’t suspicious of Aziz? Explain.

2 In this chapter Aziz’s relationship with the truth is unpredictable. He changes the subject, is silent or changes the story with various characters (Adela, Mr Fielding). Why do you think he does this and what does it say about his character?

Grammar

4 Transform the sentences in Chapter 5 into reported speech. Aziz: ‘I wanted to plan everything perfectly but if you’d like to make any changes, please tell me.’ ............................................................................................................................

Aziz said (that) he wanted to plan everything perfectly.

1 Mrs Moore to Adela: ‘It would offend him if neither of us sees it.’ ............................................................................................................................ ............................................................................................................................

2 Adela to Aziz: ‘Do you only have one wife?’ ............................................................................................................................ ............................................................................................................................

3 Mr Fielding to Aziz: ‘I do worry. They’ve been rude to leave’ ............................................................................................................................ ............................................................................................................................

4 Mr Haq: ‘Dr Aziz, you’re being arrested.’ ............................................................................................................................ ............................................................................................................................

5 Mr Turton to Mr Fielding: ‘You must apologise for that comment right now!’ ............................................................................................................................ ............................................................................................................................

Trouble in Chandrapore

Although Mr Fielding explained that he’d made the comment because he was in shock, Mr Turton was furious about what had been said. He also couldn’t believe that he was defending Aziz.

‘I know that you, Mr Fielding, have modern ideas but after being in India for twenty-five years, I can tell you that nothing good comes out of Indians and British people meeting socially. When I heard about what had happened, I came to the station to help you.’

Although he knew Mr Fielding wasn’t trying to cause problems, Mr Turton was confused. He wished to support Adela but also understood that Mr Fielding wished to support his friend.

‘There’s a meeting at the Club tonight to discuss the event. Will you come?’

‘Yes, I will. Thank you for inviting me Mr Turton and for trying to assist me. Where’s Adela?’

Mr Turton told him that she was ill and then ended the conversation suddenly. He was annoyed that Fielding was so calm during such a difficult situation.

When he left the room, Mr Turton saw the servants from the picnic on the platform. They were stealing food and items* that Aziz had left on the train when he’d been arrested. For a moment

The British Raj, the period when the British ruled in India, lasted from 1858 to 1947.

he returned to his normal self and position to order them to stop. However, on the way home, his anger returned as he looked at the people of Chandrapore from his car.

Mr McBryde, the District Superintendent of Police, was a very educated man. He studied a lot and always tried to be fair. In fact, when he met Aziz at the police station, he was courteous* to him.

‘I have to keep you in jail* until your friends pay your bail*. But they’ll be able to visit you, with rules, of course. I’m not your judge –I’m only doing my job.’

Aziz was terribly upset and went off crying.

Mr Fielding came to McBryde’s office as he was making his statement to the Magistrate*. He told him that Miss Quested and Miss Derek had arrived at his home an hour ago and were very troubled.

‘Why exactly is Aziz in prison?’

He explained to him what Miss Quested had told him at his home.

According to McBryde, Aziz had followed Adela into a cave and then tried to attack her. Adela had hit Aziz with her binoculars and then while he was pulling them, they broke.

‘We found the broken binoculars in his pocket when we searched him.’

‘I’m sure there’s another explanation.’

Mr McBryde showed Mr Fielding the binoculars.

‘Did she say anything else?’

‘She spoke of an echo. Did you go into any caves, Mr Fielding?’

‘Yes, I did. There was in fact an echo. Did it bother her?’

McBryde explained that he didn’t want to ask her too many questions because of the state she was in. He said that Miss Derek had

courteous polite, respectful jail prison

bail the money you pay for a person to be released from prison while waiting for his/her trial

Magistrate an official whose job is to make sure that the law is respected in his area or country

looked up when she heard falling rocks and saw Miss Quested. She ran to her and saved Adela who was caught in a cactus* plant as she was escaping. Miss Quested couldn’t stand to see Miss Derek’s driver who was Indian so Miss Derek sent him away and then left for Chandrapore.

McBryde then had Aziz arrested and searched his home for evidence. He told Mr Fielding that he’d searched Aziz’s home and found letters that mentioned that he’d visited women in Calcutta.

‘I don’t want to hear about his private letters but I must say that dating women is normal for a young man.’

McBryde agreed with him as he’d done the same thing when he was younger but didn’t say anything.

‘Can I visit Miss Quested?’ asked Mr Fielding.

‘No, she’s too ill. Why do you need to see her so badly?’

‘I want to ask her if she’s absolutely sure of what she thought happened to her at the caves.’

‘Major Callendar will never let you see her.’

‘Can I see Aziz? Please?’

McBryde didn’t understand why he wanted to get involved in the situation. He also believed that if Fielding saw Aziz it might weaken the case.

‘I promised I’d come with him to the police station but Mr Turton stopped me right when we got off the train.’

After hearing that Mr Turton also thought Mr Fielding shouldn’t get involved, he decided.

‘No. You can’t see Aziz without a magistrate’s order.’

McBryde showed Fielding some photos he’d taken from Aziz’s home. Among them was the picture Aziz had shown him.

cactus a type of plant that usually grows in the desert

The moment when Aziz found Adela’s broken binoculars, the ones the police found when they searched him.

©EliPublishing

‘That’s his wife, Mr McBryde.’

‘It’s a lie! Of course it isn’t his wife. I think it’s time for you to leave, Mr Fielding.’

Outside the police station, Fielding met Hamidullah who told him that all Indians should unite* to support Aziz.

‘I’ll ask the Nawab Bahadur for help to bring the famous barrister* Amritrao from Calcutta for the case,’ said Hamidullah.

‘Be careful. He’s anti-British which could cause more problems between the British and Indians. But please know that I support you, Hamidullah. We’ll win. I have to go to school now but please give Aziz my love when you see him.’

At the College, Mr Fielding saw Godbole who said nothing about what had happened to Aziz. He acted like he knew nothing about it.

‘I’m so worried,’ said Fielding.

‘Yes, I noticed that when you came in the room, Mr Fielding. I won’t bother you much but as I’ll be leaving this college to start a new school in the town where I’m from, I wanted to know what I should name it.’

‘I can’t think about names for a school. I can only think about Aziz. Mr Godbole, I’m so upset. Do you understand what’s happening? Do you think he’s guilty?’

Mr Fielding wanted a direct answer but Mr Godbole spoke about his religion. He simply said:

‘When evil happens everyone is responsible.’

Mr Fielding reflected on his words.

In the afternoon, Mr Fielding was allowed to see Aziz but when he visited him, Aziz was angry and hard to understand because of his crying.

unite come together barrister a lawyer who’s a member of one of the Inns of Court and who works in the higher courts

‘You left me at the station,’ was the only thing that Aziz managed to say clearly.

Mr Fielding decided to write a letter to Miss Quested. He believed she wasn’t the kind of person who’d wrongly accuse an Indian. She was a sensible person without bad intentions.

Previously*, the Englishwomen hadn’t liked Adela but now they were very sympathetic to her because of what had happened.

When everyone met at the Club that evening, Mr Turton tried to keep the ladies calm and said that they’d make sure everyone was safe during Muhurram, a Muslim holiday that would take place during the trial.

Fielding asked about Miss Quested but there was no report from Major Callendar.

‘Why did you ask that?’ asked Mrs Turton who was suspicious.

Trying to keep order, Mr Turton asked the women to leave and to try to stay calm. Even though he wanted to punish Fielding for supporting Aziz, he knew he needed to be fair. He told the group that bail had been refused. When a soldier suggested the intervention* of the military to protect the British women and children, Turton said that wasn’t a good idea.

‘Everyone should act normally.’

‘I thought I might even tolerate Indians … one time I played polo with one and we had a nice time. But to hear this…,’ said a soldier in the crowd of men.

When Major Callendar arrived, he saw Mr Fielding and wasn’t very happy about it. Everyone started asking about Adela.

‘Miss Quested is better though she has a temperature. Mr Heaslop will be here shortly.’

previously before intervention (here) involvement

Muhurram is the first month of the Islamic calendar. It’s one of the four holy months of the year when war is forbidden. It’s considered the second holiest month after Ramadan.

The group started talking about how much they wanted to help Ronny and how they were sorry for him.

‘I wish I hadn’t allowed Aziz to leave,’ said Major Callendar. ‘I thought an Englishman would have gone with them. I gave in and it’s my fault. I take responsibility for my actions and don’t appreciate those who don’t do the same.’ He looked directly at Mr Fielding who didn’t respond.

He continued trying to get Fielding’s attention and said that Adela’s servant was given money not to accompany her to the caves and that an Englishman in the group had also been paid not to be present during the event.

Mr Fielding was furious but he made an effort to stay calm.

‘I meant, Godbole was paid to make Fielding late for the train. Also, Heaslop found out that Aziz had paid the locals to suffocate* Mrs Moore in the cave. Luckily she survived but almost didn’t.’

Then Callendar suggested that they use force but Mr Turton was still against the idea. Callendar then said he’d heard that a person present had visited Aziz earlier that day. At that moment, Ronny entered the room looking sad and tired.

All the men except for Mr Fielding stood up in support of him. Ronny told them that his mother was better and asked the men to sit down. The soldier noticed that Mr Fielding was sitting.

‘Stand up, you pig!’ said the soldier.

‘Why aren’t you standing?’ asked Mr Turton. Mr Fielding then stood up.

‘May I speak, Mr Turton?’ ‘Yes.’

‘I think Dr Aziz is innocent.’

‘You’re free to believe what you want but you can’t insult Mr Heaslop.’

suffocate die or cause to die from lack of air or inability to breathe

‘May I finish?’ ‘Yes, you may,’

‘If Aziz is found guilty, I’ll leave my job. I’m quitting* the Club today,’ said Fielding.

Mr Turton still wanted an explanation as to why he wouldn’t stand up for Ronny but Mr Fielding walked towards the door.

‘I’m glad that you’re resigning* from the Club but you need to apologise to Mr Heaslop.’

‘Is that an official order?’

Mr Turton was very angry that Mr Fielding was challenging him and being so rude to Ronny.

‘Leave right now! I’m sorry I tried to help you. What’s wrong with you?’

Mr Fielding tried to leave the room but he was blocked* by the soldier.

‘Please let him go,’ said Ronny who nearly had tears in his eyes. Because it was him who requested it, the men agreed to let Mr Fielding through the door.

Mr Fielding left the room. He didn’t want to make Ronny more upset but he was glad he hadn’t exploded with the anger he felt. The behaviour of the men had surprised him. He stood and looked at the Marabar Hills and thought about the case. What had happened to the guide and had he been found? What was this echo that Adela had heard?

When he rode into Chandrapore, he saw children preparing for Muhurram. He also met some of Aziz’s friends who told him that a request had been made again for Aziz’s bail and that the barrister from Calcutta would in fact come to defend him. He then went to the college hoping to speak with Godbole but he’d already gone to bed. Soon after, Godbole quietly left for his new job a few days later without saying goodbye.

quit leave a place forever resign (here) give up the right to be a member of the club

block stop someone by standing in front of them or holding them against their wish

Grammar B2 First

1 Complete this part of Chapter 6 with one word for each space. Mr Fielding left the room. He didn’t want to make Ronny more upset but he was glad he hadn’t exploded (1) ....................... the anger he felt. The behaviour of the men had surprised (2) ....................... . He stood and looked at the Marabar Hills and thought about the case. What had happened (3) ....................... the guide and had he been found? What was this echo that Adela had heard? When he rode into Chandrapore, he saw children preparing for Muhurram. He also met (4) ....................... of Aziz’s friends who told him that a request had (5) ....................... made again for Aziz’s bail and that the barrister from Calcutta (6) ....................... in fact come to defend him. He then went to the college hoping to speak with Godbole but he’d already gone to bed. Soon after, Godbole quietly left for his new job a (7) ....................... days later (8) ....................... saying goodbye.

Reading Comprehension and Discussion

21st Century Skills

2 Can you remember who said these things in Chapter 6? Match the sentences to the right person. Then, discuss with a partner what you think these people were talking about.

1 ■ ‘Please let him go.’

2 ■ ‘I’m not your judge - I’m only doing my job.’

3 ■ ‘I take responsibility and don’t appreciate those who don’t.’

4 ■ ‘In my belief, when evil happens everyone is responsible.’

5 ■ ‘If Aziz is found guilty I’ll leave my job.’

6 ■ ‘Nothing good comes out of Indians and British people meeting socially.’

7 ■ ‘Why did you ask that?’

a Mr Fielding

b Mrs Turton

c Mr Turton

d Mr Heaslop

e Major Callendar

f Mr McBryde

g Mr Godbole

Writing

3 Write your answers, justifying your opinion.

1 Why do you think Godbole didn’t talk to Mr Fielding about Aziz and the trial?

2 Do you think Mr Fielding’s letter will help convince Miss Quested to change her mind about what happened in the Caves? Why or Why not?

3 How do you think the Englishmen will act if Aziz is found not guilty? What will the reactions be of the Indians in the town if Aziz is found guilty?

Pre-Reading Activities • Chapter Seven

Listening

4 Listen to the start of Chapter 7 and read the definitions to complete the words you hear.

1 A dark area or shape

2 Make people suffer as a way of paying for something bad they’ve done.

3 Responsible for doing wrong.

4 Lacking the skill or ability to do something.

5 An organised act of objection

Speaking

21st Century Skills

5 After listening to the start of Chapter 7, what do you think is going to happen to Adela? Will Aziz be found guilty? Support your answers.

The Muhurram Festival lasts ten days. During this festival, Indians remember the death of the Prophet Muhammad’s grandson, Hussein ibn Ali, who was murdered during the Battle of Karbala in the year AD 680.

The Trial Chapter Seven

Adela was staying at the McBryde’s. The Englishwomen took care of her and the men were also kind to her. However, the only person Adela wanted to see was Mrs Moore but she didn’t come.

Adela continuously tried to make sense of what had happened to her, explaining the situation to the people around her though they didn’t understand what she was talking about.

‘I went into the cave and touched it with my finger and the echo started. There was a shadow and it scared me. I hit the shadow with my binoculars and he pulled me with the strap* and it broke. I then ran away. He never touched me.’

She was confused and continued to hear the echo. Sometimes she’d cry, sometimes she’d think she wasn’t good enough for Ronny, sometimes she’d feel that the attacker should be punished, sometimes she’d feel very guilty. She always wanted Mrs Moore.

After her temperature was gone, Adela was ready to go home. Ronny arrived and seeing him suffering and tired, she wanted to comfort* him but was unable to touch him or talk to him.

Since she was feeling better, he and McBryde told her what had happened during the Muhurram festival. There had almost been a protest on the last day of the celebration. They also told her that she’d have to speak at the trial.

strap a piece of material to carry something or hold it in place

comfort ease a person’s sense of fear, pain or sadness

McBryde gave her Mr Fielding’s letter and told her about what he’d done to Ronny at the Club. Adela quickly read the letter.

It said that Aziz was innocent. Adela started to cry.

‘I’m so sorry how he acted to you, Ronny. You don’t deserve any of this.’

She wanted to leave but didn’t want to be touched or helped by Ronny at all. As she left, Mrs McBryde and Miss Derek kissed Adela goodbye but that was also too much for Adela.

On their way home, Ronny explained to Adela that Mrs Moore wasn’t feeling well and that she might not be in a good mood. When Adela arrived, Mrs Moore only talked about wanting to change her ticket to England. Adela wanted to speak to her right away.

‘I’m so happy to see you! I know you’ll help me get through this. I can’t remember where it happened, Mrs Moore,’ said Adela.

‘The caves are confusing, Adela. I understand,’ said Ronny.

‘And I keep hearing this echo.’

‘You hear an echo?’ asked Mrs Moore. ‘I don’t think you’ll ever lose it.’

‘What is it? Can you explain why I have it?’

‘If you don’t know, I can’t tell you. I can’t help you. Please stop asking me questions. I want to go home to England.’

Ronny told Mrs Moore that she needed to be a witness in the trial, but she refused.

‘I won’t be involved! I’ll go to your wedding but not the trial. I don’t feel well. I’m so weak. And I’m tired of helping people!’

‘Mother, how can I help you?’

Mrs Moore left the room and Ronny discovered that Adela was crying. He thought about his mother and that she was acting this way because she was old.

He wished he hadn’t asked her to come to India.

‘I’m sorry, Adela. This hasn’t been a very good welcome home for you.’

‘I’ve made a mistake, Ronny. Aziz is innocent and a good man. There shouldn’t be a trial. Your mother said Aziz was innocent as well!’

Ronny tried to convince Adela that it was Fielding’s letter that had confused her. When his mother came back into the room, he asked her what she’d said.

‘I don’t remember saying anything but obviously he’s innocent. He’s a good person. Please leave me alone!’

Ronny asked Adela if she had any evidence to support Aziz’s innocence.

‘Both Indian and English people say he’s a good man but I don’t want to be wrong… but… I suppose… yes, I think I do remember him following me into the cave. So many people have helped me – I don’t want to disappoint them. I’m sorry for all of this, Ronny.’

‘Adela, you don’t need to apologise but it doesn’t matter what you think at this point. The case is going to continue.’

Ronny thought about how his mother needed to go back to England. She was upsetting herself and others. However, when Ronny tried to arrange her travel home, he realised that every ship was booked. Luckily, when the wife of the Lieutenant-Governor*, Lady Mellanby, heard about the situation, she offered Mrs Moore a place in her private cabin*. Ronny was then relaxed about the situation and happy to have received such a gesture by such an important person in the government.

Mrs Moore hadn’t been the same since she’d gone to the Marabar Caves. She felt as if she were without emotion. She was pleased she wouldn’t have to stay for the hot weather, marriage or the trial and was glad to leave, but she was removed from everything. She went

Lieutenant-Governor a state officer second in importance to a governor cabin a private room on a ship

alone on the train to Bombay because Ronny needed to stay for the trial. She enjoyed seeing the diverse* landscapes of India from the train. It was such a diverse country. When she arrived, Lady Mellanby was waiting for her.

‘Be careful not to stay in the heat, Mrs Moore. Bombay is also very warm.’

Back in Chandrapore it was very hot and people spent most of their time inside.

Adela was praying in her bedroom on the morning of the trial –she’d been staying with the Turtons since Mrs Moore had left. Adela had practised with Mr McBryde what she’d say at the trial but she continued to hear the echo.

‘I don’t know if I can do this.’

Mr Turton tried to reassure her though he knew that the trial wouldn’t be simple. The Nawab Bahadur had paid for the expensive barrister from Bombay to defend Aziz who in his opinion was an innocent Muslim man. On the way to the court, someone from the streets yelled ‘The English are cowards!’

Reflecting, Mr Turton didn’t hate the Indians. In his opinion, it was the Englishwomen who were ruining the peace.

When they arrived, everyone was in Ronny’s office where there were many people talking badly about Mr Fielding and Indians. Adela was trying to rest but everyone ignored her.

Although Ronny couldn’t be present on the case, he said he trusted his Indian employee, Mr Das, who was the magistrate on the case.

‘I despise* all Indians. They don’t deserve our respect,’ Major Callendar told the group.

diverse varied, very different despise feel a strong dislike for someone because you think they’re bad

Bombay is what Mumbai used to be called until 1995. It’s the financial centre of India and about 20 million people live in this city.

‘None of them should ever talk to an English lady again,’ said Mrs Turton.

It was time to start the trial. When they sat down, Adela noticed the Indian man operating the fan* and thought he was beautiful and peaceful.

Mr McBryde began his case, stating details about the picnic. He knew Aziz was guilty so the trial would be easy for him.

‘It’s a fact that Indian men like white women but not the opposite.’

‘Even if the Englishwoman is uglier than the Indian man?’ asked an unknown voice.

The magistrate ordered the person who’d made the comment to be removed, but an innocent man who hadn’t said anything was taken out instead.

Adela was upset by the comment and started to shake so McBryde asked if she could have a better place to sit so she could be cooler. Major Callendar and Adela went to the area facing the courtroom* and all the other English people followed them except Mr Fielding.

Adela looked at the people in front of her. Many of them she knew. She looked at Aziz – had she made a mistake?

Amritrao, the barrister from Calcutta said it was unfair for so many British to be seated on the platform because it could influence the jury*and Magistrate Das agreed. Mr Turton and Ronny left immediately but all the women except Adela and Major Callendar didn’t want to move. Eventually everyone including Adela returned to their places. She felt better after having seen the court because she’d faced her fears. She then looked at Mr Fielding who looked away from her.

Mr McBryde continued his case.

fan something used to move the air in a room to keep it cool courtroom the place where a court of law meets

jury a group chosen according to law to act on the facts of a trial and decide the result

Aziz’s trial.

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‘Dr Aziz tried to corrupt* Mr Fielding, Adela’s servant Antony and the Nawab Bahadur.’

Adela had never agreed with this and she’d asked the police not to mention these things.

‘And he was cruel to another English lady.’

Mahmoud Ali, the assistant to Aziz’s barrister objected*.

‘You’re speaking of Mrs Moore but she was sent away because she knew Dr Aziz was innocent!’

The magistrate asked him to sit down.

‘No one can speak about Mrs Moore because she isn’t present!’

‘This trial is false. I’m leaving. Goodbye forever, Aziz,’ called Mahmoud Ali.

Mr Amritrao apologised for his colleague and the trial continued.

When it was Adela’s turn to speak, the courtroom became quiet. She was feeling better and to her it seemed that she was back in the Marabar Caves. She wanted to tell the truth.

When McBryde asked her if Aziz and the guide had taken her to caves near the Kawa Dol, she said they had.

‘Did Aziz follow you into the cave?’

Adela was silent.

‘He followed you, didn’t he?’ repeated Mr McBryde.

‘May I have a moment to think?’ asked Adela.

She was imagining herself back in the cave, but she couldn’t remember Aziz being there.

‘I’m not sure if he was there,’ said Adela.

‘I don’t understand. What do you mean?’

‘I’ve made a mistake. Dr Aziz never followed me.’

corrupt cause to be dishonest object show that you don’t agree about something

The courtroom exploded with people talking and yelling. McBryde tried to continue but the magistrate stopped him and asked the public to be quiet.

‘Miss Quested is unwell. We must stop,’ said Mr McBryde.

Adela officially removed her accusation which angered Mrs Turton who went on to insult her. Mr Das announced that Aziz was free and he fainted. The court slowly emptied except for the man operating the fan. When Adela left the court, she found herself alone in a sea of Indian people outside and was pushed against Fielding.

‘Where are you going, Miss Quested?’

‘I don’t know. I’m going to walk.’

‘You can’t do that! There might be a protest and the police are involved. I’ll help you.’ He didn’t have a high opinion of Adela but he couldn’t leave her on the street alone.

Aziz saw Mr Fielding.

‘Cyril, Cyril, don’t leave me!’ called Aziz, speaking to Mr Fielding by his first name.

‘I’ll be back in a minute, Aziz. Miss Quested, take my carriage and bring it back to me tomorrow.’

‘But where can I go?’

The streets were full of confusion. Mr Fielding was surrounded by his students who put him in the carriage with Adela and pulled them through town.

As they travelled, people put flowers around Adela – they were happy to see her sitting next to the headmaster they loved. Mr Fielding wished he was with his friend Aziz. They arrived at the College to find the phone lines cut and no servants around so Adela had to stay with him. Mr Fielding gave Adela something to drink and told her to rest. He did the same.

Reading B2 First

1 Choose the best answer A, B, C or D.

1 Mrs Moore

A visited Adela only once at the McBryde’s.

B wanted to visit Adela at the McBryde’s.

C never visited Adela at the McBryde’s.

D helped the other Englishwomen take care of Adela at the McBryde’s.

2 McBryde and Ronny told Adela

A that Aziz would speak at the trial.

B that there was almost a protest during the festival.

C that she wouldn’t have to speak at the trial.

D that there could be a protest during the trial.

3 Ronny convinced Adela that

A Mr Fielding’s letter had influenced her doubt.

B Mr Fielding was someone that she couldn’t trust.

C Mrs Moore was very ill.

D he would help her during the trial.

4 .............................. was waiting for Mrs Moore in Bombay.

A Mr McBryde

B Mr Turton

C Ronny

D Lady Mellanby

5 Before the trial in Ronny’s office everyone

A tried to help Adela.

B talked about the heat.

C wanted to plan a strategy for Adela’s case.

D ignored Adela.

6 At the trial Mrs Moore’s name was mentioned by

A Mahmoud Ali.

B Mr Amritrao.

C the Magistrate.

D Mr McBryde.

7 When Adela said that she’d made a mistake, McBryde

A told the judge that the courtroom was too loud.

B yelled at the people in the courtroom to be quiet.

C told Adela to be quiet.

D asked the judge to stop the trial because Adela wasn’t well.

8 After the trial Adela and Mr Fielding

A visited Aziz at The Nawar Bahadur’s home.

B went to Mr Fielding’s home.

C talked to Mr McBryde about the case.

D rode with Miss Derek to her home.

Grammar B2 First

2 Use the word in capitals at the end of some of the lines to form a word that fits in the space in the same line. Adela (1) ........................ tried to make sense of what had happened to her, and gave (2) ........................ to the people around her though they didn’t understand what she was talking about. There was a lot of (3) ........................ in her head and she continued to hear the echo. Sometimes she’d cry or her (4) ........................ made her feel that she wasn’t good enough for Ronny. Other times she’d feel that the (5) should be punished, then she’d feel very (6) ........................ . She always wanted Mrs Moore. After her temperature was gone, Adela was ready to go home. Ronny arrived and seeing his suffering, she wanted to help him but was (7) ........................ to touch him or talk to him. She wanted to (8) ........................ him, but didn’t know how.

Pre-Reading Activity • Chapter Eight

21st Century Skills Speaking

3a Chapter 8 is called ‘Changes’. Discuss the following questions with a partner, giving reasons for your answers.

1 What will the Englishwomen think of Adela now?

2 Will Ronny and Adela get married?

3 Will Major Callender apologise to Aziz?

4 Will the other Englishmen invite Cyril Fielding to be a member of their club again?

5 Will Aziz think that Cyril Fielding has abandoned him?

3b Read Chapter 8 and see if you guessed right.

Chapter Eight

While Mr Fielding and Adela were travelling through town, Aziz was also being pulled through Chandrapore with his friends, but he only wanted to see Mr Fielding.

The Indians wanted to protest against Mr Turton and Mr McBryde but the Nawab Bahadur advised them not to. There was a rumour that Major Callendar had been unnecessarily* rough with the Nawab Bahadur’s grandson who was being seen at the hospital because of an accident. Although the Nawab told the crowd to stay calm, they insisted on going to the hospital.

Aziz’s colleague, Dr Lal, was outside the hospital. He’d planned on speaking badly about Aziz’s character for the trial and thought the crowd was there to punish him.

‘Please forgive me!’

When he learned that they were there to see the Nawab Bahadur’s grandson, he was delighted and went to get him. The Nawab Bahadur made a speech while he held his bandaged grandchild.

‘We must remember justice, courage and liberty*! I’ll give up the title given to me by the British and return to my original name, Mr Zulfiqar.’

He asked Aziz and his friends to come to his home that evening to celebrate and wanted them to invite Mr Fielding and Mr Amritrao.

unnecessarily (here) more than what was necessary

liberty being free, being able to do what you want

The title of Nawab Bahadur was given by the British to Indian Muslims as an honour for services to the British Empire.

When Mr Fielding got up from his rest, he hoped that Adela would have left. However, she was still there and wanted to talk to him. He eventually agreed to listen to what she had to say, though at first he didn’t want to.

‘I’ve been unwell since going to the caves and I’ve had an echo in my ears. I hadn’t felt like myself since hearing Mr Godbole sing at the tea at your home. I can’t describe it.’

‘It seemed that your senses came back in court today. When McBryde asked you a direct question you returned to reality.’

Even though Mr Fielding hadn’t thought very well of Adela, he was starting to appreciate her honesty. He could see that she hadn’t wanted to hurt Aziz.

He also apologised for how he’d acted to Ronny at the Club.

‘What does Dr Aziz think about me?’

‘He’s upset, of course. Regardless, neither of you are guilty so perhaps it was another person who tried to attack you. Could it have been the guide?’

At that moment, Hamidullah arrived at the house to take Mr Fielding to the dinner at Mr Zulfiqar’s home. He wasn’t happy to find the two of them alone and he wouldn’t look at Adela.

‘We were discussing what might have happened at the caves,’ said Fielding.

Hamidullah was full of anger.

‘I’m glad that you said what you did in court and it’s nice that Mr Fielding’s students gave you flowers. However, first you almost ruin my best friend and now you’re talking badly about the guide, another Indian, so you can ruin him as well?’

Predictions state that by 2023, there will be 1.4 billion people in India.

‘We were just considering the possibilities,’ said Fielding.

‘Yes, Mr Fielding, but there are one hundred and seventy million Indians in India. It probably was one of them, but you don’t have time right now to figure out* who. You should come to the Nawab Bahadur’s home. Now you can call him by his true name – Mr Zulfiqar.’

‘Yes, I’d love to. Just give me a minute. Adela can stay here at the College while I’m away.’

‘If there’s an attack on the College, you’ll be blamed, Mr Fielding. That’s not a good idea,’ said Hamidullah.

‘Thank you, Mr Fielding but I’m going to leave. I don’t want to cause you any more problems,’ said Adela.

Hamidullah saw Mr Heaslop coming up to the house and Mr Fielding went to talk to Ronny, leaving Hamidullah and Adela alone.

‘Did you really need to bother Mr Fielding? Hasn’t he been through enough?’ asked Hamidullah.

Before Adela could reply Mr Fielding returned saying that Ronny wanted to speak with her outside.

‘Goodbye Mr Fielding. Thank you very much for helping me.’

After Adela left, Hamidullah commented that it was rude of Ronny not to have come inside.

‘After how I acted at the Club, it’s understandable. He isn’t a bad person and he’s had a very difficult day. He’s just found out that his mother died at sea, perhaps from the heat. He’s feeling guilty for letting her go. Should we leave?’

Hamidullah wanted to wait until Adela and Ronny had left because he didn’t want to see them at all. To his unhappy surprise Adela returned.

‘Did you hear the news? My best friend Mrs Moore died. I was

figure out discover the answer to a question

much closer to her than Ronny. Oh, I can’t stay with Ronny tonight. Please, may I stay here?’

‘That’s fine but you should ask Ronny first. Have him come inside and we’ll talk.’

She returned with Ronny.

‘It’s fine for her to stay. She can no longer stay at the Turton’s and it wouldn’t be correct for her to stay with me.’

Hamidullah reminded Ronny that if anything happened to Adela, they wouldn’t be responsible and Ronny agreed.

Amritrao came with Hamidullah and Mr Fielding to Mr Zulfiqar’s. On the way Amritrao said that Adela would have to pay a lot of money because of her mistake. This upset Mr Fielding who thought she’d already had enough trouble. He didn’t want her life to be ruined.

When they arrived at Mr Zulfiqar’s home, the guests were on the roof sleeping or looking at the stars. Mr Fielding found Aziz and they had a talk.

‘Cyril, I ate too much but I’m happy about the day. And now that I’ll have a lot of money from the trial, I want to take you on a holiday. I know you think I shouldn’t make Miss Quested pay me but now I am anti-British.’

Mr Fielding tried to convince him to change his mind because after speaking with Adela that day, he’d understood that she was a courageous* person who didn’t deserve to suffer. He suggested that she write a letter of apology to Aziz.

‘But she’s so ugly,’ replied Aziz.

This upset Mr Fielding.

‘You can say anything but that. It isn’t kind at all. I’m going to bed.’

courageous brave

‘Cyril, what if I talk to Mrs Moore? I trust her opinion and if she tells me to forgive Adela, I will. I know I’ve only met her three times but to me she’s an Oriental.’

‘That’s incredible, Aziz. You won’t treat Miss Quested with any kindness but for Mrs Moore you’re full of respect. Miss Quested did the right thing today but Mrs Moore has never done anything for you. You’re too emotional.’

Aziz didn’t understand why Mr Fielding felt this way but he was sure in time he’d change his mind about Mrs Moore and feel the same way he did.

Mr Fielding couldn’t keep the secret anymore.

‘I’m sorry to say Mrs Moore is dead.’

Aziz didn’t believe him, he thought he was joking. Mr Fielding didn’t insist as he knew that Aziz would find out in the morning.

Back in Chandrapore there was a rumour that Ronny had killed his mother because she’d tried to save Aziz.

Even though Mrs Moore had been buried at sea, two tombs* that were said to contain her body were constructed* shortly after her death and people of the town went to visit them. The British people didn’t get involved in any of this. They thought it was propaganda*. Although Ronny believed that it was his mother’s choice to leave India when she did, he still felt responsible.

Ronny knew that he hadn’t been kind to his mother before her death. To make himself feel better, he found things to blame Mrs Moore for, such as her influence on Adela and her kindness to Aziz.

He hoped that Adela would return to England and quietly end their engagement. If he married her, it’d harm his career.

tomb a place where a dead person is buried construct build

propaganda information, ideas, or rumours created to help or harm a person, group or organisation

After winning the trial, Aziz is a free man again.

©EliPublishing

At the time, Miss Quested was still staying with Mr Fielding at Government College because no other British person would host her. Ronny wanted to have a serious talk with her but was waiting until the case of paying Aziz was settled. Any love he’d felt for her was gone – she was a part of his past in England and he wanted to move on.

When the Lieutenant-Governor came to Chandrapore, he congratulated Mr Fielding on his actions and insisted that his membership to the Club was returned.

Because the College was still closed, Mr Fielding was staying with Hamidullah and Adela remained at his home. She needed some peace and quiet and the more he knew her, the more he saw her as a humble* and honest person.

Mr Fielding suggested that Adela write a formal letter of apology to Aziz though it wasn’t sincere*. She knew that she could never take away the harm she’d caused by just writing a letter but the real reason the letter wasn’t good was because she didn’t have any feelings for Aziz or for India and Indians in general.

Mr Fielding went to convince Aziz to not make Adela pay him compensation but he refused again. They argued and Aziz didn’t feel that he needed to do anything for Adela.

‘What would Mrs Moore think, Aziz?’

This made him reflect.

‘I won’t make her pay, but she must pay my legal fees*.’

It was an honourable gesture but the British would always believe he was guilty.

When everything was settled, Ronny thanked Mr Fielding for helping Adela and said that she’d leave India soon.

humble not proud sincere from the heart fees (here) the money you pay a lawyer for his services

‘She wants to see you,’ said Ronny.

When Mr Fielding arrived at his home, Adela said she was sorry for all the problems she’d caused everyone. She admitted that she’d never been sure about the engagement even though she was upset that it’d ended.

‘I was thinking about it when I went in the cave alone that day.’

‘What do you think really happened in the cave?’

‘It probably was the guide but I’ll never know. Mrs Moore knew what had happened, even if she never saw. I think it was telepathy*.’

Adela thanked Mr Fielding for his kindness.

‘I’ll write when I get to England.’

‘We’ll meet there. Soon I’ll return to England on official business,’ said Fielding.

Ten days later, Adela left Chandrapore. During the trip she decided she’d try to find Mrs Moore’s other children. Although things between the Hindus and the Muslims were better, Aziz was no longer happy living in a British state and wanted to move.

Hamidullah didn’t want him to go.

‘You should have made Adela pay. Also, did you hear the rumour that Adela and Mr Fielding were secretly dating?’

‘That can’t be true.’

However, Aziz wasn’t sure. He doubted the truth and suspected that there was truth to the rumours.

telepathy communication between minds by some means other than the senses

Reading Comprehension

1 Look at the sentences below from Chapter 8. Explain who’s speaking, who they’re talking to and what they’re talking about.

1 ‘Please forgive me!’ ........................

2 ‘I’ll give up the title given to me by the British.’ ........................

3 ‘After how I acted at the Club, it’s understandable.’ ........................

4 ‘If she tells me to forgive Adela, I will.’ ........................

5 ‘She wants to see you.’ ........................

6 ‘I think it was telepathy.’

7 ‘That can’t be true.’

Grammar

2 Transform the sentences about Chapter 8 into the passive. Mr McBryde asked Adela a direct question.

Adela was asked a direct question (by Mr McBryde).

1 They saw Dr Lal, Aziz’s colleague outside the hospital. ............................................................................................................................. .............................................................................................................................

2 Mr Fielding hadn’t thought very well of Adela. ............................................................................................................................. .............................................................................................................................

3 Hamidullah saw Mr Heaslop coming up to the house. .............................................................................................................................

4 There was a rumour that Ronny had killed his mother because she’d tried to save Aziz. ............................................................................................................................. .............................................................................................................................

21st Century Skills

3 Answer the following questions about Mr Fielding, supporting your opinion.

1 What do we know about Mr Fielding at this point in the book? ............................................................................................................................. ............................................................................................................................. .............................................................................................................................

2 In your opinion, what does he really think of Ronny Heaslop? ............................................................................................................................. ............................................................................................................................. .............................................................................................................................

3 What are Mr Fielding’s feelings towards the Indians? What do you think the Indians think about him? ............................................................................................................................. ............................................................................................................................. .............................................................................................................................

4 How important is Mr Fielding to the story? .............................................................................................................................

The Temple: Life Beyond Chandrapore

When Mr Fielding returned from a conference*, Aziz met him at the station and Mr Fielding invited him to his home for dinner.

‘There’s a rumour in town that you and Miss Quested were dating.’

‘That’s ridiculous!’ Mr Fielding was shocked.

‘It’s true, I know you liked her.’

‘You snake! Do you really enjoy these rumours?’ Mr Fielding couldn’t believe the accusations.

Aziz was upset by Mr Fielding’s insult and asked to be taken to the hospital. He agreed to come to dinner at Fielding’s home but didn’t really want to.

After Mr Fielding left Aziz at the hospital, he saw Mr Turton at the post office.

‘You should come to the Club tonight, Mr Fielding. The LieutenantGovernor insists that you become a member again.’

Mr Fielding stopped at the Club to discover the head of the hospital and city magistrate (Major Callendar and Mr Heaslop’s former positions) had been replaced. Everything felt the same. It was like an echo of darkness to Mr Fielding.

Later that evening at dinner, Mr Fielding told Aziz that he’d go to England.

conference a formal meeting of people with the same interest, usually lasting a few days

‘Will you visit Adela in England?’

‘I probably will.’

‘I’m sure you’ll enjoy seeing her.’

All of a sudden Aziz decided to go home.

Before he left, Mr Fielding tried to apologise.

‘Aziz, I’m sorry I called you a snake earlier. Please forgive me.’

‘It hurt me because I care for you very much.’

‘Yes, I understand but things like this can happen in a long friendship,’ said Mr Fielding, trying to lighten* the mood.

As Aziz left Mr Fielding’s he felt very sad. He was suspicious of Mr Fielding and thought he wanted to marry Miss Quested for her money. He was sure they’d had an affair.

Mr Fielding sensed that Aziz was upset with him so he wrote him a letter explaining how he felt about life and women which Aziz thought was too forward* and rational*. He wrote back explaining that he wouldn’t be able to see Mr Fielding before he left for England and that when Mr Fielding returned, he’d be working in a different place in India.

After Mr Fielding went to England, Aziz’s friends convinced him that Mr Fielding had secretly dated Miss Quested and that was why he didn’t want her to have to pay Aziz compensation. Aziz was certain that they were now married.

On the way back to England, Mr Fielding stopped in Egypt, Crete and Venice which he enjoyed greatly, especially the architecture which was so different from what he’d seen in India. He arrived in England in June to find flowers in bloom*, reminding him of romance.

Two years later Mr Godbole had become Minister of Education and was living in Mau, a Hindu area hundreds of kilometres from Chandrapore.

lighten make less heavy forward direct

rational according to reason not emotions bloom if a plant is in bloom, it’s full of flowers

The rainy season, called the monsoon, lasts from June to September.

It was the rainy period and Godbole, a Brahman*, was holding a religious ceremony, directing the choir* and celebrating the birth of God. While he was singing and dancing, Mrs Moore came into his mind as well as an image of a wasp. He thought of how he loved them both, the wasp and the old woman.

Krishna is one of the most important gods in Hinduism. He’s the god of protection, kindness and love.

As Godbole continued to dance and play the drum, the Rajah* arrived at the ceremony. He was ill and sat down to experience the people celebrating the birth of Krishna. Everyone was very happy.

The Rajah returned to his home in the palace and his doctor, Aziz, came to check on him as he wasn’t feeling very well.

As Godbole left the festivities in the rain, he thought about Mrs Moore and the wasp again. He was Hindu and she was Christian but it didn’t matter. It was his duty to equally love both her and the wasp.

Dr Aziz left the palace at the same time as Professor Godbole. He saw him and said hello but then he realised that Godbole wanted to be left in silence.

‘I think he’s arrived at the European Guest House,’ said Godbole.

Aziz thought he was speaking about Mr Fielding but he didn’t ask Mr Godbole because he didn’t want to think about it. Mr Fielding had been travelling all over India to report the quality of British education. Aziz knew he was married to Adela and so he had no desire to see him again.

Aziz was grateful to Godbole because if it wasn’t for him, he wouldn’t be in Mau. Godbole also helped him to understand the complex* culture of the Hindu city which was very different from Chandrapore. In Mau the divide was between Brahman and non-Brahman and the Indians and British weren’t part of the conflict* at all.

Aziz hadn’t been in contact with Mr Fielding. When he was still in

Brahman member of the highest class among the Hindus choir a group of people who sing together Rajah a king or prince in India

complex made up of many different parts that are connected to each other conflict when people with different ideas show dislike or fight against each other

Chandrapore, Aziz had received a letter from Fielding in England saying, ‘I’m going to marry someone you know.’ He read that line and then destroyed the rest of the letter as it confirmed what he’d known to be true: that Mr Fielding had married Adela. Mr Fielding wrote to Aziz several times after that but Aziz destroyed the letters without ever opening them.

Life for Aziz was good and because the weather was much better, he could have his children with him all the time. The British Criminal Investigation Department continued to watch him carefully like any Indian who’d had a charge* against them.

When Aziz returned home from the palace, he found a letter from Mr Fielding with a note from Godbole attached. It was a note written to Mr Godbole saying he’d be in Mau for two days with his wife and her brother, visiting various educational institutions. Fielding requested mosquito nets* and eggs at the State Guest House and wanted to see the festival by boat if possible.

Aziz was so angry that he tore the letter into pieces. It confirmed that Mr Fielding was a bad person and he hoped he wouldn’t see him while he was visiting with Miss Quested and her brother.

In Aziz’s garden there was a shrine* to the Muslim saint Mohammedan who’d freed prisoners because his mother had asked him to. There was another shrine of the head of the saint which Aziz decided to take his children to visit.

That night a procession for the festival was planned. Aziz had the task* of keeping the Raj’s death a secret. Another doctor and the Private Secretary were staying with the body. As people knew Aziz was his doctor, he needed to be seen in public to show the people that there was nothing wrong with the Rajah.

charge when you’re accused of a crime mosquito net shrine a place, with some kind of construction, considered holy because it’s connected to a god or holy person like a saint task job

At the shrine Aziz and his children saw two Englishmen, one of them Mr Fielding. One of Aziz’s children wanted to throw rocks at them but Aziz told them that they needed to show respect because they were guests of the State.

Suddenly he saw the men running away from a crowd of bees.

‘Are you OK?’ asked Aziz.

‘A bee got me,’ said Mr Fielding’s brother-in-law.

As Aziz was helping him, Mr Fielding noticed who he was.

‘You’ll be fine. Be brave and it’ll pass soon,’ said Aziz.

‘Hello Aziz, how are you? I heard you were here. Why haven’t you answered my letters?’ asked Mr Fielding coldly.

It started to rain very hard and Aziz didn’t answer him. He and his children walked them to their carriage.

‘Do you know who’s responsible at the Guest House? No one has been there to help us since we arrived. I wrote but it seems the servants don’t know anything about what I requested.’

‘The Private Secretary should take care of the Guest House but I don’t know where he is. Maybe your letter never arrived.’

‘Can English people watch the religious procession? We wrote to Godbole about it but he never replied. In all the other places we’ve visited, we’ve been taken around the city but here no one has shown us anything.’

‘I don’t know anything about religion here. Get in, Mr Quested,’ Aziz said to Mr Fielding’s brother-in-law when they’d arrived at their carriage.

‘Who’s Mr Quested? Who do you think I married? My wife is Mrs Moore’s daughter! I wrote to you many times telling you that Miss

Quested had introduced us. We need to make things clear between us. Your friend Mahmoud Ali knows that I married Mr Heaslop’s sister. Didn’t he tell you?’

‘I don’t care who you’ve married. Just don’t bother me here in Mau. I don’t want anything to do with you. I thought you married Miss Quested and took the money she should have paid me. Mahmoud Ali didn’t tell me the truth, but I forgive him because he loves me.’

It was raining very hard but Mr Fielding tried to follow him and make things better. Aziz told him that he only wanted to be with ‘his people’.

‘Leave

me alone. I don’t want to be friends with any British person!’

When he returned home, he was happy because he’d been reminded of Mrs Moore. He was actually glad that he’d met Ralph, her son.

In the meantime, the procession from the palace had begun from the palace to the river. Aziz had decided to take some medicine to give to Ralph at the Guest House. On the way, he saw the Guest House boat on the water and assumed it was Fielding.

He then saw Mr Godbole.

‘Mr Fielding married Mrs Moore’s daughter!’ said Aziz.

‘I knew that. Please don’t be angry, it’s my festival’ Godbole replied softly.

Although he was upset, Aziz didn’t get angry with Mr Godbole out of respect for him and his religion.

Once he arrived at the Guest House, he found two letters on the piano and decided to read them. He didn’t feel guilty because Mr McBryde had also read his private letters and told everyone what was in them.

The first letter was from Ronny to Mr Fielding. He asked him to take care of Ralph because he was young and not very healthy. Ronny

apologised for being angry with him for marrying Stella, his sister. He’d been upset after his mother’s death and hadn’t taken the news well. Ronny also told Mr Fielding that he wanted to make peace with Adela and to say hello to her for him.

The next letter was from Adela to Mrs Fielding saying that she hoped that Ralph would enjoy India more than she had. She wrote that she had a debt with India. He could tell from the letter that she was close to Mr Fielding and Mrs Moore’s children. He became so angry that he began to bang the keys of the piano, which caught the attention of Ralph who walked into the room confused. Aziz didn’t care and hit the keys again.

‘What’s happening?’

When Aziz saw it was Ralph, he put the letters in his pocket.

‘How is your injury?’

‘My hand still hurts.’

‘Come here and I’ll take a look.’ Aziz thought about treating Ralph the way Major Callendar had treated the Nawab Bahadur’s grandson.

‘Your hands are rough!’

‘I’m a good doctor and I’d never hurt you.’

‘Dr Aziz, you aren’t hurting me but you’re being cruel.’

‘I have medication* for you. How can I apply* it if you’re so scared of me? Is it that you want an English doctor?

‘I’ll have to tell Mr Fielding about the way you’re acting.’

‘You aren’t being kind to us and it isn’t right. Dr Aziz, we haven’t done anything to you.’

‘And your dear friend Miss Quested did nothing to me either at the Marabar Caves!’

medication something to treat an illness or injury apply (here) put on (the medication)

The sound of festival singing interrupted them and Aziz shook Ralph’s hand to say goodbye.

‘Aren’t you afraid of me anymore?’ asked Aziz.

‘No.’

‘Can you tell when a stranger is your friend?’

‘Yes.’

‘Then you’re one of us… you’re Oriental.’

As soon as Aziz said that, he shivered. It reminded him of the first time he’d Mrs Moore. Was another cycle of suffering starting?

‘My mother mentioned you a lot and loved you dearly.’

‘She was my best friend. Do you want to go out on the water to see the festival?’

On the water, Aziz enjoyed talking to Ralph about the Hindu celebration.

‘Dr Aziz, can we get closer to the procession?’

Rockets* and guns were being fired. Aziz tried to avoid being in front of the procession. Suddenly he saw Godbole who waved his hands in his direction. The weather was getting more and more stormy. A big wave came and English voices yelled ‘Watch out!’ Aziz’s boat hit Mr Fielding’s and Stella was pushed into Aziz. All four of them fell into the warm water at the most dramatic point of the festival. The letters and oars* were floating in the water as they got out. No one paid attention to them and the singing continued in the rain.

After the accident, Mr Fielding and Aziz were friends again and the next day went for a ride in the Mau jungles together.

The Rajah’s death was now official so everyone at the Guest House would leave in the morning. For Fielding, the trip hadn’t been successful.

rocket something, which when lit, will move through the air and explode

oar see page 99. Aziz is using the oars to move the boat

Godbole hadn’t shown him the school he’d wanted to visit because it was no longer active, something he didn’t want Fielding to know.

Aziz told Mr Fielding that when he fell in the water he’d thought of Adela and how brave she’d been at the trial. He’d written her a kind letter to put the situation of the Marabar Caves behind him forever.

‘Will you talk to Stella and Ralph about what happened there?’

‘I don’t want to talk about it but I’m very pleased to have met Ralph. He brought me to you so that I could say goodbye to you.’

They both knew that this would be the last time they’d see each other.

Mr Fielding then asked Aziz about religion but Aziz didn’t answer. Instead, he thought about poetry.

‘Let’s not spend our last moments together talking about these things,’ said Aziz.

While returning to Mau, they discussed politics. It was clear that the two of them had become very different. Fielding didn’t think India could ever be independent and Aziz had become very nationalistic*.

Aziz was angry at the idea of India not being free.

‘When we’re free of the British, you and I can be friends.’

‘Why not now? It’s what we both want.’

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Their horses moved apart and everything below them in the city of Mau answered Mr Fielding’s question.

‘No, not yet.’

nationalistic very proud of your nation

Aziz with Ralph watching the Hindu celebration from the water.

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Vocabulary

1 Change the form of the word at the end of each sentence.

1 Aziz was ............................... after speaking to Mr Fielding at dinner. Misery

2 Godbole felt love for all of ............................... and all living things. Human

3 The villagers had no ............................... that the Rajah had died. Know

4 The children were ............................... to their father. Obey

5 Aziz’s ............................... towards Mr Fielding was cold and distant. Behave

6 Mr Fielding wanted to repair his ............................... with Aziz. Friend

7 Ronny wrote that Ralph was ............................... and needed care. Health

8 Adela’s letter ............................... Aziz’s anger. Strength

9 Aziz felt no ............................... when he heard someone enter the room. Embarrass

10 Ralph felt ............................... when Aziz looked at his injury. Ease

11 The accident was ............................... in bringing Aziz and Mr Fielding together again. Success

12 Godbole was ............................... as to why Mr Fielding couldn’t see the school. Secret

13 Many Indians wanted ............................... from British rule. Free

14 Mr Fielding and Aziz heard ............................... voices telling them‘not yet’. Imagine

Writing

21st Century Skills

2 Who do you think is the happiest at the end of the book, Aziz or Mr Fielding? Explain your answer.

Grammar

3 Complete the sentences with the correct alternative.

1 Mr Fielding was interested/keen on seeing Venice.

2 Godbole was a respectful/respected Brahman in Mau.

3 Aziz didn’t want to see Mr Fielding due/because of his choice to marry Miss Quested.

4 Ronny asked Mr Fielding to care/look after Ralph.

5 Ralph told Aziz that he was being cruel/careless to him.

6 Talking to Ralph reminded/remembered Aziz of Mrs Moore.

7 Aziz thought he ought/should to write a letter to Adela.

8 Mr Fielding and Aziz disagreed/argued on whether India should be an independent state.

Speaking

21st Century Skills

4 Discuss the following questions with a partner.

1 When Aziz met Mr Fielding, he accused him of secretly dating Miss Quested. Have you ever accused a friend of doing something without actually knowing the truth?

2 Aziz’s friend convinced him that Mr Fielding had been with Miss Quested and he believed him. Have you ever let other people influence you about a friend?

3 Mr Fielding wrote many letters to Aziz but he didn’t read them because he thought Mr Fielding had married Adela. Have you ever been so angry with your friends that you stopped communicating with them?

4 Can a friendship recover when there has been a big misunderstanding causing hurt on both sides?

E. M. Forster

Born on January 1st, 1879 in London, he was an English fiction writer of novels, short stories, poetry and essays. Through his works, Forster was considered a supporter of democracy and had a strong interest in human values.

1880 1897

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Family and Early Life

Forster was raised by his mother and his aunt because his father, an architect, died of tuberculosis in 1880. He moved with his mother to Hertfordshire in 1883, where they stayed until 1893.

Education

When his aunt died in 1887, she left him enough money to go to a good school. Then, from 1897 to 1901, he went to Cambridge University where he learned a lot about philosophy and Mediterranean culture. After university, he travelled to Europe with his mother and then they moved to Surrey where he wrote all his novels.

1905

Novels

His first novel was Where Angels Fear to Tread (1905). Next came The Longest Journey (1907), followed by A Room with a View in 1908. His next novel, Howard’s End was published in 1910.

1920 India and Work

During World War 1 (1914-1918) Forster worked in Egypt and while he was there, he visited India. After the war, he returned to London. In the early 1920s, he went to India again and shortly, after coming back to England, wrote A Passage to India. In the 1930s and 1940s, he worked for the BBC where he was an important broadcaster.

1924

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1970

Later years

A Passage to India

His biggest success was A Passage to India, which was the last novel he published during his lifetime. He began the novel after the first time he visited India in 1913 and finished it after he returned from his second stay there. It was published in 1924. In 1960, it was adapted into a play and in 1984 it was made into a film, despite the fact that Forster was against adaptations because he felt that reading books was a unique experience.

He lived with his mother until her death in 1945. He also had a home in London and had many famous artistic friends during his lifetime. He died in 1970 in Coventry, England. After he died, his most controversial novel, Maurice, was published in 1971 though he’d written it sixty years before.

Religion and Race in APassagetoIndia Religion

Religion is an important theme in A Passage to . It was something that not only divided the British who were Christian, but also the Indians amongst themselves. To this day there are still areas of India that are in conflict because of religious differences. Currently the main religion in India is Hinduism though Islam is also significant in the country. When Mrs Moore hears the ‘boom’ which upsets her in the cave, E. M. Forster expresses his negative opinion to religion in general. However, the novel does investigate the possibility of other religions being more inclusive and human than Christianity. A Passage to India explores the division that any religion can create, especially in Chandrapore but also expresses how love in any religion can be the thing that connects all people to each other. When the British arrived in India, Christian missionaries exposed Hindus to different ways of thinking. Though the missionaries generally supported the Hindus in their traditions, they also divided them into those who were more traditional and those who were more modern. This, among other conflicts with British culture, created boundaries within the religion as well as among the other religions in India.

Race

In the novel, E. M. Forster examines the customs and cultures of the different groups of people living in India. For example, he introduces Ronny as a generally good person who after his time in India didn’t trust Indians. In addition, the other English people in Chandrapore see Adela as someone who’s childish for wanting to know ‘the real India’ and not understanding how the Indians really are. We also see how Forster shows the British people to be overly reasonable and without imagination. In contrast, the most developed Indian character in the novel is Aziz who’s shown to be very emotional and impulsive. He’s also someone who believes rumours without having evidence, a tendency that Forster expresses as Indian. The book shows that even with the best intentions, race and culture can be in great conflict. Although human connection is important, sometimes there are strong forces which get in the way of friendship.

Reflection

How do you think different cultures can influence each other? How has your country’s history been influenced by other civilizations? How does religion play a role in world politics today?

Colonialism in India

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For centuries many different civilizations ruled over parts of India but only the British were successful in taking over the whole country. They arrived when the Mogul Empire, which had been in control of most of India since 1526, had lost most of its power. As the empire was failing, many other countries attacked India. The British were able to use this weakness to their advantage. They first came as traders of tea, spices, cotton and silk with the British East India Company in 1600. Differently from the French and Portuguese who’d been there before them, the British became involved with the Indians. They sold their weapons to the Indians who often paid them with land. Eventually they developed a system of law and were able to collect

taxes. The Mogul emperor tried to get power back in 1857 with the Sepoy Rebellion but it failed. Shortly after, the British took control completely. Indian States were formed and English governors for each province worked for the Governor-General (Viceroy) who was chosen by the King of England. After World War I, Indians were promised their own government and though some Indians were part of the Viceroy’s Council, India continued to fight for their independence.

Life in India during Colonialism

A Passage to India shows a picture of life during The British “Raj” (the British Colonial Empire in India). This empire started in 1858 and ended after World War II. In the novel Forster is critical of colonialism by describing problems within the system. While most of the English characters in the novel weren’t bad people, within

colonialism they became racist and at times mean towards Indians. The women are generally shown as less understanding than the men, so much so that Mr Turton says that the tension with the Indians is because of them. Ronny becomes less sympathetic after coming to India and Mrs Moore and Adela see the change as negative. These characters treat the Indians with more respect than the other British people in the novel, except Mr Fielding. We see that many Indians feel anger towards the British, even when they’re open to their culture. Aziz’s character transformation is the best example of this as he shifts from wanting to be friends with the British to wanting nothing to do with them. The rare friendship between an English man and an Indian man is nearly ruined because of the conflict of colonialism.

Do some research to find out more.

1 What was the Amristar Massacre?

2 What’s the difference between imperialism and colonialism?

3 Who created the phrase ‘The White Man’s Burden’ and what does it mean?

Although A Passage to India expresses strong historical and social themes about politics, colonialism, religion and racism, one of the most important aspects of the book is about friendship. Friendship seems to be more important than romance in this novel as Forster’s humanistic point of view is expressed through the characters’ connection with each other. This book shows the struggles of an English and Indian friendship and that the diff erences in culture and power make it nearly impossible. Forster shows the divide that both sides face even if they both want to be friends. We’re left to question what the true defi nition of friendship is.

Although Aziz’s friendships with Mrs Moore and Mr Fielding are positive because each character is respectful of the other, everything is eventually lost. First Mrs Moore dies and then after the trial, Aziz and Mr Fielding are separated by the rumours about Miss Quested. As Mr Fielding becomes more understanding towards Adela, Aziz becomes more influenced by his Indian friends and thinks the worst of Mr Fielding. It seems that the two of them will become friends again at the end of the book, however Forster doesn’t make that conclusion. The end leaves the reader with the uncertainty about how two people so different could stay friends, even with good intentions.

Friendship in APassagetoIndia ©EliPublishing

Writing

1 Write a short response to these questions about friendship in the text.

1 Why do you think Aziz let himself be influenced by his Indian friends about Mr Fielding?

2 If you were Mr Fielding, how would you have reacted when you saw Aziz after two years, knowing that he’d never answered any of your letters?

3 Are Aziz and Mrs Moore friends? Explain your answer.

4 How are the friendships represented in this novel different from friendships between people of different cultures today? Which, if any, of the same kind of problems happen?

Quotes

2 Read the quotes from the book below. What situation is the author describing? Are these people showing an act of friendship and support or something else? Explain.

1 ‘You’re the first English person I’ve ever shown this to.’ Who’s Aziz talking to? What has he just shown this person? Why is this gesture important?

2 ‘Never be angry with me. I am, as far as my limitations permit, your true friend; besides, it’s my holy festival.’ Who’s talking? And why doesn’t he want his friend to be angry?

3 ‘I’m counting on you to help me through; it’s such a blessing to be with you again, everyone else is a stranger.’

Who’s Adela talking to?

What does she mean that ‘everyone else is a stranger’? Why do you think she feels this way? Does this person want to help her?

4 …they… rose to their feet… and while honouring him they condemned Aziz and India.

Who’s the author speaking about? Why does he say this about the actions of these people? How does this condemn Aziz and India?

Test Yourself

Choose A, B, C or D to answer the questions about A Passage to India.

1 Why is Miss Quested unhappy about her time in India at the beginning of the novel?

A Because she wants to see ‘the real India’.

B Because she can’t communicate with the Indian women.

C Because Mrs Moore ignores her.

D Because she thinks the Englishwomen don’t like her.

2 What happens after the accident in the car?

A Adela and Ronny get married.

B The Narab Bahadur starts crying.

C Adela and Ronny walk home.

D Adela decides she wants to be with Ronny.

3 Why is Miss Quested’s servant paid to leave the station?

A Because they already had too many servants.

B Because Miss Quested didn’t want him there.

C Because he doesn’t help Mrs Moore.

D Because Aziz wants to be alone with Miss Quested.

4 Who stops Mr Fielding from visiting Aziz in prison?

A Mr McBryde

B Mrs Turton

C Mr Callendar

D The soldier

5 What does Mr Fielding want Adela to do to make things better?

A Write Aziz a letter of apology.

B Pay Aziz for his court costs.

C Pay Aziz a lot of money.

D Go back to England.

6 Aziz is

A Muslim B Hindu C Buddhist D Sikh

7 The last time he sees Mr Fielding, Aziz prefers to talk about ......................... .

A the Marabar Caves

B religion

C politics

D his dead wife

8 In A Passage to India Forster shows British people to be…

A reasonable and sensitive.

B reasonable and sometimes dull.

C emotional and tolerant.

D unreasonable and emotional.

Syllabus

Level B2

This reader contains the items listed below as well as those included in previous levels of the Eli Readers syllabus.

Verb tenses

Present Perfect Simple/Continuous

Past Perfect Simple/Continuous

Verb forms and patterns

Passive forms with all tenses and modal verbs

Phrasal verbs

Reported Speech

Modal perfects (must have, could have, etc.)

Clauses

Embedded relative clauses

Third conditional, wish Complex sentences with more than one subordinate clause.

Young Adult Readers

STAGE 1 Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, A Study in Scarlet

Jonathan Swift, Gulliver’s Travels

Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, The Hound of the Baskervilles

Daniel Defoe, Robinson Crusoe

STAGE 2 Shakespeare, Hamlet Prince of Denmark

Charles Dickens, Great Expectations

William Shakespeare, Romeo and Juliet

Bram Stoker, Dracula

William Shakespeare, A Midsummer Night’s Dream

Robert Louis Stevenson, The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde

Jerome K. Jerome, Three Men in a Boat

John Buchan, Thirty-Nine Steps

STAGE 3 Charlotte Brontë, Jane Eyre

Jane Austen, Pride and Prejudice

Oscar Wilde, The Picture of Dorian Gray

William Shakespeare, Macbeth

Jane Austen, Sense and Sensibility

Edith Wharton, The Age of Innocence

Charles Dickens, A Christmas Carol

Wilkie Collins, The Woman in White

Anonymous, Beowulf

Robert Louis Stevenson, Kidnapped

Elizabeth Ferretti, The Earthkeepers

Thomas Hardy, Tess of the d’Ubervilles

George Orwell, 1984

STAGE 4 James Joyce, Dubliners

Mary Shelley, Frankenstein

Henry James, The Turn of the Screw

Emily Brontë, Wuthering Heights

Edgar Allan Poe, Stories of Mystery and Suspense

Charles and Mary Lamb, Tales from Shakespeare

Charles Dickens, A Tale of Two Cities

Hermann Melville, Moby Dick

Jane Austen, Emma

Nathaniel Hawthorne, The Scarlet Letter

E.M.Forster, A Passage to India

STAGE 5 Virginia Woolf, Mrs Dalloway

Francis Scott Fitzgerald, The Great Gatsby

STAGE 6 Joseph Conrad, Heart of Darkness

J. Borsbey & R. Swan, Editors, A Collection of First World War Poetry

Oscar Wilde, The Importance of Being Earnest