About the Author:
A. G. Gardiner (1865-1946) was a famous British journalist. He was also a famous author. His books written under the pen- name ‘Alpha of the Plough’ , are highly regarded. His unique quality is his ability to teach the basic truths of life in an easy and amusing manner.
About the Text:
“All about a Dog” by Gardiner is a story that gives birth to some questions related to our society and social rules and regulations.
In this episode the writer observes how a bus conductor makes trouble for the passengers in the bus. The conductor compels a young lady to go up to the uncovered top of a double-decker bus on a freezing evening. This was just because she was carrying a little pet dog . The writer describes it’s reaction also along with other passengers and their sufferings. At the end of the story the writer advises the conductor to differentiate between the hard and fast rules and other rules that are only guidelines for the comfort of the passengers. The latter are meant to be observed in spirit, not to the letter.
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1) How many people get into the bus with the younger woman?
Ans- Two people get into the bus with the younger woman.
2) What was the conductor’s order to the younger woman?
Ans- The conductor ordered the younger woman to take the dog out of the bus.
3) Why did the conductor stand triumphant?
Ans- He stood triumphant for the lady had to go upstairs.
4) Describe the dog that was with the younger woman?
Ans- It was a little Pekinese dog, it had beady eyes.
5) What kind of a night was it?
Ans- It was a bitterly cold night with piercing east wind.
6) How did the animal react to the fuss caused by himself?
Ans- The little animal sat blinking at the din lights, unconscious of the fuss caused by himself.
7) How was the temperament of the conductor as predicted by the author?
Ans- According to the author, the conductor was of an irritable temperament.
8) Which rules should be applied for dogs?
Ans- Rules with a little good will and good temper should be applied for dogs.
9) What is the message of the story?
Ans- Rules are to be observed in the spirit only unless their violation causes casualties.
10) Why was the conductor dead against allowing the dog’s entry to the bus?
Ans- He abided only by the rules that prohibited the dog’s entry.
11) How was the policeman react to the protest of the passengers?
Ans- The policeman were mostly indifferent and were mere spectators from a distance.
12) What was the author’s parting advice to the conductor?
Ans- The advice was to observe the rules for guidance in its true spirit only.
13) Mention two demands made by the passengers when the bus stopped?
Ans- First, the passengers demanded the conductor should give their fares back. Next, they demanded that he should not leave them there all night.
14) Why was the conductor angry particularly?
Ans- The conductor was particularly angry with passengers because they came and sat in his bus while he shivered at the door.
15) Why was the young woman reluctant to go to the top of the bus?
Ans- It was a bitterly cold night. The woman already had a cough. So she was reluctant to go to the top of the bus. It might kill her.
16) Why did the woman with the Pekinese dog ultimately to go to the top of the bus?
Ans- The obstinate conductor would not allow the bus to move unless the dog was taken out. So the woman ultimately had to go to the top.
17) What is the rule which cannot be broken without danger to life and limb?
Ans- The rule of the road cannot be broken without danger to life and limb.
18) Why did the conductor stop the bus by pulling the bell?
Ans- It was because a younger woman boarded the bus with a little dog.
19) What opportunity did the conductor seek?
Ans- The conductor sought the opportunity to show his power to the passengers.
20) What is the ‘gale’ mentioned in the Story?
Ans- The ‘gale’ mentioned in the story was the joint protest of the passengers and the commotion created by their voices.