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Laurie wanted to confirm from Jo whether the pretty one was Meg and the curly-haired was Amy. With surprise in her voice Jo enquired how he(Laurie) had found that out.

A fellow, of course, cannot live on books though books are his emotional suppdrt and in many ways, his best friend. But he also needs someone, a companion, with whom he can share his feelings, fulfill his curiosities, have fun, etc. Human contact is a necessity in a person’s life since a few words, an exchange of ideas collected from the books can work wonders giving immense pleasure.

Jo started talking with Laurie frankly. Her words had lots of positive effects on Laurie as he was longing for exactly those things which Jo mentioned. For their first meeting, Jo was a bit blunt but Laurie liked her bluntness since he could recognize Jo’s sincerity and kindness hidden in those words. He started feeling comfortable in Jo’s company and enjoyed every bit of humorous description of Aunt March.

1. The gentleman in the portrait is not as handsome as her own grandfather.

2. Though the gentleman is having a grim face, his kind eyes assure that there is nothing to be afraid of him.

3. From his looks, it appears that he has tremendous will-power.

Things that I need in order to be happy are –

(i) a supportive family and dependable friends.

(ii) hobbies to occupy myself during my free time.

(iii) a healthy life for me as well as my family members.

(iv) sufficient money earned from a satisfying career.

The brightness in the eyes of Laurie and his smiling face are proofs of his happiness of having a possible friendship with Jo. When Jo threw snowballs at Laurie, he could feel Jo’s eagerness to talk to him. His loneliness has always made him unhappy and this gesture of Jo is a welcome change for him.

1. Grandfather shed his strict countenance.

2. He invited Jo to come over for tea.

3. He promised to come over to meet Jo’s mother.

4. He offered Jo his arm with old fashioned courtesy (indicating his gratitude for her neighborly arrival)

Laurie’s grandfather was impressed by Jo’s spirited answers like her grandfather. He also appreciated that she was brave and honest as her grandfather was.

The March family sometimes forgot to put the curtain down at the window and that helped Laurie, their neighbor, to observe minutely inside the March household. The sisters often call one another and lonely Laurie enjoys watching them having good time. That’s how he came to know that Beth is the one who is generally a home-bird but whenever she goes out, she carries a basket with her. Amy’s curly hair and Meg’s pretty face has also caught his attention.

Jo loudly expressed her opinions on Laurie’s grandfather, while looking at his portrait. When she came to know that the gentleman had heard all her comments, she felt embarrassed. She felt uncomfortable to face the old gentleman and felt like running away.

‘Good breeding’ means that a person is well behaved, polite, cultured and refined, which are the results of his upbringing, training as well as family atmosphere.

Mr. Laurie was a Tittle gentlemen’ because he was known for offering due respect to the guest who was coming to his place. He prepared himself decently by brushing his pate, pulling on a fresh set of clothing and making an attempt to clean his room. He followed the same routine for Jo’s arrival to his house also.

In earlier times when TV, internet and social media did not make people slaves of these sorts of entertainments, people used to socialize a lot. They used to meet their friends and relatives, talk to them over a telephone, make enquirers about each other’s well beings and exchange ideas. The human connections were more and people used to share their joys and sorrows. Gone are those days of personal relationships which have been taken over by the modern technology enslaving people.

Grandpa and Jo had an interesting interaction as Jo had come out of her initial fear after having a closer look at him. Grandpa had overheard Jo’s comments on his portrait and Jo did not even try to deny any one of them. This pleased Grandpa immensely and he remembered Jo’s grandfather who was similarly brave and honest. Jo frankly told Grandpa about the problem Laurie was facing because of his loneliness. She showed her concern and expressed the March sisters’ eagerness to help Laurie. They started talking informally about Hemmel family, Jo’s mother and he also invited Jo to join for tea which Jo courteously accepted. This interaction made Jo very satisfied as she could find out how good their neighbor was.

(i) By saying, only trying to be neighborly, Sir”. Jo means she just wanted to be friendly with Laurie as he was her neighbor. She strongly felt that neighbors should know each other well.

(ii) Jo had observed Laurie now and again and she felt Laurie badly needed company since he always eagerly looked at his neighbors as if he was missing the fun they were having. To her, he appeared to be a lonely boy longing for enjoyment with friends.

(iii) Jo remembered the beautiful Christmas present that was sent to the March family by their neighbor Mr. Laurence and she felt it was a nice gesture by their neighbor.

1. Home: old, brown, bare, shabby, stately stone mansion, comfort, luxury, big
coach house, lovely things, rich curtains, lifeless, lawn, enchanted, hidden glories, full of splendour.

2. Library: books, pictures, statues, little cabinets, coins, sleepy hollow chairs, queer tables, quaint tiles, open fireplace, bronzes.

3. Garden: large, low hedge, vines, flowers.

The figure of speech is ‘Simile’ as the dullness of the house is directly compared to the serious and dull atmosphere in a tomb. The boy meant by the expression that his house is very boring.

The young boy Laurie is lonely and longs for having fun with friends of his age-group, play with them and enjoy life the way a boy of his age does. The absence of company of friends and fun has made him dull which is affecting him like a disease.

Strangers are always mysteries for us. But some people have the inherent simplicity which instantly attract us towards them and we long to be friends with them. We feel comfortable in their company. But there is another category of people who have the attention-catching technique of blowing their own trumpets. It is difficult to carry on normal conversation with them as they are obsessed with their own selves.

The boy wanted to know whether she (Jo) liked school to which Jo answered quite emphatically that she did not go to school.

She further added that she was a businessman and jovially corrected the gender.

(i) I make friends easily.

(iv) I have a large group of friends but no best buddy.

It is not necessary to have one’s friend as one’s neighbor always. If it happens that way, then one is lucky. Friendship does not depend on the residence of a person and it can be different from the friendly relation one can have with one’s neighbor.

I am very fortunate to have a very friendly family as our neighbor. We are always there for one another at the hour of need as well as sharing happiness. For example, the owner of the apartment is a doctor and he is helping us with useful advices whenever anyone in our family falls sick. My mother is a teacher and she guides the children of our neighbor with their difficulties in studies. A good neighbor is always an asset.

I do not agree to the statement. There is no hard and fast rule about this impression about girls. There may be many boys who are very quiet and also good at nursing. It depends on the nature of a person whether he/ she is quiet, or noisy or talkative. The ability to nurse somebody is also dependant on the ability of a person irrespective of any gender.

1. Books

2. Wind Chimes

3. Coffee mugs

4. Photo frames

As a student I fear examination especially the public exams as they decide the future course of action. There is always an element of uncertainty which brings in fear for exams among students.

1. polite 

2. ordinary 

3. serious

I can cheer up my lonely classmate by giving him/her company and involving in some activities together. We can sit together in the classroom, share our tiffins and invite him/her at my place on holidays.

Generally I am not afraid of anything and a carefree type of person. But sometimes I worry about the loss of my near and dear ones as I am very attached to my family and friends.

I help my neighbor by making myself available when they need me. I also extend courtesy calls when I meet them.

Simile. The happiness of Jo is directly compared to the happiness of the insect cricket.

The word ‘affair’ in the context means ‘responsibility/matter’.

The phrase “go on being neighborly” in the context of the story means being friendly and helpful to the people living in one’s neighborhood.

The expression has been used in the context of the mansion where Laurie lives. It has glimpses of lovely things and a look of an enchanted house, which probably hides lots of attractions inside.

Jo was bold, friendly and warm person who observed the boy next door closely and came to the conclusion that he was hungry for friends and fun. She was sad for the boy and felt it her neighborly duty to help the boy come out of his loneliness in her own way. She took a quick decision to catch the boys attention by throwing snowballs towards the window from where he was peeping. 

She took the initiative to start an immediate conversation which was well-received by the boy. He invited her home and Jo readily accepted. Jo’s friendliness made the boy feel comfortable and he enjoyed Jo’s way of talking, her humour and most importantly, her companionship. He showed her his library and together they had a gala time which he never had before.

The young boy is referred to as ‘a little gentleman’ here as he talks and behaves decently with others. He has a good upbringing which has taught him to welcome guests at his place by presenting himself as well as his room tidily.

Laurie spent his lonely time looking at the fun Jo’s family was having. He enjoyed watching each member of the family eagerly as he missed all those good times at his own home. He did not have his mother and he loved these girls in the company of their mother.

Jo was a bold girl who spoke her mind when it was needed. As she looked at Mr. Laurence’s portrait she found his eyes to be kind and grew fond of him instantly. She found him to be compassionate as she spoke to him and was confident that there was nothing to be scared of that gentleman.

Jo’s visit made Laurie excited in the expectation of getting a companion which he never had. It also helped him to come out of his shyness and converse with Jo freely.

1. Laurie enjoyed her narrative immensely and he laughed out aloud.

2. He found a sudden merriment in otherwise dull mood owing to his illness.

Jo wanted to know whether Laurie was sick, how he amused himself, his liking for books and if he had any visitor or not.

Jo assured Laurie that the curtain at her place would never be drawn so that Laurie can spend time looking at their activities. She also suggested that Laurie could come to their home and get himself entertained by. all the members of her family.

(b) This passage is about Jo’s confirmation about Laurie’s loneliness.

(d) This passage brings out the contrast in the lives of Jo and Laurie.

Laurie is a lonely young boy who is hungry for spending happy times both at home and with friends. He belongs to a rich family where he gets everything but suitable companions to have fun with. That is why he longs for food for his mind, that is, happy times with friends.