George and Harris accepted the narrator’s suggestion readily. But Jerome did not like it.
Key Concepts Covered
This question tests your understanding of the following concepts from the chapter Packing: George, Harris, React, Jerome, Like, Reaction. These are fundamental topics in English that students are expected to master as part of the CBSE Class 9 curriculum.
A thorough understanding of these concepts will help you answer similar questions confidently in your CBSE examinations. These topics are frequently tested in both objective and subjective sections of English papers. We recommend revising the relevant section of your textbook alongside practising these solved examples to build a strong foundation.
How to Approach This Question
Read the question carefully and identify what is being asked. Break down complex questions into smaller parts. Use the terminology and concepts discussed in this chapter. Structure your answer logically — begin with a definition or key statement, then provide supporting details. Review your answer to ensure it addresses all parts of the question completely.
Key Points to Remember
- Use quotations from the text to support your points.
- Analyse literary devices and their effects on the reader.
- Structure essays with a clear introduction, body, and conclusion.
- Proofread for grammar, spelling, and punctuation.
Practice more questions from Packing — English, Class 9 CBSE
Overview: Packing
The narrator, Harris, and George need to pack for a trip. The narrator volunteers, priding himself on his packing skill, but ends up forgetting boots, sitting on butter, and repeatedly unpacking and repacking. When Harris and George take over the food hampers, they create even worse chaos: squashing tomatoes, breaking cups, stepping on butter. The dog Montmorency adds to the mess by sitting on things and putting his leg in the jam. The story is a masterclass in comic writing through irony, exaggeration, and characterisation.
Key Points
- Narrator proudly claims to be an expert packer
- He forgets boots, has to reopen the bag multiple times
- Sits on the bag to close it; forgets his toothbrush
- Harris and George are even worse — break cups, squash tomatoes
- George steps on butter; Harris packs jam on top of tomatoes
- Montmorency (the dog) sits on things, puts paw in jam
- The narrator mocks his friends but is equally incompetent
- Key devices: irony, hyperbole, understatement, comic timing
- Theme: human incompetence, laziness, blame-shifting
- From "Three Men in a Boat" by Jerome K. Jerome
Frequently Asked Questions
How does Jerome create humour in "Packing"?
What is the role of Montmorency?
Common Mistakes
- Not reading the text carefully before attempting questions.
- Giving vague answers without specific textual references.
- Confusing characters, events, or themes from different chapters.
- Writing too much for short-answer questions (should be 30-40 words).
Scoring Tips
- For extract-based MCQs: read the passage carefully; eliminate wrong options systematically.
- For short answers: be concise (30-40 words), use key vocabulary from the text.
- For long answers: structure with introduction, body, conclusion. Quote from the text.
- Always identify the chapter/poem name and author when answering.