Class 9 English - BIHAR
Supplementary: The Accidental Tourist
Supplementary: The Accidental Tourist by Bill Bryson is a hilarious humorous essay prescribed for Class 9 students under the Bihar School Examination Board (BSEB). The chapter revolves around the author's utter confusion and perpetual state of bewilderment at airports, aeroplanes, and hotels. He struggles with simple tasks like finding his hotel room, operating zippers, and handling airline tickets. Through witty narration, the chapter teaches students that it is okay to laugh at one's own clumsiness and everyday mistakes. For board exams, this chapter is crucial for testing reading comprehension, vocabulary, and ability to answer short and long-form analytical questions based on the text.
Start Learning FreeKey Concepts
Bill Bryson's Clumsiness
The central theme of the chapter highlights the author's natural talent for getting disoriented and causing minor disasters in public places.
Frequent Traveler Irony
Despite traveling constantly for work, the author fails to master basic travel routines like remembering his frequent flyer miles or finding his gate.
The Zipper Incident
A memorable comedic episode where the author violently tugs at a stuck zipper on a bag overstuffed with newspapers, causing it to tear open and scatter his belongings across the floor.
The Air France Mishap
An incident involving a sticky drink on a plane where the author leans over to untie his shoelace just as the person in front reclines their seat, trapping him helplessly.
Humor in Literature
The use of exaggeration, situational comedy, and self-deprecating tone to create an entertaining and relatable reading experience.
Important Formulas
Board Exam Info
In the Bihar (BSEB) Class 9 English exams, this supplementary chapter typically carries around 4 to 8 marks. Questions usually include objective multiple-choice questions (MCQs), short-answer questions about specific travel mishaps, and long-answer questions focusing on the central theme of humor and character traits of Bill Bryson.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the author called an accidental tourist?
He is called an accidental tourist because accidents, confusions, and funny mishaps seem to constantly happen to him whenever he travels.
What happens to the author's bag at the airport in the story?
His bag's zipper gets stuck, and when he violently pulls it, the bag rips open, spilling coins, newspapers, and other items all over the floor.
What is the main moral or message of this chapter?
The chapter teaches us not to take life too seriously, to laugh at our own mistakes, and that humor can be found in our everyday clumsiness.
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