Summary

The person writing is describing various instances of confusion and mishaps that happen to them while travelling, such as losing items, getting lost and causing accidents. They mention that they always have catastrophes when they travel and that their wife looks at them with wonder. The writer also mentions that they are easily confused and that they are not very good at living in the real world. They also express their difficulty with managing their own blood and how it affects their emotions.

Summary in 300 words

The person writing is describing various instances of confusion and mishaps that happen to them while travelling. They mention a particular instance at Logan Airport in Boston where they were checking in and were trying to retrieve their British Airways frequent flyer card from their carry-on bag, but the zip was jammed. They pulled and yanked on the zip until it suddenly gave way, causing all the contents of the bag to be ejected over a large area. They watch in horror as their documents, money, tobacco, and other items are scattered everywhere. They also mention that they had gashed their finger on the zip, causing them to bleed profusely. This incident causes their wife to look at them with wonder and she says “I can’t believe you do this for a living.”

The writer also mentions other instances of mishaps while travelling, such as getting pinned in a crash position on an airplane, knocking a drink on a person sitting next to them and having the pen leak in their mouth while talking to an attractive woman on an airplane.

The writer expresses their difficulty with managing their own blood and how it affects their emotions. They also mention that they always have catastrophes when they travel and that their wife looks at them with wonder. They also express that they are easily confused and that they are not very good at living in the real world. In short, the writer is describing their tendency to have mishaps and difficulties while travelling, due to their confusion and lack of ability to navigate the real world effectively.

Multiple-choice Question And Answers;

Q1. Where was the writer checking in when they had a mishap with their carry-on bag?

a) JFK Airport

b) La Guardia Airport

c) Logan Airport

d) Heathrow Airport

Answer: c) Logan Airport

Q2. What was the writer trying to retrieve from their carry-on bag at Logan Airport?

a) Passport

b) English money

c) British Airways frequent flyer card

d) Pipe tobacco

Answer: c) British Airways frequent flyer card

Q3. What happened to the zip on the carry-on bag?

a) It was broken

b) It was stuck

c) It was missing

d) It was loose

Answer: b) It was stuck

Q4. What did the writer do when the zip on the bag was stuck?

a) Asked for help

b) Gave up

c) Pulled and yanked on it

d) Opened it with a tool

Answer: c) Pulled and yanked on it

Q5. What happened when the zip on the bag finally gave way?

a) The bag fell

b) The bag was destroyed

c) Everything in the bag was ejected

d) The writer was injured

Answer: c) Everything in the bag was ejected

Q6. What did the writer do when they realized they had gashed their finger?

a) Tried to stop the bleeding

b) Cried for help

c) Yelled in horror

d) Fainted

Answer: c) Yelled in horror

Q7. How did the writer’s wife react when she saw the mishap with the carry-on bag?

a) She laughed

b) She helped clean up

c) She was angry

d) She was in wonder

Answer: d) She was in wonder

Q8. What does the writer say is their “particular specialty”?

a) Travelling

b) Writing

c) Asking for their hotel room number multiple times a day

d) Being good at living in the real world

Answer: c) Asking for their hotel room number multiple times a day

Q9. What is the writer’s worst experience on a plane flight?

a) Getting pinned in a crash position

b) Knocking a drink on a person twice

c) Writing important thoughts and leaking pen ink in their mouth

d) Losing their carry-on bag

Answer: c) Writing important thoughts and leaking pen ink in their mouth

Q10. What does the writer say about their tendency to have mishaps while travelling?

a) It only happens occasionally

b) It is a common occurrence

c) It only happens on long trips

d) It only happens in certain airports

Answer: b) It is a common occurrence

Q11. Why does the writer say they are easily confused?

a) They have a medical condition

b) They are not very smart

c) They are not good at living in the real world

d) They are always in a hurry

Answer: c) They are not good at living in the real world

Q12. How does the writer feel about their own blood?

a) They are comfortable with it

b) They are not affected by it

c) They are easily affected by it

d) They are afraid of it

Answer: c) They are easily affected by it

Q13. What does the writer mention as the cost of their spilled tobacco?

a) The cost of a new bag

b) The cost of cleaning

c) The cost of buying tobacco in England

d) The cost of medical treatment

Answer: c

Q14. How does the writer feel about the incident with the attractive woman on the plane?

a) Embarrassed

b) Amused

c) Angry

d) Excited

Answer: a) Embarrassed

Q15. What does the writer mention as the reason for their mishaps while travelling?

a) Lack of planning

b) Bad luck

c) Confusion and lack of ability to navigate the real world effectively

d) Lack of sleep

Answer: c) Confusion and lack of ability to navigate the real world effectively

Q16. Who is the writer’s companion during their travels?

a) Friends

b) Colleagues

c) Family

d) Alone

Answer: c) Family

Q17. How does the writer feel about the mishap with their carry-on bag?

a) They are embarrassed

b) They are sad

c) They are angry

d) They are in horror

Answer: d) They are in horror

Q18. How does the nun react when the writer spills a drink on her?

a) She is angry

b) She is sad

c) She is surprised

d) She swears

Answer: d) She swears

Q19. How does the writer feel when they are pinned in a crash position on an airplane?

a) Afraid

b) Excited

c) Calm

d) Amused

Answer: a) Afraid

Q20. ow does the writer feel about their tendency to have mishaps while travelling?

a) They are proud of it

b) They are ashamed of it

c) They are resigned to it

d) They are trying to change it

Answer: b) They are ashamed of it

Passage-01

The person writing is describing various instances of confusion and mishaps that happen to them while travelling. They mention a particular instance at Logan Airport in Boston where they were checking in and were trying to retrieve their British Airways frequent flyer card from their carry-on bag, but the zip was jammed. They pulled and yanked on the zip until it suddenly gave way, causing all the contents of the bag to be ejected over a large area. They watch in horror as their documents, money, tobacco, and other items are scattered everywhere. They also mention that they had gashed their finger on the zip, causing them to bleed profusely. This incident causes their wife to look at them with wonder and she says “I can’t believe you do this for a living.” The writer also mentions other instances of mishaps while travelling, such as getting pinned in a crash position on an airplane, knocking a drink on a person sitting next to them and having the pen leak in their mouth while talking to an attractive woman on an airplane. The writer expresses their difficulty with managing their own blood and how it affects their emotions. They also mention that they always have catastrophes when they travel and that their wife looks at them with wonder. They also express that they are easily confused and that they are not very good at living in the real world.

Multiple Choice Questions:

Q1, What was the writer trying to retrieve from their carry-on bag at Logan Airport?

a) Passport

b) English money

c) British Airways frequent flyer card

d) Pipe tobacco

Answer: c) British Airways frequent flyer card

Q2. What happened to the zip on the carry-on bag?

a) It was broken

b) It was stuck

c) It was missing

d) It was loose

Answer: b) It was stuck

Q3. How did the writer’s wife react when she saw the mishap with the carry-on bag?

a) She laughed

b) She helped clean up

c) She was angry

d) She was in wonder

Answer: d) She was in wonder

Q4. What is the writer’s worst experience on a plane flight?

a) Getting pinned in a crash position

b) Knocking a drink on a person twice

c) Writing important thoughts and leaking pen ink in their mouth

d) Losing their carry-on bag

Answer: c) Writing important thoughts and leaking pen ink in their mouth

Q5. What does the writer mention as the reason for their mishaps while travelling?

a) Lack of planning

b) Bad luck

c) Confusion and lack of ability to navigate the real world effectively

d) Lack of sleep

Answer: c) Confusion and lack of ability to navigate the real world effectively.

Prose Passage-02

The person writing is describing various instances of confusion and mishaps that happen to them while travelling. One incident that stands out is when they were checking in at Logan Airport in Boston and were trying to retrieve their British Airways frequent flyer card from their carry-on bag, but the zip was jammed. Despite their efforts, the zip suddenly gave way, causing all the contents of the bag including documents, money, tobacco, and other items to scatter everywhere. To make matters worse, the writer had gashed their finger on the zip and was bleeding profusely. This incident causes their wife to look at them with wonder and she says “I can’t believe you do this for a living.” The writer’s past experiences on plane flights have also been quite eventful, such as getting pinned in a crash position, knocking a drink on a person twice and having a pen leak in their mouth while talking to an attractive woman. The writer expresses their difficulty with managing their own blood and how it affects their emotions. They also mention that they always have catastrophes when they travel and that their wife looks at them with wonder. They also express that they are easily confused and that they are not very good at living in the real world.

Multiple Choice Questions:

Q1. What was the main incident that the writer describes?

a) Getting pinned in a crash position

b) Knocking a drink on a person twice

c) Mishap with the carry-on bag at Logan Airport

d) Writing important thoughts and leaking pen ink in their mouth

Answer: c) Mishap with the carry-on bag at Logan Airport

Q2. What was the outcome of the incident with the carry-on bag?

a) The bag was destroyed

b) The writer was injured

c) Everything in the bag was ejected

d) The writer’s wife helped clean up

Answer: c) Everything in the bag was ejected

Q3. How does the writer’s wife react to the incidents?

a) She is angry

b) She is sad

c) She is in wonder

d) She is amused

Answer: c) She is in wonder

Q4. What does the writer mention as the reason for their mishaps while travelling?

a) Lack of planning

b) Bad luck

c) Confusion and lack of ability to navigate the real world effectively

d) Lack of sleep

Answer: c) Confusion and lack of ability to navigate the real world effectively

Q5. How does the writer feel about their tendency to have mishaps while travelling?

a) They are proud of it

b) They are ashamed of it

c) They are resigned to it

d) They are trying to change it

Answer: b) They are ashamed of it.

Prose Passage-03

The person writing is describing their tendency to have mishaps while travelling. One incident that stands out is when they were checking in at Logan Airport in Boston and were trying to retrieve their British Airways frequent flyer card from their carry-on bag, but the zip was jammed. Despite their efforts, the zip suddenly gave way, causing all the contents of the bag including documents, money, tobacco, and other items to scatter everywhere. To make matters worse, the writer had gashed their finger on the zip and was bleeding profusely. This incident causes their wife to look at them with wonder and she says “I can’t believe you do this for a living.” The writer also mentions other instances of mishaps while travelling such as getting pinned in a crash position on an airplane, knocking a drink on a person sitting next to them and having a pen leak in their mouth while talking to an attractive woman on an airplane. The writer expresses their difficulty with managing their own blood and how it affects their emotions and they also mention that they are easily confused and that they are not very good at living in the real world.

Multiple Choice Questions:

Q1. What was the main incident that the writer describes?

a) Getting pinned in a crash position

b) Knocking a drink on a person twice

c) Mishap with the carry-on bag at Logan Airport

d) Writing important thoughts and leaking pen ink in their mouth

Answer: c) Mishap with the carry-on bag at Logan Airport

Q2. What was the outcome of the incident with the carry-on bag?

a) The bag was destroyed

b) The writer was injured

c) Everything in the bag was ejected

d) The writer’s wife helped clean up

Answer: c) Everything in the bag was ejected

Q3. How does the writer’s wife react to the incidents?

a) She is angry

b) She is sad

c) She is in wonder

d) She is amused

Answer: c) She is in wonder

Q4. What does the writer mention as the reason for their mishaps while travelling?

a) Lack of planning

b) Bad luck

c) Confusion and lack of ability to navigate the real world effectively

d) Lack of sleep

Answer: c) Confusion and lack of ability to navigate the real world effectively

Q5. How does the writer feel about their tendency to have mishaps while travelling?

a) They are proud of it

b) They are ashamed of it

c) They are resigned to it

d) They are trying to change it

Answer: b) They are ashamed of it

Questions And Answers;

Q1.Bill Bryson says, “I am, in short, easily confused.” What examples has he given to justify this? 

Ans; Bill Bryson has given examples of getting lost in a cinema while looking for the lavatory, returning to hotel desks multiple times to ask for his room number, and having trouble retrieving his frequent flyer card from his carry-on bag at Logan Airport, which resulted in all the contents of the bag being scattered everywhere.

Q2. What happens when the zip on his carry-on bag gives way? 

Ans; When the zip on his carry-on bag gives way, all the contents of the bag including documents, money, tobacco, and other items are scattered everywhere.

Q3. Why is his finger bleeding? What is his wife’s reaction? 

Ans; Bill Bryson’s finger is bleeding because he gashed it on the zip of his carry-on bag. His wife’s reaction is one of wonder.

Q4. How does Bill Bryson end up in a “crash position” in the aircraft? 

Ans; Bill Bryson ends up in a “crash position” in the aircraft when he leaned over to tie his shoelace just as the person in front of him throws their seat back into full recline, pinning him helplessly.

Q5. Why are his teeth and gums navy blue? 

Ans; Bill Bryson’s teeth and gums are navy blue because the pen leaked in his mouth while he was talking to an attractive woman on an airplane.

Q6. Bill Bryson “ached to be suave”. Is he successful in his mission? List his ‘unsuave’ ways. 

Ans; Bill Bryson’s attempts to be suave are not successful as he describes instances of getting pinned in a crash position on an airplane, knocking a drink on a person twice, and having a pen leak in his mouth while talking to an attractive woman.

Q7. Why do you think Bill Bryson’s wife says to the children, “Take the lids off the food for Daddy”? 

Ans; Bill Bryson’s wife says to the children, “Take the lids off the food for Daddy” likely because Bill Bryson is clumsy and has a tendency to spill things

Q8. What is the significance of the title?

Ans; The title “The Life and Times of the Thunderbolt Kid” is likely a reference to Bill Bryson’s tendency to have mishaps and confusion, as if he were a superhero with a “thunderbolt” power causing chaos in his daily life.

Difficult Word

1. Catastrophes – a sudden and severe disaster
2. Consternation – a feeling of anxiety or dismay
3. Concourse – a large open area in a public building or transportation hub
4. Disgorged – to forcefully eject or discharge
5. Extravagantly – in an excessive or extreme manner
6. Famille – family
7. Fluttery – fluttering or flapping lightly
8. Hysterics – excessive or uncontrollable emotion
9. Lidless – without a lid or cover
10. Lavatory – a room containing a toilet
11. Oblivions – a state of being forgotten or ignored
12. Perch – a place or position to rest or sit
13. Profusely – in large quantities or amounts
14. Stupefied – to be confused or shocked
15. Ton – a unit of weight
16. Yanked – to pull or tug suddenly
17. Urbane – sophisticated and refined
18. Bons mots – witty or clever remarks
19. Drenched – to be soaked or saturated with liquid
20. Clawing – to scratch or scrape with the nails
21. Exasperation – a feeling of annoyance or frustration
22. Flowing – moving continuously in a current
23. Grunts – a deep, guttural sound
24. Frowns – a facial expression of disapproval or disappointment
25. Lidless – without a lid or cover
26. Laudable – worthy of praise
27. Lidless – without a lid or cover
28. Lavatory – a room containing a toilet
29. Oblivions – a state of being forgotten or ignored
30. Perch – a place or position to rest or sit