2nd PUC English Chapter 2

Too Dear! Comprehension I.

Question 1.
Why was Monaco called a “toy kingdom”?
Answer:
Monaco was referred to as a “toy kingdom” because it was a small, almost miniature-sized kingdom with a population of only about seven thousand people.

Question 2.
What commodities were taxed in Monaco?
Answer:
In Monaco, the taxed commodities included tobacco, wine, and spirits, along with a poll tax.

Question 3.
What was the source of the King’s special revenue, and who were its beneficiaries?
Answer:
The King’s special revenue came from a gaming house. The King, also known as the Prince of Monaco, along with his courtiers and officials, were the beneficiaries of this revenue.

Question 4.
Why did the Germans shut down gaming houses in their country, and how did this benefit Monaco?

Answer:
The Germans closed gaming houses in their country because these establishments encouraged gambling, leading people to lose money. In some cases, individuals were driven to despair, resulting in suicides by drowning or shooting.
In Monaco, however, the gaming house became a key source of revenue, benefiting the King and his administration.

Question 5.
What punishment was given to the murderer?
Answer:
The murderer was initially sentenced to death, but this was later commuted to life imprisonment.

Question 6.
Why was the death sentence converted into life imprisonment?
(a) Monaco had abolished the death penalty.
(b) Carrying out the death sentence was expensive.
(c) Monaco wanted to show mercy on the criminal.
Answer:
(b) Carrying out the death sentences was expensive.

Question 7.
How much did the King spend on the criminal annually?
Answer:
600 Francs.

Question 8.
Under what condition did the criminal agree to leave the prison, and why was his demand met?
Answer:
The criminal agreed to leave prison if he was paid 600 Francs annually, guaranteed regularly. This demand was met to relieve the burden on the King’s treasury.

Too Dear! Comprehension II.

Question 1.
Though gambling is a dirty business, why does the King of Monaco resort to it?
Answer:
The King of Monaco resorts to gambling as a significant source of revenue to sustain himself, his courtiers, and officials, as there was no other way to generate such a large amount of money.

Question 2.
Why did the King of Monaco keep changing his mind about dealing with the criminal?
Answer:
The King kept changing his mind because he realized that both execution and life imprisonment were too expensive to handle.

Question 3.
Why did the King of Monaco keep changing his mind about dealing with the criminal?
Answer:
The criminal refused to leave prison because his reputation had been ruined by the punishment. He knew that no one would offer him work if he was released. Additionally, he preferred staying in prison, enjoying free food, and indulging in his inherent laziness.

Question 4.
How did the criminal live after his release?
Answer:
After his release, the criminal took one-third of his annuity in advance and purchased a small piece of land just across the border. He began market gardening and lived a comfortable life.

Too Dear! Comprehension III.

Question 1.
“You can’t earn stone palaces by honest labour.” In what context is this statement made?

Answer:
The statement “You can’t earn stone palaces by honest labour” is fitting in the context of Monaco’s King, whose regular earnings from taxes on wine, spirits, and tobacco were minimal. However, what he gained from other ventures, like gambling, was substantial enough to sustain himself, his officials, and his courtiers. If he had relied solely on honest labour, it would have been difficult for him to live comfortably in palaces.

The statement suggests that through honest labour alone, one cannot amass wealth, as it typically yields only modest wages.

Question 2.
Though the trial and imprisonment of the criminal are portrayed comically in this story, they raise serious questions. What are they?

Answer:
Is it justifiable to release a criminal with an annual sum of 600 francs simply because the government cannot afford the cost of life imprisonment? Is it ethical to promote harmful activities, such as gambling, merely for the sake of generating tax revenue and extra income?

Question 3.
Were there other ways of dealing with crime and the criminal? Discuss in light of the story.

Answer:
Yes, crime and criminals could be managed by providing them with meaningful work to earn a living and allowing them to reintegrate into society like other citizens. The key is to discourage harmful habits such as drinking, gambling, and tobacco use.

Additional Questions and Answers Too Dear!

Question 1.
What is the population of the Kingdom of Monaco?
Answer:
About seven thousand people.

Question 2.
Where is Monaco located?
Answer:
Monaco is located on the coast of the Mediterranean Sea, between France and Italy.

Question 3.
Why did people from other countries visit Monaco?
Answer:
All other European countries had banned gambling, and Monaco was the only place where a gaming house operated. As a result, people went to Monaco to gamble.

Question 4.
What was the cost of the guillotine and an executioner from France?
Answer:
The cost of bringing a guillotine and an executioner from France was 16,000 francs.

Question 5.
What type of government does France have?
(a) Communist
(b) Republican
(c) Monarchy
Answer:
(b) republican

Summary Too Dear!