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I. Chapter Summary:

If I Were You is a one-act play by Douglas James, rich in suspense, drama, and wit. The story revolves around Gerrard, a playwright, and an armed intruder who enters his cottage intending to murder him and assume his identity to escape the law. However, Gerrard, through his quick thinking, calm demeanor, and clever use of words, manages to outsmart the criminal. He confuses the intruder by pretending to be a criminal himself. Eventually, Gerrard overpowers him and calls the police. The play promotes presence of mind, wit, and non-violence in the face of danger and proves that intelligence and courage can overcome violence.

II. Key Concepts Covered:

Concept	Explanation
Presence of Mind	Gerrard uses calm thinking and wit to deal with the intruder.
Identity and Deception	Explores how identity can be manipulated and faked.
Power of Language	Gerrard defeats the criminal without physical strength, but with conversation.
Courage in Crisis	Staying composed in threatening situations.
Crime Doesn’t Pay	The criminal’s plan fails due to his poor thinking and assumptions.

III. Important Questions:

(A) Multiple Choice Questions (1 Mark):

1. What is Gerrard’s profession?
   a) Lawyer
   b) Secret agent
   c) Playwright ✅
   d) Detective
2. What does the intruder want from Gerrard?
   a) Money
   b) Identity ✅
   c) Jewelry
   d) Secrets
3. Why does the intruder want to kill Gerrard?
   a) For revenge
   b) For Gerrard’s cottage
   c) To assume his identity ✅
   d) To rob him
4. How does Gerrard finally deal with the intruder?
   a) Shoots him
   b) Runs away
   c) Tricks and disarms him ✅
   d) Calls the neighbors

(B) Short Answer Questions (2/3 Marks):

1. How does Gerrard’s calmness help him in handling the intruder?
2. Why did the intruder think Gerrard was a lonely man?
3. What fake story did Gerrard tell the intruder and why?
4. What role does irony play in the title If I Were You?
   – PYQ 2021

(C) Long Answer Questions (5 Marks):

1. Describe how intelligence and wit help Gerrard overcome a life-threatening situation.
2. Why is the play If I Were You a suitable title for the story?
3. How is Gerrard’s character different from typical victims in crime scenes?
4. Discuss how the play conveys that violence and crime are never the solution.
   – PYQ 2022

(D) HOTS (Higher Order Thinking Skills):

1. Imagine yourself in Gerrard’s place. What would you have done differently?
2. Do you agree that intelligence can be more powerful than physical strength? Support your answer with reference to the play.

IV. Key Formulas/Concepts:

 Not applicable for literature chapters.

 But literary techniques and dramatic elements include:

Device	Example
Dialogue	The entire play relies on sharp and suspenseful conversation.
Irony	The criminal tries to become someone else but is tricked.
Characterisation	Gerrard: witty, composed, intelligent; Intruder: impulsive, scared.
Suspense	Builds up as the intruder threatens Gerrard.

V. Deleted Portions (CBSE 2025–2026):No portions have been deleted from this chapter as per the rationalized NCERT textbooks.

VI. Chapter-Wise Marks Bifurcation (Estimated – CBSE 2025–2026):

Unit/Chapter	Estimated Marks	Type of Questions Typically Asked
Chapter 9: If I Were You	5–6 marks	1 Long Answer or 2 Short Answers + 1 MCQ or HOTS

VII. Previous Year Questions (PYQs):

Year	Marks	Question
2021	3	How does Gerrard defeat the intruder? What qualities does he display?
2022	5	The play If I Were You is a lesson in wit and self-control. Explain.

VIII. Real-World Application Examples to Connect with Topics:

Scenario	Connection
Crisis Management	Staying calm in emergencies helps you act smart.
Communication Skills	Persuasive language can solve even dangerous problems.
Cybersecurity/Fraud	Identity theft is a modern version of what the intruder tried.
Theatre and Acting	The one-act format offers a good model for school dramatics.

IX. Student Tips & Strategies for Success:

 Time Management:

• Read the play aloud in class to understand tone and pacing.
• Create character sketch charts for Gerrard and the intruder.

 Exam Preparation:

• Focus on dialogue-based and character-based questions.
• Use real-life connections to build strong value-based answers.

 Stress Management:

• Act out the play with classmates for fun learning.
• Discuss crisis-handling scenarios and compare your reactions to Gerrard’s.

X. Career Guidance & Exploration:

For Classes 9–10:

Stream	Career Path
Humanities	Lawyer, Actor, Scriptwriter, Psychologist
Science	Negotiation Expert, Crisis Manager, Intelligence Analyst
Commerce	Conflict Resolution Consultant, Public Relations Officer

• Suggested Activities:
  • School drama club performances
  • CBSE Expression Series on courage & quick thinking
  • Writing your own one-act play

XI. Important Notes:

•  If I Were You is excellent for public speaking, dramatics, and ethics-based discussions.
•  Answer in points or short paragraphs with reference to key dialogue lines.
•  Quote to remember: “You won’t kill me for a very good reason.” — Gerrard’s wit in action.
•  Reflect on moral lessons: Non-violence, confidence, and mental agility.