Textual Questions – Think and Write
- Why was Mr. Gresham arrested?
→ Mr. Gresham was arrested for financial fraud and misappropriation of funds in his bank. - Why didn’t Baldwin explain his position to the papers?
→ Baldwin believed in letting his actions speak for themselves. He did not want to justify or advertise his integrity. - What was the change in the attitude of the family when they came to know the amount of the bribe?
→ Initially, the family supported Baldwin’s honesty, but after hearing about the large amount of money, they began encouraging him to accept the bribe, showing how easily money can tempt people. - How did Baldwin react to the opinion of his family?
→ He was deeply hurt and disappointed. Still, he stayed true to his values and refused to be dishonest, even for his loved ones. - Was Baldwin disloyal to Mr. Gresham?
→ No. Baldwin remained honest and loyal to his conscience. He refused the bribe and chose to testify truthfully.
➤ Relevant line: “I’ve got only a few years to live, but I’ll live those as I’ve lived the rest of my life. I’ll go to my grave clean.”
Activity I – Analysis: Implied Meanings
| Striking Dialogue | Speaker | Implied Meaning |
| “Your father will do his duty, John…” | Martha | Baldwin is a man of integrity who will not compromise even under pressure. |
| “How dared he — how dared he ask such a thing?” | Baldwin | Baldwin is shocked and offended by the idea of being bribed, showing his high moral standards. |
| “He didn’t complain. That’s just the pity of it.” | John | John regrets his father’s silent suffering and selflessness. |
| “I’ll go to my grave clean.” | Baldwin | He chooses truth over wealth, showing his strong ethical foundation. |
| “The governor is the only witness against Gresham.” | John | Baldwin’s testimony could make or break the case, putting him in a critical position of responsibility. |
Activity II – Write-up: Opening and Ending of the Play
Opening:
The play begins in the Baldwin family’s living room on a hot afternoon. There is tension and anxiety in the air as Baldwin’s wife and children await his return from meeting Mr. Gresham. Their nervous conversations reveal that Mr. Gresham has been arrested for fraud, and Baldwin, his secretary, may be asked to testify. The family is concerned about his involvement and their future.
Ending:
The play ends with Mr. Marshall visiting Baldwin and offering him a respectable job. Mr. Gresham has confessed to his crimes, impressed by Baldwin’s honesty. Baldwin is emotionally overwhelmed. The ending highlights that honesty and truthfulness are ultimately rewarded, and moral strength is always greater than temporary gain.
Activity III – Character Sketch of Robert Baldwin
Robert Baldwin is the central character in the play The Hour of Truth. He is an honest, calm, and principled man who works as a secretary in a bank. Even though he has served the bank loyally for many years, he has never received a high salary. Still, he remains sincere and dutiful, never complaining about his position or pay. His loyalty is especially evident in the way he continues to respect his employer, Mr. Gresham, even after the man is arrested for fraud.
Baldwin’s strongest quality is his unshakable honesty. When Mr. Gresham offers him a bribe of one hundred thousand dollars to remain silent during the trial, Baldwin firmly refuses. He is shocked when his own family suggests he should accept the money, and this deeply hurts him. Even then, he does not become angry or lose control. Instead, he calmly explains that doing the right thing matters more than wealth.
He is a man who chooses truth and self-respect over comfort and luxury. His famous line, “I’ll go to my grave clean,” shows how seriously he values integrity. In the end, his honesty is rewarded when another bank offers him a better job, and Mr. Gresham confesses, impressed by Baldwin’s character.
Baldwin’s personality teaches us that real success comes through strong values, not shortcuts. He is a true role model who proves that honesty, even when difficult, always wins in the end.
Activity IV – Group Discussion Points
Topic: Corruption Curtails the Development of a Country
Reasons for Corruption:
- Lack of accountability
- Greed and materialism
- Pressure from family and society
- Poor implementation of laws
- Lack of moral education
Evil Effects of Corruption:
- Delays in public services
- Poor infrastructure and education
- Waste of national resources
- Loss of foreign investment
- Public distrust in governance
How to Discourage It:
- Stronger punishment for offenders
- Transparent systems (like RTI)
- Awareness campaigns
- Ethical education in schools
- Encouraging whistleblowers
Activity V – Compering Script
Anchor’s Script for Introducing the Play “The Hour of Truth”:
“Good morning everyone. Today, we present to you a thought-provoking play titled The Hour of Truth written by Percival Wilde. This is not just a courtroom drama — it’s a mirror into our conscience. The story revolves around a man named Robert Baldwin, who is tested with a bribe that could change his life. Will he stay true to his principles or give in to greed? Let’s welcome the characters who bring this powerful message alive…”
Activity 7 – Language Practice
A. Tense
a. Fill in the blanks choosing the right option from the brackets:
(Story about Thomas Edison)
- started
- built
- wasn’t selling
- occupied
- read
- was waiting
- noticed
- was playing
- was approaching
- ran
- grabbed
- offered
- left
- went
b. Fill in the blanks using the correct tense forms of the verbs given in brackets:
- Sekhar is now with the Xanadu, a government publication. He joined it a year ago. Since then, he has published articles on various subjects. Next week, he will write on the importance of being honest in public life.
- I reached school a little late this morning. My friend was waiting there for me. He/she said that he/she had been waiting there for half an hour.
- Yesterday, they went home only after they had finished their work. But today, they just decided that they would not work after five o’clock.
B. Reported Speech
Complete the passage using reported speech:
Thank you for your patience. Here’s the complete solution to Activity 7 – Part B3 (Reported Speech) from Chapter 3 – The Hour of Truth, including all parts exactly as per the textbook on page 71:
Activity 7 – B
Completed Reported Speech Passage:
I was walking down the road the other day when a man stopped me and asked the way to the nearest post office.
I told him
(1) that he should take the first turning to the left,
(2) keep straight on till he reached the main road,
where he
(3) would see the post office facing him on the opposite side of the road.
He asked me
(4) how far it was,
and I told him
(5) that it was about half a mile at the most.
He thanked me and walked off.
Activity 7 – C. The Passive
Fill in the blanks using passive voice:
Complete the passage:
It is remarkable how rapidly the country is developing.
Progress
(1) is being made everywhere.
In the town, old houses
(2) are being pulled down
and fine new blocks of flats
(3) are being put up
in their place.
Large factories
(4) are being built
within easy reach of the town.
In these, only the most modern machinery
(5) is being installed.
Good highways
(6) are being constructed
to connect one town with another.
In the countryside, too, a great deal
(7) is being done
to increase agricultural production through new techniques.
Irrigation schemes
(8) are being introduced
everywhere.
In the south, large areas of land, which were once desert,
(9) are being extensively cultivated.
It is a pleasure to see how much
(10) is being achieved
through planning and hard work.
Rewrite the newspaper report in passive voice:
Daring Raid at Local Hotel
- The Manager of the Ridgeway Hotel was held at gunpoint last night during a daring raid.
- Nearly Rs. 50,000 was taken from the hotel safe.
- Several bedrooms were broken into.
- Articles of value were removed.
- Several pieces of kitchen equipment were damaged.
- The chef was injured when he tried to stop the thieves.
- He was left lying unconscious on the floor.
- The thieves were arrested early this morning by the police.
Activity 8 – Let’s Edit
Corrected version of the letter:
102 W, 7th Ave,
E. Manhattan, NY
15 August, 2005
The Secretary,
Sports Authority,
845, 3rd Ave, NY.
Sir,
Sub: The Golden Gloves Championship Tournament – not receiving medal – reg.
Ref: Your show cause notice dated 8th August 2005
I really regret the inconvenience I caused during the valedictory function of the tournament. I did not want to create any ethical issue during the function.
I believe that in a game, a contestant should fight well with true sportsman spirit rather than fight only for a medal. I also believe that the value of a medal is not higher than the bond between human relationships. Please remember, my opponent was none other than my closest friend.
I know I won the match only because of my opponent (my friend). He made me struggle throughout the game. But in the last few minutes, I received only mild punches from him. He might have thought that I should win the match.
In these circumstances, I kindly request you to excuse me from any kind of disciplinary action.
Yours sincerely,
Sd/-
(Name)