Author Archives: noor arora

A Tiger in the Zoo important Questions and Answers

Very Short Answer Questions

1. How does the tiger feel in the cage?
Answer: In the cage, he is in an angry mood.

2.How does the tiger walk in the cage?
Answer: In the cage, he walks with pride.

3. How should the tiger walk through the grass?
Answer: He should walk with ease through the grass.

4. Where should the tiger hide to himself?
Answer: The tiger should hide in the shadow.

5. Who passes near the water hole?
Answer: The fat deer pass near the water hole.

6. Where is the tiger’s strength locked?
Answer: His strength is locked behind the bars

7. How does the caged tiger react to the visitors?
Answer: He ignores the visitors.

8. What sound does the tiger near at night?
Answer: The tiger hears the sound of the patrolling cars at night.

9. How do the eyes of the tiger look?
Answer: His eyes look brilliant.

10. At what does the tiger look at?
Answer: At night the tiger looks at the stars.

Short Answer Type Questions

1. What do you understand by `His strength behind bars’? What kind of a cage is he locked in?

Answer: The tiger is wretched in its cage. His power is confined behind the bars. He was locked in a small cage where he is devoid of freedom. He feels unhappy, frustrated, restless and angry.

2. Is it safe to allow tigers to live in their natural habitat these days?

Answer: Although it is ideal for tigers to live in the wild, today, it will mean certain death for them. Fast diminishing jungles and danger posed by poachers have pushed tigers to the brink of extinction, making their natural home unsafe.

3. The tiger in the poem ‘A Tiger in the Zoo’ has some obvious limitations, describe them in contrast to its natural habitat.

Answer: The tiger in the zoo was confined to a small space. He was angry that he couldn’t be free to move, hunt and do what he pleased forced to be a showpiece; and the cage’s bars obstructed his view of the starry night. This was all unlike his natural habitat where he hunted fiercely and slept fitfully.

4. What is the theme of the poem?
Or
What message does the poet want to convey through the poem—Tiger in the Zoo’?

Answer: The poet wants to convey that it is cruel to keep wild animals in small enclosures of the zoo, away from their natural habitat. They feel angry, helpless and unhappy and remember their life and environment in the forest.

5. Why do you think the tiger was stalking in the cage? What does it show?

Answer: I think the tiger was feeling restless and uneasy in that small cage. He seems to be frustrated and helpless as he could not come out of the cage in the open and enjoy his freedom. He did not want to be a mere showpiece and a source of entertainment for human beings.

6. Describe the movement of the tiger in the cage and in the wild.
Or
What difference do you find in the mood of a tiger when he is in a zoo and when he is in a forest?

Answer: In the zoo, in his small cage and devoid of freedom, the tiger feels unhappy rather frustrated, restless and angry. In the forest, he enjoys moving majestically wherever he wants, terrorizes the villagers by displaying his sharp teeth and claws. He is happy in the forest, enjoying his liberty and surroundings, but not in the zoo.

7. What does the poet say about a tiger in his natural surroundings?

Answer: The poet says that the tiger should be in the jungle. It is his natural habitat. In the jungle, he moves in the long grass near a water hole. He hides in shadow to hunt the deer for his food.

8. Where is the strength of the tiger and how does he treat the visitors?

Answer: The tiger is imprisoned in a cage. So his strength is behind the bars. He paces to-and-fro the length of the cage. Visitors come to his cage. But he ignores those visitors.

9. How does the tiger terrify the villagers?

Answer: The tiger prowls around the houses of the villagers. He terrifies them by snarling at them. Their houses are situated near the jungle. He terrifies the villagers by baring his fangs and showing his long claws.

10. How does the tiger behave at night?

Answer: At night the tiger feels lonely. He hears the sound of the patrolling cars. He looks through the bars at the shining stars. His eyes are also shining.

11. How does the poet contrast the tiger in the cage with a tiger in the forest?

Answer: The poet says that the caged tiger is imprisoned. He is not free. He is angry. On the other hand the tiger in the jungle is free. He walks in the tall grass and hunts the deer that pass near the water hole.

12. How does the tiger walk in the cage?

Answer: The tiger walks in the cage in a proud manner. He walks quietly. But his eyes show that he is very angry at having been imprisoned in a cage. But he can’t do anything for his freedom.

13. How does the tiger stalk in the cage?

Answer: The tiger is not in his natural habitat—the jungle. the lie is locked in a cage made up of cement and concrete. He keeps on stalking inside his cage from one side to the other. He is walking in a quiet rage with his heels which are padded like velvet.

14. How does the tiger prepare himself for hunting when he is in his natural habitat — the jungle

Answer: The mighty tiger roams freely in his natural habitat – the wilds. He knows how to ambush his prey. He waits for his prey lurking unseen in the shadow of trees. He slides through the long grass quite unnoticed. He comes to the water hole where he can find his favourite prey – plump deer.

15. How does the tiger terrorise the villagers? Does he have any intention of killing them?

Answer: Sometimes, the tiger roams around freely and comes near the edge of the jungle. He comes very near to the houses of the villagers which are situated on the outskirts of the jungle. Roaming there, he opens out his white sharp teeth and paws to terrorise the villagers. He has no intention of killing them as he never attacks until he is provoked to do so.

16. How does the tiger feel locked in the concrete cell of the zoo? Why does he ignore the visitors

Answer: The tiger is basically an animal of the wilds. He is’ a denizen of the forest. Being locked in a concrete cell of the zoo, he feels quite helpless. His immense strength is of no use to him as he is put behind the bars. He only stalks the length of his cage. He ignores the visitors who came to see him after buying their tickets. He doesn’t want to present himself as an object of entertaining others.

17. What does the tiger do at night? What does he feel when he stares at the brilliant stars in the sky?

Answer: The patrolling cars move around and the tiger hears their sound late at night. He is locked in a cage but stares at the brilliant stars shining in the vast and open sky. The vast open sky and the brilliant stars only intensify the feeling of helplessness that he feels inside the cage.

18. Freedom can’t be bargained at any cost. What message does Leslie Norris give to the readers in ‘A Tiger in the Zoo’?

Answer: Not only humans but animals too cherish freedom. Freedom can’t be bargained. In this case, a tiger may be well-fed and protected. However, the curtailment of his freedom keeps him in ‘quiet rage’. He resents being behind the bars. He is a different animal when he is in his natural habitat, the jungle. He roams around the water hole and ambushes his favourite plump deer.

19. He hears the last voice at night, The patrolling cars, Who hears the last voice and of what?

Answer: The tiger hears the last voice Le, the sound of the patrolling cars at night. He is imprisoned in a cage at the zoo. The patrolling cars are making a round of the zoo to see that everything is alright.

20. And stares with his brilliant eyes
At the brilliant stars.
Why are the eyes brilliant? What is common between the eyes and the stars?

Answer: The tiger’s eyes shine brightly in the darkness of night. The stars are also shining in the sky. The common thing between the tiger’s eyes and the stars is that both are brilliant.

21. What message do you get from this poem?

Answer: From this poem, we come to know that animals like to live freely in the forest. The animals do not want to live in the zoo. Their life is pitiable in it.

22. Baring his white fangs, his claws
Terrorising the village.
Who bares his fangs and how does he terrorise the village?

Answer: The tiger bares his white fangs. He terrorises the people of the village because he keeps snarling around houses.

Fire and Ice important Questions and Answers

Very Short Answer Questions

1. What is ‘fire’ a symbol of?
Answer: ‘Fire is a symbol of lust and endless desires.

2.What is ‘Ice’ a symbol of?
Answer: ‘ice is a symbol of hatred.

3. What will fire do to the world?
Answer: Fire will put the world to an end.

4. What will the world end in?
Answer: The world will end in the fire as well as ice.

5. Why does the poet hold with those who favour fire?
Answer: The poet holds with those who favour fire because the lust for material things is increasing quickly.

6. Why do some people say that the world will end in ice?
Answer: They say so because hatred among people is increasing fast.

7. Who is the poet of the poem ‘Fire and Ice’?
Answer: Robert Frost.

Short Answer Type Questions

1. What do you think would be enough to destroy the world? Can Fire and Ice contribute to it?

Answer: Our desires and hatred would be enough to destroy the world. According to the poet, `fire’ represents ‘desire’ and `ice’ represents `hatred’. Desires like fire spread rapidly and engulf one’s whole life. Similarly, ‘hatred’ fills life with poison.

2. What is the underlying idea of the poem ‘Fire and Ice’?

Answer: The poet equates fire with `desire’ and ice with ‘hatred’. Both of these are growing with enormous speed. If we don’t check them from growing, the world will perish. So we must restrain our desires and love our fellow-beings.

3. Which two ideas about how the world will end have been mentioned in the poem? Which idea does the poet support more?

Answer: The two ideas mentioned are that the world will end in fire or in ice. Though the poet thinks both are great for destruction, yet he seems to favour the idea of the destruction of the world in a fire a little more than in ice.

4. What does ‘fire’ and ice’ stand for and what is the general opinion regarding the world?
Or
According to the poet, what does ‘fire’ and ‘ice’ represent? Do you agree with him?

Answer: According to the poet, ‘fire’ represents desire and ‘ice’ represents hatred. I do agree with the poet. Desires like fire spread rapidly and engulf one’s whole life. Similarly ‘hatred’ fills the whole life with poison. It makes one hard-hearted and cruel.

5. What do people think about the ending of the world? What does the poet think?

Answer: Some people think that someday the world will end in fire. On the other hand. some people say. that it will end in ice. The poet has tasted both the fire and the ice. He thinks that the world will end in fire. Here fire stands for the tire of desire.

6. How will the world end twice?

Answer: The poet says that both fire and ice are destructive. Here fire stands for the heat of desire and ice stands for hatred He thinks that our violent desires will end the world. If it survives, it will be ruined by hatred.

7. What is the main idea of the poem?

Answer: The main idea of the poem is that there are violent passions in the world. They are destructive. But mare distinctive Mail those violent desires is the hatred between man and man. The poet thinks that one day this hatred will destroy the world. 

8. Will this world come to an end? What does the poet say in this regard?

Answer: Everything that has a beginning or origin, does have an end. It is an eternal law of nature. The existing world will come to an end, someday. The poet believed many people believe that either ‘fire’ or ‘ice’ will be the cause of the end of the world.

9. What do people think about the end of the world? Who does the poet side with and why?

Answer: People are divided over the cause of the end of this world. Some people think that ‘fire’ symbolised by unbridled passions, desires and fury will destroy this world. Others believe that ‘ice’ symbolised by cold reasoning, indifference and hatred will be the cause of destruction. The poet sides with those who believe that ‘fire’ or unbridled passions and desires will result in the destruction of the world.

10. Why does the poet say, ‘I’ve tasted of desire/I hold with those who favour fire?

Answer: The poet is familiar with the fire of passions and desires in love. He knows it quite well that are uncontrolled desires, passions and fury lead to our destruction. Similarly, he sides with those people who believe that ‘fire’ symbolised by unbridled passions and desires with be the real cause of the end of the world.

11. What will be the cause of the end of the world if it has to perish twice?

Answer: This world is not eternal. Its end is certain. The poet sides with those people who think that ‘fire’ will cause the end of the existing world. But if this world has to perish twice the ‘ice’ is as strong to bring the end of the world as ‘fire’ is. Icy reasoning devoid of human love and sympathy and hatred is sufficient to bring an end of this world.

12. How does the poet ‘know enough of hate’? Where will this ‘hate’ lead to?

Answer: ‘Icy’ or cold reasoning can lead to rigidity, indifference and insensitiveness. This can take away all warmth of human feelings, love and sympathy. The result can be disastrous. ‘Hatred’ born out of cold and ‘Icy’ reasoning can lead to the destruction of the world.

13. How will ‘ice’ be as ‘great’ and ‘suffice’ for causing the end of this existing world? Do you agree with the poet?

Answer: There is no need for ‘fire’ to destroy the world. Even ‘ice’ is sufficient and ‘strong’ enough to cause the destruction of this world. If this world has to ‘perish twice’, then there is no need for fire to destroy it twice. ‘Ice’ is as ‘strong’ and ‘great’ a cause that can cause the end of this world.

14. What is the message of the poem ‘Fire and Ice’?

Answer: The metaphors of ‘fire’ and ‘ice’ are used very effectively to convey a definite message to the readers. ‘Fire’ here stands for our unbridled, uncontrolled and unchecked passions, desires, lust and fury. Such passions are disastrous for human beings. Similarly cold reasoning devoid of all human warmth, love, sympathy will bring insensitivity, cruelty and rigidity. This hatred will lead to the end of this world.

15. From when I have tasted of desire
I hold with those who favour fire.
Why does the poet hold with those who favour fire?

Answer: The poet sides with those who believe that the world will be destroyed by fire. ‘Fire’ is a symbol of desire. The poet has already experienced desire. On the basis of his experience, he knows that excessive desire will destroy the world. That is why he holds with those who favour fire.

16. But if it has to perish twice
I think I know enough of hate.
What does ‘it’ refer to? How will it perish twice?

Answer: ‘It’ here refers to the world. The poet says that people hold different opinions about the end of the world. Some say ‘fire’, which stands for ‘desire’, will destroy the world. Secondly, ‘ice’, which stands for ‘hatred’ can also destroy the world.

17. To say that for destruction ice
Is also great
In the poem what does ‘ice’ stand for? How is it sufficient to bring destruction?

Answer: ‘Ice’ stands for ‘hatred’. Hatred may be religious, communal or of any other type. According to the poet, there is enough hatred in the world which will destroy the external, physical world one day.

Long Answer Type Questions

1. How does the poem depicts the two contrasting ideas— ‘Fire’ and ‘Ice’? Can hatred destroy us and the world? Explain bringing out values which can make this world a better place to live in.

Answer: (i) In this poem, Robert Frost refers to two contrasting ideas—Fire and Ice as predictions of how the world will end. According to him, some people say that the world will end in a fire while some others hold that this will end in ice. The poet equates desire with fire and hatred with ice. Both the desire and hatred are growing with such a rapid speed that the world will come to an end either of the ways.
(ii) Yes, hatred can destroy us and the world. Intolerance in behaviour creates hatred that leads to fury and cruelty. One becomes hard-hearted and insensitive to the feelings of others.
(iii) Love, brotherhood, tolerance, peace, contentment, sensitivity, benevolence, generosity among people can make this world a better place to live in.

2. What is the rhyme scheme of the poem? How does it help in bringing out the contrasting ideas in the poem?

Answer: The rhyme scheme of the poem in the first stanza is a, b; a band in the second stanza it is – a, b, a, b, a.
The lines ending with the same rhythm have the same idea but the line that ends with a different note has the contrasting idea. In the first stanza, the first, third and fourth lines end with the words fire, desire, fire – same rhythm but the second line ends with the word ‘ice’, a different note, also it contrasts with ‘fire’.
Thus the poet has brought out the contrasting ideas in the poem by using different rhythms.

3. There are many ideas about how this world will come to an ‘end’. What are they? Do you agree with the poet and his understanding of the poet and his understanding of the issue in this regard?

Answer: Almost all think that this world will end at one time or the other. It is true that everything that has a beginning or origin will come to an end too. There are many ideas about how this world will come to an end. Some think that ‘fire’ will be the cause of the ‘end’ of the world. Others believe that ‘ice’ will bring the end of the world. Both of these ideas have their valid reasons. The poet sides and stands with those who believe that ‘fire’ will be the cause of the ‘end’.

The poet is well aware of how the ‘fire’ of unbridled passions, desires, lust, and fury can lead to the destruction of humanity and the world. But the other view is equally convincing. Cold and ‘icy’ reasoning can create insensitivity, rigidity, frigidity, and indifference in man. Ultimately, it breeds ‘hatred’ and contempt. This kind of ‘icy’ reasoning which is devoid of all human warmth, sympathy, love, and understanding will only bring destruction and death of this world.
I believe that both ‘fire’ and ‘ice’ have strong potentialities to bring disasters and destruction to the world.

Dust of Snow important Questions and Answers

Very Short Answer Questions

1. Where was the crow sitting
Answer: The crow was sitting in a hemlock tree.

2. What did the crow shakedown on the poet?
Answer: He shook down snow on the poet.

3. In what mood was the poet before falling of snow on him
Answer: He was in an unpleasant mood.

4. What type of plant is ‘a hemlock tree’?
Answer: It is a poisonous plant with small white flowers.

5. What fell on the poet from the hemlock tree?
Answer: Sonic dust of snow fell on the poet from the hemlock tree.

6. How did the dust of snow affect the poet?
Answer: It changed the poet’s mood.

7. Who is the poet of the poem ‘Dust of Snow’?
Answer: The poet of this poem is ‘Robert Frost’.

8. What did the poet think of the day before the fall of the dust of snow on him?
Answer: The poet thought unhappiness of the day before the fall of the dust of snow on him. But after the incident, he started to look at the surroundings.

9. What is the dust of snow?
Answer: The dust of snow is snowflakes or small and soft particles of snow that settles down on the various objects on the earth during the snowfall.

10. What is a hemlock tree?
Answer: A hemlock tree is a poisonous tree with white flowers. It stands for sorrow. The dust of snow had covered this tree.

Short Answer Type Questions

1. How has the poet observed nature in the poem ‘Dust of Snow’

Answer: The poet has observed nature as a positive medium of change for him. The poet had been the sorrowful and depressive mood in the poem. But then the way a crow shook snow dust off, it changed his mood. Nature gave him the inspiration to behave in a positive manner.

2. What is the underlying message for us in our hectic life with reference to the poem, ‘Dust of Snow’?
Or
What is the central idea of the poem ‘Dust of Snow’?
Or
What does the poet want to convey through the poem ‘Dust of Snow’?

Answer: In the poem ‘Dust of Snow’, the poet wants to convey that sometimes certain moments or actions which are simple have larger significance. They can change the mood or life of a person. The way a crow shakes down dust of snow on the poet inspires and gives him the idea to shake off his depressive thoughts, become cheerful and do something useful.

3. What side of nature do ‘crow’ and ‘hemlock’ represent?

Answer: ‘Crow’ is a black, harsh-voiced bird and ‘hemlock’ is a tree with poisonous bitter fruit. Both are not beautiful. They represent the dark, depressive, sorrowful and bitter side of nature.

4.Why does the poet use such poetically uncommon bird and tree? What does it reflect?

Answer: The poet seems to be in a depressed and sorrowful mood. In such a mood, one cannot think of a sweet and beautiful side of nature. The harsh, bitter and poisonous images come to his mind. That is why he uses an uncommon, harsh, ugly crow and poisonous tree like hemlock.

5. Justify the role of the crow in the poem “Dust of Snow” in changing the poet’s mood.

Answer: I think, ‘the way snow dust was shaken off’ changed his mood. Perhaps it gave the poet inspiration/idea to behave in the same manner—shake off his depressive thoughts and revive his cheerful mood.

6. What mood of the poet is reflected in the poem? How does it reflect?

Answer: The sorrowful and depressive mood of the poet is reflected in the poem. The use of the bird ‘crow’, which is ugly and harsh, and hemlock tree, which is a poisonous plant, reflects the poet’s mood.

7. What did the poet think of the day before the dust of snow fell on him?

Answer: Before the fall of the dust of snow, the poet thought that his day was ruined. He was in a bad mood. But then use of snow fell on him. It signalled something good and joyful. His mood changed.

8. Write a note on the setting of the poem.

Answer: The poem presents a perfect setting. There are four elements in the poem. All these four elements match one another. The snow stands for depression. The hemlock tree is a symbol of sadness. The crow considered ominous. The poet’s mood was also sad. But suddenly the way in which the crow shook the hemlock tree and falling off the dust of snow. change the poet’s mood.

9. Where was the poet and what happened to him?

Answer: there was snow everywhere. The poet was under a hemlock tree. The tree was covered with snow Suddenly a crow shook the tree The dust of snow fell on the poet. It changed his mood.

10. The flow was the poet’s mood? What brought a sudden change in it?

Answer: The poet was in a bad mood. He considered that his day was ruined. But the crow shook the tree. The dust of snow fell on him. His mood changed. The rest of the day was saved for him.

11. How did the poet feel before the ‘change of mood’? Why did he feel so?

Answer: The poet was in a very depressed and hopeless mood. The day offered no relief, comfort or happiness for the poet. He felt that the whole day had been wasted for nothing. Perhaps his dull and depressive mood led him to such a conclusion.

12. Do you think that the poet presents a very bright or cheerful side of nature in the poem? Give a reasoned answer.

Answer: No, Robert Frost has presented nature in it’s elemental and raw form. It is quite dull and depressive wintry day. The fall of fine dust of snow does bring a sudden change in the mood of the poet. It refreshes his spirits and brings cheerfulness to his depressed spirits and mood.

13. Describe the scene of falling off the dust I snow. What impact does it have on the poet?

Answer: It is a dull and depressing day of the winter. Snow is falling. The fine dust of snow has accumulated on the top of the trees. Nature seems to be in its elemental and raw state. However, the full of fine dust of snow brings a sudden change in the mood of the poet. His depressive spirits are uplifted and his mood becomes cheerful.

14. ‘The Crow’ and the ‘hemlock tree’ are generally considered to be inauspicious and ominous symbols. Does the poet use them so?

Answer: ‘The Crow’ and ‘the hemlock tree’, no doubt, don’t represent cheerfulness or brightness. Both of them are generally considered to be inauspicious. But ‘the crow’ in the poem causes the dust of snowfall on the poet. This leads to the sudden change of mood in the poet. The feeling of cheerfulness replaces the feeling of regret. Similarly, the hemlock tree is the tree under which the poet is standing and experiencing the change of his mood.

15. Why does the poet say that he had `saved some part of a day I (he) had rued’?

Answer: The whole day had been rather gloomy, dull and hopeless. The poet had a feeling that the whole day would go waste. However, the falling of fine dust of snow on him suddenly changes his mood. It cheered his depressed spirits. He felt as if he had saved some part of the day.

16. What is the message that Robert Frost wants to convey to the readers in the poem ‘Dust of snow’?

Answer: Robert Frost gives quite a positive message to the readers. Depression and hopelessness do cloud our hearts, spirits and moods. However, there is a silver-lining beyond every cloud. The poet had given up all hopes and declared that the whole day would go waste. Suddenly, the falling of fine dust of snow on him brings a sudden change in his mood. Cheerfulness replaces the feeling of regret.

17. What happened when the dust of snow fell on Robert Frost?

Answer: Robert Frost was unhappy. He was deep down in his heart due to some personal reasons. When the dust of snow fell on him, his mental state had changed. Now he looked at the surroundings.

Class 10 English Chapter 10 The Book that Saved the Earth Important Questions

Short Answer Type Questions

Question 1. Why did Think-Tank wish to contact the space probe?

Answer: Think-Tank wanted to contact the probe to find out what the crew of the probe had observed about Earth.

Question 2. What difficulty do the crew of the space probe face on Earth?

Answer: The space probe lands in a public library. The crew is shocked because the place looked very strange as they had no idea of books. They think the library to be some kind of storage barn.

Question 3. How does Think-Tank explain the books to his probe crew?

Answer: Think-Tank told his crew that the books were sandwiches. He even ordered his crew to eat them. Then, he called them communication devices and later he said that they were meant for watching.

Question 4. Why do the space probe crew take vitamins?

Answer: Think-Tank wanted the probe crew to find out what was in the books. So, the probe crew take vitamins to increase their intelligence. They are able to read the books after taking those vitamins.

Question 5. What is Think-Tank’s interpretation of words like ‘shells’, ‘silver bells’ and ‘garden’ from the nursery rhyme? What is its impact?

Answer: Think-Tank interprets the given words to mean that the earthlings grew shells and silver in their gardens. This caused him to withhold their planned invasion of Earth as he felt that Earth was more advanced than Mars.

Question 6. Think-Tank thinks that Earthlings are after him. What is the reason? 

Answer: Think-Tank crew read about Humpty-Dumpty’s fall in the rhyme and showed the picture to Think-Tank. Think-Tank’s head resembled that of Humpty-Dumpty. This makes Think-Tank feel that earthlings were planning to invade Mars and capture him.

Question 7. Mention any two striking qualities of Noodle.

Answer: The apprentice of Think-Tank, Noodle, comes out as an interesting figure in the story. He is very polite and smart. He corrects the mistakes of his ruler very humbly by giving indirect suggestions. Also, he is very wise and well informed.

Question 8. Elaborate the escape that Think-Tank plans for.

Answer: Think-Tank orders his entire fleet to evacuate Mars. He gets a capsule for himself. They decide to move to the distant star Alpha Centauri to escape invasion by earthlings.

Question 9. Describe Think-Tank in your our words.

Answer: Think-Tank is the ruler of the planet Mars. His head is huge and egg shaped. He wears a robe decorated with stars and circles. He is very proud of his intelligence and might.

Question 10. How did one old book of nursery rhymes save the Earth from a Martian invasion?
or
How did a book change Think-Tank’s opinion about the Earthlings? 

Answer: This book is totally misunderstood by the Martians.
The Martians thought that earthlings were planning to invade Mars. So, they cancelled their invasion of Earth and went back. Think-Tank totally misunderstands the book. Phrases like ‘shell’, ‘silver’, ‘garden’ gave him a false idea that earthlings grew silver and weapons. He starts thinking that earthlings are very advanced technologically.

Question 11. What was Oop’s opinion about the ‘sandwiches’ he had eaten?

Answer: Oop was forced to eat ‘sandwiches’ and he made terrible faces while chewing. He said that it was not delicious; rather as dry as Martian dust. He remarked that he could not understand how the Earthlings could get those ‘sandwiches’ down without water.

Question 12. What was Noodle’s version to describe the so-called ‘sandwich’?

Answer: Noodle hesitantly told Think-Tank that he had ‘insignificant’ information about those ‘sandwiches’. He informed him that he had seen surveyor films of those sandwiches. He had noticed that the Earthlings did not eat them. They used them as some sort of communication devices.

Question 13. Why was the twentieth century called the ‘Era of the Book?

Answer: The twentieth century was often called the Era of the book as there were books about everything. Books taught people how, when, where, and why of everything. They illustrated, educated, punctuated, and even decorated.

Question 14. How Does Think-Tank compare the Martians with the people on Earth? What does he call the Earth mockingly?

Answer: Think-Tank considers earth ‘a ridiculous little planet’ ariel intends to put it under his generous rulership. He feels the earth is actually an unimportant place where ugly earthlings, with their tiny heads, reside. He believes the Martians to be a superior race. He mockingly calls the earth ‘Primitive ball of mud’.

Question 15. What saved the Earth? How?

Answer: One dusty old book of nursery rhymes saved the earth from a Martian invasion. The Martian could not decipher the meaning of nursery rhymes. Their misinterpretation made the situation comical. They began to believe that the Earthlings had advance technology and were planning to invade the Mars. They called off their mission and even left the Mars isolated to escape to a far-off planet.

Question 16. Noodle avoids offending Think-Tank but at the same time he corrects his mistakes. How does he manage to do that?

Answer: Noodle avoids offending Think-Tank very meticulously. He never disagrees with his opinion but he does not miss any opportunity to put forward his suggestions no matter even if he does it hesitantly. He always shows admiration to Think-Tank’s intelligence. He never puts himself into the conflicting ideas from his boss.

Question 17. How did the book change Think-Tank’s opinion about the Earthlings?

Answer: Think-Tank used to believe that the Martian was a superior race to the Earthlings. But after cracking the so-called code of an old nursery rhyme book, he changed his view about the Earthlings. He now thought that the Earthlings has reached a high level of civilization and planning to invade the Mars. It made him call off his mission.

Question 18. What does Noodle tell Think-Tank about the books?

Answer: Noodle hesitantly informs Think-Tank that the books were a sort of communication device. He told that he had seen surveyor films of those ‘sandwiches’. He had noticed that the Earthlings did not eat them. They used them as sort of communication device.

Question 19. Where did Captain Omega reach with her team?

Answer: Captain Omega landed on the earth with her team. They found themselves in the Centerville Public Library amidst thousands of books. They thought they were in some sort of storage bam.

Question 20. Why was the twentieth century called the ‘Era of the Book’?

Answer: The twentieth century was often called the ‘Era of the book’. In those days, there were books about everything, from anteaters to Zulus. Books taught people how to, when to, where to, and why to. They illustrated, educated, punctuated, and even decorated.

Long Answer Type Questions

Question 1. Noodle hails Think-Tank as the most powerful and intelligent creature in the whole universe. Do you agree? Write your opinion of Think-Tank citing instances from the given text.

Answer: Noodle is a trainee under Think-Tank. He bows before him and hails his ruler as the most powerful and intelligent creature in the universe. However, Think-Tank is not really intelligent. He misinterprets the nursery rhymes completely. ‘Silver’, ‘shells’ and ‘garden’ for him mean that the earthlings are growing metals in farms.

He thinks books to be sandwiches and wants the crew to eat them. When he is read out the nursery rhyme which says, ‘Humpty-Dumpty had a great fall’ he is terrified and plans his escape from Mars Thus, Think-Tank in nothing more than a show off and a pompous fool.

Question 2. Mars and Earth become friends. How?

Answer: Think-Tank evacuates Mars and the martians move to Alpha Centauri. They fear an invasion by Earth. In the twenty-fifty century, the two planets become friends. The wise and wonderful Noodle replaces Think-Tank. Earthlings tell Martians the difference between sandwiches and books.

They even taught them how to read. At the same time, they have created a model library for Martians at Marsopolis. Still there is one thing that Martians have never learnt to do. They have never tried to read the nursery rhymes of ‘Mother Goose’.

Question 3. Compare and contrast the characters of Noodle and Think-Tank. 

Answer: Noodle and Think-Tank have contrasting characters. Think-Tank likes to be called the ‘Great and the Mighty’. He orders and commands. He is the ruler of Mars, but has no intelligence.
He thinks books to be sandwiches. He is wrong about everything. He demands that the crew obey him. He likes to pass on other’s idea as his own. He is a coward who simply boasts about his power.
Noodle, his apprentice, is very clever and wise. He corrects the mistakes of the ruler (Think-Tank) very gently. He never takes credit for his ideas. But he offers them to the ruler very gently. Think-Tank makes them as his own.

Question 4. The play, The Book That Saved the Earth’ conveys the message that misunderstanding of cultural differences between various races can cause confusion and conflict. Based on your reading of the play, write how such confusion and conflicts can be checked so that peace and harmony is maintained.

Answer: The confusion in the mind of Think-Tank occurred due to the literal interpretation of the nursery rhymes in the book-‘Mother Goose’. To ensure that conflicts are checked so that peace and harmony are maintained, cultural differences should be sorted out by initially sending mature and wise people from one culture to the other to establish contact before deciding to wage war.
Think-Tank had sent an initial probe, but the crew members of the probe were not sufficiently intelligent or mature to understand Earth’s culture. That is why they literally interpreted the nursery rhymes and caused misunderstanding in the mind of Think-Tank.

Question 5. Rushing to conclusion without going into details may lead to chaos and failure. Elaborate this with reference to the Martian invasion in the chapter ‘The Book That Saved the Earth’.

Answer: The Martians were very proud of themselves. Great and mighty Think-Thank regarded as the ruler of Mars was always caught in self praise. He had a quick mind and wishes to attack the earth in a great hurry. Martians misinterpreted the signals received from earthlings book of nursery rhymes and fled away. If they had planned the things decisively things would have been different. In any kind of situation rash decisions would never give results. It is only through knowledge, perseverence.

Question 6. How do the three nursery rhymes frighten Think-Tank in the play, ‘The Book That Saved the Earth’?

Answer: The rhyme ‘Mistress Mary, quite contrary makes Think-Tank believe that the Earthlings have discovered how to combine agriculture and mining. He thinks that they can grow explosives. The rhyme ‘Hey diddle diddle’, makes him conclude that the Earthlings have reached a high level of civilization: even their animals have musical culture and know space techniques.

He fears that at that very moment, the Earthlings might be launching an interplanetary attack of millions of cows. Oop reads the rhyme. ‘Humpty Dumpty’ and shows him a picture of Humpty Dumpty. Think-Tank concludes that it is his picture and the Earthlings are planning to invade Mars.

Question 7. How did one old book of nursery rhymes save the world from a Martian invasion?
OR
Who tried to invade the earth in the twenty first century and what saved it?

Answer: The Martians sent a mission to invade the earth. The crew landed in a library and could not make out what the books actually were. It was believed that the books were a sort of communication device. Think-Tank asked the members to decipher the code of the ‘sandwiches’. The nursery rhymes were totally misinterpreted and it was believed that the Earthlings had developed an advance civilization and mission was called off and the Martians escaped to a remote place to save their lives. Thus the books saved the Earth.

Question 8. What is Think-Tank’s opinion about the Earth?

Answer: Think-Tank called the Earth a ridiculous little planet and showed his wish to put it under his generous rulership. The planet Earth was insignificant to him. He believed that the Martians were the most handsome race. He referred to the people of the Earth as Earthlings and mocked their tiny heads.

He showed his desire to invade ‘primitive ball of mud’ called Earth before lunch. But after misinterpreting the book of nursery rhymes he began to believe that the earthlings had developed a more advanced civilization and were even planning to invade the Mars.

Question 9. Noodle avoids offending Think-Tank but at the same time he corrects his mistakes. How does he manage to do that?

Answer: Noodle avoids offending Think-Tank, but at the same time, he very cleverly tries to correct his mistakes also. Whenever Noodle had to say something contrary to what Think-Tank said, he would present his thoughts by referring to them as being of no particular importance. In this way he would correct Think- Tank’s errors without making him feel that he was being corrected. Noodle appears to be quite an expert in handling these kind of people.

Class 10 English Chapter 9 Bholi Important Questions

Short Answer Type Questions

Question 1. Why is Sulekha called ‘Bholi’?

Answer: Sulekha is called ‘Bholi’ because she is a simpleton due to her suffering some brain damage after falling off a cot when she was ten months old. As a result, she is not as smart as children of her age.

Question 2. Why did Sulekha start stammering?

Answer: Sulekha was a baby when she fell down from a cot. Her brain was damaged. She could not speak till the age of five years. She was mentally slow and lacked confidence. That is why she started stammering.

Question 3. What happened to Bholi when she was two years old?

Answer: Bholi fell a victim to small pox at the age of two years. Her face and body became full of pock marks. She was still fortunate as her eyes had remained untouched and were fine.

Question 4. How did Bholi react when the teacher asked her name?

Answer: Bholi stammered when she spoke and could not tell her name completely when the teacher asked her to do so. So, she broke into tears.

Question 5. Bholi was fascinated by the walls of the classroom. Why?

Answer: The walls of the classroom had bright and colourful pictures of a horse, a goat, a parrot and a cow. They all looked familiar to Bholi and were like the ones in the village. That is why she was fascinated to see those pictures.

Question 6. Bholi found her teacher to be different from others. How?

Answer: Others had always neglected Bholi. They made fun of her all the time. But, she found her teacher to be different. Her voice was calm, her manner comforting and touch was full of affection.

Question 7. What filled Bholi’, a dumb cow, with a new hope in her?

Answer: Bholi’s first day of school brought a hope of a new life. She had found a loving and kind teacher. The teacher had inspired her and given her a book and had made Bholi feel confident about herself.

Question 8. In what way did the village change over time?

Answer: The village changed into a small town over a period of time. The primary school had become a high school. The village had a cinema and a cotton ginning mill. The mail train also stopped at the village railway station.

Question 9. What objections does Ramlal have to Bishamber’s proposal?

Answer: Ramlal was not very happy with the proposal. He did not like the fact that Bishamber was of his age. He had a limp and children were quite grown up. It was not a very satisfactory proposition.

Question 10. Why do Bholi’s parents accept Bishamber’s marriage proposal?

Answer: Bholi’s parents accepted Bishamber’s marriage proposal because they were happy that he was well off and had not asked for dowry.

Question 11. Why did Bishamber’s marriage with Bholi not take place? 

Answer: Bishamber’s marriage with Bholi did not take place because he had demanded a dowry of five thousand rupees from her father for the marriage. So, Bholi refused to marry him.

Question 12. Why was Ramlal thunderstruck?

Answer: Ramlal had always taken his daughter to be dumb. He was thunderstruck when she loudly asked him to take back the money and declared that she was not going to marry Bishamber because of his greed.

Question 13. The last line of the text talks about an artist and the masterpiece. Elaborate.

Answer: The ‘artist’ is the teacher and the ‘masterpiece’ is Bholi. It was her teacher who had turned Bholi into a strong and independent girl who was aware of her place in society.

Question 14. What kind of mother was Randal’s wife? 

Answer: Ramlal’s wife was a traditional housewife who believed that daughters should not be educated, as it would be difficult to find husbands for them. She neglected looking after her Bholi because she was a slow learner.

Question 15. Why was Ramlal worried about Bholi and not about his other children?

Answer: All other children of Ramlal were healthy and good looking. Bholi was the only girl who was neither intelligent nor good looking. She was a simpleton, she stammered also. Ramlal was extremely worried about her future.

Question 16. Why did the Tehsildar come to Ramlal’s village? What did he ask Ramlal to do?

Answer: The Tehsildar came to Ramlal’s village to inaugurate the primary school. He asked Ramlal to set an example for others by sending his daughters to school.

Question 17. Did Bholi enjoy her first day in school? What made her happy on this very day?

Answer: It was a mixed day for Bholi. She was happy to see the girls of her age. She was fascinated with the colourful pictures on the wall of the classrooms. But when the teacher asked her name she could not answer properly and other girls laughed at her. She cried. But her teacher’s soft words made her happy on this very day.

Question 18. Why did Bholi look at Bishamber with cold contempt?

Answer: Bholi looked at Bishamber with cold contempt because he had demanded 5000 to get married to her. Bholi saw how her father got humiliated; she realised that Bishamber was greedy and exploiting her father due to her look.

Question 19. How did Bholi react when her father caught her by the hand to take her to school? Why?

Answer: When Ramlal caught Bholi by the hand to take her to school, she was frightened. She did not know what a school was like. She thought her father was turning her out of the house. She shouted in terror and pulled her hand away from her father’s grip.

Question 20. How did Bholi’s teacher play an important role in changing the course of her life?

Answer: Bholi’s teacher played an important role in changing the course of her life. She was polite and friendly which touched her heart. She encouraged her every time and was affectionate towards her. The teacher transformed her into a confident person who could read, write and speak clearly. This gave her the required confidence. Moreover, teacher’s appreciation and encouragement helped her overcome her own morale.

Long Answer Type Questions

Question 1. ‘Dowry is negation of the girl’s dignity’. Discuss with reference to the story ‘Bholi’.

Answer: A girl is an individual in her own right. Equal opportunities in life can help her become independent and strong. She is not a burdensome object to be given away with money as compensation. Thus dowry negates the girl’s dignity and self respect.

The story ‘Bholi’ shows this in a dramatic manner. Bholi is thought to be ugly and dumb by her parents. So, they are willing to pay dowry to an old man with a limp. So that he marries her. Bholi, on the other hand, refuses to marry that man. She is educated; assertive and capable of taking care of herself. She dedicates her life to service of her parents and teaching at school.

Question 2. Bholi chose a dignified life of service rather than surrendering herself to a greedy old man for the rest of her life. Education provides the required stimulus to overcome one’s personal barriers. Explain the role of education in shaping the life of a child with respect to the lesson ‘Bholi’. [CBSE 2012]

Answer: Education is the answer to all social ills. Illiteracy and ignorance bring nothing but poverty, suffering and misery. Bholi lacks confidence initially because of her disabilities. She is silent, timid and weak in mind. Her ugliness and her stammer do not let her progress. She is afraid to speak as others make fun of her.
School changes her life completely. It opens a new world of hope for her. Her teacher treats her with love and kindness. Her affection and support help Bholi to have faith in herself. She studies and grows into a confident young woman. She knows her rights and she asserts them as well. She refuses to marry a man who demands dowry. Thus, being educated changes the life of Bholi.

Question 3. The chapter ‘Bholi’ highlights the discrimination against the girl child. Analyse.

Answer: Nature does not discriminate, but society does. From time immemorial the world has discriminated against the girl child. The chapter, ‘Bholi’ throws up many such instances. Randal’s sons go to school and college. His daughters are not educated but married off. Her mother does not think it necessary to take Bholi’s consent for her marriage. The groom is old and lame. Still he demands dowry. Her father is ready to pay him also. It is the girl herself who raises her voice against this marriage. She is criticised and humiliated for standing up for her dignity. But she is firm and decides the course of her life.

Question 4. Bholi is a child different from others. This difference makes her an object of neglect and laughter. Elaborate.

Answer: Society does not tolerate difference very easily. Bholi is not like others. She is slow for her age. She stammers when she speaks. Small pox leaves her all covered with pock-marks. As a result, she has to suffer a lot.
Her parents do not even bathe her. She is ignored and neglected. They take her only as a burden. People laugh at her. Children imitate her when she speaks. So, she remains silent most of the time. She has no confidence or self esteem.
Society must realise that it must accept those who are ” different. They must be treated with the same love and respect as others.

Question 5. “Put the fear out of your heart and you will be able to speak like anyone else”. These words of encouragement from the teacher highlight that change of social attitude and encouragement can help a child like Bholi to become confident and face the world bravely. Taking help from the lesson ‘Bholi’ write how the social attitude towards Bholi made her an introvert. What should be done to help such children to face the world bravely?

Answer: Bholi suffered a weak mind due to her accident (falling from her cot) during her infancy. She also started to a stammer while speaking. Then she became ugly due to pock-marks on her face and body on contracting the smallpox disease. All these made her family and other children treat her badly, resulting in her becoming an introvert. To help such children face the world bravely, we must treat them with love and affection and encourage them to join mainstream society. We must not mock their disabilities; instead we should give them hope that they can be as good as the other children by motivating and uplifting them.

Question 6. School education turned Bholi from a dumb cow into a bold girl. How did she save her father from a huge expense and become his support in his old age?

Answer: Ironically, Bholi was sent to school as her mother believed she was a burden and let the teachers at the school worry for her. The teacher showed affection and encouraged her to shed her fear. She was assured by her teacher that she would speak like others one day.

Years of hard work transformed Bholi into a bold and confident young woman. Bishamber refused to marry Bholi due to her appearance and demanded five thousand rupees. Bholi saw how her father was humiliated for no reason. She refused to marry a greedy, mean and contemptible coward. She assured her father that she would serve him and her mother in their old age. She had a mission in her life; she would spread the light of education in her village.

Question 7. Write a character sketch of Bholi.
“Bholi’s whole personality underwent a complete transformation towards the end of the story”. Explain.

Answer: Bholi’s real name was Sulekha but she was called Bholi, the simpleton as she was a backward child. She started speaking only when she turned five but she stammered when she spoke and as a result she was always mimicked or made fun of by the other children. Therefore, Bholi talked very little.

Bholi did not know what exactly a school was and what happened there, in the class when her teacher asked her name, she stammered and began to cry. She kept her head down throughout the class. The teacher was very encouraging and friendly to her and this made her gain confidence to speak. She started seeing a ray of hope for a new life.

After years of gaining education and with the help of her teacher, Bholi turned into a confident girl. She no longer stammered and could speak properly. She even had the courage to refuse marrying the lame old man because he was greedy and asked money from her father to marry her. On seeing her father worried about her marriage, she said that he need not worry as she would teach in the same school where she learnt so much and would take care of him and her mother in their old age.

Question 8. ‘Love and encouragement make the impossible possible. Explain this statement on the basis of the story ‘Bholi’.

Answer: Bholi was sent to school as her mother thought her to be a burden. She was neglected by her parents as she was not beautiful and lacked intelligence. The teacher in the school asked her to tell her name. She stammered and began to cry. The teacher showed her affection and encouraged her in a friendly manner to put aside her fear.

Bholi somehow told her name. Bholi was surprised. The teacher asked her to come to school regularly. Love and encouragement shown by the teacher brought out drastic changes in Bholi’s personality. Within a few years she became so confident that she refused to marry a greedy man.

Question 9. No one is always foolish. Time and circumstances give us intelligence and change out. personality. Explain with reference to ‘Bholi’.

Answer: Yes, it is quite right that no one is always foolish. Time decides everything. Our maturity and knowledge depend on our experience. Experience is always based on circumstances. Time and experiences teach us different things and make life perfect.

With out experience or practical knowledge all bookish knowledge is in vain. It is never used. There are many such examples in our real life that prove this statement correct. Here I would like to share my own experience about a very simple doctor.

He started his practice very slow in a poor area. Many famous doctors made fun of him. Time passed and gradually he became famous in the neighbouring areas. His treatment was not so costly. Once a very serious accident occurred near his hospital and the people brought the injured person to a costly hospital.

But his condition was very serious and the doctor refused to admit him. Then that doctor took the case and tried his best to save him. At last he succeeded. All were surprised to see and listen to it.

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Class 10 English Chapter 8 The Hack Driver Important Questions

Short Answer Type Questions

Question 1. Why did the narrator call his work unpleasant?

Answer: The narrator was sent to serve summons. He had to go to all sorts of dirty and dangerous places. At times, he was also beaten by those very people. That is why he called his work unpleasant.

Question 2. Describe the hack driver’s appearance in your own words.

Answer: The hack driver looked to be about forty years in age. His face was red. He wore dirty and worn out clothes but he was cheerful.

Question 3. Why does the hack driver offer to ask about Oliver Lutkins?

Answer:  The hack driver was none other than Oliver Lutkins himself. He did not wish to take the summons and go as a witness. So, he pretended to be a hack driver. He offered to help the lawyer so that the lawyer could not come to know about him from someone else.

Question 4. ‘But he was no more dishonest than I’. Explain.

Answer: The narrator meant to say that the hack driver was as dishonest as him because he was getting paid for riding the narrator on his cart on the pretence of helping him.

Question 5. The narrator was happy though he had not found Lutkins. Why?

Answer: The narrator had hated city life. This ride through the village made him very happy. He was overjoyed to meet the hack driver. So he was happy though he had not found Lutkins.

Question 6. What impressed the narrator most about Bill? Mention any two things.

Answer: The first quality that struck the narrator was that Bill was a cheerful, friendly and helpful man. Secondly, he loved Bill for his simple and philosophical wisdom.

Question 7. How did the chief react when the narrator returned to his town?

Answer: The chief was furious at the narrator’s failure to serve summons on Lutkins. He decided to send a man who knew Ltutkins with the narrator the next day to serve summons on Lutkins.

Question 8. How does the narrator find Lutkins eventually?

Answer: The narrator’s companion had seen Lutkins. When the narrator pointed opt the hack driver to him, he told him that the hack driver was Lutkins himself. In this way, the narrator found Lutkins eventually.

Question 9. Why did Lutkins pretend to be Bill Magnuson?

Answer: Lutkins pretended to be Bill Magnuson as he did not want to accept the summons and be a witness in the case.

Question 10. What did the hack driver tell the narrator about Lutkins’ mother? 

Answer: The hack driver told the narrator that Lutkins’ mother was a real terror. He described her as a large and hefty lady with a fierce temper. He also said that she was quick as a cat.

Question 11. With what impression did the lawyer come back to the city?

Answer: The lawyer returned to the city with a good impression. He liked the people of the village. He found them simple, wise and soft-spoken. He thought of practising law there. He was excited. He had found a treasure and a new way of life in New Mullion.

Question 12. Who was the hack driver? What really hurt the feelings of the narrator in the end?

Answer: The hack driver was Lutkins himself. He had driven the lawyer previous day. The narrator was really hurt when Lutkins and his mother were laughing at him as if he were a bright boy of seven.

Question 13. How did the lawyer find the streets and shops of New Mullion?

Answer: The lawyer found the streets of New Mullion muddy. With rows of wooden shops, either painted in sour brown or not painted at all. He was disappointed because he expected to see a sweet and simple country village.

Question 14. “Let’s go to a restaurant and I’ll buy your lunch,” the lawyer told the hack driver. Did they go to a restaurant to have lunch?

Answer: The hack driver told the young lawyer that all the four restaurants in the town were bad. He suggested that only for half a dollar his wife would pack up the lunch for them and they would eat at Wade’s Hill. So they did not go to a restaurant.

Question 15. Did Lutkin’s mother allow the lawyer to search her house to find Lutkins?

Answer: The hack driver told Lutkins’ mother that the lawyer represented the court in the city and he had a legal right to search the home. She treated them quite disrespectfully but allowed to search the house. But they could not find Lutkin’s there.

Question 16. “Really, I considered returning to New Mullion to practise law.” Why did the young lawyer think so?

Answer: While returning, the young lawyer was too busy thinking about Bill Magnuson. He was so fascinated with Bill being “so deep and richly human” and others so soft-spoken, simple and wise that he thought of returning to New Mullion to practice law.

Question 17. “He was so open and friendly that I glowed with the warmth of his affection”. How did the young lawyer form this opinion about the hack driver?

Answer: The young lawyer felt that the co-operating attitude and kindness shown to him was real, though the hack driver had to earn something out of it also. The lawyer bargained with the hack driver and had settled for two dollars an hour, but his wide smile made him think that he was one old friend.

Question 18. Why is the lawyer sent to New Mullion? What does he first think about the place?

Answer: The lawyer is sent to New Mullion to serve summons on a person named Oliver Lutkins, who was needed as a witness in a law case. He had expected the place to be a sweet and simple country village.

Question 19. What does he say about Lutkins?

Answer: Bill told the lawyer that Lutkins was a clever fellow hard enough to catch. He was always up to something or the other. He owed money to many people, including Bill, and had never even paid anybody a cent. He also said that Oliver played a lot of pokers and was good at deceiving people.

Long Answer Type Questions

Question 1. The narrator strikes us as a romantic idealist, Do you agree? Support your answer from the text.

Answer: The narrator is definitely a romantic idealist. He is fresh out of law school. He wants to have a real case. But, as a part of training, he is sent to serve summons. He finds it difficult to understand. He simply dislikes his job as he has to go to all dirty places. Further, he has a very romantic | view of the country. He believes that villages are all pure and peaceful. There is no ugliness of the city in them. He I also thinks that villagers are very honest and decent people. He has a habit of trusting people blindly. He believes in whatever someone says. In fact, he is very gullible. Later on, he realises that a village can also be ugly. He also experiences that villagers are not always simple and honest.

Question 2. Describe ‘Bill’ as seen through the eyes of the narrator.

Answer: The narrator was much impressed with Bill. He first meets him at the station. He finds him to be friendly and cheerful. Bill is very helpful in his eyes as he offers to take him around in search of Lutkins. The narrator admires him when he goes looking for Lutkins on his behalf. Bill is full of a wonderful village charm. The narrator finds Bill to have a unique country wisdom. He admires him as a story teller. He appreciates him a lot when Bill even goes to Lutkins’ mother’s place to find him. For the narrator, Bill is a friendly man who helps others generously. He is so impressed by Bill that he decides to settle down in the village.

Question 3. ‘Appearances are often deceptive’. Comment on the statement in the light of your reading of the story.

Answer: Things are not always what they seem to be. Appearances are often deceptive. The narrator reaches a village in the search of Oliver Lutkins. He meets a hack driver at the station. The driver warns him about Lutkins. He takes him on a tour of the entire village in search of Lutkins. He tells the narrator about his experiences and about the village and its people. The narrator likes him for his helpful and kind nature.

He even forgets all about Lutkins. But, the next day he finds out that the hack driver was Oliver Lutkins himself. He realises that a simple and kind person was a trickster in reality.

Question 4. Do you think Lutkins was right in befooling the lawyer and earning money by using unfair means? What precautions should one take to avoid a situation like the one in which the lawyer was placed?

Answer: Lutkins was not right in befooling the lawyer and earning money by using unfair means. This shows that Lutkins did not care for the law at all. If we are in the lawyer’s place, we should not believe in things as they are seen. We should judge every action taken by the other person carefully before accepting it. Instead of depending on others, we should carry out our enquiries ourselves. The lawyer was befooled because he let Lutkins do the finding and questioning and did not do anything himself. This resulted in his failure to serve the summons on Lutkins.

Question 5. A person may appear humble but in actually he may not be so. Appearances can be deceptive. Explain with reference to the story ‘The Hack Driver’.

Answer: Appearances are not always true. At times a person on first meeting appears to be friendly, co-operative,  understanding but as the time unfolds a different story is revealed. When the lawyer comes to the city for first time he is very happy to meet the hack driver. In fact the hack driver himself is Oliver Lutkins.

The hack driver seemed to be a simple country man ready to help. The hack driver showed affectionate behaviour. He left a favourable impression on the narrator’s mind. But very soon lawyer was able to realize that hack driver himself was Oliver Lutkins. It te so foolish to find that a wise person like a lawyer is befooled by a simple country man.

Question 6. Intelligence or cleverness cannot be identified only on the basis of our work or profession but it comes from our inside. Explain it with reference to the chapter, ‘The Hack Driver’.

Answer: Yes, it is quite right that intelligence and cleverness come automatically from our inside because it is our birth quality, it cannot be created, that’s why our intelligence or cleverness cannot be identified only on the basis of our work or profession. Many times in our daily life, we can find such examples. For example, a policeman is always considered brave and fighter because he has to face many difficulties daily and if he is not like that, he cannot defeat criminals, dacoits, burglars and cheaters. But sometimes we find some policemen opposite to it.

Some policemen nm away from the place where the people need them very much. Such policemen never think about their duty. They think only to save their lives. Such examples can easily be found in many different fields like medical, political. Some doctors don’t fulfill expectation of the common people, they think only for their families. So it is clear that our work or profession cannot disclose our internal quality like intelligence or cleverness. As we find in this story, the lawyer is not so clever or intelligent but the hackman is very cunning.

Question 7. The lawyer feels delighted in going to a country and enjoying going around it whole day. How does it portray the plight of town life? What values of the lawyer are reflected here?

Answer: The lawyer is not happy the way he is treated by his law firm. He has no reputation there. He is taken to the task of serving the summons only. He is simple but hardworking. He believes that he can do better in his own village. Besides, he does not like the city life where people are selfish and boorish. On the other hand he finds the country life peaceful, close to the nature and the people there ready to extend a helping hand.

Question 8. Give a brief character sketch of Oliver Lutkins.

Answer: Oliver Lutkins was a jolly natured and fun loving person. He had a pleasant appearance. He impressed the lawyer at the railway station by his friendliness and simplicity. But he was not so simple and honest as he appeared to be. He knew about the lawyer’s ignorance and his purpose. He decided to be fool him. He introduced himself as Bill. He had a lot of fun out of his ignorance.

But Oliver had no other intention to befool the narrator besides having simple fun and enjoyment. He had a good understanding with the town folks who helped him in his plan. He loved poker. Lutkins never harmed anybody. He was very kind and well mannered too. He was a talented actor who made fun of an intelligent lawyer. He was very clever and sinart to plan at the moment and include everyone in his plan right before the narrator’s eyes.

Question 9. Which were the places the narrator and the hack driver visited to search for Lutkins? How did they miss him narrowly everywhere?

Answer: The narrator was a young lawyer and”was sent to New Mullion to serve a summon on Lutkins. The narrator did not recognise him. He met Bill, the hack driver at the station, who promised him to help in finding Lutkins. The hack driver first of all took him to Fritz. They learnt from him that he had gone to Gustaff s barber shop to have a shave. Reaching there, they learnt that Oliver had left for Gray’s barber shop. They missed him just by five minutes. The hack drove him to the poolroom. They missed him there too. After lunch the hack driver took the narrator to the farm of Lutkin’s mother. Lutkins could not be found there too. Thus, they missed him narrowly everywhere.

Question 10. When the lawyer reached New Mullion, did ‘Bill’ know that he was looking for Lutkins? When do you think Bill came up with his plan of fooling the lawyer?

Answer: Lutkins act of taking the lawyer for a ride clearly indicates that he is a very cunning person. The way he tried to deal with the lawyer shows how quick he is in making plans to fool people. His idea not to disclose his true identity to unknown persons SIKJW how clever he is and it seems to be his regular practice to dupe people, especially the newcomers. As soon as the lawyer told Bill his purpose to visit to that place, Bill instantly knew how he would fool the lawyer.

Class 10 English Chapter 7 The Necklace Important Questions

Short Answer Type Questions

Question 1. What would Matilda often dream of?

Answer: Matilda would often dream of all the delicacies, luxuries, elegant dinners, marvellous dishes, rich silver, beautiful dresses, jewels, adoration and a life of glory. She would escape into her dreams from the dullness of her very humble existence.

Question 2. Why did Matilda throw the invitation spitefully?

Answer: Matilda was simply displeased when her husband showed the invitation. She felt humiliated and threw the invitation spitefully as she had nothing beautiful enough to wear to such a grand gathering.

Question 3. Describe Mme Loisel’s success at the ball.
Or
Do you think M Loisel had an enjoyable evening at the ball? Give reasons for your answer.

Answer: Mme Loisel was the centre of attention at the ball. Her beauty, her grace, her joy and the gorgeous smile captivated all. Men sought to be presented to her. She danced happily at her conquest of all.

Question 4. What excuse did Loisels put up to explain the delay in returning the necklace?

Answer: Loisels had lost the necklace and needed time to find an identical one. Thus, Loisels wrote a letter to Mme Forestier with an excuse that the clasp of the necklace was broken and they needed time to get it repaired.

Question 5. How did Loisels manage to pay for the necklace?

Answer: The necklace cost Loisels thirty six thousand francs. Loisel had to chip in his entire inheritance of eighteen thousand francs and the rest he had to borrow from the usurers.

Question 6. How did Mme Loisel now know the life of necessity? 

Answer: To pay the debt of eighteen thousand francs, Loisels let go of their decent living. They lived in impoverished neighbourhood. Matilda had to cook, clean, wash, mend, bring water and bargain with the butcher and grocer. Her husband worked day and night to save every sou.

Question 8. What do you think of M Loisel as a husband? Cite instances from the text to support your answer.

Answer: M Loisel was a caring and supportive husband. Fie sacrificed his wishes and the money he inherited from his father for his wife.

Question 9. Why was Matilda’s friend astonished to see her at the end of the story? 

Answer: Jeanne, Matilda’s friend, could not recognise her as she seemed an old and worn out poor woman. Matilda was no longer her former beautiful and Joyous self.

Question 10. How did the Loisels react when they realised that the necklace had been lost?

Answer: Matilda Loisel became very sad when they realised that the necklace had been lost. They were sure that the loss of necklace would make their life hell because Mr Loisel was only a petty clerk and it was very difficult for him to replace necklace of diamond.

Question 11. Why did Matilda not like to visit her rich friend?

Answer: Matilda had inferiority complex. Whenever she visitedier rich friend she felt dejected and disappointed because of her poverty. She used to compare her lodgings to that of her friend’s. She did not have attractive dress and jewellery to adorn herself with. That is why, she did not like to visit her rich friend.

Question 12. Why is Matilda unhappy with her life?

Answer: Matilda is unhappy with her life because she ceaselessly, felt herself born for all delicacies and luxuries. The shabby walls, the worn chairs in her house tortured and angered her.

Question 13. What had Matilda’s husband saved the money for? Why did he then part with his savings?

Answer: Matilda’s husband had saved a good amount of money to buy a gun for him. But when his wife refused to attend the party without a new dress, he had to give up buying the gun. He used the saved four hundred francs to buy her costume.

Question 14. What was the cause of Matilda’s ruin? How could she have avoided it?

Answer: Matilda’s aspiration and unrealistic dreams were the cause of her ruin. She paid due importance to materialistic things. She could have easily avoided if she had remained within her means. She was not a practical lady and had not understood her husband’s feelings.

Question 15. What did Mme Forestier tell Matilda about the reality of her Necklace?

Answer: After having lost the borrowed necklace, Matilda replaced it with a diamond necklace bought for thirty-six thousand francs. But Mme Forestier told her that her necklace was false costing about 500 francs.

Question 16. What changes came into the life of Loisels after the necklace was lost?

Answer: They had to shift to a cheaper room and dismiss the servant. She did all the household works and shopping by herself. She fetched water, washed the floor, utensils and dirty clothes by herself. Matilda’s husband worked in the evening and late at night to pay back the debt.

Question 17. Why was Mme Forestier shocked to hear Matilda’s story?

Answer: One Sunday, while walking, Matilda happened to see Mme Forestier. Matilda called her, but she could not recognise Matilda because she looked much older than her age. Mme Forestier was shocked to know that Matilda had suffered so much worrying about losing her necklace of real diamonds, whereas it was false.

Question 18. What kind of a person is Mme Loisel? Why is she always unhappy?

Answer: Mme. Loisel is a woman who lives in the world of dreams. She gives much value to her dreams and hence overlooks the realities of life. That is why she is always unhappy as dreams are a virtual reality and can’t be true.

Question 19. What, was the cause of Matilda’s ruin? How could she have avoided it?

Answer: The cause of Matilda’s ruin was her dissatisfaction with whatever life offered her. She was always unhappy. She felt that she was born for all the delicacies and luxuries of life. She disliked being in her current circumstances. She could have avoided this ruin by bringing content with whatever she had.

Long Answer Type Questions

Question 1. Mme Forestier proved to be a true friend. Elucidate. 

Answer: Mme Forestier turns out to be an interesting character. She plays a very vital role in the story. As a friend to Matilda, we find her to be really genuine as she helps Matilda in the hour of her need. When Mme Loisel needs to borrow jewels, she turns to Mme Forestier. Mme Forestier does not refuse. Displaying her generosity, she opens up the entire array of her jewels for Matilda to choose from. Also, she is considerate when Loisels delay the return of the necklace. Surprisingly, at the end of the story, she concludes the entire narrative.

Without even a moment’s hesitation, she reveals to Matilda that her necklace was just a fake. She is not at all worried in the light of the fact that she may have to return the necklace. It shows her honesty. Rather, she, like a true friend, feels bad for Matilda at her unnecessary suffering. We find her sympathising with Mme Loisel. She is indeed a gem of a friend.

Question 2. On inability to accept our circumstances may lead to an unhappy life. Explain with reference to the story “The Necklace”.

Answer: We fail to recognise the situation in which we are placed but rather keep on grumbling. We become frustrated and want our life to be different. We should accept the life as it comes to us and should not keep on cribbing about unhappy circumstances. As we read the story The Necklace’ we find that Matilda is not at all happy with her husband. She had wished her life to be luxurious. It is this frustration of hers which puts her in a fix and spoils rest of her life. She does not work for solution but rather complicates the situation for her.

Question 3. ‘Love is blind’ is a phrase that was justified by Monsieur Loisel in the lesson ‘The Necklace’. Substantiate the answer from the story you have read in about 100 – 120 words.

Answer: Monsieur Loisel’s acceptance and contentment differ considerably from Matilda’s emotional outbursts and constant dissatisfaction, and though he never fully understands his wife, he does his best to please her. When Monsieur Loisel tries to appease Matilda, he does it so blindly, wanting only to make her happy. When she declares that she cannot attend the party because she has nothing to wear, he gives her money to purchase a dress. When she complains that she has no proper jewellery, he urges her to visit Madame Forestier to borrow some.

Monsieur Loisel’s eagerness and willingness to please Matilda becomes his downfall when she loses the necklace. He is the one who devises a plan for purchasing a replacement necklace and orchestrates the loans and mortgages that help them pay for it. Although the decision costs him ten years of hard work, he does not complain or imagine an alternate fate. It is as if his desires do not even exist or, at the very least, his desires are meaningless if they stand in the way of Matilda’s.

Question 5. What changes came in the lifestyle of Matilda after she had lost the necklace?

Answer: To return the borrowed money Mr and Mrs Loisel suffered for ten long years. First, they sent away the maid servant. Then they changed their lodging and rented some rooms. Now Matilda learnt heavy cares of household life, she had to do the difficult chores of her kitchen. She had to wash dishes, greasy pots and stew pans. She had to use her rosy nails to wash the greasy pots and the bottoms of the stew pans.

She had to wash dirty clothes and to hang them on the line to dry. Then each morning she had to take down the refuse to the street. She also had to bring up the water for daily use. She had to stop at each landing to catch her breath. She did not have much money so she haggled with the shopkeepers to get reduction in prices.

Once she was very beautiful and used to wear beautiful dresses. Now she seemed old. Now she looked like a common household woman. She had badly dressed hair and dirty dresses. Her hands were red and she spoke in a loud tone. She washed the floors with large pails of water.

Question 6. Matilda would not have suffered much if she had confessed the loss of necklace. Do you think our mistakes become more serious if we try to cover them?

Answer: Yes, a small mistake makes our life miserable and dark. People who are open-minded and speak the truth stay much happier. A little mistake made by Matilda changed her life completely. If Matilda had confessed that she had lost Madam Forestier’s necklace, her life would have been different.

Confession could have brought peace of mind. Matilda would have at once come to know that necklace is not a real but it is an imitation. Hard work which Matilda put into repay the borrowed necklace could have been saved. We all get a very important message that we should not delay in admitting our mistake.

Question 7. Our inability to accept our limitations may lead to an unhappy life. Analyze with reference to the story ‘The Necklace’.

Answer: We fail to recognise the situation in which we are placed but rather keep on grumbling. We become frustrated and want our life to be different. We should accept the life as it comes to us and should not keep on cribbing about unhappy circumstances. As we read the story The Necklace’ we find that Matilda is not at all happy with her husband. She had wished her life to be luxurious. It is this frustration of hers which puts her in a fix and spoils rest of her life. She does not work for solution but rather complicates the situation for her.

Question 8. The course of the Loisels’ life changed due to the necklace. Comment.

Answer: The course of the Loisel’s life changed due to the necklace. After replacing the lost necklace with a new one, they had to repay all the money that they had borrowed to buy the new necklace. They sent away the maid and changed their lodgings. They rented some rooms in an attic. Matilda learnt the odd work of the kitchen. She washed the dishes, soiled linen, their clothes and dishcloths.

She even took down the refuse to the street each morning and brought up the water, stopping at each landing to catch her breath. She went to the grocer’s, the butcher’s, and the fruitier’s, with a basket on her arm, shopping, haggling to save her money. Loisel worked in the evenings, putting the books of some merchants in order. At night, he did copy work at five sous a page. This lasted for ten years, and at the end of the said period, they were finally able to repay their lenders.

Question 9. What would have happened to Matilda if she had confessed to her friend that she had lost her necklace?

Answer: If Matilda would have confessed to her friend she had lost her necklace, she might have been in lesser trouble than what she had to face after having replaced the necklace. Her friend would have definitely been angry with her. Most likely, she would also have asked Matilda to replace it and given her the details from where she had bought the necklace and how much it had cost her. Matilda would have thus known that the jewels in the necklace were actually not real diamonds. It would have cost her a far lesser amount to replace it. Matilda would thus have saved herself and her husband of all the trouble they went through and life would have been much better and easier for them.

Class 10 English Chapter 6 The Making of a Scientist Important Questions

Short Answer Type Questions

Question 1. What rare achievement did Richard manage at the age of twenty-two?

Answer: Richard had a rare honour at the age of twenty-two. He wrote an article with his friend about a theory of how cells work. The article was published in the scientific journal ‘Proceedings of the National Academy of Science.’ No one had this achievement at such a young age before him.

Question 2. Richard became a collector at an early age. How?

Answer: Richard was the only child of his parents. He had no company at home to play with. So, he started collecting things in his spare time. He would collect coins, fossils, rocks and butterflies as a hobby.

Question 3. Comment on the role played by Richard’s mother in his success.
Or
How did Ebright’s mother help him in becoming a scientist? 

Answer: Richard’s mother made Richard the centre of her life. She would buy microscopes, telescopes and books for him. She arranged trips for him and would also prepare difficult tasks for him. This helped him to learn a lot.

Question 4. How did ‘The Travels of Monarch X’ prove a turning point in his life?

Answer: Richard was bored with collecting butterflies. At this time, his mother got the book ‘The Travels of Monarch X’ for him. After reading the book, he studied the migration of butterflies and it opened the world of science to him.

Question 5. Why did Richard lose interest in tagging butterflies?

Answer: Richard raised thousands of butterflies, tagged them and released them to study their migration. But soon, he lost interest because only two of his tagged butterflies were returned to him and they had travelled only seventy-five miles.

Question 6. Which project did Richard undertake in the eighth grade?

Answer: Richard undertook the project to find the cause of a viral fever that had killed thousands of butterflies. He thought that a beetle might carry the virus although he was not able to prove it.

Question 7. Richard’s project on the purpose of the twelve tiny gold spots on a monarch pupa was highly valuable in two ways. List the two ways.

Answer: This project had a huge impact. First, he discovered a hormone that was necessary for the growth of the pupa. Secondly, he got a chance to work at a famous laboratory.

Question 8. Mention any two of Ebright’s contributions to the world of science.

Answer: Ebright discovered a hormone that was necessary for the growth of a butterfly. His other important contribution proved to be his study of how cells read their DNA.

Question 9. In addition to science, what were the other interests of Richard?

Answer: A part from science, Richard was a good debater and a public speaker as well as a canoeist and an all-round a outdoors person. He loved photography as well.

Question 10. Mr. Weiherer pays a glowing tribute to Richard. What did he say?

Answer: Mr. Weiherer was Ebright’s social studies teacher. He praised him for his brilliant mind, his curiosity and a will to win for the right reason. He also admired Richard for his spirit to do his very best all the time.

Question 11. Hobbies play a very important role in one’s life; elaborate this with reference to “The Making of a Scientist”. 

Answer: Richard Ebright started collecting butterflies as a hobby. This led him to research and discover many things. Hence, hobbies play an important role in one’s life.

Question 12. What were the factors which contributed in making Ebright a scientist? 

Answer: Three qualities of Ebright which contributed were a first rate mind, a sense of curiosity and a will to win for the right reason.

Question 13. Why did viceroy butterflies copy monarchs?

Answer: Viceroy butterflies copied monarchs because monarchs do not taste good to birds. Viceroy butterflies on the other hand taste good to birds. So, the more they look similar to monarchs, the less likely they are to become a bird’s prey. Thus they protect themselves.

Question 14. Why did Richard Ebright give up tagging butterflies?

Answer: Richard Ebright lost interest in tagging butterflies as it was tedious and there was not much feedback. He could recapture only two butterflies in all the time he did it and they were not more than seventy five miles away from where he lived.

Question 15. What was the common belief about the twelve tiny gold spots on a monarch pupa? What is the actual purpose of these tiny gold spots?

Answer: These twelve tiny gold spots were believed to be ornamental only. The actual purpose of these tiny gold spots is to produce a hormone necessary for the butterfly’s full development.

Question 16. What other interests besides science did Richard Ebright pursue?

Answer: Richard Ebright was a champion debater and public speaker. He was a good canoeist and all-around outdoor person. He was also an expert photographer, particularly of natural and scientific exhibits.

Question 17. How did Richard Ebright’s mother help him to become a scientist?

Answer: Ebright’s mother was his only companion. She used to encourage the child to learn whatever he wanted to learn. She took him on trips, brought him telescopes, microscopes, cameras, mounting materials and other such equipments.

Question 18. Mention any two Ebright contributions to the world of science.

Answer: Ebright made valuable contributions to the world of science. He discovered an unknown insect hormone and also determined how the cell could read the blueprint of its DNA.

Question 19. What lesson did Ebright learn when he did not win anything at the science fair?

Answer: When Ebright did not win anything at the science fair, he learnt a lesson that he needed to do real experiments, not simply make a neat display. His entry was slides of frog tissues which he showed under a microscope.

Question 20. What lesson does Ebright learn when he does not win anything at a science fair?

Answer: Ebright realizes that were display of his collection does not mean science. To win at a science fair he will have to do real experiments and prove his worth.

Long Answer Type Questions

Question 1. Richard’s mother had a great influence on him. Discuss.
Or
Discuss the role of Ebright’s mother in making him a scientist.

Answer: Richard’s mother played a huge role in making him a great scientist. She would take him on trips to encourage learning. He was a single child. After his father died, his mother made him the focus of her life. She would buy him all kinds of microscopes, telescopes and other equipment. After dinner, she gave him problems to solve. This helped Richard to learn a lot. She was his only companion for a long time. It was his mother who got him the book ‘The Travels of Monarch X’. This book opened the world of science for Richard. She also wrote to Dr Urquhart to guide her son. The scientist helped Richard and guided him. Thus, his mother actually shaped him into an extraordinary scientist.

Question 2. Ebright’s study of monarch pupas had a far reaching impact. Elaborate.

Answer: For a long time the scientific community had regarded the bright spots on a monarch pupa as purely ornamental. But Dr Urquhart did not believe it. Nor did Richard. He started his experiments on the monarch pupa. He built a device with the help of a friend. This led to the discovery of a hormone. Richard proved that the hormone was necessary for the growth of the butterfly. This discovery got him many honours. Also, it led to another important study. He began working on how cells read their DNA. DNA is the carrier of heredity and is called the blueprint of life. His theory could find answers to many cancers and diseases.

Question 3. Richard Ebright displayed a well-rounded personality. Do you agree? Elucidate in the context of the given text

Answer: Richard’s genius was obvious by the time he was in his second grade. He managed to collect all twenty-five . species of butterflies around his hometown and classify them. He also loved to collect coins, fossils and rocks. Science was not his only passion. He was an active member of his school’s oratory club and model United Nations club and was an effective debater and a public speaker. He loved photography as well.

He was an enthusiastic canoeist and an all-around outdoors person. Learning was easy for him. So he found it simple to devote time and energy to many other interests. He became a champion in whatever he did. He believed in the spirit of competition to win. But, he did not wish to defeat others just to win. He wanted to win to do his best. Thus, he displayed a well-tounded personality.

Question 4. Dr Urquhart contributed significantly to Ebright’s growth as a scientist. Explain.

Answer: Richard had become bored with collecting butterflies. His mother got him a book on the migration of butterflies. Richard came in contact with Dr Urquhart through the book. Dr Urquhart directed him to study the migration pattern of butterflies.

When he did not win any prize in the science fair in seventh grade, he again wrote to Dr Urquhart to guide him. The scientist gave him many suggestions for new experiments. Richard performed these experiments throughout his high school and won many prizes. Later, he worked on why bright spots are found on a monarch pupa, motivated by Dr Urquhart. It led to the discovery of a new hormone. The discovery of this new hormone further led to an important theory. The theory was about how cells read their DNA. In this way Dr Urquhart proved to be his true mentor.

Question 5. What are the values required to become a successful scientist like Richard Ebright? Elaborate with reference to the lesson ‘The Making of a Scientist’.

Answer: Curiosity to know more and a motivation to find reasons for existence of anything or any phenomena are necessary for becoming a successful scientist. The urge to know more develops the scientific aptitude in a person. At a very young age, Ebright became competitive by participating in various county fairs. He never lost hope and kept on trying to do better. In addition to curiosity and motivation, Ebright displayed the qualities of hard work, sincerity, determination and patience. He also accepted failure and success in the right spirit. Thus, he became a successful scientist.

Question 6. Although Richard does not win anything at the science fair but it was a stepping stone for his success. With reference to the story ‘The Making of a Scientist’ of the above statement, give your comments whether competitions are for winning sake or to give your best at work.

Answer: It is true, no one can deny the fact that every person wants to be a winner. Each has basic wish to reach ‘ at the top. For that many competitions are organised at various levels. But still we must accept that all cannot be winners. Participation is more important than winning. The participant should work hard to reach their level best. Failures should not make us disheartened and best way to overcome failure is to learn through our mistakes. We cannot deny that experimentation and learning are stepping stones to our success. So we should try to give our best.

Question 7. Besides curiosity a number of other values are required to become a successful scientist. Explain with reference to the chapter, ‘The Making of a Scientist’.

Answer: From very young age Richard Ebright was competitive and put in extra effort with curiosity for the right reason to win. But his mother was always very dedicated and made his spirits rise high. He did not lose heart even after losing when he was in seventh grade. To him people around were very encouraging.

His mother’s encouragement was really an eye-opener. She took him on trips, bought him telescopes, microscopes, cameras, mounting materials and other equipment. Thus constant support of each other opened a new world. This helps us to conclude that hard work, parental guidance and keen observation are the qualities which help one to excel.

Class 10 English Chapter 5 Footprints without Feet Important Questions

Short Answer Type Questions

Question 1. Why were the two boys in London surprised and fascinated?

Answer:  The two boys in London saw fresh muddy footprints appearing on the steps of a house but the barefooted man was not visible. So, they were surprised and fascinated.

Question 2. Why did Griffin decide to slip into a big London store?

Answer: Griffin decided to slip into a big London store, because the season was mid-winter, due to which it became difficult to wander around without clothes in London.

Question 3. How was Griffin a lawless man?

Answer: Griffin was lawless because he had committed many anti-social deeds for which he never felt guilty. He set fire to his landlord’s house and ran away, he stole foodstuffs and clothes from a London store, stole other goods from a theatrical company and also stole money from a clergyman’s house to pay his bills.

Question 4. What did Griffin do in the shop of a theatrical company? 

Answer: The second time Griffin tried the stock of a theatrical company in the hope of finding not only clothes but also something like side whiskers, glasses, false nose, bandages, hat etc that would hide the empty space above his shoulders.

Question 5. How did Griffin find himself invisible but naked in the chill January air for the second time?

Answer: As he had overslept in the big London store, when the store opened in the morning the store assistants came in. Griffin panicked and ran, chased by the assistants. He had to take off his newly found clothes to become invisible and escape, so that he found himself invisible but naked in the chill January air for the second time.

Question 6. What did the Halls see in the scientist’s room? 

Answer: As the door of the room was open and nobody appeared to be inside, the Halls entered the scientist’s room. They saw that the bedclothes were cold, showing that the scientist must have been up for some time; and stranger still, the clothes and bandages that he always wore were lying about the room.

Question 7. How did the visible man become invisible? What did he do then?

Answer: The invisible man got angry with Mrs Hall for asking an explanation for the mysterious happenings and threw off all he was wearing on his head so that he became a man without a head. Soon the constable Jaffers arrived to arrest him, but the invisible man threw off all his clothes to become invisible and, in the ensuing scuffle, knocked Jaffers unconscious and escaped.

Question 8. What happened to Jaffers when he tried to catch the invisible scientist?

Answer: When constable Jaffers tried to catch Griffin, he became invisible by removing his clothes. Jaffers found himself struggling with someone who couldn’t be seen. He was hit blows by Griffin and soon was knocked unconscious.

Question 9. What did the scientist do when he became furious? Why were the people in the bar horrified? What happened to the constable?

Answer: The scientist took off his bandages and spectacles and became headless. The people in the bar were shocked to see a headless man. Griffin hit the constable Jaffers hard and made him senseless.

Question 10. How do you assess Griffin as a scientist?

Answer: Griffin was a brilliant scientist. He invented some drugs and made himself as an invisible person. But he misused his scientific discovery and became a lawless person. Griffin was, thus not a true scientist.

Question 11. Why were they surprised when they opened the room?

Answer: Both the clergyman and his wife were surprised because the room was empty. They searched everywhere but couldn’t find anyone. Yet the desk had been opened and the housekeeping money was missing.

Question 13. What did the scientist do when Mrs Hall confronted him?

Answer: When Mrs Hall confronted the scientist he threatened her and threw off his bandages, whiskers, spectacles, and even the nose in a minute. The people were horrified to see the headless man.

Question 14. How did Griffin escape?

Answer: Griffin began throwing off his bandages, whiskers, spectacles and even the nose. Then he became even more invisible by throwing off all the garments one after another. There followed a male and none knew where he was.

Long Answer Type Questions

Question 1. Griffin was not a true scientist as he misused his scientific discovery. Illustrate this point by giving two incidents from the story.

Answer: A true scientist is a law-abiding person. A scientist is also called a ‘natural philosopher’. Griffin was not a true scientist as he did not use his discovery of how to make himself invisible for good uses. He lost control of himself and behaved like a criminal. First, he set fire to his landlord’s house and ran away. Then he stole food without paying for it in a London store. Besides, he robbed the owner of a theatrical company and stole money from a clergyman’s desk.

Question 2. Describe the landlord’s and his wife’s experience with the strange scientist. 

Answer: Both Mrs Hall and her husband were surprised to find the scientist’s room door open because normally it was always locked. So they peeped in, but found nobody there. The clothes and bandages that he always wore were lying about the room. Suddenly Mrs Hall heard a sniff close to her ear and the hat on the bedpost leapt up and dashed itself into her face. Then the bedroom chair sprang into the air and pushed them both out of the room and then appeared to slam and lock the door after them. Mrs Hall became hysterical and almost fell down the stairs. She thought that her furniture was haunted. They decided to confront the scientist next time when they met him.

Question 3. What impression do you form of Griffin after reading the lesson, “Footprint,without Feet”?

Answer: Griffin was a brilliant scientist, as he discovered a drug due to which his body became transparent as a sheet of glass after swallowing it. This made him invisible. But he was a lawless person. Because of his misdeeds, he became a homeless wanderer without clothes and money. He was an introvert with a desire for solitude. He was always seeking adventure, being fond of mysterious things. However, he was unscrupulous, as he robbed various people to finance his work, besides he got angry very quickly, which caused him to become a fugitive.

Question 4. If, somehow you discovered how to become invisible, how would you use that opportunity? 

Answer: If I discovered how to become invisible, I would use this opportunity to punish all those people who cause trouble to others for their own selfish motives. I would catch them and hand them over to the police without letting them know that I was behind them. I will also help the law-enforcing agencies when they conduct raids on criminal hideouts, as I will be able to move in the open without fear of being seen. This will help the people of the country to become more law-abiding citizens.

Question 5. ‘Brilliant scientist though he was, Griffin was a lawless person. Does this statement approve the apprehension that science in wrong hands is Devil’s Pandora Box?

Answer: Griffin was a brilliant scientist. He had discovered a rare drug that could make a human body invisible. This made Griffin an arrogant lawless person. He broke the law more them once but never for a good reason. He could dedicate his discovery to his country but he didn’t do that. His lawlessness made the law helpless. All his actions prove that science in devil’s hand is disastrous.

Question 6. “Scientific discoveries have made life easier but insecure.” Explain with reference to the story ‘Footprints without Feet’ written by H.G. Wells.

Answer: There is no doubt that scientific discoveries have made life easier. Take any sphere of human activity, electricity, telecommunications, electronics, computer, etc, these have totally changed man’s life. We can interact and walk on moon. Trip to Mars is next on our agenda. We can fly like birds. Supersonic planes fly at more than the speed of sound. Wonderful drugs can overcome deadly diseases.lSurgery can replace defective limbs.

Despite all these discoveries, human life is becoming insecure. Weapons of mass destruction are a constant danger. The fear of chemical, or biological warfare looms large. Diseases like AIDS and SARS can destroy human race.

Question 7. “A lawless scientist is a curse to the society.” Discuss.

Answer: It is true, that a lawless scientist is a curse to the society. A true scientist uses

his discoveries for the good of the society and welfare of the people. It helps the nations to progress. A lawless scientist increases the miseries and sufferings of society. In this story, we find how Griffin misuses his discovery.

He causes pain and suffering to others. He causes destruction. Suppose the nuclear weapons fall in the hands of a lawless scientist, he can cause widespread destruction. He may ruin the achievements of other scientists. That’s why the leaders of the world are worried about chemical weapons falling into the hands of lawless heads of governments or terrorists. If this happens, all the scientists of the world will be doomed.

Question 8. How did the invisible man first become visible?

Answer: Griffin was completely invisible until he happened to step in some mud, which caused him to leave footprints as he walked. Two boys noticed these footprints and followed him as long as the prints were visible. Griffin, after getting rid of them, went into a big London store to put on some warm clothes. After the store was shut, he got himself dressed in an overcoat and a wide-brimmed hat. He also put on a pair of shoes. This made him visible to the people who came to work at the store the next day.

Question 9. Why does Mrs Hall find the scientist eccentric?

Answer: The arrival of a stranger at an inn in winter was in itself a strange occurrence. In addition, the stranger had an uncommon appearance. In spite of Mrs Hall’s repeated attempts to be friendly, he would respond in a closed manner. He told her that he had no desire to talk and wanted to live in solitude. He did not wish to be disturbed in his work. For all these strange reasons, she regarded him as an eccentric scientist.

Question 10. What curious episode occurs in the study?

Answer: A clergyman and his wife were awakened by some strange noises in the study very early in the morning. Creeping downstairs, they heard the chink of money being taken from the clergyman’s desk. He and his wife looked under the desk and behind the curtains, and even up the chimney. There wasn’t a sign of anybody. Yet the desk had been opened and the housekeeping money was missing.

Class 10 English Chapter 4 A Question of Trust Important Questions

Short Answer Type Questions

Question 1. Whom did Horace Danby see in the kitchen? How did they greet each other? What tact did Horace apply there?

Answer: Horace Danby saw the family dog, Sherry, in the kitchen. The dog greeted Horace by stirring, making a noise and wagging its tail in a friendly way. Horace greeted the dog by tactfully calming it down, calling it by its name and showing love to it.

Question 2. How did Danby prepare for the robbery at Shotover Grange?
or
How did Horace Danby plan his robberies?

Answer: Danby always planned his robberies meticulously. He prepared for the robbery at Shotover Grange by studying the house, the electric wiring, paths and garden. He knew that the family normally lived in the city and knew about the movement of the servants, who had gone out that afternoon. He had kept his tools ready, packed in a bag.

Question 3. What was the passion of Horace Danby and how did he satisfy it? 

Answer: The passion of Horace Danby was collecting rare and expensive books. To satisfy this passion, he needed money and arranged it by robbing one safe every year and then secretly buying the books through an agent.

Question 4. Where was the safe at Shotover Grange? What was there inside it? What did Horace expect to get if he sold them one by one?

Answer: The safe at Shotover Grange was kept in the drawing room behind a poor painting and had jewels worth about 15000 pounds kept in it. It had a poorly built burglar alarm, but could be opened only through a specific code. Horace expected to get 5000 pounds if he sold the jewels one by one.

Question 5. How can you say that Horace Danby was good and respectable but not completely honest?

Answer: Horace Danby was good and respectable because he was an expert in his profession of making locks. However, as he loved collecting rare and expensive books, he robbed a safe every year to finance the purchase of these books through an agent. Thus he was not completely honest

Question 6. How did flowers hinder Horace in his work?

Answer: Flowers hindered Horace in his work because he had hay fever, a disorder affecting the nose and throat, caused by allergy to pollen or dust. Due to this problem, whenever he came close to flowers, he began to sneeze’ and could be caught. He had to cover his face.

Question 7. Why was Horace Danby sure that his robbery at Shotover Grange woukhbe a successful one?

Answer: Horace Danby was sure that his robbery at Shotover Grange would be a successful one because he had studied the house, the drawing room where the safe was kept, the wiring and its garden. He had also studied the movement of the servants, so he had planned well, thus ensuring that nothing could go wrong.

Question 8. Why does Horace Danby get angry when anyone talks about ‘honour among thieves’?

Answer: When anyone talks about ‘honour among thieves’, Horace Danby gets angry because the young lady who cheated him was also a thief, yet did not follow this saying.

Question 9. What are the subtle ways in which the lady manages to deceive Horace Danby into thinking she is the mistress of the house?

Answer: The subtle ways in which the lady manages to deceive Horace Danby into thinking she is the mistress of the house are her grace, charm, comfort level, knowledge, persistence, way of talking confidently and familiarity with the household. She even threatens to get him arrested, which convinces Horace Danby that she is genuine.

Question 10. What did Horace Danby wonder about for a moment? What did he think and decide?

Answer: On seeing the poor painting in front of the safe, Horace Danby wondered for a moment whether to collect pictures instead of books. But then, he thought that books were better in a small house like his, as paintings took up too much room.

Question 11. What did Horace do every year and why?

Answer: As Horace was fond of rare, expensive books, he stole a safe every year, to have just enough money to last twelve months for buying such books to his heart’s content.

Question 12. Whom did Horace meet at Shotover Grange? How did the meeting affect his plans?

Answer: Horace met a young, pretty woman dressed in red at Shotover Grange. She pretended to be the owner’s wife and deceived him into breaking open the safe to remove the jewels for her. She threatened even to call the police. This meeting adversely affected his plans, as he was not able to get away with the jewels.

Question 13. What did Horace Danby hear from the doorway?

Answer: Horace Danby heard a voice from the doorway. It was the voice of a lady. As Horace Danby has sneezed loudly, therefore the lady asked what it was and he replied that it was due to hay fever.

Question 14. How did the lady in red convince Horace Danby to open the lock?

Answer: The lady told Horace Danby that she had promised her husband to take her jewels to the hank but she left them in the safe. She had forgotten the numbers to open the safe and wanted to wear the jewels to a party. Horace Danby believed her and opened the safe for her.

Question 15. Was Horace Danby a typical thief?

Answer: Horace Danby was not a typical thief. He made locks and was successful in his business. He loved rare and expensive books. To purchase these books he used to rob only one safe every year.

Question 16. What advice did the lady give Horace Danby about his. hay fever?

Answer: The lady advised him that he could cure his hay fever with a special treatment, if he could find out just. what plant gave him the disease. She said sympathetically that he had better see a doctor if he was serious about his work.

Question 17. Why did Horace Danby feel sure of his success in that year’s robbery?

Answer: Horace Danby felt sure of his success in that year’s robbery as he had been studying room, paths and gardens of the house at Shot over Grange for two weeks. He knew that the family was in London and two servants who lived in the house had gone to watch a movie that afternoon.

Question 18. Did Horace Danby get the jewels from the Grange safe? Then why did the Police arrest him?

Answer: Horace Danby did not get the jewels from the Grange safe but he was arrested by the police as his fingerprints were traced on the lighter which he gave to the lady to light the cigarette. He was eager to please the lady to win her favour.

Question 19. What story did the lady tell Horace Danby to get the jewels?

Answer: The lady made up a story that before going to London, she promised her husband to take her jewels to their bank, but she left them there in the safe. She wished to put on the jewels to a party that night. Above all she had forgotten the numbers to open the safe. Thus, she convinced Horace Danby to open the safe.

Question 20. Why was it not difficult for Horace to open the safe?

Answer: It was not difficult for Horace Danby to open the safe because he had lived with locks and safes all his life. The burglar alarm was poorly built. He cut the wire without any difficulty.

Question 21. What does the author tell us about Horace Danby’s life?

Answer: Horace Danby was unmarried and fifty year old and lived with a housekeeper who bothered about his health. He had hay fever. He made locks and was successful in his business. He was good and respectable but not honest.

Question 22. How often did Horace Danby commit a robbery every year? What did he do with the stolen money?

Answer: Horace Danby committed only one robbery every year. He was fond of collecting rare and expensive books. He used to buy these books with stolen money through an agent secretly.

Question 23. Why does he steal every year?

Answer: He used to steal every year so that he could buy the rare and expensive books that he loved to collect. He planned meticulously before attempting a burglary, stole enough to last twelve months and secretly bought the books through an agent.

Question 24. Who is speaking to Horace Danby?

Answer: A lady standing in the doorways is speaking to Horace Danby. She is young and pretty, and is dressed in red. She said she had come just in time, or else her family would have been robbed by Horace. She, thus, pretended to be one of the members of the family living at Shotover Grange.

Question 25. Who is the real culprit in the story?

Answer: The real culprit is the woman who pretended to be a member of the family living at Shotover Grange. She tricked Horace into believing her, and cleverly took away all the jewels that were kept in the safe.

Long Answer Type Questions

Question 1. What precautions did Danby take to avoid arrest? What blunder did he commit in his last venture?

Answer: To avoid arrest, Danby always studied all aspects of the safe he had targeted that year thoroughly, including the habits of the owners and servants, the layout of the house, any burglar alarms etc. He carried a set of select tools to break open safes and always wore gloves, so that he left behind no fingerprints.