Class 10th

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.

Class 10 English Chapter 3 The Midnight Visitor Important Questions

Short Answer Type Questions

Question 1. Why had Fowler wanted to meet Ausable?

Answer: Fowler was a writer and he had wanted to meet Ausable, a renowned secret agent. Fowler wanted to know how Ausable tackled dangerous situations. He was disappointed when he saw Ausable, as he didn’t look like what Fowler thought a secret agent should look like.

Question 2. Describe Fowler’s reaction after entering Ausable’s hotel room.

Answer: Initially Ausable got a shock to see Max in his room. But he remained calm. Max also had a pistol with him, so Ausable didn’t try anything fishy. He just kept his cool and fooled Max by using his brain to invent stories.

Question 3. ‘Ausable shows great presence of mind in a situation of danger and surprise.” Do you agree with this statement? If yes, why?

Answer: Yes, I agree with this statement, as Ausable showed great presence of mind when Max pointed a gun at him when he entered the hotel room with Fowler, which surprised and endangered both of them. He remained calm and cool, inventing stories as required to fool Max into jumping to his death.

Question 4. Why did Max’s face turn black with anger? What did he want Ausable to do?

Answer: Max’s face turned black with anger because he felt that his plan of extracting the important document from Ausable was in danger of failing due to the knocking on the door, which Ausable identified as the police. He wanted Ausable to send the police away.

Question 5. Why did Ausable frame the story of the balcony? 

Answer: Ausable framed the story of the balcony to counter the use of the pistol by the rival secret agent Max to threaten him. The rival would have been able to get the important report about the new missiles if Ausable had not concocted this story.

Question 6. How does Ausable manage to make Max believe that there is a balcony attached to his room?

Answer: Ausable creates a detailed description of how his office was part of a bigger apartment and how the next door room had a direct connection with the balcony. His statement that somebody else had also broken into his office through that balcony made it a convincing story.

Question 7. Who actually had knocked at the door of Ausable’s room? Why did he come there? 

Answer: The waiter in the hotel where Ausable stayed knocked at the door of Ausable’s room. He had brought the drinks which Ausable had ordered when he arrived in the hotel with Fowler.

Question 8. Why did Fowler want to meet Ausable? Why was he disappointed?

Answer: Fowler was a young romantic writer. He had a fine imagination about spying and secret agents. He loved adventure and thrill. So he wanted to meet Ausable who was engaged in collecting sensitive information. He was disappointed after spending a dull evening in a French music hall with a fat, sloppy man as there was nothing mysterious or romantic about him.

Question 9. How can you show that Ausable showed great presence of mind in situation of danger and surprise?

Answer: Ausable showed a great presence of mind when Max pointed gun at him when he entered note room with Fowler. Though his looks were not mysterious but with his presence of mind he cooked up the story of non-existent balcony. Max, though smart, was be fooled by Ausable and even lost his life.

Question 10. Who actually had knocked at the door of Ausable’s room? Why did he come there?

Answer: Henry, the waiter was knocking at the door in hotel. Infact, Ausable had ordered for a bottle of wine and two glasses. When there was a knock at the door he reached as if policeman was at the door. He had come there as Ausable had ordered drinks before coming into the room.

Question 11. What story did Ausable frame about calling the police?

Answer: As soon as there was a knock at the door, Max enquired of it. Ausable told him that he had already informed the police to check if everything was okay at intervals because of the important papers. Ausable told Max that they were on their duty to check.

Long Answer Type Questions

Question 1. What information did Ausable give about the imaginary balcony? Why did he do so?

Answer: Ausable created a detailed description of how his room was part a bigger apartment and how the next room had a direct connection with a balcony. His statement that somebody else had also broken into his office through that balcony made it a convincing story. Ausable did this to fool Max into thinking that a balcony existed just outside the window, as he knew that soon the waiter bringing the drinks he had ordered would be knocking at the door, which may prompt Max to jump into the imaginary balcony to hide.

Question 2. Ausable was a clever secret agent. Do you agree with the statement? Justify your answer.

Answer: Ausable did not look at all like the conventional image of a secret agent. He was short and very fat. Besides, he spoke French and German which lacked fluency as well as the right accent; the American accent was quite palpable in his speech. However, Ausable had a very sharp and active mind because he invented two stories, one about a non-existent balcony outside his hotel window and another about the police arriving to give extra security to some important documents he was about to receive.
He was an intelligent man and a clever secret agent to be able to invent such stories on the spur of the moment in the face of imminent danger in the form of Max, a rival secret agent.

Question 3. Why did Max scream shrilly when he dropped to the balcony? 

Answer: A person screams shrilly when something unexpected happens to him. Here, Max screamed shrilly when he dropped to the ‘balcony’, because actually there was no balcony at all; it was only a figment of Ausable’s imagination. Ausable had described it so vividly, including its history and use, that Max was convinced there was a balcony just outside the window and tried to jump onto it without looking. As the room was on the sixth floor, Max would certainly have been died by falling from such a height.

Question 4. A calm mind can help you tackle direst stress. Explain.

Answer: Certainly, a calm mind can help us to tackle direst stress. If Ausable had panicked and done something fishy, then Max probably would have killed him. But Ausable kept his cool. Apart from this story, there can he some real life examples also. We are always told to focus when we are appearing for exams or not to panic in a difficult situation because such things hamper our thinking ability. We are not able to take proper decisions at this time. If we keep our mind cool and focus, then only can ,we find ways to get out of crunch situations.

Question 5. How is Ausable different from other secret agents?

Answer: Ausable is different from other secret agents in more than one way. He has a small room in the musty corridor of a gloomy French hotel. It was the sixth and topmost floor and it was scarcely the setting for a romantic adventure. Ausable was extremely fat. Inspite of living in Paris for over twenty years, he spoke French and German moderately and had an American accent. Instead of getting messages slipped into his hands by dark-eyed beauties, he got only a telephone call making an appointment. In these ways, he was different from the conventional notion of a spy.

Question 6. What was Ausable’s problem? How did he solve it?

Answer: Ausable was a secret agent in an organisation. He had gone out with Fowler to spend the evening in a French music hall. When they returned to Ausable’s room in the hotel, they found Max standing in the middle of the room. He had a revolver in his hand. Ausable did not lose his calm. With unique presence of mind, he fabricated a story. He said that it was the second time someone had entered his room through the balcony under the window. Max took the concocted story as true.

Instantly, there was a knocking on the door. Max got panic stricken when Ausable remarked that there was the police. He had requested them to provide him extra security. Max was bewildered. He went towards the window and jumped on the non-existing balcony from the sixth floor. Max met with his death. Thus, Ausable’s problem was solved.

Question 7. What impression do you form of Ausable as a secret agent after reading the story “The Mid night Visitor”?

Answer: Ausable was a determined secret agent. He was dedicated to his work. He was agile in action even though he was a sloppy fat man. He was sane and shrewd. Being calm and cool headed by nature he did not lose his presence of mind when he found Max in his room with a revolver. It was midnight. He cooked up a false story of a balcony existing under the window just to befool the intruder.

Instantly they heard a knock at the door. Ausable remarked that the police had come to check on him and to provide him security. Getting nervous, Max rushed towards the window. He dropped to the balcony and fell down dead. He was patient, fearless, courageous, ready-witted and resourceful.

Question 8. How did Max attempt but failed to acquire the secret paper from Ausable?

Answer: Max’s organisation had ordered him to grab the secret report on missiles which the people of Ausable’s organisation had managed to get. He used a passkey and entered Ausable’s hotel room at midnight. He was holding a revolver in his hand since he intended to grab the report at pistol point. Ausable invented the fake story of a balcony extending under his window just to embarrass Max.

He remarked that it was the second time in the month that somebody had got into his room through that’ balcony. Instantly there was a knock at the door. Ausable’s remark that police had arrived to check on him unnerved Max.- To save his life, Max rushed towards the window. In hot haste, Max dropped to the non-existent balcony and met his tragic end. Thus he failed to acquire the secret paper.

Class 10 English Chapter 2 The Thief’s Story Important Questions

Short Answer Type Questions

Question 1. Why did Hari Singh approach Anil?

Answer: Hari Singh was a thief who had not much luck in his work recently. So he approached Anil with the intention of robbing him, as he seemed to be an easy going and simple man. According to Hari, winning Anil’s confidence was an easy task.

Question 2. Anil walked away. I followed casually’. Why do you think the narrator followed Anil?

Answer: The narrator’s purpose of robbing Anil had not yet been served. He followed Anil to gain his trust and look for an opportunity that may help him give shape to his plans.

Question 3. Was Hari Singh successful in robbing Anil? Was Anil the only one who was robbed or did Hari also rob himself of something?

Answer: Yes, Hari Singh was successful in robbing Anil. But Anil was not the only one who was robbed at that time. Hari had robbed himself as well. He had lost the chance of receiving education and being literate. He had robbed Anil monetarily but he had robbed himself of the chance for a better and brighter future, which was much more valuable.

Question 4. What did Anil and Hari agree upon to be the mode of payment?

Answer: When Anil stated his inability to pay Hari, Anil questioned Hari if he could feed Hari. Hari realised that he had misjudged his target and moulded the situation for his benefit. Anil then agreed to feed him if he knew how to cook.

Question 5. What made Hari Singh go back to Anil’s house?

Answer: Hari Singh realised the importance of education he was receiving from Anil. He knew that learning how to read and write and being a literate person would open doors to many opportunities. He was sure that he would then be able to earn more than a few hundred rupees he had in hand at that time. This made him go back to Anil.

Question 6. Did Hari like working for Anil? Give reasons in support of your answer. 

Answer: Yes, Hari liked working for Anil. He was happy to carry on the chores for him and was grateful for the education he was receiving. He used to make profit of about a rupee a day as well, which was a decent amount besides being fed.

Question 7. Why was it difficult for Hari to rob Anil?

Answer: It was difficult for Hari to rob Anil because Anil was the most trusting person Hari had ever met. He was really simple and kind. Hari knew that loss of money will not affect Anil but the loss of trust will make him sad.

Question 9. How was the morning after the night of the theft?

Answer: The morning after the night of the theft was just like a normal one. Hari woke up late and Anil had made tea by then. Anil gave a fifty rupee note to Hari and told him that he will now be paid regularly. Hari was aware that Anil knew about the theft but he didn’t show anything.

Question 9. How do you think Anil may have come to know about the theft?

Answer: Anil may have come to know about the theft because of the dampness of the notes because of rain. He was a kind but wise man. It wouldn’t have been difficult for Anil to make out the series of events that would have taken place in the night.

Question 10. Had Anil really forgiven Hari Singh? Support your answer with evidence. 

Answer: Yes, Anil had forgiven Hari Singh. It is evident because Anil handed over to Hari a fifty rupee note as soon as Hari woke up. Though he knew that Hari had robbed the money at first but his subsequent actions gave him hope of change in Hari’s character.

Question 11. Why did Hari Singh change his name every month?

Answer: Hari Singh was a fifteen year old boy who introduces himself to Anil as Hari Singh. He was an experienced thief. He changed his name every month for his own safety from the police and his former employers.

Question 12. How did the thief realise that Anil knew that he was robbed?

Answer: When Anil gave him a fifty-rupees note it was still damp. The damp note was telling the whole story. Hari Singh knew that Anil was intelligent enough to understand what had happened in the rainy night.

Question 13. What was the thief s reaction when he took Anil’s money?

Answer: As the thief got the money he quickly crawled out of the room. When he was on the road, he began to run. He had the notes at his waist, held them by the string of his pyjamas. Later on he slowed down to walk and counted the notes. He thought that with those 600 rupees he could lead a luxurious life like an oil-rich Arab at least for a week.

Question 14. Why did the thief smile without any effect towards the end of the story?

Answer: The thief smiled at Anil towards the end of the story in his most appealing way. But unlike as on previous occasions, this smile was natural and from the innermost comer of his heart. Being spontaneous, the smile was “without any effect”.

Question 15. What does he say about the different reactions of people when they are robbed?

Answer: In his short career as a thief, he has studied reactions of so many people when they are robbed off their belongings. He has Observed that the greedy people showed fear; the rich showed anger and the poor people showed acceptance.

Long Answer Type Questions

Question 1. Money can’t make a man as much as education can. Elucidate the statement. 

Answer: The statement stands true in almost all the aspects of life. Money may buy us all the luxuries and fulfil our needs but it cannot buy us knowledge, civilised thinking, skills and abilities to achieve our dreams. Education lays the platform for all to act upon our goals according to our abilities. Education enables us to keep up with the fast moving world. It opens the door to opportunities we do not know even exist. Money, on the other hand, can assist us to a certain level. It can buy us a plan but education gives us the knowledge of its execution. Just as in the story ‘A Thief s Story’, Hari Singh prioritised the chance of being literate over a few hundred rupees, we must understand that education can help us to achieve whatever we desire.

Question 2. Hari Singh didn’t board the express and returned to Amil. Why did he return? On what values does this incidence put light on?

Answer: Hari Singh was a thief and he had stolen Anil’s money. After the theft, he realised that he had robbed not only Anil but also himself of the chance of being literate and having a bright future. His conscience pricked him to think what all he could have got had he not done this. It was difficult for him to rob Anil but it was tougher for him not to back. He realised that he could not make tea, buy daily supplies and learn how to read and write then. His inner self did not agree to bypass this and forced him to return.

Hari’s return to Anil shows that despite indulging in criminal acts, he still had a practical and positive attitude towards life. It is the awakening of Hari’s conscience and Anil’s love and care that reformed Hari’s character. It teaches us that love alone can change a person. Anil’s understanding nature and care changed Hari’s thinking to mend his ways for good.

Question 3. State the events that took place on the night of the theft. 

Answer: The night of robbery vitas quite eventful for Hari Singh. After stealing Anil’s money and leaving Anil’s house, Hari went to the railway station but didn’t board the train to Lucknow. He walked slowly through the bazaar as he did not know anyone who would provide him shelter except Anil, for he didn’t have any friends. He was forced to take shelter under the clock tower later when it started raining heavily. That is where he realised the importance of education and decided to go back to Anil.

Question 4. “Everyone must have a chance to reform”. How did Anil worked upon these values and succeeded?

Answer: Hari Singh had all the sharp wickedness to rob a person. He knew how to rob and whom to rob. He chose Anil for his purpose because the later was simple and easy, to approach. But when Anil started teaching him how to write words and then sentences and adding numbers, a good man in Hari Singh started dreaming of a life full of honestly and dignity. He got the chance to rob, he robed but the dream of being educated did not let him go. He returned to be educated.

Question 5. “Love, trust and compassion transformed Hari Singh”. Explain with reference to the story “The Thief s story”.

Answer: It is love and sympathy which has transformed Hari Singh into a respectable person. Anil Singh’s job was to write for a magazine. His income was not regular. He led an easy going life. Anil can easily understand that he had been robbed when he found the notes wet. Anil does not react but rather offers him fifty rupees in the morning. Initially also Anil promised Hari Singh to teach him cooking as well as to write sentences. It was thus good action of Anil that helped Hari Singh to forget about the money and gave more importance to education.

Question 6. How did Hari Singh happen to stay with Anil? How did he stay with Anil before he tried to rob him?

Answer: Though Hari Singh was only fifteen years old yet he was a seasoned and successful thief. He met Anil at a wrestling match. He decided to rob him. He got himself introduced to Anil. He lied that he could cook. Anil allowed Hari Singh to stay with him. He would not pay but feed him. Anil did not turn him away though he cooked hopeless food. Anil promised to teach Hari Singh to cook as well as to write.

Due to lack of a regular income, Anil did not pay him any money. Hari Singh prepared the morning tea. He cheated Anil in the shopping and made about a rupee a day. Anil trusted him completely though he knew everything. It was quite difficult to rob Anil, a trusting and careless person. Anyhow he tried to rob him because his thievish nature urged him to do so.

Question 7. Why did. Hari Singh decide to return stolen money? What light does it throw on his character?

Answer: After stealing the money Hari Singh rushed to the railway station to catch 10.30 Express to Lucknow. But for some inexplicable reason he did not board the train. He decided to return to the man whom he had robbed. He sat down in the shelter of the Clock Tower and began to reflect upon his life. Suddenly he realised that Anil was helping him to learn reading and writing and that could change his life once and for all.

In his further mediation he made up his mind to return.It shows Hari Singh was grateful to Anil for helping him learn read and write. It also shows that deep in heart he had a- desire to change the course of his life. He wanted to give up theft and wanted to lead a life of a respectable person.

Question 8. “A thief in Hari Singh changed into a good human being”. How far was Anil’s considerate nature responsible for this transformation?

Answer: Hari Singh was an experienced thief who had robbed many people at such a tender age of fifteen years.’ He joined Anil as a cook with a motive of stealing money. But Anil was a kind and considerate person. He employed Hari Singh and taught him how to cook. He trusted him like his younger brother. He was always sympathetic towards him. Hari Singh found it was very difficult to rob such a good human being. He stole money but his conscience did not allow him to run away. He came back and became a good human being. There was a change in his heart. Thus, it was Anil’s considerate nature which was responsible for this transformation.

Question 9. Why does not Anil hand the thief over to the police? Do you think most people would have done so? In what ways is Anil different from such employers?

Answer: Anil does not hand over the thief to the police because he realized that Hari has already learnt a lesson and he has changed for the better now. Otherwise he would have never put the money back in its place. Though Anil knew how Hari cheated him of a rupee while buying the daily supplies but he never made it obvious in front of him.

Anil wants to give Hari one more chance to mend his ways and thus forgives him. Hari’s case is such that nobody would have forgiven him and straightway handed him over to the police. But Anil is a little different from such employers because he is modest in nature and does not want another person to suffer without giving him a chance to become a better person.

Class 10 English Chapter 1 A Triumph of Surgery Important Questions

Short Answer Type Questions

Question 1. What made James Herriot expect a call from Mrs Pumphrey?

Answer: James Herriot’s encounter with Mrs Pumphrey and Tricki made him expect a call for help. He was sure that the extra diet and no physical activity would soon put Tricki’s health in danger. And just as anticipated, Mrs Pumphrey called the vet a few days afterwards.

Question 2. What ‘extra’ did Mrs Pumphrey start to give Tricki and why?

Answer: Mrs Pumphrey thought that Tricki was suffering from malnutrition, as he was weak and listless. So, she started to give him extra snacks like cod-liver oil and malt between the main meals and Horlicks after dinner to make him stronger. She also continued his cream cakes and chocolates.

Question 3. What made Mrs Pumphrey call the vet?

Answer: Tricki’s condition made Mr» Pumphrey call the vet for help. Tricki had become fat and lazy. He just used to lie on his rug and pant. He also refused to eat food, even his favourite dishes. His bouts of vomiting added to Mrs Pumphrey’s worry. That is why, she called James Herriot.

Question 4. How can you say that it was hard for Mrs Pumphrey to part with her doting pet?

Answer: Mrs Pumphrey treated Tricki as her own child. She loved him very much. It was very difficult for her to see Tricki in such a situation. She was distraught when she had to make the decision to hospitalise Tricki, for her love for him knew no bounds. It was a terrible and tearful moment for her but she agreed to Herriot’s suggestion for the betterment of her pet.

Question 5. What kind of treatment was given to Tricki? Did it help in his recovery?

Answer: Tricki was given a non-medicinal treatment. His diet regimen was altered depending upon his body’s response to it. He was kept on liquid diet for the first two days and then his diet was gradually increased. Yes, this treatment did help Tricki as it built up energy in him. He had transformed to an energetic, hard-muscled dog in just a fortnight.

Question 6. Was Tricki suffering from any ailment in reality? If not, then what made him inactive and lethargic?

Answer: No, Tricki was not suffering from any ailment. It was his greed for food and the love of his mistress that spoilt his health to such an extent. He was being overfed everyday and that made him obese and lethargic. That is why his health showed rapid improvement when his diet was controlled.

Question 7. Briefly describe Herriot’s days of content.

Answer: The time of Tricki’s stay at the hospital was a period of content for Herriot. He used to enjoy the treat that arrived in the name of Tricki, as he could not afford all this for „ himself. Herriojj used to relish the fresh eggs in breakfast, wine before and during lunch and brandy in the night.

Question 8. “I think 1 know a cure for you”. What was Dr Herriot’s ‘cure’ for Tricki?

Answer: Seeing the miserable condition of Tricki Dr Herriot at once decides to keep him away from his mistress Mrs Pumphrey for a while. So, he suggested that Tricki should be hospitalized for about a fortnight as he had to be kept upder observation.

Question 9. Do you think Tricki was enjoying his stay at the hospital? 

Answer: Yes, Tricki was definitely enjoying his stay at the hospital. He had befriended the gang of shabby household dogs. He had found a new joy in being bowled over, trampled on and squashed. He had also become very energetic. He used to play and run all day long with the dogs. He was having a great time.

Question 10. Why was Dr Herriot shocked at Tricki’s appearance?

Answer: Dr Herriot was shocked at Tricki’s appearance because he had become hugely fat. His eyes looked bloodshot and rheumy and his tongue lolled from his jaws. He could walk with difficulty.

Question 11. Why was Tricki an uninteresting object for other dogs at the surgery?

Answer: When Tricki was brought to the surgery, all the household dogs surged around him but Tricki looked down at the noisy pack with dull eyes and lay motionless on the carpet. So after sniffing him for a few seconds, they found him an uninteresting object and moved away from him.

Question 12. What evidence do you get from the text about Tricki’s affluent living?

Answer: Tricki was loved by his mistress. She was very much concerned for him. She was rather blind in love. Tricki lived a more lavish life than any noraml human bring. He had a whole wardrobe of clothes for different weather, raincoat for wet days. Different bowls for different meals, toys, cushions, comfortable bed and what not. He was given rich diet including cream cakes and chocolates which he loved.

Long Answer Type Questions

Question 1. Excess of everything is bad. Comment in the wake of Mrs Pumphrey’s love for Tricki.

Answer: Mrs Pumphrey was a rich woman who loved her dog very much. She loved to live a comfortable and lavish life and also wanted her dog to spend a similar one. She had maintained a wardrobe full of fancy fur coats, dresses, beds etc for Tricki. Apart from this, she used to overfeed Tricki out of her love and concern. She used to serve him cod-liver oil and malt between the main meals and Horlicks after dinner to give him strength. She never realised that Tricki was a greedy dog and this would spoil his health. She could not even refuse to answer Tricki drooling for cream cakes and chocolates.

Her overfeeding worsened Tricki’s condition. This made the dog lazy, inactive and obese. He used to lie on his rug and pant all day long. Mrs Pumphrey fed him excessively, spoiling Tricki’s health to such an extent that he had to be hospitalised. Even in the hospital she continued to convey Tricki her love through eggs, wine and brandy. Her fondness and care for Tricki proved that excess of everything made him fall sick.

Question 2. Write down incidences in support of values one should inculcate from Mr James Herriot.

Answer: Mr Herriot was a capable veterinary surgeon who treated Tricki. He was a very compassionate doctor and a wise and sympathetic human being. He showed his capabilities almost immediately when he advised Mrs Pumphrey to put Tricki on a strict diet after understanding his symptoms. He can also be said to be an understanding and tactful person as he knew exactly how to free Tricki from the spoiling love of Mrs Pumphrey for his betterment. He does not operate upon the poor dog unnecessarily and adopts a practical approach to treat him. Mr James was a caring and polite individual as he successfully allays Mrs Pumphrey’s anxiety about Tricki’s recovery patiently. He was in all a good human being and a successful professional.

Question 3. Do you think parents like Mrs Pumphrey exist? If yes, is it a good thing to pamper children? Why or why not? 

Answer: Yes, parents like Mrs Pumphrey definitely exist. They spoil their children in the name of love and care. They not only feed them junk but also spoil their social habits. This kind of a behaviour is very harmful for children. Such overprotective parental behaviour hinders their growth as adults. In fact it sows the seeds of greed and dependency in them They become stubborn and do not learn to value anything. For them, hard work is a myth as they get everything easily. Over pampered children often fail to face the hardships of life later, as for them life has been a cakewalk. Pampering children in moderation is healthy, but excess of it is harmful. It is not just bad for humans but also for animals, as we see in the story ‘A triumph of Surgery’.

Question 4. Write the brief character sketch of Mrs Pumphrey.

Answer: Mrs Pumphrey was a rich but eccentric lady. She was an ignorant kind of person. She had a pet dog Tricki, whom she loved more than anything. Her way of showing love was very different. She overfed Tricki. She showed her concern by giving him rich and extra diet between meals which finally made Tricki ill. She couldn’t bear Tricki doing exercise. She thought that it would make Tricki tired while it was necessary for him.

She pampered her pet which had a wardrobe of clothes for every season, different bowls for each meal, toys and what not. Her way of loving was not normal. But she was also a kind- hearted lady who finally burst into tears while parting with her dog. She had all human qualities as she didn’t forget to thank Mr Herriot at the end.

Question 5. Give a brief character sketch of Tricki.

Answer: Tricki is thoroughly pampered by his mistress Mrs Pumphrey. He has become hugely fat, like a bloated sausage with a leg at each comer. His eyes, bloodshot and rheumy, stares straight ahead his tongue lolled from his jaws. He is greedy and never refuses food. His mistress gives him some little extras between meals to build him up, some malt and cod-liver oil and a bowl of Horlicks at night to make him sleep.

Above all, he gets cream cakes and chocolates. To make things worse he had been doing no exercise. When Tricki is sent to Vet. Hospital, the entire staff of Mrs Pumphrey’s house rush to bring his day bed, his night bed, favourite cushions, toys and rubber rings, breakfast bowl, lunch bowl, supper bowl. It all shows that Tricki has an affluent living.

Question 6.  Why does Mrs Pumphrey think the dog’s recovery is “a triumph of surgery”?

Answer: Mrs Pumphrey thinks that the dog’s recovery is “a triumph of surgery” because in two weeks, Tricki had recovered completely and had been transformed into a hard-muscled animal. When Tricki saw her, he leaped into her lap and licked her face. She was so excited that tears started rolling out of her eyes. She declared Tricki’s recovery as a triumph of surgery to express her happiness and gratitude towards the doctor.

Question 7. What kind of a person do you think the narrator, a veterinary surgeon, is? Would you say he is tactful as well as full of common sense?

Answer: I think the narrator, a veterinary surgeon, seems to be a practical and tactful person. He knows how to deal with people. He adjusts himself well to the circumstances. He immediately understands Tricki’s problem, Tricki doesn’t suffer from any sort of illness. The main cause of his illness is overfeeding. He takes the dog to his surgery. There the doctor keeps him on water diet and makes him physically active and treats without any medicine. The dog gets well under his supervision and natural environment of surgery.

Question 8. Do you think Tricki was happy to go home? What do you think will happen now?

Answer: Yes, Tricki was very happy to go home. When the dog was brought into the surgery, he was ill. But in spite of that the dog got cured in two days without any medication. The doctor provided proper diet to Tricki and regular exercise also helped a lot in his speedy recovery. The dog regained his best health and was no longer restless.

Now, I think Mrs Pumphrey may again go back to her old ways of treating Tricki with love and care or learning a lesson from what she experienced, she may mend her ways and make him an agile and healthier dog.