Class 10 English Previous Year Question Paper (2020) with Solutions

by | Sep 16, 2024 | General | 0 comments

 

CBSE Class 10 English Chapter-wise Previous Years Questions (2020) with Solution

 

Class 10 English Question Paper (2020) – Solved Question papers from previous years are very important for preparing for the CBSE Board Exams. It works as a treasure trove. It helps to prepare for the exam precisely. One of key benefits of solving question papers from past board exams is their ability to help identify commonly asked questions. These papers are highly beneficial study resources for students preparing for the upcoming class 10th board examinations. Here we have compiled chapter-wise questions asked in all the sets of CBSE Class 10 English question paper (2020).

 

First Flight Book 

 

Chapter 1 – A Letter to God

 

Q1. What were Lencho’s feelings when the hail stopped? [30-40 words]

Ans. When the hail stopped, Lencho’s soul was filled with sadness: He was very much troubled. His crop was totally destroyed. He said, “The hail has left nothing. This year we will have no com. We will all go hungry.”

 

Q2. Why did Lencho’s happy mood change into concern? [30-40 words]

Ans. Lencho had been happy on the arrival of rain, as it would help his crops to grow and eventually he would get money from them. However, suddenly strong wind began to blow and brought hailstones with them. This hailstorm destroyed his crops. Thus, his happy mood changed to concern about losing his crops.

 

Q3. Did the letter reach God? Why did the postmaster send a reply to Lencho? [30-40 words]

Ans. The letter did not reach God, it is not possible. The postmaster got it. On reading the letter, the postmaster decided to retain the farmer’s faith in God. The postmaster was a kind, generous, helpful, and God-fearing man. Thus, he replied to Lencho’s letter by sending him money under the name of God.

 

Also See: 

 

Chapter 2 – Nelson Mandela Long Walk to Freedom

 

Q1. What did Nelson Mandela remember on the day of the inaugural ceremony? [30-40 words]

Ans. On the day of the inaugural ceremony, Nelson Mandela remembered the first decade of the twentieth century, when white-skinned people of South Africa resolved their mutual differences and created a system of racial domination against the dark-skinned people of the same land. This system of discrimination called ‘Apartheid’ lasted until the last decade of the same century.

 

Q2. What does Mandela refer to as ‘an extraordinary human disaster’? [30-40 words]

Ans. At the beginning of his speech, Mandela refers to the practice of apartheid in South Africa as ‘an extraordinary human disaster’. This practice created a deep and lasting wound on his country and led to the oppression of one group of people (the blacks) by another (the whites).

 

Q3. Why was Nelson Mandela overwhelmed with a sense of history? How did he succeed in ending the apartheid regime in South Africa? [100-150 words]

Ans. Nelson Mandela felt overwhelmed with a sense of history at his inauguration as it marked a significant turn in South Africa’s journey from a nation marked by racial discrimination to a democratic, non-racial government. This moment was not just a personal triumph but a historic milestone for the entire nation, symbolizing the end of a harsh system of racial segregation that had long oppressed the majority of its people.

Mandela’s role in ending apartheid was rooted in his deep conviction for freedom and equality, which drove him to join the African National Congress and become a central figure in the anti-apartheid movement. His leadership was characterized by a remarkable balance of resilience and a willingness to engage in dialogue and reconciliation. Mandela understood that true freedom for black South Africans also meant liberating white South Africans from the chains of prejudice. His approach of not only fighting against the regime but also advocating for a peaceful transition and national unity was pivotal in the successful dismantling of the apartheid system. 

 

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Chapter 3 – Two Stories About Flying (Part 1 – His First Flight)

 

Q1. “The sight of the food maddened him.” What does this suggest? [30-40 words]

Ans. The young seagull had been hungry for 24 hours. He was impatient and desperate to eat. When he saw his mother carrying some fish in the beak, he screamed at her. This shows that he eventually took his first flight out of his hunger.  

 

Q2. How did the young seagull overcome his fear and make his first flight? [100-150 words]

Ans. The young seagull was afraid of flying. He felt certain that his wings would never support him and could not get himself to fly like his siblings. His parents, brother and sister decided to leave him alone but soon, he became mad with hunger. He saw his mother with a piece of fish in her beak, reaching to him at a little distance. The sight of the fish maddened him, so he dived at the fish without thinking about the result. He fell downwards, and the next moment, he suddenly felt his wings spread outward and he started flying. He was soaring gradually downwards and upwards. He was then no longer afraid and in this way, he made his first flight.

 

Also See:

 

Chapter 3 – Two Stories About Flying (Part 2 – The Black Aeroplane)

 

Q1. Why was the pilot of Dakota aeroplane frightened again? [30-40 words]

Ans. While flying his Dakota aeroplane the narrator saw that the sky was full of dark clouds and he could not see anything. There was not enough fuel to go back to Paris and his compass and radio stopped working. He was feeling afraid and helpless when he suddenly saw another aeroplane outside. The pilot of that aeroplane asked the narrator to follow him and began to guide him through the clouds. However, after some time, the narrator realized that there was very little fuel left in the Dakota’s tank and this is when he was frightened again.

 

Q2. Why and when did the narrator say that ‘everything’ was going well, it was an easy flight.’? [100-150 words]

Ans. The pilot was happy when he was alone high up above the sleeping countryside. He was dreaming of his holiday and looking forward to being with his family. He called the Paris Control Room to enquire about the location of the plane and the route to be followed. He thought he would be in time for breakfast and a good big English breakfast would be ready for him. At this point, he thought that everything was going well and that it was an easy flight.

 

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Chapter 4 – From the Diary of Anne Frank

 

Q1. What do you think about Anne’s talent for writing essays which she wrote convincingly when punished by the teacher? [100-150 words]

Ans. Anne was an intelligent but talkative girl. The teacher, Mr Keesing was irritated by the disturbance caused by her talking in the class. She had to write assignments as a punishment. However, she presented logical arguments for her habit and successfully convinced her teacher. She even wrote a poem in the third task. This shows that she was talented and intelligent. Anne wrote a poem also indicates that she was a prolific writer too. 

 

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Chapter 5 – Glimpses of India (Part 1 – A Baker from Goa)

 

Q1. Why were the children fascinated by the baker? How did they show their eagerness to see him? [100-150 words]

Ans. The children were fascinated by the jhang-jhang sound of the baker’s bamboo which they would hear every morning. It would announce the arrival of the baker. They would hunt the basket for their favourite items like bread bangles and would eat them without washing the faces or brushing their teeth. The baker was like a friend and companion to them. The bakery was an essential part of the Goan households. All the children, including the author were close to the baker of the village.

 

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Chapter 5 – Glimpses of India (Part 2 – Coorg)

 

Q1. Why is Coorg called the land of rolling hills? [30-40 words]

Ans. Coorg is called the land of rolling hills because it has a lot of hills and itself is a hill station. The hills seems to roll down, giving a panoramic view. A rolling hill is a hill which has a gentle slope. The climb is gradual and the inclination of the slope of the hill is not too high.

 

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Chapter 5 – Glimpses of India (Part 3 – Tea from Assam)

 

Q1. Rajvir was very fond of reading detective stories. Why did he not like to read them during his journey? [30-40 words]

Ans. Rajvir liked reading detective stories. However, on the train journey to Assam, he was excited to see the scenery outside. Thus, he did not read the stories and enjoyed the scenic beauty.

 

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Chapter 6 – Mijbil the Otter

 

Q1. What things does Mij do which tell you that he is an intelligent, friendly and fun-loving animal who needs love? [100-150 words]

Ans. Mij was an active pet. He loved playing with water, marbles, ping pong and even a broken suitcase. His innovative games show his intelligence. When Mij was put in a new environment, it remained aloof and indifferent. It took time to mix up with the author. Mij was active, opened the tap by itself and played in it. In was intelligent as it invented several games with ping pong ball, marbles and the author’s broken suitcase. When out for a walk with the author, it would jump and gallop along the entire length of the wall of a school. When the author was travelling with Mij on a flight, Mij was allowed to be out of the box. He disappeared for sometime and later returned to its master. This shows that Mijbil was an intelligent, fun-loving and friendly animal.  

 

Also See:

 

Chapter 7 – Madam Rides the Bus

 

Q1. How did Valli fulfil her desire to ride a bus to the town and back? [100-150 words]

Ans. Valli was a meticulous planner. She fulfilled her desire in a responsible and mature way. She collected information about the bus ride like the fare, duration and timing by overhearing the talks of the passengers. She even asked discreet questions. The next step was to save enough money for the bus fare. She resisted temptations to buy balloons, toys and candies. She planned the timing of the ride during the mother’s afternoon nap time to avoid being caught. After this detailed planning, she finally went on the bus ride. Valli had an amazing experience and enjoyed it.

 

Q2. Describe Valli’s interaction with people while she was riding the bus to the town. What does this tell you about Valli’s character? [100-150 words]

Ans. On the ride, Valli interacted with the bus conductor. She did not seek help from the conductor which shows her confidence and independent nature. The conductor realized that she was way too mature for her age and he addressed her as ‘Madam’. An elderly woman was travelling beside Valli. She seemed to be concerned over the fact that a small child was in the bus all by herself. However, her appearance of big ear lobes and mouth full of betel nut paste made Valli detest her. Valli did not like being asked soo many questions by her. When Valli stood in the bus to see the sights outside, an old man directed her to sit lest she should fall. Valli did not appreciate the old man’s advice and retorted that she could take care of herself. She added that she too had paid the full fare like other passengers. This shows that Valli was self-confident and had the courage to take risks.

 

Q3. Whenever we want to achieve something, difficulties always come in our way. What did Valli have to do to go and ride in a bus? [100 -150 words]

Ans. It is true that obstacles do present themselves whenever we seek anything out. Nonetheless, ambition in life is necessary. Perseverance is necessary to achieve goals. Valli wanted to take the bus, but she lacked the funds to do so. The task at hand was to come up with the necessary sum of money, so Valli had diligently saved whatever spare change that came her way while restraining herself from splurging on things like peppermints, toys, balloons, and the like. At the end, she had thirty pence. She also paid close attention to the bus’ timetable and routine. She also listened in on chats regarding people’s travels. Nonetheless, her efforts allowed her to fulfil her goal in the end.

 

Q4. “Valli was a mature girl and ahead of her age.” Justify the statement with instances from the text. [100-150 words]

Ans. Valli was eight year-old but she was far mature and responsible. She fulfilled her deep desire of going on a bus ride all by herself. She collected the money required for the bus fare by avoiding buying other articles like candies, toys and joy rides. She gather information by overhearing talks of passengers. She decided on the timing which co-incided with her mother’s afternoon nap time. On the bus, she avoided the over-friendly conductor and did not accept his offer of buying her a drink. She did not get off at the bus stand in the town because she only wanted a ride in the bus. She got angry on fellow passengers who tried to command her to sit and showed concern over her solo travel. She did not like being called ‘child’ or ‘madam’. Valli was self-dependent and confident girl.

 

Also See:

 

Chapter 8 – The Sermon at Benares

 

Q1. Describe the journey of Sidhartha Gautama becoming the Buddha. [100-150 words]

Ans. Buddha was born as Prince Sidhartha and lived the royal life till the age of twenty-five. On seeing painful sights, he left the comfort of princely life, his wife and son, and went in search of knowledge. After wandering for several years, he meditated under a peepal tree in Bodh Gaya, Bihar where he got enlightenment. This gave him the name of ‘Buddha’ or the enlighted one. Then he went to Sarnath and taught people. For the rest of his life, he travelled and preached. He spoke of ‘Tanha’, ‘Karma’ etc and died at Kushinagar.

 

Q2. What lesson did Kisa Gotami learn the second time that she had failed to learn the first time? [100-150 words]
OR
How did the Buddha make Kisa Gotami realise the reality of death? [100 – 150 words]

Ans. Kisa Gotami carried her lifeless son and went from door to door seeking a remedy to bring him back to life. Someone directed her to Sakyamuni who asked her to get a handful of mustard seeds from a house that had not lost a beloved to death. Kisa failed to procure the seeds because there was no such household that had not suffered the pain and grief of losing a kin. Thus, it dawned upon Kisa that she had been selfish in her love for her son. She understood that life was like a flickering light, we all are mortals and that death is the ultimate truth. This was the lesson that she could not understand the first time and Buddha wanted to teach her.

 

Q3. What lesson on death and suffering did the Buddha teach Kisa Gotami in the chapter, ‘The Sermon At Benares’? [100 – 150 words]

Ans. The lesson on death and suffering that Buddha taught Kisa Gotami through an activity is that death and suffering are common to all. He said that there was no way by which one could avoid death or suffering. He taught her that the life of mortals i.e., humans is troubled, brief and full of pain; the only way to obtain peace of mind is by giving up sorrow, complaints and grief. Surrendering all selfishness is the way by which one could attend immortality in this world. He taught her to look beyond her own grief and instead of directly telling it to her, he made her realise it herself.

 

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Chapter 9 – The Proposal

 

Q1. The proposal of the marriage was forgotten amidst the arguments over petty things. Which right approach should have been followed by Lomov and Natalya? [100-150 words]

Ans. Lomov and Natalya behaved immaturely when they argued over petty things like ownership of Oxen Meadows and superiority of their respective dog. They overlooked the fact that they were there to enter into matrimony which was more important than the trivial issues. However, if they would have been sensible, they would have focused on the proposed marriage. They should have shown compassion and patience and focused on the positive outcome of the meeting.

 

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Deleted Chapter

Chapter – The Hundred Dresses Part 1

 

Q1. Why did Peggy and Maddie not wait for Wanda? [30-40 words]

Ans. Peggy and Maddie did not wait for Wanda because it was drizzling. Peggy and Maddie hurried to school as Miss Mason would announce the results of the drawing contest and they were eager to know the winner of the drawing contest.

 

Q2. Describe the scene in which Wanda’s dress drawings are displayed. Who won the drawing contest for the girls? [100-150 words]

Ans. There were hundreds of designs of dresses displayed in the room. Miss Mason announced the names of the winners. Jack Beagles had won for the boys. She said that all the hundred designs of dresses had been made by one girl and she had won the Medal. Her name was Wanda Petronski. But Wanda was absent. The children clapped their hands in joy. Maddie asked Peggy to look at the blue dress about which Wanda had told them earlier. They appreciated the drawings made by Wanda.

 

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Chapter – The Hundred Dresses Part 2

 

Q1. How did Miss Mason try to teach her students a lesson in code of conduct while dealing with other students? [100-150 words]

Ans. Mr Petronski wrote a letter to the school teacher Miss Mason because the students of her class always made fun of Wanda’s name and dress. After reading the letter Miss Mason was very unhappy and upset. Miss Mason categorically said that the students in her class would not knowingly hurt anyone’s feelings because of their funny name and shabby dress. By doing this, she showed her students that she had faith in them. She said that such an incident had probably happened in the class due to thoughtlessness, which was really sad and unfortunate. She also expressed her belief that her students would agree with her in disapproving of the incident. Finally, she asked all the students to reflect on their actions and in this way, she tried to teach her students a lesson in code of conduct.

 

Also See:

 

First Flight Poems

Poem 3 – A Tiger in the Zoo

 

Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow: 

He hears the last voice at night,

The patrolling cars,

And stares with his brilliant eyes

At the brilliant stars.

 

Questions :

(a) The poet who wrote these lines was

(i) Leslie Norris (ii) Robert Frost

(iii) Walt Whitman (iv) Robin Klein

Ans. (i)

 

(b) ‘The animal referred to in the extract is in______.

(i) the forest (ii) a zoo

(iii) a circus (iv) a wildlife sanctuary

Ans. (ii)

 

(c) To go around an area at regular times to check that it is safe is called _____.

Ans. patrolling

 

(d) The word in the extract opposite in meaning to the word, ‘dull’ is ___.

Ans. brilliant

 

Also See:

 

Poem 4 – How to Tell Wild Animals

 

Q1. Why does the poet use the term ‘noble’ and ‘wild’ for the tiger? [30-40 words]

Ans. The poet uses the terms ‘noble’ and ‘wild’ to show that the tiger like other wild animals, kills its prey. But the difference is that the tiger is noble for he kills only for hunger and not pleasure like the other wild beasts.

 

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Poem 5 – The Ball Poem

 

Q1. Why does the poet not offer the boy money to buy another ball? [30-40 words]

Ans. The poet does not offer him money to buy another ball because according to him, money or another ball is worthless. The boy was trying to understand his first responsibility as he had lost something, which could not be brought back.

 

Q2. Why does the poet not offer money to the boy to buy another ball? [100-150 words]

Ans. The poet does not offer money to the boy to buy him another ball because he knows the value of the ball which was lost by the boy. This ball contained the sentiments of the boy’s youth. The boy’s memories and feelings from his younger days attached to the ball will not come back. As a result, the boy now has to learn to take responsibilities. The poet wants the boy to grow up and give up his love for materialistic things in life. He wants the boy to learn that money cannot buy everything in life. Even if you try to buy happiness with money, you will never get the feelings of belongingness. The ball here is personified as the belongings of the boy that he must learn to live without. During the course of life, a lot of our belongings will be lost.

 

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Poem 6 – Amanda

 

Q1. Amanda wants to be Rapunzel, a beautiful princess living in a tranquil tower. Write a character sketch of Amanda in the light of this remark. [100-150 words]

Ans. Amanda is a little school-going girl. She is constantly nagged by her mother who keeps asking Amanda to do this or that. She is a daydreamer and inventive girl who loves freedom and wants to live alone. She wants no restrictions and instructions from her mother. She escapes into the world of dreams imagining herself a mermaid, an orphan or a fairy. This is her mode of escaping reality. She lives between illusions and reality. She is a child who wishes to relish her existence rather than go through the motions of daily living. She prefers to do activities when she chooses to, rather than when she is instructed to.

 

Also See:

 

Poem 7 – The Trees

 

Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow: 

(A) ….Winds rush to meet them. 

‘The moon is broken like a mirror,

Its pieces flash now in the crown

of the tallest oak.

 

(a) The above lines were written by

(i) Robert Frost (ii) John Berryman

(iii) Robin Klein (iv) Adrienne Rich

Ans. (iv)

 

(b) The crown of the oak lies in its,

(i) top most branch (ii) roots

(iii) rich and tasty fruit (iv) broad leaves

Ans. (i)

 

(c) The winds are rushing to meet the___.

Ans. trees

 

(d) Find the word from the extract which means the same as “shine.”

Ans. flash

 

(B) The trees inside are moving out into the forest,

the forest that was empty all these days

where no bird could sit

no insect hide

no sun bury its feet in shadow

the forest that was empty all these nights

will be full of trees by morning.

 

(a) What are the trees trying to do?

Ans. The trees are trying to return back to the forests where they belong.

 

(b) Why was the forest empty?

Ans. The forests were empty because the trees were held captive inside the houses. People were cutting down and uprooting the trees in order to fulfill their needs of beautifying their houses and creating artificial environments for the trees to live in.

 

(c) All these days, the forest referred to here was ______.

(i) filled (ii) empty

(ii) hidden (iv) separated

Ans. (ii)

 

(d) The figure of speech used in these lines is _____ :

(i) Simile (ii) Alliteration

(iii) Personification (iv) Metonymy

Ans. (iii)

 

Question Answers

 

Q1. What message does Adrienne Rich want to convey through the poem, ‘The Trees’? [100-150 words]

Ans. The poem “The Trees” by Adrienne Rich is a metaphor which compares the trees to women. The poet is a feminist and highlights the desire of women to be free and go out in the open. The trees want to free themselves from the floor of the house and go in the open forest. They are cramped in the houses and their feelings can be felt and heard by the poet.The roots are shuffling, branches are moving towards the window. The trees move into the open and are greeted by the wind. The moon gets broken by the oak tree’s shadow which looks different and highlights the power of the trees.

 

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Poem 9 – The Tale of Custard the Dragon

 

Q1. How did Custard accept his cowardice and others’ bravery? [30-40 words]

Ans. Custard accepted his cowardice by crying for a nice safe cage. However, he showed bravery by attacking the pirate when everyone else ran away. After defeating the pirate, Mustard said he would be twice as brave and Ink and Blink said they would be thrice as brave. To this, Custard agreed that everyone was braver than him, even though he had shown bravery by defeating the pirate.

 

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Poem 10 – For Anne Gregory

 

Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow :

“Never shall a young man,

Thrown into despair

By those great honey-coloured

Ramparts at your ear,

Love you for yourself alone

And not your yellow hair.”

 

(a) The lady’s hair is compared to ________.

(i) ramparts (ii) ears

(iii) honey (iv) despair

Ans. (i)

 

(b) The young man has fallen in love with the lady for her ______.

(i) wealth (ii) social position

(iii) looks (iv) mind

Ans. (iii)

 

(c) Name the poem and the poet.

Ans. The given lines are from the poem ‘For Anne Gregory’ by William Butler Yeats.

 

(d) According to the poet, the lady wants the young man to love her for _____.

Ans. herself alone

 

Also See:

 

Deleted Poem

Poem – Animals

 

Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow:

I stand and look at them long and long.

They do not sweat and whine about their condition.

 

(a) The poet who has written these lines is …………….

  1. Robert Frost
  2. Carolyn Wells

iii. Walt Whitman

  1. Ogden Nash

Ans. iii

 

(b) Who are ‘they’ referred to here?

  1. Animals
  2. Tigers

iii. Ananda’s friends

  1. Wanda’s dresses

Ans. i

 

(c) The poet looks at them long and long because he ……….

Ans. admires the behaviour of animals and wants to stay with them.

 

(d) Which word in the extract means ‘complain’?

Ans. whine

 

Questions Answers

 

Q1. What vices in human beings does Whitman notice? [30-40 words]

Ans. The vices that human beings have as noticed by Whitman are greed, desire, whining and complaining about their conditions, dissatisfaction, hypocrisy and self-centeredness. Humans have turned away from being placid and self-contained.

 

Q2. What is the central idea of the poem, ‘Animals’? [30-40 words]

Ans. The central idea of the poem ‘Animals’ is that humans have lost their “tokens” or good qualities, which have now been retained by animals. Somewhere along the years human have forgotten to be kind, sympathetic, compassionate, grateful, placid and self-contained.

 

Q3. Which qualities of animals has the poet lost and now wants to regain? Answer with reference to the poem, ‘Animals’. [100-150 words]

Ans. The poet has lost several qualities which he feels he had negligently dropped a long time ago. The poet has lost the quality of being humble and grateful. Instead, humans spend their time whining about their conditions and weeping for their sins while confessing their evil deeds to God. He has lost the quality of being satisfied with what he has and has turned into a manic for the materialistic items that he does not possess. He has also lost his happiness and peace in this world. Now, he bows down to other creatures of his kind as well as to his ancestors. Unlike the past, he is now deceitful and unjust. At one time he was honest, truthful and fair in all respect.

 

Q4. How does Carolyn Wells use humour to tell or identify ‘Wild Animals’? [100-150 words]

Ans. Carolyn Wells uses humour to identify ‘Wild Animals’ throughout the poem. She uses a comical effect when she tells us the ways of recognizing each creature while they are attacking us. She gives us a vivid imagery of the animals. At first, she introduces us to the large lion who roams in the east jungle. She says that if we chance upon roaring as we are dying, it is the Asian lion. Next, she talks about the tiger and the leopard. The noble tiger can be recognized as the Bengal Tiger if he eats you as he is hungry. Thus, to be watchful. The leopard on the other hand will be realized once it continuously “leps” on you. She then tells us to be sure that the creature who hugs us strongly is none other than the bear. And in case we are doubtful, we can wait for another caress. The poet lets us know that the trick to distinguish the hyena from the crocodile is that a hyena laughs whereas a crocodile cries. Lastly, the chameleon can only be spotted on the tree if we see the tree bare as it camouflages.

 

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Footprints without Feet Book 

Chapter 1 – A Triumph of Surgery

 

Q1. Why is Mrs. Pumphrey responsible for Tricki’s condition? [30-40 words]

OR

How did Mrs. Pumphrey spoil Tricki? [30-40 words]

Ans. She is Tricki’s owner and is responsible for the dog’s ill-health which is due to overeating and excessive pampering. Mrs Pumphrey is rich and gives excessively nutritious food to the pet. Exercising is also very little which makes Tricki dull, swollen and lethargic. All this negligence on Mrs Pumphrey’s behalf makes Tricki ill. 

 

Q2. What was the major flaw in Tricki? [30-40 words]

Ans. Tricki’s flaw was his greed for food. He never refused anything offered which resulted in it being swollen and dull.

 

Q3. Mrs. Pumphrey, the overindulgent and caring mistress of Tricki, pampers her pet dog like a spoiled child, Comment. [100-150 words]

Ans. Mrs Pumphrey was quite a rich and resourceful lady with a large number of servants and maids. She was passionately attached to her little pet dog, Tricki. She was much worried about Tricki’s miserable condition. Tricki had become hugely fat and listless. She thought he was suffering from malnutrition. So, she started giving Tricki malt, cod-liver oil and a bowl of Horlicks at night. Being overindulgent, Mrs Pumphrey even ignored Dr Herriot’s advice. The doctor knew that Tricki’s only fault was his greed for food. He had advised Mrs Pumphrey to cut down food and sweets for Tricki. He also advised her to give him plenty of exercise. The dog was to be kept on a very strict diet. For Mrs Pumphrey, it was very difficult for her because she pampered Tricki like a spoiled child. This only compounded Tricki.s misery. His condition worsened. He lost appetite and started vomiting. Mrs Pumphrey was impractical but very compassionate and caring. She and her staff arranged all comforts, beds, cushions and toys for Tricki. She constantly enquired about his health from Dr Herriot. She gratefully thanked Dr Herriot for saving Tricki’s life and called it “a triumph of surgery”. Had she been a little more practical and disciplined, things might have not gone that far.

 

Also See: 

 

Chapter 2 – The Thief’s Story 

 

Q1. What made Hari Singh come back to Anil? [30-40 words]

Ans. Hari Singh returned to Anil because he felt guilty about robbing him. He thought that people have different responses to being robbed. Some people show fear, some show anger, and some show acceptance. But, Hari knew that Anil would be sad, not for the loss of money but for the loss of trust. Hari could not have the inner peace by robbing Anil. So, he returned back to him along with the money.

 

Q2. In which queer way did Anil make a living? [30-40 words]

Ans. Anil made a living in a queer way by borrowing money but repaid the loan whenever he earned money through his writings for magazines. He lived life according to the flow of money. When he got money, he enjoyed out with his friends. When he had less money, he reduced his expenses.

 

Q3. Why does Anil not hand Hari Singh over to the police? [30-40 words]

Ans. Anil did not hand Hari Singh over to the police because he knew that Hari Singh had started becoming a better person and that’s why he had even returned the stolen money. Anil wanted to improve Hari further. He wanted him to become successful, independent and good at heart.

 

Q4. Education, love and sympathy can transform even a thief. How is it true in the case of Hari Singh? [100-150 words]

Ans. In the story titled ‘The Thief’s Story’ we see that Anil Singh’s positive attitude and careless outlook towards money transform Hari Singh, the thief. Anil teaches Hari and overlooks the petty theft of one or two rupee done by Hari on a daily basis. When he observes a change in Hari’s nature, he does not acknowledge the attempted theft done by Hari Singh. He does not hand over Hari to the police because he can foresee a reform in him. Anil’s careless attitude towards money takes away the temptation to rob it and Hari finds robbing such a person to be useless. Thus, Anil gradually reforms the hardened thief. 

 

Q5. Why did Hari Singh decide to return the stolen money? What light does it throw on his character? [100-150 words]

Ans. Hari decided to return the money he had stolen because Anil would be sad at the loss of trust that he had in Hari rather than the monetary loss. Hari did not want to lose the trust that Anil had bestowed on him. Hari pondered that Anil had taught him to read and write. Those skills were more valuable than the money he had stolen. Hari did not want to lose the trust and company of a master like Anil. Thus, he wanted to return to Anil and decided to return the stolen money.

 

Q6. Having stolen Anil’s money what did Hari Singh do? [100-150 words]

Ans. Hari stole the money and went to the railway station. He had planned to board the train and leave the city but he was unable to cheat Anil. He was reminded of Anil’s kindness and the trust that Anil had shown in Hari. Hari became humane and his heart forced him to return the money. Hari knew that Anil would be sad due to the loss of trust that he had done on Hari. Anil had taught Hari to read and write which would enable him to do better in life. Hari could not cheat such a man. Hari decided that he would not betray Anil and returned the money.

 

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Chapter 3 – The Midnight Visitor

 

Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow:

(A) And as the light came on, Fowler had his first authentic thrill of the day. For halfway across the room, a small automatic pistol in his hand, stood a man.

Ausable blinked a few times.

 

(a) Who was standing in the room with a pistol in his hand?

  1. Ausable
  2. Fowler

iii. Max

  1. A waiter

Ans. iii

 

(b) Ausable blinked because he:

  1. was getting adjusted to the light.
  2. got afraid of the man with a pistol.

iii. was thrilled to have reached his room.

  1. started thinking of how to get rid of the man.

Ans. iv

 

(c) Fowler was thrilled because what he saw looked like a ……….

Ans. looked like a real thriller scene finally. The kind of action and scene he had been expecting while he was on his way.

 

(d) Which word in the extract means the same as ‘genuine/real’?

Ans. authentic

 

(B) Max bit his lip nervously. The knocking was repeated.

“What will you do now, Max?” Ausable asked. “If I do not answer the door, they will enter anyway. The door is unlocked. And they will not hesitate to shoot”.

 

(a) Who is Max?

(i) a spy (i) a tourist

(iii) a businessman (iv) a waiter

Ans. i

 

(b) Max became nervous because :

(i) he got scared of Ausable.

(ii) he thought the police had come.

(iii) the door was unlocked.

(iv) Ausable did not get up to open the door.

Ans. ii

 

(c) Actually the door was knocked at by the____.

Ans. Actually the door was knocked at by the waiter. Ausabel had ordered a drink when he returned back to the hotel and the waiter had come to deliver it.

 

(d) Which word in the extract is opposite in meaning to the word ‘confidently’?

Ans. The word ‘nervously’ is opposite in meaning to the word ‘confidently’.

 

(C) Ausable was, for one thing, fat. Very fat. And then there was his accent. ‘Though he spoke French and German passably, he had never altogether lost the American accent he had brought to Paris from Boston twenty years ago.

“You are disappointed,” Ausable said wheezily over his shoulder.

 

(a) Who is ‘you’ here?

(i) Fowler (ii) Ausable

(iii) Waiter (iv) Max

Ans. (i)

 

(b) Ausable was a native of ______ :

(i) France (ii) Germany

(iii) the U.S. (iv) Sweden

Ans. (iii)

 

(c) ‘You’ believed that Ausable was a ______.

Ans. ‘You’ believed that Ausable was a secret agent or a spy dealing in espionage and danger.

 

(d) He spoke French like an _____.

Ans. American

 

(D) Ausable moved to an armchair and sat down heavily. “I’m going to raise the devil with the management this time, and you can bet on it,” he said grimly. “This is the second time in a month that somebody has got into my room through that nuisance of a balcony !”

 

(a) Who is Ausable?

(i) A secret agent (i) A tourist in a hotel

(iii) A reporter (iv) A businessman

Ans. (i)

 

(b) Why was Ausable angry with the management?

(i) His room was unsafe.

(ii) The food was not good.

(iii) The balcony was a nuisance

(iv) The armchair was not soft.

Ans. (iii)

 

(c) Was there a balcony with the room? Yes/No.

Ans. No, there was no balcony with the room.

 

(d) Ausable was playing a ______ on his visitor.

Ans. Ausable was playing a prank on his visitor.

 

Question Answers

 

Q1. How is Ausable different from other secret agents? [30-40 words]

Ans. Ausable is different from other secret agents because he was very fat, lived in a room on the top floor of a gloomy French hotel and could only speak French possibly although he had been living in Paris for over 20 years. His voice still had an American touch to it. He used to receive messages via telephone instead of dark eyed beauties getting him his messages. So he was very different from the way other secret agents are.

 

Q2. What purpose did the ‘balcony’ serve in the story, ‘The Midnight Visitor’? [30-40 words]

Ans. The balcony is an imagination of the secret agent Ausable. This shows the power of his mind. He befools Max with his false story and makes him believe that police is at the door and that there is a balcony outside the window. 

 

Also See: 

 

Chapter 4 – A Question of Trust

 

Q1. Horace Danby was good but not completely honest. How was he deceived by ‘the lady’? [100-150 words]

Ans. Horace Danby was a good man because he robbed a safe a year, to buy rare, expensive books which he would read throughout the year. However, he wasn’t honest because after all, he committed thefts which are equivalent to cheating. 

He helped the lady when he thought that she was the owner of the house. As Sherry, the pet dog at Shotover Grange was rubbing against her, Horace was confirmed that she was the owner.  He had not expected one of the family to be there. However, he accepted her presence, helped her open the safe and believed her reason that she had forgotten the code of the safe. The lady was smart and Horace did not suspect her even once. She took his finger prints all over the place which landed him in the jail. On her part, she was also a thief and she escaped with all the jewels kept in the safe.  

 

Q2. Horace Danby was a meticulous planner but still he faltered. Where did he go wrong and why? [100-150 words]

Ans. The place where he went wrong was that he did not gather enough information about the real occupants of the house. He gathered all the information about the tracks, wirings, gardens, servants and even the dog’s name but he still forgot to overlook the identities of the house owners. He even took out the information of the valuables inside the safe. Once he got into a problem, he could not even think properly and carelessly opened the safe and touched many things in the room without wearing his gloves.

 

Q3. What were Horace Danby’s plans for his latest robbery? [100-150 words]

Ans. Horace was sure that the robbery he was planning for that year was going to be as successful as all the others so far. He had been observing and studying the house at Shotover Grange for two weeks. He had observed everything minutely. That afternoon, when he planned to rob the house, he had seen the two servants, who remained in the Grange, going to the movies. He came out from behind the garden wall. He had packed his tools carefully in a bag on his back. Horace knew that there were about fifteen thousand pounds worth of jewels in the Grange safe and if he sold them one by one, he was sure to get enough money to last him for another year.

 

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Chapter 5 – Footprints without Feet

 

Q1. Describe the curious episode which took place in a clergyman’s study. [30-40 words]

Ans. A clergyman and his wife were awakened very early in the morning by noises coming from the study. They crept downstairs and heard the chink of money being taken from the clergyman’s desk. With a poker grasped firmly in his hand, the clergyman hoped to surprise the thief. However, it was he who was surprised when he found the room to be empty. He and his wife looked under the desk, behind the curtains, and even up the chimney. There was nobody there. Yet the desk had been opened and the housekeeping money was missing. It was a curious episode, and the clergyman kept saying the words “extraordinary affair” for the rest of the day.

 

Q2. Why does Mrs. Hall find the scientist (the new guest) eccentric? [30-40 words]

Ans. Mrs Hall found the scientist eccentric because of his strange appearance and also, when she tried to be friendly with him, he rebuffed her by saying that he had come there for solitude and did not wish to be disturbed in his work.

 

Q3. What made the boys follow Griffin? [30-40 words]

Ans. The boys saw freshly made muddy footprints on the path but there was no one to be seen who would be leaving those footprints. This intrigued the boys and hence, they decided to follow those footprints without feet which were actually left by the invisible scientist, Griffin.

 

Q4. How did Griffin’s invisibility come to his help whenever he found himself in trouble? [100-150 words]

Ans. Griffin’s invisibility helped him every time he found himself in trouble. For example, when he went to rob the Innkeeper, he could not be spotted by him. Another instance was when he stole some clothes from the big store in London to cover himself in the cold but after being spotted by people he ran for his life and was forced to undress once again and become invisible. Griffin even scared the Innkeeper by revealing his invisible self and thus, found an escape every time. Thus, Griffin’s invisibility can be said to be his savior in disguise as it helped him escape miseries during various situations in the story.

 

Q5. How would you assess Griffin as a scientist? [100-150 words]

Ans. Griffin was a brilliant scientist, as he discovered the scientific formula to make a human body invisible. This was indeed a big achievement in science but he seemed to enjoy the feeling of power when he became invisible. He misused his discovery to satisfy his personal needs and got sadistic pleasure by hurting others. Although he was brilliant in his job, but he was not a noble scientist who made contribution to the larger benefit of society. His discovery of invisibility was therefore, done just for his own benefit.

 

Q6. A brilliant scientist though he was, Griffin misused his scientific discovery. Illustrate this point by giving any two examples from the story. [100 – 150 words]

Ans. Griffin was brilliant as a scientist. He had found a way by which a human could become invisible. He himself became invisible a number of times and his experiment was a huge hit. His invention could have been used for the welfare of science as well as mankind if he used it in a proper way but he chose to use his invention for his own selfish needs.

When he ran out of money, he decided to steal money from the house of a clergyman and to do so he misused his own invention. When everyone suspected him and called the police, he even tried to escape from the chase of the police.

One more crime that he committed after misusing his invention was burning the house of his landlord when the landlord asked him to empty his house.

 

Q7. Discoveries of science can be used for the welfare of mankind as well as for its destruction. How is this applicable to Griffin’s scientific discovery? Explain giving examples from the text. [100 – 150 words]

Ans. Discoveries of science can be used for the welfare of mankind as well as for its destruction. This is completely applicable to griffin’s scientific discovery. Griffin as a scientist was brilliant. He had found a way by which a human can become invisible. He himself became invisible a number of times and his experiment was a huge hit. His invention could have been used for the welfare of science as well as mankind if he used it in a proper way but he chose to use his invention for his own selfish needs.

When he ran out of money, he decided to steal money from the house of a clergyman and when police chased him he escaped. One more crime that he committed after misusing his invention was burning the house of his landlord when the landlord asked him to empty his house.

 

Also See:

 

Chapter 6 – The Making of a Scientist

 

Q1. How did Richard Ebright’s mother help him? [30-40 words]

Ans. Richard Ebright was curious as well as bright. His mother played a pivotal role in encouraging his interest to learn. She took him on trips. She also brought him telescopes, microscopes, cameras, mounting materials as well as other equipment. She pushed him to learn more and explore the environment around him.

 

Q2. Why did Ebright lose interest in tagging butterflies? [30-40 words]

Ans. Ebright lost interest in tagging butterflies because it was a tedious work that did not provide much feedback. He had already recaptured only two butterflies that he had tagged, not more than seventy-five miles from his residence.

 

Q3. Give a brief character sketch of Ebright’s mother. [100-150 words]

Ans. Richard H Ebright’s mother was a gentle and kind lady who encouraged and inspired Ebright’s interest in learning. It was she who laid the foundation of his success as a scientist. After her husband’s death, her son, who was studying in the third grade, became her life. She encouraged her son’s keen interest in learning. She understood that her son had a curious and bright mind. She recognised his son’s scientific temper, so she made sure that her son had everything that he needed. She took him on trips and bought him telescopes, microscopes, cameras, mounting material and all other equipment. She was his only companion before Richard started going to school. When Richard’s school started it was she who encouraged him to make friends. She would invite his friends to their house. She would sit with him at night. Even when Richard did not have any work to do, his mother made sure that she found something to engage her son. It was she who got him the book “The Travels of Monarch X” and opened the world of science for him. She knew that her son had a passion and did all things possible to fulfil them. This support, guidance, care and concern of Ebright’s mother made him into the prodigal and successful scientist.

 

Q4. What other interests, besides Science, did Richard Ebright pursue? What did Mr. Weiherer, his Social Studies teacher, tell us about Ebright? [100-150 words]

Ans. Richard Ebright was interested in science since childhood and had won many competitions but he also had many other interests. He was a passionate public speaker and was an important part of Debating Society and Model United Nations Club. He was an enthusiastic photographer, especially interested in nature and  scientific exhibits. He was also a canoeist and enjoyed the outdoors. Mr. Weiherer said that Ebright would always put extra effort. Not only did he put in three or four hours at night engaging himself in debate research but would also do all his research with butterflies and deal with his other areas of interest. Mr. Weiherer was of the opinion that Ebright was competitive in a true sense. He didn’t want to win just for the sake of winning but to accomplish his ambition and contribute the best that he could in this field. In fact, Mr. Weiherer always said, “For the right reasons, he wants to be the best.”

 

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Chapter 7 – The Necklace

 

Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow:

Instead of being delighted, as her husband had hoped, she threw the invitation spitefully upon the table murmuring, “What do you suppose I want with that”?

 

(a) The invitation was

(i) to attend a wedding ceremony (ii) to attend an opera

(iii) to watch a horse race (iv) to attend an official dance party

Ans. (iv)

 

(b) The husband had hoped for his wife’s happy reaction because :

(i) she rarely got a chance to attend a function.

(ii) most employees used to get invited.

(iii) both (i) and (ii) are correct.

(iv) both (i) and (ii) are incorrect.

Ans. (i)

 

(c) The lady was frustrated because__.

Ans. The lady was frustrated because she had nothing special to wear at such a grand party.

 

(d) Which word in the passage means the same as whispering?

Ans. The word ‘murmuring’ means the same as whispering.

 

Question Answers

 

Q1. Why was Matilda unhappy in her early married life? [30-40 words]

OR

Why is Mme Loisel always unhappy? [30-40 words]

Ans. Matilda Loisel was very pretty. She considered herself to be born for a luxurious life but the reality differed from her dreams. In reality, she was married to a petty clerk and had to lead a very simple life. Her fantasy over ambitiousness made her unhappy.

 

Q2. We should be happy with what we have and should not crave for what we don’t have. Matilda suffered in her life because she was not contented. Comment. [100 – 150 words]

Ans. Matilda was married to a clerk in the office of the Board of Examinations. She was dissatisfied with the middle-class life. She constantly compared her life to that of aristocrats and felt she was born to have all the luxuries. This covetousness led to her downfall. After being invited to an occasion, she got into a fit as she had nothing to wear. Her husband gave her his saved money to buy a dress. After getting the dress made, she realized that she has no jewelry to adorn her neck. Therefore, she borrowed a necklace from a friend. As she was not careful with the necklace, she lost it at the party. From then onwards Matilda and her husband had to borrow money from usurers, change their lodgings and rent an attic. Matilda was compelled to do all the housework herself and M. Loisel had to work overtime to pay for the real diamond necklace that they presumed was lost.

 

Q3. Mme Forestier proved to be a true friend of the Loisels. Elaborate. [100 – 150 words]

Ans. Mme Forestier proved to be a true friend of the Loisels. When Mme Loisel had no one, it was Mme Forestier who helped her. She let her try all her jewels and asked her to borrow whichever she liked the most. Matilda tried each and every piece of jewel and lastly found a superb necklace of diamonds packed in a black satin box. Mme Forestier agreed to let Matilda borrow that without hesitating even once. Later, in the end, when Matilda told Mme Forestier how much trouble she had to go through because of the diamond necklace, Mme Forestier felt very sorry and told her the truth that the necklace was fake. She could have said that the necklace was real but she chose to tell her a truth. All these things show that she was a really nice person.

 

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Chapter 8 – Bholi

 

Q1. Why did Bholi dislike Bishamber? [30-40 words]

Ans. Bholi disliked Bishamber because he humiliated her for her pock-marked face and demanded five thousand rupees from her father to marry her in spite of already being old, married and having children. He was greedy, mean and a contemptible coward for a husband.

 

Q2. Why did Bholi not marry Bishamber? [30-40 words]

Ans. Bholi refused to marry Bishamber because after seeing her pock-marked face, he demanded five thousand rupees from her father to marry her. Bholi did not want to marry a greedy, mean and contemptible coward and therefore calls off the wedding.

 

Q3. How did education change Bholi’s personality? [100-150 words]

Ans. Education changed Bholi’s personality drastically and for good. Before joining school, she was a simpleton, neglected girl, considered a burden by the family. She was not cared for, she stammered and lacked confidence. The teacher at the school gave her love and affection which transformed Bholi. Bholi became fit for her formal name Sulekha. She attained education and became self dependent. When at the wedding, she saw the groom demanded money for marrying her and insulted her father, Bholi stood for herself, spoke up and refused to marry such a man. Thus, education had brought about a tremendous change in her. 

 

Q4. What do you know about Bishamber Nath? Why did Bholi refuse to marry him? [100-150 words]

Ans. Bishamber Nath was a rich man who had a big shop, his own house and several thousand rupees in the bank. Bholi’s parents agreed to marry her to him because of these reasons. He did not even ask for dowry. Her mother thought that Bholi was lucky to get such a well-to-do bridegroom.

Bholi refused to marry Bishamber because after seeing her pock-marked face, he demanded five thousand from her father to marry her. Bholi did not want to marry a greedy, mean and contemptible coward for a husband and therefore calls off the wedding

 

Q5. How did Bholi’s teacher help her to overcome her fear of school and become a confident girl? [100-150 words]

Ans. Bholi’s teacher was very different from all the other people she had met. Even her parents did not expect much to come of her. But her teacher encouraged her and gave her hope. She was kind to her and advised her that if she came to school regularly, in a month’s time she would be able to read books. In this way she would be more learned than anyone else in the village and no one would be able to laugh at her. She told her that people would listen to her with respect and Bholi would be able to speak without the slightest stammer. She then just followed her teacher religiously and hence, overcame her fear and became a confident girl.

 

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Chapter 9 – The Book that Saved the Earth

 

Q1. How did the people on the earth help the Martian people? How did this effort help the people on both the planets? [100-150 words]

Ans. The people on earth taught the Martians how to read. They taught them the difference between a sandwich and a book. They helped them set up a model library. It helped people on both the planets as they became friends and did not consider invasion as an option. The people of the earth taught the Martians the value of peaceful coexistence and that it is fundamental to the survival of every race. Peaceful coexistence leads to development and fruitful life.

 

Q2. Compare and contrast the characters of Great and Mighty Think Tank and Noodles. [100-150 words]

Ans. Mighty Think-Tank was haughty and loved being praised and respected. He did not have much knowledge yet he acted scholarly. Throughout the text, we see how he steals thoughts and ideas from Noodles and makes them his own. At first, Mighty Think-Tank calls the book a sandwich and orders the crew of Probe One to eat them. When Noodles says he recalls the book to be some sort of communicative device, the ruler of Mars tells the crew to listen intently for information and read it. Then he plagiarises Noodle’s idea of swallowing vitamins in order to decipher the code. Several times we see how Mighty Think-Tank discredits Noodle’s words and calls them trifling. His name contradicts his nature. Noodles on the other hand was smart and knowledgeable. He was not gullible as Mighty Think-Tank but reasoned with logic. He was even respectful to Mighty Think-Tank.

 

Also See:

 

Deleted Chapter

Chapter – The Hack Driver

 

Q1. Write a character sketch of the hack driver. [100-150 words]

Ans. Oliver Lutkins is a sly and cunning character from the short story “The Hack Driver”. He is a young man who looks more like a college boy than a professional, and he has an easygoing, affable manner that seems to put people at ease. He is a smooth talker who is adept at getting what he wants from people. He is charming and persuasive, and he has a way of making people believe that he is on their side. However, his appearance and personality are a facade, and underneath lies a devious and manipulative personality. Despite his apparent charm, Lutkins is not well-liked by most of the people he meets. He has a reputation for being a “shyster” or a “grafter,” and many people are wary of him. However, he is skilled at playing on people’s weaknesses and insecurities, and he is often able to get them to do what he wants.

 

Q2. What did the hack driver tell the narrator about Lutkin’s mother? How did she treat the narrator? [100-150 words]

Ans. The hack driver said that Lutkins’ mother was a terror. He once took a trunk out for her and she almost took off his skin because he didn’t treat it like a box of eggs. She was about nine feet tall and four feet thick and as quick as a cat. She could talk for hours. He also mentioned that Lutkins played a lot of poker and was good at deceiving people. He admired Lutkins’ talent for dishonesty. She treated the narrator badly. She didn’t tell him anything about Lutkins. Later, when she got to know that about the narrator’s visit, she came to attack him with an iron road.

 

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