PSEB Class 10 English Chapter 6 The Home-Coming Important Question Answers from English Main Course Book
PSEB Class 10 English The Home-Coming Question Answers – Looking for questions and answers for PSEB Class 10 English Main Course Book Chapter 6 The Home-Coming? Look no further! Our comprehensive compilation of important questions will help you brush up on your subject knowledge. Practising Class 10 English question answers can significantly improve your performance in the exam. Improve your chances of scoring high marks by exploring Chapter 6 The Home-Coming now. The questions listed below are based on the latest PSEB exam pattern. All the Questions Answers given at the back of the lesson have also been covered.
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PSEB Class 10 English Chapter 6 The Home-Coming Textbook Questions
A. Comprehension Questions And Answers
(i) Answer the following questions:
1. Who was Phatik?
Ans. Phatik Chakravorti was a fourteen-year-old village boy who led the local children in pranks. He was the elder son of a widowed mother who favored his younger brother Makhan over him.
2. What was the new mischief Phatik thought of?
Ans. Phatik planned to gather all the boys to roll a heavy log away from its place to confuse and anger its owner.
3. Why were Phatik and his friends annoyed with Makhan?
Ans. Makhan sat on the log and refused to move, deliberately sabotaging their prank and undermining Phatik’s authority.
4. What was Phatik’s ‘new manoeuvre’?
Ans. He ordered the boys to roll the log with Makhan still sitting on it, avoiding direct confrontation while completing their prank.
5. Why did Phatik beat Makhan even in the presence of his mother?
Ans. His mother accused him of hitting Makhan, refused to believe his denial, and Makhan lied to confirm the false accusation. Enraged by this injustice, Phatik lost control and actually beat him.
6. Was Makhan speaking the truth?
Ans. No. Makhan had attacked Phatik first after being rolled with the log, then lied to their mother saying Phatik hit him.
7. Why did Phatik’s mother want to send him away to her brother’s house?
Ans. She found Phatik troublesome and wanted to be rid of him. She feared he would harm Makhan and saw the opportunity to relieve herself of the burden.
8. How was Phatik received by his aunt?
Ans. She was unhappy with his arrival and treated him as an unwanted burden.
9. Why couldn’t Phatik do well at school in Calcutta?
Ans. He was unprepared, unhappy, homesick, got no help at home, and was beaten by teachers daily.
10. How did Phatik’s aunt behave on learning about the loss of his book?
Ans. She called him a “clumsy country lout” and refused to buy him a new book.
11. What was the immediate reason for Phatik’s departure from his uncle’s house?
Ans. He got malaria and feared being a burden to his aunt, so he tried to run away home.
12. Why did Bishamber send for his sister?
Ans. Phatik was very sick and kept calling for his mother, so Bishamber understood he needed her.
13. What were Phatik’s last words?
Ans. “Mother, the holidays have come.”
(ii) Answer the following questions:
1. How does Phatik feel when he is at Calcutta?
Ans: Phatik feels deeply miserable and unwelcome in Calcutta. His aunt constantly criticizes him, his cousins mock him, and teachers beat him daily. He is extremely homesick, standing by windows watching other children play. He feels like an unwanted guest, lonely and desperate to return home.
2. Why does Bishamber want to take Phatik to Calcutta?
Ans: Bishamber wants to help his widowed sister who finds Phatik troublesome. He kindly offers to take Phatik to Calcutta and educate him with his own children, hoping to relieve his sister’s burden while giving Phatik better opportunities. His intentions are genuinely good and charitable.
3. Who is responsible for Phatik’s death?
Ans: Multiple people share responsibility. His mother’s prejudice and rejection started it. His aunt’s cruelty and neglect worsened his condition. Bishamber failed to protect him from his wife’s abuse. Makhan’s lies deepened his misery. Together, their lack of love and care caused his tragic death.
4. Write a character-sketch of:
a. Bishamber
Ans: Bishamber is a kind-hearted but weak man. Though successful in business, he fails as Phatik’s guardian. He brings Phatik home with good intentions but cannot protect him from his wife’s cruelty. Only when Phatik is dying does he show genuine care, but by then it’s too late.
b. Makhan
Ans: Makhan appears innocent but is actually manipulative. Though described as good and quiet, he deliberately provokes Phatik, lies to their mother, and exploits her favoritism. He’s cunning, vengeful, and uses his position as the favored son to get Phatik into trouble repeatedly.
c. Phatik’s aunt
Ans: Phatik’s aunt is cold and cruel. She resents his presence from the start, viewing him as an unwanted burden. She constantly insults him, refuses to help him, and shows no compassion even when he’s sick. Her heartless treatment destroys Phatik’s spirit and contributes to his death.
d. Phatik’s mother
Ans: Phatik’s mother is a struggling widow who unfairly favors Makhan over Phatik. She always believes the worst about Phatik, beats him, and feels relieved when he leaves. Though she arrives crying “my darling” when he’s dying, her love comes too late to save him.
5. Give a pen-portrait of Phatik.
Ans: Phatik is a fourteen-year-old village boy, initially confident and adventurous as the local ringleader. However, constant rejection transforms him into a miserable, homesick child. Sensitive and justice-loving, he suffers silently through beatings and criticism. His desperate longing for home and love ultimately leads to his tragic death from neglect.
6. Describe the quarrel between Phatik and Makhan.
Ans: Makhan deliberately sits on the log to ruin Phatik’s prank. When threatened, he refuses to move. Phatik orders the boys to roll the log with Makhan on it. Makhan falls, then violently attacks Phatik. Later, Makhan lies to their mother, claiming Phatik hit him first, causing their mother to beat Phatik unfairly.
(iii) Tick (√) the correct statements as found in the lesson :
1. Phatik loved his brother Makhan.
2. Phatik was a perpetual nuisance to his mother.
3. Bishamber wanted to help his sister.
4. Phatik was welcomed by his aunt.
5. Phatik’s cousins too made fun of him.
Ans.
1. Phatik loved his brother Makhan. (✓)
2. Phatik was a perpetual nuisance to his mother. (✓)
3. Bishamber wanted to help his sister. (✓)
4. Phatik was welcomed by his aunt. (✕)
5. Phatik’s cousins too made fun of him. (✓)
B. Vocabulary Exercises
II (i) Fill in the blanks with adjective forms of the following words:
futility, philosophy, delirium, dignity, fertility
1. Phatik had a …………. brain.
2. He behaved in a …………. manner.
3. He knew that it was a ……… attempt.
4. By night he had become …………. .
5. Makhan sat on the log in a …….. Mood.
Ans.
1. Phatik had a fertile brain.
2. He behaved in a dignified manner.
3. He knew that it was a futile attempt.
4. By night he had become delirious.
5. Makhan sat on the log in a philosophical mood.
(ii) Match the words in Column A with their opposites in Column B :
| A | B |
| unanimously | applaud |
| timidly | liked |
| futile | take, receive |
| furious | invigorated |
| fertile | individually |
| earthly | boldly |
| impotent | useful |
| exhausted | barren |
| bequeath | calm |
| despised | heavenly |
| jeer | potent |
Ans.
| Column A | Column B |
| unanimously | individually |
| timidly | boldly |
| futile | useful |
| furious | calm |
| fertile | barren |
| earthly | heavenly |
| impotent | potent |
| exhausted | invigorated |
| bequeath | receive |
| despised | liked |
| jeer | applaud |
(iii) Makhan was ‘as good as gold’. Complete the following expressions in the same way:
1. as white as ……….
2. as black as ……….
3. as innocent as ……….
4. as obstinate as ……….
5. as gentle as ……….
Ans.
1. as white as snow/milk/chalk
2. as black as coal/night/pitch
3. as innocent as a lamb/a dove/a child
4. as obstinate as a mule/a donkey
5. as gentle as a lamb/a dove
C. Grammar Exercises
III (i) Fill in the blanks with the correct verb form of the italicized words :
1. All Indians should try to ……….. their motherland. (glory)
2. Makhan sat and ……….. in a corner. (sulk)
3. Phatik was not .…. by Makhan’s antics. (amusement)
4. Mother was ……….. at Phatik’s ways. (distress)
5. Phatik’s patience was already ………. . (exhaust)
6. Phatik’s aunt constantly …….. him. (despise)
7. One day he …….. his patience. (loss)
Ans.
1. All Indians should try to glorify their motherland.
2. Makhan sat and sulked in a corner.
3. Phatik was not amused by Makhan’s antics.
4. Mother was distressed at Phatik’s ways.
5. Phatik’s patience was already exhausted.
6. Phatik’s aunt constantly despised him.
7. One day he lost his patience.
(ii) Fill in the blanks with suitable articles :
1. …….. Ganga is ………. sacred river.
2. He reads ……….. Bible every day.
3. The man struck …….. match.
4. Where is …….. money to come from ?
5. He began …….. series of experiments.
6. I was on ………. official visit.
7. There was ………. elephant on the road.
Ans.
1. The Ganga is a sacred river.
2. He reads the Bible every day.
3. The man struck a match.
4. Where is the money to come from?
5. He began a series of experiments.
6. I was on an official visit.
7. There was an elephant on the road.
(iii) Fill in the blanks with the passive forms of the verbs given in italics to complete the following sentences :
1. Children were making a noise. The Principal was ……….. (inform)
2. This letter should ………..(post)
3. He is not well ; he ………. to the hospital. (take)
4. The child is crying ; it should ……… (help)
5. It is getting dark ; the shop …….. (close)
Ans.
1. Children were making a noise. The Principal was informed.
2. This letter should be posted.
3. He is not well; he has been taken/was taken to the hospital.
4. The child is crying; it should be helped.
5. It is getting dark; the shop is being closed/will be closed.
(iv) Put proper punctuation marks in the following passage and use capital letters wherever necessary:
the effect of books is two fold books preserve knowledge in time and spread it in space suppose for example that you think of an important idea or a beautiful poem unless you can write it down your idea or poem will probably die.
Ans.
Corrected Passage: The effect of books is two-fold. Books preserve knowledge in time and spread it in space. Suppose, for example, that you think of an important idea or a beautiful poem. Unless you can write it down, your idea or poem will probably die.
D. Pronunciation Practice
Check up the pronunciation of the following words in the dictionary and say them aloud:
| sugar | tobacco | soot |
| tomb | colleague | menu |
| career | alcohol | grammar |
| iron | cadre | climb |
| colonel | echo | woman |
Don’t you think you should learn phonetic symbols to be able to read the correct pronunciation of words from the dictionary?
Check the pronunciation of the following words in the dictionary and say them aloud:
| Word | Pronunciation | Phonetic Symbol Explained |
| sugar | “SHUG-er” | SH + short “u” (as in “put”) + g + er |
| tobacco | “tuh-BAK-oh” | tuh + BAK (stress) + oh |
| soot | “soot” (rhymes with “put”) | s + short “oo” (as in “put”) + t |
| tomb | “toom” (silent ‘b’) | t + long “oo” (as in “boot”) + m |
| colleague | “KOL-eeg” | KOL (stress) + long “ee” + g |
| menu | “MEN-yoo” | MEN (stress) + yoo |
| career | “kuh-REER” | kuh + REER (stress, long “ee”) |
| alcohol | “AL-kuh-hol” | AL (stress) + kuh + hol |
| grammar | “GRAM-er” | GRAM (stress) + er |
| iron | “EYE-ern” | EYE (stress) + ern (NOT eye-RON) |
| cadre | “KAH-dray/KAD-er” | KAH + dray OR KAD + er |
| climb | “klime” (silent ‘b’) | k + long “i” (as in “kite”) + m |
| colonel | “KER-nel” | KER (stress) + nel (sounds like “kernel”) |
| echo | “EK-oh” | EK (stress) + oh |
| woman | “WUU-muhn” | WUU (as in “would”) + muhn |
Note: Learning phonetic symbols helps you read correct pronunciation from dictionaries!
E. CREATIVE WRITING AND EXTENDED READING
1. Write a paragraph on the psychology of the working of the mind of a boy at the age of fourteen. (Refer to the para beginning with: In this world there is….)
Ans.
The Psychology of a Fourteen-Year-Old Boy
The age of fourteen represents one of life’s most challenging transitions, especially for boys navigating the uncertain territory between childhood and adulthood. As Tagore observes, a fourteen-year-old boy is “neither ornamental nor useful”, too old to be showered with the uncomplicated affection given to small children, yet too young to command the respect accorded to adults. This liminal state creates profound psychological vulnerability. Physically, rapid and uneven growth makes boys feel awkward and unattractive, as their bodies betray them by growing “out of clothes with indecent haste” while their faces become “suddenly angular and unsightly.” Socially, they face impossible double binds: speaking childishly earns mockery for being a “baby,” while speaking maturely brings accusations of impertinence. In fact, any speech at all is resented, creating a silencing that damages emerging identity.
Psychologically, this is precisely when boys most desperately “crave recognition and love” in their “heart of hearts,” yet society withholds affection based on the misguided belief that “undue indulgence” will spoil them. This cruel contradiction, needing love most when it’s most denied, creates boys who become “painfully self-conscious” and either “unduly forward” or “unduly shy,” unable to find comfortable social ground. The result is that they become like “stray dogs that have lost their master”, frightened, defensive, rejected creatures desperately seeking belonging but finding only criticism. Tragically, society’s harsh treatment during this vulnerable period can inflict psychological wounds that never fully heal, as Phatik’s story so powerfully demonstrates. What fourteen-year-old boys need most is patience, understanding, and the security of unconditional belonging, precisely what they most rarely receive.
2. Do you remember any particular incident of your childhood? Write a few lines about what you remember.
Ans: This is a personal reflection question. Students should write about their own childhood memory in 5-7 sentences, describing: what happened, where and when, who was involved, why it was memorable, and how they felt. For example:
I vividly remember the day I got lost in a crowded market when I was seven years old. I had been holding my mother’s hand, but when I stopped to look at colorful toys in a shop window, I lost her in the crowd. Panic overwhelmed me as I saw only strangers’ legs moving around me. I stood crying until a kind shopkeeper took me to his store and helped me call my mother. When she finally arrived, running and crying with relief, she hugged me tightly. That incident taught me how precious family is and how frightening the world can feel when you’re alone. Even today, whenever I’m in crowded places, I remember that childhood fear and hold tightly to those I love.
5. Write a paragraph on:
i) East or West, Home is the Best.
Ans. Home is where we feel most loved and comfortable. No place can replace the warmth and security of our own home, where family accepts us without judgment. We can be ourselves freely at home. When facing difficulties, home provides shelter and peace. Our happiest memories are created with loved ones at home. Phatik’s story proves this – despite opportunities in Calcutta, he only longed for his village home. True happiness lies in the love and comfort of home, not in grand places.
ii) Role of Parental Love in the Life of a Child
Ans. Parental love is essential for a child’s healthy development. Children need affection and support to grow confident. Love makes them feel secure and valued, helping them face challenges. Lack of parental love causes loneliness and emotional problems. Phatik’s mother’s prejudice destroyed him emotionally, making him feel unwanted. Every child deserves unconditional love from parents. This love shapes personality, builds confidence, and gives strength to succeed in life.
Punjab Board Class 10 English Chapter 6 The Home-Coming Extra Question and Answers
Extract-Based questions
A.
“Phatik Chakravarti was the ring-leader amongst the boys of the village. One day a plan for new mischief entered his head. There was a heavy log lying on the mud-flat of the river, waiting to be shaped into a mast for a boat. His plan was that they should all work together to shift the log by main force from its place and roll it away.”
Q1. What was Phatik’s position among the village boys?
Ans. Phatik was the ring-leader or leader among the village boys, meaning he was the one who led them in their activities and mischief.
Q2. What mischievous plan did Phatik think of?
Ans. Phatik planned that all the boys should work together to shift a heavy log from its place and roll it away just for fun, knowing it would surprise and anger the owner.
Q3. Where was the log lying and what was it meant for?
Ans. The log was lying on the mud-flat of the river, and it was waiting to be shaped into a mast for a boat.
Q4. What does the phrase “by main force” suggest about their plan?
Ans. The phrase “by main force” suggests that they would use all their physical strength and effort to move the heavy log, as it required considerable force to shift it.
Q5. What does this incident reveal about Phatik’s character?
Ans. This incident reveals that Phatik was adventurous, mischievous, and had leadership qualities. He enjoyed planning pranks and could convince other boys to follow his ideas.
B.
“When Phatik entered the house, his mother saw him and called out angrily: ‘So you have been hitting Makhan again?’ Phatik answered indignantly: ‘No, I haven’t! Who told you that I had?’ His mother shouted: ‘Don’t tell lies! You have.’ Phatik said sullenly: ‘I tell you, I haven’t. You ask Makhan!’ But Makhan thought it best to stick to his previous statement. He said: ‘Yes, mother, Phatik did hit me.'”
Q1. What accusation did Phatik’s mother make against him?
Ans. Phatik’s mother accused him of hitting his younger brother Makhan again, showing her immediate assumption that Phatik was always at fault.
Q2. How did Phatik respond to his mother’s accusation?
Ans. Phatik responded indignantly and denied the accusation, insisting that he hadn’t hit Makhan and asking his mother to verify the truth by asking Makhan himself.
Q3. Why did Makhan lie to his mother?
Ans. Makhan lied to stick to his previous false statement and to avoid revealing that he was actually at fault for spoiling Phatik and his friend’s game by sitting on the log stubbornly.
Q4. What does this incident reveal about the mother’s attitude towards Phatik?
Ans. This incident reveals that the mother had a prejudice against Phatik and always believed he was guilty without listening to his side of the story, showing her unfair and biased treatment.
Q5. How did Phatik react when Makhan continued to lie?
Ans. Phatik’s patience was exhausted and he could not bear this injustice, so he rushed at Makhan and hit him several times, saying “Take that for telling lies,” which unfortunately confirmed his mother’s false accusation.
C.
“When they reached Calcutta, Phatik met his aunt for the first time. She was by no means pleased with this unnecessary addition to her family. She found her own three boys quite enough to manage without taking any one else. And to bring a village lad of fourteen into their midst, was terribly upsetting. Bishamber should really have thought twice before committing such an indiscretion.”
Q1. How did Phatik’s aunt react when he arrived in Calcutta?
Ans. Phatik’s aunt was not pleased at all with his arrival. She considered him an unnecessary addition to her family and was upset about having to manage another boy.
Q2. How many sons did Bishamber have?
Ans. Bishamber had three sons of his own, whom his wife felt were already quite enough for her to manage.
Q3. Why did the aunt consider Phatik’s arrival “terribly upsetting”?
Ans. The aunt found it upsetting because Phatik was a fourteen-year-old village boy who would be difficult to manage, and she felt she had enough responsibility with her own three sons.
Q4. What does the word “indiscretion” suggest about the aunt’s opinion of Bishamber’s decision?
Ans. The word “indiscretion” suggests that the aunt thought Bishamber had made an unwise and thoughtless decision by bringing Phatik to Calcutta without properly considering the consequences.
Q5. What does this extract reveal about the environment Phatik was entering?
Ans. This extract reveals that Phatik was entering a hostile and unwelcoming environment where he would not receive love or acceptance, making his stay in Calcutta painful from the very beginning.
D.
“Phatik heard her words and sobbed aloud: ‘Uncle, I was just going home; but they dragged me back again.’ The fever rapidly increased, and throughout the night the boy was delirious. Bishamber brought in a doctor. Phatik opened his eyes, and looking up to the ceiling said vacantly: ‘Uncle, haven’t the holidays come yet?'”
Q1. What did Phatik reveal about his intentions when he was found?
Ans. Phatik revealed that he had been trying to go back home to his mother, but the police had found him and brought him back to his uncle’s house against his will.
Q2. What happened to Phatik’s health after he was brought back?
Ans. Phatik’s fever rapidly increased and he became delirious throughout the night, showing that his physical condition had become very serious and critical.
Q3. What question did Phatik ask his uncle repeatedly?
Ans. Phatik repeatedly asked his uncle “Haven’t the holidays come yet?” showing his desperate longing to return home and his confused, feverish state of mind.
Q4. What does Phatik’s question about holidays reveal about his mental state?
Ans. His question reveals that even in his delirious condition, his only thought was of returning home. The holidays represented his hope of escape from his miserable situation in Calcutta.
Q5. Why did Phatik try to run away from his uncle’s house?
Ans. Phatik tried to run away because he could no longer bear the constant neglect, insults, and harsh treatment from his aunt and cousins. He was desperately homesick and felt like an unwelcome burden in the house.
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
1. “The Home-Coming” is written by ________.
A. R.K. Narayan
B. Rabindranath Tagore
C. Mulk Raj Anand
D. Premchand
Ans. B. Rabindranath Tagore
2. Phatik Chakravarti was the ________ amongst the boys of the village.
A. youngest member
B. ring-leader
C. weakest boy
D. most studious
Ans. B. ring-leader
3. What was lying on the mud-flat of the river?
A. A boat
B. A heavy log
C. A fishing net
D. A treasure chest
Ans. B. A heavy log
4. The log was meant to be shaped into a ________ for a boat.
A. sail
B. oar
C. mast
D. anchor
Ans. C. mast
5. Who sat on the log and refused to move?
A. Phatik
B. Bishamber
C. Makhan
D. A village elder
Ans. C. Makhan
6. Makhan appeared like a young philosopher meditating on the ________.
A. beauty of nature
B. futility of things
C. meaning of life
D. power of friendship
Ans. B. futility of things
7. What did Phatik order the boys to do?
A. Leave Makhan alone
B. Roll the log with Makhan on it
C. Go home immediately
D. Call their parents
Ans. B. Roll the log with Makhan on it
8. After being rolled, Makhan rose “blind as Fate and screaming like the ________.”
A. Thunder
B. Wind
C. Furies
D. Storm
Ans. C. Furies
9. Who was Bishamber?
A. Phatik’s father
B. Phatik’s uncle (mother’s brother)
C. Phatik’s teacher
D. Phatik’s friend
Ans. B. Phatik’s uncle (mother’s brother)
10. Where had Bishamber started his business?
A. Delhi
B. Calcutta
C. Mumbai (Bombay)
D. Chennai
Ans. C. Mumbai (Bombay)
11. How did Phatik’s mother describe him to Bishamber?
A. As a wonderful child
B. As a perpetual nuisance
C. As very intelligent
D. As her favorite son
Ans. B. As a perpetual nuisance
12. According to the mother, Makhan was as good as ________ and as quiet as a ________.
A. silver, mouse
B. gold, lamb
C. diamond, cat
D. pearl, dove
Ans. B. gold, lamb
13. What did Phatik bequeath to Makhan before leaving?
A. His books and clothes
B. His fishing-rod, big kite, and marbles
C. His money
D. His toys
Ans. B. His fishing-rod, big kite, and marbles
14. How did Phatik’s aunt react to his arrival in Calcutta?
A. She welcomed him warmly
B. She was by no means pleased
C. She was indifferent
D. She was excited
Ans. B. She was by no means pleased
15. According to the story, there is no worse nuisance than a boy at the age of ________.
A. twelve
B. thirteen
C. fourteen
D. fifteen
Ans. C. fourteen
16. What was Phatik’s condition in the school at Calcutta?
A. He was the brightest student
B. He was average
C. He was the most backward boy
D. He was good at sports
Ans. C. He was the most backward boy
17. What did Phatik lose that made his situation worse?
A. His clothes
B. His money
C. His lesson book
D. His way home
Ans. C. His lesson book
18. What did Phatik’s aunt call him when he lost his book?
A. “You lazy boy”
B. “You great, clumsy, country lout”
C. “You foolish child”
D. “You careless student”
Ans. B. “You great, clumsy, country lout”
19. When Phatik was found by police, he was suffering from ________.
A. hunger
B. fever and malaria
C. broken bones
D. exhaustion only
Ans. B. fever and malaria
20. What were Phatik’s last words before he died?
A. “I want to go home”
B. “Mother, the holidays have come”
C. “Uncle, help me”
D. “I miss Makhan”
Ans. B. “Mother, the holidays have come”
True or False
Identify whether the following statements are true or false-
1. Phatik was the youngest boy in the village.
2. The heavy log was meant to be shaped into a mast for a boat.
3. Makhan immediately obeyed when Phatik told him to get off the log.
4. Bishamber was Phatik’s father’s brother.
5. Phatik’s mother had a prejudice against him.
6. Phatik was excited and eager to go to Calcutta with his uncle.
7. Phatik’s aunt welcomed him warmly to their home in Calcutta.
8. Phatik was the best student in his school in Calcutta.
9. Phatik ran away from home because he had a headache and fever.
10. Phatik’s mother arrived before he died.
Answers:
1. False (He was the ring-leader, not necessarily the youngest)
2. True
3. False (He refused to move and sat more comfortably)
4. False (Bishamber was his mother’s brother, his maternal uncle)
5. True
6. True
7. False (She was “by no means pleased” and found it “terribly upsetting”)
8. False (He was the most backward boy in the whole school)
9. True (He felt he was going to have malaria and feared being a nuisance)
10. True (She burst into the room, though Phatik could barely recognize her)
Fill in the Blanks-
1. Phatik Chakravarti was the ________ amongst the boys of the village.
2. Makhan ________ up without a word and sat down on the log.
3. Phatik’s ________ brain rapidly seized upon a new manoeuvre.
4. The middle-aged man who came ashore had ________ hair and dark moustache.
5. Bishamber had gone away soon after his sister had ________.
6. Phatik’s mother said Makhan was as good as ________ and as quiet as a ________.
7. Phatik bequeathed to Makhan his fishing-rod, his big kite, and his ________.
8. Phatik’s ________ was by no means pleased with this unnecessary addition to her family.
9. There is no worse nuisance than a boy at the age of ________.
10. When Phatik was found by police, his face and eyes were flushed with ________.
Answers:
1. Ring-leader
2. Sauntered
3. Fertile
4. Grey
5. Married
6. gold, lamb
7. Marbles
8. Aunt
9. Fourteen
10. fever
Extra Questions
Answer the following questions briefly
1. Describe the prank Phatik planned.
Ans: Phatik planned to gather all the village boys to use their combined strength to move a heavy log that was meant to become a boat’s mast. The prank involved rolling the log away from its designated place, which would confuse and anger the owner while providing amusement for the boys.
2. How did Makhan provoke Phatik?
Ans: Makhan deliberately sat on the log the boys planned to move, refusing to budge despite requests. When the log was rolled with him on it and he tumbled, Makhan violently attacked Phatik, then later lied to their mother, falsely claiming Phatik had hit him first.
3. Why did Phatik’s mother favor Makhan?
Ans: The mother had an irrational prejudice against Phatik and saw him as a perpetual nuisance who was lazy, disobedient, and wild. She favored Makhan because she viewed him as “good as gold, quiet as a lamb, and very fond of reading,” automatically believing Makhan’s lies and rejecting Phatik’s truth.
4. What opportunities did Bishamber offer Phatik?
Ans: Bishamber offered to take Phatik to Calcutta and educate him along with his own three children, providing opportunities for better schooling and advancement that wouldn’t be available in the village. This seemed like a generous opportunity to escape his difficult home situation.
5. Why was Phatik initially happy to leave home?
Ans: Phatik was thrilled to leave because he felt unwanted and unloved at home due to his mother’s prejudice and favoritism toward Makhan. The prospect of going to the big city of Calcutta and receiving education seemed like an adventure and escape from constant rejection.
6. Why did Phatik fail academically in Calcutta?
Ans: Phatik failed because he came from an inferior village education system, received no support from his resentful aunt, suffered brutal daily beatings from teachers, and was too emotionally devastated by homesickness and constant rejection to focus on learning. When he lost his textbook and couldn’t get it replaced, studying became impossible.
7. What does the narrator say about the age of fourteen?
Ans: The narrator observes that fourteen-year-old boys are the worst nuisance in the world because they are “neither ornamental nor useful”, too old for childish affection but too young for adult respect. They desperately crave love but society withholds it, making them painfully self-conscious and like “stray dogs that have lost their master.”
8. Why was Phatik afraid when he became ill?
Ans: Phatik’s primary fear when he developed malaria was that “he might be a nuisance to his aunt.” This shows how completely her constant criticism had destroyed his self-worth, even facing serious illness, he worried more about inconveniencing others than about his own health.
9. What did Phatik attempt to do during the rainstorm?
Ans: Despite suffering from fever and facing torrential rain, Phatik attempted to walk back to his village home. This desperate escape attempt shows the depth of his homesickness and misery, he preferred risking death in a storm to staying another day in his aunt’s house.
10. What is ironic about Phatik’s final words?
Ans: The tragic irony is that Phatik believed the “holidays” he had asked about had finally come, meaning he could go home to his village. In reality, his “holiday” was death itself, and his “homecoming” was the journey to the afterlife rather than return to his beloved village.