First Flight

PRASHANT KIRAD
CLASS 10 NOTES
ENGLISH
PRASHANT KIRAD
PRASHANT KIRAD
A. Prose
i. A Letter to God
ii. Nelson Mandela - Long Walk to Freedom
iii. Two Stories About Flying
iv. From the Diary of Anne Frank
v. Glimpses of India
vi. Mijbil the Otter
vii. Madam Rides the Bus
viii. The Sermon at Benares
ix. The Proposal (Play)
B. Poems
i. Dust of Snow
ii. Fire and Ice
iii. A Tiger in the Zoo
iv. How to Tell Wild Animals
v. The Ball Poem
vi. Amanda!
vii. The Trees
viii. Fog
ix. The Tale of Custard the Dragon
x. For Anne Gregory
PRASHANT KIRAD
PROSE
PRASHANT KIRAD
A LETTER TO GOD
Introduction: Lencho's Sadness After the Hailstorm
Once upon a time, there was a farmer named Lencho who lived with his
family on a hill. He worked hard to grow corn in his field, hoping for a
good harvest to support his family.
Lencho's Hope Crushed by the Hailstorm

One day, during supper, it started raining, making Lencho happy. He went
outside to feel the rain, thinking it would help his crops. However, strong
winds and hailstones suddenly appeared, destroying all his corn. His once-
green field turned into a snowy landscape.
Lencho's Strong Belief in God

Even though Lencho lost everything, he believed in God and wrote a letter
seeking help. In his letter, he asked God for a hundred pesos to replant
his field and feed his family until the new crops grew. He believed that
God could make things right.
The Postmaster's Response

After a good laugh at the unique address, Lencho's letter reached the
post office, and the postmaster read the heartfelt plea. Touched by
Lencho's faith, he gathered money from the post office employees and
even contributed from his salary.
Lencho's Disappointment and Second Letter to God
Lencho received the money but was disappointed to find only seventy
pesos. He wrote another letter to God, asking for the remaining thirty
pesos. He also mentioned not trusting the post office employees, calling
them crooks.
Conclusion: Lessons of Faith and Help from Others

Lencho's story teaches us about having faith, even when things go wrong. It
also shows how people can come together to help someone in need. The mix
of faith, irony at the post office, and Lencho's journey leaves us with a
valuable lesson about trust and kindness.
PRASHANT KIRAD
CHARACTER SKETCH OF LENCHO :

Lencho was a simple farmer who was very hard-working. He was
completely dependent on the yield of his fields. He had good knowledge
of farming. His crops had always been good. He knew his crops needed a
good downpour to get a good yield. But when the rain changed into a hail
storm his crop was destroyed. He became very sad. But since he had
strong faith in God, he didn‘t lose hope. He needed God‘s help. He knew
how to read and write. He wrote a letter to God asking for help. He was
fully confident that he would get the money. When he didn‘t get as
much money as he had asked, he became unhappy. He was not ready to
be happy with what he received. He felt that he was being cheated. But
he was not ungrateful to God. He felt angry thinking that the people in
the post office were crooks and they had stolen the rest of the money.
So he wrote another letter to God, instructing him to send money
directly to him, not through the post office. Lencho‘s innocence and
staunch belief in God are depicted in the story.
Extract-Based Questions.
1. The man went out for no other reason than to have the pleasure of
feeling the rain on his body, and when he returned he exclaimed,
―These aren‘t raindrops falling from the sky, they are new coins. The
big drops are ten-cent pieces and the little ones are five‘s.
Questions:
a. Who is the person described here?
Ans: Lencho, the farmer is described here.
b. Why did he go out in the rain?
Ans: He went out in the rain to feel the happiness of rain on his
body.
c. Why were the raindrops like new coins for Lencho?
Ans: Lencho thought that the raindrops would help him get a good
harvest and thus he can earn money. So the raindrops were like new
coins for Lencho.
d. How did raindrops bring disaster to his crops?
Ans: The raindrops soon turned into a hailstorm destroyed his crops
and ruined his hopes.
PRASHANT KIRAD
2. With a satisfied expression, he regarded the field of ripe

corn with its flowers, draped in a curtain of rain. But suddenly
a strong wind began to blow and along with the rain very large
hailstones began to fall. These truly did resemble new silver
coins. The boys exposing themselves to rain, ran out to collect
the frozen pearls. exposing themselves to rain, ran out to
collect the frozen pearls.
Questions:
a) Why was Lencho satisfied?
Ans: He was satisfied because his fields got good rains.
b) What does he compare the raindrops to?
Ans: He compared them to coins.
c) What do the frozen pearls‘ refer to?
Ans: The frozen pearls refer to hail stones.
d) Trace the word in the passage that means covered with.
Ans. draped
Top 10 PYQs (Most Expected)

1. What are the raindrops compared to and why?
Answer: Lencho observed the raindrops, likening them to
freshly minted coins. This analogy stemmed from the crucial
need for rain in his crops. As the rain fell in drops, Lencho
perceived it as a form of currency. To him, a bountiful crop
equated to financial prosperity, transforming the crops into a
monetary representation. Hence, he drew a comparison between
the rain-soaked fields and valuable coins.
2. All through the night, Lencho thought only of his one
hope. What was it? How did he think of it?
Answer: Lencho couldn't sleep all night. Hailstones wrecked his
crops, causing a lot of damage.
PRASHANT KIRAD
His only hope was in God. He believed that God saw everything and
trusted that things would get better. This hope helped him face
the loss of his crops. Lencho thought that even though his crops
were ruined, no one would go hungry. He believed in staying
positive, even when everything seemed lost.
3. What did Lencho do to face the sadness caused by the
destruction of the crop?
Answer: Lencho encountered a serious problem that could lead to
his family starving. In this crisis, he turned to his faith in God,
believing in a higher power that sees all. Worried that his family
might not survive, he felt desperate for help against hunger. To
seek assistance, he resolved to write a letter to God, appealing for
help to save and uplift his family from the sorrow they faced.
4. How did the postman and the postmaster react to
Lencho's letter to God?
Answer: The postman was taken aback by the unusual sight of
Lencho's letter addressed to God. Such a thing had never crossed
his path before; no one had ever sent a letter to God. Intrigued,
he decided to read Lencho's letter and found it amusing. Amused
by the content, he shared the letter with the postmaster. The
postmaster, too, was surprised by Lencho's unwavering faith in
God, finding himself inspired and wishing he could cultivate a
similar faith in his own life.
5. How did Lencho react when he counted the money? What
did he do thereafter?
Answer: Lencho never expected that God would send him
insufficient money, and frustration took hold when he tallied the
amount. Angrily, he approached the window, requesting paper and
ink. With furrowed brows, he penned another letter to God,
expressing his discontent and filing a complaint against the
officials.
PRASHANT KIRAD
6. What did Lencho write in his second letter to God?

Answer: Furious, Lencho resolved to compose another letter to
God. In this second letter, he detailed the shortfall in the
money he received. Despite requesting a hundred pesos, he
received only seventy pesos. Lencho urged God to send the
remaining amount but insisted it not be sent through the mail,
citing his distrust for the post office employees whom he
regarded as dishonest.
7. Were the post office employees really the crooks?
Answer: The post office employees were far from being dishonest;
in fact, they were genuinely kind individuals who diligently collected
the money for Lencho. They were compassionate and supportive,
with no intention of undermining Lencho's faith in God. Despite their
good intentions, Lencho, with his simple and naive mindset, labeled
them as crooks. This characterization stemmed from his unwavering
and unquestioning faith in God, rather than any actual wrongdoing on
the part of the postal workers.
8. What did the postmaster need to answer the letter?
How did he collect it?
Answer: The postmaster, a benevolent man, marveled at Lencho's
unwavering faith in God. Rather than disrupting it, he admired it and
wished he possessed a similar faith. Curious about Lencho's letter,
he opened it and decided to respond. However, realizing that
goodwill alone wouldn't suffice, the postmaster felt compelled to
fulfill Lencho's request for money. Seeking assistance from his
employees and contributing a portion of his salary, he endeavored to
collect the hundred pesos Lencho sought. Unfortunately, he could
only gather seventy pesos, which he promptly sent to Lencho.
9. "But don't send it to me through the mail, because the post-

office employees are a bunch of crooks". Why did Lencho say
so? What is your impression of the post- office employees?
PRASHANT KIRAD
Answer: In his lack of awareness, Lencho made these remarks,

unaware that human kindness could rival that of God. Initially
turning to God in his appeal for financial help, Lencho received
money that fell short of his request. Convinced that God, being
neither poor nor miserly, couldn't be the source of the shortfall,
Lencho suspected the post office employees of taking the
money, dubbing them a "bunch of crooks."
In my perspective, the post office employees were genuinely
benevolent. Their intention was solely to assist Lencho, and they
were even willing to attribute the credit to God. Despite their
good deeds, they found themselves subjected to undeserved
criticism and abuse.
10. How do you think the postmaster felt when he received
Lencho's second letter? What do you think he did?
Answer: Surprised by Lencho's response, the postmaster could
have found it amusing. Rather than being offended, he might have
been pleased with Lencho's strong faith in God. Appreciating
Lencho's simplicity, the postmaster, a kind-hearted person, could
have joyfully sought contributions from friends to fulfill the thirty-
peso shortfall, expressing his wish for a faith like Lencho's.
PRASHANT KIRAD
Nelson Mandela's Long Walk to Freedom

Struggle Against Apartheid:
In his autobiography, Nelson Mandela reflects on his journey as a
freedom fighter during the dark days of apartheid in South Africa.
The oppressive practice of apartheid led to discrimination based on
race and color, depriving dark-skinned individuals of their basic
rights.
Inauguration as South Africa's First Black President:
On May 10, 1994, a historic moment unfolded as Nelson Mandela took
the oath, becoming the first black president of South Africa.
Dignitaries worldwide witnessed this significant day, marking the
birth of a new democratic nation. Mandela emphasized the
establishment of a government free from discrimination.
Mandela's Vision for a Unified Nation:
In his inauguration speech, Mandela expressed gratitude to the
international community and pledged to eradicate the suppression
that plagued South Africa. He envisioned a nation where all its
citizens, regardless of race, would coexist without oppression. The
ceremony symbolized hope and the end of an era marked by racial
discrimination.
Freedom for Oppressors and the Oppressed:
Mandela recognized the need for freedom not only for the oppressed
but also for those who once suppressed others. He believed that
both oppressors and the oppressed were prisoners in their ways.
According to Mandela, true freedom involves overcoming fear and
fulfilling duties toward family, country, and community.
Life's Dual Obligations:
Mandela highlighted the dual obligations in a person's life – towards
family and the larger community. Despite the challenges in a country like
South Africa, he emphasized the importance of fulfilling these duties. As
Mandela matured, he realized that the illusion of freedom masked the
reality of exploitation, not just for himself but for his family and others.
PRASHANT KIRAD
Conclusion:
Mandela's journey, encapsulated in "Long Walk to Freedom,"
teaches us that bravery lies not in the absence of fear but in
conquering it. He emphasized the shared responsibility of achieving
freedom for both the oppressed and the oppressors, as true
liberation encompasses everyone.
Nelson Mandela: A Brief Character Sketch
Nelson Mandela, a visionary leader, displayed unwavering courage
as a freedom fighter against apartheid. His inspirational oratory
reflected a commitment to unity and equality. Compassionate and
reflective, Mandela envisioned freedom for both oppressors and
the oppressed. As he matured, he recognized the dual obligations
of family and community, acknowledging the illusion of freedom in
the face of exploitation. Defined by bravery, Mandela's enduring
legacy lies in his pursuit of justice, reconciliation, and a belief in
the inherent goodness of humanity.
1. Never, never, and never again shall it be that this beautiful land
will again experience the oppression of one by another. The sun shall
never set on so glorious a human achievement‘
Q/A:
a) Who is the speaker?
Answere: The speaker is Nelson Mandela
b) Which is the beautiful land the speaker refers to here?
Answere: The beautiful land in South Africa
c) What is the glorious human achievement‘ that the speaker
talks about in the extract?
Answer: The freedom that people of South Africa have
attained freedom after the fight against apartheid‘/the first
democratic non-racial government.
PRASHANT KIRAD
2. ‘It is from these comrades in the struggle that I learned the

meaning of courage. Time and again, I have seen men and women
risk and give their lives for an idea. I have seen men stand up to
attacks and torture without breaking, showing a strength and
resilience that defies the imagination. I learned that courage was
not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it.‘
Q/A:
i) Who learned the meaning of courage?
Answer: Nelson Mandela
ii) What has he seen again and again?
Answer: He has seen men and women risk and give their life for
the idea of freedom, again and again
iii) What has he noticed (seen) about the people?
Answer: He has seen men stand up to attacks and torture
showing strength and resilience.

1. What did Nelson Mandela remember on the day of the
inaugural ceremony? (2020)
Answer: On the inaugural day, Nelson Mandela felt the weight
of history as he reflected on the birth of apartheid, its impact
on his people, and the prolonged struggle for freedom against
racial discrimination. He recalled the sacrifices of past freedom
fighters and the eventual triumph that replaced the oppressive
system with one recognizing the rights and freedom of all,
regardless of skin color.
2. Nelson Mandela speaks of ‘Twin Obligations’. Elucidate.

[Board SQP 2020]
PRASHANT KIRAD
Answer: According to Nelson Mandela, every man has two

obligations—one is towards his family and the other is towards his
people and his country. But in the reign of apartheid, if one tried
to fulfill his duty towards his people, he was ripped off from his
family and home.
3. Freedom is inconsequential if it is behind bars of
prejudice and narrow mindedness. How would you explain this
statement? Support your answer with suitable examples from
the real world. [CBSE-QB, 2021]
Answer: Nelson Mandela believed that freedom is indivisible. His
hunger for his freedom became the greater hunger for the people. He
couldn’t live his life with dignity and self-respect if his people were
bound in chains. The chains on any one of his people were the chains on
all of them. Mandela realized that the oppressor must be liberated as
surely as the oppressed. A man who takes away another’s freedom is a
prisoner of hatred prejudice and narrow-mindedness. He is not truly
free if he is taking away someone else freedom. Surely, he is not free
when his freedom is taken away from him. A person’s freedom is of no
use if he doesn’t expand the horizons of his thoughts and think like a
narrow-minded person. A person’s freedom is insignificant if he takes
the freedom of another man, thus, the oppressed and the oppressor
alike are robbed of their humanity.
4. Why was Nelson Mandela overwhelmed with a sense of history?
How did he succeed in ending the apartheid regime in South
Africa? [Delhi Board Set- II 2020]
Answer: Mandela was overwhelmed with a sense of history because in the

first decade of the twentieth century a, few years after the bitter Anglo-
Bear War which was even before his own birth, the white- skinned people
of South Africa patched up their differences and erected a system of
racial domination against the dark-skinned people of their own land. But
now in the last decade of the twentieth century, and his own eighth decade
as a man, that system had been overturned forever and replaced by the
one that recognised the rights and freedoms of all people, regardless of
the colour of their skin.
PRASHANT KIRAD
This marked the victory of democracy. Nelson Mandela set the

ideals of liberating people from the bondage of poverty,
deprivation, and suffering. He had also set the ideal for a
society where there would be no discrimination based on the
gender or racial origin of the person.
5. Why was the apartheid regime in South Africa one of the
harshest and most inhuman systems in the
world?
Answer: The apartheid regime was based on the racial
discrimination and exploitation of blacks in South Africa. The basic
fundamental rights were only for the whites and the blacks were
deprived of these freedoms. Oppression, torture, and exploitation
of the blacks were common features of the apartheid regime.
6. “Depths of oppression” create “heights of character.” How
does Mandela illustrate this? Can you draw similarities between
the freedom struggles of Africa and India?
Answer: “Depths of oppression” certainly creates “heights of
character”. Mr. Mandela described that how the decades of
brutality and oppression of the white people made African patriots
like Oliver Tambo, Walter Sisulu, Luthuli, Dadoo and many more out
of ordinary people. They all were the men of courage, wisdom and
large heartedness. They suffered a lot for the freedom of the
nation and the equal rights of the black people. In our country too,
there were many extraordinary patriots like Mahatma Gandhi,
Chandra Shekhar Azad, Bhagat Singh, Raj Guru and many more who
struggled a lot for the freedom of our country and her people but
remained courageous while facing utmost cruelty at the hands of
British.
7. Which ‘extraordinary human disaster’ did Mr. Mandela
spoke about at the beginning of his speech?
Answer:The ‘extraordinary human disaster’ Mr. Mandela mentioned at
the beginning of his speech, he was referring to apartheid. It was a
system prevalent in South Africa, which segregated people based on
their race.
PRASHANT KIRAD
8. How has the attitude of the military generals towards

Mr. Mandela changed?
Answer: There is a change in the attitude of the military
generals towards Mr. Mandela. They saluted him and pledged
their loyalty. This change in their attitude is significant because
during apartheid the same military generals would have arrested
him instead of saluting him.
9. What does Mr. Mandela say about the oppressor?
Answer: About the oppressor, Mr. Mandela says that an
oppressor who takes away the freedom of someone else, is not
free either. An oppressor is a prisoner of hatred. Such a person
is a captive of prejudice and narrow-mindedness. Mr. Mandela
feels that the oppressed and the oppressor alike are robbed of
their humanity.
10. Give a character-sketch of Nelson Mandela highlighting his
struggle against the apartheid regime for the human rights of his
people.
Answer: Nelson Mandela was the hero of all black heroes who waged
a relentless fight against apartheid and the racial regime in South
Africa. He suffered untold suffering and torture in prison but led
the country to install the first democratically elected government in
South Africa. Nelson Mandela was not born with a hunger to be free.
Later on, he realized that his boyhood freedom was an illusion. He
also realized his concept of freedom in his youth was also ‘transitory’
and was limited to his freedom. Only when he joined the African
National Congress, did his freedom become the greater hunger for
the freedom of his people. Only then, a frightened young lawyer
transformed into a bold ‘criminal’. A family-loving husband was forced
to lead a life of a monk in secrecy.
He was grateful for acknowledging the unimaginable sacrifices of
thousands of black heroes for the freedom of their people. Modestly,
he realized that freedom is indivisible. He realized that he could not
lead a free and honorable life if his people were in chains. He had a
wider vision of humanity.
PRASHANT KIRAD
Two Stories About Flying

Part I - His First Flight
Facing Distrustful Wings:
The story revolves around a young seagull plagued by fear,
hesitating to fly due to a lack of trust in its wings. Despite
having shorter wings, the seagull's younger siblings soar
fearlessly, creating a stark contrast.
Parental Encouragement and Threats:
The young bird struggles to muster the courage to take
flight, often recoiling in fear at the brink of the ledge. The
parents resort to calling and threatening starvation to
motivate their hesitant offspring. Despite their efforts, the
seagull remains grounded, watching its family gracefully
navigate the skies.
Hunger on the Ledge:
A pivotal moment occurs when the family migrates to a vast
plateau, leaving the apprehensive seagull hungry on the
opposite cliff. Desperate, the young bird implores its mother
for food, and a piece of fish is brought across. Starving, the
seagull lunges at the food with such intensity that it propels
him outward and downward.
The Leap of Faith:

At that moment, as he feels the rush of air beneath his
wings, the seagull discovers the exhilaration of flight. The
once fearful bird transforms into a fearless aviator, joining
his siblings in soaring and diving through the open skies. This
marks a triumphant overcoming of fear and a newfound
freedom in flight.
PRASHANT KIRAD
Character Sketch: His First Flight

The story features a timid young seagull struggling with fear
and a lack of trust in its wings. Contrasting with its fearless
siblings, this character undergoes significant growth,
overcoming its apprehensions and discovering the joy of flight.
The seagull's parents play an authoritative role, employing both
encouragement and stern warnings. The ledge and cliff serve as
symbolic settings, representing the edge of comfort and fear. A
pivotal moment on a big plateau prompts the seagull's
transformation, triggered by hunger and resulting in a fearless
leap into flight. Overall, the narrative explores universal themes
of courage, personal growth, and triumph over fear.
1. He stepped slowly out to the brink of the ledge, and standing on one
leg with the other leg hidden under his wing; he closed one eye, then the
other, and pretended to be falling asleep. Still, they took no notice of
him.‘
Q/A:
a. What did the young seagull do?
Ans: The young seagull wanted to catch the attention of the
others. So he pretended to fall asleep on the brink of the ledge
b. What was the seagull afraid of?
Ans: The seagull was afraid to fly.
c. Why did he close his eyes one at a time?
Ans: He was pretending to fall asleep.
d. What could his brothers and sister do that he was not able
to?
Ans: They could fly but he was not able to.
PRASHANT KIRAD
2. His father and mother had come around him calling him
shrilly, upbraiding him, and threatening to let him starve on
the ledge unless he flew away. But for the life of him, he
could not move.
Q/A:
a) How did his parents try to make him fly?
Ans: First, they invited him encouragingly. Then scolded and
threatened to leave him alone to starve unless he flew away
b) What was the effect of their efforts?
Ans: All their efforts failed but he did not fly.
c) What does the passage convey about the young seagull?
Ans: He was a coward.
d) How was the young seagull threatened by his parents
initially when he did not fly?
Ans. First his parents encouraged him to fly but later on, they
even threatened to let him starve if he did not fly.

1. How did the young seagull’s family celebrate his
first flight?
Answer: The young seagull was afraid to fly. Even the
encouragement and coaxing didn’t work. But when the seagull
had his first flight, he as well as his family was happy, relieved
and proud of him to have completed his first flight.
2. Flying is a natural act in birds. Then why was the young
seagull ‘exhausted by the strange exercise’?
Answer: The seagull didn’t dare to fly. Hence, he used to make
excuses for not flying. He felt certain that his wings were too
weak to support him. He had no courage to flap his wings and
failed to muster up the courage to take the plunge.
PRASHANT KIRAD
3. What was the young seagull’s experience during his

first flight?
Answer: Falling from the ledge, the seagull was terrified, but soon
he started soaring and then flying. He forgot that he didn’t always
know how to fly. His fear soon turned into confidence, and then
into amusement. As he was landing, he was again afraid, but, soon
became at ease. It was a memorable first flight.
4. How did the young seagull’s parents treat him initially
when he did not fly?
Answer: First, his parents encouraged him, coaxed him then
scolded and taunted him for his cowardice. They even threatened
to let him starve if he did not fly. But the young seagull could not
muster up the courage to fly.
5. Did the seagull think the sea was like land? Pick out the
words that suggest this.
Answer: Yes, the seagull thought that the sea was like land. He
called it the green (looting. When he had learned how to fly, he
flew for some time. Then he came down and stood on the sea
surface thinking it to be like land. But his legs sank into the sea.
‘Dropped his legs to stand on’, ‘sank into’, and ‘screamed with
fright’ are the words that suggest this.
6. Do you sympathise with the seagull? Give reasons.
Answer: Yes, we sympathize with the seagull. He is a very young

bird. He has not yet learned how to fly. His parents want he
should fly. They encourage him. But he is afraid of falling. His
parents starve him for twenty-four hours. In the end, however,
the seagull learns how to fly.
7. Why didn’t the young seagull take the plunge? What

stopped him from doing so?
PRASHANT KIRAD
Answer: The young seagull was the only one in the family who
couldn’t fly in the air. His brothers and sister had far shorter
wings than his wings but they had already learned the art of
flying. He felt certain that his wings would never support him.
So he was hesitant and afraid of flapping his wings and go deep
in the air.
8. Did upbraiding and threatening of his parents help him
in flying?
Answer: The parents of the young seagull did try to teach his
young one the art of flying. He wouldn’t simply move from his
ledge. They would fly around him encouraging and challenging
him to follow them. When he wouldn’t budge, his parents would
fly around calling him shrilly. They would upbraid and threaten
to let him starve unless he flew away.
9. How were his two brothers and sister different from the
young seagull?
Answer: His two brothers and his sister had far shorter wings than
he had. But still, they had flown away only the day before. He would
watch his parents perfecting them in the art of flying. They were
taught how to skim the waves and dive for the fish. The young
seagull had seen his older brother catch his first herring and devour
it.
10. How did the young seagull overcome his fear and soared
gradually towards the sea during his first flight?
Answer: The young seagull had taken the final plunge. Maddened by
hunger, he dived at the fish which his mother was carrying in her
beak. With a scream, he fell outwards and downwards. He was
seized with fear and his heart stood still. But the fear lasted only
for a minute. He overcame it. The next moment he felt his wings
spread outwards. Now he was soaring downwards over the blue sea.
PRASHANT KIRAD
Two Stories About Flying

Part II – Black Aeroplane
Dreaming of a Holiday
In the story of "Black Aeroplane," a pilot shares how his desire
for a family holiday clouds his judgment during a flight from
Paris to London. Envisioning a tasty breakfast upon landing, he
ignores warning signs as dark clouds loom on the horizon,
signaling an approaching storm.
Choosing the Risky Path:
Instead of turning back for safety, the pilot, driven by his
holiday dream, decides to fly into the storm, putting the lives
of passengers at risk.
Turbulence and Panic:
As the plane enters the storm, everything goes dark,
instruments fail, and the pilot loses control. Panic sets in with
very little fuel left, raising doubts about survival.
A Mysterious Companion:
Amidst the storm, the pilot sees another plane beside him.
Desperate, he follows this unknown guide, fearing the
diminishing fuel.
Hope and Disappearance
The mysterious plane leads the way out of the storm, offering
a glimmer of hope. However, it disappears suddenly, leaving the
original pilot bewildered and questioning the reality of the
encounter.
The Shocking Revelation
Upon landing, the pilot discovers there is no other plane; it is
an illusion. The shock of his misjudgment and the surreal
experience linger as he reflects on the consequences of
prioritizing his holiday dream over safety.
PRASHANT KIRAD
Character Sketch: The Pilot in "Black Aeroplane"

The pilot in "Black Aeroplane" is a seasoned aviator driven by a
desire for a family holiday. Despite his expertise, a risky
decision to fly into a storm, fueled by personal fulfillment, leads
to a perilous situation. The character's vulnerability surfaces as
panic sets in during instrument failure. The encounter with a
mysterious plane prompts reflection on the consequences of
prioritizing personal dreams over safety, marking a
transformative moment in the character's journey.
1. I knew I could not fly up and over them, and I didn‘t have enough fuel
to fly around them to the north or south. ―I ought to go back to Paris
thought, but I wanted to get home
Q/A:
a. What does ‗them‘ in the first sentence refer to?
Ans: Them‘ means the big black clouds
b. Why could he not fly over on either side of storm clouds?
Ans: There was not enough fuel left in the Dakota – -airplane
for him to fly around the clouds
c. Why did he not go back to Paris?
Ans: He wanted to get home and enjoy breakfast with his family
d. Which country was the pilot of the plane flying towards?
Ans: The Pilot was flying towards England.
2. He turned his aero plane slowly to the north, in front of my

Dakota, so that it would be easier for me to follow him. I was
very happy to go behind the strange aero plane like an
obedient child.
Q/A:
a)Where was the pilot at this time?
Ans: The pilot was inside the black storm cloud.
PRASHANT KIRAD
b) Who does he ‘ refer to in the first sentence?

Ans: The pilot of the Black airplane.
c) Why did he of the black aero plane bring his plane in front
of the Dakota airplane?
Ans: The pilot tried to guide the author out of the storm clouds
by asking him to follow him.
d) Why did the pilot of the Dakota follow him like an obedient
child?
Ans. He was lost and all his instruments had stopped working. He
wanted to find a way out of the storm/ He wanted to get out of
the storm safely.

1. “I’ll take the risk.” What is the risk? Why
does the pilot of the old Dakota take it?
Answer: The risk is that of going through the storm in the
narrator’s old Dakota airplane. He flew through as he did not
have fuel to fly around them, and couldn’t fly over them. Also,
he wanted to get home for a big English breakfast.
2. Describe the black clouds from the point of view of the
pilot.
Answer: The writer was going from France to England. He was
flying his Dakota airplane. When he had gone 150 kilometers from
France, he saw storm clouds. They were huge. They looked like
black mountains standing in front of him across the sky.
3. How did the black aeroplane rescue the first pilot?
Answer: The pilot of the black airplane waved his hand. He gestured
for the first pilot to follow him. The writer followed him. He
followed the black plane for half an hour. Suddenly, his plane was
out of the clouds. He could see the lights of the airport and landed
his airplane. In this way, the black airplane rescued the first pilot
PRASHANT KIRAD
4. Was the pilot of the Dakota able to meet the pilot of

the black?
Answer: No, he was not able to meet the pilot of the black
airplane. When he was going to land his plane, he looked behind
him. But the black plane was not there. The sky was empty. The
woman at the control center told him that no other planes were
flying on that stormy night.
5. Why didn’t he return to Paris when he saw the storm
clouds?
Answer: Paris was 150 kilometers behind him when he saw the
storm clouds. They were huge. They looked like black mountains
standing in front of him. He could not fly up and over them as he
didn’t have enough fuel. He thought of going back to Paris but
changed his idea. He decided to go to England to be in time for
breakfast.
6. The narrator had two options before risking himself
entering the storm clouds? Why didn’t he choose them?
Answer: Definitely, the narrator had two options before him if he
didn’t want to take the risk of entering the storm cloud. He could
turn back and go to Paris which was about 150 kilometres behind
him. Another option was to fly up and over the dark clouds. But he
didn’t choose any of the options. He wanted to be in England to
have his breakfast in time. He couldn’t fly around the clouds to
the north or south as he didn’t have enough fuel to fly.
7. What did he do when he was inside the clouds?
Answer: The narrator took the risk of entering the black storm
clouds. Inside them, everything was suddenly black. Nothing
could be seen outside. The old plane jumped and twisted in the
air. He couldn’t believe his eyes when his compass was dead. His
other instruments didn’t work and were dead too. He tried to
contact Paris control on the raids but received no answer.
PRASHANT KIRAD
8. Who rescued the narrator when he was hopelessly lost

in the storm clouds?
Answer: There seemed no hope for the narrator. He was
hopelessly lost in the storm clouds. His compass and other
instruments were dead. Even Paris control didn’t respond. In
such a hopeless situation, the narrator saw another airplane
flying next to him. It had no light on its winds but he could see
the pilot’s face. The pilot came to his help. When he said “Follow
me,” the narrator followed him like an obedient child.
9. Why did the narrator want to meet the woman in the control
tower? Did he get any information about the mysterious
disappearance of the black aeroplane and its pilot?
Answer: The narrator didn’t know how the pilot and the black
airplane disappeared into space. He wanted some definite
information from the woman in the control room about them. She
told him that on that stormy night, no plane was in the sky except
his old Dakota. So, the narrator didn’t know anything about the
mysterious man who helped him to arrive safely without a compass
or a radio.
10. Describe the flight of the Dakota airplane until it landed
safely at the airport.
Answer: The writer of this story is a pilot. One night he was flying his
old Dakota aeroplane over France. It was a starry night. He was going
to England. He hoped to spend his holiday with his family. It was an
easy journey and he was in a joyful mood. He looked at his watch. It
was one-thirty in the morning. Through his wireless, he contacted Paris
Control. They told him to turn twelve degrees west. He did as he was
advised to do. He was 150 kilometers from Paris. Suddenly the writer
saw huge black clouds before him. It was not possible to fly up and
over the clouds. He did not have much fuel with him. So it was not
possible to fly around the big mountains of clouds to the right or left.
He decided to take the risk and flew his airplane straight into the
clouds.
PRASHANT KIRAD
From the Diary of Anne Frank

Anne's Diary:
In the story, Anne feels a bit weird starting a diary for the first
time. She thinks no one will care about her experiences in the
future. Still, she decides to write down her thoughts because she
feels lonely without friends to talk to. She names her diary "Kitty"
to give her need for a friend a shape.
Talking to Paper:
Anne believes that paper can understand her thoughts better than
people, especially those who don't have much patience. Even though
she has friends, she can't share everything with them. So, she uses
her diary to express herself and feel better. Her father gives her
the diary on her 13th birthday, making it a special gift.
School Challenges:
In the story, Anne talks about feeling nervous about school test
results, especially in math. Her math teacher gives her extra
homework because she talks a lot in class. Instead of getting upset,
Anne turns one of her punishments into a funny poem, making the
teacher laugh.
Having Fun with Words:
Even though Anne gets into trouble for talking too much, she finds
a way to make it fun. She writes a poem about being a chatterbox
and turns a punishment into something amusing. This helps her stay
happy, even when things are tough.
Anne's Diary:
Overall, "From the Diary of Anne Frank" shows that writing in a
diary can be like talking to a friend. It helps Anne feel better and
find joy, even when she faces challenges in school. The story
reminds us that expressing our thoughts can be a good way to stay
happy, especially when we feel lonely.
PRASHANT KIRAD
1. Writing in a diary is a really strange experience for someone like me. Not
only because I have never written anything before, but also because it seems
to me that later on neither I nor anyone else will be interested in the musing of
a thirteen year old school girl. Oh well, it doesn't matter. I feel like writing
and I have an even greater need to get all kind of things off my chest. Paper
has more patience than people.' I thought of this saying on one of those days
when I was feeling a little depressed and was sitting at home with my chin in
my hands, bored and listless, wondering whether to stay in or go out.
(a)Whom does 'I' refer to in the given passage?
(b)'Paper has more patience than people' - Why did Anne Frank say that?
(c)Find a word in the passage that means 'deep thought'.
(d)Which word in the passage is a synonym of lethargic?
Answers:(a)’I refers to Anne Frank in the given passage.
(b)Anne Frank said that 'Paper has more patience than people' because one can rely
on the paper to confide his/her secrets and it listens carefully and silently.
(c)The word is 'musing'.
(d)The word is 'listless'.
2.Let me put it more clearly, since no one will believe that a thirteen-year-old
girl is completely alone in the world. And I'm not. I have loving parents and a
sixteen-year-old sister, and there are about thirty people I can call friends. I
have a family, loving aunts and a good home. No, on the surface I seem to
have everything, except my one true friend. All I think about when I'm with
friends is having a good time. I can't bring myself to talk about anything but
ordinary everyday things. We don't seem to be able to get any closer, and
that's the problem. Maybe it's my fault that we don't confide in each other.
In any case, that's just how things are, and unfortunately they're not liable to
change. This is why I've started the diary.
(a)Why was Anne Frank disturbed even when she had loving parents, relatives
and friends?
(b)Why did Anne decide to write a diary?
(c)Find the word that means the same as 'unluckily'
(d)To confide in somebody is to
Answers: (a) Anne Frank was disturbed even after being surrounded by so many
people because she didn't have any true friend.
(b)Anne decided to write a diary because she could not confide in anyone and felt
lonely.
(c)The word is unfortunately.
(d) It means to tell somebody your secrets or personal information.
PRASHANT KIRAD
1.How does Anne feel about her father, grandmother, Mrs.

Kuperus and Mr. Keesing?
Answer: Her father was the most adorable, she loved him very
much. She also loved her grandmother and often thought of her
with reverence after her death. She was deeply attached to her
teacher, Mrs. Kuperus, and was in tears when she left her. Anne
did not have a good impression of Mr. Keesing, her maths teacher
and often called him ‘old fogey’.
2.How do you know that Anne was close to her grandmother?
Answer: Anne lived with her grandmother for some months when
her parents went to Holland. She loved her deeply. When her
grandmother died, Anne felt sad. She often thought about her. So
she was close to her grandmother.
3. Why did a thirteen-year-old girl start writing a diary?
Did her suffocation lead her to it?
Answer: It should not be forgotten that Anne was living in hiding.
She couldn’t have normal dealings with the people outside. She could
talk about ‘ordinary things’ with her family and friends. She couldn’t
talk about highly personal and intimate issues with them. She didn’t
have any real friends. She felt utterly lonely and depressed.
Writing in a diary could get all kinds of things off her chest.
4. Give a brief life-sketch of Anne Frank.
Answer: Anne was born on 12 June 1929. She lived in Frankfurt until she
was four. Her father emigrated to Holland in 1933. Her mother went with
him to Holland in September. Anne and her elder sister, Margot, were sent
to Aachen to stay with their grandmother. Margot, went to Holland in
December and Anne followed in February. She started right away at the
Montessori nursery school. She stayed there until she was six, where she
started in the first form. His grandmother died in January 1942, when she
was thirteen.
PRASHANT KIRAD
5. Why does Anne say: “Paper has more patience than people”?
Answer: Anne doesn’t seem to have much faith in the people around
her. She was living in hiding and couldn’t trust people so easily.
Moreover, people do react. Sometimes people react rather negative,
unpleasant, vulgar and violent manners. Paper is an impersonal and non-
reactive object. Whatever you write on it, it receives it without giving
any such reactions.
6. Anne Frank had a great attachment with her grandmother.
Justify your answer.
Answer: There is no doubt that Anne Frank had a great attachment with
her grandmother. When her parents migrated to Holland, she along with
her elder sister Virago were sent to live with her grandmother in
Aachen. The grandmother died in January 1942. She thought of her
quite often and still loved her.
7. Why did Anne Frank says that teachers are the most
unpredictable creatures on earth?
Answer: Anne Frank felt that nothing could be predicted about the
mood of the teachers. They were the most ‘unpredictable creatures on
earth’. It depended on their choice who would go up in the next class.
Only they could decide who would be kept back. Half the class was
making bets.
8. How was Anne getting along with her teachers? Why was
Mr. Keesing annoyed with her?
Answer: No doubt, Anne Frank was getting along well with all her nine
teachers— seven men and two women. Mr. Keesing was an old-fashioned
man who taught them math. He was annoyed with her for a long time.
The reason was simple. He didn’t like Anne as she talked so much in
class.
9. How do you assess Anne’s character? You can choose appropriate
words from the following box and write a paragraph. Responsible;
caring and loving; humorous; talkative; sensible; patient; mature for
her age; lonely; accurate in her judgement; childish; intelligent?
Answer: Anne was a girl of thirteen years. She was very intelligent.
She had a sharp brain. She was different from the other girls of her
age.
PRASHANT KIRAD
She could think clearly and deeply. She had deep thoughts and
ideas that she wanted to share with someone. But she found
that her friends were not able to understand her completely.
Their mental level is not equal to that of Anne. They could talk
to Anne about the ordinary everyday matter only. She had
loving parents, an elder sister, and loving aunts also. But she
could not share her deep thoughts with anyone. So she
decided to make her diary to her friend. She wrote down her
inner thoughts and feelings in a diary. Anne had an
argumentative mind. She argued in her first essay that
parental trans arc inherited by children. She had a good sense
of humor. Her Maths teacher. Mr Keesing tried to play a joke
on her. But she wrote the essay in verse in such a way that the
Joke was turned on him.
10. What does Anne say about her parents, elder sister and her
stay in the Montessori School?
Answer: Anne calls her father very adorable. When her
parents were married, her father was thirty-six and her
mother was twenty-five. Margot was Anne’s elder sister. She
was born in Frankfurt in 1926. Three years later, Anne was
born. She lived in Frankfurt until she was four. Her father
migrated to Holland in 1933. Her mother, Edith Hollander
Frank, went with him. Anne and her sister Margot were sent
to Aachen to stay with their grandmother. Margot went to
Holland in December and Anne went three months later. Anne
started studying at the Montessori School. She stayed there
until she was six at which time she was in the first form.
When was in the sixth form, her teacher was Mrs Kuperus.
the headmistress. Both loved each other. When she left
school, both Anne and her teacher were in tears.
PRASHANT KIRAD
Glimpses of India
Part I – A baker from goa
Baker's Role in Goan Villages:
Set during Portuguese rule in Goa, the story centers on a local baker in
a Goan village. People consumed loaves of bread, crafted in large
furnaces. Bakers, known as "paders," would announce their presence
with a distinctive bamboo jingle in the streets.
Traditional Business Continuity:
While traditional loaves are less common today, remnants endure
through furnaces and bakers committed to preserving their ancestral
trade. The story reflects on the author's childhood, where the baker's
daily visits were a familiar routine.
Baker as Friend and Guide:
Beyond a purveyor of bread, the baker becomes a significant figure in
the author's life, serving as both a friend and guide. The recollection
emphasizes the personal connection forged during those formative
years.
Bread's Significance in Goan Culture:
During this historical period, bread held a prominent place in Goan
culture, especially the sweet bread known as Bol. The author reflects
on how these loaves were integral to various occasions, underlining the
cultural importance of the baker's craft.
Distinctive Baker's Attire:
The narrative touches upon the unique attire of the baker, specifically
the Kabai – a single-piece frock extending to the knees. This
distinctive dress adds a layer of cultural richness to the portrayal of
the baker and his trade.
Baking as a Profitable Venture:
Against the backdrop of Portuguese rule, baking emerges as a lucrative
business. The story explores the economic dynamics of this time,
shedding light on the profitability of the baker's trade.
PRASHANT KIRAD
Bread in Everyday Life:

The everyday significance of bread is highlighted through the author's
recollections of maidservants purchasing loaves to accompany their tea.
The routine of acquiring and enjoying bread becomes a memorable
aspect of daily life in the Goan village.
Cultural and Culinary Nostalgia:
The narrative weaves together cultural, culinary, and personal nostalgia,
offering a glimpse into a bygone era when life in a Goan village was
accompanied by the comforting presence of the local baker and the
aroma of freshly baked bread.
Character Sketch: The Goan Baker:

In the historical backdrop of Portuguese-ruled Goa, the central
character is the local baker, a skilled craftsman known as a "pader."
Beyond being a mere bread supplier, the baker symbolizes tradition,
friendship, and cultural identity. His distinctive Kabai attire sets him
apart, reflecting his role as a cultural custodian. The story unveils the
economic importance of baking during that time. The baker's impact
extends to everyday life, becoming a ritualistic presence as
maidservants purchase loaves for tea. Overall, the Goan baker is a
nostalgic figure, weaving memories of a bygone era through his
craftsmanship and personal connections.
1. We kids would be pushed aside with a mild rebuke and the loaves
would be delivered to the servant. But we would not give up. We would
somehow climb a bench or parapet and peep into the basket. I can still
recall the typical fragrance of those loaves. Loaves for the elders and
bangles for the children.
Q/A:
a. Who are we ‘ in the extract?
Ans: We in the extract refers to the narrator and his friends.
b. Why could he not fly over on either side of storm clouds?
Ans: The kids were pushed aside so that the bread could be
delivered to the servants
PRASHANT KIRAD
c) Which word/phrase in the extract means the same as an

expression of disapproval/a scolding‘?
Ans: The word ‗rebuke‘ from the extract means an expression
of disapproval/a scolding‘.
d) What was there in the basket?
Ans. There were some loaves for the elders and some bangles
for the children.

1. What did the baker mean to the narrator
during his childhood? How many times did he pay a
visit?
Answer: The baker or pader was an important person in the
author’s life. He was treated like a friend. He used to come
twice a day, once in the morning to sell bread and then while
returning after emptying his basket. The author used to run to
meet him to take the bread-bangles. He chatted and gossiped
with him.
2. What did the bakers wear —
(i) in the Portuguese days? (ii) When the author was young?
Answer: Kabai wants a particular dress — a single-piece long frock
reaching down the knees which the bakers used to wear in the old
days. Later it was replaced by a shirt and trousers which were
longer than the shorts and shorter than the full length.
3. What are the elders in Goa nostalgic about?
Answer: In Goa, the elders are nostalgic about the good Old
Portuguese days as well as the Portuguese and their famous loaves
of bread.
4. What marks of the Portuguese way of life can still be
seen in Goa?
PRASHANT KIRAD
Answer: Goa was once occupied by the Portuguese. They were

famous for preparing the loaves of bread. They left Goa long ago.
But the traditional work of the bakers can still be seen in Goa. The
furnaces in which the bread was baked still exist there.
5. What does the author recall about the visit of the baker
to his village?
Answer: The author recalls that a baker used to visit the village
twice a day. He used to be the author’s friend and guide. He used
to carry a bamboo stick. The sound of this stick is used to wake up
the author and others from sleep.
6. How was the village baker very important for special
occasions in the village?
Answer: The village baker was especially important for festive
occasions. The villagers were much fond of the sweet bread known
as ‘bol’. Marriage gifts were meaningless without these
sweetbreads. Sandwiches, cakes, and Bolin have been a must for
Christmas as well as other festivals. These were made with the
bread.
7. When did the baker collect his bills? What showed
that the bakers were prosperous?
Answer: The baker usually collects his bills at the end of the
month. In the household, the baker’s monthly accounts used to
be recorded on some wall in pencil. Baking was a profitable
business in those days. Their families never starved. Their plump
bodies showed that they were prosperous.
8. How can you say that the makers of the famous Goan
loaves are still there?
Answer: Many of those eaters of loaves might have died but their
makers still exist. The mixers, molders, and those who bake the
loaves are still there in Goa.
PRASHANT KIRAD
The fire in the furnace has not yet been extinguished and the
thud and jingle of the baker’s bamboo can still be heard in the
morning in some places. These bakers, known as padres, exist in
Goa even today. The family profession is still carried on.
9. Why was the baker, the friend, companion and guide of the
children?
Answer: For children, the very sight of the baker was quite
exciting. He was their friend, companion, and guide. The jingling
thud of his bamboo put them in rapture. They ran to meet and greet
him. It was not so much for the love of the loaf What they longed
for were the bread-bangles. Sometimes they liked the sweet bread
of special make.
10. What importance did the baker’s furnace have in the village
in Goa?
Answer: The loaves of bread had become an important and integral
part of the lives of the people in Goa. Marriages were meaningless
without the sweet bread or the bol. No party or feast was possible
without bread. The lady of the house would prepare sandwiches for
the engagement ceremony of her daughter. Cakes and sweetbreads
were a must for Christmas and other festivals. The presence of the
baker’s furnace was essential in the village.
PRASHANT KIRAD
Glimpses of India
Part I I– coorg
Heavenly Landscape and Aromatic Air:
Nestled between Mangalore and Mysore, Coorg, the smallest
district in Karnataka, is described as a heavenly abode. With
evergreen forests, coffee plantations, and spice groves, it
offers a delightful aroma in the air. Tourists flock here from
September to March to enjoy the favorable weather.
Mythical Roots and Cultural Blend:
Legend has it that a segment of Alexander the Great's army
settled in Coorg, giving rise to a unique blend of Greek or Arabic
descent. Locals wear the distinctive Kuppia, a long black coat
resembling the kuffia worn by Arabs.
Bravery and Military Legacy:
Known for their courage, the people of Coorg have a proud
military legacy, with the Coorg Regiment and India's first Army
Chief, General Cariappa, hailing from this region.
Ecological Significance and Panoramic Views:
Coorg's forests and hills are vital water sources for the Cauvery
River. The Brahmagiri hills offer panoramic views of the region,
while the Island of Nisargadhama hosts Buddhist monks, adding
a spiritual touch to the landscape. In essence, Coorg is a haven
for nature lovers, history enthusiasts, and those seeking a
unique cultural experience.
Character Sketch: Coorg's Brave Hearts
In the heart of Coorg lies a community known for its fierce
independence and courage. Coorgi homes stand as beacons of
hospitality, weaving traditions into their warm embrace. The
illustrious Coorg Regiment, the pride of the Indian army, mirrors
the valor deeply ingrained in the tales of their courageous sons and
fathers.
PRASHANT KIRAD
1. Midway between Mysore and the coastal town of Mangalore sits a
piece of heaven that must have drifted from the kingdom of God. This
land of rolling hills is inhabited by a proud race of martial men, beautiful
women, and wild creatures. Coorg, or Kodagu, the smallest district of
Karnataka, is home to evergreen rainforests, spices, and coffee
plantations.
Q/A:
a. Which kind of animals are we likely to see at Coorg?
Ans: We are likely to see wild animals in Coorg
b. What is Coorg known for?
Ans: Coorg is known for its evergreen rainforests, spices, and
coffee plantations.
(c) Which word in the extract means the same as having to do
with war‘?
Ans: Martial‘ from the extract means having to do with war‘.
(d) Where is Coorg situated?
Ans: Coorg is situated between the midway of Mysore and the
coastal town of Mangalore.
2. The fiercely independent people of Coorg are possibly of Greek or Arabic
descent. As one story goes, a part of Alexander‘s army moved south along
the coast and settled here when return became impractical. These people
married among the locals and their culture is apparent in the martial
traditions, marriage, and religious rites, which are distinct from the Hindu
mainstream.
Q/A:
(a) Which descent do the people of Coorg belong to?
Ans: The people of Coorg belong to Greek or Arabic descent
(b) Where can we find the culture of Coorg most apparently?
Ans: The Coorg people‘s culture is most apparent in their martial
traditions, religious rites, and marriages.
(c) Which word in the extract means an act that is part of a
religious ceremony?
Ans: Rites‘ from the extract means an act that is part of a religious
ceremony‘.
PRASHANT KIRAD

1. Why are the people of Coorg known as
descendants of the Arabs?
Answer: The theory of the people of Coorg as descendants of
the Arabs draws support from the long, black coat with an
embroidered waist-belt worn by the Kodavus known as kuppia.
It resembles the kuffia worn by the Arabs and the Kurds.
2. What does the writer say about Coorg?
Answer: The writer says that Coorg is the smallest district of
Karnataka. It is known as Kodagu also. Coorg lies between the
coastal towns of Mangalore and Mysore. It is a very beautiful
place. The writer says that it must have come from the kingdom of
God.
3. What is Coorg famous for? What is the best season to
visit Coorg?
Answer: Coorg is famous for its coffee plantations, evergreen
rainforests, and spices Thirty percent of its area is covered with
evergreen rainforests The best season to visit this place is from
September to March. The air is full of coffee flavor.
4. Describe the people and culture of Coorg.
Answer: Coorg is inhabited by a proud race of martial men,
beautiful women, and wild creatures. Coorgi homes have a tradition
of hospitality. There are many tales of valor related to the people
of Coorg. The Coorg Regiment is one of the most decorated in the
Indian Army. General Cariappa, the first Chief of the Indian Army,
was a Coorgi. Kodavas are the only people in India permitted to
carry firearms without a license.
PRASHANT KIRAD
5. How has the tradition of courage and bravery been

recognised in modern India? Give examples from the text.
Answer: The people of Coorg are known for I being fiercely
independent, brave and courageous. There are numerous tales of
valor connected with the people of Coorg. The Coorg Regiment is
one of the most decorated regiments in the Indian Army. The
first Chief of the Indian Army, General Cariappa, was a Coorgi.
The Coorgis are the only people in India who are permitted to
carry firearms without a license.
6. Describe the physical and geographical features of
Coorg.
Answer: Coorg is a piece of heaven that must have drifted from
the Kingdom of God. This is a land of rolling hills inhabited by a
proud race of martial men, beautiful women, coffee and wild
elephants. Coorg or Kodagu is the smallest district of Karnataka.
It is home to evergreen forests, spices and coffee plantation.
This beautiful region of rolling hills, rainforests and mist lies
between Mysore and the coastal town of Mangalore.
Rainforests dominate the physical feature of Coorg. They cover
more than thirty percent of this district. It rains heavily during
the monsoons. The most ideal season for tourists starts in
September and ends in March. The river Kaveri obtains its water
from the hills and rainforests of Coorg. The region abounds in wild
elephants and langurs besides a lot of birds, bees and butterflies.
The Brahmagiri hills provide a panoramic view of the entire misty
landscape of Coorg. The sixty-four-acre island of Nisargadhama is
a little paradise for the tourists.
7. Where and how can we have a panoramic view of the
misty landscape of Coorg?
PRASHANT KIRAD
Answer: The tourists are advised not to miss a climb to the

Brahmagiri hills. The climb to the Brahmagiri hills gives you a
panoramic view of the entire misty landscape of Coorg. Then you
can walk across the rope bridge. It will lead you to the sixty-four-
acre island of Nisargadhama.
8. How do the most laidback individuals become the life of
high-energy adventures in Coorg?
Answer: Coorg offers many outdoor high-energy adventures. Even the
most laidback individuals become converts to a life of high-energy
adventures. They enjoy river rafting, canoeing, rappelling, rock
climbing, and mountain biking. Numerous walking trails in Coorg are a
favorite with trekkers
9. Why does the author call Coorg apiece of heaven’ that must
have drifted from the kingdom of God?
Answer: Coorg, hailed as 'a piece of heaven,' boasts breathtaking
landscapes with rolling hills and lush rainforests covering over thirty
percent of its expanse. The air is infused with the aroma of fresh
coffee from sprawling estates adorned with colonial bungalows. The
river Kaveri originates from Coorg's hills and rainforests, providing a
habitat for diverse flora and fauna. Kingfishers dive into its waters,
seeking Mahseer, while playful elephants find joy in being bathed in
the Kaveri by their mahouts. The climb to Brahmagiri hills offers a
misty panoramic view of Coorg, enhancing its allure. Nisargadhama, a
sixty-four-acre island, stands as a tourist paradise. Temples and
Buddhist monks, draped in vibrant robes, represent the heart and soul
of India in this enchanting region.
10. Describe the largest Buddhist settlement in Coorg.
Answer: Below the rolling hills lie the largest Tibetan settlement in
India in Coorg. The Buddhist temple at Bylakuppe is famous for its
grandeur and beauty. The monks in their red, ochre, and yellow robes
represent the heart and soul of India, right here in Coorg.
PRASHANT KIRAD
Glimpses of India
Part III– Tea from Assam
Tea Time Musings:
Rajvir and Pranjol's Assam trip took an interesting turn during a
simple tea break. While sipping tea, Rajvir shared a fun fact—
people around the world enjoy over 800,000,000 cups of tea
every day. Rajvir admired the scenic tea-filled landscape, but
Pranjol, lost in a detective book, missed the view.
Assam's Tea Beginnings:
Assam, with its big tea gardens, has a mysterious tea origin.
According to a Chinese story, tea was discovered when branches
accidentally fell into boiling water, creating a delicious drink.
Another tale connects tea to a monk's eyelids, giving birth to
plants that resist sleep when steeped.
Exploring Dhekiabari Tea Estate:
Getting off at Mariani Junction, Rajvir and Pranjol explored
Dhekiabari Tea Estate. Surrounded by women carefully picking
tea leaves, they soaked in the lively plantation vibe. Pranjol's
dad, a tea enthusiast, shared his tea wisdom, and Rajvir eagerly
expressed his interest in learning more about the fascinating
world of Assam's tea culture. The stage was set for a delightful
journey into the heart of Assam's tea heritage.
Character Sketch:
Rajvir: Enchanted by Assam's tea, Rajvir becomes a captivating
storyteller, sharing trivia—over 800,000,000 cups daily.
Pranjol: Lost in a detective novel, Pranjol adds mystery. His
literary pursuits blend with Assam's landscapes.
Assam's Essence: Beyond friends, Assam's tea heritage
enriches the journey with depth and mystery.
PRASHANT KIRAD
1. We have an Indian legend too. Bodhidharma, an ancient Buddhist ascetic,
cut off his eyelids because he felt sleepy during meditations. Ten tea plants
grew out of the eyelids. The leaves of these plants when put in hot water
and drunk banished sleep. Tea was first drunk in China, Rajvir added, as far
back as 2700 BC! Words such as tea, chai‘, and chini‘ are from Chinese. Tea
came to Europe only in the sixteenth century and was drunk more as
medicine than as a beverage.
Q/A:
a. Who was Bodhidharma?
Ans: Bodhidharma was an ancient Buddhist ascetic.
b. How is medicine different from a beverage?
Ans: Medicine is used for treating diseases whereas beverage is used for
general drinking purpose.
(c) Find the word in the extract which means the same as a drink‘.
Ans: Beverage‘ from the extract means a drink‘.
(d) When and where was tea first drunk?
Ans: Tea was first drunk in China as far back as 2700 BC.
2. Do you know that over eighty crore cups of tea are drunk every day
throughout the world? Rajvir said. Whew! exclaimed Pranjol. Tea really is very
popular. The train pulled out of the station. Pranjol buried his nose in his
detective book again. Rajvir too was an ardent fan of detective stories, but at
the moment he was keener on looking at the beautiful scenery.
Q/A:
(a) How do we know that tea is very popular?
Ans: We know that tea is very popular because eighty crore cups of
tea are drunk every day throughout the world.
(b) Rajvir was a great fan of reading detective stories. Why didn‘t
he like to read at that? moment?
Ans: Rajvir didn‘t like to read a detective story at that moment
because he was more interested in looking at the beautiful scenery
that passed by as the train moved
(c) Which word in the extract means an act that is part of a religious
ceremony?
Ans: Rites‘ from the extract means an act that is part of a religious ceremony‘.
PRASHANT KIRAD
1. How does Rajvir describe the tea garden at Dhekiajuli?

Answer: On both sides of the gravel road were acres and acres
of neatly pruned tea bushes. It was the second sprouting
period. Women wearing plastic aprons were plucking new tea
leaves and putting them in the bamboo baskets.
2. Describe the scenery that Rajvir saw as soon as the train
pulled out of the station.
Answer: When the train moved ahead, there were huge fields full
of green plantations. Rajvir had never seen so much greenery. He
called it a ‘magnificent view’. The bushes were spread like a sea
against the backdrop of densely wooded hills.
3. How can you say that tea was first drunk in China?
Answer: There is an ancient legend about the discovery of tea. A
Chinese emperor had the habit of drinking boiling water. One day a
twig from the fire fell into the pot in which water was being boiled.
It gave a delicious flavor to the water. It is said that those were tea
leaves and that was the first tea. It is thus thought that tea was
first taken in China.
4. What information was given by Pranjol’s father to Rajvir
about Assam Tea Estate?
Answer: He was the manager of a tea garden in upper Assam. He
showed Pranjol and Rajvir the acres of tea bushes, all neatly
pruned to the same height. Groups of women pluckers with bamboo
baskets were plucking the newly sprouted leaves.
5. What is the Indian legend about the discovery of tea?
Answer: According to an Indian legend, Bodhidharma, an ancient
Buddhist monk, fell asleep during meditation. So he cut off his
eyelids. Ten tea plants grew out of the eyelids. The leaves of
these plants when put in hot water and drank banished sleep.
PRASHANT KIRAD
6. Why was Rajvir so much excitement?

Answer: Rajvir had never seen so much greenery before. He was
looking at the beautiful scenery. The soft green paddy fields gave
way to tea bushes. Against the backdrop of densely wooded hills,
a sea of tea bushes stretched as far as the eyes could see. The
orderly rows of bushes were pruned to the same height. Rajvir
was excited to see the magnificent view.
7. Describe the Chinese legend regarding the discovery of
tea leaves.
Answer: There is a Chinese legend regarding the discovery of tea
leaves. One Chinese emperor always boiled water before drinking
it. One day a few leaves of the burning twigs under the pot fell
into the water. The result was wonderful. The water gave a
delicious flavor. Those leaves that gave the water a delicious
flavor were tea leaves.
8. Why did Pranjol’s father say in surprise that Rajvir
had done his homework before coming there?
Answer: A tractor was pulling a trailer-load of tea leaves at the
Dhekiabari Tea Estate. Rajvir asked Pranjol’s father if that was the
second flush or sprouting period. Rajvir said that the second sprouting
period lasts from May to July and yields the best tea. Such detailed
information about tea leaves surprised Pranjol’s father. He told Rajvir
that he seemed to have done his homework before coming here.
9. What landscape did Rajvir notice while sitting in the train?
Answer: Rajvir was fascinated by the scenic beauty of the place. There
were vast green tea gardens on both sides of the road. The tall trees
at the back of the gardens in the forest on the rolling hills looked
beautiful. The women plucking tea leaves looked like dolls. On the way,
he saw people drinking tea. He also saw an ugly building with smoke
coming out of its chimneys. Rajvir was received by Mrs. and Mr. Barua
and was taken towards Dhekiabari Tea Estate. On both sides of the
gravel road were acres and acres of neatly pruned tea bushes.
PRASHANT KIRAD
It was the second sprouting period. Women were wearing plastic

aprons and plucking new tea leaves and putting them in the bamboo
baskets on their backs.
10. It seems that Rajvir had done a lot of homework regarding

tea and its history. Do you support Pranjol’s father’s statement
that he gave about Rajvir’s knowledge in this regard?
Answer: Indeed, Rajvir had never visited a tea estate ever before in
his life. His visit to Dhekiabari Tea Estate was at the invitation of his
classmate Pranjol whose father managed the estate. But Rajvir seemed
to have done a lot of homework and reading about tea and tea
plantations before coming to Assam. He told Pranjol that tea is one of
the most popular beverages in the world. More than eighty crores of
cups of tea are drunk every day throughout the world. When he saw an
ugly building with smoke billowing out of its tall buildings, he at once
cried “Hey, a tea garden!”. He had been reading as much about tea as he
could. He narrated different legends regarding the discovery of tea
leaves. It was Rajvir who narrated the legends describing how tea
leaves were discovered in India and China. Rajvir impressed and
surprised Pranjol’s father with his deep knowledge of tea leaves. When
he saw a tractor pulling a trailer load of tea leaves he recognized that it
was the second flush or sprouting period. He also knew that it continues
from May and to July and yields the best tea.
PRASHANT KIRAD
Mijbil the Otter

A Trip to Basra:
The story begins with the author and a friend heading to
Basra. The author, feeling lonely after losing his pet dog,
decides he wants an otter as a new companion. They hope to
find one near the Tigris River in Iraq.
Waiting in Basra:
In Basra, only the friend's mail arrives, leaving the narrator
waiting for his own. Eventually, the friend leaves, and the
author's patience pays off when he receives a message with a
surprise—an otter named Mijbil.
Meeting Mijbil:
The narrator shortens the otter's name to Mij, and they start
getting to know each other. Mij loves playing with water and
learns to open faucets. Despite the fun, it's time to go back to
London, and the journey poses some challenges.
Troubles on the Way Home:

Because British airlines don't allow animals, the narrator has
to find a different flight for Mij. A close call happens when
Mij damages the box, causing a hurried trip to the airport with
blood involved.
PRASHANT KIRAD
A Crazy Flight:
During the flight, Mij escapes the box, causing chaos on the
plane. The air hostess helps, and they eventually land safely in
London.
London Discoveries:
Back in London, Mij's love for ping-pong balls and marbles
becomes clear. A walk with Mij surprises and confuses people who
mistake him for various animals.
Mij's Impact:
The story ends with the author sharing funny moments of
confusion from Londoners who can't figure out what Mij is.
Through all the adventures, Mij becomes an unforgettable and
unique friend.
1
Cabled to England, and when, three days later, nothing had
happened, I tried to telephone. The call had to be booked twenty-
four hours in advance. On the first day, the line was out of order
on the second the exchange was closed for a religious holiday. On
the third day, there was another breakdown. My friend left and
arranged to meet him in a week. Five days later, my mail arrived.
1. What did the author cable to England?

Ans. The author cabled to England to get information about his mail.
2. What happened after three days?
Ans. The author did not receive any mail after three days.
3. When did the author receive the mail?
Ans. Five days later the author received the mail.
PRASHANT KIRAD
2 Cabled to England, and when, three days later, nothing had happened, I
tried to telephone. The call had to be booked twenty-four hours in
advance. On the first day, the line was out of order on the second the
exchange was closed for a religious holiday. On the third day, there was
another breakdown. My friend left and arranged to meet him in a week.
Five days later, my mail arrived.
Q/A
1. Write the name of the creature that came out from the sack.
Ans. The creature that came out of the sack was an otter.
2. What was there on its tips?
Ans. There was a small chocolate brown mole.
3. How did the creature/otter look?
Ans. The creature looked like a small medievally conceived dragon.
1.How was Mij to be transported to England?

Answer: The British Airline to England would not fly animals. So,
Maxwell booked a flight to Paris on another airline and from there to
London. The airline insisted that Mij should be packed into a box not
more than eighteen inches square. Thus, Mij was transported to
England in that box, which was kept on the floor at his feet.
2. What, according to the writer, is the real play’ of the otter?
[CBSE 2015]
Answer: The real play of an otter is lying on his back and juggling with
small objects between his paws. Mijbil would roll two or more marbles
up and down on his wide, fat belly. He never dropped one to the floor.
3. What happened when Maxwell decided to transport Mijbil to
England by air?
Answer: When Maxwell decided to transport Mijbil to England, Mijbil
was kept into a box. He tore off the box and wounded himself. Then
Mijbil disappeared down the aircraft, terrorizing the other passengers.
After that, he settled on Maxwell’s knee and gave no further
inconvenience to others.
PRASHANT KIRAD
4. What happened when the box was opened?

Answer: The air hostess suggested to the author that he could keep the
pet on his knee. The author opened the box. Mij was out of the box in a
flash. He disappeared at high speed down the aircraft. There was chaos
all around in the plane.
5. In the name of rules and regulations, basic values are ignored
but people like the air hostess in ‘Mijbil the Otter’ are a ray of
hope. What virtues do we find in the airhostess?
Answer: The air hostess was somewhat friendly, and she allowed the
narrator to place the otter on his lap. She could relate and empathize
with the situation faced by the narrator. This shows that apart from
being professional, she was a caring lady. She not only wanted to do her
job but was also responsible as she helped the narrator in finding the
otter back. She did all that she could do for Maxwell and the otter. She
was hard working and was ready to help as she did not say ‘no’ to help the
narrator.
6. The narrator called the airhostess the queen of her kind. This
shows how caring and supportive she was. Do you find such people
these days? Are people having a change in their values?
Answer: In today’s world, it is getting difficult to find people who show
their care and support. Rather than helping others, they start giving
excuses and quote rules and regulations. Earlier, people used to think
about the situation faced by others and help them in all possible ways.
This is changing because of the change in the values of the people. People
give priority to their safety and security. They care for themselves first
and then think about others.
7.Why do you think the otter was not friendly at first with the
narrator? Can you relate this to the human nature as well? [CBSE
2016]
Answer: At first, the otter was not very friendly with the narrator as
he had seen him for the first time. He was brought to a new place and
new surroundings. He neither knew the narrator nor the place which
made him stay away from the narrator.
PRASHANT KIRAD
But, as soon as he started becoming comfortable with the surroundings, he

became friendly and came close to the narrator. This is very similar to the
human nature. Even, human beings first take time to understand others and
then only become friendly with them. Unless they are comfortable in being
with somebody, they try to stay away from that person.
8. Why does he go to Basra? How long does he wait there, and
why?
Answer: He goes the Basra to the Consulate General to collect and

answer his mail from Europe. His mail did not arrive in time. He cabled to
England, and when, three days later, nothing had happened, he tried to
telephone. The call had to be booked twenty-four hours in advance. On the
first day, the line was out of order; on the second day, the exchange was
closed for a religious holiday. On the third day there was another
breakdown. His mail arrived five days later. He had to wait for five days.
9. What happened when Maxwell took Mijbil to the bathroom?

What did it do two days after that?
Answer: When Maxwell took Mijbil to the bathroom he went wild with joy
in the water, plunging and rolling in it, shooting up and down the length of
the bathtub underwater, and making enough slosh and splash for a hippo.
Two days later, Mijbil escaped from the bedroom and entered the
bathroom. He struggled with the chromium tap till it had a full flow.
10. Why does Maxwell say the airhostess was “the very queen of
her kind”?
Answer: The author told the air hostess about the incident that took
place half an hour before at home and took her into his confidence.
The air hostess was a considerate lady. She cooperated with the
author and suggested he keep his pet on his knee. This made the
author call her “the very queen of her kind”.
PRASHANT KIRAD
Madam Rides the Bus

Valli's Curiosity:
Eight-year-old Valliammai, affectionately known as Valli, lived in a
Tamil village where her only entertainment was observing the
outside world from her doorstep. With no playmates, she found
solace in watching the happenings in the street, but what
fascinated her the most was the bus journey that passed through
her village.
The Enchanting Bus Ride:
Driven by her curiosity, Valli began gathering information about
the bus timings from her neighbors. Determined to experience
the adventure, she diligently saved money for the thirty-paise
bus fare. With a plan to embark on her journey during her
mother's afternoon nap, Valli stood by the roadside, eagerly
awaiting the arrival of the bus. As the bus approached, she
approached the conductor and confidently declared her
destination. The conductor, a cheerful soul, treated her with
respect, calling her "Madam" and guiding her to a seat. The bus,
painted in vibrant green and white stripes, offered a comfortable
and luxurious experience.
A Journey of Firsts: Nature's Wonders Unfold:

During the ride, Valli marveled at the sights outside her village – the
majestic mountains, lush green fields, and expansive palm tree-
covered grasslands. Every scene was a new revelation for her eager
eyes, an experience she had never encountered before. However, her
enchantment took a turn when a young cow unexpectedly crossed the
road in front of the bus. The driver's whistle sounded, and the cow
safely made its way across. Valli, though momentarily startled, found
the entire episode fascinating.
PRASHANT KIRAD
Life's Bitter Lesson:

As the bus journey continued, Valli's joy turned into sorrow when she
witnessed the same cow lying lifeless by the roadside on her way
home. The sudden encounter with death left her contemplating the
mysteries of life and mortality in her innocent way.
Silent Reflections:
Despite her emotional experience, Valli chose to keep her bus
adventure a secret from her family. The poignant story highlights
the simple desires of a young girl, the wonders of discovery, and the
harsh realities that life occasionally unveils, even to the most
innocent souls.
1. There was a girl named Valliammai who was called Valli for short. She was
eight years old and very curious about things. Her favorite pastime was standing
in the front doorway of her house, watching what was happening in the street
outside. There were no playmates of her age on her street and this was about all
she had to do. But for Valli, standing at the front door was every bit as
enjoyable as any of the elaborate games other children played: Watching the
street gave her many new unusual experiences.
1. What was the short name of the girl?

Ans. Valli was the short name of the girl.
2. What were Valli's favorite pastimes?
Ans. Vall's favorite pastime was standing in the front doorway of her house.
3. Why did she spend her time all alone?
Ans. She spent her time all alone because she had no playmates of her age in
her street.
4. Pick out the word from the passage that means the same as uncommon.
Ans. unusual
2. The most fascinating thing of all was the bus that traveled between her
village and the nearest town. It passed through her street each hour, once going
to the town and once coming back. The sight of the bus filled each time with a
new set of passengers, was a source of unending joy for Valli. Day after day she
watched the bus, and gradually a tiny wish crept into her head and grew there
she wanted to ride on that bus, even if just once.
PRASHANT KIRAD
This wish became stronger and stronger until it was an overwhelming desire.
Valli would stare wistfully at the people who got on or off the bus when it
stopped at the street corner. Their faces would kindle in her longings, dreams,
and hopes. If one of her friends happened to ride the bus and tried to describe
the sights of the town to her. Valli would be too jealous to listen and would
shout, in English "Proud! Proud!"
1. What did Valli watch daily?
Ans. Valli watched the bus that traveled between her village and the nearest town.
2. What was her overwhelming desire?
Ans. Valli's overwhelming desire was to ride the bus.
3. What was Valli's source of joy?
Ans. The sight of the bus filled each time with a new set of passengers, was a source
of unending joy for Valll.
4. Pick out the word from the passage that means the same as longingly.
Ans. wistfully
1.Why does the conductor refer to Valli as ‘madam’?

Answer: The conductor was worldly-wise and a man of jovial nature. He
judges the little girl’s innocent behavior. Being fun to love and also not to
make the girl unhappy, he calls Valla as ‘Madam’, though she was a girl of
eight years only.
2. Why did Valli listen to the conversations? What did she get from
them?
Answer: Valli was anxious to know more and more about the bus journey. She
had nourished a strong desire to enjoy a bus ride from her village to the
nearest town. She listened to the neighbors and people who regularly used
the bus. She was collecting the necessary details from them to plan out her
bus journey. Such details could help her in her mission.
3. How did Valli calculate and plan the bus journey?
Answer: Valli had gathered all the necessary details about the bus journey
from those who regularly used the bus. The town was six miles from her
village. The one-way fare was thirty paise. The trip to the town took forty-
five minutes. If she took the one o’clock bus, she could reach the town at
one forty-five. She calculated that she could be back home by about two
forty-five.
PRASHANT KIRAD
4. How did Valli board the bus? Why did she say, ‘I can get
on by myself’
Answer: When Valli sighted the bus she shouted ‘Stop the bus!
Stop the bus!’ She raised her tiny hand ‘commandingly’. The bus
slowed down and finally stopped. She told the conductor that she
wanted to go to the town and she tried to hand over the money.
The conductor, seeing that she was just a child, stretched out his
hand to help her up. Valli replied that she could get on by herself
and didn’t need any help.
5. How did Valli react when the conductor called her “a very
grown-up madam?”
Answer: The bus conductor teased Valli by calling her ‘a very grown-up
madam’. Valli reacted sharply saying that she was not a madam. She
reminded him that he had not yet given her ticket. The conductor
mimicked her tone and said, ‘I’ll remember.’ Everyone laughed and
gradually Valli too joined in the laughter.
6. How careful and painstaking elaborate plans did Valli have to

make for her first journey and how did she save money for it?
Answer: Valli had to make careful and painstaking plans for her first
bus journey. Saving sixty paise for both ways fare was not an easy job.
She saved thriftily every stray coin that came her way. She had to give
up the temptation of buying peppermints, toys, and balloons and stifle
her desire to ride on the merry-go-round.
7. Why did Valli laugh until there were tears in her eyes?
Answer: Valli saw a young cow running very fast in the middle of the
road. It was right in front of the bus. The bus slowed down to a
crawl. The driver sounded the horn loudly again and again. But the
more he honked, the more frightened the animal became and
galloped right in front of the bus. Valli laughed until there were
tears in her eyes.
PRASHANT KIRAD
8. ” Never mind,” she said, “I can get on by myself.” “You don’t

have to help me,” said Valla to the conductor. She shows
extraordinary courage in making the bus journey all alone. Taking
inspiration from Valla’s character, write how the ability and courage
to take risks are essential to fulfilling one’s dream.
Answer: Valla is an eight-year-old village girl. She is fascinated by the
bus that comes to the village every hour. She develops a desire and
longing, turning into a firm determination to ride the bus. She
meticulously plans for it and saves money for the bus journey. Then she
boards the bus without anyone’s help. She travels all alone, confidently
and independently, and returns home successfully. Her self-dependence
and self-respecting nature help her to nurture her goal. She enjoys her
journey. Similarly, to achieve goals in life, we need to have such values in
us. One should be confident and self-dependent. Proper planning and
strong determination will lead to success. Enthusiasm and excitement to
achieve the goal are also needed to nurture our goals in life.
9. How did Valla save up money for her first journey? Was it
easy for her? Justify.
Answer: Valla’s sole purpose was to enjoy the bus ride. She neither
had the money nor much information about the ride. But her desire
made her collect every minute detail about it. She gathered that she
required sixty paise to buy tickets for the up-and-down journey. She
collected every stray penny. She resisted the temptation to buy
peppermint, toys, and even a joy ride at the merry-go-round. Thus she
saved 60 paise to buy tickets for the bus ride. No, it was not easy for
a young child of eight years. This act of hers reflects that she has
the qualities of self-restraint, discipline, determination, and maturity
rare for her age.
10. ‘What was Valli’s obsession? How did she prepare and save
money for her first bus journey? Or How did Valli plan for her
first bus journey?
PRASHANT KIRAD
Answer: The most fascinating sight for Valli was seeing the bus that
traveled from her village to the nearest town. A tiny wish crept into
her head. She wanted to ride on that bus, at least for once. This wish
became stronger until it was an overwhelming desire. She listened to
the conversations of her neighbors and people. They regularly used the
bus. She found out after questioning them that both ways' fare was
sixty paise. It took forty-five minutes to reach the town. It was six
miles from her village. After gathering all the necessary details, Valli
started saving money thriftily. She saved every coin that came her way.
It was not an easy job for a girl of eight years. She had to resist the
temptation of buying peppermints, toys, balloons, and having a ride on
the merry-go-round. When the money problem was solved, another
problem was solved quite easily. She planned her journey from one to
four o’clock when her mother took a nap in the afternoon. All such
elaborate planning led Valli to have an enjoyable and smooth first bus
journey.
PRASHANT KIRAD
the sermon at Benares

Growing Up as a Prince:
Once upon a time in North India, there was a prince named
Siddhartha Gautama, who later became Buddha. He lived in a
royal family and had a happy childhood.
Discovering Life's Challenges:
At the age of twelve, Siddhartha was sent to study, got
married, and lived a royal life for ten years. One day, he saw
sickness, old age, death, and a monk who taught him about
life's difficulties. This made Siddhartha curious to find
deeper answers.
The Turning Point:
Realizing that life involves suffering, Siddhartha decided to
leave his royal life to seek wisdom. After finding
enlightenment, he shared his insights in a city called Benares.
A Mother's Pain and Wisdom:

One story he shared was about Kisa Gotami, a mother who
lost her son. Buddha helped her understand that grief
wouldn't bring him back. Through a simple task, she realized
the inevitability of life's cycle.
Wisdom for a Happy Life:

Buddha believed that feeling sad and grieving doesn't help.
Knowing and accepting the natural course of life brings true
happiness. The Sermon at Benares showed how understanding
life's realities can free us from unnecessary pain and
suffering.
PRASHANT KIRAD
1. The Buddha preached his first sermon at the city of Benares,
the most holy of the dipping places on the River Ganges; that
sermon has been preserved and is given here. It reflects the
Buddha‘s wisdom about one inscrutable kind of suffering.
Q/A:
a. Name the holiest of the dipping places on the River Ganges
where the Buddha preached his first sermon
Ans: Benares.
b. What does Buddha‘s first sermon reflect?
Ans: Buddha‘s wisdom about one inscrutable kind of suffering.
(c) What did Gautama do after getting on light emend?
Ans: After getting enlightenment, he began to teach and share his new
understandings with the common people.
(d) How was he known then?
Ans: As he started preaching, he was known as Buddha, meaning, the
awakened or the enlightened one
2. Kisa Gotami became weary and hopeless and sat down at the wayside
watching the lights of the city, as they flickered up and were
extinguished again. At last, the darkness of the night reigned
everywhere.
Q/A:
(a) Why do you think Kisa Gotami became weary and hopeless
Ans: It was because she could not find a house where no one had died.
(b) How many sons did Kisa Gotami have?
Ans: Only one.
(c) What did she notice while sitting at the wayside?
Ans: She noticed the flickering lights of the city.
(d) What message did she get from the flickering and extinguishing
lights of the city?
Ans: Their lives flicker up and are extinguished.
PRASHANT KIRAD
1. Kisa compared human life to an inanimate object. What

is it and why does she do so?
Answer: Kisa compared human life with the lights of the city
which flicker up and extinguished again and the darkness of the
night spreads everywhere. Similarly, the human takes birth,
flickers up, and then extinguishes the life of the remains. She
compared so because the darkness of sadness spreads in use she
was in great grief of the death of his
2. Where and when did Siddhartha became the Buddha?
Answer: At the age of 25, Siddhartha confronted a sick man then
an age-sight moved funeral procession, and finally a monk. Palace and
wandered for seven years to shed seedlings team the tree The
Bodenheim Tree’ until enlightenment came. He renames Finally so
much that he even allied with Heat Swath, a teen admiral
3. Which people are referred to as “wise” by the Buddha in
his sermons?
Answer: Buddha preached in his sermons that everything that is
born will come to an end. Death is inevitable: both young and adult
or fools and wise are subject to death. But the people who do not
grieve, knowing the terms of the world are called wise people.
Wise people neither weep nor grieve.
4. How did the Buddha teach Kisa Gotami the truth of life?
Answer: Buddha changed Kisa’s thinking with the help of a
simple act—asking her to procure a handful of mustard seeds
from a house where none had died. She could not understand
it. But, gradually she understood that death is inevitable.
5. Describe the life of Gautama Buddha before enlightenment.
PRASHANT KIRAD
Answer: Buddha was earlier a prince and lived in luxury. When he

encountered suffering and grief, it made him sad. He renounced
everything and went in search of riddance from suffering. He
wandered for seven years. Then, one day, he sat under a fig tree
and vowed not to leave until he was enlightened.
6. What sights moved Siddhartha Gautama to seek the path

of enlightenment?
Answer: While going hunting Gautam saw a sick man, an old man, a
funeral procession, and a monk begging. This encounter with the
sufferings and grief moved him and he left to seek the path of
enlightenment.
7. Kisa Gotami was selfish and grief-stricken. Justify.
Answer: Kisa Gotami lost her only son. In her grief, she carried her
dead child everywhere and asked people to cure him. As instructed
by Buddha she went door to door to get a handful of mustard seeds
with the condition that there should not be any loss of a child.
Husband, parent, or friend. In her grief, she forgot that everyone
had to suffer such type of loss in his or her family Death is common
to all. But in her grief, she became selfish and tried to fulfill the
impossible condition.
8. What were the sights that moved and shocked Gautama?
Answer: Prince Gautama had been deliberately shielded from all the
sufferings of the world. One day he chanced upon a sick man, then an
aged man, and then a funeral procession. Finally, he saw a monk begging
for alms. These sights moved him. He went out into the world to seek the
solution to all these sufferings. He wanted to seek enlightenment.
9.The life of mortals in this world is troubled and brief and
combined with pain. With this statement of the Buddha find out
the moral value that Kisa Gotami learnt after the house and was
unable to get wanted the mustard seeds. table: grief death of
her child.
PRASHANT KIRAD
Kisa Gotami lost her only son. In her neighbors, asking them to
provide medicine for her son. A man suggested her to Buddha.
Buddha asked her to bring a handful of mustard seeds but she
should get it to the house where no one had lost any near and dear
ones. But she could not get any such Of Kisa Gotami went from door
to door requesting mustard seeds. People pitied her Do is troubled.
Only then did Buddha make her understand that the life of mortals
in this world and grief combined with pain. Now Kisa understood the
reality too realized the fate of men that their lives flick the reality
of death. Her underskirts that death is common to all of us. Now
she l’ up and extinguish again.
10. Why did Kisa Gotami understand the message given by the
Buddha only the second time? In what way did the Buddha
change her understanding?
Answer: Kisa Gotami had lost her only son and in grief, she carried
her dead son to all her neighbors to get him cured and restored to
life. Finally, she went to the Buddha asking him for the medicine to
cure her boy. The Buddha felt that she needed to be enlightened
about the truth of life — that death and sorrow are inescapable. He
could see that grief had blinded her, and it would be difficult for
her to accept the truth. So the Buddha told her to procure mustard
seeds from a house where none had died. Kisa Gotami went from
door to door. Then she realized that there was no house where no
one had died and that death is common to all. She came back to the
Buddha where He sermonized her that life in this world is troubled
and filled with sorrows. He gave her examples of ripe fruits and
earthen vessels whose ‘lives’ are short. This way he made her realize
that death is unavoidable and none —even the near and dear ones —
can save anyone from death.
PRASHANT KIRAD
The Proposal
Introduction:
In the opening scene, Lomov, dressed to impress, enters
Chubukov's house to propose, setting the stage for a comedic
tale filled with misunderstandings and heated exchanges.
Lomov's Proposal Intentions:

Lomov's intention to propose for Chubukov's daughter,
Natalya's hand in marriage, unfolds, shrouded in Chubukov's
initial assumption of a financial request.
Turbulent Family Dynamics:

As the conversation progresses, the discussion shifts to
property disputes, particularly the Oxen Meadows, leading to a
heated exchange, with Chubukov unwittingly exposing his own
failed proposal for Natalya.
Dramatic Expulsion and Regret:
Amidst shouting and banishment, Natalya realizes her hasty
decision, regretting sending Lomov away. Chubukov laments his
role as a father in exacerbating the situation.
Revived Proposal and Unsettled Disputes:

Lomov's return sparks new debates, shifting from property
disputes to the comparison of dogs. Despite palpitations and
chaos, Chubukov unites the couple, sealing the deal with an
unexpected kiss.
Conclusion:
The Proposal unfolds as a satirical exploration of marriage,
wealth, and familial expectations, highlighting the absurdity of
misunderstandings and the peculiar dynamics that arise in the
pursuit of love and fortune.
PRASHANT KIRAD
A. " It's cold... I'm trembling all over, just as if I'd got an examination before
me. The great thing is, I must have my mind made up. If I give myself time to
think, to hesitate, to talk a lot, to look for an ideal or real love, then I'll never
get married. Brr... It's cold! Natalya Stepanovna is an excellent housekeeper, not
bad-looking, well-educated. What more do I want? But I'm getting a noise in my
ears from excitement. [Drinks]And it's impossible for me not to marry. In the
first place, I'm already 35 - a critical age, so to speak. In the second place, I
ought to lead a quiet and regular life. I suffer from palpitations, I'm excitable
and always getting upset; at this very moment my lips are trembling, and there's
a twitch in my right eyebrow. But the very worst of all is the way I sleep. I no
sooner get into bed and begin to go off, when suddenly something in my left side
gives a pull, and I can feel it in my shoulder and head... I jump up like a lunatic,
walk about a bit, and lie down again, but as soon as I begin to get off to sleep
there's another pull! And this may happen twenty times..
Q1. Who is saying, "I'm trembling all over as if I had got an
examination before me"?
Ans. Ivan Vassilevitch Lomov
Q2. What is the great thing that the speaker is talking about?
Ans. The speaker is talking about real love and marriage.
Q3. What state of Lomov's mind does the passage reflect?
Ans. His mind reflects that way he would never get married because it is
difficult to get an idea of real love.
Q4. Why did Lomov not want to wait for real love?
Ans. This was because he was anxious to get married.
B. "Lomov; He Is old, but / wouldn't take five squeezers for nim. way, now
can you? Guess is a dog, as for Squeezer; well it's too funny to argue.
Anybody you like has a dog as good as Squeezer... You may find them under
almost every bush. Twenty-five rubles would be a handsome price to pay for
Q1. Who does 'he' refer to, "He is old"?
Ans. He refers to 'Guess' the dog.
Q2. Whom does Squeezer belong to?
Ans. Squeezer belongs to Chubukovs.
Q3. Who is the speaker of these lines?
Ans. Lomov
Q4. What would be a handsome price to pay for Squeezer?
Ans. It would be twenty-five roubles.
PRASHANT KIRAD

1. Lomov was a quarrelsome person. Justify.
Answer: Lomov was a quarrelsome person. He came to Chubukov’s
house to propose Natalya. But he started arguing about the
meadows and insisted that those meadows belonged to him. Later
he kept on proving that his dog Squeezer is better than ‘Guess’ –
the dog of Chubukov. He did not care for his health or his proposal
but kept on fighting for one or the other reason. It proves that he
was a quarrelsome person.
2. There is a certain way in which the characters speak in
the play “The Proposal”. What does it tell us about the
Russian men?
Answer: As the story belongs to the Russian character. So
through the characters' dialogue, we learn a lot about Russian men.
According to the story the Russians are very particular about their
dress and have particular dresses for special occasions. Secondly,
they are hypocrites. They show off to be sweet but the very next
moment, they start fighting. They pretend to be good neighbors
but within their hearts, they have so many grudges. They love
having dogs as pets and consider their pet better than the others.
All of them are stubborn, short-tempered, quarrelsome and rigid.
3. What did Natalya say about Guess?
Answer: Natalya said that Squeezer was superior to Guess —
Lomov’s dog. Lomov said that his dog Guess was better than
Squeezer. Natalya believed that Guess had become old and ought
to be shot. She also claimed that Squeezer was a hundred times
better than a Guess.
4. Why does the proposal remain unmade during Lomov’s first
visit?
PRASHANT KIRAD
Answer: The proposal remains unmade during Lomov’s fast visit

because Lomov is very nervous and excitable. He beat about the
bush. When Natalya comes Lomov begins to quarrel with her about
a piece of land. He gets very excited and leaves the room, cursing
and threatening the old man and his daughter, Natalya. He forgets
all about the proposal.
5. Who are Lomov and Chubukov and how are they related to
each other?
Answer: Lomov and Chubukov are landlords. They are neighbours too.
According to Lomov, he has been coming to Chubukov for help. Chubukov
has helped him even earlier. There seems to be a dispute over the
ownership of Oxen Meadows. Each one claims that the land belongs to
him. Lomov is interested in marrying Chubukov’s daughters, Natalya and
considers her a suitable match for her.
6. How does Chubukov join the quarrel between Natalya and
Lomov?
Answer: Chubukov comes in and finds Natalya and Lomov
quarreling. When he finds that they are `unveiling the ownership of
the Oxen Meadows. he also becomes angry. Instead of calming them
down. he also starts quarreling. He claims to be the owner of the
Meadows. He insults not only Lomov but also his ancestors.
7. What is the cause of the second quarrel between
Natalya and Lomov?
Answer: Lomov starts praising the qualities of the dog Guess. But
Natalya says that her dog sq which she purchased for 85 roubles is
much better than Lomov’s dog Guess. Both of them praise the
qualities of their dogs. Now they start quarrelling on this topic.
They again start shouting at each other.
8. Why does Lomov come to Chubukov? How does Chubukov
react to his visit?
PRASHANT KIRAD
Answer: Lomov, a landlord, pays a visit to Chubukov. The purpose of his

visit is quite clear. He has come with a proposal of marriage. He is
interested in marrying Natalya who he considers a good housekeeper
and not bad looking. Chubukov misunderstands the purpose of Lomov’s
visit. He thinks that he has come to borrow money from him. However,
when he comes to know that he has come with a marriage proposal, he is
overjoyed and excited.
9. The proposal was forgotten amidst argumentation. Which right
approach should have been followed by both parties?
Answer: Lomov came to Chubukovs to propose Natalya. Both are
neighbors and at the right age to marry. But instead of forwarding the
proposal both of them started fighting over truffles. Firstly they fought
over a small piece of land called oxen meadows both of them claimed that
the land belonged to them and not the other one. Somehow the argument
came to an end and they started fighting over dogs and claimed each of
their dog was better than the other ones. The proposal was forgotten
amidst all these arguments. The situation might have been different if
both parties had followed the right approach. Oxen meadows would
belong to both of them if they got married. Similarly, dogs are a very
petty thing to argue about while marriage is going to take place. There
should not be any ego between them. They should be polite and patient to
each other. They should not be rigid and stubborn. Their priority should
be their marriage and not meadows or dogs. Only the proposal could be
carried on.
10. Describe how Chubukov got Natalya married with Lomov.

Answer: Chubukov was thinking that Lomov had come to borrow money from
him but when he told him that he had come to propose to his daughter he was
overjoyed and even shed a tear. He kissed and embraced Lomov. He told
Lomov that he was hoping it for a long time. He also told Lomov that he loved
him as his own son. In fact, Chubukov, secretly wished Lomov to marry his
dither as he knew that Lomov was a rich and prosperous farmer and his only
daughter could lead a comfortable life with him. No wonder, he was overjoyed
to know that Lomov was there to propose to his daughter.
PRASHANT KIRAD
POEMS
PRASHANT KIRAD
Dust of snow
Explanation of the Poem:
Stanza 1
The way a crow
Shook down on me
The dust of snow
From a hemlock tree
Explanation: In this stanza, the poet reflects on a moment that
lifted his spirits. At a time when he was feeling down and
hopeless, he stood beneath a hemlock tree. Unexpectedly, a crow
perched on the tree shook its branches, causing a gentle shower
of powdery snow to fall on the poet.
Stanza 2
Has given my heart
A change of mood
And saved some part
Of a day I had rued.
Explanation: The gentle snowfall changed the poet's sadness to
happiness. Initially depressed, he had spent part of his day in
sorrow. However, the incident refreshed him, saving the day from
regret.
Poetic Devices Used in the Poem
Rhyme scheme abab
Symbolism The Hernlock tree and crow are generally
associated with negative emotions and aspects. But the poet
uses these symbols to bring about a positive change in him.
Alliteration is the repetition of the same constant sound in the
nearby words.
1. Has given my Heart 2. And saved some part
PRASHANT KIRAD
1. The way a crow
Shook down on me
The dust of snow
From a hemlock tree
Has given my heart
A change of mood
And saved some part
Of a day I had rued
(a) Where was the crow? was the crow?
Ans: The crow was on a hemlock tree.
(b) What did it shake on the poet?
Ans: It shook the dust of snow on the poet.
(c) What does the word, ‘rued’ mean?
Ans: The word ‘rued’ means held in regret.
(d) What is the poet’s state of mind?
Ans: The poet was in a sad, depressive, and hopeless mood at that time.
2.The way a crow
Shook down on me
The dust of snow
From a hemlock tree
(a) Where did the crow sit?

Ans: The crow sat on a branch of a hemlock tree.
(b) We can say that the poet was …….
Ans: …….. in a sad mood.
(c) How did the crow change the poet’s mood?
Ans: The crow changed the poet’s mood by shaking down the dust of snow from
a hemlock tree.
(d) What fell off from a humlock tree?
Ans: Dust of snow fell from a hemlock tree.
PRASHANT KIRAD
Top 10 PYQs
1. How does the poet react to the crow and hemlock tree?
Answer: In the Western belief system, crows and hemlock
trees are often considered symbols of bad luck or inauspicious
omens. However, the poet did not perceive them negatively.
Instead, these elements became unexpected saviors, turning his
initially negative outlook into a positive one.
2. What was the reaction of the poet when the dust of
snow fell on him?
Answer: Traditionally, crows and hemlock trees are regarded
as inauspicious, but the poet saw them differently. In a moment
of despair, as the crow shook the hemlock tree and its dust of
snow gently touched him, the poet's mood shifted. From a state
of depression and sorrow, he suddenly felt a sense of relief and
lightness.
3. What do the ‘Hemlock’ tree and ‘Crow’ represent?
What does the dust of snow metaphorically stand for?
Answer: On a snowy morning, the poet traveled with a heavy
heart. The landscape was cloaked in snow dust, and his spirits
mirrored the gloom. A crow perched on a hemlock tree altered
the scene by shaking it, causing a gentle snowfall on the poet.
This simple act transformed his mood, turning his sadness into
happiness and bringing a sense of relaxation.
4. he poet was sad and depressed. But one comical
incident lifts his spirits. He is full of joy and happiness
again. Based on your reading of the poem, write a
paragraph on the topic – Happiness is relative.
Answer: Nobody is happy all the time. Happiness comes and goes
in our lives. It depends on where we are and the people we're
with.
PRASHANT KIRAD
Sometimes, we feel really happy or really sad. Our happiness

often comes from specific moments in our lives. Little things,
like what our friends do, can make us happy or sad. It's
important to remember that after a sad time, there's usually a
happy time waiting. Just like every cloud has a silver lining, every
sad moment is followed by a period of joy and happiness.
5. No matter how ordinary or unimportant an incident maybe,
it’s the reaction or the response that matters. Taking inspiration
from the poet’s reaction write how inherent values can be picked
up and learned. Mention any two lessons for students like you
that could be useful. (Dust of Snow)
Answer: The way we react is really important. Learning positive
values from nature is valuable. Nature is like a wise teacher, and
even small things in nature can teach us important lessons. Take a
tiny snowflake, for example—it has its own meaning. It's essential
not to judge things by how they look. Even creatures like crows and
trees like hemlocks, which are often considered bad signs, can bring
joy and uplift a poet's mood. Everything in nature has a purpose.
Nature is incredibly beautiful, and it's crucial to live in the present
with a cheerful attitude. As students, we can learn useful qualities
from nature that can help us in our lives.
6. What is the underlying message for us in our hectic
life with reference to the poem, ‘Dust of Snow’?
Answer: The poem "Dust of Snow" carries a meaningful lesson for our
busy lives. It encourages us to appreciate nature to the fullest and
adopt a positive outlook, especially towards simple actions. These
seemingly small moments can unfold valuable lessons and contribute to
the greater learning of how to enjoy life.
7. How did the crow change the poet’s mood?
Answer: On a snowy morning, as the poet journeyed, a sense of
sadness weighed on him. The trees wore a blanket of snow, casting a
serene atmosphere. Perched on a hemlock tree, a crow gave it a shake,
causing a gentle snowfall on the poet. In this unexpected moment, his
mood shifted, and a feeling of happiness and relaxation washed over
him.
PRASHANT KIRAD
8. As a crow you feel highly insulted by the incorrect

perception humans have about your species. Imagine yourself
to be a crow and write your opinion about this prejudice.
Appeal for breaking stereotypes. [CBSE Question Bank 2021]
Answer: Humans often associate the word 'crow' with 'bad omens' and
'inauspiciousness,' a perception that seems illogical and disheartening.
It's disheartening to see this stereotype applied to our species without
any valid evidence. This bias stems from the color black, deeming us
'ominous,' while doves, being 'white,' are seen as 'good omens.' This
unfair prejudice deeply affects me emotionally. I aspire to challenge
this stereotype, just as my friend did by changing someone's mood and
bringing happiness. I hope that one day, people will realize their
judgmental views about us are entirely wrong.
9. What is the underlying message for us in our hectic lives
concerning the poem, ‘Dust of Snow’? [CBSE 2016-17]
Answer: The underlying message for us with reference to the poem
‘Dust of Snow’ is that we should always be optimistic towards life. In
the grave hours of depression, the smallest act of nature can lead
to a drastic positive change.
10. A simple moment proves to be very significant and saves the rest
of the day of the poet from being wasted. Explain based on the
poem ‘Dust of Snow’. [CBSE 2018]
Answer: In his poem, Robert Frost emphasizes the profound
significance of simple and ordinary incidents in our lives. He suggests
that the value of things isn't inherently good or bad; rather, it's our
perspective that shapes it. The best things in life are often free, and
while life presents challenges, the key lies in solving them instead of
dwelling in regret. Even seemingly unimportant events can alter the
meaning of life. The poet highlights this through the crow's simple
action, shaking off the dust of snow, which imparts a valuable lesson.
The realization dawns on the poet that he spent his day regretting
instead of engaging in meaningful activities. This insight prompts him to
understand how to navigate through difficult times and work towards a
better life.
PRASHANT KIRAD
Fire and ice

Stanza 1
Sorme say the world will end in fire
Some say in ice.
From what I've tasted of desire
I hold with those who favour fire.
Explanation: The poet considers two possible causes for the end of
the world: fire, symbolizing intense desires and anger, and ice,
representing hatred and intolerance. Based on personal experience,
the poet aligns with those who believe the world will end with fire,
emphasizing the destructive nature of extreme passions.
Stanza 2
But if it had to perish twice,
I think I know enough of hate
To say that for destruction ice
Is also great
And would suffice.
Explanation: The poet believes that if the world were to end again,
persistent hatred (represented by ice) would be as powerful as fire
(desire). The enduring nature of hatred, rooted in human hearts, is
seen by the poet as sufficient to bring about the world's end.
Alliteration Repetition of initial consonant sounds in the same line
Some say the world will end in fire Some say in ice.
I hold with those who favour fire
Paradox A true statement but which seems untrue.
But had to perish twice
Symbolism
1. line-sumbol for desire 2. Ice-a symbol for hate
Rhyme Scheme
abaabcbcb
PRASHANT KIRAD
Extract-Based Questions:
"Some say the world will end in fire,
Some say in ice.
From what I've tasted of desire
I hold with those who favour fire."
1. According to the extract, what are the two contrasting opinions about
how the world will end?
Answer: The two contrasting opinions are that the world will end either in
fire or in ice.
2. How does the speaker express their personal preference regarding the
end of the world?
Answer: The speaker holds with those who favor fire, suggesting a
preference for a fiery end.
3. In what way might the speaker's experience with desire influence their
preference for fire?
Answer: The speaker's mention of having tasted desire may imply a
connection between passion and the choice for a fiery end, suggesting a
more intense and passionate conclusion.
"But if it had to perish twice,

I think I know enough of hate
To say that for destruction ice
Is also great
And would suffice."
1. What does the speaker suggest about the potential destruction of the
world?
Answer: The speaker suggests that ice, associated with hate, would suffice
for destruction.
2. How does the speaker connect hate with the idea of using ice for
destruction?
Answer: The speaker implies that their understanding of hate is sufficient
to recognize ice as a powerful force for destruction.
3. What does the use of the word "suffice" convey about the speaker's
perspective on the destructive potential of ice? the potential of ice?
Answer: The use of "suffice" indicates that the speaker believes ice would
be effective and satisfactory for causing destruction.
PRASHANT KIRAD

1. According to the poet, what do ‘ice’ and ‘fire’ symbolise? [CBSE QB,
2020-21]
Answer: According to the poet ‘ice’ symbolizes hatred, coldness, and
rigidity, and these human cold emotions and lack of love are
destructive enough to remove the warmth of fire and destroy the
world. Fire symbolises unlimited wishes and desires of human beings
like violent feelings of anger, cruelty, brutality, etc., that might end
the world.
2. What is the message of the poem ‘Fire and Ice’? [CBSE QB,
2020-21]
Answer: The poem ‘Fire and Ice’ is short but encompasses the
entire humanity in its targeted message. The metaphor of ‘Fire and
Ice’ is used very effectively to solidly convey a clear message to the
readers. The poem acts like a moral mirror for readers to assess
their standing in the world.
‘Fire’ stands for our uncontrolled passions which are disastrous for
human beings. Similarly, cold reasoning devoid of human love will
bring insensitivity. Both the aspect of human thinking and resulting
behaviour embedded with desire and hatred will lead to the end of
this world and it may also happen more than once.
3. The tone of the speaker contrasts with the seriousness of
the subject matter. Justify. [CBSE QB, 2020-21]
Answer: ‘Fire and Ice’ is a symbolic poem by Robert Frost with a message to
reveal the gravity of the violent and cold human emotions. These emotions, if
not controlled, may lead to destruction of the world. The poet wants to aware
the humanity that everything will end one day as a result a human misdeed.
His aim is aphorism-brevity for Frost truth remains ambiguous as how
specific the world is going to end. That’s why the tone contrasts with the
seriousness of the subject matter with people favouring both ‘fire’ and ‘ice’.
4. Evaluate the line- Some say the world will end in fire/Some
say in ice- in the context of volcanic eruptions, forest fires,
meteor collisions, melting ice caps, etc. [CBSE QB, 2020-21]
PRASHANT KIRAD
Answer: In the poem ‘Fire and Ice’ the poet considers the age-old
question of whether the world will end in fire or ice. The threat of
global warming may lead to severe volcanic eruptions and forest fires
that may end the world OR there might be a meteor collision, the
melting of ice caps or glaciers, etc, that may also end the world. So,
either option is enough to achieve its purpose sufficiently in a storm of
volcanic eruptions, forest fires, or melting ice caps.
5. Fire and Ice projects a pessimistic outlook. Comment. [CBSE
QB, 2020-21]
Answer: According to me, ‘Fire and Ice’ projects a realistic outlook
rather than a pessimistic one. The poet brings forth the view that
the world will soon end. It can be either by fire or ice. He mentions
that he has tasted everything in life after World War I. So, it
would soon end either with greed or indifference.
6. What do ‘fire’ and ‘ice’ stand for and what is the general
opinion regarding the world? [Board Term-I, 2016-17]
Answer: Fire stands for fury, desire, lust, anger, avarice, cruelty and
greed. Ice is symbolic of hatred, coldness, rigidity, insensitivity, and
intolerance. The general opinion regarding the world is that the world
will end in fire and some say ice. Both the two reasons contrast each
other and one equally opposite to each other. People who favor fire
believe that it will be the heat and passion that will end the world. On
the other hand, some people think that it will be the ice that will freeze
the world.
7. To say that for destruction, ice is also great for the poet,
what does ice stand for? How is it sufficient to bring
destruction? [CBSE 2014]
Answer: Ice stands for the cold feelings of the humans such as
indifference, hatred, greed, jealousy, apathy, lack of love, cold-
heartedness, etc. Although the poet states that he believes fire would
bring an end to the world, he also states that if the world has to end
twice, then ice or the cold feelings of people are also great to end the
world.
PRASHANT KIRAD
8. How will the world end? Support your answer with a

scientific explanation. [CBSE 2014]
Answer: According to some people, the world will end in fire. The core of
the earth will get extremely heated up due to the increasing global
warming. It may lead to severe natural calamities like volcanic eruptions,
earthquakes, uncontrollable forest fires, and tsunamis that may end the
world. However, some people believe that the world may end in ice. As a
result of the melting ice caps or glaciers, there would rise an ice age that
would freeze all the living things on the earth to death. All the ice and
snow from the mountains will melt down to the plains one day and thus,
will shrink the world.
9. How can Frost’s poem ‘Fire and Ice’ be read as an extended
metaphor?
Answer: Frost’s poem ‘Fire and Ice’ is certainly an extended
metaphor. The metaphor of ‘Fire and Ice’ is used very effectively to
solidly convey a clear message to the readers. The poem acts like a
moral mirror for readers to assess their standing in the world. Fire
metamorphically represents and refers to violent human emotions
like anger, cruelty, brutality, etc., while the term ice refers to cold
human feelings such as hatred, jealousy, indifference, etc., that
might destroy the world.
The poet has used both fire and ice as great metaphors to imply
that both of the destructive forces are powerful enough to bring
doom to the world. These metaphors convey that violent and cruel
human emotions are a threat to the world.
10. Explain the symbols used in the poem ‘Fire and Ice’ by Frost.
Answer: In Frost's poem, 'fire' symbolizes human desires and
materialistic greed, leading to conflict and destruction. Conversely, 'ice'
represents cold emotions like hatred, resulting in similar destructive
consequences. Frost's juxtaposition of these elements suggests that
both unchecked desire and indifference can bring about conflict,
offering a concise reflection on the dual destructive forces within
human nature.
PRASHANT KIRAD
A Tiger in the Zoo

Stanza 1
He stalks in his vivid stripes
The few steps of his cage,
On pads of velvet quiet,
In his quiet rage.':
Explanation: The tiger in the small cage has bright stripes and
moves quietly with soft paws. Even though it's a strong creature,
the tiny space makes it upset. The tiger stays quiet because it
knows it can't do anything about being stuck in the cage.
Stanza 2
He should be lurking in shadows,
Sliding through long grass
Near the water hole
Where plump deer pass.
Explanation: The tiger in the cage dreams of its real home. It
should be hiding in the shadows, quietly moving through the forest,
waiting for a deer to pass by so it can catch a good meal. The poet
wants to tell us that a tiger's real life is in the wild, not in a cage.
Stanza 3
He should be snarling around houses
At the jungle's edge,
Buring his white fangs, his claws,
Terrorisung the village!
Explanation: The poet says a wild tiger should roam near the king's
edge, roaring to show its teeth and claws, scaring villagers. This is
how a tiger is meant to be, wild and free, not confined.
PRASHANT KIRAD
Stanza 4
But he's locked in a concrete cell,
His strength behind bars,
Stalking the length of his cage,
Ignoring visitors.
Explanation: The poet suggests that the boy is learning about loss
through losing his ball. The boy is also learning how to stand up and
move on from losses, understanding the true nature of loss.
Stanza 5
He hears the last voice at night,
The patrolling cars,
And stares with his brilliant eyes
At the brilliant stars.
Explanation: In these lines, the poet says that even at night, the tiger
is disturbed. It hears the final sound of the zoo officials' patrolling
cars. The tiger looks at the bright stars in the sky with hopeful eyes,
wishing for freedom.

Repetition: Repetition of words/phrases in the same line
Velvet quit, quiet rage
brilliant eyes, brilliant stars
Alliteration Repetition of initial consonant sounds in the some line
He stalks in his vivid stripes
But he’s locked in a concrete cell
Metaphor Comparison between two different objects without using
“like” and as.’
Pads of velvet
Rhyme Scheme for the first, second, and fifth stanzas is abcb, and
for the third and fourth stanzas is abcd.
Personification Attributing human qualities to non-human things.
Tiger is referred as ‘he’
PRASHANT KIRAD
1 . He stalks in his vivid stripes,
The few steps of his cage,
On pads of velvet quiet,
In his quiet rage.
(i) What has been personified in the given lines?
(a) Tiger (b) Leopard (c) Lion (d) Hyena
(ii) Where is the tiger at present?
(a) In the forest (b) In a circus (c) In a cage (d) In a room
(iii) Mention any one quality of the animal under reference
(a) Quiet (b) Desperate (c) Vivid stripes on his body (d) Roaring
(iv) Which word in the stanza may also mean graphic or picturesque
(a) Strips (b) Velvet (c) Quiet (d) Vivid
(v) Why is the tiger in 'quite a rage'?
(a) Movement restricted (b) Freedom curtailed (c) Not fed properly (d) Both (a)
and (b)
Ans. (i) (a) Tiger (ii) (a) In the forest (iii) (c) Vivid stripes of his body (iv) (d)
Vivid (v) (d) Both (a) and (b)
2. He should be lurking in the shadow,

Sliding through long grass
Near the water hole
Where plump deer pass.
(i) According to the extract, the poet wishes for the tiger to be 'sliding' through the
foliage as this would
(a) assist in keeping the prey unsuspecting of the predator's sound
(b) aid in camouflaging the presence of the predator before it rushes in.(c) help the predator
pounce on the prey comfortably without getting tired.
(d) support the predator's vision as it eyes its prey.
(ii) Which fact DOES NOT connect with the significance of the water hole for the tiger?
(a) Many tigers chase prey into the water and hold the victim's head underwater until it drowns
(b) Prey feed in the water on water-bles and often wander into the middle of the water hole,
where they are vulnerable and easy for the tiger to kill.
(c) Prey that has quenched its thirst ensures consumption of hydrated meat for the tiger.
(d) Chasing the panicked prey from shallow to deep water where the tiger grabs it.
(iii) Pick the option that DOES NOT use 'lurking'
correctly to fill in the blank.
(a) The thug was ........... in the alley late evening, for unsuspecting passers-by.
(b) The hyena was .......... in its den after a good meal.
(c) The detective cautioned her team about the ..... dangers likely to impact the
Case.
Ans. (i) (a) assists in keeping the prey unsuspecting of the

predator's sound. (ii) (c) Prey that has quenched its thirst
ensures the consumption of hydrated meat for the tiger.
(iii) (b) The hyena was .....in its den after a good meal
PRASHANT KIRAD

1. Is it safe to allow tigers to live in their natural habitat these
days?
Answer: Although it is ideal for tigers to live in the wild, today, it
will mean certain death for them. Fast-diminishing jungles and the
danger posed by poachers have pushed tigers to the brink of
extinction, making their natural home unsafe.
2. The tiger in the poem ‘A Tiger in the Zoo’ has some obvious
limitations, describe them in contrast to its natural habitat.
Answer: The tiger in the zoo was confined to a small space. He
was angry that he couldn’t be free to move, hunt, and do what he
pleased forced to be a showpiece; and the cage’s bars obstructed
his view of the starry night. This was all unlike his natural habitat
where he hunted fiercely and slept fitfully.
3. Why do you think the tiger was stalking in the cage? What
does it show?
Answer: I think the tiger was feeling restless and uneasy in that
small cage. He seems to be frustrated and helpless as he cannot
come out of the cage in the open and enjoy his freedom. He did not
want to be a mere showpiece and a source of entertainment for
human beings.
4. What difference do you find in the mood of a tiger

when he is in a zoo and when he is in a forest?
Answer: In the zoo, in his small cage and devoid of freedom, the
tiger feels unhappy rather frustrated, restless, and angry. In the
forest, he enjoys moving majestically wherever he wants and
terrorizes the villagers by displaying his sharp teeth and claws. He
is happy in the forest, enjoying his liberty and surroundings, but
not in the zoo.
PRASHANT KIRAD
5. How does the tiger terrorize the villagers? Does he have any
intention of killing them?
Answer: Sometimes, the tiger roams around freely and comes

near the edge of the jungle. He comes very near to the houses
of the villagers which are situated on the outskirts of the
jungle. Roaming there, he opens out his white sharp teeth and
paws to terrorize the villagers. He has no intention of killing
them as he never attacks until he is provoked to do so.
6. How does the tiger feel locked in the concrete cell of
the zoo? Why does he ignore the visitors
Answer: The tiger is an animal of the wild. He is’ a denizen of the
forest. Being locked in a concrete cell of the zoo, he feels quite
helpless. His immense strength is of no use to him as he is put
behind bars. He only stalks the length of his cage. He ignores the
visitors who came to see him after buying their tickets. He
doesn’t want to present himself as an object of entertaining
others.
7.Freedom can’t be bargained at any cost. What message
does Leslie Norris give to the readers in ‘A Tiger in the
Zoo’?
Answer: Not only humans but animals too cherish freedom. Freedom
can’t be bargained. In this case, a tiger may be well-fed and protected.
However, the curtailment of his freedom keeps him in a ‘quiet rage’. He
resents being behind the bars. He is a different animal when he is in his
natural habitat, the jungle. He roams around the water hole and
ambushes his favorite plump deer.
8. Animals, big and small, is being used by humans for their

selfish ends? What is your opinion regarding the exploitation
of animals? Mention some examples that you can see as a
possible solution to this problem.
PRASHANT KIRAD
Answer: Animals, big and small are indeed being used by humans for their
selfish ends. We use them for our benefit. Animals are killed, poached,
and captured for commercial benefits. Humans have encroached on their
space and sheltered them in zoos which is truly inhuman. In the poem, the
poet has shown the plight of a tiger. He is captured and confined in a small
cage. He is frustrated, angry, and restless. It longs for freedom.
Confinement brings bondage and bondage is cruel. Every day we see many
animals suffering due to humans. Monkeys are captured and made to dance
on roads, Elephants are chained and forced to lift heavy loads. Many
animals are sheltered in zoos for the entertainment of human beings. They
are kept in poor conditions. They are treated inhumanely. We should learn
to respect nature and its inhabitants. After all, these animals share the
earth with us.
9. Some animals are becoming extinct; the tiger is one such
animal. What do you think could be the reason? Should this
decrease in number be stopped? Why?
Answer: Tigers face a dire threat from poaching and habitat loss
caused by human activities. Hunted for commercial gains like fur and
traditional medicines, their habitats are also disappearing due to
agricultural expansion. This not only reduces prey availability but
also endangers the intricate forest ecosystem. Urgent protection
measures are crucial to save these iconic creatures and maintain the
balance of our ecosystems.
10. Give contrasting pictures of the tiger in his natural
habitat and the locked cage of the zoo. How does he feel and
behave differently in both places?
Answer: The jungle is the natural home of the mighty tiger, where it
roams freely, expertly hunting prey like plump deer at water holes.
Occasionally, it ventures near villages, displaying its power but rarely
attacking unless provoked. Yet, the same majestic creature is reduced to
a pathetic existence in a zoo, confined behind bars, becoming a mere
spectacle for visitors. The tiger's quiet rage is evident as it paces its
cage, staring at the vast night sky, a poignant reminder of its lost
freedom.
PRASHANT KIRAD
how to tell wild animals

Stanza 1
If ever you should go by chance,
To jungles in the east;
And if there should to you advance
A large and tawny beast,
If he roars at you as you're dyin'
You'll know it is the Asian Lion
Explanation: In the East's jungles, a big animal with yellow-brown fur roars loudly.
If it scares you to bits, congratulations, you've met an Asiatic Lion.
Stanza 2
Or if some time when roaming round,
A noble wild beast greets you,
With black stripes on a yellow ground,
Just notice if he eats you.
This simple rule may help you learn
The Bengal Tiger to discern.
Explanation: Best, you might spot a huge, noble creature with black stripes on its
yellow coat. If it attacks, consider yourself face-to-face with the mighty Bengal
Tiger.
Stanza 3
If strolling forth, a beast you view,
Whose hide with spots is peppered,
As soon as he has lept on you,
You'll know it is the Leopard.
Twill do no good to roar with pain,
He'll only lep and lep again.
Explanation: While wandering leisurely in the forest, you'll encounter a

creature adorned with dark spots. Once it pounces on you, realize it's the
elusive leopard. Despite cries, the relentless jumps leave no escape.
PRASHANT KIRAD
Stanza 4
If when you're walking round your yard
You meet a creature there,
who hugs you very, very hard,
Be sure it is Bear.
If you have any doubts, I guess
He'll give you just one more caress.
Explanation: In your yard, if something big gives you a super tight hug, it's a bear.
Doubt it? The bear hugs again, and it's not a friendly one it might even be
dangerous.
Stanza 5
Though to distinguish beasts of prey
A novice might nonplus,
The Crocodile you always may
Tell from the Hyena thus:
Hyenas come with merry smiles,
But if they weep they're Crocodiles.
Explanation: In the wild, it's hard to tell animals apart. Hyenas laugh when
attacking, and crocodiles cry while eating. Don't wait for sounds – both are risky.
Stay safe!
Stanza 6
The true Chameleon is small,
Al lizard sort of things;
He hasn't any ears at all,
And not a single wing.
If there is nothing on the tree,
Tis the Chameleon you see..
Explanation: Chameleons are tiny, like garden lizards, without ears or wings. If you
can't see something on a tree, it's probably a chameleon. It changes colors to hide
from enemies.
Poetic Devices used in the Poem
Alliteration Repetition of initial consonant sounds in the same line
roaming round
lep and lep again
who hugs you very very hard
A novice might nonplus
Paradox A figure of speech in which a statement appears to contradict itself
A noble wild beast greets you
PRASHANT KIRAD
EXTRACT BASED QUESTIONS
1.If ever you should go by chance To jungles in the east;

And if there should to you advance A large and tawny beast,
If he roars at you as you’re dyin’
You’ll know it is the Asian Lion ….
(a) State features of an Asian Lion.
(b) What happens when the lion roars?
(c) What do you mean by ‘tawny’ ?
(d) What is the physical appearance of the lion is the stanza?
Answer:
(a) An Asian Lion is large and brownish-yellow in colour.
(b) When the lion roars, it is very scary and it feels like we
are going to die.
(c) ‘Tawny’ means brownish-yellow in colour.
(d) The lion in the stanza is large and tawny.
2. Or if some time when roaming round, A noble wild beast greets you,
With black stripes on a yellow ground, Just notice if he eats you.
This simple rule may help you learn The Bengal Tiger to discern.
(a) How can you recognise a Tiger?
(b) Why does the poet call him a noble animal? [CBSE 2015]
(c) How is Bengal Tiger different from the other animals?
(d) What does the word ‘ground’ means here?
Answer:
(a) A tiger can be recognised with the black stripes on his
yellow hide.
(b) The poet calls a him a noble animal as he is very impressive
in size and does not roar loudly.
(c) Bengal Tiger is different from the other animals as he is
quiet and roams silendy.
(d) It means the hide or the background that is the skin of
the Tiger.
PRASHANT KIRAD
Top 10 PYQs
1. Elaborate on the poet's warning about encountering a large and
tawny beast in the jungles of the East. What significance does the roar
of this beast carry, and why is it considered a crucial identifier?
Answer: The poet cautions about encountering a large and tawny

beast in the jungles of the East, emphasizing that if this creature
roars at you in a manner that could induce fear leading to one's
demise, it is unmistakably the Asiatic Lion. The significance lies in
the distinctive roar, serving as a crucial identifier to differentiate
this formidable beast from other creatures in the wild.
2. Delve into the poet's portrayal of the Bengal Tiger and the
suggested outcome of an encounter. What symbolic features
distinguish this noble wild beast, and how does the poet
communicate the potential danger?
Answer: The poet vividly portrays the Bengal Tiger as a noble wild
beast with black stripes on a yellow background. The suggested
outcome of encountering this majestic creature is ominous, as the
poem implies that if the Bengal Tiger happens to eat you, it might
not end well for the observer. The symbolic features of black
stripes on a yellow coat serve as distinguishing marks, adding a
layer of danger to the portrayal of this wild predator.
3. Explore the poet's description of a Leopard and the
cautionary advice provided regarding its behavior. How does
the Leopard's hide and actions contribute to its identification,
and what is the poet's message about the potential dangers?
Answer: The poem details the Leopard with a hide adorned with
spots, and the cautionary advice revolves around its behavior. If a
Leopard leaps on you, the poet warns that roaring with pain won't be
effective, as the Leopard will persistently continue to leap. The
distinctive hide and aggressive actions of the Leopard contribute to
its identification, and the poet conveys a message about the potential
dangers associated with encountering this wild feline.
PRASHANT KIRAD
4. Explain the scenario painted by the poet concerning a creature that

hugs you very hard in your yard. What emotions does the hug convey,
and how does the poet suggest confirming the identity of this
creature? What further action does the poet predict from this
creature?
Answer: The poet describes a scenario where a creature in your yard
hugs you very hard, and the emotions conveyed through this embrace are
intense. The poet suggests that if there are doubts about the creature's
identity, it will provide just one more tight caress, underscoring the
powerful and potentially dangerous nature of the encounter. The hug
becomes a distinctive feature, and the poet predicts another caress if
uncertainties persist.
5. Examine the poet's comparison between Hyenas and Crocodiles,
focusing on their behaviors and how one can distinguish between the
two. What role do smiles and weeping play in this differentiation, and
what underlying message does the poet convey about their natures?
Answer: The poet draws a comparison between Hyenas and Crocodiles,
emphasizing their behaviors as key differentiators. Hyenas, characterized
by merry smiles, stand in stark contrast to Crocodiles, which weep. The
smiles and weeping become symbolic representations of their natures,
providing a distinctive feature to tell them apart. The underlying message
suggests that even though their appearances might be misleading, their
behaviors serve as reliable indicators of their true identities.
6. Investigate the poet's description of the true Chameleon, examining
its physical characteristics and unique traits. How does the Chameleon
adapt to its surroundings, and what role does the absence of
something on a tree play in recognizing this creature?
Answer: The poet describes the true Chameleon as a small lizard devoid of
ears and wings. The Chameleon's unique trait lies in its ability to change
color to match its surroundings. The absence of something on a tree
becomes a significant clue, indicating the presence of a Chameleon. The
poet underscores the adaptive nature of the Chameleon, using its color-
changing ability as a distinct feature for recognition in the wild.
PRASHANT KIRAD
7. Dig into the poet's portrayal of Hyenas and the significance attributed to
their merry smiles. How does this characteristic contribute to the
recognition of Hyenas, and what commentary does the poet offer about their
demeanor?
Answer: The poet portrays Hyenas with merry smiles, assigning
significance to this characteristic as a recognizable feature. The merry
smiles become a key element in distinguishing Hyenas from other
creatures. The poet's commentary suggests that these smiles are not
merely expressions but indicative of the Hyenas' nature, providing valuable
information for those navigating the complexities of the wild.
8.'Many animals can be identified according to the poets' suggestion.
Name the animals. Which ones would you like to identify? Are there
any lessons for us from this poem?
Answer: The poet humorously warns against identifying dangerous animals,
like the Bengal Tiger and leopard, by risking one's life. Instead, recognizing
a tiger's black stripes and a leopard's peppered spots from a safe distance
is advised. However, embracing the bear, metaphorically depicted as a "bear
hug," is considered a less perilous pursuit. The poet uses wit to caution
readers against getting too close to these creatures.
9. How does the poet differentiate Crocodiles and Hyenas based
on their behaviors, particularly with merry smiles and weeping?
Answer: The poet uses merry smiles for Hyenas and weeping for Crocodiles
as symbolic markers. The broader message is that recognizing these
creatures requires understanding their behaviors, not just their
appearances.
10. How does the poet describe the true Chameleon, emphasizing its
physical attributes and adaptive capabilities?
Answer: The poet portrays the true Chameleon as a small creature without
ears and wings. Its distinct feature is its color-changing ability, aiding in
adaptation to surroundings. The absence of something on a tree is a key
indicator of a Chameleon. Overall, these unique traits contribute to easy
recognition in various natural environments.
PRASHANT KIRAD
The Ball Poem

Stanza 1
What is the boy now, who has lost his ball,
What, what is he to do? I saw it go
Merrily bouncing, down the street, and then
Merrily over there it is in the water!
No use to say 'O there are other balls':
Explanation: The poem starts with the poet looking at the boy who has
lost his ball. The poet wants to know about him and his reaction after
losing his ball. The poet himself saw the ball bouncing happily down the
street and then falling into the water. The poet says that there is no use
to tell the boy that there are other balls. Because, he would get many
other balls, but he would never be able to get the lost ball and the
memories associated with it.
Stanza 2
An ultimate shaking grief fixes the boy
As he stands rigid, trembling, staring down
All his young days into the harbor where
His ball went. I would not intrude on him;
A dime, another ball, is worthless.
Explanation: The poet talks about a boy who lost his ball. The boy is
sad and just stands there, staring at where the ball went. The poet
doesn't want to disturb the boy's thoughts because losing the ball will
teach him about sadness and loss. The poet knows that a new ball can
be bought for a small amount, but he doesn't mention it because the
boy was really attached to his old ball from childhood.
Stanza 3
.......... Now
He senses first responsibility
In a world of possessions. People will take
Balls, balls will be lost always, little boy.
And no one buys a ball back. Money is external
PRASHANT KIRAD
Explanation: The poet says the boy is learning about responsibility in a

world of possessions. People may lose things and buy new ones, but
money can't bring back the memories connected to the lost items.
Stanza 4
He is learning, well behúsnul his desperate eyes,
This epistemology of loss, how to stand up
Knowing what every man must one day know
And most know many days, how to stand up.
Explanation: The poet suggests that the boy is learning about loss
through losing his ball. The boy is also learning how to stand up and
move on from losses, understanding the true nature of loss.

Repetition: Repetition of words/phrases in the same line
What, what
Balls, balls
Alliteration Repetition of initial consonant sounds in the some line
What, What
Balls, balls
buys a ball back
Metaphor Comparison between two different objects without the use
of componison words The lost ball here is a metaphor of the bor's
childhood With the loss of the ball, the childhood of the boy is also
lest
What is the boy now, who has lost his ball,, what is he to do? I saw it go
merrily bouncing, down the street, and then merrily over – there it is in
the water! No use to say – O there are other balls.
1. What has happened to the boy?
Answer: The boy was very sad as he had lost his ball.
2. Why does the poet say No use to say – O there are other balls?
Answer: The poet says so as the loss of the ball is of a major consequence to
the boy.
3. Which word means happily‘?
Which word means ‗happily‘?
Answer: Merrily means happily.

PRASHANT KIRAD

1. 1. If you were the poet, which toy would you use, instead of a ball.
Give a reason for your response.
Answer: Toys have a very special place in the lives of children. If I
were a poet, I would use a doll instead of a ball. The reason for using
a doll would be that a child keeps the doll with extreme care and love
as a baby. A doll appears soft and harmless and Children connect by
befriending their dolls. The loss of ball would express the pain and
difficulty in accepting the bitter truth more efficiently
2. Do you think the ‘I’ in the poem is the poet or an observer?
Give a reason for your choice of response.
Answer: The ‘I’ in the poem, is the poet as in a few lines the poet
says that he doesn’t want to intrude on the inconsolable boy.
Instead, he wants to leave the boy alone to develop a new sense of
responsibility.
3. Suggest a suitable by-line for ‘The Ball Poem” with a reason
for your choice. [CBSE OD, 2020]
Answer: The by-line can be ‘Loss growing up and Transformation, This is
something of a coming of age that is seen through the lens of loss and
suffering. The child comes to understand the world better when he
understands that he is never going to get his lost ball back. It is gone for good
and there is nothing anyone can do about it. The child undergoes a
transformation.
4. Recount your reaction to the loss of a favourite object as a
very young child. Would you have behaved the same way now?
Explain with reason.
Answer: In my early childhood, there was a poignant incident when I lost my
cherished piggy bank, a delightful giraffe-shaped treasure from my father's
overseas travels. The emotional toll was immense, and I spent hours in tears.
Reflecting on that moment today, I recognize that my reaction was a genuine
response to my first encounter with the pain of losing something beloved. Now,
as I've matured, my perspective has evolved. I wouldn't respond with the same
intensity to a similar loss. Growing up has brought an understanding that
experiencing loss is an inherent and inevitable aspect of life. It's a realization
that has tempered my reactions and allowed me to navigate the ebb and flow
of life with a more composed outlook.
PRASHANT KIRAD
5. What feelings do you think, might be experienced, at the loss

of a mobile phone, for a youngster today? Explain how these would
be different from those felt by the boy in the poem. [CBSE OD,
2020]
Answer: The feelings of a youngster on the loss of his mobile phone
today would be very different from those felt by the boy in the poem.
The boy in the poem was a little kid. It was his first experience of
losing a thing beloved to him. However, a youngster today might not
react in such a sad way as kids today are not so attached with their
possessions. They have become more materialistic with time.
6. How is the lost ball, the metaphor of the lost childhood of the
boy? Why doesn't the poet want to 'intrude on' the boy by
offering him money to buy another ball?
Answer: As the boy's beloved ball bounces away and slips into the
harbor, the seemingly trivial event unfolds into a poignant metaphor
for the loss of sweet childhood innocence. The boy's deep emotional
connection with the ball reflects the irreplaceable nature of moments
that slip away. The symbolism is clear — just as a new ball cannot bring
back the lost one, no amount of worldly wealth can reclaim the purity
of a lost childhood. The poet, avoiding moralizing, invites the boy to
introspect and internalize the profound nature of his loss, encouraging
him to move forward in life, acknowledging and embracing the
inevitable changes.
7. Imagine you are the boy’s elder sibling. He tells you about the
loss of the ball on reaching home. How would you assure him? You
may begin your reply like this:
I don’t think you should take this to heart. You see…
Answer: I don’t think you should take this to heart. You see there will be
several moments when a person will have to suffer the bitter loss of their
beloved possessions. That’s a part and parcel of life. Losses are inevitable.
People do lose materials and even relations. But that doesn’t bring life to
standstill, right? People move on. I want you to be brave enough to accept
the reality and get over it
PRASHANT KIRAD
8. How did the boy react after his ball fell into the water of
the harbour?
Answer: The ball took a quick dip in the water, catching the boy off guard
and leaving him feeling unexpectedly upset. He stood there, not able to
move, and stared at the spot where the ball disappeared. It seemed as if
he was lost in thoughts about his childhood, a time that had slipped away
forever, much like his lost ball. The waves gently brushing the shore
served as a backdrop to the moment, emphasizing the sense of
irreversibility in both the lost ball and the fleeting days of youth.
9. Why does the poet say: ‘No use to say ‘O there are other
balls’?
Answer: At first glance, losing the ball might appear
commonplace, something not worth getting worked up about.
After all, boys often misplace such items, and they can easily be
replaced since they're not too expensive. However, the boy's
reaction suggests a deeper emotional impact. It's not just about
the cost of the ball; it's about the irreplaceable sentimental
value attached to it. Likewise, the boy's inconsolability hints at
the profound loss of something priceless – his childhood. Money
can't bring back the specific ball he cherished, and wealth can't
restore the innocence and joy of his lost childhood.
10. What is the message that John Berryman gives to the
readers in ‘The Ball poem’?
Answer: In ‘The Ball Poem’ John Berryman gives a very positive
message. Gain and loss, getting and losing are the essentials in the
cycle of life. One should learn epistemology or the knowledge and
nature of the loss. Our childhood with all its attachments and sweet
memories has gone forever never to come back again. We should not
weep over the losses that we have suffered. Let us learn to live and
move ahead in life forgetting all inconsolable losses.
PRASHANT KIRAD
Amanda
Stanza 1
Don't bite your nails, Amanda!
Don't hunch your shoulders, Amanda!
Stop that slouching and sit up straight,
Amanda!
Explanation: Amanda's mother scolded her for nail-biting and
slouching, urging her to break the bad habits. With a stern
"Amanda!" she expressed frustration at her daughter's behavior.
Stanza 2
(There is a languid, emerald sea,
where the sole inhabitant is me-
a mermaid, drifting blissfully.)
Explanation: Lost in her imaginative world, Amanda envisions
herself as a lone mermaid in a stunning green sea. She dreams of
gracefully navigating the gentle southern waves, convinced that
life as a mermaid would be tranquil and serene.
Stanza 3
Did you finish your homework, Amanda?
Did you tidy your room, Amanda?
I thought I told you to clean your shoes,
Amandal
Explanation: Amanda's mother questions her about the tasks at
hand, asking if she completed her homework and tidied her room as
instructed.
PRASHANT KIRAD
Stanza 4
(I am an orphan, naming the street.
I pattern soft dust with my hushed, bare feet.
The Silence is golden, the freedom is sweet.)
Explanation: Amanda, lost in her imagination, ignores her
surroundings. She envisions herself as a carefree orphan wandering
barefoot in the warm dust, reveling in the freedom to explore and do
as she pleases in her imaginative world.
Stanza 5
Don't eat that chocolate, Amanda
Remember your acne, Amanda
WII you please look at me when I'm speaking to
you, Amanda
Explanation: Amanda's mother warns her not to eat chocolates due to
past acne issues. Despite being lost in her thoughts, her mother sternly
insists that she pays attention and listens closely.
Stanza 6
(I am Rapunzel, I have not a care;
life in a tower is tranquil and rare,
I'll certainly never let down my bright hair)
Explanation: Lost in her imagination, Amanda envisions herself as
Rapunzel, living peacefully in a tower without worries. Emphasizing her
solitude, she declares that, as Rapunzel, she'd keep her hair up and
never allow anyone to enter her tower.
Stanza 7
Stop that sulking at once, Amanda
You're always so moody, Amanda!
Anyone would think that I nagged at
you, Amanda!
Explanation: Amanda's mom tells her to hide her annoyance and moodiness,
cautioning against showing distress from constant instructions.
PRASHANT KIRAD
1.Don’t bite your nails, Amanda!
Don’t hunch your shoulders, Amanda!
Stop that slouching and sit up straight,
Amanda!
a) Amanda is getting instructions for what purpose?
Ans: Amanda is getting instructions as a part of her upbringing. Her
conduct and manners are being refined for future purposes.
(b) Give a synonym for ‘hunch’.
Ans: Bend.
(c) What does the speaker of the above lines instruct Amanda in
the first stanza?
Ans: Amanda is getting instructed to bite her nails and sit lazily with
her shoulders bent.
(d) What is the literary device used in the third line?
Ans: The Literary device used in the third line is Alliteration. ‘Stop
that slouching and sit up straight’.
2. There is a languid, emerald sea, where the sole inhabitant is me

– a mermaid, drifting blissfully.)
(a) Why are these lines given within brackets?

Ans: These lines are given within brackets because they reveal the
inner thoughts of Amanda. Brackets are used for visual contrast
between what Amanda is saying and what her mother is instructing.
(b) Give the word from the passage that means free free-flowing
act of going with the motion and force.
Ans: Drifting means the free-flowing act of going with the motion.
(c) What is the role of the mermaid here?
Ans: The Mermaid is a part of Amanda’s fantasy in her own created
world. As a mermaid sails in a sea carelessly and effortlessly,
similarly Amanda longs to do so in a place where she is all by herself.
(d) Which word in the extract means the opposite of ‘sorrowful’?
Ans: Blissfully is the opposite of a sorrowful
PRASHANT KIRAD
Top 10 PYQs
1. Is the purpose of someone constantly giving instructions to
Amanda being fulfilled? Explain.
Answer: No, Amanda sulks and becomes moody when her mother
gives her too many instructions. She does not listen to her mother
and doesn’t care to follow them but she can’t dare to ignore them
either so, she sulks. Parents in their endeavour to make their
children well-behaved, give them too many instructions.
2. Amanda imagines herself to be Rapunzel, yet would not

like to do what she did. Identify and state the reasons for
her decision.
Answer: On a snowy morning, the poet traveled with a heavy
heart. The landscape was cloaked in snow dust, and his spirits
mirrored the gloom. A crow perched on a hemlock tree altered the
scene by shaking it, causing a gentle snowfall on the poet. This
simple act transformed his mood, turning his sadness into
happiness and bringing a sense of relaxation.
3. What message does the poet want to give through the

poem — ‘Amanda’?
Answer: The poet wants to convey that parents in their endeavor
to make their children well-behaved, mannerly having good habits,
give them too many instructions or nag (always finding fault) them.
They should adopt positive measures, acceptable to children.
Otherwise, they will stop listening to them and indulge in
daydreaming as Amanda did.
4. How does Amanda behave when the poem starts? What

does the speaker ask her not to do?
Answer: When the poem beings, we find that Amanda is biting her
nails. She is hunching her shoulders.
PRASHANT KIRAD
She is sitting in a slouching posture. That is why the speaker asks

her to behave normally. He asks her not to bite her nails and hunch
her shoulders. She should sit up straight.
5. What does the speaker tell Amanda in the end? What is the
speaker afraid of?
Answer: The speaker thinks that Amanda is sulking and moody. He
thinks that Amanda is always moody. He asks her not to sulk because
he is afraid that people will think that he is nagging Amanda.
6. Do you think that Amanda doesn’t like to be controlled and
instructed not to do one thing or the other? Give a reasoned
answer.
Answer: Amanda loves her freedom. She doesn’t want it to be curtailed.
She wants to lead her kind of life. If she is asked what to do and what
not, she feels that her freedom is curtailed. She doesn’t bother to
answer her mother when she goes on instructing her what to do and
what not.
7. List the things that Amanda’s mother doesn’t want her to do.
Answer: Her mother doesn’t want her to hunch her shoulders and
bend her body down. She stops her from eating chocolates as it would
not be good for her pimpled face. She wants her to stop sulking as
others would think that she is being nagged by her mother.
8. Why does Amanda’s mother ask her to stop sulking?
Answer: Amanda’s mother thinks that she is moody as her mood is
always shifting. If she puts on an unhappy appearance, others will blame
her mother. They will think that she is being constantly nagged by her
mother.
9. What could Amanda do if she were a mermaid?
Answer: Amanda is a little girl. She is a symbol of every child who is
instructed by her parents to do or not to do this or that. If she were a
mermaid she would blissfully drift in the sea.
10. What is the fear of the speaker that is explained in the last stanza?
Answer: In the last stanza, the speaker advises Amanda not to remain
moody and sulking. The reason behind this is that she does not want to
expose it before others. Otherwise, people will think that she was teased
by the speaker. It was her fear.
PRASHANT KIRAD
The trees
Stanza 1
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.
Explanation: The poet imagines trees from her house moving to the previously
empty forest, which was devoid of life. These trees, initially brought indoors for
decoration, are now returning to nature, suggesting a cycle of human interaction
with the environment.
Stanza 2
All night the roots work
to disengage themselves from the cracks
in the veranda floor.
The leaves strain toward the glass
small twigs stiff with exertion
long-cramped boughs shuffling under the roof
like newly discharged patients
half-dazed, moving to the clinic doors.
Explanation: The poet envisions trees silently working at night to break free from
the house. Roots crack the veranda floor, leaves press against windows, and
branches, constrained indoors, slowly emerge like patients leaving a clinic, adjusting
to newfound freedom.
Stanza 3
I sit inside, doors open to the veranda
writing long letters
in which I scarcely mention the departure of the
forest from the house.
The night is fresh, the whole moon shines in a sky
still open
the smell of leaves and lichen
still reaches like a voice into the rooms.
Explanation: The poet, seated in her house, writes letters on a fresh night with a
full moon. The scent of leaves and lichen reaches her like a voice from within.
PRASHANT KIRAD
Stanza 4
My head is full of whispers
which tomorrow will be silent.
Listen. The glass is breaking.
The trees are stumbling forward
into the night. Winds rush to meet them.
The moon is broken like a mirror,
its pieces flash now in the crown
of the tallest oak.
Explanation: The speaker hears tree sounds that will vanish as they move into
the forest overnight. Breaking glass signals their rush, colliding and getting
stuck. In the open, the wind meets them eagerly. In the forest, tall trees
stand, branches covering the moon, resembling a broken mirror.

1.I sit inside, doors open to the veranda writing long letters in which I
scarcely mention the departure of the forest from the house.
(a) Find the word from the passage which means ‘hardly’.
(b) What is she doing?
(c) Where are the trees in the poem?
(d) What do you mean by veranda?
Answer:
(a) The word is scarcely.
(b) She was writing long letters.
(c) The trees are inside the house in the poem.
(d) Veranda means a platform with an open front built on the
ground floor of a home.
2. My head is full of whispers which tomorrow will be silent. Listen.

The glass is breaking. The trees are stumbling fofward into the night.
Winds rush to meet them. The moon is broken like a mirror, its pieces
flash now in the crown of the tallest oak. [CBSE 2016]
(a) Why would the whispers be silent tomorrow?
(b) Why are the trees stumbling?
PRASHANT KIRAD
(c) Which word in the stanza means the same as ‘Quiet’?

(d) Which poetic device has been used in the sixth line of the stanza?
Answer:
(a) The whispers will be silent because the trees will move
outside to the forest.
(b) The trees are stumbling because they hurry to move
outside after breaking the glass.
(c) The word is ‘Silent’.
(d) Simile has been used using ‘like’ for comparison.
Top 10 PYQs
1. i) Find three things in the first stanza, that cannot happen in a
treeless forest.
(ii) What picture do these words create in your mind: ―… sun bury
its feet in shadow..? What could the poet mean by the sun‘s feet?‘
Answer: (i) The three things mentioned in the first stanza that
cannot happen in a treeless forest are:
a. Birds sitting on the tree branches.
b. The hiding of insects in the branches of trees
c. The sun’s its feet in the shadow of the trees in the forest.
(ii) The sun‘s feet are the rays of the sun that reach the earth
after falling on the leaves of the trees and finally, reach the
earth‘s surface.
2. Why do you think the poet does not mention the forest's departure
from the house in her letters? (Could it be that we are often silent
about important happenings that are so unexpected that they
embarrass us? Think about this again when you answer the next set of
questions.)?
PRASHANT KIRAD
Answer: The poet did not mention the departure of the forest
from her house because it is a part of human nature to ignore the
important matters of their life. We all know that trees are so
important for our survival on earth. But still, human beings are
cutting them to make profits without even thinking of the
aftermath.
3. Does the poem present a conflict between man and nature?
Compare it with A Tiger in the Zoo. Is the poet suggesting that
plants and trees, used for interior decoration‘ in cities while
forests are cut down, are ‘imprisoned‘ and need to break out‘?
Answer: Yes, the poem presents a conflict between man and
nature. Man is causing deforestation by cutting down trees for his
own use. On the other hand, he decorates his house with the
trees. We are damaging our environment without even thinking
about the end results. By clearing up the forests, we are
endangering ourselves. So is with the animals too. We are ruining
their natural habitat and killing them for our fun or food but on
the other hand, we are keeping them in the cages on the pretext
of safeguarding them by making sanctuaries and zoos. So, it is
true that we are in a direct conflict with nature and making the
other living beings prisoners, be it the trees or animals
4. On the other hand, Adrienne Rich has been known to use
trees as a metaphor for human beings; this is a recurrent image
in her poetry. What new meanings emerge from the poem if you
take its trees to be symbolic of this particular meaning?
Answer: If trees are to be taken as a symbol for human beings,
then the poem will define the efforts of humans to free themselves
from the clutches of the desire to achieve everything. All the
human beings are under a constant pressure of being at the top in
every field
PRASHANT KIRAD
If trees are to be taken as a symbol for human beings, then the poem
will define the efforts of humans to free themselves from the
clutches of the desire to achieve everything. All the human beings are
under a constant pressure of being at the top in every field
5. What is the central theme that runs through the poem?
Answer: The central theme of the poem revolves around the dynamic
relationship between nature, human presence, and the cyclical processes
of life. The poet intricately captures the movement of trees from the
confines of a house into an initially barren forest, highlighting the
interconnectedness of the natural world.
6. Can you elaborate on the poet's depiction of the forest during
the nighttime?
Answer: Certainly. During the nighttime, the poet portrays the forest as a
desolate space, lacking the usual vibrant life one associates with nature.
Birds are absent from their branches, insects refrain from hiding, and the
sun fails to cast its shadows on the forest floor. This nocturnal emptiness
sets the stage for the transformative journey the trees embark on,
promising to fill the forest with life by the break of dawn.
7. How does the poet characterize the process of the trees leaving
the house?
Answer: The departure of the trees is depicted as a laborious and
deliberate process. Throughout the night, the roots of the trees work
persistently to disentangle themselves from the cracks in the veranda floor.
The leaves strain toward the glass, small twigs become stiff with exertion,
and long-cramped boughs shuffle under the roof, akin to newly discharged
patients navigating the doors of a clinic. This vivid imagery illustrates the
arduousness of the trees' journey from confinement to freedom.
8. What symbolic significance does the breaking glass hold in
the poem?
Answer: The breaking glass serves as a pivotal moment in the poem,
symbolizing the urgency and determination of the trees to break free. As the
glass shatters, the trees hurry to move outside, colliding and getting stuck in
their haste. This breaking point marks a transition, a moment of liberation for
the trees, and signifies the transformative power of nature in asserting its
presence.
PRASHANT KIRAD
9. How does the poet employ the moon as a metaphor in the

poem?
Answer: The moon serves as a powerful metaphor in the poem,
particularly when the trees move into the forest. Described as broken like
a mirror, the moon symbolizes a profound transformation in the landscape.
This metaphor suggests that the arrival of the trees in the forest alters
the established order, much like the fragments of a broken mirror
refracting light, creating a new and evolving perspective on the natural
world.
10. What is the significance of the poet's choice to focus on the sense
of smell and its connection to the departure of the forest from the
house?
Answer: The poet, in emphasizing the smell of leaves and lichen,
introduces a sensory dimension to the poem. This olfactory imagery not
only engages the reader's senses but also symbolizes a lingering
presence. The scent acts as a voice that reaches into the rooms,
suggesting a connection between the departing forest and the memories
or traces it leaves behind. It adds a layer of emotional depth, prompting
contemplation on the lasting impact of nature's departure from the
domestic space.
PRASHANT KIRAD
Fog
Stanza 1
The fog comes
on little cat feet.
It sits looking
over harbour and city
on silent haunches
and then, moves on.
Explanation: The poet describes the arrival of fog as a silent

presence, likening it to a cat that approaches with delicate steps.
Much like a cat that sits quietly, observing its surroundings by
folding its knees, the fog settles over the harbor and city,
enveloping everything in its ethereal embrace. Eventually, akin to
the cat's silent departure, the fog quietly dissipates from the
harbor and city, leaving behind a tranquil atmosphere.
Central Idea of the Poem: The central theme of the poem revolves
around the portrayal of the natural occurrence of fog. The poet draws
a captivating parallel between the arrival and departure of the fog and
the quiet, unobtrusive movements of a cat. Much like a cat's silent
approach and disappearance, the fog subtly envelops and then
withdraws from its surroundings. The poet emphasizes the
unobtrusiveness of both the cat and the fog, highlighting how their
presence goes unnoticed, causing minimal disturbance to the observer.

Analogy Metaphor/Personification Comparison of fog to a cat
Rhyme Scheme No rhyme. The poem is in free verse.
PRASHANT KIRAD
"The fog comes on little cat feet. It sits looking over harbor and
city on silent haunches and then moves on."
1. What is the fog compared to in the extract?

Answer: The fog is compared to little cat feet.
2. How does the fog observe the surroundings in the extract?
Answer: The fog sits on silent haunches and looks over the harbor
and city.
3. What does the phrase "silent haunches" imply about the
nature of the fog?
Answer: The phrase suggests that the fog creeps with a certain
stealth or grace.
4. What might the movement of the fog signify in the context of
the extract?
Answer: The movement of the fog could suggest a transient and
ephemeral nature, as it comes and goes, observing the
surroundings briefly.
2. The fog comes on the little cat's feet. It sits looking over the
harbor and city on silent haunches and then moves on.
(a) What does the poet mean by little cat feet?
Answer: Litde cat feet here represent a cat's silent and careful
steps. The way fog comes resembles the steps of a cat.
(b) What do haunches mean?
Answer: Haunches mean hips.
(c) How is the fog looking over the harbor and the city?
Answer: The fog looks over the harbour and the city, sitting on its
haunches like a cat.
(d) “It sits looking….” what is the poetic device used here?
Answer: A metaphor is used here.
PRASHANT KIRAD

1. 1. Stealth is an important aspect of fog. State any two instances
from the poem “Fog” that suggest the same.
Answer: The poem draws a parallel between the silent movements of
a cat and the quiet progression of fog. Both the cat and the fog
share a discreet nature in their actions— the cat moves noiselessly,
and similarly, the fog sits silently, resembling the cat as it envelops
the city. The poet underscores the resemblance in the hushed and
unobtrusive manner in which both the cat and the fog carry out their
respective activities.
2. Highlight any two characteristics of fog from its description
in the poem and justify your choice of characteristics briefly.
Answer: The fog quietly sneaks into the city without making any
noise. It covers everything in a short time, like a cozy blanket. Then,
just as suddenly, it disappears without a sound, leaving everything
clear again.
3. Is the fog portrayed as a resident of the city or as an
outsider? Support your answer with two such references from
the poem “Fog”.
Answer: The poem depicts "Fog" as an unpredictable visitor, arriving
unexpectedly in the city. It hovers for a while, much like an outsider
exploring a new place, and then suddenly departs, as if moving on to another
destination.
4. Comment, in detail, on the significance of the closing phrase
of the poem- “moves on”.
Answer: The fog arrives quietly and stays over the city for a
short while, just like a cat that silently sits. Like a sneaky cat,
the fog then moves away and disappears without anyone noticing,
much like the cat not staying in one place for long. The poet
wants us to know that the fog is temporary, like something
passing by, not here to stay. It moves to other places, just like
the cat goes away to explore different spots.
PRASHANT KIRAD
5. In the poem “Fog”, the poet features the fog as animated.

If you had to write a similar poem for one other natural
phenomenon, which animal would you use to convey the
characteristics of that particular phenomena? Justify, in detail,
your choice of animal corresponding to it by bringing out
similarities.
Answer: The poem ‘Fog’ describes the advancement of fog toward
the city and harbor. He says the fog comes like a cat comes on its
little feet. This means the fog advances toward the city very slowly
and calmly just like a cat. It unpredictably enters our home.
Similarly, the zig-zag movement of the flowing river can be
compared to the zig-zag movement of a snake. Just like the river
water never flows in a straight manner in the same way the snake
can never walk straight. Its movement is graceful and beautiful.
Many poets have described the wavy motion of the snake with that
of the wavy water.
6. The poet beautifully compares the fog to a cat. Choose any
two animals from ‘How to Tell Wild Animals’ that do not have
qualities that can be drawn out to be compared with a fog.
Answer: Yes, I totally agree with the poet’s comparison of fog to a cat. The
poet compared the sneaky, and silent movements of a cat to the movement
of the fog. The way a cat walks into a place with its padded paws without
making any noise and sits there on its “haunches” silently, fog too enters the
city silently and stays there for a short time. Fog moves out of the city in
the same quiet manner as the cat that moves silently without anybody
noticing her absence. Any other image or animal would not have done justice
to the poem as the movements of a cat perfectly define that of fog.
‘How Tell Wild Animals’ that do not have qualities that can be drawn out to
be compared with a fog are the Asian Lion and the Bear. Both of these
animals have a huge and terrible built. Their presence can never be
unnoticed. One can notice them from a far distance Moreover, the loud roar
of the Asian Lion and the black colour the Bear can easily attract everyone’s
attention.
PRASHANT KIRAD
7. Difficulties come but they are not to stay forever. They

come and go. Comment referring to the poem "Fog'.
Answer: None can deny the fact that after every nightfall, there is
sunshine. In other words, sorrows follow happiness. Life has many ups and
downs. We must all accept that problems as a part of life. We should
strengthen ourselves so much that we can face them and stand up to
solve these problems. We should not get carried away. We should learn
that time and tide wait for none.
Fog is also symbolic of darkness but it comes quietly like a cat and goes
away. It symbolizes that if we are not disturbed by difficulties then life
will itself move to the lighter side and things will be easy to confront. We
should always remember that we must face all the problems boldly.
8. How is the fog like a cat?
Answer: The poet draws a captivating comparison between the fog and a cat,
finding striking similarities in their behavior. The poet observes that the fog
arrives with a sense of stealth, akin to the quiet movements of a cat. As the
fog settles, it takes on a posture reminiscent of a cat, sitting and silently
observing the harbor and city. This resemblance becomes more apparent as
the fog, like a cat, eventually moves on to find a new location, highlighting the
appropriateness of likening the fog to the furtive and transient nature of a
cat's presence. The poet's keen observations emphasize the parallel between
these two seemingly disparate entities, weaving a vivid tapestry of imagery
that enhances our understanding of the fog's character.
9. Nature has many wonders that people take for granted and never pay
attention to. How is the poem ‘Fog’ different from this perspective?
Answer: The poet delights in nature, particularly in the uniqueness of
fog. He not only writes about it but also discovers its resemblance to a
cat, showcasing a deep connection to the natural world. This observation
serves as a motivation for others to appreciate and find intriguing
connections in the seemingly ordinary aspects of nature, encouraging a
closer bond with the environment.
10. Why does the poet use the phrase “silent haunches”? Substantiate your
answer with reference to the poem “Fog”.
Answer: The poet employs "silent haunches" to depict the stealthy
presence of fog as it sits over the city and harbor. This phrase mirrors the
quiet posture of a cat on its bent knees. Much like a cat goes unnoticed, the
fog hovers silently over the city without attracting attention.
PRASHANT KIRAD
the tale of custard the dragon

Stanza 1
Belinda lived in a little white house,
With a little black kitten and a little grey mouse,
And a little yellow dog and a little red wagon,
And a realio, trulio, little pet dragon.
Explanation: Belinda dwelled in a small white house with four pets – a black kitten, a
grey mouse, a yellow dog, and a little dragon. The poet uses 'realio' and 'trulio' in
the last line as playful expressions for 'really' and 'truly' regarding the little
dragon.
Stanza 2
Now the name of the little black kitten was Ink,
And the little grey mouse, she called him Blink,
And the little yellow dog was sharp as Mustard,
But the dragon was a coward, and she called him Custard.
Explanation: The black kitten was named Ink, the grey mouse was Blink, and
the lively yellow dog was called Mustard for its sharp mustard-colored fur.
Belinda referred to the timid dragon as Custard.
Stanza 3
Custard the dragon had big sharp teeth,
And spikes on top of him and scales underneath,
Mouth like a fireplace, chimney for a nose,
And realis, trulio, daggers on his toes
Explanation: The dragon has a short tail, scales covering his stomach, and a
mouth poised for breathing fire. Smoke billows from his chimney-like nose.
His sharp, clawed toes can cut through the air like a dagger.
Stanza 4
Belinda was as brave as a barrel full of bears,
And Ink and Blink chased lions down the stairs,
Mustard was as brave as a tiger in a rage,
But Custard cried for a nice safe cage
PRASHANT KIRAD
Explanation: Belinda is compared to a group of brave bears, while the small

Ink and Blink can defy lions. Mustard's courage is likened to an angry tiger,
but Custard is the opposite – a coward always seeking refuge in a tight cage.
Stanza 5
Belinda tickled him, she tickled him unmerciful,
Ink, Blink, and Mustard, they rudely called him Percival,
They all sat laughing in the little red wagon
At the realio, trulio, cowardly dragon.
Explanation: Mustard mocked Custard for lacking courage, while Percival, known for
bravery, and the others laughed together in the woods at Custard's lack of
boldness.
Stanza 6
Belinda giggled till the shook the house,
And Blink sad Weeck, which is giggling for a mouse,
Ink and Mustard rudely asked his age,
When Custard cried for a nice de cage.
Explanation: Belinda laughed heartily at the dragon, shaking the house with her
laughter. Birik, the mouse, chuckled and made a "Weeck" sound. Ink and Mustard
teased the dragon about his age, and in response, the dragon sought solace in a snug
cage.
Stanza 7
Suddenly, suddenly they heard a nasty sound,
And Mustard growled, and they all looked around
Meowch! cried Ink, and Ooh! cried Belinda,
For there was a pirate, climbing in the winda.
Explanation: While teasing the dragon, they heard an unpleasant sound. Mustard
grew alarmed, and as they looked around, Ink cried 'Meowch,' and Belinda exclaimed
'Ootosh.' They spotted a pirate climbing through the window of the house.
Stanza 8
Pistol in his left hand, pistol in his right,
And he held in his teeth a cutlass bright,
His beard was black, one leg was wood,
It was clear that the pirate meant no good.
PRASHANT KIRAD
Explanation: The pirate's menacing appearance was evident with pistols in both
hands and a small sword clenched between his teeth. A black beard adorned his
face, and a wooden leg heightened the sense of danger. It was clear to the
housemates that the pirate intended harm to the residents, both human and pets
alike.
Stanza 9
Belinda puled, and she cried, Help Help!
But Mustard fled with a terrified yelp,
lnk trickled down to the bottom of the household,
And little mouse Blink strategically mouseholed
Explanation: Belinda turned pale with fear at the sight of the pirate, crying out for
help. Despite her brave companions, everyone scattered in fear. Mustard let out a
loud cry and fled, Ink rushed downstairs, and Blink cleverly sought refuge in his
hole.
Stanza 10
But up jumped Custard, snorting like an engine,
Clashed his tail like irons in a dungeon,
With a clatter and a clank and a jangling squirm
He went at the pirate like a robin at a worm.
Explanation: While teasing the dragon, they heard an unpleasant sound. Mustard
grew alarmed, and as they looked around, Ink cried 'Meowch,' and Belinda exclaimed
'Ootosh.' They spotted a pirate climbing through the window of the house.
Stanza 11
The pirate gaped at Belinda's dragon
And gulped some grog from his pocket flagon,
He fired two ballers but they didn't hit,
And Custard gobbled him, every bit.
Explanation: Custard surprised the pirate by bravely facing him. The pirate took a
drink and shot at Custard, but missed. In the end, Custard swallowed the pirate
whole.
Stanza 12
Belinda embraced him, Mustard licked him,
No one mourned for his pirate victim
Ink and Blink in glee did gyrate
Around the dragon that ate the pirate
PRASHANT KIRAD
Explanation: Everyone celebrated the pirate's defeat. Belinda hugged Custard, and
Mustard licked him affectionately. No one felt sorry for the pirate's demise. Ink
and Blink danced joyfully around Custard, who had devoured the intruder.
Stanza 13
But presently up spoke little dog, Mustard,
I'd have been twice as brave if I hadn't been
flustered.
And up spoke Ink and up spoke Blink,
We'd have been three times as brave, we think,
And Custard said, I quite agree
We'd have been three times as brave, we think,
That everybody is braver than me
Explanation: The incident clarified bravery and cowardice. Mustard claimed he'd be
twice as brave as Custard if not nervous, while Ink and Blink declared they'd be
thrice as brave. Custard agreed, admitting everyone there was braver than him.
Stanza 14-15
Belinda still lives in her little white house, with
her little black kitten and her little grey mouse,
And her little yellow dog and her little red wagon.
And her realio, trulio little pet dragon.
Belinda is as brave as a barrel full of bears,
And Ink and Blink chase lions down the stairs,
Mustard is as brave as a tiger in a rage,
But Custard keeps crying for a nice safe cage
Explanation: Stanzas 14 and 15 repeat the theme of stanzas 1 and 4, with a slight
difference. While stanzas 1 and 4 describe the housemates' past, stanzas 14 and 15
depict their condition after the pirate incident. Despite the event, everything has
returned to normal, with Belinda and her three clever pets making fun of the
"cowardly" dragon.
PRASHANT KIRAD
1. Now the name of the litte black kitten was Ink, And the little gray
mouse, she called her Blink, And the little yellow dog was sharp as
Mustard,
But the dragon was a coward, and she called him Custard.
(a) What is the colour of Belinda’s dog?
(b) What were the kitten and the mouse called?
(c) Which word is the stanza means “fear easily”?
(d) ‘Blink’ here is the name of a mouse but what actually the word
means?
Answer:
a) Belinda’s dog is yellow as mustard.
(b) The Kitten was called Ink and the mouse was called Blink
by Belinda.
(c) The word is ‘Coward’.
(d) The word ‘blink’ means to shut and open eyes frequency in
quick succession.
2.Belinda tickled him, she tickled him unmerciful, Ink, Blink and
Mustard, they rudely called him Percival, They all sat laughing in the
little red wagon At the realio, trulio, cowardly dragon.
(a) Why did everyone laugh?
(b) What did the other three pet call the dragon?
(c) What does realio, trulio mean?
(d) Give the synonym of ‘un merciful
Answer:
(a) Everyone laughed at the Dragon because Belinda tickled him
unmerciful.
(b) The other three pet, Ink, Blink and Mustard rudely called
Custard Percival.
(c) Realio, trulio actually mean really and truly. The words
have been changed by the poet so as to give rhythm to the
poem.
(d) The synonym of‘ un merciful’ is ‘merciless’.
PRASHANT KIRAD
Top 10 PYQs
1. Why do you think Custard, the dragon was called a coward? How was
Custard able to save all his housemates from the pirate? What values
should Belinda have possessed, so that Custard too could have been
among her favourites?
Answer: The dragon appeared to be a coward as he always cried
for a safe cage, so he was called a cowardly dragon. Later, when
the pirate entered the house with pistols in his left and right
hand, everyone was scared and ran away and disappeared, except
Custard who faced him boldly and attacked him, hit him hard with
his forceful tail, and gobbled every bit of him. Belinda should have
been nice to him. She should have made him feel comfortable and
safe in the house, instead of laughing and making fun of him with
other pets. Belinda should have been protective towards him.
2. Describe the fight between the dragon and the pirate.
Answer: The dragon had big sharp teeth, and spikes on top of him and
scales underneath, but everyone laughed at him as he always cried for
a safe cage, whereas everyone boasted about their bravery. But when
the pirate entered, all were scared and ran away, except Custard who
faced him boldly, attacked him, hit him hard with his forceful tail and
gobbled every bit of him. All of them later felt obliged to Custard for
saving their lives.
3. How did they say their admiration for the dragon after the
death of the pirate?
Answer: They became very happy. Belinda embraced him. Mustard
licked him. Ink and Blink jumped round surrounding him. They
expressed their joy in this way. No one mourned for the pirate.
4. What did they say about their bravery after the pirate’s death?
Answer: Mustard, reflecting on the pirate incident, expressed a yearning
for greater bravery, lamenting that nervousness held him back. In
contrast, Ink and Blink boldly claimed they were three times as brave as
him. Surprisingly, Custard concurred, acknowledging their courage
surpassed his own.
PRASHANT KIRAD
This insightful exchange revealed not just the diverse perceptions of

courage among the little companions but also Custard's humility in
acknowledging the bravery of his friends despite his initial portrayal as a
cowardly dragon.
5. How is ‘The Tale of Custard the Dragon’ a ballad?
Answer: This poem seamlessly weaves the elements of a traditional ballad—
adventure, bravery, and romance—with a witty parody, creating a
harmonious blend of storytelling and humor. Through its rhythmic and
rhyming structure, the poem embraces the musicality inherent in ballads,
delivering a delightful cadence. The narrative unfolds around Belinda and
her pets, introducing unexpected humor in Custard, the initially timid
dragon who surprises with an act of bravery. Mustard's humorous regret
and playful banter between Ink and Blink further elevate the parody. This
unique fusion of classic ballad themes and comedic innovation transforms
the poem into a captivating and entertaining literary experience.
6. How did Custard prove to be brave when the pirate came?
Answer: In a sudden burst of surprising bravery, Custard, the dragon,
propelled himself into action with a powerful leap, emitting snorts
reminiscent of a roaring engine. His tail wielded like a formidable weapon,
struck the pirate with a resounding force, echoing sounds of clatter, clank,
and jangle. Each strike seemed orchestrated, creating a symphony of
metallic noises that reverberated through the air. How Custard attacked
the pirate was reminiscent of a robin diving after a worm, showcasing an
unexpected agility and fierceness. This dramatic sequence not only
underscored Custard's newfound courage but also painted a vivid, almost
cinematic image of the fearless confrontation between the dragon and
pirate.
7. How did the pirate react when the dragon attacked him?
Answer: The pirate, taken aback by the dragon's boldness, gazed at
Custard with his mouth agape in sheer disbelief. Seeking solace, he reached
into his pocket and quenched his nerves with a swig of liquor from a flagon.
Determined to reclaim control, the pirate unsheathed his pistol and fired
two bullets in rapid succession, but to his dismay, they missed their mark,
evading the dragon's swift movements.
PRASHANT KIRAD
8. Everyone believed that the Custard was a coward, but when an

opportunity came he showed exemplary courage. Based on y our reading
of the poem, write a paragraph on the topic: 'Courage is a Mind, not of
Muscle'.
Answer: Mark Twain once said that 'Courage is resistance to fear, mastery
of fear-not absence of fear'. Courage is not merely a show of power but the
ability to overcome fear and not allow it to paralyze our minds. Most of us
tend to generalize and call people who shy away from a physical show of
power as being cowards. But the truth lies in the fact that those who
indulge in physical aggression are the ones who are the most insecure. David
was barely one-fourth of Goliath, the giant. Yet David succeeded, in killing
him. He had used his presence of mind and stood successfully over an entire
army. Thus, we must remember that courage is a matter of mind, not
muscle.
9. Do you find The Tale of Custard the Dragon to be a serious or
a light-hearted poem? Give reasons to support your answer
Answer: "The Tale of Custard the Dragon" is a whimsical and almost parodic
poem featuring Belinda's amusingly rhyming pets. Belinda likened to a barrel
of bears, owns a kitten and mouse capable of chasing lions. The little yellow
dog exhibits tiger-like bravery, contrasting with the cowardly dragon,
subject to constant teasing. Surprisingly, when a pirate threatens, Custard
jumps into action, swallowing the intruder whole. Despite Custard's heroism,
the pets revert to claiming they could be braver. Ultimately, the poem
humorously circles back to the dragon's perceived cowardice, providing a
lighthearted twist to the narrative.
10. Why do you think Custard, the dragon was called a coward? How
was Custard able to save all his housemates from the pirate? What
values should Belinda have possessed, so that Custard too could have
been among her favourites?
Answer: Initially labeled a coward, Custard bravely faces a pirate while
others flee. Defeating the intruder with forceful determination, Custard
reveals hidden courage. Belinda, instead of mocking, should have offered
comfort, highlighting the importance of understanding and support in
unexpected situations.
PRASHANT KIRAD
For anne gregory

Stanza 1
"Never shall a young man,
Thrown into despair
By those great honey-colored
Ramparts at your ear,
Love you for yourself alone
And not your yellow hair."
Explanation: The speaker tells Anne that her beautiful honey-colored hair can
make guys fall in love, but it's more about her looks than who she is inside. The hair
acts like a barrier, preventing anyone from seeing her true self. In the end, no one
seems to love Anne for who she really is.
Stanza 2
"But I can get a hair dye
And set such colour there,
Brown, or black, or carrot,
That young men in despair
May love me for myself alone
And not my yellow hair."
Explanation: Anne suggests dyeing her hair to show that external appearances are
changeable and not as important as inner qualities, hoping men will appreciate her
for who she is inside.
Stanza 3
“I heard an old religious man
But yesternight declare
That he had found a text to prove
That only God, my dear,
Could love you for yourself alone
And not your yellow hair."
Explanation: Anne responds, suggesting she can dye her hair brown, black, or
carrot-colored. She thinks this change will make men appreciate her inner
beauty rather than being attracted solely to her outward appearance. Anne
wants to emphasize that external features are artificial, changeable, and not
as important or genuine as one's inner self.
PRASHANT KIRAD
1.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) What does ‘ramparts’ mean?
(b) What is the colour of Anne’s hair?
(c) What does the poet mean by, “love you for yourself alone and not
your yellow hair”?
(d) What does ‘despair’ mean in the stanza?
Answer:
(a) Ramparts refers to wall that protects a fort. Here, it has been
used metaphorically to mean the lock of hair around her ear.
(b) Anne’s hair are honey-coloured.
(c) The poet means that young men love Anne for her beautiful looks
and not for her real character.
(d) Despair means hopelessness.
2.“I heard an old religious man But yesternight declare That he had
found a text to prove That only God, my dear, Could love you for
yourself alone And not your yellow hair.”
(a) Who had found a ‘text’?
(b) What does the text prove?
(c) What does ‘yesternight’ mean?
(d) Find a word from the passage which is an antonym of ‘conceal or
hide’.
Answer:
(a) An old religious man had found a text.
(b) The text proves that only God is capable of looking beyond
external beauty, into the soul of a person.
(c) Yesternight means last night.
(d) The antonym is ‘declare’
PRASHANT KIRAD
Top 10 PYQs
1. How does the speaker feel in the first part of the poem, and
what worries them about how others might see them?
Answer: The speaker is engulfed in a sense of deep sadness and
despair in the initial part of the poem. Their primary concern
revolves around the fear that others might only appreciate their
outward appearance, particularly their striking yellow hair, without
truly understanding or valuing their inner self. This fear reflects a
common human apprehension about being superficially judged
based on physical attributes rather than genuine qualities.
2. What does the speaker suggest doing in the second part
to make sure people love them for who they are?
Answer: In the second part of the poem, the speaker
contemplates using hair dye to alter the color of their
hairwhether brown, black, or carrot. The intention behind this
proposed change is to shift the focus away from their visually
appealing yellow hair and encourage people to love them for their
true essence, emphasizing the desire for authentic connections
beyond superficial attractions.
3. Who is the old religious man in the poem, and what does
he say about love?
Answer: The old religious man is a character mentioned in the
poem, and he articulates a perspective on love rooted in
spirituality. According to him, only God possesses the capability to
love someone for who they truly are, untethered from superficial
attributes such as the color of one's hair. This adds a layer of
moral and divine complexity to the theme of love explored in the
poem.
4. What does the term "honey-colored ramparts" mean, and
why is it important in the poem?
PRASHANT KIRAD
Answer: "Honey-colored ramparts" is a metaphorical expression

referring to the speaker's visually appealing yellow hair. This
imagery is vital in the poem as it symbolizes an attractive physical
trait that may act as a barrier, preventing others from seeing
beyond the surface and appreciating the speaker's true self. It
underscores the challenge of being objectified or superficially
perceived based on external characteristics.
5. Why does the speaker want to change their hair color, and
what does it say about what they want in a relationship?
Answer: The speaker contemplates changing their hair color as a
means of challenging societal expectations and fostering genuine
connections. The desire to be loved for who they are, as opposed to
being defined by their yellow hair, reflects a longing for relationships
founded on authenticity and deeper emotional connections. It
highlights the speaker's quest for meaningful bonds that transcend
superficial judgments.
6. What does the old religious man's idea about God's love add
to the story?
Answer: The old religious man's assertion introduces a spiritual dimension
to the poem, suggesting that divine love, represented by God, is the only
form of love devoid of superficial considerations. This concept adds depth
to the speaker's yearning for genuine love, emphasizing the rarity and
purity of love that transcends physical attributes, aligning with a higher
moral or spiritual understanding of genuine affection.
7. Why does the speaker mention "yesternight declare," and
what does it mean?
Answer: The mention of "yesternight declare" implies that the old
religious man shared his insights recently. This temporal aspect
underscores the freshness and immediacy of the speaker's contemplation
of love. The recent declaration holds significance as it catalyzes the
speaker's introspection, prompting them to reconsider their approach to
relationships in light of this newfound perspective.
8. How does the poem talk about how society thinks about
looks, and why is this important?
PRASHANT KIRAD
Answer: The poem subtly addresses societal norms regarding physical

appearance and beauty standards. The speaker's contemplation of changing
their hair color reflects the societal pressure to conform to predefined
notions of attractiveness. This is important because it resonates with real-
life struggles where individuals may feel compelled to meet external
expectations, impacting their self-esteem and influencing how they
navigate relationships.
9. Why is the speaker thinking about changing their appearance,
and how might this relate to what many people feel in real life?
Answer: The speaker contemplates changing their appearance as a
response to societal expectations and a desire for acceptance. This
reflects a common experience where individuals, in an attempt to conform
to societal norms, may consider altering their looks to fit in or be
perceived more favorably. The relatability of this theme mirrors the
societal pressure many people feel to meet external standards, often at
the expense of embracing their authentic selves.
10. What is the main message of the poem about love and
acceptance?
Answer: At its core, the poem conveys a poignant message about the
universal longing for authentic love and acceptance. It emphasizes the
speaker's quest to be loved for their true self, transcending superficial
attributes. The exploration of societal expectations, spiritual dimensions,
and personal struggles resonates with the broader human experience,
urging readers to reflect on the importance of genuine connections and the
challenges of navigating societal pressures in the pursuit of authentic love
and self-acceptance.

First Flight

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

First Flight

Uploaded by

Document Information

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

First Flight

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

PRASHANT KIRAD

Lencho's Hope Crushed by the Hailstorm

Lencho's Strong Belief in God

The Postmaster's Response

Conclusion: Lessons of Faith and Help from Others

CHARACTER SKETCH OF LENCHO :

2. With a satisfied expression, he regarded the field of ripe

Top 10 PYQs (Most Expected)

6. What did Lencho write in his second letter to God?

9. "But don't send it to me through the mail, because the post-

Answer: In his lack of awareness, Lencho made these remarks,

Nelson Mandela's Long Walk to Freedom

2. ‘It is from these comrades in the struggle that I learned the

Top 10 PYQs (Most Expected)

2. Nelson Mandela speaks of ‘Twin Obligations’. Elucidate.

Answer: According to Nelson Mandela, every man has two

Answer: Mandela was overwhelmed with a sense of history because in the

This marked the victory of democracy. Nelson Mandela set the

8. How has the attitude of the military generals towards

Two Stories About Flying

The Leap of Faith:

Character Sketch: His First Flight

Top 10 PYQs (Most Expected)

3. What was the young seagull’s experience during his

Answer: Yes, we sympathize with the seagull. He is a very young

7. Why didn’t the young seagull take the plunge? What

Two Stories About Flying

Character Sketch: The Pilot in "Black Aeroplane"

2. He turned his aero plane slowly to the north, in front of my

b) Who does he ‘ refer to in the first sentence?

Top 10 PYQs (Most Expected)

4. Was the pilot of the Dakota able to meet the pilot of

8. Who rescued the narrator when he was hopelessly lost

From the Diary of Anne Frank

Top 10 PYQs (Most Expected)

1.How does Anne feel about her father, grandmother, Mrs.

Bread in Everyday Life:

Character Sketch: The Goan Baker:

c) Which word/phrase in the extract means the same as an

Top 10 PYQs (Most Expected)

Answer: Goa was once occupied by the Portuguese. They were

Top 10 PYQs (Most Expected)

5. How has the tradition of courage and bravery been

Answer: The tourists are advised not to miss a climb to the

Top 10 PYQs (Most Expected)

1. How does Rajvir describe the tea garden at Dhekiajuli?

6. Why was Rajvir so much excitement?

It was the second sprouting period. Women were wearing plastic

10. It seems that Rajvir had done a lot of homework regarding

Mijbil the Otter

Troubles on the Way Home:

1. What did the author cable to England?

Top 10 PYQs (Most Expected)

1.How was Mij to be transported to England?

4. What happened when the box was opened?

But, as soon as he started becoming comfortable with the surroundings, he

Answer: He goes the Basra to the Consulate General to collect and

9. What happened when Maxwell took Mijbil to the bathroom?

Madam Rides the Bus

A Journey of Firsts: Nature's Wonders Unfold: