10

CBSE
Vol-1 & 2

Assignments in

ENGLISH PLUS
LANGUAGE & LITERATURE

TEACHERS' HANDBOOK

(Progressive Educational Publishers)

Full Marks Pvt Ltd

New Delhi-110002
MRP: ` 80.00
(Inclusive of all taxes)
 CONTENTS
Volume - 1
SECTION A: READING
♦ Type - I : Factual Passages Assignments – 1 to 12 .......... 3 – 5
♦ Type - II : Discursive Passages Assignments – 1 to 12 .... 5 – 7
SECTION - B: WRITING & GRAMMAR
Part - I : Writing .............................................................. 8 – 31
♦ Integrated Exercise for Practice ................................... 8 – 19
• Formal Letters ................................................................. 8
A. Complaint Letters ...................................................... 8
B. Inquiry Letters ........................................................... 9
C. Letter of placing Order ............................................ 11
D. Letter to the Editor .................................................. 12
• Article............................................................................. 15
• Short Story...................................................................... 17
♦ Assignments – 1 to 12 ................................................. 19 – 31
Part - II : Grammar ....................................................... 31 – 36
♦ Integrated Exercise for Practice ................................. 31 – 35
1. Cloze (Gap-Filling) ....................................................... 31
2. Editing (Error-Correction) ............................................. 32
3. Editing (Omissions) ....................................................... 32
4. Sentence Re-Ordering ................................................... 33
5. Sentence Transformation ............................................... 34
6. Dialogue Completion .................................................... 34
7. Paragraph Completion ................................................... 35
♦ Assignments – 1 to 12 ................................................. 35 – 36
Volume - 2
SECTION - C: LITERATURE TEXTBOOKS
Literature Reader (First Flight) .................................. 37 – 77
♦ Prose ........................................................................... 37 – 63
1. A Letter to God .............................................................. 37
2. Nelson Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom ..................... 39
3. Two Stories about Flying .............................................. 42
  Note: Please note this Teachers’ Handbook contains the Solutions/ Hints for the Assignments/ Diagnostic Test/ Unit
Assignments given in the book Assignments in English Plus Language & Literature - 10 published by Full Circle
Education Pvt Ltd.
  © All rights reserved with the Author.
(ii)
4. From the Diary of Anne Frank ...................................... 44
5. The Hundred Dresses – I ................................................ 47
6. The Hundred Dresses – II ............................................... 49
7. Glimpses of India .......................................................... 51
8. Mijbil the Otter .............................................................. 54
9. Madam Rides the Bus ................................................... 56
10. The Sermon at Benares ................................................. 59
11. The Proposal .................................................................. 61
♦ Poetry ......................................................................... 64 – 77
1. Dust of Snow ................................................................. 64
2. Fire and Ice .................................................................... 65
3. A Tiger in the Zoo ......................................................... 66
4. How to Tell Wild Animals ............................................. 67
5. The Ball Poem ............................................................... 68
6. Amanda! ........................................................................ 69
7. Animals ......................................................................... 71
8. The Trees ....................................................................... 72
9. Fog ................................................................................. 73
10. The Tale of Custard the Dragon .................................... 75
11. For Anne Gregory .......................................................... 76
Supplementary Reader (Footprints without Feet) ..... 77 – 93
1. A Triumph of Surgery .................................................... 77
2. The Thief’s Story ........................................................... 78
3. The Midnight Visitor ..................................................... 80
4. A Question of Trust ....................................................... 82
5. Footprints without Feet ................................................. 83
6. The Making of a Scientist ............................................. 85
7. The Necklace ................................................................. 86
8. The Hack Driver ............................................................ 88
9. Bholi............................................................................... 89
10. The Book That Saved The Earth ................................... 91
Unit Assignments ........................................................... 93 – 95
Unit Assignments – 1 ............................................................ 93
Unit Assignments – 2 ............................................................ 93
Unit Assignments – 3 ............................................................ 94
Unit Assignments – 4 ............................................................ 95
 VOLUME - 1
SECTION - A: READING
Type - I : Factual Passages
ASSIGNMENT – 1
1.1 (i) Coalition government is the ultimate truth of Indian
politics now-a-days.
(ii) In the course of time, temporal friendship, deceit
and blackmailing prove to be the cause for the
functioning of coalition politics.
(iii) The diversity of Indian society keeps an eye on
dividing the Indian masses into castes, religions
and regions.
(iv) The regional groups never hesitate to indulge in the
act of blackmailing. They have become a serious
problem for the country.
(v) They do not prefer to discussion on the burning
and relevant topics of national interest.
(vi) In the early post colonial period, the political
ideology was meant to unite the different sets of
people.
(vii) The ideology of congress was to unite people from
different points of views.
(viii) The ideology of other parties was to build the
society rather than a nation. They used the party
members to organise only special camps and
sessions.
(ix) Ambition
ASSIGNMENT – 2
1.1 (i) The enforcement of the rights is essential so that
the declaration of Fundamental Rights could be
made meaningful.
(ii) Article 32 of the constitution seeks to provide
remedy for the enforcement of the rights.
(iii) Article 32 has four sections.
(iv) According to the first section of Article 32, for the
enforcement of Fundamental Rights everyone has
right to move the Supreme Court by appropriate
proceedings.
(v) The court will not entertain application under
Article 32 unless the same falls within the scope
of any of the Fundamental Rights guaranteed in
part-III of the constitution.
(vi) The Supreme Court is the supreme guardian
of Fundamental Rights. The Supreme Court
has two types of jurisdiction – original and
appellate.
3
(vii) Any person whose Fundamental Rights have been
violated within the territory of India, may move
the Supreme Court for an appropriate remedy.
(viii) Although a person may have a remedy in any of
the High Court, he cannot be precluded from going
directly to the Supreme Court.
(ix) Remedy
ASSIGNMENT – 3
1.1 (i) Education significantly contributes to economic
development.
(ii) Individuals with proper education have an
edge over their non-educated or half-educated
counterparts.
(iii) The major aim is to reduce the large number of
drop outs from the school.
(iv) The poor performance in the literacy field is one
of the major causes of India’s poor economy.
(v) Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan is the ambitions project
launched by our government.
(vi) Investment in education promotes economic
growth. Literacy and education create more
productive labour force.
(vii) Literacy increases the thinking power and
understanding of the good or bad.
(viii) Literate people can improve their local economic
factors by participating in great number in the local
self-governance institutions.
(ix) Cunningness
ASSIGNMENT – 4
1.1 (i) The narrator was shopping in his home town.
(ii) She heard the voice of a young boy across the
aisle.
(iii) The mother felt mortified as her son had pointed
out at the dwarf mockingly.
(iv) The mother turned to the lady to seek an apology
for the insulting behaviour of her son.
(v) The son asked the lady why she looked so little.
(vi) The dwarf replied that she was what god had made
her to be.
(vii) The dwarf was three feet nine inches tall.
(viii) The family doctor predicted that the child would
not have any major medical problems.
(ix) Apologize
ASSIGNMENT – 5
1.1 (i) Because they find themselves besieged by aches
and pains.
(ii) According to them, the increased pains are caused
by the drop in atmospheric pressure. As a result,
the fluids in the body swell and pain symptoms
develop in the body.
(iii) The monsoon/rainy season is the time when two
kinds of energies work negatively.
(iv) To reduce joint pain and inflammation we should
drink two cups of warm ginger and honey twice a
day.
(v) In the case of rheumatoid arthritis, we should
avoid food like curd, sweets, rice, pickle, tomato,
ketchup, brinjal and sour drinks.
(vi) • They should avoid salt in their diet on painful
days.
• They should take calcium rich diet.
(vii) We should take turmeric milk just before bedtime.
(viii) We should check our vitamin-D levels.
(ix) Besieged
ASSIGNMENT – 6
1.1 (i) Now-a-days climate change is described as the
ultimate weapon of mass destruction and a thread
worse than terrorism or nuclear war.
(ii) The burning of coal, oil and gas is the primary
cause of ‘Global Warning.’
(iii) Because its solution lies in lifestyle changes that
go against the consumer culture and the socio-
economic system.
(iv) For half a million years the earth has not seen such
build-up of carbon dioxide.
(v) Because even if no more CO2 as other green house
gases are released by humankind, the earth will
continue to warm up for some decades.
(vi) Due to “Global warming”, the sea will continuously
rise for some centuries and the ice sheets melt for
thousands of years.
(vii) The world is already facing increasing sea
intrusions, floods, droughts, heat waves, disease
transmissions and environmental refugees.
(viii) In this regard, the scientists have warned that the
world problem will only get grave in the decades
to come.
(ix) Primarily
ASSIGNMENT – 7
1.1 (i) Technology can bring about world citizenship by
forging the world community.
(ii) Rainforests are being destroyed to make way for
the coffee plantations.
4 Assignments in English Plus Language and Literature – 10 Teacher’s Handbook
(iii) According to the author, there are three kinds
of lies. They are white, black and best of them
all.
(iv) A kind of lies that come true when some
catastrophic takes place and shakes us to re-think
and discover some newer data.
(v) Over resources should be used in a sustainable way
so that we would leave a sound ecology/ earth for
our posterity as a legacy.
(vi) ‘Sustainable Development’ is a comprehensive
term and it encompasses the vital areas of concern
for humanity.
(vii) Because there is a need for transformation at
local, sub-regional, regional, national and global
levels.
(viii) Because the human population is increasing
rapidly and the number of trees is gradually
narrowing down.
(ix) Posterity
ASSIGNMENT – 8
1.1 (i) Alva Edison wanted to light up the homes of
people.
(ii) They have added comfort to our life. Today we
depend very much on them.
(iii) We are very used to enjoying comforts provided
by electricity. In its absence, our life becomes
restless.
(iv) The basic aim behind the invention of any
technology is to make the life of people comfortable
and enrich the overall quality of their life.
(v) Because people use technology at every step.
(vi) The excess use of technology has left no room for
physical exercise.
(vii) Before it is too late, we should understand that
technology was invented by and is meant to be
controlled by man.
(viii) The prudent and wise use of technology will enrich
our lives as never before.
(ix) Doubt
ASSIGNMENT – 9
1.1 (i) No man is free from mistakes or faults.
(ii) If human beings do not make mistakes, they can
reach the level of Godliness.
(iii) If we go on making mistakes only, we can come
down to the level of devilry.
(iv) Because man is not totally free from mistake-
making tendency.
(v) Because it is a princely quality. We must realise
that we also may make mistakes.
 (vi) If a man makes mistakes knowingly or deliberately,
he becomes unforgivable.
(vii) If a man makes mistakes deliberately and
repeatedly, he deserves to be punished.
(viii) All the great scriptures of the world teach the great
idea of forgiving others’ sins and mistakes.
(ix) Tendency
ASSIGNMENT – 10
1.1 (i) Computers were invented to fulfill man’s
requirement of a fast and accurate calculating
device.
(ii) An abacus is the earliest device that functioned as
a digital computer.
(iii) Charles Babbage is the “Father of Modern Digital
Computers.”
(iv) The change that came in the field of computers in
the 90’s was the emergence of software industries.
(v) Software Industry develops the ideas and solutions
coded in computer suitable for only qualified
personnels.
(vi) The new trend is to transform both public services
and the relations between government and citizens.
(vii) In the field of computers the next revolution is the
beginning of e-government. People are allowed to
renew their car registration, pay traffic fines and
replace lost identity cards on line.
(viii) With the help of internet, the Tax Department has
greatly reduced the number of errors and litigation
related to income tax returns.
(ix) Phenomenal
ASSIGNMENT – 11
1.1 (i) Because the forms and characteristics of ragging
were different from what we notice today.
(ii) In the 18th century ragging actually originated in
England.
Type - II : Discursive Passages
ASSIGNMENT – 1
2.1 (i) In India, only 30 percent people of total population
are educated. So, out of 100 hardly 5 people go to
libraries.
(ii) Due to monetary constraints people cannot afford
to lose themselves in the fantastic world of books.
Although they are interested in reading, they do
not have financial backing.
(iii) The beginning of satellite televisions is largely
responsible for the decline of the reading habits
Vol - 1 — Section - A: Reading
(iii) The fund collected was used for the welfare of the
community.
(iv) In the universities or colleges ragging became
a form of deriving sadistic pleasure. Under this
change, the newcomers were subjected to absurd
and abominable mental and physical torture.
(v) Because sometimes ragging resulted in serious
injury or even death.
(vi) Ragging went on unhindered for decades,
the victims of the previous year became the
perpetration this year and everybody willingly
accepted it.
(vii) By UGC Act, 1956 all the institutions are made to
adopt an anti-ragging policy. But the practice of
ragging still continues even after 53 years.
(viii) We often like to keep ourselves aloof from a
controversy till we do not get involved into it.
(ix) Victims
ASSIGNMENT – 12
1.1 (i) BPOs have often been faulted as they don’t have
women in their senior managerial positions.
(ii) Communication and self-expression are the
challenges that women face in the BPO sector
today.
(iii) Lack of confidence gives birth to these problems.
(iv) No, all women are not considered confident and
at par with their male counterparts.
(v) A complete cross cultural dilemma awaits women
from small towns and conservative backgrounds.
(vi) Companies are looking to recruit women for the
stability factor.
(vii) The current man-women ratio in the BPO sector
is 69:31.
(viii) Women can use sitagita.com as a platform for
expressing their concerns.
(ix) Colleagues
among the youths. Today children are addicted
to the televisions. They never like to go through
bulky books for pleasure.
(iv) People have no time and patience. They prefer
accessing online e-books services that save
their time and money. On the other hand, the
state government is always short of resources
to update the books and facilities. As a result,
the libraries suffer from the latest and handy
information.
5
 (v) Life in smaller towns and cities is slower than that 2.2 (i) (c) two
of metros. People have time to fulfill their hobbies. (ii) (b) successful future
2.2 (i) (b) literate (iii) (c) ensure
(ii) (c) Internet (iv) (a) economic
(iii) (b) constrain (v) (b) important
(iv) (a) Erudite
ASSIGNMENT – 5
(v) (d) people
2.1 (i) Yoga asanas have a tremendous and ranquilising
ASSIGNMENT – 2 effect on human body.
2.1 (i) In 1987, the concept of sustainable development (ii) Dhyana and Samadhi train the mind to relax. They
was popularised. alter one reaction to headache and prevent it from
(ii) The world commission on environment and becoming a serious problem.
development popularised it. (iii) Pranayama inhibits random agitations in the energy
flows of our body.
(iii) In the zoo at Lusaka the notice board reads, “The
world’s most dangerous animal”. (iv) Pranayama stabilizes the autonomic nervous
system.
(iv) Inside the cage there is no animal but a mirror is
kept. Here you can see yourself. (v) Chronic pain is imbalance in prana.
(v) According to the biologist, about three hundred Examples:
other species are still unnamed in the dark world. • Insomnia • Lack of enthusiasm
2.2 (i) (c) sustainable development 2.2 (i) (a) posture
(ii) (b) distinguished (ii) (d) pain-agony-pain
(iii) (c) catalogued (iii) (c) crippling
(iv) (d) Biologists (iv) (b) locked
(v) (a) were raised (v) (c) stays

ASSIGNMENT – 3
2.1 (i) The orchard stood in the sunlight.
(ii) The apples looked red and enticing.
(iii) Small thieves were those children who rushed into
the orchard.
(iv) The small thieves rushed at the fruits. Unfortunately,
the bigger and riper fruits were out of their reach.
(v) Auntie told them to bring a broken table and a piece
of wire. They were piled in the rubbish dump.
2.2 (i) (c) our reach
(ii) (b) talks
(iii) (b) orchard
(iv) (c) commotion
(v) (d) my brother
ASSIGNMENT – 4
2.1 (i) India turned a billion-strong nation on May 11.
(ii) We can look at the glass in two different ways. The
first one is to ask if the glass is half empty and the
other way is to feel satisfied that it is half-full.
(iii) India has to feed one billion mouths.
(iv) No, we can’t take the birth of the billionth child in
isolation.
(v) An ideal family decreases domestic burdens and
worries. It ensures the quality life by providing
time.
ASSIGNMENT – 6
2.1 (i) Shakespeare has enormous vocabulary. His words
are different. They have come from various
sources.
(ii) He employed 9,36,433 words in his writing.
(iii) An average person uses less than 1,000 words in
his writing.
(iv) English has a total vocabulary of two million
words, followed by German, Russian and French
words.
(v) He studied books related to every mental
discipline. He also observed the habits and styles
of various sections of people around him. Hence,
he drew new ideas for his play.
2.2 (i) (b) 9,36,433
(ii) (c) translated
(iii) (d) enormous
(iv) (a) genius
(v) (b) in daily use
ASSIGNMENT – 7
2.1 (i) Men want to descend into the sea to repair the ship
and harbour equipment to examine wrecks and to
look for sunken treasure.
(ii) The most difficult problem that a diver faces is
how to breath under sea water. It does not allow
him to go very deep into the sea.

6 Assignments in English Plus Language and Literature – 10 Teacher’s Handbook

 (iii) Equipments that help in working under water can (ii) She encouraged her son Philip to take part in the
solve the problem of breathing under water. summer reading club.
(iv) A frogman wears a tight fitting rubber suit with (iii) He got an autographed picture of a hockey star.
large slippers on his feet. (iv) Sports prizes were raffled off at the end of summer.
(v) Many deposits of oil and minerals are found in the (v) They were surveyed to find out how they spent
sea bed. However, they are drawn out after a great their free time when they were of 5 to 12 years of
deal of hard work. ages.
2.2 (i) (a) challenge 2.2 (i) (b) a seven
(ii) (c) copper (ii) (c) spontaneous
(iii) (b) A frogman (iii) (a) moaned
(iv) (d) equipments (iv) (a) stimulation
(v) (a) connected (v) (c) right
ASSIGNMENT – 8 ASSIGNMENT – 11
2.1 (i) Carbon dioxide and nitrogen oxide produced by 2.1 (i) Because he/she has a liking for the sensation of
car fumes pollute the air. winning.
(ii) Cycling or walking as alternatives to travelling by (ii) His main objective is to fight well.
cars can stop this. (iii) The main object of their entire life to work hard
(iii) Habitat destruction, deforestation and pollution of and cure the sick.
rivers and seas are the reasons of the extinction of (iv) They are also very important, but they are
many species of animals and birds. considered inferior to intellectuals and brave
(iv) During the last two centuries not less than two men.
hundred species of birds and animals have become (v) The writer of this passage is certainly a humanist.
extinct. He is a true nationalist and dedicated social worker.
(v) Methane is the most effective gas. It gets into the He tries to awake people for noble actions.
air when the rubbish in landfill sites start rotting.
2.2 (i) (a) well-educated
2.2 (i) (b) produced
(ii) (b) battles
(ii) (a) waste
(iii) (c) object
(iii) (c) disappearing
(iv) (d) fees
(iv) (d) habitate
(v) (a) sick
(v) (b) extinction
ASSIGNMENT – 12
ASSIGNMENT – 9
2.1 (i) The word ‘Bonsai’ means a miniature tree in the
2.1 (i) Because it is like a curse on his life, on his family
house.
and on his nation. It works as an inhibitor for him.
(ii) Pruning, snipping and wiring are the 3 basic steps
(ii) Because their illiteracy rate is below 5 percent
to shape a Bonsai. Pruning means controlling the
when the illiteracy rates in Turkey and Iran are 61
percent and 43 percent respectively. plant’s growth and form by cutting foliage.
(iii) Because they are uneducated and unskilled. (iii) The total space of bonsai plant and its container is
taken and divided horizontally and vertically into
(iv) The diamond companies take the fullest advantage
these parts. Then, the front, back roofs and sides
of their illiteracy. They enforce overtime and low
wages on them. of the plant are used to make it a Bonsai.
(v) Because they are ignorant and incapable of rational (iv) Nipping is a step that helps the Bonsai tree in
thinking. maintaining its desired shape. Wiring is bending
and twisting the branches to give the Bonsai its
2.2 (i) (b) curse
shape.
(ii) (b) below
(v) Bonsai cultivation originated in Japan. But in 200
(iii) (c) unskilled
BC the Chinese first cultivated these plants.
(iv) (a) expensive
2.2 (i) (a) captured
(v) (d) betrayed
(ii) (b) three
ASSIGNMENT – 10 (iii) (c) controls
2.1 (i) Sometimes they need a small push in the right (iv) (d) maintain
direction. (v) (a) actual

Vol - 1 — Section - A: Reading 7

 SECTION - B: WRITING & GRAMMAR
Part - I : Writing
INTEGRATED EXERCISE FOR PRACTICE
This is to bring to your kind notice that the sports
zone area of our apartment meant for kids is in
COMPOSITION-I (Formal Letters) very bad condition. It needs immediate repairing
A. Complaint Letter work.
1. 3, Lake View Road
Two of the swings are damaged and because of this
Bhopal one kid was hurt very badly yesterday. There are a few

15th May, 20×× numbers of balls left in the ball pool. The paint of the
swings and benches is uneven which is giving a poor

The Municipal Commissioner
worn out look. Some of video games are not working
Bhopal
properly. Broken benches, broken lights have added to

Sir the woes. All the residents of the this society have paid
maintenance also.
Subject: Complaint about non-removal of garbage.

I hope that the concerned authority will take immediate

I wish to bring to your kind notice that the garbage actions and will start repairing work soon.
around the Lake View Road was initially being
removed twice a week, whereas it should be on a daily
Thanking you
basis, now even that is not being done. The frequency
Yours faithfully
of garbage removal has now come down to once a
Kunal Gandhi
fortnight. As a result, this area being very populated,
mounds of garbage can be seen at every nook and 3. 112, Tower No. 746
corner. These garbage being stacked for days not only Green Apartments
makes the place look dirty but after a few days starts Ravi Vihar
stinking and emanates foul smell. The other danger Agra
it poses is towards the people’s health since it is the
20th Aug, 20××
most convenient breeding ground for various infectious
diseases.
Consumer Grievances Cell

I seek your personal intervention to ensure that
PVVNL, Naya Bazar
the garbage cleaning is immediately done and the
Agra
frequency of cleaning should be done on a daily
Sir
basis.

Looking forward to your support and co-operation. Subject: Complaint about faulty electricity bills.

Thanking you
This is to bring to your notice that I have been receiving
faulty electricity for the past three months.

Yours sincerely
I am paying my monthly electricity bills on time. I

Apoorva/Asha have also the receipt for those payments. But, there
2. 12, Tower No. 76 is a mistake in your records. For the past three
High Rise Apartments months, the previous bill amount is adding on to
Gurugram Vihar the current bill amount and now it becomes a huge
Delhi amount.

I request the concerned authority to please update your

12th July, 20×× records. For your convenience, I have also attached the

The President photocopy of the receipts of the last three payments of

Resident Welfare Association the bills.

Gurugram Vihar
Thanking you

Delhi

Yours faithfully

Sir
Vinita Das
Subject: Complaint about the bad condition of the
Encl.: Photocopies of receipts of the last 3 months
sports zone area. electricity bill.

8 Assignments in English Plus Language and Literature – 10 Teacher’s Handbook

 4. The Horizon Club You can also send someone to take away the wrong
32, L.B. Shastri Marg items also.
Lucknow

Thanking you

12th May, 20××

Yours faithfully

The Manager
Rashmi Singh

Rajesh Furniture Mart

14, Jayveer Nagar B. Enquiry Letters

Lucknow 1. Kashinath Lahri Public School

Sir Burnpur-713325
Subject: Complaint about defective furnitures.
24th May, 20××

We purchased different types of furniture for our
The Manager
club very recently from your shop on 12th May to be
M/s R.K. Stores
specific. The furniture which includes chairs, tables,
Station Road
dining table, sofas.
Asansol-713304

Yesterday being the 11th May, the old furnitures were

Sir
removed and these new ones were put in its place.
While these were being arranged and put in place lots Subject: Enquiry regarding provisions.
of defects were noticed. The defects are like the legs

I wish to inform that our institution is located at
of the chairs are uneven, the polishing on the handle
Burnpur. We have hostel facility for our students who
of the chairs are uneven which is giving a poor and
wish to stay. The strength of our boys staying in the
wornout look. The dining table, due to damages while
being given finishing touches at your end has some hostel is 210 numbers. Since food is also provided by
damages on the edges, which is not acceptable to us. the school, there is a huge requirement of different

We are not at all happy with the quality of your food items. The break-up of different items and its
furnitures. Please arrange to replace the furniture within corresponding quantity is given below:
a week from the date of this letter. S.No. Name of Items Quantity (kgs/Nos)

Please send us an acknowledgement of this letter and
ensure that the furnitures are replaced urgently. 1. Arhar (Pulses) 100 kgs
2. Mong Dal (Pulses) 150 kgs

Thanking You
3. Masoor Dal 150 kgs

Yours sincerely
(Pulses)

Ashok
4. Rajma 50 kgs
5. 4/444, Defence Enclave
Delhi 5. Chana (white) 70 kgs
6. Mustard oil 100 kgs

19th November, 20××
7. Jeera Powder 20 packets (500 gms)

Customer Care Department

Amazon Stores Ltd. 8. Turmeric power 50 kgs

34, Rajender Nagar 9. Salt 40 packets

Delhi
10. Cornflakes 50 packets (500 gms)

Sir

The materials mentioned above are one month’s
Subject: Complaint about delivery of wrong goods. requirement and should be delivered on the 1st of every

This is to bring to your notice that last week I have month. Any change in quantity will be intimated to you
purchased bamboo table, mat, coasters and flower vase before hand. The food items should be standard brand
from your site. My order no. is : ABC 78940. I got my and with IS Mark on it.
goods yesterday. But the parcel contained the wrong
Please send us your best offer along with the payment
items. They are not the same things that I have ordered. terms within three days from the date of this letter.
I found yoga mat, plastic coasters only. Bamboo flower

Thanking you
vase was not there in the packet.

I request the concerned authority to take immediate
Yours faithfully
actions and deliver my right goods as soon as possible.
Principal

Vol - 1 — Section - B: Writing & Grammar 9

 2. Sparkles Stores
Hope to hear from you at the earliest.
105, Chandni Chowk

Thanking you
Delhi-110006

Yours faithfully

2th May, 20××

Rakesh Singh

The Sales Manager

Bright Sales Corporation 4. Venus Cloth Mart

52/7, New Friends Colony 12, South Extension-11,

New Delhi New Delhi

Sir
4th April, 20××

Subject: Enquiry about the details of various electrical

items.
We are one of the leading appliances stores in Haryana
and authentic national and international brand of
devices. Now, we have recently opened a chain of
electrical good stores in Delhi NCR.
Kindly send us the latest catalogue of your various
electrical items. Also let us know the maximum
discount you will give on the order as admissible
to wholesalers. An early response will be highly
appreciated.
Thanking you
Yours faithfully
Amita
(Director)
3. 10, Amrapali Road
Sector-22
Noida
24th April, 20××
The Course Director
Excel Education
K.T. Nagar
Bangalore
Sir
Subject: Enquiry about TOFEL training classes.
This is in response to your advertisement published in
the classified columns of ‘Deccan Herald’ regarding
your institute starting a six weeks course for TOEFL.
I am eager to do this said course as I wish to go abroad.
Kindly send me a brochure and prospectus containing
relevant information like the course fees, payment
mode and student concession if available.
I also solicit information from your end regarding
boarding and lodging facilities since I would be away
from home.
An early reply will be greatly appreciated which will
enable me to make necessary arrangements well in
advance.
The Sales Manager
Reliance Textiles
60/5, Industrial Area
Baroda
Sir
Subject: Enquiry about details of suit lengths and dress
material.
We are one of the leading cloth brand in the East Delhi.
Now, we have opened a new showroom in the South
Extension-II. We wish to procure bulk quantities of suit
lengths and dress material for this new showroom.
Kindly send us the latest catalogue of items of your
company. Please quote your prices with terms and
conditions. Also let us know the maximum discount
as admissible to wholesalers.
An early response will be highly appreciated.
Thank you
Yours faithfully
Madhav Das
(Manager)
5. 43, Civil Lines
Rohini, Delhi
24th May, 20××
The Embassy of Saudi Arabia
New Delhi
Sir
Subject: Enquiry about the requisites for student visa.
I am a student of journalism from the University of
Delhi. I am looking forward to visit Saudi Arabia in
the coming vacation which shall commence from 10th
of June. I shall require a student visa for this trip.
I shall be leaving for Saudi Arabia on the 12th of June
and wish to tour till the 20th of June. The purpose of
my visit is not tourism entirely. It has also educational
purpose which will help me to make projects in my
course. I have attached a copy of my college identity
card and a copy of the project issued.

10 Assignments in English Plus Language and Literature – 10 Teacher’s Handbook


I would like to notify that this trip shall be entirely 2. Impact Guest House
funded by my father, Mr. Puneet Aggarwal, who is a 768, Mohan Nagar
well earning businessman. Delhi

I shall be grateful if you forward me the details of the
7th August, 20××
requisites of the student visa as soon as possible.

The Store Manager

Thanking you
M/s National Grocery

Yours faithfully
314, Laxmi Colony, Delhi

Mohit Aggarwal
Sir
C. Letter of Placing Order Subject: Placing order for grocery.
1. Green Valley Public School
Our guest house requires grocery for kitchen supplies.
57 E Outer Ring Road We wish to place an order with your store for the same
New Delhi, 110019 as you are the largest wholesaler supplier and offer the

15th April, 20×× most competitive prices.

The Manager Sl.No. Grocery Items Brand Quantity

Adarsh Stationery Mart 1. Sugar Rajdhani 5 kg

34, ‘B’ Block

Nehru Place 2. Salt Tata 2 kg

New Delhi-110016 3. Moong Dal Rajdhani 3 kg

Sir 4. Soyabean Refined Oil Fortune 10 Litres
Subject: Supply of various stationery items. Taj
5. Tea 1 kg

This has reference to your quotation dated 4th April, Mahal
2017 for various stationery items.
6. Rice Patanjali 10 kg

We are pleased to place an order for various stationery
items mentioned below.
We expect at least 20% discount and proper packaging
of the products. In case of any transit damage, the
Sl.No. Description of Item Quantity goods will be returned at your cost. Payment would be
1. 12 quire Register Twelve made by cheque, once the order is received. We expect
prompt delivery within a week.
2. 4 quire register Ten

Thanking you
3. Ledgers Twenty

Yours faithfully
4. Computer Sheets Three boxes
Arunima Gupta
Pen (Mix of Red/Blue/ Eighteen
(Manager)
5.
Black) boxes 3. Nav Yug Public School
6. Pencils Ten boxes R.K. Puram
New Delhi
7. Erasers Thirty

24th March, 20××
8. Measuring Scale-1′ Twelve

The Sales Manager
9. Waste Paper Baskets Twenty Four
M/S Vishal Electronics and Appliances Ltd.

The above items before delivery must be thoroughly
New Delhi
checked at your end to ensure no registers are torn or
Sir
having dirty marks. The stationery items have to be
delivered on the 11th April to our school. Subject: Placing an order for various electronic goods

As agreed the mode of payment will be made by cheque and domestic appliances.
at the time of receipt of the above items.
We wish to place a bulk order for various electronic

Thanking you and domestic appliances for our new school hostel.
Please send us your best offer alongwith your terms

Yours faithfully and conditions. The materials so supplied should be

Principal of good standard and with least malfunctioning.

Vol - 1 — Section - B: Writing & Grammar 11


The particulars of the items required are mentioned made by cheque no sooner the goods are received in
below: good condition.
No. of items
Thanking you
Sl.No. Particulars
required
Yours faithfully
1. 48″ Fan Three dozen
Rohit Das

(Coordinator)
2. 4′ Tubelights Six dozen
3. Piano switches Six dozen 5. Rising Star Public School
65, Dwarka
4. 32 L Microwave oven One dozen Agra
5. Geysers One dozen
10th March, 20××
6. Automatic washing machine Six numbers
The Sales Manager

M/s Full Circle Education Pvt. Ltd.

Kindly let us know the discount offered by you on

4238/1, Ansari Road, Daryaganj
bulk purchases. Do also confirm the mode of payment.

New Delhi
Please note any material found to be defective will have
to be replaced on urgent basis.
Sir

Thanking you Subject: Placing order for books.

Your sincerely
Our school library is planning to update its stock with

Dinesh Kumar books of leading publishers. We wish to place an order

(Hostel Warden) with your store as you are the leading publisher in
support books and offer the most competitive prices.
4. Raasta School
The order is as follows:
222, Bihari Colony
Lucknow Sl.No. Books Class Quantity

17th April, 20×× 1. Diary of a Young Girl X 5

The Store Manager 2. Manjeet Singh Mathematics IX 20

M/s Raman Uniform Store 3. Manjeet Singh Mathematics X 20

66/4, Rani Garden
4. Vyakaran Parichay VIII 5

Lucknow

All the books should be hardbound and in perfect

Sir
condition. We expect at least 20% discount. In case of
Subject: Placing order for uniform. any damage, the books will be returned at your cost.
Payment would be made as soon the books are received

Our NGO requires school uniform for students of
in good condition.
Classes I-V for the coming session. We wish to
place an order with your store as you are the largest
Thanking you
wholesaler supplier and offer the most competitive
Yous faithfully
prices.

Shahida Ali

The order is as follows:

(Librarian)
Sl.No. Uniform Sizes Quantity
D. Letter to the Editor
1. White Shirts 18-20 100 1. 24, Mall Road
2. White Shirts 22-24 100 Chennai
3. Grey Trousers 20-22 50
20th December, 20××
4. Grey Skirts 20-22 50
The Editor

The Hindu
5. White Socks 20-22 200
New Delhi

All the uniform should be in perfect condition. We
Sir
expect at least 40% discount as we need these uniform
for the needy children of this NGO. Payment would be Subject: Impacts of Friendship.

12 Assignments in English Plus Language and Literature – 10 Teacher’s Handbook


Through your esteemed newspaper, I would like to give
a lesson for the children that friendship is not bad for life.
But we should be aware of the quality of friends we have.
There are two types of friends- good and bad. Of course,
it is difficult to recognise who are bad and who are good.
And by the time one comes to know a bad quality, it is
already too late to mend. So the simple way is to avoid
being too close to develop a friendship which may harm
you. First observe a colleague, watch his/her behaviour,
and try to collect ideas about his/her repute in society,
school and among friends. Also, see and observe those
who are already in his/her friend circle. If one has good
friend one is great but if one is in bad company one may
face many troubles. So be cautious and be safe.
Thanking you
Yours sincerely
Aruna
2. Rampur Road, Bareilly
Uttar Pradesh
27th December, 20××
The Editor
The Morning Star
Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh
Sir
Subject: Importance of National Integration.
Through your esteemed newspaper, I wish to share
my ideas on the importance of National Integration.
Last week I participated in a programme held to
commemorate National Integration Day. It was, in fact,
a youth exchange forum. Delegates from various fields
took part in it. Hence, it was a golden opportunity for
me to share ideas of the youth from various groups and
countries. I was really delighted to listen to them. As ours
is a country of unity in diversity and no other country has
so much different culture, language, tradition, society,
festivals, religions, etc. as we have here in India. Still
India demonstrates a unique example of integrity. We
are the custodians of our great culture and it is our duty
to keep it preserved. Nobody has any right to harm it.
India’s National Integrity is its greatest pride.
Thanking you
Yours sincerely
Maya
3. M-5, Tagore Garden
New Delhi
10th May, 20××
The Editor
The Hindustan Times
New Delhi
Vol - 1 — Section - B: Writing & Grammar
Sir
Subject: Prevalence of illiteracy in our country.
Through the columns of your esteemed newspaper I wish
to highlight the poor condition of education in India.
There is still a large section of society which is deprived
of education. Education is still a distant dream for a lot
of children. These ill-fated children have no access to
school as a result of which they are compelled to work
by their families for earning money. The government
claims a lot by dint of its schemes and programmes. It
has made school education a right for Indian citizens.
Free and compulsory education to all children up to the
age of 14 years have been started. In spite of all these
measures, the right to education is still a dream for many,
due to the lack of proper implementation.
There is an urgent need to spread awareness in this
regard. Illiteracy is a curse which need to be wiped out
by providing education to all. The state government and
NGOs need to be active.
Thanking you
Yours sincerely
Sultan
4. B-10, Janakpuri
New Delhi
25th December, 20××
The Editor
The Times of India
New Delhi
Sir
Subject: Highlights of Indian Cultural Heritage.
It is through your esteemed newspaper that I would
like to highlight our cultural heritage which is one of
the greatest features of India. India is a land of multiple
castes, class, creed, language, dresses, religions, customs,
etc. On the one hand, Kashmir-the northernmost Indian
territory is completely at contrast to the Kanyakumari-
the southernmost territory. Both doesn’t match anywhere
in anything. Similarly, the eastern India differs from the
western India and the central India differs from all the
other. Diversity is one factor and its unity is the other.
Both bear the same ethos, the same flavour and same
national pride which is unique and no country in the
world can match with it. We are proud of being a citizen
of such a great country. We must keep it intact and be
a true nationalist with one national song, one national
flag, one national constitution and one nation.
Thanking you
Yours sincerely
Arushi Khetan
13
 5. B-222, Janakpuri
New Delhi
10th February, 20××
The Editor
The Hindustan Times
New Delhi
Sir
Subject: Importance of games and sports in National
Integration.
Through your esteemed newspaper I wish to share
my ideas on the importance of games and sports
in national integration. Games and sports should
be an integral part of education and therefore they
should also be included in school syllabus like
other subjects. Besides, marks should be allotted for
them to inspire students in this field. This system
will prove a milestone in the process of national
integration as students get various lessons to work
in the positive direction. Games and sports make a
students intellectually sharp, physically strong and
morally sound. They teach discipline and improve
socialisation. They inculcate in the layers the habit
of teamwork, and build the spirit of sportsmanship.
These are virtues which play an important role in
national integration. Players travel from one part
of the country to another part and thus bind people
together.
Thanking you
Yours sincerely
Harsh Anand
6. C-10, Vishal Enclave
New Delhi
06th November, 20××
The Editor
The Indian Express
New Delhi
Sir
Subject: Implications of Right to Education.
Through your esteemed newspaper I wish to draw
the attention of the concerned people that the Right
to Education (RTE) was enacted by the Parliament of
India on 4th August, 2009. Its objective is to provide the
right to free and compulsory education to children. This
Act describes the modalities of the importance of free
and compulsory education for children between 6 to 14
year in India. This Act has been a great step to achieve
optimum literacy in India. In order to implement it
successfully, several provisions have been introduced.
14 Assignments in English Plus Language and Literature – 10 Teacher’s Handbook
Many subsidiary programmes have also been launched
for its success. Some of them are Sarvashiksha
Abhiyan, Mid-day Meal, etc. Simultaneously some
changes have been brought in our education policy.
Physical punishment and mental harassment, screening
procedure for admission of children, capitation fee and
private tuition by teacher — have been prohibited as
per this Act. No-fail policy has also been adopted. No
doubt, these are good efforts for achieving literacy
targets but on the level of learning and understanding
began to deteriorate as there is no fear of passing an
examination. Hence, it proved to be just a farce. Now
people and also the government are thinking to change
the system and modify the provisions to set the things
right. Let’s wait.
Thanking you
Yours sincerely
Kapil
7. B-202, Rajouri Garden
New Delhi
21st November, 20××
The Editor
The Indian Express
New Delhi
Sir
Subject: Preservation of Tourism Sector.
Through your esteemed newspaper, I would like to
draw the attention of my countrymen towards our
serious negligence to our heritage. There are a lot of
tourist places -natural and man-made. They our heritage
and pride of our country. You know tourism has become
a great business of our country. Visitors from all over
globe came to visit these spots. If we deface them, it
would create our poor image in other countries. Without
thinking so, we deface the walls, spit on them, damage
their beauty. It is not only the loss of revenue but our
image globally. We have not created them and we have
no right to destroy them. Our awareness matters the
most. Govt should also be strict for their safety.
Thanking you
Yours sincerely
Amit Sharma
8. JK-110, Janakpuri
New Delhi
16th July, 20××
The Editor
The Indian Express
New Delhi

Sir
Subject: Today’s lifestyle — a threat to our life.
Through your esteemed newspaper I would like to draw
the attention of general people towards the problems
which are taking place due to their improper lifestyle.
They are always seen in hurry in homes, in offices,
on roads, and where not. Pressures of job and family
are increasing. These pressures have made their lives
hectic. They are getting irritated, short-tempered and
exhausted. Busy life schedule has made them victims
of sleep deprivation. We know the importance of a good
night’s sleep. Unfortunately a great number of people
are deprived of it. This results in depression, suicides,
etc.
Yoga can change the situation. It can prove a great help
to these people. People having hectic lifestyle should
do some yoga exercises daily. It will leave a soothing
effect on them. They will feel good both mentally and
physically. Hope people will change their lifestyle and
save themselves from the dangers of hectic schedule
through yoga exercises.
Thanking you
Yours sincerely
Namita
9. FF-55, Vishal Enclave
New Delhi
25th, December, 20××
The Editor
The Hindu
New Delhi
Sir
Subject: Dependence on Coaching Institutes.
Through your esteemed newspaper I wish to draw
the attention of the growing trend among students for
tuition and coaching classes. There has been mushroom
growth of coaching institutes everywhere. This trend
has grown fast because the teachers and professors have
turned to be hardcore professionals and don’t teach in
classes properly. Now teaching is no longer a mission
for many. They want to earn a lot to avail life of luxury.
They don’t get enough to live such life. Students think
they can get special favour if they attend coaching and
tuition of famous teachers and professors. This trend is
not good for society. We must raise our voice against
it. Parents and governments should take strict action
against it.
Thanking you
Yours sincerely
Ramesh Sinha
Vol - 1 — Section - B: Writing & Grammar
10. A-5, Geeta Colony
New Delhi
15th January, 20××
The Editor
The Times of India
New Delhi
Sir
Subject: Importance of yoga in daily life.
Through your esteemed newspaper I would like to
draw the attention of the general public towards the
importance of yoga in keeping our life fit and healthy.
Yoga is a system of practice consisting of eight levels
of development in the areas of physical, mental, social
and spiritual health. Yoga is not a religion; it is a way
of living that aims at ‘a healthy mind in a healthy
body’. It is, therefore, our government has reinvented
our lifestyle by making yoga practices compulsory
in schools. It should not be seen from any political
angle. Yoga improves our flexibility, builds muscle
strength, prevents cartilage and joint breakdown,
protects our spine, increases our blood flow and so on.
So, we should make yoga a part of our life. We should
feel proud that our country celebrated ‘International
Yoga Day’ on 16th June, this year. It means yoga has
achieved global stature. Therefore, more and more
people should come forward and practise yoga.
Thanking you
Yours sincerely
Raghav
COMPOSITION-I (Articles)
1. How to Get the Best out of a Team
By Surbhi
Man is a social animal. He can’t live in vacuum. He
has to depend on others to make a living. He has to
bond with others and be a part of a team. Working in a
team is quite a challenge. One has to adjust himself to
the requirements of his team. A team must work like
a well oiled machine. Only then it can produce great
results. All the members of a team must work together
selflessly to achieve a common aim or goal.
Working in a team is really a healer and a stress buster.
Success or failure is not an individual’s responsibility. It
is a collective responsibility. A good teamwork demands
a perfect and effective communication between all the
members of the team. A strong leadership controls the
individuals and goad them to achieve the common
goal. Conflicts are avoided. The focus is on unity and
cooperation. Mutual jealousy and conflict of interests
have no place in a team. Negative attitudes should be
discouraged. Each member should have deep respect
and appreciation of others’ abilities and skills.
15
 2. Books — Our Best Companions
By Yashita
Man is a social animal. He can’t live in isolation.
Our human friends, relatives and companions can
prove unreliable and treacherous. They can harm our
interests. However, books are our real companions,
friends and guides. They enrich humanity. They are
a storehouse of knowledge. They have educative as
well as informative value and importance. Let us live
in the company of books. They will never betray or
deceive us. We can look towards them for guidance,
learning and entertainment. Shakespeare’s dramas have
a universal appeal. Homer, Balmiki and Ved Vyas have
given us immortal works. ‘The Ramayana’ and ‘The
Mahabharat’ are read by millions of people. Keats’
poems are things of beauty that give us joy forever.
Tagore’s ‘Gitanjali’ transports us to a highly spiritual
and philosophical world. Prem Chand’s ‘Godan’
unfolds rustic life and its problems.
Books are our best companions. If you are alone, you
can take up a book of your choice and taste it and very
soon you become a part of it. Books on travels and
adventures are not informative but also quite exciting.
The biographies of great men like Lincoln and Gandhi
can be a source of inspiration. It is never too late to
enter the world of books. The sooner you enter, the
better it is.
3. Child Labour and Battle for Child Rights in India
By Riya
Kailash Satyarthi brought laurels to the people of India
for being awarded with the Nobel Peace Prize 2014
along with Malala for their battle for child safety. The
world has appreciated the battle he fought for child
rights for years. The term ‘Child Labour’ is actually
the work that deprives children of their childhood. It
destroys their potentiality and their dignity. In short, it
is the kind of work that is mentally, physically, socially
or morally dangerous and harmful to children. Child
labour is the practice of having children engaged
in economic activity, on part or full time basis. The
constitution of India (Article 24) prohibits child labour
below the age of 14 years in any factory or mine or
castle or engaged in any other hazardous employment.
But all these laws are mere dead words on paper. Crores
of children have been compelled to work in hazardous
industries. According to the 2001 national census, there
are about 12.6 million children aged between 5 to 14
engaged in different sectors and economic activities.
India has the highest number of labourers under 14
in the world. Even today there are 32.7 lakh children
who are forced to work in rural and 10.8 lakh in urban
areas. The carpet industry in Mirzapur and Bhadoi is
notorious for exploiting and employing children. The
glass and bangle industries in Firozabad have more than
16 Assignments in English Plus Language and Literature – 10 Teacher’s Handbook
20000 children working in hazardous and dangerous
conditions. The diamond industry also employs
thousands of children. The more recent report of the
ILO claims that child labour is quite significant in Tamil
Nadu’s fireworks, matches or incense sticks industries.
About 20 million children are condemned to work as
domestic labourers and in restaurants. Many NGOs like
‘Bachpan Bachao Andolan’ of Kailash Satyarathi are
working sincerely to eradicate child labour in India.
Only concerted efforts by the government, the NGOs
and the public can eradicate this evil from our civilized
society.
4. More Ads Than News and Features’
By Kalpna
The world of liberalisation and globalisation has given
birth to unsatiable consumerism. ‘Use and Throw’ is
the slogan of the times. Things have to be sold. Selling
gives money. And money makes the more go. One good
commercial advertisement is worth more than hundreds
of salesman. Such is the importance of advertisements
in industry, trade, commerce and business. It is no
exaggeration that on TV we have more ads than news.
After every few minutes a ‘break’ is announced. And
then starts a flood of commercial advertisements. You
find the Shahanshah of Bollywood, Amitabh Bachchan
selling Binani Cement. Then comes the ‘Badshah’
telling you to use ‘Fair and Lovely’ for your bright
complexion. And our glittering damsels of Bollywood
can’t be left behind. Ash sells L’Oreal; Katrina
patronises ‘Veet’ and Priyanka and Karina settling for
‘Bajaj Scooty’ and ‘Boro Plus’ respectively. News and
features have become secondary. We have more adds
than features or events.
TV, cinema, newspapers, magazines are full of
advertisements. Ads are trend and style setters. Millions
are earned just for a commercial advertisement of a few
minutes! If things are to be sold then you can’t avoid
patronising commercial advertisements. They are the
lifeline of trade, business and the media.
5. Disaster Management in India
By Raghav
National Institute of Disaster Management is a
premier national institute. It trains people for capacity
development programmes for managing natural
disasters in India. The NIDM works under government’s
directives to train and conduct checks to regulate
effective earthquake and disaster control policies.
Recently, Delhi witnessed one of the biggest mega
mock drills conducted by the NIDM in India.
The buildings and infrastructures in India are quite
vulnerable to calamities. They can’t withstand the
rigours of a natural calamity. The Tsunami disasters
in South India expose the unpreparedness and lack of
 skills in disaster management. The havoc caused by the
floods and landslides in Kedarnath only underlines our
weaknesss or inefficiency in tackling natural disaster
on such a scale. The NIDM can take due credit for
its efficient work done during the ‘Hudhud’ cyclone.
The cyclone struck the coastal areas of Andhra and
Odisha. Proper warning and early evacuation in the
affected areas limited losses and casualties. But again
the NIDM proved quite ineffective when unprecedented
floods rocked Srinagar and other parts of Jammu and
Kashmir. It was the army and not the NIDM that stole
the limelight by evacuating lakhs of the marooned
people and saving their lives. The NIDM has a long way
to go. It must prepare itself as a body that can cope with
natural disasters with professional skills and efficiency.
6. Hints: • High ideals of educationalist lost • India has
produced millinos of frustrated and half educated
youngesters • misfit for any walk of life • vast
majority educated in government schools • most
of the degree holders are virtually uneducated •
teachers and employees perennially absent • some
have duplicate jobs • education providers a few
opportunities • unemployed youth flood into cities
• add only disorder and crimes • government must
introduce vocational training in carpentry, masonry,
etc. • skills would open self-employment.
PROBLEMS OF HALF-EDUCATED
INDIAN YOUTH
By Jamini
India aims to achieve the desired target of universal
education. However, the huge army of young girls and
boys who are getting education in schools and colleges
doesn’t present a very flattening picture. Instead of
producing a powerful human resource. The country
is producing millions of frustrated and half baked
youngsters. They are misfit for all walks of life. Their
half-baked knowledge and skills make them unsuitable
for corporate jobs or professional services.
Vast majority of young boys and girls receive education
in government schools, colleges and institutions. The
condition of our public schools is far from satisfactory.
Millions of rupees are wasted without any fruitful
result. Some of them especially in remote areas suffer
from dirty premises, incompetent and unprofessional
teachers. Lack of facilities for labs, libraries and
playgrounds make most of our government schools and
colleges quite unproductive and outdated institutions.
Most of the degree and certificate holders are virtually
unskilled or half-educated. These unemployed youth
flood our cities. Their education provides them only
a few gainful jobs or opportunities for advancement.
They are condemned to lead miserable lives in slums
adding to their disorder and crimes.
Vol - 1 — Section - B: Writing & Grammar
Problems of the youth must be addressed with all
sincerity and seriousness. Vocational training should
be introduced at a very early stage in schools. By
giving a professional training in carpentry, masonry,
fabrication, plumbing, etc., we can prepare them for
professional and corporate jobs. These skills would
open new avenues for self-employment too. Let our
schools, colleges and educational institutes produce
full baked and skilled young men and young women.
They will then certainly prove assets to themselves as
well as to the nation.
COMPOSITION-II (Short Story)
1. Wisdom at Right Time
Before starting the journey, Rakesh made sure that he
hadn’t forgotten anything. He got into the train, settled
in his seat and looked around. Rakesh saw a gentleman
sitting on his opposite seat. He seemed to be little
frightened as he was securing his briefcase again and
again. Rakesh got involved in reading his book. The
man said, “I am sorry to bother you sir, but I think I
am being followed”. The man was very worried about
his briefcase. Rakesh looked around nervously but he
assured the gentleman that all things were safe. He got
up and made an excuse of going to the washroom and
went to complaint to in-charge of the train. He further
passed the complaint to the police officer. Police came
and checked every person sitting in that compartment.
And that gentleman was right. Police caught a thief.
He was chasing that gentleman to rob his briefcase.
The police and the gentleman thanked Rakesh for his
bravery, wisdom and intelligence.
Moral: A wise tackles the problems wisely.
2. Helping an Injured
I was passing through a lonely place. Suddenly I
heard a loud noise. It was a dark night. So I got afraid.
I couldn’t guess where the sound came from. I also
couldn’t recognise the sound. I thought some branch
of a tree which was just behind me had fallen. But I
didn’t dare to look back. I moved fast. Then I heard
someone crying for help. I stopped and thought to go
back. As I turned I saw a man lying by the side of the
road. I went near him and found he was injured. First I
got nervous but I gathered courage and tried to lift that
man. I pulled him to the road. After a while I saw a car
coming. I stopped that car. I told the driver about the
injured man and requested him to help. The driver was
a good man and he took us into the car. The hospital
was not very far from the city. So we reached there in
just fifteen minutes. The driver took us to the hospital.
Then I informed my parents who reached there and
managed to inform the family of the injured man. Then
we came back home.
Moral: Always help the people who are in difficulties.
17
 3. A Crow with Feathers of Peacock
There was once a crow who did not like his feathers. “I
wish I were a peacock!” he would often say to himself.
One day he got some peacock feathers. They were all
colourful feathers. The crow immediately stuck all the
feathers into his wings and tail. He also attached a few
sticking up from his head. “Now I am as beautiful as
a peacock”, he said. But when he went to join them in
their strutting, the peacocks poked him and pecked him.
What a fuss! “You are not a peacock”, they said. The
crow was foolish. “I am your relative”, he said to them.
The peacocks got angry. “You’re not our relative. Don’t
try to become a peacock”, they snubbed the crow. Then
they all fell upon him and drove him away. Bruised
and still dragging some broken peacock feathers in his
tail, he returned home to his fellow crows. But they too
drove him away because they did not like his company.
Now the crow became friendless.
Moral: Don’t try to lead an artificial life.
4. A Virtuous Man
It was a dark cloudy night. At about 10 pm, someone
knocked at our door. My father approached the door but
before opening it, he looked out through the key-hole
and he saw that Mr. Sharma, one of our neighbours,
was standing outside. When my father opened the door
Mr. Sharma began weeping loudly. He was looking
nervous. He was trying to say something but his words
were not clear. My father wanted to know what the
situation was. He took Mr. Sharma’s hand in his own
hands and tried to pacify him asking him the reason
of his nervousness. Mr. Sharma took my father to his
home where my father found Mrs. Sharma in pain. He
guessed that it was an indication of stroke. As there
was no one else in the family, Mr. Sharma felt helpless.
My father immediately made a telephone call to the
nearest hospital and also informed me. An ambulance
reached just in twenty minutes. In the meantime, my
elder brother and I reached the place. We took Mrs.
Sharma to the hospital. She was admitted to the ICU
and diagnosed cardiac stroke. However, the situation
was under-control and Mr. Sharma was normal, too. We
also informed his son and daughter who were in other
towns. Mr. Sharma’s loneliness had made him nervous.
Moral: Helping others is a great virtue.
5. Love for Mother
When Napoleon was busy gathering his forces to make
an attack on England, his navy once captured a British
seaman. The sailor was granted permission to roam
about on the shore of France opposite the English coast.
One day he came across an empty barrel. He took it
and hid it in a cave. He then secretly began to make it
a miserable boat to cross over to England. When the
boat was ready, he jumped with immense joy. Now he
could make an attempt to meet his mother. But as he
18 Assignments in English Plus Language and Literature – 10 Teacher’s Handbook
was about to do so, he was caught and brought before
Napoleon. The Emperor, instead of being furious,
asked the British sailor what had inspired him to put
his life in such a miserable boat. The sailor’s reply
was very simple. He told the Emperor that it was his
attachment to his mother that had led him to risk his
life. Napoleon’s heart moved. He presented the sailor
a piece of gold and sent him back to his country in a
French ship with a flag of truce. The sailor thanked the
Emperor for his kind gesture.
Moral: Our mother’s bless is always with us.
6. Swachhata Mission
In order to celebrate Swachhata Mission launched by
our government, our school organised an awareness
programme on importance of cleanliness in our
life. Many activities were conducted in our school
regarding cleanliness. All students, teachers and other
staff members of the school participated. English
and Hindi debates, Essay Writing Competition on
‘Cleanliness and Hygiene Practices’ were conducted in
Classes III to VIII for one week. The role of school has
been instrumental in realizing the mission of Swachh
Bharat. A rally was organised to create awareness about
“Cleanliness”. Swachhta Awareness messages and
hoarding were posted on the walls of the schools and
also posted on the school website. A play was organised
on ‘Dengue Awareness’ by the student of Class IX in
the morning assembly. Thus, all the activities conducted
by the school, enabled to create mass awareness.
Moral: Cleanliness is next to godliness.
7. The Partridge and the Farmer
There was a large wheat-field on the bank of a river. A
partridge lived in it with her young ones. One day while
the mother bird was away, the owner of the field came
there with his son. Seeing the crop ready to harvest,
he told his son, “Go and request the neighbours for
help in cutting and gathering the ripened crop”. The
young ones of the partridge got frightened to hear the
owner. They told their mother about it when she came
back. They also expressed their fear and requested her
to leave the field as soon as possible. But the mother
bird was not frightened at all. Instead she assured
her babies of their safety. She also told them that one
who depended on one’s friends for help in the harvest
of the crop could not be in haste. The mother bird
was right because nobody came to reap the crop for
sometime. One day the owner came to the field again
and found the crop over-ripe. “Delay won’t be good.
We must come ourselves the next day with our own
labourers and reap the crop”, said the owner to his son.
Sensing earnestness this time from the owner’s side the
partridge decided to leave the field. She along with her
babies flew away that very day to another field.
Moral: We should avoid depending on others.
 8. A Road Accident this. Rather they became more ruthless. They tied their
My brother was going to music class in the evening. hands and feet with thick ropes and went away leaving
He was carrying his guitar over his shoulder. A biker the door open. They remained in the same condition
butted him and my brother fell down. His guitar was for hours. In the morning when their maid came, she
broken. My brother was helpless. But the biker was a made them free by cutting the ropes.
sensible boy. He helped my brother to stand up. Further
Moral: Never allow strangers to enter your house.
the biker found that my brother was unable to walk. He
had got injury in his leg. So the biker left his bike there ASSIGNMENT – 1
and took my brother in a rickshaw to a nearby clinic. 1. Get In Shape Gym
There my brother was treated and bandaged. Then the 234, Ram Vihar
biker came back to take his bike and again came to the Delhi-110087
clinic. The biker even informed us about the accident

30th April, 20××
through phone. I immediately reached the clinic and I
took him home. He told me that it was his fault not of
The Store Manager
the biker. However, the biker helped him and paid the
M/s Organics India
hospital bill. He was a nice chap.
54, Shakarpur
Moral: Vehicle drivers are not always at fault for road
Delhi-110092
accident.
Sir
9. The Monkey and the Tiger Subject: Order for herbal medicines and wellness
Once a tiger was lying under a tree. On the top of the products.
same tree, a monkey was sitting. Finding himself safe,
the monkey started giving insulting comments on the
We have recently opened a fitness centre at Ram
tiger. He said to the tiger that he didn’t deserve to be Vihar and hence we require certain herbal medicines
the king of the forest. He said to the tiger that he was and wellness products. You are the biggest wholesale
coward as he could not do anything to the monkey in suppliers of products and offer the most competitive
retaliation. The tiger did not pay any attention towards prices and prompt services.
his remarks. He got up and started to move from there.
The order is as follows:
Then the monkey said to him, “O tiger, have I not Medicines/
insulted you? Why didn’t you give any reaction to my Quantity
S.No. Wellness Brand
insulting remarks?” The tiger replied, “It is not you (satchets)
Products
who insulted me but it is the height of the tree that
insulted me. When a foolish person reaches a height, Neem Powder
1. Herbal Life 250
he/she often insults the people who are below him/her. (100 gm)
But he/she forgets it that sometimes or the other he/she Aloe Vera Gel
2. D.W.C. 500
has to come down.” (500 ml)
Moral: We should not insult the people who are below Gooseberry
us. 3. Organics India 500
Candy (250 gm)
10. Thieves in the Guise of Our Helpers Coffee Beans
4 Organics India 1000
Last week there was a daylight robbery in our Extract (50 gm)
neighbourhood. Two persons knocked at the door and Bitter Gourd
pretended to be someone to check the PNG pipeline 5. D.W.C. 500
Pills (10 pills)
connection. They were allowed to enter and the
check the pipeline. But they had nothing to do with Protein Shakes
6. D.W.C. 1500
the pipeline. They were actually robbers who had (250 gm)
entered the house to rob valuables. The owner of the
We expect at least 15% discount and proper packaging
house was an old man who was living with his wife of the products. In case of any damage in transit, the
alone. They started crying out of fear but the robbers goods will be returned at your cost. Payment would be
threatened them that if they cried or shouted they would made by cheque once the consignment is received. We
have to lose their lives. The old couple became silent expect prompt delivery within a week.
spectators. The robbers took all the valuable things, cut
Thanking you
off the telephone lines and also took their mobiles. The
old couple did not say a single word but when one of
Yours faithfully
the robbers smashed their son’s photograph they started
Arun Mishra
crying helplessly. The robber’s heart didn’t melt even at
(Head, Fitness Group)

Vol - 1 — Section - B: Writing & Grammar 19

 Or
B-110, Ramesh Nagar
New Delhi
7th October, 20××
The Editor
The Indian Express
New Delhi
Sir
Subject: Over-eating causes many diseases.
Through your esteemed newspaper I would like to
draw people’s attention towards over-eating which
is dangerous for health and how control on this habit
will help the hungry people. Over-eating is a common
phenomenon in our family and society. When it comes
to having lots of leftovers, many of us over-eat in order
to prevent food wastage. But these people are unaware
of the fact that over-eating is itself the wastage of food.
What is more, it is dangerous for their health. Such a
habit becomes a major cause of obesity. Treating your
body like a garbage disposal only achieves one thing
— it makes you fat. Obesity or excess of fat will invite
several diseases to you. So, it is better not to indulge
in over-eating. Control on this bad habit will help
thousands of those who are starving. So, we should
stop over-eating. It will serve two purposes — you will
stay fit and healthy and by saving food you will help
hungry people.
Thanking you
Yours sincerely
Shankar
2. Inspiration
One day it so happened that Mohit got up early in the
morning. He quickly went to the field and practised
hard. He was the captain of his team. He had to play
the final of the inter-state cricket tournament. His
performance in all the previous matches was very good
and people were expecting more from him. He was cool
and decisive. So he wanted not to lose even a moment.
All the players of his team had already gathered there.
The practice started. During the practice, one of the
players of his team fell down accidentally. Mohit
stopped the practice and went to him. That player
was badly injured. So, Mohit took him to a nearby
hospital but he instructed other players to continue. The
doctor in the hospital said that the injured player had
got a crack in his arm and plaster was needed. Mohit
informed his parents and stayed in the hospital till his
parents came.
Moral: It is captain’s quality to take all responsibilities
of his team members.
20 Assignments in English Plus Language and Literature – 10 Teacher’s Handbook
Or
Importance of Yoga
Long long ago there was an old man in the village. He
was very interested in yoga. On a certain day, he saw
some yoga teachers conducting yoga classes in the
field. The old man immediately rushed to the place and
requested the teachers to include him in their team. Since
all the teachers were young, they heartily accepted the
old man’s request and made him the team leader. The
old man was too happy to express. He was a retired
physical trainer. He had already received many awards
for his work in physical education and yoga. So, this
opportunity was a boon for him. He was very active and
started training very enthusiastically. Students were very
happy with his behaviour and also with his method of
training. Very soon he became very popular among them.
The number of students in this class began to grow. That
school team became champion in an inter-state yoga
competition. That old man also began to feel younger.
Moral: Having seasoned persons with us means having
good guides.
ASSIGNMENT – 2
1. 16/3, Supreme Towers
Lajpat Nagar
New Delhi
25th June, 20××
The Customer Grievances Department
Mystic Spa & Fitness Centre
71, Ram Vihar
New Delhi
Sir
Subject: Complaint against unhygienic conditions of
spa.
I am a bonafide member (Card Membership no.
654/2017/M) and have been enjoying my membership at
the fitness center for the past two years. The Spa was one
of the best in the adjoining areas and a lucrative place for
the youngsters. Of late, I have started avoiding the spa
because of its unhygienic conditions. The shower room
is especially bad. The floors have become grimy and
littered with paper towels and partially used bars of soap.
The non-slip mats between the stalls are disintegrating.
It simply does not look or feel clean anymore.
I would like to retain membership in the center, but
I also want to get good value for my money. I hope
these conditions can be improved for the benefit of all
concerned.
Thanking you
Yours faithfully
Shakti Dua
Encl.: Copy of Card membership
 Or nothing but our loose temperament or momentary
SWACHHA BHARAT ABHIYAN anger. It mostly occurs when it is rush hour and there
OR CLEAN INDIA CAMPAIGN is heavy traffic on road. People are in hurry and try to
By Abhishek make way to go ahead of others. Sometimes they also
Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched his nationwide try to overtake other vehicles in a wrong way ignoring
cleanliness campaign, the ‘Swachha Bharat Abhiyan’ all traffic rules. They don’t follow lane driving rule.
or ‘Clean India Campaign’ from the Valmiki Basti All this sometimes results in tussle between two or
on 2nd October, 2014. Addressing the nation at the three people. The tussle starts with hot arguments and
launch, Modi asked 1.25 billion people to join the soon turns into fighting and even killing. Such people
‘Swachha Bharat Abhiyan’ and promote it to everyone. are least aware of the fact that their intolerance took
Modi himself swept a pavement at Valmiki Basti, a someone’s life. Their beastly behaviour on road is very
colony of sanitary workers. Launching the campaign, pathetic. They should be sensible enough to control
Modi reminded the people that cleanliness is not only themselves. They should know that their little tolerance
the responsibility of the ‘Safai Kamgars’ but also would have saved one’s life. Road rage results in crime
the responsibility of 1.25 billion Indians. The Prime and is growing very fast especially in big cities.
Minister assured the nation that ‘Swachha Bharat
Moral: While driving we should be cool and patient.
Abhiyan’ is beyond politics.
The Prime Minister also started a social media campaign. ASSIGNMENT – 3
He invited nine people to join the campaign and they 1. Modern School
would invite another nine people. He invited master 97, Najafgarh
blaster Sachin Tendulkar, Bolywood stars Aamir Khan, New Delhi
Priyanka Chopra, Salman Khan, Yoga Guru Baba Ramdev
and industrialists like the Ambanis. The Prime Minister
10th March, 20××
showed his deep concern at mothers and daughters going
The Store Manager
in the open to relieve themselves. More than 60% people
M/s. Full Marks Pvt. Ltd.
in India defecate in the open. Constructing toilets in
4238A/1, Ansari Road, Daryaganj
schools and villages, particularly for girls and women,
New Delhi
would be the top priority for the government. The Prime
Minister also pledged to people saying, “I would not litter
Sir
and won’t allow anyone to do so”. Subject: Placing order for books.
2. Successful Businessman
Our school requires books for classes IX & X for the
Mr. Sharma is a successful businessman. He knows coming session. We wish to place an order with your
all the tacts to run a business. His nobility and hard store as you are the largest wholesale supplier and offer
work are causes behind his success. He works from the most competitive prices.
morning till late night. He does not take any break in
The order is as follows:
between. Nobody has seen him taking a nap. He has
been following this routine for several years. So long S.No. Books Classes Publisher Qty
he was young, he successfully managed the stress of Assignments in
the work. But a time came when he began to feel health 1. X Full Marks 450
English Plus
problems. Being a great workaholic, he ignored these Diary of a
problems and continued to concentrate on work. His 2. X CBSE 550
Young Girl
carelessness took a heavy cost. His health deteriorated
fast. Everyone in the family got worried. They finally Manjeet Singh
3. X Full Marks 550
consulted a reputed doctor who told him that business Mathematics
pressure, hard work, little sleep at night and untimely Assignments in
4 IX Full Marks 375
meal caused all problems. The doctor suggested Mr. English Plus
Sharma to change his lifestyle. He did it as a result of Vyakaran
which his health improved gradually. 5. IX Full Marks 500
Parichay
Moral: Our routine work keeps us fit and healthy.
Vyakaran
Or 6. IX Full Marks 650
Parichay
Road Rage
All the books should be hardbound and in perfect
Road rage has become a common sight in almost every condition. We expect at least 20% discount. In case
part of the country. Be it a metro city or a small town, of any damage in transit, the goods will be returned
it can happen anywhere, anytime. Road rage shows at your cost. Payment would be made by cheque no

Vol - 1 — Section - B: Writing & Grammar 21

 sooner the goods are received in good condition. We
expect prompt delivery within a week.
Thanking you
Yours faithfully
Shankar Mohan
(Librarian)
Or
M-80, Defence Colony
New Delhi
10th October, 20××
The Editor
The Hindustan Times
New Delhi
Sir
Subject: Importance of girl’s education
Through your esteemed daily I wish to draw the
attention of the common mass towards the importance of
girls’ education. Girls have been neglected for centuries.
In this male-dominating society, nobody bothered for
their education. But now our mindset is changing fast
and girls’ education is getting attention. It is said that
if we educate a woman, we educate the whole family.
This reiterates the fact that our girls must get education.
But the tragedy is that they still lag behind the boys.
Many families in rural and even in urban areas of India
do not send girls to school. They think that spending on
girls’ education is wasting of money and time. I would
request these people to stop thinking like this. Time
has changed completely and we have started talking
of women empowerment. An educated woman is more
capable than an educated man. Women’s education will
contribute a lot to the progress of society and nation.
So, their education must not be undermined.
Thanking you
Yours faithfully
Snigdha
2. An Unforgettable Experience of my Life
Last week I had been on a trip to Chattishgarh. It was a
forest area of Raipur. It was a dense forest with a lot of
herbal plants and many other of medicinal value. A number
of tourists visit the place everyday. There are plants of
spices also. I enjoyed the visit but suddenly while walking
along the forest a tree toppled down and I was caught under
it. I got very nervous. I was trying to push the tree aside
but it was caught between bushes. I cried for help. The
watchmen came to me running. They helped me come out
of the burden of the tree. Though I was not injured much,
it put an unforgettable memory in my mind.
Moral: Joy and sorrow are the part of our life.
22 Assignments in English Plus Language and Literature – 10 Teacher’s Handbook
Or
The Laborious Boy
Manu was a poor boy living in a remote village with
a distant relative. He never went to school but always
desired to get education. Once a social worker visited
his village. Manu was selling flowers near a temple. He
was shouting loudly, “Phool le lo, phool”. The social
worker got attracted to him. He came near the boy and
asked him why he was doing that job. He should go to
school in that age. The boy said, “Sir, I am too poor to
go to school”. “Will you go to school if I help you?”
The boy replied. “Why not, sir! I want to study so that I
may become a scientist.” The social worker brought the
boy to his home, admitted him to a school and took all
the responsibilities of his education. The boy had great
interest in science. So he studied hard and passed the
examinations with flying colours. He completed M.Sc.
with high marks. And as it was destined, he became a
renowned scientist one day.
Moral: We would help the poor.
ASSIGNMENT – 4
1. 432, Arjun Nagar
Jaipur
10th May, 20××
The Director
Avons Academy
134, Maharaja Nagar
Jaipur
Sir
Subject: Inquiry about the details of the course in Java.
Apropos of your advertisement published in the
Hindustan Times, dated 8th May, 20××, I wish to state
that I am a student of class X and have appeared for
the Secondary School Examination. I want to pursue
a short term course in Java during the break as I have
two months’ time at my disposal.
Kindly furnish me with the following details:
• Duration of the course
• Fee structure & Mode of payment
• Faculty
• Class duration
• Teacher-Student ratio
• Medium of Instruction
• Transportation facility, if available
• Certificate or Diploma Course
• Discount for school students, if any
It shall be highly appreciated if the details are provided
to me at the earliest.
Thanking you
Yours faithfully
Mohit
 Or of work. They decided to go to a nearby town to find
SHORTAGE OF SEATS IN COLLEGES some work. Their way lay through a dense forest. On
the way, they saw a bag full of something lying at some
By Mohan/Mohita
distance. They hurriedly went to the spot and picked up

Over the years there has been a steady increase in the the bag. After opening it, they saw several gold coins in
number of students seeking admission in colleges. it. It was a moment of great happiness for them. They
Most of the students try to seek admission in colleges enjoyed the moment together and then decided to divide
in the metropolitan cities. Hence, the colleges in the the coins equally. In the meantime they felt hungry. So
metros have failed to accommodate the rising number one of them went to fetch some food. While he was
of students due to severe shortage of seats. During the away, the other two friends planned to kill him to get
last decade, the number of students seeking admission more gold coins. On the other hand, the third one too
has been rising by 10,000 students every year. The got overpowered by greediness. He thought to grab all
number of seats has remained stationary for the last the gold coins. So, he ate food and mixed poison in the
five years. The result is quite disappointing. Thousands rest that meant for the two friends. On his return, the
of students miss out their chance of getting higher two friends pounced upon him and killed him. Then
education. Many others have to console themselves by they sat to eat food. No sooner did they eat the food,
enrolling themselves on the Correspondence Courses they began to lose their sense. Soon death embraced
or the Distance Education coaching. The students as them. All the gold coins lay there untouched. Their
well as their parents have to face a lot of anxiety and greediness took their lives.
pressure during the admission time.

Moral: Our greed often snatches our peace and put us

The concerned authorities can’t sleep over the problem in trouble.
any longer. The problem should be given the top
priority. It demands a comprehensive solution. The ASSIGNMENT – 5
colleges in the metros must take immediate steps 1. Maharaja Guest House
to increase the number of seats. Another practical 56, Rani Bagh
suggestion is to make provision for evening classes Agra
in the colleges. Evening classes in all the colleges
can accommodate most of the students who can’t get
5th June, 20××
admission in the regular Day-colleges. Guest lecturers
The Store Manager
must be appointed to serve the needs. The authorities
M/s Sooraj Appliances
must wake up before it is too late.
34, Raja Garden
2. Deprived Children
Agra
Everyday while going to school in the morning I see
Sir
some ragpickers digging in the garbage. Today I got a
chance to talk with one of them and I became interested Subject: Order for solar appliances.
to know more about his life. The boy was about 10-12
Our guest house has undergone renovation and requires
years old. He was wearing dirty clothes but was smiling solar appliances for the same. We wish to place order
to see me. I started a friendly talk. I asked him about his with your store as you are the largest wholesale supplier
family and the place where he lived. The boy answered and offer the most competitive prices.
my questions smartly. Suddenly my eyes fell on his
The order is as follows:
bare feet. I was shocked. How he dared to walk in the
garbage with barefeet! It was beyond my imagination. S.No. Solar Appliances Brand Qty.
“Why don’t you go to school?” I asked the boy. “We 1. Water Heaters UjraTech 40
are too poor to go to school. We are destined to live in
2. Cookers Mitva 55
dirty environment and eat nasty things”, the boy said.
His words pained me a lot. Since I had to reach school 3. Lanterns Sol Urja 50
in time, I proceeded from there soon but I decided to 4 Fans BlueBird 35
do something for him and other ragpickers.
Moral: We should help the poor. 5. Bulbs Fosera 50

Or 6. Power Banks Fosera 60

Three Friends and a Casket of Gold Coins

We expect at least 15% discount, proper packaging
of the products and extended warranty period for the
There were three friends in a village. They were known appliances. Any piece found broken will attract the
for their exemplary friendship. Once they were out cancellation of the order forthwith. Payment would be

Vol - 1 — Section - B: Writing & Grammar 23

 made by cheque once the consignment is received. We
expect prompt delivery within a week.
Thanking you
Yours faithfully
Anuj Kapoor
(Manager)
Or
H.No.1205, Rama Park
New Delhi
12th October, 20××
The Editor
The Times of India
New Delhi
Sir
Subject: Harmful effects of e-waste disposal.
Through the column of your esteemed newspaper, I
wish to draw the attention of readers on the harmful
effects of e-waste disposal. Informal processing of
e-waste in developing countries like India can lead to
adverse effects on human health and the environment.
Workers and communities involved in recycling and
disposal of e-waste, are at great risk. They must be
aware of that and take care to avoid unsafe exposure
in recycling operations and leaking of materials like
heavy metals from landfills, etc.
When we throw out our computers, mobile phones, etc.
they wind up in landfills, causing the possibility of toxic
metal leaching into the groundwater. Besides, when
e-waste is warmed up, toxic chemicals are released in
to the air which cause damage to our atmosphere.
Hence, proper recycling and disposal of electronics is
important for our health as well as for our environment.
Thanking you
Yours faithfully
Mayank
2. A Mystery Man
Last week there was a strange incident in my village.
There was a lonely house on the outskirts of the village.
One day a strange person came and started living there.
He was very calm and never interacted with anyone.
Nobody took notice to him. After a few weeks he started
interacting with some people passing through that house.
He used to give clothes and eatables to the poor and
hungry. But it was also a matter of curiosity about his
reality. Later some more strange people began visiting
that house. They usually came there in nights. Those who
saw them became suspicious about their behaviour. So
one day, someone informed the police about the activities
of the people visiting that house. The police raided the
house one night. But there was no one in the house. They
might have apprehended about the raid and so had left
24 Assignments in English Plus Language and Literature – 10 Teacher’s Handbook
the place secretly. People were still unaware who that
man was and why he came there, who his visitors were.
However, the police seized some evidences that made
them doubtful that they were terrorists.
Moral: W hen we notice some suspicious men or
incidents we must inform the police.
Or
Vipul, An Intelligent Robot
Vipul, the Robot was very intelligent. He used to manage
all sorts of jobs. He attended the clients very tactfully.
He performed everything very perfectly. Everyone
was amazed to see how a machine man can do so
many things at a time. One day there was a programme
arranged for a great celebration of the annual day of a
company. Everything was assigned to Vipul only. He
had to receive the delegates, take them to their proper
places, manage the stage and also see the dinner. It was
a little bit tiresome and confusing. But Vipul took it all
as a challenge. He was calm and very calculated. He
was not at all in hurry. The function started, delegates
began to arrive. Vipul deputed his subordinates in a very
particular way. After receiving the delegates, he himself
came to the stage and announced everything clearly.
He managed the stage himself and after the function he
invited the guests to the dinner. He handled very smartly.
Everyone was very happy.
Moral: Machine is taking the place of man.
ASSIGNMENT – 6
1. Shop No. 29
Mahaveer Tiffin Services
K.G. Marg
Delhi
28th April, 20××
The Sales Manager
Snigdha Kitchenwares
Shop No. 27
Chandni Chowk
Delhi
Sir
Subject: Complaint about solar cookers.
This is to bring to your notice that two Mitva Solar
Cookers (20 litres each) were purchased on 20th
March, 20××, vide cash memo 231/RT/32, have not
been working properly.
They worked well for a month but now they have
started creating trouble. The reflectors are not working
properly and the fluctuations in the intensity of heat
make the cooking difficult. Even the metallic polish
on the outer surface has chipped off. You assured me
of excellent working of the cookers.

My purpose behind purchasing the cooker to prepare profession. Contrary to that, my father is a progressive
meals on time and provide fast services to my customers man and believes that a child be given a choice to
has not been fulfilled. choose his own profession. So, there were very long

As the solar cookers are in the warranty period, I wish arguments. My friend’s father was not convinced. To
them to be replaced with the new ones at the earliest. divert the topic, my father took him to a cinema. It was
Aamir Khan’s film 3 Idiots. The film put a strong effect

Thanking you
on my friend’s father. Soon after coming back home he

Yours faithfully allowed his son to do whatever he wanted.

Rachit
Moral: We should choose our profession as per our

Encl.: 1. Photocopy of Cash Memo interest.

    2. Photocopy of Warranty Card Or
Or A Wonderful Journey to Space
WAR ON BLACK MONEY IN INDIA It was Raghav’s first journey to space. He was very
excited, when he landed in space. He began moving
By Amit
around. It was very marvellous to see the space. Things

‘More smoke than light’ has been generated by the were beautiful. But suddenly he lost connection from
current outcry on black money. People think that there his station. There was no communication from the
is a lot of money out there in Swiss banks. Black money space control centre. He was nervous. He made all
does not remain black money for ever. A lot of foreign efforts out all in vain. All his joys vanished. While
funds and investments come back to India as white making efforts to contact the centre, suddenly, he
money. Income generated through illegal activities is pushed a button and to his surprise the communication
the basis for generating black money. Global terror was established for God’s sake, he was saved.
business, drugs, arms dealing, real estate, hawala Moral: God is always with us to help us when we fail
transactions, to name just a few, create ‘black money’. to deal with any situation.

Fortunately, the global crackdown on black money ASSIGNMENT – 7
has begun. The G20 summit in London gave a clear
1. Laxmi Public School
message. The era of ‘banking secrecy’ is over. India is a
56, Pitampura
strong supporter of this move. Black money has become
New Delhi
a political football in India. Government must bite off
only what it can chew. The success in getting black
30th January, 20××
money depends on international actions and cooperation

The Manager
among nations. Rather than looking for the foreign hand,

M/s Gulab Nursery
the battle against black money must be waged at home.

34, Laxmi Nagar
Unless black money is generated at home, unaccounted

Delhi
money can’t be transferred abroad. Centre and states
need to work on reforms. Tax rates need to be moderate.
Sir
The laws must be simple. There should be no temptation
Subject: Order for saplings
to evade. It is time to push ahead with a new direct tax
code. This is a long drawn out battle and can be won
Our newly-constructed school requires saplings for the
with a lot of patience and sincerity on the part of the playground and garden. We wish to place an order to
government and the people of the country. your nursery as you are the largest wholesale supplier
and offer the most competitive prices.
2. Effects of Watching a Good Movie
The order is as follows:

Rahul is one of my best friends. His father is a doctor.
S. No. Saplings Qty.
He wants his son to become a doctor too. But Rahul does
not wish so. So, he persuaded my father to convince his 1. Ashoka 25
father not to force him to join medical. So this Sunday 2. Laburnum 40
my father went to meet him. My friend’s father is one of
the renowned physicians of the town. He had earned a 3. Flame of The Forest 50
lot through his profession. He is also very conservative. 4 Hibiscus 35
Even today he thinks that his son must do what he wants.
5. Chrysanthemum 50
His son is bound to follow his father’s profession. He
does not want to give any relaxation in his choice of 6. Basil 60

Vol - 1 — Section - B: Writing & Grammar 25


We expect healthy pest-free saplings with at least 15%
discount. In case of any damage in transit, the dead
saplings will be returned at your cost. Payment would
be made by cheque once the saplings are received. We
expect prompt delivery within a week.
Thanking you
Yours faithfully
Sameer Ahmed
(Admin Officer)
Or
26, Panchsheel Nagar
Delhi
1st September, 20××
The Manager
Aura Event Management
97, Ranjeet Vihar
Delhi
Sir
Subject: Complaint about the workers of the event
management company.
This is to bring to your notice that our residential
society had booked the Ganesh chaturthi celebrations
with your esteemed agency. You had assured me of
the best services but I was really disappointed with
the arrangements done by your agency. With great
disappointment, I would like to inform you that the
material used for the Pandaal decoration was not eco-
friendly as promised by you. It also generated lot a
of non-biodegradable garbage; failing our purpose of
promoting eco-friendly and garbage-free festival. Your
workers used artificial flowers, plastic cans, wood and
synthetic paint that went against our theme.
I hope that your agency will take immediate corrective
measures to improve the services and will never
disappoint your customers.
Thanking you
Yours faithfully
Ritika Jain
2. A Cold and Windy Night
It was cold and windy night. My friend and I met after
long time and were chatting for hours. We did not notice
that time flew away and it was close to ten. We decided
to take an auto-rickshaw to go to our hostel room. It
started raining and cold wind began blowing. It was
very difficult to move on. But the auto-driver was very
skilled. So he didn’t stop and drove cautiously. But at
several places there were water-logging. Traffic was
very slow. We were not sure to reach our hostel safely.
The driver asked us not to worry. Suddenly the auto-
26 Assignments in English Plus Language and Literature – 10 Teacher’s Handbook
rickshaw stopped in water-logging. Despite many efforts
it couldn’t start. Finally we had to get down. We pushed
the auto as we were very sympathetic to the driver. We
thought to help him as he had taken this risk only to take
us to our destination safely at this late hour. After some
efforts the driver could start the auto-rickshaw again.
Finally we reached the hostel at 12:30 a.m.
Moral: When stuck in difficulties, we should help our
helpers too.
Or
A Nice Meeting
At party, Lalitha was thrilled to notice her friend sitting
in a corner all alone, whom she had not met for a long
time. Lalitha went to meet her. She was Radhika, her
classmate in school. Radhika was very close to Lalitha.
They were also neighbours. Radhika was very helpful.
Everybody loved her. There were many memorable
incidents that Lalitha still remembers. When they
passed school, Radhika’s father was transferred to
another city. Lalitha was also sent for higher studies to
U.K. They missed contact and so couldn’t be in touch
for long. They were very happy to see each other. It
was a nice moment to share with.
Moral: Our real friends are never forgotten.
ASSIGNMENT – 8
1. 119, Gaur Gravity
Vivek Vihar
Delhi
6th June, 20××
The Sales Manager
M/s Vijay Sales
Vivek Vihar
Delhi
Sir
Subject: Complaint about faulty TV Cabinet.
I purchased a television cabinet on 15 May, vide cash
memo No. 34A, with teak wood finish and tan colour.
The cabinet is not of acceptable quality and does not
match the sample I was shown at the store. I would like
you to replace it with one of the same quality as the
sample and arrange for return of the faulty cabinet at
your cost. With regret, I would like to say that the cabinet
doors do not open and shut properly and the stain on the
cabinet is uneven, with one half darker than the other.
I would like to have this problem fixed quickly else I
will lodge a formal complaint with the Consumer Court.
Thanking you
Yours faithfully
Shikhar Bhardwaj
Enclosed: Copy of the receipt
 Or
THE GREEN GARDENS RESORT
By Mansi
During the autumn vacation, I visited the Green Gardens
Resort near Ooty. Situated in the scenic Neelgiri hills,
it is really a wonderful resort. It is about ten kilometres
from Ooty on the Wellington road. Wrapped in the lush
green surroundings, it is just a paradise on earth.
The Green Gardens Resort is spread out in approximately
ten acres. It is a luxury resort that caters to the middle
and upper-middle class tourists. It offers boarding and
lodging with all modern amenities and comforts. The
place is surrounded by terraced tea-gardens. Wherever
eyes go, one can see only green tea plantations, forests
and hills. In the middle of the resort, the main source
of attraction is the oval shaped swimming pool. It has
two tennis courts, a card room and a couple of billiard
tables. The massage parlours and beauty saloons are
the other attractions. The environment is divine and the
ambience is just superb. It offers a peaceful and relaxed
stay far from the madding crowd of the metros.
2. The Honest Farmer
Bajirao Peshwa, a great commander of the Maratha
army, was returning to his capital after winning several
battles. On the way, his soldiers felt hungry. But they
did not have enough food to eat. So, Bajirao told some
of the soldiers to go to the countryside. On the way, they
met a farmer and told him to take them to the biggest
cornfield in the area. Soon they found themselves in a
very big cornfield. As they were about to cut the corn,
the farmer requested them not to cut any corn from that
field as it belonged to someone else. He would take
them to another field where the crop was ripe.
The soldiers went with the farmer to another cornfield
which was smaller than the previous one. The farmer
said, “You can cut from this field as much corn as you
need”. When asked why he brought them to such a small
field, the farmer replied, “That field was not mine. This
one is mine. So I have brought you here”. The soldiers
were very impressed with the farmer. They brought him
before the Peshwa who paid him the price of corn in
gold and collected all the corn from his field. The farmer
was happy to get such a handsome price for the corn.
Moral: Generous people may be poor but they are
helpful.
Or
Anjali Saves Many Lives
It was late night. Anjali was about to switch off the light
and go to bed when she saw a light outside the window.
On close observation, she realised that it was a fire. She
immediately rushed out and proceeded to the direction
of fire. She got nervous to find that a nearby house had
badly caught a fire. She cried out “Fire! Fire!” and
Vol - 1 — Section - B: Writing & Grammar
within minutes several people gathered there. She also
informed the Fire Brigade. In between, the gathered
people started their collective effort to extinguish the
fire. They threw sand and poured water over the fire
but it was all in vain. The flames rose high and began
circling in the sky. Soon a thick-volume of clouds of
smoke engulfed the entire colony. The Fire Brigade
arrived soon. The Fire Brigade personnel started fire-
fighting with utmost sincerity. However, it took them
at least two hours to bring the fire under control. The
fire caused a great loss of property but there was no
loss of life except minor injuries to some people.
Moral: Sometimes our help saves many lives.
ASSIGNMENT – 9
1. M-28, Patel Nagar
New Delhi
12th July, 20××
The Editor
The Times of India
New Delhi
Sir
Subject: Increasing number of road accidents
Through your esteemed newspaper I wish to express
my grave concern over the increasing number of road
accidents and offer some solutions to this problem.
Road accidents have become a common phenomenon
especially in the metropolitan cities. A large number of
accidents take place everyday. Sometimes due to the
fault of the driver, and sometimes due to bad weather.
Sometimes the accidents are minor with small injuries
but sometimes they are so dangerous that several ill
fated people have to lose their lives. Such accidents ruin
many families. The main cause of accidents is the spirit
of overtaking supplemented by negligence of traffic
rules and delinquency of duties. To avert accidents, we
need to be cautious and alert while driving. Traffic rules
should be followed strictly. Drunken driving should
be stopped. The traffic police too should act promptly.
There should be provision of huge fine which should
be imposed on those who try to break traffic rules.
Thanking you
Yours sincerely
Manik
Or
DRIVING INDIA CRAZY
By Renu
Driving is no more a pleasure on Indian roads. Death
stalks on the roads of major metros of India. Ironically,
the capital of India has the dubious distinction of
causing maximum deaths on its roads. About two
thousand people lost their lives in accidents on the
roads of Delhi. Bengaluru and Chennai are gradually
27
 catching up with Delhi. 490 people in Mumbai, 223 in ASSIGNMENT – 10
Ahmedabad and 148 people died in road accidents in
Kochi. Many persons may not be as lucky as Sehshadri 1. B-62, Mayur Vihar
who has survived more than 25 major accidents. The New Delhi
major cause of so many road accidents is the lack of
22nd March, 20××
road culture in India. People don’t follow the rules of
The Editor
the road. Rash and drunken drivers are the merchants
The Hindustan Times
of death. Drinking and driving has become the culture
New Delhi
of the roads in India. The condition of roads is far from
satisfactory. Pits and potholes cause many accidents.
Sir
Haste and overtaking ultimately result in accidents Subject: The prospect of profession in tourism.
and deaths. Better roads with adequate road signs and
Through your esteemed daily newspaper I wish to
warnings are the need of the hour. highlight that the prospect of tourism is growing fast.
2. The Old Lady It has now become an industry in itself. In every season
An old lady was going to the market. The way to the tourists came to India for leisure and also for medical
market was not very crowded. Just before the market, purposes. India has a great cultural heritage. So the job
there was a turning point. When she reached there a of tourist guide has opened new avenues for the youth.
young biker crossed her. Another boy who was sitting It doesn’t require much education. But if one simply
behind him suddenly snatched the gold chain which the becomes proficient in some foreign languages and
old lady was wearing. He pushed the lady, so she fell knows the local history, he can become a good tourist
down. The lady began crying. Some passers-by came guide. Government should promote it.
to her rescue and some followed the biker. They were
Thanking you
able to catch the biker and his friend. They also called
the police. An FIR was lodged against them. The chain
Yours sincerely
was returned to the lady.
Sumit
Moral: When we go outside we must be alert to the Or
possibility of danger.
Impact Theatre Group
Or
768, Mohan Nagar
The Brahmin and the Tiger
Amritsar
Once a tiger was caught in a trap. He tried his best to
10th November, 20××
free himself but all in vain. A kind Brahmin passed that

The Store Manager
way. He saw the tiger and his struggle to come out of

M/s National Silk Emporium
the cage. The tiger requested the Brahmin to set him

314, Laxmi Colony
free. The Brahmin’s heart filled with pity. He relied

Amritsar
on the tiger’s words and opened the door of the cage.
As soon as the beast came out of the cage, he pounced
Sir
upon his own benefactor. The Brahmin panicked. He Subject: Order for silk items of different states.
begged the tiger to let him go safely. He said, “I’ve done

Our theatre group requires silk items of different states
good for you, so you should return good for good”. The
tiger didn’t listen to him. “I’m hungry. I’ll eat you up of India in order to upgrade our Costume Department.
to fill my stomach”, the tiger said. The Brahmin looked We wish to place an order with your emporium as you
helpless. In the meantime, a jackal happened to pass are the largest wholesale suppliers and offer the most
that way. The Brahmin requested him to decide the competitive prices.
dispute. The jackal was a sensible animal. He always
The order is as follows:
helped the poor and the innocent. So he took the S.No. Items Type Qty.
Brahmin’s side. The Brahmin narrated the entire story
1. Sarees Banaras Silk 125
but the jackal pretended not to have followed it fully.
He wanted to see with his own eyes how the tiger was 2. Stoles Kashmiri Silk 250
caught in such a small cage. No sooner did the tiger 3. Scarves Assam Silk 350
hear it than he jumped into the cage and said excitedly, 4 Sarees Mysore Silk 245
“Like this”. The clever jackal immediately shut the door
5. Handkerchiefs Maharashtra Silk 500
of the cage. The ungrateful tiger was again caged and
the Brahmin’s life was saved. 6. Sarees Kantha Silk 460
Moral: Selfish and ungrateful people put themselves
We expect at least 20% discount. In case of any damage
into troubles. in transit, the goods will be returned at your cost.

28 Assignments in English Plus Language and Literature – 10 Teacher’s Handbook

 Payment would be made by cheque once the order is
received. We expect prompt delivery.
Thanking you
Yours faithfully
Arunima Gupta
(Manager)
2. An Unexpected Help
It was dark, when we got down from the train. The place
was totally strange to us. Gopi who had promised to be
at the station was nowhere in sight. We got nervous.
Although we were three young people, the darkness
of the night and the solitude of the place filled us with
a lot of apprehensions and anxieties. How could Gopi
forget about our arrival? Gopi had always been a loyal
friend of ours. We couldn’t doubt him. Then why didn’t
he come to receive us? This was the question which
haunted us. We tried to contact him but he was not
reachable. Finally, we decided to proceed from there.
Soon an old man came to us and offered to help us. The
old man lived alone in a small room near the station. He
took us with him to his room cooked food and offered
us to eat. As we were very hungry, we ate the food with
our heart’s content. But what happened to Gopi? We
asked ourselves. I again tried to contact him but this
time it was busy. We took a sign of relief. Suddenly my
mobile began to ring. It was Gopi’s call. He intimated
me about the sudden occurrence of the trouble which
stopped him to go to the station, a biker hit him as a
result of which he got fracture in his right leg. He was
immediately taken to the hospital. We asked him for the
location of the hospital and immediately rushed there.
The old man was with us to guide us.
Moral: We should help the poor who are in difficult
situation.
Or
Harmful Lie
It was a parent-teacher meet tomorrow. I was very
nervous. I didn’t want to tell about it to my parents
as I had been scolded by the teacher for missing the
classes. Last month, I didn’t attend my classes because
I participated in a cricket match and regularly went
to the park for practice. I was afraid that the teacher
will complain about it to my parents. So I thought to
convince my parents that P.T. meet was cancelled. I told
my parents that my class teacher met with an accident
last week. Her leg was broken and she is lying in the
hospital. So the P.T. meet was cancelled. My parents
believed what I told them and felt sorry for her accident.
Next day, while going to the market my mother saw
my class teacher buying vegetables. After coming back
my mother told me that she had met my teacher in the
market. She didn’t ask me anything about my story but
Vol - 1 — Section - B: Writing & Grammar
I felt very ashamed. Finally, I explained everything to
my parent and decided never to tell a lie.
Moral: A lie does not last for long.
ASSIGNMENT – 11
1. 12, Fort Road
Kochi
7th October, 20××
The Editor
The Indian Express
New Delhi
Sir
Subject: Use of unfair means in exams.
Through your esteemed newspaper I wish to draw your
attention towards the issue of use of unfair means in
exams. It is a common trend among certain section of
students to use unfair means in exams so that they may
pass without any hurdle. These students never try to
concentrate on studies. They skip classes, play more,
watch TV for longer hours but do not study. Thus they
kill time without bothering about their examinations
even for a while. For these students, examinations are
a matter of big tension. In such a situation, they decide
to use unfair means which can never be called a good
decision. Such a trend must be stopped. Teachers and
parents can prove to be helpful for these students.
They should guide them well before hands. Passing
examinations by hook or by crook should not be a the
goal of students. What matters is the knowledge of the
subject. So, students should not use unfair means rather
they should study with full concentration.
Thanking you
Yours sincerely
Aruna
Or
A-5, Preet Vihar
New Delhi
18th March, 20××
The Editor
The Times India
New Delhi
Sir
Subject: How solar energy can be a boon to our life
today.
Through the columns of your esteemed newspaper I
want to express my views that to think of life without
electricity is almost impossible today. Today no
electricity means no life. This is the reason behind
growing demand of electricity. But as resources are
limited, they cannot cater to the entire demand. This
has created problems which are thought to be solved by
29
 the promotion of solar energy, i.e. an energy produced returned everything to my father and promised not to
with the help of sunlight. The sunlight or sun rays are do it again.
capable of generating electricity which can be used for
Moral: We should not do anything that tarnishes our
various purpose. India has an enormous possibilities image.
of tapping solar energy. It is fast becoming popular in
rural and remote areas. It is expected that the use of ASSIGNMENT – 12
solar energy will be able to minimise the dependence 1. 456, Raj Enclave
of rural households on firewood and dung cakes which K.G. Marg
in turn will contribute to environmental conservation. New Delhi
Our government is giving much importance to the use

5th February, 20××
of this energy. Needless to say that the increasing use
of solar energy is making the world a better place to
The Sales Manager
live in since it is eco-friendly. Hence, its installation
Symphony Store
should be promoted.
27, Chandni Chowk

Delhi

Thanking you
Subject: Complaint about electric guitars


Yours sincerely

Ahmad
Sir

This is to bring to your notice that two Yamaha electric
2. A Procession of Barat guitars purchased on 10th March 20××, vide cash

There was a lot of excitement in the air. The sound of memo 291/XT/72, have not been working properly.
crackers could be heard all around. Manu rushed out.
You assured me of excellent sound quality of the
He saw a procession of a barat was coming. They guitars but of late they have started giving trouble
were dancing, singing and bursting crackers. The road while playing. Both the guitars are giving out distorted
was completely blocked. So from both the sides the or static sounds. Sometimes there is complete loss of
traffic halted. Someone from a car came there and signal making it impossible to play the guitar. They give
requested the people to give way to the vehicle. But out crackling sound and there is usually an indicator of
the processionists didn’t notice. As the man’s father a short in the cable connectors. Even the metallic polish
was serious sitting in the car and he was taking him to on the outer surface has chipped off.
the hospital so he requested them again and again. It
As the guitars are in the warranty period, I wish them
appeared that they were not in a mood to stop. Instead to be replaced with the new ones at the earliest.
they pushed the man aside. Manu informed the police.
Soon the police van reached there and controlled
Thanking you
the situation. The police also arrested some of the
Yours faithfully
hooligans. It is not good to make such nuisance.
Mohit Das

Moral: We should enjoy ourselves but others should
Encl.: 1. Photocopy of Cash Memo
not be disturbed.

    2. Photocopy of Warranty Card
Or
Or
A Courageous Teacher
12/4, Arjun Enclave
It was dark night. My father was crossing a bridge.
Amritsar
Suddenly a torch light flashed before him and he found
10th April, 20××
three or four young men were standing just in the
middle of the bridge. They covered around my father
The Director
and asked to handover them whatever he had. My father
Language Academy
couldn’t understand what to do. First he protested. But
13/9, Gandhi Nagar
when he found them getting rough, he handed over his
Amritsar
wallet and watch to them. In the meantime, my father
Sir
could recognise one of them. He was one of the students
of my father’s school. My father is a teacher. He is also Subject: Inquiry about the course in Urdu.
very popular. But the boy couldn’t recognise him in
With reference to your advertisement published in the
darkness. My father called that boy by name. The boy Hindustan Times, dated 8th April 20××, I wish to state
was surprised. However, he came back to my father and that I have graduated from Aligarh Muslim University
then he could recognise him. He was very ashamed. He and wish to pursue a career as a language trainer in

30 Assignments in English Plus Language and Literature – 10 Teacher’s Handbook

 Urdu. So I want to pursue a short-term course in Urdu
and polish my language skills.
Kindly furnish me with the following details:
• Duration of the course
• Fee structure & Mode of payment
• Faculty
• Class duration
• Study Material provided
• Transportation facility, if available
• Certificate or Diploma Course
• Discount, if any
• Timings
It shall be highly appreciated if the details are provided
to me at the earliest.
Thanking you
Yours faithfully
Puja Kapoor
2. The Wise King
The king of Israel was very wise and was famous for his
justice. One day, while the king was busy in discharging
his royal duty, two women entered his court weeping
bitterly. One of the women was holding a baby in her
arms. They were quarrelling and each of them claimed
that the baby was hers. It was a very tough situation.
The king was confused. He did not know what to do or
how he should decide whose baby was that. Suddenly
an idea crept into his mind. He told the two women
that he would cut the baby into two pieces and give
one piece to each. Saying this he lifted his sword. Just
then one of the women began crying “O king, please
Part - II : Grammar
INTEGRATED EXERCISE FOR PRACTICE
1. CLOZE (Gap-Filling)
1. (a) (iii) an (b) (ii) would
(c) (iv) is (d) (ii) from
(e) (iii) of
2. (a) (iii) the (b) (iii) to
(c) (ii) when (d) (iv) should
(e) (iv) the
3.  (a) (ii) is given (b) (ii) make
(c) (i) If (d) (iii) leave
(e) (ii) will
4.  (a) (i) of (b) (iv) with
(c) (iii) between (d) (iv) to
(e) (ii) on
5. (a) (iii) the (b) (iv) of
(c) (i) by (d) (iii) the
(e) (iii) has
Vol - 1 — Section - B: Writing & Grammar
don’t be so ruthless. You better give the baby to the
other woman than kill it. I can’t see a baby dying in
front of me”. The king soon understood who the real
mother of the baby was. He gave the baby to her. The
other woman stood silently. She could not say a single
word in embarrassment.
Moral: No one can take the place of mother.
Or
A Dangerous Beloved
King Francis was famous for his great love for all
kinds of sports. One day, he organised lions’ fighting
in the enclosure below and sat watching it with his
courtiers, noblemen and ladies. Amongst the courtiers
the one named Count de Lorge was watching with his
beloved. The lions’ fighting was going on. They roared
and bit and tore each other furiously. All the spectators
including the king were enjoying the event happily. In
the meantine, Count de Lorge’s beloved carved out a
plan. She dropped her glove down among the fighting
lions and smiled at Count de Lorge. She just wanted
to show the king and his court her lover’s devotion
to her. Count de Lorge did as his beloved wished. He
leaped down among the wild lions boldly, took the
glove and came back to his place in a few seconds.
He then proudly threw the glove right in his beloved’s
face. The king applauded Count de Lorge for his brave
deed but at the same time he made it clear that it was
not his (Lorge’s) beloved’s love for him but her vanity
that made him to do such a dangerous task.
Moral: True beloved and lover always want each
other’s betterment.
6. (a) (i) that (b) (ii) was
(c) (iii) to (d) (i) to
(e) (i) at
7. (a) (ii) most (b) (i) in
(c) (iii) was (d) (iv) has been
(e) (iv) his
8. (a) (ii) at (b) (iii) to
(c) (i) into (d) (iii) to
(e) (i) in
9. (a) (ii) an (b) (iv) could
(c) (i) to (d) (iv) from
(e) (ii) down
10. (a) (i) for (b) (iii) of
(c) (ii) for (d) (ii) on
(e) (i) a
11. (a) (ii) was (b) (iii) of
(c) (ii) of (d) (iii) from
(e) (i) over
31
 12. (a) (ii) into (b) (iv) for 13. (a) to ... of (b) and ... or
(c) (iii) the (d) (i) was (c) cause ... causes (d) but ... and
(e) (iii) to (e) lacked ... lack
13.  (a) (iii) for (b) (ii) The 3. EDITING (Omissions)
(c) (iii) of (d) (ii) for 1. (a) it is enjoyable (b) lots of places
(e) (iii) and (c) travelling is worth
14. (a) (iii) of (b) (i) that (d) spend because memories
(c) (iii) and (d) (ii) are (e) one gets the
(e) (ii) in 2. (a) Litigation is not (b) way to resolve
15. (a) (iii) are (b) (ii) have (c) offers an alternative (d) can be quite
(c) (i) of (d) (ii) to (e) expensive, and can
(e) (iii) for 3. (a) Goa are the (b) Dhalo and the
2. EDITING (Error-Correction) (c) however, has elements
1. (a) on ... in (b) successful ... success (d) it as well (e) before the Portuguese
(c) wants ... want (d) for ... to 4. (a) refers to the (b) jump in food
(e) or ... and (c) use of high (d) coupled with expansion
2. (a) for ... of (b) had ... has (e) cropping and use
(c) a ... an (d) to ... for 5. (a) state that you (b) you have to
(e) used ... using (c) day at a (d) there will always
(e) always make assumption
3. (a) grow ... growing (b) with ... by
6. (a) Mahal is a (b) regarded as one
(c) increasing ... increased
(c) of the world’s (d) tourists from India
(d) the ... a (e) confers ... confer
(e) to see it
4.  (a) is ... was (b) by ... from
7. (a) impairment of hearing
(c) separate ... separated (d) formed ... had formed
(b) caused by any
(e) to ... of
(c) interference with the
5.  (a) greater ... greatest (b) people ... people’s
(d) transmission of sound
(c) had ... has (d) is ... being
(e) canal through the
(e) does ... do
8. (a) medium of literary
6. (a) has been ... is (b) to ... in (b) language is inadequate
(c) are ... is (d) for ... to (c) scientist always finds
(e) while ... which (d) give a poorer
7. (a) spend ... spent (b) in ... for (e) to the world
(c) writes ... wrote (d) with .. and 9. (a) skill of staying (b) Swimming is a
(e) for ... to (c) you in times (d) there are several
8. (a) had ... was (b) to ... of (e) way of travelling
(c) of ... to (d) their ... his 10. (a) warming is a
(e) giving ... given (b) hotter with each
9. (a) an... the (b) to ... for (c) industrialisation has quietly
(c) have ... has (d) reflect ... reflects (d) balance of the
(e) for ... to (e) within the last
10. (a) have... has (b) to ... of 11. (a) is a weak (b) surrounded by many
(c) their ... its (d) to ... for (c) nature has provided (d) ears to enable
(e) are ... is (e) faintest of sounds
11. (a) to ... with (b) but ... and 12. (a) Delhi is the (b) ruled over India
(c) to ... of (d) when ... while (c) Delhi was under (d) which had witnessed
(e) comes ... come (e) as an established
12. (a) knew ... known (b) a ... an 13. (a) gauge is shaped (b) and has a
(c) into ... in (d) with ... by (c) is a long (d) tube, where the
(e) presenting ... presented (e) connected with a

32 Assignments in English Plus Language and Literature – 10 Teacher’s Handbook

4. SENTENCE RE-ORDERING
1. (a) But it also develops selfishness, laziness and all
narrowness of outlook.
(b) Our freedom suggests toil and the creation of new
values for old ones.
(c) We should discipline ourselves so as to be able to
discharge our responsibilities satisfactorily.
(d) In fact discipline should be cultivated from the
very beginning.
(e) Human beings can learn anything by dint of hard
work.
2. (a) Sports are necessary for building physical strength.
(b) They include sportsmanship and cooperation.
(c) Sports definitely bring man closer to man.
(d) They also teach us a strong sense of discipline.
(e) We learn to face defeat from them.
3. (a) A work of art is an immortal thing.
(b) It is permanent and can’t perish with time.
(c) It remains in the memory of the people.
(d) Art appeals to our senses for action.
(e) But the creation of excellent art needs a good deal
of devotion.
4. (a) At Shantiniketan the classes are held in open
air.
(b) The students sit on the ground under the trees.
(c) It was founded by the great poet Rabindranath
Tagore.
(d) He was awarded Nobel prize for literature.
(e) His poems, stories and novels are world famous.
5. (a) The fact that many people in India cannot even
read and write is a matter of concern.
(b) The number of rural children who do not get
education is still high.
(c) Every child under the age of 14 should get free
education.
(d) But the scene of rural India is changing now.
(e) The parents are becoming cautious to their child’s
education.
6. (a) I was not worried about my ability to work.
(b) I was a grown-up woman and not a confused
teenager.
(c) I realised very soon that the teenagers were better
than me.
(d) These days teenagers have countless facilities to
learn.
(e) They are doing better in every field.
7. (a) Birds fly with the help of their wings.
(b) They have light frames and their bones are also
light.
(c) They have air sacs which make them even lighter.
Vol - 1 — Section - B: Writing & Grammar
(d) The structure of their body helps them fly high in
the sky.
(e) Their wings are specially made for flying purpose.
8. (a) Charles Darwin was born in 1809.
(b) He received his education in Edinburgh University.
(c) He was deeply interested in the study of biology.
(d) The evolution of men on the earth is his own
concept.
(e) His ideas have revolutionised the world.
9. (a) Our earth is surrounded by the atmosphere.
(b) There is vacuum beyond the atmosphere.
(c) The gases present in the atmosphere are in constant
motion.
(d) The various gases sustain life on the earth.
(e) These gases have various other functions also.
10. (a) One of the greatest pleasures known to man is that
of reading.
(b) The world of books has a rich variety of adventure
and wisdom.
(c) You can enjoy a book at your own convenience.
(d) Children should develop a good reading habit from
the beginning.
(e) They can read a good number of books when they
grow up.
11. (a) Fresh milk contains several types of bacteria.
(b) The number of bacteria multiplies very fast when
milk comes in contact with air.
(c) These bacteria turn the milk sour.
(d) They have other functions in the atmosphere also.
(e) Some bacteria helps the farmers in their cultivation.
12. (a) It is said that your destiny is in your right hand.
(b) Our personalities determine how we deal with the
problems of life.
(c) Some people can cope with hardships better than
others.
(d) There are countless people in the world whose life
is full of thorns.
(e) The world remembers only bold and courageous
people.
13. (a) He taught me algebra and geometry twice a week.
(b) Earlier I was very poor in these subjects.
(c) Now I have become very proficient in them.
(d) My confidence in these subject is growing
everyday.
(e) I hope I will get good marks in them.
14. (a) Once upon a time there was a slave.
(b) He worked very hard for his master.
(c) He served him well and left no chance of
complaints.
(d) He tried to please his master with service, loyalty,
devotion and love.
(e) Still his master was not happy with him.
33
5. SENTENCE TRANSFORMATION
1. (a) she had called her the previous day
(b) she had gone to visit her
(c) why she had called her
(d) she had called to tell her that their
(e) what she was doing
2. (a) if he could help her.
(b) that she wanted a book on Organic Chemistry
(c) she had so many books written by different authors
(d) that she wanted
(e) that she could have whatever
3. (a) he had invited two of his friends for dinner that
day
(b) she would invite her friends also
(c) what they should have for dinner
(d) that they should decided
(e) that it was a good idea
4. (a) what he had got in his hand
(b) that he had got a whistle
(c) how much money
(d) all the money father had given him the previous
day.
(e) he thought he had made a good bargain.
5. (a) if he was free that evening
(b) Why he asked that
(c) to go to a cinema show
(d) the new film at the local house was reported
(e) he could not come
6. (a) if she could borrow a dictionary
(b) if she had not reminded her the previous day
(c) if she had some good dictionaries
(d) that she had two good dictionaries
(e) to borrow it for that day
7. (a) if he had rajma and chawal
(b) he had everything that he wanted
(c) if he would like to have
(d) that he wanted to have only veg food
(e) to bring them soon
8. (a) lend her his English notebook
(b) had not brought it
(c) to give her his Science notebook
(d) that Sarita had borrowed it
(e) where Sarita was
9. (a) taken and is washed
(b) is put into
(c) is taken out of the patient’s mouth
(d) is noted
(e) put back into its holder
10. (a) are cut into 4 parts
(b) transferred
(c) are added
34 Assignments in English Plus Language and Literature – 10 Teacher’s Handbook
(d) are added too
(e) are added
11. (a) whether he had got the tests done
(b) he had not.
(c) suggested him to get them done that day itself.
(d) that day he had some urgent piece of work
(e) that without test he could not discover the cause
12. (a) come with him to watch a movie that night.
(b) he needed to finish his English homework
(c) that he would ask Ravi
(d) that Ravi was not available in the town
(e) that he would come back the next day
13. (a) if he knew type-writing
(b) that he was good at type-writing
(c) where he had worked earlier
(d) that he had worked for six
(e) what salary he expected there
14. (a) if he was visiting any match in IPL 2016.
(b) that he had postponed his plan.
(c) he had been very much interested
(d) that in fact he couldn’t get ticket
(e) that he would try to get
6. DIALOGUE COMPLETION
1. (a) never have (b) doesn’t
(c) Atleast clean up (d) will clean
(e) will sit
2. (a) have joined that company
(b) do (c) you want to leave
(d) will (e) will receive
3. (a) when is it going to be held
(b) going to be held (c) you’ll do your best
(d) will help you (e) Who will accompany
4. (a) how is your life going and where had you been
(b) about you
(c) When did you come back
(d) I came back
(e) joined the office
5. (a) passed my M.Sc. (b) What were
(c) What do (d) Are
(e) willing to go for a training
6. (a) had
(b) had been
(c) Do you know
(d) not much
(e) visit this country
7. (a) about it
(b) when it is scheduled
(c) It will take place
(d) do you mean to
(e) utilise this time in studies
 8. (a) What happened (c) celebrated with great
(b) has got (d) more than six
(c) with your mother to look after her (e) not be eliminated
(d) help me by doing this work 3. (a) Gandhiji is knwon all over the world.
(e) your true friend (b) He was believer of truth and non-violence.
7. PARAGRAPH COMPLETION (c) He was concerned for the poor and untouchables.
1. (a) took place (d) He used to call downtrodden as Harijans.
(b) was running (e) His entire life was dedicated to the country.
(c) the green ASSIGNMENT – 2
(d) was also at a high speed
1. (a) (iii) was (b) (iii) and
(e) stop the truck
2. (a) are taken (c) (ii) but (d) (ii) him
(b) are removed (e) (ii) for
(c) is strained 2. (a) over ... above (b) present ... presence
(d) are added (c) at ... in (d) and ... or
(e) is stirred (e) a ... the
3. (a) to cutting of forests or trees 3. (a) from making a noise in the class
(b) is (b) that they were reading the lesson in unison
(c) is caused by (c) who had told them to do so
(d) solution of deforestation (d) that they were fond of doing so
(e) should encourage (e) against making a noise
4. (a) revolution has transformed ASSIGNMENT – 3
(b) help people to stay
(c) conduct relationship 1. (a) (ii) that (b) (iv) since
(d) have become an extension (c) (ii) the (d) (iii) as
(e) to invade (e) (iii) by
5. (a) a scarcity of food grain 2. (a) belongs to our (b) identify him easily
(b) reasons for (c) like one amongst (d) anxieties and troubles
(c) is caused by (e) growing along with
(d) between the different 3. (a) Water is very indispensable to us.
(e) decreases (b) Infact, our earth lies on it.
6. (a) are collected (c) World without water is like a body without life.
(b) are soaked in a mixture (d) Fierce battles are fought in the name of water.
(c) are taken out and beaten (e) Hence, we should not waste water.
(d) is washed off ASSIGNMENT – 4
(e) are squeezed and hung
7. (a) are pulled 1. (a) (iii) every (b) (iii) which
(b) is sand papered (c) (ii) which (d) (iii) and
(c) is mixed well (e) (iii) the
(d) is wiped off 2. (a) grant ... granted (b) we ... us
(e) are painted (c) there ... their (d) hoist ... hoisting
8. (a) is boiled (e) took ... taking
(b) are added 3. (a) what he wanted to take then
(c) are added (b) if he did not know
(d) is cooked (c) to tell him his choice in lunch
(e) is then served (d) to give him a glass of water
(e) whether he should bring hot or cold water
ASSIGNMENT – 1
1. (a) (ii) was (b) (i) when ASSIGNMENT – 5
(c) (iii) an (d) (iii) in 1. (a) (iii) a (b) (iii) over
(e) (ii) best (c) (iii) which (d) (iii) should
2. (a) celebrated her 64th (b) day in Indian (e) (ii) when

Vol - 1 — Section - B: Writing & Grammar 35

 2. (a) police were dismissed (b) It was found
(c) constables had produced
(d) documents at the (e) came to light
3. (a) We are the children of God.
(b) God loves equally all of us.
(c) But we love only those who love us.
(d) We are ungrateful to God who is our father.
(e) God has given us our precious life.
ASSIGNMENT – 6
1. (a) (ii) a (b) (ii) will
(c) (i) to (d) (ii) with
(e) (ii) beyond
2. (a) on ... in (b) or ... and
(c) tell ... told (d) he ... they
(e) ago ... before
3. (a) where she was going
(b) that she was going to market
(c) if she would bring a pencil for him
(d) that he would have to pay for it
(e) that he had no problem
ASSIGNMENT – 7
1. (a) (iii) to (b) (iv) would
(c) (iii) them (d) (ii) to
(e) (ii) with
2. (a) very little knowledge (b) consulting the books
(c) visited the library (d) me the books
(e) However, the librarian
3. (a) Good friends make our life extremely happy.
(b) But nowadays it is not easy to find good friends.
(c) Infact many do not know the value of good
friendship.
(d) Actually our friendship depends on our mutual
understanding.
(e) Really true friendship is made in heaven.
ASSIGNMENT – 8
1. (a) (iii) are (b) (iii) have
(c) (i) have (d) (ii) and
(e) (iv) of
2. (a) to ... by (b) the ... a
(c) in ... at (d) on ... from
(e) under ... down
3. (a) whether he was the animal trainer
(b) he was only a midget
(c) that the animals looked at him
(d) they would wait till he got a little fatter
(e) that he was a different animal trainer
ASSIGNMENT – 9
1. (a) (ii) were (b) (ii) along
36 Assignments in English Plus Language and Literature – 10 Teacher’s Handbook
(c) (iii) the (d) (iii) those
(e) (iii) a
2. (a) depends on water (b) life without water
(c) like to live (d) is the main
(e) use it properly
3. (a) To work hard is always paying.
(b) The old lady lay on her dying bed.
(c) Having had my dinner, I went to bed.
(d) My children were studying then.
(e) At once electricity went out.
ASSIGNMENT – 10
1. (a) (ii) to (b) (iii) have
(c) (ii) the (d) (i) to
(e) (ii) is
2. (a) an ... the (b) the ... a
(c) just ... like (d) the ... an
(e) their ... its
3. (a) why she was crying
(b) her necklace was missing
(c) where she had kept that
(d) that she had forgotten the place
(e) not to worry
ASSIGNMENT – 11
1. (a) (i) who (b) (ii) was
(c) (i) from (d) (iii) between
(e) (iii) the
2. (a) sadly and ably (b) complained against him
(c) listened to them (d) against him but
(e) heart was full
3. (a) Our newspapers are full of reports about accidents.
(b) It is estimated that in our country one thousand
people die in accidents every day.
(c) It is high time we took steps to prevent accidents.
(d) Newspapers play a great role in forming public
opinions.
(e) They are the best critics during elections.
ASSIGNMENT – 12
1. (a) (iii) in (b) (ii) with
(c) (i) by (d) (ii) of
(e) (iv) by
2. (a) being ... becoming (b) on ... on
(c) please ... plead (d) ourself ... yourself
(e) a ... the
3. (a) from shouting there
(b) to give him some money for his treatment
(c) what his ailment was
(d) that he was having very low appetite
(e) that he would improve it gradually
 VOLUME - 2
SECTION - C: LITERATURE TEXTBOOKS
LITERATURE READER — FIRST FLIGHT (PROSE)
1. A Letter to God
DIAGNOSTIC TEST – 1
Reference To Context (Very Short Answer Questions)
1. (i) The postman laughed when he found that the letter
had been addressed to God.
(ii) The postmaster was a God fearing person.
(iii) The postmaster wished wistfully to have the same
staunch faith in god as the writer of the letter.
(iv) The postmaster developed admiration for the writer
of the letter.
2. (i) The events are happening in the postoffice.
(ii) ‘Him’ in the first line refers to Lencho, the poor
farmer.
(iii) The postmaster was surprised at Lencho’s faith in
God.
(iv) The post office employees had collected money
and given it to Lencho. They signed it as ‘from
God’. Lencho believed it and was not the least
surprised.
Short Answer Questions
1. Lencho had prayed for rains for a long time. When
they came they brought a furious hailstorm which
lasted long and devastated his crop of corn. His earlier
delight changed to misery and mortification as all his
effort and time had proved to be in vain.
2. The faith of Lencho is such that he cannot imagine that
it could not have been God who helped him. When he
receives 70 pesos instead of 100, he assumes that the
post office officials are dishonest and writes another
letter instructing god to refrain from sending the money
through the post office. This instance shows Lencho’s
deep faith in god.
Long Answer Questions
In the story, Lencho puts in a great deal of hard work
and manages to grow a crop of corn. He only needs
rain to keep starvation at bay. Instead, what he got is a
hailstorm which flattened his ripe crop of corn. His plea
to god for money is fulfilled by the postmaster and his
subordinates who donate money to help Lencho in his
hour of need. He ironically, assumes that the officials
are dishonest and have pocketed the 30 pesos and
writes another letter comically instructing god to refrain
from sending the money through the post office. Life
37
treats the postmaster very unfairly. In the end, sadly
the kindness and generosity of the postmaster’s efforts
remained unknown and unappreciated by Lencho as he
assumed the very people who bailed him out to be a
‘bunch of crooks’.
Or
In the story, the character of Lencho is most interesting.
The story begins with Lencho who is hoping for rains,
so that his crops would give a better yield. The rain
does come with a devastating hailstorm which destroys
the standing corn crop and leaves Lencho staring into
a bleak future. Lencho is a staunch believer in God
so he decides to write a letter to the God, asking for
some money. Lencho also promises to repay the debt
when the next crop would give him enough money. On
seeing Lencho’s letter, the postmaster is amused and
later, deeply moved by Lencho’s deep faith in God.
He collects money from his colleagues and sends the
entire collection of 70 pesos to Lencho. Lencho, quite
angry, once again writes a letter to God in which he
expresses his doubts about the honesty of the post office
employees and requests god to send him the rest but not
through the post office employees. Thus he epitomizes
incredible faith and simplicity.
DIAGNOSTIC TEST – 2
Reference To Context (Very Short Answer Questions)
1. (i) The postmaster’s resolution is being talked about
here.
(ii) The postmaster’s resolution was to help Lencho
with the 100 pesos.
(iii) The postmaster’s kind and helpful nature, which
made him go out of his way to help a poor, needy
person is highlighted here.
(iv) As the money was being collected for a noble cause
of charity several of his friends and post office
employees rose to donate money.
2. (i) The postmaster is referred to as the ‘boss’.
(ii) The postman is carrying Lencho’s letter.
(iii) The curious thing about the letter is that it has been
addressed to god.
(iv) The postmaster was a God fearing person.
Short Answer Questions
1. The postmaster went out of his way to help Lencho.
He persuaded the employees of the post office and his
friends to donate money for ‘an act of charity. Moved
by Lencho’s faith and the postmasters’s wish, everyone
donated some money and collected 70 pesos.
2. The postmaster collected 70 pesos from the employees
and sent it to Lencho and subscribed the accompanying
letter as ‘from God’. Even though Lencho received less
than a 100 pesos that he had asked for, he felt no relief
at the amount received. On the contrary, he suspected
the officers of foul play and remained discontented.
Even the postmaster generosity remained unrecognized
and unappreciated.
Long Answer Questions
The postmaster proves to be a truly sensitive and
generous person. His first reaction to Lencho’s letter to
god is of amusement but later he can’t help appreciating
the simple and deep, albeit, naïve faith of the poor
farmer. He even goes out of his way to help Lencho
by collecting from his subordinates a little more than
half the amount that Lencho had requested from god.
However his help never came to the knowledge of
Lencho. Quite ironically Lencho, in his second letter
to god, expressed his suspicion about the honesty of
the post office employees, the postmaster included, and
begged god not to route the money through them. Sadly
the kindness and generosity of the postmaster’s efforts
remained unknown and unappreciated by Lencho.
Or
This story has an element of humor. In the story, Lencho
puts in a great deal of hard work and manages to grow
a crop of corn. He only needs rain to keep starvation at
bay. Instead, what he got is a hailstorm which flattened
his ripe crop of corn. His humorous and lovable plea
to god for money is fulfilled by the postmaster and his
subordinates who donate money to help Lencho in his
hour of need. Lencho quite humorously, assumes that
the officials are dishonest and have pocketed the 30
pesos and writes another letter comically instructing
god to refrain from sending the money through the post
office. Lencho comically assumes the very people who
bailed him out to be a ‘bunch of crooks’. The simpleton
in Lencho creates humor in the story.
DIAGNOSTIC TEST – 3
Reference To Context (Very Short Answer Questions)
1. (i) The letter referred to is the one which Lencho had
written to God.
(ii) The postmaster had collected 70 pesos and sent it
to it to the needy Lencho who had asked god for
100 pesos. He signed the letter as ‘God’. This good
deed of his filled him with contentment.
38 Assignments in English Plus Language and Literature – 10 Teacher’s Handbook
(iii) Lencho was not surprised on receiving the money
from god because he had no doubt that god would
help him.
(iv) From the above lines it is clear how naïve and
simple Lencho’s faith was. He did not for once
doubt that the money had been sent to him by God.
2. (i) The postmaster’s resolution is being talked about
here.
(ii) The resolution was needed for helping the poor
Lencho with the 100 pesos.
(iii) The postmaster’s compassionate and helpful
nature, which made him go out of his way to help
a poor, needy person is highlighted here.
(iv) As the money was being collected for a noble cause
of charity several of his friends and post office
employees rose to donate money.
Short Answer Questions
1. The story has many appealing aspects but the aspect
that I liked the most is the character of Lencho. His
unwavering faith in god arouses a mixture of emotions
like wonder, hilarity and admiration at the same time.
It is rare to find such simple people in today’s world.
2. Lencho was a farmer. His life was sustained by hard
work on his fields. Like all farmers, he was dependent
on nature’s mercy for a good crop. In the story, he waits
desperately for rains otherwise his crop of corn would
die. Unfortunately, nature did not listen to his plea and
his crops were destroyed.
Long Answer Questions
Lencho, a hardworking farmer lived in uncertainty and
misery with god as his only support. He worked hard
braving the vagaries of nature to grow his crop which
lay at the mercy of nature. He waited for rains so that
he could harvest a rich crop of corn. The rain does
come but with a devastating hailstorm which destroys
the standing corn crop and leaves Lencho staring into
a bleak future. Now his only hope was pinned on god’s
help.
Lencho is a strong believer in God so he decides to
write a letter to the God, asking for a sum of 100 pesos.
His faith was so strong that he never doubted that god
would help him. He even went to the extent of writing
a letter to god in great confidence. He requested for the
money and also narrated why he needed it.
Or
Lencho, a hardworking farmer lived in uncertainty and
poverty with god as his only support. He worked hard
braving the vagaries of nature to grow his crop which
lay at the mercy of nature. He waited for rains so that
he could harvest a rich crop of corn. The rain does
come but with a devastating hailstorm which destroys
the standing corn crop and leaves Lencho staring into
a bleak future. Now his only hope was pinned on god’s
help.

Lencho is a strong believer in God so he decides to
write a letter to the God, asking for a sum of 100 pesos.
His faith was so strong that he never doubted that god
would help him. He even went to the extent of writing
a letter to god in great confidence. He requested for the
money and also narrated why he needed it. Thus the
story gives us a glimpse of the life and sufferings that
the farmers face.
DIAGNOSTIC TEST – 4
Reference To Context (Very Short Answer Questions)
1. (i) The postmaster is referred to as ‘ him’.
(ii) The farmer is Lencho.
(iii) He collected the money to help the farmer, Lencho.
(iv) The money was collected from the post office
employees and friends of the postmaster.
2. (i) The crop was destroyed by the storm and hail.
(ii) Lencho had grown corn.
(iii) Lencho was so affected by the storm as he had
hoped for rain to nourish his crops and fetch
him good money but the storm had flattened
the crop.
(iv) Lencho was saddened by the destruction of his
crops by the storm.
Short Answer Questions
1. Lencho’s house was located on the top of a hill. From
here he could see the expanse of the entire valley. He
could see the river and his fields of ripe corn waiting
for the rains and flowers. This is the place where he sat
and observed his fields and his crop.
2. Lencho desperately needed rains so that his crops would
survive. When rain turned to hail, Lencho feared that
now his ripe crop of corn would be destroyed and his
entire time and effort would go in vain. His family
would have to face starvation. This thought made him
miserable.
2. Nelson Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom
DIAGNOSTIC TEST – 1
Reference To Context (Very Short Answer Questions)
1. (i) Dignitaries and world leaders were coming to pay
their respects before the inauguration.
(ii) On the inauguration the first ever democracy, a
non-racial government was installed after a long
rule by the whites that practiced apartheid.
(iii) The ceremonies took place in the lovely sandstone
amphitheater formed by the Union Buildings in
Pretoria.
(iv) By this phrase Mandela refers to the people of all
colours-black and white hailing from different
Vol - 1 — Literature Reader — First Flight (Prose)
Long Answer Questions
Good deeds may sometimes go unrewarded. The truth
of this observation is amply substantiated by G.L
Fuentes through the character of the postmaster. The
postmaster proves to be a truly sensitive and generous
person. His first reaction to Lencho’s letter to god
is of amusement but later he can’t help appreciating
the simple and deep, albeit, naïve faith of the poor
farmer. He even goes out of his way to help Lencho by
collecting from his subordinates 70 pesos that Lencho
had requested from god. However the postmaster, good
deed never came to the knowledge of Lencho. Quite
ironically Lencho, in his second letter to god, expressed
his suspicion about the honesty of the post office
employees, the postmaster included, and begged god
not to route the money through them. Unfortunately,
the kindness and generosity of the postmaster’s efforts
remained unknown and unappreciated by Lencho.
Thus it seems that life is quite unpredictable and good
deeds, contrary to man’s expectation, may even go
unrewarded.
Or
The main theme that the writer explores is faith
and the extent to which it is desirable.. The author
also delicately poses the question- Is Lencho’s
unquestioning faith in God appropriate? He is very
faithful in his prayer to God asking for the one hundred
pesos that he needs. Is Lencho innocent and childlike
or naïve and an ignorant simpleton? God answers his
prayers through the post office clerks, who sympathize
with the farmer and donate the money. However, they
are only able to collect 70 pesos. The faith of Lencho
is such that he cannot imagine that it could not have
been God who helped him. Ironically, he assumes that
the officials are dishonest and writes another letter
instructing god to refrain from sending the money
through the post office. The author seems to suggest
that there is a difference between being simple and a
simpleton and Lencho seems to be the latter.
nations, who had come as guests to attend the
inauguration.
2. (i) The highest generals of defence and police saluted
Mandela and pledged their loyalty to him.
(ii) The smoke trail of Impala symbolised the new
national flag of South Africa.
(iii) Mandela was not unmindful of the fact that not so
many years before, during the apartheid regime
they would not have saluted but arrested him.
(iv) The passing of the south African jets was also
a demonstration of the military’s loyalty to
democracy, to a new, freely and fairly elected
government.
39
Short Answer Questions
1. Mandela thanks all the international leaders and guests
as he calls it an occasion of joy and victory for Justice.
He promises that the country shall not again experience
the oppression of one by another.
2. During childhood the meaning of freedom for Mandela
was quite narrow. He considered it to be the freedom
to run in the fields, to swim in the clear stream, free to
roast mealies and ride the board backs of slow moving
bulls.
Long Answer Questions
Nelson Mandela refers to the apartheid policy of the
white race against the black people as “an extraordinary
human disaster”. White people snatched freedom
from the coloured people of South Africa to whom the
country really belonged. The blacks were subjected
to oppression for long. They were not even allowed
to discharge their obligations to their own families,
community and their country. White people had no
compassion for them and oppressed their own people
and put them in prison. If they asserted their freedom,
it was curtailed. The black people lived like slaves.
Or
Mandela believed that their political freedom was the
result of the sacrifices of thousands of black people
who fought for it tirelessly. He said that it could not be
repaid. He thought himself as the sum of all of those
African patriots. He regretted that he could not thank
them enough. He condemns the policy of apartheid that
wounded the people of his country, which would take
centuries to heal.
He also said that inadvertently, the oppression and
brutality of the white people produced great freedom
fighters like Oliver Tambo, Walter Sisulu, Luthuli,
Dadoo, Fischer, Sobukwe and many more. They were
the men of courage, wisdom and large heartedness.
They really suffered a lot for the political freedom of
South Africa.
DIAGNOSTIC TEST – 2
Reference To Context (Very Short Answer Questions)
1. (i) After the Anglo-Boer war, the white people
of South Africa engineered a system of racial
discrimination against the black people of their
own land.
(ii) The new government was created as the recognition
of the rights and freedoms of all peoples regardless
of the colour of their skin.
(iii) The structure of the new government had
been created by the unimaginable sacrifices of
thousands of black people.
(iv) Mandela’s attitude to the black people is that of
deep veneration and gratitude.
40 Assignments in English Plus Language and Literature – 10 Teacher’s Handbook
2. (i) The policy of apartheid created a deep and lasting
wound in the country and its people.
(ii) According to Mandela the people of his nation are
the greatest wealth, not the gems or minerals.
(iii) He praises them as men of such extraordinary
courage, wisdom and generosity that their like may
never be known again. He also acknowledges their
memorable role in the newly found independence.
(iv) The blacks will have to spend many years, if not
generations, recovering from the profound hurt
inflicted by apartheid.
Short Answer Questions
1. Mandela addresses this freedom as ‘New born Liberty’.
It is because the people had to face a terrible disaster
of racial hatred. This disaster lasted for a long time.
Now they are free from all such things. So he calls this
freedom as ‘New born Liberty’.
2. During childhood the meaning of freedom for Mandela
was quite limited. He considered it to be free to run
in the fields, to swim in the clear stream, free to roast
mealies and ride the board backs of slow moving
bulls. When he grew up his thoughts on freedom
became more profound. He believed that freedom was
indivisible and a natural right of all human beings.
Long Answer Questions
Mandela is indeed right in saying that the oppressor and
the oppressed both are robbed of their humanity. Both
of them are actually the victims of hatred. Everyone is
obliged to discharge their duties whether personal or
social but without freedom a man cannot do so. The
person who disallows this freedom of any man is really
an oppressor and a prisoner of hatred. His hatred robs
him of humanity. But this is the same with a person
who is oppressed by other. He too is the victim of his
hatred. So the greatest lesson for man to learn was to
neither oppress nor be oppressed as both were sins
against humanity.
Or
In the chapter, ‘Long Walk to Freedom’, the author has
talked about two obligation for every man. The first
obligation is towards his family, parents, his wife and
children. The second is towards his community and
his nation. Being a social being one has to fulfill these
obligations.
But being a black coloured person in South Africa,
a man was not free to perform his obligations and
ironically got punished if he tried to do that.
When he was a child, the author never thought of such
obligations but late as he grew into a young man, he
fought for the people and the country, so that they could
be free and enjoy their freedom of performing their
rightful duties—both personal and social.
DIAGNOSTIC TEST – 3
Reference To Context (Very Short Answer Questions)
1. (i) Mandela defines the brave as the one who has the
courage to conquer his fear.
(ii) When Mandela and his comrades were pushed to
their limit behind the bars, it was the grimmest
time that he experienced.
(iii) Mandela says that man learns to hate just as he
learns to love. Thus it follows that all humans
could be taught to love.
(iv) He believed that goodness flows through the
human heart naturally and constantly. Under
compulsion, the shadow of selfishness may stop it
for a while but it can never be altogether removed.
2. (i) Every man has two obligations in life-one is to his
family and second to his community and country.
(ii) In South Africa, if a coloured man tried to fulfill
his obligations, he was punished and isolated.
(iii) The country was in the grip of apartheid that
discriminated people on the basis of skin colour.
So the colored, who were considered inferior, were
harassed and isolated.
(iv) The passage highlights Mandela’s experiences of
life and his wisdom. It also brings out his great
sufferings under old regime.
Short Answer Questions
1. It was the first democratic, non-racial government
taking oath of office in South Africa. The ceremony was
attended by dignitaries from more than 140 countries
around the world and thousands of the people of
South Africa of all the races and colour, to make the
day memorable. So, it took place in, the amphitheatre
formed by the Union Building in Pretoria.
2. In his speech during the swearing-in ceremony,
Mandela pledged to uphold the ideals of liberty and to
save all the people from poverty, deprivation, suffering,
gender and other kinds of discriminations. He also
vehemently pledges never to allow the oppression of
one by the other at any cost.
Long Answer Questions
During childhood the meaning of freedom for Mandela
was quite simple. He considered it to be free to run in
the fields, to swim in the clear stream, free to roast
mealies and ride the board backs of slow moving
bulls. When he grew up his thoughts on freedom
became more profound as he observed that his entire
community was in discriminated against. He soon
realized that his boyhood freedom was an illusion. He
came to believe that freedom had to be for all and not
only for him. Thus his thoughts and convictions grew
and he came to believe that freedom was indivisible and
a natural right of all human beings. These experiences
led to his joining the African National Congress.
Vol - 1 — Literature Reader — First Flight (Prose)
Or
Mandela strongly asserts that the oppressor and the
oppressed both need to be liberated from hatred and
injustice as both are robbed of their humanity. Both
of them are really the victims of hatred. Everyone is
obliged to discharge their duties whether personal or
social, but without freedom a man cannot do so. The
person who disallows this freedom of any man is really
an oppressor and a prisoner of hatred. His hatred robs
him of humanity. But this is the same with a person
who is oppressed by other. He too is the victim of
his hatred. So the greatest lesson for man to learn is
to neither oppress, nor be oppressed as both are sins
against humanity.
DIAGNOSTIC TEST – 4
Reference To Context (Very Short Answer Questions)
1. (i) As a child, Mandela was free to run in the fields,
free to swim in the stream, free to roast mealies
and ride the backs of slow moving bulls.
(ii) Mandela yearned for the basic and honourable
freedoms of achieving his potential of earning his
life, of marrying and having a family.
(iii) Mandela’s simple childhood ideas of freedom
proved to be an illusion when he grew up.
(iv) The freedom to stay out at night, read what he
pleased and go where he chose are referred to as
‘transitory’ freedoms.
2. (i) Mandela joined the African National Congress
because he wanted to fight for the freedom of his
people from the apartheid system of governance.
(ii) Mandela knew that freedom is indivisible because
the chains on anyone of his people were chains on
all of them.
(iii) The desire for the freedom of his people to live
their lives with dignity and self-respect animated
his life.
(iv) From the above passage Mandela comes across
as a person of strong conviction, who felt a great
solidarity for his people.
Short Answer Questions
1. Mandela always thought that both the oppressor and
the oppressed are deprived of their humanity. The
oppressor is a prisoner of hatred while the oppressed
has no confidence in humanity. Thus both of them need
to be liberated from hatred and fear.
2. ‘Apartheid’ is a political system that divides people
according to their race and skin colour. In this system
black-colored people in South Africa were not free even
to fulfill their personal and social obligations of being
parents, sons and husbands. They suffered extreme
indignities before Mandela appeared as a champion of
justice and freedom for them.
41
Long Answer Questions
Everybody whether human or other creatures wants to
live free as freedom is natural to all living beings. The
value of freedom is better known to that human being
who has not tasted it till he gets it. A person who is
chained with the limits and not allowed to perform his
duties freely, values freedom more than anyone else.
For example the value of freedom was known better
to Mandela who remained behind bars for most of his
life. Just as a caged bird lives in a pitiable state so,
Mandela and his people suffered and lived, devoid of
fundamental rights and freedom. Life for them was a
hell that they endured every day. There is no growth
of civilisation as it grows only when one has freedom,
peace and basic choices of life. Humanism can only
grow in a free and democratic atmosphere.
3. Two Stories about Flying
DIAGNOSTIC TEST – 1
Reference To Context (Very Short Answer Questions)
1. (i) The young seagull was trying to fly over the sea.
(ii) The young seagull felt that his wings would never
support him.
(iii) He was much afraid. So, he returned to the place
where he slept at night.
(iv) The seagull was perched on a ledge.
2. (i) For twenty four years, the young seagull was alone.
(ii) The whole family was mocking at the young
seagull for his cowardice.
(iii) The day before, his parents had been busy flying
about with his brothers and sister, perfecting them
in the art of flight, teaching them how to skim the
waves and how to dive for fish.
(iv) They all wanted him to shed his cowardice and
take his first flight. In fact by teasing and mocking
at him they wanted to make him feel small. Thus
they hoped that he would feel the urge to prove
himself and make the first attempt to fly.
Short Answer Questions
1. The young seagull felt miserable on the ledge as he
was alone and his family had already flown away. He
was very hungry and had nothing to eat. His condition
was worsening because in absence of any help from
his parents, and his own paralyzing fear, he could not
even dive for fish.
2. When the young seagull started flying after getting over
his fear, his family screamed around him out of joy.
They cheered him and offered him scraps of dog-fish
out of delight as he had made a successful attempt.
Long Answer Questions
The young seagull was afraid of flying because
he feared that his wings won’t support him and he
would drown in the vast ocean. When his family
42 Assignments in English Plus Language and Literature – 10 Teacher’s Handbook
Or
Mandela asserts that years of oppression and
servitude had an unintended effect of honing the
heights of human character. Giving the example of
his own people, he says that years of suffering and
deprivation helped to build courage and fortitude and
immeasurable tolerance. He cites the example of great
black leaders like chief Luthulis, Yusuf Dadoo and
Bram Fischer who fought for the liberation of blacks
from the cruel system of apartheid. While living a life
of struggle and deprivation in one of the most unjust
societies of the world, Mandela observed firsthand
how out of the evil of oppression, grew men of the
strong character who eventually brought liberty and
glory for the blacks.
left him alone at the ledge, he felt alone and very
hungry. They tried hard to encourage him to fly but
he could never muster the courage to try. His mother
knowingly tore a piece of fish near him and flew
across to him with it. She came close to him but
did not go nearer. Already maddened by hunger, he
dived at the fish but fell into space. After sometime
his wings spread outwards and he began to fly.
His family landed on the sea ahead of him. They
beckoned him so he landed on the sea and began to
sink into water but when his belly touched the water,
he floated without any fear and difficulty.
Or
The young seagull had two brothers and a sister. His
parents flew with them to leave him alone on the ledge
as he could not muster up the courage to fly with them.
But, they refused to give him any food. They wanted
him to fly and dive for his food. They threatened to
let him starve. One would think that they were rather
cruel and too strict with him. Being his parents they
could have fed him. But they did so because they loved
him and wanted to teach him the skills of living life
independently.
The parents were right in what they did because they
wanted to teach him the importance of confidence
and self-reliance. One can’t always depend on ones
parents to be fed. Thus, it was crucial for him to learn
to fly, dive and search his own food. So, the attitude the
seagull family showed to him was actually their deep
love and concern for his well being.
DIAGNOSTIC TEST – 2
Reference To Context (Very Short Answer Questions)
1. (i) The young seagull pretended to be falling asleep
and watched his brothers and sister lying on the
plateau.
 (ii) The seagull’s father was preening the feathers on
his white back.
(iii) By standing on the edge of the ledge and standing
on one leg, pretending to be asleep he wanted to
get the attention of his family. He hoped that his
dangerous position would alarm them and they
would come for his help.
(iv) His mother was keeping a close watch at him. She
was concerned about his well being.
2. (i) The next moment young seagull felt his wings
spread outwards.
(ii) The young seagull’s mother swooped past him and
made a loud noise with her wings.
(iii) He felt a moment of terror. But later he didn’t
feel it, though he felt a little dizzy. In fact he was
overjoyed at his first flight.
(iv) Because the Seagull had made his first flight.
Short Answer Questions
1. The seagull was afraid of flying over the ocean because
he thought that he would drown instead of flying. His
family decided to teach him a lesson. They left him
to fend for himself. The mother tore at a piece of fish
that lay at her feet now and then in his front. Since the
seagull was hungry too much, he was compelled to
attempt his first flight in order to get to the food. He
was successful. Thus he got over his fear of flying over
the ocean.
2. The young seagull uttered a joyful scream because he
thought that his mother was bringing food for him. He
tried to come nearer to her as she flew across taking
the food away from his reach.
Long Answer Questions
The young seagull came to the brink of the ledge. He
stood there on one leg with the other leg hidden under
his wing. He closed his one eye, then the other, and
pretended to be falling asleep. He did so because he
wanted to know whether they were interested in him
or not but he observed that his family was not noticing
him. He hoped that his dangerous position would alarm
them and they would come for his help.
He saw his brothers and sister dozing on the plateau.
His father was preening the feathers on his white back.
Only his mother kept watch at him. Now and then,
she tore at a piece of fish that lay at her feet. Then she
scrapped each side of the back on the rock.
Or
The young seagull had made his first flight successfully.
When he was near the sea he was flying straight over it.
He observed a vast green sea all around him. He turned
his beak sideways and cawed amusedly. His family was
very happy and landed ahead of him. They beckoned
to him.
When he landed on the sea, he began to drown but he
tried in despair and his belly touched the water and he
Vol - 1 — Literature Reader — First Flight (Prose)
sank no further. He was floating on water. This way
he got over his fear of seawater and his family praised
him.
DIAGNOSTIC TEST – 3
Reference To Context (Very Short Answer Questions)
1. (i) They landed on the green surface of the sea.
(ii) The young seagull was tired because he was weak
with hunger and he made a successful attempt for
his first flight.
(iii) He could not rise from the sea as he felt week due
to hunger.
(iv) He was surprised when he did not drown in the sea
but floated on it.
2. (i) When the narrator started flying his aeroplane, it
was a clear weather as the moon was up in the east,
stars were shining and there wasn’t any cloud in
the sky.
(ii) The narrator was flying his old Dakota aeroplane
over France back to England because he wanted
to enjoy his holiday and morning breakfast with
his family.
(iii) He wanted to call up the Paris control soon so that
they would guide him regarding correct directions.
(iv) The moon was coming up in the east and stars were
shining in the clear sky. There wasn’t a cloud in
the sky.
Short Answer Questions
1. When Paris was about 150 kilometres behind him he
saw that huge storm clouds gathered in front of him.
He realized that he could not fly up and over them as
they were as big as mountains. He also realized that he
did not have enough fuel to go around them.
2. When he saw that huge storm clouds had gathered in
front of him, he realized that he could not fly up and
over them as they were as big as mountains. He also
realized that he did not have enough fuel to go around
them. He thought of flying back to Paris, but thinking
of the English breakfast he had promised himself he
decided to take the risk and flew through the clouds.
Long Answer Questions
Yes, It is often observed that fear and lack of confidence
stop one from learning new things. In the story, the
young seagull lacked courage and confidence in
himself. He was too scared of flying. His family tried
hard to make him fly but he refused to do so because of
his fear of sinking in the seawater. They even scolded
him for his cowardice. They tried to tempt him with
food but he was not willing to learn flying. Once he
dived, his fear disappeared and he enjoyed his first
flight.
It is a fact that unless we try for something and
overcome our fear, we can’t learn anything. Confidence
and motivation are two most important traits that make
any learning possible
43
 Or
As he flew into the storm, everything went black. It was
impossible to see anything outside the plane. It jumped
and twisted in the air. When he looked at his compass,
he saw that it was turning round and round. It was
dead. Along with it, the other instruments, including
the radio, were also dead. Suddenly, he saw another
aeroplane. Its pilot waved at him, asking him to follow.
He was glad to find a helper. He was using his last fuel
tank and there was only enough fuel to fly five or ten
minutes. Then, the other pilot started to go down and he
followed. He suddenly came out of the clouds and saw
the runway, on which he then landed his plane safely.
When he came to know that there was indeed no plane
other than his flying that night, he could not explain
the strange experience he had had.
DIAGNOSTIC TEST – 4
Reference To Context (Very Short Answer Questions)
1. (i) The narrator was happy to find his aeroplane
behind another aeroplane in the black clouds
because another pilot was helping him come out
of the storm clouds.
(ii) The narrator felt frightened again because the fuel
was not sufficient to reach the destination as it was
only enough for next five or ten minutes.
(iii) The narrator was going from Paris to England to
meet his family.
(iv) The narrator sensed that the pilot was trying to
help him when he turned his aeroplane slowly to
the north, in front of his Dakota, so that it would
be easier for him to follow him.
2. (i) The writer went to the Control center to ask about
the black aeroplane so that he could thank the pilot
for saving his life.
(ii) The writer was shocked after hearing the woman’s
word because she told him that there was no other
aeroplane flying that night as she had seen none
on the radar.
(iii) The woman found it strange that he talked so
confidently about an aeroplane when the radar had
detected none.
4. From the Diary of Anne Frank
DIAGNOSTIC TEST – 1
Reference To Context (Very Short Answer Questions)
1. (i) ‘I’ refers to Anne Frank.
(ii) Anne made the observation that paper had more
patience than people.
(iii) She wrote just to satisfy her urge to write.
(iv) The diary can be secret friend of its writer.
2. (i) Anne Frank was disturbed even after being
surrounded by so many people because she didn’t
have any true friend.
44 Assignments in English Plus Language and Literature – 10 Teacher’s Handbook
(iv) When the lady laughed at the narrator and told
him that there was no other plane he was shocked
and felt eerie. His state of mind is expressed by
the questions which are posed by him.
Short Answer Questions
1. The young seagull did not go with the rest of his family
because he was afraid to fly. His brothers and sisters
had learnt to fly recently and the entire family was
trying to motivate him to shed his fear and attempt his
first flight.
2. The seagull’s parents tried everything to make him fly.
They screamed at him, scolded him and threatened to
let him starve on the ledge unless he flew and catch
his own food. The mother even dangled a piece of fish
in front of him without giving it to him. By this she
hoped that hunger would prompt him to fly. Her trick
was successful after all.
Long Answer Questions
The writer was very happy when he decided to fly that
night because he was going home to England to his
family to enjoy his holiday. He hoped to be with his
family and to have a large English breakfast. He was in a
happy mood thinking of his forthcoming holiday. When
he started, everything seemed to be perfect. The sky was
clear, no clouds could be seen and the stars were shining.
It all made it an easy task for the writer to fly that night
over the sleeping countryside of Paris. His assumption
that everything was favorable made him happy.
Or
As he flew into the storm, everything went black. It
was impossible to see anything outside the plane. It
jumped and twisted in the air. When he looked at his
compass, he saw that it was turning round and round.
It was dead. Along with it, the other instruments,
including the radio, were also dead. Suddenly, he saw
another aeroplane. Its pilot waved at him, asking him
to follow. He was glad to find a helper. He was using
his last fuel tank and there was only enough fuel to fly
five or ten minutes. Then, the other pilot started to go
down and he followed. He suddenly came out of the
clouds and saw the runway, on which he then landed
his plane safely.
(ii) Anne decided to write a diary because she could
not confide in anyone and felt lonely.
(iii) She thinks that probably it’s her own fault that she
can’t confide in anyone.
(iv) We come to know that she had family, loving
parents and a good home.
Short Answer Questions
1. Anne feels it is silly for a 13 years old teenager to have
a diary as it would seem she has many friends and other
people to talk to, but in reality, she states she feels very
 lonely in the world. She wishes her diary to become
her true friend.
2. Mr. Keesing gave Anne essays to write based on her
habit of talking in class. She would always do them
well. Keesing even laughed at her arguments. Probably
Keesing saw her merit as an original writer and
tolerated her talkativeness in class. He was impressed
by the beautiful poem she wrote and was impressed by
her.
Long Answer Questions
Normally, people are not interested in others; they are
too busy with their own lives and problems. It is very
difficult to find a person who is genuinely interested
in us and listen to us with understanding and feels
sympathy for our problems. When we talk about our
problems, people feel bored and become impatient.
They want to end the conversation as they are neither
bothered about our problems nor our lives.
On the other hand, when we write our feelings and
thoughts on paper, we can write as long as we want.
We can give vent to our feelings – both sad and happy.
Paper does not get bored or stops us from writing. It
becomes a patient friend who listens to us with attention
and sympathy.
Or
Anne Frank did not have a friend with whom she could
share now. Although she had spent a good time with
her friends yet she was unable to share her views and
thoughts with them. When she got her diary, she decided
to share everything with it because she believed that
nobody would be interested enough in her musings. So,
she treated her diary as her best friend. It would keep
her life a secret and would not react like people. She
confided everything in the diary; her family, her fear,
her loneliness, her life and considered it her best friend.
DIAGNOSTIC TEST – 2
Reference To Context (Very Short Answer Questions)
1. (i) The diary named ‘Kitty’ was the long awaited
friend of Anne, because she had no true friend in
her life with whom she could share her feelings
and thoughts.
(ii) She wrote a brief-sketch of her life and her family
in her diary.
(iii) Anne dislikes writing a sketch of her life.
(iv) She intended, to provide a brief sketch of her life
since she believed that no one would understand
a word of her stories to Kitty if she were to start
writing directly.
2. (i) The main feature of an essay is ‘to give convincing
arguments’ in support of the necessity to talk.
(ii) Anne argued that talking was a student’s trait and
she got it from her mother so nothing could be
done about this inherited trait.
(iii) Mr. keesing was her maths teacher.
Vol - 1 — Literature Reader — First Flight (Prose)
(iv) The lines tell us that Anne was a serious student.
She made a genuine effort to write the essay. She
was truthful as she gave a truthful reason for not
being talkative.
Short Answer Questions
1. Anne Frank tells that she has very lovely and caring
family. Her parents and her elder sister love her a lot.
There are about thirty people near by her whom she
can call friends. She has loving aunts and a good home
but she wants to have a true friend with whom she can
share her feelings and thoughts.
2. Mr Keesing seems to be a strict teacher but he actually
believed in taking actions with good intention and for
the development of children. He tries to control her bad
habit of talking too much but as soon as he is convinced
that her habit did not affect her studies, he overlooked
her shortcoming.
Long Answer Questions
Anne was fond of talking a lot. Mr Keesing punished
her and gave her essays to write one after another as
she didn’t stop talking in the class. When she was
asked to write the essay on the topic ‘Quack, Quack,
Quack said Mistress Chatterbox’ she decided to make it
original. Her friend Sanne helped her as she was good
at poetry and suggested her to write the entire essay in
verse. Anne tried to play a joke on Mr Keesing with
the essay. Mr Keesing took it in the right way and read
it in the class. He understood that she was not a dull
student, but an intelligent, though a talkative one. So
he allowed her to talk and did not punish her again.
Or
Anne Frank was born on 12th June 1929 in Frankfurt
Germany. She was four years old when her father
went to Holland to find a better place for his family
to live. She was very intelligent and always wanted to
become a writer. She was a very good reader as well,
she continued reading books, translated chapters, wrote
down the vocabulary and worked hard on her skills.
Like any child, she loved her family. She felt alone
although there were thirty people around her but she
hardly could call anyone a true friend. Anne died of
typhus in the concentration camp at Berger-Belsen in
late February or early March of 1945.
DIAGNOSTIC TEST – 3
Reference To Context (Very Short Answer Questions)
1. (i) He wanted to punish Anne for talking in the class.
(ii) She wished to include convincing arguments in
her essay.
(iii) The class had roaring time.
(iv) Mr Keesing was discipline loving person.
2. (i) In the above lines the speaker is Anne Frank.
(ii) The speaker was thinking about the necessity of
talking in the class.
45
 (iii) The speaker wished to include convincing
arguments in her essay.
(iv) The essay was about too much noise made by the
duck family.
Short Answer Questions
1. Anne Frank supports her habit of talking too much by
stating that talking is a student’s trait and she will try
to control it. But she also says that she has got it from
her mother and such inherited traits cannot be curbed.
2. When Mr Keesing read Anne’s poem on the third essay
that he had given her to write, he took the joke the right
way. He appreciated her poem which was beautiful. He
understood the intention of Anne and felt it in good
humour. After that he allowed her to talk and did not
punish her by assigning her extra work.
Long Answer Questions
Anne believes that people are not interested in other’s
life as they are stuck with their own problems so it is
really hard to get someone who can give importance
to her diary. People feel bored and become impatient
when we talk about our problems.
On the other hand when we write our feelings and
thoughts on paper, we can write as long as we want
without thinking of anyone, intention as it doesn’t react.
We can share our feelings, both sad and happy. It never
gets bored or stops us to write. It behaves like a true
friend who keeps our secret and listens to us patiently.
So she thinks that paper has more patience than people.
Or
“The diary of Anne Frank” clearly depicts the teacher-
student relationship, class atmosphere and discipline.
Anne who talked a lot in the class got punished by
Mr Keesing, her Maths teacher. He asks her to write
essays as punishment which is learning in disguise
because he wanted her to focus on studies. He cannot
be blamed for the punishment as he did it for the
development of Anne. The teacher-student relationship
is very respectful and sacred. It is about discipline
and classroom manners which are essential for every
student as well as teacher, otherwise both teaching
or learning could hamper. This relationship is clearly
shown in Mr Keesing and Anne Frank actions as they
both try to joke on each other but in very humorous and
healthy manner. Such a healthy relationship is much
needed everywhere in the class for effective teaching
and learning.
DIAGNOSTIC TEST – 4
Reference To Context (Very Short Answer Questions)
1. (i) The father duck killed the baby ducklings because
they quacked too much.
(ii) When Mr Keesing read the essay, he understood
the feelings of Anne and allowed her to talk. He
also started to make jokes thereafter.
46 Assignments in English Plus Language and Literature – 10 Teacher’s Handbook
(iii) She intended to convey that just as the father of the
ducklings killed them to stop them from quacking
too much, so Mr. keesing was making her stop
talking.
(iv) The poem mentioned in the above lines is the one
written by Anne on the topic given by Mr. keesing.
2. (i) The speaker is Anne Frank.
(ii) Mr Keesing is Anne’ maths teacher.
(iii) She wrote the three pages on the topic, ‘A
Chatterbox’.
(iv) After writing the essay she felt satisfied.
Short Answer Questions
1. Anne’s class was anxious and nervous about the result.
It was yet to be decided who would be promoted to the
higher class or who would not because many deserved
it.
2. When Anne’s grandmother died, she stated that no
one could understand her intensity of her love for her
grandma. She also said that no one could imagine
how much she thought of her. Lighting up extra
candle for her during her birthday showed her love for
grandmother.
Long Answer Questions
War started in January 1943. Terrible things started
happening. Helpless people were dragged out of their
homes at any time of night and day. They were allowed
to take only a knapsack and a little cash with them
and even then, were robbed of their possessions on
the way. Families were torn apart – men, women and
children were separated. Children came from school
only to find that their parents had disappeared. Women
returned from shopping to find their houses sealed and
families gone. The sons of Christian families, living
in Holland, also lived in fear as they were sent to
Germany. Hundreds of planes passed over Holland on
their way to German cities to drop their bombs on the
German soil. Thousands of people were killed. It was
a frightening and horrible situation.
Or
Anne’s diary presents a remarkable account of the last
two years in the life of a thirteen year old girl. This
diary was a birthday present and she considered it the
best present which she had ever received. She was a
shy, introvert type of girl who never expressed herself
freely and made the diary her medium of expression.
She mentioned her loneliness in the diary. In a way, she
expressed her heart and revealed her inner self through
Kitty, her diary. The diary contains her innermost
feelings, beliefs, moods and observation on people
who lived around. Her diary depicts her as a keen
observer and a girl who had a flair to write with depth
and feeling. Anne poured her heart out in the diary
and found comfort and solace with it in the saddest
moments. Thus we can say that her diary fulfilled her
need to write.
 5. The Hundred Dresses – I
DIAGNOSTIC TEST – 1
Reference To Context (Very Short Answer Questions)
1. (i) Wanda lived in Boggins Heights.
(ii) Wanda replied to Peggys’s mocking her by drawing
sketches of a hundred dresses in the drawing
competition.
(iii) Wanda appears to be a quiet and shy girl who kept
to herself. The only time she talked was in the
school yard about her hundred dresses.
(iv) Maddie remembered a few of Wanda’s dresses like
a pale blue with coloured trimmings and another
brilliant jungle green with a red sash.
2. (i) In the passage, ‘One girl’ refers to Wanda
Petronski.
(ii) Wanda Petronski won the drawing competition by
drawing the sketches of hundred beautiful dresses
and each of them was worthy enough to win the
competition individually.
(iii) Wanda was different from the other contestants
as while others had submitted just one or two
sketches, Wanda had actually drew one hundred
designs all different and all beautiful.
(iv) In the opinion of the judges, all of Wanda’s
drawings are worthy of winning the prize.
Short Answer Questions
1. Wanda, a quiet Polish girl was teased by her classmates.
She was considered different sounding name –Wanda
Petronski. Also she was poor as she wore the same blue
dress. Every day she was asked by Peggy and Maddie
how many dresses she had. To their surprise, she always
answered that she had a hundred dresses.
2. Maddie felt bad because she was never in favour of this
game from her heart. She realized how mean and cruel
they had been to Wanda and felt guilty and ashamed at
their behavior.
Long Answer Questions
Peggy did not realize she was being mean to Wanda
while they bullied her; she actually thought that Wanda
was telling lies about how many dresses she owned
and was trying to point out to her how ridiculous her
grandiose claims were. Peggy sees it as gentle teasing
and does not realize that the other children in the class
look to her for their lead and consequently joined in the
teasing as well. The fact that she felt guilty after Wanda
has left the school also indicates that her actions were
simple teasing rather than intentional bullying. She
suffers greatly by her guilt at not trying to help Wanda
by stopping Peggy.
Or
Wanda, a quiet, lonely girl, proved to be an essentially
bigger person than either Peggy or Maddie. They
Vol - 1 — Literature Reader — First Flight (Prose)
always teased her about her poor blue dress and asked
her how many dresses she had, but she seems to have
taken their teasing as a sign of friendship rather than
as something intentionally unkind. Their poking fun
regarding her one hundred dresses was perhaps the
most attention she ever received among the group of
children and when they were not teasing her nobody
was paying her any attention so interpreting their
attention as a clumsy overture of friendship makes
her also feel as if she has made friends in her class at
school. This proves that she was a kind, tolerant and
loving person who had a big heart
DIAGNOSTIC TEST – 2
Reference To Context (Very Short Answer Questions)
1. (i) Wanda’s absence was not noticed by anyone, not
even by Peggy and Maddie who used to tease her
every day after school.
(ii) Wanda Petronski sat in the last row of the class
because she was very quiet and wanted to avoid
the cutting taunts of the girls in the class.
(iii) Wanda sat in the seat next to the last seat in the
last row in Room Thirteen. She sat in the corner of
the room where the rough boys who did not make
good marks sat.
(iv) Wanda was a very quiet and serious girl who didn’t
involve herself in the activities with other girls. No
body saw her laughing or playing.
2. (i) Peggy was a pretty and the most popular girl in
her school. She was very helpful and very close
to Maddie.
(ii) Peggy and Maddie turned up late for school
because they waited for Wanda to make fun of her
but she did not come.
(iii) Peggy is the most popular girl in school. Maddie
is sure of her victory because she is the best in the
whole class.
(iv) Peggy and Maddie who sat down in front of other
children noticed Wanda’s absence in the class.
Short Answer Questions
1. Maddie never asked Peggie to stop teasing Wanda as
she herself was poor like Wanda and was afraid that if
she would say anything in favour of Wanda then Peggie
along with other students would start making fun of her
poverty. Moreover, Peggy was the most popular girl
in the class and a close friend of Maddie. So, she was
afraid of losing Peggy’s friendship, hence she preferred
to stay mum.
2. Maddie thought that Peggy would win the drawing
contest because Peggy drew better than anyone else.
She could copy a picture in a magazine, or some film
star’s face so well that one could tell who it was.
47
Long Answer Questions
The lesson ‘The Hundred Dresses-I’ teaches children
and adults alike to stand up for what is right and not to
be swayed by others. It teaches that although standing
up for the right thing might be difficult, standing by
and watching while others are bullied or treated badly
is definitely a wrong thing to do. The guilt caused by
it plays on one’s mind for a lot longer than doing the
right thing would have done. The main lesson in this
story is to be kind and humble to others.
Or
Wanda was right when she said she had hundred dresses
all lined up in the closet. She meant what she said.
Other girls thought she was telling a lie. If she had so
many beautiful dresses then why she wore the same
dress every day. When Wanda described these dresses
they attributed to her imagination only.
It was only when the sketches of her hundred dresses,
all beautiful with different colours and designs were
displayed at the time of competition that the girls
who made fun of Wanda understood the truth of her
statement.
DIAGNOSTIC TEST – 3
Reference To Context (Very Short Answer Questions)
1. (i) Wanda claimed to posses a hundred dresses.
(ii) The girls made fun of Wanda by asking her
questions about the hundred dresses she always
claimed she had.
(iii) The girls poked fun at her because Wanda always
wore a faded blue dress. So they presumed that
she was poor and targeted her.
(iv) Wanda always wore a faded blue dress, though it
was clean but it had never been ironed properly.
2. (i) Peggy was not cruel as she protected small children
from bullies and even cried on seeing an animal
ill-treated.
(ii) Peggy teased Wanda because Wanda lied about
having a hundred dresses and had an unusual
Polish name.
(iii) Peggy disliked that Wanda claimed to have a
hundred dresses.
(iv) Wanda always claimed to have a hundred dresses.
Short Answer Questions
1. Jack Beggles, who drew a motor boat won in the boys’
category and Wanda Petronski, who drew hundred
different dresses won the girls medal in the drawing
competition. The designs by her were the most beautiful
and lavish.
2. Wanda lived at Boggins Heights. It seems that it was a
place far away from the school and also, where there
was a lot of dry mud, thereby indicating that it was not
a very rich locality.
48 Assignments in English Plus Language and Literature – 10 Teacher’s Handbook
Long Answer Questions
Peggy is the most popular girl in school and is confident
and talented. Although she is the instigator of the
teasing she is not really a mean girl, as she does not
see the teasing as picking on Wanda, from Peggy’s
perspective. She is just calling Wanda out for her
obviously silly lie about having one hundred dresses
at home. After they see Wanda’s drawings she is self-
effacing enough to concede that although she is good
at drawing Wanda is far more talented. Peggy feels
rather guilty about Wanda leaving and is worried that
her teasing has driven Wanda away. Peggy does learn
an important lesson about not teasing people and is
otherwise a nice child who would not consider herself,
nor be considered by other, to be a bully.
Or
Maddie was embarrassed by the questions that Peggy
asked to Wanda. Peggy used to ask Wanda how many
dresses she had. Maddie felt embarrassed and studied
the marbles in the palm of her hand. She too was a
poor girl. She used old clothes especially of Peggy. She
wanted to check Peggy. For this, she wanted to write
a note for Peggy but she tore it into pieces as she was
afraid of being targeted. She wished Peggy would stop
teasing Wanda. She could not dare to say anything to
Peggy. Thus these qualities show that Maddie was a
kind girl.
DIAGNOSTIC TEST – 4
Reference To Context (Very Short Answer Questions)
1. (i) Maddie felt embarrassed when Peggy teased
Wanda because she herself was poor and did not
want herself to be in Wanda’s place.
(ii) Maddie wanted Peggy to stop teasing Wanda as it
was mean to make fun of her name or about her
dresses.
(iii) Maddie appears to be a conscientious person as
she can see the wrong they are doing to Wanda in
teasing and belittling her for her clothes.
(iv) The difference between Maddie and Wanda is that
though Maddie was also poor but not as poor as
Wanda. But Wanda would have more sense than
to say she had a hundred dresses.
2. (i) Maddie was afraid of losing Peggy’s friendship
and did not want to be her next target of fun.
(ii) Maddie got her dresses from rich families and few
of them were of Peggy’s.
(iii) Maddie could not finish her note to Peggy as she
did not have the nerve to dissuade Peggy from
teasing Wanda and she was afraid to lose her
friendship or to become her next target.
(iv) Maddie’s mother had tried to disguise the old
dresses of Peggy with new trimmings so no one
in Maddie’s class would recognise them.
Short Answer Questions
1. The dresses that Wanda had designed were all different
from others. One of the dresses was in a brilliant jungle
green colour and other was red sash. Actually each
of them was beautiful enough to win the competition
individually. They had lavish designs and exquisite
painting.
2. Peggy was the most attractive and intelligent girl. She
was generally very kind and sentimental. She couldn’t
bear an animal to be hurt and even cried at seeing them
being ill treated. She also protected small children
from bullies, but towards Wanda, she had an intolerant
attitude even though she did not recognize it.
Long Answer Questions
Dear friends, Today I would like to express my thoughts
about the issue of making fun of the students who are
considered weak in any way by those who are a bit
superior to them in these aspects. But I would like to
bring your attention to the fact that being less beautiful
or poor is not a personal choice or fault. God creates
us with different qualities and we should see those
qualities in others too. One may be poor or physically
unattractive but he/she may have better qualities or
6. The Hundred Dresses – II
DIAGNOSTIC TEST – 1
Reference To Context (Very Short Answer Questions)
1. (i) Miss Mason is the class teacher of room 13.
(ii) Wanda is a Polish girl who studies in Miss Mason’s
Long Answer Questions
class.
(iii) Earlier the students were moving about in the class
but after the letter comes all become silent and
eager to know the contents of the letter.
(iv) Wanda’s father wrote the note to Miss Mason.
2. (i) Miss Mason put off her glasses, blew on them and
wiped them on her white handkerchief and then
put them on again.
(ii) She advised the class to think about the whole
incident which happened with Wanda and
condemned them not to repeat it.
(iii) She said that she believed that Wanda’s teasing
was done by the students due to thoughtlessness
and not deliberately.
(iv) Miss Mason was unhappy and disappointed after
reading the letter as she had known about the
incidents happened to Wanda why the girls teased
her in the class.
Short Answer Questions
1. Maddie hoped to meet Wanda. So that she could feel
sorry for having teased her; and tell her that how
wonderful the whole school thought she was. She also
thought of requesting her not to leave the school.
Vol - 1 — Literature Reader — First Flight (Prose)
skill than us in some other aspect. In the story, Wanda
Petronski is better than Peggy and Maddie in her
creativity or drawing.
I wish that we all give due respect to one another and do
not judge anyone on the basis of their monetary status
or colour. Let us all be encouraging human beings and
respect God’s creations.
Or
Wanda Petronski is a polish girl who has shifted in
America from Poland with her parents. She is very poor
and lives up on Boggins Heights. She is very shy and
quiet. She does not talk to anyone. She has no friends
and sits in the last row of the class with some naughty
boys so that nobody notices her. She wears the same
faded blue dress everyday which is not ironed but
always clean.
Everybody teases her in her class. Curiously, she
claims to have a hundred dresses and sixty pair of
shoes at home. She is very determined and shows her
determination in the drawing competition by displaying
the hundred sketches of dresses she claims to own. Each
of them is so beautiful, that she wins the competition
and surpasses Peggy.
2. It reminded Maddie of Wanda’s blue dress because
Wanda’s house looked shabby but clean just like her
blue dress which was old, shabby and faded but used
to be neat and clean.
It is true that Maddie is a better person than Peggy. She
is a conscientious girl. Being a close friend of Peggy
she takes her side when Peggy teases Wanda but she
feels bad for her. She decides to write a note to Peggy
to stop teasing Wanda but fears it as she doesn’t want
to be the next target of fun. In the end she decides to
stand against anyone who fears others even if she has
to lose her friend, which shows her emotional attribute.
As compared to Maddie, Peggy is an arrogant and
heartless girl. She teases Wanda by asking her about
dresses, but she is not cruel as she helps children from
bullies and cries when she sees an animal being hurt. But
she tries to make fun of Wanda everytime and defends
herself. Thus Maddie proves to be superior to Peggy.
Or
Wanda Petronski’s letter highlights her greatness which
gives us a view of her nature as a simple, loving, caring,
and friendly human being. She gifts her drawings to
Peggy and Maddie though they tease her a lot. It shows
how great she is as it requires a lot of courage and
patience to do so. An ordinary person cannot do that
and would definitely hate them but Wanda even at her
age shows polite and peaceful traits of her character.
49
 By behaving with her tormentors — Peggy and Maddie
in a polite and friendly manner, Wanda proves to be a
humble person.
DIAGNOSTIC TEST – 2
Reference To Context (Very Short Answer Questions)
1. (i) ‘She’ refers to ‘Maddie’ in the passage.
(ii) Maddie decided to find Wanda Petronski as she
believed that Wanda might be at her home.
(iii) Maddie had hurt Wanda’s feelings by bullying and
teasing her about her name and her clothes.
(iv) Peggy did not look up as she seemed to be studying
hard, when Maddie looked at her.
2. (i) The house of Petronski reminded Maddie of
Wanda’s blue cotton dress as it was very neat and
clean just.
(ii) They knocked at the door of the house because
they were hopeful that Wanda was still there.
(iii) Maddie has come to Petronskis’ house to meet
Wanda and apologise to her for her mean behavior
in school.
(iv) Wanda’s lived in a little white house which looked
shabby but clean.
Short Answer Questions
1. Mr Pertronski’s letter said that Wanda would not come
to school anymore as they were shifting to another city.
He also said that there nobody would ask them why
they had funny names because there were plenty of
funny names in the city.
2. Wanda presents Peggy the drawing of the green dress
with the red trimmings. She gives Maddie the drawing
of her blue dress. These drawings were her entries in
the contest in which Wanda won the first prize.
Long Answer Questions
Maddie was feeling guilty of all what had happened
with Wanda. The whole episode of Wanda’s family
leaving that city changed Maddie’s personality. Now,
she decided of not letting injustice happen to anyone.
If she ever heard anybody picking on someone because
of their imperfections, then she would protest that and
would no more behave as a mute spectator as she did
earlier. She did not even mind losing Peggy’s friendship
over it. She knew she could not make things right with
Wanda but in the future she vowed never to make
anybody else unhappy again.
Or
Peggy believed that Wanda was not only poor but also
dumb and ridiculous as she could not understand why
Wanda insisted that she had a hundred dresses, even
when everybody knew that she was poor. She knew
everybody was laughing at her. Even then, Wanda kept
giving the same answer. She even described the dresses
she said she had. That is why Peggy thought Wanda
was dumb. She changed her opinion later when she
saw the hundred dresses Wanda had talked about. She
50 Assignments in English Plus Language and Literature – 10 Teacher’s Handbook
saw the drawings and was highly impressed by their
beauty. She realized that Wanda was not only a very
good artist but also a generous person as she gifted her
one of her beautiful designs of breathtaking dresses.
DIAGNOSTIC TEST – 3
Reference To Context (Very Short Answer Questions)
1. (i) Maddie was thinking about why she had teased
Wanda even though she knew that it was wrong.
(ii) It was difficult for Maddie to make things right
with Wanda because she had left the school and
she had shifted to another city.
(iii) Maddie had stood by and said nothing as she
wanted to please her friend.
(iv) Maddie wished to apologise to Wanda for teasing
her in school and making her life miserable.
2. (i) Maddie and Peggy wrote a friendly letter asking
Wanda about her new house and school, they also
informed her that she had won the drawing contest.
(ii) They ended the letter with lots of X’s to show their
love and friendship to Wanda. It was their way of
apologising indirectly.
(iii) Wanda had won the drawing and colouring contest
in which she had designed hundred beautiful
dresses.
(iv) Peggy and Maddie were ashamed of their
behaviour to Wanda so they wrote a friendly letter
to her.
Short Answer Questions
1. After listening to the note from Wanda’s father, Maddie
had a very sick and guilty feeling in the bottom of her
heart. She could not concentrate when she tried to prepare
her lessons. She had not enjoyed listening to Peggy ask
Wanda how many dresses she had in her closet.
2. In her letter to Miss Mason, Wanda wished everybody
a merry Christmas and requested Miss Mason to give
Peggy her drawing of the green dress with red trimmings
and to give Maddie her drawing of the blue dress.
Long Answer Questions
Maddie learnt an important lesson after she realized
how insensitively she and Peggy had treated poor
Wanda. The important decision that Maddie made was
that if she ever heard anybody picking on someone
because they were funny-looking or because they had
strange names, she would speak up. She did not even
mind losing Peggy’s friendship over it. She knew she
could not make things right with Wanda. However, she
had decided that in the future, she would never make
anybody else unhappy again.
She was unhappy that she could not find Wanda at her
home. She could not sleep that night. She thought about
Wanda, her faded blue dress, and the little house she
lived in. She also thought about the hundred glowing
pictures, which were all lined up in the classroom. She
 was feeling guilty for not having said anything when
everybody else was teasing Wanda.
Or
The whole class was circling the room, when the monitor
from the principal’s office delivered a note to Miss
Mason. She read it several times. It was a letter from
Wanda’s father. She asked everyone to pay attention to
it as she read it aloud. Mr. Petronski had written in it
that they were moving to a big city where no one would
make fun of them for their Polish name. Wanda had been
teased by the class for her odd name. Now a deep silence
fell in the class. Miss Mason said that she believed that
it was unfortunate that Wanda had to suffer but also said
that the students must have done it thoughtlessly and not
deliberately. Maddie and Peggy felt guilty and regretted
their shameful behaviour towards Wanda.
DIAGNOSTIC TEST – 4
Reference To Context (Very Short Answer Questions)
1. (i) Maddie put herself in the thought of Wanda and
the dress game. She made up speeches about how
she would defend Wanda from other girls.
(ii) Maddie feels guilty at having teased Wanda about
her hundred dresses. She wished to make amends
for her rude behaviour to her.
(iii) The teacher showed a letter from Wanda to the
class on the last day of school before the holidays.
(iv) No, Wanda didn’t reply them. Peggy had begun to
forget the whole incident but Maddie still dreamed
about that.
2. (i) ‘She’ refers to ‘Maddie’ in the passage.
(ii) She ran over to Peggy because she had noticed her
own face in the drawing gifted to her by Wanda
and she wanted to know if same is the case with
the drawing gifted to Peggy.
(iii) The picture referred to is the drawing of the blue
dress that Wanda had designed and gifted to
Maddie.
(iv) Maddie was amazed to see the picture as it had her
face. Wanda sent it to her as a gift.
7. Glimpses of India
DIAGNOSTIC TEST – 1
Reference To Context (Very Short Answer Questions)
1. (i) During Christmas cakes and bolinhas are
compulsorily prepared in Goa.
(ii) A baker is necessary in a village because different
kinds of breads are required by the villagers for
daily consumption as well as for special occasions.
(iii) Bol, cakes and bolinhas are some of the special
Goan delicacies.
(iv) The mother must prepare sandwiches on the
occasion of her daughter’s engagement.
Vol - 2 — Literature Reader — First Flight (Prose)
Short Answer Questions
1. Peggy thought that she was satisfied that she never
called Wanda a foreigner or made fun of her name. She
also said that she never thought Wanda had even the
sense to know that they were making fun of her. She
realised her mistake of thinking that Wanda was not
bright enough to understand her insult.
2. Maddie is feeling bad about Wanda and herself. She is
feeling very sad for not even getting a chance to say
sorry to Wanda.
Long Answer Questions
The story, the Hundred Dresses-II explores the theme
of repentance and forgiveness. Although the girls,
Maddie and Peggy teased Wanda every single day
for her odd Polish name and her shabby clothes,
Wanda chooses to forgive Maddie and Peggy and
demonstrates this by giving them each one of the
beautiful dresses she has painted. The story highlights
through the character of Wanda, how forgiveness is
a nobler virtue. It also touches upon the themes of
respect and acceptance of all people irrespective of
race and financial standing. Irrational prejudices and
bias create nothing but rifts between people while
acceptance, forgiveness and love, spread love and
affection and harmony.
Or
After hearing the contents of the letter of Wanda’s
father, the two girls realize how much hurt they had
inflicted on poor, quiet Wanda for her clothes. They
were filled with remorse and guilt. Maddie felt it more
so as she had known all along that she was doing a
wrong thing. Peggy had never thought that she was
causing so much hurt as she thought that Wanda was
too dumb to understand the insult. They visit Wanda’s
house to apologise to her, but the Petronskis have left
the town. Then they write a letter to Wanda meaning to
convey their apology to her, even though Wanda never
replies. Though their letter never comes back, they were
somewhat consoled, thinking that Wanda must have
received and read the letter
2. (i) Pranjol and Rajvir are friends.
(ii) Pranjol had been brought up on a plantation?
(iii) Plantation refers to tea plantations of Assam.
(iv) Rajvir was excited as he had never seen a plantation
before and was visiting it for the first time.
Short Answer Questions
1. Rajvir had never seen a tea garden before. So, the
sight of a tea garden excited him. But Pranjol had
been born and brought up on tea plantation. He had
seen them many-a-times. So he did not share Rajvir’s
excitement.
51
 2. Rajvir found the tea garden very beautiful with tiny
tea plants, tall trees and doll-like tea pluckers. He liked
the green and pure natural environment of the area.
The building was an eyesore in the natural scene and
was polluting it with the smoke billowing out of the
chimneys. So it appeared ‘ugly’ to Rajvir.
Long Answer Questions
According to the account ‘A Baker From Goa’, written
by Lucio Rodriguez, bread undoubtedly seems to be
an important and inseparable part of Goan life. This
is amply clear from the account of ‘A Baker from
Goa. It is not only a daily staple but is also a must for
marriage gifts, parties and feasts and is made in a in
a variety of shapes. The narrator mentions that bread
is also needed by a mother for preparing sandwiches
during her daughter’s engagement. Thus, it is necessary
to have breads for every occasion, because of which
the presence of a baker’s furnace in the village is quite
indespensible.
Or
Lucio Rodriguez’s, ‘A Baker from Goa’ is indeed a
heartfelt account of the writer’s childhood in Goa. It
is particulary an observation of life of a typical baker
and his place in the traditional Goan society. It is an
engaging narrative which brings home to the readers
the life and times of the traditional bakers who were
an important and inseparable part of the life of this
community. The author describes vividly the job,
manners, and his indispensable role in Goan society.
The description of the narrator’s excitement at the
arrival of the baker to his home to deliver breads is
extremely interesting. The bakers were usually had
plump physiques as their profession was apparently a
profitable one and thus they ate well. Hence, the writer
humorously observes that the baker had a ‘jackfruit-
like’ appearance and his family, and his servants always
looked well fed, happy and prosperous. And all these
delightful observations make the narrative quite and
engaging as it presents to the reader a slice of Goan
life which revolves around a baker.
DIAGNOSTIC TEST – 2
Reference To Context (Very Short Answer Questions)
1. (i) The elders of Goa recall the Portugese days as
Goa was once a Porugese colony governed by the
Dutch.
(ii) Those eaters of loaves ‘refers to the Portugese.
(iii) The mixers, the moulders and those who bake the
loaves are referred to as the ‘ makers’.
(iv) The line, ‘The fire in the furnaces has not yet been
extinguished’, brings out the narrator’s love for the
old days.
2. (i) According to the writer, running into Buddhist
monks from India’s largest Tibetan settlement, at
nearby Bylakuppe, is a bonus.
52 Assignments in English Plus Language and Literature – 10 Teacher’s Handbook
(ii) The monks are dressed in red, ochre and yellow
robes.
(iii) The writer calls the Buddhist presence in Coorg a
surprise.
(iv) The writer is full of admiration for the delightful
region of Coorg.
Short Answer Questions
1. The elders in Goa are nostalgic about the good old
Portuguese days and their love of bread and loaves. The
writer says that the eaters of loaves have left but the
makers still exist. Baking is still a profitable occupation
and the bakers still have a role to play in the society of
Goa.
2. The Coorgi tradition of courage and bravery has been
recognised by awarding the Coorg Regiment with the
most number of gallantry awards. Besides, the Coorgis
are the only Indians allowed to carry firearms without
a licence.
Long Answer Questions
After reading the text, I feel that it is important to follow
the traditional practices, as it has kept the tradition of
Coorgis known to the people even today. If the people
of Coorg had not followed it their tradition would have
perished and nobody would have remembered them
today because of their culture and traditional practices.
According to the writer, their traditions can be seen in
the martial traditions, religious rites and marriages. The
Kodavus even wear the dress which resembles Arabs.
Traditional practices also play a very important role in
maintaining values amongst people and have an impact
on shaping the behaviour of people.
Or
The author gives a delightful glimpse of Goan traditional
life in which the bakers had a very important role to play.
Once Goa was governed by the Portuguese. They left
long back but their customs and traditions till live on
today. The writer focuses on the importance of a baker in
the traditional lifestyle of Goa. He records their place in
the society and vividly describes the job profile, manners,
typical appearance and his indispensable role in Goan
society. The description of the narrator’s excitement at
the arrival of the baker to his home to deliver breads is
extremely interesting. He also tells us that the bakers
usually had plump physiques as their profession was
apparently a profitable one. He also describes the variety
of breads that a baker could bake and his special expertise,
required not only in day to day life but also on special
occasions like marriages. The writer approaches his
subject with great nostalgia and fondness.
DIAGNOSTIC TEST – 3
Reference To Context (Very Short Answer Questions)
1. (i) The Portuguese are referred to as the eaters of
loaves.
 (ii) They have vanished as the Portuguese rule is no
longer there in India.
(iii) The ‘makers’ refers to the bakers.
(iv) The narrator lived in Goa.
2. (i) The writer is describing the importance of a baker
in a village in Goa.
(ii) ‘Bol’ is a special sweet bread prepared for
marriages.
(iii) The lady of the house must prepare sandwiches on
the occasion of her daughter’s engagement. So the
baker is important to her to supply her the required
bread.
(iv) Cakes and bolinhas are a must for Christmas as
well as other festivals.
Short Answer Questions
1. The narrator states that the eaters of loaves might have
vanished but the makers of bread are still there. He
further says that those age old, time tested furnaces
still exist and the fire in the furnaces had not yet been
extinguished.
2. Different kinds of breads are important during the
different occasions. Bolinhas had to be prepared during
Christmas and other festivals. The mothers used to
prepare sandwiches on the occasion of their daughter’s
engagement. So, the baker’s furnace was essential.
Long Answer Questions
In the chapter,‘A Baker from Goa’, the author fondly
describes baking and the baker of his childhood. He
highlights the importance of the traditional practice
of making breads for every occasion and festival of
the Goan people. This tradition continues even today.
The writer fondly remembers his golden days in his
village when the bakers’ expertise was valued and was
indispensable to everyone. He records their place in the
society and vividly describes the job profile, manners,
typical appearance and his role in Goan society. The
description of the narrator’s excitement at the arrival
of the baker to his home to deliver breads is extremely
interesting. This shows how our traditional practices
can keep us rooted to our past and heritage. The author
seems to have a lot of respect for the culture and
traditions of Goan people.
Or
The baker was indeed a welcome guest in the author’s
home in his childhood. His arrival was eagerly awaited
by the children and adults alike. On engagements of
daughters, the lady of the house depended on him to
supply the bread for the traditional sandwiches she was
expected to make.
A baker is still very important and essential in a Goan
village. He does not merely represent a profession but
a highly admired Portuguese tradition. His breads are
essential on each and every occasion. He enjoys respect
and love of the people. The children consider him their
Vol - 2 — Literature Reader — First Flight (Prose)
friend, companion and guide. He is usually plump and
has a ‘jackfruit like’ appearance. He is much in demand
not only to supply the daily bread but also to supply
the special breads required on special occasions like
marriages. He delivers his goods going from door to
door. Therefore, he was considered as a welcome guest
in every house.
DIAGNOSTIC TEST – 4
Reference To Context (Very Short Answer Questions)
1. (i) The people of Coorg belong to Greek or Arabic
descent.
(ii) The Coorg people’s culture is most apparent
in their martial traditions, religious rites and
marriages.
(iii) It is said that a part of Alexander’s army moved
south along the coast and settled here when return
became impractical.
(iv) The writer describes the people of Coorg as
fiercely independent.
2. (i) The narrator is referring to his childhood days.
(ii) The baker’s entry is described as ‘ musical’ as he
would strike his staff on the ground to announce
his arrival.
(iii) One hand of the baker supported the basket on
his head and the other banged the bamboo on the
ground.
(iv) The writer humorously refers to ‘jhang, jhang’-
the banging sound of the bamboo staff as being
‘musical’.
Short Answer Questions
1. When the baker arrived, he would first greet the lady of
the house by saying “Good Morning”. He would then
place the basket on the vertical bamboo and deliver the
loaves of bread to the servant.
2. The baker used to enter announcing his arrival by
striking his bamboo staff on the ground. His one hand
supported the basket on his head and the other banged
the bamboo on the ground. The writer humorously
refers to ‘jhang, jhang’- the banging sound of the
bamboo staff as being ‘musical’.
Long Answer Questions
The writer has painted a vivid picture of the baker of
his childhood days. A Goan baker appeared to be a
plump and healthy man, wearing the traditional Kabai
dress. He carried a bamboo staff and a huge basket.
He was welcomed and respected everywhere. He was
called a ‘pader’. He delivered his goods going from
door to door. He was much in demand not only to
supply the daily bread but also to supply the special
breads required on special occasions like marriages..
His arrival was eagerly awaited by the children and
adults alike. On engagements of daughters, the lady of
the house depended on him to supply the bread for the
53
 traditional sandwiches she was expected to make. The
writer paints a vivid pen portrait of a baker, his dress,
manners and job profile.
Or
Tea is the most popular beverage the world over. In
India, some of the best plantations of tea are located
in Assam. India is also home to many spices. While
Assam is home to tea, Coorg is home to coffee. Some
8. Mijbil the Otter
DIAGNOSTIC TEST – 1
Reference To Context (Very Short Answer Questions)
1. (i) Mijbil is referred to as ‘it’.
(ii) The Arabs had come to deliver the otter.
(iii) The otter was in the sack.
(iv) The sack seemed to be squirm as Mijbil moved a
lot in the confines of the sack.
2. (i) The speaker is the author Gavin Maxwell.
(ii) An otter emerged from the sack.
(iii) The account is happening in the bedroom of the
consulate general.
(iv) The author calls Mijbil a dragon as he looked like
one and also because the author had never seen
such a creature before.
Short Answer Questions
1. While staying in London, Mijbil would play for hours
with his own selection of objects that he turned into
toys. His favourite toys were ping-pong balls, marbles,
rubber fruit and a terrapin shell that the narrator had
bought from his native marshes.
2. Mij used to follow the narrator while walking on the
streets. He developed certain habits during those walks.
He went with him like children playing, running and
touching things in the street. He would take the author
near the wall of a primary school and then gallop on it.
Long Answer Questions
Even thought Mijbil was an animal he was not without
a personality. In fact he was like a small child who was
very lovable and playful. Earlier, he was indifferent
to the narrator but later, he started responding to him.
Gradually, he came to loved and obey the author. Mijbil
showed him great affection by nuzzling the author’s
face. The author loved the games Mijbil invented and
observed with delight and surprise his dexterity in
playing games. Mijbil behaved like a cute, adorable
child, when he learnt how to open the bathroom tap.
He took great pleasure in splashing the water and
had boundless energy. He loved water, and once he
understood that on opening the tap water came out of
it, he would get into the tub and played with water. He
invented his own games and spent quite some time
playing on his own. His delightful and amusing antics
were a source of great delight to the author.
54 Assignments in English Plus Language and Literature – 10 Teacher’s Handbook
varieties of tea are grown exclusively in India and
exported to various countries. These plantations make
India a unique country. The ‘second flush’ or the
sprouting period of tea which lasts from May to July
yields the best quality of fragrant tea. The vast tracts of
tea plantations of Assam are famous all over the world
and produce the finest varieties of tea which is coveted
throughout the world.
Or
Gavin Maxwell’s account of mijbil is quite humorous.
He was an adorable animal. He invented his own game
out of ping-pong ball and a worn down suitcase, which
delighted and amazed the author. He loved water, and
once he understood that on opening the tap water
came out of it, he would get into the tub and play with
water. He gradually formed a special attachment with
Maxwell. When the author wished to go to London
he took Mijbil with him. Mijbil had to be packed in
a box as the airlines had directed the author. While
on the flight, as soon as his box was opened, Mibilj
ran out. Then it ran all over the place scaring all the
passengers. It created a chaos and most of the people
in the plane got scared. There was much screaming and
squaking. This created a lot of humor in the account.
The airhostess requested the passengers to stay calm
and assured them that she would find the otter. After
a while, Mijbil returned to his owner, climbed on his
knee and unaware of the commotion that he had caused,
began to rub its nose on that author’s face and neck
innocently as if nothing had happened. His antics are
truly humorous to read.
DIAGNOSTIC TEST – 2
Reference To Context (Very Short Answer Questions)
1. (i) The author is speaking about the first twenty four
hours after he brought Mijbil home.
(ii) Mijbil was neither hostile nor friendly but was
indifferent to the author.
(iii) Mijbil slept on the floor away.
(iv) The fact that he slept far from the author suggests
that he did not trust the author.
2. (i) ‘Him’ is referred to Mijbil.
(ii) In the bathroom Mijbil went wild with joy in the
water, plunging and rolling in it, shooting up and
down the length of the bathtub.
(iii) He put a nody belt around him so as to control
him as he was very energetic and quick in his
movements.
(iv) By mentioning a hippo the author wishes to convey
how energetic Mijbil was even though he was
much smaller than a hippopotamus.
Short Answer Questions
1. Otters are marine animals. They have an instinctive
affinity to water. Thus Mijbil went wild with joy when
the author took him into the bathroom. He played
boisterously in the bath tub swimming underwater.
2. His friend advised him to keep an otter as a pet. It
proved to be a good advice as Mijbil was a delightful
and loving pet. Also he was intelligent, mischievous
and affectionate by nature. He brought a lot of love
and laughter in the author’s life.
Long Answer Questions
Through the account of Mijbil we get a glimpse of
the author’s great love for his pet. Bringing Mijbil
home was truly a life changing experience for the
author. After his earlier indifference to the author, Mij
gradually became quite close to the author. He invented
his own game out of ping-pong ball and a worn down
suitcase, which delighted and amazed the author. He
loved water, and once he understood that on opening the
tap water came out of it, he would get into the tub and
played with water. He had gradually formed a special
attachment with Maxwell. The author too grew to love
him. In the flight, he got desperate when Maxwell left it
in a box and wanted to come out as soon as possible. He
could invent his own games. Earlier he was indifferent
to the narrator but later he started responding to him
with love and affection. Gradually he came to love and
obey the author. He showed him affection by nuzzling
the author’s face. All these actions of Mijbil brought a
lot of love and laughter in the author’s life.
Or
To the Londoners Mijbil was a strange sight. Since
an average Londoner had never seen an otter before
almost everyone he met saw Mijbil with surprise and
amazement. So the author faced a continuous barrage
of questions about him. Some called him a ‘baby seal’.
Others called it a squirrel or a walrus. Some even called
it a hippo, a beaver and a leopard. Yet some others
called him a ‘brontosaurus’. Once a labourer who was
busy in digging a hole in the street and on noticing
Mijbil asked the author with an expression of surprise
and affront ‘What is that supposed to be? ’Thus people
saw Mijbil as a strange and curious creature.
DIAGNOSTIC TEST – 3
Reference To Context (Very Short Answer Questions)
1. (i) The author is referring to Mijbil as ‘he’.
(ii) Mijbil is in the bathroom.
(iii) Mijbil is trying to open the tap with his paws.
(iv) The author is quite amazed at Mijbil’s effort to
open the tap.
2. (i) Mijbil is the author’s pet.
(ii) ‘I’ in the above lines is the author, Gavin Maxwell.
(iii) Mijbil would follow the author without a lead and
come to him when he called his name.
Vol - 2 — Literature Reader — First Flight (Prose)
(iv) Mijbil spent most of his time by playing and
inventing new games.
Short Answer Questions
1. The labourer, who was busy digging a hole in the street,
left all his work. He asked the author in a tone of affront
and surprise as to what Mijbil was supposed to be. He
did so as an average Londoner had never seen an otter.
2. The airhostess of the plane to Paris gave the author
help in the flight to Paris as she allowed him to keep
Mijbil who was in a box, in his lap. Later, when Mijbil
escaped from his box she helped the author in finding
Mijbil.
Long Answer Questions
The author wished to go to London and take Mijbil with
him. As British airlines did not allow pets on board the
author had to book a ticket on a different airline from
Iraq to Paris and then Paris to London. Thus, Mijbil was
packed in a box as the airlines had directed the author.
While on the flight, as soon as his box was opened,
Mibil ran out. There was a great deal of screaming.
Then he ran all over the place scaring all the passengers.
It created a chaos and most of the people in the plane
got scared. There was much screaming and squaking.
After a while, Mijbil was returned to his owner. It
climbed on his knee and unaware of the commotion that
he had caused, began to rub his nose on the author’s
face and neck lovingly. Thus the appalling spectacle
was the commotion that Mijbil created after escaping
from his box. This proved to be a misadventure for the
author.
Or
Maxwell’s account of his bond with his pet otter,
Mijbil is an amusing one. Through the account of Mijbil
we get a glimpse of the author’s great bond with his
pet. Bringing Mijbil home was truly a life changing
experience for the author. After his earlier indifference
to the author, Mij gradually became quite close to the
author. He invented his own game out of ping-pong
ball and a worn down suitcase, which delighted and
amazed the author. Thus the bond between him and
his pet grew stronger. Mijbil loved water, and once
he understood that on opening the tap water came out
of it, he would get into the tub and played with water.
He had gradually formed a special attachment with
Maxwell. The author too grew to love him. In the
flight, he got desperate when Maxwell left him in a
box and wanted to come out as soon as possible. He
could invent his own games. Earlier he was indifferent
to the narrator but later he started responding to him
with love and affection. Gradually he came to love and
obey the author. He showed him affection by nuzzling
the author’s face. All these actions of Mijbil created a
strong bond between the author and Mijbil.
55
DIAGNOSTIC TEST – 4
Reference To Context (Very Short Answer Questions)
1. (i) The author was posted in Basra in Iraq.
(ii) The author was living a peaceful life at Basra.
(iii) The author dreaded how he would transport Mijbil
to England.
(iv) Since the British airline to London would not fly
animals, so he booked a flight to Paris on another
airline, and from there he would take another flight
to London.
2. (i) The author is going to the airport.
(ii) Since the author was late to catch his flight, the
driver was driving fast so as to enable him to reach
the airport.
(iii) The officials were angry as he was quite late for
check in.
(iv) There was his pet, an otter, named Mijbil, in the
box.
Short Answer Questions
1. The author decided to get an otter as a pet and intended
to keep him in Camusfearna which was ringed by
water. Since otters love water instinctively as it is their
natural habitat, he thought that it would be an eminently
suitable place to keep an otter.
2. On seeing the otter for the first time the author saw
him as a very small, medivally-concieved dragon.
On his body he had symmetrical scales. As the author
had never seen this species before, he found him very
strange and outlandish.
Long Answer Questions
Mijbil was an otter belonging to a rare species. He was
an energetic and playful animal. In fact he was like a
9. Madam Rides the Bus
DIAGNOSTIC TEST – 1
Reference To Context (Very Short Answer Questions)
1. (i) Valli kept on standing at the doorway to watch the
happenings on the street outside.
(ii) Watching the street gave Valli many new
experiences. She felt joyous standing at the
doorway.
(iii) She is a curious and observant child.
(iv) She was different from children of her age as she
was not interested in playing any elaborate games.
2. (i) The bus passed through Valli’s street once in an
hour.
(ii) The sight of the bus, filled each time with a new
set of passengers, was a source of unending joy
for Valli.
(iii) She was fascinated by the bus which she observed
everyday.
56 Assignments in English Plus Language and Literature – 10 Teacher’s Handbook
small child who was very lovable and playful. Earlier,
he was indifferent to the narrator but later, he started
responding to him. Gradually, he came to love and
obey the author. Mijbil showed him great affection by
nuzzling the author’s face. The author loved the games
Mijbil invented and observed with delight and surprise
his dexterity in playing games. Mijbil behaved like a
cute, adorable child, when he learnt how to open the
bathroom tap. He took great pleasure in splashing the
water and had boundless energy. He loved water, and
once he understood that on opening the tap water came
out of it, he would get into the tub and played with
water. He invented his own games and spent quite some
time playing on his own. His antics in the plane caused
much commotion. Yet His delightful and amusing
antics were a source of great delight to the author.
Or
The author wished to go to London and take Mijbil with
him. As British airlines did not allow pets on board the
author had to book a ticket on a different airline from
Iraq to Paris and then Paris to London. Thus, Mijbil
was packed in a box as the airlines had directed the
author. While on the flight, as soon as his box was
opened, Mibilj ran out. Then he ran all over the place
scaring all the passengers. He created a chaos and most
of the people in the plane got scared. There was much
screaming and squaking. The airhostess requested the
passengers to stay calm and assured them that she
would find the otter. After a while, Mijbil returned to
his owner, climbed on his knee and unaware of the
commotion that he had caused, began to rub his nose
on the author’s face and neck lovingly. Thus a great
chaos was created by him after escaping from his box.
(iv) The most fascinating thing for her was watching
the bus that travelled between her village and the
nearest town.
Short Answer Questions
1. Valli was the short name of Valliammar. She was an
eight year old girl who was very curious and observant.
Games and sport did not interest her much. She was
interested in watching the bus that went past her house
every hour. She was a bold and assertive child.
2. Valli kept standing infront of the door as there were no
playmates of her age on her street. Games and sport did
not interest her much. She was interested in watching
the bus that went past her house every hour. So, she
used to keep on watching the street outside her house.
It was a source of endless joy to her.
Long Answer Questions
After Valli took a bus ride in the afternoon during the time
when her mother was asleep. She successfully returns
 home and finds her mother in conversation with one of
her aunts. Her mother remarks, “So many things in our
midst and in the world outside. How can we possibly
know about something?” When Valli hears this she
thinks smilingly that how true the statement was to her
as her mother had no clue about her little adventure. Valli
cleverly remarks, “I was agreeing with you what you said
about things happening without our knowledge”. While
making this statement, Valli was trying to hide the fact
about her bus ride. She was also feeling mentally elated
and thrilled at having made a successful attempt at her
plan without being found out even by her mother.
Or
On the bus journey to the town, the conductor tries to
make fun of Valli because she behaves and talks like
an adult. Many a time, we see small children trying
to behave like adult and many of us enjoy this sight.
Similarly, the conductor enjoyed Valli’s responses. Valli
acted confidently and behaved maturely. She did not
consider herself to be less than an adult. Her cold and curt
responses to the conductor’s mocking questions show that
she was assertive and believed in herself. He is amused
by her confidence beyond her age. He kindly suggested to
her to explore the town. He also offered to buy her a drink
since she had no money. Her assertive manner appeared
amusing to the conductor so he mockingly called her
‘madam’ throughout the bus ride. Later on Valli becomes
friendly with him and even laughs with him.
DIAGNOSTIC TEST – 2
Reference To Context (Very Short Answer Questions)
1. (i) The fare of the bus was thirty paise for one side.
(ii) It would take one hour thirty minutes for Valli to
complete her journey.
(iii) The town was six miles away from Valli’s village.
(iv) The bus fare which was thirty paise only a sum
considered so small, has been called a ‘fortune’
for Valli.
2. (i) The conductor gave a helping hand to Valli so that
she could climb the bus.
(ii) Valli refused taking help from the conductor and
said that she would get on the bus by herself.
(iii) She was going for a bus ride.
(iv) The extract shows Valli as a self-dependent girl
who didn’t seek anybody’s help.
Short Answer Questions
1. The most fascinating thing that Valli saw on the street
was the bus that travelled 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 with people of all kinds getting in and
out of the bus fascinated her enormously.
2. Over many days and months Valli listened carefully to
conversations between her neighbours and people who
regularly used the bus. She also asked a few discreet
Vol - 2 — Literature Reader — First Flight (Prose)
questions here and there. This way she gathered all the
information about the bus.
Long Answer Questions
On the bus ride while going to town Valli was
mesmerized and amused by a variety of scenes and
events that she experienced. One event that she found
very hilarious was a cow running infront of the bus
right in the middle of the road. Its tail was upright and
it was clearly scared. On the return bus ride she saw
the animal dead on the road, spread-eagled and covered
in blood. Valli lost all the enthusiasm that she had felt
earlier. She became sad and despondent. It was difficult
for her to understand how a creature full of life and
spirits could be dead in a such a short time. This was
possibly her first experience of death.
Or
Through this translation the author explores the wish of
a poor, village girl to ride a bus to town and experience
the thrill of it. Valli wanted to explore the outside
world which for Valli is charming and fascinating but
also mysterious. She longs to experience it by herself.
The talks of the village people about the town added
fuel to the fire. She decides to go to the town all by
herself without anybody’s support. She asked the bus
conductor to take her to the town. She herself paid
her fare. She wanted to devour everything with her
eyes. She saw the canal, palm tree, grass land, distant
mountain and the blue sky. Another theme that the
author delves into is a child’s response to death. During
the bus ride Valli was overjoyed when she saw a cow
running with her raised tail on the road ahead of the
bus. While returning she noticed that the body of the
same cow was crushed and bled. She was moved from
within. The writer seems to suggest that the world has
both aspects that can make us sad or happy. One has
to come to terms with death also.
DIAGNOSTIC TEST – 3
Reference To Context (Very Short Answer Questions)
1. (i) Valli is an eight year old girl.
(ii) She listened to the conversations carefully in order
to know the details about the bus journey.
(iii) The bus refers to the one which passed by her home
every hour.
(iv) Valli was interested in the bus as she wanted to
take a ride in it.
2. (i) The conductor of the bus is the speaker in the above
lines.
(ii) He is speaking to Valli.
(iii) He advises her to take a seat.
(iv) He wishes her to be safe when the bus takes a sharp
turn.
Short Answer Questions
1. The town was located six miles away from Valli’s
village. The fare to travel to town by bus was thirty
57
 paise for one way. The bus went to and fro once each
hour.
2. Valli kept on planning and calculating which bus to
take, how much time it will take to reach the town
and the fare that would be required in completing her
journey. She had been observing the bus for a long
time and was fascinated by it. She desperately wanted
to take a bus ride.
Long Answer Questions
Valli had made elaborate plans to make her first bus
ride a success. She had saved thriftily whatever coins
came her way. She had resisted every temptation to buy
peppermints, toys, balloons and the like and finally she
had managed to save sixty paise. She had found it very
difficult to resist the ride in the merry-go-rouns in the
village fair. She sorted her next problem which was how
to slip out of the house. She figured that she could do it
in the afternoon when her mother took a nap between
one to four o’clock. She planned that she would take
her bus ride during this time. This is how Valii planned
and prepared to venture out for a bus ride.
Or
Valli wanted to explore the outside world which, for
her, is charming and fascinating but also mysterious.
She longs to experience it by herself. The talks of the
village people about the town added fuel to the fire.
She decides to go to the town all by herself without
anybody’s support. She asked the bus conductor to
take her to the town. She herself paid her fare. She
wanted to devour everything with her eyes. She saw
the canal, palm tree, grass land, distant mountain and
the blue sky. Another theme that the author delves
into is a child’s response to death. During the bus ride
Valli was overjoyed and amused when she saw a cow
running with her raised tail on the road ahead of the
bus. While returning she noticed that the body of the
same cow was crushed and bled. She was moved from
within. The writer seems to suggest that the world has
both aspects that can make us sad or happy. One has
to come to terms with death also.
DIAGNOSTIC TEST – 4
Reference To Context (Very Short Answer Questions)
1. (i) Valli is being talked about here.
(ii) Her thoughts went on and on as she was budy
planning the details of the bus ride which she was
planning to take alone.
(iii) She is thinking and planning about a bus ride.
(iv) She is thinking about how to go on a bus ride into
the town.
2. (i) Valli is referred to as ‘she’
(ii) The ‘hours’ refers to the time when her mother was
asleep in the afternoons.
(iii) previously, in these hours, Valli had ventured out
alone into the village.
58 Assignments in English Plus Language and Literature – 10 Teacher’s Handbook
(iv) Her ‘first excursion’ refers to the bus rides to the
town she desperately wishes to take.
Short Answer Questions
1. It was a new bus. Its outside was painted a gleaming
white with some green stripes along the sides. Inside,
the overhead bars shone like silver. There was a
beautiful clock above the windshield and its seats were
soft and luxurious.
2. While on the bus ride Valli saw a variety of scenes. On
one side there was the canal and, beyond it, palm trees,
grassland, distant mountains, and the sky. On the other
side was a deep ditch and then stretched out acres and
acres of beautiful green fields.
Long Answer Questions
It can be said without doubt that the character of the
little girl Valli is the most interesting aspect of the story.
Valli was mature and assertive beyond her age. She
dreamt of riding on the bus. Her eagerness to fulfill
her dream fired her curiosity. This curiosity led her to
listen to the conversations of people going on the bus
ride and asking discreet questions so that she could
gather as much information as she can regarding the
bus journey. This shows that she is quite mature beyond
her age.
On the bus journey, Valli acted confidently and behaved
maturely. She did not consider herself to be any less
than an adult. Her cold and curt responses to the
conductor show that she was assertive and believed
in herself. She refused all the help he offered her. Her
maturity is also evident in the fact that she had enough
restraint to save all her money for the bus ride and not
give in to childish temptation. She knew her limits and
did not venture out of the bus but spent her money to
return home on time. She was focused on fulfilling her
dream and did not get tempted to go outside the bus
and explore the town when the bus reached the town.
These traits of Valli are quite amazing and interesting.
Or
Though Valli comes across as an assertive and bold girl,
she did not do the right thing in travelling alone to the
town without informing her mother. By doing this, she
put herself in a vulnerable position as she could have
easily been a victim of child abuse had she come in
contact with wrong people. In fact, she was lucky to
return home safely.
Children should always travel along with their parents
or elders as they are easy targets for criminals as they
are innocent and unworldly. We hear a lot of instances
of crime committed against children these days like
kidnapping, child abuse, to name a few. Valli could
have expressed her desire of travelling in the bus to
her mother. She should not have taken such a big risk.
Had things turned out otherwise her mother would not
have even known where Valli was. This is indeed scary
and highly risky.
 10. The Sermon at Benares
DIAGNOSTIC TEST – 1
Reference To Context (Very Short Answer Questions)
1. (i) The speaker in the above lines is the Buddha.
(ii) He is talking to Kisa Gotami.
(iii) He is explaining to her that all men are mortal.
(iv) Since Kisa wanted him to revive her dead son,
Buddha felt the need to make her understand that
men are mortal and so her son cannot come back
to life.
2. (i) The speaker is Buddha.
(ii) He gives an example of the ox to clarify how
deathe and life are inseparable for all creatures.
(iii) The wise men do not grieve as they understand
and accept the death.
(iv) The phrase ‘terms of the world’ means that life
does not give us the choice to avoid death and it
is certain for all creatures.
Short Answer Questions
1. Kisa Gotami went from house to house but was unable
to find one house where nobody had died. She was tired
and hopeless and sat down at the wayside watching
the lights of the city as they flickered up and were
extinguished again. She realised that similar to the city
lights, human lives also flicker up for some time and
are extinguished again.
2. At the age of 25, while hunting one day Buddha saw a
sick man, then an aged man, then a funeral procession
and finally a monk begging for alms. These moved
him so much that he went out into the world to seek
enlightenment. Thus the sufferings of the world moved
his sensitive nature to find the cause of human suffering
in a bid to alleviate it.
Long Answer Questions
The Sermon at Benares is an exemplary sermon that
teaches us a profound truth that death is a part of life
and cannot avoided. Buddha sought to understand why
man suffered in life. After his enlightenment, Buddha
started to spread his teachings about life, truth and
death. He preached that death and suffering are the part
and parcel of life. None can avoid this truth. One has
to meet one’s destined end one day. Whoever has come
to the world, will die one day. This is an inescapable
truth. In the hour of grief, one must remain calm and
composed so that grief doesn’t overcome one. People,
who are wise, never complain or lament over their loss.
They accept the truth and bow to the terms of life. So,
the wisdom lies in not getting distressed with pain,
suffering and death. Thus Buddha believed that correct
understanding and acceptance of life and death could
bring people peace and calm. Otherwise they would be
forever in misery and pain.
Vol - 2 — Literature Reader — First Flight (Prose)
Or
The sermon of Buddha delivered at Benares teaches
man how to see life and death rationally, to understand
death and thus to make the right efforts to alleviate
suffering from one’s life. It teaches the value of a calm
and peaceful life. He taught his rational teachings
to Kisa. Kisa’s son had died and she was naturally
grieving. She wandered looking for someone who
would revive her son. Buddha told her to get a handful
of mustard seeds from a home where no one had ever
died. After failing to procure a handful of mustard
seeds from a house where death had never knocked at
the door, she sat down by the roadside feeling helpless
and considering the mortal nature of man. She saw the
lights of the city that flickered and were extinguished.
At last, it was darkness everywhere. She realised that
death is common to all and she was being selfish in her
grief. This is what Buddha wanted her to understand,
that everyone who is born has to die one day. This
understanding would alleviate undue suffering from
man’s life.
DIAGNOSTIC TEST – 2
Reference To Context (Very Short Answer Questions)
1. (i) The speaker in the above lines is the Buddha.
(ii) He is speaking to Kisa Gotami.
(iii) According to the speaker grieving makes the body
suffer and a person can become sickly.
(iv) Lamentation is futile as it cannot bring life back
to the dead.
2. (i) The speaker in the above lines is Kisa Gotami.
(ii) Kisa realized that death is common to all.
(iii) She was grieving for the death of her son.
(iv) The world and earthly life is referred to as the
‘valley of desolation’.
Short Answer Questions
1. When her son dies, Kisa Gotami goes from house to
house asking for medicine to bring her son back to life.
She did not get it because there is no medicine which
can bring a dead man back to life.
2. After she speaks with the Buddha, Kisa Goutami again
goes from house to house asking for a handful of
mustard seeds but in vain because there was no house
where no one had lost a child, a husband, parent or
friend. Thus she could not achieve what she wanted.
Long Answer Questions
The sermon of Buddha, delivered at Benares teaches
man how to see life and death rationally, to understand
death and thus to make the right efforts to alleviate
suffering from one’s life. It teaches the value of a calm
and peaceful life. He taught his rational teachings
to Kisa. Kisa’s son had died and she was naturally
59
 grieving. She wandered looking for someone who
would revive her son. Buddha told her to get a handful
of mustard seeds from a home where no one had ever
died. After failing to procure a handful of mustard
seeds from a house where death had never knocked at
the door, she sat down by the roadside feeling helpless
and considering the mortal nature of man. She saw the
lights of the city that flickered and were extinguished.
At last, it was darkness everywhere. Seeing this she
realised that death is common to all and she was being
selfish in her grief. This is what Buddha wanted her
to understand, that everyone who is born has to die
one day. This understanding would alleviate undue
suffering from man’s life.
Or
Kisa’s son had died and she was naturally grieving. She
wandered looking for someone who would revive her
son. Buddha promised to cure her son after she would
get a handful of mustard seeds from a home where no
one had ever died. After failing to procure a handful
of mustard seeds from a house where death had never
knocked at the door, she sat down by the roadside
feeling helpless and considering the mortal nature of
man. Gradually She realised that death is common to
all and she was being selfish in her grief. This is what
Buddha wanted her to understand, that everyone who
is born has to die one day. Life of mortals in this world
is troubled and brief and combined with pain. Thus
Buddha helped her arrive at the correct understanding
and acceptance of death.
DIAGNOSTIC TEST – 3
Reference To Context (Very Short Answer Questions)
1. (i) The Buddha is the speaker in the above lines.
(ii) He is speaking to Kisa Gotami.
(iii) The advice that the speaker gives to the listener
is that the world is afflicted with death and decay,
therefore the wise do not grieve.
(iv) The terms of the world is that man has no choice
but to accept death as part of life.
2. (i) ‘He’ refers to mankind.
(ii) Lamentation can’t save man as death is an
inseparable part of man’s life and it can’t bring
back the dead.
(iii) For peace, lamentation for the dead must be
avoided.
(iv) The death is common to all. Life cannot be brought
back to the dead.
Short Answer Questions
1. Gautama Buddha was born in a royal family. His
childhood name was Siddhartha. At the age of 12 he
was sent away for schooling in Hindu sacred scriptures
and four years letter he was married to a princess,
Yashodhara. Later, after he saw the sufferings of the
world, he became an ascetic and sought enlightenment.
60 Assignments in English Plus Language and Literature – 10 Teacher’s Handbook
2. After living a princely life, one day Buddha saw a sick
man, then an aged man, then a funeral procession, and
finally a monk begging for alms. These sights moved
him so much that he decided to seek enlightenment
about the sorrows he had came across. He became an
ascetic and thus his life turned around completely.
Long Answer Questions
The sermon of Buddha, delivered at Benares teaches
man how to see life and death rationally, to understand
death and thus to make the right efforts to alleviate
suffering from one’s life. It teaches the value of a calm
and peaceful life. He taught his rational teachings
to Kisa. Kisa’s son had died and she was naturally
grieving. She wandered looking for someone who
would revive her son. Buddha told her to get a handful
of mustard seeds from a home where no one had ever
died. After failing to procure a handful of mustard
seeds from a house where death had never knocked at
the door, she sat down by the roadside feeling helpless
and considering the mortal nature of man. She saw the
lights of the city that flickered and were extinguished.
At last, it was darkness everywhere. Seeing this she
realised that death is common to all and she was being
selfish in her grief. This is what Buddha wanted her
to understand, that everyone who is born has to die
one day. This understanding would alleviate undue
suffering from man’s life.
Or
No act of kindness no matter how small is ever wasted
when we feel love and kindness toward others, it not
only makes others feel loved and cared for but it helps
us also to develop inner happiness and peace. When we
make everyone else happy, the reflection of the world
gets visible on our face too. The happiness achieved
by money and other material is momentary. The ends
sometimes even converts into sorrow when we lose
that wealth. But the inner happiness once achieved can
last long. It just keeps our heart filled with the rays of
light. We see that God in every body. We get lifted from
the narrow chains of religions, caste and get dissolved
into the ultimate power life should be lived like a river
which passes through citizens people, accepting their
garbage but nothing distracts its motion, still keeps
serving the world and merge finally into a sea of endless
happiness. Happiness which one doesn’t have to beg
from anyone. The more one contributes to the world
the more one will catch the happiness.
DIAGNOSTIC TEST – 4
Reference To Context (Very Short Answer Questions)
1. (i) The speaker refers to lamentation as an arrow.
(ii) Man should strive to achieve composure and peace
of mind.
(iii) Man will be blessed if he rises above sorrow.
 (iv) The speaker is talking to a lady named Kisa
Gotami.
2. (i) The speaker in the above lines is the Buddha.
(ii) The speaker is addressing a woman named Kisa
Gotami.
(iii) The Buddha instructs Gotami to get a handful of
mustard seeds from a house where no one has lost
a child, husband, parent or friend.
(iv) Buddha gives this advice as Kisa Gotami had urged
the Buddha to revive her dead son and he wanted
to teach her a lesson about man’s moral nature.
Short Answer Questions
1. Being concerned with her own desires and beliefs is
called selfishness. Kisa Gotami was only thinking about
her personal sorrow and life after her personal tragedy-
the death of her son. She was not thinking about grief
of all other people who had suffered the loss of a loved
one. This had caused her to be selfish.
2. Once Prince Siddhartha, while hunting saw a sick man,
then an aged man, then a funeral procession and finally
a monk begging for alms. Moved by the suffering in
man’s life, he left the palace and became a beggar to
search for enlightenment and find out a solution to
man’s suffering.
Long Answer Questions
The theme of this famous sermon delivered by Buddha
is that man must understand and accept that death is
a part of life and man must not grieve over it. Life
and death are inseparable and man must be rational
and accept this universal truth rather than grieve over
it. The terms of life given to man should be clearly
11. The Proposal
DIAGNOSTIC TEST – 1
Reference To Context (Very Short Answer Questions)
1. (i) Natalya is the speaker.
(ii) She refers to Chubukov as ‘ papa’.
(iii) Ivan is a wealthy neighbor.
(iv) ‘Papa’ had told the speaker that Ivan had come to
fetch his goods.
2. (i) Natalya is speaking to Lomov.
(ii) Lomov is in an evening dress.
(iii) Lomov has come to propose to Natalya. That is
why he is properly dressed.
(iv) In the above lines Natalya is concerned about her
hay rotting.
Short Answer Questions
1. The author mocks at the manners and motives of
the gentle society of Russia. Chubukov, Lomov and
Natalya belong to rich landowning families but beneath
their veneer of respectability, they are intolerant,
quarrelsome, and materialistic people who care only
Vol - 2 — Literature Reader — First Flight (Prose)
accepted by man otherwise he will have to pass a phase
of undue grieving. This philosophy is illustrated by the
Buddha through the story of Kisa Gotami. Kisa Gotami,
a mother was crushed by the death of her son. She
moved from door to door and at last came to Buddha.
She requested the Buddha to revive her son by giving
him some medicine. He said that he would do that if
she could bring a handful of mustard seeds. He further
instructed her that it must be taken from a house where
no one had lost a child, husband, parent or friend. Thus,
the Budha proved that death is common to all.
Or
While hunting the Buddha saw a sick man, then an
aged man, then a funeral procession and finally a
monk begging for alms. He was moved by the sights
of suffering that he saw and he sought enlightenment.
After his enlightenment he arrived at the profound
truth that death is a part of life and cannot be avoided.
Buddha started to spread his teachings about life, truth
and death. He preached that death and suffering are
the part and parcel of life. None can avoid this truth.
One has to meet one’s destined end one day. Whoever
has come to the world, will die one day. This is an
inescapable truth. In the hour of grief, one must remain
calm and composed so that grief doesn’t overcome one.
People, who are wise, never complain or lament over
their loss. They accept the truth and bow to the terms
of life. So, the wisdom lies in not getting distressed
with pain, suffering and death. Thus Buddha believed
that correct understanding and acceptance of life and
death could bring people peace and calm. Otherwise
man would forever be in misery and pain.
about their own self-interest and lose all civility when
it is threatened. Their fights over petty issues show how
self centered and materialistic they are.
2. Natalya doesn’t agree to the point that Oxen Meadows,
a tract of land was not theirs. She says that upto that she
thought Lomov was a good neighbour. They lent him
their threshing machine last year. They had to postpone
their threshing till November. She believed that Lomov
was being quite impudent in trying to give her back her
own land.
Long Answer Questions
In the play, ‘The Proposal’ Stephen Chubukov is a
wealthy landowner and Natalya’s father. He was a very
quarrelsome man but had a habit of speaking politely
to everyone initially. He welcomes Lomov in a polite
manner and is overjoyed when Lomov tells him that he
had come to propose to his daughter. Chubukov was a
man to be carried away easily and so when Natalya and
Lomov had an argument he too joined in and insulted
Lomov. Chubukov is projected as a loving father but
61
 a greedy man who is looking for a good match for his
daughter. His manner of showing exaggerated affection
and cordiality to Lomov is the highlight of his character
and creates humor in the play. It also suggests that his
nature is insincere and hypocritical.
Or
‘The Proposal’ is a humorous play. It is because of the
characters and subject matter and how they behave.
Natalya, Lomov and Chubukov fight over foolish
things. Their fighting creates a lot of laughter. The
verbal fights over Oxen Meadows and dogs are really
full of humour. It is ironical that Lomov who had come
all dressed up to propose to Natalya lands up fighting
over issues related to ownership of land. His most
romantic intentions fall apart and the main characters
find themselves fighting tooth and nail over petty
issues. Yet the alliance does come about when Natalya
comes to know Lomov’s intentions in coming to her.
Her economic good sense prevails and Natalya, in a
volte face changes her stance and fawns on her suitor-
Lomov, who is a wealthy man and a good catch.
DIAGNOSTIC TEST – 2
Reference To Context (Very Short Answer Questions)
1. (i) Lomov and Chubukov are two landowning
families who are neighbours as well.
(ii) Natalya is the daughter of Chubukov.
(iii) The speaker inherited his land from his aunt and
her husband.
(iv) While the speaker expresses his wish to be brief,
far from it, he is narrating a long story to Natalya.
2. (i) The conversation is taking place in Chubukov’s
house.
(ii) Natalya says so as she objects to Lomov’s claiming
it as his.
(iii) Oxen Meadows are piece of land.
(iv) Natalya is Chubukov’s daughter.
Short Answer Questions
1. The author satirizes the manners and motives of the
gentle society of Russia. Chubukov, Lomov and
Natalya belong to rich landowning families but beneath
their veneer of respectability, they are intolerant,
quarrelsome, and materialistic people who care only
about their own self-interest and lose all civility when
it is threatened. Their fights over petty issues show how
self centered and materialistic they are.
2. When Lomov visited Natalya’s house, she repeatedly
insisted that Oxen Meadows, a piece of land was theirs
and told Lomov that up to now she considered Lomov
as a good neighbour and friend which he really was
not. She calls him names and accuses him of being
dishonourable. This provoked Lomov to a verbal battle
with Natalya.
62 Assignments in English Plus Language and Literature – 10 Teacher’s Handbook
Long Answer Questions
Anton Chekov does convey the message that the
principle of ‘forgive and forget’ helps a lot in
-maintaining cordial relationship with one’s neighbours.
Initially, the neighbours in the play, Lomov, Natalya
and Chubukov were fighting over petty issues of
ownership of land.. They were putting important issues
behind them and wasting their time by arguing over
small things. These arguments slowly developed into
fights and they started hurling abuses at one another.
This damaged their relationship with each other.
It was when Natalya came to know that Lomov had
come to propose her that she left the topic of argument
-Oxen Meadows behind. She also asked for forgiveness
from Lomov and requested him to come to the point.
Hence it is essential to ‘forgive and forget’ if one wants
to have cordial relationship with others.
Or
The way in which Lomov and Natalya lost their temper
shows that how anger can easily effect a relationship.
Thus, it becomes very important to be mature in
ones understanding and behaviours. Lomov claims
ownership of this property but Natalya doesn’t agree
to the point that Oxen Meadows are not theirs. She
says that up to that she thought Lomov was a good
neighbour. They lent him their threshing machine
last year. They had to postpone their threshing till
November. She also quarrelled with Lomov over Oxen
meadows and their pet dogs, fighting hard to prove
which one was a better breed. She is quite assertive and
fights and insults Lomov. Thus their first interaction
was full of mudslinging and insulting each other.
DIAGNOSTIC TEST – 3
Reference To Context (Very Short Answer Questions)
1. (i) The speaker is Lomov.
(ii) He is speaking to Natalya.
(iii) They belonged to Lomov’s aunt’s grandmother.
(iv) He needs to make this explanation to Natalya as she
claims that Oxen Meadows belong to her family.
2. (i) The speaker in the above lines is Natalya.
(ii) Natalya refers to her grandfather.
(iii) ‘Burnt Marshes’is a tract of land.
(iv) It belonged to Chubukov’s family.
Short Answer Questions
1. Lomov told Natalya that once Oxen Meadows were
the subject of dispute. But now she could see from
documents that these were actually owned by him. He
said that his aunt’s grandmother gave the meadows only
for free and temporary use of peasants of Chubukov
family.
2. Lomov had come to Chubukov’s house to ask for the
hand of his daughter. Chubukov felt glad and blessed.
Both of them liked the proposal.
Long Answer Questions
Stepan Stepanovitch Chubukov and Ivan Vassileitch
Lomov were neighbours in a village. Natalya Stepanovna
was the daughter of Chubukov. Lomov a man of thirty
five wanted to marry. So he came to the house of
Chubukov one evening to propose to Natalya. Naturally
he was in his best clothes befitting the occasion of a
marriage proposal. Chubukov received him cordially
in his reception room. After some nervous stammering,
he told Chubokov that he wanted Natalya’s hand in
marriage. Chubokov went out and sent Natalya into
the room to meet the suitor. Natalya was not told of the
purpose of Lomov. Natalya and Lomov began to talk.
Lomov was more nervous as he was facing the bride. He
made a strong preface before coming to the proposal. He
told Natalya about how Lomov and the Chubukovs had
been good neighbours on good terms for many years. In
this context, he mentioned that his meadow touched the
birch woods of Chubukov. She claimed that the plot of
land belonged to them. A bitter quarrel ensued. At this
juncture, Chubukov remarked that such a fool had dared
to come seeking the hand of Natalya. The moment she
heard that he had come to propose to her, she asked her
father to bring back Lomov. Natalya was all politeness.
She even conceded that the meadow belonged to Lomov.
After all, if they were married, the meadow would come
to be hers only. Lomov informed that he would go hunting
after the harvest. He was sorry that his dog limped and
he began to praise his dog. Natalya, however, thought
that it was a very high price because her father had paid
only eighty-five roubles for their dog. Once again their
pride in their dogs led to quarrel. Chubukov who knew
the importance of getting his daughter married, at once
joined the hands of Natalya and Lomov and declared that
she agreed to the match.
Or
The play ‘The Proposal’ teaches us how anger and
arguments can easily ruin a relationship. Thus to maintain
a good relationship, it is important to have a control
over your anger. Having arguments over unimportant or
small issues is extremely harmful and a waste of time.
If someone commits a mistake, one should be ready to
forgive and forget rather than being angry and arguing
with the person endlessly. In the play the way in which
Lomov and Natalya lost their temper shows how anger
can easily effect a relationship. Lomov claims ownership
of this property but Natalya doesn’t agree to the point that
Oxen Meadows are not theirs. She says that up to that she
thought Lomov was a good neighbor. They lent him their
threshing machine last year. They had to postpone their
threshing till November. She also quarrelled with Lomov
over Oxen meadows and their pet dogs, fighting hard to
prove which one was a better breed. Thus, it becomes
very important to be mature in one’s understanding and
behavior to maintain a good relationship.
Vol - 2 — Literature Reader — First Flight (Prose)
DIAGNOSTIC TEST – 4
Reference To Context (Very Short Answer Questions)
1. (i) The speaker is angry.
(ii) The speaker is talking to Ivan Vassilevitch.
(iii) ‘Them’ in the first line refers to Oxen Meadows.
(iv) The speaker is angry as Lomov has just claimed
ownership of Oxen Meadows which she believes
to be hers.
2. (i) Natalya is referred to as ‘madam’.
(ii) Natalya has called him a landgrabber.
(iii) Oxen Meadows are a piece of land.
(iv) Lomov is angry as Natalya believes that Oxen
Meadows are hers and not his.
Short Answer Questions
1. In the end after much mudslinging, Natalya realizes
that Lomov had come to propose to her. She fears that
she might lose a wealthy suitor. Thus she agrees to the
proposal most keenly and is encouraged by her equally
eager father. In this mood of celebration, Chubukov
calls for the servants to bring champagne.
2. Lomov views marriage pragmatically and not
romantically. He thinks it is important for peace and
a regular life. He deliberates a lot on his reasons for
proposing to Natalya. He comes to the conclusion that
she is good looking, an excellent housekeeper and well
educated and he was 35 and needed a wife for a quiet
and regular life.
Long Answer Questions
Chubukov at first suspects that Lomov has come to
borrow money. He calls him affectionately as ‘my
darling’. Then he comes to know that Lomov has come
to propose to his daughter, Natalya. He is overjoyed
and is excessively cordial to him. His earlier cordiality
to him soon changes to a fight. After some minutes,
Chubukov starts fighting with Lomov over petty
matters. In fact, he sides with his daughter in fighting
with Lomov over the issue of Oxen Meadows. He even
abuses Lomov calling him with bad names. Thus there
is a drastic change in their earlier and later interactions.
Or
Natalya is not in love with Lomov as earlier she does
not know that Lomov had come to propose marriage
to her. It is her father who comes to know of Lomov’s
intentions. He is excited at the proposal as Lomov is a
wealthy man and hence a good match for his daughter.
In fact he is so keen on the match that he wishes to
believe that his daughter is already in love with Lomov,
like ‘a lovesick cat’, even though she does not know
the purpose of his visit. When she knows it, she starts
weeping, she calls her father to bring him back at once.
When it dawns upon her that she was on the verge
of losing a wealthy suitor she changes her behaviour
towards him and adopts a more congenial and agreeable
attitude towards Lomov.
63
 LITERATURE READER — FIRST FLIGHT (POETRY)
1. Dust of Snow
DIAGNOSTIC TEST – 1
Reference To Context (Very Short Answer Questions)
1. (i) ‘Me’ refers to the poet Robert Frost.
(ii) A dust of snow was dropped by a crow on the poet.
(iii) It was dropped from a hemlock tree.
(iv) The crow shakes the hemlock tree.
2. (i) When the crow shook the branches of the hemlock
tree and the dust of snow fell on the poet.
(ii) The poet felt happiness again.
(iii) Dust of Snow written by Robert Frost.
(iv) Every sorrowful moment is followed by joy and
happiness.
Short Answer Questions
1. A ‘dust of snow’ means the powder of snow which
has been showered down by the movement of the
crow when it shook down a snow laden branch. The
sudden shower of snow changed the poet’s mood from
depression and sadness to joy. He was full of negativity
when the powder of snow fell on him and this simple
little incident made him happy for the rest of the day.
2. The poem “Dust of Snow” by Robert Frost captures
particular moment of the poet’s life. His mind has
become negative. Once, as he was walking in a wooded
area full of hemlock trees, a crow alighted on a branch
of one of those trees, causing the mass of snowflakes
to rain down on the poet. The snowflakes were so light
and powdery that the poet thought they resembled dust
particles more than anything else. However, this raining
down of snowflakes immediately improved his mood,
and he was cheered up. He felt joy and gratitude to be
alive on a beautiful day.
Long Answer Questions
In the poem “Dust of Snow”, Frost uses the rhyme
scheme, abab and avoids using adjectives or adverbs
in the poem. This theme is marked by the simplicity
of an everyday occurrence: a crow taking flight from
a tree branch. Frost shows how such a simple and
insignificant action has a deep lesson for him, as it
gives him “a change of mood.” Frost’s gift of brevity
and eliciting deep-meaning using simple language is
evident in this poem.
Frost’s use of the word ‘hemlock’ imparts a certain
meaning to the poem. We associate hemlock poison
with death. The crow is a dark bird and a symbol of
death, as well as the “dust” ( death) imagery—‘to dust
we shall return’. These point to his negative mood.
The incident triggers a passion within his heart, and
“saves” his day from the sad mood he was earlier. He is
64 Assignments in English Plus Language and Literature – 10 Teacher’s Handbook
reminded that life is short and the present is all we have.
Frost also uses vivid visual imagery by contrasting the
blackness of the crow with the pristine white of the
snow.
Or
The poet was depressed and hopeless. He was in a state
of sorrowful mood. Probably he was lost in his negative
thoughts, standing under the hemlock tree. A crow
alighted on a branch of one of those trees, causing the
mass of snowflakes on it to shower down on the poet.
The snowflakes were so light and powdery that the poet
thought they resembled dust particles. However, this
raining down of snowflakes immediately improved his
mood, and he was cheered up. He felt joy and gratitude
to be alive on a beautiful day.
Frost suggests that this was one of the many simple and
apparently insignificant day to day events, which had
magical powers to transform one’s negative moods into
happy ones. He further suggests that present is beautiful
and man should not allow gloom and sorrow to spoil
his precious time. Man must allow nature to work its
magic on one’s spirits or he will regret losing out on
precious moments.
DIAGNOSTIC TEST – 2
Reference To Context (Very Short Answer Questions)
1. (i) The poet was sitting under a hemlock tree.
(ii) The crow shook down the dust of snow on the poet.
(iii) The crow represents sadness and depression
whereas the snow represents hopefulness.
(iv) It changed the mood of the poet.
2. (i) The poem is ‘Dust of Snow’ and the poet’s name
is Robert Frost.
(ii) The poet was in sad mood before his mood was
changed.
(iii) The poet has saved some part of the day from
repenting or regretting.
(iv) The rhyme-scheme used in the above stanza is
abab.
Short Answer Questions
1. The crow and hemlock represent sorrow. It shows that
the poet is feeling depressed and negative. The dust of
snow that the crow shakes off a hemlock tree stands
for joyous beginning. The simple incident changes his
mood and he becomes joyful for the rest of the day.
2. The poet is feeling depressed and hopeless. So he is
not in a good mood. He is standing under a hemlock
tree. Suddenly a crow shakes the dust of snow on him.
The small and simple incident changed his mood. He
 realized the fact that he is wasting his precious day and
decides to enjoy the remaining part of the day.
Long Answer Questions
The poem expresses strongly the message of the power
and significance of small seemingly insignificant things
by transforming one’s spirit and attitude towards life.
While the narrator is out walking in the snow, a crow
shakes off the fine, powdery snow from a hemlock tree
on the poet. This simple action brought out a great uplift
in the poet’s mental life. The poet appreciates the white
beauty of the snowflakes, which transformed his mood
and saved many precious moments from being wasted
away in regret. Frost suggests that in the same way one
can shake off the sadness and gloom from one’s heart
as life has much power to make man happy.
Or
In this poem, Frost has introduced three symbols — the
hemlock tree, the crow and the dust of snow. Hemlock
2. Fire and Ice
DIAGNOSTIC TEST – 1
Reference To Context (Very Short Answer Questions)
1. (i) ‘It’ refers to the world here.
(ii) Because it stands for the hatred and insensitivity
among people.
(iii) They have power to destroy the world.
(iv) Hatred kills our kindness towards others.
2. (i) Fire stands for fury, conflict, lust, greed and even
global warming. Ice stands for coolness and
calmness.
(ii) The poet holds with those who favour fire because
global warming is taking place.
(iii) Some persons say that the world will end in fire
while others say that it will end in ice.
(iv) The rhyme-scheme of the stanza is abab.
Short Answer Questions
1. In the poem ‘Fire and Ice’ Frost is commenting upon
two of the darkest traits of humanity: the capacity to
hate, and the capacity to be consumed by love and all
the related emotions. He suggests that in his experience
both have the capacity to kill and destroy and are
equally powerful. In that sense they are not opposites
but quite alike.
2. Frost suggests that hatred has the same capacity to do
harm as desire. He says, “I think I know enough of
hate / to say that for destruction ice… would suffice.”
While this discounts the relative importance of hatred
in the poem as a whole, it is still presented as having
the ability to lead to the destruction of the world if it
were to happen for a second time. Thus man needs to
be wary of both to avoid destruction.
Vol - 2 — Literature Reader — First Flight (Poetry)
is the name of the poison. Hence, the hemlock tree is a
symbol of death. Walking by the hemlock tree could,
in fact, have seemed like an ill omen to the poet, and
could have upset him further on that already unpleasant
day. Generally, the crow is considered to be the ugliest
among all birds. Hence, it could be another sight to
spoil the poet’s mood once again. To the contrary it was
the crow that became instrumental in shaking the snow
on the poet, thereby changing his mood for the better.
The dust of snow is the symbol of nature, beauty and
joy.
The poet uses two negative symbols to represent
the negative aspects of mind. The shower of snow
created by the crow certainly improves his mood.
The poet seems to suggest that even something that
one usually associates with negativity can have a
positive impact. Hence, Frost’s use of symbols is
quite meaningful.
Long Answer Questions
In the first two lines of the poem, Frost creates a clear
contrast between fire and ice and the two groups of
people that believe in each element. It is significant
to note that fire and ice are the only options presented
by the speaker. Instead of maintaining a scientific
perspective on this debate, Frost introduces a more
emotional angle by associating passionate desire with
fire and hatred with ice. This metaphorical view of the
two elements sees the “world” as a metaphor for human
relationship. Too much fire and passion can quickly
exhaust a relationship, while cold indifference and hate
can be equally dissipating.
Although the first two lines of the poem insist that
there can only be a single choice between fire and ice,
the poet undercuts this requirement by acknowledging
that both elements could successfully destroy the
world. Thus he insists that fire and ice are not mutually
exclusive, but are strikingly similar.
Or
The poem ‘Fire and Ice’ appears to be a simplistic
poem by Frost, but has much depth to it as we begin
to unravel its meaning and underlying ideas. When
we think of imagery we think about the way in which
the poet creates verbal pictures of what they are trying
to describe through their words by appealing to the
five senses. This poem is built around two implied
metaphors that equate fire to desire and ice to hatred,
and explores the similarities between them. We are
presented with very appealing images pertaining to
fire and ice. The idea of “fire” presents both an image
that appeals to our sense of sight, but also our sense
of feeling. Also remarkable is that the speaker has
65
 “tasted” desire. The images in this poem therefore
present strong, vivid pictures that appeal to our senses
and help us to see in the mind’s eye what the author is
describing.
DIAGNOSTIC TEST – 2
Reference To Context (Very Short Answer Questions)
1. (i) Robert Frost is the poet of this poem.
(ii) The poet seems to be perturbed because the world
can be destroyed by hate or ice.
(iii) The poet knows enough of hate.
(iv) Hate can be sufficient for the destruction of the
world.
2. (i) The poem is ‘Fire and Ice’ and the poet is ‘Robert
Frost’.
(ii) One view is that the world would end by fire while
the other view is that it will end by ice.
(iii) The poet favours fire.
(iv) The other people favour ice.
Short Answer Questions
1. The debate posed by the speaker is about the fate of
the world, how the world will end, will it be destroyed
by fire or by ice? This is an allusion to the popular
speculation in scientific circles about how the world
will be destroyed one day.
2. This poem is a free verse, consisting of 9 lines. The
pattern or structure of ‘Fire and Ice’ is A-B-A A-B-C
B-C-B. It indicates the rhyme scheme of this poem. The
poem varies between two meter lengths (either eight
syllable or four syllable). In the first two lines, they
don’t have the same rhythm or syllable count. Starting
in lines 3, the pattern is eight syllable lines. The last
3. A Tiger in the Zoo
DIAGNOSTIC TEST – 1
Reference To Context (Very Short Answer Questions)
1. (i) ‘He’ refers to the tiger.
(ii) ‘He’ walks in the cage quietly.
(iii) He is full of rage and anger.
(iv) The figure of speech used in the above lines is in
the phrase ‘velvet quiet’. It is a transferred epithet.
2. (i) The poem is ‘A Tiger in the Zoo’ and its poet is
Leslie Norris.
(ii) The tiger should be in the jungle now.
(iii) He should be lurking for its prey.
(iv) The deer usually pass near the water hole.
Short Answer Questions
1. The tiger has beautiful, clear stripes on his body. He
looks majestic as he moves gracefully and quietly
in his cage. He has soft velvety pads. He makes no
noise as he moves. It is a picture of his strength and
beauty.
66 Assignments in English Plus Language and Literature – 10 Teacher’s Handbook
two lines are actually like a single line which is broken
for the sake of rhyme.
Long Answer Questions
The speaker brings us into the middle of an argument
between people who think the world will come to a
fiery end and people who think the world will freeze
one day. He could be talking about the literal end of
the world, but he is also talking about the power that
human beings have to harm or destroy one another.
The speaker’s experience with romantic desire has
taught him that passionate emotions like love and greed
would probably have the power to turn the earth into
a big fireball. But he has also experienced the other
extreme, and he knows that colder emotions like hate
have equally great destructive power. Love is more
visible, but hate is a like a quiet killer, capable of great
annihilation.
Or
Frost presents the two of the darkest traits of humanity
— the capacity to hate and the capacity to be consumed
by lust or desire. Of the two, he attributes the greater
of the two evils, is desire. In giving desire the foremost
position with regard to the destruction of the world,
Frost is providing a powerful statement on the subject
of greed and jealousy, saying that above all trait of
humanity that is most likely to lead to its demise. Desire
represents the greatest problem that attributes to the
cause of the war. Frost then attributes hatred with the
same capacity to do harm. However, he lessens the
relative importance of hatred but still presents it as
having the ability to lead to the destruction of the world
if it were to happen for a second time.
2. It is a cramped cage. The tiger can hardly take a few
steps along the length of the cage. He cannot express
his natural instincts fully in this suffocating space. He
does not take any notice of the visitors who come there.
He always wishes to be free from this cage.
Long Answer Questions
It is a fundamental truth that love for freedom is the
natural instinct of every living being. Everyone loves
freedom and does not want to live in confinement.
Similarly, the tiger also longed for freedom. He was so
fed up being caged that he even ignored the visitors. He
paced, took to and fro in his cage as if trying to while
away the time. The tiger wanted to escape this captivity
but sadly he could not.
God has made all living beings equally and thus,
animals too have the right to freedom. They should not
be caged. It is their right to enjoy their natural habitat
i.e. the forest and live freely in the wild. Thus man
should respect their freedom and should not put them
in the zoo.
 Or
In the cage the tiger is just a diminished form of his
original powerful and instinctive self. He paces up and
down in the cage restlessly as he has nothing to do. He is
confined in the narrow cell and keeps staring the stars as if
longing for freedom. He is helpless and draws pity for his
condition in the wild. The tiger is majestic, free, powerful
and independent He is free to hunt or rest as he pleases.
He moves near the water because food is in plenty there.
Sometimes he growls and terrorises the villagers and thus
protects his territory from his greatest enemy.
DIAGNOSTIC TEST – 2
Reference To Context (Very Short Answer Questions)
1. (i) ‘He’ should be snarling around houses.
(ii) He should be showing his sharp teeth and claws.
(iii) He should he be terrorizing the villagers by
growling and showing his sharp teeth and paws.
(iv) The poet is trying to suggest that the tiger should
be allowed to live in his natural habitat.
2. (i) ‘He’ refers to the tiger.
(ii) The voice in the last stanza is the sound created
by the patrolling cars.
(iii) The patrolling car belongs to the guards that patrol
the jungle at night.
(iv) The tiger feels sad and sorrowful as he is caged.
Short Answer Questions
1. The tiger would be lurking in the shadows of trees.
He would be sliding slowly through the long grass.
He would be sitting by some water hole and waiting
for some plump deer to pass that way. Here, the poet
presents the tiger’s hunting process.
2. The tiger’s natural home has been disturbed. He has
been put in cage. Villagers encroach on his territory in
the jungle. At night the peace of the jungle is disturbed
by the noises of the patrolling cars.
4. How to Tell Wild Animals
DIAGNOSTIC TEST – 1
Reference To Context (Very Short Answer Questions)
1. (i) The speaker is the poet, Carolyn Wells.
(ii) The beast referred to here is the Asian lion.
(iii) The beast is large and tawny.
(iv) The poet has used ‘elision’ in the word dyin’.
2. (i) In the above lines the beast mentioned is the
Bengal Tiger.
(ii) The beast appears to be noble.
(iii) On his body there are black stripes on a yellow
background.
(iv) The poet says to the reader humorously to notice
when the beast eats him.
Vol - 2 — Literature Reader — First Flight (Poetry)
Long Answer Questions
Wild animals are meant to live in the wild. They are
not meant to be caged and displayed in the zoos. We
all know that the majestic species of tiger is on the
verge of extinction. There used to be a time when they
used to roam proudly and freely in the jungle. They
are not meant to live a life in confinement. They also
have the right to freedom like all other living beings.
Confinement leads to depression and misery. Moreover,
their off springs lose the hunting capabilities as they are
not trained to hunt in the wild. As a result, they would
not be able to feed themselves. Furthermore confining
wild animals disturbs the whole ecological balance.
They belong to the forest and man should allow them
to stay there.
Or
A variety of poetic device have been used by the
poet in order to effectively enhance the beauty of
the poem. ‘Velvet quiet’ refers to the quiet velvet
pads of the tiger, which cannot run or leap. They
can only walk around the limited space in the cage.
The use of ‘quiet rage’ symbolises the anger and
ferocity that is building up inside the tiger as it
wants to run out into the forest and attack a deer,
but the rage is quiet because it cannot come out
in the open as it is in the cage. This double use
of ‘quiet’ has lent immense beauty to the poem.
Similarly, the use of ‘brilliant’ for the tiger’s eyes
as well as the stars also lends amazing meanings to
these lines. The tiger has dreams of being free in its
‘brilliant’ eyes. It sees the stars that have also been
described as brilliant with the same eyes. It stares
at the brilliant stars with its brilliant eyes thinking
wistfully about how beautiful its life could be in
the forest. The poetic device of repetition creates a
wonderful effect in the poem.
Short Answer Questions
1. The Asian Lion is a large beast. He is brownish-yellow
in colour. He roars. His roar is terrible to hear. This
makes one almost die due to great fear. He is found in
the forest in the eastern countries of Asia. That is why
he is called ‘Asian Lion’.
2. The Bengal Tiger roams freely in the forest. He is the
king of animals. He looks noble. He has black stripes on
a yellow background. When this tiger notices someone
he tries to eat him. He is extremely terrifying as it can
eat one in no time.
Long Answer Questions
The theme of the poem is that how dangerous wild
beasts can be. The poet suggests some dangerous and
67
 imaginative yet humorous ways to identify the wild
animals. The poem is full of hilarious examples when
the poet tries to distinguish one animal from the others.
It is not safe to be close to the tigers and lions but the
poet ironically suggests very risky ways to identify
these animals. The poem is full of humorous examples
when the poet tries to distinguish one animal from the
others. The poem is also educative as it tells us various
features of wild animals.
Or
Carolyn Well treats the poem with a keen sense of
humour. Her humour is infectious and tickles the
readers’ funny bone. The poet, in the poem ‘How to Tell
Wild Animals’ creates humour by describing various
beasts of prey like the bear, the Asian tiger, the Bengal
tiger, hyenas and crocodiles. The tongue-in-cheek
way the poet explains their traits and behaviours is
very funny and hilarious. The poet has depicted beasts
very vividly and in an imaginative way. While reading
the poem, the readers enjoy such expressions, while
describing the Asian lion like-‘If he roars at you as
you’re dyin’. Again he uses the word ‘caress’ while
describing a bear.
DIAGNOSTIC TEST – 2
Reference To Context (Very Short Answer Questions)
1. (i) The beast mentioned here is the leopard.
(ii) His hide has spots on it.
(iii) Metaphor is implied in the lines suggesting that
the spots appear to be like pepper corns spread on
the hide of the beast.
(iv) The beast will leap on the reader.
2. (i) In the above lines the creature mentioned is the
bear.
(ii) The speaker is the poet, Carolyn Wells
(iii) The reader is referred to as ‘you’.
(iv) The beast hugs the reader very hard.
5. The Ball Poem
DIAGNOSTIC TEST – 1
Reference To Context (Very Short Answer Questions)
1. (i) The boy was very sad as he had lost his ball.
(ii) The poet says so as the loss of the ball is of a major
concern for the boy.
(iii) The figure of speech used in the above lines is
repetition. It can be seen in the repetition of the
words ‘what’ and ‘merrily’.
(iv) The ball went bouncing, freely and merrily into
the harbour.
2. (i) The boy’s ball went into the waters of the harbour.
(ii) The boy is very troubled at the loss of his ball. He
68 Assignments in English Plus Language and Literature – 10 Teacher’s Handbook
Short Answer Questions
1. The poet advises the reader to be cautious about the
hug of the bear. It embraces its prey very hard and one
must not doubt its strength as even it touches, which
she humorously refers to a ‘caress’, can be fatal.
2. The appearance of the hyenas makes them appear to be
smiling but they must never be taken at face value. In
fact they are beasts of prey and extremely ferocious.
Long Answer Questions
The poet describes the beasts of prey in a factual as
well as humorous way. She describes the Asian Lion
as a large and tawny beast whose roar can kill people.
She also describes a Bengal Tiger which has beautiful,
spotted hide. Despite its beauty it can eat its prey. A
leopard having a spotted hide is another dangerous
carnivore. The bear hug can take one’s breath away,
even its touch can kill people. The appearance of the
hyenas makes them appear to be smiling but they must
never be taken at face value. In fact they are beasts of
prey and extremely ferocious crocodile, another beast
of prey, seems to be weeping but it kills its prey brutally.
Or
The poet suggests in a lighter and humorous vein
that wild animals are very dangerous and one should
exercise extreme caution when one is near them and
not be fooled by their appearances. One should keep a
safe distance from them.
The poet treats the poem with a keen sense of humours.
The poet creates humour by describing various beasts
of prey like the bear, the Asian tiger, the Bengal tiger,
hyenas and crocodiles. The tongue -in -cheek way the
poet explains their traits and behaviours is very funny
and hilarious. The poet has depicted beasts very vividly
and in an imaginative way. While reading the poem, the
readers enjoy such expressions while describing the Asian
lion like-‘If he roars at you as you’re dyin’. Again he uses
the word ‘ caress’ while describing a bear thus the poet
successfully conveys her message in a humorous way.
stands still, grief stricken, trembling and staring at
his ball.
(iii) He is trembling, staring down as he has lost his
ball and grief has taken hold of him.
(iv) By the phrase ‘First responsibility’, the poet means
learning to look after his things properly and
safely.
Short Answer Questions
1. Through the poem, the poet, John Berryman wants
to convey the importance of acceptance of loss and
taking responsibility in life. We all should learn our
responsibility and how to cope up with the loss.
 2. The boy loved the ball and saw it as his possession. It
was linked to the memories of the days when he played
with it. When the boy lost the ball, he plunged in grief.
He stood staring down the harbour where his ball was
lost. The boy was affected profoundly by the loss of
his ball because it had been with him for a long time.
Long Answer Questions
This poem by John Berryman is about a young boy
who loses his ball. Usually losing a ball would not
be an issue, but there is an underlying grievance that
causes the boy to be so upset over his ball. Anyone who
has ever lost someone or something dear to their heart
can relate with the boy’s pain. The poem may be grim
but its message is a sound one that one must learn to
accept loss and the resultant pain with courage as life
offers things but also takes them away. Loss is hurtful
but is as much a part of life as finding something and
one must learn to take it in one’s stride.
Or
This poem conveys a lot through symbolism. A major
part of this symbolism is the ball, which symbolizes
Berryman’s childhood and all the material things, even
loved one that are so dear to man in life. The boy’s losing
this ball refers to the idea that he is no longer a child.
The theme of this poem is that it is very difficult to get
over losses. Some things may be harder to part from
than others, such as a toy compared to a family member.
However, either way, it can be very difficult to replace
certain things in life. “The Ball Poem” the symbol of a
ball conveys layers of meanings in a most effective way.
DIAGNOSTIC TEST – 2
Reference To Context (Very Short Answer Questions)
1. (i) The boy learns to grow up and understands his first
responsibility.
(ii) The first responsibility means that the boy comes
to know for the first time that things can be lost.
(iii) The poetic device used is symbolism. The ball
has become a symbol of all possessions and
relationships dear to man in life.
(iv) The world is referred to as the world of possessions
6. Amanda!
DIAGNOSTIC TEST – 1
Reference To Context (Very Short Answer Questions)
1. (i) Amanda is getting instructions as a part of her
upbringing. Her conduct and manners are getting
refined as per the wishes of her mother.
(ii) Her mother seems to be instructing her in the above
lines.
(iii) In the above lines, Amanda is getting instructed for
biting her nails and sitting lazily with her shoulders
bent.
Vol - 2 — Literature Reader — First Flight (Poetry)
as man accumulates possessions in his lifetime and
values them too much.
2. (i) The boy’s grief at losing his ball has been described
in the above lines.
(ii) He is shocked and speechless with sorrow at the
loss of his ball.
(iii) The ball went into the harbor.
(iv) Another ball is worthless to the boy as he cannot
love it the same way as the lost one.
Short Answer Questions
1. The message that the poet wants to convey through the
poem, ‘The Ball Poem’ is the importance of accepting loss
and responsibility in life. We should learn to accept loss as
it is inevitable and a part of life. It is a part of growing up.
2. The poet watched the boy who had plunged in grief at
the loss of his ball. He did not offer the boy money •
to buy another ball. He felt that another ball could not
console the boy. It seemed that the boy had the ball for
a long time. The poet also wanted the boy to realise the
feelings of loss.
Long Answer Questions
The Ball poem is a poem with a great message The
message of the poem is that though excruciatingly
hurtful, we have to learn how to accept the loss of one’s
loved ones and our worldly possessions. It is the nature
of life that things are found and lost. We have to take
loss in our stride and be brave enough to understand
and also accept the inevitability of loss.
Or
“The Ball Poem’ by John Berryman makes one think
of how people react when they lose something dear
to them. It could be as trivial as a ball or as important
as the loss of some person one loves. One feels
tremendous grief at any kind of loss. The message
of the poem is that though excruciatingly hurtful, we
have to learn how to accept the loss of one’s loved
ones and our worldly possessions. It is the nature of
life that things are found and lost too. Nothing remains
with us forever so we have to take loss in our stride
and be brave enough to understand and also accept the
inevitability of loss.
(iv) The literary device used in third line is Alliteration.
‘Stop that slouching and sit up straight’.
2. (i) The speaker is probably Amanda’ mother.
(ii) She orders Amanda to not eat chocolate.
(iii) She makes this demand as she fears that eating
chocolates will cause acne.
(iv) She is so concerned about Amanda having
acne on her face as she wants Amanda to look
beautiful.
69
Short Answer Questions
1. The title of the poem is ‘Amanda’ as it revolves around
the upbringing of little girl named Amanda. Her life
is full of struggles where she is denied freedom and
expression. Amanda is so suppressed that she escapes
reality by living in her imaginative world. Through this
gateway of her imagination, she experiences peace,
away from her nagging parents.
2. Amanda is getting scolded for having chocolates as
she had a tendency to develop acne due to it. Amanda’s
mother is very particular about such things.
Amanda is made conscious about her physical
appearance. It is rather sad that at such a young age
Amanda is made to worry about her appearance to get
the approval of society.
Long Answer Questions
Upbringing plays an essential role in personality
development of young children. Whenever we wish to
admire or criticize someone we question the upbringing
of that person. Robin Klein’s poem ‘Amanda’ highlights
the tension in the proper upbringing of a child. Instilling
good values and moral principles in a growing child is
believed to be the foremost duty of parents. However,
the poem ‘Amanda’ shows how a child feels trapped
by the barrage of instructions. Amanda is instructed
for everything. There is no space for her creativity.
As a result, she feels trapped and seeks an escape.
Her imagination proves to be her escape and also her
defence against her nagging parents. She imagines
herself enacting various roles varying from mermaid
to Rapunzel. Amanda wishes to live alone and carefree.
Thus Proper balance should be maintained when
dealing with such delicate issues related to teenagers.
Or
Amanda is a small girl who is always is getting
instructions from her nagging and controlling parents,
which become too much to handle for the small girl.
She is told not to eat her nails and sit in a proper
position. Amanda’s response to it is to go into a world of
imagination, where she is a mermaid drifting effortlessly
by the languid river. Further, she is asked about cleaning
her room and finishing her homework to which she
reacts by imagining herself as an orphan roaming in the
street and making patterns with her bare feet. Amanda
then faces a scolding for eating a chocolate, which
had once caused her acne. Now, in her imagination,
she becomes Rapunzel and wishes to live on the top
of a tower away from everyone in her imagination.
Amanda’s parents are upset over her behaviour and
casualness, but she remains happy in her own world.
DIAGNOSTIC TEST – 2
Reference To Context (Very Short Answer Questions)
1. (i) Amanda is expected to complete her homework,
tidy her room and clean her shoes.
70 Assignments in English Plus Language and Literature – 10 Teacher’s Handbook
(ii) Amanda is being instructed by her mother.
(iii) The literary device used is repetition.
(iv) The repetition of Amanda’s name creates a sense
of constant nagging that she is subjected to. This
sickens her.
2. (i) Silence is described as golden. It is a metaphor.
By making silence golden the poet is saying that
the silence is the most beautiful as Amanda seeks
peace and calmness, which is absent in her reality.
(ii) Amanda seems to be wishing that she would be rid
of her parents. She imagines that then she would
be free from their nagging.
(iii) Amanda is again taking refuge in her imagination.
Here, she longs to be an orphan, away from her
nagging parents. Amanda wants to roam in streets
and draw patterns using just her bare feet, without
fear of being nagged.
(iv) The poet uses metaphor such as ‘orphan’, ‘silence
is golden’, and ‘freedom is sweet’.
Short Answer Questions
1. Life in tower for Amanda would be very different from
her reality. Just like Rapunzel, the fairytale character
who was imprisoned in a tower, Amanda desires to live
in the tower, away from everyday nagging. She seeks a
place full of peace and serenity, where there is no one to
disturb her. Hence, she wishes to live in a tower forever,
unlike Rapunzel who used her long hair to escape to
freedom. For Amanda freedom would mean living in
the tower alone in peace.
2. Amanda seems to be moody most of the time because
she is trying to make an escape from her miserable
reality where she is nagged most of the times. It is
indeed a sorry state for a small child like Amanda
to bear. Here the only defence against such reality is
her imagination where she often escapes to. Hence, it
makes her look moody and uninterested.
Long Answer Questions
None can refute the pious role of parents or elders
or teachers in the proper grooming and holistic
development of a child. Parent’s personality resonates
and reflects through the behaviours and personality
of a child. They do every possible thing, they can
do, to shape the character and habits of their child.
But sometimes, in course of nurturing the kid, the
parents cross the limits unknowingly. They become
either over caring or over protective or over anxious.
They forget the fact that when a matured mind cannot
tolerate excess of do’s and don’ts, how can they expect
it from a child who is totally unaware of the worries
and cares of the world. To a child the world means a
world of imagination, fancy and fairy. If being nagged
repeatedly she may form negative opinions about his/
her mother and father. The same thing we find in the
poem ‘Amanda’. Amanda a girl of around 8-11 year
 of age and lives in her own fairy land. She does not
appreciate the constant scording or nagging of her
father/mother. She fells that her freedom is punctuated.
So, she instead of following the instruction, remains
wandering in her own world of imagination. Excess
of nagging has resulted into negativity as Amanda
considers herself orphans. She sulks. She avoids eye
to eye contact.
Hence, parents must understand the line of boundary
and act.
7. Animals
DIAGNOSTIC TEST – 1
Reference To Context (Very Short Answer Questions)
1. (i) The poet wants to turn away from living in human
society and live with the animals.
(ii) The poet is attracted to the calmness and poise of
the animals.
(iii) From the above lines the poet is implied that
humans are quite unlike the animals. They are
neither calm nor contented.
(iv) The poetic device used is repetition. The successive
use of the word ‘long’ makes the line very
effective.
2. (i) The endless habit of owning things by humans has
been called a mania.
(ii) Since animals do not have the desire to own
anything, therefore they are never dissatisfied.
(iii) The poet means by this phrase that in the animal
world all are equal, no one desires to control the
other or prove itself to be superior or inferior.
(iv) Man’s ancestors lived long ago.
Short Answer Questions
1. Whitman finds that animals have many virtues which
are lacking in men. Animals never grumble on their
condition. They do not covet material things. They
always remain satisfied. They don’t have to kneel to any
of their kind. That is why Whitman admires animals.
2. Human beings are always dissatisfied. They keep
grumbling about their condition. They go mad for
material things. They talk about their duty to God, but
never think about their duty to God’s men i.e. their
fellow beings.
Long Answer Questions
The poet uses words such as ‘demented’ and ‘mania’
for never ending desire of human beings to own things.
These words show that the poet is comparing this desire
to a kind of madness. The poet is right in doing so as
this desire makes us greedy and traps us in a vicious
circle of aspiring for more and more. Animals that
are free from any possession are also free from sins,
worries and complaints. In order to gain more wealth,
all the important values such as morality and kindness
Vol - 2 — Literature Reader — First Flight (Poetry)
Or
Yes, it is true that children are always given good
suggestions and advice by the elders that are beneficial
to them. The elders always think for the good of her
children. They are experienced. They know well what
they should do for the welfare of the children. They
have a perfect knowledge that they want to share with
the children. But it is also true that children never like
to follow them. They don’t like to be given advice and
suggestions. They want to live a free life like Amanda.
are sacrificed by humans. Excessive desire for material
things is taking away man from the natural state in
which God created him. Man needs to relearn the
natural way of living from animals and find peace and
contentment that he is lacking.
Or
In the modern civilised world, human beings have
achieved a lot of material values but lost the real
virtues. The more developed and modern human
beings became, the more they lost the essence of their
characters. Whereas animals never adapted to any
material goods always remain natural. This natural
aspect of animals has helped them maintain their
values. Humans, in order to possess more and more
have forgotten kindness and innocence. Human beings
probably had these virtues in them once but along the
course of civilization, they have left them behind and
become greedy and cunning. They need to relearn from
the animals, how to be self-contained and live naturally
as God intended us to live. Only then they will attain
true peace and happiness.
DIAGNOSTIC TEST – 2
Reference To Context (Very Short Answer Questions)
1. (i) Humans lie awake in the dark weeping and
repenting for their sins.
(ii) Humans sweat and whine about their condition
and wish to be in a different condition.
(iii) The poet is sickened by the endless talk of man
about what is man’s duty towards God.
(iv) The poet feels sick when he hears people discussing
their duty towards God. He thinks that man should
really be thinking about what is their duty towards
other fellow men.
2. (i) ‘They’ refers to the animals.
(ii) The poet here means that the animals remind him
of true values of the human nature such as kindness
and innocence which were one part of human
nature too.
(iii) The poet has dropped the traits of love and kindness
that like the animals, were once part of his nature,
before civilization gradually erased them.
71
 (iv) The poet finds that animals, like human beings do
not trouble others unless they are compelled. They
are kind and innocent and live equally.
Short Answer Questions
1. Animals are very different from humans as they have no
desire to own things. They are happy without unending
greed while humans become maniacs in their greed
for possessing valuables. In the process of desiring
things, man has to commit a lot of sins which make
him unhappy and dioscontented.
2. The poet is referring to the animals. He means
that animals feel no need to pray to God or to their
ancestors and all of them are equal, hence no one is
more respectable than the others. The good values of
animals and the lack of social conventions make them
happy and free of discontent.
Long Answer Questions
The poet seems to imply that human beings should be
gentle not only to their own kind but also to everyone
and everything. Virtues such as kindness bring along
other important values like innocence and honesty that
together make the world a better place to live. The lack
8. The Trees
DIAGNOSTIC TEST – 1
Reference To Context (Very Short Answer Questions)
1. (i) The ‘inside ‘ refers to some house where the trees
are confined.
(ii) The trees are going to the forest.
(iii) The forest was empty as all the trees had been taken
into the interiors.
(iv) The birds could not sit as there were no trees to sit
upon.
2. (i) There are no shadows in the forest as there are no
trees.
(ii) Man’s activities has caused the forest to be empty.
(iii) The trees will move to the forest at night.
(iv) The poetic device is used in the first line where
the sun is seen as having feet – personification.
Short Answer Questions
1. The trees are planted in the interiors like a green house
and the roots are disentangling themselves in order to
move to the forest. In the process the veranda floor is
being cracked.
2. The roots are personified as working like human
beings. They are busy disengaging themselves from
the veranda and the house in which they have been
confined. They are doing so as they have to move to
the forest at night.
Long Answer Questions
The poem is unique and beautiful. The poet uses
a variety of poetic devices in the poem to make it
a memorable poem. The poetic devices makes the
72 Assignments in English Plus Language and Literature – 10 Teacher’s Handbook
of such values results in a corrupt and degraded society
where people commit sins and weep over them when
they are solitary. This situation makes them dissatisfied
and unhappy in life. Human beings probably had these
virtues in them once but along the course of civilization,
they have left them behind and become greedy and
cunning.
Or
The poet, Walt Whitman in his poem ‘Animals’
compares animals to human beings and differentiates
between them and human beings on the basis of their
characteristics. In poet’s perception animals have been
ranked much higher than humans. Since animals do not
complain about their situation, they are considered to
be much happier than humans. Animals live in natural
surroundings. They accept their natural lives and live
according to the decree of nature. In their world no one
is superior or inferior. Humans, on the other hand, have
never accepted nature, i.e., they complain about it and
try to change it, leading to an unhappy life. Somewhere
in the process of civilization, man has lost his true and
innocent self.
descriptions vivid and appealing to the senses. The poet
uses imagery effectively in the poem. For example,
outside the house the night is full of freshness and
the moon is shining. The smell of leaves and lichen
is reaching those inside like a voice coming from far
away. The trees block the view and make the moon
appears like a broken mirror on the crown of the oak.
Repetition(anaphora) occurs in the first stanza...
the forest that was empty... reinforcing the idea that
previously there was no life outside. Where no bird/
no insect/no sun.
Similes, in the second, third and final stanza involve
both human and domestic elements - like newly
discharged patients/like a voice/like a mirror.
Personification is to be found in the first stanza - no sun
bury its feet in shadow... and the second - small twigs
stiff with exertion/long-cramped boughs shuffling...
and the fourth stanza - The trees are stumbling forward.
In fact the trees are personified throughout the poem
and are envisioned as human beings. Thus the poetic
devices used lend the poem great beauty.
Or
The poet gives the message that man must live in
harmony with nature and not in a war with it. It
expresses the poet’s concern for trees and people to be
in their natural surroundings, and living in harmony
with their true habitat and purpose. The poet describes
the plight of the trees in the second stanza, The trees are
kept confined during the night, where they try to escape
through the cracks of the veranda floor. Every morning
 they are moved to the artificial forest. The forest where
no bird can sit, no insect can hide and where the sun
cannot hide behind a tree. It is like putting an animal
away from its natural surroundings.
The unnatural ways of living that are imposed upon man
by the various forces of modern times are removing man
from their natural life. Thus trees need to be in the forests
and not inside homes and green houses. Likewise man
needs to be closer to nature and not far from it.
DIAGNOSTIC TEST – 2
Reference To Context (Very Short Answer Questions)
1. (i) The roots are working to free themselves from the
veranda.
(ii) They are doing this as they are moving to the
forest.
(iii) The cracks have been caused by the roots which
are pulling themselves out from the confines of
the veranda.
(iv) The trees will move out in the night.
2. (i) The leaves are straining the glass.
(ii) The poetic device used is personification. The
twigs are described as tired due to exertion.
(iii) The phrase ‘long cramped’ suggests that they have
been forced to live in the cramped, small space of
the house for a long time.
(iv) The boughs are described as shuffling beneath the
roof.
Short Answer Questions
1. In the last stanza, imagery has been used. The mood
is that of exhilaration. It is like a dream come true for
those trees in captivity. The glass pane has broken and
the trees are escaping. Now the moon is shining on top
of the oak tree. It seems that the moon has broken like
a mirror and its pieces have fallen all over the head of
the oak tree to give it a crown of shining silver. The
trees have achieved their freedom.
2. In the poem the roots work all night to disengage
themselves from the cracks in the veranda floor. The
leaves make efforts to move towards the glass, while
the small twigs get stiff with exertion.
Long Answer Questions
The poem ‘The Trees’, by Adrienne Rich is about how
trees are breaking the interiors which are not their
9. Fog
DIAGNOSTIC TEST – 1
Reference To Context (Very Short Answer Questions)
1. (i) The fog comes on ‘cat feet;
(ii) The poet is Carl Sandburg.
(iii) The figure of speech used is personification as the
fog has been shown as having ‘feet’.
Vol - 2 — Literature Reader — First Flight (Poetry)
natural habitat and moving towards the forests which
are their natural home. In this sense the poem describes
the trees returning to nature and finding their true space
and purpose. Adrienne Rich has been known to use
trees as a metaphor for human beings. In this sense,
the trees can also be seen as being symbolic of people
who are freeing themselves from imposed customs and
behaviours of modern times and finally reaching out to
express their true selves and purpose. In fact the trees
are personified throughout the poem and are envisioned
as human beings. Most of the times the difference
between trees and man blurs to the extent that one is
seen as the other and the same words describe both
man and trees. For instance, the leaves are trying to
push through the glass window pane as if trying to
escape the captivity. The branches are feeling cramped
under the roof. This reminds the poet of a patient who
is being discharged from the clinic and is moving with
tired gaze and steps towards the clinic door. Trees, like
human beings shuffle, stumble and appear ill.
Or
The poem presents a conflict between man and nature.
While nature is more free and unbounded, man prefers
to live in bounded spaces and also wants to curb nature.
He uses plants for interior decoration of houses, cuts
trees to make a house for himself, kills animals for food
or other purposes and cages them in zoos. In all these
ways, man curbs nature and denies plants and animals
the freedom in which they should live. The poem shows
that trees and plants are rebelling against man as they
strive to work their way out into the open. For instance,
in the poem ‘A Tiger in the Zoo’, the poet presents the
fact that animals feel bounded by cages. They can only
take a few steps inside the cage, whereas they really
want to run and leap into the open. This signifies the
fact that plants and animals feel caged by humans and
want to break out from the imprisonment at the hands of
humans. Adrienne Rich has been known to use trees as a
metaphor for human beings. In this sense, the trees can
also be seen as being symbolic of people who are freeing
themselves from imposed customs and behaviours of
modern times and finally reaching out to express their
true selves and purpose. The poem seems to suggest
both trees and man must live the way they were meant
to live-in harmony with nature and amidst nature.
(iv) The fog is moving like a cat.
2. (i) ‘It’ refers to the fog.
(ii) It is observing the harbor and the city.
(iii) The fog has been personified in the above lines. It
is seen as sitting.
(iv) The fog is compared to a cat.
73
Short Answer Questions
1. The poet says that the fog comes ‘on little cat feet’.
He also says that the fog ‘sits looking over harbour
and city and then moves on’. To show resemblance
between the fog and a cat, the poet uses such
metaphorical language that the fog is viewed as if it
were a living being.
2. The fog comes silently just like a cat does. It ‘sits’ i.e.
stays looking over the harbour and the city and then
‘moves on’ like a cat. This is conveyed by the poetic
device of metaphor. In fact it is an extended metaphor
as it runs throughout the poem.
Long Answer Questions
Fog is a beautiful poem. The poet uses a variety of
poetic devices effectively. The poem is an extended
metaphor, the poet sees the fog as a cat that comes on
tiny, silent feet, as cats do when they are stalking. Only
a cat can move in such a way, almost imperceptibly, and
in complete silence. A cat is an independent animal, it
doesn’t follow rules, it slips and slides in and out of
our lives as it pleases, just like fog, which knows no
boundaries. The poet uses imagery as well. The image
created is of thick white fog which slowly develops
into a small cat, becomes life-like and is then gone.
The fog is looking, as a cat looks, taking everything
silently. The short lines keep the reader interested and
focused. It is a short, six lines poem, yet it is beautiful
due to its well chosen words and metaphor of the cat.
Or
The fog and cat are similar in many aspects, only a
cat can move in such a way, almost imperceptibly,
and in complete silence. A cat is an independent
animal, it doesn’t follow rules, it slips and slides in
and out of our lives as it pleases, just like fog, which
knows no boundaries. Cats are stealthy, moving in
slow motion at times. They appear to be moving in a
most mysterious fashion. The reader’s mind becomes
filled with this dual imagery of fog and cat, fog turning
into a cat, cat morphing back into the fog. By doing
this, the poet is introducing the idea that the fog is
alive and is an entity. Cats are inscrutable and also
have the habit of finding a place which gives them an
overview of a landscape or territory. Fog moves in at
a slow pace and then stops, smothering everything,
covering a landscape or seascape, and bringing silence
and mystery. The cat too moves independently and
unnoticed. In these aspects the fog and the cat have
similar traits.
DIAGNOSTIC TEST – 2
Reference To Context (Very Short Answer Questions)
1. (i) The fog is sitting on haunches.
(ii) The fog moves on when it has finished surveying
the city.
74 Assignments in English Plus Language and Literature – 10 Teacher’s Handbook
(iii) The fog does not sit for long and moves on after
some time.
(iv) The fog is like a cat.
2. (i) ‘It’ is the fog.
(ii) It comes over the city.
(iii) The poet talks of the fog as if it were a cat.
(iv) The figure of speech used is a metaphor.
Short Answer Questions
1. The poet compares the fog to a cat. The silent steps of
a cat and the way it sits on its haunches is very similar
to the way fog comes and surrounds the city and looks
over it.
2. The figure of speech used here is transferred epithet.
Haunches cannot be silent or loud. The characteristic
of silence infact belongs to the cat. But the poet instead
of employing the expression ’silent cat’ transfers the
epithet –‘silence’, before the word, ‘ haunches’. This
device helps to create a vivid image of a cat sitting
silently on its haunches.
Long Answer Questions
It is true that the brevity of the poem is indeed
amazing and beautiful. The mere six short lines
keep the reader interested and focused, yet it is
beautiful and memorable due to its well chosen
words and metaphor of the cat. Enjambment is
used in all the line i.e. the meaning runs into the
next line. By keeping the lines short, the poet
is controlling the pace, keeping it slow. As one
reads, one has to slow down and focus on the
poem because one is not too certain about the next
word or line. This reflects the slow fog rolling in.
The brevity and the overall effect of the poem is
amazing and beautiful.
Or
‘Fog’ is a beautiful poem. The poet uses a variety
of poetic devices effectively to make it memorable.
The poem is an extended metaphor, the poet sees the
fog as a cat that comes on tiny, silent feet, as cats do
when they are stalking for example. Only a cat can
move in such a way, almost imperceptibly, and in
complete silence. A cat is an independent animal, it
doesn’t follow rules, it slips and slides in and out of
our lives as it pleases, just like fog, which knows no
boundaries. The poet uses imagery as well. The image
created is of thick white fog which slowly develops
into a small cat, becomes life-like and is then gone.
The fog is looking, as a cat looks, taking everything
silently. The short lines keep the reader interested and
focused. It is a short, six lines poem, yet it is beautiful
and memorable due to its well chosen words and
metaphor of the cat.
 10. The Tale of Custard the Dragon
DIAGNOSTIC TEST – 1
Reference To Context (Very Short Answer Questions)
1. (i) The pirate gulped some wine from his bottle.
(ii) Custard swallowed the pirate and left no trace of
him.
(iii) The pirate gaped on seeing the dragon.
(iv) Custard is a pet dragon who belongs to Belinda.
2. (i) Belinda’s dog is yellow as mustard.
(ii) The Kitten was called Ink and the mouse was called
Blink by Belinda.
(iii) The animals belonged to Belinda.
(iv) The dragon was a coward.
Short Answer Questions
1. Belinda lived in a little white house with her four pets
and a wagon. She had a black kitten named Ink, a grey
mouse named Blink, a yellow dog named Mustard and
a coward dragon named Custard.
2. Custard looked really dangerous with spikes on his top
and scales underneath. His mouth was like a fireplace
and nose like a chimney. His toes looked like daggers.
He had a scary appearance.
Long Answer Questions
The poet gives the message that one need not be brave
all the time but it is worthwhile to be brave when it
really matters. This is conveyed through the character
of Custard, the dragon. Custard, lives with his owner
Belinda and a group of other animals who make fun
of him for being cowardly all the time. Custard, the
cowardly dragon who always desires a safe cage, saves
the day when a pirate threatens Belinda and her pet
animals. He gains courage enough to eat a pirate and
save the day, although he still returns to being cowardly
in the end. The poet suggests that one who appears to
be cowardly may prove to be most brave and reliable
in difficult situations. Thus the truth may be vastly
different to what is commonly perceived.
Or
Custard was always called ‘cowardly’ by the pets and
Belinda. They taunted him and teased him about his
perceived cowardice. One day a pirate came inside the
house with a pistol. Belinda was scared of the pirate.
Both Ink and Blink hid themselves, leaving Belinda
helpless. But suddenly Custard jumped into action and
ate the pirate, thus saving everyone. When the pirate
had been killed by Custard, Belinda embraced him,
Mustard licked him and Ink and Blink gyrated around
him. This way they showed their appreciation for his
brave action. After the pirate had been killed, Mustard
boasted that he would have been twice as brave if he
had not been confused. Ink and Blink said that they
would have been thrice as brave. But the truth is that
Vol - 2 — Literature Reader — First Flight (Poetry)
despite all their claims, it was the ‘cowardly’ custard
who actually saved everyone’s lives thus exposing their
false claims. Thus a trying situation brought about a
drastic change in Custard, the dragon.
DIAGNOSTIC TEST – 2
Reference To Context (Very Short Answer Questions)
1. (i) Mustard is Belinda’s dog?
(ii) Just now the pirate has been eaten up by the
dragon.
(iii) Mustard could not show his bravery as he was
flustered.
(iv) The irony in his response is that he could not show
his bravery even though he always claimed to be
brave.
2. (i) In the first line, the poet has used repetition in
‘Suddenly, suddenly’.
(ii) Everyone was frightened because a pirate was
climbing up the window.
(iii) Mustard reacted by growling.
(iv) The animals saw a pirate climbing on the window.
Short Answer Questions
1. No. Custard barely matched his appearance as he
looked ferocious but he actually was a coward as he
always wanted a nice safe cage. Everyone laughed and
teased him for his cowardice.
2. The poet, Carl Sandburg gives the message that one
need not be brave all the time but it is worthwhile to be
brave when it really matters. This is conveyed through
the character of Custard, the dragon. Custard, lives
with his owner Belinda and a group of other animals
who make fun of him for being cowardly all the time.
Custard, the cowardly dragon who always desires a safe
cage, saves the day when a pirate threatens Belinda and
her pet animals. He gains courage enough though to
eat a pirate and save the day, although he still returns
to being cowardly in the end. The poet suggests that
one who appears to be cowardly may prove to be most
brave and reliable in difficult situations. Thus the truth
may be vastly different to what is commonly perceived.
Long Answer Questions
Belinda was as brave as a barrel full of bears. Ink
and Blink were brave enough to chase lions away.
Mustard’s bravery was like a tiger’s rage. It was only
Custard, who was perceived as a coward. Everyone
else was very brave.
Or
The poem employs ribtickling humor. It is almost
a parody. The names of the pets of Belinda are all
rhyming and funny. Belinda has been compared to a
barrel full of bears. The kitten and mouse, both little,
could chase lions down the stairs. The little yellow dog
75
 was as brave as a tiger, while the dragon was a coward.
However, when the pirate came to their little house, all
of them were engulfed in fear and had hid themselves.
Ironically, the ‘cowardly’ dragon came to their rescue
and jumped snorting like an engine. It clashed its tail
and charged at the pirate like a robin at a worm and
11. For Anne Gregory
DIAGNOSTIC TEST – 1
Reference To Context (Very Short Answer Questions)
1. (i) Hair has been referred to as being honey colored.
(ii) The speaker finds the hair beautiful.
(iii) Anne’s ear is being talked about here.
(iv) The speaker mentions Anne’s hair as he thinks that
they are so beautiful that no man can resist them.
2. (i) The speaker is Anne.
(ii) The young men have fallen in love with Anne for
her honey colored hair.
(iii) The speaker wishes to be loved for herself and not
for her hair.
(iv) it suggests that since Anne is a blond she is
considered desirable as yellow hair is considered
beautiful.
Short Answer Questions
1. Anne Gregory is so beautiful that no man is capable
of ignoring her external beauty and looking inside her
real nature. Her attractive external features stop men
from knowing the real person. This is what that makes
the speaker say that young men love Anne for her hair
and not for herself alone.
2. Anne does not believe in external beauty and wants to
be loved for herself. She says that her beautiful hair
that attract so many men can be changed and coloured
differently. This shows that Anne thinks that external
beauty is not important as it is changeable.
Long Answer Questions
The poet explores the question whether it is possible to be
loved solely for ones inner beauty. The idea of “beauty”
is a cultural conception or one that has been created by
human beings themselves. It is believed that women with
lighter hair are beautiful, whereas women with darker
hair are ugly. This idea is so pervasive that everyone
takes it for granted and believes in it blindly. Even Anne
Gregory thinks the same way about beauty. She believes
that if she dyes her hair black or brown or red, then she
will look ugly. However, the poet reaffirms his point by
stating that it has been proven that only God could love
someone for what they truly are thereby implying that
men tend to love people not for themselves but for some
or the other attractive attribute in them.
Or
The poet uses a variety of poetic device to enhance the
poetic appeal. Apostrophe is used when a poet addresses
76 Assignments in English Plus Language and Literature – 10 Teacher’s Handbook
ate him up. When the animals became happy to see
the bravery of the dragon, they again came back to
glorifying themselves that they could have been twice
or thrice braver than the dragon. Finally, at the end of
the poem, the situation again came back to the other
pets being brave and the dragon being the coward.
his poem to an absent audience. In this poem, the poet
follows the device of the apostrophe as he is addressing
himself to Anne Gregory, but we the readers never see her
at any point in the poem. Metaphor is used when a covert
comparison is made between two different things or
ideas. In this poem, the poet uses the device of metaphor
in the 4th line when he compares Anne Gregory’s hair
with the ramparts of a castle. Like the ramparts, her hair
also protects her face from being seen fully.
Metonymy consists of the substitution of the name of
an attribute for that of the thing meant. In this poem, the
poet uses the device of metonymy in the 9th line when
he uses the word “carrot” to mean the color orange
while making suggestions about what color she can
dye her hair.
DIAGNOSTIC TEST – 2
Reference To Context (Very Short Answer Questions)
1. (i) An old religious man had found a text.
(ii) ’I’ refers to the poet
(iii) The speaker is addressing Anne.
(iv) The speaker is explaining that no one can love
anyone for himself except God.
2. (i) An old religious man had found a text.
(ii) The text proves that only God is capable of looking
beyond external beauty, into the soul of a person.
(iii) Anne is referred to as ‘you’.
(iv) The last line means that only God can love people
for themselves, instead of men.
Short Answer Questions
1. The old religious man has found a text that proves that
only God is capable of looking at a person’s real self,
beyond the external beauty. It is not possible for men to
ignore external attributes and love or appreciate inner
worth of another person.
2. Only God is capable of loving Anne for herself because
humans do not have the power to look into the beauty
of soul. Only God is capable of not caring for the outer
beauty, and looking into the beauty of one’s soul.
Long Answer Questions
The poet in the poem ‘For Anne Gregory’ conveys
the message that we should give importance to the
inner beauty and not the physical appearance. In the
conversation that takes place between Anne Gregory
and another speaker, the poet has tried to show that
 inner beauty is real beauty whereas physical appearance
is changeable and hence, superficial. The first speaker
says to Anne that young men love her for her beautiful
yellow hair and may never love her for what she really
is. To this, Anne replies that her hair-colour can be
changed into black, brown or carrot, meaning that
external beauty is all superficial and men should not
love her for that. Thus, the poet has made clear his
regard for inner beauty and not physical appearance.
Or
The poet in the poem ‘For Anne Gregory’ conveys
the message that beauty is not skin deep. We should
give importance to the inner beauty and not the
SUPPLEMENTARY READER — FOOTPRINTS WITHOUT FEET
1. A Triumph of Surgery
DIAGNOSTIC TEST – 1
Short Answer Questions
1. Mrs. Pumphrey was overconcerned with the health
of Tricki. She thought that Tricki was suffering from
malnutrition, as he was weak and listless. So, she
started to give him extra snacks like cod-liver oil and
malt between the main meals and Horlicks after dinner
to make him stronger.
2. Mrs. Pumphrey treated Tricki as her own child. She
loved him very much. It was very difficult for her to
see Tricki in such a situation. She was distraught when
she had to make the decision to hospitalise Tricki, for
her love for him knew no bounds. It was a terrible
and tearful moment for her but she agreed to Herriot’s
suggestion for the betterment of her pet.
Long Answer Questions
Mrs. Pumphrey loved Tricki, her pet dog, very much.
Her handling and care spoiled health of a poor dog.
When she found that Tricki was no more active and
energetic, she tried to give more nutrients in his food
to make him more energetic like malt, cod-liver, oil
and bowl of Horlicks, an extra diet of cream cakes
& chocolates. But she was not giving him exercises.
Infact, Tricki was not suffering from any disease. Mr.
Harriot found out the main cause of his aliment, i.e., his
greed for over-eating. Mr. Harriot gave him a controlled
diet, recovered him from lethargy caused by overeating
and excessive fat. So Mr. Harriot’s method could be
regarded better of two as he understood the cause and
remedy of the disease. He was able to treat the dog
by being strict with him regarding diet and physical
activities. Hence, love of Mr. Harriot was more genius
and was for betterment of Tricki.
Or
Tricki was Mrs. Pumphrey’s favourite dog. No doubt,
she loved him very much and so, pampered him. But
Vol - 2 — Supplementary Reader — Footprints without Feet
physical appearance. In the conversation that takes
place between Anne Gregory and another speaker,
the poet has tried to show that inner beauty is real
beauty whereas physical appearance is changeable
and hence, superficial. The first speaker says to Anne
that young men love her for her beautiful yellow hair
and may never love her for what she really is. To this,
Anne replies that her hair-colour can be changed into
black, brown or carrot, meaning that external beauty
is all superficial and men should not love her for that.
Therefore, through Anne’s reply, the poet has made
clear his regard for inner beauty and not physical
appearance.
then it was Tricki’s fault also. He was a greedy dog
who wanted to eat anything and everything which
was served to him. He had never refused to eat food
and used to have meal at any hour of the day or night.
He had become a glutton. He changed his system very
easily according to the luxuries he got. Apart from all
that, he never believed in going for exercise or walk.
He rather tried to please his mistress by eating all the
time, be it sweets or eggs. So, he was also to be blamed
for his present condition.
DIAGNOSTIC TEST – 2
Short Answer Questions
1. Tricki was trapped in obsession of enthusiastic mistress.
It was his greed for food and the love of his mistress that
spoilt his health to such an extent. He was being overfed
everyday and that made him obese and lethargic. That
is why his health showed rapid improvement when his
diet was controlled.
2. Yes, Tricki was definitely enjoying his stay at the
hospital. He had befriended the gang of shabby
household dogs. He had found a new joy in being
bowled over, trampled on and squashed. He had also
become very energetic. He used to play and run all day
long with the dogs. He was having a great time.
Long Answer Questions
Mr. Herriot was a devolved veterinary surgeon who
treated Tricki. He was a very compassionate and wise
doctor and a wise and sympathetic human being. He
showed his capabilities almost immediately when he
advised Mrs. Pumphrey to put Tricki on a strict diet.
He does not operate upon the poor dog unnecessarily
and adopts a practical approach to treat him. Mr. James
was a caring and polite individual as he successfully
allays Mrs. Pumphrey’s anxiety about Tricki’s recovery.
He was in all a good human being and a tactful
professional.
77
 Or
Yes, parents like Mrs. Pumphrey definitely exist. These
people spoil their children by making sure that all their
demands should be met. They spoil their children in the
name of love and care. They not only feed them junk
but also spoil their social habits. This kind of behaviour
is very harmful for children. Such overprotective
parental behaviour hinders their growth as adults.
In fact it sows the seeds of greed and dependency in
them. They become stubborn and do not learn to value
anything. For them, hard work is a myth as they get
everything easily. Over pampered children often fail
to face the hardships of life as for them life has been a
cakewalk. Pampering children in moderation is healthy,
but excess of it is harmful. It is not just bad for humans
but also for animals, as we see in the story ‘A triumph
of Surgery’.
DIAGNOSTIC TEST – 3
Short Answer Questions
1. Dr. Herriot was shocked to see Tricki’s condition. He
knew that the latter would soon be hospitalized as he
was unable to move. He was aware of unnecessary
shower of love of the rich and affluent. Their love was
more destructive in nature.
2. Dr. Herriot was worried about Tricki, because the latter
was overweight and unable to walk. Secondly he knew
that Mrs. Pumphrey is too delicate to take harsh steps
for the well being of Tricki.
Long Answer Questions
In all aspects, the title of the story ‘A Triumph of
Surgery’ is quite appropriate. This chapter is all about
the surgery and its triumph. In fact, the title is based on
the main idea of the story. Surgery refers to a medical
treatment. The title also refers to this meaning. Mrs.
Pumphrey who is a very rich woman has a pet dog.
She loves it very much. She can’t see it in any trouble.
Tricki falls ill. She becomes very sad and calls the
doctor, Mr. Herriot who is a veterinary surgeon. He
admits Tricki to the hospital for surgery. He cuts its
diet and make it do some hard exercise. It becomes
well after treatment. This is all about surgery. So the
title is quite appropriate.
Or
Mrs. Pumphrey was very fond of her dog. She gave
him Luxurious life. She provided him with delicious
2. The Thief’s Story
DIAGNOSTIC TEST – 1
Short Answer Questions
1. Hari Singh was a thief who had not much luck in his
work recently, so he approached Anil with the intention
of robbing him, as he seemed to be an easygoing
78 Assignments in English Plus Language and Literature – 10 Teacher’s Handbook
food to eat. Rather she overfed him by giving him little
extra between meals. She felt that he might require these
things. She felt miserable when Tricki was hospitalized.
She sent eggs and wine for his speedy recovery. Tears of
joy were seen in her eyes after seeing the dog recovered.
DIAGNOSTIC TEST – 4
Short Answer Questions
1. The entire staff of Mrs. Pumphrey was at work while
Tricki was going to hospital, in order to supply all
necessary items to hospital. They had to ensure to meet
the requirement of Tricki.
2. Mrs. Pumphrey’s dog, Tricki had fallen ill and had to
be admitted to Dr. Herriot’s hospital. Dr. Herriot gave
him a lot of water and exercise which helped Tricki
to recover. When Mrs. Pumphrey went to collect him,
Tricki jumped into her lap and started licking her face.
Seeing him fully recovered, Mrs. Pumphrey called it a
triumph in surgery.
Long Answer Questions
Tricki was going through tough times. He faced them
because of over pampering by his mistress. In the
doctor’s house, Tricki was placed in a warm box next
to the other dogs. He was given only water and no food.
On the second day, he met the other dogs but showed
no interest. By the fourth day he ran towards his food
and joined the other dogs in their friendly, energetic
struggle. He discovered the joys of being squashed and
being an accepted member of the gang. He fought for
his share of meals and hunted rats at night.
Or
Parents tend to get over possessive about their children.
They need to teach their children to be independent. if
parents get overprotective and pamper kids by giving
all the luxuries at their disposal, for example buying a
vehicle to avoid her using public transport. By doing
so parents may be getting to overprotected concerning
his or her safety. This kind of protected nature and to
pamper kids with all the luxuries will teach him or her
the lessons of life. Parents will be feeding them. This
will make child dependent on parents. These children
develop a disrespectful attitude towards others. So
the parents should make them learn to do things by
themselves. This will help them get responsible and
they might not develop an attitude that parents will
always stand by them.
and simple man. According to Hari, winning Anil’s
confidence was an easy task.
2. Anil and Hari Singh shared a strong bond of faith. Anil
was a kind and considerate person who was concerned,
about Hari’s education and future. And Hari was a thief
 whose heart changes after realizing the importance of
education for his future. People like these are imaginary
in today’s world.
Long Answer Questions
The statement perfectly applies to Hari Singh. Money
can buy us all the luxuries things but it cannot buy us
knowledge, skills and abilities to achieve our dreams.
Education is the key for all to act upon our goals
according to our abilities. Hari Singh could have
survived with the stolen money. But he had to live in
a constant fear of being caught. Anil’s company and
education could open the door to opportunities. Money,
on the other hand, can help us to a certain level. It can
buy us a plan but education gives us the knowledge of
its execution. Just as in the story ‘A Thief s Story’, Hari
Singh himself realised the importance of education and
returned back to his master.
Or
Him Hari Singh was a thief and he had stolen Anil’s
money. His conscience pricked him to think what all
he could have got had he not done this. It was difficult
for him to rob Anil but it was tougher for him not to
return back. He realized that he could not make tea, buy
daily supplies and learn how to read and write then. He
knew the worth of company of Anil. Hari’s return to
Anil shows that despite indulging in criminal acts, he
still had a practical and positive attitude towards life. It
is the awakening of Hari’s conscience and Anil’s love
and care that reformed Hari’s character. He decided to
stay with Anil and live a dignified life. Anil understands
nature and care changed Hari’s thinking to mend his
ways for good.
DIAGNOSTIC TEST – 2
Short Answer Questions
1. Anil was a struggling writer. His lifestyle was simple
and used to spend according to his pocket at all time
His struggle sometimes gave him a lot of income while
at other times he used to worry about the next payment.
Hari’s observation about the discontinuation in his
work justifies his behaviour regarding money.
2. Hari Singh was successful in robbing Anil. Yet he learnt
that his gain is momentary. Anil had taught him how to
read and write. Now he had lost the chance of receiving
education and being literate, which was much more
valuable. From his experience he could judge people’s
behaviour. He was sure that Anil would be hurt.
Long Answer Questions
The thief made friendship with Anil because he took
him as his next victim whom he could dupe and befool.
He also can have a place to settle at least for a few days.
He started to work for Anil who was a generous person
Anil started teaching him how to read and write. One
day he sold his content and brought home a bundle of
notes. The thief stole the money though he was out of
Vol - 2 — Supplementary Reader — Footprints without Feet
practice and had not robbed anyone for so many days.
After stealing the money, he planned to go to Lucknow.
But on the station, his inner conscience pricked him and
did not allow him to go. His heart changed as he wanted
to be an educated man. So, he returned and placed the
money back to its place.
Or
Anil was a struggling writer who befriended Hari Singh.
Hari Singh was an experienced, 15 year old thief. He
found Anil an easy target to steal. Anil offered him
to stay with him and to teach how to read and write.
Gradually, Anil develops trust in Hari Singh. But Hari
Singh was waiting for the right opportunity to do what
he was best at. After stealing money, he tried to go away
forever but some inner voice stopped him from doing so.
He returned to Anil because he wanted to live a life of
respect. Anil did not show that he knew the incident and
accepted Hari with open hands. Thus, a well-intentioned
person, Anil changed Hari Singh and brought him on
right path. The story shows that trust and spirit to forgive
someone can bring big changes in someone’s life.
DIAGNOSTIC TEST – 3
Short Answer Questions
1. Anil may have come to know about the theft because
of the dampness of the notes. He was a kind but wise
man. It wouldn’t have been difficult for Anil to make
out the series of events that would have taken place in
the night. Still he ignored and it saved the dignity of
Hari Singh. He was a changed man whose honour has
been saved.
2. Hari Singh did all the market chores for Anil. He saved
money from the things he purchased as Anil never
asked him to give the accounts.
Long Answer Questions
Hari Singh was a teenager. He was good at stealing. He
chose Anil to be his next target as he was a struggling
author and simple person. Hari Singh started living
with Anil who in turn, started teaching him how to read
and write. One day Hari Singh got the opportunity to
steal Anil’s money. He left with the money to go away
forever but his inner voice stopped him. He returned
back and kept the money in place. Next morning he
started with his routine work and didn’t tell anything
about the incident to Anil. He was a teenager and lacked
courage to face Anil with his truth. He did not ant to
lose Anil’s trust. He wanted to maintain the relationship
with Anil, to get education and become a respected
man. So, he hid the incident from Anil.
Or
Hari Singh was a thief until he met Anil whose kindness
and guidance had reformed the outlook of Hari Singh
towards life. Anil stands apart, Perhaps it was the first
time that anyone had done so much for Hari. His faith
gave a new direction to Hari Singh.
79

Once he got opportunity to rob Anil. He couldn’t board
the train, as he was then in a decision making mode. As
he was running away after robbing Anil, his conscience
kept pricking him. He was unable to betray the trust of
kind Anil. He grew out to be a more responsible person.
He could have been thrown out of Anil’s house yet he
gathered all his strength and returned. Anil supported
him too and didn’t mention about the moist notes.
He supported him quietly and thus gave Hari Singh a
chance to be a more acceptable person in the society.
DIAGNOSTIC TEST – 4
Short Answer Questions
1. Hari Singh knew that Anil had forgiven him because
in the morning Anil got up earlier and prepared tea
himself. Anil offered tea to Hari Singh and gave him
a fifty rupee note saying that now he would be paid
regularly.
2. Anil was a writer by profession. But he could not
earn enough money for his needs. He made money by
fits and starts. He would borrow one week and lend
the next. When he got money, he celebrated with his
friends.
Long Answer Questions
Hari Singh was an experienced thief and it seems as he
didn’t experience such generosity ever, otherwise he
would have been considerate by then. He knew how
to win others’ trust. He saw Anil who was watching a
3. The Midnight Visitor
DIAGNOSTIC TEST – 1
Short Answer Questions
1. Max tried to escape from the balcony. He put his leg
out of the window and jumped from the window and
died.
2. Max’s face turned black with anger because he felt that
his plan has been delayed. He was there to extract the
important document from Ausable. When someone
knocked at the door, which Ausable identified as the
police and Max felt that his plan was foiled. He wanted
Ausable to send the police away.
Long Answer Questions
When man lived in caves he really needed a lot of
physical strength to protect himself from wild animals.
It must have been a tough living then and needless to
say physical strength played a big role in his way of
living. Today we have tools, machines, equipments
and gadgets that have made our life easier and more
comfortable, we therefore don’t need much physical
strength any more. We however need intelligence to
be successful in this modern world. We may not need
immense physical strength today. Instead, if we have
intelligence, we can be more successful. In the story
80 Assignments in English Plus Language and Literature – 10 Teacher’s Handbook
wrestling match. He was a slim, lean man. He found
him an easy target to dupe him by stealing his money
and other valuables. He started talking to him by saying
that he looked like a wrestler. Then he offered to serve
Anil. When Anil told him that he could not pay him,
he offered his services in exchange of food and shelter.
This kind of attitude is not acceptable to win over true
friends. In the beginning he misguided Anil by keeping
his money that was given to him to buy things from
market. Later he came out as a winner. As he changed
himself for his own good. Secondly he also knew that
his master would never trust anyone as he breached his
trust. Thus he turned out to be hero in everyone’s mind.
Or
When Hari Singh saw Anil for the first time, he found
him to be simple, easy-going, kind and easy to befool
around. He thought he would be the right person to rob.
He offered himself to work for him. When Anil said
that he could not pay him, he said if he could feed him.
Anil replied that if he knew how to cook, then he would
let him work in his house. When he stayed there for a
month, he realized Anil was the most difficult person
to rob as he was the most trusting person. Although one
night he stole six hundred rupees but retuned back to
Anil as he realized that getting education would be far
more important in life than money. Hence, he accepted
the joy of earning money by following the path of
honesty.
‘The Midnight Visitor’ Ausable proves that physical
strength cannot solve every problem but intelligence
can help a person to overcome any hurdle.
Or
Fowler is a young and romantic writer. He visited
Ausable, a secret agent. When he entered his room they
saw Max, a man with pistol standing halfway across
the room. They were taken aback. He had come for the
same report that Ausable had come to collect. It was a
secret document about some missiles. Ausable found
a way to save himself and cursed the balcony under
the window. Fowler gazed out of the window but saw
no balcony. Max was infuriated as he had come in
through the door with the help of a key. Before Max
could compose himself the door bell rang. Ausable told
him that was the police to check the extra protection
ensuring safety of the papers. Max decided to jump
out of the window into the balcony to evade from
the police. As he jumped out, he screamed as there
was no balcony to the window. Thus, Fowler was left
white faced at the end of the story. At the end, he could
imagine well about the traites and sharp intellect of a
secret agent.
DIAGNOSTIC TEST – 2
Short Answer Questions
1. No, Ausable had not expected anyone to be in his room.
It was a surprise meeting. The very sight of Max made
him blink a few times. He also told Max that he thought
him to be in Berlin at that time. He asked Max why he
had come into his room so unexpectedly.
2. Ausable framed the story of the balcony to counter
the use of the pistol by the rival secret agent Max to
threaten him. The rival would have been able to get the
important report about the new missiles if Ausable had
not concocted this story.
Long Answer Questions
Max was waiting for Ausable to steal the important
paper from him. He was also given to task to get that
paper. As Fowler observed, apart from the pointed
gun he didn’t look very menacing. Initially Fowler
grew panicky when he saw Max pointing gun at
him. He could assess the risk of life by being there.
Ausable outwitted him with his presence of mind
and intelligence. He cleverly found out how Max had
entered the room, and created an extremely believable
story about a non – existent balcony. He kept himself
calm, and hearing the waiter knock, declared it to be
the police. Max, in an attempt to hide, fell to his death.
Thus, Ausable got rid of Max without moving a muscle.
Or
Fowler’s life took a sudden turn when he faced the
actual threat of life. Fowler was a young writer. He
had a romantic image of a spy and spying. When he
met Ausable, a fat, sloppy, sluggish secret agent, he
felt disappointed. His romantic image shattered. Then
he watched Ausable tackle Max – a rival secret agent.
Ausable was to be delivered very important papers
having secret information about missiles. Max wanted
to seize them at pistol point. Ausable did not budge. He
planned how to get rid of him. He convinced Max that
there was a balcony under the window of his room which
could be used as an escape route. When waiter knocked
at his door, he said, it was police whom he had called
for security check. Frightened Max jumped through the
window, fell from the sixth floor and died. There was no
balcony in reality. I think Fowler was happy and satisfied
at the end. He could witness a real, exciting thrill having
drama, danger, suspense, mystery, death everything and
also how a successful, good spy deals with a danger.
DIAGNOSTIC TEST – 3
Short Answer Questions
1. Absolutely, a calm mind can help us tackle direct stress.
If we keep our mind cool and focus then we can find
ways to get out of crunch situations. If Ausable had
panicked and done something fishy then Max probably
would have killed him.
Vol - 2 — Supplementary Reader — Footprints without Feet
2. Max screamed shrilly when he dropped through the
‘Balcony’ because Ausable had created a fake story
about the balcony and Max was convinced there was
a balcony outside the window and he jumped out.
Long Answer Questions
Max, a rival secret agent was Ausable’s midnight
visitor. He had come to know that some secret papers
about the new missiles were with Ausable. He wanted
to take those papers at gun point from Ausable.
Ausable through his presence of mind, intelligence and
cleverness got rid of Max easily. He told him about the
balcony under his window. When Max heard a knock at
the door Ausable told him that it was the police whom
he had called for the extra protection of the papers. In
fact, Ausable had ordered drinks and it was the waiter
with the drinks knocking at the door. There was neither
police nor the balcony. Poor fellow jumped through the
window on the ground from the sixth floor. Thus, Max
lost his life and with him died his mission.
Or
Appearance can be deceptive. Meeting people for the
first time we always tend on making a judgment based
on their Appearance. Appearances are really deceptive,
the shimmering surface of a lake glowing in the evening
sun, may inspire and be liked by us with its beauty.
There is an old adage “all that glitters is not gold” God
is bright yellow metal and very valuable but there are
many things looking equally bright yellow. We should
not therefore, think that a thing is gold simply because
it is bright yellow. In the story Fowler, a young and
romantic writer of adventurous stories felt disappointed
by the appearance of Ausable but later when Ausable
got success in removing the danger without loosing his
patience. He discovered that appearances are deceptive
and misleading.
DIAGNOSTIC TEST – 4
Short Answer Questions
1. Fowler was a young and romantic writer. He thought
that a secret agent’s life was full of mysteries and
romanticism. But he was disillusioned to see Ausable
who was very fat, lived in a mediocre hotel and
communicated and made appointments by an ordinary
telephone.
2. Max had got into the room using a passkey or master
key. Ausable said that he thought Max had got into
the room through the balcony. He said that it was the
second time in a month that somebody had got into his
room this way.
Long Answer Questions
Max was a spy who was overconfident and too proud.
His pride blinded him, and he thought that at a gun
point he would get a further edge over the seemingly
slow Ausable. However, despite this apparent pride
81
 and confidence, Max was utterly unsuccessful.
Ausable outwitted him without lifting a finger. It was
Max who followed and hance trapped in the clever
story of Ausable. Max, in fact, jumped to his own
death by taking Ausable’s words at face value. Thus,
one learns that one should not be proud and must pay
attention to the finer details before attempting to do
anything.
Or
Ausable was a smart, intelligent man who was a secret
agent. He was very fat and sloppy. He spoke in an
American accent which he had brought from Boston
4. A Question of Trust
DIAGNOSTIC TEST – 1
Short Answer Questions
1. Horace likes to collect rear and expensive books. He
steals every year to enable to meet his demand or to
purchase expensive books. But, he was a very secret
thief. He planned things in a beautiful manner.
2. Horace was sure about his success as he knew that his
robbery was going to be as successful as all the other.
He was a lock maker so he knew about how to open a
new lock.
Long Answer Questions
Horace was a business man of 50 year. His love for
books cost him dearly. As he was a small businessman
he couldn’t afford his passion by his earning from his
work. So he planned robbery. He did observation of the
house and people living in it for a month. He planned
everything meticulously. However, he was deceived
by the presence of mistress and left his fingerprints on
the safe locker. He was imprisoned for fifteen years.
The robbery cost him dearly. He suffered a lot for his
unsuccessful venture.
Or
In the bright July sunshine when Horace was sure that
the robbery would be as successful as his other venture.
Yet he failed miserably as he was outwitted by a more
meticulous planner than him. When he reached the safe
locker and sneezed, then appeared a graceful lady. She
patted the dog and told him to control his allergy as it
would get him caught. She convinced him to handover
the jewellery as she had lost her key.
DIAGNOSTIC TEST – 2
Short Answer Questions
1. Yes, Horace was good but not completely honest. He
liked to buy rare books and that’s why he had given up for
the lady thief in red but he was not aggressive by nature.
2. The lady was really cunning and shrewd. She had
a quiet kindly voice with firmness in it. Even for a
moment she hesitated but rather walked to the fire place
and straightened the ornaments there as if she was the
82 Assignments in English Plus Language and Literature – 10 Teacher’s Handbook
twenty years ago. He could speak French and German
but possible he was a spy who dealt in espionage and
danger. He had a very important paper for which several
men and women had risked their lives and even Max
had come to him to pinch that paper. He was quick
witted and had a great presence of mind. He cocked up
a police story and of the balcony to befool Max. The
story was so convincing that Max jumped down the
window. Not for a moment did he think that it might
be a fabricated story. In other words he proved to be
quite dangerous for Max though he had a great sense
of humour when he talked to Fowler.
owner of the house. Her reaction on meeting him was
quite natural and this made Horace feel as if he were
talking to the lady of the house.
Long Answer Questions
Horace planned everything perfectly. Yet he was caught
red handed by the lady of the house. She came nicely
dreamed elegant and confident in her moves. Horace
wanted to slip away from the scene and also promised
not to steal again. The lady, however, seemed to have
taken interest in him. She didn’t want him to steal
further. She wasn’t scared at all. She concocted a story
of party where she had to wear her jewellery.
Seeing the lady at ease Horace planned a strategy to
please her and lighted a cigarette. He took out jewellery
and handed her everything with an intention that she
wouldn’t reveal his name to anyone.
Or
Horace Danby wasn’t a professional thief. He earned
his living by small business. He was afraid of being
caught as he was considered as an honest man by
everyone. He was about fifty years old and unmarried.
His house was looked after by a housekeeper. He used
to rob only one safe every year to pursue his habit of
getting rare and expensive books to read. He used to
rob only those who were rich.
Besides he had a good reputation in the society and
hence did not want anyone to know about his crimes.
He couldn’t stake his reputation so he pleaded to
forgive him.
DIAGNOSTIC TEST – 3
Short Answer Questions
1. Danby completely studies the situation of the Shotover
Grange house, i.e. electric wiring, path and garden. He
goes through the entire lifestyle of the family. He knew all
movement of the servants. He always kept his tool ready.
2. Although Horace had not stolen anything still he was
arrested because he left his fingerprints all around the
safe. Since he had opened the safe bare handed a lady
in red made him fool.
Long Answer Questions
Horace Danby broke a safe every year. He had a passion
for buying and reading rare and expensive books. For
this year he robbed safe of wealthy people.
He was a typical thief. He used to plan his robberies
thoroughly and carefully. He would study the target
for a couple of days. He collected information about
the plan of rooms, the wire and alarm system, family
servants, where they kept the keys, when left the house
unguarded and so on. He was never being caught until
duped by a lady thief.
Or
Horace Danby opened the safe at Shotover Grange
easily and handed over the jewellery to the so called
mistress of the house. He went home happily for the
lady had let him go free as per condition of opening her
safe. But on third day he was arrested as his fingerprints
were found on the safe.
In fact, the lady in red was not the real mistress but a
thief. She posed herself as the mistress of the house.
She scared Horace by threatening to hand him over
to police. She framed a story that she wanted to wear
the jewellery for a dinner party that evening but had
forgotten the code number to open it. To please the lady
Horace lighted cigarette for which he had to remove
his gloves. Then he opened the safe bare-handed, left
fingerprints on it that led to his arrest.
DIAGNOSTIC TEST – 4
Short Answer Questions
1. Horace chose Shotover Grange because it had a safe,
consisted of fifteen thousand pounds worth of jewels.
He robbed a safe only once a year and stole an amount
that would last for one year and nothing more. He also
5. Footprints without Feet
DIAGNOSTIC TEST – 1
Short Answer Questions
1. Griffin was a brilliant scientist. He had made a
discovery due to which a man could be invisible. But
as a man he was short-tempered, selfish and not a law
abiding person. He set the house of his landlord on fire,
hit the shopkeeper and knocked down the policeman.
2. Mrs. Hall decided to look into stranger’s room. He
attacked her with a hat and chain. Mr. and Mrs. Hall
were out of their wits because of the sudden attack.
She thought that the chair belonged to her mother.
Actually it was the invisible man who was furious at
their intrusion into his room.
Long Answer Questions
Griffin ran away from his landlord after setting fire
to the house. To protect from being caught he had to
remove clothes. But his footsteps were followed by
young boys. To protect himself from them he entered
into a big Landon store. He enjoyed warmth and food
Vol - 2 — Supplementary Reader — Footprints without Feet
had the building plan of the house. Horace was in strong
need to buy new books as he was a great reader of rear
books.
2. Horace Danby carefully studied the location and plans of
the house. He collected full information about the owner
of the house. He was careful not to leave any fingerprint.
Furthermore he found out the name of the dog.
Long Answer Questions
Horace is the real culprit in this story. He was tricked by
a lady. She posed herself as the mistress of the house.
She scared Horace by threatening to hand him over
to police. She told him that she would let him go free
if he opened the safe for her. Horace Danby who was
much scared, lost his presence of mind. To please the
lady, he lighted cigarette for which he had to remove
his gloves. Then he opened the safe bare- handed, left
his fingerprints that led to his arrest.
Thus the lady took away all the jewellery in the safe
without even touching it, what to talk of leaving any
of her fingerprints on it!
Or
Horace had experienced strange thing at Grange.
During the thievery at Grange’s house Horace was
on nerves, because of the young lady. He took off his
glove to light cigarette with his lighter. He forgot to
wear gloves back and handed over the jewellery to the
lady without suspecting her for a minute. After two
days a policeman arrested him for the jewel robbery at
Shotover Grange. Horace’s fingerprints were found all
over the room. He had opened the safe without using
gloves. He told police that the lady of the house had
told him to open the safe.
but soon had to leave the shop as the assistant saw
him encroaching into their space. As the weather was
too cold and chilling, he tried the stock of a theatrical
company. He wrapped himself in bandages round his
forehead, dark glasses and hats. He attacked the owner
and ran away with the money.
In Iping, he took off his clothes to rob clergyman to
pay his rent. People grew suspicious at his gestures and
activities. Again to run away from being caught, he had
to remove his clothes.
Or
Griffin’s adventures had failed disastrously. He
suffered because of harsh and atrocious weather. It
was midwinter and the air was bitterly cold. One had
to wrap himself properly to save himself. He burnt his
owner house as he had annoyed the owner to the level
that his owner wanted to throw him out of his house.
However, he failed miserably every time he tried. He
hid himself in a store but he had to run away from
83
 there for the assistant had seen him. He then reached a
shop and wrapped up himself and left for Iping. There
he stayed at an inn. Even there, his appearance and
activities, raised doubts in the minds of the inhabitants.
They took help of policeman, so he had to run away
again in cold weather without clothes.
DIAGNOSTIC TEST – 2
Short Answer Questions
1. The scientist always kept his door shut and locked from
inside. If anybody entered his room, he got angry. So
the landlord and his wife were surprised to see his door
wide open.
2. Mr. Jaffers was a policeman. The villagers called him
to arrest Griffin as his activities made them suspicious.
When he tried to arrest the invisible man, he failed. The
invisible man threw his clothes into the air and Jaffers
was knocked unconscious by Griffin.
Long Answer Questions
Griffin needed money to pay his rent so he decided
to steal money from the clergyman’s house. Both
husband and his wife woke up by noises in their study.
They heard the chink of money being taken from the
clergyman’s desk. They asked the intruder to surrender.
The clergyman tried to find traces of anybody. He and
his wife looked under the desk, behind the curtains.
There was not a sign of anybody. However, the money
was stolen. The clergyman kept on thinking about an
invisible thief. He was amazed at such an astonishing
experience.
Or
Griffin was a scientist and worked on invisibility.
He had discovered a rare drug. He could become
transparent and solid like a sheet of glass. To become
invisible he had to take off all his clothes.
His landlord wanted to throw him out of his house. In
revenge, he set fire to his house. He became a homeless
wonderer without clothes and money.
He felt hungry and cold, so he entered a big London
store at the closing time. Inside the store he broke open
boxes and wrappers, fitted him out with warm clothes,
shoes, overcoat and a wide brimmed hat. He ate meat
and sweets and drank wine. Then he slept on a pile of
quilts.
DIAGNOSTIC TEST – 3
Short Answer Questions
1. Mr. and Mrs. Hall took advantage of situation when
they saw the door of the room was open and nobody
appeared to be inside. They entered and saw that the
bedclothes were cold, showing that the scientist must
have been up for some time, and stranger still, the
clothes and bandages that he always wore were lying
about the room.
84 Assignments in English Plus Language and Literature – 10 Teacher’s Handbook
2. Griffin told to Mrs. Hall that he had come to Iping with
a desire for solitude. He did not want to be disturbed
in his work. He also told that his face was affected in
an accident.
Long Answer Questions
Griffin was an eccentric scientist who had discovered a
rare drug which could make him invisible. He became
invisible not for the welfare of the society. He was stigma
on the society. He could have served society. But he
chose the wrong path and created nuisance everywhere.
He was a brilliant scientist but not a law abiding person.
He stole money from the clergyman’s house, set the
landlord’s house on fire and even killed his father for
his own benefit. Besides he was rude to everyone.
Or
Humanity, civilization and scientific discoveries are
inter-related. A true scientist is one who seeks truth
and uses his inventions or discoveries for the good of
humanity. He makes the life of their fellow human-
beings better, more comfortable, safer, happier and
progressive. Griffin had made a valuable discovery
of making oneself invisible. He could have used it for
good purposes like helping police in catching thieves,
terrorists or anti-social elements or helped the poor or
needy without hurting their self-respect. He could have
served the society if he wanted. But he used his discovery
for his own selfish motives and illegal activities.
DIAGNOSTIC TEST – 4
Short Answer Questions
1. When the news of the burglary at clergy man’s home
was known, Griffin was strongly suspected of having
a hand in it. Suspicion grew even stronger when he
suddenly produced some ready cash, though he had
admitted not long before that he had no money.
2. Mrs. Hall was the innkeeper. She was hospitable, and
welcomed Griffin. She was rather surprised to have a
visitor in offseason. She tended to his wish of solitude.
She wasn’t suspicious of his rude behaviour at her entry
in his room. She thought it was a haunted room. She
was submissive and bold too. She interrogated Griffin
directly when everyone grew suspicious.
Long Answer Questions
Griffin was a lawless and eccentric person. He was
ruthless. He did not spare anyone. His landlord wanted
to drive him out of his house. In revenge, he set fire to
his house. To avoid cold weather of London street, he
entered the big London store invisibly without paying
anything enjoyed eating and clothing himself but had
to remove clothes to escape being chased. Again at
the shop of theatrical company he wore clothes and
accessories, hit the shopkeeper and walked away with
his cash. He stole the money from the clergyman’s
study at the Iping Village, too.

He did not spare even the police constable – Mr. Jaffers
and knocked him down with his invisible blows and
escaped. He hurt everyone who came in his ways.
Or
Griffin was a eccentric scientist with inhuman
behaviour. First of all he sets fire to the house of his
landlord. Then he slips invisibly into a big London
store and helps himself to food and drinks and fits
himself with warm clothes without paying a penny.
Again he enters the shop of a theatrical company,
6. The Making of a Scientist
DIAGNOSTIC TEST – 1
Short Answer Questions
1. When Richard was twenty-two years old, he had the
honour to write an article with his friend. They wrote
article about a theory of how cells work. It was also
published in the scientific journal ‘Proceedings of the
National Academy of Science’.
2. Richard had a hobby of collecting butterflies from the
early years of his life. He was even supported by his
mother for the same. However, it was he who could
turn his hobby into a profession by being completely
engaged in it. He later on made huge discoveries in the
field of science.
Long Answer Questions
Curiosity to know more and a motivation to find
reasons for existence of anything or any phenomena
are necessary for becoming a successful scientist. The
urge to know more develops the scientific aptitudes
in a person. At a very young age. Ebright became
competitive by participating in various county fairs.
He never lost hope and kept on trying to better. In
addition to curiosity and motivation Ebright displayed
the qualities of hard work, sincerity determination and
patience. He also accepted failure and success in the
right spirit. Thus he became a successful scientist.
Or
When Ebright was in the seventh grade he participated
in a county science fair and lost it. His entry was slides
of frog tissues, shown under a microscope. He felt really
sad when he just sat there and others won many prizes.
That was the time of motivation. The competitive spirit
started entering him and he thought of conducting
experiments. Next year his experiment on ‘Viceroy’s
copying Monarch’ came first in the zoology division
and overall third in the county science fair. Next year
he found out an unknown insect hormone which led
him to his new theory on the life of cells. From Ebright
story it is sufficiently clear that defeat is the stepping
stone of success. Not winning anything at the science
fair encouraged him greatly to conduct experiments.
Vol - 2 — Supplementary Reader — Footprints without Feet
clothes himself fully, hits the shopkeeper and walks
away with the money in his cashbox. He also steals
money from a clergyman’s study. He scares Mrs.
Hall by hitting her and pushing her out of the room
with a chair. When she enquires about his mysterious
appearance and activities, he starts taking off his
bandages, becomes headless and creates panic. He
hits Jaffers, the constable and his helpers with
invisible blows, knocks down Jaffers and escapes after
becoming fully invisible.
DIAGNOSTIC TEST – 2
Short Answer Questions
1. Richard lost his father at an early age and his mother
was the only care-taker. He couldn’t find friends and
hence started collecting things in his spare time. He
used to collect fossils, rocks, butterflies and coins.
2. Ebright and his mother would spend almost every
evening at the dining table when he was a child. If
Ebright did not have things to do, his mother would
engage him in learning things. He was a keen learner.
Long Answer Questions
Richard born as a normal child contributed a lot in the field
of scientific research. He conducted an experiment on a
flock of butterflies and raised the eggs of female monarch.
In addition to this, he also studied the cause of a viral disease
that killed all Monarch caterpillars. He also tried to find
out similarities between viceroy butterflies and monarch.
The study of insect hormones helped him in giving a new
theory on the life of cells. Eventually he was able to find the
hormone behind the full development of a butterfly wings.
All these experiment led him to conclude that cells grew
from a monarch’s wing. He found that cells would divide
and grow into a normal butterfly if they were fed a hormone
that was found in the gold spots of the monarch. Hence, he
proved a new theory which formed the blue print of DNA.
The dedication and preservance made him a great scientist.
Or
Richard’s distinct character was quite obvious. He read
and investigated enough on whatever work was assigned
to him. He managed to collect all twenty five species
of butterflies around his hometown and classify them.
He also loved to collect coins fossils and rocks. Science
was not his only passion. He was an active member of
his schools oratory club and model United National
club and was an effective debater and a public speaker.
He loved photography as well. He was an enthusiastic
canoeist and an all – around outdoors person. Learning
was easy for him, so he found it simple to devote
time and energy of much other interest. He became a
champion in whatever he did. He believed in the spirit of
competition to win. But he did not wish to defeat others
85
 just to win. He wanted to win to do his best. Thus he
displayed a well touched personality.
DIAGNOSTIC TEST – 3
Short Answer Questions
1. This project led to the discovery of a hormone which
was necessary for the growth of pupa. In addition to
this, he got a chance to work in a famous laboratory.
2. Ebright’s projects was to see whether birds would eat
monarchs. He found that a starling monarch would not
eat ordinary food. It would eat all the monarchs it could
eat. This project was placed first in the zoology division.
Long Answer Questions
Ebright was a child with innate qualities of a scientist.
He was a single child and had no one to play with. His
mother directed him to investigate. He had a sharp
brain, curiosity, keen observation, analytic mind and
proving new ideas and theories through experiments.
He had driving curiosity and analytic mind that
motivated him to do experiments after experiments
that led to discoveries like the purpose of gold spots
of pupas and the reason of viceroys copying monarchs.
He had a keen observation too. While examining
minutely the X-ray photos of a hormone he got a new
idea and propounded the theory — how a cell can read
the blueprint of its DNA. Thus, Ebright had all the
ingredients necessary in the making of a scientist.
Or
Richard’s mother had a huge impact on his life. She
helped him in becoming a great scientist. He was a
single child. After his father died his mother made
him the focus of her life. She would buy him all kinds
of microscopes, telescopes and other equipments.
After dinner she used to give him problems to solve.
This helped Richard to learn a lot. She was his only
companion for a long time. It was his mother who got
him the book ‘The travels of Monarch’. This book
opened the world of science for Richard she also wrote
to Dr. Urquhart to guide her son. The scientist helped
Richard and guided him. Thus, his mother actually
shaped him into an extraordinary scientist.
DIAGNOSTIC TEST – 4
Short Answer Questions
1. Richard was able to be in the public domain as he was
a good speaker and debater. He also loved to click
pictures and was a canoeist too.
7. The Necklace
DIAGNOSTIC TEST – 1
Short Answer Questions
1. Matilda was irritated and impatient because she did
not find it an opportunity to be happy. She said that
she did not have proper dress to wear for the occasion.
86 Assignments in English Plus Language and Literature – 10 Teacher’s Handbook
2. In eighth class, Ebright found the cause of a viral
disease that killed all monarch caterpillars. He raised
caterpillars in the presence of beetles.
Long Answer Questions
Richard Ebright earned top grades in school, on
everyday things he was just like every other kid.
He faced many failures in his life but every failure
strengthened his will to succeed. When he was in
seventh grade he participated in County Science Fair
with his slides of frog tissues. But he could not win
a prize. To win the prize in his eighth grade he again
participated in the science fair with the experiment
of viral disease in monarch caterpillars and won the
prize. He again participated with his experiment
of whether viceroy butterflies copy the monarch
butterflies in order to save their life from the birds and
this project won Ebright third prize in overall county
science fair.
His experiment regarding gold spots of monarch for
which he built a device that showed that the spots
produced hormones necessary for the full development
of butterflies won third prize in international science
and engineering fair.
Next year his advanced experiments on the monarch
pupa won him first place at the international science
fair. Therefore, Richard Ebright was epitome of
success, who earned success through failures.
Or
Ebright was not unlike other students. His upbringing
gave him direction. He had all the traits to become a
scientist – sharp brain, driving curiosity, analytic mind
and keen observation along with determination and
dedication. Initially he failed in his mission but never
gave up.
Guided by Dr. Urquhart, he carried out many projects
and experiments on butterflies. He plunged into the
sea of scientific research and made new discoveries.
He found out the new theory of cell-life and solved the
puzzle — ‘How a cell could read the blueprint of its
DNA’.
He had started doing experiments right from his
childhood and kept on experimenting even after
his graduation in the university. His long string of
achievements that made him a successful scientist was
not one day’s work but hard work of a long span of life.
He proved the above statement right.
She wanted her husband to give the invitation card to
some other staff member.
2. Matilda had married a petty office clerk. She got
annoyed at her poor condition. She loved to have
frocks, jewels and silver dishes in vain. She dared not
 visit even her friendly schoolmate’s house which was
richly furnished lest she should be full of despair.
Long Answer Questions
Matilda lost the necklace at the ball. The loss of
necklace proved a turning point in the life of Loisels.
They worked hard to pay off the loan they had taken
to replace the diamond necklace. Matilda sent away
her maid. They changed their lodging and rented some
rooms in an attic. Mrs. Loisel did all the cooking,
rubbing, cleaning and washing herself. She brought
water and haggled at shopping. Mr. Loisel did extra
part time job in the evening after office. For ten years
they had to live a miserable life like paupers. She lost
everything just for her vanity.
Or
Matilda was young exceptionally pretty. By virtue of her
good looks, she wished to be admired and loved. But she
was unlucky. She was born into a family of clerks and
married a petty clerk. She was always grumbling. The
poverty of her house tortured her. Her dreamy, ambitious
and vain nature pushed her foolish desires. She borrowed
a necklace to wear at a ball. But the necklace was lost.
That ruined her physically as well as materially. From a
beauty queen she became a crude, hard shabby woman
of a poor family that couldn’t be recognized by her own
friend. But she was brave and honest. She worked hard
ungrudgingly to pay off her loan.
DIAGNOSTIC TEST – 2
Short Answer Questions
1. The irony of the story is based on the fact that the
Loisels spends 10 years of toil and frugality paying
for a necklace which turns out to be a cheap imitation.
Matilda was under belief that her friend being rich must
have a diamond necklace. So she wasted her money,
peace and time to compensate what she had lost.
2. Matilda refused to go to the party because she did not
have a proper dress for the occasion. So, Loisel gave her
four hundred francs to buy the dress. He had saved this
money for buying a gun. He also suggested to borrow
jewellery from her rich friend and she agreed to go to
the party.
Long Answer Questions
M. Loisel was a good and supportive husband who kept
his wife in good humour. Mme Loisel was a beautiful and
delicate woman. He tried to make her happy. He sacrificed
for her wishes. He asked to borrow necklace from her
friend. He tried his best to keep her happy. She was fond
of parties and balls. That’s why when M. Loisel got an
invitation of ball at minister’s residence. He was happy.
He bought the new diamond necklace to replace the lost
one for thirty six thousand francs which lost all his savings
and compelled him to do extra jobs after office time. These
entire works he did because he loved his beautiful wife
very much and wanted to keep her happy.
Vol - 2 — Supplementary Reader — Footprints without Feet
Or
Mme Loisel was worried as she lost her friend’s
necklace which she had lost in the ball. She had to
pay thirty six thousand Francs for the necklace. To
replace the lost necklace, she used eighteen thousand
francs which were set aside by M. Loisel’s father. The
remaining amount was borrowed from moneylender. In
order to repay the borrowed money they went without
maid and Matilda did all the household chores whereas
M. Loisel even worked overtime. She had to face the
consequence of her vanity.
DIAGNOSTIC TEST – 3
Short Answer Questions
1. Matilda was young and pretty but ten years of poverty
and hardship stole away her youth and beauty. She
becomes a strong and hard woman, who is poorly
dressed with untidy hair and red ragged hands. She
lost her youth and charm. Even her friend failed to
recognize her.
2. When Loisel found the similar necklace, the shopkeeper
demanded 40,000 francs. The bargain was settled for
36,000 francs. Loisel had only 18,000 francs and he
borrowed the remaining 18,000 on high interest.
Long Answer Questions
The pleasure of looking pretty at the ball did so much
harm to Matilda, as she lost the necklace borrowed
from Mme Forestier. It took Loisel’s ten years to pay
back the huge sum they had borrowed to replace the
lost necklace. Matilda suffered a lot because of her
passion. She lost her youth, charm and comfort. Tears
later, when Matilda saw Mme Forestier, she disclosed
the truth of the lost necklace. She was dumb founded
to discover that it was not a genuine piece of jeweles
and had been worth just five hundred francs. All her
sacrifices proved worthless.
Or
M. Loisel was a constant support and guide to his gullible
wife. She was susceptible to her own misuses. He was
a petty clerk in the office of the Board of Education. He
was neither rich nor distinguished. He didn’t have showy
nature. He loved simple living. He loved his wife very
much and praised her beauty. So he managed to bring her
an invitation to attend the minister’s party. For that party,
he offered her 400 Francs to buy a new dress which he
had saved to buy a new gun for himself. When she had
lost the necklace at the party without being aggressive he
arranged 36000 francs for replacing the same. Moreover
he worked in evening and night after his regular job to
repay the amount.
DIAGNOSTIC TEST – 4
Short Answer Questions
1. When Matilda met her friend, she decided to tell the
truth about necklace that she had borrowed. She had
87
 struggled hard to buy the necklace similar to the one
she lost on the day of party. It took her toll to manage
the money for last ten years. So she wanted her friend
to know how responsible she was.
2. One Sunday, while walking, Matilda happened to see
Mme Forestier. Matilda called her but she could not
recognise Matilda because she looked much older
than her age. Mme Forestier was shocked to know that
Matilda had suffered so much thinking her necklace of
real diamonds, whereas it was false.
Long Answer Questions
Matilda was young and beautiful. She was an over
thinker and distressed over her status. She wanted to
be rich and appreciated. Once she got an opportunity to
attend a party where she was admired for her elegance
and looks. However, to buy the dress her husband had
to sacrifice his passion. She had to borrow jeweles
from her friend, which was lost somehow she had to
8. The Hack Driver
DIAGNOSTIC TEST – 1
Short Answer Questions
1. The lawyers was not satisfied with the job because
he was made to send summons, instead of preparing
legal briefs. He also had to go to the dirty and shadowy
corner of the city for the given task. He also feared of
being beaten up by the witness.
2. No, they did not find Lutkins at Gustaff’s barber shop.
Gustaff told the hack driver that he had neither seen
Lutkins nor he cared to see him. He asked him that if
he finds Lutkins, he might collect the thirty-five dollars
which Lutkins owes to him.
Long Answer Questions
The narrator’s law firm asked him to serve summons
on Oliver Lutkins at a town called New Mullion. He
reached New Mullion. He met a hack driver called Bill
who knew Lutkins’ whereabouts. He offered to help the
narrator in locating him. The narrator was fully satisfied
with his visit to New Mullion. He had visited many
places to locate Lutkins. He was deeply impressed by
the town. He found the people slow-spoken, simple,
wise and cooperative. Therefore, he decided to settle
there and practise law. He was very much excited with
Bill’s behaviour.
On his second visit, the young lawyer learnt that the
young driver was Lutkins himself. He changed his
opinion abruptly. He realised that the people of New
Mullion were dishonest and cheat. The hack driver had
befooled him.
Or
The narrator was much impressed with Bill. He first
meets him at the station. He finds him to be friendly
and cheerful. Bill is very helpful in his eyes as he offers
88 Assignments in English Plus Language and Literature – 10 Teacher’s Handbook
struggle hard to pay it back. So after ten years, when
she came across her friend, she wanted to reveal the
truth. But when she appeared before her friends, she
failed to recognize her. She was in astonishment to see
Matilda’s faded beauty. She couldn’t believe her eyes.
She couldn’t imagine her friend in her pathetic state.
Or
Matilda was a frustrated young woman who aspired to
be rich and attractive. She was looked after well by her
husband. He tried to make her happy in the best possible
way. He also helped her to manage the expenses that
took ten years to meet. They both lost the youth and
peace of mind. Her aspiration to look beautiful and her
attention seeking attitude took a toll on her. Her whim
and sufferings proved to be fatal. If she had asked her
friend about the price, she would have saved herself.
Her vanity led to turmoil. She was not only responsible
for her misery but also her husband suffered at lot.
to take him around in search of Lutkins. The narrator
admires him when he goes looking for Lutkins on his
behalf. Bill is full of a wonderful village charm. The
narrator finds Bill to have a unique country wisdom.
He admires him as a story teller. He appreciates him a
lot when Bill even goes to Lutkins’ mother’s place to
find him. For the narrator, Bill is a friendly man who
helps others generously. He is so impressed by Bill that
he decides to settle down in the village.
DIAGNOSTIC TEST – 2
Short Answer Questions
1. While he rides through the village he was very happy.
Now he removes the feeling of hated city life. He was
overjoyed to meet the hack driver. So he was happy
though he had not found Lutkins.
2. The law firm sent the lawyer again to New Mullion
to serve the summons to Lutkins. They had sent along
with him a man, who had worked with Lutkins. The
lawyer was shocked and his feelings were hurt when the
man told him that Bill or the hack driver was Lutkins
himself.
Long Answer Questions
Things are not always what they seem to be. Appearances
are often deceptive. The narrator reaches a village in
search of Oliver Lutkins. He meets a hack driver at the
station. The driver warns him about Lutkins. He takes
him on a tour of the entire village in search of Lutkins.
He tells the narrator about his experiences and about
the village and its people. The narrator likes him for
his helpful and kind nature.
He even forgets all about Lutkins. But, the next day
he finds out that the hack driver was Oliver Lutkins
 himself. He realized that a simple and kind person was
a trickster in reality.
Or
Lutkins did not obey the law at all. He didn’t respond
to any of the government letter. He befooled the lawyer
and earned unfair money. He did wrong with the lawyer.
The lawyer should carry out all enquiries by himself.
He should judge every action taken by other person
carefully before accepting it.
He must be careful and must do his homework before
approaching the person like Lutkins. His careless
attitude resulted in his failure to serve the summons to
Lutkins.
DIAGNOSTIC TEST – 3
Short Answer Questions
1. Lutkins pretended to be Bill Magnuson as he did not
want to be a witness in the case. He had already ignored
all the letter and now he was making fool to the narrator.
He offered help to the narrator so that he could get to
know about him from someone else.
2. The lawyer found the streets of New Mullion muddy
with rows of wooden shops, either painted in sour brown
or not painted at all. He was disappointed because he
expected to see a sweet and simple country village.
Long Answer Questions
The lawyer was a junior assistant in a law firm. He was
on a training of clerk. He was sent to New Mullion to
serve summons to Oliver Lutkins, a prime witness in a
law case. When he reached the town and was making
enquiries about Lutkins, he met a hack driver who
‘was in fact Lutkins and took him to many places like
Beincke’s Gustaff’s barber shop, Grey’s barber shop,
poolroom and his mother’s farmyard. The hack driver
told the lawyer that Lutkins had owned money from
him and thus he seemed a genuine and helpful person.
At every place they found that Lutkins had not come
there or just missed him by five minutes. Thus Lutkins,
very cleverly, befooled the lawyer and he was not able
to complete his work that day.
Or
The narrator felt that the country people were honest,
simple and helpful. But at the end of chapter he felt guilt.
Because he was easily befooled by the hack driver who
9. Bholi
DIAGNOSTIC TEST – 1
Short Answer Questions
1. She was the youngest child of Numberdar Ramlal.
She fell off her cot when she was 10 months old and
damaged a part of her brain. This caused a mental
retardedness and she became a backward child. Due
to her being a simpleton, she was called Bholi.
Vol - 2 — Supplementary Reader — Footprints without Feet
himself was Oliver Lutkins. The narrator was hurt when
Lutkins and his mother laughed at him. He felt himself an
idiot who was easily coaxed into believing that Lutkins
was someone else whereas Lutkins was with him the
whole day. He was shameful and felt like that he must
do his homework of finding out Oliver Lutkins.
DIAGNOSTIC TEST – 4
Short Answer Questions
1. The hack driver was able to befool him as he had not
seen Lutkins before. He visited around the whole
village on the project of searching for Lutkins. He also
visited his farmyard but could not find him anywhere
because the hack driver himself was Lutkins.
2. The narrator became a junior assistant clerk in a
magnificent law firm after graduating in law with
honours. His duty was to serve summons and he had
to go to the dirty and dark corners of the city to serve
them. He did not like his work.
Long Answer Questions
The narrator was happy to go to New Mullion. He
seemed to be liking the place. He thought it must be
a beautiful and calm village. He considered Lutkins
a friendly fellow. He liked his openness, warmth
and affection. He was impressed by his offer of help
although the hack driver was doing his business and
earning handsome money from the lawyer. He also
went around with him and also arranged lunch for
him. His pleasant personality had charmed him that
he couldn’t doubt his congeniality. He found him
hospitable and friendly. He did not doubt even for a
second. However, he was shocked to see Bill and the
villager making fun of him. He could never think of
being duped by a simple villager.
Or
Oliver Lutkins lived in New Mullion, a town some 40
miles out of the city. He was witness in a case. He was
sent letters by the law firm but he did not show up. So
the firm sent a fresh law graduate to locate Lutkins
and serve summons to him. Since he did not recognize
Lutkins, he was easily tricked by the man.
His jovial nature, his lively description of people, his
harmless joke played on the lawyer make the story
so much interesting, engrossing and enjoyable.
2. Ramlal was worried about Bholi because she was
considered to be a dumb girl. He thought that she
would never get married due to her ugliness. All his
other daughters were beautiful and healthy and Bholi
was neither beautiful nor intelligent.
Long Answer Questions
Bholi was an innocent girl and her name itself is
symbolic of that. However, her teacher played a
89
 very important role in transforming her to a bold and
confident girl. Bholi, always being neglected, had never
known what love and care was. The teacher extended
a hand of love which hit her and she had a ray of hope
that she could also be like one of the other children
around her. The teacher assured her that she would
get rid of her stammering provided that she comes
to the school daily. This had a larger impact on her
personality as she showed confidence to even refuse
to marry Bishamber when she got to know about his
greedy and contemptible character. The narrator even
describes Bholi as a masterpiece of her teacher.
Or
Bholi’s character portrays many social evils that are
practised in the socirty. The village that Bholi belonged
to was a backward village as even the first school of the
village was opened when Bholi was seven years old.
This backwardness didn’t let them come out of their
prejudices against people. The society had set standards
of beauty and Bholi was always seen to be an ill-omen
as she had black pock marked skin.
Child marriage is also a phenomenon that followed. Not
only child marriage but marriages of unequals was a
common thing. Bishamber was the age of Bholi’s father
and she was made to marry him to which she had no
right to talk back. The dominant took advantage of the
weak which proves how there was a class disparity
among people and an insensitivity too as Bishamber
without even thinking twice asked for such a big
amount of money from Ramlal.
DIAGNOSTIC TEST – 2
Short Answer Questions
1. Bholi was a late speaker and she started speaking only
when she was five. However, she stammered while
speaking. This made her a reason of laughter among the
children. They mimicked her and this made her speak
very less.
2. When Bholi was seven years old a primary school
was opened in the village. The Tehsildar who came
to inaugurate the school suggested Ramlal to send his
daughter to the school as Ramlal was revenue official.
He said so because if other villagers would see a
government official sending his child to school then it
would motivate them.
Long Answer Questions
Each one of us take birth as individuals are expect to
be celebrated as individuals only. Physical attributes
never define a person, However, in the lesson one sees
Bholi’s ugliness as the only mark of her identity. In the
world where inclusion is advocated by a large number
of people what actually happens is judgement.
When Bishamber looks at Bholi before garlanding her,
he stopped the ceremony and blackmailed the parents of
leaving the place if they do not give him five thousand
90 Assignments in English Plus Language and Literature – 10 Teacher’s Handbook
rupees to marry Bholi. The story depicts such a character
in order to give the harsh reality of the society for which
only the external attributes matter. Dowry is asked for
keeping a girl at one’s place after marriage. This way the
person who marries only takes the person as an external
and not as the member of a family.
Or
It is always said that education can curb all the social
evils as it provides people with the power to reason.
Lack of education leads to poverty. Bholi lacked any
confidence or an aim in life initially as she was always
seen as different due to her inability to speak properly.
However, her school life changes evrything. The soft-
spoken teacher changed her entirely. The teacher made
her confident and bold. She got to know what she
deserves and what her rights were and exercises the same
when she was being taken as an object to be attained by
Bishamber. She refused to marry a greedy man. This
way one gets to see how education changes her life.
DIAGNOSTIC TEST – 3
Short Answer Questions
1. The mother was not in the favour of sending Bholi
to school as she thought that nobody would marry
her. Later on, she told her husband that Bholi might
never get married due to her ugliness and lack of sense
and hence it is better to send her to school where the
teachers would worry about her.
2. She had never seen any school and the way her father
held her hand to take her to school, she visualised the
scene when her cow was taken out of the house to be
sold. This made her cry and she refused to go to school.
Long Answer Questions
Bholi’s mother can be said to be a patriarch as she had
all those things which the society had for being against
Bholi. She never used to make Bholi look clean and
never even bathed her. It was only when she had to go
to school that she was properly dressed. The mother
was even against Bholi’s education as according to
her there was no use of education for a girl. She later
agreed because she thought that Bholi will never get a
groom and hence it doesn’t matter. When Ramlal was
in a dilemma regarding Bholi’s marriage to Bishamber,
she was the only one who without even considering
Bholi’s age said that there can be no other better groom
for Bholi. Her only concern was to marry off Bholi as
her ugliness was a burden on her.
Or
Bholi enters the classroom all dressed up for the first
time. She saw girls of her age all around. She was
not confident and sat at the corner of the room. The
colourful pictures on the walls attracted her and she
was impressed with the bright colours. She could relate
herself with the pictures as she saw all those animals
in the village daily. When the teacher asked her name,
 she stammered and all the students started laughing at
her. She started crying and was very upset with this
incidence. When all the children left, the teacher came
up to her and talked to her lovingly. The teacher’s words
of love and encouragement filled her with a new hope.
She felt as if a new life awaited her.
DIAGNOSTIC TEST – 4
Short Answer Questions
1. Bholi was always neglected in her family. Even the girls
at her new school laughed at her when she stammered
while telling her name, However, the teacher’s voice
was the most soothing one she had ever heard and she
found the teacher to be kind and considerate.
2. Ramlal was always worried for Bholi’s marriage. He
wasn’t happy with Bishamber’s proposal. He was not
feeling good about marrying his daughter to a man of
his age who had a limp. He even had grown up children
which made Ramlal give it a second thought.
Long Answer Questions
Bholi never used to speak as she was made fun of by
the children around. The society she lived in considered
her to be ugly because of the pock marks she had. When
she went to school, she met her teacher who told her
“Put the fear out of your heart and you will be able to
speak like anyone else.” This even happened and one
10. The Book That Saved The Earth
DIAGNOSTIC TEST – 1
Short Answer Questions
1. Martians reached the library in the process of invasion
of earth. They had never seen books before. They did
not understand where they are and what are the things
placed in different racks. Firstly they thought that
they were sandwiches and tried to eat them. Then they
misunderstood that sandwiches are used as some sort
of communication device. Later they took them as
eye communication and not ear communication, and
understood that they had to take vitamins to understand
all these codes.
2. Think-Tank, the ruler of Mars wanted to invade the
earth and desires to control the earthlings and include
earth in his domain. He wants to check on the earthlings
before attacking them so he sends a manned Space
Probe Ship for the purpose. Iota, Oops and Omega
are the crew members of the Space Probe Ship who
have come to earth to get more information about the
earthlings.
Long Answer Questions
Omega is a captain of a spaceship which carried,
Lieutenant lota and Sergeant Oop to Earth from Mars.
Reaching Centerville Public Library they were Looking
to identify the objects there. As they had never seen
Vol - 2 — Supplementary Reader — Footprints without Feet
gets to see a transformation in Bholi’s character. The
society needs to empower rather than discourage the
children whom they consider abnormal. When treated
as an inferior, they not only develop inferiority but also
a lack of confidence of being good anywhere. Bholi’s
teacher sets an example of how one must treat the
down-trodden and outcasts in order to make them feel
empowered and move further in life with dignity.
Or
According to the story we find great changes in the
behaviour of Bholi in the end of the story. All these
changes occur in Bholi after going to school and getting
education. In the beginning of the story we find her very
simple and naive. She had less sense. When she was only
ten months old, she fell off from the cot and a part of her
mind was damaged. Due to this hurt, she could not speak
till she became five. She only stammered. Her mental
capacity also could not develop. All made fun of her.
When she became seven years old, a school was opened
in her village. Her father could not ignore the Tehsildar
and he had to send Bholi to school. Now changes
started to take place in her behaviour. She stopped
stammering. Now she could take right decisions about
herself. At the time of her marriage, when Bishamber
demanded five thousand rupees, she took a decision
and refused to marry such a greedy man.
books, they could not identify them. Think-Tank as per
his observation thought that the books were sandwiches
and thus ordered lota and Omega to eat them. Omega
ate them and found them tasteless. He found books
as dry as Martian dust. He was starled at the idea of
listening to the books. He was then ordered to take
chemical vitamins to help transcribe the code. Omega
managed to read some nursery rhymes like ‘Mistress
Mary’ Humpty Dumpty and ‘The cat and the Fiddle’
which made Think-Tank interpret that earthlings were
very powerful and that they were planning to attack
them.
Or
Noodle is a trainee under Think-Tank. He bows
before him and hails his ruler as the most powerful
and intelligent creature in the universe. However,
Think-Tank is not really intelligent. He misinterprets
the nursery rhymes completely. ‘Silver’, ‘shells’ and
‘garden’ for him mean that the earthlings are growing
metals in farms.
He thinks books to be sandwiches and wants the crew
to eat them. When he read out the nursery rhyme which
says, ‘Humpty-Dumpty had a great fall’ he is terrified
and plans his escape from Mars. Thus, Think-Tank is
nothing more than a show off and a pompous fool.
91
DIAGNOSTIC TEST – 2
Short Answer Questions
1. The Marians thought that earthlings were planning to
invade Mars. So, they cancelled their invasion of Earth
and went back. Think-Tank totally misunderstood the
book. Phrases like ‘shell’,’ silver’, ‘garden’ gave him
a false idea that earthlings grew silver and weapons.
He starts thinking that earthlings are very advanced
technologically.
2. Noodle thought that Earthlings did not eat them but
rather they were used as sort of communication device.
Long Answer Questions
After taking vitamins the crew members become able
to understand the languages. Iota reads the nursery
rhyme from a book. She reads ‘Hey diddle... spoon.’
After hearing the rhyme, Think-Tank thinks it is
more threatening. He says that the earthlings have
reached a high level of civilisation. They have taught
their domesticated animals music, culture and space
techniques. They are launching an interplanetary attack
of millions of cows. Just after it he orders the invasion
fleet to attack the earth that day.
Now, sergeant Oop reads the next nursery rhyme. This
rhyme is ‘Humpty-Dumpty...’. Think-Tank looks at the
picture and screams that it is he who has a big balloon
like head. At this Think-Tank terrifies and says that the
earthlings are after him and Space Central Control. He
orders Noodle to prepare a space capsule for him. He
leaves the Mars and orders the crew members to leave
the earth without delay.
Or
Think-Tank was planning an invasion on earth. But a
poem in a book foiled his plan. He had to escape even
from Mars. Think-Tank misinterpreted the book of nursery
rhymes completely and interpreted it in a verbal manner
when Omega read the nursery rhyme ‘Mistress Mary’, he
was shocked to discover that on earth metals can be grown
in fields. He thought that the earthlings had discovered
how to combine agriculture and mining and were now able
to grow high explosives. When Omega transcribed ‘Hey
Diddle Diddle’, he thought that the animals on earth were
also ready for a space attack. When he saw the image of
Humpty Dumpty, he thought that it was his own brain and
the earthlings were planning to capture the Mass Central
Control and therefore, they got ready to save their own
lives instead of invading the earth. Thus the nursery rhyme
book saved the earth. Hence the title is apt for the lesson.
DIAGNOSTIC TEST – 3
Short Answer Questions
1. Think-Tank was scared when he heard about the
interpretation of the poem, ‘Humpty Dumpty’. Its
looks were similar to him so he thought that earthlings
were planning for invasion on Mars. So he asked his
subordinates to remove all traces of their visit.
92 Assignments in English Plus Language and Literature – 10 Teacher’s Handbook
2. Think-Tank wishes to be saluted in these words, ‘O
great and mighty Think-Tank ruler of Mars and her
two moons, most powerful and intelligent creature in
the whole universe.
Long Answer Questions
At the order of Think-Tank, Noodle gets contact with
Martian Space Probe and asks Captain Omega about
their position. Omega replies that they have reached
the earth planet without any problem and now they are
surrounded by very peculiar things that he never seen
earlier and so he is not able to identify them. Think-Tank
looks at these things in his magical mirror and calls them
sandwiches that are eatables for earthlings. He orders
Omega to eat for confirmation. At last sergeant Oop eats
a corner of the book. Noodle guesses that these are not
eatables but for communication. Think-Tank agrees with
Noodle and orders Omega to listen through ears. But
Omega fails to listen to anything. Noodle once again
guesses that these are for eye communication and not
for ears. At last Omega takes vitamins to increase the
intelligence and is able to read the book.
Or
Think-Tank was the mighty ruler of Mars who believed
that Martians were superior creatures with handsome
looks and high intellect. He had little regard for the
inhabitants of earth and planned to invade the earth. But
before that he sent his men they were confused to see
the books in the Centreville Public Library. They failed
to comprehended the information there in. Think-Tank
ordered the crew to consume the vitamins to enable
them to decode the information.
Much to the amusement of the readers, he misinterpreted
the nursery rhymes and thought that the earthlings were
powerful creatures and was planning an attack on them.
He assumed Humpty – Dumpty in the rhyme as himself
and fled to Alpha Centauri to save his life.
DIAGNOSTIC TEST – 4
Short Answer Questions
1. Think-Tank orders his entire fleet to evacuate Mars.
He gets a capsule for himself. They decide to move to
the distant star Alpha Centuries to escape invasion by
earthlings.
2. Think-Tank is seated on a raised box, arms folded and
has a huge egg-shaped head. He is wearing a long robe
decorated with stars and circles. His entry gives an
impression that he is considered a great, mighty, most
powerful and intelligent creature.
Long Answer Questions
Noodle and Think-Tank have contrasting characters.
Think-Tank likes to be called the ‘Great and the
Mighty’. He orders and commands. He is the ruler of
Mars, but has no intelligence.
He thinks books to be sandwiches. He is wrong about
everything. He demands that the crew should obey
 him. He likes to pass on other’s idea as his own. He is
a coward who simply boasts of his power.
Noodle, his apprentice, is very clever and wise. He
corrects the mistakes of Think-Tank very gently. He
never takes credit for his ideas. But he offers them to
the ruler very gently. Think-Tank makes them as his
own.
Or
The historian is placed in twenty fifth-century. He is
trying to clear the curiosities of the twentieth century.
UNIT ASSIGNMENTS
UNIT ASSIGNMENT – 1
1. A. (i) Lencho wrote a letter to God.
(ii) The Postmaster laughed heartily because he
had never seen such address.
(iii) Firstly the Postmaster broke out laughing, but
soon he became serious.
(iv) The Postmaster turned serious to see Lencho’s
faith in God.
Or
B. (i) The young man is the speaker.
(ii) The young man is talking to a young woman.
(iii) The woman’s yellow hair.
(iv) A young man loves a young woman because
of her physical beauty.
2. (i) We learn a very important thing from the life of
young Seagull that parents play an important role
in the life of children. In this lesson we find that
Seagull’s family encouraged him to fly. It was
shrewd act of parents which made him come out
of fear.
(ii) Lencho compared the raindrops to new coins.
He called the big drops ‘ten cent pieces’ and the
smaller ones as ‘five cent pieces’. His field needed
rain badly. The raindrops increased his hopes of a
good harvest. That is why, he called them so.
(iii) Tricki lived an affluent life as he had a rich mistress
Mrs. Pumphrey. Tricki wore a little tweed coat. He
had a whole wardrobe of coats and raincoats. He
had many beds and bowls. He was given to dozen
eggs and many glasses of wine in the hospital.
(iv) Anil was the most trusting person Hari had met.
He had given him key of the door and therefore
it was difficult to rob him. According to Hari it’s
easy to rob a greedy man because he can afford to
be robbed. But it’s difficult to rob a careless man
because sometimes he does not even notice he’s
been robbed and takes all the pleasure out of work.
(v) Fowler was a young romantic writer. He used to
write suspense stories full of mysterious characters
and action. He wanted to meet Ausable, a secret
agent, to know about his life. He wanted to know
Vol - 2 — Unit Assignments
He calls it as the Era of the Book, and speaks highly
about the books. According to him books control
all life. They illustrate, educate, punctuate and even
decorate the life of the people.
He thinks that only the books saved the earth from
Martian invasion, for the Martians had misunderstood
the meaning of the poems and got frightened of
them. So they left the earth and headed over to Alpha
Centauri. Even in our day to days life, we get all our
solutions from books.
how he tackled dangerous situations. He wanted
to use this in his new story.
3. A. Buddha wanted Kisa Gotami to understand that the
life of the mortals in this world is troubled, brief
and full of pain. There is no way in which those
who are born can avoid dying. All young and old,
fools and wise are subject to death. The world is
afflicted with death and decay. So the wise do
not grief knowing the reality of the world. If one
does grief, his pain would be greater and his body
would suffer. Thus Gotami could understand this
when she could not get mustard seeds from any
house that was not visited by death. The medicine
to bring her dead son back to life was Buddha’s
way to tell her reality of life and death.
Or
B. Ebright had other interests besides science. He was
a champion debater and public speaker. He was
a good canoeist. He was an expert photographer,
particularly of nature and scientific exhibits.
Richard A. Weiherer was Ebright’s social study
teacher. He had a strong influence on Ebright. He was
also the adviser of two clubs – Debating and Model
United Nations Club. He was full of ideas and opened
Ebright’s mind to new ones. He was pleased by
Ebright for putting extra effort to prepare his debate.
Weiherer also appreciated Ebright’s competitive
spirit. He knew the caliber and enthusiasm of Ebright
to excel in whatever he does.
UNIT ASSIGNMENT – 2
1. (a) (i) The speaker was surprised to see his compass
and radio, almost dead.
(ii) He saw another aeroplane in the black clouds.
(iii) He could not contact Paris Control because his
radio failed to work.
(iv) The narrator was going to England.
Or
(b) (i) These lines are spoken by Amanda’s mother
to Amanda.
(ii) She has to complete her homework, clean her
room and her shoes.
93
 (iii) The mother thinks that she asked Amanda to
clean her shoes.
(iv) She does not listen to her mother as she is often
lost in her world of imagination.
2. (i) Lencho’s letter was received by the postmaster.
Since it was addressed to God and the postmaster,
who was kindhearted and generous, did not want
to shake Lencho’s faith in God. He wanted to help
Lencho and his family. Therefore he answered it.
(ii) Anil knew everything but he did not hand over the
thief to the police because he knew that Hari Singh
had returned to him to become a better human
being. He wanted to give him another chance to
improve. Moreover he thought Hari’s return was
the proof of his improvement.
(iii) Wanda had designed her paintings of dresses by
keeping girls in her mind. In her new home, she
had designed hundred more of them. She liked the
girls and considered them as her friends. So she
gifted them to the girls. It shows that she was nice,
friendly and forgiving by nature.
(iv) It is said that an ascetic was meditating. During
his deep meditation he fell asleep. The monk did
not like it. So he cut his eyelids and threw them on
to the land. There grew ten tea plants. When the
leaves were put in hot water they removed sleep.
(v) Actually it was the lady-in-red who robbed the
Shotover Grange. The police arrested Horace
Danby because his finger prints were found all
over the room and on the safe. Nobody believed
him when he said that the owner lady had asked
him to do so.
3. A. By twin obligations, Nelson Mandela means the
obligations towards his family and his people.
Due to the policy of apartheid in South Africa
he, like his people, was prevented from fulfilling
both the obligations. In the midst of this lesson
one comes across the obligation to the family
and the obligation to the country. In the first type
of obligation a man has to look after his family,
children, wife and parents. He is supposed to
work for their well being. In the second type of
obligation a man has to fulfil it for his people,
community and his country. We can fulfil them
according to our capacities and abilities.
Or
B. Oliver Lutkins, ‘the Hack Driver’ comes across
as a clever person who has little consideration
for others and exploits their gullibility to his
convenience. He cheats the lawyer on the pretext
of helping him in locating Lutkins and thereby
extracts money from him in an unfair manner.
The fact that he laughs at him the following day
when lawyer delivers the summon, shows that he
lacks consideration and don’t repent his action.
94 Assignments in English Plus Language and Literature – 10 Teacher’s Handbook
He seems to have little respect for law as he has
disobeyed the earlier summons.
But the narrator also depicts him as a person with a
sense of humour that one almost forgives his tricks
as a practical joke.
UNIT ASSIGNMENT – 3
1. (a) (i) These words are spoken by Nelson Mandela
on the ceremony of South Africa’s first
democratically elected government.
(ii) The speaker refers to the oppression of the
blacks by the whites in South Africa.
(iii) It means that the independence of the people
of South Africa will last forever.
(iv) Nelson Mandela.
Or
(b) (i) ‘He’ refers to the tiger.
(ii) He is in the cage and pacing up and down.
(iii) No, does not like to be in the cage. He is very
impatient.
(iv) abcb
2. (i) Wanda was a gifted painter. She had drawn
exquisite hundred designs of beautiful dresses. If
she had the fabric she would have made hundred
real dresses. That’s why she called them dresses
and not designs. She gifts these dresses to the girls.
They felt sorry for her. Hence the title is perfectly
appropriate.
(ii) It is said that people of Coorg are of Greek or
Arabic origin. A part of Alexander’s army is said to
have settled here. This is clear from their traditions
and rites which are different from the Hindus. The
theory of Arab origin draws support from the long,
black coat worn by the Kodavus, which is known
as Kuppia.
(iii) South Africa attracted the white people because
of its minerals and gems. The war for domination
ensued henceforth. After the Anglo-Boer war, the
white people started ruling over the native black-
skinned South Africans. This system of racial
domination i.e. the apartheid was used to exploit
the blacks.
(iv) Griffin was a brilliant scientist. He invented some
drugs and made himself as an invisible man. But
he misused his scientific discovery and became a
lawless person. Griffin was thus not a true scientist.
(v) Max was frightened of police. Besides he was
convinced about the balcony outside the window.
So to escape from the police, he jumped out of
the window. As there was no balcony there, he
fell down suddenly to the ground. That’s why he
screamed loudly.
3. A. In the beginning the otter was neither hostile nor
friendly. He was simply aloof and indifferent. He
 preferred to sleep on the floor near the author’s
bed. But soon he got familiar with the author and
started taking keen interest in his surroundings.
The second night he came on to the author’s bed
and slept in the crook of his knees. Thereafter he
became friendly with the author. Whenever he was
in trouble, he rushed to the author for protection.
When he was indoors he spent most of the time
in play. He even escaped to the bathroom where it
struggled with tap for water. In this way he became
familiar with the author.
Or
B. A good spy need not be handsome, attractive
and smart. Physical strength can be additional
advantage but certainly not the essential one.
Secret agents have to face critical situations at
every step. One night, Ausable found Max in
his room. There was an automatic pistol in his
hand. He had come there to take the report from
Ausable. Max was also a secret agent of another
organisation. Ausable was not the least afraid
of Max’s presence. He thought of a clever trick.
He convinced Max about a balcony outside the
window. Just then there was a loud knock at
the door. Ausable told Max that it was police to
provide him security. Max had no time to think.
Max rushed towards the window and dropped to
the non-existent balcony and met his tragic end.
Ausable did not use physical strength. He won
over the critical situation by his sheer presence of
mind.
UNIT ASSIGNMENT – 4
1. (a) (i) The author was staying in London.
(ii) There was a single storeyed primary school
opposite to his flat.
(iii) There was a long wall of thirty yards.
(iv) Mij would tug him to the wall in front of the
school, jump on it and gallop its full length.
Or
(b) (i) The above extract is the part of the poem ‘Fire
and Ice’ written by Robert Frost.
(ii) Fire and ice are two different views.
(iii) ‘Fire’ stands for ‘desire’.
(iv) According to the poet the man’s greed or lust
for possession will end the world.
2. (i) Lencho was a hard working farmer. He lived with
his family on the crest of a low hill. He was going
to get a very good crop this year. His field needed
only a downpour. The rain started. But within a
very short time, the rain turned into hailstones.
It destroyed his crop completely. Thus the rain
affected his life badly.
Vol - 2 — Unit Assignments
(ii) The pilot of the black aeroplane asked the lost pilot
to follow him. The black aeroplane was flying in
front of him, cutting the clouds and showing him
the way. Then he flew down and disappeared.
Following him the pilot came out of the clouds.
(iii) Horace had planned everything carefully. He knew
where the housekeeper hung the key to the kitchen
door. He wore a pair of gloves, took the key and
entered the house at Shotover Grange. He made
the dog quiet by calling him by his right name. He
had entered to commit robbery.
(iv) Griffin told Mrs. Hall that he had come to Iping
with a desire for solitude. He did not wish to
be disturbed in his work. Also, an accident had
affected his face.
(v) Chubukov suspects Lomov becasue he has come to
his house in a formal dress. He thinks that Lomov
has come to borrow money.
3. A. Loss is an essential part of our life. We lose our very
precious possessions – especially those precious
gifts we receive from our old friends or some of the
valuable birthday gifts given by our parents. Some
of these possessions may not be very expensive
but a lot of memories are attached to them. A loss
of a single paisa pierces us very much. Money is
earned only after hard labour. We must understand
its worth. It is no use to waste money over nothing.
The poet desires that the boy should understand the
nature of the loss. Hence when we lose any of those
possessions we become very sad. One important
lesson we all need to learn is the fact that nothing
is permanent in life. All things are subjected to loss,
damage and decay. Hence we need to know how to
cope with our losses. What is more important than
all possessions is the fact that our life has to go on.
This understanding will help us to cope with our
loss in a better way.
Or
B. Matilda lost Mrs. Forestier’s necklace while she
was dancing at the ball. Matilda and her husband
had to return the necklace after borrowing eighteen
thousand francs from lenders. They handed the
jewel box to Mrs. Forestier who did not open the
Jewel Box. After that Matilda and her husband
spent a life of misery. A tremendous change came
in the life style of Matilda after this incident. She
started living in rented house, sent away the maid,
and also started doing all the household work. She
led a wretched, poor and humble life for ten years.
Matilda’s desire to show off and one little act of
negligence led to the utter ruin of their life full of
pleasures. They suffered poverty for ten years due
to the debt they incurred to buy a necklace.
qqq
95
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