(ii) How does the speaker view the role of the cat? Answer: The speaker presents Skimble as an important and efficient cat who carries out his duties politely and in an amusing manner. (iii) What does the cat do to keep all the passengers comfortable? Answer: Skimble provides help, guidance and assistance to passengers whenever needed. He ensures orderly, peaceful conduct for passenger comfort. (iv) What does the cat not allow anyone to do? Answer: He does not permit any kind of unruly behaviour, pranks, noisy merriment or disturbances that could disrupt train discipline. (v) How would you view the last gesture of the ‘Cat of the Railway Train’? Is it benevolent or sinister? Answer: Though Skimble’s waving goodbye seems like a benevolent gesture, it also subtly underscores his position of authority and control over the train’s world that the passengers inhabit during the journey.peaceful sleep, free of mice or disturbances. (v) Which of the cat’s actions could cause suspicion in our mind that it is conceived as more than a feline creature? Answer: Skimble's strict vigilance in monitoring everyone's actions seems beyond the role of an ordinary cat, making us suspicious of some deeper motive or allegory. Passage -6 Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow: In the watches of the night he is always fresh and bright; Every now and then he has a cup of tea With perhaps a drop of Scotch while he’s keeping on the watch, Only stopping here and there to catch a flea. You were fast asleep at Crewe and so you never knew That he was walking up and down the station; You were sleeping all the while he was busy at Carlisle, Where he greets the stationmaster with elation. But you saw him at Dumfries, where he speaks to the police If there’s anything they ought to know about: When you get to Gallowgate there you do not have to wait For Skimbleshanks will help you to get out! He gives you a wave of his long brown tail Which says: “Ill see you again! You'll meet without fail on the midnight Mail The Cat of the Railway Train.” (i) What role is played by the Cat on the Night Mail? Describe briefly. Answer: Skimble effectively plays the role of manager, supervisor and overseer on the Night Mail train. He ri awake and alert at night, interacts with station maste s, and monitors staff and passengers.Passage-5 Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow: Then the guard looks in politely and will ask you very brightly “Do you like your morning tea weak or strong?” But Skimble’s just behind him and was ready to remind him, For Skimble won't let anything go wrong. And when you creep into your cosy berth And pull up the counterpane, You ought to reflect that it’s very nice To know that you won't be bothered by mice You can leave all that to the Railway Cat, The Cat of the Railway Train! (i) What has made the passengers and the crew of the Night Mail restless earlier in the context? Answer: Earlier, Skimble’s sudden disappearance had caused anxiety and restlessness among the passengers and rail staff, highlighting the cat’s importance. (li) How does the cat perform as a supervisor? Answer: Skimble keeps a close eye on the guards and other staff, reprimanding or reminding them just like a train manager if something goes amiss. (iil) '...Skimble won't let anything go wrong? Comment. Answer: Skimble ensures that everything functions properly on the running train and does not allow even the smallest mishap to occur due to his continual supervision. (iv) How does the cat provide all comforts to the pas: Answer: He takes care that the passenger berths are cozy foraThere's funny little basin you're supposed to wash your face in And a crank to shut the window if you sneeze. (i) What does ‘little den’ signify? How is it made cosy? Answer: The ‘little den’ refers to the individual sleeping berths allotted to passengers. With clean sheets, no dust, and the passenger's name tags, these compartments are made quite cosy. s are available in the ‘little den’? Answer: Facilities like lights to adjust brightness, wash basins for freshening up, window knobs to close them if needed are available in the berths for passenger convenience. How does Skimble ensure that the passengers have no trouble during the journey? Answer: Skimble takes care to ensure there are no mice or other issues to bother the passengers during the overnight journey. He tries to provide a smooth travel experience. (iv) What impression do you form of Skimble? Answer: Skimble comes across as an efficient, polite and caring cat who is mindful of the passengers’ needs and comforts. (v) In what way does the poet make the cat a hilarious creature? Answer: Skimble's very human-like actions of supervising the train staff, ensuring the berths are well-maintained, reminding the guard about tea, etc make him a very amusing and hilarious creature. Passage-5 Read the extract given below and answer the questionAnswer: Skimble’s activities like regularly patrolling the compartments, examining the passenger's faces, keeping a watch on their thoughts and actions are reminiscent of the surveillance and control by Big Brother in a totalitarian dictatorship. (iii) Why does nothing go wrong on the Northern Mail? Answer: When Skimble is aboard, he ensures everything runs smoothly on the train and does not allow anything to go wrong due to his supervision. (iv) What does the cat do when the train reaches its destination? Answer: When the train reaches its destination, Skimble bids goodbye to the passengers by waving his long brown tail ina friendly manner. (v) Why does the cat dislike sense of ‘hilarity’ and noisy merriment? Answer: He dislikes any kind of unruly behavior, noise or disturbances. He wants to maintain orderly conduct on the train, so is averse to any sense of uncontrolled merriment or riotous behavior among passengers. Passage -4 Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow: Oh, it’s very pleasant when you have found your little den With your name written up on the door. And the berth is very neat with a newly folded sheet And there's not a speck of dust on the floor. There is every sort of light - you can make it dark or bI There’s funny little basin you’re supposed to wash your face in(ii) What tells you about the importance of the cat? ‘Answer: When Skimble gives the green signal with his eyes, the train whistles and departs, indicating the cat holds authority cover the train's movement, underscoring his importance. (iii) Where is the train heading towards? Why has no particular city of its destination been mentioned? Answer: The train is heading northwards but no particular station or city name is mentioned about its destination. This is because the whole situation cannot be real and adds to the absurdity and mystery surrounding the cat's railway network. {iv) Which of the actions of the cat are quite amusing? Answer: Skimble’s various anthropomorphic actions like providing signals for the train, consuming scotch drink, catching fleas, etc are quite unrealistic and amusing, adding a comic tone. (v) Do you think the cat represents some dictator of the Post World War II? Why/Why not? ‘Answer: Yes, Skimble’s controlling nature, constant vigilance over the crew and passengers, and maintenance of order and discipline remind one of a dictatorial figure or the strict Big Brother who oversees everything in an authoritarian regime. Passage-3 Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow: You may say that by and large it is Skimble who's in charge Of the Sleeping Car Express. From the driver and the guards to the bagmen playin He will supervise them all, more or less.(iii) What tells you that Skimble is duty-conscious? Answer: Skimble’s timely appearance just before 11.42 when the signal is due shows that he is very dutiful and conscious of his responsibility for the train’s smooth functioning. (iv) What causes commotion among all the passengers and the railway crew? = Skimble’s sudden absence and the urgency shown by the railway staff and passengers to find him creates a mood of anxiety, confusion and commotion, highlighting the cat's perceived significance. (V) What duties are performed by the cat during the journey? Answer: Skimble dons multiple roles during the train’s journey - he supervises the crew members like the driver, guards, porters etc, he patrols the passenger compartments, he keeps a watchful eye over the passengers’ conduct, he ensures everything functions orderly and smoothly on the moving train. Passage -2 Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow: He gives one flash of his glass-green eyes And the signal goes “All Clear!” And we're off at last for the northern part Of the Northern Hemisphere! (i) Why was there restlessness among the passengers early in the context? Answer: There was anxiety and restlessness among tl passengers early on due to the absence of Skimble th is regarded as essential for the train's departure.Comprehension Passages Passage - 1 Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow: There’s a whisper down the line at 11.39 When the Night Mail's ready to depart, Saying “Skimble where is Skimble has he gone to hunt the thimble? We must find him or the train can’t start.” All the guards and all the porters and the stationmaster’s daughters They are searching high and low, Saying “Skimble where is Skimble for unless he’s very nimble Then the Night Mail just can’t go” At 11.42 then the signal’s nearly due And the passengers are frantic to a man Then Skimble will appear and he'll saunter to the rear: He's been busy in the luggage van! (i) Who is the speaker? What does he observe? Is it normal? Answer: The speaker is one of the passengers on the Night Mail train. He observes the strange situation where a cat named Skimble seems to be in charge of the train’s departure, which is not a normal thing. (i) What is surprising about Skimble? Answer: It is quite surprising and amusing that a cat is treated as the most important creature without whose presenc} Night Mail train cannot depart on time. This ascribes like importance to a cat.