A Letter To God: First Flight

First Flight
A Letter
to God
— G. L. Fuentes
1
NCERT SOLUTIONS
What's inside
– Oral Comprehension Q's (Solved)
– Textbook Exercise Q's (Solved)
• Thinking about the Text
• Thinking about Language
ORAL COMPREHENSION
Read the passage carefully and answer the following questions :
I. The house the only .......................... hungry this year.
1. What did Lencho hope for?
Ans. Lencho hoped for water in the form of rain.
2. Why did Lencho say the raindrops were like “new coins”?
Ans. He said this because his crop really needed rain for being a good harvest. So
when it rained, he saw it in the form of ‘new coins’.
3. How did the rain change? What happened to Lencho fields?
Ans. The rain changed into a hailstorm. Hails fell on the house, the garden, the hillside
and the cornfield. They utterly destroyed Lencho’s fields .
4. What were Lencho’s feelings when the hail stopped?
Ans. Lencho felt completely broken. The hail had left nothing. He felt that they would
have no corn that year.
II. But in the hearts ..................... as a signature : God.
1. Who or what did Lencho have faith in? What did he do?
Ans. Lencho had faith in God. He felt that God’s eyes saw everything. He wrote a
letter to God.
2. Who read the letter?
Ans. The postman and the postmaster read Lencho’s letter (to God).
3. What did the postmaster do then?
Ans. The postmaster laughed when he read Lencho’s letter but soon he became serious
and was moved by the writer’s faith in God. He didn’t want to shake Lencho’s
faith. So, he decided to collect money and send it to Lencho on behalf of God.
III. The following Sunday .......... bunch of crooks Lencho.
1. Was Lencho surprised to find a letter for him with money in it ?
Ans. No, Lencho was not surprised to find a letter for him with money. It was because
he had full faith in God. He knew that God saw everything even in one’s
conscience.
2. What made him angry ?
Ans. Lencho had requested God to send him 100 pesos. But God sent him only 70
pesos. It was not good on God’s part. This made him angry.
1 English Class X
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TEXTBOOK EXERCISE
Thinking about the Text
1. Who does Lencho have complete faith in? Which sentences in the story tell
you this?
Ans. Lencho had faith in God. The sentences in the story that show this are as follows.
(i) “All through the night, Lencho thought only of his one hope : the help of
God, whose eyes, as he had been instructed, see everything, even what is
deep in one’s conscience.”
(ii) “God”, he wrote, “if you don’t help me, my family and I will go hungry this
year.” I need a hundred pesos in order to sow my field again and to live until
the crop comes, because the hailstorm ...............”
(iii) “God could not have made a mistake, nor could he have denied Lencho
what he had requested.”
(iv)“God : of the money that I asked for, only seventy pesos reached me. Send
me the rest, since I need it very much. But don’t send it to me through the
mail because the post office employees are a bunch of crooks.”
2. Why does the postmaster send money to Lencho? Why does he sign the
letter ‘God’?
Ans. The Postmaster didn’t want to shake Lencho’s faith in God. He was impressed
by the faith Lencho had in God and wanted to have the same faith in himself.
So, he collected the money and send it to Lencho.
He signed the letter ‘God’ so that Lencho’s faith in God does not shake and he
can believe that the money had been sent to him by God.
3. Did Lencho try to find out who had sent money to him? Why/why not?
Ans. Lencho did not try to find out who had sent money to him as he was very sure
that the money has been sent by God because he had complete faith in God.
4. Who does Lencho think has taken the rest of the
money ? What is the irony in the situation? (Remember that the irony of the
situation is an unexpected aspect of it. An ironic situation is strange or amusing
because it is the opposite of what is expected.)
Ans. Lencho thinks that the rest of the money has been taken by the employees of
the post office. The irony in the situation is that though the postmaster and his
employees had helped him in his ill condition and tried to keep his faith alive in
God. It is Lencho’s misconcestion that he assumed the post office people, to be
crooks. Therefore, he did not want receive the money by mail any more.
2 English Class X
5. Are there people like Lencho in the real world? What kind of a person would
you say he is ? You may select appropriate words from the box to answer the
question.
greedy,naive,stupid,ungrateful,
selfish,consical, unquestioning.
Ans. Yes, there are people like Lencho in the real world. Lencho is a hard working
farmer who had complete faith in God. He was not greedy and demanded only
hundred pesos from God to sow fields again. He was also, “naive, stupid and
comical” in the sense that he thought that the money was sent by God and the
money that is short has been taken away by post office employees.’
6. There are two kinds of conflict in the story : between humans and nature,
and between humans themselves. How are these conflicts illustrated ?
Ans. The conflict between humans and nature has been illustrated by the hailstorm
destroying the crop completely. The human, Lencho who had worked hard in
the fields was expecting a good harvest. He only needed a downpour or a little
shower but the nature destroyed the crop by way of hailstorm.
The other conflict is illustrated between human themselves. The postmaster
wanted to keep Lencho’s faith in God, therefore, he collected money from his
employees and friends and gave it to Lencho as it was sent by God. Lencho
instead of being grateful to them thought that the money that is short is taken
away by post office employees and he therefore call them crooks.
Thinking about Language
I. Look at the following sentence from the story :
Suddenly a strong wind began to below and alongwith he rain very large
hailstones began to fall.
‘Hailstones’ are small balls of ice that fall like rain. A storm in which hailstones
fall is a ‘hailstouns’ You know that a storm is bad weather with strong winds,
rain, thunder and lightening.
There are different names in different parts of the world for storms, depending
on their nature. Can you match the names in the box with their descriptions
below, and fill in one blanks. You may use a dictionary to help you.
gale,whirlwind, cyclone,
hurricane,tornado, typhoon
1. A violent tropical storm in which strong winds move in a circle :
.............c...............
3 English Class X
Ans. cyclone
2. An extremely strong wind : .............a............... .
Ans. gale
3. A violent tropical storm with very strong winds : .............p............... .
Ans. typhoon
4. A violent storm whose centre is a cloud in the shape of a funnel :
.............n............... .
Ans. tornado
5. A violent storm with very strong winds, especially in the western Atlantic
ocean : .............r............... .
Ans. hurricane
6. A very strong wind that moves very fast in a spinning movement a causes a
lot of damage : .............l...............
Ans. whirlwind
II. Notice how the word ‘hope’ is used in these sentences from the story.
(a) I hope it (the hailstorm) passed quickly
(b) There was a single hope : help from God.
In the first example, ‘hope’ is a verb which means you wish for something to
happen. In the second example, it is a noun meaning a chance for something
to happen
Match the sentence in Column ‘A’ with the meanings of ‘hope’ in Column B :
A B
1. Will you get the subjects you want to study in (i) a feeling that some good will probably
college ? happen.
I hope so
2. ‘I hope you don’t mind my saying this, but I (ii) thinking that this world happen (it may or
don’t like the way you are arguing.’ may not have happened).
3. This discovery will give new hope to HIV/ (iii) stopped believing that this good thing would
AIDS sufferers. happen.
4. We were hopping against hope that the judges (iv) wanting something to happen (and thinking
would not notice our mistakes. it quite possible).
5. I called early in the hope of speaking to her (v) showing concern that what you say should
before she went to school. not offend or disturb the other person : a
way of being polite.
6. Just when everbody had given up hope, the (vi) wishing for something to happen, although
fisherman came back, seven days after the this is very unlikely.
cyclone.
4 English Class X
Ans. 1. (i)
Ans. 2. (v)
Ans. 3. (ii)
Ans. 4. (vi)
Ans. 5. (iv)
Ans. 6. (iii)
III. Relative clauses :
Look at these sentences
(a) All morning Lencho—who know his fields intimately —looked at the sky.
(b) The woman, who was preparing supper, replied, “Yes, God willing.”
The italicised parts of the sentences give us more information about Lencho and
the woman. We call them relative clauses. Notice that they begin with a relative
pronoun who other common relative pronouns are whom, whose and which.
The relative clauses in (a) and (b) above are called non-defining, because we
already know the identity of the person they describe. Lencho is a particular person,
and there is a particular woman he speaks to. We don’t need the information in
the relative clause to pick these people out from a larger set.
A non-defining relative clause usually has a comma in front of it and a comma
after it (some writers use a dash (–) instead, as in the story). If the relative clause
comes at the end, we just put a full stop.
Join the sentences given below using who, whom, whose, which, as suggested.
1. I often go to Mumbai. Mumbai is the commercial capital of India. (which)
Ans. I often go to Mumbai which is the commercial capital of India.
2. My mother is going to host a TV show on cooking. She cooks very well.
(Who)
Ans. My mother, who cooks very well, is going to host a TV show on cooking.
3. These sports persone are going to meet the President. Their performance has
been excellent. (whose)
Ans. These sports persons, whose performance has been excellent, are going to meet
the President.
4. Lencho prayed to God. His eyes see into our minds. (whose)
Ans. Lencho prayed to God, whose eyes see into our minds.
5. This man cheated me. I trusted him. (whom)
Ans. This man, whom I trusted, cheated me.
Sometimes the relative, pronoun in a relative clause remains ‘hidden’. For
5 English Class X
example, look at the first sentence of the story.
(a) The house—the only one in the entire valley—sat on the crest of a low
hill.
We can rewrite this sentence as :
(b) The house—which was the only one in the entire valley—sat on the crest
of a low hill.
In (a), the relative pronoun ‘which’ and the verb ‘was’ are not present.
IV. Using Negatives for Emphasis
We know that sentences with words such as no, not or nothing show the absence
of something, or contradict something. For example :
(a) This year we will have no corn. (Corn will be absent).
(b) The hail has left nothing. (Absence of a crop)
(c) These aren’t raindrops falling from the sky, they are new coins. (Contradicts
the common idea of what the drops water falling from the sky are.)
But sometimes negative words are used just to emphasise an idea. Look at
these sentences from the story :
(d) Lencho ................. had done nothing else but see the sky towards the north-
east. (He had done only this).
(e) The man went out for no other reason than to have the pleasure of feeling the
rain on his body. (He had only this reason.)
(f) Lencho showed not the slightest surprise on seeing the money. (He showed no
surprise at all.)
Now look back at example (c). Notice that the contradiction in fact serves to
emphasise the value or usefulness of the rain to the farmer.
Find sentences in the story with negative words, which express the following
ideas emphatically :
1. The trees lost all their leaves
Ans. “Not a leaf remained on the trees. (Page 4)
2. The letter was addressed to God himself.
Ans. It was nothing less than a letter to God. (Page 5)
3. The postman saw this address for the first time in his career.
Ans. Never in his career as a postman had he known that address. (Page 5)
Grannar Recao Figures of speech-Definition, theory + Examples and to sentence
based on metaphors.
6 English Class X
Speaking
1. Have you ever been in great difficulty, and felt that only a miracle could help you
? How was your problem solved ? Speak about this in class with your teacher.
Listening :
Listen to the letter (given below ‘In this Lesson’) read out by your teacher/on the
audio tape. As you listen fill in the table given below :
The writer apologises (Says sorry) ...................
because
The writer has sent this to the reader ...................
The writer sent it in the month of ...................
The reason for not writing earlier ...................
Sarah goes to ...................
Who is writing to whom? ...................
Where and when were they last ...................
together ?
Ans. Yes, I fell in great difficulty once in my life. I had met with an accident. It was
late midnight and it was raiming heavely with black clouds all around. While
returning from my friend’s house, my bike slipped on I had serious injuries. I
did not see any one on the streets for about one hour. I had no hope for getting
any assistance and due to excess bleeding, I fainted. Some passing by stranger
helped me and took me to the hospital and informed my parents. My life was
saved as doctors later on revealed that if there had been a delay of another half
hour, my life could not have been saved.
Listening :
She did not write to Aarti for long time.
A birthday card
September in year 2005
The writer moved to a new house.
School, “Little Feet”
Jaya is writing to Aarti.
They were together at Bangalore last year.
7 English Class X
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Nelson
Mandela:
Long Walk to
Freedom
— Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela
2
NCERT SOLUTIONS
What's inside
ORAL COMPREHENSION
I. Tenth May ...................................... God bless Africa.
1. Where did the ceremonies take place? Can you name any public buildings in India
that are made of sandstone?
Ans. The ceremonies took place in the lovely sandstone amphitheatre. It was formed
by the Union Buildings in Pretoria. These are : the Red Fort, Jama Masjid, North
and South Blocks, Parliament House etc.
2. Can you say how 10 May is an ‘autumn day’ in South Africa?
Ans. It is because of weather and the dawning of freedom after about 300 years of white
rule. It is also important because of the freedom.
3. At the beginning of his speech, Mandela mentions “an extraordinary human
disaster.” What does he mean by this? What is the “glorious … human
achievement” he speaks of at the end?
Ans. By this he means the white rule in South Africa over the blacks. It lasted very long.
It was really a disaster of white men ruling over the black.‘The glorious…human
achievement’ is getting political independence from the white rule by the black
natives.
4. What does Mandela thank the international leaders for
Ans. He thanks the international leaders for coming to take possession with the native
people of South Africa. It is a common victory for justice, peace and human dignity.
5. What ideals does he set out for the future of South Africa?
Ans. He sets out the ideals of liberating his people from various bondages. These are of
poverty, deprivation, suffering, gender and other discriminations.
II. A few moments later .....................never extinguished.
1. What do the military generals do? How has their attitude changed, and why?
Ans. The military generals discharge their duties. They owe allegiance to their country.
They do their duties as per the military provisions. Their attitude has now changed.
They care more for personal gains than their true duties as per the defence rules.
2. Why were two national anthems sung?
Ans. Two national anthems were sung as there were two main communities or races.
One was of the whites and the other of the blacks. Secondly, the anthem of the
whites was the anthem of the old republic.
3. How does Mandela describe the systems of government in his country (i) in
1 English Class X
the first decade, and (ii) in the final decade, of the twentieth century?
Ans. (i) In the first decade of the twentieth century the whites of South Africa patched
up their differences. They built a system of racial domination against the black
people of their own land.
(ii) In the last decade their system had been overturned forever. It was replaced by
another. It recognised the rights and freedoms of all people regardless of their
skin colour.
4. What does courage mean to Mandela?
Ans. By courage Mandela means not the absence of fear but the triumph over it.
5. Which does he think is natural, to love or to hate?
Ans. He thinks that love comes more naturally to the human heart than its opposite hate.
III. In life every man ................... of their humanity.
1. What “twin obligations” does Mandela mention?
Ans. He mentions the twin obligations. One, obligations to his family, his parents,
his wife and children. Second, obligations to his people, his community and his
country.
2. What did being free mean to Mandela as a boy, and as a student? How does
he contrast these “transitory freedoms” with “the basic and honourable
freedoms”?
Ans. Like any other boy or student, for Mandela freedom meant to make merry and
enjoy the blissful life. Once one becomes an adult, antics of childhood looks like
transitory because most of the childish activities are wasteful from an adult’s
perspective. Once you are adult, you have to earn a livelihood to bring the bacon
home. Its only then when you get an honourable existence in the family and in the
society.
3. Does Mandela think the oppressor is free? Why/Why not?
Ans.Mandela does not think that the oppressor is free because according to him an
oppressor is a victim of hatred who is behind the bars of prejudice and narrow-
mindedness. He realises that both the oppressor and the oppressed are robbed
of their humanity and peace.
TEXTBOOK EXERCISE
1. Why did such a large number of international leaders attend the inauguration?
2 English Class X
What did it signify the triumph of?
Ans. To be the part of the inauguration, international leaders showed a gesture of
solidarity from international community to the idea of end of apartheid. It was
the significance of the victory of good over evil and triumph of a tolerant society
without any discrimination.
2. What does Mandela mean when he says he is “simply the sum of all those
African patriots”, who had gone before him?
Ans. By saying that “he is simply the sum of all those African patriots”, Mandela
wants to pay his tribute to all the people who have sacrificed their lives for
the sake of freedom. He says that he is grateful to those who had gone before
him because those heroes of past had paved the path of co-operation and unity
for him. Therefore, he could try to come to power to bring equality for his
people with their support.
3. Would you agree that the “depths of oppression” create “heights of character”?
How does Mandela illustrate this? Can you add your own examples to this
argument?
Ans. I agree with the statement that depths of oppression create heights of character.
Nelson Mandela illustrates this by giving examples of great heroes of South Africa
like Oliver Tambo, Walter Sisulu and others who were inspired to sacrifice their
lives in the long freedom struggle.
India is full of such examples During our freedom struggle there was a galaxy
of leaders of great characters and the oppression of British rule created and
encouraged people of noble characters like Mahatma Gandhi, Lala Lajpat Rai,
Jawahar Lal Nehru, Chandra Shekhar Azad, Bhagat Singh and many more. If
we compare them with the quality of political leaders India is having today, then
Nelson Mandela seems to be absolutely right.
4. How did Mandela’s understanding of freedom change with age and
experience?
Ans. With age and experience, Mandela understood the real meaning of freedom. As
a young boy, he thought that he was born free and believed that as long as he
obeyed his father and abided by the customs of his tribe, he was free in every
possible manner. As he grew older, freedom to raise a family and freedom to
earn livelihood started dominating his thoughts. Gradually, he realised that he
was selfish during his boyhood. He slowly understood that it was not just his
freedom that was being curtailed, but the freedom of all blacks. It was the
freedom from fear and prejudice. Age and experience widened his perspective
3 English Class X
of freedom.
5. How did Mandela’s ‘hunger for freedom’ change his life?
Ans. Mandela realised in his youth that it was not just his freedom that was being
curtailed, but the freedom of all blacks. This changed the fearful man to a fearless
rebel.
He sacrificed the comforts of a settled family life to fight for a greater cause. He
joined the African National Congress and this changed him from a frightened
young man into a bold one who fought against racial prejudice.
I. There are nouns in the text (formation, government) which are formed from the
corresponding verbs (form, govern) by suffixing – (at)ion or ment. There may
be change in the spelling of some verb – noun pairs; such as rebel, rebellion;
constitute, constitution.
1. Make a list of such pairs of nouns and verbs in the text:
Noun Verb
Rebellion Rebel
Constitution Constitute
Ans. 3 – Formation : Form, 4 – Domination : Dominate, 5 – Imagination : Imagine,
6 – Obligation : Oblige.
2. Read the paragraph below. Fill in the blanks with the noun forms of the
verbs in brackets.
Martin Luther King’s ............... (contribute) to our history as an outstanding leader
began when he came to the ............... (assist) of Rosa Parks, a seamstress who
refused to give up her seat on a bus to a white passenger. In those days American
Blacks were confined to positions of second class citizenship by restrictive laws
and customs. To break these laws would mean ............... (subjugate) and ...............
(humiliate) by the police and the legal system. Beatings, ............... (imprison)
and sometimes death awaited those who defied the System. Martin Luther King’s
tactics of protest involved non-violent ............... (resist) to racial injustice.
Ans. Contribution, assistance, subjugation, humiliation, imprisonment, resistence.
II. Idiomatic Expressions
Match, the italicised phrases in Column A with the phrase nearest meaning in
Column B.
(Hint : First look for the sentence in the text which the phrase in column A occurs.)
4 English Class X
A B
1. I was not (i) had not forgotten; was aware of the
unmindful of fact
the fact (ii) was not careful about the fact
(iii) forgot or was not aware of the fact
2. when my (i) pushed by the guards to the wall
comrades and (ii) took more than our share of beatings
I were pushed (iii) felt that we could not endure the
to our limits suffering any longer
3. to reassure me (i) make me go on walking
and keep me (ii) help me continue to live in hope in
going this very difficult situation
(iii) make me remain without
complaining
4. the basic and (i) earning enough money to live on
honourable (ii) keeping what I earned
freedoms of… (iii) getting a good salary
earning my
keep,…
Ans.
A B
1. I was not unmindful of the fact was not careful about the fact
2. when my comrades and I were felt that we could not endure the suffering
pushed to our limits any longer
3. to reassure me and keep me going help me continue to live in hope in this very
difficult situation
4. the basic and honou-rable freedoms getting a good salary

of… earning my keep,…
Speaking
1. In groups, discuss the issues suggested in the box below. Then prepare a speech
of about two minutes on the following topic. (First make notes for your speech
in writing.)
True liberty is freedom from poverty, deprivation and all forms of
discrimination.
5 English Class X
l causes of poverty and means of overcoming it
l discrimination based on gender, religion, class, etc.
l constitutionally guaranteed human rights
Ans. Do it yourself.
Writing
I. Looking at Contrasts
Nelson Mandela’s writing is marked by balance : many sentences have two parts in
balance.
Use the following phrases to complete the sentences given below:
(i)they can be taught to love.
(ii)I was born free.
Writing
(iii)but the triumph over it.
(iv)but he who conquers that fear.
(v)to create such heights of character.
1. It requires such depths of oppression .................
Ans. It requires such depths of oppression to create such heights of character.
2. Courage was not the absence of fear .................
Ans. Courage was not the absence of fear but the triumph over it.
3. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid .................
Ans. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid but he who conquers that fear.
4. If people can learn to hate .................
Ans. If people can learn to hate they can be taught to love.
5. I was not born with a hunger to be free .................
Ans. I was not born with a hunger to be free I was born free.
II. This text repeatedly contrasts the past with the present or the future. We can
use coordinated clauses to contrast two views, for emphasis or effect.
Given below are sentences carrying one part of the contrast. Find in the text the
second part of the contrast, and complete each item. Identify the words which signal
the contrast. This has been done for you in the first item.
1. For decades the Union Buildings had been the seat of white supremacy, and
now .................
Ans. it was the site of a rainbow gathering of different colours and nations for the
installation of South Africa’s first democratic, non –racial government.
6 English Class X
2. Only moments before, the highest generals of the South African defence force
and police saluted me and pledged their loyalty not so many years before
they would not have saluted .................
Ans. but arrested me.
3. Although that day neither group knew the lyrics of the anthem …, they would
soon .................
Ans. know the words by heart.
4. My country is rich in the minerals and gems that lie beneath its soil, .................
Ans. I have always known that its greatest wealth is its people.
5. The Air Show was not only a display of pinpoint precision and military force,
but .................
Ans. a demonstration of the military’s loyalty to democracy.
6. It was this desire for the freedom of my people that transformed .................
into a bold one, that drove ................. to become a criminal, that turned
................. into a man without a home.
Ans. a frightened young man,
a law-abiding attorney,
a family loving husband.
7 English Class X
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CBSE 2022-23
3
Two Stories
about Flying
I. His First Flight—Liam O' Flaherty
II. The Black Aeroplane—Fredrick Forsyth
NCERT SOLUTIONS
What's inside
I. His First Flight
TEXTBOOK EXERCISE
1. Why was the young seagull afraid to fly? Do you think all young birds are afraid
to make their first flight, or are some birds more timid than others? Do you
think a human baby also finds it a challenge to take its first steps?
Ans. The young seagull was afraid to fly because it was his first flight and he feared
of falling and hurting himself. He thought that his wings would not support him
while flying. Yes, it is natural that doing something for the first time is a bit
challenging and fearful. All birds must be afraid to make their first flight.
Similarly, a human baby is also afraid of taking the first step and find it challenging
when he learns to crawl or stand up without support.
2. “The sight of the food maddened him.” What does this suggest? What compelled
the young seagull to finally fly?
Ans. The young seagull was very hungry. It was this hunger that ultimately
compelled it to fly. Its hunger intensified when it saw its mother tearing at a
piece of fish that lay at her feet. It cried to her, begging her to get some food.
When its mother came towards it with food in her beak, it screamed with joy
and anticipation. However, she stopped midway. It wondered why she did not
come nearer. Not being able to resist or control its hunger any longer, it dived
at the food in its mother’s beak. At that moment, his hunger overpowered his
fear of the great expense of sea beneath the cliff. Finally, this plunge was
followed by the natural reaction of its body, i.e. to fly.
3. “They were beckoning to him, calling shrilly.” Why did the seagull’s father
and mother threaten him and cajole him to fly?
Ans. Seagull’s parents had tried everything but he was reluctant to fly due to fear of
falling down. He looked at his brothers and sister but wouldn’t make any efforts.
Thats why the whole family had left him alone and threatened and cojoled him to
come but every effort went in vain.
4. Have you ever had a similar experience, where your parents encouraged you to
do something that you were too scared to try? Discuss this in pairs or groups.
Ans. Yes, I had a similar experience while leaning to ride a bicycle in class VI. In my
initial attempts, I fell down everytime and developed a fear of cycling which was
difficult to overcome.
1 English Class X
No amount of provoking and cajoling could let me try it again, but my father
encouraged me to overcome the fear and helped me as he was adamant on my
learning cycling. He took me on a mound near village and made me sit and asked me
to put my hands on the handle and feet on the paddle. It sped down and I enjoyed it
without fear which developed my confidence.
Thus, I overcame my fear of cycling and started riding a cycle after a few practice.
5. In the case of a bird flying, it seems a natural act, and a foregone conclusion
that it should succeed. In the examples you have given in Answer to the
previous question, was your success guaranteed, or was it important for you
to try, regardless of a possibility of failure?
Ans. We face some problems in the initial stage while learning new skill. Due to the
fear of failure, we hesitate to perform a task or to do something new. In case of
the seagull, his parents cajoled him to fly. In the example I have given in the
answer of previous question, I was cajoled by my father to learn cycling. So, at
that stage, I was to learn cycling as it was very important for me to overcome my
fear.
Yes, my success was guaranteed because if someone is determined to do
something then success is assured. Moreover as said, practice makes a man
perfect.
Speaking
1. We have just read about the first flight of a young seagull. Your teacher will
now divide the class into groups. Each group will work on one of the following
topics. Prepare a presentation with your group members and then present it
to the entire class.
lProgression of Models of Airplanes
lProgression of Models of Motorcars
lBirds and Their Wing Span
lMigratory Birds — Tracing Their Flight
Ans. Ans. Do yourself
2 English Class X
II. The Black Aeroplane — Frederick Forsyth

1. “I’ll take the risk.” What is the risk? Why does the narrator take it?
Ans. A huge storm was brewing up and the author was keen to reach his home to spend
his holiday with his family. So, he decided to fly through the storm as he did not
want to miss the chance to meet his family at breakfast. Thus, he took the risk even
when the visibility was almost zero in the storm.
2. Describe the narrator’s experience as he flew the aeroplane into the storm.
Ans. As the pilot (author) entered the storm, his plane started jumping and twisting.
He could not see anything outside the plane as it was black. When he looked at
compass and other instrument they had stopped to function due to storm. It was
a terrible and fearsome experience for him. The fuel tank was almost empty and
he could not fly more than ten minutes. Then he saw another black aeroplane by
his side and the pilot of the plane signalled him to follow. It was a surprise for the
narrator as the other black plane was having no light. He followed him without
any choice and landed safely on the runway.
3. Why does the narrator say, “I landed and was not sorry to walk away from the
old Dakota…”?
Ans. He was delighted to land safely out of dark strong clouds so he was not sorry to
walk away from his plane. He felt bad when he was not able to thank his guide
who guided and saved him from that frightening situation but he was so happy
after landing that he didn’t feel sorry for not being able to thank the guide pilot.
4. What made the woman in the Control Centre look at the narrator strangely?
Ans. The woman in the Control Centre looked at the narrator strangely because the
narrator asked him about the black aeroplane and she saw no one except the narrator’s
in the sky during the storm. Even the radar showed only the narrator’s plane that night
in the sky.
5. Who do you think helped the narrator to reach safely? Discuss this among
yourselves and give reasons for your answer.
Ans. It is very difficult to say about the unknown pilot who helped the narrator. But
probably it was the narrator himself that helped him to overcome the fear in the
storm as no other plane was seen in the radar except the narrator’s Dakota plane.
In that fearsome situation, he might have been hallucinating. He himself was a
good pilot and brave enough who helped himself land safely.
3 English Class X
I. Study the sentences given below :
(a) They looked like black mountains.
(b)Inside the clouds, everything was suddenly black.
(c)In the black clouds near me, I saw another aeroplane.
(d)The strange black aeroplane was there.
The word ‘black’ in sentences (a) and (c) refers to the very darkest colour. But
in (b) and (d) (here) it means without light/with no light.
‘Black’ has a variety of meanings in different contexts. For example :
(a)‘I prefer black tea’ means ‘I prefer tea without milk’.
(b)‘With increasing pollution the future of the world is black’ means ‘With
increasing pollution the future of the world is very depressing/ without
hope’.
Now, try to guess the meanings of the word ‘black’ in the sentences given
below. Check the meanings in the dictionary and find out whether you have
guessed right.
1. Go and have a bath; your hands and face are absolutely black. ....................
Ans. The meaning of ‘black ’ in this sentence is that the face and hands are black because
of dust and dirt.
2. The taxi-driver gave Ratan a black look as he crossed the road when the traffic
light was green. ....................
Ans. Here,‘black’ look refers to an angry look.
3. The bombardment of Hiroshima is one of the blackest crimes against humanity.
....................
Ans. “Here,‘blackest’ refers to the darkest and cruellest crime against humanity.
4. Very few people enjoy Harold Pinter’s black comedy. ....................
Ans. Here,‘black’ refers to dark and gloomy comedy.
5. Sometimes shopkeepers store essential goods to create false scarcity and then
sell these in black. ....................
Ans. The meaning of ‘black’in this sentence is that the shopkeepers sell the described
goods ‘at a higher price’.
6. Villagers had beaten the criminal black and blue. ....................
Ans. Here,‘black’means that the criminal suffered excessive beating at the hands of the
villagers.
4 English Class X
II. Look at these sentences taken from the lesson you have just read :
(a)I was flying my old Dakota aeroplane.
(b)The young seagull had been afraid to fly with them.
In the first sentence the author was controlling an aircraft in the air. Another
example is: Children are flying kites. In the second sentence the seagull was
afraid to move through the air, using its wings.
Match the phrases given under Column A with their meanings given under
Column B :
A B
1. Fly a flag – Move quickly/suddenly
2. Fly into rage – Be successful
3. Fly along – Display a flag on a long pole
4. Fly high – Escape from a place
5. Fly the coop – Become suddenly very angry
Ans. 1. Fly a flag – Display a flag on a long pole
2. Fly into rage – Become suddenly very angry
3. Fly along – Move quickly/suddenly
4. Fly high – Be successful
5. Fly the coop – Escape from a place
III. We know that the word ‘fly’ (of birds/insects) means to move through air using
wings. Tick the words which have the same or nearly the same meaning.
swoop flit paddle flutter
ascend float ride skim
sink dart hover glide
descend soar shoot spring
stay fall sail flap
Ans. Swoop, flit, float, dart, soar, hover, sail, skim, glide, flutter
Writing
1. Have you ever been alone or away from home during a thunderstorm? Narrate
your experience in a paragraph.
Ans. was on my morning walk and suddenly I was caught in a heavy storm and
thunderstorm. It was altogether a moment of extreme panic but amidst that, I
managed to find a rush towards a hotel which was nearby. There were many other
5 English Class X
people too who followed me towards the hotel. The hotel manager was very kind
and generous and he gave us permission to relax and wait in the waiting room.
After the storm got over we thanked the manager and went back to our respective
houses. From that day on wards, before going to the morning walk I check the
weather update and then only I plan to go for my morning walk.
6 English Class X
ARIHANT KAPKOTI
(99.80%), CBSE Topper 2023
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Important Events
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CBSE 2022-23
From the Diary
of Anne Frank 4
— Anne Frank
NCERT SOLUTIONS
What's inside
ORAL COMPREHENSION
I. Writing in a diary……………………friend ‘Kitty’.
1. What makes writing in a diary a strange experience for Anne Frank?
Ans. Two reasons make writing in a diary a strange experience. One, she has never
written anything before. Second, perhaps no one will be interested in the thoughts
of a thirteen- year-old school girl.
2. Why does Anne want to keep a diary?
Ans. Anne wants to keep a diary because she had hardly any friends to confide in.
Secondly, she can’t talk about day-to-day happenings. In keeping a diary she
would do so.
3. Why did Anne think she could confide more in her diary than in people?
Ans. Anne thought so because she doesn’t have a true friend to confide in. She treats
the diary not to use it the way most people use. But she would treat it as her best
friend. Then diary would be closer than any friend.
II. Since no one.…………………………….. of my diary.
1. Why does Anne provide a brief sketch of her life?
Ans. Anne provides a brief sketch of her life. She feels that no one would understand
her stories in her diary if she did not write about her life.
2. What tells you that Anne loved her grandmother?
Ans. She loved her grandmother. It was because her parents went to Holland leaving
her with her grandmother in Aachen. Her sister Margot also lived with her. Then
she lived with her till she was six.
III. Dearest Kitty, …...………………… jokes these days.
1. Why was Mr. Keesing annoyed with Anne? What did he ask her to do?
Ans. Mr. Keesing was annoyed with Anne because she talked very much in the class.
He assigned her extra homework, asking her to write an essay on the subject, ‘A
Chatterbox’.
2. How did Anne justify her being a chatterbox in her essay?
Ans. She gave two arguments to justify her 'Chatterbox', one that chatting in student's
traits and other reason that nothing can be done about the inherited traits.
3. Do you think Mr. Keesing was a strict teacher?
Ans. Mr. Keesing was not a strict teacher. In fact, he was a jovial kind of teacher. He
was interested more that students should be taught practically.
1 English Class X
4. What made Mr. Keesing allow Anne to talk in class?
Ans. Mr. Keesing allowed Anne to talk in the class after the joke Anne had played on
him. He took Anne’s joke in right spirit. He read the poem to the class adding his
own comments. He read it to several classes as well.
TEXTBOOK EXERCISE
1. Was Anne right when she said that the world would not be interested in the
musings of a 13 year old girl?
Ans. Yes, Anne was right when she said so because most of the people don’t want to
give importance to a child’s perspective toward the world because they are too
immature for the world. But Anne Frank has become one of the most discussed
of all holocaust victims. Her ‘diary’ has been translated into many languages.
2. There are some examples of diary or journal entries in the ‘Before You
Read’ section. Compare these with what Anne writes in her diary. What
language was the diary originally written in? In what way is Anne’s diary
different?
Ans. Anne’s diary was entirely different from most of the examples given before the
text. It was somewhere closer to the memoir in which the name of Raj Kapoor
has been mentioned. It was originally written in Dutch. It has informal tone
which exudes the careful nature of a teenager.
3. Why does Anne need to give a brief sketch about her family? Does she treat
‘Kitty’ as an insider or an outsider?
Ans. Anne gave an introduction of her family in the ‘diary’ because it was hard to
make other realise that a 13 years old teenager could write about her loneliness.
Kitty was an ‘outsider’ which was gifted by her parents on her 13th birthday but
she considered it her best friend and treated it as an insider.
4. How does Anne feel about her father, her grandmother, Mrs. Kuperus and
Mr. Keesing? What do these tell you about her?
Ans. Anne has fond of memories of her father, grandmother, Mrs Kuperus and Mr
Keesing, who have left indelible impressions on her mind and affected her life a
lot. The way she represents all of them in her diary reveals that Anne was very
good at understanding people and at developing interpersonal relations.
5. What does Anne write in her first essay?
2 English Class X
Ans. Mr Keesing asked her to write an essay on the topic ‘A Chatterbox’ as punishment.
In the essay, she accepted the drawbacks of being talkative but argued that it was
in her genes as her mother was also very talkative. It was difficult to give up the
habit and it was also a student’s trait. Even Mr Keesing laughed at the argument
she had given.
6. Anne says teachers are most unpredictable. Is Mr. Keesing unpredictable?
Ans. Anne took perfect example of Mr Keesing as an unpredictable teacher because
Mr Keesing seemed to be indifferent towards Annes’ behaviour. Earlier he
laughed but later he allowed Anne to talk in the class post reading her essays.
7. What do these statements tell you about Anne Frank as a person?
(i) We don’t seem to be able to get any closer and that’s the problem. Maybe
it’s my fault that we don’t confide in each other.
(ii) I don’t want, to jcft; down the facts in this diary the way most people
would, but I want the diary to be my friend.
(iii)Margot went to Holland in December and I followed in February, when
I was plunked down on the table as a birthday present for Margot.
(iv)If you ask me, there are so many dummies that about a quarter of
the class should be kept back, but teachers are the most unpredictable
creatures on Earth.
(v) Anyone could ramble on and leave big spaces between the words, but the
trick was to come up with convincing arguments to prove the necessity
of talking.
Ans.(i)Anne is reserved.
(ii)She is self-confident and inventive.
(iii)She is humorous as well.
(iv)Anne is intelligent.
(v)She has a sense of propriety and convincing attitude.
I. Look at the following words :
headmistress long-awaited homework
notebook stiff-backed outbursts
These words are compound words. They are made up of two or more words.
Compound words can be :
lnouns : headmistress, homework, notebook, outbursts
ladjectives : long-awaited, stiff-backed
3 English Class X
lverbs: sleep-walk, baby-sit
Match the compound words under ‘A’ with their meanings under ‘B’. Use
each in a sentence.
A B
1. Heartbreaking – obeying and respecting the law
2. Homesick – think about pleasant things, forge-
tting about the present
3. Blockhead – something produced by a person,
machine or organisation
4. Law-abiding – producing great sadness
5. Overdo – an occasion when vehicles/machines
stop working
6. Daydream – an informal word which means a
very stupid person
7. Breakdown – missing home and family very much
8. Output – do something to an excessive degree
Ans. 1. Heartbreaking – producing great sadness

2. Homesick – missing home and family very much
3. Blockhead – an informal word which means a very stupid person
4. Law-abiding – obeying and respecting the law
5. Overdo – do something to an excessive degree
6. Daydream – think about pleasant things, forgetting about the present
7. Breakdown – an occasion when vehicles/machines stop working
8. Output – something produced by a person, machine or organisation
II. Phrasal Verbs
A phrasal verb is a verb followed by a preposition or an adverb. Its meaning is
often different from the meanings of its parts. Compare the meanings of the verbs
get on and run away in (a) and (b) below. You can easily guess their meanings in
(a)but in (b) they have special meanings.
(a)She got on at Agra when the bus stopped for breakfast.
l Dev Anand ran away from home when he was a teenager.
(b) She’s eager to get on in life. (succeed)
l The visitors ran away with the match. (won easily)
Some phrasal verbs have three parts: a verb followed by an adverb and a
4 English Class X
preposition.
(c) Our car ran out of petrol just outside the city limits.
(d) The government wants to reach out to the people with this new campaign.
1. The text you’ve just read has a number of phrasal verbs commonly used in
English. Look up the following in a dictionary for their meanings (under the
entry for the italicised word).
(i)plunge (right) in
(ii)kept back
(iii)ramble on
(iv)get along with
2. Now find the sentences in the lesson that have the phrasal verbs given below.
Match them with their meanings. (You have already found out the meanings
of some of them.) Are their meanings the same as that of their parts? (Note
that two parts of a phrasal verb may occur separated in the text.)
(i)plunge in – speak or write without focus
(ii)kept back – stay indoors
(iii)move up – make (them) remain quiet
(iv) ramble on – have a good relationship with
(v)get along with – give an assignment (homework) to a person in authority (the
teacher)
(vi) calm down – compensate
(vii)stay in – go straight to the topic
(viii)make up for – go to the next grade
(ix) hand in – not promoted
Ans. (i)plunge in –go straight to the topic
(ii)kept back – stay indoors
(iii)move up –go to the next grade
(iv) ramble on –speak or write without focus
(v)get along with –have a good relationship with
(vi) calm down –make (them) remain quiet
(vii)stay in – not promoted
(viii)make up for – compensate
(ix) hand in – give an assignment (homework) to a person in authority (theteacher)
5 English Class X
III. Idioms
Idioms are groups of words with a fixed order, and a particular meaning, different
from the meanings of each of their words put together. (Phrasal verbs can also be
idioms; they are said to be ‘idiomatic’ when their meaning is unpredictable.) For
example, do you know what it means to ‘meet one’s match’ in English? It means
to meet someone who is as good as oneself, or even better, in some skill or quality.
Do you know what it means to ‘let the cat out of the bag’? Can you guess?
1. Here are a few sentences from the text which have idiomatic expressions. Can
you say what each means? (You might want to consult a dictionary first.)
(i)Our entire class is quaking in its boots. ....................... .....................................
..................................................
(ii)Until then, we keep telling each other not to lose heart. ..................................
.....................................................
.......................................................................................
(iii)Mr. Keesing was annoyed with me for ages because I talked so much. .........
...............................................................................................................................
............
(iv)Mr. Keesing was trying to play a joke on me with this ridiculous subject, but I’d
make sure the joke was on him. ..............................................................................
.........................................................................................
Ans. (i)Shaking with fear and nervous.
(ii) Not to think about negative side, but hope for the best.
(iii)For quite a long time.
(iv) Joke would be on him only.
2. Here are a few more idiomatic expressions that occur in the text. Try to use
them in sentences of your own.
(i)caught my eye
(ii)he’d had enough
(iii)laugh ourselves silly
(iv)can’t bring myself to
Ans. (i)Caught my eye – While I was in the market, a beautiful purse had caught my
eye.
(ii) He’d had enough – The teacher said that they’d had enough and he wanted
all the notebooks by Wednesday.
6 English Class X
(iii)Laugh ourselves silly – He laughed ourselves silly on his stupid jokes.
(iv) Can’t bring myself to – I can’t bring myself to terms with this tragedy.
IV.Do you know how to use a dictionary to find out the meanings of idiomatic
expressions? Take, for example, the expression caught my eye in the story. Where
— under which word — would you look for it in the dictionary?
Look for it under the first word. But if the first word is a ‘grammatical’ word like
a, the, for, etc., then take the next word. That is, look for the first ‘meaningful’
word in the expression. In our example, it is the word caught.
But you won’t find caught in the dictionary, because it is the past tense of catch.
You’ll find caught listed under catch. So you must look under catch for the
expression caught my eye. Which other expressions with catch are listed in your
dictionary?
Note that a dictionary entry usually first gives the meanings of the word itself, and
then gives a list of idiomatic expressions using that word. For example, study this
partial entry for the noun ‘eye’ from the Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary,
2005.
Eye
l Noun
l Part of Body 1 [C] either of the two organs on the face that you see with: The suspect
has dark hair and green eyes.
l Ability to See 3 [sing] the ability to see : A surgeon needs a good eye and a steady
hand.
l Way of Seeing 4 [C, usually sing] a particular way of seeing sth: He looked at the
design with the eye of an engineer.
l Of Needle 5 [C] the hole in the end of a needle that you put the thread through.
IDM be all eyes to be watching sb/sth carefully and with a lot of interest before/in front
of sb’s (very) eyes in sb’s presence; in front of sb: He had seen his life’s work destroyed
before his very eyes. Be up to your eyes in sth to have a lot of sth to deal with: We’re
up to our eyes in work.
You have read the expression ‘not to lose heart’ in this text. Now find out the
meanings of the following expressions using the word ‘heart’. Use each of
them in a sentence of your own.
1.break somebody’s heart
7 English Class X
2.close/dear to heart
3.from the (bottom of your) heart
4.have a heart
5.have a heart of stone
6.your heart goes out to somebody
Ans.1.Break somebody’s heart – It is not a good habit to break somebody’s heart.
2.Close to heart – I am very close to my father’s heart.
3.From the (bottom of your) heart – I thank you from the bottom of my heart for
being my mentor.
4.Have a heart – I request you to have a heart and look again at my application.
5.Have a heart of stone – It is said that people like Hitler have a heart of stone.
6.Your heart goes out to somebody – As I looked at shabbily dressed up children,
my heart went out to them.
V. Contracted Forms
When we speak, we use ‘contracted forms’ or short forms such as these :
can’t (for can not or cannot)
I’d (for I would or I had)
she’s (for she is)
Notice that contracted forms are also written with an apostrophe to show a
shortening of the spelling of not, would, or is as in the above example.
Writing a diary is like speaking to oneself. Plays (and often, novels) also have
speech in written form. So we usually come across contracted forms in diaries,
plays and novels.
1. Make a list of the contracted forms in the text. Rewrite them as full forms of
two words.
For example :
I’ve = I have
Ans. I’ve = I have Doesn’t = Does not
I’m = I am Won’t = Will not
8 English Class X
Don’t = Do not Can’t = Can not
That’s = That is I’d = I would
Didn’t = Did not Who’ll = Who will
It’s = It isYou’re = You are
We’ll = We will
2. We have seen that some contracted forms can stand for two different full
forms :
I’d = I had or I would
Find in the text the contracted forms that stand for two different full forms, and
say what these are.
Ans. That’s = That is, That was
I’d = I had, I would
Who’ll = Who will, Who shall
It’s = It is, It was
You’re = You are, You were
We’ll = We will, We shall
9 English Class X
ARIHANT KAPKOTI
(99.80%), CBSE Topper 2023
”
Important Events
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Character's Mood
(with explanations)
VIEW BOOK


CBSE 2022-23
Glimpses
of India
I. A Baker from Goa — Lucio Rodrigues
5
II. Coorg — Lokesh Abrol
III. Tea from Assam — Arup Kumar Datta
NCERT SOLUTIONS
What's inside
I. A Baker from Goa
ORAL COMPREHENSION
I. OUR elders are ..................................... nicely, after all!
1. What are the elders in Goa nostalgic about?
Ans. They are nostalgic about the Portuguese and their famous loaves of bread.
2. Is bread-making still popular in Goa? How do you know?
Ans. Yes, bread-making is still popular in Goa. The author has described about the
existence of time-old furnaces and their still burning fire. The Goan society is still
having moulders, bread mixers and bakers.
3. What is the baker called?
Ans. The bakers are known as pader.
4. When would the baker come everyday? Why did the children run to meet
him?
Ans. He would come twice a day. The children ran to meet him not for loaves of bread
but ‘bread-bangles’.
II. Marriage gifts are .......................................... to a baker.
1. Match the following. What is a must
(i) as marriage gifts? – cakes and bolinhas
(ii) for a party or a feast? – sweet bread called bol
(iii)for a daughter’s engagement? – bread
(iv)for Christmas? – sandwiches
Ans. (i) as marriage gifts — sweet bread called bol
(ii) for a party or a feast — bread
(iii)for a daughter’s engagement — sandwiches
(iv)for Christmas — cakes and bolinhas
2. What did the bakers wear:
(i) in the Portuguese days?
(ii) when the author was young?
Ans. (i) They wore the kabai. It was a single-piece long frock that reached down to the
knees.
(ii)They wore a shirt and trousers. These were shorter than full-length ones and
1 English Class X
longer than half pants.
3. Who invites the comment — “he is dressed like a pader”? Why?
Ans. A person who wears a half pant invites this comment. The half pant reaches just
below the knee.
4. Where were the monthly accounts of the baker recorded?
Ans. They recorded them on some wall in pencil.
5. What does a ‘jackfruit -like appearance’ mean?
Ans. It means fat and plumpy like the jackfruit itself.
Thinking About the Text
1. Which of these statements are correct?
(i) The pader was an important person in the village in old times.
(ii)Paders still exist in Goan villages.
(iii)The paders went away with the Portuguese.
(iv)The paders continue to wear a single-piece long frock.
(v) Bread and cakes were an integral part of Goan life in the old days.
(vi)Traditional bread-baking is still a very profitable business.
(vii)Paders and their families starve in the present times.
Ans. (i), (ii), (v), (vi)
2. Is bread an important part of Goan life? How do you know this?
Ans. Yes, Bread is an important part of the Goan culture and it is evident from its presence
at every important occasion. From sweet breads at marriages to sandwiches at
engagement parties and cakes and Bolinhas at Christmas as well as other occasions,
makes the presence of a baker in every village, very essential.
3. Tick the right answer. What is the tone of the author when he says the
following?
(i) The thud and the jingle of the traditional baker’s bamboo can still be
heard in some places. (nostalgic, hopeful, sad)
(ii) Maybe the father is not alive but the son still carries on the family
profession. (nostalgic, hopeful, sad)
(iii)I still recall the typical fragrance of those loaves. (nostalgic, hopeful,
naughty)
(iv)The tiger never brushed his teeth. Hot tea could wash and clean up
everything so nicely, after all. (naughty, angry, funny)
(v) Cakes and bolinhas are a must for Christmas as well as other festivals.
2 English Class X
(sad, hopeful, matter-of-fact)
(vi)The baker and his family never starved. They always looked happy and
prosperous. (matter-of-fact, hopeful, sad)
Ans. (i) Nostalgic, (ii) Hopeful, (iii) Nostalgic, (iv) Funny, (v) matter-of-fact, (vi)
matter-of-fact
Writing
I. In this extract, the author talks about traditional bread-baking during his
childhood days. Complete the following table with the help of the clues on
the left. Then write a paragraph about the author’s childhood days.
Clues Author’s childhood days
the way bread was baked

the way the pader sold bread
what the pader wore when
the pader was paid
how the pader looked
Ans.
Clues Author’s childhood days
the way bread was baked Age-old time-tested furnaces
still exist. The fire still burns in
them. The baker arrives with
the thud and jingle in some
places.
the way the pader sold bread He made his musical entry
with ‘jhang jhang’ sound with
his bamboo staff. He wished
‘Good morning’. Breads
were sold in minutes.
what the pader wore It was kabai, a single-piece
long frock reaching down to
the knees.
when the pader was paid He was paid at the end of the
month.
3 English Class X
how the pader looked He looked fat and plumpy.
He wore a shirt and trousers.
These were shorter than full-
length ones and longer than
half pants.
II. 1. Compare the piece from the text (on the left below) with the other piece
on Goan bakers (on the right). What makes the two texts so different? Are
the facts the same? Do both writers give you a picture of the baker?
Our elders are often heard reminiscing After Goa’s liberation, people used
nostalgically about those good old Portuguese to say nostalgically that the Portu-
days, the Portuguese and their famous loaves guese bread vanished with the pad-
of bread. Those eaters of loaves might have ers. But the paders have managed
vanished but the makers are still there. We to survive because they have per-
still have amongst us the mixers, the moulders fected the art of door-to-door deliv-
and those who bake the loaves. Those age-old, ery service. The paders pick up the
time-tested furnaces still exist. The fire in the knowledge of breadmaking from
furnaces had not yet been extinguished. The traditions in the family. The leav-
thud and the jingle of the traditional baker’s ened, oven-baked bread is a gift of
bamboo, heralding his arrival in the morning, the Portuguese to India.
can still be heard in some places. [Adapted from Nandakumar Ka-
May be the father is not alive but the son still mat’s ‘The Unsung Lives of Goan
carries on the family profession Paders’]
Ans. The topic of both the given texts are same i.e. they talk about paders in Goa and
art of baking bread. But the patterns of describing it are different and also at
different times i.e. the text on the left side talks about the memories of the elders
who recollect the past nostalgically whereas the text on the right-side talks about
the period after Goa’s liberation talking about the realities of Portuguese bread
that now seem to be faded with the passage of time.
II. 2. Now find a travel brochure about a place you have visited. Look at the
description in the brochure. Then write your own account, adding details
from your own experience, to give the reader a picture of the place, rather
than an impersonal, factual description.
Ans. Do yourself.
4 English Class X
II. Coorg
TEXTBOOK EXERCISE
1. Where is Coorg?
Ans. Coorg is the smallest district of Karnataka and is located somewhere between
Mysore and the coastal city of Mangalore.
2. What is the story about the Kodavu people’s descent?
Ans. It is said that the Kodavus are of either Greek or Arabic descent. According to
one story, a part of Alexander’s army could not return to its homeland and settled
there. As the traditional dress of the Kodavus, Kuppia is similar to the dress of the
Arabs and Kurds, the Kuffia, it is said that probably the Kodavus are descendants
of the Arabs.
3. What are some of the things you now know about
(i) The people of Coorg?
(ii) The main crop of Coorg?
(iii)The sports it offers to tourists?
(iv)The animals you are likely to see in Coorg?
(v) Its distance from Bangalore, and how to get there?
Ans.(i) The People of Coorg are known to be descendents of the Greeks or the Arabs.
This is because of their dressing style. They are independent and ferocious.
They are the bravest soldiers in the Indian Army. At the same time, they are
welcoming and are known for their hospitality. They have married amongst
their locals and their culture is very different from what is seen in mainstream
Hindus.
(ii) Coffee is the main crop of Coorg. During the monsoon season, when the weather
is pleasant and the wind is blowing, it carries with it the strong fragrance of
coffee. Coffee estates with colonial bungalows are abundant and even provide
homestays for visitors to experience the Coorgi way of life.
(iii)A variety of high-energy adventure activities are offered to tourists like river
rafting, canoeing, rappelling, rock climbing and mountain biking. Trekking is
also one of the famous activities.
(iv)Fishes like Mahaseer are found in the waters of the river Kaveri. Birds like
Kingfisher and other animals like squirrels, langurs, butterflies, bees accompany
you in this area while wild elephants can be seen enjoying bathing in the
5 English Class X
rivers. If you are on a trek, Macaques, Malabar squirrels, langurs and slender
loris can be spotted on the trees.
(v) Coorg is at a distance of 260 kms from Bangalore. The nearest airports are
Mangalore (135 km) and Bangalore (260 km). There are flights to Mangalore
from Mumbai, and to Bangalore from Ahmedabad, Chennai, Delhi, Goa,
Hyderabad, Kochi, Kolkata, Mumbai and Pune. The nearest railheads are at
Mysore, Mangalore and Hassan. There are two road routes to Coorg from
Bangalore. Both are almost the same distance (around 250-260 km). The route
via Mysore is the most frequented one. The other route is via Neelamangal,
Kunigal, Chanrayanapatna.
4. Here are six sentences with some words in italics. Find phrases from the text
that have the same meaning. (Look in the paragraphs indicated)
(i) During monsoons it rains so heavily that tourists do not visit Coorg. (para
2)
(ii) Some people say that Alexander’s army moved south along the coast and
settled there. (para 3)
(iii) The Coorg people are always ready to tell stories of their sons’ and
fathers’ valour. (para 4)
(iv) Even people who normally lead an easy and slow life get smitten by the
high-energy adventure sports of Coorg. (para 6)
(v) The theory of the Arab origin is supported by the long coat with embroidered
waist-belt they wear. (para 3)
(vi) Macaques, Malabar squirrels observe you carefully from the tree
canopy. (para 7)
Ans.(i) Keep many visitors away
(ii) As one story goes
(iii)Are more than willing to recount
(iv)The most laidback individuals become converts to
(v) Draws support from
(vi)Keep a watchful eye.
Thinking About Language
Collocations
Certain words ‘go together’. Such ‘word friends’ are called collocations. The collocation
of a word is ‘the company it keeps’.
For example, look at the paired sentences and phrases below. Which is a common
6 English Class X
collocation, and which one is odd? Strike out the odd sentence or phrase.
(a) l ‘How old are you?’
l‘How young are you?’
(b)la pleasant person
l a pleasant fellow
1. Here are some nouns from the text.
Culture monks surprise experience
weather tradition
Work with a partner and discuss which of the nouns can collocate with which
of the adjectives given below. The first one has been done for you.
Unique terrible unforgettable serious
ancient wide sudden
(i)culture: unique culture, ancient culture
(ii)monks: ........................................
(iii)surprise: ........................................
(iv)experience: ........................................
(v)weather: ........................................
(vi)tradition: ........................................
Ans.(i) culture: unique culture, ancient culture
(ii) monks: ancient monks
(iii)surprise: Unique surprise, terrible surprise, unforgettable surprise
(iv)experience: Unique experience, terrible experience, unforgettable experience,
sudden experience
(v) weather: terrible weather, sudden weather
(vi)tradition: unique tradition, ancient tradition
2. Complete the following phrases from the text. For each phrase, can you find at
least one other word that would fit into the blank?
(i) tales of _____________
(ii)coastal _____________
(iii)a piece of _____________
(iv)evergreen _____________
(v) plantations _____________
(vi)bridge _____________
(vii)wild _____________
7 English Class X
You may add your own examples to this list.
Ans. (i) tales of valour
(ii)coastal town
(iii)a piece of heaven
(iv)evergreen rainforests
(v) Coffee plantations
(vi)Rope bridge
(vii)wild animals
III. Tea from Assam
TEXTBOOK EXERCISE
1. Look at these words: upkeep, downpour, undergo, dropout, walk-in. They are
built up from a verb (keep, pour, go, drop, walk) and an adverb or a particle
(up, down, under, out, in). Use these words appropriately in the sentences
below. You may consult a dictionary.
(i) A heavy ............... has been forecast due to low pressure in the Bay of Bengal.
(ii) Rakesh will ............... major surgery tomorrow morning.
(iii)My brother is responsible for the ............... of our family property.
(iv)The ............... rate for this accountancy course is very high.
(v) She went to the Enterprise Company to attend a ............... interview.
Ans.(i) A heavy downpour has been forecast due to low pressure in the Bay of Bengal.
(ii) Rakesh will undergo major surgery tomorrow morning.
(iii)My brother is responsible for the upkeep of our family property.
(iv)The dropout rate for this accountancy course is very high.
(v) She went to the Enterprise Company to attend a walk-in interview.
2. Now fill in the blanks in the sentences given below by combining the verb
given in brackets with one of the words from the box as appropriate.
Over by throughout up down
(i) The Army attempted unsuccessfully to ............. the Government. (throw)
(ii) Scientists are on the brink of a major ............. in cancer research. (break)
(iii)The State Government plans to build a ............. for Bhubaneswar to speed up
traffic on the main highway. (pass)
(iv)Gautama’s ............. on life changed when he realised that the world is full of
8 English Class X
sorrow. (look)
(v) Rakesh seemed unusually ............. after the game. (cast)
Ans.(i)overthrow, (ii)breakthrough, (iii) by-pass, (iv) outlook, (v) downcast.
Notice how these -ing and -ed adjectives are used.
(a) Chess is an interesting game. I am very interested in chess.
(b) Going trekking in the We are very excited about the trek.
Himalayas this summer is an
exciting idea
(c) Are all your school books He was bored as he had no friends
this boring? there.
The -ing adjectives show the qualities that chess, trekking, or these books have:
they cause interest, excitement, or boredom in you. The —ed/—en adjectives
show your mental state, or your physical state: how you feel in response to ideas,
events or things.
1. Think of suitable -ing or -ed adjectives to answer the following questions.
You may also use words from those given above. How would you describe :
(i) a good detective serial on television?
(ii) a debate on your favourite topic ‘Homework Should Be Banned’?
(iii)how you feel when you stay indoors due to incessant rain?
(iv)how you feel when you open a present?
(v) how you feel when you watch your favourite programme on television?
(vi)the look on your mother’s face as you waited in a queue?
(vii)how you feel when tracking a tiger in a tiger reserve forest?
(viii)the story you have recently read, or a film you have seen?
Ans. (i) Interesting, (ii) Exciting, (iii) Bored, (iv) Excited, (v) Interested, (vi) Tired,
(vii) Thrilled, (viii) Boring
Speaking and Writing
2. You are the sales executive of a famous tea company and you have been asked
to draft an advertisement for the product. Draft the advertisement using the
information you collected for the role play. You can draw pictures or add
photographs and make your advertisement colourful.
9 English Class X
ARIHANT KAPKOTI
(99.80%), CBSE Topper 2023
”
Important Events
Dictionary
Character's Mood
(with explanations)
VIEW BOOK


CBSE 2022-23
Mijbil the Otter
— Gavin Maxwell
6
NCERT SOLUTIONS
What's inside
ORAL COMPREHENSION
I. EARLY in the New Year of .................... one to the floor.
1. What ‘experiment’ did Maxwell think Camusfearna would be suitable for?
Ans. Camusfearna would be suitable for keeping an otter. It is because it was ringed
by water at a very short distance. Otters live mainly in water.
2. Why does he go to Basra? How long does he wait there, and why?
Ans. The author went to Basra to the Consulate-General to collect and answer mail from
Europe. He waited there for five days. It was because there were various problems
in getting the mail.
3. How does he get the otter? Does he like it? Pick out the words that tell you
this.
Ans. He got the otter from the two Arabs. He went to the bedroom with the mail. He saw
a sack having the otter. The Arabs told him that otter was his. The author liked it.
This is seen in : “The second night Mijbil came on to my bed in the small hours and
remained asleep in the crook of my knees …”, “I made a body-belt for him …”.
4. Why was the otter named ‘Maxwell’s otter’?
Ans. The otter was named ‘Maxwell’s otter’. It was because his race was not previously
known to science before this otter (Mij). It was kept by Maxwell himself.
5. Tick the right answer. In the beginning, the otter was :
l aloof and indifferent
l friendly
l hostile
Ans. aloof and indifferent
6. What happened when Maxwell took Mijbil to the bathroom? What did it do
two days after that?
Ans. For half an hour the otter went wild with joy in the water. He plunged and rolled
in it. He shot up and down the length of the bathtub underwater. He made enough
slosh and splash.
After two days he escaped from the author’s bedroom. He entered the bathroom to
play in water and the tap.
II. The days passed peacefully ....................... and my neck.
1. How was Mij to be transported to England?
Ans. Mij was to be transported to England by air.
1 English Class X
2. What did Mij do to the box?
Ans. Mij had torn the lining of the box to pieces.
3. Why did Maxwell put the otter back in the box? How do you think he felt
when he did this?
Ans. Maxwell put the otter back in the box. It was because the airline would not fly him
without the box.He felt tense. It was because it was just ten minutes until the time
of the flight. Secondly, airport was five miles apart.
4. Why does Maxwell say the airhostess was “the very queen of her kind”?
Ans. Maxwell says this because the air hostess showed great kindness to the otter. She
cooperated with him about the otter.
5. What happened when the box was opened?
Ans. When the box was opened the otter disappeared at high speed down the aircraft.
There were noises all around “A rat ! A rat!”
III. Mij and I remained ....................................supposed to be?
1. What game had Mij invented?
Ans. Mij had invented a game with ping-pong ball. He would put the ball at one end of
a sloping lid and then grab it as it ran to the other end.
2. What are ‘compulsive habits’? What does Maxwell say are the compulsive
habits of : (i) school children (ii) Mij
Ans. Compulsive habits are usually strange act or behaviour which a person does without
clear reason. On their way to and from school, children make it a habit to place
their feet exactly on the centre of each paving block. Similarly, Mij had made it a
habit to jump on to the school wall and go galloping all along its length of thirty
yards.
3. What group of animals do otters belong to?
Ans. Otters belong to a comparatively small group of animals called Mustellines, shared
by the badger, mongoose, weasel, stoat, mink and others.
4. What guesses did the Londoners make about what Mij was ?
Ans. According to Maxwell, the average Londoner does not recognize an otter. The
Londoners who saw Mij made different guesses about who Mij was. They guessed,
among other things, that it was a baby seal, a squirrel, a walrus, a hippo, a beaver,
a bear cub, a leopard and a brontosaur.
TEXTBOOK EXERCISE
2 English Class X
1. What things does Mij do which tell you that he is an intelligent, friendly and fun-
loving animal who needs love?
Ans. Mij invented his own game out of ping-pong ball and a worn down suitcase. 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. It got desperate
when Maxwell left it in a box and wanted to come out as soon as possible.
2. What are some of the things we come to know about otters from this text?
Ans. Otters belong to a comparatively small group of animals called Mustellines,
shared by badger, mongoose, weasel, stoat, mink and others. They are found in
large numbers in marshes. Arabs keep them as pets and tame them. Otters love to
spread water and splash in it. Maxwell’s otter was of a race previously unknown to
science and was at length named by zoologists Lutrogale Perspicillata Maxwelli.
3. Why is Mij’s species now known to the world as Maxwell’s otter?
Ans. Maxwell’s otter was of a race previously unknown to science and was at length
named by zoologists Lutrogale Perspicillata Maxwelli, hence, it is known as
Maxwell’s otter in short.
4. Maxwell in the story speaks for the otter, Mij. He tells us what the otter feels
and thinks on different occasions. Given below are some things the otter
does. Complete the column on the right to say what Maxwell says about
what Mij feels and thinks.
What Mij Does How Mij Feels or
Thinks
Plunges, rolls in the water and makes the
water splosh and splash
Screws the tap in the wrong way
Nuzzles Maxwell’s face and neck in the
aeroplane
Ans.
What Mij Does How Mij Feels or
Thinks
Plunges, rolls in the water and makes He thinks it is a hippo and is
the water splosh and splash very happy.
Screws the tap in the wrong way He chitters with irritation and
disappointment.
Nuzzles Maxwell’s face and neck in He feels much comfort and
the aeroplane content after its distressed
chitter.
3 English Class X
5. Read the story and find the sentences where Maxwell describes his pet otter.
Then choose and arrange your sentences to illustrate those statements below that
you think are true. Maxwell’s description :
(i) makes Mij seem almost human, like a small boy.
(ii) shows that he is often irritated with what Mij does.
(iii)shows that he is often surprised by what Mij does.
(iv)of Mij’s antics is comical.
(v) shows that he observes the antics of Mij very carefully.
(vi)shows that he thinks Mij is a very ordinary otter.
(vii)shows that he thinks the otter is very unusual.
Ans. (i) True
(ii) False
(iii)True
(iv)True
(v) True
(vi)False
(vii)True
I. Describing a Repeated Action in the Past
To talk about something that happened regularly in the past, but does not
happen any longer, we use would or used to. Both would and used to can
describe repeated actions in the past.
(a) Mij would follow me without a lead and come to me when I called his
name.
(b) He would play for hours with a selection of toys.
(c)On his way home… Mij would tug me to this wall.
(d) When I was five years old, I used to follow my brother all over the place.
(e)He used to tease me when Mother was not around.
To describe repeated states or situations in the past, however, we use only
used to. (We cannot use would for states or situations in the past.) So we do
not use would with verbs like be, have, believe, etc. Look at the following
sentences :
(a) When we were young, we used to believe there were ghosts in school.
(Note: believe shows a state of mind.)
4 English Class X
(b) Thirty years ago, more women used to be housewives than now. (Note: be
here describes a situation.)
From the table below, make as many correct sentences as you can using
would and/or used to, as appropriate. (Hint: First decide whether the words
in italics show an action, or a state or situation, in the past.) Then add two or
three sentences of your own to it.
Emperor Akbar be fond of musical evenings.
Every evening we take long walks on the
would beach.
Fifty years ago, own cars.
very few people
Till the 1980s, used to have very dirty streets.
Shanghai
My uncle spend his holidays by the
sea.
Ans. (i) Emperor Akbar used to be fond of musical evenings.
(ii) Every evening we used to take long walks on the beach.
(iii)Fifty years ago, very few people used to own cars.
(iv)Till the 1980s, Shanghai used to have very dirty streets.
(v) My father would spend his holidays by the sea.
(vi)My brother used to take long walks on the beach.
(vii)My mother used to be fond of musical evenings.
(viii)In 1980s very few people used to own cars.
II. Noun Modifiers
To describe or give more information about a noun (or to modify a noun), we
use adjectives or adjectival phrases. Look at these examples from the text :
(a) An eminently suitable spot
(b) His wide, flat belly
(c)Symmetrical pointed scales
(d) A ricocheting bullet
Nouns can also be used as modifiers:
(a) The dinner party
(b) A designer dress
(c)The car keys
We can use more than one noun as modifier. Proper nouns can also be used
:
(a) The Christmas dinner party
5 English Class X
(b) A silk designer dress
(c)The Maruti car keys
In the examples below, there is an adjectival phrase in front of a noun modifier
:
(a) The lovely Christmas party
(b) A trendy silk designer dress
(c) The frightfully expensive golden Maruti car keys
1. Look at these examples from the text, and say whether the modifiers (in
italics) are nouns, proper nouns, or adjective plus noun.
(i) An otter fixation
(ii)The iron railings
(iii)The Tigris marshes
(iv)The London streets
(v)Soft velvet fur
(vi)A four-footed soccer player
Ans. (i) Noun
(ii) Noun
(iii)Proper noun
(iv)Proper noun
(v) Adjective plus noun
(vi)Adjective plus noun
2. Given below are some nouns, and a set of modifiers (in the box). Combine
the nouns and modifiers to make as many appropriate phrases as you can.
(Hint: The nouns and modifiers are all from the texts in this book.)
temple girls triangle dresses
person thoughts boys roar
gifts scream farewell expression
time subject landscape handkerchief
crossing flight chatterbox profession
physique coffee view celebration
6 English Class X
college rough hundred stone ordinary
love uncomfortable white slang slack
bare railroad termendous family marriage
plump invigorating panoramic heartbre birthday
incorrigible ridiculous loud first three
Ans.
1. Temple Stone temple
2. Gifts Ordinary gift, birthday gift.
3. Time First time, family time, college time
4. Crossing Railroad crossing
5. Physique Plump physique, ordinary physique
6. Girls Incorrigible girls, plump girls, college girls
7. Thoughts Uncomfortable thoughts, ridiculous thoughts, ordinary thoughts,
good thoughts, invigorating thoughts
8. Scream Loud scream, heartbreaking scream
9. Subject Uncomfortable subject
10. Flight- First flight, ordinary flight, uncomfortable flight
11. Coffee Black coffee, ordinary coffee
12. Farewell Tremendous farewell, college farewell
13. Landscape Rough landscape,
14. Chatterbox Incorrigible chatterbox, ridiculous chatterbox
15. View Panoramic view, ordinary view
16. Dresses Ordinary dresses, birthday dresses, marriage dresses
17. Handkerchief White handkerchief, clean handkerchief
18. Profession Family profession
19. Celebration Birthday celebration, tremendous celebration
20. Roar Loud roar
III. Read this sentence:
He shook himself, and I half expected a cloud of dust. The author uses a cloud
of dust to give a picture of a large quantity of dust. Phrases like this indicate a
particular quantity of something that is not usually countable. For example: a bit of
land, a drop of blood, a pinch of salt, a piece of paper.
1. Match the words on the left with a word on the right. Some words on the left
can go with more than one word on the right.
(i)a portion of – blood
(ii)a pool of – cotton
(iii)flakes of – stones
7 English Class X
(iv)a huge heap of – gold
(v)a gust of – fried fish
(vi)little drops of – snow
(vii)a piece of – water
(viii)a pot of – wind
Ans. (i) A portion of fried fish
(ii) A pool of water
(iii)Flakes of snow
(iv)A huge heap of stones,
(v) A gust of wind
(vi)Little drops of blood, Little drop of water
(vii)A piece of cotton, A piece of fried fish
(viii)A pot of gold
2. Use a bit of/a piece of/a bunch of/a cloud of/a lump of with the italicised nouns
in the following sentences. The first has been done for you as an example.
(i) My teacher gave me some advice. My teacher gave me a bit of advice.
(ii) Can you give me some clay, please.
(iii) The information you gave was very useful.
(iv) Because of these factories, smoke hangs over the city.
(v) Two stones rubbed together can produce sparks of fire.
(vi) He gave me some flowers on my birthday.
Ans. (i) My teacher gave me a bit of advice.
(ii) Can you give me a lump of clay please?
(iii)The bit of information you gave was very useful.
(iv)Because of, these factories, a cloud of smoke hangs over the city.
(iv)Two pieces of stone rubbed together can produce sparks of fire.
(vi)He gave me a bunch of flowers on my birthday.
Writing
1. Write a description of a person or an animal (such as a pet) that you know
very well and love very much. Questions (4) and (5) in ‘Thinking about the
Text’ will have given you some idea about how to do this. Mention some
things the person or animal does, what you think the person or animal feels,
etc.
Ans. Do yourself.
8 English Class X
ARIHANT KAPKOTI
(99.80%), CBSE Topper 2023
”
Important Events
Dictionary
Character's Mood
(with explanations)
VIEW BOOK


CBSE 2022-23
Madam Rides
the Bus 7
— Vallikkannan
NCERT SOLUTIONS
What's inside
ORAL COMPREHENSION
I. THERE was a girl ..................... planned and replanned.
1. What was Valli’s favourite pastime?
Ans. Valli’s favourite pastime was to stand in the front doorway of her house. It was to
watch what was happening in the street outside.
2. What was a source of unending joy for Valli? What was her strongest desire?
Ans. The sight of the bus with new passengers was a source of unending joy for Valli.
Her strongest desire was to ride on that bus.
3. What did Valli find out about the bus journey? How did she find out these
details?
Ans. Valli found out that the town was six miles from the village. The fare was thirty
paise one way. She found out these details about the bus etc., after hearing the
passengers’ conversation.
4. What do you think Valli was planning to do?
Ans. Valli planned to ride on the bus. She could take the one-o’clock afternoon bus. She
would reach the town at one forty-five. She would be back home by about two
forty-five.
II. Well, one fine .......................................... and staring out.
1. Why does the conductor call Valli ‘madam’?
Ans. Valli is trying to behave more mature than her age. She is trying to look
overconfident and smart. The conductor is amused at her behaviour and in an
effort to tease her calls her ‘madam’.
2. Why does Valli stand up on the seat? What does she see now?
Ans. Valli stands up on the seat. It was because she couldn’t see outside. The bus curtain
had covered the lower part of her window. Now, she sees the canal and other things
beyond it.
3. What does Valli tell the elderly man when he calls her a child?
Ans. Valli told the elderly man that there was nobody there who was a child. She said
she had paid her fare of thirty paise like everyone else.
4. Why didn’t Valli want to make friends with the elderly woman?
Ans. Valli did not want to make friends with the elderly woman. It was because she
looked ‘repulsive’ and smelled foul.
III. Her first journey.......................weren’t many passengers.
1 English Class X
1. How did Valli save up money for her first journey? Was it easy for her?
Ans. Valli saved up money for her first journey. She didn’t buy peppermints, toys,
balloons etc. It was difficult for her.
2. What did Valli see on her way that made her laugh?
Ans. Valli saw a cow which had come before the bus with her raised tail. The driver
sounded the horn. But the more he honked, the more frightened the animal became.
It ran faster. It made her laugh.
3. Why didn’t she get off the bus at the bus station?
Ans. Valli didn’t get off the bus at the bus station in the town. It was because she was
going back on the same bus.
4. Why didn’t Valli want to go to the stall and have a drink? What does this tell
you about her?
Ans. Valli did not want to go to the stall and have a drink. It was because she didn’t have
the money for that. She also declined the offer of a drink by the conductor. It tells
that she was a wise, self-confident and self-respecting girl.
TEXTBOOK EXERCISE

1. What was Valli’s deepest desire? Find the words and phrases in the story
that tell you this.
Ans. Valli’s deepest desire was to travel by bus. Words and phrases like “the most
fascinating thing of all” and “source of unending joy” have been used to describe
Valli’s deepest desire.
2. How did Valli plan her bus ride? What did she find out about the bus, and
how did she save up the fare?
Ans. Once she decided to travel by bus, she started listening to her neighbour’s
conversations about their bus rides very carefully. In the process, she would herself
ask some careful questions here and there in order to enhance her knowledge
about the journey. Valli found out that the town was six miles from the village
and it cost thirty paise to travel one side. It took forty five minutes to reach town
and the same bus could bring you back as well. She collected the money with
utmost determination. She resisted every temptation ranging from peppermints,
toys, balloons to merry-go-round at the village fair. After so many efforts, she
finally saved sixty paise.
3. What kind of a person is Valli? To answer this question, pick out the following
2 English Class X
sentences from the text and fill in the blanks. The words you fill in are the clues to
your answer.
(i)“Stop the bus! Stop the bus!” And a tiny hand was raised .................
(ii) “Yes, I ................ go to town,” said Valli, still standing outside the bus.
(iii) “There’s nobody here ................ ,” she said haughtily. “I’ve paid my thirty
paise like everyone else.”
(iv) “Never mind,” she said, “I can ................ . You don’t have to help me.
”I’m not a child, I tell you,” she said,
(v) “You needn’t bother about me. I ................ ,” Valli said, turning her face
toward the window and staring out.
(vi) Then she turned to the conductor and said, “Well, sir, I hope ................ .”
Ans.(i)“Stop the bus! Stop the bus!” And a tiny hand was raised commandingly.
(ii)“Yes, I simply have to go to town,” said Valli, still standing outside the bus.
(iii)“There’s nobody here who’s a child ,” she said haughtily. “I’ve paid my thirty
paise like everyone else.
(iv)“Never mind,” she said, “I can get on by myself. You don’t have to help me.
I’m not a child, I tell you,” she said.
(v)“You needn’t bother about me. I can take care of myself,” Valli said, turning
her face toward the window and staring out.
(vi)Then she turned to the conductor and said, “Well, sir, I hope to see you again.”
These words show that Valli is a mature, determined and independent girl.
Although she is only eight years of age, she has confidence and can take care of
herself.
4. Why does the conductor refer to Valli as ‘madam’?
Ans. When the conductor gave Valli a hand in order to help her climb the bus, Valli
denied. She further denied all the help that she was being offered, because she
considered herself not to be a child. Moreover, the conductor was of the joking
sort and thus, started addressing Valli as a grown up ‘madam’.
5. Find the lines in the text which tell you that Valli was enjoying her ride on
the bus.
Ans. The text which tells that Valli was enjoying her ride on the bus is as follows-
(i)Oh, it was all so wonderful!
(ii)Suddenly Valli clapped her hands with glee.
(iii)Somehow this was very funny to Valli. She laughed and laughed until there
were tears in her eyes.
3 English Class X
(iv)Struck dumb with wonder, Valli gaped at everything.
6. Why does Valli refuse to look out of the window on her way back?
Ans. On her way back to the village, Valli saw a lifeless cow lying on the road. It was
the same cow that was so joyful on their journey to the town. She got devastated
as to how something that was so full of life at one moment can turn into something
horrible in just a blink of an eye. Thus, she sat on her seat silently after this and
did not look out of the window.
7. What does Valli mean when she says, “I was just agreeing with what you said
about things happening without our knowledge” ?
Ans. Valli agreed to her mother’s statement that things happened without our knowing
about them. She meant to say that her mother was ignorant about her bus ride.
8. The author describes the things that Valli sees from an eight-year-old’s point
of view. Can you find evidence from the text for this statement?
Ans. Yes, for example when the author says, she was fascinated by the bus and watching
the bus filled with a new set of people every time was a source of unending joy
for her. When the author gives the description of the bus, he stresses on the colour
and looks of the new bus like silver because a child is attracted to colour. The
seats were soft and luxurious. The description that the author gives when Valli
looks outside the bus is also typical of an eight-year-old. The blue sky and acres
and acres of greenfield, show the enthusiasm of a child. A cow running in front
of the bus fascinated Valli. On the other hand, the sight of a dead cow made
her cry and she did not look outside the window on her return journey. This also
accurately describes the behaviour of an eight-year-old child.
Write a page — about three paragraphs — on one of the following topics :
1. Have you ever planned something entirely on your own, without taking
grownups into your confidence? What did you plan, and how? Did you carry
out your plan?
Ans. It was during my summer vacations. I wanted to plan a special birthday for my
mother. So, I roped in my younger sister in my plan to celebrate her birthday. We
saved our pocket money and didn't go for our weekly outings for some time. In
this way, we were able to save five hundred rupees for the birthday party. Now,
we had to arrange everything without our mother's knowledge. On her birthday
we pretended as if we didn't remember her birthday at all. Instead, we requested
our father to take her to the market. In the meantime, we arranged everything like
4 English Class X
cake, decorations, flowers and even invited two of her best friends. When she
came back she was surprised. It was the best birthday she ever had in her life.
2. Have you made a journey that was unforgettable in some way? What made
it memorable?
Ans. I have gone on many trips and excursions, but one journey which I can't forget
is my trip to Hemkund and Badrinath. The scenery over there was mesmerising
and I enjoyed the cool fresh air and saw breathtaking lush green fields. The bus
ride took me on winding narrow roads, with the river flowing on one side and
mountains on the other side. To reach Hemkund Sahib, one has to travel 14 km on
foot. Everywhere there are crowds of devotees, chanting holy names and moving
up the hill. When I reached the shrine, it was enveloped in clouds. The water in
the holy tank was ice cold. The moment I stepped in it my tiredness vanished.
After that, I went to Badrinath by bus. It was also a very nice place. There were
many hot springs over there.
3. Are you concerned about traffic and road safety? What are your concerns?
How would you make road travel safer and more enjoyable?
Ans. India has a wide network of roads. Everyday crores of Indians travel on these roads
by bus, car, cycle, cycle-rickshaw, scooter, moped, truck, etc. Even pedestrians
use these roads. As people don't follow road safety rules, every year many people
lose their lives due to fatal road accidents. It is also seen that 90 per cent of these
fatal accidents involve youngsters who like to drive at very high speed, don't
wear helmets and seat belt, talk on mobiles while driving or love to do stunts
inspired by movies. Despite many directions issued by the traffic police, all their
advice falls on deaf ear. It is our duty to follow all the rules and regulations and to
keep safety measures in our mind while driving. Safe driving is the best driving
and the rules are framed keeping our security in mind.
5 English Class X
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The Sermon
at Benares 8
— Betty Renshaw
NCERT SOLUTIONS
What's inside
TEXTBOOK EXERCISE
1. Kisa Gotami again goes from house to house after she speaks with the Buddha.
What does she ask for, the second time around? Does she get it? Why not?
Ans. Upon seeing the Buddha, Kisa Gotami is refilled with hope and thus, she goes
again from house to house looking for mustard seeds just as Lord Buddha had
asked her. Many had mustard seeds to offer but none of them could fulfill Lord
Buddha’s condition of having seen no deaths in the family. Therefore, she couldn’t
find mustard seed for her son.
2. When her son dies, Kisa Gotami goes from house to house. What does she
ask for? Does she get it? Why not?
Ans. When her son dies, Kisa Gotami goes from house to house requesting for a wonder
drug that could bring her son back to life. No, she could not get it because there
is no medicine that can bring a dead man back to life.
3. What does Kisa Gotami understand the second time that she failed to
understand the first time? Was this what the Buddha wanted her to
understand?
Ans. When Kisa Gotami failed to find mustard seeds that could fulfill Lord Buddha’s
condition of having seen no deaths in the family, she became disheartened. After
deep reflection, she realised that the man’s fate was just like the city lights that
flickered and extinguished repeatedly. The cycle of birth and death was nature’s
way of working. Suddenly, she became conscious as to how selfish she had been
in her sorrow and that one who was born must rest eternally. Men are mortal. Yes,
this is exactly what Lord Buddha wanted her to understand.
4. Why do you think Kisa Gotami understood this only the second time? In
what way did the Buddha change her understanding?
Ans. Kisa Gotami was too overwhelmed with sorrow and pain that her ability to think
clearly got clouded. She couldn’t realise that no one can escape the cycle of death.
When Kisa Gotami failed to find mustard seeds that could fulfill Lord Buddha’s
condition of having seen no deaths in the family, she became disheartened. After
deep reflection, she made peace with the terms of the world. Lord Buddha played a
major role in facilitating the shift in her understanding by teaching her a lesson that
one must not grieve for what is bound to happen for it will only deepen the pain and
suffering.
5. How do you usually understand the idea of ‘selfishness’? Do you agree with
1 English Class X
Kisa Gotami that she was being ‘selfish in her grief ’?
Ans. The idea of ‘selfishness’ refers to the means of circumstances under the influence
of which a person becomes selfish. Hence, the person does understand reality.
Kisa Gotami was grieving the death of her son and went around from house to
house asking for medicine to cure him. Later, Buddha tells her that he would
provide the medicine once she brings a handful of mustard seeds from a house
where no one has died. Kisa Gotami once again goes from door to door but is
unable to find even a single house where a family member has not died. This
is when she realizes that she was being ‘selfish in her grief’. I agree with this
because by asking for medicine for her dead son and then asking people if anyone
they know has died, Kisa Gotami was indeed being selfish. She was reminding
those people about the loved ones that they had lost.
I. This text is written in an old-fashioned style, for it reports an incident more
than two millennia old. Look for the following words and phrases in the
text, and try to rephrase them in more current language, based on how you
understand them.
l give thee medicine for thy child
l Pray tell me
l Kisa repaired to the Buddha
l there was no house but someone had died in it
l kinsmen
l Mark!
Ans. (i) Give you medicine for your child
(ii) Please tell me
(iii)Kisa went to Buddha
(iv)There was no house where no one had died
(v) Relatives
(vi)Listen
II. You know that we can combine sentences using words like and, or, but, yet
and then. But sometimes no such word seems appropriate. In such a case we
can use a semicolon (;) or a dash (—) to combine two clauses.
She has no interest in music; I doubt she will become a singer like her mother.
The second clause here gives the speaker’s opinion on the first clause.
Here is a sentence from the text that uses semicolons to combine clauses.
2 English Class X
Break up the sentence into three simple sentences. Can you then say which
has a better rhythm when you read it, the single sentence using semicolons,
or the three simple sentences?
For there is not any means by which those who have been born can avoid
dying; after reaching old age there is death; of such a nature are living beings.
Ans. Upon breaking this into three simple sentences, the sentences would stand as:
Sentence 1: For there is not any means by which those who have been born can
avoid dying.
Sentence 2: After reaching old age there is death.
Sentence 3: Of such a nature are living beings.
Based on the comparison, we can find that it is very easy to understand the link
between sentences when we combine them all under a single sentence. This makes
the overall meaning very clear.
3 English Class X
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The Proposal
— Anton Chekov
9
NCERT SOLUTIONS
What's inside
TEXTBOOK EXERCISE
Thinking About the Play
1. What does Chubukov at first suspect that Lomov has come for? Is he sincere
when he later says ‘And I’ve always loved you, my angel, as if you were my
own son”? Find reasons for your answer from the play.
Ans. At first Chubukov suspected that Lomov had come to borrow money as he was
in his evening dress. He was not sincere when he told Lomov that he had always
loved him and that he was like his own son, because he had decided to not give
any money to Lomov. It was only when Lomov asked for his daughter’s hand in
marriage that his attitude changed and he rushed out to call his daughter, Natalya.
2. Chubukov says of Natalya: “……. as if she won’t consent! She’s in love; egad,
she’s like a lovesick cat……” Would you agree? Find reasons for your answer.
Ans. Yes, Natalya is in love. This is clear by the way she behaves when she gets to
know that Lomov came to propose to her. She starts weeping and asks her father
to bring Lomov at once.
3. (i) Find all the words and expressions in the play that the characters use to
speak about each other, and the accusations and insults they hurl at each
other. (For example, Lomov in the end calls Chubukov an intriguer; but
earlier,Chubukov has himself called Lomov a “malicious, doublefaced
intriguer.” Again, Lomov begins by describing Natalya as “an excellent
housekeeper, not bad-looking, well-educated.”)
(ii) Then think of five adjectives or adjectival expressions of your own to de-
scribe each character in the play.
(iii)Can you now imagine what these characters will quarrel about next?
Ans. (i)The words and expressions that have been used to describe each other by
various characters of the play are Chubukov: intriguer, grabber, old rat
Natalya: a lovesick cat, an excellent housekeeper, not bad-looking’ well-
educated. Lomov: a good neighbour, impudent, pettifogger, malicious, double
faced intriguer, rascal, blind hen, turnip ghost, a villian, scare crow, stuffed
sausage, etc.
(ii) Chubukov : low-minded, insensible, cunning, quarrelsome, mean.
Lomov : well-dressed, weak, assertive, stupid, idiotic.
Natalya : quarrelsome, lovable, immature, foolish, mean.
(iii)All the characters seem to have a short temper and thus are expected to get
into a quarrel even on the pettiest issues. It can be said that they’ll quarrel
1 English Class X
soon enough.
1. This play has been translated into English from the Russian original. Are
there any expressions or ways of speaking that strike you as more Russian
than English? For example, would an adult man be addressed by an older
man as my darling or my treasure in an English play?
Read through the play carefully, and find expressions that you think are not
used in contemporary English, and contrast these with idiomatic modern
English expressions that also occur in the play.
Ans. Expressions not used in contemporary English are- my angel, my beloved, my
beauty (Here these expressions, are used for an adult man) and ‘all that sort of
thing’ (not explaining what it is just leaving it as it is) and ‘how may you be getting
on’?, reported speech.
2. Look up the following words in a dictionary and find out how to pronounce
them. Pay attention to how many syllables there are in each word, and find out
which syllable is stressed, or said more forcefully.
palpitations interfere implore thoroughbred
pedigree principle evidence misfortune
malicious embezzlement architect neighbours
accustomed temporary behaviour documents
Ans. Do Yourself with the help of a dictionary.
3. Look up the following phrases in a dictionary to find out their meaning, and
then use each in a sentence of your own :
(i) You may take it that
(ii) He seems to be coming round
(iii)My foot’s gone to sleep
Ans.(i)You may take it that – suppose, Ex – You may take it that I am lying, but in fact
it will help you in the long run.
(ii) He seems to be coming round – to come to senses, Ex – He seems to be
coming round after the trauma of his father’s death.
(iii)My foot’s gone to sleep – be numb, Ex – After the three hours long yoga ses-
sion, my foot’s gone to sleep.
II. Reported Speech
A sentence in reported speech consists of two parts : a reporting clause, which
contains the reporting verb, and the reported clause. Look at the following
2 English Class X
sentences.
(a) “I went to visit my grandma last week,” said Mamta.
(b) Mamta said that she had gone to visit her grandma the previous week.
In sentence (a), we have Mamta’s exact words. This is an example of direct
speech. In sentence (b), someone is reporting what Mamta said. This is called
indirect speech or reported speech. A sentence in reported speech is made up of
two parts — a reporting clause and a reported clause.
In sentence (b), Mamta said is the reporting clause containing the reporting verb
said. The other clause — that she had gone to visit her grandma last week — is
the reported clause.
Notice that in sentence (b) we put the reporting clause first. This is done to show
that we are not speaking directly, but reporting someone else’s words. The tense of
the verb also changes; past tense (went) becomes past perfect (had gone).
Here are some pairs of sentences in direct and reported speech. Read them
carefully, and do the task that follows :
1. (i) Lomov : Honoured Stepan Stepanovitch, do you think I may count on her
consent? (Direct Speech)
(ii) Lomov asked Stepan Stepanovitch respectfully if he thought he might count
on her consent. (Reported Speech)
2. (i) Lomov : I’m getting a noise in my ears from excitement. (Direct Speech)
(ii) Lomov said that he was getting a noise in his ears from excitement. (Reported
Speech)
3. (i) Natalya : Why haven’t you been here for such a long time? (Direct Speech)
(ii) Natalya Stepanovna asked why he hadn’t been there for such a long time.
(Reported Speech)
4. (i) Chubukov : What’s the matter? (Direct Speech)
(ii) Chubukov asked him what the matter was. (Reported Speech)
5. (i) Natalya : My mowers will be there this very day! (Direct Speech)
(ii) Natalya Stepanovna declared that her mowers would be there that very day.
(Reported Speech)
You must have noticed that when we report someone’s exact words, we have to make
some changes in the sentence structure. In the following sentences fill in the blanks
to list the changes that have occurred in the above pairs of sentences. One has been
done for you.
1. To report a question, we use the reporting verb asked (as in Sentence Set 1).
3 English Class X
2. To report a statement, we use the reporting verb .
3. The adverb of place here changes to .
4. When the verb in direct speech is in the present tense, the verb in reported speech
is in the ___________ tense (as in Sentence Set 3).
5. If the verb in direct speech is in the present continuous tense, the verb in reported
speech changes to _____________ tense. For example, ___________ changes to
was getting.
6. When the sentence in direct speech contains a word denoting respect, we add the
adverb _________ in the reporting clause (as in Sentence Set 1).
7. The pronouns I, me, our and mine, which are used in the first person in direct
speech, change according to the subject or object of the reporting verb such as
_____________, __________, or __________ in reported speech.
Ans. 4. 1. Asked
2. declared [as in sentence 5]
3. there [as in sentence 3]
4. past
5. past continuous
6. respectfully
7. you, you, your, thine (your)
III. Here is an excerpt from an article from the Times of India dated 27 August
2006. Rewrite it, changing the sentences in direct speech into reported speech.
Leave the other sentences unchanged.
“Why do you want to know my age? If people know I am so old, I won’t get
work!” laughs 90-year-old A. K. Hangal, one of Hindi cinema’s most famous
character actors. For his age, he is rather energetic. “What’s the secret?” we ask.
“My intake of everything is in small quantities. And I walk a lot,” he replies. “I
joined the industry when people retire. I was in my 40s. So I don’t miss being
called a star. I am still respected and given work, when actors of my age are living
in poverty and without work. I don’t have any complaints,” he says, adding, “but
yes, I have always been underpaid.” Recipient of the Padma Bhushan, Hangal
never hankered after money or materialistic gains. “No doubt I am content today,
but money is important. I was a fool not to understand the value of money earlier,”
he regrets.
Ans. Ninety-year-old A.K. Hangal, one of the Hindi cinema’s most famous character
actors, laughs asking why they want to know his age. For his age, he is rather
energetic. They ask him what is the secret? He replies that it is his intake of
4 English Class X
everything in small quantities and he walks a lot. He further states that he joined
the industry when people retire. He was in his forties. So he doesn’t miss being
called a star. He is still respected and given work when actors of his age are
living in poverty and without work. He doesn’t have complaints, he says adding
that he has always been underpaid. Recipient of the Padma Bhushan, Hangal had
never hankered after money or materialistic gains. He regrets that no doubt he is-
content today but money is important. He had been a fool not to understand the
value of money earlier.
5 English Class X
ARIHANT KAPKOTI
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Dust of Snow
— Robert Frost
1
NCERT SOLUTIONS
What's inside
TEXTBOOK EXERCISE
Thinking About the Poem
This poem presents a moment that seems simple, but has a larger significance.
[Compare this other quotation from Robert Frost: “Always, always a larger
significance... A little thing touches a larger thing.”]
1. What is a “dust of snow”? What does the poet say has changed his mood? How
has the poet’s mood changed?
Ans. The ‘dust of snow’ means the fine particles or flakes of snow. The sudden shower
in the form of the dust of snow changed the poet’s mood. The poet’s mood changed
from sad to happy. He felt refreshed and wanted to enjoy the rest of the day.
2. How does Frost present nature in this poem? The following questions may
help you to think of an answer :
(i) What are the birds that are usually named in poems? Do you think a crow
is often mentioned in poems? What images come to your mind when you
think of a crow?
(ii) Again, what is “a hemlock tree”? Why doesn’t the poet write about a
more ‘beautiful’ tree such as a maple, or an oak, or a pine?
(iii)What do the ‘crow’ and ‘hemlock’ represent — joy or sorrow? What does
the dust of snow that the crow shakes off a hemlock tree stand for?
Ans. (i) Birds with unique character and qualities are usually named in poems. No, a
crow is not usually mentioned in poems. It is because a crow can be associated
with dark and symbolises sorrow. When I think of a crow, images of some
bad happenings come to my mind.
(ii) ‘A hemlock tree’ is a poisonous tree with small white flowers. The poet
doesn’t write about a more beautiful tree as he wanted to express the darker
side of the nature to reflect the bad mood of the poet. On the other hand, the
beautiful trees like such as maple, or oak, or pine reflects the brighter side
of the nature.
(iii) The ‘crow’ and ‘hemlock’ represent sorrow. The snow of dust that the crow
shakes off from hemlock tree stands for joy.
Frost has represented nature in a very unconventional manner in this poem. He
has expressed his feelings through ‘hemlock tree’ and crow which symbolises
sorrow.
3. Have there been times when you felt depressed or hopeless? Have you
experienced a similar moment that changed your mood that day ?
Complete Solutions 1
Ans. Yes, there have been few times when I have felt depressed and hopeless.
Yes, I have experienced the similiar moment in my life once. It so happened
that I had to reach Delhi to appear for an interview but I missied my train. I was
totally hopeless and depressed as it was a matter of my career. Suddenly, I met
one of my friend who was going to Delhi by his car. He helped me to reach for
the interview, where I was selected for the job. My depression turned into joy.
2 English Class X
ARIHANT KAPKOTI
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Fire and Ice
— Robert Frost
2
NCERT SOLUTIONS
What's inside
TEXTBOOK EXERCISE
1. There are many ideas about how the world will ‘end’. Do you think the world
will end some day? Have you ever thought what would happen if the sun got
so hot that it ‘burst’, or grew colder and colder?
Ans. Yes, I do think that the world will end some day. If the sun get so hot that it
burst, it will end every thing due to the heat released by it. If it grew colder, then
also it will be the end for everything as without sunlight, it is very difficult to
live.
2. For Frost, what do ‘fire’ and ‘ice’ stand for? Here are some ideas :
Greed, avarice, cruelty, lust, conflict, fury, intolerance, rigidity,
insensitivity, coldness, indifference, hatred
Ans. ‘Fire’ stands for greed, avarice, lust, conflict, intolerance and rigidity. ‘Ice’ stands
for cruelty, insensitivity, coldness, indifference and hatred.
3. What is the rhyme scheme of the poem? How does it help in bringing out the
contrasting ideas in the poem?
Ans. The rhyme scheme of the poem is—a b a a, b c b c b
This rhyme scheme helps in bringing out the contrasting ideas of ‘fire’ and ‘ice’
presented in the poem. The poet mentions that both fire and ice are probable
ends of this world. He talks about how fire represents desire and can therefore
be a cause of the end of the world. Frost also mentions ice to symbolise that the
coldness and indifference towards one another will also be enough to end the
world. In the second stanza, he says that he knows of enough hate in the world
to be sure that even destruction through ice . would be sufficient to bring about
the end of the world.
ARIHANT KAPKOTI
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A Tiger in
the Zoo 3
— Leslie Norris
NCERT SOLUTIONS
What's inside
TEXTBOOK EXERCISE

Read the poem again, and work in pairs orgroups to do the following tasks :
(i) Find the words that describe the movements and actions of the tiger in the
cage and in the wild. Arrange them in two columns.
Ans. (i)
In the Cage In the Wild
Stalks, Few steps of his cage, Lurking in shadow, Sliding through long
Quiet rage Locked in concrete cell, grass, Snarling around houses, Baring his
Stalking-the length of his cage white fangs, his claws, Terrorising the
Ignoring visitors. He hears the last village.
voice Stares at the brilliant stars.
(ii) Find the words that describe the two places, and arrange them in two
columns.
Now try to share ideas about how the poet uses words and images to contrast
the two situations.
Ans. (ii)
In the Cage In the Wild
Few steps of his cage, Shadow, Long grass, Water
Locked, Concrete cell, hole, Plump deer,
Behind bars, Visitors, Houses at jungle’s edge,
Patrolling cars Village
2. Notice the use of a word repeated in lines such as these :
(i) On pads of velvet quiet,
In his quiet rage.
(ii)And stares with his brilliant eyes
At the brilliant stars.
What do you think is the effect of this repetition?
Ans. This repetition is a poetic device used by the poet in order to increase the intensity
of the tiger’s rage and his helpless silence. ‘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 he wants to run out into the forest and attack a deer,
but the rage is quiet because he is locked in the cage and is helpless. The repetition
of ‘quiet’ has, thus, brought immense beauty to the poem. Similarly, the use of
‘brilliant’ for the tiger’s eyes as well as the stars also brings out the magnificance
of these lines. The tiger stares at the brilliant stars with his brilliant eyes dreaming
about how beautiful his life could be in the forest. The repetition thus, gives a
wonderful effect to the poem.
3. Read the following two poems — one about a tiger and the other about a
panther. Then discuss :
Are zoos necessary for the protection or conservation of some species of animals?
Are they useful for educating the public? Are there alternatives to zoos?
The Tiger
The tiger behind the bars of his cage growls,
The tiger behind the bars of his cage snarls,
The tiger behind the bars of his cage roars.
Then he thinks.
It would be nice not to be behind bars all
The time
Because they spoil my view
I wish I were wild, not on show.
But if I were wild, hunters might shoot me,
But if I were wild, food might poison me,
But if I were wild, water might drown me.
Then he stops thinking
And...
The tiger behind the bars of his cage growls,
The tiger behind the bars of his cage snarls,
The tiger behind the bars of his cage roars.
—Peter Niblett
The Panther
His vision, from the constantly passing bars,

has grown so weary that it cannot hold
anything else. It seems to him there are
a thousand bars; and behind the bars, no world.
As he paces in cramped circles, over and over,
the movement of his powerful soft strides
is like a ritual dance around a centre
2 English Class X
in which a mighty will stands paralysed.
Only at times, the curtain of the pupils
lifts, quietly. An image enters in,
rushes down through the tensed, arrested muscles,
plunges into the heart and is gone.
—Rainer Maria Rilke
Ans. Do yourself
4. Take a point of view for or against zoos, or even consider both points of view
and write a couple of paragraphs or speak about this topic for a couple of
minutes in class.
The Greater Cats
The greater cats with golden eyes
Stare out between the bars.
Deserts are there, and different skies,
And night with different stars.
—Victoria Sackville-West
Ans. Do yourself (The following answer is given only for reference, the students should
use their own creativity to answer this question)
Forest is the home for animals.
The Tigers and the Panthers are wild beasts, they will only be happy in a forest.
No matter how well they are being kept but a home is a home.There is a feeling of
comfort at home. The zoo people may treat them well and give them the best of
food but still Tigers and the Panthers will not be comfortable.
All living beings on earth have an equal right to live their life peacefully where
they want to live and how they want to live.We may search for other option of
entertainment like musical programs, rides for children, games for all age groups.
There are many other ways of entertainment than keeping these animals into cages.
The poor animals never look happy in the zoo.
The Greater Cats
The greater cats with golden eyes
Stare out between the bars.
Deserts are there, and different skies,
And night with different stars.
—Victoria Sackville-West
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How to Tell
Wild Animals
— Carolyn Wells
4
NCERT SOLUTIONS
What's inside
TEXTBOOK EXERCISE
Thinking about the Poem
1. Does ‘Dyin’ really rhyme with ‘lion’ ? Can you say it in such a way that it
does?
Ans. No, ‘Dyin’ does not rhyme with ‘lion’. If we change the pronunciation of lion by
speaking it as ‘lying’ then it may rhyme with the word ‘dyin’.
2. How does the poet suggest that you identify the lion and the tiger? When can
you do so according to him?
Ans. A lion is a large and tawny beast. A Bengal Tiger has black stripes on its yellow
coat. A lion roars when it falls upon its prey, while a tiger attacks silently. We can
identify the two while roaming in the jungle.
3. Do you think the words ‘lept’ and ‘lep’ in the third stanza are spelt correctly?
Why does the poet spell them like this?
Ans. The words ‘lept’ and ‘lep’ are not spelt correctly. The poet has spelt them like this
in order to maintain the rhythm of the poem. The correct spelling of the words,
‘lept’ is leapt and ‘lep’ is leap. The poet has intentionally spelt them incorrectly
to create a sense of humour.
4. Do you know what a ‘bearhug’ is? It’s a friendly and strong hug-such as
bears are thought to give, as they attack you! Again, hyenas are thought to
laugh and crocodiles to weep (‘crocodile tears’) as they swallow their victims.
Are there similar expressions and popular ideas about wild animals in your
own language(s)?
Ans. A bearhug is when the bear hugs his prey tightly with both hands and presses him
to death.
There are indeed similar expressions and popular ideas about wild animals in every
language. For example, in Hindi, we say ‘Magarmach ke aansu aana’ (Crocodile
tears) ‘Haathi ke daant dikhane ke aur, khane ke aur’, ‘Ab pachtaye hot kya jab
chidiya chug gai khet’, ‘Girgit ke tarah rang badalna’.
5. Look at the line ‘A novice might nonplus.” How would you write this
‘correctly’? Why is the poet’s ‘incorrect’ line better in the poem?
Ans. The line “A novice might nonplus” can be written correctly as “A novice might
be nonplussed”. However, the poet’s incorrect line is better in the poem as it
maintains the rhyme scheme of the poem. By writing it incorrectly, ‘nonplus’
rhymes with ‘thus’.
6. Can you find other examples of poets taking liberties with language, either
in English or in your own language? Can you find examples of humorous
poems in your own language(s)?
Ans. One can find plenty of examples in poetry where poets take liberties with language.
This is called ‘poetic licence’. Poets take such liberties in order to create proper
rhyming and rhythm. For example, in the following lines the word ‘prest’ is used
instead of ‘pressed’ so that it may rhyme with ‘breast’.
A tree whose hungry mouth is prest. against the earth’s sweat flowing breast.
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The Ball Poem
— John Berryman
5
NCERT SOLUTIONS
What's inside
TEXTBOOK EXERCISE
In pairs, attempt the following questions
1. Why does the poet say, “I would not intrude on him”? Why doesn’t he offer
him money to buy another ball?
Ans.The poet says, “I would not intrude on him” because he does not want to
intervene in the natural process of learning. He wants the boy to learn the
meaning of loss on his own. He also doesn’t offer him money to buy another
ball because that would be worthless. He wants the boy to learn the lesson of
responsibility.
2. “ …. staring down All his young days into the harbour where His ball went….
” Do you think the boy has had the ball for a long time? Is it linked to the
memories of days when he played with it?
Ans. Yes, the boy has had the ball for a long time. When it bounced into the water,
all his memories of the days of childhood flashed in front of him. This led to a
realisation that those moments would not come back, just like the ball. He can
buy new balls and can similarly create new moments, but those that are gone
would not return.
3. What does “in the world of possessions” mean?
Ans. “In the world of possessions” means that the world is full of materialistic things.
Here everything and every action is made to possess something, whether it is
the possession of land, property, money, or any other thing. The poet suggests
that losing a ball, which is a very small thing, would make the boy understand
what it is like to lose something that one possessed.
4. Do you think the boy has lost anything earlier? Pick out the words that
suggest the answer.
Ans. No, it seems that the boy had’not lost anything earlier. The words that suggest so
are ‘He senses first responsibility in a world of possessions’.
5. What does the poet say the boy is learning from the loss of the ball? Try to
explain this in your own words.
Ans. The poet says that the boy is learning to cope up with the loss of the ball. He is
experiencing grief and learning to grow up in this world of possessions. He learns
that there are so many things in life that are lost and cannot be brought back. He
is sensing his first responsibility as he has lost the ball. The boy will learn how
to stand up and leave the losses behind as he would have understood the true
meaning and nature of loss.
6. Have you ever lost something you liked very much? Write a paragraph
describing how you felt then, and saying whether — and how — you got over
your loss.
Ans. DO YOURSELF.
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Amanda!
— Robin Klein
6
NCERT SOLUTIONS
What's inside
TEXTBOOK EXERCISE
1. How old do you think Amanda is? How do you know this?
Ans. Amanda’s age could be between 10-12 years old. We can guess this because of
the reference to mermaid or Rapunzel. These stories are read by children of age
group of 10-12 years.
2. Who do you think is speaking to her?
Ans. One of her parents is speaking to her. We think that probably it could be her
mother. We think this because it’s a general perception that children are taken
care of by their mothers at home.
3. Why are Stanzas 2, 4 and 6 given in parenthesis?
Ans. Parenthesis is a remark that is added to a sentence, often to provide an explanation.
So, in stanzas 2, 4 and 6 parenthesis is used to describe the reaction of child
Amanda towards her mother’s continuous nagging.
4. Who is the speaker in Stanzas 2, 4 and 6? Do you think this speaker is
listening to the speaker in Stanzas 1, 3, 5, and 7?
Ans. The speaker in Stanzas 2, 4 and 6 is Amanda. No, she is not paying any attention
to what her mother says. She is lost in her own thoughts. She imagines herself as
a mermaid, an orphan and Rapunzel.
5. What could Amanda do if she were a mermaid?
Ans. The little girl Amanda wants to be a mermaid and the only resident of the beautiful
green sea. She thinks that her life will be very relaxing in the sea and she will be
taken away with the currents of water. She will be able to enjoy her freedom.
6. Is Amanda an orphan? Why does she say so?
Ans. No, Amanda is not an orphan as she is constantly being pointed out by one of
her parents in the poem. She said so because she is sad and depressed because
of the continuous scolding and nagging which she faces because of her parents.
Therefore, she feels that it would have been much better and peaceful if she
would have been an orphan.
7. Do you know the story of Rapunzel? Why does she want to be Rapunzel?
Ans. The story of Rapunzel is of a girl who is captured by an old witch in a tower. The
old witch climbs up the tower with the help of Rapunzel’s very long hair which
she lets down for her through a window of the tower. One day, a Prince visits her
by climbing the tower with the help of her long hair. When the witch comes to
know this, she separates both of them. But both Rapunzel and Prince meet after a
gap of many years and then live their life happily. Amanda wants to be Rapunzel
because she knew that in the story, there was no staircase to enter the tower. It
was only possible with the help of Rapunzel’s long hair that she would let down
to help others to climb. Amanda feels that life in the tower will be very calm and
nice and also makes it a point to never let her hair down for anyone as she doesn’t
want to get disturbed by visitors.
8. What does the girl yearn for? What does this poem tell you about Amanda?
Ans. The girl Amanda yearns for freedom and peace in her life. She is constantly
reminded of her mistakes. Her parents want her to follow the code of conduct
of good behavior. They are doing so because they want their child to be well
mannered and obedient. But while doing this they forget that she is a child and
should be allowed some freedom. The poet has drawn the reader’s attention
towards the condition of children who are constantly oppressed by their elders in
the name of good behaviour.
9. Read the last stanza. Do you think Amanda is sulking and is moody?
Ans. In our sense, Amanda is not moody. She feels oppressed because of her mother’s
constant nagging. She doesn’t want to be pointed out for such small things like
cleaning the room, sitting straight, cleaning her shoes, completing her homework,
etc. She feels that she is not free and is under a constant pressure of trying to be
a well behaved girl as per her parent’s demand.
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The Trees
— Adrienne Rich
7
NCERT SOLUTIONS
What's inside
TEXTBOOK EXERCISE
1. (i) Find, in the first stanza, three things that cannot happen in a treeless
forest?
Ans. The three things mentioned in the first stanza that cannot happen in a treeless
forest are:
(i) Birds sitting on the tree branches.
(ii) The hiding of insects in the branches of trees.
(iii)The sun burying its feet in the shadow of the trees in the forest.
(ii) What picture do these words create in your mind: “… sun bury its feet in
shadow…”? What could the poet mean by the sun’s ‘feet?’
Ans. The sun’s feet are the rays of sun that reach the earth after falling on the leaves
of the trees and finally, reach the earth’s surface.
2. (i) Where are the trees in the poem? What do their roots, their leaves, and
their twigs do?
Ans. The trees are in the poet’s house. The roots are working hard to remove themselves
from the cracks of veranda. The leaves are making an effort to reach towards the
glass in order to come out and the twigs are making attempts to set themselves free
and reach the forest.
(ii) What does the poet compare their branches to?
Ans. The poet uses the word long cramped for the branches. She says that the
branches are trying hard to come out of the roof. She then compares them with
newly discharged patients who are trying to move out of the clinic in their half
consciousness.
3. How does the poet describe the moon: (a) at the beginning of the third stanza,
and (b) at its end? What causes this change?
Ans. The poet describes the moon as a full moon in the beginning of the third stanza
but at the end of the stanza, she describes it to be broken into pieces. The change
in the moon is because of the trees. The trees that earlier were in the poet’s house
have now reached the forest. Their long branches have cast a shadow on the full
moon and now it appears to be broken into pieces like a mirror.
(ii) What happens to the house when the trees move out of it?
Ans. The house becomes silent as the fragrance of the leaves and lichens which was
like a voice urging for a change can no longer be smelt.
1 English Class X
(iii) Why do you think the poet does not mention “the departure of the forest
from the house” in her letters? (Could it be that we are often silent about
important happenings that are so unexpected that they embarrass us? Think
about this again when you answer the next set of questions.) ?
Ans. The poet did not mention the departure of the forest from her house because it is
a part of human nature to ignore the important matters of their life. We all know
that trees are so important for our survival on earth. But still human beings are
cutting them for making profits without even thinking of the aftermath.
4. Now that you have read the poem in detail, we can begin to ask what the
poem might mean. Here two suggestions. Can you think of others ?
(i) Does the poem present a conflict between man and nature? Compare it
with A Tiger in the zoo. Is the poet suggesting that plants and trees, used for
‘interior decoration’ in cities while forests are cut down, are ’imprisoned’
and need to ‘break out’?
Ans. Yes, the poem presents a conflict between man and nature. Man is causing
deforestation by cutting down the trees for his own use. On the other hand, he
decorates his house with the trees. We are damaging our environment without
even thinking about the end results. By clearing up the forests, we are endangering
ourselves. So is with the animals too. We are ruining their natural habitat and
killing them for our fun or food but on the other hand, we are keeping them in the
cages on the pretext of safeguarding them by making sanctuaries and zoos. So,
it is true that we are in a direct conflict with nature and making the other living
beings prisoners, be it the trees or animals.
(ii) On the other hand, Adrienne Rich has been known to use trees as a metaphor
for human beings; this is a recurrent image in her poetry. What new meanings
emerge from the poem if you take its trees to be symbolic of this particular
meaning?
Ans. If trees are to be taken as a symbol for human beings, then the poem will define
the efforts of humans to free themselves from the clutches of the desire to achieve
everything. All the human beings are under a constant pressure of being at the top
in every field. Either they are forced by their own desire of doing so or there is
a constant peer pressure on them. So, the human beings will set themselves free
from this race and try to live a happy and peaceful life.
5. You may read the poem ‘On Killing a Tree’ by Gieve Patel (Beehive – Textbook
in English for Class IX). Compare and contrast it with the poem you have
just read.
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Fog
— Carl Sandburg
8
NCERT SOLUTIONS
What's inside
TEXTBOOK EXERCISE
1. (i) What does Sandburg think the fog is like?
(ii)How does the fog come?
(iii)What does ‘it’ in the third line refer to?
(iv)Does the poet actually say that the fog is like a cat? Find three things that tell
us that the fog is like a cat.
Ans. (i) Sandburg thinks the fog is like a cat that comes silently so that no one can
sense it arrival.
(ii)As per the poet, the fog comes very silently like a cat.
(iii)‘It’ refers to the fog.
(iv)The three things that tell us that the fog is like a cat are as follows:
(i) The fog comes on its little cat feet: This means that the fog enters silently
just like cat.
(ii) It sits looking over harbour and city: The fog is compared to cat as cats
also like to sit and look here and there and fog is also looking while it sits
over the city.
(iii)On silent haunches and then moves on: The fog sits on her bended legs
just like cat and then moves away very quickly and silently, just like a cat.
2. You know that a metaphor compares two things by transferring a feature of
one thing to the other (See Unit 1).
(i) Find metaphors for the following words and complete the table below.
Also try to say how they are alike. The first is done for you.
Storm tiger pounces over the fields, growls
Train
Fire
School
Home
Ans.
Storm Tiger Pounces over the fields, growls
Train Snake Long rope like body
Fire Sun Symbol of power
School Temple Teaches moral values, virtues
Home Shelter Safety, warmth
1 English Class X
(i) Think about a storm. Try to visualise the force of the storm, hear the sound of the
storm, feel the power of the storm and the sudden calm that happens afterwards.
Write a poem about the storm comparing it with an animal.
3. Does this poem have a rhyme scheme? Poetry that does not have and obvious
rhythm or rhyme is called ‘free verse’.
Ans. There is no rhyme scheme in the poem. It has neither internal nor external rhyme
scheme. Hence, we can say that it is in free verse.
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The Tale of
Custard the
Dragon 9
— Ogden Nash
NCERT SOLUTIONS
What's inside
TEXTBOOK EXERCISE
I. Thinking About the Poem
1. Who are the characters in this poem? List them with their pet names.
Ans. Following are the characters of the poem:
(i) A little girl named Belinda.
(ii)A little black kitten whose name is Ink.
(iii)A little grey mouse named Blink.
(iv)A dog named Mustard because he is yellow in colour.
(v) A coward dragon whose name is Custard.
2. Why did Custard cry for a nice safe cage? Why is the dragon called “cowardly
dragon”?
Ans. Custard cries for a safe cage because he is a coward. He is called cowardly dragon
because other characters are defined to be very brave in the following manner:
(i) Belinda is described to be as brave as a barrel full of bears
(ii)Ink and Blink can chase lions down the stairs
(iii)Mustard was as brave as a tiger in rage.
3. “Belinda tickled him, she tickled him unmerciful...” Why?
Ans. Belinda tickled him unmerciful because Custard, the dragon was a coward. He
always demanded a safe cage. That is why all of them made fun of him.
4. The poet has employed many poetic devices in the poem. For example:
“Clashed his tail like iron in a dungeon” — the poetic device here is a simile.
Can you, with your partner, list some more such poetic devices used in the
poem?
Ans. The poet has used many poetic devices to enhance the beauty of the poem. Like,
to create rhyme with ‘Belinda’, he used the word ‘winda’ instead of ‘window’.
Other such rhyming words are ‘household’ used with ‘mouseholed’ and ‘wagon’
with ‘dragon’. Not only this, he also uses poetic device of repetition for example
the word ‘little’ is used many times to describe her house and her pets. There is
also the use of poetic device of refrain because we can see the repetition of line
“And her realio, trulio little pet dragon” in many stanzas.
5. Read stanza three again to know how the poet describes the appearance of
the dragon?
Ans. The looks of the dragon are explained in a way that it has big sharp teeth and
spikes on top. This means its skin is pointed on the top. On the lower part it
1 English Class X
has scales which are bony plates meant to protect the skin. His mouth has been
compared to a fireplace because it is assumed that the dragons can release fire
from the mouth. Even his nose is compared to a chimney which is used to pass
out the smoke. His feet are like a sharp knife i.e. a dagger.
6. Can you find out the rhyme scheme of two or three stanzas of the poem?
Ans. Rhyme scheme of the second and third stanza is aabb.
7. Writers use words to give us a picture or image without actually saying what
they mean. Can you trace some images used in the poem?
Ans. Following are the words used to give us picture or image:
(i) Mouth like a fireplace
(ii)Chimney for nose
(iii)Barrel full of bears
(iv)Brave as a tiger in the rage
(v) He went at the pirate like a robin at a worm
8. Do you find The Tale of Custard the Dragon to be a serious or a light-hearted
poem? Give reasons to support your answer.
Ans. The ‘Tale of Custard the Dragon’ is a light hearted poem. All the characters have
names which rhyme with each other. They all are defined to be very brave except
the dragon. But in reality the dragon proves to be the real hero. When they are
attacked by the pirate, the dragon gulps him. Though all the other characters
were not brave enough to handle the pirate but still they define themselves as
more powerful than the dragon after the incident is handled by the dragon alone,
though, the dragon was defined as a coward by the poet right from the beginning
of the poem.
9. This poem, in falled form, tells a story ? Have you come across any such
modern song or lyric that tells a story ? If you know one, tell it to the class,
called such songs and project.
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10
For Anne
Gregory
— William Butler Yeats
NCERT SOLUTIONS
What's inside
TEXTBOOK EXERCISE
I. Thinking About the Poem
1. What does the young man mean by “great honey-coloured Ramparts at your
ear?” Why does he say that young men are “thrown into despair” by them?
Ans. The “great honey coloured/ Rampart at your ear” means the yellow coloured
hair of the girl. They are very beautiful and cover her ears like a protective wall
around a fort. Young men may fall in love with Anne because of such beautiful
hair. They may be thrown into despair if she rejects them.
2. What colour is the young woman’s hair? What does she say she can change
it to? Why would she want to do so?
Ans. The hair of young woman is yellow in colour. She says that she can change them
to brown, black or carrot color by using a hair dye. She wants to do so to get rid
of the lover who loves her for the yellow - coloured hair. She seeks a true lover -
one who loves her for her inner beauty.
3. Objects have qualities which make them desirable to others. Can you think
of some objects (a car, a phone, a dress…) and say what qualities make one
object more desirable than another? Imagine you were trying to sell an object
: what qualities would you emphasise?
Ans. People desire objects because of their qualities that suit their need. The things
we consume, goods we use such as a car, a phone, a dress etc. physical qualities
matter the most. Before buying anything, it is always considered that the object
is durable and looks pretty. If I were to sell a dress, I would select the one that is
very appealing to the eye and comfortable for the body. Then I would emphasise
on the durability of the dress so that the customer feels that he/she is spending
his/her money at the right place and in the right thing.
4. What about people? Do we love others because we like their qualities, whether
physical or mental? Or is it possible to love someone “for themselves alone”?
Are some people ‘more lovable’ than others? Discuss this question in pairs or
in groups, considering points like the following :
(i) a parent or caregiver’s love for a newborn baby, for a mentally or
physically challenged child, for a clever child or a prodigy
(ii) the public’s love for a film star, a sportsperson, a politician, or a social
worker
(iii)your love for a friend, or brother or sister
(iv)your love for a pet, and the pet’s love for you.
1 English Class X
Ans. (i) A parent’s love for a newborn baby or a mentally or physically challenged
child depends only on the emotional connect and the feeling of belongingness.
A parent will like the child irrespective of the mental and physical abilities but
in practical terms cleverness of the child is the next benchmark for the liking.
(ii) The public’s love for a film star, a sports person, a politician, a film star or
sports person is based on his/her performance in the respective genre. This
means that this love will eventually wither if these individuals fail to deliver
on their respective jobs.
(iii)The love for siblings is basically an emotional connect. There is hardly any
materialistic stance to this emotional attachment and therefore this love will
remain unchanged even in the face of most difficult situations.
(iv)Love for the pets and vice-versa is dependent on the compatibility between
the two parties at a given instant. This means that the degree of belongingness
and emotional connect can vary over time.
5. You have perhaps concluded that people are not objects to be valued for their
qualities or riches rather than for themselves. But elsewhere Yeats asks the
question : How can we separate the dancer from the dance? Is it possible to
separate ‘the person himself or herself’ from how the person looks, sounds,
walks, and so on? Think of how you or a friend or member of your family
has changed over the years. Has your relationship also changed? In what
way?
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Footprints
Withouts Feet
A Triumph of
Surgery 1
— James Herriot
NCERT SOLUTIONS
What's inside
TEXTBOOK EXERCISE
Read and Find Out
1. Why is Mrs. Pumphrey worried about Tricki?
Ans. Mrs. Pumphrey is worried about Tricki because he is unwell. He has refused to
eat food and had bouts of vomiting. She feels that he is suffering from a serious
health issue such as malnutrition.
2. What does she do to help him? Is she wise in this?
Ans. She at once calls Mr. Herriot for Tricki. Mr. Herriot is a veterinary doctor. She is
wise in this. No one can know about animals except the veterinary doctor.
3. Who is the ‘I’ in this story?
Ans. “I” in this story, refers to James Herriot, the veterinary surgeon.
4. Is the narrator as rich as Tricki’s mistress?
Ans. No, the narrator is not as rich as Tricki’s mistress.
5. How does he treat the dog?
Ans. He takes the dog Tricki to his surgery. There he does not give much food to it. He
instead cuts its food. He keeps it on a strict diet. He keeps it under observation.
At the end of the second day Tricki changes. It starts showing some interest in the
surroundings. On the third day it whimpers.
6. Why is he tempted to keep Tricki as a permanent guest?
Ans. It was a temptation to keep Tricki as a permanent guest. It was because Mrs.
Pumphrey started sending fresh eggs, two dozen at a time. The staff of Mr. Herriot
ate these eggs. There came bottles of wine etc. It was really a great thing for them.
Mr. Herriot does not give these to Tricki.
7. Why does Mrs. Pumphrey think the dog’s recovery is “a triumph of surgery”?
Ans. She thinks so because it is the surgery, that is, hospital. It has made Tricki all right.
Its stay at the surgery has cured it of its illness.
Think About It
1. What kind of a person do you think the narrator, a veterinary surgeon, is ?
Would you say he is tactful as well as full of common sense ?
Ans. The narrator is a verterinary surgeon. He is a tactful person. He had known that
Tricki was about to fall in trouble. He was sure about Tricki’s treatment and
suggested for his hospitalisation and to be kept under observation for a fortnight.
He said Tricki would have to undergo surgery but instead let him mix with other
dogs and did not pamper him. Tactfully, he treated Tricki with giving him less food
2 English Class X
and more exercise. He had a commonsense. He realised that there was no need for
surgery for Tricki and the only treatment of his illness was to change his eating
habits and give him more physical exercise.
2. Do you think Tricki was happy to go home? What do you think will happen
now ?
Ans. Yes, Tricki was happy to go home. When he saw his mistress, he took off from
the narrator arms in a tremendous leap and sailed into Mrs. Pumphery's lap. He
swarmed over her, licking her face and barking. Tricki was now healthy.
Tricki would now again be pampered by Mrs. Pumphrey and he will again fall in
trouble.
3. Do you think this is a real-life episode, or mere fiction? Or is it a mixture of
both ?
Ans. The story seems to be real life episode. We do come across such examples in the
society. However, some things are added in between to make it interesting. Thus, it
is a mixture of both real life episode and fiction.
Talk About It
l This episode describes the silly behaviour of a rich woman who is foolishly
indulgent, perhaps because she is lonely. Do you think such people are merely
silly, or can their actions cause harm to others?
Ans. The episode describes the silly behaviour of Mrs. Pumphrey. She was rich and
lonely. She loves her dog and pampers him. She is emotionally attached to him.
Due to her pampering, the dog has become hugely fat and eventually falls ill. She
was over protective but her indulgence was foolish. Mr. Herriot, the veterinary
surgeon, had warned her and given her certain instructions but she did not pay
any heed to them. This made Tricki fall ill and had to be treated. Yes, I think such
people can cause harm to others as it is evident that her foolishness had put Tricki
in trouble.
l Do you think there are parents like Mrs. Pumphrey?
Ans. Yes, many parents behave like Mrs. Pumphrey towards their children. They are
over protective for them and sometimes it is a hindrance in the overall development
of child.
l What would you have done if you were: (i) a member of the staff in Mrs.
Pumphrey’s household, (ii) a neighbour? What would your life have been like,
in general?
Ans. (i) If I were a member of Mrs. Pumphrey’s household, I would not let Tricki fall in
trouble. I would not allow Mrs. Pumphrey to give him too much to eat. I would
3 English Class X
myself make him exercise to keep him fit and energetic. In Mrs. Pumphrey’s
household I would have an affluent life. I would have all the comforts of life as
Mrs. Pumphrey was a rich lady.
(ii)If I were a neighbour of Mrs. Pumphrey, I would have advised her about Tricki's
health and also suggested some measures for his good health.
l What would you have done if you were in the narrator’s place?
Ans. If I were in narrator’s place, I would have also done the same thing as the narrator
did. I too would have strictly warned Mrs. Pumphrey about Tricki’s health. At the end
of the treatment, I would have provided a daily schedule and diet chart for Tricki and
asked Mrs. Pumphrey to follow it strictly for Tricki’s better health.
4 English Class X
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The Thief's
Story
— Ruskin Bond
2
NCERT SOLUTIONS
What's inside
TEXTBOOK EXERCISE
Read and Find Out
1. Who is ‘I’ in this story?
Ans. I refers to Hari Singh, the narrator of the story who is a 15 year old experienced
thief.
2. What is he ‘a fairly successful hand’ at?
Ans. He is ‘a fairly successful hand’ at stealing things (because he is a thief).
3. What does he get from Anil in return for his work?
Ans. He gets from Anil in return for his work, a place and food. It is for sleeping and
food to eat.
4. How does the thief think Anil will react to the theft?
Ans. The thief thinks that Anil would be sad when he would discover the theft.
5. What does he say about different reactions of people when they are robbed?
Ans. He says that a greedy man shows fear. A rich man shows anger. A poor man shows
acceptance. There are different reactions of people when they are robbed.
6. Does Anil realise that he has been robbed?
Ans. Yes, Anil realised that he had been robbed, as he gave a fifty rupee note to Hari
which was still damp due to the night’s rain.
Thinking About It
1. What are Hari Singh’s reactions to the prospects of receiving an education?
Do they change over time? (Hint: Compare, for example, the thought: “I knew
that once I could write like an educated man there would be no limit to what
I could achieve” with these later thoughts: “Whole sentences, I knew, could
one day bring me more than a few hundred rupees. It was a simple matter to
steal — and sometimes just as simple to be caught. But to be a really big man,
a clever and respected man, was something else.”) What makes him return to
Anil?
Ans. Anil was teaching Hari Singh to write sentences. Hari singh's reactions changed
time to time. First, he thought if he learned to write like an educated man, he could
steal more cleverly. But later he thought that to steel was a simple matter. But to
be a really good man is something different. At this thought he decided to return to
Anil. His conscience did not allow him to betray Anil's trust.
2. Why does Anil not hand the thief over to the police? Do you think most people
would have done so? In what ways is Anil different from such employers?
Ans. Anil had come to know that Hari Singh had stolen his money. He had known that
1 English Class X
Hari Singh was a thief. But Anil did not handover him to the police because Hari
Singh had been reformed and he kept the money back from where he had taken it.
If there was some other employer in place of Anil, he would have handed over Hari
singh to the police. Anil was different from such employers as he understood that a
social evil like theft cannot be cured by police. Anil's way of treating him was the
only way to reform him.
Talk About It
1. Do you think people like Anil and Hari Singh are found only in fiction, or are
there such people in real life?
Ans. Normally, people like Anil and Hari Singh are not found in real life. No one has a
sense of forgiveness like Anil and no one really gets reformed like Hari Singh
in real life. It happens more in fictions than in real life.
2. Do you think it a significant detail in the story that Anil is a struggling writer?
Does this explain his behaviour in any way?
Ans. Yes, it is a significant detail that Anil is a struggling writer. He is an intellectual man.
He writes for newspapers and magazines. He lives a life of struggle for survival.
He forgives the thief, Hari Singh, which shows his ideology of reformation of
social evils. He has an understanding of Hari Singh's behaviour. He treats him
psychologically and reforms in the end. Thus, he behaves like a thinker and an
idealist.
3. Have you met anyone like Hari Singh? Can you think and imagine the circum-
stances that can turn a fifteen-year-old boy into a thief ?
Ans. We find many Hari Singh's in our society. We can see many delinquent adolescents
who fall in wrong company and commit crimes. Actually, adolescents like Hari
Singh are misguided and are product of social ill treatment. We can imagine the
situation which led Hari Singh to the path of crime. He had no formal schooling.
So, in such circumstances it can be easily imagined that adolescents like Hari Singh
are prone to fall prey to habits like stealing and other crimes.
4. Where is the story set? (You can get clues from the names of the persons and
places mentioned in it.) Which language or languages are spoken in these places?
Do you think the characters in the story spoke to each other in English?
Ans. The story is set in North India. We find the mention of Lucknow Express. The
names, Hari Singh and Anil indicate that story is set in a Hindi spoken area of
North India. The wrestling match is another indication of this possibility usually,
Hindi is spoken in these places. I think the characters of the story did not speak to
each other in English.
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The Midnight
Visitor 3
— Robert Arthur
NCERT SOLUTIONS
What's inside
TEXTBOOK EXERCISE
Read and Find Out
1. How is Ausable different from other secret agent?
Ans. Ausable was not an alert and smart secret agent as Fowler had expected. He was
very fat. He spoke French and German with a slight American accent. He used
ordinary telephones to make calls. He lived in a mediocre and dark French hotel.
This way he did not fit the description of any secret agent.
2. Who is Fowler and what is his authentic thrill of the day?
Ans. Fowler is a writer. He wants to meet Ausable to cover him up for writing for his
publication. His first authentic thrill of the day is quite clear. It is that he outwitted
Ausable in a simple way.
3. How has Max got in?
Ans. Max has used a passkey to enter Ausable’s room in his absence. He wants to get a
‘report’ on some new missiles.
4. How does Ausable say he got in?
Ans. Ausable says that Max got in his room through an ordinary window. It was in the
balcony. He would complain against it (balcony) to the hotel authorities. It needed
to be closed.
Think About It
1. “Ausable did not fit any description of a secret agent Fowler had ever read.”
What do secret agents in books and films look like, in your opinion? Discuss in
groups or in class some stories or movies featuring spies, detectives and secret
agents, and compare their appearance with that of Ausable in this story. (You
may mention characters from fiction in languages other than English. In English
fiction you may have come across Sherlock Holmes, Hercule Poirot, or Miss
Marple. Have you watched any movies featuring James Bond?)
Ans. It is easy to recognize a detective whom we see in fictions and movies. He wears a
long coat, a hat and dark goggles with usually a cigar in his hand. He is handsome
and smart, for e.g. James Bond. But detective Ausable was totally different. He is
a fat fellow and does not look mysterious at all. He is also not wearing clothes like
a detective of fictions and movies. We can compare him with Vijay, the hero of the
TV serial of that name. There is a marked difference between the two.
2. How does Ausable manage to make Max believe that there is a balcony attached
to his room? Look back at his detailed description of it. What makes it a
convincing story?
1 English Class X
Ans. Ausable says that he is going to raise devil with the management. He says this in
a convincing manner. He tells Max that he is the second fellow who has entered
his room through that balcony, in one month. But max says that he has entered the
room with the help of a pass key. Max is convinced that there is a balcony. He says
that if knew about it, he could have avoided some trouble.
3. Looking back at the story, when do you think Ausable thought up his plan for
getting rid of Max? Do you think he had worked out his plan in detail right
from the beginning? Or did he make up a plan as time went along, taking
advantage of events as they happened?
Ans. Ausable thought up his plan for getting rid of Max when he came into the room and
found Max there, with a pistol in his hand. Ausuable had not made any plan from
the beginning. He had a presence of mind. He made plans as time went by taking
advantages of the events as they happened.
Talk About It
1. In this story, Ausable shows great ‘presence of mind’, or the ability to think
quickly, and act calmly and wisely, in a situation of danger and surprise. Give
examples from your own experience, or narrate a story, which shows someone’s
presence of mind.
Ans. Just like Ausable showed great presence of mind’ or the ability to think quickly
and act calmly and wisely in a situation of danger and surprise, we all must stick to
our senses and wits and behave in a composed yet clever manner in times of crisis.
I too remember having behaved in such a way some months back while playing
in the park one day, one of my friends fell from the swing and was hit hard on his
head. He fainted and his head started bleeding. We were five friends playing in the
park and there was nobody around us. Everybody was scared and started crying. I
sent one of them to that boy’s place to call his parents and rushed to fetch my bag
which had a water bottle in it. I sprinkled some water on my friend’s face after
which he regained consciousness. By this time, his parents came and they thanked
me for acting wisely in such a situation and took him to the doctor timely. My
parents were also very impressed with me.
2. Discuss what you would do in the situations described below. Remember that
presence of mind comes out of a state of mental preparedness. If you have
thought about possible problems or dangers, and about how to act in such
situations, you have a better chance of dealing with such situations if they do
arise.
l A small fire starts in your kitchen.
2 English Class X
l A child starts to choke on a piece of food.
l An electrical appliance starts to hiss and gives out sparks.
l A bicycle knocks down a pedestrian.
l It rains continuously for more than twenty-four hours.
l A member of your family does not return home at the usual or expected time.
You may suggest other such situations.
Ans. (1) When a small fire starts in the kitchen, try switching off the gas knob, gas cyl-
inder, try to extinguish it with water and call for some help.
(2) When a child is choking on food, rub his back in upward and downward motion
and take him to a doctor immediately if it doesn’t help.
(3) When an electrical appliance is giving some sparks or hissing, switch off the
electric supply for the time being and call an electrician.
(4) When a bicycle knocks a pedestrian down, if it is not very serious, give him
some water, and help him to get a first aid. If it is serious, call an ambulance.
(5) When it rains continuously for 24 hours, try staying indoors and unclog the
nearby drainage system.
(6) When a family member is not returning at usual time, wait for him/her, don’t
panic, call him/ her to know his/ her location and wait patiently. If they still
don’t show up, contact the police.
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A Question
of Trust 4
— Victor Canning
NCERT SOLUTIONS
What's inside
TEXTBOOK EXERCISE
Read and Find Out
1. What does Horace Danby like to collect?
Ans. Horace Danby likes to collect books. He loves rare, expensive books.
2. Why does he steal every year?
Ans. He stole every year so that he could buy the rare and expensive books that he
loved to collect. Each year he planned carefully so as to steal enough to last twelve
months.
3. Who is speaking to Horace Danby?
Ans. It is the voice of the lady in the house. Horace thinks that she is the mistress of the
house. But she is a thief like him who passes as the landlady.
4. Who is the real culprit in the story?
Ans. The real culprit is the lady thief. She poses before Horace Danby as the landlady of
the Grange. Danby has entered the house to steal. But before him that lady thief is
already there.
Think About It
1. Did you begin to suspect, before the end of the story, that the lady was not the
person Horace Danby took her to be? If so, at what point did you realise this,
and how?
Ans. Yes, one does begin to suspect before the end of the story that the lady was not the
person Horace Danby took her to be. She was unusually calm on seeing Horace.
This seemed strange enough. When she did not call the police, and instead asked
Horace to take out all the jewels from the safe, even if it meant breaking it open,
it seemed suspicious. Moreover, it also seemed unlikely that she would forget the
numbers to open the safe. Therefore, it was evident, before the story ended, that the
lady was not the person Horace had taken her to be.
2. What are the subtle ways in which the lady manages to deceive Horace Danby
into thinking she is the lady of the house? Why doesn’t Horace suspect that
something is wrong?
Ans. The lady managed to deceive Horace Danby into thinking that she was the lady of
the house with her subtle ways. She was dressed up pretty well, just like the lady of
the house would be dressed. Also, her manner of talking calmly, the way in which
she petted the dog, and her going to the fireplace to straighten the ornaments there
showed her familiarity with the place. She regulated her tone and voice according
to the situation. Sometimes, she talked in a kind voice. At other times, she spoke
1 English Class X
in a serious manner. She would laugh occasionally, and then, suddenly, her voice
would become sharp. She spoke about how society should be protected from men
like Horace. Because of all these things, Horace could not suspect that she was not
the lady of the house. He was nervous himself, and was scared of getting caught.
The moment he saw that she would let him go, he quickly broke open the safe
for her, and promised not to rob again. According to the narrator, he was a ‘good,
honest citizen’. This was why Horace could not suspect anything.
3. “Horace Danby was good and respectable − but not completely honest”. Why
do you think this description is apt for Horace? Why can’t he be categorized
as a typical thief?
Ans. “Horace Danby was good and respectable − but not completely honest”. This
description is apt for Horace. He was about fifty years old. He robbed only from
rich people, and his purpose was to buy rare and expensive books with the money.
He stole only once a year. The intention of buying books was good. However, the
fact that he stole to achieve this end showed that he was not completely honest. He
cannot be categorized as a typical thief because he did not steal to eat or drink. He
had a house. He made locks, had two people to help him, and was successful in
his business. He only stole enough money to buy the books. For a couple of days,
he even kept his promise to the lady he met at Shotover Grange by not stealing or
planning any robbery.
4. Horace Danby was a meticulous planner but still he faltered. Where did he go
wrong and why?
Ans. Horace Danby was a meticulous planner, but still he faltered. He used to plan his
robberies very well. He knew all the details of the Shotover Grange. He knew the
time when there would be no one at the house. He even knew the name of the dog
in the house. However, he was completely deceived by the lady he met at the house.
He was outdone by her. He was taken in by her subtle ways, and did not realize
that she herself could have been a thief. On seeing her, he got scared and started
begging her to let him go. When she asked him to take out the jewels for her, he
readily agreed. He did not feel anything odd in her leaving him, and not getting
him arrested. He was only too happy and thankful that he could go. In his hurry, he
even overlooked the fact that his fingerprints were left all over the safe. He blindly
believed the lady, and thus, in spite of his meticulous planning, he faltered.
Talk About It
1. Do you think Horace Danby was unfairly punished, or that he deserved what
he got?
2 English Class X
Ans. The intentions behind stealing were not bad, but stealing is an awful thing, and he
should never be involved in something of that sort. So he got what he deserved.
2. Do intentions justify actions? Would you, like Horace Danby, do something
wrong if you thought your ends justified the means? Do you think that there
are situations in which it is excusable to act less than honestly?
Ans. Intentions can never justify actions. If intentions were to justify actions, the en-
tire world would be thrown into a chaotic state. I would never ever, do things like
Horace and justify to suit them according to my needs. There might be situations
in which we might act less than honestly, but the purpose of these actions must be
to do good to others.
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Footprints
without Feet 5
— H. G. Wells
NCERT SOLUTIONS
What's inside
TEXTBOOK EXERCISE
Read and Find Out
1. How did the invisible man first become visible?
Ans. The invisible man (Griffin) first became visible after he slipped into a big London
store for keeping warm and overslept there while wearing some clothes taken from
the store. The clothes made him visible to the shop assistants when the shop opened
in the morning. To escape from them, he had to shed all his clothes to become
invisible again.
2. Why was he wandering the streets?
Ans. Griffin had set fire to his landlord’s house. He wanted to escape without being seen.
He had taken off his clothes. Thus, he was feeling cold. Therefore, Griffin had been
wandering in London streets for a safer place.
3. Why does Mrs. Hall find the scientist eccentric?
Ans. Mrs. Hall found the scientist eccentric because she wanted to be friendly with him.
She desired to talk to him. But he did not show any interest in that. He told her that
he desired solitude. He wanted no one to talk to him.
4. What curious episode occurs in the study?
Ans. The curious episode occurs in the study. One early morning the clergyman and
his wife find their money missing. They find that someone has taken it away from
the desk. But there was no one around there who took away that money. It was a
mystery.
5. What other extraordinary things happen at the inn?
Ans. Many other extraordinary things happened in the Inn. Some of them are that the
landlord and his wife found the scientist’s door open. But there was no one in
the room. Then Mrs. Hall heard sniff close to her ear. After a moment, the hat
on the bedpost leapt up. It dashed itself into her face. The chair began moving
automatically. These things made people furious.
Think About It
1. “Griffin was rather a lawless person.” Comment.
Ans. Griffin was not bothered if he had harmed anybody in the fulfilment of what he
wanted. He set his landlord’s house on fire because the landlord tried to make him
leave. Then his robberies at shops and later in the village indicate that he was a
lawless person. When he encountered the landlady of the inn, he threw a chair at
her and her husband. Lawless persons like Griffin never think about the safety and
well-being of others. They are only concerned about themselves.
1 English Class X
2. How would you assess Griffin as a scientist?
Ans. Griffin is a brilliant scientist, as he discovers how to make himself invisible. But he
seems to enjoy the feeling of power which he gets out of his invisibility. The power
to hurt anybody without getting noticed can give sadistic pleasure to some people.
A true scientist should make discoveries for the larger benefit of society, not just
for his own benefit.
Talk About It
1. Would you like to become invisible? What advantages and disadvantages do
you foresee, if you did?
Ans. It can be an exciting idea for most people. Like two facets of a coin, invisibility
can have many advantages and disadvantages. For a child, invisibility may mean a
license for all kinds of pranks without getting caught. Like a Hindi movie, invisibil-
ity can help you beat all the villains black and blue and get rid of them. But on the
other hand once you become invisible, nobody would notice you. Within no time,
the sadness of isolation will take over the excitement of being invisible. You will
have no friend. You will tend to behave like the eccentric scientist in this story.
2. Are there forces around us that are invisible, for example, magnetism? Are
there aspects of matter that are ‘invisible’ or not visible to the naked eye? What
would the world be like if you could see such forces or such aspects of matter?
Ans. Magnetic forces and electrostatic forces are examples of invisible forces. The at-
oms and molecules in a matter are so small that they are not visible to the naked
eye. Heat energy is invisible. Similarly, sound is invisible to us. While the idea of
seeing invisible things can be very exciting, their visibility would create too many
problems. For example, if we are able to see all the sound around us, that would be
too irritating for us.
3. What makes glass or water transparent (what is the scientific explanation
for this)? Do you think it would be scientifically possible for a man to
become invisible, or transparent? (Keep in mind that writers of science
fiction have often turned out to be prophetic in their imagination)
Ans. The fact that light can pass through glass or water makes them transparent. When
light falls on an object, the reflected light from that object makes it visible to us.
If some device can be made which can prevent reflection of light from the human
body then the human body can be made invisible.
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The Making
of a Scientist 6
— Robert W. Peterson
NCERT SOLUTIONS
What's inside
TEXTBOOK EXERCISE
Read and Find Out
1. How did a book become a turning point in Richard Ebright’s life ?
Ans. The book ‘The Travels of Monarch X’ opened the world of science for Richard.
After reading it he became interested in tracking the migration of butterflies.
This interest led to his other projects and experiments. Finally, he became a great
scientist.
2. How did his mother help him ?
Ans. His mother was a source of great inspiration for him. She always encouraged him
and provided constant company to him. In the day she brought friends for him. In
the night she herself worked with him. This way she helped him.
3. What lesson does Ebright learn when he does not win anything at a science fair
?
Ans. Ebright learns a lesson that the real experiments would win him a prize. It was not
simply a neat display of things. The real experiments showed the things clearly
and proved the point. The subject he knew was about the insect work. He had been
carrying this work in the past several years.
4. What experiments and projects does he then undertake?
Ans. He undertook many projects and experiments. He worked on viceroy butterflies to
show that they copied monarch butterflies. He studied bright spots on the monarch
pupa and discovered a new hormone. Also, he found out how cells read their DNA.
5. What are the qualities that go into the making of a scientist ?
Ans. There are three essential qualities that make a scientist. The first is a first rate mind.
Next is the presence of curiosity. Last but not the least, it is the will to do the best
and win.
Think About It
1. How can one become a scientist, an economist, a historian... ? Does it simply
involve reading many books on the subject? Does it involve observing, thinking
and doing experiments?
Ans. Reading books is just an aspect of learning and gain knowledge in particular subject.
It helps to gain subject knowledge but only reading books will not make a person
scientist or economist or historian. A person should involve observing, thinking
and doing experimental activities to reach his goal. One should implement his
observation practically to gain knowledge. Thinking is another aspect to improve
one’s creativity and explore new things.
1 English Class X
2. You must have read about cells and DNA in your science books. Discuss Richard
Ebright’s work in the light of what you have studied. If you get an opportunity
to work like Richard Ebright on projects and experiments, which field would
you like to work on and why?
Ans. Ebrights’ work is directly related to Biology. Discovery of cell’s structure has
helped scientific community to understand the way any organism functions and
grows. This has helped scientists to discover how disease causing organisms attack
us and grow inside our body. This must have given them idea to counter a particular
disease . DNA fingerprinting is helping police to pinpoint the real culprit. This was
not possible when DNA was discovered. Monarch butterflies present an amazing
example of a tiny creature migrating thousands of miles from North America to the
rainforest of Amazon. Some day we can be in a position to develop as sturdy and
reliable navigation system as that of the Monarch butterflies. It I get an opportunity
to work like ebright, I would like to work on the secrets behind the formation of
this universe.
Talk About It
1. Children everywhere wonder about the world around them. The questions they
ask are the beginning of scientific inquiry. Given below are some questions that
children in India have asked Professor Yash Pal and Dr. Rahul Pal as reported
in their book, Discovered Questions (NCERT, 2006).
(i) What is DNA fingerprinting? What are its uses?
(ii) How do honeybees identify their own honeycombs?
(iii)Why does rain fall in drops?
Ans. (i) DNA fingerprinting is a forensic technique used to identify individuals by the
characteristics of their DNA. It is used in parentage testing. It is also used in
criminal investigation to identify a person or to place him at the scene of crime.
(ii) Honeybees have signalling chemicals. They leave trails for fellow honeybees
so that they can reach their honeycomb.
(iii)The only solid thing in the air are dust particles. Water vapour uses it as a cen-
tre of attraction when it becomes too heavy. Water vapor condenses on the dust
particle as a drop and falls on Earth.
2. You also must have wondered about certain things around you. Share these
questions with your class, and try and answer them.
Ans. Do Yourself
2 English Class X
ARIHANT KAPKOTI
(99.80%), CBSE Topper 2023
”
Important Events
Dictionary
Character's Mood
(with explanations)
VIEW BOOK


CBSE 2022-23
The Necklace
— Guy De Maupassant
7
NCERT SOLUTIONS
What's inside
TEXTBOOK EXERCISE
Read and Find Out
1. What kind of a person is Mme Loisel ? Why is she always unhappy ?
Ans. Matilda had a romantic nature. She was lost in dreams. Matilda was unhappy
because she had no dowry. She had no hope, no means of becoming known. She
was pretty. She wanted to be known and loved by rich men. But she was born in a
poor family.
2. What kind of a person is her husband ?
Ans. Her husband is a very simple-hearted person. He is an ordinary person. He is a
caring husband. He wants to see Mme Loisel happy.
3. What fresh problem now disturbs Mme Loisel ?
Ans. The fresh problem is : Mme Loisel doesn’t have a pretty and proper dress for the
party.
4. How is the problem solved ?
Ans. The problem is solved when her husband gives her four hundred francs. It is to buy
a pretty dress for the said party.
5. What do M. and Mme Loisel do next ?
Ans. M. and Mme Loisel decide to borrow a diamond necklace. It is from her friend
Mme Forestier.
6. How do they replace the necklace ?
Ans. They borrow money. They shift to a cheap house. They save every sou possible.
Mme Loisel does all her work herself. They buy a new real diamond necklace to
replace the lost one which is fake.
Think About It
1. The course of the Loisels’ life changed due to the necklace. Comment.
Ans. 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. Matildas desire to show off and
one little act of negligence or one small error 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.
2. What was the cause of Matilda’s ruin? How could she have avoided it?
1 English Class X
Ans. Matilda’s materialistic aspirations and dissatisfaction was the ultimate cause of
her ruin. She was always unhappy about her financial status and wished to be born
in the midst of riches and luxuries of life. She could have easily avoided her ruin
by accepting her current situation and being content with her simple life with her
loving husband.
3. What would have happened to Matilda if she had confessed to her friend that
she had lost her necklace?
Ans. Truth and honesty would have saved Matilda from her doom. If only she has been
courageous enough to confess to her friend the truth of the necklace, she would have
come to know that it was a fake one that cost a mere five hundred francs. She would
not have spent her husband’s entire inheritance and borrowed eighteen thousand francs
to pay for its replacement. In fact, she would have saved herself and her husband from
ten long years of crushing poverty, misery and back breaking labour.
4. If you were caught in a situation like this, how would you have dealt with it?
Ans. If I were caught in Matilda’s place. I would have felt contended in whatever situation
God has placed me.I would have enjoyed my own life without comparing it with
that of another.
Vanity means too much pride in one’s appearance, abilities and achievements. Too
much pride have too great a fall. That is what same happens with Matilda. She is
pride of her beauty. She wants to live a luxurious life. In her mad desire for such
a luxurious life she loses all her beauty which she used to be so proud. She even
loses her wealth.
Talk About It
1. The characters in this story speak in English. Do you think this is their language?
What clues are there in the story about the language its characters must be
speaking in?
Ans. Though the characters speak in English, it is not their language. Maupassant wrote
the story in French and it was translated into English. Again the very text throws up
enough words in French to prove it otherwise. First, the very names of characters like
‘Madame Loisel, Madame Forestier and the minister’s name George Ramponneau
indicate their French origin. Then, the words for currency like ‘Franc’ and ‘Sou’
show the same. Also, the shop’s location at ‘Palais Royal’ and ‘Champs Elysees’
point out the French history of the characters and the story.
2. Honesty is the best policy.
Ans. Honesty is definitely the best policy. Falsehood and hypocrisy seem very attractive
and rewarding at first. But, they lead to nothing but misery, evil and utter gloom.
Honesty, on the contrary, seems to be a difficult choice in pursuit of material
happiness. However, it is the only choice for a life of contentment, peace and
2 English Class X
everlasting happiness.
3. We should be content with what life gives us.
Ans. Life is a great mystery. For every individual this mystery of life comes wrapped in
a unique package. For some, it is all riches, comfort, name and fame. For some, it is
nothing but sheer hunger, poverty, anguish and an everyday quest for bare survival.
One, however, must learn to live within one’s means and be content with what one
has. One may try to improve his life by honest means but eventually must be at
peace with what one manages to have.
3 English Class X
ARIHANT KAPKOTI
(99.80%), CBSE Topper 2023
”
Important Events
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Character's Mood
(with explanations)
VIEW BOOK


CBSE 2022-23
Bholi
— K. A. Abbas
8
NCERT SOLUTIONS
What's inside
TEXTBOOK EXERCISE
Read and Find Out
1. Why is Bholi's father worried about her ?
Ans. Bholi’s father is worried about Bholi. It is because she has neither good looks nor
intelligence like his other children. He is worried that no one will marry her when
she comes of the age.
2. For what unusual reasons is Bholi sent to school?
Ans. Bholi is sent to school not for education. But she is sent to worry her teachers about
her. Her parents don’t want her to trouble them. This is the unusual reason.
3. Does Bholi enjoy her first day at school?
Ans. Bholi does not enjoy her first day at school. It is because she is fearful of everything
therein.
4. Does she find her teacher different from the people at home
Ans. She finds her teacher different from the people at home. She finds the teacher’s
voice soft and soothing. In all her life she had never been called like that. The
teacher called her by her name.
5. Why do Bholi's parents accept Bishamber's marriage proposal?
Ans. Bholi’s parents accepted Bishamber’s marriage proposal as he was a well-to-do
grocer and had not asked for any dowry.
6. Why does the marriage not take place?
Ans. The marriage does not take place. It is because the bridegroom demands a dowry
of five thousand rupees. Bholi refuses to marry such a person who demands dowry.
Think About It
1. Bholi had many apprehensions about going to school. What made her feel that
she was going to a better place than her home?
Ans. The day she was going to school her parents forced her to dress nicely. She was
bathed and her hair was properly done. Until then she was not being taken care
of. The special treatment she received made her feel that she was going to a better
place.
2. How did Bholi’s teacher play an important role in changing the course of her
life?
Ans. Bholi stammered and was just a bundle of nerves when she attended school in the
beginning. Her teacher treated her kindly and encouraged her to have confidence
and be bold. She taught her to read and write and made her an independent girl who
was aware of her rights. Thus, she changed her life.
1 English Class X
3. Why did Bholi at first agree to an unequal match? Why did she later reject the
marriage. What does this tell about her?
Ans. Bholi agreed to the match at first to fulfil her parents’ wishes. Later on, she rejected
the marriage when the bridegroom asked for dowry. This tells us that Bholi was not
a timid – and dumb girl. She was aware of her rights. She also knew how to fight
for her own dignity and feared no one.
4. Bholi’s real name is Sulekha. We are told this right at the beginning. But only
in the last but one paragraph of the story is Bholi called Sulekha again. Why
do you think she is called Sulekha at that point in the story?
Ans. The word Bholi means a simpleton. Throughout the story she had been a simpleton
who hardly expressed her opinion on any matter. The word Sulekha means ‘a per-
son with a beautiful sense of letters’. In this story, this word has a larger meaning
of being a literate, intelligent and mature individual. After her education, Bholi
has really changed to Sulekha and her assertion at the time of her marriage is her
annauncement to the world that she is no more a Bholi, but is a Sulepha.
5. Bholi’s story must have moved you. Do you think girl children are not treated
at par with boys ? You are aware that the government has introduced a scheme
to save the girl child as the sex ratio is declining. The scheme is called Beti
Bachao Beti Padhao, Save with Girl Child. Read about the scheme and design
a poster in groups of four and display on the school notice board.
Ans. Do It Yourself
Talk About It
1. Bholi’s teacher helped her overcome social barriers by encouraging and
motivating her. How do you think you can contribute towards changing the
social attitudes illustrated in this story ?
Ans. We can contribute by saying no to taking or giving dowry. We must not discriminate
between a boy and a girl. Both should be given equal rights and opportunities to
grow. We must also learn to respect those who are differently abled and treat them
at par.
2. Should girls be aware of their rights and assert them? Should girls and boys
have the same rights, duties and privileges? What are some of the ways in
2 English Class X
which society treats them differently? When we speak of ‘Human rights’, do
we differentiate between girl’s rights and boy’s rights?
Ans. Yes, there is a differentiation between a girl’s and a boy’s rights. Although equal
in the eyes of law, society treats them differently. Parents spend more on a boy’s
education than that of a girl. A girl is just trained to be a wife and mother. Boys
have special privileges in matters of food, career or freedom. Girl must be aware
of their rights to exercise them. They must utilise their education to preserve their
self – reliance and dignity. They must be ready to demand their due and even fight
for it.
3. Do you think the characters in the story were speaking to each other in English?
If not, in which language were they speaking? (you can get clues from the names
of the persons and the non-English words used in the story.)
Ans. No, we do not think so. They spoke in Hindi. Several words like ‘numberdar, te-
hsildar sahib, izzat and pitaji’ are ample proof of that. Even the names of characters
like ‘Ramlal’ and ‘Bholi’ support that.
3 English Class X
ARIHANT KAPKOTI
(99.80%), CBSE Topper 2023
”
Important Events
Dictionary
Character's Mood
(with explanations)
VIEW BOOK


CBSE 2022-23
The Book that
Saved the Earth 9
— Claire Boiko
NCERT SOLUTIONS
What's inside
TEXTBOOK EXERCISE
Read and Find Out
1. Why was the twentieth century called the ‘Era of the Book’ ?
Ans. The twentieth century was called the ‘Era of the Book’. It was because there were
books about everything. These were from anteaters to Zulus. Then books taught the
people almost everything.
2. Who tried to invade the earth in the twenty-first century?
Ans. Martians tried to invade the Earth in the twenty first century.
3. What guesses are made by Think-Tank about the books found on earth ?
Ans. Think-Tank first states that the books have been found on earth. These may be
‘sandwiches’. These may be for eye communication. Finally, these are ‘high
explosives’.
Think About It
1. Noodle avoids offending Think-Tank but at the same time he corrects his
mistakes. How does he manage to do that?
Ans. Noodle avoids offending Think-Tank while correcting his mistakes by presenting
his own thoughts, but referring to them as being of no particular importance. When-
ever he had to say something contrary to what Think-Tank said, he would do this.
In this way he would correct Think-Tank’s errors without making Think-Tank feel
that he was being corrected.
2. If you were in Noodle’s place, how would you handle Think-Tank’s mistakes?
Ans. If I were in his place, I would do the same. I would politely and gently suggest the
corrections.
3. Do you think books are being replaced by the electronic media? Can we do
away with books altogether?
Ans. Yes, these days online reading has replaced traditional books to a large extent.
Internet, facebook, twitter etc. have decreased interest in reading. But, the truth is
that books cannot be totally replaced. Books can never go out of life although they
may exist in a different form.
4. Why are books referred to as a man’s best companion? Which is your favourite
book and why? Write a paragraph about that book.
Ans. A book is a man’s best companion because it is always there. It never leaves us
alone. It is there with us even when everyone else is gone. Books ‘ guide us, in-
struct us, make us laugh, inform us, inspire us and are always true to us. My fa-
vourite book is Peter Pan. It is a fairy tale. I love the character of Peter. He lives in
1 English Class X
fantasies. He is a child who never wants to grow up and he never does’ He enjoys
thrills and adventures and even takes the kids from Earth on a merry adventure.
The book inspires as it shows that one can remain a child at heart forever. The
sense of wonder, innocence, purity and joy and a ‘ capacity to dream can stay in the
human heart forever.
Talk About It
1. In what ways does Think-Tank misinterpret innocent nursery rhymes as threats
to the Martians? Can you think of42-15 any incidents where you misinterpreted
a word or an action? How did you resolve the misunderstanding?
Ans. The words like ‘shell’ and ‘silver’ make Think-Tank think that humans grew
them in farms. Then, there is a line about ‘cow’ and ‘ ‘moon’. Also, the picture of
Humpty-Dumpy and the rhyme of ‘great fall’ make Think-Tank think that humans
were about to invade Mars. Yes, I had a similar misunderstanding with a friend.
But, I was fortunate as I got to know the actual truth just in time. I did not believe
what I had heard earlier.
2. The aliens in the play speak English. Do you think this is their language? What
could be the language of aliens?
Ans. No, English was not their language. If it had been so, they would not have thought
that it is some code and they would not have misinterpreted the nursery rhymes.
They could be speaking some Martian language.
2 English Class X
ARIHANT KAPKOTI
(99.80%), CBSE Topper 2023
”
Important Events
Dictionary
Character's Mood
(with explanations)
VIEW BOOK


CBSE 2022-23

A Letter To God: First Flight

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First Flight

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4. the basic and honou-rable freedoms getting a good salary

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Ans. 1. Heartbreaking – producing great sadness

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