Class X English First Flight

Class X  Question Bank

First Flight 

17.  Do you think Peggy meant to bully Wanda?

Peggy did not realize she was being mean to Wanda; she actually thought that Wanda was telling lies about how many dresses she owned and was trying to point out to her how ridiculous her grandiose claims were. Peggy sees it as gentle teasing and does not realize that the other children in the class look to her for their lead and consequently join in the teasing as well. The fact that she felt guilty after Wanda has left the school also indicates that her actions were simple teasing rather than calculated bullying.

18.  What lessons do you learn from the story “Hundred Dresses

This book teaches children and adults alike to stand up for what is right and not to be swayed by others. It teaches that although standing up for the right thing might be difficult, standing by and watching whilst others are bullied or treated badly is definitely the wrong thing to do. It also will be something that plays on your mind for a lot longer than doing the right thing would have done. The main lesson in this book is "be nice to others".

A Baker From Goa

Question 1: What are the elders in Goa nostalgic about?

Ans: Elders in Goa are nostalgic about good old Portuguese days, about the Portuguese, and their famous loaves of bread. Goa was a Portuguese colony. After independence Goa became part of India. Goa has distinct effect of Portugues and Anglo Indian culture. Christianity is one of the main religions in Goa. Elders usually fondly remember old days because once people grow old they accumulate rich experiences of their past. It is a normal human psychology that past always looks better than present.

 2: Is bread-making still popular in Goa? How do you know?

Ans: From the story it is clear that 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: Baker is called a Pader in Goa.

4: When would the baker come every day? Why did the children run to meet him?

Ans: The baker usually comes in the morning everyday. The children are fond of his musical sales pitch. Moreover, they are unable to wait to savour the bread rings.

 5: What is a must during festivals and marriages?

Ans: sweet bread called bol, sandwiches, cakes and bolinhans.

 6: What did the bakers wear: (i) in the Portuguese days? (ii) when the author was young?

Ans: (i) In the Portuguese days bakers used to wear a knee length single piece frock known as kabai.

(ii) When the author was young bakers used to wear a shirt and a knee length pant.

7: Who invites the comment — “he is dressed like a pader”? Why?

Ans: Even toady if someone wears a pant with length a little bit down from knees he invites the comment, “he is dressed like a pader”, because bakers used to wear such dresses in Goa

 8: Where were the monthly accounts of the baker recorded?

Ans: Bakers used to record the monthly account on some walls with pencil. We still find this practice followed by panwallahs in many towns and villages in India. The panwallah write monthly dues account on their shops walls.

Question 9: What does a ‘jackfruit -like appearance’ mean?

Ans.A baker’s profession was apparently a profitable profession. This was evident from plump appearance of the baker as if he was well fed. A plump person can give a jackfruit like appearance.

10.  Is bread an important part of Goan life? How do you know this?

Ans: Bread is indeed a very important part of a Goan life.. Bread is their staple food. Everyday they eat bread. No marriage and festival is complete.  Some of the facts which show the importance of bread in Goan life are as follows. Sandwiches must be prepared on the occasion of a daughter’s engagement. Cakes and bolinhas are must for Christmas and other festivals.

Coorg

1.    Where is Coorg? When is the best time to visit coorg?

Ans. Coorg is situated in Karnataka. It is midaway from Mysore to Mangalore.The best time to visit Coorg is from October to March. From April to September it rains heavily and so it is not advisable to visit Coorg in these months

 2: What is the story about the Kodavu people’s descent?

Ans.It is believed that Kodavu people are of Greek origin. It is said that some of Alexander’s armymen moved to south and settled there. Their costume, martial practices and marriage rituals also point to the fact that they are from Greek origin.

Another theory is that they are of Aabic origin. Their long embroidered robe like that of Arab attire points to this theory.

 3: What are some of the things you now know about the people of Coorg?

Ans: The people of Coorg are a proud martial race. Martial race means those who have well developed fighting skills. Our first Chief of the army was from Coorg. Coorg army is the most decorated army. They have a great tradition of hospitality. They would often recount stories of valour of their menfolk. Their women are beautiful.

4.      What is the main crop grown in Coorg?

Ans. Coffee is the main crop grown in Coorg. Spices are also grown there.

5.      Which are the animals you would see in Coorg?

Ans :: Macaques, Malabar squirrels, langurs and slender loris  and elephants are widely found in Coorg.  The languers and squirrels are very playful.

6.Which are the sports that Coorg  offers to tourists?

Ans: The sporting activities in Coorg are of high energy variety. They are river rafting, canoeing, rock climbing, rappelling and mountain biking.

MijbilThe Otter

1.Why did Maxwell go to Basra? How long does he wait there, and why?

Answer: Maxwell went to Basra to visit the Consulate General to get his mail. He had had to wait there for five days. To start with his mail didn’t reach on time. Then he tried to make a telephone call. This incident is of those days when one had to book an international call 24 hrs in advance. The telephone line was not working properly on the first day. Next day it was some public holiday so it was not working. Finally after a tortuous wait of five days his mail arrived.

2.How does Maxwell get the otter? Does he like it?

Answer: One of Maxwell’s friends probably requested a local to get an otter for him. Two people came with an otter and delivered it to him. The way the author explains every small prank of otter shows that he liked the otter.

Question 3: Why was the otter named ‘Maxwell’s otter’?

Answer: The zoological name of that species Lutrogaleperspicillatamaxwelli indicates to the fact that it was named by some scientist called Maxwell. Or the suffix ‘maxwelli’ may have been given by the author himself. That is why the otter can be simply called ‘Maxwell’s Otter’.

Question 4: What happened when Maxwell took Mijbil to the bathroom? What did it do two days after that?

Answer: Otters live near water and water is their favourite playground. Mijbil enjoyed the sight of water in the bathtub. It enjoyed the water to its fullest. Mijbil splashed water all around the bathroom. Two days later Mijbil developed confidence to go all alone to the bathroom. It jumped up the bathtub and after some effort turned on the tap as well.

Question 5: How was Mij to be transported to England?

Answer: As British airlines did not allow animals to be taken by plane so the author decided to take it by another airline to Paris and then from Paris to London. The airline’s directive said that Mij could be carried in a box which should not be bigger than 18 square inches in dimension. Author was allowed to keep the box near his feet in the plane.

Question 6: What did Mij do to the box?

Answer: The box was lined with metal sheet. Mij didn’t find it comfortable to be there so tried to escape. In its attempt to escape, Mij tore into the metal lining of the box. As a result it hurt itself and started bleeding.

Question 7: Why did Maxwell put the otter back in the box? How do you think he felt when he did this?

Answer: As there was no other way to carry Mij to London so the author had put it back into the box. He must have felt pity on the way the otter had hurt itself. Moreover, he must be worried as well.

Question 8: Why does Maxwell say the airhostess was “the very queen of her kind”?

Answer: The airhostess not only allowed the injured otter to be taken in, she also allowed Maxwell to keep the otter the way he wanted. She had been cooperative and generous to the core. That is why she is referred to as a queen, as kings and queens usually have big generous hearts.

Question 9: What happened when the box was opened?

Answer: The moment Maxwell opened the box Mij darted out of it vanished somewhere. Then it ran all over the place scaring all passengers. It created a chaos and most of the people in the plane started praying for their lives.

Question 10: What game had Mij invented?

Answer:Mij invented a game of playing ball in a unique way. One of author’s suitcase which was damaged during journey was Mijbil’s play arena. The suitcase top was having a slope. Mijbil would drop the ball from the height of the slope and would hurriedly catch it on the deeper end of the slope.

Question 11: What are ‘compulsive habits’? What does Maxwell say are the compulsive habits of (i) school children (ii) Mij?

Answer: Compulsive habits are usually strange act or behaviour which a person does without clear reason. 
(i) As per this story, children must place their feet squarely on the centre of each paving block; must touch every seventh upright of the iron railings, or pass to the outside of every second lamp post.

(ii) Mijbil while on its way to home would jump over the boundary wall railing and run at full speed throughout its length.

Question 12: What group of animals do otters belong to?

Answer: Otters belong to a comparatively small group of animals called Mustellines, shared by the badger, mongoose, weasel, stoat, mink and others.

Question 13: What guesses did the Londoners make about what Mijwas?

Answer: As otters are not found in England so Londoners made wildest possible guesses about Mijbil’s identity. Their guesses would range from a baby seal, a squirrel, a hippo to a brontosaurus.

Question 14: What things does Mij do which tell you that he is an intelligent, friendly and fun-loving animal who needs love?

Ans: The way Mij learnt to open the tap shows that it is an intelligent animal. Mij is always in a playful mood; doing all sorts of pranks. Mij prefers the company of the author. These facts show that it is a friendly and fun-loving animal.

Question 15  What are some of the things we come to know about otters from this text?

Answer: Some of the things we come to know about otters from this text are as follows. Otters are small creatures with dark brown fur all over the body. Otters live near water and enjoy playing in water. Otters are very active animals and can be easily tamed. They are very observant and clever.

Question 16: Why is Mij’s species now known to the world as Maxwell’s otter?

Answer: It can be the association of some scientist; named Maxwell who discovered this species. It can also be the association with the author who is named Maxwell.

Madam Rides the Bus

1: What was Valli’s favourite pastime?

Ans: As Valli had no playmate of her age, so her favourite pastime was to stand in her doorway and watch the street. The street outside used to be full of activities which were enough to keep her amused and engaged.

 2: What was a source of unending joy for Valli? What was her strongest desire?

Ans: The bus was a source of unending joy for her. The bus used to bring a new set of passengers every-time it came from the town. The diversity of people, their activities were a treat to watch for Valli. Her strongest desire was to take a ride in the bus at least once.

 3: What did Valli find out about the bus journey? How did she find out these details?

Ans:Valli tried to listen to her neighbours to get the desired information about the bus journey. She would ask some discrete questions to get more information. She got information about distance of the town from her village and the total journey time it usually took. She came to know that it the fare was 30 paise.

 4: What do you think Valli was planning to do?

Ans:Valli was planning to fulfill her strongest desire which was to go on a bus ride.

Question 5: Why did the conductor call Valli ‘madam’?

Ans. Valli was trying to behave more matured than her age. She was  overconfident and smart. The conductor was amused at her behaviour and in an effort to tease her called her ‘madam’.

 6: Why does Valli stand up on the seat? What does she see now?

Ans:Valli’s view was obstructed because of a canvas blind on the window and because of her small height as well she was unable to have a good view outside. She stood up on her seat to have a better view of the scenery outside. She could see a canal with palm trees, grasslands, distant mountains and blue sky as backdrop. On the other side there was a ditch followed by vast tract of greenery.

7: Why didn’t Valli want to make friends with the elderly woman?

Ans: The elderly woman was having big earlobes with bigger holes. She was chewing betel nut and the betel juice was about to seep out of her mouth. She was giving a sight of unrefined elderly lady. That is why Vaali did not want to make friends with her.

 8: How did Valli save up money for her first journey? Was it easy for her?

Ans:Valli saved every coin that came her way. She made great sacrifices by controlling her normal childish urges of having candies, toys and joyrides. This must have been difficult for her. Kids find it very difficult to savour a candy or to enjoy a toy.

9.: What did Valli see on her way that made her laugh?

AnsA scared cow was running for her life in the middle of the road. It was jumping with tails up. The more incessantly bus driver honked the more furious its scamper became. Valli could not control her laughter after seeing this.

10: Why didn’t she get off the bus at the bus station?

Ans: She did not know anything about the town so was afraid of getting lost. Moreover, her meticulous savings plan allowed her enough money to buy only tickets for her journey. Also,  she had to return before her mother could find her missing.

11: Why didn’t Valli want to go to the stall and have a drink? What does this tell you about her?

Ans: She did not want to take obligation from the conductor. This indicates that she is taught of not taking anything from strangers. She may be a small child but she knows how to behave properly in the outside world.

12: How did Valli plan her bus ride? What did she find out about the bus, and how did she save up the fare?

Ans:Valli had to plan on two aspects. The first aspect was saving enough money to arrange for two-way fair. The second aspect was to give a slip to her mother because a child of her age would not be allowed to go all alone. She came to know about the distance of the town and total time of journey. She also gathered information about the fair.

 13: What kind of a person is Valli?

Ans:Valli appears to be a confident child. She does not like people making a fun at her or feeling pity at her because she is a child. She is very careful not to talk to strangers during her journey. She must have enjoyed her bus ride and may be planning for her next  ride. She is very calculative, full of confidence and Knows how to behave with strangers.

 14: Do you think  Valli enjoyed her ride on the bus.

Ans:Valli thoroughly enjoyed her ride. The way she was engrossed in the scenery outside the window shows that she was enjoying every moment of her ride. The most funny incident was of the cow running ahead of the bus. She also enjoyed the luxurious interiors of the bus.

 15: Why didn’t Valli look out of the window on her way back?

Ans: On her way back, Valli witnessed a horrific incidence. The cow which was playful during the onward journey had died in an accident. Valli felt very sad at the sight  of the cow. Due to this, she did not like looking out of the window on her way back.

 16: What does Valli mean when she says, “I was just agreeing with what you said about things happening without our knowledge.”

Ans: While making this statement, Valli was trying to hide the fact about her bus ride. She was also feeling elated at making a successful attempt at her plan.

17.: The author describes the things that Valli sees from an eight-year-old’s point of view. Can you find evidence from the story for this statement?

Ans There are many incidents which show the world from an eight-year-old’s perspective. For example; for an adult the fair of the bus may be very small

, but for a small child it can be a fortune. Similarly, the way a child can enjoy as simple a thing as a six mile bus ride; can never be understood by most of the adults.

  Sermon at Benaras

1: When her son dies, KisaGotami goes from house to house. What does she ask for? Does she get it? Why not?

Ans. KisaGotami goes from house to house to get some medicine which could put back life in her dead son. But once a person is dead, he cannot be revived. Hence, people only pity at her agony because they know that no medicine can bring life back in her child.

 2: KisaGotami 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: After speaking with the Buddha, KisaGotami goes from house to house to get a handful of mustard seeds. But Buddha had made a condition, i.e. mustard seeds should be only from a house in which nobody ever died. Since death is an imminent fact and is integral to the life cycle, so KisaGotamy does not get mustard seeds.

 3: What does KisaGotami understand the second time that she failed to understand the first time? Was this what the Buddha wanted her to understand?

Ans: She understood the real truth of life and death. She understood that everyone who has come into this world is going to die sooner or later. By sending her to different houses, Buddha wanted her to realize the fragile nature of human life. He also wanted her to rise above worldly matters so that the departed soul could rest in peace.

 4: Why do you think KisaGotami understood this only the second time? In what way did the Buddha change her understanding?

Ans: Buddha applied practical way of teaching an important lesson. Sometimes, we may not understand a complex subject by only reading a text material. Many a time, we need to have practical experience to understand complex issues. Kisa could never have understood that death is imminent without this practical approach.

 5: How do you usually understand the idea of ‘selfishness’? Do you agree with KisaGotami that she was being ‘selfish in her grief ’?

AnsBeing concerned with your own desires and beliefs is called selfishness. KisaGotami was only thinking about her personal sorrow and life after her personal tragedy. She was not thinking about grief of all other people. So, it can be said that she was being ‘selfish in her grief.

                                       The Proposal

Give a brief character sketch of Lomov.
Ans:-Lomov was a young, unmarried man of thirty five. He was anxious to get married as he had already reached a critical age. So he decided to propose a girl in the neighbourhood. Her name was Natalya, a girl of twenty-five years old. Lomov thought that she was a good housekeeper and was not bad looking. Further she was unmarried. Lomov was a funny character. He was suffering from palpitation. He behaved as if he were eccentric. He was so eager to marry Natalya. But when he came to propose to her, he started quarrelling over trifles. He quarreled on issues like Oxen Meadows and pet dogs named Squeezer and Guess. He even abused Natalya and her father Chubukov while quarreling.


Q.Give a brief character sketch of Natalya.
Ans:-Natalaya was a young unmarried girl of twenty five years. She lived in the neighbourhood of Lomov, a young unmarried man. She was an excellent housekeeper and was not bad looking. She was thirsting for love. Her father called her a lovesick cat. Lomov said that she was well educated, but she did not seem to be so. She was very quarrelsome and abusive by nature. She began a bitter quarrel with Lomov over a piece of land that had little value. She said that those meadows were not much worth to her but she could not stand unfairness. But when she learnt that Lomov had come to propose to her, she forgot all fairness and unfairness. She began to wail over the lost chance .She forced her father to call him back. But in no time, she started quarrelling with him again. It was on their dogs. Both claimed their respective dogs to be of a superior breed.


Q. 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 reason for your answer from the play.
Ans:-Chubukov at first suspects that Lomov has come to borrow money. Chubukov is not sincere in saying this. After some minutes, Chubukov starts fighting with Lomov over petty matters. In fact, he sides with his daughter in fighting with Lomov. He even abuses Lomov calling him with bad names. This shows his insincerity in saying this flattering sentence.


Q.Chubukov says of Natalya : “….as if she won’t consent ! She is in love; egad, she is like a lovesick cat..” Would you agree? Find reason for your answer.
Ans:-Yes, Natalya is in love. This is clear in her behavior when she knows that Lomov came to propose to her. When she knows it, she starts weeping; she calls her father to bring him back at once. He has gone out after the quarrel. She becomes hysteric.

Q.How does Lomov come to Chubukov’s house? What for does he come? How is he received?
Ans:-Lomov comes to Chubukov’s house in the evening dress with gloves on. He comes to propose to his daughter Natalya. He is received with all the respect by Chubukov. It is clear by Chubukov’s words like ‘my angel’, ‘my dear fellow’, ‘my treasure’.


Q.How does Chubukov react when Lomov says that he has come to ask for the hand of his daughter?
Ans:-Chubukov is really glad to hear that Lomov has come to ask for Natalya’s hand. He embraces and kisses Lomov. He has a tear or two in his eyes out of joy. He calls for God’s blessing for Natalya and Lomov. He says he is off his balance with joy. He goes out to call for Natalya.


Q.Why did Lomov wants to get married?
Ans:-Lomov was 35 years old. It was high time that he should settle for a quiet and regular life. Moreover, he was suffering due to a weak heart and sleep-sickness. He wanted company and someone to look after him, so he wanted her to get married.

Q.HowdoLomov and Chubukov fight after talking about dogs, etc?
Ans:-Chubukov says that Lomov should sit at home with his heart beats. He is not at all a hunter. Lomov replies that he goes hunting to intrigue only. This starts their verbal fight. Lomov calls him an ‘intriguer’. Chubukov calls him ‘pup’. Lomov calls him ‘old rat’. Chubukov calls him ‘fool’, etc.


Q.How is ‘the Proposal’ a great comedy?
Ans:-‘The Proposal’ is a great comedy. It is because of the characters and subject matter and how they behave. Natalya, Lomov and Chubukov fight over foolish things. All these create a lot of laughter. The verbal fights over Oxen Meadows and dogs are really full of humour.

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