Bholi by K A Abbas-Footprints without Feet-Class X English-English for Class 10

 Lesson- 9: Bholi by K A Abbas

Short Answer-Type Qs

Q1. Why did Sulekha start stammering?

Ans. Sulekha could not speak till she was five. When she spoke, she usually stammered. Other children used to laugh at her. So she spoke very little.

Q2. Why was Ram Lal worried about Bholi and not about his other children?

Ans. Bholi was a simpleton. She was neither intelligent nor good to look at. So Ram Lal was often worried to think about her marriage. His other children would be married easily. So he was not worried about them.

Q3. Why was Bholi reluctant (hesitant) to go to school with her father?

Ans. Bholi had some fear in her mind. She did not know anything about school. She also thought that she would be sent out forever like the cow Luxmi. So she was reluctant to go to school with her father.

Q4. Did Bholi enjoy her first day at school? What made her happy on this very day?

Ans. First, she was made to sit in a corner of her classroom. Then she saw so many girls there. It made her relax. The teacher was very loving and kind to her. It all made her happy on the first day of her school.

Q5.For what unusual reasons is Bholi sent to school?

Ans. Ram Lal was under pressure from Tehsildaar to send his daughters to school. His wife told him to send only Bholi to school. She was a simpleton, so there was less risk of her getting married to anyone.

Q6. Does Bholi enjoy her first day at school? Give a reason in support of your answer.

Ans. She did not enjoy her first day at school fully. She did not know anything about school. She had her own fears also. But the teacher was loving and kind. She also saw some girls there. It relaxed her.

Q7. Why do Bholi’s parents accept Bishamber’s marriage proposal?

Ans. They accepted the marriage proposal because 1. Bishember was a rich person. 2. He was not demanding dowry. 3. Bholi was a simpleton. She was also not a good-looking girl.

Q8. Why was Sulekha nick-named Bholi?

Ans. Sulekha had an injury in her head. She was of just 10 months old at that time. The injury damaged some part of her mind. So she was slow at mind. People called her Bholi due to this reason.

Q9. What were Bholi’s apprehensions (fears) about going to school? What made her feel that she was going to a place that is better than her home?

Ans. In the beginning, she was afraid to go to school. Then she was bathed and her hair was combed. She wore a new dress. Then she understood that she was going to a better place. Her fears were removed.

Q10. Describe the teacher’s role in changing Bholi’s course of life.

Ans. The teacher treated Bholi lovingly. He asked her name very politely. She stammered a little. The teacher encouraged her to speak. Bholi’s all fears disappeared due to the teacher's good behavior.

Q11. Why did Tehsildaar come to Ram Lal’s village? What did he ask Ram Lal to do?

Ans. A school for girls was opened in the village. The Tehsildar came to perform its opening. He advised Ramlal to send his daughter to school. It would set an example as he was also a Govt officer.

Long Ans.-Type Qs

Q1. Describe how the teacher changed Bholi. Or the character of Bholi

Ans. The teacher played a very important role in changing the life of Bholi. Her name was Sulekha. Bholi was the name given to her by her parents. She was a very simple girl. She was unable to speak words properly. She was also not so good to look at. There were pockmarks on her face. So no one was ready to marry her. One day her father took her to school. Her teacher asked her name. She was very much afraid. But the teacher spoke to her lovingly. He encouraged her to speak. She gained confidence. That removed her fears about school. A new hope entered her mind. She wished to become the most learned person of her village. That would stop all from laughing at her. Thus the teacher played a very important role in her life.

Q2. Why did Bholi refuse to marry Bishamber Nath even when he was ready to marry her?

Ans. The marriage ceremony of Bholi with Bishamber Nath was going on.  He was trying to put a garland around Bholi’s neck. Suddenly, somebody pulled the veil from Bholi’s face. Bishamber saw pockmarks at her face. He refused to marry. Bholi’s father put his turban in Bishamber’s feet. He begged him to marry his daughter, But Bishamber demanded for rupees five thousand. Bholi’s father brought the money and placed it in front of Bishamber. But at that very time, Bholi refused to marry that greedy person. She saved herself from marrying such a greedy person.

A Letter to God | MCQs | Multiple Choice Questions on A Letter to God | ...

MCQS-Class X English-CBSE English for Class 10-Multiple Choice Questions...

A Question of Trust-Questions-answers-English-Class X

 4. A Question of Trust by Victor Canning (Notes Prepared By Shish Pal Chauhan)

                            Short Answer-type Qs.

Q1. Horace Denby was a meticulous planner, but still, he faltered? Where did he go wrong and why?

Ans. Horace Denby always took all precautions before entering a house. But that day, he went wrong. He opened the safe without wearing gloves on his hands. He left his fingerprints there. Later the police arrested him.

Q2. Why did Horace Denby rob a safe every year?

Ans. Horace Denby robbed a safe every year. He was a typical thief. He had a passion for reading expensive books. He needed money for it. For that purpose, he robbed a safe every year.

Q3. Describe how Horace Denby planned a theft every year?

Ans. Horace Denby was a typical thief. Before doing the robbery, he studied the house carefully. He studied everything like the paths, electric wiring, rooms, the garden, etc. before entering the house.

Q4. What advice did the lady in the red give to Horace regarding the hay fever? Was she really concerned for his health?

Ans. The lady in the red was also a thief like Horace Denby. She was not concerned about his health. Rather she wanted to win his trust by advising him about his disease of ‘hay fever’.

Q5.Did the young lady expect Horace Denby to be caught after the theft? Why?

Ans. She expected that the police would surely arrest Horace. It was because he had left his finger marks on the safe while opening the lock for her. Horace had not worn gloves at the time of opening the lock of the safe.

Q6. Did Horace get the jewels from the Granze Safe? If not, why did the police caught him?

Ans. No, Horace did not take the jewels from the Granze Safe. He committed a big mistake. He opened the safe for the young lady without gloves. Thus he left his finger marks on the safe. Later the police arrested him.

Q7. Why did Horace take off his gloves?

Ans. Horace was afraid of going to prison. He wanted to please the lady in the red. She needed a cigarette lighter. So Horace removed his gloves and offered her a lighter.

Q8. Who is the real culprit in this story, the young lady or Horace? How did she manage to rob the safe without leaving her a single fingerprint on it?

Ans. The young lady was the real culprit. She falsely told him that she needed her jewels from the safe urgently. But she forgot the number of the lock. So he opened the lock without gloves and left his own fingerprints there.

Q9. What is meant by the phrase ‘honor among thieves’? How did the young lady break the honor?

Ans. The phrase ‘honour among thieves’ means that the thieves are honest to other thieves. But here in this story, the young lady broke the other thief’s trust. She cheated and blackmailed Horace Denby.

Q10.What did the young lady ask Horace to do? Or What lie did the young lady tell Horace Denby to befool him?

Ans. The young lady in the red asked Horace Denby to open the safe for her. She told him that she needed jewels urgently. But she forgot the number of the lock.

 Q11. Horace Denby gets angry when someone talks about the ‘honor among thieves’. Why?

Ans. Horace Denby gets angry at this because a thief had cheated on him. She was a young lady. She posed like the owner of the house. She had told a lie to him that she needed the jewels from the safe. (Notes Prepared By Shish Pal Chauhan)

Long Answer-type Questions (About 100 words)

Q2. Justify the title ‘A Question of Trust’.

Ans. In this story, the young lady in the red broke the trust of Horace Denby. It is said that the thieves respect ‘trust’ among themselves. But the young lady breached (broke) the trust of Horace Denby. She made up a story. She posed herself as the owner of the house. She said that she needed jewels from her safe urgently. But she forgot the numbers of the lock. She also threatened him to get him arrested. Horace Denby was very much afraid of the police. So he opened the safe. He also committed a serious mistake. He opened the lock without wearing gloves. Thus his fingerprints on the safe got him arrested. The title is quite appropriate.

Q3.Describe Horace Denby’s encounter with the lady in the red.

Ans. Once Horace Denby was inside a house at Shotover Grange. He had to sneeze because he had an allergy. Then he heard a voice from behind. She was a young lady in a red dress. She posed as if she were the owner of the house. She told him that she had come just on time. She had not expected a thief in her house. She said that she needed jewels from her safe urgently. But she forgot the numbers of the lock. She also threatened him to get him arrested. Horace Denby was very much afraid of the police. So he opened the safe. He also committed a serious mistake. He opened the lock without wearing gloves. Thus his fingerprints on the safe got him arrested.

The Midnight Visitor by Robert Arthur-Questions-Answers-English for Class X

 3. The Midnight Visitor by Robert Arthur (notes prepared by Shish Pal Chauhan)

Q1. How is Ausable different from other secret agents?

Ans. Ausable is very fat. He looks like an ordinary person. Normally secret agents have a very smart look. They carry a pistol. Ausable does not carry any pistol. Thus he looks different from other secrets agents.

Q2. Who is Fowler and what is his first authentic thrill of the day? 

Ans. Fowler is a writer. He wants some exciting material to write a story on the life of secret agents. He had his first thrill of the day. He found another person with a pistol in Ausable’s room.

Q3. How has Max got in Ausable’s room?

Ans.Max got in Ausable’s room through the door. He used a passkey to open the door.

Q4. Why did Fowler want to meet Ausable? Why was he disappointed?

Ans. Fowler wanted to meet Ausable. He had a plan to write a story on the life of a secret agent. He had expected Ausable to be a mysterious type of person, having a pistol with him. But he found him fat and ordinary person. So Fowler was disappointed.              

Q5. How was the episode of meeting Max a thrilling experience to Fowler?

Ans. It must have been a very thrilling experience for Fowler. As the door was opened, Max was waiting in front of them with a gun in his hands. He threatened to kill both of them.

Q6. Write a few sentences about Max.

Ans. Max was another secret agent. He was a long and thin person. The features on his face showed that he was as cunning as a fox. He had a gun with him. He had come to Ausable’s room to snatch the report on missiles.

Q7. What did Ausable say about the balcony to Max?

Ans. First, he showed some anger. Then he said that it was for the second time that a person entered his room through the balcony. He called the balcony a nuisance (that creates trouble). He would raise the issue with the management.

Q8. What did Ausable say to Max when there was a knocking at the door? Who was there in reality? Why did Ausable tell a lie to Max?

Ans. There was a knocking at the door. It alerted Max. He asked Ausable as to who could be there. Ausable told Max that it was the police. But it was Henry, the waiter. Ausable told a lie to befool Max.

Q9. How did Ausable get rid of Max?

Ans. Max thought that there was a balcony just below the window. Then there was a knock at the door. Ausable told him that it could be the police. So Max jumped out of the window to wait at the balcony. He fell down and died because there was no balcony.

Q10. What was the paper about which Ausable told Fowler while entering the room? 

Ans. Ausable told Fowler that it was a very important paper regarding missiles. Several men and women had risked their lives for getting it. He also said that it might affect the course of history.

Q11. Who was Henry? What important role he played in the story?

Ans. Henry was a waiter. Ausable had ordered some drinks. He had come to deliver them. But he played a very important role. He helped Ausable in getting rid of Max.

Long Answer-type Qs &Ans. (Notes prepared by Shish Pal Chauhan)

Q1. Describe how Ausable outwitted Max.

Ans. Ausable was to receive an important paper. So he was to wait for it in a room of a French hotel. But as he opened the door, he found another secret agent, Max, standing in front of him with a revolver. Ausable was stunned (very much surprised). He, at once, made up a story. First, he told Max that there was a balcony just below the window of his room. Then he told another lie to him. He said that the knocking was done by the police. In a panic, Max jumped out of the window to stand and wait there at the balcony. But there was no balcony. So he killed himself.

Q2. Attempt a character-sketch of Ausable.

Ans. Ausable was a typical secret agent. He did not look smart because he was fat. But he had the qualities of being a smart secret agent. He was a cool minded person. He did not lose his wits when Max stood before him with a pistol. He, at once, made up a story. First, he told Max that there was a balcony just below the window of his room. Then he told another lie to him. He said that the knocking was done by the police. In a panic, Max jumped out of the window to stand and wait there at the balcony. But there was no balcony. Thus he proved himself a better secret agent. He outwitted Max.

Very Very short Qs & Ans.

1.      The writer of ‘ The Midnight Visitor’ is Robert Arthur

2.      The Midnight visitor was Max.

3.      Ausable was a secret agent.

4.      Max was also a secret agent

5.      Max got into Ausable’s room through the door by opening it a pass-key.

6.      A writer, Fowler, came to meet Ausable.

7.      Fowler was a ROMANTIC writer. He wanted to write a story on the life of secret agents.

8.      Ausable was staying in a French hotel in Paris.

9.      The paper was about missiles.

The Thief’s Story-Questions-Answers-Class X English

 2. The Thief’s Story (Book: Supplementary)  ( Notes prepared by Shish Pal Chauhan)

Short Answer-type Qs (30-40 words each)

Q1. Why was the thief grateful to Anil?

Ans. The thief was grateful to Anil because he gave him work. He taught him how to cook. He also taught him to write his name. He was also goin g to teach him to write full sentences.

Q2. What does the thief say about the reactions of the different people when they were robbed?

Ans. The thief told Anil that people react differently when they are robbed. A greedy man shows fear. A rich man shows anger and the poor person shows acceptance.

Q3. What was Anil’s job? What did he usually do with the money he earned?

Ans. Anil had no regular job for earning his livelihood. He wrote for some magazines to earn money. He used to celebrate whenever he got money.

Q4. Why did the thief want to become an educated man?

Ans. The thief also wanted to become an educated man. He had a dream to earn money like an educated person.

Q5.How did the thief realise that Anil knew that the money had been stolen?

Ans. The thief realised that Anil knew about his act of theft. Anil gave him a fifty rupee note. It was still wet. It meant that Anil knew about the theft. His notes were taken out by Hari Singh.

Q6.Why did the thief smile without any effort towards the end of the story?

Ans. Hari Singh (the thief) smiled at the end of the story. It was because Anil seemed to forgive him. In the beginning, the thief was guilty of his wrong act. But later, he felt sure that his master (Anil) had forgiven him.

Q7.Why, according to Hari Singh, is it difficult to rob a careless man? (2014)

Ans. The thief (Hari Singh) says that it is difficult to rob a careless man. It is because a careless person usually does not care about the theft done to him.

Q8.Why did Hari Singh smile in his most appealing way? (2014)

Ans. Hari Singh (the thief) wanted to impress Anil. So he smiled in his most appealing way. Hari Singh (the thief) wanted to work for him so that he could rob Anil later on of his money.

Q9. Why did Hari Singh consider friends to be more trouble than help? (2012)

Ans. Hari Singh had no friends because he was a professional thief. He did not want to tell anyone about his secrecy. So he considered friends troublesome in this way.

Q10.  Did Hari Singh know how to cook? What was his purpose?

 Ans. Hari Singh did not know how to cook. But he wanted to live with Anil to rob him later on. So he told a lie to Anil. He knew that Anil was a kind person. So he would believe him easily.

Q11. Why was the thief boy happy to work for Anil?

 Ans. First, he could befool Anil easily. Second, he taught him to cook and write his name. Third, he was making a profit of one rupee daily from the daily supplies. Fourth, Anil had promised to teach him to make full sentences.

Q12. Why did Hari Singh choose Anil as his victim? 

Ans. Hari Singh chose Anil. He seemed to him a simple, kind, and easy-going man. It was clear that he could easily be befooled.

Q13. What forced the thief boy to go back to Anil even though he had reached the station to catch a train?

Ans. Anil was a kind and gentle person. Hari Singh robbed him of his money. He was about to board the train. His conscience pricked him. He realised his mistake. He wanted to be educated and make his future bright. So he came back.

Long Answer-type Questions

Q1.Write the Character sketch of the thief (Hari Singh)

Ans. Hari Singh was fifteen-year-old thief. He befooled people easily. He could study people’s faces easily. He found Anil watching a wrestling match. He studied his face. He found him a kind and gentle person. Very soon he impressed him with his broad smile. Anil gave him work cooking at his house.

Hari Singh made a profit of one rupee daily. Anil taught him to write his name. He also promised Hari Singh to teach him to make sentences. But one day, Hari Singh robbed Anil of his money. He went to catch the train to leave Anil forever. But his conscience pricked him. So he came back to Anil and secretly put the money back to its place. Thus Anil’s love and good behavior changed a thief into a good person.

Q2. How did Hari Singh rob Anil of his six hundred rupees? What stopped him to run away?

Ans. Hari Singh wanted to rob Anil from the very beginning. But he could not proper chance. Anil had no regular way of making money. He earned money by fits and starts. Whenever he got any payment for his work, he would go out to enjoy it. He used to spend money quickly. One day, Hari Singh noticed (saw) Anil placing (putting) six hundred rupees under the mattress of his bed. At night, Hari Singh stole the bundle of rupees. He also reached the railway station to catch a train. But he did not sit inside the train. He remembered Anil’s face and his kindness to him. He felt guilty of robbing a gentleman like Anil. He also wanted to be an educated person. So he came back home. Then he put that money in the same place.

Q3. Character sketch of Anil.

Anil was a tall, lean fellow of about 25 years. He looked easy-going, kind, and simple. Anil had no regular way of making money. He earned money by fits and starts. Whenever he got any payment for his work, he would go out to enjoy it. He used to spend money quickly. Then he would wait for the next cheque.

He was a very kind person. So he trusted a boy of fifteen. He gave him food and shelter. He forgave him for his lies. He taught him to write his name. He also promised to teach him to write sentences. Anil gave him a fifty rupee note. He knew it was wet and the money was stolen by Hari Singh. In spite of that, he promised to pay money in the future. He did not say anything to Hari Singh about the theft. Thus we can say that Anil was a thorough gentleman.

Multiple Choice Qs

1. Who is ‘I’ in the thief’s story?  Ans. Hari Singh (the thief).

2. Who is the writer of ‘The Thief’s Story’?  

Ans. Ruskin Bond

3. Who was Hari Singh?  

Ans. A Thief

4. What profit did the thief boy (Hari Singh) make every day? Ans. About one rupee a day

5. What is the age of Hari Singh? 

Ans. Fifteen years

6. Whom did Hari Singh rob?   

Ans. Anil

7. What did Hari Singh do for a living? 

Ans. He wrote for some magazines.

8. How did Anil earn money? 

Ans. By fits and starts

 

A Triumph of Surgery-Questions-Answers-English-Class X

 

Book: Supplementary Reader: Footprints without Feet

Questions & Answers: Lesson 1. A Triumph of Surgery ( Notes by Shish Pal Chauhan)

Short Answer-type Questions

Q1. Why is Mrs Pumphrey worried about Tricky?

Ans. Tricky is Mrs Pumphrey’s pet dog. He is not healthy now. He has become fat and lazy. He has refused to eat anything. Sometimes he vomits. HE keeps on lying on the rug and does not want to go for walk also. SO she is worried about her dog.

Q2. Why was Mr Herriot shocked at Tricky’s appearance?

Ans. James Herriot was shocked to see the dog, Tricky. He had become hugely fat. His eyes were red and watery. His tongue was hanging out of his jaws.

Q3. Why did Mrs Pumphrey make a frantic call to Dr James Herriot?

Ans. She made a frantic call to James Herriot because Tricky was not well. He had become fat and lazy. He had refused to eat anything. Sometimes he vomited. HE kept on lying on the rug and did not want to go for walk also.

Q4. What did Mrs Pumphrey do to cure Tricky of his illness? Was she successful?

Ans. She started giving the dog an extra diet and tonics to cure him. She gave him malt and cod-liver oil. The dog did not get well. But his condition became worse. Sometimes he vomited also. She was not successful in her effort to cure the dog.

Q5. What advice had James Herriot given to Mrs Pumphrey about the dog. Did she follow it?

Ans. James Herriot had advised Mrs Pumphrey to stop giving sweets to the dog. He also told her to give the dog a lot of physical exercises. But she did not follow the advice.

Q6. What did James Herriot say to Mrs Pumphrey after he examined the dog? Why did she almost swoon?

Ans. James Herriot examined the dog. He told Mrs. Pumphrey that the dog would be hospitalised for a fortnight. She almost fainted after listening to it. She was very much possessive about her dog.

Q7. What was the scene when James Herriot took the dog wrapped in a blanket. What did the entire staff carry?

Ans. The doctor took the dog wrapped in a blanket. The whole staff was roused. The maids rushed in and out. They brought his day bed, night bed, favourite cushions, toys and rubber rings, breakfast bowl and supper-bowl. Mrs Pumphrey was in tears as the doctor drove off his car.

Q8. Why was Tricky an uninteresting object for the other dogs at the surgery?

Ans. The dog was lazy and did not move or react when the other dogs came near him at the surgery. So it was an uninteresting object for the other dogs at the surgery.

Q9. How did Dr James Herriot treat Tricky?

Ans. James Herriot kept the dog under his observation. In the beginning, he did not give the dog food, but plenty of water. After a few days, the dog showed some signs of activity. After that, the doctor gave Tricky some food according to the need. Then the dog was cured.

Q10. Why was James Herriot tempted to keep Tricky on as a permanent guest?

Ans. Mrs Pumphrey kept sending lots of things for Tricky. She sent eggs, bottles of wine and brandy also. It was the temptation for James Herriot to keep the dog as a permanent guest.

Q11. Why did Mrs Pumphrey call the dog’s recovery ‘a triumph of surgery’?

Ans. James Herriot kept the dog under his treatment and care for two weeks. He regulated the dog’s diet. When Mrs Pumphrey saw her dog quite well after a fortnight, she called it 'a triumph of surgery’. But she did not know why the dog was ill.

Long Answer-type Questions

Q1. Why was Mr Herriot shocked at Tricky’s appearance? What advice had James Herriot given to Mrs Pumphrey about the dog. Had she followed it?

Ans. James Herriot was a Vet. Mrs Pumphrey was a rich lady. She had a pet dog, named Tricky. She used to over-feed him. So he became fat and was unable to move. James Herriot was shocked to see the dog, Tricky. He had become hugely fat. His eyes were red and watery. His tongue was hanging out of his jaws. James Herriot advised Mrs Pumphery to stop giving sweets to the dog. He also told her to give the dog a lot of physical exercises. But she did not follow the advice. The result was that the dog stopped moving about and kept lying on the carpet for maximum time. After that she had to make a frantic call to James Herriot.

Q2.  What advice did James Herriot give to Mrs Herriot to make Tricky active and healthy? What excuses she made for the the present condition of the dog?

Ans. James Herriot was on his visit. He happened to see Tricky, the dog with his mistress. The doctor was shocked to see the condition of Tricky. He advised Mrs Pumphrey to stop giving sweets to the dog. He also told her to give the dog a lot of physical exercises. But she made excuses in her defence. She told James Herriot that she did a little bit. But she had to stop that because the dog loved cream cakes and chocolates to eat. So she could not bear to refuse to give him his favourite eatables. She also told James Herriot that the gardener was ill. So there was no ring-throwing exercise for the dog.

Q3. Why did Mrs Pumphrey make a frantic call to Dr James Herriot? What did he do immediately to save the dog?

Ans. James Herriot was a Vet. Mrs Pumphrey was a rich lady. She had a pet dog, named Tricky. She used to over-feed him. He became fat and was unable to move. Tricky was not well. He had become fat and lazy. He had refused to eat anything. Sometimes he vomited. He kept on lying on the rug and did not want to go for walk also. So she made a frantic call to James Herriot. The doctor had already made his plans. He told her that the dog would be hospitalised and kept under observation for the fortnight. Mrs Pumphrey was shocked to listen to it. The doctor wrapped the dog in a blanket and put him in his car. She was in tears when the doctor left her place.

Q4. Mrs. Pumphrey had her own way to treat the dog and make his active and healthy. What did she do? How was she responsible to increase Tricky’s problems?

Ans. James Herriot was a Vet. Mrs Pumphrey was a rich lady. She had a pet dog, named Tricky. She used to over-feed him. She thought she would be doing a great job for tricky by giving him creamy cakes and chocolates. She started giving him malt and cod-liver oil. She also gave him a bowl of Horlicks. She knew that the dog’s condition was going bad to worse. He had become lazy and fat. His eyes had become bloodshot and watery. He was unable to walk and run. He loved sitting at one place for most of the time. In spite of all that, she made a defence. She said that it was difficult for her to stop giving him his favourite eatables. In this way, we may say that she was responsible for the ill-health of Tricky.

Q5. Write something about Tricky.                         

Ans. Tricky was Mrs. Pumphrey’s pet. She was very fond of him. He was fat because his mistress overfed him. He loved to eat cream cakes and chocolates. His only fault was his greed. He became ill due to the carelessness of his mistress. She had to make a call to the doctor because Tricky had stopped eating anything. His eyes were red and watery. He sat at one place at the rug and would not to move from there. James Herriot understood all. He took the dog to his surgery. He did not give him anything to eat for a couple of days except water. After a few days, the dog showed signs of improvement. When he got well, the doctor sent for his mistress. She came at once and was very happy to receive her dog.

The Hundred Dresses Part I &II by El Bsor Ester-English for Class X

 

Lessons 5 & 6: The Hundred Dresses Part I &II by El Bsor Ester [Notes Prepared by Shish Pal Chauhan)

Short Answer-type Qs.

Q1. Where did Wanda live”? What kind of place was it? Why were her shoes mud-smeared?

Ans. Wanda lived at Boggins Heights. It was far away from the town. It was a wetland. So her shoes were always mud-smeared.

Q2. In what way was Wanda different from other students in her class?

Ans. Wanda’s name was strange for the other students of class. She was not American. She was a Polish girl. Her name seemed strange to her class mates. She lived at Boggins Heights, a marshy (muddy) land. She had no friends. She always wore a faded blue dress.

Q3. Did Wanda have a hundred dresses? Why do you think she said that she had?

Ans. No, she did not have a hundred dresses. She had to say it because her class-fellow, Peggy, used to tease her. She would ask her as to how many dresses she had. Actually she had only one faded blue dress.

Q4. How is Maddie different from Peggy. Give reasons in support of your point.

Ans. Maddie and Peggy were also different. Maddie did not like to tease Wanda. Peggy used to make fun of Wanda’s poverty. Sometimes Maddie also felt embarrassed at Peggy’s words. But she had no courage to stop Peggy from that.

Q5. Why didn’t Maddie ask Peggy to stop embarrassing Wanda? What was she afraid of?

Ans. Maddie was also from a poor family. She was afraid that Peggy would start teasing her also. So she never had the courage to annoy Peggy.

Q6. What was the drawing contest about? Who won it and what had the winner drawn?

Ans. The contest was about making beautiful designs of dresses. Wanda won that competition. She had made beautiful designs of one hundred dresses.

Q7. Why did Wanda often say to Peggy that she had one hundred dresses?

Ans. Wanda did not have one hundred dresses in reality. But she had made one hundred beautiful designs of dresses. To counter Peggy’s attack on her, she used to say it.

Q8. When and why do Peggy and Maddie notice Wanda’s absence?

Ans. It was Wednesday when they noticed Wanda’s absence. They often waited for Wanda to make fun of her. But that day, she did not come. They also got late due to that.

Q9. Where in the classroom does Wanda sit and why?

Ans. Usually Wanda sat in the last row. The seat was the second last in Room Thirteen. She sat there because her shoes were often muddy.

Q10. Describe Wanda’s dress.

Ans. Wanda always wore a faded blue dress. It didn’t hang right. It was clean, but it looked as though it had never been ironed properly.

Q11. What quality of Peggy has been highlighted in the lesson by the narrator? Was she justified in making fun of Wanda?

Ans. Peggy was the most popular girl in school. She was pretty. She had many pretty clothes and her hair was curly. She often saved weak children from the stronger boys. She also protested if any animal was not treated properly. But she was not justified in making fun of Wanda. 

Q12. Why did Peggy and Maddie want to meet Wanda when Miss Mason read Wanda’s father’s letter to the whole class?

Ans. Maddie felt guilty. She understood that they were harsh on Wanda. So she, along with Peggy, wanted to meet her.  They would tell Wanda she had won the contest. They thought she was smart and the hundred dresses were beautiful.

Q13. How did Miss Mason feel before reading Wanda’s father’s letter to the class?

Ans. Miss Mason felt very bad. She became emotional. She read the letter in a very low voice.   

Q14. What advice did Miss Mason give to the class after reading Wanda’s father’s letter to the class?

Ans.   She advised the class that no one in Room Thirteen would make fun of any student’s names. It may be short, long or funny. No one would hurt anyone’s feelings.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            

Q15. What does Mr. Petronski, Wanda’s father write in his letter?

Ans. He writes that Wanda and Jake would not come to school in future. They are going to a new city. No one would make fun of their names. No one would call Wanda ‘hollack’, etc.

Long Answer –type Qs (100 words)

Q1. Describe Peggy’s character.

Ans. Peggy was the most popular girl in school. She was pretty but a thoughtless girl. She had many pretty clothes and her hair was curly. She often saved weak children from the stronger boys. She also protested if any animal was not treated properly. She often made fun of Wanda. She would ask her as to how many dresses she had. Wanda was a poor girl. She had only one dress. Peggy said that she did not like the lie told by Wanda about her dresses. She justified herself by saying that she had never been cruel to her. But in my opinion she was not justified in making fun of Wanda.  You cannot defend yourself by doing wrongs to others. Later on, she realised her mistake.

Q2. Describe Wanda Petronski’s character. (Any Question about Wanda)

Ans. Wanda belonged to a poor family. She was a Polish girl. She lived at marshy land, Boggins Heights. She had only one dress. The girls of her class always teased her. Her name was also unusual for them. She had no friends. She was a very sensitive girl. She remained silent.  Peggy used to tease her and often asked her as to how many dresses she had. Then she would say a few words that she had one hundred dresses. She had to leave that place.  In the end we come to know that she forgave all. She was very creative. That was why she won the contest. She also made paintings for Maddie and Peggy.

 Q3. Describe Maddie’s character.

Ans. Maddie was also a poor and sensitive girl. She used to wear somebody’s ‘hand-me-down’ clothes. She remained with Peggy, but she did not like her making comments on Wanda. She was afraid that Peggy would start making fun of her if she favoured Wanda. Once she wrote a note. She wanted to tell Peggy not to make fun of Wanda. But she had no courage. She wished Peggy would stop teasing Wanda Petronski. When Wanda left the town, she felt guilty that she had no courage to stop Peggy. She visited her house. But Wanda and her family had left the town.

Q4. What did Wanda’s father write in his letter? How did Maddie feel after listening to the letter?

Ans. Wanda’s father wrote a letter to the principal of the school. He was hurt and angry also because his daugher was not given due regards by her class-mates. She was often made fun of her dress, her name, etc. He wrote in his letter that Wanda won’t come to school anymore. Their whole family was shifting to a big city. His daughter would not face any insult there. No one would make fun of her name there. There were so many people there with funny names. But no one made fun of anyone there. Maddie felt very sad after listening to the letter. She could not focus on her studies. She felt guilty of remaining silent went Peggy laughed at Wanda.

Very Short Qs/Ans.

Some facts:

1.      Wanda Petronski lived at Boggins Heights.

2.      She was a quiet and simple girl.

3.      She was a Polish girl.

4.      She always wore a dress of faded blue colour.

5.      Peggy always made fun of Wanda.

6.      Wanda always replied to Peggy that she had one hundred dresses, all lined up.

7.      Maddie was Peggie’s friend. They were Americans.

8.      She never made fun of Wanda directly. But she enjoyed Peggy’s pranks on Wanda.

9.      Peggy was the most popular girl in the school.

10.  Peggy protected little children from being bullied. She also loved animals.

11.  Wanda won the competition.

12.  Peggy and Wanda also wrote a letter to Wanda.

13.  Miss Mason read the letter written by Wanda’s father.

14.  Wanda gave the green coloured design of a dress as a gift to Peggy.

15.  Wanda gave the blue coloured design of a dress as a gift to Maddie.

16.  Jan Petronski was Wanda’s father.

 

From the Diary of Anne Frank by Anne Frank-Lesson 4.-English for Class X-Book: First Flight

 

Lesson 4. From the Diary of Anne Frank by Anne Frank (Notes Prepared by Shish Pal Chauhan)

Short Answer-type Qs.

Q1.What makes the writing in a diary a strange experience for Anne Frank?

Ans. She thinks that no one would have interest in her diary entries because she was just a girl of thirteen years. She has never written anything before. So she thinks it a very strange experience.

Q2.  Why does Anne Frank want to keep a diary?

Ans. Anne wants to share her feelings with a friend. But she has no close friend. So she wants to keep a diary to share her private feelings with it.

Q3. Why did Anne think she could confide in her diary than in people?

Ans. It was because she thinks that paper has more patience than people. She could write what she had in her mind. Her diary would not react and get bored.

Q4. Describe how Anne loves her grandmother.

Ans. Anne passed a very good time with her grandmother. She had to stay for some time with her. Then she fell ill and died. Anne was very sad. After that also, she remembered and missed her grandmother from time to time.

Q5. Why was Mr. Keesing annoyed (angry) with Anne? What did he ask her to do?

Ans. Mr. Keesing was Anne’s Maths teacher. He was annoyed (angry) with her because she talked too much in the class. So one day, he gave her punishment of writing an essay on ‘Chatterbox’.

Q6. How did Anne justify her being a chatterbox in her essay?

Ans. Anne tried to convince in her essay that she inherited (got) the habit of talking from her mother. She also wrote that talking is students’ trait. She was unable to avoid it. She wrote all this to convince (satisfy) her teacher and he got convinced.

Q7. Write something about Mr. Keesing.

Ans. Mr. Keesing was an old fashioned teacher. He was a very strict teacher. He punished Anne several times. It was because she talked too much in his class. But she respects her teachers.

Q8.What does Anne write in her first essay given as punishment by her Maths teacher?

Ans. Anne writes in her first essay that she cannot avoid talking. It is a student’s trait (quality). She inherited (got) this quality from her mother. She also talks too much.

Q9. Why does Anne say ‘paper has more patience than people’?

Ans. She said this because paper does not react. You can write on paper as much as you like. But the human beings have no patience. They cannot listen to you continuously. Very soon they get fed up.

Q10. Why did Anne think she was alone?

Ans. Anne thought she was alone. It was because she had no close friend. No one was there with whom she could share her joys and sorrows.

Q11. Why was Anne in tears when she left the Montessory School?

Ans. Anne had to leave her Montessory School when she was in six form. She had developed very emotional relation with her teacher Mrs. Kuperous. So she was in her tears when she left the school. Her teacher was also in tears.

Q12. Why was the entire class quaking in its boots?

Ans. The entire class was in stress because their result was going to be announced. The teachers would decide as to which student should be promoted from or dropped in the present class.

 

 

Long Answer-type Questions  (Notes Prepared by Shish Pal Chauhan)

Q1. Give a brief sketch of Anne’s life.

Ans. Anne was an intelligent girl. She wrote her diary at the age of thirteen. She was born on June 12, 1929. She did not know that her diary would make a great novel after her death. She was very sensitive girl also. She could not make her close friend. So she made her diary ‘Kitty’ her intimate friend. She is a wise girl. She was able to convince her Maths teacher about talking. She loved her parents, sister and grandmother very much. She had her independent thinking. It made her different from her mother and sister and even from her father.

Q2. Explain: “Paper has more patience than people.”

Ans. Anne says that paper has more patience than people. She wrote this sentence when she was just thirteen years old. She had no close friend. She wanted to share her joys and sorrows with someone. She found that people had less patience. They do not listen to others with patience. They get fed up very soon. But one can write on paper as much as one wants. It never gets fed up. It never gets bored. So she wrote al her experiences, good or bad in her diary. In a way, she talked to her as a friend ‘My dear Kitty’.

Q3. Describe how Anne was punished by Mr. Keesing and how she convinced her teacher about her view-point.

Ans. She was habitual of talking too much in the class. So he punished Anne to write an essay on ‘Chatterbox’. She wrote the essay and tried to convince her teacher that talking is a student’s trait. She also wrote that she inherited that habit from her mother. After some days, Mr. Keesing again punished Anne for talking. This time she was told to write an essay on ‘Quack, Quack, Quack, said Mrs. Chatterbox’. Anne’s friend advised her to write the essay in verse. She did it. She wrote that the father swan killed his three ducklings just because they quack too much. It was a joke pointed towards Mr. Keesing. Thus finally, Anne convinced her teacher about her view-point.

Very Very Short Qs & Ans. (Notes Prepared by Shish Pal Chauhan)

Q1. Where did Anne stay before going to Holland?

Ans. Before going to Holland, Anne had to stay in Archen with her grand mother

Q2. What was the last essay given as punishment to Anne by Mr. Keesing?

Ans. Mr. Keesing punished Anne to write another essay ‘Quack, Quack, Quack, said mistress Chatterbox’

Q3. How many siblings (real brother/sister) did Anne have?

Ans. She had one sibling, i.e. sister.

Q4. Who was Anne Frank?

Ans. Anne Frank was a pretty Jewish girl.

Q5. How old was Anne?

Ans. She was thirteen years old.

Q6. Why was Mr. Keesing annoyed with Anne Frank?

Ans… because she talked too much in the class.

Q7. Who was Mr. Keesing?        

Ans Anne’s Maths teacher

 Q8. Who was Mrs. Kuperous?   

Ans. Anne’s headmistress at Montessori School.   

Q9. In which form was Anne at the Montessory School?   

Ans. six form (class)

Q10. How many teachers were there in Anne’s school?  

Ans. Nine

Q11. Who helped Anne to write the last essay in verse?   

Ans. Her friend Sanne