Mijbil the Otter by Gavin Maxwell: Questions and Answers

Lesson 8. Mijbil the Otter for Class X

Q1. Describe Gavin Maxwell’s experience with the otter in the aircraft.

Ans. Gavin Maxwell wanted to take the otter, Mijbil, to London. But the aircraft authorities suggested to Maxwell to put Mijbil into a box. It should not be more than 18 inches. The air hostess advised the author to keep the box on his knees. But the otter was out of the box in a flash. He disappeared somewhere under the seats. There was a hue and cry in the aircraft. A woman cried, “A rat, a rat!” The writer tried to catch it. But his face was covered with curry. He had to return to his seat. But still, his eyes were searching for the otter. After sometime, Mijbil sat on the author’s knees. It began to nuzzle his face and neck. Thus it was taken to London.

 Q2. When did the author decide to have a pet otter instead of a pet dog? How did he get one? How did he carry him to England?

Ans. The author’s pet dog had died It was then the author had decided to keep an otter as a pet. His friend told him to go to Iraq to get an otter. . By chance in 1956, he had to go to Southern part of Iraq. Then the author went to Basra to get his mail. After getting his mail on the fifth day, the author went in his room to read the mail. There he saw two Arabs sitting on the floor. They had an otter in a sack. Actually those two Arabs were sent by the author’s friend. In this way he got an otter. The author booked a seat in a flight going to Paris. Luckily he got a seat in the front row. Mijbil was packed into a box. From Paris, he reached London along with the otter.

Short Answer-type Qs.

Q1. What experiment did Maxwell think Camusfearna would be suitable for?

Ans. The experiment was about keeping an otter as a pet.  He thought that Camusfearna was surrounded by water. Otters love to play in water. So the writer thought to bring an otter and keep it as a pet in place of a dog.

Q2. Why did Maxwell go to Basra? How long did he wait there and why?

Ans. Maxwell went to Basra to get his mail and answer it from there. He had to wait for five days in Basra to get his mail. It was because of a religious holiday and some problem in the telephone lines.

Q3.What happened when Maxwell took Mijbil to the bathroom? What did it do two days after it?

Ans. Mijbil was very happy in the bathroom. It started playing in the bathtub. It was jumping and rolling in water. It spent half an hour enjoying in the water of the bathtub. After two days, it escaped from the bedroom and entered the bathroom to play in water.

Q4. How was Mijbil to be transported to England?

Ans. The British Airlines did not allow Maxwell to take Mijbil in the flight. Then he booked his seat another flight going to Paris. From there he reached London. But he had to pack Mij into a box of eighteen inches.

Q5. What game had Mij invented?

Ans. Mijbil invented a game on the damaged suitcase. Its one side was up making a slope. Mijbil put the ball at the higher end of the slope. It rolled down to the full length of the suitcase. It repeated it and discovered that it would be its pet game.

Q6.What happened when the box was opened? Or What did the Otter (Mij) do to the box?

Ans. When the author opened the box, there was a shocking scene. Mijbil was covered with blood. He had torn the lining of the box to shreds. In that process he got injured.

Q7. Why was the otter named ‘Maxwell’s otter? Or why is Mij’s species known to the world as Maxwell’s otter?

Ans. Since Maxwell made this species of Mijbil, the otter, known to the whole world, it was named ‘Maxwell’s otter’.

Q8.What group of animals do otters belong to?

Ans. Otters belong to a comparatively small group of animals called Mustellines. Other animals of this species are: badger, mongoose, weasel, stoat, mink and others

Q10. What guesses did the Londoners make about what Mij was?

Ans. They made several guesses about Mizbil. Some called it a baby seal or a squirrel. Other called it a walrus, a hippo, a bear cub, a beaver or even a leopard that had changed its spots. All that  made the writer amiused.

Q11. What did the author give to the airhostess?

Ans. The author gave a packet of fish to the airhostess. It was the food for mijbil to eat during the flight.

Q12. What were Mijbils favourite toys for his pastime? How did he play with them?

Ans. Marbles were his favourite toys for his pastime. He would lie flat. Then he took two or more marbles and moved them up and down on his flat belly with his paws.

Q13. What toys did Maxwell purchase from Mijbil’s native place?

Ans. Ping-pong balls, marbles, rubber fruit, and a terrapin shell were Mijbil’s toys that Maxwell purchased his native marshes.

Q14. What are compulsive habits? What are Mijbil’s compulsive habits according to the author?

Ans. The habits which force one to do some activities again and again are called ‘compulsive habits’. Like children, Mijbil also did such activities. It would jump on to the boundary wall of a primary school and then run on it. It was in front of the writer’s flat in London.

Glimpses of India

7 Glimpses of India:  Part I: A Baker from Goa: Multiple Choice Qs.

Q1.Who is the writer of A Baker from Goa?      Ans. Lucia Rodrigues Q2. What were the Portuguese famous for?      Ans. For baking loaves of bread Q2. Name the dress worn by the bakers in Portugues days.    Ans. Kabai Q3.What does a jack-fruit reger to in the lesson?      Ans. Shape of a fat and plum human body. Q4. What name was given to the bakers in those days?   Ans. Pader Q5.What is the financial stat5us of a baker in Goa?      Ans. sound/very good Q6.What is a kabai?      Ans. A dress worn by bakers in the past Q7. How many visits a baker used to pay in the author’s street?    Ans. Two (Twice a day) Q8. In which state of India did the Portuguese rule?      Ans. Goa Q9. What were the bols?      Ans. Sweet bread Q10. What eatable item was essential in marriage gifts?   Ans. Sweet bread Q11. What are the elders in Goa still nostalgic about?   Ans. The days when the Portuguese ruled over Goa Q12. Is bread still popular in Goa?   Ans. Yes.

Part II : Coorg 1.      Coorg is the smallest district of Karnatka 2.      Coorg is famous for: rain forests, coffee and spices 3.      Coorg is situated between Mysore and the coastal town Magalore. 4.      We find in Coorg all: martial men, beautiful women and wild animals. 5.      The people living in Coorg are the descendent of the Greek or the Arab. 6.      The river Kaveri gets its water from the hills and forests of Coorg. 7.      A large freshwater fish is called Mahaseer. 8.      The first Chief of the Army, General Cariappa was a Coorgi. 9.      Coorgis are known for their hospitality and tales of valour. 10.  Coorg is about 250-260 km from Bagalore. 11.  Coorg regiment is one of the most decorated regiments. 12.  The rope bridge leads you to the island of nisargdhama. 13.  Madikeri is the only gateway to Coorg

Part III: Tea from Assam

Material for Multiple Choice Qs

1.      Rajvir and Pranjol were fond of reading detective stories.

2.      Pranjol’s father was a manager at a Tea Garden.

3.      Tea was taken as a medicine in Europe.

4.      Tea came in Europe in the sixteenth century.

5.      Pranjol belonged to Assam state.

6.      A Chinese emperor always boiled water before drinking it.

7.      Rajvir was going with Pranjol to visit his home.

8.      Tea was first drunk in China in 2700 B. C.

9.      May to July is the best season for tea.

10.  Assam state of India has the largest area for the production of tea.

11.  Over 80 crores cups of tea are drunk everyday throughout the world.

12.  Budhidhama, an ancient Buddhist ascetic cut off his eyelids to avoid sleep.

Lesson 7: Glimpses of India: (i) A Baker from Goa (ii) Coorg (iii) Tea from Assam

Short Answer-type Qs                            

                                                              (I)  A Baker from Goa

Q1.What are the elders in Goa nostalgic about?

 Ans. The elders in Goa are nostalgic about the old days and the loaves of bread prepared by the bakes. Those were the days when the Portugues ruled over Goa.

Q2. Is bread-making still popular in Goa? How do you know?

Ans. Yes, we can say that bread-making is still popular in Goa. The furnaces are still present. The thud and jingle sound of the bamboo can be heard in the morning. The new generations of the bakers continue their old business.

Q3. What is the baker called?

Ans. The baker is called a pader in Goa.

Q4. When would the baker come every day? Why did the children run to meet him?

Ans. He used to come at least twice a day. Once, in the morning on his selling round. Then again, while returning after emptying his huge basket.

Q5. How did the baker make his presence in the morning?

Ans. The baker would make his presence in the morning by hitting the bamboo staff on the earth. It would create a ‘jhang-jhang’ sound.

Q6. Who invites the comment-‘he is dresses like a pader? Why?

Ans. Anyone who wears the dress like that of a pader can invite that comment. In old days, a pader (a baker) used to wear a strange dress called kabai. So anyone who wears a half pant which reaches just below the knees is called a pader.

Q6. What marks of the Portuguese way of life can still be seen in Goa?

Ans. We can still see mixers and the moulders of the bakers. Even  age-old furnaces are still there. The thud and jingle of the traditional baker’s bamboo can still be heard in some places.

Q7. How is the village baker very important for special occasions?

Ans. No festival or marriage was complete without the baker’s role. Cakes and bolinhas were a must for Christmas as well as other festivals. The lady of the house must prepare sandwiches on the occasion of her daughter’s engagement.

Q8. How was the economic condition of the bakers?

Ans. The economic condition of the bakers was very good. It was a profitable business for them. Their family never starved. Thei healthy bodies were the proof of that.

Q9.What is the Kabai? Who wore it?

Ans. Kabai was a peculiar(strange) dress worn by a baker in olden days. It was a singlepiece long frock reaching down to the knees.

Q10. When did the baker collect his bills? How were the accounts recorded?

Ans. The baker usually collected his bills at the end of the month. Monthly accounts used to be recorded on some wall in pencil.

Long answer-type Qs

Q1./5 Note on the life of Baker in Goa (any Question about Bakers)

Ans. In this lesson, the writer tells us about the bakers in Goa. The Portuguese ruled over Goa in those days. The elders talk about the popular ‘loaves of bread’ made by the bakers in those days. The eaters of them may have gone, but the furnaces and moulders are still present. The thud and jingle of their bamboo stick made their entry musical. They used to come twice a day to sell the loaves of bread. Children would run at once out of their houses for ‘bread bangles’. A baker is called a Pader in Goa. They also made sweet bread ‘bol’. The bakers wore the traditional dress, called Kabai. The job of making and selling bread was profitable for them. The bakers usually collected their bills at the end of the month.

                                                                      (B) Coorg

Q1. Where I s Coorg situated? What is it famous for?

Ans. Coorg, or Kodagu is the smallest district of Karnataka. It  is situated between Mysore and Mangalore

Q2. Which crops grow in Coorg in plenty?

Ans. The crops of coffee and spices grow in Coorg in plenty. The main crop of Coorg is coffee.

Q4. What is the Greek theory about the descent of the Kondavu people?

Ans. It is said that the people of Coorg are of Greek or Arabic origin. A part of Alexander’s army settled there. They married among the local people. Their martial traditions, marriage and religious customs are different from those of the Hindu people.

Q5. What is the Arab theory about the descent of the Kodavu people?

Ans. They wear a long black coat with an embroidered waist belt worn by the Kodavas. It resembles the Kuffia worn by the Arabs and the Kurds.

Q6. What is Coorg famous for? What is the best season to visit Coorg?

Ans. Coorg is famous for evergreen rainforests, spices and coffee plantations. The best season to visit Coorg begins from September and continues up to March.

Q7. Write a note on the people of Coorg. Or What does the writer say about the people of Coorg?

Ans It is said that the people of Coorg are the descendents of the Arabs or the Greek. They are brave and warrior-type people. They are famous for their hospitality also. They still follow their old traditions.

Q8. What does the writer say about the bravery of the people of Coorg?

Ans The people of Coorg are very brave. They follow the same old traditions. The Coorg regiment is one of the most decorated regiment of the Indian Army. General Cariappa, the Chief of the Indian army, was also a Coorg.

Q2./6 Describe Coorg.

Ans. Coorg is situated between Mysore and Magalore. Coffee and spices grow in plenty there. Evergreen forests are also found there. In fact, Coorg is a heaven on earth. Martial men, women, and wild creature live there. It is said that a part of Alexander’s army settled there. They married the local women and made their families. It is also said that they have their Arab ancestors. They are well known for their hospitality and bravery. General Carriappa, the first Chief of Indian army was also a Coorg. Tourists Visit this place for its beauty. They do river rafting, rock climbing and mountain biking. Wild life is in plenty there. One can see kingfishers, squirrels, langures, etc. Mahaseer, a large fresh water fish is also found here. One can see the Tibetian monks at Bylakuppe.

                                                                             (c)  Tea from Assam

Q1.Who were Pranjol and Rajvir? Where were they going?

Ans. Pranjol is a young boy from Assam. He is Rajvir’s classmate at Delhi. Both of them were going to Assam. Pranjol’s father had invited Rajvir to visit Assam during his summer holidays.

Q2. Which state did Pranjol belong to? What was Pranjol’s father?

Ans. Pranjol belonged to Assam. His father was a manager of a tea garden in Upper assam.

Q3. Where was tea first drunk? When did it first come to Europe?

Ans. Tea was first drunk in China around the year 2700 B. C. The words ‘Chai’ and ‘Chini’ are from China. Tea came to Europe only in the sixteenth century. It was used more as medicine than as beverage (drink).

Q4. Which story of a Chinese emperor is associated with the discovery of tea?

Ans. A chinese emperor used to boil water before drinking it. Once a few leaves of a twig (small branch of a plant or a tree) fell into the boiling water. It tasted delicious. It is said those were tea leaves.

Q5. What is the Indian legend about the discovery of tea?

Ans. It is said that a Buddhist ascetic (someone who has left living in comforts and physical pleasures) felt sleepy during his meditation. In anger, he cut off his eyelids. Tea plant grew out of the eyelids. Those were tea plants.

Q6. What is the best season for the production of tea?

Ans. The season from May to July is the best season for tea production. This is the season when tea leaves sprout and grow in plenty.

Long Answer-type Qs

Q.3./7 Where were Pranjol and Rajvir going? What did Rajvir see when he looked out of the train on the way?

Ans. Rajvir was going to Assam by train at his friend Pranjol’s invitation. Pranjol lived there and Rajvir was his classmate. Pranjol’s father was a manager of a tea garden in Assam. They were sitting near a window in the compartment. Pranjol was busy reading a detective book. Rajvir was watching outside. He had never seen such greenery before. First he watched paddy crops and then tea bushes came. He was surprised to watch them trimmed in a beautiful order. After that, he saw an ugly building. Smoke was coming out of its tall chimney. After some time their destination came. They came out of the train and reached Dekhiaberi Tea Estate. Pranjol’s father was a manager there.

Q4./8 What stories are spread about the origin of tea? Write your answer on the basis of your study of the lesson ‘Tea From Assam’.

Ans. Pranjol narrates two legends to Rajvir about tea. First is about a Chinese emperor. He used to boil water for drinking. Once a few leaves of tea fell into the pot in which water was boiling. When the emperor drank water from the pot, he felt a delicious flavour. After that, tea leaves were used for making tea. Another legend comes from India. It has something unreasonable about it. A Buddhist monk was troubled by sleep during his meditation time. He cut off the eyelids from his eyes in anger and irritation. But tea plants grew at the place of the eyelids. The leaves were used to make tea. In a way, tea removes sleep from human eyes.

The Trees by Adrienne Rich

Poem 8: The Trees by Adrienne Rich: Short Answer-type Qs (30-35 words)

Summary of Trees

In this poem, trees are symbols of women. Forests are symbols of men. Forests are incomplete without trees. In the same way, our society is not complete without women. The society is not complete without the active role of women. Women have equal rights as are enjoyed by men. They should not be kept as prisoners in the four walls of the houses. If it is done by men, they would break the walls of their prisons.

Q1. Which kinds of trees are described in this poem? Why are they not useful for birds or insects?

Ans. The poet describes the trees which are planted in the houses. They are not big in size because they are planted for decoration. They are not useful for the birds and insects. They cannot sit and hide in them.

Q2. How does the poetess describe the night? What is she doing?

Ans. The night is fresh and cloudless. The moon is full and it is shining brightly. The poetess is sitting inside her room. The doors of the room are open in the veranda. She is writing long letters.

Q3. What message does the poetess convey through the poem ‘The Trees’?

Ans. In this poem, trees are symbols of women. Forests are symbols of men. Forests are incomplete without trees. In the same way, our society is not complete without women. Both are important. Women should not be confined (imprisoned) in the four walls of the houses.

Q4. Do you think Adrienne Rich’s poem ‘The trees’ is about decorative trees?

Ans. The poem is not merely about decorative trees. Trees inside the house are decorative, but they are symbols of women. Men keep women imprisoned in their houses like decorative trees.

Q5. Where are the trees in the poem ‘The Trees’? Where are they going? What does it signify?

Ans. Trees are inside the house in the poem. They are going to the forest. At symbolical level, trees are women. Forest is the symbol of society. Only men are allowed to move about in society. But now, women seem to break the prison of their houses to move freely in society.

Q6.What does the poetess mean by the line “the trees are moving out into the forests”?

Ans. The line means that women are breaking the prison of the houses in which they are kept as prisoners by men.

Q7. What is the theme of the poem ‘The Trees’?

Ans. In this poem, trees are symbols of women. Forests are symbols of men. Forests are incomplete without trees. In the same way, our society is not complete without women. The society is not complete without the active role of women. Women have equal rights as are enjoyed by men. They should not be kept as prisoners in the four walls of the houses. If it is done by men, they would break the walls of their prisons.

Amanda by ROBIN KLEIN

   Amanda by ROBIN KLEIN 

The Text of the Poem:

 Don’t bite your nails, Amanda!

 Don’t hunch your shoulders, Amanda!

 Stop that slouching and sit up straight, Amanda!

 (There is a languid, emerald sea, where the sole inhabitant is me— a mermaid, drifting blissfully.)

 Did you finish your homework, Amanda?

Did you tidy your room, Amanda?

 I thought I told you to clean your shoes, Amanda!

(I am an orphan, roaming the street. I pattern soft dust with my hushed, bare feet. The silence is golden, the freedom is sweet.)

Don’t eat that chocolate, Amanda!

Remember your acne, Amanda!

Will you please look at me when I’m speaking to you,

Amanda!

 (I am Rapunzel, I have not a care; life in a tower is tranquil and rare; I’ll certainly never let down my bright hair!)

Stop that sulking at once, Amanda!

 You’re always so moody, Amanda!

 Anyone would think that I nagged at you, Amanda!

                                    

                                               Summary of the Poem

This poem is about a girl Amanda. Her mother often instructs her to do or not to do this and that. Her mother tells her to sit, stand and walk straight. She stops her from biting her nails. She also tells her to finish her home work, tidy her room and clean her shoes. It seems that Amanda does not like to do all this. She remains in her world of imagination to avoid listening to her mother’s instructions. Her mother calls her moody. She does not give reply to her mother. Amanda likes to be an orphan to enjoy peace and freedom. She knows that orphans do not have parents to stop them from doing what they want.

Short Answer-type Qs

Very Very Short Answer-Type Qs

1. How old do you think Amanda is? How do you know this?

2. Who do you think is speaking to her?

3. Why are Stanzas 2, 4 and 6 given in parenthesis?

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?

5. What could Amanda do if she were a mermaid?

6. Is Amanda an orphan? Why does she say so?

7. Do you know the story of Rapunzel? Why does she want to be Rapunzel?

8. What does the girl yearn for? What does this poem tell you about Amanda?

9. Read the last stanza. Do you think Amanda is sulking and is moody

Stanza 1

Don’t bite your nails, Amanda!

 Don’t hunch your shoulders, Amanda!

 Stop that slouching and sit up straight, Amanda!

Word-meaning: 1. Hunch: to bend forward 2. Slouching: to stand,sit and walk by bending your shoulders and also with your head slightly bent. It is a mal-posture

Explanation: It is Amanda’s mother who is speaking here. She instructs her not to bite her nails. She also tells her not to bend her shoulders forward. It does not seem nice to the mother, In a way she advises Amanda not to create mal posture while sitting, standing and even walking.

Stanza 2

(There is a languid, emerald sea, where the sole inhabitant is me— a mermaid, drifting blissfully.)

Word-meaning: 1. Languid: a slow way of speaking or moving  2. Inhabitants: those who live in at particular place 3. Mermaid : imaginary sea creature like a fish having upper part of a woman 4. Drift: float or move pushed by some outer force 5. Blissfully:  happily 6. Emerald: a precious stone of dark green colour 7. Sole: only

Explanation: The above lines have been put in parenthesis because these have been uttered by Amanda to herself. It may be possible that she thought about these lines in her imagination only. Amanda imagines that she is the only sea creature ‘mermaid’ moving peacefully and happily in the dark green water of the sea.

Stanza 3.

Did you finish your homework, Amanda?

Did you tidy your room, Amanda?

 I thought I told you to clean your shoes, Amanda!

Word-meaning: 1. Tidy: to set all the things in a proper arrangement that looks beautiful

Explanation: Amanda’s mother speaks these lines. She asks her if she has finished her home work. She also asks her if she has tidied up her room and clean her shoes.

Stanza 4.

(I am an orphan, roaming the street. I pattern soft dust with my hushed, bare feet. The silence is golden, the freedom is sweet.)

Word-meaning: 1. Orphan: a child whose parents have died 2. Roaming: wandering aimlessly 3. Pattern: to make design 4. Hushed: quiet 5. Bare feet: the feet without shoes

Explanation: It seems that Amanda at once enters the world of her imagination as soon as her mother starts instructing her or asking anything from her. She does not like her mother limiting her freedom. She thinks that her freedom is curtailed if her mother tells her anything to make amends in her behavior. Her reactions prove that she does not want to do any work. She always wants to remain in her own fantasies.

Here, in these lines, Amanda imagines herself to be an orphan. It shows that she does not like her parents. She imagines herself wandering in the street bare-footed. She also likes to make design in the soft dust. This is a very common activity among village children. She also says that silence is golden and freedom is sweet.

Stanza 5.

Don’t eat that chocolate, Amanda!

Remember your acne, Amanda!

Will you please look at me when I’m speaking to you,

Amanda!

Word-meaning: 1. Acne; pimples

Explanation: Again, Amanda’s mother scolds her for eating chocolate. She shows her motherly concern by stopping her from eating sweets because it seems that the girl Amanda has acne on her face. It also shows that Amanda may be of 12 or 13 years because acne or pimples often grow on the faces o the youngsters in this age. The stanza also shows that Amanda does not looks at her mother when she instructs her against eating chocolate. The tone of the mother is polite as she uses ‘please’.

Stanza 6.

 (I am Rapunzel, I have not a care; life in a tower is tranquil and rare; I’ll certainly never let down my bright hair!)

When she was twelve years old, the fairy locked her in a tower that stood in a forest and that had neither a door nor a stairway, but only a tiny little window at the very top. When the fairy wanted to enter, she stood below and called out: Rapunzel,Rapunzel!

Word-meaning: 1. Rapunzel: She is a legendary girl. She was made prisoner by a fairy in her tower. She lived alone there. She had long bright hair. 2. Tranquil: peaceful

Explanation: Amanda imagines herself as Rapunzel. She loves living alone in a high tower like the legendary girl Rapenzel. Her life is peaceful and strange there in the tower. She also utters that she would surely not allow her hair to fall down from the tower. Rapunzel’s troubles started after she had falled her hair down from the tower.

Stanza 7.

Stop that sulking at once, Amanda!

 You’re always so moody, Amanda!

 Anyone would think that I nagged at you, Amanda!

Word-meaning: 1. Sulk: to remain in bad mood 2. Nag: to criticise/ irritate

Explanation: When Amanda does not respond to her mother’s instructions, she uses some anger in her words. She orders her not to sulk (to be in bad mood). She even calls her moody. She also tells Amanda that her sulking would make others think that she had been nagging (criticising/irritating for long) her.

Q1. What is the poem Amanda about? Or Write the central Idea of the poem Amanda.

Ans. This poem is about a girl, Amanda. Parents usually show much concern (worry) about their children. They keep on telling them to do this or not to do that. It irritates the children. In this poem Amanda seems to feel irritated at the nagging (irritating) nature of her mother.

Q2. How does Amanda imagine and describe herself an orphan? Why does she think so?

Ans. Amanda imagines herself to be an orphan. She thinks that she is wandering about in a street. She is bare-footed. She is walking slowly in soft dust and making designs from her feet. Freedom is sweet and silence is golden to her.

Q3. How does Amanda describe herself as a mermaid?

Ans. Amanda describes herself as a mermaid. She is the only inhabitant of the sea. She is drifting in a relaxed manner in the dark sea-green water. She yearns (desires) for freedom to go anywhere.

Q4. What did Amanda want to prove by imagining herself as Rapunzel?

Ans. Amanda imagined herself Rapunzel because she loved freedom and silence. She did not like her mother to nag her (irritate) by instructing her to do this and not to do that.

.

Q5.Who was Rapunzel? What kind of life did she live?

Ans. Rapunzel lived in a tower. It was built in an isolated area of a forest. When she was twelve years old, the fairy locked her in a tower. She lived a lonely life there.

Q6. What does the speaker say to Amanda about her nails?

Ans. The speaker says Amanda not to bite her nails.

Q7. What three things does Amanda’s mother say not to do?

Ans. Amanda’s mother tells her not to bite her nails. She advises her not to bend her shoulders forward. She also tells her to stop slouching while sitting, standing and walking. She stops Amanda from eating chocolate also.

Q8. What thing has Amanda been prohibited to eat?

Ans. Amanda has been prohibited (stopped) to eat chocolate. Her also reminds her to think about her acne on her face.

Q9. What things does Amanda’s mother ask her to do?

Ans. Amanda’s mother asks her to tidy up her room. She also tells her to complete her homework and clean her shoes.

Q10. What type of girl was Amanda?

Ans. Amanda is a moody and lazy girl girl. She does not want to do any physical activity. She does not obey her mother. She lives in the world of her imagination. She feels irritated if her mother asks her.

Q11. Why does Amanda say that silence is golden and freedom is sweet?

Ans. Amanda does not like her mother should say anything to her. She loves silence. She wants full freedom. So silence is golden and freedom is sweet to her.

6. Amanda: Stanzas for Comprehension

Stanza 1

Don’t bite your nails, Amanda!

 Don’t hunch your shoulders, Amanda!

 Stop that slouching and sit up straight, Amanda!

Q1. Name the poem and its poet.

Ans. The poem is Amanda and its poet is Robin Klein.

Q2. Who is the speaker here and who is the listener?

Ans. The speaker here is Amanda’s mother. The listener is Amanda.

Q3. What is Amanda’s mother telling her not to bite?

Ans. Nails

Q4. What bad habit does Amanda have?

Ans Nail-biting

Word-meaning: 1. Hunch: to bend forward 2. Slouching: to stand,sit and walk by bending your shoulders and also with your head slightly bent. It is a mal-posture

Stanza 2

(There is a languid, emerald sea, where the sole inhabitant is me— a mermaid, drifting blissfully.)

Word-meaning: 1. Languid: a slow way of speaking or moving  2. Inhabitants: those who live in at particular place 3. Mermaid : imaginary sea creature like a fish having upper part of a woman 4. Drift: float or move pushed by some outer force 5. Blissfully:  happily 6. Emerald: a precious stone of dark green colour 7. Sole: only

Q1. What is the colour of the sea shown here?

Ans. Emerald green (dark green)

Q2. How has the sea been shown here?

Ans. Moving in a relaxed manner.

Q3. What does Amanda imagine herself to be in the sea?

Ans. A mermaid

Q4. Who would be the sole inhabitant in the sea?

Ans. Amanda

Stanza 3.

Did you finish your homework, Amanda?

Did you tidy your room, Amanda?

 I thought I told you to clean your shoes, Amanda!

Word-meaning: 1. Tidy: to set all the things in a proper arrangement that looks beautiful

Q1. Who is the speaker and who is the listener in the above stanza?  Ans. Amanda’s mother is the speaker and Amanda is the listener in the above stanza.

Q2. What did the speaker ask the listener?  Ans. The speaker asked the listener if she had finished her home work, tidied up her room and cleaned her shoes.

Q3. Find out from the stanza the word that means ‘to set the things at their right places’ or ‘clean’.  Ans. Tidy

Q4. Do you think that Amanda would have cleaned her room?   Ans. No.

Stanza 4

(I am an orphan, roaming the street. I pattern soft dust with my hushed, bare feet. The silence is golden, the freedom is sweet.)

Word-meaning: 1. Orphan: a child whose parents have died 2. Roaming: wandering aimlessly 3. Pattern: to make design 4. Hushed: quiet 5. Bare feet: the feet without shoes

Q1. Why does Amanda suppose herself to be an orphan?

Ans. It is because she thinks that an orphan child enjoys full freedom.

Q2. Why does Amanda say that silence is golden and freedom is sweet?

Ans. Amanda does not like her mother should say anything to her. She loves silence. She wants full freedom. So silence is golden and freedom is sweet to her.

Q3. Which words in the above lines mean the following words/expressions? (i) to make designs  (ii) parentless child   Ans. (i) pattern  (ii) orphan

Stanza 5.

Don’t eat that chocolate, Amanda!

Remember your acne, Amanda!

Will you please look at me when I’m speaking to you,

Amanda!

Word-meaning: 1. Acne; pimples

Q1. Who is the speaker in the above lines?  Ans. Amanda’s mother is the speaker in the above lines.

Q2. What may be the age of the girl and why?  Ans. It may be 11 or 12 years because acnes appear on the faces of the youngsters in the age.

Q3. What is the response of the girl? Ans. She does not listen to her mother.

Q4. What does the speaker say to the listener not to do?  Ans. The speaker tells the listener not to eat chocolate.

Q5. What request does the speaker make to the listener?  Ans. the speaker requests the listener to look at her.

Stanza 6.

 (I am Rapunzel, I have not a care; life in a tower is tranquil and rare; I’ll certainly never let down my bright hair!)

Word-meaning: 1. Rapunzel: She is a legendary girl. She was made prisoner by a fairy in her tower. She lived alone there. She had long bright hair. 2. Tranquil: peaceful

Q1. Who was Rapunzel?  Ans. She was a beautiful legendary girl.

Q2. Why does Amanda suppose herself as Rapunzel?  Ans. She likes full freedom and silence. So she assumes herself as Rapunzel.

Q3. What type of life does the speaker want to lead at the tower?   Ans. A peaceful life having no care and worry

Q4. What does she not want to do?  Ans. She does not want to let her hair fall down from the tower.

Q5. What type of hair did Rapunzel have?  Ans. She had bright, long and beautiful hair.

Stanza 7.

Stop that sulking at once, Amanda!

 You’re always so moody, Amanda!

 Anyone would think that I nagged at you, Amanda!

Word-meaning: 1. Sulk: to remain in bad mood 2. Nag: to criticise / irritate

Q1. Name the poem and its poet.

Ans. The poem is Amanda and its poet is Robin Klein.

Q2. Who is the speaker and who is the listener here?

Ans. Amanda is the listener and her mother is the speaker.

Q3. Why does the call the listener moody?

Ans. It is because she neither looks at her mother nor does she reply to her.

Q4. Find out from the passage the words that mean the following:

(i)                 To remain in bad mood (ii) criticise

Ans. (i) sulk (ii) nag