Text Book Solutions All Class

Read the extracts and answer the following questions.

1. By thirty hills I hurry down,
 Or slip between the ridges,
 By twenty thorpes, a little town,
 And half a hundred bridges.

(a) How does the brook flows through the hills?
Ans. The brook flows through the hills by navigating various terrains, which can influence its smooth journey. It encounters different obstacles that may affect its flow, yet it continues to move gracefully.

(b) What are the things which come in its way?
Ans. The things that obstruct its path include flowers, fish, willows, and weeds.

(c) What is the brook’s destination?
Ans. The brook’s final destination is a brimming river.

2. I slip, I slide, I gloom, I glance,
 Among my skimming swallows,
 I make the netted sunbeam dance
 Against my sandy shallows.

(a) Why does the poet repeatedly use ‘I’ in the above stanza? What poetic purpose does it serve?
Ans. By using ‘I’ repeatedly, the poet personifies the brook, allowing it to share the struggles it encounters during its journey. This technique helps to create a more intimate connection between the reader and the brook, making its experiences feel more relatable and alive.

(b) What are the various quick movements that the brook makes?
Ans. The brook exhibits a variety of movements during its journey. At times, it flows gently, while at other moments, it moves forcefully. Additionally, it creates a zigzag pattern, resembling the movement of a snake.

(c) Give the rhyme scheme of the above stanza.
Ans. The rhyming scheme of the stanza is abab.

3. I murmur under moon and stars
 In brambly wildernesses;
 I linger by my shingly bars;
 I loiter round my cresses;

(a) The movement of the brook appears to have undergone a change. How?
Ans. It is depicted in the lines above that the brook has slowed down. The poet has used the words ‘linger and loiter’ to show slow movement.

(b) What effect do ‘moon and stars’ have over the movement of the brook?
Ans. The moon and stars have a calming effect on the brook, causing it to slow down and murmur as it flows.

(c) What are ‘cresses’?
Ans. Cresses are peppery leaves from a plant related to cabbage. They are commonly used in salads for their distinctive flavour.

4. And out again I curve and flow
 To join the brimming river,
 For men may come and men may go,
 But I go on forever.

(a) What is the final destination of the brook?
Ans. The final destination of the brook is the brimming river.

(b) Explain ‘brimming river’.
Ans. The term brimming river refers to a river that is overflowing with water. It conveys a sense of fullness and vitality, suggesting that the river is at its peak capacity.

(c) What is the message of the poet?
Ans. The poet compares the journey of the brook with human life with the only difference that human life is mortal, whereas the brook is immortal.

Short Answer Questions

Q1. Give examples of alliteration and the beautiful images that form the texture of the poem ‘The Brook.’
Ans. Examples of alliteration in the poem include phrases like sudden sally, bubble babble, twenty thorpes, and field and fallow. These phrases create a rhythmic quality that enhances the poem’s musicality. The poem also paints many beautiful images. One striking image appears in stanza two: “By thirty hills — a hundred bridges”. This line vividly illustrates the brook flowing through hills and valleys, crossing bridges, and passing by villages. Another captivating image is of the brook moving in a serpent-like manner, slipping and sliding among meadows, grassy plots, forget-me-nots, and floating fish.

Q2. How is the journey of the brook similar to the journey of life and yet different?
Ans. There are various similarities between the brook and the journey of life, e.g., both have a beginning, a middle-age and an end. There are struggles in the lives of both — the human life continues in spite of struggles and ups and downs and the brook continues to flow against all odds. But one thing is different — man is mortal, whereas the brook is eternal, a man may come and man may go but the brook goes on forever.

Q3. ‘The Brook’ proceeds like a travelogue. Discuss the importance of the various places that the brook encounters on its journey.
Ans. The brook travels through hills and vales, between ridges and underbridges, beside Philip’s farm, fallow land, and foreland, making its way through, with a blossom here and a trout there and many a grayling through obstructions of sand and gravel until it falls into the big river. It passes thirty hills and fifty bridges. It chatters and babbles and creates music as it flows.

Q4. Describe four movements that the brook makes during its journey. [CBSE 2010 (Term I)]
Ans: The brook exhibits several movements during its journey, as described by the poet Lord Tennyson. It makes a sudden sally as it emerges among the plants, sparkling in the sunshine. The brook hurries downhill, slipping between ridges and stealing by lawns. It glides and glances smoothly, moving gently and unobserved before finally emerging into the open. This journey is marked by its ability to flow and linger in various landscapes, showcasing its dynamic nature.

Q5. What is the symbolic meaning conveyed by “For men may come and men may go, but I go on forever”? [CBSE 2010 (Term I)]
Ans: The brook is a small stream that originates in the mountains and grows larger as it flows. It produces various sounds as it moves over pebbles, slipping and sliding, winding around curves, and creating both musical and harsh noises. The brook’s journey, from its birth to its growth, mirrors the stages of human life. Both begin, develop, and eventually end, facing challenges along the way while striving towards their goals. Ultimately, the brook embodies life itself. The phrase “For men may come and men may go, but I go on forever” signifies that while people may enter and exit our lives, the essence of life continues uninterrupted, much like the brook that flows eternally.

Q6. What does the poet want to convey through the poem, ‘The Brook’? [CBSE 2011 (Term I)]
Ans: The brook represents the journey of life. The poet conveys that, like the brook, which continues to flow despite obstacles, people should also face their challenges and sorrows with resilience. The brook’s unwavering path serves as a reminder that life’s ups and downs should not hinder our progress.

Q7. Name the different things that can be found floating in the brook. [CBSE 2010 (Term I)]
Ans: The brook flows through various landscapes, including hills, gardens, and valleys. As it moves, it carries with it a variety of items such as flowers, ferns, pebbles, and weeds. You may also spot colourful fish like trout and grayling swimming in its waters. When the current is strong, it creates foam on the surface. The brook joyfully embraces everything it encounters on its journey.

Q8. What is the message given by the brook? [CBSE 2010 (Term I)]
Ans: The poet conveys a message through the personification of the brook. Just as the brook bravely overcomes various hurdles and obstacles on its journey to reach its final destination, human beings should also remain undeterred. They must accept both the joys and sorrows of life and face all challenges that arise in pursuit of their goals with courage.

Read the extract and answer the questions that follow.

Q1.“The next morning at eleven sharp, I rang the doorbell of that World’s Fair main building.”

(a) Who had Pescud come to meet?

Ans. Pescud had come to meet Jessie’s father.

(b) What was the purpose of his visit?

Ans. He had come there to talk to Jessie’s father and to disclose his liking for her.

(c) Why was he surprised to see the inside of the big building?

Ans. He was surprised because the inside of the building was impoverished and had very old furniture.

Q2.“For about nine seconds, he had me rattled, and I came mighty near getting cold feet and trying to sell him some plate-glass.”

(a) The speaker is talking about

Ans. He is talking about his meeting with Colonel Allyn, Jessie’s father.

(b) What does the word ‘rattle’ mean here?

Ans. It means shaking vigorously, confused and nervous.

(c) What did the speaker do after these ‘nine seconds’?

Ans. After these nine seconds, he got over his nervousness, gained confidence and talked about his liking for Jessie.

Q3.“Good-luck to you, Trevelyan,” “And may you get the petunias for your princess!” [CBSE 2011 (Term II)]

(a) By whom have these words been spoken?

Ans. These words have been spoken by the narrator to Pescud.

(b) ‘Trevelyan’ was the hero of _________.

Ans. Trevelyan was the hero of the best seller ‘The Rose Lady and Trevelyan’.

(c) Who is the ‘princess’ mentioned here?

Ans. Princess here refers to Jessie, Pescud’s wife.

SHORT ANSWER QUESTIONS

Answer the following briefly.

Q1. “This fellow chases the royal chair-warmer home as I said, and finds out who she is”
 (i) Who is the ‘fellow’? Who is the ‘royal chair warmer’?
 (ii) Discuss the context of the above remark.

Ans. (i) The ‘fellow’ refers to the hero of the Bestseller. He is an American who belongs to the upper class and is fashionably dressed.
The ‘royal chair-warmer’ refers to the royal princess from Europe with whom he has fallen in love, and so chases her to find out who she is.

(ii) The above remark is made in the context of the Bestseller which was thrown on the floor of the chair-car by John A. Pescud. The narrator who was also sitting in the same chair-car recognized Pescud and they had a conversation on issues like life, romance, literature, and ethics. During that conversation only, Pescud talks to the narrator about the story of the bestseller he had thrown on the floor. The above-mentioned remark is made by him for the hero of the novel and the royal princess whom he had chased to marry her.

Q2.“You don’t see or hear of any such capers in real life”
(i) Who is the speaker and who is the listener?
 (ii) What is the purpose of the above comparison?

Ans. (i) The speaker is John A. Pescud and the listener is the Narrator.

(ii) The purpose of the above comparison by Pescud is to draw the attention of the narrator to his own (Pescud’s) real-life story. By speaking so negatively about the romance in the Bestseller between an American and the royal princess from Europe, Pescud is successful in having the narrator asks him if he had met his ‘affinity’. Perhaps, ordinarily, he would not have been able to tell the narrator (or anybody else) that his romance was also of a very ‘special’ kind – something different from the normal course. He had a broad grin on his face when he got the chance to tell the narrator about his romantic story. So, his purpose of making the above comparison was fulfilled.

Q3. Pescud was obsessed with his plate-glass business but he let this business go to smash for a while. Why?
 Ans. Once when Pescud was going to Cincinnati, he happened to see in his chair car a girl who he felt was the finest looking girl he had ever laid his eyes on. He was so impressed by her beauty that he started thinking of marrying her. At that moment, he forgot completely about his plate-glass business, of which he used to be so obsessed, and let it go to smash for a while. All the places that she went to — from Cincinnati to Louisville, to Shelbyville, Frankford and Lexington — he followed her. He got down from the train at the last station that she got down at, ie., Virginia, but throughout he tried to keep himself out of her sight. After meeting her father and making a few more efforts, he was able to marry the girl. All this while, the thought of his plate-glass business did not even occur once to his mind.

Q4. How did Jessie know that Pescud was following her?
Ans. During their conversation, when Jessie came to know that Pescud was from Pittsburg, she told him that he was quite far from his home. At this, Pescud replied that he could easily go a thousand miles farther. Jessie then said, “Not if you hadn’t woken up when the train started in Shelbyville”, and then she started blushing. Later, she also reminded him that he was about to miss his train at Powahatan Junction also. This shows that she knew very well that Pescud was following her. When Pescud asked her how she knew that, she replied that she knew that he was present on every train which she was travelling in.

Q5. “I thought you were going to speak to me and I am glad you didn’t.” Why does Jessie say so?
Ans. Jessie says she is glad that he didn’t talk to her in the train because she knows that she would not have taken any interest in talking to him there. Perhaps if Pescud had expressed his liking for her in the train, she would have rejected him. It seems that now when Pescud is talking to her, after having made all the efforts to be near her, she has also started developing some sort of liking for him. Moreover, now she is also in a position to clearly show the status that her family has, and let Pescud decide upon his next step.

Q6. Give two reasons to show that Jessie was very proud of her family.
Ans. While talking to Pescud and telling him about her family, she referred to her family as ‘The Allyns’. She also said that hers was a proud family and that her father was a lineal descendant of ‘belted earls’ — those who were invested with a sword by the king himself. She gave the amazing details of the big mansion that the Allyn family had lived in for the last hundred years. All these things show that she was proud of her family.

Q7. Point out the significance of the last statement of the writer, “And may you get the petunias for your princess.”
Ans. The writer and Pescud had started their discussion in the beginning on the bestseller, “The Rose Lady and Trevelyan”. Pescud had apparently projected that he was a critic of such marriages where the status of the boy and girl were wide apart. Gradually when Pescud told his own story, it was no different from the story of the bestseller. So when Pescud gets down at Coketown to get Petunias for his wife, the writer speaks out this statement with an element of sarcasm, meaning that Pescud himself had married a princess, while he was condemning the marriage between Trevelyan and the princess.

Q8. What was John Pescud’s opinion about bestsellers? Why ? [CBSE 2011 (Term II)]
 Ans. Once, while travelling in a train, the writer chanced to meet Pescud, an old associate, who was reading a bestseller ‘Rose Lady and Trevelyan’. Pointing towards the book Pescud said that the novel revolves round the romance of an American Hero with a royal Princess from Europe. He believed that such type of romances only happened in novels because in real life any sensible person will pick out a girl from the same kind of status and family. He criticises and mocks the stories of best sellers calling them melodramatic and unrealistic.

Q9. In the lesson ‘Bestseller’ what did Pescud inform the speaker about his prosperity ? [CBSE 2011 (Term II)]
 Ans. While travelling in a train, the writer met with an old friend John A Pescud who was a travelling salesman for a plate-glass company. During the conversation, Pescud told the writer that he was quite satisfied with his work. He told that he was doing well and believed that plate-glass was the most important business in the world. He informed the writer that professionally he was prospering and he had also invested in real estate.

Read the extract and answers the questions that follow.

Q1. “A slight frown marred the smoothness of Harold Bramble’s brow.”

(a) What made Harold ‘frown’?
Ans. His mother’s habit of treating him like a little baby made Harold frown.

(b) What kind of student was Harold?

Ans. Harold was an excellent student. His mother was very proud to have given birth to a genius.

(c) What type of prizes had he won in the last term ?

Ans. In the last term, he had won many prizes in spelling and dictation competitions.

Q2. “The fight’s over ….. And Bill’s won, with me seconding him”.
(i) What is the context of the above statement?
(ii) Who makes the above statement?
(iii)Why does he make such a statement?

Ans. (i) The above statement is about the boxing fight which Bill was going to have with Murphy on the coming Monday.
(ii) This statement is made by Major Percy to his sister, Mrs. Bramble about Bill’s boxing contest.
(iii) He refers to Bill’s step of withdrawing from the contest as his (Bill’s) victory.

Q3. “You were such a pleasure to train as a rule? It all comes of getting with bad companions”.

(i) Who is the speaker and who is the listener?
(ii) Who is being accused of being in a bad company? Why?
 (iii)Why is he being accused?

Ans. (i) The speaker here is Mr. Jerry Fisher, Bill’s trainer and the listener is Mr. Bramble.
(ii) Mr. Bramble is being accused of being in a bad company of Major Percy.
(iii) Fisher is charging Percy with having played an evil role in provoking Mr. Bramble and forcing him to withdraw from the boxing fight.

Q4. ‘There’s a fellow at our school who goes about swanking in the most rotten way because he once got Phil Scott’s autograph.’

(i) Who is the speaker and what is the reason for the above statement?
(ii) Explain ‘swanking’.
(iii) Do you feel the speaker is hurt at being deprived of something?

Ans. (i) The speaker is Harold. He tells everyone that he is proud of being the son of ‘Young Porky’.
(ii) “Swanking” means “Showing off”.
(iii) The speaker, Harold, is hurt at having been deprived of the truth of his father’s real profession.

SHORT ANSWER QUESTIONS

Q1. Give two reasons to prove that Bill was a ‘domestic creature’.
 Ans. At one place, when Major Percy was persuading Mr. Bramble to hide his career from his son, he agreed to it without any objection. In private life, he was the mildest and most obliging of men and always yielded to everybody. At another place, he tells Jerry that he was sorry for withdrawing from the boxing fight as it was important for Harold. So, both instances show how his decisions were focussed on the well-being of his family.

Q2. Why was Mrs. Bramble amazed by bringing forth such a prodigy like Harold?
 Ans. Mrs. Bramble was amazed at having brought forth such a prodigy like Harold because he was so much different from ordinary children, was devoted to his books, was a model of good behaviour, and was highly admirable. He was, in fact, almost a symbol of perfectionism.

Q3. Give two character traits of Major Percy Stokes.
Ans. (i) Major Percy Stokes is persuasive by nature. He is successful in persuading Mr. Bramble to give up his boxing fight with Murphy, stating the reason that this profession was below his dignity as it involved a lot of anger; thus Bill should not only give it up but also hide his profession from his son Harold.

(ii) He is very scornful and loves to trouble others. He enjoys the argument between Mr. and Mrs. Bramble over the issue of going for a boxing fight on Monday. He likes to be in a dominant position, for which he doesn’t even mind harming his own sister’s (Mrs. Bramble’s) family needs and interests.

Q4. How did the birth of Harold change the Bramble household?
 Ans. Before the birth of Harold, Mr. Bramble had been proud of being a professional boxer. He was delighted to be the possessor of a left hook which had won the approval of the newspapers. Now since Harold had come into his life, he was afraid of his name in the newspaper and kept his profession secret from his son. Actually, Harold was a prodigy child and both Mr. and Mrs. Bramble thought that the profession of boxing was too disgraceful for their son, and so they hid Bramble’s profession from him.

Read the extract and answer the questions that follow.

Q1.“The squad listened in a cowed, horrified kind of silence.”

(a) To whom was the squad listening?

Ans. The squad was listening to the lecture being given by Professor who was asked by Corporal to replace him.

(b) What was the person giving lecture on?

Ans. The person was giving a lecture on the hand grenade.

(c) Why was the squad ‘horrified’?

Ans. The squad was horrified because they were shocked at the impertinence of the Professor and were apprehensive about its outcome.

Q2. “Through the open door, we could see the three cooks standing against the wall as if at bay.”

(a) Who is ‘we’ referred to?

Ans. We here is referred to the writer and his friend, Trower.

(b) What is meant by ‘at bay’?

Ans. ‘At bay’ here means trapped and cornered.

(c) Who was sermonising the three cooks?

Ans. It was the Professor who was sermonising the three cooks.

Q3. “Whenever one of us shone, the Professor outshone him.” [CBSE 2011 (Term 2)]

(a) Which quality of the Professor is spoken about?

Ans. The Professor was highly conceited. He needlessly tried to show his knowledge and humiliate others.

(b) How did the speaker benefit from the Professor as a co-trainee?

Ans. They were impressed by the hard work he used to put in pursuit of his ambition, and the amount of knowledge he possessed.

(c) Why couldn’t the Professor please his friends despite his excellent intelligence?

Ans. He could not please them because he always tried to show off his knowledge and tried to belittle and humiliate others.

Q4. “Forty Four”. “What is that?” The Corporal looked over his shoulders. “Forty four segments,” the Professor beamed at him. [CBSE 2011 (Term 2)]

(a) What is the occasion of the above talk?

Ans. It was when Corporal Turnball was delivering a lecture on hand grenade.

(b) Why did the Corporal look back?

 Ans. He did so because the professor had dared to interrupt him while he was delivering a lecture on hand grenade.

(c) What are forty four segments?

Ans. Forty-four segments here refer to the segments outside a hand grenade.

SHORT ANSWER QUESTIONS

Q1. Did the writer’s pride in aircraft recognition last long? Why/Why not?

Ans. The writer and his friends used to pride themselves for their capability of recognising an aircraft by its sound. Once, when they went out for a walk, they heard the drone of a plane flying high overhead. Before they could say anything, without even looking up, the professor announced the name of the plane. This was a humbling experience for the writer and his friends.

Q2. “There was an expression of self-conscious innocence.” Explain the context of the above remark.

Ans. This remark indicates that the Professor was always pretending to be innocent, whereas the real motive somewhere at the back of his mind was to show that he was perfect. When the Corporal said, “the platoon officer has asked me to nominate someone for________” everyone thought that some important work was going to be handed down to Quelch. Quelch was also sure in his mind that it was he who would be appointed, and stood straight, with an expression of self-conscious innocence.

Q3. Why were the writer and his batch-mates ‘thunder-struck’ when Quelch tried to correct Corporal Turnbull?

Ans. Corporal Turnbull was not a man with whom one could play the fool or talk or act frivolously. He was a hero for the squad, and they used to tell each other that nobody could easily take him for granted. As usual, Quelch tried to correct the Corporal when he was delivering a lecture on a grenade. The writer and his batchmates were thunderstruck seeing the foolish and daring act of Quelch, and the consequences he would have to face for it.

Q4. What do Trower and the writer happen to overhear in the cookhouse?

Ans. While returning from the canteen to their hut, the writer and Trower saw through an open door that the three cooks were standing against the wall as if at bay. They overheard the monotonous voice of Quelch who was giving a lecture to the cooks and protesting against the unscientific and unhygienic methods of peeling potatoes, leading to the waste of vitamins.

Q5. Why did the writer’s practical jokes and sarcasm prove ineffective against Quelch?

Ans. Day in and day out, Quelch lectured the people in his droning, remorseless voice on every aspect of human knowledge. The practical jokes and sarcasm of the writer and his friends proved to be ineffective towards Quelch because the professor never noticed them as he was too busy working for his stripe.

Q6. How did Quelch march to the canteen?

Ans. The salute of Professor Quelch at the pay table was a model to behold for everyone. When officers were in sight, he would swing his skinny arms and march to the canteen like a Guard.

Q7. What was the first impression that Quelch left on the writer and his friends?

Ans. Quelch was lanky, stooping and frowning through horn-rimmed spectacles. The first impression he gave to others was that he was very serious and studious kind of a person. Due to this reason, he came to be known as the professor. Those who had any doubts on the subject lost them after five minutes’ conversation with him.

Q8. How does Private Quelch show his knowledge as the Sergeant’s classes went on? [CBSE 2011 (Term 2)]

Ans. Private Ouelch was highly conceited who could not handle his own knowledge. Knowledge, if used to overshadow and belittle others, can never bring significant gains. The same happened the other day when Sergeant was delivering lecture on hand grenade. Private Ouelch interrupted him again and again by giving additional information on the same subject. After the lecture was over, the sergeant assigned him the job of cook house duties to deflate his bloated ego.

Q9. Why did Private Quelch work so hard to gather knowledge ? [CBSE 2011 (Term 2)]

Ans. Private Quelch was very ambitious. He was very competitive and wanted a quick promotion. In pursuit of his ambition, he worked very hard. He read a lot, attacked his instructors and on every occasion tried to belittle and overshadow others. He would try to appear exceptional before his seniors. He was dilligent, enthusiastic and gifted with excellent memory but his modus operandi was wrong.

Q10. Private Quelch was incorrigible. How far do you agree with the statement ? Give reasons in support of your answer. [CBSE 2011 (Term 2)]

Ans.
Yes, I agree with the statement that Private Quelch was incorrigible. Although he was brainy, dilligent, enthusiastic and gifted with excellent memory his modus operandi was wrong. He was highly conceited and was very fond of showing off his knowledge. After he offended the corporal and was sent to do cookhouse duties as a punishment, his sermonising continued even within the four walls of the kitchen.

Read the extracts and answer the questions that follow.

Ques 1. “About six weeks after the accident, the hospital put him in a wheelchair.”

(a) Who does ‘him’ refer to?

Ans: ‘Him’ refers to Chuck Hooper who has been admitted in the hospital after he met with an accident.

(b) How had ‘he’ met with an accident?

Ans: One day, while driving home from work, Hooper encountered a car that suddenly pulled out in front of him, resulting in a head-on collision. He was rushed to the hospital

(c) How did the accident affect Hooper?

Ans: Hooper had a subdural haemorrhage in the motor section of his brain which completely paralyzed his left side.

Ques 2. ‘Finally they decided to bring Duke home.’

(a) Who is ‘Duke’?
Ans: Duke is the pet dog of Charles Hooper. After Hooper had an accident, Duke was sent to a kennel for his safety.

(b) Where had Duke been sent?
 Ans: Duke had been sent to a kennel after Hooper met with an accident.

(c) Why was Duke being brought home?
 Ans: Duke was being brought home to give company to Hooper who was bedridden and was all alone at home after his wife left for work.

Ques 3. “On January 4, Hooper made a big move.”

(a) Who was Hooper ?
Ans: Hooper was working as a Zonal Sales Manager in a chemical company.

(b) What was the ‘big move’ he made ?
Ans: After his accident, Hooper’s big move was his first attempt to walk 200 metres without the help of his dog. This marked a significant step in his recovery journey.

(c) Who had been instrumental in helping Hooper to make this ‘big move’ ?
Ans: It was his dog ‘Duke’ who awakened Hooper’s will, which was lying dormant in his mind, to fight back and emerge victorious.

Ques 4. Several people jumped to lift the dog. “No please,” she said.

(a) Why did people want to lift the dog?
Ans: The dog had suffered an accident and was severely injured. It was essential to take him to the hospital for treatment.

(b) Why did Marcy say “No please”?
Ans: Marcy said “No please” because she felt a deep sense of gratitude for the dog. She wanted to do everything possible for it, reflecting her strong emotional connection.

(c) What had happened to the dog?
Ans: The dog had been struck by a vehicle outside their home, resulting in severe injuries.

SHORT ANSWER QUESTIONS

Ques 1. ‘‘It was like lighting a fuse.’’ Explain the context of the above statement.
Ans: One evening, Chuck’s good hand hooked into Duke’s lead of the collar to hold him still. It was like ‘lighting a fuse’ because, on the spur of the moment, an idea struck the dog’s mind as to how to help Chuck move about and walk.

Ques 2. Why did Chuck feel more lonely at home?
Ans: When Chuck was in the hospital for treatment of paralysis, he was surrounded by other injured people, which made him feel less lonely. However, at home, each morning when his wife, Marcy, left for work, he found himself alone with his thoughts, leading to a deep sense of isolation.

Ques 3. How did Chuck Hooper happen to take his first step?

Ans: Chuck’s first step occurred when his good hand hooked the leash onto Duke’s collar. As Duke moved forward in a U-shape, Chuck struggled to maintain his balance. He then transferred the leash to his left, paralysed hand, and with Marcy’s support, he extended his right leg. This action caused his left foot to drag forward, resulting in what could be considered his first step, aided by Duke.

Ques 4. What was the reaction of the neighbours as they watched Chuck’s progress everyday?

Ans: The neighbours observed with great interest the daily efforts outside Marcy’s house. They saw the dog, Duke, tugging on his leash, waiting patiently for Hooper to catch up. Each small step Hooper took was met with keen attention from the onlookers. On June 1, when Hooper and Duke reached a distant intersection, the news spread quickly, highlighting the remarkable progress of the pair.

Ques 5. What objectives were set up by Chuck Hooper in his pattern of progress?
Ans: Chuck Hooper and his dog, Duke, set clear objectives as they progressed in their journey. Initially, they aimed for two trips a day, focusing on one driveway at a time. As they advanced, Duke no longer paused at each step. On January 4, Chuck made a significant move by walking 200 metres to his office without Duke, expressing his intention to work for an hour each day at first. This marked the beginning of his gradual return to work.

Ques 6. What was the problem presented by Chuck in his company? 
Ans: When Chuck arrived at the office seeking work, the staff were taken aback. His situation posed a significant challenge because no one had the courage to inform him that, given his condition, he would struggle to perform the job. They were unsure how to manage a salesman who could not move around and was only able to work for an hour each day.

Ques 7. What did the people wonder about Chuck Hooper after the death of Duke?
Ans: After Duke’s death, people noticed how Duke had previously helped Chuck Hooper walk. They found it remarkable. Now, as Hooper walked alone each day, they began to wonder how long he would continue this routine. They were curious about the distance he would cover and whether he could manage to walk by himself without Duke’s support.

Ques 8. Discuss the significance of the promotion given by the company headquarters to honor Duke?
Ans: Hooper’s promotion to Assistant National Sales Manager was a significant tribute to Duke. This advancement was not just a career milestone; it symbolised the profound impact Duke had on Hooper’s life. Thanks to Duke’s unwavering support, Hooper was able to regain his health, return to work, and rebuild his confidence. This promotion represented a remarkable transformation, turning what seemed impossible into a reality, highlighting the extraordinary bond between them.

Ques 9. How did January 4, the day, become significant in the life of Hooper? [CBSE 2010 (Term 1)]
Ans: Hooper had been working as a Zonal Sales Manager in a chemical company. After suffering an accident that left him paralysed and bedridden, he had lost hope for recovery. However, his dog, Duke, played a crucial role in reviving his will to fight back. Duke encouraged Hooper to take small steps each day, leading to a significant moment on January 4 when he walked 200 metres to his office without any assistance. This day marked a turning point in his journey towards recovery and independence.

Ques 10. Which incident transformed Chuck Hooper from a favoured young man to an  unfortunate young man ? [CBSE 2010 (Term 1)]
Ans: Chuck Hooper was once a favoured young man, tall and healthy, thriving as a Zonal Sales Manager in a chemical company. However, his luck changed dramatically one autumn evening when a car collided head-on with his. This accident resulted in a brain injury that left him completely paralysed on his left side, forcing him into a bedridden state. Thus, he transformed from a successful young man into an unfortunate individual.

Ques 11. Who do you think was responsible for Chuck’s progress in getting back on his feet? [CBSE 2010 (Term 1)]
 Ans: Duke played a crucial role in helping Chuck Hooper regain his strength after his accident. Following his paralysis, Chuck felt hopeless and struggled to get up. It was Duke, his loyal dog, who motivated him to overcome his challenges. Duke’s unwavering presence and determination sparked a will to fight within Chuck, encouraging him to push through his limitations. With Duke by his side, Chuck gradually improved, demonstrating that even small acts of perseverance can lead to significant achievements. Duke not only provided companionship but also reminded Chuck of his potential to recover and thrive.

Ques 12. What was the reaction of the staff when Chuck visited his district office? What did he say to the manager Gorden Doule? [CBSE 2010 (Term 1)]
 Ans: When Chuck visited his district office, the staff was amazed by his presence. They were further surprised when he informed his manager, Gorden Doule, that he wanted to continue work, starting with just one hour. Chuck’s determination posed a challenge for the team; they were inspired by his courage but hesitant to tell him he might not be able to handle his old role. Additionally, they were uncertain about how to accommodate his request for a desk job, given that his position as a salesman required constant movement.

Very Short Answer Questions

Q1. Who bent down to touch narrator’s feet?

Ans: Her grandmother bent down to touch the narrator’s feet.

Q2. Which quality of ‘her’ was revealed to the narrator at this moment?

Ans: This reveals her helplessness because, in the narrator’s absence, she was unable to read the next episode of Kashi Yatre.

Q3. What was the reason which made ‘her’ cry?

Ans: She cried because she was uneducated and could not read the next episode of ‘Kashi Yatre’ while her granddaughter was away.

Q4. What had the speaker done?

Ans: The speaker taught her grandmother to read the Kannada alphabet. This enabled her to read the novel Kashi Yatre.

Q5. Which occasion is being talked about here?

Ans: A wedding ceremony in the neighbouring village is being discussed here. During that time, weddings were significant events, and children enjoyed themselves immensely.

Q6. What led to ‘savouring freedom’?

Ans: The narrator and her cousins experienced a sense of freedom during the wedding ceremony in their neighbouring village. They thoroughly enjoyed themselves, indulging in food and play while the elders were occupied. Although the narrator planned to stay for a couple of days, she ended up enjoying the festivities for a whole week.

Short Answer Questions

Q1. Why could the grandmother not be educated? Give reasons.

Ans: When the grandmother was young, education for girls was not seen as important, so she was never sent to school. Additionally, she got married at a very young age and led a busy life. Later, when she had grandchildren, she found joy in cooking and feeding them. As a result, her education was never considered by anyone.

Q2. For what did the grandmother set Dussehra festival as a deadline?

Ans: In the absence of her granddaughter, the grandmother felt dependent and helpless because she could not read the next episode of Kashi Yatre. To overcome this feeling, she decided to learn the Kannada alphabet and set Dussehra as her deadline. By that time, she aimed to be able to read Kashi Yatre on her own.

Q3. Explain the statement, “I knew then that my student had passed with flying colours” in the context of the lesson.

Ans: When the granddaughter presented the novel ‘Kashi Yatre’ by Triveni to her grandmother, the grandmother immediately recognised the title and the publisher’s name. This moment signified that she had successfully learned the Kannada alphabet, indicating her achievement in reading. The phrase “passed with flying colours” reflects her triumph in mastering this skill.

Q4. The grandmother remained steadfast in her decision despite her granddaughter’s mockery? Why?

Ans: Despite her granddaughter’s mockery, the grandmother remained firm in her decision to study because she believed that with strong determination for a good cause, one can overcome any challenge, regardless of age. She was committed to learning the alphabet, willing to put in the necessary hard work to achieve her goal.

Q5. Describe the grandmother’s desperation when she was not able to read ‘Kashi Yatre’.

Ans: When the grandmother was unable to read ‘Kashi Yatre’, she experienced a profound sense of emptiness in her life. Despite being a strong woman who had never shed a tear in tough times, she found herself crying out of frustration at her inability to read. This feeling of helplessness motivated her to learn the alphabet, even at the age of sixty-two.

Q6. But I know it was not possible. If only I was educated enough….. Describe the circumstances that made the grandmother realize the importance of education.

Ans: When the grandmother was young, education for girls was not deemed essential, so she never attended school. Her perspective changed when her granddaughter shared the story of Kashi Yatre, published in a magazine. The grandmother identified with the main character, and her granddaughter would read the story to her. However, when her granddaughter was away, she struggled to read Kashi Yatre on her own and felt a deep sense of emptiness. This experience made her realise the importance of education in her life.

Q7. What major Hindu belief did Triveni revolve her story around?

Ans: The story centres around a significant belief held by many Hindus that visiting Kashi and worshipping Lord Vishweshwara is the ultimate path to Nirvana. It narrates the struggles of an elderly woman who yearns to travel to Kashi but is unable to do so. Instead of using her savings for the journey, she selflessly spends the money to help a poor girl get married. This act highlights her belief that the happiness of others is more important than her own spiritual aspirations.

LONG ANSWER QUESTIONS

Q1. Do you think the Bishop was justified in selling the silver salt-cellars?

Ans. To the Bishop, it was a burden to possess any material thing, and be attached to it if there was someone in deep pain, suffering because of the lack of money or any other reasons. He sold his silver salt-cellars to pay for the rent of Mere Gringoire’s house. She was sick and bedridden and not in a condition to work. If the rent was not paid, the bailiff would not wait any longer and threaten to turn her out of the house that day itself. One can imagine how miserable it would be for her then. In such a situation, I think, the Bishop was justified in selling the silver salt-cellars.

Q2. How does the Bishop prove that human body is the temple of the living God. Does he succeed?

Ans. When the convict had entered the Bishop’s house, he was a criminal with no feeling for humanity — he was more of a beast than a man. But by the time he left him, the Bishop had shown him with his loving, forgiving, helping and compassionate attitude that the human body is a temple of the living God. The Bishop knew well that the convict was not born that way, but certain circumstances had changed him into doing evil deeds. By helping the convict to give vent to his sufferings and by protecting him from the police, the Bishop has touched the convict’s heart to such an extent after many years that he realises that he is a ‘human being’ and not a ‘beast’ as he had started thinking himself to be. The convict understands clearly what Bishop meant by saying that human body is the temple of the living God.

Q3. The Bishop is a living example of the greatest tenet of Christianity—forgiveness. Justify this statement by giving evidence from the text. [CBSE 2010 (Term II)]

Ans. It is true that the Bishop is really a living example of the greatest tenet of Christ ianity — forgiveness. This is evident from the incident of the stealing of candlesticks. Inspite of all the love and care that the Bishop had shown to the convict, when he left, he stole the Bishop’s precious candlesticks. However, he was caught by the police who brought him to the Bishop’s house. Instead of getting angry or getting the convict imprisoned, the Bishop told the police that the convict was not a thief but his friend whom he had given the candlesticks himself. He also told the police to let the convict go. Not only this, when the convict who was so touched by Bishop’s actions, decided to go to Paris to start a new life, the Bishop gave him his candlesticks, which were his mother’s gift to him and thus very precious. The Bishop blessed the convict and asked him to sell the candlesticks and start a new life in Paris. This was so touching and unbelievable for the convict that he cried and all the burden of sufferings of the past years just disappeared then and there.

Q4. Why does the Bishop allow the convict to take away the candlesticks and escape to Paris?

Ans. When the convict told the Bishop that he wanted to go to Paris as it was a big place and the police would not easily recognise him there, the Bishop supported him. He wanted the convict to sell the candlesticks and start his life all over again in Paris. He told the convict that in each person’s body, there is the temple of the living God. The Bishop did all this because he sincerely wanted the convict to be a good human being and lead a normal life by giving up all the sufferings of his past.

Q5. Identify the incidents which changed the convict’s life. Do you think the convict should be treated the way the Bishop treated him to reform? [CBSE 2010 (Term II)]

Ans. The convict was a good man originally. Once, when he did not have any job and his wife was ill and he did not have any money to get even food for her, he stole some money to buy food for her. He was caught by the police and given ten years’ imprisonment for such a minor theft. A tragedy occurred in his life with the death of his wife on the day he was awarded ten years’ imprisonment. In the prison he was fed on filth, lashed and tortured if he questioned even a little bit. All this changed his life completely and he turned from a man to a wild beast. He lost faith in himself as well as others completely.

The way Bishop treated the convict is absolutely marvellous in my opinion. This is a clear evidence to the falseness of the belief that criminals can be changed through punishment. Although it may not seem to be a very practical thing, but is undoubtedly correct that true love and compassion of the Bishop only reformed the convict, preventing him from committing crimes further, making life hell for himself as well as others. So, I’m sure that the convict should be treated the way the Bishop treated him to reform.

Q6. As Bishop, write an entry in your journal regarding the change that has come about in the convict. [CBSE 2010 (Term II)]
 OR
 Imagine yourself as Bishop and write a diary entry expressing your feeling after the convict has left as a free man [CBSE 2010 (Term II)]

Ans.
I feel extremely sorry for so much suffering in this world. A few days back, I had an encounter with a convict who had entered my house, and threatened me with a knife. He asked me for food. I fed him with all my love, and that gave me a lot of satisfaction. Anyway, he stole my candlesticks when he left but the police caught him and brought him back to me for identification. I genuinely wanted to relieve him of his sufferings and so asked the police to let him go telling them that he was actually my friend, and that I had gifted the candlesticks to him. The convict seemed to be quite shocked at this. The faith and favour, he felt I had shown in him, brought so much confidence in him that he decided to lead a normal life. I feel happy seeing that he wanted to go to Paris, a big city, where he could begin a new life without any fear of being identified by the police. Before leaving, he asked me to bless him. When I prayed for him, he literally started crying. I am so happy for the change that has come in him.

Q7. Justify the title of the play ‘The Bishop’s Candlesticks’.

Ans. ‘The Bishop’s Candlesticks’ is the most appropriate title for the drama, as it was the candlesticks which became the focal point and occupy a very important place — both for the Bishop as well as the convict. For the Bishop, they were very precious because they had been given to him by his mother when she was on her deathbed. The Bishop was a saintly person and was ready to give away any of his belongings for the welfare of others, except these candlesticks as his mother’s memories were associated with them.

But when he saw that the convict had stolen away from his candlesticks, he felt terribly bad. His emotions were deeply hurt. Fortunately, he got the candlesticks back when the police caught the convict and brought him to the Bishop for identification. Finally, when the convict got reformed, and decided to go to Paris to start a new life, the Bishop gave to him as a help, the most precious thing of his life— the candlesticks! The drama is deeply associated with the emotions attached with the candlesticks, and thus I feel the title ‘Bishop’s Candlesticks’ is quite appropriate.

Q8. Suppose you are the convict in the play ‘The Bishop’s’ Candlesticks’. After going to Paris you sell the silver candlesticks given by the good Bishop and start a business. Very soon you begin to prosper. Write a letter in about 120 words to a friend expressing your gratitude for the Bishop. [CBSE 2011 (Term II)]
 OR 
The Bishop heals the tormented soul and shows him the path of God and righteousness. Comment. (150 words) [CBSE 2010 (Term II)]

Dear Friend,

You must be surprised as to how I am writing a letter to you after so many years. You already know what upheavals I have undergone in my life. Here I am going to tell you about a very special person, the Bishop, who has changed my life completely.

His love, care and guidance has just relieved me of all my sufferings. I, who had started thinking that the whole world just consists of bad people, have a completely different viewpoint now. It so happened that one day I entered his house for food, threatened him, but instead of being afraid or angry, he not only gave me food lovingly but also a warm bed to sleep on. As was my habit, I stole his candlesticks and ran away. But when the police caught me and got me back to his place, he asked the police to let me go, telling them that I was his friend and he had gifted the candlesticks to me. Do you know how shocked I was at this? Later he gave me his candlesticks and asked me to go to Paris, sell them and start a new life. It is unbelievable that such people live on this earth! He is like God to me. The faith he has shown in me has enabled me to turn back into a normal man from the wild beast that I had become.

That’s all for now. See you then.

Your friend

XYZ

LONG ANSWER QUESTIONS

Q1. Give a character sketch of Juliette.

Ans. Juliette seems to be a fickle-minded person. She gets a strange feeling that since nobody was coming to buy a house, even after one month of advertising it, she was a real fool to have bought it. She is also an opportunist. She was ready to sell it for a sum of a hundred thousand francs but when she got the customers in Gaston and Jeanne, she quoted its price to two hundred thousand fifty francs. She particularly wanted to take advantage of Jeanne’s liking of the house. Her fickle-mindedness is also evident from the way she got irritated at Gaston’s remarks and said that she didn’t want to sell the house, but the next moment when she saw that Gaston was ready to get up and go, she began speaking in a pleading manner.

Q2. Discuss the character traits of Mrs Al Smith. What is her significance in the context of the lesson? [CBSE 2010 (Term I)]

Ans : Mrs. Al Smith is a rich, busy woman who is proud of being an American. She seems to have a superiority complex for the American race as compared to the Europeans. Throughout her very brisk, short conversation that she had with Gaston, a number of times, she mentioned about the superior ways of thinking and working of the Americans, so much so that she suggested that Europeans must copy the Americans more often. So, her conversation was a racially inclined one. Secondly, she seems to be very rich as she simply wanted Gaston to quote the price of the house; she had no hesitation in paying anything!

There is a lot of significance of her role in the lesson. The way Gaston made a fortune for himself through her within no time, has given a turning twist to the lesson and has made it extremely interesting. Mrs. Smith’s entry into the scene suddenly changed the direction of the story and added wonder and humour in it.

Q3. What were the attempts made by Juliette to sell the villa?

Ans : To sell the villa, Juliette, first of all, put up a signboard outside her house. She feels quite tensed when she doesn’t get any customers. Finally, when Gaston and Jeanne turn up, she tries every possible way to have the deal finalised. She tries all her tactics — flattery, bargain, pressure — and is finally successful in selling the house, without realising even a little bit as to what had happened behind the scenes between Gaston and Mrs. Al Smith. She tells Jeanne about all the facilities being provided along with the house, i.e. electricity, gas, water, telephone, drainage as well as all the fixtures. She even tries to psychologically impress Jeanne by saying that even before buying the house, she seems to be already belonging to it.

Q4. Why is Gaston not interested in buying the villa? How does he convince his wife – first in backing out of the deal and later in sealing the deal? [CBSE 2010 (Term I)]

Ans. Gaston is not interested in buying the villa because he knows that most of the year, the villa would be used by Jeanne’s parents and her sister’s children, and they themselves would be staying there only for a month. He is not very fond of his wife’s family and doesn’t wish to make any investments there. He tells his wife that in no way he is interested in buying the house. He argues with his wife that he was never interested in even talking about the house. He even talks in a very dry manner with Juliette to discourage any deal between her and Jeanne.

After Gaston has made his profit of one thousand francs, his stance regarding the villa changes completely. Jeanne is shocked at this, but he convinces her that now he has changed his mind and wants to buy the villa to please her, that he has no problem even if her parents stayed there, and that the villa would be useful for them in their old age.

Q5. Who is better in business – Juliette or Gaston? Why?

Ans : For doing business, one has to be business-minded. When it is a game of profits, investments, losses, one has to be hard-core, unscrupulous and manipulative. Qualities like human considerations, honesty go for a toss. What wins the day is foresight, opportunism and the ability to outsmart others. That is where Gaston scores over Juliette. Juliette wishes to sell the villa to cut her losses, whereas it is Gaston who walks away with the chunk of profit with his shrewdness.

Julliette has no idea about real estate. She curses herself for spending so much money to buy it. When she wishes to sell it, hardly any customers turn up. To get her due, Juliette tries her best to bargain, to hard-sell the house. She presents the villa in such a positive light and psychologically blackmails the couple into buying the house. She uses all the business tactics – flattery, bargain, pressure etc. Juliette lacks the business acumen to take advantage of the fact that her villa was near French Hollywood.

It is also sheer luck that Gaston is there to reap the harvest, which others have sown. When Mrs Al Smith shows interest, Gaston leads her on, never contradicting, and lets the case of mistaken identity go on. He is quick, decisive, smart and seals the deal with Mrs Al Smith, before the real owner appears. He takes three hundred thousand francs from Mrs Al Smith, gives two hundred thousand to Juliette and walks away with a neat profit of one hundred thousand. He has pleased his wife in the bargain, along with Juliette. The villa that was a losing proposition now becomes most lucrative along with the antique painting, the value of which was not known to anyone.

Q6. Gaston, being a keen observer, made mental notes about Mrs. Al Smith, her behaviour and her opinions. Describe Mrs. Al Smith and your meeting with her to your business partner in a letter, telling him about the profitable deal that you made. [CBSE 2010 (Term I)]

Dear Tim

I had been thinking of writing to you for a long time but was just busy with my daily routine work. There is something very interesting that I want to tell you. You will be amazed to know that I have made one hundred thousand francs without putting in any efforts or investments at all!

It so happened that I went with my wife to see a villa which was for sale. When my wife went with the owner to see the first floor, I stayed back. Can you guess what happened then? A lady called Al Smith came to buy the house, and mistaking me to be the owner of the house, struck a deal with me. She was in a great hurry and didn’t even want to know anything about the house. She is from films and very rich. The owner, Juliette had cited its price to us as two hundred thousand francs. I told Mrs. Smith that I would sell it to her for three hundred thousand francs. She agreed and then and there gave me a cheque. Can you imagine I made a clear profit of one hundred thousand francs in just five minutes as I bought the house from Juliette for two hundred thousand francs. I’m myself amazed at my smartness and my happiness knows no bounds.

See you then. Do reply soon.

Yours
Gaston

Q7. Juliette’s maid is witness to the activities that take place in the Villa that day. She is in dilemma whether to tell Juliette how Gaston sold the Villa before buying it or to keep quiet about it as the money has been paid. She writes a page in her diary expressing her feelings. Write her diary. [CBSE 2010 (Term I)]

Dear Diary,

I am greatly depressed. I really want to pour out my feelings to someone. I am in a dilemma whether to tell Juliette how Gaston sold the villa before buying it or keep quiet as money has been paid and the deal has been finalised. Both ways Julliette will be greatly hurt and I do not want that. But at the same time, I do not want to keep her in the dark as I love her so much. If she comes to know of the same from somebody else, and that I knew the facts, she would start hating me and I do not want to earn her hatred and mistrust. I am feeling disgusted with Gaston who had befooled Juliette by playing a trick upon her. Had I known his intentions earlier I would never had let him do so. Oh God! please show me the way.

Q8. Jeanne is unable to understand Gaston’s reason for buying the Villa after objecting so much; she comes home and quickly writes a letter to her mother sharing her anxiety, jubilation and relief at the purchase. Write her letter. [CBSE 2010 (Term I)]

Dear mother,

I am so happy today that I am unable to contain my happiness. Now listen with your fingers crossed, Gaston has bought the villa I wanted to buy for you and papa. It was not easy for me to persuade him because he was reluctant to invest his life’s savings just to buy a villa where we could live for one month only in a year. But mother when I told him that you, papa and Julia’s children will live in the Villa throughout the year since you want a house to live in, he readily agreed. Mummy, guess! how dearly Gaston loves you all. I am also very happy for you people. Now you don’t have to spend the fag end of your life in that dilapidated house. You can shift in the Villa as soon as we get the possession and get the renovation done. Tell Papa also that I love him.

Your daughter
Jeanne

Q1. Write a short note on the pictorial aspect of the poem.

Ans. We can see the pictorial aspect of the poem throughout. The poet has used the poetic device of personification throughout. The rain tells its tale calling itself various things such as ‘dotted silver threads’, and ‘beautiful pearls’. It describes its action by — when I cry the hills laugh — when I humble myself the flowers rejoice — when I bow all things are elated. This describes the natural phenomena of thunder and falling of rain making the hills and flowers rejoice — ‘Voice of thunder’ The rainbow announces its departure — paints beautiful vivid pictures of rain — Again the lines — ‘I descend and embrace the flowers and the trees in a million ways’ — paints a vivid picture of the rain falling over flowers and trees.

Q2. How does the poet impart a divine feel to rain? Why is it compared to the Goddess of fertility?

Ans. The poet imparts a divine feel to the rain by using such descriptions as — “Silver threads dropped from heaven by the gods” — “Nature then takes me to adorn her fields and valleys.” Again, see these lines — beautiful pearls, plucked from the crown of Ishtar (Goddess of fertility) by the daughter of Dawn

Thus above-mentioned description endows the rain with divine origin. It has been compared to the Goddess of fertility because when rain falls and waters the baked, dry earth, the thirsty fields and trees, they all get rejuvenated, multiply i.e. they produce. Thus it acts as an agent of fertility.

Q3. Write an autobiography of rain. [CBSE 2011 (Term II)]

Ans. I am rain. I work under the divine ages of God. God has endowed me with certain duties which I perform religiously and happily. My main aim is to spread joy and happiness all around. I beautify, adorn, and rejuvenate the fields, trees and flowers and spread vitality everywhere. Since I give joy to everyone my dear friend Thunder announces my arrival and my friend Rainbow appears in the sky when I depart. I am greatly pained to see the two lovers—fields and clouds — desperate to meet each other. I try to lessen their pain by acting as a messenger of mercy for them. Some people call me the ‘goddess of fertility’ because when I fall on dry fields and trees, they all get rejuvenated and multiply. Despite all these divine qualities I am not proud of myself, I am just like an earthly being. Just like a human being takes birth and die, I also have a beginning and an end.
The Rain.

LONG ANSWER QUESTIONS

Q1. The poet laughed at her mother’s false teeth. Now her fate is no less different. Discuss the irony inherent in this situation, giving evidence of the problems the poet would face in the future.

Ans. The irony concealed in the situation is that having laughed at her mother’s false teeth she is now faced with the same situation. She is having serious problems — painful cavities, the need to visit a dentist, lying in his chair undergoing large painful hours of medication, the tedious process of drilling, getting infections, getting the cavities filled with amalgam and so on.

Q2. What precautions should be taken to undertake dental care? What is the poet’s regret?

Ans. Childhood is a period of fancies, gorging on tasty food and it is very difficult to avoid temptation. Sherbets, candies, lollies appear in all hues and tastes and they are enough to tickle the palate and send the taste-buds racing. Children are specially very susceptible to temptations and they are very impulsive as far as food is concerned.
Parents and other elderly people keep advising youngsters but they do not pay any heed. The poet’s mother was very perceptive when she told the poet that our teeth are our best friends since it is through them that we enjoy all the best things of life. The poet never bothered to use a proper toothbrush or rinse her mouth after every meal. She suffered from weak will-power and could not resist sweet sticky food. After teeth have given way to decay, no amount of up and down strokes help, nor does a new toothbrush perform any miracle. The poet’s greatest regret is that she cannot put the clock back as the damage cannot be undone.

So dental hygiene is one of the most important hygiene and it should never be neglected or given secondary importance.

Q3. What are the problems faced by the poet after she neglected her teeth?
 Or
 What is the poet’s greatest regret in the poem, ‘Oh,
 I wish I’d looked after my teeth’?
 What were the various problems she was confronted with? Answer in about 150 words. [CBSE 2010 (Term I)]

The problems that the poet is facing as a consequence of neglecting her teeth and rather harming them by eating a lot of lollies, liquorice, sherbet, dabs and peanut brittle are — cavities, caps, deterioration of teeth, fillings, infections and drillings. She has to lie in the dentist’s chair looking at his nose in despair and undergoing the elaborate treatment of his drilling her molar teeth, getting cavities filled with a mixture of mercury and silver known as amalgam.