10th Std THE BOOK THAT SAVED THE EARTH

THE BOOK THAT SAVED THE EARTH

Answer the following questions in 30-40 words each.
(a) What is Think-Tank’s second guess about books?
Think-Tank’s second guess about books is that they are communication
devices. He orders Omega to listen to them (books). He puts a book to his
ears and tries hard to listen. Think-Tank asks Omega if he can listen to
something from them. Omega replies that they may not be on the correct
frequency.
(b) What is the time and place of the story at the beginning?
This is a science fantasy. This imaginary story is set in the twenty-fifth
century. The place is the Museum of Ancient History. Department of the
Twentieth Century. There is a historian sitting at a table. There is a movie
projector on the table.
(c) Why was the twentieth century called the ‘Era of the Book’?
The twentieth century was often called the ‘Era of the Books’ because in those
days there were books for everything from anteaters to Zulus. Books taught
people how to, when to, where to and why to. They illustrated, educated,
punctuated and decorated.
(d) How did one old book of nursery rhymes save the Earth from a Martian invasion?
This book is totally misunderstood by the Martians. The Martians thought
that earthlings were planning to invade Mars. So, they cancelled their
invasion of Earth and went back. Think-Tank totally misunderstands the
book. Phrases like ‘shell’, ‘silver’, ‘garden’ gave him a false idea that
earthlings grew silver and weapons. He starts thinking that earthlings are
very advanced technologically.
Q2 Answer the following questions in in 100 -150 words.
(a) The play, The Book That Saved the Earth’ conveys the message that
misunderstanding of cultural differences between various races can cause confusion and conflict. Based on your reading of the play, write how such
confusion and conflicts can be checked so that peace and harmony is maintained.
The confusion in the mind of Think-Tank occurred due to the literal
interpretation of the nursery rhymes in the book-‘Mother Goose’. To ensure
that conflicts are checked so that peace and harmony are maintained, cultural
differences should be sorted out by initially sending mature and wise people
from one culture to the other to establish contact before deciding to wage
war. Think-Tank had sent an initial probe, but the crew members of the probe
were not sufficiently intelligent or mature to understand Earth’s culture. That
is why they literally interpreted the nursery rhymes and caused
misunderstanding in the mind of Think-Tank.
(b) Compare and contrast the characters of Noodle and Think-Tank.
Noodle and Think-Tank have contrasting characters. Think-Tank likes to be
called the ‘Great and the Mighty’. He orders and commands. He is the ruler of
Mars, but has no intelligence. He thinks books to be sandwiches. He is wrong
about everything. He demands that the crew obey him. He likes to pass on
other’s idea as his own. He is a coward who simply boasts about his power.
Noodle, his apprentice, is very clever and wise. He corrects the mistakes of
the ruler (Think-Tank) very gently. He never takes credit for his ideas. But he
offers them to the ruler very gently. Think-Tank makes them his own.

10th Std THE PROPOSAL

THE PROPOSAL

Answer the following questions in 30-40 words each.
(a) How does Natalya react when she comes to know that Lomov had come to propose?
When Natalya cames to know that Lomov had come there to propose her she
was shocked. She wails, changes her stance and asks her father to fetch
Lomov.
(b) How does Lomov come to Chubukov’s house? What for does he come? How is he
received?
Lomov came to Chubukov’s house in the evening dress with gloves on. He
cames to propose to his daughter Natalya. He is received with all the respect
by Chubukov.
(c) What is the cause of the second quarrel between Natalya and Lomov?
Lomov starts praising the qualities of the dog Guess. But Natalya says that
her dog which she purchased for 85 roubles is much better than his dog
Guess. Both of them praise the qualities of their dogs. Now they start
quarrelling on this topic. They again start shouting at each other.
(d) Natalya was not Lomov’s real love. But still, he wanted to marry her. Give two
reasons for his decision.
Though Lomov was not in love with Natalya, he wanted to marry her because
he was suffering due to a weak heart and sleep-sickness. He wanted a
companion who could look after him.
Q3 Answer the following questions in in 100 -120 words.
(a) Draw a brief character-sketch of Natalya.
Natalya is the heroine of the play ‘The Proposal’. She is twenty-five years old.
She is still unmarried. It causes great worry to her father. Natalya wishes that
somebody should love her and propose to her. Her father calls her ‘a love-
sick cat.’ She is very quarrelsome. She quarrels with others over trifles. Lomov
comes to propose to her, but she starts quarrelling with him over the
ownership of a piece of land. Lomov leaves her house in a fit of anger. When
she comes to know that he had come to propose to her, she starts weeping.
She asks her father to bring him back. When Lomov comes back, she tries to
please him. But after some time, she starts quarrelling with him on the
question of dogs. Lomov faints and she again begins to wail lest she should
lose the opportunity for marriage. After some time, Lomov regains
consciousness. Her father does not want to lose this opportunity. He at once
puts Natalya’s hand in the hands of Lomov. He announces that they are
engaged with each other. Natalya becomes very happy. But she again starts
quarrelling with him. Thus Natalya is an interesting character.
(b) Neighbours must have a cordial relationship which Lomov and Natalya do not
have. Describe the first fight between them.
Lomov and Natalya meet and rather than proposing her he gets off the point.
He tells her how he inherited his land and how he respects her father. He also
tells Natalya that his Oxen meadows touch Natalya’s Birchwood. On hearing this, Natalya says that Oxen Meadows are theirs. They start arguing about it.
Lomov clarifies that he is talking about the Oxen Meadows that are between
her Birchwoods and Burnt marsh. Natalya again insists that they are theirs.
Lomov refuses it. He tells her that his aunt’s grandmother gave those
meadows to her father’s grandfather. The peasants used the land for forty
years and started regarding it as their own. Natalya’s father comes and also
starts quarreling with Lomov. They get into a heated argument and resort to
name-calling. After some time, Lomov leaves their house.

10th Std THE TALE OF CUSTARD THE DRAGON

THE TALE OF CUSTARD THE DRAGON

Answer the following questions in 30-40 words each.
(a) What did Custard look like?
Custard looked really dangerous with spikes on his top and scales
underneath. His mouth was like a fireplace and nose like a chimney. His toes
looked like daggers.
(b) Why did Belinda and her pets prove ungrateful to Custard who killed the pirate?
Belinda and her pets showed a temporary appreciation of Custard’s heroic
feat. Belinda embraced him and other pets danced around him. But they
again started indulging in self-patting and self-praise. They showed their
ungratefulness by undermining and not acknowledging Custard heroic fight
with the pirate.
(c) Describe the appearance of the pirate.
The pirate looked quite dreadful and dominating. He carried a pistol in his
left as well as in right hand. He held a shining dagger in his mouth. His beard
was black and one of his legs was of wood. It seemed that his intentions were
terrible.
(d) Why did Belinda tickle Custard mercilessly? Why was he teased as `Percival’?
Belinda had a very poor opinion of Custard. She considered him a coward and
always taunted and tickled him for being so. All other pets, Ink, Blink and
Mustard mocked at Custard’s timidity and lack of courage. Tauntingly, they
called him Percival, who was a brave knight of King Arthur.

Q3 Answer the following questions in in 100 -150 words.
(a) Evaluate Ogden Nash’s ‘The Tale of Custard the Dragon’ as a ballad. What message
does the poet give to the readers in this poem?
Ballads are stories told in verse. Generally, ballads are tales of adventures and
heroism. In the poem, the poet does present the encounter of Custard and
the pirate in the typical spirit of a ballad. The four-line stanzas have the
rhyme scheme: aabb throughout the poem.
Ogden Nash gives a subtle message to the readers through the fate of Custard, the dragon. In this world of deceit, self-confidence, self-dependence
and self-respect are essentials to earn your rightful place among your peers.
The mere presence of physical strength is not enough. The more important
point is that you must be conscious of your strength. You must be fully aware
of the fact that many others who are far inferior in strength and power
should have no right to taunt and ridicule you.
(b) Describe the fight between the dragon and the pirate. In spite of being so powerful
and displaying rare bravery, why is Custard called a coward?
The dragon had big sharp teeth, and spikes on top of him and scales
underneath but everyone boasted about their bravery and called him a
coward. But when the pirate entered, all were scared and ran away except
Custard who faced him boldly, attacked him, hit him hard with his forceful
tail and gobbled every bit of him. All of them later felt obliged to Custard for
saving their lives.
No doubt, Custard has a lot of physical strength. However, Custard had very
low self-esteem which is why he kept demanding for a nice safe cage. It is
because of this demand; he was called a coward by the other pets.

10th Std Anne Gregory

Answer the following questions in 30-40 words:

1. What was not liked by the young men?

Ans. The young men do not love the real person but love the appearances. Everyone wants one should be loved for his actual personality and not by what he looks like. The young man does not like grey or yellow hair and they do not care for inner beauty but loves the physical beauty.

2. The young woman’s hair is yellow coloured. She is ready to change her hair colour to another colour. Why would she want to do so?

Ans. The young woman is ready to do so because she wants someone to love her. Moreover’ she wants that someone should love her for her inner beauty and not for the colour of her hair.

3. What is the central idea of the poem ‘For Anne Gregory’?

Ans. The central theme of the poem is that young men often love appearances and not the real person within. Everyone wants that he or she should be loved for what he or she is from inside. The poet feels that only inner beauty is the true essence of life. The poem states that physical beauty may be important for young men or the human beings.He the almighty loves the human beings irrespective of their colour or physical features.

4. What does the old religious man have to say?

Ans. The old religious man says that he has found a text which proves that only God could love us for ourselves alone and not for physical beauty. He is the only one who truly loves us, as he has created us the way we are.

Q.5. What is the central idea of the poem `For Anne Gregory’?

Ans. The poem conveys the idea that physical beauty may be important for young men or human beings. But God does not love human beings for their physical beauty. In this poem, the poet gives an example of a lover who loves the yellow hair of a young lady but does not like her ramparts. The lady disapproves his love.

Q.6. To whom is the first stanza of the poem addressed? What does the speaker say to her?

Ans. The first stanza of the poem is addressed to a lady named Anne Gregory. She had a great influence on the poet. He had great respect for her. He tells her that although she is a noble lady, yet nobody would love her for herself alone.

Q.7. What makes a young man not to love the woman referred to in the first stanza?

Ans. The woman has beautiful yellow hair. But the outer part of her ears is not attractive. The poet says that never shall man love her only for herself.

Q.8. What does the woman say she can do to make herself more desirable to young men? What does this show?

Ans. The woman says that she would dye her hair brown, black or in carrot colour. This shows that young men give more importance to physical appearance than inner beauty.

Q.9. What does the religious man tell the poet about God’s love for man?

Ans. The religious man has told the poet that he has found a religious text. According to that, God loves a person, not for his or her physical qualities. He loves human beings for their inner qualities.


Q10. Why shall a young person never be thrown into despair?

Ans. Generally, a young man develops some fascination for a beautiful lady. Sometimes the external appearance of the lady affects him deeply. The honey-coloured hair of the lady may lead him to love her without caring for the inherent qualities of her head and heart. It may throw him into despair.

Q11. What are those ‘great honey-coloured ramparts’ at the ears of that young lady? What is the poetic device used here?

Ans. The blonde hair of Anne Gregory is honey-coloured. The long honey-coloured hair falls down in curls covering her ears. The long hair falling on the ears look like the wide walls or ramparts around a fort. The poet uses ‘metaphor’ quite effectively to produce the desired effect.

Q12. Why should a young man never love a young woman for ‘herself alone’?

Ans. A young man is generally attracted by the outward appearances of a young woman. Her beautiful face or her blonde hair may attract him towards her. It is quite possible that a young man may never love a woman for what she actually is. He never loves her for ‘herself alone’.

Q13. What does the lady want to do and why?

Ans. The young lady, Anne Gregory doesn’t like that a young man should love her for her external appearance or for her beautiful yellow hair. External appearances can easily be changed. She can dye her hair black, brown or of carrot’s, the way she likes. She wants that she should be loved not for her yellow hair but for ‘herself-alone’.

Q14. Why doesn’t the young woman like to be loved for her yellow hair? What does she want to prove?

Ans. The young lady has a point to prove. She wants to prove that she can change her external appearance or the colour of her hair easily. She can dye her hair brown, black or of carrot’s colour. But she doesn’t want to be loved for her beautiful long yellow hair. She should be loved for `herself alone’ or for what she actually is.

Q15. What did the old religious man declare? What did he want to prove?

Ans. The poet heard an old religious man declare one truth the previous night. He quoted a text to prove his point. He wanted to prove that only God can love a woman for ‘herself alone’ without caring for her beautiful exterior or yellow hair. Human beings can’t resist external temptations or appearances.

Q16. What is the difference between God’s attitude towards a young woman and the attitude of humans towards her?

Ans. God goes beyond external appearances. God loves a woman for ‘herself alone’. He pays no attention to her beautiful looks or yellow hair. On the other hand, humans can’t go beyond outward appearances and beautiful yellow hair.

Q17. What is the theme or the central idea of the poem?

Ans. In ‘For Anne Gregory’ W.B. Yeats gives a definite message. Human beings can’t go beyond external appearances. Their love is just skin-deep. A young woman like Anne Gregory may be liked and loved not for what she actually is but for the colour of her hair. Only godliness in man can penetrate and go beyond these physical appearances and see the inner beauty and nobility of the soul.

Q18. What are the honey-coloured ramparts?

Ans. The ramparts are the honey-coloured or golden hair of the young woman hanging down her ears for a kind of defensive wall for her rosy cheeks, red lips and starry eyes.

Q19. How will the hair-dye help Anne?

Ans. The hair-dye will help Anne in changing the colour of her hair from yellow to brown or black or carrot. Thus she would prove that a young lover loves her for herself alone and not for her honey coloured hair.

LONG ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS

Q1. Do we love people because we like their appearances or we are fascinated by their physical appearances? How does Anne Gregory want to be loved?

Ans. This is the world of pomp and show. Things and people are often liked and loved not because of their merit but because of their external appearances. Anne Gregory’s honey-coloured yellowish hair look like the ramparts of a fort when they fall on her ears. There are many who love Anne Gregory only for her yellow hair. However, Anne doesn’t like to be liked and loved this way. After all, how does the colour matter? She can dye her hair the way she likes. She can dye them brown, black, of carrot’s colour or the way she likes. If her lover likes only for her beautiful hair, she won’t accept him. She should be loved for `herself alone’. But this world doesn’t go by her wish. Only God can love a person for what he is. Human beings will go on being tempted by beautiful yellow hair.

Q2. Appearances may be deceptive. People are not objects,they should be valued for being themselves. What lesson does the poet want to give to the readers through this poem?

Ans. Truly stated that people are not objects and appearances may be deceptive. A person should be liked and loved for being himself or ‘herself. Outwardly appearances do tempt and dazzle us. There may be many persons who would love to see Anne’s beautiful hair falling over her ears like the ramparts of a fort. Many would love Anne Gregory for her beautiful yellow hair. It would be difficult to find a real lover who loves Anne for `herself alone’. What is so great about yellow hair? Anne ridicules the idea of being loved for her yellow hair. She can dye her hair the way she likes — brown, black, carrot or yellow. But the irony of this world is that people will go on being tempted and dazzled by glamour, show and outwardly appearances. Only God can love a person for ‘himself or herself’ alone.

10th Std Bholi

Answer the following questions in 30-40 words:

1.” God cannot be everywhere, so he created Mothers”. Do you think Bholi’s mother complies with this statement? Give reasons supporting your answer.                           

Ans. Bholi’s mother does not comply with this statement at all for certain reasons like ,Bholi’s mother never took care of her , neither in childhood nor in young age,She was not concerned even about her studies or clothing.
 She did not bother about Bholi’s groom. Whether he was an aged person, limping or a greedy one, whether he will honour her daughter or keep her as a slave in his house,she has never shown concern towards her for any thing.

2. Describe Bholi’s feelings when her teacher assured to make her the most learned in her village.

Ans. Bholi was sent to school because the Tehsildar compelled Ramlal to send one of his daughters to school, so that it may prove a role model for other girls. She was a slow learner and stammered while speaking and all the children in the school made fun of her. But her teacher encouraged her and made all efforts to make her the most learned in her village. She was impressed by her soft and soothing voice. She felt comfortable and stopped stammering. Now she was full of confidence and learned all the syllabus taught by her teacher.

3. Give two points to demonstrate that Bholi’s wedding was a grand one. 

Ans. Bholi’s marriage was fixed with Bishamber who had a big shop, his own house and several thousand in the bank. It was a grand marriage. A brass-band playing a popular tune from an Indian film headed the procession. Secondly, the bridegroom was riding on a decorated horse. He came there with a big party of friends and relatives which looked like a procession.

4. What two actions did Bholi take to stop her marriage to Bishamber?

Ans. Bholi’s marriage was going to take place with Bishamber who himself was forty-five or fifty years old. He also limped and had two children from his first wife. Even then he demanded 5000 rupees as dowry. Bholi stopped the marriage by throwing away the garland in the fire. She threw away the veil and asked her father to take back the money and refused to marry Bishamber.

5. How did Bholi console her father in the end?

Ans. Bholi consoled her father that even if she did not get married, she would take care of her parents in their old age. She also tells them that she would teach in the same school and earn her livelihood from where she had learnt so much .

6. Draw a conclusion as to why Bholi’s teacher felt like an artist admiring her masterpiece.

Ans. Bholi’s teacher felt like an artist admiring her masterpiece, when she realized how her soothing words, education, and motivation gave confidence to Bholi to face the world and transformed her from a girl who was unsure about herself and a backward child, to a bold and confident girl.

Q7. Why was Sulekha called Bholi, the simpleton?

Ans.` Sulekha’ means a woman who writes with a beautiful handwriting . Ironically, Bholi of the story was considered to be a backward child. She was called a ‘simpleton’ or a witless girl. She fell off her cot in early childhood, and a part of her brain was damaged. All the girls of Ramlal except Bholi were good looking and healthy. Bholi couldn’t speak properly and stammered. Her pock-marks made her far from being pretty. Everyone mocked and made fun of such a stammering simpleton.

8. What did the Tehsildar suggest to Ramlal?

Ans. The Tehsildar had come to the village to open the first elementary school for girls. He told Ramlal that as a revenue official he is the representative of the government in the village, and so should set an example for the villagers by sending his daughters to school.

9. Why was Sulekha nicknamed Bholi and why did Sulekha start stammering?

Ans. When Sulekha was ten months old, she fell down from the cot on her head. Some part of her brain was damaged. That was why she remained a backward child and came to be called as Bholi, the simpleton.
 Sulekha could not speak until she was five. When at last she learnt to speak she started stammering because other children often made fun of her and mimicked her.

10. Everyone’s first day at school is generally filled with fun, joy and happiness. How was Bholi’s first day at school?

Ans. The teacher gave her a book having colourful pictures of animals. With every picture was a word in big black letters. The teacher told her that she would be able to read that book in a month. Then she would give her a bigger book. She liked the book very much. Thus she enjoyed her first day in school.

11. How was Bholi different from the other children at home?

Ans. When Bholi was 10 months old, she fell from a cot. This damaged a part of her brain and affected her intelligence. She became a slow learner, a retarded child. So, she was called Bholi’, a simpleton. When she was two years old, she had an attack of smallpox that left pockmarks on her face and she looked ugly. Rest of her brothers and sisters were normal.

12. What idea do you form of Ramlal’s personality?

Ans. Ramlal was the revenue officer of the village. He was a prosperous farmer and had seven children. He was orthodox. He did not believe in the ideology of sending girls to school as it would be difficult to find a good match for them. He wanted to get rid of Bholi as she was ugly and not intelligent.

Q13. Describe two accidents that had disfigured Bholi and made her a backward child.

Ans. At birth, Bholi was very fair and pretty. When she was two years old, she had an attack of smallpox. Her entire body was permanently disfigured with deep pock-marks. When she was just ten months old, she fell off her cot. Perhaps a part of her brain was damaged. It made her a backward child. She learnt to speak at the age of five and stammered while speaking.

Q14.Was Ramlal happy to send Bholi to school? If not, why did he send her there?

Ans.No girl in the family had ever gone to school. Bholi’s mother believed if they sent their daughters to school, then no one would marry them. But an unexpected thing happened. The Tehsildar who inaugurated the first girl school in the village asked Ramlal to set an example before the villagers. He must send his daughters to school. Ramlal couldn’t afford to disobey the Tehsildar. So, Bholi was sent to school.

Q15. Why was Bholi frightened to go to school?

Ans. No girl in the family had ever gone to school. The next day, when Ramlal held her hand to take her to school, Bholi was frightened. She did not know what school was. She thought that perhaps her parents were punishing her away from the house by sending her to school. So, she cried in terror and pulled her hand away from her father’s grip.

Q16. What preparations were made to send Bholi to school? When did she begin to think that school was a better place than her home?

Ans. Ramlal asked his wife to arrange some decent clothes for Bholi. He didn’t want the teachers and other school girls to make any bad image of the family. Therefore, Bholi was lucky to get a clean dress that didn’t fit Champa. Bholi was bathed. Oil was rubbed into her dry and damaged hair. Only then Bholi began to think that she was going to a better place than to her home.

Q17.How was Bholi’s first day at the school? Did she enjoy it?

Ans. Ramlal handed over Bholi to the headmistress. She asked Bholi to sit down in a corner in one of the classes. Bholi was glad to find so many girls of her age in the class. She hoped to make one of them her friend. She couldn’t understand what the teacher was saying. She liked the pictures of birds and animals on the wall. The teacher asked her name but Bholi couldn’t pronounce it in spite of many efforts. The kind and friendly teacher encouraged her and Bholi could pronounce her name, “Bh-Bh-Bho-Bholi”. The teacher patted her on her success. Bholi felt comforted and relieved.


Q18. How did the teacher help Bholi to pronounce her name full and clearly?

Ans. The teacher asked Bholi to tell her name. She could stammer “Bh-Bho-Bho” only. She began to cry, and tears rolled down her eyes. Girls still laughed at her. But the teacher comforted her. Her voice was very soothing. She made another effort but failed. The teacher encouraged her. And Bholi made the last effort and spoke, Bh — Bh — Bho — Bholi.” She was relieved as if it was a great achievement. The teacher patted her on her success.

Q19. “In time you will be more learned than anyone else in the village,” said the teacher to Bholi. What was the basis of reposting such confidence in a girl who even couldn’t pronounce her name properly?

Ans. Bholi stammered and couldn’t even pronounce her full name to the teacher. The teacher succeeded and made her speak: “Bh! Bh — Bho — Bholi.” She asked her to come to school every day. The teacher gave her a picture book and hoped that she would finish it within a month. In time, she would be more learned than anyone else in the village. Then, no one would ever be able to laugh at her.

Q20. When and why did Bholi feel that her heart was throbbing with new hope and a new life?

Ans. Bholi had achieved what she could have never even dreamed. With the encouragement and help of her teacher she could pronounce her name: “Bh —Bho — Bholi” and say: “Ye — Ye-Yes.” Then the teacher gave her a picture book. She was sure that Bholi would finish it within a week. In time she would be more learned than anyone in the village. Then, nobody would ever dare to laugh at her. Bholi felt her heart throbbing with new hope and new life.


Q21. Was Ramlal happy with Bishamber’s proposal? What was the opinion of Bholi’s mother about this unequal match?

Ans. Ramlal was worried about Bholi. She had neither good looks nor intelligence. The proposal of Bishamber for her marriage was a pleasant surprise for him. His wife gave acceptance to this unequal match. She felt that Bholi was lucky to have such a rich bridegroom. He had a big grocery  shop, his own house and several thousand rupees in the bank. Moreover, he was not asking for dowry,initially.

Q22. Was Bishamber Nath a suitable bridegroom for Bholi? Give your opinion.

Ans.No, Bishamber was not at all a suitable match for Bholi. No doubt, he was rich, had a big shop, a house of his own and thousands of rupees in the bank. But he was mean, greedy and a worthless man. When he came to know of the pock-marks on Bholi’s face, he demanded a dowry of 5000 rupees to marry her. Even the turban of Ramlal at his feet couldn’t melt his heart. Bholi did the right thing to reject him.


Q23. Why didn’t Bholi at first oppose the proposal of the unequal match? Why did she agree to it?

Ans. Bholi knew that she was just a burden for her parents. They thought her worthless and couldn’t even dream of a good marriage proposal for her. When she realised that her parents were happy to find such a rich and prosperous bridegroom for her, she bowed to their wish. She didn’t oppose it to keep the honour of the family intact. she agreed to many a man who was of the age of her father and had grown up children from his first wife.

Q25. What preparations had Bishamber made on the wedding day? What was the reaction of Bholi’s parents and elder sisters regarding the celebrations?

Ans. The bridegroom, Bishamber, was a well-to-do grocer. He was happy and excited about the wedding day. He had come with a large party of friends and relatives with him for the wedding. A brass-band headed the procession. It was playing a popular tune of a film. Ramlal was over-joyed to see such pomp and splendour. Bholi’s elder sisters were envious of her luck.

Q26. What happened when Bishamber took a quick glance at his bride’s face?

Ans. The auspicious moment had come. The bridegroom lifted the garland of yellow marigolds. A woman slipped back the silken veil from the bride’s face. Bishamber took a quick glance. The garland remained poised in his hand. He shouted that the bride had pockmarks on her face. If he was to marry her, her father must give him five thousand rupees.


Q27. How did Ramlal react to Bishamber’s demand of 5000 rupees to marry Bholi?

Ans. Bishamber clearly declared that if he married Bholi, her father would give him 5000 rupees. Ramlal went and placed his turban at Bishamber’s feet. He begged him not to humiliate him in that manner. He was ready to give 2000 rupees. Bishamber didn’t budge. Ramlal went inside and came back with the money and placed the bundle of notes at Bishamber’s feet.


Q28. Why did Bholi throw the wedding garland into the fire?

Ans. Earlier, Bholi couldn’t oppose the proposal as she wanted to save the honour of the family. But now enough was enough. Bishamber had no regard and respect for her parents. He was ready to marry her for 5000 rupees. When he moved forward to garland her, she threw the wedding garland away into the force. She declared that she would not have such a mean, greedy and cowardly person as her husband.

Q29. How did Bholi react to the remarks of an old woman who called her “a shameless girl” and “a harmless dumb cow?”

Ans. When Bholi refused to accept a mean, greedy and cowardly man as her husband, everybody was stunned. An old woman called her “a shameless girl.” She had thought her “a harmless dumb cow.” Bholi turned violently on the old woman. She told that everybody had thought her a dumb cow and so they wanted to hand her over to such a heartless creature. She reminded that the ‘dumb cow’ had got a tongue now and she could speak out to defend herself.

Q30. How did Ramlal react after the ceremony ended with the departure of the bridegroom alone?


Ans. Ramlal stood silently rooted to the ground. His head bowed with the weight of grief and sorrow. He turned to Bholi and asked what would happen to her now. No one would ever marry her. He asked, “What shall we do with you?”

Q31. A grieved father asked Bholi: “But what about you? No one will ever marry you now,” What was Bholi’s reply to his grieved father?

Ans. When her grieved father showed her anxiety about her still unmarried daughter, Bholi replied calmly and steadily. He asked her father not to worry about her. She assured that she would serve him and her mother in their old age. And she also told that she would teach in the same school where she had learnt so much.

Q32. How did the teacher react to Bholi’s wish expressed in the end?

Ans. The teacher had all along stood there in a corner. She had been watching the whole drama. She also heard Bholi saying that she would teach in the same school where she had learnt so much. Bholi turned to the teacher for affirmation. The teacher replied, “Yes, Bholi, of course’. She felt as if her mission had been completed.

10th Std Bholi

Bholi

What's the theme of the Story, ' Bholi'?

Bholi is the story of a village girl who was discriminated as she had pock-marks on her face, stammered and was considered to be a simpleton. Bholi suffered an attack of smallpox when she was just two years old. She damaged a part of her brain when she fell off from the cot ,when she was 10making nths old. Education transformed ‘a dumb cow’ into a fearless and courageous girl. First, she agreed to many an unequal match, Bishamber, just to maintain the honour of the family. Her father, Ramlal, put even his turban at the feet of the greedy bridegroom. He accepted to many a girl with pock-marks only after getting 5000 rupees as dowry. Bholi showed the courage of throwing away the ceremonial garland into the fire. She refused to have a mean, greedy and contemptible coward like Bishamber Nath as her husband.

Read the extracts given below carefully and answer the questions that follow:

1. Ramlal was overjoyed to see such pomp and splendour. He had never dreamt that his fourth daughter would have such a grand wedding. Bholi’s elder sisters who had come for the occasion were envious of her luck.

(a) Whose marriage is referred to here?

(b) What had Ramlal never expected?

(c) Why were Bholi’s elder sisters envious of her luck?

(d) How was the marriage procession of Bholi?

Ans. (a) Bholi’s marriage is referred to here.

(b) Ramlal had never expected such pomp, splendour and a grand wedding.

(c) Her elder sisters were envious of her grand wedding.

(d) The marriage procession came with great pomp and show. Everyone expected marriage to be grand.

2. Bishamber raised the garland to place it around the bride’s neck; but before he could do so, Bholi’s hand struck out like a streak of lightning and the garland was flung into the fire. She got up and threw away the veil.

(a) What did Bholi do?

(b) Why did she do it?

(c) Why did Bholi at first agree to an unequal match?

(d) Later, she rejected the marriage. What does this tell us about her?

Ans. (a) Bholi suddenly stood up and threw away the garland into the fire.

(b) Because she did not agree to the condition of Bishamber of five thousand rupees.

(c) This was because; she never wanted to add to the worries of her parents by her refusal.

(d) Her behaviours reflected that she was no longer a timid, tame, dumb-driven cow but a bold, confident and self-respecting girl.

3. “What’s the matter with you, you fool?” shouted Ramlal. “I am only taking you to school.” Then he told his wife, “Let her wear some decent clothes today, or else what will the teacher and the other school girls think of us when they see her?”

(a) Who is speaking and to whom?

(b) What did he want his wife to do?

(c) Why was Bholi scared to go to school?

(d) What made her feel that she was going to a better place than her home?

Ans. (a) Ramlal is speaking to Bholi.

(b) He wanted his wife to get Bholi ready for the school.

(c) Bholi did not know what a school was like. Actually, she had no idea of a school.

(d) When, she was given a bath, decent clothes to wear, her hair was oiled and combed, she thought so.

4.”When the school bell rang, all the girls scurried out of the classroom, but Bholi dared not leave her corner. Her head still lowered, she kept on sobbing.”

(a) Why didn’t Bholi dare to come out of her classroom?

(b) How many children did Ramlal have?

(c) Why was Bholi sobbing?

(d) Why do you think she finds her teacher different from the people at home?

Ans. (a) Bholi did not dare to come out of her classroom because it was her first day in school. Also, she had a complex that other girls would laugh at her for stammering.

(b) Ramlal have Seven children.

(c) She had an inferiority complex as other girls were laughing at her for stammering.

(d) The soft, sweet, soothing voice, sympathetic and encouraging behaviour of her teacher made him much different from the people heat home.


5. That was why she remained a backward child and came to he was known as Bholi, the simpleton.

(a) Who is being described here?

(b) Why did she remain a ‘backward’ child?

(c) Who was Bholi?

(d) What was the real name of Bholi?

Ans. (a)  Sulekha or Bholi is being described here.

(b) When she was ten months old, she had fallen off the cot on her head, which had perhaps damaged some part of her brain.

(c) Bholi was the fourth daughter of Numberdar Ramlal.

(d) The real name of Bholi is Sulekha.

6. Left alone, the poor girl looked about her with fear-laden There were several rooms, and in each room girls like her squatted on mats, reading from books or writing on slates.

(a) Which place is described here?

(b) Who is the ‘poor girl’?

(c) Why does the girl look around with fear-laden eyes?

(d) What was Bholi’s reaction when her father asked her to come with him to school?

Ans. (a) The school to which Bholi is taken to by her father is described here.

(b) Sulekha ,that is Bholi is the `poor girl’.

(c) She looked so because it was the first time she was being taken to a place away from home.

(d) She was afraid. She had no idea of a school.

11th Std THE BROWNING VERSION

THE BROWNING VERSION

Short Answer questions

1.Why did Taplow stay back at school on the last day of his form?

Ans. Taplow had come back to school to do extra work. He was ordered by his teacher Mr Crocker-Harris. The boy had missed a day the previous week. So Crocker-Harris had called him to pay for it and make up for the loss.

2. Who are the two teacher-characters in the play? What information do you get about them?

Ans. The two teachers arc Mr Crocker-Harris and Frank. Crocker-Harris teaches the Latin language while Frank teaches science. Crocker-Harris is middle-aged and strict. Frank is a young science teacher. The students are scared of Crocker-Harris. Frank wonders how Crocker-Harris had managed to over-awe the students, though he does not even beat them; Frank is envious of him.

3. Taplow has a grudge against his Latin master, Crocker-Harris. Why?

Ans. Taplow is a young boy in the fifth form. He loves to play golf on a fine day. But he dare not disobey Mr Crocker-Harris who had called him to school a day before the final results were to be declared. Taplow is made to do extra work to make up for his absence one day the previous week. His promotion is to be decided by Crocker-Harris.

Taplow’s grudge is that Crocker-harris is overstrict and even Inhuman. He does not give the boy any assurance about his promotion in spite of calling him to do extra work.

4. How does Taplow make fun of his teacher? Why? Who encourages him to ridicule Mr Crocker-Harris?

Ans. Taplow is a young boy, studying in the fifth form. His final result is to be announced the next day. He asks Mr Crocker-Harris about his chances for promotion. But Crocker-Harris gives him a vague answer. He tells the boy that he would get what he deserves, no less and no more. Moreover, Mr Crocker-harris has called Taplow to do extra work even on the last day of school. This irritates the boy and he makes fun of his teacher in front of Mr Frank. Taplow is encouraged by Frank to mimic Crocker-Harris’s voice and repeat his words. This is how he tries to hit back at the teacher.

5. Taplow says that Crocker-harris is hardly human. What makes him say that?

Ans. Taplow is a little-outspoken boy. He speaks out his mind honestly. His personal equation with Crocker-Harris is not smooth. One day Mr Crocker-Harris told a Latin joke in the class and no one laughed at it because not a single student understood it, including Taplow. Still, Taplow laughed out of politeness; but then his teacher asked him to explain the joke. This makes Taplow feel that he is hardly human.

6. How does Frank read Taplow’s motive behind doing extra work?

Ans. Frank is a science teacher who knows well the nature of his colleague. He does not approve of Crocker-Harris’s step to call a boy to do extra work on the last day of school. He points out that Taplow can now hope to get his promotion through doing extra work.

7. What is meant by ‘remove’ in English schools?

Ans. In English schools, the word ‘remove’ means promotion to the next higher class. Much depended on the rating given by Crocker-Harris to Taplow. So the boy is nervous and afraid about his result.

8. How does Taplow recount the incident of Crocker-Harris’s joke in the class?

Ans. One day Mr Crocker-Harris told a Latin joke in the class. No student laughed at it because no one understood it. Taplow was no exception. Still, he laughed at the poor joke out of common politeness. Crocker-Harris cornered him. He asked Taplow to explain the joke to other boys. That was Crocker-Harris’s way of dealing with the boys. He did not like it even if someone tried to help him.

9. What does Taplow think of Mr Crocker-Harris?

Ans. Taplow, the fifth form boy, is a good judge of persons, especially his teachers. He ridicules Crocker-Harris whom he calls ‘hardly human’. He mocks his master by mimicking his voice and words. He is mortally afraid of Crocker-Harris. He dare not disobey or go Against the wishes of Crocker-Harris. But at the same time, he has a word of praise as well for his teacher. He tells Frank that Crocker-harris never beats a boy although he is shrivelled up like a nut at heart. And he is not a ‘sadist’. Like one or two other teachers who got pleasure out of giving pain. Crocker-Harris’s drawback was that he hated it even when people tried to like him. Taplow finally tells Frank that in spite of all this he did like Crocker-Harris better than other teachers.

10. How does Taplow react on the arrival of Mrs Crocker-Harris?

Ans. Taplow was frightened to see Millie. His fear was that she must have heard what he had been saying about Mr Crocker-Harris. In case, she reports the matter to her husband. Taplow will miss his promotion.

11. How does Taplow finally get back his freedom?

Ans. It is Mrs Millie Crocker-Harris who finally comes to the rescue of Taplow. She reports that Crocker-Harris will not be back early. Hence, Taplow had better go. He can at least run away for 15 minutes and come back later. She assures the boy that no harm will come to him. She gives him a doctor’s prescription and tells him to bring medicines for Mr Crocker-Harris. This being a good excuse, Taplow goes out free from fear.
Short Answer questions

Long Answer Questions

1. What brings Taplow to the staff room? Who does he meet there?

Ans. Taplow, a fifth-grade student, goes to school on the last day. He is called by Mr Crocker-Harris to do extra work for missing a day the previous week. He is waiting for the Latin teacher in the staff room. Frank, the young science teacher, arrives and starts talking to him. They discuss Crocker-harris. In fact, Frank is envious of Crocker-Harris hold on the young boys. He encourages Taplow to give his honest opinion about his master. And Taplow makes some negative remarks. He levels several charges against Crocker-Harris. He calls him ‘hardly human’, a poor teacher of Latin, and a person who hates people to be liked by them. Taplow finally meets Mrs Crocker-Harris who sends him to the chemist to bring some medicines. This way, Taplow feels relieved and gets his freedom for a while.

2. What impression do you form of Frank and Mrs Crocker-Harris?

Ans. Frank is a young science teacher at the school. We get to know about him from his conversation with the boy Taplow. On the whole, he appears to be a mean and petty person. He envies Crocker-Harris, who keeps his students under control. He provokes Taplow to comment on his teacher and also to imitate his voice. This is unbecoming of a teacher to discuss his colleague with a boy. He suggests to Taplow to slip away because Crocker-Harris is late in coming and the weather is fine. Mrs Millie Crocker-Harris is a kind hearted and easy going person. She is very smart. She rescues Taplow by sending him out on an errand.

3. What is your assessment of Taplow as a student? Write his brief character-sketch as well.

Ans. Taplow, a student of the fifth form, is 16 years old. He is very talkative and outspoken. He gets carried away easily. On being provoked by Frank, he opens his heart out and speaks  Critically about his Latin teacher. He is mortally afraid of Crocker-Harris although the master never beats any boy. He dare not ‘cut’ his master because Crocker-Harris might even follow him to his home. He calls Crocker-harris secretive and one who can not be easily pleased. Crocker-Harris refuses to tell the boy about his final result before the stipulated time. Taplow crosses the limit when he says that Crocker-harris is ‘hardly human’. On the whole, Taplow is quite honest and gullible. He ridicules his teacher and mimics his voice. He uses derogatory words for his teacher. He discusses one teacher with another foolishly. His actions show that he is not mature enough.

4. Who is Millie? What is her role in the play?

Ans. Millie is the wife of Mr Crocker-Harris. She is a thin woman in her late thirties. But she dresses smartly and speaks confidently. As she enters the school premises, she stands for a while behind a curtain to overhear the conversation between Taplow and Frank. Even if she has heard them, she gives no hint of it. She is quite unlike her harsh husband. She is kind and gentle. She tells Taplow to go and enjoy himself. But the boy dare not cut Crocker-Harris. So she finds an excuse to free him. She asks him to go to the chemist to bring some medicines for his master. She smilingly agrees to take the blame on herself if Crocker-Harris is angry. Thus, she outshines all the other three characters in the story.

5. Who are the two teacher-characters in the play? What information do you get about them?
Ans. The two teachers are Mr Crocker-Harris and Frank. Crocker-Harris teaches the Latin language while Frank teaches science. Crocker-Harris is middle-aged and strict. Frank is frank enough.Frank is a young science teacher at the school. We get to know about him from his conversation with the boy Taplow. On the whole, he appears to be a mean and petty person.
Tallow added, inside he is like a nut; he hates people to like him; he is hardly human; gives a vague answer to the boy about his result. But Taplow has a word of praise also for his teacher. He doesn’t beat the boys. He is not a sadist. He abides by the rules of the school and never declares the result before time. Still, all the boys in the class are scared to death of Crocker-Harris. Taplow finally admits that he likes Crocker-Harris spite of being scared of him.