Question 1.

The house- the only one in the entire valley- sat on the crest of a low hill. From this
height one could see the river and the field of ripe corn dotted with the flowers that
always promised a good harvest. The only thing the Earth needed was a downpour or at
least a shower. Throughout the morning Lencho who knew his fields intimately had
done nothing else but see the sky towards the North-East. “Now we’re really going to
get some water, woman.
” The woman who was preparing supper, replied, “Yes, God willing”.
(a) Where was Lencho’s house located?
(b) What was Lencho’s wife preparing?
(c) Find the word from the passage which means ‘very closely’.
(d) What does ‘Crest’ means?
Answer:
Lencho’s house was located on the crest of a low hill.
(b) Lencho’s wife was preparing supper.
(c) The word is ‘Intimately’.
(d) Crest means the top part of a hill.

Question 2.
It was during the meal that, just as Lencho had predicted, big drops of rain began to fall.
In the North-East huge mountains of clouds could be seen approaching. The air was
fresh and sweet. The man went out for no other reason than to have the pleasure of
feeling the rain on his body. [CBSE 2012]
(a) What could be seen approaching in the North-East?
(b) Why did Lencho go out?
(c) Give an antonym of the word Big.
(d) Which word in the passage is a synonym of ‘forecast’.

Answer:
(a) Huge mountains of clouds could be seen approaching in the North-East.
(b) Lencho went out to have the pleasure of feeling the rain on his body.
(c) The word is ‘small’.
(d) The word ‘predict’ is a synonym of forecast.

Question 3.
With a satisfied expression he regarded the field of ripe corn with its flowers, draped in
a. curtain of rain. But suddenly a strong wind began to blow and alongwith the rain very
large hailstones began to fall. These truly did resemble new silver coins. The boys,
exposing themselves to the rain, ran out to collect the frozen pearls.
(a) What happened to the rain suddenly?
(b) ‘The frozen pearls’ refers to which thing in the paragraph.
(c) Find the similar meaning-of ‘contented’ in the paragraph.
(d) Find from the passage a word which means ‘to take after’.
Answer:
(a) The rain suddenly changed into hailstones.
(b) ‘The frozen pearls’ refers to hailstones.
(c) The word is ‘Satisfied’.
(d) The word is ‘Resemble’.

Question 4.
Not a leaf remained on the trees. The corn was totally destroyed. The flowers were
gone from the plants. Lencho’s soul was filled with sadness. When the storm had
passed, he stood in the middle of the field and said to his sons. “A plague of locusts
would have left more than this. The hail has left nothing.
(a) Describe Lencho’s feeling as shown in the passage.
(b) What happened to the crop when the storm had passed?
(c) Find the word that means the opposite of ‘restored’ as used in the passage.
(d) What do you mean by ‘hail’ in the last line?

Answer:
(a) Lencho was filled with sadness when the storm had passed.
(b) The crop was completely destroyed when the storm had passed.
(c) The word is ‘destroyed’.
(d) ‘Hail’ is balls of ice that falls from the sky in the form of rain.

Question 5.
“That’s what they say: no one dies of hunger.” All through the night, Lencho thought only
of his one hope: the help of God, whose eyes, as he had been instructed, see
everything, even what is deep in one’s conscience. Lencho was an ox of a man,
working like an animal in the fields, but still he knew how to write. [CBSE 2014]
(a) What was Lencho’s only hope?
(b) How did Lencho work in the field?
(c) Find the exact word of similar meaning ‘moral sense’ given in the passage.
(d) Explain ‘an or of a man’.

Answer:
(a) Lencho’s only hope was the help of God.
(b) Lencho worked as an ‘ox’ in the field.
(c) The word is ‘conscience’.
(d) It means a man working hard like an ox or animal.

Question 6.
The postmaster- a fat, amiable fellow- also broke out laughing, but almost immediately
he turned serious and tapping the letter on his desk, commented. “What faith! I wish I
had the faith of the man who wrote this letter. Starting.up a correspondence with God!”
So, in order ndt to shake the writer’s faith in God, the postmaster came up with an idea:
answer the letter. But when he opened it, it was evident that to answer it he needed
something more than goodwill, ink and paper. But he stuck to his resolution: he asked
for money from his employees, he himself gave part of his salary and several friends of
his vreie obliged io give something ‘for an act of charity’.
(a) What kind of a person the postmaster was?
(b) How did the postmaster help Lencho?
(c) Find the exact word in similar meaning ‘without delay’ given in the passage.
(d) Determination is synonymous with …………….

Answer:
(a) The postmaster was a fat, amiable and helpful fellow.
(b) The postmaster helped Lencho by collecting money from his employees and friends.
(c) The word is ‘Immediately’.
(d) Determination is synonym with Resolution.

Question 7.
The following Sunday, Lencho came a bit earlier than usual to ask if there was a letter
for him. It was the postman himself who handed the letter to him while the postmaster,
experiencing the contentment of a man who has performed a good deed, looked on
from his office.
Lencho showed not the slightest surprise on seeing the money; such was his
confidence, but he became angry when he counted the money. God could not have
made a mistake, nor could he have denied Lencho what he had requested.
(a) Why did Lencho come earlier to the post office?
(b) Why wasLencho angry when he counted money?
(c) Find the word which means the opposite of permitted from the passage.
(d) Which word in the passage gives the meaning ‘that one will be successful one day’.

Answer:
(a) Lencho came earlier to the post office to know if there was a letter for him.
(b) Lencho was angry when he counted money as it was not the full amount that he had
demanded from God.
(c) The word is ‘denied’.
(d) The word is ‘confidence’.

Question 8.
When he finished, he went to the window to buy a stamp which he licked and then
affixed to the envelope with a blow of his fist. The moment the letter fell into the mailbox
the postmaster went to open it. It said: “God: Of the money that I asked for, only seventy
pesos reached me. Send me the rest, since I need it very much. But don’t send it to me
through the mail because the post office employees are a ‘bunch of crooks’. Lencho.”
[CBSE 2016]
(a) What did Lencho do wijh the stamp?
(b) What did the postmaster do when the letter fell into the mailbox and why?
(c) Find out the word which has the similar meaning as ‘attached’ used in the passage.
(d) Which word in the passage denotes a dishonest person?
Answer:
(a) Lencho licked and affixed the stamp to the envelope with a blow of his fist.
(b) The postmaster immediately opened the letter to know Lencho’s feeling for the
money he had received.
(c) The word is ‘affixed’.
(d) The word is ‘crook’.

Short Answer Type Questions [2 Marks each]

Question 1.
Who was Lencho? What were his main problems? [CBSE 2015]
Answer:
Lencho was a hardworking farmer, who lived on the crest of a low hill. Due to the
hailstorm his crops were destroyed, so he needed money to sow his field again and
support his family. These were the main problems of Lencho.

Question 2.
Give a brief description of the view from Lencho’s house?
Answer:
Lencho’s house was situated on the crest of a low hill and it was the only one in the
valley. One could easily see the river and the field of ripe corn from here.

Question 3.
What did Lencho compare the raindrops to and why? [ CBSE 2011]
Answer:
Lencho compared the raindrops to new coins because the crop needed the rain badly
and it was the sign of good harvest. Good harvest meant prosperity for Lencho as he
needed the money to fulfil his basic needs.

Question 4.
Why did Lencho write a letter to God?
Answer:
When.Lencho’s crops were completely destroyed by the hailstorm, he wrote a letter to
God because he was the only hope in his despair. Lencho asked him to send hundred
pesos to sow his field again and support his family.

Question 5.
Why and how did the postmaster help Lencho?
Answer:
The postmaster was determined to help Lencho. He did not want Lencho’s faith in God
to be shaken so he asked his employees and friends to help Lencho. He also
contributed a part of his salary for this act of charity.
Question 6.
How much money did Lencho need? How . much did he get?
Answer:
Lencho got seventy pesos. He was angry at the difference as he needed hundred pesos
to sow the crops again and to support his family till the next harvest.

Question 7.
Why did Lencho not want the money to be sent through mail? CBSE 2016
Answer:
Lencho wrote in his second letter that he received only seventy pesos but he needed a
hundred pesos.
He requested God not to send rest of the money by post since the post office
employees were a bunch of crooks and would steal the money.

Question 8.
Do you think that Lencho was right to call the post office employees a bunch of crooks?
Why or why not?
Answer:
Lencho called the post office employees a bunch of crooks as he did not get full money
that he had demanded. He could not believe that God had sent him any less money so
he doubted these people. But he was not right to call them a bunch of crooks.

Long Answer (Value Based) Type Questions [8 Marks each]

Question 1.
Who was Lencho and what circumstances forced him to write a letter to God?
Answer:
Lencho was a hardworking farmer who lived with his family on a crest of a low hill. He
was very caring and God loving man. Though, he was a farmer he could read and write.
Lencho eagerly waited for the rainfall in order to get good harvest and he became
happy when it came. But the pleasing rain changed into hailstorm and destroyed his
crop.
He became sad and was worried about his family as they might remain hungry that
year. His last hope was the help from God as he had complete faith in him. Hence, he
wrote a letter to God asking him to send hundred pesos to survive and to reharvest.

Question 2.
Give a character-sketch of Lencho.
Answer:
Lencho was a simple man and a hardworking farmer. He worked as an ox in his field.
Lencho’s entire crops were badly destroyed by the hailstorm. So, he became very sad
as he was worried about his family. He was an optimistic person. Although his only
source of living was taken away, he didn’t lose hope. He had his last hope in God. He
was confident that God would help him in his distress. Lencho was an innocent atheist
who didn’t know that there was no such living person as God who could send him
money. He had blind faith in God and sought solution of his problem’Trom God only.

Question 3.
Sketch the character of the postmaster in the story ‘A Letter to God”.
(or)
How do you like ,the character of the postmaster in the story ‘A Letter to God?” Give
reason for your answer.
Answer:
The postmaster was a fat and friendly fellow. He was a sensible human being. He first
laughed looking at the letter which had a strange address. But soon he became serious.
He was surprised at the faith that Lencho had in God. He wanted his faith not to be
shaken.
The postmaster himself gave a part of his salary and also requested his employees and
a few friends to contribute for charity. He felt happy and satisfied when Lencho received
the money. This shows that he was a kind and empathetic person as well. He loved to
help others.

Question 4.
How did the postmaster and post office employees help Lencho? How did he react to
their help?
Answer:
The Postmaster and post office employees were very generous as they contributed for
the act of charity. First they laughed when they saw Lencho’s letter to God, but soon
they were impressed by his faith in God. They decided to send some money to Lencho
so that his faith in God does not get shaken. They collected seventy pesos and sent it to
Lencho.
When Lencho got the envelope and opened it to count money, he became angry. He
again wrote a letter to God demanding the remaining thirty pesos. He thought that post
office employees had taken away the remaining money and called them a bunch of
crooks, which was not justified at all as they were the people who had helped him. But it
shows his innocence and firm faith in God.

Question 5.
How did the hailstones affect Lencho’s field? What was Lencho’s only hope?
Answer:
Lencho, a hardworking farmer, worked like an ox for a good harvest, depended
completely on his fields to take care of his family. He expected a good harvest that
year. He needed a downpour for the crops to ripe, but the rain followed by hailstorm
completely destroyed the crops.
It made him sad. He was worried for his family as he loved them so much. But Lencho
had firm faith in God and believed that nobody died of hunger. So, he decided to seek
help from God. He wrote a letter to God and asked him for a hundred pesos to survive
and to sow new crop.
Question 6.
“Humanity still exists”, this is what we get to know after reading A letter to God’ in which
firm faith in God of a poor farmer and helpfulness of the post office employees are aptly
depicted thought. Write a paragraph on the values in it, in about 80-100 words. Give the
paragraph a suitable title. [CBSE 2012]
Answer:
Existence of Humanity
After reading ‘A letter to God’, our faith in humanity stirs for strong. We learn from the
story that there still are people who help others without any self interest. The postmaster
and the post office employees lay an example for everyone of us to be kind. Though
they all laughed at his letter, they were really moved by the grip of faith Lencho had in
God. The way they all decided to help the stranger in his hard times restores our faith in
the existence of humanity and motivates us to be a noble and kind person.

Question 7.
Describe Lencho’s qualities in light of his faith in God. Do you have faith in God like
Lencho? Was Lencho’s reaction towards post office employees right? [CBSE
2015]
Answer:
Lencho was a poor farmer who totally depended on the harvest to survive and fulfil
basic needs of his family. Once his crops were destroyed due to heavy rainfall and
hailstones and he was afraid to think how his family would survive. He believed that
God would help him in this plight. He had firm faith in God, he believed that God would
not let him be hungry.
Now-a-days faith in God like Lencho is almost impossible and unseen. People are very
much aware that nobody is willing to help others without any self interest. L encho’s
reaction towards post office employees was not right or justified but it was just because
of his innocence as he could not believe that God had done such a mistake. It were only
the post office employees who had stolen money according to him.
Question 1.
What promise does Mandela make in the beginning of opening of his oath-taking
speech?
Answer:
Mandela thanks all the international leaders and guests as he calls it an occasion of joy
and victory for Justice. He promises that the country shall not again experience the
oppression of one by another.

Question 2.
What freedom meant to Mandela in childhood? [CBSE 2015]
Answer:
During childhood the meaning of freedom for Mandela was quite limited he considered it
to be free to run in the fields, to swim in the clear stream, free to roast mealies and ride
the board backs of slow moving bulls.

Question 3.
Why did inauguration ceremony take place in the amphiteatre formed by the Union
Building in Pretoria?
Answer:
It was the first democratic, non-racial government taking oath in South Africa. The
ceremony was attended by dignitaries from more than 140 countries around the world
and thousands of the people of South Africa of all the races to make the day
memorable. So, it took place in, the amphiteatre formed by the Union Building in
Pretoria.

Question 4.
What are the ideals which Mandela set for the future of South Africa in his swearing- in
ceremony?
Answer:
Mandela emphasised to liberate all the people from poverty, deprivation, suffering,
gender and other discriminations in his swearing-in ceremony.

Question 5.
What did Mandela think for oppressor and oppressed? [CBSE 2011]
Answer:
Mandela always thought that both oppressor and oppressed are deprived of their
humanity. Oppressor is a prisoner of hatred while oppressed has no confidence in
humanity so both of them need to be liberated.

Question 6.
What do you understand by Apartheid’?
Answer:
‘Apartheid’ is a political system that divides people according to their race. In this
system black-coloured people in South Africa were not free even to discharge their
personal and social obligations of being parents, sons and husbands, etc.

Question 7.
Describe the effect of the policy of apartheid on the people of South Africa.
Answer:
The policy of apartheid could not be considered fortunate for the people of South Africa.
It created distance and a deep wound in the country and the people. Many great men
like Oliver Tambo, Walttr Sisulu, Yusuf Dadoo, Bram Fischer, etc were produced due to
the brutality and oppression. They were men of great character

Question 8.
How is courage related to the brave man according to the author of the lesson?
Answer:
The author believes that courage is not the absence of fear, but it is the triumph over it.
The brave man is not the one who does not feel fear of any kind but he is the one who
has the courage to conquer it.

Question 9.
Could everyone fulfil the obligations personal or social in South Africa?
Answer:
No, everyone was not free to fulfil their obligations because of colour of the skin. If a
persoti tried to fulfil their obligations, they were punished and isolated for being a
rebellion.

Question 10.
What did Mandela realise about his brothers and sisters? [CBSE 2012]
Answer:
Mandela realised that his brothers and sisters were not free in their own country due to
their colour. The freedom of everyone in his society was curtailed. He joined the African
National Congress and fought for the freedom.

Question 11.
Why was Nelson Mandela changed into a bold man?
Answer:
Nelson Mandela was changed into a bold man due to his . desire of the freedom for his
country and his countrymen. He wanted to live a life with dignity as he could not enjoy
the limited freedom.

Long Answer (Value Based) Type Questions [8 Marks each]

Question 1.
What does Nelson Mandela refer to as “an extraordinary human disaster”?
Answer:
Nelson Mandela refers to the apartheid policy of the white race against the black people
as “an extraordinary human disaster”. White people snatched freedom from the
coloured people of South Africa to whom the country belonged. The black people were
subjected to oppression for long. They were not even allowed to discharge their
obligations to their own families, community and their country. White people had no
compassion for them and oppressed their own people and put them in prison. If they
had some freedom, it was curtailed. The black people lived the life of a slave.

Question 2.
Describe the views of Mandela for the black people who fought and sacrificed their likes
for the country’s political independence?
Answer:
Mandela always said that the political freedom was the result of sacrifices of thousands
of the black people who fought for that. He said that it could not be repaid. He thought
himself as the sum of all of those African patriots. He regretted that he could not thank
them. He cursed the policy of apartheid that wounded the people of his country, which
would take centuries to heal.
He also said that the oppression and brutality of the white people produced great
freedom fighters like Oliver Tambo, Walter Sisulu, Luthuli, Dadoo, Fischer, Sobukwe and
many more. They were the men of courage, wisdom and large heartedness. They really
suffered a lot for the political freedom of the country.

Question 3.
What does Mandela mean to say that the oppressor and the oppressed alike are robbed
of their humanity?
Answer:
Mandela is right in saying that the oppressor and the oppressed alike are robbed of their
humanity. Both of them are actually the victim of hatred. Everyone is obliged to
discharge their duties whether personal or social but without freedom a man cannot do
so. The person who snatches this freedom of a man is really an oppressor and a
prisoner of hatred. He has lack of humanity. But this is the same with a person who is
oppressed by other.

Question 4.
Describe the obligations which the author is talking about and also describe his feelings
for them?
Answer:
In the chapter the author has talked about two obligation for every man. The first
obligation is towards his family, parents, his wife and children. The second is towards
his community and his country. Being a social person one has to fulfil these obligations.
But being a black coloured person in South Africa, a man was not free to perform his
obligations and got punished if he tried to do that.
Being a child the author never thought of such obligations but after he did so, he fought
for the people and the country to be free and enjoy their freedom of performing their
duties personal and social.
Question 5.
Describe the value of freedom for the human beings and how it is important for the
growth of civilisation and humanism as described in the lesson ‘Nelson Mandela : Long
Walk to Freedom’. [CBSE2014]

Answer:
Everybody whether human or other creatures wants to live free as freedom is natural to
all living beings. The value of freedom is better known to that human being who has not
tasted it till he gets it. A person who is chained with the limits and not allowed to perform
his duties freely, values freedom more than anyone else. For instance the value of
freedom is known better to Mandela who remained behind the bars most of his life.
Think about a bird or animal which is caged as they have the habit of living with full
freedom but in the cage they are not free and their conditions are very pitiable. Similarly,
life becomes a hell if we are deprived of freedom. There is no growth of civilisation as it
grows only when one has freedom. Similarly, humanism grows in the atmosphere of
freedom.
Read the following extracts carefully and answer the questions that follow.
Question 1.
Some say the world will end in fire
Some say in ice.
From what I’ve tasted of desire
I hold with those who favour fire.
(a) What is the poet’s opinion of the world in these lines? [CBSE 2014]
(b) What is the poet’s opinion about the world?
(c) What is the contradictory opinion of public?
(d) How are ice and fire similar to each other though they have contradictory
traits? [CBSE 2011]
Answer:
(a) In the poet’s opinion the world will end in fire.
(b) Aaccording to the poet, the world will end in fire.
(c) The contradictory opinion of public is the debate whether the world will end in fire or
ice.
(d) Both ice and fire are similar in the in the sense that both of them would destroy
everything in the world.

Question 2.
But if it had to perish twice I think I know enough of hate To say that for destruction ice
Is also great And would suffice.
(a) What does ‘it’ refers to in the first line?
(b) What do you mean by ‘perish’?
(c) What does ice stand for?
(d) What would be the cause of destruction? [CBSE 2015]
Answer:
(a) ‘It’ refers to the world.
(b) Perish means to die or to be destroyed.
(c) Ice stands for coldness.
(d) Ice or fire would be the cause of destruction.

Short Answer Type Questions [2 Marks each]

Question 1.
For Frost, what do ‘fire’ and ‘ice’ stand for?
Answer:
The word ‘fire’ stands for desire. In the poem, it
indicates all types of greed and lust. In today’s world, mankind’s greed is endangering
the very existence of the planet Earth. The word ‘ice’ in the poem indicates hatred and
indifference which is as cold as ‘ice’.

Question 2.
How has Frost brought out the contrasting ideas in the poem?
Answer:
‘Desire’ propels us in hot pursuit of something, hence, it is compared with fire. ‘Hatred’
makes us cold towards other’s feelings. The coldness of ice can numb our senses.
Similarly, the coldness of our hearts can numb our kindness. That is why ‘hatred’ has
been compared with ice.

Question 3.
Write down the two different views about the end of the world? [CBSE 2012]
Answer:
There is a debate that is going on about the end of the world. People say that the world
will end in fire or in ice. World is transitory, nothing is perennial in this universe.

Question 4.
How does Robert Frost caution the common man?
Answer:
Man is selfish, avaricious, lustful, indifferent and
hateful. Robert Frost cautions the common man and says that he should not forget the
bitter reality that everything in this world is transitory and death is inevitable.

Question 5.
Why does the poet hold with those who favour fire?
Answer:
The poet takes side with those who believe that the
world will be destroyed by fire. Frost connects fire with desire. According to the poet,
desire is powerful and would be a quick end. Moreover, the fact that he has had
personal experience with desire leads him to first conclude that the world will end in fire.

Question 6.
Write the sum and substance of the poem ‘Fire and Ice’.
Answer:
The crystal clear message that the poet is trying to give is that nothing in this world is
eternal. Everything will perish either in fire or ice. We should, thus, not forget this
supreme reality and keep ourselves above all selfish matters.

Question 7.
Briefly write about the ideas about how the world will end. [CBSE2016]
Answer:
The world will end as a direct result of either fire or ice. Some scientists believed that
the world would be incinerated from its fiery core, while others were convinced that the
coming ice age would destroy all living things on the Earth’s surface.
Frost introduces a more emotional side, associating desire with fire and hatred with ice.
The poem, thus, does not allow for any other opinions in the black and white debate
between fire and ice.
Question 8.
To say that for destruction ice is also great for the poet, what does ‘ice’ stand for? How
is it sufficient to bring destruction? [ CBSE 2014]
Answer:
‘Ice’ symbolises hatred. Hate is just as powerful as desire. While desire consumes
quickly, hate can occur and linger in people’s minds and hearts for years and sometimes
even lifetimes. Hate consumers the hater perhaps even more than the person or group
hated and it can ruin lives. Hate can, thus, be very destructive and sufficient to bring
destruction.

Question 9.
‘But if it had to perish twice’. How will the world perish twice?
Answer:
According to the poet, the world will end due to the ‘fire’, which symbolises desire. But if
the world had to end twice then it will be due to the hatred symbolised by ‘ice’. The poet
feels that there is enough hatred in the world that is spreading among the people. This
hatred will end the world one day.

Question 10.
Which age old question does the poem revolves around? [CBSE 2013]
Answer:
The poem revolves around the age old question of whether the world will end in fire or
in ice. This is similar to another age old question, whether it would be preferable to
freeze to death or burn to death. The poet determines that either option would achieve
its purpose sufficiently well.

Long Answer (Value Based) Type Questions [8 Marks each]

Question 1.
Discuss how extreme behaviour can hasten the end of the world with respect to ‘Fire
and Ice’. [CBSE 2013]
Answer:
‘Fire’ symbolises desire and ‘Ice’ symbolises hatred. Desire is a kind of intense love or
want that focuses people on getting and possessing and acquiring. Our society is full of
people who spend their lives working to get a bigger and better TV, a more stylish car or
a more extravagant house. This kind of desire can lead people to destruction in the form
of bankruptcy or even broken relationships. Frost’s poem speaks on the issue of greed
corrupting people and even society. The power of hate, which is symbolised by ice is
just as great as desire. While desire consumes quickly hate produces shy yet restrained
devastation. For instance, Kate is the root cause of racism and war. It can linger in
people’s mind for lifetimes. Moreover, it consumes the hater even more than the person
hated. It thus, ruins lives.
Question 2.
The poem ‘Fire and Ice’, carries with it very deep thematic ideas. Elaborate on these
darkest traits of humanity.
Answer:
Frost presents the two of the darkest traits of humanity; the capacity to hate and the
capacity to be consumed by lust or desire. Of the two, he attributes the greater of the
two evils, is desire. In giving desire the foremost position with regard to the destruction
of the world, Frost is providing a powerful statement on the subject of greed and
jealousy, saying that above all trait of humanity that is most likely to lead to its demise.
Desire represents the greatest problem that attributes to the cause of the war. Frost
then attributes hatred with the same capacity to do harm. However, he lessens the
relative importance of hatred but still presents it as having the ability to lead to the
destruction of the world if it were to happen for a second time.

Question 3.
The poet presents two reasons which will lead to the destruction of the humanity. What
values do you garner from the two possible causes provided by him?
Answer:
The poet provides and deals with two possible causes for the end of the world. He
points more towards the emotional and sentimental side of the issue. As for him, fire
denotes deep passion and burning desire, while ice is highlighted for its icy cold and
hatred side of the emotions. He favours both the arguments and says that either the
deep burning passion or the cold hatred and jealousy factor will push the people to walk
on the path of destruction. The poet is sure of this destruction of humanity. He first talks
about the destruction because of fire and in case this fails, then ice will end the world.
The love that people have for one another will turn into hatred. In race of climbing up
and out do one another, people will tend to hate each other. These negative emotions
will become so strong that it will surpass all the love and lead to the destruction of
humanity.

Question 4.
How will the world end? Support your answer with scientific explanation. [CBSE 2014]
Answer:
According to the scientists, the two reasons for the destruction of the world will be either
fiery core or the ice age.
Some scientists believed that the world would be incinerated from its fiery core, while
others were convinced that a coming ice age would destroy all living things on the
Earth’s surface. In other words, either the deep heat or fire under the Earth beds will
lead to natural calamities like volcano eruptions, earthquakes and tsunamis which will
one day end the world or the melting of ice from the snowy mountains due to global
warming will shrink the world. As a result, one day the entire world will die of the icy
water. Frost, thus, tries to warn people against the two greatest problems facing
humanity and the consequences of human vices with an increased effectiveness.
Read the following extracts carefully and answer the questions that follow.
Question 1.
If ever you should go by chance To jungles in the east;
And if there should to you advance A large and tawny beast,
If he roars at you as you’re dyin’
You’ll know it is the Asian Lion ….
(a) State features of an Asian Lion.
(b) What happens when the lion roars?
(c) What do you mean by ‘tawny’ ?
(d) What is the physical appearance of the lion is the stanza?
Answer:
(a) An Asian Lion is large and brownish-yellow in colour.
(b) When the lion roars, it is very scary and it feels like we are going to die.
(c) ‘Tawny’ means brownish-yellow in colour.
(d) The lion in the stanza is large and tawny.

Question 2.
Or if some time when roaming round, A noble wild beast greets you,
With black stripes on a yellow ground, Just notice if he eats you.
This simple rule may help you learn The Bengal Tiger to discern.
(a) How can you recognise a Tiger?
(b) Why does the poet call him a noble animal? [CBSE 2015]
(c) How is Bengal Tiger different from the other animals?
(d) What does the word ‘ground’ means here?
Answer:
(a) A tiger can be recognised with the black stripes on his yellow hide.
(b) The poet calls a him a noble animal as he is very impressive in size and does not
roar loudly.
(c) Bengal Tiger is different from the other animals as he is quiet and roams silendy.
(d) It means the hide or the background that is the skin of the Tiger.

Question 3.
If strolling forth, a beast you view,
Whose hide with spots in peppered,
As soon as he has lept on you,
You’ll know it is the Leopard.
Twill do no good to roar with pain,
He’ll only lep and lep again.
(a) While walking, how does a leopard’s hide appear to be?
(b) When does one come to know that it is a leopard?
(c) Give a synonym of ‘strolling’.
(d) Why it won’t do any good to roar with pain?
Answer:
(a) A leopard’s hide appears to be peppered while walking.
(b) According to the poet, one comes to know that it is a leopard when it leaps or jumps
on him.
(c) Walking
(d) A leopard’s grip is the toughest one, so one can’t do anything under the grip of that
beast.

Question 4.
If when you’re walking round your yard You meet a creature there,
Who hugs you very, very hard,
Be sure it is a Bear,
If you have any doubts, I guess He’ll give you just one more caress.
(a) Who is going to hug and why?
(b) This hug is also called?
(c) What is the antonym of ‘Caress’?
(d) Where can a bear be found?
Answer:
(a) The bear is going to hug you hard to embrace you.
(b) A Bearhug
(c) The antonym of‘caress’ is ‘boo’.
(d) A bear can be found in the yard where it may get nectar from the beehives.

Question 5.
Though to distinguish beasts of prey A novice might nonplus,
The crocodile you always may
Tell from the Hyena thus:
Hyenas come with merry smiles;
But if they weep they’re Crocodiles.
(a) Between which animals would it be difficult to differentiate? [ CBSE2011]
(b) How does a Hyena differ from a Crocodile?
(c) Quote a saying famous for Crocodile.
(d) Where does a novice may get confused?
Answer:
(a) It would be difficult to differentiate between a Crocodile and a Hyena.
(b) A Hyena laughs as it swallows its victim, while a Crocodile weeps as it swallows its
prey.
(c) “Crocodile tears” is a famous saying for Crocodile.
(d) A novice may get confused in differentiating between a hyena and a crocodile.

Question 6.
The true Chameleon is small,
A lizard sort of things;
He hasn’t any ears at all,
And not a single wing.
If there is nothing on the tree,
‘Tis the Chameleon you see.
(a) What does a Chameleon look like? [CBSE 2012]
(b) Describe any two characteristics of a Chameleon.
(c) Give an antonym of ‘small’.
(d) Where can a chameleon be found?
Answer:
(a) A Chameleon looks like a lizard.
(b) A Chameleon does not have ears and wings.
(c) Big
(d) A chameleon can be found on the tree.

Short Answer Type Questions [2 Marks each]

Question 1.
How can you identify the Asian lion and the Bengal Tiger? [CBSE 2015]
Answer:
The Asian Lion has a large body and a brownish-yellow
coat. It roars loudly when it attacks it’s prey. On the other hand, the Bengal Tiger has
black stripes on its yellow coat. It silendy attacks it’s prey.

Question 2.
Write the sum and substance of the poem, “How to Tell Wild Animals”.
Answer:
The poet, Carolyn Wells, in the poem suggests some of the dangerous ways to identify
the wild animals. The poem is full of humorous examples when the poet tries to
distinguish one animal from the other. Moreover, the poem educates us by describing
the various features of wild animals.

Question 3.
How can you distinguish between a tiger and a leopard? [CBSE 2011]
Answer:
A tiger has black stripes on its yellow coat. A leopard on the other hand, does not have
any stripes. It has spots peppered on its body. Moreover, a tiger kills only when it is
hungry, while a leopard can kill for the pleasure of killing by pouncing continuously on its
prey.

Question 4.
How can you distinguish between a hyena and a crocodile?
Answer:
A hyena laughs as it swallows its victim, whereas a crocodile weeps as it swallows its
victim.

Question 5.
What are the distinctive features of the Asian lion as given in the poem?
Answer:
The Asian Lion is large in stature. It is brownish-yellow in colour. It roars very loudly. The
sound of its roar is so terrible to hear that it can make one almost die due to fear. The
Asian Lion is found in the forests of East Asian countries.

Question 6.
What does the Bengal Tiger look like? What is so distinct about him?
Answer:
The Bengal Tiger roams freely in the forest. It is noble and majestic in stature. It wears
black stripes on a yellow hide. When it notices someone it tries to eat him. The Bengal
tiger attacks its prey very silently and grasps it with his terrifying teeth.

Question 7.
How does a leopard behave when he sees someone? [CBSE 2016]
Answer:
As leopard has black spots all over its body. As soon as it sees someone, it leaps over
him at once. It keeps on pouncing continuously on its victim, attacks him and starts
eating him.

Question 8.
How does the poet describe the bear?
Answer:
The poet describes the bear in a humourous way. He says that as soon as a bear sees
a human being, it hugs him tightly. It clasps its prey tightly with both its hands and
squeezes him to death. If he is still alive, he gives him another tight hug to kill him.

Question 9.
What is so weird about the Hyena and the crocodile? [CBSE 2014]
Answer:
Some animals such as the hyena and the crocodile are famous for their weird
behaviour. For example, a laughing hyena’s voice resembles human’s laughing sound.
Moreover, a hyena laughs while swallowing it’s prey, while a crocodile shed tears.

Question 10.
Describe a few characteristics of a chameleon.
Answer:
A chameleon is a garden lizard and is an expert at camouflage. It changes its colour as
per its surroundings. This ability of camouflage helps it in saving it from the hunters. A
chameleon does not have – any ears or wings.

Long Answer (Value Based) Type Question [8 Marks each]

Question 1.
‘Humour is the best medicine for every ailment in life’. Comment. [CBSE 2013]
Answer:
Humour is infectious. When humour is shared, it binds people together and increases
happiness. Humour strengthens our immune system, boosts our energy, diminishes
pain and protects us from the damaging effects of stress. It is the priceless medicine for
every ailment in life. The poet, in the poem ‘How to tell Wild Animals’ creates humour by
describing various beasts of prey. The way the poet explains the things is very funny yet
interesting. The poet has depicted the wildlife very vividly and in a lively manner. While
reading the poem, the readers enjoy the poet’s work and it leaves them refreshed and
happy
Read the following extracts carefully and answer the questions that follow.
Question 1.
What is the boy now, who has lost his ball, What, what is he to do? I saw it go Merrily
bouncing, down the street, and then Merrily over – there it is in the water! No use to say
– ‘O there are other balls’: [CBSE 2012]
(a) What has happened to the boy?
(b) Why does the poet say ‘No use to say – ‘O there are other balls’?
(c) Which word means ‘happily’?
(d) Where did the ball go?
Answer:
(a) The boy was very sad as he had lost his ball.
(b) The poet says so as the loss of the ball is of a major consequence to the boy.
(c) Merrily means happily.
(d) The ball went to the water.

Question 2.
An ultimate shaking grief fixes the boy As he stands rigid, trembling, staring down All his
young days into the harbour where His ball went. I would not intrude on him, A dlime,
another ball, is worthless.
(a) Where had the boy’s ball gone?
(b) How has the loss affected the boy?
(c) Why was ‘he’ trembling, staring down?
(d) What does the poet mean by ‘first responsibility’?
Answer:
(a) The boy’s ball went into the dark waters of the harbour.
(b) The boy is very much troubled at the loss of his ball. He stands still, trembling and
staring at his ball.
(c) He was trembling, staring down as he had lost his ball.
(d) By ‘First responsibility’, he, means to look after his things properly.

Question 3.
……………Now
He senses first responsibility
In a world of possessions. People will take
Balls, balls will be lost always, little boy.
And no one buys a ball back. Money is external. [CBSE 2014]
(a) What does the boy understand?
(b) What does the word ‘balls’ signify?
(c) What is meant by the word ‘possessions’?
(d) What does “In a world of possessions mean?”
Answer:
(a) The boy learns to grow up and understands his first responsibility.
(b) ‘Balls’ signify the boys’ innocence and happy young days.
(c) ‘Possessions’ means something that is owned or possessed.
(d) It means that everybody loves to possess things or materials in their names.
Question 4.
He is learning, well behind his desperate eyes,
The epistemology of loss, how to stand up
Knowing what every man must one day know
And most know many days, how to stand up.
(a) What is the boy learning?
(b) Why are boy’s eyes desperate?
(c) What do you mean by ‘epistemology of loss’?
(d) What every man needs to know one day?
Answer:
(a) The boy is learning to cope up with the loss.
(b) Boy’s eyes looks desperate as he is sad to see his ball gone forever.
(c) ‘Epistemology of loss’ means to understand the nature of loss.
(d) Every man needs to know one day that loss may occur to him and he would have to
bear it up.

Short Answer Type Questions [2 Marks each]

Question 1.
What does John Berryman want to convey through this poem? [CBSE 2011]
Answer:
Poet, John Berryman wants to convey the importance of loss and responsibility in life.
We all should learn our responsibility and how to cope up with the loss.

Question 2.
How does the boy feel at the loss of his ball?
Answer:
The boy is very much troubled at the loss of his ball. He experiences grief at the loss of
his much loved possession. Like a statue, he keeps staring at the ball with his
desperate eyes.

Question 3.
Write the sum and substance of the poem “The Ball Poem”. [CBSE 2016]
Answer:
In “The Ball Poem”, Berryman tells us about how our childhood can quickly fly by, as
quickly as a ball is lost and how we sometimes unsuspectingly must grow up and face
hardships, like loss.

Question 4.
“Money is external”. What does the poet mean by this expression? [CBSE 2014]
Answer:
The poet makes the boy understand about his responsibility as the loss is immaterial.
Money is external as it cannot buy memories, nor can it replace the things that we love,
the things that really matter.
Question 5.
Why does the poet think that it is useless to give the following suggestion to the boy?
‘No use to say- ‘O there are other balls’:
Answer:
According to the poet, it is useless to console the boy by saying that he can get another
ball in place of the lost one. The boy had a long association with the ball. It was, thus,
useless to give him such a suggestion because he wanted to get back the ball that he
had lost.

Question 6.
Why did the poet not offer the boy money to buy another ball? [CBSE 2015]
Answer:
The poet watched the boy who had plunged in grief at the loss of his ball. He did not
offer the boy money • to buy another ball. He felt that another ball could not console the
boy. It seemed that the boy had the ball for a long time. The poet also wanted the boy to
realise the epistemology of loss.

Question 7.
Why did the boy feel so sad at the loss of his ball?
Answer:
When the boy lost the ball, he plunged in grief. He stood staring down the harbour
where his ball was lost. The boy was affected profoundly by the loss of his ball because
it had been with him for a long time. It was linked to the memories of the days when he
played with it.

Long Answer (Value Based) Type Question [8 Marks each]

Question 1.
Why is it important for everyone to experience loss and to stand up after
it? [CBSE2014]
Answer:
It is important for everyone to experience loss and to stand up after it in order to be
strong and to get on with life. One
needs to stay strong no matter how much it hurts inside. Staying strong is the only way
to survive. Moreover, one needs to learn to accept and let go and not cling to something
that they can never have. One should understand that the past is gone and it will never
come back. Experiencing loss sometimes helps us to grow up and face hardships, like
loss. This helps us in breaking all the boundaries into freedom