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What are some of the things we come to know about otters from this text?	<answer> Otters belong to a comparatively small group of animals called Mustellines. Mustellines, shared by badger, mongoose, weasel, stoat, mink and others. They are found in large numbers in marshes. Arabs keep them as pets and tame them. Otters love to spread water and splash in it. Maxwell's otter was of a race pre...
What does The God That Failed refer to?	<answer> The God That Failed refers to a book that was a compilation of six essays by six eminent men. It was a low priced student edition released to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Russian Revolution. It dealt with the author’s disillusionment with communism. <context> Pancake was the brand name of the make-...
Why did Aurangzeb ban the playing of the pungi?	<answer> Aurangzeb banned the playing of the pungi because it had a shrill and unpleasant sound. <context> RUSH hour crowds jostle for position on the underground train platform. A slight girl, looking younger than her seventeen years, was nervous yet excited as she felt the vibrations of the approaching train. It was...
Why do you think Wanda’s family moved to a different city? Do you think life there was going to be different for their family?	<answer> Wanda's family moved to a different city due to the racist and insulting behaviour of students towards Wanda and her brother. They were teased by other students for their funny name and blue dress. Life there in a different city was going to be different because people there did not have such a narrow mind and...
“I looked into the mirror and smiled,” says the doctor. A little later he says, “I forgot my danger and smiled feebly at myself.” What is the doctor’s opinion about himself?	<answer> The doctor thought that he had a good smile when he first smiled. But when he smiled a little later, he laughed at his destiny. His life was in danger. His thoughts got changed because of the snake. He was quite near to death. <context> 1. “HAS a snake ever coiled itself round any part of your body? A full-blo...
Discuss about Laws are never respected nor enforced in India.	<answer> Article 48A of the Constitution of India makes available that "the State shall endeavour to protect and improve the environment and to safeguard the forests and wildlife of the country". But the cause of unending distress is the fact that laws are never respected nor imposed in India. For example, the Consti...
How did the rain change? What happened to Lencho’s fields?	<answer> The rain changed into hailstones as a strong wind began to blow and huge hailstones began to fall alongwith the rain. All the crops in Lencho's field got destroyed because of the weather conditions. <context> THE house — the only one in the entire valley — sat on the crest of a low hill. From this height one c...
How does Mandela describe the systems of government in his country in the first decade, and in the final decade, of the twentieth century?	<answer> 1) In the first decade of the century, the whites erected a system of racial domination against the blacks, thus creating the basis of one of the harshest and most inhumane societies the world had ever known. 2) In the final decade of the 20th century, the previous system had been overturned and replaced by on...
What did the postmaster do then?	<answer> The postmaster laughed when he read Lencho's letter but soon he became serious and was moved by the writer's faith in God. He didn't want to shake Lencho's faith. So, he decided to collect, money and send it to Lencho on behalf of God. <context> THE house — the only one in the entire valley — sat on the crest ...
Why was the young seagull afraid to fly? Do you think all young birds are afraid to make their first flight, or are some birds more timid than others? Do you think a human baby also finds it a challenge to take its first steps?	<answer> The young seagull was aftraid to fly because it was his first flight and he feared of falling and hurting himself. He thought that his wings would not support him while flying. Yes, it is natural that doing something for the first time is a bit challenging and fearful. All birds must be afraid to make their f...
Why were two national anthems sung?	<answer> One the auspicious occasion of the inaguration two national anthems: one by the Whites and the other by the Blacks symbolising the equality of the Blacks and the Whites were sung. <context> Nelson Mandela has become South Africa’s first Black President after more than three centuries of White rule. Mr Mandela’...
The people in this story suddenly realise how precious their language is to them. What shows you this? Why does this happen?	<answer> M. Hamel told the students and villagers that henceforth only German would be taught in the schools of Alsace and Lorraine. Those who called themselves Frenchmen would neither be able to speak nor write it. He praised French as the most beautiful, the clearest and most logical language in the world. He said th...
What does Jerome say was Montmorency’s ambition in life? What do you think of Montmorency and why?	<answer> Montmorency's ambition in life is to interfere with others and be absued. He wants to be a perfect nuisance and make people mad. If things are thrown at his head, he feels his day has not been wasted. To get somebody to stumble over him, and curse him steadily for an hour is his highest aim and object. He came...
How did Holmes’ digressions sometimes prove in the end to have a bearing on the matter on hand?	<answer> It is a queer thing about many detectives that they often deviate from the original question. It may seem surprising to anyone. Same was the case with Sherlock Holmes, when on a case visit, he seemed to digress from the objective. For example, he would ask a person to be interrogated about his plans, however h...
Comment on the attitude shown by Taplow towards Crocker-Harris.	<answer> Taplow has very more bitter feelings about his teacher Crocker-Harris. He is a student in the lower fifth grade and feels that he would specialise next term if he got his remove, of which he is uncertain as Mr Crocker-Harris doesn't tell the students the results like the other teachers. As a rule, the class re...
What is the central argument of the speaker?	<answer> In this essay, the author figures out the reasons for the variations in the patterns of creativity between the practitioners in science and art. He created an assortment of remarks which contained the answer. He gives examples depicting how the scientists and poets noticed each other explain the contrast in th...
Why is Rajkumar Shukla described as being ‘resolute’?	<answer> He had come all the way from Champaran district in the foothills of Himalayas to Lucknow to speak to Gandhi. Shukla accompanied Gandhi everywhere. Shukla followed him to the ashram near Ahmedabad. For weeks he never left Gandhi’s side till Gandhi asked him to meet at Calcutta. <context> When I first visited Ga...
What does the writer mean by ‘the fiery misery’ of those subjected to make-up?	<answer> The heat produced by the lights in the make-up room brought about a lot of discomfort to the actors in the make-up-room. Hence the writer refers to this pain and trouble as 'fiery misery'. <context> Pancake was the brand name of the make-up material that Gemini Studios bought in truck-loads. Greta Garbo1 must ...
Did the peddler expect the kind of hospitality that he received from the crofter?	<answer> The crofter served him porridge for supper and tobacco for his pipe. He also played a game of cards with him till bed time. This hospitality was unexpected as people usually made sour faces when the peddler asked for shelter. <context> Once upon a time there was a man who went around selling small rattraps of ...
What made the woman in the control centre look at the narrator strangely?	<answer> The woman in the Control Centre looked at the narrator strangely because the narrator asked him about the black aeroplane and she saw no one except the narrator's in the sky during the storm. Even the radar showed only the narrator's plane that night in the sky. <context> THE young seagull was alone on his led...
Does Mandela think the oppressor is free? Why/Why not?	<answer> Mandela does not think that the oppressor is free because according to him an oppressor is a victim of hatred who is behind the bars of prejudice and narrow-mindedness. He realises that both the oppressor and the oppressed are robbed of their humanity and peace. <context> Nelson Mandela has become South Afric...
Is Miss Mason angry with the class, or is she unhappy and upset?	<answer> Miss Mason seems to be unhappy and upset rather than angry because she had never expected such a behaviour from the students. She wants everyone to think about it and asks them not to do look down anyone in the class. <context> WHILE the class was circling the room, the monitor from the principal’s office brou...
Locate the lines in the text that support the title ‘The Ailing Planet’.	<answer> a) " The earth's vital signs reveal a patient in declining health." b) A new awareness has now dawned upon the most dangerous animal (man) in the world. c) " Are we to leave our successors a scorched planet of advancing deserts, impoverished landscapes and ailing environment?" d) "..In large areas of the world...
What do you understand of the natures of Ramanand and Azam Khan from the episode described?	<answer> Ramanand, the grocer and the money lender, is quiet cunning and possess a servile nature that is fit for his business of selling groceries and money lending. He never gets angry but prevails on his customers like Azam Khan with cleverness and by provoking the so called pride. It is also evident that Ramanand r...
Why does the postmaster send money to Lencho? Why does he sign the letter ‘God’?	<answer> The postmaster sends money to Lencho in order to keep Lencho's faith in God alive and firm as he was completely moved by it. When postmaster reads the letter of Lencho to God, he becomes serious and does not want to shake his faith and decides to anser the letter. He gathers money with the help of his post off...
Maddie thought her silence was as bad as Peggy’s teasing. Was she right?	<answer> Yes, Maddie thought that her silence was as bad as Peggy's teasing because it is often said that turning a blind eye to a crime is worse than committing a crime. So by being silent she indirectly encouraged Peggy to do so. <context> WHILE the class was circling the room, the monitor from the principal’s office...
Name five kinds of flutes.	<answer> The reed neh, the recorder, the Japanese shakuhachi, the deep bansuri, the breathy flutes of South America, the high pitched Chinese flutes. <context> 1. I GET a cheap room in the centre of town and sleep for hours. The next morning, with Mr Shah’s son and nephew, I visit the two temples in Kathmandu that are ...
“When a people are enslaved, as long as they hold fast to their language it is as if they had the key to their prison.” Can you think of examples in history where a conquered people had their language taken away from them or had a language imposed on them?	<answer> Mother tongue helps a person to express his feelings and thoughts most lucidly and intimately. Conquerors try to subdue and control the people of the enslaved territory by enforcing many measures such as use of force to crush dissent and imposing their own language on them. From time immemorial the victorious ...
What was a source of unending joy for Valli? What was her strongest desire?	<answer> The sight of the bus that travelled between her village and the nearest town, filled each time with a new set of passengers, was a source of unending joy for Valli. Her strongest desire was to ride the bus. <context> THERE was a girl named Valliammai who was called Valli for short. She was eight years old and ...
Do you think his wife Mala adjusted comfortably to the new way of life?	<answer> No, Mala, the narrator's wife was not able to adjust completely in the new atmosphere. She was not at all comfortable moving to an altogether new place where everything was completely different. <context> I left India in 1964 with a certificate in commerce and the equivalent, in those days, of ten dollars to m...
What guesses did the Londoners make about what Mij was?	<answer> As otters are not found in England so Londoners made the wildest possible guesses about Mij. Their guesses ranged from a baby seal, a squirrel, a hippo to a brontosaurus. <context> EARLY in the New Year of 1956 I travelled to Southern Iraq. By then it had crossed my mind that I should like to keep an otter ins...
What could be some of the reasons for the migration of people from villages to cities?	<answer> People migrate from villages to cities in search of livelihood. Their fields fail to provide them means of survival. Cities provide employment, jobs or other means of getting food. The problem in case of the poor is to feed the hungry members. Survival is of primary concern. <context> ‘Sometimes I find a Rupee...
How does the story reflect his sense of humour?	<answer> The author is humorist. Humour is a device which is employed to evoke laughter. The author has very deftly employed this device in the story. The Luncheon from the beginning to the end. In the beginning of the story, the author brings out a humorous situation when he was tactfully suggested by a lady to offer ...
What is your stance regarding the two endings to the Roger Skunk story?	<answer> Of the two endings to the Roger Skunk story, I approve of the mature and realistic one narrated by Jack that the mother skunk hit the wizard on the head and forced him to restore the original smell to the skunk. Every species of animals has its special features. She wanted Roger Skunk to smell the ’ way a litt...
Mention the hazards of working in the glass bangels factory.	<answer> Boys and girls with their fathers and mothers sit in dark hutments, next to lines of flames of flickering oil lamps. They weld pieces of coloured glass into circles of bangles. Their eyes are more adjusted to the dark than to the light outside. They often end up losing eyesight before they become adults. Even ...
What was Dr Sadao’s first reaction? What was the dilemma?	<answer> Dr Sadao and his wife, Hana, thought of putting the injured soldier back in the sea; they were scared of being marked as someone who was sheltering an enemy. But they also realized that if they turned him over as a prisoner, he would certainly die. They stared at the stranger with repulsion, but eventually dec...
Did Sophie really meet Danny Casey?	<answer> No, Sophie had not really met Danny Casey. Her father, who knew her well, realized that her story was a figment of her wild imagination. Sophie was in the habit of living in a world of fantasy that had no bearing with reality. <context> “When I leave,” Sophie said, coming home from school, “I’m going to have a...
What was Kezia’s father’s routine on Sundays?	<answer> On Sundays, he would take rest. He would enjoy sound sleep on the sofa. <context> 1. TO the little girl he was a figure to be feared and avoided. Every morning before going to work he came into her room and gave her a casual kiss, to which she responded with “Goodbye, Father”. And oh, there was a glad sense of...
When and how did Bismillah Khan get his big break?	<answer> Bismillah Khan got his big break with the opening of the All India Radio in Lucknow in 1938. <context> RUSH hour crowds jostle for position on the underground train platform. A slight girl, looking younger than her seventeen years, was nervous yet excited as she felt the vibrations of the approaching train. It...
There are moments in life when we have to make hard choices between our roles as private individuals and as citizens with a sense of national loyalty. Discuss with reference to the story you have just read.	<answer> A conflict of interest arises in a situation when someone in a position of trust, such as a doctor, has competing interests. Such competing interests can make it difficult to fulfill his or her duties impartially. A conflict of interest can create a situation of conflict, like in the story when a white America...
The writer says, “All this I wash down with Coca Cola.” What does ‘all this’ refer to?	<answer> Com-on-the-cob and marzipan. <context> 1. I GET a cheap room in the centre of town and sleep for hours. The next morning, with Mr Shah’s son and nephew, I visit the two temples in Kathmandu that are most sacred to Hindus and Buddhists. 2. At Pashupatinath (outside which a sign proclaims ‘Entrance for the Hindu...
The way in which the sparrows expressed their sorrow when the author’s grandmother died.	<answer> Thousands of sparrows sat silently surrounding the dead body of the author's grandmother. There was no chirruping. The author's mother threw some crumbs of bread to them. They took no notice to them. As soon as the grandmother's corpse was carried off, they flew away quietly. Thus the sparrows expressed their ...
Was Lencho surprised to find a letter for him with money in it?	<answer> Lencho was not surprised to find a letter with money from God as he believed that God will help him. <context> 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 ...
Give instances of the author’s ability to laugh at himself.	<answer> The story contains many events to depict the ability of the author to laugh at himself. At the beginning, the author says that the lady suggested visiting a costly restaurant like Foyot. The author says that as he was younger than the lady, he was not able to say no to her invitation. At the restaurant, when s...
How would you describe the character and temperament of Sophie’s father?	<answer> Sophie’s father was a hardworking man. He is described as a plump and a heavy-breathing man in a vest. His face was grubby and sweaty after the day’s hard work. When Geoff told him about Sophie’s meeting with Danny, he said nothing but looked at her disparagingly, knowing it to be untrue. When Sophie claimed t...
Why should child labour be eliminated and how?	<answer> Child labour should be eliminated because the children employed at tender age as i domestic servants, dish-washers at road-side dhabas and in hazardous industries making glass bangles, biris, crackers etc. lose the charm of the spring of their life. Their childhood is stolen. Burdened by the responsibility of ...
In what way did the Buddha change her understanding?	<answer> Gautama Budda helped her to understand all this, as he told her to bring a handful of mustard seeds from a house where death had never knocked at the door. This way she got aware that death is common to all human beings. <context> GAUTAMA Buddha (563 B.C.– 483 B.C.) began life as a prince named Siddhartha Gaut...
The peddler comes out as a person with a subtle sense of humour.	<answer> The peddler has a subtle sense of humour, which is revealed during his interactions with the ironmaster and his daughter after the truth about him becomes known. He is neither afraid of being turned out in cold in rags nor of being sent to prison. He makes the ironmaster laugh with his metaphor of the rattrap....
Explain the statement, “King Tut is one of the first mummies to be scanned — in death, as in life...”.	<answer> King Tut's mummy was the first one to be X-rayed by an anatomy Professor in 1968. On 5 January 2005 CT scan created virtual reality and produced life-like images. King Tut is one of the first mummies to be scanned. Thus in death as well as in life Tut moved regally ahead of his countrymen. <context> He was jus...
Why did the author finally give up on his watch?	<answer> The author had his watch repaired about seven times. He finally realised that though the cost of the watch was two hundred dollars, he had spent about two to three thousand on repairs. Despite that, the watch still did not function properly. He then went to the seventh watchmaker who was considered to be a ste...
What were the voices that Paul heard? Did they lead him to success in the real sense?	<answer> Although the house Paul and his family lived in was a pleasant one, the money they had was not enough to maintain the social position they had to keep up. The mothe realised that father had no luck to make enough money so she decided to do something on her own. It was then that the house started whispering fro...
How did Douglas make sure that he conquered the old terror?	<answer> Douglas still felt terror-stricken when he was alone in the pool. The remnants of the old terror would return, but he would rebuke it and go for another length of the pool. He was still not satisfied. So, he went to Lake Wentworth in New Hampshire, dived off a dock at Triggs Island and swam two miles across th...
There are many instances of gentle humour in the story. Point out some of these and state how this contributes to the interest of the narration	<answer> Few instances of gentle humour which contributed to the interest of the narration were: 1) When Mrs Croft said with disbelief and delight after meeting Mala: She is a perfect lady. The gentle laugh the couple shared at this moment was very important although quite subtle. 2) The old lady asking it repeatedly e...
Why do you think the servants thought Gandhi to be another peasant?	<answer> Shukla led Gandhi to Rajendra Prasad’s house. The servants knew Shukla as a poor yeoman. Gandhi was also clad in a simple dhoti. He was the companion of a peasant. Hence, the servants thought Gandhi to be another peasant. <context> When I first visited Gandhi in 1942 at his ashram in Sevagram, in central India...
List the steps taken by the captain to check the flooding of the water in the ship.	<answer> Larry and Herb started pumping out water. The captain stretched canvas and secured water proff hatch covers across the gaping holes. When the two hand pumps blocked and electric pump short circuited, he found another electric pump, connected it to an out pipe and started it. <context> IN July 1976, my wife Mar...
Why did Sophie like her brother Geoff more than any other person? From her perspective, what did he symbolise?	<answer> Sophie liked her brother Geoff more than anyone else in the family. She confided in him and also idolised him. He was older, an apprentice mechanic, who travelled for his work to the other end of the city. She supposed that there were many more mysterious elements about him, than she knew of. He spoke little a...
What do you understand about the author’s literary inclinations from the account?	<answer> The author, Asokamitran, was entrusted with the job of maintaining the newspaper clippings of movies and other articles. Though to others, who just saw him tearing papers, he appeared to be doing nothing, the job kept the author well informed. Also, there prevailed an intellectual environment to some extent be...
Describe the shifts in the narration of the events as indicated in the three sections of the text. Give a subtitle to each section.	<answer> The first section describes a peaceful journey from Plymouth (England) to 3500 km east of Cape Town (Africa). The narrator is relaxed and full of confidence. As the weather deteriorated, they faced gigantic waves. They took precautions to save themselves and struggle with the disaster. The narration becomes gr...
What should we do to make friends with the wind?	<answer> We should build strong homes and join the doors firmly. We should firm the body and make the heart strong. By doing so we shall make friends with the wind. <context> RUSH hour crowds jostle for position on the underground train platform. A slight girl, looking younger than her seventeen years, was nervous yet ...
What will now happen to the astrologer? Do you think the prophecy was indisputably disproved?	<answer> In order to save his skin, the dewan got an old tiger brought from the People’s Park in Madras. It was kept hidden in his house. One midnight with the help of his aged wife, he dragged the tiger to the car and shoved it into the seat. He himself drove the car straight to the forest where the Maharaja was hunti...
What subjects did Margie and Tommy learn?	<answer> Margie learnt Geography and Mathematics. Tommy learnt History and Mathematics. <context> MARGIE even wrote about it that night in her diary. On the page headed 17 May 2157, she wrote, “Today Tommy found a real book!” It was a very old book. Margie’s grandfather once said that when he was a little boy his grand...
What did Margie write in her diary?	<answer> Margie wrote in her diary. “Today, 17 May, 2157, Tommy found a real book.” <context> MARGIE even wrote about it that night in her diary. On the page headed 17 May 2157, she wrote, “Today Tommy found a real book!” It was a very old book. Margie’s grandfather once said that when he was a little boy his grandfath...
There are two kinds of conflict in the story: between humans and nature,and between humans themselves. How are these conflicts illustrated?	<answer> Conflict between Humans and Nature: The conflict between humans and nature is illustrated by the destruction of Lencho's crop by the hailstorm as Lencho was expecting a good rain to have good harvest as that was the only hope he had for his earning. He worked so hard to feed his family, but the nature turned v...
When did the ironmaster realise his mistake?	<answer> Next morning, the stranger was cleaned and well-dressed. The valet had bathed him, cut his hair and shaved him. He was led to the dining room for breakfast. The ironmaster saw him in broad daylight. It was impossible to mistake him for an old acquaintance now. Then the ironmaster realised his mistake and threa...
What explanations does the author offer for the childern not wearing footwear?	<answer> One explanation offered by the author is that it is a tradition to stay barefoot. It is not lack of money. He wonders if this is only an excuse to explain away a perpetual state of poverty. He also remembers the story of a poor body who prayed to the goddess for a pair of shoes. <context> ‘Sometimes I find a R...
How do you usually understand the idea of ‘selfishness’?	<answer> A selfish person is one who only thinks about himself or herself, and to some extend Kisa Gotami was being selfish because we are humans and it is natural for us to die. <context> GAUTAMA Buddha (563 B.C.– 483 B.C.) began life as a prince named Siddhartha Gautama, in northern India. At twelve, he was sent away...
Name one example to show that Gemini Studios was influenced by the plays staged by MRA?	<answer> MRA staged two plays ‘Jotham Valley’ and ‘The Forgotten Factor’. Their high quality costumes and well made sets earned a lot of admiration. Their sunrise and sunset scene impressed them so much that all Tamil plays started reproducing the scene with a bare stage, a white background curtain and a tune playing o...
What was Jerome’s real intention when he offered to pack?	<answer> Jerome's real intention was to boss the job. He wanted that Harris and George should work under his guidance and instructions. But they accepted the proposal and sat idle on the chairs comfortably. <context> 1. I SAID I’d pack. I rather pride myself on my packing. Packing is one of those many things that I fee...
What does Mandela mean when he says he is “simply the sum of all those African patriots” who had gone before him?	<answer> By saying that he is simply the sum of all those African patriots, Mandela wants to pay his tribute to all the people who have sacrificed their lives for the sake of freedom. He says that he is grateful to those who had gone before him because those heroes of past had paved the path of co-operation and unity f...
‘The author’s treatment of the subject matter makes the readers identify themselves with the experience.’ Comment on this statement.	<answer> The author, Samuel L. Clemens, from Mark Twain, has less than ten years of schooling. He worked as a printer’s apprentice, a steamboat pilot, a prospector and a journalist. All this gave him varied experiences and a wide knowledge of humanity. His stories are realistic which makes the world sound believable. T...
List the places that Gandhi visited between his first meeting with Shukla and his arrival at Champaran.	<answer> Gandhi’s first meeting with Shukla was at Lucknow. Then he went to Cawnpore and other parts of India. He returned to his ashram near Ahmedabad. Later he went to Calcutta, Patna and Muzaffarpur before arriving at Champaran. <context> When I first visited Gandhi in 1942 at his ashram in Sevagram, in central Ind...
What were Dr Sadao Hoki’s memories about his house?	<answer> Dr Sadao Hoki had very pleasant memories about his house that was built on a spot in the Japanese coast. As a little boy he had often played on the beach. The low, square stone house was set upon rocks well above a narrow beach that was outlined with bent pines. As a boy Sadao had climbed the pines, supporting...
How was Mij to be transported to England?	<answer> Mijbil was packed in a box as the airlines had directed the author. As British airlines did not allow pets on board the author had to book a ticket on a different airline from Iraq to Paris and then Paris to London. <context> EARLY in the New Year of 1956 I travelled to Southern Iraq. By then it had crossed my...
Behind the public face of the people in various occupations is a whole saga of personal suffering and joy which they wish to share with others.	<answer> Like Iona, every human has a portion of his/her heart unexplored. They guard it stealing it from everyone and yet they long for it to be uncovered; sharing it all with a companion, a friend, a mate. A human, like a diamond has many facets. The face people wear in public is just one of those facets. There is a ...
Discuss about “We have not inherited this earth from our forefathers; we have borrowed it from our children”.	<answer> For the first time in human history we see an excessive worry about the survival not just of the people but also of the planet. We have begun to take a holistic view of the very passport for the future. The emerging new world vision has unshered in the Era of Responsibility. It is a holistic view, an ecologica...
Where did Bismillah Khan play the shehnai on 15 August 1947? Why was the event historic?	<answer> Bismillah Khan played the shehnai on 15 August 1947 at the Red Fort. He was the first Indian to greet the nation with his musical instrument. This event was historic because we got independence on that day. He poured his heart out in the presence of a large number of people including Pt.Jawahar Lai Nehru. <con...
What did Lencho hope for?	<answer> Lencho hoped for a good rain as it was much needed for a good harvest. <context> 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 ea...
Is saheb happy working at the tea-stall? Explain	<answer> No, Saheb is not happy working at the tea-stall. He is no longer his own master. His face has lost the carefree look. The steel canister seems heavier than the plastic bag he would carry so lightly over his shoulder. The bag was his. The canister belongs to the man who owns the tea-shop. <context> ‘Sometimes I...
Give reasons for Satyajit’s feeling that he was an impostor.	<answer> The story projects mixed emotions of Satyajit. In one moment he wants to enjoy the high level of status and privilege which he gains from the people at his uncle's place. On the other hand, Satyajit has the consciousness of doing the wrong thing and deceiving people who need him. He had regret in his mind for ...
What is the author’s indirect comment on subjecting innocent animals to the willfulness of human beings?	<answer> For centuries innocent animals have been subjected to the wilfulness of human beings. Man has been killing animals for sport, meat or organs of body. The author does not make any direct comment about it in the story. Man advances strange logic to defend even his unlawful and cruel acts. The Maharaja quotes an...
Is bread-making still popular in Goa? How do you know?	<answer> Yes, bread making is still popular in Goa, This is very clear from the narrator's statement that the eaters have gone away leaving the makers behind. There are mixers, moulders and the ones who bake the loaves. The time tested furnaces still exist there. <context> A Baker from Goa This is a pen-portrait of a t...
What characteristics does he say he inherited from his parents?	<answer> The author inherited humility and benevolence from his parents. He learnt lessons in honesty and integrity from his parents. He was self-disciplined because of his parent's exemplary life. <context> 1. I WAS born into a middle-class Tamil family in the island town of Rameswaram in the erstwhile Madras State. M...
What does the notice ‘The world’s most dangerous animal’ at a cage in the zoo at Lusaka, Zambia, signify?	<answer> In the zoo at Lusaka, Zambia, outside a cage there is a notice that reads, "The world's most dangerous animal". Inside the cage there is no animal but a mirrow where one can see oneself. It is an endeavour to make humans realise how destructive they are. They are the cause of the destruction of thousands of sp...
The author describes the things that Valli sees from an eight-year-old’s point of view. Can you find evidence from the text for this statement?	<answer> Yes, for example when the author says, 'she was fascinated by the bus' and 'watching the bus fill with a new set of people each time was a source of unending joy for her'. When the author describes the bus, he stresses on the colour and look of the new bus 'like silver' because a child is attracted towards col...
What clues did Sherlock Holmes work upon to get at the fact that the story of the three Garridebs was a ruse?	<answer> The first time Holmes felt wry of the story when the American Garrideb was angry at Nathan to have involved a detective. When Sherlock noticed the Garrideb in English appearance and he pointed it out to him that how come that he was an American and yet was dressed so English. The American said that he was lawy...
Do you think Wanda really thought the girls were teasing her? Why or Why not?	<answer> Wanda was aware of the misbehaviour of the girls who teased her everyday "but she reamained calm. To keep them mum she fabricated a story of having a hundred dresses and sixty pairs of matching shoes in her closet. She taught them a lesson of life by the drawings of the hundred beautiful dresses she claimed to...
Who, in today’s world, is our chief source of information about personalities?	<answer> The interviewer is the chief source of information in today’s world. Our most vivid impressions of our contemporaries are based on communication that comes from them. Thus, interviewers hold a position of power and influence. <context> Since its invention a little over 130 years ago, the interview has become a...
Why does he go to Basra? How long does he wait there, and why?	<answer> The writer went to Basra to collect and answer his mail from Europe. He had to wait there for 5 days as his mail did not arrive. <context> EARLY in the New Year of 1956 I travelled to Southern Iraq. By then it had crossed my mind that I should like to keep an otter instead of a dog, and that Camusfearna, ringe...
Reading plays is more interesting than studying science.	<answer> Science is based on the study of some facts, concepts, principles and their application. It demands cool reasoning and concentration of mind to solve numerical problems and to balance complicated equations. One has to be alert, regular, systematic and punctual. If we miss one class, we miss the link. On the ot...
What was Kezia’s father’s routine after coming back from his office?	<answer> He would ask for the newspaper and tea after coming back from his office. <context> 1. TO the little girl he was a figure to be feared and avoided. Every morning before going to work he came into her room and gave her a casual kiss, to which she responded with “Goodbye, Father”. And oh, there was a glad sense ...
How did Valli save up money for her first journey? Was it easy for her?	<answer> Valli had very painstakingly saved every stray coins that came her way by resisting every temptation to buy peppermints, toys, balloons, etc. It had been very difficult for her. Even at the village fair she resisted the temptation to be on the merry-go-round. Thus, she had been able to save sixty paise for her...
Why does Anne want to keep a diary?	<answer> Anne always feels lonely and distressed so to get off all the burden and pain she wants to keep a diary in which she finds a true friend as she has hardly any friends whom she could confide in. <context> WRITING in a diary is a really strange experience for someone like me. Not only because I’ve never written ...
Will the exam now go as scheduled?	<answer> The two-hour examination in O-Level German was scheduled to begin at 9.15 a.m. on Tuesday, 8 June. However, it started a bit late. At 9.20 a.m. Evans objected to the presence of Stephens, a prison officer, in the examination room, as it disturbed his concentration. Under the orders of the Governor, Stephens wa...
Who invites the comment — “he is dressed like a pader”? Why?	<answer> Any person who is wearing a half pant which reaches just below the knees invites this comment. This is because the baker, known as a pader, used to dress like that. <context> A Baker from Goa This is a pen-portrait of a traditional Goan village baker who still has an important place in his society. OUR elders...
The story begins and ends with Iona and his horse. Comment on the significance of this to the plot of the story.	<answer> The story is a satire on how disengaged humans are that one has to find a true companion in animal. Iona from the beginning of the story is portrayed with his horse. In the beginning, while Iona is struck with his loss and is melancholic, he and his horse stood unmoved. It appeared that they both shared simila...
How does the author succeed in raising crucial social issues not through open criticism but through subtle suggestion?	<answer> Roy hit the nail right on the head in describing the male chavuinistic society we live in, though suggestively. How pride is all that matters to male and for a female, no matter how cruel her husband is and even if the love is worn out of their relationship, her want for him never ceases. This the society we l...
What kind of a person was Evans?	<answer> James Roderick Evans was a jail bird. The prison officers called him ‘Evans the Break’ as he had escaped from prison three times. At present he was in a solitary cell in Oxford Prison. He was quite a pleasant sort of chap—an amusing person who was good at imitations. He was not at all violent. He was just a co...
What were the precautions taken for the smooth conduct of the examination?	<answer> The solitary cell of Evans was tinned into examination room by placing two small tables and two chairs in it. Reverend Stuart McLeery, a parson from St. Mary Mags was to work as invigilator. The cell was to be kept locked from outside and a prison officer would observe Evans from a peep-hole after every minute...
What did Einstein call his desk drawer at the patent office? Why?	<answer> Einstein called his desk drawer at the patent office the "bureau of theoretical physics". Einstein was actually developing his own ideas in secret and his drawer had all the evidences which could reveal the secret. <context> 1. ALBERT Einstein was born on 14 March 1879 in the German city of Ulm, without any in...
‘New literature’ is a misnomer for the wealth of the Indian literary tradition. How does G.N. Devy explain this?	<answer> According to G.N. Devy, as the tribal literature existed for numerous years, it should not be termed as ‘New Literature’. The stories and songs of tribals are orally transmitted and since they were not written down, most people are not aware of them. The views of the western literary critics who referred to tr...

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