Important Long Question with Answers from First Flight

Man is a social animal. He has some obligations to society. What twin obligations does Mandela mention? How can one fulfil these obligations?

Man is a social animal and has some social obligations to society. Nelson Mandela understood the importance of being social. Mandela talks about twin obligations— obligation to his family, to his parents, to his wife and children. This is the first and the most important obligation that every man has to fulfil in his life. Another obligation is to his people, to his community and to his nation. He emphasises that in a civil society, each one of us should fulfil these obligations. It is the responsibility of the government to provide an atmosphere where a person can fulfil these obligations. But in a country like South Africa, it was not possible to fulfil these obligations because of discrimination. It was an era of oppression and torture for the black Africans in their own country. They were not allowed even the basic freedom of living a dignified life.

There are some real virtues of a human being. Nelson Mandela points out these virtues in his speech. Which of these virtues impress you the most? Do you think these virtues have become rare nowadays?

Ans: In the truest sense, nowadays real virtues of a true human that Nelson Mandela points out in his speech are hardly found in man. Today, people almost lack real virtues like love, compassion and truthfulness. According to Nelson Mandela, the real virtues of a human being are love, compassion and truthfulness. He fought against the discrimination meted out to his people in South Africa and realised that those who are oppressors lack the real virtues of human beings. Those who deny basic freedoms to all are not real human beings. The real human being is one who has love, kindness and respect for all.

We should be grateful to our martyrs who gifted us freedom at their cost. How did Nelson Mandela pay a tribute to the black people who sacrificed their lives for attaining freedom for their country? How can we do it for our country?

We should be grateful to our martyrs who sacrificed their lives for the freedom of our country. It is our duty to show respect to them and follow their path. Nelson Mandela had to fight against the inhumane government in South Africa. He fought against the policy of aparthied. He was not the first leader to initiate this movement. He joined them and succeeded. But he did not take entire credit for his success. He recognised their contribution and paid them a befitting tribute. He called himself simply the sum of all those Africans patriots who had laid the path towards the achievement of success. He continued the movement started by them. On the day of installation of the government, he missed all of them and expressed his gratitude towards them.

How should we judge people around us – by their money and wealth? Or is there something more than that? How did Peggy and Maddie judge Wanda? Were they right in their judgement?

We judge the people around us by their status and wealth. We ignore the talent and values they possess. It is not the money that makes man a good human being, it is the value, the skill, the talent that make someone excellent. Peggy and Maddie judged Wanda on the basis of the poverty. She always wore a faded blue dress that did not fit her well. She was not well dressed as Peggie or Maddie. Her talent was never recognised. She proved her talent by the end of the story. Peggy and Maddie were not right in their judgement about Wanda. They thought that Wanda was a poor girl with no talent. They always made fun of Wanda.

Why did Wanda leave school? How did the attitude of her classmates hurt her? Should we have such attitude towards our classmates? How should we treat the students like Wanda?

Wanda was a Polish girl studying in a school with American girls. She was not treated well by the girls who made fun of her name and dresses. One day her father wrote a letter to the school informing that they were moving to a big city where no one would make fun of her name and status. The attitude of her classmates hurt her. We should not have such attitude towards our classmates who are like Wanda. There are many students in our school and classes like Wanda who belong to a poor family. We should not make fun of their dress or their status. We should judge them according to their talent. We should recognise their creativity and talent. Moreover, every individual possesses equal right to education, and we must learn to give everybody equal and unbaised treatment.

It is not money that makes a person great. It is the talent that matters more. How did Wanda prove it? What value in her character impresses you the most?

It is true that it is not money that makes a person great. It is the talent that matters more. Wanda was a poor Polish girl who was ridiculed by rich girls in her school. She was not taken seriously by them. Nobody recognised her talent in her class. But she proved them wrong. She made amazing drawings. There were hundred such drawings which mesmerised all in the school. She won the first prize and proved that it is not money but the talent that makes a person great. She proves Maddie and Peggy wrong by winning the prize. Her patience, tolerance, creativity and fighting spirit impress the reader most.

The girls made fun of Wanda. Is it justified to make fun of a harmless and quiet person like Wanda? What will you do if you have someone in your class making fun of a student like Wanda?

The author El Bsor Ester has depicted the classroom environment in a very lively manner. The girls make fun of Wanda because she is a poor girl who comes in the same dress daily but boasts of her hundred colourful dresses lined in her closet. The girls also make fun of her because of her funny and meaningless name. They do not want to be friendly with her as she always has her feet and legs soiled. Nobody wants to be with her. It is very unjust to criticise people for their poverty. It is not justified to make fun of a harmless and quiet girl like Wanda. I will oppose anybody who makes fun of girls like Wanda. I will not keep quiet like Maddie.

Maddie was full of sympathy and compassion for Wanda but she never stopped Peggy from making fun of Wanda. Why? What does it show about the values of Maddie? Do you think it was her selfinterest and lack of courage which stopped her from helping Wanda?

Maddie and Peggy were good friends. Peggy was a pretty and rich girl. Maddie was not so rich. She knew that Peggy was making fun of Wanda but she never stopped her. She did not want to lose Peggy as a friend. She had compassion and sympathy for Wanda. She did not appreciate Peggy’s act of making fun of Wanda but never opposed her. It shows Maddie was not a bold girl. She did not have courage to say right things right. She was selfish to some extent. Yes, in my opinion it was her self-interest and lack of courage that stopped her from helping Wanda.

Who is a better human being–Maddie or Peggy? What attributes in the personality of Maddie make her different from Peggy?

Peggy and Maddie both were good friends. They studied in the same school and the same class. They were American girls. Peggy was a rich, pretty girl with blonde hair. Maddie was also a pretty girl but she was not as rich as Peggy. Both, Maddie and Peggy used to make fun of Wanda. Peggy never missed any opportunity of teasing Wanda. Maddie belonged to a poor family. She was always with Peggy but she had sympathy for Wanda too. She did not like Peggy making fun of Wanda. She wanted to stop Peggy but could never muster the courage for the same. Maddie had a different temperament than Peggy. In the end when they came to know that Wanda was leaving the school, Maddie was affected the most. She came out as a better human being by the end of the story.

How did Wanda win the hearts of her classmates towards the end of the story? What is more important, money or talent? How did Wanda prove that beauty and wealth do not pay in the long run, it is the talent that helps?

Wanda was a poor Polish girl who studied in an American school with the American students. They used to make fun of her name. Maddie and Peggy, two American girls, used to tease her by asking her about the dresses she had. Wanda decided to leave the school forever. But before leaving the school she wanted to prove herself and show her talent. She participated in a drawing competition in the school. She made hundred paintings showing hundred different dresses. Wanda wrote a letter to Ms Mason telling her that the girls could keep those hundred dresses as a Christmas gift from her. She gifted two special paintings to Maddie and Peggy. She won the hearts of everyone by her gesture. It shows that to win other’s money is not everything. Talent, plays a very important role in one’s life. In long run money and beauty do not pay, it is the skill and talent which help us.

Valli sternly refused the conductor’s offer of a cold drink though she might be willing to have one. What lesson do you learn from her gesture?

By the end of the journey, the conductor had got quite fond of Valli. When the bus reached its destination, the conductor went to the nearby stall to have something to drink. He offered to bring one for Valli as a treat from him but Valli refused sternly. She didn’t have much money and out of the feeling of self-respect she was not ready to take obligation either. Such a conduct from an eight year old girl shows her good upbringing. We learn not to be greedy and live within our means. We must not get lured by the attractions, however strong they may be. It is always wise to spend money judiciously. Children must not waste their pocket money on unwanted items.

Valli’s journey to the town is also her induction into the mystery of life and death. Such real experiences of life make us mature. Do you agree? Elaborate.

It is true that Valli’s journey to the town is also her induction into the mystery of life and death. While on her way to the town, Valli saw a cow running very fast in the middle of the road, right in front of the bus. Valli was very happy. She kept on laughing until her eyes welled up with tears. She saw life in the image of a cow. This is what life gives us, happiness and enjoyment. On her way back home, she saw a dead cow lying on the road. It was killed in a road accident. Valli recognised it. It was the same cow which filled her life with happiness and joy a short while ago. She was upset and realised how death can change the things. Something that was lovable and charming a while ago had lost all the charms. Yes, such real-life experiences make one mature. It’s a great lesson of life.

Valli is a very sensitive girl. She is different from ordinary people who are becoming more and more callous and insensitive to the joys and sufferings of the people around them. She grieves the accidental death of the young cow. Do you think the values of being sensitive and sympathetic are missing from our society? What do you learn from Valli?

It is true that Valli is a very sensitive girl. She is different from ordinary people who are becoming more and more callous and insensitive to the joys and sufferings of the people around them. She grieves the accidental death of the young cow. She was very happy while going to the city. She was happy seeing the young cow and enjoyed her activity. When she was back and found the cow dead, she was very upset and grieved her death. It shows that she was very sensitive. No doubt the values of being sensitive and sympathetic are missing from our society. These values must be restored and inculcated in the new generation. Today we find people very callous and insensitive towards the victim of road accidents. In some cases, the victim is not given any help and dies on the road itself. We must be sensitive towards them. Valli gives us a lesson that we should be sensitive to our surroundings and people.

Curiosity is the mother of learning. If one has an urge to know more about anything, one learns many things. Valli also has an urge to know more and more about things and her surroundings which makes her an intelligent, confident and mature girl. What traits of her character make her so? What do you learn from her character?

Curiosity is the mother of learning. If one has an urge to know more about anything, one learns many things. Valli also has an urge to know more and more about things and her surroundings. The people and surroundings are a good book to learn. Valli in the lesson, ‘Madam Rides the Bus’ learns a lot from others. She is a small inquisitive girl of eight years. She always enjoys standing in the front door of the house to watch various activities going in the house. She is very confident. She has a deep urge to travel by bus so she listened carefully to the conversation of the neighbours. She has a lot of questions and does not hesitate in asking them. She sometimes asks discreet questions to get details about the journey. While on her journey to the town she becomes friendly with the conductor who gives her a lot of information. Her curious nature makes her intelligent and confident. I, as a student, learn from her that we should have an urge to know more. It makes one confident and intelligent.

What happened when Kisa Gotami went from house to house to get the mustard seeds as instructed by Buddha? Does this teach you something about how to overcome grief and hopelessness? Write your answer.


Kisa Gotami was suggested by Buddha to go and bring some mustard seeds from a house where there have been no death. Unable to find such a house, she reflected upon her action. Truth dawned upon her. She realised that surrendering ourselves is the only way to get rid of one’s pains and sufferings. There is a continuous cycle of life and death, happiness and sorrows. Wise persons do not grieve. One should remain calm and dauntless in all the situations. By doing so, peace of mind can be obtained.

What is the truth of life, according to Buddha? How should a wise man behave in times of trouble or mishappenings?

According to Buddha, all men are mortal. One who is born, is sure to die. All things in nature die and are reborn—be it animals, plants or objects. Some people start behaving like a madman whenever a problem arises in their life. They lose their sense of reasoning and become depressed. But this is not a solution to come out of your grief. A sensible person understands the realities of life and remains balanced in all the situations. The lesson here is that whenever we come across a problem, we should try to find out its solution. Instead of blaming our fate or others, we must think deep for the reason of that problem. By being calm, resolute and contented, most of the problems can be solved.

Kisa Gotami lost her only son and grieved. She is desperate in saving his life. She goes from one place to another. She is criticized for this act of desperation and is called mad. Is it not a normal reaction of a normal human being? Is it justified to criticize Kisa Gotami? What is your opinion?

Kisa Gotami lost her only son and grieved. She is desperate in saving his life. She goes from one place to another. She is criticized for this act of desperation and is called mad. But I find it a normal reaction of a normal human being. Every mother has such feelings for her son. Every possible effort is made to save a life. Kisa Gotami is also a normal mother who wants her son to come to life. Her action is a normal action. A person loses his common sense when one is grieved. All logic or reasoning fails. No doubt one has to accept the universal truth of life and death. But it takes time to understand it. Kisa Gotami’s action was a normal act and she should not be called a mad woman. It is a normal action of a grieving mother. It is easy to say that in case of any loss one should be quiet, calm and composed but is difficult to put in practice.

Chubukov was thinking of refusing Lomov’s proposal without even knowing of later’s intentions. When he came to know that Lomov had come to ask for the hand of his daughter, he showered love and blessings on Lomov. Was he really sincere or was it just an example of his dual personality? Do you like such kind of people? Give your opinion in 120–150 words.

Chubukov is a very diplomatic person. Thinking that Lomov had come to borrow some money, he posed himself to be very sweet and wanted to refuse him somehow. But when Lomov disclosed his real intention of marrying his daughter, he changed colours and started showing exaggerated love. He was not sincere. In fact he possesses a dual personality. I don’t like such selfish persons. They can do anything to fulfil their interests. In fact, we can say that they are opportunists. These persons can even go to the extent of harming others in their self-interest. Most often they become successful in deceiving others but they end up being hated by all.

Natalya and her father both accused Lomov of telling a lie regarding the Oxen-Meadows but when Natalya came to know that Lomov had come to propose her, she at once wanted him back. This shows her selfishness. What traits of Natalya’s character are revealed here? Do you like her?

Both Chubukov and her daughter Natalya have a dual personality. Natalya welcomed him warmly and talked with him pleasantly. But when Lomov referred to the Oxen Meadows, a disputed piece of land, as ‘My Oxen Meadows, she objected strongly saying that the land belonged to them. The argument went on for some time. When she came to know that Lomov wanted to marry her, she at once changed her tactics and hysterically told her father to bring Lomov back. Like her father, she also turned out to be very selfish. As she was about to pass the marriage age, she was desperate to get married. In spite of the differences in their thought and opinions, she agreed to marry him. I don’t like Natalya as she is too self-centered, short tempered and eccentric. Just to settle down in her life, she agreed to marry Lomov, with whom she had much differences. One should always be honest in one’s behaviour. Never compromise on your values.

Throughout the play, the characters tried to overpower each other by insulting and abusing. They were angered very easily. Do you think it is very necessary to learn how to manage our anger? What are the harms of being too ill-tempered? Suggest some ways to keep your calm in even the worst of the situations.

Ans :

Throughout the play, the characters are seen arguing and hurling abuses at each other over petty issues. They are angered very easily and never hesitate to blame the other person for nothing. The important thing to learn here is how to control our anger. Some people get easily excited and lose control. But anger has many ill-effects too. The person who gets angry easily is prone to many diseases like high blood pressure, nervous breakdown, heart attack, etc. So it is of utmost importance to maintain one’s calm even in the worst of the situation. Follow these simple rules to manage your anger.

 • Take deep breaths to keep stress at bay. 

 • Count till 10 to minimise your angry feelings,.

 • Have a glass of cold water to calm your nerves.  More importantly, avoid retaliating at once.

The value of forgiveness is the foundation of cordial relationship. Do you agree? How is this message conveyed in the play The Proposal? How can this value be inculcated in our students in the schools?

Yes it is true that the value of forgiveness is the foundation of all the cordial relationships in our society. Most of the time enmity is developed due to communication gap or misunderstanding. Lack of tolerance and mismanagement of anger lead to enmity. Whenever there is any disagreement or difference of opinion, one must sit together and sort out the issue amicably. One must forgive another. We make fences and spoil relationships. Anton Chekov has conveyed this message in the play ‘The Proposal’. Lomov and Chubukov are neighbours. They have a controversy on the issue of ownership of the Oxen Meadows. They also have a difference of opinion on the superiority of the breed of their dogs. Lomov wants to resolve the issue and visits Chubukov with a purpose to propose Natalya. On the other hand, when Chukubov sees Lomov, he suspects that he must have come for borrowing money. It is only the lack of forgiveness that creates unnecessary misunderstandings and leads to quarrel on petty issues. The matter is not sorted out until they forgive each other. The value of forgiveness should be inculcated amongst the students in our schools through examples from real life and literature

                                                                                                                            To Be Continued...

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