IMPORTANT LONG QUESTIONS FROM FIRST FLIGHT FOR BOARD EXAMS

IMPORTANT  LONG QUESTIONS FROM FIRST FLIGHT FOR BOARD EXAMS Nelson Mandela joined the African National Congress as a young man. It transformed his life. What made him join it? What does it show about his values and character?

ANS: Nelson Mandela joined the African National Congress because even the basic freedom was not available to blacks. They could not live as human beings. They were punished and isolated from the society. He brought a transformation by achieving freedom for his people to live their lives with dignity and self-respect. Nelson Mandela was a simple law abiding person but his people were not happy in a slave society. They were not given the basic rights of a citizen. They had to endure much pain and endure racial discrimination. They were not free no their own land. All these sufferings ignited the fire in Mandela. He left his home and began living like a monk. He taught boldly and fearlessly. The value of patriotism, self‑respect and dignity transformed him completely. It shows that Mandela had a strong character. He was determined in his action. He had sympathy and compassion for his people.

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?

ANS:  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.

Do you think there is colour or caste prejudice in our own country? How can we uproot it? What is your stand on it? Should we discriminate on the basis of caste or colour?

ANS:     We can also do such work for our country. Though we have got independence, all our people have not yet achieved the freedom of education. We should do whatever we can, to make education available to the poor and backward people. Also in many places, girls are not given all basic rights. Our government should take initiatives to give all right to every citizen. It is true that there is not colour or caste prejudice in own country. Nevertheless, discrimination on the basis of caste and religion has not been rooted out from the minds of the people. So it is a burning question to uproot this discrimination. Education, basically value education, is the most important tool to do away with such discrimination. Once people are properly educated, they can be conscious and aware of their fundamental rights as guaranteed by the Constitution of India, and can face boldly such racial discrimination. As a true citizen of India, we have to be conscious and aware of our fundamental right. Accordingly, we will fight against any kind of discrimination like colour, religion or caste prejudices. No, we should not discriminate our people on the basis of caste or colour. We should give respect to all irrespective of caste, colour or religion and allow every one to live with dignity and self-respect.

Why did the seagull’s father and mother threaten him and persuade him to fly? How did they do it? Do you think it is a good parenting? Should the parents threaten their wards for learning?

ANS:     The young seagull was scared to fly. He was afraid of the vast exposure of the sea beneath him. His siblings were courageous and had learnt to fly. His parents constantly encouraged him to fly but he was too scared to fly. He was left alone without food. He was desperate with hunger. He expected his parents to feed him. But it was a threatening from them. He would die of hunger if did not fly. The mother tempted him with a fish within his reach but not closer to him. He ultimately fell to temptation and dived into the sea and finally succeeded. Yes, it was a good parenting. Parents should not pamper their kids by spoon feeding. They should make them independent. They should learn to do their work. Parents’ strictness in making a child learn a skill should not be taken as a threat. It is necessary and in favour of the child. In my opinion, without threat, the seagull would not have learnt to fly. He would have starved to death.

‘Spare the rod and spoil the child.’ Do you think the young seagull was not ready to fly due to lenient treatment by his family in the beginning? What made him fly later on? What is the role of motivation in learning?

ANS:     ‘Spare a rod and spoil a child’. No, I don’t agree with this statement. No learning can take place under fear. It is the motivation that makes learning easy. The seagull was too scared to fly. It was a new thing for him. When he saw the vast sea, he could not take courage and fly. He was too young and was being taken care of by his parents. It was natural that his parents were feeding him. It can’t be called a lenient treatment. He was, no doubt, threatened by his parents, but it was just to make him realise how important it was to fly. It was a question of his survival. The mother seagull tempted him with a piece of fish. He fell to temptation and dived into the vast sea. He was encouraged by his family and he learnt the art of flying. Motivation, encouragement and family support help in learning. A rod must be spared.

Fear and lack of confidence stop one from learning new things. Do you agree? How did these two traits of the young seagull make him coward? How did he overcome these shortcomings?

ANS:     Yes, it is true that fear and lack of confidence stop us from learning new things. The young seagull lacked the value of courage and confidence in his character. He was the last member, in his family, to learn the art of flight. He was too scared to fly. His parents and other siblings encouraged him constantly. When it did not work, they scolded him for his cowardice. The mother seagull tricked him and tempted him with a piece of fish. He was kept hungry. His hunger and need for food forced him to dive into the sea. Though he was not willing to learn the art of flying yet he was tricked by his family. Once he dived, his fear disappeared and he enjoyed his first flight. It is a fact that unless we try for something and overcome our fear we can’t learn anything. Confidence and motivation are two important traits that make any learning possible.

What idea do you form of Mr Keesing as a teacher? What values are reflected from his character? What is that you like most about him?

ANS:     Mr Keesing, the maths teacher, was very strict. He got annoyed with Anne as she talked too much. He warned Anne several times and after that he assigned her extra homework. When she completed it she was assigned one more essay by Mr Keesing. He found all the essays correct and laughed at her arguments. This shows his liking for Anne. At last, he tried to play a joke on Anne by giving her a ridiculous topic – Quack, Quack, Quack, said mistress Chatterbox. The poem written by Anne, completely transformed Mr Keesing. Now, he had started having fun with students and even allowed them to talk. Mr Keesing was a good teacher. He was a very disciplined and concerned teacher. He wanted his students to be serious in his classes. However, he was a short tempered teacher who punished Anne without understanding her stand. When Anne cracked a joke on him, he took it in a positive way. This trait of his character is very impressive.

Do you think Keesing was justified in punishing Anne? Would you support such a punishment in your class? Why/Why not?

ANS:     Mr Keesing was a very strict teacher who could not tolerate Anne’s talkativeness and would punish her. He even did not try to find out why the girl was always talking in his class. He was not justified in punishing her because he should have tried to make his teaching more impressive and interesting. Anne was weak in Mathematics; naturally, she was not interested in learning in his class. First, he insulted her and asked her to write an essay on a chatterbox. As a teacher he should have been careful enough not to insult a young girl in front of the class. He further punished her to write another essay. The children are loving young ones who should not be punished at all but treated affectionately. No, I will not support any kind of punishment. A teacher should not use punishment to control the class. He/she should understand the level of students and modify his/her method of teaching.

Anne was very much attached to her grandmother. What should be our attitude towards our elders? What do you learn from Anne?

ANS: Anne Frank was a thirteen year old girl. She was born at Frankfurt in Germany. She lived there until she was four. Her parents emigrated to Holland and she was sent to stay with her grandmother. Anne was very close to her grandmother. She found her a lovely lady. She loved her most. After her death, Anne missed her very much. She remarks, “No one knows how often I think of her and still love her.” It shows that Anne was very much attached to her grandmother. We should be respectful and sympathetic towards our elders. We get love and wishes from our elders if we treat them respectfully. It is our duty to take a good care of our elders. We learn from Anne that if we love our elders we get love in return.

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?

ANS: 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 recognize their creativity and talent. Moreover, every individual possesses equal right to education, and we must learn to give everybody equal and unbiased treatment.

Give a brief character sketch of Maddie? Did she have sympahty and compassion for Wanda?

ANS:  Maddie is a simple girl who belongs to a poor family but somehow manages to look neat and clean. Though she is always with Peggy who makes fun of her, she does not like it. She is sympathetic towards Wanda but is unable to express before Peggy who is the most popular girl. She is a very emotional girl who is touched by the taunting comments of Peggy. She is a timid girl and does not have the courage to oppose Peggy for making fun of Wanda. She is also practical and would not make Peggy stop making fun of Wanda. She knows that she too, is poor and Peggy would be making fun of her as well. She dares not ask Peggy to stop making fun of Wanda. Basically, Maddie is a good hearted girl who is unable to oppose Peggy. Yes, Maddie has sympathy and compassion for Wanda. She does not like Peggie’s making fun of Wanda but lacked the courage to oppose her.

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?

ANS:     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.

You are disturbed to know that the girls make fun of Wanda. You don’t appreciate it. You decide to speak about this tendency of making fun of the students if they are weak, ugly or poor. Write your speech.

ANS:  Dear friends,  Today I would like to address those students who make fun of the students who are weak, ugly or poor. I have come to know that some of us make fun of some girls who are not good looking. We should all remember that if someone is poor or ugly, it is not his/her fault. We are what God has made us. We should not go for outer beauty. We should recognise the inner qualities of a person and appreciate them. One may be ugly in appearance but one’s creativity and intelligence may be beyond expectation. We should not insult anybody just because one is poor or ugly. We have no right to show disrespect to someone and humiliate him/her. I hope now onwards we all are friends and will show respect to all. The tendency of making fun of weak, ugly or poor should be given up right now. Let us be good human beings.

Peggy realised her fault in making fun of Wanda. What excuses did she think up for her behaviour with Wanda? What does it show about her character?

ANS:  Peggy said that she had never called Wanda a foreigner and made fun of her name. She thought Wanda did not have sense to know that she was making fun of her, she thought her to be too dumb. Maddie was sorry for her behaviour and how wonderful the whole school thought she was.  Both wanted to request her not to move from there. Peggy and Maddie would fight anyone who wouldn’t be nice to her. Peggy realised her fault. It shows that she was not a bad human being. She never realised that her innocent fun would hurt Wanda to such an extent. She had a soft corner for her by the end of the story.

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?

ANS:   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.

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?

ANS: 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.

We should behave well with all the students in our class specially with the weak and poor students. We should not make fun of them. Do you agree? What would have you done if you had been Peggy or Maddie?

ANS:     We should behave well with all the students in our class especially with the weak and poor students. We should not make fun of them. It was very unfortunate that Wanda had to leave her school because other girls made fun of her name and dress. We should always respect our friends and class fellows. If someone is weaker, ugly or poor, it is not his/her fault. We all are the creation of God and should have respect for his creation. We should never hurt feelings of others. If I had been in place of Maddie I would have stopped all the girls from making fun of Wanda. I would have recognised her talent and had supported her in continuation of her education with dignity and self respect in the same school.

“The life of mortals in this world is troubled and brief and combined with pain... .” with this statement of the Buddha, find out the moral value that Kisa Gotami learnt after the death of her child.

ANS: According to Buddha, all men are mortal so those who have been born cannot avoid dying. Life of mortal is always troubled and brief. Sorrow and suffering are inevitable to the mortals. All young and adult fall into the power of death; all are subject to death. So the wise do not grieve, knowing the terms of the world. Kisa Gotami after the death of her child learnt from lord Buddha that death is common to all; he who has overcome pain will become free from pain, and be blessed.

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.

ANS:     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?

ANS:     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?

ANS:     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.

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?

ANS: 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?

ANS: 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. <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< End >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Nelson Mandela (8 Marks)

                                                             A Long Walk to Freedom 

                            Extract Questions ( 4 marks) & short Questions ( 2 Marks) 

1.

Read the following extracts carefully and answer the questions that follow.Out of the experience of an extraordinary human disaster that lasted too long, must be born a society of which all humanity will be proud.
We, who were outlaws not so long ago, have today been given the rare privilege to be host to the nations of the world on our own soil. We thank all of our distinguished international guests for having come to take possession with the people of our country of what is, after all, a common victory for justice, for peace, for human dignity.
(a) What is the extraordinary human disaster that Mandela refers to?
(b) Why did the speaker call it a common victory?
(c) What did the writer wish to have?
(d) Why did the writer thank the guests?

Ans :

(a) Policy of Apartheid
(b) Because it was a victory for peace, justice and human dignity.
(c)  The writer wished to have a society which all humanity will be proud of.
(d) The writer thanked all the international guests for their support and gesture for their victory over apartheid.

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2.

Read the following extracts carefully and answer the questions that follow.The inauguration would be the largest gathering ever of international leaders on South African soil.
The ceremonies took place in the lovely sandstone amphitheatre formed by
the Union Buildings in Pretoria. For decades this had been the seat of white supremacy, and now it was the site of a rainbow gathering of different colours and nations for the installation of South Africa’s first democratic, non-racial government.
(a) Where did the ceremonies take place?
(b) Why did he call the gathering of international leaders as a rainbow gathering?
(c) What was the occasion?
(d) What does ‘white supremacy’ refer to?

Ans :

(a) In a lovely amphitheatre in Pretoria.
(b) Because people from different nations and of different colours had gathered there.
(c) It was the installation of South Africa’s first democratic, non-racial government.
(d) ‘White supremacy’ refers to the government of Whites who ruled over following the policy of Apartheid.

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3.

Read the following extracts carefully and answer the questions that follow.I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear.
No one is born hating another person because of the colour of his skin, or his background, or his religion. People must learn to hate, and if they can learn to hate, they can be taught to love, for love comes more naturally to the human heart than its opposite.
(a) What is courage according to Mandela ?
(b) Why does the speaker say that people must learn to hate?
(c) Who is a brave man?
(d) What does the writer think about love?

Ans :

(a) According to Mandela, courage is the triumph over the fear.
(b) Because hatred is not innate; no one starts hating anyone from birth.
(c) The brave man is the one who conquers fear.
(d) According to the writer, love comes more naturally to human heart than hate.

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4.

Read the following extracts carefully and answer the questions that follow.It was this desire for the freedom of my people to live their lives with dignity and self-respect that animated my life, that transformed a frightened young man into a bold one, that drove a law-abiding attorney to become a criminal, that turned a family-loving husband into a man without a home, that forced a life-loving man to live like a monk.
(a) What transformed a frightened man into a bold one?
(b) What was his desire?
(c) What forced a law-abiding attorney to become a criminal?
(d) What changes came in his life?

Ans :

(a) The desire for the freedom for his people transformed a frightened man into a bold one.
(b) He wanted his people to live a life of dignity and self-respect.
(c) His desire for freedom of his people forced him to become a criminal.
(d) His struggle for freedom of his people turned a family loving man into a man without home.

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5.

Read the following extracts carefully and answer the questions that follow.A few moments later we all lifted our eyes in awe as a spectacular array of South African jets, helicopters and troop carriers roared in perfect formation over the Union Buildings. It was not only a display of pinpoint precision and military force, but a demonstration of the military’s loyalty to democracy, to a new government that had been freely and fairly elected.
(a) Who are ‘we’ here?
(b) What was the significance of the event?
(c) What was the occasion?
(d) What was good about the new government?

Ans :

(a) ‘We’ here is the people of South Africa.
(b) It was a demonstration of the military’s loyalty to democracy.
(c) It was the installation of new government in South Africa.
(d) It was a freely and fairly elected government.

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6.

Read the following extracts carefully and answer the questions that follow.Tenth May dawned bright and clear. For the past few days I had been pleasantly beseiged by dignitaries and world leaders who were coming to pay their respects before the inauguration. The inauguration would be the largest gathering ever of international leaders on South African soil.
(a) What was the significance of 10th May?
(b) Why had the dignitaries and the world leaders gatherd there?
(c) Pick out the word from the passage that means the same as land.
(d) What was the gathering for?

Ans :

(a) It was the day of inauguration, a beginning of new era.
(b) To show their solidarity with the newly elected government.
(c) soil
(d) It was the occasion of installation of a democratic, non-racial government in South Africa.

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7.

Read the following extracts carefully and answer the questions that follow.The ceremonies took place in the lovely sandstone amphitheatre formed by the Union Buildings in Pretoria. For decades this had been the seat of White supremacy, and now it was the site of a rainbow gathering of different colours and nations for the installation of South Africa’s first democratic, non-racial government.
(a) What does rainbow gathering refer to here?
(b) Who are the dignitaries referred to here?
(c) Where did the ceremony take place?
(d) What was the gathering for?

Ans :

(a) It refers to the dignitaries from different states of the world.
(b) They are the heads of different countries.
(c) It took place in the lovely sandstone amphitheatre in Pretoria.
(d) It was an occasion of installation of first democratic non-racial government in South Africa.

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8.

Read the following extracts carefully and answer the questions that follow.Today, all of us do, by our presence here… confer glory and hope to newborn liberty. Out of the experience of an extraordinary human disaster that lasted too long, must be born a society of which all humanity will be proud.
(a) Who is the speaker in the passage?
(b) What does ‘human disaster’ refer to?
(c) Pick out the word from the passage that means the same as remained.
(d) How was it a special day in the country?

Ans :

(a) Nelson Mandela (b) Slavery (c) Lasted
(d) It was an end of suppressed era of torture and inhumanity. A new era of humanity has begun.

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9.

When did Nelson Mandela become the President?

Ans :

Nelson Mandela became the President of South Africa on 10 May 1994.

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10.

Where did the inauguration ceremony take place?

Ans :

The inauguration ceremony took place at Union Buildings amphitheatre in Pretoria.

2

11.

What was the pledge taken by Nelson Mandela?

Ans :

To liberate all the black people from the continuing bondages of poverty, deprivation, suffering and racial discrimination.

2

12.

What were the two anthems sung on ‘that day’?

Ans :

‘Nikosi Sikelel Africa’ and ‘Die stem’.

2

13.

Which party did Nelson Mandela join?

Ans :

Nelson Mandela joined African National Congress.

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                                              LONG QUESTIONS ( 8 MARKS) 

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?

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.

Nelson Mandela joined the African National Congress as a young man. It transformed his life. What made him join it? What does it show about his values and character?

ANS: Nelson Mandela joined the African National Congress because even the basic freedom was not available to blacks. They could not live as human beings. They were punished and isolated from the society. He brought a transformation by achieving freedom for his people to live their lives with dignity and self-respect. Nelson Mandela was a simple law abiding person but his people were not happy in a slave society. They were not given the basic rights of a citizen. They had to endure much pain and endure racial discrimination. They were not free no their own land. All these sufferings ignited the fire in Mandela. He left his home and began living like a monk. He taught boldly and fearlessly. The value of patriotism, self‑respect and dignity transformed him completely. It shows that Mandela had a strong character. He was determined in his action. He had sympathy and compassion for his people.

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?

ANS:  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 apartheid. 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 recognized 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.

Do you think there is colour or caste prejudice in our own country? How can we uproot it? What is your stand on it? Should we discriminate on the basis of caste or colour?

ANS:     We can also do such work for our country. Though we have got independence, all our people have not yet achieved the freedom of education. We should do whatever we can, to make education available to the poor and backward people. Also in many places, girls are not given all basic rights. Our government should take initiatives to give all right to every citizen. It is true that there is not colour or caste prejudice in own country. Nevertheless, discrimination on the basis of caste and religion has not been rooted out from the minds of the people. So it is a burning question to uproot this discrimination. Education, basically value education, is the most important tool to do away with such discrimination. Once people are properly educated, they can be conscious and aware of their fundamental rights as guaranteed by the Constitution of India, and can face boldly such racial discrimination. As a true citizen of India, we have to be conscious and aware of our fundamental right. Accordingly, we will fight against any kind of discrimination like colour, religion or caste prejudices. No, we should not discriminate our people on the basis of caste or colour. We should give respect to all irrespective of caste, colour or religion and allow every one to live with dignity and self-respect.

14.

Nelson Mandela joined the African National Congress as a young man. It transformed his life. What made him join it? What does it show about his values and character?

Ans :Nelson Mandela joined the African National Congress because even the basic freedom was not available to blacks. They could not live as human beings. They were punished and isolated from the society. He brought a transformation by achieving freedom for his people to live their lives with dignity and self-respect. Nelson Mandela was a simple law abiding person but his people were not happy in a slave society. They were not given the basic rights of a citizen. They had to endure much pain and endure racial discrimination. They were not free no their own land. All these sufferings ignited the fire in Mandela. He left his home and began living like a monk. He taught boldly and fearlessly. The value of patriotism, self‑respect and dignity transformed him completely. It shows that Mandela had a strong character. He was determined in his action. He had sympathy and compassion for his people.

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15.

Do you think there is colour or caste prejudice in our own country? How can we uproot it? What is your stand on it? Should we discriminate on the basis of caste or colour?

Ans :

We can also do such work for our country. Though we have got independence, all our people have not yet achieved the freedom of education. We should do whatever we can, to make education available to the poor and backward people. Also in many places, girls are not given all basic rights. Our government should take initiatives to give all right to every citizen.

It is true that there is not colour or caste prejudice in own country. Nevertheless, discrimination on the basis of caste and religion has not been rooted out from the minds of the people. So it is a burning question to uproot this discrimination.

Education, basically value education, is the most important tool to do away with such discrimination. Once people are properly educated, they can be conscious and aware of their fundamental rights as guaranteed by the Constitution of India, and can face boldly such racial discrimination.

Asa true citizen of India, we have to be conscious and aware of our fundamental right. Accordingly, we will fight against any kind of discrimination like colour, religion or caste prejudices.

No, we should not discriminate our people on the basis of caste or colour. We should give respect to all irrespective of caste, colour or religion and allow every one to live with dignity and self-respect.

A Letter to God ( 8 Marks)

                                     EXTRACT QUESTIONS ( 4 MARKS) 

1. Read the following extract carefully and answer the questions that follow.

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.

(a) Why was the postmaster contented?

(b) Why was Lencho not surprised on seeing the money?

(c) Why did Lencho become angry?

(d) How much money did Lencho ask for?

Ans :

(a) The postmaster was contented because he had performed a good deed.

(b) He had firm belief in God.

(c) Lencho became angry because he did not get the money he requested for.

(d) Lencho requested for one hundred pesos.

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2.

Read the following extract carefully and answer the questions that follow.

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 along with 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) Why did Lencho look satisfied?

(b) What are ‘frozen pearls’ referred to here?

(c) Why did the expression of Lencho change?

(d) Why did the children run out?

Ans :

(a) His crop was ripe.

(b) Hailstones.

(c) His expression changed because suddenly large hailstones began to fall. It was not good for his crop.

(d) The children ran out to collect the hailstones.

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3.

Read the following extract carefully and answer the questions that follow.

Never in his career as a postman had he known that address. 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 not to shake the writer’s faith in God, the postmaster came up with an idea: answer the letter.

(a) Why had the postman never known that address?

(b) What does ‘not to shake the writer’s faith’ refer to?

(c) Why did the postmaster laugh?

(d) What did the postmaster decide?

Ans :

(a) Nobody had written a letter to God before.

(b) Faith of Lencho in God should not be shaken.

(c) The postmaster broke out laughing because he had never seen such a correspondence with God in his career.

(d) The postmaster decided to answer the letter.

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4 .

Read the following extract carefully and answer the questions that follow.

So, in order not 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 a part of his salary, and several friends of his were obliged to give something ‘for an act of charity’.

(a) How did the postmaster decide to respond?

(b) Why did the postmaster decide to answer the letter?

(c) What did the postman need to respond the letter?

(d) How did he manage money for the writer of the letter?

Ans :

(a) The post master decided to respond by sending him some money.

(b) The postmaster decided to answer the letter because he did not want to shake the faith of the writer in God.

(c)The postmaster needed money.

(d) He gave part of his salary and asked his friends to contribute in that act of charity.

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5.

Read the following extract carefully and answer the questions that follow.

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.

(a) What was his only hope?

(b) What did he do to seek God’s help?

(c) Give a word from the passage which means inner voice here.

(d) What was Lencho instructed?

Ans :

(a) His only hope was help from God.

(b) He wrote a letter to God for his help.

(c) Conscience.

(d) Lencho was always instructed that God always helps in need.

                                   SHORT QUESTIONS ( 2 MARKS) 

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6.

(i) How did Lencho feel when it started raining?

(ii) What was the effect of the rain on the crops?

Ans (I)Lencho was excited when he came out of his house to have the pleasure of feeling the rain on his body. He compared the raindrops with coins, as he knew that a good rain would mean a good crop and a good crop would mean a lot of money.

(ii) The rain brought with it destruction. There was hailstorm for about an hour and it covered the field. The corn was totally destroyed.

2

7.

 Lencho had only ‘one hope’. What was it?

Ans: Lencho was a God-fearing man and had a firm faith in the benevolence of God, who he thought would certainly help him. God was his only hope.

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8.

“Now we’re really going to get some water, woman.” Is Lencho sure that it is going to rain? Give a reason for your answer.

Ans :Lencho was sure that it was going to rain because he kept watching the sky throughout the day. Through his experience, he knew that the clouds would certainly bring rain.

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9.

What are the raindrops compared to and why?

Ans :Raindrops are compared to coins. He compares big raindrops to ten-cent coins and smaller ones to five-cent coins. He knew that the raindrops would certainly be helpful in giving him rich harvest. Naturally, it would make him get more money.

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10.

 Did the letter reach God? Why did the postmaster send a reply to Lencho?

The letter did not reach God but it certainly reached the postmaster who was a God-fearing and kind-hearted man. He decided to send a reply to Lencho as he was moved by the firm faith of a farmer in God, and he did not want to disappoint him.

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11.

   Lencho describes the post office employees as ‘a bunch of crooks’.

(i) Were they ‘a bunch of crooks’?

   (ii) How would you describe them?

Ans : (i)The post office employees were really very good people who tried to help a poor farmer. They were not a bunch of crooks.

(ii) They can be described as kind-hearted, generous, helpful and God-fearing men.

                                                   A Letter to God ( 8 M)

Describe the character of Lencho in the light of his faith and attitude towards God and man. Do you have faith in God like Lencho? Do you think he should have been grateful to the post office employees?

Lencho was a hardworking farmer who had immense faith in God. He had such an immense faith in the existence and helpfulness of God that he started communicating with him. He wrote a letter to God requesting him to send him one hundred pesos. When he received seventy pesos, he was not surprised at all. He even doubted the integrity of the post office employees who, he thought, had stolen his thirty pesos. He was a poor judge of human nature. His attitude towards man was negative. He could not think of a help from man. Yes, I also have faith in God but not a blind faith. I will never start writing a letter to God like Lencho. Lencho should have been grateful to the post office employees who had helped him. But he cannot be criticised as he had faith in God and not in mankind.

What kind of people were the post office employees? What values are reflected in their character? What do you like about the gesture of the postmaster?

The post office employees were very generous, kind and helpful people. When they received the letter for God from Lencho, they were impressed with his faith in God although initially they made fun of it. They did not want to hurt his feelings and shake his faith in God. They decided to help him by sending him money. It was a noble gesture on their part. All of them contributed by giving a share of their salaries. It shows their kindness and generosity. They could have told Lencho the truth about God but their sensitivity stopped them from doing so. They did not want to hurt his feelings. They had sympathy and compassion for Lencho. The postmaster’s generosity, his sensitivity, initiative and his noble gesture make him a good human being in the eyes of the readers.

A Midnight Thief & The Necklace ( 8 Marks)

Do you think Horace Danby was unfairly punished or that he deserved what he got? Do you agree that honesty in wrong acts is not desirable?

The story, ‘A Question of Trust’ is a story of distrust. The lady in the red is the real culprit. She was a very clever lady and was successful in befooling Horace. She made him believe that she was the mistress of the house and told him a story with conviction. Horace had taken off his gloves, because he thought that the wife of the owner was with him. That was the biggest mistake of his life. Horace Danby left his fingerprints and was arrested. He was not punished unfairly. He was not innocent as he entered the house with the intention to rob the house. Honesty in wrong acts can not be justified. It is not desirable at all.

Do intentions justify actions? Would you, like Horace Danby, do something wrong if you thought your ends justify the means? Do you think that there are situations in which it is excusable to act less than honest?

Yes, intentions justify the actions. If any wrong act is committed unintentionally, it can be excused. But if the wrong act is done intentionally it is not excusable. Horace Danby had the intention to rob the house. This is an intentional crime. He helped the house lady by opening the safe, he had good intentions but that too, for his own motive of being free. I would not indulge in any wrong act even if it is justified. Mere justifcation of the wrong act does not serve the purpose. Yes, there are situations in which it is excusable to act less than honest. But the case of Horace Danby does not fall in that category.

“Horace Danby was a meticulous planner but still he faltered.” Where did he go wrong and why? Negative values never pay in long run: Do you agree?

Though Horace Danby was a brilliant thief, he was caught in the end. He faltered because he readily handed over jewellery to the so-called owner of the house. Horace Danby was befooled by the lady in red. She pretended to be the owner of the house and made him open the safe without gloves. Horace left his fingerprints. He failed in his plan and was caught for a crime that he did not commit. Negative values never pay in the long run. Every criminal has his punishment. Sooner or later one is caught and punished. Horace Danby was no doubt a meticulous planner but he was on a wrong path. His intention had never been good. He planned to rob others and was ultimately paid for it.

How did Horace Danby plan his robbery of shot over Grange?

Horace Danby was not a typical thief. He planned his act of burglary meticulously. He always studied his target carefully. He planned his robbery of Shotover Grange carefully. He studied the situation of rooms, electric fittings and other aspects well in advance. He collected details from different magazines and articles. He was aware about the safe which had jewels worth fifteen thousand pounds. He knew the family was on vacation in London. He also knew that all the servants had gone for a movie. He knew the place of the keys too. When the right time came he struck his plan but outwitted by the lady in red. His plan failed and he was arrested.

After her meeting with Matilda, Mme Forestier is upset with what happened. She feels guilty for not telling her friend that the necklace was fake. She wishes to make some amends for the ten years of suffering faced by the Loisels. If Mme Forestier returns the necklace to Matilda what value would it reflect? What would you have done if you were in her place?

After her meeting with Matilda, Mme Forestier was upset with what happened. Mme Forestier feels guilty of not telling her friend that the necklace was not real. Matilda ruined her own life in paying for the necklace. Mme Forestier is a sensitive and kind lady. She helped Matilda by giving her the necklace. She could never imagine that her friend would undergo such a hardship for that fake necklace. After ten years, after knowing the truth and reality she must have been upset. She would have definitely returned the necklace to Mme Forestier. She was a lady full of compassion, sympathy and kindness. If I had been in her place, I would have done the same.

Contentment in one’s life is very important to lead a peaceful life. We should be happy with what we have and should not crave for what we don’t have. Matilda suffered in her life because she was not contented in her life. What do you learn from her mistake in life?

                                                                                   Or
Matilda suffered because she was not content with what life has given to her. Do you agree we should be content with what life gives us.

It is true that contentment in one’s life is very important to lead a peaceful life. We should be happy with what we have and should not crave for what we don’t have. Matilda suffered in her life because she was not content in her life. She was a pretty beautiful lady and married and honest person. He was rich in values but monetarily moderate. Matilda was not content with his job and salary. She wanted to lead a luxurious life which he could not afford. Once she got an opportunity to attend a high profile party. She did not have a proper dress and jewels. She borrowed a necklace from her friend. She lost it in the party and had to suffer for a long period of time just to pay for it. Her over ambition and craze for luxury ruined her life. One must be satisfied with what one has is the lesson that I learn from her life.

To err is human. We all make mistakes in our life. Those who make a confession may suffer less than those who don’t. Give your opinion with reference to the story of Matilda who ruined her life just because she did not have courage to confess her mistake.

It has been rightly said that ‘to err is human’. We all make one or the other mistake in our life. No one is perfect. Sometimes the situation is not in our hand. We make some mistakes and face losses. The same thing happened to Matilda. She was an overambitious lady. She wanted to go to the party with an expensive dress and necklace. She didn’t have her own sources so she borrowed it from her friend. Unfortunately she lost it in the party. She did not want to tell it to her friend and bought a new one as a replacement. She was in debt and paid for it throughout her life. Her life was ruined. She came to know in the end that the lost necklace was not the real one. But it was too late. The course of her life could have changed had she confessed the loss. She suffered just because she did not have the courage to confess her mistake.

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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