Author name: Prasanna

NCERT Solutions for Class 8 English

A Short Monsoon Diary NCERT Solutions for Class 8 English Honeydew Chapter 8

A Short Monsoon Diary NCERT Text Book Questions and Answers

A Short Monsoon Diary Comprehension check I

Question 1.
Why is the author not able to see Bijju?
Answer:
Monsoon mist has descended the hills which has reduced visibility. This is the reason that the author can hear Bijju but is unable to see him.

Question 2.
What are the two ways in which the hills appear to change when the mist comes up?
Answer:
Mist blankets the hills in silence. Mist is usually associated with the word ‘melancholy’. All birds return to their home and stay silent as soon as the mist comes up. The author experiences a deathly silence throughout the forest. Monsoon rain comes with the coming of monsoon mist. This also marks the arrival of some creatures such as leopard, leeches, scarlet minivets and drongos. Some plants such as cobra lily also begin to bloom.

A Short Monsoon Diary Comprehension check II

Question 1.
When does the monsoon season begin and when does it end? How do you prepare to face the monsoon?
Answer:
The monsoon season begins with the coming of the monsoon mist. This begins to happen around June. The first early monsoon rain makes the weather warm and humid. It also marks the arrival of different creatures such as leopards, leeches, scarlet minivets and drongos. Monsoon season ends by August. They leave the valley filled with lush-green ferns and grass. Snakes and rodents too fill the place.

Question 2.
Which hill-station does the author describe in this diary entry?
Answer:
The hill station described in this diary entry is Mussoorie. The weather during the rainfall of monsoon and winter season is described in the text.

Question 3.
For how many days does it rain without stopping? What does the author do on these days?
Answer:
It rained for eight or nine days continually. The author has not been able to see the sun for all these days. The valley is damp and soggy and the author cannot go out of the house.
The author spends his time pacing in the room and looking out of the window. He sees few people carrying umbrellas and some late-monsoon flowers from there.

Question 4.
Where do the snakes and rodents take shelter? Why?
Answer:
Due to the heavy rains, the holes of snakes and rodents get flooded. This is why they take shelter in the roofs, attics and godowns of the houses.

Question 5.
What did the author receive in the mail?
Answer:
Author receives a cheque in the mail. The amount is less but the author seems happy about it.

A Short Monsoon Diary Working with the text

Question 1.
Look carefully at the diary entries for June 24—25, August 2 and March 23. Now write down the changes that happen as the rains progress from June to March.
Answer:
The author observes a deathly silence in the forest as soon as the mist falls. The weather becomes warm and humid with the coming of early-monsoon rain. Plants begin to bloom and creatures such as leopards, leeches, scarlet minivet and drongos arrive to the valley. Then, the author says that the valley gets covered with permanent mist and endless rains pours but the weather remains warm. The hillsides are filled with lush-green flowers.

Due to the flooding of the holes and burrows, snakes and rodents take shelter in roofs, attics and godowns. With the coming of October, the winter rain comes in. Snow is seen at high altitudes. The tree turns grey as the leaves shed because of the winter rain. Late March witnesses the end of winter. A hailstorm clears the sky and the author sees a rainbow forming in the sky.

Question 2.
Why did the grandmother ask the children not to kill the Chuchundar?
Answer:
The grandmother believed on the superstition that Chuchundars are lucky and bring money. This is why grandmother stops them from killing the Chuchundars.

Question 3.
What signs do we find in Nature which show that the monsoons are about to end?
Answer:
The seeds of cobra lily start turning red. The author also says that the ferns will soon start to turn yellow. These changes indicate that monsoon is about to end.

Question 4.
Complete the following sentences.
Solved

1. Bijju is not seen but his voice is heard because mist has descended the hillside.
2. The writer describes the hill station and valley as a paradise that might have been.
3. The leopard was successful in lifting a dog from near the servant’s quarter, but had to flee when Biiiu’s mother came screaming imprecations.
4. The minivets are easily noticed because they are brightly coloured birds.
5. It looks like a fashion display on the slopes when ground orchids, mauve lady’s slipper and white butterfly orchids fill the grassy slopes of Landour.
6. During the monsoon season, snakes and rodents are found in roofs and attics because their burrows and holes get flooded with rainwater.

Question 5.
Although tin roofs are given to springing unaccountable leaks, there is a feeling of being untouched by, and yet in touch with, the rain.
i. Why has the writer used the word, ‘springing ’?
Answer:
The word ‘springing’ is used because the leaks are unpredictable and can spring at any point during the rain.

ii. How is the writer untouched by the rain?
Answer:
The writer is untouched by the rain because he remains sleeping in his room when it rains.

iii. How is the writer in touch with the rain at the same time?
Answer:
The writer remains in touch with the rain because he feels the drumming of the rain on the corrugated tin roof. This helps him to lie awake. The writer feels the sound of the rain.

Question 6.
Mention a few things that can happen when there is endless rain for days together.
Answer:
If it rains endlessly for days, the places might get flooded with water. This can cause destruction as the houses or people might drown in the flood. Dangerous reptiles such as snakes or rodents can also harm people. Moreover, the flood can give rise to many diseases ultimately leading to the death of people.

Question 7.
What is the significance of cobra lily in relation to the monsoon season, its beginning and end?
Answer:
The blooming of cobra lily marks the beginning of the monsoon season. When the seeds of cobra lily start turning red, it is an indication that monsoon rains are about to end.

A Short Monsoon Diary Working with language

Question 1.
Here are some words that are associated with the monsoon. Add as many words as you can to this list. Can you find words for these in your languages? downpour floods mist cloudy power cuts cold umbrella
Answer:
Words which can be added to the list are: raincoats, drizzle, thunderstorm, drainage, humidity, fog, storms, shower

Question 2.
Now look at the sentences below. Put the verbs in the brackets into their proper forms.
i. The traffic (stop). Some people (sit) on the road and they (shout) slogans.
The traffic stopped. Some people were sitting on the road and they were shouting slogans.

ii. I (wear) my raincoat. It (rain) and people (get) wet.
I wore my raincoat. It was raining and people were getting wet.

iii. She (see) a film. She (narrate) it to her friends who (listen) carefully.
She saw a film. She was narrating it to her friends who were listening carefully.

iv. We (go) to the exhibition. Some people (buy) clothes while others (play) games. We went to the exhibition. Some people were buying clothes while others were playing games.

v. The class (is) quiet. Some children (read) books and the rest (draw).
The class was quiet. Some children were reading books and the rest were drawing.

Question 3.
i. Match these words with their correct meanings.
a. to fall in small drops
b. to make a sound by hitting a surface repeatedly
c. to move quickly through the air, making a soft sound
d. harsh sound made by birds
e. ringing sound (of a bell or breaking glass, etc.)
a. drip
b. drum
c. swish
d. caw
e. tinkle

ii. Now fill in the blanks using the correct form of the words given above.
Solved
a. Ramesh drummed on his desk in impatience.
b. Rain water dripped from the umbrella all over the carpet.
c. The pony swished its tail.
d. The tinkling of breaking glass, woke me up.
e. The cawing of the raven disturbed the child’s sleep.

Question 4.
Complete each sentence below by using appropriate phrase from the ones given below.
Solved

1. I saw thick black clouds in the sky. And sure enough it soon started raining heavily.
2. The blue umbrella was big enough for the brother and sister.
3. The butterflies are colourful enough to get noticed.
4. The lady was brave enough to chase the leopard.
5. The boy was anxious enough to call out to his sister.
6. The man was kind enough to offer help.
7. The victim’s injury was serious enough for him to get admitted in hospital.
8. That person was foolish enough to repeat the same mistake again.
9. He told me he was sorry and he would compensate for the loss. I said, ‘fair enough.’

A Short Monsoon Diary Speaking

Do you believe in superstitions? Why, or why not? Working with your partner, write down three superstitious beliefs that you are familiar with.
(Encourage the students to use their creativity and formulate their own answers.)

Question 1.
No, I don’t believe in superstitions. Superstitions are false beliefs that have been perpetrated by our elders. They are not supported by any scientific reasons. Some of the superstitions that I have heard of are:

• It is an ill omen if a cat crosses your way. People usually think that something bad is about to happen.
• It is said that someone might die if a dog cries.
• People also say that if your left palm itches then you are about to get some money.

Question 2.
How many different kinds of birds do you come across in the lesson? How many varieties do you see in your neighbourhood? Are there any birds that you used to see earlier in your neighbourhood but not now? In groups discuss why you think this is happening.
Answer:
Some of the birds mentioned in the chapter are scarlet minivets and drongo. I see different kinds of birds in my neighbourhood such as parrots, pigeons, crows,.eagles and white pigeons.
Earlier I used to see sparrows but now they are very rare. This is happening due to change in weather conditions. Global warming is changing the weather constantly. Increase in temperature might be one of the reasons of extinction or reduction in the number of sparrows.

A Short Monsoon Diary Writing

The monsoons are a time of great fun and even a few adventures: playing in the rain and getting wet, wading through knee-deep water on your way to school, water flooding the house or the classroom, powercuts and so on. Write a paragraph describing an incident that occurred during the rains which you can never forget.
(Encourage the students to use their creativity and formulate their own answers.)
Or
Write a poem of your own about the season of spring when trees are in full bloom.

A Short Monsoon Diary Spring

Winter’s gone away, and summer’s had a good run,
Spring is near now, and it’s the right amount of sun.
The flowers will all bloom,
And there’s will be no gloom,
Green will be the colour of the season,
Giving us all the more reason,
To be happy and celebrate,
And have fun before it’s too late.

NCERT Solutions for Class 10 English

The Necklace NCERT Solutions for Class 10 English Footprints Without Feet Chapter 7

The Necklace NCERT Text Book Questions and Answers

The Necklace Read and Find out

Question 1.
What kind of a person is Mme Loisel? Why is she always unhappy?
Answer:
Mme Loisel was a pretty young lady. She was an ambitious lady who wanted to dine exquisite food served in marvellous dishes. She was always unhappy as she did not like her poverty. She was disappointed as she was married to a mere clerk who could not provide her a luxurious life.

Question 2.
What kind of a person is her (Matilda’s) husband?
Answer:
Mme Loisel’s husband is a simple man who was delighted at petty things and was satisfied with his life.

Question 3.
What fresh problem now disturbs Mme Loisel?
Answer:
Mme Loisel was disturbed to know that she would have to go to the party without any jewellery. It might ruin her reputation.

Question 4.
How is the problem solved?
Answer:
They were able to solve their problem as Mr. Loisel suggested Matilda to borrow the jewellery from her rich friend, Mme Forestier.

Question 5.
What do Mr. and Mme Loisel do next?
Answer:
They searched for the necklace in the folds of her dress, then Mr. Loisel went in search of the neck-lace. Later he informed the police, gave advertisement in the newspapers offering a reward. He even went to cab offices, but all in vain.

Question 6.
How do they replace the necklace?
Answer:
They borrowed money from their friends. The Loisels had eighteen thousand francs, rest they bor-rowed from their friends and moneylenders. Then they purchased a necklace With the same design for thirty-six thousand francs to give it back to Mme Forestier.

The Necklace Think About It

Question 1.
The course of the Loisels’ life changed due to the necklace. Comment.
Answer:
Matilda Loisel was a very pretty girl married to a petty clerk. She was very ambitious and demanded too much from life. An invitation to a Ball from the Minister elated Mr. Loisel but Matilda was unwilling as she did not have proper dress and jewellery. On her husband’s advice, she borrowed a diamond necklace from her friend for the purpose. She looked very beautiful that night and stole the show.

As they came back home, she found the necklace missing. She was shocked and from that very moment, her life took a turn towards ruin. The price of the necklace was beyond their reach. She sacrificed all her comforts and even all her needs to get money to buy a new necklace and give it to her friend. Because of overwork, tension and lack of care, she became a physical wreck. Happiness of one night changed her whole life’s ways and style. Wearing a necklace for one night grabbed her neck for the rest of her life. The whole course of her life changed due to the necklace.

Question 2.
What was the cause of Matilda’s ruin? How could she have avoided it?
Answer:
Over ambitiousness and dissatisfaction were the causes of Matilda’s ruin. Matilda was an extremely beautiful girl who expected too much from life. Unfortunately, she was married to a very simple and ordinary man who could not provide her all materialistic luxuries which she wanted. For a ball party in his office, she borrows a necklace from her friend and ruins her married life as the necklace is stolen that very night. Just to arrange money for the cost of the necklace, she worked too hard and spoiled her whole life.

She could have avoided it if she had told the fact to her friend that she had lost the necklace. Her friend would have told her the actual price of the necklace as it was not a real diamond necklace that she could easily afford. By hiding the reality and actual facts, she ruined her life.

Question 3.
What would have happened to Matilda if she had confessed to her friend that she had lost her necklace?
Answer:
The course of Matilda’s life would not have changed if she had confessed to her friend that she had lost her necklace. The life of Matilda and her husband was thoroughly changed just to give back the necklace. They sent away the maid to cut the expenses and worked day and night. She lost her charm and charisma as a result of hard work.But she could have avoided all these miseries and sufferings of such a long period if she had confessed to her friend that she had lost her necklace.

Question 4.
If you were caught in a situation like this, how would you have dealt with it?
Answer:
If I were caught in a situation like this. I would have dealt with it in a different way. I would have revealed the truth to my friend earlier to avoid the unwanted situation. But Matilda and her husband ruined their life by hiding the truth. By telling the truth to my friend and paying her only real cost of the necklace, I would have avoided all miseries and mental agonies that Matilda underwent.

The Necklace Extra Questions and Answers

The Necklace Short Answer Questions

Question 1.
Why did Matilda not want to see her rich friends? [Delhi 2016]
Answer:
Matilda did not want to see her rich friends because she did not have jewels, nothing to adorn herself with. Besides, she did not have any suitable dress for the party. She thought that without having these valuable things she would have a poverty-stricken look in the midst of rich friends.

Question 2.
What is the role of Mme Forestier in the story ‘The Necklace’?
Answer:
Mme Forestier is a rich lady. She is a good friend of Matilda. She agrees to lend her necklace to Matilda to be worn at a party. Her role in the story is very important. Had she not lent her necklace to Matilda, she (Matilda) would not have learnt her lesson in life.

Question 3.
What changes came in the lifestyle of Matilda after she had lost the necklace?
Answer:
After the loss of the necklace, Matilda had to sacrifice all her comforts and even all her needs to get money to buy a new necklace and give it to her friend. Because of overwork, tension and lack of care, she became a physical wreck. Happiness of one night changed her whole life’s ways and style.

Question 4.
Describe Mme Loisel’s experience at the ball.
Answer:
At the ball Mme Loisel was in the high world. She was looking absolutely beautiful. She was a great success at the ball. She smiled all the time and was full of joy. She was noticed by everyone present there. She danced with pleasure almost the whole night and returned home at four o’clock in the morning.

Question 5.
What were Matilda’s apprehensions when her husband brought her the invitation to the ball?
Answer:
When her husband brought an invitation, Matilda had two apprehensions’. Firstly, she didn’t have any suitable dress for the party. The second apprehension was that she didn’t have any suitable jewel to adorn herself. She thought that she would give a poverty-stricken look.

Question 6.
How did Monsieur Loisel manage to repay the debt and when?
Answer:
In order to repay the debt. Mr. and Mrs. Loisel had to go through several hardships. Mr. Loisel had to work overtime. Mrs. Loisel did away with the maid and did all the household chores herself. The Loisels left their lodgings and lived in a rented room. The Loisels led a very miserable life and repaid the debt in ten years.

Question 7.
Why did Matilda not like to visit her friend Mme. Forestier?
Answer:
Whenever Matilda visited her rich friend, she always felt frustrated and inferior. Her richness and luxuries made her feel more dissatisfied. Her display of clothes and jewels fascinated her.

Question 8.
Why did Matilda’s husband go out into the cold night minutes after returning from the ball? Was he successful in his efforts?
Answer:
Monsieur Loisel went out into the cold night minutes after returning from the ball in search of the lost necklace. No, he was not successful in his errand. He could not find the necklace anywhere.

Question 9.
What was the cause of Matilda’s ruin? How could she have avoided it?
Answer:
The cause of Matilda’s ruin was her constant discontentment with her circumstances. It was her sense of frustration which made her and her husband borrow the necklace for the party which was subsequently lost. She could have avoided it by firstly, not borrowing the necklace and secondly by telling the truth to Mrs. Forestier.

Question 10.
Why did Jeanne not recognise her friend Matilda?
Answer:
Mme Loisel seemed old and haggard after undergoing a hectic work schedule with a lot of anxiety to pay the debt. Her hair and dress became shabby. Her hands became red, her tone of voice was loud and crude. Therefore, Jeanne could not recognise her.

Question 11.
What is the twist at the end of the tale in the story ‘The Necklace’?
Answer:
The Loisels bought a necklace for thirty-six thousand francs and gave it in place of Mme Forestier’s false and cheap necklace. They underwent a life of misery, suffering and denial to earn the money to repay the debt of the necklace. She must have been crestfallen after realising the real worth of the necklace.

Question 12.
Why was Matilda’s wrap most humiliating for her?
Answer:
Matilda’s wrap was most humiliating for her because she had a poverty-stricken look. The other women in the ball had wrapped themselves in rich furs. She wanted to hurry away from the ball. She was suffering from inferiority complex.

Question 13.
What did her husband bring home one evening? Why was he so elated?
Answer:
He had brought an invitation card for a dinner from the Minister of Public Instructions. It was an honour for him to be invited to that dinner, that is why he was happy and elated.

Question 14.
What was Loisel’s reaction to her desire for a new dress?
Answer:
Matilda wanted to buy a new dress, which would cost her around four hundred francs. On hearing this, Loisel’s face had turned pale. He had saved four hundred francs to buy a gun. The new dress would consume his entire savings.

Question 15.
How did Matilda get the jewels to wear to the ball?
Answer:
She borrowed a diamond necklace from her wealthy friend Mme Forestier to wear at the ball. She went to her and was obliged to choose the desired necklace from Mme Forestier’s collection.

Question 16.
What happened at the ball? Was her dream fulfilled?
Answer:
Matilda was on top of the world at the ball. She looked gorgeous and elegant. Yes, her dream was fulfilled because the people at the ball asked her name and expressed admiration for her.

Question 17.
What did Loisel do to replace the necklace?
Or
How did Monsieur Loisel manage to buy another necklace?
Answer:
Loisel had eighteen thousand francs. He borrowed eighteen thousand francs more from different . money lenders. He bought a chaplet of diamonds exactly like Mme Forestier’s necklace. Mme Loisel replaced Mme Forestier’s necklace without telling her anything.

Question 18.
Moniseur Loisel had saved four hundred francs. Why had he saved them?
Answer:
Mr. Loisel had saved four hundred francs to buy a gun. He wanted to join a hunting party as he was very fond of hunting. But he gave the money to Matilda to buy a new dress to be worn at the party.

Question 19.
Why had Matilda chosen the diamond necklace?
Answer:
Matilda had chosen the diamond necklace after trying many other necklaces. This necklace matched her newly bought dress. She thought that she looked pretty in that necklace.

Question 20.
What efforts were made by Loisels to look for the lost necklace?
Answer:
After realising that the necklace had been lost, Mr. Loisel went all over the place to find it out. He went over the track where they had walked on foot. He went to report the matter to the police and to the cab office. He also advertised in the paper.

The Necklace Long Answer Questions

Question 1.
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?
Answer:
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.

Question 2.
What could have happened to Matilda if she had confessed to her friend that she had lost the necklace?
Answer:
If Matilda had confessed to her friend that she had lost her necklace, she could have avoided the years of suffering they had to undergo. She would not have become a physical wreck. She could have paid her five hundred francs easily. So it is quite necessary to be truthful and honest. Moreover, Mme Forestier was a kind lady and full of compassion. She would have forgiven her for the loss. Confession would have saved her from such hardships.

Question 3.
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.
Answer:
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.

Question 4.
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 the courage to confess her mistake.
Answer:
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.

NCERT Solutions for Class 6 English

A Tale of Two Birds NCERT Solutions for Class 6 A Pact with the Sun Chapter 1

A Tale of Two Birds NCERT Text Book Questions and Answers

Question 1.
How did the two baby birds get separated?
Answer:
The two baby birds get separated because of a storm that blows away the huge tree where they live. Their mother gets killed in the storm and the wind blows them away to the other side of the forest. One lands up near a robbers’ cave, and the other lands outside a rishi s ashram.

Question 2.
Where did each of them find a home?
Answer:
One of the birds finds a home on a tree near the robbers’ cave, and the other finds a home on a tree near a rishi s ashram.

Question 3.
What did the first bird say to the stranger?
Answer:
The stranger hears the first bird warn the robbers by saying, “Quick! Hurry up! There’s someone under the tree. Come and take his jewels and his horse. Hurry, or else he’ll slip away.”

Question 4.
What did the second bird say to him?
Answer:
Welcoming the stranger to the ashram, the second bird says to him, “Welcome to the ashram, Sir. Please go inside and rest. The rishi will be back soon. There’s some cold water in the pot. Please make yourself comfortable.”

Question 5.
How did the rishi explain the different ways in which the birds behaved?
Answer:
The rishi explained the different ways in which the birds behaved by saying that it was because of the company that the birds kept. One of the birds has always heard the robbers talk, and so imitates them, while the other has spent time at the ashram and heard rishis, and so, he welcomes people into the ashram.

Question 6.
Which one of the following sums up the story best?
Answer:

• A bird in hand is worth two in the bush.
• One is known by the company one keeps.
• A friend in need is a friend indeed.
• One is known by the company one keeps.

NCERT Solutions for Class 8 English

The Duck and the Kangaroo NCERT Solutions for Class 8 English Honeydew Poem 6

The Duck and the Kangaroo NCERT Text Book Questions and Answers

The Duck and the Kangaroo Working with the poem

Question 1.
Taking words that come at the end of lines, write five pairs of rhyming words. Read each pair aloud.
Answer:

• hop – stop
• Duck – luck
• back – quack
• rocks – socks
• Lee – sea

Question 2.
Complete the dialogue.
Completed

Duck: Dear Kangaroo! Why don’t you give me a ride on your back?

Kangaroo: With pleasure, my dear Duck, though your feet would be wet and cold, and I would catch rheumatism.

Duck: That won’t be a problem. I will cover my feet with four pair of socks, and wear a cloak from head to toe. I will also smoke a cigar every day to keep warm.

Question 3.
The Kangaroo does not want to catch ‘rheumatism ’. Spot this word in stanza 3 and say why it is spelt differently. Why is it in two parts? Why does the second part begin with a capital letter?
Answer:
The word used by the Kangaroo for rheumatism is Roo-Matiz. It is spelt differently because this is a nonsense poem, and the poet did not want to use such a heavy term in a poem. It is in two parts because the poet wanted to use a word that rhymes with kangaroo. The second part begins with a capital letter because it is at the beginning of the line.

Question 4.
Do you find the poem humorous? Read aloud lines that make you laugh.
Answer:
Yes, the poem is extremely humorous. It is about a kangaroo and duck talking about going on a tour together. It is a nonsense poem, and uses some words that have no meaning. Some of the lines that made me laugh are as follows:

Your feet are unpleasantly wet and cold,
And would probably give me the roo-
Matiz! ’said the Kangaroo.

And I bought four pairs of worsted socks Which fit my web-feet neatly.
And to keep out the cold I’ve bought a cloak,
And every day a cigar I ’ll smoke,

NCERT Solutions for Class 10 English

The Tale of Custard the Dragon NCERT Solutions for Class 10 English First Flight Poem 10

The Tale of Custard the Dragon Text Book Questions and Answers

The Tale of Custard the Dragon Thinking about the Poem

Question 1.
Who are the characters in this poem? List them with their pet names.
Answer:
The kitten was called Ink and the mouse was called Blink. She called her dog Mustard and the dragon was called Custard.

Question 2.
Why did Custard cry for a nice safe cage? Why is the dragon called “cowardly dragon”?
Answer:
The Custard cried for a nice safe cage because Belinda and her other pets were very brave and bold but it wanted to hide itself. So everyone called him a coward.

Question 3.
“Belinda tickled him, she tickled him unmerciful ” Why?
Answer:
Belinda was very proud of Ink and Blink who were very brave. She did not like cowardly Custard, therefore she tickled him unmercifully.

Question 4.
The poet has employed many poetic devices in the poem. For example: “Clashed his tail like iron in a dungeon”—The poetic device here is a ‘simile’. Can you, with your partner, list some more such poetic devices used in the poem?
Answer:
The poem ‘The Tale of Custard the Dragon’ is a beautiful poem highlighting many poetic devices used by Ogden Nash, for example, the poet has used simile in the following lines to show the comparison.

• And the little yellow dog was sharp as Mustard :
• Mouth like a fireplace.
• He went at the pirate like a robin at a worm.
• Belinda was as brave as a barrel full of bears
• Mustard was as brave as a tiger in a rage

Question 5.
Read stanza three again to know how the poet describes the appearance of the dragon.
Answer:
In the third stanza, the poet has drawn a very vivid picture of the furious dragon whose name was Custard. His sharp teeth intensify his fierceness as he is gifted with spikes on top and scales under-neath. The fiery dragon’s mouth is compared to fireplace and very appropriately his nose has been compared to a chimney which emnates smoke. He has got dagger like toes. Overall, the dragon ap-pears to be very frightening.

Question 6.
Can you find out the rhyme scheme of two or three stanzas of the poem?
Answer:
The poem maintains a ryhme pattern almost all over the poem with each stanza consisting of four lines. The rhyming scheme is:
[…house … mouse … wagon … dragon] [… Ink … Blink … Mustard … Custard]

Question 7.
Writers use words to give us a picture or image without actually Saying what they mean. Can you trace some images used in the poem?
Answer:
Sometimes poets use irony to present an image or a picture. Rather than saying it directly, they say . it rhetorically or emphasising a point which means first the opposite, for example, in this poem the lines – And Custard said, I quite agree’ That everybody is braver than me’ whereas the readers know the reality about their so-called bravery as Mustard fled from there and the little mouse Blink hid himself in the mousehole.

Question 8.
Do you find ‘The Tale of Custard the Dragon’ to be a serious or a light-hearted poem? Give reasons to support your answer.
Answer:
The poem ‘Tale of Custard the Dragon’ is a serious story told in a light-hearted manner. It is a tale of a pirate who wanted to kill a young girl, Belinda, but her pet dragon gobbles him up bit by bit. The poet is also aiming at commenting on the people and their boastful nature but when it comes to real help, they are nowhere to help their near and dear ones.

At the same time, they do not miss an opportunity to praise themselves once the crisis is over to win back their lost image. On the other hand, he has depicted the character of Dragon who was ridiculed by very little and tiny animals like ‘ the mouse, the cat and the dog, but he does not mind it and helps his master, Belinda when she is in danger, by gobbling up the pirate.

The poem presented in a light-hearted manner is appreciable as it is very humorous to see a mouse making fun of a fierce dragon. All the animals giggle at the dragon for being a coward but ultimately, he is the bravest of them all.

Question 9.
This poem, in ballad form, tells a story. Have you come across any such modern song or lyric that tells a story? If you know one, tell it to the class. Collect such songs as a project.
Answer:
The teachers can conduct this activity in the class by giving some suggestions about ballad like Khub ladi mardani, Woh to Jhansi wali rani thi.

The Tale of Custard the Dragon Extra Questions and Answers

The Tale of Custard the Dragon Reference-to-Context Questions

Read the stanza given below and answer the questions that follow:

Question 1.
Now the name of the little black kitten was Ink,
And the little grey mouse, she called him Blink,
And the little yellow dog was sharp as Mustard,
But the dragon was a coward, and she called him Custard.

(a) The little dog was called ………….. because it was sharp.
Answer:
mustard

(b) Belinda’s pets are a black kitten, grey mouse, yellow dog and
Answer:
dragon

(c) Belinda called the dragon
Answer:
custard

(d) Find the antonym of ‘brave’ in the extract.
Answer:
coward

Question 2.
Custard the dragon had big sharp teeth,
And spikes on top of him and scales underneath,
Mouth like a fireplace, chimney for a noes.
And realio, trulio daggers on his toes.

(a) Belinda thought that Custard the dragon was a
Answer:
coward

(b) The dragon had ‘realio, trulio’ on his toes.
Answer:
daggers

(c) “Realio, trulio” (really, truly) is used for poetic effect in the extract.
Answer:
True.

(d) Find the antonym of ‘blunt’ in the extract.
Answer:
sharp.

Question 3.
Belinda was as brave as a barrel full of bears,
And Ink and Blink chased lions down the stairs,
Mustard was as brave as a tiger in a rage,
But Custard cried for a nice safe cage.

(a) Mustard the yellow dog has been compared to a ………….
Answer:
tiger

(b) Belinda was as brave as a full of bears.
Answer:
barrel

(c) Custard cried for a nice safe cage, which shows his bravery.
Answer:
False

(d) Find the same meaning of ‘followed’ in the extract.
Answer:
chased.

Question 4.
Belinda tickled him, she tickled him unmerciful,
Ink, Blink and Mustard, they rudely called him Percival,
They all sat laughing in the little red wagon
At the realio, trulio, cowardly dragon.

(a) Belinda tickled Custard, the dragon
Answer:
unmerciful

(b) Ink, Blink and Mustard called the Custard
Answer:
Percival

(c) Custard, the dragon, lived in the black wagon.
Answer:
False

(d) Find the antonym of ‘merciful’ in the extract.
Answer:
unmerciful.

Question 5.
Pistol in his left hand, pistol in his right,
And he held in his teeth a cutlass bright,…

(a) The pirate’s intention was to ………. Belinda and others.
Answer:
kill

(b ) The pirate held a bright in his teeth.
Answer:
cutlass

(c) Belinda attacked the pirate brutally.
Answer:
False

(d) Find the same meaning of ‘sword’ in the extract.
Answer:
cutlass

Question 6.
Belinda paled, and she cried Help! Help!
But Mustard fled with a terrified yelp,
Ink trickled down to the bottom of the household,
And little mouse Blink strategically mouseholed.

(a) Belinda cried for help because she was by a pirate with a pistol.
Answer:
attacked

(b) Mustard fled with a terrified
Answer:
yelp

(c) Blink hid strategically in a mousehold.
Answer:
True

(d) Find the same meaning of ‘howl’ in the extract.
Answer:
yelp

Question 7.
But up jumped Custard, snorting like an engine,
Clashed his tail like irons in a dungeon,
With a clatter and a clank and a jangling squirm,
He went at the pirate like a robin at a worm”.

(a) Custard, the dragon has been compared to an
Answer:
engine

(b) Custard attacked the pirate like a on a worm.
Answer:
robin

(c) ‘Simile’ is used in the line ‘clashed his tail like irons in a dungeon’.
Answer:
True

(d) Find the same meaning of ‘wriggle’ in the extract.
Answer:
squirm.

Question 8.
The pirate gaped at Belinda’s dragon,
And gulped some grog from his pocket flagon,
He fired two bullets, but they didn’t hit,
And Custard gobbled him, every bit.

(a) The pirate fired two ………… from his pistol.
Answer:
shots

(b) The pirate met his end when the dragon ………….. him up.
Answer:
gobbled

(c) The pirate gaped at the dragon because he was not scared.
Answer:
False

(d) Find the same meaning of ‘drank’ in the extract.
Answer:
gulped.

Question 9.
Belinda embraced him, Mustard licked him,
No one mourned for his pirate victim.
Ink and Blink in glee did gyrate
Around the dragon that ate the pirate.

(a) Everyone embraced the dragon because he had the pirate.
Answer:
gobbled up

(b) The Custard proved that he was not a
Answer:
coward

(c) Nobody was happy because the pirate was not eliminated. (True/False)
Answer:
False

(d) Find the antonym of ‘unhappy’ in the extract.
Answer:
glee.

The Tale of Custard the Dragon Long Answer Question

Question 1.
‘Appearances are deceptive’ is an apt summation of the poem, ‘The Tale of Custard the Dragon.’ Elucidate.
Answer:
Belinda’s pet dragon though ferocious in looks, believed he was a coward at heart, it seemed. In comparison, the other pets boasted of their bravery, their ability to chase lions and their tiger cries, while the dragon just whimpered for a safe cage to hide in. The appearance of a pirate brought forth the dragon’s true worth for while the other creatures scuttled off to hide, the dragon measured up to the pirate’s threats by snorting at him, clattering his steely tail, and finally, gobbling him up.

Once the enemy was conquered, the animals emerged and made lame excuses about their inability to confront the pirate In true warrior spirit, the dragon magnanimously said that he truly a coward, exposing their weaknesses.

NCERT Solutions for Class 6 English

Beauty NCERT Solutions for Class 6 Honeysuckle Poem 4

Beauty NCERT Text Book Questions and Answers

Beauty Working with the poem

Question 1.
The poet says, “Beauty is heard in …” Can you hear beauty? Add a sound that you think is beautiful, just like the sounds that the poet thinks, are beautiful.

The poet, Keats, said:
Heard melodies are sweet,
But those unheard are sweeter.

What do you think this means? Have you ever ‘heard’ a song in your head, long after the song was sung or played?
(Encourage the students to come up with individual answers.)
Answer:
The sounds of chirping birds, and a flowing brook or stream seem beautiful to me. The poet means that the sounds in nature which exist, but are not considered to be music in the traditional sense, are very sweet and pleasing to the ear. Yes, it happens quite a lot that I hear a song in my head, long after the song was played.
I believe that such a song is called an earworm.

Question 2.
Can you rewrite the phrases used in the poem? Why do you think the poet uses the shorter phrases?
Answer:
Wind that is making a sighing sound; rain that is falling pitter-patter, a singer who is chanting. The poet uses the shorter phrases to make his poem sound good and lyrical, like a song.

Question 3.
Find pictures of beautiful things you have seen or heard of.
Answer:
Encourage the students to find beautiful pictures of flowers, nature, sunrise, sunset and other beautiful things.

Question 4.
Write a paragraph about beauty. Use your own ideas along with the ideas in the poem.
(You may discuss your ideas with your partner.)
Answer:
Beauty exists in small things, like happy and peaceful thoughts. It is in our perspective. Sometimes, a situation that does not seem very good can be turned around by shifting our perspective. This means that we need to find beauty in everything and everybody. It is said that even a stopped clock is correct twice in a day. Similarly, all of us are beautiful, only if someone spends the time to look at what makes us unique and beautiful.