ICSE Class 10 English Solutions – ML Aggarwal Solutions

ICSE Class 10 English Solutions Princess September

August 11, 2022November 16, 2017 by Veerendra

ICSE Class 10 English Solutions Princess September

Passage 1

Question 1.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow.

He cried bitterly when he said this, for he was extremely fond of the Queen. Of course it made the Queen very uneasy because she knew that it would distress the King very much if he had to cut off her head. And it would not be very nice for her. But it so happened that there was no need for either of them to worry because September was the last daughter they ever had. The Queen only had sons after that and they were called by the letters of the alphabet, so there was no cause for anxiety there for a long time, since she had only reached the letter J.

Why would the King have to cut off the Queen’s head?

Answer:
According to the King of Siam, twelve daughters were enough for a man. He did not want to go through the trouble of naming them again, and hence, he decided that if the queen gave birth to one more daughter, he would cut off her head.

Question 2.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow.

What made the queen uneasy?

Answer:
The queen knew that she was the king’s favourite. It made her sad to know that the king would be very distressed if he had to cut off her head.

Question 3.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow.

Is it abnormal for the queen to feel sad for the king? Why?

Answer:
The queen felt sad for the king who was going to cut off her head if she gave birth to one more daughter because they already had twelve daughters. She should have worried for herself as her life was in danger. However, she instead felt sad for the king.

Question 4.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow.

How were the daughters of the Siamese King and Queen named?

Answer:
The king and the queen named their first two daughters Night and Day. When they had two more daughters, they renamed the first two ones and called the four after the seasons, i.e. Spring and Autumn, Winter and Summer. In the course of time he had three others and he changed their names again and called all by the seven days of the week. Finally, when his eighth daughter was born, he named all of them after the months of the year.

Passage 2

Question 1.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow.

The King of Siam had a habit which I think might be usefully imitated in Europe. Instead of receiving presents on his birthday he gave them and it looks as though he liked it, for he used often to say he was sorry he had only been born on one day and so only had one birthday in the year. But in this way he managed in course of time to give away all his wedding presents and the loyal addresses which the mayors of the cities in Siam presented him with and all his own crowns which had gone out of fashion. One year on his birthday, not having anything else handy, he gave each of his daughters a beautiful green parrot in a beautiful golden cage. There were nine of them and on each cage was written the name of the month which was the name of the princess it belonged to.

What habit did the King of Siam have?

Answer:
The King of Siam had the habit of giving gifts on his birthday instead of receiving them.

Question 2.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow.

What made the king sad about his birthday?

Answer:
The king was sad because his birthday came only once a year and he could not give away gifts more than once in a year.

Question 3.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow.

What was the result of him giving away presents every year on his birthday?

Answer:
The king had the habit of giving gifts on his birthday. As a result of this, he had given away all his wedding presents and the loyal addresses which the mayors of the cities in Siam presented him with and even his own crowns which had gone out of fashion.

Question 4.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow.

What did the king gift his daughters one year on his birthday? Why?

Answer:
One year on his birthday, the King did not have anything to give since he had already given away all that he owned to his subjects in the previous years. Therefore, he gave each of his daughters a beautiful green parrot in a beautiful golden cage.

Passage 3

Question 1.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow.

And while she lay in her bed, crying still even though she felt rather hungry, she saw a little bird hop into her room. She took her thumb out of her mouth and sat up. Then the little bird began to sing and he sang a beautiful song all about the lake in the King’s garden and the willow trees that looked at themselves in the still water and the goldfish that glided in and out of the branches that were reflected in it. When he had finished, the Princess was not crying anymore and she quite forgot that she had had no supper. “That was a very nice song,” she said. The little bird gave her a bow, for artists have naturally good manners, and they like to be appreciated.

Why was Princess September crying?

Answer:
Princess September was crying because one day she found her parrot lying dead at the bottom of its golden cage.

Question 2.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow.

What did the Queen say when she came to know that Princess September was crying?

Answer:
The Maids of Honour told the Queen that Princess September was sobbing uncontrollably. On hearing this, the Queen said that the death of the parrot was nonsense and not worth shedding tears. She heartlessly asked the Maids of Honour to put the princess to sleep without giving her supper.

Question 3.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow.

How are the Queen and Princess September different from each other?

Answer:
Princess September was heart-broken on seeing her parrot dead. She wouldn’t stop crying and was indeed very sad. This shows that the princess was sensitive and emotional. On the other hand, when the Queen was told that the princess was sobbing uncontrollably over her parrot’s death, she said that the dead parrot was not worth shedding tears on and asked the Maids of Honour to put Princess September to sleep without giving her supper. The Queen was unfeeling and didn’t care for the pain of her daughter.

Question 4.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow.

What pulled the princess out of her sadness?

Answer:
A little bird hopped into Princess September’s room and began to sing a beautiful song about the lake in the King’s garden and the willow trees that looked at themselves in the still water and the goldfish that glided in and out of the branches that were reflected in it. When the bird finished singing, the princess was no longer crying. The little bird was a nightingale and it pulled Princess September out of her sadness by singing her a beautiful song.

Passage 4

Question 1.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow.

“My poor September,” they said. “We are sorry for the death of your beautiful parrot. It must be dreadful for you not to have a pet bird as we have. So we have all put our pocket-money together and we are going to buy you a lovely green and yellow parrot.” “Thank you for nothing,” said September. (This was not very civil of her, but Siamese princesses are sometimes a little short with one another.) “I have a pet bird which sings the most charming songs to me and I don’t know what on earth I should do with a green and yellow parrot.”

Who visited Princess September after the death of her parrot?

Answer:
The eight elder sisters of Princess September visited her after the death of her parrot.

Question 2.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow.

Why did the sisters come to visit their little sister?

Answer:
The sisters came to visit Princess September to express their condolences over the death of her parrot.

Question 3.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow.

What were the real intentions of the sisters?

Answer:
The sisters were jealous of Princess September’s little bird as it sang melodiously, as compared to the repetitive rant of their own parrots. Further, the song of the little bird was appreciated by the King too, this vexed the sisters further. Hence, they decided to separate September from the bird so that she wouldn’t be happier than all of them.

Question 4.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow.

How did September react to her sisters’ idea of giving her a parrot?

Answer:
The sisters pretended to be sad over the death of September’s parrot. They told her that they had decided to put all their money together and buy her a parrot. However, Princess September told the sisters that she already had a bird which sang better than the green and yellow parrot and that she didn’t need a parrot.

Passage 5

Question 1.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow.

September felt her heart go thump, thump against her chest, and she made up her mind to take no more risks. She put up her hand and took hold of the bird. This he was quite used to, she liked feeling his heart go pit-a-pat, so fast, in the hollow of her hand, and I think he liked the soft warmth of her little hand. So the bird suspected nothing and he was so surprised when she carried him over to the cage, popped him in, and shut the door on him for a moment he could think of nothing to say. But in a moment or two he hopped up on the ivory perch and said: “What is the joke?” “There’s no joke,” said September, “but some of mamma’s cats are prowling about to-night, and I think you’re much safer in there.”

What fear did the eight sisters instil in September’s mind?

Answer:
The eight sisters were jealous of September and her bird who sang melodious songs to her. September did not cage the bird and allowed it to move freely in the palace at its will. However, on one such day when the bird was not present, the sisters visited September and told her that if she allowed the bird to move freely, it wouldn’t return one day. Indeed that day, the bird came back late, and this sowed the fear of losing the bird in September’s heart.

Question 2.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow.

What did Princess September do to ensure that the bird stayed safe with her?

Answer:
Princess September popped the bird into a golden cage to ensure the bird’s safety.

Question 3.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow.

What did the bird do after being put in the cage?

Answer:
When the little nightingale was popped into the cage, it first thought it was a joke. But when the princess refused to let it out, it started sobbing and pleading to the princess. The bird repeatedly told the princess that it couldn’t sing when it was caged and if it didn’t sing it would die.

Question 4.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow.

What reason did the princess give for caging the bird? What was the real reason for caging the bird?

Answer:
The princess told the bird that her mother’s cats were on prowl that night and that she feared they would kill the bird. However, the actual reason for caging the bird was the fear instilled in the princesses’ heart that the bird would fly away forever and that she would be left without a pet once again.

Passage 6

Question 1.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow.

“I cannot sing unless I’m free and if I cannot sing, I die,” he said. The Princess gave a great sob. “Then take your freedom,” she said, “I shut you in a golden cage because I loved you and wanted to have you all to myself. But I never knew it would kill you. Go. Fly away among the trees that are round the lake and fly over the green rice-fields. I love you enough to let you be happy in your own way.” She threw open the window and gently placed the little bird on the sill. He shook himself a little.

What happened when the bird was caged by the princess?

Answer:
The bird grew sad and melancholic when it was caged. It could not see the trees outside nor could it enjoy nature. This made the bird weary and tired.

Question 2.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow.

What did the princess do for the bird?

Answer:
The princess realised that her love and possessiveness for the little bird was hurting it. She decided to set the bird free. Although she did this unwillingly, she was happy that the bird would be free again.

Question 3.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow.

What happened to the bird after it was set free by Princess September?

Answer:
Princess September opened the cage and gently placed the little bird on the sill. The bird gave itself a little shake and realised that that he had become stiff.

Question 4.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow.

Did the bird return to the princess after being set free by her?

Answer:
Yes, the bird did return to the princess after being set free by her. The nightingale kept its promise of returning to the princess. When it came back after flying over the world, it sat on September’s shoulder and ate out of her hand and sang to her the beautiful songs he had learned while he was flying up and down the fair places of the world.

Passage 7

Question 1.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow.

September kept her window open day and night so that the little bird might come into her room whenever he felt inclined, and this was very good for her; so she grew extremely beautiful. And when she was old enough she married the King of Cambodia and was carried all the way to the city in which he lived on a white elephant. But her sisters never slept with their windows open, so they grew extremely ugly as well as disagreeable, and when the time came to marry them off they were given away to the King’s councilors with a pound of tea and a Siamese cat.

Why was the window of September’s room open night and day?

Answer:
Princess September kept her window open night and day so that the little nightingale could come into her room whenever it wanted to.

Question 2.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow.

How did the open window help the princess?

Answer:
The open window allowed fresh air to enter September’s room. It made her livelier, healthier, more beautiful, and happy. The inflow of natural light and fresh air into the room enhanced September’s beauty and made her a sweet and a charming lady.

Question 3.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow.

To whom did Princess September get married?

Answer:
Princess September was married to the King of Cambodia. She was carried all the way to the city in which he lived on a white elephant.

Question 4.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow.

To whom were the eight sisters given away? Why?

Answer:
The sisters never slept with their windows open and hence, they grew ugly and disagreeable. When the time of their marriage came, they were given away to the King’s councilors with a pound of tea and a Siamese cat.

ICSE Class 10 English Solutions A Psalm of Life [Poem]

August 11, 2022November 16, 2017 by Veerendra

ICSE Class 10 English Solutions A Psalm of Life [Poem]

Passage 1

Question 1.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow:

Tell me not, in mournful numbers,
Life is but an empty dream!
For the soul is dead that slumbers,
And things are not what they seem.

Life is real! Life is earnest!
And the grave is not its goal;
Dust thou art, to dust returnest,
Was not spoken of the soul.

Whom is the poem addressed to? What kind of approach does the poet have towards life? How do we know this?

Answer:
The poet HW Longfellow addresses this poem to all his readers in general. He has a positive and motivational approach towards life. He urges us to wake up from our slumbers and make our lives meaningful. He tries to explain to us that we have got the gift of life not to lay stagnant and take it to our graves. He further states that our lives will not unfold by itself and it is up to us what we make of it.

Question 2.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow:

Tell me not, in mournful numbers,
Life is but an empty dream!
For the soul is dead that slumbers,
And things are not what they seem.

Life is real! Life is earnest!
And the grave is not its goal;
Dust thou art, to dust returnest,
Was not spoken of the soul.

According to the speaker, what is not the goal of life? When will our soul really be dead?

Answer:
According to the speaker, dying without achieving anything is not the goal of life. Our soul will really be dead if we ignore our duties, not see things for what they really are and let ourselves slumber away to our ends.

Question 3.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow:

Tell me not, in mournful numbers,
Life is but an empty dream!
For the soul is dead that slumbers,
And things are not what they seem.

Life is real! Life is earnest!
And the grave is not its goal;
Dust thou art, to dust returnest,
Was not spoken of the soul.

Mention and explain the biblical references in the extract above.

Answer:
The word ‘numbers’ in the first line of the poem refer to verses in the bible. The phrase ‘Dust thou art, to dust returnest’ is also a biblical reference. In the book of Genesis, God reminded Adam that he was made from the dust of the ground and that he shall return to dust.

Question 4.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow:

Tell me not, in mournful numbers,
Life is but an empty dream!
For the soul is dead that slumbers,
And things are not what they seem.

Life is real! Life is earnest!
And the grave is not its goal;
Dust thou art, to dust returnest,
Was not spoken of the soul.

Is the poet’s view of life influenced by Christian ideologies? Support your answer with phrases from the poem.

Answer:
Yes. The poet makes direct references to words in the bible (the second last line of the extract) to support his ideas. Also, other ideas like doing one’s duties, suppressing laziness and helping ones brother etc are influenced by Christian ideologies.

Passage 2

Question 1.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow:

Not enjoyment, and not sorrow,
Is our destined end or way;
But to act, that each to-morrow
Find us farther than to-day.

Art is long, and Time is fleeting,
And our hearts, though stout and brave,
Still, like muffled drums, are beating
Funeral marches to the grave.

What should we aim to achieve as we live each day?

Answer:
As we live each day, we should aim to move forward on our paths towards our goals instead of wasting our time on enjoyment or sorrow.

Question 2.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow:

Not enjoyment, and not sorrow,
Is our destined end or way;
But to act, that each to-morrow
Find us farther than to-day.

Art is long, and Time is fleeting,
And our hearts, though stout and brave,
Still, like muffled drums, are beating
Funeral marches to the grave.

What does the speaker say about the human heart?

Answer:
The speaker says that though human hearts are stout and brave their beating is like a warning to each one of us that our end is nearing.

Question 3.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow:

Not enjoyment, and not sorrow,
Is our destined end or way;
But to act, that each to-morrow
Find us farther than to-day.

Art is long, and Time is fleeting,
And our hearts, though stout and brave,
Still, like muffled drums, are beating
Funeral marches to the grave.

Why does the poet call art ‘long’?

Answer:
The poet calls art ‘long’ because once it is created it will never perish. It is timeless and immortal unlike human lives which will decay or perish.

Question 4.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow:

Not enjoyment, and not sorrow,
Is our destined end or way;
But to act, that each to-morrow
Find us farther than to-day.

Art is long, and Time is fleeting,
And our hearts, though stout and brave,
Still, like muffled drums, are beating
Funeral marches to the grave.

Explain the line ‘Funeral marches to the grave.’?

Answer:
The steady beating of the human heart is likened to the constant beat of the drums in a funeral march in the line above.

Passage 3

Question 1.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow:

In the world’s broad field of battle,
In the bivouac of Life,
Be not like dumb, driven cattle!
Be a hero in the strife!

Trust no Future, how e’er pleasant!
Let the dead Past bury its dead!
Act,- act in the living Present!
Heart within, and God o’er head!

How does the poet want readers to face their battles?

Answer:
The poet wants readers to face life’s struggles like a soldier fights battles heroically. The poet calls life as the ‘world’s broad field of battle’.

Question 2.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow:

In the world’s broad field of battle,
In the bivouac of Life,
Be not like dumb, driven cattle!
Be a hero in the strife!

Trust no Future, how e’er pleasant!
Let the dead Past bury its dead!
Act,- act in the living Present!
Heart within, and God o’er head!

What does the phrase ‘bivouac of Life’ mean?

Answer:
The phrase ‘bivouac of Life’refers to life as a temporary shelter. It re-emphasises that we are on earth only for a limited period of time and whatever we wish for should be achieved while we are alive.

Question 3.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow:

In the world’s broad field of battle,
In the bivouac of Life,
Be not like dumb, driven cattle!
Be a hero in the strife!

Trust no Future, how e’er pleasant!
Let the dead Past bury its dead!
Act,- act in the living Present!
Heart within, and God o’er head!

What advice does the poet give about the past and the future?

Answer:
The poet advises us not to be tied up to our past or get mingled in worries or anticipations of the future. For this he says “Trust no Future, how e’er pleasant! Let the dead Past bury its dead!”

Question 4.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow:

In the world’s broad field of battle,
In the bivouac of Life,
Be not like dumb, driven cattle!
Be a hero in the strife!

Trust no Future, how e’er pleasant!
Let the dead Past bury its dead!
Act,- act in the living Present!
Heart within, and God o’er head!

Explain the following lines from the extract.
Act,- act in the living Present!
Heart within, and God o’er head!

Answer:
In the last two lines the poet urges us to live and act in the present and burn our past. He also advises us to stop worrying about the future. He says that our past or our future cannot help achieve our goals. We can only rely or trust the heart within our bodies and our God above to give us strength to live each day.

Passage 4

Question 1.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow:

Lives of great men all remind us
We can make our lives sublime,
And, departing, leave behind us
Footprints on the sands of time;

Footprints, that perhaps another,
Sailing o’er life’s solemn main,
A forlorn and shipwrecked brother,
Seeing, shall take heart again.

What do sublime lives indicate? How do we know that we can make our lives sublime?

Answer:
Sublime lives indicate lives of great worth; ‘Lives’ which have achieved so much that they are looked up to and praised for these things. Learning from the example of the lives of many great leaders and people who have lived before us, we can be sure that it is not impossible to make our lives sublime or worthy of respect.

Question 2.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow:

Lives of great men all remind us
We can make our lives sublime,
And, departing, leave behind us
Footprints on the sands of time;

Footprints, that perhaps another,
Sailing o’er life’s solemn main,
A forlorn and shipwrecked brother,
Seeing, shall take heart again.

How can our life experience be a source of inspiration to others?

Answer:
As we live, we should face the hardships in our path with determination. Only our will and persistence will help us overcome the obstacles. Also, when we overcome our perils confidently, others who face similar adversities will get courage through our example and succeed in life.

Question 3.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow:

Lives of great men all remind us
We can make our lives sublime,
And, departing, leave behind us
Footprints on the sands of time;

Footprints, that perhaps another,
Sailing o’er life’s solemn main,
A forlorn and shipwrecked brother,
Seeing, shall take heart again.

What does ‘Sailing o’er life’s solemn main’ indicate?

Answer:
The words ‘solemn main’ indicate tough times in life; times when a person is low and finds it difficult to cope with situations on his own.

Question 4.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow:

Lives of great men all remind us
We can make our lives sublime,
And, departing, leave behind us
Footprints on the sands of time;

Footprints, that perhaps another,
Sailing o’er life’s solemn main,
A forlorn and shipwrecked brother,
Seeing, shall take heart again.

What is the symbolic value of the word ‘brother’ used in the second stanza?

Answer:
The poet uses the word ‘brother’ to highlight that selflessness is one aspect of a good and healthy life. Only when we treat others the way we want to be treated will we be able to grow personally. Being happy for someone else’s success gives us a positive approach to life which in turn helps us in our strife.

Passage 5

Question 1.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow:

Let us, then, be up and doing,
With a heart for any fate;
Still achieving, still pursuing,
Learn to labor and to wait.

What should we prepare ourselves for when we are ‘up and doing’?

Answer:
While we are ‘up and doing’, in other words, when we are actively striving to achieve our goals we should also prepare our hearts for failure. We need to understand that not all efforts bear fruit. We have to accept this fact gracefully and take it in our stride as we move on in life.

Question 2.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow:

Let us, then, be up and doing,
With a heart for any fate;
Still achieving, still pursuing,
Learn to labor and to wait.

Explain the last two lines of the stanza.
Still achieving, still pursuing,
Learn to labor and to wait.

Answer:
In the last two lines, the poet says that we should work to achieve our goals in life and not while away time. We need to learn to work hard in life but also be patient enough to wait for the fruits of our labour.

Question 3.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow:

Let us, then, be up and doing,
With a heart for any fate;
Still achieving, still pursuing,
Learn to labor and to wait.

What kind of tone and language is used in the poem?

Answer:
In keeping with the name of the poem i.e. ‘A Psalm of life’ Longfellow uses a didactic tone to talk about life. The nine stanzas use allusions to the bible and different aspects of life which if kept in mind will help us live our lives more fruitfully.

ICSE Class 10 English Solutions The Tiger in the Tunnel

August 11, 2022November 16, 2017 by Veerendra

ICSE Class 10 English Solutions The Tiger in the Tunnel

Passage 1

Question 1.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow.

Tembu, the boy, opened his eyes in the dark and wondered if his father was ready to leave the hut on his nightly errand. There was no moon that night, and the deathly stillness of the surrounding jungle was broken only occasionally by the shrill cry of a cicada. Sometimes from far off came the hollow hammering of a woodpecker, carried along on the faint breeze. Or the grunt of a wild boar could be heard as he dug up a favourite root. But these sounds were rare, and the silence of the forest always returned to swallow them up.
Baldeo, the watchman, was awake. He stretched himself slowly unwinding the heavy shawl that covered him. It was close on midnight and the chill air made him shiver. The station, a small shack backed by heavy jungle, was a station in name only; for trains only stopped there, if at all, for a few seconds before entering the deep cutting that led to the tunnel. Most trains merely slowed down before taking the sharp curve before cutting.

What errand did Tembu’s father run every night?

Answer:
Tembu’s father went out every night to check if the lamp was burning and to manually signal the upland mail and ensure that it had passed through the tunnel safely.

Question 2.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow.

Describe the night when Baldeo got ready to leave on his errand?

Answer:
It was a moonless night when Baldeo got ready to leave on his errand. There was deathly stillness around the jungle except for the occasional cry of the cicada, or a grunt of a wild boar, or the hammering of the woodpecker. It was close to midnight and the chilling air made Baldeo shiver.

Question 3.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow.

Why was the station said to be a station in name only?

Answer:
The station was said to be in name only because trains only stopped there if at all for a few seconds before entering the deep cutting that led to the tunnel. Most trains only slowed down before taking the sharp curve before the cutting.

Question 4.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow.

Who was Tembu? Where did he live?

Answer:
Tembu was a 12 year-old tribal boy who lived in a tribal village with his mother and little sister on the outskirts of the forest. He would usually stay at home to help his mother and be with her as the village was three miles away from the station. They had a small rice felid which barely provided them with a living. Baldeo took up the job of a khalasi at the station to help the family financially.

Passage 2

Question 1.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow.

Still drowsy, Baldeo groped for his lamp in darkness then fumbled about in search of matches. When he had produced a light he left the hut, closed the door behind him and set off along the permanent way. Tembu had fallen asleep again.

Why do you think Tembu wanted to accompany his father to the signal post?

Answer:
Tembu might have wanted to accompany his father to the signal post to avoid being left alone in the hut. It is also possible that Tembu wanted to give his father some company and help him at the signal post.

Question 2.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow.

What did Baldeo carry with him when he left for the signal post? Why?

Answer:
Baldeo carried with him a steel axe to protect himself from the wild animals lurking around in the dark near the tunnel.

Question 3.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow.

Why did Baldeo carry a shawl with him?

Answer:
It was very cold outside and Baldeo wrapped himself in his shawl to feel warm.

Question 4.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow.

Why was Baldeo struggling about as he left the hut?

Answer:
It was close to midnight and Baldeo had forcefully woken up from his sleep to attend the signal post. He had joined as a khalasi just a month ago to earn more money for his family. During the daytime, he would work on his rice field. Baldeo was feeling tried and needed some sleep, but his work as a khalasi demanded that he remained awake throughout the night to guard the signal post. Tired and sleep deprived, Baldeo struggled about in his hut before leaving for the signal post.

Passage 3

Question 1.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow.

He had heard many tales of the famous tunnel tiger, a man-eater, which was supposed to frequent this spot; he hardly believed these stories for since his arrival at this place a month ago, he had not seen or even heard a tiger. There had, of course, been panthers, and only a few days ago the villagers had killed one with their spears and axes. Baldeo had occasionally heard the sawing of a panther calling to its mate, but they had not come near the tunnel or shed.

Why is the tiger referred to as the tunnel tiger?

Answer:
The tiger is referred to as the tunnel tiger as it would often enter the tunnel from the jungle and wreak havoc in the lives of the people.

Question 2.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow.

Why didn’t Baldeo believe in the stories about the tiger?

Answer:
Baldeo did not believe in the stories about the tiger in the tunnel because it had been a month since he had joined as the khalasi but had not once seen or even heard a tiger.

Question 3.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow.

Which animals had attacked the village recently?

Answer:
The village had been attacked by a panther a few days ago. The villagers killed the panther with their spears and axes.

Question 4.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow.

How did the villagers describe the tiger?

Answer:
The villagers had many stories about the tiger. Most of them called the animal the tunnel tiger because he would come towards the village through the tunnel. The tiger was also called the maneater as he would attack and kill people from the village.

Passage 4

Question 1.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow.

For some time there was only silence. Even the usual jungle noises seemed to have ceased altogether. Then a thump and the rattle of small stones announced that the tiger had sprung into the cutting. Baldeo, listening as he had never listened before, wondered if it was making for the tunnel or the opposite direction the direction of the hut, in which Tembu would be lying unprotected. He did not have to wonder for long.

How did Baldeo know that the tiger had entered the cutting?

Answer:
There was a thump and a rattle of small stones in the tunnel indicating that the tiger had entered the cutting.

Question 2.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow.

Why was Baldeo intently listening to the sound coming from the cutting?

Answer:
Baldeo was intently listening to the sounds coming from the cutting in order to find out where the tiger was coming from. He also tried to figure out whether the tiger was making for the tunnel or the opposite direction, where the hut was in which his boy lay unprotected.

Question 3.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow.

Why was there no point in running?

Answer:
The tiger would spot Baldeo sooner in the dark if he attempted to run away as animals can see in the dark better than humans. The tiger’s eyes shone brilliantly in the light from the signal lamp. Also a tiger is faster than a man therefore Baldeo concluded that there was no point in running.

Passage 5

Question 1.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow.

The tiger drew off and sat down licking his wounded leg, roaring every now and then with agony. He did not notice the faint rumble that shook the earth, followed by the distant puffing of an engine steadily climbing.

How did Baldeo position himself to fight the tiger?

Answer:
Baldeo stood with his back to the signal post, aware that the tiger was trotting in his direction. The beast was fearless, as it had been killing humans for a long time and knew the ways of men.

Question 2.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow.

What did the faint rumble indicate?

Answer:
The faint rumble was that of the arriving upland train which would soon enter the cutting and pass through the tunnel.

Question 3.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow.

Why did Baldeo decide to fight the tiger?

Answer:
It would have been very easy for Baldeo to run away from the scene. However, he chose to fight the tiger so as to stop him from moving towards the hut where his son Tembu was sleeping unprotected.

Question 4.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow.

How did the tiger get wounded?

Answer:
Baldeo was ready for the tiger. He was a tribal man and knew the ways of the jungle. When the tiger struck out at Baldeo with its right paw, Baldeo avoided the attack with his agile leap and brought his axe down on the tiger’s shoulder. He attacked the tiger fiercely with his steel axe and almost got the beast’s leg. The axe remained stuck in the bone, wounding the beast grievously.

Passage 6

Question 1.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow.

At the next station the driver slowed down and stopped his train to water the engine. He got down to stretch his legs and decided to examine the head-lamps. He received the surprise of his life…

What happened to Baldeo when the tiger attacked him?

Answer:
Although Baldeo injured the tiger, the beast sprang on him, tearing down his broken body. Baldeo was killed by the tiger’s attack.

Question 2.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow.

At the next station the driver slowed down and stopped his train to water the engine. He got down to stretch his legs and decided to examine the head-lamps. He received the surprise of his life…

Why did the tiger feel trapped like a man?

Answer:
Although Baldeo succumbed to his injuries after the tiger attacked him, he had brought down his axe on the tiger injuring him badly. As the tiger sat licking his wound inside the tunnel, he heard the engine of the upland mail train approaching the tunnel. The wounded leg limited the animal’s ability to run, and therefore, the tiger felt as if it were trapped like a man in the tunnel.

Question 3.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow.

At the next station the driver slowed down and stopped his train to water the engine. He got down to stretch his legs and decided to examine the head-lamps. He received the surprise of his life…

What surprised the engine driver?

Answer:
When the engine driver got down at the next station to stretch his legs, he decided to examine the head-lamps of the train. To his surprise, he saw the major portion of the tiger just above the cow-catcher, cut in half by the engine.

Question 4.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow.

At the next station the driver slowed down and stopped his train to water the engine. He got down to stretch his legs and decided to examine the head-lamps. He received the surprise of his life…

Describe Baldeo’s encounter with the tiger.

Answer:
Baldeo avoided the paw of the tiger with his marvellously agile leap when the tiger struck him. He brought his axe down on the animal’s shoulder twice and on the second strike the axe got stuck to tiger’s shoulder bone, almost severing its limb. Baldeo was left without a weapon with the axe stuck in the animal’s shoulder. Taking advantage of this, the tiger sprang on Baldeo bringing him down and tearing his body. It was over in a few minutes and the night closed in on Baldeo forever.

Passage 7

Question 1.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow.

He sat down in the darkness to wait for the train, and sang softly to himself. There was nothing to be afraid of – his father had killed the tiger, the forest gods were pleased; and besides, he had the axe with him, his father’s axe, and he now knew to use it.

What was the effect of Baldeo’s death on his family?

Answer:
Baldeo was the only earning member of his family. After his death, Tembu, his mother, and his sister were plunged in grief for two whole days.

Question 2.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow.

How was the atmosphere at the cutting different from that at the station?

Answer:
There was considerable excitement and conjecture at the station, as the driver had spotted a major portion of the tiger cut in half by the engine. However, back at the cutting there was no sound except for the sobs of Tembu who sat beside the body of his father. He sat there a long time guarding his father’s body from jackals and hyenas until the first faint light of dawn brought with it the arrival of the relief-watchman.

Question 3.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow.

What role did Tembu assume after Baldeo’s death?

Answer:
Baldeo’s family was plunged into grief for two whole days after Baldeo died in the tiger attack. However, life had to go on and the entire responsibility of supporting the family now fell on Tembu. Three nights later, he was at the cutting, lighting the signal-lamp for the overland mail. He sat down in the darkness to wait for the train, and sang softly to himself. He was not afraid of anything, for his father had killed the tiger, and he had his father’s axe with him which he knew how to use.

ICSE Class 10 English Solutions I Believe [Poem]

August 11, 2022November 16, 2017 by Veerendra

ICSE Class 10 English Solutions I Believe [Poem]

Passage 1

Question 1.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow:

I believe if a pebble is thrown upwards
I can pierce the heavens
And see the angels at play.

I believe I can soar to the heights
Touch the silky clouds
And feel the stars.

Who is the ‘I’ mentioned in the poem? What is his/her belief?

Answer:
The ‘I’ mentioned in the poem is the poet Brucellish K. Sangma. She believes that if a pebble is thrown upwards, it has the ability to cut through the heaven. She also believes that she has the ability to fly to the sky above and touch the clouds and the stars in it.

Question 2.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow:

I believe if a pebble is thrown upwards
I can pierce the heavens
And see the angels at play.

I believe I can soar to the heights
Touch the silky clouds
And feel the stars.

How many things does the speaker believe she can achieve in this extract?

Answer:
In this extract, the speaker mentions believing five things in all. Being able to piercing the heavens with a single pebble thrown up, seeing the angles at play, soaring to the heights, touching the clouds and feeling the stars.

Question 3.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow:

I believe if a pebble is thrown upwards
I can pierce the heavens
And see the angels at play.

I believe I can soar to the heights
Touch the silky clouds
And feel the stars.

What is the symbolic meaning of the ‘heavens’ and the ‘clouds’ mentioned in the extract?

Answer:
The words ‘heavens’ and ‘clouds’ represent the highest points that one could reach. The word ‘clouds’ stands for physical heights while the word ‘heavens’ stands for spiritual heights. By mentioning them the poet expresses her belief that she has the ability to excel in all spheres.

Question 4.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow:

I believe if a pebble is thrown upwards
I can pierce the heavens
And see the angels at play.

I believe I can soar to the heights
Touch the silky clouds
And feel the stars.

Draw parallels between the speaker’s past life and the beliefs talked about in the extract.

Answer:
The speaker Brucellish K. Sangma hailed from a small community in Meghalaya. In the village where she was brought up she grew up with limited resources. Despite all odds she managed to acquire good education and become a poet. The beliefs talked about in the extract imply that nothing is impossible if a person set’s his or her heart and mind to achieving it.

Passage 2

Question 1.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow:

I believe I can dive
Right into the depths
And swim with the sharks.

I believe I can claw into the earth’s belly
Pick up the priceless gems
And adorn myself with them.

Explain the first stanza of the extract.

Answer:
In the first stanza of the extract, the poet mentions diving to the bottom of the sea and swimming with the sharks; an act which is generally impossible. However, the poet says that she believes she can achieve this seemingly impossible task too. Through these words she stresses that nothing can stand as a limitation before a determined person.

Question 2.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow:

I believe I can dive
Right into the depths
And swim with the sharks.

I believe I can claw into the earth’s belly
Pick up the priceless gems
And adorn myself with them.

What does ‘clawing into the earth’s belly’ mean? What does the poet want to achieve by doing this?

Answer:
The earth’s belly is the center of the earth. It is the core of the earth which is not only a seat for molten lava but also is a store house of precious resources like minerals, metals and gemstones. The poet believes that she can dig into the earth and reach this core and use the gems she finds there to adorn herself.

Question 3.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow:

I believe I can dive
Right into the depths
And swim with the sharks.

I believe I can claw into the earth’s belly
Pick up the priceless gems
And adorn myself with them.

Does the poet come across as self-possessed in the second stanza of the extract? Justify.

Answer:
No. Though the poet’s wish to adorn herself with priceless gems may seem as a self possessed desire, it is important to note the phrase ‘claw into the earth’s belly’ preceding it. This phrase tells us that the poet is ready to strive towards achieving her reward which are the ‘priceless gems’.

Question 4.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow:

I believe I can dive
Right into the depths
And swim with the sharks.

I believe I can claw into the earth’s belly
Pick up the priceless gems
And adorn myself with them.

What do the above lines symbolise?

Answer:
The given stanzas talk about braving deadly sharks and clawing into the earth’s belly. This is symbolic of the difficulties that a person has to undergo in his or her life. The poet believes that she has the courage to face all the hardships that come her way just like a professional swimmer who would not fear swimming in perilous waters. She also believes that through her perseverance and hard work, she will be able to achieve great things (likened to priceless gems) in life.

Passage 3

Question 1.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow:

I believe I can do many things
Amidst the human angels
Surrounded by the world’s treasures.

But I firmly believe I’ve to complete
The role assigned to me here
Where I dream and breathe.

Whom does the speaker refer to as ‘human angels’?

Answer:
IIn the first stanza the poet talks about reaching the heavens and seeing the angels living there. In the stanzas that follow she praises the beauty on earth and talks about achieving great things here. Therefore, we can conclude that the ‘human angels’ mentioned here are the humans who live on this beautiful earth.

Question 2.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow:

I believe I can do many things
Amidst the human angels
Surrounded by the world’s treasures.

But I firmly believe I’ve to complete
The role assigned to me here
Where I dream and breathe.

What is the final and the most important belief of the speaker?

Answer:
The final and the most important belief of the speaker is that she has a role assigned to her on this earth and that it is her duty to complete this role before dreaming about anything else.

Question 3.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow:

I believe I can do many things
Amidst the human angels
Surrounded by the world’s treasures.

But I firmly believe I’ve to complete
The role assigned to me here
Where I dream and breathe.

What does the final stanza of the poem tell us about the speaker?

Answer:
The final stanza of the poem reflects that the poet has a well-grounded character. Though she dreams about reaching the heavens and the depths of the earth and the ocean, she also believes in having a healthy relationship with the people around her and sharing a happy life with them. She strongly believes that every person has a role to play in this life and it is their duty to be true to that role.

ICSE Class 10 English Solutions The Bet

August 11, 2022November 16, 2017 by Veerendra

ICSE Class 10 English Solutions The Bet

Passage 1

Question 1.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow.

The old banker was walking up and down his study and remembering how, fifteen years before, he had given a party one autumn evening. There had been many clever men there, and there had been interesting conversations. Among other things they had talked of capital punishment.

Who had thrown a party?

Answer:
An old banker had thrown a party fifteen years ago.

Question 2.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow.

Who attended the party?

Answer:
The party was attended by many clever men who engaged in interesting conversations.

Question 3.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow.

What is capital punishment? When is it used?

Answer:
Capital punishment is punishment by death sanctioned by government. Capital punishment is used by the government to punish criminals who have committed capital offenses.

Question 4.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow.

What did the banker think about capital punishment as against life imprisonment?

Answer:
The banker thought that capital punishment was better than life imprisonment. While capital punishment killed a man at once, life imprisonment meant a slow death. He felt that life imprisonment drags the life out of a person in the course of many years.

Passage 2

Question 1.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow.

“Both are equally immoral,” observed one of the guests, “for they both have the same object – to take away life. The State is not God. It has not the right to take away what it cannot restore when it wants to.”

What was equally immoral? Why?

Answer:
According to one of the guests, both capital punishment and life imprisonment were equally immoral. Both form of punishments had the same objectives – to take away life.

Question 2.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow.

What was the banker’s opinion on the two forms of punishments?

Answer:
According to the banker, death penalty was more humane and moral than imprisonment for life.

Question 3.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow.

Why did the banker feel that death penalty was more moral than life imprisonment?

Answer:
The banker was of the opinion that while capital punishment killed man at once, life imprisonment meant a slow death. He felt that life imprisonment drags the life out of a person in the course of many years.

Passage 3

Question 1.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow.

“It’s not true! I’ll bet you two million you wouldn’t stay in solitary confinement for five years.”
“If you mean that in earnest,” said the young man, “I’ll take the bet, but I would stay not five but fifteen years.”
“Fifteen? Done!” cried the banker. “Gentlemen, I stake two million!”
“Agreed! You stake your millions and I stake my freedom!” said the young man.

Where and between whom did the above conversation take place?

Answer:
The conversation above took place between the banker and a young lawyer at a party which the banker had thrown.

Question 2.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow.

What were the terms of the bet?

Answer:
The banker placed a bet of two million which he would give the lawyer if he stayed in solitary confinement for five years. The lawyer claimed that he would stay alone for not five but fifteen years and still win those two million.

Question 3.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow.

What led to the two men betting their money and freedom respectively?

Answer:
There was a discussion at the party over which form of punishment – capital punishment or life imprisonment was better. The banker felt that death penalty was better than life imprisonment. However, the lawyer said that if he had to choose, he would choose life imprisonment as he felt that it is better to live anyhow than to not live at all. This led to an argument, which transformed into a bet.

Passage 4

Question 1.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow.

The agreement provided for every detail and every trifle that would make his imprisonment strictly solitary, and bound the young man to stay there exactly fifteen years, beginning from twelve o’clock of November 14, 1870, and ending at twelve o’clock of November 14, 1885.

Between who was the agreement signed? What did it say?

Answer:
An agreement was signed between the banker and the lawyer. According to the agreement, the young lawyer had to stay in solitary confinement for fifteen years beginning from twelve o’clock of November 14, 1870, and ending at twelve o’clock of November 14, 1885.

Question 2.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow.

What would happen if the lawyer broke any condition of the agreement?

Answer:
In the event of the lawyer breaking any condition of the agreement, he would lose the bet and also the two million decided upon.

Question 3.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow.

What were the conditions of the solitary confinement?

Answer:
It was decided that the lawyer would stay in one of the lodges in the banker’s garden all alone under strict supervision. The lawyer would have no contact with human beings in any form. He would not talk to humans or hear their voice, or even receive letters and newspapers. The lawyer, however, was allowed to drink wine and to smoke, to write letters, and to have a musical instrument and reads books.

Question 4.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow.

How did the lawyer complete his first year of solitary confinement?

Answer:
During the first year of confinement, the lawyer suffered severely from loneliness and depression. He was being referred to as a prisoner now. He played the piano continually day and night. The prisoner refused wine and tobacco as according to him, wine excited the desires. And it was very dreary to drink wine and meet no one thereafter. The tobacco, he said, spoilt the air of his room. In the first year, the books he sent for were principally of a light character; novels with a complicated love plot, sensational and fantastic stories, and so on.

Passage 5

Question 1.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow.

In the fifth year music was audible again, and the prisoner asked for wine. Those who watched him through the window said that all that year he spent doing nothing but eating and drinking and lying on his bed, frequently yawning and angrily talking to himself. He did not read books. Sometimes at night he would sit down to write; he would spend hours writing, and in the morning tear up all that he had written. More than once he could be heard crying.

How did the lawyer become the prisoner? How many years did he have to spend in the prison?

Answer:
The lawyer entered into a bet with a banker in which he agreed to spend fifteen years of his life in solitary confinement. He was to receive two million at the end of the fifteen years if he kept all the clauses of the bet.

Question 2.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow.

What did the prisoner do in the second year of his confinement?

Answer:
The prisoner stopped playing the piano in the second year and asked only for classics to read.

Question 3.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow.

How was the prisoner’s conduct different in the first and the fifth year of his imprisonment?

Answer:
In the first year, the prisoner suffered severely from loneliness as one could judge from his brief notes. He played the piano continually and refused to have wine or tobacco. However in the fifth year, he asked for wine and those who watched him said that he sent all his time eating, drinking and lying on his bed. He would talk angrily to himself while frequently yawing in his bed. Sometimes at night he would sit down to write and after having spent hours writing, he would tear up all that he had written in the morning.

Question 4.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow.

How did the prisoner’s behaviour change during the sixth year?

Answer:
In the second half of the sixth year the prisoner began to study languages, philosophy and history with zeal. The prisoner was so engrossed in his studies that the banker got very busy to get him the books that he ordered. In four years the prisoner asked for six hundred volumes and learned six languages perfectly.

Passage 6

Question 1.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow.

“My dear Jailer, I write you these lines in six languages. Show them to people who know the languages. Let them read them. If they find not one mistake I implore you to fire a shot in the garden.

How was the prisoner able to write in six languages?

Answer:
In his sixth year, the prisoner took serious interest in studying languages. He engrossed himself in studying languages, philosophy, and history. It was because of this that he was able to write in six languages.

Question 2.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow.

“My dear Jailer, I write you these lines in six languages. Show them to people who know the languages. Let them read them. If they find not one mistake I implore you to fire a shot in the garden.

Why did the prisoner ask the banker to fire a shot in the garden?

Answer:
During the second half of the sixth year, the prisoner learnt many languages among other disciplines. To test if he had learnt well, he wrote a letter to the banker, whom he addressed as “Jailer” and in it wrote lines in six languages. He wanted the jailer to show them to people who knew those languages. He asked the jailer to fire a shot in the garden if all that he had written was correct. It was a signal that he had learnt the languages perfectly.

Question 3.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow.

“My dear Jailer, I write you these lines in six languages. Show them to people who know the languages. Let them read them. If they find not one mistake I implore you to fire a shot in the garden.

What did the prisoner understand after learning many languages?

Answer:
The prisoner understood that although geniuses from different lands speak different languages, the essence of their communication is the same. He was elated to have been able to understand the languages of the world.

Question 4.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow.

“My dear Jailer, I write you these lines in six languages. Show them to people who know the languages. Let them read them. If they find not one mistake I implore you to fire a shot in the garden.

What did the prisoner read in the last two years of imprisonment?

Answer:
In the last two years of his confinement, the prisoner read innumerable books indiscriminately. At one time he was busy reading natural sciences while at the other moment he would ask for Byron and Shakespeare. He demanded books on chemistry, a manual of medicine, a novel, and some treatise on philosophy or theology all at once.

Passage 7

Question 1.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow.

The old banker remembered all this, and thought:
“To-morrow at twelve o’clock he will regain his freedom. By our agreement I ought to pay him two million. If I do pay him, it is all over with me: I shall be utterly ruined.”

Who is the ‘he’ in the above extract? Why would his regaining freedom ruin the banker?

Answer:
The word ‘he’ in the above extract refers to the lawyer. The agreement of 15 years of imprisonment was going to come to an end a day later as mentioned in the extract. The lawyer would win the bet and the banker would have to pay him two million. Fifteen years ago two million meant nothing to the banker. However, years of bad investment and gambling had made the banker poor. If the banker gave two million to the lawyer, he would go bankrupt and this would ruin him.

Question 2.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow.

What did the banker decide to do to avoid paying the lawyer two million?

Answer:
The banker decided to kill the lawyer in the dark of night to avoid paying him the amount. He decided to go to the lodge and stifle the lawyer with a pillow and imagined that it would be easy to kill the already half-dead man. He also thought that since the watchman guarded the lodge, the suspicion would fall on him.

Question 3.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow.

Where was the watchman when the banker came to the lodge?

Answer:
When the banker came to the lodge the watchman was inside the kitchen or the greenhouse seeking shelter from the rain.

Question 4.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow.

Describe the scene when the banker set out for the lodge.

Answer:
When the banker stepped outside to meet the lawyer, everyone was asleep in the house and nothing could be heard outside but the rustling of the chilled trees. It was dark and cold in the garden. It was raining and a damp cutting wind was racing about the garden, howling and giving the trees no rest. The banker strained his eyes, but could see neither the earth nor the white statues, nor the lodge, nor the trees.

Passage 8

Question 1.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow.

Then the banker cautiously broke the seals off the door and put the key in the keyhole. The rusty lock gave a grating sound and the door creaked. The banker expected to hear at once footsteps and a cry of astonishment, but three minutes passed and it was as quiet as ever in the room. He made up his mind to go in.

With what intention did the banker open the door of the lodge after 15 years?

Answer:
The banker went to the lodge with the intention of killing the lawyer so that he wouldn’t have to pay him two million for winning the bet.

Question 2.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow.

Describe the financial condition of the banker at the end of the fifteen year period.

Answer:
The banker had been very rich when he had placed the bet fifteen years ago. However, after fifteen years, desperate gambling on the Stock Exchange and wild speculation had made him finally unstable to the extent that from a confident millionaire he had become a banker of middle rank.

Question 3.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow.

What did the banker see when he peeped into the lodge?

Answer:
The banker peeped through the little window of the lodge and saw a candle burning dimly in the prisoner’s room. The prisoner was sitting at the table and the banker could see nothing but his back. There were open books lying on the table, on the two easy-chairs and on the carpet near the table.

Question 4.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow.

What did the banker expect would happen as soon as he unlocked the door of the lodge? What actually happened?

Answer:
The banker thought he’d hear the footsteps of the lawyer whom he expected to come to the door in astonishment on hearing it open after 15 years. However, even after three minutes the room was as quiet as ever and there was no sign of the lawyer anywhere near the door of the lodge.

Passage 9

Question 1.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow.

“To-morrow at twelve o’clock I regain my freedom and the right to associate with other men, but before I leave this room and see the sunshine, I think it necessary to say a few words to you. With a clear conscience I tell you, as before God, who beholds me, that I despise freedom and life and health, and all that in your books is called the good things of the world.

Between whom is the above conversation taking place?

Answer:
The conversation is taking place between the prisoner and the banker in the above passage.

Question 2.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow.

Why did the banker go into the prisoner’s lodge a day before the 15 year-period finished?

Answer:
The banker went into the prisoner’s lodge with the intention of killing him so that he wouldn’t have to pay him the two million which he had promised 15 years ago.

Question 3.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow.

How did the prisoner spend 15 years of solitary confinement?

Answer:
The prisoner spent 15 years of imprisonment by reading innumerable books from various disciplines, playing the piano, drinking wine, and writing letters.

Question 4.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow.

Why did the prisoner write a letter to the banker?

Answer:
The prisoner wrote a letter to the banker to tell him how his perspective on life had changed after spending 15 years alone. He said that he intently studied earthly life for fifteen years and experienced everything inside the lodge that he could do in the free world outside. In the books he had flung himself into a bottomless pit, performed miracles, slain, burned towns, preached new religions, and even conquered whole kingdoms. He explained that the books had given him immense wisdom to understand that the blessings of the world are all worthless, fleeting, illusory, and deceptive, like a mirage. He said that he was going to renounce the two million of which he once dreamed of as paradise and go out from the lodge five hours before the time fixed to break the agreement.

Passage 10

Question 1.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow.

The banker went at once with the servants to the lodge and made sure of the flight of his prisoner. To avoid arousing unnecessary talk, he took from the table the writing in which the millions were renounced, and when he got home locked it up in the fireproof safe.

What did the watchman inform the banker the next morning?

Answer:
The watchman informed the banker that he and the others had seen the prisoner fleeing from the lodge in the morning.

Question 2.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow.

How did the prisoner lose the two million eventually?

Answer:
The prisoner decided to leave the lodge five hours earlier than the time decided in the agreement between him and the banker. By doing this, he lost the two million.

Question 3.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow.

What did the banker do after reading the letter addressed to him?

Answer:
The banker was overwhelmed after reading the letter addressed to him. After reading the note, he kissed the prisoner on the head and went back to his house weeping. He felt strangely defeated despite having won the bet. He had a feeling of self-contempt and guilt in him for having lured a young man into a bet that cost him his entire youth.

Question 4.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow.

What is the essence of the story?

Answer:
The story concludes with the lawyer renouncing the two million that he had almost won in the bet. It also shows that the banker isn’t happy either after having won the bet. The moral of the story is that material wealth is short-lived. All the wealth and the leisure in life are illusionary and fleeting. True happiness doesn’t come from what and how much you can amass. It comes from the ability to have a peaceful soul.

ICSE Class 10 English Solutions If Thou Must Love Me …Sonnet XIV [Poem]

August 11, 2022November 15, 2017 by Veerendra

ICSE Class 10 English Solutions If Thou Must Love Me …Sonnet XIV [Poem]

Passage 1

Question 1.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow:

If thou must love me, let it be for nought
Except for love’s sake only. Do not say
I love her for her smile … her look … her way
Of speaking gently, … for a trick of thought
That falls in well with mine, and certes brought

Identify the poetic form used by Browning to frame this work and list some of its characteristics as visible here.

Answer:
Browning has written the poem in the form of a sonnet. The poem has two quatrains (four line stanzas) and one sestet (six line stanza). It is written in iambic pentameter. Its main theme is ‘love’. Browning elevates love by praising it for the purity of the feeling that it is.

Question 2.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow:

What according to Browning are the things that a woman should not be loved for?

Answer:
According to Browning, a woman should not merely be loved for her smile, her looks, her way of speaking or her way of thinking.

Question 3.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow:

What does ‘love’s sake only’ mean? What picture of love does the poet paint in this poem?

Answer:
The phrase ‘love’s sake only’ means loving a person only to nurture the feeling of love. It means giving love to someone with the aim of spreading the feeling rather than gaining something from the relation. This kind of love is unconditional and the qualities or limitations of the people involved are not measured.

Passage 2

Question 1.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow:

A sense of pleasant ease on such a day’-
For these things in themselves, Belovèd, may
Be changed, or change for thee,-and love, so wrought,
May be unwrought so. Neither love me for
Thine own dear pity’s wiping my cheeks dry,-

List the old English words used in the stanza. Whom are they used for?

Answer:
The poet uses the words ‘thou’, ‘thee’ and ‘thine’ in the stanza to refer to her lover and future husband Robert Browning.

Question 2.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow:

What does the poet mean by ‘Thine own dear pity’s wiping my cheeks dry,-‘

Answer:
The mentioned line means love should not be based on pity. A man should not love a woman because he feels sorry for her pitiable state and wishes to wipe her tears or rid her of her woes. This kind of feeling does not draw the true character of love.

Question 3.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow:

What reason does the poet give to opposing love based on outward aspects?

Answer:
The poet objects to love based on outward appearance as she believes that physical beauty is transient and may change as time goes by. When these things change, the love which once was so desired becomes undesired or unwanted.

Passage 3

Question 1.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow:

A creature might forget to weep, who bore
Thy comfort long, and lose thy love thereby!
But love me for love’s sake, that evermore
Thou may’st love on, through love’s eternity.

What is the connection made by the poet between weeping and love?

Answer:
The poet says love which feeds on sympathy or pity will not last for long because a person will not need sympathy forever. When the person who once wept overcomes his or her grief, he/she will no longer need the love of the person giving him/her comfort.

Question 2.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow:

A creature might forget to weep, who bore
Thy comfort long, and lose thy love thereby!
But love me for love’s sake, that evermore
Thou may’st love on, through love’s eternity.

State the rhyme scheme of the entire poem.

Answer:
The rhyme scheme of the poem is a-b-b-a/a-b-b-a/c-d-c-d-c.

Question 3.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow:

A creature might forget to weep, who bore
Thy comfort long, and lose thy love thereby!
But love me for love’s sake, that evermore
Thou may’st love on, through love’s eternity.

Explain the last two lines of the stanza.

Answer:
Throughout the poem, the poet emphasises that though love is just an emotion, it is the only thing constant in this world. Everything that is physical changes with the passage of time. If love is based on such transitory elements, it will not survive for too long and will wither away. However, if we hold on to love for support and give it to others unconditionally, it (love) will live on forever.

ICSE Class 10 English Solutions The Kabuliwala

August 11, 2022November 15, 2017 by Veerendra

ICSE Class 10 English Solutions The Kabuliwala

Passage 1

Question 1.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow.

One morning as I had just started writing the seventeenth chapter of my novel, Mini walked into the room and began, ‘Dad, our sentry Ramdayal doesn’t even know how to pronounce the word “crow.” He is so backward’.

Who is the speaker in the given extract?

Answer:
The speaker in the given extract is the narrator of the story The Kabuliwala, and Mini’s father.

Question 2.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow.

What was the narrator doing when he was interrupted? Who interrupted him?

Answer:
The narrator had started writing the seventeenth chapter of his novel when Mini, his five-year-old daughter walked into the room and interrupted him with her chatter.

Question 3.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow.

What was the narrator’s profession?

Answer:
The narrator was a writer by profession.

Question 4.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow.

What shows that Mini was a chatty girl?

Answer:
Mini walked into her father’s room and began, ‘Dad, our sentry Ramdayal doesn’t even know how to pronounce the word “crow.” He is so backward.’ Before her father could explain the differences between languages, she launched herself into another topic, ‘See, Dad, Bhola was saying that when elephants lift water with their trunks and spray it from the sky, it rains. Dear, oh dear! Bhola can speak such nonsense. He can rant day and night, without making any sense!’ Without waiting for her father’s reply, she asked him the next question, ‘Dad, who is Mum to you?’ There was no connection between the three questions that she asked her father. Her father mentions in the beginning of the story that Mini liked to talk all day long. It took her about a year after being born to acquire the talent for language, and since then she had not wasted a single wakeful moment of her life remaining silent.

Passage 2

Question 1.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow.

Stopping her game abruptly Mini ran to the window which overlooked the main road, and began calling out at the top of her voice…

Where was Mini sitting? What was she doing there?

Answer:
Mini was sitting beside her father’s writing table close to his feet. She was playing the game of knick-knack with her hands and knees.

Question 2.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow.

Stopping her game abruptly Mini ran to the window which overlooked the main road, and began calling out at the top of her voice…

Who did Mini call out to from the window?

Answer:
Mini called out to a tall, shabbily dressed Afghan who was walking down the street.

Question 3.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow.

Stopping her game abruptly Mini ran to the window which overlooked the main road, and began calling out at the top of her voice…

Who was the Afghan?

Answer:
The Afghan was a street vendor from Kabul with a turban on his head and a sack on his back. His name was Rahman and he was called Kabuliwala by Mini.

Question 4.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow.

Stopping her game abruptly Mini ran to the window which overlooked the main road, and began calling out at the top of her voice…

Why did Mini call out to the Kabuliwala? What did her father think when she yelled out to him?

Answer:
Mini called out to the Kabuliwala after abruptly stopping her game of knick-knack while still in her father’s room. There was no particular reason for her to call him. Mini’s father however, thought of him as a nuisance who would come in and interrupt his writing like his daughter.

Passage 3

Question 1.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow.

She had this childish fear … found in there.
She had this childish fear that if someone looked through the bag of this Afghan man, several living children like herself would be found in there.

Whom was Mini afraid of?

Answer:
Mini was afraid of the Kabuliwala as she thought that if someone looked through the bag of the Afghan man, several living children would be found in there.

Question 2.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow.

She had this childish fear … found in there.
She had this childish fear that if someone looked through the bag of this Afghan man, several living children like herself would be found in there.

What apprehensions did Mini’s mother have about the Afghan?

Answer:
Mini’s mother had her own suspicions about the Afghan, Rahman. She feared that one day he would abduct Mini and take her away to Afghanistan and make her a slave. Slavery was prevalent in Afghanistan and it was common for children to be abducted and sold there.

Question 3.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow.

She had this childish fear … found in there.
She had this childish fear that if someone looked through the bag of this Afghan man, several living children like herself would be found in there.

What did the Kabuliwala offer Mini to befriend her? Did Mini accept the little treat from him?

Answer:
The Kabuliwala offered Mini some raisins and apricots to befriend her. However, Mini was so afraid of the Afghan man that she didn’t accept the treat from him.

Passage 4

Question 1.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow.

The Kabuliwala took out some raisins and apricots from inside the bag and gave it to Mini, but she refused to take them and remained pressed against my knees with a redoubled suspicion. That was how their first meeting ended.

What was the intention of the Kabuliwala behind offering Mini raisins and apricots?

Answer:
The Kabuliwala wanted to befriend Mini and that is why he offered her some raisins and apricots.

Question 2.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow.

Why did Mini refuse to take the goodies from Rahman?

Answer:
Although Mini called out to the Kabuliwala from her window, she didn’t expect the tall Afghan to turn around and walk in her direction. His built and the sack on his back made her believe the story that the sack had living children in it. Her fear of the stranger made her refuse the raisins and the apricots that Rahman offered.

Question 3.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow.

Why did Rahman want to befriend Mini?

Answer:
Mini reminded Rahman of his own little daughter who lived in Afghanistan. Therefore, when he heard Mini calling out to him, he was drawn to her. He offered Mini the dry fruits imagining that he was giving the goodies to his own daughter. When they became friends Mini’s company helped him forget the pain of being away from his own daughter.

Passage 5

Question 1.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow.

In her short five-year life, Mini had never found a more intent listener before other than her father. I also noticed that she had lots of nuts and raisins tied up at the loose end of her small sari. Upon discovering this, I asked the Kabuliwala, ‘Why did you give all these to her? Please don’t do it again.’ With that, I took out a half-a-rupee coin and gave it to him.

Name the two intent listeners in Mini’s life.

Answer:
The two intent listeners in Mini’s life were her father and her new found friend, the Kabuliwala.

Question 2.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow.

Who gave Mini half-a-rupee coin? Why?

Answer:
The Kabuliwala was given half-a-rupee by Mini’s father for the dry fruits he gave her for free. However, since the Kabuliwala felt affectionate towards Mini, he gave her back the coin.

Question 3.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow.

Why did Mini’s mother scold her?

Answer:
Mini’s mother scolded her because she had a half-a-rupee coin and no one knew where she got it from. She didn’t know that Rahman had given it back to her. She wanted her to remember that taking things from strangers was not right.

Question 4.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow.

What kind of a relationship had blossomed between Mini and Rahman?

Answer:
Although Mini was sacred of Rahman when she saw him for the first time, one day her father saw her chatting non-stop with the Kabuliwala at the door. Mini was seated on the bench next to the door while the Kabuliwala was parked next to her feet, listening to her with a grin and interjecting now and then in broken Bengali to give his opinion. Mini and Rahman had become great friends despite the fact that there was nothing in common between the two.

Passage 6

Question 1.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow.

Making a huge fist with his hand, Rahman would pretend to punch at his imaginary in-law and say, ‘I’ll wallop my in-law.”

What did Rahman mean by the word ‘in-laws’?

Answer:
When Rahman used the word ‘in-laws’, he was referring to the police.

Question 2.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow.

Making a huge fist with his hand, Rahman would pretend to punch at his imaginary in-law and say, ‘I’ll wallop my in-law.”

Why was Mini unable to fathom the term ‘in-laws’?

Answer:
Bengali girls were familiar with the term in-laws since childhood. However, since Mini’s parents were liberal, they did not believe in child marriage and hence, Mini had not yet experienced what it was to have in-laws. Therefore, she couldn’t fathom the term ‘in-laws’ when Rahman used it.

Question 3.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow.

Making a huge fist with his hand, Rahman would pretend to punch at his imaginary in-law and say, ‘I’ll wallop my in-law.”

Whom did Rahman pretend to punch? How did Mini react to this?

Answer:
Rahman made a huge fist with his hand and pretended to punch his imaginary in-law to show Mini how he would behave with his in-laws (the police). At this Mini exploded into peals of laughter imagining the plight of the in-law being beaten up by her friend.

Passage 7

Question 1.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow.

He had to rush from house to house to raise the collectibles, and yet he found time to visit Mini. It appeared as if the two were involved in a mischievous plot. The day he couldn’t come in the morning he came in the evening.

Who is the ‘he’ in the given extract?

Answer:
The ‘he’ in the given extract is Rahman, a fruit seller and a money lender hailing from Afghanistan and a dear friend to Mini.

Question 2.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow.

Why did Rahman have to go from house to house?

Answer:
Rahman used to go back to his home country in January or February each year. Before going away he had to rush from house to house to collect dues from the people whom he had given money to.

Question 3.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow.

How did he manage to meet Mini even on days when he was busy settling his dues?

Answer:
Although he had to rush from house to house to collect his dues, Rahman always found time for Mini. On days when he was unable to meet her in the morning, he made sure to come to meet her in the evening.

Passage 8

Question 1.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow.

Looking out, I saw our Rahman in handcuffs, escorted by two policemen, with s whole host of street urchins trailing after them.

Whom did the narrator see as he looked outside?

Answer:
The narrator saw Rahman in handcuffs escorted by two policemen as he looked outside. A whole host of street urchins was following them on the streets.

Question 2.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow.

Looking out, I saw our Rahman in handcuffs, escorted by two policemen, with s whole host of street urchins trailing after them.

What caused the commotion on the street?

Answer:
There was commotion on the streets as the policemen had arrested Rahman and some other street urchins and they were being walked on the streets.

Question 3.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow.

Looking out, I saw our Rahman in handcuffs, escorted by two policemen, with s whole host of street urchins trailing after them.

Why was the policeman carrying a blood-stained knife?

Answer:
The policeman was carrying a blood-stained knife which Rahman had used to stab a man who owed him money. As the man had refused to pay his dues, an argument broke out between them and in a fit of anger, Rahman stabbed the man.

Question 4.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow.

Looking out, I saw our Rahman in handcuffs, escorted by two policemen, with s whole host of street urchins trailing after them.

What happened when Mini saw Rahman with the policemen?

Answer:
Mini called out to Rahman when he was in the midst of hurling obscene abuses at the dishonest man who refused to pay him money. However, when Mini called out to him in her regular fashion, “Kabuliwala, O Kabuliwala,” Rahman’s face was filled with happiness in a flash. On being questioned by Mini whether he was going to his in-laws, Rahman laughed and said pointing to his hands that he would have beaten up the in-law if his hands were not tied up.

Passage 9

Question 1.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow.

We almost forgot about him. Living our days through our daily routines in the security of our home, it never occurred to us once how his free-spirited man from the mountains was spending his years within the secluded walls of the jail.

Who is being discussed in the extract?

Answer:
The narrator is discussing Rahman in the extract.

Question 2.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow.

Did Mini ask her father about Rahman when he was gone?

Answer:
Mini was a little girl with an inconstant little heart. She soon forgot about her old friend Rahman and did not ask about him when he was gone.

Question 3.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow.

Where had Rahman gone?

Answer:
Rahman was serving a long sentence in the prison after having stabbed a man who refused to pay him back.

Question 4.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow.

Did the narrator think about Rahman?

Answer:
The narrator explains that his family very conveniently forgot about Rahman. Living within the secure walls of their home, it never occurred to them where or how Rahman must be. However, the narrator felt guilty when he realised that Mini too had forgotten her Afghan friend and found a new friend in Nabi, the syce. The narrator, however, thought about how Rahman, the man from the free mountains, was spending his years within the secluded walls of the jail.

Passage 10

Question 1.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow.

At first I couldn’t recognise him. He didn’t have that customary sack with him, or the long hair and his burly look. Finally, I recognised him through his smile.

Whom did the narrator not recognise?

Answer:
The narrator did not recognise Rahman, the dry fruit seller from Afghanistan.

Question 2.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow.

At first I couldn’t recognise him. He didn’t have that customary sack with him, or the long hair and his burly look. Finally, I recognised him through his smile.

Why was the narrator unable to recognise Rahman?

Answer:
The narrator was unable to recognise Rahman because he was not wearing his usual clothes or carrying the customary sack on his back. He didn’t have long hair or brawny physique like before when he came to meet Mini after spending several years in jail.

Question 3.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow.

At first I couldn’t recognise him. He didn’t have that customary sack with him, or the long hair and his burly look. Finally, I recognised him through his smile.

Why did Rahman come to meet the narrator?

Answer:
Rahman had just been freed from the prison after serving a long sentence. The first thing he wanted to do was meet his little girl, Mini, whom he must have missed a great deal while he was in prison. Therefore, he came to meet the narrator.

Question 4.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow.

At first I couldn’t recognise him. He didn’t have that customary sack with him, or the long hair and his burly look. Finally, I recognised him through his smile.

How did the narrator recognise Rahman?

Answer:
At first, the narrator did not recognise Rahman as he had grown a little weak after spending many years in the prison. His physical appearance had changed significantly. However, the narrator recognised him through his smile.

ICSE Class 10 English Solutions A Doctor’s Journal Entry for Aug 6, 1945 [Poem]

August 11, 2022November 15, 2017 by Veerendra

ICSE Class 10 English Solutions A Doctor’s Journal Entry for Aug 6, 1945 [Poem]

Passage 1

Question 1.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow:

The morning stretched calm, beautiful, and warm.
Sprawling half clad, I gazed out at the form
Of shimmering leaves and shadows. Suddenly
A strong flash, then another, startled me.
I saw the old stone lantern brightly lit.

Who is the narrator of this journal entry? What does this entry record?

Answer:
The narrator of the journal entry is a doctor who lives with his wife in Hiroshima. It records the horrific aftermath of the atomic bomb dropped on Hiroshima on 6th of August 1945, during WW II.

Question 2.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow:

Describe the scene as noted by the narrator before seeing the flashes of light.

Answer:
Before seeing the flashes of light, the day began with a calm morning. The narrator describes the day as beautiful and warm. The sun was up and the narrator gazed at the shimmering leaves and shadows before him.

Question 3.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow:

What startled the narrator? Why?

Answer:
The narrator’s peaceful morning was disrupted by two sudden strong flashes of light. The sudden flares startled the narrator because he did not know what caused them and suddenly the old stone lantern before him was up in flames.

Question 4.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow:

Which part of speech is most used in this extract and to what effect?

Answer:
This extract uses adjectives and verbs to describe the calm morning as experienced by the narrator before the blast took place.

Passage 2

Question 1.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow:

Magnesium flares? While I debated it,
The roof, the walls and, as it seemed, the world
Collapsed in timber and debris, dust swirled
Around me – in the garden now – and, weird,
My drawers and undershirt disappeared.

Why does the poet use hyphens in the second last line of the extract?

Answer:
The poet uses hyphens for poetic effect in the second last line of the extract. They are pauses which reflect the disorientation caused by the sudden flashes of light.

Question 2.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow:

What do the words ‘Magnesium flares’ refer to? Why did the narrator mention them?

Answer:
The poem is set during the time of Second World War. In this war, magnesium was commonly used in explosives. Therefore, the sudden flashes of light prompted the narrator to think that they were caused by magnesium.

Question 3.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow:

What happened while the narrator processed everything and debated on what to do next?

Answer:
As the narrator debated on what to do next everything around him began to crumble and fall. He saw the roof and the walls of his house collapse into debris. By the time he stepped out and reached the garden, he could see dust all around him.

Question 4.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow:

What was weirder than the flashes of light and the collapsing of buildings? Why does the poet call it ‘weird’?

Answer:
The disappearance of the narrator’s drawers and undershirt was weirder than the flashes of light and the collapsing of buildings. The poet calls it weird because the narrator could not come up with any logical explanation for such a thing to happen.

Passage 3

Question 1.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow:

A splinter jutted from my mangled thigh.
My right side bled, my cheek was torn, and I
Dislodged, detachedly, a piece of glass,
All the time wondering what had come to pass.
Where was my wife? Alarmed, I gave a shout,
‘Where are you, Yecko-san?’ My blood gushed out.
The artery in my neck? Scared for my life,
I called out, panic-stricken, to my wife.
Pale, bloodstained, frightened, Yecko-san emerged,
Holding her elbow. ‘We’ll be fine,’ I urged –

Describe the narrator’s appearance after the flashes of light. How did the narrator’s wife look when she emerged?

Answer:
After the flashes of light, the narrator was covered with wounds, dust and blood, and his clothes had disappeared. A splinter jutted from his mangled thigh. There was blood on his right side and his cheek was torn. The narrator’s wife looked pale and frightened and was bloodstained when she emerged. She was also holding her elbow which was an indication that she too was injured.

Question 2.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow:

Why did the narrator not understand what had come to pass?

Answer:
The flashes of light and the destruction that followed all happened so soon that the narrator did not understand what had come to pass.

Question 3.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow:

How do the adjectives for fear used in the stanza portray the narrator? The narrator mentions being scared for his life, why then does he calls out to his wife?

Answer:
Words such as ‘alarmed’, ‘scared’ and ‘panic-stricken’ have been employed in the extract to describe the narrator’s fear. In the lines before these words the narrator clearly describes his own condition but when he cannot understand the cause of the explosion and is unable to find his wife, he panics further. This shows that he loves and cares for his wife dearly.

Question 4.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow:

What words did the narrator use to console his wife? Was she the only one being consoled?

Answer:
The narrator used the words ‘We’ll be fine,’ to console his wife. When the narrator used these words he realised that he was consoling himself more than her by doing this.

Question 5.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow:

Evaluate the narrator’s relation with his wife based on the extract given above.

Answer:
The narrator shares a close bond with his wife. This is evident when he nervously searches for her all around amidst the dust and the debris. When she finally emerges out of the dust, he notices her frightfully pale face and tries to console her. When he remembers that he has to do his duty as a doctor, his first thought is to send his wife to a safe place. He instructs her to go ahead without him and tells her that he will join her later. We don’t know if the two reunite since the widespread devastation caused by the atomic explosion left almost everyone shattered and lost. However, the poet clearly explains to the readers that even in those trying times, the doctor chooses to look for his wife instead of fleeing to a safer location.

Passage 4

Question 1.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow:

‘Let’s get out quickly.’ Stumbling to the street
We fell, tripped by something at our feet.
I gasped out, when I saw it was a head:
‘Excuse me, please excuse me -‘ He was dead:
A gate had crushed him. There we stood, afraid.
A house standing before us tilted, swayed,
Toppled, and crashed. Fire sprang up in the dust,
Spread by the wind. It dawned on us we must
Get to the hospital: we needed aid –
And I should help my staff too. …

What did the narrator stumble over on his way out?

Answer:
On his way out the narrator stumbled over the head of a dead man who had been crushed by a gate.

Question 2.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow:

What effect did it have on him and his wife?

Answer:
The narrator and his wife were shocked and distressed to see the mangled remains of the dead man.

Question 3.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow:

What dawned on the narrator when they were on the street?

Answer:
When they reached the street, it dawned on the narrator that they had to get to the hospital. They needed medical help but more urgently the narrator, who was a doctor, had to assist his staff at the hospital in looking after the casualties.

Question 4.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow:

Why does the narrator use the word ‘dawned’?

Answer:
The narrator uses the word ‘dawned’ for two things; firstly to indicate that he was too shaken by the blast to remember that his and his wife’s injuries needed medical attention. Secondly, as he saw people marching towards the hospital, he suddenly realised that he was a doctor who should be at the hospital treating the injured people.

Question 5.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow:

What was going on around the narrator and his wife as they walked about looking for safety?

Answer:
As the narrator and his wife looked for safety they saw a house which was standing before them tilt, sway, topple, and crash to the earth. Then there was fire which sprang up from the dust and was quickly spreading by the wind.

Passage 5

Question 1.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow:

…(Though this made
Sense to me then, I wonder how I could)
My legs gave way. I sat down on the ground.
Thirst seized me, but no water could be found.
My breath was short, but bit by bit my strength
Seemed to revive, and I got up at length.
I was still naked, but I felt no shame.
This thought disturbed me somewhat, till I came
Upon a soldier, standing silently,
Who gave the towel round his neck to me
My legs, stiff with dried blood, rebelled. …

What did the shock of the blasts do to the narrator?

Answer:
The shock of the blasts paralysed the narrator in his spot. His legs gave way and brought him down to the ground. He felt thirsty and his breath quickened for a while.

Question 2.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow:

Why do you think the narrator felt no shame although he was naked?

Answer:
The narrator was not the only person who was naked. The explosion was so intense that it caused the skin and clothes of people to melt away. The narrator could see many others walking naked on the street trying to fathom what had happened.

Question 3.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow:

What thought disturbed the narrator? When did it subside?

Answer:
The thought that he was naked and yet felt no shame disturbed the narrator. This thought subsided when the narrator met a soldier standing silently. The soldier noticed the narrator and gave him a towel that he had around his neck.

Question 4.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow:

Why are the soldier and the other people in the poem silent?

Answer:
The atomic explosion threw the citizens into shock, which is the reason why there was silence all around. The blast took away everything that the innocent people owned; their loved ones, their houses and their jobs. Moreover, the people were injured and scarred for life. The pain of these wounds was so unbearable that the people chose to endure it silently than to add to the chaos. There was no one they could turn to for support as every single soul in the city was running for his life.

Question 5.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow:

How much time must have passed since the attack? Are there indications of time passing in the extract?

Answer:
Through the narration, we can deduce that the narrator took some time to come out of his crumbling house and reach the open space where he is now. Apart from this there is no indication of the amount of time that passed.

Passage 6

Question 1.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow:

…I said
To Yecko-san she must go on ahead.
She did not wish to, but in our distress
What choice had we? A dreadful loneliness
Came over me when she had gone. My mind
Ran at high speed, my body crept behind.
I saw the shadowy forms of people, some
Were ghosts, some scarecrows, all were wordless dumb –
Arms stretched straight out, shoulder to dangling hand;
It took some time for me to understand
The friction on their burns caused so much pain

What did the narrator instruct his wife to do? What reason did he have for such a request?

Answer:
The injuries of the narrator stopped him from keeping up with Yecko-san, his wife. The narrator instructed his wife to go on ahead and find a safe place for herself. He also requested her to go ahead because he wanted to go to the hospital and look after the injured.

Question 2.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow:

Why did the narrator’s wife not want to leave? What did the narrator feel when his wife left him?

Answer:
The narrator’s wife did not want to leave him because she knew there was no certainty of them meeting again. When his wife finally left the narrator felt a dreadful loneliness overcome him.

Question 3.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow:

Why does the narrator say that his body did not keep up with his mind?

Answer:
The narrator’s mind was grasping everything at full speed. However, the severity of the situation pushed the narrator’s body into inactivity. He saw and felt everything but he could not get his body to react to any of it.

Question 4.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow:

What are the phrases used by the narrator to describe the people he encountered? What image does he paint with such description?

Answer:
The narrator uses the phrases ‘shadowy forms’, ‘ghosts’ ‘scarecrows’ and ‘wordless dumb’ to describe the people he encountered. These phrases are generally used for the dead. By using these phrases, the narrator is trying to describe how morbid the situation had become after the explosion.

Question 5.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow:

Why were the arms of the people stretched straight out?

Answer:
The arms of the people were stretched straight out to prevent them from scraping or rubbing against the wounded parts of their bodies. The pain caused by the burns was so intense that the people feared to even touch themselves.

Passage 7

Question 1.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow:

They feared to chafe flesh against flesh again.
Those who could, shuffled in a blank parade
Towards the hospital. I saw, dismayed,
A woman with a child stand in my path –
Both naked. Had they come back from the bath?
I turned my gaze, but was at a loss
That she should stand thus, till I came across
A naked man – and now the thought arose
That some strange thing had stripped us of our clothes.

What did the people fear? What does the word ‘chafe’ mean?

Answer:
Even a slight touch to their body caused such pain that the people feared to chafe flesh against flesh. The word ‘chafe’ means ‘rub against something or cause friction’.

Question 2.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow:

Why did the narrator turn his gaze? What did the narrator wonder?

Answer:
The sight of the naked woman and the child disturbed the narrator greatly therefore he turned his gaze. On seeing them the narrator wondered if they had come from a bath.

Question 3.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow:

Which gruesome reality does the stripping of the clothes represents?

Answer:
The mention of ‘stripping of clothes’ can be seen as an indication of the extent of destruction caused by the ruthless bombing. By the bombing, innocent people lost each and every thing that they held dear to them.

Question 4.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow:

What does the poet convey by the two hyphens used in this extract?

Answer:
The hyphens in this extract are either preceded or followed by the mention of naked people. It therefore highlights the shock and the discomfort of the narrator on seeing people in such a state.

Question 5.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow:

In the extract does there seem to be an order in the chaos?

Answer:
Yes. A certain order can be noted by the phrase ‘shuffled in a blank parade towards the hospital’ used in the extract.

Passage 8

Question 1.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow:

The face of an old woman on the ground
Was marred with suffering, but she made no sound.
Silence was common to us all. I heard
No cries of anguish, or a single word.

Explain the over powering theme of silence in the poem. What kind of silence is it?

Answer:
The strangest part of the poem is the silence which the narrator describes repeatedly. He mentions people injured and chaffed because of the blast. However, the deafening silence which follows the blast is even more harmful. It brings out the extent of shock and pain that the innocent people had to bear. The people were wounded both physically and mentally to such an extent that they could not even express their agony audibly. It is also a representation of the doom which the people were pushed into, as they lost everything they had in the blast.

Question 2.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow:

The face of an old woman on the ground
Was marred with suffering, but she made no sound.
Silence was common to us all. I heard
No cries of anguish, or a single word.

How many people does the narrator come across through the poem? What does he note about them all?

Answer:
Apart from his wife and the crowd of people walking like shadowy forms of ghosts, the narrator comes across a soldier, a woman with a child and an old woman on the ground. He noted that all these people had lost their clothes by some unknown force. He also noticed the silence that prevailed after the blast. No one cried or screamed.

Question 3.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow:

The face of an old woman on the ground
Was marred with suffering, but she made no sound.
Silence was common to us all. I heard
No cries of anguish, or a single word.

What is the tone of the poem? Is it in keeping with the title?

Answer:
The poem does not follow any poetic devices. Apart from the short lines, there is no similarity between it and any other form of poems. On the contrary it closely follows the pattern of a diary entry. It is written in the first person. It is descriptive and contemplative. And finally, it records a past event.

ICSE Class 10 English Solutions The Last Leaf

August 11, 2022November 15, 2017 by Veerendra

ICSE Class 10 English Solutions The Last Leaf

Passage 1

Question 1.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow.

In November a cold, unseen stranger, whom the doctors called Pneumonia, stalked about the colony, touching one here and there with his icy fingers. Over on the east side this ravager strode boldly, smiting his victims by scores, but his feet trod slowly through the maze of the narrow and moss-grown “places.”
Mr. Pneumonia was not what you would call a chivalric old gentleman. A mite of a little woman with blood thinned by California zephyrs was hardly fair game for the red-fisted, short-breathed old duffer. But Johnsy he smote; and she lay, scarcely moving, on her painted iron bedstead, looking through the small Dutch window-panes at the blank side of the next brick house.

One morning the busy doctor invited Sue into the hallway with a shaggy, grey eyebrow.

“She has one chance in – let us say, ten,” he said, as he shook down the mercury in his clinical thermometer. “And that chance is for her to want to live. This way people have of lining-u on the side of the undertaker makes the entire pharmacopoeia look silly. Your little lady has made up her mind that she’s not going to get well. Has she anything on her mind?”

Who visited the colony in November?

Answer:
In November, the colony was stalked by Pneumonia, whom the author calls an unseen stranger visiting the places and touching here and there with his icy fingers.

Question 2.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow.

One morning the busy doctor invited Sue into the hallway with a shaggy, grey eyebrow.

How did the disease affect Johnsy?

Answer:
Johnsy was psychologically affected by Pneumonia more than being physically affected. She deeply believed that she would never get well and her doctor told Sue that she was trying hard to not get better.

Question 3.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow.

Mr. Pneumonia was not what you would call a chivalric old gentleman. A mite of a little woman with blood thinned by California zephyrs was hardly fair game for the red-fisted, short-breathed old duffer. But Johnsy he smote; and she lay, scarcely moving, on her painted iron bedstead, looking through the small Dutch window-panes at the blank side of the next brick house.

One morning the busy doctor invited Sue into the hallway with a shaggy, grey eyebrow.

What according to the doctor could help Johnsy recover from her illness?

Answer:
According to the doctor if Johnsy set her mind on something or someone which could give her hope to live for example a man, then there would be a chance of her recovering soon from the illness.

Passage 2

Question 1.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow.

“Well, it is the weakness, then,” said the doctor. “I will do all that science, so far as it may filter through my efforts, can accomplish. But whenever my patient begins to count the carriages in her funeral procession I subtract 50 per cent from the curative power of medicines. If you will get her to ask one question about the new winter styles in cloak sleeves I will promise you a one-in-five chance for her, instead of one in ten.”

After the doctor had gone Sue went into the workroom and cried a Japanese napkin to a pulp. Then she swaggered into Johnsy’s room with her drawing board, whistling ragtime.

Who are the speakers in the extract? What are they talking about?

Answer:
The speakers in the extract are Sue and the doctor who is treating Johnsy. The two are discussing Johnsy’s health condition.

Question 2.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow.

After the doctor had gone Sue went into the workroom and cried a Japanese napkin to a pulp. Then she swaggered into Johnsy’s room with her drawing board, whistling ragtime.

Explain the line ‘I subtract 50 per cent from the curative power of medicines’.

Answer:
The above words are uttered by Johnsy’s doctor on realising that Johnsy is not willingly trying to recover from her illness. The doctor says that if Johnsy sets her mind to dying instead of recovering from her illness, he will subtract 50 percent from the curative power of his medicine. This means that not only medication but the patient’s willpower to recover is equally important.

Question 3.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow.

After the doctor had gone Sue went into the workroom and cried a Japanese napkin to a pulp. Then she swaggered into Johnsy’s room with her drawing board, whistling ragtime.

When did the doctor promise a one-in-five chance of Johnsy recovering?

Answer:
The doctor said that if Sue could make Johnsy discuss the latest winter fashion in cloak sleeves, he would promise a one-in- five chance of her survival.

Question 4.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow.

After the doctor had gone Sue went into the workroom and cried a Japanese napkin to a pulp. Then she swaggered into Johnsy’s room with her drawing board, whistling ragtime.

What did Sue do after the doctor left?

Answer:
After the doctor had left, Sue went into the workroom and cried hard worrying about Johnsy’s health. The doctor’s remarks on Johnsy’s health made Sue cry ‘a Japanese napkin to a pulp’. Soon after that breakdown, Sue composed herself and walked into Johnsy’s room creating an impression that everything was fine. She didn’t want to upset Johnsy more by discussing how seriously ill she was and that she wouldn’t live for long.

Question 5.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow.

After the doctor had gone Sue went into the workroom and cried a Japanese napkin to a pulp. Then she swaggered into Johnsy’s room with her drawing board, whistling ragtime.

Explain the phrase ‘swaggered into Johnsy’s room … whistling ragtime’.

Answer:
The author has used the phrase to explain how Sue entered Johnsy’s room after the discussion with the doctor. Although Sue was very upset over Johnsy’s health, she didn’t make it obvious to her friend when she entered the room. She came into the room confidently humming a jazz tune, making Johnsy feel comfortable and good despite her health condition.

Passage 3

Question 1.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow.

As Sue was sketching a pair of elegant horseshow riding trousers and a monocle of the figure of the hero, an Idaho cowboy, she heard a low sound, several times repeated. She went quickly to the bedside.
Johnsy’s eyes were open wide. She was looking out the window and counting – counting backward.
“Twelve,” she said, and little later “eleven”; and then “ten,” and “nine”; and then “eight” and “seven”, almost together.
Sue look solicitously out of the window. What was there to count? There was only a bare, dreary yard to be seen, and the blank side of the brick house twenty feet away. An old, old ivy vine, gnarled and decayed at the roots, climbed half way up the brick wall. The cold breath of autumn had stricken its leaves from the vine until its skeleton branches clung, almost bare, to the crumbling bricks.
“What is it, dear?” asked Sue.
“Six,” said Johnsy, in almost a whisper. “They’re falling faster now. Three days ago there were almost a hundred. It made my head ache to count them. But now it’s easy. There goes another one. There are only five left now.”
“Five what, dear? Tell your Sudie.”

What was Sue drawing?

Answer:
Sue was sketching a pair of elegant horseshow riding trousers and a monocle of the figure of a hero, an Idaho cowboy.

Question 2.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow.

Johnsy’s eyes were open wide. She was looking out the window and counting – counting backward.

“Twelve,” she said, and little later “eleven”; and then “ten,” and “nine”; and then “eight” and “seven”, almost together.
Sue look solicitously out of the window. What was there to count? There was only a bare, dreary yard to be seen, and the blank side of the brick house twenty feet away. An old, old ivy vine, gnarled and decayed at the roots, climbed half way up the brick wall. The cold breath of autumn had stricken its leaves from the vine until its skeleton branches clung, almost bare, to the crumbling bricks.

“What is it, dear?” asked Sue.

“Six,” said Johnsy, in almost a whisper. “They’re falling faster now. Three days ago there were almost a hundred. It made my head ache to count them. But now it’s easy. There goes another one. There are only five left now.”

“Five what, dear? Tell your Sudie.”

What was Johnsy doing when Sue was drawing?

Answer:
Johnsy was lying on her bed with her eyes wide open, staring outside the window and murmuring something softly while Sue was drawing.

Question 3.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow.

Johnsy’s eyes were open wide. She was looking out the window and counting – counting backward.

“What is it, dear?” asked Sue.

“Five what, dear? Tell your Sudie.”

What was Johnsy counting? Why?

Answer:
Johnsy was counting the leaves falling from the Ivy vine. She did this as she believed when the last leaf would fall from the wine, she would die.

Question 4.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow.

Johnsy’s eyes were open wide. She was looking out the window and counting – counting backward.

“What is it, dear?” asked Sue.

“Five what, dear? Tell your Sudie.”

What can one conclude about Johnsy’s state of mind from the given passage?

Answer:
Johnsy seemed to have gone into a state of frenzy because of her failing health. She had given up hope of living, which was also the reason why the doctor had said that she may not survive. She was counting the leaves falling from the Ivy wine and had formed an impression in her mind that when the last leaf would fall off the wine, she would die.

Passage 4

Question 1.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow.

“Oh, I never heard of such nonsense,” complained Sue, with magnificent scorn. “What have old ivy leaves to do with your getting well? And you used to love that vine so, you naughty girl. Don’t be a goosey. Why, the doctor told me this morning that your chances for getting well real soon were – let’s see exactly what he said – he said the chances were ten to one! Why, that’s almost as good a chance as we have in New York when we ride on the street cars or walk past a new building. Try to take some broth now, and let Sudie go back to her drawing, so she can sell the editor man with it, and buy port wine for her sick child, and pork chops for her greedy self.”

“You needn’t get any more wine,” said Johnsy, keeping her eyes fixed out the window. “There goes another. No, I don’t want any broth. That leaves just four. I want to see the last one fall before it gets dark. Then I’ll go, too.”

“Johnsy, dear,” said Sue, bending over her, “will you promise me to keep your eyes closed, and not look out the window until I am done working? I must hand those drawings in by to-morrow. I need the light, or I would draw the shade down.”

What ‘nonsense’ was Sue talking about?

Answer:
Johnsy told Sue about how the decreasing leaves on the Ivy vine were taking her closer to her death. Sue found no logic in Johnsy’s assumptions and therefore called it nonsense.

Question 2.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow.

What connection had Johnsy made with the falling leaves?

Answer:
Johnsy stared at the Ivy vine outside her window every day. She had started believing that she would cease to exist in other words die when the last leaf fell from the vine fell. She had begun to number her days of life by to the decreasing leaves on the vine.

Question 3.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow.

Why did Sue want to complete her drawing?

Answer:
Sue wanted to complete her drawing and sell it to the editor so that she could get some money to buy port wine for Johnsy and pork chops for herself.

Question 4.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow.

Why did Johnsy keep staring out of the window?

Answer:
Johnsy kept staring out of the window because she wanted to see when the last leaf from the vine fell. When the last leaf fell she would know that it was time for her to let go of her life forever.

Passage 5

Question 1.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow.

Old Behrman was a painter who lived on the ground floor beneath them. He was past sixty and had a Michael Angelo’s Moses beard curling down from the head of a satyr along with the body of an imp. Behrman was a failure in art. Forty years he had wielded the brush without getting near enough to touch the hem of his Mistress’s robe. He had been always about to paint a masterpiece, but had never yet begun it. For several years he had painted nothing except now and then a daub in the line of commerce or advertising. He earned a little by serving as a model to those young artists in the colony who could not pay the price of a professional. He drank gin to excess, and still talked of his coming masterpiece. For the rest he was a fierce little old man, who scoffed terribly at softness in any one, and who regarded himself as especial mastiff-in-waiting to protect the two young artists in the studio above.

Who was Behrman?

Answer:
Behrman was an old man in his sixties who had a Michael Angelo’s Moses beard curling down his satyr like face and a body of an imp. He was a failed painter who was waiting to create his masterpiece. Old Behrman lived on the ground floor beneath Sue and Johnsy’s studio.

Question 2.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow.

Explain the line “forty years he had wielded the brush without getting near enough to touch the hem of his Mistress’s robe”.

Answer:
Behrman was an unsuccessful artist. In his forty years as a painter, he had failed miserably at even sketching the outline of the masterpiece that he so dearly wish to paint.

Question 3.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow.

What was Behrman’s source of income?

Answer:
Behrman earned money by posing as a model for young artists who couldn’t afford to hire professional models.

Question 4.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow.

Describe Behrman’s character. What does O’Henry achieve by introducing Behrman in the story?

Answer:
Behrman is a perpetual drinker and an unsuccessful painter. Though he is generally rude, he feels highly protective of Sue and Johnsy who live in the studio above him. Although he smells of gin all the time, he appears to be a good natured man who always speaks of his coming masterpiece. O’Henry has used some comical relief by introducing Behrman in the story The Last Leaf. As we know, the story is rather a sad and mournful tale about Sue trying hard to bring her best friend back on the road to recovery after a brief illness. The conversations that happen between Sue and the doctor and between Sue and Johnsy are rather serious and dull. However, with the introduction of Behrman, the tone of the story is lightened.

Passage 6

Question 1.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow.

When Sue awoke from an hour’s sleep the next morning she found Johnsy with dull, wide-open eyes staring at the drawn green shade.

“Pull it up; I want to see,” she ordered, in a whisper.
Wearily Sue obeyed.

But, lo! After the beating rain and fierce gusts of wind that had endured through the livelong night, there yet stood out against the brick wall one ivy leaf. It was the last one on the vine. Still dark green near its stem, with its serrated edges tinted with the yellow of dissolution and decay, it hung bravely from the branch some twenty feet above the ground.

What did Sue ask Behrman to do for Jonhsy?

Answer:
Sue requested Behrman to paint a leaf similar to the last leaf on the Ivy vine so that Johnsy would think that the last leaf was still on the vine.

Question 2.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow.

Sue pulled the shade down to the window-sill, and motioned Behrman into the other room. In there they peered out the window fearfully at the ivy vine. Then they looked at each other for a moment without speaking. A persistent, cold rain was falling, mingled with snow. Behrman, in his old blue shirt, took his seat as the hermit miner on an upturned kettle for a rock.
When Sue awoke from an hour’s sleep the next morning she found Johnsy with dull, wide-open eyes staring at the drawn green shade.
“Pull it up; I want to see,” she ordered, in a whisper.
Wearily Sue obeyed.
But, lo! After the beating rain and fierce gusts of wind that had endured through the livelong night, there yet stood out against the brick wall one ivy leaf. It was the last one on the vine. Still dark green near its stem, with its serrated edges tinted with the yellow of dissolution and decay, it hung bravely from the branch some twenty feet above the ground.

How was the weather outside when the two went up to Johnsy’s room?

Answer:
The weather outside was rough when the two went up to Johnsy’s room. It was raining persistently and snowing at the same time.

Question 3.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow.

When Sue awoke from an hour’s sleep the next morning she found Johnsy with dull, wide-open eyes staring at the drawn green shade.

“Pull it up; I want to see,” she ordered, in a whisper.
Wearily Sue obeyed.

Explain the symbolism of the climate in relation to Johnsy’s illness.

Answer:
The doctor had given up hope of Johnsy recovering because she herself lacked the willpower to recover. The weather outside was unpleasant with persistent rain and snow. The atmosphere outside was dull and grim, just as Johnsy’s health and her emotional condition.

Question 4.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow.

When Sue awoke from an hour’s sleep the next morning she found Johnsy with dull, wide-open eyes staring at the drawn green shade.

“Pull it up; I want to see,” she ordered, in a whisper.
Wearily Sue obeyed.

Explain the term ‘livelong night’.

Answer:
The term ‘livelong night’ stands for a night that seemed never-ending. The weather on that night was very rough with persistent snow and rain. Moreover, both Sue and Johnsy knew that the last leaf would fall from the Ivy vine that night. The inclement weather and the fragile condition of Johnsy added hours to the already restless night making it seem longer than normal.

Question 5.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow.

When Sue awoke from an hour’s sleep the next morning she found Johnsy with dull, wide-open eyes staring at the drawn green shade.

“Pull it up; I want to see,” she ordered, in a whisper.
Wearily Sue obeyed.

Explain the symbolism of the leaf that hung to the vine.

Answer:
The last leaf that clung to the ivy vine carries deep symbolism. It represented Johnsy, who was ill and in a critical condition. The leaf was also brave like Johnsy, who, although showed no inclination directly, clung on to life in her own way despite all odds by means of the leaves on the vine.

Passage 7

Question 1.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow.

When it was light enough Johnsy, the merciless, commanded that the shade be raised.

The ivy leaf was still there.

Johnsy lay for a long time looking at it. And then she called to Sue, who was stirring her chicken broth over the gas stove.

“I’ve been a bad girl, Sudie,” said Johnsy. “Something has made that last leaf stay there to show me how wicked I was. It is a sin to want to die. You may bring me a little broth now, and some milk with a little port in it, and – no; bring me a hand-mirror first, and then pack some pillows about me, and I will sit up and watch you cook.”

An hour later she said:

“Sudie, someday I hope to paint the Bay of Naples.”

Why does Johnsy refer to herself as merciless?

Answer:
Johnsy calls herself ‘merciless’ as she had set a date for her own death by looking at and counting the leaves falling from the Ivy vine. She ceased to care for anyone, even for her roommate and friend Sue, who had been taking very good care of her during her illness.

Question 2.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow.

When it was light enough Johnsy, the merciless, commanded that the shade be raised.

The ivy leaf was still there.

Johnsy lay for a long time looking at it. And then she called to Sue, who was stirring her chicken broth over the gas stove.

An hour later she said:

“Sudie, someday I hope to paint the Bay of Naples.”

What was Sue doing when Johnsy called her?

Answer:
Sue was stirring chicken broth over the gas stove when Johnsy called her.

Question 3.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow.

When it was light enough Johnsy, the merciless, commanded that the shade be raised.

The ivy leaf was still there.

Johnsy lay for a long time looking at it. And then she called to Sue, who was stirring her chicken broth over the gas stove.

An hour later she said:

“Sudie, someday I hope to paint the Bay of Naples.”

Why did Johnsy feel that she had been a bad girl?

Answer:
When Johnsy saw that the last leaf had managed to cling on to the vine despite the blustery weather of the previous night, she realised that she had been mean in giving up on life. The last leaf being still there on the vine was like a revelation to her. She understood how inappropriate it was to think about death when the doctor and Sue were trying their best to treat her illness.

Question 4.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow.

When it was light enough Johnsy, the merciless, commanded that the shade be raised.

The ivy leaf was still there.

Johnsy lay for a long time looking at it. And then she called to Sue, who was stirring her chicken broth over the gas stove.

An hour later she said:

“Sudie, someday I hope to paint the Bay of Naples.”

What did Johnsy ask Sue to bring for her?

Answer:
Johnsy asked Sue to bring her some broth and milk with a little port wine in it. She also asked Sue to give her a hand mirror and pack some pillows around her so that she could watch Sue cook.

Question 5.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow.

When it was light enough Johnsy, the merciless, commanded that the shade be raised.

The ivy leaf was still there.

Johnsy lay for a long time looking at it. And then she called to Sue, who was stirring her chicken broth over the gas stove.

An hour later she said:

“Sudie, someday I hope to paint the Bay of Naples.”

How does Johnsy’s attitude change in this given extract?

Answer:
Throughout the story, we see a very cynical and a pessimistic Johnsy, who has no willpower or strength to recover from her illness. Sitting idle in her bed, she thinks that she too will wither away like the falling leaves from the Ivy vine outside her window. She starts counting the falling leaves and concludes that she is going to die when the last leaf falls off. However, after a very stormy night when Johnsy sure that the last leaf has fallen instructs Sue to draw the curtains she sees that the leaf is still clinging on to the vine. The leaf’s struggle to survive hepls her realise how mean and illogical she has been to herself and to Sue in waiting for her death. In the given passage, we see a different Johnsy, someone who is ready to bounce back to life.

Passage 8

Question 1.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow.

And that afternoon Sue came to the bed where Johnsy lay, contentedly knitting a very blue and very useless woollen shoulder scarf, and put one arm around her, pillows and all.
“I have something to tell you, white mouse,” she said. “Mr. Behrman died of pneumonia to-day in the hospital. He was ill only two days. The janitor found him the morning of the first day in his room downstairs helpless with pain. His shoes and clothing were wet through and icy cold. They couldn’t imagine where he had been on such a dreadful night. And then they found a lantern, still lighted, and a ladder that had been dragged from its place, and some scattered brushes, and a palette with green and yellow colours mixed on it, and – look out the window, dear, at the last ivy leaf on the wall.

Why has the author called the woollen scarf ‘useless’?

Answer:
On showing signs of recovery, Johnsy once again mentioned her wish to paint the Bay of Naples to Sue. Johnsy’s even contemplates knitting the woollen scarf which she may never need just to feel the normality of life that she has returned to.

Question 2.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow.

Why does Sue call Johnsy ‘white mouse’?

Answer:
People who are close to each other often call each other with different names. Johnsy often called Sue ‘Sudie’ out of affection. In the same way, Johnsy was called ‘white mouse’ affectionately by Sue. Since Johnsy fell ill all she did was lay on her bed passively awaiting her impending death. She showed no sign of hope or interest in life. More over her illness had rid her skin of its colour. This prompted Sue to use the phrase ‘white mouse’ to refer to her.

Question 3.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow.

What did Sue have to tell Johnsy?

Answer:
Sue had to tell Johnsy that Old Behrman had died of pneumonia that day in the hospital. She also had to confess the truth about the last leaf on the vine.

Question 4.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow.

How did Behrman die?

Answer:
Old Behrman spent the entire night painting the last leaf on the Ivy vine outside Johnsy’s window in the rain and the storm. The janitor found him in the morning in his room helpless and in pain. His shoes and clothes were icy cold and wet. Behrman was ill for the next two days, and given his age, he couldn’t recover and died of pneumonia.

Question 5.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow.

Can one say that the last leaf was Behrman’s masterpiece that he always wanted to paint?

Answer:
The last leaf is definitely Behrman’s masterpiece. It was so accurate that it gave a new lease of life to Johnsy who had quit on life despite the doctor and her friend telling her that she would be fine. He was very protective about the two women and he proved this by sacrificing his life so that Johnsy could see the leaf whenever she woke up and thus find hope to live on.

ICSE Class 10 English Solutions Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening [Poem]

August 11, 2022November 15, 2017 by Veerendra

ICSE Class 10 English Solutions Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening [Poem]

Passage 1

Question 1.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow:

Whose woods these are I think I know.
His house is in the village though;
He will not see me stopping here
To watch his woods fill up with snow.

Who is referred to as ‘his’ in the above extract? What does the speaker say about the person he refers to as ‘his’?

Answer:
The owner of the woods is referred to as ‘his’ in the extract. The speaker says that he knows the person who owns the woods and further informs us that the person lives in the village.

Question 2.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow:

Whose woods these are I think I know.
His house is in the village though;
He will not see me stopping here
To watch his woods fill up with snow.

Where was the speaker going? What stopped him on his way?

Answer:
The speaker was going back home with his horse and he had to pass through the woods. He found the woods beautifully queer and he was enchanted by the frozen lake in the woods. The snow falling on a cold winter night and gradually filling up the woods amazed and stopped the speaker in his tracks.

Question 3.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow:

Whose woods these are I think I know.
His house is in the village though;
He will not see me stopping here
To watch his woods fill up with snow.

What happens while the speaker stops by?

Answer:
While the speaker stops by, the snow continues to fall and cover the earth like a blanket.

Question 4.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow:

Whose woods these are I think I know.
His house is in the village though;
He will not see me stopping here
To watch his woods fill up with snow.

What is the meaning of word ‘woods’?

Answer:
An area of land smaller than a forest covered with thick growth of trees is called woods.

Passage 2

Question 1.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow:

My little horse must think it queer
To stop without a farmhouse near
Between the woods and frozen lake
The darkest evening of the year.

Identify and explain the figure of speech used in the first line of the poem.

Answer:
The figure of speech in the first line of the poem is anthropomorphism, the attribution of human characteristics or behaviour to a god, animal, or object. The poet gives the horse a human quality of being capable of thinking.

Question 2.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow:

My little horse must think it queer
To stop without a farmhouse near
Between the woods and frozen lake
The darkest evening of the year.

What according to the speaker will surprise his horse?

Answer:
According to the speaker, his horse will think it queer or strange to stop in the woods as it is a place with no house nearby. In addition, it is the coldest evening of the year as even the lake is frozen.

Question 3.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow:

My little horse must think it queer
To stop without a farmhouse near
Between the woods and frozen lake
The darkest evening of the year.

Explain the figurative contrast between the farmhouse and the frozen lake.

Answer:
The farmhouse represents warmth and homeliness. In contrast to this, the woods are cold and lonely. Also, the valley and farmhouse are terms representing habitation and community life. They can be seen as the first phase of a person’s life.

Question 4.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow:

My little horse must think it queer
To stop without a farmhouse near
Between the woods and frozen lake
The darkest evening of the year.

Explain the last two lines of the extract.

Answer:
The extract is from the point of view of the horse. The horse is alarmed at being stopped in the middle of the journey. He cannot see any dwelling nearby. Also the darkness of the night scares him. The horses’ reaction is in contrast to that of the travellers who finds the place oddly calming and beautiful.

Passage 3

Question 1.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow:

He gives his harness bells a shake
To ask if there is some mistake.
The only other sound’s the sweep
Of easy wind and downy flake.

What role does the horse play in the poem?

Answer:
The horse is the voice of reason in the poem. It can also be seen as a string which binds the speaker’s inner self to his earthly self which is dominated by reason.

Question 2.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow:

He gives his harness bells a shake
To ask if there is some mistake.
The only other sound’s the sweep
Of easy wind and downy flake.

What are the sounds that the poet hears in the forest? What kind of sounds are they?

Answer:
Apart from the sound of his horse’s harness bell, the poet hears the sound of the sweeping wind and falling snow flakes. The fact that the speaker mentions hearing the sound of the snow fall indicates how quiet the forest is on that snowy day. The sounds heard by the speaker are sounds of nature.

Question 3.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow:

He gives his harness bells a shake
To ask if there is some mistake.
The only other sound’s the sweep
Of easy wind and downy flake.

What effect does the silence in the woods have on the speaker?

Answer:
The silence in the woods creates a serene ambiance which enchants the speaker and stops him from moving ahead to his destination.

Question 4.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow:

He gives his harness bells a shake
To ask if there is some mistake.
The only other sound’s the sweep
Of easy wind and downy flake.

What is the rhyme scheme of the given extract?

Answer:
The rhyme scheme of the poem is A-A-B-A.

Passage 4

Question 1.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow:

The woods are lovely, dark and deep,
But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep,
And miles to go before I sleep.

Identify and explain the contrast in the first line of the extract.

Answer:
The speaker uses contrasting imagery to describe the woods. He calls them lovely, dark and deep all at the same time. The words ‘dark’ and ‘deep’ connote an alarmingly mysterious characteristic while the word ‘lovely’ makes the woods an attractive location. The three words give the woods a mystical character. Though the darkness serves as a warning to the uncertainties lying within the forest, he is also mesmerised by its serene beauty.

Question 2.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow:

The woods are lovely, dark and deep,
But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep,
And miles to go before I sleep.

What stops the speaker from moving on?

Answer:
The calm and soothing beauty of the deserted woods stops the speaker from moving on.

Question 3.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow:

The woods are lovely, dark and deep,
But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep,
And miles to go before I sleep.

What does the line ‘But I have promises to keep’ symbolise?

Answer:
The line ‘but I have promises to keep’ indicates that the speaker is bound by his earthly responsibilities and can therefore not embrace the celestial beauty of the forest though he dearly wishes to stay back in the woods.

Question 4.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow:

The woods are lovely, dark and deep,
But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep,
And miles to go before I sleep.

What is the significance of the last two lines of the poem?

Answer:
The last two lines of the poem reinforce the point that the speaker cannot shrug off his responsibilities despite being awed by the beauty of the forest. The lines remind the speaker of his duties and urge him to move ahead in the direction of his village where his family must be waiting for him.

ICSE Class 10 English Solutions God Lives in the Panch

August 11, 2022November 15, 2017 by Veerendra

ICSE Class 10 English Solutions God Lives in the Panch

Passage 1

Question 1.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow.

The friendship was not the outcome of any sudden impulse. It dated from the days of their childhood, when Alagu sat for his lessons at the feet of Jumman’s father, who had his own notions, on how to bring up a lad. ‘Don’t spare the rod, or you’ll spoil him: is what he used to say. He practised this precept in the case of his own son Jumman, with the result that there was none in the village to equal him either in drafting a petition or drawing up a deed. In course of time, Jumman was highly esteemed in the village and the neighbourhood for his scholarship and attainments. Alagu’s father held different views. He believed that your teacher’s blessing would transform you into a fine scholar, and there could be no surer way to his good grace than to keep his ‘hookah’ fresh and feed his ‘chillum’ regularly. Poor Alagu was never found wanting in this service. And if in the end he failed to acquire much learning, the fault was not his but that of the stars. So argued his old father.

Whose friendship is being referred to in the passage?

Answer:
The passage refers to the friendship of Jumman Sheikh and Alagu Chowdhari. Their friendship was such that they not only tilled their lands together but also took care of each other’s households when anyone was away.

Question 2.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow.

What notion did Jumman’s father have about bringing up a boy?

Answer:
Jumman’s father had his own notions about bringing up a boy. He was of the opinion that one should be strict with boys because if you spared the rod you would spoil the boy.

Question 3.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow.

What effect did Mr Sheikh’s teachings have on Jumman how was it different from Alagu’s upbringing?

Answer:
Jumman’s father practised his precept of strict upbringing with his son right from the start. The result was such that there was no one in the village who could draft a petition or draw up a deed like Jumman could. On the other hand, Alagu’s father believed getting one’s teacher’s blessings by keeping him happy was the only way of succeeding in life. Alagu did not gain much learning by this approach.

Question 4.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow.

What thoughts did Alagu’s father have about learning and teachers?

Answer:
Alagu’s father thought that a teacher’s blessing could transform the student into a fine scholar and that there was no better way of getting his good grace than by keeping his ‘hookah’ fresh and feeding his ‘chillum’ regularly.

Passage 2

Question 1.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow.

Patience has its limits. One day, unable to bear this constant nagging and insult from his wife the aunt spoke, to Jumman. Jumman flatly refused to interfere in household affairs. He told her in effect that his wife knew best how to run the house. Crest-fallen, the old aunt tried to bear as well as she could her daily humiliation. But at length even her patience gave way. She called Jumman and said to him: ‘My son, it is clear there is no room for me in your house. You had better give me a small allowance so that I can set up a separate kitchen.’
Does money grow on trees?’ replied Jumman tartly.
‘Of course not. But how am I to live?’ pleaded the aunt.
‘Who said that you had conquered death?’ taunted Jumman gravely. This exasperated the aunt. She threatened to take her case before the panchayat.

Explain the first line of the extract with reference to context.

Answer:
Jumman had a maternal aunt who transferred her property to him by a deed with an understanding that he would look after her well. However, Jumman and his wife started ill-treating her after receiving the property. Jumman’s wife abused and humiliated her frequently. Finally, the aunt lost her patience and spoke to Jumman about the behaviour of his wife.

Question 2.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow.

What was Jumman’s reaction to his aunt’s complaint?

Answer:
Jumman refused to believe his aunt when she told him that his wife was not looking after her well. He remained passive and even refused to give her an allowance so that she could set up her own kitchen in the house.

Question 3.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow.

What did the aunt threaten to do? What was Jumman’s reaction to her threat?

Answer:
Jumman’s aunt threatened to go to the panch to seek justice if he refused to treat her well. Jumman thought her to be ridiculous when she made this threat as he thought that the panch would surely pass the judgement in his favour. There was no one in the village whom he had not done a favour.

Question 4.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow.

What was the reason for Jumman to behave inappropriately with his aunt? Read the extract and answer the questions that follow.

What was the reason for Jumman to behave inappropriately with his aunt?

Answer:
Jumman always wanted to get hold of his aunt’s property. Before she signed the deed, he was a dotting nephew and anticipated and carried out her every wish. However, the moment the papers were signed, he turned indifferent to the old woman. He wanted the property but he was not ready to shoulder the responsibility of the old woman. He and his wife were disgruntled with the little food the aunt ate and found it impossible to keep her well.

Passage 3

Question 1.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow.

‘Since you insist, I will come,’ said Alagu, ‘but you will have to excuse me if I don’t take any part in the proceedings.’ Why so, my son?’ ‘Because, as you know, Jumman is my old friend: I can ill afford to go against him.’ ‘But is it right, my son, that for his sake you should keep your mouth shut and not say what you feel, what you consider just?’ When our conscience is asleep we may not be conscious of the wrong we do unwittingly, but challenge your conscience, wake it up, and you will find that it puts up with nothing that is unfair. So it happened with Alagu. He did not reply, but the words of the old aunt kept ringing in his ears.

Who all did the old woman go to before approaching Alagu?

Answer:
The old woman went from villager to villager leaning on her poor staff telling about her miserable condition to anyone sparing her some time. Although her old age and weak body made it difficult for her to move around, she was on a mission to make her woes known to everyone before she approached the panchayat.

Question 2.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow.

Why did the old aunt go to Alagu? What did they speak?

Answer:
She wanted Alagu to attend the panchayat when her matter came up. Alagu told her that he would attend the panchayat but wouldn’t participate in the proceedings owing to his relations with Jumman. At this, the old lady advised him to act as his conscience would deem appropriate.

Question 3.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow.

Why did Alagu not want to take part in the proceedings of the panchayat?

Answer:
Alagu had very good relations with Jumman. He thought that if he attended the panchayat and said anything that was not in favour of Jumman then their friendship would suffer.

Question 4.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow.

Whose words kept ringing in Alagu’s ears?

Answer:
Jumman’s aunt said to Alagu that when his conscience is challenged and woken up, he would find out that it puts up with nothing that is unfair. These words of the old woman kept ringing in his ears.

Passage 4

Question 1.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow.

‘You know members of the panchayat, that three years ago I executed a deed in favour of my nephew Jumman, transferring all my property to him. Jumman on his part promised to maintain me. For a long time I have been subjected to abuse, insults and nagging from his wife without any help from Jumman. Things have now come to such a pass that it is no longer possible for me to live with him. I am denied food and clothes. I am a helpless widow, too poor to run to the courts for redress. All I can do is to appeal to you for justice. Please advise me what to do. Punish me if I am in the wrong; but if you find fault with Jumman correct him, I solemnly assure you that I shall faithfully carry out your orders.

Who is the speaker in the given extract?

Answer:
The speaker in the given extract is Jumman’s maternal aunt.

Question 2.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow.

Describe the site where the village panchayat meeting was going to take place.

Answer:
The place where the panchayat was going to be held presented a strange sight. The panchayat was going to be held in the evening and Jumman welcomed the guests as they came one by one. A carpet was spread and a good supply was provided of pan, elaichi and hookahs. Live charcoal was kept glowing in one corner to feed the ‘chillums’ as it was constantly demanded by the guests.

Question 3.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow.

What was the complaint of the old woman?

Answer:
The old woman, Jumman’s maternal aunt, had transferred her property to Jumman three years ago. In return Jumman had promised to take care of her. However, for a long time, she was being subjected to abuse, insults, and nagging by his wife apart from being denied basic necessities like food and clothing. Jumman too, had become indifferent to her. The old aunt therefore pleaded for justice in front of the panchayat.

Question 4.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow.

How was Jumman related to the old woman?

Answer:
Juman was the nephew of the old woman.

Question 5.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow.

Who all were present at the panchayat?

Answer:
Apart from the members of the panch, Alagu, who stood at the far end of the scene and several people who nursed a grievance against Jumman were present at the panchayat.

Passage 5

Question 1.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow.

My son, fear God. The panch knows neither friend nor enemy. If’ you don’t trust anyone, don’t propose any name. But what do you say to Alagu Chowdhari?’ Jumman was not prepared for this good luck. Hiding his secret joy, he replied: ‘Very well. If you must have him, have him. It is all the same to me whether you nominate Alagu Chowdhari or Ramadhan Misra.’ Alagu, who did not wish to be dragged into the dispute, now demurred, and said: ‘Aunt, you are not unaware or my relations with Junkman.’ ‘I know them well, my son,’ she replied, ‘but I also know that you will not kill your conscience for the sake of friendship. Allah lives in the heart of the panch, and his voice is the voice of God.

Explain ‘The panch knows neither friend nor enemy’.

Answer:
The above words are uttered by Jumman’s aunt at the panchayat when Jumman comes across as an egotistical fool. The aunt tries to explain to him that the village panchayat is non-biased and its voice is the voice of God. Everyone is equal in front of the panch and that its decision will be in the best interest of everyone.

Question 2.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow.

Whose name did the old aunt propose as the head of the panchayat? Why?

Answer:
The Aunt proposed Alagu as her nominee to be the head panch because she knew that Alagu had a strong conscience that would never falter or crumble under pressure.

Question 3.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow.

What did Jumman think after the nominee’s name was announced?

Answer:
When Alagu’s name was announced as the nominee by the old aunt, Jumman couldn’t believe his luck. Since Alagu was his very good friend, he assumed that he would obviously favour him before the panchayat.

Question 4.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow.

What was the reaction of people who disliked Jumman after the nominee’s name was announced?

Answer:
When Alagu was chosen as the aunt’s nominee, Ramadhan Mishra and the others who were opposed to Jumman cursed the old woman for her folly in their heart of hearts.

Passage 6

Question 1.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow.

Jumman was stunned. The words fell on his ears like a thunderbolt. He could not understand. The friend on whom he relied so much had suddenly turned into a bitter foe! It was only in crucial moments like this that friendship was tested! ‘Kaliyuga’ had indeed come for deceit and treachery were synonymous with friendship. No wonder that plague and, cholera were ravaging the country! It was different with Ramadhan Misra and other members of the panchayat. No praise was now too high for Alagu and his sense of fairness and Justice. ‘This is the true panchayat.’ ‘Alagu has divided truth from falsehood as a swan separates.

Why was Jumman stunned?

Answer:
Jumman was stunned because he was shocked to find Alagu, his friend talking in favour of his aunt instead of him. He had expected the decision of the panchayat to be in his favour as he and Alagu were close friends.

Question 2.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow.

What was the panchayat’s final judgement?

Answer:
Alagu and the other members of the panchayat came to the conclusion that Jumman was liable to pay his aunt a fixed monthly allowance out of the realization from her property. Alagu further said that if Jumman failed to oblige by the judgement, the deed which transferred the aunt’s property to him would be deemed void.

Question 3.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow.

Was Alagu’s friendship tested during the panchayat meeting?

Answer:
Alagu’s friendship was tested during the panchayat meeting. Both Alagu and Jumman were friends since childhood. Jumman had considered his case already won when he realised that Alagu was chosen as the nominee by his aunt. However, he hadn’t imagined that Alagu would go against him and pass a judgement against him. In doing so, however, Alagu proved that justice was above everything else.

Question 4.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow.

What was the reaction of Ramadhan Mishra and the panchayat?

Answer:
When they heard the panchayat’s decision, Ramadhan Mishra and the other members of the panchayat couldn’t stop praising Alagu for his sense of fairness and justice.

Passage 7

Question 1.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow.

There lived in the village one Samjhu Sahu, a cart-driver, who carried on his business between the village and the town. He used to take the village commodities to the town, and with the proceeds of their sale he brought back to the village, such ……, goods as found already market there. He thought to himself that if he could get Alagu’s bullock he would be able to make at least three or four trips daily to the town and back, and thus swell his profits. At present all he could do was to make one or two trips to the town market. With this purpose he negotiated for the purchase of Alagu’s bullock; and ultimately after trial, purchased it on the understanding that he would pay the price in a month’s time.

Who was Samjhu Sahu and what did he want?

Answer:
Samhju Sahu was a cart-driver who wanted to buy Alagu’s bullock.

Question 2.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow.

How did he decide to buy the bullock?

Answer:
Samjhu negotiated for the purchase of Alagu’s bullock on the understanding that he would pay the price in a month’s time.

Question 3.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow.

What kind of business did Samjhu do? How would Alagu’s bullock impact Samjhu’s business?

Answer:
Samjhu had a business of transporting commodities from the village to the town. With the proceeds of their sale he brought back to the village goods that were unavailable in the village. Alagu’s bullock was strong and sturdy. If Samjhu were to buy it, his business would definitely benefit a great deal from it. Instead of just one trip to the town per day, he would be able to make at least three to four trips in a single day.

Passage 8

Question 1.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow.

Alagu Chowdhari was not without his enemies in the village. The news that Sahu had refused to honour his promise soon spread. All those whom Alagu had displeased now gathered round Sahu and supported his contention. But one hundred and fifty rupees- the price of the bullock – was not a small sum and Alagu could not ill-afford to forego it. Though rebuffed and abused again and again by Sahu whenever he approached him, he did not give up his claim.

Who was in support of Sahu? Why?

Answer:
All those whom Alagu had displeased supported Sahu when the news that Sahu had refused to pay Alagu spread.

Question 2.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow.

Why was Sahu supposed to pay Alagu? Why did he refuse to pay him?

Answer:
Sahu has purchased a bullock from Alagu on the condition that he would pay him within a month. However, Sahu overworked the animal so much that one day it died on its way to the village. Sahu suffered a loss as all his goods worth hundreds were lost. As a result, he turned away from his promise to pay Alagu.

Question 3.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow.

How did Sahu treat Alagu when he was approached by the latter for his money?

Answer:
Alagu was ill-treated by Sahu whenever he approached him for the unpaid price of the bullock. Not only Sahu, but also his wife behaved badly with Alagu. Whenever he went to Sahu’s home to ask for his money, she along with Sahu would abuse, curse and humiliate Alagu.

Question 4.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow.

How did Alagu and Sahu decide to bring an end to their quarrel?

Answer:
Alagu and Sahu were advised by the village crowd that they approach the village panchayat to get a fair decision on their quarrel.

Passage 9

Question 1.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow.

At the sound of Jumman’s name Alagu’s heart began to sink. His face turned pale and it looked as if he had received a sudden blow. But what could he do? He had himself asked Sahu to make his own nomination. Ramdhan Misra, his friend; sensed what was passing in Alagu’s mind, and in order to help him out he slyly prompted: ‘Have you Alagu, any objection to Sahu’s nomination?’ But Alagu did not take the hint. In a low and despondent voice he replied ‘None whatever.’

So Jumman became the head-panch.

We became conscious of our weakness the moment we are placed in some responsible position. We then try to prove equal to the task. If we are ever tempted to go astray, it is this thought which prevents us from doing so.

Why did Alagu’s heart begin to sink?

Answer:
Sahu chose Jumman as the head of the panchayat during the proceedings of their trail. In an earlier decision by the panch, Jumman was held guilty by Alagu as the head of the panch. Now, when he was one of the disputed party, he realised that Jumman was likely to take revenge of what he had done to him during the earlier trial.

Question 2.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow.

So Jumman became the head-panch.

Who was Ramdhan Misra? How did he try to help Alagu during the panchayat meeting?

Answer:
Ramdhan Misra was one of the members of the panchayat and a friend of Alagu. When Sahu nominated Jumman as the head of the panch, Ramdhan sensed that Alagu might be tensed and asked him if he had problem with Sahu’s nomination.

Question 3.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow.

Was Alagu able to pick the hint from Ramdhan?

Answer:
Alagu was too worried to pick the hint from Ramdhan’s comment. He was unable to understand why his friend asked him if he would have a problem with Jumman as the head of the panch.

Passage 10

Question 1.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow.

‘Since the last panchayat I have been your sworn enemy. Today I realised what it was to be a panch: that he has no private feelings of his own; that he knows neither friend nor foe. All that matters to him is to administer justice. I am convinced now, that the panch speaks the voice of God.’
This was too much for Alagu. He broke down and wept on Jumman’s shoulders. The tears he shed that day washed away all the dirt and dust of misunderstanding between the two friends, and thus the withered and faded creeper of their friendship once again became fresh and green.

Who is referring to whom as the sworn enemy in the given extract? Why?

Answer:
Jumman is referring to Alagu as his sworn enemy in the given extract. In a trail as a head panch, Alagu had to give a decision against Jumman, his close friend. This incident created a rift between the two friends and they started avoided confrontation with each other. Since Alagu favoured Jumman’s aunt over him during the panchayat trail, Jumman started harbouring feelings of hatred for Alagu.

Question 2.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow.

What did Jumman realise after the judgement for his case was delivered by Alagu?

Answer:
After the trail, Jumman ruled in favour of Alagu, despite breeding hatred for him. When the result was announced, Alagu was elated on being served justice it is at that point that Jumman realised that when a person becomes a part of the panch, his only duty is to administer justice without favouring personal relationships or feelings.

Question 3.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow.

How was Alagu and Jumman relationship reconciled?

Answer:
Both Jumman and Alagu had a common outlook towards justice and fairness, which is the very reason why none of them faltered while giving their decisions for the panchayat. After the second trail, Alagu broke into tears on Jumman’s shoulders. Jumman too confessed to having harboured ill feelings for Alagu after the first trail, where he was asked to take care of his old aunt. However, he understood that the panchayat speaks the voice of God and that there are no favours or special treatments. At the end, both the friends forgot what had happened and became friends again.

ICSE Class 10 English Solutions The Professor [Poem]

August 11, 2022November 15, 2017 by Veerendra

ICSE Class 10 English Solutions The Professor [Poem]

Passage 1

Question 1.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow.

Remember me? I am Professor Sheth.
Once I taught you geography. Now
I am retired, though my health is good. My wife died some years back.
By God’s grace, all my children
Are well settled in life.

Who are the two people involved in this conversation?

Answer:
The conversation is going on between a retired Geography professor and his ex student.

Question 2.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow.

Remember me? I am Professor Sheth.
Once I taught you geography. Now
I am retired, though my health is good. My wife died some years back.
By God’s grace, all my children
Are well settled in life.

What does the student say when the professor introduces himself?

Answer:
The former student is not seen talking in this stanza or throughout the poem. We understand that the poem is a monologue where the professor is the only person who talks.

Question 3.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow.

Remember me? I am Professor Sheth.
Once I taught you geography. Now
I am retired, though my health is good. My wife died some years back.
By God’s grace, all my children
Are well settled in life.

What does the professor say about himself and his family in the above extract?

Answer:
The professor says that he has retired and is in good health although his wife passed away a few years ago. He also mentions that all his children have settled in life.

Question 4.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow.

Remember me? I am Professor Sheth.
Once I taught you geography. Now
I am retired, though my health is good.My wife died some years back.
By God’s grace, all my children
Are well settled in life.

Why does the professor ask the student ‘Remember me’?

Answer:
The professor seems to have met one of his students and is not sure if the student recognises him. Therefore, he uses the phrase ‘remember me’ and further adds his name and reminding the student that he used to teach Geography and thus initiating the conversation.

Passage 2

Question 1.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow.

By God’s grace, all my children
Are well settled in life.
One is Sales Manager,
One is Bank Manager,
Both have cars.
Other also doing well, though not so well.
Every family must have black sheep.

What information does Professor Sheth share about his children in the given extract?

Answer:
Professor Sheth talks about his three sons in this extract. One of his sons is a Sales Manager while another is a Bank Manager. The third son, according to him, is the black sheep of the family since he is not doing well in comparison to his brothers. The manager brothers, he adds, have their own cars too.

Question 2.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow.

By God’s grace, all my children
Are well settled in life.
One is Sales Manager,
One is Bank Manager,
Both have cars.
Other also doing well, though not so well.
Every family must have black sheep.

What is the professor’s notion of being well settled?

Answer:
The professor thinks that being on a managerial position and having a car indicates that you are well settled in life. This is evident as he calls one of his sons, who is not a manager, the black sheep of the family. We are not told what the profession of this son is except for the fact that he is not doing as good as the other two sons.

Question 3.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow.

By God’s grace, all my children
Are well settled in life.
One is Sales Manager,
One is Bank Manager,
Both have cars.
Other also doing well, though not so well.
Every family must have black sheep.

What does the term ‘black sheep’ mean? How has it been used in this poem?

Answer:
The term ‘black sheep’ refers to an odd member of a group who is generally regarded as a misfit, disgrace or cause of shame. The professor uses the term to talk about his third son who according to him has not been as successful as the other two sons.

Question 4.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow.

By God’s grace, all my children
Are well settled in life.
One is Sales Manager,
One is Bank Manager,
Both have cars.
Other also doing well, though not so well.
Every family must have black sheep.

Does the professor clearly mention that the two managers and the third child are his sons? How do we know that he is talking about his sons and not daughters in this stanza?

Answer:
The professor mentions his daughters in the next stanza. In the given stanza, he is talking about his three ‘well settled’ children. They are at managerial positions at their workplace and have cars. In the time that the poem was written, it was extremely uncommon for women to reach high positions at work place like the (manager’s position mentioned here) orown cars. Therefore, it is safe to conclude that the professor is talking about his sons in the given stanza.

Passage 3

Question 1.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow.

Sarala and Tarala are married,
Their husbands are very nice boys.
You won’t believe but I have eleven grandchildren.
How many issues you have? Three?
That is good. These are days of family planning.

Who are Sarala and Tarala? What do they do?

Answer:
Sarala and Tarala are the two daughters of the professor. The professor doesn’t elaborate on what his daughters do except for the fact that they are married.

Question 2.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow.

What does the professor say about his sons-in-law?

Answer:
The professor doesn’t give details about his sons-in-law like he gives about his sons. He only says that his daughters are married to ‘nice boys’.

Question 3.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow.

Does the professor resort to discrimination among his children?

Answer:
The professor proudly boasts that his two sons are managers and have cars. However, we are not told anything about his daughters. The only thing he says about them is that they are married to good boys. His notion of happiness is strongly influenced by gender biases. Like a typical Indian, he believes that a man needs a god job and wealth to be happy while a women only needs a good man as her husband and his wealth to be happy.

Question 4.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow.

How many grandchildren does the professor have? Why does he mention family planning?

Answer:
The professor has eleven grandchildren. After stating this he asks his student how many issues (children) he has. The student has three children to which the professor replies that family planning is a trend catching up with the present generation. Although the professor is not against family planning, he doesn’t seem to be totally happy with the idea of limiting the number of children in a family.

Passage 4

Question 1.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow.

I am not against. We have to change with times.
Whole world is changing. In India also
We are keeping up. Our progress is progressing.
Old values are going, new values are coming.
Everything is happening with leaps and bounds.

Who is the speaker in the given lines? What is it that the speaker is not against?

Answer:
Professor Sheth is the speaker in the given lines. He says that he is not against the practice of family planning.

Question 2.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow.

What does the professor say with regard to change in India?

Answer:
According to the professor, India too is keeping up to the changing time and the changes in the world. He adds that ‘old values are going’ and new values are being welcomed by the people.

Question 3.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow.

What is the irony in the first line of this extract?

Answer:
Professor speaks about not being against family planning in the first line of this extract however he himself has eleven grand children and he seems to be too happy

Question 4.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow.

Why does poet use the expression ‘Everything is happening in leaps and bounds’? What does it indicate?

Answer:
The poet has used the present continuous tense to mock Indian English where users directly translate their thought processes from the native language into English. The professor uses the mentioned expression to explain how values and traditions are drastically changing in India.

Passage 5

Question 1.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow.

I am going out rarely, now and then
Only, this is price of old age
But my health is O.K. Usual aches and pains.
No diabetes, no blood pressure, no heart attack.
This is because of sound habits in youth.

Why does the professor say that he rarely goes out? Does it upset him?

Answer:
The professor says that he rarely goes out nowadays because now he has grown old. There is no indication in the extract that the professor is upset about it, on the contrary he speaks about it as a matter of fact. It appears as if he has accepted the limitations as a part and parcel of a long life.

Question 2.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow.

What kind of ailments is the professor suffering from owing to old age?

Answer:
The professor says that there is no problem with his health and that he doesn’t have diabetes, blood pressure or heart trouble. However, he says that there are usual aches and pains which come with old age.

Question 3.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow.

What does the statement ‘This is the price of old age’ refer to?

Answer:
The professor mentions that he rarely ventures out nowadays because he is growing old. When a person grows old, his mobility is restricted and his body is slowed down due to the usual aches and pains. Even a little bit of exertion causes stress for the body.

Passage 6

Question 1.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow.

You were so thin, like stick,
Now you are man of weight and consequence.
That is good joke.
If you are coming again this side by chance,
Visit please my humble residence also.
I am living just on opposite house’s backside.

What questions does the professor ask his student in this poem?

Answer:
The professor begins by asking the student if he remembers him, then he asks the student how many children he has and finally the professor inquires after his health.

Question 2.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow.

What does the professor propose in the extract?

Answer:
The lines above are the concluding lines of the poem where the professor invites his former student to visit his home. He accompanies the invitation with the location of his house.

Question 3.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow.

Explain the last line of the poem. Comment on the poet’s use of language in the poem.

Answer:
The last line of the poem is rather funny and appears to be a direct translation of an expression in an Indian language into English. The poet has used Indianismto satirise urbanity and academic achievement as seen through the Indian mind set. He uses the present continuous tense to refer to all actions, a common mistake among Indians who learn English as a second language to their native language.