The Lost Child Comprehension Quiz

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Questions and Answers

What is the primary emotion of the child as he goes to the fair with his parents?

Excitement (correct)

Indifference

Anger

Sadness

How does the child react when his parents do not buy him the toys?

He ignores the toys completely.

He refuses them when offered. (correct)

He asks someone else for them.

He throws a tantrum.

What does the child's mother offer to soothe his desire for the toys?

A promise to buy him a toy later.

Her finger to hold. (correct)

A different toy.

A sweet treat.

What is described as 'pale like melting gold'?

A flowering mustard-field. Signup and view all the answers

What does the child try to catch as he watches them in the air?

Dragon-flies Signup and view all the answers

How do the parents react when the child expresses his desire for a toy?

The father stares in a tyrant's way. Signup and view all the answers

What is the situation described as taking place during the narrative?

The festival of spring. Signup and view all the answers

What captivates the child's attention when he lags behind his parents?

The sweets and toys. Signup and view all the answers

What was the child's first desire when he saw the flowers?

To buy a garland Signup and view all the answers

Why did the child not expect to get the flowers?

His parents would refuse to buy them Signup and view all the answers

What captivated the child about the balloons?

Their silken colors Signup and view all the answers

What was the child’s reaction upon seeing the snake-charmer?

He remembered his parents' warning Signup and view all the answers

How did the child feel when he realized his parents were not with him?

Panic-stricken and fearful Signup and view all the answers

What emotion did the child experience as he cried for his parents?

Desperation Signup and view all the answers

What did the child request to do when he saw the roundabout?

To go on the roundabout Signup and view all the answers

What was the child initially attracted to as he walked with his parents?

The little insects and worms along the footpath Signup and view all the answers

What was the child's physical reaction when he realized he was lost?

He ran in all directions Signup and view all the answers

What did the child's parents call out to him from the shade of the grove?

Come, child, come! Signup and view all the answers

What distracted the child as he entered the grove?

The shower of young flowers Signup and view all the answers

What did the child see as he neared the village?

Many other footpaths leading to the fair Signup and view all the answers

What was the child's favourite sweet?

Burfi Signup and view all the answers

Why did the child think his parents might not give him the burfi?

Because they thought he was being greedy Signup and view all the answers

What did the flower-seller hawk near the entrance of the fair?

A garland of gulmohur Signup and view all the answers

What can be inferred about the child's personality from the story?

He is curious and impulsive Signup and view all the answers

What happened to the child's turban?

It came untied Signup and view all the answers

What was the child's emotional state when he stood defeated?

Crying and sobbing Signup and view all the answers

What was the child trying to do near the entrance to the temple?

Find his parents Signup and view all the answers

Why did the child shriek at the highest pitch of his voice?

To avoid being trampled underfoot Signup and view all the answers

What did the man who lifted the child do to try to soothe him?

Took him to the roundabout Signup and view all the answers

What was the child's response to the man's offer to ride the horse?

He cried even more bitterly and shouted for his parents Signup and view all the answers

Why did the man take the child to the snake-charmer?

To distract him with the nice music Signup and view all the answers

What was the child's primary concern throughout the story?

Finding his parents Signup and view all the answers

Why does the man take the child near the balloons?

To distract the child's attention and quieten him Signup and view all the answers

What does the child initially see on his way to the fair?

The information about the story is not provided Signup and view all the answers

Why does the child move on without waiting for an answer in the fair?

The information about this is not provided in the story Signup and view all the answers

How does the child's anxiety and insecurity manifest?

By shouting and sobbing loudly Signup and view all the answers

Why does the lost child lose interest in the things he had wanted earlier?

Because he is anxious and insecure about being lost Signup and view all the answers

What is suggested as a way to ensure not getting lost?

The story does not provide this information Signup and view all the answers

Who is the author of the story 'The Coolie'?

Mulk Raj Anand Signup and view all the answers

What is the title of the story being referred to in the passage?

The Lost Child Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

The Lost Child Overview

A child attends a spring fair with his parents, filled with excitement for sweets and toys.
Parents deny his requests for items, leading to internal conflict when offered the same by strangers.

Setting and Atmosphere

The fair represents a vibrant spring festival, with colorful humanity emerging from winter's gloom.
Depiction of the landscape includes mustard fields and colorful dragonflies, highlighting the beauty of nature.

Child's Journey

The boy is initially obedient to his parents but becomes distracted by toys in shops, reflecting a child’s curiosity.
Parental guidance is represented through a mix of sternness and affection, with the mother attempting to redirect his focus.

Experiences at the Fair

The child sees various enticing items: sweets, flowers, balloons, and a snake-charmer, each arousing his desire.
Recognizes societal expectations; anticipates parental refusals, leading him to move on without pressing for items he craves.

Loss and Despair

The child realizes his parents are missing, leading to a surge of panic and fear.
Powerful imagery conveys his emotional turmoil: tears, cries of "Mother, Father," and feeling completely lost amidst dense crowds.

Attempts at Comfort

Various adults, including a man who lifts him, attempt to soothe the child by offering distractions: rides, balloons, flowers, and sweets.
Each time, the child rejects these offers, emphasizing his singular longing for his parents rather than material desires.

Conclusion and Themes

The story explores themes of childhood innocence, parental relationships, and the profound impact of loss.
The child's desires shift from tangible objects to emotional safety, showcasing the depth of his distress.
The ending implies a longing unresolved, leaving the question of whether he reunites with his parents open to interpretation.

Reflection and Discussion Points

Importance of teaching children about safety in crowds to prevent loss.
Understanding the emotional needs of a child compared to materialistic desires.
Connections to similar themes in other literary works such as "The Coolie" and "Kabuliwallah."

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Description

This quiz assesses your understanding of the short story 'The Lost Child'. Answer questions about the story's plot, characters, and themes.