Class 10 English Notes PDF

PRASHANT KIRAD CLASS 10 NOTES ENGLISH PRASHANT KIRAD  PRASHANT KIRAD A. Prose i. A Letter to God ii. Nelson Mandela - Long Walk to Freedom iii. Two Stories About Flying iv. From the Diary of Anne Frank v. Glimpses of India vi. Mijbil the Otter vii. Madam Ri...

PRASHANT KIRAD CLASS 10 NOTES ENGLISH PRASHANT KIRAD  PRASHANT KIRAD A. Prose i. A Letter to God ii. Nelson Mandela - Long Walk to Freedom iii. Two Stories About Flying iv. From the Diary of Anne Frank v. Glimpses of India vi. Mijbil the Otter vii. Madam Rides the Bus viii. The Sermon at Benares ix. The Proposal (Play) B. Poems i. Dust of Snow ii. Fire and Ice iii. A Tiger in the Zoo iv. How to Tell Wild Animals v. The Ball Poem vi. Amanda! vii. The Trees viii. Fog ix. The Tale of Custard the Dragon x. For Anne Gregory  PRASHANT KIRAD PROSE  PRASHANT KIRAD A LETTER TO GOD Introduction: Lencho's Sadness After the Hailstorm Once upon a time, there was a farmer named Lencho who lived with his family on a hill. He worked hard to grow corn in his field, hoping for a good harvest to support his family. Lencho's Hope Crushed by the Hailstorm One day, during supper, it started raining, making Lencho happy. He went outside to feel the rain, thinking it would help his crops. However, strong winds and hailstones suddenly appeared, destroying all his corn. His once- green field turned into a snowy landscape. Lencho's Strong Belief in God Even though Lencho lost everything, he believed in God and wrote a letter seeking help. In his letter, he asked God for a hundred pesos to replant his field and feed his family until the new crops grew. He believed that God could make things right. The Postmaster's Response After a good laugh at the unique address, Lencho's letter reached the post office, and the postmaster read the heartfelt plea. Touched by Lencho's faith, he gathered money from the post office employees and even contributed from his salary. Lencho's Disappointment and Second Letter to God Lencho received the money but was disappointed to find only seventy pesos. He wrote another letter to God, asking for the remaining thirty pesos. He also mentioned not trusting the post office employees, calling them crooks. Conclusion: Lessons of Faith and Help from Others Lencho's story teaches us about having faith, even when things go wrong. It also shows how people can come together to help someone in need. The mix of faith, irony at the post office, and Lencho's journey leaves us with a valuable lesson about trust and kindness.  PRASHANT KIRAD CHARACTER SKETCH OF LENCHO : Lencho was a simple farmer who was very hard-working. He was completely dependent on the yield of his fields. He had good knowledge of farming. His crops had always been good. He knew his crops needed a good downpour to get a good yield. But when the rain changed into a hail storm his crop was destroyed. He became very sad. But since he had strong faith in God, he didn‘t lose hope. He needed God‘s help. He knew how to read and write. He wrote a letter to God asking for help. He was fully confident that he would get the money. When he didn‘t get as much money as he had asked, he became unhappy. He was not ready to be happy with what he received. He felt that he was being cheated. But he was not ungrateful to God. He felt angry thinking that the people in the post office were crooks and they had stolen the rest of the money. So he wrote another letter to God, instructing him to send money directly to him, not through the post office. Lencho‘s innocence and staunch belief in God are depicted in the story. Extract-Based Questions. 1. The man went out for no other reason than to have the pleasure of feeling the rain on his body, and when he returned he exclaimed, ―These aren‘t raindrops falling from the sky, they are new coins. The big drops are ten-cent pieces and the little ones are five‘s. Questions: a. Who is the person described here? Ans: Lencho, the farmer is described here. b. Why did he go out in the rain? Ans: He went out in the rain to feel the happiness of rain on his body. c. Why were the raindrops like new coins for Lencho? Ans: Lencho thought that the raindrops would help him get a good harvest and thus he can earn money. So the raindrops were like new coins for Lencho. d. How did raindrops bring disaster to his crops? Ans: The raindrops soon turned into a hailstorm destroyed his crops and ruined his hopes.  PRASHANT KIRAD 2. With a satisfied expression, he regarded the field of ripe corn with its flowers, draped in a curtain of rain. But suddenly a strong wind began to blow and along with the rain very large hailstones began to fall. These truly did resemble new silver coins. The boys exposing themselves to rain, ran out to collect the frozen pearls. exposing themselves to rain, ran out to collect the frozen pearls. Questions: a) Why was Lencho satisfied? Ans: He was satisfied because his fields got good rains. b) What does he compare the raindrops to? Ans: He compared them to coins. c) What do the frozen pearls‘ refer to? Ans: The frozen pearls refer to hail stones. d) Trace the word in the passage that means covered with. Ans. draped Top 10 PYQs (Most Expected) 1. What are the raindrops compared to and why? Answer: Lencho observed the raindrops, likening them to freshly minted coins. This analogy stemmed from the crucial need for rain in his crops. As the rain fell in drops, Lencho perceived it as a form of currency. To him, a bountiful crop equated to financial prosperity, transforming the crops into a monetary representation. Hence, he drew a comparison between the rain-soaked fields and valuable coins. 2. All through the night, Lencho thought only of his one hope. What was it? How did he think of it? Answer: Lencho couldn't sleep all night. Hailstones wrecked his crops, causing a lot of damage.  PRASHANT KIRAD His only hope was in God. He believed that God saw everything and trusted that things would get better. This hope helped him face the loss of his crops. Lencho thought that even though his crops were ruined, no one would go hungry. He believed in staying positive, even when everything seemed lost. 3. What did Lencho do to face the sadness caused by the destruction of the crop? Answer: Lencho encountered a serious problem that could lead to his family starving. In this crisis, he turned to his faith in God, believing in a higher power that sees all. Worried that his family might not survive, he felt desperate for help against hunger. To seek assistance, he resolved to write a letter to God, appealing for help to save and uplift his family from the sorrow they faced. 4. How did the postman and the postmaster react to Lencho's letter to God? Answer: The postman was taken aback by the unusual sight of Lencho's letter addressed to God. Such a thing had never crossed his path before; no one had ever sent a letter to God. Intrigued, he decided to read Lencho's letter and found it amusing. Amused by the content, he shared the letter with the postmaster. The postmaster, too, was surprised by Lencho's unwavering faith in God, finding himself inspired and wishing he could cultivate a similar faith in his own life. 5. How did Lencho react when he counted the money? What did he do thereafter? Answer: Lencho never expected that God would send him insufficient money, and frustration took hold when he tallied the amount. Angrily, he approached the window, requesting paper and ink. With furrowed brows, he penned another letter to God, expressing his discontent and filing a complaint against the officials.  PRASHANT KIRAD 6. What did Lencho write in his second letter to God? Answer: Furious, Lencho resolved to compose another letter to God. In this second letter, he detailed the shortfall in the money he received. Despite requesting a hundred pesos, he received only seventy pesos. Lencho urged God to send the remaining amount but insisted it not be sent through the mail, citing his distrust for the post office employees whom he regarded as dishonest. 7. Were the post office employees really the crooks? Answer: The post office employees were far from being dishonest; in fact, they were genuinely kind individuals who diligently collected the money for Lencho. They were compassionate and supportive, with no intention of undermining Lencho's faith in God. Despite their good intentions, Lencho, with his simple and naive mindset, labeled them as crooks. This characterization stemmed from his unwavering and unquestioning faith in God, rather than any actual wrongdoing on the part of the postal workers. 8. What did the postmaster need to answer the letter? How did he collect it? Answer: The postmaster, a benevolent man, marveled at Lencho's unwavering faith in God. Rather than disrupting it, he admired it and wished he possessed a similar faith. Curious about Lencho's letter, he opened it and decided to respond. However, realizing that goodwill alone wouldn't suffice, the postmaster felt compelled to fulfill Lencho's request for money. Seeking assistance from his employees and contributing a portion of his salary, he endeavored to collect the hundred pesos Lencho sought. Unfortunately, he could only gather seventy pesos, which he promptly sent to Lencho. 9. "But don't send it to me through the mail, because the post- office employees are a bunch of crooks". Why did Lencho say so? What is your impression of the post- office employees?  PRASHANT KIRAD Answer: In his lack of awareness, Lencho made these remarks, unaware that human kindness could rival that of God. Initially turning to God in his appeal for financial help, Lencho received money that fell short of his request. Convinced that God, being neither poor nor miserly, couldn't be the source of the shortfall, Lencho suspected the post office employees of taking the money, dubbing them a "bunch of crooks." In my perspective, the post office employees were genuinely benevolent. Their intention was solely to assist Lencho, and they were even willing to attribute the credit to God. Despite their good deeds, they found themselves subjected to undeserved criticism and abuse. 10. How do you think the postmaster felt when he received Lencho's second letter? What do you think he did? Answer: Surprised by Lencho's response, the postmaster could have found it amusing. Rather than being offended, he might have been pleased with Lencho's strong faith in God. Appreciating Lencho's simplicity, the postmaster, a kind-hearted person, could have joyfully sought contributions from friends to fulfill the thirty- peso shortfall, expressing his wish for a faith like Lencho's.  PRASHANT KIRAD Nelson Mandela's Long Walk to Freedom Struggle Against Apartheid: In his autobiography, Nelson Mandela reflects on his journey as a freedom fighter during the dark days of apartheid in South Africa. The oppressive practice of apartheid led to discrimination based on race and color, depriving dark-skinned individuals of their basic rights. Inauguration as South Africa's First Black President: On May 10, 1994, a historic moment unfolded as Nelson Mandela took the oath, becoming the first black president of South Africa. Dignitaries worldwide witnessed this significant day, marking the birth of a new democratic nation. Mandela emphasized the establishment of a government free from discrimination. Mandela's Vision for a Unified Nation: In his inauguration speech, Mandela expressed gratitude to the international community and pledged to eradicate the suppression that plagued South Africa. He envisioned a nation where all its citizens, regardless of race, would coexist without oppression. The ceremony symbolized hope and the end of an era marked by racial discrimination. Freedom for Oppressors and the Oppressed: Mandela recognized the need for freedom not only for the oppressed but also for those who once suppressed others. He believed that both oppressors and the oppressed were prisoners in their ways. According to Mandela, true freedom involves overcoming fear and fulfilling duties toward family, country, and community. Life's Dual Obligations: Mandela highlighted the dual obligations in a person's life – towards family and the larger community. Despite the challenges in a country like South Africa, he emphasized the importance of fulfilling these duties. As Mandela matured, he realized that the illusion of freedom masked the reality of exploitation, not just for himself but for his family and others.  PRASHANT KIRAD Conclusion: Mandela's journey, encapsulated in "Long Walk to Freedom," teaches us that bravery lies not in the absence of fear but in conquering it. He emphasized the shared responsibility of achieving freedom for both the oppressed and the oppressors, as true liberation encompasses everyone. Nelson Mandela: A Brief Character Sketch Nelson Mandela, a visionary leader, displayed unwavering courage as a freedom fighter against apartheid. His inspirational oratory reflected a commitment to unity and equality. Compassionate and reflective, Mandela envisioned freedom for both oppressors and the oppressed. As he matured, he recognized the dual obligations of family and community, acknowledging the illusion of freedom in the face of exploitation. Defined by bravery, Mandela's enduring legacy lies in his pursuit of justice, reconciliation, and a belief in the inherent goodness of humanity. Extract-Based Questions. 1. Never, never, and never again shall it be that this beautiful land will again experience the oppression of one by another. The sun shall never set on so glorious a human achievement‘ Q/A: a) Who is the speaker? Answere: The speaker is Nelson Mandela b) Which is the beautiful land the speaker refers to here? Answere: The beautiful land in South Africa c) What is the glorious human achievement‘ that the speaker talks about in the extract? Answer: The freedom that people of South Africa have attained freedom after the fight against apartheid‘/the first democratic non-racial government.  PRASHANT KIRAD 2. ‘It is from these comrades in the struggle that I learned the meaning of courage. Time and again, I have seen men and women risk and give their lives for an idea. I have seen men stand up to attacks and torture without breaking, showing a strength and resilience that defies the imagination. I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it.‘ Q/A: i) Who learned the meaning of courage? Answer: Nelson Mandela ii) What has he seen again and again? Answer: He has seen men and women risk and give their life for the idea of freedom, again and again iii) What has he noticed (seen) about the people? Answer: He has seen men stand up to attacks and torture showing strength and resilience. Top 10 PYQs (Most Expected) 1. What did Nelson Mandela remember on the day of the inaugural ceremony? (2020) Answer: On the inaugural day, Nelson Mandela felt the weight of history as he reflected on the birth of apartheid, its impact on his people, and the prolonged struggle for freedom against racial discrimination. He recalled the sacrifices of past freedom fighters and the eventual triumph that replaced the oppressive system with one recognizing the rights and freedom of all, regardless of skin color. 2. Nelson Mandela speaks of ‘Twin Obligations’. Elucidate. [Board SQP 2020]  PRASHANT KIRAD Answer: According to Nelson Mandela, every man has two obligations—one is towards his family and the other is towards his people and his country. But in the reign of apartheid, if one tried to fulfill his duty towards his people, he was ripped off from his family and home. 3. Freedom is inconsequential if it is behind bars of prejudice and narrow mindedness. How would you explain this statement? Support your answer with suitable examples from the real world. [CBSE-QB, 2021] Answer: Nelson Mandela believed that freedom is indivisible. His hunger for his freedom became the greater hunger for the people. He couldn’t live his life with dignity and self-respect if his people were bound in chains. The chains on any one of his people were the chains on all of them. Mandela realized that the oppressor must be liberated as surely as the oppressed. A man who takes away another’s freedom is a prisoner of hatred prejudice and narrow-mindedness. He is not truly free if he is taking away someone else freedom. Surely, he is not free when his freedom is taken away from him. A person’s freedom is of no use if he doesn’t expand the horizons of his thoughts and think like a narrow-minded person. A person’s freedom is insignificant if he takes the freedom of another man, thus, the oppressed and the oppressor alike are robbed of their humanity. 4. Why was Nelson Mandela overwhelmed with a sense of history? How did he succeed in ending the apartheid regime in South Africa? [Delhi Board Set- II 2020] Answer: Mandela was overwhelmed with a sense of history because in the first decade of the twentieth century a, few years after the bitter Anglo- Bear War which was even before his own birth, the white- skinned people of South Africa patched up their differences and erected a system of racial domination against the dark-skinned people of their own land. But now in the last decade of the twentieth century, and his own eighth decade as a man, that system had been overturned forever and replaced by the one that recognised the rights and freedoms of all people, regardless of the colour of their skin.  PRASHANT KIRAD This marked the victory of democracy. Nelson Mandela set the ideals of liberating people from the bondage of poverty, deprivation, and suffering. He had also set the ideal for a society where there would be no discrimination based on the gender or racial origin of the person. 5. Why was the apartheid regime in South Africa one of the harshest and most inhuman systems in the world? Answer: The apartheid regime was based on the racial discrimination and exploitation of blacks in South Africa. The basic fundamental rights were only for the whites and the blacks were deprived of these freedoms. Oppression, torture, and exploitation of the blacks were common features of the apartheid regime. 6. “Depths of oppression” create “heights of character.” How does Mandela illustrate this? Can you draw similarities between the freedom struggles of Africa and India? Answer: “Depths of oppression” certainly creates “heights of character”. Mr. Mandela described that how the decades of brutality and oppression of the white people made African patriots like Oliver Tambo, Walter Sisulu, Luthuli, Dadoo and many more out of ordinary people. They all were the men of courage, wisdom and large heartedness. They suffered a lot for the freedom of the nation and the equal rights of the black people. In our country too, there were many extraordinary patriots like Mahatma Gandhi, Chandra Shekhar Azad, Bhagat Singh, Raj Guru and many more who struggled a lot for the freedom of our country and her people but remained courageous while facing utmost cruelty at the hands of British. 7. Which ‘extraordinary human disaster’ did Mr. Mandela spoke about at the beginning of his speech? Answer:The ‘extraordinary human disaster’ Mr. Mandela mentioned at the beginning of his speech, he was referring to apartheid. It was a system prevalent in South Africa, which segregated people based on their race.  PRASHANT KIRAD 8. How has the attitude of the military generals towards Mr. Mandela changed? Answer: There is a change in the attitude of the military generals towards Mr. Mandela. They saluted him and pledged their loyalty. This change in their attitude is significant because during apartheid the same military generals would have arrested him instead of saluting him. 9. What does Mr. Mandela say about the oppressor? Answer: About the oppressor, Mr. Mandela says that an oppressor who takes away the freedom of someone else, is not free either. An oppressor is a prisoner of hatred. Such a person is a captive of prejudice and narrow-mindedness. Mr. Mandela feels that the oppressed and the oppressor alike are robbed of their humanity. 10. Give a character-sketch of Nelson Mandela highlighting his struggle against the apartheid regime for the human rights of his people. Answer: Nelson Mandela was the hero of all black heroes who waged a relentless fight against apartheid and the racial regime in South Africa. He suffered untold suffering and torture in prison but led the country to install the first democratically elected government in South Africa. Nelson Mandela was not born with a hunger to be free. Later on, he realized that his boyhood freedom was an illusion. He also realized his concept of freedom in his youth was also ‘transitory’ and was limited to his freedom. Only when he joined the African National Congress, did his freedom become the greater hunger for the freedom of his people. Only then, a frightened young lawyer transformed into a bold ‘criminal’. A family-loving husband was forced to lead a life of a monk in secrecy. He was grateful for acknowledging the unimaginable sacrifices of thousands of black heroes for the freedom of their people. Modestly, he realized that freedom is indivisible. He realized that he could not lead a free and honorable life if his people were in chains. He had a wider vision of humanity.  PRASHANT KIRAD Two Stories About Flying Part I - His First Flight Facing Distrustful Wings: The story revolves around a young seagull plagued by fear, hesitating to fly due to a lack of trust in its wings. Despite having shorter wings, the seagull's younger siblings soar fearlessly, creating a stark contrast. Parental Encouragement and Threats: The young bird struggles to muster the courage to take flight, often recoiling in fear at the brink of the ledge. The parents resort to calling and threatening starvation to motivate their hesitant offspring. Despite their efforts, the seagull remains grounded, watching its family gracefully navigate the skies. Hunger on the Ledge: A pivotal moment occurs when the family migrates to a vast plateau, leaving the apprehensive seagull hungry on the opposite cliff. Desperate, the young bird implores its mother for food, and a piece of fish is brought across. Starving, the seagull lunges at the food with such intensity that it propels him outward and downward. The Leap of Faith: At that moment, as he feels the rush of air beneath his wings, the seagull discovers the exhilaration of flight. The once fearful bird transforms into a fearless aviator, joining his siblings in soaring and diving through the open skies. This marks a triumphant overcoming of fear and a newfound freedom in flight.  PRASHANT KIRAD Character Sketch: His First Flight The story features a timid young seagull struggling with fear and a lack of trust in its wings. Contrasting with its fearless siblings, this character undergoes significant growth, overcoming its apprehensions and discovering the joy of flight. The seagull's parents play an authoritative role, employing both encouragement and stern warnings. The ledge and cliff serve as symbolic settings, representing the edge of comfort and fear. A pivotal moment on a big plateau prompts the seagull's transformation, triggered by hunger and resulting in a fearless leap into flight. Overall, the narrative explores universal themes of courage, personal growth, and triumph over fear. Extract-Based Questions. 1. He stepped slowly out to the brink of the ledge, and standing on one leg with the other leg hidden under his wing; he closed one eye, then the other, and pretended to be falling asleep. Still, they took no notice of him.‘ Q/A: a. What did the young seagull do? Ans: The young seagull wanted to catch the attention of the others. So he pretended to fall asleep on the brink of the ledge b. What was the seagull afraid of? Ans: The seagull was afraid to fly. c. Why did he close his eyes one at a time? Ans: He was pretending to fall asleep. d. What could his brothers and sister do that he was not able to? Ans: They could fly but he was not able to.  PRASHANT KIRAD 2. His father and mother had come around him calling him shrilly, upbraiding him, and threatening to let him starve on the ledge unless he flew away. But for the life of him, he could not move. Q/A: a) How did his parents try to make him fly? Ans: First, they invited him encouragingly. Then scolded and threatened to leave him alone to starve unless he flew away b) What was the effect of their efforts? Ans: All their efforts failed but he did not fly. c) What does the passage convey about the young seagull? Ans: He was a coward. d) How was the young seagull threatened by his parents initially when he did not fly? Ans. First his parents encouraged him to fly but later on, they even threatened to let him starve if he did not fly. Top 10 PYQs (Most Expected) 1. How did the young seagull’s family celebrate his first flight? Answer: The young seagull was afraid to fly. Even the encouragement and coaxing didn’t work. But when the seagull had his first flight, he as well as his family was happy, relieved and proud of him to have completed his first flight. 2. Flying is a natural act in birds. Then why was the young seagull ‘exhausted by the strange exercise’? Answer: The seagull didn’t dare to fly. Hence, he used to make excuses for not flying. He felt certain that his wings were too weak to support him. He had no courage to flap his wings and failed to muster up the courage to take the plunge.  PRASHANT KIRAD 3. What was the young seagull’s experience during his first flight? Answer: Falling from the ledge, the seagull was terrified, but soon he started soaring and then flying. He forgot that he didn’t always know how to fly. His fear soon turned into confidence, and then into amusement. As he was landing, he was again afraid, but, soon became at ease. It was a memorable first flight. 4. How did the young seagull’s parents treat him initially when he did not fly? Answer: First, his parents encouraged him, coaxed him then scolded and taunted him for his cowardice. They even threatened to let him starve if he did not fly. But the young seagull could not muster up the courage to fly. 5. Did the seagull think the sea was like land? Pick out the words that suggest this. Answer: Yes, the seagull thought that the sea was like land. He called it the green (looting. When he had learned how to fly, he flew for some time. Then he came down and stood on the sea surface thinking it to be like land. But his legs sank into the sea. ‘Dropped his legs to stand on’, ‘sank into’, and ‘screamed with fright’ are the words that suggest this. 6. Do you sympathise with the seagull? Give reasons. Answer: Yes, we sympathize with the seagull. He is a very young bird. He has not yet learned how to fly. His parents want he should fly. They encourage him. But he is afraid of falling. His parents starve him for twenty-four hours. In the end, however, the seagull learns how to fly. 7. Why didn’t the young seagull take the plunge? What stopped him from doing so?  PRASHANT KIRAD Answer: The young seagull was the only one in the family who couldn’t fly in the air. His brothers and sister had far shorter wings than his wings but they had already learned the art of flying. He felt certain that his wings would never support him. So he was hesitant and afraid of flapping his wings and go deep in the air. 8. Did upbraiding and threatening of his parents help him in flying? Answer: The parents of the young seagull did try to teach his young one the art of flying. He wouldn’t simply move from his ledge. They would fly around him encouraging and challenging him to follow them. When he wouldn’t budge, his parents would fly around calling him shrilly. They would upbraid and threaten to let him starve unless he flew away. 9. How were his two brothers and sister different from the young seagull? Answer: His two brothers and his sister had far shorter wings than he had. But still, they had flown away only the day before. He would watch his parents perfecting them in the art of flying. They were taught how to skim the waves and dive for the fish. The young seagull had seen his older brother catch his first herring and devour it. 10. How did the young seagull overcome his fear and soared gradually towards the sea during his first flight? Answer: The young seagull had taken the final plunge. Maddened by hunger, he dived at the fish which his mother was carrying in her beak. With a scream, he fell outwards and downwards. He was seized with fear and his heart stood still. But the fear lasted only for a minute. He overcame it. The next moment he felt his wings spread outwards. Now he was soaring downwards over the blue sea.  PRASHANT KIRAD Two Stories About Flying Part II – Black Aeroplane Dreaming of a Holiday In the story of "Black Aeroplane," a pilot shares how his desire for a family holiday clouds his judgment during a flight from Paris to London. Envisioning a tasty breakfast upon landing, he ignores warning signs as dark clouds loom on the horizon, signaling an approaching storm. Choosing the Risky Path: Instead of turning back for safety, the pilot, driven by his holiday dream, decides to fly into the storm, putting the lives of passengers at risk. Turbulence and Panic: As the plane enters the storm, everything goes dark, instruments fail, and the pilot loses control. Panic sets in with very little fuel left, raising doubts about survival. A Mysterious Companion: Amidst the storm, the pilot sees another plane beside him. Desperate, he follows this unknown guide, fearing the diminishing fuel. Hope and Disappearance The mysterious plane leads the way out of the storm, offering a glimmer of hope. However, it disappears suddenly, leaving the original pilot bewildered and questioning the reality of the encounter. The Shocking Revelation Upon landing, the pilot discovers there is no other plane; it is an illusion. The shock of his misjudgment and the surreal experience linger as he reflects on the consequences of prioritizing his holiday dream over safety.  PRASHANT KIRAD Character Sketch: The Pilot in "Black Aeroplane" The pilot in "Black Aeroplane" is a seasoned aviator driven by a desire for a family holiday. Despite his expertise, a risky decision to fly into a storm, fueled by personal fulfillment, leads to a perilous situation. The character's vulnerability surfaces as panic sets in during instrument failure. The encounter with a mysterious plane prompts reflection on the consequences of prioritizing personal dreams over safety, marking a transformative moment in the character's journey. Extract-Based Questions. 1. I knew I could not fly up and over them, and I didn‘t have enough fuel to fly around them to the north or south. ―I ought to go back to Paris thought, but I wanted to get home Q/A: a. What does ‗them‘ in the first sentence refer to? Ans: Them‘ means the big black clouds b. Why could he not fly over on either side of storm clouds? Ans: There was not enough fuel left in the Dakota – -airplane for him to fly around the clouds c. Why did he not go back to Paris? Ans: He wanted to get home and enjoy breakfast with his family d. Which country was the pilot of the plane flying towards? Ans: The Pilot was flying towards England. 2. He turned his aero plane slowly to the north, in front of my Dakota, so that it would be easier for me to follow him. I was very happy to go behind the strange aero plane like an obedient child. Q/A: a)Where was the pilot at this time? Ans: The pilot was inside the black storm cloud.  PRASHANT KIRAD b) Who does he ‘ refer to in the first sentence? Ans: The pilot of the Black airplane. c) Why did he of the black aero plane bring his plane in front of the Dakota airplane? Ans: The pilot tried to guide the author out of the storm clouds by asking him to follow him. d) Why did the pilot of the Dakota follow him like an obedient child? Ans. He was lost and all his instruments had stopped working. He wanted to find a way out of the storm/ He wanted to get out of the storm safely. Top 10 PYQs (Most Expected) 1. “I’ll take the risk.” What is the risk? Why does the pilot of the old Dakota take it? Answer: The risk is that of going through the storm in the narrator’s old Dakota airplane. He flew through as he did not have fuel to fly around them, and couldn’t fly over them. Also, he wanted to get home for a big English breakfast. 2. Describe the black clouds from the point of view of the pilot. Answer: The writer was going from France to England. He was flying his Dakota airplane. When he had gone 150 kilometers from France, he saw storm clouds. They were huge. They looked like black mountains standing in front of him across the sky. 3. How did the black aeroplane rescue the first pilot? Answer: The pilot of the black airplane waved his hand. He gestured for the first pilot to follow him. The writer followed him. He followed the black plane for half an hour. Suddenly, his plane was out of the clouds. He could see the lights of the airport and landed his airplane. In this way, the black airplane rescued the first pilot  PRASHANT KIRAD 4. Was the pilot of the Dakota able to meet the pilot of the black? Answer: No, he was not able to meet the pilot of the black airplane. When he was going to land his plane, he looked behind him. But the black plane was not there. The sky was empty. The woman at the control center told him that no other planes were flying on that stormy night. 5. Why didn’t he return to Paris when he saw the storm clouds? Answer: Paris was 150 kilometers behind him when he saw the storm clouds. They were huge. They looked like black mountains standing in front of him. He could not fly up and over them as he didn’t have enough fuel. He thought of going back to Paris but changed his idea. He decided to go to England to be in time for breakfast. 6. The narrator had two options before risking himself entering the storm clouds? Why didn’t he choose them? Answer: Definitely, the narrator had two options before him if he didn’t want to take the risk of entering the storm cloud. He could turn back and go to Paris which was about 150 kilometres behind him. Another option was to fly up and over the dark clouds. But he didn’t choose any of the options. He wanted to be in England to have his breakfast in time. He couldn’t fly around the clouds to the north or south as he didn’t have enough fuel to fly. 7. What did he do when he was inside the clouds? Answer: The narrator took the risk of entering the black storm clouds. Inside them, everything was suddenly black. Nothing could be seen outside. The old plane jumped and twisted in the air. He couldn’t believe his eyes when his compass was dead. His other instruments didn’t work and were dead too. He tried to contact Paris control on the raids but received no answer.  PRASHANT KIRAD 8. Who rescued the narrator when he was hopelessly lost in the storm clouds? Answer: There seemed no hope for the narrator. He was hopelessly lost in the storm clouds. His compass and other instruments were dead. Even Paris control didn’t respond. In such a hopeless situation, the narrator saw another airplane flying next to him. It had no light on its winds but he could see the pilot’s face. The pilot came to his help. When he said “Follow me,” the narrator followed him like an obedient child. 9. Why did the narrator want to meet the woman in the control tower? Did he get any information about the mysterious disappearance of the black aeroplane and its pilot? Answer: The narrator didn’t know how the pilot and the black airplane disappeared into space. He wanted some definite information from the woman in the control room about them. She told him that on that stormy night, no plane was in the sky except his old Dakota. So, the narrator didn’t know anything about the mysterious man who helped him to arrive safely without a compass or a radio. 10. Describe the flight of the Dakota airplane until it landed safely at the airport. Answer: The writer of this story is a pilot. One night he was flying his old Dakota aeroplane over France. It was a starry night. He was going to England. He hoped to spend his holiday with his family. It was an easy journey and he was in a joyful mood. He looked at his watch. It was one-thirty in the morning. Through his wireless, he contacted Paris Control. They told him to turn twelve degrees west. He did as he was advised to do. He was 150 kilometers from Paris. Suddenly the writer saw huge black clouds before him. It was not possible to fly up and over the clouds. He did not have much fuel with him. So it was not possible to fly around the big mountains of clouds to the right or left. He decided to take the risk and flew his airplane straight into the clouds.  PRASHANT KIRAD From the Diary of Anne Frank Anne's Diary: In the story, Anne feels a bit weird starting a diary for the first time. She thinks no one will care about her experiences in the future. Still, she decides to write down her thoughts because she feels lonely without friends to talk to. She names her diary "Kitty" to give her need for a friend a shape. Talking to Paper: Anne believes that paper can understand her thoughts better than people, especially those who don't have much patience. Even though she has friends, she can't share everything with them. So, she uses her diary to express herself and feel better. Her father gives her the diary on her 13th birthday, making it a special gift. School Challenges: In the story, Anne talks about feeling nervous about school test results, especially in math. Her math teacher gives her extra homework because she talks a lot in class. Instead of getting upset, Anne turns one of her punishments into a funny poem, making the teacher laugh. Having Fun with Words: Even though Anne gets into trouble for talking too much, she finds a way to make it fun. She writes a poem about being a chatterbox and turns a punishment into something amusing. This helps her stay happy, even when things are tough. Anne's Diary: Overall, "From the Diary of Anne Frank" shows that writing in a diary can be like talking to a friend. It helps Anne feel better and find joy, even when she faces challenges in school. The story reminds us that expressing our thoughts can be a good way to stay happy, especially when we feel lonely.  PRASHANT KIRAD Extract-Based Questions. 1. Writing in a diary is a really strange experience for someone like me. Not only because I have never written anything before, but also because it seems to me that later on neither I nor anyone else will be interested in the musing of a thirteen year old school girl. Oh well, it doesn't matter. I feel like writing and I have an even greater need to get all kind of things off my chest. Paper has more patience than people.' I thought of this saying on one of those days when I was feeling a little depressed and was sitting at home with my chin in my hands, bored and listless, wondering whether to stay in or go out. (a)Whom does 'I' refer to in the given passage? (b)'Paper has more patience than people' - Why did Anne Frank say that? (c)Find a word in the passage that means 'deep thought'. (d)Which word in the passage is a synonym of lethargic? Answers:(a)’I refers to Anne Frank in the given passage. (b)Anne Frank said that 'Paper has more patience than people' because one can rely on the paper to confide his/her secrets and it listens carefully and silently. (c)The word is 'musing'. (d)The word is 'listless'. 2.Let me put it more clearly, since no one will believe that a thirteen-year-old girl is completely alone in the world. And I'm not. I have loving parents and a sixteen-year-old sister, and there are about thirty people I can call friends. I have a family, loving aunts and a good home. No, on the surface I seem to have everything, except my one true friend. All I think about when I'm with friends is having a good time. I can't bring myself to talk about anything but ordinary everyday things. We don't seem to be able to get any closer, and that's the problem. Maybe it's my fault that we don't confide in each other. In any case, that's just how things are, and unfortunately they're not liable to change. This is why I've started the diary. (a)Why was Anne Frank disturbed even when she had loving parents, relatives and friends? (b)Why did Anne decide to write a diary? (c)Find the word that means the same as 'unluckily' (d)To confide in somebody is to Answers: (a) Anne Frank was disturbed even after being surrounded by so many people because she didn't have any true friend. (b)Anne decided to write a diary because she could not confide in anyone and felt lonely. (c)The word is unfortunately. (d) It means to tell somebody your secrets or personal information.  PRASHANT KIRAD Top 10 PYQs (Most Expected) 1.How does Anne feel about her father, grandmother, Mrs. Kuperus and Mr. Keesing? Answer: Her father was the most adorable, she loved him very much. She also loved her grandmother and often thought of her with reverence after her death. She was deeply attached to her teacher, Mrs. Kuperus, and was in tears when she left her. Anne did not have a good impression of Mr. Keesing, her maths teacher and often called him ‘old fogey’. 2.How do you know that Anne was close to her grandmother? Answer: Anne lived with her grandmother for some months when her parents went to Holland. She loved her deeply. When her grandmother died, Anne felt sad. She often thought about her. So she was close to her grandmother. 3. Why did a thirteen-year-old girl start writing a diary? Did her suffocation lead her to it? Answer: It should not be forgotten that Anne was living in hiding. She couldn’t have normal dealings with the people outside. She could talk about ‘ordinary things’ with her family and friends. She couldn’t talk about highly personal and intimate issues with them. She didn’t have any real friends. She felt utterly lonely and depressed. Writing in a diary could get all kinds of things off her chest. 4. Give a brief life-sketch of Anne Frank. Answer: Anne was born on 12 June 1929. She lived in Frankfurt until she was four. Her father emigrated to Holland in 1933. Her mother went with him to Holland in September. Anne and her elder sister, Margot, were sent to Aachen to stay with their grandmother. Margot, went to Holland in December and Anne followed in February. She started right away at the Montessori nursery school. She stayed there until she was six, where she started in the first form. His grandmother died in January 1942, when she was thirteen.  PRASHANT KIRAD 5. Why does Anne say: “Paper has more patience than people”? Answer: Anne doesn’t seem to have much faith in the people around her. She was living in hiding and couldn’t trust people so easily. Moreover, people do react. Sometimes people react rather negative, unpleasant, vulgar and violent manners. Paper is an impersonal and non- reactive object. Whatever you write on it, it receives it without giving any such reactions. 6. Anne Frank had a great attachment with her grandmother. Justify your answer. Answer: There is no doubt that Anne Frank had a great attachment with her grandmother. When her parents migrated to Holland, she along with her elder sister Virago were sent to live with her grandmother in Aachen. The grandmother died in January 1942. She thought of her quite often and still loved her. 7. Why did Anne Frank says that teachers are the most unpredictable creatures on earth? Answer: Anne Frank felt that nothing could be predicted about the mood of the teachers. They were the most ‘unpredictable creatures on earth’. It depended on their choice who would go up in the next class. Only they could decide who would be kept back. Half the class was making bets. 8. How was Anne getting along with her teachers? Why was Mr. Keesing annoyed with her? Answer: No doubt, Anne Frank was getting along well with all her nine teachers— seven men and two women. Mr. Keesing was an old-fashioned man who taught them math. He was annoyed with her for a long time. The reason was simple. He didn’t like Anne as she talked so much in class. 9. How do you assess Anne’s character? You can choose appropriate words from the following box and write a paragraph. Responsible; caring and loving; humorous; talkative; sensible; patient; mature for her age; lonely; accurate in her judgement; childish; intelligent? Answer: Anne was a girl of thirteen years. She was very intelligent. She had a sharp brain. She was different from the other girls of her age.  PRASHANT KIRAD She could think clearly and deeply. She had deep thoughts and ideas that she wanted to share with someone. But she found that her friends were not able to understand her completely. Their mental level is not equal to that of Anne. They could talk to Anne about the ordinary everyday matter only. She had loving parents, an elder sister, and loving aunts also. But she could not share her deep thoughts with anyone. So she decided to make her diary to her friend. She wrote down her inner thoughts and feelings in a diary. Anne had an argumentative mind. She argued in her first essay that parental trans arc inherited by children. She had a good sense of humor. Her Maths teacher. Mr Keesing tried to play a joke on her. But she wrote the essay in verse in such a way that the Joke was turned on him. 10. What does Anne say about her parents, elder sister and her stay in the Montessori School? Answer: Anne calls her father very adorable. When her parents were married, her father was thirty-six and her mother was twenty-five. Margot was Anne’s elder sister. She was born in Frankfurt in 1926. Three years later, Anne was born. She lived in Frankfurt until she was four. Her father migrated to Holland in 1933. Her mother, Edith Hollander Frank, went with him. Anne and her sister Margot were sent to Aachen to stay with their grandmother. Margot went to Holland in December and Anne went three months later. Anne started studying at the Montessori School. She stayed there until she was six at which time she was in the first form. When was in the sixth form, her teacher was Mrs Kuperus. the headmistress. Both loved each other. When she left school, both Anne and her teacher were in tears.  PRASHANT KIRAD Glimpses of India Part I – A baker from goa Baker's Role in Goan Villages: Set during Portuguese rule in Goa, the story centers on a local baker in a Goan village. People consumed loaves of bread, crafted in large furnaces. Bakers, known as "paders," would announce their presence with a distinctive bamboo jingle in the streets. Traditional Business Continuity: While traditional loaves are less common today, remnants endure through furnaces and bakers committed to preserving their ancestral trade. The story reflects on the author's childhood, where the baker's daily visits were a familiar routine. Baker as Friend and Guide: Beyond a purveyor of bread, the baker becomes a significant figure in the author's life, serving as both a friend and guide. The recollection emphasizes the personal connection forged during those formative years. Bread's Significance in Goan Culture: During this historical period, bread held a prominent place in Goan culture, especially the sweet bread known as Bol. The author reflects on how these loaves were integral to various occasions, underlining the cultural importance of the baker's craft. Distinctive Baker's Attire: The narrative touches upon the unique attire of the baker, specifically the Kabai – a single-piece frock extending to the knees. This distinctive dress adds a layer of cultural richness to the portrayal of the baker and his trade. Baking as a Profitable Venture: Against the backdrop of Portuguese rule, baking emerges as a lucrative business. The story explores the economic dynamics of this time, shedding light on the profitability of the baker's trade.  PRASHANT KIRAD Bread in Everyday Life: The everyday significance of bread is highlighted through the author's recollections of maidservants purchasing loaves to accompany their tea. The routine of acquiring and enjoying bread becomes a memorable aspect of daily life in the Goan village. Cultural and Culinary Nostalgia: The narrative weaves together cultural, culinary, and personal nostalgia, offering a glimpse into a bygone era when life in a Goan village was accompanied by the comforting presence of the local baker and the aroma of freshly baked bread. Character Sketch: The Goan Baker: In the historical backdrop of Portuguese-ruled Goa, the central character is the local baker, a skilled craftsman known as a "pader." Beyond being a mere bread supplier, the baker symbolizes tradition, friendship, and cultural identity. His distinctive Kabai attire sets him apart, reflecting his role as a cultural custodian. The story unveils the economic importance of baking during that time. The baker's impact extends to everyday life, becoming a ritualistic presence as maidservants purchase loaves for tea. Overall, the Goan baker is a nostalgic figure, weaving memories of a bygone era through his craftsmanship and personal connections. Extract-Based Questions. 1. We kids would be pushed aside with a mild rebuke and the loaves would be delivered to the servant. But we would not give up. We would somehow climb a bench or parapet and peep into the basket. I can still recall the typical fragrance of those loaves. Loaves for the elders and bangles for the children. Q/A: a. Who are we ‘ in the extract? Ans: We in the extract refers to the narrator and his friends. b. Why could he not fly over on either side of storm clouds? Ans: The kids were pushed aside so that the bread could be delivered to the servants  PRASHANT KIRAD c) Which word/phrase in the extract means the same as an expression of disapproval/a scolding‘? Ans: The word ‗rebuke‘ from the extract means an expression of disapproval/a scolding‘. d) What was there in the basket? Ans. There were some loaves for the elders and some bangles for the children. Top 10 PYQs (Most Expected) 1. What did the baker mean to the narrator during his childhood? How many times did he pay a visit? Answer: The baker or pader was an important person in the author’s life. He was treated like a friend. He used to come twice a day, once in the morning to sell bread and then while returning after emptying his basket. The author used to run to meet him to take the bread-bangles. He chatted and gossiped with him. 2. What did the bakers wear — (i) in the Portuguese days? (ii) When the author was young? Answer: Kabai wants a particular dress — a single-piece long frock reaching down the knees which the bakers used to wear in the old days. Later it was replaced by a shirt and trousers which were longer than the shorts and shorter than the full length. 3. What are the elders in Goa nostalgic about? Answer: In Goa, the elders are nostalgic about the good Old Portuguese days as well as the Portuguese and their famous loaves of bread. 4. What marks of the Portuguese way of life can still be seen in Goa?  PRASHANT KIRAD Answer: Goa was once occupied by the Portuguese. They were famous for preparing the loaves of bread. They left Goa long ago. But the traditional work of the bakers can still be seen in Goa. The furnaces in which the bread was baked still exist there. 5. What does the author recall about the visit of the baker to his village? Answer: The author recalls that a baker used to visit the village twice a day. He used to be the author’s friend and guide. He used to carry a bamboo stick. The sound of this stick is used to wake up the author and others from sleep. 6. How was the village baker very important for special occasions in the village? Answer: The village baker was especially important for festive occasions. The villagers were much fond of the sweet bread known as ‘bol’. Marriage gifts were meaningless without these sweetbreads. Sandwiches, cakes, and Bolin have been a must for Christmas as well as other festivals. These were made with the bread. 7. When did the baker collect his bills? What showed that the bakers were prosperous? Answer: The baker usually collects his bills at the end of the month. In the household, the baker’s monthly accounts used to be recorded on some wall in pencil. Baking was a profitable business in those days. Their families never starved. Their plump bodies showed that they were prosperous. 8. How can you say that the makers of the famous Goan loaves are still there? Answer: Many of those eaters of loaves might have died but their makers still exist. The mixers, molders, and those who bake the loaves are still there in Goa.  PRASHANT KIRAD The fire in the furnace has not yet been extinguished and the thud and jingle of the baker’s bamboo can still be heard in the morning in some places. These bakers, known as padres, exist in Goa even today. The family profession is still carried on. 9. Why was the baker, the friend, companion and guide of the children? Answer: For children, the very sight of the baker was quite exciting. He was their friend, companion, and guide. The jingling thud of his bamboo put them in rapture. They ran to meet and greet him. It was not so much for the love of the loaf What they longed for were the bread-bangles. Sometimes they liked the sweet bread of special make. 10. What importance did the baker’s furnace have in the village in Goa? Answer: The loaves of bread had become an important and integral part of the lives of the people in Goa. Marriages were meaningless without the sweet bread or the bol. No party or feast was possible without bread. The lady of the house would prepare sandwiches for the engagement ceremony of her daughter. Cakes and sweetbreads were a must for Christmas and other festivals. The presence of the baker’s furnace was essential in the village.  PRASHANT KIRAD Glimpses of India Part I I– coorg Heavenly Landscape and Aromatic Air: Nestled between Mangalore and Mysore, Coorg, the smallest district in Karnataka, is described as a heavenly abode. With evergreen forests, coffee plantations, and spice groves, it offers a delightful aroma in the air. Tourists flock here from September to March to enjoy the favorable weather. Mythical Roots and Cultural Blend: Legend has it that a segment of Alexander the Great's army settled in Coorg, giving rise to a unique blend of Greek or Arabic descent. Locals wear the distinctive Kuppia, a long black coat resembling the kuffia worn by Arabs. Bravery and Military Legacy: Known for their courage, the people of Coorg have a proud military legacy, with the Coorg Regiment and India's first Army Chief, General Cariappa, hailing from this region. Ecological Significance and Panoramic Views: Coorg's forests and hills are vital water sources for the Cauvery River. The Brahmagiri hills offer panoramic views of the region, while the Island of Nisargadhama hosts Buddhist monks, adding a spiritual touch to the landscape. In essence, Coorg is a haven for nature lovers, history enthusiasts, and those seeking a unique cultural experience. Character Sketch: Coorg's Brave Hearts In the heart of Coorg lies a community known for its fierce independence and courage. Coorgi homes stand as beacons of hospitality, weaving traditions into their warm embrace. The illustrious Coorg Regiment, the pride of the Indian army, mirrors the valor deeply ingrained in the tales of their courageous sons and fathers.  PRASHANT KIRAD Extract-Based Questions. 1. Midway between Mysore and the coastal town of Mangalore sits a piece of heaven that must have drifted from the kingdom of God. This land of rolling hills is inhabited by a proud race of martial men, beautiful women, and wild creatures. Coorg, or Kodagu, the smallest district of Karnataka, is home to evergreen rainforests, spices, and coffee plantations. Q/A: a. Which kind of animals are we likely to see at Coorg? Ans: We are likely to see wild animals in Coorg b. What is Coorg known for? Ans: Coorg is known for its evergreen rainforests, spices, and coffee plantations. (c) Which word in the extract means the same as having to do with war‘? Ans: Martial‘ from the extract means having to do with war‘. (d) Where is Coorg situated? Ans: Coorg is situated between the midway of Mysore and the coastal town of Mangalore. 2. The fiercely independent people of Coorg are possibly of Greek or Arabic descent. As one story goes, a part of Alexander‘s army moved south along the coast and settled here when return became impractical. These people married among the locals and their culture is apparent in the martial traditions, marriage, and religious rites, which are distinct from the Hindu mainstream. Q/A: (a) Which descent do the people of Coorg belong to? Ans: The people of Coorg belong to Greek or Arabic descent (b) Where can we find the culture of Coorg most apparently? Ans: The Coorg people‘s culture is most apparent in their martial traditions, religious rites, and marriages. (c) Which word in the extract means an act that is part of a religious ceremony? Ans: Rites‘ from the extract means an act that is part of a religious ceremony‘.  PRASHANT KIRAD Top 10 PYQs (Most Expected) 1. Why are the people of Coorg known as descendants of the Arabs? Answer: The theory of the people of Coorg as descendants of the Arabs draws support from the long, black coat with an embroidered waist-belt worn by the Kodavus known as kuppia. It resembles the kuffia worn by the Arabs and the Kurds. 2. What does the writer say about Coorg? Answer: The writer says that Coorg is the smallest district of Karnataka. It is known as Kodagu also. Coorg lies between the coastal towns of Mangalore and Mysore. It is a very beautiful place. The writer says that it must have come from the kingdom of God. 3. What is Coorg famous for? What is the best season to visit Coorg? Answer: Coorg is famous for its coffee plantations, evergreen rainforests, and spices Thirty percent of its area is covered with evergreen rainforests The best season to visit this place is from September to March. The air is full of coffee flavor. 4. Describe the people and culture of Coorg. Answer: Coorg is inhabited by a proud race of martial men, beautiful women, and wild creatures. Coorgi homes have a tradition of hospitality. There are many tales of valor related to the people of Coorg. The Coorg Regiment is one of the most decorated in the Indian Army. General Cariappa, the first Chief of the Indian Army, was a Coorgi. Kodavas are the only people in India permitted to carry firearms without a license.  PRASHANT KIRAD 5. How has the tradition of courage and bravery been recognised in modern India? Give examples from the text. Answer: The people of Coorg are known for I being fiercely independent, brave and courageous. There are numerous tales of valor connected with the people of Coorg. The Coorg Regiment is one of the most decorated regiments in the Indian Army. The first Chief of the Indian Army, General Cariappa, was a Coorgi. The Coorgis are the only people in India who are permitted to carry firearms without a license. 6. Describe the physical and geographical features of Coorg. Answer: Coorg is a piece of heaven that must have drifted from the Kingdom of God. This is a land of rolling hills inhabited by a proud race of martial men, beautiful women, coffee and wild elephants. Coorg or Kodagu is the smallest district of Karnataka. It is home to evergreen forests, spices and coffee plantation. This beautiful region of rolling hills, rainforests and mist lies between Mysore and the coastal town of Mangalore. Rainforests dominate the physical feature of Coorg. They cover more than thirty percent of this district. It rains heavily during the monsoons. The most ideal season for tourists starts in September and ends in March. The river Kaveri obtains its water from the hills and rainforests of Coorg. The region abounds in wild elephants and langurs besides a lot of birds, bees and butterflies. The Brahmagiri hills provide a panoramic view of the entire misty landscape of Coorg. The sixty-four-acre island of Nisargadhama is a little paradise for the tourists. 7. Where and how can we have a panoramic view of the misty landscape of Coorg?  PRASHANT KIRAD Answer: The tourists are advised not to miss a climb to the Brahmagiri hills. The climb to the Brahmagiri hills gives you a panoramic view of the entire misty landscape of Coorg. Then you can walk across the rope bridge. It will lead you to the sixty-four- acre island of Nisargadhama. 8. How do the most laidback individuals become the life of high-energy adventures in Coorg? Answer: Coorg offers many outdoor high-energy adventures. Even the most laidback individuals become converts to a life of high-energy adventures. They enjoy river rafting, canoeing, rappelling, rock climbing, and mountain biking. Numerous walking trails in Coorg are a favorite with trekkers 9. Why does the author call Coorg apiece of heaven’ that must have drifted from the kingdom of God? Answer: Coorg, hailed as 'a piece of heaven,' boasts breathtaking landscapes with rolling hills and lush rainforests covering over thirty percent of its expanse. The air is infused with the aroma of fresh coffee from sprawling estates adorned with colonial bungalows. The river Kaveri originates from Coorg's hills and rainforests, providing a habitat for diverse flora and fauna. Kingfishers dive into its waters, seeking Mahseer, while playful elephants find joy in being bathed in the Kaveri by their mahouts. The climb to Brahmagiri hills offers a misty panoramic view of Coorg, enhancing its allure. Nisargadhama, a sixty-four-acre island, stands as a tourist paradise. Temples and Buddhist monks, draped in vibrant robes, represent the heart and soul of India in this enchanting region. 10. Describe the largest Buddhist settlement in Coorg. Answer: Below the rolling hills lie the largest Tibetan settlement in India in Coorg. The Buddhist temple at Bylakuppe is famous for its grandeur and beauty. The monks in their red, ochre, and yellow robes represent the heart and soul of India, right here in Coorg.  PRASHANT KIRAD Glimpses of India Part III– Tea from Assam Tea Time Musings: Rajvir and Pranjol's Assam trip took an interesting turn during a simple tea break. While sipping tea, Rajvir shared a fun fact— people around the world enjoy over 800,000,000 cups of tea every day. Rajvir admired the scenic tea-filled landscape, but Pranjol, lost in a detective book, missed the view. Assam's Tea Beginnings: Assam, with its big tea gardens, has a mysterious tea origin. According to a Chinese story, tea was discovered when branches accidentally fell into boiling water, creating a delicious drink. Another tale connects tea to a monk's eyelids, giving birth to plants that resist sleep when steeped. Exploring Dhekiabari Tea Estate: Getting off at Mariani Junction, Rajvir and Pranjol explored Dhekiabari Tea Estate. Surrounded by women carefully picking tea leaves, they soaked in the lively plantation vibe. Pranjol's dad, a tea enthusiast, shared his tea wisdom, and Rajvir eagerly expressed his interest in learning more about the fascinating world of Assam's tea culture. The stage was set for a delightful journey into the heart of Assam's tea heritage. Character Sketch: Rajvir: Enchanted by Assam's tea, Rajvir becomes a captivating storyteller, sharing trivia—over 800,000,000 cups daily. Pranjol: Lost in a detective novel, Pranjol adds mystery. His literary pursuits blend with Assam's landscapes. Assam's Essence: Beyond friends, Assam's tea heritage enriches the journey with depth and mystery.  PRASHANT KIRAD Extract-Based Questions. 1. We have an Indian legend too. Bodhidharma, an ancient Buddhist ascetic, cut off his eyelids because he felt sleepy during meditations. Ten tea plants grew out of the eyelids. The leaves of these plants when put in hot water and drunk banished sleep. Tea was first drunk in China, Rajvir added, as far back as 2700 BC! Words such as tea, chai‘, and chini‘ are from Chinese. Tea came to Europe only in the sixteenth century and was drunk more as medicine than as a beverage. Q/A: a. Who was Bodhidharma? Ans: Bodhidharma was an ancient Buddhist ascetic. b. How is medicine different from a beverage? Ans: Medicine is used for treating diseases whereas beverage is used for general drinking purpose. (c) Find the word in the extract which means the same as a drink‘. Ans: Beverage‘ from the extract means a drink‘. (d) When and where was tea first drunk? Ans: Tea was first drunk in China as far back as 2700 BC. 2. Do you know that over eighty crore cups of tea are drunk every day throughout the world? Rajvir said. Whew! exclaimed Pranjol. Tea really is very popular. The train pulled out of the station. Pranjol buried his nose in his detective book again. Rajvir too was an ardent fan of detective stories, but at the moment he was keener on looking at the beautiful scenery. Q/A: (a) How do we know that tea is very popular? Ans: We know that tea is very popular because eighty crore cups of tea are drunk every day throughout the world. (b) Rajvir was a great fan of reading detective stories. Why didn‘t he like to read at that? moment? Ans: Rajvir didn‘t like to read a detective story at that moment because he was more interested in looking at the beautiful scenery that passed by as the train moved (c) Which word in the extract means an act that is part of a religious ceremony? Ans: Rites‘ from the extract means an act that is part of a religious ceremony‘.  PRASHANT KIRAD Top 10 PYQs (Most Expected) 1. How does Rajvir describe the tea garden at Dhekiajuli? Answer: On both sides of the gravel road were acres and acres of neatly pruned tea bushes. It was the second sprouting period. Women wearing plastic aprons were plucking new tea leaves and putting them in the bamboo baskets. 2. Describe the scenery that Rajvir saw as soon as the train pulled out of the station. Answer: When the train moved ahead, there were huge fields full of green plantations. Rajvir had never seen so much greenery. He called it a ‘magnificent view’. The bushes were spread like a sea against the backdrop of densely wooded hills. 3. How can you say that tea was first drunk in China? Answer: There is an ancient legend about the discovery of tea. A Chinese emperor had the habit of drinking boiling water. One day a twig from the fire fell into the pot in which water was being boiled. It gave a delicious flavor to the water. It is said that those were tea leaves and that was the first tea. It is thus thought that tea was first taken in China. 4. What information was given by Pranjol’s father to Rajvir about Assam Tea Estate? Answer: He was the manager of a tea garden in upper Assam. He showed Pranjol and Rajvir the acres of tea bushes, all neatly pruned to the same height. Groups of women pluckers with bamboo baskets were plucking the newly sprouted leaves. 5. What is the Indian legend about the discovery of tea? Answer: According to an Indian legend, Bodhidharma, an ancient Buddhist monk, fell asleep during meditation. So he cut off his eyelids. Ten tea plants grew out of the eyelids. The leaves of these plants when put in hot water and drank banished sleep.  PRASHANT KIRAD 6. Why was Rajvir so much excitement? Answer: Rajvir had never seen so much greenery before. He was looking at the beautiful scenery. The soft green paddy fields gave way to tea bushes. Against the backdrop of densely wooded hills, a sea of tea bushes stretched as far as the eyes could see. The orderly rows of bushes were pruned to the same height. Rajvir was excited to see the magnificent view. 7. Describe the Chinese legend regarding the discovery of tea leaves. Answer: There is a Chinese legend regarding the discovery of tea leaves. One Chinese emperor always boiled water before drinking it. One day a few leaves of the burning twigs under the pot fell into the water. The result was wonderful. The water gave a delicious flavor. Those leaves that gave the water a delicious flavor were tea leaves. 8. Why did Pranjol’s father say in surprise that Rajvir had done his homework before coming there? Answer: A tractor was pulling a trailer-load of tea leaves at the Dhekiabari Tea Estate. Rajvir asked Pranjol’s father if that was the second flush or sprouting period. Rajvir said that the second sprouting period lasts from May to July and yields the best tea. Such detailed information about tea leaves surprised Pranjol’s father. He told Rajvir that he seemed to have done his homework before coming here. 9. What landscape did Rajvir notice while sitting in the train? Answer: Rajvir was fascinated by the scenic beauty of the place. There were vast green tea gardens on both sides of the road. The tall trees at the back of the gardens in the forest on the rolling hills looked beautiful. The women plucking tea leaves looked like dolls. On the way, he saw people drinking tea. He also saw an ugly building with smoke coming out of its chimneys. Rajvir was received by Mrs. and Mr. Barua and was taken towards Dhekiabari Tea Estate. On both sides of the gravel road were acres and acres of neatly pruned tea bushes.  PRASHANT KIRAD It was the second sprouting period. Women were wearing plastic aprons and plucking new tea leaves and putting them in the bamboo baskets on their backs. 10. It seems that Rajvir had done a lot of homework regarding tea and its history. Do you support Pranjol’s father’s statement that he gave about Rajvir’s knowledge in this regard? Answer: Indeed, Rajvir had never visited a tea estate ever before in his life. His visit to Dhekiabari Tea Estate was at the invitation of his classmate Pranjol whose father managed the estate. But Rajvir seemed to have done a lot of homework and reading about tea and tea plantations before coming to Assam. He told Pranjol that tea is one of the most popular beverages in the world. More than eighty crores of cups of tea are drunk every day throughout the world. When he saw an ugly building with smoke billowing out of its tall buildings, he at once cried “Hey, a tea garden!”. He had been reading as much about tea as he could. He narrated different legends regarding the discovery of tea leaves. It was Rajvir who narrated the legends describing how tea leaves were discovered in India and China. Rajvir impressed and surprised Pranjol’s father with his deep knowledge of tea leaves. When he saw a tractor pulling a trailer load of tea leaves he recognized that it was the second flush or sprouting period. He also knew that it continues from May and to July and yields the best tea.  PRASHANT KIRAD Mijbil the Otter A Trip to Basra: The story begins with the author and a friend heading to Basra. The author, feeling lonely after losing his pet dog, decides he wants an otter as a new companion. They hope to find one near the Tigris River in Iraq. Waiting in Basra: In Basra, only the friend's mail arrives, leaving the narrator waiting for his own. Eventually, the friend leaves, and the author's patience pays off when he receives a message with a surprise—an otter named Mijbil. Meeting Mijbil: The narrator shortens the otter's name to Mij, and they start getting to know each other. Mij loves playing with water and learns to open faucets. Despite the fun, it's time to go back to London, and the journey poses some challenges. Troubles on the Way Home: Because British airlines don't allow animals, the narrator has to find a different flight for Mij. A close call happens when Mij damages the box, causing a hurried trip to the airport with blood involved.  PRASHANT KIRAD A Crazy Flight: During the flight, Mij escapes the box, causing chaos on the plane. The air hostess helps, and they eventually land safely in London. London Discoveries: Back in London, Mij's love for ping-pong balls and marbles becomes clear. A walk with Mij surprises and confuses people who mistake him for various animals. Mij's Impact: The story ends with the author sharing funny moments of confusion from Londoners who can't figure out what Mij is. Through all the adventures, Mij becomes an unforgettable and unique friend. Extract-Based Questions. 1 Cabled to England, and when, three days later, nothing had happened, I tried to telephone. The call had to be booked twenty- four hours in advance. On the first day, the line was out of order on the second the exchange was closed for a religious holiday. On the third day, there was another breakdown. My friend left and arranged to meet him in a week. Five days later, my mail arrived. 1. What did the author cable to England? Ans. The author cabled to England to get information about his mail. 2. What happened after three days? Ans. The author did not receive any mail after three days. 3. When did the author receive the mail? Ans. Five days later the author received the mail.  PRASHANT KIRAD 2 Cabled to England, and when, three days later, nothing had happened, I tried to telephone. The call had to be booked twenty-four hours in advance. On the first day, the line was out of order on the second the exchange was closed for a religious holiday. On the third day, there was another breakdown. My friend left and arranged to meet him in a week. Five days later, my mail arrived. Q/A 1. Write the name of the creature that came out from the sack. Ans. The creature that came out of the sack was an otter. 2. What was there on its tips? Ans. There was a small chocolate brown mole. 3. How did the creature/otter look? Ans. The creature looked like a small medievally conceived dragon. Top 10 PYQs (Most Expected) 1.How was Mij to be transported to England? Answer: The British Airline to England would not fly animals. So, Maxwell booked a flight to Paris on another airline and from there to London. The airline insisted that Mij should be packed into a box not more than eighteen inches square. Thus, Mij was transported to England in that box, which was kept on the floor at his feet. 2. What, according to the writer, is the real play’ of the otter? [CBSE 2015] Answer: The real play of an otter is lying on his back and juggling with small objects between his paws. Mijbil would roll two or more marbles up and down on his wide, fat belly. He never dropped one to the floor. 3. What happened when Maxwell decided to transport Mijbil to England by air? Answer: When Maxwell decided to transport Mijbil to England, Mijbil was kept into a box. He tore off the box and wounded himself. Then Mijbil disappeared down the aircraft, terrorizing the other passengers. After that, he settled on Maxwell’s knee and gave no further inconvenience to others.  PRASHANT KIRAD 4. What happened when the box was opened? Answer: The air hostess suggested to the author that he could keep the pet on his knee. The author opened the box. Mij was out of the box in a flash. He disappeared at high speed down the aircraft. There was chaos all around in the plane. 5. In the name of rules and regulations, basic values are ignored but people like the air hostess in ‘Mijbil the Otter’ are a ray of hope. What virtues do we find in the airhostess? Answer: The air hostess was somewhat friendly, and she allowed the narrator to place the otter on his lap. She could relate and empathize with the situation faced by the narrator. This shows that apart from being professional, she was a caring lady. She not only wanted to do her job but was also responsible as she helped the narrator in finding the otter back. She did all that she could do for Maxwell and the otter. She was hard working and was ready to help as she did not say ‘no’ to help the narrator. 6. The narrator called the airhostess the queen of her kind. This shows how caring and supportive she was. Do you find such people these days? Are people having a change in their values? Answer: In today’s world, it is getting difficult to find people who show their care and support. Rather than helping others, they start giving excuses and quote rules and regulations. Earlier, people used to think about the situation faced by others and help them in all possible ways. This is changing because of the change in the values of the people. People give priority to their safety and security. They care for themselves first and then think about others. 7.Why do you think the otter was not friendly at first with the narrator? Can you relate this to the human nature as well? [CBSE 2016] Answer: At first, the otter was not very friendly with the narrator as he had seen him for the first time. He was brought to a new place and new surroundings. He neither knew the narrator nor the place which made him stay away from the narrator.  PRASHANT KIRAD But, as soon as he started becoming comfortable with the surroundings, he became friendly and came close to the narrator. This is very similar to the human nature. Even, human beings first take time to understand others and then only become friendly with them. Unless they are comfortable in being with somebody, they try to stay away from that person. 8. Why does he go to Basra? How long does he wait there, and why? Answer: He goes the Basra to the Consulate General to collect and answer his mail from Europe. His mail did not arrive in time. He cabled to England, and when, three days later, nothing had happened, he tried to telephone. The call had to be booked twenty-four hours in advance. On the first day, the line was out of order; on the second day, the exchange was closed for a religious holiday. On the third day there was another breakdown. His mail arrived five days later. He had to wait for five days. 9. What happened when Maxwell took Mijbil to the bathroom? What did it do two days after that? Answer: When Maxwell took Mijbil to the bathroom he went wild with joy in the water, plunging and rolling in it, shooting up and down the length of the bathtub underwater, and making enough slosh and splash for a hippo. Two days later, Mijbil escaped from the bedroom and entered the bathroom. He struggled with the chromium tap till it had a full flow. 10. Why does Maxwell say the airhostess was “the very queen of her kind”? Answer: The author told the air hostess about the incident that took place half an hour before at home and took her into his confidence. The air hostess was a considerate lady. She cooperated with the author and suggested he keep his pet on his knee. This made the author call her “the very queen of her kind”.  PRASHANT KIRAD Madam Rides the Bus Valli's Curiosity: Eight-year-old Valliammai, affectionately known as Valli, lived in a Tamil village where her only entertainment was observing the outside world from her doorstep. With no playmates, she found solace in watching the happenings in the street, but what fascinated her the most was the bus journey that passed through her village. The Enchanting Bus Ride: Driven by her curiosity, Valli began gathering information about the bus timings from her neighbors. Determined to experience the adventure, she diligently saved money for the thirty-paise bus fare. With a plan to embark on her journey during her mother's afternoon nap, Valli stood by the roadside, eagerly awaiting the arrival of the bus. As the bus approached, she approached the conductor and confidently declared her destination. The conductor, a cheerful soul, treated her with respect, calling her "Madam" and guiding her to a seat. The bus, painted in vibrant green and white stripes, offered a comfortable and luxurious experience. A Journey of Firsts: Nature's Wonders Unfold: During the ride, Valli marveled at the sights outside her village – the majestic mountains, lush green fields, and expansive palm tree- covered grasslands. Every scene was a new revelation for her eager eyes, an experience she had never encountered before. However, her enchantment took a turn when a young cow unexpectedly crossed the road in front of the bus. The driver's whistle sounded, and the cow safely made its way across. Valli, though momentarily startled, found the entire episode fascinating.  PRASHANT KIRAD Life's Bitter Lesson: As the bus journey continued, Valli's joy turned into sorrow when she witnessed the same cow lying lifeless by the roadside on her way home. The sudden encounter with death left her contemplating the mysteries of life and mortality in her innocent way. Silent Reflections: Despite her emotional experience, Valli chose to keep her bus adventure a secret from her family. The poignant story highlights the simple desires of a young girl, the wonders of discovery, and the harsh realities that life occasionally unveils, even to the most innocent souls. Extract-Based Questions. 1. There was a girl named Valliammai who was called Valli for short. She was eight years old and very curious about things. Her favorite pastime was standing in the front doorway of her house, watching what was happening in the street outside. There were no playmates of her age on her street and this was about all she had to do. But for Valli, standing at the front door was every bit as enjoyable as any of the elaborate games other children played: Watching the street gave her many new unusual experiences. 1. What was the short name of the girl? Ans. Valli was the short name of the girl. 2. What were Valli's favorite pastimes? Ans. Vall's favorite pastime was standing in the front doorway of her house. 3. Why did she spend her time all alone? Ans. She spent her time all alone because she had no playmates of her age in her street. 4. Pick out the word from the passage that means the same as uncommon. Ans. unusual 2. The most fascinating thing of all was the bus that traveled between her village and the nearest town. It passed through her street each hour, once going to the town and once coming back. The sight of the bus filled each time with a new set of passengers, was a source of unending joy for Valli. Day after day she watched the bus, and gradually a tiny wish crept into her head and grew there she wanted to ride on that bus, even if just once.  PRASHANT KIRAD This wish became stronger and stronger until it was an overwhelming desire. Valli would stare wistfully at the people who got on or off the bus when it stopped at the street corner. Their faces would kindle in her longings, dreams, and hopes. If one of her friends happened to ride the bus and tried to describe the sights of the town to her. Valli would be too jealous to listen and would shout, in English "Proud! Proud!" 1. What did Valli watch daily? Ans. Valli watched the bus that traveled between her village and the nearest town. 2. What was her overwhelming desire? Ans. Valli's overwhelming desire was to ride the bus. 3. What was Valli's source of joy? Ans. The sight of the bus filled each time with a new set of passengers, was a source of unending joy for Valll. 4. Pick out the word from the passage that means the same as longingly. Ans. wistfully Top 10 PYQs (Most Expected) 1.Why does the conductor refer to Valli as ‘madam’? Answer: The conductor was worldly-wise and a man of jovial nature. He judges the little girl’s innocent behavior. Being fun to love and also not to make the girl unhappy, he calls Valla as ‘Madam’, though she was a girl of eight years only. 2. Why did Valli listen to the conversations? What did she get from them? Answer: Valli was anxious to know more and more about the bus journey. She had nourished a strong desire to enjoy a bus ride from her village to the nearest town. She listened to the neighbors and people who regularly used the bus. She was collecting the necessary details from them to plan out her bus journey. Such details could help her in her mission. 3. How did Valli calculate and plan the bus journey? Answer: Valli had gathered all the necessary details about the bus journey from those who regularly used the bus. The town was six miles from her village. The one-way fare was thirty paise. The trip to the town took forty- five minutes. If she took the one o’clock bus, she could reach the town at one forty-five. She calculated that she could be back home by about two forty-five.  PRASHANT KIRAD 4. How did Valli board the bus? Why did she say, ‘I can get on by myself’ Answer: When Valli sighted the bus she shouted ‘Stop the bus! Stop the bus!’ She raised her tiny hand ‘commandingly’. The bus slowed down and finally stopped. She told the conductor that she wanted to go to the town and she tried to hand over the money. The conductor, seeing that she was just a child, stretched out his hand to help her up. Valli replied that she could get on by herself and didn’t need any help. 5. How did Valli react when the conductor called her “a very grown-up madam?” Answer: The bus conductor teased Valli by calling her ‘a very grown-up madam’. Valli reacted sharply saying that she was not a madam. She reminded him that he had not yet given her ticket. The conductor mimicked her tone and said, ‘I’ll remember.’ Everyone laughed and gradually Valli too joined in the laughter. 6. How careful and painstaking elaborate plans did Valli have to make for her first journey and how did she save money for it? Answer: Valli had to make careful and painstaking plans for her first bus journey. Saving sixty paise for both ways fare was not an easy job. She saved thriftily every stray coin that came her way. She had to give up the temptation of buying peppermints, toys, and balloons and stifle her desire to ride on the merry-go-round. 7. Why did Valli laugh until there were tears in her eyes? Answer: Valli saw a young cow running very fast in the middle of the road. It was right in front of the bus. The bus slowed down to a crawl. The driver sounded the horn loudly again and again. But the more he honked, the more frightened the animal became and galloped right in front of the bus. Valli laughed until there were tears in her eyes.  PRASHANT KIRAD 8. ” Never mind,” she said, “I can get on by myself.” “You don’t have to help me,” said Valla to the conductor. She shows extraordinary courage in making the bus journey all alone. Taking inspiration from Valla’s character, write how the ability and courage to take risks are essential to fulfilling one’s dream. Answer: Valla is an eight-year-old village girl. She is fascinated by the bus that comes to the village every hour. She develops a desire and longing, turning into a firm determination to ride the bus. She meticulously plans for it and saves money for the bus journey. Then she boards the bus without anyone’s help. She travels all alone, confidently and independently, and returns home successfully. Her self-dependence and self-respecting nature help her to nurture her goal. She enjoys her journey. Similarly, to achieve goals in life, we need to have such values in us. One should be confident and self-dependent. Proper planning and strong determination will lead to success. Enthusiasm and excitement to achieve the goal are also needed to nurture our goals in life. 9. How did Valla save up money for her first journey? Was it easy for her? Justify. Answer: Valla’s sole purpose was to enjoy the bus ride. She neither had the money nor much information about the ride. But her desire made her collect every minute detail about it. She gathered that she required sixty paise to buy tickets for the up-and-down journey. She collected every stray penny. She resisted the temptation to buy peppermint, toys, and even a joy ride at the merry-go-round. Thus she saved 60 paise to buy tickets for the bus ride. No, it was not easy for a young child of eight years. This act of hers reflects that she has the qualities of self-restraint, discipline, determination, and maturity rare for her age. 10. ‘What was Valli’s obsession? How did she prepare and save money for her first bus journey? Or How did Valli plan for her first bus journey?  PRASHANT KIRAD Answer: The most fascinating sight for Valli was seeing the bus that traveled from her village to the nearest town. A tiny wish crept into her head. She wanted to ride on that bus, at least for once. This wish became stronger until it was an overwhelming desire. She listened to the conversations of her neighbors and people. They regularly used the bus. She found out after questioning them that both ways' fare was sixty paise. It took forty-five minutes to reach the town. It was six miles from her village. After gathering all the necessary details, Valli started saving money thriftily. She saved every coin that came her way. It was not an easy job for a girl of eight years. She had to resist the temptation of buying peppermints, toys, balloons, and having a ride on the merry-go-round. When the money problem was solved, another problem was solved quite easily. She planned her journey from one to four o’clock when her mother took a nap in the afternoon. All such elaborate planning led Valli to have an enjoyable and smooth first bus journey.  PRASHANT KIRAD the sermon at Benares Growing Up as a Prince: Once upon a time in North India, there was a prince named Siddhartha Gautama, who later became Buddha. He lived in a royal family and had a happy childhood. Discovering Life's Challenges: At the age of twelve, Siddhartha was sent to study, got married, and lived a royal life for ten years. One day, he saw sickness, old age, death, and a monk who taught him about life's difficulties. This made Siddhartha curious to find deeper answers. The Turning Point: Realizing that life involves suffering, Siddhartha decided to leave his royal life to seek wisdom. After finding enlightenment, he shared his insights in a city called Benares. A Mother's Pain and Wisdom: One story he shared was about Kisa Gotami, a mother who lost her son. Buddha helped her understand that grief wouldn't bring him back. Through a simple task, she realized the inevitability of life's cycle. Wisdom for a Happy Life: Buddha believed that feeling sad and grieving doesn't help. Knowing and accepting the natural course of life brings true happiness. The Sermon at Benares showed how understanding life's realities can free us from unnecessary pain and suffering.  PRASHANT KIRAD Extract-Based Questions. 1. The Buddha preached his first sermon at the city of Benares, the most holy of the dipping places on the River Ganges; that sermon has been preserved and is given here. It reflects the Buddha‘s wisdom about one inscrutable kind of suffering. Q/A: a. Name the holiest of the dipping places on the River Ganges where the Buddha preached his first sermon Ans: Benares. b. What does Buddha‘s first sermon reflect? Ans: Buddha‘s wisdom about one inscrutable kind of suffering. (c) What did Gautama do after getting on light emend? Ans: After getting enlightenment, he began to teach and share his new understandings with the common people. (d) How was he known then? Ans: As he started preaching, he was known as Buddha, meaning, the awakened or the enlightened one 2. Kisa Gotami became weary and hopeless and sat down at the wayside watching the lights of the city, as they flickered up and were extinguished again. At last, the darkness of the night reigned everywhere. Q/A: (a) Why do you think Kisa Gotami became weary and hopeless Ans: It was because she could not find a house where no one had died. (b) How many sons did Kisa Gotami have? Ans: Only one. (c) What did she notice while sitting at the wayside? Ans: She noticed the flickering lights of the city. (d) What message did she get from the flickering and extinguishing lights of the city? Ans: Their lives flicker up and are extinguished.  PRASHANT KIRAD Top 10 PYQs (Most Expected) 1. Kisa compared human life to an inanimate object. What is it and why does she do so? Answer: Kisa compared human life with the lights of the city which flicker up and extinguished again and the darkness of the night spreads everywhere. Similarly, the human takes birth, flickers up, and then extinguishes the life of the remains. She compared so because the darkness of sadness spreads in use she was in great grief of the death of his 2. Where and when did Siddhartha became the Buddha? Answer: At the age of 25, Siddhartha confronted a sick man then an age-sight moved funeral procession, and finally a monk. Palace and wandered for seven years to shed seedlings team the tree The Bodenheim Tree’ until enlightenment came. He renames Finally so much that he even allied with Heat Swath, a teen admiral 3. Which people are referred to as “wise” by the Buddha in his sermons? Answer: Buddha preached in his sermons that everything that is born will come to an end. Death is inevitable: both young and adult or fools and wise are subject to death. But the people who do not grieve, knowing the terms of the world are called wise people. Wise people neither weep nor grieve. 4. How did the Buddha teach Kisa Gotami the truth of life? Answer: Buddha changed Kisa’s thinking with the help of a simple act—asking her to procure a handful of mustard seeds from a house where none had died. She could not understand it. But, gradually she understood that death is inevitable. 5. Describe the life of Gautama Buddha before enlightenment.  PRASHANT KIRAD Answer: Buddha was earlier a prince and lived in luxury. When he encountered suffering and grief, it made him sad. He renounced everything and went in search of riddance from suffering. He wandered for seven years. Then, one day, he sat under a fig tree and vowed not to leave until he was enlightened. 6. What sights moved Siddhartha Gautama to seek the path of enlightenment? Answer: While going hunting Gautam saw a sick man, an old man, a funeral procession, and a monk begging. This encounter with the sufferings and grief moved him and he left to seek the path of enlightenment. 7. Kisa Gotami was selfish and grief-stricken. Justify. Answer: Kisa Gotami lost her only son. In her grief, she carried her dead child everywhere and asked people to cure him. As instructed by Buddha she went door to door to get a handful of mustard seeds with the condition that there should not be any loss of a child. Husband, parent, or friend. In her grief, she forgot that everyone had to suffer such type of loss in his or her family Death is common to all. But in her grief, she became selfish and tried to fulfill the impossible condition. 8. What were the sights that moved and shocked Gautama? Answer: Prince Gautama had been deliberately shielded from all the sufferings of the world. One day he chanced upon a sick man, then an aged man, and then a funeral procession. Finally, he saw a monk begging for alms. These sights moved him. He went out into the world to seek the solution to all these sufferings. He wanted to seek enlightenment. 9.The life of mortals in this world is troubled and brief and combined with pain. With this statement of the Buddha find out the moral value that Kisa Gotami learnt after the house and was unable to get wanted the mustard seeds. table: grief death of her child.  PRASHANT KIRAD Kisa Gotami lost her only son. In her neighbors, asking them to provide medicine for her son. A man suggested her to Buddha. Buddha asked her to bring a handful