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Here we are providing Meadow Surprises Extra Questions and Answers Class 7 English Honeycomb, Extra Questions for Class 7 English was designed by subject expert teachers.

We have created the most comprehensive Meadow Surprises Poem Class 7 Questions and Answers. These Questions and Answers are help to score more marks in your board Exams.

Meadow Surprises Extra Questions and Answers Class 7 English Honeycomb

Meadow Surprises Extra Questions and Answers Short Answer Type

Question 1.
Where can the velvety soft grass be found?
Answer:
The velvety-soft grass can be found in meadows.

Question 2.
Why is it difficult to. see a rabbit?
Answer:
One is unable to spot a rabbit in the grass because it is sitting very still. Only when it hops, one will be able to see it.

Question 3.
What AS the butterfly busy doing?
Answer:
Butterfly seems to be busy in sucking nectar from flowers. It appears as if the butterfly uses a drinking straw to do so.

Question 4.
How many ‘Meadow houses are discussed in the poem’?
Answer:
Burrows in the ground meant for smaller animals, nests beneath the tall grass for birds and mounds for ants are the various houses that are characterized by the term, ‘meadow houses’. While exploring the meadows one can see all of these.

Question 5.
What turns into ‘airy parachutes’?
Answer:
Petals of dandelion turn into airy parachutes.

Question 6.
What distinct extraordinary gifts of nature are available in meadows?
Answer:
Beautiful sights to velvety grass, butterflies sipping nectar, houses of various insects, birds and animals gives visual treat to the onlookers

Question 7.
Read the lines in which the following phrases occur. Then discuss with your partner the meaning of each phrase in its context.
(i) velvet grass
(ii) drinking straws
(iii) meadow houses
(iv) amazing mound
(v) fuzzy head
Answer:
(i) Velvet grass: The grass which is as soft as velvet.
(ii) Drinking straws: The long narrow tube by which butterfly gets nectar from the flower.
(iii) Meadow houses: habitats or home of animals like burrows in the ground, nests and ant’s mound.
(iv) Amazing mound: The amazing mound is a reference to the mound created by the ants as their dwelling place.
(v) Fuzzy head: Fuzzy head refers to the heads of the bright yellow flowers which have a beautiful texture.

Question 8.
Which line in the poem suggests that you need a keen eye and a sharp ear to enjoy a meadow?
Answer:
“Oh! Meadows have surprises
And many things to tell.
You may discover these yourself
If you look and listen well.”

Question 9.
Find pictures of the kinds of birds, insects and scenes mentioned in the poem.
Answer:
Do it yourself.

Question 10.
Watch a tree or a plant, or walk across a field or park at the same time every day for a week. Keep a diary of what you see and hear. At the end of the week, write a short paragraph or a poem about your experiences. Put your writing up on the class buttet inboard.
Answer:
Do it yourself.

Meadow Surprises Extra Questions and Answers Reference to Context

Question 1.
Meadows have surprises,
You can find them if you look;
Walk softly through the velvet grass,
And listen by the brook.
You may see a butterfly
Rest upon a buttercup
And unfold its drinjring’straws
To sip the nectar up.

Explanation
The meadow offers several surprises to the one who has as eager eye to look at the meadow. Walking on the soft velvety grass, the sound of the brook, a butterfly sipping nectar from the flowers, all such sights give immense pleasure.

(i) When can one explore meadows?
(ii) Why did the poet say ‘the velvet grass’?
(iii) What do butterflies do?
(iv) What are ‘drinking straws’ of a butterfly?
Answer:
(i) One can explore meadows if one observes
(ii) Why ala the poet say the veivet grass
(iii) What do butterflies do?
(iv) What are ‘drinking straws’ of a butterfly?

Question 2.
You may scare a rabbit
Who is sitting very still;
Though at first, you may not see him,
When he hops you will.
A dandelion whose fuzzy head
Was golden days ago
Has turned to airy parachutes
That flutter when you blow.

Explanation
Walking further on, one may find a rabbit hidden in the grass. One may not be able to see it instantly, but soon it would hop in front of you because it would be scared. A dandelion that was golden a couple of days ago would have also bloomed.

(i) When can a rabbit be seen?
(ii) Who can scare a rabbit?
(iii) What is the colour of a dandelion flower when it blossoms?
(iv) What are ‘airy parachutes’?
Answer:
(i) When a rabbit hops it cam be seen.
(ii) A rabbit can be scared by an intruder/ am onlookers.
(iii) Its colour is golden.
(iv) Airy parachutes are dry seeds that scatter with wind.

Question 3.
Explore the meadow houses,
The burrows in the ground,
A nest beneath tall grasses,
The ant’s amazing mound.
Oh! Meadows have surprises
And many things to tell;
You may discover these yourself,
If you look and listen well.

Explanation
One could find several houses in the meadows. There would be burrows in the ground, nests beneath the tall grasses, mounds for ants and so on. For every person there would be some or the other surprise.

(i) Who stays in burrows?
(ii) Where can nest be found?
(iii) Which insect make amazing mounds?
(iv) How can meadows beauty be discovered?
Answer:
(i) Rabbits stay in burrows.
(ii) A nest can be found beneath tall grasses.
(iii) Ants make amazing mounds.
(iv) The poet reassures that bounties of meadows can be discovered by onlooker with patience

Here we are providing Jalebis Extra Questions and Answers Class 8 English It So Happened, Extra Questions for Class 8 English was designed by subject expert teachers.

You can refer to NCERT Solutions for Class 8 English It So Happened (Supplementary) Chapter 8 Jalebis Question Answer to revise the concepts in the syllabus effectively and improve your chances of securing high marks in your board exams.

Jalebis Extra Questions and Answers Class 8 English It So Happened

Jalebis Extra Questions and Answers Short Answer Type

Question 1.
Why did not the narrator pay his fees that day?
Answer:
The narrator didn’t pay his fees because his teacher Master Ghulam Mohammed was absent that day.

Question 2.
How could he hear the coins talking?
Answer:
The coins were not talking but it was in the mind of the narrator.

Question 3.
What did he say about his teacher?
Answer:
The narrator said that his teacher was a strict disciplinarian. He would also make one stand.on the bench until the school gets over.

Question 4.
What was the suggestion given by the coin?
Answer:
The coin advised him to spend the money on jalebis and he could pay the fee by scholarship amount.

Question 5.
How did the narrator win the scholarship?
Answer:
The narrator won the scholarship as he was among the most promising students. In the fourth standard exams, he won a scholarship of four rupees a month.

Question 6.
What did the narrator mean by ‘for a child of such statuses’?
Answer:
The narrator hailed from a decent family. Secondly he was a promising student who had earned scholarship in school.

Question 7.
Why was he suffering from ‘stomach ache’?
Answer:
The narrator had eaten jalebis as he was fond of them. Later he had to eat his dinner otherwise his secret of jalebis with fee amount would be disclosed. Because he had overeaten the food and it took time to digest his heavy meal.

Question 8.
Why has his ‘head started to spin’?
Answer:
The narrator went to his school happily with the hope that he would get his scholarship that day. But when he learnt that his scholarship would be paid the following month.

Question 9.
What did he do to escape from punishment?
Answer:
The teacher informed the students that he would collect the fee during recess. The narrator was so scared that he lifted his bag and went to Kumbelpur railway station.

Question 10.
Who was the last refuge according to the boy?
Answer:
The boy was remorseful and scared, instead of taking help of his family, he considered God as the last refuge.

Question 11.
What did the narrator pleaded to the God?
Answer:
The narrator pleaded the God to help him in his difficult times. He reiterated that he memorized thg entire namaaz and he was a devoted servant, so he needed a favour from almighty to arrange fee amount for him.

Question 12.
What was there in the bag of the narrator?
Answer:
The narrator was carrying a few textbooks, notebooks, one pencil, one sharpener and one Id card sent by his Mammu. He did not have even four paise in his bag.

Question 13.
How can one conclude that he started hating even the sight of jalebis?
Answer:
The narrator spent his money on buying jalebis. He was constantly burping after devouring jalebis. He promised to himself that he won’t eat jalebis any more because it was the reason of his remorse. So next time when jalebiwala offered him to buy jalebis, he looked at it with disgust.

Jalebis Extra Questions and Answers Long Answer Type

Question 1.
The narrator was a responsible and honest boy. What are other qualities that can be learnt from him?
Answer:
The narrator was a boy of about 10 or 12 years of age. He was a dedicated, and honest student. He spent his fee amount on jalebis but after having enough for himself, he distributed among others. He had firm belief on God and his magic. He tried everything to please him. He was soft hearted, religious and generous.

Question 2.
Do you think, reason and intellect fail before temptation?
Answer:
Initially the boy looked like a disciplined student who knows his responsibility. Yet his logics failed before his temptation. He gave up his sensibility and logics, and bought jalebis. He felt elated when he distributed the remaining jalebis amongst children and beggars. The lesson talks about an innocent child who fell a prey to temptation. However, the child might win over if he had controlled himself and checked himself before giving in to the situation.

Question 3.
Why didn’t he pay, the school fees on the day he brought money to school?
Answer:
He did not pay the school fees on the day he brought money to school because master Ghulam Mohammed, the teacher who collected the fees was on leave, and it would be collected the next day.

Question 4.
(i) What were the coins ‘saying’ to him?
(ii) Do you think they were misguiding him?
Answer:
(i) The coins were ‘saying’ to him to spend the money on jalebies.
(ii) Yes, I think they were misguiding him.

Question 5.
Why didn’t he take the coins advice? Give two or three reasons?
Initially, the boy didn’t take the advice of the coins seriously for a couple of reasons. He could not spend the money meant for paying school fees on Jalebis. Secondly, the boy knew the harsh nature of the master and his punishment.
(i) What did the oldest coin tell him?
(ii) Did he follow his advice? If not, why not?
Answer:
(i) The oldest coin said that they were trying to tell him something for his own good. It said that he would get the scholarship money. The next day, with that money he could pay his fees. Hence, he could very well buy the Jalebis with the fee amount.

(ii) He didn’t follow his advice. He was a promising student. He was from a family of repute. He didn’t want to defame it.

He reached home with the coins in his pocket. What happened then?
Answer:
When he reached home, the coins began to speak again. When he went inside to have lunch, they began to shriek. He was so thoroughly fed up that he rushed out of the house barefoot and ran towards the market. Although he was terrified, he quickly asked for a whole rupee worth of Jalebis. The halwai opened up a whole newspaper and heaped a pile of Jalebis on it.

Question 6.
(i) Why didn’t he eat all the Jalebis he had bought?
(ii) What did he do with the remaining jalebis?
Answer:
(i) He had bought Jalebis for one rupee. But he couldn’t eat all of them because of their quantity.
(ii) He distributed the remaining Jalebis among the boys from the neighbourhood.

Question 7.
“The fear was killing me.” What was the fear?
Answer:
The fear was of being caught for spending fee amount on jalebis. His parents might be scold him if they find out that he had eaten so many jalebis. He burped with every breath. This fear was killing him.

Question 8.
“Children’s stomachs are like digestions machines”. What do you understand by that? do you agree?
Answer:
It means that children have the capacity to digest a lot of things that they over eat. I agree with the statement but only partly.

Question 9.
How did he plan to pay the fees the next day?
Answer:
He planned to pay the fees with the previous month’s scholarship that he would get the next day.

Question 10.
When it is the time to pay the fees, what does he do? How is he disobeying the elders by doing so?
Answer:
The narrator escaped from the school as he could not pay his fees. He is disobeying the elders in the sense that they had warned him never to spend school fee elsewhere and not to cross the railway tracks.

Question 11.
What was the consequence of buying jalebis with the fees money?
Answer:
The consequence of buying jalebis with the fees money was that for the first time in his life he was absent from his school.

Question 12.
His prayer to God is like a lawyer’s defence of a bad case. Does he argue his case well? What are the points he makes?
Answer:
The narrator tries to’please God with his requests and the recitation of the entire namaz. He admits that he made a mistake. He wouldn’t have spent his money on jalebis if he had known about the delay in scholarship. Thus, he argues his case like a lawyer.

Question 13.
‘He offers to play a game with Allah Miyan’. What is the game?
Answer:
As the narrator had no way out for misdeed, he finally seeks divine help. He prayed that he would go to the signal keeping his bag under the tree. He asked the god to put four rupees secretly under the rock. After touching the signal he would come back and take the big money.

Question 14.
Did he get four rupees by playing the game? What did he get to see under the rock?
Answer:
No, he did not get four rupees by playing the game. When he lifted the rock. He saw a big hairy worm curling, twisting and wriggling towards him.

Question 15.
If God had granted his wish that day. What harm would it have caused him in later life?
Answer:
If God had granted his wish that day, he would never have learnt from his mistake. He would have continued doing such wrong deeds, believing that God would save him after his persuasion.

Here we are providing A Tiger in the House Extra Questions and Answers Class 7 English An Alien Hand, Extra Questions for Class 7 English was designed by subject expert teachers.

We have created the most comprehensive NCERT Solutions for Class 7 English Chapter 9 A Tiger in the House Question Answer. These Questions and Answers are help to score more marks in your board Exams.

A Tiger in the House Extra Questions and Answers Class 7 English An Alien Hand

A Tiger in the House Extra Questions and Answers Short Answer Type

Question 1.
Where did grandfather found Timothy?
Answer:
Grandfather found Timothy in the Terai jungle near Dehradun hiding among the intricate roots of a banyan tree.

Question 2.
How did Mahmoud feed him?
Answer:
Mahmoud, the cook fed him milk with a feeding bottle.

Question 3.
What was Timothy’s diet?
Answer:
Timothy’s diet included milk, raw mutton and cod liver oil. He followed diet of pigeons and rabbits.

Question 4.
Who were the other companions of Timothy at grandfather’s house?
Answer:
The companions of Timothy were Toto, the monkey, and a small mongrel puppy.

Question 5.
How was his relationship with the puppy?
Answer:
Timothy initially was afraid of the puppy later he became friendly with him and allowed him to crawl on his back.

Question 6.
How did Timothy play with the narrator?
Answer:
The narrator told that with his bright eyes, he tried to come close. He rolled over on his back and kick with delight. It pretended to bite his ankles.

Question 7.
How had Timothy changed with time?
Ans.
Timothy grew into an adult tiger, and it became difficult to go for walk. People were scared of him. It became difficult to remove him from recliner where he prefer to take rest.

Question 8.
What Was the prediction of grandmother regarding Mahmoud?
Answer:
Grandmother was scared one day Timothy would kill Mahmoud.

Question 9.
Why was Timothy chained up?
Answer:
Timothy was chained up because he became fierce and hunts chickens at night.

Question 10.
What was the arrangement made for Timothy’s shifting?
Answer:
Grandfather reserved a first class compartment for himself and Timothy to take him to Lucknow zoo.

Question 11.
What were the reactions of zoo authorities?
Answer:
Zoo authorities were happy to receive a well-fed and civilized tiger as a gift.

Question 12.
How long did it take grandfather to meet Timothy?
Answer:
Grandfather met Timothy after six months when he went to Lucknow to visit his relatives.

Question 13.
In what way did grandfather make him quiet?
Answer:
Grandfather stroked the tiger’s forehead and tickled his ear whenever he growled. He also smacked him across the mouth.

Question 14.
What scared Timothy away on the cage?
Answer:
Grandfather observed that Timothy was scared away by a leopard.

Question 15.
What was unusual that attracted the attention of visitors and zoo authorities?
Answer:
Visitors and zoo authorities were surprised to see the reunion of grandfather and the tiger.

Question 16.
Why was grandfather eager to meet authorities?
Answer:
Grandfather did not like that Timothy was scared to hell by leopard. Out of concern, he wanted the authorities to change cage for Timothy.

Question 17.
What was the revelation made by the keeper?
Answer:
The keeper revealed that Timothy died two months ago because of pneumonia.

Question 18.
What was the reaction of the grandfather on learning the death of Timothy?
Answer:
Grandfather was scared yet he gently bade goodbye to the tiger.

A Tiger in the House Extra Questions and Answers Long Answer Type

Question 1.
‘Love begets love’. How far this phrase applies to the story?
Answer:
Grandfather was fond of bringing home the deserted animals. Once he brought a tiger cub. He fed it up with a milk bottle. He coexisted and played with other animals, Toto, the monkey and a small mongrel puppy. Until he became threat to his surrounding, he was kept at home. When an unknown tiger was loved and patted by the grandfather, he was tamed as well. He responded to the love.

Question 2.
What values of grandfather impressed you the most? Which ones would you like to imbibe?
Answer:
The narrator portrayed grandfather with an essence of humanity. His generosity and kindness was the most impressive ones. He was caring enough to meet Timothy even in zoo. He asked authorities to change his cage because he was afraid of a leopard. His love and care impressed the zoo authorities. They were scared of the dangerous tiger into a meek one who allows an unknown man to pat and tickle his ears, had shocked them.

Question 3.
Where was the tiger cub hiding when Grandfather found him?
Grandfather found the tiger cub was hiding among the intricate roots of a banyan tree.
(i) What did Toto do to entertain Timothy?
(ii) What did he do when Timothy lost his temper?
Answer:
(i) Toto pulled Timothy by the tail to entertain him.
(ii) When Timothy lost his temper, Toto climbed up the curtains.

Question 4.
“I became one of the tiger’s favourites”. Who is “I” in the statement? Why did he think so?
Answer:
‘I’ stands for the narrator, Ruskin Bond. He thought so because Timothy would come closer to him, roll . over on his feet and pretended to bite his ankles.

Question 5.
Where was Timothy most comfortable during the day? Where was he slept during the night?
Answer:
Timothy was most comfortable on the long sofa in the drawing room during the day which was his favourite place in the house. He slept at night in the cook’s quarters.

Question 6.
What was grandmother’s prophecy about the.cook? Did it come true?
Answer:
Grandmother’s prophecy about that cook was the one day Timothy would make a meal of Mahmoud. It did not come true. However, the tiger had begun to stalk. Mahmoud about the house with a villainous intent.

Question 7.
What made Grandfather decide to transfer Timothy to the zoo?
Answer:
When Timothy was about six month old, he grew less friendly. When out for a walk with the author, he would try to steal away to stalk a cat or someone’s pet dog. Sometimes at night they heard frenzied cackling from the poultry house, and in the morning, feathers were lying all over all verandah. And finally, when he began to stalk Mahmoud about the house with what looked like villianous intent, Grandfather decide to transfer Timothy to the zoo.

Question 8.
Why did Grandfather want Timothy to be put in another enclosure?
Answer:
Grandfather wanted Timothy to be put in another enclosure as the leopard in the next cage would constantly rush at Timothy. Whenever this happened, the frightened Timothy would sink to a comer.

Question 9.
What shocked Grandfather in the end?
Answer:
Grandfather visited the zoo after six months to see Timothy and went to the cage where he was put in ‘ straightly. When Grandfather asked the keeper to transfer Timothy to another cage, he said that the tiger in the cage was not Timothy. He was informed by the zoo keeper that his tiger Timothy had died two months ago, which shocked him in the end.

Here we are providing The Best Christmas Present in the World Extra Questions and Answers Class 8 English Honeydew, Extra Questions for Class 8 English was designed by subject expert teachers.

You can refer to NCERT Solutions for Class 8 English honeydew Chapter 1 The Best Christmas Present in the World to revise the Questions and Answers in the syllabus effectively and improve your chances of securing high marks in your board exams.

The Best Christmas Present in the World Extra Questions and Answers Class 8 Honeydew

The Best Christmas Present in the World Extra Questions and Answers Short Answer Type

Question 1.
Describe the condition of roll – top box. From where the author found the roll-top box?
Answer:
The roll-top box was made up of oak. It was in very bad condition. It brings scorch mark all down one side & one leg is clumsily mended. He found roll – top box from a junk shop in Bridport

Question 2.
Why did the author buy roll top box even though it was in bad condition?
Answer:
The Author bought roll top box of bad condition because it cost little money and he could easily restore it by working on it.

Question 3.
What did the author find in the secret-drawer?
Answer:
He found a tin-box cello – taped to the top of that was a piece of lined notepaper in the secret drawer.

Question 4.
What was written on the tin box?
Answer:
‘Jim’s last letter, received January 25, 1915.’ was written on the tin box.

Question 5.
What was there inside the tin box?
Answer:
Inside the box there was an envelope. The address read: ‘Mrs. Jim Macpherson, 12 Copper Beeches, Bridport Dorset’ and then he took out the letter and unfolded it. It was written in pencil and dated at the top – ‘December 26, 1914’.

Question 6.
Describe briefly about Christmas morning on the behalf of letter sent by Jim to Connie.
Answer:
Christmas morning was crisp and quiet all about, as beautiful a charming day. It was totally cold and frosty as a Christmas morning should be.

Question 7.
Who was Hans Wolf?
Answer:
Hans Wolf was the officer of Fritz. He was from Dusseldorf. He played a cello in the orchestra.

Question 8.
Who was Jim Macpherson?
Answer:
Jim Macpherson was a school teacher. He was from Dorset, in the west of England.

Question 9.
What did Hans & Jim talk about when they were sharing rum & sausage?
Answer:
They talked about their favourite book, ‘Far from the madding crowd’, with Bathsheba, Gabriel Oak, Sergeant Troy and Dorset.

Question 10.
How usually the war end? And how should it be end and why?
Answer:
Normally, wars end by shedding blood and loses of properties and people. But there a football match resolves the war. As “No one dies in a football match. No children are orphaned. No wives become widows”.

Question 11.
Who won the match?
Answer:
Fritz won the match.

Question 12.
Why the letter was so special?
Answer:
The letter was so special because it was written to Connie Jim’s wife. And the letter explains us about the war and our home. This letter shows that every soldier wants peace and love.

Question 13.
What did author do after he read letter?
Answer:
After reading letter the author went to Bridport and asked for the address from where the shop keeper got the roll top box.

Question 14.
Write the character sketch of Mrs. Macpherson.
Answer:
Mrs. Macpherson was an old lady. She was hundred and one years old. She was very lovely. She had white silver hair and wrinkles on the skin. But she used candle rather than electricity because according to her, electricity was too expensive.

Question 15.
Where was Mrs. Machpherson living? And why so?
Answer:
She was in a nursing home, Burlington house, on the Dorchesten. She was living there because her house caught fire and she got injured.

Question 16.
Why was the people at nursing hom£ surprised to see visitor?
Answer:
The people were surprised because Mrs. Macpherson had no family, no one visits to her so they was happy too to see him there.

Question 17.
What did Mrs. Macpherson thought about visitors?
Answer:
Mrs. Macpherson thought that visitor was her husband Mr. Macpherson. We know that because she said “you told me you had come home by Christmas, dearest,”. “And here you are the best Christmas present in the world. Come close Jim dear, sit down”.

Question 18.
What did the author find in a junk shop?
Answer:
The author found a very old 19th century rolled-top desk in a junk shop. It was made of oak. It was in a very bad condition. The roll-top was broken into several pieces. One of the legs was clumsily mended and there were scorch marks down one side.

Question 19.
What did he find in a secret drawer? Who do you think had put it in there?
Answer:
He found a small black tin box in a secret drawer. Jim’s wife Mrs. Macpherson had put it there. Here name and address were on the envelope inside the box.

Question 20.
Who had written the letter, to whom, and when?
Answer:
Jim Macpherson had written the letter to his wife Connie Macpherson on December 26, 1914.

Question 21.
Why was the letter written? What was the wonderful thing that had happened?
Answer:
German and British army was fighting a battle. The soldiers were living in their trenches to fight enemy. For soldiers were writing and receiving letter was the only way to be in touch with their family member. The wonderful thing was, in spite of enmity they celebrated Christmas together. This shows that festivals are above all personal enmity.

Question 22.
What jobs did Hans Wolf and Jim Macpherson have when they were not soldiers?
Answer:
Before joining the army, Hans played the cello in the orchestra and Jim was a teacher.

Question 23.
Had Hans Wolf ever been to Dorset? Why did he say he knew it?
Answer:
No, Hans Wolf had never been to Dorset. He said so because he had learned all about England in his school and in English books.

Question 24.
Do you think Jim Macpherson came back from the war? How do you know this?
Answer:
The written statement on the letter saying sheet the last letter was from Jim and that should be buried with Mrs. Macpherson. It indicates that Jim didn’t return from war.

Question 25.
Why did the author go to Bridport?
Answer:
The author went to Bridport because that was the address where Mrs. Macpherson lived. He wanted to give that letter back to her.

Question 26.
How old was Mrs. Macpherson now? Where was she?
Answer:
Mrs. Macpherson was a hundred and one year old. She was in a nursing home in Burlington house, on the Dorchester road, on the other side of town.

Question 27.
Who did Connie Macpherson think her visitor was?
Answer:
Connie Macpherson thought her visitor was her husband, Mr Jim Macpherson.

Question 28.
Which sentence in the text shows that the visitor did not try to hide his identity?
Answer:
That sentence is, “You told me You’d come home by Christmas, dearest,” she said, “And here you are. The best Christmas present in the world. Come closer, Jim dear, sit down.”
Working with the Text

Question 29.
For how long do you think Connie had kept Jim’s letter? Give reasons for your answer.
Answer:
Connie must have kept Jim’s letter for a long time. This is because she told the narrator how she read it quite often every day so that she could feel that Jim was near her.

Question 30.
Why do you think the desk had seen sold, and when?
Answer:
The desk must have been sold as junk. It might have been sold after the demise of Macpherson.

Question 31.
Why do Jim and Hans think that games or sports are good ways of resolving conflicts? Do you agree?
Answer:
Jim and Hans think that games or sports are good ways of resolving conflicts because nobody dies in a game. They were of the opinion that a game does not end in a child becoming orphan or a wife becoming widow.

Question 32.
Do you think the soldiers of the two armies are like each other, or different from each other? Find evidence from the story to support your answer.
Answer:
The soldiers of the two armies are like each other and they are not at all different. Following are some instances from the story to prove:

• Both of them wanted peace, longed for the war to be over and wanted to go home to meet their families.
• Both the armies celebrated Christmas and wished Merry Christmas to each other.
• Both the armies shared their sausage, schnapps and Christmas cake with each other.
• They played a football match and at night shared Christmas carols and hope to unite with the families again.

Question 33.
Mention the various ways in which the British and the German soldiers become friends and And things in common at Christmas.
Answer:
The British and the German soldiers smile at each other and wish merry Christmas to each other. They offer that food to each other. They share drinks and laugh at jokes. They play and enjoy a game of football. Thus they become friends on that occasion.

Question 34.
What is Connie’s Christmas present? Why is it “the best Christmas present in the world”?
Answer:
When the narrator came to see Connie and gave her the box, she mistook him for her husband Jim. She thought that Jim had come home for Christmas. This was Connie’s Christmas present. It was the best Christmas present in the world for her because Jim had written in the letter that he would come home on Christmas. She had read that letter several times everyday to feel that he was near her. Now that he was finally there with her, she was extremely happy.

Question 35.
Do you think the title, of this story is suitable for it? Can you think of any other title(s)?
Answer:
The title of the story is perfectly suitable for it as the story revolves around the letter which turns out to be the best Christmas gift in the world for Mrs Macpherson. Mrs Macpherson had written the date . and her wish on the letter’s envelope that this letter should be buried along with her after her death. She had lost it but in the end she found it and in its form she found her husband Jim once again. There can be no other title suitable for this story

The Best Christmas Present in the World Extra Questions and Answers Long Answer Type

Question 1.
War is no solution to disputes’. Discuss.
Answer:
Wars no longer represent country’s pride. They are generally result of ruler’s ego. Their narcism takes a toll on the lives of so many from both the side. A common soldier wishes to celebrate the festivals together and think of family first. They want to end the bitter relationship by challenging them in a game.

They expressed their fondness for each other food, drink, places and literature. Wisdom and mutual respect would never cause harm to humanity but the ego does, so before taking extreme steps like war they should think of respect and co-existence. Neither German nor British soldiers were enjoying the game and feast together.

Question 2.
You are the best Christmas present’. What was the best present? What was its importance?
Answer:
On the Christmas eve, the narrator found a tin box carrying letter of captain Macpherson. It had a note which mentioned that his wife wanted the letter to be buried with her when she died. The narrator brought the box to her. When Connie heard him, she thought it was her husband who promised her to return on Christmas. Her wait was too long. She was muddle headed and was admitted to a hospital.

When everyone was merry-making on Christmas, she was sitting brooding over something. She was hopeful that her husband would return. But wait was too long by then, she lost her vision, memory so she mistook the guest to be her husband and considered his arrival to be the best gift. Her wait for her husband show her love and desire to see him back.

Question 3.
In groups discuss whether wars are good way to end conflicts between countries. Then present your arguments to the whole class.
Answer:
War means bloodshed, hate and destruction. Even the animals fight for some sound reason. But nations go to war to settle some petty dispute or in the name of religions. War solves no problem. Understanding and mutual discussion alone can end differences, All religions condemn greed and bloody quarrels.

Question 4.
What kind of presents do you like and why? What are the things you keep in mind when you buy presents for others? Discuss with your partner. (For example, you might buy a book because it can be read and re-read over a period of time.)
Answer:
Personally, I am against the practice of exchanging expensive gifts. A rose or a token of affection suits every person and every pocket. This is why some guests offer bouquets or greeting cards alone. In case the gift is essential. It should satisfy some need and have utility. When I go to buy a present I first take into account the liking of my classmate, relative or girl/boy friend.

The Best Christmas Present in the World Extra Questions and Answers Reference to Context

Passage 1
I removed the roll-top completely and pulled out the drawers. The veneer had lifted almost everywhere it looked like water damage to me. Both fire and water had clearly taken their toll on this desk. The last drawer was stuck fast. I tried all I could to ease it out gently. In the end I used brute force. I struck it sharply with the side of my fist and the drawer flew open to reveal a shallow space underneath, a secret drawer.

Question 1.
Who is T in the above passage?
Answer:
I is the narrator in the above passage.

Question 2.
What does ‘It’ denote in the above lines?
Answer:
‘It’ denotes a roll-top desk.

Question 3.
What was the condition of the desk?
Answer:
The desk was damaged with water and fire.

Question 4.
Where did he find a secret drawer?
Answer:
He found the secret drawer underneath the last drawer which was stuck up badly.

Question 5.
Find out the word/ phrase that means the same for the given word.
Answer:

• freedom from pain – ease out.
• of little depth – shallow.

Passage 2

I should like to be able to tell you that we began it. But the truth, I’m ashamed to say, is that Fritz began it. First someone saw a white flag waving from the trenches opposite. Then they were calling out to us from across no man’s land, “Happy Christmas, Tommy! Happy Christmas!” When we had got over the surprise, some of us shouted back, “Same to you, Fritz! Same to you!” I thought that would be that. We all did. But then suddenly one of them was up there in his grey greatcoat and waving a white flag. “Don’t shoot, lads!” Someone shouted. And no one did. Then there was another Fritz up on the parapet, and another. “Keep your heads down,” I told the men, “it’s a trick.” But it wasn’t.

Question 1.
What did the writer mean by ‘we began it’?
Answer:
German soldiers and wished them initiated treaty on Christmas. The writer was feeling ashamed because he wished that he must have started it.

Question 2.
What was the symbolic meaning of ‘a white flag5?
Answer:
The white flag is a symbol of peace.

Question 3.
Where were the soldiers sitting?
Answer:
The soldiers were sitting in the trenches.

Question 4.
What did the German soldiers wish them?
Answer:
The German soldiers wished them ‘Happy Christmas’.

Question 5.
Why did they call each other ‘Fritz’ and ‘Tommy’?
Answer:
‘Fritz’ means a name for a German soldier while ‘Tommy’ means a common name for British soldiers.

Passage 3

“Captain Jim Macpherson,” I replied. “And a Happy Christmas to you too. I’m a school teacher from Dorset, in the west of England.” “Ah, Dorset,” he smiled. “I know this place. I know it very well.” We shared my rum ration and his excellent sausage. And we talked, Connie, how we talked. He spoke almost perfect English. But it turned out that he had never set foot in Dorset, never even been to England. He had learned all he knew of England from school, and from reading books in English. His favourite writer was Thomas Hardy, his favourite book Far from the Madding Crowd. So out there in no man’s land we talked of Bathsheba and Gabriel Oak and Sergeant Troy and Dorset. He had a wife and one son, born just six months ago.

Question 1.
What did captain tell about himself?
Answer:
Captain introduced himself by revealing that he was a school teacher from Dorset in the west of England.

Question 2.
What did they share with the enemy soldiers?
Answer:
They shared mm ration and excellent sausage with the enemy soldiers.

Question 3.
What was unusual about Connie?
Answer:
Captain Jim realized that Connie could speak good English although he never went to England. He learnt all from reading books in English.

Question 4.
What did Hans Wolf tell about his family?
Answer:
Hans Wolf told that he had a wife and six-month-old son.

Question 5.
Give the meaning of the following :
(a) Turned out
(b) excellent
Answer:
(a) Turned out means ‘to develop or end in a particular way’.
(b) very good.

Passage 4

The old lady was sitting in a wheelchair, her hands folded in her lap. She had silver white hair pinned into a wispy bun. She was gazing out at the garden. “Hello,” I said. She turned and looked up at me vacantly. “Happy Christmas, Connie,” I went on. “I found this. I think it’s yours.” As I was speaking her eyes never left my face. I opened the tin box and gave it to her. That was the moment her eyes lit up with recognition and her face became suffused with a sudden glow of happiness. I explained about the desk, about how I had found it, but I don’t think she was listening. For a while she said nothing, but stroked the letter tenderly with her fingertips.

Question 1.
Who was the old lady sitting in a wheel chair?
Answer:
The old lady, sitting in a wheelchair was Mrs. Macpherson.

Question 2.
What made her eyes lit up?
Answer:
Connie could not recognize. Her eyes were lit up with recognition. Her face became suffused with a sudden glow of happiness.

Question 3.
What wasn’t she listening to?
Answer:
Mrs. Macpherson was not listening to what he was telling her.

Question 4.
Explain ‘suffused with’.
Answer:
‘Suffused with’ is a glow of happiness that spread over the face of Connie who was too old and weak. She mistook him to be her husband and smiled.

Question 5.
Change adjective tender into an adverb.
Answer:
Tenderly.