CBSE Class 10

Here we are providing A Tiger in the Zoo Extra Questions and Answers Class 10 English First Flight, Extra Questions for Class 10 English was designed by subject expert teachers.

A Tiger in the Zoo Extra Questions and Answers Class 10 English First Flight

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

Question 1.
How does the tiger feel in the zoo?
Answer:
The poet describes the feelings of the tiger in the zoo. He keeps on moving from one comer to another. “He stalks in his vivid stripes moving the few steps of his cage”. He is not happy. He expresses his silent anger.

Question 2.
How does the tiger walk in the cage?
Answer:
In the cage, the tiger walks stately and furiously.

Question 3.
What message do you get from this poem?
Answer:
From this poem, we come to know that animals like to live freely in the forest. The animals do not want to live in the zoo. Their life is pitiable in it.

Question 4.
How does the tiger act in the cage?
Answer:
The tiger is in the cage. He is powerless and helpless. He longs for freedom. His velvet pads do not make ‘ any noise. He is in the silent anger roaring and ignoring the visitors.

Question 5.
What would the tiger do in a forest?
Answer:
In the forest, the tiger can enjoy complete freedom. He would walk around freely without any fear. He would terrorize the villagers by growling. He would show his teeth and claws.

Question 6.
What does the poet want to convey through this poem?
Answer:
The poet wants to convey that like human beings, animals also like freedom. They do not want to be caged, they cannot live a miserable life. If their habitat is destroyed by human beings, these animals cannot survive.

Question 7.
What would the tiger do in a forest?
Answer:
In the forest, the tiger can enjoy complete freedom. He would walk around freely without any fear. He would terrorize the villagers by growling. He would show his teeth and claws.

Question 8.
“Freedom is a birth right. It is the most beautiful gift of god. It is valuable for all human beings as well as for creatures,” Discuss with reference to the poem “A Tiger in the Zoo.”.
Answer:
Freedom is the most beautiful gift of god. Freedom is a birthright, without freedom all is in vain. Since the man has come on his earth, he tries to enslave the weaker sections for his own selfishness. If a bird lives in a golden cage, it cannot become happy. It loves to fly freely in an open sky. In the same way, if ‘ a man lives in a prison and gets everything, he cannot feel happiness. But if a man lives freely, he will be happy even in poor conditions. In this poem, we find the descriptions of two tigers, one is in a cage and second in an open field/forest. There is a great contrast between their behaviours.

Question 9.
Tigers are becoming extinct due to deforestation and poaching. How can people be sensitized about the need of tiger.
Answer: Tigers are considered as an endangered species. People are killing tigers for their skins, bones, claws and teeth. Due to this, the population of tigers has declined. We should not encroach on their habitat. As we all need sheltered home, tigers also need natural surroundings. Forests should not be cut down. They (Tigers) must be given more space to move freely around.

Question 10.
‘Freedom’ is a life for both humans and animals. Elaborate.
Answer:
The poet describes the feelings of the tiger in the zoo. He keeps on moving from one comer to another. “He stalks in his vivid stripes moving the few steps of his cage”. He is not happy. He expresses his silent anger.

Question 11.
Those who deny freedom to others, do not deserve it for themselves. Comment.
Answer:
The poet describes the feelings of the tiger in the zoo. He keeps on moving from one comer to another. “He stalks in his vivid stripes moving the few steps of his cage”. He is not happy. He expresses his silent anger.

Question 12.
Read the poem again, and work in pairs or groups to do the following tasks.
(i) Find the words that describe the movements and actions of the tiger in the cage and in the wild. Arrange them in two columns.
(ii) Find the words that describe the two places, and arrange them in two columns.
Now try to share ideas about how the poet uses words and images to contrast the two situations
Answer:

Question 13.
Notice the use of a word repeated in lines such as these —
(i) On pads of velvet quiet,
In his quiet rage.

(ii) And stares with his brilliant eyes
At the brilliant stars.
What do you think is the effect of this repetition?
Answer:
(i) The word ‘quiet’ has been repeated in these lines. The repetition of the words expresses the intensity of the Tiger’ action.
(ii) ‘Brilliant’ word has been repeated in these lines. It expresses both the anger and brightness in the eyes of the tiger. It creates an effect of intensity of the action.

Question 14.
Read the following two poems—one about a tiger and other about a panther.
Then discuss:
Are zoos necessary for protection or conservation of some species of animals? Are they useful for educating the public? Are there alternatives to zoos?
See Textbook Pages 30-31
Answer:
The zoo is necessary place for some animals to stay safe as they could be hunted down, poisoned by sotne wild food; or could drown in water in the forest. They also create awareness among the public about the nature of animals and make people friendly with animals. However, a zoo is not the correct substitute for a forest. In a zoo, an animal would feel restricted’ and it is for this reason that wildlife sanctuaries are better places for national endangered species.

These places provide protection as well as natural surroundings to these species. They can roam around freely in their habitat and safe too. The public can visit these parks and get educated about the animals and their lifestyle. The parks and sanctuaries are run using a strict set of rules, the most prominent being the ban on hunting. Since the animals are in the open, visitors are not allowed to feed them and would not misbehave or try to play with them as they are under strict guidance. Such incidents have been recorded in zoos where people irritate and tease the animals. Hence, a wild life sanctuary is a good alternative for animals to be safe as well as to live freely in their natural surroundings.

Question 15.
Take a point of view for or against zoos or even consider both points of view and write a couple of paragraphs or speak about this topic for a couple of minutes in class.
Answer:
Zoos are both necessary and unnecessary for many reasons. But the reasons in favour are more than its opposite idea. That is why the number of zoos is increasing throughout the world. Day by day the number of many species is decreasing rapidly. So zoos are very necessary to protect and conserve them. Many species of wild animals have already become extinct. Animals too are important for this earth. There are many reasons to say that there are no alternatives of zoos.

A Tiger in the Zoo Extra Questions and Answers Reference to Context

Read the Stanza and answer the questions that follow:

Question 1.
He stalks in his vivid stripes
The few steps of his cage,
On pads of velvet quiet,
In his quiet rage.

(i) Name the poem and poet.
(ii) Who does ‘He’ refer to? Where is he kept?
(iii) Where is ‘He? Is he happy there?
(iv) Pick out the word from the extract that means the same as—‘bright’.
Answer:
(i) These lines have been taken from the poem ‘A Tiger in the Zoo’ composed by Leslie (ii) Norris. ‘He’ refers to the Tiger. He is kept in a cage.
(iii) He is in the cage in the zoo. No, the tiger is not happy in the zoo.
(iv) ‘vivid’.

Question 2.
He should be lurking in shadow
Sliding through long grass
Near the water hole
Where plump deer pass.

(i) Who does ‘He’ refer to?
(ii) Where is the tiger at present?
(iii) Give a word opposite in meaning from these lines to ‘light’.
(iv) Pick out the word from the extract that means the same as—“wait in hiding”.
Answer:
(i) ‘He’ refers to the tiger.
(ii) Tiger is in its natural habitat at present.
(iii) Shadow
(iv) ‘Lurk’.

Question 3.
He should be snarling around houses
At the jungle’s edge,
Baring his white fangs, his claws,
Terrorising the village!

(i) Who is ‘he’ in the stanza?
(ii) Why does he move around the houses?
(iii) How should he be terrorising the village?
(iv) Give noun form of‘terrorise’.
Answer:
(i) ‘He’ in the stanza stands for the tiger.
(ii) He moves around the houses in search of his prey.
(iii) He should be terrorising the village people with baring of his white fangs and with his claws.
(iv) Terror

Question 4.
But he’s locked in a concrete cell,
His strength behind bars,
Stalking the length of his cage,
Ignoring visitors.

(i) Where is he locked?
(ii) Where is he striding.
(iii) Whom does he ignore?
(iv) Pick out the word from the stanza that means the same as – “Walk stiffly’.
Answer:
(i) He is locked in a concrete cell behind the bars.
(ii) He is striding in his concrete cell.
(iii) He ignores the visitors.
(iv) “Stalk”.

Question 5.
He hears the last voice at night,
The patrolling cars,
And stares with his brilliant eyes
At the brilliant stars.

(i) Who does “he’ refer to?
(ii) What does Tie’ do at night?
(iii) What are the cars doing?
(iv) Pick out the word from the stanza that means thapame as—‘gleaming’.
Answer:
(i) ‘He’ refers to the tiger.
(ii) The tiger watches the stars at night.
(iii) The cars are patrolling the area
(iv) ‘brilliant’

Here we are providing Fire and Ice Extra Questions and Answers Class 10 English First Flight, Extra Questions for Class 10 English was designed by subject expert teachers.

Fire and Ice Extra Questions and Answers Class 10 English First Flight

Fire and Ice Extra Questions and Answers Short Answer Type

Question 1.
What are two different views about the end of the world in the poem ‘Fire and Ice’?
Answer:
The two different views of people regarding the end of the world are—Fire and Ice i.e., by desire and hatred.

Question 2.
What does the poet think about the end of the world?
Answer:
The poet thinks about the end of the world that people think fire is the main cause of destruction. But by the end of the poem he says that both Fire and Ice are equally destructive. Both have the same power of causing destruction.

Question 3.
What do ‘Fire’ and ‘Ice’ symbolize in the poem ‘Fire’ and ‘Ice’?
Answer:
‘Fire’ and ‘Ice’ are symbolized here. ‘Fire’ stands for conflict, fury, intolerance, insensitivity while ‘Ice stands for greed, avarice, lust, rigidity, coldness, indifference, hatred, etc.

Question 4.
How can fire destroy the world?
Answer:‘
Fire’ symbolizes passion or hatred. It will lead to conflicts and ultimately result in the destruction of the world. Fire represents desire that is fervent, consuming, always wanting more. Ice represents hatred that is hard and cold.

Question 5.
What message does the poet wish to convey through the poem ‘Fire and ‘Ice’?
OR
What is the central idea of the poem ‘Fire and ‘Ice’?
Answer:
The poet presents two possibilities about the end of the world. It will be either due to ‘Fire and ‘Ice’ he prefers the first as he believes the world will end in fire but the ice will not go away.

Question 6.
Today’s world is conflict ridden. People fight over various issues and there is no peace in the world. Explain/Describe based on your reading of the poem ‘Fire’ and ‘Ice’.
Answer:
Hatred is a predominant issue in today’s world. Neighbour hates his neighbour, brother hates his brother. None is willing to forgive each other or tolerate each other. As a result of the hatred we live in a very fragmented world. If hatred continues to rule our lives and world, nothing will remain intact. All our achievements will perish and the world will come to an end. If we have to save the world we need to learn how to forget and forgive. For this we need to have enormous amount of love and compassion and be willing to tolerate the differences and learn to get along with each other.

Question 7.
What does ‘Fire’ and ‘Ice’ stand for and what is the general opinion regarding the world?
Answer:
Fire’ stands for fury, desire, lust, anger, avarice, cruelty, greed. Ice is symbolic of hatred, coldness,
rigidity, insensitivity and intolerance. The general opinion regarding the world is that the world will end in fire and some say in ice. Both the reasons contrast each other and one is equally opposite to each other. People who favour fire believe that it will be the heat and passion which will end the world. On the other side some people think that it will be the ice which will freeze the world.

Question 8.
There are many ideas about how the world will ‘end’. Do you think the world will end some day? Have you ever thought what would happen if the sun got so hot that it ‘burst’, or grew colder and colder?
Answer:
There are many ideas about how the world will end. Robert Frost points out two destructive forces—Fire and Ice, they may cause an end to the world. Yes, everything is subjected to an end. The world would come to an end someday. The cause may be a war or natural calamity. The sun is the main source of energy. It is life on the earth. If the sun got so hot that it “burst’ or grew colder and colder the life on the earth would come to an end.

Question 9.
For Frost, what do ‘fire’ and ‘ice’ stand for? Here are some ideas:

Answer:
Robert Frost compares and contrasts two destructive forces Fire and Ice. For him ‘Fire’ stands for desire, greed, lust, intolerance conflict etc. These vices consume and destroy the fabric of society. ‘Ice stands for hatred, rigidity, insensitivity, coldness and indifference. Hate is something that causes people to be rigid, unmoving and cold.

Question 10.
What is the rhyme scheme of the poem? How does it help in bringing out the contrasting ideas in the poem?
Answer:
The rhyme scheme of the poem is—ab ab—be—be.
The rhyme scheme brings out the contrasting ideas and separates them beautifully.
fire – desire
hate – great
twice – ice
ice – suffice

Fire and Ice Extra Questions and Answers Reference to Context

Read the stanza and answer the questions that follow:

Question 1.
Some say the world will end in fire
Some say in ice
From what I’ve tasted of desire
I hold with those who favour fire.

(i) Name the poem and the poet.
(ii) What are the two destructive forces?
(iii) What do they stand for?
(iv) What does he favour?
Answer:
(i) These lines have been taken from the poem ‘Fire and Ice’ composed by Robert Frost.
(ii) ‘Fire’ and ‘Ice’ are two destructive forces according to the poet.
(iii) ‘Fire’ stands for ‘desire’ and ‘Ice’ stands for ‘hatred’.
(iv) Robert Frost supports the view that fire would cause the destruction of the world.

Question 2.
But if it had to perish twice,
I think I know enough of hate
To say that for destruction ice
Is also great And would suffice.

(i) What does ‘Ice’ stand for?
(ii) What does the poet believe?
(iii) What is the another destructive force?
(iv) Find a word in these lines that means opposite to ‘creation’.
Answer:
(i) Ice stands for hatred in this poem.
(ii) Robert Frost believes that Ice is equally destructive and can destroy the world.
(iii) Fire is another destructive force.
(iv) ‘Destruction’.

Here we are providing Dust of Snow Extra Questions and Answers Class 10 English First Flight, Extra Questions for Class 10 English was designed by subject expert teachers.

Dust of Snow Extra Questions and Answers Class 10 English First Flight

Dust of Snow Extra Questions and Answers Short Answer Type

Question 1.
How did the crow change the poet’s mood?
Answer:
The poet was going somewhere in a snowy morning. He was upset. All the trees were covered with snow dust. A crow sitting on a hemlock tree shook the tree in such a way that some dust of snow fell on the poet. This changed his mood and he became happy and relaxed.

Question 2.
What was the reaction of the poet when the dust of snow fell on him?
Answer:
Normally, people thought both crow and hemlock tree are auspicious. But when the dust of snow from hemlock tree fell on poet, he took it in other way. He was depressed and sorrowful but the moment the crow shook the hemlock tree and dust of snow fell on him, he felt unburdened and relieved.

Question 3.
How does the poet react to crow and hemlock tree?
Answer:
Crow and hemlock tree are considered inauspicious in the west. They are generally taken /is bad omen. But the poet did not take them in negative way. They saved his day. His negative outlook changed to the positive one.

Question 4.
What made the poet change his mood?
Answer:
A crow on the hemlock tree shook down the dust of snow on the poet. The falling dust of snow on the poet has changed his mood.

Question 5.
Why does the poet feel that he has saved some part of the day?
Answer:
Crow shook down the dust of snow on the poet. Both crow and hemlock tree are considered inauspicious. The falling of dust of snow from hemlock tree is bad omen. But the poet took it in a positive way. He found himself relieved from sorrow after this incident. Now he could use his entire day in a fruitful way.

Question 6.
Simple moment proves to be very significant and saves rest of the day of poet from being wasted. Explain on the basis of the poem ‘Dust of Snow”.
Answer:
‘Dust of Snow’ is a beautiful poem written by Robert Frost. This poem conveys that even a simple moment has a large significance. The poet mentioned crow and hemlock tree in this poem. Crow signifies his depressive and sorrowful mood and hemlock tree is a poisonous tree. Both these signify that the poet was not in a good mood and so he describes the dark, depressive and bitter side of nature to present his similar mood.

The poet says that once he was in a sad, depressive mood and was sitting under a hemlock tree. A crow, sitting on the same tree, shook off the dust of snow, small particles of snow that remained on the surface after the snowfall, on the poet. This simple action changed the poet’s mood. He realised that he had just wasted a part of his day repenting and being lost in sorrow. But the change in his mood made him realise that he should utilize the rest of the day in some useful activity. His sorrow was washed away by the light shower of dust of snow. His spirit was revived and he got ready to utilize the rest of the day.

Question 7.
The poet was sad and depressed. But one comical incident lifts his spirits. He is full of joy and happiness again. Based on your reading of the poem, write a paragraph on the topic – Happiness is relative.
Answer:
No one is always happy. It is just a passing phase of one’s life. It varies from time to time and place to place. It depends on certain people who you are close to. There are times when we are extremely happy or sorrowful. In most circumstances, our happiness is decided l>y certain moments in our life. Some light moments can really enliven our mood. The actions of our friends can make us happy or sometimes sorrowful. We must also realize that on every cloud there is a silver lining. This means that every sorrowful moment is followed by a period of joy and happiness.

Question 8.
What do the ‘Hemlock’ tree and ‘Crow’ represent? What does the dust of snow metaphorically stand for ?
Answer:
The poet was going somewhere in a snowy morning. He was upset. All the trees were covered with snow dust. A crow sitting on a hemlock tree shook the tree in such a way that some dust of snow fell on the poet. This changed his mood and he became happy and relaxed.

Question 9.
Narrate a similar experience of your life when nature intervened and changed your mood. Discuss.
Answer:
Normally, people thought both crow and hemlock tree are auspicious. But when the dust of snow from hemlock tree fell on poet, he took it in other way. He was depressed and sorrowful but the moment the crow shook the hemlock tree and dust of snow fell on him, he felt unburdened and relieved.

Question 10.
What is a “Dust of Snow”? What does the poet say has changed his mood? How has the poet’s mood changed?
Answer:
A ‘Dust of Snow” means the fine particles of snow. This ‘Dust of Snow” changed the poet’s mood. The poet’s mood changed from that of dismay to joy. He was holding the day in regret when this dust of snow fell on him and this simple little thing brought him some joy.

Question 11.
How does Frost present nature in this poem? The following questions may help you to think of an answer.
(i) What are the birds that are usually named in poems? Do you think a crow is often mentioned in poems? What images come to your mind when you think of a crow?
(ii) Again, what is “a hemlock tree”? Why doesn’t the poet write about a more ‘beautiful’ tree such as
a maple, or an oak, or a pine?
(iii) What do the ‘crow’ and ‘hemlock’ represent—joy or sorrow? What does the dust of snow that the crow shakes off a hemlock tree stand for?
Answer:
Robert Frost has represented nature in quite an unconventional manner. While in other nature poems we come across birds such as nightingales or sparrows, Frost has used a crow in this poem. A crow can be associated with something dark, black, and foreboding. That is why, other poets usually mention singing nightingales or beautiful white doves in their poems.

Also, the poet has written about a hemlock tree, which is a poisonous tree. He has not written about a more beautiful tree such as a maple, an oak or a pine tree because these trees symbolize beauty and happiness. Robert Frost wanted to symbolize the feelings of sadness and regret, which is why he has used a hemlock tree.

The crow and the hemlock tree represent sorrow. The dust of snow that is shaken off the hemlock tree by the crow stands for joy that Robert Frost experiences. He has, therefore, used an unconventional tree and bird in order to contrast them with joy in the form of snow.

Question 12
Have there been times when you felt depressed or hopeless? Have you experienced a similar moment that changed your mood that day?
Answer:
The teacher may encourage the students to narrate any incident that changed their mood e.g. a sight of dead animal, a scene of accident, treatment of some animals on the way, a funeral procession, etc.

Dust of Snow Extra Questions and Answers Reference to Context

Read the stanza and answer the questions that follow:

Question 1.
The way a crow
Shook down on me
The dust of snow
From a hemlock tree.

(i) Name the poem and poet.
(ii) Where was the crow?
(iii) What did the crow do?
(iv) What does a “hemlock tree’ represent?
Answer:
(i) These lines have been taken from the poem “Dust of Snow” composed by Robert Frost.
(ii) The crow was on the hemlock tree.
(iii) The crow shook the tree is such a way that the dust of snow fell on the poet.
(iv) A hemlock tree is a poisonous tree. It is not considered auspicious. It represents sorrow.

Question 2.
Has given my heart
A change of mood
And saved some part
Of a day I had rued.

(i) Who is ‘I’ in these lines
(ii) What changed the mood of the poet?
(iii) What did the poet decide?
(iv) What was the mood of the poet before and after the incident?
Answer:
(i) ‘I’is the poet himself here.
(ii) The poet’s mood changed when the dust of snow from the hemlock tree fell down on the poet.
(iii) The poet decided to save rest of the day so that there is no harm or sorrow for him.
(iv) The poet was in depressive mood before the incident and after the incident the poet was in enjoyable mood.

Here we are providing The Proposal Extra Questions and Answers Class 10 English First Flight, Extra Questions for Class 10 English was designed by subject expert teachers.

The Proposal Extra Questions and Answers Class 10 English First Flight

The Proposal Extra Questions and Answers Very Short Answer Type

Question 1.
Why did Lomov visit Chubukov?
Answer:
Lomov visited Chubukov’s house to propose to Natalaya.

Question 2.
What does Chubukov suspect?
Answer:
Chubukov suspects that Lomov has come to borrow money from him.

Question 3.
What does Lomov think about Natalaya?
Answer:
He thinks that Natalaya is an excellent housekeeper, not bad looking, and well-educated.

Question 4.
How old was Lomov?
Answer:
Lomov was already thirty-five years old.

Question 5.
Where was the Oxen Meadows situated?
Answer:
Oxen Meadows were wedged in between Chubukov’s Birchwoods and the Burnt Marsh.

Question 6.
What does Natalaya guess on seeing Lomov?
Answer:
She thinks that he is perhaps going to a ball for dancing.

Question 7.
Why is Lomov not able to answer properly?
Answer:
Lomov is nervous and confused as he is going to propose to Natalya, so he is not able to answer properly.

Question 8.
What does Natalaya say about Oxen Meadows?
Answer:
Natalaya says that Oxen Meadows belong to her.

Question 9.
What does Lomov say on his part?
Answer:
Lomov says that Natalaya can see from the documents.

Question 10.
Who is a land grabber?
Answer:
A land grabber is a person who grabs the land of others.

Question 11.
What threatening was given by Lomov?
Answer:
Lomov told him to go to the court for a decision.

Question 12.
What is the last threatening to Lomov?
Answer:
Chubukov warned Lomov never to set foot in his house again.

Question 13.
What was felt by Lomov?
Answer:
Lomov felt heart-palpitation.

Question 14.
How does Chubukov behave in the end?
Answer:
Chubukov gives Lomov’s hand into Natalaya’s hands and advises them for a kiss.

Question 15.
Write down the final advice of Chubukov?
Answer:
Chubukov advised Natalaya and Lomov to start their family bliss.

The Proposal Extra Questions and Answers Short Answer Type

Question 1.
What is the play “The Proposal”?
Answer:
The play “The Proposal’ is about Lomov’s visit to his neighbor’s Chubukov house. Lomov is wearing a formal dress. He has come with the intention of making a marriage proposal to Chubukov’s daughter, Natalaya.

Question 2.
What does Lomov think when he is alone?
Answer:
Lomov thinks that Natalaya is an excellent housekeeper, not bad looking, well educated. It is impossible for him not to marry. In the first place, he is already thirty-five. He ought to lead a quiet and regular life. He suffers from palpitations. He is excitable and always getting upset. There are some other problems too which trouble him.

Question 3.
Why does Lomov wish to propose to Natalaya?
Answer:
Lomov wishes to propose to Natalaya because he feels she is an excellent housekeeper, not bad looking, and is also well-educated. Moreover he feels that he is already thirty-five, which is a critical age and he ought to lead a regular and settled life.

Question 4.
Justify, in brief, the title of the play “The Proposal”.
Answer:
The title of the play “The Proposal” is apt. Lomov comes to Chubukov’s house to propose to his daughter. He talks to Chubukov about his intention and the old man is very happy to have Lomov as the husband of this ageing daughter. When Natalaya comes and there begins an argument. It reminds us of a married couple.

Question 5.
Who is Lomov? Why does he visit Chubukov?
Answer:
Lomov was a young wealthy landowner and an unmarried man of thirty-five. He was anxious to get married as he had already reached a critical age. So he decided to propose Natalaya, a girl of twenty-five years old. He visited Chubukov to ask for his daughter Natalaya’s hand in marriage.

Question 6.
How does Natalaya react when she comes to know that Lomov had come to propose for her hand?
Answer:
When she knows that Lomov came to propose to her, she starts weeping. She calls her father to bring him back at once. He has gone out after the quarrel. She also accuses Chubukov that he drove Lomov out. She becomes hysterical.

Question 7.
What makes Chubukov misunderstand the purpose of Lomov’s visit?
Answer:
Chubukov misunderstands that Lomov has come to borrow money. He does not reveal his purpose of coming directly instead he says that he has come to trouble him with a request for help.

The Proposal Extra Questions and Answers Long Answer Type

Question 1.
Neighbours must have a cordial relationship that Lomov and Natalaya do not have. Describe/ Justify/ Explain the first fight between them.
Answer:
Neighbours must have a cordial relationship but in the case of Lomov and Natalaya, it was different. Lomov and Natalaya were rich people. They were wealthy people and had a competition between them on the subject of wealth. Both were neighbours. Lomov, at a critical age of thirty-five, thought that he had to marry and found Natalaya not bad looking, an excellent housekeeper. So he decided to propose to her.

Lomov, in a well-dressed manner, wearing coat and gloves, one evening went to Chubukov’s house. Chubukov was Natalaya’s father. When he came there and said that he wanted a help, the help which could only be done by him. Chubukov, for first time suspected that he had come for asking money. But after a long struggling and shivering, Lomov uncovers his need. He had come to propose to Natalaya. Chubukov was mistaken and he was filled with extreme joy and called Natalaya. Lomov asked then, whether Natalaya would agree for it or not. Then, Chubukov said that, she would be ready to accept it because she was a lovesick cat.

When Natalaya arrived, she actually did not know that Lomov had come to propose to her. They started talking and when they were talking about land, Lomov stated “Our Oxen Meadows”. Then Natalaya said, “Our Oxen Meadows”, it is not your Oxen Meadows’, it is their. Lomov did not agree. But Natalaya initiated a heated argument. By arguing with each other, they did not solve any problem. They got trapped in a long argument just because of their lack of tolerance towards each other and their desire to keep their pride. Neighbours must have a cordial relationship which Lomov and Natalaya do not have.

Question 2.
Anton Chekov has used humour and exaggeration in the play to comment on courtship in his times. Illustrate with examples from the lesson, “The Proposal”. Also mention the values, you think, any healthy relationship requires.
OR
The principle ‘forgive and forget’ helps a lot is maintaining cordial relations with our neighbours. Do you think Chubukov conveys this message in the play “The Proposal’.
Answer:
Lomov and Natalaya meet for a serious purpose , i.e., to talk about marriage that decides the progress of one’s life as a member of the conventionally established society. But the purpose of their meeting gets lost on two consecutive occasions because Lomov’s faith in the values of his society disrupts his approach to the topic of marriage. He learns that the girl and her father like him, but, instead of proposing to marry her and discussing how their marriage should be organised, he goes on to talk about properties, relations, family histories, and pets, draws them into an unnecessary argument, and antagonises both of them.

Finally, Chubukov marries Lomov and Natasha by force before another problem crops up. Thus the play ends in a comic note, just because the couple gets together with their father to celebrate their marriage while the dispute over the pets is still continuing. For any healthy relationship there should be mutual understanding and respect. Quarreling over trivial issues like dog cannot guarantee longevity of a relationship.

Question 3.
Is Natalaya really a lovesick cat as called by her father? If it is so, why does she quarrel with Lomov?
Answer:
Natalaya was a young unmarried girl of twenty five years. She lived in the neighbourhood of Lomov, a young unmarried man. She was an excellent housekeeper and was not bad looking. She wanted love in her life. Her father called her a lovesick cat. Lomov said that she was well educated, but she did not seem to be so.

She was very quarrelsome and abusive by nature. She began a bitter quarrel with Lomov over a piece of land that had little value. She said that those meadows were not much worth to her but she could not stand unfairness. But when she learnt that Lomov had come to propose to her, she forgot all fairness and unfairness.

She began to wail over the lost chance. She forced her father to call him back. But in no time, she started quarrelling with him again. It was on their dogs. Both claimed their respective dogs to be of a superior breed.

Question 4.
What type of person is Natalaya? Give two examples to show her quarrelsome nature.
Answer:
Natalaya is also rather hypocritical, and she is obstinate and argumentative. When Natalaya first
enters the room, she greets Lomov with warmth and is very gracious as she permits him to smoke and compliments him upon his appearance. However, when Lomov speaks of “my meadows,” she abruptly interrupts and contradicts him. An argument then ensures over who own what land.

Even when Lomov offers them to her as a gift, she continues to insist upon her ownership of them in the first place, reigniting the argument until Lomov leaves. When her father finally reveals to Natalaya that Lomov has actually come to propose marriage; she is infuriated, blaming her father for causing the neighbour to depart.

Question 5.
The principle ‘Forgive and Forget’ helps a lot in maintaining cordial relations with our neighbours. Do you think the author proves this message in the play “The Proposal”?
Answer:
Life is a journey which is often compared to the roller coaster ride. It means life is full of ifs and buts and ups and down. But the path of life can be smoothened by virtues of our actions, attitudes and behaviour. And the principle of forgive and forget comes from these virtues. Letting go of anger and bitterness can work wonders both for our attitude and for our health.

Anger may spoil anything like poison. One cannot afford to remain wallowing in the marsh of anger’or sad feelings. Life has to move on and if one wants to get ahead one has to imbibe “forgive and forget”. Only sensitive and great people can follow this gospel.

In the present play “The Proposal” we find that Lomov visits the house of Chubukov with a proposal to marry his daughter Natalaya. Chubukov’s joy knows no bound to hear this. But in course of their common talk, they pick up nonsensical issue and stand fighting and abusing each other.

Even Natalaya also jumps into the ring of verbal quarrel. When things become normal after the sudden departure of Lomov, Natalaya comes to know about the proposal, She asks her father to call Lomov back. When he comes back this time he and Natalaya starts abusing each other and have heated oral fight over dogs. But in the end, they compromise, they forget their issue and forgive each other. The proposal changes into marriage. Hence we see that the principle helped them unite.

Question 6.
What does Chubukov at first suspect that Lomov had come for? Is he sincere when he later
says, “And I’ve always loved you, my angel, as if you were my own son”? Find reasons for your answer from the play.
Answer:
Chubukov has often helped Lomov with money whenever he requested for it. So he thinks and suspects that Lomov will ask for money. But this time the case is different. He requests a proposal to get Natalaya’s hand for marriage. Since long, Chubukov wanted match for his daughter. Finding fact in his favour, Chubukov changes and uses sweet words and becomes ready for the match.

Question 7.
Chubukov says of Natalaya, “… as if she won’t consent! She’s in love; egad, she’s like a lovesick cat…” Would you agree? Find reasons for your answer.
Answer:
In reality Natalaya has got the fittest age for the marriage. She wants a life partner. On the other hand, Chubukov also desires that his daughter should be married. Lomov is the most suitable match in every respect. In order to say something outwardly, Chubukov happens to pour out these words. It is an acceptable fact that Natalaya loves Lomov from the core of her heart.

Question 8.
(i) Find all the words and expressions in the play that the characters use to speak about
each other, and the accusations and insults they hurl at each other. (For example, Lomov in the end calls Chubukov an intriguer; but earlier, Chubukov has himself called Lomov a “malicious, doublefaced intriguer. Again, Lomov begins by describing Natalaya as “an excellent housekeeper, not bad looking, well-educated.)
(ii) Then think of five adjectives or adjectival expressions of your own to describe each character in the play.
(iii) Can you now imagine what these characters will quarrel about next?
Answer:
(i) There are so many words and expressions that the characters use, to accuse and insult each other.
Some can be given as under. Chubukov calls Lomov: pettifogger, lunatic, drunkard, guzzling gambler, backbiters, villain, scarecrow, blind hen, stuffed-sausage, wizen-faced frump, turnip ghost. Lomov calls Chubukov and his family members: hump-backed, grabber.

(ii) Adjectival expression: Some of the adjectives can be thought as under: proud, industrious, treasure, darling, love, decent, well-educated, sensible and lovable, etc.

(iii) Natalaya, the daughter of Chubukov has got hand of Lomov. Both embrace and kiss each other. Chubukov blesses them to start a family. But like a lie, a Quarrel can be done on any issue.

The Proposal Extra Questions and Answers Reference to Context

Read the following passages and answer the questions that follow:

Question 1.
Chubukov: We just get along somehow, my angel, thanks to your prayers, and so on. Sit down, please do… Now you know, you shouldn’t forget all about your neighbours, my darling. Me dear fellow, why are you so formal in your get-up! Evening dress, gloves, and so on. Can you be going anywhere, my treasure?
(i) Who is the speaker?
(ii) Who do ‘my darling’ and ‘my Angel’ refer to?
(iii) Do you think Chubukov means all the nice words he speaks?
(iv) What is antonym of‘formal’?
Answer:
(i) Chubukov is the speaker of these lines.
(ii) ‘My darling’ and ‘ my angel’ refer to Lomov.
(iii) Not at all, he is a bit hypocritical and shows excess hospitality to Lomov.
(iv) ‘informal’.

Question 2.
Lomov: Well, you see, it’s like this. (Takes his arm) I’ve come to you, honoured Stepan Stepanovitch, to trouble you with a request. Not once or twice have I already had the privilege of applying to you for help, and you have always, so to speak… I must ask your pardon, I am getting excited. I shall drink some water, honoured Stepan Stepanovitch.
(i) Who is the speaker?
(ii) What was he hoping for?
(iii) Why is he so excited?
(iv) Pick out the word from the passage that means the same as ‘opportunity’.
Answer:
(i) Lomov is the speaker of these lines.
(ii) He was hoping for marriage proposal for Natalaya.
(iii) He is excited because he had to propose to his daughter, Natalaya.
(iv) ‘privilege’.

Question 3.
Chubukov: [Interrupting] Me dear fellow… I’m so glad, and so on… Yes, indeed, and all that sort of thing. [Embraces and kisses Lomov] I’ve been hoping for it for a long time. It’s been my continual desire. [Sheds a tear] And I’ve always loved you, my angel, as if you were my own son. May god give you both—His help and His love and so on, and so much hope… What am I behaving in this idiotic way for? I’m off my balance with joy, absolutely off my balance! Oh, with all my soul… I’ll go and call Natasha, and all that.
(i) Who is the speaker?
(ii) What was he hoping for?
(iii) Why is he excited?
(iv) What does the speaker wish for the listener?
Answer:
(i) Chubukov is the speaker of these lines.
(ii) Chubukov was hoping for the marriage proposal for his daughter from Lomov.
(iii) Chubukov is excited because Lomov had come with marriage proposal for his daughter.
(iv) Chubukov wishes for Lomov that God may give him His help and His love.

Question 4.
Lomov: It’s cold… I’m trembling all over, just as if I’d got an examination before me. The great thing is, I must have my mind made up. If I give myself time to think, to hesitate, to talk a lot, to look for an ideal, or for real love, then I’ll never get married. Brr… It’s cold! Natalaya Stepanovna is an excellent housekeeper, not bad-looking, well-educated. What more do I want? But I’m getting a noise in my ears from excitement.
(i) Who is the speaker?
(ii) Who is feeling cold her?
(iii) Why did he feel cold?
(iv) Pick out the word from passage that means the same as ‘to decide’.
Answer:
(i) Lomov is the speaker of these lines.
(ii) Lomov is feeling cold here.
(iii) He feels cold as he has come to propose Natalaya. He is not sure how she would react.
(iv) ‘Mind made up’ means to decide.

Question 5.
Natalya: Then smoke. Here are the matches. The weather is splendid now, but yesterday it was so wet that the workmen didn’t do anything all day. How much hay have you stacked? Just think, I felt greedy and had a whole field cut, and now I’m not at all pleased about it because I’m afraid my hay may rot. I ought to have waited a bit. But what’s this? Why, you’re in evening dress! Well, I never! Are you going to a ball or what? Though I must say you look better… Tell me, why are you got up like that?
(i) Who is speaking these words and to whom?
(ii) Why is she not pleased?
(iii) What does she offer him?
(iv) Pick out the word from the passage that means the same as ‘managed in a pile’.
Answer:
(i) Natalaya is speaking these words to Lomov.
(ii) Natalaya is not pleased because she thinks her hay might rot. She had a whole field cut and hay stacked but unfortunately it had rained the previous day.
(iii) She offers him a cigarette to smoke.
(iv) ‘stacked’.

Question 6.
Lomov: I shall try to be brief. You must know, honoured Natalaya Stepanovna, that I have long, since my childhood, in fact had the privilege of knowing your family. My late aunt and her husband, from whom, as you know, I inherited my land, always had the greatest respect for your father and your late mother. The Lomovs and the Chubukovs have always had the most friendly, and I might almost say the most affectionate, regard for each other. And, as you know, my land is a near neighbour of yours. You will remember that my Oxen Meadows touch your birchwoods.
(i) Who is the speaker?
(ii) Who is being addressed?
(iii) What type of relations they had in the past?
(iv) What is common between the Lomovs and Chubukovs?
Answer:
(i) Lomov is the speaker of these lines.
(ii) Lomov is being addressed to Natalaya.
(iii) They had good relations in the past. Both the families had respect and affection for each other.
(iv) Lomov’s Oxen Meadows touch Chubukov’s birchwoods.

Question 7.
Lomov: …Oxep Meadows, it’s true, were once the subject of dispute, but now everybody knows that they are mine. There’s nothing to argue about. You see my aunt’s grandmother gave the free use of these Meadows in perpetuity to the peasants of your father’s grandfather, in return for which they were to make bricks for her. The peasants belonging to your father’s grandfather had the free use of the Meadows for forty years, and had got into the habit of regarding them as their own, when it happened that.
(i) Who is the speaker of these lines?
(ii) What are they arguing about?
(iii) Who gave the Meadows and to whom?
(iv) What were they supposed to do?
Answer:
(i) Lomov is the speaker of these lines.
(ii) They are arguing about the ownership of the Oxen Meadows.
(iii) The Oxen Meadows were given by Lomov’s aunt’s grandmother to the peasants belonging to Chubukov’s father.
(iv) They were supposed to make bricks for her aunty.

Question 8.
Natalya: No you’re simply joking, or making fun of me. What a surprise! We’ve had the land for nearly three hundred years, and then we’re suddenly told that it isn’t ours! Ivan Vassilevitch, I can hardly believe my own ears. These Meadows aren’t worth much to me. They only come to five dessiatins, and are worth perhaps 300 roubles, but I can’t stand unfairness. Say what you will, I can’t stand unfairness.(Page 148)
(i) Who is the speaker? Who is being addressed?
(ii) How much are the Meadows worth.
(iii) What does she find ‘unfair’?
(iv) Pick out the word from the passage that means opposite to ‘gradually’.
Answer:
(i) Natalaya is the speaker. She is speaking to Lomov.
(ii) The Meadows are worth 300 roubles.
(iii) Natalaya finds Lomov claim that Oxen Meadows are his as unfair.
(iv) ‘suddenly’.

Question 9.
Natalya: Ours! You can go on proving it for two days on end, you can go and put on fifteen caress jackets, but I tell you they’re ours, ours, ours! I don’t want anything of yours and I don’t want to give anything of mine. So there!
(i) Who is speaking these words and to whom?
(ii) What are they arguing over?
(iii) Pick out the word from the passage that means the same as “confirm”.
(iv) What does the speaker offer to prove two days on end?
Answer:
(i) Natalaya is speaking these words for Lomov.
(ii) They are arguing over the ownership of Oxen Meadows.
(iii) ‘prove’(PROVE)
(iv) The Natalya offer to prove for two days on end to ownership of oxen meadows.

Question 10.
Natalya: I can make you a present of them myself, because they’re mine! Your behaviour, Ivan Vassilevitch, is strange, to say the least! Up to this we have always thought of you as a good neighbour, a friend; last year we lent you our threshing-machine, although on that account we had to put off our own threshing till November, but you behave to us as if we were gypsies. Giving me my own land, indeed! No, really, that’s not at all neighbourly! In my opinion, it’s even impudent, if you want to know.
(i) Who is the speaker?
(ii) Who is being addressed?
(iii) What does the speaker offer?
(iv) What does the speaker remind the listener?
Answer:
(i) Natalaya is the speaker.
(ii) Natalaya is addressing Lomov.
(iii) She offers that she can give Lomov her Oxen Meadows as a gift.
(iv) She reminds Lomov that they were good friends and her family gave him their threshing machine last year.

Question 11.
Lomov: But, please, Stepan Stepanovitch, how can they be yours? Do be a reasonable man! My aunt’s grandmother gave the Meadows for the temporary and free use of your grandfather’s peasants. The peasants used the land for forty years and got accustomed to it as if it was their own, when it happened that…
(i) Who is the speaker?
(ii) Who is being addressed?
(iii) What do ‘They’ stand for?
(iv) Pick out the word from the passage that means the same as “familiar”.
Answer:
(i) Lomov is the speaker of these lines.
(ii) Lomov is addressing Chubukov.
(iii) ‘They’ refer to the ‘Meadows’. Each one is trying to prove that the Meadows belong to them.
(iv) ‘accustomed’.

Question 12.
Natalya: There’s some demon of contradiction in you today, Ivan Vassilevitch. First you pretend that the Meadows are yours; now, that Guess is better than Squeezer. I don’t like people who don’t say what they mean, because you know perfectly well that Squeezer is a hundred times better than your silly Guess. Why do you want to say he isn’t?
(i) What does Natalaya blame Lomov for?
(ii) What do Natalaya and Lomov first argue about?
(iii) Who are Guess and Squeezer?
(iv) Pick out the word from the passage that means the same as “opposition”.
Answer:
(i) Natalaya blames Lomov for opposing whatever she says.
(ii) Natalaya and Lomov first argue about the ownership of Oxen Meadows.
(iii) Guess and Squeezer are the names of their dogs.
(iv) ‘contradiction’.

Question 13.
Chubukov: It’s not true! My dear fellow, I’m very liable to lose my temper, and so, just because of that, let’s stop arguing. You started because everybody is always jealous of everybody else’s dogs. Yes, we’re all like that! You too, sir, aren’t blameless! You no sooner begin with this, that and the other, and all that… I remember everything!
(i) Who is the speaker of these lines?
(ii) Who give this advice to whom?
(iii) Who is not blameless? Why?
(iv) Pick out the synonym of innocent or guiltless’ from the passage.
Answer:
(i) Chubukov is the speaker of these lines.
(ii) Chubukov gives this advice to Lomov.
(iii) According the Chubukov, Lomov is not blameless because he had tried to prove that Guess, his dog is superior to Squeezer.
(iv) blameless.

Here we are providing The Sermon at Benares Extra Questions and Answers Class 10 English First Flight, Extra Questions for Class 10 English was designed by subject expert teachers.

The Sermon at Benares Extra Questions and Answers Class 10 English First Flight

The Sermon at Benares Extra Questions and Answers Very Short Answer Type

Question 1.
What was the original name of the Buddha?
Answer:
The original name of the Buddha was Siddhartha Gautama.

Question 2.
What did Siddhartha study in school?
Answer:
Siddhartha was sent away to school to study the sacred Hindu scriptures.

Question 3.
What did Siddhartha see at the age of twenty-five?
Answer:
At the age of twenty-five, he saw a sickman, an aged man, a funeral procession and a monk begging.

Question 4.
Where did Siddhartha get enlightened?
Answer:
Siddhartha got enlightened under a peepal tree after seven days.

Question 5.
Why was the tree renamed as‘Bodhi Tree’?
Answer:
The Buddha got wisdom under the tree. So it was renamed ‘Bodhi tree’.

Question 6.
What was the problem of Gotami?
Answer:
Gotami’s son had died. She wanted him to live again.

Question 7.
What did she see in the city?
Answer:
She watched the light of the city.

Question 8.
What did she learn from the flickering of lights?
Answer:
She learnt that the fate of men is just like the city lights that flickered and extinguished again and again.

Question 9.
Who is being addressed by the Buddha?
Answer:
The people of Benares were being addressed by the Buddha.

Question 10.
What did he say about life of mortals?
Answer:
Buddha said that all mortals have to die.

Question 11.
What is inevitable?
Answer:
Death is inevitable.

Question 12.
What have the life and death of the man been compared to?
Answer:
The life and death are being seen and compared with the ripe fruits which have to fall.

The Sermon at Benares Extra Questions and Answers Short Answer Type

Question 1.
How did Gautama came to be known as the Buddha?
Answer:
Siddhartha Gautama wandered for seven years and finally sat down under a Peepal tree till he got enlightenment. After seven days of enlightenment, he renamed the ‘Bodhi Tree’ and began to teach and to share his new understanding and came to be known as the Buddha.

Question 2.
Why did prince Siddhartha leave the palace and became a beggar?
Answer:
While out hunting prince Siddhartha chanced upon a sick man, an aged man and then a funeral procession and he also saw a monk begging. He realised that world is full of sorrow so he left the palace in the search of enlightenment.

Question 3.
How did Buddha get enlightenment?
Answer:
Siddhartha Gautama wandered for seven years and finally sat down under a Peepal tree till he got enlightenment. After seven days of enlightenment, he renamed the ‘Bodhi Tree’ and began to teach and to share his new understanding and came to be known as the Buddha.

Question 4.
Why did the Buddha choose Benares to preach his first sermon?
Answer:
The Buddha preached his first sermon at the city of Benares. This city is regarded as the most holy of the dipping places of the River Ganga. That sermon has been preserved. It reflects the Buddha’s wisdom about one kind of suffering which cannot be understood.

Question 5.
What did Kisa Gotami say to Buddha? What reply did he give to her?
Answer:
Kisa Gotami went to the Buddha and asked him to give her the medicine to make her son alive. The Buddha asked her to bring him a handful of mustard seed. It should be brought from a house where no one had died.

Question 6.
Why was Kisa Gotami sad? What did she do in her grief?
Answer:
Kisa Gotami’s only son died and she was full of grief. She carried the dead son to all her neighbours. She asked them for medicine so that her son can be alive again. The people remarked that she had lost her senses.

Question 7.
What did Kisa Gotami do after the Buddha had asked her for a handful of mustard seed?
Answer:
Kisa Gotami went from house to house to get a handful of mustard seed. People gave her the mustard
seed. But when she asked if anyone had died in their family, they regretfully told her that the livings were few, but the deads were many. Kisa Gotami found no house where someone had not died.

Question 8.
What did the Buddha want to explain to Kisa Gotami?
Answer:
The Buddha wanted to explain to Kisa Gotami that man cannot get peace of mind by grieving. On the contrary, his pain will be greater and his body will suffer. He will make himself sick and pale. A man who overcomes all sorrows will be free from sorrow and will be blessed.

Question 9.
Why did Kisa Gotami go from house to house?
Answer:
Kisa Gotami was a lady who lived in Benares. Her only son had died and she could not’bear it. She went from house to house to cure his dead son. Someone told him about the Buddha and she reached him to cure his dead son.

Question 10.
What was the basic idea of the Buddha’s preaching?
Answer:
The basic idea of the Buddha’s preaching was that death is the ultimate truth of life. It is that every living being has to die one day. No one can escape from death. Grief cannot console anyone. We must accept this universal truth.

The Sermon at Benares Extra Questions and Answers Long Answer Type

Question 1.
What is the nature of the life of the human beings according to the Buddha?
Answer:
The life of mortals in this world is troubled and brief. It is combined with pain. Nobody can avoid dying. After reaching old age, there is death. Such is the nature of human beings. Just as ripe fruits are in danger of falling; so mortals are in danger of death. As all earthen vessels after a certain period of time break, so is the life of mortals. All have to die. Only he can get peace of mind who does not lament, complain and grieve. He who has overcome sorrow will be free from sorrow, and be blessed.

Question 2.
How did Gautam Buddha get enlightenment? Explain with reference to the story.
Answer:
Siddhartha Gautama was a prince who was protected from the sufferings of the world. At the age of twenty-five, he came across a sick man, an aged man, a funeral procession and a monk begging for alms. These sights moved him so much that he went out into the world to seek enlightenment concerning the sorrows he had witnessed. Siddhartha wandered for seven years and finally sat down under a Peepal tree.

He vowed to stay there until enlightenment came. Being enlightened after seven days, he renamed the tree the Bodhi Tree, the Tree of Wisdom. Thereafter he began to teach and share his new understanding. At that point he became to be known as the Buddha. He preached his first sermon at the holy city of Benares.

Question 3.
Why and how did Siddhartha Gautama become the Buddha?
Answer:
Gautama Buddha was born as a prince named Siddhartha Gautama in northern India. At the age of twelve, he was sent away for learning the Hindu sacred scriptures. Four years later he returned home to marry a princess. They had a son and lived for ten years as befitted royalty. Upto the age of twenty-five, the prince was shielded from the sufferings of the world.

Then while going out for hunting, he came across by chance a sick man, an aged man, a funeral procession, and finally a monk begging for alms. These sights moved the prince so much that he went out into the world to seek a state of high spiritual knowledge concerning the sorrows of human beings. He wandered for seven years and finally sat down under a peepal tree. He got enlightenment after seven days. After that he came to be known as the Buddha.

Question 4.
How did Buddha make Kisa Gotami understand about the reality of death?
OR
What lesson on death and suffering did the Buddha teach Gotami in the chapter. The Sermon at Benaras’.
Answer:
Kisa Gotami’s only son had died. In her grief she carried the dead child to all her neighbours, asking them for medicine. Then a man suggested her to go to Sakyamuni, the Buddha. Kisa Gotami requested Gautama Buddha to give her the medicine that would cure her son.

The Buddha replied that he wanted a handful of mustard-seed which must be taken from a house where no one had lost a child, husband, parent or friend. Kisa Gotami went from house to house. People pitied her but she could not find any house where near and dear one had not died. She thought how selfish she had been in her grief. She realised that death is common to all human beings.

Question 5.
“The World is afflicted with death and decay, therefore the wise do not grieve, knowing the. terms of the world”. Explain with reference to the story “The Sermon at Benares”.
Answer:
According to Gautama Buddha, the world is affected by sufferings, disease or pain, death and decay. Therefore, the wise persons do not mourn, knowing the terms of the world. Nobody can get peace of mind from weeping or mourning. Rather his pain will be greater and his body will suffer. He will make himself sick and pale, yet the dead cannot be saved from his expression of sorrow. He who seeks peace should “draw out the arrow” of lamentation, complaint and grief. In this manner, she who has become composed will obtain peace of mind. He who has overcome all sorrow will become free from sorrow, and be blessed.

Question 6.
In ‘The Sermon at Benares’, the Buddha preached that death is inevitable and we need to overcome the suffering and pain that follows. Discuss.
Answer:
It is very painful to lose someone or something we love. When we lose someone it is a great emotional suffering. The more we grieve over death, the more painful it will be for us. Death is always unwelcome. We must realize that we are all mortals and death is common to all. We may lament and cry but we cannot bring dead back to life. All the riches of the world cannot bring life back. We must realize that death is common to all rich or poor. Those who have overcome sorrow will become free from sorrow and are blessed.

The Sermon at Benares Extra Questions and Answers Reference to Context

Read the following passages and answer the questions that follow:

Question 1.
Gautama Buddha (563 B.C – 483 B.C.) began life as a prince named Siddhartha Gautama, in northern India. At twelve, he was sent away for schooling in the Hindu sacred scriptures and four years later he returned home to marry a princess. They had a son and lived for ten years as befitted royalty. At about the age of twenty-five, the Prince, heretofore shielded from the sufferings of the world, while out hunting chanced upon a sick him, then an aged man, then a funeral procession, and finally a monk begging for alms. These sights so moved him that he at once went out into the world to seek enlightenment concerning the sorrows he had witnessed.
(i) How did Gautam Buddha begin his life?
(ii) For how long did he live as a prince?
(iii) How did it change his life?
(iv) Pick out the word from the passage that means same as—‘a person who belongs to the family of a king or queen’.
Answer:
(i) Gautam Buddha began his life as a prince, named Siddhartha Gautama.
(ii) He lived as a prince for about twenty five years.
(iii) He was moved deeply by the sorrow he had witnessed. He at once became a beggar and went out into the world to seek enlightenment.
(iv) ‘royal’.

Question 2.
He wandered for seven years and finally sat down under a peepal tree, where he vowed to stay until enlightenment came. Enlightened after seven days, he renamed the tree the Bodhi Tree (Tree of Wisdom) and began to teach and to share his new understandings. At that point he became known as the Buddha (the Awakened or the Enlightened). The Buddha preached his first sermon at the city of Benares, 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.
(i) Why did he wander?
(ii) Where did he get enlightened?
(iii) Why was the tree renamed as “Bodhi Tree’?
(iv) Pick out the word from the passage that means the same as—“religious talk”.
Answer:
(i) He wandered for seven years in search of knowledge.
(ii) He got enlightened after seven days under a fig peepal.
(iii) The tree was renamed ‘Bodhi Tree’. ‘Bodhi tree’ stands for the tree of wisdom. The Buddha got wisdom under that tree.
(iv) ‘sermon’.

Question 3.
Kisa Gotami had an only son, and he died. In her grief she carried the dead child to all her neighbours, asking them for medicine, and the people said, “She has lost her senses. The boy is dead.”At length, Kisa Gotami met a man who replied to her request, “I cannot give thee medicine for thy child, but I know a physician who can.”And the girl said, “Pray tell me, sir; who is it?” And the man replied, “Go to Sakyamuni, the Buddha.” Kisa Gotami repaired to the Buddha and cried, “Lord and Master, give me the medicine that will cure my boy.” The Buddha answered, “I want a handful of mustard-seed.” And when the girl in her joy promised to procure it, the Buddha added. “The mustard-seed must be taken from a house where no one has lost a child, husband, parent or friend.”
(i) What had happened to Kisa Gotami?
(ii) What did the people remark?
(iii) What did Buddha ask the girl for?
(iv) Pick out the word from the passage that means the same as—‘went to’.
Answer:
(i) Kisa Gotami was grieved at the death of her only son.
(ii) The people remarked that she had lost her senses.
(iii) The Buddha asked the girl to procure mustard seed from a house where no one had died before.
(iv) ‘repaired’.

Question 4.
Poor Kisa Gotami now went from house to house, and the people pitied her and said, “Here is mustard- seed; take it!” But when she asked, “Did a son or daughter, a father or mother, die in your family?” they answered her, “Alas! the living are few, but the dead are many. Do not remind us of our deepest grief.” And there was no hopse but some beloved one had died in it.
(i) Why did Kisa Gotami go from house to house?
(ii) What response did she get?
(iii) Pick out the word from the passage that means same as—“pain”.
(iv) Was Kisa Gotami awe to bring mustard-seed from any house?
Answer:
(i) Kisa Gotami went from house to house to get the mustard seeds.
(ii) She got the negative response about the mustard seeds. She couldn’t find a house where no one had died.
(iii) ‘grief.
(iv) No, she could not bring mustard-seed.

Question 5.
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. And she considered the fate of men, that their lives flicker up and are extinguished again. And she thought to herself, “How selfish am I in my grief! Death is common to all; yet in this valley of desolation there is a path that leads him to immortality who has surrendered all selfishness.”
(i) Why was Kisa Gotami hopeless?
(ii) Why did she sit down at the wayside?
(iii) What did she see in the city?
(iv) Pick out the word from the passage that means the same as—an area which is filled with deep sorrow’.
Answer:
(i) Kisa Gotami was hopeless because the Buddha asked her to bring mustard-seed from a house where nobody had died before.
(ii) She sat down at the wayside because she had become weary and hopeless.
(iii) She watched the light of the city. The lights flickered up and extinguished again and again.
(iv) “valley of desolation’.

Question 6.
The Buddha said, “The life of mortals in this world is troubled and brief and combined with pain. For there is not any means by which those that have been born can avoid dying; after reaching old age there is death; of such a nature are living beings. As ripe fruits are early in danger of falling, so morals when born are always in danger of death. As all earthen vessels made by the potter end in being broken, so is the life of mortals. Both young and adult, both those who are fools and those who are wise, all fall into the power of death; all are subject to death. (Pages 134-135)
(i) What did the Buddha say about the life of mortals?
(ii) What cannot be avoided by those that have been born?
(iii) What is inevitable?
(iv) Find the word from the passage that means the same as—‘those bound to die’.
Answer:
(i) The Buddha said that the life of mortals in this world is short, full of troubles and combined with pain.
(ii) Death cannot be avoided by those who have been born.
(iii) Death is inevitable.
(iv) ‘mortals’.

Question 7.
“Of those who, overcome by death, depart from life, a father cannot save his son, nor kinsmen their relations. Mark! while relatives are looking on and lamenting deeply, one by one mortals are carried off, like an ox that is led to the slaughter. So the world is afflicted with death and decay, therefore the wise do not grieve, knowing the terms of the world.
(i) Why did the Buddha give this sermon to Kisa Gotami?
(ii) What is the fate of mortals in the world?
(iii) Why do the wise men not grieve?
(iv) Pick out the word from the passage that means the same as—‘the killing of animals for their meat’.
Answer:
(i) The Buddha gave this sermon to Kisa Gotami to console her because her son had died.
(ii) Mortals are carried off like an ox that is led to the slaughter.
(iii) Due to knowing the terms of the world, the wise men do not grieve.
(iv) ‘slaughter’.

Question 8.
“Not from weeping not from grieving will anyone obtain peace of mind; on the contrary, his pain will be the greater and his body will suffer. He will make himself sick and pale, yet the dead are not saved by his lamentation. He who seeks peace should draw out the arrow of lamentation, and complaint, and grief. He who has drawn out the arrow and has become composed will obtain peace of mind; he who has overcome all sorrow will become free from sorrow, and be blessed.”
(i) Who is the speaker in the above passage?
(ii) How does ‘weeping1 affect a person?
(iii) What should one do to obtain peace?
(iv) Pick out the word from the passage that means same as—‘expression of sorrow’.
Answer:
(i) The Buddha is the speaker in the above passage.
(ii) Weeping and grieving cause pain and suffering. A person who weeps does not obtain peace.
(iii) One should never lament, complain and indulge in grief to obtain peace of mind.
(iv) lamentation.