PROSE
CHAPTER-10 THE GROUND GIVES WAY
1. Answer the following questions:-
a. What was so dangerous about the chalk pit ?
Ans. The chalk pit was dangerous because the ground in the middle could collapse any second and anyone could fall through and get hurt.
b. Who told Barney to stay away from the chalk pit, and when?
Ans. Whenever Barney visited his grandmother, she would warn him to stay away from the chalk pit. His sister too always told him not to go anywhere near it.
Ans. Whenever Barney visited his grandmother, she would warn him to stay away from the chalk pit. His sister too always told him not to go anywhere near it.
c. How was the hole in the chalk made ?
Ans. A man came to dig away the chalk from that side of the hill and that is how the hole was made.
Ans. A man came to dig away the chalk from that side of the hill and that is how the hole was made.
d. What was in the hole now? Why?
Ans. Now the hole was a pit which people were trying to fill up by throwing everything they didn't want into it.
Ans. Now the hole was a pit which people were trying to fill up by throwing everything they didn't want into it.
e. Why does the author call the pit a dump? Find out what this means.
Ans. The author calls the pit a dump because people kept throwing or dumping rubbish into it.
Ans. The author calls the pit a dump because people kept throwing or dumping rubbish into it.
f. Why do you think Barney wished he was at the bottom of the pit?
Ans. Barney wished he was at the bottom of the pit so that he could collect the bits of wreckage that he could see (i.e., a steering wheel of a ship, an old aeroplane and a real bicycle.
Ans. Barney wished he was at the bottom of the pit so that he could collect the bits of wreckage that he could see (i.e., a steering wheel of a ship, an old aeroplane and a real bicycle.
g. How do we know that Barney had been hurt by the fall ?
Ans. We know that Barney had been hurt by the fall because his head was muddled up and he had a large bump on it . The fall had disoriented him.
Ans. We know that Barney had been hurt by the fall because his head was muddled up and he had a large bump on it . The fall had disoriented him.
h. What was the den like?
Ans. The den was like a shelter with a roof made out of a rotten carpet and rusty sheets of iron. It seemed to be a cave dug out of the chalk hill and it was dark inside it.
Ans. The den was like a shelter with a roof made out of a rotten carpet and rusty sheets of iron. It seemed to be a cave dug out of the chalk hill and it was dark inside it.
i. Why could Barney not sit up after the fall?
Ans. Barney could not sit up after falling into the chalk pit because it felt like his legs were tied up as they were entangled in all the creepers that grew along the hillside.
2. Answer the following questions with reference to context.
a. Everybody had told him.
a. Everybody had told him.
i. What had everybody said, and to whom?
Ans. Everybody had told Barney to stay away from the chalk pit because it might collapse.
ii. Who, in particular, had given a warning about this?
Ans. Particularly Barney’s sister and grandmother warned him about this.
iii. What was the warning about, and was their advice followed?
Ans. The warning was about not going near the chalk pit because he might fall into it. No, the warning was not followed.
b. And the ground gave way.
i. Why is this statement in a paragraph by itself ?
Ans. This statement is in a paragraph by itself because it is a profound and important statement.
ii. What was Barney thinking at this time ?
Ans. Barney was wishing that he could be at the bottom of the pit.
iii. What happened after the ground gave way?
Ans. Barney tumbled down the pit, somersaulting and crashing through the creepers and ivy and moss, hurting himself in the process.
POETRY
Poem- 9 Break, Break, Break
Page 131
1. Answer the following questions.
a. Who is the poet addressing in the first stanza?
Ans. The poet is addressing the sea in the first stanza.
b. Why cannot the poet say what is on his mind?
Ans. The poet cannot say what is on his mind as his sorrow cannot be put into words.
c. What does the poet wish for in the third stanza?
Ans. In the third stanza, the poet wishes he could touch his friend's hand and hear his voice.
d. Who in the poem is having a pleasant time?
Ans. The fisherman's boy and the sailor lad are having a pleasant time.
e. Is the poem a happy one or a sad one? Give reasons for your answer.
Ans. The poem is a sad one as the poet misses his great friend A.H. Hallam who died at a young age.The poem is thought to have been written with this in mind.
f. Why do think the poet uses the sea, and the waves especially, to contrast with the feelings that he has?
Ans. The poet uses the sea, and the waves especially, to contrast with the feelings he has because he relates life to the sea. He feels that everything in this world comes to an end like the waves which build up and then crash on the rocks.
2. Answer the following questions with reference to context.
And I would that my tongue could utter
The thoughts that arise in me.
a. What does and I would mean?
Ans. And I would means and I wish.
b. What thoughts does the poet wish to utter?
Ans. The poet wishes to give voice to his feelings for his great friend A.H. Hallam who died at a young age.
c. Who does the poet mention after this, and why?
Ans. After this, the poet mentions the fisherman's boy (shouting with his sister at play), sailor lad (singing in his boat at sea), and the stately ships continuing on their way; all of these are carefree and are continuing with their lives. But he is sad that his friend is no more and life for him cannot go on as it did before.
PROSE
Chapter- 9 Karate Parrot
page 114
1. Answer the following questions.
a. How do we know that the three friends often met at the café?
Ans. We know that the three friends often met at the cafe through a number of statements. These statements are: Anil and Bala were sitting in their usual seats by the window. Anil says, 'We thought you had found some other cafe to go to'; Sunil says, 'especially when I am in here, most of the time, with you two'.
b. Who showed an interest in Sunil's foot?
Ans. At first Anil and Bala wanted to know what had happened to Sunil's foot. Then the waiter who brought Sunil's coffee showed an interest in Sunil's plastered foot.
c. What was the main reason Sushmita wanted to keep a pet?
Ans. Sushmita wanted a pet to keep her company because her children had all grown up and left home and her husband spent all his time outside with his friends.
d. Where did Sushmita go to purchase a pet?
Ans. Sushmita went to the pet shop on the corner of GT Road and Flowers Street beside the Milk depot.
e. How did the assistant demonstrate the parrot's skill?
Ans. The assistant demonstrated the parrot's skill by placing an old chair in the middle of the shop, letting the parrot out of its cage and saying in a loud voice 'Parrot! Karate chair!, which the bird promptly proceeded to do.
f. How did Sushmita test the parrot's ability?
Ans. Sushmita tested the parrot's ability by allowing the parrot to practise its skills on her old boxes, crockery and other useless items.
g. Why did Bala and Anil remain silent throughout the story?
Ans. Bala and Anil remained silent throughout the story because they found it all too incredible.
h. How did the parrot come to attack Sunil?
Ans. When Sunil returned home he asked his wife about the parrot. When he heard it was a unique karate parrot he expressed his disbelief by saying: 'Parrot! Karate? My foot!' The parrot immediately attacked his foot.
3. Answer the following questions with reference to context.
a. I found out later that she ended up in the strange little pet shop.
1. Who made this statement, and to whom?
Ans. Sunil made this statement to Anil and Bala.
2. In the story being told by the speaker, what had he /she been doing earlier?
Ans. Sunil had earlier been to the city, had visited the bank and done some shopping.
3. Why did she go to a pet shop?
Ans. Sushmita went to the pet shop to get a pet cat or dog, because she was lonely at home.
b. He stood there looking very pleased with himself.
1. Who was standing looking pleased with himself?
Ans. The assistant in the pet shop was standing there looking pleased with himself.
2. Why was he looking so pleased?
Ans. He was looking pleased because the karate parrot had just destroyed a chair in the shop at his command.
3. What reaction did other people have to the event that had just taken place?
Ans. Sushmita witnessed this event and she stood there speechless with her mouth open.
POETRY
Poem- 8 Loveliest of Trees, the Cherry Now
page 119 and 120
1. Answer the following questions.
a. What is the narrator's opinion of cherry trees?
Ans. The narrator thinks that cherry trees are the loveliest of trees.
b. What season is it in the first stanza? Try to give two pieces of evidence to support your answer.
Ans. It is spring season. We know it is spring season because the poet suggests that the cherry tree is blooming and usually cherry trees bloom in spring and secondly Eastertide is celebration begins around March or April which means it begins in spring.
c. In the second stanza, which two lines tell us that the narrator expects to live for seventy years?
Ans. The two lines that tell us that the narrator expects to live seventy years are -
1. of my threescore years and ten
2. take from seventy springs a score
d. In the last stanza the poet mentions two seasons. What are they?
Ans. Spring and winter are the two seasons the poet mentions in the last stanza.
e. Which phrase has the poet used that means the same as there isn't much space and time?
Ans. The phrase, 'little room' means that there isn't much space and time.
3. Answer the following questions with reference to context.
a. Twenty will not come again
1. Explain what this line means in your own words.
Ans. It means that he is already twenty years old and he can't turn back time.
b. Read the last stanza again.
1. What does the narrator decide to do (in the last two lines)?
Ans. The narrator decides to go around the woodlands to see snow hanging from the cherry tree.
2. Why does he want to do that?
Ans. He wants to do this because he thinks life is too short or fifty years is too short a time to admire the cherry tree. Instead he is going to admire not only in spring but also in winter.
PROSE
Chapter - 8 A Flash of Light
pages 99 and 100
1. Answer the following questions.
a. Where was Valentine and what was he thinking about?
Ans. Valentine was walking down the street on a cold day thinking about the warm room and the glowing fire that would greet him on his arrival at home.
b. How did Valentine come to meet the beggar?
Ans. Valentine met the beggar when he stepped onto the pavement to avoid being trampled by the horses pulling a carriage and heard a rustling sound behind him.
c. How much money did Valentine give to the beggar?
Ans. Valentine gave the beggar a franc which was quite a lot of money.
d. Why did the beggar call Valentine back again?
Ans. The beggar called Valentine back again because he thought Valentine had made a mistake by giving him a franc instead of a sou. The honest man thought Valentine had given him too much money without realising.
e. How did the blind beggar know what the coin was?
Ans. The blind beggar knew what the coin was by passing his finger over its raised surface.
f. How was Valentine able to start a school for the blind?
Ans. Valentine was able to start a school for the blind with the help of money donated by the public.
g. What is Braille?
Ans. Braille is a system of writing especially for the blind, perfected by Louis Braille. The alphabet is marked by raised dots on stiff paper which blind people can understand by the touch of their fingers.
h. Which are some of the common words that have a Braille symbol each?
Ans. Some of the common words that have a Braille symbol each are - and, it, if, for, the.
3. Answer the following questions with reference to context.
This was like a flash of light in Valentine's head.
a. Whose words triggered the flash of light in Valentine's head?
Ans. The blind beggar's words triggered the flash of light in Valentine's head.
b. What had the person done before this?
Ans. Valentine had given the beggar a franc instead of a sou and the beggar had pointed this out to him.
c. What did Valentine think about after this?
Ans. After this incident, Valentine thought that if the blind could distinguish, at the slightest touch, the value of a coin, there was no reason why they should not distinguish a mark, a letter or a figure. In short, they should be able to distinguish any sign so long as it is raised.
POETRY
Poem- 7 The Road Not Taken
page 105 and 106
1. Answer the following questions.
a. What exactly does the traveller do when he sees two roads in the woods?
Ans. The traveller stood for a long time staring at the two paths in the woods, trying to decide which one he should take for his onward journey.
b. In what ways were the roads similar?
Ans. Both the roads were almost equally well-trodden and covered in leaves.
c. What reason does the poet give for taking one path and not the other?
Ans. The poet chooses one path and not the other because it was grassy and less travelled by.
d. Which phrase or sentence tells us that the poet would still like to take the other path?
Ans. The sentence Oh, I kept the first for another day! tells us that the poet would still like to take the other path.
e. Was the poet curious about the path he did not take? How do we know he was curious?
Ans. Yes, the poet was curious about the path he did not take. We know this because he stood for a long time deciding which path to take. Even when a long time has passed he still wonders what would have happened if he had taken the other path.
f. Why did the poet doubt he would ever walk on the other path?
Ans. The poet doubted he would ever walk on the other path since the path he took would not lead him back to that point again.
g. Do you think the poet regrets not having taken the other path?
Ans. No, I don't think the poet regrets not having taken the other path.
h. What are some of the things that you regret not having done?
Ans. I regret not having apologised to my brother with whom I had an argument and not having wished him on his birthday out of anger.
2. Check the rhyme scheme of the poem.
a. What is the rhyming pattern?
Ans. Rhyming pattern: (abaab) In each stanza, the first, third and fourth lines rhyme with each other and the second and fifth rhyme with each other.
b. How many syllables are there in each line?
Ans. In most lines there are nine syllables. Some lines have eight or ten syllables.
3. Answer the following questions with reference to context.
a. Then took the other, as just as fair,
And having perhaps the better claim,
1. What did the poet do immediately before this?
Ans. Immediately before this, the poet looked down one road as far as he could.
2. In what way were the two paths similar?
Ans. Both the paths were worn about the same; both were covered with leaves.
3. In what way were they different from each other?
Ans. One path was grassier than the other and wanted wear.
b. I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
1. Why would the poet be sighing?
Ans. The poet would be sighing later regretting the decision to have taken one path and not the other.
2. What would he say about his decision in the future?
Ans. In the future, he would reflect on his decision about taking the road less travelled by and would acknowledge that it had made all the difference.
PROSE
Chapter - 7 Uncle Raman
page 88 and 89
1. Answer the following questions.
a. Which words used by Mr and Mrs Bhaskar does the workman misinterpret? How does he react?
Ans. The workman misinterprets the word degrees first. He says he does not have any educational degree. He then misinterprets fine and is worried he will be fined.
b. In what way is Uncle Raman a walking disaster zone? What does this mean?
Ans. Uncle Raman causes havoc by trying to help. When he tries to hang a picture, the wall cracks, the ladder crashes to the floor, the hammer falls and breaks a tile, he breaks a chair trying to sit on it, and when he is on his way out of the room, he knocks over a coffee table and breaks a vase.
In such a small time, he has caused a great deal of damage; so it is evident when he is around, the place becomes a disaster zone.
c. What reasons do Mr and Mrs Bhaskar give for wanting to get rid of Uncle Raman?
Ans. The Bhaskars think that Uncle Raman is eccentric; he has come far too early for the wedding; he eats like a horse and their cost of keeping him will rise; he will undoubtedly break other things and they will have to pay for the damage. It is for these reasons that they want to get rid of Uncle Raman quickly.
d. In what way is Mrs Bhaskar sarcastic?
Ans. When Mr Bhaskar calls Uncle Raman for lunch, Mrs Bhaskar sarcastically calls him Mr Voracious and asks him to come and eat all the lunch, and break a few plates, cups and saucers at the same time.
e. Which word best describes Uncle Raman's mood when he leaves the house? (Choose more than one, if necessary.)
Ans. 1) aggrieved 5) hurt
f. Does the postman have a good reason for being late?
Ans. No, the postman does not have a good reason for being late. He gives a number of silly excuses: blaming the sorting office, his cycle and a late start.
2. Answer the following questions with reference to context.
a. 'Subhashini, don't confuse him with your talk of degrees and horizontal and fine and whatnot.'
1. Who is speaking to whom?
Ans. Mr Bhaskar is speaking to Mrs Bhaskar.
2. Who has been confused and how?
Ans. The workman has been confused by the word degree (misinterpreted), fine (misinterpreted) and horizontal (probably not understood at all).
3. What happens immediately after this?
Ans. Immediately after this Uncle Raman arrives and offers his help.
b. 'I know he means well, but the man is a walking disaster zone.'
1. Who is speaking to whom?
Ans. Mrs Bhaskar is speaking to Mr Bhaskar.
2. Who is the speaker referring to, and why?
Ans. The speaker is referring to Uncle Raman. Mrs Bhaskar has seen a picture that is not hanging straight, and knows that if Uncle Raman has anything to do with helping to straighten it, it will have disastrous consequences. His performance earlier had already caused a lot of trouble.
3. What other expressions does the speaker use to describe this person?
Ans. The speaker uses expressions like a catastrophe waiting to happen, a nightmare etc. to describe him.
c. 'He has a healthy appetite, hasn't he!'
1. Who says these words and to whom?
Ans. Sarita is speaking to Mrs Bhaskar and Mr Bhaskar.
2. Who is being referred to?
Ans. Uncle Raman is being referred to.
3. Why does the speaker bring up this subject?
Ans. Sarita brings up this subject as she expects her uncle to return for lunch, that is if he has been actually called away for an appointment.
POETRY
Poem - 6 Everyone Sang
1. Answer the following questions.
a. Where do you think the people in the poem are?
Ans. The people in the poem are in a war zone, probably inside a trench.
b. What comparison does the poet make in the first stanza?
Ans. In the first stanza, the poet says his feeling of delight in the singing is just the same as imprisoned birds must feel, suddenly being able to fly in the open air.
c. How did beauty come?
Ans. According to the poet, beauty came like the setting sun.
d. What did the poet feel when he heard the singing?
Ans. When he heard the singing, the poet felt that his heart was shaken with tears.
e. What feeling left the poet when he heard the singing?
Ans. The feeling of horror for war left the poet when he heard the singing.
f. Which words and phrases does the poet use to get across the idea that the birds are actually free?
Ans. 'Winging wildly across the white orchards' tell us that the birds are actually free.
g. How might the soldiers have felt before the singing started? What was their condition like at the time and how would this have affected how they felt?
Ans. Before the singing started, the soldiers would have been horrified by the war and its consequences. They would have been immersed in the thought of the loss of lives caused due to war. They would have felt like imprisoned Birds themselves.
2. Can you find a rhyming pattern in the poem?
Ans. The rhyming pattern is abcbdb.
3. Answer the following questions with reference to context.
My heart was shaken with tears; and horror
Drifted away ...
a. Why was the speaker's heart shaken with tears? Was he unhappy?
Ans. The speaker's heart was shaken with tears when he heard the singing and to him, it seemed like beauty came like the setting sun. No, he was not unhappy, but filled with sheer delight.
b. What made the horror drift away?
Ans. The singing made the horror of war drift away.
PROSE
Ch- 6 No Further Than Mandya
Page 76
COMPREHENSION
1. Answer the following questions:
a. How might the boys have spent their holiday?
Ans. The boys might have read or gone to the cinema but they decided to do something more interesting during their holiday.
b. What did they decide to do instead?
Ans. The boys decided to go on a three day camping trip on their bicycles.
c. What did Danny do while Robin fetched paper and pencils?
Ans. Danny examined his new penknife while Robin fetched paper and pencils.
d. What did Nikhil say sarcastically?
Ans. Nikhil asked Danny sarcastically to be careful while sharpening pencils with his penknife lest it get blunt.
e. Where did the boys first stop and why?
Ans. The boys first stopped by a brook because the sun was shining very brightly, it was very hot and they were tired.
f. What did the boys do in Mandya?
Ans. When they reached Mandya the boys just bought a few oranges and moved on.
g. How did Nikhil Danny behave after passing through Mandya?
Ans. Danny started behaving like a circus performer after the boys passed through Mandya. He started cycling without holding the handles of his cycle and in this precarious position, wanted to demonstrate the proper way of peeling an orange using his penknife.
h. How did Nikhil help to stop the bleeding?
Ans. Nikhil took out his handkerchief and pressed it to the cut on Danny's hand to stop the bleeding.
I. Who helped the boys to take Danny's bicycle into town, and what did he think of the boys?
Ans. A farmer who was pedalling his bicycle with a sack stopped to help the boys while being amused at their stupidity. He thought that city children did not learn anything useful at school.
j. What did the doctors say about Danny's finger?
Ans. The doctor put fifteen stitches in Danny's finger and told him to see a surgeon when he went back to the city because he had cut a tendon.
2. Answer the following questions with reference to context.
a. 'Hmm!' said Robin, with some satisfaction. 'I told you!'
1. To whom is Robin speaking?
Ans. Robin is speaking to his brother Danny.
2. Why is Robin saying this with some satisfaction?
Ans. Robin was satisfied because he had been right about the water in the brook being impure and unfit for drinking.
3. What had Robin said or done earlier?
Ans. Robin had earlier cautioned the others from drinking the water in the brook even though they were thirsty.
4. What prompted Robin to make this comment now?
Ans. Robin said this after seeing women washing their clothes in the brook.
b. 'Well?' said Danny. 'We can do that easily.'
1. To whom is this question and statement addressed?
Ans. Danny says these words to Nikhil.
2. Why does Danny say 'Well'?
Ans. When Danny says 'Well' he means to say, 'So?' when Nikhil exclaims that Mysore is too far for them to reach.
3. What reply does he get, and from whom?
Ans. Nikhil replies that if he had his own bike he could cycle to Ooty in a day otherwise he would suffer from a sore back.
PROSE
Ch- 5 Perseus and the Gorgon
COMPREHENSION
1. Answer the following questions:
a. What can we see today that has the name as the hero in this Greek myth?
Ans. The constellation of stars called Perseus.
b. How is Dictys described, and what did he do that demonstrates his personality?
Ans. Dictys was a kind man who looked after Perseus and his mother.
c. Who was Dictys related to?
Ans. Dictys was related to the king of Serifos, Polydectes. Polydectes was Dictys's brother.
d. What present did king Polydectes ask his guests for, and then what did he ask Perseus to get him?
Ans. King Polydectes asked his guests to bring him a horse as a present and when Perseus failed to do so, Polydectes asked him to bring him Medusa's head.
e. What did Perseus feel when he saw the witches? Why?
Ans. Perseus felt nauseous and almost gagged when he saw the witches because they were sharing one eye.
f. What gave Perseus the ability to fly, and who gave them to him?
Ans. Hermes had lent Perseus a pair of winged sandals and these sandals gave him the ability to fly.
g. Why did Perseus agree to king Polydectes' demands?
Ans. Perseus wanted to find a way to rid himself and his mother from Polydectes's tyranny. The only way he knew how to was to either give him what he wants or find a way to win over the King of the Island Serifos.
h. Why did Perseus steal the witches eyeball?
Ans. Perseus stole the witches' eyeball because he needed it to strike a bargain with them so that they can tell him the location of the nymphs who had the silver knapsack.
I. Why did the gods help Perseus? Give at least two reasons.
Ans. The gods decided to help Perseus because they could see how unjustly the king of Serifos was treating Perseus and his mother Danae. They also might've wanted to help Perseus because he was Zeus's son.
j. Why did Perseus help Andromeda?
Ans. When Perseus saw Andromeda in trouble, he wanted to help her. Just as the same way the gods have helped him, he also wanted to lend a helping hand. He admired Andromeda's bravery for trying to sacrifice herself for her people and also, he didn't want to see her being killed. That is why he saved Andromeda from the sea serpent.
3. Answer the following questions with reference to context.
a. 'Use your brain as well as your strength, Perseus.'
1. Who says this to Perseus?
Ans. It was Athena who said these words to Perseus.
2. What does Perseus do that shows he uses his brain?
Ans. Perseus cleverly snatched the eye from the witches without them knowing and made them reveal the way to the Gorgon's lair. He also made himself invisible as he approached the gorgons so that he doesn't attract all the gorgons and he looked only at the reflection of Medusa on the shield.
3. What does Perseus do that shows he uses his strength?
Ans. Perseus showed great strength when he slew Medusa the gorgon and the sea serpent in order to protect Andromeda.
b. 'I will fight the monster and save you,' he promised.
1. Who said these words, and to whom were they spoken?
Ans. Perseus spoke these words to Andromeda.
2. When were these words spoken?
Ans. Perseus spoke these words when he was on his way back home and decided to defeat the sea serpent for Andromeda's sake.
3. What was the reaction of the person who heard these words?
Ans. Andromeda was at first reluctant but when Perseus insisted, she was grateful for his heroic act.
POETRY
Poem - 5 Cargoes
1. Answer the following questions.
a. Draw out the table below and fill it in.
*Type of ship
first stanza - Quinquireme
second stanza - Galleon
third stanza - Coaster
*Where is the ship from (its nationality, not where it has been)?
first stanza - Nineveh
second stanza - Spain
third stanza - England
*Where is it going?
first stanza - Palestine
second stanza - Spain
third stanza - England
*What kind of movement does it makes?
first stanza - Rowing
second stanza - Dipping
third stanza - Butting
*What is its cargo?
first stanza - ivory, peacocks, apes, sandalwood, Cedarwood, white wine.
second stanza - diamonds, emeralds, amethysts, topazes, cinnamon, gold moidores.
third stanza - Tyne coal, Road rails, piglead, firewood, iron-ware, tin trays.
b. The poet creates a positive impression of the ancient ships that are described in the first and second stanzas. How?
Ans. The poet creates a positive impression of the ancient ships with the kind of exotic and precious cargo the ships are carrying. Also, the poet uses attractive sounding names of ships like Quinquireme as opposed to the British coaster.
c. Which words in the third stanza create a negative or dull impression?
Ans. dirty, salt caked, smoke stack.
d. Who would be able to use or buy the cargo from the three different ships? Think about whether the items are everyday goods, or luxuries.
Ans. The first two cargoes are exotic as well as luxurious items and it was not meant for the poorer sections of the society. It was meant for the affluent or the nobles as they would often be the only ones to afford such luxury. The third cargo however comprises of coal, rails, piglead, firewood, iron-ware and tin trays which are necessary commodities for anyone and such items are essential goods meant for the public.
e. What powers each of the three ships? Discuss this question and try to find the evidence in the poem.
Ans. Quinquireme is powered by oars and we see this reference to it when the poet writes, 'Rowing home to haven'. The Spanish galleon is powered by sails and in the poem we see that the poet calls its movement as dipping and that itself is a big clue as to how it is moving. Spanish galleons are known to have big masts with sails.
2. Check the rhyme scheme of the poem.
a. What is the rhyming pattern?
Ans. In each stanza of the poem, the last word of the second line rhymes with the last word of the last line that is, the second line of each stanza rhymes with its fifth line. e.g., Palestine - white wine, shores - moidores, days - trays.
b. How many syllables are there in each line?
Ans. The first line of the poem in each stanza has twelve syllables and the second line has eleven syllables.
c. The poet uses alliteration. Pick out three lines that show the use of alliteration and write them down. Underline the alliteration.
Ans. Stately Spanish galleon coming from the Isthmus
Dirty British coaster with a salt-caked smoke stack
Butting through the Channel in the mad March days
3. Answer the following questions with reference to context.
a. Dirty British coaster with a salt-caked smoke stack,
1. Why would the ship's smoke stack be covered in salt?
Ans. The ship's smoke stack is covered in salt. When the salty sea water lands on the smoke stack it dries up and coats the smoke stack with salt while the water just evaporates.
2. Write this line of poetry out as a sentence. Use these words to start.
The British coaster was .......... and ...........
Ans. dirty; salt-caked
b. Dipping through the Tropics by the palm-green shores,
1. What does the poet mean by the Tropics?
Ans. By the Tropics, the poet is referring to the Caribbean sea.
2. The second line of each stanza begins with a verb ending with -ing. What do we do when we dip something? Explain how this describes the movement of the ship.
Ans. Dipping refers to the up and down motion of the ship when it is progressing normally. The poet uses this word to describe how the ship rises and falls gently along with the waves.
POETRY
Poem - 4 The Skylark
1. Answer the following questions.
a. Where was the skylark?
Ans. The skylark was flying in the blue sky, over the green cornfields.
b. Who is listening to the bird's song?
Ans. Christina Rossetti is listening to the bird's song.
c. When does the skylark sing and when is it silent?
Ans. The skylark starts singing at the dawn and stops singing in the morning.
d. Which words and phrases in the poem tell us what time of year it is? Make a list.
Ans. It is early summertime. Phrases and words that tell us this are : the tender green corn, white butterflies danced, the earth was green, the sky was blue, one sunny morn, swift the sunny moments.
e. What do you think the poet wants to tell us about the skylark's mate?
Ans. According to the poet, the skylark's mate was also somewhere nearby, marvelling at the song and flight of this bird.
f. Do you like the poem? Say why, or why not.
Ans. Yes, I like the poem because its tone is lively and cheerful.
2. Answer the following questions with reference to context.
A stage below, in gay accord, White butterflies danced on the wing,
a. What was the stage above?
Ans. The blue sky was the stage above.
b. What was in the stage above?
Ans. White butterflies were in the stage above.
c. What in particular does the word accord refer to?
Ans. Accord means in harmony with; the harmony with the white butterflies dancing around the cornfield.
POETRY
Poem- 3 Sour Grapes
1. Answer the following questions.
a. Did the fox really want the grapes?
Ans. Yes, the fox really did want the grapes.
b. What was so attractive about the grapes?
Ans. The grapes were attractive because they were rich, ripe and purple-red in colour.
c. Which words are used to describe the grapes in the first verse? Which words are used in the third verse?
Ans. The words rich, ripe and purple red are used to describe the grapes in the first verse. In the third verse, words such as mean, common and sour are used to describe them.
d. What is the moral (lesson) that the poem teaches us?
Ans. The moral that the poem teaches us is that we should not say something is bad just because we cannot have it.
e. Why did the fox curl his nose?
Ans. The fox curled his nose because he could not reach the grapes and he wanted to show he did not care for them.
f. Give other examples from daily life illustrating the saying sour grapes.
Ans. When someone says something critical or negative because they are jealous, it is a case of sour grapes. If someone happens to fall from a bicycle, they just keep staring at the bicycle or blaming the potholes on the road to make it feel that it was not their mistake.
2. Use your own words, and try to write out the last verse in poetry. Do not alter the meaning, but use any words you like.
Ans. This is what we say in life, when we seek wealth and power. And when we fail to get what we want, like the fox in the fable, we say, 'We are sure the grapes are sour! '
3. Answer the following questions with reference to context.
Eager he tried to snatch the fruit...
a. Why was the fox eager?
Ans. The fox was eager because the fruit looked attractive and juicy. He was probably hungry and wanted to eat them.
b. Why was he not able to reach the fruit?
Ans. The fox was not able to reach the fruit because it was too high for him.
c. In what way did his opinion of the fruit change?
Ans. When he could not reach the fruit, the fox convinced himself that the grapes were ordinary and tasteless and he should not make any effort to eat them.
PROSE
Ch- 4 Becoming Great
1. Answer the following questions.
a. Is it easy to become great?
Ans. No, it isn't easy to become great.
b. What did Mary's parents work as?
Ans. Mary's parents used to work as manual labourers in the fields.
c. Who inspired Mary Kom to become a boxer?
Ans. Dingko Singh inspired Mary Kom to become a boxer.
d. Where did Mary train to become a boxer?
Ans. Mary trained in a boxing academy in Imphal.
e. What are three of Mary's biggest achievements?
Ans. Mary Kom has been the World Amateur boxing champion five times in a row. She has also won the bronze medal in London Olympics in 2012 as well as the gold medal in the 2014 Asian games in South Korea.
f. What name is Mary sometimes known as and why?
Ans. Mary Kom is also sometimes known as Magnificent Mary because of her many accomplishments in the sports of Boxing.
g. How was Mary Kom honoured?
Ans. Mary Kom has been awarded the Padma shree in 2010, the Padma Bhushan in 2013 and she was also a recipient of the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna.
h. What does Mary do that shows she is a good person?
Ans. Mary is known for championing many causes including animal rights and community development. She teaches disadvantaged children how to box, thereby passing on the skills of determination, speed, agility, power, endurance, and ultimate mental toughness.
I. From the account, what things might have put Mary off becoming a boxer?
Ans. Mary's parents and other people tried to discourage Mary. They thought that it was highly unusual for a woman to want to be a boxer.
j. What lesson have you learnt from the account about becoming great?
Ans. From the account, it is clear that becoming great is not an easy task. Hard work, perseverance and aspiration go a long way in helping a person to become great.
2. Answer the following questions with reference to context.
She teaches disadvantaged children how to box thereby passing on the skills of determination, speed, agility, endurance and ultimate mental toughness.
a. Who is the teacher here?
Ans. Mary Kom is the teacher.
b. Why does she teach others?
Ans. She teaches disadvantaged children to help them uplift themselves and inspire in them the same determination to work hard and achieve their dreams.
c. Which of the skills listed do you think are most useful and why?
Ans. The skills of determination, speed, agility, power, endurance and mental toughness are most useful skills because it is very important for the sports person.
PROSE
Ch- 3 Robinson Crusoe
1. Answer the following questions.
a. Who was Daniel Defoe?
Ans. Daniel Defoe was an author who had written many popular books. He is famous for the story he wrote called Robinson Crusoe.
b. What happened about two weeks after Robinson Crusoe started his voyage?
Ans. About two weeks after Robinson Crusoe started his voyage a violent tornado came from the west. This resulted in the ship being wrecked.
c. What did Robinson Crusoe do when he woke up?
Ans. When Robinson Crusoe woke up he drank some water and slept again. When he woke up again, he swam to the ship to salvage some things from the wreck.
d. What did Robinson Crusoe take from the ship? In your view which items would have proved most useful?
Ans. Robinson Crusoe took stores from the ship : bread, rice, cheese, wine, two guns, a pair of pistols, rope, nails, sails, ammunition, powder and shot. In my view the guns, food and clothes would have proved most useful items.
e. How did Robinson Crusoe discover he lived on an island?
Ans. Robinson Crusoe discovered he lived on an island by walking up a small hill and taking in the view from there.
f. What are some of the tasks Robinson Crusoe did on the island?
Ans. Some of the tasks Robinson Crusoe did on the island were building a house with a strong stockade round it, exploring, making a boat, making pots, growing corn, rice and wheat, and making bread.
g. What are some of the things he found on the island?
Ans. Some of the things he found on the island were wild grapes and limes, wild animals and goats, water and clay.
h. What do you think happened to the others in the boat?
Ans. Some of the ship's crew may have drowned and others could've been cast ashore like Robinson Crusoe.
I. Why did Robinson Crusoe not want the gold coins? Do you think they would have come in useful?
Ans. Robinson Crusoe did not want the gold coins because there was nothing he could buy on the deserted island. No, I don't think they would have come in useful.
2. Answer the following questions with the reference to context.
a. I lay down and slept again. The sun was high in the sky when I woke up.
I. Where and when had Robinson Crusoe slept before?
Ans. Robinson Crusoe had slept on a tree between two branches before on his first night on the island.
II. Where was he asleep now?
Ans. This time he was sleeping next to a stream.
III. What did he decide to do on waking up?
Ans. On waking up, he decided to go to the ship and bring back anything that could be useful to him on the island.
b. The next morning I walked along the shore and up on a little hill.
I. What had he done the previous morning?
Ans. On the previous morning Robinson Crusoe had collected many things from the wrecked ship, piled them onto a raft and brought them back to the island.
II. What important fact did Robinson Crusoe discover when he got to the top of the hill?
Ans. When he got to the top of the hill, Crusoe discovered that he was on an island, all alone. There was no one living there except wild animals.
III. What did he feel when he found out this fact?
Ans. He felt lonely and like a prisoner as he was alone on an island and had no means of getting away.
PROSE
Ch- 2 So You Think You Can Divide
1. Answer the following questions :
a. What was the name of the youngest son?
Ans.The name of the youngest son was Lalji.
b. How many camels did the father want to give to Nathu?
Ans. The father wanted Nathu to have a third of the camels.
c. Who would get the largest share? What was the share?
Ans. The largest share was for Rooplal, the eldest son. The share was half the total number of camels.
d. What was Lalji's idea? Was it a good one?
Ans. Lalji's first idea was to sell one camel and then dividing the money obtained equally. He then suggested the killing of one camel and having a feast for the whole village,in memory of their father. It caused some dissension amongst the brothers,but the villagers would have been very happy.
e. What was the eldest son's reaction to the idea of the youngest?
Ans. The eldest son Rooplal called Lalji crazy,disgusted at the mere thought of wasting a good camel by feeding it to the whole village.
f. What happened when the argument was as its height?
Ans. When the argument was at its height,a holy man came by with a camel.
g. How did the holy man help the brothers?
Ans. The holy man helped the brothers by giving them his camel to simplify their dividing process.
h. Did the brothers accept the holy man's offer?
Ans. Yes, the brothers did accept the holy man's offer after some initial hesitation.
I. Were all the brothers happy in the end?
Ans. Yes, all the brothers were happy in the end because each got his designated share of camels.
j. Did the brothers keep the promise they made to their father?
Ans. At first the brothers quarrelled, but they did keep the promise they made to their father with the help of the holy man.
k. Which brother is the most reasonable? Look through the story to find reasons for your answer.
Ans. Lalji, the youngest son is the most reasonable because he gives two suggestions, both of which are good. He first says that they can sell one camel and divide the money equally. He then suggests they can give the villagers a feast, in the memory of their father, by killing one camel. He wants to solve the problem and is generous enough to provide the villagers with a feast, without thinking of any profit. Moreover, both his suggestions are in accordance with their father's wishes.
l. Do you think families always quarrel about wills? Why do people fight over a will?
Ans. No, families do not always quarrel about wills. People fight over a will when they feel it is not just or equitable.
3. Answer the following with reference to the context :
a. The younger boys were a little disappointed but they did not complain.
1. Who were the younger boys?
Ans. Nathu and Lalji were the younger boys.
2. What was it that made them disappointed?
Ans. The fact that they would get a smaller share of the camels than their elder brother, Rooplal, made them disappointed.
3. Do you think they would like to have complained? Give a reason for your answer.
Ans. They probably would have liked to complain, but being good sons did not want to upset their father who was already on his deathbed.
b. 'How about selling one camel and then dividing the money?'he said brightly.
1. Who made this statement, and to whom?
Ans. Lalji, the youngest son, made this statement, to his elder brothers, Rooplal and Nathu.
2. Why did the speaker think it was a good idea to sell one camel?
Ans. The speaker thought that if they sold one camel they would be left with sixteen and they could divide sixteen more easily. The amount they got for the camel they sold could easily be divided by the three brothers and this would still be in accordance with their father's wishes.
3. What did others think of this suggestion? How did they react?
Ans. The others scowled, making their dislike for the suggestion quite obvious.
POETRY
Poem- 2 This Morning is Our History Test
1. Answer the following questions.
a. Which items of clothing did the child write notes on?
Ans. The child wrote notes inside his coat. He also pinned notes to his vests and stowed scribbled notes in his socks and sleeves.
b. Find two phrases to show that the child has written the notes in such a way that others will not be able to read them.
Ans. in my socks and sleeves I stowed, scribbled notes in secret code
c. What emotions does the child usually feel before a test?
Ans. nervous and scared
d. Why can't the child read the notes?
Ans. The child couldn't read the notes because he left his glasses back at home.
e. This poem uses exaggeration to create humour. Which of the things that the child says they have done do you think are unlikely to be true?
Ans. I think he was exaggerating when he said
1. He wrote down everything from Tennessee to Timbuktu.
2. He copied down everything from Shakespeare's play to mayonnaise.
f. If the child had written all these notes, would the child need to cheat?
Ans. If the child had written all these not Ans es,the child need not to cheat.
g. Is there a moral to this poem?
Ans. Be fair. Don't cheat in the exam.
1. Answer the following questions.
a. Which items of clothing did the child write notes on?
Ans. The child wrote notes inside his coat. He also pinned notes to his vests and stowed scribbled notes in his socks and sleeves.
b. Find two phrases to show that the child has written the notes in such a way that others will not be able to read them.
Ans. in my socks and sleeves I stowed, scribbled notes in secret code
c. What emotions does the child usually feel before a test?
Ans. nervous and scared
d. Why can't the child read the notes?
Ans. The child couldn't read the notes because he left his glasses back at home.
e. This poem uses exaggeration to create humour. Which of the things that the child says they have done do you think are unlikely to be true?
Ans. I think he was exaggerating when he said
1. He wrote down everything from Tennessee to Timbuktu.
2. He copied down everything from Shakespeare's play to mayonnaise.
f. If the child had written all these notes, would the child need to cheat?
Ans. If the child had written all these not Ans es,the child need not to cheat.
g. Is there a moral to this poem?
Ans. Be fair. Don't cheat in the exam.
2. About poetry : rhyme and meter
a. Look at the rhyme scheme of the poem. Which lines rhyme?
Ans. In each stanza, the first line rhymes with the second and third with the fourth and so on.
b. Copy the rhyming pairs into your notebook.
Ans. test-vest,notes-quotes,hand-
c. A syllable is a single sound. The word test has one syllable; the word history has three syllables (his /to /ry). Can you count the syllables in each line of the poem?
Ans. Yes. There are mostly 8 syllables in each lines of the poem except for two lines.
d. Which two lines have one extra syllable? Which phrase do they both contain?
Ans. 'This morning is our history test','But here it is, the history test.' History test.
3. Answer the following questions with the reference to context.
Inside my coat I wrote my notes,
including dates and famous quotes.
a. List five topics that the notes were about.
Ans. Olympic games, Ancient Rome, Ancient Greece, Shakespeare's plays, dates and famous quotes.
b. Which phrase from these lines is repeated elsewhere? Where?
Ans. Inside my coat;it is repeated again in the last stanza of the poem.
POETRY
Poem 1 Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening
1. Answer the following questions.
a. To whom did the woods belong?
Ans.The woods belonged to someone the poet knew, who lived in the village.
b. Did the rider see a farmhouse?
Ans. No, the rider did not see a farmhouse nearby.
c. During which season do you think this event took place?
Ans. This event took place in winter. This is apparent because the woods were filled with snow and the lake was frozen. It was also snowing heavily.
d. How did the horse signal that he wanted to move on?
Ans. The horse signalled that he wanted to move on by giving his harness bells a shake.
e. Why do you think the rider stopped by the woods?
Ans. The rider probably stopped by the woods to watch the snowfall and to enjoy the beauty of nature.
f. Why was the horse puzzled?
Ans. The horse was puzzled because the rider had stopped in the middle of the woods during a snowfall, there was no farmhouse nearby and it was getting dark.
g. Where do you think the rider was going?
Ans. The rider was going back to his house in the village.
1. Answer the following questions.
a. To whom did the woods belong?
Ans.The woods belonged to someone the poet knew, who lived in the village.
b. Did the rider see a farmhouse?
Ans. No, the rider did not see a farmhouse nearby.
c. During which season do you think this event took place?
Ans. This event took place in winter. This is apparent because the woods were filled with snow and the lake was frozen. It was also snowing heavily.
d. How did the horse signal that he wanted to move on?
Ans. The horse signalled that he wanted to move on by giving his harness bells a shake.
e. Why do you think the rider stopped by the woods?
Ans. The rider probably stopped by the woods to watch the snowfall and to enjoy the beauty of nature.
f. Why was the horse puzzled?
Ans. The horse was puzzled because the rider had stopped in the middle of the woods during a snowfall, there was no farmhouse nearby and it was getting dark.
g. Where do you think the rider was going?
Ans. The rider was going back to his house in the village.
2. What is the rhyming pattern in the poem? Do all the stanzas have the same pattern?
Ans. The rhyming pattern in the poem is aaba and all the stanzas except the last one follow this pattern.
Ans. The rhyming pattern in the poem is aaba and all the stanzas except the last one follow this pattern.
3. Answer the following questions with the reference to context.
"He gives his harness bells a shake
To ask if there is some mistake. "
a) Who is the he the poet is speaking about?
Ans . The he that the poet is speaking about is the horse.
b) What is a harness?
Ans. The leather straps and belts that are used to control a horse is called a harness.
c) What is the possible mistake?
Ans. The horse thinks that his master has possibly forgotten the way and stopped at the wrong place unknowingly.
PROSE
Ch. 1. The World in a Wall
1. Answer the following questions.
a. Where does Gerald hunt for animals and why is it a good place to find them?
Ans. Gerald used to hunt for animals in the crumbling wall that surrounded the garden alongside his house. The wall was full of cracks, its plaster was peeling off and it was covered with moss. It was home to many insects and because of them many predators such as toads and geckos could also be found on the wall.
b. Make two listsof animals under the following headings.
i. Animals that Gerald finds in the day
Ans. spiders, hunting wasps, caterpillars, flies, dragonflies, wall lizards
ii.Animals that Gerald finds in the night
Ans. toads, geckos, moths, crane-flies, beetles
c. Explain who the following characters are and find information about what happens to them in the text.
i. Larry
Ans. Larry is Gerald's older brother. He accidentally picked up the wrong matchbox and opened it to light his cigarette. The mother scorpion that was trapped inside escaped with her babies still on her back. She climbed onto Larry's hand with her sting curved up in defence, ready to strike. Larry panicked and so did the rest of the family.
ii. Roger
Ans. Roger was taken aback when Larry roared with fright at the scorpion on his hand and started barking wildly. After the dust settled, Gerard took Roger out to spend the afternoon on the hillside.
d. What does Gerald think the female scorpion is wearing? What gives her that appearance?
Ans. Gerard thought the female scorpion was wearing a pale fawn fur coat. It was actually a mass of tiny baby scorpions clinging onto their mother.
e. Why does Gerald forget about the scorpion after he has put them in the matchbox?
Ans. Gerard was having a meal with his family in the dining room and between him dawdling over his food while feeding Roger under the table and his family arguing, he forgot about the scorpions in the matchbox.
f. What happens to Gerald's mother during the chaos at the end of lunch?
Ans. Gerald's mother was taken by surprise when her children started panicking at the sight of the scorpions. She also got drenched when water from the glass Margo threw at the scorpions landed on her.
g. Why does Gerald stay away from the family in the afternoon?
Ans. Gerard stayed away from the family in the afternoon because they were upset with him. He thought it would be wise to give them some time to calm down as they were very angry because of the scorpion incident.
h. What are the repercussions of the incident?
Ans. As the repercussions of the incident, Gerald's mother decided to get Gerard a new tutor because she thought he was running wild.
i. Why do you think that this chapter is called The World in a Wall?
Ans. This chapter is called the world in a wall because from the eyes of Gerald the wall seems to be a home to various kinds of animals and insects. All of them live in and around the wall and get their food in the same place as well.
j. Pick out three of Gerald's descriptive phrases about scorpions. How does he feel about scorpions?
Ans. 'enormous crab-like claws', 'tail like a string of brown beads', 'sting like a rose-thorn'.Scorpions were Gerald's favourite among the creatures that lived around the wall. Although they were dangerous,he thought they were very interesting creatures.
k. Work with others to fill in below with the names of the creatures mentioned in the story.
Ans.
Prey : crane-flies, moths, beetles, caterpillars, flies
Predator : toads, geckos, wall lizards
Common : hunting wasps, dragonflies, spiders
1. Answer the following questions.
a. Where does Gerald hunt for animals and why is it a good place to find them?
Ans. Gerald used to hunt for animals in the crumbling wall that surrounded the garden alongside his house. The wall was full of cracks, its plaster was peeling off and it was covered with moss. It was home to many insects and because of them many predators such as toads and geckos could also be found on the wall.
b. Make two listsof animals under the following headings.
i. Animals that Gerald finds in the day
Ans. spiders, hunting wasps, caterpillars, flies, dragonflies, wall lizards
ii.Animals that Gerald finds in the night
Ans. toads, geckos, moths, crane-flies, beetles
c. Explain who the following characters are and find information about what happens to them in the text.
i. Larry
Ans. Larry is Gerald's older brother. He accidentally picked up the wrong matchbox and opened it to light his cigarette. The mother scorpion that was trapped inside escaped with her babies still on her back. She climbed onto Larry's hand with her sting curved up in defence, ready to strike. Larry panicked and so did the rest of the family.
ii. Roger
Ans. Roger was taken aback when Larry roared with fright at the scorpion on his hand and started barking wildly. After the dust settled, Gerard took Roger out to spend the afternoon on the hillside.
d. What does Gerald think the female scorpion is wearing? What gives her that appearance?
Ans. Gerard thought the female scorpion was wearing a pale fawn fur coat. It was actually a mass of tiny baby scorpions clinging onto their mother.
e. Why does Gerald forget about the scorpion after he has put them in the matchbox?
Ans. Gerard was having a meal with his family in the dining room and between him dawdling over his food while feeding Roger under the table and his family arguing, he forgot about the scorpions in the matchbox.
f. What happens to Gerald's mother during the chaos at the end of lunch?
Ans. Gerald's mother was taken by surprise when her children started panicking at the sight of the scorpions. She also got drenched when water from the glass Margo threw at the scorpions landed on her.
g. Why does Gerald stay away from the family in the afternoon?
Ans. Gerard stayed away from the family in the afternoon because they were upset with him. He thought it would be wise to give them some time to calm down as they were very angry because of the scorpion incident.
h. What are the repercussions of the incident?
Ans. As the repercussions of the incident, Gerald's mother decided to get Gerard a new tutor because she thought he was running wild.
i. Why do you think that this chapter is called The World in a Wall?
Ans. This chapter is called the world in a wall because from the eyes of Gerald the wall seems to be a home to various kinds of animals and insects. All of them live in and around the wall and get their food in the same place as well.
j. Pick out three of Gerald's descriptive phrases about scorpions. How does he feel about scorpions?
Ans. 'enormous crab-like claws', 'tail like a string of brown beads', 'sting like a rose-thorn'.Scorpions were Gerald's favourite among the creatures that lived around the wall. Although they were dangerous,he thought they were very interesting creatures.
k. Work with others to fill in below with the names of the creatures mentioned in the story.
Ans.
Prey : crane-flies, moths, beetles, caterpillars, flies
Predator : toads, geckos, wall lizards
Common : hunting wasps, dragonflies, spiders
2. Answer the following questions with reference to context.
'I completely forgot about my exciting new captures. '
a. Who forgot and what distracted him?
Ans. Gerald forgot about the creatures that he had captured. He was distracted by his own attempt to sneak food to his dog under the table while he was having lunch with his family amidst the sound of the family arguing.
b. Why did he capture the creature?
Ans. Gerard captured the scorpions because he wanted to keep them and watch the baby scorpions grow up.
c. Where were the captured creatures left?
Ans. Gerard kept the captured scorpions in a matchbox and left the matchbox on the mantelpiece in the drawing room.
d. What happens next?
Ans. Gerald's brother,Larry, accidentally picked up the wrong matchbox and opened it to light his cigarette. The mother scorpion that was trapped inside escaped with her babies still on her back. She climbed onto Larry's hand with her sting curved up in defence, ready to strike. Larry panicked and so did the rest of the family.
