Saturday, November 22, 2025

THE HAPPY PRINCE

1. Where was the statue of the Happy Prince made?

Ans : The Happy Prince stood high up on a tall column in the city.

2. Why was the Prince called Happy Prince?

Ans : The Prince was called "Happy Prince" because when he was alive, he lived in a palace where sorrow was not allowed to enter.

3. What was used to make the eyes of the statue of the Happy Prince?

Ans : The eyes of the Happy Prince were made of two bright sapphires.

4. Where was the swallow going?

Ans : The swallow was going to Egypt.

5. Where did the bird take shelter for a night on his way to Egypt?

Ans : The bird took shelter at the feet of the Happy Prince's statue.

6. Where did the bird think to change his shelter from the feet of the statue?

Ans : The bird thought about changing his shelter to the chimney of a house.

7. What did the swallow see after the third drop fell on it?

Ans : He saw that the Happy Prince's face was full of tears.

8. The heart of the Happy Prince was made with what?

Ans : The heart of the Happy Prince was made of lead.

9. Where did the statue suggest the swallow to offer to the poor woman?

Ans : The statue suggested the swallow to offer the ruby from his sword hilt to the poor woman.

10. Why were the hands of the woman red?

Ans : The hands of the woman were red because she was a seamstress and was busy working all day.

11. What was the poor woman doing?

Ans : The woman was embroidering flowers on a satin dress for the Queen's maid of honour.

12. What did the Prince see all around him?

Ans: The Prince saw the great misery, poverty, and suffering of the poor people in his city.

13. What was offered to the young writer to heal his problem?

Ans : A sapphire was offered to the young writer to heal his problem.

14. What was the reason given by the swallow the third time to go to Egypt?

Ans : The swallow said he must go to Egypt because it was getting too cold in the city.

15. What happened to the match sticks of the match girl?

Ans : The match sticks of the match girl fell into the gutter and were all ruined.

16. Why did the swallow decide to stay with the Happy Prince?

Ans : The swallow decided to stay with the happy prince because the Prince had given away both his eyes and was completely blind.

17. Where were the two boys lying?

Ans : The two boys were lying under the archway of a bridge, trying to keep warm.

18. Why did the swallow agree to deliver the ruby even though he wanted to join his friends in Egypt?

Ans : The Happy Prince agreed because he felt pity for the Happy Prince, who was crying.

19. What were the things that the swallow saw on his journey to deliver the ruby?

Ans: The Swallow saw rich people making merry in their houses, while poor children were lying hungry in the dark lanes of the city.

20. Though it was cold, the bird felt warm. Why did this happen?

Ans : The bird felt warm because he had performed a good and kind action by helping others which made him warmth.

21. Why did the swallow want to fly to Egypt?

Ans : The Swallow wanted to fly to Egypt because winter was coming to the city, and all his friends had already gone to Egypt and enjoying there.

22. Why was the match girl crying?

Ans : The match girl was crying because her match sticks had fallen into the gutter and were spoiled. Her father would beat her if she could not bring any money to home.

23. How does the Happy Prince help the match girl, and why?

Ans : The Happy Prince helped the match girl by giving a sapphire. He did this because he felt deeply sorry for her suffering.

24. How did the Prince react to the bird's report on all that he had seen in the city?

Ans : The Prince felt great pain and commanded the swallow to take the gold leaf from his body and distribute it to the poor.

25. How did the swallow make the poor starving children happy?

Ans : The swallow gave away the gold leaves from the Prince's statue to the Starving Children. The children became happy because they now had money to buy bread and food.

26. Give a brief account of the Happy Prince.

Ans : The Happy Prince was a beautiful statue covered in gold, with sapphire in eyes and a ruby on his sword. While he was alive, he was very happy and felt no sorrow. But as a statue, he could see all the misery and poverty of the city and wept over it.

27. What had happened when the swallow prepared to go to sleep? Where did he stay?

Ans : When the swallow prepared to go to sleep at the Prince's feet, three drops of water (tears) fell on him from the prince's eyes.

28. How did the little swallow feel when he saw tears rolling down from the Happy Prince’s eyes? What made the Prince cry?

Ans : The swallow was surprised and felt sorry for the Prince. The Prince cried because, from that high spot, he could see all the ugliness, poverty, and misery in his city.

29. Why did the courtiers call the Prince ‘the Happy Prince’? Was he really happy?

Ans : The courtiers called the prince 'Happy Prince' because when he was alive, he lived in a palace where there was no sadness. However, he was not really happy, as he spent his life unaware of the suffering outside his palace boundary.

30. Why did the Happy Prince send a ruby for the seamstress? What did the swallow do in the seamstress' house?

Ans : The Happy Prince sent a ruby for the seamstress because the seamstress was poor, tired, and her sick son was asking for oranges. The swallow dropped the ruby on her desk, then fanned the sick boy with his wings, which made the boy well and fall asleep.

31. For whom does the Prince send the sapphires? What was the reaction?

Ans : The Prince sent the sapphires to the poor young writer and the match girl. The writer was happy and thought he could now finish his play. The match girl was delighted and ran home happily.

32. What was the reaction of the Prince when the swallow told him about the poor and starving children?

Ans : The Prince felt very sad when he heard about the poor, hungry children. He asked the swallow to take the gold from his body and give it to the poor people.

33. Why did the swallow not leave the Prince and go to Egypt?

Ans : The swallow did not leave because the Prince had given away both his eyes and was now blind. The bird felt loyal and loved the Prince too much to abandon him.

34. What happened when the little swallow fell down dead?

Ans : When the swallow fell dead at the Prince's feet, the Prince's lead heart broke into two pieces.

35. How did the Mayor and the town councilors describe the statue of the Prince?

Ans : They called the statue ugly, grey, and worthless as the gold was gone, the gems were missing, and the statue looked dull.

36. Why did the broken heart of the Prince not melt in the furnace?

Ans : The broken heart was made of lead, and it was a symbol of true love and sacrifice. The furnace could only melt physical metal, not the metal that symbolized the noblest thing in the city.

37. What were the precious things mentioned in the story? Why were they precious?

Ans : The two most precious things mentioned in the story were the dead swallow and the broken leaden heart. They were precious because they represented true charity, love, and sacrifice for the benefit of others, which are the most valuable things to God.

Thursday, November 20, 2025

1. Who was Griffin? How did he become invisible? Why did Mrs. Hall find him eccentric?

Answer : Griffin was a brilliant scientist who discovered a rare drugs to make the human body transperent.

He became invisible by swallowing special drugs that made his body transparent.

Mrs. Hall found him eccentric because he always covered his face with bandages, wore dark glasses, avoided people, and behaved in a rude manner.

2. Describe the extraordinary behaviour of Mrs. Hall’s furniture.

Answer: One morning Mrs. Hall entered the scientist’s room and was shocked by a series of strange happenings. First, she heard a sudden sniff close to her ear, even though no one was visible. The next moment, the hat on the bedpost jumped up and struck her face. Before she could understand anything, the bedroom chair seemed to come alive. It sprang into the air and charged straight at her with its legs forward. Terrified, she and her husband turned to escape, but the chair pushed both of them out of the room. Then the door slammed and locked itself as if controlled by an unseen force. Mrs. Hall ran downstairs in hysterics, convinced that the room was haunted by spirits and that the stranger had brought these ghosts, which had entered her furniture.

3 . Give a description of Griffin’s experience in Drury Lane.

Ans : After escaping from the London store and suffering in the winter cold, Griffin went to Drury Lane, the centre of the theatre world, hoping to find materials to change his appearance. He quietly entered a theatrical shop and went upstairs. There he put on a bandage around his head, dark glasses, a false nose, big bushy whiskers and a large hat, which helped him hide his invisible face. He also wore proper clothes so that he looked like a normal person again.

Before leaving, Griffin attacked the shopkeeper and stole the money kept in the shop. His experience in Drury Lane showed how he misused his invisibility for selfish and criminal purposes.

4. Why did Griffin become a homeless wanderer? Why did he slip into the big London store and what did he do there?

Ans : Griffin became a homeless wanderer after he burnt his landlord’s house and escaped by becoming invisible. Since he had no clothes, he had no money, no shelter, and no protection from the winter cold. He wandered through London in great hardship.

To save himself, he slipped into a big London store at night. After it closed, he wore warm clothes, ate cold meat, sweets, drank wine, and slept comfortably on a pile of quilts. The next morning, when the assistants found him, he escaped by removing his clothes and becoming invisible again.

5. How and why did Griffin come to the village of Iping? Why does Mrs. Hall find him eccentric?

Ans : Griffin came to the village of Iping after escaping from London. He had fled from the big store and later from the theatrical shop in Drury Lane. Looking for a quiet and private place where no one would suspect him, he travelled to Iping in the winter and rented a room in Mrs. Hall’s inn. He told her that he needed complete solitude for his scientific work.

Mrs. Hall found him eccentric because he always kept his face covered with bandages, wore dark glasses and heavy clothes, and avoided speaking to anyone. He never allowed anyone to enter his room and became irritated when questioned. His strange appearance and secretive behaviour made her believe that he was not a normal guest.

6. Who was Griffin? Why and how did he become invisible? How did he become a homeless wanderer?

Ans : Griffin was a brilliant scientist who carried out experiments to make the human body invisible. During his experiments, he swallowed certain drugs that made his body transparent like glass. Although his scientific discovery was successful, he used it wrongly.

His landlord disliked his mysterious activities and tried to eject him. So in Revenge, Griffin burnt the landlord’s house and escaped unseen by removing his clothes and becoming invisible. From that moment, his problems began. As an invisible man, he had no clothes, no money, and no place to stay. Wandering through the winter streets of London, he struggled to survive and had to steal money and clothes. Thus, he became a homeless wanderer.

B. SHORT TYPE QUESTIONS (2–3 Marks)

1. Why were the boys surprised?

Ans:
The boys were surprised because they saw fresh muddy footprints on the steps in London but no person was visible. The footprints appeared one after another as if someone was walking, yet there was no body to match them. This mysterious sight shocked the boys.

2. Why did the bewildered boys follow a scientist?

Ans:
The boys followed Griffin unknowingly. They were simply curious because the footprints kept appearing on the road although no man could be seen. Their curiosity made them run after the invisible walker.

3. Who was Griffin? What experiment did he make?

Ans:
Griffin was a scientist who worked on making the human body invisible. Through chemical experiments he discovered certain drugs that turned the body transparent like glass.

4. Why did Griffin set fire to the house?

Ans:
Griffin set fire to his landlord’s house because the landlord disliked his mysterious experiments and tried to evict him. Out of anger and revenge, Griffin burnt the house and escaped.

5. Why did Griffin slip into a big London store?

Ans:
He slipped into the store to escape the severe winter cold. Being invisible, he had no clothes on, and the freezing weather made it impossible for him to survive outside.

6. What did Griffin do inside the big London store?

Ans:
Inside the store, Griffin put on warm clothes, ate food and sweets, drank wine and finally slept comfortably on a pile of quilts.

7. How did Griffin escape from being caught by the assistants?

Ans:
When the assistants discovered him in the morning, Griffin removed all the clothes he had worn. Becoming invisible again, he escaped easily.

8. Why did he go to Drury Lane?

Ans:
He went to Drury Lane to find clothes and theatrical items such as wigs, whiskers, masks and bandages to cover his invisible face.

9. What did he do inside a shop in Drury Lane?

Ans:
He wore bandages, a false nose, whiskers and dark glasses to hide his invisibility. Before leaving, he attacked the shopkeeper and stole money.

10. What did Griffin tell Mrs. Hall?

Ans:
He told Mrs. Hall that he needed silence and complete privacy for his work. He also claimed that an accident had injured his face, so he kept it covered.

11. Why did Mrs. Hall find Griffin eccentric?

Ans:
She found him eccentric because he kept his face bandaged, avoided conversation, behaved rudely and insisted on total privacy.

12. What curious episode took place in the inn?

Ans:
The furniture in Griffin’s room began moving on its own. A chair even pushed Mrs. Hall out of the room. In fact, Griffin was moving the objects while invisible.

13. What other extraordinary things happened at the inn?

Ans:
Money disappeared from the clergyman’s desk, and people saw clothes walking without a body. These strange incidents happened because Griffin used his invisibility.

14. Why was Griffin suspected of stealing the money?

Ans:
Griffin was suspected because the money disappeared mysteriously and he was the most secretive person in the inn. People believed he used his invisibility to steal it.

15. Why were the people shocked in the bar?

Ans:
They were shocked because Griffin removed his bandages and clothes, and his head disappeared in front of them. They realised he was an invisible man.

16. How do you assess Griffin as a scientist?

Ans:
Griffin was intelligent but misused science. Instead of using his discovery for good, he used it for revenge, theft and harming people.

17. What happened to Jaffers?

Ans:
When Jaffers tried to arrest Griffin, Griffin became invisible. Jaffers was hit and beaten by unseen hands and failed to catch him.

18. Why doesn’t Griffin like to be cordial with Mrs. Hall?

Ans:
He avoided being cordial because he wanted complete privacy. He did not want Mrs. Hall to question him about his appearance or his secret work.

Wednesday, November 19, 2025

FOOTPRINT WITHOUT FEET

1. Who was Griffin? How did he become invisible? Why did Mrs. Hall find him eccentric? [HSLC 2015]

Answer (150 words):
Griffin was a brilliant but lawless scientist who discovered how to make the human body invisible. He carried out many experiments with chemicals and swallowed certain drugs that made his body transparent like glass while still remaining solid. After becoming invisible, he set fire to his landlord’s house in anger and escaped without being seen. He reached the village of Iping in winter and took a room in the inn owned by Mrs. Hall. She found him eccentric because he behaved strangely. He always kept his face covered with bandages, wore large glasses, and avoided all social contact. He did not want anyone to enter his room and became angry when questioned. He told Mrs. Hall that he needed complete solitude for his work. His secretive nature, odd appearance, and rude behaviour made her feel that he was not a normal guest.

2. Describe the extraordinary behaviour of Mrs. Hall’s furniture. [HSLC 2016, 2022]

Answer (140 words):
One morning a very strange incident took place inside Mrs. Hall’s inn. While Mrs. Hall and her husband were in the visitor’s room, they heard noises coming from Griffin’s room although no one seemed to be there. Suddenly, the furniture inside the room came alive. The chairs and tables started moving on their own. One chair rose into the air and pushed Mrs. Hall out of the room. She was frightened and screamed loudly. The furniture behaved as if it had its own will. In reality, Griffin, who was invisible, was moving them. He wanted to scare Mrs. Hall so that she would stop troubling him with questions about his appearance and work. The extraordinary scene shocked everyone in the inn because they had never seen furniture move without a visible person inside the room.

3 & 4. Give a description of Griffin’s experience in Drury Lane. [HSLC 2017]

Answer (150 words):
After escaping from the London store, Griffin found himself again invisible and freezing in the cold winter air. He needed clothes to protect himself. So he went to Drury Lane, the centre of the theatre world, where theatrical shops sold wigs, masks, and costumes. Inside one such shop, Griffin took advantage of his invisibility and sneaked upstairs. He put on bandages around his head, a false nose, bushy whiskers, dark glasses, and a hat. These items helped him cover his invisible face and look normal. Then he wore a complete set of clothes. Now he became fully visible like an ordinary person. Before leaving the shop, he robbed the shopkeeper by attacking him from behind and took all the money he could find. Griffin’s behaviour in Drury Lane shows how he repeatedly misused his power of invisibility for selfish and criminal activities.

5. Why did Griffin become a homeless wanderer? Why did he slip into the big London store and what did he do there? [HSLC 2018, 2020]

Answer (150 words):
Griffin became a homeless wanderer because he had burned his landlord’s house out of anger and had to escape without being seen. Since he was invisible, he had no clothes, no money, and no shelter. It was mid-winter and the cold London air made life miserable for him. He wandered around helplessly. To save himself from the freezing cold, he slipped into a big London store. When the store closed at night, Griffin enjoyed many comforts. He opened boxes and wore warm clothes like a coat, shoes, and a hat, which made him visible. Then he went to the restaurant section and ate meat, sweets, and drank wine. At last he slept comfortably on a pile of quilts. However, the next morning he was discovered by the store assistants, and he escaped by removing his clothes again and becoming invisible.

6. How and why did Griffin come to the village of Iping? Why does Mrs. Hall find him eccentric? [HSLC 2019]

Answer (150 words):
Griffin reached the village of Iping after wandering around London as an invisible man. He had escaped from the London store and later from Drury Lane. He wanted a quiet place where he could stay without being disturbed. Therefore, he came to Iping in winter and took a room in the inn owned by Mrs. Hall. He told her that he needed silence and privacy for his work. Mrs. Hall found him eccentric from the beginning because he kept his entire face covered with bandages, wore dark glasses, and behaved very strangely. He did not talk to anyone and became angry when people asked questions. He locked himself in his room for hours and never explained the reason behind his odd appearance. His mysterious behaviour, rudeness, and strange looks made Mrs. Hall believe that there was something unnatural about him.

7. Who was Griffin? Why and how did he become invisible? How did he become a homeless wanderer? [HSLC 2022]

Answer (150 words):
Griffin was a brilliant scientist who discovered a way to make the human body invisible. He conducted many experiments and finally swallowed certain drugs that made his body transparent like glass. He became invisible because he wanted to prove his scientific discovery and also to escape from situations he did not like. However, he was also a lawless man. His landlord disliked him for his secret experiments and tried to evict him. In anger, Griffin set fire to the house. To escape without being caught, he removed all his clothes and became completely invisible. This made him a homeless wanderer with no clothes, no food, and no shelter. In the cold winter, he roamed the streets of London, struggling to survive. His invisibility became more of a curse as he had to constantly steal and hide to stay alive.

B. SHORT TYPE QUESTIONS (2/3 Marks)

(Write 60–80 words)

1. Why were the two boys surprised?

They were surprised to see fresh muddy footprints of bare feet on the steps in London although no person was visible. The footprints appeared one after another, which made them wonder how a man could walk without being seen.

2. Why did the bewildered boys follow a scientist?

They followed Griffin without knowing he was a scientist. They were simply curious because the footprints kept appearing mysteriously on the road, even though no man was visible.

3. Who was Griffin? What experiment did he make?

Griffin was a scientist who experimented to make the human body invisible. He discovered some drugs that made his body transparent like glass.

4. Why did Griffin set fire to the house?

Griffin set fire to his landlord’s house because the landlord disliked him and tried to evict him. Out of anger and revenge, Griffin burnt the house down.

5. Why did Griffin slip into a big London store?

He slipped into the store to escape the bitter winter cold. He had no clothes because he was invisible and wandering in the streets.

6. What did Griffin do inside the big London store?

He put on warm clothes, ate food from the restaurant section, drank wine, and slept on a pile of quilts.

7. How did Griffin escape from being caught by the assistants?

He removed all the clothes he had worn in the store and became invisible again. This helped him escape from the shop assistants.

8. Why did he go to Drury Lane?

He went there to find clothes and theatrical items like wigs and bandages to cover his invisible face.

9. What did he do inside a shop in Drury Lane?

He wore bandages, a false nose, whiskers, and glasses to hide his invisibility. He also stole money after attacking the shopkeeper.

10. What did Griffin tell Mrs. Hall, the landlady?

He told her that he wanted complete solitude for his work and an accident had damaged his face, so he needed privacy.

11. Why did Mrs. Hall find Griffin eccentric?

Because he kept his face bandaged, avoided talking, behaved rudely, and insisted on complete privacy.

12. What curious episode took place in the inn?

The furniture started moving on its own. Chairs pushed Mrs. Hall out of the room. It seemed magical, but actually Griffin was invisible and moving them.

13. What other extraordinary things happened at the inn?

Money disappeared from the clergyman’s desk, and people saw clothes walking without a body. Griffin’s invisibility caused these events.

14. Why was Griffin suspected of stealing money from the clergyman’s desk?

Because the money went missing, and Griffin was the most mysterious person in the inn. People believed he used his invisibility to steal.

15. Why were the people shocked and horrified in the bar?

Because Griffin removed his bandages and clothes, and his head disappeared in front of their eyes. They saw an invisible man.

16. How do you assess Griffin as a scientist?

He was brilliant but misused science. He used invisibility for revenge, theft, and harming others.

17. What happened to Jaffers when he tried to catch Griffin?

He could not catch him because Griffin became invisible. Jaffers was hit and beaten by unseen hands.

18. Why doesn't Griffin like to be cordial with Mrs. Hall?

He wanted complete privacy and did not want her asking questions about his appearance or work.

C. VERY SHORT TYPE (1 MARK)

(15–20 words)

Who was Griffin?
A scientist who discovered how to make the human body invisible.
How did he first become visible?
His muddy footprints appeared on the road.
Why did he go to the London store?
To escape the winter cold.
Why did Mrs. Hall think Griffin was strange?
Because he kept his face covered and behaved rudely.
What did Griffin steal?
Money from the clergyman and the theatre shop.

Footprint Without Feet

1. Who was Griffin?

Ans: Griffin was a brilliant scientist who discovered how to make the human body invisible.

2. How did the boys know someone was walking?

Ans: The boys knew someone was walking because they saw fresh muddy footprints on the steps.

3. How did the invisible man first become visible?

Ans: Griffin first became visible when he stepped into mud, which showed his footprints.

4. What made Griffin’s body invisible?

Ans: Griffin’s body became invisible because he swallowed some rare drugs.

5. Why did Griffin set fire to his landlord’s house?

Ans: Griffin set fire to his landlord’s house because his landlord tried to evict him.

6. Why did Griffin remove his clothes after burning the house?

Ans: Griffin removed his clothes after burning the house to become completely invisible and escape.

7. Why was Griffin wandering in the streets?

Ans: Griffin was wandering in the streets because he had no clothes, no money, and no shelter.

8. Why did Griffin enter a big London store?

Ans: Griffin entered a big London store to protect himself from the bitter cold.

9. What did Griffin do in the store at night?

Ans: Griffin wore warm clothes and ate food in the store at night.

10. Why did Griffin become visible in the store?

Ans: Griffin became visible in the store because he was wearing clothes.

11. Why did the shop assistants chase Griffin?

Ans: The shop assistants chased Griffin because they saw him when he overslept in the store.

12. How did Griffin escape from the store?

Ans: Griffin escaped from the store by removing his clothes and becoming invisible again.

13. Where did Griffin go after escaping from the store?

Ans: Griffin went to a theatrical company’s shop after escaping from the store.

14. Why did Griffin visit the theatrical shop?

Ans: Griffin visited the theatrical shop to find clothes. Griffin wanted to hide the empty space above his shoulders using the theatrical items.

15. What disguise did Griffin use?

Ans: Griffin used bandages, dark glasses, a false nose, whiskers, and a hat as his disguise.

16. How did Griffin escape from the theatre shop?

Ans: Griffin escaped from the theatre shop by attacking the shopkeeper and stealing money.

17. What season was it when Griffin was wandering?

Ans: It was mid-winter when Griffin was wandering.

18. Why did the footprints become faint and disappear?

Ans: The footprints became faint and disappeared because the mud on Griffin’s feet dried.

19. What did Griffin eat in the store?

Ans: Griffin ate cold meat, coffee, sweets, and wine in the store.

20. What kind of person was Griffin apart from being a scientist?

Ans: Griffin, apart from being a scientist, was lawless and criminal-minded.

21. Why did the footprints appear on the steps?

Ans: The footprints appeared on the steps because Griffin stepped in fresh mud.

22. Who followed Griffin’s footprints?

Ans: Two boys followed Griffin’s footprints.

23. What did Griffin want to hide using the theatrical items?

Ans: Griffin wanted to hide the empty space above his shoulders using the theatrical items.

24. What did Griffin wear to look normal?

Ans: Griffin wore an overcoat, shoes, a hat, and theatrical accessories to look normal.

25. What did Griffin steal from the theatrical company?

Ans: Griffin stole money from the theatrical company and fitted himself with clothes and other disguise items to appear like a normal person.

26. Where did Griffin sleep in the store?

Ans: Griffin slept on a pile of quilts in the store.

27. Why did Griffin suffer in the winter?

Ans: Griffin suffered in the winter because he had no clothes on and the cold affected him.

28. Where did Griffin go after escaping from the store?

Ans: Griffin went to the theatrical company’s shop at Drury Lane after escaping from the store.

29. What did the boys follow on the street?

Ans: The boys followed the muddy footprints on the street.

30. What surprised the boys on the steps?

Ans: The boys were surprised to see fresh muddy footprints without a man.

31. Why could Griffin not continue walking on the streets in winter?

Ans: Griffin could not continue walking on the streets in winter because the cold was unbearable without clothes.

32. How did the invisible man first become visible?

Ans : The invisible man first became visible through the muddy footprints he left on the steps, and later he became fully visible when he wore clothes in the store.

33. Why the landlord disliked him ?

Ans: The landlord disliked Griffin because he did strange and mysterious experiments.

34. Why was Griffin considered a lawless person ?

Ans : Griffin was a lawless person because he misused his scientific discovery for wrong purposes. He burnt his landlord’s house in anger, stole clothes, food, and money, and even attacked the shopkeeper to escape. Instead of helping people with his invention, he used invisibility to harm others and do crimes.

Tuesday, November 11, 2025

1. With Whom did Belinda live in the little white house?

Ans :- Belinda lived with her pets named Ink, a black kitten; Blink, a grey mouse; Mustard, a yellow dog; and Custard, a dragon. She also had a little red wagon.

2. Why did everyone make fun of Custard?

Ans:- Everyone made fun of Custard because he always cried for a nice, safe cage, while the others proudly claimed to be brave. They thought the Custard was a coward.

3. Why did Belinda cry for help? Who came to her rescue?

Ans:- Belinda cried for help when she saw a pirate entering her house through the window. She was frightened, and Custard the dragon came to her rescue who killed the pirate.

4. How did the other pets react when they saw the pirate?

Ans:- When the pirate came, all the pets were terrified. Mustard ran away, Ink hid under the house, and Blink went into his mouse hole. Only Custard,the dragon fought with the pirate.

5. Describe the appearance of the pirate.

Ans:- The pirate had pistols in his both hands, a bright cutlass in his teeth. He had black beard, and one leg was of wood. He looked very dangerous.

6. How did Custard prove that he was not a coward?

Ans:- Custard proved his bravery when the pirate entered the house. While everyone else hid, he fought fearlessly and ate the pirate, saving everyone’s lives.

7. What did the others do after Custard killed the pirate?

Ans:- After Custard killed the pirate, Belinda hugged him, Mustard licked him, and Ink and Blink danced around him in joy. None of them mourned for the pirate.

8. What did the other pets say about their bravery after the pirate’s death?

Ans:- After the pirate's death, Mustard said he would have been twice as brave if he had not been nervous. Ink and Blink proudly said they were three times braver than the Custard. But Custard gently agreed with them without saying anything.

9. Why was Custard called a cowardly dragon?

Ans:- Custard was called a cowardly dragon because he always asked for a nice safe cage and did not claim his bravery like the others. All other liked to tease him. However, he proved to be the bravest of all.

10. What is the theme of the poem “The Tale of Custard the Dragon”?

Ans :- The theme of the poem is that real bravery lies in facing danger calmly, not in boasting or claiming about courage. Every person has hidden strength that appears in times of need.

Thursday, November 6, 2025

Tea from assam (Class X)

Tea From Assam (Class X)

1. Who is the writer of “Tea from Assam”?

Arup Kumar Datta.

2. Who are the two main characters in the lesson?

Pranjol and Rajvir.

3. Where do Pranjol and Rajvir study?

In a school in Delhi.

4. Where were they travelling to?

To Assam.

5. Why were they going to Assam?

To visit Pranjol’s home during vacation.

6. Who is Pranjol’s father?

Manager of a tea garden.

7. What is the name of the tea estate?

Dhekiabari Tea Estate.

8. Who invited Rajvir to Assam?

Pranjol.

9. What drink did they have in the train?

Tea.

10. Where was tea first drunk?

In China.

11. Who was Bodhidharma?

An ancient Buddhist monk.

12. What did Bodhidharma cut off?

His eyelids.

13. Where did the tea plants grow, according to the Indian legend?

From Bodhidharma’s eyelids.

14. Why did Bodhidharma cut off his eyelids?

To avoid sleeping while meditating.

15. What did Rajvir see outside the train window?

Tea gardens and green fields.

16. Who were plucking tea leaves?

group of tea-pluckers with bamboo busket on their back.

17.. Why was Rajvir excited?

To visit Assam and to see the tea gardens of Assam..

18. Why was Pranjol not so excited?

He was born and brought up in Assam.

19. Who received them at the station?

Pranjol’s father.

20. What is tea called in Chinese?

“Cha” or “Chai.”

21. Who manages Dhekiabari Tea Estate?

Pranjol’s father.

22.. What was the subject of Pranjol’s book?

Detective stories.

23. What does the term ‘tea country’ refer to?

Assam.

24. Which month was it when they visited Assam?

Likely May or June (summer vacation).

25. Who knows more facts about tea?

Rajvir.

26. Who was more excited about the journey?

Rajvir.

26. What did the garden look like from a distance?

A green carpet.

27. What does pruning mean?

Cutting plants to help them grow better.

28. What was the name of the station where they got down?

Mariani Junction.

29. What did the women carry while plucking leaves?

Baskets on their backs.

@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@

1. Who were Pranjol and Rajvir?

They were classmates from Delhi. Pranjol belonged to Assam, and Rajvir was his friend who came to visit him during vacation.

2. Why was Rajvir excited about the trip?

Because he had read a lot about tea and wanted to see tea gardens for the first time.

3. Why didn’t Pranjol share Rajvir’s excitement?

Pranjol had lived in Assam since childhood; tea gardens were a common sight for him.

4.. What legends did Rajvir tell about tea?

He shared a Chinese legend about an emperor and an Indian one about Bodhidharma, the monk.

5. What is the Chinese legend about tea?

A few leaves fell into an emperor’s boiling water, giving a pleasant smell and taste — that’s how tea was discovered.

6.. What is the Indian legend about tea?

Bodhidharma cut off his eyelids to stay awake; tea plants grew where his eyelids fell.

7. How did Rajvir describe the tea gardens?

As green seas of bushes stretching endlessly, with women plucking fresh leaves.

8. Who met them at the station?

Pranjol’s father, the manager of Dhekiabari Tea Estate.

9. What is the main crop of Assam?

Tea.

10. How did the tea gardens look from a distance?

They looked like a vast green carpet spread over the hills.

11. Why did Rajvir call Assam ‘a tea country’?

Because Assam produces the largest amount of tea in the world.

12. How did Rajvir describe the tea bushes?

As small green plants spread over the land like a green carpet.

13. Why is tea called the most popular beverage?

Because millions of people drink it every day all over the world.

14.What did Rajvir know about tea history?

He had studied its Chinese and Indian origins and how it became popular.

15. What did Rajvir find most interesting about Assam?

Its tea plantations and natural beauty.

16. What is the significance of Assam in tea production?

Assam is the largest tea-producing region in India.

17. Describe the beauty of Assam as shown in the lesson.

The region is full of lush green tea gardens, hills, and beautiful valleys.

18. Who took Rajvir to see the tea garden?

Pranjol’s father.

19. Why did the writer choose Assam for this story?

Because Assam is world-famous for tea.

20. How do women carry the leaves they pluck?

In baskets slung on their backs.

21. Describe the magnificent view that Rajvir saw outside from the train.

Answer: The magnificent view that Rajvir saw outside from the train was that the whole land was full of greenery. First, he noticed soft green paddy fields. Then, the tea bushes planted in orderly rows came into view, and the hills behind them were covered with dense green trees. The tea bushes stretched as far as the eye could see. The tall, sturdy shade trees made the tea gardens look even more beautiful. Among the tea bushes, the tea pluckers looked like tiny doll-like figures from the train. In the distance, Rajvir also noticed an ugly building with smoke rising from its chimney.

All these together - the paddy fields, the hill, trees, tea bushes, and tea pluckers formed a scene that was truly beautiful and magnificent.

Sunday, November 2, 2025

A NEW DAY A NEW WAY

🌻 Additional Questions from “A New Day, A New Way”

🩵 A. More Short Questions

What was the name of the Manager in Seema’s office?
→ Kalpana.
What did Kalpana tell Seema before closing time?
→ She told Seema that the staff’s salary would be late that month and asked her to inform the others too.
Where was Seema sitting when Swati entered the room?
→ She was sitting in a dark room, lost in thought.
What did Swati do when she saw her mother sitting silently?
→ She opened the door, switched on the light, and asked her mother what was wrong.
How long ago had Seema’s husband passed away?
→ Nearly five years ago.
How did Seema describe her husband’s memory?
→ She remembered him fondly and imagined how proud he would have been of Swati.
How did Seema describe Swati’s teachers and classmates?
→ They adored and respected Swati.
What was the name of the programme the NGO conducted in Swati’s school?
→ Entrepreneurship Development and Self-Reliance programme.
What did Swati jot down in her diary after the school programme?
→ The mobile phone number of the NGO lady.
What did the lady from the NGO tell Swati when she called?
→ She told her to send her mother to the NGO office the next day at 10 o’clock in the morning.
How did Swati react after talking to the lady on the phone?
→ She hugged her mother tightly and told her everything would be all right.
What did Seema feel when Swati hugged her?
→ She couldn’t hide her tears and felt proud of how quickly her daughter had grown up.
What was written on the dress of the women in the NGO?
→ Brave Mothers.
What would Seema have to learn during her training in culinary arts?
→ She would have to learn to cook hygienic food, assure customers of quality, and handle packaging and delivery.
Why did Seema’s heart brim with joy at the end of the story?
→ Because she had found a new opportunity and a hopeful beginning for herself and her daughter.

🌿 B. Extra Long Answer Questions (for writing practice)

Describe how Swati helped change the course of her mother’s life.
→ Swati noticed her mother’s sadness and calmly asked what was wrong. When she heard about the salary delay, she suggested contacting the NGO whose representative had visited their school. She had noted down the lady’s number and called her. The lady agreed to meet Seema the next morning. This single step changed Seema’s life, giving her a new chance to work, earn, and live with dignity.
Explain how the NGO “Brave Mothers” functions as a self-help group.
→ The NGO trains women in various skills like toy making, tailoring, cooking, and embroidery. After training, they provide small loans and assign customers. Each member contributes money to a common pool to help new members. They also open savings accounts in women’s names. Through teamwork, training, and shared support, they help women become independent and confident — just like Seema.
How does the story show that education can bring awareness and opportunity?
→ Swati’s education helped her understand about NGOs, entrepreneurship, and self-reliance. Because of that, she guided her mother towards help instead of losing hope. Education gave her confidence, awareness, and the ability to find a solution.

💬 C. “Who said to whom?” Questions

“Look, Seema, it’ll take a few days to pay the staff their salary this month.”
→ Kalpana said this to Seema.
“Maa, what are you doing sitting in this dark room?”
→ Swati said this to her mother, Seema.
“You know, Maa! We could try the NGO for some help.”
→ Swati said this to her mother, Seema.
“Seema, tell me what you are good at. We’ll give you training in that area.”
→ The NGO lady said this to Seema.
“Yes, Madam!”
→ Seema said this to the NGO lady.

🧠 D. Vocabulary / Meanings

Word	Meaning
NGO	Non-Governmental Organization
Vocational	Related to a particular skill or trade
Embroidery	Decorative needlework on cloth
Culinary	Related to cooking
Mentor	Guide or adviser
Hygienic	Clean and safe for health
Sanctioned	Officially approved or given
Enthusiastically	With great excitement and energy
Self-reliance	Dependence on one’s own abilities

🌈 E. Extra Creative Questions

If you were in Seema’s place, how would you feel after meeting the NGO lady?
→ I would feel hopeful, thankful, and confident about a better future for my family.
Why do you think the story is titled “A New Day, A New Way”?
→ Because Seema and Swati found a new way of living and earning. It was a new beginning filled with hope and self-reliance.
What moral does the story teach?
→ The story teaches that self-confidence, education, and support can change lives. We should never give up hope.
What change do you notice in Seema from the beginning to the end of the story?
→ At first, Seema was worried, tired, and helpless. By the end, she became cheerful, confident, and full of new dreams.

Lesson: A New Day, A New Way — Questions & Answers (based on your uploaded pages)

A. Short Answer Questions (quick factual)

Who was Swati?
→ Swati was Seema’s daughter. She was in Class X and very mature and calm.

Why was Seema upset at the start?
→ She needed ₹12,000 to pay Swati’s school fees and her salary that month would be late.

Who did Swati call for help?
→ She called a lady from an NGO who had visited her school.

What is the name of the NGO office Seema was asked to visit?
→ Brave Mothers.

At what time was Seema asked to come to the NGO office?
→ She was asked to come the next day at 10 o’clock in the morning.

What were the women in the large room doing when Seema went there?
→ They were stitching soft dolls and doing other craft work.

What clothes did the women wear in the NGO room?
→ They wore blue sarees and aprons with Brave Mothers embossed on their dress.

List some vocational training fields the lady said the NGO offered.
→ Toy making, embroidery, tailoring, culinary arts, mobile phone repairing, etc.

Which training did Seema choose? Why?
→ She chose culinary training because she loved cooking.

What initial support did the NGO promise Seema besides training?
→ A small loan to start a business, mentoring at every stage, and a savings account in her name. They would also assign her thirty customers to start with.

B. Multiple Choice Questions (MCQ)

Seema needed money because:
A) Her house was damaged
B) She had to pay Swati’s school fees
C) She wanted to travel
→ Answer: B

Swati had noted down the lady’s number when:
A) She saw the lady in the market
B) The lady visited their school
C) The lady came to their home
→ Answer: B

The NGO planned to help new members by:
A) Giving them free food only
B) Assigning them customers and giving loans
C) Sending them abroad
→ Answer: B

The women at Brave Mothers wore:
A) Uniforms and caps
B) Blue sarees and aprons
C) Jeans and T-shirts
→ Answer: B

C. Fill in the Blanks

Seema needed rupees to pay Swati’s fees. → twelve thousand (₹12,000)

Swati was in standard (class). → Class X

The NGO offered training in culinary arts and . → toy making / embroidery / tailoring / mobile phone repairing (any one)

The NGO would open a account in Seema’s name. → savings

The NGO would initially assign customers to Seema. → thirty

D. True or False

Seema told the lady from the NGO about her child first. → False (Swati told the lady; Swati rang and introduced herself)

The lady assured Seema that her loan might be sanctioned even before training. → True

The women at Brave Mothers worked alone at home. → False (they worked together in a large room)

The NGO asked Seema if she was ready to start. → True

Seema was afraid and refused the NGO help. → False (she responded enthusiastically: “Yes, Madam!”)

E. Reference to Context (Contextual Questions)

Text line: “Seema, tell me what you are good at. We’ll give you training in that area.”

Who said this line?
→ The lady from the NGO (Kalpana Ma’am / the NGO representative).

Why did she ask Seema this?
→ To find out Seema’s skill or interest so the NGO could give appropriate vocational training.

How did Seema reply?
→ She said she would like culinary training because she loved cooking.

Text line: “All our members contribute money to a common pool so that it can help another woman like you.”

What does the ‘common pool’ mean here?
→ A shared fund contributed by members to give loans/help to other members.

Why is this important?
→ It shows self-help and mutual support among the women of the NGO.

F. Short Essay / Long Answer Questions

How did Swati help her mother when Seema was worried?
→ Swati noticed her mother sitting in the dark and looking worried. She switched on the light and asked her what was wrong. Then she told her mother about the NGO lady who had visited the school and suggested that her mother call the lady for help. Swati had noted the lady’s number and rang her, explained the problem, and sent her mother to the NGO the next morning. Swati’s calm and confident behavior encouraged Seema and gave hope.

**Explain the kind of support Brave Mothers offered to women like Seema.**
→ Brave Mothers provided vocational training in many fields (toy making, embroidery, tailoring, culinary arts, mobile phone repairing). They offered mentoring at every stage, small loans to start a business, help opening a savings account in the woman’s name, and created a common pool where members contribute money to help others. To begin business, they would assign thirty customers to a new member and teach packing, handling, and hygienic standards. This combined support helped women earn with dignity and grow their businesses.

G. Vocabulary & Expressions (word practice)

Find words in the text meaning:

Self-help group → NGO / self-help group

Mentoring or guiding at every stage → mentored

Money given to start a business → loan

Care about cleanliness and safety in food → hygienic standards

Use these words in a sentence:

Loan → She took a small loan to buy a sewing machine.

Mentored → The elder women mentored the new members patiently.

Hygiene → Good hygiene is important while preparing food.

H. Higher-order / Value-based Questions

What values are shown by the NGO members?
→ Solidarity, mutual help, respect, hard work, and encouragement for women’s independence.

How does the story show the importance of education and self-reliance?
→ Swati’s education (Class X) and maturity help her find a solution and reach out for help. The NGO’s vocational training and loan support show how skills and economic independence can change lives and build a better future.

If you were Seema, what would you promise yourself and your child after getting this help?
→ (Sample answer) I would promise to work hard in training, save money, run the small business well, and ensure my child continues education to have a better future.

I. One-Minute Oral Questions (for quick class activity)

Name two items the women made at Brave Mothers.
→ Soft dolls; paper bags/greeting cards (text mentions soft dolls explicitly; other crafts are listed earlier: toy making, embroidery, etc.)

What immediate action did the lady take to help Seema?
→ She assured her of a loan (even before training) and that a savings account would be opened in her name.

How many customers would the NGO assign initially?
→ Thirty.