CBSE-Class XII

English-Vistas
Exam Practice Should Wizard Hit Mommy?

Short Answer Type Questions (3 marks each)

Note: These questions must ideally be answered in your own words, in approximately 30-
40 words each.

1. Who is Jo? How does she respond to her fathers story-telling?

2. What possible plot line could the story continue with?

3. What do you think was Jos problem?

4. How does Jo want the story to end and why?

5. What does Jack do to make the story interesting?

6. Why does Jack insist that it was the wizard that was hit and not the mother?

7. Jack says: eventually they got used to the way he (Roger) was and did not mind it at all!"
What message does he want to convey?

8. Whats that awful smell? Why did Mommy Skunk find the smell awful? What did she do?

9. What changes did Jack find in his daughter as she grew up?

Long Answer Type Questions (6 marks each)

Note:

i. This list takes care of extrapolatory, value-based and global comprehension questions,
as per the latest curriculum.
ii. These questions must ideally be answered in your own words, in approximately 120-
150 words each.

1. What is the moral issue that the story raises?

2. What makes Jack feel caught in an ugly middle position?

3. What is your stance regarding the two endings to the Roger Skunk story?

4. Why is an adults perspective on life different from that of a childs?

5. The story, Should Wizard Hit Mommy? is largely autobiographical and based on the
authors own experiences of life. Comment.

6. The story should have ended with Roger, living happily ever after with his new smell. Why
did Jack add another twist to the tale?

7. You have been asked to speak on the topic, Children should be allowed to decide what is
good or bad for them! for an inter-class declamation. Write the speech, basing it on the
story, Should Wizard Hit Mommy?

8. Imagine yourself to be Roger Skunk. Write your diary entry about the eventful experience
when you get back your old smell. Express your fluctuating feelings.

Value Points for Short Answer Type Questions (3 marks)

Note:

The 3 marks for these questions are split as follows:

Content: 2 marks
Expression & Accuracy: 1 mark

1. Who is Jo? How does she respond to her fathers story-telling?

Value Points
Jack and Clares four-year-old daughter
enjoys her fathers story-telling, despite a predictable plot
likes participating by guessing plot and reactions of characters
totally involved
had started suggesting alternatives to Jacks basic plot

2. What possible plot line could the story continue with?

Value Points
Rogers Mommy to be happy that her son smelt good, by ridding himself of the awful
skunk smell
he would then have friends and no longer be lonely and sad

3. What do you think was Jos problem, according to her father?

Value Points
Jo wanted stories to end on a happy note; could be unrealistic
had begun to have independent opinions; questioned the norm
believed that childrens happiness was all that should matter to mothers

4. How does Jo want the story to end and why?

Value Points
wanted wizard to hit Mommy for being stupid
felt it was fine that Roger was different from other skunks
 didnt understand why Mommy wouldnt allow Roger to do what he wanted so that he
could have friends

5. What does Jack do to make the story interesting?

Value Points
dramatises, uses realistic dialogue
changes voices, enjoys taking on different roles
makes his stories interactive: allows Jo to participate, ask questions and suggest plot

6. Why does Jack insist that it was the wizard that was hit and not the mother?

Value Points
Jack brought up believing that parents always right
should accept what is natural
not right to change essential nature in order to please others
wants to instill this value in Jo

7. Jack says: eventually they got used to the way he (Roger) was and did not mind
it at all!" What message does he want to convey?

Value Points
not correct to change ones essential nature to please others
what is natural is not disgraceful and should be accepted

8. Whats that awful smell? Why did Mommy Skunk find the floral smell awful? What
did she do?

Value Points
smell of roses not natural for skunks
nature has a purpose for the smell
felt wizard had no right to interfere
went back, hit the wizard; got the smell changed to the original

9. What changes did Jack find in his daughter as she grew up?

Value Points
introduction of Roger Skunk: suggests new learning
asks father if magic spells are real
questions the existence of god
does not accept how story ends

Value Points for Long Answer Type Questions (6 marks)

Note:

The 6 marks for these questions are split as follows:

Content: 4 marks
Expression & Accuracy: 2 marks
1. What is the moral issue that the story raises?

Value Points
amount of authority that parents need to exercise
obeying parents blindly or not
issue: right versus wrong
whether better to be your own self or to conform to what others like about you
age at which children be allowed to take decisions
Jos stand in insisting that Mommy is wrong

2. What makes Jack feel caught in an ugly middle position?

Value Points
realises that Jo had started questioning things; cite instances
belonged to old schoolwhere Mother is always right; remembered his childhood
cannot strike a balance between old and new
hence, felt trapped in an ugly middle position

3. What is your stance regarding the two endings to the Roger Skunk story?

Value Points
father justified in his stance of realitythat nature cannot be tampered
withwizard needs to be punished for doing soparents always rightautobiographical
based on his own childhood
daughter beginning to question and think mother should allow Roger to explore other
possibilitiesinterrupts to justify changeother animals run away
old order gives place to new; father to explain why Mommy did not want the smell
changed; the logical rational approach rather than, parent is always right, works better.

4. Why is an adults perspective on life different from that of a childs?

Value Points
adults perceptive based on experience; ability to judge between right and wrong; aware
of the consequences if one tampers with nature
wants Jo to accept the fact that parents are always right
adults adhere to existing norms and practices; often dont question them
childs perspective free from existing norms; not affected by opinion of society
aim at instant gratification; focused on what makes them happy
tend to question things around; do not understand reason for suffering.
Jo doesnt hesitate to regard mothers action stupid in taking away Rogers happiness;
her punishment justified

5. The story, Should Wizard Hit Mommy? is largely autobiographical and based on
the authors own experiences of life. Comment.

Value Points
Roger Skunks experiences reflect Jack's own childhoodsuffered from psoriasis,
stammered; was ridiculed by boys of his age; was lonely without friends
took time to accept and deal with disability
mother taught him courage and self-esteem
loved his mother; like Roger, was unquestioningly obedient
6. The story should have ended with Roger, living happily ever after with his new
smell. Why did Jack add another twist to the tale?

Value Points
Jack wanted Jo not to take things for granted
wanted her to know that stories not always based on reality
wanted to instill the right set of values: obedience and respect for parents; acceptance of
fact that parents work in their childrens interest
to know that nature cannot be tampered with
have the courage to deal with disabilities and obstacles
essential to accept the differently-abled

7. You have been asked to speak on the topic, Children should be allowed to decide
what is good or bad for them! for an inter-class declamation. Write the speech,
basing it on the story, Should Wizard Hit Mommy?

Value Points

both points of view parents views based on experience of life and the interest of their
children
parents weigh all pros and cons of the issue at hand; take a balanced and rational
decision
children generally take an impulsive stand; unconcerned about repercussions
Roger opts to change his essential nature, regardless of long term consequences; fails to
foresee
parents to encourage children to explore possibilities and then take a stand
instant gratification doesnt lead to what is good in the long run
parents to help in instilling discernment and then allow them to decide

8. Imagine yourself to be Roger Skunk. Write your diary entry about the eventful
experience when you get back your old smell. Express your fluctuating feelings.

Value Points
very sad without friends; other animals run away
wise owls advice
joy experienced when animals accept him
mothers violent reaction; confused; justification for the action taken to rid himself of the
skunk smell
mother angry with wizard, why no protest
feelings when given back old smell
conclusion: your own