The Ailing Planet

Short Answer Questions

1.Comment on the title of the lesson The Ailing Planet.
Ans. Our planet, the Earth, is passing through a bad phase. Its health is declining. The sources of
food and other factors necessary for healthy living are drying up. All four chief systems are depleting
fast. Fisheries, forests, pasturelands and agriculture have been overtopped.
2. Which movement has gripped the imagination of the entire world today?
Ans. The Green Movement is gaining momentum in the world today. Started in 1972 in New Zealand,
It has created awareness about saving the earth as a whole. Saving forests, fisheries and natural
resources for future generations have become a grave concern.
3. There is a shift in human perceptions, a growing consciousness. What is it about?
Ans. There is a growing worldwide awareness that the earth is a living organism, and we humans are
its parts. The earth has its own needs which should be respected. We have a moral duty to save the
world from destruction.
4. What is our ethical obligation to the earth?
Ans. We, truly speaking, are not the absolute owners of this earth. It is common property. It belongs
as much to us as to the future generation. We must not tap all its natural resources for our own
consumption. We are just the trustees of this planet: so we should keep it healthy.
5. How does the author define the concept of sustainable development?
Ans. Our natural resources are not unlimited, except for the sun and the ocean. When we use the
forests and fisheries and other resources we ought not to forget the needs of future generations. The
two inexhaustible sources of energy are the sun and the sea. The forests are sustainable, they grow
again if we do not destroy them mindlessly. Our development plans should be tailored in such a way
that we do not rob our progeny of their share.
6. Man is the world’s most dangerous animal. How?
Ans. The notice in a cage in Zambia zoo blames a man for all the nuisance, destruction and dangers
to life on the earth. He is over-greedy and ill-natured. He is harming the air, water and the soil. He is
doing more harm to the planet than all the wild animals.
7. Man must change his ways to follow the principle of partnership rather than dominations.
How and why?
Ans. Man is undoubtedly the master of the earth. He is guided by the principle of domination over
wildlife, the minerals and food available on the planet. The fact is that he is sharing the earth with
millions of other living species. He has no right to turn into deserts or wastelands. He has a moral duty
to leave it in a healthy state for his successors.
8. What question was raised by Mr L.K. Jha in the Brandt Commission Report?
Ans. The international commission in its report posed a very poignant question to those who are
plundering all the natural resources for their own use today. The Report raised a question as to what
sort of world we are going to leave for our descendants. It seems we are going to pass on to our
children only deserts and barren lands and unhealthy environment.
9. What according to Mr Lester Brown form the foundation of the global economic system?
Ans. The four principal biological systems, according to Mr Lester Brown, are fisheries, forests,
grasslands and croplands. They supply our food in addition to providing raw materials for industry.
Then there are minerals and petroleum which are extracted from deep inside the earth.
10. How is man depleting the sources of food and raw materials to an alarming level?
Ans. In large parts of the world, man is tapping all available natural resources to meet his needs. He
is clearing the forests, overfishing in the seas, harming the pasturelands with his flocks of sheep and
harvesting the maximum number of crops on the cultivable land.
11. What pressure are people building on forests and water bodies?
Ans. With the rapid growth of population, the requirement of protein has also gone up. Hence,
overfishing has become intense and common. As for the forests, the people are destroying them for
firewood and to create land for farming. With deforestation, many species of wildlife are also facing
extinction.
12. What is the rate of decline or erosion in tropical forests in the world?
Ans. Forests have existed on the earth long before man came on the scene. But the way the trees
are being felled, the deserts will overtake us before long. The world is losing forests at a rate of five
crore acres a year. Actually, the loss is an acre and a half per second. The use of dung for burning
instead of providing organic fertiliser to the soil is much to be blamed for a decrease in forests.
13. What does a recent report of our parliament’s committee highlight India’s forests?
Ans. According to figures collected, India is losing its forests at the rate of nearly 4 million acres a
year. The actual loss could be eight times the rate shown in official figures.
14. What does article 48A of the constitution of India provide?
Ans. Article 48A of the constitution calls upon the states to protect and improve the environment, the
forests and wildlife of the country. But this provision is rarely acted upon and enforced.
15. How are laws flouted openly in India?
Ans. Laws in our country are neither respected nor enforced. They are broken without any fear. For
example, the constitution of India has abolished casteism, untouchability and bonded labour. But all
these social evils are flourishing shamelessly even after seventy years of independence.
16. Which is the strongest factor in darkening the future of human society?
Ans. The strongest factor distorting the future of our race is the rapid growth of population. The world
took one million years to reach the figure of 100 crores in 1800. But by 1900, the world population had
doubled. In the twentieth century, the population rose by 3.7 billion. Today, the world population is
about 600 crore.
17. How can the rapid growth of the population be checked?
Ans. Development or better standard of living is the most effective contraceptive to check population
growth. Birth rate falls as education spreads and incomes rise. But the present increase in numbers
puts the clock back. The poor beget more children than the rich. So they continue to be poor and
unemployed. It is not possible to sterilise human beings compulsorily. Voluntary family planning alone
can control the population and fight poverty.
18. What has NaniPalkhivala to say about India’s population problem?
Ans. The present population of India has crossed 100 crores. It is more than the entire population of
Africa and South America put together. Millions would die of hunger or disease unless population
control is enforced strictly.
19. What is meant by the holistic view of the world and our existence?
Ans. The world today is reduced to a village, thanks to the rapid means of transport and
communication. Any problem affecting one part can spread like wildfire and affect the whole world.
Hence, we have to tackle every problem on a big scale, involving the entire world. This is called the
holistic view of the world. No country can stand apart in isolation; we are all inhabitants of the planet
Earth.
20. What role can industry play in saving the environment and the survival of our race?
Ans. The industry has to play a vital role in the survival of the human race. It has to shoulder the
responsibility of keeping the industrial growth sustainable. This is because the industry has already
taken a heavy toll on our natural resources.
21. Sum up the warning given and message conveyed by the BritishPrime Minister Mrs
Thatcher.
Ans. Mrs Thatcher’s warning is very timely and life-saving. It says that no generation has the absolute
ownership of the natural wealth on the earth and below the surface. We are here only as tenants. And
to keep the earth in good form is our moral obligation.
In the words of Lester Brown, the present generation has not inherited the earth as their sole-
ownership property from the forefathers. In fact, we have borrowed it from our children and we shall
have to return it to them in a better condition.
22. Explain, ‘what goes under the pot now costs more than what goes inside it.’
Ans. Due to an extensive cutting of forests, firewood has become more expensive than the food being
cooked in the pot.
Important Long/ Detailed Answer Type Questions- to be answered in about 100 -150 words
each Value-based questions-
Long Answer Questions
1. How does the author justify his statement about the critical condition of our ailing Planet?
Ans. The earth today looks like a patient in declining health. The natural resources are declining.
There are four principal systems which support life on earth—fisheries, forests, grasslands and
agriculture. They form the global economic system. But man has overexploited all the four sources.
Fisheries have collapsed. Forests are disappearing. Pasturelands are turning into wastelands because
of overgrazing. Agriculture is also in a bad state. In this protein-hungry world, nobody bothers about
the future. Laws are rarely respected or enforced honestly. The results are disturbing. Indian forests
have been reduced to one-tenth of their former size in the last 40 years. There is a wild race to strip
the earth of all its resources. The root cause of this problem is population growth. The survival of our
race and the planet depends on family planning and the removal of poverty.
2. How does Nani palkhiwala underline the importance of forests for the survival of all sorts of
life on earth?
Ans. Forests are man’s real friends. They sustain themselves if we destroy them carefully. They
provide food to the people and raw material to industries. When forests are cleared mindlessly, deserts
overtake or expand. Many species of birds and animals disappear. The burning question today is how
to check deforestation. This world belongs as much to us as to our successors or grandchildren.
Hence, it is our moral duty to keep it green, fertile and rich in natural wealth. It is rightly said that there
were vast forests and grasslands before man came on the scene. But it seems in the next stage there
will be only deserts and wastelands. Indian constitution provides that the states shall protect the
environment and safeguard the forests as well as wildlife. But who cares?
3. How is the growing human population responsible for the declining health of the earth?
Ans. Undoubtedly, the number game is going to decide the future of human society. The rapid growth
of population is our enemy number one. It not only all development activities but also reduces the
existing resources. The world population was 100 crore up to the year 1800. The next century added
100 crores more. But at the end of the 20th century, the population touched the figure of 600 crores.
One way to check the population boom is to improve the quality of life and spread education. But
today, the rich are becoming richer while the poor are producing more and more children. One
alternative is to sterilise the people by using force. But that step is not practical. The only effective
means is to spread the message of family planning, educate the people and make them aware of the
dangers of overpopulation.
4. Why is it necessary for the present generation to leave the earth in a good enough condition
for future generations?
Ans. This earth of ours is our common property. We are sharing it with all sorts of living things and
creatures. They have as much right to exist as we human beings. Secondly, we alone do not have
a freehold on this earth. It is not our freehold property. We are only, tenants, on the earth for our
lifetime. We have, In fact, not inherited the earth from our forefathers. We have only borrowed it from
our children. We have no moral right to use up all the resources to meet our present needs and urge
for comforts. We can not leave it barren for our grandchildren. Since we are only the trustees of this
planet, we have to save it and leave it, rich in minerals and food. This is the minimum we can do for
our descendants.
5. Sum up in brief, the views and observations of NaniPalkhiwala about the present and future
of our planet?
Ans. The green movement is gripping the attention of the world today. It was started in 1972 in New
Zealand. The earth, we now accept, is a living organism. Its vital parts need to be preserved.
Unfortunately, our earth looks more like an ailing patient than a healthy being. We are robbing it of all
the forests, minerals and other resources. Man, it seems, has become the world’s most dangerous
animal. For our own present-day comforts we are cutting forests mindlessly, overfishing in the water
bodies, overgrazing our flocks on the grasslands, and over-cropping the land.
The blame squarely lies on the growth of population. The pressure of people is destroying all the
resources. Nobody in India respects or enforces laws. There is nobody to improve the environment
and safeguard the forests as well as wildlife. To save the planet population boom should be checked
through family planning. Our generation is ‘only a trustee of the earth which truly belongs to future
generations.
Value Based Questions and Answers of The Ailing Planet: the Green Movement’s Role
Value-Based questions
1. “It is paradoxical that the man who needs the healthy environment most, is destroying Its
sanctity and purity for present monetary gains and endanger its own coming generation” Do
you agree? Discuss.
Ans. Deterioration in environmental purity is directly proportionate to the economic activities of man.
Rapid industrial growth has polluted the natural environment. Environment pollution causes global
warming and it is a threat to the whole civilization. Human demands are increasing but resources are
limited. Reckless and nonstop exploitation of natural resources has endangered the purity of the
environment. Unknown diseases and extinction of many species of plants, animals and birds are the
visible impacts. It is ironical that a man who needs the environment the most is destroying its purity
and endangering the coming generation. We have realised the hazards and are adopting measures
to rectify our mistakes. The ever-increasing population is the main culprit. So to give proper impetus
to population stabilisation, a movement is the need of the hour.
The ever-increasing population is swallowing the resources our mother earth provides. A proper
balance is required between our needs and resources. Earth will be a safe and healthy place for our
posterity if we take care of it today.
2. The pollution problem is assuming demonic proportions and itis difficult to control it.
Substantiate this fact with logical points and give views to counter it.
Ans. Due to rapid growth in population, more and more people come to the cities in search of
employment. This growing population needs housing, jobs and other infrastructure. As cities expand
to accommodate this ever-increasing population and development takes place, all concern for ecology
is forgotten. Rules and regulations regarding the protection of the environment are flouted everywhere.
As a result, trees are cut at a large scale to make way for flyovers and metro trains, green cover land
is converted into colonies for people. Diesel driven trucks and buses pollute the atmosphere. As more
and more people fall sick with breathing and heart problems, the government takes note and wakes
up to address the situation.
The use of CNG vehicles in Delhi and ban on all vehicles more than sixteen years old are some of the
ways adopted by the administration to curb the evil of pollution. This year farmers have been warned
not to burn the stubble in their fields after harvesting their paddy crop. This used to pollute the air in
Delhi and other cities. These are some of the ways to control pollution.
3. ‘Man is the biggest enemy of mankind.’ deforestation has become his hobby. Elaborate upon
the theme.
Ans. It is tragic that man has forgotten that his very existence was once in the forest. Lust for money
is depleting the forest cover. Industrialisation and urbanisation have resulted in the unmindful and
merciless butchering of forests. The extinction of various wild animals and beautiful bird species is the
result of deforestation. Flood, drought, famine, scanty rainfall, earthquake are nothing but silent
revenge of nature.
The man has started repenting and he seeks forgiveness of nature. He has become aware of the
vagaries of nature. The need for intensive forestry is being realised. The man has realised that in the
conservation of the forests is hidden his own conservation and welfare. Not only man’s well being but
the well being of all the creatures on this earth is directly linked with the preservation of forests. A poet
has rightly said—
“One Impulse front the vernal wood
May teach port nature of man
Of moral evil and of good
Than all the sages can”
Forests and life on this earth arc interlinked. Had there been no forests, this very earth would have
been annihilated long ago.
The Browning Version
Short Answer questions
1.Why did Taplow stay back at school on the last day of his form?
Ans. Taplow had come back to school to do extra work. He was ordered by his teacher Mr Crocker-
Harris. The boy had missed a day the previous week. So Crocker-Harris had called him to pay for it
and make up for the loss.
2. Who are the two teacher-characters in the play? What information do you get about them?
Ans. The two teachers arc Mr Crocker-Harris and Frank. Crocker-Harris teaches the Latin language
while Frank teaches science. Crocker-Harris is middle-aged and strict. Frank is a young science
teacher. The students are scared of Crocker-Harris. Frank wonders how Crocker-Harris had managed
to over-awe the students, though he does not even beat them; Frank is envious of him.
3. Taplow has a grudge against his Latin master, Crocker-Harris. Why?
Ans. Taplow is a young boy in the fifth form. He loves to play golf on a fine day. But he dare not
disobey Mr Crocker-Harris who had called him to school a day before the final results were to be
declared. Taplow is made to do extra work to make up for his absence one day the previous week.
His promotion is to be decided by Crocker-Harris.
Taplow’s grudge is that Crocker-harris is overstrict and even Inhuman. He does not give the boy any
assurance about his promotion in spite of calling him to do extra work.
4. How does Taplow make fun of his teacher? Why? Who encourages him to ridicule Mr
Crocker-Harris?
Ans. Taplow is a young boy, studying in the fifth form. His final result is to be announced the next day.
He asks Mr Crocker-Harris about his chances for promotion. But Crocker-Harris gives him a vague
answer. He tells the boy that he would get what he deserves, no less and no more. Moreover, Mr
Crocker-harris has called Taplow to do extra work even on the last day of school. This irritates the boy
and he makes fun of his teacher in front of Mr Frank. Taplow is encouraged by Frank to mimic Crocker-
Harris’s voice and repeat his words. This is how he tries to hit back at the teacher.
5. Taplow says that Crocker-harris is hardly human. What makes him say that?
Ans. Taplow is a little-outspoken boy. He speaks out his mind honestly. His personal equation with
Crocker-Harris is not smooth. One day Mr Crocker-Harris told a Latin joke in the class and no one
laughed at it because not a single student understood it, including Taplow. Still, Taplow laughed out
of politeness; but then his teacher asked him to explain the joke. This makes Taplow feel that he is
hardly human.
6. How does Frank read Taplow’s motive behind doing extra work?
Ans. Frank is a science teacher who knows well the nature of his colleague. He does not approve of
Crocker-Harris’s step to call a boy to do extra work on the last day of school. He points out that Taplow
can now hope to get his promotion through doing extra work.
7. What is meant by ‘remove’ in English schools?
Ans. In English schools, the word ‘remove’ means promotion to the next higher class. Much depended
on the rating given by Crocker-Harris to Taplow. So the boy is nervous and afraid about his result.
8. How does Taplow recount the incident of Crocker-Harris’s joke in the class?
Ans. One day Mr Crocker-Harris told a Latin joke in the class. No student laughed at it because no
one understood it. Taplow was no exception. Still, he laughed at the poor joke out of common
politeness. Crocker-Harris cornered him. He asked Taplow to explain the joke to other boys. That was
Crocker-Harris’s way of dealing with the boys. He did not like it even if someone tried to help him.
9. What does Taplow think of Mr Crocker-Harris?
Ans. Taplow, the fifth form boy, is a good judge of persons, especially his teachers. He ridicules
Crocker-Harris whom he calls ‘hardly human’. He mocks his master by mimicking his voice and words.
He is mortally afraid of Crocker-Harris. He dare not disobey or go Against the wishes of Crocker-
Harris. But at the same time, he has a word of praise as well for his teacher. He tells Frank that
Crocker-harris never beats a boy although he is shrivelled up like a nut at heart. And he is not a ‘sadist’.
Like one or two other teachers who got pleasure out of giving pain. Crocker-Harris’s drawback was
that he hated it even when people tried to like him. Taplow finally tells Frank that in spite of all this he
did like Crocker-Harris better than other teachers.
10. How does Taplow react on the arrival of Mrs Crocker-Harris?
Ans. Taplow was frightened to see Millie. His fear was that she must have heard what he had been
saying about Mr Crocker-Harris. In case, she reports the matter to her husband. Taplow will miss his
promotion.
11. How does Taplow finally get back his freedom?
Ans. It is Mrs Millie Crocker-Harris who finally comes to the rescue of Taplow. She reports that
Crocker-Harris will not be back early. Hence, Taplow had better go. He can at least run away for 15
minutes and come back later. She assures the boy that no harm will come to him. She gives him a
doctor’s prescription and tells him to bring medicines for Mr Crocker-Harris. This being a good excuse,
Taplow goes out free from fear.
Important Long/ Detailed Answer Type Questions- to be answered in about 100 -150 words
each Value based questions-
Long Answer Questions
1. What brings Taplow to the staff room? Who does he meet there?
Ans. Taplow, a fifth-grade student, goes to school on the last day. He is called by Mr Crocker-Harris
to do extra work for missing a day the previous week. He is waiting for the Latin teacher in the staff
room. Frank, the young science teacher, arrives and starts talking to him. They discuss Crocker-harris.
In fact, Frank is envious of Crocker-Harris hold on the young boys. He encourages Taplow to give his
honest opinion about his master. And Taplow makes some negative remarks. He levels several
charges against Crocker-Harris. He calls him ‘hardly human’, a poor teacher of Latin, and a person
who hates people to be liked by them. Taplow finally meets Mrs Crocker-Harris who sends him to the
chemist to bring some medicines. This way, Taplow feels relieved and gets his freedom for a while.
2. What impression do you form of Frank and Mrs Crocker-Harris?
Ans. Frank is a young science teacher at the school. We get to know about him from his conversation
with the boy Taplow. On the whole, he appears to be a mean and petty person. He envies Crocker-
Harris, who keeps his students under control. He provokes Taplow to comment on his teacher and
also to imitate his voice. This is unbecoming of a teacher to discuss his colleague with a boy. He
suggests to Taplow to slip away because Crocker-Harris is late in coming and the weather is fine. Mrs
Millie Crocker-Harris is a kind hearted and easy going person. She is very smart. She rescues Taplow
by sending him out on an errand.
3. What is your assessment of Taplow as a student? Write his brief character-sketch as well.
Ans. Taplow, a student of the fifth form, is 16 years old. He is very talkative and outspoken. He gets
carried away easily. On being provoked by Frank, he opens his heart out and speaks Critically about
his Latin teacher. He is mortally afraid of Crocker-Harris although the master never beats any boy. He
dare not ‘cut’ his master because Crocker-Harris might even follow him to his home. He calls Crocker-
harris secretive and one who can not be easily pleased. Crocker-Harris refuses to tell the boy about
his final result before the stipulated time. Taplow crosses the limit when he says that Crocker-harris is
‘hardly human’. On the whole, Taplow is quite honest and gullible. He ridicules his teacher and mimics
his voice. He uses derogatory words for his teacher. He discusses one teacher with another foolishly.
His actions show that he is not mature enough.
4. Who is Millie? What is her role in the play?
Ans. Millie is the wife of Mr Crocker-Harris. She is a thin woman in her late thirties. But she dresses
smartly and speaks confidently. As she enters the school premises, she stands for a while behind a
curtain to overhear the conversation between Taplow and Frank. Even if she has heard them, she
gives no hint of it. She is quite unlike her harsh husband. She is kind and gentle. She tells Taplow to
go and enjoy himself. But the boy dare not cut Crocker-Harris. So she finds an excuse to free him.
She asks him to go to the chemist to bring some medicines for his master. She smilingly agrees to
take the blame on herself if Crocker-Harris is angry. Thus, she outshines all the other three characters
in the story.
5. What impression do you form about Mr Crocker-Harris?
Ans. Mr Crocker-harris is the language teacher at a school. He teaches Latin and also a Greek play.
But he is perhaps a poor teacher. Taplow calls the Greek play rubbish because itis not taught well by
Crocker-Harris. He has many negative things to say about his master. Crocker-Harris, he tells Frank,
Is shrivelled up inside like a nut; he hates people to like him; he is hardly human; gives a vague answer
to the boy about his result. But Taplow has a word of praise also for his teacher. He doesn’t beat the
boys. He is not a sadist. He abides by the rules of the school and never declares the result before
time. Still, all the boys in the class are scared to death of Crocker-Harris. Taplow finally admits that he
likes Crocker-Harris spite of being scared of him.
Value Based Questions and Answers of The Browning Version
Value-Based questions
1. In the lesson, we find that it is in the hands of the teacher to promote his student. It means
if a teacher has some grudges against a student, he will never promote him. Then why not
introduce automatic promotion. If this is introduced, what will happen? Evaluate the situation
when there is no examination or assessment of students.
Ans. Automatic promotion will be a boon for the students but it will turn out to be a bane very soon. If
no examinations were to be held, neither students nor teachers would know the outcome of their
efforts. Examinations present a goal to the students and they make an effort to reach that goal. They
goad the students and the teachers to go systematically to achieve the cherished goal. The teacher
and the taught become serious, thoughtful and eager to present their best.
If there is no pressure of examinations, students will not take their studies seriously. At the end of the
schooling, they will not be able to write even a simple application correctly. Moreover, after schooling,
they have to face so many competitions. They will accept defeat because they are not well prepared.
They had taken studies just as an exercise to Kill time. A recent survey has proved that automatic
promotion has given us an army of incompetent people. Above all, even serious students suffer. The
absence of assessment of students will usher in all-round deterioration.
2. If a teacher is strict and does not allow his pupils freedom, he becomes an object of their
criticism. But later on, he is revered and remembered. Discuss.
Ans. It is a fact that a teacher who finds fault with the work of his pupils becomes an object of fear for
them. It is but natural for teenagers to dislike their teachers who do not allow them freedom. These
teachers do their job sincerely and expect the same from the students. They do not tolerate the casual
attitude of their students. It is also a fact that such teachers leave a permanent impact on the
impressionable minds of the pupils. When these pupils grow up and enter into the real phase of their
life, they silently worship them. They become their idols.
Unsympathetic and harsh teachers are mimicked and laughed at but this is a passing phase and very
soon the sun of wisdom dawns and the students soon realise the real worth of the teachers they have
criticised. Hard taskmasters are in reality the real well-wishers of their students. Shallow reverence
and respect soon dry away and when students mature they understand the difference between right
and wrong. So, Students should not form opinions in favour or against their teachers in a hurry.
‘ Laburnum top
Short Answer Type Questions (30 to 40 words)
1. Sum up in about 80 words the scene described in the poem ‘Laburnum Top’.
Ans. The laburnum tree stands still and silent in a desolate place. The goldfinch builds her nest on
the treetop to raise her family. It is a safe and secure place. The bird goes on long flights to collect
food for her chicks. But she returns to her nest regularly. She makes a sound. The chicks recognise
the signal. Like some steam engine, they start up a mindless noise. The bird flies up to them, feeds
them and then flies away again. the old silence returns to the tree again. The poem has a continuity
of atmosphere.
2. What gives a unique character to that particular laburnum tree?
Ans. The laburnum tree gets an identity because of the nest built on its top. During the month of
September, the tree is left with a few yellowing leaves only. It is visited regularly by the mother
goldfinch bird. She comes to feed her young ones. The silence is broken for a while but restored again.
3. How does the poet describe the laburnum tree?
Ans. It is a September afternoon. The laburnum tree stands in a desolate place. It is silent and still
until the goldfinch arrives to feed her chicks. The silent tree comes to life. The little chicks start up a
noise like that of a steam engine.
4. How does the poet describe the goldfinch bird?
 Ans. The Goldfinch, a small singing bird, builds her nest amidst the thick leaves of a laburnum tree.
It is alert and swift. It comes almost at the appointed hour every day to feed the young.
Questions
(i) Who does ‘she’ refer to? What does she stoke?
(ii) What is the identification mask of the bird?
(iii) What do you notice about the beginning and the ending of the poem?
Ans.
(i)’She’ here refers to the small singing mother bird goldfinch. She stokes or sets in motion the noise
created by her young ones in the nest.
(ii) The little singing bird can be recognised from the stripes on her face.
(iii)The poem starts or opens with ‘silence and stillness’ on, the tree top. The poem closes with the
emptiness or silence that returns after the bird has flown away.
Questions
(i) To what is the goldfinch’s movement compared?
(ii) Why does the poet use the word ‘engine’? Do you think it is hyperbole or exaggeration?
(iii) Which two sounds dominate in this extract?
Ans.
(i) The goldfinch’s movement is compared to that of a lizard, smooth and alert.
(ii) The word ‘engine’ in the extract denotes the sudden and monotonous noise put up by the young
ones of the goldfinch in the nest. The poet has definitely used hyperbole in a beautiful way to compare
the sudden eruption of chitterings in the tree to that of an engine starting up.
(iii)The sounds that strike our ears repeatedly are the “chitterings” and “trillings” of the mother and
baby birds.
Questions
(i) What is the significance of the ‘Laburnum top’ here?
(ii) Which season has been described in these lines?
(iii) What commotion does the bird create? How?
Ans.
(i) The laburnum is an Indian tree with yellow flowers. The significance of the tree top here is that the
goldfinch bird has built her nest in its branch, not reachable easily, to bring up her chicks.
(ii) It is perhaps the ‘fall’ or the autumn season when the tree leaves turn yellow and the seeds fall on
the ground.
(iii) The arrival of the mother goldfinch is noted by her young ones or fledgelings. They start chirruping
noisily out of joy. The silence is broken suddenly.
Albert Einstein at School
Short Answer Questions
1.What information do you gather about Albert and his pursuit of knowledge?
Ans. Albert was a brilliant boy at school. He was not satisfied with the sort of education provided at
the Munich school. He knew a little more Maths than his Maths teacher. He hated to learn the dates
of battles by heart. He believed that ideas were much more important than dates. He read books on
Geology even though it was not taught at school. He was after ideas and not facts.
2. Why did the History teacher dislike Albert?
Ans. The History teacher, Mr Braun, never liked Albert who said frankly that there was no point in
learning dates. He could not tell the year when the French were defeated at Waterloo. Mr Braun called
the boy a disgrace and told him to leave school at once.
3. Why did Albert feel like leaving his school in Munich?
Ans. Albert hated the school in Munich, Germany. But he knew the importance of Getting a school
diploma for admission in a college in Milan. The teachers at Munich were insensitive to his feelings.
The History teacher, Mr Braun was most hostile to him. Albert felt miserable there. He was afraid he
would have a nervous breakdown.
4. Who was Mr Koch? What did he think about Albert?
Ans. Mr Koch was Albert’s Maths teacher at the Munich school. He had a very high opinion about
the boy’s brilliance. He even admitted that Albert would soon be able to teach him. He gave a glowing
letter of reference to Albert that he was good enough to study higher Maths.
5. Who was Yuri? How did he help Albert?
Ans. Yuri was Albert’s friend and the only person who stood by Albert when he was feeling miserable
at school and also at his lodging. He helped Albert with his sincere advice. He introduced him to his
doctor friend who agreed to give him a medical certificate. He was the only person in Munich whom
Albert had seen before he left.
6. In what context and in what sense did Yuri call Albert—The world’s worst liar’?
 Ans. Albert felt so miserable in Munich that he wanted to get away from there at any cost. He sought
his friend. Yuri’s help to get a medical certificate. He asked Yuri if he had a doctor friend who could
certify that he (Alberti was suffering from a nervous breakdown and needed a breakfront school. But
Yuri said that Albert looked quite cheerful, and the doctor would guess that he was fine because he
was not good even at telling a lie. Yuri called Albert the world’s worst liar and told him to be frank with
the doctor.
7. Why did Albert feel nervous when he met the doctor?
Ans. Albert on Yuri’s advice agreed to see Dr Ernst Weil for the certificate. He wished that the doctor
should certify that he was likely to suffer a nervous breakdown if he continued going to school. It was
just an excuse. So he felt nervous. He did not know what to tell the doctor.
8. What reason did the headmaster give for expelling Albert from school?
Ans. The headteacher charged Albert with creating problems in the class. His presence in the
classroom made it impossible for the teacher to teach and for other students to a team, He said that
Albert refused to learn and he was always in a rebellious mood. So he must leave school.
9. What was Albert’s theory of education?
Ans. Albert had a brilliant mind. Inc was a genius. He hated to learn the dates of history by heart.
He thought that not facts but ideas really mattered. He did not see any point in learning the dates of
bathes; instead, it would be more useful to learn as to why these battles were fought.
10. How did Mr Braun chide and curse Einstein?
Ans. Mr Braun was a History teacher in Munich School. He asked Albert in what year the Prussians
had defeated Napoleon. Albert honestly said that he did not see any point in learning dates. Mr Braun
took him to the task. He said Albert was a disgrace and he should leave school.
11. Albert felt distressed even in his rented lodging. Why?
Ans. Albert was feeling miserable when he returned to his rented room in the locality. of the poor.
There was dirt, bad food and noise. But what he hated most was its slum-like atmosphere. His landlady
heats up her children and shouted at them every day. And she herself was beaten by her drunk
husband every weekend when he came home.
12. How did Albert’s cousin Elsa try to persuade him to go on with his studies at Munich?
Ans. Elsa, Albert’s cousin, tried to bring him round to complete his term for the diploma. She said
that he did not have to understand what he was taught. He should just cram the answers for the exams.
But Albert was not convinced.
13. What really cheered Albert while he had to stay at Munich much against his will?
Ans. Albert had two hobbies. He read books on Science and enjoyed playing his violin. Again he
was asked by his landlady to stop making “that wailing sound” in the house where children were
already howling. His Science books and violin cheered him in that otherwise miserable atmosphere.
14. How did Dr Ernst Well treat and oblige Albert?
Ans. Yuri contacted his friend Dr Ernst Weil and explained Albert’s problem to him. The doctor agreed
to help Albert. He noted that Albert was close to a nervous breakdown. He handed Albert a medical
certificate, certifying that the boy must stay away from school for at least six months.
Important Long/ Detailed Answer Type Questions- to be answered in about 100 -150 words
each Value-based questions-
Long Answer Questions (up to 100 words)
1. How did Albert feel at school and at his lodging in Munich?
Ans. Albert was studying in a German school in Munich. But he felt very cramped and suffocated
there. He was intelligent, honest and truthful. He admitted frankly that he did not believe in learning
the dates of historical events. In his opinion, ideas mattered much more than facts. He was taunted
and scoled by Mr Braun every day. His interest lay chiefly in Maths and Geology. The History teacher
reported against him to the Headmaster who threatened to expel him. So he felt miserable there.
Due to lack of money his father had rented a room for Albert in a very poor locality. The atmosphere
of slum violence there disturbed him a lot. The landlady objected to his playing the violin and she
shouted and beat up her children every day.
2. What was Albert’s philosophy of education? Do you subscribe to his view?
Ans. Albert had a brilliant mind. He studied Geology when hardly any Science was taught at school.
He clashed with his History teacher one day. He declared that he did not see any point in learning
dates of battles. He explained his theory of education to the class. He said that ideas mattered more
than the dates of battles.
Mr Braun called him a disgrace, an ungrateful boy who had better leave school. Albert Einstein’s
philosophy of education certainly makes sense. No sensible person can support simply cramming the
subjects for passing exams.
3. Bring out the contribution of Yuri, Maths teacher, Mr Koch and Dr Ernst Well in enabling
Albert to move off to Milan?
Ans. Albert felt miserable in his school in Munich. Neither the teachers nor the quality of education
suited his taste. He wanted to leave Munich and go back to his parents in Milan for higher studies. He
felt that he was wasting his time at the Munich school. He sought the help of his only friend Yuri in this
regard. Yuri helped him get a medical certificate from his doctor friend Ernst Weil. The doctor
recommended that Albert needed a change for six months in view of his likelihood of a nervous
breakdown. Equally helpful was Mr Koch, the Maths teacher. He admitted that Albert knew a little more
Maths than him, and should join some college for the study of higher Maths. Thus, these three persons
accelerated his departure.
4. Yuri was a great help to Albert while in Munich. Comment and Justify.
Ans. Albert Einstein was, so to say, a loner, a boy isolated at school as well as at his lodgings in
Munich. The only person who stood by Albert was his friend Yuri. He put his problem before Yuri and
sought his help in leaving his school as well as the city. Yuri tried in vain to persuade. Albert to pass
the exam for the school diploma. Yuri agreed, at last, to take Albert to Dr Ernst Well to get him a
medical certificate. The doctor certified that Albert was close to a nervous breakdown and must stay
away from school for six months at least. Yuri also advised Albert to get a testimonial from his Maths
teacher. He finally said goodbye and good luck to Albert, before the latter left Munich for Milan.
5. Describe how History teacher and the Headmaster humiliated Albert.
Ans. The History teacher, Mr Braun, was chiefly to blame for driving Albert out of school and then out
of Munich. He humiliated Albert in the classroom. He asked the boy in which year the Prussians had
defeated the French. Albert told him that he did not see any sense in learning the dates and facts by
heart. He explained his theory of education that facts were not so important as ideas and students
should try to know the reason behind such wars.
Mr Braun called him a disgrace, an ungrateful boy who ought to be ashamed of himself. He complained
against the boy to the head teacher who again treated Albert harshly. He was going to expel the boy
for disturbing the class. Albert left the school on his own accord and moved off to Milan, Italy.
6. Bring out some of the distinguished qualities of Albert’s character.
Ans. Albert Einstein had a very bad time in Munich. He was grossly misunderstood by his school
teacher. They thought that the boy was a constant nuisance as he refused to learn facts and figures
and was rebellious or unruly by nature, so he had better leave school. Albert, in fact, had a brilliant
mind and was much ahead of his classmates. He had a keen interest in higher Maths, Science and
subjects like Geology. He was sensitive and head-strong but also very honest and straightforward. His
tastes were refined. He loved music and played the violin. He was keen to join some college to study
higher Maths. He felt miserable at his lodging as well. He hated the slum-like atmosphere and violence
there. He wanted to go beyond the textbook and explore his favourite subjects deeply.
Value Based Questions and Answers of Albert Einstein at School
1. The present educational system is by and large out of tune with the times. We need an
efficient system of education.
Ans. The present system of education is based entirely on cramming. The students are required to
cram facts and figures, historical data and researches done in various fields in the past. They have no
creative imagination. If a student shows signs of innovation, he is sidelined and the teachers declare
him a rebel. As such the student’s initiative is stifled and he finds himself being suffocated.
Students found having new ideas should be encouraged and if possible they should be given all the
help to develop their innovative ideas and give them practical shape. Today, success is measured by
suitable answers to some pet questions in the examination. Instead of rote learning, students’ real
ability and intelligence should be highlighted and they should be encouraged by their teachers to keep
marching on the path of their new ideas. Many students do show extraordinary talent but they become
a laughing stock only because the teachers themselves cannot keep pace with them. Special training
should be arranged for such students so that they may bring laurels to their institutes and to their
parents. Had Albert not left Munich for Milan, he would not have earned recognition and his talent
would not have blossomed into full-fledged theories which proved to be a boon for the world.
Mother’s Day
Short Answer Questions

1.What do you think is Mrs Pearson’s grouse or complaint against her husband and children?

Ans. Mrs Pearson’s complaint against her husband and children is that they are so thoughtless and
selfish. That they treat her almost like a domestic servant. They come home in the evening and leave
soon for their club or outing and enjoy themselves. She takes their orders and runs after them. She
has no break, no holiday, no recreation.

2. How do Mrs Pearson and Mrs Fitzgerald come together?

Ans. Mrs Pearson and Mrs Fitzgerald are neighbours. Mrs Fitzgerald is a fortune-teller. She is a bold
and domineering woman. The two women often meet. Mrs Pearson shares her problems with her
neighbour. Mrs Fitzgerald suggests some radical ways to deal with the family.

3. Bring out the distinctive traits of the two ladies in “Mother’s Day”.

Ans. The two ladies in the play are Mrs Pearson and Mrs Fitzgerald. They are neighbours. They are
totally different in their outlook, temperament and habits. Mrs Fitzgerald drinks, smokes and plays
cards. She lives life on her own terms. Mrs Pearson is a submissive wife and mother. Although she
suffers, she does not have the guts to check or correct her family members. So, she does all the
household chores for her family without a word of appreciation from them.

4. How had Mrs Fitzgerald mastered some basics of magic spell?

Ans. Mrs Fitzgerald was a bold, talented and strong woman. She learnt some basics of magic in Asia
where her husband was posted for twelve years. She takes Mrs Pearson’s hands and utters some
words. The personalities of the two women change bodies.

5. How do Mrs Fitzgerald and Mrs Pearson exchange personalities and what for?

Ans. Mrs Fitzgerald holds Mrs Pearson’s hand. They look at each other. She mutters the spell—
arshtatt dum arshtatta lum. Then both the women go lax. They come to life soon but with the
personality of the other. They do so in order to teach a lesson to Mrs Pearson’s family.

6. What impression does George leave on you? Does Mrs Fitzgerald’s treatment meted out to him
serve the purpose?

Ans. George Pearson is about fifty. He is selfish and pompous. He also neglects his wife. Mrs
Fitzgerald cuts him to size. She tells him how the club members call him Pompy-company Pearson at
his back. He feels small and cowed down. The treatment does serve the purpose.

7. What sane advice does Mrs Fitzgerald give to her neighbour in the art of managing her family?

Ans. Mrs Fitzgerald’s approach is harsh and unforgiving. She tells Mrs Pearson to stop running after
her family all the time and taking their orders. Her family should learn to care for her and value her.
She should show them their places and refuse to serve them.

8. It’s more than hints your family needs, Mrs Pearson. Why can’t Mrs Pearson heed and act upon Mrs
Fitzgerald’s advice?

Ans. Mrs Pearson does not dare to displease her husband or children. She can’t take a hard step and
also does not know how to begin. She agrees with Mrs Fitzgerald’s views but she doesn’t want to
annoy them. Her motherly heart does not allow her to be harsh towards her husband and children.

9. Describe the little but a very effective episode of change of the places or personalities at Mrs
Pearson’s house.

Ans. Mrs Fitzgerald is a strong and aggressive woman. She has mastered the art of casting a magic
spell. She learnt that art in an Asian country. She mutters the spell—three words in all, holds Mrs
Pearson’s hands and they change personalities.

10. How does Mrs Fitzgerald remove Mrs Pearson’s apprehensions about the reaction of her family
and the issue of changing back?

Ans. Mrs Fitzgerald is sure that her spell will work. But the change of personalities/places would not
last long. She offers to deal with the self-centered members of the family with a heavy hand. She
assures that changing back is quite easy for her, any time.

11. Describe how Mrs Pearson, with the personality of Mrs Fitzgerald, deal with Doris.
 Ans. Doris is the first target of her changed mother. After returning from office, she demands tea
and asks her mother whether she has ironed her yellow dress. But the mother refuses point blank to
serve her any more. She even makes fun of Doris’s boyfriend, Charlie. Thus, the mother makes her cry.
She makes her realise that she is not her servant.

12. How does the changed Mrs Pearson give a rude shock to George?

Ans. George questions his wife why she is drinking stout at that odd hour. He disapproves of it but
sets a curt reply from her. She points out how he is the laughing stock at the club, where they called
him names behind his back. She even threatens to slap his big, fat, silly face, when he insults Mrs
Fitzgerald. He accepts defeat and becomes normal.

13. Describe how the new Mrs Pearson deals with Cyril.

Ans. Cyril is another person whom the changed mother sets right. She tells him to help himself in
the kitchen and prepare tea. She declares she would take a holiday on weekends. She points out how
he has been wasting much money and time at dog races and ice shows. She calls him a silly, spoilt,
young brat.

14. What do Doris and Cyril presume about the changed behaviour of the mother?

Ans. Both Doris and Cyril are taken aback at the sudden change in their mother’s tone and
behaviour. They think that she must have hit her head against something, which has made her light-
headed. They are shocked to hear that she would enjoy free-of-work weekends for a change.

15. How does Mrs Pearson (acting as Mrs Fitzgerald) silence her neighbour as she comes back to see
the little drama?

Ans. Real Mrs Pearson returns to her house to see that everything is all right. But she is shocked to
see the painful drama of tears and scolding. When she tries to intervene, Mrs Fitzgerald tells her
severely to let her manage her family in her own way. She says she is putting them all in their places
and cutting them to size.

16. Why does George react when the neighbour calls him George? What does he complain of?

Ans. George objects strongly when the neighbour addresses him as George. But the new Mrs
Pearson sees no reason to feel offended. She tells him that he is not Duke of Edinburgh. Ile further
complains that no tea has been served to him, that poor Doris is crying upstairs because her mother
has hurt her feelings.

17. When and why does Mrs Fitzgerald (in Mrs Pearson’s body) threaten to slap George?

Ans. George feels offended and insulted. At that moment the next door neighbour Mrs Fitzgerald
comes to visit them and addresses him as George. He objects to her presence in the house and insults
her. He asks angrily it she (his wife) has gone eccentric. At this, his wife jumps up and threatens to
slap his big, in the silly face.

18. What does Mrs Pearson finally ask her family to do?

Ans. When Mrs Fitzgerald has gone. the real Mrs Pearson asks her family to do as she wants them to
do. She wants them all to stay at home that evening and perhaps play a game of rummy with her. She
asks her son and daughter to get the supper ready. In the meantime, she will have a talk with her
husband George. No one dares to challenge her demand.

19. What is Mrs Fitzgerald’s parting advice to Mrs Pearson?

Ans. Mrs Fitzgerald is a liberated woman, bold and empowered woman in the real sense. She warns
Mrs Pearson to he tough and demanding for a couple of hours with her family. She forbids her to feel
sorry for the drama, and offer no explanation or apology. If she stays firm, they will all change for the
better very soon.

20. How is the tense little drama at Mrs Pearson’s house filially resolved?

Ans. The little drama is staged chiefly by Mrs Fitzgerald by interchanging her personality with Mrs
Pearson. She takes all the spoilt and self-centred members of the Pearson family to task. After she
succeeds in making all the family members realise how mean and selfish they have been towards Mrs
Pearson, she changes back their personalities. When they see their mother behaving normally but
firmly, they agree at once to play a game of rummy at home and to work in the kitchen. George also is
pleased to have a talk with her. The members of the family are to respect Pearson’s sentiments. The
play ends on a happy note.

Important Long/ Detailed Answer Type Questions- to be answered in about 100 -150 words each
Value based questions-

Long Answer Questions

1. Narrate the story of the play Mother’s Day in about 100 words.

Ans. The play ‘Mother’s Day’ depicts the status of the woman in a family. She is treated as a
domestic slave, taking orders from her husband as well as children. Mrs Pearson and Mrs Fitzgerald
are neighbours. They stand in sharp contrast to each other.

Mrs Pearson is a submissive wife and mother. She is unhappy with the treatment she gets from
her family. She discusses her problem with her neighbour. Mrs Fitzgerald is bold, liberated and an
aggressive woman. She knows the art of casting magic spells as well. She changes her personality with
that of Mrs Pearson. Then she stays on in Mrs Pearson’s house to deal with George. Doris and Cyril.
She sets them right and makes them see reason. She cuts them to size. They agree to do as Mrs
Pearson desires. The two women again become their old normal selves. The play ends on a happy
note.

2. Write a note on the theme of the play Mother’s Day. Do you approve of the method adopted by
Mrs Fitzgerald? Elucidate.

Ans. The theme of Mother’s Day is the low status of a woman in her family, and how she deserves to
be the boss of the house. This issue is common in every country. She is the weaker sex. She is
neglected. Her services are neither acknowledged nor paid for. Mrs Fitzgerald, the liberated and
strong neighbour of Mrs Pearson, shows the way. She enters her spirit into Mrs Pearson’s body and
spends a couple of hours in the neighbour’s house. She deals very harshly with all the family
members. George. Cyril and Doris—all of them are shocked and surprised at the changed behaviour of
Mrs Pearson. They give in at last to her wishes. Mrs Fitzgerald’s method proves very successful in
solving the problem.

3. Give your brief comments on the five main characters in the play Mother’s Day.

Ans. Mother’s Day is a humorous and satirical presentation of a grim little family drama. It discusses
the issue of the status of a mother and wife in the family. The play has five characters in all. Mrs
Fitzgerald is a strong woman, aggressive and demanding. Her neighbour Mrs Pearson is just her
opposite. She is given to serving her husband and children. She makes no demands: she does not dare
to displease anybody, but she resents their behaviour inwardly. Her husband George is pompous,
selfish and the centre of jokes at the club. Her son Cyril is a young man and her daughter is Doris. Both
are working in offices. They come home in the evening, demand tea and ironed clothes so that they
can go out again. All the three are self-centred. They neglect Mrs Pearson who is all docile, motherly
and submissive.
4. How does Mrs Fitzgerald passing for Mrs Pearson put Mr George, Doris and Cyril in their places?

Ans. Mrs Fitzgerald comes to the rescue of Mrs Pearson. She transfers her spirit into Mrs Pearson’s
body and gets ready to show all the three members their places. Her first target is Doris. She comes
home demands tea and orders the mother to iron her yellow silk. But she is astonished when her
mother goes on smoking and is planning to eat out at a restaurant. She gets such a rough treatment
that she is all in tears. The next target is Cyril. He also finds his mother cold and defiant. Both suspect
that she has hit her head against something. Mother chides them for whispering and laughing.
George, as he enters the room, finds his wife smoking, drinking stout and playing cards. He objects to
all that but is told curtly to shut up. He is told how the club members make fun of him behind his
back. Thus, they all are made to realise how mean and selfish they have been towards Mrs Pearson.

5. Compare and contrast the characters of Mrs Fitzgerald and Mrs Pearson. Who do you admire and
why?

Ans. Mrs Fitzgerald and Mrs Pearson make an interesting study in contrast. Mrs Fitzgerald is strong,
aggressive, liberated and domineering. She lives life on her own terms. She smokes, plays cards and
drinks stout. She can challenge anybody. She even jumps up to slap George. She runs down Doris’
fiance. She takes Cyril to task for wasting time and money on dog races and ice shows. Mrs Pearson,
on the other hand, is weakminded and docile. She does not dare to displease any member of her
family. She agrees with the way suggested by Mrs Fitzgerald but she is afraid of hurting the feelings of
the members of her family. Mrs Fitzgerald has a domineering personality while Mrs Pearson has
pleasing looks and nature and she is rather nervous. We certainly need more women like Mrs
Fitzgerald, who can stand up for their rights.

6. How do you look at Mrs Pearson’s genuine problems and Mrs Fitzgerald’s suggestion? Is it
practicable, imaginative and realistic?

Ans. The resentment of Mrs Pearson is genuine and realistic. Hers is a miserable life. That is the
experience of most of the women. She is sensitive and servile. That is why she is neglected by her
family members. The solution suggested by Mrs Fitzgerald is quite effective. But it is not practical as
everyone does not have magic skills. Mrs Fitzgerald commands a drastic action. Any woman, who is in
Mrs Pearson’s place, would have to deal with the situation in a tactful manner. The matter would
have to be resolved by discussing things with each other rather than the dramatic way shown by Mrs
Fitzgerald.

7. We talk of women’s liberation movement but it is a grim and sad reality that our women, except
some, are slaves of the wheel as they were in the past. What place do women have in Indian society?
Discuss.

Ans. India has been and is still a male-dominated society. Boys are definitely preferred to girls. In
reality, the man still governs unquestioned. It will not be wrong to say that employed women in
general work at home like drudges. In our society a wife depends upon her husband; a daughter
remains under her parents; a mother depends on her husband and son. The condition of a widow is
worse. A woman finds it difficult to move freely. All social taboos are meant for her.

Some women today are free to choose their career, but the majority of them are still oppressed.
Strangely enough women in ancient India enjoyed honour and respect and were true better halves of
men. They enjoyed equal rights to men. They were at liberty to get an education and choose their life
partners.

Nowadays, due to education, the condition of women is improving. All important services are thrown
open to them. We see women occupying high posts. They have excelled men in many fields. In the
social, economic and political sphere, they have earned name and fame. Due to education, views and
old thinking of the Indian society is changing. Today women have earned a place for themselves in
every field and the future of Indian women is brighter still.