1. “A Letter to God” by G.L.

Fuentes
Question:
What was Lencho’s reaction after receiving the letter with money?
Answer:
Lencho was not surprised to receive the money, as he had unwavering faith that God would help
him. However, upon counting the money and finding it short of the 100 pesos he requested, he
became angry. He believed that the post office employees had stolen a portion of the money. His
faith in God remained intact, but he lost faith in humanity, which is ironic since it was the post
office employees who collected the money for him out of kindness.

What is the irony in the story "A Letter to God"?

Answer:
The irony in "A Letter to God" lies in the fact that Lencho, the protagonist, firmly believes that God
will send him money to help him after the hailstorm destroys his crops. He writes a letter asking
God for 100 pesos and receives 70 pesos, not knowing that it is the post office employees who
collect the money out of kindness. However, Lencho, unaware of their generosity, accuses them of
stealing the missing 30 pesos, assuming only God could be so generous. The irony is that while
Lencho’s faith in God is unshakeable, he mistrusts the very people who helped him out of goodwill

2. “Nelson Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom” by Nelson Mandela

Question:
What did Nelson Mandela mean by the “twin obligations” in his speech?
Answer:
Nelson Mandela referred to the two primary responsibilities that every individual has: one, to their
family, parents, spouse, and children; and the other, to their country and community. Under
apartheid, fulfilling both obligations was difficult for black South Africans, as they were oppressed
and denied their basic rights. Mandela’s speech emphasizes the importance of balancing these
obligations, but under a regime that respects freedom and equality.

3. “From the Diary of Anne Frank” by Anne Frank

Question:
Why did Anne Frank think she could confide more in her diary than in people?
Answer:
Anne Frank felt that she could open up more to her diary than to people because she found it
difficult to trust others or share her deepest feelings with them. She viewed her diary as a friend she
could confide in without judgment. The emotional turbulence she experienced during the Nazi
occupation and her isolation made her diary a reliable companion, unlike people around her who
she felt could not understand her fully.
5. “Glimpses of India” (Part I, II, and III)
Question:
How does the story highlight the importance of Indian culture and diversity?
Answer:
The three parts of "Glimpses of India" — "A Baker from Goa," "Coorg," and "Tea from Assam" —
each focus on different aspects of India’s rich cultural heritage. The first story emphasizes Goa’s
Portuguese influence and traditional baking culture. The second showcases Coorg’s natural beauty
and the bravery of its people. The third highlights Assam’s global tea production. Together, these
stories show the unity in diversity that defines India, celebrating its varied traditions, landscapes,
and customs.

Poem

1. “Dust of Snow” by Robert Frost

Question:
How did the dust of snow change the poet’s mood?
Answer:
In the poem "Dust of Snow," the simple act of a crow shaking snow from a hemlock tree onto the
poet shifts his mood from one of gloom to one of cheer. This seemingly insignificant event brings a
positive change, making the poet realize that small moments can have a powerful effect on our
emotions. It suggests that nature can uplift even the most disheartened spirits.

2. “Fire and Ice” by Robert Frost

Question:
What does the poet say about the world’s end in “Fire and Ice”?
Answer:
In "Fire and Ice," the poet Robert Frost explores two possible ways the world could end: through
fire (symbolizing desire and passion) or through ice (symbolizing hatred and cold indifference).
Both elements, representing opposing human emotions, have destructive power. Frost suggests that
unchecked desire can lead to chaos, while indifference and hatred can be equally destructive. He
concludes that either force could cause the end of the world.

What do "fire" and "ice" symbolize in the poem “Fire and Ice”? How are they related to human
emotions?
Answer:
In the poem "Fire and Ice," Robert Frost uses "fire" to symbolize desire and passion, which can lead
to destruction, while "ice" represents hatred and indifference, which can also cause harm. Both
emotions are extreme and have the potential to bring about destruction, not only to the world but to
human relationships. The poem suggests that either of these forces — uncontrolled desire or cold
hatred — could lead to the end of the world. Through this symbolism, Frost explores the destructive
potential of intense human emotions, suggesting that unchecked emotions can be as harmful as
natural disasters.

3. “The Ball Poem” by John Berryman

Question:
What lesson does the boy learn in "The Ball Poem"?
Answer:
In "The Ball Poem," the boy learns the painful yet essential lesson of dealing with loss. When he
loses his ball, he is confronted with the harsh reality that some things are irretrievable, and their loss
is part of growing up. The poem emphasizes that loss, whether of objects or people, is a part of life
that everyone must face. The boy realizes that life continues despite such losses, and he must move
on with the understanding that not everything can be replaced.

What does the lost ball symbolize in "The Ball Poem"? How does the boy’s reaction to the loss
teach a lesson about life?
Answer:
In "The Ball Poem," the lost ball symbolizes the loss of innocence and the inevitable experiences of
loss and grief in life. The boy’s reaction to losing his ball — his realization that it is gone forever —
reflects how individuals must learn to cope with loss and move on. The poem teaches that loss is an
integral part of growing up and life. Instead of dwelling on what’s gone, one must learn to accept
and let go, understanding that new experiences and objects can never fully replace what is lost but
are essential to personal growth.

Supplemenrary

Why was Mrs. Pumphrey worried about Tricki? How did Dr. Herriot help the dog recover?
Answer:
Mrs. Pumphrey was worried about Tricki because he had become excessively fat, lazy, and lethargic due to her
overfeeding and pampering. She showered him with rich food, believing that it would keep him healthy, but
instead, it made Tricki ill. Dr. Herriot, realizing that Tricki's condition was due to overfeeding, took the dog to
his clinic. There, Tricki was given no extra food, just plenty of exercise and attention. Without Mrs. Pumphrey’s
constant indulgence, Tricki’s health improved, and he became active again.
Chapter 2: “The Thief’s Story” by Ruskin Bond
Question:
How did Anil’s trust change Hari Singh, the thief?
Answer:
Anil’s trust played a pivotal role in transforming Hari Singh, a young thief. Despite knowing Hari's
dishonest intentions, Anil employed him and even taught him to read and write. Hari stole money
from Anil one night but soon regretted it, realizing that betraying Anil’s trust was not worth the
small amount of money. His guilt led him to return the money. Anil's kindness and faith in Hari
inspired him to change his ways, marking a turning point in Hari’s life as he decided to lead an
honest life.

How did Hari Singh’s life change after meeting Anil?

Answer:
Hari Singh, a young thief, experienced a significant transformation after meeting Anil. Initially,
Hari planned to steal from Anil as he did with others. However, Anil’s kindness, trust, and
willingness to teach him to read and write affected Hari deeply. When he eventually stole money
from Anil, his conscience pricked him, and he decided to return the money. Hari realized that the
value of trust, education, and a meaningful life was far greater than temporary material gain. This
marked a turning point in his life, as he resolved to lead an honest life.

Chapter 3: “The Midnight Visitor” by Robert Arthur

Question:
How did Ausable outsmart Max in "The Midnight Visitor"?
Answer:
Ausable, a secret agent, outsmarted the rival spy Max by using his clever thinking. When Max
confronted him in his hotel room to steal important documents, Ausable remained calm and created
a fake story about a balcony just outside the window, which he claimed was used for escape routes.
Believing this, Max tried to exit through the window but fell to his death, as there was no balcony.
Ausable’s quick thinking and ability to fabricate the story of the balcony saved him from Max,
highlighting his intelligence in handling a dangerous situation.

Chapter 4: “A Question of Trust” by Victor Canning

Question:
Why did Horace Danby commit the robbery, and how was he outwitted?
Answer:
Horace Danby, a respectable man, committed thefts once a year to support his passion for collecting
rare books. During his latest burglary attempt, he was outwitted by a clever woman who posed as
the owner of the house he intended to rob. She pretended to need help in opening the safe, and
Horace, falling for her deception, opened it for her. It was only later that he realized she was not the
real owner, but by then it was too late, and he was arrested. The woman tricked him into doing the
hard work of the robbery, outsmarting him completely.

Chapter 5: “Footprints without Feet” by H.G. Wells

Question:
How did Griffin, the invisible man, create trouble wherever he went?
Answer:
Griffin, a scientist who discovered the formula to become invisible, used his power irresponsibly.
He misused his invisibility to steal money, attack people, and escape the law. His invisibility made
it easy for him to commit crimes without being caught. He terrorized people in the villages he
visited, and his immoral behavior caused chaos wherever he went. Instead of using his discovery for
the benefit of humanity, Griffin became a menace, leading to his downfall as he was constantly on
the run from the authorities.

Describe the character of Griffin. How does his use of invisibility lead to both power and downfall?
Answer:
Griffin, the protagonist in "Footprints without Feet," is a brilliant but unethical scientist who
discovers the formula for invisibility. Initially, his ability to become invisible gives him a sense of
power and freedom, allowing him to commit crimes without getting caught. However, Griffin’s
unchecked use of this power leads to his downfall. His arrogance, lack of empathy, and desire to
exploit others for his gain isolate him from society. Ultimately, his invisibility becomes a curse
rather than a gift, as it strips him of his humanity, making him paranoid and disconnected from the
world. This illustrates that unchecked power can lead to self-destruction.