Q1. Think about the statement: “Faith can move mountains.

” Do you think that this feeling had been

Ans: Faith can move mountains. This statement holds significant meaning, especially for someone
like Lencho. His unwavering faith in God is evident in his actions. When his crops were destroyed, he
turned to God for help by writing a letter requesting a hundred pesos. This act reflects his deep
belief that God would provide for him. When Lencho received seventy pesos, he felt compelled to
write again, asking for the remaining amount. This shows how strong his feelings for God were; he
truly believed that God would not let him down. Lencho's faith was not just a feeling but a powerful
force that drove him to seek help in his time of need.

Q2. Writing a letter to God for help really shows not only the unshaken faith in God of the writer
Lencho but also shows his utter simplicity and innocence. Comment.

Ans: Lencho was a simple and hardworking farmer who worked like an ox in his fields. When the
heavy fall of hailstones destroyed his corn totally, he and his family were rather on the verge of
starvation. He was left with one hope, help from God. He believed that God was all-merciful and
heard the call of those who were of a clear conscience. He requested him to send a hundred pesos
immediately to help him to sow his fields. He and his family also needed some money to live on until
the fresh crop came. Writing a letter to God and addressing it `To God’ shows the writer’s unshaken
faith in God. He was a simple man not distrusting that such a letter could reach God. His innocence
and firm belief in God’s mercy even deeply impressed and influenced the postmaster who decided
to answer his letter. He didn’t want to shake the writer’s faith in God. He collected and sent 70 pesos
as help signing the letter with one word, ‘God’. Lencho had so much faith in God and his mercy that
he didn’t show any surprise when he received the money sent to him. He wrote another letter
requesting him to send the rest of the money immediately but not through the postal mail as the
post office employees were a ‘bunch of crooks’.

Q3. The poet has succeeded in giving valuable information in a light-hearted manner. What creates
the desired effect? Highlight its importance in present-day life.

Ans: Frost employs simple language to deliver a profound message: even small things can have a
significant impact. His use of straightforward language, coupled with unusual imagery and brevity,
effectively conveys this idea. The poet's underlying bitterness is mirrored in his surroundings, which
include a noisy crow, poisonous hemlock, and icy snow. While these images may seem bleak, the
moment when the crow shakes off the dust of snow onto the poet serves to alleviate some of his
regretful thoughts. In today's fast-paced world, often filled with stress, this poem serves as a
reminder to appreciate the joy in small moments.

Q4. Our attitude towards a situation evokes both negative and positive responses. Analyze this with
reference to the poem, ‘Dust of Snow’ to bring out the inherent valuable lessons.

Ans: Life presents us with situations that can evoke both positive and negative responses. In the
poem ‘Dust of Snow’, the poet begins feeling sorrowful. However, when a crow shakes off snow
onto him, his mood shifts from bitter to optimistic. Despite his initial sadness, the poet could have
reacted with anger towards the crow. Instead, the falling snow acts as a positive influence, lifting his
spirits and allowing him to momentarily forget his troubles. This illustrates a valuable lesson: rather
than focusing on the negative aspects of a situation, we should aim to find the positive side. Our
responses can significantly shape the outcomes of our experiences.

Q5. What do the metaphors of ‘ice’ and ‘fire’ convey to the readers? Don’t they represent the two
extremes of human behaviour that can lead to the destruction and death of this world? What is the
message that the poet wants to give to the readers?

Ans. The poet has touched on the universal issue of the ending of this existing world. He gives a
message as well as a warning to human beings. Man is swaying between two extremes — ‘fire’ and
‘ice’. Sometimes he is torn by his unbridled fire of passions, desires, lusts, longings, and fury. This
results in greed, avarice and passionate love. All such extremes can lead to unavoidable conflicts and
disasters. If not controlled, they can help in bringing an early end to this world. The other extreme
behaviour of human beings is born out of cold and ‘icy’ reasoning. When our cold reasoning
becomes completely devoid of human warmth, feelings, love, and sympathy, it breeds hatred.
Hatred born out of cold indifference, insensitivity and rigidity is strong enough to cause the end of
this world. Humanity can redeem itself and possibly save or delay the end of the world by giving up
such extremes of thinking and behaviour.

Q6. Most of your classmates, like Frost, feel that man’s greed and rage or hate, would lead the world
to its destruction. You feel that the ‘fire and ice’ in Mankind can be addressed to create a
harmonious world. Write a speech, for your classmates, expressing your beliefs with respect to the
poem.

Ans: A very good morning, to each and every one present in this room. Today I’m here to express
my beliefs with respect to the poem ‘Fire and Ice’. Dear friends, I strongly believe that ‘Fire and Ice’
in Mankind can be addressed to create a harmonious world. We, humans, are swaying between two
extremes ‘Fire and Ice’. Sometimes we are torn by our unbridled fire of passions, desires, lusts,
longings and fury. This further results in greed, avarice and passionate love. All such extremes can
lead to conflicts and disasters. If not controlled, they can help in bringing an early end of the world.
Humanity can redeem itself and possibly save or delay the end of the world by giving up such
extremes of thinking and behaviour. So let us keep burning the fire of patriotism, solidarity and
sensitivity and put ice on indifference and rigidity to create a harmonious world around us.

Q7. Why was Nelson Mandela overwhelmed with a sense of history? Give the birth and finally the
burial of the apartheid regime in South Africa.

Ans: On the day of his inauguration, Nelson Mandela was deeply moved by a sense of history. This
feeling was natural for a man who had fought against the oppressive regime for decades. Following
the Boer War, white groups in South Africa united to establish a system of racial domination over the
majority population. The birth of apartheid marked the beginning of one of the most brutal and
inhumane regimes in history, rooted in racial discrimination and oppression. This deep-seated
injustice led to the rise of countless black patriots who were willing to sacrifice their lives for
freedom. Their determined struggle ultimately resulted in victory, culminating in the establishment
of a democratically elected government led by President Mandela on 10th May 1994.
Q8: In the chapter ‘A Baker from Goa’ the narrator talks about his childhood in Goa and his fond
memories. In about 120 words write a presentation draft comparing the childhood of the narrator in
‘A Baker from Goa’ to that of Nelson Mandela. You may begin this way: Childhood memories remind
us of the days gone by…..

Ans: Childhood memories remind us of the days gone by. The author of the story A Baker from Goa
reminisces the good old days when he lived in Goa. He elaborates ablout the lazy mornings when
they would meet the baker who visited twice a day to sell baked goods. The kids would look for the
favourite bread bangles, eat them without brushing their teeth. The entire story is filled with
nostalgia where we get to know the importance of a baker in Goan households. The baker was like a
friend, companion and guide to the narrator. He also throws light on the significance of baked items
in Goan culture which makes the baker an essential part of the community. Thus, the narrator shares
sweet memories of his childhood. Nelson Mandela’s childhood was also full of freedom. He was free
to do whatever he wished for. Like run in the fields, swim in the stream, roast mealies under the
night sky and ride the bulls. He also has sweet memories of his childhood when he enjoyed the
freedom to do follow his heart. All he was expected was to obey his father and follow the rules of his
tribe. Thus, we notice that both of them are nostalgic about their childhood. They miss the good old
days when they had a carefree life.

Q9: A desire is more personal whereas a vision has broader connotations. You have been asked to
present an analysis of Valli’s desire and Mandela’s vision and how they are respectively fulfilled.
Write this presentation draft including your insights, in about 120 words, comparing the approaches
of both Valli and Mandela. You may begin like this : One acknowledges that both, Valli and Mandela
however,

Ans: One acknowledges that both Valli and Mandela were able to achieve their goals. Valli had a
desire to go on a bus ride. Being a mature girl, Valli left no stone unturned to undergo a successful
outing. The readers are in awe of her wisdom, gracefulness and intelligence which helped her gather
all information about the trip, make the necessary arrangements for the bus ride and also, make a
safe bus journey and return home securely. Thus, she was able to fulfil her dream. Nelson Mandela
envisioned a free populace in his country. He wanted justice and equality for the people of the
nation. His vision was beyond personal desires and he felt pain for all the countrymen. He struggled
for a long period of almost thirty years in order to end racial discrimination and set up the first
democratic government in the country. His persistence is an inspiration for us. The readers get to
know that the real diamonds of the country are the numerous freedom fighters whose struggle
finally made the country free. Thus, we see that both the characters display strong qualities that
helped them in their endeavours. A strong character is the foundation of success.

Q10. Buddha said, The world is affected by death and decay, therefore the wise men do not grieve,
knowing the terms of the world. Do you think the statement is appropriate even for today’s life?
Write your views in the context of the above statement.

Ans: The statement by the Buddha remains relevant in today's world. He teaches that death is
inevitable for all living beings. Just as ripe fruits fall from trees, every person must face their end. Life
can be compared to an earthen pot that eventually breaks. No amount of crying or mourning can
bring back the deceased, which is why wise individuals do not grieve. They recognise this as a natural
law of existence. Mourning only leads to further suffering and can harm one’s health. Instead, if one
can remove the pain of lamentation and find composure, they will achieve peace of mind. However,
in modern society, many have forgotten this wisdom. People often strive tirelessly to accumulate
wealth and possessions, sometimes through questionable means, neglecting the reality that
everything will eventually be left behind. They forget that life is temporary and grief is a part of the
human experience. Mourning can only bring discord in life while acceptance is the key to peace. To
truly overcome sorrow, one must learn to let go and embrace the understanding that life, with all its
challenges, is fleeting.

Q11. What did the Buddha ask Kisa Gotami to do? Why couldn’t Kisa Gotami succeed in getting a
handful of mustard seeds from any family?

Ans: Kisa Gotami was deeply affected by the death of her son and sought help from her neighbours,
but they could not console her. They believed her grief had driven her to madness. One neighbor
suggested she consult the Buddha, whom they thought could provide the healing she needed. The
Buddha asked her to bring him a handful of mustard seeds from a household that had never
experienced the loss of a loved one. Determined, Kisa Gotami visited many homes, hoping to find
the seeds. While people were sympathetic and willing to give her mustard seeds, every household
she approached had suffered the death of a child, spouse, or friend. This realisation left her feeling
exhausted and hopeless, as she discovered that grief is a universal experience. Ultimately, Kisa
Gotami learned that her sorrow was not unique, and she recognized her own selfishness in her grief.
The Buddha's lesson was to help her understand that everyone faces loss, and through this
understanding, she could begin to heal.

Q12. What is the epistemology of loss in this world of possessions? How has the child learned to
stand up in life?

Ans: Gain and loss are two sides of the same coin, forming a natural cycle of life. The boy is
heartbroken over the loss of his ball, which represents more than just an object; it embodies his
deep attachment and memories from childhood. This loss is akin to the sweet days of youth that he
cherishes but can never reclaim. To cope with this loss, he must understand the epistemology of loss
—its very nature. In a world fixated on material wealth, many believe that money can buy anything,
but this is a misconception. Money has limitations; it is external and cannot heal emotional wounds.
No amount of wealth can replace the lost ball or restore lost childhood. The child must learn to
move forward, stop mourning past losses, and embrace life as it is meant to be lived.

Q13. You have been chosen to address the school assembly, to speak on the epistemology of loss
and the resilience of the human spirit during times of crisis. Prepare the speech draft, with
reference to the commonality of themes in The Ball Poem’ by John Berryman and ‘From the Diary of
Anne Frank’.

You may begin this way : Good morning everyone. Today, I’d like to discuss two pieces of literature
that offer a powerful insight into how to deal with loss and the resilience of the human spirit
required during times of crisis. You may end this way: To conclude, I’d like to say that _______

Thank you.
Today, I'd like to discuss two pieces of literature that offer a powerful insight into how to deal with
loss and the resilience of the human spirit required during times of crisis. These works, "The Ball
Poem" by John Berryman and "From the Diary of Anne Frank," though distinct in their contexts and
forms, converge on profound themes of loss and the indomitable human spirit.

In "The Ball Poem," Berryman narrates a seemingly simple event: a young boy loses his ball. At first
glance, this may appear trivial, but Berryman delves deeper into the boy’s psyche, exploring the
significance of this loss. The ball represents more than a mere toy; it symbolizes the boy’s innocence
and the irrevocable passage of time. As the ball bounces away, so too does a part of his childhood,
teaching him an early lesson in the inevitability of loss. Berryman writes, "Balls will be lost always,
little boy, / And no one buys a ball back." This poignant statement underscores the permanence of
loss and the necessity of acceptance.

Similarly, Anne Frank’s diary entries reflect profound experiences of loss and the remarkable
resilience of the human spirit. Living in hiding during the horrors of World War II, Anne confronts the
loss of normalcy, freedom, and ultimately, her life. Yet, amidst these harrowing circumstances, she
exhibits extraordinary strength and hope. Anne’s reflections reveal a young girl grappling with fear
and uncertainty, yet she remains resilient. In one of her famous lines, she writes, "In spite of
everything, I still believe that people are really good at heart." This optimism, in the face of
unimaginable adversity, highlights the resilience of the human spirit.

Both pieces of literature teach us that loss is an inherent part of life. Berryman’s young boy learns to
cope with the loss of his ball, an allegory for all losses we experience as we grow older. Anne Frank’s
writings remind us of the resilience required to endure more profound and traumatic losses. Despite
the magnitude of their respective losses, both the boy and Anne demonstrate a capacity to confront
and transcend their pain.

Moreover, these works emphasize the importance of internal strength and hope. The boy in "The
Ball Poem" learns to accept his loss and move forward, while Anne Frank, even in the direst of
circumstances, finds hope and maintains her belief in human goodness. This resilience is a testament
to the strength that lies within each of us.

To conclude, I'd like to say that loss, in its many forms, is an inevitable part of our human experience.
However, as we learn from "The Ball Poem" and Anne Frank's diary, it is our resilience, our ability to
hope, and our inner strength that enable us to endure and rise above the challenges we face. These
qualities are what define the human spirit and make it truly remarkable. Thank you.

Q14. Freedom is such an essential virtue that is valued not only by human beings but also by
animals alike. Justify the statement with reference to Leslie Norris’s poem ‘A Tiger in the Zoo’.

Ans: Freedom is an essential virtue valued by all. Not only humans but even the denizens of the
forest value it. No one knows it better than a caged tiger in a zoo. Animals, particularly the animals
of the wilds, feel free only in their natural habitats. Any attempt to ‘domesticate’ ferocious and
mighty animals like lions or tigers by locking them in concrete cells will be against natural justice. The
tiger roams around in the jungle hunting its prey at will. He rarely kills his prey for sport. He kills
them only when he is hungry. He knows how to ambush his prey. He lurks unnoticed in the long
grass before pouncing upon his prey. He also knows where he can find his favourite plump deer. He
may come out of the forest sometimes and terrorise -the villagers living at the outskirts of the
jungle. He rarely kills them till he is provoked. The same tiger feels depressed and low in spirits when
he is put behind the bars. He stalks constantly the length of his cage in his ‘quiet rage’. He ignores
the visitors and feels helpless. Behind the bars, he keeps on staring at the brilliant stars in the open
sky. This sadly reminds him of his loss of freedom and intensifies his grief.

Q15. "And stares with his brilliant eyes at the brilliant stars" – *The Tiger in the Zoo* poem by
Leslie Norris. Explain the statement.

Ans: The "brilliant eyes" of the tiger symbolize its helplessness, pain, and agony being confined to a
cage. In contrast, the "brilliant stars" represent the vast, open sky, where they are free to shine. The
tiger stares at the stars, filled with hope, longing for the day when it will be able to return to the
wild. The stars symbolize the carefree life and the freedom the tiger once enjoyed in its natural
habitat, the forest.

Q16. ‘All parental acts are for the betterment of the children.’ It is true? However, one has to make
efforts through trials and errors shedding off one’s early hesitations and fears to succeed in any
enterprise. Justify this statement by taking points from the lesson ‘His First Flight’.

Ans: There is no doubt about it ‘All parental acts are for the betterment of the children’. It is the
ardent wish of every parent that they may teach all skills to their young ones so that they may
succeed in life. First of all, they can learn all the things which their parents have taught in life. If the
young ones don’t act then they also indulge in scolding, taunts and humiliating them to shed off
their hesitations and fears. This is exactly what the parents of the young seagull did. They were
successful in teaching the art of flying to his two brothers and sister. They also tried their best to
embolden him to take the plunge. Particularly, the mother-seagull went on flying around him with a
piece of fish in her beak. It was her attempt to tempt her starving son to dive at the fish. And she
succeeded in her aim. The young seagull did dive at the fish and it led to his success in the end.

Q17. Hesitations and fears play necessary parts in human life but we get success in any enterprise
only when we overcome our doubts, hesitations and fears. Justify this statement in light of the
young seagull’s efforts to muster the courage to fly in the air.

Ans: Nothing in life can be taken for granted. Skills have to be learnt in life with your own efforts.
Parents can only help in teaching and encouraging us to learn things. But we have to learn them
through our own efforts of trials and errors. Who doesn’t suffer from hesitations and fears in the
beginning? It takes time to take the final plunge. So, it happened with the young seagull. In spite of
constant encouragements and motivations, he couldn’t muster the courage to fly. He was certain
that his wings would not support him. He faced regular taunting and humiliations of his family. They
even threatened to let him stare at the ledge unless he flew away. But they say that necessity is the
mother of invention. Maddened by hunger, he dived at the fish which his mother was carrying in her
beak. He felt his wings spreading outwards. Finally, he soared to come down over the sea. When he
floated on the sea, his family celebrated his success by offering pieces of fish to him.
Q18. You have been asked to present an evaluation of the approaches of both, the Baby Seagull
and the Pilot who was lost in the clouds, towards achieving their dreams of conquering the skies.
Write this presentation draft including your insights, comparing the approaches of both.

You may begin this way: One acknowledges that both, the Seagull and the Pilot, wanted to _______
however, _________.

Ans: One acknowledges that both the Seagull and the Pilot wanted to conquer the skies, yet their
approaches were quite different. Hunger and survival were the baby seagull's primary motivators to
overcome fear and take the first flight. The seagull was desperately looking for food, so it had to take
a risk despite its initial hesitation and fear. On the other hand, the pilot faced a different challenge in
the form of a storm when he realised that he had gotten lost. He decided to put his trust in a
mysterious black aeroplane and follow it like a child. We can learn courage and tenacity from both
stories. The pilot took a leap of faith to follow the unknown black aeroplane in the face of difficulty,
whereas the seagull flew out of instinctual need.

Q19. ‘Appearances are deceptive.’ Cite examples from the poem, ‘How to Tell Wild Animals’, to
corroborate this statement.

Ans: The poem "How to Tell Wild Animals" humorously supports the idea that "appearances are
deceptive." Several examples from the poem show how outward appearances of animals can lead to
unexpected or dangerous outcomes.For instance, the Asian Lion’s appearance is not what initially
gives it away—it’s the sound of its roar that the person will hear while they are likely in great danger.
Similarly, encountering a Bengal Tiger with black stripes on a yellow background might seem striking,
but the danger lies in being eaten. The Leopard, with its spotted skin, is deceptive in that roaring in
pain won’t help when it attacks, as it will continue to "lep and lep" without mercy.The bear, which
might offer a seemingly harmless hug, actually poses a deadly threat. Even the hyena and crocodile
are deceptive in their appearances—the hyena "smiles" while the crocodile "weeps," adding to the
confusion. Lastly, the chameleon, often mistaken for nothing, blends in so well with its surroundings
that it appears invisible on a tree, further showing how appearances can deceive.

Q20. Carolyn Wells takes liberties with language and employs humour to describe the wild animals.
Give some examples of humorous descriptions in the poem.

Ans: The poem “How to Tell Wild Animals” by Carolyn Wells is filled with humorous descriptions of
animals, using playful language to explain how to recognize them. The humor in the poem is light
and amusing.For instance, the poet humorously suggests that if an animal kills you while roaring, it
must be a Bengal Tiger. If an animal with yellow skin and black spots eats you, then it’s a Leopard. If
an animal hugs you tightly enough to kill you, it’s a bear.The poet adds more humor by distinguishing
a hyena from a crocodile, saying that while the hyena smiles, the crocodile appears to be crying.
Finally, she jokes about the chameleon, noting that if you see nothing on a tree, it could be a
chameleon, as they blend into their surroundings by changing color. This playful description adds a
fun twist to the way animals are recognized.
Q21. “Paper has more patience than people.” Elucidate.

Ans: Anne Frank often felt lonely despite having a loving family and friends. While she could discuss
everyday topics with them, she struggled to share her deeper feelings. She longed for a patient
listener who could understand her emotions but found that people lacked the patience to truly
listen. This made her feel as though she had no one to confide in. To express her thoughts and ease
her emotional burden, Anne decided to keep a diary. Unlike people, a diary provides the opportunity
to express thoughts freely without judgment, offers a sense of companionship that never tires or
rejected, and creates a safe space to share personal feelings without fear. This is why Anne Frank
famously stated that paper has more patience than people.

Q22. Mr Keesing punished Anne by giving her an essay to write. Did he lack empathy and
compassion? Was it not in his attitude to respect differences among the students? What values
would you like to build in him and why? Write in 100-120 words.

Ans: Mr. Keesing's frustration with Anne stemmed from her tendency to be talkative. Despite
multiple warnings, she continued to chat, prompting him to assign her an essay as punishment. This
action reflects a lack of empathy and compassion on his part. A good teacher should recognise that
students have different needs and learning styles. There are various methods to engage and teach
students effectively. Anne's essays ultimately changed his perspective, illustrating that
communication is a natural trait among students. It is the teacher's responsibility to adapt their
approach to better meet the needs of their students.