English (Suppl) L- 2 The Thief Story (

 

Q1. The narrator followed Anil 'casually'. Why?

[CBSE Question Bank]

Ans: The narrator followed Anil casually to avoid raising any suspicion. He wanted Anil to feel comfortable around him so he could gain his trust easily. By acting as if he had no particular interest, the narrator hoped to blend in naturally. He wanted to make it easier for Anil to eventually accept him as a friend.

Q2. What was the thought behind using appealing smiles frequently on Anil?

CBSE Question Bank]

Ans: The narrator used appealing smiles to charm Anil and make himself seem trustworthy. By smiling in a friendly and innocent way, he hoped to appear harmless and likable. This tactic helped him establish a connection with Anil. It made it easier for him to gain access to Anil's life and earn his trust.

Q3. Why do you think the young thief had quite a few scars on his face?

[CBSE Question Bank]

Ans: The young thief probably had scars due to his rough lifestyle as a thief. Engaging in dangerous activities or getting into fights might have left these marks. The scars on his face reflect the challenges he had faced in his life, which was likely full of hardships and risky encounters.

Q4. How do you think the narrator made a profit of about a rupee a day?

[CBSE Question Bank]

Ans: The narrator made a profit of about a rupee a day by being dishonest with Anil. When he went to buy groceries, he would keep a little money for himself by overcharging or taking advantage of Anil's trust. Anil likely knew about this small deception but did not confront him.

Q5. How did Hari Singh justify to himself his stealing Anil's money?

CBSE 2023)

Ans: Hari Singh justified stealing Anil's money by telling himself that Anil would waste it on others anyway. He believed he was just taking advantage of an opportunity. He even felt that he deserved it because he wasn't paid for his work. This reasoning helped him quiet his conscience.

Q6. Why do you think the narrator used to feel that 'friends were more trouble than help? What could have led him to believe this?

[CBSE Question Bank

Ans: The narrator felt that friends were more trouble than help because of his life as a thief. Trusting others might have brought him problems or made him vulnerable to betrayal. His past experiences and need for self-protection led him to believe that being close to people could create unnecessary risks and complications.

Q7. Why did Hari Singh think that Anil's job was queer?

[SQP 2020, CBSE 2018 (Modified))

Ans: Hari Singh found Anil's job "queer" because Anil earned money irregularly, sometimes borrowing and sometimes  lending, without a stable income. Anil was a writer who earned by selling his articles, which Hari found unusual and unreliable. This job seemed odd to Hari, who was used to people earning in straightforward ways.

Q8. What does the thief say about the different reactions of the people when they are robbed?

[CBSE 202]

Ans: The thief notes that people react differently when robbed. Greedy people show fear, rich people get angry, and poor people accept it without resistance. These observations reflect his experience and understanding of people's attachment to their possessions. He understood that people had varying emotional responses based on their wealth and priorities.

Q9. At the end of the story, we realise that Anil knew about the incident of the previous night, yet he chose to overlook such a breach of trust. Explain.

[CBSE Question Bank]

Ans: Anil chose to overlook the theft because he saw potential in Hari to change. By silently forgiving him, Anil gave Hari a chance to rebuild trust and continue learning. This act of understanding encouraged Hari's transformation. It showed Anil's belief that kindness and patience could have a more positive impact than punishment.

Q10. What made Hari Singh come back to Anil?

CBSE 2020

Ans: Hari Singh came back to Anil because he felt guilty after stealing his money. He realised that Anil's kindness and trust meant more to him than the stolen money. Hari also understood that learning from Anil would give him a better future. This made him see the value of honesty and inspired him to return and make a fresh start.

Q11. Why does Anil not hand over Hari Singh to the police?

[CBSE 2023, CBSE 2019

Ans: Anil does not hand Hari over to the police because he sees that Hari regrets his actions. Anil values personal growth and believes that trust can lead to change. By not punishing him, Anil silently encourages Hari to reflect on his choices. He offers Hari a chance to improve without facing harsh consequences.

Q12. Why did Hari Singh smile in his most appealing way towards the end of the story?

[CBSE 2023

Ans: Hari Singh smiles in his most appealing way at the end as a genuine response to Anil's silent forgiveness. It is a smile of relief and gratitude, reflecting his happiness and a sense of belonging. Unlike before, his smile comes naturally. It shows his appreciation for Anil's trust and the fresh start he is being given.

 GLIMPSES OF INDIA – NOTES

Part I – A Baker from Goa 

Short Answer Questions (30–40 words)

1. What role did the baker play in the village?

   The baker was central to Goan village life. He supplied bread for daily meals as well as special occasions like marriages, festivals, and parties. His presence was considered essential in every household.

2. Why were children excited to see the baker?

   Children eagerly waited for the baker’s arrival because he brought loaves of bread and special sweet bread-bangles that they loved. His jingling bamboo staff was a signal of his coming.

3. What does the story tell us about the Portuguese influence in Goa?

  The story highlights that bread-making was introduced by the Portuguese. Though they left, the tradition of baking bread and the importance of bakers continued in Goan culture.

Long Answer Questions (80–100 words)

1. Discuss the significance of the baker in Goan culture.

   The baker was more than just a tradesman; he was a vital part of Goan life. No marriage, festival, or feast was complete without bread. Children adored him, while elders respected him. The baker symbolised Portuguese influence and the blending of cultures. Even after the Portuguese left, bread-making remained an inseparable tradition, showing how deeply rooted the practice became in Goan society.

Part II – Coorg 

Short Answer Questions

1. Where is Coorg located and what is it famous for?

   Coorg (Kodagu) is a small district in Karnataka, situated between Mysore and Mangalore. It is famous for its coffee plantations, evergreen forests, spices, and its hospitable people.

2. What is special about the people of Coorg?

  The people are known for their bravery and hospitality. They are believed to be of Greek or Arab descent and are permitted to carry firearms without a licence. Many serve with pride in the Indian Army, especially in the Coorg Regiment.

3. What adventurous activities can tourists enjoy in Coorg?

  Tourists can enjoy river rafting, canoeing, rock climbing, trekking, mountain biking, and even angling. Coorg is a paradise for nature lovers and adventure seekers alike.

Long Answer Questions

1. Describe the natural beauty and charm of Coorg.

   Coorg is often called the “Scotland of India” because of its lush green hills, coffee plantations, and misty landscapes. The forests are rich in flora and fauna, home to elephants, birds, and wild animals. Tourists are mesmerized by its calm rivers, waterfalls, and adventurous activities. The blend of breathtaking natural beauty, cultural heritage, and warm hospitality makes Coorg one of India’s most enchanting tourist spots.

Part III – Tea from Assam 

Short Answer Questions

1. What information did Rajvir share about tea?

  Rajvir explained that tea is the most popular beverage in the world. It was discovered in China about 5,000 years ago. He also mentioned legends about tea, including one from China and another from India (Bodhidharma).

2. How did Assam’s landscape impress Rajvir?

  Rajvir was amazed by the vast tea gardens of Assam. The neatly cut rows of tea bushes on both sides of the road, with tall trees and tea pickers at work, created a breathtaking scene that seemed endless.

3. Why is Assam famous?

  Assam is world-famous for its tea plantations, which produce some of the finest and largest quantities of tea. Its fertile soil and humid climate make it an ideal place for tea cultivation.

Long Answer Questions

1. Summarise the lesson Tea from Assam.

   The lesson describes Rajvir’s visit to Assam with his friend Pranjol. Rajvir shares his knowledge about tea—its origin, legends, and global popularity. As they travel through Assam, they witness vast tea plantations and workers plucking tea leaves. The chapter blends historical facts with the scenic beauty of Assam, highlighting its contribution to India’s economy.

 Very Important Questions (Mixed – All Three Parts)

1. Bread is an important part of Goan culture. Discuss with reference to A Baker from Goa.

2. How does Coorg reflect both natural beauty and cultural richness?

3. Describe the legends of the discovery of tea in Tea from Assam.

4. Write a short character sketch of the baker in Goan society.

5. Why is Coorg known as the “Scotland of India”?

6. How do the three stories in Glimpses of India reflect India’s diversity?

            SUPPLEMENTARY READER (NOTES)

     3.      THE MIDNIGHT VISITOR

Q1. Who was Ausable?

  Ausable was a secret agent who dealt with espionage and intelligence work. He was fat, sloppy, spoke French and German, and lived in a French hotel room.

Q2. How was Ausable different from other secret agents?

 Unlike the stereotypical agents shown in films, Ausable was fat, inactive, and seemed very ordinary. But he was highly intelligent and witty, which helped him outsmart his enemies.

Q3. Why did Max enter Ausable’s room?

 Max was a rival spy who wanted the secret report about new missiles that Ausable was supposed to receive.

Q4. How did Ausable get rid of Max?

 Ausable cleverly made up a story about a balcony outside the window. Max believed it and tried to escape through it, but there was no balcony. He fell to his death.

Q5. What lesson does the story teach us?

 Intelligence, presence of mind, and quick thinking are more powerful than physical strength or appearance.

 4.    A QUESTION OF TRUST

Q1. Who was Horace Danby?

 Horace was a 50-year-old man, a locksmith by profession. He was considered honest but had a weakness—he loved rare and expensive books. To buy them, he robbed a safe once a year.

Q2. Why was he considered ‘good and respectable’?

 Because he was well-behaved, ran a business, and never harmed anyone. Except for his one crime of burglary for books, he lived a normal life.

Q3. What was Horace’s plan to rob the house at Shotover Grange?

 He planned to break into the house when the servants were away. He would open the safe using his skills and steal jewels worth ₹15,000.

Q4. Who tricked Horace Danby and how?

 A young woman, pretending to be the owner’s wife, caught him inside the house. She cleverly convinced him to open the safe for her. Later, Horace was arrested because his fingerprints were found on the safe.

Q5. What is the irony in the story?

 Horace considered himself honest except for stealing occasionally, but he was fooled by another thief who was cleverer than him

5. FOOTPRINTS WITHOUT FEET

Q1. Who was Griffin?

 Griffin was a brilliant scientist who discovered how to make his body invisible. But he was also lawless, selfish, and misused his invention.

Q2. How did Griffin first prove his invisibility?

 He removed his clothes and became invisible, leaving only footprints in the snow, which astonished people.

Q3. Why was Griffin a lawless person?

 He set fire to the landlord’s house, robbed people, stole clothes, and attacked anyone who opposed him. He used invisibility for crime instead of good.

Q4. What difficulties did Griffin face after becoming invisible?

 He could not wear clothes (as they made him visible), suffered from cold and hunger, and had to constantly steal to survive. People were also frightened of him.

Q5. What is the central idea of the story?

     

The story highlights the misuse of science and knowledge through the character of Griffin, a brilliant but selfish scientist who discovers how to make himself invisible. Instead of using his invention for the welfare of humanity, he misuses it for personal gain, revenge, and crime.

The narrative shows that uncontrolled ambition, arrogance, and lack of morality can destroy even the greatest achievements. Griffin’s invisibility, which could have been a boon, turns into a curse because of his greed and unethical behavior.

Thus, the theme emphasizes that science without ethics is dangerous, and knowledge must always be guided by values and responsibility.

                       Unit IV

      FROM THE DIARY OF ANN FRANK

 Summary of the lesson 'From the Diary of Anne Frank'

Anne Frank, a young Jewish girl, wrote her diary while hiding from the Nazis during World War II. In this extract, she describes her feelings about writing a diary, her loneliness, and her relationship with others. She explains that although she had many people around her, she lacked a true friend with whom she could share her innermost thoughts. She begins to use her diary, whom she names “Kitty,” as her closest companion. Anne also writes about her school life, her mischievous behavior, her talkative nature, and her classmates. She expresses her fear of being considered silly for writing a diary, but at the same time, she feels strongly that paper has more patience than people. The extract reveals Anne’s intelligence, honesty, and sensitivity, making her diary one of the most moving personal accounts of the war years.

Short Answer Questions (30–40 words)

Q1. Why did Anne decide to write a diary?

   Anne felt lonely and did not have a real friend to confide in. She decided to write a diary to express her innermost feelings and named it “Kitty,” treating it as her friend.

Q2. What makes writing in a diary unusual for Anne?

  Anne thought that nobody would be interested in the musings of a thirteen-year-old schoolgirl. Still, she wanted to write because she felt that paper has more patience than people.

Q3. Why did Anne feel the need for a real friend?

   Though she had many acquaintances and family members, she could not share her intimate feelings with them. She longed for someone who would truly listen and understand her.

Q4. What was Anne’s opinion about teachers?

   Anne believed that teachers often get irritated with students for being talkative. She felt that it was impossible for students to change habits overnight and that teachers should understand this better.

Q5. What does Anne write about her father, the most adorable father?

   Anne described her father as the most adorable person. He married her mother at the age of thirty-six. Anne shared a close and affectionate bond with him.

Long Answer Questions (100–120 words)

Q1. Describe Anne Frank’s feelings about having a diary. Why did she name it “Kitty”?

  Anne Frank felt lonely and misunderstood, even though she was surrounded by people. She longed for a true friend with whom she could share her secrets and emotions. Since she did not find such a friend, she decided to confide in her diary. She believed that “paper has more patience than people” because it would listen silently without judging. She named her diary “Kitty,” treating it as a real friend. This shows her imaginative and sensitive nature. Her diary later became a valuable historical document that revealed the life of Jews during Nazi rule.

Q2. What does Anne Frank’s writing tell you about her personality?

  Anne Frank’s diary reflects that she was intelligent, observant, and sensitive. She had a sense of humor, as seen in the way she wrote about her teachers and classmates. At the same time, she was thoughtful and mature, realizing the importance of expressing feelings. Her longing for a true friend shows her emotional depth. She could look at herself critically and was honest in her self-reflection. Anne’s diary makes it clear that she was not an ordinary teenager but a courageous girl who believed in the power of writing. Her personality continues to inspire millions of readers.

Q3. “Paper has more patience than people.” Explain this statement with reference to Anne Frank’s diary.

   By saying “paper has more patience than people,” Anne Frank meant that human beings often do not have time or interest to listen to others’ problems. When we confide in people, they may interrupt, judge, or ignore us. On the other hand, paper silently accepts whatever is written on it and keeps secrets safe. Anne felt that even though no one might read her diary, it would still patiently hold her deepest thoughts. This line highlights Anne’s sense of loneliness and her reliance on writing as a way to cope with her feelings. It also shows the power of expression through words.

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                     THE TREES ( poem )

 Summary

The poem shows how trees, symbols of nature, are trying to break free from human control. They want to go back to the forest where they belong. It also shows humans’ separation from nature.

Textual Questions & Answers

Q1. Where are the trees described in the poem?

Ans: The trees are inside the house, kept in pots. They try to move out to the forest again.

Q2. What happens to the roots and leaves of the trees?

Ans: The roots try to free themselves from the cracks, and the leaves move towards the glass in an effort to escape.

Q3. Why does the poet keep the doors open at night?

Ans: The poet keeps the doors open so that the trees can move out freely to the forest.

Q4. What is the central idea of the poem?

Ans: The poem highlights the conflict between nature and humans. Nature wants freedom and balance.

Q5. What does the poet mean by “trees are going out”?

Ans: It means nature is reclaiming its freedom from human confinement.

Q6. What is the tone of the poem?

Ans: Reflective and hopeful — about restoring nature’s freedom.

   

THINKING ABOUT THE POEM

Q1.What are the three things that cannot happen in a treeless forest?

                According to the first stanza, three things that cannot happen a treeless forest are: birds cannot sit, insects cannot hide, and the sun cannot bury its feet in shadow,

Q 2. What picture do these words create in your mind: "... sun bury its feet in shadow..."? What could the poet mean by the sun's 'feet'?

       The phrase "sun bury its feet in shadow" creates an image of sunlight being partly blocked by shadows of a tree cover before reaching the ground. The poet uses the word "feet" to refer to the sun's rays as if the sunlight were walking on the forest floor. Without trees, there would be no shadows for the sun's "feet" to get covered by.

02. (1) Where are the trees in the poem? What do their roots, their leaves, and their twigs do?

Ans: In the poem, the trees are inside a house, confined to the veranda. Their roots are working to free themselves from the cracks in the veranda floor, the leaves are straining toward the glass as if trying to escape, and the twigs are stiff with effort, showing the struggle to break free.

(Q 3.What does the poet compare their branches to?

      The poet compares the branches to newly discharged patients who are half-dazed and moving toward the clinic doors. This comparison suggests that the branches are weak and unsteady like the patients, but determined to find their way out.

Q4. (i) How does the poet describe the moon: (a) at the beginning of the third stanza, and (b) at its end? What causes this change?

: (a) At the beginning of the third stanza, the poet describes the moon as whole, shining brightly in an open sky.

(b) At the end of the stanza, the moon is described as "broken like a mirror", with its pieces flashing in the branches of the tallest oak.

The change occurs because the trees are breaking out of the house, shattering the glass as they move. This causes the moon's reflection to appear fragmented, like pieces of a broken mirror.

(ii) What happens to the house when the trees move out of it?

       When the trees move out of the house, it becomes empty and lifeless. The house loses its connection to nature, which once filled it with life. The departure of the trees leaves the house barren and silent.

Q1.  The poem 'Trees' appears to be about trees, environment, deforestation and afforestation. On a deeper level we discover that Adrienne Rich is expressing her concerned about women and their emancipation. Elaborate with reference to the poem.

(CBSE Question Bank)

                      In "The Trees", Adrienne Rich describes the movement of trees from a house to the forest, which on the surface may seem like a commentary on nature, deforestation, or environmental concern. However, a deeper analysis reveals that the poem is a powerful metaphor for women's emancipation. The trees symbolise individuals, particularly women, who are confined by societal norms and restrictions, much like the trees are confined indoors. Their struggle to break free from the house represents the effort of women to overcome patriarchal barriers. The journey toward the forest symbolises the quest for liberation, self-discovery, and reclaiming one's rightful space. The breaking of the glass symbolises the shattering of these limitations and the pursuit of freedom. The forest, which awaits the trees, represents the vast, open space of freedom, growth, and independence where women can thrive.

Thus, the poem transcends its literal focus on trees and the environment to deliver a deep message about women's fight for autonomy and the reclaiming of their identity in a world that has long confined them.

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