ENGLISH NOTES

Summary Ausable is a secret agent. He is expecting to receive an important paper. Max, an intruder, enters his room. He wants to get that paper from Ausable. He has a pistol in his hand. Ausable, being quite normal, plays a trick to kill Max without any fighting or shooting. Comprehension Questions Answer the following questions in 30-40 words: 1. What made the story of the balcony so convincing? Ausable showed his annoyance for the nuisance created by the balcony. He said that this was the second time that someone had got into his room through it. He also said that the balcony was not his but belongs to the next apartment and earlier his room used to be a part of a large unit. 2. How did Max go out of Ausable’s room to save himself from the police? Max was very nervous to find the police at the door. He went out of the window saying that he would wait in the balcony. He warned Ausable to send them away or he would shoot him. Max stepped out of the window, but there ...

Summary The story involves a young boy, fifteen years of age who was successful as a thief. His modus operandi was to choose a target, work as his employee and then rob him and escape. He took a new name every month to escape the police and his employers. He chooses Anil, a struggling writer to be his next target. He offered to be a cook but he didn’t know how to. Anil taught him cooking and reading and writing. He steals from Anil and runs away. He realizes that he has lot to lose and much to gain on being in Anil’s employee, hence returns, a redeemed person. Comprehension Questions Short answer type questions 1. Why did Hari Singh approach Anil at the wrestling match? Hari Singh approached Anil at the wrestling match because he looked easy going, kind and simple enough for his purpose. He hadn’t had much luck lately and thought he might be able to get Anil’s confidence. 2. Why did Hari Singh tell a lie about cooking? Hari Singh knew that Anil would hire him only if...

Summary The narrator, a veterinary surgeon, saves the life of a dog, Tricki, who fell ill because he was over fed and pampered, with little exercise, by his wealthy owner, Mrs Pumphrey . The vet decided to take the dog to his surgery, away from his doting owner, in order to treat him by cutting his diet and making him exercise. He used no medication. The doctor was able to achieve it in a fortnight. Mrs. Pumphrey was very grateful and called it a ‘Triumph of Surgery’. Comprehension Questions Answer the following questions in 30-40 words: 1. What makes you know that Mrs Humphrey was a rich lady? Mrs Humphrey was a wealthy lady as she had many servants and maids also had a pet. She used to feed her pet with a lot of dishes, sweets and snacks. Moreover, she had a separate room and wardrobe for her pet. All these things show that she was a rich lady. 2. Why did Mrs Humphrey call the doctor?/Why did Mrs Humphrey take Tricki to the  doctor? Tricki had not been eating ...

Summary In this poem, the poet tries to depict the mental condition of a caged tiger. He compares the life of a tiger in the zoo with its life in the natural habitat. The poet conveys an important message that the wild animals should live in their natural habitat to lead a normal life. He shows us how the love for freedom is the natural instinct of every living being. Comprehension Questions Answer the following questions in 30-40 words: 1. The tiger in the poem ‘A Tiger in the Zoo’ has some obvious limitations, describe them  in contrast to its natural habitat. The tiger in the zoo was confined to a small space. He was angry that he couldn’t move or hunt freely as in the wild. The bars of the cage obstructed his view of the starry night. This was all unlike his natural habitat where he hunted fiercely. 2. What message does the poet want to convey through the poem ‘A Tiger in the Zoo’? The poet tries to expose the miserable life led by the animals in the zoo...

Summary This story is about a young seagull that is learning to fly. Unlike his siblings, he is afraid to fly because he thinks that his wings would not support him. His parents try many tricks to teach him to fly. But he is so afraid that he refuses to fly. He had not eaten for twenty-four hours so his mother cleverly tempts him by flying towards him with food in her beak. In order to get the food, he comes to the edge of the rock and falls downwards. At first, he is terrified but then he opens his wings and starts flying. His family then praises him for his first flight. The story conveys the message that in order to learn something new, one must have faith in oneself and try without any fear. Comprehension Questions Answer the following questions in 30-40 words: 1. Why was the young seagull afraid to fly? The young seagull felt certain that his wings were too weak to support him. He had no courage to flap his wings. Even when each one of his brothers and sisters whose wi...