Category: CBSE

In this Article, “Class 8 History Chapter 7 Extra Questions and Answers Weavers, Iron Smelters and Factory Owners,” we encounter the ingenuity of traditional artisans who wove intricate fabrics, the skill of iron smelters who crafted robust tools, and the vision of factory owners who embraced the winds of change. From the handloom industry that thrived for centuries to the transformative impact of British industrialization, every thread of this narrative weaves a tale of craftsmanship, resilience, and transformation. Read this also Extra Questions for Class 8 Social Science .

Class 8 History Chapter 7 Extra Questions and Answers Weavers, Iron Smelters and Factory Owners

Weavers, Iron Smelters and Factory Owners Class 8 Extra Questions and Answer History Chapter 7 Very Short Answers Type

Question 1.
What made Britain the foremost industrial nation in the 19th century?
Answer:
Mechanised production of cotton made Britain the foremost industrial nation in the 19th century.

Question 2.
Name the place where the Indian textiles were extensively traded.
Answer:
These were traded in Southeast Asia (Java, Sumatra and Penang) and West and Central Asia.

Question 3.
What is meant by Muslin?
Answer:
Finely woven textiles were known as Muslin named by the European traders.

Question 4.
What actually do the term Chintz describe about?
Answer:
Chintz were the printed clothes and the word was derived from Hindi word. Chhint meaning cloth with small and colourful flowery design.

Question 5.
What did the word Bandanna refer to?
Answer:
The word Bandana referred to any coloured and printed scarf for the neck or head.

Question 6.
Which act was passed by the British government banning use of cotton textiles – Chintz in England?
Answer:
The Act was known as the Calico Act.

Question 7.
Who invented the steam engine?
Answer:
The steam engine was invented by Richard Arkwright.

Question 8.
Where did the Tanti weavers belong from?
Answer:
They belonged from Bengal.

Question 9.
What is meant by bellows?
Answer:
Bellows is a device or equipment that can pump air.

Question 10.
Who were the two persons in the year 1904 travelling to search iron ore deposits and in at which place?
Answer:
In 1904, Charles Weld, an American geologist and Dorabji Tata, the eldest son of Jamsetji Tata, were travelling in Chhattisgarh in search of iron ore.

Question 11.
In which year did the TISCO begun producing steel and also name the river bank on which it was situated?
Answer:
TISCO begun producing steel in year 1912 and it was situated on the Subarnarekha River bank.

Question 12.
What does the term smelting mean?
Answer:
The term smelting is the process of obtaining a metal from rock (or soil) by heating it to a very high temperature or of melting objects made from metal in order to use the metal to make something new.

Question 13.
Which were the two industries focused by the British rule?
Answer:
Textile, Iron and Steel industries.

Question 14.
Name the country which was foremost industrial nation in the 19th century?
Answer:
Britain.

Question 15.
Name the country known as the workshop of the world.
Answer:
Britain.

Question 16.
Where is the Surat located in India?
Answer:
It is located in Gujarat.

Question 17.
Name different variety of clothes.
Answer:

1. Chintz
2. Cossae (Khassa)
3. Bandara

Question 18.
In which clothes was the small and colourful flowers were designed?
Answer:
In Chintz

Question 19.
India was the world’s largest producer of which products?
Answer:
Fine quality of cotton textiles.

Question 20.
In which year the Calico act was passed?
Answer:
In 1720.

Weavers, Iron Smelters and Factory Owners Class 8 Extra Questions and Answer History Chapter 7 Short Answers Type

Question 1.
Who was the discoverer of electricity and electromagnetism and what fascinated him the most among Indian products?
Answer:
Michael Faraday, a European scientist was discoverer of electricity and electromagnetism and he was fascinated with the Indian Wootz. He was fascinated in such a way that he spent his four years studying the properties of Indian Wootz.

Question 2.
How was the TISCO set up at an opportune time? Explain in brief.
Answer:
TISCO was set up at an opportune time as in 19th century. India was importing steel that was manufactured in Britain and expansion of Railway in India had provided a huge market for rails that the British produced. Therefore, in such condition sudden decline in the availability of steel during Ist world war made TISCO the biggest steel industry within the British empire.

Question 3.
Mention the reasons behind the Industries conquest and colocalization of India by the British?
Answer:
The reasons were:

• In late 18th-century company was buying raw material from India at cheaper rates and selling than at huge profits in Europe.
• India was seen as the vast market with the growing industrialisation.

Question 4.
What was the process of cloth making?
Answer:
The process involves:

• First stage of production was spinning.
• After the spinning took place threads were woven into cloth by the weaver.

Question 5.
Describe the growth of cotton mills in India.
Answer:
The Ist cotton mill of India was set up in Bombay in 1854, By 1900, over 84 mills started operation in Bombay. Ist mill in Ahmedabad was started in 1861. A year later mill was established in Kanpur.

Question 6.
Name the part of country of the following weaver communities belongs to:

1. The Tunti weavers
2. The Julahas
3. Sale.

Answer:

1. Tunti weavers they belong Bengal.
2. The Julahas were from North India.
3. Sale were from South India.

Weavers, Iron Smelters and Factory Owners Class 8 Extra Questions and Answer History Chapter 7 Long Answers Type

Question 1.
How did Indian Wootz find its place in the history of Tipu Sultan, and what was the actual special feature of Indian Wootz?
Answer:
Tipu Sultan who ruled Mysore till 1799 fought 4 wars with the British and died fighting with his sword which was incredibly hard and sharp-edged that could easily rip through the opponent’s armour.

This quality of sword came from a special type of high carbon steel called Wootz.
Its special features were: Wootz steel, when made into swords, produced a very sharp edge with a flowing water pattern. This pattern came from very small carbon crystals embedded in the iron.

Question 2.
Explain the event of discovery of Rajhara hills, one of the finest ones in world.
Answer:
In the year 1904, Charles Weld, an American geologist and Dorabji Tata the eldest son of Jamsetji Tata were travelling in Chhattisgarh in search of iron ore deposits, and one day they found a group of men and women carrying basket laods of iron ore. These people were Agarias. When the Agarias were asked from where they found iron ore, they pointed to the hill in the distance.

Weld and Dorabji reached the hill after an exhausting trek through dense forests. On exploring the hill, the geologists declared that they had at last found the finest ores, for what they were looking for. The hill name was Rajhara and it had one of the finest ore in the world.

Question 3.
What was the main reason behind the lower demand of iron produced by the local Indian smelters?
Answer:
The main reason behind the lower demand of iron been produced by the local Indian smelters was that by the late 19th-century iron and steel were being imported from Britain. Ironsmiths in India began using the imported iron to manufacture utensils and instruments. This inevitably lowered the demand for iron produced by local smelters.

Picture Based Questions Class 8 History Chapter 7 Weavers, Iron Smelters and Factory Owners

Look the pictures given below and answer the following questions:

Answer:

1. Patola weaves
2. Jamdani weaves
3. Chintz weaves
4. Vandana weaves

Map Skills Class 8 History Chapter 7 Weavers, Iron Smelters and Factory Owners

Question 1.
On an outline map of India represent the following which shows the major centres of weaving in the late 18th century.
(i) Punjab (Lahore)
(ii) Gujarat-
(iii) Bengal (Calcutta)
(iv) Bihar (Patna)
(v) Golcon
(vi) Masulipatnamda
Answer:

Have you ever wondered how colonialism shaped cities and urban life? In this intriguing chapter, we dive into the impact of colonial rule on urban centers and explore the transformation of cities under foreign dominion. From the bustling streets of colonial metropolises to the traces of imperialism in today’s urban landscapes, we uncover the fascinating history of “Class 8 History Chapter 6 Extra Questions and Answers Colonialism and the City.” Read this also Extra Questions for Class 8 Social Science .

Class 8 History Chapter 6 Extra Questions and Answers Colonialism and the City

Colonialism and the City Class 8 Extra Questions and Answer History Chapter 6 Very Short Answers Type

Question 1.
Which cities of Britain grew rapidly in 19th and 20th century?
Answer:
Industrial cities in Britain like Leeds and Manchester grew rapidly in 19th and 20th centuries.

Question 2.
Define urbanisation?
Answer:
Urbanisation means a process by which more and more people begin to reside in towns and cities.

Question 3.
Which Mughal emperor made the most splendid capital of all? Name the capital too.
Answer:
The most splendid capital of all was built by Shah Jahan and the name was Shahjahanabad.

Question 4.
When and how did the British get control of Delhi?
Answer:
In 1803, the British gained control of Delhi by defeating Marathas.

Question 5.
What is meant by cul – de – sacs?
Answer:
It means street with a dead end.

Question 6.
Which time period has been referred to as a period of the Delhi Renaissance?
Answer:
Period from 1830 – 1857 has been referred to as a period of Delhi Renaissance.

Question 7.
When was the Delhi College shut down?
Answer:
It was turned into a school and shut down in 1877.

Question 8.
Name the two architects called on to design New Delhi and its building.
Answer:
Two architects were Edward Lutyens and Herbert Baker.

Question 9.
How many years did New Delhi take to build?
Answer:
New Delhi took nearly 20 years to be built.

Question 10.
What did the census of 1931 reveal about New Delhi?
Answer:
It revealed that New Delhi had only about 3 persons per acre.

Question 11.
Name the most splendid capital built by Shahjahan in 1639.
Answer:
Shahjahanabad.

Question 12.
Under which Mughal Administration Delhi became centre for Sufi culture?
Answer:
Under Shahajahan.

Question 13.
In which years, Delhi became the capital of British India?
Answer:
In 1911.

Question 14.
Who all use to live in the walled city of Delhi?
Answer:
In Delhi British along with the wealthier Indians in the walled city.

Question 15.
In which year western wall of Shahjahanabad was broken to allow the expansion of the city?
Answer:
In 1870.

Question 16.
Who organised Delhi Darbar to acknowledge Queen Victoria as the empress of India?
Answer:
Lord Lytton in 1877 has organised it.

Question 17.
In how many years New Delhi was built.
Answer:
It took nearly 20 years.

Question 18.
Name the new colonies made in Delhi at the time of partition?
Answer:
Lajpat Nagar and Tilak Nagar.

Colonialism and the City Class 8 Extra Questions and Answer History Chapter 6 Short Answers Type

Question 1.
When and how was the Delhi Improvement Trust set up?
Answer:
The Delhi Improvement trust was set up in 1936, and it built areas like Daryaganj South for wealthy Indians. Houses were grouped around parks. Within the houses, space was divided according to new rules of privacy. Instead of spaces being shared by many families or groups, now different members of the same family had their own private spaces within the home.

Question 2.
Why were Havelis were subdivided and sold?
Answer:
Many Mughal admires were unable to maintain these large establishments under conditions of the British rule. Havelis, therefore, began to be subdivided and sold.

Question 3.
How did the large migration from Punjab change the social environment of Delhi?
Answer:
The large migration from Punjab changed the social environment of Delhi as the urban culture largely based on Urdu was overshadowed by new tastes and sensibilities, in food, dress and the arts.

Question 4.
When was the announcement for shifting capital of India to Delhi was done?
Answer:
In 1911, when king George V was crowned in England, a Durbar was held in Delhi to celebrate the occasion. The decision to shift the capital of India from Calcutta to Delhi was announced at this Durbar.

Question 5.
Define the terms Dargah, Khanqah and Idgah.
Answer:

1. Dargah: The tomb of a Sufi saint.
2. Khanqah: A Sufi lodge often used as a rest house for travellers and a place where people come to discuss spiritual matters, get the blessings of saint, and hear Sufi music.
3. Idgah: It is a place where an open prayer of Muslims takes place. This place is primarily meant for id prayers.

Question 6.
What was condition of Delhi after the cruel partition?
Answer:
After the partition took place riots began when over 2/3rd Muslims migrated from Delhi and almost 44000 homes were abandoned on the other hand. Delhi became a city of refugees with nearly 500,000 people added to the population of Delhi. New colonies such as Lajpat Nagar and Tilak Nagar came up at this time.

Colonialism and the City Class 8 Extra Questions and Answer History Chapter 6 Long Answers Type

Question 1.
How did the British make Delhi forget its Mughal past?
Answer:
The British wanted Delhi to forget its Mughal past and for that, the area around the Fort was completely cleared of gardens, partitions and mosques. The British wanted a clean ground for the security reason.

Mosques, in particular, were either destroyed or put to other uses. The Zinat-al-Masjid was converted into a bakery. No worship was allowed in the Jama Masjid for 5 years. One-third of the city was demolished and its canals were filled up.

In 1870’s the western wall of Shahjahanabad were broken to establish the railway and to allow the city to expand beyond the walls. The British started living in sprawling Civil- Lines area that came up in the north, away from the Indians in the walled city. The Delhi College was turned into a school, and shut down in 1877.

Question 2.
Briefly Explain how did the Calcutta, Bombay and Madras Presidency become the centres of British power in the different regions of India.
Answer:
In the late 18th century, Calcutta, Bombay and Madras rose in importance as Presidency cities. They became the centres of British power in the different regions of India. At the same time, a host of smaller cities declined. Many towns manufacturing specialised goods declined due to a drop in the demand and for what they produced.

Old trading centres and ports could not survive when the trade moved to new centres. Similarly, earlier centres of regional power collapsed where local rulers were defeated by the British and new centres of administration emerged. This process is often described as de-urbanisation this is how the Presidency cities rose in importance.

Picture Based Questions Class 8 History Chapter 6 Colonialism and the City

Look at the picture given below and answer the following questions:

Question
1. Name the shrine shown in the picture.
2. Where the above-shown shrine located in India.
Answer:
1. The picture is Dargah of Hazrat Nizamuddin Auliya.
2. It is in Delhi.

Get ready to witness the remarkable stories of revolutionaries and changemakers who reshaped history. Join us as we journey through the annals of time and explore the untold tales of bravery and determination. As we tread through the turbulent waters of rebellion, we’ll gain insights that extend beyond the pages of our textbooks. Let’s embark on this transformative expedition and understand the true essence of “When People Rebel Class 8 Extra Questions Social Science History Chapter 5.” Read this also Extra Questions for Class 8 Social Science .

When People Rebel Class 8 Extra Questions and Answers Social Science History Chapter 5

When People Rebel Class 8 Extra Questions Very Short Answer Type

Question 1.
Who were the leaders from Bihar who joined the rebellion?
Answer:
Kunwar Singh, an old zamindar joined the rebellion from Bihar.

Question 2.
When did Bahadur Shah Zafar die?
Answer:
Bahadur Shah Zafar died in November 1862.

Question 3.
What did the new act in 1858 mention?
Answer:
The new act of 1858 transferred the power of the East India Company to the British Crown.

Question 4.
What was the proportion decided for the new recruitment process for soldiers adopted after 1857 revolt by the British.
Answer:
It was decided that the proportion of Indian soldiers in the army would be reduced and number of Europeans would be increased.

Question 5.
Who was highlighted from Faizabad during the Revolt of 1857?
Answer:
Ahmadullah Shah, a maulvi from Faizabad was highlighted during 1857 revolt.

Question 6.
What was decided about customary religious and social practices of the people in India by the British?
Answer:
The British decided to respect the customary religious and social practices of people in India.

Question 7.
What is the term Mutiny means?
Answer:
When soldiers as a group disobey their officer in the army, that situation is known as mutiny.

Question 8.
Who was the governor-general who decided that Bahadur Shah Zafar would be the last Mughal king?
Answer:
Governor-general Canning decided that Bahadur Shah Zafar would the last Mughal king.

Question 9.
What was the decision of the British after they regained control over India after 1857 revolt?
Answer:
The British had decided that they could not carry on ruling the land with the same policies any more.
So they decided to introduce several changes in their policies.

Question 10.
What was there for the ruling chief in the new policies adopted by the British after the Revolt in 1857 ended?
Answer:
The ruling chiefs of the country were assured about their territory that it would never be annexed in future, and were allowed to pass on their kingdoms to their heirs, including the adopted sons.

Question 11.
What did the British thought earlier about the rebel?
Answer:
They thought that the disturbance caused by the issue of the cartridges would die down. But nothing happened in the way British thought.

Question 12.
During period of time the erosion of powers of Nawabs and Rajas was noticed?
Answer:
During the mid 18th century noticed the erosion of powers of Nawabs and Rajas.

Question 13.
Why did the ruling families tried negotiations with the company?
Answer:
In manner to protect their interest the ruling families tried negotiations with the Company.

Question 14.
What action did Company took for ‘pleas urged by the ruling families?
Answer:
Company rejected their negotiation pleas.

Question 15.
What was another reason behind the angry of sepoys?
Sepoys reacted in angry to the conditions of countryside also.

When People Rebel Class 8 Extra Questions Short Answer Type

Question 1.
What was the condition after recapturing of Delhi by the British?
Answer:
The recapturing of Delhi did not mean that the rebellion died down, people still continued with the resistance and battle with the British. The British had to fight for two years in this manner to suppress the massive forces of popular rebellion.

Question 2.
What was the situation of the peasants and zamindars in the countryside?
Answer:
In the countryside, the peasants and the zamindars resented the high taxes and rigid methods of revenue collection. Many failed to pay back their loans to the moneylenders and gradually lost their lands they had tilled for generations.

Question 3.
Mention the reasons behind the discontent of the Indian sepoys employed in the Company?
Answer:
The reasons behind the discontent of Indian sepoy employed in the Company were:

1. They were unhappy about the pay and allowances.
2. The conditions of the services was not good for them.
3. The religious belief were hurted.

Question 4.
What made the Indian rebelled against Britisher and how they all decided that British is the only enemy to them?
Answer:
Indians rebelled against the policies of British. They believed in common manner that they all have only an enemy and that is British. People started organism themselves, communication and taking initiatives and displaying confidences to them the situation around.

Question 5.
What was the reason behind the capture of Awadh by the Company?
Answer:
In 1856 the Awadh was taken over after the event of 1801 when subsidiary alliance was imposed on Awadh. And the territory was declared being misgoverned and British rule was imposed in order to ensure a proper administration.

When People Rebel Class 8 Extra Questions Long Answer Type

Question 1.
How did the Company plan to end the Mughal Dynasty?
Answer:
The Company began planning on how to end the Mughal dynasty in the following ways:

1. The name of the Mughal kings was removed from the coins minted by the Company.
2. In 1849, Governor-General Dalhousie announced that after the death of Bahadur Shah II, his family
3. would be shifted out of Red Fort and given another place in Delhi to reside in.
4. In 1856, Governor-General Canning decided that Bahadur Shah Zafar would be the last Mughal king and
5. after his death none of his descendants would be recognized as the king.

Question 2.
What was the reason behind the discontent of Indian sepoys of the Company?
Answer:
The reason behind discontent of Indian sepoys were as follows:

1. The Indian sepoys in the employment of the Company were unhappy about the pay, allowances and conditions of their services.
2. New rules violated their religious sentiments and beliefs.
3. It was believed during that time that by crossing the sea one looses his religion and caste.
4. The sepoys were told to go Burma in 1824 by the sea route to fight for the Company and the sepoys refused to follow the order though they agreed to go through land route.
5. The refusal resulted in punishment.
6. The Company passed a law that stated that every new person who took up employment in the Company army had to agree to serve overseas if required.

Question 3.
What made the British believe that Indian society had to be reformed? What steps were taken to stop these?
Answer:
The British believed that the Indian society had to be reformed as there were still practices of sati in Indian society which made the British to pass laws to stop practice of sati and encourage remarriage of widows.

1. For this, the British promoted English language education and allowed Christian missionaries to propagate and function freely in India.
2. In 1850, new law was passed making conversion to Christianity easier.
3. This is how they decided to stop all this.

Picture Based Questions Class 8 History Chapter 5 When People Rebel

Look at the picture given below and answer the following questions//:

Question 1.
What does the picture express.
Answer:
In picture the artist wants to show the might of the British soldiers who violently suppressed the rebels forces. Therefore, the picture expresses the British capturing the rebels.

Map Skills Class 8 History Chapter 5 When People Rebel

Question 1.
On an outline map of India represent the following centers of Revolts?
(i) Meerut
(ii) Delhi
(iii) Bihar
(iv) Kanpur
(v) Jhansi
Answer:

So, if you’re curious to uncover the stories of tribals, the encounters with “dikus,” and the quest for a Golden Age, this blog post is your gateway. Get ready to immerse yourself in the captivating world of Tribals, Dikus and the Vision of a Golden Age Class 8 Extra Questions Social Science History Chapter 4. Read this also Extra Questions for Class 8 Social Science .

Tribals, Dikus and the Vision of a Golden Age Class 8 Extra Questions and Answers Social Science History Chapter 4

Tribals, Dikus and the Vision of a Golden Age Class 8 Extra Questions Very Short Answer Type

Question 1.
Where was Birsa seen roaming the village and forests?
Answer:
Birsa was seen roaming the villages and forests of Chottanagpur in Jharkhand.

Question 2.
What was other name used for Jhum cultivation?
Answer:
Shifting cultivation was the other name used for Jhum cultivation.

Question 3.
What is meant by the term fallow?
Answer:
A field left uncultivated for a while so that soil recovers fertility is called fallow.

Question 4.
From where did the Khonds tribes belong to?
Answer:
The Khonds belonged to Orissa.

Question 5.
Which tribes were not ready to work as labourers?
Answer:
The Baigas were not ready to work as labourers.

Question 6.
Which tribes used to work as cattle herders in Andhra Pradesh?
Answer:
The Labadis of Andhra Pradesh were cattle herders.

Question 7.
Who were seen amongst the tribes as more civilised in comparison to the hunter-gatherers and shifting cultivators by the British?
Answer:
The British saw settled tribes like the Gonds and Santhals as more civilised.

Question 8.
Where was the settled plough cultivation not easy?
Answer:
Settled plough cultivation was not easy in areas where water was scare and soil was dry.

Question 9.
Who were Dikus?
Answer:
Dikus were the outsiders.

Question 10.
In which family was Birsa born?
Answer:
Birsa was born in family of Tribal group called Munda.

Question 11.
What differences within the tribes?
Answer:
Tribals have social and economical differences.

Question 12.
Where was the Jhum cultivators done?
Answer:
Jhum cultivation was done on small patch of land.

Question 13.
In which activity were the tribals mostly involved in?
Answer:
The tribals were indulged in herding of animals and rearing of animals.

Question 14.
Who were ‘Vaishnav’?
Answer:
Vaishnav were the worshippers of Lord Vishnu.

Question 15.
What is meant by Saty ug?
Answer:
Satyug means the age of truth.

Question 16.
Which flag was raised as symbol of Birsa raj.
Answer:
White flag was raised as symbol of Birsa raj.

Question 17.
In which year Birsa was arrested?
Answer:
Arrest of Birsa was done in 1895.

Question 18.
How did the Birsa died.
Answer:
In 1900 Birsa died of Cholera and movement got faded.

Question 19.
In which year was Birsa released?
Answer:
Birsa was released in 1897.

Question 20.
How did tribals group reacted against the Britisher’s forest laws?
Answer:
Tribal groups reacted against the Britisher’s forest laws:

1. They disobeyed
2. Openly rebel
3. Revolts took place

Question 21.
What is meant by Embankments?
Answer:
A wall or bank built to prevent river flooding areas.

Tribals, Dikus and the Vision of a Golden Age Class 8 Extra Questions Short Answer Type

Question 1.
In what ways was the Movement led by Birsa significant?
Answer:
The movement was significant in at least two ways.

1. It forced the colonial government to introduce laws so that land of tribals could not be easily taken by Dikus.
2. It showed once again that tribals had capacity to protest against justice.

Question 2.
In whose company did Birsa spend time and what happened after?
Answer:
Birsa spent some time in the company of a prominent Vaishnav preacher after that Birsa wore the sacred thread and began to value the importance of purity and piety.

Question 3.
Which activity of traders and moneylenders took time to be understood by the tribals?
Answer:
During 19th century tribal groups found that traders and moneylenders were coming into forests more often, wanting to buy forest produce, offering cash loans, and asking them to work for wages. This activity of traders and moneylenders took time to be understood by the tribals.

Question 4.
How did the tribals react against the colonial forest laws?
Answer:
Many tribal groups reacted against the colonial forest laws. They disobeyed the new rules, continued with practices that were declared illegal and at time rose in open rebellion.

Question 5.
What was the lifestyle of Khonds community?
Answer:
The Khonds community lived in the forest of Orissa. They regularly went out on collective hunts then divided the meat amongst themselves. They ate fruits and roots collected from forest and cooked food with oil they extracted from the seeds of Sal and Mahua. The local weavers turned to Khonds in need of Kusum and Palash flowers to colour their clothes and leathers.

Question 6.
What were the reasons behind outsiders offering cash loans and work to tribals on wages. Ans. The reasons were:

1. During 18th century Indian silk was in demand in European market. As the market expanded EIC officials tried to encourage silk production to meet the growing demand.
2. Hazaribagh in present-day Jharkhand was area where Santhals reared cocoons. The traders dealings in silk sent their agents who gave loans to tribals and further process took place.

Tribals, Dikus and the Vision of a Golden Age Class 8 Extra Questions Long Answer Type

Question 1.
Who were Jhum cultivators and what was the way they adopted for their livelihood?
Answer:
The ones who practised Jhum cultivation that is shifting cultivation were known as Jhum cultivators. Their lifestyle was based on the way they used to do cultivation means that the way they did the cultivation by migrating or shifting very frequently from one place to another.

These cultivation practices included the process in which cultivators used to cut the treetop to allow sunlight to reach the ground, and burnt the vegetation on the land to clear it for cultivation.

They spreaded the ash from the firing, which contained potash to fertilise soil. The axe was used by them to cut trees and hoe to scratch soil in order to prepare it for cultivation. They broadcasted seed, that is, scattered the seeds on the field instead of ploughing the land and sowing the seeds. Once the crop was ready and harvested they moved to another field. The field cultivated once was left fallow.

Question 2.
What was the conditions of the chiefs of Tribals before and after the British? How did British impose the rules and laws on tribal chiefs?
Answer:
Before the arrival of the British, tribal chiefs were important in many areas. They enjoyed certain amount of economic power and had the right to administer and control their territories. In some places they had their own control with police and on the forest management. But under the British rule functions and powers of the tribal chiefs changed considerably.

They were allowed keep their land titles over a cluster of villages and rent outlands. But much of their administrative power was lost and they were forced to follow laws of the British officials in India.

They also had to pay tribute to the British, and discipline the tribal groups on behalf of the British. They lost authority which was earlier enjoyed by them amongst their people and were unable to fulfil their traditional functions.

Question 3.
How did Forest laws impact the life of tribal people?
Answer:
The life of tribal groups was directly connected to forests. So changes in forest laws created considerable effect on tribal lives. The British extended their control over all forests and declared the forests as state property. Some forests produced timber which the British wanted. In these forests, people were not allowed to move freely and practice Jhum cultivation, collect fruit on hunt animals.

Many of Jhum cultivators were forced to move to other areas in search of work and livelihood. The British although later allowed Jhum cultivators by giving small patches of land in forest and allowed them to cultivate these on the condition that those living in villages would have to provide labour to the Forest Department and look after the forest. This was the way the forest laws had impacted the tribals life.

Map Skills Class 8 History Chapter 4 Tribals, Dikus and the Vision of a Golden Age

Question 1.
On an outline map of India represent the following:
(i) Gaddis
(ii) Santhal
(iii) Khasi
(iv) Naga
Answer:

So, if you’re curious to unravel the mysteries of ancient rural life and governance, this blog post is your guide. Prepare to immerse yourself in the captivating world of Ruling the Countryside Class 8 Extra Questions Social Science History Chapter 3. Read this also Extra Questions for Class 8 Social Science .

Ruling the Countryside Class 8 Extra Questions and Answers Social Science History Chapter 3

Ruling the Countryside Class 8 Extra Questions Very Short Answer Type

Question 1.
When did the Mughal emperor appoint the East India Company as the Diwan of Bengal?
Answer:
On 12th August 1765, the Mughal emperor appointed the East India Company as the Diwan of Bengal.

Question 2.
Which settlement was introduced during 1793?
Answer:
Permanent Settlement was introduced during 1793.

Question 3.
Who were appointed to collect rent and pay revenue to the Company during Permanent Settlement?
Answer:
Zamindars were appointed to collect rent and pay revenue to the Company during Permanent Settlement.

Question 4.
Who devised the system of Mahalwari?
Answer:
Holt Mackenzie devised the Mahalwari system.

Question 5.
What was the conclusion of Permanent Settlement at end?
Answer:
Permanent Settlement got failed.

Question 6.
Who initiated and developed the Ryotwari system?
Answer:
Captain Alexander Read initiated and Thomas Munro developed the Ryotwari system.

Question 7.
Name the two systems adopted for growing indigo by the cultivators.
Answer:
Nij and Ryoti were two systems adopted by the cultivators.

Question 8.
What is meant by Mahal?
Answer:
Mahal means village or groups of villages.

Question 9.
What was the aim of the Company after getting Diwani?
Answer:
After Diwani the Company aimed at administering the land and organising its revenue resources and this was done in way that could help the Company attaining enough revenue.

Question 10.
What was the difficult task for the Company to be done?
Answer:
The Company needed to pacify those who ruled the countryside in past. So it was difficult task to eliminate entirely the past rulers of the countryside of the Company.

Question 11.
What led to minimise the bringing of gold and silver by the Company for trade purpose in India?
Answer:
Revenue which was collected from Bengal was sufficient for the Company to purchase goods for exports so the Company started reducing getting gold and silvers for trade purpose.

Question 12.
What was the biggest drawback for zamindars in Permanent Settlement?
Answer:
Failure of payment of revenue resulting in loss of the zamindari was the biggest drawback which zamindars faced in Permanent Settlement.

Question 13.
At the time of introduction of permanent settlement who was the governor general of India.
Answer:
Charles Cornwallis.

Question 14.
Who was William Morris in the 19th century under British rule?
Answer:
William Morris was a famous poet and artist.

Question 15.
By whom was the Morris cotton print designed?
Answer:
By William Morris.

Question 16.
By whom was the ‘Kalamkari print’ was created?
Answer:
By the weavers of Andhra Pradesh Kalamkari print was created.

Question 17.
Define ‘Famine’.
Answer:
Extreme Scarcity of food is termed as Famine.

Question 18.
What was common in Kalamkari and Morris cotton print?
Answer:
In both a rich blue colour common by known as ‘Indigo’ was used.

Question 19.
Define the term ‘Indigo’.
Answer:
Indigo is a plant that produces the blue colour that is rich and is used as dye.

Question 20.
What is meant by ‘Vat’?
Answer:
A large tank or tube used to hold liquid, especially in industry.

Question 21.
Who were ‘Gomasthas’?
Answer:
The agents of Planters.

Question 22.
Who were the ‘Lathiyats’?
Answer:
Lath – weilding strong men maintained by the planters.

Question 23.
What the role played by women in the cultivation of Indigo?
Answer:
The role was to carry the Indigo plant to vats.

Ruling the Countryside Class 8 Extra Questions Short Answer Type

Question 1.
Define Mahalwari system in short.
Answer:

1. Estimated revenue of each plot within village was added up to calculate revenue which each Mahal (village) had to pay.
2. Revenue demand to be revised periodically.
3. Headmen of Mahal given charge to collect revenue.
4. This is what Mahalwari system was.

Question 2.
Where was the Indigo cultivated by the English and the French?
Answer:
The Indigo was cultivated by the English in Jamaica and French use to cultivate it in St. Dominque in the Caribbean Islands.

Question 3.
Define the following terms
(i) Plantation
(ii) Bigha
Answer:
Plantation is an Estate on which crops such as coffee, sugar and tobacco were grown.
Bigha: A measuring unit of land area varying locally.

Question 4.
Briefly describe the system of permanent settlement.
Answer:
Under this system Rajas and Taluqdars were recognized as Zamindars and they were asked to collect rent from the peasants and pay revenue to the Company. The amount that was to be paid was fixed permanently and was not to be increased or decreased in future.

Question 5.
What were the drawbacks of Nij cultivation?
Answer:
The drawbacks of Nij cultivation are:

1. The planters found it difficult to expand the area under Nij cultivation.
2. Labour force was not easily available.
3. Nij cultivation on a large scale also required many ploughs and bullocks investing on purchase and maintenance of ploughs was a big problem.

Ruling the Countryside Class 8 Extra Questions Long Answer Type

Question 1.
Briefly explain two following questions.
(i) Explain the two system adopted for the cultivation of Indigo in India.
(ii) What did the British realise about the countryside?
Answer:
(i) The two systems adopted for the cultivation of indigo by cultivators were:

1. Nij: In this process cultivators produced indigo on the lands which were under their control.
2. Ryoti: The planters forced Ryots to sign contract, an agreement (i.e. Satta). They also pressurised village headmen to sign contract on behalf of Ryots. This is how the two processes of cultivation of Indigo took place.

(ii) The British realised that the countryside not only yielded revenue, it could also grow crops that Europe required.

1. By the late 18th century the Company was trying expanding the cultivation of opium and indigo.
2. Therefore the British persuaded and forced cultivators in various parts of India to produce other crops.

Question 2.
What was Munro system and what happened in conclusion after Munro system took over a wide area?
Answer:
In British territories of south, the new system that was devised came to be known as Ryotwar (or Ryotwari).

1. Tried on small scale by Captain Alexander Read in some areas that were taken over by the Company after the wars with Tipu Sultan.
2. Subsequently developed by Thomas Munro, this system was gradually extended all over south India.
   There was absence of zamindars in south.
3. Therefore it was argued that it had to be made directly with the cultivators (Ryots) who had tilled the land for generations.
4. Munro thought that the British should act as Paternal father figures to protect the ryots under the in charge.
5. The conclusion was not well as driven by the desire to increase the income from land revenue, officials fixed too high revenue demand.
6. Peasants failed to pay, ryots fled the countryside, the villages became deserted in many regions.
7. Therefore, a complete failure of the Munro system also known as Ryotwari system happened during that time.

Picture Based Questions Class 8 History Chapter 3 Ruling the Countryside

Look at the picture given below and answer the following questions:

Question:
1. What is observed in the picture above.
2. Who use to attend the weekly market.
Answer:
1. The picture describes a weekly market in Murshidabad, Bengal.
2. The weekly market was attended by peasants and artisans.

From Trade to Territory Class 8 Extra Questions Social Science History Chapter 2 unveils the compelling saga of how trade routes, initially established for commerce and exchange, became the conduits for empires to expand their dominion. From ancient times to the colonial era, we’ll explore the journeys of traders, merchants, and adventurers who navigated the seas and crossed vast lands, leaving a lasting impact on the course of history. Read this also Extra Questions for Class 8 Social Science .

From Trade to Territory Class 8 Extra Questions and Answers Social Science History Chapter 2

From Trade to Territory Class 8 Extra Questions Very Short Answer Type

Question 1.
In which year did Aurangzeb died?
Answer:
Aurangzeb died in the year 1707.

Question 2.
Who led the Revolt of 1857 from the Mughal emperors?
Answer:
Among the Mughal emperors, the last Mughal king Bahdur Shah Zafar led the Revolt of 1857.

Question 3.
In which year did East India Company get the Royal Charter from kingship of England and who was the ruler of England at that time?
Answer:
In 1600, East India Company got the royal Charter from Kingship and Queen Elizabeth – I was the ruler of England.

Question 4.
Who was the Ist explorer from Portugal?
Answer:
Vasco da Gama was the Ist Explorer from Portugal in 1498.

Question 5.
What was reason behind the battles between the European trading companies.
Answer:
The reason behind the battles among the European trading companies was the rising competition.

Question 6.
Where was the Ist factory of British East India Company established and in which year?
Answer:
Ist English factory was established on the banks of river Hugli in the year 1651.

Question 7.
What is Factory according to the colonial time period in India?
Answer:
Factory was a place from where the factors were operated and it had a warehouse where goods for export were stored.

Question 8.
What was the Farman issued by Aurangzeb to the Company?
Answer:
Farman granted Right to trade duty-free to the Company.

Question 9.
Who was the Nawab of Bengal at the time of Battle of Plassey?
Answer:
Sirajuddaulah was the Nawab of Bengal at the time of Battle of Plassey.

Question 10.
Who was the commander of Sirajuddaulah who cheated him at the time of Battle of Plassey?
Answer:
Mir Jafar was the commander who cheated Sirajuddaulah at the time of Battle of Plassey.

Question 11.
In which year was the Company appointed as the Diwan of Bengal by the Mughal Emperor?
Answer:
In the year 1765, the Company was appointed as the Diwan of Bengal by the Mughal Emperor.

Question 12.
What was the outcome of the appointment of the Company as the Diwan of Bengal?
Answer:
Appointment of the Company as Diwan of Bengal resulted in the beginning of exploitation of the vast revenue of the Bengal.

Question 13.
How many wars were fought between Mysore Kingdom and the Britishers?
Answer:
Four Wars were fought between Mysore and Britishers.

Question 14.
Mention the time period in which prolonged war was fought between the Britishers and Afghanistan?
Answer:
1838 – 1842 was the time period when the prolonged war was fought and the Company rule was established in Afghanistan.

Question 15.
Name of the Governor-general who introduced several administrative reforms.
Answer:
Warren Hastings was the Governor-General who introduced several administrative reforms.

Question 16.
What was the main aim of the Company before the territorial expansion?
Answer:
Trading and earning profit from trade was the main aim of the Company before the territorial expansion.

Question 17.
Who was established as Nawab in replacement of Mir Jafar?
Answer:
Mir Qasim was installed as the Nawab in place of Mir Jafar.

Question 18.
Which state was annexed by the Company on the ground of misgovernance?
Answer:
Awadh was annexed by the Company on the ground of misgovernance.

Question 19.
Name country from which Tipu Sultan established a great relation.
Answer:
The French was the country from which Tipu established a great relation.

Question 20.
Mention the states which were annexed on the basic of ‘Doctrine of Lapse’ policy.
Answer:
Satara, Sambalpur, Udaipur, Nagpur and Jhansi were the states annexed on the basis of this policy.

Question 21.
Define the word ‘Charter’?
Answer:
An offficial order is called charter.

Question 22.
When was the Battle of Buxar fought?
Answer:
The Battle of Buxar was fought in 1764.

Question 23.
Mention the period of Lord Dalhousie as Governor-General of India.
Answer:
From 1848 – 1856, Lord Dalhousie was the Governor-General of India.

From Trade to Territory Class 8 Extra Questions Short Answer Type

Question 1.
Mention the aftermath of the death of Aurangzeb in 1707?
Answer:
Aurangzeb died in 1707 which resulted in:

1. Establishment of several regional kingdoms.
2. Governors under the Mughals took over the control over states.
3. Existence of several regional kingdoms was seen.

Question 2.
It is said that before the Britishers, the Portuguese already got established in India. Explain how?
Answer:
Yes, the Portuguese had been settled in India before the establishment of the Britishers as in 1498, a Portuguese explorer named Vasco da Gama discovered the sea route to India resulting in establishment of base at Goa.

Question 3.
What were the things which India had for the purpose of trade?
Answer:
India had several things from which trade of the East India Company got wide and the rate of their profit got maximised. Those things were pepper, cloves, cardamom and cinnamon.

Question 4.
What did the Company on its part declare about the Nawabs of Bengal?
Answer:
The Company on its part declared that the unjust demands of the Nawabs were ruining their trade and they could only trade when the duties would be removed from them. It was convinced that to expand trade the Company had to enlarge its settlements, buy up villages and rebuild its forts.

Question 5.
Why did Warren Hasting go through the impeachment process?
Answer:
When Hastings went back to England in 1785, Edmund Burke accused him of being involved and at individual level responsible for misgovernment of Bengal. This led to an impeachment process against Warren Hastings.

Question 6.
How did the new policy of paramountcy get challenged in Kitoor?
Answer:
When the British tried to annex the small state of Kitoor (in Karnataka today) Rani Channamma took arms in her hands and led an anti-British resistance movement. But after she died in prison, Rayanna a poor chowkidar of Sangoli in Kitoor carried on challenging the policy of the British.

From Trade to Territory Class 8 Extra Questions Long Answer Type

Question 1.
Name the policy devised by Lord Dalhousie for annexation purpose and explain how it worked and also name states annexed under this policy.
Answer:
Lord Dalhousie was the Governor-General from 1848 – 1856 and he was reason behind the final wave of annexations. He devised a policy that came to be known as Doctrine of Lapse. The policy declared that if an Indian ruler died without any male heir, his kingdom would lapse and that will become part of the Company territory.

The states which were annexed under this policy were:
Satara (1848), Sambalpur (1850), Udaipur (1852), Nagpur (1853), and Jhansi (1854).

Question 2.
How did the Mysore grow in strength under the leadership of its powerful rulers Haidar Ali and Tipu Sultan?
Answer:
Mysore had grown in strength under the kingship of the powerful rulers Haidar Ali (1761 – 1782) and his son Tipu Sultan (1782 – 1799). Tipu was also called ‘The Tiger of Mysore’. Mysore controlled the powerful trade of Malabar coast from where the Company purchased pepper and cardamoms.

Tipu stopped the export of sandalwood, pepper and cardamom through ports of his kingdom and disallowed the local merchants from trading with the Company. He also established a close relationship with the French in India and modernised his army with their help. This is how Mysore got strengthen under the kingship of Haidar Ali and Tipu Sultan.

Question 3.
Explain the policy of Paramountcy, also explain the struggle of Kitoor in challenging this aggressive policy.
Answer:
The Company adopted an aggressive policy of territorial expansion. Under Hastings (1813 – 1823)
Governor Generalship, a new policy of paramountcy was initiated with which the Company claimed that its authority was paramount and supreme so the power of the Company was greater than that of Indian states. So in order to protect the Company’s interest it was justified annexing or threatening of annexation to the Indian states. This policy and its aim continued to guide the later British policies as well.

The struggle of Kitoor challenging this policy was really commendable. When the British tried to annex the small state of Kitoor in Karnataka, Rani Channamma took to arms and led an anti-British resistence movement. She got arrested in 1824 and died in prison in 1829. After her Rayanna, a poor chowkidar of Sangoli in Kitoor carried on resistence. With popular support many British camps and records were destroyed by him. He was later caught and hanged by the British in 1830. This is the struggle of Kitoor.

Picture Based Questions Class 10 History Chapter 2 From Trade to Territory

Look at the picture given below and answer the following questions:

Question 1.
Describe briefly about the picture given above.
Answer:
The picture does represents ‘toy tiger’ of Tipu Sultan the great warriors. The picture is kept in the Victoria and Albert museum in London. The Britishers had took it away. When Tipu Sultan died while defending his capital Sheringpatnam on 4th May 1798.

Map Skills Class 8 History Chapter 2 From Trade to Territory

Question 1.
On the outline map of India represent the following under British rule.
(i) Lahore
(ii) Lucknow
(iii) Benaras
(iv) Calcutta
(v) Madras
(vi) Mysore
Answer:

Are you ready to unlock the mysteries of the past? In this blog post, we present you with a treasure trove of How, When and Where Class 8 Extra Questions Social Science History Chapter 1. Prepare yourself for a fascinating journey as we delve into historical events, significant dates, and the geographical contexts that shaped the course of human civilization. Read this also Extra Questions for Class 8 Social Science.

How, When and Where Class 8 Extra Questions and Answers Social Science History Chapter 1

How, When and Where Class 8 Extra Questions Very Short Answer Type

Question 1.
Whom did Robert Clive ask to produce the maps of Hindustan?
Answer:
Rennel was asked to produce the maps of Hindustan by Robert Clive.

Question 2.
Who was given the title of ‘Duke of Connaught’?
Answer:
Third son of Queen Victoria – Prince Arthur was given the title.

Question 3.
Who was the Ist Governor-General of the British in India?
Answer:
Warren Hastings was the Ist Governor-General of the British in India.

Question 4.
What was the name of the three-volume work published by James Mill?
Answer:
The name of the three-volume work published by James Mill was ‘A History of British India’.

Question 5.
What does the Census operations consist of?
Answer:
Census operation consists of the detailed records of the number of people in all provinces in India, information on castes, religions and occupations of the people at that time.

Question 6.
What is history?
Answer:
History is about finding of things that were in the past and it also narrates how the things have changed.

Question 7.
What was felt by Mill about the caste and religion?
Answer:
About the in Indian caste and religious system Mill was felt there was religious intolerance, caste taboos and superstitious belief.

Question 8.
What are the forces of modernity?
Answer:
Science, reason, democracy, liberty and equality.

Question 9.
What all were absent under British rule.
Answer:
Equality, freedom and liberty were absent under British rule.

Question 10.
In which century did the printing got spread?
Answer:
By the middle of 19th century.

Question 11.
Which practice became important under colonial administration?
Answer:
The Practice of Surveying.

How, When and Where Class 8 Extra Questions Short Answer Type

Question 1.
Moving away from the British classification, how did historians usually divide the history of India?
Answer:
When we move away from the British classification, historians usually divided the Indian history into three categories that are:

1. Ancient
2. Medieval
3. Modern

Question 2.
What were the sources used by historians in writing the History at the time of the British rule?
Answer:
The historians used the following sources in writing the history:

1. The official records of the British administration.
2. The letters and documents that were preserved carefully.
3. Records being preserved from the administration offices.
4. Letters and memory that were kept in the archives.

Question 3.
Why can’t we get to know easily and accurately about history of people who were not literate?
Answer:
Sources that were produced by those who were literate have no experience of what the tribals, peasants, the workers of mines or the poors on street liked, so we cannot get to know easily and accurately about the history of people who were not literate at the time.

Question 4.
What is Modernity and its forces?
Answer:
Modern period in west was related to the growth of the modernity and it focuses are science, reason, democracy, liberty and equality.

How, When and Where Class 8 Extra Questions Long Answer Type

Question 1.
Why are Dates important in History? And what was there in history written by the British Historians?
Answer:
In History, the dates are really important because the dates focuses on a particular set of events and changes that took place during a particular period of time.

The History that was written by the British historians in India had considered the rule of Ist Governor-General, Warren Hastings which extended till last Viceroy, Lord Mountbatten. In brief, we can say that the British historians wrote only those points which were important to them and have only glorified their deeds and events in their historical accounts.

Question 2.
Who was James Mill, and how did he divide the History India? In what sense did he take Asian Society and Indian society?
Answer:
James Mill was a Scottish economist and a political philosopher, who had published a massive three-volume work i.e. “A History of British India. James Mill divided the history of India in three periods – Hindus, Muslims and British. Mill thought that the Asian Society was at a lower level of civilization than that of Europe. According to him before the rule of the British, the Indian Society was ruled by Hindu and Muslim despots and religious intolerance, caste taboos and superstition were spread.

Question 3.
What is the problem behind the classification of History into Ancient, Medieval and Modem?
Answer:
The problem behind the classification is that the periodization has been borrowed from the west where the Modern Period was associated with the growth of all the forces of modernity – science, reason, democracy, liberty and equality. Medieval was used to define society where there was absence of modern forces. So this was unacceptable as British rule was the period in which all liberty, equality, freedom were taken from Indians.

Picture Based Questions Class 8 History Chapter 1 How, When and Where

Look at the picture given below and answer the following questions:

Question:
1. What does the picture describes?
2. When was the building made?
3. How is it related to British Rule.
Answer:
1. The picture is a building called ‘National Archives in India’.
2. The Building was made in 1920’s.
3. The Building reflects the importance of this institution in relation to British.

Embark on a delightful journey with “Three Men in a Boat Extra Questions and Answers for Class 9,” a humorous novel that follows the misadventures of three friends and their dog as they embark on a boating trip along the River Thames. In this blog post, we will unravel the comical narrative of this classic tale and explore the profound insights it offers. Read this also Extra Questions for Class 9 English with Answers.

Three Men in a Boat Extra Questions and Answers for Class 9 English

Question 1.
Name the four characters introduced in this chapter. Give an account of each.
Answer:
The four characters introduced in this chapter are the two friends of the narrator, George and William Samuel Harris, the narrator and his dog, Montmorency. J. is one of the main characters in the book and he is also the narrator of this story. J. sees himself as hardworking, intelligent and competent when in fact in real life he was the exact opposite. He is also a hypochondriac much like his other friends.

George is a very good-natured person. He works at the bank and is seen to be more grounded than his other two friends. He brings a banjo to his house and starts to learning how to play. Harris or William Samuel Harris and J. have known each other for a long time. He is bigger in build and used that to scare away somebody who was trying to blackmail them.

Question 2.
What were the men discussing and why were they doing so? Did they come up with a solution and what did they decide to about it?
Answer:
The men were discussing their poor health and their symptoms because they were experiencing spells of giddiness. The narrator was convinced that his liver was not functioning properly. They diagnosed themselves with every kind of disease they could find and only eliminated a disease called housemaid’s disease. They later identified the source of their poor health and hypochondria could be a result of stress and overwork so they decided to take a holiday. Then they finally decided to row up the Thames.

Question 3.
Why did the narrator suspect that his liver was not well? What made the narrator feel that he was an interesting medical case? Do you think something was wrong with him? Give reasons for your answer.
Answer:
The narrator felt so because he had been reading a circular that contained symptoms of liver disorder and he was convinced that he had all the symptoms.The fact that the narrator felt that he had every disease listed in the medical book he had ever read in the reading room convinced him that medical students could learn a lot about the various diseases by just studying him.There was nothing wrong with him, he was perfectly normal. The narrator seemed to worry about having a serious illness which turned out to be a phobia.

Question 4.
What does the narrator mean when he makes the following statement: “I had walked into that reading-room a happy, healthy man. I crawled out a decrepit wreck.”
(Encourage the students to think creatively andformulate their own answers.)
Answer:
The narrator means that though he had been quite hale and hearty before going to the reading-room, after reading the symptoms listed in the medical book, he felt that he was actually a very sick man as he seemed to have all the symptoms of most of the diseases listed in the book.

Question 5.
Why did the chemist not give the narrator any medicine when he gave him the doctor’s prescription? What did this mean? Do you think the doctor knew what the narrator was going through? Give ‘ reasons for your answer.
Answer:
The chemist did not give the narrator any medicines because the prescription did not contain th6 names of any medicines. All it had written on it was the name of the food and drink and the exercise that the doctor felt the narrator should have. It also contained the time at which the doctor advised him to sleep. This meant that the doctor did not think anything was wrong with the narrator.

Yes, I think the doctor knew exactly what was going on with the narrator because instead of prescribing medicines-and drugs, he had prescribed food and drinks as well as exercise. This shows that the narrator was healthy and had no tangible physical pain. It was ali a part of his phobia.

Question 6.
How has the narrator dealt with illness in his childhood whenever he complained it? Do you think that is the right approach? Give reasons for your answer.
Answer:
The narrator would be boxed or slapped hard on the side of his head and this strangely used to cure him of his illness at that time. (Encourage students to think creatively and formulate their own answers.) Despite the proverb, ‘spare the rod and spoil the child’, physical abuse in any form is not healthy and this form of negative reinforcement gives trauma to the recipient of the act.

The narrator is suffering from Hypochondria which is a phobia in itself and the cure itself lay in the parental figures understanding their child’s status. No, I do not think that violence or abuse is not cure for any illness. The parents must’ve figured that the child was acting but in fact the.problem lay in his psyche which by negative reinforcement was only able to suppress.

Question 7.
What does the narrator find strange about people talking about their sea trips? Why did George suggest that they could go on a boating trip?
Answer:
The narrator was surprised at the fact that they never discussed their bouts of sea-sickness. They often recounted tales about other people’s sea-sickness but never their own. They probably felt that it was a sign of weakness and the listeners might make fun of them. According to George, a boating trip on a river would give them fresh air, exercise and peace that they wanted. The change of scene would occupy their minds and the exercise of rowing the boat would give them a good appetite and tire them enough to get a good sleep.

Question 8.
Why was Montmorency not too keen to go on the boat? Is it right to fear the ocean and the boat?
Answer:
Montmorency, the dog, was not keen to go on the boat ride because he was not looking forward to being confined in the boat for hours together without any exercise, neither could he go chasing rats. He was also apprehensive that the men might not be able to handle the boat carefully and so there were chances of then- falling overboard into the river.

(Encourage the students to think creatively andformulate their own answers.)
Yes, I think it is right to fear the ocean because the seas and the oceans are a dangerous place with many unknown perils and subject to the erratic weather conditions. One can be afraid of the boat because the food supplies as well as other essentials could end any day on the boat and they would not have either land or another ship to possibly restock supplies.

Question 9.
What plans did the three men make about their trip? When were they planning on going on their trip and what was the major point of discussion while planning the trip? What was their final decision?
Answer:
The three men planned to leave on their trip on the following Saturday. Two of them, i.e., the narrator and Harris, would take the boat from Kingston to Chertsey, while George who worked in a bank would meet them at Chertsey the same afternoon. They had also taken great pains to pack their things but later on realized only to pack the essential things.The major point of discussion amongst the three was whether they would be camping out or sleeping in the inns. Finally, they decided that on fine nights they would sleep in the tents but on rainy nights they would sleep at the inns.

Question 10.
What are the difficulties described by the narrator about camping out in the open when it was raining? Do you think it would have been an adventure without the rain? Give reasons for ‘your answer.
Answer:
According to the narrator, the boat gets filled with water which makes it is very difficult to put up the tent. Also, making wood fire becomes impossible, the food supplies get soaked in the rain and turn . liquid. Moreover, tobacco becomes damp and the only thing that gives some comfort is a bottle of liquor. Additionally, one is down with a cold in the morning.

(Encourage the students to think creatively andformulate their own answer.)
No, I do not think it would have been an adventure without certain hardships such as the rains. It is only in difficult situations that one is confronted with the idea of happiness and for the three men who took a vacation to find happiness and freedom, the rains somehow reminds them of the fact that happiness is not by doing things or by being with certain people but it’s about appreciating one’s current situation and surroundings.

Question 11.
How does Uncle Podger involve the whole family in the simple task of hanging a picture? Why do you think J. keeps comparing Harris to Uncle Podger?
Answer:
One of the girls from Uncle Podger’s family was sent to buy nails, a boy was sent to tell the girl what size of nails to buy, a boy called Will was asked to get a hammer while Tom got him a ruler, the step-ladder and the ‘ kitchen-chair. Jim was sent to Mr Goggle’s house to lend him his spirit-level. Maria had to hold the light so that he could see clearly.

The girl, who had gone to get some picture-cord, and Tom were called back to hand him the picture. Then he dropped the picture, broke the glass, lost the nail, then the hammer and every time the whole household had to rally around trying to help him. J. keeps comparing Harris to his late Uncle Podger because much like Uncle Podger, Harris also cannot perform basic tasks without making mistakes and ends up riling everyone around him.

Question 12.
What is the narrator’s advice for those who load their boat with useless things? Why? What items did the three finally decide to carry on the trip?
Answer:
According to the narrator, one should discard everything that is unnecessary because it only creates danger and causes unnecessary confusion and clutter. The narrator goes on to compare this with life in general where people seemed to do the same with thoughts and emotions, holding on to them unnecessarily and creating tension for themselves. This could not give anyone a respite from anxiety and care, and one cannot enjoy watching the beauties of the world one lives in.

The three finally decided to carry only the things that they could not do without, such as, a rug each, a lamp, some soap, a brush and comb, a toothbrush (each), a basin, some tooth-powder, some shaving tackle, and a couple of big-towels for bathing along with food provisions. They also decided to take a change of under clothes and plenty of socks, in case anyone wanted a change; also plenty of handkerchiefs and a pair of leather boots, as well as their boating shoes.

Question 13.
Do you think George and Harris were experts at packing and how did Montmorency help in the packing? Give reasons for your answer.
Answer:
No, George and Harris do not seem to have been experts, because they started by breaking a cup, and continued by squashing a tomato under the bottle of jam. They packed the pies at the bottom and thus squashed them, spilt salt over everything and as for the butter, they stepped on it, sat on it and put it all over themselves and the room.

Montmorency made a complete nuisance of himself. He sat down on things which had to be packed, pushed his nose into Harris or George’s hand whenever they reached out for anything, put his leg into the jam, played with a teaspoon and pretended the lemons were rats. He chased the lemons inside the hamper till he “killed” three of them, before he was hit by Harris with a frying pan.

Question 14.
Who was Biggs? Who were his boys? Why did the narrator get irritated with Biggs’ latest boy? Who were the other people who stopped by to watch the narrator and Harris as they waited for their cab? Why did they do so?
Answer:
Biggs was the narrator’s greengrocer. His “boys” were the errand boys who he hired to help him with his ‘work. The narrator was irritated with Biggs’ latest boy, as instead of going about his work, he stopped to stare at the narrator and Harris, who were waiting for a taxi with all the luggage that they had packed for their boating holiday.

Apart from Biggs’ boy, the grocer’s boy, the gentlemen from the boot shop and the superintendent from the Blue Posts, all stopped by to watch the narrator and his friend. Soon, there was a crowd of people who stopped by. They were curious to know where the narrator and his friend were off to with such a lot of luggage. In fact, one group thought it was a wedding party, with Harris being the bridegroom, while another group thought they were off to the narrator’s brother’s funeral.

Question 15.
What examples does the narrator cite to prove his viewpoint that each person has what he doesn’t want and wants what he doesn’t have? Do you agree with the saying? Give reasons.
Answer:
He mentions the fact that married men have wives they do not seem to want, while single men are not able to get wives at all. Similarly, he mentions poor people were hardly able to take care of their families having eight children and more, but rich old couples had no one to leave their money to. Encourage students to think creatively and formulate their own answers.

Yes, I agree with the statement. This saying is similar to the proverb the grass is always greener on the other side, where when we look at our lot and look at others, we are more envious of them. But if we were to take the viewpoint of each person, one has what he doesn’t want and wants what he doesn’t have, would be incorrect because there are instances where people search for what they want and obtain it. The saying is a typical depiction of needs versus wants.

Question 16.
According to the narrator, why did people leave the countryside and flock to cities and towns? Do you think this movement of people reveal the state of society at that time and why does the three men do the exact opposite? What does the author try to relay in the story?
Answer:
According to the narrator, people flocked to live in cities and towns, because the nights in the countryside could be very lonely, quiet and frightening, with lamps casting ghostly shadows all around. It is the longing for human voices and the throb of life and the gas-lit streets that attracted people to the cities.
(Encourage students to think creatively andformulate their own answers.)

This movement of people might have several reasons, but the answer that the reason that the narrator gives might not entirely be true. The city was seen as a place of opportunities for work, fame and other things, in the cities all modem facilities were available and it was not because of the call of the gas-lit streets. This movement of people could be because of the growing economy where the late 19th century can be seen as the height of industrialization.

The three men do the exact opposite because they are tired of city life and thought that the quiet solitude of the country life as well as the fresh air would do them good. The author makes us understand that the country life is not as idyllic asThe three men made it sound like. Much like the city, country life also had its own share of problems.

Question 17.
In what context does the narrator comment that a boating costume “ought to be a costume that can be worn in a boat, and not merely under a glass-case.” What was his experience of the boating trip with the two ladies?
Answer:
The narrator makes this remark while referring to two ladies who had once gone on a boating picnic with him. They were dressed beautifully, but inappropriately in lace and silk, which could get damaged by even a drop of water falling on it. The narrator was unnerved by trying to prevent any drops of water touch them, and asked his friend to row instead.

However, the friend rowed so carelessly that the girls were covered with water and were upset as a consequence. They had an even worse time at the picnic. The girls completely spoilt the party for themselves, and for their companions, by their wrong choice of clothes.

Question 18.
“I was going on thinking away all these grand, tender thoughts, when my reverie was broken.” What were the grand thoughts that the narrator was thinking? What is a reverie and how was the narrator’s broken?
Answer:
The grand thoughts were the narrator’s musings on a sunny morning when he had visited a little village church. He had felt so much at peace, that he had forgiven all his relatives and friends for all the times they had hurt him. His thoughts were full of forgiveness and blessings. A reverie is a daydream, and the narrator’s was broken by the shrill voice of an old bald- headed man coming towards him with a large bunch of keys, offering to show him some tombs.

Question 19.
What happened when J. and Harris parked their boat near Kempton Park? How did the narrator react to the gentleman’s attempt at blackmail? What chain of thought ensued after this incident?
Answer:
The narrator and Harris stopped for lunch and parked their boat near Kempton Park. They were interrupted by a man who claimed that they were trespassing. The man claimed that he had come to warn them that they were trespassing, but actually, he wanted to make some money by threatening to tell the owner of the property about them. Both the narrator and Harris refused to be scared by the man’s threat.

When the man said it was his duty to keep trespassers away, Harris invited him go ahead and do his job. The man looked at Harris’ well- built body and backed down, saying he would return with the owner. However, he never returned. The narrator and William Harris started discussing about the stupidity of such a prohibition that stops visitors and the ruins.

Question 20.
What is the narrator’s view about tow lines? Why does the man with the tow line get angry with the tourists from stopping on the banks. It seemed to Harris that such an act was punishable and the landowners and his family who were against trespassing of this sort should have violence inflicted on them and that the noticeboard should be buried along with their tombstones while he sings comic songs on man who had handed it to him, and vice versa? How was this muddle resolved?
Answer:
The narrator believes that tow lines are strange objects which get tangled no matter what you do. He believes that even though one might take considerable pains to wind and coil the tow line neatly, it gets tangled within minutes.According to the narrator, the man with the tow line finds the tow line in such a tangle that it takes all his skill to untangle it. He thinks it is the fault of the man, who wound it in the first place, for not doing a neat job.

On the other hand, the man in the boat, having just handed over a perfectly coiled line, blames the man on the bank for being careless and tangling it all up. In the end, they get so angry that they just want to use the tow line as rope to hang each other.The muddle was finally resolved when the men came out of the boat and managed to detangle the tow line. At first they found themselves tugging at the same part of rope from opposite ends, but finally they managed to clear it, often finding that the boat had drifted off in the meantime.

Question 21.
How did George and his friends take advantage of the man and the girl who were pulling along a tow line? Why did the narrator think it was exciting to be towed by girls?
Answer:
Since the girl and the man did not realize that they were towing ah empty line without any boat, George managed to hitch their boat to the tow line. Thus, the boy and girl now towed the boat up to Marlow before realizing what had happened. According to the narrator, it is a sensation that should not be missed. Generally it takes three girls to tow a boat—two to pull and one to run around giggling.

They begin by getting themselves tied up in the rope. Once they undo it from around their ankles and necks, they start off at a run, pulling the boat at a dangerous pace. At the end of a hundred yards, they are breathless and stop suddenly, causing the boat to drift midstream and turn around. They often have to be reminded to keep the boat moving. They also have to keep coming back to the boat to comb their hair or get a shawl. When they finally get going again, they are likely to be scared by a cow in their path. Thus, there is never a dull moment.

Question 22.
Do you think George was a committed worker in the bank? Give reasons for your answer. What does this show about his character? (Encourage students to think creatively and formulate their own answers.)
Answer:
No, George appeared to be doing very little work at the bank from the description of the manner in which he was found sleeping most of the time. He, himself, admits that the bank officers working with him would probably have to awaken him and send him on the trip. George seems to be very lazy and laid back in his attitude and is content to let other’s do his work.

Question 23.
What does the narrator want to suggest through the following statement “If Harris’s eyes filled with tears, you can bet it is because Harris has been eating raw onions.” What does this tell about their characters?
Answer:
The narrator wants to point to the fact that Harris was a practical man unlike himself who had a romantic viewpoint about most things in life. He makes this remark when Harris cuts short the narrator’s romantic description of camping out in a tent in the lap of nature by asking him what they would do if it started raining while they were camping out. The narrator was offended by this interruption and pointed out that Harris had no romance in his soul unlike the narrator, because he, like a pessimist, could only think of problems such as rain instead of visualizing the beauty of nature.

Question 24.
Can you give a description of one of the themes that run in the novel?
Answer:
One of the central theme that runs across the novel is the theme of city and country life. The author describes city life and says that there is a lot of transition and migration of people from the countryside to the cities because the countryside is lonely. He goes on saying that the gas-lit streets are more preferable.

There is a glorification of city life of the late 19th century but at the same time we see the three main protagonists who are suffering from hypochondria try to escape the busy schedule of their city life. They conjectured that a vacation time in the countryside would ease their phobias and help them recover.

They decide to take a river trip and escape to the calmness of nature. The men do enjoy many calm moments and they are wracked less with their hypochondria but they also realize that the country life is not as idyllic as they thought it would be. The author tries to portray the relationship between city life and country life and makes us understand that true calm and peace is not found in things or people but an acceptance and appreciation of the surroundings no matter the situation.

Question 25.
What does the narrator imply by saying that for five and thirty minutes one could hear only the clank of cutlery and crockery? What does this show about the stomach? Explain how the narrator expresses the superiority of the stomach over the mind? Do you agree?
Answer:
The narrator wants to say that for thirty-five minutes the three men and their dog were all engrossed in eating their food. It shows how hungry they were at the end of the day’s journey.

The narrator establishes that the mind is not as powerful as the stomach, by saying that if one has an empty stomach, he is not able to do any work, including thinking. According to him, if our stomachs are not full and satisfied, we cannot indulge in any work or activity, or achieve the higher goals of virtue and contentment. This shows that the stomach rules our mental as well physical faculties and it is hunger that is a strong feeling that overcomes everything else.

(Encourage the students to think creatively and formulate their own answers.)
No, I do not agree with what the narrator tells us because even though hunger determines our moods and emotions, It is also our will that dictates our state of being. For example, we see various different people go on hunger strikes when standing up for their beliefs and convictions. This shows that hunger does cause great discomfort but we can still subdue it with the help of our mind.

Question 26.
Throughout the novel, we can see that the author keeps on digressing. What do you think could be the reason for his digressions?
Encourage the students to think creatively and formulate their own answers.
Answer:
The novel itself is a straightforward journey that takes the three men from London to Oxford on a boat, what the author does is that by adding digression, he has managed to change the straightforward story into a more elaborate one where the same digressions feed into the story and helps us understand the characters as well as their situations better. This narrative style gives the author the artistic license to add some comic relief to the novel and addresses various issues during late 19th century England in a comical way.

There are frequent flashbacks that describe the characters for us in a more in-depth manner. These digressions seem to bring to our attention that no journey, be it our life or any adventure, is ever straightforward. There are always digressions and changes throughout the way. This particular style is an attempt by the author to depict and relay the message of human nature and the constant search for happiness and contentment through a number of approaches.

Question 27.
What are some of the changes that the new Victorian England brought in? Do you think it offered opportunities for fun and leisure? Give reasons for your answer.
Encourage the students to think creatively and formulate their own answers.
Answer:
Victorian England refers to the time of Queen Victoria’s reign from 1837 to 1901. This period saw many new changes, one was the significance given to gothic architecture, then there was the significance given to the arts and theatre. Technology was making a big headway and it is at this time that the English working and middle class started enjoying public holidays and vacations.

The arrival of steam engine in the form of trains and steamships improved transportation and slowly popularized recreational travel. The countryside and the beach attracted the city residents and there was a lot of movement. Indeed the Victorian Era did offer many opportunities for fun and leisure. Even in the novel, the three men were tired, disillusioned and wanted to take a vacation and decided to opt for an idyllic boat trip to the countryside.

Question 28
Do you think that the Three Men in a Boat has humour in it? What kind of humour or what style of humour do you think the author uses? Why do you think does the author use these styles?
Encourage the students to think creatively and formulate their own answers.
Answer:
Yes, the novel Three Men in a Boat indeed has humour in it. The author Jerome K. Jerome uses a gamut of styles. There is slapstick, social satire and black comedy in it. This novel seems to appeal to a large demographic as its humour caters to many age groups because of its variety. With the help of this variety, the author is able to express his views in different forms and this literary style helps him when he is trying to digress from the main narrative plot. The satire and irony in the novel is actually the main focus of the book and using J. as a protagonist, the author Jerome manages to tie the whole story together and create comical characters making them portray people from different social classes. The author doesn’t seem to overly criticize the English class system.

Question 29.
What was the Magna Carta? Can you give a brief description of its history? By recounting the tale of Oliver Cromwell and King John, what is the narrator trying to say?
Answer:
Magna Carta or the great charter was an agreement signed between the unpopular King John of England and the rebel barons. It was drafted by the archbishop and the island has been long thought of as the place where the agreement took place. It established for the first time that everybody including the King was subject to the law.

By recounting the tale of Oliver Cromwell and King John, the narrator is trying to say that the English countryside they were boating along had not really changed much since the times of Oliver Cromwell and King John. He wants to convey the fact that one could actually imagine all the historical events that had taken place in that area in the past.

Question 30.
The narrator and Harris refuse to enter the two inns at Datchet on some flimsy grounds. What were the excuses they make? What is the irony they have to face at the end?
Answer:
The narrator refuses to enter the first inn because it did not have any honeysuckle flowers growing in or around it. Harris refuses to enter the other inn because he does not like the look of a man leaning against its front door and finds his boots very ugly. The irony is that after they reject the two inns, they come to know that Datchet has only the two inns and when they try to get rooms in the very same inns, they find that they are overflowing with people and are not even allowed to enter inside them.

Question 31.
Why does Harris express a desire to die? What effect does the appearance of the young boy have on him?
Answer:
After the inns refuse to give them any rooms, they go from house to house trying to get a room for the night but are unsuccessful. At this point of time Harris is so exhausted that he wishes he could die. On hearing this, a boy offers them a room for the night in his house. Harris is so overjoyed that he faints and when he is revived, he empties half a can of beer that the boy was carrying and runs towards the’boy’s house much ahead of the others.

Question 32.
How did the men try to open the can of pineapple? Were they successful in their attempts? Give reasons for your answer.
Answer:
As the men realised that they did not have tin can openers, they unsuccessfully tried opening it with several different objects. Harris was the first to try opening it with a pocket knife which broke and injured his hand badly. The next to try was George who used a pair of scissors which just missed hurting his eyes. The narrator tried opening it with the spiky end of a hitcher but it slipped and jerked him out between the boat and the bank into two feet of muddy water.

Finally, the three took the can out on to the bank, Harris held a sharp end of the stone on its lid, George held on to the can while the narrator picked up the mast and brought it down with all his might onto the stone and missed. He narrowly missed hitting George on his head. They finally abandoned their attempts at opening the can and threw it into the river out of frustration.

Question 33.
Do you think the novel Three Men in a Boat is an autobiography? What do you think are its influences?
Encourage the students to think creatively and formulate their own answers.
Answer:
I think that the novel Three Men in a Boat is not an exact an autobiography but there are instances that have been inspired by his honeymoon with his first wife. They had followed the same route as J. and his fellow companions. Apart from the similarity in the journey that was made, most of the influences are from Jerome’s life. The name J. seems to be a short name for Jerome. Jerome belonged to a lower middle class family and had gone through various hardships especially financially. Thus, he had a good understanding of social classes and he had an astute as well as unique take on society, its pretension and hypocrisy.

Question 34.
What is the narrator referring to when he says-“Strange that Nature’s voices all around them…. should not have taught them a truer meaning of life than this.”?
Answer:
He is referring to the Cistercian monks who had once lived in the abbey in the 13th century. They had lived a very hard life wearing rough tunics, eating vegetarian food and spending their time in hard labour, reading and praying. Most of their time was spent in silent contemplation. The narrator is struck by the irony that these monks were living in the lap of Nature at its best, but were unable to appreciate the beauty that God had provided all around them. They lived grim lives waiting in silence for God’s voice from heaven but were deaf to the sounds of Nature that spoke to them all the time.

Question 35.
What was the outcome of Montmorency’s chasing a large tomcat? How did it affect Montmorency? What is Montgomery’s significance in the novel?
Answer:
Montmorency’s chase had the strangest of outcomes. Instead of running away, or showing any signs of fear, the cat calmly turned around to face Montmorency as if to ask him what he wanted. Montmorency, unused to such a reaction, quietly slinked away with his tail between his legs and would thereafter visibly shrink and have a pained expression on his face at the mention of the word “cat”.

Montmorency features prominently in the novel and somehow provides opportunities for slapstick humour. He also seems to function as a foil to the three men, J., George and William Harris. Unlike the three men, Montmorency is always lively and manages to obtain his own food and most of the time is able to defend himself, which was not the case when Montmorency met the tomcat.

Question 36.
What does the narrator want to express when he says that-“our departure from Marlowe I regard as one of our great successes.”?
Answer:
At Marlowe, the narrator and his friends visited a number of shops to buy different kinds of food materials to last them the next three days on the river. At every shop, they waited till the food was packed in a basket and a boy from the shop carrying the basket followed them to their boat. As a result they had a number of boys following them with baskets in a solemn procession through the centre of the street down to the river, making a very impressive spectacle.

Question 37.
Do you think the narrator hated steam launches? Why? How did the narrator and his friends irritate* the men in the steam launch?
Answer:
Yes, the narrator hated steam launches because, according to him, a person who drives them has hardly anything to do apart from smoking a cigar and blowing the whistle at other boats to clear their path. The narrator was irritated by the superior attitude shown by the people who drove them. The narrator and his friends irritated the men in the steam launch by generally pretending not to hear the whistle of the launch and allowed their boat to drift right into the path of the steam launch. They sat with their backs to them and pretended to be deeply engrossed in a story being told by Harris.

As a result, the launch coming at high speed would run aground in trying to prevent the launch from ramming into their boat. The people from these launches would be found shouting at the men but the narrator and his friends would pretend to be oblivious to all their shouting. Sometimes the men from these launches would come and help to remove their boat from their path and all the time the three friends would pretend to be unaware of all the commotion that they had caused.

Question 38.
What was the shock that George and the narrator received while all three of them were having lunch one day? What had happened?
Answer:
The shock occurred when the trio had just about settled to eat lunch and Harris was carving a pie kept between his knees when he asked the other two for a spoon. Both the narrator and George turned around to get a spoon from the hamper and in the short time that took them to get the spoon Harris just disappeared into ‘ the air along with the pie.

What had happened was that Harris had been sitting on the edge of a small gully which was hidden from view by some long grass and when he had leaned back a little, he had fallen backwards into the gully along with the pie.

Question 39.
What do you think of Montmorency? Why did he come to the narrator with a dead rat? Give an example of how he provides comic relief in the story. Encourage students to think creatively and formulate their own answers.
Answer:
Montmorency was lively, belligerent and seemed to enjoy hunting. When Montmorency saw everyone contributing all kinds of food items for the stew he felt that he too had to give in his contribution which in his case was a dead rat. Montmorency seems to bring comic relief to the story with his funny mishaps. He was also known to have a developed awe, suspicion and hate for the kettle.

He would often watch the kettle as it boiled. Whenever the kettle would start to splutter and steam, he would want to fight it but someone or the other would bear it off before he could do so. Finally, one day, he moved towards the boiling kettle and caught it by the spout and obviously, got burnt. The next moment he was seen running around the island and stopping every now and then to bury his nose in the cool mud.

Question 40.
Why was George contemplating assaulting a policeman? Do you think it was a good idea or was the idea made out of desperation?
Answer:
George and the other two men could not find their boat because they forgot where they moored the boat and now in the dark it was even more difficult to locate it. Since it was raining very heavily with the inns overflowing with people, George felt that by assaulting a policeman, they would at least get a place to sleep in the lock-up in the police station. The only drawback to that plan was that the policeman just might hit them back without locking them up. It was certainly not a good idea because it was thought out of desperation. George was not looking forward to getting drenched in the rain and really wanted some shelter even if the shelter came in the form of a prison.

Question 41
Describe George’s first boating experience?
Answer:
George had started boating at the age of sixteen. He joined eight other gentlemen like himself on their boating expedition. They hired a racing boat, but he had confused recollections of the trip, as he was hit on ’ the head by one of the others’ oars. Another one of their number was similarly situated at the bottom of the boat with his legs up in the air. Only one of the enthusiasts actually knew how to row. When George tried to help him, he lost his oar. They finally passed under Kew Bridge, with all the bystanders enjoying the sight, and were convinced that boating was not the thing for them.

Question 42.
The narrator comments that their towing by the steam launch would have been delightful if it had not been for the wretched small boats. What is ironic about the statement? what does this show-about the narrator?
Answer:
His words are ironic, since earlier he had deliberately blocked the path of steam launches, behaving exactly like the small boats he now thought were such a nuisance. However, now that they were doing what he had done earlier, he was finding fault with them.

Encourage students to think creatively and formulate their own answer.
This shows’us that the narrator was being hypocritical. Throughout the novel we see that the narrator digresses from the narrative to make remarks on people, he is seen getting angry at his friends George and Harris for being lazy when in fact he himself avoids doing chores.

Question 43.
What shocked George that morning? Can you describe in detail the events of what transpired?
Answer:
George noticed something black floating in the river and as the boat drew closer, he laid hold of it. He was shocked to realize that it was the dead body of a woman. The woman had committed suicide by jumping into the river. The three friends later found out her story. She had been deceived by someone she had loved, leaving her alone with a child. Her family and friends had abandoned her and she had to work hard for a living and to care for the baby. Finally, she became so depressed that she decided to end her life.

Question 44.
According to the narrator, what are the ways in which people lie about their fishing? What was strange about the trout mounted in the glass case?
Answer:
According to the narrator, people who fish always exaggerate the size and number of fish they have caught. Also, if they find a stranger, they will claim to have caught any large fish that happen to be seen.The trout mounted in the glass case seemed to be a large and impressive, causing George and the narrator to view it with admiration.

Seeing that they were strangers, no less than five different people, including the innkeeper, pretended to have caught the fish. However, when George tried to get a closer look, he slipped and caused the glass case to fall, shattering the trout into a thousand pieces. It now turned out that the trout was not real at all, having been made of plaster-of-Paris.

Question 45.
Why did the narrator feel that the boat named the Pride of the Thames was a Roman relic? What changes did he make to try and make it more presentable?
Answer:
The narrator felt that the Pride of the Thames was a Roman relic because the boat was a basic wooden structure which looked as if it had been dug out carelessly and had been damaged in the process. He fastened the so-called boat together with string and pasted some wallpaper over the shabbier parts to make it more presentable. Before stepping into it, he also thought it best to say his prayers.

Question 46.
Pick out the simile used by the narrator to describe the close connection between sunlight and nature? Why does he say this?
Answer:
According to the narrator, sunlight is like the blood that gives life to nature. Without light nature looks like a widow who has lost her beloved husband, while her children look into her eyes but receive no warmth or comfort from her. He made these comparisons because it was a wet and gloomy day, making nature seem very different from the radiant beauty they had seen on their way up-stream.

Question 47
“You cannot give me too much work; to accumulate work has almost become a passion with me:” Who says these lines? What do they tell about the speaker’s character?
Answer:
The narrator of the novel says these lines. He himself proclaims that he did not like to work at all. He goes on to say, “I had the general symptoms, the chief among them being a disinclination to work of any kind.” This tells us that he was lazy and a laid-back person, who only worked when there was no other option left.

This character of his became more evident during his boat trip when he expects the other two, Harris and George, to be lively and instead it turns out that both of them are equally lazy. Not only does this show that the narrator is laid-back, it also shows that he is hypocritical because he complains about his friend’s laziness when in fact he too is quite lazy.

Question 48.
What was ironical about the boat journey? What light does it throw on the characters of the three friends?
Answer:
The three friends had planned the boat trip thinking it would be a idyllic journey, offering them a respite , from their day-to-day routine and expected to enjoy two weeks on the river. What they all wanted was rest! Unfortunately, the trip turned out to be full of catastrophes with all of them having to actually work! And they were actually in deep depression because of the continuous rain.

However, they were determined to enjoy themselves and did not want to give up until the full two weeks were up. It shows that despite being terrible boatmen and totally ill-equipped to deal with the simplest of jobs, they were determined to look at the brighter side of life and refused to give in to circumstances, however gloomy and difficult they may be.

Question 49.
The grass is greener on the other side of the fence. Can you describe this common proverb in relation to the novel, Three Men in a Boat. Encourage the. students to thick creatively andformulate their own answers.
Answer:
‘The grass is greener on the other side of the fence’ is a common saying where a person feels that other people seem to be in a better situation than he is which ultimately might not be the case. For example, we admire the life and luxuries that celebrities enjoy but we may not be aware of their situation and problems that they themselves go through to either achieve their status or even to maintain it.

It is human nature to assume that things are going badly for oneself and some other person has the life that we always wanted but in the novel, the author makes us understand that such is not the case. Our happiness, peace and contentment does not come from what we do or with whom we are with or even where we are.

It depends on how we appreciate and acknowledge our situation and surrounding. We see this in the novel where the three men J., George and Harris set out on a boat-ride vacation to the countryside thinking it would give them the peace and quiet that they need but in fact country life was harder than it looked. They soon realize the difficult challenges wherever one is be it in the cities or the countryside.

Step into the fantastical world of “Gulliver’s Travels Extra Questions and Answers for Class 9,” a classic novel that takes readers on a thrilling journey to far-off lands and introduces them to strange and extraordinary beings. In this blog post, we will unravel the adventurous narrative of this timeless tale and explore the profound insights it offers. Read this also Extra Questions for Class 9 English with Answers.

Gulliver’s Travels Extra Questions and Answers for Class 9 English

Question 1.
Through Gulliver’s Travels Swift comments on England’s growing power. Justify.
Answer:
Gulliver’s Travels was written when England, despite its small size, was rising in power on the basis of its formidable fleet. Its growing military and economic power brought England into contact with new animals, plants, places, and things, and most significantly previously unknown people with radically different modes of existence. The write ‘small-statured’ Lilliputians are a physical incarnation of precisely these kinds of cultural differences.

England in the 17th century became well known for its naval capabilities. The naval strength symbolized prosperity for England because it assured two things, one was military strength and the other was economic power through trade. These two factors greatly boosted England’s status in the international platform and gave birth to its name, ‘the land where the sun never sets’. There was also a growing trend of exploration and discovery, we can see from Swift’s Gulliver’s Travels that the protagonist, Lemuel Gulliver, is seen travelling the world and discovering new and wondrous locations.

Question 2.
How does Swift satirize the British government through the Lilliputians?
Answer:
The procedure for choosing Lilliputian government officials was arbitrary and ridiculous, which was testing merit through their skill at rope-dancing. The officials were literally forced to jump through hoops in order to qualify for their positions. Swift intends for us to understand this episode as a satire on England’s system of political appointments and infers that England’s system is similarly arbitrary.

Swift compares it to the way people in high places get advancements. He implies that people are not always promoted or rewarded because of their skills, but because they have done something to make people in power, like them. The author feels that trying to get ahead by pleasing and submitting to arbitrary wishes of a superior, is as humiliating and as fraught with danger as tightrope dancing. His take on receiving royal honours and working towards it is akin to grovelling, “leaping and creeping” for a little piece of blue, red, or yellow thread.

Question 3.
Lilliput and Blefuscu, the “two great empires of the universe” have been at war for 36 moons? How did the 36 Moon War start?
Answer:
The primitive way of breaking eggs was to cut it from the larger end, but the present emperor’s grandfather, when he was only a child, happened to cut one of his fingers while he was breaking an egg. That is when the then emperor, his father, published an edict, commanding all hi§ subjects to break the smaller end of their eggs. This resulted in six rebellions; one emperor lost his life, and another his crown. Constant trouble was fomented by the monarchs of Blefuscu and those who were exiled found refuge in Blefuscu. Eleven thousand people suffered death, but would not break their eggs at the smaller end.

It was much written about and many hundred large volumes have been published on this controversy but the books of the Big-endians have been long forbidden, and the whole party rendered incapable by law of holding employments. Blefuscans accused Lilliputians of creating a schism in religion-offended a fundamental doctrine of their great prophet Lustrog who said that “all true believers break their eggs at the convenient end” which the Blefuscans interpreted as the big-end. Therefore, a bloody war had been carried on between the two empires for six-and-thirty moons, with varying results.

Question 4.
Write a brief note on the education system of Lilliput.
Answer:
In Lilliput, children were sent to live in schools at a very young age. The schools were chosen according to the station of parents, whom they got to see only twice a year. Schools for young nobles were spartan, and students were trained in honour, justice, courage, modesty, clemency, religion, and patriotism. The schools for tradesmen and ordinary gentlemen were much like those of the nobles, but the duration of schooling was shorter as they were designed for trades and the students were put out as apprentices at the age of eleven years, whereas those of the persons of quality continued their learning till the age of fifteen. The women were educated to be reasonable, agreeable, and literate while the children of workers and farmers did not go to school.

Question 5.
Which “merciful” punishment does the king choose? Do you think it is merciful? Why? Does this punishment reflect any quality of the Lilliputians.
Answer:
The emperor of Lilliput was fully determined against capital punishment. However, the council thought . the loss of eyes too lenient a punishment and wanted another punishment. Reldressal said once blinded, Gulliver’s establishment could be reduced, he would grow weak and faint, lose his appetite, and decay in a few months. He says that the stench of his carcass would not be dangerous as he would be diminished by half.

However, this punishment is not merciful, but rather barbaric, as it is torture resulting in slow death.The punishment reflects badly on the Lilliputians. Out of all the creatures that Gulliver had come across the Lilliputians seemed to resemble the humans in terms of their pride in their own existence and their hypocrisy. This punishment reflects on the hypocrisy of human nature and its excesses.

Question 6.
Bring out the contrast between the Lilliputians and Gulliver.
Answer:
Gulliver manages to break his bonds, and as he does so, one of the Lilliputians shouts an order and the rest shoot their arrows at Gulliver. In a moment, the tiny ones subdue the giant. Then, the work crew arrives and starts building a stage; a person who’s obviously a noble arrives and makes Gulliver a long, highly oratorical speech. Gulliver doesn’t understand a word, and responds to this show by putting his finger on his mouth and grunting to indicate that he’s hungry.

This brings out the contrast between the tiny, ceremonial Lilliputian and the giant. Gulliver is impressed by the Lilliputians as they do sophisticated calculations to arrive at the exact amount of wood they will need for Gulliver’s cart and devise a pulley system to raise Gulliver from the ground to the cart. The Lilliputians don’t hold Gulliver in such high regard. Housed in a polluted temple, Gulliver “creeps” inside his lodging.

Question 7.
What impression do you form of the country of Lilliput and the people?
Answer:
The country is inhabited by small people who are just six inches tall. The countryside looks like a continued garden, and enclosed fields of forty square feet and resembles beds of flowers. The fields are intermingled with woods, and the tallest trees are about seven feet high. The town looks like the painted scene of a city in a theatre. However the people bravely face the “Man Mountain” which is Gulliver.

They were intrigued by the giant spectacle and left towns and villages to come and look at Gulliver. It could also be said that the Lilliputians somewhat symbolized mankind’s pride. They seem to be proud of their puny existence to the extent that they were the only ones in Gulliver’s Travels that made mention of their armies. There is also a lot of gossip and backbiting in the community which begs to question the proud nature of the Lilliputians as compared to their small minds.

Question 8.
Bring out the significance of the small size of the Lilliputians as compared to Gulliver’s large size.
Encourage the students to think creatively andformulate thgir own answer.
Answer:
The difference in size between Gulliver and the Lilliputians emphasizes the importance of physical power. Gulliver succeeds in earning the Lilliputians’ trust, despite threats of crushing them by simply walking carelessly. The humour comes from the Lilliputians’ view of the situation: despite the evidence before their eyes, they never realise their own insignificance. They keep Gulliver tied up, believing they can control him while in reality he could destroy them, effortlessly.

Question 9.
Describe the Lilliputian method of recruiting officials to high posts.
Answer:
The officials in high posts and of high favour at court were recruited by entertaining the emperor. They were not always of noble birth, or liberal education. Skilled rope-dancers impressed the emperor enough to win these positions. When great offices fell vacant, either by death or disgrace, five or six candidates petitioned the emperor, to entertain His Majesty and the court with their rope-dancing skills. Dancers, performed upon a slender white thread, about two feet long, and twelve inches from the ground. Ministers were often commanded to show their skills, to convince the emperor that they had not lost their faculty.

These diversions were, however, attended with fatal accidents or candidates breaking a limb. Another diversion was where the emperor lay on the table and it included three fine silken, six inches long; one blue, the other red, and the third green. The emperor holds a stick in his hands, both ends parallel to the horizon, while the candidates either leap over the stick or creep under it. One who performs with most agility was rewarded with the blue-coloured silk, the red was given to the next, and the green to the third. Great persons at court were adorned with these honours.

Question 10.
How does Gulliver make a playing field for the Emperor’s cavalry?
Answer:
Gulliver ordered several sticks, two feet high and the thickness of an ordinary cane. Taking nine sticks, he fixed them firmly in the ground in a quadrangle, two and a half feet square. He fastened his handkerchief to the nine erect sticks, extended it on all sides, tight as the top of a drum. Then, he took four other sticks, and tied them parallel to each comer, about two feet from the ground four parallel sticks, rising about five inches , higher than the handkerchief, served as ledges on each side. Twenty-four of the best horses exercised upon it; Gulliver placed them up, one by one. The officers were divided into two parties and they performed mock skirmishes. They discharged blunt arrows, drew their swords, fled and pursued, attacked and retired. A fiery horse, pawing with his hoof, struck a hole in a handkerchief and overthrew his rider and himself. The horse strained his left shoulder, but the rider was unhurt.

Question 11.
What impression do you form of the Lilliputians after reading of their political views?
Answer:
In this chapter, Lilliputians seem as mentally small as they are physically diminutive. Like any big rivals, Lilliput and its equally tiny neighbour Blefuscu conceitedly think that they are the only two “great empires” in the universe. Even the presence of the gigantic Gulliver cannot convince them of their relative insignificance. Reldresal informs Gulliver that Lilliputian philosophers have logically proved that Gulliver must have dropped from outer space because there could not be enough food for him on earth.

Their histories, “which go back six thousand moons, make no mention of other empires than Lilliput and Blefuscu”—demonstrates the narrow view of both philosophers and historians so bound by their prejudices that they can’t see things clearly in their proper proportion. The warring parties are the High-Heels and the Low-Heels; the Lilliputian emperor favours the Low-Heels while the Lilliputian heir to the throne wears one high heel and a low one. Blefuscu and Lilliput are at war because of religious differences, represented by the manner in which eggs fire broken before being eaten; earlier everyone broke the larger end of the egg. This gives an insight to their political crisis and war with their neighbour over non-issues.

Question 12.
Swift uses the laws of Lilliput to show that these people’s ideals are good but that the people themselves have not actually been good enough to follow them. List an example of how the people of Lilliput do not live up to the ideals they have set for their society.
Answer:
Gulliver tells us that “ingratitude is a capital crime” for Lilliputians. The reason being— people who are mean to those who have done them a favour are obviously going to be even meaner to the rest of mankind. This they consider to be dangerous and thus such people must be put to death. Yet Lilliputians haven’t managed to stamp out ingratitude. This is evident from the incident where Gulliver brings fifty ships of the enemy fleet to the emperor but all he gets is a new title and the jealous plotting of the High Admiral.

Question 13.
What are Gulliver and his companions doing in Brobdingnag? Why do the others leave Gulliver behind?
Answer:
Two months after his return, Gulliver went to the sea once again. This time on a ship called Adventure. On the 3rd of May, a storm came which was both strange and dangerous. When the storm was off course, on the 17th day of June, 1703, they came in full view of a great island, or continent. The crewmembers including Gulliver went to the island to investigate—wandered on the shore to find out some fresh water near the sea. Gulliver walked a mile on the other side. When he returned he saw his companions already in the boat, and rowing for life to the ship, while they were being pursued by a huge creature walking after them in the sea, as fast as he could. Thus they escaped, leaving Gulliver behind.

Question 14.
Write a short note on the people of Lilliput.
Answer:
The Lilliputians are tiny, six-inch tall people. Their land has proportionally tiny buildings, trees and horses, and is ruled by an emperor of the same size. Their high court officials are appointed according to their skills at rope dancing and not according to rational principles. The people are filled with self-importance and possess all the petty vices and follies of humankind: greed, hypocrisy, selfishness, and moral corruption; spend time plotting against one another.

They are also ungrateful as is evident from the fact that even though Gulliver made himself useful in Lilliput’s wars against Blefuscu, the emperor saw him as dangerous and wanted to get rid of him. Despite their small size the Lilliputians are capable of doing a great deal of harm. They are treacherous and cruel, and think up gruesome ways to kill Gulliver. Even the Lilliputian king’s agreement to the plan that Gulliver be blinded and starved is presented as an example of his mercy and justice.

Question 15.
Write a character sketch of the Lilliputian emperor.
Answer:
The Lilliputian king is taller than his six-inch tall subjects by the breadth of a nail. He has the pompous name of Golbasto Momaren Evlame Gurdilo Shefin Mully Ully Gue. His power and majesty impresses Gulliver even though he is laughable, as despite his tiny size he believes he can control Gulliver. He is proud of possessing the tallest trees and the biggest palace in the kingdom and is quite hospitable, spending a fortune on his captive’s food.

The king is a threatening and sinister figure embodying political tyranny and abuse of power despite his diminutive size. He displays willingness to execute his subjects for trivial reasons such as politics or honour which gives him a frightening aspect. He is vulnerable to manipulation by his ministers, Flimnap and Skyresh Bolgolam, and is too easily influenced by his favourites, which leads to sudden shifts in loyalty. He also loves war, and really wants to enslave the people of his neighbouring island, Blefuscu. He turns against Gulliver when he refuses to help him destroy Blefuscu’s freedom.

Question 16.
Write a short note on the Brobdindnagians.
Answer:
Brobdingnagians are giants, around sixty feet tall, their flora and fauna is correspondingly huge. Besides being physically bigger than Gulliver, they are also morally superior. Gulliver feels vulnerable in this country—stumbles into cow pats, is nearly drowned by a frog, captured by a monkey, and is even vulnerable to flies and wasps. The Brobdingnagians are subject to temptations of the humankind, but choose morality and common sense rather than vice and folly. The farmer with his greed and lack of compassion in his attempts to profit from Gulliver is an aberration, not the norm, whereas Glumdalclitch is kind and caring.

The Brobdingnagian system of government is based on moral values; members of government lead by example; the king questions Gulliver closely about England, and concludes his compatriots are “the most pernicious race of little odious vermin that nature ever suffered to crawl upon the surface of the earth.” The farmer represents the average Brobdingnagian who is of no great gifts or intelligence, wielding an extraordinary power over Gulliver simply by virtue of his immense size.

Question 17.
The King of Brobdingnag is a giant not just physically but also morally. Comment.
Answer:
The King of Brobdingnag is a true intellectual, well versed in political science among other disciplines. He rules people wisely and compassionately, questions Gulliver about England and is shocked by the moral corruption prevalent in the government and institutions there. He is eager to learn and asks Gulliver about the government of England to leam good practices. He is moral and scrupulous.

On hearing about bribery, corruption, influence peddling, or hypocrisy, he concludes that Englishmen must be “the most pernicious . race of little odious vermin that nature ever suffered to crawl upon the surface of the earth”. The King is also a good statesman; he asks Gulliver some probing questions about administration and economy that he can’t answer. He is gentle and peace loving. When Gulliver offers the king the recipe for gunpowder, on hearing of the destruction that can be caused due to it, he demands that Gulliver never mention it again.

Question 18.
What impression do you form of the Lilliputians after reading of their political views?
Answer:
In this chapter, Lilliputians seem as mentally small as they are physically diminutive. Like any big rivals, Lilliput and its equally tiny neighbour Blefuscu conceitedly think that they are the only two “great empires” in the universe. Even the presence of the gigantic Gulliver cannot convince them of their relative insignificance. Reldresal informs Gulliver that Lilliputian philosophers have logically proved that Gulliver must have dropped from outer space because there could not be enough food for him on earth.

Their histories, “which go back six thousand moons, make no mention of other empires than Lilliput and Blefuscu”—demonstrates the narrow view of both philosophers and historians so bound by their prejudices that they can’t see things clearly in their proper proportion. The warring parties are the High-Heels and the Low-Heels; the Lilliputian emperor favours the Low-Heels while the Lilliputian heir to the throne wears one high heel and a low one. Blefuscu and Lilliput are at war because of religious differences, represented by the manner in which eggs are broken before being eaten; earlier everyone broke the larger end of the egg. This gives an insight to their political crisis and war with their neighbour over non-issues.

Question 19.
Briefly describe Gulliver’s meeting with the King of Laputa?
Answer:
As Gulliver entered the palace, he saw the king seated on his throne. In front of the king was a large table filled with globes and spheres, and mathematical instruments of all kinds. The king was engrossed” in a problem and took no notice of Gulliver even though Gulliver and the others accompanying him made sufficient noise upon entering the court. After an hour, the king finally solved the mathematical problem he was working on and it was only then, when he was at leisure, that the flapper gently struck his mouth, and his right ear. Only then did the king take notice of Gulliver.

He appeared startled, though he had been informed earlier of their arrival. He spoke some words to Gulliver, whereupon immediately a young man with a flap came up to his side. As Gulliver made a sign that he did not need a flapper, the king and his whole court formed a very poor opinion of his intelligence. The king asked him several questions and though Gulliver spoke many languages the king could neither understand nor be understood. However, he gave Gulliver an apartment in his palace and two servants to attend on him.

Question 20.
Briefly describe the Academy of Lagado. What does the Academy of Lagado do generally?
Answer:
The Royal Academy was located at Lagado, the largest metropolis of Balnibarbi. It was housed not in a single building, but consisted of a continuation of several houses on both sides of a street. These houses which had been lying vacant had been purchased and converted into an Academy for research and study. Gulliver’s description of the Academy questioned the usefulness of the experiments carried out by the “scientists”.

He described all sorts of experiments that sounded ridiculous: extracting sunbeams out of a cucumber, reducing human excrement to its original food, turning limestone into gunpowder, building houses by starting with the roof, etc. Gulliver visited a class where the students worked on a machine that produced random words. He also met a linguist who was attempting to get rid of all aspects of speech excluding nouns, and a math professor who had his students eat wafers with mathematical equations written on them.

Question 21.
Who all from the past did Gulliver meet in Giubbdubdrib and how did he get to meet them? What lesson do you learn from Gulliver’s meetings with the historical ghosts?
Answer:
Gulliver discovered that in Giubbdubdrib there were sorcerers who were able to resurrect the dead for one day. Then later he noticed that the governor had spirits as servants and was curious. Thus, the governor made it possible for him to speak to spirits from the past. He spoke to many ghost out of which the story names Alexander the great, Hannibal, Caesar, Pompey and Brutus. Gulliver’s meetings with the historical ghosts tell us that:

(a) Some of the facts we read about heroes may not be true. Gulliver finds out that several famous stories about Alexander and Hannibal are not true. Alexander didn’t die from a fever, he reveals. He died from drinking too much. And Hannibal never broke any rocks blocking him from the Alps using vinegar. This introduces one of the key themes of this section of the novel: that history itself is a pack of lies.

(b) We also learn that Gulliver really admires men who kill or assassinate severe, exploitative leaders in the name of freedom. He feels that Brutus’s assassination of Jufius Caesar was justified.

Question 22.
What do the Houyhnhnms find amazing about Gulliver? Do you think that Swift meant the country of the Houyhnhnms to represent an ideal society?
Answer:
The Houyhnhnms were amazed that Gulliver, who they thought must be a Yahoo, was teachable, civil, and clean. These qualities were altogether opposite to the qualities possessed by the Yahoos. The Houyhnhnms, who came to see him or talk with him, could hardly believe him to be a Yahoo, because his body had a different covering from the others of his kind. They were astonished to observe him without the usual hair or skin, except on his head, face, and hands. They were perplexed about his clothes, and wondered whether they were a part of his body, for Gulliver never took them off till the family was asleep, and got them on before they woke in the morning.

Swift describes the Houyhnhnms as creatures who live simple lives and are wholly devoted to reason. The Houyhnhnms have created a society in which there is no crime, no poverty, no disagreement, and no unhappiness. They speak clearly, they act justly, and they have simple laws. They are untroubled by greed,politics, or lust. They live a life of cleanliness and exist in peace and serenity. They live by the grand maxim: cultivate reason and be totally governed by it. So perfect is their society in fact, that they have no concept of lies, and therefore no words to express it.On the other hand, there is neither joy or passion, nor love. The author by way makes us understand that the country of the Houyhnhnms is not an ideal society because it lacks life and love. He seems tQ direct the readers into understanding what could be a utopia but is in fact the opposite.

Question 23.
What view of humanity is presented by comparisons between humans and Yahoos?
Answer:
Gulliver, as a fundamentally decent man, dissociates himself from the Yahoos. However, the Houyhnhnm master’s descriptions of the Yahoos and Gulliver’s own observations confirm that the Yahoos’ behaviour is identical to that of human beings at their worst. For example, they are greedy, so that one Yahoo will keep for himself enough food to feed fifty. They have an inordinate fondness for shiny stones, which they hoard secretly in their kennels, and which are the focus of many fights between Yahoos. This is a reference to human avarice. The Yahoos eat to excessively and they are prone to diseases, just as humans are.

Sometimes, a distinction is drawn between humans and Yahoos. Gulliver’s Houyhnhnm master, in spite of his poor view of the Yahoos, notes that Gulliver falls short of them in respect of physical agility. He also points out that while he does not blame the Yahoos for their despicable behaviour, since they are not endowed with reason, when man, a creature who claims to be an intelligent being, commits crimes, he is worse than a beast. Instead of using reason to choose virtue, as the Houyhnhnms do, man uses reason to enlarge his vices.

Question 24.
Who attacked Gulliver and his companions? How did Gulliver escape?
Answer:
Gulliver and his companions set out from Tonquin to trade with neighbouring islands. On the tenth day, they were attacked by two groups of pirates. Gulliver realised that one of the pirates was a Dutchman. Gulliver, who spoke Dutch well, begged him for consideration as they were Christians and Protestants. Gulliver’s pleas, however, angered the Dutchman. It was the captain of the larger of two pirate ships, a Japanese, who spoke to Gulliver and decreed that the sailors should not be killed.

Gulliver reprimanded the Dutchman saying that a Japanese (pagan) had more mercy than Christian. This remark inflamed the Dutchman and he wanted Gulliver thrown into the sea. This was a matter on which the captains of both ships disagreed. They divided the rest of the crew amongst themselves and set Gulliver adrift in a small canoe, with paddles and a sail, and four days’ provisions.

Question 25.
How do the Laputian people differ from those in most countries?
Answer:
The Laputians are peculiar in their habits, and countenances. As they walk, they keep their heads tilted to right, or left. Their eyes never focus on the world around them as one of their eyes is turned inward, and the other directly up to the zenith. Their garments are adorned with the figures of suns, moons, and stars; interwoven with those of fiddles, flutes, harps, trumpets, guitars, harpsichords, and other instruments of music.

They are forgetful and lose interest in the happenings around them while thinking. So they have servants following them carrying a blown bladder, fastened like a flail to the end of a stick and filled with small quantity of dried peas, or little pebbles. With this they flap the mouths and ears of those who stand near them to rouse them and remind them they have to speak or listen. They give a soft flap on their eyes if they are wrapped in cogitation.

Question 26.
Do you think that there is irony in the behaviour and learning of the Laputians. What do you think is the author trying to satirize?
Answer:
There is irony in the behaviour and learning of laputians because although the Laputians had good theoretical knowledge and were dexterous enough on a piece of paper, in the common actions and behaviour of life, they were clumsy, awkward, and unhandy people. They may be dextrous in use of the rule, the pencil, and the divider, but were slow and perplexed in their conceptions upon all other subjects, except those of mathematics and music.

While they were engrossed in mathematics, they had poorly designed houses with no right angles. They were fond of music but what they played sounded like noise to Gulliver. The Laputians engaged in the astronomy and had great faith in judicial astrology, but did not own it publicly.The Laputians seemed to lack practical application of their theoretical knowledge. Swift tries to satirize the folly in making theories that do not have any practical application. He was satirizing the trend in England and Europe where there were new theories coming up which had no practical application. Swift by satirizing the Laputians makes us understand that while knowledge and information is important, it should have an impact in human life.

Question 27.
What made the island of Laputa fly?
Answer:
At the centre of the island of Laputa was a deep canyon, called Flandona Gagnole, or the astronomer’s cave. This contained all their astronomical instruments and a giant magnet six yards long, in the middle of it. The island was raised, lowered and moved from one place to another at the king’s astronomers at his orders with its magnetic force. At one end the magnet had the power of attraction, and at the other the power of repulsion.

These two charges could be reversed by means of an attached control. The magnet was sustained by a strong axle upon which it played, and was poised so exactly that the weakest hand could turn it. It could not be removed from its place by any force, because the hoop and its feet were one continued piece with the bottom of the island. Of course, the movement of Laputa had limits: it couldn’t go beyond the king’s own dominions, or islands he controlled at sea level; neither could it rise higher than four miles above the Earth.

Question 28.
What methods of appointing politicians as suggested by the professors, Gulliver feels are “wholly out of their senses”? Bring out the irony.
Answer:
At the Academy, Gulliver met some professors who were studying issues of government. He sarcastically referred to them as being “wholly out of their senses”. They proposed that monarchs should choose favourites based on their wisdom, capacity, and virtue. They wanted to teach ministers to look for the public good. These professors proposed that merit, great abilities, eminent services should be rewarded.

They suggested that princes be instructed to know their true interest, by placing it on the same foundation with that of their people. Another of their wild schemes was to choose for employments persons qualified to exercise them. Gulliver sarcastically refers to these scientists as being “wholly out of their senses” and their schemes “wild” as what they proposed was not fanciful or outlandish but sensible and down-to-earth, unlike schemes suggested by the other professors.

Question 29.
Briefly describe Gulliver’s arrival at and his interaction with the king of Luggnag?
Answer:
At the court of Luggnag, Gulliver was commanded to crawl upon his belly, and lick the floor as he advanced; but, on account of his being a stranger, care was taken to have it made so clean, that the dust was not offensive. When he had crept within four yards of the throne, Gulliver raised himself gently upon his knees, and then striking his forehead seven times against the ground, he pronounced the words, as they had been taught to him. The king was much delighted with his company, and ordered his BLIFFMARKLUB, or high- chamberlain, to appoint a lodging in the court for him and his interpreter; with a daily allowance for his table, and a large purse of gold for his common expenses. He stayed three months in this country.

Question 30.
How does Gulliver’s Master Houyhnhnm respond when Gulliver tries to explain he comes from another country and that he sailed to the island in a boat built by humans?
Answer:
Gulliver tries to explain to his Master Houyhnhnm that he had arrived at his island in a ship made and sailed by men, that he was set ashore thanks to an argument between men. Gulliver’s Master told Gulliver that he did not believe there could be a country beyond the sea, or that a parcel of brutes could move a wooden vessel wherever they pleased upon water. But what he found even more amazing was that he was sure there wasn’t a Houyhnhnm alive who could make such a vessel, and neither was there one who would trust Yahoos to manage it.

After making his Master promise not to get angry, Gulliver explained that in his country, the Houyhnhnms were the brutes and the men were the reasonable beings. He added that if he told his countrymen, they would hardly think it probable that anywhere on earth a Houyhnhnm was the presiding creature of a nation, and a Yahoo the brute. Gulliver’s Master Houyhnhnm is unable to understand how horses despite being larger and stronger, could be compelled to serve humans.

Question 31.
What are the Houyhnhnms’ customs for the ten days before an elderly Houyhnhnm is about to die and what are the customs for a funeral?
Answer:
Some weeks before their death, the Houyhnhnms feel a gradual decay or a weakening but without pain. During this time many of their friends come and visit them, because they cannot go out visiting other people with their usual ease and satisfaction. The Houyhnhnms are invariably able to figure out that they are about to die. As a result, about ten days before their death, they start returning the visits that have been made them by those who are nearest in the neighbourhood and take solemn leave of their friends.

They behave as if they were going to some remote part of the country, where they are designed to pass the rest of their lives. Their friends and relations express neither joy nor grief at their departure; nor does the dying person express the least regret that he is leaving the world any more than if he were upon returning home from a visit to one of his neighbours.

Question 32.
Describe Gulliver’s meeting with the sailors? How does Gulliver react to their offer to take him back to Europe?
Answer:
While he was escaping from the natives, Gulliver spied a ship on the horizon. Gulliver’s hatred of the Yahoos made him decide to go back to the island rather than be rescued by European Yahoos. He hid on the island but,.unfortunately, the ship’s sailors came ashore on the island for water and found Gulliver. They spoke to him in Portuguese, asking him who he was. He replied in the same language, telling them that he was a “poor Yahoo banished from the Houyhnhnms”. Gulliver told them that he was from England. He spoke with neighing intonations which made the sailors laugh.

The sailors took Gulliver aboard their ship, where he met the captain, Don Pedro de Mendez. Gulliver was unhappy to be back among the Yahoos and he tried to throw himself into the sea to swim away, but was caught before he could. Don Pedro made Gulliver promise that he would not try to kill himself on the way home. Gulliver promised reluctantly.

Question 33.
Explain the Laputian Tailor’s method of measuring Gulliver for a suit of clothes. Why didn’t this work well? Do you think clothes are used as a motif in the novel?
Answer:
The tailor who was to stitch Gulliver’s clothes did not take measurements in the normal way. He took measurement of clothes differently. He took Gulliver’s altitude by a quadrant, and then, with a rule and compasses, described the dimensions and outlines of the whole body, which were entered upon paper. When he returned with the clothes that he had stitched, they were ill-made, and quite out of shape, as the tailor had made a mistake in calculation. However, it didn’t matter because others were similarly dressed.

In the novel, clothing seems to carry an important meaning because we see how Gulliver pays meticulous attention to his clothes. The clothes he wears differs in each of his travels and seem to symbolize him distancing himself from the social conventions of England because in Laputa his clothes were irregular and out of shape. Clothes could also symbolize identity and with each culture Gulliver also adapts and dons the cultural identity of the place.

Question 34.
Write a brief note on the Laputians.
Answer:
The Laputians are a race of strange people. Their heads are always leaning to right or left and their eyes do not focus on the world around them. One of their eyes is turned inward, and other looks up to the zenith. The live on a floating island, controlled by a central magnet. They have only two interests: mathematics and music, and are very far advanced in these. However, they are impractical as they cannot build houses with right angles, and they cannot sew clothes that fit.

The reason is that they do not take measurements from real life, preferring instead to use equations to prove what has to be true. However, though Laputa floats above, the Laputians continue to have political connections to Balnibarbi, the continent below it as many of the king’s ministers have estates on the continent. The king maintains a strict tribute policy; if people do not send in tributes, he orders his astronomers to float the island right above them, blocking the sun and rain and causing further trouble by dropping stones on them.

Question 35.
How were rebels successful in one case against the king of Laputa?
Answer:
The residents of Lindalino, the second City in the Kingdom, had often complained to the king of great oppression by their governor but their complaints were in vain. The people united and shut the Town Gates, seized the Governor, and erected four large towers, one at every comer of the city equal in height to a strong pointed rock that stood directly in the centre of the city. A large magnet was fixed upon the top of each tower and rock. The townspeople had stored provisions and they would not be short of water as a river ran through the town.

When the king heard of these preparations by Lindalinians eight months later, he commanded that the island should be floated over city. The island hovered over them several days depriving them of the sun and the rain. They were pelted with great stones but the citizens hid in the four towers, and other strong buildings, and underground vaults. When the king lowered the island within forty yards of the top of the towers and rock, the magnets fixed on the towers pulled island down at a great speed and damaged the base. The king was forced to give in to the Lindalinians.

Question 36.
What did the Laputians talk of? Why did Gulliver find this strange?
Answer:
The Laputians, when they met, discussed news and politics. Gulliver found their inclination towards news •and politics, inquiries into public affairs, and giving of judgments in matters of state, and they way they disputed party opinions baffling. But he took this quality to arise from a very common infirmity of human nature, inclining us to be most curious and conceited in matters where we have least concern, and for which we are least adapted by study or nature.

The Laputians feared changes in heavenly bodies: and the movement of the earth and the sun. These fears that kept them awake at nights and whenever they met, they discussed their fears. When the Laputians met an acquaintance they inquired about the sun’s health. Gulliver likens their conversation to that of boys who like to hear terrible stories of spirits and hobgoblins but which cause them fear.

Question 37.
Write a brief note on the king of Luggnag.
Answer:
The Luggnaggian king’s behaviour is yet another example of the kind of random cruelty too much power inspires in a person. Anyone appearing before him must say, “May your celestial majesty outlive the sun, eleven moons and a half’. This is an example of flattery the king expects as his due.In his megalomania, the king makes Gulliver kneel in front of him and lick the ground in front of his feet. This in fact is a common practice in this kingdom. At times the ground is dusty and his subjects stand before him with their mouths full of dust, trying not to cough because coughing in front of the King is against the law and could get them executed.

Sometimes, the king assassinates people he does not like by sprinkling the ground in front of his feet with poison. What’s more, accidents have happened in the past where the poison hasn’t been properly cleaned up and people have died. The king has been sorry about this and got the pageboy, who neglected to give orders for cleaning the floor, whipped. Though he is merciful enough to forgive the pageboy when he apologises, he is not sorry enough to stop his method of execution.

Question 38.
What does Gulliver tell his master about the Houyhnhnms in his country? What is his reaction to this?
Answer:
Gulliver told his master that the Yahoos were the only governing animals in his country, and though they had Houyhnhnms among them. They were employed in travelling, racing, or drawing chariots. Although they were treated with much kindness and care, if they got injured or diseased they were sold, and forced into drudgery till they died. After they died, their skins were stripped, and sold, and their bodies were left to be eaten by dogs and birds of prey.

Horses kept by farmers and carriers, and other mean people, had to work harder and were fed poorly. Men also used bridles, saddles, spurs, and whips on horses. Horses had plates of a certain hard substance of iron, below their hooves, to save their hooves from being broken by the stones over which humans made them ride. This angered Gulliver’s Master. He wondered how human beings dared to ride upon a Houyhnhnm’s back as the Houyhnhnms were physically much stronger.

Question 39.
How does Gulliver characterize doctors, lawyers and the ministers of state in speaking to his Master?
Answer:
Gulliver refers to doctors as “another sort of people, who get their livelihood by attending the sick.” They make a profit from those who are sick. They give fake potions to make people cleanse their insides. This group of people, the doctors, make so much profit on diseases that they encourage people to think that they were sick even when they aren’t. Physicians have given several names to these diseases that exist only in the sufferer’s imagination. They have invented imaginary cures for these diseases and so for the drugs that are proper for them.

Gulliver criticises lawyers severely as well. He explains how lawyers are trained from babyhood to defend the wrong side, so they have no sense of justice. He demonstrates this with the example of a neighbour stealing his cow. Lawyers like to split hairs and talk about irrelevant details to distract people from the simple facts of all their cases. In pleading, they studiously avoid entering into the merits of the cause; but are loud, violent, and tedious, in dwelling upon all circumstances which are irrelevant. They have their own private way of speaking, which excludes ordinary people from either understanding or making laws

According to Gulliver ministers are people who are totally without any emotion besides ambition for money, power and titles. These ministers put their words to all uses, except for speaking their mind. They never let others know what is on their mind. The only time they tell the truth is when they intend the others to take it for a lie, and they lie, with the aim of it being taken as the truth. Their essential skills include the ability to get rid of an inconvenient relative; to undermine their predecessors and to shout endlessly against corruption at court.

Question 40.
Give an analysis of the Houyhnhnms and their culture.
Answer:
Gulliver describes the Houyhnhnms as a noble race who are virtuous by nature. They have no conception of evil. They are rational beings and their motto is to cultivate reason, and to be wholly governed by it. Reason is indisputable for the Houyhnhnms and it is not tainted by passion and interest. As a result there are no controversies, wrangling or disputes among the Houyhnhnms. Friendship and benevolence are the two principal virtues among the Houyhnhnms; and these are not confined to particular objects, but universal to the whole race; for a stranger from the remotest part is treated as an equal to the nearest neighbour, and is made to feel at home. They preserve decency and civility in the highest degrees, but are altogether ignorant of ceremony.

They have no fondness for their colts or foals, but take good care of their education. To keep their population under control, the Houyhnhnms have one foal of each sex. But the race of inferior Houyhnhnms, bred up to be servants, is allowed to produce three of each sex, to serve in the noble families. The Houyhnhnm society is based on rigid segregation of breeds and species. To preserve the race from degenerating, Houyhnhnms marry according to the colour of the coat. Marriages of the Houyhnhnms are arranged by parents and they get married.

Question 41.
What a brief note on the Houyhnhnm way of upbringing and education for the young?
Answer:
The young ones are brought up on a strict diet and are not allowed to eat oats, except upon certain days, till they are eighteen years old. They are rarely given milk. In summer they graze two hours in the morning, and two hours in the evening; but the servant foals are allowed to graze for an hour at each time. A great part of their grass is brought home, which they eat at the most convenient hours, when they can be spared from work. The young ones of both sexes are trained in self-control, diligence, exercise, and cleanliness.

The Houyhnhnms have an admirable system of educating the youth of both sexes. The youth are trained to strength, speed, and hardiness, by exercising them in running races up and down steep hills, and over hard stony grounds; and when they are all in a sweat, they are ordered to leap into a pond or river. Four times a year the youth of a certain district meet to show their proficiency in running and leaping, and other feats of strength and agility; where the victor is rewarded with a song in his or her praise

Question 42.
What kind of place is Glubbdubdrib? Who rules over it? What strange powers does he have?
Answer:
Glubbdubdrib is an island of sorcerers or magicians. It is about one third as large as the Isle of Wight, and extremely fruitful. It is governed by the head of a certain tribe, who are all magicians. The eldest in succession becomes prince or governor. The governor lives in a noble palace, which has a park of about three thousand acres, surrounded by a wall of hewn stone twenty feet high. In this park are several small enclosures for cattle, com, and gardening. The governor was skilled in necromancy or a form of magic involving communication with the deceased—either by summoning their spirit or raising them bodily.

He had the power of calling whom he pleased from the deadend commanding their service for twenty- four hours. Also, he could not call the same persons up again in less than three months, except upon very extraordinary occasions. When he saw the servants in the palace, he noticed the guards were dressed in a very strange manner, and with something in their appearance made Gulliver’s flesh creep with horror. The attendants appeared and disappeared. Gulliver was apprehensive, but the governor reassured him saying that he would receive no hurt.

Question 43.
What type of animal frightens away the horrible creatures that attack Gulliver in the fields? Write a brief note on this animal and his family.
Answer:
Gulliver was attacked by the ugly deformed Yahoos. He was rescued by another resident of the island: a kind, gentle looking grey, horse who seemed to frighten the gross animals away. Unlike the Yahoos, the horse had a very mild aspect, never offering the least violence. When Gulliver reached out to stroke its neck, it disdainfully shook his head, and softly raised its right forefoot to remove his hand. The horse seemed fascinated by Gulliver, and his clothing. The horse neighed in a complicated cadence. Another horse joined

the first and the two seemed to be involved in a discussion. They appeared to be so intelligent that Gulliver concluded they were magicians who had transformed themselves into horses. They used the words “Yahoo” and “Houyhnhnm,” which Gulliver tried to pronounce. The two horses parted, and the grey horse took , Gulliver along with him

Question 44.
What does Gulliver ultimately come to believe about the relative virtues of humans and HouUyhmhms?
Answer:
Gulliver was so impressed by the virtues of the Houyhnhnms, that he had started to hate his own species. Gulliver’s love and veneration for the horses is evident when he describes them as being orderly and rational, acute and judicious. They speak clearly, act justly, and have simple laws. Each Houyhnhnm knows what is right and acts accordingly. They are untroubled by greed, politics, or lust. They live a life of cleanliness and exist in peace and serenity. In fact, they have no concept of lies, and therefore no word to express it.

On the other hand are the humans. They give great importance to money. Gulliver finds them greedy and exploitative. Human beings lie to each other. They beg, rob, steal, cheat, and tell lies. They fight wars and kill fellow beings.

Question 45.
Have you ever gone on a journey or an adventure? Do you think going on a journey changes you? Give reasons for your answer.
Encourage the students to think creatively andformulate their own answers.
Answer:
Going on a journey definitely changes people. When we travel, we get to meet people of various different cultures as well as traditions and the interactions with them changes the way we think and feel, it also gives us an opportunity to learn many things. Even in the novel, Gulliver goes on many journeys and meets people of different shapes and sizes and he leams many things about them as well as their language. He also learns about himself in the process. The true point of an adventure and a journey is to give us the thrill of discovery and at the same time encounter new things, thoughts, ideas and that is what challenges us and moulds us. One is never the same after an experience such as that.

To put it simply, “The Bishop’s Candlesticks Extra Questions and Answers Class 9” is more than just a play about theft and forgiveness; it’s a profound exploration of the human capacity for compassion and the transformative impact of forgiveness. The play’s dramatic storytelling and the portrayal of characters’ emotions make it a gripping read for anyone interested in the complexities of human nature. Read this also Extra Questions for Class 9 English with Answers.

The Bishop’s Candlesticks Extra Questions and Answers Class 9 English Literature

The Bishop’s Candlesticks Extra Questions and Answers Short Answer Type

Answer the following questions briefly.

Question 1.
Although it was quite late at night why had the Bishop not returned?
Answer:
The Bishop had gone out to see Marie’s mother who was unwell. He had gone to pray with her and to call in . the doctor to see her. Thus he had not returned.

Question 2.
Why does Persome feel people pretend to be sick?
Answer:
Persome feels that people pretend to be sick to have the Bishop call on them as they are fond of him.

Question 3.
What did the Bishop give Marie as she was going out? Why? What trait of the Bishop’s character does it highlight?
Answer:
As Marie was going out, the Bishop gave her his comforter, as it was a cold and windy night. This shows the Bishop to be a caring and a generous person.

Question 4.
Why were the doors in the Bishop’s house never bolted?
Answer:
The doors in the Bishop’s house were left open so that anyone needing help could come in freely, at any time.

Question 5.
Who was Jeanette? What was the cause of her death?
Answer:
Jeanette was the convict’s wife. The cause of her death was starvation and sickness.

Question 6.
The convict says, “I am too old a bird to be caught with chaff.” What does he mean by this statement?
Answer:
The convict means that he is too experienced a person to be trapped by soft, gentle words.

Question 7.
Why was the convict sent to prison? What was the punishment given to him?
Answer:
The convict had stolen money to buy food for his dying wife. He was sentenced to a prison ship where he was chained like an animal and fed on filth. He was lashed if he complained.

Question 8.
Why is the convict eager to reach Paris?
Answer:
The convict is a runaway prisoner. If he reaches Paris, which is a big city, he can get lost there and that the police would not able to find him.

Question 9.
Before leaving, the convict asks the Bishop to bless him. What brought about this change in him?
Answer:
The Bishop’s kindness and faith in him and his forgiveness brought about a change in the conviet.

The Bishop’s Candlesticks Extra Questions and Answers Long Answer Type

Question 1.
What is the theme of the play “The Bishop’s Candlesticks”?
Answer:
The play deals with the redemption of a soul through love and forgiveness. The convict, who was sent to the prison ships for stealing money to buy food for his sick wife, was treated inhumanely. He was chained and lashed with whips. This inhuman treatment turned the man into a beast who was ready to steal and kill. The kind-hearted and benevolent Bishop, always ready to lend a helping hand to anyone in distress, softened the convict’s heart.

His love and compassion turned the beast into a man again. Touched by the Bishop’s forgiveness, the convict sought his blessings. Thus, the play also brings the message that the aim of punishment should be reformation of the wrongdoer through making him realise his guilt and not turning a law-abiding citizen into a criminal.

Question 2.
The convict says, “They have made me what I am, they have made me a thief.” Explain the circumstances that made the convict a thief.
Answer:
Ten years ago, the convict lived in a small cottage with his wife, Jeanette. His wife fell seriously ill. At that time the convict was without a job. Jeanette needed food and medicine. So he stole money to buy her food. He was caught and sent to the prison ships. Here he was treated very badly. He was chained and lashed with whips. He was treated not like a human being but as an animal. His name and soul were taken away from him. This inhuman treatment changed the man into a beast.

Question 3.
Describe the Bishop in your own words with examples from the lesson.
Answer:
The Bishop is a loving and self-sacrificing person. The people in the parish send for him whenever they are in trouble and he rushes to their aid in all kinds of weather, unmindful of his personal comfort. So much so that he has sold all his possessions, except for a pair of silver candlesticks given to him by his dying mother, to help the poor. His sister Persome says, “His estate is sold, his savings have gone. His furniture, everything. Were it not for my little dot we should starve!” The Bishop is a caring person and he wraps his comforter around Marie when she is about to go out into the cold night air.

The Bishop’s innocence and naivete often earn for him the anger of his sister, Persome. But he gently remarks, “If people lie to me they are poorer, not I.” Being a compassionate man, the Bishop is heard lamenting, “There is so much suffering in the world, and I can do so very little.” He is kind and generous towards the convict. The convict enters his house stealthily, threatens him with a knife, and after receiving food and hospitality from the Bishop, steals his candlesticks.

But when the gendarmes bring him back to the Bishop’s house, the Bishop claims he has given the candlesticks to the convict. It is this compassion that changes the convict. The Bishop is also a deeply religious and pious man. He advises the convict to lead a good life as “this poor body is the Temple of the Living God.”

Question 4.
The Bishop’s sister is more practical than him. Discuss the character of Persome as seen in the play.
Answer:
The Bishop’s sister, Persome was more practical in many ways as compared to her brother. She was a short tempered woman who is seen quick to rebuke and is also found getting angry at Mere Gringoire for asking money from her brother. Most of her faults seem to be borne out of her live and concern for her brother. She loves her brother to a fault and is very protective of him. She feels people take advantage of his kindness and generosity.

She is more practical because unlike her brother, the bishop who sees no merit or value in the treasures of the world but only cares for people. She, on the other hand, is shrewd because she feels she has to take of her brother and fend off people from taking advantage. She sees her brother’s act of selling the silver salt shakers as irresponsible because it was a valuable item. She also disapproves of her brother giving away all their possessions to help other people because that way they would have nothing left. She is practical in worldly and materialistic matters.

The Bishop’s Candlesticks Extra Questions and Answers Reference to Context

Read the extracts given below and answer the questions that follow.

Question 1.
“Monseigneur, the Bishop is a… ahem!”

(a) Who is the speaker? Who is being spoken to?
Answer:
Persome is the speaker here. She is speaking to the maid, Marie

(b) Why does the speaker not complete the sentence?
Answer:
Persome does not complete the sentence as she did not wish to criticize the Bishop in front of Marie.

(c) What is the meaning of the word monseigneur?
Answer:
The word ‘monseigneur’ is a title that is given to senior Roman Catholic priests and officials.

Question 2.
“She sent little Jean to Monseigneur to ask for help. ”

(a) Who sent little Jean to the Bishop?
Answer:
Mere Gringoire sent little Jean to the Bishop.

(b) Why did she send Jean to the Bishop?
Answer:
She needed money for rent and knew that he was a generous person thus she sent him to the Bishop.

(c) What was Persome’s reaction?
Answer:
Persome was angry with Mere Gringoire’s impudence.

Question 3.
“I offered to take her in here for a day or two, but she seemed to think it might distress you. ”

(a) Who wanted to take whom in and why?
Answer:
Bishop wanted to take in Mere Gringoire because she was unable to pay the rent of her house.

(b) Define the word ‘distress’?
Answer:
It means that Mere Gringoire was under extreme difficulty and anxiety.

(c) Persome would be distressed on Mere Gringoire’s being taken in because.
Answer:
Persome felt that Mere Gringoire was taking undue advantage of the Bishop.

Question 4.
“You have your soul to lose, my son; it is of more value than my heart. ”

(a) Why do you think the convict will lose his soul?
Answer:
The bishop tells the convict that he has his soul to lose if he commits a crime.

(b) What do these lines show about the speaker?
Answer:
These lines show that he is sympathetic and loving.

(c) How did the speaker transform the listener?
Answer:
The speaker transformed the listener through kindness and love.

Question 5.
“They chained me up like a wild animal, they lashed me like a hound. 1 fed on filth, I was covered, with vermin, I slept on boards, and I complained. Then they lashed me again. ”

(a) Where was the speaker at the time? For how long was he there?
Answer:
The speaker was in prison hulks at this time. He was there for ten years.

(b) To whom do the terms “they” and “me” refer?
Answer:
The term “they” refer to the prison authorities and “me” refers to the convict.

(c) Explain the phrase ‘lashed me like a hound’?
Answer:
The convict is telling the bishop that he was treated like a dog. he was secured tightly on a leash.

Question 6.
“And so my brother is to be kept out of his bed, and go without his supper because you told him she was feeling poorly. ”

(a) Who is feeling poorly?
Answer:
Marie’s mother had been feeling poorly.

(b) Why has the brother gone to see the person who is feeling poorly?
Answer:
The brother went to see the person who is feeling poorly to pray with her.

(c) What does the speaker mean when he says kept out of bed’?
Answer:
The speaker means that his brother, the bishop, is away from his warm home and bed.

Question 7.
“You are like a child. / can’t trust you out of my sight. No sooner is my back turned than you get that little minx Marie to sell the silver salt-cellars. ”

(a) Why did the listener get Marie to sell the silver salt-cellars?
Answer:
The listener got Marie to sell the silver salt-cellars as Mere Gringoire needed money to pay her rent.

(b) What does the word minx mean?
Answer:
Minx refers to a cunning young woman.

(c) She did not want the salt-cellars sold as
Answer:
They had been in their family for years.

Question 8.
“That was when I was a man. Now I’m not a man; now I’m a number; number 15729, and I’ve lived in Hell for ten years. ”

(a) What has changed the speaker?
Answer:
The harsh treatment in prison has changed the speaker.

(b) What does ‘That was when I was a man’ refer to?
Answer:
The speaker says he used to be a man but now he has changed into a beast.

(c) What idea does the play highlight?
Answer:
The play highlights how love and kindness can change a man rather than violence.

Question 9.
“You are going to try to convert me. ”

(a) What is the speaker’s tone?
Answer:
The speaker seems to be suspicious of the bishop.

(b) Do you think the speaker is against religion? Why?
Answer:
Yes. I think he is against religion because he is suspicious of the bishop and he admits that he hates the church.

(c) What do you mean by the word ‘convert’ in this context?
Answer:
The word ‘covert’ in this context means changing one’s religion or belief.

Question 10.
“Monseigneur, I’m glad I didn’t get away with them; curse me, I am. I’m glad. ”

(a) Why is he glad he did not get away with them?
Answer:
He is glad that he did not get away with them as he has been transformed by the Bishop’s goodness.

(b) What does he ask the Bishop for before he leaves?
Answer:
He asked the Bishop to bless him before he leaves.

(c) What do you think is the speaker going through? Can you name some of the emotions associated with it?
Answer:
The speaker is remorseful and he regrets taking the bishop’s candlesticks, apologetic, repentant, contrite.