Chapter 3rd glimpses of the past

Question 1. Look at picture 1 and recall the opening lines of the original song in Hindi. Who is
the singer? Who else do you see in this picture?
Solution : The original song is “Ae mere watan ke logon….” The singer is Lata Mangeshkar.
Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, Lal Bahadur Shastri, Indira Gandhi, Bahadur Shah Zafar, Rani Laxmi Bai,
Bal Gangadhar Tilak, Lala Lajpat Rai, Bhagat Singh, Subhash Chandra Bose and Mahatma Gandhi
are also seen in the picture.

Question 2. In Picture 2 what do you understand by the Company’s “superior weapons”?

Solution : The company’s superior weapons mean all their wits, strength, rules and regulations.

Question 3. Who is an artisan? Why do you think the artisans suffered? (picture 3)
Solution : An artisan is a skilled manual worker who crafts items that may be functional or strictly
decorative. The artisans suffered because the British were extracting very high taxes from them,
which ruined them economically. Moreover, machine-manufactured goods imported from Britain
were sold extensively, which ruined the business of the artisans’ hand-made goods.

Question 4. Which picture, according to you, reveals the first sparks of the fire of revolt?
Solution : Picture 7 ‘The Sparks’ reveals the first sparks of the fire of revolt.

Working with the text

Answer the following Questions :

Question 1. Do you think the Indian princes were short-sighted in their approach to the events
of 1757?
Solution : Yes, the Indian princes were short-sighted in their approach to the events of 1757.

Question 2. How did the East India Company subdue the Indian princes?
Solution : The Indian princes were constantly at war with each other. They called the English
merchants to help them in their fights. The people had no peace due to such constant fights. The
rivalries helped the East India Company subdue the Indian princes one by one.

Question 3. Quote the words used by Ram Mohan Roy to say that every religion teaches the
same principles.
Solution : According to Ram Mohan Roy, “Cows are of different colours, but the colour of their milk
is the same. Different teachers have different opinions, but the essence of every religion is the same.

Question 4. In what ways did the British officers exploit Indians?

Solution : To earn quick profits, the British imposed heavy taxes, thereby forcing the Indian farmers
to abandon their fields. They decided to do away with import duty for goods manufactured in
England. This crippled the Indian industries. In 1818, they passed Regulation III. Under it, an Indian
could be jailed without trial in a court. All the time British officers in India drew big salaries and also
made fortunes in private business. By 1829, Britain was exporting British goods worth seven crore
rupees to India. The British prospered on the Company’s loot, while the Indian industries began to
die.
Question 5.
Name these people :
(i) The ruler who fought pitched battles against the British and died fighting.
(ii) The person who wanted to reform the society.
(iii) The person who recommended the introduction of English education in India.
(iv) Two popular leaders who led the revolt (Choices may vary.)
Solution :
(i) Kunwar Singh
(ii) Ram Mohan Roy
(iii) Macaulay
(iv) Maulvi Ahmedulla of Faizabad and Peshwa Nana Saheb

Question 6.
Mention the following :
(i) Two examples of social practices prevailing then.
(ii) Two oppressive policies of the British.
(iii) Two ways in which common people suffered.
(iv) Four reasons for the discontent that led to the 1857 War of Independence.
Solution :
(i) Untouchability and child marriage
(ii) The British decided to do away with import duty on goods manufactured in England. This
severely affected Indian industries.
In 1818, they passed Regulation III. Under it, an Indian could be jailed without trial in a court.
(iii) They lost their old jobs and lands. They were being converted by the British.
(iv) Discontent was brewing amongst the Indians. They felt that their kings who were supposed to be
their protectors were mere puppets in the hands of the British. They lost their old jobs and lands.
Taxes continued to ruin the peasants. There was discontent in the East India Company’s army too.
The white soldier got huge pay, mansions to live in and servants, while the Indian soldiers got a
pittance and slow promotions. Few Englishmen had cared to understand Indian customs or the
people’s mind. The religious sentiments of both Hindus and Muslims were also hurt. The grease on
the bullets they had to bite was made from the fat of cows and pigs.
 Chapter 4 Vipin Chaudhary’s lapse of memory
Comprehension check Page number 58

Question 1. Why did the man stare at Bepin Babu in disbelief?

Solution : The man stared at Bepin Babu in disbelief because Bepin Babu did not recognise him even
though he was sure that he knew him and had met him in Ranchi.

Question 2. Where did Bepin Babu say he went in October’ 58?

Solution : Bepin Babu said that he spent the Puja holidays in ’58 with a friend in Kanpur.

Question 3. Mention any three (or more) things that Parimal Ghose knew about Bepin Babu.
Solution : Parimal Ghose knew following things about Bepin Babu:
→ That Bepin Babu slipped near Hudroo falls and hurt his leg.
→ That Bepin Babu stayed in a Bungalow because he preferred food by bawarchi.
→ That Bepin Babu’s wife died 10 years ago.

Comprehension check Page number 61

Question 1. Why did Bepin Babu worry about what Parimal Ghose had said?
Solution : Bepin Babu continuously worried about what Parimal Ghose had said because he had
shown that he knew many intimate facts about him. He knew about the bag of books, his wife’s death
and his brother’s insanity. Considering that Parimal Ghose knew so much about him, Bepin Babu
couldn’t say with conviction that he was making a mistake about the Ranchi trip.

Question 2. How did he try to decide who was right – his memory or Parimal Ghose?
Solution : He tried to decide whether his memory was right or Parimal Ghose by looking at his right
knee where Parimal had claimed that there would be a cut. There was certainly a mark of an old cut.
However, he could not decide if the cut was the result of his fall in Ranchi or due to some incident in
his childhood. Then, he decided to ask Dinesh Mukherjee, who according to Parimal Ghose was with
him in Ranchi. He felt that asking him would put an end to his confusion.

Question 3. Why did Bepin Babu hesitate to visit Mr Mukerji? Why did he finally decide to
phone him?
Solution : Bepin Babu hesitated to visit Mr Dinesh Mukerji because he was afraid of the ruthless
sarcasm he would have to face. He felt that if the whole story about Ranchi was false, then Mr
Mukerji would think that he had gone insane. Being constantly troubled by the incident at the
bookshop and having no other meansfor verifying the claims of Primal Ghose, Bepin Babu finally
decided to ask Mr Mukerji. However, he decided to phone him because that way his embarrassment
wouldn’t be visible to the latter.

Question 4. What did Mr Mukerji say? Did it comfort Bepin Babu, or add to his worries?
Solution : Mr. Mukerji, after checking his diary, said that they had visited Ranchi in October’58. This
added to Bepin Babu’s worries as he could not figure out how he could possibly have forgotten about
the trip.

Comprehension check Page number 64

Question 1. Who was Chunilal? What did he want from Bepin Babu?
Solution : Chunilal was an old schoolmate of Bepin Babu. He had been having a rough time lately and
had been coming to see Bepin Babu for a job.

Question 2. Why was Dr Chanda puzzled? What was unusual about Bepin Babu’s loss of
memory?
Solution : Dr Chanda was puzzled because he had never dealt with a case such as Bepin Babu’s. It
was outside his field of experience. The unusual thing about Bepin Babu’s case was that he
remembered everything in his past except for one particular incident. Dr Chanda said that Bepin Babu
must have been to Ranchi. However, due to some unknown reason, the entire episode had slipped out
of his mind.

Comprehension check Page number 66

Question 1. Had Bepin Babu really lost his memory and forgotten all about a trip to Ranchi?
Solution : No, Bepin Babu had not really lost his memory and forgotten all about a trip to Ranchi. It
was a trick played by Chunilal.

Question 2. Why do you think Chunilal did what he did? Chunilal says he has no money; what
is it that he does have?
Solution : Chunilal did what he did because Bepin Babu did not help him at a time when he had no
money and required a job. However, Bepin Babu did not do anything for him. So he wanted to punish
him by rekindling haunting memory of his fall near Hudroo. Chunilal seems to be a good writer with
very fertile imagination. That is what he believes would help him to tide over his bad phase.

Working with Text

Question 1. The author describes Bepin Babu as a serious and hardworking man. What
evidence can you find in the story to support this?
Solution : The author has described Bepin Babu as a serious and hardworking man. He worked daily
in his office. It was a big firm and he was doing a responsible job. He had been with the firm for
twenty-five years. He had a reputation for being a tireless, conscientious worker.

Question 2. Why did Bepin Babu change his mind about meeting Chunilal? What was the result
of this meeting?
Solution : Bepin Babu changed his mind about meeting Chunilal because he thought that it might be
possible that the latter remembered something about the Ranchi trip. When Chunilal confirmed that
Bepin Babu had been to Ranchi, Bepin Babu decided to see a specialist doctor.

Question 3. Bepin Babu lost consciousness at Hudroo Falls. What do you think was the reason
for this?
Solution : Bepin Babu lost consciousness at Hudroo Falls because he had a fall. He had broken his
hip.
Question 4. How do you think Bepin Babu reacted when he found out that Chunilal had tricked
him?
Solution : After finding out that Chunilal had tricked him, Bepin Babu must have been filled with
remorse for his ‘unfeeling behaviour’ towards an ‘old friend down on his luck’. He would have
realised that he had indeed been a victim of forgetfulness as he had forgotten the meaning of
friendship in a time of ‘affluence

Chapter 3rd the selfish Giant

Comprehension Check Page no. 20
1.) Why is the Giant called selfish?

Answer: The giant is selfish because he doesn’t allow anyone to enter his garden.

2.) On one occasion the children said: “How happy we are here!”Later they said: “How happy
we were there!”What are they referring to in both the cases?

Answer: In both the cases children are referring to the giant’s garden. First they used t play in his
garden and enjoy it. But when the giant didn’t allow anyone to enter his garden they missed played
there.

3.) (i) When spring came, it was still winter in the garden. What does winter stand for or
indicate here?

Answer: Even the mother nature didn’t like the giant’s attitude and it showed its color. The tress
didn’t blossom, the birds didn’t sing. Everywhere else it was spring but in giant’s garden there were
no signs of spring.

(ii) Winter has been presented like a story with its own characters and their activities. Describe
the story in your own words.
Answer: Giant’s garden didn’t spring, winter was ready to leave. The birds didn’t sing, the tress didn’t
blossom. When a beautiful flower was about to blossom, it saw the notice board and went back to
sleep. Only snow and frost were happy with this and the snow covered the grass with its white cloak
and the frost painted all the trees silver. Then with its came the North hail and it rattled on the roof
and went round and round the garden. It was dressed in grey and breath was of ice.

4.) Was the Giant happy or sad over the state of the garden?

Answer: The Giant was sad to see the condition of the garden. He wondered why it was taking so long
for spring to come. While there was spring everywhere else only his garden had snow and frost.

5.) What effect did the linnet’s song have over Hail and the North Wind?

Answer: When the linnet started singing, the hail stopped dancing over his head and the North Wind
stopped roaring.

Comprehension check page number 24

1.) (i) The Giant saw a most wonderful sight. What did he see?

Answer: Through a little hole in the wall, the children crept in and sat on the branches of the trees and
were joyful. The birds were flying and everything was delightful. The garden seemed to be blossomed
again. This was the wonderful sight to watch.

(ii)What did he realize on seeing it?

Answer: The giant realized that he was selfish for not allowing anyone enter in his garden and due to
his attitude even the nature didn’t favor his garden. He was sorry for his actions.

2.) Why was it still winter in one of the corner of the garden?

Answer: At one corner a little boy stood weeping as he could not climb the tree. Because of his
condition there was still winter in that corner.

3.) Describe the first meeting of the little boy and the Giant.

Answer: At one corner there was a little boy who was not able to climb the tree. The Giant then went
and gently took him in his arms and put him on the tree. Not only the boy was happy but everything
around seem to blossom. The boy was so happy that he stretched his arms and flung around the
giant’s neck and kissed him.

4.) Describe their second meeting after a long interval?

Answer: After their first meeting,the giant started missing the little boy a lot. He loved him the most
and would ask other children about him. Then one winter morning, he saw that little boy under a tree
and went to see him. Upon reaching, he finds that the little boy was hurt and had wounds on his hands
and feet. This made the Giant angry and he wanted to kill the person who hurt his most loved boy.
When he asked who hurt him , the little boy said that those were wounds of love.

5.) The Giant lay dead, all covered with white blossoms. What does this sentence indicate about
the once selfish Giant?

Answer: The Giant was a changed man. He allowed the children play in his beautiful garden and
loved the little very much. He was not selfish anymore and became a kind human being. This change
made him go to heaven. The Giant had a peaceful death, and the white blossoms too indicate the same
thing.
 Chapter ,-4 The Treasure Within English
Comprehension Check Page No: 28

1. What did Hafeez contractor have nightmares about?

Answer :Hafeez Contractor got nightmares about appearing for a mathematics examination in which
he did not know anything.

2. What did the Principal say to him, which influenced him deeply?

Answer : The principal said to him how his mother toiled hard to bring him up inspite of his father’s
death. She further said that he was grown up and should start taking care of himself. That he should
start giving top priority to his study instead of sports.

3. "... that year I did not step out onto the field." What was he busy doing that year?

Answer :He was busy studying that year. He went for prayers, and just ate and studied.

4. (i) What "distraction" did Hafeez Contractor create one day?

(ii) Would you have liked to participate in the "distraction" had you been with him?

Answer

(i) He played chor-police for an hour and even school boy loves distractions very much.

(ii) Had I been with Hafeez Contractor, I would have definitely liked to particulate in the distraction.

Page No: 32

1. Hafeez Contractor wanted to join the police force. Why didn't he?

Answer :Hefeez Contractor did not join the police force because his mother told him not to. His
mother told him to do his graduation.

2. In the architect's office, Hafeez Contractor was advised to drop everything and join
architecture. Why?

Answer: In the architect’s office somebody was making a technical drawing of a window. Hafeez
observed some lacunae in the drawing and convinced that person. Then Hafeez was asked to make a
drawing for a house which Hafeez did surprisingly well. They were stunned to see Hafeez’s natural
talent and advised him to join architecture.
3. (i) What was Mrs Gupta's advice to Hafeez contractor?
(ii) What made her advise him so?

Answer :(i) Mrs. Gupta, who was Hafeez Contractor's teacher in the second and third grades, advised
him to become an architect when he grew up.

(ii)She always said to him that he was quite useless in everything, except for his sketches, which were
always very good. Therefore, she advised him to take up architecture.

4. How did he help fellow students who had lost a button?

Answer :When his fellow students lost a button, he helped them by cutting a button from chalk, by
using a blade.

5. Which rules did he break as a school boy?

Answer: He broke many rules when he was a school boy. He would copy in class during Examination.
Playing jobs and pranks on others. He would have gang fights and plan strategies. He was most
interested in funny pranks. So he often created distractions. He also became a street Romeo.

6. (i) What is Hafeez contractor's definition of mathematics?

(ii) How would you want to define mathematics? Do you like the subject?

Answer

(i)He said that putting design, construction, psychology and sociology together, and making a sketch
from all that is 'mathematics'.

(ii) I would like to define mathematics as the science of numbers, quantity and space. Arithmetic,
algebra, geometry and trigonometry are some of its branches.