Birth - Questions

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Who is the author of “Birth”?

A. A.J. Cornin
B. J.B. Priestley
C. Andrew Manson
D. Edward Page

2. Andrew did his medical practice under the assistance of _________.

A. Dr. Page
B. Dr. Morgan
C. Dr. William
D. Dr. Shane

Q3. Who was waiting for Andrew at midnight?

A. Dr. Edward
B. Christine
C. Joe Morgan
D. Mrs. Morgan’s mother

4. Where did Joe Morgan live?

A. Number 11, Blaina Terrace
B. Number 14, Bryngower
C. Number 12, Blaina Terrace
D. Number 12, Bryngower

5. How does the author describe the bedroom of Joe’s house?

A. Well furnished
B. Poorly furnished
C. Dirty
D. Both (B) and ©

6. How has the author described Mrs. Morgan’s mother?

A. Wise
B. Grey-haired
C. In her seventies
D. All of the above
7. When Andrew approached, Susan was accompanied by her mother and
_________.
A. Joe
B. father
C. a midwife
D. mother-in-law

8. “Don’t fret, mother, I’ll not run away.” Why did Andrew say this?
A. To reassure Mrs. Morgan’s mother
B. To fulfill his obligations
C. To break the silence
D. To handle a critical situation well

9. Andrew decided to __________ at Joe’s house.

A. sleep
B. study
C. stay
D. eat

10. While waiting at Joe’s house, what did Andrew think about?
A. Mrs. Morgan condition
B. Failed marriages
C. Christine
D. Both (B) and ©

11. How was the newborn child?

A. Healthy
B. Lifeless
C. Underweight
D. Anaemic

12. What dilemma did doctor Andrew confront?

A. Whether the child could be saved or not
B. Whether the treatment would be successful
C. Whether to attend the child or the mother
D. Whether to inform Joe or not

13. In the dilemma he faced, what did Andrew do?

A. Check upon Susan first
B. Check upon the child first
C. Ran away
D. Left it to handle to the midwife

14. Where had the midwife placed the stillborn child?

A. She held the child in her arms
B. Gave him to Susan’s mother
C. Under the bed
D. Handled him to Joe

15. What did Andrew conclude from the whiteness of the child?
A. That he was dead
B. That he suffered from lack of oxygen
C. That he should be taken to hospital
D. That Andrew couldn’t save him

16. What did Andrew remember about Samaritan?

A. A place he went to volunteer
B. Someone he met there
C. A treatment he witnessed
D. Not mentioned in the story

17. What all things did Andrew use in the treatment?

A. Hot and cold water
B. Basins and towels
C. A blanket
D. All of the above

18. How did Andrew try to save the still born?

A. Using a special method of respiration
B. Calling Dr. Edward
C. Taking him to a hospital
D. Giving him blood

19. After trying for fifteen minutes, Andrew felt ________.

A. accomplished
B. hopeful
C. hopeless
D. confident
20. What did Andrew remember in the middle of ongoing treatment?
A. About his love for Christine
B. Morgan family’s longing for a child
C. His time in Samaritan
D. About his obligation as a doctor

21. Why did the child become slippery in Andrew’s hand?

A. Because of atmosphere in the room
B. Because Andrew was losing his focus
C. Because of constant juggling between waters
D. None of the above

22. How long did it take for Andrew’s efforts to yield results?
A. Fifteen minutes
B. All efforts went into vain
C. One hour
D. Half an hour

23. What does the author refer to as ‘a miracle’?

A. Life getting into the stillborn
B. Morgan family welcoming a child
C. Susan getting consciousness
D. None of the above

24. “But her hands were together, her lips moved without sound.” Who is
her?
A. Susan
B. Midwife
C. Mrs. Morgan’s mother
D. Not clear from the story

25. Why did Andrew get oblivious to all the work he had done in Blaenelly?
A. Because he got all hopeless
B. Because he did something extraordinary that night
C. Because he was leaving Blaenelly
D. Because he got tired

26. During the whole incident, Joe did not enter the house. Why?
A. Because he was superstitious
B. Because he didn’t want to disturb
C. Because he didn’t want to see the child
D. Because he was anxious

27. After how many years were Joe and Susan blessed with a child?
A. Ten years
B. One year
C. Five years
D. Twenty years

28. Why is the lesson named “Birth”?

A. Because the doctor is specialist in childbirths
B. Because a lot of childbirths take place
C. Because it is about birth of a child
D. Because it talks about philosophy of life

29. Birth of Susan’s child was a turning point in Dr. Andrew’s life. Do you
agree?
A. Absolutely
B. Not at all
C. Partially
D. Not clear from the story

[Link] can you say about Dr. Andrew after reading “Birth”?
A. He did not put all his efforts
B. He fulfilled his obligations well as a doctor
C. His skills were not enough
D. He was arrogant

Short Answer Type Questions

Set-I

1. Who was Joe Morgan? Why had he been waiting for Dr. Andrew Manson?
2. Why did Joe Morgan call on the doctor?3
3. Where did Joe lead Andrew? Why did he not go in with the doctor?
4. Why was Joe Morgan waiting for Dr. Andrew Manson and what was Dr.
Andrew’s response?
5. What was Andrew’s view of marriage? Why was he resentful and confused.
6. Why did Mrs. Morgan’s mother offer to make a cup of tea for the doctor?
7. “Don’t fret mother, I’ll not run away.” Why do you think Andrew say so?
8. Why did the doctor decide to stay there until everything was over, though
he knew there would be a period of waiting?
9. What disturbed Andrew out of his thoughts as he sat brooding by the
kitchen fire?
10. Why did a shiver of horror pass over Andrew?
11. Why was the doctor in dilemma?
12. What dilemma did Andrew face when the child was born?
13. How was the doctor’s dilemma solved?
14. Why was the mid-wife frightened when the doctor asked about the child?
15. Describe the condition of the child when the doctor pulled it out.
16. Dr. Andrew tried an entirely new method but he managed to save the life
of the child. What was the method which was the last resort for him?
17. What was the child suffering from?
18. Describe briefly the efforts made by the doctor to revive the child.
19. How did Andrew react to the first glimpse of the success of his efforts to
help the stillborn child came alive?
20. What was the state of the room after the resuscitation of mother and
child?
21. Why did Andrew say “I’ll fetch my bag later, nurse?”
22. How did Andrew assess that night’s work?

Set-II

1. What is Dr. Andrew’s concept about women? What led him to think that
way?
2. What was the expression and attitude of the mid wife/nurse towards what
Dr.
Andrew was doing?
3. What is the setting of the story? (Time and place where it is set)
4. Bring out the atmosphere of expectation and anxiety in the mind of the
Morgan
family members.
5. Why did the baby lose its breath?
6. What was the dilemma that Andrew faced after the baby was born?
7. Why was Joe and Susan Morgan’s case special for Andrew?
8. What was Susan Morgan’s suggestion to Andrew which she informed
through her mother-in law?
9. What did Andrew guess could be cause of the baby being still born?
10. What is your impression about Dr. Andrew as a doctor and a human
being?
 Long Answer Type Questions

1. What impression of Andrew Manson do you form on the basis of the story
‘Birth’?
2. If you work to respect the feelings, yearnings and desires of others,
success is always yours. Explain on the basis of the lesson ‘Birth’ by A. J.
Cronin.
3. What qualities help Andrew Manson help Morgan family?
4. Why was Joe Morgan relieved to see Andrew? Did Andrew justify his hope?
5. What response did Andrew get when he asked, “Where is the child”?
Describe what followed.
6. “Andrew had no premonition that that night would influence his whole
future in Blaenelly.” How did this happen?
7. A doctor must remain committed to saving life. Unfortunately, this
commitment is rarely to be seen nowadays. Comment.
8. Why was Andrew Manson called? How did he react to the call of duty?
9. Describe thoughts and feelings of Andrew Manson as he sat dozing by the
kitchen fire?
10. Why was Andrew Manson torn between two desires? How did he resolve
this dilemma?
11. Give a brief account of the efforts made by Andrew to revive the still
born baby.
12. Why does Andrew comment that he had done something ‘real at last’ in
Blaenelly?
13. Compare and contrast Andrew’s emotional, mental and physical state at
the beginning of the story and at the end.
14. What impression do you form of Andrew Manson on the basis of the
story, ‘Birth’?
15. “I have done something; oh, God! I’ve done something real at last.” Why
does Andrew say this? What does it mean?
16. There lies a great difference between textbook medicine and the world of
a practising physician. Discuss.
17. Describe the scene at Joe’s house when the doctor arrived there.
18. Why did the doctor remember a case in Samaritan? How did it help him?
19. His dilemma was so urgent that he did not solve it consciously. Explain
the statement in your own words.
20. ‘Birth’ celebrates the miracle of life shining through clouds of death.
Explain.
21. Dr Andrew had almost lost his belief in marriage. He thought marriages
were dismal failures. Why did he think so?
22. How do Joe Morgan, the old lady and the midwife show their concern for
the birth of the baby in different ways?
23. Give a character sketch of Doctor Andrew Manson.