INTRODUCTION The Story “His First Flight” is written by Liam OH Hearty.

It is about a
young seagull bird who is afraid of flying. It feels that its wings are not strong enough to make it
fly. How he overcomes this fear which all of us face while trying a new venture and the story of
his successful maiden flight has been beautifully narrated in the chapter. The story highlights the
importance of family and friends in one’s life.
CHARACTERS
1. Young Seagull - A timid sea-bird who was hesitant and afraid of flying. But he did not stop
trying. Gradually he gathered strength and made regular efforts for flying. Finally, he forgot his
fear of flying and made his first flight.
2. Mother Seagull - The mother of young seagull who motivated the young one enough to get
him to learn flying. She even took the bold step of pushing her offspring form the cliff to eschew
his fear.
3. Father Seagull - The Father of Young Seagull who was the sole breadwinner of the family.
4. Siblings - Siblings of the young seagull who cheered for their brother for his first flight along
with their father offering moral and mental support to him.

Two Stories about Flying Part 1: His First Flight Summary

The story “His First Flight” is written by Liam O’Flaherty and is based on a young seagull who was
afraid to take his first flight because he feared that his wings wouldn’t support him while flying. All his
siblings took the plunge to fly fearlessly in the open air despite having shorter wings than him. On the
contrary, the young bird could not muster up courage to take the plunge due to distrust on his wings.
Whenever he tried to come forward towards the brink of the ledge while attempting to fly, he became
afraid and went back. His parents constantly upbraided and threatened him that unless he flew away he
would have to starve alone on the ledge, but all their efforts went in vain. He would just watch his parents
teaching his siblings how to skim the waves and dive for fish.
One fine day, the whole family flew to a big plateau and taunted the young seagull for his cowardice. As
the sun rays blazed on his ledge, he could feel the heat and was starving since the previous nightfall. The
young bird begged his mother to bring him some food. He uttered a joyful scream when his mother
quickly picked a piece of fish and flew across to him. He leaned out eagerly and jumped at the fish
exasperated by hunger. Suddenly he fell outward in the open space and a monstrous terror seized him as
he could feel that he was falling downward. The next moment he felt his wings spread outwards and he
was able to fly fearlessly. Finally, the young seagull took his first flight and soared higher and skimmed
through the waves and dived along with his siblings.

Extract 1:
He just felt a bit dizzy. Then he flapped his wings once and he soared upwards. “Ga, ga, ga, Ga, ga, ga,
Gaw-col-ah,” his mother swooped past him, her wings making a loud noise. He answered her with
another scream. Then his father flew over him screaming. He saw his two brothers and his sister flying
around him curveting and banking and soaring and diving. Then he completely forgot that he had not
always been able to fly, and commended himself to dive and soar and curve, shrieking shrilly.
Q1) How would you describe the screams of the gulls in the given extract?
a) elation b) bewilderment c) shock d) protection
Q2) Pick the most appropriate reason why the young gull felt dizzy.
a) He hadn’t eaten anything for a day. b) He was dizzy with excitement.
c) He was wary of heights. d) He was flying for the first time.

Q3) Which of the following mirrors the use of the literary device in “shrieking shrilly”?
a) sparkling saga b) singing soft c) slippery sloppily d) sneeze silently
Q4) The line “he completely forgot that he had not always been able to fly” implies the
a) great confidence the young gull had in his skills.
b) naturalness of the act of flying for the young gull.
c) satisfaction and joy of flying together as a family.
d) desire of the young gull to leave his fears behind.
Q5) The extract refers to the many movements of the young gull’s brothers and sister. Choose the
option that correctly sequences these movements.
a) The young gull’s brothers and sister flew by tilting their wings, rose high, made darting movements
and plunged headfirst.
b) The young gull’s brothers and sister flew by plunging headfirst, making darting movements, titled their
wings and rose high.
c) The young gull’s brothers and sister flew with darting movements, titled their wings, rose high and
plunged headfirst.
d) The young gull’s brothers and sister flew by rising high, plunging headfirst, making darting
movements and tilting their wings.
Extract 2:
The day before, all day long, he had watched his parents flying about with his brothers and sister,
perfecting them in the art of flight, teaching them how to skim the waves and how to dive for fish. He
had, in fact, seen his older brother catch his first herring and devour it, standing on a rock, while his
parents circled around raising a proud cackle. And all the morning the whole family had walked about on
the big plateau midway down the opposite cliff taunting him with his cowardice.
Q1) Based on the given sentence, pick the option that corresponds to what human parents would
say. ‘while his parents circled around raising a proud cackle.’
a) Well done!
b) Oh no!
c) Ready?!
d) Really!?
Q2) Select the most appropriate option for the following: devour : guzzle: : nibble : _______
a) chew b) savour c) peck d) gulp
Q3) Which option lists the image nearest to ‘skim the waves’?

a) image (i) b) image (ii) c) image (iii) d) image (iv)

Q4) Which of the following feelings did the young gull, NOT feel according to the given context?
“…all day long, he had watched his parents flying about with his brothers and sister…”
(i) sad (ii) incompetent (iii) excluded (iv) ungrateful
(v) inspired (vi) jealous (vii) anxious
a) i, iii, vi
b) ii, v, vii
c) ii, iii, vii
d) iv, v, vi
Part 2: Black Aeroplane Summary

“Black Aeroplane” is a mysterious story written by Fredrik Forsyth that revolves around a pilot. The
narrator of the story is a pilot who wanted to be with his family and enjoy a wholesome breakfast with
them in England. He had to fly from France to England to spend time with his family. Once he crossed
Paris, he came across the storm clouds that looked like black mountains. However, he flew through the
clouds and soon realized that everything around him had turned completely black. Nothing was visible to
him outside the aeroplane as he lost control of it.
Suddenly, he noticed that there was another aeroplane with no lights on its wings. The pilot of that
airplane waved his hands and signalled him to follow. He blindly followed the other pilot since the radio
signals of his plane were not reachable and even the fuel tank was low. Soon he passed through the dark
clouds and landed safely on the runway with the help of the other pilot. Upon landing, he inquired at the
reception about whom the other pilot was who helped him in such a critical situation as he wanted to
thank him for saving his life. But the woman in the control centre told him that there was no other
airplane in the night sky other than his aeroplane.

Conclusion of Two Stories About Flying

In the chapter – Two Stories About Flying, there are two stories that teach us that inner strength and
determination is necessary to overcome fear. Having the courage to face tough situations helps us to
overcome complex situations in our lives.

EXTRACTS FROM THE TEXT

1. I knew I could not fly up and over them, and I didn‘t have enough
fuel to fly around them to the north or south. I ought to go back to
Paris. I thought, but I wanted to get home.

a) What does them‘ in the first sentence refer to?

b) Why could he not fly over on either side of storm clouds?

c) Why did he not go back to Paris?

d) Which country was the pilot of the plane flying towards?

Answers a) Them‘ means the big black clouds .

b) There was not enough fuel left in the Dakota – aero plane for him to
fly around the clouds. c) He wanted to get home and enjoy breakfast
with his family .

d) The Pilot was flying towards England.

2. He turned his aero plane slowly to the north, in front of my Dakota,

so that it would be easier for me to follow him. I was very happy to go
behind the strange aero plane like an obedient child.

a) Where was the pilot at this time?

b) Who does He‘ refer to in the first sentence?

c) Why did He of the black aero plane bring his plane in front of the
Dakota aero plane?

d) Why did the pilot of the Dakota follow him like an obedient child?

Answers a) The pilot was inside the black storm cloud.

b) The pilot of the Black aero plane .

c) The pilot was trying to guide the author out of the storm clouds by
asking him to follow him.

d) He was lost and all his instruments had stopped working. He wanted
to find a way out of the storm/ He wanted to get out of the storm
safely.

SHORT ANSWER QUESTIONS (30 -40 Words)

1. What did the narrator feel inside the clouds?

Answer: 1. When the narrator entered the clouds, it became
impossible to see outside the aero plane. The aero plane jumped and
twisted in the air and all the instruments like compass etc. stopped
working due to the weather conditions. He could not see anything and
he was worried whether the fuel would last till he landed.

2. Why was the woman in the control room shocked when the narrator
asked her about another aero plane?

The woman in the control room was shocked when the narrator asked
about another aero plane because there was no such plane flying in
the sky that night as she saw none on the radar. It was an extremely
stormy night and no one had taken the risk of flying in the storm.

LONG ANSWER QUESTIONS (100-150 Words)

Q 1. The narrator does not lose hope and follows the pilot in the black
aero plane knowing well that he might be taking a huge risk. What
qualities does he possess to endure this critical situation bravely?

Q 2. The narrator knew that he could not fly up due to storm and lack
of fuel but still, he continued. What kind of person was he? Was it not
in his nature to accept defeat? Discuss the values one should possess
to accept failures and still be able to move ahead in life .
Answer The author‘s plane did not have enough fuel. He knew that
because of the paucity of fuel, he could not fly up and over the clouds
nor he could fly around them to the north or south. But then he
decided to take the risk to fly into the clouds because he wanted to go
home and wanted to join his family at breakfast. This shows that he
was a family-loving person. He was courageous as he knew that it
would be risky to enter the clouds, but he did so nevertheless.
Gradually a black aero plane approaches and the pilot signals to him to
follow him. Knowing well that it is a risky move he still continues to
follow and to his delight and relief he reaches an airport safely.
However he cannot see the other aero plane anywhere and nor can
the lady at the Control room help him. His brave act led him to safety.
His Faith in himself and perhaps the Almighty enabled him to emerge
safely from the grueling situation.

Summary : How to tell wild animals is a humorous poem written by

Carolyn Wells. In the poem, the poet is introducing various wild
animals by explaining the characteristics of each of them in a very
funny way. The poem suggests some dangerous ways to identify wild
animals. She has used language in a way that it generates humour.
Various kinds of wild animals like Asian lion, Bengal tiger, bear, and
etc. are introduced to the reader humorously. Much of the humour
arises from the way language is used.

EXTRACT BASED COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS

Q1. If ever you should go by chance To jungles in the east; And if there
should to you advance A large and tawny beast, If he roars at you as
you‘re dyin‘ You‘ll know it is the Asian Lion …. Questions. (a) What are
the features of an Asian Lion?

(b) What happens to you when the lion roars?

(c) What do you mean by tawny‘?

(d) Where is the Asian Lion found?

Answers: (a) An Asian Lion is large and brownish-yellow in colour.

(b) When the lion roars, it is very scary and we feel that we are going
to die.

(c) ‗Tawny‘ means brownish-yellow in colour.

(d) Asian lion is found in the jungles of the East.

Q2. If strolling forth, a beast you view, Whose hide with spots in
peppered,

As soon as he has leapt on you, you‘ll know it is the Leopard.

It will do no good to roar with pain, He‘ll only leap and leap
again.

Questions. (a) Describe the hide of a leopard?

(b) When does one come to know that it is a leopard?

(c) Write two words from the stanza which is wrongly

spelt?

(d) Why it won‘t do any good to roar with pain?

Answers (a) A leopard‘s hide is covered with spots.

(b) One comes to know that it is a leopard when it leaps or

jumps on him.

(c) Leapt and leap are given in the poem as leapt and
leapt

(d) It won‘t do any good to roar with pain because then

the leopard will pounce

upon you again.

SHORT ANSWER QUESTIONS

1. How can you identify the Asian lion and the Bengal Tiger?
Answers 1. The Asian Lion has a large body and a brownish-yellow
colour... It roars loudly when it attacks its prey. The very roar is enough
to terrorise one to death. On the other hand, the Bengal Tiger is a
noble animal which attacks the prey silently. It has black stripes on its
yellow coat.

2. How can you distinguish between a hyena and a crocodile?

It is not easy to distinguish among wild animals. But a hyena and a
crocodile can easily be distinguished. A hyena laughs as it swallows its
victim, whereas a crocodile will have tears as it kills its victim.

3. How does the poet describe the bear?

 The poet describes the bear in a humorous way. He says that as soon
as a bear sees a human being, it hugs him tightly. It clasps its prey
tightly with both its hands and squeezes him to death. If he is still
alive, he gives him another tight hug to kill him.

4. How does a leopard behave when he sees someone?

A leopard has black spots all over its body. As soon as it sees
someone, it leaps over him at once. There will be no use of crying with
pain. It will not show any mercy, but keep on pouncing continuously on
its victim.

Long Answer Question [100-150words each.]

Q [Link] the effective use of humour in the poem How to tell wild
animals ?. What are the poetic liberties taken by the poet in the poem?

[Link] poet, in the poem How to tell Wild Animals‘ creates humour by
describing various beasts of prey. The way the poet explains the things
is very funny yet interesting. The poet has depicted the wildlife very
vividly and in a lively manner. While reading the poem, the readers
enjoy the poet‘s work and it leaves them refreshed and happy. The
humour used in the poem is suggestive and mild. If the Asian Lion
roars‘ at you as you are dying, the Bengal Tiger is a noble‘ wild beast
that greets‘ you when you are roaming round in the jungle. The
leopard will show no mercy and it will do no good to roar with pain. The
bear gives you a very hard hug‘ and if you have any doubts whether it
is a bear, it will give you just one more caress. The poet humorously
says that hyenas come with merry smiles‘; but if they weep‘ they are
crocodiles. Similarly, the poet takes many liberties to make the poem
impressive. In order to rhyme with lion‘ the poet changes the word
dying to dyin‘. Instead of leapt and leap the poet writes lept‘ and lep‘.
All these changes make the poem more interesting and enjoyable.

SHORT ANSWER QUESTIONS – (30 - 40 words)

1. What does the poet mean when he says that the Tiger‘s strength is
behind the bars?
Answers 1. The poet means that since the Tiger is locked in the cage, he
has no freedom and therefore he cannot use his strength. He is angry
and restless but proudly walks the length of his cage.

2. Explain why the Tiger ignores the visitors at the zoo?

A 2. The Tiger is caged it has no freedom to roam the vast jungles. He is
constrained by the space available in the cage. He is angry and restless.
He suppresses his anger by proudly walking the length of his cage and
ignoring the visitors who have come to see him.

LONG ANSWER QUESTIONS – (100-150 words)

Q1. Explain how the poet contrasts the Tiger in the cage to the Tiger in
the jungle?
 Answer – Main points The poet says that since the Tiger is caged it has
no freedom to roam in the vast jungles. He is constrained by the space
available in the cage. He is angry and restless but proudly walks the
length of his cage, ignoring the visitors who have come to see him. All he
can do is stare at the brilliant stars with his brilliant eyes. The poet
contrasts this with the Tiger in the jungle, who is free, to roam the wild,
sliding through long grass, and enjoying his liberty. He goes near water
holes and where he can find deer. He snarls around houses at the edge of
the jungle frightening the villagers by baring his fangs and his claws.