Answer
the following questions by choosing the most appropriate options.
(i)
The log lying near the river was to be used for ………………… .
(a) making furniture
(b) making a boat
(c) making a mast for a boat
(d) all of the above
(ii)
Who came and sat on the log when the boys were about to push it ?
(a)
Bishamber
(b) Makhan
(c) Owner of the log
(d) One of Phatik’s rivals
(iii)
Who stepped on shore when a boat came up on the landing ?
(a) a man with grey beard
(b) Phatik’s mother
(c) Bishamber
(d) Phatik’s teacher
(iv)
Phatik’s mother had lost her husband while her brother was still in ………………. .
(a) Calcutta
(b) Bombay doing his business
(c) in a foreign country
(d) studying in london
(v)
Phatik’s mother was happy to get rid of him because ……………. .
(a) She had a prejudice against
him
(b) he was a big nuisance
(c) he was wild, lazy and
disobedient
(d) all of the above
(vi)
Phatik’s aunt was displeased with his arrival because ……………… .
(a) Phatik was wild and lazy
(b) Phatik was uncultured
(c) he was a boy of fourteen
(d) she had three sons quite
enough to manage.
(vii)
A lad of fourteen becomes ………………. .
(a) suddenly unattractive
(b) painfully self conscious
(c) unduly shy
(d) intentionally mischievous
(viii)
With chiding and scolding a boy of fourteen becomes ……………. .
(a) extremely shameless
(b) a problem for his parents
(c) like a stray dog that has
lost its master
(d) self willed and stubborn
(ix)
Suffocated in Calcutta houses and walls Phatik kept remembering ……………….. .
(a) meadows where he flew kites
(b) narrow brook where he used
to swim
(c) river banks where he used to sing and shout all day
(d) all of the above
(x)
One day at school Phatik lost his …………………… .
(a) school bag
(b) wooden slate
(c) lesson book
(d) notebook
(xi)
Who is the author of the chapter “Home-coming”?
(a) Vikram Seth
(b) Ruskin Bond
(c) Rabindranath Tagore
(d) Amitav Ghosh
(xii)
What is the meaning of the word ‘ringleader’ ?
(a) Someone who follows instructions
(b) Someone who fixes jewelry
(c) Someone who leads others in
mischief
(d) Someone who rings a bell
(xiii)
Who arrived just as the situation escalated between Phatik and his mother?
(a) A neighbor
(b) The police
(c) Phatik’s uncle
(Bishamber)
(d) Phatik’s father
(xiv)
How did the mother describe Phatik to her brother?
(a) Intelligent and hardworking
(b) Lazy, disobedient, and wild
(c) Quiet and well-behaved
(d) Artistic and creative
(xv)
What did Bishamber offer to do for Phatik?
(a) Find him a job in Calcutta.
(b) Take him on a trip to
Bombay.
(c) Educate him with his own
children.
(d) Help him get along with his
mother.
(xvi)
What is Phatik’s idea of paradise?
(a) A luxurious house
(b) His aunt’s house
(c) His village home
(d) A school with good teachers
(xvii)
What did Phatik ask his uncle?
(a) When can I get a new lesson book?
(b) Can I help you with
something?
(c) When can I go home?
(d) Can I borrow some money?
(xviii)
The night before falling sick, Phatik was worried about being a nuisance to …….
(a) His mother
(b) His uncle
(c) His aunt
(d) The police
(xix)
What did Phatik’s aunt say when she saw him brought home sick?
(a) She offered to help
Bishamber take care of him.
(b) She expressed concern for
his well-being.
(c) She complained about the
trouble he caused
(d) She suggested sending him
back to his village.
(xx)
Who sat by Phatik all night, comforting him when he was ill?
(a) His mother
(b) His uncle
(c) His aunt
(d) The police
Answers-
(i) (c) making a mast for a boat
(ii) (b) Makhan
(iii) (a) a man with grey beard
(iv) (b) Bombay doing his
business
(v) (d) all of the above
(vi) (d) she had three sons
quite enough to manage.
(vii) (c) unduly shy
(viii) (c) like a stray dog
that has lost its master
(ix) (d) all of the above
(x) (c) lesson book
(xi) (c) Rabindranath Tagore
(xii) (c) Someone who leads
others in mischief
(xiii) (c) Phatik’s uncle
(Bishamber)
(xiv) (b) Lazy, disobedient,
and wild
(xv) (c) Educate him with his
own children.
(xvi) (c) His village home
(xvii) (c) When can I go home?
(xviii) (c) His aunt
(xix) (c) She complained about
the trouble he caused
(xx) (b) His uncle
ICSE
Class 9 English Treasure Chest Lesson Home-coming Extract-Based Questions
Passage
1
Read
the extract given below and answer the questions that follow:
Phatik Chakravorthi was
ringleader among the boys of the village. A new mischief got into his head.
There was a heavy log lying on the mud-flat of the river waiting to be shaped
into a mast for a boat. He decided that they should all work together to shift
the log by main force from its place and roll it away. The owner of the log
would be angry and surprised, and they would all enjoy the fun. Every one
seconded the proposal, and it was carried unanimously.
(i)
What new mischief got into Phatik’s head?
Ans. Phatik’s new mischief
involved moving a heavy log by main force and rolling it away from its spot on
the mud-flat.
(ii)
Why was the log lying on the mud-flat of the river?
Ans. The log was waiting to be
shaped into a mast for a boat.
(iii)
What did Phatik decide?
Ans. Phatik decided that he
and the other boys would work together to roll over the log.
(iv)
What fun would the boys enjoy?
Ans. The boys expected to
enjoy the surprise and anger of the log’s owner.
(v)
Who posed an obstacle in carrying out the plan? How?
Ans. Makhan, Phatik’s younger
brother, posed an obstacle. He simply sat down on the log, refusing to move.
Passage
2
Read
the extract given below and answer the questions that follow:
Phatik wiped his face, and sat
down on the edge of a sunken barge on the river bank, and began to chew a piece
of grass. A boat came up to the landing, and a middle-aged man, with grey hair
and dark moustache, stepped on shore. He saw the boy sitting there doing
nothing, and asked him where the Chakravortis lived. Phatik went on chewing the
grass, and said : “Over there,” but it was quite impossible to tell where he
pointed. The stranger asked him again. He swung his legs to and fro on the side
of the barge, and said: “Go and find out,” and continued to chew the grass as
before.
(i)
What had happened a little earlier that Phatik had to wipe his face?
Ans. Earlier, Phatik had
gotten into a fight with his younger brother Makhan and had presumably gotten
hit or gotten his face scratched, which is why he had to wipe his face.
(ii)
Who was this middle aged man who stepped on shore?
Ans. A middle aged man, with
grey hair and dark moustache, stepped on shore. Phatik came to know later on
that this man was in fact his maternal uncle.
(iii)
What did the ‘man’ ask the boy? What reply did the boy give? Was it
satisfactory?
Ans. The man asked the boy where the
Chakravortis lived. Phatik’s reply was a simple “Over there,” however, it was
unclear as to the direction that Phatik was pointing at. This reply was not
satisfactory.
(iv)
What can you say about Phatik’s rude behaviour with the stranger?
Ans. Phatik’s behaviour was
disrespectful and unhelpful. He offered minimal information and showed no
willingness to assist the stranger.
(v)
Who came soon after this incident ? How did he take Phatik home?
Ans. A servant came down from
the house, and told Phatik his mother wanted him.
Passage
3
Read
the extract given below and answer the questions that follow:
It was just at this critical
juncture that the grey-haired stranger arrived. He asked what the matter was.
Phatik looked sheepish and ashamed.
But when his mother stepped
back and looked at the stranger, her anger was changed to surprise. For she
recognised her brother, and cried: “Why, Dada! Where have you come from? “As
she said these words, she bowed to the ground and touched his feet. Her brother
had gone away soon after she had married, and he had started business in
Bombay. His sister had lost her husband while he was in Bombay. Bishamber had
now come back to Calcutta, and had at once made enquiries about his sister. He
had then hastened to see her as soon as he found out where she was.
(i)
Who is the grey haired stranger referred to here?
Ans. The grey-haired stranger
is Bishamber, Phatik’s mother’s brother.
(ii)
Why was Phatik’s mother angry?
Ans. Phatik’s mother was angry
because she believed Makhan’s story that Phatik hit Makhan.
(iii)
How did she welcome ‘the stranger’?
Ans. Her anger turned to surprise
upon recognizing her brother. She greeted him warmly with a traditional gesture
of respect by bowing and touching his feet.
(iv)
What tragic incident had taken place in the absence of the stronger?
Ans. Phatik’s mother had lost her
husband while Bishamber was away in Bombay.
(v)
What shows that Bishamber was a caring brother?
Ans. Bishamber enquired about his
sister upon returning to Calcutta and went to see her as soon as he found out
where she lived.
Passage
4
Read
the extract given below and answer the questions that follow:
When they reached Calcutta,
Phatik made the acquaintance of his aunt for the first time. She was by no
means pleased with this unnecessary addition to her family. She found her own
three boys quite enough to manage without taking any one else. And to bring a
village lad of fourteen into their midst was terribly upsetting. Bishamber
should really have thought twice before committing such an indiscretion.
(i)
Who are ‘they’ referred to in the first line? From where had they come?
Ans. They refer to Phatik and
his uncle, Bishamber. They had come from the village.
(ii)
How did Phatik’s aunt react to his arrival?
Ans. Phatik’s aunt was not
pleased at the arrival of Phatik.
(iii)
Why was his aunt unhappy with his addition in the family?
Ans. The aunt felt overburdened with
her own three sons already. Phatik’s arrival was an additional burden to their
household.
(iv)
According to Phatik’s aunt, what Bishamber should have done?
Ans. Phatik’s aunt thought that
Bishamber should have thought twice before bringing Phatik to Calcutta.
(v)
What impression do you form of Phatik’s aunt from the above passage?
Ans. Phatik’s aunt was unwelcoming
and potentially judgmental towards Phatik.
Passage
5
Read
the extract given below and answer the questions that follow:
In this world of human affairs
there is no worse nuisance than a boy at the age of fourteen. He is neither ornamental,
nor useful. It is impossible to shower affection on him as on a little boy; and
he is always getting in the way. If he talks with a childish lisp he is called
a baby, and if he answers in a grown-up way he is called impertinent. In fact
any talk at all from him is resented. Then he is at the unattractive, growing
age. He grows out of his clothes with indecent haste; his voice grows hoarse
and breaks and quavers; his face grows suddenly angular and unsightly. It is
easy to excuse the shortcomings of early childhood, but it is hard to tolerate
even unavoidable lapses in a boy of fourteen. The lad himself becomes painfully
self-conscious. When he talks with elderly people he is either unduly forward,
or else so unduly shy that he appears ashamed of his very existence.
(i)
According to Tagore what is the biggest nuisance in the world of human affairs?
Why is it so?
Ans. Tagore considers a boy at
the age of fourteen to be the biggest nuisance. He is neither ornamental nor
useful. This is because it is impossible to shower affection on him as on a
little boy; and he is always getting in the way.
(ii)
Why is the boy of fourteen criticised when he talks like a grown up person?
Ans. Phatik is labelled
“impertinent” for trying to sound grown-up, suggesting that adults expect a
specific behaviour from him.
(iii)
Comment on the physical growth of a boy at the age of fourteen.
Ans. The passage describes
rapid and awkward physical changes. The boy outgrows clothes quickly, has a
hoarse, breaking voice and develops an angular and unsightly face.
(iv)
Shortcomings of a child can be excused but not of a boy of fourteen. Why?
Ans. There are higher expectations
from a fourteen-year-old compared to a younger child. Children’s
shortcomings might be seen as part of their early development, but the same
behaviour in a teenager is considered unacceptable.
(v)
What does a young lad’s heart most crave for at this age?
Ans. A young lad’s heart most
craves for understanding and acceptance at this stage. He desires to be seen as
more mature but faces constant criticism.
Passage
6
Read
the extract given below and answer the questions that follow:
For a boy of fourteen his own
home is the only Paradise. To live in a strange house with strange people is
little short of torture, while the height of bliss is to receive the kind looks
of women, and never to be slighted by them.
It was anguish to Phatik to be
the unwelcome guest in his aunt’s house, despised by this elderly woman, and
slighted, on every occasion. If she ever asked him to do anything for her, he
would be so overjoyed that he would overdo it; and then she would tell him not
to be so stupid, but to get on with his lessons.
(i)
What happens if a boy of fourteen is continuously scolded?
Ans. Phatik’s eagerness to
please his aunt despite her negativity suggests it might lead to him overdoing
things and then feeling discouraged.
(ii)
What is the height of bliss for a boy of fourteen?
Ans. Getting kind looks from
his aunt is described as the height of bliss for a boy of fourteen.
(iii)
How did Phatik feel in the house of his uncle?
Ans. Phatik felt unwelcome and
disregarded in his uncle’s house.
(iv)
How did Phatik react whenever his aunt asked him to do something?
Ans. Phatik became overjoyed
whenever his aunt asked him to do something. This suggests a strong desire to
please her and gain her approval.
(v)
How is a boy of fourteen a big nuisance?
Ans. A boy of fourteen is a
big nuisance for his awkwardness but also criticised for not being helpful
enough.
Passage
7
Read
the extract given below and answer the questions that follow:
There was no more backward boy
in the whole school than Phatik. He gaped and remained silent when the teacher
asked him a question, and like an overladen ass patiently suffered all the
blows that came down on his back. When other boys were out at play, he stood
wistfully by the window and gazed at the roofs of the distant houses. And if by
chance he espied children playing on the open terrace of any roof, his heart
would ache with longing.
One day he summoned up all his
courage, and asked his uncle: “Uncle, when can I go home?”
(i)
How did Phatik fare at the school?
Ans. Phatik struggled academically
and was likely at the bottom of the class.
(ii)
How did he endure the punishment?
Ans. Phatik silently endured
his punishments and all the consequences of his academic struggles.
(iii)
“…… he stood wistfully by the window and gazed at the roofs of the distant
houses”
What
light does this line throw a Phatik’s state of mind?
Ans. Gazing wistfully at
distant houses suggests a sense of longin. Phatik likely feels isolated and
disconnected from his surroundings.
(iv)
Looking at the children playing on the open terrace filled his heart with a
longing. What was that?
Ans. Seeing children playing
fills Phatik’s heart with a longing for freedom and companionship. He missed
playing carefree in his village.
(v)
What did Phatik ask his uncle one day? What was his uncle’s reply?
Ans. Phatik gathered his
courage and asked his uncle, “Uncle, when can I go home?” His uncle replied
that they will go home during the holidays.
Passage
8
Read
the extract given below and answer the questions that follow:
Phatik heard her words, and
sobbed out loud: “Uncle, I was just going home; but they dragged me back again.”
The fever rose very high, and
all that night the boy was delirious. Bishamber brought in a doctor. Phatik
opened his eyes flushed with fever, and looked up to the ceiling, and said
vacantly: “Uncle, have the holidays come yet? May I go home?”
Bishamber wiped the tears from
his own eyes, and took Phatik’s lean and burning hands in his own, and sat by
him through the night. The boy began to mutter. At last his voice became
excited: “Mother,” he cried, “don’t beat me like that! Mother! I am telling the
truth!”
(i)
What had the aunt said that Phatik heard and began to weep?
Ans. Phatik overheard his aunt
complaining to Bishamber that the boy was troublesome and that they should have
sent him home. This comment likely triggered his tears as it confirmed his
feelings of being unwanted.
(ii)
Who are ‘they’ referred to in the second line? Why did they bring Phatik home?
Ans. They refers to the police
constables who handed Phatik over to Bishamber
(iii)
Tears came in Bishamber’s eyes. Why?
Ans. Bishamber was teary seeing
Phatik’s illness and his emotional state.Bishamber might have felt responsible
for Phatik’s unhappiness and that he was unable to improve his health condition.
(iv)
Bishamber sat by Phatik through the night. What light does this throw on this
character?
Ans. Bishamber’s action of staying
by Phatik’s side throughout the night portrays him as a caring guardian.
(v)
Why does Phatik begin to mutter … “don’t beat” me like that mother ….”?
Ans. Phatik’s muttering
suggests he’s having a nightmare or experiencing a flashback. He seems to be
pleading with his mother, recalling a time when she punished him.
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