Tilloo pressed the red button and “the damage was done”. What was the damage?
The mechanical hand of the spacecraft had been completely damaged.
Why did Tilloo’s father advise him not to try to reach the surface of the planet?
How does Tilloo manage to find his way to the ‘forbidden passage’?
Why was everyone in the Control Room greatly excited?
What do you think the mechanical hand was trying to do?
What changes had occurred, which forced people to live in underground homes?
Where had the spacecraft come from?
What did Number One and Number Two suggest should be done about the alien spacecraft?
Was the spacecraft manned or unmanned? How do you know it?
What did Tilloo hope to see once he emerged from his underground home?
On which planet do Tilloo and his parents live?
1. The story of an ant’s life sounds almost untrue. The italicised phrase means
(i) highly exaggerated.
(ii) too remarkable to be true.
(iii) not based on facts.
The enclosure in which Kari lived had a thatched roof that lay on thick tree stumps. Examine the illustration of Kari’s pavilion on page 8 and say why it was built that way. ephant to learn?
1. From the first paragraph
(i) pick out two phrases which describe the desert as most people believe it is;
(ii) pick out two phrases which describe the desert as specialists see it. Which do you think is an apt description, and why?
What are some of the signs of approaching winter referred to in the text?
Whom does Golu ask, “Why don’t you ever fly like other birds?”
Write ‘True’ or ‘False’ against each of following statements.
(i) Mr Purcell sold birds, cats, dogs and monkeys.
(ii) He was very concerned about the well-being of the birds and animals in his shop.
(iii) He was impressed by the customer who bought the two doves.
(iv) He was a successful shopowner, though insensitive and cold as a person.
Why did Abbu Khan’s goats want to run away? What happened to them in the hills?
Where did the lady find the bear cub? How did she bring it up?
“He had the distinction of being the only member of the party to have bagged any game...” The phrase in italics means
(i) Grandfather was the most distinguished member of the party.
(ii) Grandfather was the only sportsperson in the party.
(iii) Grandfather was the only successful member of the hunting party.
Mark the right answer.
2. Complete the following sentences.
(i) An ant is the smallest,——————————————
———————————————————————
——————————————————————
(ii) We know a number of facts about an ant’s life because
——————————————————————
From the third paragraph pick out
(i) words associated with cries of birds,
(ii) words associated with noise,
(iii) words suggestive of confusion and fear.
How long does it take for a grub to become a complete ant?
The phrases on the left in the following box occur in the text. Match each of them with a phrase on the right.
(i) an endless stretch of sand ---- fertile place with water and plants in a desert
(ii) waterless and without ----not visible because the grass shelter is thick
(iii) an oasis ----nothing but sand as far as one can see
(iv) hidden by a cover of grass ----no water and no shade
“There was a sudden and wonderful change in his soul”. What brought about the change in Soapy?
How do the smaller desert animals fulfil their need for water?
Chandni fought the wolf because she
(i) was stronger than the wolf.
(ii) hated the wolf.
(iii) had to retain her freedom at all costs.
2. Complete the following poem with words from the box below. Then recite the poem.
Soldiers live in barracks
And birds in ———————,
Much like a snake that rests
In a ———————. No horse is able
To sleep except in a ———————.
And a dog lives well,
Mind you, only in a ———————.
To say ‘hi’ to an ant, if you will,
You may have to climb an ———————.
hole kennel nests anthill stable
Name some other creatures that live in anthills.
Why did Chandni hate the rope round her neck?
1. From the first paragraph
(i) pick out two phrases which describe the desert as most people believe it is;
(ii) pick out two phrases which describe the desert as specialists see it. Which do you think is an apt description, and why?