What things does Mij do which tell you that he is an intelligent, friendly and fun-loving animal who needs love?
Mij created his own game of ping-pong ball and a worn down suitcase. He loved water, so he started jumping up and down in the bathtub when he went into the bathroom.
Maxwell felt a special attachment with Mij because of his playful and lovely actions. It looked desperate when Maxwell put it in a box and it wanted to come out as soon as possible.
What game had Mij invented?
What happened when Maxwell took Mijbil to the bathroom? What did it do two days after that?
How was Mij to be transported to England?
How does he get the otter? Does he like it? Pick out the words that tell you this.
What guesses did the Londoners make about what Mij was?
What ‘experiment’ did Maxwell think Camusfearna would be suitable for?
Why was the otter named ‘Maxwell’s otter’?
Read the story and find the sentences where Maxwell describes his pet otter. Then choose and arrange your sentences to illustrate those statements below that you think are true.
Maxwell’s description
(i) makes Mij seem almost human, like a small boy.
(ii) shows that he is often irritated with what Mij does.
(iii) shows that he is often surprised by what Mij does.
(iv) of Mij’s antics is comical.
(v) shows that he observes the antics of Mij very carefully.
(vi) shows that he thinks Mij is a very ordinary otter.
(vii) shows that he thinks the otter is very unusual.
What are ‘compulsive habits’? What does Maxwell say are the compulsive habits of
(i) school children
(ii) Mij?
Why did Maxwell put the otter back in the box? How do you think he felt when he did this?
Where in the classroom does Wanda sit and why?
What was Valli’s favourite pastime?
What did Lencho hope for?
When her son dies, Kisa Gotami goes from house to house. What does she ask for? Does she get it? Why not?
Where did the ceremonies take place ? Can you name any public buildings in India that are made of sandstones?
What does Chubukov at first suspect that Lomov has come for? Is he sincere when he later says “And I’ve always loved you, my angel, as if you were my own son”? Find reasons for your answer from the play.
Why was the young seagull afraid to fly? Do you think all young birds are afraid to make their first flight, or are some birds more timid than others? Do you think a human baby also finds it a challenge to take its first steps?
Do you keep a diary? Given below under ‘A’ are some terms we use to describe a written record of personal experience. Can you match them with their descriptions under ‘B’? (You may
look up the terms in a dictionary if you wish.)
A B
(i) Journal – A book with a separate space or page for each day, in which you write down your and feelings or what has happened on that day
(ii) Diary – A full record of a journey, a period of time, or an event, written every day
(iii) Log – A record of a person’s own life and experiences (usually, a famous person)
(iv) Memoir(s) – A written record of events with times and dates, usually official
Where does Wanda live? What kind of a place do you think it is?
What was a source of unending joy for Valli? What was her strongest desire?
Other such adverbs are apparently, evidently, surprisingly, possibly, hopefully, incredibly, luckily. Use these words appropriately in the blanks in the sentences below. (You may use a word more than once, and more than one word may be appropriate for a given blank.)
1. , he finished his work on time.
2. , it will not rain on the day of the match.
3. , he had been stealing money from his employer.
4. Television is to blame for the increase in violence in society.
5. The children will learn from their mistakes.
6. I can’t lend you that much money.
7. The thief had been watching the house for many days.
8. The thief escaped by bribing the jailor.
9. , no one had suggested this before.
10. The water was hot.
What does courage mean to Mandela?
Match the sentences in Column A with the meanings of ‘hope’ in Column B.
A | B |
---|---|
1. Will you get the subjects you want to study in college? I hope so | – a feeling that something good will probably happen |
2. I hope you don’t mind my saying this, but I don’t like the way you are arguing. | – thinking that this would happen (It may or may not have happened.) |
3. This discovery will give new hope to HIV/AIDS sufferers | – stopped believing that this good thing would happen |
4. We were hoping against hope that the judges would not notice our mistakes. | – wanting something to happen (and thinking it quite possible) |
5. I called early in the hope of speaking to her before she went to school. | – showing concern that what you say should not offend or disturb the other person: a way of being polite |
6. Just when everybody had given up hope, the fishermen came back, seven days after the cyclone. | – wishing for something to happen, although this is very unlikely |
How is Wanda seen as different by the other girls? How do they treat her? you know?
Who or what did Lencho have faith in? What did he do?
Why does Anne provide a brief sketch of her life?
How does Anne feel about her father, her grandmother, Mrs Kuperus and Mr Keesing? What do these tell you about her?
What does Anne write in her first essay?
What ideals does Nelson Mandela set for the future of South Africa?
What tells you that Anne loved her grandmother?