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?
(i) (a) an endless stretch of sand where no rainfalls.
(b) dry, hot, waterless and without shelter.
(ii) (a) a beautiful place.
(b) home of a variety of people, animals and plants.
Description by specialists is more apt which is based on their studies.
How do the smaller desert animals fulfil their need for water?
A camel can do without water for days together. What is the reason given in the text?
In a desert the temperature rises during the day and falls rapidly at night. Why?
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
How does Tilloo manage to find his way to the ‘forbidden passage’?
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?
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.
What did Tilloo hope to see once he emerged from his underground home?
Name two things the elephant can do with his trunk, and two he cannot.
Mention three things we can learn from the ‘tiny teacher’. Give reasons for choosing these items.
When was the bear tied up with a chain? Why?
Grandfather suggested that Timothy should be put in another cage. The reason was that
(i) the tiger had become very bad tempered.
(ii) a leopard in the next cage would constantly rush at Timothy.
(iii) the cage was too small for a full grown tiger.
When Timothy was about six months old, a change came over him. The phrase in italics means that
(i) Timothy had grown to his full size.
(ii) Timothy grew more friendly.
(iii) Timothy grew less friendly, in fact more dangerous
Why do the worker ants carry the grubs about?
The crocodile lay on the bank of the Limpopo river. Golu thought it was
(i) a living crocodile.
(ii) a dead crocodile.
(iii) a log of wood.
Abbu Khan said, “No more goats in my house ever again.” Then he changed his mind. Why?
“But the cop’s mind would not consider Soapy”. What did the cop not consider, and why?
“We have orders to let them shout”. What is the policeman referring to?