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.
What made Grandfather decide to transfer Timothy to the zoo?
“I became one of the tiger’s favourites”. Who is ‘I’ in the statement? Why did he think so?
When was the bear tied up with a chain? Why?
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.
Why did Tilloo’s father advise him not to try to reach the surface of the planet?
Why did Chandni hate the rope round her neck?
Name two things the elephant can do with his trunk, and two he cannot.
Why did he buy a young goat?
Grandmother’s prophecy was that the tiger
(i) would prefer Mahmoud’s bed to sleep in.
(ii) and the cook would disappear together from the house.
(iii) would one day make a meal of Mahmoud.
Mark the right answer.
The tiger was still licking his arm, with increasing relish. The phrase in italics suggests that Timothy
(i) was good natured.
(ii) recognised an old friend.
(iii) smelt fresh food.
How does Tilloo manage to find his way to the ‘forbidden passage’?
Why did Tilloo’s father advise him not to try to reach the surface of the planet?
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
Tilloo pressed the red button and “the damage was done”. What was the damage?
“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.
Who helped Golu on the bank of the river?
Was the spacecraft manned or unmanned? How do you know it?
Which uncle of Golu had red eyes?
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?
In a desert the temperature rises during the day and falls rapidly at night. Why?