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

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.

What was Grandmother’s prophecy about the cook? Did it come true?
 

Why did Kari push his friend into the stream?


 

Write ‘True’ or ‘False’ against each of the following.
(i) Soapy did not want to go to prison.
(ii) Soapy had been to prison several times.
(iii) It was not possible for Soapy to survive in the city through the winter.
(iv) Soapy hated to answer questions of a personal nature.
 

What shocked Grandfather in the end?

What is “the master call”? Why is it the most important signal for an elephant to learn?

Who helped Golu on the bank of the river?
 

Kari was like a baby. What are the main points of comparison?
 

What did Number One and Number Two suggest should be done about the alien spacecraft?

Finding good twigs for Kari took a long time. Why?
 

What jobs are new ants trained for?