CBSE Class 10 English A Letter to God Important Questions Set 02

Extract Based Questions

Extract 1

(a). What happened to the rain suddenly?
(a) It stopped.
(b) It turned into acid rain.
(c) It changed into hailstones.
(d) It started raining more heavily.
Answer: (c) It changed into hailstones.

(b). With what did hailstones resemble in the extract?
(a) Silver coins
(b) Ice creams
(c) Flowers
(d) Snow peaks
Answer: (a) Silver coins

(c). Find a word in the given extract which means the same as ‘contented’.
(a) Regarded
(b) Draped
(c) Exposed
(d) Satisfied
Answer: (d) Satisfied

(d). What does the word ‘exposing’ mean in the extract?
(a) Hiding
(b) Coming out in open
(c) Preventing
(d) Influencing
Answer: (b) Coming out in open

(e). Who is ‘he’ and why was he satisfied?
(a) ‘He’ is Lencho. The rains had a good effect on his crops.
(b) ‘He’ is the postman. He felt satisfied that Lencho will have a good harvest.
(c) ‘He’ is Lencho. His predictions for rains which ought to have good effect on his crops came true.
(d) ‘He’ is the Postmaster. He was much satisfied with the response he received from his subordinates.
Answer: (c) ‘He’ is Lencho. His predictions for rains which ought to have good effect on his crops came true.

Extract 2

(a). ‘… bunch of crooks.’ Pick the option that DOES NOT collate with ‘bunch of’, correctly.
(a) Keys
(b) Grapes
(c) Flowers
(d) Islands
Answer: (d) Islands

(b). What was the most likely response that the postmaster expected in Lencho’s second letter?
(i) Sorrowful
(ii) Gratitude
(iii) Disappointment
(iv) Shock
(a) (ii) and (v)
(b) (i) and (iii)
(c) (ii) and (iv)
(d) (iii) and (v)
Answer: (c) (ii) and (iv)

(c). Lencho’s letter included:
(a) details of his problems.
(b) description of the post office.
(c) belief of being looted.
(d) list of further demands.
Answer: (d) list of further demands.

(d). Pick the most suitable quote for the above extract.
(a) “It is easier to fool people than to convince them that they have been fooled.” —Mark Twain
(b) “Real knowledge is to know the extent of one’s ignorance.”— Confucius
(c) “You see a person’s true colours when you are no longer beneficial to their life.” —Anonymous
(d) “True generosity means accepting ingratitude.” —Coco Chanel
Answer: (d) “True generosity means accepting ingratitude.” —Coco Chanel

(e). What did the man finish?
(a) He finished the formalities of posting a letter.
(b) He finished writing the letter.
(c) He finished arranging the papers for handing out to customers.
(d) Both (b) and (c)
Answer: (b) He finished writing the letter.

(f). Why was the postmaster interested in the letter?
(a) The postmaster had a nasty habit of reading letters that fell into the box.
(b) The postmaster was especially interested in everything that Lencho would do.
(c) The postmaster had seen that the letter was addressed to God.
(d) The postmaster was eager to know his reaction and what he could he write to God after receiving the money.
Answer: (d) The postmaster was eager to know his reaction and what he could he write to God after receiving the money.

(g). Why did Lencho form a low opinion of the post office employees?
(a) They had stolen his money.
(b) Lencho received 40 pesos less from the post office.
(c) Lencho’s appeal to God was heard, but part of the money received was lost.
(d) The envelop Lencho received was delivered from the post office.
Answer: (c) Lencho’s appeal to God was heard, but part of the money received was lost.

(h). What is ironical about Lencho’s impression towards the post office employees?
(a) Lencho called the post office employees ‘a bunch of crooks’, but he was unaware that they were the ones who collected the money for him.
(b) Lencho did not know that God disliked those who had a low opinion towards other fellow beings.
(c) Lencho had no idea that post office was visited not just by its employees but many other people
(d) Lencho did not know that the envelop containing money that reached him belonged to someone else.
Answer: (a) Lencho called the post office employees ‘a bunch of crooks’, but he was unaware that they were the ones who collected the money for him.

(i). Which of the following reactions must have been of the Post master’s when he read Lencho’s letter?
(a) Angry
(b) Regretted his philanthropic actions
(c) Smiled at Lencho’s innocence
(d) No reaction
Answer: (c) Smiled at Lencho’s innocence

Extract 3

(a). When is Lencho thinking about the money?
(a) While writing the second letter.
(b) While writing about crop failure.
(c) While writing his first letter.
(d) While stamping the letter.
Answer: (a) While writing the second letter.

(b). Choose the options that lists the set of statements that are NOT TRUE according to the given extract.
1. Lencho realised the sacrifices made on his behalf.
2. Lencho trusted in God to send him 100 pesos.
3. Lencho wrote letters to God for help.
4. He was confident about getting a sure answer.
5. Lencho does not sound greedy when he collects the 70 pesos.
6. Lencho liked the post office employees.
7. Lencho was not happy with the money he got.
(a) 1, 2, 4
(b) 1, 2, 3
(c) 1, 5, 6
(d) 3, 5, 7
Answer: (c) 1, 5, 6

(c). Pick the option that correctly classifies fact/s (F) and opinion/s (O) of the students below.
1. They shared their money with Lencho.
2. I think he deserved all that he asked God.
3. The post office employees were glad to help.
4. I feel the post office employees had done a good deed.
(a) F – 1, 2 and O – 3, 4
(b) F – 1, 3, 4 and O – 2
(c) F – 1, 3 and O – 2, 4
(d) F – 3 and O – 1, 2, 4
Answer: (c) F – 1, 3 and O – 2, 4

(d). Why does he address the post office employees as crooks?
(a) Because he received less money.
(b) Because he was cheated of money.
(c) Because they had charged money.
(d) Because they owed him money.
Answer: (a) Because he received less money.

(e). Why is Lencho asking money from God?
(a) He is poor.
(b) He lost his money.
(c) He was duped of his money.
(d) His crops were ruined.
Answer: (d) His crops were ruined.

Short Answer Questions

Question 1. What did Lencho hope for? (NCERT)
Answer: Lencho hoped for getting a better crop that year.

Question 2. Why did Lencho say the raindrops were like ‘new coins’? (NCERT)
Answer: Lencho said that the raindrops were like new coins because they were round in shape and almost of the same size. Secondly, he knew that good rain meant good crop which ultimately meant good money.

Question 3. How did the rain change? What happened to Lencho’s fields? (NCERT)
Answer: The pleasant and auspicious rain changed into a large hailstorm as a strong wind began to blow. Lencho’s field was covered with snow and it looked white as if it were covered with salt.

Question 4. What were Lencho’s feelings when the hail stopped? (NCERT)
Answer: When the hail stopped, Lencho was disappointed to see that the whole crop was spoiled. He felt very sad.

Question 5. Who or what did Lencho have faith in? What did he do? (NCERT)
Answer: Lencho had faith in God alone. He wrote a letter to God.

Question 6. Who read the letter? (NCERT)
Answer: The postmaster read the letter.

Question 7. What did the postmaster do then? (NCERT)
Answer: The postmaster collected some money from the employees and sent it to the poor farmer.

Question 8. Was Lencho surprised to find a letter for him with money in it? (NCERT)
Answer: No, Lencho was not surprised to find a letter for him from God with money in it. He took it very casually.

Question 9. What made him angry? (NCERT)
Answer: Lencho became angry to see only seventy pesos instead of hundred pesos.

Question 10. Who does Lencho have complete faith in? Which sentences in the story tell you this? (NCERT)
Answer: Lencho had complete faith in God. The lines which show his extreme faith in God are:
(i) Lencho thought only of his one hope: the help of God.
(ii) God, if you don’t help me, my family and I will go hungry this year.
‘Lencho showed not the slightest surprise on seeing the money.’
‘God could not have made a mistake’.
‘God: Of the money I asked for, only seventy pesos reached me, send me the rest.’

Question 11. Why does the postmaster send money to Lencho? Why does he sign the letter ‘God’? (NCERT)
Answer: The postmaster sent money to Lencho because he was extremely impressed by the extreme faith of a poor farmer in the supreme power of God. He signed the letter God because he didn’t want to shake the poor man’s faith in God.

Question 12. Did Lencho try to find out who had sent the money to him? Why/Why not? (NCERT)
Answer: No, Lencho did not try to find out who had sent the money to him because he could not think that anybody other than God could have given him the money.

Question 13. Who does Lencho think has taken the rest of the money? What is the irony in the situation. (Remember that the irony of a situation is an unexpected aspect of it. An ironic situation is strange or amusing because it is the opposite of what is expected.) (NCERT)
Answer: Lencho thought that the post office employees had taken the money. The irony is that the post office employees donated the money to help Lencho but he accused them of stealing the money from the envelope sent by God.

Question 14. Are there people like Lencho in the real world? What kind of a person would you say he is? (NCERT)
Answer: Yes, there are people like Lencho, who are innocent enough to think that the God would certainly help them as they have full faith in the supreme power of God. Lencho is a very simple man who had extreme faith in God; he is a man of clear conscience.
Lencho is a simple and innocent fellow who is naive but not stupid. It was his firm faith in God that he thought of writing a letter to God. He has an unquestioning attitude.
Though Lencho has immense faith in God, he is a poor judge of human nature. He lacks the value of gratefulness. What I like most about him is his immense faith in God and his simplicity.

Question 15. There are two kinds of conflicts in the story ‘A letter to God’: between humans and nature and between humans themselves. How are these conflicts illustrated? (NCERT)
Answer: It is true that there are two kinds of conflicts in the story between humans and nature and between humans themselves. In the beginning of the story, Lencho is shocked to see the hailstorm wipe out the happiness along with the crop in the field. The moment Lencho was rejoicing at the rainfall, he did not know that it was the end of his happiness. On the other hand, Lencho who had extreme faith in the power of Almighty does not have the slightest trust in the employees of the post office. He considers them a bunch of crooks though they tried to help him.

Question 16. What were Lencho’s feelings when the hail stopped? (CBSE 2020)
Answer: Lencho/ initially happy- ripe corn in his field / unhappy when hailstorm destroyed crops/ thought of starvation/ disappointed

Question 17. Why did Lencho keep gazing at the sky?
Answer: Lencho knew that his fields needed water immediately. He was eagerly waiting for the rain, therefore he gazed at the sky.

Question 18. “Now we’re really going to get some water, woman.” Is Lencho sure that it is going to rain? Give a reason for your answer.
Answer: Lencho was sure that it was going to rain because he kept watching the sky throughout the day. Through his experience, he knew that the clouds would certainly bring rain.

Question 19. (i) How did Lencho feel when it started raining?
(ii) What was the effect of the rain on the crops?
Answer: (i) Lencho was excited when he came out of his house to have the pleasure of feeling the rain on his body. He compared the raindrops with coins, as he knew that a good rain would mean a good crop and a good crop would mean a lot of money.
(ii) The rain brought with it destruction. There was hailstorm for about an hour and it covered the field. The corn was totally destroyed.

Question 20. What are the raindrops compared to and why?
Answer: Raindrops are compared to coins. He compares big raindrops to ten-cent coins and smaller ones to five-cent coins. He knew that the raindrops would certainly be helpful in giving him rich harvest. Naturally, it would make him get more money.

Question 21. What is ironic about the post office staff helping Lencho? (CBSE 2021 (C))
Answer: The post office employees were really very good people who tried to help a poor farmer. They were not a bunch of crooks. They can be described as kind-hearted, generous, helpful, and God-fearing men. But Lencho called them ‘a bunch of crooks’, this is the irony about the post office staff.

Question 22. How does the line, ‘Lencho was an ox of a man, working like an animal in the fields’ create the reader’s perception of Lencho?
Answer: The line creates a vivid image of Lencho’s dedication to his work and his hard-working nature. An ox is generally associated with labour in agricultural settings, and hence, by comparing Lencho with an ox, the author depicts Lencho as someone who is diligent and resilient. He works tirelessly in order to earn a living for his family.

Question 23. The word ‘metaphor’ comes from a Greek word meaning ‘transfer’. What does the metaphor of ‘huge mountains of clouds’ emphasise in the story?
Answer: The phrase ‘huge mountains of clouds’ highlights the immensity of the approaching clouds. The line foreshadows an impending storm by creating a comparison between the clouds and mountains, which are usually regarded as enormous. The raindrops falling from the sky give Lencho a sense of satisfaction, but suddenly the weather changes and large hailstones begin to fall.

Question 24. The story is a powerful example of the unwavering faith and hope that individuals can hold onto in times of adversity. Explain.
Answer: Lencho, the poor farmer in the story, displays a remarkable faith in God despite facing a devastating loss due to the hailstorm. He firmly believes that God will help him and decides to communicate his concerns through a letter. This demonstrates his unwavering trust in God and his conviction that God will listen to his prayers.

Question 25. ‘A Letter to God’ is a thought-provoking story about the nature of belief. Comment.
Answer: Lencho’s unwavering belief in God’s ability to help him and his family reflects his profound faith in God in times of hardship. He writes a letter to God after his crops get destroyed, and when he sees the money that God has sent him, he is not even surprised. This reflects his faith in God and his confidence that God would respond.

Question 26. How did the much awaited rain change? What happened to Lencho’s field? (NCERT)
Answer: The rain for which Lencho was waiting with hope changed into a hailstorm with a cold wind. Hail fell on the house, the garden, the hillside and the cornfield. The hailstorm destroyed Lencho’s field and he was left shocked and dejected.

Question 27. The letter from God made Lencho angry. Comment. (NCERT)
Answer: Lencho had requested 100 pesos from God but he got annoyed when he found that there were only 70 pesos in the letter from God. He was convinced that God could not make a mistake and was sure that it must be the post office employees who had stolen part of it. This made Lencho angry.

Question 28. Who does Lencho think has taken the rest of the money? What is the irony in the situation? (Remember that the irony of the situation is an unexpected aspect of it. An ironic situation is strange or amusing because it is the opposite of what is expected.) (NCERT)
Answer: Lencho thinks that the rest of the money has been taken by the employees of the post office. The irony in the situation is that the postmaster and his employees had helped him in his difficult condition and tried to keep his faith in God alive. Yet Lencho, under a misconception, assumed the post office people to be crooks. Therefore, he did not want to receive the money by mail any more.

Question 29. Lencho did not bother exploring any other means to resolve his situation but just turned to God. Do you feel that his approach was justified? Why/Why not? (CBSE Practice Set 2023)
Answer: Lencho’s approach cannot be justified as we know that God helps those who help themselves. Seeking help from someone is understandable, but not putting in any effort and depending on others or hoping for one’s luck to work is something one cannot practically believe in.

Question 30. Explain how the description of the devastation caused by the hailstorm reflects the sadness within Lencho, in ‘A Letter to God’.
Refer to the given lines from the text:
Not a leaf remained on the trees. The corn was totally destroyed. The flowers were gone from the plants. Lencho’s soul was filled with sadness. (CBSE SQP 2023)
Answer: The devastation caused by the hailstorm reflects the sadness within Lencho. The lines “not a leaf remained on the trees” and “flowers were gone from the plants” describe the despair and emptiness that Lencho had in his heart after suffering the loss. Lencho’s corn was “totally destroyed” and this left him completely sad and hopeless.

Question 31. Elucidate the postmaster’s need to answer Lencho’s letter. (Delhi Gov. QB 2022)
Answer: The postmaster was impressed by Lencho’s faith in God. He did not want his faith to break and this is why he decided to help Lencho. He pooled money from his own and his colleagues’ salary and signed the letter as ‘God’.

Question 32. Who read the letter sent by Lencho? What did he do then? (CBSE 2023)
Answer: The postmaster read the letter sent by Lencho. In the letter, Lencho had asked God for help. Seeing the immense faith that Lencho had in God, the postmaster collected money for Lencho to help him and keep his faith in God intact.

Question 33. Explain how Lencho’s letter to God reflects the helpless state of Lencho.
Refer to the given lines from the text:
“If you don’t help me, my family and I will go hungry this year. I need a hundred pesos in order to sow my field again and to live until the crop comes, because the hailstorm...”
Answer: The letter shows that Lencho had lost everything in the hailstorm and had no means left to feed his family or sow his field again. With no human help in sight, he turned to God as his only hope. His plea that his family would go hungry reveals his utter helplessness and desperation.

Question 34. How does the author use vivid imagery to contribute to the overall atmosphere of hope and despair in the story?
Answer: The author describes the field of ripe corn dotted with flowers and raindrops like ‘new coins’, creating a hopeful atmosphere. This changes to despair with images of hailstones like ‘frozen pearls’ and a field white ‘as if covered with salt’, where not a leaf remained. The contrast in imagery mirrors Lencho’s shift from hope to despair.

Question 35. Lencho calling the post office employees a bunch of crooks was justified on his part. Comment.
Answer: It was not justified. The post office employees had generously contributed from their own salaries to help him. Lencho, blinded by his faith, assumed that God could not make a mistake and blamed them without any proof. His remark shows ingratitude, though it came from ignorance rather than malice.

Question 36. Did the letter reach God? Why did the postmaster send a reply to Lencho? (CBSE 2020)
Answer: No, the letter did not reach God. The postman saw the letter addressed to God asking for 100 pesos. He took the letter to the postmaster. The postmaster did not want to shake Lencho’s faith in God. Hence, he decided to help Lencho. He gave a part of his salary and asked the other employees to help. He sent seventy pesos to Lencho in reply and signed the letter ‘God’ in order to preserve the man’s faith in God.