CBSE Class 10 English Mijbil the Otter Important Questions Set 03

Short Answer Questions

Question 1. Maxwell decides to keep an otter as a pet. Elucidate with reference to the fact that owning a pet is a life of commitment. (CBSE 2024)
Answer: Maxwell’s journey back to England with Mijbil highlights the adjustments pet owners must make. He had to find an airline that would fly animals and make sure Mijbil was comfortable on the flight. The incident on the flight showed that having a pet requires being ready for unexpected situations and taking responsibility at all times.

Question 2. Maxwell’s decision to keep an otter leads to a series of adventures and misadventures, showing that even an unconventional pet can bring joy and companionship. Elaborate.
Answer: Mijbil tore his box, escaped on the plane and threw the passengers into panic, and later had to be walked on a lead through London. Yet he slept in the crook of Maxwell’s knees, invented games with marbles and a ping-pong ball, and grew deeply attached to him. Despite the trouble, the otter brought Maxwell great joy and companionship.

Question 3. The various elements of the author’s writing style work together to create a sense of ‘wonder’, ‘playfulness’ and ‘adventure’. Comment.
Answer: Maxwell’s vivid descriptions, like the otter as a ‘medievally-conceived dragon’, create wonder. His humorous accounts of Mij’s games, splashing ‘for a hippo’ and the Londoners’ wild guesses add playfulness. The tense escape on the plane and the dash to the airport ‘like a ricocheting bullet’ give a sense of adventure.

Question 4. Explain how Mijbil’s presence and actions on the flight created chaos and fear among the passengers.
Refer to the lines from the text:
There were squawks and shrieks, and a woman stood up on her seat screaming out, “A rat! A rat!”
Answer: When Maxwell opened the box, Mij escaped and disappeared at high speed down the aircraft. The passengers had never seen an otter and mistook him for a rat. Their squawks and shrieks, and a woman standing on her seat screaming, show the panic and fear his sudden appearance caused.

Question 5. How did Maxwell get the otter? (CBSE AI 2019)
Answer: Mr. Maxwell had expressed his desire to have an otter as a pet to his friend while they were travelling in southern Iraq. A few days later, in Basra, a sack was brought to his hotel room by two Arab men. The accompanying note from Mr. Maxwell’s friend said that it was he who had sent Mr. Maxwell the otter.

Question 6. What game did Mij invent in London? (CBSE Delhi Com. 2017; AI 2016)
Answer: The game that Mij invented in London was played with a ping-pong ball. Mijbil would place the ball on the high end of a broken suitcase, and when the ball ran down the length of the suitcase, Mijbil would rush to the other end to ambush its arrival. Then he would do it all over again.

Question 7. What special characteristic of Mijbil did Maxwell learn after he took him to the bathroom? (CBSE Delhi 2015)
Answer: After he took him to the bathroom, Maxwell learned about a special characteristic of Mijbil. The otter went wild with joy in the water. He plunged into the water and rolled in it. Mijbil even splashed water to express his enjoyment. Watching Mijbil enjoying the water, Maxwell realised that for otters, water must be kept on the move and made to do things; still or stagnant water made them frustrated.

Question 8. What guesses did the Londoners make about what Mijbil was? (CBSE Delhi 2015)
Answer: Londoners would never guess that Mijbil was an otter. Some of their random guesses were: a baby seal, a squirrel, a walrus, a hippo, a beaver, a bear cub, a leopard, even a brontosaur.

Question 9. What compulsive habits had Mijbil developed? (CBSE AI 2015)
Answer: While they were in London, Mijbil developed some compulsive habits. Like children on their way to school who step only on the centre of each paving block or touch every railing, Mijbil had his own fixed habits on his walks. Especially while coming back home, Mijbil would tug his owner to the wall of a primary school, jump on to it, and gallop the full length of its thirty yards.

Question 10. What happened when Maxwell took Mijbil to the bathroom? What does it tell us about Mijbil? (CBSE Foreign 2015; Delhi 2014)
Answer: When Maxwell took Mijbil to the bathroom, Mijbil enjoyed himself immensely in the water in the bathtub. He would plunge into the water, roll in it, and shoot up and down the length of the bathtub underwater.
This shows his playfulness and love for water.

Question 11. Give an example from the text to show that Mijbil is an intelligent animal. (CBSE AI 2014)
Answer: Two days after his first encounter with water in the author’s bathroom, Mijbil was seen dashing towards the bathroom. When the author followed Mijbil there, he was amazed to see that Mijbil was fumbling at the chromium taps with his paws. In a little more than thirty seconds, Mijbil had succeeded in turning the tap far enough to produce a trickle of water, and soon he turned it some more to achieve the full flow. This shows that Mijbil was an intelligent animal.

Question 12. What happened when Maxwell took Mijbil to the bathroom? What did Mijbil do two days after that? (CBSE Delhi 2013; AI 2012)
Answer: When Maxwell took Mijbil to the bathroom, Mijbil enjoyed himself immensely in the water in the bathtub. He would plunge into the water, roll in it, and shoot up and down the length of the bathtub underwater.
Two days after his first encounter with water in the author’s bathroom, Mijbil was seen dashing towards the bathroom. When the author followed Mijbil there, he was amazed to see that Mijbil was fumbling at the chromium taps with his paws. In a little more than thirty seconds, Mijbil had succeeded in turning the tap far enough to produce a trickle of water, and soon he turned it some more to achieve the full flow.

Question 13. What group of animals do otters belong to? (NCERT)
Answer: Otters belong to a comparatively small group of animals called Mustellines, shared by the badger, mongoose, weasel, stoat, mink and others.

Question 14. 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. (NCERT)
Answer: Maxwell’s description—
(i) makes Mij seem almost human, like a small boy. (Mij quickly developed certain compulsive habits on these walks in the London streets like the rituals of children)
(ii) shows that he is often irritated with what Mij does. False
(iii) shows that he is often surprised by what Mij does. (I watched, amazed; in less than a minute he had turned the tap far enough to produce a trickle of water,)
(iv) shows Mij’s antics is comical. (Diving for it, I missed, but found my face covered in curry.)
(v) shows that he observes the antics of Mij very carefully. (With the ping-pong ball he invented a game of his own which could keep him engrossed…)
(vi) shows that he thinks Mij is a very ordinary otter. False
(vii) shows that he thinks the otter is very unusual. (He spent most of his time in play. He spent hours shuffling a rubber ball round the room like a four-footed soccer player)

Question 15. Why did Maxwell put Mijbil in the box an hour before the flight time? What was the result?
Answer: Maxwell put Mij into the box an hour early so that he would become accustomed to it. Mij tore the lining of the box to shreds and in doing so, wounded itself and spattered blood all over.

Question 16. Why did Maxwell dread the prospect of transporting Mij to England?
Answer: The British airline to London would not fly animals, so Maxwell booked a flight to Paris on another airline and from there to London. The airline insisted that Mij should be packed into a box not more than eighteen inches square to be carried on the floor. This is why Maxwell dreaded the travel back.

Question 17. What was Mijbil’s favourite toy and how did he play with it?
Answer: Marbles were Mij’s favourite toys. He would lie on his back rolling two or more of them up and down his wide flat belly without ever dropping one to the floor.

Question 18. What happened when Maxwell took Mijbil to the bathroom? What did Mijbil do for two days after that?
Answer: When Maxwell took Mijbil the otter to the bathroom, it splashed itself in the water and went wild with joy. It plunged and rolled in it. Two days later, it escaped from the bedroom to the bathroom. Mijbil climbed the bathtub and opened the chromium taps with its paws. In less than a minute, it had turned the tap on from a trickle of water to full flow.

Question 19. How does Maxwell describe the otter’s appearance as he first saw him? Why could he not see the animal’s true colour?
Answer: The otter’s first appearance seemed to Maxwell like a very small medievally-conceived dragon. He was coated with symmetrical pointed scales of mud armour from his head to the tip of his tail. His soft velvet fur like that of a chocolate-brown mole was hardly visible under the cover of mud.

Question 20. Otters have peculiar behaviour. Discuss with special reference to ‘Mijbil the Otter’ by Gavin Maxwell.
Answer: Otters behave in a peculiar way. Mijbil’s love for water is an example of their unusual behaviour. He was so fascinated with water that he would get excited every time he saw it. Mijbil’s fun loving nature and childlike habits were the other odd things that made this pet distinct. His intelligence to invent games and the art of devising and engaging activities were also peculiar.

Question 21. “When you have pets like Mijbil around you, you can never get a dull moment.” Discuss.
Answer: Pets keep us entertained by their playful behaviour. Mijbil would also do the same and do it in its own way. He would invent a game with rubber ball or would splash water playfully or gallop on the boundary wall during his walks. He would follow his master everywhere and jump about excitedly when let loose. He would keep himself occupied by remaining happy and energetic all the time.

Question 22. What was the reason that the author wanted an otter as a pet? How did he manage to get Mijbil?
Answer: The author, Gavin Maxwell lived in a cottage in Camusfearna, in the West Highlands in Scotland. When his dog Jonnie died, Maxwell dreaded the thought of keeping a dog again. But life without a pet was lonely and there was a lot of water around the cottage. He thought to have an otter as a pet instead of a dog as an otter likes flowing water. So the author thought that Camusfearna would be a suitable spot for that experiment and to replace this void he decided to own an otter as a pet. The author conveyed his wish to his friend who managed to get an otter and sent it to Maxwell through two Arabs.

Question 23. “Here, Mister — what is that supposed to be?” What were strange and funny wild guesses that Londoners made about Mijbil? Who made the best remark about the otter?
Answer: Inherently any average Londoner couldn’t recognise an otter, but the variety of guesses, as to what kind of animal this might be, were awkward and ridiculous. Otters belong to a comparatively small group of animals called Mustellines, shared by the badger, mongoose, weasel, stoat, mink and others. The Londoners made continuous random guesses: ‘a baby seal’, ‘a squirrel’, ‘a walrus’, ‘a hippo’, ‘a beaver’, ‘a bear cub’, ‘a leopard’ and a ‘brontosaur’. The best remark was from a labourer who was digging a hole in the street, who stared and growled out the above mentioned statement.

Long Answer Questions

Question 1. The narrator is a great lover of animals. He decided to have an otter, a unique animal, as a pet. Do you also have or want to keep a pet? There are many responsibilities towards the pet to keep them happy. How do you take a good care of your pet?
Answer: For some people, life without a pet is lonely. The same happened with the narrator. When his pet dog died, he became extremely sad. To overcome his grief, he decided to have an otter as a pet. This shows his great love for all animals. I also have a pet dog, Bruno. I take great care of him and am aware of my responsibilities towards him. A pet must be treated as a member of the family. It should be regularly vaccinated by a trained vet. A pet, like dog and cat, needs proper toilet training and must be taught to obey your instructions. A balanced diet is a must for a pet to keep it healthy. A pet should not be chained all the time. It can make it more aggressive. Remember a daily dose of exercise, affection and playful activities work wonders for a pet. And, more importantly, all the members of a family should be considerate towards it.

Question 2. How did the narrator feel when he saw blood trickling down the box in which Mijbil had been kept to transport to England? How would you feel if you were in such a situation? What traits of narrator’s character are reflected here?
Answer: When Mij was to be transported to England, and to Camusfearna the narrator got tensed at the prospect. Mij was packed in a box with airholes in order to be taken by an airline. Just before leaving the home for airport, the narrator was shocked to see traces of blood all around the box. Mijbil in an attempt to be freed had fumbled with the box and had injured itself. The narrator removed the iron lining with its cutting edges and again put Mijbil back in. During the flight, though Mijbil, caused a ruckus, the narrator resumed his journey with Mijbil on his knees. I would also feel in the same manner if I were in the narrator’s place. Seeing a pet in distress is the least wanted thing. The incident revealed the narrator’s extremely caring and compassionate nature. He was indeed a man with boundless kindness. We all must have the value of compassion and kindness for all the living creatures.

Question 3. What do you think is the purpose of the narrator to write in detail his relationship with his pet otter? What are the ethics to be observed with animals—either wild or pet?
Answer: The narrator has revealed some interesting facts regarding his pet, Mijbil the otter. The main purpose behind this is to arouse feelings of empathy and concern for pets as well as wild animals. The text compels us to think about many other situations where animals are kept in captivity just for amusement without thinking of the animal’s welfare. For example, elephants, bears, lions and tigers are trained to work in a circus in the most inhumane manner. Jugglers keep monkeys and snakes captive to earn a living. All these practices are illegal according to law. Any animal, either wild or pet, is useful to us in one way or the other. Pet animals protect our houses, carry loads for us, provide us with milk and meat, entertain us, etc. Wild animals in a forest form a food chain that is essential to maintain a balance in the ecosystem. So we all must adopt a positive approach while dealing with animals.

Question 4. For smooth and effective working we have to follow certain rules and regulations. Sometimes basic human values don’t go together with rules. It is painful. But there are some people like the air hostess in the story ‘Mijbil the Otter’, who tried to act against the rules in the name of humanity. What qualities do we find in the air hostess? What would you have done if you were in her place?
Answer: It is true that for smooth and effective working, we have to follow certain rules and regulations. Sometimes basic human values don’t go together with rules. It is painful. But there are some people like the air hostess in the story Mijbil the otter, who tried to act against the rules in the name of humanity. The air hostess was the embodiment of good qualities. When Gavin Maxwell told her about the otter, she listened to his story very peacefully. She was the queen of her kind. Though it was against the rules to carry the animal in that way yet she decided to help him. She even suggested that he could keep the pet on his knee. She was always kind hearted and considerate. She handled the whole situation calmly. When Mij created trouble with squeaks and shrieks, she maintained her charming smile. She displayed basic human qualities while on her duty. Yes, I would have done the same. If there is no risk to the life or property of others, we may compromise with rules for the sake of humanity.

Question 5. How does the narrator in ‘Mijbil the Otter’ suggest that owning an otter can become an intense fascination? Provide two examples from the text to support this idea.
Answer: The narrator suggests that once you have an otter, you become very attached to it, almost as if under its spell. Owning an otter creates a strong bond between the owner and the animal. Two pieces of evidence from the text support this. Firstly, Mijbil quickly becomes a part of his life, sleeping on his bed in the crook of his knees and playing with him for hours. Secondly, when Mijbil tears the lining of his box and is found blood-spattered before the journey to England, the narrator’s distress shows the strong emotional connection between them. These examples show how owning an otter can lead to a deep attachment and fascination with the animal.

Question 6. ‘The air hostess was quite soft and polite towards Maxwell regarding Mij’s carriage on the aeroplane.’ Imagine yourself as the narrator of the story ‘Mijbil the Otter’ and develop a conversation between Maxwell and the air hostess in case the air hostess had not been as supportive as the one in the story.
Answer: Air hostess: Sir, please keep your pet inside the box. The passengers are getting scared.
Maxwell: Oh! Sorry for the inconvenience, ma’am. I will put him right inside the box under my feet. He won’t trouble anyone.
Air hostess: Kindly close the lid of the box too, sir. Also, can you calm the little animal down a bit? He is making a lot of noise and the passengers are getting disturbed. I have got a few complaints about it.
Maxwell: Okay, ma’am. I’ll keep a check on that too.
Air hostess: Thank you, sir. It would have been better to transport him as cargo!
Maxwell: Yes, but I couldn’t manage that. Thanks for co-operating.

Question 7. You have been asked to present an evaluation of the approaches of the family of the baby seagull and the owner of the otter. Write this presentation draft including your insights, in about 120 words, comparing the approaches of both parents/owners.
Answer: Both the seagull’s family and Gavin Maxwell care deeply for the young creatures in their charge, but their approaches differ. The seagull’s parents use ‘tough love’. When coaxing fails, they leave him alone and hungry, and his mother tempts him with fish until he dives and discovers he can fly. Their aim is to make him independent.
Maxwell’s approach is protective and indulgent. He makes a body-belt for Mij, plays with him, takes him to the bathtub and gets him out of the box on the flight. He adapts his life to the otter’s needs.
Thus, the seagull’s family pushes the young one to stand on his own, while Maxwell nurtures his pet with patience and care.

Question 8. Imagine yourself to be the narrator of ‘Mijbil the Otter’. A friend of yours is confused about whether to adopt an otter as a pet and has asked for your advice. Based on the experiences described in the chapter, write a letter to your friend giving your opinion on the matter.
Answer: London
10 March 1957
Dear John,
I was happy to receive your letter asking whether you should adopt an otter. Having lived with Mijbil, I can tell you it is a wonderful but demanding experience.
An otter is playful, intelligent and loving. Mij slept in the crook of my knees, invented games with marbles and a ping-pong ball and made every day lively. However, otters need plenty of water and will splash and spread it all over the house. They also need constant attention. Travelling with Mij was a nightmare; he tore his box and caused chaos on the plane.
So, adopt an otter only if you have the time, space and patience to care for it. If you do, you will gain a loyal companion.
Yours affectionately,
Gavin

Question 9. How did the otter behave in the beginning? How did he become familiar with the author? (CBSE AI 2011)
Answer: In the beginning, Mijbil the otter seemed neither hostile nor friendly for an entire day. He was rather aloof and indifferent to the author and his surroundings. He chose to sleep on the floor, as far away from the author’s bed as possible. On the second night, Mijbil climbed into the author’s bed and slept in the crook of his knees until morning. Gradually, Mijbil started becoming familiar with his surroundings and in the process, he lost a lot of his inhibitions. It was then that Mijbil took a keen interest in getting to know the author.
The author made a body-belt for Mijbil, put him on a lead and took him to the bathroom. There, Mijbil enjoyed himself immensely in the water in the bathtub. He would plunge into the water, roll in it, and shoot up and down the length of the bathtub underwater. It brought out Mijbil’s playful nature and love for water. Soon enough, Mijbil started following the author on his own, without the lead, and came to him when called by name.

Question 10. What things does Mij do which tell you that he is an intelligent, friendly and fun loving animal who needs love?
Answer: Mij, the Otter, is friendly, intelligent and a fun-loving creature. He plays with water and other things like rubber balls and marbles. He goes to the bathroom and turns the tap with his paws within minutes to play with it. He follows the author wherever he goes and respects his commands. His disappearance from the box and then silently coming near Maxwell’s legs in the flight shows his intelligence and his love towards Maxwell. He develops and plays new games on his own in London during their one month long stay.

Question 11. Mijbil the otter is compared to small children by Maxwell because of the compulsive habits. Discuss the compulsive habits mentioned in the story.
Answer: Mij develops certain compulsive habits on the walks in the London streets, like the rituals of children, who on their way to and from school, place their feet squarely on the centre of each paving block, touch every seventh upright of the iron railings, or pass to the outside of every second lamp post. Opposite to Maxwell’s flat was a single-storied primary school, along whose frontage ran a low wall, some two feet high. On his way home, never on his way out, Mij would tug Maxwell to this wall, jump on to it, and gallop the full length of its thirty yards. This shows that in many ways, pets are like small children. They look for attention and affection by doing antics and do childish things which give them pleasure as well as a means of venting their energies.