CBSE Class 10 English The Sermon at Benares Important Questions Set 01

Extract Based Questions

Extract 1

(a). Which statement is not true according to the given passage?
(a) The prince was never exposed to death or sorrow.
(b) Since childhood the prince served the poor and sick.
(c) The prince once witnessed suffering people one after the other.
(d) The sufferings and sorrows of others moved the prince.
Answer: (b) Since childhood the prince served the poor and sick.

(b). Which of the following sentences expresses the antonym of the word ‘shielded’?
(a) The pitch was immediately covered and protected from rain.
(b) The police safeguarded the public property from getting harmed by the protesting crowds.
(c) The mounds of harvested crops lay exposed to rain and infestation.
(d) The abandoned strays have been sheltered in an animal home.
Answer: (c) The mounds of harvested crops lay exposed to rain and infestation.

(c). What do a sick man, an old man, a monk begging for alms and a death symbolised for Gautama Buddha? Answer in about 40 words.
Answer: They all symbolised various forms of suffering and sorrow. The incidents revealed a great truth- life is short. Beauty, riches, comforts, and youth all are transitory. One should cultivate detachment and free oneself from bondage.

(d). What would be the antonym of ‘enlightenment’ as used in the passage? Also use it in a sentence of your own.
Answer: ‘ignorance’ The ignorance of the young generation about the history of the country is appalling to say the least.

Extract 2

(a). The phrase ‘at that point’ in the passage refers to ______.
(a) when Buddha sat under the peepal tree
(b) when Buddha got enlightenment
(c) when Buddha enlightened others
(d) when Buddha wandered like a monk
Answer: (b) when Buddha got enlightenment

(b). Why did Buddha choose Benaras as the most suitable place for his first sermon? Answer in about 40 words.
Answer: Buddha was able to fulfill his vow of receiving enlightenment in seven days under a peepal tree that he named the Bodhi tree. His sermon is preserved here. He chose Benaras for the first sermon because it is the holiest city on the River Ganges.

(c). Which of the following sentences has used the word ‘preserved’ as in the passage given above?
(a) Many rare species of animals are kept confined in zoos across the world.
(b) The lawns were spic and span and maintained by a team of gardeners.
(c) The vegetables were pickled in vinegar and salt to last the winter.
(d) The musical legacy has been well-conserved by the museum authorities.
Answer: (d) The musical legacy has been well-conserved by the museum authorities.

(d). In the statement, ‘The Buddha preached his first sermon at the city of Benares, the most holy of the dipping places on the River Ganges,’ what is the meaning of the word sermon? Use it in a sentence of your own.
Answer: ‘discourse’. All the disciples listened to the religious discourse of their guru with unflinching faith.

Extract 3

(a). Kisa Gotami’s plea to Buddha was to ______.
(a) enlighten her
(b) enlighten her son
(c) revive her dead son
(d) perform a miracle
Answer: (c) revive her dead son

(b). Kisa Gotami’s joy was short-lived because ______.
(a) she was not assured any help by her neighbours
(b) no physician could revive her son
(c) she could not get mustard-seed from each house
(d) she realised that death could not be averted
Answer: (d) she realised that death could not be averted

(c). What was the precondition laid down by the Buddha before Kisa Gotami? Why? Answer in about 40 words.
Answer: The Buddha laid the condition that the seeds should be from a house where no death had occurred. He knew that sorrow and suffering are inevitable. So, the wise do not grieve and one who has overcome pain will become free from suffering and be blessed.

(d). Is it correct to say that had Buddha been alive today, he would have been either a counsellor or a psychologist? Why?
Answer: He would have been either a counsellor or a psychologist because both provide behavioural therapy to a disturbed person.

Extract 4

(a). The examples— ‘The falling of a ripe fruit and the breaking of an earthen vessel,’ reinforce the idea of ______.
(a) pain of death
(b) death and reincarnation
(c) the inevitability of death
(d) the impossibility of death
Answer: (c) the inevitability of death

(b). By saying ‘....all fall into the power of death’. The Buddha wants to convey that ______
Answer: death spares none

(c). The mention of ‘ripe fruits’ and ‘earthen vessels’ as used in the passage refers to the mortality of human life. Which of the quotes given below best captures this immortal truth as preached by Buddha?
(a) ‘Death is not the opposite of life, but a part of it.’ Haruki Murakami
(b) ‘Life is pleasant. Death is peaceful. It’s the transition that’s troublesome.’ Isaac Asimov
(c) ‘A single death is a tragedy; a million deaths is a statistic.’ Joseph Stalin
(d) ‘Those who are afraid of death will carry it on their shoulders.’ Lorca
Answer: (a) ‘Death is not the opposite of life, but a part of it.’ Haruki Murakami

(d). What does Buddha say about life? Answer in about 40 words.
Answer: Buddha says that human life is full of trials and tribulations. Personal losses are a part of life. One should face them and accept them with fortitude and courage. Our life is brief and can be cut short at any instant, therefore, we must cultivate detachment.

(e). What does the Buddha emphasise in the extract?
1. Life can be taken care of.
2. All living things have an end.
3. Living beings cannot reign over death.
4. Mortals have to face death.
5. Earthen vessels are not subjected to destruction.
Choose the correct option from the following:
(a) (1), (2) and (4)
(b) (2), (3) and (4)
(c) (1), (3), and (5)
(d) (2) and (5)
Answer: (b) (2), (3) and (4)

(f). Which word in the extract means “hurt feelings” in the extract?
(a) mortality
(b) death
(c) pain
(d) danger
Answer: (c) pain

(g). From the options given below, identify the conclusion of the Buddha’s saying:
(a) One can live if they take care of themselves.
(b) Fools fall into the power of death.
(c) Death is inevitable.
(d) Wise can prevail over death.
Answer: (c) Death is inevitable.

(h). Select the option which displays ‘death’.
(a) The branch of a tree fell on the little girl who was standing under it and was injured.
(b) James was swimming on the beach and was caught in a whirlpool. He did not survive.
(c) Rita saved her friend by rushing her to the hospital in the nick of time.
(d) The boy was playing with a sharp object and had a bleeding finger. His mother bandaged it and the wound healed.
Answer: (b) James was swimming on the beach and was caught in a whirlpool. He did not survive.

(i). Select the most appropriate option for (1) and (2).
(1) All living beings are subject to death.
(2) The wise can never fall into the power of death.
(a) (1) is true and (2) false.
(b) (2) is the opposite of (1).
(c) (2) further relates to (1).
(d) Both (1) and (2) cannot be inferred from the extract.
Answer: (a) (1) is true and (2) false.

Extract 5

(a). If the Buddha were a counsellor, which of the following quotes would you find in a brochure of his service?
(a) “To live in hearts we leave behind is not to die.” – Thomas Campbell
(b) “In another time, in a happier place, you will meet again.” – Unknown
(c) “Death, after all, is the common expectation from birth. Neither heroes nor cowards can escape it.” – Ellis Peters
(d) The 5 Stages of Grief: 1. Denial 2. Anger 3. Bargaining 4. Depression 5. Acceptance
Answer: (c) “Death, after all, is the common expectation from birth. Neither heroes nor cowards can escape it.” – Ellis Peters

(b). Which of the following statements cannot be attributed to the Buddha based on the given extract?
1. Pain and grief are unavoidable and necessary.
2. The inevitability of death makes grieving futile.
3. Universality of grief and pain makes us sad.
4. Understanding that life is finite leads to wisdom.
(a) 1 and 2
(b) 1 and 3
(c) 3 and 4
(d) 1 and 4
Answer: (b) 1 and 3

(c). Choose the option that appropriately completes the following:
lamentation : grief :: ______ : ______
(a) laughter : joke
(b) discomfort : fear
(c) celebration : joy
(d) resignation : loss
Answer: (c) celebration : joy

(d). According to the Buddha, peace of mind is attainable by those who ______.
(a) renounce worldly life like the Buddha
(b) take out the arrow and become strong
(c) grieve, suffer and then move on
(d) recognise terms of life and let go of complaint
Answer: (d) recognise terms of life and let go of complaint

(e). The given extract is paraphrased below. Choose the option that includes the most appropriate solutions for the blanks.
The act of (1) ______ is not only pointless but rather (2) ______, causing pain and suffering. It only serves to (3) ______ peace of mind. (4) ______ without complaint is crucial to well-being and peace.
(a) grief, harmful, destroy, accepting
(b) grieving, counterproductive, take away, acceptance
(c) weeping, productive, take away, lamentation
(d) grieving, harmful, destroy, lamenting
Answer: (b) grieving, counterproductive, take away, acceptance

(f). What mood does the extract ultimately leave the reader with?
(a) Despondent
(b) Hopeful
(c) Apathetic
(d) Angry
Answer: (b) Hopeful

(g). The Buddha’s teachings are applicable universally. Can you think of a situation in your day-to-day life where his teachings can take effect? Answer in around 40 words.
Answer: When my pet dog died, I remained sad for many days, unable to bear his loss. I could not imagine getting another dog, because I could not bear losing it again. But the Buddha’s words taught me that this is a part of life, and one can overcome pain by understanding that suffering is universal.

(h). Complete the following analogy.
lamentation : grief : : celebration : ______
Answer: joy

(i). Identify and explain the literary device used in the phrase ‘to draw out the arrow of lamentation, and complaint, and grief’.
Answer: The literary device used in the phrase is metaphor. The Buddha compares pain and suffering to ‘an arrow’ which needs to be removed from our body and mind to attain peace of mind.

Extract 6

(a). What do you think led Siddhartha to leave all his royalty behind?
(a) His marriage to a princess
(b) Influence of Hindu sacred scriptures
(c) Shielding of royals from all the unpleasant experiences of the world
(d) His attachment with his wife and son.
Answer: (c) Shielding of royals from all the unpleasant experiences of the world

(b). At about the age of twenty-five, the prince chanced to:
(a) see a leper
(b) see a sick man
(c) meet a business man
(d) meet a learned man
Answer: (b) see a sick man

(c). Pick the option that correctly classifies fact/s (F) and opinion/s (O) of the students below.
(1) I think, Siddhartha should not have left his royalty behind only because he met a sick man, funeral and a monk looking for alms.
(2) I am agreed with your opinion. It means Siddhartha escaped from the harsh reality of the world which was wrong.
(3) After all, he had his wife and son who needed his love and care.
(4) I feel the parents of Siddhartha were totally responsible for it as they had kept him away from any sorrow.
(a) F – 2, 3 and O – 1, 4
(b) F – 3 and O – 1, 2, 4
(c) F – 2, 4 and O – 1, 3
(d) F – 1, 4 and O – 2, 3
Answer: (b) F – 3 and O – 1, 2, 4

(d). When did the prince come in contact with the sufferings of the world?
(a) When he went for hunting.
(b) When he was sent for schooling.
(c) When he joined the royal army.
(d) When he was married.
Answer: (a) When he went for hunting.

(e). The extract uses the phrase, ‘befitted royalty’. Which of the following expressions is INCORRECT with respect to the word ‘befitted’?
BEFITTED
(1) Right
(2) Appropriate
(3) Suitable
(4) Healthy
(a) Option 1
(b) Option 2
(c) Option 3
(d) Option 4
Answer: (d) Option 4

(f). How did Gautama’s life begin?
Answer: Gautama’s life began as a prince of the royal family.

(g). How many years did Gautama spend of his married life?
Answer: Gautama had a son and spent his marriage for ten years with all luxuries that befitted royalty.

(h). Why didn’t the prince see worldly sufferings before he was twenty-five?
Answer: The prince was shielded from the sufferings of the world before that age.

(i). How did the reality of sights imprint Buddha’s mind?
Answer: The reality of sight deeply imprinted Buddha’s mind. He was moved, and he decided to seek the cause of pain and suffering in human life.

(j). What mission did Buddha set for his life?
Answer: Buddha decided to find out why human beings suffer in the world.

(k). What does the extract state about Gautama Buddha?
1. Gautama Buddha was a Prince.
2. Gautama Buddha lived a princely life.
3. Gautama Buddha was home schooled.
4. Gautama Buddha learned the Hindu sacred scriptures.
5. Gautama Buddha continued living in royalty.
Choose the correct option from the following:
(a) (1), (2) and (4)
(b) (2), (3) and (4)
(c) Only 2
(d) (2) and (5)
Answer: (a) (1), (2) and (4)

(l). What could be inferred from the word “heretofore” in the extract?
(a) From now on
(b) Henceforth
(c) Up to this time
(d) Afterwards
Answer: (c) Up to this time

(m). Select the option which displays an example of ‘chanced upon’ in relation with the extract.
(a) Jack played football with his friends in the neighbouring grounds.
(b) Jack found some old valuable coins in a box while cleaning the attic.
(c) The little girl took a try and jumped over the fence.
(d) The little girl’s painting was picked up as the winning one by a panel of judges.
Answer: (b) Jack found some old valuable coins in a box while cleaning the attic.

(n). Select the most appropriate option for (1) and (2).
(1) Gautama Buddha ruled his people with justice.
(2) He left the palace with his wife and son.
(a) (1) is true and (2) true.
(b) (2) is the opposite of (1).
(c) (2) further relates to (1).
(d) Both (1) and (2) cannot be inferred from the extract.
Answer: (d) Both (1) and (2) cannot be inferred from the extract.

(o). From the options given below, identify the reason for Gautama Buddha to leave his royal lifestyle.
(a) He was shielded from the suffering of the world.
(b) He wanted to see the outside world.
(c) He wanted to witness the sorrow.
(d) He wanted to understand the sorrows he had witnessed.
Answer: (d) He wanted to understand the sorrows he had witnessed.

Extract 7

(a). According to Lord Buddha, which of these is correct in case of one’s near and dear ones pass away?
(a) One should lament.
(b) One should repent.
(c) One should not grieve, weep or be miserable.
(d) One should be happy.
Answer: (c) One should not grieve, weep or be miserable.

(b). Choose the option that lists the set of statements that are NOT TRUE according to the given extract.
1. In order to obtain peace of mind, one should not grieve even in hard time.
2. The event that is bound to happen will happen certainly.
3. When we weep and grieve over any tragedy, it lessens the intensity of our pain and suffering.
4. Sorrow and grief is the way that leads to the path of salvation.
(a) 1 and 2
(b) 2 and 3
(c) 3 and 4
(d) 1 and 4
Answer: (c) 3 and 4

(c). Pick the option that correctly classifies fact/s (F) and opinion/s (O) of the students below.
(1) I think, weeping and grieving over some serious setback is a natural tendency of people. No one can avoid it.
(2) Let's not forget that weeping and grieving over inevitable mishappening only multiplies our pain and suffering.
(3) I feel, Kisa Gotami should not have grieved so much over the death of her son.
(4) By the way, later she herself realised that she was wrong to do so. No amount of grief would bring back the dead.
(a) F – 1, 3 and O – 2, 4
(b) F – 2, 3 and O – 1, 4
(c) F – 2, 4 and O – 1, 3
(d) F – 1, 4 and O – 2, 3
Answer: (c) F – 2, 4 and O – 1, 3

(d). Who will become free from sorrow and be blessed?
(a) One who is enjoying peace.
(b) One who is suffering sorrow.
(c) One who is grieving over loss.
(d) One who is not careful about life.
Answer: (a) One who is enjoying peace.

(e). The extract uses the phrase, ‘arrow of lamentation’. Which of the following expressions is INCORRECT with respect to the word ‘lamentation’?
LAMENTATION
(1) Weeping
(2) Wailing
(3) Grieving
(4) Contemplating
(a) Option (1)
(b) Option (2)
(c) Option (3)
(d) Option (4)
Answer: (d) Option (4)

(f). Who speaks the above sentences and to whom?
Answer: The above sentences are spoken by Gautama Buddha to Kisa Gotami.

(g). Are the dead saved by lamentation?
Answer: No, the dead can’t be saved by lamentation and weeping.

(h). Who will attain the peace of mind?
Answer: Only those who transcend lamentation and grief will attain the peace of mind.

(i). Name the lesson from which this extract has been taken.
Answer: This extract has been taken from ‘The Sermon at Benares’.

(j). What condition of peace is spoken by Buddha in the extract?
Answer: Buddha says if we want peace, we have to forget the feelings of sorrow. Peace and sorrow don’t move together.

(k). What does the Buddha emphasise in the following words? “Not from weeping nor from grieving will anyone obtain peace of mind; his pain will be the greater and his body will suffer.”
1. Everyone must grieve for a lost one.
2. Weeping will cause pain.
3. Grieving will keep away one’s serenity.
4. The body will suffer.
5. Grieving and sorrow will bring tranquility.
Choose the correct option from the following.
(a) (1), (2) and (4)
(b) (2), (3) and (4)
(c) (1), (3), and (5)
(d) (2) and (5)
Answer: (b) (2), (3) and (4)

(l). Select the most appropriate option for (1) and (2).
(1) He who seeks peace should continue lamenting.
(2) He who seeks peace should draw out the arrow of lamentation.
(a) (1) is true and (2) false.
(b) (2) is the opposite of (1).
(c) (2) further relates to (1).
(d) Both (1) and (2) cannot be inferred from the extract.
Answer: (b) (2) is the opposite of (1).

(m). Which word in the extract means ‘express sadness over something’ ?
(a) Sick
(b) Pale
(c) Lamentation
(d) Blessed
Answer: (c) Lamentation

(n). Select the option which displays an example of ‘physical weakness’.
(a) Ram had dengue and was looking sick and pale.
(b) James slipped into the pool. He did not know how to swim.
(c) Little Rita could not keep the kettle down since it was at a height and filled with hot water.
(d) Jane wanted to take her dog for a walk but couldn’t since it was raining heavily.
Answer: (a) Ram had dengue and was looking sick and pale.

(o). From the options given below, identify the conclusion of the Buddha’s saying.
(a) By grieving for our loved ones we can stay happy and blessed.
(b) We are responsible for our death.
(c) Death can be avoided.
(d) One must not grieve at something that is bound to happen.
Answer: (d) One must not grieve at something that is bound to happen.

Extract 8

(a). What did Kisa Gotami learn from the lights of the city?
(a) About city life
(b) The fate of men
(c) The darkness of city
(d) The importance of life
Answer: (b) The fate of men

(b). How did Kisa Gotami behave in her grief?
(a) As a proud being
(b) As a brave being
(c) As a selfish being
(d) As a prudent being
Answer: (c) As a selfish being

(c). Pick the option that correctly classifies fact/s (F) and opinion/s (O) of the students below.
(1) I think Gautam Buddha should have told Kisa Gotami clearly that death is inevitable instead of making her wander in vain.
(2) I feel, Gotami should also have realised that Buddha's condition was unfulfillable.
(3) You are absolutely right. She wandered from door to door and became weary in vain.
(4) Let's not forget that she learnt an important lesson of life that the cycle of birth and death is the law of nature.
(a) F – 1, 2 and O – 3, 4
(b) F – 1, 3 and O – 2, 4
(c) F – 2, 3 and O – 1, 4
(d) F – 3, 4 and O – 1, 2.
Answer: (d) F – 3, 4 and O – 1, 2.

(d). Choose the statement that is NOT TRUE according to the extract.
(a) Men are mortal.
(b) Kisa Gotami’s hope never lost.
(c) Man’s fate is like the lights that flicker repeatedly and extinguish.
(d) Gotami was stubborn and decided to take mustard seeds at all costs.
Answer: (b) Kisa Gotami’s hope never lost.

(e). The extract uses the phrase, ‘reigned everywhere’. Which of the following expressions is INCORRECT with respect to the word ‘reigned’?
REIGNED
(1) Prevailed
(2) Existed
(3) Presented
(4) Ruled
(a) Option (1)
(b) Option (2)
(c) Option (3)
(d) Option (4)
Answer: (c) Option (3)

(f). Why did Gotami become weary and hopeless?
Answer: Gotami became weary and hopeless because she didn’t find a single house where no one had ever died.

(g). What did she consider about the fate of men?
Answer: She considered that men are born only to die in the end.

(h). Who made her realise that death is common to all?
Answer: Gautama Buddha made her realise that death is common to all.

(i). How in this valley of desolation can one attain immortality?
Answer: In this valley of desolation one can attain immortality by surrendering all selfishness.

(j). What is the universality of life expressed in the extract?
Answer: According to Buddha, death visits all. One who is born is destined to die some day. Our body is mortal.

(k). Which of the following is NOT a reason why Kisa Gotami was tired?
(a) She had a tiring day.
(b) She had searched every house to find one where no one had lost a child, husband, parent or friend, to get mustard seed, but found none.
(c) She had been walking all day.
(d) She had insulted people.
Answer: (d) She had insulted people.

(l). Why is it fair to say that Kisa Gotami’s tone, when she says “How selfish am I in my grief!”, is of understanding? Answer in about 40 words.
Answer: Kisa Gotami’s tone is of understanding and enlightenment as she realised that death is inevitable and that whoever is born has to die. Every living being has to die, and only one who has surrendered all selfishness attains immortality.

(m). Read the following descriptions given below and identify which one corresponds to the extract.
(a) Introspection — the process of thinking deeply and carefully to examine your own ideas, feelings, etc.
(b) Analysis — the careful examination of the different parts or details of something.
(c) Insight — a clear, deep and sometimes sudden understanding of a problem or situation.
Answer: (c) Insight — a clear, deep and sometimes sudden understanding of a problem or situation.

(n). If an actor were to enact the lines of Kisa Gotami, what would she be required to focus on, while modulating her voice?
Answer: The actor would be required to convey Kisa Gotami’s grief and her new understanding of the situation. For example, she could lower her voice when Kisa Gotami speaks of her selfishness and raise it when she speaks about immortality.

Extract 9

(a). The community’s response to Kisa in the above extract was somewhat different from before. Why do you think that was the case?
(a) They had learnt from Buddha’s sermons.
(b) They were able to help Kisa in some way this time.
(c) They understood parental grief.
(d) They liked Kisa and enjoyed talking to her.
Answer: (c) They understood parental grief.

(b). Which of the following options represent the correct understanding of the word “poor” in the phrase “Poor Kisa Gotami”?
(a) in need of money
(b) weak
(c) unfortunate
(d) inferior
Answer: (c) unfortunate

(c). “Do not remind us of our deepest grief.” The tone of the speaker(s) is
(a) disillusioned.
(b) sceptical.
(c) ironic.
(d) solemn.
Answer: (d) solemn.

(d). Pick the option that explains — ‘…the living few, but the dead many.’
(a) It shows the high death rate and low birth rate in the city of Benares.
(b) It highlights the holy status of Benares where many Hindus go to die.
(c) It throws light on the numerous loved ones the villagers had lost over time.
(d) It reflects that many children who had died in the village for various reasons.
Answer: (c) It throws light on the numerous loved ones the villagers had lost over time.

(e). Imagine you are a photo journalist visiting the city at the time Kisa Gotami went from house to house. You documented her experience given in the above extract in a photo series. Your publisher wants to publish the photo series in three parts wherein Part 1 shows Kisa’s visits to the houses; Part 2 depicts her conversations with people, and Part 3 captures Kisa’s reflections at the end of the day sitting by the wayside. The publisher would also like you to choose titles for the series and its three parts. Look at the titles given below, and choose the options that provide the most appropriate set of titles.
1. Series Title – From Darkness to Light. Part I – Living in Loss; Part II – A Mother’s Journey; Part III – Mustard Seed
2. Series Title – Mustard Seed. Part I – A Mother’s Journey; Part II – From Darkness to Light; Part III – Living in Loss
3. Series Title – A Mother’s Journey. Part I – Mustard Seed; Part II – Living in Loss; Part III – From Darkness to Light
4. Series Title – Living in Loss. Part I – From Darkness to Light; Part II – Mustard Seed; Part III – A Mother’s Journey
(a) 1 and 2
(b) 2 and 3
(c) 3 and 4
(d) 1 and 4
Answer: (b) 2 and 3

(f). “Do not remind us of our deepest grief.” Who said this line and to whom?
Answer: The people of the houses Kisa Gotami visited said this to her.

(g). What was Kisa able to gather quite easily from the people?
Answer: She could easily gather mustard seed, as people pitied her and offered it.

(h). What was the second condition posed by Buddha?
Answer: The mustard seed had to come from a house where no one had lost a child, husband, parent or friend.

(i). “.... but some beloved one ....” what does “beloved mean?
Answer: ‘Beloved’ means a dearly loved person.

(j). How many children did Kisa have?
Answer: Kisa Gotami had only one child, a son.

(k). State any one inference about the people from the given context:
Poor Kisa Gotami now went from house to house, and the people pitied her and said, “Here is mustard-seed; take it!”
Answer: The people were kind and sympathetic; they readily offered Kisa Gotami what she asked for because they felt for her sorrow.

(l). State TRUE or FALSE:
All of the terms (1)-(4) below can be applied to the question, ‘What did the people’s reactions reveal about the impact of death in the community?’
(1) People were mature enough to understand the reality of life.
(2) People were eager to share their grief with others.
(3) The community was resistant to helping Kisa Gotami.
(4) Death had deeply affected many families in the area.
Answer: False

(m). In the phrase “Poor Kisa Gotami”, what does ‘poor’ signify?
Answer: ‘Poor’ signifies pitiable or unfortunate; it shows sympathy for her grief, not lack of money.

(n). Which phrase would correctly substitute ‘pitied’ in the given sentence from the extract?
Poor Kisa Gotami now went from house to house, and the people pitied her and said, “Here is mustard-seed; take it!”
Answer: felt sorry for

Extract 10

(a). Kisa Gotami’s only son:
(a) was lost in a fair.
(b) was very ill.
(c) suffered from an incurable disease.
(d) had died.
Answer: (d) had died.

(b). She carried the child:
(a) to all her neighbours.
(b) to all the sages.
(c) to all the doctors.
(d) to all the wise men.
Answer: (a) to all her neighbours.

(c). Why did Kisa Gotami behave like a mad woman?
(a) She had only one child.
(b) She wanted many children.
(c) Her only son had died.
(d) She did not want to carry her son.
Answer: (c) Her only son had died.

(d). What did she want for her son?
(a) Life
(b) Riches
(c) Knowledge
(d) Power
Answer: (a) Life

(e). Give the noun form of ‘dead’.
(a) Dies
(b) Died
(c) Death
(d) None of these
Answer: (c) Death

(f). What had happened to Kisa Gotami’s son?
Answer: Kisa Gotami’s only son had died.

(g). Whom did Kisa carry to all her neighbour?
Answer: She carried her dead son to all her neighbours.

(h). What did Kisa ask her neighbours?
Answer: She asked them for medicine to cure her son.

(i). “She has lost her senses.” Who is “she” here?
Answer: ‘She’ here is Kisa Gotami.

(j). “In her grief she carried...” What does “grief ” mean?
Answer: ‘Grief’ means deep sorrow, especially caused by someone’s death.

Extract 11

(a). Why is it appropriate to say that Kisa Gotami’s tone, when she says, “How selfish am I in my grief!”, is a mix of surprise and realisation?
Answer: Kisa Gotami suddenly sees that every family has lost someone and that she had been thinking only of her own sorrow. Her exclamation shows surprise at her own self-centredness and, at the same time, a new realisation that death is common to all.

(b). ‘Valley of desolation’ is an example of:
(a) Simile
(b) Metaphor
(c) Alliteration
(d) None of these
Answer: (b) Metaphor

(c). In the given passage, the phrase “flicker up and are extinguished” suggests:
(a) the fragility and brevity of human life
(b) the presence of a divine spark within every individual
(c) the cyclical nature of existence
(d) the struggle between light and darkness in life
Answer: (a) the fragility and brevity of human life

(d). Why is “valley of desolation” important?
Answer: It describes the world as a place full of sorrow and loss, and sets up the hope that even here there is a path to peace and immortality for one who gives up selfishness.

Extract 12

(a). Name the Prince.
Answer: Siddhartha Gautama

(b). What are the sights of suffering that the Prince saw?
Answer: The prince first saw a sick man, then an aged man, then a funeral procession and finally a monk begging for alms.

(c). Give the meaning of the word ‘shielded’. (CBSE AI 2016)
Answer: Protected

Extract 13

(a). What is the fate of mortals?
Answer: Death and decay

(b). Why do the wise not grieve?
Answer: The wise do not grieve because they know that death is universal and that it is certain.

(c). Write the meaning of the word ‘lamenting’. (CBSE Delhi 2015)
Answer: Mourning/Grieving

(d). Choose the answer that lists the correct option about the meaning of the Buddha’s message.
(a) Picture of a person leading an ox away
(b) Picture of people grieving with their heads in their hands
(c) Picture of a placard that reads ‘Seek Wisdom’
(d) Picture of a man standing over another lying on the ground
Answer: (c) Picture of a placard that reads ‘Seek Wisdom’

(e). What do the relatives do when one dies?
(a) They participate in rituals.
(b) They do the rituals.
(c) They lament deeply.
(d) They make merry.
Answer: (c) They lament deeply.

(f). What do the wise men know?
(a) Their friends
(b) Their relatives
(c) Their parents
(d) The facts of life
Answer: (d) The facts of life

(g). The extract uses the phrase, ‘… Knowing the terms of the world.’ Which of the following expressions is incorrect with respect to the word ‘terms’?
(1) Indication (2) Tenure (3) Conditions (4) Expressions
(a) Option (1)
(b) Option (2)
(c) Option (3)
(d) Option (4)
Answer: (a) Option (1)

Extract 14

(a). Who does ‘he’ stand for?
Answer: ‘He’ stands for Prince Siddhartha Gautama.

(b). What did ‘he’ study for four years?
Answer: For four years ‘he’ studied the sacred Hindu scriptures.

(c). What does the phrase ‘as befitted royalty’ mean?
Answer: ‘As befitted royalty’ means in a manner suitable to the royal standards.

(d). What happened after ten years? (CBSE AI 2019)
Answer: After ten years, the prince forsook the comforts and security of the palace and set out into the world to seek enlightenment concerning the suffering he had seen.

Extract 15

(a). Why did the Buddha give this sermon to Kisa Gotami?
Answer: The Buddha gave this sermon to Kisa Gotami to relieve her of her pain due to the loss of her son, and also to teach her the truth of life.

(b). What fact of life did the Buddha convey to Gotami in this sermon?
Answer: The Buddha conveyed to Gotami in this sermon that the world is afflicted with death and decay, so one who is wise does not grieve. Grieving brings one more suffering instead of peace of mind, and yet the ones who are dead do not return to life.

(c). How can one obtain peace?
Answer: Peace can be obtained by overcoming one’s sorrows.

(d). Which word in the passage means the same as ‘affected by suffering or pain’? (CBSE AI 2012)
Answer: Afflicted