CBSE Class 10 English Two Stories about Flying I His First Flight Assignment Set 03

Short Answer Type Questions

Question. What lesson do we learn from life of young seagull ?
Answer: We gather from the story of the young bird that guardians hold an essential position in raising their kids. In this tale, we observe how his family pushed him to take flight. It was a clever strategy by his parents that finally forced him to conquer his anxiety.
In simple words: We learn that parents sometimes have to use tough love and clever tricks to help their children overcome fear and become independent.

Exam Tip: Generalize the lesson to human experiences, highlighting the value of self-reliance and encouraging family support.

Question. How did the seagull’s feelings change when he realised he could not fly ?
Answer: Once the bird accepted that he was unable to fly, he lowered his head and retreated to the small shelter where he rested at night. Deprived of the confidence to leap, he observed his parents gliding along with his siblings. Despite being mocked as a coward, he remained frozen.
In simple words: He felt very sad and defeated, so he hid in his little hole and watched his family fly around without him, feeling too scared to join.

Exam Tip: Contrast his external isolation and shame with the soaring success of his family members.

Question. “The young seagull was alone on his ledge.” Why was the young seagull alone ?
Answer: The little bird was isolated on his cliff. His siblings had already taken flight the previous day. Additionally, his parents had deliberately abandoned him to face hunger so he would be forced to master flying.
In simple words: He was left alone because his brothers and sister had already learned to fly, and his parents left him there to starve so he would try to fly too.

Exam Tip: State clearly that leaving him alone was a calculated survival lesson set up by his parents.

Question. How were the seagull’s parents helping his brothers and sister in “perfecting the art of flight” ?
Answer: Although the little bird had larger wings, his siblings had taken to the air before him. His mother and father were training them to master their aerial skills. They instructed them on how to glide close to the water's surface and plunge downward to catch fish.
In simple words: His parents were teaching his siblings how to glide smoothly over the water and how to dive down to catch fish.

Exam Tip: Reference specific survival maneuvers like "skimming waves" and "diving for fish" as described in the story.

Question. Why could the young seagull not reach his parents without flying ?
Answer: The young bird was unable to join his family without taking flight because his cliff ended in a vertical drop with the ocean far below on both sides. Furthermore, a massive, deep gap separated him from his family's position. Consequently, flying was his only path to reach them.
In simple words: He couldn't walk to them because his ledge ended in a steep drop with the sea below, and there was a giant gap between him and his family.

Exam Tip: Describe the landscape (precipice, deep chasm) to show that there was no physical way to walk or climb over.

Question. What was his family doing on the plateau when the seagull failed to draw their attention ?
Answer: Across on the flat land, his siblings were dozing off with their heads tucked into their shoulders. At the same time, his father was cleaning his feathers using his beak. The only family member keeping an eye on him was his mother.
In simple words: His siblings were sleeping, his father was cleaning his feathers, and only his mother was standing and watching him from across the plateau.

Exam Tip: Focus on the details of each family member's behavior to highlight his overall isolation.

Question. Why did the young seagull utter a “joyful scream” ?
Answer: The little bird was suffering from severe hunger. Thus, he let out a happy cry when he noticed his mother heading toward him carrying a slice of fish. He bent forward with excitement, stomping the stone with his feet to get closer as she approached.
In simple words: He was starving, so he screamed with joy when he saw his mother flying towards him carrying a piece of fish.

Exam Tip: Explain his joy as a physical reaction of hope when his long fast was about to end.

Question. How did seagull’s family react when he dropped his legs to stand on the green sea ?
Answer: Following his flight, the bird felt exhausted and faint from starvation. Thus, he lowered his feet to rest on the green water and began to float. Witnessing his success, his whole family gathered around him, shouting with joy and offering him bits of dogfish as a reward.
In simple words: When he successfully floated on the water instead of sinking, his family flew around him, praising him and offering him pieces of fish to eat.

Exam Tip: Highlight their praise as the final celebration of his complete mastery over both air and sea.

Question. Do you sympathise with the young seagull ? Why/ why not ?
Answer: I feel pity for the young bird because he was forced to stay isolated on the cliff, enduring intense hunger. His parents and siblings had abandoned him to struggle alone. Furthermore, he deeply wished to be with them but was paralyzed by his fear of heights.
In simple words: Yes, because he was left all alone, starving and terrified, wanting to join his family but unable to overcome his deep fear of flying.

Exam Tip: Balance your personal opinion with points from the text like his loneliness, hunger, and genuine fear.

Question. What did his mother and father do to make him leave the ledge ? Were they successful in their first try ?
Answer: Although his siblings easily spread their wings and soared, the young bird could not find the bravery to jump. His parents flew near him, screaming loudly, scolding him, and warning that he would be left to starve unless he took off. Yet, he was too terrified to stir. Despite their strong efforts, they failed to persuade him initially, so they ultimately abandoned him there.
In simple words: They yelled at him, scolded him, and threatened to let him starve, but it didn't work at first because he was too terrified to move, so they left him alone.

Exam Tip: State clearly that their initial attempt failed, which forced them to change strategies and leave him alone to starve.

Question. Describe the seagull’s first flight.
Answer: The little bird stayed isolated and without food for an entire day. His mother chose to inspire him by displaying a fish without letting him eat it. Driven wild by hunger, he leaped to grab it and plunged into the air. Instantly, intense panic took hold of him. A second later, he felt his wings expand as the air rushed against his chest. He soon understood that he was rising smoothly, completing his initial flight.
In simple words: Starving for a day, he jumped off the cliff to grab a fish from his mother. After a moment of terror, his wings opened up, and he began to fly.

Exam Tip: Describe this sequence of events in order: starvation, temptation, the jump, brief terror, and then successful gliding.

Question. How did Seagull feel when he took the flight finally?
Answer: The little bird managed to find his bravery when tempted by the food. Right after, he sensed his wings unfolding and beating the air. He felt immense joy as he rose higher, experiencing a sense of victory while his entire family joined him in celebration.
In simple words: He felt incredibly happy and victorious as his wings opened and he rose into the air, with his family flying alongside him.

Exam Tip: Point out his shift from terror to triumph as his family joins in to celebrate his success.

Question. Young seagull tried to fly but he could not. Why was he afraid to fly ? Or Why could the young esagull not fly with his brothers and sisters ?
Answer: The young bird was convinced that his wings would not hold his weight. He lacked the nerve to flutter them. Although his siblings had shorter wings than his, they ran to the edge of the cliff, flapped, and soared. In contrast, he could not find the resolve to make that leap.
In simple words: He believed his wings were too weak to hold him up, so even though his siblings with smaller wings flew easily, he was too scared to jump.

Exam Tip: Explain his failure as a psychological block (lack of self-trust) rather than a physical limitation.

Question. Though on the ledge, the young seagull’s eyes were fixed on the plateau. What did he see there ?
Answer: The isolated bird remained on the cliff, with no one visiting him after his refusal to take off. Throughout the day, he observed his parents gliding with his siblings, training them in flying techniques, skimming the water, and catching fish. He even saw his brother snap up a fish and eat it while his parents cheered proudly. Later, his entire family strolled on the opposite plateau, mocking him for his fear.
In simple words: He saw his parents teaching his siblings to fly and dive. He also saw his brother catch his first fish while his parents cheered, and later they all mocked his cowardice.

Exam Tip: List multiple events he observed: his siblings training, his brother's catch, and the family walking around the plateau.

Question. What had the young seagull watched his parents doing the day before?
Answer: On the previous day, the little bird had observed his parents gliding alongside his siblings, refining their flying abilities and instructing them on gliding near the water and catching fish.
In simple words: He saw his parents training his brothers and sister on how to fly properly, skim over the water, and dive to catch fish.

Exam Tip: Answer this question briefly by pointing out the specific flight and hunting skills his parents taught.

Question. When did the seagull get over his fear of flying over the sea?
Answer: The young bird feared flying because he was convinced he would sink. His parents chose to encourage him by ignoring him. His mother ripped apart a piece of fish near him. Driven by extreme hunger, he was forced to try flying to reach the food. He succeeded, which is how he finally conquered his terror of the ocean.
In simple words: His mother tempted him with fish because he was starving. To get the food, he had to jump off the cliff, which made him fly and conquer his fear of drowning.

Exam Tip: Explain that his fear was conquered when his physical need for food overrode his mental block.

Question. Describe the young seagull’s expression when he saw his mother with food.
Answer: The little bird let out a happy cry, believing his mother was carrying a meal to him. He stepped closer to the edge as she flew near. However, she was merely attempting to stimulate his appetite and push him to take flight.
In simple words: He screamed with joy because he thought she was bringing him food, and he stepped closer to the edge to reach her.

Exam Tip: Highlight his "joyful scream" and eager physical movements as signs of his hunger and excitement.

Question. Why did the young seagull feel very miserable on the ledge?
Answer: The young bird felt deeply unhappy on the cliff because he was isolated and his family had departed. He was starving but lacked any food. His state grew worse since he was unable to leap down to catch fish.
In simple words: He was lonely, starving, and had nothing to eat, and his condition got worse because he couldn't dive to catch fish like the others.

Exam Tip: Combine both his emotional distress (isolation) and physical distress (hunger) to provide a complete answer.

Question. How did the young seagull and his family celebrate his first flight?
Answer: Once the bird began to fly and conquered his anxiety, his parents and siblings flew around him shouting with joy. They lauded his success and joyfully gave him pieces of dogfish. Having achieved his first flight, he received high praise from everyone.
In simple words: They flew around him screaming with joy, praised him, and offered him pieces of dogfish to celebrate his successful flight.

Exam Tip: State the specific ways they celebrated: flying around him, praising him, and feeding him scraps of dogfish.

Question. Why did the seagull not go with the rest of his family?
Answer: The young bird remained behind because he was terrified of flying. Though he tried to shake his wings, he was convinced they would fail to hold him over the massive ocean, leaving him to stay solitary on the cliff.
In simple words: He stayed behind because he was too scared to fly, believing his wings wouldn't support him over the vast ocean.

Exam Tip: Focus on his self-doubt regarding his wing strength and his fear of the vast sea below.

Long Answer Type Questions

Question. ‘All parental acts are for the betterment of the children.’ Justify this statement by taking points from the lesson ‘His First Flight’.
Answer: Guardians consistently play a crucial part in the development of their offspring. They strive to ensure their kids acquire essential life skills effectively. In this story, the family continuously pushed the bird to take to the air. Even though he had larger wings than his siblings, he lacked the bravery to fly. His parents shouted at him and warned him of starvation to motivate him. When he pleaded for food the next day, his mother carried a fish near him but paused just out of reach. As he jumped for it, she quickly pulled back, forcing him to fly. Thus, this clever parenting method helped him overcome his anxiety.
In simple words: Parents make tough decisions for their children's future. The seagull's parents scolded him and starved him, which seems harsh, but it was the only way to help him fly.

Exam Tip: Argue that seemingly harsh parental decisions (like isolation and scolding) are often necessary to teach crucial life skills.

Question. The mother of young seagull picked up a piece of fish but still did not come nearer to give him. Why did she do so ? Did she lack love for her son or she wanted to make him courageous ? What values does the mother depict through her act ?
Answer: The little bird harbored a deep dread of flying. His parents continuously pushed him to make his initial flight, to no avail. Consequently, his mother held a piece of fish but refused to approach him directly. Starving, the young bird cried out for food. As she flew near, she halted just opposite him, nearly within his grasp. When he leaped for the fish, she quickly guided her flight upward. This desperate leap forced him to spread his wings and fly. Her action was driven by deep love and a desire to make him brave, showing that tough choices by parents ultimately serve the child's growth.
In simple words: She didn't lack love; instead, she used his hunger to make him brave. Her tough decision was the only way to force him to take his first flight.

Exam Tip: Focus on the values of wisdom, strategic thinking, and tough love displayed by the mother bird.

Question. How was the young seagull able to learn floating on the sea ?
Answer: Following a brief period of flight, the young bird descended toward the water. Gliding directly above the vast green ocean, he noticed tiny waves below. His siblings had already touched down on the surface, calling out loudly to invite him. When he lowered his limbs to rest on the water, his legs began to submerge. Panicked, he shrieked and tried to flap his wings to lift off. However, exhausted by starvation and his physical efforts, he lacked the energy to rise. His belly eventually rested on the surface, preventing him from sinking further. Realizing he was floating safely, he cried out with joy while his family praised and fed him.
In simple words: When he landed on the water, he panicked because his legs sank. But once his belly touched the surface, he realized he could float, and his fear turned to happiness.

Exam Tip: Trace the physical transition carefully: from sinking and screaming in fear, to his belly resting on the water and floating safely.

Question. How did the seagull get over his fear of flight ? How did he express his joy ?
Answer: Initially, the little bird suffered from a deep dread of flying. Even though his wings were larger than those of his siblings, he panicked before every attempt. Watching them glide, he tried unsuccessfully to leap into the air, which left him feeling hopeless. His parents mocked his cowardice and left him to starve. After a day of starvation, his mother flew near with a fish, stopping just out of reach. Driven by hunger, he dived for it, causing her to pull back. As he fell, his wings spread naturally, giving him confidence. Overjoyed, he screamed with delight, soared through the sky, and finally landed on the ocean surface.
In simple words: He overcame his fear when his mother tempted him with fish, forcing him to jump. As he fell, his wings opened automatically, and he celebrated by screaming with joy and soaring.

Exam Tip: Address both parts of the prompt: first explain his victory over fear, and then describe how he physically showed his happiness.

Question. Strong family ties can help you overcome fear of anything. Justify the above statement by giving examples from the lesson ‘His First Flight’.
Answer: A supportive family offering endless love can guide you to conquer any anxiety. The young bird was terrified of flight, convinced his wings would fail him, causing him to hide on the cliff. However, his parents refused to abandon him. Seeing his hesitation to take the leap, they flew around him, yelling loudly, scolding him, and threatening hunger to force him into action. They left him isolated but watched him closely from across the gap. His parents celebrated his brother's first catch, which motivated the young bird. Later, observing his hunger, his mother tore at a fish to spark his interest. She cleverly flew close with a meal but backed away, prompting him to dive. His wings unfolded naturally as a result, guiding him to fly. Finally, his family surrounded him on the water, screaming with joy and offering food to celebrate.
In simple words: His family loved him, so they scolded him, watched him from afar, and finally tempted him with fish to help him conquer his fear. Once he succeeded, they celebrated together.

Exam Tip: Focus on how the family's actions, even when seemingly harsh, were rooted in unified support and love for his survival.

Question. The young seagull found it difficult to fly for the first time. He felt that his wings would never support him. Was it not in his attitude to accept the challenges ? Did he lack courage ? Discuss the values that can help people accept challenges in life.
Answer: The bird's siblings had successfully taken to the air the day before. Yet, he was unable to gather the bravery to join them. He suffered from a shortage of confidence, believing his wings were too weak. However, avoiding difficulties was not his main issue; rather, he lacked pure courage. To embrace and conquer obstacles in life, an individual needs bravery, determination, and clear goals. Additionally, having a supportive network of family and friends plays a massive role, as seen in the bird's journey.
In simple words: He lacked confidence and bravery, not the ability to face challenges. To face life's struggles, we need determination, clear thinking, and strong support from our loved ones.

Exam Tip: Define essential character values like self-belief, persistence, and external encouragement when answering general life-value questions.

Question. Describe the methods used by the seagull family to help the young seagull come over his fear and fly.
Answer: The little bird failed to find the bravery to fly. His parents flew close, calling loudly, scolding him, and warning that he would go hungry on the cliff if he did not take off, yet he stayed still. His family spent the morning walking on the opposite plateau, mocking his fear to provoke him. Finally, his mother excited him by ripping apart a fish at her feet, knowing his hunger would eventually force him to leap for the food and fly. Despite his cries for help, they held their ground until he took the leap.
In simple words: They yelled at him, threatened to let him starve, mocked his cowardice, and finally tempted him with fish to force him to jump and fly.

Exam Tip: List the family's methods step-by-step: verbal warnings, social isolation, mockery, and using food as bait.

Question. Do, you think that the seagull’s family genuinely loved him? Justify their attitude towards him?
Answer: Yes, the bird's family truly loved him. Although he had three siblings, his parents chose to leave him on the cliff when he refused to fly. They could easily have brought him meals, but they chose not to. They wanted him to master flying and hunt for himself, even threatening him with starvation. This seeming harshness came from a place of deep affection. His parents acted correctly because they aimed to teach him independence. Since offspring cannot rely on parents forever, learning to fly and hunt was vital. Thus, their behavior reflected genuine care. The story shows that loving parents should not hand everything to their children on a silver platter, but rather teach them self-reliance.
In simple words: Yes, they loved him. Leaving him to starve was a lesson in self-reliance, because parents cannot feed their children forever and must teach them how to survive on their own.

Exam Tip: Discuss the concept of "tough love" and why parents must teach self-reliance rather than overprotecting their children.

Question. Why was the young seagull pretending to be asleep? What aid he actually observe while doing so?
Answer: The young bird walked to the very edge of the cliff. He stood on a single leg while hiding the other beneath his feathers. Closing one eye and then the other, he acted as if he were sleeping to see if his family still cared about him. He noticed that they seemed to ignore him. His siblings were napping on the opposite flat ground, and his father was cleaning his back feathers. Only his mother watched him, occasionally ripping at a fish and sharpening her beak on a rock. While he wanted sympathy and a meal, his parents knew his true need was learning to fly.
In simple words: He pretended to sleep to see if his family cared about him. He saw that they were mostly ignoring him, except for his mother who was watching him while eating fish.

Exam Tip: Clearly divide your response into his motive (pretending to sleep for sympathy) and his actual observations (his family ignoring him).

Question. Fear and lack of confidence prevent one from learning new things. Do you agree? How did these two traits of the young seagull make him a coward? How did he overcome these shortcomings?
Answer: Yes, anxiety and self-doubt certainly hinder an individual from acquiring new skills. In this narrative, the bird lacked bravery and assurance. He was terrified of taking flight, refusing to try because he feared drowning in the ocean. Despite his family's efforts and scoldings, his cowardice held him back. Even food failed to make him try initially. However, once he finally plunged, his dread vanished, and he embraced the experience. This proves that we cannot learn without confronting our fears, making self-belief and drive essential for success.
In simple words: Fear and self-doubt stopped him from flying because he was terrified of falling into the sea. He only overcame this when his hunger forced him to jump, showing that we must face our fears to learn.

Exam Tip: Use the seagull's story as a metaphor to show how taking a "leap of faith" is necessary to build real confidence.

Question. How can you tell that the young Seagull was desperately hungry?
Answer: The bird watched his mother closely as she ripped apart a fish near her feet. This view of food drove him nearly insane with desire. He yearned to tear food in that manner and sharpen his beak on the stones. He let out a soft cry, pleading with his mother for a meal. Before this, he had examined every corner of his ledge, even chewing on the dry pieces of eggshell from which he had hatched. Having gone without food since the prior evening, his desperation peaked, driving him to leap toward the fish she held, tumbling into space.
In simple words: He was so hungry that the sight of food drove him crazy, he chewed on his old eggshells, and he eventually risked his life by jumping off a cliff just to grab a piece of fish.

Exam Tip: Mention the specific, desperate actions from the text, such as gnawing on dry eggshells, to prove the intensity of his hunger.