GSEB Class 10 English Solutions Chapter 5 The Hundred Dresses

Oral Comprehension Check (Textbook Page No. 65)

Question 1. Where in the classroom does Wanda sit and why ?
Answer: Wanda Petronski often sat on the corner benches, away from everyone. She was a very poor, shy, and quiet girl who wanted to avoid interacting with others, so she preferred to sit alone.

Exam Tip: When describing a character's habits, mention both what they did and the underlying reason or motivation.

Question 2. Where does Wanda live ? What kind of a place do you think it is ?
Answer: Wanda lives up on Boggins Heights, a place where poor people reside. It is not a well-developed area and is often muddy. There are no proper roads or streets, making it a kind of slum.

Exam Tip: Always relate the description of a place to the social or economic status of its residents when prompted to infer character traits or living conditions.

Question 3. When and Why do Peggy and Maddie notice Wanda's absence ?
Answer: Wanda did not come to school on Monday and Tuesday, but nobody noticed her absence since she had no friends in the class. Peggy and Maddie only observed her absence when they waited for Wanda after school to make fun of her; otherwise, no one else cared about her presence.

Exam Tip: Notice how specific details like days of the week can be crucial in answering "when" questions. Also, connect actions to character motivations.

Question 4. What do you think “to have fun with her” means ?
Answer: "To have fun with her" means to laugh at her, as it is a common human tendency to mock others' imperfections, especially those related to appearance. In this story, Wanda serves as a source of amusement or enjoyment due to her shy nature and her claim of having a hundred dresses.

Exam Tip: Pay attention to phrases that might have a double meaning in context. Consider the characters' actions to understand the true intent behind such phrases.

(Textbook Page No. 67)

Question 5. In what way was Wanda different from the other children?
Answer: Wanda Petronski was a Polish girl whose family had settled in America. She was a target for teasing because of her surname, which was unfamiliar to others and hard to say. She arrived at school alone, with her feet often covered in dry mud. She chose to sit by herself in the back row of the class. She possessed only one faded blue dress but asserted that she owned a hundred dresses. These characteristics made her different from the other children.

Exam Tip: When asked to compare, list distinct characteristics of the subject and explain how each trait made them stand out from the group.

Question 6. Did Wanda have a hundred dresses ? Why do you think she said she did ?
Answer: Wanda was teased daily by her classmates after school. They often made fun of her clothes and her name. One day, tired of all the teasing and taunting, she claimed to have a hundred dresses and sixty pairs of shoes, but nobody believed her. She was a determined girl with great self-confidence. For her, the quantity of dresses was not important, but the inner talent held true value. She later displayed her talent by drawing a hundred beautiful dresses for the competition.

Exam Tip: Differentiate between literal truth and emotional truth. Sometimes characters claim things to cope with teasing or to assert their self-worth.

Question 7. Why is Maddie embarrassed by the questions Peggy asks Wanda ? Is she also like Wanda, or is she different ?
Answer: Maddie is embarrassed by the questions Peggy asks Wanda because she is also poor and understands Wanda's emotional state. She too wears hand-me-down dresses from rich families. Although she is an American, she shares a similar mindset with Wanda and does not want anyone to tease Wanda because of her clothes or name.

Exam Tip: Look for internal conflicts in characters. Maddie's empathy stems from her own similar circumstances, creating a sense of shame and understanding.

(Textbook Page No. 70)

Question 8. Why didn't Maddie ask Peggy to stop teasing Wanda ? What was she afraid of ?
Answer: Maddie did not ask Peggy to stop teasing Wanda because Peggy was the most well-liked girl in the school. Peggy was a good person, but she acted differently towards Wanda, even though she helped everyone else in difficulty. Although Maddie wanted Peggy to stop teasing Wanda, she did not ask her to do so because she was scared of becoming the next target for such taunts and mockery.

Exam Tip: When analyzing character inaction, consider the social dynamics and power structures present. Fear of social repercussions often prevents individuals from speaking up.

Question 9. Who did Maddie think would win the drawing and colouring contest ? Why ?
Answer: Maddie always believed that Peggy would win the drawing and coloring contest because she was very good at drawing, and everyone in the school liked her. She had a positive image and impression on her teachers and classmates. No other girl in the class could draw as well as she could. So, Peggy definitely had very strong chances of winning the drawing contest, according to Maddie.

Exam Tip: Character predictions often reflect their perceptions of others' popularity or talent, which may or may not align with the actual outcome. Always explain the reasoning behind a character's belief.

Question 10. Who won the drawing and colouring contest ? What had the winner drawn ?
Answer: Among the boys, Jack Beggles won, and among the girls, Wanda Petronski won the drawing and coloring contest. To demonstrate her resolve, she did not attend school for two days and had drawn a hundred sketches of dresses in various colors. Each of her drawings was good enough to win the contest individually. Everybody was very impressed with her drawing skill and clapped for her.

Exam Tip: Ensure you answer all parts of the question, specifying both "who won" and "what they had drawn."

Thinking about the Text

Question 1. How is Wanda seen as different by the other girls ? How do they treat her ?
Answer: Wanda is a Polish girl who settled in America with her parents. She resided in Boggins Heights. She came to school daily in the same faded blue dress, with her feet often covered in dry mud. Her last name was quite unusual and hard for her classmates to say. Her appearance was not suitable for a higher social class, so all the students mocked her and teased her after school hours. After being taunted repeatedly, she claimed to own a hundred dresses in her closet.

Exam Tip: When describing how a character is perceived and treated, provide specific examples of their differences and the actions taken by others.

Question 2. How does Wanda feel about the dresses game ? Why does she say that she has a hundred dresses ?
Answer: Wanda feels very ashamed but stays quiet in class. She avoids talking to anyone and sits in the last seat of the last row with rough boys so that nobody notices her. She is deeply hurt but never complains. To escape their mockery and humiliation, Wanda claims to have a hundred dresses and sixty pairs of matching shoes in her closet. Later, she draws all of them on paper for the drawing competition.

Exam Tip: Connect a character's feelings and actions. Wanda's silence and claim about dresses are direct responses to the bullying she faces.

Question 3. Why does Maddie stand by and not do anything ? How is she different from Peggy ? or (Was Peggy's friendship important to Maddie ? Why ? Which lines in the text tell you this ?)
Answer: Peggy is the most popular girl in the class, and Maddie is her closest friend. Although Maddie is poor, Peggy never teases her as she does Wanda, so Maddie fears losing her friendship. That is why she does not risk upsetting Peggy and chooses to remain silent. The line, "Peggy was the best-liked girl in the whole room. Peggy could not possibly do anything that was really wrong" shows this.

Exam Tip: When a question asks for supporting lines from the text, quote them accurately to strengthen your answer. This demonstrates textual evidence for your claims.

Question 4. What does Miss Mason think of Wanda's drawings ? What do the children think of them? How do you know?
Answer: Miss Mason is very impressed with Wanda's drawings. She considers them truly beautiful and worthy of individual winning. The children are also impressed by Wanda's drawing skills; they all applaud and whistle when she wins among the girls.

Exam Tip: To show understanding, describe both the teacher's and students' reactions, and explain how their actions reveal their thoughts (e.g., applauding and whistling indicate admiration).

Thinking about Language

Combine the following to make sentences:

(1) This is the bus (What kind of bus ?). It goes to Agra. (Use which or that)
(2) I would like to buy (a) shirt (Which shirt ?) (The) shirt is in the shop window. (Use which or that)
(3) You must break your fast at a particular time (When?). You see the moon in the sky. (Use when)
(4) Find a word (What kind of word?). It begins with the letter Z. (Use which or that)
(5) Now find a person (What kind of person?). His or her name begins with S' the letter Z. (Use whose)
(6) Then go to a place (What place ?). There are no people whose -name begins with in that place. (Use where)
Answer:
(1) This is the bus that goes to Agra.
(2) I would like to buy a shirt that is in the shop window.
(3) You must break your fast at a particular time when you see the moon in the sky.
(4) Find a word that begins with the letter Z.
(5) Now find a person whose name begins with the letter Z.
(6) Then go to a place where there are no people whose name begins with the letter Z.

Exam Tip: Practice using relative pronouns (which, that, when, whose, where) to connect related ideas smoothly and form more complex sentences.

The Narrative Voice

Question. (1) Here are two other sentences from the story. Can you say whose point of view the italicised words express ?
(i) But on Wednesday, Peggy and Maddie, who sat down front with other children who got good marks and who didn't track in a whole lot of mud, did notice that Wanda wasn't there.
(ii) Wanda Petronski. Most of the children in Room Thirteen didn't have names like that. They had names easy to say, like Thomas, Smith or Allen.
Answer:
(i) The italicized words show the point of view of Peggy and Maddie.
(ii) These italicized words show the perspective of other children in Wanda's class, excluding Peggy and Maddie.

Exam Tip: When identifying point of view, look for words that express personal opinion, judgment, or specific observations tied to a character's perspective.

Following adverbs express an opinion or point of view.

(apparently, evidently, surprisingly possibly, hopefully, incredibly, luckily.) Use these words appropriately in the blanks in the sentences below: (You may use a word more than once and more than one word may be appropriate for a given blank.)

(1) ............. he finished his work on time.
Answer: Surprisingly

Exam Tip: Choose adverbs that best convey the tone or unexpectedness implied by the sentence's context.

(2) ............. it will not rain on the day of the match.
Answer: Hopefully

Exam Tip: "Hopefully" implies a desire or expectation for a positive outcome, fitting when discussing future events like weather.

(3) ................ he had been stealing money from his employer.
Answer: Possibly

Exam Tip: "Possibly" suggests uncertainty or a degree of likelihood, suitable for a scenario that is not yet confirmed.

(4) Television is ............ to blame for the increase in violence in society
Answer: evidently

Exam Tip: "Evidently" indicates something that is clearly or obviously true based on available information or common perception.

(5) The children will ............ learn from their mistakes.
Answer: hopefully

Exam Tip: This usage of "hopefully" expresses a wish for a positive learning outcome from past errors.

(6) I can't ............ lend you that much money.
Answer: possibly

Exam Tip: "Possibly" here indicates a lack of capability or a high degree of doubt about being able to lend money.

(7) The thief had ............ been watching the house for many days.
Answer: apparently

Exam Tip: "Apparently" is suitable when something seems to be true, but it is not definitively confirmed, implying observation rather than direct knowledge.

(8) The thief ............ escaped by bribing the jailor.
Answer: luckily

Exam Tip: "Luckily" describes an fortunate or favorable event, often by chance or unexpected intervention.

(9) ............ no one had suggested this before.
Answer: Incredibly

Exam Tip: "Incredibly" is used to emphasize how unusual or surprising a situation is, indicating a strong reaction.

(10) The water was ............ hot.
Answer: incredibly

Exam Tip: Use "incredibly" to strongly emphasize an extreme quality, such as temperature, suggesting it is almost unbelievable.

GSEB Class 10 English The Hundred Dresses - I Additional Important Questions and Answers

Read the following passages and select the most appropriate answers for the questions given below them:

The next day, Tuesday, Wanda was not in school, either. And nobody noticed her absence again. But on Wednesday, Peggy and Maddie, who sat down front with other children who got good marks and who didn't track in a whole lot of mud, did notice that Wanda wasn't there. Peggy was the most popular girl in school. She was pretty, she had many pretty clothes and her hair was curly. Maddie was her closest friend. The reason Peggy and Maddie noticed Wanda's absence was because Wanda had made them late to school. They had waited and waited for Wanda, to have some fun with her, and she just hadn't come. They often waited for Wanda Petronski – to have fun with her.

Question 1. What had those students not done with whom Peggy and Maddie sat ?
A. They had not done their homework.
B. They had not tracked in mud.
C. They had not talked with Wanda.
D. They had not been punished by their teacher.
Answer: (B) They had not tracked in mud.
In simple words: The other students who sat in the front did not bring mud into the classroom.

Exam Tip: Always refer back to the passage for precise details. The phrase "didn't track in a whole lot of mud" directly provides the answer.

Question 2. ............ had curly hair.
A. Wanda
B. Maddie
C. Peggy
D. Petronski
Answer: (C) Peggy
In simple words: Peggy, the popular girl, had curly hair.

Exam Tip: Pay close attention to character descriptions in the passage. Specific physical traits are often mentioned once and then referred to.

Question 3. Peggy and Maddie noticed Wanda's absence because ............
A. they were waiting for Wanda to come but she didn't come.
B. they were waiting for each other.
C. they were waiting for their teacher to come.
D. They were thinking to bunk their classes.
Answer: (A) they were waiting for Wanda to come but she didn't come.
In simple words: Peggy and Maddie noticed Wanda was gone because they were waiting for her to arrive, but she never showed up.

Exam Tip: Identify the cause-and-effect relationship in the passage. Their waiting for Wanda directly led to them noticing her absence.

Question 4. ............ had been the frequent practice of Peggy and Maddie.
A. Waiting for
B. Making fun of
C. Calling by names to
D. Learning lessons from
Answer: (B) Making fun of
In simple words: Making fun of Wanda was a common habit for Peggy and Maddie.

Exam Tip: Read between the lines to understand implied actions. The context of "to have some fun with her" when waiting for Wanda clearly points to teasing.

Peggy, who had thought up this game, and Maddie, her inseparable friend, were always the last to leave. Finally Wanda would move up the street, her eyes dull and her mouth closed, hitching her left shoulder every now and then in the funny way she had, finishing the walk to school alone.

Peggy was not really cruel. She protected small children from bullies. And she cried for hours if she saw an animal mistreated. If anybody had said to her, “Don't you think that is a cruel way to treat Wanda?” She would have been very surprised. Cruel? Why did the girl say she had a hundred dresses ? Anybody could tell that that was a lie. Why did she want to lie ? And she wasn't just an ordinary person, else why did she have a name like that? Anyway, they never made her cry.

Question 1. What kind of nature of Wanda would you derive from the words 'her eyes dull and her mouth closed'?
A. Tolerant
B. Reserved
C. Cruel
D. Amicable
Answer: (A) Tolerant
In simple words: Wanda's quietness and expression suggest she endured the teasing without reacting, showing tolerance.

Exam Tip: Infer character traits from their non-verbal cues. "Eyes dull and mouth closed" often indicates a passive or enduring nature rather than an active one.

Question 2. What funny gesture of Wanda is mentioned in this passage ?
A. She stammered while speaking.
B. She walked to school and back alone.
C. She walked limping.
D. She hitched her left shoulder every now and then.
Answer: (D) She hitched her left shoulder every now and then.
In simple words: Wanda had a funny habit of lifting her left shoulder sometimes.

Exam Tip: Look for specific physical descriptions or repetitive actions mentioned in the passage to identify unique gestures.

Question 3. Peggy was not cruel as ............
A. She often protected small children from bullies.
B. She cried for hours if she saw an animal mistreated.
C. She left no opportunity to tease Wanda.
D. Both A and B
Answer: (D) Both A and B
In simple words: Peggy was not cruel because she guarded younger children from bullies and would weep if an animal was hurt.

Exam Tip: When evaluating a character's nature, consider multiple pieces of evidence provided in the text. Often, characters are complex and show different sides of their personality.

Question 4. Peggy believed that Wanda was not an ordinary person as ............
A. she always said she had hundred dresses.
B. she had an unusual name.
C. she hardly talked with other students.
D. she had unusual choice of colours for her dresses.
Answer: (B) she had an unusual name.
In simple words: Peggy thought Wanda was not ordinary because she had a strange name that was different from others.

Exam Tip: Focus on the direct statement in the passage ("else why did she have a name like that?") that links Peggy's belief to Wanda's name.

Thinking about Wanda and her hundred dresses all lined up in the closet, Maddie began to wonder who was going to win the drawing and colouring contest. For girls, this contest consisted of designing dresses and for boys, of designing motorboats. Probably Peggy would win the girls' medal. Peggy drew better than anyone else in the room. At least, that's what everybody thought. She could copy a picture in a magazine or some film star's head so that you could almost tell who it was. Oh, Maddie was sure Peggy would win. Well, tomorrow the teacher was going to announce the winners. Then they'd know.

The next day it was drizzling. Maddie and Peggy hurried to school under Peggy's umbrella. Naturally, on a day like this, they didn't wait for Wanda Petronski on the corner of Oliver Street, the street that far, far away, under the railroad tracks and up the hill, led to Boggins Heights. Anyway, they weren't taking chances on being late today, because today was important.

Question 1. What was going on in Maddie's mind constantly ?
A. Were there really hundred dresses all lined up in Wanda's closet ?
B. Who will win the drawing and colouring contest ?
C. Whether Peggy would win the contest or not.
D. Who will design a prize-winning motorboat among all ?
Answer: (B) Who will win the drawing and colouring contest ?
In simple words: Maddie kept thinking about who would be the winner of the drawing and coloring competition.

Exam Tip: Identify the central question or concern that the character is repeatedly pondering, as indicated by phrases like "began to wonder."

Question 2. Everybody's assumption about Peggy's winning the contest was reasonable as ............
A. Peggy drew better than anyone else in the room.
B. Peggy could copy a picture in a magazine or some film star's head quite vividly.
C. Peggy always stood first in the drawing competition.
D. Both A and B
Answer: (A) Peggy drew better than anyone else in the room.
In simple words: Everyone thought Peggy would win because she drew better than anyone else in the class.

Exam Tip: Base your answer on direct statements from the passage rather than making assumptions. The text explicitly states Peggy's superior drawing skill.

Question 3. 'Then they'd know'. What would they know?
A. That Wanda had already left the school.
B. Who would win the drawing and colouring contest ?
C. That Wanda would win the contest.
D. That Peggy was a poor artist.
Answer: (B) Who would win the drawing and colouring contest ?
In simple words: They would discover the winners of the drawing and coloring contest.

Exam Tip: Connect the statement "Then they'd know" to the immediate preceding sentence about the teacher announcing the winners of the contest.

Question 4. 'Today was important'. Why ?
A. They had made a huge plan to humiliate Wanda.
B. It was an annual celebration of their school.
C. The result of the drawing and colouring contest was to be declared.
D. None of these three.
Answer: (C) The result of the drawing and colouring contest was to be declared.
In simple words: Today was important because the results of the drawing and coloring competition were going to be announced.

Exam Tip: Understand the context. The importance of the day is directly linked to the impending announcement mentioned earlier in the passage.

Answer the following questions in three to four sentences each:

Question 1. Describe the reaction of Wanda Petronski to Peggy and Maddie.
Answer: When Peggy and Maddie mocked Wanda Petronski, she did not speak to them and remained quiet. Since she had no American friends, she walked alone with downcast eyes and occasionally hitched her shoulders in a strange way. She chose silence over confrontation.

Exam Tip: Focus on both verbal and non-verbal reactions. Wanda's silence, expression, and gestures all reveal her emotional state.

Question 2. Why did Maddie write a note to Peggy and then tore it ?
Answer: Maddie wrote a note to Peggy intending to ask her to stop making fun of Wanda. However, she tore it up because she thought it might annoy Peggy. She feared that if she intervened, Peggy would turn around and start teasing her instead, making her the next target.

Exam Tip: Explain the character's internal conflict. Maddie's desire to help Wanda was overridden by her fear of becoming a victim herself.

Question 3. Explain two dresses of Wanda Petronski in brief.
Answer: Each of Wanda's dresses was different from the others. One was a pale blue dress with colorful trimmings, and another was a bright jungle green color with a red sash. In fact, each of these dresses was beautiful enough to win the competition on its own.

Exam Tip: When describing items, use specific adjectives for color, style, and unique features to provide a vivid picture.

Question 4. What kind of a girl was Peggy?
Answer: Peggy was the most charming and smart girl. She was very emotional. She could not bear to see an animal hurt and often protected small children from bullies. However, towards Wanda, she held a different attitude, showing a lack of empathy.

Exam Tip: When asked to characterize someone, provide a balanced view, acknowledging both their positive traits and any negative or inconsistent behaviors.

Question 5. What was the competition about in the school?
Answer: There was a drawing and coloring competition in the school. In this contest, all boys had to design motorboats, and all girls had to design dresses. The event showcased the artistic talents of the students in their respective categories.

Exam Tip: Be specific about the rules and categories of an event. Clearly state what each group was required to do.

Question 6. Who won the drawing and colouring contest in each category? What had they drawn ?
Answer: Jack Beggles, who drew a motorboat, won in the boys' category. Wanda Petronski, who drew a hundred different dresses, won the girls' medal in the drawing and coloring contest. Both demonstrated exceptional talent in their respective fields.

Exam Tip: Clearly state the winners for each category and specify what they created to fulfill all parts of the question.

Question 7. How does everyone in the class react to Wanda's drawing ?
Answer: Everyone clapped after looking at Wanda's drawings. Even the boys, who were usually not interested in drawing, applauded and whistled at the impressive sketches that Wanda had made. Her hundred dresses, which she had claimed to own, truly amazed everyone.

Exam Tip: Describe the collective response of the group. Note any contrasts in their usual behavior to highlight the significance of the event (e.g., even uninterested boys reacted).

Answer the following questions in five to six sentences each:

Question 1. Pen down the character sketch of Wanda Petronski.
Answer: Wanda Petronski is a Polish girl who relocated to America with her parents. She is very poor and resides in Boggins Heights. She is exceptionally shy and quiet, seldom speaking to anyone. She has no friends and always occupies the last seat in the last row of the class with some unruly boys, ensuring nobody notices her. She consistently wears the same faded blue dress every day, which is not ironed but is always clean. Everybody teases her in her class. In anger, she claims of having a hundred dresses and sixty pairs of shoes at home. She is very determined and shows her determination in the drawing competition by displaying the hundred sketches of dresses she claims to own. Each of them was so beautiful, that she wins the drawing and colouring contest and surpasses Peggy.

Exam Tip: A comprehensive character sketch should cover background, personality traits, habits, social interactions, and how they overcome challenges, using specific examples from the story.

Question 2. It disturbs you that Peggy and Maddie make fun of Wanda. You don't like it. You decide to speak about this as weak, ugly or poor. Write a speech to express your thoughts.
Answer: Dear friends, Today I want to share my thoughts about making fun of students who are weak, unattractive, or poor by those who feel somewhat superior in these areas. I would like to remind you that being unattractive or poor is not a personal choice or fault. God creates us with different qualities, and we should recognize those good qualities in others too. Someone might be poor or physically unattractive, but he or she may possess better qualities or skills than us. As shown in the story, Wanda Petronski is more talented than Peggy and Maddie in her creativity and drawing. I hope we all show respect to one another and avoid judging anyone based on their financial status or physical appearance. Let us all be encouraging human beings, helping and lifting up others.

Exam Tip: For a speech, maintain a clear, persuasive tone. Start with an engaging opening, present arguments logically with examples, and conclude with a call to action or a reinforcing message.

The Hundred Dresses - I Summary in English

The Hundred Dresses - I Introduction:

'The Hundred Dresses' is a story based on the true experiences of the author about a girl who is teased by her classmates because she is different. Wanda Petronski, a girl who comes from the poor part of town, is the only student in her class with a 'funny' Polish name. She is always quiet and she always wears the same faded blue dress to school everyday, although she claims she has a hundred dresses at home "all lined up in her closet."

The Hundred Dresses - I Summary:

The story is told from the perspective of one of Wanda's classmates, Maddie, who is the best friend of the main player in the daily taunting and teasing. After Wanda is absent for a few days, her classmates learn that her family has moved away to the big city where they will not be mistreated for being different. Maddie begins to wonder about the girl she and her friends used to constantly tease, and realizes that she knows very little about her. She begins to wonder why they started teasing her in the first place and is overcome with guilt for making fun of her simply because she is poor and has a funny name and is different from them.

Maddie knows that she should have stood up to her friends and defended Wanda. She feels guilty for not speaking up, for standing by and allowing her friends to tease Wanda. Maddie and her friends later discover that Wanda is a very talented artist, and that her drawing of one hundred beautiful dresses has won the school's art contest. The girls realize that they misjudged Wanda, and feel incredibly guilty for never believing her stories of her "one hundred dresses." In the end, the girls write a letter to Wanda, hoping to make amends, and they are pleasantly surprised by her willingness to forgive.