GSEB Class 10 English Solutions Chapter 6 The Hundred Dresses II

The Hundred Dresses – II Class 10 Question Answer GSEB

Oral Comprehension Check (Textbook Page No. 74)

 

Question 1. What did Mr Petronski's letter say?
Answer: Mr. Petronski was moving to a larger city. Since bigger cities have a more diverse population, there were fewer chances of others making funny glances. He was not pleased with how his children were treated in the school. People in cities get to see and talk with individuals from many different places and backgrounds, making them more comfortable in dealing with others.
In simple words: Mr. Petronski moved to a bigger city because his children were being treated badly in school for their name. He hoped they would find more acceptance there.

Exam Tip: When explaining a character's motivation, always state the core reason first, then add supporting details from the text.

 

Question 2. Is Miss Mason angry with the class, or is she unhappy and upset ?
Answer: Miss Mason is unhappy and upset rather than angry. She hopes that all the misbehavior was part of normal childhood pranks. She also hopes that students will learn a lesson from Wanda's situation. Her calm way of reading the letter and scolding the students shows that she is troubled and wishes the children would improve their conduct.
In simple words: Miss Mason was sad and troubled, not angry. She hoped the children would learn from what happened to Wanda and change their behaviour.

Exam Tip: Differentiate between anger and unhappiness by noting the teacher's tone and her expressed hopes rather than just immediate reactions.

 

Question 3. How does Maddie feel after listening to the note from Wanda's father ?
Answer: Maddie feels disappointed with herself. She believes her behavior was cowardly. There is an old saying that accepting injustices towards others is like being a part of the injustice. Maddie feels that instead of being a quiet observer, she should have spoken up against Wanda's emotional torment.
In simple words: Maddie felt bad and like a coward. She believed she should have protected Wanda instead of just watching her being hurt.

Exam Tip: When describing a character's feelings, use strong adjectives and connect them to specific actions or inactions mentioned in the story.

 

Question 4. What does Maddie want to do?
Answer: Maddie wants to meet Wanda to show her true feelings towards Wanda. She wants to say sorry and to convey that all of what happened was part of a childhood prank, and that people really love Wanda.
In simple words: Maddie wants to see Wanda. She wants to tell Wanda she is sorry and that people truly like her.

Exam Tip: Focus on the immediate actions a character wants to take when asked "what does X want to do?".

(Textbook Page No. 76)

 

Question 5. What excuses does Peggy think up for her behaviour ? Why ?
Answer: Peggy believes that she was the one who inspired Wanda's wonderful drawings. If she had not asked questions about the number of dresses Wanda owned, Wanda might not have gotten great ideas and created lovely drawings. There can be two perspectives on Peggy's true feelings. The first view is that she is a stubborn child who refuses to admit her mistakes. The second view is that she acknowledges the mistake deep down, but out of fear of being made fun of, she does not openly accept it.
In simple words: Peggy thought she was the reason Wanda drew so well, saying her questions gave Wanda ideas. She might truly believe this, or she might just be too proud to admit her mistake openly.

Exam Tip: When evaluating a character's excuses, consider both their stated reasons and any underlying psychological motivations.

 

Question 6. What are Maddie's thoughts as they go to Boggins Haights ?
Answer: Maddie feels bad about Wanda and herself. She feels very sad because she might not even get the chance to apologize to Wanda.
In simple words: Maddie feels sad and guilty. She is worried she won't be able to tell Wanda she's sorry.

Exam Tip: Identify the specific emotional state and accompanying thoughts of the character at that particular moment in the story.

 

Question 7. Why does Wanda's house remind Maddie of Wanda's blue dress ?
Answer: Wanda's blue dress was old and faded but always neat and clean. Similarly, her house was small and looked temporary but was kept clean. Wanda was a poor girl, but she was serious and likely more mature than other children her age. Perhaps her difficulties had taught her important life lessons, which was clear in how she maintained her dress or her home.
In simple words: Wanda's house was small and simple but clean, just like her old, faded blue dress was always neat. This showed Wanda’s sober and mature nature despite her poverty.

Exam Tip: Look for symbolic connections between objects and characters. Here, the cleanliness despite shabbiness reflects Wanda's character.

 

Question 8. What does Maddie think hard about ? What important decision does she come to ?
Answer: Maddie thinks hard about not allowing injustice to happen to anyone. She makes a promise that she would speak up if anyone misbehaves with another person. She will no longer be a silent observer, as she was before. In a way, the situation of Wanda's family leaving that city acts as a major turning point for Maddie's personality.
In simple words: Maddie deeply thinks about stopping unfairness. She decides to always speak up against wrong treatment and not just watch silently anymore.

Exam Tip: When asked about a character's decision, identify the specific action they commit to and the reason or change in perspective behind it.

(Textbook Page No. 79)

 

Question 9. What did the girls write to Wanda ?
Answer: The girls intended to express their true feelings but ended up writing a formal letter. Most of us have this natural fear of the truth. We do not want to reveal our weaknesses to the world. Every time we talk about ourselves, we only mention positive aspects. It takes a lot of courage to talk about our negative points. Developing this level of bravery takes many years. However, those who learn to admit mistakes also learn important lessons from them.
In simple words: The girls planned to write a heartfelt letter but made it formal. They found it hard to admit their mistakes openly, but they hoped Wanda would understand their feelings.

Exam Tip: Focus on the intent and outcome of the letter, as well as the characters' internal struggles regarding honesty and courage.

 

Question 10. Did they get a reply? Who was more anxious for a reply, Peggy or Maddie ? How do you know?
Answer: They did get a reply. Maddie seemed more eager. One clue is the way Maddie regrets not getting a chance to apologize to Wanda. Another clue is that she was the first person to notice her face in Wanda's drawing. If she had been as arrogant as Peggy, she would not have noticed her face in the drawing.
In simple words: Yes, they received a reply. Maddie was more worried about a response. We know this because she really wanted to say sorry to Wanda and was the first to see her own face in one of Wanda’s drawings.

Exam Tip: Support your answer about a character's anxiety with direct evidence from their actions or thoughts in the story.

 

Question 11. How did the girls know that Wanda liked them even though they had teased her ?
Answer: Creating a portrait requires a lot of close observation of the face. Unless an artist genuinely likes a subject, it will not be motivating enough for the artist. The way Wanda drew everyone's faces in her drawings shows she liked them, despite being teased by them.
In simple words: The girls realized Wanda liked them because she drew their faces so carefully and beautifully in her portraits. An artist needs to like their subject to draw them well.

Exam Tip: Connect the artistic act to the artist's feelings; a detailed portrait often implies a degree of affection or close observation for the subject.

Thinking about the Text

 

Question 1. Why do you think Wanda's family moved to a different city? Do you think life there was going to be different for their family?
Answer: Wanda's family had experienced enough unfair treatment from the people of that city. Therefore, they chose to move to a different and larger city. The statement, "Plenty of funny names in the big city" points to certain characteristics of big cities. Most large cities have a diverse population. People in such situations are usually accustomed to seeing individuals from all regions and races. They typically have a better understanding of different cultures, which is often missing in people in smaller cities. It can be hoped that life would be better in the new environment.
In simple words: Wanda’s family moved because they were tired of being treated unfairly. Big cities usually have many types of people, so they hoped for a more accepting environment where people are used to different cultures.

Exam Tip: When discussing societal reasons, elaborate on concepts like "cosmopolitan population" and "cross-cultural sensibilities" to show a deeper understanding.

 

Question 2. Maddie thought her silence was as bad as Peggy's teasing. Was she right ?
Answer: It is often said that ignoring a wrongdoing is worse than committing the act itself. By being a silent observer of Peggy's teasing, Maddie was indirectly encouraging it. Hence, she was correct in believing that her silence was as bad as Peggy's teasing.
In simple words: Yes, Maddie was right. Not speaking up against teasing can be as bad as doing the teasing, because it allows the wrong behavior to continue.

Exam Tip: In moral dilemmas, always support your stance with a clear reason or principle, like the idea that silence can be complicity.

 

Question 3. What led Peggy to believe that Wanda was dumb ? Did she change her opinion later?
Answer: Wanda's unusual behavior made Peggy believe that Wanda was dumb. Wanda never reacted to all the jokes and misbehavior she had to endure every day. She was quite calm while suffering all that. Her unexpressive face might have led Peggy to think that Wanda did not understand anything. After the drawing contest, Peggy seems to be in a state of denial. However, after seeing her own face in one of Wanda's drawings, she appears to have changed her opinion about Wanda.
In simple words: Peggy thought Wanda was dumb because Wanda never showed any reaction to the teasing. But after seeing her own face in Wanda's amazing drawings, Peggy seemed to change her mind and realize Wanda was not dumb.

Exam Tip: Describe how a character's perception changes due to new information or events in the story.

 

Question 4. What important decision did Maddie make ? Why did she have to think hard to do so ? (August 20)
Answer: Maddie realized that she was a coward and that being a coward was not good. Earlier, she was torn between her loyalty to Peggy and her sense of right and wrong. But after the Petronskis' decision to leave the town, she found the courage to fight for justice instead of suffering the disgrace of being a silent observer of racial discrimination.
In simple words: Maddie decided she would stand up against injustice and not be a silent observer anymore. It was hard for her because she had to choose between being loyal to Peggy and doing what was right.

Exam Tip: Clearly state the decision and then provide the internal conflict or external events that led to that difficult choice.

 

Question 5. Why do you think Wanda gave Maddie and Peggy the drawings of the dresses ? Why are they surprised ? (March 20)
Answer: It can be assumed that Wanda might have developed some affection for Maddie and Peggy. While enduring the humiliation of the dress game, she must have closely watched these two girls. She may have planned to give a farewell gift to these two girls to teach them an important life lesson, specifically, of respecting individuals. They were surprised because, despite all the teasing, Wanda chose to be kind and thoughtful by gifting them personalized drawings.
In simple words: Wanda gave them the drawings as a parting gift, probably to teach them about respect and kindness. Maddie and Peggy were surprised because they had teased Wanda, yet she still showed them generosity and warmth.

Exam Tip: Analyze the underlying motivations for a character's actions, especially when those actions are unexpected given past events.

 

Question 6. Do you think Wanda really thought the girls were teasing her ? Why or Why not ?
Answer: Wanda appears to be smart enough to understand what was happening around her. However, she was mentally prepared to endure such incidents, because she must have experienced pain related to migration before. So, she likely understood she was being teased but chose not to react overtly.
In simple words: Yes, Wanda probably knew the girls were teasing her. She was smart and had likely faced similar hardships due to moving, which made her mentally strong enough to not show her feelings openly.

Exam Tip: Consider a character's background and experiences when evaluating their understanding of social situations and their emotional responses.

Thinking about Language

 

Question 1. Here are thirty adjectives describing human qualities. Discuss them with your partner and put them in the two word webs (given below) according to whether you think they show positive or negative qualities. You can consult a dictionary if you are not sure of the meanings of some of the words. You may also add to the list the positive or negative 'pair' of a given word. (kind, sarcastic, courteous, arrogant, insipid, timid, placid, cruel, haughty, proud, zealous, intrepid, sensitive, compassionate, introverted, stolid, cheerful, contented, thoughtless, vain, friendly, unforgiving, fashionable, generous, talented, lonely, determined, creative, miserable, complacent)
Answer:

• Positive Qualities: kind, courteous, placid, zealous, intrepid, sensitive, compassionate, cheerful, contented, friendly, generous, talented, determined, creative, fashionable (can be neutral but often positive in social context)
• Negative Qualities: sarcastic, arrogant, insipid, timid, cruel, haughty, proud (can be positive too, but often used negatively), introverted (can be neutral but listed here as a contrast), stolid, thoughtless, vain, unforgiving, lonely (a state, often negative), miserable, complacent

In simple words: We can sort these words into two groups: good qualities and bad qualities. Good ones are like kind or brave, while bad ones are like cruel or proud. Some words might fit in both, depending on how you see them.

Exam Tip: When categorizing, consider the typical connotations of each word in common usage. Some words, like 'proud' or 'introverted', can have both positive and negative interpretations depending on context.

 

Question 2. What adjectives can we use to describe Peggy, Wanda and Maddie ? You can choose adjectives from the list above. You can also add some of your own.
(1) Peggy ...................
(2) Wanda ...................
(3) Maddie ...................
Answer:
(1) Peggy : sarcastic, cheerful, contented
(2) Wanda : kind, timid, introverted, generous, talented, lonely, creative
(3) Maddie : kind, timid, sensitive, miserable
In simple words: For Peggy, words like sarcastic and cheerful fit. Wanda is kind, talented, and creative. Maddie is kind, sensitive, and often feels miserable.

Exam Tip: Select adjectives that are strongly supported by the character's actions, thoughts, and descriptions in the story.

 

Question 3. Find the sentences in the story with the following phrasal verbs:
lined up,
thought up,
took off,
stood by
Answer:
(1) lined up – "And she thought of the glowing picture those hundred dresses made – all lined up in the classroom."
(2) thought up – "Peggy had thought up this game, and Maddie, her inseparable friend, were always the last to leave."
(3) took off – "Miss Mason took off her glasses, blew on them and wiped them on her soft white handkerchief."
(4) stood by – "She had stood by silently, and that was just as bad as what Peggy had done."
In simple words: We found sentences where "lined up" means things were arranged in a row, "thought up" means someone invented an idea, "took off" means someone removed something, and "stood by" means someone watched without acting.

Exam Tip: To find phrasal verbs, scan the text for verbs followed by prepositions or adverbs, and then verify their meaning in context.

 

Question 4. Colours are used to describe feelings, moods and emotions. Match the following 'colour expressions' with a suggested paraphrase:
(1) the Monday morning blues
(2) go red in the face
(3) look green
(4) the red carpet
(5) blue-blooded
(6) a green belt
(7) a blackguard
(8) a grey area
(9) a white flag
(10) a blueprint
(11) red-handed
(12) the green light
Answer:

In simple words: This table matches color-related sayings with their real meanings, like "Monday morning blues" for feeling sad, or "red carpet" for a special welcome.

Exam Tip: When matching idioms, read both parts carefully and look for the most direct and commonly understood association.

GSEB Class 10 English A Letter to God Additional Important Questions and Answers

Read the following passages and select the most appropriate answers for the questions

 

Question 1. The first period was a study period. Maddie tried to prepare her lessons, but she could not put her mind on her work. She had a very sick feeling in the bottom of her stomach. True, she had not enjoyed listening to Peggy ask Wanda how many dresses she had in her closet, but she had said nothing. She had stood by silently, and that was just as bad as what Peggy had done. Worse. She was a coward. At least, Peggy hadn't considered they were being mean but she, Maddie, had thought they were doing wrong. She could put herself in Wanda's shoes. Goodness! Wasn't there anything she could do ? If only she could tell Wanda she hadn't meant to hurt her feelings. She turned around and stole a glance at Peggy, but Peggy did not look up. She seemed to be studying hard. Well, whether Peggy felt badly or not, she, Maddie, had to do something. She had to find Wanda Petronski. Maybe she had not yet moved away. Maybe Peggy would climb the Heights with her, and they would tell Wanda she had won the contest, that they thought she was smart and the hundred dresses were beautiful.
1. What sick feeling did Maddie have?
(a) That Wanda was absent in the school that day.
(b) That her closest friend, Peggy could not win the prize.
(c) That Peggy had asked Wanda how many dresses she had in her closet.
(d) That Peggy had left her friendship.
Answer: (c) That Peggy had asked Wanda how many dresses she had in her closet.
In simple words: Maddie felt sick because she knew Peggy was teasing Wanda about her dresses, and Maddie felt guilty for not stopping it.

Exam Tip: For passage-based questions, re-read the specific sentence or paragraph relating to the question to ensure accuracy, especially for emotional states.

 

2. Give another expression for 'She could put herself in Wanda's shoes'.
(a) She could have been in place of Wanda.
(b) She could behave like Wanda.
(c) She could do what Wanda could.
(d) She could forgive Wanda.
Answer: (a) She could have been in place of Wanda.
In simple words: "Putting herself in Wanda's shoes" means Maddie understood how Wanda felt, as if she were in Wanda's position.

Exam Tip: Understand common idioms and phrases. "In someone's shoes" always means to understand their perspective or situation.

 

3. According to Maddie, what was desirable on the part of Peggy to do ?
(a) Peggy could have made friends with Wanda.
(b) Peggy could have apologised to Wanda.
(c) Peggy could have told Wanda she hadn't meant to hurt her feelings.
(d) Peggy could have supported Wanda in her subjects of interest.
Answer: (c) Peggy could have told Wanda she hadn't meant to hurt her feelings.
In simple words: Maddie felt Peggy should have told Wanda that she didn't intend to upset her.

Exam Tip: Distinguish between what is ideal (making friends) and what the passage explicitly suggests as a desirable, immediate action (apology/clarification).

 

4. Maddie wanted to find Wanda to
(a) tell her that she had won the drawing competition.
(b) tell her that her hundred dresses were beautiful.
(c) Tell her that she was smart.
(d) All of these three.
Answer: (d) All of these three.
In simple words: Maddie wanted to find Wanda to inform her about winning the contest, compliment her beautiful drawings, and acknowledge her intelligence.

Exam Tip: When multiple options appear correct, consider if there's a broader choice like "All of these" that encompasses them.

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Question 2. Maddie could say nothing. All she hoped was that they would find Wanda. She wanted to tell her that they were sorry they had picked on her, and how wonderful the whole school thought she was, and please, not to move away and everybody would be nice. She and Peggy would fight anybody who was not nice. The two girls hurried on. They hoped to get to the top of the hill before dark. "I think that's where the Petronskis live,” said Maddie, pointing to a little white house. Wisps of old grass stuck up here and there along the pathway like thin kittens. The house and its sparse little yard looked shabby but clean. It reminded Maddie of Wanda's one dress, her faded blue cotton dress, shabby but clean.
1. The meaning of the phrase 'picked on' is:
(a) 'collected'
(b) 'harassed unfairly'
(c) 'treated amicably'
(d) 'quarrelled with'
Answer: (b) 'harassed unfairly'
In simple words: The phrase "picked on" means to be targeted for unfair or annoying treatment.

Exam Tip: For vocabulary questions, substitute each option into the original sentence to see which one fits the context best.

 

2. 'The two girls hurried on'. Where to?
(a) The top of the hill
(b) Their school
(c) Their school
(d) Both (a) and (b)
Answer: (d) Both (a) and (b)
In simple words: The girls hurried to the top of the hill and also towards their school.

Exam Tip: Read the passage carefully for specific destinations mentioned. Sometimes, multiple locations are implied or stated.

 

3. 'The sparse little yard' reminded Maddie of
(a) their teacher.
(b) Wanda's blue cotton dress.
(c) Peggy's paintings.
(d) Wanda's drawings.
Answer: (b) Wanda's blue cotton dress.
In simple words: The small, bare yard made Maddie think of Wanda’s old blue dress.

Exam Tip: Identify direct comparisons or explicit mentions of what an object reminds a character of within the text.

 

4. This passage shows
(a) Self-realization.
(b) Repentance.
(c) Newly emerged sympathy.
(d) All these three
Answer: (d) All these three
In simple words: The passage shows Maddie's self-realization of her wrongdoing, her regret for what happened, and her new feelings of care for Wanda.

Exam Tip: Analyze the emotional development of the character throughout the passage to determine all applicable themes.

 

Question 3. "I hope so,” said Maddie sadly. She felt sad because she knew she would never see the little tight-lipped Polish girl again and couldn't ever really make things right between them. She went home and she pinned her drawing over a torn* place in the pink-flowered wallpaper in the bedroom. The shabby room came alive from the brilliancy of the colours. Maddie sat down on her bed and looked at the drawing. She had stood by and said nothing, but Wanda had been nice to her, anyway. Tears blurred her eyes and she gazed for a long time at the picture. Then hastily she rubbed her eyes and studied it intently. The colours in the dress were so vivid that she had scarcely looked like her own mouth. Why it really looked like her own self! Wanda had really drawn this for her. Excitedly, she ran over to Peggy's.
1. Maddie felt sad because
(a) she had lost the contest.
(b) Peggy had broken up friendship with her.
(c) she thought she would never see Wanda again.
(d) None of these three
Answer: (c) she thought she would never see Wanda again.
In simple words: Maddie felt sad because she believed she would never get to see Wanda again and make amends.

Exam Tip: Focus on the specific reason for Maddie's sadness as stated in the passage, which is her regret over not making things right with Wanda.

 

2. What made Maddie's shabby room came alive.
(a) The pink-flowered wallpaper
(b) The brilliant colours of the drawing
(c) The sweet memory of the Polish girl
(d) Peggy's presence in the room
Answer: (b) The brilliant colours of the drawing
In simple words: The bright colors of Wanda's drawing made Maddie's plain room look much livelier.

Exam Tip: Pay attention to descriptive language used in the passage that directly links an action or object to an effect.

 

3. What made Maddie bring tears in her eyes ?
(a) The picture
(b) The remembrance of Wanda
(c) The remembrance of Peggy
(d) Her own failure in losing the contest
Answer: (b) The remembrance of Wanda
In simple words: Maddie cried because thinking about Wanda, and her kindness despite the teasing, brought tears to her eyes.

Exam Tip: Understand that "remembrance" implies a deeper emotional connection than just seeing an object; it's the memories and feelings associated with it.

 

4. How was the picture a dedication from Wanda to Maddie?
(a) The drawing had colours that Maddie liked most.
(b) The drawing was of Maddie herself.
(c) Nobody had painted such a nice painting so far.
(d) The picture had won the first prize.
Answer: (b) The drawing was of Maddie herself.
In simple words: The picture was a special gift from Wanda to Maddie because it showed Maddie's own face.

Exam Tip: Look for details that personalize a gift or action, showing it was specifically intended for the recipient.

Answer the following questions in three to four sentences each:

 

Question 1. State the reason behind the letter of Mr Jan Petronski, Wanda's father.
Answer: Mr. Jan Petronski, Wanda's father, wrote the letter because he was upset to learn about everything his daughter had to go through because of her unusual name. The family decided to move to a larger city, hoping for a better life and more acceptance for his children.
In simple words: Wanda's father wrote the letter because he was sad about his daughter being teased for her name and for being different, so he moved their family away.

Exam Tip: Clearly state the primary reason (teasing due to name) and the consequent action (moving) as derived from the text.

 

Question 2. What do you think about Wanda's action of not coming to school anymore ?.
Answer: Wanda never spoke against anyone for their bad behavior. However, due to the insults she faced, she decided not to come to school anymore. It was very mature for her age to teach them a lesson without any arguments or confrontations, simply by removing herself from the situation.
In simple words: Wanda stopped coming to school because of the insults. This was a mature way for her to react, teaching the others a lesson without arguing.

Exam Tip: Evaluate the character's actions from a perspective of maturity or effectiveness, rather than just stating what happened.

 

Question 3. What impression do you form of Wanda Petronski on the basis of reading the lesson 'The Hundred Dresses'? OR What kind of a girl was Wanda Petronski ?
Answer: Wanda Petronski was a very simple Polish girl. She always kept herself calm and quiet in every situation and never reacted when Peggy teased her, taking it lightly. She always responded to everyone with a smile. She even gifted her drawings to Peggy and Maddie, which demonstrated her innocent and loving nature.
In simple words: Wanda Petronski was a calm, simple, and loving girl. She handled teasing quietly, always smiled, and even gifted her beautiful drawings, showing her kind heart.

Exam Tip: Summarize Wanda's key personality traits and provide brief examples from the story to support each trait.

 

Question 4. Why did Maddie rush to Peggy's house while gazing at the drawing?
Answer: Maddie rushed to Peggy's house while looking at the drawing because she had seen her own face in the drawing. She wanted to confirm with Peggy if her face was also in one of the drawings, hoping for a shared experience of validation from Wanda.
In simple words: Maddie hurried to Peggy's house because she saw her own face in the drawing and wanted to check if Peggy's face was also there.

Exam Tip: Focus on the immediate trigger for Maddie's action and her underlying desire for confirmation or shared understanding.

 

Question 5. Why did Peggy and Maddie assume that Wanda had received their letter ?
Answer: Peggy and Maddie assumed that Wanda had received their letter because Wanda sent them a reply, which included the drawings. Wanda's letter explicitly gifted one drawing to Maddie and another to Peggy, confirming that their message had reached her.
In simple words: They assumed Wanda got their letter because she replied to them and sent drawings specifically for each of them.

Exam Tip: Base your answer on direct evidence from the text regarding Wanda's actions, such as sending a reply or specific gifts.

Answer the following questions in five to six sentences each:

 

Question 6. Why did Maddie have sleepless nights ?
Answer: Maddie had sleepless nights because she was very upset about everything that had happened. She felt guilty for not defending Wanda and for being a silent spectator. She also felt helpless because she could not correct her behavior towards Wanda, as Wanda had moved to another city, leaving no chance for an apology or reconciliation.
In simple words: Maddie couldn't sleep because she felt very bad about what she did. She was guilty for not helping Wanda and knew she couldn't fix things since Wanda had moved away.

Exam Tip: Explain the layers of Maddie's guilt and regret, connecting them to her inability to make amends due to Wanda's departure.

 

Question 7. What did the children of room thirteen do on the Christmas eve ?
Answer: On Christmas Eve, the children of Room Thirteen decorated their room with great care and affection. They adorned it with festive Christmas bells and a Christmas tree, creating a joyful atmosphere. This act of decorating reflected a sense of community and celebration among the students.
In simple words: On Christmas Eve, the students in Room Thirteen lovingly decorated their classroom with Christmas bells and a Christmas tree to celebrate.

Exam Tip: Describe the specific decorations and the general mood or feeling that resulted from their efforts.

 

Question 8. Why was there no reply of the letter written to Wanda by the girls ?
Answer: The girls, Maddie and Peggy, did not receive an immediate reply from Wanda. This could have been either because of Wanda's anger towards them for the teasing, or more likely because they had written the letter using the address of her old house in Boggins Heights and not her new residence in the larger city. Thus, the letter probably never reached her initially.
In simple words: Maddie and Peggy didn't get a quick reply from Wanda. This was likely because they sent the letter to her old address, so it never reached her new home.

Exam Tip: Provide both possible reasons mentioned in the text for the lack of a reply, prioritizing the most practical one (wrong address).

 

Question 9. What did Peggy say to Maddie when they did not find her at Boggins Heights ?
Answer: When they failed to find Wanda at Boggins Heights, Peggy told Maddie that Wanda had won the drawing contest because Peggy's teasing had actually inspired her to draw such beautiful dresses. She implied that without her questions about dresses, Wanda would not have been able to win the competition. This shows Peggy's way of rationalizing her behavior.
In simple words: Peggy told Maddie that Wanda won the drawing contest because Peggy's teasing had actually inspired her to create such wonderful dress designs.

Exam Tip: Identify how Peggy deflects blame or reinterprets events to justify her own past actions.

 

Question 1. What did Maddie and Peggy write in the letter to Wanda ? What happened to it ? How did Maddie behave even though Peggy had begun to forget the whole business ?
Answer: Peggy and Maddie wrote a friendly letter to Wanda. Instead of apologizing directly, they asked her about her new school and teacher. They also told her about the drawing contest she had won and praised her drawings as beautiful. They implicitly meant to say sorry. They signed it with many 'X's for love and avoided any teasing. However, the letter likely never reached Wanda because it was sent to her old address. Even after some time, when Peggy started to forget the whole matter, Maddie remained consumed by thoughts of Wanda and everything that had occurred. She felt guilty and decided not to remain silent anymore, hoping others would not feel ashamed like her.
In simple words: Maddie and Peggy wrote a friendly letter to Wanda, asking about her new life and praising her drawings, hinting at an apology. The letter probably didn't reach Wanda because it went to her old house. While Peggy started to move on, Maddie kept thinking about Wanda, feeling guilty, and decided to always speak up against unfairness in the future.

Exam Tip: Address all parts of a multi-faceted question. Describe the letter's content, its fate, and Maddie's differing reaction compared to Peggy.

 

Question 2. Give a character sketch of Wanda Petronski.
Answer: Wanda Petronski was a Polish girl who had moved to America with her family. She was very kind and simple-hearted, never behaving badly towards anyone. Although she felt disturbed when Peggy teased her, she responded confidently and courageously to Peggy's remarks. She always wore the same blue faded dress but never complained. Wanda was exceptionally talented, possessing a great skill for drawing, which earned her victory in the drawing and coloring contest, showcasing her creative side. She was also forgiving and generous, demonstrated by gifting her two drawings to Peggy and Maddie, with their faces drawn in them. Overall, she was a mature, sensible, and loving girl who cared about everyone.
In simple words: Wanda Petronski was a kind, simple, and talented Polish girl. She bravely faced teasing, never complained, and was very creative, winning a drawing contest. She was also forgiving, gifting drawings to her teasers, showing she was a mature and caring person.

Exam Tip: Provide a well-rounded description of the character, highlighting multiple traits and supporting each with specific examples from the story.

 

Question 3. How can you say that Maddie is an emotional girl ? Compare and contrast Maddie and Peggy.
Answer: From a close reading of the lesson, it's clear that Maddie is an emotional girl. As Peggy's close friend, she remained by Peggy's side when Wanda was teased, but she felt deeply saddened by it. She even considered writing a note to Peggy to stop the teasing but tore it up, fearing she would become the next target. Eventually, she decided to stand against anyone who teased others, even if it meant losing her friend, which truly shows her emotional depth and moral courage. Compared to Maddie, Peggy is an arrogant girl. She teases Wanda by asking about her dresses but is not entirely cruel, as she helps children from bullies and cries when she sees an animal getting hurt. However, she often tries to make fun of Wanda and defends her own actions. So, both girls have distinct personalities and traits, reflecting their individual development.
In simple words: Maddie is emotional because she felt terrible about Wanda's teasing, almost confronted Peggy, and eventually decided to always stand up for others, even if it meant losing a friend. Peggy, however, is more arrogant, teasing Wanda often, though she isn't purely cruel as she also shows kindness in other situations.

Exam Tip: When comparing and contrasting characters, use specific actions and internal thoughts from the story to illustrate each point, focusing on how their personalities drive their behaviors.

 

Question 2. Give a character sketch of Wanda Petronski.
Answer: Wanda Petronski, a Polish girl, moved to America with her parents and younger brother. She was very kind and simple-hearted, never behaving poorly towards anyone. She felt troubled when Peggy teased her. However, she always responded confidently and bravely to Peggy's remarks. She wore the same faded blue dress daily but never complained about anything. Wanda was very talented and skilled at drawing. She also won the drawing and coloring contest, showcasing her creative talent.
She was forgiving and generous, as she forgave Peggy and Maddie by giving them two of her drawings, which showed their faces. Therefore, Wanda can be described as a mature, sensible, and loving girl who cared about everyone.

Exam Tip: When writing a character sketch, describe both physical traits and personality traits, providing examples from the story to support your points.

 

Question 3. How can you say that Maddie is an emotional girl ? Compare and contrast Maddie and Peggy.
Answer: By carefully reading the lesson, we can determine that Maddie is an emotional girl. As Peggy's close friend, she stayed by her side when Peggy teased Wanda but felt bad for her. She decided to write a note to Peggy to stop teasing Wanda but then tore it up because she didn't want to become the next target of their fun. In the end, she decided to stand up against anyone who teased others, even if it meant losing her friend, which clearly shows her emotional side.
Compared to Maddie, Peggy was an arrogant girl. She teased Wanda by asking her about dresses, but she wasn't cruel, as she helped children from bullies and cried when she saw an injured animal. However, she often tried to make fun of Wanda and defended herself. Thus, both girls had different personalities and traits that were shaped by their upbringing and experiences.

Exam Tip: For comparison and contrast questions, create a mental list of similarities and differences before writing, and use transition words to clearly distinguish between the two characters.

 

Grammar

Question 1. Rectify the errors in each of the following lines as shown in the example:
Wanda does not sit there because she was ruff and noisy. Contradictory, she was very quiet and rarely said something at all. And nobody had never heard her laugh out loud. Example:

(2) The next day it drizzled. Maddie and Peggy hurrying to school under Peggy's umbrella. Usually, on a day like this, they didn't wait on Wanda Petronski in the corner of Oliver Street. Example:

Exam Tip: Pay close attention to verb tenses, adverbs, and idiomatic expressions when correcting grammatical errors. Context is key to choosing the right word.

 

Turn the following into Indirect Speech:

Question. “Wanda, How many dresses did you say you i have hanging up in your closet ?” Peggy ; asked.
“A hundred,” Wanda would say.
“A hundred!” exclaimed all the little girls ' incredulously.
"Yeah, a hundred, all lined up,” said Wanda.
Answer: Peggy asked Wanda how many dresses she had said she had hanging up in her closet. Wanda would say that she had a hundred dresses hanging up in her closet. All the little girls incredulously exclaimed that she had a hundred dresses in her closet. Wanda replied affirmatively that she really had a hundred dresses all lined up in her closet.

Exam Tip: Remember to change pronouns, verb tenses, and time/place expressions when converting direct speech to indirect speech. Avoid using quotation marks in indirect speech.

 

Rewrite as directed:

Question.
(1) Nobody had ever heard her laugh out loud. (Change the Voice.)
(2) They waited for Wanda to have fun with s her. (Use 'because'.)
(3) Nobody noticed her absence again. (Turn into Affirmative.)
(4) Peggy was the most popular girl in the s school. (Change the Degree.)
(5) What a story! (Turn into Assertive.)
(6) Peggy was not really cruel. (Turn into Interrogative.)
(7) She cried for hours if she saw an animal mistreated. (Remove 'if'.)
(8) Peggy was not as poor as Wanda, (Change the Degree.)
Answer:
(1) She had never been heard to laugh out loud by anybody.
(2) They waited for Wanda because they wanted to have fun with her.
(3) Her absence went unnoticed by everybody again.
(4) No other girl in the school was as popular as Peggy.
(5) It was really a strange story.
(6) Was Peggy really cruel?
(7) She cried for hours provided she saw an animal mistreated.
(8) Wanda was poorer than Peggy.

Exam Tip: Practice different types of grammatical transformations regularly. For voice changes, identify the subject and object; for degree changes, understand positive, comparative, and superlative forms; for sentence types, know their structures.

 

Writing

Question 1. Look again at the letter which Wanda's father Writes to Miss Mason, Wanda's teacher. Mr Petronski is not quite aware how to write a formal letter in English. Can you rewrite it more appropriately ? Discuss the following with your partner before you do so.
The format of a formal letter: How to begin the letter and how to end it; the language of the letter needs to be formal. (Avoid informal words like 'holler' and fragments like "No more ask why funny name.") Write complete sentences.
Answer:
Jan Petronski
3126, Boggins Heights,
Washington, DC 20521-4150
October 16, 2018

Dear Miss Mason,

I hope this letter finds you in good health.

My daughter, Wanda, and my son, Jake, will no longer be attending your school. We are relocating to a larger city. You will not need to use humorous names like 'Pollack' any longer. There are many unique names in the big city, yet it feels odd that you found amusement in calling out my children's names. I hope there will be no issues from our side from now on that may concern you.

Wishing you all the best ahead.

Yours truly,
Jan Petronski

Exam Tip: For formal letters, always include a proper salutation and closing, use polite and respectful language, and ensure clear, concise sentences. Avoid slang or overly casual expressions.

 

Question 2. Are you interested in drawing and painting Ritu Kumar, one of India's best known dress designers, has no formal training in designing. She started by sketching ideas S' for her own dresses, and getting them stitched S by a tailor.
Ritu's friends liked her dresses so much that they asked her to design clothes for them, and even paid her for it! Imagine you are going to make a career out of your hobby. What sort of things will you need to learn Write a paragraph or two on this topic after consulting an expert or doing reference work on your chosen area.
Answer:
My Hobby, later converted into my Profession

I am a village boy. I used to live on a street where most of the residents were carpenters. One of them was my favorite, as he worked very hard and precisely. I often sat beside him, watching his work. I also began working on some wooden logs just for fun. Observing my play-work, the carpenter started giving me some tasks, and under his guidance, I simply developed it as my hobby. I even skipped school if I received even a small task from the carpenter to work on. I must admit that I wasn't great at my studies, so I pursued carpentry with dedication.

There are likely even fewer carpenters these days than computer repair people. However, my goal was a little different. I realized that this occupation could become profitable if I had the skill to restore antique furniture. That's a specific skill, and by properly restoring an antique item, you can significantly increase its value. There are even fewer people who can do that. Somehow, I discovered this secret, and now it's my well-paying profession.

Exam Tip: When writing imaginative pieces, clearly articulate your vision, the steps you would take, and the skills required, ensuring a logical flow of ideas throughout the paragraphs.

 

Question 3. Rewrite a part of the story as if Wanda is telling us her own story.
Answer: I feel very saddened and upset by the insulting remarks of my classmates: Peggy and Maddie, as both of them always tried to put me down. And as a Polish girl with a long name, I felt unable to respond to them in the same way. Peggy is vain; she teases me by asking about my dress. She asks me how many dresses, shoes, hats, etc., I own. When I replied that I have a hundred dresses and sixty pairs of shoes, they asked about their different colors and designs. Maddie always remains quiet and thus supports Peggy's actions; she lacks the courage to state what is right and what is wrong.
I never react and try to smile at their irritating questions because I know there would be no difference between me and them if I also turned the tables on them. Now that my father has learned about what I am enduring, he has decided to move to another city to avoid confrontation and racism, as such humiliating circumstances cannot be tolerated or accepted.

Exam Tip: When retelling a story from a different character's perspective, focus on their unique thoughts, feelings, and interpretations of events, maintaining a consistent tone and voice throughout.