GSEB Class 9 English Beehive Chapter 3 The Little Girl Solutions

Thinking About The Text

Question I. Given below are some emotions that Kezia felt. Match the emotions in column 'A' with the items in column 'B':

Answer:
(1 – c, d, e, g); (2 – a, b); (3 – f).
In simple words: To match the emotions, consider which events would cause fear, relief, or a sense of understanding based on Kezia's experiences with her father.

Exam Tip: For matching questions, read both columns carefully. Look for clear cause-and-effect relationships or strong associations between the items.

II. Answer The Following Questions In One Or Two Sentences:

Question 1. Why was Kezia afraid of her father?
Answer: Kezia was scared of her father because he was very strict and always gave orders to everyone in their house. He never played with her, and she felt he looked really big, especially his hands, neck, and mouth when he yawned. She was particularly frightened by the way he looked at her over his spectacles.
In simple words: Kezia was afraid because her father was strict, always giving commands, never playing with her, and seemed large and intimidating.

Exam Tip: When describing a character's emotions, always provide specific reasons or actions from the story to support your answer.

Question 2. Who were the people in Kezia's family?
Answer: Kezia's family included her mother, her father, her grandmother, and Kezia herself.
In simple words: Kezia lived with her mother, father, and grandmother.

Exam Tip: For simple factual questions, state the information clearly and concisely as presented in the text.

Question 3. What was Kezia's father's routine
(a) before going to his office?
(b) after coming back from his office?
(c) on Sundays?
Answer:
(a) Before going to his office, Kezia's father usually went to her room to give her a quick kiss.
(b) After coming back from his office, he asked for tea to be brought to the drawing room. He also told Kezia's mother to bring him the newspaper and his slippers, and Kezia to pull off his boots.
(c) On Sunday, Kezia's father would stretch out on the sofa. He would cover his face with his handkerchief, put his feet on one of the cushions, and sleep peacefully.
In simple words: Before work, he gave Kezia a quick kiss. After work, he wanted tea, newspaper, slippers, and his boots removed. On Sundays, he rested on the sofa, covering his face and sleeping.

Exam Tip: Break down routines into specific time periods (e.g., morning, evening, weekend) to give a structured and complete answer.

Question 4. In what ways did Kezia's grandmother encourage her to get to know her father better?
Answer: Kezia's grandmother encouraged her to get to know her father better by sending her to the drawing room to talk to her parents on Sundays. She also suggested that Kezia make a pincushion from a pretty piece of yellow silk as a gift for her father's birthday.
In simple words: The grandmother sent Kezia to talk with her parents on Sundays and suggested she make her father a birthday gift to help them bond.

Exam Tip: When asked about encouragement, identify both direct actions (sending her to talk) and suggestions (making a gift).

III. Discuss These Questions In Class With Your Teacher And Then Write Down Your Answers In Two Or Three Paragraphs Each:

Question 1. Kezia's efforts to please her father resulted in displeasing him very much. How did this happen?
Answer: Kezia's attempts to make her father happy actually ended up making him very angry. Every Sunday, her grandmother would send Kezia to the drawing room to have a good talk with her father and mother. But Kezia's presence consistently bothered her father, who used to call her 'little brown owl'. One day, her grandmother informed her that her father's birthday was approaching and advised her to create a pincushion as a wonderful present.
After carefully stitching three sides of the cushion with thick cotton, Kezia was unsure what to use as filling. Since her grandmother was busy in the garden, she looked through her mother's bedroom for any spare pieces. She finally found sheets of paper on the bedside table. She gathered these papers, tore them into small pieces, and used them to stuff the cushion. Sadly, her efforts not only failed to please her father but also led to an unforeseen negative outcome. The papers she had torn were actually the text for her father's speech for the Port Authority. Her father scolded her for touching things that did not belong to her and punished her by hitting her palm with a ruler.
In simple words: Kezia tried to make a pincushion for her father's birthday, but she accidentally tore up his important speech to fill it. This made him very angry, and he punished her by hitting her hand with a ruler.

Exam Tip: Provide a clear sequence of events: Kezia's intention, her actions, the accidental mistake, and the father's reaction and punishment. Include specific details like the "Port Authority speech" to score well.

Question 2. Kezia decides that there are 'different kinds of fathers'. What kind of father was Mr Macdonald and how was he different from Kezia's father?
Answer: Kezia compared her own father with Mr. Macdonald, her next-door neighbour. Mr. Macdonald was a kind, gentle, and forgiving father. He was always smiling and played games with his children. He treated his children in a friendly way. He was the complete opposite of Kezia's father. Unlike Kezia's father, Mr. Macdonald never punished his children; instead, he played with them whenever he had free time.
In contrast, Kezia's father was very harsh and a strict disciplinarian. He rarely showed affection and often used stern words or punishment. This comparison made Kezia realize that not all fathers were like hers; some could be loving and playful, leading her to conclude that there were 'different kinds of fathers' in the world. She longed for a father who would engage with her as Mr. Macdonald did with his own children.
In simple words: Mr. Macdonald was a loving, gentle father who played with his children, unlike Kezia's strict and harsh father. This showed Kezia that fathers could be very different.

Exam Tip: To compare and contrast, describe each father's characteristics separately first, then explicitly state the differences in their parenting styles and Kezia's perception of them.

Question 3. How does Kezia begin to see her father as a human being who needs her sympathy?
Answer: With her mother and grandmother in the hospital, Kezia was left at home under the care of Alice, the cook. At night, after Alice put her to bed, Kezia experienced a nightmare. She called for her grandmother but, surprisingly, found her father standing near her bed. He gently picked her up, held her in his arms, and brought her to his own bed, making her sleep close to him. Half-asleep, she snuggled her head under his arm and held onto his shirt tightly. Her father even asked her to rub her feet against his legs for warmth.
Her father fell asleep before her. This experience made Kezia realize that he had to work very hard every day, which left him too exhausted to be as playful as Mr. Macdonald. She expressed her changed feelings for her father by telling him that he had a 'big heart'. This moment of comfort and shared vulnerability allowed Kezia to see a softer, more human side of her father, making her feel sympathy for him rather than just fear.
In simple words: When Kezia's mother was away, her father comforted her during a nightmare. This made Kezia realize he works hard and gets tired, leading her to feel sympathy for him and see his loving side.

Exam Tip: Focus on the specific events and the internal change in Kezia's perspective. Highlight the contrast between her initial fear and her developing sympathy, linking it to the father's actions and the context of the nightmare.

Thinking About Language

I. Look At The Following Sentence:

There was a glad sense of relief when she heard the noise of the carriage growing fainter...............

Here, glad means happy about something.

Glad, happy, pleased, delighted, thrilled and overjoyed are synonyms (words or expressions that have the same or nearly the same meaning.) However, they express happiness in certain ways.

Read The Sentences Below:

• She was glad when the meeting was over.
• The chief guest was pleased to announce the name of the winner.

Question 1. Use an appropriate word from the synonyms given above in the following sentences : (Clues are given in the brackets.)
(1) She was .......................... by the news of her brother's wedding, (very pleased)
(2) I was .......................... to be invited to the party, (extremely pleased and excited about)
(3) She was .......................... at the birth of her granddaughter, (extremely happy)
(4) The coach was .......................... with his performance, (satisfied about)
(5) She was very .......................... with her results. (happy about something that has happened)

Answer:
(1) delighted
(2) thrilled
(3) overjoyed
(4) pleased
(5) happy
In simple words: To fill in the blanks, select the synonym that best matches the specific emotion described in the brackets for each sentence.

Exam Tip: Pay close attention to the specific nuance of happiness or pleasure indicated by the bracketed clue, as synonyms often have slightly different intensities or contexts of use.

Question 2. Study the use of the word big in the following sentence: He was so big -his hands and his neck, especially his mouth... Here, big means large in size. Now, consult a dictionary and find out the meaning of big in the following sentences : (The first one has been done for you.)
(1) You are a big girl now.........................
(2) Today you are going to take the biggest decision of your career .........................
(3) Their project is full of big ideas. ..........................
(4) Cricket is a big game in our country. ..........................
(5) I am a big fan of Lata Mangeshkar. ..........................
(6) You have to cook a bit more as my friend is a big eater .........................
(7) What a big heart you've got, Father dear ..........................

Answer:
(1) older
(2) most important
(3) innovative
(4) popular
(5) great
(6) glutton
(7) generous/kind
In simple words: The word 'big' can have different meanings depending on how it's used. Look at the context of each sentence to figure out if it means large, important, or something else.

Exam Tip: Understanding contextual clues is crucial for identifying the correct meaning of polysemous words (words with multiple meanings) like "big."

II. Verbs Of Reporting:

Study the following sentences:

• "What!" screamed Mother.
• "N-n-no,” she whispered.
• "Sit up,” he ordered.

The italicised words are verbs of reporting. We quote or report what someone has said or thought by using a reporting verb. Every reporting clause contains a reporting verb.

For example:

• He promised to help in my project.
• "How are you doing ?” Seema asked.

We use verbs of reporting to advise, order, report statements, thoughts, intentions, questions, requests, apologies, manner of speaking and so on.

Question 1. Underline the verbs of reporting in the following sentences:
(1) He says he will enjoy the ride.
(2) Father mentioned that he was going on a holiday.
(3) No one told us that the shop was closed.
(4) He answered that the price would go up.
(5) I wondered why he was screaming.
(6) Ben told her to wake him up.
(7) Ratan apologised for coming late to the party.
Answer:
(1) says
(2) mentioned
(3) told
(4) answered
(5) wondered
(6) told
(7) apologised
In simple words: Reporting verbs are words like 'said', 'asked', 'told', or 'mentioned' that show how someone's speech or thoughts are being conveyed.

Exam Tip: To identify reporting verbs, look for words that introduce a quote, paraphrase, or describe the act of speaking or thinking, often followed by "that" or quotation marks.

Question 2. Some verbs of reporting are given in the box. Choose the appropriate verbs and fill in the blanks in the following sentences:
were complaining shouted replied remarked ordered suggested
(1) "I am not afraid," .......................... the woman.
(2) "Leave me alone,” my mother ..........................
(3) The children .......................... that the roads were crowded and noisy.
(4) "Perhaps he isn't a bad sort of a chap after all," .......................... the master.
(5) "Let's go and look at the school ground,” ..........................the sports teacher.
(6) The traffic police .......................... all the passers-by to keep off the road.
Answer:
(1) replied
(2) shouted
(3) were complaining
(4) remarked
(5) suggested
(6) ordered
In simple words: Pick the verb from the given list that best fits the meaning and tone of the sentence.

Exam Tip: Consider the context and the speaker's tone in each sentence to choose the most fitting reporting verb from the given options.

Writing

Question. Has your life been different from or similar to that of Kezia when you were a child? Has your perception about your parents changed now? Do you find any change in your parents' behaviour vis-a-vis yours? Who has become more understanding? What steps would you like to take to build a relationship based on understanding? Write three or four paragraphs (150-200 words) discussing these issues from your own experience.
Answer: My life was completely different from Kezia's when I was a child. My father was strict but never treated me as Kezia's father treated her. He never stared at me with harmful, piercing eyes. He never ignored me like Kezia's father did. He never called me insulting names, nor did he humiliate me by saying I looked like a little brown owl. If I made a mistake or accidentally damaged something, he would gently scold me but never used physical punishment, unlike Kezia's father who struck her little, pink palms with a ruler. Very often, he would pick me up in his arms, kiss me, put me on his shoulder, and take me for a walk in a pleasant mood.
My view of my parents has not changed much. I now understand that whenever they scolded me in the past, it was for my own good. They aimed to make me more disciplined and wished for me to grow up as a responsible boy or man they could be proud of. They remain loving and caring towards me.
Yes, as the years have passed, there is a small shift in their behaviour towards me. They no longer treat me like a child. I am allowed to make my own decisions about my studies, choosing friends, selecting clothes, and other accessories. Sometimes they offer advice, using their experience, which helps me make better, lasting, and useful choices.
Regarding my perspective, both my parents and I have become more understanding. As far as I comprehend, I never give them a reason to scold me now. I often ask for their advice when making important decisions. I talk with them openly, and they frankly tell me what is best for me. Since they are open-minded and supportive, I love, obey, and respect them. I do everything acceptable to them and never feel forced to obey them. I personally believe that love and respect, built on mutual understanding, can bring happiness and integrity.
In simple words: My childhood with my strict but loving father was different from Kezia's harsh experience. My understanding of my parents has grown; I now see their past scolding as guidance for my benefit. We have a more open, understanding, and respectful relationship now, where I value their advice while making my own choices.

Exam Tip: When writing a personal reflection, ensure you clearly differentiate between your own experiences and Kezia's, providing specific examples to illustrate similarities and differences in parenting and relationships.

Gseb Class 9 English The Little Girl Additional Important Questions And Answers

Reading Comprehension

Read The Following Passages And Select The Most Appropriate Answers For The Questions Given Below Them:

On Sunday afternoons, Grandmother sent her down to the drawing room to have a 'nice talk with Father and Mother'. But the little girl always found Mother reading and Father stretched out on the sofa, his handkerchief on his face, his feet on one of the best cushions, sleeping soundly and snoring.
She sat on a stool, gravely watched him. until he woke and stretched, and asked the time - then looked at her.
"Don't stare so, Kezia you look like a little brown owl.”

Question 1. 'Kezia was sent down to the drawing room by Grandmother.' What was the grandmother's motive behind it?
A. That she could help her father in his work.
B. That she could discuss her future plans with her father.
C. That she could have a nice talk with her parents.
D. That the quarrel between them could be patched up.
Answer: (C) That she could have a nice talk with her parents.
In simple words: Grandmother wanted Kezia to spend time and talk with her parents, hoping they would build a closer bond.

Exam Tip: When answering questions about character motives, look for explicit statements or strong inferences in the text regarding their intentions.

Question 2. Kezia's presence in the drawing room was ignored as
A. her mother kept on reading something.
B. her father kept on sleeping soundly on the sofa.
C. her grandmother kept on talking with someone else.
D. Both 'A' and 'B'
Answer: (D) Both 'A' and 'B'
In simple words: Kezia felt ignored because her mother was busy reading and her father was asleep on the sofa, so neither paid attention to her.

Exam Tip: For "All of the options" or "Both A and B" choices, verify each option against the passage before making your selection.

Question 3. While sleeping on the sofa, Kezia's father.
A. hid his face with a handkerchief.
B. rested his feet on a cushion.
C. snored.
D. All of these three
Answer: (D) All of these three
In simple words: The passage describes the father covering his face, resting his feet, and snoring, indicating all three actions occurred while he slept.

Exam Tip: Read descriptive passages carefully to catch all details about a character's actions or appearance, especially when "All of these" is an option.

Question 4. How did Kezia's father make his waking feel to Kezia?
A. He asked about the time.
B. He snored.
C. He scolded Kezia.
D. He called Kezia's mother.
Answer: (A) He asked about the time.
In simple words: Upon waking, Kezia's father simply asked for the time, which didn't make her feel better.

Exam Tip: Distinguish between the father's actions and Kezia's feelings; his actions didn't necessarily aim to make her feel a certain way, but they did impact her.

"But it was for your b – b – birthday.” Down came the ruler on her little, pink palms. Hours later, when grandmother had wrapped her in a shawl and rocked her in the rocking- chair, the child clung to her soft body. "What did God make fathers for?" She sobbed.

Question 1. What do the broken words in the first line suggest?
A. Disgust
B. Fear
C. Anger
D. Hatred
Answer: (B) Fear
In simple words: Kezia's stuttering and broken words, like "b-b-birthday", indicate she was very afraid of her father.

Exam Tip: Analyze speech patterns and non-verbal cues in dialogue to understand a character's underlying emotions.

Question 2. How did Kezia's hands turn pink?
A. As she blushed.
B. As she dipped her hand into pink colour.
C. As her father hit on her palm with a ruler.
D. None of the options
Answer: (C) As her father hit on her palm with a ruler.
In simple words: Kezia's hands turned pink because her father physically punished her by hitting them with a ruler.

Exam Tip: Connect cause and effect directly to the narrative. The passage explicitly states the ruler's use and the consequence.

Question 3. The question 'What did God make fathers for?' suggests...
A. Kezia's love for her father.
B. Kezia's hatred for her father.
C. Kezia's respect for her father.
D. Both 'A' and 'C'
Answer: (B) Kezia's hatred for her father.
In simple words: The question shows Kezia's deep unhappiness and dislike towards her father due to his harsh treatment.

Exam Tip: Interpret character's exclamations or questions as reflections of their inner emotional state, especially in moments of distress.

Question 4. What effort did the Grandmother do to bridge up between Kezia and her father?
A. She made Kezia sleep.
B. She asked Kezia to forget everything.
C. She tried to explain the things to Kezia's father that Kezia had not done anything deliberately.
D. She scolded Kezia's father - her son for treating Kezia so harshly.
Answer: (C) She tried to explain the things to Kezia's father that Kezia had not done anything deliberately.
In simple words: The grandmother attempted to help by clarifying to the father that Kezia's actions were unintentional.

Exam Tip: Identify actions taken by supportive characters that aim to mediate conflicts or misunderstandings between others.

The Macdonalds lived next door. They had five children. Looking through a gap in the fence the little girl saw them playing 'tag' in the evening. The father with the baby, Mao, on his shoulders, two little girls hanging on to his coat pockets ran round and round the flower beds, shaking with laughter. Once she saw the boys turn the hose on him – and he tried to catch them laughing all the time. Then it was she decided there were different sorts of fathers.

Question 1. Mr Macdonald was
A. a sports teacher
B. a sportsman
C. Kezia's neighbour
D. All of these three
Answer: (C) Kezia's neighbour
In simple words: The passage clearly states that the Macdonalds lived next door, identifying Mr. Macdonald as Kezia's neighbour.

Exam Tip: Base your answers strictly on the information provided in the given passage, avoiding external assumptions.

Question 2. The extract shows that Mr Macdonald was a ................ father.
A. kind
B. loving
C. strict
D. Both 'A' and 'B'
Answer: (D) Both 'A' and 'B'
In simple words: Mr. Macdonald's playful interactions and laughter with his children demonstrate that he was both kind and loving.

Exam Tip: When characteristics are implicitly shown through actions (like playing cheerfully), infer the traits based on those positive descriptions.

Question 3. Mr Macdonald made the evening for ................ his children.
A. pleasant
B. boring
C. miserable
D. stressful
Answer: (A) pleasant
In simple words: Mr. Macdonald's playful activities, like running around and turning on the hose, created an enjoyable and pleasant evening for his children.

Exam Tip: Look for words describing the atmosphere or children's reactions (e.g., "laughter") to determine the overall feeling created by the father's actions.

Question 4. After watching Mr Macdonald playing cheerfully with his children, Kezia derived that
A. some fathers are cruel.
B. some fathers are active.
C. all fathers are not the same.
D. no father is strict.
Answer: (C) all fathers are not the same.
In simple words: Witnessing Mr. Macdonald's affectionate nature made Kezia understand that not all fathers behave like her strict father.

Exam Tip: Pay attention to how a character's perspective changes after observing a new situation or different people.

Answer The Following Questions In Three To Four Sentences Each:

Question 1. What orders were passed to Kezia in the evening when father returned home from office?
Answer: When Kezia's father returned home from his office, she was expected to come downstairs, take off his shoes, and place them outside. She was also required to carefully put his teacup back on the table. These duties were part of her regular evening routine whenever her father arrived.
In simple words: In the evening, Kezia had to take off her father's shoes, put them away, and carefully return his teacup to the table when he came home from work.

Exam Tip: List the tasks in sequential order to clearly convey the routine. Ensure all parts of the question about "orders" are addressed.

Question 2. Why did Kezia avoid her father?
Answer: Kezia kept away from her father because, to her, he seemed like an emotionless individual. He never spoke to her kindly or calmly. He would scold her and criticize her for mistakes. Kezia also stammered in front of him because he appeared as a huge, giant-like figure, very distant from the loving warmth of a father.
In simple words: Kezia avoided her father because he seemed cold, never spoke gently, always scolded her, and his large presence made her feel scared and uncomfortable.

Exam Tip: When explaining avoidance, provide multiple reasons based on the character's perception and experiences with the person in question.

Question 3. Why did Kezia stammer in front of her father? OR Why did Kezia stutter only with her father?
Answer: Kezia's father constantly scolded her and never spoke to her in a loving way. So, Kezia stammered in front of her father because she was scared of him and found it hard to talk when he was present. This fear made her unable to speak smoothly, causing her to stutter specifically around him.
In simple words: Kezia stammered in front of her father because his constant scolding and lack of warmth made her terrified and nervous to speak to him.

Exam Tip: Connect Kezia's stammering directly to her emotional state (fear, nervousness) caused by her father's behaviour, highlighting the specific interaction that triggered it.

Question 4. Why was Kezia afraid of her father?
Answer: Kezia was a sensitive little girl. Her father was often aggressive and always spoke in a loud voice. He always scolded her, even when she admitted her mistakes. He never played with her, which made her feel more distant. All these actions made Kezia scared of her father and wary of his presence.
In simple words: Kezia was afraid of her father because he was aggressive, spoke loudly, constantly scolded her, and never played with her, making her feel intimidated.

Exam Tip: Summarize the father's key negative traits and actions that contributed to Kezia's fear, providing a concise explanation.

Question 5. What made Kezia's father punish her?
Answer: Kezia's father punished her because she tore up his important papers to stuff a pincushion. She was making this pincushion as a gift for her father's birthday. Since the papers contained his speech, tearing them was a serious mistake, leading to her punishment.
In simple words: Kezia tore her father's important speech papers to make a pincushion gift, which angered him and led to her punishment.

Exam Tip: Clearly state the direct action (tearing papers) and its significance (father's speech) that led to the punishment.

Question 6. "Father's great speech for the Port Authority had been lost.” What had happened to father's speech?
Answer: Father's speech had been torn into small pieces by Kezia, the little girl. She was creating a pincushion as a birthday gift for her father. Since she could not find anything else to fill it with, she tore up the pages of his speech and stuffed them inside the pincushion. This act, though innocent, resulted in the "loss" of the important speech.
In simple words: Kezia tore her father's important speech papers into pieces and used them to stuff a pincushion she was making as a gift.

Exam Tip: Explain both Kezia's intention (making a gift) and the unfortunate consequence (destroying the speech) to provide a complete answer.

Question 7. Why did Kezia's grandmother send her to the drawing room every Sunday afternoon?
Answer: Kezia's grandmother knew that Kezia was scared of her father. She believed that if Kezia spoke to him more frequently, she would overcome that fear. Therefore, every Sunday afternoon, she used to send Kezia to the drawing room to have a friendly talk with her father.
In simple words: Grandmother sent Kezia to the drawing room every Sunday so she could talk to her father more often and overcome her fear of him.

Exam Tip: Highlight the grandmother's understanding of Kezia's fear and her strategic approach to helping Kezia overcome it.

Question 8. What kind of a person was Kezia's father?
Answer: Kezia's father was a very hard-working man but had a short temper. He was also a strict disciplinarian. When Kezia's mother was hospitalized, Kezia later understood that her father loved her, but he just lacked the ability to show his affection openly.
In simple words: Kezia's father was hard-working and strict, with a short temper. He loved Kezia but struggled to show his feelings.

Exam Tip: Provide a balanced description of the father's character, including both his seemingly negative traits and the underlying positive ones that Kezia eventually discovered.

Question 9. What did Kezia find whenever on Sunday afternoons her grandmother sent her down to have a talk with her parents?
Answer: Whenever Kezia was sent by her grandmother to talk to her parents on Sunday afternoons, she always found her mother reading. Her father would be stretched out on the sofa, sleeping soundly and snoring. This situation often made Kezia feel ignored and unwelcome.
In simple words: On Sunday afternoons, Kezia found her mother reading and her father sleeping and snoring on the sofa, leaving her with no one to talk to.

Exam Tip: Describe the scene accurately, focusing on the lack of engagement from her parents that Kezia consistently observed.

Question 10. How was Kezia's father different from Mr Macdonald?
Answer: Mr. Macdonald played actively with his children; his girls would hold onto his coat pockets, and they all laughed together. Kezia's father, however, had no time for such playful activities. He was dedicated to his work and really worked very hard to support his family, leaving him with little energy for games.
In simple words: Mr. Macdonald was playful and engaged with his children, while Kezia's father was hard-working and had no time for games or showing affection.

Exam Tip: Clearly highlight specific contrasting behaviours between the two fathers (e.g., playing vs. working hard, laughter vs. lack of interaction).

Question 11. How did the father comfort the little girl, Kezia, when she got scared in her sleep?
Answer: The father came to Kezia's room with a candle, picked her up in his strong arms, and lay beside her. He made her stay close to him. She held his shirt and snuggled herself close to her father. This act of comfort helped Kezia when she became scared in her sleep.
In simple words: When Kezia was scared, her father came to her room, picked her up, and let her sleep close to him in his arms, comforting her.

Exam Tip: Detail the father's actions step-by-step, showing how each contributed to comforting Kezia during her nightmare.

Answer The Following Questions In Five To Six Sentences Each:

Question 1. How did Kezia's negative attitude towards her father change? OR What were the circumstances that forced Kezia to change her opinion about her father?
Answer: Kezia's negative view of her father transformed when her mother was admitted to the hospital and her grandmother went to stay with her. Kezia had to sleep alone at night, which terrified her and led to her shouting out of fear. She experienced nightmares and trembled intensely. Her father then came to her room and took her into his arms to comfort her. She felt secure and safe with him nearby. It was then that she realized her father was very busy with work and simply lacked the time to play. She also came to understand that her father loved her but just did not know how to express his love. Thus, her initial negative feelings towards her father changed to one of understanding and affection.
In simple words: Kezia's mother and grandmother were away, and she had a nightmare. Her father comforted her, making her realize he worked hard and loved her, even if he didn't show it well. This changed her negative view.

Exam Tip: When discussing a change in attitude, explain the initial attitude, the trigger events, the specific actions that caused the shift, and the final understanding or outcome.

Question 2. How did Kezia's efforts to please her father resulted in displeasing him very ' much ? Elaborate.
Answer: Kezia was very scared of her father and stammered while speaking to him. This annoyed him greatly. When she waited and stared at him for a nice, long chat, he did not like it. She unknowingly ruined some of his important papers while filling a pincushion that she wanted to give him for his birthday. This made him very angry, and he hit her badly. As a result, Kezia's attempts to please her father ended up upsetting him greatly.

Exam Tip: When elaborating on a character's actions and their consequences, always provide specific examples from the story to support your points.

Question 3. Kezia decides that there are 'different kinds of fathers'. What kind of father was Mr Macdonald and how was he different from Kezia's father? OR How is Kezia's father different from Mr Macdonald?
Answer: Mr Macdonald was Kezia's next-door neighbour. Kezia once watched her neighbours playing "tag" together in the evening. Mr Macdonald, with the baby Mao on his shoulders and the two small girls hanging onto his coat pockets, ran around the flower beds, shaking with laughter. They even turned the hose on him, and he tried to catch them, laughing the whole time. On the other hand, her own father was very disciplined and strict. He never played with her and rarely interacted much. He even punished her for her little mistakes.

Exam Tip: When comparing characters, list their traits side-by-side to highlight similarities and differences clearly. Use phrases like 'on the other hand' or 'in contrast' to show distinctions.

Question 4. Why was Kezia scared of her father and how did she get over her fear?
Answer: Kezia's father was big like a giant and very strict. He punished Kezia when she tore his important speech. One day, when Kezia's mother fell ill, her mother and grandmother were in the hospital. Kezia was left alone with her father at home. She had a nightmare and screamed with fright. Her father then carried Kezia in his arms to comfort and soothe her. That closeness with her father during those days helped her forget all her fears.

Exam Tip: Focus on the cause-and-effect relationship in the narrative when explaining how a character overcomes a fear or changes an opinion.

Question 5. How did Kezia feel in presence of her father?
Answer: Kezia was very afraid of her father because he seemed like a giant to her. Every morning, he used to give her a quick goodbye kiss. She always felt uncomfortable when her father was at home and even stammered when speaking to him. Her father scolded and sometimes even punished her for small mistakes, like when she tore some of his important papers. Despite this, she later understood that he cared for her, even if he didn't show it easily.

Exam Tip: When describing a character's feelings, use adjectives and short descriptions that reflect their emotional state accurately, as portrayed in the story.

Vocabulary And Grammar

Vocabulary

Question 1. Fill in the blanks choosing the correct words given in the brackets:
(1) (boots, take off, would, down)
"Kezia," Mother ......................... call to her. "If you're a good girl, you can come
b............ and ........................ father's ...........d"
Answer:
a. would
b. down
c. take off
d. boots

Exam Tip: Read the sentence carefully to understand the context. The surrounding words often provide clues about the correct verb or phrase to use.

Question 2. Study the use of the word big in the following sentence: He was so big -his hands and his neck, especially his mouth... Here, big means large in size. Now, consult a dictionary and find out the meaning of big in the following sentences : (The first one has been done for you.)
(1)You are a big girl now.
(2) Today you are going to take the biggest decision of your career
(3) Their project is full of big ideas.
(4) Cricket is a big game in our country.
(5) I am a big fan of Lata Mangeshkar.
(6) You have to cook a bit more as my friend is a big eater
(7) What a big heart you've got, Father dear
Answer:
(1) older
(2) most important
(3) innovative
(4) popular
(5) great
(6) glutton
(7) generous/kind

Exam Tip: Pay attention to the context of the sentence to determine the correct meaning of a word, as many words have multiple interpretations.

Grammar

Question 1. Rectify the errors in the passage: (1) With the little girl he was a figure to fear and avoided. Every morning after going to work he came into her room but gave her a casual kiss, to which she response with "Goodbye, Father." And oh, there was a glad sence of relief.
Answer: Here is the corrected passage: With the little girl he was a figure to be feared and avoided. Every morning, after going to work, he came into her room and gave her a casual kiss, to which she responded with "Goodbye, Father." And oh, there was a glad sense of relief.
The errors and corrections are:

Exam Tip: Carefully read each sentence to identify grammatical mistakes, misspellings, or incorrect word usage. Rephrase the sentence mentally to find the right correction.

Question 2. Rectify the errors in the passage: She sat on a stool, graveness watched him unless she woke and stretched, and asked the time-than looked at her. "Don't stare ' so, Kezia. You looked like a little brown owl." One day, where she was kept indoors with a cold, her grandmother asked her that father's birthday was next week.
Answer: Here is the corrected passage: She sat on a stool, gravely watched him until she woke and stretched, and asked the time, then looked at her. "Don't stare so, Kezia. You looked like a little brown owl." One day, when she was kept indoors with a cold, her grandmother asked her about her father's birthday next week.
The errors and corrections are:

Exam Tip: When correcting passages, pay close attention to adverbs (like 'gravely'), conjunctions (like 'until' or 'when'), prepositions, and punctuation marks for accuracy.

Question 3. Rectify the errors in the passage: (3) "There's a clean hanky, darling. Blow your nose. Going to sleep, pet; you will forget all about it in the morning. I tried to explaining to Father but he was to upset to listen tonight. But the child always forgot. Next time she saw him she quick put both hands behind her back.
Answer: Here is the corrected passage: "Here's a clean hanky, darling. Blow your nose. Go to sleep, pet; you will forget all about it in the morning. I tried to explain to Father but he was too upset to listen tonight. But the child never forgot. Next time she saw him she quickly put both hands behind her back."
The errors and corrections are:

Exam Tip: Pay attention to verb forms, common idiomatic expressions, and adverbial usage when making corrections to ensure natural-sounding English.

Question 1. Fill in the blanks using article(s), conjunctions(s) and preposition(s) at the correct places: (1) Tired .a.......... he slept .b... the little girl, ............... funny feeling came ............... her. Poor Father, not ........................ big, ................ and with no one to look after him.
Answer:
a. out
b. before
c. A
d. over
e. so
f. after all

Exam Tip: For fill-in-the-blanks involving articles, conjunctions, and prepositions, consider how each word connects phrases or clauses and affects the overall meaning of the sentence.

Question 2. Fill in the blanks using article(s), conjunctions(s) and preposition(s) at the correct places: (2) But .......................... same old nightmare came – the butcher. ............................ a knife ............C............ a rope, ............................ came nearer and nearer, smiling …………………………………..………......... dreadful smile, …………………………………………………........ she could not move.
Answer:
a. the
b. with
c. and
d. who
e. that
f. while

Exam Tip: When filling multiple blanks, read the complete sentence first to grasp the overall context before selecting the best fit for each individual blank.

Punctuate the following passage

Question 1. Punctuate the following passage: Kezia mother would call to her, if youre a good girl you can come down and take off fathers boots
Answer: "Kezia," Mother would call to her, "if you're a good girl, you can come down and take off father's boots."

Exam Tip: Remember to use quotation marks for direct speech, commas to separate clauses, and apostrophes for contractions and possessives.

Convert the following into Indirect Speech:

Question 1. Convert the following into Indirect Speech: "Kezia, I suppose you didn't see some papers on a table in our room?” "Oh yes,” she said, “I tore them up for my surprise.” "What!” screamed Mother. "Come straight down to the dining-room this instant.”
Answer: Mother assumed and asked Kezia if she had not seen some papers on a table in their room. Kezia accepted that she had seen some papers on a table in their room. Then she explained that she had torn them up for her surprise. Mother screamed fearfully and ordered her to go straight down to the dining-room that instant.

Exam Tip: When converting to indirect speech, change pronouns, verb tenses, and time/place expressions as needed, and remove quotation marks.

Rewrite as directed:

Question 1. Rewrite as directed: (1) If you stutter like that, Mother will have to take you to the doctor. (Use 'Unless'.)
Answer: Unless you stutter like that, Mother will not have to take you to the doctor.

Exam Tip: 'Unless' introduces a condition and implies 'if not'. Ensure the main clause is adjusted to maintain the original meaning.

Question 2. Rewrite as directed: (2) Thinking about him was like thinking about a giant. (Turn into Negative.)
Answer: Thinking about him was not different from thinking about a giant.

Exam Tip: To turn a sentence into a negative without changing its meaning, use antonyms or phrases that convey the opposite idea.

Question 3. Rewrite as directed: (3) Rooms were searched. (Change the Voice.)
Answer: They searched rooms.

Exam Tip: When changing from passive to active voice, identify the implied agent of the action and make it the subject of the sentence.

Question 4. Rewrite as directed: (4) Crying too much to explain, she lay in . the shadowed room. (Turn into Compound.)
Answer: She cried too much to explain and then lay in the shadowed room.

Exam Tip: A compound sentence joins two or more independent clauses, often with a coordinating conjunction like 'and', 'but', or 'or'.

Question 5. Rewrite as directed: (5) Father was too upset to listen to her that night. (Remove 'too'.)
Answer: Father was so upset that he did not listen to her that night.

Exam Tip: To remove 'too... to' without changing meaning, rephrase using 'so... that... not' to express the same degree of intensity and result.

Question 6. Rewrite as directed: (6) He was harder than grandmother. (Change the Degree.)
Answer: Grandmother was not so hard as he.

Exam Tip: When changing the degree of comparison, ensure the comparison remains clear and the original meaning is preserved.

Question 7. Rewrite as directed: (7) What a big heart you've got! (Turn into Assertive.)
Answer: You've really got a very big heart.

Exam Tip: To convert an exclamatory sentence to an assertive one, express the same strong feeling or statement in a simple declarative form.