CBSE Class 10 English HOTs The Tribute

THE TRIBUTE

Q1. “ A small hole can sink a ship”. Discuss this with reference to the lesson “The Tribute”

Q2. You are one of the villagers who is closely associated with Babuli’s family and a witness to the partition. Make a diary entry expressing your feelings about the family and the partition.

Q3.‘I shrank with in for not writing letters home all these days’. Why did Babuli feel so? He realizes that the material city life has changed his sensibility and sensitivity towards his family-blames himself for being negligent.

Q4.What might be the mother’s thoughts and apprehensions while the partition was going on? Are the apprehensions just? Why?

Fear of the disintegration of the family which she looked after over the years –unity among sons, her position-uncared, ,unprotected, doubtful future, who will take care of her, will be thrown out of home? Injustice, no share of land for her fully at the mercy of her sons.

Q5. Why had Babuli never been able to break the ‘strands of complacency’ which had coiled around him? Due to his preoccupation-material city life-

Q6’.Usually my elder brother does not write to me’. Why do you think he never wrote to Babuli?

Never wrote to him because he never wanted anything-he was engrossed in his duties towards his family’ fields and children.

Q.7. On reaching home, Babuli felt as if the house was prepared for its ‘Ultimate Collapse’. Why?

Q.8. Why do you think Babuli’s mother was nowhere to be seen when the partition was taking place?

Q.9. Write down the memories and emotions which the ‘torn and tattered blanket’ evoked in Babuli’s mind.

Q.10. Why does Babuli describe his brother as ’the land from where he could harvest everything in l

Q11.In the story “The Tribute” Babuli writes a letter to his elder brother informing him of his arrival for the partition. In the letter he includes his feelings about the partition and guilt about the indifference and neglect he has played in his part. Write out Babuli’s letter.

Q12.”Brother you are my land from where I could harvest everything in my life” Discuss the significance of this statement of Babuli in the light of the happenings in the story ‘The Tribute’(150-175 Words)

Q13.Imagining yourself to be Babuli’s wife, write a letter to your mother expressing your feelings when Babuli came back from his native village after the division of the family property and gave you the news that he had given his share of land to his elder brother.

Q14.Imagine yourself to be Babuli’s elder brother, write a diary entry about your feelings on the partition of the property. Make your entry match the personality of the eldest brother.(100 Words)

Q15.Babuli says that ‘there was an abominable lull all around’ when he reached his village. What was unusual in the air? What had brought the changes?

Q16.In the story ‘The Tribute’ Babuli writes a letter to his brother informing him of his arrival for the partition. In the letter he includes the feelings about the partition and guilt about the indifference and negligence displayed in the past. Write that letter for Babuli.(150-175 Words)

Q17. Imagine your Babuli’s greedy second brother .Write a letter to your friend commenting on younger brother’s foolishness of giving his share of property as a tribute.(150-175Words)

Q18.On receiving Babuli’s, note ,his elder brother writes back to tell him what he will do with his lands and the reasons for the same. Write the letter imagining yourself to be Babul’s elder brother.(150-175Words)

Q19.The fate of mother after the partition-a new member in another old age home? Write a letter to your friend imagining yourself as Babuli’s neighbour.

Q20.You are the elder brother. Write a letter to the middle brother informing him of the noble action of Babuli and enlightening him against his action of disintegrating himself from the family and persuading him to rethink to integrate the family again with the same love, care and compassion.   

THE TRIBUTE

1. Babuli’s journey to his village was a journey to his past. Elucidate.

2. “Mother was not to been seen anywhere at the vicinity.” Comment upon the helplessness of the mother.

3. Babuli’s wife was already waiting for this event to take place. In the light of her behaviour bring out the materialistic greed taking precedence over familial ties.

4. Though Babuli had not been visiting home, but the news of partition made him feel orphaned. Comment upon the hidden fears that Babuli had.

5. Nowadays people are more inclined towards nuclear families than joint families. Comment upon the ‘I, me, mine’ attitude predominant among the present day youth.

6. Compare and contrast the responses of Babuli and his middle brother to the division of family property.