CBSE Class 10 English A Triumph of Surgery Worksheet

Triumph of Surgery

GIST
A TRIUMPH OF SURGERY is story is written by James Herriot.
The story ‘A Triumph of Surgery’ revolves around an ill dog named Tricki and his mistress, Mrs Pumphrey. The pet dog Tricki is overfed with copious amounts of energy food by its owner. She provides all kinds of luxury and comforts to her dog. This makes him very obese and his overweight body finds difficulty even to walk and move around.

One day Tricki stops eating. On seeing his pathetic condition, Mrs Pumphrey takes her pet dog to a veterinary doctor who treats the dog without using a single medicine. Tricki is hospitalised and the doctor gives Tricki nothing to eat for the first two days except water.
Moreeover Tricki is left with all other dogs to play and get the much-needed physical exercise. This helps him to lose all his excess fat.

On the third day, signs of improvement are seen in Tricki. He starts taking food properly. Tricki starts running around and playing with the other dogs cheerfully. Soon, he recovers completely. Mrs Pumphrey continues enquiring about Tricki over phone and feels gratitude towards the doctor for her pet’s cure. Sheis overjoyed and eyes are filled with tears of happiness when she comes to discharge Tricki from the hospital. She calls this the magical recovery as ‘A Triumph of Surgery’.

Read the given extracts to attempt the questions that follow:

Out on the road, I glanced down at the pathetic little animal gasping on the seat by my side. I patted the head and Tricki made a brave effort to wag his tail. “Poor old lad,” I said. “You haven’t a kick in you but I think I know a cure for you.”
(A Triumph of Surgery)

Question. Mr. Harriot calls the dog ‘the pathetic little animal’ as he knows that:
(1) his mistress has pampered him a lot.
(2) he is suffering from malnutrition.
(3) he is overfed and overweight.
(4) he is tired and needs some rest.
(a) Option (1) only
(b) Option (2) only
(c) Option (1) and (3)
(d) Option (2), (3) and (4)
Answer. (c) Option (1) and (3)

Question. Select the option listing Mr. Harriot’s characteristics, as revealed in the extract.
(1) Stern    (2) Sympathetic
(3) Strict    (4) Experienced
(5) Affectionate
(a) (2) and (3)
(b) Only (5)
(c) (1), (2) and (4)
(d) (2), (4) and (5)
Answer. (d) (2), (4) and (5)

Question. ‘Tricki made a brave effort to wag his tail’, it shows that:
(a) he had barely any vigour left in him.
(b) he was not comfortable in the car.
(c) he understood that he was not well.
(d) he was not happy.
Answer. (a) he had barely any vigour left in him.

Question. Select the most appropriate option based on (1) and (2).
(1) Mr. Harriot knows the reason of Tricki’s ailment.
(2) He has planned the line of treatment for Tricki.
(a) (2) is true and (1) is false.
(b) (2) is the result for (1).
(c) (2) is the cause for (1).
(d) (2) is false and (1) is true.
Answer. (c) (2) is the cause for (1).

Question. The phrase ‘not a kick in you’ suggests that Tricki is………… .
(a) hungry
(b) tired
(c) lacking energy
(d) sleep deprived
Answer. (c) lacking energy

Extract-Based Questions

Q. 1. The entire staff was roused and maids rushed in and out bringing his day bed, his night bed, favourite cushions, toys and rubber rings, breakfast bowl, lunch bowl, supper bowl. Realising that my car would never hold all the stuff, I started to drive away. As I moved off, Mrs. Pumphrey, with a despairing cry, threw an armful of the little coats through the window. I looked in the mirror before I turned the corner of the drive; everybody was in tears.
Out on the road, I glanced down at the pathetic little animal gasping on the seat by my side. I patted the head and Tricki made a brave effort to wag his tail. “Poor old lad,” I said. “You haven’t a kick in you but I think I know a cure for you.”

(i) What might the atmosphere of the household in the above extract signify?
(a) Mrs. Pumphrey’s status in society reflected in Tricki’s lifestyle.
(b) The staff’s love for Tricki, which matched that of Mrs. Pumphrey
(c) The grand life of comforts and luxuries that Tricki enjoyed.
(d) Mrs. Pumphrey’s indulgence and anxiety acted upon by the staff.
Answer. D

(ii) Given below are emotions reflecting various expressions and reactions. Choose the option that correctly describes the narrator’s mindset in the given extract.

(a) Options (i) and (iii)
(b) Options (ii) and (iv)
(c) Options (iii) and (v)
(d) Options (ii) and (v)
Answer. B

(iii) Given below are some well-known quotes shared by the staff to console Mrs. Pumphrey, after Tricki’s departure. Choose the option that correctly identifies the quote that IS NOT appropriate to the consolation offered.

(a) Option (i)
(b) Option (ii)
(c) Option (iii)
(d) Option (iv)
Answer. D

(iv) As the extract indicates, Mrs. Pumphrey indulged Tricki and bought him many things. Choose the option that best describes the kinds of advertisement/s that seem likely to persuade Mrs. Pumphrey to buy something for Tricki.
(i) Statistics Appeal – Such advertisements use facts and data to convince consumers to buy products.
(ii) Scarcity Appeal – Such advertisements create a feeling of exclusivity and are often used to convince people to take advantage of a sale or limited period offer.
(iii) Personal Appeal – Such advertisements focus on evoking emotions to convince consumers and often relate to family or other inter-personal interactions.
(iv) Fear Appeal – Such advertisements focus on inspiring some kind of fear to convince consumers to take action in order to avoid certain negative or undesirable consequences.
(a) Options (i), (ii) and (iv)
(b) Options (iii) and (iv)
(c) Options (i), (iii) and (iv)
(d) Option (ii) only
Answer. B

(v) The narrator describes Tricki as a “pathetic little animal”. The use of the word ‘pathetic’ indicates that the narrator
(a) was very fond of Tricki.
(b) thought Tricki was contemptible.
(c) pitied Tricki’s condition.
(d) believed Tricki’s health was deteriorating.
Answer. C 

Q. 2. He discovered the joys of being bowled over, tramped on and squashed every few minutes. He became an accepted member of the gang, an unlikely, silky little object among the shaggy crew, fighting like a tiger for his share at meal times and hunting rats in the old henhouse at night. He had never had such a time in his life.
All the while, Mrs. Pumphrey hovered anxiously in the background, ringing a dozen times a day for the latest bulletins. (5 × 1 = 5)

(i) Read the following statements, each of which describes the gist of the given extract. Select the option that captures the essence of the extract correctly. Statement I – It highlights the kind of comforts and luxuries that Tricki was used to at home.
Statement II – It brings out a contrast between Tricki and Mrs. Pumphrey’s state of being.
Statement III – It reflects that Tricki was happier at the surgery, and loved being with other dogs.
Statement IV – It shows Tricki’s journey with his peers at the surgery, and documents his recovery.
(a) Statements I and II
(b) Statements III and IV
(c) Statements I and III
(d) Statements II and IV
Answer. D

(ii) What does the reference to Tricki as a “silky little object” signify?
(a) Tricki was a very small and rather pampered dog.
(b) Tricki was comfortably attired in fine silks and warm coats.
(c) Unlike the other dogs, Tricki had lived in the lap of luxury with care and grooming.
(d) The narrator’s mockery of Tricki’s life and treatment with Mrs. Pumphrey.
Answer. C

(iii) Why does the narrator describe being “tramped on and squashed” as joys?
(a) To suggest the irony about the strange ways of dogs.
(b) To mention the simple pleasures of canine life.
(c) To compare it to Tricki’s earlier play-time at the house.
(d) To direct attention towards Tricki’s successful recovery.
Answer. B

(iv) “All the while, Mrs. Pumphrey hovered anxiously in the background”.
Given below are different types of pet parenting styles described in Country Living, an e-magazine.
Choose the option that best reflects the kind of pet owner Mrs. Pumphrey was.
(i) Traffic Light pet owners have a healthy balance of rules and freedom and give clear and consistent signals for ‘yes’ and ‘no’.
(ii) Entranced pet owners have the best intentions, but as soon as their pet locks eyes with them and gives their command, they are at their pet’s beck and call.
(iii) The Goose pet owners go all-out in protecting their pet. They often limit their time away from their pet, especially puppies.
(iv) The Baggage Handler pet owners love being close to their pets and going on adventures together. They are always mindful of the pet’s comfort and security.
(a) Option (i)
(b) Option (ii)
(c) Option (iii)
(d) Option (iv)
Answer. B

(v) Pick the option that reveals Tricki’s characteristics in the context of ‘fighting like a tiger for his share at meal times and hunting rats in the old henhouse at night.’
(1) selfish (2) happy (3) greedy
(4) confident (5) sturdy (6) cruel
(a) 2, 4 and 5
(b) Only 2
(c) 1 and 5
(d) 3, 4 and 6
Answer. D

Very Short Answer Type Questions

Question. What do you think would happen to Tricki after he went back to Mrs. Pumphrey?
Answer. After he went back to Mrs. Pumphrey, Tricki was very happy. As a result, Mrs. Pumphrey must have taken good care of the dog and must not have overfed it. So that Tricki must would stay as healthy as at the end of the story.

Question. “I was really worried about Tricki this time.” Comment on the writer’s choice of beginning the story in this manner. What purpose does it serve?
Answer. The above line shows the narrator’s concern about Tricki when the narrator saw the dog after a long time he was really in bad health. And when he asked Mrs. Pumphrey about his diet and exercises, she made excuses and was not following it.

Question. Do you think the narrator’s decision to not reveal the actual treatment to Mrs. Pumphrey was unprofessional? Justify your stance.
Answer. No, the narrator was not all unprofessional rather he was highly practical. He knew every well that it would be very difficult for Mrs. Pumphrey to hear about Tricki’s treatment at the hospital. At the same time, it was necessary to save Tricki.

Short Answer Type Questions

Question. What was the cause of Tricki’s ailment?
Answer. Tricky was overfed by Mrs Humphrey. He became hugely fat and inactive. He was pampered with a lot of cream cakes, chocolates and Hotlinks. This was the main cause of his illness.

Question. What made Mrs. Pumphrey call the vet?
Answer. Tricki had become fat and lazy. He used to lie on his rug and pant. He also refused to eat his favourite dishes. His bouts of vomiting added to Mrs. Pumphrey’s worry and hence she decided to call Dr. James Herriot, the vet.

Question. According to a popular quote— Where there is no struggle, there is no strength.
In what way is this quote relevant to the events of the story?
Answer. Strength gets accumulated after facing struggles in one’s life. If the person does not face any challenges in his life, he will remain weak forever. In the same way, when Mrs. Pumphrey had to stay away for a long time, she understood true worth of Tricki and good health for him.

Question. How does Dr Herriot treat Tricky?
Answer. Dr Herriot cut down Tricki’s food and made him exercise. For the first three days he was not given any food but was kept only on fluid, that is, water. He did not receive any medical treatment but was kept in the company of other dogs. Tricki discovered the joy of being bowled over and tramped on. Finally he recovered from obesity and was overjoyed.

Question. Imagine Mrs. Pumphrey came to know how Tricki was actually treated.
Write a brief note to the narrator on her behalf.
You may begin this way:
Dear Mr
. Herriot
I recently met Mrs. Mallard when she brought her Pixie to visit dear Tricki. I spoke to her about the great triumph of surgery that had brought him back to me. Imagine my surprise when she told me how mistaken I was! I am writing to you to share……(continue)……...
Answer. ……………. I am writing to you to share my feelings regarding Tricki’s recovery. When dear Tricki came back from the hospital, he was transformed into a flexible, hard muscled animal. He was stretching out in great bounds. But, I was really left heart broken when Mrs. Mallard informed me that Tricki was given no food for two days. Any ways, I must thank you Dr. Herriot for doing what was needful for Tricki and curing him.

Question. Privilege often confuses actual needs for perceived ones.’ Evaluate this statement with reference to Mrs. Pumphrey.
Answer. Mrs. Pumphrey loved her dog too much. She treated him like her own son. She could never refuse to give Tricki whatever he demanded for. In fact, she herself hade made assumptions about Tricki’s likes and dislikes so she couldn’t understand that Tricki needed controlled diet rather that sweets and drinks.

Question. How did lunch become ‘a ceremonial occasion’ for Mr. Herriot and his partners?
Answer. Mrs. Pumphrey sends eggs, wine, brandy to the for the convalescing pet. However these are enjoyed by the doctor and his staff. Having an egg, two glasses of wine before and during lunch, made lunch a ceremonial occasion for Mr. Herriot and his partners.

Question. How was Mrs. Pumphrey, the owner of Tricki,responsible for its present condition?
Answer.Mrs. Pumphrey was a very rich lady. She pampered Tricki a lot and gave it a lot of rich food. It included ice-cream, chocolates, malt, cod-liver oil and horlicks. But she did not take it outside for a walk nor did she make him do any physical exercise.

Question. What was the main cause of Tricki’s problems?
Answer.The main cause of Tricki’s problems was his greed.
He was unable to refuse any food being offered to him by his indulgent mistress. He could not resist sweets like cream cakes and chocolates. All this made him fat, lethargic and ill.

Question. Why did Mrs. Pumphrey make a frantic call to Mr. Herriot ?
OR
What was Tricki’s ailment ? How did it worry Mrs. Pumphrey ? 
Answer.Mrs. Pumphrey had a dog named Tricki. Indirectly, she was responsible for the dog’s illness. She gave him little extra between meals i.e., malt, cod-liver oil, etc. He was not given any physical exercise. So, the dog fell ill and started vomiting also. It made Mrs. Pumphrey so much worried that she had to call the veterinary surgeon, Dr. Harriot for his treatment.

Question. Do you agree that Tricki was in better hands of the surgeon who offered him no food but plenty of water, than with rich mistress ? 
Answer.Yes, Tricki was in better hands as the surgeon treated him well. He gave him the diet as per his need. He avoided over-feeding as his affectionate and emotional mistress did. The surgeon was taking good care of him personally.

Question. Why was Dr. Herriot confident that Tricki will be in hospital soon ?
Answer.Dr. Herriot was shocked to see Tricki’s condition. He knew that the latter would soon be hospitalised as he was unable to move. He had become hugely fat, like a bloated sausage and his tongue lolled from his jaws.

Question. How did Mr. Pumphrey and her servant behave when Tricki was being sent to the surgery?
Answer.The entire staff was roused, maids rushed in and out bringing his day bed, night bed, cushion, toys. Everybody was in tears. Mrs. Pumphrey gave a desperate cry, when Tricki was sent to surgery.

Question. What suggestions were given by Dr. Herriot to Mrs. Pumphrey at the initial stage ?
Answer.Dr. Herriot suggested Mrs. Pumphrey to cut down on the sweet things and not to give extra food to him.He also suggested her to give him more exercises and keep him on a very strict diet.

Long Answer Type Questions 

Question. Write the character-sketch of Tricki.
Answer. Tricki was a small dog. He was pampered and overfed by his mistress. He was fed with excessive nutritious food. He was greedy enough to refuse food at any time. He liked eating cream cakes and chocolates. This made him hugely fat. He looked like a bloated sausage. He had bloodshot and rheumy eyes. He became dull, flabby, lazy and listless. He was seriously sick. He had bouts of vomiting. He was taken to Herriot’s surgery. There he was given no food for two days. He was made to do a lot of exercises. This changed him and he became fit. He loved his mistress very much. His mistress remarked that Tricki would pine and die if he did not see her even for a single day.

Question. Mrs. Pumphrey and Dr. Herriot have been invited to speak at a community pet adoption drive.
There were some differences in Mrs. Pumphrey and Dr. Herriot’s notions of responsibility and experiences of keeping a pet.
As a reporter for the local pet magazine, write an article recording and comparing their perspectives. Don’t forget to give it an interesting title.
Answer. Responsible pet ownership
Owing a pet is a priv
ilege, but the benefit of pet ownership come with responsibilities. Pets bring companionship, personality and humor in the household. Having a pet shows you responsible because they need full time and care. Animals, too, need food, shelter, attention and love just the ways humans do. Coming home every day to the wagging tail and happy pet after a long day is an awesome feeling. Your pet senses if you are sad, happy or just need to be comforted. In the same way, it is our responsibility as the pet owner to take care of the physical, mental and emotional health of our pets. Only feeding them with delicacies and providing them comfortable bed is not enough. Time to time medical consultation is very much important.
Not only this, but the doctors advise also needs to be followed strictly. But the emotional and mental health of our pets is as important as their physical health. Becoming responsible, compassionate and having full time protection are the three positive outcomes of owning a pet. Many positive experiences are to be had in being a pet owner.

Question.Write the character-sketch of Mrs. Pumphrey.
Answer. Mrs Pumphrey was a very wealthy lady. She was very loving to her dog. She pampered and overfed him. She gave him lots of nutritious food. Tricki was very greedy. He never refused food. This made him hugely fat and lazy. Mrs Pumphrey was worried about him. She thought that he was suffering from malnutrition and so she eventually gave him more energy food. She almost swooned when Herriot told her that Tricki must be hospitalized for a fortnight. She thought that Tricki would pine and die if he did not see his even for a single day.
Mrs Pumphrey is impractical but very compassionate and caring. She and her staff members arranged and provided all possible comforts such as beds, cushions and toys to Tricki. She regularly enquired about his health from Dr Herriot. She gratefully thanked Dr Herriot for saving Tricki’s life and called it “A triumph of Surgery.”

Question. Imagine that Walt Whitman shares his poem ‘Animals’ in response to Dr. Herriot’s narration of Tricki’s story.
Dr. Herriot reflects on the poem and his experience with Tricki and Mrs. Pumphrey, draws a connection between them and records his thoughts in his diary.
Write the diary entry as Dr. Herriot.
You may begin this way:
12 May 1950, Friday 9.30 pm
Walt’s poem has compelled me to think again about my experience with Tricki and Mrs. Pumphrey. All those materialistic playthings ….
Answer. 12 May, 1950, Friday
Walt’s poem Animals has compelled me to think again about my experience with Tricki and Mrs. Pumphrey. All those materialistic playthings and uncontrolled fool couldn’t help Tricki to retain his health. When Mrs. Pumphrey found the Tricki was no more active and energetic, she tried to give more nutrients in his food to make him more energetic. But she was not giving him exercises. In fact, Tricki was not suffering from any disease. Poor animal couldn’t resist to eat food and used to have meal at any hour of the day or night. As a result, he had become glutton. But he didn’t complain about his condition. Nor did he complain when he was kept starving for two days in my hospital.
The same wonder ful and insightful message has been given by Walt Whitman in his poem Animals. He says animals are for more content and wiser than the humans. They are calm, placid and self-contained.

Question. Write the character-sketch of Dr. James Herriot.
Answer. Dr James Herriot is a competent veterinary surgeon. He is really worried about Tricki. He understands that the real fault of the dog is his greed for food. Dr Herriot instructs Mrs Pumphrey to keep Tricki on a very strict diet.
Dr James Herriot is practical and pragmatic. He doesn’t give any medical treatment to the dog. He feeds the dog with only water. His method works. The grateful mistress thanks Dr Herriot and calls his feat “A triumph of Surgery!” Dr James is clever enough to enjoy the best of both the worlds. He is tempted to keep Tricki as a permanent guest. It was a happy period for Dr Herriot and his friends. He used to enjoy eggs for breakfast and wine and brandy for lunch.

Question. Imagine that one of Mr. Herriot’s partners can understand the language of dogs and listens to Tricki on his last night with them
(a) What might Tricki share about his experience?
(b) How would he evaluate it in comparison to his home experience?
Answer. (a) I am sad to leave you people and go back to Mrs. Pumphrey’s house. It’s not that I don’t love here. I really love her a lot and also care for her affection and care. But I miss the company which I got her There I keep lying on my couch and keep eating the delicacies which are provided to me. I long for my friends. I too want to run, play and exercise like them. This is the reason I’m unwilling to go back to Mrs. Pumphrey’s house.
(b) I received great care here in the hospital. The first two days I miss the food that I got in my house. But I actually, felt lighter the third day. I loved joining my friends and their friendly barking, fighting with them for share of food and hunting rats at might. You know, food, good bedding and best care can never replace the feeling of freedom that I experienced here in the hospital.

Question. Do you think this is a real-life episode, or mere fiction? Or is it a mixture of both? (A Triumph of Surgery)
Answer. The story of “A triumph of Surgery” could be a mix of mere-fiction and based on real-life episode as well. In the current day and age, parents sometimes get overprotective of their kids or owners get overprotective of their pets. This eventually leads to destruction as too much of everything is bad. It is not to say that they are not attentive to what is wrong and what isn’t, but it is just a case of ignorance and wrong knowledge of things. For example, as depicted in the lesson, obesity is now a growing problem all around the world and parents are somewhat responsible for this problem. They feed their kids more than the actual requirement. These are some of the points that suggest that the lesson “A Triumph of Surgery” can very well be a mixture of real-life episodes and some fiction.

Question. How do you know that Mrs. Pumphrey was a rich lady?
Answer. Mrs. Pumphrey was a rich lady. This is evident from how she kept Tricki. She had a chauffeur-driven long black car. She spent a lot of money on delicacies for Tricki. She gave Tricki a rich diet as. She gave it eggs, malt, cod-liver oil and a bowl of horlicks. She had many servants in her house. She had all kinds of luxuries for Tricki. These were day bed, night bed, favourite cushions, toys, rubber rings, etc. She would send many delicacies to the surgery as well. These were fresh eggs, wine, whisky, etc. These show that Mrs. Pumphrey was indeed a rich lady.

Question. During the excitement, I helped the chauffeur to bring out the beds, toys, cushions, coats, and bowls, none of which had been used. As the car moved away, Mrs Pumphrey leaned out of the window. Tears shone in her eyes. Her lips trembled. “Oh, Mr Herriot,” she cried, “how can I ever thank you? This is a triumph of surgery!”
(a) Explain why Mrs Pumphrey said: This is a triumph of surgery!
(b) The narrator was once tempted to keep Tricki as his permanent guest. Why do you think he wanted that?
Answer. (a) Mrs. Pumphrey could not grasp the fact that the transformation of her obese pet into a hardmuscled animal was the result of therapy. In such a short time, Tricki had transformed, and Mrs. Pumphrey thought that Mr. Herriot must have performed surgery on him.
(b) Mr . Herriot and his staff had become used to the extravagant delicacies like eggs, wine bottles,and brandy bottles that Mrs. Pumphrey had been sending to his place. Though they were intended for Tricki’s convalescence, yet Tricki did not need them at all.

Question. Distinguish between Mrs. Pumphrey’s method and Mr. Herriot’s method in looking after the dog. Whose method could be regarded the better of the two and why ?
Answer. Mrs. Pumphrey loved Tricki, her pet dog, very much. When she found that Tricki was no more active and energetic, she tried to give more nutrients in his food to make him more energetic like malt, cod-liver oil and a bowl of Horlicks, an extra diet of cream cakes & chocolates. But she was not giving him exercises. Infact, Tricki was not suffering from any disease. Mr. Herriot found out the main cause of his ailment, i.e., his greed for over-eating. Mr. Herriot gave him a controlled diet, recovered him from lethargy caused by overeating and excessive fat. So, Mr. Herriot’s method could be regarded better of two as he understood the cause and remedy of the disease. He was able to treat the dog by being strict with him regarding diet and physical activities. Mrs. Pumphrey was just pampering her dog.

Question. What treatment was given to Tricki by Dr. Herriot ?
Answer. Tricki fell ill. Dr. Herriot was called upon. When he looked at the dog, he immediately made out that Tricki did not need any medicine. He was sick because he had taken excess food. So, he gave little food and stressed on lots of water and exercise which Tricki was not used to. He was served food with other dogs and was made to run and play also with them. He joined them in their friendly scrimmages. Gradually, he learnt the art of hunting rats in the old den, house, fighting like a tiger for his share at mealtimes. In other words, he was leading a normal life which he never had done with Mrs. Pumhrey. Soon, Tricki became normal without taking any medicine. His progress was very rapid. He learnt to live an active and normal life, like other dogs. He had lot of fun and he had never had such a time in his life because of luxuries provided to him.