RBSE Solutions Class 10 English Supplementary Reader Chapter 11 The Imp and The Peasant

Comprehension

A. Tick the Correct Alternative:

Question 1. Who stole the peasant bread?
(a) a neighbour
(b) an imp
(c) a farmer
(d) a child
Answer: (b) an imp
In simple words: The imp was a small, mischievous spirit who stole the peasant's bread without being seen. He was known for causing trouble.

🎯 Exam Tip: Always remember the main characters and their actions in the story to correctly identify key events.

Question 2. The imp changed himself into a
(a) farmer
(b) working man
(c) businessman
(d) devil
Answer: (b) working man
In simple words: To get closer to the peasant and cause more trouble, the imp changed his shape to look like a simple working man. This allowed him to trick the peasant.

🎯 Exam Tip: Pay attention to how characters transform or disguise themselves, as it often helps them achieve their goals in a story.

Question 3. The peasant crushed the grain and made from it
(a) juice
(b) herbal drink
(c) vodka
Answer: (c) vodka
In simple words: After harvesting the corn, the peasant used the extra grain to make vodka, a strong alcoholic drink. This was a new thing for him to do.

🎯 Exam Tip: Details about how food or drink is prepared are often important to the plot, showing changes in a character's lifestyle.

Question 4. The Devil _______ the imp and forgave him for his former mistake.
(a) rebuked
(b) taught
(c) praised
(d) hated.
Answer: (c) praised
In simple words: The Devil praised the imp. He was happy with the imp because the imp successfully made the peasant turn away from his simple life.

🎯 Exam Tip: Notice how the Devil's reaction reveals what he values: corrupting humans, even if it seems like a small act.

B. State Whether the Statements Given Below are True (T) or False (F):

Question 1. The peasant was sorry to lose his breakfast.
Answer: True
In simple words: The peasant really missed his breakfast because it was important to him. He was quite upset about it.

🎯 Exam Tip: Character emotions, especially in response to events, often indicate their values and how the story will unfold.

Question 2. The imp advised the peasant to sow corn on the hill.
Answer: True
In simple words: The imp secretly told the peasant to plant his corn on the highest part of the hill. This was part of his plan to make the peasant greedy.

🎯 Exam Tip: Pay attention to advice given by characters, especially if they have hidden motives, as it often leads to significant plot developments.

Question 3. The peasant's crop was burnt up by the sun
Answer: False
In simple words: The peasant's crops did not get burnt by the sun. Instead, they grew very well and became thicker and taller.

🎯 Exam Tip: Always double-check facts about events in the story to avoid common misconceptions, especially when an outcome is unexpected.

Question 4. The Devil came to the peasant's house.
Answer: True
In simple words: The Devil visited the peasant's home to see how the imp's plan was working out. He wanted to check on the progress himself.

🎯 Exam Tip: The physical presence of a powerful character like the Devil often highlights a turning point or a significant interaction in the story.

Question 5. The peasant shouted angrily at his wife.
Answer: False
In simple words: The peasant did not shout angrily at his wife. He was usually kind to her until he started drinking.

🎯 Exam Tip: Character interactions, particularly arguments or kindness, are crucial for understanding their personality and how they change.

Question 7. The imp mixed the blood of animals in the drink.
Answer: False
In simple words: The imp did not mix animal blood into the drink. He simply helped the peasant make more corn, which indirectly led to the peasant making vodka and changing his behavior.

🎯 Exam Tip: Understand the difference between direct actions and indirect influences in a story; sometimes the consequences are subtle.

C. Answer the Following Questions in About 20-25 Words Each:

Question 1. How did the imp steal the peasant's bread?
Answer: The imp secretly stole the peasant's bread from his coat. The peasant had left his coat under a bush while he was working and ploughing in the field. The imp took it without being seen.
शैतान ने किसान की रोटी उसके कोट से चुराई, जिसे उसने खेत जोतते समय झाड़ियों में छिपा रखा था।
In simple words: The imp took the peasant's bread from his coat, which was hidden under a bush in the field.

🎯 Exam Tip: When describing an event, specify the 'who,' 'what,' and 'where' to give a complete picture.

Question 2. What did the peasant say when he lost his breakfast?
Answer: The peasant felt very sad and regretful about losing his breakfast. He immediately thought that a mischievous imp must have been the one who stole his bread. He was surprised by the theft.
रोटी के खो जाने पर किसान ने दुख प्रकट किया। उसने आश्चर्य व्यक्त किया कि वह जरूर ही कोई शैतान रहा होगा, जिसने रोटी की चोरी की।
In simple words: The peasant was upset about losing his bread and believed an imp had stolen it.

🎯 Exam Tip: A character's initial reaction to a problem often shows their beliefs and helps the reader understand the conflict.

Question 3. How many years did the devil give the imp to make things right?
Answer: The Devil gave the imp a total of three years to correct his mistake. If the imp failed to fix things within this time, the Devil threatened to throw him into holy water as punishment. This was a serious warning.
राक्षस ने शैतान की स्थितियों को ठीक करने के लिए तीन वर्षों का समय दिया। यह भी कहा कि ऐसा न करने पर वह उसे पवित्र जल में फेंक देगा।
In simple words: The Devil gave the imp three years to set things right, or he would be thrown into holy water.

🎯 Exam Tip: Notice the specific timeframes or conditions given in threats or promises, as they are crucial details for understanding consequences.

Question 5. What did the peasant do with the extragrain he had ?
Answer: The peasant crushed all the extra grain he had harvested. Following the imp's cunning advice, he used this grain to make vodka. This new activity changed his simple way of life.
किसान ने अतिरिक्त अन्न की पेराई कराई तथा शैतान के निर्देशानुसार इससे बारीक बनाया।।
In simple words: The peasant crushed the extra grain and made vodka from it, following the imp's advice.

🎯 Exam Tip: How characters handle unexpected surpluses (like extra grain) often reveals their true character or susceptibility to temptation.

Question 6. How did the peasant behave after having the first glass of vodka?
Answer: After drinking his first glass of vodka, the peasant became very irritable. He spoke angrily to his wife when she accidentally spilled a glass of vodka on the floor. He also started saying many untrue things. This shows how the drink began to change him.
किसान अपनी पत्नी पर क्रोधित हो उठा, जब उसने वोदका से भरा ग्लास पूरे फर्श पर बिखरा दिया। उसने बहुत सारी झूठी बातें भी की।
In simple words: After his first vodka, the peasant got angry at his wife for spilling a glass and started telling lies.

🎯 Exam Tip: Pay close attention to changes in a character's behavior, especially after a new influence is introduced, as this often drives the plot.

D. Answer the Following Questions in About 30-40 Words Each:

Question 1. What did the peasant not understand when he lifted his coat?
Answer: When the peasant picked up his coat, he was confused because he saw no one around, yet his bread had been taken from inside his coat, which he had hidden under a bush. He could not understand how it happened and immediately thought an imp must have stolen it. He truly believed it was a trick.
किसान यह नहीं समझ पाया कि उसने जब किसी को भी वहाँ आसपास नहीं देखा तो फिर कोट में। रखी रोटी जो उसने झाड़ियों में छुपा रखा था, किसने लिया? उसने यह सोचा कि वह जरूर कोई शैतान | ही रहा होगा जिसने उसकी रोटी चुराई।
In simple words: The peasant couldn't understand how his bread was stolen from his coat since no one was nearby, making him suspect an imp.

🎯 Exam Tip: A character's confusion often serves to introduce the supernatural or a hidden antagonist, setting up the conflict.

Question 2. What happened when the imp advised the peasant to sow the corn on the hill?
Answer: When the imp advised the peasant to plant corn on the hill, something unusual happened. The corn grew much better and yielded more grain than expected. The peasant's crop grew thick, tall, and in large quantities, even though it was a dry year, which surprised him. This success tempted him to seek more wealth.
किसान की फसल मोटी, लंबी तथा भारी मात्रा में अन्न के रूप में उपजी, जबकि उस वर्ष सूखा पड़ा था।
In simple words: When the peasant planted corn on the hill as advised by the imp, the crop grew extremely well and yielded more grain, even during a dry year.

🎯 Exam Tip: Unexpected good fortune, especially after following suspicious advice, often hints at a hidden manipulation or a test of character.

Question 3. How did the peasant behave when his wife fell and a glassful splashed on to the floor?
Answer: After consuming alcohol, the peasant's behavior changed drastically. When his wife accidentally fell and spilled a glass of vodka, he reacted in a very unpleasant way. He angrily called her a foolish woman and a careless creature. This shows how the vodka made him ill-tempered.
किसान ने बहुत ही घृणित तरीके से व्यवहार किया। जब उसकी पत्नी मेज से टकराकर गिर गई तथा वोदका से भरा ग्लास पूरे फर्श पर बिखर गया तो उसने अपनी पत्नी को क्रोधित होकर मूर्ख तथा असभ्य जीव की संज्ञा दी।
In simple words: The peasant acted very disgustingly, angrily calling his wife foolish and careless when she spilled vodka.

🎯 Exam Tip: Pay attention to extreme reactions by characters, as they often highlight a moral decline or a significant shift in their personality.

Question 4. How did the peasants behave after having had their third glass of drink?
Answer: After their third glass of vodka, the peasants completely lost control and started behaving like wild animals. They began making strange noises and shouting without any reason. They also stopped listening to each other, showing a complete breakdown of their sensible behavior. This was the final stage of their corruption.
जब किसानों ने तीसरा ग्लास लिया तो वे जानवरों की तरह व्यवहार करने लगे। वे विचित्र प्रकार की आवाजें निकालने लगे तथा बिना प्रयोजन के चिल्लाने लगे। कोई एक-दूसरे की नहीं, सुन रहा था।
In simple words: After their third drink, the peasants acted like animals, making strange noises, shouting for no reason, and ignoring each other.

🎯 Exam Tip: The effects of temptations, like excessive drinking, are often shown in stages, with each stage representing a deeper level of corruption.

Question 5. What was the imp's answer when the Devil asked him about mixing the blood of animals in the drink?
Answer: When the Devil questioned the imp about mixing animal blood into the drink, the imp explained that he hadn't actually mixed any blood. Instead, he simply ensured the peasant had much more corn than he required. This excess wealth then led the peasant away from his simple, honest life towards a desire for more pleasure and indulgence. This was a clever way to corrupt him.
शैतान ने राक्षस को यह आश्वस्त किया कि उसने शराब में जानवरों का रक्त नहीं मिलाया। इसके बजाए उसने यह सुनिश्चित किया कि किसान को उसकी आवश्यकता से अधिक मक्का प्राप्त हो। इसने उसके वास्तविक तथा सादगीपूर्ण जीवन को आनंदपूर्ण जीवन की उत्कंठा की तरफ उन्मुख किया।
In simple words: The imp told the Devil he didn't use animal blood. He just gave the peasant more corn, which made him leave his simple life for pleasure.

🎯 Exam Tip: Sometimes, corruption isn't through direct evil acts, but by subtly altering circumstances to bring out a character's worst traits.

E. Answer the Following Questions in About 60-80 Words Each:

Question 1. What lesson does the story teach you?
Answer: This story teaches a valuable lesson about human nature. It shows that when people are poor, they are usually happy with what they have. However, when they get too much wealth, they often forget the real value of their money and waste it on bad habits, like drinking. This makes them forget their own limits and lose the joy of a simple life. The story not only entertains but also warns us about the dangers of too much alcohol and its effects on our lives and relationships. It encourages us to appreciate simplicity.
यह कहानी मनुष्य के वास्तविक स्वभाव का चित्रण करती है. इसका बहुत ही गहरा अर्थ है। यह कहानी इस बात का वर्णन करती है कि एक व्यक्ति जब गरीब होता है तो उसके पास जो कुछ भी होता है, उससे संतुष्ट होता है। जब उसके पास धन की अधिकता हो जाती है, तो वह अपने धन को वास्तविक मुल्य को। भूल जाता है तथा इसका व्यय व्यसन पर कर देता है। इससे जीवन का आनंद प्राप्त करने के लिए वह अपनी सीमाओं को भी भूल जाता है। यह हमारा केवल मनोरंजन ही नहीं करती बल्कि शराब के सेवन से होने वाले खतरों के प्रति सावधान भी करती है।
In simple words: The story teaches that too much wealth can corrupt people, making them forget simple joys and leading them to bad habits like drinking, ruining their lives.

🎯 Exam Tip: When asked for a lesson, identify the central theme and explain how character actions and their consequences illustrate it.

Question 2. How did the imp succeed in his plan to corrupt the gentle peasant?
Answer: The imp successfully corrupted the gentle peasant by giving him more wealth than he truly needed. He cleverly advised the peasant to grow corn in damp places and then on a hill for two years. This led to a huge harvest of thick, tall, and fine grain. With this extra grain, the imp guided the peasant to make vodka. This new habit of making and consuming vodka made the peasant lose his simple, good nature and become a corrupt, unpleasant man. Thus, the imp cleverly used greed to lead the peasant astray.
शैतान, किसान को उसकी जरूरत से ज्यादा धन उपलब्ध कराकर उसको भ्रष्ट करने की योजना में सफल रहा। उसने किसान को दो वर्षों तक ठंडे स्थान तथा पहाड़ी पर मक्का उपजाने की सलाह दी। इसके कारण उसे मोटा, लंबा अधिक तथा उत्कृष्ट मक्का बड़े पैमाने पर प्राप्त हुआ। उसने किसान को अतिरिक्त मक्के को पीसकर वोदका बनाने की सलाह दी, जिसने उसे गंदा आदमी बना दिया।
In simple words: The imp corrupted the peasant by making him rich with extra corn, then guiding him to make vodka, which changed him into a bad person.

🎯 Exam Tip: When explaining a character's success, break down the steps they took and how each step contributed to the final outcome.

Question 3. "The blood of wild animal is always present in men". Explain.
Answer: The phrase "The blood of wild animal is always present in men" means that humans inherently possess a wild or untamed side to their nature. When a person has just enough to live, they usually stay content and within their limits. However, the moment they gain extra wealth, this "wild" side can emerge. They might then use this surplus to seek artificial pleasures, ruining their relationships and causing harm to themselves and others. These fleeting pleasures can leave a deep and lasting negative impact, showing that human nature can easily turn wild with too much temptation.
मनुष्य के जीवन में जानवरों का रक्त हमेशा होता है-इसका तात्पर्य यह है कि जिस समय तक व्यक्ति को उसकी आवश्यकता के अनुरूप धन होता है, वह संतुष्ट तथा अपनी सीमाओं में रहता है, लेकिन जिस वक्त उसके पास अतिरिक्त धन आ जाता है, तो वह बड़े ही घृणित तरीके से कृत्रिम मनोरंजन की चाह में अपने रिश्तों को खत्म कर डालता है। यह क्षणिक होता है, किंतु यह उसके तथा उसके आसपास के लोगों पर बड़ा गहरा प्रभाव डालता है।
In simple words: This means people have a wild side. When they have too much money, they often lose control, seeking fake pleasures that harm relationships and themselves.

🎯 Exam Tip: For figurative language, first explain its literal meaning, then connect it to the story's themes about human nature and temptation.

Question 4. क्या आप सोचते हैं कि किसानों ने शराब के प्रभाव के कारण जानवरों के जैसा व्यवहार किया? यदि हाँ, तो मानव शरीर पर अत्यधिक शराब के पीने से हानिकारक कुप्रभावों पर चर्चा कीजिए।
Answer: Yes, it is true that the peasants behaved like animals due to the effect of vodka. The alcohol made them confused and caused them to act wildly. Drinking alcohol regularly or even too much occasionally harms our health seriously. It affects how our brain works, leading to memory loss and making it hard to understand things. Alcohol can also cause serious health problems like heart attacks, strokes, liver diseases, and weakened immunity. Besides physical harm, it breaks good relationships and causes many bad effects on society, turning people against each other.
हाँ, यह वोदका का ही प्रभाव था कि किसान। किंकर्तव्यविमूढ़ हो गए। शराब ने उन्हें अचेत कर दिया और वे नरपशु बन गए। नियमित रूप से शराब का सेवन करने अथना कभी-कभार अत्यधिक मात्रा में शराब का सेवन करने से हमारे शरीर पर गंभीर प्रभाव पड़ता है। यह मस्तिष्क की कार्यप्रणाली को रोकता है, स्मृति का लोप करता है तथा शरीर की क्षमता को प्रभावित करता है।
In simple words: Yes, vodka made the peasants act like animals. Too much alcohol harms the brain, memory, heart, and liver, also ruining relationships and society.

🎯 Exam Tip: When discussing harmful effects, provide specific examples of physical, mental, and social consequences for a comprehensive answer.