RBSE Solutions Class 10 English Supplementary Reader Chapter 8 Old Man at the Bridge

A. Tick The Correct Alternative:

Question 1. The old man with .......... spectacles.
(a) golden rimmed
(b) silver rimmed
(c) steel rimmed
(d) plastic
Answer: (c) steel rimmed
In simple words: The old man wore glasses that had frames made of steel. These simple spectacles helped him to see.

🎯 Exam Tip: Pay close attention to small descriptive details about characters as they often appear in multiple-choice questions.

Question 2. The old man had to leave his animals because of ..........
(a) heavy rainfall
(b) disaster
(c) earthquake
(d) artillery
Answer: (d) artillery
In simple words: The old man had to leave his animals behind because of the war, specifically due to the danger from big guns and weapons. This shows the harsh impact of conflict on ordinary people.

🎯 Exam Tip: Understand the historical context of the story to grasp the reasons behind character actions.

Question 3. The old man left the ..... unlocked.
(a) house
(b) office
(c) cage
(d) pen
Answer: (c) cage
In simple words: The old man left the bird cage open because he hoped the doves inside would be able to fly away and be safe. He cared for his animals, even when he had to leave them.

🎯 Exam Tip: Look for clues later in the text if a previous question seems incomplete or missing options.

Question 4. Which animals did old man suppose to be alright?
(a) goats
(b) cat
(c) pigeons
(d) all of the options
Answer: (b) cat
In simple words: The old man believed the cat would be able to take care of itself and survive alone. Cats are known for being more independent and resourceful.

🎯 Exam Tip: Note the old man's specific concern for each type of animal to understand his thoughts.

B. State Whether The Statements Given Below Are True (T) Or False (F):

Question 1. The old man's native town was Tortosa.
Answer: False
In simple words: The old man's hometown was San Carlos, not Tortosa. The story mentions San Carlos as the place he was from.

🎯 Exam Tip: Remember specific names of places and characters as they are crucial for factual questions.

Question 2. The old man wore untidy clothes blackened with dust.
Answer: True
In simple words: Yes, the old man's clothes were very dirty and covered in dust, showing how long and difficult his journey had been. The dusty environment added to his worn-out appearance.

🎯 Exam Tip: Details about a character's appearance can give insights into their situation and journey.

Question 3. The trucks were advancing towards Barcelona.
Answer: True
In simple words: During the war, vehicles and soldiers were moving forward towards a certain area. This movement showed the progress of the attacking forces.

🎯 Exam Tip: When answering true/false questions, recall the general direction and purpose of military movements described in the text.

Question 4. The dove cage had been left unlocked.
Answer: True
In simple words: The old man left the cage open so that his doves could fly out and be safe from the war. It was a kind act to give them a chance to escape.

🎯 Exam Tip: Connect actions with the character's motivations, like the old man's care for his animals.

Question 5. The narrator felt sad about the old man's fate.

🎯 Exam Tip: Always describe the emotions of characters clearly if they are evident in the story.

Question 1. Where did the old man come from? बुजुर्ग व्यक्ति कहाँ से आया था?
Answer: During the Spanish Civil War in the 1930s, all the people living in San Carlos had to leave their town with their belongings. The old man was the very last person to leave San Carlos. He had travelled a long way from there.
In simple words: The old man came from the town of San Carlos. He was the last person to leave it during the war.

🎯 Exam Tip: Mention both the name of the place and the situation (like a war) that caused the movement.

Question 2. Which animal could take care of itself? कौन-सा 'जानवर अपनी हिफाजत खुद कर पाने में सक्षम था?
Answer: The old man told the narrator that his cat could look after itself and survive on its own. However, his other animals, like the goats and pigeons, were not able to take care of themselves in the chaos.
In simple words: The old man said the cat could take care of itself. The other animals needed someone to look after them.

🎯 Exam Tip: Differentiate between the animals based on their ability to survive independently according to the story.

Question 3. What was the age of the old man? उस बुजुर्ग व्यक्ति की उम्र क्या थी?
Answer: The old man was 76 years old. This elderly age explains why he was so tired and unable to travel further.
In simple words: The old man was 76 years old.

🎯 Exam Tip: When a specific detail like age is provided, state it clearly as the answer.

Question 4. On which day did the incident happen? यह किस दिन की घटना है?
Answer: The incident happened on Easter Sunday. At that time, the Fascist army was moving quickly towards the Ebro river. The sky was very cloudy and planes could not fly high because of the low visibility. This meant there was no air cover for the retreating people.
In simple words: The event took place on Easter Sunday. The weather was cloudy, which kept planes from flying high.

🎯 Exam Tip: Include both the day of the week or special occasion and any relevant weather or military conditions.

D. Answer The Following Questions In About 30-40 Words Each:

Question 1. Why did the old man sit by the side of the road? बुजुर्ग व्यक्ति सड़क के किनारे क्यों बैठ गया?
Answer: During the Spanish Civil War, the Fascists were about to move into San Carlos. The captain ordered everyone in the town to leave. All the people left, but the old man, after walking a long way with his animals, got very tired and had to sit by the road. He was exhausted from the journey and the worry.
In simple words: The old man was very tired after walking a long distance with his animals to escape the war. So, he sat down by the road.

🎯 Exam Tip: Explain both the cause (war, evacuation) and the direct reason (tiredness) for his action.

Question 2. Why could he not go any further? वह आगे क्यों नहीं जा पाया?
Answer: The old man was 76 years old and had walked 12 kilometers with his animals. He was extremely tired and physically unable to continue his journey any further. His age and the long walk had completely worn him out.
In simple words: He was 76 years old and had walked 12 kilometers. He was too tired to go any further.

🎯 Exam Tip: Specify the old man's age and the distance he walked to fully answer why he couldn't move.

Question 3. Why did the old man have to leave his town? बुजुर्ग व्यक्ति को शहर छोड़ कर क्यों जाना पड़ा?
Answer: During the Spanish Civil War in the 1930s, the Fascist forces were planning to attack San Carlos, where the old man lived. To keep the residents safe, they were ordered to evacuate the town. This forced the old man to leave his home and everything he knew. The conflict left him with no choice but to flee.
In simple words: The old man had to leave his town because the Fascist army was going to attack it. Everyone was told to leave for their safety.

🎯 Exam Tip: Connect the reason for leaving to the historical event (Spanish Civil War) and the military threat.

Question 4. What did the old man say at the end? बुजुर्ग व्यक्ति ने अंत में क्या कहा?
Answer: When the narrator urged him to get up and try to walk, the old man moved slowly, swayed, and sat back in the dust. He then told the narrator that he had been more worried about his animals than himself. He also said that he could not leave his animals alone in such a dangerous situation. His loyalty to his animals was very strong.
In simple words: The old man said he cared more about his animals than himself. He refused to leave them alone in danger.

🎯 Exam Tip: Highlight the old man's selfless nature and his deep concern for his animals as his final thoughts.

E. Answer The Following Questions In About 60-80 Words Each:

Question 1. What activities were taking place on the pontoon bridge? पॉन्टून पुल पर किस तरह की गतिविधियाँ हो रही थीं?
Answer: During the Spanish Civil War, the army captain told the people of San Carlos to leave because of the Fascist attack. To escape, a large number of carts, trucks, men, women, and children were crossing the pontoon bridge. Mule-drawn carts were struggling up the steep bank, and soldiers were pushing them to help. This bridge was a key escape route for many, showing a scene of hurried evacuation.
In simple words: Many people, with carts and trucks, were crossing the pontoon bridge to escape the war. Soldiers were helping push the overloaded carts up the bank.

🎯 Exam Tip: Describe the scene dynamically, mentioning both the types of people/vehicles and the difficulty of the crossing.

Question 2. What was the narrator's business at the bridge?
Answer: The narrator was a correspondent for an important newspaper. His job was to find out the real situation of the fast-advancing Fascist army. He had crossed the pontoon bridge for this purpose. After getting the information about the Fascist army, he was returning across the bridge. He noticed fewer vehicles and people on foot now, and then saw the old man sitting alone. His role was to report the harsh realities of the war.
In simple words: The narrator was a newspaper reporter. He was at the bridge to gather information about the advancing Fascist army and then report it.

🎯 Exam Tip: Clearly state the narrator's profession and his specific mission at that location.

Question 3. How did the old man look like? बुजुर्ग व्यक्ति कैसा दिखता था?
Answer: The old man was a shepherd, but he did not look like one. He wore steel-rimmed glasses and very dusty clothes. His face was also grey from the dust. In reality, the road had ankle-deep dust, and passing vehicles blew it up, covering the old man's clothes and face entirely. This made him look very old, tired, and worn out from his long journey.
In simple words: The old man wore steel-rimmed glasses and dusty clothes. His face was grey because of the thick dust from the road.

🎯 Exam Tip: Focus on both his attire and the impact of the environment (dust) on his appearance.

Activity

Question 1. Imagine yourself as a companion of the old man. Analyse the problems faced by uprooted people who became refugees as a result of the war. Narrate your experiences in the form of a diary entry. कल्पना कीजिए कि आप उस बुजुर्ग व्यक्ति के साथी हैं। अब अपने घर से बेघर हुए लोगों की स्थिति की समीक्षा कीजिए, जिन्हें गृहयुद्ध के चलते शरणार्थी बनना पड़ा। अपने अनुभव को डायरी में लिखिए।
Answer:
10th March, 1938
Monday, 7:00 pm.
I feel very sad about what is happening to the people of our town, San Carlos. The Civil War has turned everyone into refugees. People have left their homes, properties, and friends behind. So many animals are dying because their owners had to run away. I saw a 76-year-old man who walked 12 kilometers with his animals and then sat down by the road, completely exhausted. This war is causing so much pain and loss for everyone. I wish someone could help these people. Life for refugees is very hard, with no safe place to call their own. We must find a way to help everyone and stop this terrible war.
In simple words: It is March 10, 1938. I am very sad to see how the war has made everyone in San Carlos homeless. People lost their homes and animals are dying. I saw an old man, 76, who walked 12 km and was too tired to go on. This war brings great suffering to all.

🎯 Exam Tip: When writing a diary entry, express feelings clearly, describe specific observations, and connect them to the broader theme of the war's impact.