Samacheer Kalvi Class 10 English Solutions Chapter 2 Zigzag

A. Identify the Speaker / Character.

Question 1. Even though I clearly said “no”!
Answer: Dr. Krishnan. He expressed frustration at the situation, highlighting his clear rejection of something that still occurred.
In simple words: Dr. Krishnan said this because he was upset that his "no" was ignored.

🎯 Exam Tip: When identifying a speaker, look for direct quotes or clear actions associated with a character in the story.

Question 2. The one that spits deadly poison straight into its opponent's eyes.
Answer: Maya. She was describing a dangerous type of snake, probably from a story or something she had learned, to emphasize a point or express fear.
In simple words: Maya said this, likely talking about a dangerous snake.

🎯 Exam Tip: Pay attention to descriptive phrases, as they often hint at the speaker's perspective or knowledge.

Question 3. Remember the tiny penknife he gave me last year.
Answer: Maya. She recalled a past gift, indicating a memory or connection to the person who gave it.
In simple words: Maya reminded someone about a small penknife she got as a gift.

🎯 Exam Tip: Details about past events or gifts can help link a dialogue to a specific character.

Question 4. It's Somu's thoughtless ways that reduce me to tears.
Answer: Mrs. Krishnan. She was upset with Somu's actions, finding them insensitive and emotionally distressing. Her reaction shows the deep impact of Somu's carelessness.
In simple words: Mrs. Krishnan said this, feeling very sad because of Somu's actions.

🎯 Exam Tip: Strong emotional expressions are often key indicators for identifying the speaker in a narrative.

Question 5. 'Come in, zigzag, come in dear!'
Answer: Visu, the old cook. He was inviting Zigzag inside, showing a friendly and welcoming attitude towards the bird.
In simple words: Visu, the cook, said this to welcome Zigzag.

🎯 Exam Tip: Understanding the context of an invitation or command helps pinpoint the speaker.

B. Read the Story Again and Write How These Characters Reacted in These Situations.

Question 1. "You're both quite mistaken".
Answer: Dr. Krishnan quickly tried to explain the situation to calm things down. Meanwhile, Mrs. Krishnan was very shocked and upset when she heard about Zigzag. They had different reactions but both were affected by the misunderstanding.
In simple words: Dr. Krishnan tried to explain, but Mrs. Krishnan was very upset after hearing about Zigzag.

🎯 Exam Tip: When describing reactions, mention both what the character said/did and their emotional state.

Question 2. "It's Somu's thoughtless ways that reduce me to tears”.
Answer: Mrs. Krishnan spoke in a grumpy way, feeling annoyed by Somu's inconsiderate actions. At the same time, Dr. Krishnan was rushing to his clinic, showing he was busy and perhaps distracted by his work, which might have added to the tension. Her words highlighted her emotional distress.
In simple words: Mrs. Krishnan was irritable and Dr. Krishnan was busy going to his clinic.

🎯 Exam Tip: Note both the spoken words and the actions/moods of other characters present to fully describe the scene.

Question 3. "Just wait till zigzag settles down in this new home”.
Answer: Visu tried to make everyone feel better and calm their worries. However, Aravind and Maya were unhappy because the bird still wasn't talking, which was a big disappointment for them. This shows how Visu acted as a peacemaker.
In simple words: Visu tried to comfort everyone, but Aravind and Maya were disappointed because the bird did not talk.

🎯 Exam Tip: Observe who is trying to mediate or reassure others, and contrast their reactions with those who are disappointed or confused.

Question 4. "Zigzag hardly ever sleeps”.
Answer: Somu sent an email to Dr. Krishnan about Zigzag, possibly in response to Dr. Krishnan's concerns. Dr. Krishnan had earlier predicted that the problem would be very simple, suggesting he wasn't too worried initially. This reflects Somu's casual attitude towards his pet's behavior.
In simple words: Somu emailed Dr. Krishnan about Zigzag, and Dr. Krishnan thought it would be a simple issue.

🎯 Exam Tip: Actions like sending an email or making a prediction provide insight into characters' approaches to a problem.

Question 5. "You are an absolute treasure..."
Answer: Dr. Krishnan let out a sigh and spoke to Zigzag directly. But Zigzag didn't show any sign of reacting or understanding, remaining unresponsive. This shows Dr. Krishnan's initial hope and Zigzag's peculiar nature.
In simple words: Dr. Krishnan spoke to Zigzag with a sigh, but Zigzag did not reply.

🎯 Exam Tip: Note when characters speak to non-human entities and the lack of response can be a significant part of their reaction.

C. Complete the Given Tabular Columns.

Answer:

🎯 Exam Tip: When completing tables, make sure each cell's information directly corresponds to its row and column heading, and maintain consistency in details.

D. Answer the Following Questions in One or Two Sentences.

Question 1. Why did Dr. Ashok's cousin call him?
Answer: Dr. Ashok Krishnan's cousin, Somu, called him to ask if he could take care of Zigzag, Somu's pet bird, because Somu was leaving for Alaska. This request set the whole story in motion.
In simple words: Somu called Dr. Krishnan to look after his pet bird, Zigzag, while he went to Alaska.

🎯 Exam Tip: Always identify both the caller and the reason for the call for full marks on such questions.

Question 2. Mention at least .... zigzag at home?
Answer: The family was bothered by two main things with Zigzag at home:
1. The sound of Zigzag snoring loudly, along with constant telephone calls.
2. Mrs. Krishnan was worried about her "beautiful painting..." being ruined. These issues created much chaos.
In simple words: Zigzag's snoring, many phone calls, and worry about Mrs. Krishnan's painting caused trouble at home.

🎯 Exam Tip: When asked to list multiple points, ensure each point is distinct and directly addresses the question.

Question 3. What pets did Somu have?
Answer: Somu had a giant green and gold fighting beetle and an African snake, in addition to Zigzag. He seemed to have a collection of unusual pets.
In simple words: Somu owned a large green and gold beetle and an African snake as pets.

🎯 Exam Tip: List all pets mentioned in the story to provide a complete answer.

Question 4. What was Mrs. Krishnan busy with?
Answer: Mrs. Krishnan was busy working on her paintings. She planned to display them for sale the following week, indicating her dedication to her art. Her work was a major focus for her.
In simple words: Mrs. Krishnan was busy painting pictures to sell soon.

🎯 Exam Tip: Identify the specific activity and its purpose when describing a character's occupation or hobby.

Question 5. What commotion did the boomerang cause in the neighbourhood?
Answer: The boomerang cut through all the TV aerials in the neighborhood. It badly damaged several cars in the parking lot and even knocked out the watchman with the force of Arvind's throw. It caused a great deal of trouble and destruction.
In simple words: The boomerang broke TV aerials, damaged cars, and knocked out the watchman, causing much trouble.

🎯 Exam Tip: Detail all the consequences and damage caused by the event to provide a comprehensive answer.

Question 6. What happened when Somu left Zigzag with the Krishnan's?
Answer: After Somu left, Zigzag placed walnuts and fruits onto the chandelier and transferred them to the ceiling fan blades. Then, it went to sleep on the curtain rod. The bird created a unique mess, showcasing its unusual habits.
In simple words: Zigzag put walnuts and fruits on the chandelier and fan, then slept on the curtain rod.

🎯 Exam Tip: Describe the sequence of events clearly and concisely when explaining what happened.

Question 7. How did Zigzag communicate with the Krishnan's?
Answer: Zigzag did not communicate with the Krishnans at all. Even though everyone tried to speak to him many times in different languages, he just slept and snored. This was quite frustrating for the family.
In simple words: Zigzag did not talk; it only slept and snored, despite the family trying to speak to it.

🎯 Exam Tip: Focus on the *lack* of communication and the family's efforts when answering this type of question.

Question 8. What was the e-mail message sent to Somu by Dr. Krishnan?
Answer: Dr. Krishnan sent an email to Somu asking for clear instructions on how to make Zigzag stop snoring. The constant snoring was clearly a big problem for the family. He needed help managing the bird's unique habit.
In simple words: Dr. Krishnan emailed Somu to ask for advice on how to stop Zigzag from snoring.

🎯 Exam Tip: State the sender, recipient, and the specific query or purpose of the email message.

Question 9. What did Aravind confess?
Answer: Aravind admitted that for the first time in his life, he was actually looking forward to going to school. He felt that school was as peaceful as a monastery compared to their chaotic home environment. This shows how disruptive Zigzag had become.
In simple words: Aravind confessed he was excited to go to school because it was calmer than his home.

🎯 Exam Tip: When a character confesses something, it often reveals a strong personal feeling or a significant change in perspective.

Question 10. Why did Mrs. Jhunjhunwala buy the painting?
Answer: Mrs. Jhunjhunwala bought the painting because she really liked what she saw as a "new technique" of painting. She appreciated the unusual style, even though it was actually a result of Zigzag's messy actions. This highlights how perspective can change an opinion.
In simple words: Mrs. Jhunjhunwala bought the painting because she liked its unique style, which she thought was a new technique.

🎯 Exam Tip: Connect the buyer's reason directly to their perception of the item being sold.

E. Answer the Following Questions in About 100-150 Words:

Question 1. Write a passage in your own words the various commotions caused by Zigzag at Dr. Krishnan's
Answer: When Dr. Somu's old cook, Visu, brought Zigzag to Dr. Krishnan's house, everyone was surprised. Zigzag was a strange bird, a foot and a half tall, and could speak 21 languages, but it remained silent at first. Instead of eating the fruits and nuts offered by Arvind, it placed them on the chandelier and the ceiling fan blades. Then, it settled on the curtain rod and began to snore loudly.

The snoring grew louder and caused severe headaches for everyone. When the maid, Lakshmi, switched on the fan, the fruit pulp splattered all over Mrs. Krishnan's new painting, ruining it with orange streaks. Mrs. Krishnan became very angry. Zigzag's loud snoring also troubled all the neighbors, who started complaining. This caused a lot of chaos and tension in the household, making life difficult for the Krishnans.
In simple words: Zigzag caused chaos by putting fruit on the fan, snoring loudly, and damaging Mrs. Krishnan's painting when the fan was turned on. Its loud snoring also bothered the neighbors.

🎯 Exam Tip: Organize your answer by listing each commotion in chronological order, clearly stating the cause and effect of Zigzag's actions.

Question 2. What happened when Zigzag was taken to the clinic?
Answer: Zigzag caused many problems at Dr. Krishnan's house, so the doctor decided to take the bird to his clinic. Initially, Dr. Krishnan asked Zigzag to wait in the car and warned it not to sleep. However, Zigzag was not used to waiting.

It entered the clinic and perched on the reception table. Dr. Krishnan soon heard a strange, clear, and commanding voice, which turned out to be Zigzag's. This voice brought complete silence to the usually noisy clinic. Dr. Krishnan was amazed to see Zigzag, no longer bored or grumpy, but happy and alert, attending to its new job.

The clinic transformed into a calm and orderly place without any confusion. Zigzag skillfully comforted the frightened patients, changing the atmosphere entirely. Dr. Krishnan then realized that Zigzag was truly a valuable asset. The bird proved that even a chaotic presence can bring unexpected order and peace.
In simple words: Zigzag went to Dr. Krishnan's clinic, where its commanding voice made everything quiet. It became happy and helped calm frightened patients, turning the clinic into a peaceful place.

🎯 Exam Tip: Detail Zigzag's actions and the immediate changes in the clinic's environment to show the bird's unique impact.

Question 3. Narrate the story Zigzag in your own words.
Answer: The story "Zigzag" is about a unique, multilingual bird. Dr. Krishnan's clinic was usually loud with children's shouts and cries. His friend, Dr. Somu, asked him to care for his pet bird, Zigzag, as he was moving to Alaska.

When Zigzag arrived, everyone was surprised. It was a tall, strange bird that could speak and sing in 21 languages, but it remained silent in Dr. Krishnan's house. Instead of eating, it put the fruits and nuts given to it on the chandelier and fan blades. Then, it went to sleep on a curtain rod and began to snore loudly, which disturbed everyone and the neighbors.

When the maid turned on the fan, the fruit pulp splattered and ruined Mrs. Krishnan's painting, making her very angry. She insisted that Dr. Krishnan send Zigzag away. So, Dr. Krishnan took the bird to his clinic.

At the clinic, Zigzag's clear, commanding voice brought silence and order, comforting the patients. The clinic, once noisy, became calm. Mrs. Krishnan's "spoiled" painting was eventually sold for Rs. 5,000, as the buyer thought its unique look was a new painting technique. The Krishnans were so impressed that they asked Zigzag to stay longer. This shows how unusual situations can lead to unexpected positive outcomes.
In simple words: Dr. Somu left his talking bird, Zigzag, with Dr. Krishnan. Zigzag caused trouble at home by snoring loudly and ruining a painting. But at the clinic, Zigzag brought peace and calmness, and the painting was even sold as new art.

🎯 Exam Tip: When narrating, include the main characters, the central conflict, the turning point (Zigzag at the clinic), and the resolution, ensuring a clear flow of events.