Samacheer Kalvi Class 9 English Solutions Chapter 4 The Cat and the Painkiller

A. Choose The Most Suitable Option.

Question 1. What was the reason for Tom's sadness?
(a) he didn't sleep well
(b) his scores were low at school
(c) his friend Becky Thatcher stopped coming to school
(d) he had picked up a fight with Becky Thatcher
Answer: (c) his friend Becky Thatcher stopped coming to school
In simple words: Tom was feeling very sad because his good friend, Becky Thatcher, was not coming to school anymore. Their friendship meant a lot to him, and her absence made him unhappy.

🎯 Exam Tip: Pay attention to the relationships between characters and how they affect each other's moods and actions in the story.

Question 2. Aunt was an experimenter in
(a) trying new recipes
(b) designing fashionable frocks
(c) modern gardening techniques
(d) trying out new medicines
Answer: (d) trying out new medicines
In simple words: Aunt Polly loved to try new kinds of medicines. She was always experimenting with different cures, especially for Tom.

🎯 Exam Tip: Note character traits, as they often explain their actions and drive parts of the plot.

Question 3. Tom used the pain-killer to
(a) take care of his health
(b) mend the crack on the sitting room floor
(c) cure Becky Thatcher
(d) help his aunt
Answer: (b) mend the crack on the sitting room floor
In simple words: Tom did not take the medicine himself. Instead, he poured the pain-killer into a crack on the sitting room floor, pretending to take it.

🎯 Exam Tip: Always look for actions that show a character's true intentions, even if they say something different.

Question 4. What did Tom do with the pain-killer first?
(a) he had a teaspoon of the pain-killer
(b) his tail was caught in the mouse trap
(c) Tom threw him out of the window
(d) Aunt gave him a push
Answer: (a) he had a teaspoon of the pain-killer
In simple words: Tom initially pretended to take the pain-killer, but he was actually giving it to the cat, Peter. This shows his mischievous nature.

🎯 Exam Tip: Pay attention to how characters try to trick others, as this often leads to humorous situations in stories.

Question 5. Finally Aunt Polly said to Tom that he
(a) need not take any more medicine
(b) has to go to school regularly
(c) should not meet any of his friends
(d) must take medicines every day
Answer: (a) need not take any more medicine
In simple words: After the funny incident with the cat, Aunt Polly realized what Tom was doing. She told him he didn't have to take any more medicine if he tried to be good.

🎯 Exam Tip: Understand the turning points in the story and what makes characters change their minds or actions.

B. Identify The Character Or Speaker Of The Following Lines.

Question 1. He banged against furniture, upsetting flower-pots and making general havoc?
Answer: Peter, the cat
In simple words: The cat, named Peter, was the one causing all the commotion. He was running around, hitting furniture, and knocking over flower pots.

🎯 Exam Tip: When identifying a speaker or character, look for specific actions or descriptions that clearly point to one individual.

Question 2. She stood petrified with astonishment peering over her glasses.
Answer: Aunt Polly
In simple words: Aunt Polly was completely surprised and shocked. She peered over her glasses to see what was happening, showing her disbelief.

🎯 Exam Tip: Descriptions of expressions and actions can reveal a lot about a character's feelings and identity in a particular scene.

Question 4. 'What has that got to do that with it?'
Answer: Tom
In simple words: Tom asked this question when he was being questioned by Aunt Polly. He was trying to sound innocent and deflect her questions.

🎯 Exam Tip: Notice how dialogue can show a character's personality, like Tom's cleverness and desire to avoid trouble.

Question 5. 'I done it out of pity for him.'
Answer: Tom
In simple words: Tom said this to Aunt Polly. He was pretending to feel sorry for the cat and trying to make her feel bad, to avoid getting into trouble himself.

🎯 Exam Tip: Consider the context in which a line is spoken. Sometimes, characters say things that don't match their true feelings or actions.

C. Based On Your Reading, Rearrange The Following Sentences In The Correct Sequence.

Question. Rearrange the sentences:
1. Since all her methods failed, finally she gave him a pain-killer.
2. He told his aunt that Peter had no aunt, so he gave him the medicine.
3. The pain-killer triggered adverse reactions on Peter.
4. It jumped out of the open window.
5. Tom was dull and depressed.
6. This incident upset Aunt Polly and she questioned him.
7. But, Tom gave that pain-killer to the cat Peter.
8. So, Aunt Polly tried different types of remedies on him.
Answer: The correct sequence of events is:
5. Tom was dull and depressed.
8. So, Aunt Polly tried different types of remedies on him.
1. Since all her methods failed, finally she gave him a pain-killer.
7. But, Tom gave that pain-killer to the cat Peter.
3. The pain-killer triggered adverse reactions on Peter.
4. It jumped out of the open window.
6. This incident upset Aunt Polly and she questioned him.
2. He told his aunt that Peter had no aunt, so he gave him the medicine.
In simple words: To arrange the sentences, follow the story step by step. First, Tom was sad, then Aunt Polly tried cures, then she gave him pain-killer, which Tom gave to the cat. The cat reacted badly, jumped out, and then Aunt Polly questioned Tom, who gave his reason.

🎯 Exam Tip: When rearranging sentences, look for logical connections, cause-and-effect relationships, and time markers to determine the correct order of events.

D. Based On Your Understanding Of The Story, Write The Answers To The Following Questions In A Sentence Or Two.

Question 1. Why did Tom lose the charm of his life?
Answer: Tom's friend Becky Thatcher stopped coming to school, which made him very sad. Because of her absence, he lost all the joy and happiness in his life.
In simple words: Tom felt sad because his friend Becky Thatcher was not coming to school. Her absence made his life less fun.

🎯 Exam Tip: Focus on the immediate cause mentioned in the story when answering "why" questions.

Question 2. Why did Aunt Polly try different remedies on Tom?
Answer: Aunt Polly loved to try new things, especially when it came to treatments for illness. She was a constant experimenter in these matters, so she kept trying various remedies on Tom, hoping to make him better.
In simple words: Aunt Polly liked to try many cures. She was always experimenting, so she used different medicines on Tom.

🎯 Exam Tip: Mention character traits when they explain an action, like Aunt Polly's experimental nature.

Question 3. How did medicine diminish?
Answer: Tom did not like the medicine and would often ask for it just to avoid suspicion. He used to pour the medicine into a crack in the sitting room floor instead of taking it. This is how the medicine started to diminish.
In simple words: Tom poured his medicine into a floor crack. This made the amount of medicine go down.

🎯 Exam Tip: When describing how something happens, break down the process into simple, sequential steps.

Question 4. Did Tom compel Peter to have the pain-killer?
Answer: No, Tom did not force Peter the cat to take the pain-killer. Peter actually wanted to taste it himself, and Tom gave it to him willingly.
In simple words: Tom did not force the cat. The cat wanted the medicine, and Tom gave it.

🎯 Exam Tip: Distinguish between a character's direct actions and what other characters might perceive or misunderstand.

Question 5. Why did Peter wish to taste the pain-killer?
Answer: Peter, the cat, was curious and wished to taste the pain-killer simply because he wanted to. Cats are naturally curious creatures, and the strange smell might have attracted him.
In simple words: Peter the cat wanted to taste the pain-killer because he was curious and interested.

🎯 Exam Tip: For simple questions, provide a straightforward answer based directly on the story's events.

Question 6. How did Aunt Polly discover the reason for Peter's absurd behavior?
Answer: Aunt Polly bent down and picked up the teaspoon, holding it out. When she saw a little pain-killer sticking to it, she realized that Tom had been giving the medicine to the cat, which explained Peter's strange behavior.
In simple words: Aunt Polly found a teaspoon with medicine on it. This made her realize Tom was giving the pain-killer to the cat, explaining why Peter was acting so strange.

🎯 Exam Tip: Look for key clues or moments of discovery that reveal important plot details.

Question 7. What was the reason given by Tom for giving the pain-killer to the cat?
Answer: Tom told Aunt Polly that he gave the pain-killer to the cat because "Peter had no aunt." He used this excuse to try and avoid getting into trouble.
In simple words: Tom told his aunt that Peter the cat had no aunt. So, he gave the medicine to the cat out of pity.

🎯 Exam Tip: Note any humorous or ironic excuses characters make, as they often highlight their personalities.

Question 8. Why did Aunt Polly's eyes water?
Answer: Aunt Polly felt that she had been too harsh and cruel to Tom. She started to soften her heart and felt very sorry for the boy, which made her eyes well up with tears.
In simple words: Aunt Polly felt bad for being mean to Tom. She started to feel sorry, and that made her eyes water.

🎯 Exam Tip: Emotions are often shown through physical reactions; observe these details to understand character feelings.

Additional Questions & Answers

Question 1. Why did Tom put his hoop and bat away?
Answer: Tom put away his hoop and bat because he no longer found any joy in playing with them. He was too sad and depressed to enjoy his usual games.
In simple words: Tom stopped playing with his hoop and bat. He felt too sad to enjoy them.

🎯 Exam Tip: When a character changes their routine, it often signals a change in their mood or circumstances.

Question 2. What happened when there was no joy in hoop and bat anymore?
Answer: When Tom stopped finding joy in his hoop and bat, it became clear he was very unhappy. This change in his behavior made his Aunt Polly feel worried about him.
In simple words: Tom stopped enjoying his games. This made his Aunt Polly concerned about him.

🎯 Exam Tip: Connect a character's actions to the reactions of other characters to understand the story's emotional flow.

Question 3. What was Aunt Polly infatuated with?
Answer: Aunt Polly was completely fascinated by patent medicines. She was also very keen on discovering new methods for improving health or fixing ailments, always looking for the latest cure.
In simple words: Aunt Polly loved new medicines. She was very interested in all kinds of ways to make people healthy.

🎯 Exam Tip: Use words like "infatuated" to describe strong interests, but always explain them in simpler terms.

Question 4. What was Aunt Polly in patent medicines and new methods of healing?
Answer: Aunt Polly was a tireless experimenter when it came to patent medicines and new healing methods. She was always keen to try out the latest remedies on Tom.
In simple words: Aunt Polly loved trying new medicines and cures. She was always experimenting with them.

🎯 Exam Tip: Rephrasing similar questions with slightly different wording helps reinforce understanding of character traits.

Question 5. What was a windfall to Aunt Polly?
Answer: Tom's poor health and sad state felt like a stroke of luck to Aunt Polly. It gave her more opportunities to try out her various new medicines and healing methods on him.
In simple words: Tom being sick was like good luck for Aunt Polly. It meant she could try out her many new medicines on him.

🎯 Exam Tip: Understand how a character's perspective can sometimes make a negative situation seem positive to them.

Question 6. What happened to the boy after the treatment?
Answer: After all the different treatments, Tom did not get better. He became even more sad, looked paler, and felt very dejected and unwell as time went on.
In simple words: Even after treatments, Tom got worse. He became sadder, paler, and felt very down.

🎯 Exam Tip: Focus on the direct consequences of actions or events when describing what "happened."

Question 7. What did Aunt Polly fill Tom up everyday with?
Answer: Aunt Polly made sure to give Tom a lot of different kinds of quack cure-alls every single day. She hoped these strange remedies would make him feel better.
In simple words: Every day, Aunt Polly gave Tom many fake medicines. She thought they would make him well.

🎯 Exam Tip: Identify specific items or substances mentioned in the text that are central to the plot.

Question 8. Why did Tom become a nuisance to Aunt Polly?
Answer: Tom started asking Aunt Polly for the pain-killer so often that it bothered her. His constant requests made him become a nuisance to her.
In simple words: Tom asked for pain-killer too often. This made him annoying to Aunt Polly.

🎯 Exam Tip: Repetitive actions by a character can often lead to a specific reaction from another character.

Question 9. How did she end it?
Answer: Aunt Polly ended the situation by telling Tom to manage his own health. She told him to stop bothering her with his constant demands for medicine.
In simple words: She told Tom to take care of himself. She also told him to stop bothering her about it.

🎯 Exam Tip: Identify the resolution of a conflict or situation within the story.

Question 10. Who begged for pain killer? Why?
Answer: Peter, the cat, begged for the pain-killer. He was curious and wanted to have a taste of it, which led to a very funny and chaotic situation.
In simple words: Peter, the cat, wanted the pain-killer. He begged for it because he wanted to taste it.

🎯 Exam Tip: When a question asks "who" and "why," make sure to answer both parts clearly and concisely.

Question 11. Why did Tom give the pain killer to Peter?
Answer: Tom gave the pain-killer to Peter the cat because Peter actively asked for it. Tom simply fulfilled the cat's wish to taste the medicine.
In simple words: Peter the cat asked Tom for the pain-killer. So, Tom gave it to him.

🎯 Exam Tip: Direct quotes or actions from the story often provide the clearest answers to "why" questions.

Question 12. What was the reaction of the old lady over the strange behaviour of Peter?
Answer: The old lady, Aunt Polly, was completely shocked and astonished by Peter the cat's strange behavior. She looked over her glasses in disbelief, petrified by the scene.
In simple words: Aunt Polly was shocked by Peter's strange actions. She looked over her glasses in great surprise.

🎯 Exam Tip: Use strong adjectives to describe reactions, like "petrified" or "astonishment," to convey the intensity of the emotion.

Question 13. What did Tom do on seeing the strange behaviour of the cat?
Answer: When Tom saw the cat acting so strangely, he lay down on the floor. He was overcome with laughter, barely able to breathe from amusement.
In simple words: Seeing the cat's funny behavior made Tom laugh very hard. He lay on the floor laughing.

🎯 Exam Tip: Focus on the character's direct actions and emotional response to an event.

Question 14. What did Tom tell Aunt Polly for the cat's act?
Answer: Tom told Aunt Polly that cats always behave in strange ways. He suggested that they were just having a good time, trying to excuse the cat's behavior.
In simple words: Tom told Aunt Polly that cats always act funny. He said they were just having fun.

🎯 Exam Tip: Identify how characters try to explain or justify events, especially when they are trying to avoid blame.

Question 15. What did Aunt Polly advise Tom finally?
Answer: In the end, Aunt Polly told Tom that if he could not manage to be a good boy even once, he would not need to take any more medicine. This was her way of saying his behavior affected his health.
In simple words: Aunt Polly finally told Tom he would not need medicine if he could just be a good boy.

🎯 Exam Tip: Note the final advice or resolution given by a character, as it often reflects a lesson learned or a change in approach.

E. Answer The Following Questions In About 80-100 Words.

Question 1. Describe the different types of remedies tried by Aunt Polly on Tom?
Answer: Aunt Polly was very enthusiastic about patent medicines and new healing methods; she loved to experiment. She saw Tom's poor health as a chance to try out all her different remedies. First, she tried the "water treatment" on him. She would stand him in the woodshed, drench him with cold water, scrub him hard with a towel, and then wrap him in a wet sheet under blankets until he sweated. When this didn't work, she tried a strict oatmeal diet and blister plasters. After hearing about "Pain-killer," she quickly ordered a lot. She tasted it herself, found it was a fiery liquid, and then gave Tom a teaspoonful, carefully watching for results. Tom, however, was tired of all these treatments and just wanted to be left alone. She eventually gave him hot baths, shower baths, and plunges. Despite all her efforts, Tom just became sadder and paler. Aunt Polly eventually told him to help himself and stop bothering her, stating that "Too much of anything is good for nothing." These varied attempts show her persistence and belief in her unique healing techniques.
In simple words: Aunt Polly loved trying new medicines and cures. She tried many things on Tom. First, she gave him cold water treatments, scrubbing him and wrapping him in wet sheets. Then she tried a plain oatmeal diet and plasters. When she found "Pain-killer," she made him take it. She also tried hot baths and showers. But Tom just got sicker and sadder. Finally, she told him to stop asking for more cures and take care of himself.

🎯 Exam Tip: When listing different items or methods, use transition words to keep the description clear and easy to follow. Remember to sum up the character's motivation for their actions.

Question 2. Narrate the funny sequence between Tom Sawyer and Peter, the cat?
Answer: This humorous incident is a highlight of the story. One day, Aunt Polly had given Tom the pain-killer, a powerful liquid. Tom, instead of taking it, was pouring it into a crack in the floor. Suddenly, Peter, Aunt Polly's cat, noticed the medicine and started begging for a taste. Tom, seeing an opportunity, agreed to give the pain-killer to Peter, thinking it would be an interesting experiment. He opened the cat's mouth and poured the liquid in. What followed was a hilarious scene: Peter immediately sprang several yards into the air, let out a loud "war-whoop," and began tearing around the room. The cat crashed into furniture, knocked over flower-pots, and caused general chaos. He then danced on his hind feet in a burst of joy, head thrown back, loudly expressing his happiness. Aunt Polly soon entered, surprised by the commotion. She saw Peter performing double somersaults and dashing through the window, carrying flower-pots with him. Aunt Polly was frozen in astonishment, while Tom, overwhelmed with laughter, lay on the floor, barely able to breathe. This chaotic fun showed Tom's cleverness and the unexpected consequences of his pranks.
In simple words: The funniest part was when Tom gave the pain-killer to Peter the cat. Instead of taking the medicine himself, Tom poured it into Peter's mouth. The cat immediately jumped high in the air and started running wildly around the room. It knocked over furniture and flower pots. Then, Peter danced around happily on its back legs. When Aunt Polly saw this, she was very surprised, but Tom was lying on the floor laughing a lot.

🎯 Exam Tip: Focus on descriptive verbs and sensory details to make your narration vivid and engaging. Ensure the sequence of events is clear and chronological.

F. Complete The Summary Of The Extract Using The Appropriate Words From The Box Below.

Question. Complete the summary:
Tom Sawyer felt (1) __________ as Becky Thatcher had stopped coming to (2) __________. His Aunt Polly was very concerned about his (3) __________ condition. So, she began to try various (4) __________ on him. Tom became fed up with his (5) __________ like the pain-killer. He started to ask for it very often. But, Tom used the medicine to mend the (6) __________ on the floor. One day, Tom gave the pain-killer to his Aunt's cat, (7) __________. The (8) __________ had an adverse effect on the cat and it started to jump around the room. Aunt Polly entered the room in time to see the cat throw a few (9) __________ and sail through the open window. She found the (10) __________ with a little pain-killer sticking to it and knew that Tom had treated the cat with it. She realized that what was (11) __________ to the cat should be the same to the boy too and (12) __________ giving medicines to him.

Answer:
Tom Sawyer felt (1) dejected as Becky Thatcher had stopped coming to (2) school. His Aunt Polly was very concerned about his (3) health condition. So, she began to try various (4) remedies on him. Tom became fed up with his (5) pain-killer like the pain-killer. He started to ask for it very often. But, Tom used the medicine to mend the (6) crack on the floor. One day, Tom gave the pain-killer to his Aunt's cat, (7) Peter. The (8) somersaults had an adverse effect on the cat and it started to jump around the room. Aunt Polly entered the room in time to see the cat throw a few (9) somersaults and sail through the open window. She found the (10) teaspoon with a little pain-killer sticking to it and knew that Tom had treated the cat with it. She realized that what was (11) cruelty to the cat should be the same to the boy too and (12) stopped giving medicines to him.
In simple words: To fill in the blanks, think about the story's main points. Tom was sad when Becky stopped going to school. Aunt Polly worried about his health and tried many remedies. Tom hated the pain-killer, gave it to Peter, and the cat's crazy somersaults made Aunt Polly realize the cruelty, so she stopped giving Tom medicine.

🎯 Exam Tip: Read the summary carefully and use context clues to choose the best word for each blank from the provided list. Ensure the completed sentence makes logical sense within the story.

G. In The Story We Find A Lot Of American Slang Usage Of English, Complete The Tabular Column With Standard English. One Has Been Done For You.

Answer: The table above shows the American slang phrases from the story converted into their standard English equivalents.
In simple words: The table changes old, informal American words and sayings into common, everyday English words.

🎯 Exam Tip: Pay attention to unique phrases and expressions in stories. Understanding their meaning helps you better grasp the context and era of the text.

H. Complete The Mind Map Based On The Inputs From The Extract.

Question. Complete the mind map:
01: Becky Thatcher, Tom's friend ___________ coming to school.
02: So, Tom became ___________.
03: Aunt Polly ___________ about Tom.
04: She tried ___________.
05: Tom pretended to like ___________.
06: One day Tom gave the pain-killer to ___________.
07: The incidents that followed made his aunt ___________.
Answer:
01: Becky Thatcher, Tom's friend stopped coming to school.
02: So, Tom became unhappy.
03: Aunt Polly was concerned about Tom.
04: She tried all manners of remedies on Tom.
05: Tom pretended to like the pain killer.
06: One day Tom gave the pain-killer to Peter.
07: The incidents that followed made his aunt petrified.
In simple words: To fill in the mind map, remember the main events: Becky stopped school, Tom got sad, Aunt Polly worried and tried cures. Tom then gave the medicine to Peter, and the cat's actions shocked Aunt Polly.

🎯 Exam Tip: When completing mind maps, focus on identifying the main idea or keyword that logically connects to the given phrase or context from the story.