English Important

 Why did Lencho say the raindrops were like ‘new coins’?

Answer:

Lencho compared the raindrops to ‘new coins’ – the big drops as ten-cent pieces and the little ones as fives. As his crops were ready for harvest, he hoped that the rains would bring him prosperity; so he felt the raindrops were like ‘new coins’.

Question 4:

What were Lencho’s feelings when the hail stopped?

Answer:

After the hailstones stopped, Lencho’s soul was filled with grief and dismay. He realised that everything was ruined by the hailstorm and nothing was left to feed his family for the entire year. He could visualize the bleak future of his family.

Who read the letter?

Answer:

The postmaster read Lencho’s letter addressed to God.

Who or what did Lencho have faith in? What did he do?

Answer:

Lencho had a strong faith in God. He believed that God’s eyes see everything, even what is deep in one’s conscience. Hence, he wrote a letter to God citing that he needed a hundred pesos to sow his field that was destroyed by the hailstorm.

What does Mandela thank the international leaders for?

Answer:

Mandela felt extremely privileged to welcome the dignitaries and international leaders at the swearing-in ceremony because it was not too long ago when the South Africans were considered outlaws. He therefore, thanked all of them for having come from far and wide to witness the historical oath-taking ceremony of the first Black President of South Africa. 

What do the military generals do? How has their attitude changed and why?

Answer:

The highest military generals of South African defence forces and police saluted and pledged their loyalty to Mandela. This was of great significance because, during the Apartheid era, they would have arrested him and put him behind bars. Their attitude towards Blacks changed due to the struggles and sacrifices that were put in by many heroes of South Africa. This struggle for freedom was not just a struggle with Apartheid, it also brought a massive change in the mindsets of many people. Mandela believed that love is something that could be taught and human beings are naturally inclined towards love more, rather than hate.

Question 3:

How does Mandela describe the systems of government in his country –

(i) in the first decade, and (ii) in the final decade, of the twentieth century?

Answer:

1. In the first decade of the twentieth century, the white-skinned people of South Africa patched up their differences and erected a system of racial domination against the dark-skinned peoples of their own land. This created the basis of one of the harshest, most inhumane, societies the world has ever seen or known.
2. In the final decade of the twentieth century, the previous system of government had been overturned forever and replaced by one that recognised the rights and freedoms of all peoples, regardless of the colour of their skin.

What does courage mean to Mandela?

Answer:

According to Mandela, courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. A brave man is not one who does not feel afraid, but one who conquers that fear.

Question 5:

Which does he think is natural, to love or to hate?

Answer:

Mandela thought that love comes more naturally to the human heart rather than hate.

Question 1:

Why is Mrs Pumphrey worried about Tricki?

Answer:

Mrs Pumphrey was worried and upset about Tricki’s health as he was not eating anything. He refused to eat his favourite dishes and had bouts of vomiting. He spent all his time lying on a rug, panting and didn’t show any interest in going for daily walks either.

Question 2:

What does she do to help him? Is she wise in this?

Answer:

Initially, Mrs Pumphrey thought that Tricki had become listless, as he seemed to have no energy. She assumed that he must be suffering from malnutrition, so she started giving him some little extras between meals to build him up, some malt and cod-liver oil and a bowl of Horlicks at night to make him sleep. She would also indulge him in cream cakes and chocolates unnecessarily and did not give him enough exercise. With all this pampering and indulgence, Tricki became hugely fat, like a bloated sausage with a leg at each corner. It was absolutely not a wise decision on the part of his mistress to overfeed him that worsened his condition and made him more lazy and bulky. However, seeing his plight Mrs Pumphrey was distraught and consulted a veterinary surgeon, Dr Herriot, to help improve Tricki’s health condition.

Why does Mrs Pumphrey think the dog’s recovery is “a triumph of surgery”?

Answer:

Mrs Pumphrey thought that Tricki was seriously ill when she consulted Dr Herriot, but her pet recovered from his condition completely within a span of two weeks. She was glad to see that he had been transformed into a flexible and hard-muscled animal. When Dr Herriot brought Tricki to Mrs Pumphrey, he took a tremendous leap and sailed into his mistress’s lap. His revival without any medicinal treatment was noteworthy, and she declared that the dog’s recovery was indeed “a triumph of surgery” to express her gratitude and happiness to the doctor