His First Flight – Intext Questions

a. Why did the seagull fail to fly?

The seagull failed to fly because he did not have confidence on his wings and he
had fear to fly.
b. What did the parents do, when the young seagull failed to fly?
The young seagull’s parents tried to make him fly by scolding him and
threatening him to starve on his ledge.
c. What was the first catch of the young seagull’s older brother?
The first catch of the young seagull’s older brother was a herring.
d. What did the young seagull manage to find in his search for food on
the ledge?
The young seagull managed to find dried pieces of eggshell in his search for
food on the ledge.

e. What did the young bird do to seek the attention of his parents?
The young seagull stood on one leg with the other leg hidden under his wing.
He closed one eye, then the other and pretended to be falling asleep. This was
done by the bird to seek the attention of his parents.

f. What made the young seagull go mad?

The sight of the food maddened him.

g. Why did the young bird utter a joyful scream?

The young bird saw his mother picking up a piece of fish and flying across to
him. Seeing this, the bird uttered a joyful scream.

h. Did the mother bird offer any food to the young bird?
No, the mother bird did not offer any food to the young bird.
i. How did the bird feel when it started flying for the first time?
The young seagull felt his wings spread outwards. The wind rushed against his
breast feathers, stomach and wings. He could feel the tips of his wings cutting
through the air.

j. What did the young bird’s family do when he started flying?

They were flying around him, praising, soaring and diving together with him.

His First Flight Textual Questions

A. Answer the following questions in one or two sentences.
1. How was the young seagull’s first attempt to fly?
The young seagull tried to fly. But he was scared to do so. His parents, brothers
and sister persuaded him to fly. They also motivated him. But the young seagull
felt that his wings would not support him.

2.How did the parents support and encourage the young seagull’s brothers and
sister?
His parents were flying about with his brothers and sister. They were perfecting
them in the art of flight. They also taught them how to skim the waves and how
to dive for fish.

3.Give an instance that shows the pathetic condition of the young bird.
The young seagull had not eaten since the previous nightfall. There was not a
single scrap of food left. He searched for food every inch of the straw nest. He
even chewed at the dried pieces of eggshell from which he had been hatched.

4. How did the bird try to reach its parents without having to fly?
The young seagull ran back and forth from one end of the ledge to the other
end. His long grey legs stepped daintily, trying to find some means of reaching
his parents without flying.

5. Do you think that the young seagulls parents were harsh to him? Why?
Yes, they were harsh towards the seagull because they wanted him to learn the
art of flying without any one’s help.

6.What prompted the young seagull to fly finally?

His mother picked up a piece of fish and flew across to him with it. But then she
halted, just opposite to him. She was almost within reach of his beak. Maddened
by hunger, the young seagull dived at the fish. This act of his mother prompted
the young seagull to fly finally.

7. What happened to the young seagull when it landed on the green sea?
When the young seagull landed on the green sea, his legs sank into it. He
screamed with fright and attempted to rise again. He was exhausted. His feet
sank into the sea. His belly touched it. He sank no further. He was floating on it.

B. Answer each of the following questions in a paragraph of about 100-150

words.
1. Describe the struggles underwent by the young seagull to overcome its fear of
flying.
Answer:
The young seagull was afraid of flying. His parents strove their level best to
teach the young seagull to fly but in vain. The parents, brothers and sister
thought of a plan to teach him to fly. They flew away to another rock and left
him alone. They did not give him anything to eat. He stood there on one leg and
closed his eyes. He was very hungry. He searched for food everywhere. He even
chewed the dried pieces of the eggshells. He saw his mother tearing a piece of
fish. He begged his mother to give him food. So the mother flew with the piece
of fish to the young seagull. When she reached over him, she became
motionless in the air. She did not get down on the rock. She wanted to give the
young seagull an incentive to fly. The seagull bent forward and jumped at the
fish. He was much frightened. But he began to flap his wings to save himself.

REPORT WRITING
1. You are the School Pupil Leader. You have been asked to write a report on
the Inaugural Ceremony of English Literary Association of your school which
was held recently. Write a report on the same in not more than 120 words.
Answer:
Inaugural Ceremony of English Literary Association
by Karen Raj (School Pupil Leader)
Christ Matriculation School organized the inaugural ceremony of English
Literary Association on 22nd February 2019. The event was to create a better
learning atmosphere in our school and to make the students overcome their fear,
when they perform in front of the audience. The Chief Guest was our
Headmaster Mr. Rahul Pandey. The programme began with an invocation
(prayer) by our school choir. Our English teacher, Mrs. Premalatha welcomed
the gathering. Our Headmaster addressed the gathering with an inspirational
speech and guidance. After his speech, he inaugurated the English Literary
Association. A skit was enacted by the students of X Std and elocution on the,
Importance of Education, was given by R. Ranjini of X Std A? The programme
ended with the vote of thanks by the Asst. School Pupil Leader, R. Bharath, of
XII Std.
2. You are the Coordinator of the Science Forum of your school. An event had
been organized on account of National Science Day for the members of the
forum. Now, write a report based on your observation of “National Science
Day” at your school.
Answer:
National Science Day
by Suhasini (Coordinator of Science Forum)
St. John’s School of Pallavaram organized a Science Exhibition in the event of
National Science Day for the members of the forum on 28th February 2019. The
purpose of this event was to commemorate and honour Sir C. V. Raman for his
legacy. He had discovered Raman Effect on the 28th February 1928. All the
members of this forum and the students from nearby schools were invited to
have a glance at the science exhibition. The Chief Guest for this event was Mr.
Natesan, Professor of S.G. Arts & Science College, Vellore. He gave some
motivational tips and guidelines to promote our Forum and Science department.
The event came to an end with the National Anthem.

Life by Henry Van Dyke

Read the following lines from the poem and answer the questions that
follows.
1. Let me but live my life from year to year,
With forward face and unreluctant soul;
(a)Whom does the word ‘me’ refer to?
Ans: ‘Me’ refers to the poet, Henry Van Dyke.
(b) What kind of life does the poet want to lead?
Ans: The poet wants to live a joyous life with plenty of positivity towards the
future.

2. Not hurrying to, nor turning from the goal;

Not mourning for the things that disappear
(a) Why do you think the poet is not in a hurry?
(b) What should one not mourn for?
Answer:
(a) The poet wants to move towards his goal without hurrying or turning away
from it.
(b) One must not mourn for the things lost in the past.

3. In the dim past, nor holding back in fear

From what the future veils; but with a whole
And happy heart, that pays its toll
To Youth and Age, and travels on with cheer.
(a) What does the poet mean by the phrase ‘in the dim past’?
(b) Is the poet afraid of future?
(c) How can one travel on with cheer?
Answer:
(a) ‘In the dim past’ means the sad days of the past.
(b) No, the poet is not afraid of future.
(c) One can travel on with cheer by retaining the pleasures of childhood.

4. So let the way wind up the hill or down,

O’er rough or smooth, the journey will be joy:
Still seeking what I sought when but a boy,
New friendship, high adventure, and a crown
(a) How is the way of life?
(b) How should be the journey of life?
(c) What did the poet seek as a boy?
Answer:
(a) The way of life could go up the hill or down, rough or smooth.
(b) The journey of life must be joyful.
(c) The poet seeks new friends and high adventure.

5. My heart will keep the courage of the quest,

And hope the road’s last turn will be the best.
(a) What kind of quest does the poet seek here?
(b) What is the poet’s hope?
Answer:
(a) The quest is to seek a purposeful life with courage and determination.
(b) The poet hopes for a beautiful life with a clear sense of purpose.

Answer the following question in about 80-100 words.

1. Describe the journey of life as depicted in the poem by Henry Van Dyke.

In this poem, life is described not as an entity, but as an experience. One should
live with courage and dedication. Life should be lived without hurry and with a
clear sense of purpose that drives the mind and soul.
“Not hurrying to, nor turning from the goal;
Not mourning for the things that disappear”
The poet encourages us to let go of all that has been lost in the past as well as
the uncertainty the future holds. He tells us to embrace the present with the
happiness which nourishes the young and the old. Happiness gives us
nourishment on this journey with a smile on our face. Whatever situation life
throws at us, it is the journey that should be joyous, for it teaches us to grow and
live. Our imagination should have the innocence and fearlessness of childhood.
We should seek out new friendships, new adventures and new experiences
which enrich us.
“My heart will keep the courage of the quest,
And hope the road’s last turn will be the best.”
He encourages us to have faith and determination in our hearts, as we take on
this beautiful journey. We should have eternal hope that our story ends joyfully.