CBSE Class 10 English Chapter 8 Mijbil the Otter NCERT Solutions

Reviewed by NCERT Help Editorial Team · Updated on 29 Jul 2026

NCERT Solutions PDF Class 10 PDF

This resource provides detailed NCERT Solutions for Class 10 English, Chapter 8, 'Mijbil the Otter'. It covers oral comprehension checks from pages 106 and 108, focusing on understanding the narrative of the author's experiences with his pet otter, Mijbil. The solutions explain the author's motivations for keeping an otter, his journey to Basra, how he acquired Mijbil, and the otter's unique personality and habits, particularly its fondness for water and the bathroom. It also details the challenges faced during Mijbil's transport to England, including airline regulations and the otter's behaviour in its travel box. These solutions are designed to help students grasp the story's nuances, answer textual questions accurately, and prepare effectively for their English exams by reinforcing comprehension and analytical skills related to the chapter's content.

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Quick info

Board	CBSE
Class	Class 10
Subject	English
Session	2026
Language	English
Type	NCERT Solutions
Chapter	8. Mijbil the Otter

Chapter summary

This chapter's NCERT Solutions for Class 10 English focus on 'Mijbil the Otter'. The solutions address comprehension questions about the author's experiment with keeping an otter, his experiences in Basra, and the acquisition of Mijbil. They delve into Mijbil's behaviour, its adaptation to a new environment, and the logistical challenges of transporting it to England. The exercises help students understand the narrative, character interactions, and the author's emotional connection with the otter.

Learning outcomes

Understand the author's motivations for keeping an otter as a pet.
Describe the process of acquiring Mijbil and the initial interactions.
Explain Mijbil's unique behaviours and its fondness for water.
Analyze the challenges and events during Mijbil's journey to England.
Identify key moments and emotions described in the narrative.
Answer comprehension questions based on the text accurately.

Topics covered

Paper topics

Mijbil the Otter
Pet Animals
Author's Experiences
Travel and Transport
Animal Behaviour
Comprehension Skills
Narrative Analysis
Character Study
Oral Comprehension Check
Class 10 English Literature

Important topics

Acquisition and early days of Mijbil
Mijbil's unique habits (water play)
Challenges of transporting Mijbil
Author's relationship with Mijbil
Understanding narrative details

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Questions and Solutions

Oral Comprehension Check Page 106, Question 1

What 'experiment' did Maxwell think Camusfearna would be suitable for?

Solution: Maxwell had moved to Southern Iraq in 1956 and decided to keep an otter as a pet instead of a dog. He believed that his home, Camusfearna, which was surrounded by water, would be an ideal and suitable location for this unique experiment of raising an otter.

Oral Comprehension Check Page 106, Question 2

Why does he go to Basra? How long does he wait there, and why?

Solution: The author travelled to Basra with the specific purpose of collecting his mail, which was being sent to him from Europe. He had to wait in Basra for five days because his mail had not yet arrived during that period.

Oral Comprehension Check Page 106, Question 3

How does he get the otter? Does he like it? Pick out the words that tell you this.

Solution: Maxwell acquired the otter through a friend who bought it for him and sent it to his residence. The author clearly liked the otter, which is evident from his affectionate descriptions, such as: "The second night Mijbil came on to my bed in the small hours and remained asleep in the crook of my knees..." and his act of making a body-belt for the otter, indicating care and attachment.

Oral Comprehension Check Page 106, Question 4

Why was the otter named 'Maxwell's otter'?

Solution: The otter was given a scientific name by zoologists:

Lutrogale Perspicillata Maxwelli

. Because Maxwell's name was part of its scientific designation, it became commonly referred to as 'Maxwell's otter' in a shorter, more familiar way.

Oral Comprehension Check Page 106, Question 5

Tick the right answer. In the beginning, the otter was

aloof and indifferent
friendly
Hostile

Solution: In the beginning, the otter was

aloof and indifferent

. This initial behaviour is described before Mijbil starts to warm up to Maxwell and his environment.

Oral Comprehension Check Page 106, Question 6

What happened when Maxwell took Mijbil to the bathroom? What did it do two days after that?

Solution: When Maxwell first introduced Mijbil to the bathroom, the otter reacted with immense joy. It plunged, rolled, and played enthusiastically in the bathtub, creating a significant amount of splashing. Two days later, Mijbil demonstrated its growing intelligence and comfort by independently going to the bathroom and managing to turn on the tap to play in the water by itself.

Oral Comprehension Check Page 108, Question 1

How was Mijbil transported to England?

Solution: Mijbil was transported to England in a box, as per the instructions from the airlines. Since British airlines did not permit pets in the cabin, Maxwell had to book a separate ticket for himself on a different airline, travelling from Iraq to Paris and then from Paris to London, with Mijbil accompanying him.

Oral Comprehension Check Page 108, Question 2

What did Mij do to the box?

Solution: The box used for Mijbil's transport was lined with metal for durability. However, Mijbil felt uncomfortable and confined within the box. In an attempt to escape, Mij tore into the metal lining, causing damage to the box and also hurting himself in the process.

Oral Comprehension Check Page 108, Question 3

Why did Maxwell put the otter back in the box? How do you think he felt when he did this?

Solution: Maxwell put the otter back into the box because there was no other practical way to transport Mijbil to London, given the airline's requirements. When he did this, Maxwell likely felt a mix of pity for the otter, seeing how it had hurt itself trying to escape, and considerable worry about Mijbil's well-being and the remainder of the journey.

Oral Comprehension Check Page 108, Question 4

Why does Maxwell say the airhostess was "the very queen of her kind"?

Solution: Maxwell referred to the airhostess as "the very queen of her kind" because of her exceptional kindness and understanding. Despite airline regulations, she allowed Mijbil to travel on Maxwell's lap, treating the otter with remarkable care and consideration, which deeply impressed Maxwell.

Common mistakes

Confusing the reasons for the author's stay in Basra.
Misinterpreting Mijbil's initial behaviour.
Overlooking the details of the travel arrangements and Mijbil's reaction to the box.
Failing to recall specific incidents like Mijbil playing in the bathroom.

Revision tips

Reread the chapter, paying close attention to the author's descriptions of Mijbil's actions and personality.
Focus on the sequence of events, especially the journey to England.
Understand the author's feelings and reactions to Mijbil's behaviour.
Practice answering the comprehension questions aloud to improve fluency and recall.
Note down any new vocabulary or descriptive phrases used in the chapter.

Practice MCQs

Q1. What was the primary reason Maxwell went to Basra?

Q2. How did Maxwell acquire the otter, Mijbil?

Q3. What was Mijbil's favourite activity in the bathroom?

Q4. Why did Mijbil have to travel in a specially prepared box to England?

Q5. What did Mijbil do to the metal-lined box during the journey?

Frequently asked questions

What is the main theme of the chapter 'Mijbil the Otter'?

The main theme revolves around the author's unique experience of keeping an otter as a pet, exploring the bond that can form between humans and animals, and the challenges involved in caring for and transporting an exotic pet.

Why did the author choose an otter instead of a dog?

The author decided to keep an otter as a pet because he found the idea novel and believed his secluded home, Camusfearna, surrounded by water, would be an ideal place for an otter experiment, contrasting it with the common choice of a dog.

What difficulties did Maxwell face while travelling with Mijbil to England?

Maxwell faced significant difficulties, including airline regulations that prohibited pets, the need to book separate tickets, and Mijbil's distress in the travel box, which led the otter to injure itself while trying to escape.

How did the airhostess help Maxwell and Mijbil?

The airhostess was exceptionally kind and helpful. She allowed Mijbil to travel on Maxwell's lap instead of in the box, showing great understanding and compassion, which led Maxwell to praise her highly.

What does the chapter teach us about animal companionship?

The chapter highlights that companionship can be found in unexpected animals and emphasizes the patience, understanding, and affection required to build a bond with any pet, showcasing the otter's intelligence and capacity for affection.

How can these NCERT Solutions help Class 10 students?

These solutions provide clear, step-by-step answers to the chapter's comprehension questions, helping students understand the story's plot, characters, and underlying themes, thereby aiding in exam preparation and improving their analytical skills.

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