CBSE Class 10 English First Flight NCERT Solutions: The Hundred Dresses - I

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

NCERT Solutions PDF Class 10 PDF

This chapter, 'The Hundred Dresses - I' from CBSE Class 10 English (First Flight), delves into themes of bullying, empathy, and social class through the story of Wanda Petronski. The NCERT Solutions provided here offer detailed explanations for the oral comprehension questions. Students will explore Wanda's quiet nature, her difficult home situation at Boggins Heights, and the reasons behind her claims of owning a hundred dresses. The solutions also examine Maddie's internal conflict and her fear of becoming a target herself, as well as Peggy's role in the teasing. Understanding these nuances is crucial for grasping the story's message about kindness and understanding. These solutions are designed to aid students in comprehending the narrative deeply and preparing effectively for their exams by clarifying character motivations and plot points.

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Quick info

Board	CBSE
Class	Class 10
Subject	First Flight
Session	2026
Language	English
Type	NCERT Solutions
Chapter	5. The Hundred Dressess - 1

Chapter summary

Chapter 5, 'The Hundred Dresses - I' of the CBSE Class 10 English (First Flight) textbook, focuses on the character of Wanda Petronski, a poor and lonely girl. These NCERT Solutions cover the oral comprehension questions, exploring Wanda's background, her interactions with classmates Peggy and Maddie, and the reasons behind her imaginative claims. The exercises prompt students to analyze themes of bullying, social differences, and the importance of empathy. The solutions provide clear answers to questions about Wanda's seating arrangement, her home, and the dynamics between the main characters, aiding students in understanding the story's emotional depth.

Learning outcomes

Understand Wanda Petronski's social and economic background.
Analyze the reasons behind Wanda's claims about having a hundred dresses.
Explain Maddie's feelings of embarrassment and fear regarding Peggy's actions.
Identify the themes of bullying and empathy in the story.
Discuss the significance of Wanda's absence from school.
Evaluate the character dynamics between Wanda, Peggy, and Maddie.

Topics covered

Paper topics

Wanda Petronski's character and background
Social class and poverty
Bullying and teasing in school
Empathy and understanding
Character analysis: Wanda, Peggy, Maddie
The drawing contest
Inferring character traits from actions and descriptions
Themes of imagination and reality

Important topics

Understanding Wanda's situation and feelings
Maddie's internal conflict and fear
The impact of bullying
Peggy's role and motivations
The significance of the hundred dresses claim
The resolution of the drawing contest

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Questions and Solutions

Oral Comprehension Check - Page No: 65

1. Where in the classroom does Wanda sit and why?

Solution: Wanda Petronski sat in the penultimate row of benches in Room 13. She chose this seat because she came from a poor family, often looked untidy with muddy feet, and wanted to hide herself from her classmates to avoid being laughed at.

2. Where does Wanda live? What kind of a place do you think it is?

Solution: Wanda lives at Boggins Heights. The description suggests it is likely a place far from the school, possibly an unplanned colony or a slum area, as indicated by the fact that her shoes were frequently covered in dry mud.

3. When and why do Peggy and Maddie notice Wanda's absence?

Solution: Peggy and Maddie noticed Wanda's absence on Wednesday, which was three days after she was last seen. They noticed her absence because they had been waiting for her, intending to 'have fun with her' (which meant teasing her), and were surprised when she didn't show up.

4. What do you think "to have fun with her" means?

Solution: In the context of the story, "to have fun with her" refers to the act of teasing and making fun of Wanda Petronski, particularly about her dresses and appearance. It was a way for Peggy and her friends to derive pleasure by mocking Wanda's perceived differences.

Oral Comprehension Check - Page No: 67

1. In what way was Wanda different from the other children?

Solution: Wanda was different from the other children because she was quiet, had no friends, and came to school and went home alone. She always wore the same faded blue dress that didn't fit her properly, unlike the other children who had friends and different clothes to wear.

2. Did Wanda have a hundred dresses? Why do you think she said she did?

Solution: No, Wanda did not actually have a hundred dresses. As she was poor and wore the same dress daily, she likely claimed to have a hundred dresses to cope with her inferiority complex and to impress or perhaps distract the other girls from making fun of her limited wardrobe. It was an imaginative way to feel better about herself.

3. Why is Maddie embarrassed by the questions Peggy asks Wanda? Is she also like Wanda, or is she different?

Solution: Maddie felt embarrassed by Peggy's questions because she came from a similarly poor family and often wore old, hand-me-down clothes. She worried that she might become the next target of teasing. While she felt sympathy for Wanda, she was also afraid for herself. She was different from Wanda in that she didn't make grand claims about possessions, but she understood the pain of being mocked for one's circumstances.

Oral Comprehension Check - Page No: 70

1. Why didn't Maddie ask Peggie to stop teasing Wanda? What was she afraid of?

Solution: Maddie didn't ask Peggy to stop teasing Wanda primarily because Peggy was her best friend, and Maddie was afraid of losing that friendship or facing Peggy's disapproval. More importantly, Maddie was afraid that if she spoke up for Wanda, she herself might become the target of Peggy's teasing and ridicule due to her own family's poverty and worn clothes.

2. Who did Maddie think would win the drawing contest? Why?

Solution: Maddie believed that Peggy would win the drawing contest. This was because Peggy was considered the best artist in the class, known for her ability to draw realistically, even copying pictures from magazines or famous personalities with great accuracy. Peggy's talent and confidence made her the likely winner in Maddie's eyes.

3. Who won the drawing contest? What had the winner drawn?

Solution: Wanda Petronski won the drawing contest. She had drawn a series of beautiful designs, showcasing exceptional artistic talent. Her winning entry was so impressive that it earned her the admiration of the judges and her classmates.

Common mistakes

Confusing Peggy's teasing with genuine friendship.
Underestimating the impact of bullying on a child's self-esteem.
Failing to recognize Maddie's internal conflict and fear.
Misinterpreting Wanda's imaginative claims as simple lies rather than coping mechanisms.

Revision tips

Focus on understanding the motivations behind each character's actions, especially Wanda, Peggy, and Maddie.
Pay close attention to the descriptions of Wanda's appearance and home to grasp the social context.
Consider the emotional impact of the teasing on Wanda and Maddie's reactions.
Discuss the story's themes of empathy and the consequences of bullying with classmates.

Practice MCQs

Q1. Where did Wanda Petronski usually sit in the classroom?

Q2. What does Wanda's home at Boggins Heights suggest about her family's status?

Q3. Why did Peggy and Maddie notice Wanda's absence on Wednesday?

Q4. What does the phrase 'to have fun with her' imply in the context of Peggy and Wanda?

Q5. How was Wanda different from the other children at school?

Q6. Why did Wanda claim she had a hundred dresses?

Q7. Maddie felt embarrassed by Peggy's questions to Wanda because:

Q8. Who did Maddie believe would win the drawing contest?

Q9. Who was the actual winner of the drawing contest?

Frequently asked questions

What is the main theme of 'The Hundred Dresses - I'?

The main themes are bullying, the impact of social class differences on children, empathy, and the consequences of making fun of others.

Why did Wanda sit in the back row?

Wanda sat in the penultimate row to hide herself from her classmates, as she came from a poor family and often had dirty, muddy feet, making her feel ashamed.

What does Wanda's claim of having a hundred dresses signify?

It signifies her desire to escape her reality, overcome her inferiority complex, and perhaps impress her peers, rather than a factual possession.

Why was Maddie embarrassed by Peggy's teasing?

Maddie was embarrassed because she also came from a poor family and wore old clothes, fearing that she might be targeted next by Peggy and the other children.

Who won the drawing contest in Chapter 5?

Wanda Petronski won the drawing contest, showcasing her hidden talent and artistic skill.

How do these NCERT Solutions help Class 10 students?

These solutions provide clear, rewritten answers to the chapter's comprehension questions, helping students understand character motivations, themes, and plot details for better exam preparation.

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