CBSE Class 10 English First Flight Chapter 8: Mijbil the Otter NCERT Solutions

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This section provides detailed NCERT Solutions for Class 10 English (First Flight) Chapter 8, 'Mijbil the Otter'. The solutions cover all questions from the Oral Comprehension Checks and exercises, focusing on understanding the narrative of Gavin Maxwell and his pet otter, Mijbil. Students will find explanations for Maxwell's experiment with keeping an otter, his journey to Basra, how he acquired Mijbil, and the otter's unique behaviour, especially its fascination with water and taps. The solutions also detail Mijbil's transport to England and its interactions with the box. These answers are designed to help students grasp the story's nuances, improve their comprehension skills, and prepare effectively for their CBSE examinations by offering clear, step-by-step explanations.

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BoardCBSE
ClassClass 10
SubjectFirst Flight
Session2026
LanguageEnglish
TypeNCERT Solutions
Chapter8. Mijbil the Otter

Chapter summary

This chapter's NCERT Solutions for Class 10 English (First Flight) focus on the narrative 'Mijbil the Otter'. The solutions address comprehension questions about the author's experiment with keeping an otter, his experiences in Basra, the acquisition and naming of Mijbil, and the otter's distinctive habits. Key aspects covered include Mijbil's love for water, its interaction with the bathtub and taps, and the challenges faced during its transportation to England. These solutions aim to enhance students' understanding of the story's events and characters.

Learning outcomes

  • Understand the author's motivation for keeping an otter as a pet.
  • Describe the process of acquiring Mijbil and its initial days with the author.
  • Explain Mijbil's unique behaviours, particularly its affinity for water and taps.
  • Analyze the challenges and events during Mijbil's journey to England.
  • Identify key details and vocabulary from the story 'Mijbil the Otter'.

Topics covered

Paper topics

  • The author's experiment with keeping an otter
  • Journey to Basra and mail collection
  • Acquisition of Mijbil the otter
  • Naming of the otter
  • Otter's behaviour and habits
  • Mijbil's love for water
  • Interaction with taps
  • Transportation challenges
  • Animal companionship
  • Scientific classification of animals

Important topics

  • Mijbil's unique behaviour with water and taps
  • The challenges of transporting an exotic pet
  • The author's relationship with Mijbil
  • The process of Mijbil's acquisition
  • The significance of the otter's scientific naming

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Questions and Solutions

Oral Comprehension Check 1

1. What 'experiment' did Maxwell think Camusfearna would be suitable for?
Solution: Maxwell considered keeping an otter as a pet to be a unique experiment. He believed that his home, Camusfearna, which was situated close to water, would be an ideal location for this unusual venture, as otters are not typically kept as domestic animals like dogs.

Oral Comprehension Check 2

2. Why does he go to Basra? How long does he wait there, and why?
Solution: Maxwell travelled to Basra to collect and respond to his mail, which was being sent from Europe. He had to wait for five days due to several issues: his mail was delayed, booking international phone calls required 24-hour advance notice and the telephone line was not functioning correctly, the exchange was closed on a public holiday, and there were other technical breakdowns. After this frustrating wait, his mail finally arrived.

Oral Comprehension Check 3

3. How does he get the otter? Does he like it? Pick out the words that tell you this.
Solution: Maxwell received the otter from two Arabs in Basra, who handed him a note from his friend stating that he had sent an otter. Yes, Maxwell clearly liked the otter. The text indicates this when it mentions his 'otter fixation', suggesting a strong, almost obsessive attachment that he believed was common among otter owners.

Oral Comprehension Check 4

4. Why was the otter named 'Maxwell's otter'?
Solution: The otter was given the scientific name Lutrogale perspicillata maxwelli by zoologists because it belonged to a species previously unknown to science. This naming honoured Maxwell, hence it became known as 'Maxwell's otter'.

Exercise 1.1

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.

Exercise 1.2

What happened when Maxwell took Mijbil to the bathroom? What did it do two days after that?
Solution: When Maxwell took Mijbil to the bathroom, the otter became ecstatic and played wildly in the water for about thirty minutes. It enjoyed plunging, rolling, and swimming underwater in the bathtub. Two days later, Mijbil demonstrated its growing confidence by going to the bathroom on its own. It was found at the end of the bathtub, attempting to turn the chromium taps with its paws, and soon managed to produce a flow of water.

Oral Comprehension Check 1

1. How was Mij to be transported to England?
Solution: Since British airlines did not permit animals on board, Maxwell decided to fly Mij to Paris via another airline and then proceed to London. The airline's regulations required Mij to be transported in a box, no larger than eighteen square inches, which had to be placed on the floor near Maxwell's feet.

Oral Comprehension Check 2

2. What did Mij do to the box?
Solution: The transport box was lined with a metal sheet, which Mij found uncomfortable. In its efforts to escape the confinement, Mij tore into the metal lining of the box. This attempt to break free resulted in Mij injuring itself and beginning to bleed.

Oral Comprehension Check 3

3. Why did Maxwell put the otter back in the box? How do you think he felt when he did?
Solution: Maxwell put the otter back in the box because it had injured itself and was bleeding, posing a risk to itself and potentially causing issues during the flight. When he had to put Mij back into the box, especially after it had been injured trying to escape, Maxwell likely felt a mix of concern, frustration, and deep sadness. He must have felt responsible for the otter's distress and injury, and worried about its well-being during the journey.

Common mistakes

  • Misinterpreting the author's initial feelings towards the otter.
  • Overlooking the specific reasons for the delays in Basra.
  • Failing to recall the details of Mijbil's interaction with the transport box.
  • Confusing the otter's race or scientific name.

Revision tips

  • Reread the story focusing on Mijbil's actions and the author's reactions.
  • Pay close attention to the descriptions of Mijbil's behaviour with water.
  • Summarize the key events: acquisition, journey, and daily life.
  • Practice answering the comprehension questions aloud to improve fluency.

Practice MCQs

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

Q2. How did Maxwell initially describe his attachment to otters?

Q3. What was unusual about the otter Maxwell received?

Q4. What did Mijbil do in the bathtub?

Q5. Why did Mijbil injure itself in the box?

Frequently asked questions

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

The main theme revolves around the unique companionship between humans and animals, exploring the author's experiences with his pet otter, Mijbil, and the challenges and joys associated with it.

Why did Maxwell choose an otter instead of a dog?

Maxwell considered keeping an otter as a novel experiment, as they are not commonly kept as pets, unlike dogs. He felt Camusfearna, his home, was a suitable location for such an experiment.

What difficulties did Maxwell face in Basra?

Maxwell faced significant delays in Basra while waiting for his mail. These included the mail not arriving on time, issues with booking international phone calls, a public holiday closing the exchange, and other technical breakdowns, leading to a five-day wait.

How did Mijbil react to water?

Mijbil was extremely fond of water. When taken to the bathroom, it played joyfully for half an hour, plunging, rolling, and swimming underwater in the bathtub.

What happened when Mijbil was put in the transport box for England?

Mijbil found the metal-lined box uncomfortable and tried to escape. In doing so, it tore into the metal lining, injuring itself and bleeding.

How did Mijbil learn to operate the tap?

Within two days of arriving in England, Mijbil became confident enough to go to the bathroom alone. It learned to turn the chromium taps with its paws, first producing a trickle and then a full flow of water.

Important links

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