Class X (CBSE 2019) English (Communicative) Delhi (Set-1)

Question 1

Read the passage given below and answer the questions that follow.

1. With eager anticipation we awaited the next stage. A tailor was called in to measure

us. five boys and one girl, Mary Lila Rao, for the sports kits. I was filled with happiness, just like a child who had been given a bag full of candy. After all, I would be fulfilling my dream to wear a blazer with INDIA written on it!

1. A week later, we left for Australia. The night before we left I could not sleep. My small

suitcase had been packed with my kit and bedding and I waited for the sun to rise. Excited by the prospect of what lay ahead, we boarded the train to Bombay, the first lap of our long journey across the seas to far-off Australia. When we reached Bombay's Churchgate station, we were taken by bus to the Astoria Hotel. It was the first time that I had seen such a grand place, and I could barely believe my eyes. What was I, a simple village boy doing in such a different world? While we were at the Astoria. Commander Rekhi, our manager, showed us how to knot a tie and gave us lessons on table manners.

3. When we reached Santa Cruz, the entire atmosphere at the terminal seemed unreal- its bright lights, the strange sounds, the rush of people. Except for Mary Lila Rao, none of us had flown before. I was scared and confused. I had no bedding and no food. Where would I sleep? What would I eat? How would the plane take off with so many people, their luggage and other cargo? Would it crash under so much weight? I followed my companions towards the huge monster that awaited us, and blindly climbed up the ramp into the cabin. I was asked to fasten my seatbelt, but naturally I did not know what to do and was fumbling with the straps when the air-hostess kindly helped me.

4. When the plane started to taxi along the runway, I closed my eyes and prayed to my God. I had butterflies in my stomach as the plane ascended. And then we were airborne. When I looked out of the window I saw smoke pouring out of the engine, and raised an alarm, thinking that the plane was on fire. The air-hostess calmed me down patiently explaining that it was only the fuel burning. I felt very foolish and laughed with relief.

(Adapted from the Autobiography of Milkha Singh)

1.1 Attempt any eight of the following questions on the basis of the passage you have read.

1. Why couldn't Milkha Singh sleep a night before they left?
2. How many people had flown earlier?
3. What made the atmosphere of Santa Cruz seem unreal?
4. Give any two reasons responsible for Milkha's worry or confusion?
5. According to him what was a huge monster?
6. Why was he fascinated by the hotel?
7. Why did the air-hostess need to help him?
8. Why did he pray to his God?
9. Identify and name the figure of speech in para-1?

Solution

1.1.

1. Milkha Singh couldn't sleep a night before they left because it was the first time he

was going to travel by aeroplane and that too for Australia. He was filled with utter happiness and excitement and questions of curiosity were filled in his mind for his journey.

1. Except for Mary Lila Rao, none of them had flown earlier. So, only one person had flown earlier.
2. The atmosphere of Santa Cruz appeared to be unreal because of its bright lights, the strange sounds and the rush of the people.
3. Milkha Singh was worried and confused, firstly, because he had no bedding and no food and secondly he was wondering how would the plane take off with so many people, their luggage and cargo.
4. According to Milkha Singh, the huge monster was the plane towards which he was making a move to climb it up and get into the cabin.

1. Milkha Singh was fascinated by the hotel because he was a simple village boy from

a village and it was the first time that he had seen such a grand place where the manager taught them to tie a knot and gave lessons on table manners.

1. The air-hostess had helped him because when he looked out of the plane, he saw

some smoke pouring out of the engines, and raised an alarm thinking that the plane was on fire. Then the air-hostess calmed him down informing that it was only the fuel burning.