CBSE Class 10 English Chapter 1: A Triumph of Surgery 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 CBSE Class 10 English, Chapter 1, "A Triumph of Surgery." It covers all questions from the "Read and Find Out" and "Think About It" sections, focusing on understanding Mrs. Pumphrey's character, her pampering of Tricki, the narrator's role as a veterinary surgeon, and Tricki's recovery. The solutions explain the reasons behind Mrs. Pumphrey's worry, her misguided attempts to help Tricki, and the narrator's professional approach. They also delve into the narrator's temptation to keep Tricki and Mrs. Pumphrey's perception of his recovery. These solutions are designed to help students grasp the nuances of the story, analyze characters, and prepare effectively for their exams by offering clear explanations and insights into the text.

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Board	CBSE
Class	Class 10
Subject	English
Session	2026
Language	English
Type	NCERT Solutions
Chapter	1. A Triumph of Surgery

Chapter summary

NCERT Solutions for Class 10 English, Chapter 1, "A Triumph of Surgery," offers a detailed analysis of the story. It addresses questions about Mrs. Pumphrey's excessive pampering of her dog, Tricki, leading to his illness, and the narrator's (a veterinary surgeon's) methods for Tricki's recovery. The solutions explore the characters' motivations, the narrator's professional ethics, and the humorous yet insightful portrayal of pet care. This chapter's solutions focus on comprehension, character analysis, and understanding the narrative's underlying message about responsible pet ownership.

Learning outcomes

Understand the characters of Mrs. Pumphrey and the veterinary surgeon.
Analyze the consequences of overfeeding and lack of exercise for pets.
Explain the narrator's professional approach to treating Tricki.
Identify the humor and satire in the story.
Interpret Mrs. Pumphrey's perception of Tricki's recovery.

Topics covered

Paper topics

Character analysis of Mrs. Pumphrey
Character analysis of the narrator (James Herriot)
Tricki's illness and symptoms
Mrs. Pumphrey's pampering and its effects
The narrator's treatment methods
Diet and exercise for pets
Humor and satire in the story
Themes of responsible pet ownership
Interpretation of the title 'A Triumph of Surgery'

Important topics

Mrs. Pumphrey's misguided love and its consequences
The narrator's professional ethics and practical approach
Tricki's transformation through diet and exercise
The satirical elements of the story

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Questions and Solutions

Read and Find Out (Page 1) - Question 1

Why is Mrs Pumphrey worried about Tricki?

Solution: Mrs. Pumphrey is deeply concerned about Tricki's health because he has lost his appetite and has been experiencing bouts of vomiting. She fears he might be suffering from a serious condition like malnutrition due to his refusal to eat.

Read and Find Out (Page 1) - Question 2

What does she do to help him? Is she wise in this?

Solution: To help Tricki, Mrs. Pumphrey begins giving him extra, rich foods such as malt, cod-liver oil, and Horlicks, in addition to his regular meals. She also continues to indulge his sweet cravings with cream cakes and chocolates, and reduces his physical activity, believing his listlessness is due to illness. She is not wise in her approach; her excessive feeding and lack of exercise are actually worsening Tricki's condition, making him extremely fat and lethargic.

Read and Find Out (Page 1) - Question 3

Who does 'I' refer to in this story?

Solution: The pronoun 'I' in the story refers to the narrator, Mr. James Herriot, who is a veterinary surgeon by profession.

Read and Find Out (Page 3) - Question 4

Is the narrator as rich as Tricki's mistress?

Solution: No, the narrator is clearly not as wealthy as Tricki's mistress, Mrs. Pumphrey. His surprise and fascination with the luxurious items and the sheer amount of money Mrs. Pumphrey spends on her dog's upkeep suggest that such extravagance is beyond his own financial means.

Read and Find Out (Page 3) - Question 5

How does he treat the dog?

Solution: The narrator, Mr. Herriot, treats Tricki with professional expertise. Recognizing that Tricki is overweight and unfit, he implements a strict regimen. Initially, he significantly reduces Tricki's food intake and keeps him under close observation. As Tricki begins to recover and show signs of improvement, the narrator gradually increases his food portions and encourages him to engage in physical activities, aiming to restore his health and fitness.

Read and Find Out (Page 3) - Question 6

Why is he tempted to keep Tricki on as a permanent guest?

Solution: Mr. Herriot is tempted to keep Tricki as a permanent guest primarily because of the luxurious provisions being sent for the dog. He and his staff are enjoying the benefits of Tricki's presence, such as fresh eggs, wine, and brandy, which are being supplied by Mrs. Pumphrey. The prospect of continuing this enjoyable lifestyle makes him reluctant to let Tricki go.

Read and Find Out (Page 3) - Question 7

Why does Mrs Pumphrey think the dog's recovery is 'a triumph of surgery'?

Solution: Mrs. Pumphrey perceives Tricki's recovery as a 'triumph of surgery' because she believed his condition was extremely critical and that his chances of survival were slim. His remarkable improvement and return to health, achieved under the vet's care without any actual surgical procedure, seemed like a miraculous success to her, hence her dramatic description.

Think About It (Page 6) - Question 1

What kind of a person do you think the narrator, a veterinary surgeon, is? Would you say he is tactful as well as full of common sense?

Solution: The narrator, Mr. James Herriot, comes across as a highly capable, sensible, and tactful veterinary surgeon. He demonstrates his professionalism by not resorting to unnecessary surgery, instead opting for a practical approach of dietary control and increased exercise to cure Tricki. His tact is evident in how he handles Mrs. Pumphrey; he understands her emotional attachment to Tricki and persuades her to hospitalize the dog for treatment, knowing it's for the best. Furthermore, his decision to inform Mrs. Pumphrey to collect Tricki, despite the temptation to keep him for the luxurious food, showcases his integrity and common sense.

Think About It (Page 6) - Question 2

Do you think Tricki was happy to go home? What do you think will happen now?

Solution: Yes, it is highly likely that Tricki was very happy to go home. He deeply loves his mistress, Mrs. Pumphrey, and is accustomed to the comforts and attention of his home environment. The excitement of returning to his familiar surroundings and his doting owner would have made him overjoyed. Now that Tricki is back home, it is probable that Mrs. Pumphrey, having learned a lesson (or perhaps not entirely), might continue to spoil him, but hopefully with a better understanding of his dietary needs and the importance of exercise, guided by the vet's advice.

Common mistakes

Misinterpreting the narrator's actions as purely selfish due to his temptation.
Underestimating the impact of diet and exercise on pet health.
Failing to recognize the satire on wealthy pet owners.

Revision tips

Focus on the character traits of Mrs. Pumphrey and the narrator.
Analyze the cause-and-effect relationship between Tricki's diet and his health.
Understand the narrator's professional ethics and decision-making process.
Discuss the meaning of 'A Triumph of Surgery' in the context of the story.

Practice MCQs

Q1. Why was Mrs. Pumphrey worried about Tricki?

Q2. What extra food did Mrs. Pumphrey give Tricki?

Q3. Who is the narrator in the story?

Q4. Why was the narrator tempted to keep Tricki as a permanent guest?

Q5. How did Mrs. Pumphrey describe Tricki's recovery?

Frequently asked questions

What is the main theme of 'A Triumph of Surgery'?

The main theme revolves around the consequences of pampering pets excessively, the importance of proper diet and exercise, and the professional ethics of a veterinarian. It also satirizes the wealthy and their often misguided approach to pet care.

Who is the narrator in 'A Triumph of Surgery'?

The narrator is Mr. James Herriot, a veterinary surgeon who takes Tricki into his care when his owner, Mrs. Pumphrey, cannot manage his health issues.

Why did Mrs. Pumphrey think Tricki needed surgery?

Mrs. Pumphrey believed Tricki was suffering from a serious illness due to overfeeding and lack of exercise. She thought his recovery, achieved through the vet's care without actual surgery, was a 'triumph of surgery'.

How does the narrator treat Tricki?

The narrator treats Tricki by strictly controlling his diet, increasing his physical activity, and keeping him under observation. He gradually restores Tricki's health through practical veterinary methods rather than surgery.

What does the story suggest about pet ownership?

The story suggests that responsible pet ownership involves providing a balanced diet, regular exercise, and avoiding excessive pampering, which can be detrimental to a pet's health.

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