Class 10 ‘The Black Aeroplane’ Important and Extract Based Questions

NCERT Class 10 English Practice competency-based questions like Extracts based objective and MCQs given here would help students prepare according to the latest syllabus for Class 10 Board Exams. Click here for more study resources.

Extract Based Questions

A few extracts are given below. Read them and answer the given questions. Practise through these practice questions and prepare for Board exams.

Extract 1:

“I ought to go back to Paris,” I thought, but I wanted to get home. I wanted that breakfast. ‘I’ll take the risk,’ I thought, and flew that old Dakota straight into the storm.”

1. Identify the risk the narrator decides to take and explain why he chooses to fly into the storm.
2. What is the primary reason the narrator decides not to turn back to Paris?
   • A) He wants to explore the storm clouds.
   • B) He is determined to reach home quickly.
   • C) He enjoys flying in challenging weather.
   • D) He needs to refuel in England.
3. Describe the narrator’s emotional state and mindset as he decides to fly into the storm.
4. What time was it when the narrator looked at his watch?
   • A) Midnight
   • B) Early morning
   • C) Noon
   • D) Sunset
5. Explain the significance of the narrator mentioning breakfast in the context of his decision to fly into the storm.

Answers:

1. The risk the narrator decides to take is flying directly into a storm without adequate navigation instruments or radio communication. He chooses to take this risk because he is eager to return home to his family and have a comforting breakfast in England.
2. B) He is determined to reach home quickly.
3. The narrator feels a mixture of determination and apprehension as he decides to fly into the storm. His desire to reach home and enjoy a familiar comfort outweighs the potential dangers he faces.
4. B) Early morning
5. The mention of breakfast highlights the narrator’s longing for home and normalcy, contrasting sharply with the risky decision to fly into the storm.

Extract 2:

“After half an hour the strange black aeroplane was still there in front of me in the clouds. Now there was only enough fuel in the old Dakota’s last tank to fly for five or ten minutes more.”

1. Analyse the role of the black aeroplane in guiding the narrator through the storm.
2. Why does the narrator decide to follow the black aeroplane?
   • A) He knows the pilot of the black aeroplane.
   • B) He is intrigued by the black aeroplane.
   • C) He needs directions.
   • D) He is lost and scared.
3. Describe the physical condition of the Dakota as the fuel runs critically low.
4. What instrument stopped working first for the narrator?
   • A) Compass
   • B) Radar
   • C) Radio
   • D) Altitude meter
5. Explain the significance of the black aeroplane disappearing after the narrator lands safely.

Answers:

1. The black aeroplane serves as a critical guide for the narrator, leading him through the storm when he is lost and without functional instruments. Its consistent presence provides a sense of direction and hope, ultimately leading the narrator to safety.
2. D) He is lost and scared.
3. The Dakota is in a precarious state as the fuel in its last tank is almost depleted, with only enough to fly for five or ten more minutes. The narrator is acutely aware of this and feels a sense of urgency and fear, knowing that the plane could run out of fuel at any moment, leaving him stranded in the storm.
4. A) Compass
5. The disappearance of the black aeroplane after the narrator lands safely signifies the end of its mysterious guidance. This disappearance enhances the story’s supernatural and enigmatic quality, leaving the narrator and readers questioning the true nature of the black aeroplane. It serves as a symbol of hope and miraculous intervention, suggesting that sometimes help comes from unexpected and unexplained sources.

Extract 3:

“I landed and was not sorry to walk away from the old Dakota near the control tower.”

1. Interpret the narrator’s feelings about the Dakota as he lands.
2. Why was the narrator relieved to leave the Dakota behind?
   • A) It was damaged in the storm.
   • B) He was tired of flying.
   • C) He had a bad experience.
   • D) He reached his destination safely.
3. Discuss the narrator’s interaction with the woman in the control centre.
4. How did the woman in the control centre react when the narrator asked about the black aeroplane?
   • A) She laughed.
   • B) She was angry.
   • C) She was surprised.
   • D) She didn’t respond.
5. Analyse the narrator’s perspective on the events after landing and seeking information about the black aeroplane.

Answers:

1. The narrator’s feelings about the Dakota are mixed with relief and exhaustion. After a harrowing experience flying through a storm with failing instruments and minimal fuel, he is glad to have safely landed and be able to leave the old, unreliable plane behind. This reflects his immense relief at having survived the ordeal and his eagerness to distance himself from the source of his fear and anxiety.
2. Answer: C) He had a bad experience.
3. The narrator approaches the woman in the control centre with the intention of thanking the pilot of the black aeroplane. However, she reacts with confusion and surprise when he asks about the other plane. Her reaction indicates that there was no record or sighting of any other plane, which adds to the mystery and unexplained nature of the narrator’s experience.
4. Answer: C) She was surprised.
5. After landing, the narrator is puzzled and curious about the identity of the black aeroplane and its pilot. His perspective shifts from relief to bewilderment as he seeks answers at the control centre. The woman’s reaction and the lack of evidence of any other aircraft reinforce the mystery. The narrator is left contemplating the supernatural or miraculous nature of his experience, questioning how he was guided safely without any conventional explanation. This sense of wonder and unresolved curiosity underscores the story’s theme of unexplained phenomena and the possibility of extraordinary interventions in dire situations.

Extra Important Questions

These subjective questions encourage readers to delve deeper into the themes, characters, and unresolved mysteries of “The Black Aeroplane,” fostering critical thinking and personal interpretation of the narrative.

1. Reflect on the narrator’s decision to fly into the storm despite the risks involved. How does this decision reflect his priorities and values? What might you have done differently in his place?
2. Discuss the role of the black aeroplane in the story. What are some possible interpretations of its identity and purpose? How does its presence enhance the mystery and suspense of the narrative?
3. Analyse the narrator’s emotional journey throughout the story, from the initial tranquility of the night flight to the chaos and fear within the storm. How does his emotional state evolve, and what does this reveal about his character?
4. Consider the theme of trust in “The Black Aeroplane.” How does the narrator’s decision to follow the black aeroplane illustrate trust in the face of uncertainty? What are the consequences and implications of trusting an unknown entity in a life-threatening situation?
5. Reflect on the ending of the story where the black aeroplane disappears. What do you think this symbolizes? How does this unresolved mystery contribute to the overall impact of the narrative?
6. Discuss the significance of the narrator’s longing for home and breakfast throughout the story. How does this desire shape his decisions and actions, particularly in the face of danger?
7. Explore the theme of supernatural intervention in “The Black Aeroplane.” Do you believe the black aeroplane was a physical entity or a metaphorical representation? Support your answer with evidence from the text.
8. Imagine you are the narrator reflecting on the events of the story. Write a journal entry describing your thoughts and emotions as you recall the night flight, the storm encounter, and the mysterious guidance of the black aeroplane.

Answers:

1. The narrator’s decision to fly into the storm reflects his strong desire to return home quickly to be with his family and enjoy a comforting breakfast. This decision indicates that he values personal comfort and the familiarity of home over his safety. The urgency to reach home overrides his better judgment. In his place, I might have chosen to turn back to Paris to ensure a safe landing and avoid the life-threatening risk of flying through a storm with failing instruments.
2. The black aeroplane plays a crucial role as a mysterious guide through the storm, leading the narrator to safety. Possible interpretations of its identity include a supernatural guardian, an angel, or a hallucination. Its presence adds to the story’s mystery and suspense by providing an unexplained and seemingly miraculous intervention. The lack of clarity about the black aeroplane’s origin or purpose leaves readers questioning the reality of the events, thus enhancing the story’s enigmatic atmosphere.
3. The narrator’s emotional journey begins with a sense of tranquility and happiness as he flies alone under the clear sky. This changes to determination and optimism when he decides to fly into the storm, driven by his desire to reach home. As the storm intensifies, his emotions shift to fear and helplessness when his instruments fail, and he realizes he’s lost. The appearance of the black aeroplane brings relief and hope, followed by confusion and curiosity after his safe landing. This evolution reveals his resilience and ability to stay hopeful in dire situations, as well as a deep yearning for home and safety.
4. The narrator’s decision to follow the black aeroplane illustrates a leap of faith and trust in the face of uncertainty and danger. He has no information about the plane or its pilot, yet he chooses to trust it as his only chance of survival. The consequence of this trust is a safe landing, suggesting that sometimes, trusting unknown entities may lead to positive outcomes. However, it also implies vulnerability and dependence on external forces in critical situations, highlighting the complexity of trust when traditional navigation tools fail.
5. The disappearance of the black aeroplane symbolizes the unknown and the supernatural elements that can intervene in our lives. It leaves the narrator and readers with unanswered questions, emphasizing the story’s mysterious and otherworldly tone. This unresolved mystery adds to the overall impact by keeping the reader engaged and intrigued, pondering the true nature of the black aeroplane and the events that transpired. It reinforces the theme of unexplained phenomena and the thin line between reality and the extraordinary.
6. The narrator’s longing for home and breakfast signifies his deep connection to his family and the comfort of routine. This desire strongly influences his decision to fly into the storm rather than turning back to Paris, highlighting his willingness to take risks to fulfill personal needs. It shows his determination and the emotional pull of domestic life, which ultimately drives his actions despite the evident danger. This longing serves as a powerful motivator, but also blinds him to the safer choice, emphasizing the human tendency to prioritize immediate emotional rewards over logical safety.
7. The theme of supernatural intervention is central to the story, with the black aeroplane appearing as a potential supernatural guide. Whether it was a physical entity or a metaphorical representation is open to interpretation. Some textual evidence suggests it could be supernatural: the black aeroplane appears suddenly in the storm, leads the narrator safely through, and then vanishes without a trace. Additionally, the control center woman confirms there were no other planes on radar, further suggesting a non-physical or extraordinary nature. Personally, I lean towards the black aeroplane being a metaphorical representation of hope or divine intervention, guiding the narrator to safety against all odds.
8. A Sample answers is given below.

Journal Entry: July 4th, 2024

Tonight was unlike any other. As I soared high above the peaceful countryside, the thought of home and a warm breakfast filled my mind. The sky was clear, the moon shining brightly. But then came the storm clouds, dark and menacing. I knew I should have turned back to Paris, but the pull of home was too strong. I decided to take the risk, flying the old Dakota straight into the heart of the storm.

The darkness was overwhelming. My instruments failed, the compass spinning wildly, and the radio silent. Fear gripped me as I realized I was lost. Then, like a beacon of hope, I saw the black aeroplane. Its pilot, calm and composed, gestured for me to follow. Without a second thought, I trusted this unknown guide.

For what felt like an eternity, I followed the black aeroplane through the turbulent skies. Just as my fuel was nearly gone, the storm parted, revealing a runway below. Relief washed over me as I landed safely. But when I looked back, the black aeroplane was gone.

At the control centre, my questions about the mysterious plane were met with confusion. No other aircraft were flying tonight, they said. Who was my guide in the storm? An angel, a guardian spirit, or something else entirely? The mystery lingers, but I am forever grateful for that unknown pilot who led me to safety.