Find here Notes & Question and answers as solutions to the lesson “Mijbil the Otter” given in the class 10 NCERT English textbook ‘First Flight’. Click here for more resources.
Notes Based on “Mijbil the Otter”
Summary of “Mijbil the Otter” by Gavin Maxwell
The story “Mijbil the Otter” by Gavin Maxwell is about the author’s unique experience with his pet otter, Mijbil. The narrative begins in 1956 when Maxwell travels to Southern Iraq, deciding that he would like to keep an otter as a pet instead of a dog. Since his home in Camusfearna, Scotland, was surrounded by water, he believed it would be a perfect place for an otter. A friend suggested that he should get an otter from the Tigris Marshes, where they were common and often tamed by the locals.
Maxwell faces delays while collecting his mail in Basra and unexpectedly receives his first otter. The otter, which later becomes known as Mijbil, or Mij, is described as a small, dragon-like creature covered in mud. Over time, Maxwell becomes attached to Mij, who was a species previously unknown to science, later named Maxwell’s otter by zoologists.
In the beginning, Mij was distant and indifferent, but as the days passed, he grew affectionate towards Maxwell. Mij’s playful and curious nature became evident when he explored his surroundings, showing particular joy when introduced to water. He played in the bathtub, splashing around and turning the water taps with his paws, a clear indication of his intelligence and adaptability.
However, Maxwell faced difficulties when trying to transport Mij to England. The British airline did not allow animals, so he had to fly via Paris. Mij was placed in a small box for the flight, but during a brief absence, Mij injured himself by trying to escape the box. The author describes the distress of finding his pet bloodied but with no time to spare, had to put him back in the box and rush to catch the flight. On the plane, Mij managed to escape again, causing chaos as he dashed down the aisle, much to the alarm of the passengers. Maxwell recounts the humorous yet stressful situation, highlighting Mij’s mischievous and lively personality.
After reaching London, Mij adapted to city life. Maxwell describes Mij’s playful antics with various toys, such as ping-pong balls and marbles, and his daily walks through the streets of London, where he often attracted attention. People were puzzled by what kind of animal Mij was, offering amusing guesses like a baby seal, beaver, or even a hippo.
Throughout the story, Maxwell portrays Mij as an intelligent, fun-loving, and curious creature who quickly became a beloved companion. The bond between the author and the otter is heartwarming, as Maxwell describes their adventures together, both humorous and touching. The story beautifully captures the joy and challenges of keeping an unusual pet, as well as the deep affection that can develop between humans and animals.
Summary in Hindi: “Mijbil the Otter” पाठ का सारांश :
यह कहानी गेविन मैक्सवेल और उनके पालतू ऊदबिलाव मिज के बीच के संबंधों के बारे में है। गेविन मैक्सवेल इराक के बासरा गए थे, जहाँ उन्हें एक ऊदबिलाव रखने का विचार आया। जब एक दोस्त ने उन्हें मिज दिया, तो मैक्सवेल उसे अपने साथ लंदन ले आए। ऊदबिलाव से पहले मैक्सवेल ने कभी ऊदबिलाव के बारे में अधिक जानकारी नहीं रखी थी और इसे पालने के बारे में भी कोई अनुभव नहीं था।
मिज शुरुआत में थोड़ा डरा हुआ और अजनबी था, लेकिन धीरे-धीरे वह मैक्सवेल के साथ सहज हो गया। उसने बहुत से मज़ेदार काम किए जो उसकी बुद्धिमत्ता और खेल-कूद की प्रवृत्ति को दर्शाते हैं। वह अक्सर पानी के पास खेलता और छप-छप करता, जो दर्शाता है कि ऊदबिलाव पानी से बहुत लगाव रखते हैं। मिज अत्यंत जिज्ञासु और चंचल था। वह हर चीज को समझने और जानने की कोशिश करता। एक बार मिज ने खुद नल को बंद कर दिया, जिससे मैक्सवेल यह समझ पाए कि वह बहुत बुद्धिमान था।
जब मैक्सवेल मिज को लंदन ले जाने की योजना बनाते हैं, तो उन्हें कई मुश्किलों का सामना करना पड़ता है। हवाई जहाज की यात्रा के दौरान, मिज को एक बड़े बक्से में बंद रखा गया था, जो उसके लिए बहुत ही असहज था। उसने बक्से से निकलने की कोशिश की और उसे थोड़ा नुकसान भी पहुँचाया। इस दौरान, मैक्सवेल को भी बहुत परेशानी हुई। मिज ने फ्लाइट में भी अपनी मासूम हरकतों से यात्रियों को अपनी ओर आकर्षित किया।
लंदन पहुँचने के बाद, मिज और मैक्सवेल के जीवन में कई नई घटनाएँ घटती हैं। मिज लंदन की सड़कों पर घूमता और नई-नई चीजों को देखकर उत्साहित हो जाता। मैक्सवेल ने महसूस किया कि मिज अन्य ऊदबिलावों से अलग था, और वह बेहद खास था।
कहानी से यह पता चलता है कि ऊदबिलाव एक समझदार और दोस्ताना जानवर होते हैं, जिन्हें प्रेम और देखभाल की ज़रूरत होती है। यह पाठ जानवरों के प्रति प्रेम और उनके साथ संबंधों के महत्व को भी दर्शाता है। मिज और मैक्सवेल के बीच का संबंध बेहद खास और भावनात्मक है, जो दिखाता है कि जानवरों के साथ सही तरीके से व्यवहार करने पर वे कितने प्यारे और समझदार हो सकते हैं।
Vocabulary Notes:
Otter – A semi-aquatic mammal, उदबिलाव; Instead – In place of, के बदले में; Experiment – A test or trial, प्रयोग; Eminently – Highly, in an outstanding manner, अत्यधिक रूप से; Mention – Refer to, जिक्र करना; Tame – To domesticate or control, पालना/संचालित करना; Consulate-General – An official office of the consul, महावाणिज्य दूतावास; Mine – Possessive form of ‘my’, मेरा/मेरी; Cable – To send a telegram, टेलीग्राम संदेश भेजना; Breakdown – A mechanical failure, खराबी; Squat – Crouch down with bent legs, पालथी लगाकर बैठना; Sack – A large bag, बोरा; Squirm – Wriggle or twist the body in discomfort, छटपटाना; Thraldom – Slavery or bondage, दासता; Fixation – An obsessive attachment or focus, लगाव/प्रबल आसक्ति; Emerge – To come into view, प्रकट होना; Resemble – To look similar to, मिलता-जुलता; Medieval – Relating to the Middle Ages, मध्यकालीन; Conceive – To imagine or think of, कल्पना करना; Symmetrical – Having balanced proportions, समान आकार का; Mud – Wet, soft earth, कीचड़; Zoologist – A scientist who studies animals, जीवविज्ञानी; Aloof – Distant or detached, अलग/अकेला; Crook – A bend or curve, मोड़; Apathy – Lack of interest or concern, उदासीनता; Keen – Intense or sharp, तीव्र/गहरी; Surroundings – Environment or nearby area, आसपास; Splash – To scatter water noisily, पानी के छींटे उड़ाना; Provoking – Causing anger or annoyance, गुस्सा दिलाने वाला; Fumble – To search or handle clumsily, टटोलना; Amazed – Astonished or surprised, हैरान; Trickle – To flow slowly in small drops, टपकना; Tighter – To make more secure or close-fitting, कसना; Occasions – Specific events or moments, मौके; Irritation – Annoyance or frustration, चिड़चिड़ाहट; Cooperate – To work together, सहयोग देना; Shuffling – Dragging feet while walking, पैर घसीटना; Dribble – To move a ball with small kicks, पैरों से आगे ले जाना; Peacefully – Calmly, without disturbance, शांतिपूर्वक; Accustomed – Familiar through use or habit, अभ्यस्त; Hurried – Done quickly, जल्दी से; Exhausted – Extremely tired, थका हुआ; Spattered – Splashed or scattered, बिखरा हुआ; Whimper – To make a low, crying sound, सुबकना/कराहना; Miserable – Very unhappy or uncomfortable, बेचारा/दुःखी; Ricochet – To bounce off a surface, छिटकना; Infuriated – Extremely angry, क्रोधित; Admiration – Respect and warm approval, प्रशंसा; Suggest – To propose or recommend, सुझाव देना; Gratitude – Thankfulness, आभार; Unprepared – Not ready or equipped, तैयार नहीं था; Resume – To begin again after a pause, फिर शुरू करना; Charming – Pleasant or attractive, आकर्षक; Crane – To stretch out one’s neck, गर्दन उचकाना; Distress – Extreme sorrow or pain, कष्ट/दुःख; Chitter – The sound of teeth chattering, किटकिटाना; Recognition – Identification, पहचान; Bound – To leap or jump, उछलना; Nuzzle – To rub or touch with the nose, नाक से छूना; Terrapin – A type of small turtle, एक प्रकार का कछुआ; Marshes – Wetlands, दलदल; Invent – To create or design something, ईजाद करना; Engross – To absorb all of someone’s attention, ध्यान खींचना; Lid – A cover for a container, ढक्कन; Ambush – A surprise attack, घात लगाना; Crouch – To bend low, दुबकना; Grab – To seize suddenly, पकड़ना; Trot – To move quickly, तेज़ चलना; Precise – Exact or accurate, सटीक; Rituals – Established procedures or ceremonies, रिवाज़; Squarely – Directly or at a 90-degree angle, समकोण पर; Frontage – The face or front of a building, सामना; Gallop – To run quickly, दौड़ना; Staff – Employees or workers, कर्मचारी; Weasel – A small carnivorous mammal, नेवला; Mongoose – A small agile mammal, नकुल; Barrage – A large amount of something, बाँध/बड़ी संख्या; Stoat – A small animal related to the weasel, नेवले से संबंधित एक जानवर; Walrus – A large marine mammal; Conjectural – Based on guesswork, अनुमानित; Brontosaur – A large dinosaur, ब्रॉन्टोसॉर; Giggle – To laugh nervously, दबी हंसी; Affront – A deliberate insult, तिरस्कार; Glare – To stare angrily, गुस्से से घूरना; Spat – The past tense of spit, थूका;
Intext-Questions and Answers
Oral Comprehension Check (Page: 84)
- What ‘experiment’ did Maxwell think Camusfearna would be suitable for?
- Why does he go to Basra? How long does he wait there, and why?
- How does he get the otter? Does he like it? Pick out the words that tell you this.
- Why was the otter named ‘Maxwell’s otter’?
- Tick the right answer. In the beginning, the otter was
- aloof and indifferent
- friendly
- hostile
- What happened when Maxwell took Mijbil to the bathroom? What did it do two days after that?
Answers:
- What ‘experiment’ did Maxwell think Camusfearna would be suitable for? Maxwell thought that Camusfearna, his home surrounded by water, would be a suitable place to keep an otter as a pet. This was the ‘experiment’ he had in mind.
- Why does he go to Basra? How long does he wait there, and why? Maxwell goes to Basra to the Consulate-General to collect and answer his mail from Europe. He waits there for about a week because his mail did not arrive on time. He faces several delays with his communication attempts, including broken telephone lines and holidays.
- How does he get the otter? Does he like it? Pick out the words that tell you this. Maxwell gets the otter from two Arabs who delivered it to him in a sack. His friend had arranged for the otter to be brought to him. He likes the otter, as seen from the way he describes his fascination with the creature. Phrases like “a phase of my life that has not yet ended” and “thraldom to otters” suggest that he was captivated by the otter.
- Why was the otter named ‘Maxwell’s otter’? The otter was named ‘Maxwell’s otter’ because it was a new species that had not been identified by scientists before. Zoologists named it Lutrogale perspicillata maxwelli after Gavin Maxwell.
- Tick the right answer. In the beginning, the otter was
- ✔️ aloof and indifferent
- friendly
- hostile
- What happened when Maxwell took Mijbil to the bathroom? What did it do two days after that? When Maxwell took Mijbil to the bathroom, Mijbil was overjoyed and played in the water, diving, rolling, and splashing around energetically. Two days after that, Mijbil escaped from Maxwell’s bedroom, went to the bathroom, and managed to turn on the water tap by himself.
Oral Comprehension Check (Pages: 86)
- How was Mij to be transported to England?
Ans. The British Airline to England would not fly animals. So Maxwell booked a flight to Paris on another airline, and from there to London. The airline insisted that Mij should be packed into a box not more than eighteen inches square. Thus Mij was transported to England in that box, which was kept on the floor at his feet. - What did Mij do to the box?
Ans. Mij had torn the lining of the box to pieces. - Why did Maxwell put the otter back in the box? How do you think he felt when he did this?
Ans. Maxwell put the otter back in the box. This was because the airline would not have flown it without doing so. Perhaps the writer felt bad about it because the otter didn’t like to be put in the box. But the writer had no choice. - Why does Maxwell say the airhostess was “the very queen of her kind”?
Ans. The airhostess appreciated the problem of the writer. She was very cooperative. He had great admiration for her. According to the author, she was one of the finest airhostesses. That is why he called her “the very queen of her kind”. - What happened when the box was opened?
Ans. When the box was opened, Mij went out of the box. He disappeared at a high speed down the aircraft. There were cries all around. A woman stood up on her seat crying, “A rat!”
Oral Comprehension Check (Page: 88)
- What game had Mij invented?
- What are ‘compulsive habits’? What does Maxwell say are the compulsive habits of
(i) school children
(ii) Mij? - What group of animals do otters belong to?
- What guesses did the Londoners make about what Mij was?
Answers:
1. What game had Mij invented?
Answer: Mijbil invented a game with a ping-pong ball using a sloped suitcase. He would place the ball on the high end, let it roll down, run to the other end to catch it, and then start the process again. This game kept him entertained for a long time.
2. What are ‘compulsive habits’? What does Maxwell say are the compulsive habits of:
Answer: (i) school children: Maxwell describes the compulsive habits of schoolchildren as those little rituals they feel compelled to do, like stepping on the centre of each paving block, touching every seventh railing post, or walking around every second lamp post.
(ii) Mij?: Mijbil’s compulsive habit was to jump onto a low wall outside a primary school and run along its entire length whenever he was on his way home, but not when he was going out.
3. What group of animals do otters belong to?
Answer: Otters belong to a group of animals called Mustellines. This group also includes badgers, mongooses, weasels, stoats, and minks.
4. What guesses did the Londoners make about what Mij was?
Answer: The Londoners made various guesses about Mijbil’s identity. Some thought he might be a baby seal, a squirrel, a walrus, a beaver, a bear cub, a leopard, a brontosaurus, or even a hippo. Each guess showed how unfamiliar they were with otters.
NCERT Textbook Exercise Q&A
Thinking about the Text
Q.1. What things does Mij do which tell you that he is an intelligent, friendly, and fun-loving animal who needs love?
Answer: The following points talk about Otter being intelligent, friendly and fun-loving animal.
- Intelligent: Mijbil shows his intelligence in several ways. He invents his own game with the ping-pong ball and the sloped suitcase, which shows his ability to think and entertain himself. He also figures out how to turn the taps on in the bathroom to make the water flow, indicating his problem-solving skills.
- Friendly: Mijbil’s friendly nature is evident when he begins to trust and bond with Maxwell. He follows Maxwell around without a lead, comes when called, and sleeps on Maxwell’s bed, showing his affection. Mijbil nuzzles Maxwell’s face and neck, a clear sign of his friendly and affectionate nature.
- Fun-loving: Mijbil loves playing with toys like ping-pong balls, marbles, and rubber fruit. He enjoys the water immensely, splashing and playing in the bathtub, making as much of a mess as possible. His playful nature is seen when he entertains himself by running along the wall outside the school or playing with the terrapin shell.
- Needs Love: Mijbil’s need for love is shown by his behaviour when he feels lonely or frightened. After the stressful incident in the box during the journey, he clings to Maxwell, seeking comfort and security. His affectionate gestures, like nuzzling Maxwell, show that he craves companionship and love.
Short Answers:
Mij was an intelligent animal. He invented his own games out of the ping-pong ball. He screwed the tap till the water began to flow and then he would play and splash in the water. Though he was aloof and indifferent in the beginning, he soon became very friendly. He also formed a special attachment with Maxwell. He responded when Maxwell called out his name. He grew desperate when Maxwell left him in a box, and he got hurt while trying to come out of it. After Maxwell took him out, he clung to his feet. He was a fun-loving animal. He enjoyed playing all kinds of games. He would play with a selection of toys, ping-pong balls, marbles, rubber fruit, and a terrapin shell. He required love and affection from Maxwell and he got that readily
Q.2. What are some of the things we come to know about otters from this text?
Answer: We come to know the following about the otters.
- Otters are highly intelligent animals with the ability to solve problems and invent games.
- They are playful by nature, enjoying activities like playing with balls, splashing in water, and engaging in creative games.
- Otters have a natural affinity for water and can be very active and joyful when they are around it.
- They can form strong bonds with humans, showing loyalty and affection when they feel safe and loved.
- Otters belong to the Mustelline family, which includes other animals like badgers, weasels, and minks.
- They can be mischievous and curious, which sometimes leads them into trouble, like Mijbil turning on taps or running through a plane.
Q.3. Why is Mij’s species now known to the world as Maxwell’s otter?
Answer: Mijbil’s species was previously unknown to science before Maxwell adopted him. After observing Mijbil’s behavior and characteristics, zoologists identified this new species of otter and named it Lutrogale perspicillata maxwelli, or Maxwell’s otter, in honor of Gavin Maxwell. This name recognizes Maxwell’s role in bringing awareness to this unique species.
Q.4. Maxwell in the story speaks for the otter, Mij. He tells us what the otter feels and thinks on different occasions. Given below are some things the otter does. Complete the column on the right to say what Maxwell says about what Mij feels and thinks.
Answer: To complete the exercise, we need to connect Mij’s actions with what Maxwell thinks Mij is feeling or thinking at those moments. Here’s how to fill out the column:
| What Mij Does | How Mij Feels or Thinks |
|---|---|
| Plunges, rolls in the water, and makes the water splosh and splash | Mij feels joyful and excited. He loves playing in water and can’t get enough of it. Water is fun for him, and he wants to make the most of it by splashing and spreading it around. |
| Screws the tap in the wrong way | Mij feels frustrated and disappointed. He tries to get the water to flow, but when the tap doesn’t cooperate, he chitters in irritation. |
| Nuzzles Maxwell’s face and neck in the airplane | Mij feels comforted and reassured. He recognizes Maxwell and feels safe with him. Nuzzling is his way of showing affection and seeking closeness. |
Q.5. Read the story and find the sentences where Maxwell describes his pet otter. Then choose and arrange your sentences to illustrate those statements below that you think are true.
Maxwell’s description
(i) makes Mij seem almost human, like a small boy.
(ii) shows that he is often irritated with what Mij does.
(iii) shows that he is often surprised by what Mij does.
(iv) of Mij’s antics is comical.
(v) shows that he observes the antics of Mij very carefully.
(vi) shows that he thinks Mij is a very ordinary otter.
(vii) shows that he thinks the otter is very unusual.
Answer: Below are the sentences that match each statement:
(i) Maxwell’s description makes Mij seem almost human, like a small boy.
- “He spent hours shuffling a rubber ball around the room like a four-footed soccer player using all four feet to dribble the ball.”
- “Mij discovered that if he placed the ball on the high end it would run down the length of the suitcase. He would dash around to the other end to ambush its arrival.”
(ii) Maxwell’s description shows that he is often irritated with what Mij does.
- While the story doesn’t show Maxwell as being often irritated with Mij, there is a slight hint when he finds Mij making a mess in the bathroom. But mostly, he seems more amused than irritated.
- There is no strong evidence in the text to support Maxwell being irritated.
(iii) Maxwell’s description shows that he is often surprised by what Mij does.
- “I watched, amazed; in less than a minute he had turned the tap far enough to produce a trickle of water.”
- “Mij was out of the box in a flash. He disappeared at high speed down the aircraft.”
(iv) Maxwell’s description of Mij’s antics is comical.
- “There were squawks and shrieks, and a woman stood up on her seat screaming out, ‘A rat! A rat!’”
- “A suitcase that I had taken to Iraq had become damaged on the journey home… Mij discovered that if he placed the ball on the high end it would run down the length of the suitcase.”
(v) Maxwell’s description shows that he observes the antics of Mij very carefully.
- “For the first twenty-four hours Mijbil was neither hostile nor friendly; he was simply aloof and indifferent, choosing to sleep on the floor as far from my bed as possible.”
- “He spent hours shuffling a rubber ball around the room like a four-footed soccer player using all four feet to dribble the ball.”
(vi) Maxwell’s description shows that he thinks Mij is a very ordinary otter.
- There is no sentence in the text that shows Maxwell thinks Mij is ordinary. Maxwell’s descriptions often emphasize Mij’s unique and interesting behaviors.
(vii) Maxwell’s description shows that he thinks the otter is very unusual.
- “Mijbil, as I called the otter, was, in fact, of a race previously unknown to science, and was at length christened by zoologists Lutrogale perspicillata maxwelli, or Maxwell’s otter.”
- “It is, in effect, a thraldom to otters, an otter fixation, that I have since found to be shared by most other people who have ever owned one.”
Thinking about Language
I. Describing a Repeated Action in the Past
From the table below, make as many correct sentences as you can using would and/or used to, as appropriate. (Hint: First decide whether the words in italics show an action, or a state or situation, in the past.) Then add two or three sentences of your own to it.
Answer: Here are the corrected sentences using “would” and “used to,” along with a few additional sentences:
Emperor Akbar used to be fond of musical evenings.
- (State or situation in the past)
Every evening we would take long walks on the beach.
- (Repeated action in the past)
Fifty years ago, very few people used to own cars.
- (State or situation in the past)
Till the 1980s, Shanghai used to have very dirty streets.
- (State or situation in the past)
My uncle used to spend his holidays by the sea.
- (Repeated action in the past)
Additional Sentences:
When I was a child, I would visit my grandparents every summer.
- (Repeated action in the past)
In the past, people used to write letters instead of sending emails.
- (State or situation in the past)
She would always bring homemade cookies to our meetings.
- (Repeated action in the past)
II. Noun Modifiers
1. Look at these examples from the text, and say the modifiers (in italics) are nouns, proper nouns, or adjective plus noun.
(i) An otter fixation (ii) The iron railings
(iii) The Tigris marshes (iv) The London streets
(v) Soft velvet fur (vi) A four-footed soccer player
Answer: Here’s the classification of the modifiers in the examples provided:
(i) An otter fixation
- Noun (otter) used as a modifier for fixation.
(ii) The iron railings
- Adjective plus noun (iron) modifying the noun railings.
(iii) The Tigris marshes
- Proper noun (Tigris) used as a modifier for marshes.
(iv) The London streets
- Proper noun (London) used as a modifier for streets.
(v) Soft velvet fur
- Adjective plus noun (soft velvet) modifying the noun fur.
(vi) A four-footed soccer player
- Adjective plus noun (four-footed) modifying the noun soccer player.
2. Given below are some nouns, and a set of modifiers (in the box). Combine the nouns and modifiers to make as many appropriate phrases as you can. (Hint: The nouns and modifiers are all from the texts in this book.)
Answer: Below are the combinations of nouns and modifiers from the list:
- Temple girls – (Noun + Adjective)
- Triangle dresses – (Noun + Adjective)
- Rough crossing – (Noun + Adjective)
- Uncomfortable seat – (Noun + Adjective, not in the list but follows the pattern)
- Tremendous roar – (Noun + Adjective)
- Heartbreaking farewell – (Noun + Adjective)
- Slang expression – (Noun + Adjective)
- Coffee time – (Noun + Noun)
- Panoramic view – (Noun + Adjective)
- Chatterbox subject – (Noun + Noun)
- Hundred-year-old profession – (Noun + Adjective)
- Plump physique – (Noun + Adjective)
- Invigorating landscape – (Noun + Adjective)
- Farewell gifts – (Noun + Noun)
- White handkerchief – (Noun + Adjective)
- First three boys – (Noun + Adjective)
- Birthday celebration – (Noun + Noun)
- Panoramic view – (Noun + Adjective)
- Stone gifts – (Noun + Adjective)
- Ordinary subject – (Noun + Adjective)
- Incorrigible person – (Noun + Adjective)
- Loud scream – (Noun + Adjective)
- Three-day flight – (Noun + Adjective)
- College profession – (Noun + Noun, though not as common, it could mean a career related to college)
- First marriage – (Noun + Adjective)
- Heartbreaking thoughts – (Noun + Adjective)
III. Read this sentence:
- Match the words on the left with a word on the right. Some words on the left can go with more than one word on the right.
(i) a portion of – blood
(ii) a pool of – cotton
(iii) flakes of – stones
(iv) a huge heap of – gold
(v) a gust of – fried fish
(vi) little drops of – snow
(vii) a piece of – water
(viii) a pot of – wind
Answer: Matching is done below:
(i) a portion of – gold, blood
(ii) a pool of – water
(iii) flakes of – snow
(iv) a huge heap of – stones, gold
(v) a gust of – wind
(vi) little drops of – water, blood
(vii) a piece of – cotton, fried fish
(viii) a pot of – gold, cotton
2. Use a bit of/ a piece of/a bunch of/ a cloud of/ a lump of with the italicised nouns in the following sentences. The first has been done for you as an example.
Answer: given below:
(ii) Can you give me some clay, please?
- a lump of clay
(iii) The information you gave was very useful.
- a piece of information
(iv) Because of these factories, smoke hangs over the city.
- a cloud of smoke
(v) Two stones rubbed together can produce sparks of fire.
- a bit of fire
(vi) He gave me some flowers on my birthday.
- a bunch of flowers
Writing
Write a description of a person or an animal (such as a pet) that you know very well and love very much. Questions (4) and (5) in ‘Thinking about the Text’ will have given you some idea about how to do this. Mention some things the person or animal does, what you think the person or animal feels, etc.
Answer: Here a sample answer is given below in which a pet dog has been described.
My Pet Dog, Max
Max is a golden retriever with a soft, wavy coat that shines like sunlight. His friendly eyes, always full of warmth and curiosity, make everyone feel welcome. He has a wagging tail that moves with such energy that it almost seems to be dancing whenever he’s excited.
Every morning, Max bounces around the house, eager for his breakfast. He greets me with joyful barks and gentle licks, showing how much he looks forward to our day together. When we go for walks, he trots beside me with his head held high, sniffing every interesting smell along the way. His playful nature comes out as he chases after squirrels and rolls in the grass, making every outing a fun adventure.
Max has a special spot on the couch where he curls up every evening. He looks up at me with content eyes as if to say, “This is my favorite time of the day.” Sometimes, he nudges my hand with his nose, asking for a scratch or a pat. I know he feels safe and loved in these moments, enjoying the comfort of our companionship.
When I’m feeling down, Max senses my mood and sits close, resting his head on my lap. His calm presence and gentle gaze help me feel better, as if he’s offering a silent hug. He seems to understand when I need him most, showing his love through his comforting gestures.
Max’s playful antics and caring nature make him not just a pet but a beloved member of my family. His loyalty and affection bring joy and warmth to my life every day.
