‘The Secret Garden’ by Frances Eliza Hodgson: Get here answers to textbook exercise questions as given in the English Textbook Magnolia for Class 5. A summary is also given. You can also watch the video tutorial on the Channel Sirji Tutorial School .
Summary of “The Secret Garden”:
Ten-year-old Mary Lennox moves to England to live with her uncle, Archibald Craven, after her parents pass away. At first, Mary is lonely and doesn’t like her new home. She soon becomes friends with Martha, a servant who tells her about a secret garden that belonged to her aunt, Lilias. The garden had been locked up for ten years after Lilias died in an accident, and Mary becomes curious about it.
One day, Mary finds a key and begins searching for the hidden door. Meanwhile, Martha gives her a skipping rope, which makes Mary happy and more active. While skipping around the garden, Mary meets a friendly robin. The robin leads her to a hidden door covered in ivy. Using the key, Mary opens the door and steps into the secret garden, filled with excitement and wonder at what she finds inside.
Textbook Exercises Q&A
Comprehension
A. Say whether these lines are true (T) or false (F).
- Mary was curious about the garden because it had been closed for ten years.
True (T) – Mary wanted to see the garden because it had been shut for a long time, and she was curious about what had happened to it during those ten years. - Mary did not enjoy being all by herself.
False (F) – Mary liked the idea of being alone in the secret garden where nobody would know where she was. - Martha felt awkward about the way Mary thanked her for the gift.
True (T) – Martha and Mary both felt awkward because they were not used to thanking or being thanked. - Ben Weatherstaff warned the robin because he was angry with it.
False (F) – Ben was not angry; he was just talking to the robin about being too curious. - The robin led Mary to the door of the secret garden.
True (T) – The robin’s actions led Mary to notice the door hidden behind the ivy.
B. Read these lines and answer the questions.
1. “I’ve brought you a present.”
a. Who said this to whom?
Ans. Martha said this to Mary.
b. What had the speaker brought?
Ans. Martha had brought a skipping rope with red and blue handles.
c. Do you think it had the desired effect?
Ans. Yes, it had the desired effect. Mary was excited about the skipping rope and enjoyed playing with it, which made her happy and active.
2. “Just see how he’s watchin’ you.”
a. Who said this to whom?
Ans. Ben Weatherstaff said this to Mary.
b. Who does ‘he’ refer to?
Ans. ‘He’ refers to the robin.
c. When does the speaker say these words?
Ans. Ben said these words when he saw the robin watching Mary as she was skipping with her rope in the garden.
3. “I don’t believe you know!”
a. Who said these words to whom?
Ans. Mary said these words to the robin.
b. Where was the speaker? What was the speaker doing there?
Ans. Mary was in the garden near the ivy-covered wall. She was skipping with her rope and exploring the area.
c. Why did the speaker say these words?
Ans. Mary said these words because she thought the robin might show her the door to the secret garden, but she doubted if the robin knew where it was.
C. Think and Answer.
Set 1: Short Answers:
1. Do you think the skipping rope was the right gift for Mary?
Answer: Yes, it was the right gift. It made Mary happy and helped her become active and playful, which she needed.
2. What role did the robin play in finding the secret garden?
Answer: The robin helped Mary find the secret garden by leading her near the hidden door. It made her curious and showed her where to look.
3. What do these events tell you about Mary?
- a. Looking at the key:
Answer: Mary is curious and excited to explore new things.
- b. Conversation with Martha:
Answer: Mary is learning to be polite and thankful.
- c. Learning how to skip:
Answer: Mary is determined and enjoys trying new things.
- d. Desire to find the secret garden:
Answer: Mary is adventurous and loves solving mysteries.
Set 2: Long Answers:
- Mary did not even know what a skipping rope was for. Do you think it was the right kind of gift for Mary? Give reasons.
Ans. Yes, the skipping rope was the right kind of gift for Mary. It helped her become more active and cheerful, giving her something fun to do. Before receiving the skipping rope, Mary was lonely and bored. Learning to skip made her happy and encouraged her to play outside, which helped her to explore the garden and eventually find the secret garden. - What role do you think the robin played in Mary finding the secret garden?
Ans. The robin played an important role in helping Mary find the secret garden. Its friendly nature and curious behaviour attracted Mary’s attention. The robin led Mary near the ivy-covered wall where the hidden door was located. By following the robin, Mary discovered the hidden door and was able to enter the secret garden.
3. What is your idea of Mary from these situations and events?
a. When she was looking at the key all by herself:
Ans. Mary seems curious and thoughtful. She is determined to discover the secrets of the garden, and finding the key gives her hope and excitement about exploring a hidden place that no one else has seen for years.
b. Conversation with Martha:
Ans. Mary shows a shy side of her personality. She is not used to showing gratitude or being friendly, but she tries to thank Martha. This shows that she is learning to appreciate others and is slowly opening up to those around her.
c. Learning how to skip:
Ans. Mary appears eager to learn and enjoy new experiences. She shows determination as she practices skipping, even though it’s something completely new to her. This activity brings out a playful and happier side of her.
d. The desire to find the secret garden:
Ans. Mary’s strong desire to find the secret garden shows her adventurous and curious nature. She loves mysteries and enjoys the idea of exploring unknown places. This curiosity drives her actions and makes her more confident and brave.
