NCERT Solutions
Class 10 English Language & Literature
10 chapters · 40 important questions
A Letter to God (First Flight)
A short story about a farmer named Lencho whose crop is destroyed by hail. His unshakeable faith in God leads him to write a letter asking for 100 pesos. The story explores themes of faith, human kindness, and irony.
Key Topics
Important Questions
What did Lencho mean when he said the raindrops were like 'new coins'?
Why did the postmaster decide to send money to Lencho? What does this tell us about him?
How did Lencho react when he counted the money? Was he justified?
What is the central theme of 'A Letter to God'?
Nelson Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom
An excerpt from Mandela's autobiography describing his inauguration as South Africa's first black president. The text explores themes of freedom, democracy, and the struggle against apartheid.
Key Topics
Important Questions
What does Mandela mean by 'twin obligations'?
How does Mandela define courage? Do you agree with his definition?
Describe the change in South Africa that Mandela witnessed during the inauguration.
What, according to Mandela, is the greatest wealth of his country?
Two Stories about Flying
Consists of two stories: 'His First Flight' (a young seagull overcomes his fear of flying) and 'Black Aeroplane' (a mysterious black aeroplane guides a pilot through storm clouds). Themes of courage and mystery.
Key Topics
Important Questions
How did the young seagull overcome his fear of flying?
Who do you think helped the pilot in 'Black Aeroplane'? Support your answer.
What is the central theme of 'His First Flight'?
Describe the pilot's experience when he encountered the storm.
From the Diary of Anne Frank
An excerpt from Anne Frank's diary where she describes her loneliness, her relationship with her parents, and why she began writing her diary. Themes of isolation, self-expression, and the value of friendship.
Key Topics
Important Questions
Why did Anne want to keep a diary? Was Kitty a real friend?
What did Anne Frank think about keeping a diary?
How does Anne describe her relationship with her parents?
Why do you think Anne gave names to her diaries?
The Hundred Dresses – I & II
A two-part story about Wanda Petronski, a Polish girl who is teased about wearing the same dress every day. She claims to have a hundred dresses at home. The story deals with bullying, guilt, and empathy.
Key Topics
Important Questions
Why did Maddie feel guilty about the way Wanda had been treated?
How did Wanda Petronski show her kindness to Maddie and Peggy?
What is the significance of the title 'The Hundred Dresses'?
Do you think Peggy was a bully? Give reasons.
Glimpses of India
Three short pieces — 'A Baker from Goa', 'Coorg', and 'Tea from Assam'. Each describes a different aspect of Indian culture and regional identity. Descriptive writing style is key.
Key Topics
Important Questions
Why does the author associate the figure of the baker with childhood memories?
What makes Coorg unique according to the author?
What is the legend behind the origin of tea in Assam?
How does the author describe the life of people in a tea garden?
Mijbil the Otter
Gavin Maxwell brings home an otter named Mijbil from Mesopotamia. The story describes Mijbil's playful nature, his journey to England, and Maxwell's bond with him. A delightful narrative about pet-keeping.
Key Topics
Important Questions
What games did Mijbil invent for himself? What do they tell us about otters?
How did Maxwell ensure Mijbil's comfort during the flight to England?
Why do you think Gavin Maxwell decided to keep Mijbil as a pet?
Describe the otter's behaviour in the hotel room when first let out of the box.
Madam Rides the Bus
Eight-year-old Valli saves money to ride the bus to town. Her first bus journey is an adventure, but she also witnesses death (a calf hit by a vehicle) that changes her perspective on life.
Key Topics
Important Questions
How did Valli save money for the bus ride? What does this tell us about her?
How did the sight of the dead calf affect Valli?
What did Valli see on the road that changed her mood on the return journey?
Describe Valli's first bus ride. What did she experience?
The Sermon at Benares
Describes how the Buddha dealt with a grieving mother (Kisa Gotami) whose child had died. By asking her to bring mustard seeds from a house where no death had occurred, he taught her about universal suffering.
Key Topics
Important Questions
Why did the Buddha ask Kisa Gotami to bring mustard seeds from a home that had not known death?
What lesson did Kisa Gotami learn from the Buddha?
What is the central message of 'The Sermon at Benares'?
How is sorrow described in the sermon? What is the 'way of peace'?
The Proposal (Play)
A one-act comedy by Chekhov about a quarrelsome marriage proposal. Lomov comes to propose to Natalya but they keep arguing about trivial matters. Themes of social status, marriage, and human nature.
Key Topics
Important Questions
Describe the character of Lomov. Is he a suitable match for Natalya?
What were the two main arguments between Lomov and Natalya?
What is the significance of the title 'The Proposal'?
How does Chekhov use humour to make a social comment in 'The Proposal'?