WBBSE 10th Class English Solutions Chapter 7 The Cat
WBBSE 10th Class English Solutions Chapter 7 The Cat
West Bengal Board 10th Class English Solutions Chapter 7 The Cat
WBBSE 10th Class English Solutions
Introduction
About the Author: Andrew Barton Paterson ( 1864-1941) was an Australian poet, journalist and author who wrote extensively on Australian life. His notable works include ‘Waltzing Matilda’ and ‘The Man from Snowy River.
Andrew Barton (Banjo) Paterson was born on February 17, 1864 at Narrambla near Orange, New South Wales. He was the eldest of seven children of Andrew Bogle Paterson and Rose Isabella. Barty, as he was. known to his family and friends, got his lessons in his early years from a governess. In 1874, he was sent to Sydney Grammar School. By 1895 such ballads as ‘Clancy of the Overflow’, “The Geebung Polo Club’, “The Man from Ironbark’, How the Favourite Beat Us’ and ‘Saltbush Bill’ were very popular with readers. His most important journalistic with the came opportunity outbreak of the South African War when he was sent by the ‘Sydney Morning Herald’ and the ‘Melbourne Age’ as their war correspondent. He wrote twelve ballads from his war experiences, the best known of which are ‘Johnny Boer’ and ‘With French to Kimberley’.
Then he sailed for China in July 1901 for the ‘Sydney Morning Herald’. Back in Sydney in 1902, Paterson published another collection, ‘Rio Grande’s Last Race and Other Verses’.
He also wrote his delightfully whimsical book of children’s poems, “The Animals Noah Forgot’ (1933), ‘In Happy Dispatches’ (1934), etc. By the verdict of the Australian people, in every sense, he was a great Australian.
SUMMARY AND CRITICAL PERSPECTIVE OF THE STORY
‘The Cat’ is a really funny story that any cat lover will appreciate and smile at. The text describes in minute details the daily activities of cats. The humorous narrative takes us into the world of cats and indicates to us that they may not be the gentle and timid creatures that we take them for. Paterson’s prose is clear, distinct and easy to understand. Paterson not only has a great feeling for cats but he also senses how people relate to a cat and how a cat can manipulate the people in his life. ‘The Cat’ is not an example of great literary art. It is just a good entertainment that makes us see how one can try to understand the psychology of a mere animal like a cat.
There is no doubt that we cannot compare the level of intelligence of a human being with that of an animal. But again we have to keep in mind that sometimes we misjudge other animals as senseless, with no intelligence at all. There are some animals who are not only cunning but can also exploit human beings and sometimes befool us by their intelligence. The cat is one such animal and loves to live in human company.
The cat is ever eager to get hold of different types of food from our kitchens. They have their special love for milk and fish. But sometimes their behaviour is really the subject of our attention. For example, when they try to get food, they exploit our weaknesses. They know very well that when there is a guest at the table, he will be served with the best kind of food. So appealing to the guest, sometimes threatening him/her with its claw, it manages very well to get some food. In the house, in the presence of human beings they are mostly meek, obedient and appealing. But when the cat is out and in company of other cats, it has other roles to play. Then it is the hunter; it becomes the grim fighter with extreme levels of physical fitness. Cats can also find recreation for themselves by passing some time idly. So, according to the author, the cat spends a more colourful life than most of us do.
SIGNIFICANCE OF THE TITLE
The story maintains a simple but interesting theory that a cat’s life is much more ornamented than merely sleeping and eating. The story also probes deep into the cat’s mind or psychology. The plot of the story also changes from inside the house to outside. The story is basically realistic but the cat’s life is also romanticised. So the story is a beautiful nourishment for the reader’s mind, especially for the children. Here the title is justified.
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
Choose the correct alternative to complete the following sentences:
1. Most people think that the cat is—
A. wise
B. unintelligent
C. clever
D. intelligent
2. The cat cares little for anything but mice and—
A. soup
B. juice
C. water
D. milk
3. One can see the cat as he really is in the —
A. morning
B. night
C. afternoon
D. evening
4. According to most people’s thinking the cat is —
A. intelligent
B. cunning
C. unintelligent
D. meritorious
5. The cat is fond of —
A. people
B. animals
C. ease
D. troubles
6. The cat has really more character than most —
A. animals
B. human beings
C. birds
D. insects
7. The cat gets satisfaction from –
A. life
B. society
C. family
D. house
8. A cat is not a/an –
A. fighter
B. athlete
C. swimmer
D. acrobat
9. The cat allows himself to be annoyed by the attention of —
A. guest
B. people
C. relatives
D. neighbours
10. In the daytime the cat mostly remains —
A. in the jungle
B. in the backyard
C. on the roof
D. in the house
11. The cat watches a mouse hole for —
A. half an hour
B. a single moment
C. 24 hours
D. an hour or two
12. The cat watches a mouse hole as —
A. a necessity
B. a priority
C. a pass-time
D. an entertainment
Complete the following sentences with information from the text:
1. The cat really has more character than …………..
Ans. The cat really has more character than most human beings.
2. The cat sometimes watches …………..
Ans. The cat sometimes watches a mouse-hole for an hour or two, just to keep himself from dying of boredom.
3. All day long the cat allows himself to be …………..
Ans. All day long the cat allows himself to be pestered by the attentions of the people in the house.
4. The cat cares little for …………..
Ans. The cat cares little for anything but mice and milk.
5. Far from what people think, a cat derives a great deal of …………..
Ans. Far from what people think, a cat derives a great deal of satisfaction out of life.
6. The physical fitness of a cat is compared to ………………
Ans. The physical fitness of a cat is compared to an acrobat.
7. The cat is an ………………..
Ans. The cat is an athlete, an acrobat and a grim fighter.
8. One can see the cat as he really is when ………………….
Ans. One can see the cat as he really is when evening falls.
True or False
1. The cat is not fond of ease.
Ans. False
2. The cat has no athletic skills.
Ans. False
3. The cat takes things very easily.
Ans. True
4. The cat cares only about mice and milk.
Ans. True
5. A cat possesses more personality than most human beings.
Ans. True
6. The cat does not like the attention of the people of the house.
Ans. False
7. The cat as it really is can be seen if watched in early hours of morning.
Ans. False
Answer the following questions very briefly:
1. How does the author describe a cat?
Ans. A cat has really more character than most human beings.
2. What do people think of the cat?
Or, What do most people think about the cat?
Ans. The cat is unintelligent, fond of ease and caring only about mice and milk.
3. What is done by the cat to keep himself from dying of boredom?
Ans. To keep himself from dying of boredom, a cat watches a mouse-hole for an hour or two.
4. What does a cat do all day long?
Ans. All day long a cat loafs about the house. He allows himself to be pestered by the attention of its people. His pastime is to watch a mouse-hole for an hour or two.
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
Choose the correct alternative to complete the following sentences:
1. The cat rubs himself against the legs of the family members and noisily —
A. purrs
B. howls
C. barks
D. mews
2. With tears of rage and pain in his eyes, the guest affects to be very much-
A. amused
B. annoyed
C. unhappy
D. upset
3. The guest hands down the cat a bit of –
A. meat
B. fruit
C. fish
D. vegetable
4. If there is a guest at the table the cat is –
A. uncivil to him
B. indifferent
C. rude to him
D. civil to him
5. The cat wants –
A. the guest to give him something to eat
B. the guest to leave the house
C. the guest to fondle him
D. none of the above
6. The family sits down to —
A. discuss
B. tea
C. play patience
D. take rest
7. While stroking the cat, the guest —
A. stands up
B. stoops down
C. sings
D. expresses his anger
8. The cat receives the food from the guest-
A. gladly
B. carefully and silently
C. angrily
D. sorrowfully
Complete the following sentences with information from the text:
1. The cat seems to be civil because ……………..
Ans. The cat seems to be civil because he wants to get his share of food from the guest.
2. The cat purrs noisily when ……………..
Ans. The cat purrs noisily when the family sits down to tea.
3. The cat becomes tired ……………..
Ans. The cat becomes tired when the guest stoops down and stroke the cat.
4. Though the guest affects to appear amused he really wants …………….
Ans. Though the guest affects to appear amused he really wants to kick the cat out of the window.
5. Before eating the food the cat goes ………………..
Ans. Before eating the food the cat goes to a safe distance from the guest’s boot.
True or False
1. The cat rubs himself against the leg of the guest.
Ans. False
2. The guest stoops down to offer a piece of fish to the cat.
Ans. False
3. The family is not delighted to see that the cat sticks claws into the guest.
Ans. False
Answer the following questions very briefly:
1. When does the cat make an appearance to get his share of food?
Ans. When the family sits down to tea, the cat does so.
2. Who is the cat particularly civil to?
Ans. The cat is particularly civil to the guest at the table.
3. How does the cat receive the bit of fish handed down by the guest?
Ans. The cat receives the bit of fish gingerly and goes to a safe distance.
4. How is a guest normally treated at the table by the family?
Ans. A guest is normally treated with the best food by the family.
5. How does a cat try to get food from a guest?
Ans. A cat tries to get food from a guest by scratching his legs.
6. What does the cat expect from the guest?
Ans. The cat expects from the guest a part of his food.
7. Why is the cat civil in front of guests?
Ans. The guest is likely to have the best food. The cat knows it and wants to have his share. So, to please the guest, he is particularly civil to him.
8. Describe the reaction of the guest when the cat firmly rakes his leg.
Ans. When scratched by the cat the guest feels anger and pain. He, however, cannot express his anger in front of the delighted family members.
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
Choose the correct alternative to complete the following sentences:
1. The cat saunters down his own —
A. courtyard
B. front yard
C. backyard
D. shipyard
2. The cat skips to the roof of an empty –
A. room
B. shed
C. floor
D. corridor
3. Exiled in a new land, the cat would have to learn new –
A. history
B. manners
C. culture
D. geography
4. The cat walks in a slow relaxed manner like a—
A. panther
B. tiger
C. cow
D. lion
5. The cats are —
A. sports person
B. grim singers
C. meek fighters
D. grim fighters
6. The word ‘grim’ means —
A. hot
B. fierce
C. deadly
D. serious
7. The cat jumps to the top of the –
A. building
B. house
C. plateau
D. fence
8. The cat is cautious about the boys who carry –
A. pens
B. guns
C. stones
D. bricks
9. In his country a cat is well aware of every—
A. road
B. sport
C. landmark
D. house
10. From top of the shed the cat gives a call to his —
A. family members
B. kindred
C. foes
D. masters
Complete the following sentences with information from the text:
1. When the family gathers round the fire, the cat …………….
Ans. When the family gathers round the fire, the cat casually goes out of the room.
2. The cat droops his head nearly to his paws and …………….
Ans. The cat droops his head nearly to his paws and sends across a call to his kindred.
3. Cats go for sport to the suburban backyards as …………….
Ans. Cats go for sport to the suburban backyards as they get older.
4. The cat looks keenly from …………….
Ans. The cat looks keenly from side to side and moves noiselessly.
5. After leaving the house the cat’s movement becomes …………….
Ans. After leaving the house the cat’s movement becomes lithe and pantherlike.
True and False
1. The cat’s fondness for home is always praised.
Ans. False
2. The backyards of the suburban area is uninteresting to people.
Ans. True
3. When a cat is shifted to a new land, he has to learn a new geography
Ans. True
4. The cat is not as much satisfied in his life as most human beings are.
Ans. False
Answer the following questions very briefly:
1. When does true life begin for a cat?
Ans. In the evening, when the cat goes out of the room, true life begins for him.
2. Why does a cat move noiselessly?
Ans. A cat is to remain alert of his enemies.
3. Why does he stretch himself?
Ans. He thus sees if every muscle is in full orking order.
4. How do the cats look in the evening?
Ans. In the evening the cats look like grim fighters.
5. Where does an old cat go for sport?
Ans. An old cat goes to the suburban backyards for sport.
6. What is the cat’s adventure compared to?
Ans. The cat’s adventure is compared to the adventures of King Arthur’s Knights.
7. Why does the cat walk stealthily on the other side of the fence?
Ans. The cat walks stealthily because of his enemies.
8. What is always spoken as a reproach against cats?
Ans. They are more fond of their home than of the people in it.
9. What does the cat do on the top of the shed?
Ans. On the top of the shed the cat arches his back and rakes his claws once or twice. Then he stretches himself and lowers his head to send across a call to his kindred.
10. What is a cat normally unwilling to do?
Ans. A cat doesn’t like to leave his country, the land where all his friends are and where he knows every landmark.
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