A Triumph of Surgery – important questions for Boards 2027

CBSE Class 10 English

1. SA · 2 marks

   What was Tricki’s only fault, and how did it contribute to his poor condition?

   Answer

   Tricki’s only fault was greed: he never refused food and would eat at any hour. Mrs Pumphrey’s rich treats and his lack of exercise worsened his condition.

2. LA · 5 marks

   Imagine you are first a member of staff in Mrs Pumphrey’s household and then her neighbour. Describe what you would do in each role and what your life might generally be like.

   Answer

   I would act kindly while putting Tricki’s health before Mrs Pumphrey’s indulgence. 1. As a household staff member, I would gently explain that extra food and too little exercise were making Tricki ill. I would help Mrs Pumphrey follow Mr Herriot’s strict diet and exercise advice. 2. I would give Tricki only the food prescribed and encourage regular walks and play. I would also tell Mrs Pumphrey honestly if his condition worsened. 3. As her neighbour, I would offer support and encourage her to follow the veterinary surgeon’s advice instead of giving Tricki extra treats. 4. My life would include helping a loving but anxious neighbour and watching over Tricki’s well-being, while respecting Mrs Pumphrey’s feelings. Kind advice and consistent care could help Tricki recover and prevent further harm.

3. MCQ · 6 marks

   Choose the correct option for each part. (1 mark each) (a) What did Mr Herriot advise Mrs Pumphrey to do about Tricki’s food? (A) Give him more treats (B) Cut his food right down (C) Feed him at night only (D) Give him malt (b) What did Mr Herriot say Tricki needed more of? (A) Sleep (B) Company (C) Exercise (D) Sweets (c) What did Mr Herriot warn would happen without these changes? (A) Tricki would become seriously ill (B) Tricki would stop growing (C) Tricki would become restless (D) Tricki would refuse walks (d) What did Mr Herriot tell Mrs Pumphrey to do with her heart? (A) Harden it (B) Follow Tricki’s wishes (C) Let Tricki choose his food (D) Ignore his exercise (e) Which combination best matches Mr Herriot’s advice? (A) More food and less exercise (B) Strict diet and more exercise (C) More treats and longer walks (D) Rest and extra meals (f) Why did Mr Herriot insist on changing Tricki’s routine? (A) To prevent him becoming seriously ill (B) To help him sleep longer (C) To make him more obedient (D) To keep him indoors

   Answer

   (b) Cut his food right down — Mr Herriot directly told Mrs Pumphrey to reduce Tricki’s food. (c) Exercise — Mr Herriot advised Mrs Pumphrey to give Tricki more exercise. (a) Tricki would become seriously ill — Mr Herriot warned that he would become really ill without less food and more exercise. (a) Harden it — Mr Herriot told Mrs Pumphrey to harden her heart and keep Tricki on a strict diet. (b) Strict diet and more exercise — Mr Herriot’s advice was to reduce Tricki’s food and increase his exercise. (a) To prevent him becoming seriously ill — Mr Herriot insisted on changes because he warned that Tricki would become really ill otherwise.

4. VLA · 9 marks

   Describe the signs that showed Tricki’s condition had worsened. Explain who the narrator is, what he decided to do, and why Mrs Pumphrey was distressed by that decision.

   Answer

   Tricki’s condition worsened, and Mr Herriot decided to take him to the surgery for care and observation. 1. Tricki stopped eating and refused even his favourite dishes. Mrs Pumphrey also reported that he had bouts of vomiting. 2. Tricki spent all his time lying on a rug and panting. He no longer wanted to go for walks or do anything. 3. The narrator, Mr Herriot, was Tricki’s veterinary surgeon. He decided that the dog needed to be taken away from home and hospitalised for about a fortnight under observation. 4. Mrs Pumphrey was deeply attached to Tricki and feared he would pine and die if he could not see her every day. She was distraught at the suggestion and almost swooned. 5. Mr Herriot took a firm line because he believed Tricki was very ill and that hospitalisation was the only way to save him. He carried the dog to his car without delay, despite Mrs Pumphrey’s wailings. Mr Herriot’s decision placed Tricki’s urgent need for treatment above his mistress’s distress.

5. VVLA · 12 marks

   Explain how Mrs Pumphrey’s mistaken belief that Tricki was malnourished, her inability to refuse him rich treats, and his lack of exercise contributed to his condition. Refer to the extra food she gave him and the interruption of his ring-throwing exercise.

   Answer

   Mrs Pumphrey’s mistaken belief that Tricki was malnourished made her give him more food when he needed a controlled diet and exercise. She thought he had no energy because he was suffering from malnutrition. Instead of recognising that his greed and rich food were part of the problem, she tried to “build him up” with little extras between meals. She gave him malt and cod-liver oil and a bowl of Horlicks at night to make him sleep. These additions increased the amount he ate rather than correcting any genuine lack of nourishment. Tricki also received cream cakes and chocolates, which he loved. Mr Herriot had told Mrs Pumphrey to cut down on sweet things, and she did so for a short time. However, when Tricki seemed weak, she relented because she could not bear to refuse him. Her affection made it difficult for her to follow the veterinary advice consistently. Tricki’s own greed worsened the problem: he had never been known to refuse food and would tackle a meal at any hour of the day or night. Mrs Pumphrey’s extras and his readiness to eat meant that he continued to receive food even when he did not need it. Tricki’s lack of sufficient exercise added to the effects of overfeeding. Mrs Pumphrey said that he had little walks with her, but he was also accustomed to ring-throwing. That activity had stopped because Hodgkin, the gardener, was down with lumbago. With the gardener unable to throw the rings, Tricki lost this opportunity for exercise. His walks did not make up for the rich food and the interruption of his usual activity. Mr Herriot recognised the danger in this combination. Tricki was a small dog who was pampered and overfed, and his greed was his only fault. When Mr Herriot saw him, Tricki was tottering along in his little tweed coat and drooping in his harness. The dog’s listlessness and weak appearance had persuaded Mrs Pumphrey that he needed more food, but Mr Herriot understood that feeding him extras would not solve the problem. He warned her that Tricki would become seriously ill unless she cut his food right down and gave him more exercise. He told her to harden her heart and keep the dog on a very strict diet. Mrs Pumphrey found it difficult to accept this advice. Although she promised to follow the new regime, she was unable to keep Tricki away from food and treats. Within a few days, Mr Herriot received the expected call: Tricki would eat nothing, refused even his favourite dishes, had bouts of vomiting and spent all his time lying on a rug and panting. He did not want to go for walks or do anything. These symptoms showed how seriously his condition had deteriorated. Mr Herriot arranged for Tricki to be hospitalised for about a fortnight and kept under observation. At the surgery, he gave Tricki no food for two days but plenty of water. By the end of the second day, Tricki showed interest in his surroundings; on the third day, he whimpered when he heard the dogs in the yard. When released, he joined the other dogs and followed them around the garden, although he still rolled slightly with his surplus fat. After a fortnight, he had recovered and was ready to return to Mrs Pumphrey. His improvement followed a break from the excessive feeding at home and a return to activity with the other dogs. Thus, her mistaken belief in malnutrition, her inability to refuse rich treats and the interruption of ring-throwing exercise all contributed to Tricki’s poor condition.

6. SA · 2 marks

   Why does Mr Herriot take Tricki to the surgery despite Mrs Pumphrey’s distress?

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7. LA · 5 marks

   Imagine you are in Mr Herriot’s place. Explain how you would respond to Mrs Pumphrey’s treatment of Tricki and justify your decision.

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8. MCQ · 6 marks

   Choose the correct option for each part. (1 mark each) (a) What did Tricki refuse to eat when his condition worsened? (A) Only his usual food (B) Even his favourite dishes (C) Only vegetables (D) Nothing but sweets (b) Which symptom did Tricki experience? (A) Bouts of vomiting (B) Sneezing (C) A sore paw (D) Shivering (c) Where did Tricki spend most of his time? (A) In the garden (B) On a rug (C) Near the door (D) In his basket outdoors (d) How did Tricki breathe while lying on the rug? (A) Quietly (B) Rapidly (C) Panting (D) Through his mouth only (e) What did Tricki not want to do? (A) Eat and sleep (B) Play indoors (C) Go for walks (D) Sit beside Mrs Pumphrey (f) For about how long did Mr Herriot suggest Tricki be hospitalised? (A) A few days (B) A week (C) A fortnight (D) A month

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9. VVLA · 12 marks

   Explain why Mr Herriot believes taking Tricki away from home for observation is necessary. In your answer, refer to Tricki’s worsening symptoms, Mrs Pumphrey’s attachment to him, and the vet’s responsibility to act in the dog’s best interests.

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10. SA · 2 marks

    Do you think a person who is foolishly indulgent is merely silly, or can their actions cause harm to others? Give one reason for your view.

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