Two Stories about Flying – important questions for Boards 2027

CBSE Class 10 English

1. MCQ · 1 mark

   According to the introduction, since when have humans dreamed of conquering the skies? A. Since the earliest times B. Since the invention of the Dakota C. Since the Second World War D. Since the first seagull flew

   Answer

   (a) Since the earliest times — humans have dreamt of conquering the skies since then.

2. SA · 2 marks

   What challenge does the first story invite the reader to consider about the young seagull?

   Answer

   The story invites readers to consider how the young seagull, afraid that his wings would not support him, can overcome his fear, join his family in flight, and make his first flight when hunger finally compels him.

3. MCQ · 5 marks

   Choose the correct answer for each item. (5 marks) 1. A “bearhug” is: (a) a gentle wave (b) a friendly, strong hug (c) a cry of fear (d) a playful bite. 2. Hyenas are popularly thought to: (a) sing (b) laugh (c) roar (d) whisper. 3. “Crocodile tears” refers to the popular idea that crocodiles: (a) weep as they swallow their victims (b) laugh at their prey (c) cry when hungry (d) protect other animals. 4. Which animal is associated with the expression “bearhug”? (a) Lion (b) Bear (c) Hyena (d) Crocodile. 5. Which expression is associated with a crocodile supposedly weeping? (a) Bearhug (b) Crocodile tears (c) Merry smiles (d) Novice’s laugh.

   Answer

   (b) a friendly, strong hug — a bearhug is a friendly and strong hug. (b) laugh — hyenas are thought to laugh. (a) weep as they swallow their victims — crocodiles are thought to weep as they swallow their victims. (b) Bear — the expression “bearhug” refers to a friendly and strong hug such as bears are thought to give. (b) Crocodile tears — crocodiles are thought to weep as they swallow their victims.

4. VLA · 6 marks

   Explain the meanings of these expressions: “fly a flag”, “fly into a rage”, “fly along”, “fly high” and “fly the coop”.

   Answer

   The word “fly” forms expressions whose meanings depend on how it is used in context. 1. “Fly a flag” means to display a flag on a long pole. For example, a school may fly its flag outside the main building. 2. “Fly into a rage” means to become suddenly very angry. For example, a person might fly into a rage after hearing an insulting remark. 3. “Fly along” means to move quickly or suddenly. For example, a child might fly along a path when hurrying to meet a friend. 4. “Fly high” means to be successful. For example, a student who achieves a major goal may be said to be flying high. 5. “Fly the coop” means to escape from a place. For example, a bird that gets out of its cage has flown the coop. These expressions show that the meaning of “fly” changes according to the phrase in which it appears.

5. MCQ · 12 marks

   Choose the correct option for each sentence. (12 marks) 1. “They looked like black mountains.” Here, “black” means: (a) very dark in colour (b) without milk (c) hopeless (d) angry. 2. “Inside the clouds, everything was suddenly black.” Here, “black” means: (a) very dark in colour (b) without light (c) morally wrong (d) successful. 3. Which pair gives the meanings of “black” in sentences (a) and (b), respectively? (a) without light; very dark in colour (b) very dark in colour; without light (c) hopeless; without milk (d) angry; very dark in colour. 4. “The future of the world is black” means the future is: (a) colourless (b) depressing or without hope (c) bright (d) unknown. 5. “Black tea” means tea: (a) without milk (b) without sugar (c) served cold (d) very dark in colour only. 6. In which phrase does “black” mean “without hope”? (a) black clouds (b) black tea (c) the future is black (d) black mountains. 7. “Black” in “black clouds” is used to describe: (a) a colour (b) a cup of tea (c) a mood (d) a crime. 8. Which expression means “tea without milk”? (a) black future (b) black tea (c) black look (d) black comedy. 9. Which meaning of “black” depends on context? (a) It always means without light. (b) It can have different meanings in different uses. (c) It always means very dark in colour. (d) It always means without milk. 10. In “the future is black,” “black” is used in a: (a) literal colour sense (b) figurative sense (c) measurement sense (d) sound sense. 11. Which sentence uses “black” to mean “without light”? (a) I prefer black tea. (b) The future is black. (c) Inside the clouds, everything was black. (d) The tea was black. 12. Which statement best describes the lesson about “black”? (a) Its meaning can change according to context. (b) It only refers to colour. (c) It always means depressing. (d) It only describes clouds.

   Answer

   (a) very dark in colour — “Black” describes the colour of the mountains. (b) without light — Inside the clouds, everything was suddenly black. (b) very dark in colour; without light — “Black” describes the mountains’ colour and means without light inside the clouds. (b) depressing or without hope — The textbook explains that “the future of the world is black” means very depressing or without hope. (a) without milk — “Black tea” means tea without milk. (c) the future is black — In this expression, “black” means depressing or without hope. (a) a colour — “Black” describes the colour of the clouds. (b) black tea — “Black tea” means tea without milk. (b) It can have different meanings in different uses. — “Black” has a variety of meanings in different contexts. (b) figurative sense — “The future is black” means depressing or without hope. (c) Inside the clouds, everything was black. — In this sentence, “black” means without light. (a) Its meaning can change according to context. — The word “black” has a variety of meanings in different contexts.

6. MCQ · 1 mark

   Which situation is posed for consideration in the second story? A. A pilot is lost in storm clouds. B. A seagull searches for food. C. A pilot teaches a bird to fly. D. A bird navigates an aeroplane.

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7. SA · 2 marks

   What happens to the young seagull when his feet and belly touch the sea after his first flight?

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8. MCQ · 5 marks

   Choose the correct answer for each item. (5 marks) 1. To “intrude on” someone is to: (a) enter a situation where one is not welcome (b) offer help politely (c) leave quietly (d) share a possession. 2. A dime is: (a) five cents (b) ten cents (c) twenty cents (d) one dollar. 3. “Desperate” means: (a) hopeful (b) hopeless (c) cheerful (d) confident. 4. Which phrase means “entering a situation where one is not welcome”? (a) get over (b) intrude on (c) stare down (d) take back. 5. Which word means “hopeless”? (a) dime (b) desperate (c) intrude (d) possession.

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9. VLA · 6 marks

   Use each of the glossary terms “intrude on”, “dime” and “desperate” in a sentence of your own that clearly shows its meaning.

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10. VVLA · 12 marks

    Write a detailed response explaining how compound expressions can be humorous when their parts suggest something different from the whole. Use the examples “quicksand” and “boxing ring”, and explain the contrasts in the statements about them.

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