Story: The Cat

Author: Andrew Barton Paterson


WBBSE Class 10 : Lesson  7



The Cat by Andrew Barton Paterson

Unit 1


Comprehension exercises


1. Choose the correct alternative to complete the following sentences:


(a) Most people think that the cat is


(i) wise           (ii) unintelligent    (iii) clever     (iv) intelligent


(b) The cat cares little for anything but mice and


(i) soup          (ii) juice         (iii) water      (iv) milk


(c) One can see the cat as he really is in the


(i) morning   (ii) night        (iii) afternoon          (iv) evening

 

2. Complete the following sentences with information from the text:


(a) The cat really has more character than most human beings and gets a great deal more satisfaction out of life.

 

(b) The cat sometimes watches a mouse-hole for an hour or two – just to keep from dying of boredom.

 

(c) All day long the cat allows himself to be pestered by the attentions of the of the in the house.

 

3. State whether the following statements are True or False. Provide sentences / phrases/ words in support of your answer:

 

(a) The cat is not fond of ease.

Ans: False

SS: “…fond of ease and caring little for anything…”

 

(b) The cat has no athletic skills.

Ans: False

SS:  “He or she is an athlete, an acrobat and a grim fighter.”

 

(c) The cat takes things very easily.

Ans: True

SS: “All day long the cat loafs about the house, takes things easy…”

 

Unit 2


Comprehension exercises

 

4. Choose the correct alternative to complete the following sentences:

(a) The cat rubs himselfs against the legs of the family members and noisily

(i) purrs         (ii) howls       (iii) barks       (iv) mews

 

(b) With tears of rage and pain in his eyes, the guest affects to be very much

(i) amused    (ii) annoyed                         (iii) unhappy            (iv) upset

 

(c) The guest hands down the cat a bit of

(i) meat         (ii) fruit          (iii) fish          (iv) vegetable

 

5. Fill in the chart with information from the text:

a) the guest calls the cat

Ans: Poor pussy

b) part of the guest’s body that the cat rakes

Ans: Leg

c) the thing from which the cat stays at a safe distance

Ans: Guest’s boot

 

6. Answer the following questions:

(a) When does the cat make an appearance to get his share of food?

Ans: When the family sits down to tea, the cat puts in an appearance to get his share of food.

 

(b) Who is the cat particularly civil to?

Ans: The cat is particularly civil to a guest because the guest is likely t have the best of what is offered.

 

(c) How does the cat receive the bit of fish handed down by the guest?

Ans: The cat gingerly receives the bit of fish handed down by the guest.




Unit 3

 

Comprehension exercises

 

7. Choose the correct alternative to complete the following sentences:


(a) The cat saunters down his own


(i) courtyard            (ii) front yard           (iii) backyard           (iv) shipyard

 

(b) The cat skips to the roof of an empty


(i) room         (ii) shade      (iii) floor        (iv) corridor

 

(c) Exiled in a new land, the cat would have to learn new


(i) history        (ii) manners        (iii) culture       (iv) geography

 

8. Complete the following sentences with information from the text:


(a) When the family gathers round the fire, the cat casually goes out of the room.


(b) The cat droops his head nearly to his paws and sends across a call to his kindred.


(c) Cats go for sport to the suburban backyards as they get older.

 

9. Fill in the chat with information from the text:

 Cause Effect


(a)       Cause: The cat has many enemies.

            Effect: He looks keenly from side to side and moves noiselessly.

 

(b)       Cause: The cat wants to see if every muscle is in full working order.

            Effect: The cat stretches himself a few times.

 

(c)       Cause: The cat knows his friends and every landmark.

            Effect: The cat does not like to leave his country and the land

 

 

Grammar in use

 

10. Split the following sentences:

 

(a) They postponed their visit as the programme was called off.

Ans:

            (i) The programme was called off.

            (ii) They postponed their visit.

 

(b) Having fought the battle, he returned victorious.

Ans:

            (i) He fought the battle.

            (ii) He returned victorious.

 

(c) He poured some water into the glass and drank it.

Ans:

            (i) He poured some water into the glass.

            (ii) He drank it.

 

(d) He was afraid lest he be proved guilty.

Ans:

            (i) He was afraid.

            (ii) He was afraid to be proved guilty.

 

11. Join the following pairs of sentences into a single sentence:

 

(a) He is wise. He is brave.

 

Ans: He is wise and brave.

 

(b) My grandfather lives in a big house. The house is by the river.

 

Ans: My grandfather lives in a big house which is by the river.

 

(c) I got a new book. I felt happy.

 

Ans: Getting a new book I felt happy.

 

(d) Muskan is sick. She could not attend the function.

 

Ans: Being sick, Muskan could not attend the function.

 

Writing activity

 

12. Suppose you are the Secretary of a club which has decided to open a library.

Write a notice (within 100 words) to the members of your club inviting them to actively join this programme by donating books for the library.
[Answer will be published soon]