Mijbil the Otter Extra Questions and Answers Class 10 English First Flight

In this page you can find Mijbil the Otter Extra Questions and Answers Class 10 English First Flight, Extra Questions for Class 10 English will make your practice complete.

Mijbil the Otter Extra Questions and Answers Class 10 English First Flight

Mijbil the Otter Extra Questions and Answers Short Answer Type

Question 1.
When did Gavin Maxwell decide to have an otter as a pet?
Answer:
When Gavin Maxwell was in southern Iraq, he thought that he should keep an otter as a pet instead – of a dog. The place where he was living was suitable for that experiment.

Question 2.
What are the exclusive features/habits of an otter?
Answer:
An otter is a fun loving animal. They are found in abundance near the fresh water. They love the flowing water. An otter is an intelligent animal and capable of inventing new games.

Question 3.
Why did Gavin Maxwell stay in Basra for five days?
Answer:
Gavin Maxwell went to Basra to the Consulate General to collect and answer his mail from Europe. His mail did not arrive in time. He cabled to England, and when three days later, no response was received, he tried to telephone. But the exchange was closed for a religious holiday. His mail arrived five days later. So, he had to wait for a few days.

Question 4.
How did Maxwell get an otter?
Answer:
Maxwell expressed his desire to his friend to have an otter as a pet. His friend sent two Arabs with an otter at Basra. This is how he got an otter in Basra.

Question 5.
How did the otter look for the first time?
Answer:
The author got an otter through two Arabs who were sent by his friend. Initially, it looked very dirty due to mud. On the first day, the otter did not respond to any action of the narrator. It remained shy and indifferent. It remained aloof for twenty-four hours. It was only after twenty-four hours that the otter came closer to the author.

Question 6.
When did Maxwell realise that the otter loved water?
Answer:
One day Maxwell took the otter in the bathroom. The otter jumped with joy into the bathtub. It remained there for a long time. Seeing the otter’s movement, Maxwell realised that the otter loved water.

Question 7.
What did Mijbil, the otter, do in the bathroom after two days of his arrival?
Answer:
Mijbil, the otter, was a fun-loving intelligent animal. He loved water. On the first day, he went wild with joy in the water. Next day, Mijbil escaped from the bedroom and entered the bathroom. He struggled with the tap till it had a full flow of water.

Question 8.
What did Mijbil do to pass his time?
Answer:
Mijbil spent most of his time in playing with a rubber ball with its feet. He dribbled and threw it. He was a fun-loving animal. He played with a plastic ball too. He had invented his own game.

Question 9.
Why was Mijbil put in a box by Maxwell? Why was there silence in the box?
Answer:
The author had to come back to London. The British Airways did not allow the author to fly with an animal. So he had to go by another airline. This airline insisted that Mij should be packed in a box. When the author came, he found that there was complete silence in the box. He got scared. He saw blood coming out of the box. When he opened the box, he found Mij badly wounded. Mij had tried to come out of the box.

Question 10.
Why was the author not allowed to take a flight of the British airline?
Answer:
The British Airways had a rule that the passengers could not fly with their pets. Mijbil was an otter. The author could not be allowed to fly with Mijbil as the rules did not permit it.

Question 11.
How did Mijbil pass his time in London?
Answer:
In London, Mij played for hours with his toys. He had a ping pong ball, marbles, rubber fruit and a terrapin shell to play with. With a ping pong ball, he had invented his own game. Mij was happy now.

Question 12.
What routine did Mij follow every day while on the walk in London?
Answer:
While on the walk in London, Mijbil had developed certain compulsive habits. In the street, it placed its feet squarely on the centre of each paving block. It used to touch every seventh upright of the iron railings.

Question 13.
How did Mij invite the attention of the teachers and the students of a primary school in London?
Answer:
There was a primary school opposite to Maxwell’s house. It was a single storey building. It had a wall of thirty yards. It was only two feet in height. Mij used to jump and run over it with full speed. This always distracted the teachers and the students of the school.

Question 14.
What did the Londoners think about Mijbil the otter?
Answer:
Mijbil the otter was a new creature for the Londoners. They had never seen such a pet in their life. They guessed that it belonged to a small group of animals called mustellines. Some of them guessed it was a small walrus or a baby seal. Some called it a hippo and a brontosaur.

Mijbil the Otter Extra Questions and Answers Long Answer Type

Question 1.
The narrator is a great lover of animals. He decided to have an otter, a unique animal, as a pet. Do you also have or want to keep a pet? There are many responsibilities towards the pet to keep them happy. How do you take a good care of your pet?
Answer:
For some people, life without a pet is lonely. The same happened with the narrator. When his pet dog died, he became extremely sad. To overcome his grief, he decided to have an otter as a pet. This shows his great love for all animals. I also have a pet dog, Bruno. I take great care of him and am aware of my responsibilities towards him. A pet must be treated as a member of the family.

It should be regularly vaccinated by a trained vet. A pet, like dog and cat, needs proper toilet training and must be taught to obey your instructions. A balanced diet is a must for a pet to keep it healthy. A pet should not be chained all the time. It can make it more aggressive. Remember a daily dose of exercise, affection and playful activities work wonders for a pet. And, more importantly, all the members of a family should be considerate towards it.

Question 2.
The narrator developed a special bond with Mijbil, the otter, and both became good companions. What qualities of the narrator, do you think, help him in taming an otter? How did compassion and empathy in him reveal?
Answer:
The narrator Maxwell and Mijbil share a unique relationship. Narrator’s considerate behaviour helped him in winning the trust of the otter, an otherwise wild animal. He provides freedom to the otter to do what he likes the most—playing and rolling about in water in the bathtub like a playful and naughty child. Mijbil was allowed to spend most of his time in play without caring for the room being dirty. It shows the narrator’s concern and empathy for the creature. He has compassion and empathy for him. He takes every care for his safety. He understands his needs and fulfils them.

Question 3.
How did the narrator feel when he saw blood trickling down the box in which Mijbil had been kept to transport to England? How would you feel if you were in such a situation? What traits of narrator’s character are reflected here?
Answer:
When Mij was to be transported to England, and to Camusfearna the narrator got tensed at the prospect. Mij was packed in a box with airholes in order to be taken by an airline. Just before leaving the home for airport, the narrator was shocked to see traces of blood all around the box. Mijbil in an attempt to be freed had fumbled with the box and had injured itself. The narrator removed the iron lining with its cutting edges and again put Mijbil back in.

During fhe flight, though Mijbil, caused a ruckus, the narrator resumed his journey with Mijbil on his knees. I would also feel in the same manner if I were in the narrator’s place. Seeing a pet in distress is the least wanted thing. The incident revealed the narrator’s extremely caring and compassionate nature. He was indeed a man with boundless kindness. We all must have the value of compassion and kindness for all the living creatures.

Question 4.
Throughout the story, Mij is shown having human qualities. How can you say that Mij is an intelligent, friendly and fun-loving animal who needs and understands love? What does this tell you about the relationship of a human being and an animal?
Answer:
There is an age-old relationship between man and animal. Both share a unique relationship. To bring out this fact, Mijbil is shown having human qualities throughout the story. Mijbil’s intelligence is clear from his attempts to turn on and off the tap in the bathtub. It can even dribble the ball and juggle the objects without even dropping them. He understands the narrator’s love for him and follows him everywhere. This is an example of man’s age-old relationship with animals. Early man tamed animals like cows, bulls, elephants and horses to fulfil his daily needs. Animals obey the orders of their master. It means they are capable of understanding human emotions.

Question 5.
What do you think is the purpose of the narrator to write in detail his relationship with his pet otter? What are the ethics to be observed with animals—either wild or pet?
Answer:
The narrator has revealed some interesting facts regarding his pet, Mijbil the otter. The main purpose behind this is to arouse feelings of empathy and concern for pets as well as wild animals. The text compels us to think about many other situations where animals are kept in captivity just for amusement without thinking of the animal’s welfare. For example, elephants, bears, lions and tigers are trained to work in a circus in the most inhumane manner.

Jugglers keep monkeys and snakes captive to earn a living. All these practices are illegal according to law. Any animal, either wild or pet, is useful to us in one way or the other. Pet animals protect our houses, carry loads for us, provide us with milk and meat, entertain us, etc. Wild animals in a forest form a food chain that is essential to maintain a balance in the ecosystem. So we all must adopt a positive approach while dealing with animals.

Question 6.
For smooth and effective working we have to follow certain rules and regulations. Sometimes basic human values don’t go together with rules. It is painful. But there are some people like the air hostess in the story ‘Mijbil the Otter’, who tried to act against the rules in the name of humanity. What qualities do we find in the air hostess? What would you have done if you were in her place?
Answer:
It is true that for smooth and effective working, we have to follow certain rules and regulations. Sometimes basic human values don’t go together with rules. It is painful. But there are some people like the air hostess in the story Mijbil the otter, who tried to act against the rules in the name of humanity. The air hostess was the embodiment of good qualities. When Gavin Maxwell told her about the otter, she listened to his story very peacefully. She was the queen of her kind.

Though it was against the rules to carry the animal in that way yet she decided to help him. She even suggested that he could keep the pet on his knee. She was always kind hearted and considerate. She handled the whole situation calmly. When Mij created trouble with squeaks and shrieks, she maintained her charming smile. She displayed basic human qualities while on her duty. Yes, I would have done the same. If there is no risk to the life or property of others, we may compromise with rules for the sake of humanity

Mijbil the Otter Extra Questions and Answers Reference-to-Context

Read the following extract carefully and answer the questions that follow.

Question 1.
We were going to Basra to the Consulate-General to collect and answer our mail from Europe. At the Consulate-General we found that my friend’s mail had arrived but that mine had not.

(a) The narrator and his friend were going to Basra to the Consulate-General to collect and
answer the ………. from Europe.
Answer:
mails

(b) At the Consulate-General he found that his friend’s mail had …………… but that his had not.
Answer:
arrived

(d) Find the same meaning of the word ‘reached’ in the extract.
Answer:
arrived

Question 2.
I cabled to England, and when, three days later, nothing had happened, I tried to telephone. The call had to be booked twenty-four hours in advance. On the first day the line was out of order; on the second the exchange was closed for a religious holiday. On the third day there was another breakdown. My friend left, and I arranged to meet him in a week’s time. Five days later, my mail arrived.

(a) When the narrator did not receive his mail, he had to contact the …………. in England.
Answer:
authorities

(b) The narrator tried to telephone because his ……………. to England was not answered.
Answer:
cable

(d) Find the same meaning of the word “collapse” in the extract.
Answer:
breakdown

Question 3.
I carried it to my bedroom to read, and there, squatting on the floor, were two Arabs; beside them lay a sack that squirmed from time to time.

(a ) The narrator carried the to his bedroom to read.
Answer:
mail

(b) The narrator found two Arabs on the floor in his room.
Answer:
squatting

(d) Find the same meaning of the phrase “sitting on heels with knees bent up.”
Answer:
squatting

Question 4.
With the opening of that sack began a phase of my life that has not yet ended, and may, for all I know, not end before I do. It is, in effect, a thraldom to otters, an otter fixation, that I have since found to be shared by most other people, who have ever owned one.

(a) The opening of the sack began a ……….. of the narrator’s life.
Answer:
phase

(b) It is, in effect, a to otters, an otter fixation,
Answer:
thraldom

(d) Find the same meaning of the phrase “being under the control of’ in the extract.
Answer:
thraldom

Question 5.
The creature that emerged from this sack on to the spacious tiled floor of the Consulate bedroom resembled most of all a very small, medievally-conceived, dragon. From the head to the tip of the tail he was coated with symmetrical pointed scales of mud armour, between whose tips was visible a soft velvet fur like that of a chocolate-brown mole.

(a) The creature that emerged from the sack resembled a very small, medievally-conceived
Answer:
dragon

(b) From the head to the tip of the tail, the creature was coated with ……………. pointed scales of mud armour.
Answer:
symmetrical

(d) Find the same meaning of the word ‘confined’.
Answer:
emerged

Question 6.
He shook himself, and I half expected a cloud of dust, but in fact it was not for another month that I managed to remove the last of the mud and see the otter, as it were, in his true colours.

(a) The narrator could see the otter in his true colours after ………….
Answer:
a month

(b) The narrator could not see the otter’s true colours for many days because it was ………….. mud.
Answer:
covered with

(d) Find the same meaning of ‘quivered’ in the extract.
Answer:
‘Shook’.

Question 7.
Mijbil, as I called the otter, was, in fact, of a race previously unknown to science, and was at length christened by zoologists Lutrogale perspicillata maxwelli, or Maxwell’s otter. For the first twenty- four hours Mijbil was neither hostile nor friendly; he was simply aloof and indifferent, choosing to sleep on the floor as far from my bed as possible.

(a) Mijbil was in fact, of a race previously unknown to
Answer:
Science

(b) For the first twenty-four hours Mijbil was neither nor friendly.
Answer:
hostile

(d) Find the meaning of the phrase ‘at last’ from the extract.
Answer:
at length

Question 8.
The second night Mijbil came on to my bed in the small hours and remained asleep in the crook of my knees until the servant brought tea in the morning, and during the day he began to lose his apathy and take a keen, much too keen, interest in his surroundings.

(a) The second night Mijbil came on to the narrator’s bed and remained asleep in the crook of his knees.
Answer:
In the small hours

(b) During the day Mijbil took much interest in his
Answer:
surroundings

(d) Find the meaning of the phrase ‘very early in the morning’.
Answer:
in the small hours of night.

Question 9.
Two days later, Mijbil escaped from my bedroom as I entered it, and I turned to see his tail disappearing round the bend of the corridor that led to the bathroom. By the time I got there he was up on the end of the bathtub and fumbling at the chromium taps with his paws. I watched, amazed; in less than a minute he had turned the tap far enough to produce a trickle of water, and after a moment or two achieved the full flow.

(a) Two days later, Mijbil escaped from the narrator’s ……….. as he (the narrator) entered it.
Answer:
bedroom

(b) Mijbil opened the tap to have full
Answer:
flow of water

(d) Find the meaning the word ‘very surprised’ from the extract.
Answer:
amazed

Question 10.
Very soon Mij would follow me without a lead and come to me when I called his name. He spent most of his time in play. He spent hours shuffling a rubber ball round the room like a four-footed soccer player using all four feet to dribble the ball, and he could also throw it, with a powerful flick of the neck, to a surprising height and distance.

(a) Very soon Mij followed the narrator without a …………. and come to him when he called his name.
Answer:
lead

(b) Mijbil spent most of his time, playing with a ………….
Answer:
rubber ball

(d) Find the meaning of the phrase “a quick, light movement”.
Answer:
flick

Question 11.
But the real play of an otter is when he lies on his back and juggles with small objects between his paws. Marbles were Mij’s favourite toys for this pastime: he would lie on his back rolling two or more of them up and down his wide, flat belly without ever dropping one to the floor.

(a) The real play of an otter is when he lies on his back and ………. with small objects between his paws.
Answer:
juggles

(b) ……… were Mij’s favourite toys.
Answer:
marbles

(d) Find the same meaning of the word, ‘hobby in the extract’.
Answer:
pastime

Question 12.
When I returned, there was an appalling spectacle. There was complete silence from the box, but from its airholes and chinks around the lid, blood had trickled and dried. I whipped off the lock and tore open the lid, and Mij, exhausted and blood-spattered, whimpered and caught at my leg.

(a) When the narrator returned, there was an ………. spectacle.
Answer:
appalling

(b) Mijbil exhausted himself by tearing the ………… to shreds.
Answer:
lining of the box

(d) Find the same meaning of the phrase ‘cried with pain’
Answer:
whimpered

Question 13.
He had torn the lining of the box to shreds; when I removed the last of it so that there were no cutting edges left, it was just ten minutes until the time of the flight, and the airport was five miles distant. I put the miserable Mij back into the box, holding down the lid with my hand.

(a) The narrator put the miserable Mij back into the box, the did with his hand.
Answer:
holding down

(b) The airport was distant.
Answer:
five miles

(d) Find the same meaning of the words “‘pitiable condition” in the extract.
Answer:
miserable

Question 14.
I sat in the back of the car with the box beside me as the driver tore through the streets of Basra like a ricochetting bullet. The aircraft was waiting to take off; I was rushed through to it by infuriated officials. Luckily, the seat booked for me was at the extreme front. I covered the floor around my feet with newspapers, rang for the air hostess, and gave her a parcel of fish (for Mij) to keep in a cool place.

(a) The narrator sat in the back of the car with the …………… beside him.
Answer:
box

(b) The officials were ……………. because the author had been late.
Answer:
infuriated

(d) Find the meaning of the words ‘extremely angry’.
Answer:
‘infuriated’

Question 15.
I took her into my confidence about the events of the last half hour. I have retained the most profound admiration for that air hostess; she was the very queen of her kind. She suggested that I might prefer to have my pet on my knee, and I could have kissed her hand in the depth of my gratitude. But, not knowing otters, I was quite unprepared for what followed.

(a) The narrator took the air hostess into his …………… because he wanted her to take care of Mijbil.
Answer:
confidence

(b) The air hostess suggested that he might to have his pet on his knees.
Answer:
prefer

(d) Find the same meaning of the word, ‘great’ in the extract.
Answer:
profound

Question 16.
“Perhaps”, said the air hostess with the most charming smile, “it would be better if you resumed your seat, and I will find the animal and bring it to you.”

(a) The air hostess called the author to his seat because she wanted to help him find the Otter.
Answer:
resume

(b) Understanding the plight of the narrator the air hostess was ………..
Answer:
amused

(d) Find the meaning of the phrase “went back to the seat”.
Answer:
resumed your seat

Question 17.
A suitcase that I had taken to Iraq had become damaged on the journey home, so that the lid, when closed, remained at a slope from one end to the other. Mij discovered that if he placed the ball on the high end it would run down the length of the suitcase. He would dash around to the other end to ambush its arrival, hide from it, crouching, to spring up and take it by surprise, grab it and trot off with it to the high end once more.

(a) A suitcase that the narrator had taken to …………. had become damaged on the journey home.
Answer:
Iraq

(b) Mij discovered that if he placed the ball on the high end, it would the length of the suitcase.
Answer:
run down

(c) The otter was an intelligent pet because he had invented the method of playing with ball in a suitcase. (True/False)
Answer:
True

(d) Find the same meaning of the words ‘attack’ in the extract.
Answer:
ambush

Question 18.
Outside the house I exercised him on a lead, precisely as if he had been a dog. Mij quickly developed certain compulsive habits on these walks in the London streets, like the rituals of children who on their way to and from school must place their feet squarely on the centre of each paving block; must touch every seventh upright of the iron railings, or pass to the outside of every second lamp post.

(a) Outside the house the narrator Mijbil on a lead.
Answer:
exercised

(b) Mijbil has been compared with children who develop certain habits.
Answer:
compulsive

(d) Find the meaning of the words ‘habitual’.
Answer:
rituals

Question 19.
“As I drew nearer I saw his expression of surprise and affront, as though he would have me know that he was not one upon whom to play jokes. I come abreast of him, he spat, glared, and then growled out, “Here Mister—What is that supposed to be?”

(a) The narrator saw a expression of surprise and affront.
Answer:
labourer’s

(b) The labourers asked the narrator with surprise
Answer:
“What it was supposed to be?”

(d) Find the meaning of the phrase ‘make a harsh sound’.
Answer:
growl out

A Tale of Three Villages Question and Answers