Tamilnadu Board Class 9 English Solutions Supplementary Chapter 7 The Christmas Truce

Tamilnadu State Board Class 9 English Solutions Supplementary Chapter 7 The Christmas Truce

A. Choose the correct answer.

Question 1.
The story is set during the _________.
(a) World War I
(b) World War II
(c) Kargil War
(d) Indo-China War
Answer:
(a) World War I

Question 2.
The story is about the celebration of _________festival.
(a) Deepavali
(b) Pongal
(c) Ramzan
(d) Christmas
Answer:
(d) Christmas

Question 3.
Tom called the incidents happened there as a _________.
(a) fairy tale
(b) poetry
(c) tragedy
(d) comedy
Answer:
(a) fairy tale

Question 4.
The Germans had placed Christmas trees in front of their _________.
(a) houses
(b) trenches
(c) tanks
(d) cars
Answer:
(b) trenches

Question 5.
One of the German soldiers worked as a _________ at Victoria Station.
(a) tea-seller
(b) ticket-checker
(c) porter
(d) shop keeper
Answer:
(c) porter

MCQs- Additional

Question 1.
As I wrote before, there has been little serious _________ of late.
(a) argument
(b) fighting
(c) row
(d) quarrel
Answer:
(b) fighting

Question 2.
It _________ and cakes everything, and constantly sucks at our boots.
(a) splatters
(b) scatters
(c) splashes
(d) spreads
Answer:
(a) splatters

Question 3.
Through all this, we could not help feeling _________ about the German soldiers across the way.
(a) anxious
(b) happy
(c) curious
(d) proud
Answer:
(c) curious

Question 4.
I went to the dugout to rest and lying on my cot, I must have drifted _________.
(a) away
(b) asleep
(c) around
(d) above
Answer:
(b) asleep

Question 5.
This carol may not yet be _________ to us in Britain.
(a) similar
(b) popular
(c) familiar
(d) common
Answer:
(c) familiar

Question 6.
There in the trenches, we looked at each other in _________.
(a) astonishment
(b) bewilderment
(c) amazement
(d) excitement
Answer:
(b) bewilderment

Question 7.
A bonfire was built and around it we _________.
(a) surrounded
(b) gathered
(c) assembled
(d) mingled
Answer:
(d) mingled

Question 8.
He showed me a _________. of his family back in Munich.
(a) photo
(b) picture
(c) snap
(d) portrait
Answer:
(b) picture

Question 9.
What does it mean, this impossible befriending of _________?
(a) soldiers
(b) warriors
(c) enemies
(d) terrorists
Answer:
(c) enemies

Question 10.
All nations say they want _________.
(a) unity
(b) peace
(c) good wishes
(d) laurels
Answer:
(b) peace

B. Identify the Character, Speaker or both of the following lines.

1. Our first complete silence in months!
2. Come and see! See what the Germans are doing!
3. Hold your fire.
4. You no shoot, we no shoot.
5. My God, why cannot we have peace and all go home? Ans: Older German soldier

Answers:

1. Tom.
2. John.
3. The British Captain.
4. One of the German soldiers.
5. Older German soldier.

Identify The Character / Speaker – Additional

1. We have mostly stayed in our trenches and waited.
2. I am not lying to you.
3. “That you must ask your emperor”.
4. “But we must also ask our hearts”.
5. “Send officer to talk”.
6. “English, come over!”.
7. “Because many have worked in England”.
8. “Perhaps you did!”.
9. “Christmas Trees!”.
10. And now it seems, they felt the same.

Answers:

1. Tom
2. Tom
3. Tom
4. An older German soldier
5. One of the German Soldiers
6. One of the German Soldiers
7. One of the German Soldiers
8. Tom
9. John, Tom’s friend
10. The German Soldiers

C. Answer the following question in about 100 -120 words.

Question 1.
Narrate the Christmas celebration as happened in the war field.
Answer:
On Christmas eve, the soldiers had their first good freeze. Everything was tinged white with frost and a bright sun shone. It was perfect Christmas weather. Clusters of tiny lights were shining all along the German line and they had placed Christmas trees, lit by candles, lanterns, like beacons of goodwill. The Germans began singing, “ Stille nacht..” The British applauded the Germans. Both the troops crossed the barbed wires and were in No Man’s Land.

They shared their joy, greeted and wished each other. They exchanged wonderful presents with all that they had, badges, tea, coffee, buttons, knife, etc… The Christmas celebration was wonderful as joy prevailed everywhere and they longed for peace.

Paragraph : Additional Questions

Question 1.
Why did more of Germans know English? How did others converse?
Answer:
More of Germans knew English because many of them have worked in England. One of the Germans was a waiter at Hotel Cecil. Another German had been a porter at Victoria Station. He showed Tom a picture of his family back in Munich. It was so lovely. Tom told him that he would like to meet his family members one day.

The German happily gave him his family’s address. Even those who could not converse could still exchange gifts – tea for coffee, corned meat for sausages, badges and buttons from uniforms changed owners, spiked helmets, jack knife for a leather equipment belt.

Question 2.
What happened when all were starting back to their trenches?
Answer:
When all were starting back to their trenches after the celebration of Christmas Eve, an older German soldier clutched Tom’s arm and said why can’t they have peace and all go home. Tom gently told him that he must ask his emperor about this. The old German looked at him searchingly and said again that they must also ask their hearts.

It was such a heart rending incident. What does it all mean, this impossible befriending of enemies? The soldiers may be decent, but they had to follow the orders and not shirk their duties. If the leaders were to offer good wishes in place of warnings; songs in place of insults; gifts in place of reprisals, would not all ward end at once.

D. Think and answer.

Question 1.
Do you envision a similar truce taking place in any wars or fighting today? Explain.
Answer:
Yes. I feel the same enmity is between India and Pakistan borders. Both the countries were united before the British left India. People who lived as brothers and sisters are now partitioned and called different nationalities. The bond of ‘ brotherhood still exists.

Question 2.
Today, much of what we know about the truce comes from soldiers’ postcards home. In the postcard given below, write a short message home, imagine that you took part in the 1914 Christmas Truce.
Answer:
My dear Mom,

It was a wonderful Christmas this year. We had the opportunity of celebrating ‘ with our foes. Sorry, they are our friends now. We crossed boundaries, exchanged gifts and sang Christmas songs.

It’s all like a dream. I couldn’t believe that the Germans would be too kind, lovable. Hope all this truce ends soon. We long for peace.

Yours,
John.

Additional Questions

I. Short Questions And Answers.

Question 1.
What does this story highlight?
Answer:
It highlights the beauty of unlikely friendships and fellowship.

Question 2.
When was this letter written and to whom was it written?
Answer:
It was written on the Christmas day in the year 1914 by a British soldier, Tom to his sister Janet.

Question 3.
Why did the British soldiers not dared to lift their heads above the ground?
Answer:
In daylight, the British soldiers did not dare to lift their heads above the ground for fear of a sniper’s bullet.

Question 4.
What happened to a new recruit in the dugouts?
Answer:
As there was rain daily, mud accumulated in their trenches. One new recruit got his feet stuck in it and then his hands too got stuck, when he tried to get out of it.

Question 5.
How did Germans place their Christmas trees?
Answer:
The Germans had placed their Christmas trees in front of their trenches, lit by candle or lantern like beacons of good will.

Question 6.
What song did the Germans sing first? Who translated it?
Answer:
They sang ‘Stille nacht, heilige nacht’ in German. John translated it to English ‘Silent Night, Holy Night’.

Question 7.
What did the captain of the British announced?
Answer:
He announced that both the captains had agreed that there will be no shooting before midnight, till the next day.

Question 8.
Where did the soldiers meet for the Christmas Eve
Answers:
They built a bonfire and around it, over a hundred soldiers and officers of each side mingled and shook hands with each other.

Question 9.
Who showed a picture of his family to Tom?
Answer:
A German, who had been a porter at Victoria Station, showed Tom a picture of his family back in Munich.

Question 10.
How did the soldiers parted after the Christmas Eve?
Answer:
They parted with promises to meet again the next day, for a football match.

II. Read The Passage And Answer The Questions.

1. It is 2:00 in the morning and most of our men are asleep in their dugouts – yet I could not sleep before writing to you about what happened here on Christmas Eve. In truth, what happened seems almost like a fairy tale, and if I had not been through it myself, I would have scarce believed it. While you and the family sang carols before the fire there . in London, I did the same with enemy soldiers here on the battlefields of France! As I wrote before, there has been little serious fighting of late. The first battles of the war left so many dead that both sides have held back until replacements could come from home. So, we have mostly stayed in our trenches and waited.

Question (a).
At what time did Tom write his letter?
Answer:
He wrote His letter at 2.00 in the morning.

Question (b).
What day was it?
Answer:
It was Christmas day.

Question (c).
What did Janet and her family do in London?
Answer:
Janet and her family sang carols before the fire in London.

Question (d).
What happened during the first battles of the war?
Answer:
The first battles of the war left so many dead that both sides were held back until replacements came from home.

Question (e).
Where did they stay?
Answer:
They stayed in their trenches.

2. But what a terrible waiting it has been! Knowing that any moment an artillery shell might land and explode beside us in the trench, killing or maiming several men. And in daylight not daring to lift our heads above ground, for fear of a sniper’s bullet.

And the rain – it has fallen almost daily. Of course, it collects right in our trenches, where we must bail it out with pots and pans. And with the rain has come mud – a good foot »’ or deeper. It splatters and cakes everything, and constantly sucks at our boots. One new recruit got his feet stuck in it, and then his hands too when he tried to get out.

Question (a).
What was the terrible thing?
Answer:
Knowing that any moment an artillery shell might land and explode beside them in the trench, killing or injuring several men was the terrible thing.

Question (b).
Who is a sniper?
Answer:
A person who shoots accurately from a hiding place is a snipper.

Question (c).
Where does the rain water collect?
Answer:
The rain water collects in their trenches.

Question (d).
What splatters and cakes everything?
Answer:
Mud splatters and cakes everything and constantly sucks at their boots.

Question (e).
Who got his feet stuck in it?
Answer:
One new recruit got his feet stuck in it.

3. I went to the dugout to rest, and lying on my cot, I must have drifted asleep. All at once my friend John was shaking me awake, saying, “Come and see! See what the Germans are doing!” I grabbed my rifle, stumbled out into the trench, and stuck my head cautiously above the sandbags.

I never hope to see a stranger and more lovely sight. Clusters of tiny lights were shining all along the German line, left and right as far as the eye could see.

“What is it?” I asked in bewilderment, and John answered, “Christmas trees!”
And so it was. The Germans had placed Christmas trees in front of their trenches, lit by candle or lantern, like beacons of goodwill.

Question (a).
Who went to the dugout to rest?
Answer:
Tom went to the dugout to rest.

Question (b).
What did John tell Tom?
Answer:
John woke up Tom and asked him to see what the Germans were doing.

Question (c).
What was tom’s reaction for this?
Answers:
He grabbed his rifle, stumbled out into the trench and stuck his head cautiously above the sandbags.

Question (d).
What was the lovely sight?
Answer:
cluster of tiny lights were shining all along the German line, left and right as far as the eye could see.

Question (e).
What is a beacon
Answer:
A beacon is a fire or light set up in a high position as a signal.

4. I saw one of our men lift his rifle to the ready, and no doubt others did the same – but our captain called out, “Hold your fire.” Then he climbed out and went to meet the Germans halfway.

We heard them talking, and a few minutes later, the captain came back and announced, “We’ve agreed that there will be no shooting before midnight tomorrow. But sentries are to remain on duty, and the rest of you, stay alert.”

Across the way, we could make out groups of two or three men starting out of trenches and coming towards us. Then some of us climbed out too, and in minutes, there we were in No Man’s Land – over a hundred soldiers and officers of each side, shaking hands with men we’d been trying to kill just hours earlier!

Before long, a bonfire was built and around it we mingled – British khaki and German grey. I must say, the Germans were the better dressed, with fresh uniforms for the holiday.

Question (a).
What did the captain ordered his man?
Answer:
He ordered his men not to shoot.

Question (b).
Whom did the captain meat?
Answer:
He met one of the German officers.

Question (c).
Who ware coming towards the British soldiers?
Answer:
Groups of two or three German men started out of their trenches and were coming towards them.

Question (d).
What did they build In’No Man’s land’?
Answer:
They built a bonfire in ‘No Man’s land’.

Question (e).
What was the colour of the uniform of the British and the Garman?
Answer:
The British wore a Khaki uniform and the Germans had a grey uniform.

5. Only a couple of our men knew German, but more of the Germans knew English. I asked one of them why that was so.
“Because many have worked in England!” he said. “Before all this, I was a waiter at the Hotel Cecil. Perhaps I waited on your table!”

“Perhaps you did!” I said, laughing.

Another German had been a porter at Victoria Station. He showed me a picture of his family back in Munich. It was so lovely, I told him I would like to meet his family members someday. He happily gave me his family’s address.

Even those who could not converse could still exchange gifts – our tea for their coffee, our corned meat for their sausage. Badges and buttons from uniforms changed owners, and one of our boys walked off with a spiked helmet! I myself traded a jack knife for a leather equipment belt – a fine souvenir to show when I get home.

Question (a).
How many British soldiers knew German?
Answer:
Only a couple of British soldiers knew German.

Question (b).
Why did more of the Germans knew English?
Answer:
More of the Germans knew English because many had worked in England.

Question (c).
Who worked as a waiter?
Answer:
One of the Germans worked as a waiter at the Hotel Cecil.

Question (d).
Who traded a Jack knife for a leather belt?
Answer:
Tom traded a Jack knife for a leather belt.

Question (e).
How will he preserve it?
Answer:
He will preserve it as a fine souvenir to show his family members.

III. Mind Map

Question 1.

Answers:

1. little shelling from either side.
2. stopped entirely.
3. peaceful holiday.
4. off guard.
5.  to rest.

Question 2.

Answer:

1. fine harmonies.
2. applause of their own.
3. the words in Latin.
4. No Man’s Land.
5. more amazing.

VII. Write A Brief Description Of The Story In A Story Map Format.

Title: Christmas Truce
Author: Aaron Shepard
Characters:

1. Tom, the British Soldier
2. Jack his sister
3. John his friend
4. The British Captain
5. New recruit of the British
6. British Soldiers
7. German Soldiers
8. An elderly German

Settings: On the battlefields during the World War – II.
Plot: The British soldier’s letter to his sister Janet on how all enemity was forgotten as British and German soldiers celebrated Christmas together.
Theme: It highlights the beauty of unlikely friendships and fellowship.
End: If the leaders were to offer good wishes in place of warnings; songs in place of insults; gifts in place of reprisals, would not all wards end at once. All the nations want peace.

The Christmas Truce Textual activities

Warm Up

Question.
Name one festival which you like the most.
Answer:
The festival which I like the most is Navarathri.

Question.
How do you celebrate that festival?
Answer:
We celebrate the festival by arranging beautiful dolls as Kolu at home.

Question.
A Narrate a memorable incident which happened during that celebration?
Answer:
During a Navarathri Kolu, a press reporter took snaps of our doll arrangement. That week, we received a special prize for best Kolu. Our Kolu picture appeared in the newspaper.

The Christmas Truce by Aaron Shepard

Aaron Shepard was born on 7th October 1950. He was a professional story teller and performer in reader’s theater from 1985 to 1991. He had also worked as a publisher, journalist, computer programmer, musician, instrument maker and salesman. He is the award winning author of Savithri: A Tale of Ancient’India, the Legend of Lightning Larry, The Sea King’s Daughter and many more childrens books. Aarons speciality is retelling folktales and other traditional literature from around the world. His work has been honoured by the American Library Association, the National Council for the Social Studies, the American Folklore Society, the New York Public Library and the Bank Street College of Education.

The Christmas Truce Summary

This is a British soldier’s letter to his sister on how all enmity was forgotten as British and German soldiers celebrated Christmas together. It was World War -1 time and there was a war between British and German. It was Christmas eve while everyone sang Christmas Carols before fire place. Tom, the British soldier was on the battle field of France.

They had stayed in a long narrow ditch. It was terrible. The German’s trench was only fifty yards from them. Between them lay No man’s land bordered both sides with barbed wire. On Christmas eve the shooting stopped completely.

Their first complete silence in months. The German soldiers had placed Christmas trees lit by candles or lantern, like beacon of good will. Both of them agreed to stop shooting on Christmas. They both exchanged gifts and food and sang Christmas songs. Thus they celebrated Christmas in the midst of war. All nations say that they want peace. Yet on that Christmas morning he wonders if they want it quite enough.

The Christmas Cruce Main Characters  

1. The Narrator
2. His friend John
3. German Soldiers

The Christmas Truce Mind Map

The Christmas Truce Glossary

Tamilnadu Board Class 9 English Solutions