QUESTION BANK- BIRTH – A J Cronin

Class: XI Sub: ENGLISH

INTRODUCTION

‘Birth’ by A.J. Cronin is an excerpt from ‘The Citadel’ about Andrew Manson who has just
graduated out of medical college and has just commenced his practice under the supervision
of Dr. Edward Page as an assistant in Blaenelly. It is also an account of how a beginner
skillfully handles a child delivery case and brings a still born child back to life.

I. CHARACTERS

Dr Andrew Manson: A newly graduated medical practitioner working in a small mining

town, Andrew has taken up a job as an assistant to Dr. Edward Page. On the call of Joe
Morgan, a miner, Andrew manages to help in a difficult birth and saves the baby’s life due to
his knowledge and efforts.

Joe Morgan: A well-built middle-aged miner, Joe Morgan works as a driller in a mine. He
is the husband of Susan Morgan who is to deliver a baby after twenty years of marriage. Joe
asks Dr Andrew Manson to help in his wife’s delivery and reposes full faith in the doctor.

Susan Morgan’s Mother: She is a tall, grey-haired woman of nearly seventy who is
concerned about her daughter’s happiness. She is smart and calculative enough to make the
doctor stay in the house during waiting period by preparing a cup of tea for him. She is
anxious about the child.

The Midwife: She is an experienced nurse who is there to assist in child birth. She is
pessimistic about the child’s survival when it is found not breathing when born, and
keeps it under the bed, wrapped n a newspaper but still assists Dr Andrew Manson in
his work.

II. SHORT ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS

Question 1: Who was [Link]? Why had he been waiting for Dr Andrew Manson?
Answer: Joe Morgan was a driller in Blaenelly, a mining town. He was a big, strong and
heavy middle-aged person. Joe and his wife Susan, who had been married nearly twenty
years, were expecting their first child. Joe was waiting for the doctor to help Susan in the
delivery of the child.

Question 2: Where did Joe lead Andrew? Why did he not go in with the doctor?
Answer: Joe Morgan led Andrew to his house, 12, Blaina Terrace. His wife was about to
deliver her first child after being married for nearly twenty years. Joe was quite tensed. He
refused to go inside the house. Even his voice showed signs of strain.
Question 3: “Don’t fret, mother, I’ll not run away”. Why do you think Andrew say so?
Answer: Mrs. Morgan’s mother offered to make a cup of tea for the doctor. The experienced
woman had realized that there must be a period of waiting. She was afraid that the doctor
would leave the case saying that he would return later.

Question 4: Why did Andrew decide to remain there until everything was over?
Answer: Andrew had reached Bryngower at about midnight. He was very worried and upset.
He needed some rest and sleep. He knew that he could not sleep even for an hour if he went
home. Secondly, he knew that the case would demand all his attention. He felt lethargic and
decided to remain there until everything was over.

Question 5: What had Andrew been thinking about? How would you like to describe the
state of his thoughts?
Answer: Andrew had been thinking about the unsuccessful married lives of some persons he
knew. Bramwell was foolishly devoted to a woman who deceived him. Edward Page was
bound to quarrelsome Blodwen. Denny was living unhappily apart from his wife. His
thoughts were muddled (confused).

Question 6: What was Andrew’s view of marriage? Why was he resentful and confused?
Answer: For Andrew marriage was a peaceful and beautiful state. He loved Christine. The
conflict between his steady mind and overflowing heart left him resentful and confused.

Question 7: Why did Andrew feel surprised while sitting by kitchen fire?
Answer: Andrew had been thinking about the unsuccessful married lives of some persons he
knew. He also had been thinking about Christine as he sat by the kitchen fire. He sat still and
sadly for a long time. When the old woman sitting opposite him suddenly addressed him,
Andrew felt surprised.

Question 8: Why did a shiver of horror pass over Andrew?

Answer: Andrew had struggled for more than an hour to help Mrs. Susan Morgan in the
safedelivery of her first child. At last, the child was born, but it was lifeless. As Andrew
gazed at the still form of the baby, a shiver of horror passed over him.

Question 9: What dilemma did Andrew face?

Answer: His heart prompted him to resuscitate the stillborn child. His mind dictated him to
attend to the mother who was lying in a hopeless state. Andrew faced the dilemma of whom
he should attend to first.

Question 10: What efforts did Andrew make to revive Susan Morgan?
Answer: He smashed a glass ampule and injected the medicine. After this he flung down the
hypodermic syringe. Then he worked quite hard to restore the soft and weak woman. Her
heart strengthened after a few minutes of feverish effort.

Question 11: In what state did Andrew find the newborn child? What did he conclude?
Answer: Andrew found the baby amongst wet newspapers under the bed. Its limp warm
body was white and soft. Its head lolled on the thin neck. The limbs seemed boneless. The
whiteness over the body meant suffocation caused by the lack of oxygen.
Question 12: How did Andrew’s practical experience come handy?
Answer: Andrew had once seen a similar case in the Samaritan. He remembered the
treatment that had been used. He at once decided to administer the hot and cold water
therapy.

Question 13: What efforts did Andrew make to revive the newborn baby?
Answer: First, he laid the child upon a blanket and gave it artificial respiration. Then he
dipped the child alternately in hot and cold water. After that he rubbed the slippery child with
a rough towel. He pressed and released his chest till it began to breathe and gave a cry.

Question 14: How did Andrew react to the first glimpse of the success of his efforts to help
the stillborn child come alive?
Answer: As a result of Andrew’s persistent efforts, the small chest of the baby heaved up.
This short heave was followed by other heart beats. Andrew turned giddy. The sense of life,
throbbing under his feelings almost made him faint.

Question 15: What was the result of Andrew’s feverish efforts after the child’s chest gave a
short, convulsive heave?
Answer: Andrew redoubled his efforts. The child began to gasp deeper and deeper. A bubble
of mucus came from a nostril. The limbs were no longer boneless. The pale skin turned pink.
Then the child cried. It came alive.

Question 16: What was the state of the room after the resuscitation of mother and child?
Answer: The room was littered with blankets, towels, basins and soiled instruments. The
hypodermic syringe was impaled in the linoleum by its point. The ewer was knocked over.
The kettle lay on its side in a puddle of water.

Question 17: Why did Andrew say, “Fill fetch my bag later, nurse”?
Answer: Andrew had worked hard single-handedly and constantly to save the mother as well
as the stillborn child from the jaws of death. The constant efforts, tension, desperation caused
by failure combined to make him weak and dazed. His throat was dry. He was tired.

Question 18: How did Andrew assess that night’s work?

Answer: As Andrew left driller’s house he felt tired. He kept thinking of the work he had
done that night. He realised that at last he had done something real. For him it was a
meaningful achievement.

III. LONG ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS

Question 1: Why was Andrew Manson called in? How did he react to the call of duty?
Answer: Andrew Manson had just begun his medical practice in the small Welsh mining
town of Blaenelly. He was called in to attend to Susan Morgan, who was expecting her first
child after being married for nearly twenty years. Her husband, Joe Morgan had been waiting
for an hour outside the closed surgery. It was nearly midnight when Andrew reached there.
As Joe acquainted Andrew with his wife’s condition, Andrew forgot his own affairs. He went
inside his house for his bag and immediately left for the driller’s place.
Since his services were not immediately needed by the expecting mother, he decided to wait
downstairs. He re-examined her after an hour. It was at 3:30 am when the nurse summoned
him. He struggled for an hour before the child was born. Then he worked feverishly to revive
the weak mother and the stillborn child. He had to use all his knowledge and experience in
discharging his duty. He did not pay attention to his own physical tiredness or mental tension.
Duty came first and he responded to it with single-minded devotion.

Question 2: Give a brief account of the efforts made by Andrew to revive the stillborn baby.
Answer: A shiver of horror passed over Andrew as he gazed at the still form of the newborn
baby. Though it was a perfectly formed boy, its limp warm body was white. The whiteness
meant suffocation caused by lack of oxygen. Andrew remembered the treatment given to
such a case in the Samaritan. Before the hot and cold water came he had asked for, he laid the
child upon a blanket and gave it artificial respiration. Then he dipped the child alternately in
hot and cold water. Now, the child was quite slippery. He rubbed it with a rough towel. Then
he pressed and released his chest till it heaved up. It was followed by other heaves. Andrew
redoubled his efforts. The child started gasping. A bubble of mucus came from one tiny
nostril. The pale skin turned pink. The limbs were no longer boneless. His head did not lie
back spinelessly. The child gave a cry. It came alive.

Question 3: Compare and contrast Andrew’s emotional, mental and physical state at the
beginning of the story and at the end.
Answer: At the beginning of the story Andrew is physically tired and emotionally upset. He
has just returned from a disappointing evening with Christine, the girl he loved. His thoughts
are heavy and muddled. The episode he had witnessed at Cardiff station still filled his mind
with sadness. Though he thought of marriage as a blissful state, he couldn’t help
remembering the miserable failure of many marriages.
At the end of the story, Andrew is physically exhausted but emotionally cheerful and
mentally alert. His mind is filled with joy and self-satisfaction. He has performed an unusual
feat, no less than a miracle. He calls upon God as witness that he has done something real at
last. This sense of achievement helps him to overcome physical fatigue. His sense of duty
towards his patients helps him to attend them whole-heartedly. He forgets his personal
feelings and thinks only of reviving the patients.

Question 4: What impression do you form of Andrew Manson on the basis of the story
‘Birth’?
Answer: Andrew Manson is a young man who has recently qualified as a doctor and started
his medical practice as an assistant to Dr Edward Page in the small Welsh mining town of
Blaenelly. He is in love with Christine and thinks of marriage as an idyllic state. His heart is
overflowing with love. His steady mind and reason help him see the marriages of many
persons as dismal failures.
Andrew is mature enough to keep his private and professional lives apart. Once confronted
with his responsibility, he discharges his obligations to the utmost capacity. He is duty
conscious. He believes in practical approach. He is pragmatic and is not afraid to try unique
methods.
Andrew has a tender heart. He is aware of the feelings of others. He knows how deeply Susan
loved her coming baby. He has polite manners and reassuring tone. On the whole, Andrew
impresses us as a dedicated doctor.
 Question 5: “I have done something; oh, God! I’ve done something real at last.” Why does
Andrew say this? What does it mean?
Answer: The young doctor Andrew Manson had done a commendable work. His
exclamation is justified. He had not only helped the middle-aged lady in the safe delivery of a
male child but also restored them to perfect health. Susan Morgan’s strength was ebbing after
the delivery. She was almost pulse less. Andrew gave her an injection and worked severely to
strengthen her heart.
The major achievement of Andrew was to resuscitate the stillborn child. First, he laid the
child of a blanket and began the special method of respiration. Then he tried the hot and cold
water treatment dipping the baby alternately. He laboured in vain for half an hour. He then
made another last effort. He rubbed the child with a rough towel. He went on pressing and
releasing the baby’s little chest with both his hands. At last the baby responded. His chest
heaved. Andrew redoubled his efforts. The child was gasping now. A bubble of mucus came
from his tiny nostril. The pale skin turned pink. His limbs became hard. Then came the
child’s cry.

Question 6: ‘There lies a great difference between textbook medicine and the world of a
practicing physician.’ Discuss.
Answer: Normally, the medicines prescribed in the textbooks are used by the practicing
physicians. However, in extreme cases of emergency, the physician’s experience,
resourcefulness and practical approach become far more important than the theoretical
knowledge. For example, a victim of burn-injury, snakebite or suffocation through drowning
needs immediate help. The nearest available doctor may not have all the facilities needed for
the case. In such a situation first-aid is a must to save the patient’s life before rushing him to
the hospital for proper care. With limited resources at his command, the practicing physician
exercises all his practical experience to control the damage to the minimum and check the
victim’s state from further deterioration. A stitch in time does save nine in such cases. The
practical help comes as a boon.

Question 7. “I have done something; oh, God! I’ve done something real at last.” Why does
Andrew say this? What does it mean?

Answer: Andrew was called by Joe Morgan to assist his pregnant wife, Sofia. She gave birth to a
lifeless baby. But Andrew understood that the baby was not dead but was the victim of asphyxia
pallida, a rare disease that occurs in babies due to complexities during birth. He asked the nurse to
bring hot and cold water. He plunged the baby into hot and cold water and rubbed its chest with a
towel. Though the nurse lost hope, Andrew continued the process, and the baby revived. It gave its
first cry. As a young doctor, Andrew didn’t only save the child but the mother and won against the
odds. Thus, he felt he had finally achieved some real success as a doctor.

Saving lives is the biggest duty of a doctor. Here, Andrew, a young professional already lost in
confusion and mental pain due to his relationship with Christine, wanted to prove himself as a
doctor. The revival of the child brought confidence to his heart, and he felt he could win against
himself.

Question 8. Describe how the child plays a significant role in the story.

Answer: The child played a very important role in the story. The main character, Dr Andrew
Manson, a young professional, was called by Joe Morgan to assist his pregnant wife, Sofia.
Andrew, who was already submerged in the thoughts of
Christine decided to leave Joe’s house after completing his task. Sofia gave birth to a lifeless baby.
That made Andrew horrified. He remembered his promise to Joe and did his best to save the
baby. For Andrew, it became a challenge to win against himself. On the other hand, Joe and Sofia
were expecting their first child after twenty years of marriage. So, they had a great longing for the
baby. Joe’s mother-in-law also deeply wanted a grandchild. Thus, the baby became an important
aspect of everyone’s life. When Andrew successfully revived the child, he felt he had achieved
something on the other hand, Joe’s marriage was saved, and Sofia’s mother’s wish was fulfilled. At
the end of the story, with the child’s cry, a new dawn broke, signifying the beginning of new
journeys in each character’s life.

Question 9. There is a great difference between textbook medicine and the world of a
practicing physician. Discuss.

Answer : A doctor is one of the noblest professions in the world. The great duty of saving a life is
not done easily. Continuous experience is needed to reach that level. Textbook knowledge is only a
part of the journey. It teaches physicians about different diseases, their causes, and medicines. But
the real application of the knowledge occurs when dealing with patients. And in real encounters
with patients, physicians require much more than bookish knowledge. Courage, observance, strong
nerves, the capability to take risks, and physical and mental energy play a major role in the right
treatment, especially in a serious condition. Herein lies the actual test for doctors. Thus, the process
of being a good doctor takes loads of experience. The motivation to save lives and sympathy for
patients are key factors in being a great physician, and these virtues are not taught in textbooks.
One can acknowledge these needs through their own professional experiences.

REFERENCE TO CONTEXT:

A. “His thoughts were heavy, muddled. The episode he had witnessed at Cardiff station still
obsessed him morbidly. He thought of Bramwell, foolishly devoted to a woman who deceived him
sordidly, of Edward Page, bound to the shrewish Blodwen, of Denny, living unhappily, apart from
his wife. His reason told him that all these marriages were dismal failures.”

1 Who is ‘He’ in this extract?

A) Joe Morgan
B) Jack Manson
C) Susan Morgan
D) Andrew Manson
Ans. D) Andrew Manson

2 What was his view about the marriages of his acquaintances?

A) They were huge success
B) They were huge failures
C) They were impeccable
D) None of these
Ans. B) They were huge failures

3 What was Andrew Manson by profession?

A) Driller
B) Compounder
C) Doctor
D) Numerologist
Ans. C) Doctor

4 What does the word ‘Morbidly’ mean?

A) Suggesting a healthy state of mind
B) Suggesting a unhealthy state of mind
C) Suggesting a perfect state of mind
D) None of these.
Ans. B) Suggesting a unhealthy state of mind

B. “Susan said not to give her the chloroform if it would harm the baby. She’s awful set upon this
child, Doctor, bach.” Her old eyes warmed at a sudden thought. She added in a low tone: “Ay, we
all are, I fancy.” He collected himself with an effort.
“It won’t do any harm, the anaesthetics,” he said kindly. “They’ll be all right.”

1 Who is ‘She’ in this extract?

A) Joe Morgan
B) Susan Morgan’s mother in law
C) Susan Morgan’s mother
D) Andrew Manson
Ans. C) Susan Morgan’s mother

2 Why did Susan’s mother not want chloroform to be given to her daughter?
A) For the baby could die
B) for it could harm her
C) For it could harm the baby
D) Both B and C
Ans. D) Both B and C

3 What is anaesthetic?
A) Drug that leads to sensibility
B) Drug that leads to insensibility
C) Drug that leads to mental disorder
D) Drug that numbs the whole head
Ans. B) Drug that leads to insensibility

4 Why were all the Morgans worried?

A) For they were expecting their first child after a long period
B) For they were expecting their second child after a long period
C) For they were expecting their third child after a long period
D) For they were expecting their fourth child after a long period
Ans. A) For they were expecting their first child after a long period

C. “As he gazed at the still form a shiver of horror passed over Andrew. After all that he had
promised! His face, heated with his own exertions, chilled suddenly. He hesitated, between his
desire to attempt to resuscitate the child, and his obligation towards the mother, who was herself in
a desperate state. The dilemma was so urgent he did not solve it consciously. Blindly, instinctively,
he gave the child to the nurse and turned his attention to Susan Morgan who now lay collapsed,
almost pulseless, and not yet out of the ether, upon her side.”
1 How was the child born?
A) Lively
B) Lifeless
C) Lame
D) Blind
Ans. B) Lifeless

2 What does the word ‘Resuscitate’ mean?

A) To revive
B) To bathe
C) To clean
D) To stamp
Ans. A) To revive

3 Which ugly middle position was Manson caught in?

A) Whether to save the child or not
B) Whether to save the mother or not
C) Whether to pay attention to child or to mother
D) Whether to pay attention to family or mother
Ans. C) Whether to pay attention to child or to mother

4 What had Dr. Manson promised to the Morgans?

A) Safe delivery of the child and mother
B) Less amount to be charged for delivery
C) No admission charges for the baby
D) That he would not be able to save the mother
Ans. A) Safe delivery of the child and mother

D. “In a flash Andrew knelt down. Fishing amongst the sodden newspapers below the bed, he
pulled out the child. A boy, perfectly formed. The limp, warm body was white and soft as tallow.
The cord, hastily slashed, lay like a broken stem. The skin was of a lovely texture, smooth and
tender. The head lolled on the thin neck. The limbs seemed boneless.”

1 What does the word ‘Sodden’ mean?

A) Dry
B) Wet
C) Cleaned
D) None of these
Ans. B) Wet

2 Which literary device has been used in ‘Lay like a broken stem’?
A) Simile
B) Metaphor
C) Personification
D) Alliteration
Ans. A) Simile

3 Which literary device has been used in ‘White and soft as tallow’?
A) Simile
B) Zeugma
C) Epithet
D) Metonymy
Ans. A) Simile

4 Who slashed the child’s cord hastily?

A) Joe Morgan
B) Susan Morgan
C) Susan Morgan’s mother
D) Andrew Manson
Ans. D) Andrew Manson

ASSERTION BASED QUESTIONS:

1. Assertion (A): Andrew Manson was upset after his conversation with Christine.

Reason (R): He felt disillusioned by the contrast between his idealism and the reality of
relationships.

o (a) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.

o (b) Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation of A.
o (c) A is true, but R is false.
o (d) A is false, but R is true.

Answer: (a) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.

2. Assertion (A): Andrew Manson decided to use all his medical knowledge to save the
stillborn baby.

Reason (R): Andrew was deeply committed to his duty as a doctor.

o (a) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.

o (b) Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation of A.
o (c) A is true, but R is false.
o (d) A is false, but R is true.

Answer: (a) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.

3. Assertion (A): Mrs. Morgan gave birth to a healthy baby without complications.

Reason (R): The baby’s position was abnormal during delivery, which led to difficulties.

o (a) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.

o (b) Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation of A.
o (c) A is true, but R is false.
o (d) A is false, but R is true.

Answer: (d) A is false, but R is true.

4. Assertion (A): Andrew Manson was confident throughout the entire delivery process.
Reason (R): He was determined to handle the situation efficiently despite the challenges.
o (a) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.
o (b) Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation of A.
o (c) A is true, but R is false.
o (d) A is false, but R is true.

Answer: (c) A is true, but R is false.

5. Assertion (A): Andrew used the method of respiration and hot water to revive the baby.
Reason (R): He believed that traditional methods of reviving stillborn babies were the most
effective.
o (a) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.
o (b) Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation of A.
o (c) A is true, but R is false.
o (d) A is false, but R is true.

Answer: (b) Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation of A.

6. Assertion (A): Andrew was relieved after the baby started breathing.

Reason (R): Andrew’s efforts and persistence finally paid off.

o (a) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.

o (b) Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation of A.
o (c) A is true, but R is false.
o (d) A is false, but R is true.

Answer: (a) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.

7. Assertion (A): Andrew was confident that the baby would survive from the very beginning.
Reason (R): He was aware that reviving a stillborn baby was always a challenging task.
o (a) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.
o (b) Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation of A.
o (c) A is true, but R is false.
o (d) A is false, but R is true.

Answer: (d) A is false, but R is true.

8. Assertion (A): Andrew’s efforts to save the baby resulted in success.

Reason (R): He applied medical techniques and followed his instincts throughout the
process.

o (a) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.

o (b) Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation of A.
o (c) A is true, but R is false.
o (d) A is false, but R is true.

Answer: (a) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.
 9. Assertion (A): Susan Morgan's family was nervous during the delivery.

Reason (R): They trusted Andrew completely and knew he would succeed.

o (a) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.

o (b) Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation of A.
o (c) A is true, but R is false.
o (d) A is false, but R is true.

Answer: (b) Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation of A.

10. Assertion (A): The birth of Susan Morgan’s child was a turning point in Andrew’s life.
Reason (R): He gained confidence as a doctor and felt a sense of fulfilment from saving a
life.

(a) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.

(b) Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation of A.

(c) A is true, but R is false.

(d) A is false, but R is true.

Answer: (a) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.

MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS:

Q1. Who is the author of “Birth”?

A. A.J. Cronin
B. J.B. Priestley
C. Andrew Manson
D. Edward Page

Q2. Andrew did his medical practice under the assistance of .

A. Dr. Page
B. Dr. Morgan
C. Dr. William
D. Dr. Shane

Q3. Who was waiting for Andrew at midnight?

A. Dr. Edward
B. Christine
C. Joe Morgan
D. Mrs. Morgan’s mother

Q4. Where did Joe Morgan live?

A. Number 11, Blaina Terrace
B. Number 14, Bryngower
C. Number 12, Blaina Terrace
D. Number 12, Bryngower

Q5. How does the author describe the bedroom of Joe’s house?
A. Well-furnished
B. Poorly furnished
C. Dirty
D. Both (B) and (C)

Q6. How has the author described Mrs. Morgan’s mother?

A. Wise
B. Grey-haired
C. In her seventies
D. All of the above

Q7. When Andrew approached, Susan was accompanied by her mother and .
A. Joe
B. father
C. a midwife
D. mother-in-law

Q8. “Don’t fret, mother, I’ll not run away.” Why did Andrew say this?
A. To reassure Mrs. Morgan’s mother
B. To fulfil his obligations
C. To break the silence
D. To handle a critical situation well

Q9. Andrew decided to at Joe’s house.

A. sleep
B. study
C. stay
D. eat

Q10. While waiting at Joe’s house, what did Andrew think about?
A. Mrs. Morgan condition
B. Failed marriages
C. Christine
D. Both (B) and (C)

Q11. How was the new born child?

A. Healthy
B. Lifeless
C. Underweight
D. Anaemic
Q12. What dilemma did doctor Andrew confront?
A. Whether the child could be saved or not
B. Whether the treatment would be successful
C. Whether to attend the child or the mother
D. Whether to inform Joe or not

Q13. In the dilemma he faced, what did Andrew do?

A. Check upon Susan first
B. Check upon the child first
C. Ran away
D. Left it to handle to the midwife

Q14. Where had the midwife placed the stillborn child?

A. She held the child in her arms
B. Gave him to Susan’s mother
C. Under the bed
D. Handled him to Joe

Q15. What did Andrew conclude from the whiteness of the child?
A. That he was dead
B. That he suffered from lack of oxygen
C. That he should be taken to hospital
D. That Andrew couldn’t save him

Q16. What did Andrew remember about Samaritan?

A. A place he went to volunteer
B. Someone he met there
C. A treatment he witnessed
D. Not mentioned in the story

Q17. What all things did Andrew use in the treatment?

A. Hot and cold water
B. Basins and towels
C. A blanket
D. All of the above

Q18. How did Andrew try to save the still born?

A. Using a special method of respiration
B. Calling Dr. Edward
C. Taking him to a hospital
D. Giving him blood

Q19. After trying for fifteen minutes, Andrew felt .

A. accomplished
B. hopeful
C. hopeless
D. confident

Q20. What did Andrew remember in the middle of ongoing treatment?

A. About his love for Christine
B. Morgan family’s longing for a child
C. His time in Samaritan
D. About his obligation as a doctor

Q21. Why did the child become slippery in Andrew’s hand?

A. Because of atmosphere in the room
B. Because Andrew was losing his focus
C. Because of constant juggling between waters
D. None of the above

Q22. How long did it take for Andrew’s efforts to yield results?
A. Fifteen minutes
B. All efforts went into vain
C. One hour
D. Half an hour

Q23. What does the author refer to as ‘a miracle’?

A. Life getting into the stillborn
B. Morgan family welcoming a child
C. Susan getting consciousness
D. None of the above

Q24. “But her hands were together, her lips moved without sound.” Who is her?
A. Susan
B. Midwife
C. Mrs. Morgan’s mother
D. Not clear from the story

Q25. Why did Andrew get oblivious to all the work he had done in Blaenelly?
A. Because he got all hopeless
B. Because he did something extraordinary that night
C. Because he was leaving Blaenelly
D. Because he got tired

Q26. During the whole incident, Joe did not enter the house. Why?
A. Because he was superstitious
B. Because he didn’t want to disturb
C. Because he didn’t want to see the child
D. Because he was anxious

Q27. After how many years were Joe and Susan blessed with a child?
A. Ten years
B. One year
C. Five years
D. Twenty years

Q28. Why is the lesson named “Birth”?

A. Because the doctor is specialist in childbirths
B. Because a lot of childbirths take place
C. Because it is about birth of a child
D. Because it talks about philosophy of life

Q29. Birth of Susan’s child was a turning point in Dr. Andrew’s life. Do you agree?
A. Absolutely
B. Not at all
C. Partially
D. Not clear from the story

Q30. What can you say about Dr. Andrew after reading “Birth”?
A. He did not put all his efforts
B. He fulfilled his obligations well as a doctor
C. His skills were not enough
D. He was arrogant