DAV HZL SR SEC SCHOOL ZAWAR MINES

CLASS – X, SUBJECT – ENGLISH

DIWALI BREAK ASSIGNMENT
COMPETENCY BASED QUESTIONS WORKSHEET
FIRST FLIGHT
 Write answers of the following questions in your writing notebook.

1. A Letter to God – G.L. Fuentes

Q1. How does Lencho’s faith in God reflect both innocence and ignorance?
(Competency: Moral & psychological reasoning)
Q2. What does the postmaster’s action reveal about human kindness?
(Competency: Empathy & ethical understanding)
Q3. If you were the postmaster, how would you handle Lencho’s letter
differently?
(Competency: Problem-solving & application)
Q4. What message does the story give about hope and trust?
(Competency: Value-based interpretation)

2. Nelson Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom

Q1. How does Nelson Mandela define courage and freedom?
(Competency: Conceptual & moral understanding)
Q2. What lesson can students learn from Mandela’s journey toward equality?
(Competency: Reflective thinking & civic awareness)
Q3. What does the playing of both national anthems at the ceremony symbolize?
(Competency: Symbolic reasoning & historical awareness)

3. Two Stories about Flying (I: His First Flight | II: Black Aeroplane)
Q1. How does “His First Flight” teach the importance of self-confidence and
courage?
(Competency: Emotional growth & decision-making)
Q2. What role does fear play in the young seagull’s transformation?
(Competency: Psychological understanding)
Q3. In “The Black Aeroplane”, what mystery element keeps the reader engaged?
(Competency: Critical thinking & inference)
Q4. How do both stories highlight human (or natural) resilience?
(Competency: Comparative reasoning)

4. From the Diary of Anne Frank – Anne Frank

Q1. What does Anne’s diary teach about the power of expression and writing?
(Competency: Emotional intelligence & communication awareness)
Q2. How does Anne’s tone reflect the struggles of adolescence during war?
(Competency: Psychological & historical insight)
Q3. What universal lessons does the diary offer about hope and identity?
(Competency: Reflective reasoning)

5. Glimpses of India (Three Parts)

 Part I: A Baker from Goa
 Part II: Coorg
 Part III: Tea from Assam
Q1. How do the three stories together represent India’s cultural diversity?
(Competency: Analytical & cultural awareness)
Q2. What values are reflected in the Goan baker’s profession?
(Competency: Heritage appreciation)
Q3. How does the story of Coorg promote adventure and tourism?
(Competency: Application & global awareness)
Q4. Why is tea called the “national drink of India”? Explain using facts from the
lesson.
(Competency: Informational & interpretive thinking)

6. Mijbil the Otter – Gavin Maxwell

Q1. What qualities of the author help him bond with Mijbil?
(Competency: Emotional & observational reasoning)
Q2. What message about animal friendship and empathy does the story give?
(Competency: Environmental & ethical understanding)
Q3. How does Mijbil’s behavior reflect intelligence and adaptability?
(Competency: Analytical reasoning)

7. Madam Rides the Bus – Vallikkannan

Q1. How does Valli’s bus journey become a lesson in maturity?
(Competency: Emotional & experiential learning)
Q2. What does Valli’s curiosity tell us about childhood innocence and wisdom?
(Competency: Psychological understanding)

POETRY

1. Dust of Snow – Robert Frost

Q1. How does nature act as a healer in the poem?
(Competency: Emotional & symbolic reasoning)
Q2. What does the “dust of snow” symbolize in human life?
(Competency: Metaphorical understanding)
Q3. How can a small event change a person’s mood or outlook?
(Competency: Reflective application)

2. Fire and Ice – Robert Frost

Q1. How do “fire” and “ice” represent human emotions?
(Competency: Symbolic & interpretive analysis)
Q2. What message does the poem convey about the destructive power of desire
and hate?
(Competency: Moral reasoning)
Q3. Which emotion do you think is more dangerous — desire or hatred? Why?
(Competency: Critical reasoning)
3. A Tiger in the Zoo – Leslie Norris
Q1. How does the poet contrast freedom and captivity?
(Competency: Analytical & visual reasoning)
Q2. What emotions does the caged tiger symbolize?
(Competency: Empathetic understanding)
Q3. How can the poem be linked to human rights or animal welfare movements?
(Competency: Application & value-based learning)

4. How to Tell Wild Animals – Carolyn Wells

Q1. How does humor help in learning through this poem?
(Competency: Creative reasoning)
Q2. What does the poem teach about observation and curiosity?
(Competency: Analytical & educational thinking)
Q3. How can fun and learning coexist in literature?
(Competency: Reflective & interpretive understanding)

5. The Ball Poem – John Berryman

Q1. What life lesson does the poet teach through the boy’s loss?
(Competency: Emotional intelligence)
Q2. How does the poem relate to real experiences of loss and growing up?
(Competency: Reflective application)
Q3. What does the “ball” symbolize in the poem?
(Competency: Symbolic understanding)

6. Amanda! – Robin Klein

Q1. How does the poem explore the conflict between discipline and freedom?
(Competency: Psychological reasoning)
Q2. What does Amanda’s imagination reveal about her personality?
(Competency: Emotional understanding)
Q3. How does the poem comment on parenting and childhood expression?
(Competency: Social & moral awareness)

FOOTPRINTS WITHOUT FEET

1. A Triumph of Surgery – James Herriot

Q1. How does Dr. Herriot’s handling of Tricki’s condition reflect true care and
understanding?
(Competency: Ethical reasoning & empathy)
Q2. What mistake did Mrs. Pumphrey make, and how does it reflect
overindulgence?
(Competency: Critical thinking & lifestyle awareness)
Q3. If you were the vet, what advice would you give Mrs. Pumphrey to keep
Tricki healthy?
(Competency: Problem-solving & application)
Q4. What message about health and moderation does the story convey?
(Competency: Moral & practical understanding)

2. The Thief’s Story – Ruskin Bond

Q1. How does Anil’s trust change the thief’s heart?
(Competency: Emotional intelligence & ethical transformation)
Q2. What does the story teach about forgiveness and second chances?
(Competency: Moral & psychological reasoning)
Q3. If you were in the thief’s position, would you return the stolen money? Why
or why not?
(Competency: Self-reflection & decision-making)
Q4. How does the ending reflect the power of kindness over punishment?
(Competency: Value-based understanding)

3. The Midnight Visitor – Robert Arthur

Q1. How does Fowler’s perception of Ausable change by the end of the story?
(Competency: Analytical & interpretive reasoning)
Q2. What qualities make Ausable a successful secret agent?
(Competency: Logical & observational analysis)
Q3. How does Ausable outsmart Max without using violence?
(Competency: Problem-solving & intelligence)
Q4. What moral lesson does the story teach about quick thinking in dangerous
situations?
(Competency: Practical reasoning)

4. A Question of Trust – Victor Canning

Q1. How is Horace Danby’s love for books ironic in relation to his profession?
(Competency: Literary & moral analysis)
Q2. What does the story suggest about crime and intelligence?
(Competency: Ethical reflection)
Q3. How is Horace deceived by the young lady, and what lesson does it teach?
(Competency: Critical reasoning & awareness)
Q4. Do you think Horace deserved his fate? Give reasons.
(Competency: Analytical & moral judgment)

5. Footprints Without Feet – H.G. Wells

Q1. How does Griffin’s misuse of science lead to his downfall?
(Competency: Scientific ethics & moral reasoning)
Q2. What does the story teach about responsibility in scientific discovery?
(Competency: Value-based learning)
Q3. How does invisibility become both a gift and a curse for Griffin?
(Competency: Analytical & psychological reasoning)
Q4. If you had the power of invisibility, how would you use it responsibly?
(Competency: Application & reflective ethics)

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