Tiger in the zoo

Leslie Norris

Difficult Words

Gleaming - shining brightly, usually because it is clean or polished.

Reverently - with deep respect.
Roused - awakened from sleep.
Supper - the main evening meal.
Tweed -. coarse wool fabric.
Bouts - short periods of intense activity.
Ceremonial - related to formal public or religious events.
Clasped - held tightly in one's hand.
Convalescing - recovering health after an illness.
Engulfed - completely surrounded or overwhelmed.
Entire - whole or complete.
Fetch - to go and bring back.
Flapping - moving in waves.
Fortnight -. period of two weeks.
Gang -. group of individuals.
Gasping - breathing with difficulty.
Harness -. set of straps used for control.
Hastened - moved or acted quickly.
Hovered - stayed in one place in uncertainty.
Hugely - very much.
Hurtling - moving quickly and uncontrollably.
Lolled - relaxed in a lazy manner.
Lumbago - pain in the lower back.
Panting - breathing quickly and short.
Sausage - minced meat in a long casing.
Rheumy - watery discharge from the nose or eyes.
Listless - lacking energy.
Regime -. set plan for diet and exercise.
Distraught - extremely upset.
Scrimmage -. confused struggle.
Lithe - flexible and graceful.

Key Points of the Story

Mrs. Pumphrey, a wealthy woman, has a dog named Tricki.

Tricki is overfed and not healthy, looking like a "puffed-up sausage with legs."
Even though the vet advises her, Mrs. Pumphrey keeps giving Tricki unhealthy treats.
When Tricki falls ill, Mrs. Pumphrey calls the vet, Mr. Herriot.
Mr. Herriot takes Tricki to his clinic, despite Mrs. Pumphrey's worries.
Mrs. Pumphrey shares her worries, saying, "He seems so tired. I thought he must be lacking
nutrients, so I’ve been giving him extra snacks."
For two days, Mr. Herriot monitors Tricki, giving him only water.
On the third day, Tricki starts playing with other dogs and eats properly.
Tricki quickly gets better, enjoying playtime and competing for food.
Mrs. Pumphrey sends eggs, wine, and brandy for Tricki, thinking he needs "energy foods."
Mr. Herriot and his team enjoy these treats themselves, using them for meals and relaxation.
In two weeks, Tricki transforms into a lean, muscular dog.
Mr. Herriot decides it’s time to return Tricki to Mrs. Pumphrey.
Mrs. Pumphrey is thrilled to see Tricki healthy and eager, jumping into her car.
She thanks Mr. Herriot profusely, calling the recovery a "successful surgery.”

Theme/ Message

Theme: The story illustrates the issues that arise from excessive pampering and
overindulgence, even when motivated by love. It shows that these actions can be harmful rather
than beneficial. It also stresses the need for practical care and accepting responsibility for the
welfare of others.

Message: The narrative conveys that love must be coupled with discipline and care.
Overindulgence, despite good intentions, can lead to adverse effects. It highlights the
importance of understanding the genuine needs of both pets and people, ensuring their health,
happiness, and growth.

Short Answers

Q1.What makes you know that Mrs. Pumphrey was a rich lady?
Ans: Mrs. Pumphrey was clearly a wealthy lady. She employed numerous servants and had a
pet that she pampered extensively. She fed her pet a variety of dishes, sweets, and snacks,
indicating her affluence. Additionally, she provided a separate room and wardrobe for her pet,
further demonstrating her wealth and lavish lifestyle.

Q2. Why did Mrs. Pumphrey call the doctor?

Ans: Mrs. Pumphrey was deeply worried about Tricki because he had not eaten for several
days, refusing even his favourite dishes. He was also experiencing bouts of vomiting and spent
most of his time lying on a rug, panting. Additionally, he showed no interest in going for walks.
These concerning symptoms prompted her to seek help from the doctor.

Q3. How does Dr. Herriot treat Tricki?

Ans: Dr Herriot treated Tricki without using any medicine or surgery. He managed Tricki's diet by
controlling the amount of food he consumed and ensuring he had plenty of water. Additionally,
Dr Herriot encouraged Tricki to play and exercise with the other dogs at the surgery. As a result,
Tricki regained his energy and enthusiasm once he received the right amount of food and
sufficient exercise.
Q4. Why were the household dogs not interested in Tricki initially?
Ans: Initially, Tricki was a newcomer in the household, which made him unfamiliar to the other
dogs. Additionally, he was quite lethargic and uninterested in playing, leading to a lack of
interaction with them. However, after a few days, Tricki began to enjoy their company and
discovered the joys of being part of the group. Eventually, he became an accepted member of
the pack.

Q5. Why was Dr. Herriot confident that Tricki will be in hospital soon?
Ans: Dr. Herriot was concerned about Tricki's health after seeing him in the street. The dog
appeared overweight, resembling a bloated sausage, and had bloodshot eyes. As a veterinary
surgeon, Dr. Herriot recognised that such a condition could lead to serious health issues. He
predicted that, given Tricki's state, the dog would likely need to be hospitalised soon.

Q6. Why was the entire staff of Mrs. Pumphrey at work while Tricki was going to the hospital?
Ans: When Tricki, Mrs. Pumphrey's beloved dog, was taken to the hospital, the entire staff
sprang into action. They loaded his day and night beds, favourite cushions, toys, rubber rings,
and food bowls into the narrator’s car. This was a clear indication of their dedication to ensuring
Tricki had everything he needed during his stay.

Q7. What was the main cause of 'Tricki’s ill-health'?

Ans: Tricki's ill-health was primarily caused by being overfed by Mrs. Pumphrey. He became
extremely fat and inactive due to her indulgence with cream cakes, chocolates, and hot links.
This excessive pampering led to his serious illness.

Q8. Why did Mr. Herriot ask Mrs. Pumphrey to admit Tricki in a hospital?
Ans: Dr. Herriot advised Mrs. Pumphrey to admit Tricki to a hospital because she was
overindulging him instead of reducing his food and encouraging exercise. This excessive
pampering was detrimental to Tricki's health.

Q9. Why did Mrs. Pumphrey treat Tricki in a special way?

Ans: Mrs. Pumphrey, a wealthy lady, treated her dog, Tricki, with excessive indulgence. She
pampered him with cream cakes, chocolates, and cod liver oil, as she viewed Tricki as her own
son. This over-the-top care stemmed from her emotional attachment to him

Q10. Why was Dr. Herriot worried about Tricki?

Ans: Dr. Herriot was concerned about Tricki because he had become excessively fat and
inactive. He advised Mrs. Pumphrey to reduce his food intake and provide him with more
exercise, but she was hesitant to follow this advice.

Q11. Why was Tricki sent to the hospital?

Ans: Tricki was sent to the hospital because he had become sluggish and was struggling to walk
due to his rapid growth. He was constantly panting, vomiting, and had stopped eating, which
made him appear very ill. Consequently, it was necessary for him to be hospitalised for proper
care.

Q12. What was Mrs. Pumphrey’s reaction when Tricki showed little enthusiasm for exertion?
Ans: Mrs. Pumphrey was shocked and worried when Tricki showed little enthusiasm for
exertion. She believed he was seriously ill and suspected he was suffering from malnutrition.

Q13. What did she do to bring him back to normal health? Was she successful?
Ans: She believed that Tricki was suffering from malnutrition, so she increased his food intake.
However, this made Tricki very slow and lazy, indicating that her efforts were not successful in
restoring his health.

Q14. What was Mr. Herriot’s strict advice? Did Mrs. Pumphrey heed his advice? What excuses
did she make?
Ans: Mr. Herriot advised Mrs. Pumphrey to reduce Tricki's intake of sweet foods and ensure he
received ample exercise. However, she did not follow this advice. Believing Tricki to be weak,
she continued to give him cream cakes and chocolates. Additionally, due to the gardener's
illness, Tricki had very little exercise.

When questioned about her adherence to the diet, Mrs. Pumphrey admitted, "I did for a bit, but
he seemed to be so weak I had to relent. He does love cream cakes and chocolates so." She
also mentioned that while Tricki had short walks, the lack of playtime was due to the gardener's
condition.

Despite Mr. Herriot's insistence on a strict diet and more exercise, Mrs. Pumphrey found it
challenging to comply, expressing her difficulty in denying Tricki the foods he loved.

Q15. Why did Mrs. Pumphrey make a frantic (anxiety with fear) call to Mr. Herriot?
Ans: Mrs. Pumphrey made a frantic call to Mr. Herriot because Tricki was very ill. He had
stopped eating, even refusing his favourite dishes. Additionally, he experienced bouts of
vomiting and spent all his time lying on a rug, panting and showing no interest in going for walks
or doing anything.

Q16. Describe the parting scene between Tricki and Mrs. Pumphrey’s household.
Ans: Mrs. Pumphrey was in distress, crying loudly as the entire household was awakened. The
maids hurriedly brought out Tricki's beds and bowls to the doctor's car. When the doctor drove
away, everyone in the house was in tears, reflecting the deep bond they shared with the little
dog.

Q17. “I think I know a cure for you.” What was the `cure’?
Ans: The cure involved controlling Tricki's diet. For two days, he received no food but was given
plenty of water. Instead of medicine, he was encouraged to exercise, which helped him become
more active. This approach revitalised Tricki, allowing him to regain his energy and interest in
his surroundings.
Q18. The household dogs at the surgery rejected Tricki as “uninteresting objects.” Why?
Ans: At the surgery, the household dogs gathered around Tricki. He looked at them with dull
eyes and remained motionless on the carpet. After a brief sniffing, the other dogs deemed him
an uninteresting object and chose to ignore him.

Q19. How did he become an accepted member of the gang and start enjoying the company of
other dogs?
Ans: After two or three days, Tricki's health began to improve rapidly. He started to mix with the
other dogs and enjoyed playing various games with them. This interaction helped him become
an accepted member of the gang, and he truly relished their company

Q20. What was Mrs. Pumphrey’s reaction when the doctor said that Tricki must be taken to the
hospital for a fortnight?
Ans: Upon hearing the doctor's recommendation that Tricki must be taken to the hospital for a
fortnight, Mrs Pumphrey was nearly overcome. She believed that if Tricki did not see her every
day, he would pine and ultimately die.

Q21. How did the gang of the household dogs accept Tricki as their member?
Ans: After two or three days, Tricki began to mix with the household dogs. He had a lot of fun
and exercise, running around with them. He enjoyed being rolled over, trampled on, and
squashed. This playful interaction helped the other dogs accept him as one of their own.

Q22. How did Tricki treat his mistress when she went to collect him?
Ans: When Tricki spotted his mistress, he leapt from Mr Herriot's arms and soared into Mrs
Pumphrey's lap. She gasped in surprise as he excitedly swarmed over her, licking her face and
barking joyfully.

Q23. What special diet did Mrs. Pumphrey give to build Tricki up?
Ans: Mrs. Pumphrey noticed that Tricki had become listless and lacked energy, leading her to
believe he was suffering from malnutrition. To help him regain his strength, she started giving
him some special items between meals. This included malt, cod-liver oil, and a bowl of Horlicks
at night. Despite being advised to reduce his sweet intake, she found it hard to deny Tricki his
beloved cakes and chocolates.

Q24. What was the only fault of Tricki as diagnosed by Dr. Herriot?
Ans: Dr. Herriot identified the only fault of Tricki as his greed for food. This issue stemmed from
the overindulgence and pampering by his mistress, Mrs. Pumphrey. Tricki had never refused
food and was constantly fed, leading to his excessive weight gain and lethargy. The lack of
proper exercise further contributed to his condition, making him both fat and dull.

Q25. What plans did Dr. Herriot make to get Tricki out of the house?
Ans: Dr. James Herriot recognised that as long as Tricki remained with Mrs. Pumphrey, he
would continue to be unhappy. He proposed that Tricki should be hospitalised for a fortnight to
be monitored closely. Upon hearing this, Mrs. Pumphrey was nearly overwhelmed, fearing that
Tricki would suffer without her daily presence. However, Dr. Herriot maintained a firm stance,
asserting that the dog was quite ill and that this was the only way to save him.

Q26. How did Mrs. Pumphrey react when she heard from the doctor that Tricki needed to be
hospitalised for a fortnight?
Ans: When Dr. Herriot informed Mrs. Pumphrey that Tricki needed to be hospitalised for a
fortnight, she was almost overcome with distress. The thought of being separated from her
pampered pet for that long was unbearable for her. She only agreed to the arrangement after
Dr. Herriot explained that it was the only way to save Tricki's life.

Q27. How was Tricki treated at the surgery?

Ans: Dr. Herriot did not provide any medical treatment for Tricki. He recognised that Tricki's
main issue was his greed for food. For two days, he monitored Tricki closely, offering him no
food but ensuring he had plenty of water. Dr. Herriot prepared a comfortable bed for him in a
warm, loose box adjacent to where the other dogs slept.

Q28. Describe the gradual progress of Tricki at the surgery.

Ans: Tricki’s main issue was his greed for food. For two days, Dr. Herriot provided no food, only
plenty of water. On the first day, Tricki lay motionless on the carpet. By the second day, he
began to show some interest in his surroundings. On the third day, he started to whimper when
he heard the dogs outside. After this, his recovery progressed quickly. He eagerly sought his
share of food and even began hunting rats at night.

Q29. How did the word ‘convalescing’ affect Tricki’s mistress, Mrs. Pumphrey?
Ans: The word ‘convalescing’ had a significant impact on Mrs. Pumphrey, Tricki’s mistress.
When she heard it, she felt a sense of relief and hope regarding Tricki’s condition. This term
suggested that he was recovering, which prompted her to take action to support his health.

In her eagerness to help, Mrs. Pumphrey began bringing fresh eggs to the veterinary practice,
believing they would strengthen Tricki. Her concern for his well-being led to an influx of food and
drink, including wine and brandy, which she thought would enrich his blood. This resulted in a
rather indulgent atmosphere at the surgery, where the staff enjoyed the benefits of her
generosity.

Ultimately, the mention of ‘convalescing’ not only reassured Mrs. Pumphrey but also
transformed her approach to Tricki’s recovery, leading to a period of unexpected luxury for
everyone involved.

Q30. Why was Dr. Herriot tempted to keep Tricki on as a permanent guest?
Ans: Dr. Herriot was tempted to keep Tricki as a permanent guest because the little dog was
pampered by his owner, Mrs. Pumphrey, who indulged him excessively. During Tricki's stay, Dr.
Herriot enjoyed a lifestyle of comfort, including extra eggs for breakfast and generous amounts
of wine and brandy. These moments of deep content made the idea of keeping Tricki appealing.
However, he recognised that Mrs. Pumphrey was suffering and felt it was his duty to inform her
that Tricki had recovered and was ready to go home.

Long Answers
Q1: Tricki was more than a dog. He was more like a spoilt child of an overindulgent mistress,
Mrs. Pumphrey. Comment.

Ans: Tricki was more than just a dog; he was like a spoiled child to Mrs. Pumphrey. He was a
small dog, but his only flaw was his love for food. Overfeeding him with sweets, cakes, and
chocolates made him very overweight. He became weak and lost his energy, with his tongue
hanging out of his mouth. The doctor advised Mrs. Pumphrey to put Tricki on a strict diet and
give him plenty of exercise.
Tricki suffered from too much pampering and overfeeding. Mrs. Pumphrey didn't follow Dr.
Herriot's advice, and Tricki lost his appetite and started vomiting. Dr. Herriot recommended that
Tricki stay in the hospital under his care for two weeks. Tricki was so attached to Mrs. Pumphrey
that she almost fainted at the thought of being separated from him. He was extremely
pampered, with the staff and maids always ready to cater to his needs with beds, cushions,
toys, and more.
Tricki's recovery was surprisingly quick. He wasn't given food but plenty of water. After a few
days, he began to take an interest in his surroundings. He transformed into a fit and strong dog.
When Mrs. Pumphrey came to pick him up, Tricki showed his love by jumping into her lap.

Q2: The chapter shows the silly and negligent behaviour of rich people like Mrs. Pumphrey who
may harm their near and dear ones by their extra caring nature. Tricki's declining health was the
outcome of Mrs. Pumphrey’s over-caring nature. Do you think such people’s actions can prove
to be fatal for the health of their kind? What values would you suggest to such people to
emulate in themselves and why?

Ans: Mrs. Pumphrey was a wealthy woman with a pet dog named Tricki, who was very dear to
her. Because of this, she took extra care of him, pampering him with all sorts of comforts. Tricki
had many coats for different weather, various cushions for his comfort, and a variety of dishes to
eat. She even gave him extras between meals, like malt, cod-liver oil, and a bowl of Horlicks at
night to help him sleep. He was also treated to cream cakes and chocolates. This made him
very fat and lazy. He became so overweight that he looked like a bloated sausage. His eyes
became bloodshot, and his tongue hung out of his mouth.
I believe Mrs. Pumphrey’s overly caring nature caused Tricki’s health to decline. Such an
attitude can have serious consequences for their well-being. It's important not to overindulge
them. Exercise and a proper diet are crucial for good health. Dr. Herriot took care of this, leading
to Tricki's quick recovery.
Q3: "He had never been known to refuse food; he would tackle a meal at any hour of the day or
night." Herriot believed that Tricki’s problem was his greed. Did he lack tolerance? What values
would you like Tricky to imbibe? Elucidate.

Ans: Dr. Herriot wasn’t wrong in thinking that Tricki's problem was his greed. Tricki was indeed
greedy, but Mrs. Pumphrey made things worse by feeding him too much rich food. Herriot
wasn’t being harsh; he was just pointing out the obvious. As a vet, he was worried about Tricki’s
poor health and noticed the issue right away. Tricki needed to control his eating habits and not
eat everything placed in front of him. Mrs. Pumphrey herself admitted that Tricki loved cream
cakes and chocolates a lot. Tricki should have been less greedy and more like a normal dog.

Q4: How did Herriot save Tricki’s life?

Ans: Tricki was seriously ill. He refused food. He had bouts of vomiting. Mrs. Pumphrey was
very much worried about him. She called Mr. Herriot who was a vet. Herriot and knew Tricki’s
disease well. He told Mrs. Pumphrey that the dog must be hospitalized for a fortnight
immediately. He carried the dog in his car to his surgery. There he put him in a separate room.
He was given no food for two days but plenty of water. After two days the dog felt better. He
started enjoying games with other dogs. In this way, Herriot cured Tricki of his illness without
any medicine or surgery.

Q5: Mrs. Pumphrey says, “This is 'A Triumph of Surgery'. Why did she say so? Did she know
what ‘, Ticki’s ailment was?

Ans: Tricki was seriously ill. He refused food. He had bouts of vomiting. Mrs. Pumphrey was
very much worried about him. She called Dr. Herriot who was a vet surgeon. Dr. Herriot knew
about Tricki’s disease. He took the dog to his surgery. He gave Tricki no food for two days. He
gave him a lot of exercise.
When Mrs. Pumphrey went to Dr. Herriot’s surgery to take Tricki back she found him totally
transformed. He had been very lazy and flabby. But now he had been transformed into a lithe
and hard-muscled animal. All this made him say, "This is 'A Triumph of Surgery'. No, Mrs.
Pumphrey did not know about Tricki’s ailment. She also did not know how he was cured.

Q6: Dr James Herriot was a competent veterinary surgeon. His practical approach and common
sense helped in the rapid recovery of Tricki. Comment.

Ans: Dr James Herriot, no doubt, was a competent veterinary surgeon. He was really worried
about Tricki. He understood that the real fault of the dog was his greed for food. He never
refused food. The dog had become hugely fat and listless. Dr Herriot instructed Mrs Pumphrey
to keep Tricki on a very strict diet. He also asked her to give him a lot of exercises. Dr Herriot
also suggested cuttting down sweets to him. He advised her that Tricki must be hospitalised for
a fortnight under his observation.
Dr James Herriot was practical and pragmatic (sensible). He didn’t give any medical treatment
to the dog. The dog was not given any food but lots of water. His method worked. Tricki’s
recovery was surprisingly rapid. Tricki was transformed into a flexible and hard-muscled dog. He
was not only out of danger but was soon handed over to his mistress. The grateful mistress
thanked Dr. Herriot and called his feat (achievement)”A Triumph of Surgery”.
Dr. James Herriot was clever enough to enjoy the best of both worlds. He was tempted to keep
Tricki on as a permanent guest. It was a happy period for Dr. Herriot and his friends. He enjoyed
eggs for breakfast, and wine and brandy for lunch.

Q7: Why did Dr James Herriot say that he was tempted to keep Tricki on as a permanent guest?
Give a reasoned answer.

Ans: Dr. James Herriot was not only a competent veterinary surgeon but also a clever man of
the world. No doubt, Tricki was in a highly miserable state when he was brought to Dr. Herriot’s
surgery. The doctor gave no medical treatment to the dog. He didn’t give food but plenty of
water for a few days. Tricki’s recovery was rather rapid. Soon, he was transformed into a flexible
and hard-muscled dog. The grateful mistress obliged Dr. Herriot and his friends. His partners
and he himself had two eggs each for breakfast. Lunch became a ceremonial occasion. The
grateful and fabulously rich mistress of Tricki treated him warmly with liberal (wide-ranging)
servings of wine and brandy.
Dr. James Herriot was enjoying the best of both the worlds. He had no hesitation in accepting
Mrs. Pumphrey’s tempting services. Naturally, it was a temptation for him to keep Tricki on as a
permanent guest. Those were days of deep content. Fresh eggs in the morning, wine at noon
and finishing luxuriously around the fire with brandy. Who wouldn’t like such a pleasant
situation? After all, Dr. Herriot was a clever and worldly-wise man.

Q8: The foolish indulgence and pampering of the rich mistress, Mrs Pumphrey was the real
cause of Tricki’s miserable condition. Give a reasoned answer.

Ans: Overindulgence and pampering beyond a limit becomes unproductive. Be it a pet or a

child, discipline is very necessary. The fabulously rich and resourceful mistress was the main
cause of Tricki’s miserable condition. The entire staff and maids were there to look after the
needs of Tricki. His day-bed, night-bed, cushions, toys, rubber rings, breakfast bowl, lunch bowl
and supper(dinner) bowl were always kept ready.
Dr. Herriot rightly found out that Tricki’s only fault was his greed for food. Overfeeding of sweets,
cakes and chocolates made Tricki hugely fat and listless. Had Mrs. Pumphrey followed Dr.
Herriot’s instructions sincerely, things would not have worsened so far. The doctor advised her
to put Tricki on a strict diet and give him plenty of exercises. It was necessary to cut down his
intake of sweets. But foolish indulgence of the mistress ignored his healthy advice. The result
was disastrous(harmful).
Tricki lost his appetite and started vomiting. Only when Mrs. Pumphrey was ready to send Tricki
to Surgery to Dr. Herriot’s for a fortnight, things started improving. The doctor gave him no food
but plenty of water for a few days. It worked and Tricki’s recovery was rather fast.

Character Sketch of Mrs Pumphrey

Mrs Pumphrey, a middle-aged woman, was quite rich and resourceful with a large number of
servants and maids. She treats all her visitors with warmth and generosity. She had a strong
emotional bond with her little pet dog, Tricki. She was very concerned about Tricki’s miserable
condition. She pampered the dog by giving him chocolates, cakes, juice, eggs and wine.

Mrs. Pumphrey overindulged to the point of disregarding Dr. Herriot’s advice to give him
exercise. When Tricki’s health deteriorated and was taken to the hospital for treatment, she was
very upset. She was silly but tender-hearted. She was happy when her pet dog became alright.
She was grateful to Dr. Herriot for making Tricki healthy.

Character Sketch of Tricki

Tricki is a lovable and mischievous Pekingese dog who is the dog with long hair and a squashed
face. He has a fluffy and soft coat of fur, which requires constant grooming. He is a little
overweight, which makes it difficult for him to move around.

He loves to be pampered and taken care of by Mrs. Pumphrey. He has a playful and
mischievous nature, which often gets him into trouble. He is very demanding and likes to have
things his way, but he is also very sensitive and gets upset easily. He is extremely loyal to his
owner and loves to be around people.

Try yourself:
What kind of relationship does Mrs. Pumphrey have with her pet dog, Tricki?
A.Mrs. Pumphrey is indifferent towards Tricki.
B.Mrs. Pumphrey is strict and disciplined with Tricki.
C.Mrs. Pumphrey is warm and affectionate towards Tricki.
D.Mrs. Pumphrey is fearful and cautious around Tricki.
View Solution
Character Sketch of Dr. Herriot

Dr. Herriot is a committed veterinarian who has compassion and dedication for his profession.
He is dedicated to his work and always willing to make an extra effort for his patients. He is a
very competent and knowledgeable veterinarian with a deep understanding of animal behaviour,
and he can handle even difficult cases.

He sincerely cares about animals’ wellbeing and goes out of way to make sure they get the best
treatment. James Herriot has a terrific sense of humour and a contagious personality in addition
to his professional skills. He has a way of making people feel at ease, and he is always willing to
listen to his customers.
 Table of contents

Previous Year Questions 2024Q1: Read the extract

given below and answer the questions that follow: (CBSE 2024)

The expected cell came within a few days. Mrs. Pumphrey was
distraught. Tricki would eat nothing. He refused even his favorite
dishes, and besides, he had bouts of vomiting. He spent all of his time
lying on a rug panting. He didn’t want to go for walks, didn’t want to do
anything.​
I had made my plans in advance. The only way was to get Tricki out of
the house for a period. I suggested he be hospitalized for about a
fortnight to be kept under observation.
(A) Which of the following is not a reason why Mr. Herriot thinks
Tricki needs to be taken out of the house for a period? ​
(a) He wanted to keep Tricki away from Mrs. Pumphrey. ​
(b) He wanted to keep Tricki under observation.​
(c) He wanted to experiment on Tricki.​
(d) He wanted to improve Tricki’s health.
Hide Answer

Ans: (c) He wanted to do an experiment on Tricki​

Mr. Herriot’s primary reasons for taking Tricki out were to observe him
and improve his health, not to conduct an experiment on him.
(B) What was the main reason for Mrs. Pumphrey to be
distraught? Answer in about 40 words.
Hide Answer

Ans: Mrs. Pumphrey was distraught because her dog, Tricki, was very
ill. He refused to eat, even his favourite foods, and experienced
vomiting. Tricki spent his time lying on the rug, panting, and showed
no interest in walks or play, causing Mrs. Pumphrey great worry.
(C) State True or False: ​
When Mr. Herriot says, “I had made my plans in advance,” he
actually means he had already seen this trauma coming for
Tricki.
Hide Answer

Ans: True​
Mr. Herriot anticipated Tricki’s health issues due to overindulgence by
Mrs. Pumphrey and had prepared a plan for Tricki’s recovery.
(D) Which of the following best describes Mrs. Pumphrey? ​
(a) unkind and inconsiderate ​
(b) impractical but compassionate ​
(c) anxious and ambitious ​
(d) fearful but confident
Hide Answer

Ans: (b) impractical but compassionate​

Mrs. Pumphrey is compassionate towards Tricki, but her impractical
approach to caring for him, such as overfeeding, led to his health
issues.
​
Q2: What does Mr. Herriot mean by “happy period” for himself
and his partners? Explain. (CBSE 2024)
Hide Answer

Ans: The happy period was the time when the surgery was flooded
with delicacies sent by Mrs Pumphrey. She sent in a lot of items like
eggs, wine and brandy for Tricki. However, the doctor did not feed the
entire stuff to Tricki. Instead, the entire surgery had lavish feasts and
enjoyed.
​
Q3: “We are often over-indulgent towards people we care about.”
Explain with reference to the context of the story “A Triumph of
Surgery”. (CBSE 2024)
Hide Answer

Ans: In the story we see the mistress Mrs. Pumphrey shows a lot of
affection towards her pet. Her excessive pampering leads to an
overweight and lethargic Tricki. This shows how our affection can
cloud our rationality and lead to our own destruction. One has to
balance love and wisdom to ensure a healthy pet.
Previous Year Questions 2023Q4: Why was Mr.
Herriot shocked at Tricki’s appearance? (2023)

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Ans: Mr. Herriot was shocked at Tricki’s appearance because the dog
had become overweight. Mr. Herriot compared the dog to a bloated
sausage with a leg at each corner. The dog’s eyes were bloodshot
and rheumy, stared straight ahead and his tongue lolled from his jaws.
It made Mr. Herriot worried about the Tricki.
​
Q5: How did Mrs. Pumphrey treat Tricki? (2023)
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Ans: Mrs. Pumphrey was a young, rich, and well-to-do lady. She
pampered her pet dog, Tricki. She used to spend on the well-being
and maintenance of her pet. Once she overfed her dog by giving him
malt, cod-liver oil, fruits and vegetables, and what not. That dog also
loved to eat sweets, ice-creams, and chocolates. So, she couldn't be
strict and deny him the sweet treats. She gave into Tricki’s greedy
demands. She was worried when her dog became listless. She could
not live without him.
​
Q6: What was Mr. Herriot’s strict advice? Did Mrs. Pumphrey
agree to his advice? (Answer the following questions in 40-50
words) (CBSE 2023)
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Ans: Mr. Herriot’s strict advice to Mrs. Pumphrey was to restrain from
giving her pet dog Tricki, unnecessary rich diet that would cause him
serious illness and to give him plenty of exercises. No, Mrs. Pumphrey
did not agree to his advice as she continued spoiling her dog’s health
by giving him rich food things like malt, cod liver, cupcakes, etc. and
no exercise.
Previous Year Questions 2022Q7: Dr. Herriot knew
his patients as well as their owners really well. Discuss. (2022-23)

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Ans: James Herriot treats Tricki just like an overweight dog should be
treated. He cuts down his food intake and keeps him under strict
observation for the initial days at the hospital. He gradually increases
Tricki’s food and denies him the additional treats sent by Mrs.
Pumphrey for him. Mr. Herriot sets Tricki free to run and play with the
other dogs in the hospital for physical exercise to improve his health.
This proves that Dr. Herriot knew his patient as well as their owners
really well.
Previous Year Questions 2021Q8: Mrs Pumphrey as a
pet owner was: (Term I, 2021-22)​

(i) indulgent.​

(ii) carefree.​

(iii) rich.​

(iv) foolish.​
Choose the correct option:​

(a) (i) and (ii)​

(b) (ii) and (iii)​

(c) (ii) and (iv)​

(d) (i) and (iv)

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Ans: (d)​
Mrs. Pumphrey, as a pet owner, was indulgent and foolish. She overly
pampered her pet Tricki by giving him excessive food and treats,
which led to his health problems. Her indulgence and lack of
understanding of proper pet care demonstrate a certain foolishness in
her approach to handling Tricki’s well-being.​
So, the correct option is (d) (i) and (iv).
​
Q9: Why does Mrs. Pumphrey not deserve to keep a pet? (2021)
Hide Answer

Ans: Mrs. Pumphrey is a good woman who overindulged her pet,

Tricki. Because of her inability to control herself from feeding Tricki,
the dog only got fatter. This makes him lose his appetite and thus,
prone to diseases.
​
Q10: What does the exclamation, "This is a triumph of surgery!”,
by Mrs. Pumphrey, mean?​
(a) The surgery was successful.​
(b) The mistress could take back her pet.​
(c) The doctor was a great veterinarian.​
(d) The planned venture was fruitful. (Term I, 2021-22)
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Ans: (d) The planned venture was fruitful.
Previous Year Questions 2020Q11: What was the
major flaw in Tricki? (2020)

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Ans: Tricki was Mrs. Pumphrey's pet dog. She loved him and
pampered him a lot. But Tricki was a greedy dog who wanted to eat
anything and everything which was served to him. He had never
refused to eat food and used to have meals at any hour of the day or
night. He had become sick because of his habits.
​
Q12: Why was it important for Mrs. Pumphrey to be a little cruel
in order to be kind towards Tricki? (2020-21)
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Ans: Tricki was a greedy dog. He could never refuse to eat whatever
and whenever it was given him. He also hated exercise and these
traits led him to serious health conditions. Mrs Pumphrey had to be
cruel and deny Tricki his food and force him to move in order to save
his life. That is the reason why Mrs Pumphrey needed to be cruel to
Tricki for Tricki’s sake.
​
Q13: Why is Mrs. Pumphrey responsible for Tricki’s condition?
(Answer the following questions in 40-50 words) (CBSE 2023)
Hide Answer

Ans: Mrs. Pumphrey was overly-concerned for her pet Tricki. She
spoilt him with lots of ‘rich food’, which wasn’t appropriate for him. She
fulfilled all unnecessary demands as well. Even after being warned
many times, she didn’t cut down on Tricki’s food and didn’t make him
do any physical exercise
Previous Year Questions 2019Q14: Was Tricki
suffering from any ailment in reality? If not, then what made him

inactive and lethargic? (Answer the following questions in 40-50

words) (CBSE 2023)

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Ans: No, Tricki wasn’t suffering from any ailment in reality. His greed
for food and his owner’s overindulgence made him fat and lazy. Mrs.
Pumphrey overfed him and spoiled his health to the extent that he had
to undergo treatment at Dr. Herriot’s hospital.
Previous Year Questions 2015Q15: What made
James Herriot expect a call from Mrs. Pumphrey? (Answer the

following questions in 40-50 words) (CBSE 2023)

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Ans: When Dr. James Herriot saw an extremely fat Tricki with Mrs.
Pumphrey, he was sure that Tricki’s overeating and lack of physical
exercise would lead to his bad health. Hence, he expected a call from
Mrs. Pumphrey.