Page 1 : std 10, , Concert, , Question 1. Which word in the first paragraph describes the manner of the, girl when she saw the newspaper?, Answer: ‘excitedly’, Question 2 Why did Smita approach Pandit Ravishankar?, Answer: Smita approached Pandit Ravishankar to request him to perform for, her brother, an ardent fan of his, who had been diagnosed with cancer and, was unable to move out of the house., Question 3 Where did Anant’s family stay in Bombay?, Answer: Anant’s family stayed with Aunt Sushila. Though her apartment was, not big, she always welcomed them., Question 4 Anant was a brilliant boy. Give examples to prove this. OR, Anant was a talented boy. Justify the statement., Answer: Though he was only fifteen, Anant was the best table tennis player, and the fastest runner in the school. He was learning to play the sitar and he, was already able to compose his own tunes to the astonishment of his guru., Question 5 How did Smitha fulfil her brother’s wish?, Answer: Smitha attended the programme of Pandit Ravi Shankar with her, father, not so much for her sake, but for the sake of her brother. At the end, of the programme she approached Pandit Ravi Shankar and explained to him, her brother’s condition of being very close to death and requested him to, play for him. Pandit Ravi Shankar and his tabla artiste Ustad Allah Rakha, decided to play for the boy the next morning and they kept their promise., Question 6. do you think the mother cautioned the girl?, Answer: Mother cautioned the girl because her son was suffering from, cancer. He was in the last stage of his life. His body was very weak and he, needed sleep and complete rest. In addition to that, he was also fond of, music especially Sitar. If he heard the news, it would disturb him. The Concert, Lesson

Page 2 : Question 7. ‘We mustn’t miss the chance’, a) What chance did the boy not like to miss?, Why? Do you think the boy would get a chance in the future?, Answer: The chance that the boy wouldn’t like to miss is listening to Pandit Ravi Shankar’s, Sitar recital. The boy had always wanted to hear and see Pandit Ravi Shankar, but had never, got the chance. We do not know whether the boy would get the chance to hear Ravi, Shankar again. We cannot look into the future and say what would happen in the future., The boy may or may not get the chance, Question 8. Imagine you were the mother of the boy; would you have reacted differently, in the situation? If so, how?, Answer: Generally, Anant’s mother reacted correctly. If we think differently, we should, make some special arrangements for him and give him an opportunity to listen and see, Pandit Ravishankar. Because it was his great desire and our duty is to fulfill., Question 9 . Read the third paragraph. He raised himself up without any help. The mother, murmured with ‘a catch in her throat’ on seeing him. What does this suggest about the, condition of the boy? Read the fourth Paragraph and answer., Answer: It is clear that the boy suffers from some serious illness and has been bedridden., The fact that the mother is emotionally moved to see that the boy raised himself without, any help suggests that the boy was dependent on others for physical activities., Question 10 . For a moment, Smita had forgotten something. What was it?, Answer: Smith, a moment had forgotten that her brother was very ill., Question 11. In what way was truly frightening to Smita?, Answer: Smita had known that Anant was going to die. The word cancer had hung in the air,, her brother was dying of cancer. This truth was frightening Smita., Question 12 . Do you consider Anant a talented boy? Justify with support from the text., Answer: According to the text, Anant was a talented boy. At the beginning of his music, career, he was able to compose his own times. His gum was also astonished means he was, really talented. In addition to that, he was the best player in Table-Tennis and the fastest, runner in his school., Question 13 . ‘Her eyes filled with tears’. Were they tears of happiness or sorrow ? Give, reasons. Answer: They are definitely tears of sorrow. When her brother says that the, opportunity of hearing Pandit Ravi Shankar is the chance of a lifetime it’s ironic because the, boy is not left with much of his lifetime. The sister who knows that the days of her brother, are numbered ,cannot overcome her sorrow and her eyes are filled with tears.

Page 3 : Question 14 . ‘Suddenly a daring thought came to her’. Can you guess what thought Smita, had? Answer: The daring thought must be to fulfil the desire of her brother of listening to, Pandit Ravi Shankar. The sister must have decided to give her brother what the brother, thought was the chance of a lifetime. How exactly she planned to do it is not known to the, readers at this point in time., Question 15. The word ‘gasp’, according to the dictionary, suggests – surprise or pain., Which meaning is relevant in this context?, Answer: The meaning of the ‘gasp’ in this context is a pain., Question 16. As Smita sat listening to the music, she was spellbound. But all the while,, her mind was echoing something else. What was that?, Answer: As Smita sat listening to the music, she was spellbound. But all the while, her mind, was echoing the plan she had decided on the evening remained firmly in her mind., Question 17. Why does the writer use the word ‘wriggled’ to describe Smita’s movement?, Answer: There was a great crowd and she was more anxious. Her heartbeat was loud and, she felt her knees were weak. So she cannot walk straight but she moved in a wriggled way., Question 18 . Smita’s nervousness is suggested by the phrase ‘her heart beating loudly’ in, paragraph 12. Identify two more phrases that describe a similar state in the next, paragraph., Answer: The two more phrases that describe Smita’s nervousness are (i) her knees felt weak, (ii) her tongue dried., Question 19. Did Smita tell what she had in her mind to the musicians? Who responded to, her request immediately. What was the response?, Answer: Yes, Smita told completely what she had in her mind to the musicians were, Immediately Ustad Allah Rakha responded to her request. The response was the next, morning they would perform for the boy, Question 20. Do you think the response of the artists was unusual? If not, why?, Answer: Yes, the response of the artists was unusual. Generally, great artists are always busy, and they had no time to listen or attend these types of requests. But his was a special case, and these artists were very generous, they showed their humanity. Really it was, appreciable., Question 21. The neighbours could not believe their eyes. Why do you think they felt like, this? Answer: The neighbours could not believe their eyes, because Pandit Ravi Shankar was, very famous artist and very busy. It was very difficult to take his call-sheet. How cbffid they, believe such a great person could come to this poor dwelling and gave a concert.

Page 4 : Question 22. Read the last paragraph, which very effectively but briefly describes the end., Exchange your feedings with your partner., Answer: The last paragraph evokes in the readers a mixed response. On the one hand it’s, heartening to know that the wish of the ailing boy is fulfilled. On the other, it’s, heartbreaking to know that the boy died while listening to his favourite Sitar music., However, Smita, her parents, the musicians and all the dear ones of the boy would have, moments of satisfaction of fulfilling what can be termed the last desire of the boy., Question 23. Can you say that the concert was entertaining to Smita? Justify your answer., Answer: Yes, it was more than entertaining for Smita because when she listened to the, music, it was as if the gates of enchantment and wonder were opening. She had listened to, music in a spellbound state. However, we cannot forget the fact that one part of her kept, remembering the wish of her brother and the anxiety of not knowing whether the maestro, would agree to come and play for the boy must have been agonising for Smita., Question 24. Smita was nervous as she stood before the wizard. Which sentence suggests, this? Answer: Smita was nervous as she stood before the wizard. This suggests in the, following sen¬tences. i) her heart beating loudly. ii) her knees felt weak. iii) her tongue dry, Question 25. Did Pandit Ravi Shankar and Ustad Allah Rakha perform in the boy’s house?, Do you think this was an unusual incident? If yes, give reasons., Answer: Yes, it was certainly an unusual incident. We do not expect such distinguished, artistes to give private performances. In fact, getting their dates even for public, performances is an uphill task. Moreover, Smita’s family is not an influential or wealthy, family. Aunt Sushila’s apartment was a small one. All these reasons make the incident, extraordinary., Question 26 . Do you like the story? Why? I like/don’t like, because…..(One reason . is, given. You may give as many other reasons as you like), Answer: I like this story because a) This is a story about music. b) This is a real story. c) This, story has a good feel. d) This is a story about a great person. e) This story emphasizes the, humanity and kindness. f) This story shows compassion.