Here, you will find summaries, questions, answers, textbook solutions, pdf, extras etc., of (West Bengal Board) WBBSE Class 10 (Madhyamik) English (Bliss, Second Language) Lesson 7: The Cat Andrew by Barton Paterson. These solutions, however, should be only treated as references and can be modified/changed.
Summary
The story depicts the typical day in the life of a house cat. It aims to shed light on the rich inner world of cats that remains hidden from their human owners.
The author begins by stating that most people see cats as simple creatures who care little beyond eating, sleeping and hunting mice. But in reality, cats have complex personalities and lead exciting secret lives.
During the day, the cat lounges around the house acting docile and letting humans fuss over him. But at dinnertime, his true colors emerge. He politely sidles up to guests, knowing they will feed him the choicest morsels. If stroked instead of fed, he spitefully scratches them. The delighted owners misinterpret this as intelligence.
After dinner, the cat casually strolls outside. Now his movements transform into a stealthy panther. He nimbly climbs walls and fences to arrive at his desired destination – the roof of a shed. Here he stretches and prepares himself for the hunt, sharpening his claws. With a low call, he summons his fellow cats, who emerge from the shadows as fierce fighters ready for the night’s adventures.
The author explains that cats see suburban backyards as their hunting grounds for gallant adventures, far more thrilling than those of legendary knights. While humans see backyards as dull, cats have a whole exciting world invisible to their owners’ eyes.
The common complaint against cats is that they are more loyal to their territory than their owners. But the author argues that cats naturally prefer their familiar homeland where they know the terrain and their loved ones reside. When families move, cats may choose to stay behind in their familiar terrain rather than adjust to new surroundings. They will bestow the honour of serving them upon the new occupants.
The author reveals cats have rich inner lives and enjoy far more freedom, adventure and joy than their pampered appearances suggest. Their aloofness is merely an act to fool their oblivious human hosts.
Video tutorial
Unit 1
Comprehension/textual exercises
1. Choose the correct alternative to complete the following sentences:
(a) Most people think that the cat is
(i) wise (ii) unintelligent (iii) clever (iv) intelligent
Answer: (ii) unintelligent
(b) The cat cares little for anything but mice and
(i) soup (ii) juice (iii) water (iv) milk
Answer: (iv) milk
(c) One can see the cat as he really is in the
(i) morning (ii) night (iii) afternoon (iv) evening
Answer: (iv) milk
2. Complete the following sentences with information from the text:
(a) The cat really has more character than ________
Answer: than most human beings
(b) The cat sometimes watches ________
Answer: a mouse-hole for an hour or two
(c) All day long the cat allows himself to be ________
Answer: pestered by the attentions of the people in the house
3. State whether the following statements are True or False. Provide sentences/phrases/words in support of your answer:
(a) The cat is not fond of ease.
Supporting statement: ___________
Answer: False. “All day long the cat loafs about the house, takes things easy…”
(b) The cat has no athletic skills.
Supporting statement: ___________
Answer: False. “He or she is an athlete, an acrobat…”
(c) The cat takes things very easily.
Supporting statement: ___________
Answer: True. “All day long the cat loafs about the house, takes things easy…”
Unit 2
Comprehension/textual exercises
4. Choose the correct alternative to complete the following sentences:
(a) The cat rubs himselfs against the legs of the family members and noisily
(i) purrs (ii) howls (iii) barks (iv) mews
Answer: (i) purrs
(b) With tears of rage and pain in his eyes, the guest affects to be very much
(i) amused (ii) annoyed (iii) unhappy (iv) upset
Answer: (i) amused
(c) The guest hands down the cat a bit of
(i) meat (ii) fruit (iii) fish (iv) vegetable
Answer: (iii) fish
5. Fill in the chart with information from the text:
| a) the guest calls the cat | |
| b) part of the guest’s body that the cat rakes | |
| c) the thing from which the cat stays at a safe distance |
Answer:
| a) the guest calls the cat | Poor pussy! Poor pussy! |
| b) part of the guest’s body that the cat rakes | leg |
| c) the thing from which the cat stays at a safe distance | the guest’s boot |
6. Answer the following questions:
(a) When does the cat make an appearance to get his share of food?
Answer: When the family sits down to tea, the cat puts in an appearance to get his share.
(b) Who is the cat particularly civil to?
Answer: The guests.
(c) How does the cat receive the bit of fish handed down by the guest?
Answer: Gingerly, with a look in his eyes that conveys a warning.
Unit 3
Comprehension/textual exercises
7. Choose the correct alternative to complete the following sentences:
(a) The cat saunters down his own
(i) courtyard (ii) front yard (iii) backyard (iv) shipyard
Answer: (iii) backyard
(b) The cat skips to the roof of an empty
(i) room (ii) shade (iii) floor (iv) corridor
Answer: (ii) shade
(c) Exiled in a new land, the cat would have to learn new
(i) history (ii) manners (iii) culture (iv) geography
Answer: (iv) geography
8. Complete the following sentences with information from the text:
(a) When the family gathers round the fire, the cat
Answer: casually goes out of the room.
(b) The cat droops his head nearly to his paws and
Answer: sends across a call to his kindred.
(c) Cats go for sport to the suburban backyards as
Answer: they get older.
9. Fill in the chart with information from the text:
| Cause | Effect |
| (a) The cat has many enemies. | |
| (b) | The cat stretches himself a few times |
| (c) The cat knows his friends and every landmark. |
Answer:
| Cause | Effect |
| (a) The cat has many enemies. | The cat moves noiselessly |
| (b) He wants to see if every muscle is in full working order. | The cat stretches himself a few times |
| (c) The cat knows his friends and every landmark. | The cat doesn’t like to leave his country and the land. |
Grammar in use
10. Split the following sentences:
(a) They postponed their visit as the programme was called off.
Answer: The programme was called off. They postponed their visit.
(b) Having fought the battle, he returned victorious.
Answer: He had fought the battle. He returned victorious.
(c) He poured some water into the glass and drank it.
Answer: He poured some water into the glass. He drank the water.
(d) He was afraid lest he be proved guilty.
Answer: He might be proven guilty. He was afraid of that.
11. Join the following pairs of sentences into a single sentence:
(a) He is wise. He is brave.
Answer: He who is wise is brave.
(b) My grandfather lives in a big house. The house is by the river.
Answer: My grandfather lives in a big house which is by the river.
(c) got a new book. I felt happy.
Answer: I felt happy when I got a new book.
(d) Muskan is sick. She could not attend the function.
Answer: Muskan, who is sick, could not attend the function.
Writing activities
12. Suppose you are the Secretary of a club which has decided to open a library. Write a notice (within 100 words) to the members of your club inviting them to actively join this programme by donating books to the library.
Answer:
Youth Club
July 1, 2023
NOTICE
Our club has decided to open a library for the benefit of all members. We appeal to you to contribute towards this endeavour by donating books that you have already read and do not need anymore. Fiction, non-fiction, biographies, self-help books – all genres will be welcome. You may hand over the books to the library committee or deposit them in the box kept outside the club office by the 20th of this month. Let’s all work together to create a wonderful library for our club.
Thank you,
Monarma,
Club Secretary
Extras
Extra MCQs
1. What does the author say most people think about cats?
(a) That they are intelligent animals (b) That they are fond of ease (c) That they care about little other than mice and milk (d) That they get satisfaction out of life
Answer: (c) That they care about little other than mice and milk
2. What does a cat do all day long?
(a) Watches mouse-holes (b) Loafs about the house (c) Allows himself to be pestered (d) All of the above
Answer: (d) All of the above
3. When does the cat put in an appearance during meal times?
(a) Breakfast (b) Lunch (c) Tea (d) Dinner
Answer: (c) Tea
4. Who is the cat particularly civil to during meal times?
(a) The children (b) The parents (c) The guests (d) The household help
Answer: (c) The guests
5. How does the cat react if the guest strokes him instead of giving him food?
(a) Purrs loudly (b) Rubs against their leg (c) Quietly rakes them with his claw (d) Hisses at them
Answer: (c) Quietly rakes them with his claw
6. How does the guest react after being scratched by the cat?
(a) Kicks the cat (b) Screams in pain (c) Pretends to be amused (d) Throws the cat out the window
Answer: (c) Pretends to be amused
7. What does the cat’s expression suggest when receiving the food from the guest?
(a) Gratitude (b) Anger (c) A warning for next time (d) Indifference
Answer: (c) A warning for next time
8. What does the cat do after finishing his meal?
(a) Returns to beg for more (b) Falls asleep by the fire (c) Casually leaves the room (d) Jumps on the guest’s lap
Answer: (c) Casually leaves the room
9. Where does the cat go after leaving the dining room?
(a) To the backyard (b) To the roof of a shed (c) Out into the street (d) To his bed
Answer: (b) To the roof of a shed
10. How does the author describe the cat’s movements outside?
(a) Clumsy (b) Noiseless (c) Slow (d) Hesitant
Answer: (b) Noiseless
11. What does the cat do before calling out to other cats?
(a) Sharpens his claws (b) Arches his back (c) Droops his head (d) Paces around
Answer: (c) Droops his head
12. What happens when the cat calls out to other cats?
(a) They come fighting (b) They ignore him (c) They come gracefully (d) They run away
Answer: (c) They come gracefully
13. How does the author describe the cats after they gather?
(a) Playful (b) Grim fighters (c) Friendly (d) Quiet
Answer: (b) Grim fighters
14. What does the author say cats use suburban backyards for?
(a) Hunting grounds (b) Hiding spots (c) Playing fields (d) Litter boxes
Answer: (a) Hunting grounds
15. What reproach is made against cats?
(a) They are not clean (b) They are not loyal (c) They are not social (d) They prefer their home over people
Answer: (d) They prefer their home over people
16. When a family moves, what may a cat do?
(a) Follow them to the new home (b) Run away (c) Stay at the old home (d) Adjust quickly to the new home
Answer: (c) Stay at the old home
17. If a cat stays behind after a family moves, what might it do?
(a) Starve (b) Attach to new tenants (c) Try to find its old family (d) Become a stray
Answer: (b) Attach to new tenants
18. Cats stay in their homeland because
(a) They are shy of new people (b) They don’t like to travel (c) They know the geography there (d) Their friends live nearby
Answer: (c) They know the geography there
19. Cats see backyards as
(a) Boring (b) Dangerous (c) Exciting playgrounds (d) Convenient litter areas
Answer: (c) Exciting playgrounds
20. Which best describes the cat’s personality?
(a) Devious (b) Regal (c) Friendly (d) Stupid
Answer: (b) Regal
21. What does the author imply about the cat scratching the guest?
(a) It was an accident (b) It was playful (c) It was spiteful (d) It was self-defense
Answer: (d) It was self-defense
22. How do cats treat the humans they live with?
(a) As equals (b) As enemies (c) As servants (d) As family
Answer: (c) As servants
Extra true, false, statement
1. The cat has no athletic skills.
Supporting statement: ____________________________
Answer: False. “He or she is an athlete, an acrobat and a grim fighter.”
2. The cat takes things very easily.
Supporting statement: ____________________________
Answer: True. “All day long the cat loafs about the house, takes things easy…”
3. The cat makes an appearance during breakfast to get his share.
Supporting statement: ____________________________
Answer: False. “When the family sits down to tea, the cat puts in an appearance to get his share.”
4. The cat is indifferent to guests at the table.
Supporting statement: ____________________________
Answer: False. “He is particularly civil to [the guest].”
5. If stroked rather than fed, the cat reacts calmly.
Supporting statement: ____________________________
Answer: False. “He puts up his claw and quietly but firmly rakes the guest in the leg.”
6. The delighted family scolds the cat for scratching.
Supporting statement: ____________________________
Answer: False. “The delighted family remarks, ‘Isn’t it sweet of him?'”
7. After the meal, the cat begs for more food.
Supporting statement: ____________________________
Answer: False. “When the family has finished tea…the cat casually goes out of the room.”
8. The cat retires to his bed after dinner.
Supporting statement: ____________________________
Answer: False. He goes “down his own backyard.”
9. The cat moves noisily once outside.
Supporting statement: ____________________________
Answer: False. “He moves noiselessly.”
10. The cat paces around before calling to other cats.
Supporting statement: ____________________________
Answer: False. “He droops his head nearly to his paws.”
11. Other cats ignore the cat’s call.
Supporting statement: ____________________________
Answer: False. “Before long they come, gliding, graceful shadows.”
12. The gathered cats are friendly.
Supporting statement: ____________________________
Answer: False. “They are now grim fighters.”
13. Cats see backyards as playing fields.
Supporting statement: ____________________________
Answer: False. “They are…hunting grounds.”
14. Cats highly value human companionship.
Supporting statement: ____________________________
Answer: False. “They are more fond of their home than of the people in it.”
15. When families move, cats readily relocate.
Supporting statement: ____________________________
Answer: False. “The cat…will stay at the old house.”
16. A cat left behind will try to find its old family.
Supporting statement: ____________________________
Answer: False. It will “attach itself to the new tenants.”
17. Cats dislike traveling to new places.
Supporting statement: ____________________________
Answer: True. “Naturally, the cat doesn’t like to leave his country.”
18. A cat left behind becomes a stray.
Supporting statement: ____________________________
Answer: False. It stays and lives with the new tenants.
19. The gathered cats are wild.
Supporting statement: ____________________________
Answer: False. They are described as “meek” before gathering.
20. Backyards are boring to cats.
Supporting statement: ____________________________
Answer: False. They see them as “hunting grounds.”
21. Cats are accused of being aloof.
Supporting statement: ____________________________
Answer: True. “They are more fond of their home than of the people in it.”
22. Cats quickly adjust to new homes.
Supporting statement: ____________________________
Answer: False. They prefer to stay in their familiar territory.
23. Exiled cats become confused.
Supporting statement: ____________________________
Answer: False. They have to learn the new “geography.”
24. Cats see tenants as equals.
Supporting statement: ____________________________
Answer: False. The cat “gives them the privilege of boarding him.”
25. The cat moves clumsily outside.
Supporting statement: ____________________________
Answer: False. His movements are “lithe and pantherlike.”
26. The cat has no enemies.
Supporting statement: ____________________________
Answer: False. He has “so many enemies – dogs and small boys.”
27. Landmarks are unfamiliar to the cat at home.
Supporting statement: ____________________________
Answer: False. He “knows every landmark.”
28. The cat moves noisily when hunting.
Supporting statement: ____________________________
Answer: False. He moves “noiselessly.”
29. The cat’s friends live far away.
Supporting statement: ____________________________
Answer: False. His “friends live nearby.”
30. The cat saunters quickly outside.
Supporting statement: ____________________________
Answer: False. He “saunters” in a “slow, relaxed manner.”
Extra questions and answers
1. What does the cat do all day long?
Answer: All day long the cat loafs about the house, takes things easy and allows himself to be pestered by the people in the house.
2. Who is the cat particularly civil to during mealtimes?
Answer: The cat is particularly civil to guests at the table.
3. How does the cat react if a guest strokes him instead of giving him food?
Answer: If stroked rather than fed, the cat quietly but firmly rakes the guest in the leg with his claw.
4. How does the delighted family respond when the cat scratches the guest?
Answer: The delighted family remarks, “Isn’t it sweet of him? Isn’t he intelligent?”
5. What does the cat do after finishing his meal?
Answer: After finishing his meal, the cat casually goes out of the room.
6. Where does the cat go after leaving the dining room?
Answer: After dinner, the cat goes down his own backyard.
7. How are the cat’s movements described when he is outside?
Answer: Outside, the cat’s movements become lithe and pantherlike.
8. What does the cat do before calling out to other cats?
Answer: Before calling out, the cat droops his head nearly to his paws.
9. How does the passage describe the cats after they gather?
Answer: After gathering, the cats are described as “grim fighters.”
10. What do cats use suburban backyards for?
Answer: Cats use suburban backyards as hunting grounds.
11. What complaint is made against cats?
Answer: Cats are accused of being more fond of their home than the people in it.
12. What may a cat do when a family moves?
Answer: When a family moves, the cat may stay at the old house.
13. If a cat stays behind after a family moves, what might it do?
Answer: A cat left behind may attach itself to the new tenants.
14. Why do cats prefer to stay in their homeland?
Answer: Cats stay in their homeland because they know the geography there.
15. How does the cat walk outside?
Answer: Outside, the cat saunters in a slow, relaxed manner.
16. What does the cat know every detail of around his home?
Answer: The cat knows every landmark around his homeland.
17. Where do the cat’s friends live?
Answer: The cat’s friends live nearby his home.
18. What do most people think cats care about?
Answer: Most people think cats care about little besides mice and milk.
19. Who can see the cat’s true nature in the evening?
Answer: In the evening, one can see the cat as he really is.
20. What does the cat give his claws a few rakes through?
Answer: The cat rakes his claws through the soft bark of the old roof.
21. What does the cat call out to once outside?
Answer: The cat calls out to his kindred once outside.
22. What must a cat learn if exiled to a new land?
Answer: If exiled, a cat would have to learn new geography.
23. Who does a cat left behind give the privilege of boarding him?
Answer: A cat left behind gives the new tenants the privilege of boarding him.
24. Why does the cat have so many enemies?
Answer: The cat has many enemies like dogs and boys because he moves noiselessly.
25. Where does the cat skip to after leaving the house?
Answer: The cat skips to the roof of an empty shed after leaving the house.
26. Why is the guest likely to give the cat the best food?
Answer: The guest is likely to give the cat the best food because the cat is particularly civil to him.
27. How does the cat gingerly receive the food from the guest?
Answer: The cat gingerly receives the food with a look that warns the guest for next time.
28. Why doesn’t the guest kick the cat?
Answer: The guest doesn’t kick the cat out of rage and pain in his eyes.
29. Where does the cat retire to before eating the food?
Answer: The cat retires to a safe distance before eating the food from the guest.
30. When does the cat put on his true persona?
Answer: As the shades of evening fall, one can see the cat’s true persona emerge.
Ron’e Dutta is a journalist, teacher, aspiring novelist, and blogger. He manages Online Free Notes and reads Victorian literature. His favourite book is Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte and he hopes to travel the world. Get in touch with him by sending him a friend request.
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