NCERT Solutions for Class 10 English Main Course Book (MCB) Chapter 6

Unit-2 : Solutions of Questions on Page Number : 45

Q1 : The boy was inspired to go to Hampton because of ……………….
Answer :
The boy was inspired to go to Hampton because of its reputation being more pretentious than the school of his town. The school provided opportunities for poor but worthy students who could work out all or a part of the cost of board. At the same time, they could also be taught some trade or industry.

NCERT Solutions for Class 10 English Main Course Book (MCB) Chapter 6

Q2 : After working in the coal mine where did the boy work next and what did he learn?
Answer :
After working at the coal mine, the boy found employment at the household of General Lewis Ruffner, the owner of the salt-furnace and coal-mine. He was hired at a salary of $5 per month. There, he learned values of honesty and frankness, to do things promptly, systematically and to keep the house clean and well maintained.

Q3 : What happened to the money he had earned at Mrs Ruffner’s house?
Answer :
The small amount of money that he had earned at Mrs Ruffner’s house had been consumed by his stepfather and the remaining family members, with the exception of a very few dollars. So he had very little money with which he could buy clothes and pay his traveling expenses.

Q4 : How far was Hampton from Malden? Was he able to hire a coach? What did he do and where did he reach?
Answer :
The distance from Malden to Hampton was about five hundred miles. He did not have enough money to pay the fare to hire a coach to Hampton. After a number of days, he reached the city of Richmond, Virginia, about eighty-two miles from Hampton by walking, begging rides both in wagons and in cars.

Q5 : What did he do in Richmond in order to earn for his journey to Hampton?
Answer :
He had completely run out of money in Richmond. He slept under the sidewalk at night and during daytime, he found work unloading the vessel of a large ship. This way he earned his breakfast. Later on, the captain of the ship payed him a small amount of money for his work. This way he reached Hampton with a surplus of exactly fifty cents with which he could begin his education.

Q6 : What did he do in Richmond in order to earn for his journey to Hampton?
Answer :
He had completely run out of money in Richmond. He slept under the sidewalk at night and during daytime, he found work unloading the vessel of a large ship. This way he earned his breakfast. Later on, the captain of the ship payed him a small amount of money for his work. This way he reached Hampton with a surplus of exactly fifty cents with which he could begin his education.

Q7 : What did he have to go through in order to get admission to the Hampton Institute?
Answer :
The head teacher asked him to clean the recitation-room. He thoroughly cleaned the room and the furniture in it several times, to make sure that the room was clean. He had the feeling that in a large measure his future depended upon the impression he made upon the teacher in the cleaning of that room. When the head teacher was unable to find one bit of dirt on the floor or a particle of dust on any of the furniture, she allowed him to get admission to the Hampton Institute.

Q8 : The names of some places are given below. Think of the main event that took place there and write them in the order given in the story.
(a) Hampton
(b) General Lewis Ruffner’s house
(c) coal mine
(d) city of Richmond in Virginia.
Answer :
(a) Hampton: The boy got admission in the Hampton Institute after thoroughly cleaning its recitation-room.
(b) General Lewis Ruffner’s house: He learned the values of honesty and frankness and became prompt and systematic in his work.
(c) Coal mine: He overheard two miners talking about a great school for coloured people somewhere in Virginia.
(d) City of Richmond in Virginia: He slept under the sidewalk at night and during the daytime, he found work unloading the vessel of a large ship. This way he could earn his breakfast and a small amount of money in order to reach Hampton.

Q9 : Which of the following qualities best describe the boy’s character? Give evidence from the story to support your answer.

Answer:

Q10 : Match the following phrases with their meanings:

Answer :

Q11 : Rahul is a victim of circumstances
Answer :
This question is to be answered on the basis of your own understanding, experience and thoughts. It is strongly recommended that you prepare the solution on your own. However, a few sample solutions have been provided for your reference.
Rahul is a victim of circumstances

• Rahul’s misery and unavoidable circumstances;
• Mental pressure and Humiliation.

Q12 : His classmates’ reaction is normal
Answer :
This question is to be answered on the basis of your own understanding, experience and thoughts. It is strongly recommended that you prepare the solution on your own. However, a few sample solutions have been provided for your reference.
His classmates’ reaction is normal

• Embarrassment in the eyes of classmates;
• Peer pressure.

Q13 : Rahul should take admission in another school
Answer :
This question is to be answered on the basis of your own understanding, experience and thoughts. It is strongly recommended that you prepare the solution on your own. However, a few sample solutions have been provided for your reference.
Rahul should take admission in another school

• Everyday humiliation might lead to suicides;
• Loneliness might lead to depression.

Q14 : Rahul’s teacher is at fault
Answer :
This question is to be answered on the basis of your own understanding, experience and thoughts. It is strongly recommended that you prepare the solution on your own. However, a few sample solutions have been provided for your reference.
Rahul’s teacher is at fault

• Proper guidance and advice helps children;
• Support and mentoring in the right direction helps children overcome peer pressure.

Q15 : Children require individual attention
Answer :
This question is to be answered on the basis of your own understanding, experience and thoughts. It is strongly recommended that you prepare the solution on your own. However, a few sample solutions have been provided for your reference.
Children require individual attention

• Children like to be in individual focus and to be taken care of;
• Personal mentoring helps children stay in the right path.

Q16 : We need more people like Mrs. Mini
Answer :
This question is to be answered on the basis of your own understanding, experience and thoughts. It is strongly recommended that you prepare the solution on your own. However, a few sample solutions have been provided for your reference.
We need more people like Mrs. Mini

• Every person needs a person in his/her life with whom one can share his/her problems like a friend and get advice and guidance like a philosopher and a guide.

Q17 : After the convocation, Mrs. Mini, Rahul’s mother and Rahul have a conversation. Write the conversation and present it to the class in groups of three.
Answer :
This question is to be answered on the basis of your own understanding, experience and thoughts. It is strongly recommended that you prepare the solution on your own. However, a sample conversation has been provided for your reference.
Mrs Mini: So Rahul, how does it feel to become an engineer?
Rahul: It feels wonderful. I never thought that I would be able to make it.
Rahul’s mother: If it wasn’t for your help Mrs.Mini then Rahul wouldn’t have become an engineer today.
Rahul: Yes Madam. That is true. I am very grateful for the day that I met you. It changed my life immensely.
Mrs. Mini: Thanks. Hard-working students like you deserve good advice, help and guidance. Now look how proud you have made me and your mother by becoming an engineer!
Rahul: Yes, it is because of your help and my mother’s support that I completed my studies.
I think every child deserves such motivation in order to pursue his/her education.