NCERT Solutions for Class 10 English Chapter 1

A Letter to God

The story, “A Letter to God” by G.L. Fuentes, dives into the life of Lencho, a simple and hardworking farmer. Lencho’s livelihood depends entirely on his cornfield, which he tends to with dedication and hope. He eagerly awaits a good harvest, anticipating profits that would sustain his family.

However, his dreams are shattered when a devastating hailstorm sweeps through the region, destroying his entire crop. Faced with despair and the threat of starvation, Lencho, unlike others who might succumb to despair, maintains his unwavering faith in God. He firmly believes that God watches over the righteous and helps those in need.

Fuelled by this faith, Lencho takes an unusual step. He sits down and writes a heartfelt letter addressed directly to “God.” In his simple, straightforward way, he describes the hailstorm and the destruction it caused, highlighting the threat it poses to his family’s survival. He respectfully requests God’s help, asking for one hundred pesos to buy seeds and plant again.

The letter, filled with a childlike trust in God’s benevolence, reaches the local post office. The postmaster, touched by Lencho’s faith and the desperate situation he describes, is deeply moved. He recognizes the pureness of Lencho’s belief and the genuineness of his plea.

However, the postmaster also understands the harsh reality. They don’t have the authority to distribute funds, and there’s no established system for such a request. Despite these limitations, the postmaster and his employees are unwilling to let Lencho down. They don’t want his faith to be shattered by a seemingly unanswered prayer.

In a beautiful act of collective kindness, the post office workers decide to take matters into their own hands. They pool money from their own pockets, each contributing a small amount. Together, they manage to gather close to the requested sum, albeit slightly less due to deductions for postage.

They send the money to Lencho anonymously, ensuring he receives the much-needed help without knowing the source. Lencho, upon receiving the money, is initially surprised. He believes it’s a direct response from God, but is slightly confused by the missing amount. He assumes God deducted the cost of sending the money, highlighting his innocent and literal understanding.

NCERT Solutions for Class 10 Chapter 1 : A Letter to God

Oral Comprehension Check

1. What did Lencho hope for?

Ans : Lencho hoped for a good rain that would nourish his cornfield and ensure a bountiful harvest. The story doesn’t explicitly mention rain, but the context of a hailstorm destroying his crops and his subsequent request for money to buy seeds for planting make it clear that rain was his ultimate goal. Rain would have naturally provided the water needed for his crops to grow, but the hailstorm ruined that possibility.

2. Why did Lencho say the raindrops were like ‘new coins’?

Ans : Lencho saw raindrops as “new coins” because they promised future wealth. Rain meant healthy crops, which could be sold for money – just like coins you can spend.

3. How did the rain change? What happened to Lencho’s fields?

Ans : The rain turned into hailstones as a strong wind began to blow, causing huge hailstones to fall along with the rain. As a result, all the crops in Lencho’s field were destroyed by the harsh weather conditions.

4. What were Lencho’s feelings when the hail stopped?

Ans : The hailstorm left Lencho in despair, worried about his family’s future. Despite the hardship, a flicker of faith might have remained.

5. Who or what did Lencho have faith in? What did he do?

Ans : Lencho, full of faith in God, wrote a letter explaining the hailstorm’s destruction and requesting money to buy new seeds.

6. Who read the letter?

Ans : The letter Lencho wrote to God was actually read by the postmaster in the story “A Letter to God.”

7. What did the postmaster do after reading a letter?

Ans : The postmaster, touched by Lencho’s faith and need, couldn’t use his official position. Instead, he shared the letter with his colleagues, and together they secretly sent Lencho some money anonymously.

8. Was Lencho surprised to find a letter for him with money in it?

Ans : No, Lencho was not surprised to find a letter with money from God.

9. What made Lencho angry?

Ans : Lencho wasn’t angry, but surprised. He requested 100 pesos from God, but received less. He innocently assumed God deducted the missing amount for postage costs.

NCERT Solutions for Class 10 Chapter 1 : A Letter to God

Thinking about the Text

1. Who does Lencho have complete faith in? Which sentences in the story tell you this?

Ans : Lencho has complete faith in God. Here are some sentences from the story “A Letter to God” that highlight his unwavering belief:

Direct Address: The most obvious sign is his act of writing a letter directly addressed to “God.” This action demonstrates his belief in God’s ability to receive and understand his message.
Simple and Respectful Plea: Lencho describes his situation in a simple and respectful manner. He doesn’t question God’s power or judgment, but simply requests help.
Expectation of Response: By writing the letter, Lencho sets himself up for a response. He expects God to understand his needs and provide the requested help.
Acceptance of Answer: When he receives the money (minus postage), he doesn’t question God’s decision. Instead, he attributes the missing amount to a practical need (postage), showcasing his literal understanding but unwavering faith.

2. Why does the postmaster send money to Lencho? Why does he sign the letter God?

Ans : The postmaster sends money to Lencho to preserve Lencho’s faith in God, as he was deeply moved by it. Upon reading Lencho’s letter to God, the postmaster becomes serious and doesn’t want to undermine Lencho’s faith. He decides to respond to the letter, gathering money with the help of his post office employees and friends on behalf of God. He signs the letter “God” to ensure Lencho’s faith remains unshaken.

3. Did Lencho try to find out who had sent the money to him? Why or why not?

Ans : No, Lencho did not try to find out who sent him the money. Here’s why:

Unwavering Faith: The story emphasizes Lencho’s simple and unwavering faith in God. He wrote the letter believing God would understand and respond.
Acceptance of Answer: When he receives the money (minus postage), he doesn’t question it. He attributes it to God’s answer to his prayer, even with the slight discrepancy.
Literal Understanding: Lencho’s explanation for the missing money (postage) highlights his literal way of thinking. He believes God wouldn’t need money for himself, but for practical purposes.

4. Who does Lencho think has taken the rest of the money? What is the irony in the situation? (Remember that the irony of a situation is an unexpected aspect of it. An ironic situation is strange or amusing because it is the opposite of what is expected).

Ans : Lencho, in his innocence, doesn’t believe anyone “took” the rest of the money. He thinks God deducted a small amount from the requested one hundred pesos.

The irony in the situation lies in the following:

Expectation vs. Reality: Lencho expects God, a divine being, wouldn’t need money for himself. So, he attributes the missing amount to a practical reason – the cost of sending the money (postage).
True Source vs. Perceived Source: The money actually came from the postmaster and his colleagues, kind humans, not God. However, Lencho believes it came directly from God, making his explanation ironic.

5. Are there people like Lencho in the real world? What kind of a person would you say he is? You may select appropriate words from the box to answer the question.

Greedy
Naive
Stupid
Ungrateful
Selfish
Comical
Unquestioning

Ans : Lencho is a simple, faithful man who faces a difficult situation. He uses his faith to seek help and maintains that faith even with a slight discrepancy. While some might see his unquestioning belief as naive, the story celebrates his unwavering trust in a higher power.

6. There are two kinds of conflict in the story between humans and nature and between humans themselves. How are these conflicts illustrated?

Ans :

Conflict Between Humans and Nature:

The Hailstorm: This devastating event is the primary illustration of the conflict. The hailstorm destroys Lencho’s crops, threatening his livelihood and pushing him towards despair. It represents the unpredictable and potentially destructive power of nature.

Conflict Between Humans Themselves (Indirect):

Poverty and Lack of Resources: While not a direct conflict, Lencho’s situation highlights the struggle some humans face due to limited resources. The hailstorm worsens this struggle, forcing him to take the unusual step of writing to God for help.
Potential Exploitation (Unseen): If Lencho hadn’t received anonymous help, he might have faced exploitation from loan sharks or others who might take advantage of his desperation.

NCERT Solutions for Class 10 Chapter 1 : A Letter to God

Thinking about Language

1. There are different names in different parts of the world for storms, depending on their nature. Can you match the names in the box with their descriptions below, and fill in the blanks?

gale,
whirlwind,
cyclone,
hurricane,
tornado,
typhoon.

1. A violent tropical storm in which strong winds move in a circle c__.

Ans : Cyclone

2. An extremely strong wind __ a __.

Ans : Gale

3. A violent tropical storm with very strong wind __ p __.

Ans : typhoon

4. A violent storm whose centre is a cloud in the shape of a funnel __n__.

Ans : Tornado

5. A violent storm with very strong winds, especially in the Western Atlantic Ocean __ r__.

Ans : Hurricane

6. A very strong wind that moves very fast in a spinning movement and causes a lot of damage __l__.

Ans : Whirlwind

7. Match the sentences in column A with the meaning of ‘hope’ in column B.

1.	Will you get the subjects you want to study in college? I hope so.	(a)	a feeling that something good will probably happen.
2.	1 hope you don’t mind my saying this but 1 don’t like the way you are arguing.	(b)	thinking that this would happen (it may or may not have happened.)
3.	This discovery will give new hope to HIV/AIDS sufferers.	(c)	stopped believing that this good thing would happen.
4.	We were hoping against hope that the judges would not notice our mistakes.	(d)	wanting something to happen (and thinking it quite possible)
5.	1 called early in the hope of speaking to her before she went to school.	(e)	showing concern that what you say should not offend or disturb the other person a way of being polite.
6.	Just when everybody had given up hope, the fishermen came back, seven days after the cyclone.	(f)	wishing for something to happen, although this is very unlikely.

Ans :

Sentence (Column A)	Meaning of ‘Hope’ (Column B)
Will you get the subjects you want to study in college? I hope so.	Wanting something to happen (and thinking it quite possible) (d)
I hope you don’t mind my saying this but I don’t like the way you are arguing.	Showing concern that what you say should not offend or disturb the other person (a way of being polite) (e)
This discovery will give new hope to HIV/AIDS sufferers.	A feeling that something good will probably happen. (a)
We were hoping against hope that the judges would not notice our mistakes.	Wishing for something to happen, although this is very unlikely. (f)
I called early in the hope of speaking to her before she went to school.	Wanting something to happen (and thinking it quite possible) (d)
Just when everybody had given up hope, the fishermen came back, seven days after the cyclone.	Stopped believing that this good thing would happen. (c)

3. Join the sentences given below using who, whom, whose, which, as suggested.

1.I often go to Mumbai. Mumbai is the commercial capital of India, (which)

Ans : I often go to Mumbai, which is the commercial capital of India.

2. My mother is going to host a TV show on cooking. She cooks very well, (who)

Ans : “My mother, who cooks very well, is going to host a TV show on cooking.”

3. These sportsperson are going to meet the President. Their performance has been excellent, (whose)

Ans : These sportspersons, whose performance has been excellent, are going to meet the President.

4. Lencho prayed to God. His eyes see into our minds, (whose)

Ans : Lencho prayed to God, whose eyes see into our minds.

5. This man cheated me. I trusted him. (whom)

Ans : This man, whom I trusted, cheated me.

4. Find sentences in the story with negative words, which express the following ideas emphatically.

(a) The trees lost all their leaves.

(b) The letter was addressed to God himself.

(c) The postman saw this address for the first time in his career.

Ans :

(a) The trees lost all their leaves.

(b) The letter was addressed to God himself.

5. In pairs, find metaphors from the story to complete the table below. Try to say what qualities are being compared. One has been done for you.

Object	Metaphor	Quality or Feature Compared
Cloud	Huge mountains of clouds	The mass or ‘hugeness’ of mountains
Raindrops
Hailstones
Locusts	An ox of a man	An epidemic (a disease) (hat spreads very rapidly and leaves many people dead

Ans :

Object	Metaphor	Quality or Feature Compared
Cloud	Huge mountains of clouds	The mass or ‘hugeness’ of mountains
Raindrops	Coins	Money that a good crop will bring
Hailstones	Frozen pearls	brightness of pearls
Locusts	a plague of locusts	An epidemic (a disease) that spreads very rapidly and leaves many people dead
Lencho	An ox of a man	strong

NCERT Solutions for Class 10 Chapter 1 : dust of snow class 10

Dust of Snow

Here’s a summary of the poem “Dust of Snow” by Robert Frost, focusing on key elements for the 10th standard English subject:

Speaker and Setting:

The speaker is most likely the poet himself, Robert Frost.
The setting is a winter scene, possibly after a snowfall.

Main Event:

The speaker is feeling sad and gloomy, possibly under a dark or barren tree (a hemlock tree is mentioned).

Shifting Mood:

A crow shakes some snow dust off its feathers, which lands on the speaker.
This seemingly insignificant event causes a positive change in the speaker’s mood.

Symbolism:

Dust of Snow: Represents a small, unexpected blessing that can uplift one’s spirits.
Crow: While crows can be seen as symbols of bad luck in some cultures, here it acts as an unwitting agent of change for the speaker.

Theme:

The poem emphasizes the importance of finding joy in simple things and the power of a positive perspective. Even a tiny event can have a significant impact on our mood and outlook.

NCERT Solutions for Class 10 Chapter 1 : dust of snow class 10

Thinking about the Poem

1. What is a “dust of snow”? What does the poet say has changed his mood? How has the poet’s mood changed?

Ans :

Literal Meaning: It refers to a small amount of snow that has fallen and is now light and powdery.
Figurative Meaning: It symbolizes a tiny, unexpected blessing that can uplift one’s spirits.

2. How does Frost present nature in this poem? The following questions may help you to think of an answer.

1. What are the birds that are usually named in poems? Do you think crow is often mentioned in poems? What images come to your mind when you think of a crow?

Ans : Poems often feature birds that sing beautifully (nightingales) or symbolize peace (doves). Crows are less common due to their dark feathers and association with bad luck, but some poems use them for intelligence or mystery.

2. Again, what is ‘a hemlock tree’? Why doesn’t the poet write about more ‘beautiful’ tree such as a maple, or an oak, or a pine?

Ans : A hemlock tree is an evergreen with dark needles, creating a gloomy mood. The poet chose it, not a beautiful tree like maple or oak, to symbolize the speaker’s initial sadness and contrast with the later positivity.

3. What do the ‘crow’ and ‘hemlock’ represent-joy or sorrow? What does the dust of snow that the crow shakes off a hemlock tree stand for?

Ans : The crow and hemlock tree symbolize the sorrow and depression the poet feels in this materialistic world. In contrast, the dust of snow represents natural joy and energy. When the crow shakes the dust of snow off the hemlock tree, it signifies the poet moving from sad and depressing moments to a time filled with joy and optimism.

3. Have there been tilnes when you felt depressed or hopeless? Have you experienced a similar moment that changed your mood that day?

Ans : There have been countless times when I have felt depressed and hopeless. Sometimes, these feelings were triggered by other people’s behavior and attitudes, and sometimes by my own actions. On one occasion, when I was very upset, I went out for a walk. While walking in the park, I saw a girl playing with a puppy, embracing and feeding him. The simple joy they shared lifted my spirits, and I felt happy for the rest of the day. I even joined them and played along.

NCERT Solutions for Class 10 Chapter 1 : fire and ice class 10

Fire and Ice

Here’s a summary of the poem “Fire and Ice” by Robert Frost for your 10th standard English class:

Theme:

The poem explores the idea of the world’s potential destruction through two opposing forces: fire and ice. These forces are also symbolic of different destructive human emotions.

Structure:

The poem is a quatrain, meaning it has four lines. It uses simple language but packs a powerful punch.

Line Breakdown:

Line 1: “Some say the world will end in fire,” introduces the first theory of the world’s end – a fiery apocalypse.
Line 2: “Some say in ice,” introduces the second theory – a world frozen over by extreme cold.
Line 3: “I think it will end in fire,” expresses the speaker’s personal belief that fire (representing destructive passions) is the more likely cause.
Line 4: “I think it will end in ice,” emphasizes the speaker’s belief through repetition, but also acknowledges the possibility of ice (representing cold indifference).

Symbolism:

Fire: Represents intense emotions like passion, greed, or rage that can lead to destruction.
Ice: Represents coldness, apathy, and a lack of connection that can also lead to a world’s demise

NCERT Solutions for Class 10 Chapter 1 : fire and ice class 10

Thinking about the Poem

1. There are many ideas about how the world will ‘end’. Do you think the world will end some day? Have you ever thought what would happen if the Sun gets so hot that it ‘bursts’ or grows colder and colder?

Ans : There are certainly many theories about how the world will end. I do believe that the world will end someday, as everything that has a beginning must also have an end. This applies to the world as well. If the Sun became so hot that it exploded, the entire Earth would perish instantly, as no part of the Earth could withstand such intense heat. Conversely, if the Sun grew colder and colder, everything would also come to an end because, without sunlight, life would cease to exist.

2. For Frost, what do ‘fire’ and ‘ice’ stand for? Here are some ideas

greed , avarice , cruelty , lust , conflict , fury , intolerance , rigidity , insensitivity , coldness , indifference , hatred

Ans : ‘Fire’ represents greed, avarice, lust, conflict, and fury. ‘Ice’ symbolizes cruelty, intolerance, rigidity, insensitivity, coldness, indifference, and hatred.

3. What is the rhyme scheme of the poem? How does it help in bringing out the contrasting ideas in the poem?

Ans : The poem “Fire and Ice” by Robert Frost uses a very simple rhyme scheme: ABA ABCB.

This seemingly simple scheme plays a crucial role in highlighting the contrasting ideas of fire and ice:

Lines 1 and 3 (ABA): Rhyme with each other, suggesting a connection between the speaker’s opinion (“Some say the world will end in fire” and “I think it will end in fire”) on the destructive nature of the world’s end.

Lines 2 and 4 (ABC B): Rhyme with each other, creating a separate connection for the opposing theory (“Some say in ice” and “I think it will end in ice”).

NCERT Solutions for Class 10 Chapter 1

Unit – I