Bonku babu’s Friend Workbook Answers

Evergreen Publication

Bonku Babu’s Friend questions and answers

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Bonku Babu’s Friend icse workbook answers,

Treasure chest workbook answers

Treasure chest short stories question and answers

1. TEXT BASED MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS

Answer:

(i) (d) twenty two years

(ii) (d) all of the above

(iii) (d) a ‘spook’

(iv) (b) a Russian satellite called Khotka

(v) (c) Nidhu Babu

(vi) (d) some western country

(vii) (b) glass bottle turned upside down

(viii) (a) round and bright yellow

(ix) (d) Pluto

(x) (c) Craneus

(xi) (c) make an enemy powerless

2. COMPREHENSION PASSAGES

Read the extract given below and answer the questions.

Passage 1

It was not as if there was never any reason for him to lose his temper. ……………………. “Shame on you, boys!”

Answers:

(i) It was difficult for the students to imagine what Bonku Babu might say or do if one day he did get angry. This was because no one had ever seen him get cross. Though he taught in the same school for the last twenty-two years, it had become a tradition with the old as well as the new students to tease him. Yet he was never upset, only sometimes he lightly reprimanded them.

(ii) Despite teaching in the same school for the last twenty two years, the tradition of teasing Bonku Babu continued among the old as well as the new batch of students that replaced the old ones at Kankurgachhi Village Primary School. Some drew his cartoon on the blackboard; others put glue on his chair; or, on the night of Kali Puja, they lit a chasing rocket and set it off right behind him.

(iii) Despite teaching in the same school for the last twenty two years, the tradition of teasing Bonku Babu continued among the old as well as the new batch of students that replaced the old ones at Kankurgachhi Village Primary School. Some drew his cartoon on the blackboard; others put glue on his chair; or, on the night of Kali Puja, they lit a chasing rocket and set it off right behind him.

(iv) Despite enduring continuous teasing from his students, Bonku Babu remained remarkably composed. Though he occasionally scolded them with a disapproving “shame on you boys,” nobody had ever seen him lose his temper. Bonku Babu understood that he could not afford to react angrily, as it might cost him his job. Despite the tradition of teasing persisting among all the students, Bonku Babu found solace in the few good students in each class, making teaching worthwhile for him. He would invite those boys to his home, offer them snacks, and regale them with tales of foreign lands and exciting adventures.

(v) Bonku Babu appeared to be a sensible individual who found teaching a handful of good students to be a fulfilling experience that made his life as an educator worthwhile. He was a composed person who was never witnessed losing his temper, even in the face of bullying. While he did not often speak out against such behavior, he would express his opinion when the timing was appropriate. Despite his seemingly meek and mild demeanor, he possessed both physical and mental fortitude, which he demonstrated when he encountered a peculiar pink light in the middle of Poncha Ghosh’s bamboo grove and fearlessly met the alien, Ang. Bonku Babu was also a sensitive individual who could not tolerate the disrespectful conduct of his colleagues, whom he would meet on weekends, sometimes bringing him to tears.

Passage 2

Only the other day—less than two months ago—they were talking about …………………..at the suggestion of someone at the meeting.

Answers:

(i) While at an evening gathering hosted by Sripati Majumdar, Bonku Babu boldly declared that he was unafraid of ghosts when the topic was brought up. Unwittingly providing his associates with an opportunity to prank him.

(ii) While at an evening gathering hosted by Sripati Majumdar, Bonku Babu boldly declared that he was unafraid of ghosts when the topic was brought up. Unwittingly providing his associates with an opportunity to prank him. Later that same night, as he walked past a tamarind tree, Bonku Babu was ambushed by an apparition covered in black ink. The fact that the attack seemed premeditated and planned suggested that one or more of his associates at the gathering were responsible.

(iii) While at an evening gathering hosted by Sripati Majumdar, Bonku Babu boldly declared that he was unafraid of ghosts when the topic was brought up. Unwittingly providing his associates with an opportunity to prank him. Later that same night, as he walked past a tamarind tree, Bonku Babu was ambushed by an apparition covered in black ink. The fact that the attack seemed premeditated and planned suggested that one or more of his associates at the gathering were responsible.

(iv) Ans. One night when Bonku Babu was passing under a tamrind tree, he was attacked by a ‘spook’ possibly at the suggestion of someone at the meeting hosted by Sripati Majumdar. This ‘apparition’ had smeared black ink all over itself. As it was night time and the ‘spook’ had covered itself with black ink all over his body, Bonku babu failed to recognize ‘the apparition’.

(v) Bonku Babu experienced physical injuries and had his new kurta torn with black ink stains all over it as a result of the spook attack. In addition to experiencing neck pain for three days, the attack caused him emotional distress because it was a premeditated prank carried out by his associates.

Passage 3:

Even so, Bonku Babu had to come to these meetings. …………………… in other words, they were talking of spaceships and space-travel.

Answers:

(i) Often ‘jokes’, less serious in nature, were played on Bonku Babu. His umbrella or his shoes were hidden; or else, a paan would be filled with dirt instead of masala and handed over to him. Or everyone would insist that Bonku Babu be forced to sing although he just couldn’t. Sometimes more serious jokes such as arranging an attack by a ‘spook’ were also played on him.

(ii) Bonku Babu decided to attend the meeting even though he didn’t want to come because he didn’t want to offend Sripati Majumdar, who was a significant person in the village and the school committee. Furthermore, he knew that his absence would deprive the other members of the meeting of their only source of entertainment. This incident shows the disrespect for a fellow villager and the lack of knowing the importance of developing socio relationships.

(iii) Bonku was afraid of Sripati Majumdar because he didn’t want to offend him as he was a significant person in the village and the school committee. Furthermore, he knew that his absence would deprive the other members of the meeting of their only source of entertainment.

(iv) Sometimes Bonku tried o keep away from this group because he could put up with the pranks played by the boys in his school, but when grown-ups, even middle-aged men started playing the fool with him, it became too much to bear. At these addas that Sripati Babu hosted in the evenings, nearly everyone poked fun at Bonku Babu, sometimes bringing his endurance almost to breaking point.

(v) Ans. On one particular day, the topic of conversation was space – in other words, they were talking of spaceships and space-travel. The people present there had mixed reactions. Chandi Babu thought that the satellites were all humbug, whereas Ramkanai thought that it was a great human achievement, while Nidhu Babu felt that it was just a machine going round the Earth no different from a spinning top or a moving fan.

Passage 4:

Everyone agreed, with the sole exception of Bonku Babu. ………………. Or a zoo,” Ramkanai chipped in.

Answers:

(i) After a long silence Sripati babu said that if someone did decided to come to earth, he was sure that he will not come to a God-forsaken place like Kankurgachhi. He felt that the aliens are not fools. He believed that they were sahibs i.e. English and they would land in some western country where all sahibs lived.

(ii) Sripati Babu was of the opinion that aliens were not fools to alnd in a God-forsaken place like Kankurgachhi. They were sahibs and so they would land in a western country where all sahibs lived. All agreed with him with the sole exception of Bonku Babu. This made Chandi Babu nudge Nidhu Babu as now he got an opportunity to poke fun at Bonku Babu.

(iii) When Chandi Babu says, “I think Banku is quite right,” he does not mean it. Chandi Babu made a sarcastic remark, as he found Bonku Babu’s suggestion that aliens would want to visit their village ridiculous. He was not being serious and was instead teasing Bonku Babu.

(iv) On Bonku Babu’s suggestion that there is a possibility that aliens could land in their village, Chandi Babu and Nidhu Babu said in a sarcastic way that Bonku Babu would make an ideal specimen for the aliens to take back. To this Ramkanai agreed and chipped in saying that the aliens could keep him in a museum or a zoo.

(v) The individuals engaged in the conversation appear to possess average intellect, as they lack substantial knowledge about the subject they are discussing. Their conversation seems aimless and their primary goal is to amuse themselves by ridiculing others. In particular, they exhibit insensitivity by teasing and insulting Bonku Babu, making derogatory remarks about his intelligence and attempting to assassinate his character for their own entertainment.

Passage 5:

Bonku Babu did not reply, but wondered silently:…………….. stay here any longer. He got up to his feet.

Answers

(i) Bonku did not reply to the derogatory remarks of the regulars as it was his nature never to react but silently endure the ridicule. He had come to the meeting to enjoy and not have fun at the expense of others. Futhermore he is not a confrontational person and prefers to avoid conflicts. He is also humble and not interested in taking credit for his observations, as seen in his silence when Nidhu Babu claimed credit for spotting the strange light. Bonku Babu is more focused on maintaining social relationships and respecting his elders and superiors, rather than dwelling on hypothetical scenarios.

(ii) To Banku’s innocent remark that aliens could land in their village, everyone had ridiculed him by saying that he would make an ideal specimen for the aliens to take and keep in a museum or a zoo. Without replying to them Bonku had silently brooded how each in turn would make an ideal specimen themselves. And he thought that Bhairav babu’s eyes were that of a tortoise.

(iii) To Banku’s innocent remark that aliens could land in their village, everyone had ridiculed him by saying that he would make an ideal specimen for the aliens to take and keep in a museum or a zoo. Without replying to them Bonku had silently brooded how each in turn would make an ideal specimen themselves. Sripati Babu’s chin was so much like a camel’s, Bhairav Chakravarty’s eyes were like the eyes of a tortoise, Nidhu Babu looked like a rat, Ramkanai like a goat, and Chandi Babu like a flittermouse. And if a zoo really had to be filled up it could fill up with these animals.

(iv) Ans. Though others would always ridicule Bonku and poke fun at him, he had come to the meeting hoping for once to enjoy himself.

(v) Ans. When Bonku was about to leave, Sripati Babu reminded him that it was a moonless night and a Saturday, which was very auspicious for ghosts and spooks. Everyone howled with delighted laughter as they remembered what Bonku had said earlier that he was not afraid of ghosts. There could be another reason for their laughter, they may have planned in advance to arrange a attack by ‘a spook’ on Bonku Babu.

Passage 6:

Puzzled, Bonku Babu walked another twenty yards, …………………………. for it was still. Bonku Babu kept moving.

Answers

(i) As Bonku Babu was returning home through a short cut, he saw the light light. On moving further on, in the direction of the light, Bonku babu saw that the light was coming from an object that looked like a giant glass bowl turned upside down.

(ii) As Bonku Babu was returning home one night, he took a short cut through the banboo grove owned by Poncha Ghosh. He was not carrying a torch or lantern as it was too cold for the snakes to come out and he knew the way very well. When he was half way through the bamboo grove he saw a light, as he was not carrying a torch or a lantern, he could not make out the source of the light. This made him think that a fire had broken out.

(iii) Bang in the middle of the bamboo grove, in the clearing near a small pond, quite a large area was glowing pink. A dull light shone on every branch and every leaf. Down below, the ground behind the pond was lit by a much stronger pink light. But it was not a fire, for it was still. Bonku Babu kept moving. As he went past a cluster of bamboo stems, an object came into view. It looked like a giant glass bowl turned upside-down, covering the pond completely. It was through its translucent shade that a strong, yet gentle pink light was shining out, to turn the whole area radiant.

(iv) As Bonku Babu was returning home one night, he took a short cut through the banboo grove owned by Poncha Ghosh. He saw a light. At first he thought that a fire had broken out. Bonku Babu kept moving. As he went past a cluster of bamboo stems, he saw an object came that looked like a giant glass bowl turned upside-down, covering the pond completely. It was emitting a translucent strong, yet gentle pink light that turned the whole area radiant. All at once, his ears began ringing. He felt as if someone was humming loudly, a long, steady noise, and there was no way he could stop it.

(v) On hearing the noise Bonku Babu broke out into goose pimples. But an irrepressible curiosity drove him further forward. As he went past a cluster of bamboo stems, an object came into view. It looked like a giant glass bowl turned upside-down, covering the pond completely.

Passage 7:

Through that door emerged a head ……………………………………..They appeared to be glowing in the dark.

Answers

(i) A weird creature came out of the strange object that looked like a giant glass bowl turned upside-down that Bonku Babu saw in the bamboo grove.

(ii) The creature had a head that resembled a plain smooth ball, while its body had an unusual appearance. Its arms and legs were incredibly slender, and its entire body, except for the head, was covered with a shinning, pink garment. Instead of ears, the creature had tiny holes on either side of its head, and its face featured two gaps in place of a nose and a large cavity instead of a mouth. The creature did not possess any hair, and its eyes were round and brightly yellow, almost as if they were emitting a luminous glow in dimly lit surroundings.

(iii) Instead of ears, the creature had tiny holes on either side of its head.

(iv) Its face featured two gaps in place of a nose and a large cavity instead of a mouth. The creature did not possess any hair, and its eyes were round and brightly yellow, almost as if they were emitting a luminous glow in dimly lit surroundings.

(v) The strange creature walked slowly towards Bonku Babu, and stopped only a few feet away. Then it gave him a steady, unblinking stare.

Passage 8:

Bonku Babu did not know what to say. …………………………….… Hindi… a little Hindi… I mean…”

Answers

(i) After staring at Bonku Babu for nearly a minute, the strange creature started talking to him. He asked him if he was human and whether he was on Earth. It also told him that it’s instruments were not working correctly, it was supposed to go to Pluto but landed on Earth. The creature also explained that it had mistakenly gone to Jupiter before and that had delayed it by a day.

(ii) After it had finished physically examining Bonku Babu’s arms and legs, it introduced itself by saying that it was Ang, from the planet Craneus – a far superior being than man.

(iii) Bonku burst out laughing when the creature told him that he was a more superior being than man. Bonku Babu couldn’t fathom the fact that this creature, barely four feet tall, with such thin limbs and weird face, was superior to man.

(iv) Ans. The creature claimed to know 14,000 languages, including those from planets outside the solar system, and to be 833 years old. Ang tells Bonku Babu that their species stopped eating meat centuries ago, although they used to eat the flesh of many creatures. Thus it proved that it was much superior to Bonku.

(v) Ans. The creature claimed to know 14,000 languages, including those from planets outside the solar system, and to be 833 years old. Ang tells Bonku Babu that their species stopped eating meat centuries ago, although they used to eat the flesh of many creatures. Thus it proved that it was much superior to Bonku.

Question 1 : Choose the correct answer.

1. Bonku Babu almost jumped up because

(a) he could not hear the voice clearly.

(b) he could not understand who was talking and what was being said.

2. Though Bonku Babu could run away, he didn’t because

(a) he wanted to know who or what was the cause of the strange happenings in the grove.

(b) he was too tired.

3. The creature realized he was not on Pluto because

(a) Bonku Babu did not reply to the strange language he spoke.

(b) the plants looked different.

4. Bonku Babu felt very uncomfortable when

(a) the creature examined him by pressing his arms and legs with his fingers.

(b) the creature tried to poke him.

5. The creature told Bonku Babu that his fault was that

(a) he allowed people to hurt and insult him.

(b) he did not speak up against bribery.

6. Ang left in his spaceship because

(a) he had to go to the planet Pluto.

(b) he was frightened of Bonku Babu.

Question 2: Who was Ang?

Answer: Ang was an alien from the planet Craneus.

Question 3: How did Ang come to Earth?

Answer: Ang was going to Pluto in his spaceship. But his instruments malfunctioned and he had to land on Earth.

Question 4: What did he tell Bonku Babu about his planet and about himself?

Answer: Ang told Bonku Babu that he was from the planet Craneus and that he was a far superior creature than man. He knew 14,000 languages and had been to twenty-five planets outside the solar system.

Question 5: Why was Poncha Ghosh so excited at the Sunday meeting?

Answer: Poncha Ghosh was excited at the Sunday meeting as he was telling everyone about his bamboo grove, where all the bamboos around the pond had shed their leaves.

Question 6: What was the first thing that Bonku Babu did on entering Sripati Babu’s house?

Answer: Bonku Babu burst into a guffaw and laughed loudly for a whole minute as soon as he entered Sripati Babu’s house.

Question 7: Bonku Babu had something to say to the people in Sripati Babu’s house. Write against each of their names what he told them.

Answer:

(a) Chandi Babu: At your age, hiding other people’s shoes and umbrellas is not just childish, but totally wrong. Kindly bring my umbrella and brown canvas shoes to my house tomorrow.

(b) Nidhu Babu: If you call me Bunkum, I will call you Nitwit and you must learn to live with that.

(d) Poncha Babu: You are here as well! Let me inform you that last night, an Ang arrived from the planet Craneus and landed on the pond in your bamboo grove. We had a long chat. The Ang was most amiable.

Question 8: Ang has been described as a strange creature, very different from humans.

Complete the following table with details of his appearance.

Answer:

head	like a plain smooth ball
eyes	round and bright yellow, glowing in the dark
ears	tiny holes
nose	two holes
mouth	a gaping hole
arms and legs	amazingly thin
hair	no hair
body	covered by a shiny pink outfit

Evergreen Publication

Vol – I: Poems

1. A Work of Artifice – Marge Piercy

2. Skimbleshanks: The Railway Cat – T S Eliot

3. I Remember, I Remember – Thomas Hood

4. A Doctor’s Joumal Entry for August 6, 1945 – Vikram Seth

5. The Night Mail – W H Auden

6. Haunted Houses – H W Longfellow

7. The Glove and the Lions – James Leigh Hunt

8. When Great Trees Fall – Maya Angelou

9. A Considerable Speck – Robert Frost

10. The Power of Music – Sukumar Roy

Vol – II: Short Stories

l. Bonku Babu’s Friend – Satyaji Ray

2. Oliver Asks for More – Charles Dickens

3. The Model Millionaire – Oscar Wilde

4. The Homecoming – Rabindranath Tagore

5. The Boy Who Broke the Bank – Ruskin Bond

6. With the Photographer – Stephen Leacock

7. The Elevator – William Sleator

8. The Girl Who Can – Ama Ata Aidoo

9. The Pedestrian – Ray Bradbury

10. The Last Lesson – Alphonse Daudet

TREASURE CHEST: A Collection of ICSE Short Stories & Poems (Beta Publication)

Beta Publication

PROSE (Short Stories):

Std IX

1. Bonku Babu’s Friend – Satyajit Ray

2. Oliver Asks for More – Charles Dickens

3. The Model Millionaire – Oscar Wilde

4. Home-coming – Rabindranath Tagore

5. The Boy who Broke the Bank – Ruskin Bond

Std X

1. With the Photographer – Stephen Leacock

2. The Elevator – William Sleator

3. The Girl Who Can – Ama Ata Aidoo

4. The Pedestrian – Ray Bradbury

5. The Last Lesson – Alphonse Daudet

POETRY:

Std IX

1. The Night Mail – W.H. Auden

2. Skimbleshanks: The Railway Cat – T.S. Eliot

3. I Remember, I Remember – Thomas Hood

4. A Doctor’s Journal Entry for August 6, 1945 – Vikram Seth

5. A Work of Artifice – Marge Piercy

Std X

1. Haunted Houses – H.W. Longfellow

2. The Glove and the Lions – Leigh Hunt

3. When Great Trees fall – Maya Angelou

4. A Considerable Speck – Robert Frost

5. The Power of Music – Sukumar Ray