CBSE Class 10 English Mijbil the Otter VBQs

Extract-Based Questions

Q. 1. For the first twenty-four hours Mijbil was neither hostile nor friendly; he was simply aloof and indifferent, choosing to sleep on the floor as far from my bed as possible. The second night Mijbil came on to my bed in the small hours and remained asleep in the crook of my knees until the servant brought tea in the morning, and during the day he began to lose his apathy and take a keen, much too keen, interest in his surroundings. I made a body-belt for him and took him on a lead to the bathroom, where for half an hour he went wild with joy in the water, plunging and rolling in it, shooting up and down the length of the bathtub underwater, and making enough slosh and splash for a hippo.

Question. "Mijbil was neither hostile nor friendly; he was simply aloof and indifferent... " From the actions of the given set of friends, choose the person whose behaviour is likely to resemble Mijbil's.
(a) Akanksha rudely tells her best friend to stop calling.
(b) Piyush was amicable since the day he walked into his new classroom.
(c) Rishabh became nasty as soon as he started earning money.
(d) Urvashi was distant for a while after losing her grandmother.
Answer : D

Question. Select the option that correctly puts the following events in correct order.
1. Maxwell planned to take Mijbil to the bathroom.
2. Mijbil slept at a significant distance from Maxwell's bed.
3. Mijbil immensely enjoyed playing in water.
4. Mijbil slept in much closer vicinity of the author as opposed to the previous night.
(a) 1, 3, 4, 2
(b) 3, 1, 2, 4
(c) 2, 4, 1, 3
(d) 4, 3, 1, 2
Answer : C

Question. Choose the option that correctly describes a body-belt in the given context as explained by the four people given below.
(a) A body-belt is a device especially made for swimmers and scuba divers, which helps them breathe underwater.
(b) Body-belts basically resemble the waist belts and keep our body upright, in a standing position.
(c) Body-belts are used for restraining while doing certain activities, in order to prevent hurt.
(d) A body-belt is an accessory used by body builders for weight training as a measure against muscle and bone injuries.
Answer : C

Question. The words "slosh and splash" are examples of the onomatopoeic words that go together phonetically-resembling the sound that they describe. Choose the option that DOES NOT fit the given description.
(a) hip -hop
(b) bow -wow
(c) tick- tock
(d) pitter -patter
Answer : B

Question. Select the option that best describes the final action of the otter, based on the given passage.

(a) Option (1)
(c) Option (2)
(c) Option (3)
(d) Option (4)
Answer : B

Q. 2. When I returned, there was an appalling spectacle. There was complete silence from the box, but from its air holes and chinks around the lid, blood had trickled and dried. I whipped off the lock and tore open the lid, and Mij, exhausted and blood-spattered, whimpered and caught at my leg. He had torn the lining of the box to shreds; when I removed the last of it so that there were no cutting edges left, it was just ten minutes until the time of the flight, and the airport was five miles distant. I put the miserable Mij back into the box, holding down the lid with my hand. I sat in the back of the car with the box beside me as the driver tore through the streets of Basra like a ricocheting bullet.

Question. "whipped off', is an example of a phrasal verb i.e. a combination of a verb and a preposition. Choose the option that DOES NOT fit the given definition.

(a) Option 1
(b) Option 2
(c) Option 3
(d) Option 4
Answer : B

Question. Choose the option that correctly states Maxwell's likely feelings, in the situation below.
"... put the miserable Mij back into the box, holding down the lid with my hand."
(1) anxious (2) disappointed
(3) terrified (4) guilty
(5) insulted
(a) 1 and 5
(b) 2 and 3
(c) 1 and 4
(d) 3 and 5
Answer : C

Question. Choose the option that is closest in resemblance to the box's condition in which Mij was kept.

(a) Option (1)
(b) Option (2)
(c) Option (3)
(d) Option (4)
Answer : D

Question. Choose the speaker that uses the phrase 'appalling spectacle' correctly.
Speaker 1 : We got back home to see that our pet dog had eaten kheer my mother had kept out of the fridge. Indeed, an appalling spectacle.
Speaking 2 : We got back home and witnessed that our cousin had dressed our pet dog in his t-shirt. Have to admit that it was an appalling spectacle.
Speaker 3 : We got back home to see that our pet dog is sitting with a mangled rat. It was an appalling spectacle.
Speaking 4 : We got back home from the airport and observed our pet dog sound asleep on the rug. What an appalling spectacle!
(a) Speaker 1
(b) Speaker 2
(c) Speaker 3
(d) Speaker 4
Answer : C

Question. Select the option that DOES NOT state the possible reason for Maxwell's cutting the box edges off.
(a) Mij could have injured himself further.
(b) It could have made the place untidy.
(c) Mij could have accidently swallowed the torn pieces
(d) It could have obstructed the shutting of the lid.
Answer : B

Very Short Answer Type Questions 

Question. Maxwell's fear of sending Mij to England was legitimate. Give a reason.
Answer : When Maxwell opened the box, in which he carried my in the aircraft, Mijbil ran out and disappeared at high speed. He caused a great hue and cry in the aircraft. There were sounds of shrieks across the flight.

Question. "...every drop of water must be, so to speak, extended and spread about the place...". Describe Maxwell's observation regarding Mij with reference to the given quote.
Answer : Mij loved to play in the water. Only once did Maxwell lead him to the bathroom. Next time he went to the bathroom on his own. He went wild in water, plunged and rolled in the tub. He shot up and down the bathtub and made enough slosh and splash in it.

Question. Maxwell was justified in thinking very highly of the air hostess. Justify.
Answer : The air hostess was very friendly and cooperative. Maxwell took her into his confidence and gave her a parcel of fish for Mijbil. He admired her and called her "the very queen of her kind". The air hostess suggested that he could keep his pet on his knees during the flight.

Short Answer Type Questions 

Question. Peculiar behaviour's are a characteristic of Otter's. Discuss with respect to "Mijbil the Otter".
Answer : Mijbil the offer had some 'compulsive habits'. On this way home everyday, Mij used to tug Maxwell to the low wall of a primary school opposite to his flat Mij would jump to it gallop the full length of its thirty yards and cause a hopeless distraction to both pupils and staff within the primary school.

Question. What would you say was the greatest obstacle faced by the narrator in transporting Mijbil to Camusfearna?
Answer : It was a difficult job for Maxwell to be transported from Basra to Camusfearna with Mijbil. The British airlines wouldn’t fly animals. He booked a flight to Paris on another airline which allowed animals to fly on conditions Mijbil was put into a small box on hour before so that he would become accustomed to it.

Question. Mijbil caused a sensation in London. Expound with reference to the chapter "Mijbil the Otter".
Answer : The average Londoners were surprised to see such a unique animal. They made wild guesses about the otter. Some called him 'a baby seal', 'a squirrel', 'a walrus'. Others called him 'a beaver', 'a bear cub' and 'a leopard'. The best remark came from a labourer. On seeing Mijbil, he asked, "What is that supposed to be?"

Long Answer Type Questions

Question. The People's Collective for Endangered Species has invited the narrator of "Mijbil the Otter" as a guest speaker to address the audience about the importance of protecting Otters and their natural habitats like lakes and ponds.
As the narrator, pen down a speech detailing your own experience with Mijbil and why it is important to conserve water bodies for animals like Otters.
You may use the prompt given below :
My Experiences with Mijbil
Theodore Roosevelt said, "Wildlife cannot speak, so we must and we will." Dear friends, I have had a pet otter named Mijbil as my roommate for several years now. What I want to share with you today, is how all forms of wildlife are integral for ............
Answer : ………………… What I want to share with you today, is how all forms of wildlife are integral for maintaining balance in the eco system. Wild life includes animals, birds, insects as well as the aquatic life forms. Otters also have a pivotal role in river eco system. They are predators, meaning they help control the populations of food species prey upon. This affects the eco system as a whole, and as a result, their presence is a signal that the ecosystem is healthy.
The wetlands are amongst the most bio diverse and economically valuable habitats and yet they continue to decline. This decline has been as much as 87% world wide. Otters are top predators using both terrestrial and aquatic environments and their loss has a serious impact on local food webs, biodiversity and habitat relationship. Otters need good water quality and also unpolluted, natural land habitat in which to live. This is essential for all species, including our own, and so they are excellent environmental indicators.
The link between the otter and wetlands is clear and it is our duty to work to protect these important ecosystem to the benefit of otters, other wetland species, and ultimately ourselves.

Question. Imagine yourself to be the narrator of "Mijbil the Otter". A friend of yours is confused about whether to adopt an otter as a pet or not and has asked for your advice. Based on the experiences described in the chapter, write a letter to your friend giving your opinion on the matter. You may use the prompt given below :
XYZ, Camusfearna
Sandaig Bay, UK
4 December '61
Dear Gavin
Trust you and Mij are doing well. I am writing for a special reason that will surely interest. This is because it concerns the love of your life- otters! I have been....
Yours affectionately
Kevin
Answer : XYZ, Camusfearna
Sandaig Bay, UK
4 December 1961
Dear kevin
Trust you too are doing well. I am glad to know that you are interested in adopting a pet. Believe me, your life is going to change absolutely after a pet enters your life.
And adopting an otter is one of the best decisions of your life. I advise you to bring your thought into action at the earliest. No doubt, otters prove to be the best companions. They demand nothing in turn of their unconditional love and company they provide you with. I have been living with Mij for several years now. What I want to share with you today, is that otters are very intelligent and fun-loving animals. The main characteristic of an otter is to extent and spread every drop of water. Mij loves to juggle with small objects with his paws lying on his back. His favourite toy is marbles.
If you want you can accompany me to Basra. I am going there the next week. You too, can get an otter from there. Believe me it will be a great fun.
Waiting for a positive response from your end.
Yours affectionately
Gavin.

Question. If Mijbil was living in the world of the poem, The Tale of Custard the Dragon, how do you think he would have
(a) behaved with Custard?
(b) reacted to the appearance of the pirate?
Rationalise your answer.
Answer : (a) Mijbil resembled like a very small imaginary dragon of the Middle Ages. Its body was coated with pointed scales. Between them a soft velvet for was visible. It was like a chocolate brown mole. On the contrary, Custard was a huge ferocious looking dragon. Mijbil would have behaved as friendly as he was with the narrator. Initially, Mijbil was neither hostile nor friendly with the narrator. He was aloof and indifferent. He slept on the floor far away from Maxwell’s bed. However, a change came in Mijbil afterwards. He started taking keen interest in his surroundings. He went to Maxwell’s bed on the second day and remained asleep in it. (b) Otters are friendly looking creatures. However, they can bite and they can fight with their tails so if provoked.
Territorial otters & stay away from strangers. Thus, on seeing the pirate, Mijbil to would have joined Custard
in gobbling every bit of him.