ICSE Class 10 English Solutions Princess September
Passage 1
Question 1.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow.
He cried bitterly when he said this, for he was extremely fond of the Queen. Of course it made the Queen very uneasy because she knew that it would distress the King very much if he had to cut off her head. And it would not be very nice for her. But it so happened that there was no need for either of them to worry because September was the last daughter they ever had. The Queen only had sons after that and they were called by the letters of the alphabet, so there was no cause for anxiety there for a long time, since she had only reached the letter J.
Why would the King have to cut off the Queen’s head?
Answer:
According to the King of Siam, twelve daughters were enough for a man. He did not want to go through the trouble of naming them again, and hence, he decided that if the queen gave birth to one more daughter, he would cut off her head.
Question 2.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow.
He cried bitterly when he said this, for he was extremely fond of the Queen. Of course it made the Queen very uneasy because she knew that it would distress the King very much if he had to cut off her head. And it would not be very nice for her. But it so happened that there was no need for either of them to worry because September was the last daughter they ever had. The Queen only had sons after that and they were called by the letters of the alphabet, so there was no cause for anxiety there for a long time, since she had only reached the letter J.
What made the queen uneasy?
Answer:
The queen knew that she was the king’s favourite. It made her sad to know that the king would be very distressed if he had to cut off her head.
Question 3.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow.
He cried bitterly when he said this, for he was extremely fond of the Queen. Of course it made the Queen very uneasy because she knew that it would distress the King very much if he had to cut off her head. And it would not be very nice for her. But it so happened that there was no need for either of them to worry because September was the last daughter they ever had. The Queen only had sons after that and they were called by the letters of the alphabet, so there was no cause for anxiety there for a long time, since she had only reached the letter J.
Is it abnormal for the queen to feel sad for the king? Why?
Answer:
The queen felt sad for the king who was going to cut off her head if she gave birth to one more daughter because they already had twelve daughters. She should have worried for herself as her life was in danger. However, she instead felt sad for the king.
Question 4.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow.
He cried bitterly when he said this, for he was extremely fond of the Queen. Of course it made the Queen very uneasy because she knew that it would distress the King very much if he had to cut off her head. And it would not be very nice for her. But it so happened that there was no need for either of them to worry because September was the last daughter they ever had. The Queen only had sons after that and they were called by the letters of the alphabet, so there was no cause for anxiety there for a long time, since she had only reached the letter J.
How were the daughters of the Siamese King and Queen named?
Answer:
The king and the queen named their first two daughters Night and Day. When they had two more daughters, they renamed the first two ones and called the four after the seasons, i.e. Spring and Autumn, Winter and Summer. In the course of time he had three others and he changed their names again and called all by the seven days of the week. Finally, when his eighth daughter was born, he named all of them after the months of the year.
Passage 2
Question 1.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow.
The King of Siam had a habit which I think might be usefully imitated in Europe. Instead of receiving presents on his birthday he gave them and it looks as though he liked it, for he used often to say he was sorry he had only been born on one day and so only had one birthday in the year. But in this way he managed in course of time to give away all his wedding presents and the loyal addresses which the mayors of the cities in Siam presented him with and all his own crowns which had gone out of fashion. One year on his birthday, not having anything else handy, he gave each of his daughters a beautiful green parrot in a beautiful golden cage. There were nine of them and on each cage was written the name of the month which was the name of the princess it belonged to.
What habit did the King of Siam have?
Answer:
The King of Siam had the habit of giving gifts on his birthday instead of receiving them.
Question 2.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow.
The King of Siam had a habit which I think might be usefully imitated in Europe. Instead of receiving presents on his birthday he gave them and it looks as though he liked it, for he used often to say he was sorry he had only been born on one day and so only had one birthday in the year. But in this way he managed in course of time to give away all his wedding presents and the loyal addresses which the mayors of the cities in Siam presented him with and all his own crowns which had gone out of fashion. One year on his birthday, not having anything else handy, he gave each of his daughters a beautiful green parrot in a beautiful golden cage. There were nine of them and on each cage was written the name of the month which was the name of the princess it belonged to.
What made the king sad about his birthday?
Answer:
The king was sad because his birthday came only once a year and he could not give away gifts more than once in a year.
Question 3.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow.
The King of Siam had a habit which I think might be usefully imitated in Europe. Instead of receiving presents on his birthday he gave them and it looks as though he liked it, for he used often to say he was sorry he had only been born on one day and so only had one birthday in the year. But in this way he managed in course of time to give away all his wedding presents and the loyal addresses which the mayors of the cities in Siam presented him with and all his own crowns which had gone out of fashion. One year on his birthday, not having anything else handy, he gave each of his daughters a beautiful green parrot in a beautiful golden cage. There were nine of them and on each cage was written the name of the month which was the name of the princess it belonged to.
What was the result of him giving away presents every year on his birthday?
Answer:
The king had the habit of giving gifts on his birthday. As a result of this, he had given away all his wedding presents and the loyal addresses which the mayors of the cities in Siam presented him with and even his own crowns which had gone out of fashion.
Question 4.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow.
The King of Siam had a habit which I think might be usefully imitated in Europe. Instead of receiving presents on his birthday he gave them and it looks as though he liked it, for he used often to say he was sorry he had only been born on one day and so only had one birthday in the year. But in this way he managed in course of time to give away all his wedding presents and the loyal addresses which the mayors of the cities in Siam presented him with and all his own crowns which had gone out of fashion. One year on his birthday, not having anything else handy, he gave each of his daughters a beautiful green parrot in a beautiful golden cage. There were nine of them and on each cage was written the name of the month which was the name of the princess it belonged to.
What did the king gift his daughters one year on his birthday? Why?
Answer:
One year on his birthday, the King did not have anything to give since he had already given away all that he owned to his subjects in the previous years. Therefore, he gave each of his daughters a beautiful green parrot in a beautiful golden cage.
Passage 3
Question 1.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow.
And while she lay in her bed, crying still even though she felt rather hungry, she saw a little bird hop into her room. She took her thumb out of her mouth and sat up. Then the little bird began to sing and he sang a beautiful song all about the lake in the King’s garden and the willow trees that looked at themselves in the still water and the goldfish that glided in and out of the branches that were reflected in it. When he had finished, the Princess was not crying anymore and she quite forgot that she had had no supper. “That was a very nice song,” she said. The little bird gave her a bow, for artists have naturally good manners, and they like to be appreciated.
Why was Princess September crying?
Answer:
Princess September was crying because one day she found her parrot lying dead at the bottom of its golden cage.
Question 2.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow.
And while she lay in her bed, crying still even though she felt rather hungry, she saw a little bird hop into her room. She took her thumb out of her mouth and sat up. Then the little bird began to sing and he sang a beautiful song all about the lake in the King’s garden and the willow trees that looked at themselves in the still water and the goldfish that glided in and out of the branches that were reflected in it. When he had finished, the Princess was not crying anymore and she quite forgot that she had had no supper. “That was a very nice song,” she said. The little bird gave her a bow, for artists have naturally good manners, and they like to be appreciated.
What did the Queen say when she came to know that Princess September was crying?
Answer:
The Maids of Honour told the Queen that Princess September was sobbing uncontrollably. On hearing this, the Queen said that the death of the parrot was nonsense and not worth shedding tears. She heartlessly asked the Maids of Honour to put the princess to sleep without giving her supper.
Question 3.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow.
And while she lay in her bed, crying still even though she felt rather hungry, she saw a little bird hop into her room. She took her thumb out of her mouth and sat up. Then the little bird began to sing and he sang a beautiful song all about the lake in the King’s garden and the willow trees that looked at themselves in the still water and the goldfish that glided in and out of the branches that were reflected in it. When he had finished, the Princess was not crying anymore and she quite forgot that she had had no supper. “That was a very nice song,” she said. The little bird gave her a bow, for artists have naturally good manners, and they like to be appreciated.
How are the Queen and Princess September different from each other?
Answer:
Princess September was heart-broken on seeing her parrot dead. She wouldn’t stop crying and was indeed very sad. This shows that the princess was sensitive and emotional. On the other hand, when the Queen was told that the princess was sobbing uncontrollably over her parrot’s death, she said that the dead parrot was not worth shedding tears on and asked the Maids of Honour to put Princess September to sleep without giving her supper. The Queen was unfeeling and didn’t care for the pain of her daughter.
Question 4.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow.
And while she lay in her bed, crying still even though she felt rather hungry, she saw a little bird hop into her room. She took her thumb out of her mouth and sat up. Then the little bird began to sing and he sang a beautiful song all about the lake in the King’s garden and the willow trees that looked at themselves in the still water and the goldfish that glided in and out of the branches that were reflected in it. When he had finished, the Princess was not crying anymore and she quite forgot that she had had no supper. “That was a very nice song,” she said. The little bird gave her a bow, for artists have naturally good manners, and they like to be appreciated.
What pulled the princess out of her sadness?
Answer:
A little bird hopped into Princess September’s room and began to sing a beautiful song about the lake in the King’s garden and the willow trees that looked at themselves in the still water and the goldfish that glided in and out of the branches that were reflected in it. When the bird finished singing, the princess was no longer crying. The little bird was a nightingale and it pulled Princess September out of her sadness by singing her a beautiful song.
Passage 4
Question 1.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow.
“My poor September,” they said. “We are sorry for the death of your beautiful parrot. It must be dreadful for you not to have a pet bird as we have. So we have all put our pocket-money together and we are going to buy you a lovely green and yellow parrot.” “Thank you for nothing,” said September. (This was not very civil of her, but Siamese princesses are sometimes a little short with one another.) “I have a pet bird which sings the most charming songs to me and I don’t know what on earth I should do with a green and yellow parrot.”
Who visited Princess September after the death of her parrot?
Answer:
The eight elder sisters of Princess September visited her after the death of her parrot.
Question 2.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow.
“My poor September,” they said. “We are sorry for the death of your beautiful parrot. It must be dreadful for you not to have a pet bird as we have. So we have all put our pocket-money together and we are going to buy you a lovely green and yellow parrot.” “Thank you for nothing,” said September. (This was not very civil of her, but Siamese princesses are sometimes a little short with one another.) “I have a pet bird which sings the most charming songs to me and I don’t know what on earth I should do with a green and yellow parrot.”
Why did the sisters come to visit their little sister?
Answer:
The sisters came to visit Princess September to express their condolences over the death of her parrot.
Question 3.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow.
“My poor September,” they said. “We are sorry for the death of your beautiful parrot. It must be dreadful for you not to have a pet bird as we have. So we have all put our pocket-money together and we are going to buy you a lovely green and yellow parrot.” “Thank you for nothing,” said September. (This was not very civil of her, but Siamese princesses are sometimes a little short with one another.) “I have a pet bird which sings the most charming songs to me and I don’t know what on earth I should do with a green and yellow parrot.”
What were the real intentions of the sisters?
Answer:
The sisters were jealous of Princess September’s little bird as it sang melodiously, as compared to the repetitive rant of their own parrots. Further, the song of the little bird was appreciated by the King too, this vexed the sisters further. Hence, they decided to separate September from the bird so that she wouldn’t be happier than all of them.
Question 4.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow.
“My poor September,” they said. “We are sorry for the death of your beautiful parrot. It must be dreadful for you not to have a pet bird as we have. So we have all put our pocket-money together and we are going to buy you a lovely green and yellow parrot.” “Thank you for nothing,” said September. (This was not very civil of her, but Siamese princesses are sometimes a little short with one another.) “I have a pet bird which sings the most charming songs to me and I don’t know what on earth I should do with a green and yellow parrot.”
How did September react to her sisters’ idea of giving her a parrot?
Answer:
The sisters pretended to be sad over the death of September’s parrot. They told her that they had decided to put all their money together and buy her a parrot. However, Princess September told the sisters that she already had a bird which sang better than the green and yellow parrot and that she didn’t need a parrot.
Passage 5
Question 1.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow.
September felt her heart go thump, thump against her chest, and she made up her mind to take no more risks. She put up her hand and took hold of the bird. This he was quite used to, she liked feeling his heart go pit-a-pat, so fast, in the hollow of her hand, and I think he liked the soft warmth of her little hand. So the bird suspected nothing and he was so surprised when she carried him over to the cage, popped him in, and shut the door on him for a moment he could think of nothing to say. But in a moment or two he hopped up on the ivory perch and said: “What is the joke?” “There’s no joke,” said September, “but some of mamma’s cats are prowling about to-night, and I think you’re much safer in there.”
What fear did the eight sisters instil in September’s mind?
Answer:
The eight sisters were jealous of September and her bird who sang melodious songs to her. September did not cage the bird and allowed it to move freely in the palace at its will. However, on one such day when the bird was not present, the sisters visited September and told her that if she allowed the bird to move freely, it wouldn’t return one day. Indeed that day, the bird came back late, and this sowed the fear of losing the bird in September’s heart.
Question 2.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow.
September felt her heart go thump, thump against her chest, and she made up her mind to take no more risks. She put up her hand and took hold of the bird. This he was quite used to, she liked feeling his heart go pit-a-pat, so fast, in the hollow of her hand, and I think he liked the soft warmth of her little hand. So the bird suspected nothing and he was so surprised when she carried him over to the cage, popped him in, and shut the door on him for a moment he could think of nothing to say. But in a moment or two he hopped up on the ivory perch and said: “What is the joke?” “There’s no joke,” said September, “but some of mamma’s cats are prowling about to-night, and I think you’re much safer in there.”
What did Princess September do to ensure that the bird stayed safe with her?
Answer:
Princess September popped the bird into a golden cage to ensure the bird’s safety.
Question 3.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow.
September felt her heart go thump, thump against her chest, and she made up her mind to take no more risks. She put up her hand and took hold of the bird. This he was quite used to, she liked feeling his heart go pit-a-pat, so fast, in the hollow of her hand, and I think he liked the soft warmth of her little hand. So the bird suspected nothing and he was so surprised when she carried him over to the cage, popped him in, and shut the door on him for a moment he could think of nothing to say. But in a moment or two he hopped up on the ivory perch and said: “What is the joke?” “There’s no joke,” said September, “but some of mamma’s cats are prowling about to-night, and I think you’re much safer in there.”
What did the bird do after being put in the cage?
Answer:
When the little nightingale was popped into the cage, it first thought it was a joke. But when the princess refused to let it out, it started sobbing and pleading to the princess. The bird repeatedly told the princess that it couldn’t sing when it was caged and if it didn’t sing it would die.
Question 4.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow.
September felt her heart go thump, thump against her chest, and she made up her mind to take no more risks. She put up her hand and took hold of the bird. This he was quite used to, she liked feeling his heart go pit-a-pat, so fast, in the hollow of her hand, and I think he liked the soft warmth of her little hand. So the bird suspected nothing and he was so surprised when she carried him over to the cage, popped him in, and shut the door on him for a moment he could think of nothing to say. But in a moment or two he hopped up on the ivory perch and said: “What is the joke?” “There’s no joke,” said September, “but some of mamma’s cats are prowling about to-night, and I think you’re much safer in there.”
What reason did the princess give for caging the bird? What was the real reason for caging the bird?
Answer:
The princess told the bird that her mother’s cats were on prowl that night and that she feared they would kill the bird. However, the actual reason for caging the bird was the fear instilled in the princesses’ heart that the bird would fly away forever and that she would be left without a pet once again.
Passage 6
Question 1.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow.
“I cannot sing unless I’m free and if I cannot sing, I die,” he said. The Princess gave a great sob. “Then take your freedom,” she said, “I shut you in a golden cage because I loved you and wanted to have you all to myself. But I never knew it would kill you. Go. Fly away among the trees that are round the lake and fly over the green rice-fields. I love you enough to let you be happy in your own way.” She threw open the window and gently placed the little bird on the sill. He shook himself a little.
What happened when the bird was caged by the princess?
Answer:
The bird grew sad and melancholic when it was caged. It could not see the trees outside nor could it enjoy nature. This made the bird weary and tired.
Question 2.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow.
“I cannot sing unless I’m free and if I cannot sing, I die,” he said. The Princess gave a great sob. “Then take your freedom,” she said, “I shut you in a golden cage because I loved you and wanted to have you all to myself. But I never knew it would kill you. Go. Fly away among the trees that are round the lake and fly over the green rice-fields. I love you enough to let you be happy in your own way.” She threw open the window and gently placed the little bird on the sill. He shook himself a little.
What did the princess do for the bird?
Answer:
The princess realised that her love and possessiveness for the little bird was hurting it. She decided to set the bird free. Although she did this unwillingly, she was happy that the bird would be free again.
Question 3.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow.
“I cannot sing unless I’m free and if I cannot sing, I die,” he said. The Princess gave a great sob. “Then take your freedom,” she said, “I shut you in a golden cage because I loved you and wanted to have you all to myself. But I never knew it would kill you. Go. Fly away among the trees that are round the lake and fly over the green rice-fields. I love you enough to let you be happy in your own way.” She threw open the window and gently placed the little bird on the sill. He shook himself a little.
What happened to the bird after it was set free by Princess September?
Answer:
Princess September opened the cage and gently placed the little bird on the sill. The bird gave itself a little shake and realised that that he had become stiff.
Question 4.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow.
“I cannot sing unless I’m free and if I cannot sing, I die,” he said. The Princess gave a great sob. “Then take your freedom,” she said, “I shut you in a golden cage because I loved you and wanted to have you all to myself. But I never knew it would kill you. Go. Fly away among the trees that are round the lake and fly over the green rice-fields. I love you enough to let you be happy in your own way.” She threw open the window and gently placed the little bird on the sill. He shook himself a little.
Did the bird return to the princess after being set free by her?
Answer:
Yes, the bird did return to the princess after being set free by her. The nightingale kept its promise of returning to the princess. When it came back after flying over the world, it sat on September’s shoulder and ate out of her hand and sang to her the beautiful songs he had learned while he was flying up and down the fair places of the world.
Passage 7
Question 1.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow.
September kept her window open day and night so that the little bird might come into her room whenever he felt inclined, and this was very good for her; so she grew extremely beautiful. And when she was old enough she married the King of Cambodia and was carried all the way to the city in which he lived on a white elephant. But her sisters never slept with their windows open, so they grew extremely ugly as well as disagreeable, and when the time came to marry them off they were given away to the King’s councilors with a pound of tea and a Siamese cat.
Why was the window of September’s room open night and day?
Answer:
Princess September kept her window open night and day so that the little nightingale could come into her room whenever it wanted to.
Question 2.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow.
September kept her window open day and night so that the little bird might come into her room whenever he felt inclined, and this was very good for her; so she grew extremely beautiful. And when she was old enough she married the King of Cambodia and was carried all the way to the city in which he lived on a white elephant. But her sisters never slept with their windows open, so they grew extremely ugly as well as disagreeable, and when the time came to marry them off they were given away to the King’s councilors with a pound of tea and a Siamese cat.
How did the open window help the princess?
Answer:
The open window allowed fresh air to enter September’s room. It made her livelier, healthier, more beautiful, and happy. The inflow of natural light and fresh air into the room enhanced September’s beauty and made her a sweet and a charming lady.
Question 3.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow.
September kept her window open day and night so that the little bird might come into her room whenever he felt inclined, and this was very good for her; so she grew extremely beautiful. And when she was old enough she married the King of Cambodia and was carried all the way to the city in which he lived on a white elephant. But her sisters never slept with their windows open, so they grew extremely ugly as well as disagreeable, and when the time came to marry them off they were given away to the King’s councilors with a pound of tea and a Siamese cat.
To whom did Princess September get married?
Answer:
Princess September was married to the King of Cambodia. She was carried all the way to the city in which he lived on a white elephant.
Question 4.
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow.
September kept her window open day and night so that the little bird might come into her room whenever he felt inclined, and this was very good for her; so she grew extremely beautiful. And when she was old enough she married the King of Cambodia and was carried all the way to the city in which he lived on a white elephant. But her sisters never slept with their windows open, so they grew extremely ugly as well as disagreeable, and when the time came to marry them off they were given away to the King’s councilors with a pound of tea and a Siamese cat.
To whom were the eight sisters given away? Why?
Answer:
The sisters never slept with their windows open and hence, they grew ugly and disagreeable. When the time of their marriage came, they were given away to the King’s councilors with a pound of tea and a Siamese cat.