NCERT English Class 9 | Chapter 2 | The Adventures of Toto | Question Answer |

THINK ABOUT IT                                                                 PAGE 11

1. How does Toto come to grandfather’s private zoo?

Answer: The grandfather finds Toto tied to a feeding-trough. It is kept by a tonga driver, but the grandfather feels it is too out of place there. Thus, he buys the monkey from the tonga driver for a sum of five rupees and brings it to his home, eventually allowing it to dwell in his private zoo.

2. “Toto was a pretty monkey.” In what sense is Toto pretty?

Answer: Toto had some attractive features. His eyes were bright and they sparkled with mischief beneath deep-set eyebrows. His teeth were a pearly white although they were often displayed in a smile that frightened the life out of elderly Anglo-Indian ladies. Nonetheless, his eyes and white made him look pretty.

3. Why does grandfather take Toto to Saharanpur and how? Why does the ticket collector insist on calling Toto a dog?

Answer: The grandfather takes Toto to Saharanpur because the monkey would not allow the other animals in the servants’ quarters to sleep at night. The ticket collector, however, insisted on calling Toto a dog because he was taken aback upon discovering Toto in the grandfather’s bag. He ended up charging three rupees thus despite the grandfather trying to prove him wrong.

4. How does Toto take a bath? Where has he learnt to do this? How does Toto almost boil himself alive?

Answer: Toto would cunningly test the temperature of the water with his hand, then gradually step into the bath with one foot first, followed by the other until he was into the water up to his neck. He had learnt doing so from the author. Nonetheless, as soon as he felt comfortable, he would take the soap in his hands or feet, and rub himself all over. But if the water became cold, he would get out and run as quickly as he could to the kitchen-fire to dry himself. He once found a large kitchen kettle left on the fire, and he decided to remove the lid. He got in, his head sticking out. The water began boiling, so he got up a little; but, on finding it cold outside, sat himself down again. This is how he ended up almost boiling himself alive. 

5. Why does the author say, “Toto was not the sort of pet we could keep for long”?

Answer: Toto was a mischievous pet. He would go about breaking dishes, tearing clothes and curtains, and ruining wallpaper. Because the family were not well-to-do, they could obviously not afford the frequent loss. That’s why the author says “Toto was not the sort of pet we could keep for long.” 

1. The Lost Child Question Answer

2. The Adventures of Toto Question Answer

3. Iswaran the Storyteller Question Answer

4. In the Kingdom of Fools Question Answer

5. The Happy Prince Question Answer

6. Weathering the Storm in Ersama Question Answer

7. The Last Leaf Question Answer

8. House Is Not a Home Question Answer

9. The Accidental Tourist Question Answer

10. The Beggar Question Answer


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