The lesson “A Letter to God” from CBSE Class 10 NCERT English Book First Flight is a heart-warming tale about faith and human nature. The Competency Based Questions (MCQs & Short Questions) based on this lesson are designed to test a student’s understanding of the story’s themes and characters. Through these questions, students can delve deeper into the story’s nuances and gain a better appreciation for its timeless message and thus be able to answers such questions in CBSE Class 10 board Exams.
Extract Based MCQs & Short Questions
Page 3 & 4 – Extract Based Questions
THE house — the only one in the entire valley — sat on the crest of a low hill. From this height one could see the river and the field of ripe corn dotted with the flowers that always promised a good harvest. The only thing the earth needed was a downpour or at least a shower. Throughout the morning Lencho — who knew his fields intimately — had done nothing else but see the sky towards the north-east.
“Now we’re really going to get some water, woman.”
The woman who was preparing supper, replied, “Yes, God willing”. The older boys were working in the field, while the smaller ones were playing near the house until the woman called to them all, “Come for dinner”. It was during the meal that, just as Lencho had predicted, big drops of rain began to fall. In the north-east huge mountains of clouds could be seen approaching. The air was fresh and sweet. The man went out for no other reason than to have the pleasure of feeling the rain on his body, and when he returned, he exclaimed, ‘‘These aren’t raindrops falling from the sky, they are new coins. The big drops are ten cent pieces and the little ones are fives.’’
MCQs
1. What does the statement “The only thing the earth needed was a downpour or at least a shower” suggest about the current situation?
a) The earth was in a dire state and needed a lot of rain to recover
b) The earth was doing well but needed some rain to continue to flourish
c) The earth was in a neutral state and didn’t particularly need rain
2. How does Lencho feel about the approaching rain clouds?
a) He is optimistic and certain that it will rain
b) He is pessimistic and doubts that it will rain
c) He is indifferent and doesn’t particularly care if it rains or not
3. What is the significance of Lencho’s statement, “Now we’re really going to get some water, woman”?
a) It shows that Lencho is confident in his ability to predict the weather
b) It demonstrates that Lencho is in charge of his household
c) It implies that the family is in desperate need of water for their crops
4. What is the woman’s response to Lencho’s statement?
a) She agrees with him and expresses her own confidence in the upcoming rain
b) She dismisses his statement and doesn’t believe it will rain
c) She acknowledges his statement but attributes the outcome to God’s will
5. What does Lencho mean when he says, “These aren’t raindrops falling from the sky, they are new coins”?
a) He is experiencing a delusion brought on by the excitement of the rain
b) He believes that the rain is valuable to him and his family, like money
c) He is making a joke and doesn’t actually believe that the rain is coins
Answers:
- b) The earth was doing well but needed some rain to continue to flourish
- a) He is optimistic and certain that it will rain
- c) It implies that the family is in desperate need of water for their crops
- c) She acknowledges his statement but attributes the outcome to God’s will
- b) He believes that the rain is valuable to him and his family, like money
Short Questions
- What significance does the setting of the house have in the story?
- How does the character Lencho’s knowledge of his fields reflect his personality?
- What does the woman’s response to Lencho’s statement reveal about her beliefs?
- How does the author use the weather as a metaphor in this story?
- How does Lencho’s perception of the rain as new coins relate to his character?
- What themes are present in this story and how are they developed?
- How does the story challenge the notion of faith and divine intervention?
- What role does perception play in the story?
- How does the story illustrate the impact of expectations on perception?
- In what ways does the story comment on the nature of reality and human perception of it?
Answers:
- The setting of the house on the crest of a low hill in the only valley has significance as it provides a vantage point to view the surrounding land and sky, highlighting the importance of the weather to the farmer’s livelihood.
- Lencho’s knowledge of his fields reflects his careful observation and attention to detail, indicating his dedication to his work and his reliance on the land for his livelihood.
- The woman’s response to Lencho’s statement reveals her faith in God and her belief that rain is a gift from God, as she says “Yes, God willing.”
- The author uses the weather as a metaphor for the unexpected nature of life, as Lencho’s expectation of rain as a blessing is turned on its head when he receives money instead.
- Lencho’s perception of the rain as new coins reflects his practicality and his desire for tangible benefits from his hard work, as well as his initial disbelief that his prayers have been answered.
- The themes of faith, perception, and the unexpected are present in the story and are developed through the characters’ reactions to the rain and their beliefs about its source.
- The story challenges the notion of faith and divine intervention by suggesting that the rain, which is typically seen as a gift from God, can be explained by more practical means, such as the natural cycles of the weather.
- Perception plays a significant role in the story as it influences how the characters interpret events, particularly in Lencho’s perception of the rain as coins rather than water.
- The story illustrates the impact of expectations on perception as Lencho’s initial expectation of rain as a blessing from God colours his perception of the coins he receives, while his later frustration with the postal service alters his perception of God’s role in his life.
- The story comments on the nature of reality and human perception of it by suggesting that what people perceive as reality may be shaped by their beliefs, expectations, and experiences.
Page 4 & 5 – Extract Based Questions
With a satisfied expression he regarded the field of ripe corn with its flowers, draped in a curtain of rain. But suddenly a strong wind began to blow and along with the rain very large hailstones began to fall. These truly did resemble new silver coins. The boys, exposing themselves to the rain, ran out to collect the frozen pearls.
‘‘It’s really getting bad now,’’ exclaimed the man. “I hope it passes quickly.” It did not pass quickly. For an hour the hail rained on the house, the garden, the hillside, the cornfield, on the whole valley. The field was white, as if covered with salt.
Not a leaf remained on the trees. The corn was totally destroyed. The flowers were gone from the plants. Lencho’s soul was filled with sadness. When the storm had passed, he stood in the middle of the field and said to his sons, “A plague of locusts would have left more than this. The hail has left nothing. This year we will have no corn.’’
That night was a sorrowful one.
“All our work, for nothing.”
‘‘There’s no one who can help us.”
“We’ll all go hungry this year.”
But in the hearts of all who lived in that solitary house in the middle of the valley, there was a single hope: help from God.
“Don’t be so upset, even though this seems like a total loss. Remember, no one dies of hunger.” “That’s what they say: no one dies of hunger.”
MCQs
1. What was the initial expression on the man’s face as he looked at the field of ripe corn?
a) Pensive
b) Sad
c) Satisfied
d) Worried
2. What could be a possible reason for the man’s initial satisfaction with the field of ripe corn?
a) He was a farmer and the corn represented his hard work and livelihood
b) He was admiring the beauty of the field and the flowers
c) He was pleased with the progress of the corn despite any previous challenges
d) He was excited about the potential profit from selling the crop
3. Why did the family cling onto the hope of help from God after the hailstorm?
a) They believed in a higher power that could intervene in their situation
b) They had no other options for help
c) They believed that God would provide them with a miracle
d) They were seeking comfort in religion during a difficult time
4. What was the significance of the man’s statement that “no one dies of hunger”?
a) It was a comforting reminder to the family to stay hopeful
b) It was a statement of fact that people can survive without food for some time
c) It was a reflection of the man’s own experiences with hunger
d) It was a criticism of the family’s attitude towards the situation
5. What does the story reveal about the relationship between humans and nature?
a) Humans have complete control over nature and can manipulate it to their advantage
b) Humans are at the mercy of nature and cannot control its destructive power
c) Humans and nature have a mutually beneficial relationship
d) Humans and nature are in a constant struggle for survival
6. What might be a possible moral lesson that can be drawn from the story?
a) Always be prepared for unexpected events
b) Trust in the power of prayer and faith
c) Stay optimistic even in the face of adversity
d) Do not take nature and its resources for granted.
Answers:
- c. Satisfied
- c) He was pleased with the progress of the corn despite any previous challenges.
- a) They believed in a higher power that could intervene in their situation.
- a) It was a comforting reminder to the family to stay hopeful.
- b) Humans are at the mercy of nature and cannot control its destructive power.
- d) Do not take nature and its resources for granted.
Short Questions
- What is the significance of the hailstorm on the farmer’s crop and how does it impact his life?
- How does Lencho’s perspective on the hailstorm differ from that of his family and why?
- What role does faith play in the farmer’s life and how does it impact his response to the disaster?
- How does the farmer’s statement that “no one dies of hunger” reflect on his overall outlook on life and his ability to cope with adversity?
- Can the farmer’s situation be compared to other real-life scenarios where people are faced with unexpected disasters and how do they respond to such situations?
Answers:
- The hailstorm destroys the farmer’s crop completely, leaving him with nothing to sell or consume. This impacts his life as he and his family face the prospect of hunger and poverty, and all their hard work goes to waste.
- Lencho’s perspective on the hailstorm is more pragmatic and realistic than that of his family. He recognizes the severity of the situation and the extent of the damage caused by the storm, while his family is more emotional and focused on the immediate impact on their daily lives.
- Faith plays a significant role in the farmer’s life, as he and his family turn to God for help and solace in their time of need. They believe that God will provide for them and that their faith will help them overcome their hardships.
- The farmer’s statement that “no one dies of hunger” reflects his overall outlook on life as one of resilience and hope. Despite facing a dire situation, he tries to remain positive and encourages his family to do the same. He believes that they will find a way to survive and that they will not let hunger defeat them.
- Yes, the farmer’s situation can be compared to other real-life scenarios where people face unexpected disasters such as natural calamities, wars, and pandemics. People respond to such situations in various ways, some with resilience and hope like the farmer, while others may lose hope and succumb to despair. However, the importance of faith and a positive outlook in overcoming adversity is a common theme across such scenarios.
Page 5, 6 & 7 – Extract Based Questions
All through the night, Lencho thought only of his one hope: the help of God, whose eyes, as he had been instructed, see everything, even what is deep in one’s conscience. Lencho was an ox of a man, working like an animal in the fields, but still he knew how to write. The following Sunday, at daybreak, he began to write a letter which he himself would carry to town and place in the mail. It was nothing less than a letter to God.
“God,” he wrote, “if you don’t help me, my family and I will go hungry this year. I need a hundred pesos in order to sow my field again and to live until the crop comes, because the hailstorm….”
He wrote ‘To God’ on the envelope, put the letter inside and, still troubled, went to town. At the post office, he placed a stamp on the letter and dropped it into the mailbox.
One of the employees, who was a postman and also helped at the post office, went to his boss laughing heartily and showed him the letter to God. Never in his career as a postman had he known that address. The postmaster — a fat, amiable fellow — also broke out laughing, but almost immediately he turned serious and, tapping the letter on his desk, commented, “What faith! I wish I had the faith of the man who wrote this letter. Starting up a correspondence with God!”
So, in order not to shake the writer’s faith in God, the postmaster came up with an idea: answer the letter. But when he opened it, it was evident that to answer it he needed something more than goodwill, ink and paper. But he stuck to his resolution: he asked for money from his employees, he himself gave part of his salary, and several friends of his were obliged to give something ‘for an act of charity’.
It was impossible for him to gather together the hundred pesos, so he was able to send the farmer only a little more than half. He put the money in an envelope addressed to Lencho and with it a letter containing only a single word as a signature: God.
The following Sunday Lencho came a bit earlier than usual to ask if there was a letter for him. It was the postman himself who handed the letter to him while the postmaster, experiencing the contentment of a man who has performed a good deed, looked on from his office.
Lencho showed not the slightest surprise on seeing the money; such was his confidence — but he became angry when he counted the money. God could not have made a mistake, nor could he have denied Lencho what he had requested.
Immediately, Lencho went up to the window to ask for paper and ink. On the public writing-table, he started to write, with much wrinkling of his brow, caused by the effort he had to make to express his ideas. When he finished, he went to the window to buy a stamp which he licked and then affixed to the envelope with a blow of his fist. The moment the letter fell into the mailbox the postmaster went to open it. It said: “God: Of the money that I asked for, only seventy pesos reached me. Send me the rest, since I need it very much. But don’t send it to me through the mail because the post office employees are a bunch of crooks. Lencho.”
MCQs
1. What does Lencho’s reaction to the money he received from the postmaster reveal about his character?
a. He is greedy and ungrateful.
b. He has blind faith in God.
c. He is distrustful of others.
d. He is a skilled writer.
2. How does the postmaster’s response to Lencho’s letter demonstrate the power of belief and faith?
a. It shows that the postmaster believed in the importance of helping those in need.
b. It demonstrates that the postmaster had faith that his actions would make a difference.
c. It reveals that the postmaster was a religious person who believed in God.
d. It shows that the postmaster believed in the power of the postal system.
3. What is the significance of Lencho’s decision to write a letter to God instead of seeking help from human sources?
a. It shows that Lencho had a strong religious faith.
b. It demonstrates that Lencho was uneducated and unaware of other options.
c. It suggests that Lencho was a stubborn and prideful person.
d. It reveals that Lencho had trust issues with other people.
4. In what ways does this story challenge the reader’s beliefs about faith and divine intervention?
a. It suggests that God will intervene in human affairs when asked.
b. It shows that faith alone can solve all problems.
c. It demonstrates that human actions can serve as a form of divine intervention.
d. It challenges the idea that God is responsible for solving human problems.
Answers:
- c. He is distrustful of others.
- b. It demonstrates that the postmaster had faith that his actions would make a difference.
- a. It shows that Lencho had a strong religious faith.
- d. It challenges the idea that God is responsible for solving human problems.
Short Questions
- How does Lencho’s letter to God reflect his character and beliefs?
- Why does the postmaster feel compelled to respond to Lencho’s letter?
- How does the postmaster’s response to Lencho’s letter reflect his own beliefs and values?
- In what ways does Lencho’s reaction to receiving the money from “God” demonstrate his lack of understanding about how the world works?
- What do you think is the author’s message or theme in this story? How does it relate to human nature and beliefs about the divine?
Answers:
- Lencho’s letter to God reflects his deep faith in God’s ability to provide for his needs. Despite his difficult circumstances, he believes that God sees everything and can make a difference in his life. It also shows that he is a determined and resourceful person who knows how to write and communicate his needs effectively.
- The postmaster feels compelled to respond to Lencho’s letter because he is touched by the farmer’s faith in God and his desire for help. He also wants to preserve Lencho’s faith in God and ensure that he does not lose hope.
- The postmaster’s response reflects his own beliefs and values, particularly his compassion for others and his desire to do good deeds. He is moved by Lencho’s faith and sees it as an example of how people should trust in God.
- Lencho’s reaction to receiving the money from “God” demonstrates his lack of understanding about how the world works because he assumes that the full amount he requested should have arrived and that the post office employees are responsible for the missing money. He does not consider the possibility that the postmaster and his colleagues have done their best to help him and that there may have been some limitations to what they could do.
- The author’s message in this story is that faith can be a powerful force that sustains people in difficult times, but it can also lead to misunderstandings and unrealistic expectations. The story shows how people’s beliefs and attitudes can shape their experiences and interactions with others, and how sometimes it is necessary to balance faith with practicality and common sense.
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