Class 8 English Literature – Grandfather and the Python by Ruskin Bond | Complete Question Answer Set, MCQs, Detailed Answers and Literary Devices | ICSE
Grandfather and the Python – Complete Question Answer Set
Section
A: MCQs (20 × 1 = 20 marks)
Grandmother disliked
a) birds
b) animals
c) reptiles ✅
d) insects
Grandfather bought the python from
a) zoo
b) jungle
c) bazaar ✅
d) shop
The python was described as
a) aggressive
b) harmless ✅
c) poisonous
d) wild
Grandmother thought the python would
a) run away
b) bite someone
c) strangle someone ✅
d) hide forever
The python was kept first in
a) bedroom
b) kitchen
c) bathroom ✅
d) garden
Grandfather fed the python
a) milk
b) bread
c) chicken ✅
d) fruits
The python disappeared after
a) eating
b) sleeping
c) being fed ✅
d) escaping
Aunt Mabel came to stay for
a) one week
b) two weeks
c) three weeks ✅
d) one month
Aunt Mabel saw the python in
a) bathroom
b) tree ✅
c) bed
d) roof
The python liked
a) food
b) water
c) sunlight
d) mirror ✅
Grandfather believed animals
a) are dangerous
b) should be avoided
c) can be friendly ✅
d) are useless
Grandmother was
a) calm
b) careless
c) anxious ✅
d) happy
The python caused
a) peace
b) fear ✅
c) silence
d) boredom
The narrator felt
a) scared
b) excited
c) curious and amazed ✅
d) angry
Grandfather’s personality was
a) rude
b) loving ✅
c) careless
d) weak
Aunt Mabel reacted with
a) anger
b) laughter
c) fear ✅
d) silence
The python moved
a) slowly
b) quickly
c) silently ✅
d) loudly
The python was finally
a) sold
b) killed
c) released in jungle ✅
d) kept
Grandfather’s decision shows
a) irresponsibility
b) kindness with sense ✅
c) fear
d) anger
The story is mainly about
a) fear
b) animals and humans relationship ✅
c) jungle
d) adventure
Section B: Fill in the Blanks (15 × 1 = 15 marks)
Grandmother drew the line at ______. (reptiles)
The python cost ______ rupees. (six)
The python was a ______ creature. (harmless)
It was kept in the ______. (bathroom)
Grandfather fed it a ______. (chicken)
The python ______ after eating. (disappeared)
Aunt Mabel came for a ______ visit. (three-week)
She saw the python in a ______ tree. (guava)
Grandmother was full of ______. (anxiety)
The python admired its ______. (reflection)
Grandfather was ______ towards animals. (kind)
The python created ______ in the house. (panic)
The narrator watched in ______. (awe)
The python was finally taken to the ______. (jungle)
Grandfather believed animals could be ______. (friendly)
Section
C: Short Answer Questions (10 × 2 = 20 marks)
(Answers
expanded but still concise)
Why did Grandmother object to the python?
Answer: She believed reptiles were dangerous and feared that the python might harm someone in the family.
How did Grandfather justify keeping the python?
Answer: He argued that the python was harmless and could be trained to live peacefully with humans.
What happened after the python was fed?
Answer: It disappeared, creating panic and confusion in the house as no one could find it.
Why did Aunt Mabel get frightened?
Answer: She saw the python in the guava tree and imagined it to be a large, dangerous snake.
What did the narrator feel about the python?
Answer: The narrator felt curious and fascinated rather than frightened.
How did Grandmother react when the python went missing?
Answer: She became anxious and restless, pacing around and worrying constantly.
Why was the bathroom chosen for feeding the python?
Answer: It was a confined space where the python could be handled safely.
What made the python unusual as a pet?
Answer: It behaved calmly and showed interest in its reflection like a human.
What role did the gardener play?
Answer: He helped Grandfather handle and eventually take the python away.
Why was the python finally removed?
Answer: It created too much fear and disturbance in the household.
Section
D: Detailed Answer Questions (5 × 5 = 25 marks)
(Proper long answers as you wanted)
Answer:
Grandmother is shown as a strict, practical, and cautious person. She draws a clear line when it comes to reptiles, showing her fear and dislike for such creatures. Her reactions throughout the story—panic, anxiety, and constant worrying—highlight her protective nature. She is deeply concerned about the safety of the family and cannot tolerate the presence of a python in the house. Her pacing and anxious behavior when the python disappears reflect her emotional intensity. However, her character also adds humor to the story through her exaggerated fears.
Explain Grandfather’s attitude towards animals.
Answer:
Grandfather is portrayed as a gentle, kind-hearted, and animal-loving person. He believes that animals, even wild ones, can be tamed and live peacefully with humans. His decision to buy a python and keep it at home shows his unconventional thinking and deep affection for animals. He treats the python like a harmless companion and even feeds it personally. However, his love sometimes blinds him to the fear and discomfort of others. Eventually, he shows responsibility by releasing the python, proving that his kindness is balanced with wisdom.
Describe the incident of the python disappearing.
Answer:
After Grandfather feeds the python in the bathroom, it suddenly disappears. This creates chaos and tension in the household. Everyone begins searching for it in fear, imagining the worst possibilities. Grandmother becomes extremely anxious, pacing around and expressing her worry. The disappearance builds suspense and highlights the unpredictability of keeping a wild animal at home. This incident also shows how one small action can create panic when dealing with creatures like snakes.
How did the python become both amusing and troublesome?
Answer:
The python is amusing because of its unusual behavior, such as calmly observing its surroundings and admiring itself in the mirror. These actions make it seem almost human-like and entertaining. However, it is also troublesome because it frightens the family members, especially Grandmother and Aunt Mabel. Its sudden appearances in unexpected places create panic and confusion. Thus, the python serves as both a source of humor and a cause of distress.
Describe the final decision to release the python.
Answer:
After several incidents of fear and disturbance, Grandfather realizes that keeping the python at home is not practical. Despite his affection for it, he decides to release it in the jungle. This decision reflects his sense of responsibility and understanding that wild animals belong in their natural habitat. It also brings relief to the family, especially Grandmother. The ending shows a balance between love for animals and concern for human safety.
Section
E: Literary Devices (10 × 1 = 10 marks)
Questions
(Identify the figure of speech and explain)
“You’ll be strangled!” she cried.
(Name the figure of speech and explain.)
“His eyes were fixed on me.”
“The look in its eyes!”
“He must have felt hungry.”
“Her eyes were alive with laughter.”
“A great boa-constrictor… twenty feet long!”
“Calm down, my dear.”
“He had become enamoured of his own reflection.”
“Moving swiftly about the house.”
“Halfway between anxiety and relief.”
Answers
with Explanation
1.
“You’ll be strangled!” she cried.
Figure
of Speech: Hyperbole
Explanation:
This is an exaggeration. Grandmother assumes the python will strangle someone,
even though there is no immediate danger. The exaggeration highlights her fear
and panic.
2. “His
eyes were fixed on me.”
Figure
of Speech: Imagery
Explanation:
This creates a clear mental picture of the python staring steadily. It helps
the reader visualize the tense moment.
3. “The
look in its eyes!”
Figure
of Speech: Exclamation / Emphasis
Explanation:
The sentence expresses strong emotion and fear. It emphasizes the intensity of
the situation through an exclamatory tone.
4. “He
must have felt hungry.”
Figure
of Speech: Personification
Explanation:
Human feelings (hunger in a thoughtful sense) are attributed to the python,
making it seem more human-like.
5. “Her
eyes were alive with laughter.”
Figure
of Speech: Metaphor
Explanation:
Eyes are described as “alive,” which is not literal. It means her eyes showed
joy and amusement. A direct comparison is made without using “like” or “as.”
6. “A
great boa-constrictor… twenty feet long!”
Figure
of Speech: Hyperbole
Explanation:
This is an exaggeration used to show Aunt Mabel’s fear. The python is made to
sound much larger and more dangerous than it actually is.
7.
“Calm down, my dear.”
Figure
of Speech: Tone (Soothing language)
Explanation:
The words reflect a calming and gentle tone used to reduce fear and anxiety.
8. “He
had become enamoured of his own reflection.”
Figure
of Speech: Personification
Explanation:
The python is given a human emotion—being “enamoured” (in love with something).
This makes the snake appear human-like.
9.
“Moving swiftly about the house.”
Figure
of Speech: Imagery
Explanation:
This phrase creates a visual image of the python gliding quickly and silently,
helping readers imagine the movement.
10.
“Halfway between anxiety and relief.”
Figure
of Speech: Antithesis
Explanation:
Two opposite emotions (anxiety and relief) are contrasted in the same sentence,
showing mixed feelings.