Textbook Solutions: Night of the Scorpion | English Kumarbharati Class 10 (Maharashtra SSC Board) PDF Download

 Page 1


Chapter 3: Night of the Scorpion 
 
 
WARMING UP [PAGE 100] 
Warming Up | Q 1 | Page 100 
Get into pairs and discuss the following with your partners and complete the 
table. 
Many people are superstitious. This means that they have a belief for which they have 
no logical reason. 
An example of superstition is that - walking under a ladder brings bad luck. In pairs, list 
any superstitions that you know of. 
 
Superstition What it implies 
(1) Smashing a mirror Brings seven years of bad luck. 
(2)   
(3)   
(4)   
(5)   
 
SOLUTION 
 
Superstation 
What it implies 
(1) Walking under a ladder 1. Brings bad luck. 
(2) Smashing a mirror 2. Brings seven years of bad luck. 
(3) A black cat crossing your path 3. A bad omen. 
(4) Twitching of the eye 4. Brings bad luck. 
(5) Sweeping your house after sunset 5. Goddess Lakshmi will walk out. 
(6) Going near a peepal tree at night 6. The ghosts will kill you. 
(7) Putting a black dot on your child's face 7. Will ward off the evil eye. 
 
Warming Up | Q 2 | Page 100 
Brainstorm what you know about Scorpions. Use the points given below. 
Page 2


Chapter 3: Night of the Scorpion 
 
 
WARMING UP [PAGE 100] 
Warming Up | Q 1 | Page 100 
Get into pairs and discuss the following with your partners and complete the 
table. 
Many people are superstitious. This means that they have a belief for which they have 
no logical reason. 
An example of superstition is that - walking under a ladder brings bad luck. In pairs, list 
any superstitions that you know of. 
 
Superstition What it implies 
(1) Smashing a mirror Brings seven years of bad luck. 
(2)   
(3)   
(4)   
(5)   
 
SOLUTION 
 
Superstation 
What it implies 
(1) Walking under a ladder 1. Brings bad luck. 
(2) Smashing a mirror 2. Brings seven years of bad luck. 
(3) A black cat crossing your path 3. A bad omen. 
(4) Twitching of the eye 4. Brings bad luck. 
(5) Sweeping your house after sunset 5. Goddess Lakshmi will walk out. 
(6) Going near a peepal tree at night 6. The ghosts will kill you. 
(7) Putting a black dot on your child's face 7. Will ward off the evil eye. 
 
Warming Up | Q 2 | Page 100 
Brainstorm what you know about Scorpions. Use the points given below. 
 
 
SOLUTION 
Scorpions 
1) How they attack: either crush their prey or inject it with venom, or they attack using 
their pincers to hold down the prey: then they sting it. If you step on a scorpion it will 
sting you straight away. 
2) Their appearance: has 8 legs, a pair of pincers, and a narrow, segmented tail 
ending in a venomous stinger 
3) Any more information about them: most people associate them with poisonous 
stings; however, most of the stings do not present a serious threat and most healthy 
people do not even need medical treatment after being stung. They have long life-
spans; can survive anything, a year without food; eat anything: glow in the dark. 
4) Where they live: found on all continents except Antarctica; live everywhere except in 
very cold places; hide under logs, rocks, clutter, trees, and sand; also live in burrows. 
ENGLISH WORKSHOP [PAGES 102 - 106] 
 
English Workshop | Q 1 | Page 102 
After reading the poem, complete the following. What happens? There are three 
main parts of the poem. Do you know what they are about? The first one is done 
for you. 
 
Lines What is happening? 
1-7 The scorpion comes into the home to escape the rain and 
stings the poet’s mother. 
8-33   
34-48   
Page 3


Chapter 3: Night of the Scorpion 
 
 
WARMING UP [PAGE 100] 
Warming Up | Q 1 | Page 100 
Get into pairs and discuss the following with your partners and complete the 
table. 
Many people are superstitious. This means that they have a belief for which they have 
no logical reason. 
An example of superstition is that - walking under a ladder brings bad luck. In pairs, list 
any superstitions that you know of. 
 
Superstition What it implies 
(1) Smashing a mirror Brings seven years of bad luck. 
(2)   
(3)   
(4)   
(5)   
 
SOLUTION 
 
Superstation 
What it implies 
(1) Walking under a ladder 1. Brings bad luck. 
(2) Smashing a mirror 2. Brings seven years of bad luck. 
(3) A black cat crossing your path 3. A bad omen. 
(4) Twitching of the eye 4. Brings bad luck. 
(5) Sweeping your house after sunset 5. Goddess Lakshmi will walk out. 
(6) Going near a peepal tree at night 6. The ghosts will kill you. 
(7) Putting a black dot on your child's face 7. Will ward off the evil eye. 
 
Warming Up | Q 2 | Page 100 
Brainstorm what you know about Scorpions. Use the points given below. 
 
 
SOLUTION 
Scorpions 
1) How they attack: either crush their prey or inject it with venom, or they attack using 
their pincers to hold down the prey: then they sting it. If you step on a scorpion it will 
sting you straight away. 
2) Their appearance: has 8 legs, a pair of pincers, and a narrow, segmented tail 
ending in a venomous stinger 
3) Any more information about them: most people associate them with poisonous 
stings; however, most of the stings do not present a serious threat and most healthy 
people do not even need medical treatment after being stung. They have long life-
spans; can survive anything, a year without food; eat anything: glow in the dark. 
4) Where they live: found on all continents except Antarctica; live everywhere except in 
very cold places; hide under logs, rocks, clutter, trees, and sand; also live in burrows. 
ENGLISH WORKSHOP [PAGES 102 - 106] 
 
English Workshop | Q 1 | Page 102 
After reading the poem, complete the following. What happens? There are three 
main parts of the poem. Do you know what they are about? The first one is done 
for you. 
 
Lines What is happening? 
1-7 The scorpion comes into the home to escape the rain and 
stings the poet’s mother. 
8-33   
34-48   
SOLUTION 
 
Lines 
What is happening? 
1-7 1) The scorpion comes into the home to escape the rain and stings the poet's 
mother. 
8-33 2) The villagers sympathize with the mother and offer consolation in various 
ways. They sit around the floor with the mother in the centre. More 
neighbours came in to help, with more candles and more lanterns. 
34-48 3) What is happening The father is desperate and though he is a rationalist, 
he tries all sorts of things to cure the mother. He calls a holy man to perform 
rites and even sets fire to the bitten toe. After twenty hours the scorpion loses 
Its sting. All that the mother says is that she is thankful to God that the 
scorpion picked her and spared her children. 
 
English Workshop | Q 2. (a) | Page 103 
Complete the following table. 
Background/setting of the poem 
Type Evidence 
(Quote lines from the poem 
Rural/Urban ______________________ 
SOLUTION 
 
Background/setting of the poem. 
 
type Evidence (quote lines from the extract) 
Rural/Urban 1) "The peasants came like swarms of flies' 
(2) 'and buzzed the name of God a hundred times'. 
(3) To paralyse the evil one'. 
(4) With candles and with lanterns' 
(5) on the mud-baked walls' 
(6) His poison moved in Mother's blood, they said. 
(7) "They sat around on the floor with my mother in the center. 
(8) 'More candles, more lanterns'. 
(9) groaning on a mat 
(10) trying every curse and blessing powder. the mixture, herb, and 
Page 4


Chapter 3: Night of the Scorpion 
 
 
WARMING UP [PAGE 100] 
Warming Up | Q 1 | Page 100 
Get into pairs and discuss the following with your partners and complete the 
table. 
Many people are superstitious. This means that they have a belief for which they have 
no logical reason. 
An example of superstition is that - walking under a ladder brings bad luck. In pairs, list 
any superstitions that you know of. 
 
Superstition What it implies 
(1) Smashing a mirror Brings seven years of bad luck. 
(2)   
(3)   
(4)   
(5)   
 
SOLUTION 
 
Superstation 
What it implies 
(1) Walking under a ladder 1. Brings bad luck. 
(2) Smashing a mirror 2. Brings seven years of bad luck. 
(3) A black cat crossing your path 3. A bad omen. 
(4) Twitching of the eye 4. Brings bad luck. 
(5) Sweeping your house after sunset 5. Goddess Lakshmi will walk out. 
(6) Going near a peepal tree at night 6. The ghosts will kill you. 
(7) Putting a black dot on your child's face 7. Will ward off the evil eye. 
 
Warming Up | Q 2 | Page 100 
Brainstorm what you know about Scorpions. Use the points given below. 
 
 
SOLUTION 
Scorpions 
1) How they attack: either crush their prey or inject it with venom, or they attack using 
their pincers to hold down the prey: then they sting it. If you step on a scorpion it will 
sting you straight away. 
2) Their appearance: has 8 legs, a pair of pincers, and a narrow, segmented tail 
ending in a venomous stinger 
3) Any more information about them: most people associate them with poisonous 
stings; however, most of the stings do not present a serious threat and most healthy 
people do not even need medical treatment after being stung. They have long life-
spans; can survive anything, a year without food; eat anything: glow in the dark. 
4) Where they live: found on all continents except Antarctica; live everywhere except in 
very cold places; hide under logs, rocks, clutter, trees, and sand; also live in burrows. 
ENGLISH WORKSHOP [PAGES 102 - 106] 
 
English Workshop | Q 1 | Page 102 
After reading the poem, complete the following. What happens? There are three 
main parts of the poem. Do you know what they are about? The first one is done 
for you. 
 
Lines What is happening? 
1-7 The scorpion comes into the home to escape the rain and 
stings the poet’s mother. 
8-33   
34-48   
SOLUTION 
 
Lines 
What is happening? 
1-7 1) The scorpion comes into the home to escape the rain and stings the poet's 
mother. 
8-33 2) The villagers sympathize with the mother and offer consolation in various 
ways. They sit around the floor with the mother in the centre. More 
neighbours came in to help, with more candles and more lanterns. 
34-48 3) What is happening The father is desperate and though he is a rationalist, 
he tries all sorts of things to cure the mother. He calls a holy man to perform 
rites and even sets fire to the bitten toe. After twenty hours the scorpion loses 
Its sting. All that the mother says is that she is thankful to God that the 
scorpion picked her and spared her children. 
 
English Workshop | Q 2. (a) | Page 103 
Complete the following table. 
Background/setting of the poem 
Type Evidence 
(Quote lines from the poem 
Rural/Urban ______________________ 
SOLUTION 
 
Background/setting of the poem. 
 
type Evidence (quote lines from the extract) 
Rural/Urban 1) "The peasants came like swarms of flies' 
(2) 'and buzzed the name of God a hundred times'. 
(3) To paralyse the evil one'. 
(4) With candles and with lanterns' 
(5) on the mud-baked walls' 
(6) His poison moved in Mother's blood, they said. 
(7) "They sat around on the floor with my mother in the center. 
(8) 'More candles, more lanterns'. 
(9) groaning on a mat 
(10) trying every curse and blessing powder. the mixture, herb, and 
hybrid. 
(11) I watched the holy man perform his rites 
 
 
English Workshop | Q 2. (b) | Page 103 
Complete the following table. 
 
Scorpion 
Many images of the scorpion contrast in the opening lines of the poem. Find 
examples of each and add them to the columns below. 
Timid Dangerous 
(1) hides _________ 
(2) ___________ back 
(i) Diabolic ____________ 
(ii) ____________ 
 
SOLUTION 
 
B. Scorpion 
Many images of the scorpion contrast in the opening lines of the poem. Find 
examples of each and add them to the columns below. 
Timid Dangerous 
(1) Hides beneath a sack of rice (1) Diabolic tail 
(2) Is afraid of the people and goes back (2) The Evil One 
 
 
English Workshop | Q 2. (c) | Page 103 
Complete the following table. 
 
Imagery 
Look at the description of the village peasants. 
What does the imagery suggest about them? 
The Images What images suggest 
They came like swarms of flies.   
They buzzed the name of God.   
Page 5


Chapter 3: Night of the Scorpion 
 
 
WARMING UP [PAGE 100] 
Warming Up | Q 1 | Page 100 
Get into pairs and discuss the following with your partners and complete the 
table. 
Many people are superstitious. This means that they have a belief for which they have 
no logical reason. 
An example of superstition is that - walking under a ladder brings bad luck. In pairs, list 
any superstitions that you know of. 
 
Superstition What it implies 
(1) Smashing a mirror Brings seven years of bad luck. 
(2)   
(3)   
(4)   
(5)   
 
SOLUTION 
 
Superstation 
What it implies 
(1) Walking under a ladder 1. Brings bad luck. 
(2) Smashing a mirror 2. Brings seven years of bad luck. 
(3) A black cat crossing your path 3. A bad omen. 
(4) Twitching of the eye 4. Brings bad luck. 
(5) Sweeping your house after sunset 5. Goddess Lakshmi will walk out. 
(6) Going near a peepal tree at night 6. The ghosts will kill you. 
(7) Putting a black dot on your child's face 7. Will ward off the evil eye. 
 
Warming Up | Q 2 | Page 100 
Brainstorm what you know about Scorpions. Use the points given below. 
 
 
SOLUTION 
Scorpions 
1) How they attack: either crush their prey or inject it with venom, or they attack using 
their pincers to hold down the prey: then they sting it. If you step on a scorpion it will 
sting you straight away. 
2) Their appearance: has 8 legs, a pair of pincers, and a narrow, segmented tail 
ending in a venomous stinger 
3) Any more information about them: most people associate them with poisonous 
stings; however, most of the stings do not present a serious threat and most healthy 
people do not even need medical treatment after being stung. They have long life-
spans; can survive anything, a year without food; eat anything: glow in the dark. 
4) Where they live: found on all continents except Antarctica; live everywhere except in 
very cold places; hide under logs, rocks, clutter, trees, and sand; also live in burrows. 
ENGLISH WORKSHOP [PAGES 102 - 106] 
 
English Workshop | Q 1 | Page 102 
After reading the poem, complete the following. What happens? There are three 
main parts of the poem. Do you know what they are about? The first one is done 
for you. 
 
Lines What is happening? 
1-7 The scorpion comes into the home to escape the rain and 
stings the poet’s mother. 
8-33   
34-48   
SOLUTION 
 
Lines 
What is happening? 
1-7 1) The scorpion comes into the home to escape the rain and stings the poet's 
mother. 
8-33 2) The villagers sympathize with the mother and offer consolation in various 
ways. They sit around the floor with the mother in the centre. More 
neighbours came in to help, with more candles and more lanterns. 
34-48 3) What is happening The father is desperate and though he is a rationalist, 
he tries all sorts of things to cure the mother. He calls a holy man to perform 
rites and even sets fire to the bitten toe. After twenty hours the scorpion loses 
Its sting. All that the mother says is that she is thankful to God that the 
scorpion picked her and spared her children. 
 
English Workshop | Q 2. (a) | Page 103 
Complete the following table. 
Background/setting of the poem 
Type Evidence 
(Quote lines from the poem 
Rural/Urban ______________________ 
SOLUTION 
 
Background/setting of the poem. 
 
type Evidence (quote lines from the extract) 
Rural/Urban 1) "The peasants came like swarms of flies' 
(2) 'and buzzed the name of God a hundred times'. 
(3) To paralyse the evil one'. 
(4) With candles and with lanterns' 
(5) on the mud-baked walls' 
(6) His poison moved in Mother's blood, they said. 
(7) "They sat around on the floor with my mother in the center. 
(8) 'More candles, more lanterns'. 
(9) groaning on a mat 
(10) trying every curse and blessing powder. the mixture, herb, and 
hybrid. 
(11) I watched the holy man perform his rites 
 
 
English Workshop | Q 2. (b) | Page 103 
Complete the following table. 
 
Scorpion 
Many images of the scorpion contrast in the opening lines of the poem. Find 
examples of each and add them to the columns below. 
Timid Dangerous 
(1) hides _________ 
(2) ___________ back 
(i) Diabolic ____________ 
(ii) ____________ 
 
SOLUTION 
 
B. Scorpion 
Many images of the scorpion contrast in the opening lines of the poem. Find 
examples of each and add them to the columns below. 
Timid Dangerous 
(1) Hides beneath a sack of rice (1) Diabolic tail 
(2) Is afraid of the people and goes back (2) The Evil One 
 
 
English Workshop | Q 2. (c) | Page 103 
Complete the following table. 
 
Imagery 
Look at the description of the village peasants. 
What does the imagery suggest about them? 
The Images What images suggest 
They came like swarms of flies.   
They buzzed the name of God.   
They threw giant scorpion shadows 
on the mud-baked walls. 
  
They clicked their tongues.   
 
SOLUTION 
 
C. Imagery 
Look at the description of the village peasants. What does the imagery suggest 
about them? 
The image What the image suggests 
1) They came like swarms 
of flies. 
(1) They came in very large numbers, a huge crowd 
of people moving towards the house, like a swarm of 
flies. 
2) They buzzed the name of 
God. 
(2) They kept repeating the name of God softly and 
continuously, like the buzzing of bees. 
3) They threw giant 
scorpion shadows on the 
mud-baked walls. 
(3) The carried lanterns they threw shadows on the 
walls, which looked like huge scorpion shadows to 
the frightened villagers. 
4) They clicked their 
tongues. 
(4) They made sorrowful and frightening sounds with 
their tongues. 
 
 
English Workshop | Q 3. (1) | Page 103 
Choose the correct alternative. 
The child is afraid but admires ____________. 
1. the initiative of the peasants 
2. his father trying every way to cure 
3. the bravery of his mother. 
 
SOLUTION 
The child is afraid but admires The bravery of his mother. 
English Workshop | Q 3. (2) | Page 103 
Choose the correct alternative. 
His father and the villagers panic and hastily suggest _____________. 
1. to take her to the hospital.