Class 9 English Chapter 1 Question Answers - Moments

Short Answer Questions 

Ans: Mahendra decided to leave the haunted place because he was terrified after experiencing a frightening event at night. He had heard and seen something unsettling, which led him to frequently dream about a woman's ghost. This constant fear prompted him to resolve to leave the location.

Q4: What sets Iswaran apart from other domestic helps?
Ans: Iswaran stood out as a remarkable domestic help due to his exceptional skills and personality. He was not only a trained cook but also a captivating storyteller. Every night, he entertained Mahendra with fascinating tales, making their evenings enjoyable. Iswaran's ability to conjure up delicious meals from seemingly nowhere, even in remote locations, further showcased his resourcefulness and dedication.

Q5: How did Iswaran tackle the elephant? 
Ans: The elephant caused widespread panic, with children and teachers fleeing for safety. Iswaran bravely confronted the beast and struck its third toe with a rod. This action successfully subdued the mad elephant.

Q6: How did Iswaran show his usefulness to the narrator?
Ans: Iswaran demonstrated his usefulness to Mahendra in several ways. He was not only a skilled cook but also deeply loyal, accompanying Mahendra wherever he was assigned. Iswaran took care of Mahendra's daily needs by cooking meals and washing his clothes. Additionally, he provided companionship by engaging in conversations at night and sharing captivating stories, often filled with adventure and suspense, which made Mahendra's evenings enjoyable.

Q7: Who was Iswaran? What did he do for his master?
Ans: Iswaran was Mahendra's cook and a valuable companion. He took care of various tasks, including cooking meals and washing Mahendra's clothes. Each night, he would engage his master in conversation, sharing captivating stories that were often filled with adventure and suspense. Iswaran had a remarkable ability to create delicious dishes from seemingly scarce ingredients, making him an indispensable part of Mahendra's life.

Q8: How does Iswaran describe the story of the elephant? Does it appear to be plausible?
Ans: One day, an elephant went mad, stamping on bushes, breaking fences, smashing fruit stalls, mud pots and clothes. He even entered a school breaking through the brick wall. Iswaran, who was in the junior class, whacked its third toenail with a rod and it collapsed. No, the story does not appear to be plausible.

Q9: What destruction did the elephant cause in the town? 
Ans: The elephant caused significant destruction in the town. It broke branches and fences and smashed stalls. When it entered a school playground, it damaged a brick wall, pulled out a football goal post, tore down a volleyball net, and flattened a water drum. The chaos left the streets empty, as everyone fled in fear.

Long Answer Type Questions 

Q1: What are the qualities of a good listener? Express your views in reference to Mahendra, who would listen to Iswaran’s tales uncritically. 
Ans: Listening is a vital skill in storytelling. A good listener not only grasps the meaning of the story but also appreciates the expressions and intentions of the storyteller. Iswaran was a remarkable storyteller, and Mahendra was an equally attentive listener. Iswaran created a captivating atmosphere around his tales, which held Mahendra's attention completely. He maintained eye contact with Iswaran, expressing awe or horror as the story unfolded. Mahendra allowed his imagination to bring the story to life; for instance, during the tale of the tusker, he felt genuine tension and fear. Throughout the storytelling, Mahendra remained silent, never interrupting Iswaran. He would occasionally nod in agreement and only express his thoughts at the end of the story. This uncritical listening style allowed him to fully immerse himself in Iswaran's narratives. Mahendra's ability to listen patiently and attentively enhanced his experience, making the stories more impactful. His engagement with Iswaran's tales exemplifies the qualities of a good listener, such as patience, focus, and a willingness to understand without judgment.

Q2: How can you say that Iswaran was a fascinating storyteller?
Ans: Iswaran was a captivating storyteller known for his dramatic style. He painted vivid pictures of events using imaginative descriptions and expressive gestures. Even mundane incidents are transformed into thrilling tales filled with suspense and surprise endings. His storytelling was heavily influenced by exciting novels and stories from Tamil authors, which often included elements of adventure, horror, and unexpected twists. Iswaran's ability to engage his audience made him a truly fascinating storyteller, capable of holding anyone's attention with his narratives.

Q3: How was Iswaran, the cook, an asset to Mahendra?
Ans: Iswaran, the cook, was a significant asset to Mahendra. He was deeply attached to Mahendra and accompanied him to every posting without complaint. Iswaran not only prepared delicious meals quickly but also took care of Mahendra's clothes and engaged him in conversation at night. His remarkable ability to produce cooking ingredients from seemingly nowhere allowed him to create fresh dishes even in remote locations. Additionally, Iswaran was a talented storyteller, captivating Mahendra with his thrilling and imaginative tales, which provided entertainment and companionship.

Q4: Write a brief character sketch of Iswaran. 
Ans: Iswaran, Mahendra’s servant, was very devoted to him. He was not only a very well-trained and wonderful cook but also a good storyteller. He was fond of reading thrillers, and his narrations were influenced by those styles. Iswaran was very devoted to Mahendra. He was a skilled cook and a captivating storyteller, often narrating thrilling tales inspired by Tamil authors. His loyalty, resourcefulness, and engaging personality made him an essential part of Mahendra’s life.

Q5: “Iswaran was a good cook as well as a good storyteller “Elaborate with the help of an example.
Ans: Iswaran was Mahendra’s cook and the whole caretaker of Mahendra. He had an amazing capacity to produce vegetables and cooking ingredients seemingly out of nowhere. He not only could cook delicious meals, but he was a good storyteller. His descriptions were influenced by the Tamil authors he read. Even while narrating the smallest of incidents, he would try to make the account thrilling and full of suspense. Mahendra enjoyed listening to the stories told by Iswaran because of the way they were told. Thus, Iswaran was a real asset for Mahendra.

Q6: Iswaran was a fascinating storyteller. What other skills did he have? How was he an asset to Mahendra?
Ans: Iswaran was a fascinating storyteller. He read a lot of storybooks and narrated incidents in a very vivid manner to Mahendra, his master. He could perform all kinds of actions and gestures to make the stories extremely interesting. Other than storytelling, he had excellent culinary skills. He was a trained cook and could cook delicious meals for Mahendra in very little time. He proved to be an asset for Mahendra. Additionally, Mahendra also loved his stories and the excellent way of telling them.