Class 10 English Chapter 1 Question Answers - First Flight

Q1. When did she make her first entry in her diary? 

Ans: She made her first entry in her diary on 20th June 1942.

Q2. How did Anne justify her habit of talking in her first essay on ‘A Chatterbox’?

Ans: Anne Frank wrote an essay titled ‘A Chatterbox’ where she reflected on her habit of talking. In her three-page composition, she made several key points:

• She described talking as a natural trait of students.
• Anne believed she could not change this habit, stating it was part of her nature.
• She noted that her mother talked just as much—if not more—than she did.
• Despite her efforts, she found it challenging to control this inherited tendency.

Q3. Why did Anne Frank feel suffocated?

Ans: Anne Frank was a sensitive girl who felt profoundly isolated. Living in hiding to avoid arrest by the Nazi agents in Holland, she was cut off from her friends and community. This situation led to a deep sense of suffocation because:

• She could not share her intimate thoughts or feelings with anyone, even those she considered friends.
• Her confinement left her with no escape from her emotions.
• Writing in her diary, which she named ‘Kitty’, became her only outlet.

Through her diary, she found a way to express herself and cope with her feelings of isolation.

Q4. What does Anne write in her first essay?

Ans: In her first essay, titled ‘A Chatterbox’, Anne aimed to present strong arguments for the importance of talking. She wrote three pages, asserting that talking is a natural trait of students and expressed her commitment to manage it effectively.

Q5. Give a brief life-sketch of Anne Frank. 

Ans: Anne Frank was born on 12 June 1929 in Frankfurt, Germany. She lived there until she was four years old, when her family faced increasing anti-Jewish sentiment.

In 1933, her father emigrated to the Netherlands, followed by her mother in September. Anne and her older sister, Margot, stayed with their grandmother in Aachen for a time. Margot moved to Holland in December, and Anne joined her in February.

Upon arriving in Holland, Anne attended a Montessori nursery school until she was six, after which she started first form. Tragically, her grandmother passed away in January 1942, when Anne was just thirteen.

Q6. How did Anne want her diary to be different? 

Ans: Anne wanted her diary to be more than just a record of facts; she envisioned it as a friend. She referred to it as her kitty and focused on sharing her feelings and experiences.

Key points about her diary include:

• It was not merely a factual account.
• It served as a confidant for her thoughts.
• Her writing demonstrated maturity and deep insight.

Q7. Explain ‘teachers are the most unpredictable creatures’. 

Ans: Teachers are the most unpredictable creatures because their thoughts and actions can be difficult to anticipate. Anne and her classmates believed this because:

• Teachers often change their plans without warning.
• They may respond differently to similar situations.
• Their expectations can vary from day to day.
• Students can never be sure how a teacher will react.

This unpredictability keeps students on their toes and adds an element of surprise to the classroom environment.

Q8. Why did Anne think that she was alone? Give reasons. 

Ans: Anne felt alone for several reasons:

• She had lost her parents.
• Her elder sister was also missing.
• She had lost her aunts and a stable home.
• Although she had friends, there was no one she could confide in.

These experiences contributed to her sense of isolation.

Q9. How do you know that Anne was close to her grandmother? 

Ans: Anne lived with her grandmother for several months while her parents were in Holland. During this time, she developed a deep love for her. When her grandmother passed away, Anne felt a profound sadness and frequently thought about her, indicating a close relationship.

Q10. Why was the entire class quaking in its boots? 

Ans: The entire class was quaking with fear because they were anxious about their future. The teachers were going to decide:

• Who would move up to the next class.
• Who would remain behind.

Half of the class was even making bets, as the teachers' decisions were known to be unpredictable. This uncertainty added to the overall tension.

Q11. Why was Anne in tears when she left the Montessori School?

Ans: When Anne was in the sixth form at the Montessori School, her teacher was Mrs. Kuperus, the headmistress. Anne had a deep affection for her, and Mrs. Kuperus also cared for her. Consequently, when Anne left the school, she was in tears.

Q12. Which subject did Anne find difficult?

Ans: Anne found Mathematics difficult.

Q13. Why does Anne feel that writing in a diary is really a strange experience?

Ans: Anne Frank was just a thirteen-year-old girl when she began writing in her diary. Her circumstances made this experience particularly unusual:

• She was in hiding, isolated from the outside world.
• Anne felt that no one would care about the thoughts of a young girl.
• She had never written anything before, which added to her discomfort.

These factors combined made diary writing a strange experience for her.

Q14. According to Anne what has more patience than people?

Ans: According to Anne, paper has more patience than people.

Q15. What motivated Anne Frank to write in a diary? 

Ans: Anne Frank was motivated to write in her diary for several reasons:

• She was living in hiding, isolated from the outside world.
• With no opportunity for normal interactions, she lacked friends to confide in.
• She could only share ordinary matters with her family.
• Writing allowed her to express personal and intimate thoughts that she couldn't share with others.
• This act of writing helped her cope with feelings of loneliness and depression.

Ultimately, her diary became a vital outlet for her emotions and experiences.

Q16. How did Sanne help Anne Frank in writing the third essay? 

Ans: Sanne was a close friend of Anne Frank and had a talent for poetry. She assisted Anne in writing the third essay in verse form. The result was a well-crafted poem that impressed their teacher, Mr. Keesing, who responded positively to it.

Q17. Why doesn’t Anne want to jot down facts as most people do in a diary? Why does she call it her friend ‘Kitty’?

Ans: For Anne Frank, writing in a diary is a deeply personal and intimate experience. Unlike other diary writers who focus on facts and events, she prefers to express her feelings.

Anne seeks to fill the void left by the absence of true friends by sharing her thoughts and emotions on the pages of her diary. She names her diary 'Kitty' to represent this close relationship, viewing it as a friend who listens without judgement.

Q18. What was the name of the essay on which Anne had to write the second time?

Ans: The name of the essay on which Anne had to write the second time is 'An Incorrigible Chatterbox.'

Q19. Why does Anne think it prudent and wise to provide a brief sketch of her life?

Ans: Anne Frank refers to her diary as ‘Friend Kitty’ and writes all her entries to this imaginary friend. To help readers grasp her stories better, she believes it is wise to offer a brief overview of her life.

• Providing context makes her experiences clearer.
• It helps readers understand her feelings and thoughts.
• Although she dislikes summarising her life, she sees its importance.

Q20. Who was Mrs. Kuperus?

Ans: Mrs. Kuperus was the headmistress of Anne's school, overseeing both standards.

Q21. Give a brief description of Anne Frank’s family.

Ans: Anne describes her family as lovely. Her father, Otto Frank, is the most adorable father she knows. Her elder sister, Margot, was born in 1926 in Frankfurt, Germany. Their mother, Edith, married Otto when she was 25. Before moving to Amsterdam, Anne and Margot lived with their grandmother.

Q22. Anne Frank had a great attachment with her grandmother. Justify your answer. 

Ans: Anne Frank had a strong bond with her grandmother. Here are some key points that illustrate this connection:

• When her parents moved to Holland, Anne and her sister Margot lived with their grandmother in Aachen.
• Anne often thought about her grandmother after her death in January 1942.
• She maintained a deep love for her grandmother throughout her life.

Q23. Where did Anne stay before going to Holland? 

Ans: Anne’s parents migrated to Holland without her. As a result, Anne stayed with her grandmother for several months.

Q24. What was the topic of the first essay? Mr Keesing asked Anne to write?

Ans: The topic of the first essay that Mr Keesing asked Anne to write was A Chatterbox.

Q25. Why did Anne Frank say that teachers are the most unpredictable creatures on earth?

Ans: Anne Frank believed that teachers were the most unpredictable creatures on earth because their moods were difficult to foresee. Key points include:

• Their decisions impacted students' progress, determining who would advance to the next class.
• Teachers alone decided who would be kept back or promoted.
• This uncertainty led to students making bets on their chances of moving up.