Textbook Solutions: The Stolen Bacillus | Gul Mohar Class 8: Book Solutions, Summaries & Worksheets PDF Download

Before You Read

This is the Coronavirus as seen under an electron microscope.
Q. Consider the size of these microscopic particles – and discuss with your partner –
a. their effect on human beings
b. how quickly they can spread
c. our defense against these diseases
Ans: (a) Microscopic particles like viruses and bacteria may be invisible, but their effect on human beings is huge. They can cause dangerous illnesses, pandemics, and even death.
(b) These germs spread extremely quickly—through air, water, food, or direct contact. Within days, they can infect entire communities.
(c) Our defense lies in vaccines, medicines, and hygienic practices such as washing hands, wearing masks, and avoiding contact. Strong healthcare systems also play a crucial role in controlling outbreaks.

While Reading

Q1. Why do you think the pale-faced man says 'wonderful'?
​Ans:  He says “wonderful” because he is amazed that something so tiny and invisible could have the power to multiply rapidly and destroy entire cities. For him, it is not just scientific discovery but also the possibility of using it as a weapon. The word reflects his twisted excitement, where he admires destruction instead of fearing it. This irony highlights how dangerous knowledge can be in the wrong hands and builds suspense for readers.

Q2. The pale-faced man is satisfied because…
Ans: The pale-faced man feels satisfied when he sees the living cholera germs and realises that such germs can be turned into a deadly weapon. His satisfaction does not come from learning or science, but from the idea of using this discovery for violence. His expression shows how dangerous his intentions are, because instead of thinking about cure or prevention, he only thinks of destruction. His reaction contrasts sharply with the Bacteriologist’s purpose.

Q3. What do you understand from the phrase 'devouring the little tube with his eyes'?
Ans: The phrase suggests that the man was staring at the little tube with extreme greed and hunger. His eyes seemed to swallow the deadly germs inside, showing unhealthy fascination and eagerness to possess it. This description makes his character appear even more dangerous, because it reveals how obsessed he is with using the bacteria. The phrase personifies his greed, making it clear that his interest is not curiosity but destructive ambition.

Q4. Replace the 'He' in this para with 'it'. Would the writing be less or more effective?
Ans: The writing would be less effective if replaced with “it.” Using “He” personifies the bacteria, making them seem like a living monster, full of menace and intention. This increases fear and suspense for the reader. If it was written as “it,” the germs would sound ordinary and scientific. By using “He,” the author makes the bacteria feel alive, emphasising the danger in the story and showing how small things can become terrifying symbols.

Q5. Rhetoric is impressive or persuasive language. But why is it called a 'weakness'?
Ans: In the story, rhetoric is called a weakness because the Bacteriologist is so excited in describing the dangers of cholera that he becomes careless. He enjoys the sound of his own words and exaggerations rather than paying attention to the effect they may have on his listener. His weakness is not lack of knowledge, but lack of caution. It shows how overconfidence in speech can sometimes invite serious risks and misunderstandings.

Q6. 'His eyes shone' tells us that the visitor is feeling…
Ans: The phrase “His eyes shone” shows that the visitor is feeling thrilled, excited, and full of dangerous enthusiasm. He sees the cholera germs not as a medical threat to be studied, but as a powerful weapon that can help him achieve revenge and fame. His shining eyes reflect greed and destructive imagination. The moment captures his reckless ambition and prepares the reader for the foolish but dangerous steps he is about to take.

Q7. Read para 22 and 23 again. Discuss with your partner how Minnie:
a. brings out the humour and urgency in the text.
b. throws light on the character of the Bacteriologist.
Ans: (a) Minnie adds humour when she says her husband “has gone mad” and rushes after him in a cab. This brings lightness and comic relief into an otherwise tense story, mixing urgency with comedy.

(b) Her presence also highlights the eccentric nature of the Bacteriologist. He is so absent-minded and obsessed with germs that he often ignores practical matters. Through Minnie’s remarks, the reader sees his forgetful, unworldly, yet harmless personality in contrast to the anarchist.

Q8. Why do you think the Bacteriologist is smiling? Underline the place where we come to know the reason for his 'smile'.
Ans: The Bacteriologist smiles because the anarchist has stolen the wrong tube. Instead of cholera, it only contained harmless blue-staining bacteria. The man believes he has taken a deadly weapon, but in truth he has only taken a joke upon himself. We learn this in para 32, where the Bacteriologist reveals that the bacteria were only capable of turning animals blue, not of spreading disease. His smile reflects irony, relief, and amusement.

Q9. 'Look blue' has two meanings here. Can you guess both?
Ans: The phrase look blue has a double meaning. First, it means to literally turn blue in colour, which is what happens to animals exposed to the harmless bacteria in the tube. Second, it is an idiom meaning to feel sad, disappointed, or worried. The author uses this clever play on words as a comic twist, because the anarchist not only turns out to be foolish but will also “look blue” both literally and emotionally.

Understanding the Text

A. Read these statements and state whether they are true (T) or not true (NT). If a statement is not true, write the reason why.

1. The Bacteriologist was suspicious of the man from the beginning_______.
2. The cultivation of living disease bacteria was not safe with the Bacteriologist_______.
3. The Anarchist had a complete plan in his mind before coming to the Bacteriologist________.
4. Minnie has no real contribution to the plot of the story________.
Ans: (1) The Bacteriologist was suspicious of the man from the beginning- NT 

He found him strange but did not suspect his intentions.

(2) The cultivation of living disease bacteria was not safe with the Bacteriologist - T​

Keeping deadly germs at home was dangerous.

(3) The Anarchist had a complete plan in his mind before coming to the Bacteriologist. - NT 

He wanted to use germs but acted impulsively.

(4) Minnie has no real contribution to the plot of the story. - NT 

Her role adds humour, urgency, and helps highlight her husband’s eccentricity.

B. Answer these questions.

Q1. Why do you think the Bacteriologist says that they have to keep the living disease bacteria with them?
Ans: He says this because scientists need live cultures to study diseases properly. By observing living bacteria, they can learn how germs spread, how they affect the body, and how to fight them. Without such experiments, vaccines and cures cannot be developed. Though dangerous, keeping living bacteria is part of scientific research. This statement shows how science often balances risk with discovery, even though careless handling may lead to serious consequences for society.

Q2. Read para 10. Why do you think the Bacteriologist describes the fatal effects of the cholera germ so vividly?
Ans: The Bacteriologist describes the effects of cholera in vivid detail because he is carried away by his love for scientific rhetoric. He imagines how cholera spreads and kills, and he explains it almost dramatically, forgetting the impression his words leave. His passion for description turns into a weakness, because it excites the anarchist rather than cautioning him. This moment highlights his absent-minded, careless personality, where enthusiasm overshadows practical safety and awareness.

Q3. Why does the Bacteriologist say 'blue ruin'? When do you come to know what he really means? (para 21)
Ans:  He says “blue ruin” when he realises the anarchist has stolen the test tube. At first, it seems like a warning of disaster. Later, in para 32, we come to know the truth—that the tube only contained harmless bacteria that turned animals blue. The phrase is ironic, because what appeared to be ruin for the world becomes comic ruin for the anarchist. This twist gives the story its humorous and surprising ending.

Q4. 'All those people who had sneered at him, neglected him, preferred other people to him, would consider him at last.' (para 24) Who are 'all those people'? Why do you think they treated him in this way? What was the real purpose or motive of the Anarchist behind his actions?
Ans: All those people refers to society, acquaintances, and perhaps other anarchists who had ignored or belittled him. They treated him as insignificant and powerless. His real purpose was revenge—he wanted recognition by spreading destruction through cholera. He believed that once he unleashed the germs, the world would fear him and respect him. His motive was not noble but selfish: to turn bitterness into power by misusing science for personal fame.

5. 'I suppose I shall be the first. I shall be a Martyr.' (para 26) What shall the Anarchist be the first in? What do you think will happen to him after swallowing the wrong cultivation of bacteria? How would other Anarchists regard him then? Do you think he deserves the consequences?
Ans: The anarchist believed he would be the first person to use cholera as a weapon and die for his cause, making himself a martyr. In reality, since he swallowed harmless bacteria, he would only turn blue, making himself a laughingstock. Other anarchists would likely regard him as a fool, not a hero. His foolish mistake makes him undeserving of glory, but it is fair justice, since his original intentions were cruel and dangerous.

Q6. The Bacteriologist was so preoccupied with the man that he scarcely showed any surprise at the appearance of Minnie. (para 31) What do you think the Bacteriologist was thinking at this moment? What was the Anarchist doing? Why?
Ans: The Bacteriologist was focused on the danger of the missing tube, thinking about the harm it could cause if misused. His mind was full of worry about retrieving it safely. Meanwhile, the anarchist was plotting his escape, clutching the tube as though he had gained a great weapon. He was eager to spread chaos and imagined becoming famous. This contrast shows the absent-minded scientist versus the reckless, power-hungry anarchist.

Q7. Read para 30 again and answer these questions. Did the Bacteriologist intentionally mislead the Anarchist? If the Bacteriologist knew that the man did not have cholera in his hands, then why did he chase him so desperately?
Ans: No, the Bacteriologist did not intentionally mislead the anarchist. His words were careless but not meant as a trick. He chased him so desperately because he feared the man might harm himself or others. Even if the bacteria were harmless, it was still part of his experiment, and he did not want it misused. His chase also shows his responsibility as a scientist who wanted to limit confusion and protect people from unnecessary panic.

Appreciating the Text

Q1. Often the plot of a story is driven by the actions of secondary characters. What if Minnie, the Bacteriologist's wife, had not interrupted the conversation between her husband and the Anarchist? Write what could have happened in five to six sentences. 
Ans: If Minnie had not interrupted, the Bacteriologist might not have realised in time that the anarchist had stolen the tube. Without her sudden entry, the anarchist could have escaped more smoothly. The chase scene, which adds humour and tension, might never have taken place. The twist ending would have lost its impact. Minnie’s brief but important role shows how secondary characters often drive the plot and add unexpected turns in a story.

Q2. Anticlimax is a disappointing or laughable conclusion after something serious has happened. Identify the anticlimax in the story.
Ans: The anticlimax occurs when the anarchist swallows the bacteria tube, believing it contains deadly cholera. He imagines himself as a hero or martyr ready to bring the world to its knees. But the truth is comic—it only contained harmless blue-staining bacteria. Instead of causing destruction, he turns himself into a figure of ridicule. This sudden shift from deadly seriousness to humour creates the story’s unique charm and highlights its moral lesson.