Class 10 English Chapter 1 Question Answers - First Flight

Q1. How did Anne justify her habit of talking in her first essay on ‘A Chatterbox’?
Ans: In her essay titled A Chatterbox, Anne Frank reflected on her habit of talking. She argued that talking is a natural trait among students and expressed her belief that she could not change this behaviour, as it was part of her nature. Anne pointed out that her mother talked just as much, if not more, than she did, suggesting that this tendency was an inherited trait. Despite her attempts to control her chatter, she found it difficult to overcome this characteristic.

Q2. Why did Anne Frank feel suffocated?
Ans: Anne Frank was a sensitive girl who felt deeply isolated during her time in hiding. Living in fear of arrest by the Nazis in Holland, she was cut off from her friends and community. This situation created a profound sense of suffocation for her. 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, making her feel trapped. 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.

Q3. What does Anne write in her first essay?
Ans: In her first essay, titled A Chatterbox, Anne aimed to present strong arguments for the significance of talking. She wrote three pages, asserting that talking is a natural trait among students and expressed her commitment to manage it effectively. Anne concluded that, despite her efforts, she could not completely change this inherited behaviour.

Q4. 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, when her family encountered rising anti-Jewish sentiment. In 1933, her father emigrated to the Netherlands, followed by her mother in September. Anne and her older sister, Margot, initially stayed with their grandmother in Aachen. Margot moved to Holland in December, and Anne joined her in February. After arriving in Holland, Anne attended a Montessori nursery school until she was six, after which she started in the first form. Tragically, her grandmother passed away in January 1942, when Anne was just thirteen. In July 1942, as persecution intensified, Anne's family went into hiding in her father's office building. They remained hidden for two years until they were betrayed and sent to a concentration camp, where Anne died of typhus shortly after her sister, Margot. Her father, Otto Frank, was the only survivor and later published her diary, which has become a significant account of life during the Holocaust.

Q5. How did Anne want her diary to be different?
Ans: Anne wanted her diary to be more than just a simple record of facts; she imagined it as a friend. She affectionately called it 'Kitty' and aimed to share her feelings and experiences within its pages. Unlike a typical diary, it was not merely a factual account; instead, it served as a confidant for her thoughts. Through her writing, Anne demonstrated remarkable maturity and deep insight into her life and emotions.

Q6. Explain ‘teachers are the most unpredictable creatures’.
Ans: Teachers are the most unpredictable creatures because their thoughts and actions can be hard to predict. This unpredictability arises from several factors. Firstly, teachers often change their plans without notice, which can catch students off guard. Secondly, they may react differently to similar situations, leading to varied responses. Additionally, their expectations can shift from day to day, leaving students uncertain about what to expect. As a result, students can never be entirely sure how a teacher will respond, creating an atmosphere of surprise and keeping them alert in the classroom.

Q7. Why did Anne think that she was alone? Give reasons.
Ans: Anne felt alone for several reasons. Firstly, she had lost her parents, which left a significant void in her life. Additionally, her elder sister was also missing, further deepening her sense of isolation. She had also lost her aunts and a stable home, which contributed to her feelings of loneliness. Although she had friends, there was no one she could truly confide in, making her feel even more disconnected. These experiences collectively heightened her sense of isolation.

Q8. 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 formed a deep bond with her. When her grandmother passed away, Anne experienced profound sadness and often thought about her, which indicates a close relationship.

Q9. Why was the entire class quaking in its boots?
Ans: The entire class was shaking with fear due to anxiety about their future. The teachers were set to decide who would advance to the next class and who would be held back. This uncertainty created a tense atmosphere, with half the class even making bets on the outcomes. The unpredictability of the teachers' decisions only heightened the overall tension.

Q10. 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 strong affection for her, and Mrs. Kuperus cared for Anne in return. As a result, when Anne left the school, she was in tears during their emotional farewell.

Q11. Why does Anne feel that writing in a diary is really a strange experience?
Ans: Anne Frank, at just thirteen years old, found writing in a diary to be a strange experience due to her unique circumstances. Firstly, she was in hiding, which left her feeling isolated from the outside world. Secondly, Anne believed that no one would care about the thoughts of a young girl, adding to her sense of discomfort. Lastly, since she had never written anything before, this unfamiliarity made the act of diary writing feel even more unusual. These factors combined made her experience quite peculiar.

Q12. What motivated Anne Frank to write in a diary?
Ans: Anne Frank was motivated to write in her diary for several reasons. Firstly, she was living in hiding, cut off from the outside world. This isolation meant she had no friends to confide in, as her interactions were limited to her family. She could only discuss everyday matters with them, which left her feeling lonely and unable to express her deeper thoughts. Writing in her diary provided her with a vital outlet for her personal feelings and experiences, helping her cope with her sense of depression and solitude. Ultimately, her diary became a cherished friend, allowing her to share her innermost thoughts.

Q13. 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 experience. Unlike others who focus on facts and events, she prefers to share her feelings. Anne seeks to fill the void left by the absence of true friends by expressing her thoughts and emotions on the pages of her diary. She names her diary 'Kitty' to signify this close relationship, viewing it as a friend who listens without judgement.

Q14. 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. She believes it is wise to provide a brief overview of her life to help readers understand her experiences better. By offering this context, she makes her feelings and thoughts clearer. Although she dislikes summarising her life, she acknowledges its importance for the reader's comprehension.

Q15. Give a brief description of Anne Frank’s family.
Ans: Anne Frank 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.

Q16. Anne Frank had a great attachment with her grandmother. Justify your answer.
Ans: Anne Frank shared a strong bond with her grandmother, which is evident in several ways. When her parents relocated to Holland, Anne and her sister Margot lived with their grandmother in Aachen. This time spent together fostered a deep connection. After her grandmother's death in January 1942, Anne frequently reflected on their relationship, demonstrating her enduring affection. Throughout her life, Anne maintained a profound love for her grandmother, highlighting the significance of this familial bond.

Q17. Why did Anne Frank say that teachers are the most unpredictable creatures on earth?
Ans: Anne Frank viewed teachers as the most unpredictable creatures on earth due to their unforeseeable moods. Their decisions significantly impacted students' progress, as they determined who would advance to the next class. Teachers had the sole authority to decide who would be promoted or held back, creating a sense of uncertainty among students. This unpredictability led them to make bets on their chances of moving up, highlighting the anxiety surrounding their futures.