Class 10 English Chapter 1 Question Answers - First Flight

Q1: What could Amanda do if she were a mermaid?
Ans: Amanda is a little girl who represents every child feeling controlled by their parents. If she were a mermaid, she would joyfully float in the sea, free from the restrictions of daily life.

Q2: What does Amanda yearn for?
Ans: Amanda is a young girl who feels overwhelmed by the constant instructions and nagging from her parents. She yearns for freedom and desires to live a life without any restrictions. This longing reflects her wish to escape the pressures of her daily routine.

Q3: Who was Amanda? What idea do you form for her through the poem?
Ans: Amanda is a young schoolgirl who enjoys fairy tales, particularly stories like Rapunzel and tales of mermaids. She dislikes being given too many instructions or being nagged, which often leads her to sulk and feel moody. When this happens, she becomes inattentive to her mother and starts to daydream.

Q4: What instructions were given to Amanda about her homework, room, and shoes?
Ans: Amanda has been instructed to complete her homework and keep her room tidy. Additionally, she is expected to clean her shoes.

Q5: What made Amanda sulk and become moody?
Ans: Amanda becomes moody and sulks when her mother gives her too many instructions. She feels overwhelmed and does not want to follow them, yet she finds it difficult to ignore her mother's requests, leading her to sulk.

Q6: What does Amanda's mother ask Amanda not to do in the poem 'Amanda'?
Ans: Amanda's mother advises Amanda to avoid certain behaviours. She should not bite her nails or hunch her shoulders. Instead, Amanda is encouraged to sit up straight and maintain cleanliness. Additionally, her mother suggests that she should refrain from eating chocolate due to her acne.

Q7: Why does she dream to be an orphan?
Ans: She believes that orphans enjoy a carefree life. Without anyone to give them instructions, they can roam freely in the streets and create patterns in the soft dust with their bare feet. They are not burdened with chores like cleaning their shoes or rooms, nor do they have to complete homework.

Q8: Don’t eat that chocolate Amanda! Remember your acne, Amanda! Why is Amanda forbidden to eat chocolate?
Ans: Amanda loves chocolate, but she is forbidden to eat it because it can worsen her acne. Although she desires the freedom to enjoy sweets, her health must come first. It is important for her to take care of her skin and avoid foods that may negatively impact it.

Q9: What is the role/ importance of punctuation marks in language? Why has the poet used the exclamation mark after Amanda? Comment on the title of the poem. 
Ans: Punctuation marks play a crucial role in language by providing clarity and structure to sentences. They help convey meaning and indicate pauses, making writing easier to understand. The exclamation mark after "Amanda!" reflects the mother's surprise upon noticing Amanda's behaviour. It highlights Amanda's sulky and moody nature, which causes concern for her mother. The title of the poem, "Amanda," suggests a focus on the character and her experiences, inviting readers to explore her feelings and the dynamics of her relationship with her mother.

Q10: Is the purpose of someone constantly giving instructions to Amanda being fulfilled? Explain.
Ans: No, the purpose of giving instructions to Amanda is not being fulfilled. She tends to sulk and become moody when her mother gives her too many instructions. Although she does not listen to her mother or care to follow the instructions, she feels unable to ignore them completely, resulting in her sulking. Parents often give numerous instructions in their effort to encourage good behaviour in their children.

Q11: What is the theme of the poem — ‘Amanda’?
Ans: The poem Amanda explores the theme of children feeling overwhelmed by too many instructions and restrictions from adults. This leads to feelings of boredom and frustration. As a result, children often respond half-heartedly to their parents and escape into daydreams to find a sense of freedom.

Q12: Do you think that Amanda doesn’t like to be controlled and instructed not to do one thing or the other? Give a reasoned answer.
Ans: Amanda values her freedom and resists any attempts to limit it. She prefers to live life on her own terms. When given instructions, she feels her independence is restricted. This is evident as she often ignores her mother’s commands, showing her desire to avoid being controlled.

Q13: List the things which Amanda’s mother doesn’t want her to do.
Ans: Amanda's mother has several things she does not want her to do. She advises Amanda not to hunch her shoulders or slouch, as it affects her posture. Additionally, she discourages Amanda from eating chocolate because it could worsen her acne. Lastly, her mother wants her to stop sulking, as it may lead others to think she is being nagged.

Q14: How does Amanda is seen behaving when the poem starts? What does the speaker ask her not to do?
Ans: At the start of the poem, Amanda is seen biting her nails and hunching her shoulders, sitting in a slouched posture. The speaker urges her to behave normally, specifically asking her not to bite her nails or hunch her shoulders. Instead, she should sit up straight.

Q15: In her day-dreaming, Amanda reaches the sea. What does she imagine herself to be?
Ans: Amanda imagines the sea as a relaxed and peaceful place where she is the only inhabitant. In her daydream, she sees herself as a mermaid, drifting blissfully on the waves. This vision brings her a sense of happiness and freedom.

Q16: What message does the poet want to give through the poem — ‘Amanda’?
Ans: The poet conveys that parents, in their effort to raise well-behaved children, often overwhelm them with too many instructions or nagging. This approach can lead children to feel restricted and may cause them to stop listening. Instead, parents should adopt more positive methods that resonate with children. If not, children may retreat into their own worlds, as illustrated by Amanda's daydreaming.

Q17: What does the speaker tell Amanda in the end? What is the speaker afraid of?
Ans: The speaker perceives Amanda as sulking and moody, suggesting that this behaviour is typical for her. He urges her to stop sulking, expressing his concern that others might think he is nagging her. This fear indicates his desire to maintain a positive image in front of others.