Class 5 English Gul Mohar Question Answers - A Rare Species of Uncle

Short Answer Type Questions

Q1: What was the name of the narrator's uncle?
Ans: Salim mamoo.

Q2: Why did the narrator envy her school friends?
Ans: Because they could sleep late on weekends, unlike the narrator who had to wake up early for birdwatching.

Q3: What did Salim mamoo drive, and how did he drive it?
Ans: Salim mamoo drove a Willys jeep, and he drove it like a battle tank, honking and shouting.

Q4: Why did the family learn to shut their eyes when Salim mamoo was driving?
Ans: Salim mamoo's temper was not sweet, especially on the road, so they shut their eyes and hoped for the best.

Q5: What did the narrator and her siblings hear at 5:30 a.m. during weekends?
Ans: They heard the clacking sound of Salim mamoo's typewriter.

Q6: What did Salim mamoo do even when he was old that amazed everyone?
Ans: He could walk long distances, ride camels, and climb shaky ladders to look into bird nests.

Q7: What did Salim mamoo and the narrator's mother write together?
Ans: They wrote a book called "Common Indian Birds" together.

Q8: Why did the family tolerate the noise of Salim mamoo's typewriter early in the morning?
Ans: They tolerated it because Salim mamoo was working on his books, and they loved him.

Q9: What kind of atmosphere did the narrator grow up in?
Ans: A nature-friendly atmosphere.

Q10: What did Salim mamoo's passion inspire in the family?
Ans: His passion inspired an interest in natural history and conservation in the family.

Long Answer Type Questions

Q1: Describe the narrator's family and their connection to nature.
Ans: The narrator's family was nature-friendly, and both parents were nature lovers. The father, Zafar Futehally, became interested in birds through the narrator's uncle, Salim mamoo. They even wrote a book on birds together, and the family often discussed nature and the environment.

Q2: Why did the narrator envy her school friends, and what activities did the family engage in during weekends?
Ans: The narrator envied her school friends because they could sleep in on weekends. The family, on the other hand, woke up early at 5:30 a.m. to go birdwatching at Borivali Park, which is now a national park.

Q3: What were Salim mamoo's unique talents as a birdwatcher?
Ans: Salim mamoo had the ability to see and hear things that others couldn't. He could walk long distances, ride camels, and climb shaky ladders to peer into bird nests. His bird-finding talent was exceptional.

Q4: How did Salim mamoo handle driving, and what was the family's reaction?
Ans: Salim mamoo drove his Willys jeep like a battle tank, honking and shouting. The family learned to shut their eyes and hope for the best when he was driving due to his not-so-sweet temper.

Q5: How did Salim mamoo influence the family's mornings, and how did they react to it?
Ans: Salim mamoo's typewriter noise at 5 in the morning disturbed the family's sleep. Despite the inconvenience, they tolerated it because he typed most of his books himself, and they loved him.

Q6: Describe Salim mamoo's impact on the narrator and her siblings during their stays at their grandparents' place.
Ans: During their stays, Salim mamoo's apartment was directly below the narrator's bedroom. They played hide-and-seek quietly to avoid disturbing him. Salim mamoo, despite scolding them, had a funny and loving side, creating laughter and joy in the family.

Q7: Explain the incident of baking a cake for Salim mamoo's birthday.
Ans: The narrator and her cousin baked a cake for Salim mamoo's birthday, and even though it fell on the floor, he made a joke about it. This incident reflects the family's love and the joyful atmosphere created by Salim mamoo.

Q8: Why did Salim mamoo always have followers, especially children interested in wildlife?
Ans: Salim mamoo's passion for birdwatching and wildlife attracted followers, especially children. He inspired many with his knowledge and created an army of little birdwatchers interested in wildlife.

Q9: Was birdwatching just a hobby for Salim mamoo, and how did he impact the family's interests?
Ans: Birdwatching was not just a hobby for Salim mamoo; it was his life. His passion inspired many family members to become interested in natural history and conservation, shaping their interests.

Q10: What was the narrator's most vivid memory of Salim mamoo, and what did it reveal about his love for birdwatching?
Ans: The narrator's most vivid memory was the joy on Salim mamoo's face when he looked at a bird, whether rare or simple. This revealed that birdwatching brought immense happiness to Salim mamoo, and it was more than just a casual interest.