Textbook Solutions: The Fight

Before You Read

"Friends have to compete sometimes-the competition can be friendly but sometimes, it can be very hard to compete like this."
How would you act towards a friend before, during and after a competition?
Ans: 

• Before: I would encourage my friend and wish them luck.
• During: I would play fair, give my best, and respect rules.
• After: I would congratulate them, stay cheerful, and remain good friends always.

While Reading

Q1. Who is this famous Indian boxer? She is from Manipur. She is the only woman to win the World Amateur Boxing Championship six times and the only boxer (male or female) to win eight World Championship medals.
Ans: Mary Kom, from Manipur. She is the only woman to win the World Amateur Boxing Championship six times and has eight World Championship medals, showing her as India's most successful and inspiring woman boxer.

Q2. Is there a word in your home language that can be used in the same way as hermano? Say what it is and how it is used.
Ans: In Hindi, the word "bhai" means brother. It is used not only for one's real brother but also for close friends in an affectionate and respectful way, showing love and strong friendship bonds.

Q3. Two things we learn about Felix and Tony's friendship from this conversation are ...
Ans: They respected each other deeply and cared more about their friendship than winning. Their relationship showed trust, honesty, and love, proving that friendship is stronger than competition or personal ambition.

Q4. How do you know this match is important to the people of this neighbourhood?
Ans: The neighbourhood showed excitement by putting up posters, arranging speeches, and attending in large crowds. The fight was the main event, making the community proud of their local champions Felix and Antonio.

Q5. At this moment, Felix and Tony feel ... The crowd feels ...
Ans: Felix and Tony felt tense but determined to do their best. The crowd felt thrilled, excited, and proud to see their champions fight fairly while representing their community with pride.

Q6. The crowd approves of the way both fighters stop midway through a punch when the bell rings because ...
Ans: The crowd approved because it showed fairness, discipline, and sportsmanship. Both boxers respected the rules and each other, proving that their fight was hard but also honourable and respectful.

Q7. What does a trainer do during a match?
Ans: A trainer supports the boxer by giving advice, motivating them, and pouring water to refresh them between rounds. Trainers guide and encourage the fighters to perform their best during the match.

Q8. All fighters smile when they are hurt because they want to-
a. pretend that they are unhurt.
b. reassure the crowd and show their strength.
c. make the other fighter angry.
Ans: (a) pretend that they are unhurt - Smiling hides their pain and shows strength, making the opponent believe they are still confident and ready to continue fighting in the ring.

Q9. These good friends keep fighting after the bell rings because ...
Ans: They were so caught up in the heated competition that they did not realise the bell had rung. Their passion for the match made them lose awareness of everything else.

Understanding the Text

A. Choose the correct answer.

Q1. When Antonio and Felix went for their daily run, they had something on their minds. Each of them was wondering-
Ans: (b) how the fight might affect their friendship.

Q2: The training days passed too slowly because-
Ans: (c) the fighters felt nervous about facing each other.

Q3. Bong-bong-bong. The roar turned to stillness. The audience fell silent because-
Ans: (a) they wanted to hear what the announcer had to say.

Q4. During the match, the two friends-
Ans: (b) fought hard and fair.

Q5. ... they knew they would always be champions to each other. This statement means-
Ans: (c) the fighters knew they would always love and respect each other.

B. Answer these questions.

Q1. Why did Antonio glance at Felix and why did Felix look purposely ahead? How do you think they were feeling? (para 2)
Ans: Antonio glanced because he was anxious, while Felix looked ahead to hide his worry. Both were nervous and unsure, feeling conflicted about fighting each other despite being close friends.

Q2. "We gotta be like two strangers that want the same thing and only one can have it. You understand, don't cha?"
a. Why must they be like two strangers?
Ans: They must be like strangers so that friendship does not affect fairness in the ring.
b. What does this tell you about how Felix is feeling?
Ans: This shows Felix is serious, determined, and wants an honest fight.
c. How does Felix know Antonio will understand?
Ans: Felix knows Antonio will understand because Antonio is equally honest and committed.

Q3. "Let's have a clean fight."
a. Who said this to whom?
Ans: Felix said this to Antonio.
b. What does "a clean fight" mean in this context?
Ans: A clean fight means a fair fight without cheating.
c. Do you think the fight that followed was clean?
Ans: Yes, the fight that followed was clean, as both fought hard but respected rules.

Q4. How do we know that there is a big crowd and that the crowd is excited? Underline the lines in the text. (para 18)
Ans: The text says: "As the two climbed into the ring, the crowd exploded with a roar." This line shows the excitement, energy, and huge number of people present.

Q5. Both youngsters touched gloves and nodded.
a. What is the significance of touching gloves?
Ans: Touching gloves is a sign of respect and sportsmanship.
b. Why did they nod to each other?
Ans: They nodded to show readiness, acknowledge their friendship, and signal the start of a fair match.

Q6. If Felix had any doubt about their friendship affecting their fight, it was being neatly dispelled.
a. Where was Felix?
Ans: Felix was inside the boxing ring during the fight.
b. Why might he have had doubts about their friendship affecting their fight?
Ans: He had doubts because Antonio was his close friend, and he wondered if that would affect the fight.
c. How was his doubt being dispelled?
Ans: Antonio fought with full force, proving friendship did not weaken their performance.

Q7. A doctor was present at the match. What does this tell you about boxing as a sport? (para 29)
Ans:  It shows that boxing is a dangerous sport. Fighters can get injured, so medical supervision is needed for safety and to give treatment quickly if anything goes wrong.

Q8. What do you suppose Antonio and Felix talked about as they walked away from the boxing ring?
Ans: They probably talked about their friendship, mutual respect, and how proud they were of each other. Winning did not matter; what mattered was their bond and playing the match honestly.

Appreciating the Text

Q1. Read the ending of the story. The text leaves a question unanswered and yet brings a sense of satisfaction.
a. What is the unanswered question and why do we get a sense of satisfaction?
Ans: The unanswered question is who won the fight. We feel satisfied because their friendship stayed stronger than victory, showing love and respect mattered more than any competition or medal.
b. Why do you think this question was left unanswered?
Ans:  It was left unanswered to highlight that true friendship is more valuable than winning. The writer wanted to show that love, respect, and unity are bigger than competition.

Q2. A story's theme is a message about life or human nature that the writer wants readers to understand. What are the two main themes in this text?
Ans: The two main themes are friendship and sportsmanship. The story shows that honesty, respect, and trust matter more than victory. Competing fairly is important, but friendship is the strongest bond.

Q3. A setting is the time and place in which a story is told.
a. What is the setting of this story?
Ans: The story is set in the Lower East Side, New York, in Tompkins Square Park.
b. How does the setting play a role in the story-the community and the importance of the match to the people of the community.
Ans: The setting shows the community's pride and excitement. The people supported the fighters, making the match meaningful for everyone, not just Felix and Antonio.
c. Do you think the story will change if the setting changes? How is the emotion and tension in the story brought out using-

• the neighbourhood? 
  Ans: Shows pride and culture of the local community.
• the people and their culture? 
  Ans: Their excitement shows boxing is hope and achievement.
• their pride in each other and their community? 
  Ans: It highlights unity and shared joy, no matter who wins.