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Unit Test (Solution): The Lost Child

Time: 1 Hour  M.M.: 30

Instructions: Attempt all questions.
Question number 1 carries 6 marks.
Question numbers 2 to 5 carry 3 marks each.
Question numbers 6 to 7 carry 6 marks each.

Q1. Read the extract and answer the following questions. (6 Marks)

Extract:
"A full, deep cry rose within his dry throat and with a sudden jerk of his body he ran from where he stood, crying in real fear, 'Mother, Father.' Tears rolled down from his eyes, hot and fierce; his flushed face was convulsed with fear."

(a) What situation leads the child to cry out in fear?
(b) How does the author describe the child's emotional state in this moment?
(c) What does this extract reveal about the theme of the story?
Ans:
(a) The child suddenly realises that his parents are nowhere around him in the fair. The moment he discovers they are missing, he is terrified and cries out for them.
(b) The author shows the child's fear through physical reactions-his throat dries up, tears burn his cheeks, and his face tightens with panic. These details convey intense anxiety and helplessness.
(c) This extract reflects the central theme of the story: a child's deep emotional dependence on his parents. It shows that parental love and security matter more to him than any attraction in the fair.

Q2. Why does the child repeatedly move on after wanting things at the fair? (3 Marks)
Ans: The child longs for toys, sweets, garlands, balloons, and music, but he moves on each time because he knows his parents would not agree. He has learnt from experience that they would refuse-saying he is too old, too greedy, or that the items are too cheap. His behaviour shows both obedience and fear of disappointing them.

Q3. Describe how the author uses sensory details to bring the fair to life. (3 Marks)
Ans: The author uses vivid sights, sounds, colours, and smells-the colourful balloons, silver-coated sweets, cooing doves, bustling crowd, the flute of the snake-charmer, and the spinning roundabout. These sensory details create a lively and immersive atmosphere, helping readers feel the excitement and chaos of the fair.

Q4. How is the child's anxiety portrayed when he realises he is lost? (3 Marks)
Ans: His panic is immediate and overwhelming. He cries loudly, runs in every direction, struggles through the crowds, and even risks being trampled. His turban comes undone, clothes get muddy, and his voice breaks into sobs. These images clearly portray fear, confusion, and helplessness.

Q5. Why does the lost child refuse every attractive thing offered by the kind man? (3 Marks)
Ans: Once the child loses his parents, all his earlier desires vanish. Neither the roundabout ride, nor balloons, flowers, music, or sweets can comfort him. He rejects everything because his only need is the safety and love of his parents. This shift reveals the depth of his attachment and emotional priority.

Q6. Compare the child's behaviour before and after he gets lost. (6 Marks)
Ans:
Before getting lost:

  • The child is joyful, curious, and easily distracted.
  • He is fascinated by nature, toys, sweets, garlands, balloons, music, and everything at the fair.
  • He asks for things timidly but still shows excitement and eagerness.
  • His actions reflect innocence and the carefree spirit of childhood.

After getting lost:

  • His cheerful curiosity turns into terror and desperation.
  • He stops caring about material attractions.
  • He cries uncontrollably, runs wildly, and becomes physically exhausted.
  • His only desire is to find his parents, showing that emotional security is more important than any amusement.
  • This contrast highlights the story's core message that parental love outweighs worldly pleasures.

Q7. "The Lost Child" beautifully portrays that children value love more than material pleasures. Discuss. (6 Marks)
Ans:
The story shows a child who initially enjoys the fair and is attracted to many things-sweets, toys, flowers, balloons, music, and rides. However, the moment he loses his parents, his desires shift completely. Fear replaces joy, and nothing else matters. Even when a kind man offers him everything he previously wanted, the child refuses all of it.

This transformation reveals a powerful truth:
Children may be tempted by material objects, but their greatest need is emotional safety, affection, and the presence of their parents. The story emphasizes that love and security form the true foundation of childhood happiness-far more valuable than any excitement the outside world can offer.

The document Unit Test (Solution): The Lost Child is a part of the Class 9 Course English Class 9.
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FAQs on Unit Test (Solution): The Lost Child

1. What is the main theme of "The Lost Child"?
Ans. The main theme of "The Lost Child" revolves around the innocence of childhood and the deep emotional bond between a parent and child. The story highlights the feelings of abandonment and longing experienced by a child who gets lost in a fair, emphasising the parental love and the child's desire for freedom and joy.
2. How does the setting contribute to the story of "The Lost Child"?
Ans. The setting of "The Lost Child" plays a crucial role in creating a vibrant yet chaotic atmosphere of the fair, which represents excitement and temptation for the child. The bustling crowd, colourful stalls, and various attractions heighten the child's sense of wonder but also lead to confusion, ultimately resulting in the child's feeling of being lost and isolated amidst the festivities.
3. What emotions does the child experience when he gets lost?
Ans. When the child gets lost, he experiences a range of emotions including fear, confusion, and longing. Initially filled with excitement at the fair, the child quickly becomes frightened and desperate as he realises he cannot find his parents, leading to an intense feeling of solitude and vulnerability that underscores the theme of parental attachment.
4. What does the child's desire for toys and sweets signify in the story?
Ans. The child's desire for toys and sweets signifies the innocence and simplicity of childhood desires. It reflects the natural inclination of children to seek pleasure and enjoyment, while also highlighting the contrast between superficial desires and the deeper, more profound need for love and security provided by family, which becomes evident when he is lost.
5. How does the story conclude, and what is its significance?
Ans. The story concludes with the child being reunited with his parents, highlighting the importance of familial bonds and the relief that comes with regaining that connection. This resolution underscores the message that, while children may be drawn to the allure of the outside world, their ultimate need for safety and love from their parents is paramount, reinforcing the narrative's emotional depth.
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