Wit and Humour – Question Answers
Lesson 1: Animals, Birds and Dr. Dolittle (by Hugh Lofting)
Before the Text (Pg. 43)
Q1. Do you have a pet or domestic animal? If yes, why? If not, why not?
Ans. (Personal response – Example:) Yes, I have a pet dog because it keeps me happy and gives company.
Q2. How do people usually spend time with a pet?
Ans. By feeding, playing, walking, and caring for them.
Q3. If you could communicate with an animal, which would you choose and why?
Ans. I would choose a bird like a parrot, because it can fly and tell me about the skies.
Let Us Discuss (Pg. 46)
Q1. Why did the Cat’s-food-Man suggest Dr. Dolittle become an animal doctor?
Ans. Because Dr. Dolittle knew more about animals than the local veterinarians.
Q2. Dr. Dolittle reacted to Polynesia’s information with excitement and ____________.
Ans. Curiosity; he rushed to write the bird words in his book.
Q3. Do you think Dr. Dolittle would be famous as an animal doctor? Why?
Ans. Yes, because he could understand animal languages and treat them correctly.
Let Us Discuss (Pg. 49)
Q1. What became a common sight in Puddleby?
Ans. Farm animals wearing spectacles.
Q2. What challenges might Dr. Dolittle face with more animals coming?
Ans. Overcrowding and difficulty in attending to all animals.
How to overcome? By organising special doors and giving each animal personal attention.
Q3. Arrange events in correct order.
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A man suggests Dolittle treat animals.
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Polynesia reveals animals can talk.
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Polynesia teaches Dolittle animal language.
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Dolittle gives up being a people’s doctor.
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A horse asks for green spectacles.
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Animals find Dolittle can understand them.
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Special doors are made for animals.
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Animals from all over come to him.
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Dolittle becomes world-famous.
Let Us Think and Reflect (Pg. 50–52)
Extract 1
(i) “Good Gracious!” can be replaced by gosh!
(ii) Polynesia never used bird language earlier because Dolittle wouldn’t have understood.
(iii) True – Polynesia was eating cracker crumbs.
(iv) Dolittle felt surprised.
Extract 2
(i) digging: flower bed :: ploughing: field
(ii) Dolittle’s attitude was understanding.
(iii) Doctors take animals for granted because animals cannot complain.
(iv) Yes, it takes more cleverness to treat animals because they can’t explain their illness in human words.
Short/Long Answer Qs
Q1. How was Polynesia a good trainer?
Ans. She patiently taught Dolittle bird language and explained animal gestures.
Q2. How did Dolittle give equal attention to each animal?
Ans. By creating special doors for each kind and listening carefully to their problems.
Q3. What does his readiness to follow Polynesia’s advice show?
Ans. It shows open-mindedness and respect for different viewpoints.
Q4. Which qualities made Dolittle famous?
Ans. Kindness, patience, intelligence, and ability to understand animals.
Q5. What if humans could understand animal language?
Ans. It would improve animal welfare, reduce cruelty, and strengthen human–animal bonds.
Lesson 2: A Funny Man (Poem by Natalie Joan)
Let Us Discuss (Pg. 61)
Q1. Identify true statements.
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True
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False – he was polite.
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True
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True
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False – he gave a bun, not a rose.
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True
Q2. Word meanings:
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Currant (a seedless raisin)
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Staggered (moved unsteadily)
Q3. Complete sentences.
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Tone – Humorous, because the man’s actions are silly but amusing.
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Rhyme scheme – AABB, gives a musical quality.
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Word ‘funny’ is repeated to stress humour.
Q4. Correct answers:
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Humorous and nonsensical
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Monologue
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Alliteration
Q5. Reorder line:
“But never had I seen before / Such a funny sounding sight.” → Correct order: But I had never seen before / Such a funny sounding sight.
Let Us Think and Reflect (Pg. 62–63)
Extract 1
(i) He called her ‘Your Highness’ to be funny and polite.
(ii) “Allow me to present” shows polite request.
(iii) Correct option: Image of a currant bun.
(iv) Poet says “Well!” in surprise because the bun was presented as a rose.
Extract 2
(i) “You never heard in all your life / Such a funny feeling sound.”
(ii) Poet calls him ‘my friend’ because he seemed harmless and friendly.
(iii) His hopping home on his head shows he was carefree and whimsical.
(iv) Last line makes readers feel cheerful.
Short/Long Answer Qs
Q1. Which trait of the funny man is most appealing?
Ans. His playfulness and creativity in doing unusual things.
Q2. How does his unusual behaviour affect the mood?
Ans. It makes the poem light, humorous, and entertaining.
Q3. Suggest an alternative title.
Ans. “The Man Who Wore Shoes on His Head” – because it highlights his silliness.
Q4. Why did the poet include dialogues?
Ans. To make the poem lively and conversational.
Q5. What message does the poet convey?
Ans. Life can be fun and joyful if we add humour and imagination.
Lesson 3: Say the Right Thing (Play by G.C. Thornley)
Let Us Discuss (Scene I, Pg. 73)
Q1. Fill the table.
| Speaker | Words | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Mrs. Shaw | “Put that coat away.” | To keep the room tidy. |
| Mary | “I’m not a child.” | To show annoyance. |
| Mrs. Shaw | “Be kind, say pleasant things.” | To guide Mary in politeness. |
Q2. Will Mary follow her mother’s advice?
Ans. No, because she is careless and speaks without thinking.
Let Us Discuss (Scene II, Pg. 77)
Q1. Rectify false statements.
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Correct: Mrs. Harding liked Lanfield very much.
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Wrong: Mrs. Harding had no children, but Mary thought she did.
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Wrong: Mrs. Best read newspapers, but Mary mocked bankers.
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Wrong: Mrs. Shaw defended blue dresses and red coats.
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Wrong: Mary disliked the dog, which turned out to be Harding’s.
Let Us Think and Reflect (Pg. 78–79)
Extract 1
(i) Answer: C. She wants Mary to develop social skills.
(ii) They are discussing how to have a polite conversation.
(iii) Mary wanted to show she could talk well.
(iv) Mary – eager; Mrs. Shaw – cautious.
Extract 2
(i) Mary saw Mrs. Cotter because she stayed in bed in the mornings and came out later.
(ii) Mary’s comment shows she cannot understand why people need doctors.
(iii) She enjoyed good health because she never needed a doctor.
(iv) True – she offended Mrs. Harding unintentionally.
Short/Long Answer Qs
Q1. What does Mary’s view on bankers reveal?
Ans. She thought bankers lived dull lives, always busy with trains and newspapers.
Q2. What do her interactions reveal about polite conversation?
Ans. That she lacked sensitivity and often embarrassed others.
Q3. What does repeated “no one speaks” show?
Ans. Awkward silences caused by Mary’s blunders.
Q4. How does Mary’s attitude change?
Ans. She starts confident but ends embarrassed after many mistakes.
Q5. What do Mrs. Harding and Mrs. Lee’s responses show?
Ans. They were patient, polite, and tried not to hurt Mary.
Q6. What lesson does the play teach?
Ans. The importance of speaking kindly and politely in society.
Summary
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In Animals, Birds and Dr. Dolittle, humour arises from Dolittle learning animal languages and curing them in funny ways.
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In A Funny Man, humour comes from absurd and playful behaviour.
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In Say the Right Thing, humour is created by Mary’s innocent but rude mistakes in conversation.