Short Intro
“A Triumph of Surgery” by James Herriot is an important chapter from Footprints Without Feet. The story teaches students about discipline, healthy living, and the dangers of over-pampering. Below are detailed step-by-step solutions of all important questions in Unicode format specially prepared for educational portals like www.mymockmate.com.
Quick Information Box
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Chapter Name | A Triumph of Surgery |
| Author | James Herriot |
| Class | 10th |
| Subject | English |
| Book | Footprints Without Feet |
| Genre | Humorous Story |
| Main Theme | Over-pampering causes harm |
| Important Characters | Tricki, Mrs Pumphrey, Mr Herriot |
| Moral Lesson | Balanced care and discipline are important |
Concepts Used (Topics Covered)
- Character Sketch
- Theme and Moral
- Humour and Irony
- Reading Comprehension
- Step-by-step Answer Writing
- Pet Care & Responsibility
- Healthy Lifestyle
- NCERT Important Questions
Important Formulas
1. Character Sketch Formula
Introduction → Qualities → Supporting Incidents → Conclusion
2. Long Answer Formula
Introduction → Explanation → Example → Conclusion
3. Theme-Based Answer Formula
Theme → Incident → Moral Lesson
4. Exam Answer Formula
Direct Answer → Supporting Points → Conclusion
Questions & Step-by-step Solutions with Explanation
Q1. Why is Mrs Pumphrey worried about Tricki?
Step 1: Understand Tricki’s condition
Tricki had become extremely fat and lazy because of overeating.
Step 2: Identify symptoms
- No energy
- Bloodshot eyes
- Vomiting
- Refusing food
- Panting continuously
Final Answer
Mrs Pumphrey was worried about Tricki because he had become very unhealthy and lazy. He stopped eating, vomited frequently, and had no energy. His condition made her fear that he was seriously ill.
Explanation
Mrs Pumphrey’s excessive pampering and rich food habits caused Tricki’s illness.
Q2. What does she do to help him? Is she wise in this?
Step 1: Mention her actions
She gave Tricki:
- Cream cakes
- Chocolates
- Horlicks
- Malt
- Cod-liver oil
Step 2: Evaluate her wisdom
These extra foods increased his obesity.
Final Answer
Mrs Pumphrey tried to help Tricki by giving him rich foods and health supplements. However, she was not wise because overfeeding made his health worse instead of improving it.
Explanation
Love without discipline can become harmful.
Q3. Who does ‘I’ refer to in this story?
Final Answer
‘I’ refers to Mr Herriot, the veterinary surgeon and narrator of the story.
Explanation
The story is narrated from the doctor’s point of view.
Q4. Is the narrator as rich as Tricki’s mistress?
Step 1: Compare lifestyles
Mrs Pumphrey lived a luxurious life and spent heavily on Tricki.
Step 2: Observe narrator’s lifestyle
Mr Herriot lived a normal and practical life.
Final Answer
No, the narrator was not as rich as Mrs Pumphrey. She was wealthy and spoiled Tricki with luxury, while Mr Herriot lived a simple professional life.
Explanation
This contrast creates humour in the chapter.
Q5. How does the narrator treat the dog?
Step 1: Observe treatment method
- No medicines
- Controlled diet
- Exercise
- Interaction with other dogs
Final Answer
The narrator treated Tricki naturally by giving him exercise, healthy food habits, and active surroundings. He avoided unnecessary medicines.
Explanation
Mr Herriot understood that Tricki needed discipline rather than surgery.
Q6. Why is the narrator tempted to keep Tricki as a permanent guest?
Step 1: Understand the benefits
Mrs Pumphrey sent:
- Eggs
- Wine
- Brandy
Final Answer
The narrator was tempted to keep Tricki permanently because Mrs Pumphrey kept sending expensive food and drinks for Tricki’s recovery, which everyone at the surgery enjoyed.
Explanation
This creates comic irony in the story.
Q7. Why does Mrs Pumphrey think the dog’s recovery is “a triumph of surgery”?
Step 1: Understand Mrs Pumphrey’s thinking
She believed medical treatment cured Tricki.
Step 2: Reality
Actually, proper exercise and diet cured him.
Final Answer
Mrs Pumphrey called Tricki’s recovery “a triumph of surgery” because she believed Mr Herriot performed a great medical treatment. In reality, Tricki recovered due to exercise and a balanced diet.
Explanation
This line adds humour because no surgery was actually performed.
Think About It – Detailed Solutions
Q8. What kind of person is the narrator?
Important Traits
- Intelligent
- Practical
- Kind-hearted
- Tactful
- Experienced
Final Answer
Mr Herriot is a practical and intelligent veterinary surgeon. He is tactful because he handles Mrs Pumphrey politely while solving Tricki’s problem sensibly. His treatment shows wisdom and common sense.
Q9. Do you think Tricki was happy to go home?
Step 1: Observe his reaction
Tricki jumped happily into Mrs Pumphrey’s lap.
Step 2: Predict future
Mrs Pumphrey may again spoil him.
Final Answer
Yes, Tricki was happy to return home because he loved his mistress. However, there is a chance that Mrs Pumphrey may again overfeed him due to her emotional attachment.
Q10. Is this a real-life episode or fiction?
Final Answer
The story appears to be a mixture of real-life experience and fiction. Since James Herriot was a veterinary doctor, the story may have been inspired by actual incidents.
Common Mistakes
Students often make these mistakes:
- Writing overly lengthy introductions
- Forgetting explanation points
- Ignoring humour and irony
- Confusing Tricki’s illness with infection
- Writing incomplete answers
- Missing the moral lesson
Exam Tips
Important Tips for Better Scores
- Write answers in simple language.
- Mention examples from the story.
- Focus on humour and moral lesson.
- Use proper paragraph format.
- Learn important character traits.
Most Important Exam Questions
- Why is the chapter titled “A Triumph of Surgery”?
- Character sketch of Mrs Pumphrey
- How did Mr Herriot cure Tricki?
- Theme of over-pampering
Practice MCQs
MCQ 1
Why did Tricki become ill?
A. Infection
B. Injury
C. Overfeeding
D. Poison
Answer:
C. Overfeeding
MCQ 2
Who was Mr Herriot?
A. Teacher
B. Veterinary surgeon
C. Driver
D. Gardener
Answer:
B. Veterinary surgeon
MCQ 3
What cured Tricki?
A. Medicines
B. Surgery
C. Exercise and strict diet
D. Injection
Answer:
C. Exercise and strict diet
MCQ 4
What did Mrs Pumphrey send for Tricki’s recovery?
A. Fruits
B. Toys
C. Eggs, wine, and brandy
D. Medicines
Answer:
C. Eggs, wine, and brandy
MCQ 5
What is the main message of the story?
A. Adventure is important
B. Friendship is valuable
C. Discipline and balanced care are necessary
D. Rich people are selfish
Answer:
C. Discipline and balanced care are necessary
FAQ Section
1. Who wrote “A Triumph of Surgery”?
The story was written by James Herriot.
2. Why was Tricki unhealthy?
Tricki became unhealthy because he was overfed and did not get enough exercise.
3. Did Mr Herriot perform surgery on Tricki?
No, he did not perform any surgery.
4. How long did Tricki stay with the narrator?
Tricki stayed at the surgery for about two weeks.
5. What lesson do we learn from the story?
The story teaches us that too much pampering can become harmful.
6. Why is the chapter humorous?
The chapter is humorous because Mrs Pumphrey overreacts and believes Tricki’s recovery was due to surgery.
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