Short Intro
This chapter from the NCERT Class 10 English textbook First Flight contains two inspiring stories about courage, fear, confidence, and survival. The first story, His First Flight, shows how a young seagull overcomes fear and learns to fly. The second story, The Black Aeroplane, is a mysterious tale about a pilot who gets lost in a storm and receives unexpected help. Below are complete step-by-step solutions and explanations for all textbook questions.
Quick Information Box
| Topic | Details |
|---|---|
| Book Name | First Flight |
| Chapter | 3 |
| Chapter Name | Two Stories About Flying |
| Author | Liam O’Flaherty & Frederick Forsyth |
| Class | 10 |
| Subject | English |
| Board | CBSE |
| Main Themes | Courage, Fear, Confidence, Mystery |
Concepts Used (Topics Covered)
- Overcoming Fear
- Self Confidence
- Family Support
- Risk Taking
- Survival Instinct
- Mystery and Imagination
- Symbolism in Literature
- Vocabulary Development
- Character Analysis
Important Formulas
There are no mathematical formulas in this English chapter, but important literary concepts include:
- Theme = Central idea of the story
- Characterization = Description of characters through actions and behavior
- Symbolism = Using objects/events to represent deeper meanings
- Moral Lesson = Message learned from the story
Questions & Step-by-step Solutions with Explanation
Part I – His First Flight
Q1. Why was the young seagull afraid to fly? Do you think all young birds are afraid to make their first flight? Do you think a human baby also finds it a challenge to take its first steps?
Answer:
Q2. “The sight of the food maddened him.” What does this suggest? What compelled the young seagull to finally fly?
Answer:
Q3. Why did the seagull’s parents threaten and cajole him to fly?
Answer:
Q4. Have you ever had a similar experience where your parents encouraged you to do something you were scared to try?
Answer:
Q5. Was success guaranteed in such situations, or was trying important regardless of failure?
Answer:
Writing
Write a short composition on your initial attempts at learning a skill. You could describe the challenges of learning to ride a bicycle or learning to swim. Make it as humorous as possible.
Part II – The Black Aeroplane
Q1. “I’ll take the risk.” What was the risk? Why did the narrator take it?
Answer:
Q2. Describe the narrator’s experience inside the storm.
Answer:
Q3. Why does the narrator say, “I landed and was not sorry to walk away from the old Dakota…”?
Answer:
Q4. What made the woman in the control centre look at the narrator strangely?
Answer:
Q5. Who do you think helped the narrator reach safely?
Answer:
Vocabulary Exercise Answers
Meanings of “Black” in Different Sentences
- Black hands and face → Dirty
- Black look → Angry expression
- Blackest crimes → Very evil crimes
- Black comedy → Dark or tragic humour
- Sell in black → Illegal selling
- Black and blue → Badly bruised
Match the Following
| Column A | Correct Meaning |
|---|---|
| Fly a flag | Display a flag |
| Fly into rage | Become suddenly angry |
| Fly along | Move quickly |
| Fly high | Be successful |
| Fly the coop | Escape from a place |
Words Related to Flying
✔ swoop
✔ flit
✔ flutter
✔ ascend
✔ skim
✔ dart
✔ hover
✔ glide
✔ soar
✔ sail
✔ flap
Common Mistakes
- Writing very short answers without explanation
- Confusing the two stories
- Ignoring the theme of courage and confidence
- Forgetting textual references from the chapter
- Giving unrelated personal examples
Exam Tips
- Learn all character traits carefully
- Focus on themes like fear, bravery, and survival
- Practice long answers in simple language
- Remember important incidents from both stories
- Revise vocabulary meanings from the exercise section
Practice MCQs
1. Why was the young seagull afraid to fly?
A. He was injured
B. He feared falling into the sea
C. He was lazy
D. He disliked flying
✔ Answer: B
2. What finally forced the seagull to fly?
A. His father’s anger
B. Hunger
C. Wind pressure
D. Rain
✔ Answer: B
3. Which aircraft was the narrator flying?
A. Boeing
B. Helicopter
C. Dakota
D. Jet
✔ Answer: C
4. What stopped working in the storm?
A. Compass and radio
B. Wings
C. Engine
D. Fuel tank
✔ Answer: A
5. What is the main theme of “His First Flight”?
A. Friendship
B. Fear and courage
C. War
D. Greed
✔ Answer: B
FAQ Section
Q1. What is the moral of “His First Flight”?
The moral is that courage and confidence help overcome fear.
Q2. Why is “The Black Aeroplane” called mysterious?
Because the pilot of the black aeroplane disappears mysteriously.
Q3. Who wrote “His First Flight”?
Liam O’Flaherty wrote the story.
Q4. What type of story is “The Black Aeroplane”?
It is a mystery story.
Q5. What lesson does the seagull learn?
He learns self-confidence and independence.
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