NCERT Class 10 English Mijbil the Otter & Fog Question Answers
Short Intro
This chapter “Mijbil the Otter” by Gavin Maxwell describes the deep bond between the author and his pet otter Mijbil. The poem “Fog” by Carl Sandburg beautifully compares fog with a cat. These solutions help students understand all textual questions, meanings, themes, and important concepts in an easy step-by-step format.
Quick Information Box
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Book Name | First Flight |
| Class | 10 |
| Chapter | Mijbil the Otter |
| Author | Gavin Maxwell |
| Poem | Fog |
| Poet | Carl Sandburg |
| Main Theme | Human-Animal Bond, Nature |
| Exam Importance | Very Important for CBSE Board Exams |
Concepts Used (Topics Covered)
- Character Sketch
- Human and Animal Relationship
- Pet Care
- Literary Devices
- Poetic Comparison
- Metaphor
- Free Verse Poetry
- Reading Comprehension
- Grammar Usage
Important Formulas
Literature Answer Writing Formula
Introduction → Main Point → Supporting Detail → Conclusion
Poem Explanation Formula
Theme → Literary Device → Meaning → Message
Questions & Step-by-step Solutions with Explanation
ORAL COMPREHENSION CHECK – I
Q1. What ‘experiment’ did Maxwell think Camusfearna would be suitable for?
Answer:
Maxwell thought that keeping an otter as a pet instead of a dog would be a suitable experiment in Camusfearna because the place was surrounded by water and ideal for an otter.
Explanation:
Otters love water, and Camusfearna had water nearby, making it perfect for raising an otter.
Q2. Why does he go to Basra? How long does he wait there, and why?
Answer:
He went to Basra to collect and answer his mail from Europe at the Consulate-General. He waited there for five days because his mail did not arrive on time due to communication problems.
Explanation:
Telephone lines and exchanges were not working properly, so Maxwell had to stay longer.
Q3. How does he get the otter? Does he like it?
Answer:
Two Arabs brought the otter in a sack along with a note from Maxwell’s friend. Yes, Maxwell liked the otter very much.
Words Showing His Feelings:
- “otter fixation”
- “shared by most other people”
- “phase of my life that has not yet ended”
Explanation:
These words show Maxwell’s deep attachment and fascination toward the otter.
Q4. Why was the otter named ‘Maxwell’s otter’?
Answer:
The otter belonged to a species previously unknown to science. Zoologists named it “Lutrogale perspicillata maxwelli” after Maxwell.
Explanation:
It was a newly discovered species linked to Maxwell.
Q5. In the beginning, the otter was:
Correct Answer:
✔ aloof and indifferent
Explanation:
At first, Mijbil kept distance from Maxwell and behaved quietly.
Q6. What happened when Maxwell took Mijbil to the bathroom?
Answer:
Mijbil became extremely excited in the water. He rolled, splashed, and played happily in the bathtub.
What did it do two days later?
Two days later, Mijbil escaped to the bathroom and learned how to turn on the tap by himself.
Explanation:
This showed Mijbil’s intelligence and love for water.
ORAL COMPREHENSION CHECK – II
Q1. How was Mij to be transported to England?
Answer:
Mij was transported in a small box carried on the floor near Maxwell’s feet during the flight.
Q2. What did Mij do to the box?
Answer:
Mij tore the lining of the box to pieces and injured himself while trying to escape.
Q3. Why did Maxwell put the otter back in the box?
Answer:
Maxwell had very little time left before the flight, so he had no option except to place Mij back into the box.
How did he feel?
He felt sad, helpless, and worried.
Q4. Why does Maxwell say the airhostess was “the very queen of her kind”?
Answer:
The airhostess was extremely kind, understanding, and helpful toward Maxwell and Mij.
Q5. What happened when the box was opened?
Answer:
Mij escaped quickly and ran around the aircraft, frightening passengers.
ORAL COMPREHENSION CHECK – III
Q1. What game had Mij invented?
Answer:
Mij invented a game with a ping-pong ball and a sloping suitcase. He rolled the ball and ran to catch it repeatedly.
Q2. What are compulsive habits?
Answer:
Compulsive habits are actions repeated continuously without control.
(i) Habits of School Children
They step on certain paving blocks or touch railings while walking.
(ii) Habit of Mij
Mij always jumped on a wall and ran across it during walks.
Q3. What group of animals do otters belong to?
Answer:
Otters belong to the Mustellines group.
Q4. What guesses did Londoners make about Mij?
Answer:
People guessed Mij was a baby seal, squirrel, walrus, hippo, bear cub, leopard, and even a brontosaur.
THINKING ABOUT THE TEXT
Q1. What things does Mij do which show he is intelligent and fun-loving?
Answer:
Mij learned to open taps, played with balls and marbles, followed Maxwell lovingly, and showed affection by nuzzling him.
Explanation:
These actions show intelligence, friendliness, and playful behavior.
Q2. What do we learn about otters from this text?
Answer:
We learn that otters are intelligent, playful, water-loving, active, and affectionate animals.
Q3. Why is Mij’s species known as Maxwell’s otter?
Answer:
Because Maxwell introduced this rare species to zoologists, it was named after him.
POEM: FOG
Q1(i). What does Sandburg think the fog is like?
Answer:
Sandburg thinks the fog is like a cat.
Q1(ii). How does the fog come?
Answer:
The fog comes silently and slowly like a cat.
Q1(iii). What does ‘it’ refer to?
Answer:
‘It’ refers to the fog.
Q1(iv). Give three things showing fog is like a cat.
Answer:
- It comes silently.
- It sits quietly.
- It moves away silently.
Q2. What is a metaphor?
Answer:
A metaphor is a figure of speech where one thing is directly compared to another without using “like” or “as”.
Q3. Does the poem have a rhyme scheme?
Answer:
No, the poem does not have a rhyme scheme. It is written in free verse.
Common Mistakes
- Writing very lengthy answers without key points.
- Forgetting textual references.
- Confusing metaphor with simile.
- Missing character traits of Mijbil.
- Ignoring explanation section in answers.
Exam Tips
- Write answers in simple language.
- Use proper headings.
- Mention important keywords from the chapter.
- Practice textual and extract-based questions.
- Learn literary devices from the poem carefully.
Practice MCQs
1. Who wrote “Mijbil the Otter”?
A. Robert Frost
B. Gavin Maxwell
C. Carl Sandburg
D. Ruskin Bond
Correct Answer:
B. Gavin Maxwell
2. What animal was Mij?
A. Dog
B. Cat
C. Otter
D. Rabbit
Correct Answer:
C. Otter
3. Fog is compared to:
A. Tiger
B. Bird
C. Cat
D. Lion
Correct Answer:
C. Cat
4. What literary device is used in “Fog”?
A. Simile
B. Metaphor
C. Hyperbole
D. Irony
Correct Answer:
B. Metaphor
FAQ Section
Q1. Why did Maxwell choose an otter instead of a dog?
Because he wanted a unique pet and his home was suitable for an otter.
Q2. What kind of pet was Mij?
Mij was intelligent, playful, and affectionate.
Q3. What is the main theme of “Fog”?
The poem highlights the silent and mysterious movement of fog.
Q4. Is “Fog” a free verse poem?
Yes, it is written in free verse.
CTA (Call To Action)
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