NCERT Class 9 English Chapter 7 Packing

NCERT Class 9 English Chapter 7 Packing Solutions to each chapter is provided in the list so that you can easily browse through different chapters NCERT Class 9 English Chapter 7 Packing and select need one. NCERT Class 9 English Chapter 7 Packing Question Answers Download PDF. NCERT English Class 9 Solutions.

NCERT Class 9 English Chapter 7 Packing

Also, you can read the NCERT book online in these sections Solutions by Expert Teachers as per Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) Book guidelines. CBSE Class 9 English Solutions are part of All Subject Solutions. Here we have given NCERT Class 9 English Chapter 7 Packing and After, NCERT Class 9 English Textbook of Beehive and Supplementary Reader (Moments). for All Chapters, You can practice these here.

Packing

Chapter: 7

BEEHIVE – PROSE

PASSAGES FOR COMPREHENSION

Passage: 1

I rather pride myself on my packing. Packing is one of those many things that I feel I knew more about than any other person living.

Questions

1. The pronoun ‘T’ here stands for:

(a) George.

(b) Harris. 

(c) Dog. 

(d) Jerome.

Ans: (c) Hung.

2. The speaker has a proud on his working. It pertains to:

(a) Washing.

(b) Cleaning.

(c) Packing.

(d) Cooking.

Ans: (c) Packing.

3. These lines indicate that the author along with his friends on:

(a) A trip.

(b) A tour.

(c) A friendly match. 

(d) A visit to some acquaintances.

Ans: (a) A trip.

4. The author seems to be a proud man. Which words do you find in the above lines?

(a) Pride myself on packing. 

(b) I know packing more than any of their person.

(c) I am expert on packing.

(d) Packing is very lovely to me.

Ans: (b) I know packing more than any of their person. 

5. From which lesson this extract has been taken?

(a) The Fun They had. 

(b) The Sound of Music.

(c) The Little Girl. 

(d) Packing.

Ans: (d) Packing.

Passage: 2

I opened the bag and packed the boots in; and then, just as I was going to close it, a horrible idea occurred to me. Had I packed my tooth-brush? I don’t know how it is, but I never do know whether I’ve packed my tooth- brush.

Questions

1. Which of the words in these lines point out ‘flashed’ in the mind of the speaker.

(a) Horrible  

(b) Occurred. 

(c) Close idea.

(d) Came. 

Ans: (b) Occurred

2. In the beginning the author packs his:

(a) Boots.

(b) Tooth brush.

(c) Tomatoes. 

(d) Butter.

Ans: (a) Boots.

3. The speaker is utterly confused. What is the fact on which he is confused?

(a) Packing of his shirt.

(b) Packing of his neck tie.

(c) Packing of his tooth-brush. 

(d) Packing of hid driving licence. 

Ans: (c) Packing of his tooth-brush

4. Write the antonym of ‘close’.

(a) Reopen.

(b) Unlock.

(c) Open.

(d) Shut.

Ans: (c) Open. 

5. What is the state of speaker’s mind?

(a) Disturbed.

(b) Confused. 

(c) Puzzled.

(d) Unstable. 

Ans: (b) Confused.

Passage: 3

I said I didn’t care a hang whether the soap was in or whether it wasn’t; and I slammed the bag shut and strapped it, and found that I had packed my tobacco-pouch in it, and had to reopen it.

Questions

1. The author had to reopen his bag because:

(a) The had unpacked his tooth brush. 

(b) He had left his tobacco pouch.

(c) He had forgotten to pack his boots.

(d) He had to confirm the packing of tobacco pouch. 

Ans: (d) He had to confirm the packing of tobacco pouch.

2. Explain ‘I didn’t care a hang. 

(a) Fed up with the work.

(b) Utterly confused in packing.

(c) In a chaotic condition due to work.

(d) Though he is troubled yet he did not bother.

Ans: (d) Though he is troubled yet he did not bother.

3. The speaker is not careful about his packing of soap since: 

(a) It is a small item,

(b) It is a trivial thing.

(c) It can be purchased anywhere.

(d) One can even do without soap. 

Ans: (b) It is a trivial thing.

4. How many times the speaker had to open his packing?

(a) Once.

(b) Twice.

(c) Thrice.

(d) Many times.

Ans: (b) Twice. 

5. Who is the author of this chapter.

(a) Jerome K. Jerome.

(b) Katherine Mansfield.

(c) Coates Kinney.

(d) Gieve Patel.

Ans: (a) Jerome K. Jerome.

Passage: 4

They began in a light-hearted spirit, evidently intending to show me how to do it. I made no comment; I only waited. With the exception of George, Harris is the worst packer in this world; and I looked at the piles of plates and cups, and kettles, and bottles and jars and pies, and stoves, and cakes, and tomatoes, etc., and felt that the thing would soon become exciting.

Questions

1. Who are they in this paragraph?

(a) George and Harris. 

(b) Harris and Jerome.

(c) George and Jerome.

(d) All of these.

Ans: (a) George and Harris.

2. Who is the worst packer among all these friends?

(a) George. 

(b) Harris.

(c) Jerome. 

(d) None of these.

Ans: (b) Harris.

3. There were many things to be packed but they took the work of packing:

(a) Chaotically. 

(b) Anxiously.

(c) Cautiously. 

(d) Lightly.

Ans: (d) Lightly.

4. The word ‘evident’ means:

(a) Clear.

(b) Apparent.

(c) Visible.

(d) Known.

Ans: (a) Clear.

5. What is the speaker’s opinion on Harris?

(a) Perfect packer.

(b) Worst packer.

(c) Do everything on time.

(d) None. 

Ans: (b) Worst packer.

Passage: 5

And then it was George’s turn, and he trod on the butter, I didn’t say anything, but I came over and sat on the edge of the table and watched them. It irritated them more than anything I could have said. I felt that it made them nervous and excited, and they stepped on things, and put things behind them, and then couldn’t find them when they wanted them; and they packed the pies at the bottom, and put heavy things on top, and smashed the pics in.

Questions

1. On his turn, George done a funny thing. It was that he:

(a) Ate the butter.

(b) Trod on the butter.

(c) Offered the butter to the dogs. 

(d) Applied the butter on his face.

Ans: (b) Trod on the butter.

2. In which confusing situation they were in?

(a) They were troubled.

(b) They were careless.

(c) They were nervous.

(d) They were excited.

Ans: (d) They were excited.

3. The pies were smashed because: 

(a) The heavy things were put on them.

(b) These were put in the bottom.

(c) The heavy things made them crash.

(d) These were in the bottom with heavy things on them.

Ans: (b) These were put in the bottom. 

4. What was the author 80 on doing?

(a) Enjoying and watching the packing.

(b) Went on sitting. 

(c) Did nothing.

(d) Feeling imitation.

Ans: (a) Enjoying and watching the packing.

5. Trace the word similar ‘walk in a specified way’.

(a) Turn.

(b) Trod.

(c) Packed.

(d) Heavy. 

Ans: (b) Trod.

Passage: 6

Then they started round the room again looking for it; and then they met again in the centre and stared at one another. 

“Most extraordinary thing I ever heard of”, said George.

“So mysterious!” said Harris.

Then George got round at the back of Harris and saw it. 

“Why, here it is all the time,” he exclaimed, indignantly. 

Questions

1. The party was rounding the room to look for:

(a) Cake. 

(b) Tomato.

(c) Butter. 

(d) Tooth-brush.

Ans: (c) Butter.

2. What was “mysterious” in their eyes?

(a) Non-availability of requisite item.

(b) Losing of the butter. 

(c) Confusion of the Montmorency.

(d) Butter on the back of Harris. 

Ans: (a) Non-availability of requisite item.

3. The word ‘indignantly’ means: 

(a) With hate.

(b) Desprisely.

(c) Betraying. 

(d) Hatred.

Ans: (a) With hate.

4. The most important item according for them.

(a) Butter.

(b) Tooth brush.

(c) Sauce.  

(d) Peas.

Ans: (a) Butter.

5. Name the lesson these lines has been taken? 

(a) Packing.

(b) If I Where You. 

(c) The Little Girl. 

(d) My Childhood. 

Ans: (a) Packing.

Passage: 7

Montmorency was in it all, of course. Montmorency’s ambition in life is to get in the way and he was worn at. If he can squirm in anywhere he particularly is not wanted, and be a perfect nuisance, and make people mad, and have things thrown at his head, then he feels his day has not been wasted. 

Questions

1. Montmorency was their:

(a) Friend.

(b) Class-fellow.

(c) Tourist member. 

(d) Pet dog.

Ans: (d) Pet dog.

2. Its ambition was to:

(a) Do away everything. 

(b) Get in the way of everything.

(c) Disturb everything. 

(d) Do anywhere it desired.

Ans: (b) Get in the way of everything.

3. The author remarked their Montmorency was a:

(a) Fond member of party.

(b) Mad dog.

(c) A perfect nuisance.

(d) An unwanted guest. 

Ans: (c) A perfect nuisance. 

4. Trace the correct synonym of ‘nuisance’.

(a) Confusion.

(b) Disturbance.

(c) Chaos. 

(d) Trouble.

Ans: (d) Trouble.

5. Trace the word that means ‘desire’.

(a) Perfect.

(b) Squirm.

(c) Ambition.

(d) Thrown. 

Ans: (c) Ambition.

TEXTUAL QUESTIONS 

THINKING ABOUT THE TEXT

I. Discuss in pairs and answer each question below in a short. paragraph (30-40 words).

Q.1. How many characters are there in the narrative? Name them. (Don’t forget the dog!) 

Ans: For character in all-the narrator Jerome, George, Harris and the dog Montmorency.

Q.2. Why did the narrator (Jerome) volunteer to do the packing?

Ans: The narrator offered his service to do the packing because he thought he alone could do the job well.

Q.3. How did George and Harris react to this? Did Jerome like their reactions? 

Ans: George and Harris fell into or accepted Jerome’s suggestion readily. They became carefree and let Jeroeme do all the packing.

Q.4. What was Jerome’s real intention when he offered to pack?

Ans: Jerome’s real intention was to let Harris and George work under his directions.

Q.5. What did Harris say after the bag was shut and strapped? Why do you think he waited till then to ask?

Ans: When the bag had been strapped finally, Harris enquired if the boots had been put in. He had kept quiet until then intentionally.

Q.6. What ‘horrible idea’ occurred to Jerome a little later? 

Ans: A little later Jerome was trobled by the thought whether he had packed his tooth-brush. It was something very important to him. So he had to unpack the shole bag to see if it was there or not.

Q.7. Where did Jerome finally find the tooth-brush? 

Ans: Jerome unpacked the bag. He shook everything to see if his tooth-brush was there. Finally he found it inside a boot. 

Q.8. Why did Jerome have to re-open the packed bag?

Ans: Having found his tooth-brush in the bag, Jerome packed the bag again. But soon he realised that he had packed his tobacco bag to get his tobacco-pouch.

Q.9. What did George and Harris offer to pack and why? 

Ans: George and Harris offered to pack the hampers. They offered to do it because they wanted to start in less than twelve hour’s time. They wanted to show that they could pack things more quickly and properly than Jerome.

Q.10. While packing the hamper, George and Harris do a number of foolish and funny things. Tick the statements that are true.

(i) They started with breaking a cup.

Ans: They upset almost everything.

(ii) They also broke a plate.

Ans: They started with breaking a cup. 

(iii) They squashed a tomato.

Ans: They squashed a tomato. 

(iv) They trod on the butter.

Ans: They trod on the butter.

(v) They stepped on a banana.

Ans: They put things behind them and couldn’t find them.  

(vi) They put things behind them, and I couldn’t find them.

Ans: They stepped on things. 

II. What does Jerome say was Montmorency’s ambition in life? What do you think of Montmorency and why?

Ans: Montmorency was a dog. It used to be its desire to get in the way. It could rest when it was scolded. It was a perfect nuisance and could react wherever he was not particularly wanted. It would trouble people and threw things over his head. If these acts were not complete, the dog would think that his day was used properly. It would spread the things so that somebody should stumble over and curse it.

III. Discuss in groups and answer the following in two or three paragraphs about 100-15 words. 

Q.1. Of the three, Jerome, George and Harris, who do you think is the best or worst packer? Support your answer with details from the text.

 Ans: The story is very amusing. The three friends create disorder every time they try to pack. Yet Jerome is better than his two friends, George and Harris. Jerome packs the bag and straps it with a sense of finality. But soon Harris points out that he has not packed the boots. Once again he opens the bag and puts the roots in. Then he is worried. He is not sure whether he has put his tooth-brush in or not. He unpacks the bag. It takes him a long time to find his tooth-brush and pack the bag again. Once again he realise that he has packed his tobacco-pouch inside. He has to unpack the entire bag again. In this way he accomplished his job after a long time. Even then he is not sure whether he has packed the soap. Now George blic and Harris started to pack the hampers. They started jovially. But they broke a ning cup. Harriis packed strawberry jam on top of a tomato, and squashed it. George trod on the butter. They struggled with the butter creating a lot of confusion. They put things behind them, and forgot. They looked for them around when they wanted them. They crushed pies. Finally they closed the hamper. But only God knows how many things they spoiled and broke. Jerome was the best. of the three. Thought he was nervous like them, he did not break or damage anything. 

Q.2. How did Montmorency ‘contribute’ to the packing?

Ans: Montmorency was their dog. He was a restless animal and could not sit still. He would go any where, particularly where he was wanted. George and Harris were nervous and confused. Montmorency added to their confusion. He came and sat down on things just when Harris and George wanted them. Whenever George and Harris reached for a thing. Montmorency offered them his cold and wet nose. He put his leg into the jam. He scattered the teaspoons. He took lemons for rats and reached into the hamper to destroy three of them.

Harris blamed Jerome for the dog’s doings. But Montmorency did not need any encouragement. He always liked to get into the way, disturb things and be coursed for his unwanted service.

Q.3. Do you find this story funny? What are the humorous elements in it? (Pick out at least three, think about what happens, as well as how it is described.)

Ans: This story is really very funny and contains many humours details in it. One can note that the author is much troubled about his tooth-brush. He feels that he has not packed it. So he unpacks everything and gets it upstairs and carries to the railway station. He finds it in his boot. He takes it out and re-packs it. While packing, George trods on the butter and it sticks on his slipper. They try to put it in the kettle but it would not go in. It was scrapped and Harris sat on it while they went on looking for it all over the room.

During the packing they put things behind them and then could not find them when they wanted them. They packed the pies at the bottom and put heavy things on the top. Consequently the pies were smashed. Thus the story presents a good series of humorous incidents time and again. 

THINKING ABOUT LANGUAGE

1. Match the words/phrases in Column-A with their meanings in Column-B.

Column-A	Column-B
(i) Slaving	(a) A quarrel or an argument
(ii) Chaos	(b) Remove something from inside another thing using a sharp tool
(iii) Rummage	(c) Strange, mysterious, difficult to explain
(iv) Scrape out	(d) Finish successfully, achieve
(v) Stumble over, tumble into	(e) Search for something by moving things around hurriedly or carelessly
(vi) Accomplish	(f) Complete confusion and disorder
(vii) Uncanny	(g) Fall, or step awkwardly while walking
(viii) (To have or get into) a row	(h) Working hard.

Ans:

Column-A	Column-B
(i) Slaving	(h) Working hard.
(ii) Chaos	(f) Complete confusion and disorder
(iii) Rummage	(e) Search for something by moving things around hurriedly or carelessly
(iv) Scrape out	(b) Remove something from inside another thing using a sharp tool
(v) Stumble over, tumble into	(g) Fall, or step awkwardly while walking
(vi) Accomplish	(d) Finish successfully, achieve
(vii) Uncanny	(c) Strange, mysterious, difficult to explain
(viii) (To have or get into) a row	(a) A quarrel or an argument

II. Use suitable words or phrases from Column-A above to complete the paragraph given below.

A Traffic Jam

During power cuts, when traffic lights go off, there is utter _______ at crossroads. Drivers add to the confusion by _______ over their right of way, and nearly come to blows. Sometimes passers by, seeing a few policemen _______ at regulating traffic, step in to help. This gives them a feeling of having _______ something. 

Ans: A Traffic Jam

During power cuts, when traffic lights go off, there is utter chaos at cross roads. Drivers add to the confusion by rummage over their right of way, and nearly come to blows. Sometimes passers by, seeing a few policemen slaving at regulating traffic, step into help. This gives them a feeling of having accomplished something.

III. Look at the sentence below. Notice that the verbs (Italicised) are all in their bare form.

(a) Simple commands: 

– Stand up! 

– Put it here!

• Get out!

• stay outside!

(b) Directions: to reach your home Board Bus No. 121 and get down at Sagar Restaurant. From there turn right and walk till you reach a book- shop. My home is just behind the shop.

• Going to school.

• Take a start path.

• Walk near about a furlong. From there turn to right … You will find a temple. The school is just by its side.

(c) Do’s and Don’ts:

1. Always get up for your elders. 

2. Don’t shout in class.

1. Read silently.

2. Don’t make a noise in the hospital. 

(d) Instructions for making a fruit salad-

Ingredients

Oranges – 02

Cherries – 250 grams.

Pineapple – One large piece 

Banana – 2

(Any other fruit you like)

Guava – One large bunch 

Any other fruit you like

Wash the fruits. Cut them into small pieces. Mix them well. Add a few drops of lime-juice. Add sugar to taste. Now add some cream or ice-cream if you wish to make fruit salad with ice-cream.

1. Now work in pairs. Give

(i) two commands to your partners 

• Sit properly in the class. 

• Attend to your teacher.

(ii) two do’s and don’ts to a new student in your class.

Do’s (i) Maintain discipline.

(ii) Come in proper uniform. 

Don’ts (i) Don’t harm school property.

(ii) Don’t talk while studying. 

(iii) Directions to get to each other’s houses.

Board bus No. 131 and get down at Mangla Chowk. From there turn to right and proceed till you reach Shiv Temple. My home is attached to it. 

(iv) Instructions for moving the body in an exercise or a dance, or for cooking something. 

Stand properly. Act according to the teacher. Raise your hands straight. Take them upward. Bring them back to the right.

2. The table below has some proverbs telling you what to do and what not to do. Fill in the blanks and add a few more such proverbs to the table.

Positive	Negative
(i) Save for a rainy day.	(i) Don’t cry over spilt milk.
(ii) Make hay while the sun shines.	(ii) Don’t put the cart before the house.
(iii) ______ before you leap.	(iii) ______ a mountain out of a mole hill.
(iv) _______ and let live.	(iv) ______ all your eggs basket. in one basket.

Ans: 

Positive	Negative
(i) ________.	(i) ________.
(ii) ________.	(ii) ________.
(iii) Look before you leap.	(iii) Don’t make a mountain out of a mole hill.
(iv) Live and let live.	(iv) Don’t hatch all your eggs in one basket.
(v) Tit for tat.	(v) Don’t cast pearls before swine.
(vi) Like father, like son.	(vi) Don’t rub Peter to pay Paul
(vii) Let the past bury the dead.	(vii) Don’t make castles in the air.

SPEAKING

(a) Look at this sentence:

I told George and Harris that they had better leave the whole matter entirely to me.’ 

The words ‘had better’ are used:

(i) in an advice or suggestion: 

You had better take your umbrella; it looks like rain.

(ii) in an order

You had better complete your homework before you go out to play.

(iii) as a threat 

You had better leave or I’ll have you arrested for trespass! 

When we speak, we say you’d/I’d/he’d better, instead of you had better, etc. 

Some more sentences: 

(i) You had better see your father, he is ill. 

(ii) You had better light the bulb, it seems dark. 

(iii) You had better take the medicine before leaving the house. 

(iv) You had better wear school uniform before going to school.

(v) You had better leave or I’ll have you handed over to police.

(vi) You had better leave or I’ll have you beaten you for plucking the flowers. 

(b) Work in pairs to give each other advice, orders or suggestions, or even to threaten each other. Imagine situations like the following: Your partner

1. hasn’t returned a book to the library. 

2. has forgotten to bring lunch.

3. hasn’t got enough change for the bus fare. 

4. has found out a secret about you.

5. has misplaced your English text book.

Ans: 1. You had better return the book to the library before you leave for Shimla. 

2. You had better bring your lunch before you leave for school.

3. You had better get enough change for the bus fare; or you will feel odd.

4. I had better find out a secret about you before you say anything. 

5. You had better make a trace of your English book before misplacing it. 

You have seen how Jerome, George and Harris mess up their packing, especially of the hamper. From their mistakes you must have thought of some ‘dos’ and ‘don’ts’ for packing. Can you give some tips for packing by completing the paragraph below? 

First pack all the heavy items, especially the ones you don’t need right away. Then…

Here are some words and phrases you can use to begin your sentences with:

• Then.

• Next.

• Now.

• Remember.

• Don’t forget.

• At last/Finally. 

First pack all the heavy items, especially the ones you don’t need right away. Then keep the less heavy items which are firm and durable. Next spread a layer of a newspaper to avoid any kind of harm: Now arrange other things properly. Remember that packing needs careful arrangement of things and a good knowledge. Do not forget to leave all the essential items. Finally strap properly.

Activity: Collect some example of instructions, directions, etc., from notice boards and pamphlets. Bring them to class and display them, or read them out. (You can collect examples in English as well as other languages, Indian or foreign.) 

Here is an example for you …

ENGLISH

We should like to congratulate you on your purchase of this high quality flask. It is designed to be extremely robust and sturdy. It features a double walled vacuum glass flask which gives an extremely efficient hot/cold heat retention and insulation,.

So that you can enjoy your acquisition for a long time, we request you to note the following points for using your LIFEHEIT flask.

1. To open the flask, turn top anticlockwise.

2. Before using the flask, rinse it out well and clean it with lukewarm water.

3. The best warmth or cooling insulation is improved if you rinse out the flask with hot water for hot drinks and with cold water for cold drinks before filling the flask with the drink.

4. The best insulation is also only available when the flask is full; in that case, hot coffee, for example, remains warm for approx. 20 hours.

5. Avoid extremely wide temperature fluctuations of the glass. 

6. For pouring turn top half a turn anticlockwise.

7. The flask has a plastic bottom, therefore it should never be put on a hot plate on the cooker or similar.

8. Cleaning the flask: Outside: Wipe over with clean water or possibly some liquid cleaner.

Inside: Only rinse out with clean water. Coffee or tea remains can be removed easily with denture cleaners. Never immerse the flask completely in water.

9. A more secure sealing between the glass flask and the housing is obtained by tightening the locating screw situated at the bottom. This should be checked from time-to-time.

10. LIFEHEIT gives a 2 year’s guarantee for the flask; improper use of the glass flask is however, no included.

11. Replacement glass inserts available from retailers. 

Ice cubes or other solid objects may damage the inner glass wall. Carbonated drinks should not be kept on the jug. The jug should not be used to keep baby foods or milk products warm. Designed for table top use only. 

FRANCAIS

Félicitations pour le choix de votre achat.

Ce Pichet verseur isotherme isolant a double paroi << Vacuum Rosaniline >> est de grande qualite. Il garantit une longue conservation du chaud et froid. Pour un meilleur usage, nous vous demandons de suivre less conseils mentionnes ciapres:

1. Pour ouvrir le pichet-verseur, faire tourner le bouton vers la gauche.

2. Avant usage bein rincer l’interieur a l’eau chaude.

Activity:

Solving the Question Papers in the Examination Hall

When we are going to solve a question paper in the examination hall, we should keep in mind the following instructions: 

1. Reach the examination hall well in time. 

2. Sit on the allotted seat.

3. See that it is proper and has clean surroundings.

4. Read the question paper thoroughly.

5. Mark the questions of your choice.

6. Answer them and write your question numbers before writing.

7. Spare at least two lines blank before attempting the next questions.

8. Give a cursory reading to your answers. 

9. See that no question is left unanswered.

10. Write answers after a minute’s thought. 

11. Attempt them with full confidence.

IMPORTANT QUESTIONS FOR EXAMINATION 

SHORT ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS

Answer the following questions in about 30-40 words each:

Q.1. How was the butter lost and found by George and Harris? 

Ans: George and Harris misplaced the butter. George put it down on a chair and Harris sat down on it. The butter got stuck on back of Harris. They both kept looking all over the room. Finally, found it sticking to Harris back and got it off to repack it. 

Q.2. How was Jerome caught in his own words in ‘Packing’?

Ans: Jerome acted in a very wiseway. He showed that he was the best packer and offered to pack. His real intention was to sit and direct. Jerome did not like when George and Harris relaxed while he packed.

Q.3. The author offered to pack for the trip. When his friends allowed him to do so, he was not happy. Why?

Ans: The author was not happy because he had only pretended to pack. He always enjoyed bossing over the job. But his friends had agreed to his offer of packing for the trip. He disliked people doing nothing while he was doing things.

Q.4. Why did George and Harris have ‘to pick out the tomato with a teaspoon”?

Ans: While packing was being done by George and Harris, Harris packed the strawberry jam on the top of a tomato and squashed it. The tomato was crushed under its weight. So Harris and George had to pick out the crushed tomato with a teaspoon.

Q.5. Where did Harris pack the and what strawberry jam and what happened then?

Ans: Harris packed the strawberry jam on top of a tomato and squashed it and he started it with the packing of strawberries. 

Q.6. What did George and Harris volunteer to pack and why?

Ans: George and Harris volunteered to pack hampers because they thought they cold do it better than Jerome. Also the time was less than twelve hours so, they could do it efficiently. They wanted to make Jerome feel inferior than George and Harris.

Q.7. “Their taking it in the way they did irritated me.” Who were they and how did their taking irritate the narrator?

Ans: They were George and Harris. The author wanted to ‘boss the job’ of packing, making George and Harris work under his guidance, but both of them sat relaxed, leaving everything to him. It irritated the narrator.

Q.8. What did Harris and George do when the narrator, Jerome, asked them to leave the matter of packing entirely to him?

Ans: Harris and George fell into the suggestion of the author with a strange readiness. George put on a pipe and spread himself over the easy chair, and Harris cocked his legs on the table and lit a cigar.

Q.9. Who trod on the butter and how did the narrator react?

Ans: George trod on the butter. The narrator did not say anything, but he came over and sat on the edge of the table and watched George and Harris.

Q.10. Who was Montmorency and what was his ambition in life?

Ans: Montmorency was the author’s dog who added to the confusion when Harris and George were packing. His ambition in life was to get in the way and be sworn at. His day had not been useful if he had not been a perfect nuisance for someone.

Q.11. What mess did the author create in searching for his tooth-brush? Where did he finally find it?

Ans: The author was greatly disturbed to have forgotten his tooth-brush. So he took everything out of the bag. In doing so everything was in disorder. He did find George’s and Harris’s tooth-brush but not his own. At last he found it inside a boot.

Q.12. Give three instances of author’s forgetfulness.

Ans: At first the author had forgotten the boots. Harris reminded the author only when he had strapped the bag. The second thing is the tooth-brush which the author forgets often. Similarly, when the author had finished packing, George asked him if the soap was in. In frustration, the author threw aside the strapped bag, remarking, he cared a fig if the soap was in or not. 

Q.13. Time is precious and it should not be wasted. Unplanned actions waste time. How was it depicted in the lesson ‘packing”? 

Ans: The lesson ‘Packing’ represents the author and his friends George and Harris packing their bag as thy are to leave for a trip. But their packing is unplanned and a lot of time is wasted. The author has to reopen his bag three times to look for various things. The unplanned and unthoughtful actions of his friends also created chaos.

Q.14. Why did George and Harris have to pick out the tomato with a teaspoon?

Ans: George and Harris had a difficult time while packing. Harris packed the strawberry jam on top of a tomato and Li-squeezed it. Hence, they had to pick out the tomato with a teaspoon.

Q.15. Describe the humour contained in the butter episode when George and Harris packed.

Ans: George trod on the butter, while packing. George got the butter off his slipper. They tried to put it in the kettle. But it wouldn’t go, and what was in, wouldn’t come out. They at last scraped it out and put it on the chair. Harris sat on it and it stuck to him. But they forgot about it and searched it all over the room.

THOUGHT PROVOKING MODULE

Q.1. Imagine you are going for a trip. What things would you like to keep in mind while travelling?

Ans: We all enjoy travelling. But when we are travelling a lot of plans have to be made. If we have not planned our trip properly. We would face a lot of problems and feel tensed. So while travelling, we must make a check list and try to pack things according to it. While packing we must think about the medicines, we have to carry and the occasion for which we are going. Make a check list and try to tick the items according to the check list. Next thing we should bother about is the under eatables to be carried.

Q.2. Jerome volunteers to do the packing. What did he think of himself in terms of packing? What traits are reflected in terms of managing and packing? 

Ans: Jerome thought himself to be a very good packer. He thought that he was an expert, energetic and competent. He in fact had thought that he would just sit and supervise. He had thought himself to be the best packer. He thought that he would just sit and watch George and Harris packing. Finally he himself had to do the work. We find that Jerome posed to be very expert but he was always haunted by the toothbrush. This shows that in terms of managing and packing he was always confused.

Q.3. George and Harris were not attentive while the things go packed. They offered to do the rest. They did not realize their mistakes. How could they have helped in packing?

Ans: Author realized that George and Harris were the worst packers. George and Harris created chaos while packing things. They were to pack things like plates, cups, kettles, bottles, jars, pies, stoves, cakes and tomatoes etc. They did not pack in a planned way. Harris packed the strawberry jam on top of a tomato and squashed it. George trod on the butter. They packed pies at the bottom and squashed them. Harris sat on the butter which stuck to the chair. Finally when they found the butter, it was put in the tea pot. They could have planned the things properly by planning. They should have talked to Jerome and planned the things accordingly. 

Q.4. Jerome got irritated. He was troubled by his friends. He had to reopen his bags. What kinds of the help he could have received from his friends?

Ans: Jerome thought he was a very good packer. He kept on ordering but when help did not arrive, he had to to the whole task himself. Jerome was always confused if he had packed the toothbrush. He took our everything till he found the toothbrush. He took our everything till he found the toothbrush in a boot. His friends sat to wathe the whole incident. They could have made Jerome sit a side and taken out things one by one. If both the friends had helped then it would have been very easy. He would not have to take our the things again and again. They should not have spoilt things but should have shown excitement for packing. 

Q.5. Montmorency shares a special relationship with the author. He adds confusion and chaos to the atmosphere. It shows the ab company one keeps. What values do we learn from good friendship?

Ans:  Montmorency was their pet dog. But he had a tendency to get in the way. He liked to trouble people. He liked to disturb everyone. His day would be wasted unless he had done something very bad. One thing we must realize that good companionship is always enjoyable. We must help each other and not create confusion. One who is a good friend shall not disturb others unnecessarily. Thus, we learn a lot from good friendship.

Q.6. The packing was complete at 12.50 a.m. They decided to sleep. What efforts could have been made to finish the packing earlier?

Ans: The packing was complete at 12.50 a.m. o In Fact they packed and unpacked many times so they could not finish in time. They all had very poor time management. They did not start things properly. They kept on opening and re-opening the bags. Jerome wanted to boss around but he could not be a good supervisor. All the three friends did not have good coordination with each other. They did not understand each other. They could have acted positively and helped each other. We should remember that well planning is always must to carry any task.

Q.7. The packing was delayed. The argument was still on, they decided to get up at 6.00 a.m. What do we learn from their experiences?

Ans: The packing was delayed because they were not packing the things in an organized manner. Many times they had to pack and unpack. It was almost 12.30 a.m. by the time they went to sleep. They decided to get up at 6 a.m. We learn from their experience that for packing one must be competent. For packing management is a must. We also learn that time is very valuable and if we do not respect time, time will not respect us.

LONG ANSWERS TYPE QUESTIONS

Answer these questions in about 100-150 words each:

Q.1. George, Harris and Jerome thought that they were experts in packing, ‘Empty vessels make much noise’. How far is this applicable in the case of the three fruiends, when they were preparing for their journey? Discuss the values they should have imbibed.

Ans: Jerome and his friends, George and Harris though that they were great at packing, but the truth is that empty vessels sound much. The saying is appropriate or apt in the case of Jeromes, George and Harris. The author considered himself to be the best at packing, but he packed the bag in an unplanned way. A lot of time was wasted as he had to reopen his bag thrice. First, he forgot to pack his boots, then for his toothbrush and at last, he forgot his tobacco pouch in the bag. George and Harris also made a number of mistakes. They broke a cup, squeezed a tomato, played havoc with the butter, smashed the pies by putting heavy things on the top and upset salt over everything. Jerome ought to have been more systematic and organized in his approach to packing. As for George and Harris, they should have used their common sense while packing. They needed to have a clearly reasoned, rational approach with clarity of thought, to avoid the absent-minded. mistake that they made. 

Q.2. Mention any three humorous of the chapter ‘Packing’.

Ans: These are many humorous incident in the chapter. 

(i) Packing done by Harris – he started with packing of breakable items like packing cup, plates, bottles and jar and then the cup broke. Then, Harris, packed the strawberry jam, on tomato and it was squashed.

(ii) A piece of butter got stucks up on George’s slippers, and then George tried to put it in the Kettle. It couldn’t be made to go inside neither come out. It was scraped out and put down on a chair and Harris sat on it and it stuck to him, and the three friends went looking for it all over the room.

(iii) Montmorency’s ambition in life was to get in the way always. He was a perfect nuisance. He came and sat down on things just when they were wanted to be packed. 

Q.3. How many times did the author have to re-open the bag while packing it?

Ans: The author’s friends accepted his offer to pack the bag and he started doing it. But it was his intention to direct both George and Harris for packing. He wanted to supervise them. Ultimately he had to do the work. When he had finished, Harris amusingly pointed out that he had forgotten to pack the boots. The author was irritated but opened the bag and put the boots in. But he was worried. He was not sure whether he had packed his tooth-brush. He opened the bag but had to turn everything out till he discovered it in a boot.

He had to pack the bag all over again. He had just finished when he remembered that he had packed his tobacco pouch too. He opened the bag to get the tobacco pouch. He finally strapped the bag to 10.50. But there remained the hampers to do. It was agreed upon that it would be done by George and Harris.

Q.4. Dogs have always been man’s best friends. If you are a dog lover, how would you train Montmorency? Bring out values people need to imbibe in dealing with the pets.

Ans: Montmorency was the author’s dog. He was a complete nuisance for everyone. His ambition in life was to get in the way of others and be sworn at. Everytime he was scolded for creating a mess of everything. He came and sat down on things. He put his leg into the jam. He kept adding to the confusion and chaos as he beliving that whenever George and Harris reached out their hands for anything, it was his cold, damp nose that they wanted. As a dog lover, I would have trained Montmorency. He would have been taught to sit at his assigned place when asked, and how to behave when guests are in the house. He would have been trained to be responsible. He would have been my tried and not a headche. While dealing with pets, people should be patient and loving. They should also be forgiving and lenient, yet persevering as impatience will only cause distress to the pets and make them moody.

Q.5. “Too many cooks spoil the broth”, Bring out the truth of the statement from the lesson ‘packing’. Discuss the values the character in the lesson need to have imbibed.

Ans: Too many cooks spoil the broth. This is hundred percent true in the story, ‘Packing’. ‘Packing three friends, Jerome K. Jerome, George and Harris packed bags for journey and played havoc with the things. Jerome K Jerome, George and Harris:

(i) They started with breaking a cup. 

(ii) They also broke a plate.

(iii) They squashed a tomato.

(iv) They trod on the butter.

(v) They stepped on a banana.

(vi) They put things behind them and couldn’t find them.

(vii) They stepped on things.

(viii) They upset almost everything. 

(ix) The characters in the lesson need to have some common sense. They need to learn that heavy things are packed at the bottom and lighter on the top. Rather, they should have had some common sense about the nature of things like butter, or tomatoes or breakable items like cups and plates. They should not create panic while packing. They must make a list of things before packing. It will help them.

Q.6. Pets are sweets and loveable. But every living being has its limitation. In the story ‘Packing, how is this fact described? Bring out the values people need to imbibe in dealing with their pets.

Ans: Pets are sweet and loveable. But every living being has its limitations. In this story, ‘packing’, we find a dog, Montmorency whose ambition in life was to disturb people and be sworn at in the bargains, It always made a mess of everything the way most of the pet dogs do. He came and sat on things just when they were needed to be packed. He pretended lemons to be rats and chased them everywhere. While we are having pets, we must train them in a way that they do not create nuisance but they must become our friends and helpers. We should keep them like our family members.