Mijbil the Otter (Story) Class 10 English [LATEST] Solutions NCERT Textbook Questions & Answers in english - CBSE Study

Chapter 6. (Story) Mijbil the Otter

This section contains the NCERT textbook questions and answers based on Mijbil the Otter. The answers are written in simple, accurate, and exam-oriented language according to the latest CBSE syllabus.

NCERT Textbook Questions & Answers

The following questions are based on Mijbil the Otter. Read them carefully to understand the author's relationship with Mij, the otter, and the interesting incidents that took place during their journey.

Oral Comprehension Check

Question 1. What experiment did Maxwell think Camusfearna would be suitable for?

Answer:

After the death of his pet dog, Maxwell decided not to keep another dog. Instead, he thought that his home at Camusfearna, surrounded by water, would be the perfect place to keep an otter as a pet.

Question 2. Why does he go to Basra? How long does he wait there, and why?

Answer:

Maxwell went to Basra in southern Iraq to collect and transport the otter. He stayed there for several days because he was waiting for his mail to arrive from England.

Oral Comprehension Check

Question 3. How does he get the otter? Does he like it? Pick out the words that tell you this.

Answer:

Two Arabs brought the otter to Maxwell in a sack. At first, the animal was covered with mud and looked unusual, but Maxwell immediately became fond of it. His affection is shown through the way he carefully cleaned it, named it Mijbil (Mij), and described it with love and admiration.

Question 4. Why was the otter named 'Maxwell's otter'?

Answer:

Scientists later discovered that Mij belonged to a previously unknown variety of otter. This new variety was named Lutrogale perspicillata maxwelli in honour of Gavin Maxwell. Therefore, it became popularly known as Maxwell's otter.

Question 5. Tick the right answer. In the beginning, the otter was

(a) friendly
(b) aloof and indifferent
(c) hostile

Answer:

(b) aloof and indifferent.

Question 6. What happened when Maxwell took Mijbil to the bathroom? What did it do two days after that?

Answer:

When Maxwell first took Mij to the bathroom, the otter became extremely excited. It rolled, dived, splashed, and played happily in the water. Two days later, Mij learned how to turn on the tap by himself and enjoyed playing under the running water.

Oral Comprehension Check

Question 7. How was Mij to be transported to England?

Answer:

Maxwell planned to take Mij to England by aeroplane. He bought a strong wooden box and later replaced it with a suitable travelling container so that the otter could travel safely during the flight.

Question 8. What did Mij do to the box?

Answer:

Mij became frightened after being locked inside the box. In his attempt to escape, he scratched, bit, and clawed at it so fiercely that he damaged the inside of the box and even injured himself before finally breaking out.

Question 9. Why did Maxwell put the otter back in the box? How do you think he felt when he did this?

Answer:

Maxwell had to put Mij back into the box because it was necessary for safe air travel. Although he knew the otter disliked confinement, he had no other choice. He felt worried, guilty, and anxious because he did not want Mij to suffer.

Question 10. Why does Maxwell say the air hostess was "the very queen of her kind"?

Answer:

Maxwell praised the air hostess because she behaved with great kindness, patience, and understanding. She remained calm throughout the journey and helped him look after Mij without creating any panic among the passengers.

Question 11. What happened when Mij escaped into the plane?

Answer:

During the flight, Mij escaped from his travelling basket and began running around the aircraft. He disappeared under the seats, frightened some passengers, and created confusion. Eventually, he was safely caught with the help of the air hostess, and the journey continued peacefully.