UP Board class 10 English chapter 6 – “Mijbil The Otter” solutions are available on this page. It covers all the question answers of this chapter. This solution is aligned with the latest syllabus of 2024-25 session.
In Chapter 6, Mijbil the Otter, the author Gavin Maxwell shares his experience of adopting an otter as a pet after the loss of his beloved dog. The story follows Maxwell’s journey with Mijbil, the playful otter, and their adventures together. From receiving Mij in a sack in Iraq to bringing him back to England, the narrative beautifully captures the bond that forms between them. The chapter highlights the otter’s mischievous yet endearing behavior, his love for water, and the challenges they faced during travel. It’s a touching portrayal of companionship and the joy pets bring to life.
UP Board Class 10 English Chapter 6 Solutions
Contents
| Subject | English |
| Class | 10th |
| Chapter | Mijbil The Otter |
| Author | Gavin Maxwell |
| Board | UP Board |
Oral Comprehension Check
Page No: 84
1. What ‘experiment’ did Maxwell think Camusfearna would be suitable for?
Answer: Maxwell thought Camusfearna would be suitable for his “experiment” of keeping an otter instead of a dog. The area was surrounded by water close to the house, making it an ideal habitat for an otter.
2. Why does he go to Basra? How long does he wait there, and why?
Answer: Maxwell goes to Basra to collect and respond to his European mail at the Consulate-General. He waits there for five days due to delays in mail delivery and difficulties in making an international phone call, which required a 24-hour prior booking and faced technical issues.
3. How does he get the otter? Does he like it? Pick out the words that tell you this.
Answer: Maxwell receives the otter unexpectedly when he finds two Arabs with a moving sack in his bedroom, along with a note from his friend. He clearly likes the otter, evident from his use of the term “otter fixation” to describe his strong attachment to it.
4. Why was the otter named ‘Maxwell’s otter’?
Answer: The otter was named “Maxwell’s otter” by zoologists because it belonged to a previously unknown species. Its scientific name became Lutrogale perspicillata Maxwell in recognition of Maxwell’s discovery.
5. Tick the right answer. In the beginning, the otter was
(a) Aloof and indifferent
(b) Friendly
(c) Hostile
Answer: In the beginning, the otter was aloof and indifferent.
6. What happened when Maxwell took Mijbil to the bathroom? What did it do two days after that?
Answer: When Maxwell first took Mijbil to the bathroom, the otter became extremely excited, jumping and splashing in the bathtub. Two days later, Mijbil escaped to the bathroom on its own and managed to turn on the tap, filling the tub with water.
Page No: 86
1. How was Mij to be transported to England?
Answer: To transport Mij to England, Maxwell planned a flight route from Iraq to Paris, then onwards to London. The airline imposed specific conditions for Mij’s travel: he had to be confined in a box no larger than 18 inches square. This box was to be placed on the floor near Maxwell’s feet during the flight, ensuring Mij’s safety while complying with airline regulations.
2. What did Mij do to the box?
Answer: Mij found the metal-lined box uncomfortable and attempted to escape. In his desperate efforts, he tore at the box’s metal lining, causing injury to himself. This resulted in Mij bleeding, highlighting the distress and potential dangers of transporting wild animals in confined spaces. The incident demonstrates the challenges Maxwell faced in trying to balance Mij’s well-being with travel requirements.
Page No: 87
3. 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 in the box as it was the only permitted way to transport him to London. This decision likely caused Maxwell great distress and concern, as he was aware of Mij’s discomfort and injuries. Maxwell probably felt torn between following airline regulations and ensuring his pet’s well-being, highlighting the emotional challenge of the situation.
4. Why does Maxwell say the air hostess was “the very Queen of her kind”?
Answer: Maxwell refers to the air hostess as “the very Queen of her kind” because of her exceptional kindness and understanding. After learning about Mij’s predicament, she compassionately suggested that Maxwell keep the otter on his lap instead of in the box. This empathetic response to both the animal’s and Maxwell’s distress earned her Maxwell’s profound admiration and gratitude.
5. What happened when the box was opened?
Answer: When the box was opened, Mij darted out and raced down the aircraft, causing panic among passengers. A woman mistook Mij for a rat and screamed, standing on her seat. Maxwell spotted Mij’s tail under an Indian passenger’s legs but failed to catch him. The airhostess calmed the situation, asking Maxwell to sit down while they searched. Eventually, Mij returned on his own, climbing onto Maxwell’s knee, allowing him to soothe the otter by rubbing its neck and face.
Page No: 88
1. What game had Mij invented?
Answer: Mij invented a game using a ping-pong ball and a sloping surface. He would place the ball at the top of the slope and then attempt to catch it as it rolled down to the other side. This game showcased Mij’s intelligence and playful nature, demonstrating how otters can create their own entertainment.
2. What are ‘compulsive habits’? What does Maxwell say are the compulsive habits of
- School children
- Mij
Answer: Compulsive habits are repetitive behaviors that a person or animal feels driven to perform, often without a clear reason. For school children, Maxwell notes the habit of stepping precisely in the center of each paving block while walking. Mij’s compulsive habit was to jump onto a school wall and gallop along its entire 30-yard length, showing how both humans and animals can develop such repetitive behaviors.
3. What group of animals do otters belong to?
Answer: Otters belong to the Mustelidae family, also known as the weasel family. This group includes various small to medium-sized carnivorous mammals such as badgers, weasels, stoats, minks, and mongooses. The Mustelidae family is known for its diverse range of semi-aquatic and terrestrial species, with otters being one of the most well-adapted to aquatic life.
4. What guesses did the Londoners make about what Mij was?
Answer: Londoners, unfamiliar with otters, made a wide range of guesses about Mij’s identity. Their guesses included baby seal, walrus, squirrel, hippo, beaver, leopard, bear cub, and even brontosaurus. This variety of guesses highlights the unfamiliarity of otters in urban settings and showcases the diverse interpretations people can have when encountering an unusual animal.
Thinking About the Text
Page No: 88
1. What things does Mij do which tell you that he is an intelligent, friendly and fun-loving animal who needs love?
Answer: Mij demonstrated his intelligence through various actions, such as inventing a game with ping-pong balls and learning to operate the water tap. His friendly nature was evident in his strong attachment to Maxwell, clinging to him when scared. Mij’s playful character shone through his enjoyment of games with various objects like rubber fruit, marbles, and a terrapin shell. The otter’s need for affection was clear in how he sought and reciprocated Maxwell’s love, showing that even wild animals can form strong bonds with humans.
2. What are some of the things we come to know about otters from this text?
Answer: From this text, we learn that otters belong to the Mustelidae family, which includes animals like mongooses, badgers, and weasels. Maxwell’s otter, specifically, was a previously unknown species, scientifically named Lutrogale perspicillata maxwelli. Otters typically inhabit marshlands and can be tamed by Arabs. They have a strong affinity for water, enjoying playing and splashing in moving water. Otters are playful creatures, particularly fond of ball games, and can adapt to human environments while maintaining their wild instincts.
3. Why is Mij’s species now known to the world as Maxwell’s otter?
Answer: Mij’s species became known as Maxwell’s otter because it was a previously undiscovered race of otter. When zoologists studied this new species, they named it Lutrogale perspicillata maxwelli in honor of Maxwell, who brought this unique otter to scientific attention. This naming convention is common in zoology when a new species is discovered, recognizing the person instrumental in its identification or study.
4. Maxwell in the story speaks for the otter, Mij. He tells us what the otter feels and thinks on different occasions. Given below are some things the otter does. Complete the column on the right to say what Maxwell says about what Mij feels and thinks.
Answer:
| What Mij Does | How Mij Feels or Thinks |
|---|---|
| Plunges, rolls in the water and makes the water splish and splash | Went wild with joy |
| Screws the tap in the wrong way | Irritated and disappointed |
| Nuzzles Maxwell’s face and neck in the aeroplane | Distressed chitter of recognition and welcome |
5. Read the story and find the sentences where Maxwell describes his pet otter. Then choose and arrange your sentences to illustrate those statements below that you think are True.
Maxwell’s description
(i) makes Mij seem almost human, like a small boy.
Answer: True – Maxwell often describes Mij’s behaviors in ways that make him seem almost human, like a small boy. For example, “He spent most of his time inventing games to play with any object he could find.”
(ii) shows that he is often irritated with what Mij does.
Answer: False – Maxwell rarely shows irritation with Mij’s behavior. Instead, he often expresses amusement or fascination.
(iii) shows that he is often surprised by what Mij does.
Answer: True – Maxwell is frequently surprised by Mij’s actions. A good example is: “I was astonished to see him fumbling at the taps with his paws. He turned the tap far enough to produce a trickle of water, and after a moment or two achieved the full flow.”
(iv) of Mij’s antics is comical.
Answer: True (contrary to the original answer) – Maxwell’s descriptions of Mij’s antics are often comical. For instance, his description of Mij’s invented ball game on the sloping luggage is both detailed and humorous.
(v) shows that he observes the antics of Mij very carefully.
Answer: True – Maxwell observes Mij’s behavior very carefully, as evidenced by his detailed descriptions of Mij’s games and habits.
(vi) shows that he thinks Mij is a very ordinary otter.
Answer: False – Maxwell clearly sees Mij as extraordinary, not ordinary.
(vii) shows that he thinks the otter is very unusual.
Answer: True – Maxwell considers Mij unusual, especially in the context of London. He notes, “It is not, I suppose, in any way strange that the average Londoner should not recognize an otter, but the variety of guesses as to what kind of animal this might be came as a surprise to me.”
Thinking About Language
Page No: 90
I. Describing a Repeated Action in the Past
1. From the table below, make as many correct sentences as you can using would and/or used to, as appropriate. (Hint: First decide whether the words in italics show an action, or a state or situation, in the past.) Then add two or three sentences of your own to it.
Ans:
1. Musical evenings were a favourite pastime of Emperor Akbar.
2. We used to go for lengthy walks on the beach every evening.
3. Car ownership was uncommon fifty years ago.
4. Shanghai’s streets were notoriously filthy until the 1980s.
5. My uncle likes to spend his vacations at the sea.
6. My uncle liked to go for lengthy beach walks.
7. Musical evenings became a favourite pastime of my uncle’s.
ll. Noun Modifiers
1. Look at these examples from the text, and say whether the modifiers (in italics) are Nouns, proper nouns, or adjectives plus nouns.
Ans:
(i) Noun
(ii) Noun
(iii) Proper noun
(iv) Proper noun
(v) Adjective plus noun
(vi) Adjective plus noun
2. Given below are some nouns and a set of modifiers (in the box). Combine the nouns and modifiers to make as many appropriate phrases as you can. (Hint: The nouns and modifiers are all from the texts in this book.)
Ans:
Temple – white temple, stone temple, first temple
Person – incorrigible person, ridiculous person
Gifts – hundred gifts, ordinary gifts, birthday gifts
Time – college time, first time, rough time
Crossing – railroad crossing, first crossing
Physique – plump physique, ordinary physique
Three girls – incorrigible three girls, first three girls
Thoughts – incorrigible thoughts, uncomfortable thoughts, ridiculous thoughts,
Heartbreaking thoughts, first thoughts, ordinary thoughts
Scream – tremendous scream, loud scream
Subject – college subject, ordinary subject
Flight – rough flight, first flight
Coffee – invigorating coffee, ordinary coffee
Triangle – love triangle
Boys – college boys, rough boys, incorrigible boys, hundred boys
Farewell – college farewell, heartbreaking farewell
Landscape – bare landscape, white landscape, rough landscape
Chatterbox – incorrigible chatterbox
View – tremendous view, panoramic view, ordinary view
Dresses − hundred dresses, birthday dresses, ordinary dresses, marriage dresses
Roar − tremendous roar, loud roar
Expression − bare expression, slack expression, slang expression
Handkerchief − white handkerchief, ordinary handkerchief
Profession − family profession, ordinary profession, first profession
Celebration − tremendous celebration, family celebration, birthday celebration
III. Read this sentence:
1. Match the words on the left with a word on the right. Some words on the left can go with more than one word on the right.
Ans:
| A portion of | fried fish |
| A pool of | blood |
| Flakes of | snow |
| A huge heap of | stones |
| A gust of | wind |
| Little drops of | water |
| A piece of | cotton |
| A pot of | gold |
2. Use a bit of/a piece of/a bunch of/a cloud of/a lump of with the italicised nouns in the following sentences. The first has been done for you as an example.
Ans:
(i) My teacher gave me some suggestions.
(ii) Can you give me a lump of clay, please?
(iii) The piece of information you gave was very useful.
(iv) Because of these factories, a cloud of smoke hangs over the city.
(v) Two pieces of stones rubbed together can produce sparks of fire.
(vi) He gave me a bunch of flowers on my birthday.
