Class-10 Chapter-6 The Hundred Dresses-II- Extra Questions and NCERT Solution

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Extra Questions, Notes, Assignment and study material for Class 10th as Per Latest CBSE Syllabus

Chapter- 6 English Language and Literature- First Flight (Latest 2018-19)

­­­­ The Hundred Dresses-II

By El Bsor Ester  

About the Author- El Bsor Ester                    

El Bsor Ester – A Short Biography

El Bsor Ester edumantra.netEleanor Estes (May 1906-July 15, 1988) was an American children’s author and a children’s librarian. Her book, ‘Ginger Pyre’ won the Newfry Medal. Eleanor based the story ‘The Hundred Dresses’ on her real-life experience as the girl who received Peggy’s hand-me-down dresses.

Introduction of the lesson- The Hundred Dresses-II

INTRODUCTION

On this Lesson, the author teaches us a lesson not to hurt anybody’s feelings. All the girls in the school made fun of Wanda, a Polish girl. As a result, she left the school. Then the feeling of repentance arose among the students who teased Wanda. Peggy and Maddie even go to her house to stop her from leaving that place but they could not meet her as she had already left. They write a letter to her accepting their fault. Wanda sends a letter to Miss Mason on the eve of Christmas. She greets everybody ‘Merry Christmas’ and gives them the gifts of her paintings.

dresses edumantra.net

(इस लेख में लेखक हमें सबक सिखाता है कि हमें  किसी भी व्यक्ति भावनाओं को ठेस नहीं पहुँचानी चाहिए I स्कूल में सभी लड़कियाँ वाण्डा  नाम की पोलैंड वासी एक लड़की का मजाक उड़ाया करती थी परिणामस्वरूप उसने स्कूल छोड़ दिया I तब उन विधार्थियों में, जो वाण्डा को चिड़ाया करते थे, पश्चाताप की भावना पैदा हुई I पेग्गी और मैडी तो उसके घर भी जाती है ताकि उसे वह स्थान छोड़कर जाने से रोक सकें लेकिन वे उससे नहीं मिल सकी क्योंकि वह पहले ही जा चुकी थी I वे अपनी गलती को स्वीकार करते हुए उसे एक पत्र लिखती है I वाण्डा क्रिसमस के पूर्व संध्या पर मिस मेसन को एक पत्र लिखती है I वह सभी को क्रिसमस की शुभकामनाएँ देती है और उन्हें अपने चित्रों के उपहार देती है I )

Plot/ Theme / Central Idea of the Lesson/ Literary Analysis of The Hundred Dresses-II/ Main Idea

The theme of the Story

It becomes rather difficult for a poor immigrant like Wanda Petronski to adjust herself in an environment which is not very conducive to her. However, Wanda rises above all these petty considerations. She still loves her previous school and her classmates. She is generous enough to donate her one hundred drawings to her classmates. She has no ill feelings towards Peggy who used to tease her by putting embarrassing questions regarding her dresses. She allows Peggy to have the drawing of the green dress and Maddie the blue one.

download edumantra.net 1However, the damage has been done. In his letter to Miss Mason, Wanda’s father clearly mentions how he is forced to move out of the place and get his children admitted to a new school. The message is very clear. Any kind of discrimination does torture those who suffer it silently.

Important Word-Meanings of difficult words  from the lesson- The Hundred Dresses-II

WORD-MEANINGS

  [PAGE73] : Circling = moving round (आसपास घूमना); thoughtfully = thinking deeply (गहरा सोचना); shuffling = making sound of feet while walking (चलते समय पैरों से आवाज करना); tense = serious (गंभीर), deliberately = intentionally (जान-बूझकर); Indicated = showed (दिखाया); listened closely = heard attentively (ध्यान से सुना); holler = cry loudly (जोर-से चीखना); Pollack = a word suggesting anger (गुस्सा दर्शाने वाला शब्द; plenty = enough (काफी); unfamiliar = unacquainted (अपरिचित) I

 [PAGE 74] : Thoughtlessness = without thinking (बिना सोचे); unfortunate = unlucky (अभागा); stood by = supported (सहारा दिया); coward = lacking courage (कायर); mean = with bad mentality (कमीना); stole a glance = looked secretly (चोरी से देखा) I

 [PAGE 75] : Pretended = showy (दिखावापूर्ण); casualness = carelessness (लापरवाही); glowed= became hopeful (आशावान); forbidding = bad (बुरा); drizzly = rainy (बरसात वाला); damp = wet (गीला),. dismal = sad (उदास); gruffly = roughly (कठोरता से); dumb = unfeeling (बिना भावना के); gee = exclamation of joy (खुशी की अभिव्यक्ति); wisps = pieces (टुकड़े); pathway = footpath (फुटपाथ); kittens = young ones of cats (बिल्ली के बच्चे); shabby = simple and cheap (सादा एवं सस्ता) I

 [PAGE 76] : Make amends = patch up (समझौता करना); probably = perhaps (शायद); glowing = beautiful (सुंदर); conclusion = result (परिणाम); picking on someone = teasing someone (किसी को तंग करना) I

   [PAGE 77] : Mailed = sent by post (डाक से भेजना); defending = protecting (बचाना); tease = trouble someone (किसी को तंग करना); decorated = beautiful (सुंदर); I

 [PAGE 78] :Gifted = talented (गुणा); intently =swith attention (ध्यान से)., trimming = decorating (सजना); wreaths = garlands (मालाएँ); holly = a plant (एक पौधा); grocery = a provisions shop (किरयाने की दुकान);

 stacked = kept (रखा); candy = a sweet (मिठाई); cornucopias = decorative containers (सजावटी डिब्बे); shiny =  bright (चमकीला); reflected = shown back (परावर्तित किया); brilliancy = brightness (चमक) I

 [PAGE 79] : Blurred = unclear (धुंधला); gazed = looked intently (ध्यान से देखा); vivid = clear (स्पष्ट); stolidly = without any feeling   (बिना सोचे) I

Summary in English- The Hundred Dresses-II

DETAILED SUMMARY

The students were circling the room and admiring the dress designs made by Wanda. A notice from the principal’s office came. Miss Mason told the class that she had received a letter from Wanda’s father. She said that she was going to read it before the class. The students got ready to listen. In his letter, Wanda’s father had informed Miss Mason that Wanda would not come to the school any more. They were moving to the big city. In that city, nobody would consider her name funny and laugh atedumantra.net her.

 The entire class became silent and felt bad about Wanda. Miss Mason understood their feelings. She told them that no one should hurt anyone’s feelings because his or her name was long or funny. She said that what had happened in the school about Wanda, was bad. She asked them to think about that. Maddie listened to what Miss Mason said about Wanda. She could not concentrate on her studies. She had a sick feeling. It was true that she had never made fun of Wanda herself. But at the same time, she had not enjoyed Peggy’s asking Wanda about her dresses. On such occasions, she said nothing and stood silently. But that was also bad. She felt that she was a coward and never stopped Peggy from making fun of Wanda.

 Maddie wondered if she could do anything. She wanted to meet Wanda and tell her that she had never meant to hurt her feelings. She made up her mind to go to her house and tell Wanda that she had won the contest and her hundred dresses were beautiful. She decided that she would find out Wanda Petronski. She and Peggy would go to her house to meet her. When school was over, Maddie told Peggy to go to Wanda’s house. They walked towards her colony. On the way, Peggy said that she had never called Wanda a foreigner. She always thought that Wanda was a dumb girl. She never imagined that Wanda could sense the girls had been making fun of her. Maddie said nothing. She just wanted to meet Wanda and tell her that they were sorry for their nide treatment. She would request her not to move away.

 After some time, Peggy and Maddie found Wanda’s house in the Boggins Heights. The house looked shabby but clean. It reminded Madden of Wanda’s one dress. But there was no one in the house. Peggy knocked on the door. There was no response. Wanda and her family had already left the place. They came back. Peggy said that her asking Wanda about her dresses actually helped her. Otherwise, perhaps she might not have won the drawing contest. But Maddie was not satisfied. She could not sleep that night. She thought of Wanda, her drawings and her house. At last, she made a decision. She decided that she would not keep quiet if someone made fun of anybody before her. She would not mind even she had to lose Peggy’s friendship. She had no way of making things right with Wanda, but now she would never make anybody unhappy.

 On Saturday, Peggy and Maddie wrote a letter to Wanda. It was just a friendly letter. They praised Wanda’s drawings. They wrote to her that she had won the contest. They mailed it to Boggins Heights with the request that it be sent to her new address. A number of days passed but there was no answer from Wanda. Peggy had begun to forget the whole incident. Maddie tried to sleep at night making speeches about Wanda.

 Then it was Christmas time. On the last day of the school, Miss Mason received a letter from Wanda. She showed the letter to the class and read it. Wanda had written that the girls could keep those hundred dresses because in her new house she had a hundred new ones. She had gifted the green dress with the red trimmings to Peggy. She wrote that Maddie could have a blue dress. She wished Merry Christmas to all. They accepted the drawings. On the way home Peggy and Maddie held their drawings very carefully. They pinned the drawings in their bedrooms.

Maddie was missing Wanda too much. There were tears in her eyes. She felt sad to think that she would never see Wanda again. She felt that Wanda had been nice to her. She gazed at the drawing for a long time. Suddenly, she noticed the face and head in the drawing. It looked like her own head and face. She was excited to find that Wanda had made that drawing especially for her. She ran to Peggy’s house. She told Peggy that Wanda had drawn the drawing for her. Then they saw her drawing also. There was Peggy’s face in the drawing. Peggy was also happy to see that the face and head of the drawing looked like her. Peggy told Maddie that Wanda really liked them. There were tears in Maddie’s eyes every time she thought of Wanda Petronski.

DETAILED SUMMARY (2)

1.A Letter from Wanda’s Father: Miss Mason received a note from the principal’s office. She read it several times. She studied it thoughtfully. Then, she read the letter to the class. Wanda’s father clearly made it clear that both his children Wanda and Jake would not come to their previous school anymore. They would not be insulted for having their ‘funny names’ any more in the new big city as they faced it in their previous school.

2. Deep Silence in the Class: The letter had an immediate effect. A deep silence prevailed in the room. Miss Mason spoke in a low voice. She wished that none of the boys and girls in Room Thirteen would purposely and deliberately hurt anybody for having a long and unfamiliar name. What was said in thoughtlessness? It was a very unfortunate and sad thing that Wanda had to face such a situation.

3. Maddie Had Sick Feelings: Maddie was highly disturbed. She could not put her mind on her lessons. She had a very sick feeling in the bottom of her stomach. She cursed herself for remaining silent when Peggy teased Wanda Petronski. She only stood by silently and said nothing. It was as bad as what Peggy had done.

Worse. She was nothing less than a coward. She put herself in Wanda’s shoes. She decided to find Wanda. It was possible that she had not left Boggins Heights yet. Peggy had also the same idea. Both the girls planned to visit Wanda’s house at Boggins Heights.

4. Peggy and Maddie Visited Wanda’s House: The two girls set out for Boggins Heights, the place where Wanda Petronski used to live. Peggy felt that she never called Wanda a ‘foreigner’ and made ‘fun’ of her name. She thought that Wanda was too dumb. She praised her drawing skills. At last, they reached Wanda’s house. It was a little house with a shabby but clean courtyard. They knocked firmly on the door but got no answer. The Petronskis had gone. Peggy said that if she had not asked Wanda about all her dresses, she would have no ideas for her drawings. She might not have won the contest either.

5. Maddie Resolves: Maddie thought about Wanda, blue dress and the little house she had lived in. She reached an important conclusion. She was not going to stand by and say nothing again. She would never forgive anyone insulting others because they were funny looking or had strange names. She would stand up and speak up. She would oppose injustice even if it meant losing Peggy’s friendship.

6. Peggy and Maddie Write a Letter to Wanda: Peggy and Maddie decided to write a letter to Wanda. They wrote how pretty her drawings were. They asked her if she liked her new place and her new teacher. They wanted to feel sorry but they ended up with writing just a friendly letter.

7. Letter from Wanda Petronski: On the last day of school before the Christmas holidays, Miss Mason received a letter. It was from Wanda Petr on the ski. She wished that the girls of Room Thirteen could keep those ‘hundred dresses’. She had a new hundred dresses in her new house. She would like Peggy to have the drawing of the green dress and Maddie to have the blue one. She wrote that she missed school. Her new teacher didn’t ‘equalise’ Miss Mason.

8. Wanda Liked Peggy & Maddie: Peggy told Maddie that Wanda actually liked them. She replied to their letter. There was no ill feeling among them. Everything was all right. Maddie felt sad that they would never see the little Polish girl again. She went home. She pinned the drawing on the wallpaper. Tears blurred her eyes. She looked intently and found that the face and head of the drawing looked like her. Excitedly, she ran over to Peggy. She showed Peggy her picture. The head and face of her picture also did look like Peggy. Peggy replied that Wanda must have really liked them.

Main Points of the Story

  1. The teacher, Miss Mason got a letter from Wanda Petronski’s father.
  2. Then, she read Wanda’s father’s letter to the class.
  3. He informed that his children Wanda and Jake would never come to their school again.
  4. Miss Mason spoke in a sad low voice to the class.
  5. Perhaps what was said was very sad and unfortunate.
  6. True, Maddie didn’t like Peggy putting embarrassing questions to Wanda Petronski.
  7. Maddie felt guilty as she stood silently and never opposed Peggy when she was teasing Wanda.
  8. She wanted to tell Wanda that her ‘hundred dresses’ were beautiful.
  9. Both the girls Peggy and Wanda set out for Boggins Heights, the place where Wanda used to live.
  10. They knocked on the door loudly but got no answer.
  11. It was clear that Wanda Petronski and her family had gone.
  12. Peggy told Maddie that when she was asking Wanda about her dresses, Wanda probably was getting good ideas for her drawings.
  13. Maddie made an important decision.
  14. Both Peggy and Maddie decided to write a letter to Wanda Petronski.
  15. They asked Wanda if she liked her new place and the new teacher.
  16. They also wrote that their drawings were very beautiful and she won the girls’ medal.
  17. They also wanted to feel sorry but they ended up writing a friendly letter.
  18. On the last day of school before the holidays, Miss Mason informed the class that she received a letter from Wanda Petronski.
  19. In the letter, Wanda wished that the girls of Room Number Thirteen could keep those ‘hundred dresses’.
  20. She wished that the drawing of the green dress be given to Peggy and of the blue one to Maddie.
  21. Maddie went home and watched the drawing intently.
  22. Peggy could only say to Maddie “She must have really liked us”.

Summary in Hindi – The Hundred Dresses-II- Full Text

SUMMARY IN HINDI

      छात्र कमरे का चक्रकर  लगा रहे थे और वाण्डा  द्रारा बनाए गए डिज़ाइनों की प्रशंसा कर रहे थे I प्रिंसिपल के कमरे से एक नोटिस आया I मिस मेसन ने कक्षा  को बताया कि उसे वाण्डा  के पिता से एक पत्र मिला है I उसने कहा कि वह इस पत्र  को कक्षा  में पढ़ने जा रही है I छात्र  पत्र  को सुनने के लिए तैयार हो गए I अपने पत्र में वाण्डा  के पिता ने मिस मेसन को बताया कि वाण्डा अब स्कूल में नहीं आएगी I वे एक बड़े शहर में जा रहे हैं I  उस शहर  में कोई भी उसके नाम को हास्यपूर्ण नहीं समझेगा और उस पर हँसेगा नहीं I

सारी कक्षा शांत हो गई और उन्हें वाण्डा  के बारे में बहुत दुःख हुआ I मिस मेसन उनकी भावनाओं को समझ गई I उसने उन्हें बताया कि किसी को किसी की भावनाओं को इसलिए ठेस नहीं पहुँचानी चाहिए क्योकि उसका नाम लंबा या हास्यपूर्ण  है I उसने कहा स्कूल में वाण्डा  के बारे में जो कुछ हुआ वह बुरा था I उसने उन्हें कहा कि वे इस बारे में सोचे I मैडी ने उसके बारे में सोचा जो कुछ मिस मेसन ने वाण्डा  के बारे में कहा I वह अपनी पढ़ाई पर ध्यान नहीं दे पाई I उसे बीमारी जैसी भावनाएँ महसूस हुई I यह सच था कि उसने खुद कभी वाण्डा  का मजाक नहीं उड़ाया था I मगर इसके साथ-साथ, उसने कभी भी पेग्गी को तब नहीं रोका था जब वह वाण्डा  से उसकी पोशाकों के बारे में पूछती थी I ऐसे अवसरों पर वह कुछ नहीं कहती थी और खमोश खड़ी रहती थी I मगर यह बात भी बुरी थी I उसने महसूस किया कि वह कायर है और उसने कभी भी पेग्गी को वाण्डा  का मजाक उड़ाने से नहीं रोका I

मैडी को हैरानी हुई कि क्या वह कुछ कर सकती है I वह वाण्डा  से मिलना चाहती थी और उसे बताना चाहती थी कि उसका इरादा कभी भी उसकी भावनाओं को ठेस पहचाना नहीं था I उसने फैसला किया कि वह वाण्डा  पेट्रोंसकी को बताएगी कि उसने प्रतियोगिता जीत ली है और उसकी सौ  पोशाकें बहुत सुंदर है I उसने फैसला किया कि वाण्डा  पेट्रोंसकी  को दूँढ निकलेगी I यह और पेग्गी उससे मिलने उसके घर आएँगी जब स्कूल का समय खत्म हो गया तो मैडी ने पेग्गी से वाण्डा  के घर चलने को कहा I वे उसके काँलोनी की तरफ चल दी I रास्ते में पेग्गी ने कहा कि उसने कभी भी वाण्डा  को विदेशी नहीं कहा था I वह सदा सोचती थी कि वाण्डा बुद्दू लड़की है I उसने कभी कल्पना भी नहीं की थी कि वाण्डा  को इस बात का आभास होगा कि लड़कियाँ उसका मजाक उड़ा रही है I मैडी ने कुछ नहीं कहा I वह तो केवल वाण्डा  से मिलना चाहती थी और उसे बताना चाहती थी वे उसके प्रति किए गए अपने अभद्र व्यवहार के लिए शर्मिदा है I वह उससे प्रार्थना करेगी कि वह उस शहर को छोड़कर न जाए I

कुछ देर बाद पेग्गी और मैडी को बोगिंज हाईट्रस में वाण्डा  का घर मिल गया I घर सस्ता मगर साफ था I इससे मैडी को वाण्डा  की वह एकमात्र पोशाक याद आ गई I मगर घर में कोई नहीं था I पेग्गी ने दरवाजे पर दस्तक दी I कोई उतर नहीं मिला I वाण्डा और उसका परिवार पहले ही वहाँ से जा चुका था I वे वापिस आ गई I पेग्गी ने कहा कि उसने द्वारा वाण्डा  को उसकी पोशाकों के बारे में पूछने से वास्तव में उसे फायदा हुआ था I नहीं तो शायद वह ड्राइंग प्रतियोगिता न जीत पाती I मगर मैडी संतुष्ट नहीं थी I वह उस रात को सो नहीं सकी I वह वाण्डा, उसकी ड्राइंग और उसके घर के बारे में सोचती रही I अंत में उसने एक फैसला किया I उसने फैसला किया कि भविष्य में अगर कोई उसके सामने किसी का मजाक उड़ाएगा तो वह चुप नहीं रहेगी I अगर ऐसा करने से उसे पेग्गी की मित्रता भी गँवानी पड़े तो भी वह परवाह नहीं करेगी I उसके सामने वाण्डा  से माफ़ी माँगने का कोई रास्ता नहीं थी I मगर वह अब किसी को भी दुखी नहीं करेगी I

शानिवार को पेग्गी और मैडी ने वाण्डा  को एक पत्र लिखा I यह केवल एक मित्रतापूर्ण पत्र था I उन्होंने वाण्डा  की ड्राइंगों की तारीफ की I उन्होंने उसे लिखा कि वह प्रतियोगिता जीत गई है I उन्होंने वह पत्र बोगिज हाईट्रस के पते पर भेज दिया और साथ ही यह प्रार्थना भी लिख दी कि इसे उसके नए पते पर भेज दिया जाए I कई दिन बीत गए, मगर वाण्डा  से कोई जवाब नहीं आया I पेग्गी ने सारी घटना को भूलना आरंभ कर दिया I मैडी रात को वाण्डा  के बारे में भाषण बनाते हुए सोने का प्रयत्न करती थी I

फिर क्रिसमस का समय आ गया I स्कूल के अंतिम दिन, मिस मेसन को वाण्डा  से पत्र मिला I उसने वह पत्र कक्षा को दिखाया और उसे पढ़कर सुनाया I वाण्डा  ने उसे लिखा था कि लडकियाँ उन सौ  पोशाकों की  ड्राइंगो  को रख सकती है क्योकि उसके घर में सौ नई पोशाकें है I उसने लाल सजावट वाली हरी पोशाक पेग्गी को उपहार में दी I उसने लिखा कि मैडी नीली पोशाक ले सकती है I उसने सबको क्रिसमस की बधाई दी I उन्होंने ड्राइंगो  को स्वीकार कर लिया I घर के रास्ते में पेग्गी और मैडी अपनी ड्राइंगों  को सावधानी से पकड़े रखा I उन्होंने अपनी ड्राइंगों को अपने-अपने बेडरूम में लगा दिया I

मैडी को वाण्डा की बहुत याद आ रही थी I उसकी आँखों में आँसू थे I उसे यह सोचकर उदासी हुई कि वह अब वाण्डा  को कभी नहीं मिल पाएगी I उसे महसूस हुआ कि वाण्डा  उसके प्रति अच्छी थी I वह ड्राइंग को बड़ी देर तक देखती रही I अचानक उसने ड्राइंग के सिर और चेहरे पर ध्यान दिया I यह उसके अपने सिर और चेहरे की तरह लगता था I उसे यह सोचकर उत्तेजना हुई कि वाण्डा  ने वह ड्राइंग  विशेष तोर पर उसकी लिए बनाई थी I  वह भागकर पेग्गी के घर गई I उसने पेग्गी को बताया कि वाण्डा  ने उसके लिए ही ड्राइंग बनाई थी I तब उन्होंने पेग्गी की ड्राइंग भी देखी I ड्राइंग में पेग्गी का चेहरा था I पेग्गी को भी यह देख कर खुशी हुई कि ड्राइंग  का सिर और चेहरा उससे मिलता है I पेग्गी ने मैडी को कहा कि वाण्डा  सचमुच उनसे प्यार करती थी I जब भी मैडी वाण्डा  पेट्रोंसकी  के बारे में सोचती थी तो उसकी आँखों में आँसू आ जाते थे I

MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS/ Quiz- The Hundred Dresses-II

MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS

1.Who wrote a letter to Miss Mason?

(A) Mr Petronski                                    (B) the headmistress

(C) Peggy                                                             (D) Maddie

Ans. (A) Mr Petronski

2. What was the content of Mr Petronski’s letter?

(A) grant leave to Wanda for one month       (B) Wanda will not come to school any more

(C) Wanda will attend the school regularly     (D) none of the above

Ans. (B) Wanda will not come to school any more

3. Who read Mr Petronski’s letter to the class?

(A) the headmistress                               (B) Peggy

(C) Maddie                                              (D) Miss Mason

Ans. (D) Miss Mason

4. Who visited Boggins Heights that evening?

(A) Peggy                                                  (B) Maddie

(C) both (A) and                                      (D) none of the above

Ans. (C) both (A) and (B)

5. Where had Wanda’s family gone?

(A) to a village                                       (B) to a big city

(C) to their own country                        (D) none of the above

Ans. (B) to a big city

6. Who has hurt the feelings of Wanda?

(A) Peggy                                                (B) Maddie

(C) Miss Mason                                      (D) the whole class

Ans. (D) the whole class

7. Who wrote a letter to Wanda?

(A) Miss Mason                                      (B) the headmistress

(c) both Peggy and Maddie                   (D) none of the above

Ans. (C) both Peggy and Maddie

8. Where did Peggy and Maddie mail the letter to Wanda?

(A) Boggins Heights                               (B) the big city

(C) Poland                                                          (D) none of the above

Ans. (A) Boggins Heights

9. How did Wanda’s house at Boggins Heights look?

(A) shabby                                              (B) clean

(C) both (A) and (B)                                (D) beautiful

Ans: (C) both (A) and (B)

10. Who is Miss Mason?

(A) headmistress                                               (B) teacher

(C) Wanda’s mother                             (D) a student

Ans. (B) teacher

11. Who did Wanda send a letter to?

(A) Peggy                                                           (B) Maddie

(C) the headmistress                             (D) Miss Mason

Ans. (D) Miss Mason

12. Who was really troubled over Wanda’s incident?

(A) Peggy                                                (B) Maddie

(C) Miss Mason                                      (D) all of the above

Ans. (B) Maddie

13. What drawing did Peggy get?

(A)  the green coloured dress with red trimmings        

(B)  the blue coloured dress

(C)  the hundred dresses                                                

(D) all of the above

Ans. (A) the green coloured dress with red trimmings

14. What drawing did Maddie get?

(A) the green dress with red trimmings (B) the blue dress

(C) all the hundred dresses                     (D) none of the above

Ans. (B) the blue dress

15. Who did Maddie find in her bedroom drawing?

(A) Peggy                                                 (B) Wanda Petronski

(C) Maddie herself                                   (D) an unknown girl

Ans. (C) Maddie herself

IMPORTANT PASSAGES FOR COMPREHENSION

 Read the following passages and answer the questions that follow :

PASSAGE 1

 While the class was circling the room, the monitor from the principal’s office brought Miss Mason a note. Miss Mason read it several times and studied it thoughtfully for a while. Then, she clapped her hands.

 “Attention, class. Everyone-back to their seat.”

 When the shuffling of feet had stopped and the room was still and quiet, Miss Mason said, “I have a letter from Wanda’s father that I want to read to you.”

 Miss Mason stood there a moment and the silence in the room grew tense and expectant. The teacher adjusted her glasses slowly and deliberately. Her manner indicated that what was coming—this letter from Wanda’s father—was a matter of great importance. Everybody listened closely as Miss Mason read the brief note.

 [H.B.S.E. March, 2017 (Set-B))

 Word-meanings: Circling = moving around (आसपास घूमना); shuffling = making south nd of feet while walking (चलते समय पैरों की आवाज़ करना)-, tense = serious (गंभीर); deliberately = knowingly (जान-बूझकर); brief = short (संक्षिप्त)

 Questions :

 (a) What happened when the class was circling the room?

 (b) Why did Miss Mason read the letter of Wanda’s father several times?

 (c) What happened when she said that she wanted to read the letter to the class?

 (d) How did Miss Mason treat the letter of Wanda’s father?

 (e) Find a word from the passage which means ‘showed’.

 Answers :

 (a) The monitor from the principal’s office came and brought a note to Miss Mason.

 (b) She read it several times because it had important things about the class.

 (c) The shuffling of feet stopped and the room became calm and quiet.

 (d) She treated the letter as something very important.

 (e) ‘indicated’.

PASSAGE 2

A deep silence met the reading of this letter. Miss Mason took off her glasses, blew on them and wiped them on her soft white handkerchief. Then she put them on again and looked at the class. When she spoke her voice was very low.

 “I am sure that none of the boys and girls in Room Thirteen would purposely and deliberately hurt anyone’s feelings because his or her name happened to be a long, unfamiliar one. I prefer to think that what was said was said in thoughtlessness. I know that all of you feel the way I do, that this is a very unfortunate thing to have happened—unfortunate and sad, both. And I want you all to think about it.”

Word-meanings: Unfamiliar = unacquainted (अपरीक्षित); thoughtlessness = without thinking (बिना सोचे): unfortunate = unlucky (अभागा) I

 Questions :

 (a) What happened when Miss Mason read the letter?

 (b) How did Miss Mason behave after reading the letter?

 (c) What did Miss Mason say about the hurting of anyone’s feelings?

 (d) What advice did she give to the class?

(e) Find a word from the passage which means ‘injure’.

 Answers :

 (a) There was a deep silence in the class.

 (b) She took off her glasses, blew on them and wiped them on her handkerchief.

(c) She said that it was `unfortunate and sad’ to hurt someone’s feeling.

(d)  She advised the class to think about the incident deeply.

(e)  ‘hurt’.

PASSAGE 3

The first period was a study period. Maddie tried to prepare her lessons, but she could not put her mind on her work. She had a very sick feeling in, the bottom of her stomach. True, she had not enjoyed listening to Peggy ask Wanda how many dresses she had in her closet, but she had said nothing. She had stood by silently, and that was just as bad as what Peggy had done. Worse, She was a coward. At least Peggy hadn’t ‘considered they were being mean but she, Maddie, had thought they were doing wrong. She could put herself la Wanda’s shoes.

 Goodness! Wasn’t there anything she could do? If only she could tell Wanda she hadn’t meant to hurt her feelings. She turned around and stole a glance at Peggy, but Peggy did not look up. She seemed to be studying hard. Well, whether Peggy felt bad or not, she, Meddle, had to do something. She had to find Wanda Petronski. Maybe she had not yet moved away.

 Word-meanings: Closet = almirah (अलमारी); coward = lacking courage (कायर); mean = with bad mentality (कमीना); stole a glance = looked secretly (चुपके से देखना) I

 Questions :

 (a) Why Maddie had a sick feeling at the bottom of her stomach?

 (b) What had Maddie not enjoyed?

 (c) What did Maddie think about Peggy’s making fun of Wanda?

 (d) What did Maddie think about Wanda?

 (e) Find a phrase from the passage which means ‘lacking courage’.

 Answers :

 (a) Maddie could not put her mind on her work because she felt bad that Peggy had been mocking at Wanda.

 (b) She had not enjoyed Peggy’s asking Wanda about her dresses.

 (c) Maddie thought that it was all wrong.

 (d) She thought that she would find out Wanda and feel sorry before her.

 (e) ‘coward’.

PASSAGE 4

 “I think that’s where the Petronskis live,” said Maddie, pointing to a little white house. Wisps of old grass stuck up here and there along the pathway like thin kittens. The house and its sparse little yard looked shabby but clean. It reminded Maddie of Wanda’s one dress, her faded blue cotton dress, shabby but clean.

 There was not a sign of life about the house. Peggy knocked firmly on the door, but there was no answer. She and Maddie went around to the backyard and knocked there. Still, there was no answer.

 There was no doubt about it. The Petronskis were gone. How could they ever make amends?

They turned slowly and made their way back down the hill.

 Word-meanings: Wisps = pieces (टुकड़े); kittens = young ones of cats (बिल्ली के बच्चे); sparse = not dense (पतला); shabby = simple and cheap (सादा एवं सस्ता) I

 Questions :

 (a) Why did Maddie and Peggy go to Wanda’s house?

 (b) How did Wanda’s house look?

 (c) What did Wanda’s house remind Maddie of?

 (d) Were Maddie and Peggy able to meet Wanda?

 (e) Find a word from the passage which means ‘young ones of cats’.

Answers:

 (a)  They went to Wanda’s house to test sorry what they had done to Wanda.

 (b)  Wanda’s house looked shabby but clean.

(c)  Wanda’s house reminded Maddie of Wanda’s dress, her faded blue cotton dress.

(d)  No, they were not able to meet her as Wanda’s family had already moved to another city.

 (e)  ‘kittens’.

PASSAGE 5

Maddie turned this idea carefully over in her head, for if there were anything in it she would not have to feel so bad. But that night she could not get to sleep. She thought about Wanda and her faded blue dress and the little house she had lived in. And she thought of the glowing picture those hundred dresses made—all lined up in the classroom. At last Maddie sat up in bed and pressed her forehead tight in her hands and really thought. This was the hardest thinking she had ever done. After a long, long time, she reached an important conclusion.

 She was never going to stand by and say nothing again.

 If she ever heard anybody picking on someone because they were funny looking or because they had strange names, she’d speak up. Even if it meant losing Peggy’s friendship. She had no way of making things right with Wanda, but from now on she would never make anybody else that unhappy again.

 Word-meanings : Faded = insipid (फीका); glowing = beautiful (सुंदर); conclusion = result (निष्कर्ष); picking on someone = teasing someone (किसी को तंग करना) I

 Questions :

 (a) Maddie could not sleep that night. What did she think about?

 (b) What did Maddie do at last?

(c) What was the hardest thing she had ever done?

(d) What decision did Maddie take that night?

 (e) Find a phrase from the passage which means ‘teasing someone’.

 Answers :

 (a) She thought Wanda and her faded blue dress and her little house.

 (b) She sat up in bed and pressed her forehead tight in her hands and really thought about the matter.

 (c) Thinking really was the hardest thing she had ever done.

 (d) She decided that from now onwards she would not make anybody unhappy again.

 (e) ‘picking on someone’.

PASSAGE 6

On Saturday Maddie spent the afternoon with Peggy. They were writing a letter to Wanda Petronski. It was just a friendly letter telling about the contest and telling Wanda she had won. They told her how pretty her drawings were. And they asked her if she liked where she was living and if she liked her new teacher. They had meant to say they were sorry, but it ended up with their just writing a friendly letter, the kind they would have written to any good friend, and they signed it with lots of X for love. They mailed the letter to Boggins Heights, writing ‘Please Forward’ on the envelope:

 Days passed and there was no answer, but the letter did not come back, so maybe Wanda had received it. Perhaps she was so hurt and angry she was not going to answer. You could not blame her.

Word-meanings : Contest = competition (मुकाबला); mailed = sent by post (डाक से भेजना); maybe =perhaps (शायद); blame = censure (दोष लगाना) I

 Questions :

 (a) To whom were Maddie and Peggy writing a letter?

 (b) What did they write to Wanda about her drawings?

 (c) What had they meant to write in the letter?

 (d)Did Maddie and Peggy get a reply to their letter?

 (e) Find a word from the passage which means ‘beautiful’.

Answers :

(a)They were writing a letter to Wanda.

(b) They wrote to her saying that her drawings were pretty.

 (c) They had meant to say that they were sorry.

 (d) No, they did not receive a reply to their letter.

 (e) ‘pretty’.

PASSAGES FOR PRACTICE (UNSOLVED)

PASSAGE 7

Weeks went by and still, Wanda did not answer. Peggy had begun to forget the whole business, and Maddie put herself to sleep at night making speeches about Wanda, defending her from great crowds of girls who were trying to tease her with, “How many dresses have you got ?” And before Wanda could press her lips together in a tight line, the way she did before answering, Maddie would cry out, “Stop!” Then everybody would feel ashamed of the way she used to feel.

 Now it was Christmas time and there was snow on the ground. Christmas bells and a small tree decorated the classroom. On the last day of school before the holidays, the teacher showed the class a letter she had received that morning.

 Word-meanings : Defending = protecting (रक्षा करना); tease = to trouble someone (किसी को चिड़ाना); decorated = (here) beautiful (सुंदर)

 Questions :

 (a) What had Peggy begun to think of Wanda?

 (b) How did Maddie try to put her to sleep?

 (c) How was the class decorated at Christmas time?

 (d) What did the teacher show the class?

 (e) Find a word from the passage which means ‘protecting’.

PASSAGE 8

She went home and she pinned her drawing over a torn place in the pink-flowered wallpaper in the bedroom. The shabby room came alive from the brilliance of the colours. Maddie sat down on her bed and looked at the drawing. She had stood by and said nothing, but Wanda had been nice to her, anyway.

 Tears blurred her eyes and she gazed for a long time at the picture. Then hastily she rubbed her eyes and studied it intently. The colours in the dress were so vivid that she had scarcely noticed the face and head of the drawing. But it looked like her, Maddie! It really looked like her own mouth. Why it really looked like her own self! Wanda had really drawn this for her. Excitedly, she ran over to Peggy’s.

Word-meanings : Brilliancy = brightness (चमक); blurred = unclear (धुँधला); gazed = looked intently , (ध्यान से देखा); vivid = clear (स्पष्ट) I

 Questions :

 (a) What was the effect of Wanda’s drawing on Maddie’s room?

 (b) What did Maddie do after pinning the drawing?

 (c) What did Maddie find when she looked at the drawing intently?

 (d) Why did she run over to Peggy’s house?

 (e) Find a word from the passage which means ‘made dim’.

Passage-9: (Page 73)

 Miss Mason stood there a moment and the silence in the room grew tense and expectant. The teacher adjusted her glasses slowly and deliberately. Her manner indicated that what was coming—this letter from Wanda’s father—was a matter of great importance. Everybody listened closely as Miss Mason read the brief note.

Word-Meaning: Moment—instant, Silence—quietness, Tense—worry, Expectant —full of hope, Adjusted—managed, Deliberately—intentionally, Indicated—pointed out, Listened—heard, Brief—short,

Questions:

(a) Why did silence in the room grew tense and expectant?

(b) What did Miss Mason’s manners indicate?

 (c) Who wrote that letter to Miss Mason?

(d) How did the students behave in the class when the letter was read to them?

Answers:

(a) The silence in the room grew tense and expectant as a letter had come from Wanda’s father.

 (b) Miss Mason’s manners indicated that there was something unpleasant in the letter.

(c) Wanda’s father, Jan Petronski wrote that letter.

(d) The students listened closely and attentively as Miss Mason read the letter to them.

Passage-10: (Pages 73 & 74)

 “I am sure that none of the boys and girls in Room Thirteen would purposely and deliberately hurt anyone’s feelings because his or her name happened to be a long, unfamiliar one.” “I prefer to think that what was said in thoughtlessness. I know that all of you feel the way I do, that this is a very unfortunate thing to have happened—unfortunate and sad, both. And I want you all to think about it.”

Word-Meaning: Deliberately—done in a way that was planned, Feelings—internal thoughts, Happened–took place, Unfamiliar—unknown,  Prefer—to choose something rather than something else, Thoughtlessness–not thinking about what other people want, Unfortunate—unlucky

Questions:

(a) What was Miss Mason’s opinion of the boys and girls of Room Thirteen?

 (b) Why were Wanda’s feelings hurt?

 (c) How did she react to them?

 (d) What did she think about the incident that happened to her?

Answers:

(a) Miss Mason thought that none of the boys and girls would purposely and deliberately hurt anyone’s feelings because his or her name is a long and unfamiliar one.

(b) Wanda Petronski’s feelings were hurt as she was embarrassed by uncomfortable questions about her dresses were asked by girls like Peggy.

(c) She preferred to think that what was said in thoughtlessness.

 (d) It was really an unfortunate and sad thing that could have happened.

Passage-11: (Page 74)

Goodness! Wasn’t there anything she could do? If only she could tell Wanda she hadn’t meant to hurt her feelings. She turned around and stole a glance at Peggy, but Peggy did not look up. She seemed to be studying hard. Well, whether Peggy felt bad or not, she, Maddie, had to do something. She had to find Wanda Petronski. Maybe she had not yet moved away. Maybe Peggy would climb the Heights with her, and they would tell Wanda she had won the contest, that they thought she was smart and a hundred dresses were beautiful.

Word-Meaning: Glance—have a cursory look, Seem—appear to, Studying—busy in studies, Contest—a competition in which people try to win,

Questions:

 (a) What did Maddie think she could do?

 (b) What was Peggy doing at the moment?

(c) Why did Maddie visit Boggins Heights?

(d) What reason brought her to Wanda?

Answers:

 (a) Maddie thought that she could tell Wanda that she hadn’t meant to hurt her feelings.

 (b) Peggy was lost in her studies.

(c) Maddie wanted to find out Wanda Petronski at Boggins Heights.

(d) She wanted to tell Wanda that she had won the contest. She was smart and her hundred dresses were beautiful.

 Passage-12: (Page 75)

 “Well, at least,” said Peggy gruffly, “I never did call her a foreigner or make fun of her name. I never thought she had the sense to know we were making fun of her anyway. I thought she was too dumb. And gee, look at how she can draw!”

Word-Meaning: Gruffly—roughly, Foreigner—a person from any other country, Dumb—innocent,

Questions:

(a) How did Peggy speak?

(b) What excuse did she make?

 (c) What did she think about Wanda Petronski?

 (d) How did she react to Wanda’s drawings?

Answers:

(a) Peggy spoke gruffly to defend herself.

(b) Peggy said that she never called Wanda Petronski a foreigner or made fun of her.

 (c) Peggy thought that Wanda had not the sense of knowing that they were making fun of her.

(d) Peggy confessed that Wanda’s drawings were beautiful.

Passage-13: (Page 75)

 Maddie could say nothing. All she hoped was that they would find Wanda. She wanted to tell her that they were sorry they had picked on her, and how wonderful the whole school thought she was. and please, not to move away and everybody would be nice. She and Peggy would fight anybody who was not nice.

Word-Meaning: Wonderful—amazing, Fight—quarrel, Nice—good,

Questions:

(a) Why did Maddie try to please Peggy?

 (b) What did Maddie hope?

(c) Who won the drawing and colouring contest?

(d) What decision did Maddie take?

Answers:

 (a) Maddie didn’t say anything because she didn’t want to annoy her closest friend and benefactor, Peggy.

(b) Maddie hoped that she would find out Wanda Petronski at Boggins Heights.

(c) Wanda Petronski won the drawing and colouring contest.

(d) Maddie wanted to say that Wanda was a nice girl and she should not move away as they would fight anybody who was not nice to her.

Passage-14: (Page 76)

“Well, anyway,” said Peggy, “she’s gone now, so what can we do? Besides, when I was asking her about all her dresses, she probably was getting good ideas for her drawings. She might not even have won the contest, otherwise.”

Word-Meaning: Besides—in addition to, Probably—perhaps, Otherwise—if not,

Questions:

(a) How was Peggy different from Maddie?

 (b) How did she react to Wanda’s going away?

 (c) How did Wanda Petronski get good ideas about her drawings according to Peggy?

 (d) How was Wanda an intelligent girl?

 Answers:

(a) Peggy was not much agitated as Maddie was, at Wanda’s going away to a new big town.

(b) Peggy is indifferent and is not as deeply agitated at Wanda’s going away to the big town as Maddie was.

(c) Peggy thought her questioning about Wanda’s hundred dresses gave Wanda new thoughts for her drawings.

(d) Wanda Petronski was talented enough to draw a hundred designs even without Peggy’s questionings.

Passage–15: (Page 76)

Maddie turned this idea carefully over in her head, for if there were anything in it she would not have to feel so badly. But that night she could not get to sleep. She thought about Wanda and her faded blue dress and the little house she had lived in. And she thought of the glowing picture those hundred dresses made—all lined up in the classroom. At last Maddie sat up in bed and pressed her forehead tight in her hands and really thought. This was the hardest thinking she had ever done. After a long, long time, she reached an important conclusion.

Word-Meaning: Carefully—attentively, Faded—colour lightened due to over washing, Glowing—shining, Lined up—in a queue,  Pressed—forced,  Really—in fact, Conclusion—a judgment reached by reasoning,

Questions:

(a) How did Maddie behave that night?

 (b) What things came to her mind that night?

 (c) What did she do sitting up in bed?

 (d) What important conclusion did she reach?

Answers:

(a) Maddie was mentally upset and couldn’t sleep that night.

 (b) That night Maddie thought about Wanda and her faded blue dress and the little hong& lived in.

(c) She sat up in bed and pressed her forehead tight in her hands and really thought.

 (d) She reached an important conclusion that she would not stand by and speak up against injustice.

Passage-16: (Page 76)

She was never going to stand by and say nothing again. If she ever heard anybody picking on someone because they were funny looking or because they had strange names, she’d speak up. Even if it meant losing Peggy’s friendship. She had no way of making things right with Wanda, but from now on she would never make anybody else that unhappy again.

Word-Meaning: Funny—that makes you smile,  Strange—unknown, Unhappy—sad,

Questions:

(a) What important conclusion did Maddie make?

(b) What did she finally decide to do?

 (c) How did she treat Peggy’s friendship?

(d) Why were both girls helpless before Wanda?

 Answers:

 (a) Maddie made an important conclusion that she would not tolerate injustice. She would speak up against it.

(b) She would speak up if she found anybody picking on someone.

 (c) She would speak up even if it meant losing friendship with Peggy.

(d) They had no way of making things right with Wanda.

Passage-17: (Page 77)

 Weeks went by and still, Wanda did not answer. Peggy had begun to forget the whole business, and Maddie put herself to sleep at night making speeches about Wanda, defending her from great crowds of girls who were trying to tease her with, “How many dresses have you got?” And before Wanda could press her lips together in a tight line, the way she did before answering, Maddie would cry out, “Stop!” Then everybody would feel ashamed of the way she used to feel.

Word-Meaning: Defending—protecting, Crowds—groups of people, Tight—fastened, Ashamed—to feel shy,

Questions:

(a) What problem confronted Peggy and Maddie?

 (b) What unusual nature of Peggy is shown above?

 (c) How did Maddie behave when she thought about Wanda?

(d) What would she do if someone was trying to tease Wanda Petronski?

Answers:

(a) Several weeks passed, but they got no reply from Wanda Petronski.

 (b) Peggy had begun to forget the whole business about Wanda Petronski.

(c) Maddie would imagine herself defending Wanda if anyone was trying to tease her.

(d) Maddie would cry out “Stop!” and everybody would feel ashamed.

Passage-18: (Page 78)

 “Boy!” said Peggy, “this shows she really likes us. It shows she got our letter and this is her way of saying that everything’s right and that’s that.” “I hope so,” said Maddie sadly. She felt sad because she knew she would never see the little tight-lipped Polish girl again and couldn’t ever really make things right between them.

Word-Meaning: Tight-tipped.—dont, Polish-a native of Poland,

Questions:

 (a) What secret did Peggy come to know about Wanda?

(b) How did the doubt between them get cleared?

(c)Why was Maddie sad?

 (d) How did she remember Wanda?

Answers:

 (a) Peggy said that Wanda’s reply showed that she really loved them.

(b) Wanda’s reply revealed that everything was all right between them.

(c) Maddie was sad because she thought she would never see the little Polish girl again.

(d) She remembered Wanda as a little tight-lipped Polish girl.

 passage-19: (Page 79)

 “Yes, she must have,” agreed Maddie, and she blinked away the tears that came every time she thought of Wanda standing alone in that sunny spot in the schoolyard, looking stolidly over at the group of laughing girls after she had walked off, after she had said, “Sure, a hundred of them, all lined up.”

Word-Meaning: Blinked—winked away, Alone—lonely, Spot—place, talked—moved,

Questions:

(a) What secret did Maddie reveal to Peggy?

 (b) Where did she imagine Wanda’s presence in the school?

 (c) How did the girls use to tease Wanda?

(d) What was the usual reaction of Wanda to teasing?

 Answers:

 (a) Maddie agreed with Peggy that Wanda must have really liked them.

(b) She would see Wanda standing alone in the schoolyard.

(c) The girls were teasing Wanda Petronski by asking her embarrassing questions about her dresses.

(d) Wanda replied that she had a hundred dresses, all lined up.

Extract Based / comprehension test  Questions and Answers of The Hundred Dresses-II

 Read the extracts and answer the questions that follow.

1.A deep silence met the reading of this letter. Miss Mason took off her glasses, blew on them and wiped them on her soft white handkerchief. Then she put them on again and looked at the glass. When she spoke, her voice was very low.

“I am sure that none of the boys and girls in room thirteen would purposely and deliberately hurt anyone’s feelings because his name happened to be a long, unfamiliar one. I prefer to think that what was said was said in thoughtlessness. I know that all of you feel the way I do, that this is a very unfortunate thing to have happened —unfortunate and sad, both. And I want you all to think about it.”

(a) Which letter is referred to here?

(b) Whose long and unfamiliar name is referred to here?

(c) Why was Miss Mason sad after reading the letter?

(d) Is Miss Mason angry with the class, or is she unhappy and upset?

Ans. (a) The letter was written by Wanda’s father.

(b) Wanda Petronski.

(c) This was because she felt sorry for Wanda and her father.

(d) Miss Mason is upset and unhappy but definitely not angry with the class.

2. The first period was a study period. Maddie tried to prepare her lessons, but she could not put her mind on her work. She had a very sick feeling in the bottom of her stomach.

(a) Why could Maddie not concentrate on her work?

(b) Why she had a sick feeling?

(c) What trait of Maddie’s character does this passage reflect?

(d) How does Maddie feel after listening to the note from Wanda’s father?

Ans. (a) She was upset about being an indirect partner in teasing Wanda.

(b) Because she was feeling guilty.

(c) She is a sensitive girl.

(d) Maddie, after listening to the note from Wanda’s father, felt very sad. She was considering herself coward and culprit equal to Peggy.

3. She had stood silently, and that was just as bad as what Peggy had done. She was a coward. At least Peggy hadn’t considered they were being mean but she, Maddie, had thought they were doing wrong. She could put herself in Wanda’s shoes.

(a) Why did Maddie think that she was a coward?

(b) In what respect Maddie was worse than Peggy in treating Wanda?

(c) What does the expression — ‘put herself in Wanda’s shoes’ imply?

(d) Maddie thought her silence was as bad as Peggy’s teasing. Was she right?

Ans. (a) Because she could not gather the courage to stop Peggy teasing Wanda.

 (b) Peggy had not considered they were being mean but she knew they were wrong, still did not stop her teasing Wanda.

 (c) This implies to put herself in the same position as Wanda.

 (d) She was absolutely right because by keeping silence she was indirectly supporting Peggy in her teasing activity. She used to feel bad.

4.” Well, at least,” said Peggy gruffly “I never did call her a foreigner or make fun of her name. I never thought she had the sense to know we were making fun of her anyway. I thought she was too dumb. And gee, look at how she can draw!”

(a) How did Peggy console herself?

(b) What changed Peggy’s opinion about Wanda?

(c) What was Peggy’s opinion about Wanda?

(d) What excuses does Peggy think up for her behaviour? Why?

Ans. (a) By saying that she never called Wanda a ‘Pollack’ or made fun of her name.

(b) Wanda’s hundred beautifully designed drawings of dresses showed that she was a talented girl and not dull-headed.

(c) That she was dumb as she did not show any reaction when she was teased about a hundred dresses.

(d) Peggy consoled herself by saying that by asking her about all her dresses, she was probably giving ideas for her drawings.

5. Peggy knocked firmly on the door, but there was no answer. She and Maddie went around to the backyard and knocked there. Still, there was no answer. There was no doubt about it. The Petronskis were gone. How could they ever make amends?

(a) Whose door did they wear knocking at?

(b) What showed that the Petronskis had left the house?

(c) Why did Peggy and Maddie want to make amends?

(d) Do you think Wanda really thought the girls were teasing her?

Ans. (a) Wanda Petronski’s.

(b) There was no sign of life around the house.

(c) This was because they were responsible for hurting her.

(d) Wanda did not really think the girls were teasing her because if she would have thought so she would not have sent the gift of drawings to them.

6. “Well, anyway,” said Peggy, “she’s gone now, so what can we do? Besides, when I was asking her about all her dresses, she probably was getting good ideas for her drawings. She might not even win the contest, otherwise.”

(a) How did Wanda get ideas for her drawings, according to Peggy?

(b) Which trait of Peggy’s character is revealed in her statement?

(c) For what Peggy seemed to get credit?

(d) How did Peggy console herself?

Ans. (a) When Peggy was asking her about her dresses.

(b) She craved for getting credit.

(c) Peggy seemed to get credit for indirectly helping Wanda to win the competition.

(d) Peggy consoled herself by saying that by asking her about all her dresses she was probably giving ideas for her drawings and she might not even have won to contest otherwise.

7. She was never going to stand by and say nothing again. If she ever heard anybody picking on someone because they were funny looking or because they had strange names, she’d speak up. Even if it meant losing Peggy’s friendship.

(a) Which important decision did Maddie take?

(b) What was she ready to sacrifice?

(c) What wrong had she done?

(d) Who do you think was more sensitive and emotional Peggy or Maddie?

Ans. (a) Never to stand by and say nothing if anybody mistreated or made fun of someone.

(b) Her friendship with Peggy.

(c) She had been a party in mistreating Wanda since she did not object to Peggy’s teasing Wanda.

(d) I think Maddie was much more sensitive and emotional than Peggy. Peggy was rather practical.

Main Characters of the Story- The Hundred Dresses-II

Character Sketch

(a) Wanda Petronski: Wanda is not vindictive. Though she had been a constant target and a stock of laughter for Peggy and other girls, she replied to their letter. She shows her generosity and love towards the girls of Room Thirteen. She requests Miss Mason to tell the girls that they can keep those hundred dresses. She is her large-heartedness. She is of obliging and forgiving nature. She shows her love even to Peggy who used to torment her by asking embarrassing and humiliating questions about her hundred dresses and shoes. She is not ‘dumb’ but a highly sensitive girl. Her kind and forgiving nature never allowed even a trace of visible in her character.

(b)Maddie: Maddie belongs to a poor family. She is a very sensitive and emotional girl. She feels very sad when Wanda’s father disclosed that he has withdrawn his daughter from the school. She has a very sick feeling in the bottom of her stomach. She curses herself that she failed to stop Peggy from teasing Wanda. She realises that her silence and timidity is as bad as Peggy’s act. She resolves that she will speak up when someone tries to make fun of anyone.

(c) Miss Mason: Miss Mason appears to us as a very mature and understanding human being. She is an ideal teacher. She understands the pulse of her students. Her students love and respect her. Even Wanda Petronski confesses in her letter that her new teacher in the big city can’t equalise Miss Mason. Miss Mason is full of human kindness.

Extra Very Short Answer Type Important Questions

Q.1. What was the content of Mr Petronski’s letter?

 Ans. The letter said that Wanda would come no more to that school because students made fun of her strange name.

 Q.2. Where was Wanda’s family moving?

 Ans. Her family was moving to a big city.

 Q.3. Who read Mr Petronski’s letter to the class?

 Ans. Miss Mason read Mr Petronski’s letter to the class.

 Q.4. What happened when Miss Mason read the letter?

 Ans. There was a deep silence in the class.

 Q.5. What did Miss Mason say about the hurting of any one’s feeling?

 Ans. She said that it was unfortunate and sad to hurt someone’s feelings.

 Q.6. Why did Maddie have a sick feeling at the bottom of her stomach?

 Ans. Maddie felt it very bad of making fun of Wanda by Peggy for filer poverty.

 Q.7. Where did Peggy and Maddie go that evening after the school hours?

 Ans. They both went to the Boggins Heights to meet Wanda.

 Q.8. What did Wanda’s house remind Maddie of?

 Ans. Wanda’s shabby but clean house reminded Maddie of her faded blue cotton dress.

 Q.9. Who did Maddie and Peggy write a letter to?

 Ans. They wrote a letter to Wanda.

 Q.10. What gift did Wanda give to Peggy?                                    {H.B.S.E. March. 2017 (Set-A)]

 Ans. She gave her the drawing of a dress with a green colour.

 Q.I1. What gift did Wanda give to Maddie?

 Ans. She gave her the drawing of a dress in blue colours.

 Q.12. What did Maddie find when she looked at the drawing intently?

 Ans. She found that the head and face in the drawing resembled her own.

 Short Answer Type Important Questions

Answer the following questions in 30-40 words:

1. Why did Jan Petronski write a letter to the teacher? Give two reasons.

Or

Why has Wanda’s father written a letter to Mrs Mason?                        

Ans. Jan Petronski wrote a letter to Miss Mason, Wanda’s teacher, to inform her that Wanda and Jake would not come to school anymore as they had shifted to a big city. He also made an indirect complaint. He wrote that no one would make fun of Wanda’s name and call her ‘Pollack’ because there would be many funny names and foreigners like her in a big city.

2. Why did Peggy and Maddie go to Bogin’s Height? What did Maddie want to tell Wanda?

Ans. Maddie and Peggy went to Wanda’s house at Bogin’s Height to find out whether Wanda was still there or left. If they found her there they would tell her that she had won the contest and that she was smart and a hundred dresses were beautiful. They would also apologize to her for teasing her.

3. Why did Maddie and Peggy go to Wanda Petronski’s home?

Ans. Maddie and Peggy wanted to go to Wanda Petronski’s house at Bogin’s Heights to apologize to her for teasing her. They wanted to tell her that she had won the drawing competition and that she was smart and a hundred drawings of dresses were beautiful.

4. What important decision did Maddie make when she found that the Petronskis were gone? Why did she have to think a lot to do so?

Ans. The important decision Maddie took was that if ever she heard anyone picking on someone because of his/her looks or funny names she would not. stand by silently, she would speak up. She would never make anyone unhappy.

5. Which drawing did Wanda ask to give to Peggy?

Ans. Wanda wrote in the letter that she would like Peggy to have the drawing of the green dress with the red trimming.

6. Where had Maddie pinned Wanda drawing in her bedroom?

Ans. Maddie carried Wanda’s drawing carefully. She pinned her drawing over a torn place in the pink- flowered wallpaper in her bedroom. The shabby room came alive from the brilliance of the colours.

7. What did Wanda do for the dresses?

Ans. Wanda gave away a hundred dresses to the girls and blue as well as green to Maddie and Peggy respectively.

8. Mention the important conclusion of Maddie.

Ans. Maddie was deeply troubled. She took up an important decision. She found that if anyone speaks unkindly she would speak up. She would not make anybody unhappy again.

9. How did Peggy and Maddie find Wanda house at Boggins Heights?

Ans. They found that it was a little white house. Straws of old grass stuck up here and there along the pathway. The house and its little yard looked shabby but clean.

10. How was Room Thirteen decorated?

Ans. Room Thirteen was decorated with Christmas bells and a small tree.

Q11. What did Miss Mason receive from the Principal’s office? Why did she read it several times thoughtfully?

Ans. The Principal received a letter. It was sent to Miss Mason. It was a letter from Wanda Petronski’s father. The content of the matter was such that it affected Miss Mason deeply. She read it several times. She thought it deeply before disclosing it to the class.

Q12. Who sent that letter and why?                                                                          

Ans. Wanda’s father Mr Jan Petronski wrote that letter to Miss Mason, the teacher. He disclosed that he had withdrawn his daughter Wanda from the school. He had moved to a big city. Constant teasing and making fun of Wanda for having a ‘funny’ name troubled her. Being discriminated in this way on the basis of colour and name led him to go to a big city. There were many such ‘funny’ names in the big city and nobody bothered about such things there.

Q13. Why did Miss Mason call it an `unfortunate and sad’ thing to happen?

Ans. Miss Mason was deeply pained to know the reason why Wanda’s father had gone to a big and new city. She hoped that none of the boys and girls in Room Thirteen would purposely and deliberately hurt anyone’s feeling because his or her name happened to be a long, unfamiliar one. It was really a sad and unfortunate thing that should not have happened. She wanted all of them to think about it.

Q14. Why did Maddie have a very sick feeling in the bottom of her stomach?             

Ans. Maddie was highly agitated when the teacher read Wanda’s father’s letter to the class. She could not put her mind on the work. She had a very sick feeling in the bottom of her stomach. She cursed herself that she remained silent when poor Wanda was being teased by Peggy. Her silence was as bad as what Peggy had done.

Q15. What did Maddie want to tell Wanda?

Ans. Maddie thought if she could do anything that might assuage Wanda Petronski. She wanted to tell her that she had not meant to hurt her feelings. She decided to go to Boggins Heights to meet Wanda. Perhaps she was still there. She would tell Wanda that she had won the contest and they thought she was smart. And her hundred dresses were beautiful.

Q16. How did Peggy try to defend herself by making excuses?

Ans. Wanda’s father’s letter had mentally upset Maddie. However, Peggy was not so much moved. On the other hand, she tried to defend herself. She told Maddie that she never called Wanda a foreigner. Nor did she make fun of her name. She didn’t think that Wanda had the sense to know that they were making fun of her. Her questioning about her dresses only gave her new ideas about dresses and helped her in winning the contest.

Q17. How did Peggy and Maddie know that the Petronskis were gone?

Ans. Peggy and Maddie reached Wanda’s house at Boggins Heights. There was no sign of life about the house. Peggy knocked firmly on the door, but there was no answer. She and Maddie went round to the backyard and knocked there. Still, there was no answer. There was no doubt about it that Petronskis were gone.

Q18. What did Wanda’s shabby but clean house remind Maddie?

Ans. The two girls reached Boggins Heights where Petronskis lived. They lived in a little white house. Wisps of old grass stuck up here and there along the pathway. The house and its little yard looked shabby but clean. It reminded Maddie of Wanda’s faded blue dress which also looked shabby but clean.

Q19. What was the hardest thinking that Maddie had done and what was the result?

Ans. Maddie was thinking sadly about Wanda and her hundred dresses. This was the hardest thinking that she had ever done. Then, she reached an important conclusion. She decided that she would never stand by and say nothing again. She would speak up if someone teased others because they were funny looking or had strange names. Even if it meant losing Peggy’s friendship.

Q20. What did Wanda write in her letter?

Ans. Wanda Petronski wrote a letter to her previous teacher Miss Mason. She requested her to tell the girls of Room Thirteen that they could keep those hundred dresses. She wished that Peggy would have the drawing of the green dress and Maddie of the blue one. She wrote that she missed her old school. Her new teacher couldn’t equalise Miss Mason.

Q21. How did Peggy and Maddie interpret and react to Wanda’s letter?

Ans. Peggy was excited. The letter showed that Wanda really liked them. Everything was all right. But Maddie was sad. She felt sad because she knew that she would never see that little Polish girl again. She knew that they would never really make things right between them.

Q22. Why tears blurred Maddie’s eyes when she studied intently the drawing of the green dress drawn by Wanda?

Ans. Maddie studied the drawing of the green dress intently. She thought of Wanda Petronski. Tears blurred her eyes. She noticed that the face and the head of the drawing looked like her. Maddie could hardly stop her tears when she imagined Wanda among the laughing girls telling about her hundred dresses.

Q23.How would you compare and contrast Peggy and Maddie?

Ans. Peggy and Maddie were closest friends. Peggy was the most popular girl in the class. She was pretty, had pretty dresses and could draw better than other girls. She was not really cruel but rather insensitive in teasing Wanda about her hundred dresses. Maddie was a poor girl who couldn’t speak up against her friend and benefactor, Peggy. She wore handed down old dresses given by Peggy. In the end, she decided to speak up against injustice even if it meant losing Peggy’s friendship.

Q24. What did Maddie and Peggy notice on the designs, prepared by Wanda?

Ans. When Maddie hanged the design in her bedroom, she became very surprised to I see her own picture in it. She looked at t very carefully. She was very curious to tell Peggy. She told this to Peggy and she also found the same.

Q25. What did the girls know at last?                                                                                     

Ans. From Wanda’s designs, both the girls—Maddie and Peggy came to know that Wanda liked them very much. Wanda designed their faces on her dresses. Although they teased her, yet she loved them. Now they were deep down hurt for their behaviour.

Q26. why couldn’t Maddie sleep that night when she returned from Boggins Heights?

Ans. Maddie wanted to say sorry to Wanda. But when she could not find her at Boggins Heights, she thought theat she had missed a chance to say sorry to her. That night she could not sleep. She thought about Wanda, her faded dress and her little house. She thought about her hundred dresses. She was restless.

Q27. How did the town look on the Christmas Eve?

Ans. On Christmas Eve, the town looked very beautiful. There were celebrations all around. All the houses were being decorated. The Christmas trees were decorated at many public places. The colour papers were hanging everywhere. Each place was full of happiness.

Q28.What was Miss Mason’s reaction after getting Mr Petronski’s letter?

Ans. After getting Mr Petronski’s letter, Miss Mason was very unhappy and upset. She looked at the class and spoke in a low voice. She said that none of the students in that class would knowingly hurt anyone’s feelings because their name seemed funny. It was really very unfortunate.

Important Long/ Detailed Answer Type Questions- to be answered in about 100 -150 words each

Answer the following questions in 100-120 words:

1.The short except highlights the sensitive story of a poor polish girl who becomes the victim of discrimination. Peggy and Maddie did not want to befriend her because of her poor social status. How far do you agree to judge people on the basis of money, possessions and caste? What enduring values should we actually look for in a person before developing a friendship with that person? Write in 100-120 words.  

Ans. (i) It is absolutely wrong to judge people on the basis of money, possessions and caste. Wanda was a polish girl at an American school. Her name sounded funny to the other students who made fun of her name. Peggy and other girls teased her about a hundred dresses which she claimed she had but wore the same faded blue dress. Fed up with her teasing Wanda left the school and went to a big city.

(ii) Before leaving she took part in the art competition and submitted a hundred drawings of different designs. They were so beautiful that all her classmates were wonderstruck. Peggy and Maddie not only realised their mistake but were also impressed by her talent. They felt guilty about their behaviour. Hence, one should actually know a person’s behaviour, talent and nature before befriending him. One should not judge others with their status.

2. How did Maddie feel when she and Peggy could not find Wanda? What important conclusion did Maddie reach then?

Ans. When Maddie and Peggy did not find Wanda at Bogin’s Heights, Maddie felt much disturbed. The whole night she kept thinking about Wanda, the way they used to make fun of her, her drawings of a hundred dresses, her faded blue dress and the little house they lived in. She thought hard and made a resolution. From then onwards she would never stand by and remain silent if anyone made fun of or treated someone unkindly for her or his funny name or looks. She would speak up. She was ready to lose Peggy’s friendship on that point.

3.’Though Peggy and Maddie made fun of Wanda, she gifted them her special drawings.’ In the light of this statement write a character-sketch of Wanda Petronski.

Ans. Wanda Petronski was a Polish girl at an American school. Her name sounded unfamiliar to other students who made fun of her name. They also teased her by asking her about her hundred dresses which she claimed she had but wore the same faded blue dress every day. She never felt embarrassed or cried. She was cool-headed and tolerant. When others thought she was lying about having a hundred dresses, she knew that she was truthful as she did have a hundred dresses but only the drawings and not the real ones. And she proved that she was right when she submitted them for the contest.

Wanda had gifted two of her special drawings—a green dress with red ash to Peggy and a blue dress with colourful trimming to Maddie with their faces on the respective drawings. This showed that she liked them in spite of their teasing her. Gifting those drawings to them was also her way of making them realise their mistake. She was a large-hearted, understanding, forgiving, talented and intelligent girl.

4. Which act of Wanda made the girls know that she liked them even though they had teased her? How did Peggy and Maddie realise this? Explain.

Ans. The letter of Wanda to Miss Mason showed that she loved room number thirteen. She had gifted her a hundred drawings to her class. She mentioned that she missed her school and friends and felt that her teacher was not equal to Miss Mason.

Wanda had gifted two of her special drawings—a green dress with a red rash to Peggy and a blue dress with colourful trimmings to Maddie. When they discovered that their faces were drawn on their respected dresses, they realised that they were drawn for them and that she liked them in spite of their teasing her In a subtle way Wanda made them realise their mistake.

5. Give the character-sketch of Peggy.

Ans. Peggy was a rich, pretty girl with curly hair. She was the most liked girl in her class. She had many beautiful dresses. She was intelligent, good in studies, scored good marks and sat in the front row. She could understand the hidden message of Wanda’s gifts that she liked her and Maddie and was not angry with them for teasing her. At times she seemed bossy and dominated Maddie who was her close friend. She loved fun and enjoyed teasing Wanda, playing the game of hundred dresses with her.

She was not crud as she would cry for hours if she saw any animal being mistreated. She was a self-righteous girl. She thought she did nothing wrong teasing Wanda. Anyhow, she never made fun of her name or called her a foreigner.

6. Give the character-sketch of Maddie.

Ans. Maddie was the classmate of Peggy and poor and Wanda. She was Peggy’s inseparable friend. Both were always seen together. She was wearing hand-me-down clothes, mostly of Peggy with a little innovation.

She did not like Peggy’s making fun of Wanda. She used to feel uncomfortable; perhaps it reminded her of her own poverty.

She was not courageous. Once she wrote a note to Peggy asking her to stop teasing Wanda but tore it. She was afraid that Peggy and other girls would make her the next target.

She had a high opinion about Peggy. She thought that the most liked girl could never do something really wrong. She also thought that Peggy would win the art contest.

She was sensitive and emotional. Many nights before sleeping she would give imaginary speeches defending Wanda when others teased her.

7. How did Wanda win the hearts of her classmates at the end of the story?

Ans. Wanda was a Polish girl. She had an unfamiliar name and different looks. Other students made fun of her name and called her Pollack’. Peggy and other girls teased her about a hundred dresses which she claimed she had but wore the same faded blue dress. Fed up with her teasing she left the school and went to a big city.

Before leaving she had taken part in the art competition and submitted a hundred drawings of different designs. They were so beautiful that all her classmates were wonderstruck. They could never guess that she could be so talented. Moreover, she had proved herself right that she possessed a hundred dresses. Her classmates not only realised their mistake but were also impressed by her creative talent.

Wanda finally won their hearts when she gifted all her drawings to her class.

8. Why do you think Wanda’s family moved to a different city? Do you think life there was going to be different for the family?                             

 Ans. Wanda’s family could no longer tolerate the mockery she was subjected to other students made fun of her name and called her ‘Pollack’. Peggy and other girls often teased her by asking her about her hundred dresses which she said she had ‘all lined up in her closet’ but wore the same faded blue dress that was too long and hung loosely on her body.

Fed up by this teasing Wanda’s family shifted to a big city where there were a lot of foreigners with unfamiliar names.

One cannot be certain whether the life of Wanda’s family was going to be different in the city. But one thing seems certain that no one would have made fun of Wanda’s name or looks.

9. What did Wanda’s father write in his letter? How did Maddie feel after listening to that letter?

Ans. In his letter, Wanda’s father had informed Miss Mason that Wanda would not come to the school any more. They were moving to a big city. In that city, nobody would consider her name funny and laugh at her. The entire class became silent and felt bad about Wanda. Miss Mason understood their feelings. She told them that no one should hurt anyone’s feelings because his or her name was long or funny. She said that what had happened in the school about Wanda was bad. She asked them to third( about that. Maddie listened to what Miss Mason said about Wanda. She could not concentrate on her studies. She had a sick feeling. It was the tree that she had never made fun of Wanda herself. But at the same time, she had not objected Peggy’s asking Wanda about her dresses. She felt that she was a coward.

10. What did Maddie decide to do after listening to the letter from Wanda’s father?

Ans. Maddie wondered if she could do anything. She wanted to meet Wanda and tell her that she had never meant to hurt her feelings. She made up her mind to go to her house and tell Wanda that she had won the contest and her hundred dresses were beautiful. She decided that she would find out Wanda Petronski. She and Peggy would go to her house to meet her. When school was over, Maddie told Peggy to go to Wanda’s house. They walked towards her colony. On the way, Peggy said that she had never called Wanda a foreigner. She always thought that Wanda was a dumb girl. She never imagined that Wanda could sense the girls had been making fun of her. Maddie said nothing. She just wanted to meet Wanda and tell her that they were sorry for their rude treatment. She would request her not to move away.

11. What happened when Maddie and Peggy reached Wanda’s house? What decision did Maddie make?

Ans. Peggy and Maddie found Wanda’s house in Boggins Heights. The house looked shabby but clean. It reminded Maddie of Wanda’s one dress. But there was no one in the house. Peggy knocked at the door. There was no response. Wanda and her family had already left the place. They came back. Peggy said that her asking Wanda about her dresses actually helped her. Otherwise, perhaps she might not have won the drawing contest. But Maddie was not satisfied. She could not sleep that night. She thought of Wanda, her drawings and her house. At last, she made a decision. She decided that she would not keep quiet if someone made fun of anybody before her. She would not mind even she had to lose Peggy’s friendship. She had no way of making things right with Wanda, but now she would never make anybody unhappy.

 12. What did Pew, and Maddie write to Wanda? What happened on the last day of the school before Christmas?

Ans. Peggy and Muddle wrote a letter to Wanda. They praised Wanda’s drawings. They wrote to her that she had won the contest. A number of days passed but there was no answer from Wanda. Peggy had begun to forget the whole incident. Maddie tried to sleep at night making speeches about Wanda. Then it was Christmas time. On the last day of the school, Miss Mason received a letter from Wanda. She showed the letter to the class and read it. Wanda had written that the girls could keep those hundred dresses because in her new house she had a hundred new ones. She had gifted the green dress with the red trimmings to Peggy. She wrote that Maddie could have a blue dress. She wished Merry Christmas to all. They accepted the drawings. On the way home Peggy and Maddie held their drawings very carefully.

13. How did Maddie and Peggy realize that Wanda loved them?

Ans. Maddie was missing Wanda too much. There were tears in her eyes. She felt sad to think that she would never see Wanda again. She felt that Wanda had been nice to her. She gazed at the drawing for a long time. Suddenly, she noticed the face and head in the drawing. It looked like her own head and face. She was excited to find that Wanda had made that drawing especially for her. She ran to Peggy’s house. She told Peggy that Wanda had drawn the drawing for her. Then they saw her drawing also. There was Peggy’s face in the drawing. Peggy was also happy to see that the face and head of the drawing looked like her. Peggy told Maddie that Wanda really liked them. There were tears in Maddie’s eyes every time, she thought of Wanda Petronski.

Q14. Peggy was not really cruel but definitely insensitive to human feelings and a little arrogant too. Maddie, on the other hand, was very sensitive and delicate but timid and lacked the courage to stand up against injustice. Compare and contrast the two girls.

Ans. Peggy and Maddie were the closest friends and always lived together. Maddie was highly impressed by Peggy. Peggy was the most popular girl in the class. She was pretty and had many pretty dresses. Her hair was curly. She was a talented girl who could draw better than all others in the class. She was thought to be a favourite for the girls’ medal in the drawing and colouring competition. Maddie, on the other hand, was a poor girl. She received old dresses offered to her by Peggy. She thought Peggy to be her closest friend and benefactor. She was rather proud of her. However, Maddie didn’t like Peggy when she asked teasing and embarrassing questions from Wanda Petronski about her hundred dresses. She became very sad when she came to know that Wanda had left the school and Boggins Heights. She knew that she would never see that little Polish girl, Wanda again in life. Tears blurred her eyes when she studied the drawing of the green dress gifted to her by Wanda Petronski. In the end, she resolved to speak up if anyone teased the other because of his or her funny face or name. She was prepared to lose even Peggy’s friendship in this regard.

Q15. Why did Wanda’s father Mr Jan Petronski write a letter to Miss Mason? What effect did it leave on the teacher, Peggy and Maddie?

Ans. Wanda’s father Mr Jan Petronski wrote a letter to Wanda’s teacher, Miss Mason. He made it clear that her daughter Wanda Petronski would not come to her previous school any more. Nor would Jake. He was shocked at the treatment his daughter met at the hands of her classmates just because she looked funny and her name was long and unfamiliar. They had moved to a big city where plenty of people with funny names lived.

The letter of Wanda’s father disturbed Miss Mason mentally. She was very sad. She hoped that none of the boys and girls of her class would purposely and deliberately hurt anyone’s feelings. They wouldn’t do such a thing because his or her name happened to be a long, unfamiliar one. Peggy was not so sensitive as Maddie but still offered to go to see Wanda at Boggins Heights. Maddie was totally upset. She had a very sick feeling in the bottom of her stomach. She decided to go and meet Wanda and tell her that she had won the contest. She would also tell her that she was smart and her hundred dresses were beautiful.

Q16. How does Wanda Petronski’s letter to Miss Mason reveal Wanda’s real character?

Ans. Wanda Petronski’s letter written to her class teacher, Miss Mason, reveals many aspects of her noble character. First of all, it shows that Wanda is not vindictive. Though she had been a constant target and a stock of laughter for Peggy and other girls, she replied to their letter. There is no trace of in her letter. On the other hand, she shows her generosity and love towards the girls of Room Thirteen. She requests Miss Mason to tell the girls that they can keep those hundred dresses. The other aspect of Wanda’s character is her large-heartedness. She is of obliging and forgiving nature. She shows her love even to Peggy who used to torment her by asking embarrassing and humiliating questions about her hundred dresses and shoes. She offers to give the drawing of the green dress to Peggy and of the blue one to Maddie. She is not ‘dumb’ but a highly sensitive girl. Her kind and forgiving nature never allowed even a trace of visible in her character.

Q17. How did Maddie and Peggy react when they received the sketches gifted by Wanda Petronski?

Or

Why did Peggy and Maddie feel that Wanda must have really liked them?

Ans. Wanda Petronski had offered the girls of Room Thirteen to keep those ‘hundred dresses, with them. She wrote that she would like Peggy to have the drawing of the green dress with red trimming and Maddie to have the blue one. On the way, Maddie and Peggy held their drawings very carefully. Peggy said, “This shows she really likes us.” She got their letter and answered it. Peggy thought that everything was all right. There was no issue now. However, Maddie felt very sad. She knew that she would never see that little Polish girl again. She thought that they wouldn’t ever really make things right between them. When she looked at the drawing. Maddie became emotional. Tears blurred her eyes. She found the face and the head of the drawing, looked like her own self. She also showed that Peggy’s drawing too had the head and the face exactly like her. Peggy exclaimed “What did I say! She must have really liked us”. And certainly, Wanda Petronski did like even a girl like Peggy who always pestered her with her teasing and embarrassing questions. Maddie realised it more deeply than Peggy.

Q18. Give a brief character-sketch of Maddie highlighting her limitations and timidity to speak up against injustice meted out to Wanda Petronski by her closest friend, Peggy.

Ans. Maddie belongs to a poor family. Perhaps Wanda may be still poorer than her as she lived at Boggins Heights. Maddie feels lucky that she doesn’t live there. But she realises how poverty and being different from others can be a curse. She knows that she receives the old dresses discarded by her friend Peggy. Her mother tries to disguise them with new trimmings. This is done so that no one in Room Thirteen may recognise them. Maddie is a very sensitive and emotional girl. She feels very sad when Wanda’s father disclosed that he has withdrawn his daughter from the school. She has a very sick feeling in the bottom of her stomach. She curses herself that she failed to stop Peggy from teasing Wanda. She realises that her silence and timidity is as bad as Peggy’s act. She resolves that she will speak up when someone tries to make fun of anyone simply because his or her name is difficult to pronounce or strange one. She will do so even if it means losing her friendship with Peggy. She can be the next target for Peggy and other girls. After all, Peggy can ask about the dresses she is putting on. So, Maddie can’t defy and speak up against her closest friend and benefactor.

Maddie’s insistence on going to Wanda’s house at Boggins Heights and writing a letter to her shows her sensitiveness to human feelings.

Q19. Attempt a brief character-sketch of the teacher, Miss Mason, highlighting her understanding and sensitiveness to human issues, particularly related to her students.

 Ans. Miss Mason appears to us as a very mature and understanding human being. She is an ideal teacher. She understands the pulse of her students. Her students love and respect her Even Wanda Petronski confesses in her letter that her new teacher in the big city can’t equalise Miss Mason.

Miss Mason is full of human kindness. She feels sad when Wanda Petronski, the winner of the contest, is not present to receive the honour. The letter Wanda’s father, Mr Jan Petronski, writes to her completely disturbs and upsets her mentally. She can’t imagine that any boy or girl in Room Thirteen can hurt anyone’s feelings purposely or deliberately. She leaves a profound effect on her students without using any threats or harsh measures.

Miss Mason shares happy moments with her students. She is very happy to announce Wanda as the winner of the girl’s medal. She asks the boys and girls to file around the room and look at Wanda’s beautiful drawings.

Q20. How did Peggy and Maddie realise Wanda’s feelings that she liked them?

Ans. Peggy and Maddie realised that Wanda liked them very much through her letter and drawings. Wanda replied to Maddie and Peggy and wished them all a Merry Christmas. In addition to that, she also wrote in the letter that Peggy should be given the drawing of the green dress and Maddie should be given the drawing of the blue dress. Maddie saw that Wanda had drawn her picture in the drawing of the blue dress and in the same way, the drawing of the green dress had been drawn for Peggy.

Thus they came to know that Wanda liked them very much.

Q21. What did Maddie and Peggy decide to do after hearing the letter?

Ans. After hearing the letter, Maddie and Peggy were very sad. They wanted to say sorry to Wanda. They felt ashamed. Maddie immediately decided to go to Boggins Heights looking for Wanda. Peggy was also ready for it. After school, both of them started hurriedly towards Wanda’s house.

When they reached Boggins Heights, they saw a little white house. Small bundles of old grass were there on the path and its yard was looking shabby. It reminded Maddie of Wanda’s blue dress. They knocked at the door but did not get any reply. After this, they went to the backyard but they could not get an answer.

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