This page offers Extract Based Questions from the Chapter The Sermon at Benares for Class 10 from the book First Flight. We’ve put together a bunch extracts which ask assumption based, creativity based and critical thinking-based questions. These types of questions are introduced after 2024 in CBSE Board. The types of questions are quick MCQs, true/false and Subjective questions. So, practice to understand The Sermon at Benares Extracts to score great.
Table of Contents
The Sermon at Benares Extract Based MCQ questions – 1
GAUTAMA Buddha (563 B.C. – 483 B.C.) began life as a prince named Siddhartha Gautama, in northern India. At twelve, he was sent away for schooling in the Hindu sacred scriptures and four years later he returned home to marry a princess.
1. Question: How did Siddhartha Gautama’s early education influence his quest for enlightenment? (40 words)
Answer: His education in Hindu sacred scriptures exposed him to spiritual ideas and the concept of suffering, which likely prompted him to seek a deeper understanding and solutions to human suffering, leading to his quest for enlightenment.
2. Question: State True or False.
None of the terms (a)-(d) can be applied to the statement — Siddhartha Gautama’s early education did not influence his later quest for enlightenment.
(a) An assertion – a strong statement
(b) A contradiction – an opposite statement
(c) An inference – a conclusion based on evidence
(d) An observation – a comment based on what is seen or noticed
Answer: False
Justification: The statement is an assertion since it is a strong belief. It could also be a contradiction to the idea that his early education did influence his quest.
3. Question: The information suggests Siddhartha Gautama’s early education might have sparked his quest for _____.
Answer- enlightenment/ wisdom/ truth/ spirituality or any other similar response.
4. Question: How did Siddhartha Gautama’s royal life influence his spiritual journey?
Answer: As a prince, Siddhartha Gautama had everything he wanted. However, seeing suffering made him realise that wealth and luxury couldn’t bring true happiness, prompting him to seek deeper meaning and spiritual enlightenment.
Also Read:
- Hard Words : The Sermon at Benares
- Who delivered the Sermon at Benares? What did he preach?
- The Sermon at Benares NCERT Solutions
- Why did the Budha choose Benares to preach his first Sermon?
- Where did Gautam Buddha preach his first sermon? What was it all about?
Extract from The Sermon at Benares- 2
At about the age of twenty-five, the Prince, heretofore shielded from the sufferings of the world, while out hunting chanced upon a sick man, then an aged man, then a funeral procession, and finally a monk begging for alms.
1. Question: How did meeting a sick man, aged man, funeral, and monk change the Prince? Answer in about 40 words.
Answer: Meeting these people made the Prince realise that suffering, ageing, and death are unavoidable. This led him to question his sheltered life and seek deeper understanding and answers to life’s suffering.
2. Question: State True or False.
None of the terms (a)-(d) can be applied to the statement — The Prince’s encounters with the sick man, old man, funeral, and monk did not influence his life.
(a) A revelation – a surprising and previously unknown fact
(b) An insight – a deep understanding of a person or thing
(c) An illusion – a deceptive appearance or impression
(d) An epiphany – a sudden realisation or understanding
Answer: False
Justification: The encounters can be seen as a revelation or an insight, as they provided the Prince with deep understanding and new realisations about life.
3. Question: The information in the extract suggests that the Prince was deeply affected by seeing _____.
Answer: suffering / pain / death / ageing / illness or any other similar response.
Question: Why did the Prince begin to question his sheltered life?
Answer: He saw suffering and death for the first time.
Also Read:
- What is a sermon? How is it different from a lecture?
- Describes the teaching of the Budha.
- What did the Budha do after getting Enlightenment? Why?
- How according to Budha can one obtain peace of mind?
- What did the Budha ask Kisa Gotami to do? Why? Or Why did the Budha ask Kisa Gotami to bring a handful of mustard seeds?
- How did the Buddha respond to Kisa Gotami’s request? What can be inferred about his method of teaching from the same?
Class 10 The Sermon at Benares Extract Based Questions- 3
The Buddha preached his first sermon at the city of Benares, most holy of the dipping places on the River Ganges; that sermon has been preserved and is given here. It reflects the Buddha’s wisdom about one inscrutable kind of suffering.
1. Question: Why might the Buddha have chosen Benares, a holy city, for preaching his first sermon? Answer in about 40 words.
Answer: The Buddha might have chosen Benares because it was a significant spiritual centre, attracting many pilgrims and seekers. Preaching there ensured that his message reached a wide and receptive audience, spreading his teachings effectively.
2. Question: State True or False.
None of the terms (a)-(d) can be applied to the statement — Benares is not a holy city on the River Ganges.
(a) A misinterpretation – an incorrect understanding
(b) An understatement – making something seem less important
(c) A factual error – a mistake in facts
(d) A misstatement – an incorrect statement
Answer: False
Justification: Saying Benares is not a holy city on the River Ganges is a misinterpretation, as it is indeed a holy city on the River Ganges.
3. Question: The information in the extract suggests that the Buddha’s sermon focused on _____.
Answer: suffering / wisdom / understanding / enlightenment / insight or any other similar response.
Question: Why is the preservation of the Buddha’s first sermon important?
Answer: It shares his wisdom on dealing with suffering.
Also Read:
- What did Buddha say about death and suffering? Explain by giving examples from the text.
- Describe the journey of Siddhartha Gautama becoming the Buddha.
- What did Buddha say about the mortals of the world?
- Why did Kisa go to Gautam Buddha?
- What does Kisa Gotami understand the second time that she failed to understand the first time? Was this what Buddha wanted her to understand?
The Sermon at Benares Extract Based MCQ Questions- 4
Kisa Gotami had an only son, and he died. In her grief she carried the dead child to all her neighbours, asking them for medicine, and the people said, “She has lost her senses. The boy is dead.”
1. Question: Why did Kisa Gotami ask her neighbours for medicine even though her son was already dead? Answer in about 40 words.
Answer: Kisa Gotami asked her neighbours for medicine because she was overwhelmed by grief and unable to accept her son’s death. Her desperation drove her to seek any solution, hoping to bring him back to life.
2. Question: State True or False.
None of the terms (a)-(d) can be applied to the statement — Kisa Gotami’s neighbours believed she was in a rational state of mind.
(a) An observation – a seen or noticed comment
(b) An assumption – something taken for granted
(c) A judgement – an opinion or decision
(d) An empathy – understanding others’ feelings
Answer: False
Justification:The statement can be seen as an observation, assumption, and judgement by the neighbours who believed she was not rational.
3. Question: The information in the extract suggests that Kisa Gotami was driven by _____.
Answer: grief / sorrow / loss / despair / pain
4. Question: Why did Kisa Gotami’s neighbours say she had lost her senses?
Answer: They believed she couldn’t accept her son’s death.
The Sermon at Benares Extract Based Questions MCQ with Answers- 5
At length, Kisa Gotami met a man who replied to her request, “I cannot give thee medicine for thy child, but I know a physician who can.” And the girl said, “Pray tell me, sir; who is it?” And the man replied, “Go to Sakyamuni, the Buddha.”
1. Question: Why did the man send Kisa Gotami to the Buddha instead of giving her medicine?
Answer: The man likely thought that the Buddha’s spiritual guidance would be more helpful for her grief than traditional medicine, believing the Buddha could help her find peace and acceptance.
2. Question: State True or False.
None of the terms (a)-(d) can be applied to the statement — The man believed traditional medicine would cure Kisa Gotami’s grief.
(a) A misunderstanding – an incorrect interpretation
(b) A presumption – something believed without proof
(c) A misconception – a wrong idea
(d) A misjudgment – an incorrect decision
Answer: False
Justification: The man’s direction to the Buddha shows he likely had a presumption or belief that spiritual guidance was necessary, not traditional medicine. This indicates that some of these terms do apply.
3. Question: The information in the extract suggests that the man saw the Buddha as a _____.
Answer: healer / guide / teacher / counsellor / mentor or any other similar response.
4. Question: What did the man think Kisa Gotami needed help with?
Answer: The man thought Kisa Gotami needed more than just medicine. He believed that the Buddha could provide the important help and support she needed for her grief.
The Sermon at Benares Extracts- 6
The Buddha answered, “I want a handful of mustardseed.” And when the girl in her joy promised to procure it, the Buddha added, “The mustard-seed must be taken from a house where no one has lost a child, husband, parent or friend.”
1. Question: Why did the Buddha ask Kisa Gotami to get mustard seeds from a house that had not experienced loss? Answer in about 40 words.
Answer: The Buddha asked Kisa Gotami to get mustard seeds from a house that had not experienced loss to teach her that suffering and death are universal experiences, and no one is untouched by grief. This would help her understand and accept her own loss.
2. Question: State True or False.
None of the terms (a)-(d) can be applied to the statement — The Buddha’s request for mustard seeds was just a simple task.
(a) A metaphor – a figure of speech for symbolic meaning
(b) A lesson – something learned or taught
(c) A challenge – a difficult task or problem
(d) A test – a way to measure knowledge or ability
Answer: False
Justification: The Buddha’s request was not just a simple task; it was a lesson, a challenge, and a test designed to help Kisa Gotami understand the universality of suffering and loss.
3. Question: The information in the extract suggests that the Buddha’s request was a _____.
Answer: lesson / message / guidance / teaching or any other similar response.
4. Question: Why did Kisa Gotami feel joy when the Buddha gave her a task?
Answer: She hoped it would bring her son back to life.
The Sermon at Benares Extract- 7
Poor Kisa Gotami now went from house to house, and the people pitied her and said, “Here is mustardseed; take it!” But when she asked, “Did a son or daughter, a father or mother, die in your family?” they answered her, “Alas! the living are few, but the dead are many. Do not remind us of our deepest grief.”
1. Question: Why were the people sad when Kisa Gotami asked about their lost loved ones?
Answer: The people felt sad because Kisa Gotami’s questions reminded them of their own losses. They realised that death affects everyone, bringing back their painful memories of losing loved ones.
2. Question: State True or False.
None of the terms (a)-(d) can be applied to the statement — The people said, “Here is mustardseed; take it!”
(a) A fact – something that is true
(b) An exaggeration – making something seem more significant
(c) An assumption – something taken for granted
(d) A suggestion – a proposal or idea
Answer: False
Justification: The term that applies is “a fact.” The people actually said, “Here is mustardseed; take it!” which is a true statement from the passage.
3. Question: The information in the extract suggests that Kisa Gotami’s search was _____.
Answer: hopeless / futile / difficult / endless / fruitless or any other similar response
4. Question: Why did the people pity Kisa Gotami during her search?
Answer: They saw her deep grief and felt her hopelessness.
Class 10 The Sermon at Benares Extract Based Questions- 8
Kisa Gotami became weary and hopeless, and sat down at the wayside watching the lights of the city, as they flickered up and were extinguished again. At last the darkness of the night reigned everywhere.
1. Question: How do Kisa Gotami’s feelings about the city lights show what she learns on her journey? Answer in about 40 words.
Answer: Kisa Gotami’s feelings about the flickering and fading city lights symbolise her understanding of life’s temporary nature. The lights going out help her realise that death is inevitable and guide her towards finding peace.
2. Question: State True or False.
None of the terms (a)-(d) can be applied to the statement — Kisa Gotami sat down at the wayside watching the lights of the city.
(a) A fact – something that is true
(b) An exaggeration – making something seem more significant
(c) An assumption – something taken for granted
(d) A misstatement – an incorrect statement
Answer: False
Justification: The term that applies is “a fact.” The statement accurately reflects that Kisa Gotami sat down at the wayside and watched the city lights, as mentioned in the passage.
3. Question: The information in the extract suggests that Kisa Gotami’s journey was _____.
Answer: exhausting / tiring / difficult / trying / draining or any other similar response.
4. Question: What might the flickering lights mean to Kisa Gotami?
Answer: They might represent how life is temporary and that death is certain.
The Sermon at Benares Extract Based MCQ Questions- 9
As ripe fruits are early in danger of falling, so mortals when born are always in danger of death. As all earthen vessels made by the potter end in being broken, so is the life of mortals. Both young and adult, both those who are fools and those who are wise, all fall into the power of death; all are subject to death.
1. Question: Why does the Buddha compare human life to ripe fruits and earthen vessels? Answer in about 40 words.
Answer: The Buddha compares human life to ripe fruits and earthen pots to show that life is delicate and death is certain. Just like fruits fall and pots break, all people, whether young or old, will face death eventually.
2. Question: State True or False.
None of the terms (a)-(d) can be applied to the statement — “As ripe fruits are early in danger of falling, so mortals when born are always in danger of death.”
(a) A metaphor – a symbolic comparison
(b) An analogy – a comparison to explain something
(c) A simile – a comparison using “like” or “as”
(d) A hyperbole – an exaggerated statement
Answer: False
Justification: The statement is an analogy and a simile because it compares human life to ripe fruits and earthen vessels using “as.”
3. Question: The information in the extract suggests that human life is _____.
Answer: fragile
4. Question: Why does the Buddha compare life to falling fruits?
Answer: To show life’s fragility and inevitability of death.
The Sermon at Benares Extract Based Questions MCQ with Answers- 10
He who seeks peace should draw out the arrow of lamentation, and complaint, and grief. He who has drawn out the arrow and has become composed will obtain peace of mind; he who has overcome all sorrow will become free from sorrow, and be blessed.”
1. Question: Why does the Buddha compare sorrow to an “arrow” that needs to be removed? Answer within 40 words.
Answer: The Buddha calls sorrow an “arrow” because it causes deep pain. Just like removing an arrow helps heal a wound, letting go of grief helps a person find peace and be free from suffering.
2. Question: State True or False.
None of the terms (a)-(d) can be applied to the statement — “He who seeks peace should draw out the arrow of lamentation.”
(a) A metaphor – a symbolic comparison
(b) A simile – a comparison using “like” or “as”
(c) An allegory – a story with a hidden meaning
(d) An instruction – a direction or order
Answer: False
Justification: The statement is a metaphor because it uses “arrow” to symbolically represent sorrow, and it is also an instruction to remove grief to find peace.
3. Question: The information in the extract suggests that removing sorrow leads to _____.
Answer: peace / healing / happiness / freedom or any other similar response.
4. Question: Why is it important to remove the “arrow” of grief?Answer: It is essential for finding peace and happiness.
