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

Chapter- 3 English Language and Literature- First Flight

­­­­    Two Stories About Flying Part-II Black Aeroplane

By– Frederick Forsyth  

About the Author- Frederick Forsyth – Two Stories About Flying Part-II Black Aeroplane          

Frederick Forsyth was born on 25 August 1938, in Ashford, Kent, England. He was educated at Tonbridge School and later joined the University of Granada in Spain. He joined the RAF and became a jet fighter pilot. He became a journalist and joined the BBC in 1965, where he served as an assistant diplomatic correspondent.

Introduction to the Lesson: Question Answer English Session on Two Stories About Flying Part-II Black Aeroplane

(This is a mysterious story. The writer was flying his Dakota aeroplane. Suddenly he was caught in a big cloud. His compass, radio and other instruments failed. There was not much fuel in the plane. Suddenly he saw a black aeroplane near him. The pilot of the black aeroplane guided the writer and he was able to land his plane safely. But he was greatly surprised when the woman at the control centre told him that there had been no other plane except the writer’s Dakota on the sky that night.   

(यह एक रहस्यात्मक कथा है । लेखक अपना डाकोटा हवाई जहाज़ उड़ा रहा था । अचानक वह एक बहुत बड़े बादल में फँस गया । उसका दिशा-सूचक यंत्र, रेडियो एवं अन्य यंत्र बेकार हो गए । उसके जहाज़ में अधिक ईधन भी नहीं था । अचानक उसने अपने नज़दीक एक काला जहाज देखा। काले जहाज के पायलट ने लेखक का पथ-प्रदर्शन किया और वह अपने जहाज़ को सुरक्षात्मक रूप से उतारने में सफल हो गया । मगर तब उसे बहुत अधिक हैरानी हुई जब नियत्रण केंद्र की स्त्री ने उसे बताया कि उस रात आकाश पर लेखक के डाकोटा के अतिरिक्त कोई अन्य जहाज नहीं था ।)

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Exploring the Theme Question Answer English on Two Stories About Flying Part-II Black Aeroplane

Frederick Forsyth describes quite a unique but mysterious experience during his flight from Paris to London. During the flight, he was lost amid mountains of dark clouds. He couldn’t believe his eyes. The compass was dead. It would not work. He received no answer from Paris Control either.

He could see another aeroplane flying next to him through the storm. He followed the strange aeroplane until he could see the runway and was safe. When asked from the control centre, he was told that no plane except his own was flying in the storm. Where did the aeroplane come from? Who was the man who asked him to follow him? Where did he disappear after leaving him in safety? These are the questions which are still surrounded in mystery.

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Important Word-Meanings of difficult words from the lesson- Two Stories About Flying Part-II Black Aeroplane

[PAGE 37] : Looking forward to = waiting eagerly (उत्सुकता से इंतजार करना); immediately = at once (एकदम); compass = Instrument for telling direction (दिशा –सूचक यंत्र); huge = big (बड़े); risk = danger (खतरा); twisted = shook (हिला) I

[PAGE 38]: Instruments = machines (यंत्र ); waved = shook (हिलाया); follow = come after (पीछे-पीछे); obedient = one who obeys the orders (आज्ञाकारी)

[PAGE 39] : Fuel = petrol, diesel etc. (ईधन); frightened = terrified (भयभीत); runway = the narrow strip the plane lands on or takes off from (हवाई अड्डे की पट्टी); strangely = in a strange manner (अजीब ढ़ंग से); arrive = reach (पहुँचना) ।

Summary in English- Two Stories About Flying Part-II Black Aeroplane

The writer of this story is a pilot. One night he was flying his old Dakota aeroplane over France. It was a starry night. He was going to England. He hoped to spend his holiday with his family. It was an easy journey and he was in a joyful mood. He looked at his watch. It was one thirty in the morning. Through his wireless, he contacted the Paris control. They told him to turn twelve degrees west. He did as he was advised to do. He was 150 kilometres from Paris.

Suddenly the writer saw huge black clouds before him. It was not possible to fly up and over the clouds. He had not much fuel with him. So it was not possible to fly around the big mountains of clouds to the right or left. He decided to take the risk and flew his aeroplane straight into the Clouds. As he entered the clouds, everything suddenly went black. He found that his compass had ceased to work. He tried to contact the Paris Control for directions. But he was shocked to find that his radio had also stopped working.

Suddenly, the writer saw a black aeroplane near him. He could also see the pilot in it. The pilot waved the writer to follow him. He followed the black aeroplane like an obedient child. Now it was half an hour since the writer had been following the black aeroplane. He was worried because the fuel in his plane could last only five or ten minutes. But just then the black aeroplane started to go down and the writer followed it. Suddenly, the writer was out of the clouds. He could see the lights of the runway of the airport. He turned to look at the black aeroplane. But he could not find it anywhere. The sky was empty. The writer landed his Dakota aeroplane. He went to the control centre and asked a woman there who that other pilot was? The woman looked at the writer strangely. Then she laughed and said that no other planes were flying in such a stormy night. She told him and his plane was the only one that she could see on the radar.

Short Summary in English- Two Stories About Flying Part-II Black Aeroplane

1. On his Way to England: The moon was coming in the clear sky. The narrator was flying his old Dakota aeroplane over France back to England. He contacted Paris Control for instructions. He was asked to turn twelve degrees west. He thought that he would be in time for English breakfast.
2. Storm Clouds: Paris was 150 kilometres behind him. He saw the clouds in the sky. They were storm clouds. They looked like black mountains standing in front of him. He couldn’t avoid by flying up and over them. He didn’t have enough petrol (fuel) to fly around the north and south. He thought of going back to Paris. But he wanted to go home for breakfast.
3. Instruments Dead: The narrator took the risk. He flew that old Dakota straight into the storm. Inside the clouds, everything was suddenly black. He couldn’t see anything outside. The old aeroplane jumped and twisted in the air. He looked at the compass. It was dead. The other instruments were suddenly dead too. He tried the radio to contact Paris control. There was no answer. He didn’t know where he was. He was in a very hopeless situation.
4. Black Plane for Help: He was lost in the storm. Suddenly, he saw another aeroplane. The black aeroplane was flying next to him. He could see the pilot’s face. He was glad to see another person. “Follow me”, he said waving his one hand. The narrator followed him like an obedient child.
5. Landed Safely: He followed the black aeroplane for half an hour. Now there was only enough fuel in the old Dakota’s last tank to fly for five or ten minutes. Then he started going down. He saw two straight lines of lights before him. It was a runway. “An airport,” he cried in joy. He turned to look for his friend in the black aeroplane, but the sky was empty. He wanted to say ‘Thank you” to his rescuer.
6. The mystery about the Black Aeroplane: After landing, he went to the control tower. He asked the lady there where he was. He also asked who the other pilot was. She looked at him strangely and then laughed. She replied that no other aeroplane was flying that night. She could only see his aeroplane on the radar. Who helped the narrator to arrive there safely without a compass or a radio, and without any more fuel in his tanks? It remained an unsolved mystery.

Summary in Hindi – Two Stories About Flying Part-II Black Aeroplane

इस कहानी का लेखक एक पायलट है । एक रात यह अपना पुराना डाकोटा जहाज फ़्रांस के ऊपर उड़ा था । यह तारों भरी रात थी । वह इंग्लैंड जा रहा था । उसे अपनी अपने परिवार के साथ छुट्टियाँ बिताने की आशा थी यह एक आसान यात्रा थी एवं वह प्रसन्नचित था । उसने अपनी घड़ी को देखा । सुबह के एक बज कर तीस मिनट हुए थे । उसने बेतार के द्वारा पेरिस कंट्रोल को संपर्क किया । उन्होंने उसे बारह डिग्री पश्चिम को मुड़ने की सलाह दी । उसे जो करने की सलाह दी गई ,उसने वैसा ही किया । वह पेरिस से 150 किलोमीटर दूर था ।  

अचानक लेखक ने अपने सामने बड़े –बड़े बादल देखे । बादलों के ऊपर से जहाज को उड़ाना संभव नहीं था । उसके पास अधिक ईधन नहीं था । इसलिए बादलों के बड़े –बड़े पहाड़ों के बाएं या दाएँ से जहाज को उड़ाकर ले जाना संभव नहीं था । उसने खतरा मोल लेने का फैसला किया  और जहाज़ को सीधा बादलों के बीच ले गया । जब वह बादलों में घुसा तो हर चीज एकदम काली हो गई । उसने देखा कि उसके दिशा-सूचक यंत्र ने काम करना बंद कर दिया। । उसने निर्देशों के लिए पेरिस कंट्रोल से संपर्क करने का प्रयत्न किया । मगर उसे यह देखकर सदमा लगा कि उसके रेडियो ने भी काम करना बंद कर दिया था ।

अचानक लेखक ने अपने पास एक काला हवाई जहाज देखा । वह उसके अंदर के पायलट को देख सकता था । पायलट ने लेखक को अपने पीछे-पीछे आने का इशारा किया । उसने काले हवाई जहाज का पीछा एक आज्ञाकारी  बच्चे की तरह किया । अब लेखक को काले हवाई जहाज के पीछे चलते हुए आधा घंटा हो गया था । उसे चिंता हो गई क्योंकि उसके जहाज का ईधन केवल पॉंच या दस मिनट का ही और था । मगर तभी काले जहाज़ ने नीचे जाना आरंभ किया और लेखक ने उसका पीछा किया ।

अचानक लेखक बादलों के बाहर था । यह हवाई जहाज की पट्टी को देख सकता था । वह काले जहाज को देखने के लिए मुड़ा । मगर उसे वह कहीं नजर नहीं आया । आकाश खाली था  । लेखक ने अपना डाकोटा जहाज उतारा । वह नियत्रण कक्ष पर गया और वहाँ की स्त्री से पूछा कि अन्य पायलट कौन था ? स्त्री ने लेखक को अजीब ढंग से देखा । तब वह हँसी और उसने कहा वैसी तूफानी रात में कोई भी अन्य जहाज नहीं उड़  रहे थे । उसने लेखक को बताया कि उसे राडार पर केवल उसी का जहाज नजर आया था ।

Main Points of the Story – Two Stories About Flying Part-II Black Aeroplane

1. The narrator was flying his old Dakota aeroplane over France back to England.
2. He called Paris control and was asked to turn 12 degrees west.
3. He thought he would be with his family and be in time for breakfast.
4. Everything was going well and it was an easy flight.
5. Suddenly he saw dark black storm clouds.
6. He took the risk and the plane went straight into the storm.
7. Everything looked black inside the mountains of clouds.
8. The old plane jumped and twisted in the air.
9. He couldn’t believe when he found his compass and other instruments totally dead.

10. Suddenly, another aeroplane appeared and he could see the face of the pilot.
11. The pilot of the black plane asked the narrator to follow him.
12. The narrator was frightened as there was fuel enough that could last only five to ten minutes.
13. Suddenly he came out of the clouds and saw two long straight lines in front of him.
14. It was a runway where he could land safely.
15. On landing, he asked the lady in the control room where he was and who the other pilot was.
16. The lady replied that no other aeroplane except his Dakota flew that night.
17. The pilot of the black aeroplane remained an unsolved mystery for the narrator.

Two Stories About Flying Part-II Extra Questions and Answers

Multiple Choice Question of the Story – Two Stories About Flying Part-II Black Aeroplane

1. What was coming up in the east behind the pilot?

      (A) the moon                                                         (B) the sun

      (C) the stars                                                          (D) all of the above

      Ans. (A) the moon

2. Which plane was the author flying?

      (A) Dakota                                                                         (B) Boing-47

       (C) Mig-29                                                                        (D) none of the above

      Ans. (A) Dakota

3. Which country was the pilot flying over?

     (A) England                                                            (B) France

     (C) India                                                                 (D) Italy

     Ans. (B) France

4. Which country did the pilot belong to?

    (A) England                                                            (B) France

    (C) India                                                                  (D) Italy

    Ans. (A) England

5. What happened when the pilot had covered a distance of 150 kilometres from Paris?

     (A) he saw another plane                                      (B) a strong wind began to blow

     (C) a heavy rain began to fall                                (D) there were storm clouds all around

     Ans. (D) there were storm clouds all around

6. Inside the clouds how was everything?

     (A) green                                                                (B) fresh  

     (C) black                                                                 (D) all of the above

    Ans. (C) black

7. What happened as the plane entered the storm clouds?

    (A) the aeroplane jumped and twisted in the air

    (B) the compass was dead

    (C) the other instruments were suddenly dead

    (D) all of the above

    Ans. (D) all of the above

8. When the author’s plane was caught in the storm who came to help him?

      (A) another aeroplane                                          (B) a helicopter

      (C) a god                                                               (D) all of the above

      Ans. (A) another aeroplane

9. How did the author follow the strange aeroplane?

      (A) like a disciplined soldier                                 (B) like an obedient boy

      (C) like a mischievous boy                                                (D) all of the above

       Ans. (B) like an obedient boy

10. What made the pilot frighten again while following the strange aeroplane?

       (A) the density of the storm                                 (B) the technical problem in the engine

       (C) the shortage of fuel                                       (D) all of the above

        Ans. (C) the shortage of fuel

11. What did the pilot notice when he was safe at the airport?

        (A) the other plane was still in the sky               (B) the sky was empty

       (C) the other plane was following him                (D) none of the above

        Ans. (B) the sky was empty

12. What was the advice of Paris control?

        (A) turn to twelve degrees east                          (B) turn to twelve degrees west

        (C) turn to twelve degrees south                                    (D) turn to twelve degrees north

        Ans. (B) turn to twelve degrees west

13. How many fuel tanks were there in the plane DS 088?

        (A) one                                                                (B) two

        (C) three                                                              (D) four

        Ans. (B) two

14. Did Paris Control hear the pilot the second time he called?

        (A) yes                                                                 (B) no

        (C) maybe                                                          (D) not know

        Ans. (B) no

15. Who is the author of the lesson ‘The Black Aeroplane’?

        (A) Cynthia Moss                                                             (B) Frederick Forsyth

        (C) Kofi Annan                                                     (D) Liam O’Flaherty

        Ans. (B) Frederick Forsyth

Line to Line Explanation in Hindi- Two Stories About Flying Part-II Black Aeroplane

[PAGE 37] : चाँद पूर्व से मेरे पीछे उग रहा था और तारे आकाश में मेरे ऊपर चमक रहे थे । आकाश में एक भी बादल नहीं था । मैं सोते हुए देहाती इलाके से काफी ऊपर होने पर प्रसन्न था । मैं अपना पुराना डाकोटा जहाज फ्रांस के ऊपर वापिस इंग्लैंड को जाता हुआ उड़ा रहा था । मैं अपनी छुट्टी का सपना ले रहा था और अपने परिवार स मिलने का इंतजार कर रहा था, मैंने अपनी घड़ी को देखा : सुबह के एक बजकर तीस मिनट ।

“मैं शीघ्र ही पेरिस के कंट्रोल से बात करूँगा” मैंने सोचा ।

जब मैंने जहाज़ के नाक से परे नीचे को देखा, तो मैँने अपने सामने एक बड़े शहर की रोशनियाँ देखी । मैंने रेडियो चालू कर दिया और कहा, “पेरिस कंट्रोल, डाकोटा डी०एस० 088 यहाँ । क्या आप मेरी आवाज सुन सकते हैँ; मैं इंग्लैंड के रास्ते पर हूँ ओवर ।”

रेडियों में से आवाज ने फौरन मुझे उत्तर दिया, “डी०एस० 088, मैं तुम्हें सुन सकता है । अब तुन्हें बाऱह डिग्री पश्चिम में मुड़ जाना जाना चाहिए “डी०एस० 088, ओवर” ।

मैंनें नक्शे एवं दिशा सूचक यंत्र की जाँच की और अपने दूसरे एवं आखिरी ईधन के टैंक को चालू किया और अपना डाकोटा को बारह डिग्री पश्चिम में इंग्लैंड की ओर मोड़ दिया ।

“मैं नाश्ते के लिए समय पर पहुंच जाऊँगा,” मैंने सोचा । एक बड़ा, अच्छा अग्रेजी नाश्ता ! हर काम ठीक हो रहा था । यह  एक आसान उड़ान थी।

जब मैंने बादल देखे तो पेरिस 150 किलोमीटर मेरे पीछे था । तूफानी बादल । वे बहुत बड़े थे । वे मेरे सामने आकाश में खड़े काले पहाड़ लगते थे । मैं जानता था कि मैं उनके ऊपर से जहाज को नहीँ उड़ा सकता था, और मेरे पास इतना ईधन नहीं था कि मैं उत्तर या दक्षिण में  उनके गिर्द से जहाज़ को ले जाऊँ ।

“मुझे वापिस पेरिस चला जाना चाहिए, ” मैंने सोचा ,मगर मैं घर जाना चाहता था । मैं नाश्ता करना चाहता था ।

“मैं खतरा मोल लूँगा”,मैंने सोचा और पुराने डाकोटा को सीधे तूफ़ान में डाल दिया ।  

बादलों के अंदर हर एक चीज़ अचानक काली हो गई । जहाज के बाहर की किसी भी चीज़ को देखना असंभव था । पुराना जहाज हवा में उछला एवं बल खाने लगा । मैंने दिशा- सूचक यंत्र को देखा ।

[PAGE 38]:मैं अपनी आँखों पर विश्वास नहीं कर सका : दिशा –सूचक गोल –गोल घूमे जा रहा था । यह बंद हो गया था । यह काम नहीं कर रहा था : बाकी के यंत्र भी अचानक ठप्प हो गए । मैंने रेडियो चालू करने का प्रयत्न किया ।

“पेरिस कंट्रोल” ? पेरिस कंट्रोल ? क्या तुम मुझे सुन सकते हो ? “

कोई उत्तर नहीं मिला । रेडियो भी ठप्प हो गया था । मेरा रेडियो और दिशा-सूचक यंत्र ठप्प  हो गए थे और मैं नहीं देख सकता था । कि मैं कहाँ था, मैं तूफान में खो गया था । तब काले बादलों में, मेरे बहुत नजदीक मैंने एक अन्य जहाज़ को देखा । इसके पंखों पर कोई रोशनी नहीं थी, मगर मैं तूफान के बीच में से इसे अपने नजदीक उड़ता देख सकता था । मैं पायलट के चेहरे को मेरी तरफ मुड़ा हुआ देख सकता था । मैं अन्य व्यक्ति को देखकर बहुत प्रसन्न हुआ । उसने एक हाथ उठाया और उसे हिलाया ।

। “मेरे पीछे आओ”, वह कह रहा था । “मेरे पीछे आओं ।”

” वह जानता है कि मैं भटक गया हूँ “, मैंने सोचा, । “वह मेरी सहायता करने का प्रयत्न कर रहा है।”

 उसने अपना जहाज धीरे-से मेरे डाकोटा के सामने उत्तर की तरफ मोड़ लिया ताकि मेरे लिए उसका पीछा करना आसान हो जाए ।  मुझे एक आज्ञाकारी बच्चे की तरह उस अजीब जहाज के पीछे-पीछे जाने में बड़ी प्रसन्नता हुईं।

आधे घंटे के बाद यह अजीब काला हवाई जहाज़ अभी भी मेरे सामने बादलों में था ।

[PAGE 39]: अब डाकोटा के आखिरी ईधन के टैंक में केवल पाँच या दस मिनट तक और उड़ने के लिए ईधन था । मैंने फिर से डरा हुआ महसूस करना आरंभ कर दिया था । मगर तब उसने नीचे जाना आरंग कर दिया और मैंने तूफान के अंदर से उसका पीछा किया ।

अचानक मैं बादलों से निकल आया और मैंने अपने सामने रोशनियों की दो लंबी कतारें देखीं । यह हवाई पट्टी थी । हवाई अड्डा ! मैं काले हवाई जहाज वाले अपने मित्र को देखने मुड़ा, मगर आकाश खाली था । वहीं कुछ भी नहीं था । काला हवाई जहाज जा चुका था। मुझे वे कहीं भी नजर नहीं आ रहा था ।

मैंने जहाज को नीचे उतारा और मुझे नियंत्रण मीनार के पास पुराने डाकोटा से उतारकर जाने का अफसोस नहीं था । मैं गया और नियन्त्रण केंद्र में एक स्त्री से पूछा कि मैं कहाँ था एवं दूसरा पायलट कौन था । मैं उसका धन्यवाद करना चाहता था ।

उसने मेरी तरफ अजीब ढंग-से देखा और फिर हँसने लगी।

“अन्य हवाई जहाज ? वहाँ ऊपर तूफान में ? आज रात कोई अन्य जहाज नहीं उड़ रहे थे । राडार पर में केवल आपका जहाज़ देख सकती थी ।” . _

तो वहाँ पर बिना दिशा-सूचक यंत्र या रेडियो और मेरे टैंकों में अधिक ईधन के बिना, वहाँ सुरक्षित पहुंचने में मेरी सहायता  किसने की थी ?  तूफान में, बिना रोशनियों के उड़ता हुआ उस अजीब काले जहाज का पायलट कौन था ?

Important Passages for Comprehension of the Story – Two Stories About Flying Part-II Black Aeroplane

Read the following passages and answer the questions that follow

PASSAGE 1

The moon was coming up in the east, behind me, and stars were shining in the clear sky above me. There wasn’t a cloud in the sky. I was happy to be alone high up above the sleeping countryside. I was flying my old Dakota aeroplane over France back to England. I was dreaming of my holiday and looking forward to being with my family. I looked at my watch: one thirty in the morning. ‘

I should call Paris Control soon,’ I thought. As I looked down past the nose of the aeroplane. I saw the lights of a big city in front of me. I switched on the radio and said, “Paris Control, Dakota DS 088 here. Can you hear me? I’m on my way to England. Over.”

 The voice from the radio answered me immediately: “DS 088. I can hear you. You ought to turn twelve degrees west now, DS 088. Over.”

Word-meanings: Countryside = rural area (ग्रामीण क्षेत्र); looking forward to = waiting eagerly (उत्सुकता से इंतजार करना ); immediately = at once(एकदम)

Questions :

(a) Name the chapter and its author.

(b) Which aeroplane was the pilot flying?

 (c) Why was the pilot unhappy?

(d) What did he see in front of him?

(e) Which phrases in the passage mean `hopping with pleasure’

Answers:

(a) ‘The Black Aeroplane’, Fredrick Forsyth.

(b) The pilot was flying the Dakota aeroplane.

 (c) Because he was dreaming of his holiday.

(d) He saw the lights of a big city in front of him.

(e) ‘Looking forward to’.

PASSAGE 2

 I checked the map and the compass switched over to my second and last fuel tank and turned the Dakota twelve degrees west towards England.

‘I’ll be in time for breakfast,’ I thought. A good big English breakfast! Everything was going well it was an easy flight.

Paris was about 150 kilometres behind me when I saw the clouds. Storm clouds. They were huge. They looked like black mountains standing in front of me across the sky. I knew I could not fly up and over them, and I did not have enough fuel to fly around them to the north or south.

 “I ought to go back to Paris,” I thought, but I wanted to get home. I wanted that breakfast.

 ‘I’ll take the risk.’ I thought and flew that old Dakota straight into the storm.

Word-meanings : Compass = instrument for telling direction (दिशा –सूचकयंत्र); fuel = petrol, diesel etc. (ईधन); huge = big (बड़े); risk = danger (खतरा) ।  

Questions :

(a) Where did the writer turn his aeroplane?

(b) What did he think about his breakfast?

(c) When did he see the clouds?

 (d) How did the clouds look?

(e) Find words from the passage which mean the same as (i) big, (ii) danger.

 Answers :

(a) The writer turned his aeroplane twelve degrees west towards England.

(b) He thought that he would be in time for breakfast.

(c) He saw the clouds when he was about 150 kilometres from Paris.

(d) The clouds looked like huge mountains. (e) (I) huge, (ii) risk.

 PASSAGE 3

 Inside the clouds, everything was suddenly black. It was impossible to see anything outside the aeroplane. The old aeroplane jumped and twisted in the air. I looked at the compass. I couldn’t believe my eyes: the compass was turning round and round and round. It was dead. It would not work! The other instruments were suddenly dead, too. I tried the radio.

“Paris control ? Paris control ? Can you hear me ?”

There was no answer. The radio was dead too. I had no radio, no compass. .m(II, said not see where I was. I was lost in the storm.

word-meanings : Suddenly = at once (एकदम);  twisted = rolled (हिलना); instruments = machines(यंत्र) ।

Questions :

(a) Name the chapter these lines have been taken from.

(b) How was the scene inside the clouds?

(c) How did the old aeroplane behave?

(d) What happened to the compass and other instruments?

(e) Why did the writer not receive a reply from the Paris Control?

Answers :

(a) These lines have been taken from the chapter ‘The Black Aeroplane’.

(b) Inside the clouds, everything was suddenly black.

(c) ‘According to the writer, the aeroplane jumped and twisted in the air.

(d) The compass and other instruments went dead.

(e) He did not receive a reply because his radio was dead.

PASSAGE 4

“Paris Control? Paris Control? Can you hear me?”

There was no answer. The radio was dead too. I had no radio, no compass, and I could not see where I was. I was lost in the storm. Then, in the black clouds quite near me, I saw another aeroplane. It had no lights on its wings, but I could see it lying next to me through the storm. I could see the pilot’s face — turned towards me. I was very glad to see another person. He lifted one hand and waved. [H.B.S.E. March 2017 (Set-A)]

 “Follow me,” he was saying. “Follow me.”

 “He knows that I am lost,” I thought. “He’s trying to help me.” He turned his aeroplane slowly to the north, in front of my Dakota, so that it would be easier for me to follow him. I was very happy to go behind the strange aeroplane like an obedient child.

Word-meanings: Compass= instrument for telling direction (दिशा-सूचक यंत्र); follow = come after (पीछा करना); obedient = one who obeys the orders (आज्ञाकारी) ।

Questions :

(a) How do you know that the pilot was completely lost in the storm?

(b) Where did the writer see another plane?

(c) According to the writer, why was another plane there?

(d) What did the pilot of Dakota do when the other pilot gave him a signal?

(e) Which word in the passage means the same as ‘an instrument used to know the direction?

Answers:

 (a) The pilot had no radio, no compass and he could not see where he was.

(b) He saw another plane in the black cloud just near him.

(c) According to the writer, another plane was there to help him.

 (d) The pilot of Dakota followed the other plane like an obedient boy.

 (e) ‘Compass’.

PASSAGE 5

After half an hour the strange black aeroplane was still there in front of me in the clouds. Now there was only enough fuel in the old Dakota’s last tank to fly for five or ten minutes more. I was starting to feel frightened again. But then he started to go down and I followed through the storm.

Suddenly I came out of the clouds and saw two long straight lines of lights in front of me. It was a runway! An airport! I was safe! I turned to look for my friend in the black aeroplane, but the sky was empty. There was nothing there. The black aeroplane was gone. I could not see it anywhere.

Word-meanings: Frightened = terrified (भयभीत); followed = chased (पीछा किया); run away = a strip of land at the airport ( हवाई अड्डे की पट्टी) I

Questions :

(a) Name the chapter these lines have been taken from. ,

 (b) What was still there after half an hour?

(c) Why did the writer start to feel frightened again?

(d) What did he see when he came out of the clouds?

(e) Could the writer see the black aeroplane?

Answers :

(a) These lines have been taken from the chapter ‘The Black Aeroplane’.

 (b) The black aeroplane was still there after half an hour.

(c) He started to feel frightened again because there was only five or ten minutes’ fuel in the tank.

(d) He saw the runway before him.

(e) No, he could not see the black aeroplane.

 PASSAGES FOR PRACTICE (UNSOLVED)

PASSAGE 6

Then, in the black clouds quite near me, I saw another aeroplane. It had no lights on its wings, but I could see it flying next to me through the storm. I could see the pilot’s face — turned towards me. I was very glad to see another person. He lifted one hand and waved. “Follow me,” he was saying.

“Follow me.”  `

He knows that I am lost,’ I thought. `He’s trying to help me.’ He turned his aeroplane slowly to the north, in front of my Dakota, so that it would be easier for me to follow him. I was very happy to go behind the strange aeroplane like an obedient child.

 Word-meanings: Glad = happy (प्रसन्न); waved = shook (हिलाया); follow = come after (पीछा करना); obedient = one who obeys (आज्ञाकारी)

Questions :

(a) Name the chapter this passage has been taken from.

(b) What did the writer see?

(c) What did the pilot of the black aeroplane (10?

(d) What did the writer think?

(e) What was the writer happy to do?

PASSAGE 7

He turned his aeroplane slowly to the north, in front of my Dakota. so that it would be easier for me to follow h;”. I was very happy to go behind the strange aeroplane like an obedient child. After half an hour the strange black aeroplane was still there in front of me in the clouds. Now there was only enough fuel in the old Dakota’s last tank to fly for five or ten minutes more. I was starting to feel frightened again. But then he started to go down and I followed through the storm.

Word-meanings: Strange =queer (अजीब); frightened =terrified (भयभीत); followed =chased (पीछा किया) I

Questions :

(a) Name the chapter and its writer.

(b) Why did the second pilot turn his aeroplane to the north?

 (c) How did the narrator follow the strange aeroplane?

(d) Why did the narrator feel terrified again?

 (e) Why is the noun form of ‘obedient’?

PASSAGE 8

I landed and was not sorry to walk away from the old Dakota near the control tower. I went and asked a woman in the control centre where I was and who the other pilot was. I wanted to say ‘Thank you•. She looked at me very strangely and then laughed. “Another aeroplane? Up there in this storm? No other aeroplanes were flying tonight. Yours was the only one I could see on the radar.”

So who helped me to arrive there safely without a compass or a radio, and without any more fuel in my tanks? Who was the pilot on the strange black aeroplane, flying in the storm, without lights?

Word-meaning: Strangely = in a strange manner (अजीब ढ़ंग से)

Questions:

(a) Name the chapter and its author.

(b) What did the author do after landing?

(c) What did the woman say about the second aeroplane?

(d) Which word in the passage means ‘in an unusual or surprising way’?

(e) Who helped the writer to arrive safely? 

Passage-9: (Page 37)

The moon was coming up in the east, behind me, and stars were shining in the clear sky above me. There wasn’t a cloud in the sky. I was happy to be alone high up above the sleeping countryside. I was flying my old Dakota aeroplane over France back to England. I was dreaming of my holiday and looking forward to being with my family. I looked at my watch: One thirty in the morning.

word-Meaning: Coming up—rising up, Shining—gleaming, Looking forward—waiting anxiously,

Questions:

(a) Did the sky remain clear the whole night?

(b) What was the narrator flying?

(c) What was he dreaming of?

(d) Was he able to spend his holiday with his family the next day?

Answers:

(a) No, after one thirty the sky suddenly became very cloudy.

(b) The narrator was flying his old Dakota aeroplane.

(c) He was dreaming of his holiday and being with his family.

(d) Yes, he spent his holiday with his family the next day.

Passage-10-: (Page 37)

I checked the map and the compass switched over to my second and last fuel tank and turned the Dakota twelve degrees west towards England. ‘I’ll be in time for breakfast,’ I thought. A good big English breakfast! Everything was going well—it was an easy flight.

Word-Meaning: Compass—an instrument consisting of a magnetised needle to show N and S directions, Towards—in the direction of something, In time—by that time,

Questions:

(a) What did he check up?

(b) What did he switch over to?

 (c) With whom did he want to have his breakfast?

(d) How did his easy flight turn to a horrible one?

Answers:

(a) He checked the map and the compass.

(b) He switched over to his second and last fuel tank.

(c) He wanted to have breakfast with his family.

 (d) All of a sudden the sky became so cloudy that he was unable to see anything outside the aeroplane.

Passage-11: (Pages 37 & 38)

Inside the clouds, everything was suddenly black. It was impossible to see anything outside the aeroplane. The old aeroplane jumped and twisted in the air. I looked at the compass. I couldn’t believe my eyes: the compass was turning round and round and round. It was dead. It would not work! The other instruments were suddenly dead, too. I tried the radio.

Word-Meaning: Suddenly—happening unexpectedly, faith, faxmi Instruments—tools, Twisted—to bend into shape, Believe—have

Questions:

(a) Why was it impossible to see anything outside the aeroplane?

(b) How did the old aeroplane behave?

(c) Why couldn’t he believe his eyes?

(d) Was the radio working properly even then?

Answers:

(a) It was impossible to see anything outside because the aeroplane was amidst dark black be clouds.

(b) The old aeroplane jumped and twisted in the air.

(c) He couldn’t believe his eyes that the compass which was working smoothly a few moments ago was dead now.

(d) No, the radio was dead too.

Passage-12: (Page 38)

There was no answer. The radio was dead too. I had no radio, no compass, and I could not see where I was. I was lost in the storm. Then, in the black clouds quite near me, I saw another aeroplane. It had no lights on its wings, but I could see it flying next to me through the storm. I could see the pilot’s face–mourned towards me. I was very glad to see another person. He lifted one hand and waved. `Follow me,” he was saying.”Follow me.”

Word-Meaning: Through—from one side to the other, Turned—twisted, Glad—happy, Waved—moved hand,

Questions:

(a) Where did he get no answer from?

(b) How did he feel at that time?

(c) What did he see flying next to him?

 (d) Was the narrator known to the other pilot?

Answers:

(a) He got no answer from Paris Control.

(b) He was lost in the storm and the compass and radio were dead.

(c) He saw another aeroplane flying next to him.

(d) No, the narrator was completely unknown to the other pilot.

Passage-13: (Pages 38 & 39)

He turned his aeroplane slowly to the north, in front of my Dakota, so that it would be easier for me to follow him. I was very happy to go behind the strange aeroplane like an obedient child. After half an hour the strange black aeroplane was there in front of me in the clouds. Now there was only enough fuel in the old Dakota’s last tank to fly for five or ten minutes more. I was starting to feel frightened again. But then he started to go down and I followed through the storm.

 Word-Meaning: Strange—uncommon, Obedient—dutiful,  In front of—just before, Fuel—material for burning Frightened—terrified,

Questions:

(a) Where did the other plane turn to?

(b) How was the narrator following him?

(c) How much petrol was left in the old Dakota for flying?

(d) Why did he feel frightened again?

 Answers:

(a) The other aeroplane turned slowly towards the north in front of his Dakota.

(b) The narrator was following him like an obedient child.

(c) There was only enough petrol left in the old Dakota to fly for five or ten minutes.

(d) He felt frightened again as petrol could last only for five or ten minutes.

 Passage-14: (Page 39)

Suddenly I came out of the clouds and saw two long straight lines of lights in front of me. It was a runway! An airport! I was safe! I turned to look for my friend in the black aeroplane, but the sky was empty. There was nothing there. The black aeroplane was gone. I could not see it anywhere.

Word-Meaning: Runway-way on the ground for taking off and Ian sliding of aeroplanes, Empty—vacant,

Questions:

(a) How did the narrator reach the airport safely?

(b) What were the two long straight lines of light, and why was he safe now?

(c) What did the narrator turn to look for?

(d) Where did the black aeroplane go after leading the narrator to an airport?

Answers:

(a) A strange black aeroplane helped him to come out of the clouds and reach the airport safely.

(b) It was the runway of an airport where he could land safely.

(c) The narrator turned and looked for the man who had helped him.

 (d) Actually, there was no other aeroplane flying in the sky than the narrator’s one. Only God knows who he was.

Passage-15: (Page 39)

 “Another aeroplane? Up there in this storm? No other aeroplanes were flying tonight. Yours was the only one I could see on the radar.” So who helped me to arrive there safely without a compass or a radio, and without any more fuel in my tanks? Who was the pilot on the strange black aeroplane, flying in the storm, without lights?

Word-Meaning: Radar—equipment that searches the flying objects, tart Arrive—reach to a place, Safely—protectively, trill

Questions:

(a) What did the woman in the control centre say?

(b) Who helped him to arrive safely without a compass or a radio?

(c) Who was the pilot on the strange black aeroplane?

(d) Did the narrator find out any answers to his own questions?

Answers:

(a) The woman in the control centre replied that the narrator’s plane was the only one flying that stormy night.

(b) A strange pilot guided the narrator to arrive safely without a compass or a radio.

(c) Only God could tell who was the pilot on the strange black aeroplane.

(d) No, the narrator didn’t get any answers to his own questions.

Extracts of the Story – Two Stories About Flying Part-II Black Aeroplane

1. Inside the clouds, everything was suddenly black. It was impossible to see anything outside the aeroplane. The old aeroplane jumped and twisted in the air. I looked at the compass. I could not believe my eyes: the compass was turning round and round and round. It was dead, too. It would not work!

(a) Why did it become impossible for the writer to see?

(b) Why was the aeroplane twisting in the air?

(c) What could have happened as a result of compass failure?

(d) Where could the pilot not establish contact?

Ans. (a) It became impossible to see because his plane entered inside the storm clouds where everything was dark.

(b) All the instruments of the plane were not working and due to darkness, the plane could not be kept under control.

(c) The narrator could have lost his path.

(d) He could not establish contact with Paris control.

2. There was no answer, the radio was dead too. I had no radio, no compass, and I could not see where I was, I was lost in the storm. Then, in the blank clouds quite near me, I saw another aeroplane. It had no lights on its wings, but I could see it flying next to me through the storm. I could see the pilot’s face–turned towards me. I was very glad to see another person. He lifted one hand and waved.

 (a) From where did the narrator expect an answer?

(b) why did he not receive any answer?

(c) Where was he lost?

(d) What problem did T face in the storm?

Ans. (a) From the radio i.e., control station.

(b) Because the radio was not working.

(c) He was lost in the storm clouds.

(d) ‘I’ could not see where he was and was lost in the storm.

3. I knew I could not fly up and over them, and I didn’t have enough fuel to fly around them to the north or south. “I ought to go back to Paris.” I thought, but I wanted to get home.

(a) What does ‘them’ in the first sentence refer to?

(b) Why could he not fly over on either side of storm clouds?

(c) Why did he not go back to Paris?

(d) Where was the pilot of the plane flying to?

Ans. (a) The storm clouds

(b) Because he had limited fuel, just to reach England by a straight route.

(c) This was because he was anxious to reach home.

(d) The pilot of the Dakota plane was flying from Paris to England.

4. He turned his aeroplane slowly to the north, in front of my Dakota, so that it would be easier for me to follow him. I was very happy to go behind the strange aeroplane like an obedient child.

(a) Who does ‘He’ refers to in the first sentence?

(b) Why did the pilot of the black aeroplane bring his plane in front of the Dakota aeroplane?

(c) How was the pilot of the Dakota plane an obedient child?

(d) How did the pilot of Dakota land safely through the storm?

Ans. (a) The pilot of the black aeroplane.

(b) Because of it. would be easier for the Dakota plane to follow it.

(c) The pilot of the black aeroplane had asked him to follow him and he obeyed just like an obedient child.

(d) Suddenly, the pilot of Dakota saw a black aeroplane. Its pilot guided and brought him safely out of storm clouds and he landed at the airport.

5. Now there was only enough fuel in the old Dakota’s last tank to fly for five or ten minutes more. I was starting to feel frightened again. But then he started to go down and I followed through the storm.

(a) Why was the narrator frightened again?

(b) What for ‘it’ stand in the last sentence?

(c) Why was the black aeroplane going down?

(d) How did the black plane rescue the first pilot?

Ans. (a) Because he was left with fuel only enough for five to ten minutes but his plane was still in the clouds.

(b) The black aeroplane

(c) This was because its pilot had seen an airport to land.

(d) The pilot of the black plane brought his aeroplane in front of the Dakota plane to make it easier for it to follow him and brought it out of the storm clouds safely.

6. She looked at me very strangely and then laughed. “Another aeroplane! Up there in the storm! No other aeroplanes were flying tonight. Yours was the only one I could see on the radar.”

(a) Who is ‘she’ in the first sentence?

(b) Why did the lady at the control room look strangely at him?

(c) What made the situation a mystery?

(d) Why do you think there were no other planes flying?

Ans. (a) The woman in the control room.

(b) His question seemed absurd to her as she had seen no other aeroplane at the radar except the narrators.

(c) The fact that the lady at the airport control room had not seen any other aeroplane on the radar.

(d) This was because of the stormy weather.

Main Characters of the Story- Two Stories About Flying Part-II Black Aeroplane

1.The Narrator: The narrator (Fredrick Forsyth) was a professional pilot. He was flying his old Dakota aeroplane over France back to England. He was happy.

The narrator was quite a family man. He was dreaming of his holidays. He was looking forward to being with his family. He wanted to be in time for breakfast.

The narrator seemed to lack his professional ethics and responsibilities. He was about 150 kilometres away from Paris when the storm clouds appeared in the sky. He didn’t have enough petrol to fly around them to the North or South. Actually, he ignored his professional wisdom. He ought to have gone back to Paris.

The narrator was a grateful human being. He was grateful to the pilot of the black aeroplane for saving his life. He went to the Paris control to ask who was the other pilot who saved his life.

2. The Unknown Pilot: He was a helpful man. He was flying a black aeroplane. He helped the narrator to find his way in the storm. He was a quite satisfied man, who wanted nothing in return. When the narrator landed down safely at the Paris airport, he made an inquiry about the pilot but he got no trace of him. The pilot did his work and disappeared in the sky.

Very Short Answer Type Important Questions – Two Stories About Flying Part-II Black Aeroplane

Q.1. Why was the pilot happy? Give two reasons.

 Ans. He was happy because he was flying up above the sleeping countryside. Secondly, he was going to be with his family.

Q.2. Why did the pilot call the Paris Control Room the first time?

Ans. He called the Paris Control Room to guide him on his way to England.

Q.3. What was the advice of the Paris Control?

Ans. The Paris Control advised him to turn twelve degrees west.

Q.4. How many fuel tanks were there on the plane? How much fuel was left?

Ans. There were two fuel tanks on the plane. There was fuel for five or ten minutes only.

Q.5. What did the pilot encounter 150 kilometres from Paris?

Ans. He encountered big stormy clouds 150 kilometres from Paris.

Q.6. Why did the pilot fly straight into the storm instead of returning to Paris?

Ans. He did not return to Paris because he wanted to get home.

Q.7. Did Paris control hear the pilot the second time he called? Why?

Ans. The Paris Control did not hear him because his radio had gone dead.

Q.8. Which plane was the narrator flying?

Ans. He was flying the old Dakota plane DS088.

Q.9. Which country was the narrator flying his plane over?

Ans. He was flying his plane over France.

Q.10. What type of story is the ‘Black Aeroplane ?’

Ans. It is a mysterious story.

Short Answer Type Important Questions of the Story – Two Stories About Flying Part-II Black Aeroplane

1. What happened when the author turned the aeroplane twelve degrees west towards England?  

Ans. The author saw the huge storm clouds that looked like black mountains standing in front of him across the sky.

2. Explain the statement: ‘I was very happy to go behind the strange aeroplane like an obedient child.

Ans. The pilot came across huge storm clouds. He could neither go above them nor go around them due to lack of fuel. Then, he saw a black plane without lights on wings, flying near his plane. Its pilot waved and signalled him to follow him. The author did not have much choice but to follow him.

3. “I’ll take the risk.” What is the risk? Why does the pilot of the old Dakota take it?

Ans. The risk is that of going through the storm in the narrator’s old Dakota aeroplane. He flew through as he did not have fuel to fly around them, and couldn’t fly over them. Also, he wanted to get home for a big English breakfast.

4. Why did the pilot think of going back to Paris?

Ans. The pilot came across huge storm clouds that seemed to him like black mountains. He could neither go above them nor go around them due to lack of fuel. That was when he thought of returning to Paris.

5. Which two options did the pilot of’ the Dakota plane have when he encountered the storm clouds on his way? What did he decide to do? Why?

Ans. The two options he had were: either to go back to Paris or to go through the storm clouds. He decided to go through the storm clouds because he wanted to reach home and spend the holiday with his family.

6. Why could the woman in the control room not help the pilot of Dakota?

Ans. When the pilot of the Dakota plane asked the woman in the control centre about the black aeroplane and its pilot, she could not help him because she had seen no other plane flying that night on the radar.

7. Describe the black clouds from the point of view of the pilot.

Ans. The writer was going from France to England. He was flying his Dakota aeroplane. When he had gone 150 kilometres from France, he saw storm clouds. They were huge. They looked like black mountains standing in front of him across the sky.

8. Recount the experience of the pilot of the Dakota inside the black clouds.

 Ans. The pilot found that everything was black inside the clouds. It was impossible to see anything outside the aeroplane. The old aeroplane rolled and jumped in the air. The compass and other instruments stopped working. Suddenly his radio also went dead.

9. HOW did the black aeroplane rescue the first pilot?

Ans. The pilot of the black aeroplane waved his hand. He gestured the first pilot to follow him. The writer followed him. He followed the black plane for half an hour. Suddenly, his plane was out of the clouds. He could see the lights of the airport and landed his aeroplane. In this way, the black aeroplane rescued the first pilot.

10. Was the pilot of the Dakota able to meet the pilot of the black?

Ans. No, he was not able to meet the pilot of the black aeroplane. When he was going to land his plane, he looked behind him. But the black plane was not there. The sky was empty. The woman at the control centre told him that no other planes were flying on that stormy night.

11. Describe the black clouds from the point of view of the pilot.

 Ans. The writer was going from France to England. He was flying his Dakota aeroplane. When he had gone 150 kilometres from Paris, he saw storm clouds. They were huge. They looked like black mountains standing in front of him across the sky.  

12. Why did the writer feel frightened once again?

 Ans. The pilot of the black plane waved to the writer to follow him. The writer flew his plane behind him for half an hour. He found that there was fuel in his aeroplane for five or ten minutes more. So he felt frightened once again.

13. Why was the narrator happy and what was he dreaming of?

Ans. It was a clear and cloudless night. The moon had come up in the east. Stars were shining above. The narrator was happy. He was flying high up above the sleeping countryside. He was dreaming of his holiday and being with his family.

14. Why and when did he call Paris control-room?

Ans. It was one thirty in the morning. He wanted to call Paris control. He switched on the radio and told that Dakota DS 088 was on his way to England. The narrator got the necessary instruction that he needed. He was asked to turn twelve degrees west towards England.

15. What did he find when he checked the map and the compass?

Ans. The narrator checked the map and the compass. He switched over to his second and last fuel tank. He turned the Dakota twelve degrees west towards England. He thought that he would be in time for breakfast. Everything was going well and it was an easy flight.

16. Why didn’t he return to Paris when he saw the storm clouds?

 Ans. Paris was 150 kilometres behind him when he saw the storm clouds. They were huge. They looked like black mountains standing in front of him. He could not fly up and over them as he didn’t have enough fuel. He thought of going back to Paris but changed his idea. He decided to go to England to be in time for breakfast.

17. The narrator had two options before risking himself entering the storm clouds? Why didn’t he choose them?

Ans. Definitely, the narrator had two options before him if he didn’t want to take the risk of entering the storm cloud. He could turn back and go to Paris which was about 150 kilometres behind him. Another option was to fly up and over the dark clouds. But he didn’t choose any of the options. He wanted to be in England to have his breakfast in time. He couldn’t fly around the clouds to the north or south as he didn’t have enough fuel to fly.

18. What did he do when he was inside the clouds?

Ans. The narrator took the risk of entering the black storm clouds. Inside them, everything was suddenly black. Nothing could be seen outside. The old plane jumped and twisted in the air. He couldn’t believe his eyes when his compass was dead. His other instruments didn’t work and were dead too. He tried to contact Paris control on the raids but received no answer.

19. How was the narrator lost in the storm clouds and what did he try to do to come out of them?

Ans. The narrator had entered the storm clouds. Nothing was seen outside. Everything suddenly turned black. The old plane jumped and twirled in the sky. He looked at the compass. It was dead. He tried other instruments but they also refused to work. He tried the radio to contact Paris control but no answer came from there.

20. Who rescued the narrator when he was hopelessly lost in the storm clouds?

Ans. There seemed no hope for the narrator. He was hopelessly lost in the storm clouds. His compass and other instruments were dead. Even Paris control didn’t respond. In such a hopeless situation, the narrator saw another aeroplane flying next to him. It had no light on its winds but he could see the pilot’s face. The pilot came to his help. When he said “Follow me,” the narrator followed him like an obedient child.

21. How and when did the narrator feel that he was safe now?

Ans. When the pilot of another plane came to the narrator’s help, he was extremely happy. When he said “Follow me,” the narrator obeyed him like an obedient child. The strange black aeroplane was still guiding him. The narrator got worried as the old Dakota had petrol enough to fly for five or ten minutes. Suddenly when he was going down, he found himself out of clouds. He saw two long straight lines of lights of the runway. There was an airport where he could land safely.

22. Did the narrator meet the pilot of the black aeroplane? How did he and his aeroplane disappear in the sky?

 Ans. No, the narrator didn’t meet his rescuer. When he was out of the storm clouds, he looked back. He found no trace of the aeroplane. Nor did he see the face of the pilot. Only God knows where they disappeared. Even the control room couldn’t record their presence.

23. Why did the narrator want to meet the woman in the control tower? Did he get any information about the mysterious disappearance of the black aeroplane and its pilot?

Ans. The narrator didn’t know how the pilot and the black aeroplane disappeared in the space. He wanted some definite information from the woman in the control room about them. She told him that on that stormy night no plane was in the sky except his old Dakota. So, the narrator couldn’t know anything about the mysterious man who helped him to arrive safely without a compass or a radio.

24. What is the message that Frederick wants to give to the readers through the lesson ‘The Black Aeroplane’?

Ans. Never say ‘die’ till the end. Never lose hope in the most hopeless situation. No one knows who may come to save you. The narrator was really in such a hopeless situation when he lost contact with Paris control and all his instruments and the compass was dead. Then came the mysterious pilot of the black aeroplane to guide the narrator to safety.

Long Type Questions of the Story – Two Stories About Flying Part-II Black Aeroplane

1. The narrator made every possible endeavour to save himself. He did not lose hope in direct situations. What values helped him endure the critical situation bravely? Discuss in 100-120 words.                                                Or

The narrator knew that he could not fly up due to storm and lack of fuel but still, he continued. What kind of person was he? Was it not in his nature to accept defeat? Discuss the values one should possess to accept failures to be able to move ahead in life in 100-120 words.                                                                                  

Ans. The author’s plane did not have enough fuel. He knew that because of the paucity of fuel, he could not fly up and over the clouds nor he could fly around them to the north or south. But then he decided to take the risk to enter his plane in the clouds because he wanted to go home and wanted to join his family at breakfast. This shows that he was a family-loving person. He was courageous as he knew that it would be risky to enter the clouds, but he did so in order to save his fuel.

2. Your friend was the pilot who was flying from Paris to England when he was lost in the storm clouds. Narrate his experience to your family and tell them how he was rescued by a strange black plane and its pilot.

Ans. Last week, my friend, who is a pilot had a mysterious experience.

During his flight from Paris to England, he was lost in the storm clouds. His compass, radio and other instruments had gone dead. He did not know which direction to go. He was lost and panicked (too much frightened).

Then, he saw a strange black aeroplane without lights on wings, flying near his plane. Its pilot lifted one hand, waved and signalled my friend to follow him. He guided my friend through the storm clouds and helped him land safely when my friend looked back to thank the pilot of the black aeroplane, he found neither the pilot nor the aeroplane.

When he asked the control about the strange black plane and its pilot. The reply was, no other plane was seen on the radar except his Dakota. Then who rescued him? There was no answer. It was a mystery.

3.”Everything was going well. It was an easy flight.” What went wrong suddenly?

Or

Describe the flight of the Dakota aeroplane until it landed safely at the airport.

Ans. The flight of old Dakota started in Paris and headed towards England. It was an easy flight, the sky was clear and the weather fine. When it reached 150 km away from Paris, it suddenly confronted huge black storm clouds. He had limited fuel only to take him to England. He could go back to Paris but he decided to take the risk and go through the storm clouds because he wanted to spend the holiday with his family.

In the storm clouds, it was pitch day. His compass, radio and some other instruments stopped working. He could not contact Paris control room to know the direction. Suddenly he saw a black aeroplane. Its pilot guided and brought him safely out of storm clouds. He saw the runway and landed at the airport.

4. The author asks a question at the end, “Who was the pilot on the strange black aeroplane?” Try to answer this question.

Ans. “The Black Aeroplane’ is an interesting story. The writer is a pilot. One day, he was returning from France in his Dakota aeroplane. He was going to England. Suddenly, he saw huge storm clouds on his way. He had not much fuel in his plane. So he could not fly around the clouds. He took a risk and entered the clouds. His compass and other instruments failed. His radio also went out of order. The writer’s life was in danger. Suddenly, he saw a black aeroplane near him. The pilot of the plane gestured him to follow him. The writer followed him and landed his plane safely. But when he looked back, he did not find the black aeroplane anywhere. The woman at the control tower told him that there had been no other plane that night. Then who saved the writer’s life? Who was the pilot of the black aeroplane? The writer had no answer to these questions. Thus it is a mysterious story.

5. Describe the flight of the pilot before he encountered dark clouds.

Or

Describe the flight of the Dakota aeroplane until it landed safely at the airport.

 Ans. The writer of this story is a pilot. One night he was flying his old Dakota aeroplane over France. It was a starry night. He was going to England. He hoped to spend his holiday with his family. It was an easy journey and he was in a joyful mood. He looked at his watch. It was one thirty in the morning. Through his wireless, he contacted the Paris Control. They told him to turn twelve degrees west. He did as he was advised to do. He was 150 kilometres from Paris. Suddenly the writer saw huge black clouds before him. It was not possible to fly up and over the clouds. He had not much fuel with him. So it was not possible to fly around the big mountains of clouds to the right or left. He decided to take the risk and flew his aeroplane straight into the clouds.

6. How was the writer rescued?

 Ans. The writer flew his aeroplane into the big dark clouds. As he entered the clouds, everything suddenly went black. He found that his compass had ceased to work. He tried to contact the Paris Control for directions. But he was shocked to find that his radio had also stopped working. Suddenly, the writer saw a black aeroplane near him. He could also sec the pilot in it. The pilot waved the writer to follow him. He followed the black aeroplane like an obedient child. Now it was half an hour since the writer had been follow-, the black aeroplane. He was worried because the fuel in his plane could last only five or ten minutes. But just’ then the black aeroplane started to go down and the writer followed it. Suddenly the writer was out of the doods. He could see the lights of the runway of the airport. The writer landed his Dakota aeroplane. In this, may, he was rescued.

7. Why and when did the narrator say that ‘everything was going well it was an easy flight’?

Ans. After the old Dakota left Paris 150 kilometres behind, it enjoyed smooth sailing in the air. Everything was going well. The narrator was enjoying rather an easy flight. The moon was coming up in the east and stars were shining in the clear sky. The aeroplane was flying up above the sleeping countryside. It was flying over France back to England. The narrator was dreaming of his holiday and looking forward to being with his family. He contacted Paris control. He was asked to tum 12 degrees west. He looked at his watch. It was only thirty in the morning. It was only after he had left Paris 150 kilometres behind when he faced the terrible storm clouds. Before this, it was really an enjoyable and safe journey.

8. The narrator had two options of avoiding the terrible storm clouds. Why didn’t he use them? Was his decision of flying straight into storm clouds a sound decision? Give a reasoned answer.

Ans. The narrator could see black mountains of clouds all around him. They were storm clouds. He had two options and by using them he could avoid the terrible storm clouds. He could go back to Paris. He had left Paris 150 kilometres behind. He wanted to go back but the temptation of having an early breakfast at home stopped him. He couldn’t fly up and above the storm clouds either. He didn’t have enough fuel to fly around them to the north or south.

It seems that flying back to Paris would have been the best option in those circumstances. He couldn’t fly north and south of the storm as he hadn’t enough fuel in the second tank. His decision of flying straight into the storm clouds was motivated by his having an early English breakfast with his family. It was rather a bold but risky decision. He would have been in deep trouble, had the pilot of the strange black aeroplane not helped him to safety.

9. Describe the appearance of the strange black aeroplane in the most hopeless situation. How did the pilot of the black aeroplane help the narrator to come out of the storm clouds and land safely?

Ans. The narrator was really in deep trouble. The huge mountains of black clouds were around him. The old Dakota aeroplane was jumping and twisting in the air. His compass was dead. The other instruments were dead too. Nothing worked for him. Even his efforts to contact Paris control failed. The radio was dead too. In such a hopeless situation, the sudden appearance of a mysterious black aeroplane was like God’s sent help for him. There were no lights on the wings of that black aeroplane. The narrator could see the pilot’s face. He was saying “Follow me”. The narrator was totally lost. He thought that the pilot was trying to help him. So he followed the black aeroplane like an obedient child. He was frightened as he had fuel enough to last for five or ten minutes. Suddenly, he came out of the clouds. He saw two long straight lines of lights in front of him. It was a runway. “An airport!” he cried. He was out of danger and could land safely. He turned to look for his rescuer in the black aeroplane, but the sky was empty.

10. Who was the rescuer in the strange black aeroplane? Did the lady in the control room help the narrator in knowing anything about the man who helped him to land safely?

Ans. Who saved the narrator when he had lost all contacts on the radio with Paris control? Who was the pilot of the black aeroplane who helped the narrator to land safely without a compass, without the radio and without much fuel? These questions remained unsolved puzzles. Even the lady in the control room couldn’t detect any other plane on the stormy night other than the old Dakota on the radar. The mysterious pilot of the black aeroplane was like God’s help sent to the narrator to land safely. The narrator was in real trouble before the mysterious black aeroplane appeared near him. He was lost among the mountains of black clouds in front of him. To make things worse his compass became dead. The other instruments became dead too. He couldn’t contact Paris control as the radio was dead too. God knows what would have been his condition, had the pilot of the black aeroplane not guided him out of storm clouds to safety.