Welcome aboard, fellow Class 10 English explorers! Today, we're embarking on an exhilarating journey through Chapter 9 of our "Footprints without Feet" textbook, penned by the talented author Claire Boiko. Strap in as we delve into the captivating world of "The Book that Saved the Earth" and unravel its mysteries. In this blog post, we'll not only navigate through the chapter's key concepts but also unearth some extra questions and answers to deepen our understanding. Plus, stay tuned till the end to discover where you can grab a PDF copy for further exploration. So, fasten your seatbelts and get ready to blast off with us into the realm of important questions and answers!
| Subject | English Language & Literature |
| Class | 10 |
| Board | CBSE |
| Chapter Name | The Book that Saved the Earth |
| Type | Important/Extra Questions and Answers |
| Session | 2024-25 |
| Book Name | Footprints without Feet |
| Literature | Play written by Claire Boiko |
"Change is the law of the Universe. You can be a millionaire or a beggar in a moment."
The Book That Saved the Earth Class 10 Important Questions Answers
Q. No. 1) Multiple Choice Questions based on an extract
THINK-TANK: Mirror, mirror, in my hand. Who is the most fantastically intellectually gifted being in the land?
OFFSTAGE VOICE: (after a pause) You, sir. THINK -TANK: (smacking mirror) Quicker. Answer quicker next time. I hate a slow mirror. (He admires himself in the mirror.) Ah, there I am. Are we Martians not a handsome race? So much more attractive than those ugly Earthlings with their tiny heads. Noodle, you keep on exercising your mind, and someday you’ll have a balloon brain just like mine.
NOODLE: Oh, I hope so, Mighty Think-Tank. I hope so.
THINK -TANK: Now, contact the space probe. I want to invade that primitive ball of mud called Earth before lunch.
NOODLE: It shall be done, sir. (He adjusts levers on switchboard. Electronic buzzes and beeps are heard as the curtains open.)
i. Choose the option that lists the most appropriate meaning of think-tank from those given below.
a) A tank that helps you think deeper than an average person, if you use its contents regularly.
b) Non-stop flow of ideas from a fixed source about one particular issue.
c) A pool of ideas and solutions to various problems via an individual, group or organisation.
d) A method by way of which people think collectively to identify stray thoughts among them.
Ans. Option (c)
ii. “Mirror, mirror, in my hand. Who is the most fantastically intellectually gifted being in the land?”
Choose the option that lists the genre having the original reference to the above lines.
a) Biography
b) Science-fiction
c) Mystery
d) Fairy tale
Ans. Option (d)
iii. Choose the option that correctly categorizes the phrase “(after a pause)” based on the dialogue given above.
a) aside
b) stage direction
c) narration
d) setting
Ans. Option (b)
iv. Choose the option that gives you fits the example of an irony from the ones given below.
a) “Who is the most fantastically intellectually gifted being in the land?”
b) “I hate a slow mirror.”
c) “Noodle, you keep on exercising your mind, and someday you’ll have a balloon brain just like mine."
d) “I want to invade that primitive ball of mud called Earth before lunch.”
Ans. Option (c)
v. Choose the option that includes the display of ‘smacking’ as used in the extract.
a) Option (1)
b) Option (2)
c) Option (3)
d) Option (4)
Ans. Option (d)
Q. No. 2) Multiple Choice Questions based on an extract
OOP: I haven’t a clue. I’ve been to seven galaxies, but I’ve never seen anything like this. Maybe they’re hats. (He opens a book and puts it on his head.) Say, maybe this is a haberdashery!
OMEGA: (bowing low) Perhaps the Great and Mighty Think-Tank will give us the benefit of his thought on the matter.
THINK-TANK: Elementary, my dear Omega. Hold one of the items up so that I may view it closely. (Omega holds a book on the palm of her hand.) Yes, yes, I understand now. Since Earth creatures are always eating, the place in which you find yourselves is undoubtedly a crude refreshment stand.
OMEGA: (to Iota and Oop) He says we’re in a refreshment stand.
OOP: Well, the Earthlings certainly have a strange diet.
i. Why did Omega bow low before Think-Tank?
a) As a mark of respect and recognition of supremacy.
b) To flatter and appease the character.
c) As a sign of submission and understanding of his strength.
d) To curry favour and goodwill from the character.
Ans. Option (a)
ii. Choose the option that associates the person to a haberdashery.
a) Jagdeep is a primary school teacher who teaches English.
b) Tanishq is a tailor who makes garments for men only.
c) Falguni is a chemist who manufactures her own medicine.
d) Asma is an engineer who works on designing space stations.
Ans. Option (b)
iii. Choose the option that explains what Think-Tank meant by saying Elementary, my dear Omega.
a) “It’s simple general knowledge, Omega.”
b) “It’s something that a primary school person won’t understand, Omega.”
c) “It’s quite obviously deducible, Omega”
d) “It’s a little more than complicated, Omega.”
Ans. Option (c)
iv. The quality of being crude has been allotted to the refreshment stand because
a) Earthlings have bad eating habits according to Think-Tank.
b) the temperature of the refreshment stand was too high.
c) the refreshment stands are responsible for poor health of the Earthlings.
d) it produces food that is unrefined and unprocessed in nature.
Ans. Option (d)
v. Earth inhabitants are Earthlings and those from Mars are Martians, what are the inhabitants of Venus ddressed as in most sci-fi stories?
a)Venusites
b) Venatians
c) Venings
d) Venusians
Ans. Option (d)
Q. No. 3) Read the extract given and answer the questions
THINK-TANK: Mirror, mirror, in my hand. Who is the most fantastically intellectually gifted being in the land?
OFFSTAGE VOICE: (after a pause) You, sir.
THINK -TANK: (smacking mirror) Quicker. Answer quicker next time. I hate a slow mirror. (He admires himself in the mirror.) Ah, there I am. Are we Martians not a handsome race? So much more attractive than those ugly Earthlings with their tiny heads. Noodle, you keep on exercising your mind, and someday you’ll have a balloon brain just like mine.
NOODLE: Oh, I hope so, Mighty Think-Tank. I hope so.
THINK -TANK: Now, contact the space probe. I want to invade that primitive ball of mud called Earth before lunch.
NOODLE: It shall be done, sir. (He adjusts levers on switchboard. Electronic buzzes and beeps are heard as the curtains open.)
(The Book that Saved the Earth)
i. What does Think-Tank's interaction with the mirror reveal about his attitude towards intelligence and appearance?
Ans. Think-Tank's interaction with the mirror reflects his extreme arrogance. He seeks confirmation of his intellectual superiority and places high value on physical appearance. His contempt for Earthlings and admiration for Martian aesthetics show a superiority complex rooted in intelligence and appearance.
ii. State whether TRUE or FALSE.
Noodle's hopeful response to Think-Tank's comment lends an insight into the rich heritage and culture of the Martian society.
Ans. FALSE. [Noodle's hopeful response to Think-Tank's comment suggests more about the influence of Think-Tank's mindset on Martian society rather than providing insight into the richness of Martian heritage and culture. It highlights a culture that idealises intellectual arrogance rather than showcasing the depth of Martian cultural values.]
iii. Select the appropriate option to fill in the blank.
The desire to conquer a "primitive ball of mud" reflects a ________mindset.
a. diplomatic
b. colonial
c. conciliatory
d. democratic
Ans. Option (b) [Because of Think-Tank's eagerness to invade Earth. This eagerness is rooted in imperialism and the disregard for the autonomy of another civilization.]
iv. The playwright's decision to put certain content in brackets serves the purpose of _____________.
Ans. … guiding the performance and production aspects of the play / providing stage directions [intended for the actors, directors, or production team rather than the audience]
Q. No. 4) Read the given extract and answer the questions given.
OMEGA: It shall be done, Sir. Remove vitamins. (Crew takes vitamins from boxes on their belts.) Present vitamins.
(They hold vitamins out in front of them, stiffly.) Swallow vitamins. (They pop the vitamins into their mouths and gulp simultaneously. They open their eyes wide, their heads shake, and they put their hands to their foreheads.)
THINK-TANK: Excellent. Now, decipher that code.
ALL: It shall be done, Sir. (They frown over the book, turning pages.)
OMEGA: (brightly) Aha!
IOTA: (brightly) Oho!
OOP: (bursting into laughter) Ha, ha, ha.
THINK-TANK: What does it say? Tell me this instant. Transcribe, Omega.
(The Book that Saved the Earth)
i. Select the option that correctly captures the usage of the word ‘present’ from line 1 of the extract.
a. Oops received a nice present from Think Tank.
b. Iota needs to present his opinion firmly.
c. Omega must focus on the present and leave the past behind.
d. Oops didn’t know anyone even though a crowd was present.
Ans. Option (b)
ii. Complete the analogy by selecting the suitable word from the text
frown: smile:: gloomily: _____.
Ans. frown: smile: gloomily: brightly
iii. Select the option that displays the reason why all crew members were asked to have vitamins.
In order to –
a. boost their physical energies.
b. adapt to their circumstances.
c. quickly turn all the pages.
d. accomplish a specific task.
Ans. Option (d)
iv. According to the extract, what did THINK-TANK most likely want OMEGA to do when he said ‘Transcribe…’?
- read aloud
- translate
- make notes
- Interpret
- record reactions
Select the correct option.
a. 1 & 3
b. 2 & 4
c. Only 3
d. 1, 4 and 5
Ans. Option (b)
v. The playwright places certain words and sentences in brackets in the given extract.
List any ways these benefit both the director and actors.
- i) _____
- ii) _____
Ans.
- i) Guides the director in staging the play: The words and sentences in brackets provide stage directions, helping the director decide on character movements, gestures, tone, and overall stage setup.
- ii) Helps actors understand emotions and actions: Brackets offer insights into how the actors should deliver their lines or react, ensuring the intended mood, expressions, and character traits are portrayed effectively.
Q. No. 5) The 20th century is referred to as the ‘Era of the Book’. Comment briefly.
Ans. The 20th century is often referred to as the 'Era of the Book' due to the widespread popularity and influence of printed literature during this time. Books served as primary sources of knowledge, entertainment, and communication, shaping cultural and intellectual landscapes globally.
Q. No. 6) Think-Tank assumes that the Earthlings are after him. Give any two reasons for the same.
Ans. Think-Tank assumes that the Earthlings are after him for the following reasons:
- Misinterpretation of "Humpty Dumpty": When the Martians read the nursery rhyme Humpty Dumpty, Think-Tank sees the picture of Humpty Dumpty and notices its resemblance to himself. He interprets the line "had a great fall" as a warning of Earthlings planning to overthrow him and Mars Central Control.
- Fear of Earthlings' Advancements: Think-Tank believes Earthlings have achieved advanced civilization, combining agriculture and mining, training animals for music and space travel, and possessing a sense of humor. This makes him paranoid that they are preparing an attack on Mars.
Q. No. 7) Describe briefly how the Martians reach upon the correct application of the book.
Ans. The Martians initially misunderstand the purpose of the book, thinking it is a sandwich for eating or a communication device. After their failed attempts to eat and "listen" to it, Noodle recalls that Earthlings "watch" the book. Following this hint, Think-Tank orders the crew to open the book and examine it. They discover lines, squiggles, and dots alongside pictures, realizing it contains coded information. Think-Tank then commands them to decipher the "code," which leads to their humorous misinterpretation of nursery rhymes, ultimately changing the course of their mission.
Q. No. 8) Give any two reasons for Oop's breaking into laughter on reading the first nursery rhyme.
Ans. Oop breaks into laughter upon reading the first nursery rhyme because it describes a cow jumping over the moon, which is absurd to him as there are no cows or moons on Mars. Additionally, the rhythmic nature of the rhyme amuses him.
Q. No. 9) Based on 'The Book That Saved the Earth', state how jumping to conclusions had an unintended consequence for the Martians.
Ans. In "The Book That Saved the Earth", the Martians, led by Think-Tank, jump to absurd conclusions about Earth's nursery rhymes, misinterpreting them as evidence of Earth's advanced technology and warfare capabilities. For example, they believe Earthlings can grow explosives and rare metals and train animals for space travel. This fear leads Think-Tank to cancel the invasion of Earth and flee to Alpha Centauri, showcasing how their hasty assumptions caused unnecessary panic and retreat.
Q. No. 10) Mention any two points of differences between Earthlings and Martians in the 20th century.
Ans.
- Intelligence and Interpretation: Earthlings are shown as intelligent beings capable of using books for knowledge, while Martians, like Think-Tank, misinterpret books as sandwiches or coded communication devices.
- Technological Understanding: Martians have advanced space technology but lack a basic understanding of Earth's culture and objects, such as books and nursery rhymes. Earthlings, on the other hand, possess practical knowledge about their own world.
Q. No. 11) Martians were never able to bring themselves to read the book Mother Goose. Discuss why the Historian said so.
Ans. The Historian suggests that Martians were never able to bring themselves to read the book Mother Goose because it symbolizes their defeat and embarrassment from their failed invasion of Earth. The nursery rhymes within the book served as a reminder of their thwarted plans, making it difficult for them to engage with its contents.
Q. No. 12) Do you think that the names ‘Think Tank’ and ‘Noodle’ replicate the attributes of the two characters? Justify your answer with reference to the chapter "The Book that Saved the Earth".
Ans. Yes, the names ‘Think-Tank’ and ‘Noodle’ appropriately reflect the attributes of the two characters in "The Book That Saved the Earth".
- Think-Tank: The name suggests intelligence and authority, but ironically, Think-Tank is arrogant, overconfident, and lacks real understanding. He jumps to absurd conclusions, like believing nursery rhymes are codes for Earthlings' advanced technologies. His name highlights the satire of his character—he is not as wise as his title suggests.
- Noodle: The name implies flexibility and resourcefulness, which matches his character. Noodle is calm, intelligent, and provides logical advice, often preventing Think-Tank from making rash decisions. For example, he tactfully suggests using vitamins to "decode" the book and avoids directly contradicting Think-Tank’s ego.
Q. No. 13) Elaborate on the quality of a book that saves the planet Earth.
Ans. The quality of the book that saves the planet Earth lies in its ability to rewrite history. By altering events through the pages of the book, the Martians prevent their invasion of Earth and subsequently save the planet from destruction. Thus, the book possesses the extraordinary power to change the course of human history for the better.
Q. No. 14) Noodle avoids offending Think-Tank but at the same time he corrects his mistakes. How does he manage to do that?
Ans. Noodle uses polite and respectful language to address Think-Tank’s errors. Instead of directly pointing out mistakes, he carefully phrases his suggestions as minor clarifications or supportive ideas. For example, he starts sentences with phrases like "Forgive me, your Cleverness" or "May I suggest?" This allows him to correct Think-Tank without challenging his authority or hurting his ego.
Q. No. 15) If you were in Noodle’s place, how would you handle Think-Tank’s mistakes?
Ans. If I were in Noodle’s place, I would adopt a similar approach. I would acknowledge Think-Tank's intelligence first, perhaps by saying, "Your idea is brilliant, but may I add something to make it even better?" I would focus on presenting corrections as enhancements rather than criticism, ensuring that Think-Tank feels respected and appreciated while being subtly guided toward the right conclusion.
Q. No. 16) The play suggests that 20th century was the ‘Era of the Book’. With that reference, what would you like to call the era of the 21st century? What role does that object/concept play in the lives of human beings?
Ans. In light of the digitization and technological advancements of the 21st century, it could be aptly termed as the 'Digital Era'. In this era, the role of digital devices such as smartphones, computers, and the internet has become paramount in the lives of human beings. These tools facilitate instant access to information, communication, entertainment, and various services. Moreover, digital platforms have reshaped industries, education, healthcare, and social interactions. Thus, the 'Digital Era' symbolizes the pervasive influence of technology and its transformative impact on how individuals navigate and interact with the world around them.
Q. No. 17) At the end of the play one is told that five centuries later Noodle has acquired the position of Think- Tank. Through your understanding of both the characters, pen down the account of events that could have led to ThinkTank’s replacement by Noodle.
Ans. The replacement of Think-Tank by Noodle likely occurred due to the differences in their approaches and qualities. While Think-Tank was cunning and strategic, his plans ultimately failed, leading to the Martians' defeat. Noodle, on the other hand, may have demonstrated a more diplomatic and cooperative attitude towards Earthlings, fostering better relations and possibly negotiating treaties beneficial to both planets. Noodle's cleverness, adaptability, and willingness to learn from past mistakes could have earned him the trust and respect of both Martians and Earthlings, ultimately leading to his ascent to the position of leadership previously held by Think-Tank. Thus, Noodle's leadership may have heralded a new era of peace and cooperation between Mars and Earth.
Hope you liked these Important (extra) Questions & Answers on Class 10 English Footprints without Feet Book Story 'The Book that Saved the Earth' by Claire Boiko. Please share this with your friends and do comment if you have any doubts/suggestions to share.