CBSE Class 9 English (Beehive) Important Questions Chapter 3 - The Little Girl

1. Who is the author of the chapter "The Little Girl"?
Ans. The author is Katherine Mansfield.

2. What was Kezia’s father like to her?
Ans. To Kezia, her father was a figure to be feared and avoided.

3. What did Kezia make for her father’s birthday?
Ans. Kezia made a pin-cushion for her father’s birthday.

4. Who asked Kezia to make something for her father’s birthday?
Ans. Kezia’s grandmother asked her to make a gift.

5. What did Kezia use to fill the pin-cushion?
Ans. Kezia used her father's important papers to fill the pin-cushion.

6. Why was Kezia afraid of her father?
Ans. Kezia was afraid of her father because he was strict, spoke to her in a harsh tone, and always seemed displeased with her. He was a large man with a stern look, which intimidated her.

7. How did Kezia’s father react when he found out about his torn speech papers?
Ans. When Kezia's father found out that his important speech papers were torn and used to fill the pin-cushion, he was furious. He scolded Kezia and punished her by hitting her palms with a ruler.

8. What was Kezia’s experience during her father’s punishment?
Ans. Kezia was terrified during her father’s punishment. She cried and felt hurt, both physically and emotionally. She couldn't understand why her father was so angry, especially since she had only intended to make him a nice gift.

9. What did Kezia think about her father after seeing the Macdonalds?
Ans. After seeing the Macdonalds play joyfully together, Kezia felt that her father was very different. She thought that other fathers were kinder and more fun compared to her strict and stern father.

10. Why did Kezia’s feelings towards her father change in the end?
Ans. Kezia's feelings towards her father changed when he comforted her during a nightmare. She realised that her father loved her, even if he did not always show it in a gentle way.

11. Describe Kezia’s relationship with her father in the beginning of the story.
Ans. At the beginning of the story, Kezia’s relationship with her father was distant and filled with fear. She was scared of him and tried to avoid him as much as possible. He was strict and spoke to her harshly, which made her nervous. Kezia felt relieved whenever he left for work and dreaded his return in the evenings. She stuttered when talking to him because she was so afraid of his stern appearance and commanding presence. Overall, she saw him as a figure to be feared rather than loved.

12. What incident led Kezia to make a pin-cushion for her father, and how did it go wrong?
Ans. Kezia’s grandmother suggested that she make a pin-cushion for her father’s birthday as a special gift. Kezia worked hard on stitching the pin-cushion, but she needed something to fill it. She found some sheets of paper in her mother’s room and tore them into tiny pieces to use as stuffing. Unfortunately, those papers were her father's important speech for the Port Authority. When he found out, he was extremely angry, and as a result, he punished Kezia by hitting her palms with a ruler. Kezia was very upset, as she had only wanted to do something nice for her father.

13. How did the interaction with the Macdonald family influence Kezia’s view of her father?
Ans. The Macdonald family lived next door, and Kezia often watched them play together. She saw Mr. Macdonald laughing and playing with his children, carrying them on his shoulders, and being affectionate. This made Kezia realise that not all fathers were as strict as hers. She wished her father could be more like Mr. Macdonald—kind and playful. The contrast made her feel even more distant from her father, as she thought he was incapable of showing love in a similar way.

14. What changed Kezia’s perception of her father by the end of the story?
Ans. Kezia’s perception of her father changed when her mother and grandmother were away, and she had a nightmare. Her father came to her room, comforted her, and took her to his own bed. He lay beside her until she felt safe. For the first time, she felt his warmth and realised that he did care for her, even if he did not always show it openly. She understood that her father was tired from work and that his strict behaviour did not mean he did not love her. This incident helped Kezia see her father in a new light, as someone who had a "big heart" and could be loving and protective.

15. How does the story “The Little Girl” show the complexity of a parent-child relationship?
Ans. The story “The Little Girl” highlights the complexity of the relationship between Kezia and her father. At first, Kezia sees her father as a strict, authoritarian figure who is always displeased with her. She fears him and feels no warmth from him. However, as the story progresses, it becomes clear that her father loves her but has difficulty expressing it. The punishment incident creates a rift between them, but later, when he comforts her during her nightmare, Kezia realises that he cares deeply for her. This shift in understanding shows how sometimes parents may seem harsh, but their actions are often rooted in love and concern. The story illustrates that misunderstandings can occur, but genuine moments of care can bridge the gap in relationships.

16. Why do you think Kezia’s father was so strict with her?
Ans. Kezia’s father was likely strict because he believed in discipline and wanted to raise his daughter to be responsible. He might have been unaware of how intimidating he appeared to Kezia, focusing instead on his role as a provider and authority figure. His stern nature could also have been a result of his own upbringing or the pressures he faced in his work life.

17. How does the story reflect the difference between appearance and reality in relationships?
Ans. The story reflects the difference between appearance and reality by showing that Kezia’s father, who seemed harsh and unapproachable, was actually caring and loving. To Kezia, his stern exterior made him seem unkind, but in reality, he deeply cared for her, as shown when he comforted her during her nightmare. The story suggests that people’s true feelings may not always match their outward behaviour.

18. What role does the grandmother play in Kezia's life, and how does it affect her relationship with her father?
Ans. The grandmother plays a nurturing and supportive role in Kezia's life, providing her with the affection that she does not receive from her father. The grandmother’s warmth contrasts with the father’s strictness, which makes Kezia even more fearful of her father. However, the grandmother also tries to bridge the gap between Kezia and her father, encouraging Kezia to interact with him more, such as making the birthday gift. Her efforts ultimately help Kezia see her father in a new light.

19. How does the author use the character of Mr. Macdonald to highlight Kezia’s feelings towards her father?
Ans. The author uses Mr. Macdonald as a contrast to Kezia's father. Mr. Macdonald is playful, affectionate, and open with his children, which makes Kezia realise that fathers can be loving and fun. This comparison highlights Kezia’s dissatisfaction with her own father, who is strict and distant. By showing the difference, the author makes Kezia’s longing for a warmer relationship with her father more evident.

20. Do you think Kezia’s father realised how scared she was of him? Why or why not?
Ans. It is unlikely that Kezia’s father fully realised how scared she was of him. He seemed focused on discipline and might not have noticed how his behaviour affected her emotionally. However, when he comforted her during her nightmare, he may have started to understand her fears, which is why he spoke gently to her and let her sleep beside him. This moment suggests that he did care for her, even if he hadn’t understood her feelings before.

21. What did Kezia’s father do when she had a nightmare?
Ans. When Kezia had a nightmare, her father came to her room, picked her up, and took her to his bed. He comforted her and stayed with her until she felt safe.

22. Why did Kezia stutter when talking to her father?
Ans. Kezia stuttered when talking to her father because she was nervous and scared of him. His stern and harsh behaviour made her feel anxious, which caused her to stutter.

23. What was Kezia’s reaction when her father punished her for tearing up the speech papers?
Ans. Kezia was terrified and deeply upset when her father punished her. She cried and felt very hurt, both physically and emotionally, because she had only wanted to make a nice gift for his birthday.

24. Why did Kezia’s father take her into his bed after her nightmare?
Ans. Kezia’s father took her into his bed after her nightmare to comfort her. He wanted her to feel safe and protected, which made Kezia realise that her father could be caring and gentle.

25. What did Kezia think about her father’s hands and his size?
Ans. Kezia thought her father’s hands and size were intimidating. His large hands and stern expression made her think of him as a giant, which added to her fear of him.

Benefits of Important Questions for Class 9 English Chapter 3 

• The PDF compiles key questions, allowing students to focus on crucial areas of the chapter, saving time and effort in identifying important topics.

• Questions are curated based on exam patterns and trends, ensuring students practice what is most likely to appear in assessments.

• Detailed solutions provided in the PDF guide students on structuring their answers effectively, which is crucial for scoring well in English.

• Being a PDF format, it is easily downloadable and accessible, enabling students to study anytime and anywhere.

• Familiarity with these questions helps students estimate how to allocate their time while answering similar questions in an exam setting.

Conclusion:

"The Little Girl" in Class 9 English (Beehive) is a touching story about Kezia and her changing feelings towards her father. At first, she fears him because of his strict nature, but as the story progresses, she realises that he truly cares for her, even though he doesn’t always show it openly. The story highlights how parents’ love is often misunderstood by children. Vedantu’s important questions FREE PDF for this chapter helps students prepare well by focusing on the main ideas and themes, ensuring a clear understanding of the story. The PDF can be accessed offline and ensures that the questions and answers given, are relevant to the latest syllabus.

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