CBSE Class 9 English (Beehive) Important Questions Chapter 5 - The Snake and The Mirror

1. Who narrated the story of the snake and the mirror?
Ans. The story was narrated by a homoeopath doctor.

2. What type of snake coiled itself around the doctor’s arm?
Ans. It was a full-blooded cobra.

3. What was the doctor’s financial situation?
Ans. The doctor had meagre earnings, and he had about sixty rupees in his suitcase.

4. Why did the doctor admire himself in the mirror?
Ans. The doctor admired himself because he wanted to look handsome.

5. What was the doctor’s immediate reaction when the snake landed on his shoulder?
Ans. He froze and did not move.

6. Why was the doctor’s room filled with rats?
Ans. The doctor’s room was a small rented place, and it lacked proper upkeep. There were many rats moving between the beams, indicating that the house was not well-maintained.

7. What important decision did the doctor make while looking into the mirror?
Ans. While looking into the mirror, the doctor decided that he would shave daily, grow a thin moustache, and keep an attractive smile on his face in order to look more handsome.

8. What were the doctor’s thoughts about marriage?
Ans. The doctor thought that he would marry a rich woman doctor who had a good practice. He also wanted her to be fat so that if he ever needed to run away, she would not be able to catch him.

9. What happened when the snake coiled around the doctor’s arm?
Ans. The snake coiled around the doctor’s left arm, spreading its hood just inches from his face. The doctor sat frozen in fear, hardly breathing, as he knew any movement could provoke the snake to strike.

10. What did the snake do after seeing itself in the mirror?
Ans. The snake seemed fascinated by its reflection in the mirror. It slowly unwound itself from the doctor’s arm and slithered onto the table to have a closer look at its reflection.

11. Describe the doctor’s room and his living conditions.
Ans. The doctor’s room was a small rented space that was not electrified. It had a tiled roof supported by gables resting on a beam, and there was no ceiling. The room was often shared with rats, indicating that it was not well-kept. The doctor had only a few belongings: some shirts, dhotis, and a solitary black coat. His earnings were meagre, and he only had about sixty rupees in his suitcase. The room’s simple and poorly maintained condition reflected his early struggles in setting up a medical practice.

12. hat happened when the doctor sat down to read, and how did he react?
Ans. When the doctor sat down to read the book "Materia Medica" at the table, he noticed a dull thud, like something had fallen behind him. As he turned around, a fat snake wriggled over the back of his chair and landed on his shoulder. The doctor did not jump, cry out, or move at all; instead, he froze and stayed completely still. He was terrified and felt as if he had turned to stone. He was fully aware that any movement could lead to the snake biting him.

13. How did the doctor experience the presence of God during the incident?
Ans. When the snake coiled around the doctor’s arm, he felt completely helpless. He imagined the presence of God and realised that his life was in the hands of a higher power. He prayed silently, thinking of God, and felt that it was only by divine intervention that he could be saved. The doctor’s inner thoughts showed his belief in a supreme being who could control his fate during this moment of crisis.

14. What role did humour play in the story of "The Snake and the Mirror"?
Ans. Humour played an important role in making the story engaging and light-hearted, despite its serious and potentially dangerous situation. The doctor’s thoughts about his appearance, his desire to marry a rich and fat woman so he could escape easily if needed, and his admiration for his own smile all added elements of humour. Even during the tense moment when the snake coiled around his arm, the doctor imagined the snake admiring itself in the mirror, wondering if it wanted to grow a moustache or use makeup. The humorous reflections of the doctor helped to lighten the otherwise tense and frightening situation.

15. How did the doctor’s view of himself change after the snake incident?
Ans. Before the snake incident, the doctor was quite vain. He admired his own looks, believed in keeping a handsome appearance, and even made plans to grow a moustache and keep an attractive smile. However, after the snake incident, his attitude changed drastically. He realised how foolish and helpless he could be, especially when faced with real danger. His vanity seemed insignificant when he was confronted with the possibility of death. The incident humbled him, making him reflect on the unpredictability of life.

16. Why do you think the doctor stayed completely still when the snake coiled around his arm?
Ans. The doctor stayed completely still because he understood that any movement might provoke the snake to strike. The fear of being bitten by the cobra made him freeze, as he realised that his safety depended on remaining calm and not alarming the snake.

17. What does the snake’s fascination with the mirror signify in the story?
Ans. The snake’s fascination with the mirror could signify the theme of vanity that runs throughout the story. Just as the doctor was admiring himself in the mirror, the snake seemed to be captivated by its own reflection. This parallel could be a reminder of the vanity that the doctor exhibited earlier and how, in the end, both man and animal could be drawn to their own image.

18. How does the story "The Snake and the Mirror" highlight the unpredictability of life?
Ans. The story highlights the unpredictability of life through the sudden appearance of the snake. The doctor was sitting comfortably, admiring himself, and making future plans when, without warning, a dangerous snake coiled around his arm. This sudden shift from comfort to a life-threatening situation shows how quickly circumstances can change, reminding us that life is full of unexpected events.

19. Why did the doctor want to marry a fat woman? What does this reveal about his character?
Ans. The doctor wanted to marry a fat woman so that if he ever needed to run away after making a mistake, she would not be able to catch him. This reveals his playful, somewhat immature nature, and also shows his humorous approach to life. He seemed to have an unrealistic and funny way of planning for his future, which added a light-hearted element to his character.

20. What message can we learn from the doctor’s experience with the snake?
Ans. The doctor’s experience with the snake teaches us about the importance of staying calm in dangerous situations. Panicking might have led to his death, but his ability to remain still helped him survive. It also shows that vanity and pride can be meaningless in the face of real danger, reminding us to stay humble and grounded.

21. How did the doctor feel when he first heard the noise from above?
Ans. When the doctor first heard the noise from above, he felt that it was just the rats moving about, as he was used to sharing his room with them.

22. What was the doctor’s first thought when the snake landed on him?
Ans. The doctor’s first thought was to stay completely still, as he knew that any sudden movement could make the snake bite him.

23. Why did the doctor smile at himself during the snake incident?
Ans. The doctor smiled at himself because he realised how foolish he was to be vain and proud when, at that moment, he was helpless in front of the snake. It was a smile born out of self-realisation and irony.

24. What did the doctor do immediately after the snake left his arm?
Ans. After the snake left his arm and moved towards the mirror, the doctor slowly got up from the chair, moved quietly to the veranda, and then ran as fast as he could to escape.

25. What humorous incident did the doctor share about the thief?
Ans. The doctor shared that when he returned to his room the next day with his friends, he found that a thief had stolen most of his belongings, but had left behind his dirty vest. The doctor joked about the thief having a sense of cleanliness, which added a humorous touch to the story.

Benefits of Important Questions for Class 9 English (Beehive) Chapter 5 - The Snake and the Mirror

• Comprehensive Coverage: The PDF provides a curated list of questions covering all key aspects of the chapter, helping students focus on important concepts.

• Time-Saving: Pre-selected important questions save students' time by eliminating the need to sift through the textbook for potential exam questions.

• Exam-Oriented Preparation: The questions are aligned with exam patterns, ensuring students practice questions likely to appear in assessments.

• Improved Understanding: By addressing various question types (short, long, and analytical), the PDF aids in a deeper comprehension of the text.

• Structured Learning: The PDF organizes questions systematically, making it easier for students to study and revise.

Conclusion:

The Snake and the Mirror" in Class 9 English (Beehive) is an amusing yet tense story about a doctor's sudden encounter with a cobra. The doctor's calmness and the snake's unexpected behaviour make the story both thrilling and funny. It also shows how quickly life can change, teaching us to stay calm in difficult situations and find humour even in scary moments. Vedantu’s important questions FREE PDF for this chapter helps students understand the key events and themes, making exam preparation easier. They are provided by experienced master teachers and you can be sure about the accuracy of the answers provided.

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