CBSE Class 9 English (Moments) Important Questions Chapter 2 The Adventures of Toto

1. Where did Grandfather buy Toto from?
Answer: Grandfather bought Toto from a tonga-driver for five rupees.

2. What was Toto's appearance like?
Answer: Toto had bright eyes, pearly white teeth, and a mischievous look. His tail was long and useful, acting as a third hand.

3. Why was Toto kept a secret from Grandmother?
Answer: Grandmother always fussed whenever Grandfather brought home a new animal, so they decided to keep Toto’s presence a secret until she was in a good mood.

4. How did Toto escape from the closet?
Answer: Toto tore off the ornamental wallpaper, pulled the peg from the wall, and shredded the narrator’s blazer to escape from the closet.

5. Why did Grandfather take Toto to Saharanpur?
Answer: Grandfather took Toto to Saharanpur because Toto was too troublesome to be left at home with the other pets.

6. What role did Toto’s tail play in his mischief?
Answer: Toto’s tail acted like a third hand. He used it to hang from branches and scoop up things that were out of reach. His quick hands and mischievous tail allowed him to cause a lot of trouble around the house.

7. What happened when Toto was put in a big black canvas bag?
Answer: Grandfather placed Toto in a big black canvas bag with straw at the bottom to take him to Saharanpur. While inside the bag, Toto tried to escape, causing the bag to move and jump around, attracting the attention of people on the railway platform. Despite his efforts, Toto remained in the bag until they reached Saharanpur.

8. Why did the ticket-collector classify Toto as a dog?
Answer: When Toto poked his head out of the bag at the turnstile, the ticket-collector was startled and classified Toto as a dog, insisting that Grandfather pay three rupees for him. Grandfather's efforts to argue that Toto was a monkey and not a dog were in vain.

9. How did Toto take his bath in the winter?
Answer: Toto enjoyed warm baths in the winter. He would test the water with his hand, gradually step into the tub, and rub himself with soap. After his bath, he would run to the kitchen fire to dry himself. If someone laughed at him during his bath, Toto would refuse to continue.

10. Why did Grandfather eventually sell Toto back to the tonga-driver?
Answer: Grandfather sold Toto back to the tonga-driver because Toto was causing too much damage to the household by tearing clothes, breaking dishes, and destroying wallpaper. They could no longer afford the frequent losses caused by his mischief.

11. Describe Toto’s mischievous nature and the trouble he caused at Grandfather’s house.
Answer: Toto was an extremely mischievous monkey who caused trouble wherever he went. From the moment he arrived at Grandfather’s house, he began tearing things apart, starting with the closet where he was first kept. He ripped off the wallpaper, destroyed the narrator’s school blazer, and refused to let the other animals sleep when placed in the servants' quarters. His mischief continued during his stay, including his adventure with the dish of pullao. Toto not only stuffed himself with the food but threw plates and glasses at the family members who tried to stop him. Finally, he climbed a tree with the dish and, after eating all the rice, deliberately smashed the dish just to annoy Grandmother. Toto's antics were amusing but caused too much damage, which eventually led to his being sold back to the tonga-driver.

12. How does the story highlight Toto’s intelligence and resourcefulness?
Answer: The story highlights Toto’s intelligence and resourcefulness through several incidents. His ability to escape from the closet by pulling out the peg and tearing the wallpaper shows his cleverness. He knew how to test the water temperature before getting into his bath, showing his understanding of comfort. Additionally, Toto could use his tail like a third hand, giving him an advantage in grabbing things and causing trouble. Even at the railway station, his sudden appearance from the bag demonstrated his quick thinking and curiosity. Toto's resourcefulness and quick-witted actions made him a challenge for Grandfather and the household to handle.

13. What lesson does the story 'The Adventures of Toto' teach about keeping wild animals as pets?
Answer: The story teaches that keeping wild animals like Toto as pets can be difficult and impractical, as their natural instincts often lead to destruction and trouble. Despite his charm and intelligence, Toto’s mischievous nature caused damage to the household, including tearing clothes, breaking dishes, and disrupting other pets. The story shows that wild animals are not suited to domestic life and may cause more harm than good. Ultimately, Grandfather’s decision to sell Toto back to the tonga-driver reflects the reality that wild animals, no matter how amusing, are not easy to manage in a home setting.

14. How does Grandfather’s reaction to Toto’s mischief differ from the rest of the family’s reaction?
Answer: Grandfather’s reaction to Toto’s mischief is more tolerant and amused compared to the rest of the family. While Grandmother and the others are often annoyed or frustrated by Toto’s destructive behaviour, Grandfather seems to enjoy his antics and admires his cleverness. For example, when Toto destroyed the closet and tore the narrator’s blazer, Grandfather laughed and praised Toto for his intelligence. Even when Toto threw plates and caused chaos at the dining table, Grandfather found amusement in the situation. This difference in reactions shows that Grandfather had a more adventurous and forgiving attitude towards animals, while the rest of the family struggled to cope with Toto’s behaviour.

15. How does the author use humour to portray Toto’s mischief in the story?
Answer: The author uses humour to portray Toto’s mischief by describing his antics in a light-hearted and exaggerated manner. For example, when Toto escaped from the closet, the author humorously describes how he tore the wallpaper and shredded the school blazer, much to Grandfather’s amusement. The incident with the railway ticket-collector is also comical, as Grandfather tries in vain to argue that Toto is not a dog, only to be charged extra for him. The scene where Toto throws plates and glasses at the family during lunch, followed by his escape into a tree with the dish of pullao, adds to the humour. The author’s playful tone and the exaggerated nature of Toto’s behaviour make the story entertaining and amusing for readers.

16. Why do you think Grandfather was so fond of Toto despite his mischievous behaviour?
Answer: Grandfather was fond of Toto despite his mischievous behaviour because he admired the monkey’s intelligence and playful nature. Unlike the rest of the family, Grandfather had a deep appreciation for animals and enjoyed observing their unique traits. He saw Toto’s antics as a sign of cleverness and resourcefulness rather than trouble. Grandfather's love for animals likely made him more tolerant of Toto’s mischief, and he found humour in the monkey’s actions, even when they caused inconvenience. His fondness for Toto reflects his adventurous spirit and his ability to appreciate the lively, unpredictable nature of animals.

17. Do you think Toto’s mischief was intentional, or was it just part of his natural behaviour? Why?
Answer: Toto’s mischief was likely part of his natural behaviour as a wild animal. Monkeys are known for their curiosity, agility, and playfulness, and Toto’s actions reflect these traits. While some of his behaviour, like throwing plates and climbing trees, might seem deliberate, it was more likely a result of his instincts as a monkey. Toto was simply acting out his nature, exploring his surroundings, and interacting with objects in the only way he knew how. His mischief was not meant to cause harm but was a reflection of his wild and energetic character.

18. What does the story suggest about the challenges of taming wild animals?
Answer: The story suggests that taming wild animals can be challenging because they retain their natural instincts, which often lead to destructive or unpredictable behaviour. Despite Grandfather’s efforts to keep Toto as a pet, the monkey’s wild nature made him difficult to control. Toto’s curiosity and mischievousness caused damage to the house, disrupted other pets, and created chaos during family meals. The story shows that even though wild animals can be entertaining and amusing, they are not easily tamed and may not adapt well to domestic life.

19. How does Toto’s behaviour during the train journey reflect his personality?
Answer: Toto’s behaviour during the train journey reflects his curious and playful personality. Even though he was placed in a closed bag, Toto attempted to escape, causing the bag to jump around on the floor and attract attention. His decision to poke his head out and grin at the ticket-collector shows his mischievous and bold nature. Toto’s actions during the journey highlight his restlessness and his tendency to explore his surroundings, even in confined spaces. His personality is one of curiosity, playfulness, and a desire to be free.

20. Do you think it was right for Grandfather to sell Toto back to the tonga-driver? Why or why not?
Answer: It was likely the right decision for Grandfather to sell Toto back to the tonga-driver, as Toto’s behaviour was becoming too disruptive for the family to manage. Although Grandfather was fond of Toto, the monkey’s mischief was causing significant damage to the house and its contents, and the family could not afford to keep replacing the things Toto destroyed. Additionally, Toto’s wild nature made him unsuitable for domestic life, and he may have been happier in a more natural environment. Selling Toto back to the tonga-driver was a practical solution that allowed the family to restore peace and order to their household.

21. How did Grandmother react when she first found out about Toto?
Answer: Grandmother was initially unaware of Toto's presence because Grandfather and the narrator kept him a secret. When she eventually found out, she accepted Toto, although she was used to fussing whenever Grandfather brought home new animals. Toto’s mischievous behaviour probably made her realise that he wasn’t an ideal pet for the family.

22. Describe the incident with the pullao dish and what it reveals about Toto’s personality.
Answer: During lunch, the family found Toto in the dining room, stuffing himself with rice from a large dish of pullao. When the family tried to stop him, Toto threw a plate at Grandmother and a glass of water at one of the narrator’s aunts. He then escaped with the dish and climbed up a jackfruit tree, where he ate all the rice. After finishing, he spitefully threw the empty dish down and broke it. This incident reveals Toto’s mischievous and defiant personality, as well as his cleverness and enjoyment of causing trouble.

23. What was Toto’s reaction when someone laughed at him while he was bathing?
Answer: Toto was very particular about his bathing routine and didn’t like being laughed at. If anyone laughed at him while he was bathing, his feelings would be hurt, and he would stop bathing altogether. This shows that Toto had a sensitive side and didn’t appreciate being ridiculed, even though he was usually playful and mischievous.

24. What does the story tell us about Grandfather’s love for animals?
Answer: The story demonstrates Grandfather’s deep love for animals and his willingness to take in new and unusual pets, regardless of the challenges they might pose. He appreciated each animal’s unique characteristics and found amusement in their behaviour, even when they caused trouble. Grandfather’s fondness for animals, including Toto, shows his patient, adventurous, and compassionate nature, as he was always willing to provide a home for them, even if it caused inconvenience to the family.

25. What did Toto do when Grandmother gave him a bowl of warm water for his bath?
Answer: When Grandmother gave Toto a bowl of warm water for his bath, he would carefully test the temperature with his hand before stepping in. Once in, he would rub himself with soap, just as he had seen the narrator doing. After his bath, he would run to the kitchen fire to dry himself. Toto clearly enjoyed his baths, and his routine showed that he was observant and clever in imitating human behaviour.

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Conclusion:

The Adventures of Toto from Chapter 2 of Class 9 English Moments is an amusing story that shows how unpredictable and mischievous animals can be. Toto’s antics keep the family on their toes, and the story brings lighthearted humour to the challenges of having a playful pet monkey at home. Vedantu offers a FREE PDF for Important Questions that is relevant to the current syllabus, helping students prepare easily. The PDF is created by subject matter experts, ensuring accuracy and quality, and can be accessed anytime for convenient study sessions.

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