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Question
What are some of the things we come to know about otters from this text?
Solution
Otters belong to a comparatively small group of animals called Mustellines, shared by the badger, mongoose, weasel, stoat, mink and others. Maxwell’s otter was of a race previously unknown to science and was at length named by zoologists Lutrogale perspicillata maxwelli or Maxwell’s otter. They are found in large numbers in marshes. They are often tamed by the Arabs. It is characteristic of otters that every drop of water must be extended and spread about the place; a bowl must at once be overturned, or, if it would not be overturned, be sat in and splashed in until it overflowed. For them, water must be kept on the move. Otters love playing various games, especially with a ball.
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RELATED QUESTIONS
What ‘experiment’ did Maxwell think Camusfearna would be suitable for?
Why does he go to Basra? How long does he wait there, and why?
How does he get the otter? Does he like it? Pick out the words that tell you this.
Why was the otter named ‘Maxwell’s otter’?
Tick the right answer. In the beginning, the otter was
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aloof and indifferent
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friendly
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hostile
What happened when Maxwell took Mijbil to the bathroom? What did it do two days after that?
How was Mij to be transported to England?
What did Mij do to the box?
Why did Maxwell put the otter back in the box? How do you think he felt when he did this?
Why does Maxwell say the airhostess was “the very queen of her kind”?
Attempt the following question in 100 – 150 words.
What things does Mij do which tell you that he is an intelligent, friendly and fun-loving animal who needs love?
What game had Mij invented?
Mijbil and the Tiger, both were looked after by humans. Assume they both meet each other in the zoo and have a conversation about their lifestyle and feelings. Write this conversation as per your understanding of Mijbil the Otter and A Tiger in the Zoo.
[You may begin like this
Tiger: Thanks for visiting me, though I don’t usually like visitors.
Mijbil: Oh? I would love visitors, I think.]
Read the following extract and answer the questions:
| For the first twenty-four hours, Mijbil was neither hostile nor friendly; he was simply aloof and indifferent, choosing to sleep on the floor as far from my bed as possible. The second night Mijbil came on to my bed in the small hours and remained asleep in the crook of my knees until the servant brought tea in the morning, and during the day he began to lose his apathy and take a keen, much too keen, interest in his surroundings. I made a body-belt for him and took him on a lead to the bathroom, where for half an hour he went wild with joy in the water. |
- Which of the following is not a reason why Mijbil came onto Maxwell’s bed in the small hours? (1)
- He had started taking interest in his surroundings.
- He was becoming friendly with Maxwell.
- He wanted to play with Maxwell on his bed.
- He wanted to feel safe and not remain indifferent.
- Maxwell says that Mijbil was neither hostile nor friendly, he was simply aloof and indifferent for the first twenty-four hours. Give reasons in not more than 40 words. (2)
- Read the following descriptions (A) - (D) and identify which one correctly corresponds to the extract. (1)
- Owning a pet is tedious and needs commitment.
- A pet needs his own space and time to get adjusted to his owner’s environment.
- Maxwell decided to bring Mijbil because he was very sad to lose his dog.
- Maxwell and Mijbil loved travelling.
- Which characteristic trait of otters is revealed when Mijbil is taken to the bathroom? (1)
