Sunday 5 May 2019

Clearing in the Sky questions and answers




1. Why did not the old man follow the advice of the doctors?
The old man did not follow the advice of his doctors because he had to raise his family. He had to support them financially. He had iron will-power and a strong faith in God. Nobody was there to take care of his family. He did not care if it was extreme cold or heat. Once he made his decision, he stuck to it even if he had to crawl.
2. What had the doctors told the old man?
The doctors had told the old man to stop work and sit at home comfortably and enjoy the remaining few days of his life with his family. They did not give him long to live. He was a heart patient.They also stopped him from walking on foot. But, he proved them wrong. He cheated death many times. He was a man of strong determination and will-power.
3. Where did the old man take his son?
The old man took his son to the top of the mountain where he had planted his secret garden. It was a very difficult and rough area. It was a real feat to cultivate this barren and hilly area. The old man wanted to give his son a surprise. The son was amazed to see this secret garden. He was much impressed with the hard work of his father.
4. Had the son ever been there before?
The son had been over there many times with the exception of the last three years. He spent his childhood to youth days visiting this vast area.He had many unforgettable memories of this land. He cherished these memories and moments when he used to come here with his parents.
5. What were the names of the vegetables the old man grew on his form?
The old man grew potatoes, tomatoes and yams on his new farm. These vegetables were better flavoured in the new and rich land. The old man had tried every kind of land but this new land was unique and fertile. So, the taste of these vegetables was matchless and incredible.
6. Why did the old man take the steep path?
The old man took the steep path to check his physical fitness and health. He was a heart patient. He could not go straight up to the mountain. He made steep paths to climb the mountain easily and comfortably. It showed his strong stamina and will-power. He was a lover of nature. He did not hesitate to do hard work which added to his health and strength.
7. Why did the son at the age of six cry?
The son at the age of six cried because he had lost his wooden plough. He loved his wooden plough very much. His father made another plough for him. But, he did not love it as much as he loved the first one. It was very amazing of the writer that he still remembered this incident which showed his innocent memory.
8. What were the feelings of the old man at the age of seventy?
The old man at the age of seventy was still confident and courageous.He was a man of strong will-power and stamina. He was cheerful and lively. He could still cover long distances on foot and climb the mountain top. He was full of strength and energy.
9. Why had the old man planted his secret garden?
The old man had planted his secret garden in the new and rich land because anything grown in this land had better flavour. It had a special fragrance. He also wanted to give his son a surprise. He was a lover of nature and he knew the amazing qualities of the new land. Its charm attracted the old man to come and clear it. That is why he had planted his secret garden over there.


Long textual questions and answers.
1. Describe the physical appearance of the old man.
The old man had red-wrinkled face. He used to walk with a cane. He wore a big blue bandanna. Though he was physically weak yet he was mentally strong. He proved his doctors wrong and faced up to the hardships of life bravely.
2. How did the old man feel about the land?
The old man had very deep feelings about the land. He loved to farm and visit this land. He had no other source for livelihood than this land. He worked extremely hard to make it cultivable.He loved its soil and crops. It gave him strength and energy.
3. What did the son remember from his childhood? Were these good memories?
The son remembered that once his father had made a wooden plough for him in his childhood. Unfortunately, he had lost his wooden plough. He cried bitterly and his father made another plough for him. He also remembered that his father and mother used to farm in their fields and they hunted a lot of squirrels for cooking. These were good and pleasant memories for him.
4. Write the story in your own words.
In this story, an old man had a weak heart. The doctors did not give him long to live. But, despite their prediction, he lived to be seventy years old through his strong faith in God and will-power. He showed amazing stamina and courage.

5. What moral lesson does the story teach?
The story teaches us the moral lesson that human spirit is very strong.We can achieve anything with perseverance and hard work. We should neither lose heart nor get disappointed. Nothing is impossible for man. In the story, the old man had a weak heart. The doctors did not give him long to live. But, despite their prediction, he lived to be seventy years old through his strong faith in God and will-power. He showed amazing stamina and courage




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