Short Questions
1. What was Suraj waiting to watch near the tunnel?
Answer: Suraj was waiting to watch the steam engine come roaring out of the tunnel.
2. Why did Suraj walk through the tunnel?
Answer: He wanted to know what the inside of a tunnel was really like.
3. What did Suraj see moving on the hillside after exiting the tunnel?
Answer: He saw a flash of orange and gold, likely a leopard, moving between the trees.
4. What is the watchman’s duty regarding the tunnel?
Answer: The watchman inspects the tunnel to keep it clear of obstacles before trains pass.
5. How does Sunder Singh signal the train driver if there is danger?
Answer: He waves a red flag during the day or his lamp at night to warn the driver.
6. What sound alerted Sunder Singh to the leopard’s presence in the tunnel?
Answer: A rhythmic sawing sound indicated the leopard was in the tunnel.
7. Why did Suraj’s throat feel dry when he tried to shout in the tunnel?
Answer: He was likely afraid of the leopard, making his throat dry.
8. How did Suraj know the train was approaching the tunnel at night?
Answer: He felt the tremor in the rails and heard the engine’s rumble.
9. What did Sunder Singh compare himself to when he said he lent the tunnel to the Government?
Answer: He jokingly claimed the tunnel as his own, lent to the Government.
10. Why is Sunder Singh called a ‘firefly’ in the story?
Answer: His lamp lights up the darkness for trains and leopards, like a firefly.
Long Questions
1. How does the story describe the jungle’s atmosphere when Suraj first arrives at the tunnel?
Answer: The jungle is described as very still and silent, with heat waves shimmering along the railway embankment. The tall evergreen trees and the railway lines, like black serpents, create a serene yet mysterious setting.
2. What actions did Sunder Singh and Suraj take to drive the leopard out of the tunnel?
Answer: Sunder Singh raised his lamp and shouted loudly to scare the leopard, while Suraj followed closely behind, also shouting. Their combined voices echoed through the tunnel, causing the leopard to flee into the darkness.
3. How does Sunder Singh’s relationship with the leopard reflect his connection to the jungle?
Answer: Sunder Singh’s familiarity with the leopard, which he calls “my leopard,” shows his deep bond with the jungle’s wildlife. His confidence that it won’t harm them highlights his understanding of the jungle’s creatures and rhythms.
4. Why did Suraj’s father decide to take him to Delhi, and what does this reveal about their relationship?
Answer: Suraj’s father took him to Delhi on a business trip to teach him about his business, concerned about Suraj’s frequent wanderings. This suggests a caring but slightly distant relationship, as his father seeks to guide him more closely.
5. How does the story use sensory details to bring the train’s journey through the tunnel to life?
Answer: The story vividly describes the train’s roar, the hissing steam, and sparks showering as it charges through the tunnel. These sounds and sights, along with the trembling rails, create a dynamic, almost magical experience for Suraj.
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