Unit 1 – A letter to God Question Answer for class 10 English

Updated Solution 2024-2025

Reading Comprehension:

Given below is a story of the tailor who has been known for his skills in cheating and stealing. Read in groups of four or in pairs. You may discuss the events and incidences of the story with your friends and write them in a sequential manner.

The Trader and the Tailor

There was a tailor who was known for beating others in the art of being light-fingered and thievery. A trader swore that even with a hundred attempts, the tailor would not be able to take a coil of thread from him without his knowledge.

The trader was told that many others, more intelligent than him, had been beaten by the tailor. They said he should not imagine himself so great, for his ego would only give him worse troubles in competition with the tailor. Still, the trader became more competitive and made a wager that the tailor would not be able to rob him of anything.

He wagered an Arab horse with those who taunted him. If the tailor failed to steal, then they would have to give him a horse instead. That night, the trader lay awake troubled by the situation and could not sleep a wink.

In the morning, he put a piece of satin cloth under his arm and went to the bazaar and entered the shop’ and saluted the cunning rogue warmly. The tailor sprang up from his seat and welcomed the trader, inquiring about his health with cordiality exceeding even that of the trader, planting in his heart great feelings of affection for him. When the trader heard these songs of sweetness from the tailor, he flung down the piece of silk saying, “Cut this into a coat for me and make it wide below my navel so as not to hamper my legs and tight about it to show off my figure.”

The tailor answered, “O! kindly man, I will do you a hundred services,” and accepted the order. He measured the satin and inspected the working surface and all the time chatted away to the trader in idle gossip, about other amirs and of bounties and gifts he had received from them, and about misers and their mean ways, and made the trader laugh with hysterics. During this beguiling talk, he was snipping away with his scissors rapidly, cutting as fast as his lips moved.

The trader was laughing, the tailor was cutting, the trader closed his eyes in joy, the tailor cut extra pieces, tucking them under his thighs, hidden away from all, but God. From his delight at the tailor’s tales, the trader’s former boast went out of his mind. What satin? what boast? What wager? The trader was drunk on the jokes told by the tailor.

Then the tailor told such an incredible story that the trader fell over on his back with laughter. The tailor swiftly stitched a swatch of the satin to the hem of his underpants while the trader was paying no attention at all, greedily sucking with every guffaw, at the jests the tailor told. The tailor continued to tell funnier and funnier tales ‘and jokes until the trader was completely within his power.

With his eyes shut and his reason vanished, the bewildered and boastful trader was drunk with joy. And the tailor continued to cut, filching yet more of the beautiful cloth, with nothing to stop him now. And yet the trader begged for more.

You who becomes the slave of the jest, no story is more laughable than you yourself, think on this at the edge of your grave. How long will you listen to the lies of this world that leave your mind and spirit unhinged? The Universal Tailor will cut and stitch the hems of a hundred traveler’s, silly as children.

Eventually the tailor became bored with the whole story and told the trader that he better leave before another tale was told, “For if I tell another one, the coat will be too tight for you, and you will stop laughing and weep tears of blood.”                                                ……. Rumi (Abridged)

Q 1. Did you enjoy the story of ‘The Trader and the Tailor’? The story is summarised below. Read the story again with your friend and complete the paragraph using short sentences with the given hints.

Once there was a tailor who was known for _____ (cheat, and thievery). He could cheat anyone with his cunning way of deceiving people. A trader challenged that the tailor would not be able to cheat him. He _____ (go) to the tailor with _____ (satin). The tailor _____ (welcome). The trader _____ (please) by the tailor’s praise. He told the tailor to make a coat for him. The tailor _____ (praise) the trader (maximum).

The tears _____ (joy). The tailor, (recount) funny tales and the trader forgot _______(bet). The tailor started snipping _____ and _____(hide). Eyes of the trader _____ (tears and joy) and yet the trader kept on asking for _____ (stories). At last, the tailor told the trader that _____ (tight) and _____(weep-blood).

Ans 1: Once there was a tailor who was known for cheating and thievery. He could cheat anyone with his cunning way of deceiving people. A trader challenged that the tailor would not be able to cheat him. He went to the tailor with a piece of satin. The tailor welcomed him warmly. The trader was pleased by the tailor’s praise. He told the tailor to make a coat for him. The tailor praised the trader excessively. The trader was in tears of joy.

The tailor recounted funny tales, and the trader forgot his bet. The tailor started snipping the cloth and hiding pieces under his thigh. The eyes of the trader were filled with tears and joy, and yet the trader kept on asking for more stories. At last, the tailor told the trader that the coat would be too tight and he would weep tears of blood.

Vocabulary:

Q 1: In this story you have come across a word “light-fingered” which means inclined to steal things. Some such words are given below. Use appropriate words and fill in the blanks.

light-headed, light year, light-hearted, light sleeper, light-duty

(a) The _____ is a unit of distance used to measure distance in space.
(b) The farmer bought a _____ truck to transport their produce, as it uses less diesel.
(C) We had a fairly _____ discussion with our colleagues.
(d) Rita felt dizzy and _____ after skydiving.
(e) He is a _____, a slightest noise wakes him.
Ans 1: Here are the correct answers with the appropriate words filled in the blanks:

(a) The light year is a unit of distance used to measure distance in space.
(b) The farmer bought a light-duty truck to transport their produce, as it uses less diesel.
(c) We had a fairly light-hearted discussion with our colleagues.
(d) Rita felt dizzy and light-headed after skydiving.
(e) He is a light sleeper—the slightest noise wakes him.

Explanation of Each Word:

1. Light year – A unit of astronomical distance.
2. Light-duty – Designed for less heavy or demanding work.
3. Light-hearted – Cheerful and carefree in tone.
4. Light-headed – Feeling dizzy or slightly faint.
5. Light sleeper – Someone who wakes up easily from sleep.

Grammar:

Q1: You have come across Relative Clauses in the lesson ‘A Letter to God’. Read about the relative clauses again. Complete, the sentences, given below in the table by adding the most suitable clause from the box and make it a relative clause. The first one has been done for you.

(a) A tailor is a person who stitches clothes.
(b) A dictionary is a book _____
(c) The book is about a scientist _____
(d) What is the name of the player _____
(e) I don’t like people _____
(f) What is the name of the actor_____
(g) Students _____ should meet the principal in her office.
(h) Friends of the trader thought the tailor _____ and can cheat anyone.
(j) Lencho _____ thought God would help him.
(j) Those _____ will succeed.
(k) God helps those _____

Ans 1: Here are the completed sentences with the most suitable relative clauses:

(a) A tailor is a person who stitches clothes.
(b) A dictionary is a book that contains the meaning of words.
(c) The book is about a scientist who won the Nobel Prize.
(d) What is the name of the player who hit a century?
(e) I don’t like people who tell lies.
(f) What is the name of the actor who won the best actor award this year?
(g) Students who need to fill in the application should meet the principal in her office.
(h) Friends of the trader thought the tailor who is a crook and can cheat anyone.
(i) Lencho, who is faithful, thought God would help him.
(j) Those who believe in hard work will succeed.
(k) God helps those who help themselves.

Editing:

Q 1: Suppose Lencho gets a hundred pesos in his envelope. He writes a letter to God expressing his gratitude. However, he has missed a word in each line- Help him with those words so that his letter is complete.

Ans 1: Here’s Lencho’s corrected letter with the missing words added:

Dear God!
Thank you for
(a) sending a hundred pesos to help
(b) I am very grateful for this kind gesture.
(c) You were my only hope and your
(d) help has strengthened my faith in you.
(e) This money will help me survive until the crop
(f) and I promise to work hard in the future.

Sincerely yours,
Lencho

Corrections Explained:

• (a) Added “to” → “to help” (infinitive verb form needed).
• (b) Added “grateful” → Completes the emotion (“very grateful”).
• (c) Added “hope” → Logical completion for “only hope” (what Lencho relies on).
• (d) Added “strengthened” → Shows how God’s help deepened his faith.
• (e) Added “survive” → Money’s purpose (to live until the next harvest).
• (f) Added “work” → Verb needed for “promise to work hard.”

Listening:

Q 1: Here is an interesting story. The story has been told in two ways. Story A has all the odd sentences (1,3,5, …) and story B has the even sentences (2,4,6, …). Working in pairs, one of you take up Story A and the other take up Story B.

The person with Story A will read out the first sentence and the partner (person with story B) will write in the space provided. Then the person with Story B will read sentence two and the partner will write in the space for sentence two. Likewise complete the whole story. Once the story is completed, both of you will read out to each other to check whether you have listened carefully to your partner and written the complete story.

Ans 1: Here’s the complete story with both parts filled in correctly:

Story A – The Race

1. Every evening the animals of the Machlipatti used to sit under the banyan tree.
2. One day Kho-Kho, the rabbit, was feeling bored.
3. He said, “Let’s run a race!” “Who will run a race with you?
4. No one can run faster than you said Bhalu, the bear, eating a mango.
5. Choo-Choo, the rat, shouted, “No, he’s not the fastest runner.
6. I can run faster than him.
7. Everyone laughed at him.
8. Then it was decided to have a race between Kho-Kho and Choo-Choo.
9. The starting point was the peepul tree and the finishing point was the neem tree.
10. Coocku, the cock, crowed to start the race.
11. Kho-Kho and Choo-Choo started running.
12. After running half the distance, Kho-Kho looked back but Choo-Choo was nowhere to be seen.
13. “He must be far behind.”
14. When he was near the finishing point, Choo-Choo jumped over Kho-Kho’s shoulder and touched the neem tree first.
15. He shouted, “I’ve won the race! I’ve won the race!”
16. Everyone cheered for Choo-Choo.

Story B – The Race

1. Every evening the animals of the Machlipatti used to sit under the banyan tree.
2. One day Kho-Kho, the rabbit, was feeling bored.
3. He said, “Let’s run a race!” “Who will run a race with you?
4. No one can run faster than you said Bhalu, the bear, eating a mango.
5. Choo-Choo, the rat, shouted, “No, he’s not the fastest runner.
6. I can run faster than him.
7. Everyone laughed at him.
8. Then it was decided to have a race between Kho-Kho and Choo-Choo.
9. The starting point was the peepul tree and the finishing point was the neem tree.
10. Coocku, the cock, crowed to start the race.
11. Kho-Kho and Choo-Choo started running.
12. After running half the distance, Kho-Kho looked back but Choo-Choo was nowhere to be seen.
13. “He must be far behind.”
14. When he was near the finishing point, Choo-Choo jumped over Kho-Kho’s shoulder and touched the neem tree first.
15. He shouted, “I’ve won the race! I’ve won the race!”
16. Everyone cheered for Choo-Choo.

Activity Guide:

1. Work in pairs – one reads Story A (odd sentences), the other Story B (even sentences)
2. Take turns reading sentences aloud while partner writes the missing ones
3. After completing, read full stories to each other to check accuracy
4. Notice how the complete story emerges through collaboration

Key Lesson: The activity demonstrates how listening carefully and working together helps reconstruct complete information – just like how the animals’ teamwork made the race exciting! The clever rat’s victory shows that size doesn’t determine success.

Speaking:

Q 1: Lencho, the main character in the story, is a farmer. He supports his family through farming. The conflict in the story happens when a hailstorm strikes the field and destroys his farm: All the hard work, for nothing! The entire land is wrecked by catastrophe. There is no one who can help. Lencho’s complete faith in God is amazing during the calamity.

So, one type of conflict dominating in the story is man versus nature. Discuss with your partner the natural calamities that play havoc in the lives of people. Collect photographs and make a visual presentation to share in the class.

Ans 1: In “A Letter to God,” the main conflict is between man and nature. Lencho, a poor farmer, depends entirely on his crops for survival. When a hailstorm strikes, it destroys all his hard work. This natural disaster leaves him hopeless and desperate. Despite this, Lencho’s unshakable faith in God stands out. He believes that God will help him recover from the damage.

This kind of conflict – man versus nature – is very common in real life. Natural calamities like floods, droughts, cyclones, earthquakes, wildfires, and landslides often affect the lives of people, especially farmers and those living in rural or coastal areas. These disasters not only destroy homes and livelihoods but also take lives and displace entire communities.

Discussion Ideas (for partner/class activity):

Talk about:

• How floods affect villages and farmlands.
• How droughts lead to famine and migration.
• How wildfires destroy forests, homes, and animal habitats.
• Earthquakes damaging cities and causing loss of life.

Visual Presentation Ideas:

You can create a PowerPoint presentation or poster with photos and short notes on:

1. Floods – Houses submerged; people being rescued by boats.
2. Drought – Cracked, dry lands; people walking long distances for water.
3. Earthquakes – Collapsed buildings and rescue operations.
4. Cyclones – Uprooted trees, destroyed homes, high tides.
5. Forest Fires – Flames in forests, wildlife fleeing.

📌 Sources for images:

• Government disaster management websites
• News articles (NDTV, The Hindu, BBC)
• Image libraries like Unsplashed, Pixabay (for royalty-free photos)

“Students Do yourself with the help of your partner and teachers”

Q 2: Try writing a small poem on the topic man versus’ nature. Read aloud the poem with the required stress and intonation. Given below is a poem written by Norman Little ford, which may help you think and compose.

Man vs Nature –

The heavens roared with thunder
as lightning filled the skies
was this God getting angry
or Nature’s big surprise.

Is Mother Nature telling us
the best way that she can
to stop the interference
and abuse she gets from man.

We marvel at her beauty
each time we look around
then dig up all her treasures
from their natural burial ground.

We forget that Nature gives us
all that keeps us living
we take it all and still want more
but never think of giving.

We build across the countryside
progressing every day
but Mother Nature can’t progress
for man is in the way.                                                                     -Norman Little ford

Ans 2: Man vs. Nature
(Inspired by Norman Littleford)

The winds howl wild, the rivers rise,
A tempest tears through peaceful skies.
The earth may shake, the fires may roar—
Yet man still knocks at Nature’s door.

We carve her hills and drain her seas,
Choke her air, snap her trees.
She answers back with storm and flame,
A warning cry—Who bears the blame?

Her oceans gasp, her forests weep,
While factories hum and cities creep.
She gifts us life, yet we repay
With concrete scars that never fade.

Oh, will we hear before too late?
Or fight until we meet our fate?
For Nature’s voice, though fierce, is true:
“I’ll always stand—will you?”

Writing:

Q 1: The tailor here is a cheat, but Lencho in the story, ‘A Letter to God’, is naive and simple. He has immense faith in God. How do you distinguish between Lencho and the tailor? What makes them different? Working in pairs, list the actions and qualities of Lencho and the tailor and draw their character sketches. The given cues will help you to draw a character sketch of these characters.

Now, write the character sketch of Lencho and the tailor.

 Ans 2: Character Analysis Using Prompts

 “Character Sketches of Lencho and the Tailor”

Q 2. Writing a portrait or description of a person

Read the following description about two persons, Raavi and Mohini.