NCERT Solutions for Class 10 English First Flight Chapter 3 Two Stories About Flying

Class 10 English First Flight Chapter 3 Two Stories About Flying:- In Chapter 3 of "First Flight" for Class 10 English, titled "Two Stories About Flying," students are introduced to two compelling narratives that explore the theme of flight from different perspectives. The chapter presents us with "His First Flight" by Liam O'Flaherty and "The Black Aeroplane" by Frederick Forsyth. Through these stories, we embark on a journey that not only captures the thrill and challenge of flying but also delves into the deeper emotional and psychological aspects of overcoming fear and striving for one's dreams. Go through ‘his first flight question answer’ and the ‘black aeroplane question answer’ below.

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His First Flight Question Answer 

Thinking about the Text (Page 36)

Question 1: Why was the young seagull afraid to fly? Do you think all young birds are afraid to make their first flight, or are some birds more timid than others? Do you think a human baby also finds it a challenge to take its first steps?

Answer: The fear of trying something new, such as flying for the first time, is a common experience not only for birds but also for humans. Just as a young seagull feels apprehensive about taking its first flight, human babies face similar fears when learning to crawl, walk, or take their first steps independently. This struggle is a natural part of growth and development for both species. Conquering these fears is an essential step towards gaining independence and building self-confidence.

Read More: NCERT Solutions of Class 10 English First Flight Chapter 1

Question 2: “The sight of the food maddened him.” What does this suggest? What compelled the young seagull to fly finally?

Answer: The young seagull faced a daunting challenge in mustering the courage for his first flight, despite relentless encouragement from his family. After being left on the ledge for over twenty-four hours, hunger finally drove him to leap. When he saw his mother approaching with food, his desperation grew, and he anxiously awaited her arrival. But when she stopped halfway, leaving him more confused and famished, he was driven by hunger to dive for the food. This impulsive move caused him to plunge towards the vast sea below. Initially gripped by fear, he soon felt his wings extend and realised he could fly. Overcoming his fear with hunger as his motivator, he completed his first flight with a newfound sense of joy.

Read More: NCERT Solutions for Class 10 English First Flight Chapter 2

Question 3: “They were beckoning to him, calling shrilly.” Why did the seagull’s father and mother threaten him and cajole him to fly?

Answer: The young seagull’s parents repeatedly called out to him, encouraging him to make his first flight. Despite their persistent attempts, he remained hesitant due to his fear of falling from the cliff. Observing his siblings soar away only heightened his reluctance. Left alone on the ledge, his family continued to motivate and persuade him, but their efforts did not succeed.

Question 4: Have you ever had a similar experience, where your parents encouraged you to do something that you were too scared to try? Discuss this in pairs or groups.

Answer: Yes, my experience learning to ride a bicycle mirrors the young seagull's challenges in learning to fly. It's normal to feel fear and struggle with new things initially. Just as my parents' encouragement and my perseverance helped me overcome my fear, the seagull's family supported him as he learned to fly. Daily practice and dedication eventually built my confidence, much like the seagull gained confidence with each attempt. It's inspiring to see how you overcame your fear and now ride confidently every day!

Question 5: In the case of a bird flying, it seems a natural act, and a foregone conclusion that it should succeed. In the examples you have given in answer to the previous question, was your success guaranteed, or was it important for you to try, regardless of a possibility of failure?

Answer: Learning new skills often comes with challenges and fears of failure. Like the seagull's parents, my father encouraged me to overcome my fear of riding a bike. This support and consistent practice led to success and growth, proving that determination and effort drive improvement.

Check out: CBSE Class 10th Question Banks

Black Aeroplane Question Answer

Thinking about the Text (Page 40)

Question 1: “I’ll take the risk.” What is the risk? Why does the narrator take it?

Answer: The pilot of the Dakota DS 088 was eager to return home to England for a family holiday. However, his flight encountered a severe storm with ominous clouds. Despite the peril, he was determined not to miss the chance to enjoy a traditional English breakfast with his loved ones. Consequently, he made the risky choice to fly directly into the storm, despite the poor visibility.

Question 2: Describe the narrator’s experience as he flew the aeroplane into the storm.

Answer: As the pilot entered the storm, his plane jolted and spun, surrounded by darkness with no visibility. The instruments failed, and with fuel running low, he was in a desperate situation. Suddenly, a mysterious black plane appeared, signaling him to follow. With no other options, he trailed the plane through the storm and safely landed on a runway, guided by the enigmatic aircraft.

Question 3: Why does the narrator say, “I landed and was not sorry to walk away from the old Dakota…”?

Answer: After safely landing through the storm, the pilot felt immense relief and gratitude towards the mysterious black plane’s pilot. Though he wanted to express his thanks, he realised he couldn't properly convey his appreciation to the unknown guide.

Check out: CBSE Class 10th Sample Papers

Question 4: What made the woman in the control centre look at the narrator strangely?

Answer: The woman at the control center was puzzled when the narrator described the mysterious black plane that helped him. According to the radar, his plane was the only one in the sky during the storm, leaving both of them baffled and the events shrouded in mystery.

Thinking about Language (Page 40-41)

Question I:

Study the sentences given below.

(a) They looked like black mountains.

(b) Inside the clouds, everything was suddenly black.

(c) In the black clouds near me, I saw another aeroplane.

(d) The strange black aeroplane was there.

The word ‘black’ in sentences (a) and (c) refers to the very darkest colour. But in (b) and (d) (here) it means without light/with no light.

‘Black’ has a variety of meanings in different contexts. For example:

(a) ‘I prefer black tea’ means ‘I prefer tea without milk’.

(b) ‘With increasing pollution the future of the world is black’ means

‘With increasing pollution the future of the world is very depressing/ without hope’.

Now, try to guess the meanings of the word ‘black’ in the sentences given below. Check the meanings in the dictionary and find out whether you have guessed right.

1. Go and have a bath; your hands and face are absolutely black. ____________________________

2. The taxi-driver gave Ratan a black look as he crossed the road when the traffic light was green. ____________________________

3. The bombardment of Hiroshima is one of the blackest crimes against humanity. _______________

4. Very few people enjoy Harold Pinter’s black comedy. __________________________________

5. Sometimes shopkeepers store essential goods to create false scarcity and then sell these in black. ____________________________

6. Villagers had beaten the criminal black and blue. ____________________________________

Answer:

1. Go and have a bath; your hands and face are absolutely black. – The ‘black’ in this sentence denotes that the face and hands are dark due to dust and dirt.

2. The taxi-driver gave Ratan a black look as he crossed the road when the traffic light was green. – The ‘black’ in this sentence refers to an angry or annoyed look.

3. The bombardment of Hiroshima is one of the blackest crimes against humanity. – The ‘black’ in this sentence denotes a dark and brutal incident against humanity.

4. Very few people enjoy Harold Pinter’s black comedy. – The ‘black’ in this sentence denotes dark or distressing comedy.

5. Sometimes shopkeepers store essential goods to create false scarcity and then sell these in black. – The ‘black’ in this sentence refers to the hoarding of goods by shopkeepers to sell those goods at a higher price later.

6. Villagers had beaten the criminal black and blue. – The ‘black’ in this sentence denotes that the criminal was beaten and badly bruised by the villagers.

Check out: CBSE Class 10th Previous Year Papers

Question II:

Look at these sentences taken from the lesson you have just read:

(a) I was flying my old Dakota aeroplane.

(b) The young seagull had been afraid to fly with them.

In the first sentence, the author was controlling an aircraft in the air. Another example is: Children flying kites. In the second sentence, the seagull was afraid to move through the air, using its wings.

Match the phrases given under Column A with their meanings given under Column B:

Answer:

Question III:

We know that the word ‘fly’ (of birds/insects) means to move through air using wings. Tick the words which have the same or nearly the same meaning.

Answer:

The words which have the same or nearly the same meaning as ‘fly’ are listed below:

• Swoop

• Flit

• Flutter

• Float

• Skim

• Hover

• Glide

• Soar

• Sail

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Class 10 English First Flight Chapter 3 Two Stories About Flying FAQs

Q1. What are the two stories featured in Chapter 3 of "First Flight"?

Ans. The two stories are "His First Flight" by Liam O'Flaherty and "The Black Aeroplane" by Frederick Forsyth.

Q2. What is the main theme of "His First Flight"?

Ans. The main theme is overcoming fear and gaining confidence, as illustrated by the young seagull learning to fly.

Q3. What challenges does the young seagull face in "His First Flight"?

Ans. The young seagull struggles with fear of falling and reluctance to fly, but eventually overcomes these challenges driven by hunger and necessity.

Q4. How does the seagull eventually learn to fly in the story?

Ans. The seagull learns to fly by overcoming its fear, driven by hunger and desperation, which leads to a successful first flight.

Q5. What is the central plot of "The Black Aeroplane"?

Ans. "The Black Aeroplane" is about a pilot who encounters a storm and is guided to safety by a mysterious black plane.