Short Answer Type Questions
- Describe the condition of the roll-top box. From where did the author find the roll-top box?
Answer: The roll-top box, made of oak, was in very bad condition with scorch marks down one side and one leg clumsily mended. The author found it in a junk shop in Bridport. - Why did the author buy the roll-top box despite its poor condition?
Answer: The author bought the roll-top box because it was inexpensive and he believed he could restore it with some effort. - What did the author find in the secret drawer?
Answer: In the secret drawer, the author found a tin box, cello-taped to which was a piece of lined notepaper. - What was written on the tin box?
Answer: The tin box had “Jim’s last letter, received January 25, 1915” written on it. - What was inside the tin box?
Answer: Inside the tin box, there was an envelope addressed to “Mrs. Jim Macpherson, 12 Copper Beeches, Bridport, Dorset,” containing a letter written in pencil dated December 26, 1914. - Describe Christmas morning as per Jim’s letter to Connie.
Answer: Christmas morning was described as crisp and quiet, a beautiful day that was cold and frosty, just as a Christmas morning should be. - Who was Hans Wolf?
Answer: Hans Wolf was an officer who served under Fritz, hailing from Düsseldorf, and he played the cello in an orchestra. - Who was Jim Macpherson?
Answer: Jim Macpherson was a school teacher from Dorset, England. - What did Hans and Jim discuss while sharing rum and sausage?
Answer: They discussed their favorite book, “Far from the Madding Crowd,” focusing on characters like Bathsheba, Gabriel Oak, and Sergeant Troy. - How do wars typically end, and how do Jim and Hans think they should end?
Answer: Wars usually end with bloodshed and loss, but Jim and Hans believed that a game, like football, could resolve conflicts without causing casualties. - Who won the football match?
Answer: Fritz won the football match. - Why was the letter so special?
Answer: The letter was special because it was written by Jim to his wife Connie, detailing his experiences during the war and expressing a desire for peace and love. - What did the author do after reading the letter?
Answer: After reading the letter, the author went to Bridport to inquire about the address from which the shopkeeper had obtained the roll-top box. - Write a character sketch of Mrs. Macpherson.
Answer: Mrs. Macpherson was a lovely old lady, a hundred and one years old, with white hair and wrinkles. She preferred using candles over electricity, considering it too expensive. - Where was Mrs. Macpherson living, and why?
Answer: She was living in a nursing home, Burlington House, on Dorchester Road, after her house caught fire, which caused her injury. - Why were the people at the nursing home surprised to see a visitor?
Answer: The people were surprised because Mrs. Macpherson had no family and rarely received visitors, so they were happy to see someone there. - What did Mrs. Macpherson think about the visitor?
Answer: Mrs. Macpherson thought the visitor was her husband, Mr. Macpherson, as she greeted him, saying, “You told me you had come home by Christmas, dearest.” - What did the author find in a junk shop?
Answer: The author found a very old, 19th-century roll-top desk made of oak, which was in a very bad condition. - What did he find in the secret drawer, and who do you think put it there?
Answer: He found a small black tin box in the secret drawer, which was likely placed there by Jim’s wife, Mrs. Macpherson. - Who wrote the letter, to whom, and when?
Answer: Jim Macpherson wrote the letter to his wife Connie Macpherson on December 26, 1914. - Why was the letter written? What wonderful thing happened?
Answer: The letter was written to communicate during the war, and the wonderful thing was that despite their enmity, the soldiers celebrated Christmas together. - What jobs did Hans Wolf and Jim Macpherson have before becoming soldiers?
Answer: Before joining the army, Hans played the cello in an orchestra, while Jim was a teacher. - Had Hans Wolf ever been to Dorset? Why did he say he knew it?
Answer: No, Hans Wolf had never been to Dorset. He claimed to know it from his studies and English books. - Do you think Jim Macpherson came back from the war? How do you know?
Answer: It is implied that Jim did not return from the war, as the letter stated it should be buried with Mrs. Macpherson. - Why did the author go to Bridport?
Answer: The author went to Bridport to return the letter to Mrs. Macpherson. - How old was Mrs. Macpherson? Where was she?
Answer: Mrs. Macpherson was a hundred and one years old and lived in a nursing home on Dorchester Road. - Who did Connie Macpherson think her visitor was?
Answer: Connie Macpherson thought her visitor was her husband, Mr. Jim Macpherson. - Which sentence shows that the visitor did not try to hide his identity?
Answer: The sentence is, “You told me you’d come home by Christmas, dearest,” indicating she recognized him. - For how long do you think Connie had kept Jim’s letter? Why?
Answer: Connie likely kept Jim’s letter for a long time because she mentioned reading it often to feel close to him. - Why do you think the desk was sold, and when?
Answer: The desk was probably sold as junk after the demise of the Macpherson family. - Why do Jim and Hans think games or sports are good ways to resolve conflicts? Do you agree?
Answer: Jim and Hans believed that games do not result in death or orphanhood, unlike wars. I agree, as sports promote understanding and peace. - Mention how the British and German soldiers became friends at Christmas.
Answer: The soldiers smiled at each other, shared food and drinks, and played a football match, fostering friendship.
Long Answer Type Questions
- Discuss the idea that “war is no solution to disputes.”
Answer: Wars often stem from pride and ego, leading to unnecessary destruction and loss of life. Soldiers desire peace and family connections. In the story, Jim and Hans express a wish for camaraderie over conflict, highlighting that understanding and mutual respect are essential for resolving disputes. - What was the best Christmas present, and why was it important?
Answer: The best Christmas present was the letter from Jim Macpherson, which Connie mistook as a visit from her husband. Its importance lies in its representation of hope and love, illustrating the emotional bond and longing between them. - Discuss whether wars are a good way to end conflicts.
Answer: Wars result in bloodshed and suffering. Instead of resolving issues, they often create deeper divides. Peaceful dialogue and understanding should replace conflict as the means to settle differences. - What kind of presents do you like and why? What do you consider when buying presents for others?
Answer: I prefer meaningful gifts over expensive ones. Simple tokens like flowers or cards express affection. When choosing gifts, I consider the recipient’s preferences and needs, ensuring the present is both thoughtful and practical. - What is Connie’s Christmas present, and why is it “the best Christmas present in the world”?
Answer: Connie’s Christmas present was the return of Jim, which she believed was symbolized by the letter. It was the best present as it fulfilled her longing for him, providing comfort and joy in her loneliness. - Is the title of the story suitable? Can you think of other titles?
Answer: The title is suitable as it reflects the letter’s significance to Mrs. Macpherson. Alternative titles could include “A Christmas of Hope” or “Love Beyond War,” which capture the essence of the story. - Are the soldiers of the two armies alike or different? Provide evidence from the story.
Answer: The soldiers are alike in their desire for peace, shared experiences, and the joy of celebrating Christmas together. Both groups express a longing for home, illustrating their common humanity despite being enemies.
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