A Letter to God (Descriptive)

2015

1. Choose the correct answer from the alternatives given-

I need a hundred pesos__________

(Currency of India/Spain/Latin America)

Ans: Currency of Latin America.

2. What happened to Lencho's fields after the hailstorm?

Ans: After the hailstorm, Lencho’s corn field was totally destroyed and was nothing left that he could feed his family. Not a leaf remained on the tree. The field was white as it covered with salt. The flowers were gone from the plants.

3. "These aren't raindrops falling from the sky, they are new coins." Why did Lencho consider the raindrops as 'new coins'?

Ans: Lencho’s field needed a downpour for a better harvest. When the rain started falling, he compared the raindrops with new coins because it would help him to grow and would promise him a good harvest resulting in more prosperity. He was much happy for his crop.

2016

Choose the meaning of the underlined word in the following sentence from among the alternatives given in brackets

Send me the rest, since I need it very much.

(relax / remaining part / be buried)

Ans: Remaining part.

Where was Lencho's home situated?

Ans: Lencho’s home was situated on the crest of a low hill.

"But don't send it to me through the mail because the post office employees are a bunch of crooks." What made Lencho think that the post office employees were a bunch of crooks?

Ans: Lencho asked for hundred pesos from God to sow his field. He became angry when he counted the money because he found thirty pesos less than the amount he asked for. He was angry because he thought that the post office employees had kept rest thirty pesos and called them a bunch of crooks.

2017

Choose the meaning of the underlined word in the following sentence from among the alternatives given in brackets:

'The house the only one in the entire valley”

(wide / whole / flat)

Ans: Whole

"All through the night, Lencho thought only of his one hope:" What was Lencho's only one hope?

Ans: ‘Help from God’ was the only hope of Lencho.

What did the postmaster do after he had received 'Lcncho's letter?

Ans: The postmaster burst into laughter on seeing Lencho’s faith in God. However, he then became serious and did not want to shake his faith. He collected money from his employees, from his friends and even gave part of his salary. He put all the money in an envelope and sent it to Lencho singing as “God”.

2018

What did Lencho do throughout the morning? What did he see in the north-east?

Ans: Lencho who knew his filed well, spent his morning looking at the sky especially in the northeast, waiting for rain to water his crops. He anticipated rain. He saw dark clouds gathering, which made him hopeful for a good harvest.

"Lencho's soul was filled with sadness." Why?

Ans: Lencho’s soul was filled with sadness as everything was destroyed and was nothing left that he could feed his family. He even commented that a plague of locus would have left more than this and said that here was no one to help them and would go hungry that year.

2019

"The only thing the earth needed...." What 'only thing' did the earth need?

Ans: The only thing the earth needed was a downpour or at least a shower.

What did Lencho write in his letter to God?

Ans: Lencho wrote that if God did not help him, his family and he would go hunger that year. The badly needed one hundred pesos to sow his fields again and for his family to live until the crop came, because the hailstorm destroyed everything.

2020

What was the one hope of Lencho?

Ans: ‘Help from God’ was the only hope of Lencho.

What did Lencho say to his sons after the hailstorm?

Ans: After the hailstorm, Lencho stood in the middle of the field filled with sadness. He said to his sons that a plague of locusts would have left something but the hailstorm left nothing. He further added that they would go starving that year as there was no one to help them.

What did the postmaster do after he had received Lencho's letter?

Ans: The postmaster burst into laughter on seeing Lencho’s faith in God. However, he then became serious and did not want to shake his faith. He collected money from his employees, from his friends and even gave part of his salary. He put all the money in an envelope and sent it to Lencho singing as “God”.

2022

Choose the meaning of the underlined word in the following sentence from among the alternatives given in the brackets:

Send me the rest, since I need it very much.

(relaxing / remaining part / remaining idle)

Ans: Remaining part.

State whether the following statements are True or False

(i) Lencho was a trader.                       Ans: False

(ii) Lencho was a farmer.                    Ans: True

Choose the correct answer from among the alternatives given and complete the sentence.

The field was white, as if covered with_______

(i) snow                                   (ii) flour

(iii) salt                                   Ans: (iii) Salt

Why did Lencho go out when the big drops of rain were falling?

Ans: Lencho went out as he was eagerly waiting for the rain which could be good for his crops. When it started raining, he went out to have the pleasure of feeling the rain on his body. He was much happy as it would promise a good harvest.

Why did Lencho become angry when he counted the money?

Ans: Lencho asked for hundred pesos from God. He became angry when he counted the money because he found thirty pesos less than the amount he asked for. He was angry because he thought that the post office employees had kept rest thirty pesos.

2023

"A plague of would have left more than this”. What does the underlined word mean?

a) Car a herd of animals     (b) a swarm of insects

c) ) a flock of birds              (d) a swarm of bees

Ans: Option B is the correct answer.

“The postmaster — a fat, amiable fellow —"

Choose from below the word that is same in meaning as 'amiable' —

(a) huge                                   (b) jealous

(c) friendly                              (d) angry

Ans: Option C is the correct answer.

Lencho hoped for help from

(a) sons                                    (b) neighbours

(c) God                        (d) wife

Ans: Option C is the correct answer.

What were Lencho's feelings after the hailstorm was over?

Ans: Lencho was filled with sadness as everything was destroyed and was nothing left that he could feed his family. He even commented that a plague of locus would have left more than this and said that here was no one to help them and would go hungry that year.

Why does the postmaster send money to Lencho?

Ans: The postmaster was a helpful, amiable and compassionate fellow. When he saw Lencho’s letter requesting hundred pesos from God, he did not want to shake his faith in God. So, he collected money and sent it to Lencho to keep his faith in God intact.

2024

Read the following statements with reference to 'A Letter to God' and choose the correct option-

Statement 1: The house in which Lencho was living was in the middle of a populous town.

Statement 2: Lencho was a good farmer.

(A) Statement 1 is true and Statement 2 is false

(B) Statement I is false and Statement 2 is true

(C) Both Statement 1 and Statement 2 are true

(D) Both Statement 1 and Statement 2 are false

Ans: (B) Statement I is false and Statement 2 is true

"l hope it passes quickly." It did not pass quickly.” What is the 'it' referred to?

(a) A pack of wolves   (b)A swarm of locusts

(c) The hailstorm        (d) The storm of dust

Ans: Option C is correct.

What was Lencho's immediate response when he 'received the letter from God'?

(A) He began shouting at the postmaster

(B) He was not surprised but very angry

(C) He began laughing with joy

(D) He was sad and silent

Ans: Option B is correct.

"Now we're really going to get some water, woman,”

(a) Who is the 'woman' being referred to?

Ans: The ‘woman’ referred to here may possibly be his wife.

(b) What 'water' does the speaker imply?

Ans: The speaker implied the water of rain which they were about to get.

Give a brief description of the postmaster as represented in 'A Letter from God'

Ans: The postmaster was a fat, helpful, amiable and compassionate fellow. He tried to keep Lencho’s faith in God intact by collecting the amount for him. He displayed good leadership qualities by collecting money from employees and from his friends. The postmaster himself gave a part of his salary.

Comprehension Questions

1. What did Lencho hope for?

Ans: Lencho hoped for a downpour or at least a shower as it was much needed for a good harvest.

2. Why did Lencho say the raindrops were like ‘new coins?’

Ans: Lencho’s field needed a downpour for a better harvest. When the rain started falling, he compared the raindrops with new coins because it would help him to grow and would promise him a good harvest resulting in more prosperity. He was much happy for his crop.

3. How did the rain change? What happened to Lencho’s fields?

Ans: The rain changed into hailstones. A strong wind began to blow and huge hailstones began to fall along with the rain.

Lencho’s corn field was totally destroyed. Not a leaf remained on the tree. The field was white as it covered with salt. The flowers were gone from the plants.

4. What were Lencho’s feelings when the hail stopped?

Ans: Lencho was filled with sadness as everything was destroyed and was nothing left that he could feed his family. He even commented that a plague of locus would have left more than this and said that here was no one to help them and would go hungry that year.

5. Who or what did Lencho have faith in? What did he do?

Ans: Lencho had firm faith in God. He believed that God sees everything, even what is deep in one’s conscience and help everyone in one’s problems. He wrote a letter to God demanding him a hundred pesos to sow his field again.

6. Who read the letter?

Ans: Postmaster read the letter.

7. What did the postmaster do after reading the letter?

Ans: The postmaster laughed when he read Lencho’s letter but soon he became serious and was moved by the writer’s faith in God. He didn’t want to shake Lencho’s faith. So, he decided to collect money and send it to Lencho on behalf of God.

8. Was Lencho surprised to find a letter for him with money in it?

Ans: Lencho was not surprised to find a letter with money from God as he believed that God would help him.

9. What made Lencho angry?

Ans: There were only seventy pesos in the envelope whereas Lencho had demanded a hundred pesos. The difference in the amount made him angry. He said that God could not have made a mistake nor denied his request.

Additional Questions 1 mark each

1. What objects did Lencho call “New coins”?

Ansr: Lencho called the “rain-drops’ as new coins.

2. Where was Lencho’s house located?

Ans: Lencho’s house was located on the crest of a low hill.

3. What could be seen from Lencho’s house?

Ans: The river and field of the ripe corn dotted with the flowers could be seen from his house.

4. What did the earth need?

Ans: The earth needed a downpour or at least a shower.

5. Why did Lencho keep gazing at the sky?

Ans: Lencho expected rain and so he kept on gazing at the sky.

6. When did it start raining?

Ans: It started raining when the family was having dinner.

7. How did Lencho feel when it started raining?

Ans: Lencho was very happy and went out to have the feeling of pleasure.  He compared the raindrops to a new coin.

8. Was the rain really a blessing?

Ans: No, the rain proved to be a curse.

9. What destroyed the crop?

Ans: The hailstorm which lasted for an hour destroyed the crops.

10. How did Lencho and his family react to the calamity?

Ans: They were filled with sorrow.

11. What was the only ‘One hope’?

Ans: His only one hope was to take help from God.

12. How did Lencho appeal to God?

Ans: Lencho wrote a letter to God, asking for one hundred pesos.

13. How did postmaster react seeing Lencho’s letter?

Ans: The postmaster broke out laughing on seeing Lencho’s letter.

14. What was the reaction of Lencho after receiving lesser amount of money?

Ans: Lencho thought that the post office employees had taken away thirty pesos.

Additional Questions 2 mark each

1. What are the raindrops compared to and why?

Answer: Lencho became happy seeing the raindrops. He compared the raindrops to new coins – the big ones are ten-cent and the little ones are five cent pieces. It is because they promised a good harvest.

2. How was Lencho sure that it was going to rain?

Answer: Lencho knew his fields intimately and he could predict the weather by looking at the sky. His experienced eyes saw clouds and he predicted rain.

3. What promised a good harvest?

Ans: Lencho felt that the field of ripe corn dotted with flowers always promised a good harvest. That is why he was anticipating a good harvest.

4. How did Lencho’s prediction about rain come true?

Ans: Lencho had looked towards the north-east and remarked that they would get some water. His prediction came true when it started raining in the evening.

5. Why did Lencho go out?

Answer: Lencho was eagerly waiting for the rain which could be good for his crops. So, he went out to have the pleasure of feeling the rain on his body.

6. How did Lencho regard his field? Why?

Ans: When it started raining Lencho regarded his field with satisfaction. He was happy to see his crop draped in a curtain of rain. He hoped to reap a good harvest.

7. “It’s really getting bad now.” What was getting bad and how?

Ans: Lencho was happy when it started raining. But the rain and the weather were getting bad. A strong wind was blowing and hailstones were falling.

8. Why was Lencho’s soul filled with sorrow?

Answer: The hail and hailstones rained on the valley for an hour. It had left the field totally covered with snow. The crop was completely destroyed. It made Lencho’s soul filled with sorrow.

9. Why was the family not really upset?

Answer: Though Lencho’s family was facing ruin, yet they were not really upset. It was because having immense faith in God, they were confident that God would help them.

10. Why did the postmaster send a reply to Lencho’s first letter addressed to God?

Answer: The postmaster “was a generous and amiable man. He was impressed by Lencho’s firm faith in God. In order not to shake Lencho’s  faith in God, the postmaster sent a reply to Lencho.

11. Why was Lencho angry when he received the letter?

Answer: The postmaster could raise only 70 pesos which he sent to Lencho, supposedly from God. Lencho was angry to find thirty pesos less than the amount he asked for. He was angry because he thought the post office employees had kept thirty pesos.

12. How was Lencho helped?

Answer: The postmaster, a kind-hearted and generous man, read Lencho’s letter. To sustain his faith, the postmaster raised money from friends, employess and from his salary and sent it to Lencho, in the name of God.

13. Do you think the post-office employees were ‘a bunch of crooks’?

Answer: No, rather they were kind, generous and helpful persons. The postmaster contributed a part of his salary and motivated his friends and employees for a charitable cause. So, they were not a bunch of crooks.

14. How would you describe Lencho?

Answer: Lencho was a simple, naive and a hard-working farmer. He was energetic. He had full faith in God. He became a victim of natural calamity, befit God helped him indirectly.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Lencho’s house was situated-

(a) in a city                                      (b) in a valley

(c) on the crest a low hill.               (d) on beach

Ans. (c) On the crest a low hill.

2. A Letter To God' is written by

(a) GL Fuentes                         (b) Gavin Maxwell

(c) Liam O' Flaherty               (d) Roald Dahl

Ans: (a) GL Fuentes

3. What covered the Lencho’s field after hail-

(a) salt                                        (b) ice

(c) hailstones                             (d) none of above

Ans. (b) Ice.

4. The field of corn dotted with flowers means-

(a) not a single flower was bigger than a dot.

(b) the flowers were scattered across.

(c) the flowers were in shaped like dots.

(d) the flowers had shrunk in size.

Ans: (b) the flowers were scattered across.

5. The word ‘amiable’ means-

(a) fat                                         (b) friendly

(c) holy man                            (d) serious

Ans. (b) Friendly.

6. What the Frozen Pearls are compared with-

(a) pearls                                   (b) salt

(c) hailstone                              (d) none of these

Ans. (c) Hailstone.

7. Lencho's lived with his family

(a) on high hill            (b) in village

(c) on the crest of low a hill     (d) in valley

Ans: (c) on the crest of low a hill

8. Lencho predicted-

(a) Rain                                     (b) Cyclone

(c) Strom                                    (d) None of above

Ans. (a) Rain.

9. Lencho's field was full of

(a) ripe maize                        (b) ripe corn

 (c) ripe rice                          (d) ripe potatoes

Ans: (b) ripe corn (Note: maize and corn are same. British English-Maize, American English-Corn)

10. Lencho’s soul filled with-

(a) tears                                         (b) sadness 

(c) joy                                           (d) none

Ans. (b) Sadness.

11. What happened during supper/dinner time?

(a) It started raining heavily

(b) Strong winds started blowing

(c) A storm started

(d) It started snowing

Ans: (a) It started raining heavily.

12. The Post master managed-

(a) hundred pesos                   (b) 70 pesos 

(c) thirty pesos                        (d) 75 pesos

 Ans. (b) 70 pesos.

13. Choose the correct statement.

(a) Lencho compared the large raindrops to silver coins.

(b) Lencho compared the small raindrops to gold coins.

(c) Lencho compared the small raindrops to pearls.

(d) None of the above

Ans: (d) None of the above

14. Lencho had faith in-

(a) God                                          (b) Postmaster

(c) His sons                                   (d) His wife

Ans. (a) God.

15. Choose the correct statement.

(a) Lencho went out in the rain to enjoy.

(b) Lencho went outside to feel the rain on his body.

(c) Lencho went outside to see his fields.

(d) Lencho went outside to store the rain water.

Ans: (b) Lencho went outside to feel the rain on his body.

16. The woman was preparing-

(a) lunch                                         (b) supper

(c) breakfast                                  (d) nothing

Ans. (b) Supper.

17. Why was Lencho satisfied?

(a) Due to heavy rainfall.

(b) Due to good harvest.

(c) Due to the pleasure he felt.

(d) All of the above

Ans: (a) Due to heavy rainfall.

18. The air was-

(a) fresh and sweet                  (b) polluted

(c) dusty                                  (d) humid

Ans. (a) Fresh and sweet.

19. Which thing in the story refers to the 'frozen pearls'?

(a) Raindrops                             (c) Silver coins

(c) Stones                                  (d) Hailstones

Ans: (d) Hailstones

20. Rain drops are compared to-

(a) new coins                           (b) silver coins

(c) salt                                     (d) 5 Rupees coins

Ans. (a) New coins.

21. Lencho compared the quantum of damage with

(a) attack by rats                      (b) attack by crows

(c) plague of locusts               (d) None of these

Ans: (c) plague of locusts

22. Leacho saw towards North-East-

(a) a temple                                 (b) a mountain

(c) a mountain of clouds            (d) a valley

Ans. (c) A mountain of clouds.

23. Pesos means-

(a) Latin America  

(b) Currency of Latin America

(c) Australian currency          

(d) Coins

Ans. (b) Currency of Latin America.

24. Lencho's soul was filled with sadness. Why?

(a) Due to flood

(b) Because field was destroyed

(c) Due to his family

(d) Because of money

Ans: (b) Because field was destroyed

25. Locust is-

(a) a bird                                     (b) an insect

(c) mountain                             (d) none

Ans. (b) An insect.

26. Lencho's hopes were not met with success because-

(a) the sunlight was enough

(b) the rain was still going on

(c) the hail lasted for an hour

(d) the children were unsuccessful

Ans: (c) the hail lasted for an hour

27. How much money did Lencho need?

(a) One hundred pesos        (b) Seventy pesos

(d) One fifty pesos              (c) Thirty pesos

Ans: (a) One hundred pesos

28. What was the only hope left in the hearts of Lencho's family

(a) Compensation from the government

(b) Help from farmer's association

(c) Help from God

(d) There was no hope left

Ans: (c) Help from God

29. Why did the postman laugh heartily?

(a) dismissive

(b) On seeing a letter addressed to God

(c) On seeing Lencho's condition

(d) He heard a joke (d) All of the above

Ans: (b) On seeing a letter addressed to God

thirty. Lencho visited the post office again on

(a) Monday                                   (c) Friday

(b) next Sunday                            (d) Saturday

Ans: (b) next Sunday

31. Lencho asked God to not send the money through the mail because-

(a) he did not come to the post office

(b) he thought the post office employees have stolen it

(c) the post office was far away

 (d) None of the above

Ans: (b) he thought the post office employees have stolen it

32. What did Lencho believe about God?

(a) God could not make a mistake.

(b) God is always right.

(c) God is great.

(d) God gives you the best.

Ans: (a) God could not make a mistake.

33. Choose the correct meaning of the words “sat on the crest of a low”

(a) Top of a hill                   (b) Middle of the hill

(c) Bottom of the hill         (d) None of the above

Ans: (a) Top of a hill

34. Choose the correct meaning of ‘contentment’

(a) Disgust                                (b) Derision

(c) Satisfaction                         (d) Requirement

Ans: (c) Satisfaction

35. The field was white as if covered with

(a) snow                                   (c) salt

(b) flour                                   (d) sugar

Ans: (c) salt

36. What does the word locust mean in the chapter?

(a) Group of flowers                   (c) Group of pest

(b) Group of insects                    (d) Group of bees

Ans: (b) Group of insects

37. What is the irony in this lesson?

(a) Lencho was sad after the hailstorm even though he was waiting for a shower.

(b) Postmaster laughed at Lencho but still helped arrange the money.

(c) Lencho blamed the post office employees who in fact helped him.

(d) There is no irony.

Ans: (c) Lencho blamed the post office employees who in fact helped him.

38. What type of conflict does the chapter highlight?

(a) Conflict between humans and nature

(b) Conflict among humans

(c) Conflict between God and nature

(d) Both (a) and (b)

Ans: (d) Both (a) and (b)

39. Why was Lencho not surprised to see money in the envelope?

(a) He was too sad to acknowledge it.

(b) He has unwavering faith in God.

(c) He was ungrateful

(d) None of these.

Ans: (b) He has unwavering faith in God.

 

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