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Class 10 English (Footprints without Feet) Chapter 9 The Book That Saved the Earth

This quiz on Chapter 9, The Book That Saved the Earth, from Class 10 English (Footprints Without Feet) is designed to test your understanding of this delightful science fiction play by Claire Boiko. The quiz explores the humorous and satirical portrayal of Martians invading Earth, only to be thwarted by a book of nursery rhymes. It delves into themes such as the power of literature, the absurdity of misunderstandings, and the importance of humor and creativity. Questions include multiple-choice, plot analysis, and character-based queries, focusing on the story's events, characters, and underlying message. Detailed explanations for incorrect answers will enhance your learning, and a certificate of achievement will be awarded upon successful completion. Perfect for revision and self-assessment, this quiz will deepen your appreciation of this entertaining and thought-provoking play.

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Category: About the Author: Claire Boiko

1. In the play "The Book That Saved the Earth," what kind of relationship exists between Think-Tank and Noodle?

2 / 100

Category: About the Author: Claire Boiko

2. In which century is the play "The Book That Saved the Earth" set?

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Category: About the Author: Claire Boiko

3. (A) Noodle is Think-Tank's assistant in the play "The Book That Saved the Earth."
(R) He provides support by interpreting Earthly objects for Think-Tank.

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Category: Claire Boiko is known for writing humorous and satirical plays

4. (A) Claire Boiko's plays are known for their humor.
(R) Her characters often misinterpret situations, leading to comedic outcomes.

5 / 100

Category: Claire Boiko is known for writing humorous and satirical plays

5. Why might Claire Boiko choose to exaggerate her characters in her plays?

6 / 100

Category: Claire Boiko is known for writing humorous and satirical plays

6. How does Claire Boiko's play effectively use nursery rhymes to symbolize the power of literature in overcoming futuristic challenges?

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Category: Her works often focus on unexpected twists and futuristic themes

7. In a narrative where a protagonist discovers their life is a simulation controlled by an external entity, evaluate the effectiveness of the author's decision to reveal this twist at the midpoint rather than the climax. How does this influence the unfolding of character interactions and thematic depth?

8 / 100

Category: Her works often focus on unexpected twists and futuristic themes

8. (A) Martians believe that nursery rhymes are strategic codes used by Earthlings to plan an invasion.
(R) Martian cultural misunderstandings lead to misinterpretations of Earth's literature.

9 / 100

Category: Her works often focus on unexpected twists and futuristic themes

9. In a story set in the year 2200, where human interaction with artificial intelligence (AI) has reached advanced levels, an unexpected twist reveals that AIs have developed their own language unknown to humans. Based on themes of misunderstanding and knowledge, what could be a potential outcome of this development for future human-AI relationships?

10 / 100

Category: Theme: Power of books, intelligence vs. ignorance, humor, and satire

10. (A) The Martians misinterpreted a book as a threat and retreated.
(R) Books have the power to influence decisions and perspectives.

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Category: Theme: Power of books, intelligence vs. ignorance, humor, and satire

11. (A) Think-Tank's leadership fails because it relies on his interpretation of Earth literature as hostile codes.
(R) The Martians' inability to understand English led them to believe that nursery rhymes were instructions for warfare.

12 / 100

Category: Theme: Power of books, intelligence vs. ignorance, humor, and satire

12. (A) Books remain an essential tool for education and cultural development despite the rise of electronic media.
(R) Electronic media lacks the depth and comprehensive analysis that books provide.

13 / 100

Category: The play is set in the 25th century in a museum

13. (A) The Martians' decision to cancel the invasion of Earth stemmed from their fear of Earth's literary prowess.
(R) The Martians thought nursery rhymes were a form of advanced Earthling communications capable of threatening their civilization.

14 / 100

Category: The play is set in the 25th century in a museum

14. How does the misunderstanding of a book of nursery rhymes affect the Martian invasion plan in the play?

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Category: The play is set in the 25th century in a museum

15. How does Sergeant Oop's misunderstanding of the Earth book 'Mother Goose' illustrate a larger theme in the play?

16 / 100

Category: A historian narrates how Earth was almost invaded by Martians in 2040

16. What was the main reason Think-Tank decided to abandon the invasion of Earth?

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Category: A historian narrates how Earth was almost invaded by Martians in 2040

17. What item played a critical role in preventing the Martian invasion?

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Category: A historian narrates how Earth was almost invaded by Martians in 2040

18. What symbolic role does Think-Tank's character play in demonstrating the potential pitfalls of overconfidence in leadership?

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Category: Think-Tank, the Martian leader, misinterprets books as dangerous weapons

19. (A) Think-Tank concludes that Earth has developed a superweapon based on his interpretation of nursery rhymes.

(R) Think-Tank's ego and paranoia lead him to view Earthlings as a formidable threat, influencing his decisions.

20 / 100

Category: Think-Tank, the Martian leader, misinterprets books as dangerous weapons

20. What trait does Think-Tank exhibit when he misinterprets the books as dangerous weapons?

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Category: Think-Tank, the Martian leader, misinterprets books as dangerous weapons

21. (A) Think-Tank considers himself the most intelligent being in the universe.
(R) Think-Tank's ego leads him to underestimate Earthlings.

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Category: The Martians panic and cancel their invasion

22. (A) The Martians believed Earthlings could communicate with objects.
(R) They found nursery rhymes to be a sophisticated form of communication.

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Category: The Martians panic and cancel their invasion

23. How can the Martians’ initial misunderstanding of Earth’s nursery rhymes serve as a lesson for real-world international relations today?

24 / 100

Category: The Martians panic and cancel their invasion

24. How does the Martians' interpretation of nursery rhymes reflect on their perception of Earth's civilization?

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Category: The book that scared them? "Mother Goose" – a book of nursery rhymes!

25. How do the Martians initially plan to decipher the meanings of Earth's books?

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Category: The book that scared them? "Mother Goose" – a book of nursery rhymes!

26. What book played a crucial role in preventing the Martian invasion?

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Category: The book that scared them? "Mother Goose" – a book of nursery rhymes!

27. In which century is the play set when discussing the development of Earth-Mars relations?

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Category: Irony (Martians think nursery rhymes are a war threat)

28. In what century does the story take place?

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Category: Irony (Martians think nursery rhymes are a war threat)

29. What did the Martians think "Humpty Dumpty" represented?

30 / 100

Category: Irony (Martians think nursery rhymes are a war threat)

30. In the story where Martians perceive nursery rhymes as a war threat, what type of irony is primarily used?

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Category: Satire (Mocking overconfidence and lack of knowledge)

31. What important message does the play convey about the impact of unchecked overconfidence on leadership and decision-making processes?

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Category: Satire (Mocking overconfidence and lack of knowledge)

32. In the play, Think-Tank considers Earth's nursery rhymes as potential threats due to his overconfidence and lack of knowledge. If a company adopts a similar approach as Think-Tank did towards market reports, what is a possible outcome?

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Category: Satire (Mocking overconfidence and lack of knowledge)

33. What conclusion can be drawn about the Martian leader, Think-Tank, based on his interpretations of Earth literature?

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Category: Humor (Martians believing books are food or bombs)

34. How does Think-Tank's paranoia create a deeper cultural misunderstanding when he insists that Earth books are weapons in disguise?

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Category: Humor (Martians believing books are food or bombs)

35. After Think-Tank's leadership, which organizational change within the Martian hierarchy significantly impacted their strategy towards Earth?

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Category: Humor (Martians believing books are food or bombs)

36. What did Think-Tank order his crew to do after hearing the nursery rhyme?

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Category: Personification (Books seen as living, dangerous objects)

37. (A) Nursery rhymes are depicted as symbolic elements that represent Earth's innocence and simplicity.
(R) The Martians perceive these nursery rhymes as complex military codes, highlighting a significant communication barrier.

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Category: Personification (Books seen as living, dangerous objects)

38. How does the play "The Book That Saved the Earth" use satire and irony regarding the Martians' view of books?

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Category: Personification (Books seen as living, dangerous objects)

39. How are books depicted through personification in the play?

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Category: Power of knowledge and books

40. What philosophical implication does the realization of book's power convey about intelligence in Martian society depicted in the story?

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Category: Power of knowledge and books

41. Who is the leader of the Martian invasion plot?

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Category: Power of knowledge and books

42. How does the book symbolize power in the story?

43 / 100

Category: Overconfidence vs. intelligence

43. In the play, how does Think-Tank's description of Earth as a "primitive ball of mud" highlight his overconfidence?

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Category: Overconfidence vs. intelligence

44. Why does Think-Tank decide to take vitamins?

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Category: Overconfidence vs. intelligence

45. (A) Think-Tank believes nursery rhymes are complex codes for a covert Earth attack strategy.
(R) Think-Tank's overconfidence leads him to see danger in harmless and simple texts.

46 / 100

Category: Misinterpretation and its consequences

46. What did Think-Tank initially believe the nursery rhymes were?

47 / 100

Category: Misinterpretation and its consequences

47. How did Think-Tank's misinterpretation of Earth books as sandwiches affect his plan?

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Category: Misinterpretation and its consequences

48. (A) The team leader decided to postpone the project launch after reviewing market analysis reports.
(R) The market analysis reports were incorrectly interpreted, leading to an assumption of poor market conditions.

49 / 100

Category: How ignorance can lead to unnecessary fear

49. How does ignorance in leadership, specifically regarding emerging technologies, potentially affect future societal structures?

50 / 100

Category: How ignorance can lead to unnecessary fear

50. How does the misinterpretation of a simple Earth communication device lead Think-Tank to believe that Earthlings are technologically advanced?

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Category: How ignorance can lead to unnecessary fear

51. What role do books play in reducing fear caused by ignorance?

52 / 100

Category: Introduction in the Museum (Historian explains the event)

52. What is one of the main roles of the Historian in the museum?

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Category: Introduction in the Museum (Historian explains the event)

53. In which century did the 'Era of the Book' occur, according to the syllabus?

54 / 100

Category: Introduction in the Museum (Historian explains the event)

54. How might the humorous portrayal of interplanetary relations serve to underscore serious underlying issues faced by the Earthlings during the Martian misunderstanding?

55 / 100

Category: Martians land on Earth and enter a library

55. How did the book of nursery rhymes effectively prevent the invasion?

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Category: Martians land on Earth and enter a library

56. (A) Think-Tank believed Earthlings were preparing to invade Mars after hearing a nursery rhyme.

(R) The nursery rhyme described the preparations for a pie, which Think-Tank interpreted as a military strategy.

57 / 100

Category: Martians land on Earth and enter a library

57. Who is the leader of the Martians in the story?

58 / 100

Category: Think-Tank misinterprets books as sandwiches, weapons, and codes

58. What does Think-Tank initially assume about the Earth's books?

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Category: Think-Tank misinterprets books as sandwiches, weapons, and codes

59. According to Think-Tank's final conclusion, what role do books play after Noodle's suggestion?

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Category: Think-Tank misinterprets books as sandwiches, weapons, and codes

60. What does Think-Tank initially believe the books to be?

61 / 100

Category: Martians get scared by nursery rhymes

61. Why does Think-Tank, the Martian leader, decide to study nursery rhymes during the invasion plan?

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Category: Martians get scared by nursery rhymes

62. Who was the leader of the Martians in the story about their invasion attempt on Earth?

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Category: Martians get scared by nursery rhymes

63. In which century do the events related to the Martian invasion take place?

64 / 100

Category: Martians flee to another planet, saving Earth!

64. Compare and contrast the leadership styles of Think-Tank and Noodle during the decision to evacuate Mars for Alpha Centauri. Which leadership qualities distinguish their approaches?

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Category: Martians flee to another planet, saving Earth!

65. Analyze how the eventual friendly relations between Earthlings and Martians in the 25th century reflect global peace efforts today. What factors contribute to such reconciliations on both scales?

66 / 100

Category: Martians flee to another planet, saving Earth!

66. (A) The Martians' decision to flee was heavily influenced by their belief that Earthlings could launch a counterattack from Alpha Centauri.
(R) The nursery rhyme misinterpretation led the Martians to overestimate Earth's technological capabilities.

67 / 100

Category: Think-Tank: Overconfident, foolish leader of Mars

67. How does Think-Tank interpret the nursery rhyme "Humpty Dumpty"?

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Category: Think-Tank: Overconfident, foolish leader of Mars

68. What was Think-Tank's initial plan regarding Earth before it got canceled?

69 / 100

Category: Think-Tank: Overconfident, foolish leader of Mars

69. What is Noodle's primary role when assisting Think-Tank during his decision-making processes?

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Category: Noodle: Smart but subtle, corrects Think-Tank without offending him

70. How does Noodle demonstrate his conflict resolution and critical thinking skills when addressing Think-Tank's erroneous belief that books are sandwiches?

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Category: Noodle: Smart but subtle, corrects Think-Tank without offending him

71. Which tactic does Noodle use to guide Think-Tank towards understanding Earth's culture more accurately?

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Category: Noodle: Smart but subtle, corrects Think-Tank without offending him

72. Why does Noodle choose to employ subtlety when correcting Think-Tank?

73 / 100

Category: Captain Omega, Iota, and Sergeant Oop: Martian crew members, clueless but obedient

73. When faced with conflicting reports about Earth's resources, Captain Omega hesitates in decision-making. How does this reflect the leadership dynamics within the Martian crew?

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Category: Captain Omega, Iota, and Sergeant Oop: Martian crew members, clueless but obedient

74. (A) The Martian crew strictly followed Think-Tank's orders because they believed he was never wrong.
(R) The crew had previously witnessed Think-Tank making accurate predictions about Earth.

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Category: Captain Omega, Iota, and Sergeant Oop: Martian crew members, clueless but obedient

75. What misunderstanding does Sergeant Oop have about the Earth object 'umbrella'?

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Category: The Historian: Narrator of the story, adds humor and reflection

76. (A) The Historian uses a reflective tone to discuss the evolution of Martian leadership from Think-Tank to Noodle.
(R) This reflection helps the audience understand the wise decisions made by Martians in response to Earth's cultural symbols.

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Category: The Historian: Narrator of the story, adds humor and reflection

77. How does the Historian highlight the theme of human resilience in the narrative?

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Category: The Historian: Narrator of the story, adds humor and reflection

78. How is humor used by the Historian in storytelling?

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Category: Psychological and Ethical Aspects

79. Which scenario best illustrates a cultural misunderstanding between two groups?

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Category: Psychological and Ethical Aspects

80. What psychological effect may result from an individual's fear of being misunderstood by others?

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Category: Psychological and Ethical Aspects

81. (A) The refusal to engage with unfamiliar cultures can lead to significant leadership failures and ethical dilemmas in decision-making.
(R) Leaders always make decisions based on complete knowledge without any biases or misinterpretations.

82 / 100

Category: Fear comes from ignorance

82. Who is known for misinterpreting nursery rhymes and showcasing an authoritative yet misguided leadership?

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Category: Fear comes from ignorance

83. What does the 'Great and Mighty Balloon Brain' symbolize in Think-Tank's character?

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Category: Fear comes from ignorance

84. What did the Martians think humans were doing when they read about ''the dish ran away with the spoon''?

85 / 100

Category: Wisdom comes from learning

85. (A) Preconceived notions about a culture can lead to flawed decision-making processes when interpreting their communication methods.
(R) Cognitive biases influence the interpretation of cultural symbols, leading to potential misreadings.

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Category: Wisdom comes from learning

86. What deeper theme is suggested by the role of books and written knowledge in conveying wisdom across time and cultures, considering the potential for misinterpretation?

87 / 100

Category: Wisdom comes from learning

87. What is the importance of understanding different forms of communication?

88 / 100

Category: Overconfidence can lead to downfall

88. How can Think-Tank's misunderstanding of Earth culture and his subsequent actions be compared to real-world scenarios involving corporate leaders?

89 / 100

Category: Overconfidence can lead to downfall

89. How does Think-Tank interpret the nursery rhyme 'Twinkle Twinkle Little Star'?

90 / 100

Category: Overconfidence can lead to downfall

90. How does Think-Tank's overconfidence directly impact the Martian invasion plan?

91 / 100

Category: Books → Knowledge, power, and human intelligence

91. What is a potential consequence of misinterpreting written texts in societal contexts?

92 / 100

Category: Books → Knowledge, power, and human intelligence

92. (A) Think-Tank believed Earthlings possessed advanced technology because of their books.
(R) He thought that Earth literature was filled with realistic descriptions of their technological advancements.

93 / 100

Category: Martians' Fear → How lack of knowledge creates panic

93. (A) Think-Tank orders all Martian troops to retreat from their positions after hearing a nursery rhyme on Earth.
(R) The nursery rhyme contained strategic military secrets that could compromise Mars's security.

94 / 100

Category: Martians' Fear → How lack of knowledge creates panic

94. What role did the book of nursery rhymes play in the Martian invasion plan?

95 / 100

Category: Books and knowledge are the strongest weapons

95. How do books symbolize power in preventing the Martian invasion?

96 / 100

Category: Books and knowledge are the strongest weapons

96. (A) Martians believed books are hats.
(R) They have never encountered books before.

97 / 100

Category: Overconfidence without knowledge leads to mistakes

97. Imagine a scenario where an economist predicts an economic downturn but lacks complete data, yet confidently advises drastic policy changes. If these changes exacerbate the situation, what lesson could economists learn regarding overconfidence in predictive models?

98 / 100

Category: Overconfidence without knowledge leads to mistakes

98. (A) Overconfidence in one's understanding of a complex system can lead to strategic errors that propagate over time.
(R) Lack of thorough knowledge about the foundational principles of the system ensures decisions are based on inaccurate interpretations.

99 / 100

Category: Learning and open-mindedness prevent misunderstandings

99. Consider a scenario where two organizations with different approaches to handling new information lead to varying outcomes in managing cross-cultural projects. Analyze the outcome based on leadership styles.

100 / 100

Category: Learning and open-mindedness prevent misunderstandings

100. Evaluate the impact of cultural misinterpretations on international diplomacy by analyzing a historical case where misunderstanding nearly led to conflict.

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I. Chapter Summary

“The Book That Saved the Earth” by Claire Boiko is a humorous science fiction play set in the 25th century. It imagines a future where a historian named Think-Tank from Mars plans an invasion of Earth. He and his fellow Martians misunderstand Earth’s culture and technology by interpreting a nursery rhyme book—Mother Goose—as factual Earth literature. Believing that humans are highly intelligent and dangerous because of the seemingly threatening rhymes, they cancel the invasion out of fear. The play emphasizes the importance of books, the power of imagination, and how miscommunication can alter the course of events.

II. Key Concepts Covered

ConceptExplanation
Science Fiction ElementsSet in the future, involves Martians, space travel, and imagination.
Power of BooksA simple book of rhymes influences interplanetary decisions.
Satire and IronyMartians misunderstand human nursery rhymes as serious threats.
Communication GapShows how ignorance and lack of cultural understanding lead to errors.
Imagination and HumorEncourages creative thinking while making readers laugh.

III. Important Questions

(A) Multiple Choice Questions (1 Mark)

  1. Who is Think-Tank?
    • a) A Martian soldier
    • b) A historian from Earth
    • c) The ruler of Mars
    • d) A scientist on Earth
    •  Answer: c) The ruler of Mars
  2. What book do the Martians find on Earth?
    • a) A physics manual
    • b) Mother Goose
    • c) The Martian Dictionary
    • d) A space journal
    •  Answer: b) Mother Goose
  3. Why do the Martians cancel the invasion?
    • a) Earth is too advanced
    • b) Think-Tank gets scared
    • c) They misunderstand rhymes as weapons
    • d) Earth is already invaded
    •  Answer: c) They misunderstand rhymes as weapons
  4. What genre does the chapter belong to?
    • a) Tragedy
    • b) Romance
    • c) Comedy/Science fiction
    • d) Historical fiction
    •  Answer: c) Comedy/Science fiction

(B) Short Answer Questions (2/3 Marks)

  1. How do the Martians interpret the book Mother Goose? (PYQ – 2020)
  2. What kind of character is Think-Tank? Describe him briefly.
  3. What mistake do the Martians make while understanding Earth’s literature?
  4. What is the significance of the chapter title The Book That Saved the Earth?

(C) Long Answer Questions (5 Marks)

  1. Discuss how misunderstanding and lack of communication play a role in the story’s humor and message. (PYQ – 2019)
  2. How is the story a satire on over-reliance on power and technology?
  3. What message does the author convey through the Martians’ fear of nursery rhymes?
  4. Describe the role of books and imagination in shaping the Martians’ decision.

(D) HOTS (Higher Order Thinking Skills)

  1. Do you think literature and imagination can truly influence real-world decisions? Justify.
  2. How would the story be different if the Martians understood the book correctly?

IV. Key Formulas/Concepts

As this is a work of fiction, there are no mathematical formulas. However, important literary devices and concepts include:

V. Deleted Portions (CBSE 2025–2026)

 No portions have been deleted from this chapter as per the rationalized NCERT textbooks.

VI. Chapter-Wise Marks Bifurcation (Estimated – CBSE 2025–2026)

Unit/ChapterEstimated MarksType of Questions Typically Asked
The Book That Saved the Earth6–8 marksMCQs, Short Answer, Long Answer, HOTS Questions

VII. Previous Year Questions (PYQs)

YearMarksQuestion
20195Describe how Think-Tank’s misinterpretation of Earth’s books saved the planet.
20202How do the Martians misunderstand the book they find on Earth?
20213How is Think-Tank’s character a source of humor in the play?

VIII. Real-World Application Examples to Connect with Topics

IX. Student Tips & Strategies for Success

 Time Management

 Exam Preparation

 Stress Management

X. Career Guidance & Exploration

For Classes 9–10

Streams Overview:

Career Paths:

Foundation Exams:

XI. Important Notes