B.1. Write ‘T’ for True and ‘F’ for False
People easily get convinced by Jim. — False
Jim uses his paper route to spread awareness about ecology. — True
Jim gives advice on ecology without charging money. — True
Mr. Williams was present at his house. — True
People listened to Jim happily because he cared about ecology. — False
B.2. Answer the Following Questions Very Briefly
1. What happens when the narrator calls Ms. Greene “Mrs. Greene”?
Answer:
When Jim calls her “Mrs. Greene,” she says she has no change to pay him for the newspaper.
2. What does the narrator do on Saturdays and Sundays?
Answer:
On weekends, Jim collects newspaper money and also tries to spread awareness about environmental protection.
3. Which animal messes up Ms. Greene’s yard?
Answer:
Jim’s dog damages Ms. Greene’s yard by digging in her garden and making it dirty.
4. Why does the narrator ask Ms. Greene to save paper and aluminium cans?
Answer:
Jim asks Ms. Greene to save newspapers and aluminium cans so that they can be recycled and reused.
5. Did the narrator succeed in getting Ms. Greene to do something about ecology?
Answer:
No, Jim failed to convince Ms. Greene to take interest in ecology.
6. What is a compost pit?
Answer:
A compost pit is a place where leaves, garbage, and organic waste are collected to make natural manure.
7. What does Mr. Williams mean by “nose pollution”?
Answer:
Mr. Williams means the bad smell coming from Jim’s compost pile, which spreads unpleasant odor in the area.
8. Why is burning of leaves bad for air?
Answer:
Burning leaves pollutes the air by producing smoke and harmful gases.
B.3.1 Complete the Following Sentences
It is very boring work, this ecology bit.
Women use too many electric things.
Nobody is willing to do anything about ecology.
The narrator drives his motorbike all summer and snowmobile all winter.
B.3.2 Answer the Following Questions Very Briefly
1. How far was the post office from Mr. Johnson’s house?
Answer:
The post office was only two blocks away from Mr. Johnson’s house.
2. What form of electricity did the narrator use?
Answer:
The narrator used electricity by watching television for long hours.
3. Why did Mr. Johnson think that the narrator did not follow ecological principles?
Answer:
Mr. Johnson believed Jim did not follow ecology because he damaged a small tree and wasted fuel by riding vehicles for fun.
4. Did the narrator enjoy talking about ecology?
Answer:
Yes, Jim liked talking about ecology, but he became tired because people did not listen to him.
C.1 Long Answer Questions (Rewritten for Blog – Bihar Board Class 10)
1. “Nobody’s willing to do anything about ecology.” Do you agree with this statement?
Answer:
Yes, to some extent I agree with this statement. Many people talk about saving the environment, but only a few actually take practical steps to protect it. People often ignore problems like pollution, littering, cutting trees, and wasting electricity. In the lesson, Jim tries to make people aware of ecology, but nobody is interested in following his advice. This shows that people support environmental protection only in words, not in action. Therefore, real ecological awareness is still lacking in society.
2. “But anyhow, on Saturdays when I collect, I put in good work for ecology.” How are you contributing to ecological preservation in your surroundings?
Answer:
I try my best to help in protecting the environment around me. I avoid throwing garbage on roads and always use dustbins. I also plant trees and encourage others to keep the surroundings clean. I save electricity by switching off fans and lights when not needed. Moreover, I avoid wasting water and try to reduce the use of plastic. These small efforts can help in preserving ecology.
3. “I get tired of trying to get Ms. Greene to do something about ecology.” Explain Jim’s meeting with Ms. Greene.
Answer:
Jim meets Ms. Greene while collecting money for newspapers. She is putting garbage outside her house for collection. Before Jim can say anything about ecology, Ms. Greene complains that Jim has thrown a gum wrapper in her yard and that his dog damages her garden.
Jim suggests that she should save newspapers and aluminium cans for recycling. However, Ms. Greene reminds him that he once promised to collect recyclable items but never came. She refuses to listen to Jim’s advice. As a result, Jim becomes frustrated and tired of trying to make her care about ecology.
4. “Sure it is hard to get people to work for ecology.” Do you agree with this statement? What is ecology? What steps have you and your school taken to preserve it?
Answer:
Yes, I agree that it is difficult to make people work for ecology because many people are careless about environmental problems. Ecology is the study of the relationship between living beings and their environment.
My school takes many steps to preserve ecology. We organize plantation drives, cleanliness campaigns, and awareness programs about pollution. Dustbins are placed around the school campus to maintain cleanliness. Personally, I also help by planting trees, saving water, and keeping my surroundings clean.
5. “Women use too many electric things.” What made the narrator say this? How do modern appliances affect ecology?
Answer:
The narrator says this when he sees his mother using an electric mixer in the kitchen. He suggests that she should use an old egg beater instead to save electricity.
Modern appliances make life easier, but excessive use of them can harm the environment. They consume large amounts of electricity, which increases energy use and pollution. Old electronic items also create waste that harms nature. Therefore, we should use electrical appliances carefully and wisely.
6. Do you think Jim is a truly ecology-friendly boy? Give reasons.
Answer:
Jim is partly an ecology-friendly boy because he genuinely wants people to protect the environment. He advises others to recycle waste, avoid pollution, and save fuel.
However, he does not always follow ecological rules himself. He rides his motorbike and snowmobile for fun and also damages a small tree by taking shortcuts. This shows that although Jim is aware of ecology, he is not completely perfect in practicing it.
7. Does Jim understand why people question his advice? Explain.
Answer:
Yes, Jim slowly understands why people question his advice. When he tells others to protect the environment, they point out his own mistakes. Mr. Williams complains about the bad smell from Jim’s compost pit, Ms. Greene talks about his dog creating trouble, and Mr. Johnson reminds him of damaging a tree.
These incidents make Jim realize that he also fails to follow ecology perfectly. Therefore, people question his advice because his actions sometimes do not match his words.
8. What happened to the tree mentioned by Mr. Johnson?
Answer:
The tree mentioned by Mr. Johnson was damaged because Jim used to take a shortcut through the yard every day. While crossing the area, Jim repeatedly jumped over the small tree, which eventually stopped growing and died. Mr. Johnson uses this example to show that Jim himself also harmed the environment.
9. Is Jim aware of all aspects of ecology? Does he always follow ecological measures?
Answer:
Jim knows many things about ecology and tries to spread awareness among people. He talks about recycling, saving fuel, and avoiding pollution.
However, he does not always follow ecological measures in his own life. He rides vehicles for fun and damages nature without realizing it. So, although Jim understands ecology, he is not fully successful in practicing it all the time.
10. What potential does Jim have as a hero in the story?
Answer:
Jim has the qualities of a young environmental hero. He tries to educate people about saving nature and works hard to spread awareness. Even though people criticize him and refuse to listen, he continues his efforts.
Jim may not completely solve environmental problems, but he shows courage, determination, and concern for ecology. His efforts inspire others to think about protecting the environment, which makes him a potential hero in the story.
C.2 Group Discussion
1. Environmental degradation leads to ecological imbalance.
Answer:
Environmental degradation badly affects ecological balance. Human activities such as cutting trees, industrial pollution, deforestation, and excessive use of plastic are damaging nature. Air pollution, water pollution, and soil pollution disturb the balance between living organisms and the environment. As a result, many environmental problems such as global warming, climate change, and loss of biodiversity are increasing. Therefore, protecting the environment is necessary to maintain ecological balance.
2. Modern appliances adversely affect the environment.
Answer:
Modern appliances have made human life easier and more comfortable. Machines like refrigerators, washing machines, televisions, air conditioners, and mixers are commonly used in homes.
However, excessive use of these appliances also harms the environment. They consume electricity, which increases energy demand and pollution. Many electrical devices also create electronic waste, which is harmful to nature. Therefore, modern appliances should be used carefully to reduce environmental damage.
C.3 Composition
1. Prepare a speech in about 100 words to be delivered in the morning assembly on “How Students Can Become Ecology Friendly”.
Answer:
Morning Assembly Speech
Good morning respected Principal, teachers, and my dear friends.
Today, I would like to speak on the topic “How Students Can Become Ecology Friendly.” Students can play an important role in protecting the environment. We should keep our surroundings clean, plant more trees, and avoid wasting water and electricity. We must stop using plastic bags and throw garbage only in dustbins. We should also spread awareness among others about environmental protection. Small efforts by students can bring big changes in society. Let us all promise to protect nature and make our environment clean and green.
Thank You
2. Write a letter to your friend telling him the measures your school has taken to preserve ecology in the locality.
Answer:
Station Road, Patna
22 May 2026
Dear Amit,
I hope you are fine and doing well. I am writing this letter to tell you about the steps our school has taken to preserve ecology in our locality.
Our school organizes tree plantation programs and cleanliness drives regularly. Students are encouraged to save water and electricity. Dustbins have been placed in every classroom to maintain cleanliness. Teachers also teach us about environmental protection and motivate us to avoid plastic use.
These activities are helping students become more aware of ecology. I am proud of my school’s efforts.
Give my regards to your family.
Your loving friend,
Rahul
D. Word Study
D.1 Correct the spelling of the following words
ekology → Ecology
composte → Compost
garbedge → Garbage
stufe → Stuff
polusion → Pollution
Imings → Innings
D.2 Match the words in Column A with Column B
| Column A | Column B |
|---|---|
| Compost | Manure |
| Garbage | Filth / Waste |
| Pollution | The act of making the environment dirty |
| Pretend | To act falsely / feign |
| Ecology | The study of living things and environment |