Skip to main content

Class 9 -The Last Leaf

  

The Last Leaf – by O. Henry

A. Word Meanings (with context)

  1. Pneumonia – a serious lung disease causing difficulty in breathing
  2. Convinced – completely sure about something
  3. Shivering – shaking slightly due to cold or fear
  4. Masterpiece – a work of outstanding skill or artistry
  5. Scarcely – hardly; almost not
  6. Gaze – to look steadily and intently
  7. Beckon – to signal or call someone
  8. Frail – weak and delicate
  9. Bare – without covering; empty
  10. Sacrifice – giving up something valuable for others

B. Short Answer Questions (4 × 2 marks)

Q1. Why did Johnsy believe she would die?

Johnsy believed she would die when the last leaf fell from the ivy vine, as she had linked her life with it.

Q2. How did Sue try to help Johnsy recover?

Sue took care of Johnsy lovingly, encouraged her to eat, and tried to divert her mind from negative thoughts.

Q3. Who was Behrman and what was his dream?

Behrman was an old painter who lived downstairs and dreamed of painting a masterpiece someday.

Value-Based Questions (VBQs)

Q1. What values are shown by Sue in the story?

Sue displays compassion, patience, and selfless devotion. She constantly cares for Johnsy, encourages her to eat, and tries to keep her hopeful. Her emotional support plays a crucial role in Johnsy’s recovery.

Q2. How does Behrman’s act reflect the value of sacrifice?

Behrman risks his life by painting the leaf during a cold, stormy night to save Johnsy. He sacrifices his own health for another’s life, showing deep humanity and selflessness. His action proves that true art lies in serving others.

D. Higher Order Thinking Skills (HOTS)

Q1. Do you think Johnsy’s illness was more mental than physical? Give reasons.

Yes, Johnsy’s illness became severe because she lost her will to live. Her negative thoughts and fear made her condition worse. Once she regained hope, her physical health began to improve.

Q2. Why is the painted leaf considered Behrman’s masterpiece?

The painted leaf saved Johnsy’s life and fulfilled Behrman’s lifelong dream of creating a masterpiece. It symbolises selfless love and sacrifice. The leaf becomes immortal because of its purpose, not its beauty.

Word Web

Word: Perseverance

·       Meaning: The ability to continue trying despite difficulties

·       Sentence: Johnsy showed perseverance when she decided to live after seeing the last leaf.

·       Synonyms: Determination, endurance, persistence

·       Antonyms: Weakness, surrender, giving up

·       Part of Speech: Noun

Character Sketches

1. Johnsy

Johnsy is a young artist suffering from pneumonia. She loses hope and believes she will die when the last leaf falls. Her recovery begins when she regains hope, showing the power of positive thinking.

2. Sue

Sue is a caring and optimistic friend who nurses Johnsy with patience. She supports her emotionally and never gives up hope, reflecting compassion and true friendship.

3. Behrman

Behrman is an old painter who dreams of creating a masterpiece. He sacrifices his life by painting the last leaf to save Johnsy, symbolising selflessness and true art.

 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Class 7: The Flying Carpet by Pika Nani

The Flying Carpet (Only for Reading) Pika Nani   Notebook Work  Background of the Story The story The Flying Carpet is set in the remote and culturally rich village of Tawang in Arunachal Pradesh, India. It revolves around a young girl, Sibsa, and her mother, Sangey, a skilled traditional weaver. The story beautifully blends elements of imagination, family bonds, and cultural heritage. It also highlights the life of handloom weavers and the importance of preserving traditional crafts in a rapidly modernising world. Summary  Sibsa hears a story about a flying carpet at school and becomes fascinated by it. She develops a strong desire to have a real flying carpet of her own. She asks her mother, Sangey, to weave a magical flying carpet for her. Sangey, a skilled weaver, lovingly begins creating a special carpet instead of a literal flying carpet. The carpet beautifully depicts the landscapes, culture, and life of Tawang. Sibsa slowly realizes that the true magi...
Post a Comment
Read more

Class 8: Unit -3B: The Walker of the Snow

The Walker of the Snow by Charles Dawson Shanly “The Walker of the Snow” is a poem narrated by a man who is traveling through a cold, snowy landscape with a companion. He recounts his past experience of travelling through this valley on a December evening. The speaker was on his way to a camp and felt uneasy about the journey because the valley he had to cross was said to be haunted.  The speaker described the silent, desolate surroundings of the valley on the day he made this journey alone. The snow was deep, and the only sounds were the wailing of a bird and the rustling of leaves on the frozen snow. Feeling lonely, the speaker wished for some company, and soon after, a mysterious figure dressed in grey appeared and began to walk alongside him. The speaker tried to talk to the stranger, but the figure said nothing. As they continued walking, the speaker became increasingly nervous, especially when he realised that the stranger left no footprints in the snow. This strange detail m...
Post a Comment
Read more

Class 8: Unit-8: George’s Secret Key to the Universe

George’s Secret Key to the Universe  Summary Only For Reading) George’s Secret Key to the Universe by Lucy and Stephen Hawking “George’s Secret Key to the Universe” is an exciting story about a boy named George who stumbles upon a world of science and adventure. It all begins when George enters what he thinks is an abandoned house while looking for his pet. Inside, he meets Annie, a girl who lives there, and her father, Eric, a scientist. Their house is full of books and papers, but the most interesting thing George notices is Eric’s special computer, Cosmos. Cosmos is no ordinary computer. It is extremely powerful and can talk! Eric introduces George to Cosmos, and the computer explains that it can compute billions of numbers in a second and knows almost everything about the universe. George is fascinated, but before he can learn more, Cosmos insists that George must take an important Oath. The Oath promises that George will use any scientific knowledge he learns only for good, an...
Post a Comment
Read more