- Understand the character dynamics between Toto, Grandfather, and other animals.
- Analyze the humorous situations arising from Toto's antics and the misunderstandings with humans.
- Explore the themes of companionship and the challenges of keeping exotic pets.
- Discuss the significance of the setting, particularly Saharanpur, in the narrative.
- Evaluate the author's use of descriptive language to portray Toto's personality and behaviors.
The Adventures of Toto
Learning Objectives
TopRevision Notes & Summary
TopThe Adventures of Toto
Overview
- Toto is a baby monkey bought by Grandfather for five rupees.
- He is mischievous and causes trouble in the household.
Character Description
- Appearance: Bright eyes, deep-set eyebrows, pearly white teeth, dried-up hands, and a tail used as a third hand.
- Behavior: Mischievous, often tearing things apart and causing chaos.
Key Events
- Acquisition: Grandfather buys Toto from a tonga-driver.
- Secret Keeping: Toto's presence is kept secret from Grandmother until she is in a good mood.
- Destruction: Toto damages the walls and shreds a school blazer while in a closet.
Living Arrangements
- Initially kept in a closet, then moved to a cage in the servants' quarters.
- Later transferred to a stable with a donkey named Nana, but they do not get along.
Bathing Habits
- Enjoys warm baths; tests water temperature and uses soap.
- Almost boils himself alive when he climbs into a kettle left on the fire.
Train Journey to Saharanpur
- Toto is hidden in a canvas kit-bag during the train journey.
- Ticket collector mistakes Toto for a dog, leading to a fare of three rupees.
- Grandfather humorously inquires about the fare for a tortoise, which is deemed free.
Conclusion
- Toto's mischievous nature leads to frequent damages, prompting Grandfather to sell him back to the tonga-driver for three rupees.
Exam Tips & Common Mistakes
TopCommon Mistakes and Exam Tips
Common Pitfalls
- Misidentifying Toto's Species: Students may confuse Toto as a dog due to the ticket collector's mistake. Remember, Toto is a monkey.
- Overlooking Toto's Mischievous Nature: Failing to recognize Toto's mischievous actions can lead to misunderstanding his character. He often causes trouble, such as tearing clothes and stealing food.
- Ignoring the Role of Grandfather: Grandfather's character is crucial in the story. Students might overlook his decisions and their implications regarding keeping Toto as a pet.
Exam Tips
- Focus on Character Traits: Be prepared to discuss Toto's characteristics and behaviors, as they are central to the narrative.
- Understand the Setting: Knowing the significance of the private zoo and the family dynamics will help in answering questions about the story.
- Pay Attention to Key Events: Events like Toto's antics during the train journey and his interactions with other animals are important for understanding the plot.
- Prepare for Character Relationships: Be ready to explain the relationships between Toto, Grandfather, and Grandmother, as these dynamics drive the story forward.
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Practice Test – MCQs, True/False
TopMultiple Choice Questions
A.
By tying torn pieces of a blazer into a rope.
B.
By escaping from a locked cage.
C.
By mimicking human speech.
D.
By solving puzzles.
Correct Answer: A
Solution:
Grandfather remarked that Toto was clever enough to tie the torn pieces of a blazer into a rope, suggesting his intelligence.
A.
He jumped out immediately.
B.
He sat down again because it was cold outside.
C.
He called for help.
D.
He splashed water everywhere.
Correct Answer: B
Solution:
When the water began to boil, Toto raised himself a little but sat down again because it was cold outside.
A.
Toto looked out of place tied to a feeding-trough.
B.
The tonga-driver wanted to give Toto away.
C.
Grandfather needed a new pet for his zoo.
D.
Toto was a rare species of monkey.
Correct Answer: A
Solution:
Grandfather bought Toto because he looked out of place tied to a feeding-trough.
A.
A big black canvas kit-bag
B.
A wooden crate
C.
A metal cage
D.
A wicker basket
Correct Answer: A
Solution:
Grandfather used a big black canvas kit-bag with some straw at the bottom as Toto's new abode for the trip to Saharanpur.
A.
He laughed and let Toto pass for free.
B.
He was startled but insisted on charging a fare for Toto as a dog.
C.
He ignored Toto and focused on other passengers.
D.
He called security to handle the situation.
Correct Answer: B
Solution:
The ticket collector was taken aback but insisted on charging a fare for Toto, classifying him as a dog.
A.
A big black canvas kit-bag
B.
A wooden crate
C.
A metal cage
D.
A rope tied around his waist
Correct Answer: A
Solution:
Grandfather used a big black canvas kit-bag with some straw at the bottom as Toto's abode during the trip to Saharanpur.
A.
He remained calm and quiet.
B.
He tried to escape, causing the bag to roll and jump.
C.
He fell asleep immediately.
D.
He chewed through the canvas.
Correct Answer: B
Solution:
Toto's efforts to escape the bag made it roll about on the floor or occasionally jump into the air.
A.
He ate all the pullao quietly.
B.
He threw the dish at Grandmother.
C.
He took the dish to a tree and ate the rice there.
D.
He shared the pullao with the other pets.
Correct Answer: C
Solution:
Toto took the dish of pullao to the branches of a jackfruit tree and ate the rice there, eventually throwing the dish down to spite Grandmother.
A.
He was amused and let Toto pass without charge.
B.
He was frightened and called for security.
C.
He classified Toto as a dog and charged a fare.
D.
He ignored Toto and focused on other passengers.
Correct Answer: C
Solution:
The ticket collector classified Toto as a dog and charged a fare, much to Grandfather's annoyance.
A.
Toto looked out of place tied to a feeding-trough.
B.
Toto was a rare species of monkey.
C.
The tonga-driver insisted on selling Toto.
D.
Toto was a gift from the tonga-driver.
Correct Answer: A
Solution:
Grandfather decided to buy Toto because he looked out of place tied to a feeding-trough, and Grandfather wanted to add him to his private zoo.
A.
He eats it quietly at the table.
B.
He throws it at Grandmother.
C.
He takes it to the jackfruit tree and eats it there.
D.
He shares it with other pets.
Correct Answer: C
Solution:
Toto takes the dish of pullao to the jackfruit tree and eats it there, showing his mischievous and independent nature.
A.
By hiding Toto in a closet.
B.
By keeping Toto in the garden.
C.
By telling Grandmother that Toto was a gift.
D.
By locking Toto in the attic.
Correct Answer: A
Solution:
Grandfather and the narrator hid Toto in a closet to keep his presence a secret from Grandmother.
A.
His mischievous nature led to frequent destruction of household items.
B.
He was too expensive to feed.
C.
He was aggressive towards other animals.
D.
He required constant medical attention.
Correct Answer: A
Solution:
Toto's mischievous nature led to the destruction of dishes, clothes, curtains, and wallpaper, making him unsuitable as a long-term pet.
A.
He ran away
B.
He threw a plate at her
C.
He hid under the table
D.
He ignored her
Correct Answer: B
Solution:
When Grandmother screamed at Toto for eating pullao, he threw a plate at her.
A.
He fell into a pot of boiling water accidentally.
B.
He jumped into a kettle of warm water and stayed there as it heated up.
C.
He was playing with fire and got burned.
D.
He was trying to cook food and got trapped.
Correct Answer: B
Solution:
Toto found a kettle with warm water, got into it for a bath, and stayed there until the water started boiling, almost boiling himself alive.
A.
He tears the ornamental wallpaper and shreds a blazer.
B.
He steals food from the kitchen.
C.
He scares the neighbors with his antics.
D.
He escapes from his cage and climbs a tree.
Correct Answer: A
Solution:
Toto's mischievous nature is evident when he tears the ornamental wallpaper and shreds a blazer when left alone in a closet.
A.
He drinks the water.
B.
He uses it to wash his hands.
C.
He gets into the kettle for a bath.
D.
He pours it over himself.
Correct Answer: C
Solution:
Toto gets into the kettle for a bath when he finds the water warm enough, demonstrating his unusual behavior.
A.
He argued that Toto was not a dog.
B.
He agreed and paid the fare without any objection.
C.
He left Toto at the station.
D.
He laughed and found it amusing.
Correct Answer: A
Solution:
Grandfather tried to argue that Toto was not a dog and did not qualify as a quadruped, but eventually had to pay the fare.
A.
He splashed water everywhere.
B.
He refused to continue his bath.
C.
He ran away to the kitchen-fire.
D.
He threw the soap at the person laughing.
Correct Answer: B
Solution:
Toto's feelings would be hurt, and he would refuse to continue his bath if laughed at.
A.
He untied the rope with his tail.
B.
He chewed through the rope.
C.
He wrenched the peg from the wall.
D.
He was let out by Grandfather.
Correct Answer: C
Solution:
Toto wrenched the peg from the wall to escape from the closet.
A.
Toto was discovered immediately.
B.
Toto destroyed the ornamental paper in the closet.
C.
Grandmother was pleased with Toto.
D.
Toto escaped and ran away.
Correct Answer: B
Solution:
Toto destroyed the ornamental paper in the closet, revealing his presence.
A.
They were useless.
B.
They added to one's good looks.
C.
They were a sign of intelligence.
D.
They were a disadvantage.
Correct Answer: B
Solution:
Grandfather believed that a tail would add to anyone's good looks.
A.
He steals a ticket from the collector.
B.
He pokes his head out of the bag and grins at the ticket collector.
C.
He runs away from Grandfather.
D.
He climbs onto the train roof.
Correct Answer: B
Solution:
Toto's mischievous personality is demonstrated when he pokes his head out of the bag and grins at the ticket collector, causing a commotion.
A.
Because Toto was causing trouble at home.
B.
To prevent Toto from escaping from the house.
C.
To show Toto to his friends in Saharanpur.
D.
To accompany Grandfather on a journey as he collected his pension.
Correct Answer: D
Solution:
Grandfather took Toto to Saharanpur because he had to collect his pension and decided to take Toto along to prevent him from causing more trouble at home.
A.
He ate it quietly at the dining table.
B.
He threw it at Grandmother.
C.
He took it to a tree and ate it there.
D.
He shared it with the other pets.
Correct Answer: C
Solution:
Toto took the dish of pullao to a tree and ate it there.
A.
Toto was not fitting in with the other pets.
B.
Toto was too expensive to keep due to his mischievous behavior.
C.
Grandfather found a better pet to replace Toto.
D.
Toto was becoming too aggressive.
Correct Answer: B
Solution:
Grandfather realized that Toto's mischievous behavior was causing too much damage and expense, so he decided to sell him back to the tonga-driver.
A.
He ran away with the dish.
B.
He threw a plate at her.
C.
He dropped the dish on the floor.
D.
He hid under the table.
Correct Answer: B
Solution:
When Grandmother screamed at Toto for eating the pullao, he threw a plate at her.
A.
He laughs and lets them pass without charge.
B.
He insists on charging Grandfather for Toto as a dog.
C.
He calls for security to remove Toto.
D.
He offers to buy Toto from Grandfather.
Correct Answer: B
Solution:
The ticket collector insists on charging Grandfather for Toto as a dog, despite Grandfather's protests.
A.
He threw a plate at Grandmother.
B.
He shared the pullao with other pets.
C.
He buried the dish in the garden.
D.
He quietly ate the pullao without causing any disturbance.
Correct Answer: A
Solution:
When Toto found the dish of pullao, he threw a plate at Grandmother and later threw the dish down from a tree, showing his mischievous behavior.
A.
He splashed water everywhere.
B.
He continued with his bath, ignoring the laughter.
C.
He stopped bathing and refused to continue.
D.
He threw the soap at the person laughing.
Correct Answer: C
Solution:
Toto's feelings were hurt when he was laughed at during his bath, and he refused to continue bathing.
A.
He was unfamiliar with monkeys.
B.
Toto looked like a dog.
C.
He wanted to charge extra fare.
D.
Toto poked his head out of the bag and grinned.
Correct Answer: D
Solution:
The ticket collector classified Toto as a dog because Toto poked his head out of the bag and grinned.
A.
He escapes and runs away.
B.
He tears down the ornamental wallpaper and destroys a blazer.
C.
He steals food from the kitchen.
D.
He makes friends with other animals in the house.
Correct Answer: B
Solution:
When left alone in the closet, Toto tears down the ornamental wallpaper and destroys a blazer, showcasing his mischievous nature.
A.
He laughed and let them pass
B.
He insisted on charging for Toto as a dog
C.
He called for security
D.
He ignored it
Correct Answer: B
Solution:
The ticket collector insisted on charging for Toto as a dog when Toto poked his head out of the bag.
A.
Because Toto barked at him.
B.
Because he was not familiar with monkeys.
C.
Because he wanted to charge Grandfather extra.
D.
Because Toto was in a bag and only his head was visible.
Correct Answer: D
Solution:
The ticket collector saw Toto's head poking out of the bag and classified him as a dog, leading to an extra charge.
A.
Grandmother was allergic to monkeys.
B.
Grandmother always fussed over new animals.
C.
Toto was too mischievous.
D.
Grandmother was out of town.
Correct Answer: B
Solution:
Grandmother always fussed when Grandfather brought home new animals, so Toto's presence was kept a secret.
True or False
Correct Answer: True
Solution:
Toto got into a kettle of warm water and stayed there until the water began to boil, nearly boiling himself alive.
Correct Answer: True
Solution:
The ticket collector classified Toto, the monkey, as a dog and charged a fare of three rupees, despite Grandfather's attempts to prove otherwise.
Correct Answer: True
Solution:
Grandfather bought Toto from a tonga-driver for the sum of five rupees.
Correct Answer: True
Solution:
The ticket-collector insisted that Toto was a dog and charged Grandfather accordingly.
Correct Answer: True
Solution:
The ticket collector classified Toto as a dog, requiring Grandfather to pay three rupees for his fare.
Correct Answer: False
Solution:
Toto was mischievous and often caused trouble, such as tearing things to pieces and creating chaos during meals.
Correct Answer: True
Solution:
Grandfather bought Toto from a tonga-driver for the sum of five rupees.
Correct Answer: False
Solution:
A turnstile is a mechanical gate that allows only one person at a time to pass through.
Correct Answer: False
Solution:
A turnstile is a mechanical gate that allows only one person at a time to pass through.
Correct Answer: False
Solution:
Toto was unable to escape from the canvas kit-bag as it was too strong for him to bite through, and he could not get his hands through the opening.
Correct Answer: True
Solution:
Toto once got into a kettle that was on the fire and nearly boiled himself alive before being rescued by Grandmother.
Correct Answer: True
Solution:
Grandfather bought Toto from a tonga-driver for the sum of five rupees, as the monkey looked out of place tied to a feeding-trough.
Correct Answer: False
Solution:
Toto was mischievous and often caused trouble, such as tearing clothes and throwing dishes.