Chapter: The Adventures of Toto Addtional Questions and Answers
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
1. Who is the author of "The Adventures of Toto"?
a. R.K. Narayan
b. Ruskin Bond
c. Mulk Raj Anand
d. Khushwant Singh
2. From whom did Grandfather buy Toto?
a. A snake charmer
b. A tonga-driver
c. A ticket-collector
d. A zoo keeper
3. How much did Grandfather pay to buy Toto?
a. Three rupees
b. Ten rupees
c. Five rupees
d. Two rupees
4. Where did the tonga-driver keep Toto tied to?
a. A tree
b. A cart
c. A feeding-trough
d. A stable
5. What did Toto's smile often do to elderly Anglo-Indian ladies?
a. Made them laugh
b. Frightened the life out of them
c. Made them angry
d. Surprised them
6. What did Grandfather believe would add to anyone's good looks?
a. Bright eyes
b. A smile
c. A tail
d. Pearly white teeth
7. Why was Toto's presence initially kept a secret?
a. Grandfather wanted to surprise the narrator
b. Grandmother always fussed when Grandfather brought home a new bird or animal
c. Toto was stolen
d. The landlord did not allow pets
8. What did Toto destroy in the narrator's bedroom closet?
a. The narrator's school blazer
b. The bedsheets
c. A pair of shoes
d. Grandfather's hat
9. Where did Grandfather have to go to collect his pension?
a. Dehra Dun
b. Delhi
c. Saharanpur
d. Lucknow
10. What kind of bag was provided for Toto's journey?
a. A small jute bag
b. A large plastic bag
c. A leather suitcase
d. A big black canvas kit-bag
11. What did the ticket-collector classify Toto as?
a. A cat
b. A dog
c. A quadruped
d. A reptile
12. How much was the fare charged for Toto's ticket?
a. Five rupees
b. Two rupees
c. Three rupees
d. One rupee
13. Which animal did Grandfather take out of his pocket at the railway station?
a. A squirrel
b. A rabbit
c. A tortoise
d. A mouse
14. What was the name of the family donkey?
a. Toto
b. Nana
c. Moti
d. Caesar
15. What did Toto fasten on to with his sharp little teeth in the stable?
a. Nana's tail
b. Nana's long ears
c. Nana's nose
d. A bundle of hay
16. How did Toto test the temperature of his bath water?
a. With his foot
b. With his tail
c. With his hand
d. By smelling it
17. Where would Toto run to dry himself after a bath?
a. To the garden
b. To his cage
c. To the kitchen-fire
d. To the bedroom
18. What was boiling in the large kitchen kettle that Toto got into?
a. Milk
b. Soup
c. Water for tea
d. Rice
19. What dish did Toto stuff himself with at lunch-time?
a. Biryani
b. Pullao
c. Curry
d. Sweet rice
20. For how much did Grandfather sell Toto back to the tonga-driver?
a. Five rupees
b. Four rupees
c. Three rupees
d. Two rupees
MCQ Answers:
1. b
2. b
3. c
4. c
5. b
6. c
7. b
8. a
9. c
10. d
11. b
12. c
13. c
14. b
15. b
16. c
17. c
18. c
19. b
20. c
Assertion and Reason Questions
1. Assertion (A) Grandfather bought Toto for his private zoo.
Reason (R) Toto looked very out of place tied to a feeding-trough by the tonga-driver.
(a) Both assertion and reason are true and reason is the correct explanation of assertion.
(b) Both assertion and reason are true but reason is not the correct explanation of assertion.
(c) Assertion is true but reason is false.
(d) Assertion is false but reason is true.
(e) Both Assertion and Reason are false.
2. Assertion (A) Toto's presence in the house was kept a secret from Grandmother at first.
Reason (R) Grandmother was allergic to monkey hair.
(a) Both assertion and reason are true and reason is the correct explanation of assertion.
(b) Both assertion and reason are true but reason is not the correct explanation of assertion.
(c) Assertion is true but reason is false.
(d) Assertion is false but reason is true.
(e) Both Assertion and Reason are false.
3. Assertion (A) Grandfather was pleased with Toto's performance in the bedroom closet.
Reason (R) Toto had neatly folded the narrator's school blazer.
(a) Both assertion and reason are true and reason is the correct explanation of assertion.
(b) Both assertion and reason are true but reason is not the correct explanation of assertion.
(c) Assertion is true but reason is false.
(d) Assertion is false but reason is true.
(e) Both Assertion and Reason are false.
4. Assertion (A) Grandfather took Toto to Saharanpur in a canvas kit-bag.
Reason (R) Toto wouldn't allow any of his companions in the servants' quarters to sleep at night.
(a) Both assertion and reason are true and reason is the correct explanation of assertion.
(b) Both assertion and reason are true but reason is not the correct explanation of assertion.
(c) Assertion is true but reason is false.
(d) Assertion is false but reason is true.
(e) Both Assertion and Reason are false.
5. Assertion (A) The ticket-collector charged Grandfather three rupees for Toto.
Reason (R) The ticket-collector classified Toto as a dog.
(a) Both assertion and reason are true and reason is the correct explanation of assertion.
(b) Both assertion and reason are true but reason is not the correct explanation of assertion.
(c) Assertion is true but reason is false.
(d) Assertion is false but reason is true.
(e) Both Assertion and Reason are false.
6. Assertion (A) Grandfather had to pay a ticket fare for his pet tortoise as well.
Reason (R) The ticket-collector charged for all animals irrespective of their species.
(a) Both assertion and reason are true and reason is the correct explanation of assertion.
(b) Both assertion and reason are true but reason is not the correct explanation of assertion.
(c) Assertion is true but reason is false.
(d) Assertion is false but reason is true.
(e) Both Assertion and Reason are false.
7. Assertion (A) Toto and the family donkey, Nana, became great friends in the stable.
Reason (R) Toto kept Nana warm by hugging her ears.
(a) Both assertion and reason are true and reason is the correct explanation of assertion.
(b) Both assertion and reason are true but reason is not the correct explanation of assertion.
(c) Assertion is true but reason is false.
(d) Assertion is false but reason is true.
(e) Both Assertion and Reason are false.
8. Assertion (A) Toto almost boiled himself alive in the kitchen.
Reason (R) He got into a large kitchen kettle left on the fire to boil for tea.
(a) Both assertion and reason are true and reason is the correct explanation of assertion.
(b) Both assertion and reason are true but reason is not the correct explanation of assertion.
(c) Assertion is true but reason is false.
(d) Assertion is false but reason is true.
(e) Both Assertion and Reason are false.
9. Assertion (A) Toto threw a dish of pullao from the branches of the jackfruit tree.
Reason (R) He wanted to spite Grandmother because she had screamed at him.
(a) Both assertion and reason are true and reason is the correct explanation of assertion.
(b) Both assertion and reason are true but reason is not the correct explanation of assertion.
(c) Assertion is true but reason is false.
(d) Assertion is false but reason is true.
(e) Both Assertion and Reason are false.
10. Assertion (A) Grandfather eventually sold Toto back to the tonga-driver.
Reason (R) The family was not well-to-do and could not afford the frequent loss of items caused by Toto.
(a) Both assertion and reason are true and reason is the correct explanation of assertion.
(b) Both assertion and reason are true but reason is not the correct explanation of assertion.
(c) Assertion is true but reason is false.
(d) Assertion is false but reason is true.
(e) Both Assertion and Reason are false.
Assertion and Reason Answers with explanations:
1. a
Explanation: Grandfather decided to add Toto to his private zoo because the monkey looked out of place tied to a feeding-trough.
2. c
Explanation: The assertion is true, but the reason is false. Toto's presence was kept a secret because Grandmother always fussed when Grandfather brought home a new bird or animal, not because of an allergy.
3. c
Explanation: The assertion is true; Grandfather was pleased. The reason is false; Toto had torn the blazer into shreds, not folded it.
4. a
Explanation: Grandfather took Toto along because Toto would not allow any of his companions in the servants' quarters to sleep at night.
5. a
Explanation: The ticket-collector charged three rupees because he classified Toto as a dog, and dogs required a ticket.
6. e
Explanation: Both are false. The ticket-collector looked at the tortoise and said, "No charge. It is not a dog".
7. e
Explanation: Both are false. Toto and Nana never became friends because Toto fastened on to her long ears with his sharp little teeth.
8. a
Explanation: Toto got into a kettle boiling for tea, which is why he almost boiled himself alive.
9. a
Explanation: Toto threw the dish down from the tree to spite Grandmother, who had screamed at him.
10. a
Explanation: The family could not afford the frequent loss of dishes, clothes, and curtains, so Grandfather sold Toto back to the tonga-driver.
Very Short Answer Type Questions (1 Mark)
1. Who bought Toto and from whom?
Answer: Grandfather bought Toto from a tonga-driver.
2. How much did Grandfather pay for Toto?
Answer: Grandfather paid five rupees for Toto.
3. Where was Toto initially hidden?
Answer: Toto was initially hidden in a little closet opening into the narrator's bedroom wall.
4. What did Toto do to the narrator's school blazer?
Answer: Toto tore the narrator's school blazer into shreds.
5. Why did Grandfather have to go to Saharanpur?
Answer: Grandfather had to go to Saharanpur to collect his pension.
6. How much was Grandfather charged for Toto's train ticket?
Answer: Grandfather was charged three rupees for Toto's train ticket.
7. Who was Nana?
Answer: Nana was the family donkey.
8. What did Toto enjoy during cold winter evenings?
Answer: Toto enjoyed a large bowl of warm water given to him by Grandmother for his bath.
9. What dish did Toto eat at lunch-time?
Answer: Toto ate a large dish of pullao at lunch-time.
10. For how much did Grandfather sell Toto back?
Answer: Grandfather sold Toto back for three rupees.
Short Answer Type Questions (2 Marks)
1. Why did Grandfather decide to buy Toto?
Answer: Grandfather bought Toto from a tonga-driver because he saw the little monkey tied to a feeding-trough. He felt the monkey looked so out of place there that he decided to add him to his private zoo.
2. Describe Toto's physical appearance.
Answer: Toto was a pretty monkey with bright eyes that sparkled with mischief and pearly white teeth. His hands looked dried-up, but his fingers were quick, and he had a tail that served as a third hand.
3. Why was Toto's presence kept a secret from Grandmother?
Answer: Grandmother always fussed when Grandfather brought home a new bird or animal. Therefore, it was decided to keep Toto a secret until she was in a particularly good mood.
4. What did Toto do in the little closet?
Answer: In the closet, Toto wrenched the peg from its socket and tore off the ornamental paper on the walls. He also tore the narrator's school blazer into shreds.
5. Why did Grandfather take Toto to Saharanpur?
Answer: Toto was transferred to the servants' quarters but wouldn't let any of the other pet companions sleep at night. Because Grandfather had to travel to Saharanpur the next day, he decided to take Toto along to prevent further trouble.
6. How did the ticket-collector react when he saw Toto?
Answer: When Toto poked his head out of the bag and grinned, the ticket-collector was taken aback. He classified Toto as a dog and demanded that Grandfather pay a fare of three rupees for him.
7. What happened on Toto's first night in the stable?
Answer: Toto was placed in the stable with the donkey, Nana. Grandfather found that Toto had fastened on to Nana's long ears with his sharp little teeth, causing Nana to pull away.
8. How did Toto take a bath in the winter?
Answer: Toto would cunningly test the water temperature with his hand and then step into the bath gradually. Once inside, he would take the soap and rub himself all over, just as he had seen the narrator doing.
9. How did Toto nearly boil himself alive?
Answer: Toto climbed into a large kitchen kettle that had been left on the fire to boil for tea. He stayed there as the water heated up, hopping up and down until Grandmother arrived to haul him out.
10. Why was Toto sold back to the tonga-driver?
Answer: Toto caused frequent losses by destroying dishes, clothes, curtains, and wallpaper. Since the family was not well-to-do and could not afford these losses, Grandfather sold him back for three rupees.
Short Answer Type Questions (3 Marks)
1. How does the author describe Toto's tail and its usefulness?
Answer: The author notes that Toto had a tail which added to his good looks, as Grandfather believed a tail improved anyone's appearance. Moreover, the tail served as a third hand for Toto. He could use it to hang from branches and to scoop up delicacies that were out of reach of his hands.
2. What was Grandfather's reaction when he saw the damage Toto caused in the closet?
Answer: Instead of being angry or worried about what Grandmother would say, Grandfather seemed pleased with Toto's performance in the closet. He praised Toto's cleverness, stating that given time, Toto could have tied the shredded pieces of the blazer into a rope to escape from the window.
3. Describe the scene at the Dehra Dun railway platform caused by Toto.
Answer: Toto was placed inside a strong black canvas kit-bag, from which he could not escape. His efforts to get out made the bag roll about on the floor or occasionally jump into the air. This strange exhibition attracted a curious crowd of onlookers on the Dehra Dun railway platform.
4. Explain the interaction between Grandfather and the ticket-collector regarding the tortoise.
Answer: After the ticket-collector unfairly charged three rupees for Toto by classifying him as a dog, Grandfather wanted to get his own back. He took his pet tortoise out of his pocket and asked what he should pay for it. The ticket-collector prodded the tortoise and triumphantly declared that there was no charge because it was not a dog.
5. Why did Toto and Nana never become friends?
Answer: When Toto was accepted by Grandmother, he was given a home in the stable alongside the family donkey, Nana. On Toto's first night, Grandfather found Nana jerking away from her hay. He discovered that Toto had maliciously fastened onto Nana's long ears with his sharp teeth, ensuring they never became friends.
6. Describe Toto's behavior when his bath water became cold.
Answer: During his bath, once the warm water became cold, Toto would quickly get out of the bowl. He would then run as quickly as he could to the kitchen-fire in order to dry himself. If anyone laughed at him during this routine, his feelings would be hurt and he would refuse to continue his bath.
7. Narrate the incident of Toto and the kitchen kettle.
Answer: A large kitchen kettle was left on the fire to boil for tea, and Toto decided to remove its lid. Finding the water warm, he got in with his head sticking out. When the water began to boil, he found it too cold outside to leave, so he kept hopping up and down inside until Grandmother hauled his half-boiled body out.
8. How did Toto ruin lunch-time for the family?
Answer: At lunch-time, the family found Toto on the dining table stuffing himself with a large dish of pullao. When Grandmother screamed, Toto threw a plate at her, and he threw a glass of water in an aunt's face. When Grandfather arrived, Toto escaped out the window with the dish.
9. What did Toto do in the jackfruit tree?
Answer: After escaping with the dish of pullao, Toto sat in the branches of the jackfruit tree all afternoon, slowly eating every grain of rice. To spite Grandmother for screaming at him, he deliberately threw the dish down from the tree and chattered with delight when it broke into a hundred pieces.
10. What realization led Grandfather to sell Toto back?
Answer: Toto's mischief led to the frequent destruction of dishes, clothes, curtains, and wallpaper. Grandfather realized that Toto was not the sort of pet they could keep for long because they were not well-to-do and could not afford such constant financial losses. Consequently, he sold Toto back to the tonga-driver for three rupees.
Long Answer Type Questions (4/5/6 Marks)
1. Discuss how Toto's physical appearance matched his mischievous personality, providing examples from the text.
Answer: Toto's physical appearance perfectly mirrored his mischievous nature. He had bright eyes that sparkled with mischief beneath deep-set eyebrows. His pearly white teeth were often displayed in a wicked smile that scared elderly ladies. Even his hands, though looking dried-up, had fingers that were "quick and wicked," allowing him to cause trouble rapidly. Furthermore, his tail served as a third hand, enabling him to hang from branches and scoop up things out of reach, aiding in his mischievous acts. This combination of quick fingers, a mischievous spark in his eyes, and an agile tail allowed him to easily tear up the narrator's school blazer, wrench pegs from walls, and throw plates at family members.
2. Describe in detail the journey of Grandfather and Toto to Saharanpur. Why did it end in annoyance for Grandfather?
Answer: Grandfather had to travel to Saharanpur to collect his pension and decided to take Toto along because Toto kept the other pets awake at night. He placed Toto in a big, strong black canvas kit-bag with some straw at the bottom. Toto could not bite through or escape the bag, but his jumping made the bag roll and bounce on the Dehra Dun platform, attracting a curious crowd. The journey ended in annoyance at the Saharanpur turnstile. When Grandfather was producing his ticket, Toto poked his head out and grinned at the ticket-collector. The ticket-collector classified Toto as a dog and stubbornly charged a three-rupee fare for him. Despite Grandfather's vain attempts to prove Toto was a monkey, he had to pay the fine, which deeply annoyed him.
3. "If there is a part of the brain especially devoted to mischief, that part was largely developed in Toto." Justify this statement by describing Toto's activities in the house.
Answer: Toto's actions throughout the story justify the statement that his brain was highly developed for mischief. Firstly, when hidden in a closet, he tore the ornamental wallpaper, wrenched out the peg, and shredded the narrator's school blazer. In the servants' quarters, he tormented the other pets by not letting them sleep. When placed in the stable, he bit onto the donkey Nana's ears, preventing them from becoming friends. He also had a destructive habit of tearing things; whenever an aunt came near, he tried to tear a hole in her dress. The pinnacle of his mischief was during lunch, where he ate the pullao, threw a plate at Grandmother, threw water at an aunt, and ultimately shattered the dish from a tree purely out of spite.
4. Describe Toto's bathing ritual. How did his imitation of humans almost lead to a fatal accident?
Answer: Toto's bathing ritual was closely imitated from what he had observed the narrator doing. On cold winter evenings, Grandmother gave him a large bowl of warm water. Toto would cunningly test the temperature with his hand, then step in gradually, one foot at a time, until the water reached his neck. He would then take soap and rub himself all over. After bathing, he rushed to the kitchen-fire to dry off. However, this comfort with warm water almost became fatal. One day, finding a large kitchen kettle left on the fire to boil for tea, Toto checked the temperature, found it warm, and climbed in. As the water began to boil, he stayed inside because it was too cold outside, just hopping up and down. He would have boiled himself alive if Grandmother had not arrived to haul him out.
5. Grandfather was an animal lover, but he had to sell Toto. Analyze the reasons behind Grandfather's decision to part with Toto.
Answer: Grandfather was undoubtedly an animal lover; he maintained a private zoo with a tortoise, rabbits, a squirrel, and a goat, and he bought Toto out of pity seeing him tied to a feeding-trough. He initially admired Toto's cleverness, even when Toto shredded the narrator's blazer. However, Toto's mischief crossed acceptable boundaries. He alienated the other pets, bit the family donkey, and was a constant source of destruction. He tore dresses, ruined wallpaper, and ultimately threw and shattered a dish of pullao to spite Grandmother. Grandfather realized that Toto was not the sort of pet they could keep for long. The primary reason was economic; the family was not well-to-do and simply could not afford the frequent financial loss of dishes, clothes, and curtains caused by Toto. Thus, Grandfather practically sold him back for three rupees.
6. Contrast Grandmother's attitude towards animals with that of Grandfather. How did Grandmother finally react to Toto's ultimate mischief?
Answer: Grandfather was deeply fond of animals, actively collecting them for his private zoo and often overlooking their flaws, as seen when he praised Toto's destructive cleverness with the blazer. In contrast, Grandmother did not share this enthusiasm; she always fussed when Grandfather brought home a new bird or animal. Because of her attitude, Toto was initially kept a secret from her. However, she eventually accepted Toto and even provided him with warm water for his baths. Her tolerance broke during the pullao incident. When she saw Toto eating the family's lunch, she screamed at him, prompting Toto to throw a plate at her. After Toto threw the dish from the tree and shattered it, it became evident that his behavior was intolerable, leading to the mutual family realization that they could not afford to keep him.
7. Humor is a significant element in "The Adventures of Toto." Highlight three humorous incidents from the story.
Answer: The story is filled with humorous incidents that highlight Toto's mischievous nature. First is the incident at the Saharanpur railway station. Toto suddenly poked his head out of a bouncing canvas bag and gave the ticket-collector a wide grin. The humor peaks when the collector stubbornly classifies the monkey as a dog to charge a fare, and Grandfather sarcastically offers his tortoise for evaluation. The second humorous incident is Toto's near-boiling experience. Treating a boiling kettle like his warm bath, Toto sat inside, awkwardly hopping up and down as the water heated up, until Grandmother hauled him out "half-boiled". A third funny incident involves Toto's human-like vanity; if anyone laughed at him while he ran to the kitchen-fire to dry himself after a bath, his feelings would be hurt, and he would refuse to continue bathing.
8. Write a character sketch of Grandfather as depicted in the chapter.
Answer: Grandfather is depicted as a compassionate, quirky, and optimistic animal lover. His compassion is evident when he buys Toto for five rupees because he feels sorry for the monkey tied to a feeding-trough. He maintains a private zoo in the servants' quarters, indicating his deep love for animals. He is also highly optimistic and forgiving; instead of scolding Toto for shredding the school blazer and ruining the closet, he admires the monkey's cleverness. Grandfather is also witty, as seen when he tries to playfully outsmart the ticket-collector by presenting his pet tortoise for a ticket. However, he is also practical. Despite his love for Toto, he recognizes the financial strain the monkey's destructive behavior puts on his middle-class family, ultimately making the tough but sensible decision to sell Toto back.
9. What role does the ticket-collector play in the story? What does the interaction between him and Grandfather reveal?
Answer: The ticket-collector at Saharanpur plays a brief but highly comedic role in the story. When Toto pokes his head out of the canvas bag, the ticket-collector is startled but quickly insists on charging a fare. He obstinately classifies Toto as a "dog," refusing to accept Grandfather's argument that a monkey is not a dog or even a quadruped. This interaction reveals the rigid, bureaucratic, and somewhat ignorant nature of the official, who sticks to his rulebook regardless of common sense. It also reveals Grandfather's witty and slightly sarcastic nature; annoyed by the unfair three-rupee charge, Grandfather presents his pocket tortoise to mock the collector's logic. The collector gravely prods the tortoise and declares it free of charge, adding to the absurdity and humor of the situation.
10. Imagine you are the narrator. Write a diary entry describing the day Toto ruined the pullao and was eventually sold back to the tonga-driver.
Answer:
Dear Diary,
Today was the final straw with Toto. At lunch-time, we walked into the dining room only to find him sitting on the table, casually stuffing himself with the large dish of pullao. Grandmother screamed at him, and in return, the wicked monkey threw a plate right at her! When Aunt rushed forward, she got a glass of water to the face. By the time Grandfather arrived, Toto had snatched the dish and escaped through the window. He sat in the jackfruit tree all afternoon, eating every single grain of rice. Just to spite Grandmother, he threw the dish down, breaking it into a hundred pieces, and chattered with delight. Grandfather finally realized what we all knew: Toto is too destructive. We simply aren't well-to-do enough to keep replacing clothes, curtains, and dishes. This evening, Grandfather found the tonga-driver and sold Toto back to him for three rupees. I will miss his funny baths, but the house is finally peaceful.
- Narrator
