Samacheer Class 10 English - Zigzag

From the story "Zigzag":
1. "Even though I clearly said no!" — Dr. Krishnan (complaining that Somu thinks he agreed).
2. "The one that spits deadly poison…" — Maya (identifying the beetle).
3. "Remember the tiny penknife he gave me last year." — Maya (joining the protest about Somu's gifts).
4. "It's Somu's thoughtless ways that reduce me to tears." — Mrs. Krishnan (irritated at Somu's gifts).
5. "Come in, Zigzag, come in dear!" — Visu, Somu's cook, who brings Zigzag.

Reconstructed from the textbook passages: Visu comforts the family about Zigzag settling; Arvind and Maya show enthusiasm and protest when others criticise Zigzag; Dr. Krishnan explains and defends Zigzag as harmless; Mrs. Krishnan is initially annoyed and insists Zigzag be removed, but after seeing his usefulness she becomes pleased; Somu's e-mail states Zigzag hardly ever sleeps and suggests Visu keep him; Zigzag responds to praise by eating the toffee wrapper and winking. (Answers matched to lines on pages 54–59 of the story.)

1. Somu called Dr Ashok Krishnan to care for Zigzag while he was in Alaska. 2. Mrs Krishnan complained that the snoring and telephone calls were driving her crazy and worried about her painting. 3. Somu had a giant fighting beetle and an African snake. 4. She was preparing paintings for an exhibition. 5. The boomerang damaged TV aerials, cars and the watchman. 6. Zigzag stored fruit, slept and snored. 7. He mostly winked, slept and snored instead of speaking. 8. Dr Krishnan asked Somu how to stop the snoring. 9. Arvind admitted that school seemed peaceful compared with home. 10. Mrs Jhunjhunwala admired the painting's new streaky-orange technique.

At the Krishnans' home, Zigzag stored fruits and nuts on the chandelier and ceiling-fan blades, then slept on the curtain rod and snored so loudly that the family and neighbours were disturbed. When Lakshmi switched on the fan, the fruits and nuts flew across the room; a guava and walnut struck her, and overripe papaya pulp splashed across Mrs Krishnan's painting. The noise, complaints and damaged painting created complete confusion in the house.

At the clinic, Zigzag perched on the reception table and used a clear, commanding voice to bring complete silence. He comforted frightened children, scolded naughty ones and made crying children laugh by reciting French poetry. He became happy and alert, and Dr Krishnan realised that Zigzag was a great help when kept busy.

Somu asked Dr Krishnan to care for Zigzag while he went to Alaska. Though the bird could speak and sing in twenty-one languages, it remained silent at the Krishnans' home, stored fruit and nuts on the chandelier and fan, slept on the curtain rod and snored loudly. When the fan was switched on, fruit flew around and papaya pulp spoiled Mrs Krishnan's painting. Dr Krishnan then took Zigzag to his clinic, where the bird became alert, calmed the patients and entertained the children. Mrs Jhunjhunwala bought the damaged painting because she admired its new technique, and the family happily decided to keep Zigzag.

1. At the residence, Zigzag stored fruits and nuts on the chandelier and fan, slept on the curtain rod, snored loudly and caused fruit to fly across the room when the fan was switched on; papaya pulp spoiled Mrs Krishnan's painting. 2. At the clinic, he became alert, brought silence with his commanding voice, comforted frightened patients, corrected naughty children and made them laugh. 3. Somu left the multilingual bird with the Krishnans while travelling to Alaska. Zigzag caused chaos at home but proved invaluable at Dr Krishnan's clinic. The supposedly ruined painting was sold because its new effect was admired, and the family decided to keep Zigzag.

Arrival: Mrs Krishnan was not willing to keep Zigzag and was worried about her paintings and forthcoming exhibition. Residence: Zigzag perched on the curtain rod and slept; when Lakshmi switched on the fan, fruits and nuts flew around and papaya pulp splashed on the painting. Mrs Krishnan asked Dr Krishnan to contact Somu. Email: Somu replied that Zigzag hardly ever slept and had never snored. Clinic: Zigzag entered, took charge in a clear commanding voice and brought silence. Once the family understood that he had to be kept busy, they decided to keep him at home and at the clinic.

1. "The marriage of a young girl below 18" = Child Marriage.
2. "A transfer of durable goods/property that the bride's family gives to the bridegroom..." = Dowry System.
3. "The intentional killing of a baby girl due to the preference for male babies" = Female Infanticide.
4. "Repeated and unwelcome sexual comments, looks, or physical contact at workplace" = Sexual Harassment.
5. "A woman deciding to remarry despite opposition..." = Remarriage.
6. "Woman excelling in many fields overcoming many hurdles" = Women Empowerment.