Chapter-wise textbook exercise answers for When Instinct Works with validation-aware solutions.
Answers marked verified were checked during generation against the chapter context and source question text.
When Instinct Works — key concepts & quick answers
From which book is 'When Instinct Works' taken? It is an extract from the classic novel 'Black Beauty' by Anna Sewell, told from the point of view of the horse, Black Beauty.
What is 'When Instinct Works' about? On a stormy night Black Beauty senses that a bridge ahead is broken and refuses to cross it, even when urged. His instinct saves John and his master from drowning.
What is the theme of the lesson? It shows the value of an animal's instinct and the trust between humans and animals — sometimes a faithful animal can sense danger better than people can.
Why did Black Beauty refuse to move forward? Because his instinct warned him that the bridge over the swollen river was broken; he stood still despite being urged on, knowing something was wrong.
How were the travellers saved? They were saved because Black Beauty trusted his instinct and would not step onto the broken bridge, and a man with a torch then confirmed the bridge had been washed away.
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1I. Choose the best option.5 questions
Q.1The season mentioned in the story is ……………… .v
A. spring
B. autumn
C. summer
D. winter.
Answer:
b) summer
Q.2In one low part of the road the ……………… was halfway up to black beauty’s knees.v
A. the river
B. dust
C. water
D. leaves
Answer:
c) water
Q.3The bridge was broken in the ……………… .v
A. front
B. rear
C. middle
D. up
Answer:
c) middle
Q.4The instinct in ……………… had often saved the lives of men.v
A. girls
B. animals
C. birds
D. boys
Answer:
b) animals
Q.5Black beauty dared not move even to the sharp snap of the ……………… .v
A. stick
B. thread
C. whip
D. kick.
Answer:
c) thread
2III. Fill in the blanks. (Text Book Page No. 147)7 questions
Q.1Just then, the man at the ……………… on the other side ran out,. ……………… a torch.v
Answer:
tollgate, flashing
Q.2Even when John tried to ……………… him forward Beauty did not move.v
Answer:
lean
Q.3We were saved because Beauty had known that something was ……………… with the bridgev
Answer:
wrong
Q.4Suddenly an ……………… tree came crashing down and fell right in front of us.v
Answer:
oak
Q.5He told that the bridge had just broken due to the ……………… .v
Answer:
flood
Q.6As we went through the wood, the of the trees were swaying and making a ……………… rushing sound.v
Answer:
branches, terrible
Q.10Oh! What a good ……………… he gave me that night. And then a really thick ……………… .v
Answer:
supper, bed of stra
3IV. Based on your understanding of the story write the answers for the following questions in a sentence or two.5 questions
Q.1Did Black Beauty like to pull the cart?v
Answer:
Yes, Black Beauty liked to pull the cart because it was very light and the high wheels rolled along so smoothly. The horse found the task easy and pleasant, which made pulling the cart an enjoyable experience rather than a burden. This shows that Black Beauty was content with its work when the conditions were favorable and the load was manageable.
Q.2How was the weather?v
Answer:
The weather was rainy and windy.
Q.3Describe the bridge?v
Answer:
The low wooden bridge had sturdy rails on both sides to provide safety and support. As the river banks were fairly high, the bridge was constructed to go across just level with the banks. The bridge's design with its solid railings and level construction made it appear to be a safe crossing point, though appearances can be deceiving as the story later reveals.
Q.4What was the alternate plan suggested by John to reach the wooden bridge?v
Answer:
The alternate plan suggested by John was to go back to the four crossways and take a longer route. This alternate path would be about six miles longer before reaching the wooden bridge. John proposed this safer alternative when it became clear that the direct route across the bridge might be dangerous, showing his willingness to take extra time and distance to ensure the safety of the travelers and the horse.
Q.5Why was Black Beauty reluctant to cross the bridge?v
Answer:
Black Beauty was reluctant to cross the bridge because it sensed that something was dangerously wrong with the structure. The moment the horse's feet touched the ground which was the first part of the bridge, it instinctively felt that the bridge was not safe. This reluctance was not based on fear alone, but on a deeper animal instinct that warned of impending danger. Black Beauty's keen senses detected what humans could not immediately perceive, and the horse refused to proceed despite the riders' attempts to urge it forward. This instinctive behavior proved to be lifesaving, as the bridge was indeed unsafe and would have collapsed, putting all three travelers in grave danger had they attempted to cross it.
4V. Write the answers to the following questions in 100 words.4 questions
Q.1What did the man at the toll gate on the other side tell them?v
Answer:
The man at the toll gate on the other side told them that the river was rising fast.
Q.2Was Black Beauty afraid to cross the bridge?v
Answer:
No, Black Beauty was not afraid to cross the bridge in the sense of being cowardly or panicked. However, the horse knew that there was a serious problem and that the bridge was not safe to cross. Black Beauty's reluctance was based on a genuine instinctive awareness of danger rather than mere nervousness, which made the horse's refusal a wise and protective response.
Q.3What did John think about human’s attitude toward animals?v
Answer:
John believed that God has given animals special knowledge and instincts to sense dangers that humans might not immediately perceive. He recognized that animals possess natural abilities to detect threats and problems in their environment, and that humans should respect and trust these animal instincts rather than dismissing them as stubbornness or fear.
Q.4What would have happened to all the three if Black Beauty had not been wiser?v
Answer:
If Black Beauty had not been wiser and more perceptive, all three travelers would have been drowned at the wooden bridge. The horse's refusal to cross saved their lives, as the bridge was unsafe and would have collapsed under their weight, plunging them into the rapidly rising river. Without Black Beauty's instinctive wisdom and the riders' decision to trust the horse's judgment, this journey would have ended in tragedy.
5VI. How will you take care of your pet? Write about in fifty words.3 questions
Q.1In a certain code language, if Violet is called as Green, Green is called as Red, Red is called as Brown, Brown is called as Orange, Orange is called as Yellow, Yellow is called as Blue, and Blue is called as Indigo, then what is the colour of human blood in that language? e) Brownv
A. Red
B. Blue
C. Green
D. Violet
Answer:
e) Brown
Q.2In a certain code language, if Pen means Eraser, Eraser means Book, Book means Scale, Scale means Sharpener, Sharpener means Duster and Duster means Table, then what is the name of the object that is used to clean the blackboard in that language? e) Bookv
A. Duster
B. Sharpener
C. Table
D. Scale
Answer:
c) Table
Q.3In a certain code language, if Bread is called Butter, Butter is called Milk, Milk is called Shirt, Shirt is called Shoe, Shoe is called Bicycle, Bicycle is called Watch, Watch is called Aeroplane and Aeroplane is called Ship, then which of the following indicates the time in that language? e) Aeroplanev