Chapter 1 – The Best Christmas Present in the World

Content structure

• A. Exercise questions and answers
  • Unit I – Comprehension Check
  • Unit II – Comprehension Check
  • Unit III – Comprehension Check
  • Working with the text
  • Working with the language
  • Speaking
  • Writing
• B. Additional questions and answers
  • Multiple choice questions & answers (MCQs)
  • Fill in the blanks
  • True or False
  • Match the following
  • Short-type questions & answers
  • Long-type questions & answers
• C. Grammar questions and answers

A. Exercise questions and answers

Unit I – Comprehension Check

1. What did the author find in a junk shop?
Ans: The author found an old roll-top desk in a junk shop.

2. What did he find in a secret drawer? Who do you think had put it in there?
Ans: The author found a black tin box with a note in the secret drawer.
The letter was written by Jim Macpherson, but his wife likely kept it there.

Unit II – Comprehension Check

1. Who had written the letter, to whom, and when?
Ans: A British soldier, Captain Jim Macpherson, wrote a letter to his wife, Connie, about something amazing that happened on Christmas Day during the war.

2. Why was the letter written — what was the wonderful thing that had happened?
Ans: Captain Jim Macpherson wrote to Connie about a remarkable war Christmas. British and German soldiers stopped fighting, ate, and played football, which brought peace.

3. What jobs did Hans Wolf and Jim Macpherson have when they were not soldiers?
Ans: Hans Wolf played cello in an orchestra, and Jim Macpherson taught school in Dorset, England, when they weren’t soldiers.

4. Had Hans Wolf ever been to Dorset? Why did he say he knew it?
Ans: Hans Wolf had never been to Dorset. He read Thomas Hardy’s “Far from the Madding Crowd,” which was set in Dorset, and learned about it in school.

5. Do you think Jim Macpherson came back from the war? How do you know this?
Ans: Jim Macpherson did not come back from the war because his letter was found in an old tin box. This shows that Connie kept it as a memory, which means he never returned.

Unit III – Comprehension Check

1. Why did the author go to Bridport?
Ans: The author went to Bridport to return a letter to Mrs. Macpherson.

2. How old was Mrs. Macpherson now? Where was she?
Ans: Mrs. Macpherson was 101 years old. She now lived in a nursing home.

3. Who did Connie Macpherson think her visitor was?
Ans: Connie Macpherson thought the visitor was her husband, Jim.

4. Which sentence in the text shows that the visitor did not try to hide his identity?
Ans: “I explained about the desk, about how I had found it, but I don’t think she was listening.”- This sentence shows that the visitor did not try to hide his identity.

Working with the text

1. For how long do you think Connie had kept Jim’s letter? Give reasons for your answer.
Ans: Connie had kept Jim’s letter for a very long time, probably since the First World War was held.

Reason: The letter was found in an old tin box in her burned-down house. She was 101 years old. This shows how much she loved it and how she read it every day to feel close to Jim.

2. Why do you think the desk had been sold, and when?
Ans: The desk was sold because it was damaged by fire, broken pieces, and water. That was sold after Mrs. Macpherson’s house caught fire.

3. Why do Jim and Hans think that games or sports are good ways of resolving conflicts? Do you agree?
Ans: Jim and Hans think that sports or games are better ways to settle fights while no one gets hurt and there is no war.

Yes, because sports are meant to bring people together to promote peace.

4. Do you think the soldiers of the two armies are like each other or different from each other? Find evidence from the story to support your answer.
Ans: The soldiers of both armies are equal. They want peace, miss home, and enjoy Christmas. They ate, laughed, and played football together, showing they shared the same feelings and wishes, even though they were on different sides of the war.

5. Mention the various ways in which the British and the German soldiers become friends and find things in common at Christmas.
Ans: Christmas brought British and German soldiers close. They chatted about their homes and favorite books over food and drinks. At night, they sang Christmas carols, laughed, and played football in the middle of the conflict zone. They found they shared Christmas dreams, feelings, and love despite being on opposite sides of the conflict.

6. What is Connie’s Christmas present? Why is it “the best Christmas present in the world”?
Ans: Jim’s letter is Connie’s Christmas present. When she sees the visitor, she feels he is her husband Jim, who has returned home as promised.

It’s “the best Christmas present in the world” because it makes her joyful, comforts her, and makes her feel Jim’s presence.

7. Do you think the title of this story is suitable for it? Can you think of any other title(s)?
Ans: The Best Christmas Present in the World” is a good title for this story because Connie believes Jim has come home, which makes her very happy. The letter brings her comfort, and she considers it the best present ever.

This story is about love, hope, and a special moment that brings happiness. So, “Jim’s Promise” or “A Christmas Miracle” could also be suitable titles.

Working with language

1. Look at these sentences from the story.

(i) Read the passage below and underline the verbs in the past tense.

A man got on the train and sat down. The compartment was empty except for one lady. She took her gloves off. A few hours later, the police arrested the man. They held him for 24 hours and then freed him.

Ans:

A man got on the train and sat down. The compartment was empty except for one lady. She took her gloves off. A few hours later, the police arrested the man. They held him for 24 hours and then freed him.

(ii) Fill in the blanks using the correct form of the verbs in brackets.

My little sister is very naughty. When she_____________(come) back from school yesterday, she had_____________(tear) her dress. We____________(ask) her how it had_________(happen). She__________(say) she__________, _________(have, quarrel) with a boy. She __________, __________(have, beat) him in a race and he__________, _________(have, try) to push her. She___________, ________(have, tell) the teacher and so he___________, __________(have, chase) her, and she____________, _____________(have, fall) down and__________, ___________(have, tear) her dress.

Ans:

My little sister is very naughty. When she came (come) back from school yesterday, she had torn (tear) her dress. We asked (ask) her how it had happened (happen). She said (say) she had quarreled (have, quarrel) with a boy. She had beaten (have, beat) him in a race and he had tried to push her. She had told (have, tell) the teacher and so he had chased (have, chase) her, and she had fallen (have, fall) down and had torn (have, tear) her dress.

(iii) Underline the verbs and arrange them in two columns, Past and Earlier Past.

(a) My friends set out to see the caves in the next town, but I stayed at home because I had seen them already.
(b) When they arrived at the station, their train had left. They came back home, but by that time I had gone out to see a movie!
(c) So they sat outside and ate the lunch I had packed for them.
(d) By the time I returned, they had fallen asleep!

Ans:

Past	Earlier Past
set out	had seen
stayed	had left
arrived	had gone
came	had packed
sat	had fallen

2. Dictionary work

burn out

light up

look on

run out

keep out

Write down the sentences in which they occur. Consult a dictionary and write down the meaning that you think matches the meaning of the phrasal verb in the sentence.

Ans:

Words	Sentences	Meaning
burn out	House number 12 turned out to be nothing but a burned-out shell,	Completely destroyed by fire.
light up	There were paper chains up in the hallway and a lighted Christmas tree stood in the corner with a lopsided angel on top.	To make something bright with lights.
look on	Hans Wolf and I looked on and cheered, clapping our hands and stamping our feet, to keep out the cold as much as anything.	To watch something without taking part.
run out	The schnapps and the rum and the sausage had long since run out, and we knew it was all over.	To be used up or finished.
keep out	Hans Wolf and I looked on and cheered, clapping our hands and stamping our feet, to keep out the cold as much as anything.	To prevent something from entering.

4. The table below contains a list of nouns and some adjectives. Use as many adjectives as you can to describe each noun. You might come up with some funny descriptions!

Ans:

elephant	wild, large, enormous, striped,
face	round, chubby, cheerful, circular
building	multicoloured, red, large, medium-sized
water	cold, blue

Speaking

1. In groups discuss whether wars are a good way to end conflicts between countries. Then present your arguments to the whole class.
Ans: Wars hurt people, destroy homes, and waste money, so they are not a good way to fix problems. People still suffer after a war. Countries should talk and work out their differences without war.

War shouldn’t always be the last option. Sometimes it’s necessary to protect people or remove of bad leaders. The best way to make the world a safe and happy place is to keep the peace.

2. What kind of presents do you like and why? What are the things you keep in mind when you buy presents for others? Discuss with your partner. (For example, you might buy a book because it can be read and re-read over a period of time.)
Ans: I like getting books, toys, and games as gifts because they are fun, useful, and make me happy. I like books because I can read them again and learn new things each time. Playing with toys and games and sharing them with other people is fun.

I think about what people like and what will make them happy when I buy them things. I pick something fun, useful, or unique for them. A book is a great gift because it is useful for a long time. A toy or game can make someone very happy.

Writing

1. Imagine that you are Jim. You have returned to your town after the war. In your diary record how you feel about the changes you see and the events that occur in your town. You could begin like this
25 December, 1919
It’s Christmas today, but the town looks…..

Ans: The town looks very different today because it’s Christmas. There are no more homes on the streets, and it’s quiet. It hurts me that a lot of my friends died in the war.

Seeing kids play near my old school made me think of when I was a teacher. Now that there is war, everything is different. People look tired and worried.

I went to see Connie at my house. There was no answer when I knocked on the door, which made my heart beat fast. A friend told me there was a fire. I got tears in my eyes. Was Connie not hurt? Where did she go?

I’ll keep looking for her. Everything has changed, but I still love Connie and will find her.

Or

Suppose you are the visitor. You are in a dilemma. You don’t know whether to disclose your identity and disappoint the old lady or let her believe that her dear Jim has come back. Write a letter to a friend highlighting your anxiety, fears and feelings.

2. Given below is the outline of a story. Construct the story using the outline.

A young, newly married doctor ___ freedom fighter ___ exiled to the Andaman and Nicobar Islands by the British ___ infamous Cellular Jail ___ prisoners tortured ___ revolt by inmates ___ doctor hanged ___ wife waits for his return ___ becomes old ___ continues to wait with hope and faith.

Ans:

A long time ago, a young doctor who was newly married also worked as a freedom fighter. He loved his country and wanted to free it from British rule. One day, the British arrested him and sent him to the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, where he was locked in the infamous Cellular Jail.

The jail was a terrible place, where prisoners were tortured and treated cruelly. The doctor saw the suffering of his fellow prisoners and decided to help them. He treated their wounds and gave them hope. Soon, the prisoners started a revolt against the British.

The British officers became angry and afraid. To stop the revolt, they hanged the doctor, punishing him for helping the prisoners. His wife never received any news about him.

She waited for his return, believing he would come back one day. Years passed, she grew old, but her hope never faded. She spent her life waiting with love and faith, but her husband never returned.

B. Additional questions and answers

Multiple choice questions & answers (MCQs)

1. Where did the narrator find the roll-top desk?
(a) A school
(b) A junk shop in Bridport
(c) A museum
(d) A furniture store
Ans: (b) A junk shop in Bridport

2. What was the desk made of?
(a) Plastic
(b) Oak
(c) Pine
(d) Mahogany
Ans: (b) Oak

3. Which century was the desk from?
(a) 18th century
(b) 10th century
(c) 20th century
(d) 19th century
Ans: (d) 19thcentury

4. Why was the roll-top desk sold at a cheap price?
(a) It was brand new but small damage
(b) It had burn marks, broken pieces, and water damage
(c) It was too small
(d) It was too old

Ans: (b) It had burn marks, broken pieces, and water damage

5. When did the author fix the roll-top desk?
(a) In the morning
(b) In the afternoon
(c) On Christmas Eve
(d) At midnight

Ans: (c) On Christmas Eve

6. What did the author find in the secret compartment of the roll-top desk?
(a) An old letter in a tin box
(b) A gold coin
(c) A map
(d) A key

Ans: (a) An old letter in a tin box

7. Which date was mentioned in the letter?
(a) 25th December, 1914
(b) 26st December, 1919
(c) 15 August 1947
(d) 1st January, 1915

Ans: (a) 25th December, 1914

8. What was the name of the British soldier?
(a) Hans Wolf
(b) John Smith
(c) Jim Macpherson
(d) Tommy Atkins

Ans: (c) Jim Macpherson

9. What was Jim Macpherson’s wife’s name?
(a) Emma
(b) Lucy
(c) Connie
(d) Sarah

Ans: (c) Connie

10. Which country is mentioned in the letter?
(a) France
(b) England
(c) Germany
(d) b & c both

Ans: (d) b & c both

11. What was the name of the German soldier?
(a) Hans Wolf
(b) Jim Macpherson
(c) Fritz Bauer
(d) Karl Schmidt

Ans: (a) Hans Wolf

12. What was Hans Wolf’s job before he became a soldier?
(a) Teacher
(b) Doctor
(c) Cello player in an orchestra
(d) None of them

Ans: (c) Cello player in an orchestra

13. What was Jim Macpherson’s job before he became a soldier?
(a) Doctor
(b) School Teacher
(c) Shopkeeper
(d) Cello player in an orchestra

Ans: (b) School Teacher

14. What was Jim Macpherson’s favorite book?
(a) Oliver Twist
(b) Pride and Prejudice
(c) Far from the Madding Crowd
(d) The Tale of Two Cities

Ans: (c) Far from the Madding Crowd

15. Which game is mentioned in the story?
(a) Cricket
(b) Football
(c) Hockey
(d) Badminton

Ans: (b) Football

16. How old is Mrs. Macpherson?
(a) 90 years old
(b) 95 years old
(c) 100 years old
(d) 101 years old

Ans: (d) 101 years old

17. What was the address mentioned in the letter?
(a) Copper Beeches, Bridport
(b) Burlington House, Dorchester
(c) Greenwood Lane, London
(d) Maple Street, Dorset

Ans: (a) Copper Beeches, Bridport

18. What was Jim Macpherson’s favorite cake?
(a) Chocolate cake
(b) Vanilla cake
(c) Christmas cake with marzipan
(d) Fruit cake

Ans: (c) Christmas cake with marzipan

19. Why did Mrs. Macpherson live in a nursing home?
(a) She was old and needed care
(b) Her house burned in a fire
(c) She had no family to help her
(d) All of the above

Ans: (d) All of the above

20. What is the meaning of ‘No Man’s Land’?
(a) A playground for soldiers
(b) An area where no one is allowed to go
(c) The land between two enemy trenches
(d) A deserted island

Ans: (c) The land between two enemy trenches

Fill in the blanks

1. In a junk shop in ____________, the author found a roll-top desk.
2. Due to ______________, ________________, and the roll-top desk was sold in cheap.
3. A British soldier named was Captain ________________.
4. Jim’s last letter was received on ______________.
5. The letter was found in a _____ inside a _____________.
6. ______ told the boys to sing.
7. German soldiers sang ____________ song.
8. Mrs. Macpherson lived in a nursing home because ________________.
9. ______________ wrote the Far from the Madding Crowd book.
10. Jim’s Christmas morning was ____________ and ____________.

Ans:
1. Bridport
2. burn marks, shattered pieces, and water damage
3. Jim Macpherson
4. December 25, 1914
5. tin box, secret compartment
6. Jim Macpherson
7. Silent Night
8. her house burned down
9. Thomas Hardy
10. cold and peaceful

True or false

1. Jim celebrated her Christmas with British soilders.
Ans: False.

2. After Christmas, Jim comes back home.
Ans: False.

3. The author went to Bridport to give back Mrs. Macpherson her letter.
Ans: True,

4. On December 16, 1914, Connie received Jim’s letter.
Ans: True.

5. Connie Macpherson thought the visitor was her husband Jim.
Ans: True.

6. At the year 1917 Christmas, Jim promised to be back home.
Ans: False.

7. Connie’s age was 105 years old.
Ans: False.

8. In Christmas, British and German soldiers fight each other for peace.
Ans: False.

9. The author found a black tin box in the secret compartment.
Ans: True.

10. The British showed the Germans a white flag for finishing the war.
Ans: False.

Match the following

Column A	Column B
(i) British Soilder	a. Jim’s favourite book
(ii) German Soldier	b. The space between enemy trenches
(iii) Mrs. Connie Macpherson	c. Mrs. Macpherson’s address
(iv) 12 Copper Beeches, Bridport	d. Hans Wolf
(v) No man’s land	e. Jim Macpherson
(vi) Far from the Madding Crowd.	f. 101 years old

Ans:

Column A	Column B
(i) British Soilder	e. Jim Macpherson
(ii) German Soldier	d. Hans Wolf
(iii) Mrs. Connie Macpherson	f. 101 years old
(iv) 12 Copper Beeches, Bridport	c. Mrs. Macpherson’s address
(v) No man’s land	b. The space between enemy trenches
(vi) Far from the Madding Crowd.	a. Jim’s favourite book

Short-type questions & answers

1. Why was the roll-top desk sold at a cheap price?
Ans: The roll-top desk was sold for a low price because it had water damage, burn marks, and broken pieces.

2. How did Jim describe the Christmas morning?
Ans: Jim felt Christmas morning was quiet, cold, and frosty. His thoughts were that it was lovely and peaceful, like a wonderful Christmas morning.

3. Why did Mrs. Connie say it was the best Christmas gift?
Ans: Mrs. Connie thought her husband, Jim, had returned, so she said it was the best Christmas present. This made her very happy. 

4. Who was Hans wolf ?
Ans: Hans Wolf was a German Soilder.  He played cello in a Germany orchestra before the war. He knew everything about England and enjoyed reading English books.

5. Who was Jim Macpherson?
Ans: Jim Macpherson was a Dorset, England, school teacher and British soldier. He wrote his wife Connie a letter about a special Christmas when British and German troops celebrated together.

6. Why was Mrs. Connie’s house burned?
Ans: Mrs. Connie’s house caught fire, and it may have happened because she used candles because of electricity, as she thought electricity was too expensive.

7. What was the soldiers’ prayer?
Ans: The soldiers prayed for peace and for an opportunity to return home to their families without war. 

8. Where and how did the author find Mrs. Connie?
Ans: The author found Mrs. Connie in a nursing home after a neighbor told him about the fire that burned her house.

9. How did the soldiers celebrate Christmas?
Ans: The soldiers greeted each other, shared food, sang Christmas carols, and played football in no man’s land, forgetting the war for a day.

10. Where did the soldiers play the game?
Ans: The soldiers played the game in no man’s land, the area between the British and German trenches.

11. Why did the author buy the desk?
Ans: The author bought an old roll-top desk from a junk shop in Bridport because he liked old things and wanted to repair and use it. It was sold cheaply due to burn marks, broken pieces, and water damage.

Long-type questions & answers

1. How was Christmas celebrated in the story?
Ans: This story told of a unique and surprising way that Christmas was enjoyed. During the war, British and German troops were at odds with each other. On Christmas morning, they stopped fighting. A German soldier waved a white flag and said, “Happy Christmas, Tommy!” to the British troops. The British troops were startled at first, but they quickly said hello back.

Each side came out of their tunnels into “no man’s land,” shook hands, shared food and drinks, and talked about their lives. It was fun for them to sing Christmas songs and play football together. It was fun for a short time to forget about the war and enjoy a festival together. In the middle of a terrible war, there was a moment of happiness, hope, and togetherness.

2. Why did Mrs. Connie think it was the best Christmas present?
Ans: When Mrs. Connie saw the letter, she thought it was the best Christmas present because that person looked like her husband, Jim Macpherson. She thought Jim had finally come back when she saw the letter, just as he had promised in it.

She loved the letter so much because it made her think of her husband and how much they loved each other. Her letter made her happy and hopeful, as if Jim were there with her again, even though he hadn’t really come back. Then she said it was “the best Christmas present in the world.”

3. How did the soldiers end their Christmas celebration?
Ans: Soldiers finished their Christmas party in a touching and peaceful way. They had a good time together in no man’s land that day. They shook hands, shared food, played football and talked. Then it was time to go back to their bunkers. The truth of war stayed, even though they had had a day of friendship and happiness.

They started singing “Silent Night” in their ditches as night came. Soon, the British soldiers joined in with their own song, “While Shepherds Watched.” Their voices were soft and beautiful. They were not so different from each other after all, because for a short time, their words filled the air with peace.

The troops slowly went back to their trenches after singing together. They knew that the war would go on the next day. They would always remember this Christmas because it was the one time they stopped fighting and became friends, even if it was only for one day.

4. What did the author find on the desk, and how did he find it?
Ans: The old roll-top desk was found by the author in Bridport at a junk shop. It was sold for a low price because it was broken, had burn marks, and had been watermarked. On Christmas Eve, the author took it home and began fixing it.

While he was fixing the desk, he found a hidden space in the drawer. He found a small tin box inside this secret area. He found an old letter inside the box when he opened it. It was written on the envelope: “To my dearest Connie.”

He wrote this letter to his wife Connie while he was a soldier in the British army during World War I. It was about a Christmas truce in 1914 between German and British troops. They stopped fighting, shook hands, shared food, and played football.

The author was surprised and moved when she found this letter. It had a beautiful message of love, peace, and hope.

C. Grammar questions and answers

Read the passage below and underline the verbs in the past tense.

1.

“Ah, Dorset,” he smiled. “I know this place. I know it very well.” We shared my rum ration and his excellent sausage. And we talked, Connie, how we talked. He spoke almost perfect English.

Ans:

Ah, Dorset,” he smiled. “I know this place. I know it very well.” We shared my rum ration and his excellent sausage. And we talked, Connie, how we talked. He spoke almost perfect English.

2.

I folded the letter again and slipped it carefully back into its envelope. I kept awake all night. By morning I knew what I had to do. I drove into Bridport, just a few miles away. I asked a boy walking his dog where Copper Beeches was.

Ans:

I folded the letter again and slipped it carefully back into its envelope. I kept awake all night. By morning I knew what I had to do. I drove into Bridport, just a few miles away. I asked a boy walking his dog where Copper Beeches was.

3.

Lily walked home from school when she heard a soft whimper. She looked around and saw a small puppy hiding under a bench. It looked hungry. She gently picked it up and patted its head.

Ans:

Lily walked home from school when she heard a soft whimper. She looked around and saw a small puppy hiding under a bench. It looked hungry. She gently picked it up and patted its head.

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