Chapter 1

                                                        BRAVE SUNDERLAL


Question:1 Who was Sunderlal, and where did he belong?

Answer: Sunderlal was a little boy who belonged to a small village in Gujarat. He was an ordinary child like others, but he had the courage and alertness that made him extraordinary.

Question:2. What work did Sunderlal’s father do, and how was it related to the railway?

Answer: Sunderlal’s father was the in-charge of a level crossing. His job involved managing the crossing where the railway track intersected the road and ensuring the safety of vehicles and people while trains passed.

Question:3. Describe the weather conditions when Sunderlal was walking along the railway track.

Answer: When Sunderlal was walking along the railway track, it began to rain heavily and thunder was heard. There was a flash of lightning, which made the situation more dangerous as visibility decreased.

Question:4. What did Sunderlal notice on the railway track, and why was it dangerous?

Answer: Sunderlal noticed a boulder lying on the railway track. It was dangerous because a passenger train was expected to pass shortly, and the train could have met with a serious accident if it hit the boulder.

Question:5 How did Sunderlal react after noticing the boulder?

Answer: Sunderlal immediately ran to his father for help. When he realized his father could not come in time, he decided to take action on his own to prevent the train accident and save the passengers’ lives.

Question:6 Where did Sunderlal’s father go after being called for help?

Answer: Sunderlal’s father ran to the nearest railway station to inform the authorities about the obstruction on the track, hoping that someone could stop the train in time.

Question:7 What did Sunderlal see when he looked around for his father?

Answer: Sunderlal saw that his father was not coming. He realized he could not wait any longer and had to act quickly to prevent a disaster.

Question:8. What decision did Sunderlal make when he saw the approaching train?

Answer: Sunderlal decided to save the passengers himself. He picked up a lighted lamp from his father’s cabin and ran to the railway track to signal the driver to stop the train.

Question:9. How did Sunderlal signal the train driver to stop?

Answer: Sunderlal stood on the track and held the lamp high. He shouted loudly, “Stop! Stop!” to alert the train driver about the boulder on the track ahead.

Question:10. How did the train driver respond to Sunderlal’s warning?

Answer: The train driver was very alert and noticed the light that Sunderlal was holding. He stopped the train just in time, preventing a potential accident.

Question:11. What would have happened if Sunderlal had not acted quickly?

Answer: If Sunderlal had not acted quickly, the passenger train would have hit the boulder, possibly causing a severe accident and endangering the lives of all the passengers on board.

Question:12. What were the passengers’ reactions after the train was stopped?

Answer: The passengers were very grateful and thanked Sunderlal for his bravery and quick thinking, acknowledging that he had saved their lives.

Question:13. How did Sunderlal’s act demonstrate bravery?

Answer: Sunderlal’s act demonstrated bravery because he faced danger fearlessly. He ran onto the railway track during a storm, risking his life to save others, without waiting for anyone else’s help.

Question:14. How was Sunderlal’s alertness shown in the story?

Answer: Sunderlal’s alertness was shown by his ability to notice the boulder on the track immediately, think quickly, and take the necessary action to prevent an accident, even before his father could reach the railway authorities.

Question:15. What qualities did Sunderlal display in the story?

Answer: Sunderlal displayed courage, alertness, quick thinking, responsibility, and selflessness. He acted with determination to save the lives of passengers, despite being a small boy.

Question:16. How did the President of India recognize Sunderlal’s actions?

Answer: The President of India rewarded Sunderlal for his act of bravery and alertness. This recognition honored his courage and quick decision-making in a life-threatening situation.

Question:17. Explain the significance of the lamp in the story.

Answer: The lamp symbolized Sunderlal’s initiative and quick thinking. By using it to signal the train driver, he effectively communicated the danger and prevented an accident, highlighting the importance of taking practical steps in emergencies.

Question:18. Why was it important for Sunderlal to act immediately?

Answer: It was important because the train was approaching very fast, and waiting for his father could have resulted in a collision with the boulder. Immediate action was essential to save lives.

Question:19. How did the story illustrate the importance of responsibility?

Answer: The story illustrates responsibility because Sunderlal did not rely entirely on his father or others. He took personal responsibility to ensure the safety of the passengers, showing that taking charge in critical moments is crucial.

Question:20. What lesson can children learn from Sunderlal’s story?

Answer: Children can learn the importance of bravery, alertness, and responsibility. It teaches them that even young individuals can make a significant difference if they act courageously and wisely in emergencies.

Question:21. What does the term “level crossing” mean in the story?

Answer: A level crossing is a place where a railway track crosses a road. Traffic must wait for trains to pass to ensure safety. Sunderlal’s father was in charge of this crossing.

Question:22. How is the word “alert” used in the story?

Answer: “Alert” describes someone who is quick to notice and respond to danger. The train driver was alert when he saw Sunderlal’s lamp and stopped the train in time.

Question:23. Explain the significance of the word “boulder” in the story.

Answer: The boulder was a large rock lying on the railway track. It was a significant danger because it could have caused a serious train accident if not removed or avoided.

Question:24. What role does “lightning” play in the story?

Answer: The lightning highlights the stormy conditions and the danger of the situation, emphasizing the urgency for Sunderlal to act quickly.

Question:25. What does “passengers” refer to, and why are they important in the story?

Answer: “Passengers” are people traveling in the train. They are important because Sunderlal risked his life to save them from an accident.

Question:26. How is “bravery” exemplified in this story?

Answer: Bravery is exemplified by Sunderlal risking his life in dangerous conditions to prevent the train from having an accident.

Question:27. Explain the meaning of “belonged” as used in the story.

Answer: “Belonged” refers to being connected to or a part of something. Sunderlal belonged to a small village in Gujarat, meaning he was a resident of that village.

Question:28 What does the term “approaching” refer to in the story?

Answer: “Approaching” refers to the train coming near Sunderlal’s location on the track. It created a sense of urgency for him to act.

Question:29 How did Sunderlal “inform” the driver of the danger?

Answer: He used the lamp to signal the train driver and shouted “Stop! Stop!” to inform him of the boulder on the track ahead.

Question:30 Why is Sunderlal considered a role model for other children?

Answer: Sunderlal is a role model because he demonstrates that even young children can be courageous, responsible, and proactive in dangerous situations.

Answer by Mrinmoee