Class 9 WBBSE English - All About a Dog (Chapter 2) - Solution & Explanation

Class 9 WBBSE English (Chapter 2) - All About a Dog | Full Explanation, Bengali Meaning & Solution

About the Author: A.G. Gardiner

Alfred George Gardiner (1865–1946) was a famous British essayist and journalist. He wrote under the pen name "Alpha of the Plough." His essays are known for their simple language, humor, and deep messages about society and human behavior.

Gardiner started his career as a journalist and later became the editor of The Daily News. His writing style was clear, engaging, and full of wisdom, making even complex topics easy to understand.

Some of his famous essay collections include:

• Pebbles on the Shore
• Leaves in the Wind
• Many Furrows
• The Pillars of Society

His essays often focus on everyday life, social rules, and human nature. In All About a Dog, he teaches an important lesson about following rules with kindness and common sense.

Detailed Explanation of "All About a Dog"

The story "All About a Dog" by A.G. Gardiner highlights the importance of rules and how they should be followed with kindness and understanding. It takes place inside a double-decker bus on a cold winter night. The narrator was traveling when two women and a man entered the bus. One of the women was carrying a small Pekinese dog in her arms.

As soon as the bus conductor saw the dog, he told the woman that she must take it outside. The woman refused, saying that she had paid her fare and was not causing any trouble. However, the conductor was strict and insisted that dogs were not allowed inside the bus. He ordered her to move to the top deck, which was open and exposed to the cold. The woman explained that it was freezing outside, and she could not go up, but the conductor remained firm.

The argument between the woman and the conductor soon caught the attention of the other passengers. Some people supported the conductor, saying that rules must be followed, while others felt sympathy for the woman, believing that the conductor was being too harsh. As the tension increased, the conductor decided to stop the bus and refuse to move until the woman obeyed. The passengers became frustrated, and some even demanded their fares back. The situation worsened when a policeman arrived, but he chose not to interfere.

After much protest, the woman had no choice but to go upstairs with her dog. The bus finally started moving again. However, after some time, the bus faced an engine problem and stopped again. The narrator observed everything carefully and then told the conductor that rules should be followed, but with kindness and common sense. The conductor realized his mistake and accepted the advice.

Through this story, A.G. Gardiner teaches us an important lesson—while rules are necessary for order, they should never be enforced in a way that causes unnecessary suffering. Instead of blindly following regulations, people should apply good judgment and empathy in every situation.

বাংলা ব্যাখ্যা (Bengali Explanation)

"All About a Dog" গল্পটি A.G. Gardiner লিখেছেন এবং এটি নিয়ম, কর্তৃত্ব ও মানবিকতার গুরুত্ব বোঝায়। গল্পটি আমাদের শেখায় যে নিয়ম অবশ্যই মানতে হবে, তবে তা করা উচিত সাধারণ জ্ঞান ও সদয়তার সঙ্গে।

গল্পটি একটি ডাবল-ডেকার বাসে শুরু হয়, যেখানে এক শীতের রাতে বর্ণনাকারী ভ্রমণ করছিলেন। কিছুক্ষণ পরে দুজন মহিলা ও এক পুরুষ বাসে উঠলেন। তাদের মধ্যে এক মহিলার কোলে একটি ছোট Pekinese কুকুর ছিল।

বাসের পরিচালক (conductor) কুকুরটিকে দেখে সঙ্গে সঙ্গে মহিলাকে বললেন, "আপনাকে কুকুরটি বের করে দিতে হবে।" মহিলা এতে রাজি হলেন না এবং বললেন যে তিনি ইতিমধ্যেই ভাড়া দিয়েছেন এবং কাউকে কোনো অসুবিধা দিচ্ছেন না। কিন্তু কন্ডাক্টর কড়া ভাষায় জানিয়ে দিলেন যে বাসের নিয়ম অনুযায়ী কুকুর ভিতরে রাখা যাবে না এবং তাকে উপরের খোলা ডেকে যেতে হবে। মহিলা বুঝিয়ে বলার চেষ্টা করলেন যে বাইরে প্রচণ্ড ঠান্ডা, তাই তিনি উপরে যেতে পারবেন না। কিন্তু কন্ডাক্টর একটুও নমনীয় হলেন না।

এই ঘটনার ফলে বাসের অন্যান্য যাত্রীরাও বিষয়টি লক্ষ্য করেন এবং বিভিন্ন মতামত দিতে থাকেন। কেউ কন্ডাক্টরকে সমর্থন করলেন, আবার কেউ মহিলার প্রতি সহানুভূতি দেখালেন। পরিস্থিতি আরও জটিল হয়ে উঠল যখন কন্ডাক্টর বাস থামিয়ে দিলেন এবং ঘোষণা করলেন যে বাস চালানো হবে না যতক্ষণ না মহিলা উপরে চলে যান। এতে যাত্রীরা ক্ষুব্ধ হয়ে ওঠেন এবং কেউ কেউ তাদের ভাড়া ফেরত চাইলেন।

অবশেষে, পুলিশের একজন অফিসার এলেও তিনি কোনো হস্তক্ষেপ করলেন না। অনেক বাদানুবাদের পর মহিলা কুকুরটিকে নিয়ে উপরের ডেকে চলে যেতে বাধ্য হলেন। তারপর বাস আবার চলতে শুরু করল। কিছুক্ষণ পরই বাসের ইঞ্জিন বিকল হয়ে গেল এবং বাস আবার থেমে গেল।

এই পুরো ঘটনাটি পর্যবেক্ষণ করার পর, বর্ণনাকারী কন্ডাক্টরকে বললেন যে নিয়ম মেনে চলা অবশ্যই জরুরি, তবে তা মানুষের প্রতি সহানুভূতি ও সাধারণ বুদ্ধি দিয়ে প্রয়োগ করা উচিত। কন্ডাক্টর এই উপদেশটি বুঝতে পারেন এবং তার ভুল স্বীকার করেন।

গল্পের মাধ্যমে A.G. Gardiner আমাদের শেখান যে নিয়ম সমাজের শৃঙ্খলা বজায় রাখার জন্য তৈরি হয়, তবে সেই নিয়মকে কঠোরভাবে প্রয়োগ করলে মানুষের দুঃখ-কষ্ট বাড়তে পারে। তাই নিয়মের পাশাপাশি মানবিকতা ও সহানুভূতির প্রয়োজন।

Summary of "All About a Dog"

The story "All About a Dog" by A.G. Gardiner teaches an important lesson about rules, authority, and kindness. It shows how rules should be followed with common sense and empathy rather than strict enforcement.

The narrator was traveling in a double-decker bus on a cold winter night when two women and a man boarded. One of the women was carrying a small Pekinese dog. The bus conductor, noticing the dog, strictly ordered the woman to take it outside. The woman refused, arguing that she had paid for her ticket and was not disturbing anyone. However, the conductor insisted that rules must be followed, and she had to sit on the open top deck, even though it was freezing outside.

The argument caught the attention of other passengers. Some supported the conductor, saying that rules must be obeyed, while others felt sympathy for the woman, believing the conductor was being unnecessarily harsh. The situation escalated when the conductor stopped the bus and refused to move until the woman followed his order. This caused frustration among passengers, and some even demanded their money back. Eventually, a policeman arrived, but he chose not to interfere. The woman, having no other option, reluctantly went to the top deck with her dog.

Shortly after, the bus broke down due to an engine problem, and the narrator used this moment to share his thoughts with the conductor. He explained that rules are necessary, but they should not be enforced blindly at the cost of human suffering. The conductor, after reflecting on the situation, realized his mistake.

Through this simple yet powerful incident, A.G. Gardiner emphasizes that rules are important for maintaining order, but they should be applied with wisdom, kindness, and understanding. The story teaches us that humanity should always come before rigid rules.

Exercise 1: Multiple-Choice Questions (MCQs)

1. The younger woman carried a little
(a) Spaniel
(b) Bull dog
(c) Pekinese dog ✅
(d) Spitz
Answer: The younger woman carried a little Pekinese dog.

2. The younger woman was suffering from
(a) Stomach pain
(b) Back pain
(c) Fever
(d) Cough ✅
Answer: The younger woman was suffering from a cough.

3. The bell was pulled by the
(a) Conductor ✅
(b) Driver
(c) Younger woman
(d) Older woman
Answer: The bell was pulled by the conductor.

4. The number of policemen to whom the woman expressed her anger was
(a) Three ✅
(b) Four
(c) Five
(d) Six
Answer: The number of policemen to whom the woman expressed her anger was three.

5. The problem the bus faced was with the
(a) Tyre
(b) Engine ✅
(c) Brake
(d) Horn
Answer: The problem the bus faced was with the engine.

Exercise 2: Answer the Following Questions Within Fifteen Words

1. How many people got into the bus with the younger woman?

Answer: Two people got into the bus with the younger woman.

2. What was the conductor’s order to the younger woman?

Answer: The conductor ordered the younger woman to take her dog out of the bus.

3. Why did the conductor stand triumphant?

Answer: The conductor stood triumphant because he enforced the rule of no dogs in the bus.

4. What is that rule which cannot be broken without danger to life and limb?

Answer: The rule of guidance cannot be broken without danger to life and limb.

Exercise 3: Answer the Following Questions Within Twenty-Five Words

1. When did the author feel that trouble was coming up?

Answer: The author felt that trouble was coming up when the conductor ordered the younger woman to take her dog out of the bus.

2. Mention two demands made by the passengers when the bus stopped.

Answer: The passengers demanded that the younger woman be allowed to keep her dog and that the bus should start moving again.

3. How are rules of guidance to be observed?

Answer: Rules of guidance should be observed with common sense, flexibility, and consideration for others rather than being followed rigidly.

Exercise 4: Active and Passive Voice

Underline the verb forms that show the subject does something (Active Voice). Circle the verb forms that show something is done to the subject (Passive Voice).

1. She has sung a song.

   • Active Voice: has sung

2. A song has been sung by her.

   • Passive Voice: has been sung

3. He will draw a picture.

   • Active Voice: will draw

4. A picture will be drawn by him.

• Passive Voice: will be drawn
  

Exercise 5: Change the Voice

1. Nila has bought a book.

   • Passive: A book has been bought by Nila.

2. They will have seen the cricket match.

   • Passive: The cricket match will have been seen by them.

3. Bhola had seen a tiger.

   • Passive: A tiger had been seen by Bhola.

4. The nurse will attend the patient.

• Passive: The patient will be attended by the nurse.
  
  

Exercise 6: Change the Voice

1. Do the sum.

   • Passive: Let the sum be done.

2. The poem was written by her.

   • Active: She wrote the poem.

3. Open the door.

   • Passive: Let the door be opened.

4. The man is known to me.

• Passive (No change needed as it is already in passive form).

Exercise 7: Change the Voice

1. They agreed to my plan.

   • Passive: My plan was agreed to by them.

2. My brother lost my favourite pen.

   • Passive: My favourite pen was lost by my brother.

3. The man is writing a letter.

   • Passive: A letter is being written by the man.

4. Titli is looking for her watch.

• Passive: Her watch is being looked for by Titli.

Exercise 8: Fill in the Blanks with Correct Alternatives

1. It (has been raining) since morning.
2. Last Sunday I (went) to the zoo.
3. I (will be) in class X next year.
4. Rina (has reached) home just now.

Exercise 9: Paragraph Writing - How to Prepare Orange Juice

Title: Process of Making Orange Juice

To prepare fresh orange juice, first, oranges are bought from the market. Then, they are sorted, and rotten ones are removed. After that, the oranges are cleaned and peeled properly. The peeled oranges are put into a juicer, where the juice is extracted. Next, sugar and preservatives are added to improve the taste and increase shelf life. Finally, the juice is poured into bottles, sealed properly, and made ready for sale or consumption.

Exercise 10: Paragraph Writing - How to Take Care of Street Dogs

Title: Caring for Street Dogs

Street dogs often suffer from hunger, harsh weather, and cruel treatment by people. It is important to show kindness to them and ensure their well-being. We should provide them with food and clean water regularly. If a dog is sick or injured, calling a vet or taking it to an animal shelter can help. It is also necessary to vaccinate street dogs to prevent diseases. Local communities can set up shelters for stray dogs, giving them a safe place to live. By treating street dogs with compassion, we can make the world a better place for them.

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Extra Questions & Answers

Short Answer Questions (SAQ)

1. Who is the author of the essay "All About a Dog"?
   Answer: The author of the essay is A.G. Gardiner.

2. What was the weather like when the incident took place?
   Answer: The weather was bitterly cold and windy.

3. Where did the younger woman carry the dog?
   Answer: The younger woman carried the dog on her lap.

4. Why did the conductor stop the bus?
   Answer: The conductor stopped the bus because he wanted the lady to take the dog to the top of the bus.

5. What kind of dog was with the younger woman?
   Answer: The dog was a Pekinese dog.

6. How did the conductor behave towards the woman?
   Answer: The conductor behaved strictly and rudely, insisting that she follow the rule.

7. What was the reaction of the passengers to the conductor's behavior?
   Answer: The passengers criticized the conductor and showed sympathy towards the woman.

8. Why did the conductor feel triumphant after stopping the bus?
   Answer: He felt triumphant because he successfully enforced the rule about dogs on the bus.

9. What problem did the bus face after the woman went upstairs?
   Answer: The bus developed an engine problem and had to stop.

10. How did the conductor signal to stop the bus?
    Answer: The conductor pulled the bell to stop the bus.

11. How many policemen did the woman complain to?
    Answer: The woman complained to three policemen.

12. What did the little dog do when the bus stopped?
    Answer: The dog blinked at the dim lights, unaware of the commotion.

13. What did the conductor say to the narrator before he got off the bus?
    Answer: The conductor said, "I've got my rules."

14. What advice did the narrator give the conductor about rules?
    Answer: The narrator advised that rules should be followed in spirit, not just in letter.

15. What was the final reaction of the conductor towards the narrator's advice?
    Answer: The conductor took the advice well and bid the narrator a friendly "Good night."

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Long Answer Questions

16. Describe the younger woman’s reaction when the conductor asked her to take the dog upstairs.
    Answer: The younger woman was shocked and resisted the conductor's order. She argued that she could not go upstairs in the cold, especially since she was already coughing. She also sought support from her companions, who also protested against the conductor's strict enforcement of the rule.

17. Why did the author feel that the conductor had a general grievance against passengers?
    Answer: The author observed that the conductor seemed to enjoy enforcing rules and had a strict, almost harsh attitude towards passengers. His behavior suggested that he had a personal dislike for passengers and enjoyed asserting his authority.

18. What role did the policeman play in the situation?
    Answer: The policeman, after arriving at the scene, did not interfere directly but allowed the conductor to enforce the rule. His presence, however, encouraged some passengers to express their frustration against the conductor.

19. Why did the passengers protest against the conductor?
    Answer: The passengers felt that the conductor was being too strict and inhumane. They sympathized with the young woman and felt that forcing her to go upstairs in the freezing cold just because of a small dog was unreasonable.

20. What is the main theme of the story?
    Answer: The main theme of the story is the conflict between rigid rule-following and human compassion. The author suggests that while rules are necessary, they should be followed with common sense and kindness.

21. What message does the author convey through the essay?
    Answer: The author conveys that rules should not be followed blindly. Instead, they should be observed with good judgment and consideration for others' comfort and well-being.

22. What lesson does the conductor learn by the end of the story?
    Answer: The conductor learns that strict rule enforcement without kindness can create unnecessary trouble. After the narrator’s advice, he realizes the importance of balancing rules with goodwill.

23. How does the author describe the dog’s innocence in the situation?
    Answer: The author emphasizes that the dog was unaware of the chaos it had caused. It merely blinked at the dim lights, oblivious to the argument happening around it.

24. How does the title "All About a Dog" reflect the main idea of the story?
    Answer: The title is ironic, as the real issue is not just about the dog but about how people interpret and enforce rules. The dog is a minor character, but the events surrounding it highlight the rigidity of the conductor and the passengers' reactions.

25. Why did the author say that some rules should be followed "in spirit, not in letter"?
    Answer: The author meant that not all rules should be followed rigidly. Some rules are meant to ensure order, but in certain situations, they should be adjusted to accommodate human kindness and comfort.

26. What does the essay suggest about human nature?
    Answer: The essay suggests that human nature is a mix of obedience, defiance, and empathy. While some people blindly follow rules (like the conductor), others protest against injustice (like the passengers), and some advocate for a balanced approach (like the narrator).

27. What qualities of the narrator are revealed in the story?
    Answer: The narrator is shown to be observant, wise, and compassionate. He understands both the need for rules and the importance of flexibility.

28. What was the impact of the conductor’s actions on the passengers?
    Answer: The conductor’s strict behavior frustrated and angered the passengers. Some protested against him, while others eventually left the bus out of frustration.

29. What role does the setting (a cold winter night) play in the story?
    Answer: The setting emphasizes the cruelty of the conductor’s actions. The bitter cold makes the lady’s suffering worse, making the conductor's demand seem more unreasonable.

30. How does the essay highlight the importance of empathy?
    Answer: The essay highlights that blind rule-following can lead to unnecessary hardship. Through the narrator’s advice, the story encourages people to apply rules with understanding and humanity.