Alice in Wonderland “Down the Rabbit Hole” - Summary, Bengali Explanation & Questions Answers | Class 12 - Semester IV
SUMMARY:
Alice was bored sitting beside her sister, who was reading a book without pictures. Suddenly, she saw a White Rabbit wearing a coat and checking a watch, saying he was late. Curious, Alice followed him and jumped into a rabbit hole. She fell slowly, noticing shelves, maps, and even an empty marmalade jar. While falling, she imagined reaching the centre of the Earth or coming out in Australia. After landing on dry leaves, she saw the Rabbit again and chased him into a hall full of locked doors. On a glass table, she found a small golden key, which fit a tiny door behind a curtain. Through the door, she saw a beautiful garden but was too big to enter. She drank from a bottle labelled “Drink Me” and shrank, but forgot the key on the table and couldn’t reach it. Then she found a cake labelled “Eat Me” and hoped it would help her get into the garden.
Down the Rabbit-Hole বাংলা সারাংশ:
অ্যালিস তার বোনের পাশে বসে ছিল, খুবই বিরক্ত ও অলস লাগছিল। হঠাৎ সে একটি সাদা খরগোশকে দেখতে পেল, যার চোখ গোলাপি, আর সে একটি কোট পরে ঘড়ি দেখে বলছিল, “আমি দেরি করে ফেলেছি!” কৌতূহলী হয়ে অ্যালিস খরগোশের পেছনে দৌড়ে গেল এবং একটি বড় গর্তে ঝাঁপ দিল।
সে অনেক নিচে পড়তে লাগল, যেন একটি গভীর কুয়োয়। পড়ার সময় সে তাকিয়ে দেখল—আলমারি, মানচিত্র, ছবি, এমনকি একটি খালি মার্মালেডের বোতলও। সে ভাবতে লাগল, সে কি পৃথিবীর কেন্দ্রে যাচ্ছে? না কি অস্ট্রেলিয়া বা নিউজিল্যান্ডে পৌঁছাবে?
অবশেষে সে শুকনো পাতার স্তূপে পড়ল, কিন্তু কোনো আঘাত পেল না। সে উঠে দাঁড়িয়ে আবার খরগোশকে দেখতে পেল, কিন্তু খরগোশ একটি ছোট দরজা দিয়ে চলে গেল। অ্যালিস একটি লম্বা হলঘরে পৌঁছাল, যেখানে অনেক দরজা ছিল, কিন্তু সব বন্ধ। একটি কাচের টেবিলে সে একটি ছোট সোনালি চাবি পেল, যা একটি পর্দার পেছনে থাকা ছোট দরজায় লাগল।
দরজার ওপারে সে একটি সুন্দর বাগান দেখতে পেল, কিন্তু দরজাটি এত ছোট ছিল যে সে ভিতরে যেতে পারল না। পরে সে একটি বোতল পেল, যাতে লেখা ছিল “Drink Me”—সে সেটা খেয়ে ছোট হয়ে গেল। কিন্তু চাবিটি টেবিলেই রয়ে গেল, যেটা সে আর পৌঁছাতে পারল না। এরপর সে একটি কেক পেল, যাতে লেখা ছিল “Eat Me”—সে ভাবল, এটা খেলে হয়তো সে আবার বড় হবে বা আরও ছোট হয়ে দরজা দিয়ে ঢুকতে পারবে।
Alice in Wonderland Down to the Rabbit Hole : Short Questions and Answers (2 Marks)
West Bengal (WBCHSE) Class 12 Semester 4 English Alice in Wonderland “Down the Rabbit Hole” -2 Marks Short Questions and Answers. All Important questions from the chapter are enlisted here:
Where was Alice sitting, and who was accompanying her? What was the person doing?
Ans. In the context, "Down to the Rabbit Hole", Alice was sitting on the riverbank, and her sister was accompanying her.
Alice's sister was reading a book.
What did Alice say about the book?
Ans: Alice felt bored when her sister read a book without pictures or conversations. In her opinion, such books were not interesting and seemed quite useless.
Describe the rabbit according to the chapter.
Ans: Alice saw a White Rabbit with pink eyes, dressed in a waistcoat, checking a pocket watch, and muttering about being late—very unlike any ordinary rabbit.
Why did Alice follow the white rabbit?
Ans: Alice followed the White Rabbit out of curiosity because he looked very unusual. He was dressed in a coat, spoke aloud to himself like a person, and even carried a pocket watch, which made her amazed.
Why did Alice feel bored and sleepy while sitting by her sister? Why Alice was bored?
Ans. As the day was hot and Alice had nothing to do, she felt bored and sleepy while sitting by her sister.
On the other hand, her sister was reading a book. The book had no pictures or conversations that made her bored and sleepy.
What was Alice considering in her own mind, sitting by her sister? / What idea came to Alice's mind before seeing the rabbit?
Ans. Alice was considering making a daisy chain to pass the time. But she was hesitating whether it would be worth getting up and picking the daisies.
Why didn't Alice get up to pick daisies? What did Alice see suddenly?
Ans: That day was very hoy and Alice felt sleepy and tired. So she was hesitation whether it would be worth getting up and picking the daisies.
Suddenly Alice saw a White Rabbit with pink eyes running past her.
What did Alice see when she was sitting by her sister on the bank? Or. What drew the attention of Alice when she was sitting?
Ans. When Alice was sitting by her sister on the bank, she saw a white rabbit with pink eyes running and saying to himself that he was late.
What was unusual about the rabbit that Alice saw? Or. Describe the appearance of the rabbit.
Ans. In the text, The unusual thing about the rabbit was that he was wearing a waistcoat, had a pocket watch to check the time and could speak.
What did the rabbit say to itself? How did Alice react to it?
Ans: The rabbit said, "Oh dear! Oh dear! I shall be too late!"
Alice did not find it unusual or strange when she first heard it. It felt quite natural to her.
How did Alice enter the rabbit hole?
Ans. Burning with curiosity, Alice started to follow the rabbit. She saw the rabbit pop down a large rabbit hole under the hedge. Without considering anything, she also jumped down the rabbit hole.
Why didn’t Alice consider anything before jumping into the rabbit hole?
Ans. After watching an unusual rabbit, Alice became very curious. She followed him instantly and jumped into the rabbit hole. She had no time to think whether she would come out again.
What did Alice notice in the rabbit hole? / What did Alice notice at the side of the wall?
Ans: Alice noticed that the walls of the rabbit hole were lined with cupboards, bookshelves, and strange objects like pictures and maps hanging on the walls as she fell down. There was also an empty bottle labelled “Orange Marmalade.”
Describe the character of Alice.
Ans: Alice was an imaginative and curious child. She loved colourful strange things and she dislike any book without picture and conversation. Her book knowledge helped her think clearly and make thoughtful decisions in unfamiliar situations.
How was rabbit unique from other rabbits, according to Alice?
Ans: The rabbit Alice saw, was unique because it wore a coat, took out a watch from its waist coat pocket, and spoke like a human. These strange actions made it very different from other ordinary rabbits.
What inscription did Alice find on the empty bottle?
Ans: Alice found a bottle labelled “Orange Marmalade,” but when she checked it, she saw it was empty, so she put it into one of the cupboard as she fell past it.
What guesses did Alice make about her location while falling?
Ans: While falling, Alice imagined she might be heading to the centre of the Earth or popping out somewhere like Australia or New Zealand.
What was Alice thinking during the fall?
Ans: Alice wondered if she had reached somewhere near the centre of the Earth—about four thousand miles down, as she recalled from her schoolroom lessons. She imagined herself falling straight through to places like Australia or New Zealand.
What had seemed natural to Alice when she should have wondered about it?
Ans: Hearing the rabbit talk seemed quite natural to Alice at the time, even though she later thought she should have wondered about it.
How was the rabbit hole described?
Ans. The rabbit hole was under the hedge. At first it went straight like a tunnel, then it dipped down suddenly like a deep well.
Why did Alice have plenty of time while falling down the well?
Ans. While falling down the well, Alice had plenty of time to look about and wondered what was going to happen next. She thought that the well might be very deep, or she was falling very slowly.
What did Alice take down from the shelves while falling? What was labelled on it?
Ans. Alice took down a jar from the shelves while falling. It was labelled ‘Orange Marmalade’.
Why was Alice disappointed to see the jar? What did she do with the jar?
Ans. Alice was disappointed to see the jar because it was empty.
She did not like to drop the jar as it might kill somebody underneath. So she managed to put it back into a cupboard while falling.
“I wonder how many miles I have fallen by this time?” – Who said these words? How many miles did the speaker fall down she thought?
Ans. The speaker is Alice, a curious little girl in the prose ‘Down the Rabbit Hole’ written by Lewis Carroll.
Alice thought she might have reached somewhere near the centre of the earth. It would be four thousand miles down.
“………… the antipathy I think.” – What did Alice want to say by the word antipathy?
Ans. Alice wanted to say antipodes in place of antipathy. Antipodes means a spot exactly on the other side of the Earth. She wondered if she would fall right through the earth and come out in a different country.
How would Alice know the name of the country she had come out of by falling through the earth?
Ans. First, she thought she would ask somebody about the name of the country, but she cancelled the idea. They might think she was an ignorant little girl. She would see the name written up somewhere.
“Dinah’ll miss me very much tonight.” – Who is Dinah? Why would Dinah miss her?
Ans. Dinah was a pet cat of Alice.
Dinah would miss Alice because she did not accompany her into the rabbit hole.
What did Alice think about her pet cat?
Ans: Alice was thinking that Dinah would miss her tonight. She hoped her family would remember to feed her. She wished Dinah would accompany her into the rabbit hole and wondered whether cats eat bats as there is no mouse in the hole.
What did Alice see on standing up from the pile of dry leaves?
Ans: On standing up from the pile of dry leaves, Alice looked upward and it was all dark overhead where before her another long passage. The white rabbit was still in sight, hurrying over it.
What did Alice see on the table? What did she do?
Ans: Alice saw a tiny golden key on the table. She believed it must be belong to one of door in that room and tried it on the doors and discovered it fit a small hidden door behind a curtain.
What did Alice find behind the curtain?
Ans: Alice found a tiny locked door hidden behind the curtain, and with the golden key she had found on the glass table, she unlocked it and discovered a beautiful garden filled with flowers and fountains.
How did Alice open the door?
Ans: Alice used a golden key to open the door. She found the key on a three-legged solid glass table in the middle of the room.
What did Alice see when she opened the door? How did she feel?
Ans: When Alice opened the door, she found a very small passage, not much larger than a rat's hole. She knelt down and, looking along the passage, saw a beautiful garden full of bright flowers and fountains. Alice longed to enter, but felt sad and frustrated because she was too big to fit through the door.
Why does Alice want to “shut up like a telescope”?
OR
“Oh, how I wish I could shut up like a telescope!” – Why did Alice wish she could shut up like a telescope?
Ans. When Alice found that she could not reach the beautiful garden on the other side of the tiny door because it was too small for her to pass through, she wished she could “shut herself up like a telescope” and shrink in size to enter the garden.
How did Alice change her size?
Ans: Alice drank from a bottle labelled “Drink Me” because she wanted to become small enough to enter the beautiful garden behind the tiny small door.
Why didn't Alice enter the garden immediately?
Ans: Alice couldn’t enter the garden because she was too big to fit through the small door. The door was about fifteen inches high and she could not even get her head through the doorway.
Ans: Alice couldn’t enter the garden because she was too big to fit through the small door. The door was about fifteen inches high and she could not even get her head through the doorway.
Why did Alice hesitate before drinking from the bottle?
Ans: Alice hesitated to drink from the bottle, fearing it might be poisonous. She checked for warning labels and drank only after seeing it wasn’t marked “poison.”
or
Why did Alice not want to drink it in a hurry?
Ans. She had read several stories where little children were burnt or eaten by wild beasts because they were careless or in too much of a hurry. So, she decided to check if the bottle was marked “poison.”
Why did Alice decide to drink from the bottle?
Ans. This bottle was not marked ‘poison’. So, Alice decided to drink from the bottle and taste it.
What was the flavour of the drink?
Ans. The drink was mixed flavours of cherry-tart, custard pineapple, roast Turkey, toffee and hot buttered toast.
What happened when she drank from the bottle?
Ans. When she drank from the bottle, she began to shrink. She became only ten inches tall.
Why did Alice want to grow?
Ans: Alice wanted to grow bigger because, after shrinking, she realized she had left the key on the table and could no longer reach it. She believed that if she grew tall again, she would be able to get the key back and open the door to the beautiful garden.
Where did Alice find the small cake? What was written on it?
Ans. Alice found the small cake under the table inside a little glass box.
‘Eat me’ was written on it.
Why did Alice decide to eat the cake?
Ans. Alice decided to eat the cake because if it made her grow larger, she could reach the key, or even grow smaller, she could creep under the door. So, in both ways, she benefited.
What did the Alice find under the table?
Ans: Alice found a small cake under the table with a label that said “EAT ME.” Curious and hopeful, she ate it, wondering if it might help her grow tall enough to reach the key.
Where did Alice fall at last? What did she see immediately after the fall was over?
Ans. Alice fell upon a heap of sticks and dry leaves.
She saw it was all dark overhead, and the white rabbit whom she was following was still in sight, hurrying down a passage.
Describe the hall where Alice reached after her fell.
Ans. The hall was long and low. It was lit up by a row of lamps hanging from the roof. There were doors all around the hall, but they were all locked.
Why was Alice wondering whether she would ever get out again?
Ans. Alice was wondering whether she would ever get out again because there were doors all around the hall, but they were all locked. She tried, but she was unable to open them.
How did Alice find a tiny golden key?
Ans. After finding all the doors closed. Suddenly, Alice came upon a little three-legged solid glass table. She found the tiny golden key on it.
Describe the door which was opened by the tiny golden key. Or. How did Alice find the door that was nicely fitted with the golden key?
Ans. On the second time round, Alice came upon a low curtain. And the door was discovered behind the curtain. It was about fifteen inches high. She tried the little golden key in the lock, and it opened.
Why did Alice not reach the garden through the small passage after unlocking the door?
Ans. Alice did not reach the garden through the small passage after unlocking the door because the doorway was very small. Her head and shoulders would not go through it.
What did Alice find on the glass table for the second time, except the golden key? What was written on it?
Ans. Alice found a little bottle as she went back to the glass table, hoping to find another key.
On the bottle, the words ‘DRINK ME’ beautifully printed on a paper label in large letters.
What was the result of drinking the potion in the bottle labelled “DRINK ME”? / What happened to Alice after drinking from the bottle labelled “DRINK ME”?
Alice checked and saw that the bottle was not marked “poison,” so she drank from it. At first, nothing unusual happened, but soon she began to shrink until she was only ten inches tall. Instead of being frightened, Alice was happy, because now she could fit through the little door and reach the lovely garden.
What was the next problem that Alice faced when she got shrunk?
Ans. She had forgotten the little golden key that would open the little door. She went back to the table, but she was too little to get it. She could not climb up the table as it was very slippery.
Who are Antipathies according to Alice? Why are they mentioned by Alice? Do they really exist?
Ans: According to Alice, Antipathies are people who live on the earth’s bottom-side surface. So she imagines them to walk with their heads downwards.
Alice mentions them as she keeps falling through the rabbit-hole. Alice wonders if she would come out on the bottom side of the earth among the people whom she names Antipathies.
What did Alice see and do after landing at the bottom of the hole?
After landing, Alice saw the White Rabbit hurrying down a long passage. Without wasting time, she quickly got up and ran after him, determined not to lose sight of the creature.
How did Alice feel while she was falling down the hole?
Alice was not afraid during her fall. She kept looking around with curiosity and wondered where she might finally land, showing her sense of adventure and imagination.
Broad Questions-Answers / Long Questions-Answers from 'Down to the Rabbit-Hole':
Lewis Carroll Down to the Rabbit-Hole - 6 Marks Questions-Answers
1) Write a brief summary on the story “Alice In Wonderland Down The Rabbit Hole.”
Ans. “Down The Rabbit Hole” by Lewis Carroll is a story of a young girl called Alice. She was sitting by the riverbank with her sister, feeling bored. Suddenly, she saw a white rabbit in a waistcoat and talking to himself while checking a pocket watch. Curious Alice followed the rabbit and jumped into a rabbit whole without thinking. She fell endlessly and passed cupboards, maps, and an empty marmalade jar. She wondered if she would reach the earth's centre or New Zealand or Australia. She landed safely and entered a hall full of doors. On a glass table, she found a golden key that opened a small door behind a curtain. She saw a beautiful garden on the other side—but the door was too small to enter. Then she found a bottle labelled “Drink Me.” After careful thought, she drank it and shrank, but she had left the key on the table. Unable to reach it, she began to cry. Soon, she spo tted a cake labelled “Eat Me” and ate it.
2) Who was Alice? What was she doing sitting on the bank of the river?
Ans. Alice was a curious young girl who was sitting by the river with her sister. She was getting bored as there was nothing for her to do. Her sister was reading a book but to Alice, the book is rather useless and not interesting at all without pictures and conversations. She was thinking different ways to keep herself engaged like making a daisy-chain but as she was feeling sleepy, she pondered on getting up and taking up the trouble. She suddenly saw a white rabbit with pink eyes, wearing a waistcoat -pocket and taking a watch out of his pocket. Intrigued but it, she started to follow it.
3) What made Alice follow the rabbit?
Ans. Alice was a curious young girl who loved fantasizing. She was sitting by the side of a riverbank with her sister and was bored, as she had nothing to do. Suddenly, she saw a white rabbit pass by. The rabbit was talking about being late, and not only that—he was wearing a waistcoat. Alice was intrigued when she saw the rabbit take a watch out of his waistcoat pocket to check the time while talking. With such strange sight, her curiosity knew no bound, and she began to follow the rabbit. she had never seen a rabbit with either a waistcoat pocket or a watch to take out of it, so she wanted to know more. She ran after the rabbit and fell into the rabbit hole.
Ans. Alice was a curious young girl who was sitting by the river with her sister. She was getting bored as there was nothing for her to do. Her sister was reading a book but to Alice, the book is rather useless and not interesting at all without pictures and conversations. She was thinking different ways to keep herself engaged like making a daisy-chain but as she was feeling sleepy, she pondered on getting up and taking up the trouble. She suddenly saw a white rabbit with pink eyes, wearing a waistcoat -pocket and taking a watch out of his pocket. Intrigued but it, she started to follow it.
3) What made Alice follow the rabbit?
Ans. Alice was a curious young girl who loved fantasizing. She was sitting by the side of a riverbank with her sister and was bored, as she had nothing to do. Suddenly, she saw a white rabbit pass by. The rabbit was talking about being late, and not only that—he was wearing a waistcoat. Alice was intrigued when she saw the rabbit take a watch out of his waistcoat pocket to check the time while talking. With such strange sight, her curiosity knew no bound, and she began to follow the rabbit. she had never seen a rabbit with either a waistcoat pocket or a watch to take out of it, so she wanted to know more. She ran after the rabbit and fell into the rabbit hole.
Or use this answer if it feels better:
Alice was feeling really bored while sitting next to her sister on the riverbank. Suddenly, she saw a white rabbit with pink eyes run by. At first, nothing seemed unusual, but then the rabbit started talking to itself in human language, saying it was late. Alice felt curious and as the rabbit took out a watch from its waistcoat-pocket and rushed off, made her utterly surprised. She had never seen a rabbit with a waistcoat pocket or a watch to take out of it. This strange sight made her feel very curious and amazed. She forgot everything else and ran across the field. Without thinking about how she would get back, she chased the rabbit into a rabbit hole. Her strong curiosity and love for adventure started a strange journey for her.
Alice was feeling really bored while sitting next to her sister on the riverbank. Suddenly, she saw a white rabbit with pink eyes run by. At first, nothing seemed unusual, but then the rabbit started talking to itself in human language, saying it was late. Alice felt curious and as the rabbit took out a watch from its waistcoat-pocket and rushed off, made her utterly surprised. She had never seen a rabbit with a waistcoat pocket or a watch to take out of it. This strange sight made her feel very curious and amazed. She forgot everything else and ran across the field. Without thinking about how she would get back, she chased the rabbit into a rabbit hole. Her strong curiosity and love for adventure started a strange journey for her.
4) Describe the rabbit hole and where did it head Alice to?
Ans. Alice was a curious girl who was feeling bored and seeing a talking rabbit in a waistcoat she became intrigued and ran after it. Alice followed the rabbit into a large rabbit–hole under the hedge without much thinking. The rabbit hole went straight on like a tunnel for some way, and then dipped suddenly down and Alice started falling down a very deep hole. On her way down, Alice saw many things. She could not see the anything looking up or down as it was too dark to see. On the side of the wall she noticed they were filled with cupboards and bookshelves; maps and pictures and an empty bottle of Orange Marmalade. She kept falling for a long time and at the end, she fell onto a heap of sticks and dry leaves, and before her, another long passage opened.
Ans. Alice was a curious girl who was feeling bored and seeing a talking rabbit in a waistcoat she became intrigued and ran after it. Alice followed the rabbit into a large rabbit–hole under the hedge without much thinking. The rabbit hole went straight on like a tunnel for some way, and then dipped suddenly down and Alice started falling down a very deep hole. On her way down, Alice saw many things. She could not see the anything looking up or down as it was too dark to see. On the side of the wall she noticed they were filled with cupboards and bookshelves; maps and pictures and an empty bottle of Orange Marmalade. She kept falling for a long time and at the end, she fell onto a heap of sticks and dry leaves, and before her, another long passage opened.
5) What was special about the White Rabbit ? Why did Alice follow the White Rabbit?
Ans: The White Rabbit was just like the strange and unusual world of Wonderland. It talked and acted like human. The Rabbit took out a watch from its waistcoat pocket, checked the time, and then ran off as though it had something very important to do. These were the things that made the White Rabbit different from a normal rabbit.
6) Explain briefly what was Alice thinking during her fall?
Ans: The White Rabbit was just like the strange and unusual world of Wonderland. It talked and acted like human. The Rabbit took out a watch from its waistcoat pocket, checked the time, and then ran off as though it had something very important to do. These were the things that made the White Rabbit different from a normal rabbit.
Alice had never seen a rabbit with a waistcoat pocket or a watch before, and it made her curious. She decided to follow the White Rabbit, hoping to discover something unusual and interesting.
6) Explain briefly what was Alice thinking during her fall?
OR
What did Alice talk to herself about her school learning while she was falling through the rabbit-hole?
Ans. Alice fell through a rabbit hole into a deep well where she was unable to see the ground. During her long fall, Alice’s thoughts wandered in many directions. She imagined how brave she would seem at home after such a fall. She thought about geography, latitude and longitude which she had learned in school and wondered if she might be crossing around four thousand miles and reaching the centre of the earth. She also imagined arriving on the other side of the world—in New Zealand or Australia, or where people walk with their head downwards. She thought about her cat, Dinah, hoping someone would remember to give her milk and wondering if cats eat bats—or vice versa. Then she grew sleepy, repeating the question dreamily until she finally landed on a heap of sticks and leaves, ending her fall. This reflected her curiosity, imagination, and a childlike sense of wonder.
Ans. Alice fell through a rabbit hole into a deep well where she was unable to see the ground. During her long fall, Alice’s thoughts wandered in many directions. She imagined how brave she would seem at home after such a fall. She thought about geography, latitude and longitude which she had learned in school and wondered if she might be crossing around four thousand miles and reaching the centre of the earth. She also imagined arriving on the other side of the world—in New Zealand or Australia, or where people walk with their head downwards. She thought about her cat, Dinah, hoping someone would remember to give her milk and wondering if cats eat bats—or vice versa. Then she grew sleepy, repeating the question dreamily until she finally landed on a heap of sticks and leaves, ending her fall. This reflected her curiosity, imagination, and a childlike sense of wonder.
7) Describe Alice’s first reaction inside the hall of locked doors.
How did Alice feel when she saw the beautiful garden through the little door? / What did Alice see through the small door?
Ans: After her long fall, Alice reached a large hall, which was lit by rows of lamps hanging from the roof. The hall had doors of various types all around, but they were all locked. Alice felt sad and puzzled, as she wondered how she could ever get out of this dark place.
When Alice unlocked the little door with the golden key, she saw a beautiful garden filled with bright flowers, green lawns, and sparkling fountains. The sight made her happy, eager, and curious. She deeply wanted to go there, but the doorway was far too small for her. The garden seemed gateway to joy and freedom, yet it remained just out of her grasp.
8) “… Alice had begun to think that very few things indeed were really impossible”-When and why had Alice begun to think so?
Ans: Alice began to think that very few things were truly impossible after she discovered a small door only fifteen inches high, hidden behind a curtain. She opened it with a golden key and saw a narrow passage which led to a beautiful garden filled with bright flowers and fountains. She became upset when she realized that her head could fit through the doorway, but her shoulders could not.
At that time, she wished she could shrink like a telescope. By then, Alice had already experienced many unusual things—such as a talking rabbit in a waistcoat, a long fall down the hole, strange objects on shelves, and a hall full of doors. These made Alice believe that almost anything could happen, and it could be possible for her to shut like a telescope.
9) How did Alice find the magic potion which made her shrink?
Ans. After her fall ended, Alice found a long passage before her. She also saw the white rabbit hurrying somewhere. She followed him and reached a long, low hall, which was lit up by a row of lamps hanging from the roof. Alice wanted to get through the doors using a golden key that she found on the glass table in the middle of the room but the key didn’t fit any of the locks. After sometime, Alice found a very small door behind the curtain where the key fitted. Beyond the door, there was a beautiful garden but she was too big to pass through. Alice went back to the three-legged table where she found a little bottle with “Drink Me” tied around it. Alice checked the bottle properly to ensure it was not poison and drank the potion inside it. She started to shrink slowly and ended up being ten inches.
Ans. After her fall ended, Alice found a long passage before her. She also saw the white rabbit hurrying somewhere. She followed him and reached a long, low hall, which was lit up by a row of lamps hanging from the roof. Alice wanted to get through the doors using a golden key that she found on the glass table in the middle of the room but the key didn’t fit any of the locks. After sometime, Alice found a very small door behind the curtain where the key fitted. Beyond the door, there was a beautiful garden but she was too big to pass through. Alice went back to the three-legged table where she found a little bottle with “Drink Me” tied around it. Alice checked the bottle properly to ensure it was not poison and drank the potion inside it. She started to shrink slowly and ended up being ten inches.
10) How did the drink of the bottle affect Alice?
OR, What happened to Alice after drinking the content of the bottle and what did she think then?
Ans: As Alice found the bottle was not marked 'poison', she tasted the contents of the bottle and found it very nice and tasty. It was a sort of mixed flavour of cherry tart, custard, pineapple, roast turkey, toffee, and hot buttered toast. She soon finished it off. The drink made Alice experience a strange feeling, as though she was shutting up like a telescope. Then she shrunk and became ten inches only. She nervously waited for a few minutes to see if she was going to shrink any further. She tried to imagine what the flame of a candle looks like after the candle is blown out, for she could not remember ever having seen such a thing. Finding that nothing more happened, she was overjoyed and decided to go the garden at once.
11) Why did Alice drink from the bottle labelled “DRINK ME”? What was the result?
Ans: In the story 'Down to the Rabbit Hole' after unlocking the little door with the golden key, Alice discovered of a beautiful garden. She longed to enter, but the doorway was far too small for her. Returning to the three‑legged table, she discovered a bottle with a label that read “Drink Me.” Alice checked the bottle and since it wasn’t marked “poison,” she decided to taste it. At first nothing happened, but soon she began to shrink until she was only ten inches tall. Rather than being frightened, she was delighted. Because now she could slip through the door and reach the lovely garden. This moment highlights Alice’s courage, curiosity, and her readiness to embrace the wonders of Wonderland.
12) How did Alice behave wisely before drinking from the bottle? What happened after she drank it?
or
Why Alice did not drink the potion from the bottle right away? What happened after she drank it?
Ans: Alice went back to the glass table and spotted a little bottle with a label that said “DRINK ME.” Though she needed a solution to go through the door, she didn’t rush to taste it right away. Remembering the warnings from childhood tales about careless children, she checked to be sure it wasn’t marked “poison.” Finding it safe, she took a sip and discovered the flavour was delightful. It was a sort of mixed flavour of cherry tart, custard, pineapple, roast turkey, toffee, and hot buttered toast. She soon finished it off.
Next part is answered on the previous question.
13) What is the role of the golden key in the story? / What was Alice’s experience with the little golden key?
Ans. In the chapter "Down the Rabbit Hole" from Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, the golden key is a powerful symbol. After falling into the rabbit hole, Alice found a long passage and follows the rabbit into a low hall surrounded by locked doors. Alice wanted to get through the doors and came by a golden key on the glass table in the middle of the room. She tried it on all the doors but the key only fitted a small door, hidden behind a curtain that lead to a beautiful garden. The golden key is a powerful symbol of hope, curiosity and new opportunities. The key also expresses the desire to explore the unknown, while also reflecting the challenges of growing up and adapting to change.
14) What difficulties did Alice face after shrinking?
"…. the poor little thing sat down and cried.”-Why did the poor little thing sit down and cry?
OR, Why could not Alice go to the garden even after drinking the content of the bottle?
Ans: While Alice was searching for a way to enter the garden, she found a bottle marked “DRINK ME” on the table. After checking that it was not poison, she drank the nice and tasty liquid. She soon became only ten inches tall which was the right size for going through the little door. As she happily went to the little door to the lovely garden, she realised that she had forgotten the key. She returned to the table to get it, but she couldn’t reach it because she was so small. She tried to climb up the legs of the table, but it was too tall and slippery. She felt helpless and began to cry. Soon after, she scolded herself for crying and advised herself to stay calm and find a solution.
15) “I advise you to leave off this minute.” Who is the speaker and whom did she/he advise? Why did the speaker give the advice?
Ans: This line is taken from 'Down to the Rabbit Hole' by Lewis Carroll. Here, Alice is the speaker and she advised herself quite bitterly.
After drinking the potion of the bottle marked “DRINK ME” Alice had shrunk enough to go through the little door to that lovely garden. When she got to the door she realised she forgotten the key of the door on the table. She went back to the table, tried many times to climb it but failed. Finding no other means to obtain the key, she felt helpless, sat down and started crying. Alice had a tendency to pretend to be two personalities-one would give advice to the other. So, her other self gave her the advice to stop crying and think rationally.
16) Did Alice ever follow the advice given to herself? How did Alice scold herself sometimes? What happened when Alice was playing croquet? Why according to Alice, was it no use trying to pretend to be two people then?
Ans: Alice would hardly follow the advice which she used to give herself.
Sometimes, Alice used to scold herself so severely that it would bring tears to her eyes.
One day when Alice was playing croquet against herself, she cheated herself. As punishment she tried to hit her own ears.
After drinking the potion Alice had been reduced to such a small size that she doubted if she had the stature of even one respectable person in that condition. So she thought There was no point pretending to be two people with only a size of ten inches.
17) “…. this curious child was very fond of pretending to be two people.” Who is ‘this curious child’? What examples of ‘pretending to be two people are given here? What psychological state of ‘this curious child’ can be derived from this statement?
Ans: Here 'this curious child’ refers to Alice.
Alice often imagined herself as two separate personalities, where one criticises and gives advice to the other. Sometimes one part of her would scold the other so harshly that it made the other cry. Once, while playing croquet with herself, Alice tried to hit her own ears as a punishment for cheating.
The quoted line expresses Alice’s deeply self-critical nature. Her habit of role-playing shows that she is imaginative and emotionally complex. Though she can be rational and reflective, she often ignores her own advice. However, her self-awareness of throughout her adventure to the wonderland hints her growth potential. By pretending to be two people within her, Alice keeps her emotions and situation under control.
18) Why did Alice scold herself after crying? What does this reveal about her character?
Ans: In the prose “Down the Rabbit-Hole”, after Alice cried in frustration at not being able to reach the golden key, she suddenly scolded herself sharply, saying there was no use in crying like that instead of finding a way out. She told herself to stop at once. This shows her habit of often giving herself advice and even pretending to be two people at times. She usually gave herself good counsel, though she admitted she rarely followed it, and sometimes even punished herself when she felt she had done wrong—like boxing her own ears during a game of croquet she played against herself. By scolding herself, Alice revealed her determination to stay sensible and brave, even in a strange and difficult situation.
19) “Soon her eye fell on a little glass box…” Where was the little glass box? What was inside the box? What did Alice decide to do with that and why?
Ans: In the prose 'Down to the Rabbit Hole' by Lewis Carroll, the little box made of solid glass was lying under the three-legged table.
There was a small cake inside the box. On the cake the words “EAT ME” were beautifully marked in currants
When Alice found the cake, she decided to eat it. She thought that if it made her grow larger, she would be able to reach the golden key and then open the door to reach the beautiful garden. And if it made her smaller, she would be able to creep under the door. So either way she would be able to get into the garden.
20) What did Alice think while eating the cake and what happened afterwards?
or
What happened after Alice ate the cake marked “EAT ME”?
Ans: Earlier Alice shrank to only ten inches high and then realised that she had left the key of the door on the table. She decided to eat the small cake inside the box thinking that if it made her grow larger she would be able to reach the key and open the door that led to the garden, and if it made her smaller, she would be able to creep under the door. At first she ate a little bit and anxiously waited for the change. She held her hand on the top of her head to feel which way she was growing. This time nothing happened and she remained the same. Alice had got used to expecting only unusual things to happen, therefore it appeared quite dull and stupid that lite went on in the common way. So she soon finished the cake.
21) She said anxiously to herself, “Which way? Which way?”-Who said this? What made her say so? Why did she expect something to happen?
Ans: Alice, the protagonist of the story 'Down to the Rabbit Hole' by Lewis Carroll said this. Alice found a little glass box lying under the three-legged table. There was a small cake inside the box. On the cake the words “EAT ME” were beautifully marked in currants. Alice decided to eat the cake thinking either she will shrink further or she will grow taller. She took a little bite of the cake and placed her hand on the top of her head to feel the transformation.
Alice had experienced several unusual things before and after entering the rabbit hole. Previously she got a bottle marked “DRINK ME”, the content of which made her shrink to a ten inches high. So seeing the cake marked “EAT ME”, she expected something strange to happen.
22) Comment on the use of symbols in Down the Rabbit-Hole’.
Ans: In 'Down the Rabbit-Hole', Lewis Carroll uses many symbols to make the story meaningful and imaginative. The rabbit-hole acts as a gateway into the unknown, showing curiosity, courage, and adventure. The White Rabbit represents temptation and also reflects anxiety and stress, linked to Victorian ideas of punctuality and social rules. Alice’s fall breaks ordinary logic, opening the way to nonsense and fantasy, and symbolises the shift from the conscious to the subconscious mind. The bottle marked “DRINK ME” and the cake with “EAT ME” show the temptations we face in life. The lovely garden, full of flowers and fountains, symbolises the innocence of childhood that slowly fades as Alice matures. The tiny golden key represents the chance to escape reality and enter the magical world of imagination.
23) What does the rabbit-hole present in the story ‘Down the Rabbit Hole’?
or
Discuss the main theme represented in ‘Down the Rabbit-Hole’.
Or
What is the main theme of the story ‘Alice in Wonderland’?
Ans: In Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, the rabbit-hole is shown as a gateway into the unknown, leading Alice from the ordinary world into a fantastical realm where rules and logic are overturned. It symbolizes curiosity, courage, and the leap into imagination. Alice’s choice to follow the White Rabbit reflects her fearless desire to explore new experiences, even when they seem strange or risky. Once she falls, the normal ideas of space, time, and reason collapse, opening Carroll’s playful world of nonsense. The rabbit-hole is also a metaphor for diving deeply into something mysterious and adventurous, even at personal risk. It signifies constant changes in life and the instinctive part of human nature that seeks satisfaction. Inside, Alice faces temptations that reveal her curiosity and spirit of adventure.
24) Explain the use of language in the story ‘Alice in Wonderland’?
Ans. Lewis Carroll’s use of language in the story is playful, curious, and sometimes nonsensical. It is often straightforward and has hints of metaphors. He uses clear, childlike language that matches Alice’s young perspective, while weaving in puzzles and imaginative comparisons that make the story feel magical. Sometimes science or book ideas appear, but they are shown in a curious, funny way that helps us imagine. Alice’s constant questions show how children naturally think aloud and explore possibilities. The simple and flowing language keeps readers engaged, building suspense and encouraging imagination. It allows them to feel as though they are sharing Alice’s journey themselves. Carroll’s playful choice of words highlights the natural curiosity of a child and her eagerness to understand the world, even beyond her years.
Explain the role of curiosity in Alice’s adventure.
25) Give a brief character sketch of Alice.
OR
Draw a character sketch of Alice as seen in this prose-piece.
Ans: Alice is portrayed as a curious and imaginative child who loves exploring the world of fantasy. She dislikes the dull, practical world of adults because she finds the book her sister was reading useless, and she bravely follows the strange rabbit into the rabbit hole, which itself is a metaphor for entering the unknown. Even during her long fall, she stays calm, notices everything around her, and makes decisions according to her school lessons. Her careful nature is clear when she examines the bottle before drinking. Alice is sensitive and caring, as she worries about her pet cat, Dinah. She is independent and self‑critical, scolding herself for forgetting the small key. She values freedom and longs to escape the dark hall into the bright garden. Adventurous and brave, Alice never wants an ordinary life. Her mix of curiosity, courage, and imagination makes her a truly unique character.
26) What happens when Alice jumps down the rabbit hole both in physical and psychological aspect?
Ans: Physically, when Alice jumps down the rabbit hole, she leaves her safe, familiar world and enters Wonderland. She keeps falling without getting hurt and notices cupboards, bookshelves, maps, and pictures on the walls, which seem silly and childlike. She falls so slowly that she has time to think about many things. Psychologically, the fall feels like drifting from the real world into a dreamlike state where normal rules no longer apply. Her thoughts show her innocence, curiosity, and strong imagination. Her curiosity becomes stronger than her fear, and she reacts with the open, exploring mind of a child. This moment marks the beginning of her personal journey as she lets go of ordinary logic and steps into a world shaped by imagination, with strange doors and magical foods that change her size. The fall becomes her first step into the unknown.
Ans: In this context, Alice’s memory is important because it helps her use past experiences to guide her actions in Wonderland. Her memory shows both her wisdom and imagination. She tries to act rationally in strange situations, while also showing her playful side. She thinks about geography, latitude, and longitude which she had learned in school, and wonders if she might be crossing around four thousand miles and reaching the centre of the earth. She remembers childhood stories where careless children got into trouble for not following simple rules, so she checks to be sure the bottle isn’t marked “poison.” She also thinks of her pet cat, Dinah, and hopes her family will care for him. Her past knowledge and present curiosity work together, helping her face challenges thoughtfully and bravely, even when she feels helpless.
28) How does Carroll balance logic and fantasy in this story?
or
How do the world of dreams and the world of reality merge together in ‘Down the Rabbit-Hole’?
or
How does Alice try to use her logical mind during her experiences in the rabbit-hole?
Ans: In “Down the Rabbit-Hole”, Lewis Carroll blends logic with fantasy. The story begins with a real situation but soon mixes with impossible and magical events. Alice meets a rabbit wearing a waistcoat, carrying a watch, and speaking like a human. She falls into a strange hole where cupboards, maps, and pictures hang along the sides of the well. She tries to use her school lessons, thinking about geography and how far she has fallen, to make sense of the odd situation. Later, a small golden key opens a door to a dreamlike garden, and a simple drink makes her shrink to a tiny size. All these events give the story a fantastical quality. Carroll shows how reasoning and imagination work together, making the tale magical, funny, and full of endless possibilities for a curious child like Alice.
29) What message does the passage give about problem-solving?
Ans: In the passage “Down the Rabbit-Hole”, Alice is portrayed as a curious and thoughtful child. She thinks of her lessons from school and stories, and tries to solve challenges in a rational and mature way. While falling through the hole, she imagines how far she has fallen and wonders how she should behave if she reaches a new country. She is not frightened but daring. She checks the strange bottle carefully to see if it is marked “poison” before drinking, and at times she acts like her own guardian, telling herself not to cry and to stay calm. This shows her mental strength and ability to remain calm. The story inspires readers to use knowledge, experience, and curiosity to face problems with confidence and find creative solutions.
30) Why is the passage called “Down the Rabbit-Hole”?
Ans: The passage is called “Down the Rabbit-Hole” because Alice’s adventure begins when she follows a rabbit and falls into the hole. This moment marks her shift from the real world into Wonderland, a magical and mysterious place. The rabbit hole symbolizes entering the unknown, while her fall shows the move from logic and reality into imagination and adventure. While falling, she notices strange objects, then reaches a hall full of doors, and discovers food and drink that can change her size. To face these unusual situations, Alice must make decisions wisely. In the story, the rabbit hole acts as a gateway from the ordinary world into a fantastical realm where normal rules no longer apply. The title captures the beginning of her transformation and represents curiosity, courage, and the leap into imagination.
31) Explain the role of curiosity in Alice’s adventure.
Ans: In the passage "Down the Rabbit-Hole", Alice’s adventure begins with her curiosity when she saw a rabbit wearing a waistcoat and talking to itself. Her curiosity made her follow the rabbit without looking back, and she fell into the rabbit hole. There she discovered strange items like cupboards, bookshelves, and maps hanging from the sides. During the fall, she was curious to know whether she would reach the centre of the Earth or some faraway country. After her fall, she ventured through a long hall and found a wonderful garden. She did not feel fear and even tried to act thoughtfully, believing anything was possible. She drank a strange potion and ate cake out of curiosity, once to 'shut like a telescope' or to grow tall. It was her curiosity that gave her the courage to explore the fantasy world.
32) How does the author bring out a child’s mindset in ‘Down the Rabbit-Hole?
Ans: In “Down the Rabbit-Hole”, the author celebrates a child’s love for fantasy and imagination. Alice finds her sister’s book dull because it has no pictures or conversations, showing her rejection of adult reality. Her curiosity leads her to follow the White Rabbit, reflecting a child’s natural love for adventure. Like any child, Alice enjoys simple treats such as marmalade, custard, pineapple, and toffee. She proudly recalls school knowledge, yet often forgets it, highlighting the inconsistency of childhood learning. Her shrinking in size conveys a child’s helplessness, while her belief that eating cake will change her shows youthful hopefulness. Through these incidents, Carroll portrays the struggles and growth of a child moving toward adolescence, capturing both the wonder and confusion of childhood.
33) How humour is used in the text ‘Down the Rabbit-Hole’?
Ans: Lewis Carroll uses humour subtly and intelligently to make “Down the Rabbit-Hole” funny and enjoyable. He first employs nonsense humour: Alice falls slowly down a rabbit-hole, noticing cupboards and maps, even wondering how far she is falling—an impossible yet amusing situation. Carroll also adds wordplay and logic jokes. Alice imagines falling through the earth and meeting the “Antipathies,” people who walk with their heads downward, mixing geography with imagination in a humorous way. The White Rabbit further adds comedy by acting like a human—speaking, wearing a waistcoat, and checking a watch. Alice’s confused thoughts and her attempts to behave properly in odd circumstances also create humour. Finally, Carroll’s witty narration makes the scene engaging. Overall, the chapter blends nonsense, wordplay, and wit, showing humour as a key part of Alice’s adventure.
34) How does Alice’s adventure in Wonderland reflect both curiosity and confusion?
Ans: Alice’s adventure in Wonderland reflects both curiosity and confusion. Her curiosity begins when she follows a rabbit wearing a waistcoat and talking to itself that she had never seen before and falls into the rabbit hole. During the fall, she wonders whether she will reach the centre of the Earth or some faraway country. At the same time, she feels confused by the strange sights around her, such as cupboards, bookshelves, and maps hanging from the sides. After landing, she explores with curiosity, discovering a long hall with many doors and a beautiful garden. Yet she is also confused by the magical changes in size after drinking a potion and eating cake. Alice’s journey shows how curiosity drives her to explore the unknown, while confusion reflects the struggles of childhood in understanding a strange world.
