Chapter 1 – The Best Christmas Present in the World

Content structure

• A. Word meanings
• B. 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
• C. 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
• D. Grammar practice with answers

A. Word meanings

Word	Meanings
Spotted it	Saw it
Scorch marks	Burn marks
Restore	Fix something that is broken or damaged.
Was going for	Was being sold at a price
Veneer	A thin outer layer covering something.
Taken their toll on	Caused damage or harm
Stuck fast	Completely closed
Scruples	Feelings that stop you from doing something wrong
Standing to	Getting ready to do something
Trenches	Long deep holes where soldiers hide
Fritz	A name of German soldier
Tommy	A name of British soldier
That would be that	That’s the end of it
Schnapps	A German drink made from a grain
Cello	A musical instrument like a large violin
Marzipan	A sweet, almond-based layer on cakes
Dugout	a shelter for soldiers made by digging a hole in the ground and covering it
Burned out	Completely destroyed by fire
Boarded-up	Covered with wooden boards
Muddle headed	Feeling confused
Lit up	Full of excitement
Suffused with	A warm feeling of happiness
Clumsily mended	Fixed something in a careless or awkward way
Struck	Hit or affected suddenly.
Shallow space	A small or limited area with little depth
Mingling	Mixing or talking with others
Unwillingly	Doing something without wanting to

B. 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. It was made of oak wood and sold at a very low price because of its burn marks.

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 inside was written in shaky handwriting. It was Jim’s last letter, received on 25th January 1915.

Unit II – Comprehension Check

1. Who had written the letter, to whom, and when?
Ans: Captain Jim Macpherson a British soldier 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 the letter to his wife Connie to share a remarkable Christmas during the war when British and German soldiers became friends for one day. They celebrated Christmas together played football shared food and talked about themselves and their families.

3. What jobs did Hans Wolf and Jim Macpherson have when they were not soldiers?
Ans: Hans Wolf played the cello in an orchestra and Jim Macpherson was a school teacher in Dorset England when they were not soldiers.

4. Had Hans Wolf ever been to Dorset? Why did he say he knew it?
Ans: Hans Wolf had never visited Dorset but he knew about it because he had read the book “Far from the Madding Crowd” by Thomas Hardy, which is set in Dorset. He had also studied the place in school in England.

5. Do you think Jim Macpherson came back from the war? How do you know this?
Ans: No, Jim Macpherson did not come back from the war because at the end of the story Connie was still waiting for her husband. Also, Jim’s last letter shows that it was a memorable memory for her.

Unit III – Comprehension Check

1. Why did the author go to Bridport?
Ans: The author went to Bridport to return the letter to Mrs. Macpherson, where she lived.

2. How old was Mrs. Macpherson now? Where was she?
Ans: Mrs. Macpherson was 101 years old and lived in a nursing home because her house had burned down. After the fire, she needed medical care, so she moved to the nursing home for assistance.

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 how I had found the desk, 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, likely since the First World War, because she cared about it and read it every day to feel close to him.

Reason: The letter was found in an old tin box in her burned-down house when the author went to give it to her. She was 101 years old at the time. This shows how much she valued 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 had been damaged by fire and water. It was sold after Mrs. Macpherson’s house was damaged in the 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 believe games or sports are good for resolving conflicts because they offer a fair, peaceful way to compete. Sports focus on teamwork and skill, allowing disagreements to be settled without violence while promoting respect and understanding.
Yes, I agree because sports are meant to bring people together and 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 in both armies were similar, all desiring peace, missing home, and hoping to enjoy Christmas. Even though they were on opposite sides of the war, they came together to celebrate by eating, laughing, and playing football, showing they shared the same feelings and wishes.

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 the British and German soldiers closer. They talked 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. Despite being on opposite sides of the war, they discovered they shared the same Christmas dreams, feelings, and love.

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 the visitor arrived, she thought her husband Jim had returned home as promised. She called it ‘the best Christmas present in the world’ because the letter reminded her of Jim’s love and promise. She had kept his letter very carefully for many years.

7. Do you think the title of this story is suitable for it? Can you think of any other title(s)?
Ans: The title “The Best Christmas Present in the World” is indeed suitable for the story, as it directly reflects Connie’s feelings about the letter from Jim and the emotional significance it holds for her. It captures the theme of love, hope, and the importance of memories.
This story is about love, hope, and a special moment that brings happiness. Titles like “Jim’s Promise” or “A Christmas Miracle” could also work well.

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 back from school yesterday, she had torn her dress. We asked her how it had happened. She said she had quarreled with a boy. She had beaten him in a race and he had tried to push her. She had told the teacher, and so he had chased her, and she had fallen 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 illuminating.
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 spend a lot of money so they are not a good way to solve problems. Even after a war ends, many people still feel pain and sadness. Countries should try to talk and settle their problems peacefully instead of fighting.
War should only happen when there is no other way. Sometimes, it might be needed to keep people safe or stop unkind leaders. But the best way to make the world a safe and happy place is to live in 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 enjoy books because I can read them again and again and learn something new each time. Playing with toys and games is fun especially when I can share them with others.
When I buy presents for someone I think about what they like and what will make them smile. I try to choose something fun helpful, or special. A book is a great gift because it can be enjoyed for a long time. A toy or game can also bring a lot of joy.

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:

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:

C. 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) 19th century

4. Why was the roll-top desk sold at a cheap price?
(a) It was brand new but had 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) 26th 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) Both b & c

Ans: (d) Both b & c

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) Fruitcake

Ans: (c) Christmas cake with marzipan

19. 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. (Bridport)
2. Due to ______________, ________________, and _______________, the roll-top desk was sold cheaply. (burn marks, shattered pieces, and water damage)
3. A British soldier named Captain ________________. (Jim Macpherson)
4. Jim’s last letter was received on ______________. (December 25, 1914)
5. The letter was found in a __________ inside a _____________. (tin box, secret compartment)
6. ______ told the boys to sing. (Jim Macpherson)
7. German soldiers sang ____________ song. (Silent Night)
8. Mrs. Macpherson lived in a nursing home because her house ________________ down. (burned)
9. ______________ wrote the Far from the Madding Crowd book. (Thomas Hardy)
10. Jim’s Christmas morning was ____________ and ____________. (cold; peaceful)

True or false

1. Jim celebrated her Christmas with British soldiers. (False)

2. After Christmas, Jim comes back home. (False)

3. The author went to Bridport to give Mrs. Macpherson her letter. (True)

4. On December 16, 1914, Connie received Jim’s letter. (True)

5. Connie Macpherson thought the visitor was her husband Jim. (True)

6. At the Christmas of the year 1917, Jim promised to be back home. (False)

7. Connie was 105 years old. (False)

8. On Christmas, British and German soldiers fight each other for peace. (False)

9. The author found a black tin box in the secret compartment. (True)

10. The British showed the Germans a white flag for finishing the war. (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 Soldier	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 at a low price because it was in very bad condition. It had been damaged by water had burn marks on it and some of its parts were broken or missing.

2. How did Jim describe the Christmas morning?
Ans: Jim said that Christmas morning was quite cold and frosty. He thought it was a beautiful and peaceful day. Everything was calm and it felt like a perfect Christmas morning.

3. Why did Mrs. Connie say it was the best Christmas gift?
Ans: Mrs. Connie thought that her husband Jim had come back home. She felt very happy and said it was the best Christmas gift ever because she really missed him.

4. Who was Hans Wolf?
Ans: Hans Wolf was a soldier from Germany. Before the war he played the cello in a music group called an orchestra. He loved learning about England and often read English books. He knew many things about the country and its people.

5. Who was Jim Macpherson?
Ans: Jim Macpherson was a teacher who lived in Dorset England. He also worked as a soldier in the British army. He wrote a letter to his wife Connie to tell her about a special Christmas he experienced during the war.

6. Why was Mrs. Connie’s house burned?
Ans: Mrs. Connie’s house caught fire and it may have happened because she was using candles. She didn’t want to use electric lights because she thought electricity was too expensive.

7. What was the soldiers’ prayer?
Ans: The soldiers prayed for peace because they were tired of the war. They didn’t want to fight anymore. They wished they could stop the fighting and go back home to their families, where they could live safely and happily.

8. Where and how did the author find Mrs. Connie?
Ans: The author found Mrs. Connie living in a nursing home. A kind neighbor told him that her house had caught fire and was completely burned down so she had to move to the nursing home to stay safe and be looked after.

9. How did the soldiers celebrate Christmas?
Ans: The soldiers smiled and said hello to each other kindly. They shared their food, sang Christmas songs together and even played a game of football in the space between their trenches called no man’s land.

10. Where did the soldiers play the game?
Ans: The soldiers played the game in no man’s land. This was the open space between the British and German trenches where no one usually went because it was very dangerous during the war. But on Christmas the soldiers came out and played together like friends.

Long-type questions & answers

1. How was Christmas celebrated in the story?
Ans: This story tells about a special and surprising way Christmas was celebrated. During the war British and German soldiers were enemies. But on Christmas morning they stopped fighting. A German soldier waved a white flag and called out “Happy Christmas, Tommy!” to the British soldiers. At first, the British soldiers were surprised, but they soon replied with friendly greetings. Both sides came out of their trenches into no man’s land. They shook hands shared food and drinks, and talked about their lives. They sang Christmas songs and even played a game of football. For a short time, they forgot about the war and enjoyed Christmas together. In the middle of a terrible war they found a moment of peace happiness and friendship.

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. It made her think of her husband Jim Macpherson. For a moment she felt like Jim had really come back just like he had promised in the letter. She loved the letter very much because it reminded her of how much they loved each other. The letter made her feel happy and hopeful It felt like Jim was with her again even though he hadn’t really come back. That’s why she called it “the best Christmas present in the world.”

3. How did the soldiers end their Christmas celebration?
Ans: The soldiers ended their Christmas celebration in a peaceful and touching way. They spent a happy time together in no man’s land shaking hands, sharing food, talking, and playing football. When it was time to go back to their trenches they sang songs. The German soldiers sang “Silent Night,” and the British soldiers answered with “While Shepherds Watched.” Their soft voices filled the air with peace. For a short time they didn’t feel like enemies. After singing the soldiers slowly returned to their trenches knowing the war was going to start again the next day. But they always remembered that one special day when they became friends.

4. What did the author find on the desk, and how did he find it?
Ans: The author found an old roll-top desk at a junk shop in Bridport. It was sold cheaply because it was broken burned and damaged by water. On Christmas Eve he took it home to repair it. While fixing the desk he found a hidden space in one of the drawers. There he discovered a small tin box with a letter in it. The envelope said, “To my dearest Connie.” The letter was written by a British soldier named Jim Macpherson to his wife during World War I. He wrote about a special Christmas in 1914 when British and German soldiers stopped fighting shared food, sang songs and played football together. The author was surprised and touched by the letter because it shared a message of love peace and hope.

D. Grammar practice with 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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