Important Questions for The Little Girl Class 9 English Beehive

Chapter 3 of the Class 9 English Beehive textbook, The Little Girl, explores the delicate relationship between a child and her father, highlighting fear, affection, and emotional growth.

To help students master the chapter, Important Questions for Class 9 English Beehive Chapter 3 are given here. Practicing these questions ensures better comprehension and improved exam performance.

Class 9 The Little Girl Extra Important Questions 

Here Class 9 The Little Girl Extra Important Questions are given here for complete preparation for exams:

1.Why was Kezia afraid of her father? 

Sol. Kezia was afraid of her father because of his authoritative and strict demeanour. He often appeared stern and imposing to her, seldom showing affection and frequently speaking to her in a sharp and commanding voice. His large size and the way he disciplined her, such as the time he punished her for accidentally tearing his important speech papers, also contributed to her fear.

2.Who were the people in Kezia’s family? 

Sol. In Kezia's family, there were her father, her mother, and her grandmother. Her grandmother played a significant role in the household and in Kezia's life, providing comfort and understanding that Kezia did not receive from her parents.

3.What was Kezia’s father’s routine (a) before going to his office? (b) after coming back from his office? (c) on Sundays? 

Sol. Kezia’s father's routine was quite structured:
(a) Before going to his office, he would check his papers in the morning, occasionally asking for things like his spectacles or his bag in a brisk, businesslike manner.
(b) After coming back from his office, he liked to read the newspaper in silence and preferred not to be disturbed, maintaining a reserved and serious demeanor.
(c) On Sundays, his routine was more relaxed. He took time to interact with Kezia, such as inviting her to help him with his garden, which was a significant bonding moment for them.

4.In what ways did Kezia’s grandmother encourage her to get to know her father better? 

Sol. Kezia’s grandmother encouraged her to get to know her father better by suggesting that Kezia prepare a pin-cushion as a birthday gift for him. This task not only provided a means for Kezia to think about her father in a more personal and caring context but also led to a direct interaction that softened Kezia’s view of her father. Her grandmother's advice and actions were aimed at bridging the emotional distance between Kezia and her father, highlighting moments where his more gentle nature was evident.

5.What would Kezia do while her father slept on Sundays? What happened when he woke up? 

Sol. While her father slept on Sundays, Kezia would quietly sit on a stool and sew or read in the same room to keep him company. When he woke up, they had a small but significant interaction where her father, in a rare tender moment, would put her on his knee and talk to her softly, even inviting her to look inside his watch and explaining how it worked.

6.What did Grandmother ask Kezia to make and why?

Sol. Kezia's grandmother asked her to make a pin- cushion. She suggested this because it would be a practical gift for Kezia to give her father for his birthday. The task was meant to help Kezia engage in a thoughtful activity for her father, encouraging her to consider him in a caring light and possibly improve their relationship. 

7. What did Kezia make as a birthday gift for her father? How did she prepare it?

Sol. Kezia made a pin-cushion as a birthday gift for her father. She prepared it by stuffing a small, square piece of yellow silk with scraps of wool. Kezia worked on it in secret, trying her best to make the gift neat and appealing, hoping it would please her father and show her love for him.

8.Why was there a hue and cry in Kezia’s house at night before her father’s birthday?

Sol. There was a hue and cry in Kezia's house at night before her father's birthday because she had torn up a very important speech her father had written for the Port Authority, mistaking the papers for scrap. Her father needed those papers for his work, and their loss caused significant stress and disruption, leading to Kezia being scolded severely, which further intensified her fear of her father.

9.Read the extract and answer the questions that follow: On Sunday afternoon, Grandmother sent her down to file drawing room to have a “Nice talk with Father and Mother”. But the little girl always found mother reading and father stretched out on the sofa, his handkerchief on his flee, his feet on one of file best cushion, sleeping soundly and snoring. 

a. Who was ‘she’ and why did the grandmother send her down?
b. What did she notice about her parents ?
c. Trace a word that means “undisturbed”. 

Sol. a. The 'she' in the extract refers to Kezia, the little girl in the story. The grandmother sent her down to have a "Nice talk with Father and Mother" because she wanted Kezia to develop a closer relationship with her parents, hoping that these interactions would help lessen her fear of her father and foster a more familial bond. 

b. She noticed that her mother was always reading and that her father was stretched out on the sofa, covered with a handkerchief over his face, sleeping soundly and snoring. This suggests that both her parents were engaged in their own activities, with her father particularly being in a deep sleep, rather than being ready to engage in conversation. 

c. The word that means “undisturbed” in the context of the extract is "soundly," as it is used to describe the father's deep and uninterrupted sleep.

10.Kezia’s efforts to please her father resulted in displeasing him very much. How did this happen? 

Sol. Kezia's efforts to please her father resulted in displeasing him when she accidentally tore up his important speech papers, which she thought were scraps, to use for the stuffing of the pin-cushion she was making for him as a birthday gift. This misunderstanding led to her father being very upset and scolding her, as those papers were important for his work.

11.Kezia decides that there are “different kinds of fathers”. What kind of father was Mr. Macdonald, and how was he different from Kezia’s father?

Sol. Kezia comes to the conclusion that there are “different kinds of fathers” after comparing her own father to Mr. Macdonald, who is another character in the story. Mr. Macdonald was seen as more approachable and affectionate towards his children, contrasting sharply with Kezia’s father, who was stern and less openly affectionate. This comparison highlights the different ways that fathers can interact with their children.

12.How does Kezia begin to see her father as a human being who needs her sympathy? 

Sol. Kezia begins to see her father as a human being who needs her sympathy after a significant night when she has a nightmare and, feeling scared, she goes to her parents' room. Her father comforts her, showing her tenderness and vulnerability by explaining his own fears when he was young. This moment of shared vulnerability and the sight of her father's care when he was not aware that anyone was observing changed her perception of him from just an authority figure to a more complete, relatable human being.

13.This story is not an Indian story. But do you think there are fathers, mothers and grandmothers like the ones portrayed in the story in our own country? 

Sol. While "The Little Girl" is not specifically set in India, the themes of family dynamics, parental authority, and childhood experiences are universal. There are undoubtedly fathers, mothers, and grandmothers in every culture who may exhibit similar traits and behaviours to those portrayed in the story. The conflicts and complexities within family relationships are not confined to any particular geographical location but resonate across cultures.

14.How did Kezia’s negative attitude towards her father change? 

Sol. Kezia's negative attitude towards her father gradually changes throughout the story. Initially, she perceives him as strict and distant, feeling apprehensive about his presence and authority. However, as the story progresses and Kezia observes her father's vulnerability and tenderness during the family's evening ritual, her perspective begins to shift. She starts to see him in a different light, recognizing his humanity and capacity for affection.

15.Kezia decides that there are “different kinds of fathers”. What kind of father was Mr. Macdonald, and how was he different from Kezia’s father? 

Sol. Mr. Macdonald, the neighbor whom Kezia observes through the window, represents one type of father figure. He is depicted as jovial and affectionate towards his children, engaging in playful interactions and creating a warm atmosphere within his household. Unlike Kezia's father, Mr. Macdonald appears to be more relaxed and approachable, fostering a sense of closeness and camaraderie with his family members. His parenting style emphasizes affection and companionship, contrasting with the more stern and distant demeanor of Kezia's father.

How to Prepare Important Questions of Beehive Chapter 3 (The Little Girl)

Understanding this chapter becomes easier when students follow a structured  preparation strategy. Here’s how you can prepare well using the Important Questions for Class 9 English Beehive Chapter 3.

1. Go beyond surface-level events and understand why Kezia fears her father, how her thoughts evolve, and how the story ends with empathy.

2. Focus on Key Scenes Scenes like the torn speech, the spanking incident, and the night when Father comforts Kezia are essential for answering long questions.

3. Learn Character Traits with Supporting Lines Prepare traits of Kezia, Father, and Grandma with short textual references to make answers richer and more exam-worthy.

4. Practice Value-Based Answers Since exams often ask moral-based or theme-based questions, practice how the story teaches empathy, understanding, and the importance of communication.

5. Write Answers in a Structured Format Follow a structure: Introduction → Explanation → Example from the story → Concluding insight This ensures clarity and fetches higher marks. You should refer to the NCERT solutions as well as  Class 9 sample papers for exam preparation.