Class 10 Englsh Chapter - From the Diary of Anne Frank

 

Class 10 English & Literature

Class 10 English syllabus. Class 10 English NCERT Book

First Flight

Chapter 1 - A letter to God

Chapter 2 -  Long Walk to Freedom

Chapter 3 -  Two Stories About Flying

Chapter 4 -  From the Diary of Anne Frank

Chapter 5 - Glimpses of India 

chapter “From the Diary of Anne Frank”:

Summary: From the Diary of Anne Frank

This chapter is an excerpt from the diary of Anne Frank, a Jewish girl who went into hiding during World War II. She begins her diary by introducing herself and explaining why she decided to write it—she felt she had no true friend to confide in, so she treated her diary as her best companion.

Anne Frank

Anne describes her family background, her school life, and her relationship with her classmates and teachers. She admits she was talkative, which often got her into trouble. She narrates an incident where her maths teacher, Mr. Keesing, punished her for talking too much by making her write essays on the subject of "chatterbox." With humor and creativity, Anne wrote essays explaining that talking is a trait of students, especially girls, and even connected it to heredity by saying she inherited it from her mother. Her witty arguments amused the teacher, and instead of scolding her further, Mr. Keesing allowed her to continue talking.

Through her writing, Anne’s intelligence, honesty, and playful nature become clear. The diary not only reflects her personal experiences but also her thoughts, feelings, and sense of humor even in difficult times.

✅ Main Themes:

1. Importance of self-expression.
2. Teenage struggles and school life.
3. Humor and wit in facing challenges.
4. A glimpse into Anne’s personality before her tragic fate.

 

---

✨ From the Diary of Anne Frank 

 Exercises with Answers

---

Oral Comprehension Check

(Page 49)
Q1. What makes writing in a diary a strange experience for Anne Frank?
👉 Writing in a diary was a strange experience for Anne because she had never done it before, and she felt that nobody, including herself, would be interested in the thoughts of a 13-year-old schoolgirl.

Q2. Why does Anne want to keep a diary?
👉 Anne wanted to keep a diary because she felt lonely and had no close friend to confide in. She believed that paper had more patience than people.

Q3. Why did Anne think she could confide more in her diary than in people?
👉 Anne believed she could confide in her diary more because people were not always patient, trustworthy, or willing to listen, but her diary would always keep her secrets safe.

Oral Comprehension Check

(Page 51)
Q1. Why does Anne provide a brief sketch of her life?
👉 Anne thought that no one would understand her diary entries without knowing about her family and background. So, she gave a brief sketch of her life to make her experiences clearer.

Q2. What tells you that Anne loved her grandmother?
👉 Anne loved her grandmother deeply. When her grandmother died, she missed her very much and even lit a candle in her memory on her birthday.

Oral Comprehension Check

(Page 54)
Q1. Why was Mr. Keesing annoyed with Anne? What punishment did he give her?
👉 Mr. Keesing was annoyed with Anne because she was very talkative in class. As punishment, he asked her to write an essay on “A Chatterbox.” Later, he made her write two more essays on similar topics.

Q2. How did Anne justify her being a chatterbox in her essay?
👉 Anne humorously explained that talking is a student’s trait, especially of girls, and she had inherited it from her mother. She also said she would try to control it, but it was a hereditary trait.

Q3. Do you think Mr. Keesing was a strict teacher?
👉 Mr. Keesing was strict but also humorous. He punished Anne for her talkativeness by giving her essays to write, but later he enjoyed her witty responses and allowed her to continue talking.

Q4. What made Mr. Keesing allow Anne to talk in class?
👉 Anne’s clever and humorous essays impressed Mr. Keesing. Her creative explanation that her talkativeness was hereditary amused him so much that he stopped punishing her and allowed her to talk in class.

Thinking about the Text

Q1. Was Anne right when she said that the world would not be interested in the musings of a thirteen-year-old girl?
👉 No, Anne was not right. Her diary became one of the most famous and widely read books in the world. Her honest and simple expression of feelings during the war touched millions of people across generations.

Q2. There are some examples of humour in the diary. Pick out a few and explain why they are funny.
👉 Examples:

1. When she explained that talking is a student’s trait, especially of girls.
2. When she connected her talkativeness to heredity and blamed her mother.
3. These are funny because Anne used wit and humor to turn her punishment into something amusing rather than depressing.
   
   

Q3. Why do you think Anne was able to convey her thoughts and feelings with such clarity?
👉 Anne had a natural talent for writing. She expressed herself honestly and freely in her diary as if she was talking to a trusted friend. Her keen observation, intelligence, and sense of humor helped her convey her feelings clearly.

Q4. Do you think Mr. Keesing was a strict teacher?
👉 Yes, he was strict in maintaining discipline, but he also had a good sense of humor. Instead of scolding Anne harshly, he gave her writing tasks as punishment. Later, he enjoyed her witty responses, which shows he was not rigid but open-minded.

Q5. What made Anne’s teacher change his attitude towards her?
👉 Her creative and witty essays made Mr. Keesing laugh. He realized that Anne’s talkativeness was harmless and part of her lively personality. This changed his attitude, and he stopped punishing her.

Thinking about Language

Q1. Match the compound words under “A” with their meanings under “B.”

1. Heartbreaking → Sad 
2. Homesick → Missing home
3. Blockhead → Foolish
4. Law-abiding → Obeying the law
5. Overdo → More than required
6. Daydream → An abstract idea
7. Breakdown → Condition when a machine stops working
8. Output → Result
9. Outlook → A view or opinion
10. Overcoat → A coat worn over other clothes
    
    

Q2. Use each word in a sentence.

1. Heartbreaking: It was heartbreaking to see the destruction after the flood.
2. Homesick: She felt homesick on her first day at the hostel.
3. Blockhead: Don’t be such a blockhead; the solution is very simple.
4. Law-abiding: He is a law-abiding citizen who pays his taxes honestly.
5. Overdo: If you overdo exercise, it may cause injury.
6. Daydream: He was caught daydreaming in the middle of the class.
7. Breakdown: The sudden breakdown of the bus caused a delay.
8. Output: The factory increased its output by using modern machines.
9. Outlook: Her positive outlook helps her overcome difficulties.
10. Overcoat: He wore a woollen overcoat in winter.
    
    

---

📘 Worksheet – From the Diary of Anne Frank

---

✨ Part A: Summary (for quick revision)

1. Anne Frank, a 13-year-old Jewish girl, starts writing a diary because she feels lonely and needs a true friend.
2. She names her diary Kitty and treats it as a companion.
3. She gives details of her family, school life, and her talkative nature.
4. Her teacher, Mr. Keesing, punishes her for being talkative by making her write essays.
5. Anne cleverly defends herself with humor, saying talking is hereditary.
6. Mr. Keesing enjoys her wit and allows her to talk in class.
7. The diary shows Anne’s honesty, creativity, and cheerful personality despite difficulties.

✨ Part B: Extract-Based Questions

Read the extract and answer the questions.

1. “Paper has more patience than people.”
   (a) Who said this?
   (b) What does it mean?
   (c) What does it tell you about the speaker?

2. “Mr. Keesing was annoyed with me for being a chatterbox.”
    (a) Who was Mr. Keesing?
    (b) Why was he annoyed?
    (c) How did Anne defend herself?    

✨ Part C: Short Answer Questions (30–40 words)

1. Why did Anne decide to write a diary?

2. What does Anne’s diary tell us about her family?

3. How did Anne show her love for her grandmother?

4. What punishment did Mr. Keesing give to Anne for being talkative?

5. What qualities of Anne are revealed through her diary?

✨ Part D: Long Answer Questions (100–120 words)

1. Describe Anne Frank’s relationship with her diary. Why did she consider it her best friend?

2. How did Anne use humor and intelligence to deal with her teacher’s punishments? What does this reveal about her character?

3. Anne’s diary has become a symbol of courage and hope. Discuss.

✨ Part E: Value-Based Questions

1. Anne remained cheerful and witty even in difficult times. What lesson does this give us?

2. Do you think writing a diary is helpful in expressing one’s feelings? Why/why not?

✨ Part F: Vocabulary & Grammar Practice

1. Match the following compound words with their meanings:
   (i) Heartbreaking – (a) Missing home
   (ii) Homesick – (b) Sad
   (iii) Blockhead – (c) Foolish
   (iv) Outlook – (d) Opinion
   
   

2. Fill in the blanks with correct words:
   

   1. Anne ______ (begin/begins/began) writing a diary at the age of 13.
   2. Mr. Keesing ______ (was/were/had) annoyed with Anne.
   3. Paper has more ______ (patient/patience) than people.

✨ Part G: Creative Writing

1. Imagine you are Anne Frank. Write a diary entry about one school day when Mr. Keesing punished you.

2. Write a short paragraph on: “The Importance of Being Honest with Oneself.”