CBSE Class 10 Footprints Without Feet Chapter 10: The Book that Saved the Earth - NCERT Solutions

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NCERT Solutions PDF Class 10 PDF

This chapter, "The Book that Saved the Earth," from CBSE Class 10 Footprints Without Feet, presents a humorous take on a Martian invasion attempt. The solutions delve into the reasons why the twentieth century was termed the "Era of the Book," exploring the vast knowledge and educational content books offered. They also detail the Martians' comical misunderstanding of Earth's books, mistaking them for food and communication devices. The solutions highlight Noodle's cleverness in correcting the misguided Think-Tank without causing offense, showcasing effective communication strategies. Finally, they prompt students to consider how they would handle similar situations, encouraging critical thinking and problem-solving skills. These NCERT Solutions are designed to help students grasp the story's nuances, understand character interactions, and prepare effectively for their exams.

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Quick info

BoardCBSE
ClassClass 10
SubjectFootprints Without Feet
Session2026
LanguageEnglish
TypeNCERT Solutions
ChapterChapter 10

Chapter summary

Chapter 10, "The Book that Saved the Earth," focuses on a satirical portrayal of a Martian invasion. The NCERT Solutions cover the significance of books in the 20th century, the Martians' misinterpretations of Earth's literature, and the role of Noodle in subtly guiding Think-Tank. The exercises encourage students to analyze character interactions and communication styles, promoting critical thinking about the story's themes.

Learning outcomes

  • Understand the historical significance of books in the 20th century.
  • Analyze the Martians' misinterpretations of Earth's books.
  • Identify Noodle's strategies for correcting Think-Tank politely.
  • Develop critical thinking skills by considering alternative responses to mistakes.
  • Appreciate the humor and satire in the story.

Topics covered

Paper topics

  • The Era of the Book
  • Martian Invasion Plot
  • Misinterpretation of Earth's Culture
  • Character Analysis: Think-Tank
  • Character Analysis: Noodle
  • Communication Strategies
  • Satire and Humor in Literature
  • Critical Thinking and Problem Solving

Important topics

  • Significance of books in the 20th century
  • Martians' misunderstanding of books
  • Noodle's diplomatic approach
  • Satirical elements of the story

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Questions and Solutions

Read and Find Out Pg-63

Q.1 Why was the twentieth century called the "Era of the Book"?

Why was the twentieth century called the "Era of the Book"?
Solution: The twentieth century earned the title "Era of the Book" because books during that period encompassed an incredibly wide array of subjects, from the mundane to the exotic, covering topics from "anteaters to Zulus." They served as comprehensive educational tools, imparting essential knowledge and skills to people. Furthermore, the inclusion of educational content, engaging illustrations, and decorative elements made books highly valuable and influential, solidifying their central role in society during that era.

Q.2 Who tried to invade the earth in the twenty-first century?

Who tried to invade the earth in the twenty-first century?
Solution: The Martians, under the command of their leader Think-Tank, were the ones who attempted to invade Earth in the twenty-first century. Think-Tank, the commander-in-chief of this invasion operation, had assembled a crew that included Noodle (his apprentice), Captain Omega, Lieutenant Iota, and Sergeant Oop for this mission.

Read and Find Out Pg-65

Q.1 What guesses are made by Think-Tank about the books found on earth?

What guesses are made by Think-Tank about the books found on earth?
Solution: Upon discovering the books on Earth, Think-Tank's initial and rather peculiar guess was that they were a type of sandwich. He declared them to be the staple diet of the Earthlings and ordered Captain Omega to consume one to verify his hypothesis. When this proved unappetizing, as Sergeant Oop discovered when he bit into one, Think-Tank's assumptions were challenged. Noodle then suggested that perhaps Earthlings didn't eat books but used them for communication. The crew tried listening to the books, and when that yielded nothing, Noodle proposed they might be for visual communication.

Think About it

Q.1 Noodle avoids offending Think-Tank but at the same time he corrects his mistakes. How does he manage to do that?

Noodle avoids offending Think-Tank but at the same time he corrects his mistakes. How does he manage to do that?
Solution: Noodle skillfully navigates his role as an apprentice to the often-erroneous Think-Tank by employing diplomacy and tact. Instead of directly contradicting Think-Tank, Noodle offers his insights as suggestions or alternative possibilities. For instance, when Think-Tank misidentifies books as food, Noodle waits for the empirical evidence (Sergeant Oop's reaction) before gently proposing they might be for communication. Similarly, when the crew fails to hear anything from the books, Noodle suggests they are for visual communication. He further aids the crew by proposing they take vitamins for decoding, demonstrating his ability to correct Think-Tank's flawed plans without causing offense, thereby maintaining a respectful hierarchy while ensuring progress.

Q.2 If you were in noodle's place, how would you handle Think-Tank's mistakes?

If you were in noodle's place, how would you handle Think-Tank's mistakes?
Solution: If I were in Noodle's position, I would adopt a similar strategy of respectful suggestion and careful observation. I would first ensure that Think-Tank's initial assumptions were thoroughly tested, as Noodle did, before offering alternative explanations. I would phrase my suggestions tentatively, perhaps starting with phrases like, "Could it be possible that..." or "Perhaps another interpretation is..." I would also focus on providing solutions or next steps that align with Think-Tank's ultimate goal (in this case, understanding Earth) while subtly guiding him toward the correct understanding. Documenting observations and presenting them logically, as Noodle did with the vitamins suggestion, would also be crucial to support any corrections without directly challenging Think-Tank's authority.

Common mistakes

  • Misinterpreting the Martians' actions as genuinely intelligent rather than comically misguided.
  • Failing to recognize Noodle's subtle communication techniques.
  • Overlooking the satirical commentary on technology and knowledge.

Revision tips

  • Reread the chapter, paying close attention to the dialogue between Think-Tank and Noodle.
  • Summarize the Martians' incorrect assumptions about books.
  • Practice explaining Noodle's diplomatic approach to correcting Think-Tank.
  • Consider the historical context of the "Era of the Book" mentioned in the solutions.

Practice MCQs

Q1. Why was the twentieth century referred to as the "Era of the Book"?

Q2. Who were the invaders attempting to conquer Earth in the twenty-first century?

Q3. What was Think-Tank's initial assumption about the books found on Earth?

Q4. How did Noodle attempt to correct Think-Tank's mistakes?

Q5. What did the Martians eventually conclude about the books' purpose?

Frequently asked questions

What is the main theme of Chapter 10, 'The Book that Saved the Earth'?

The main theme revolves around the humorous misinterpretations of Earth's culture, particularly books, by Martians, and the satirical commentary on the potential dangers of ignorance and overconfidence, ultimately showing how knowledge (represented by books) saved Earth.

Why is the 20th century called the 'Era of the Book' according to the solutions?

It's called the 'Era of the Book' because books during that time contained comprehensive educational content, illustrations, and decorations covering a vast range of topics, making them invaluable sources of knowledge and learning.

How did Noodle handle Think-Tank's mistakes effectively?

Noodle handled Think-Tank's mistakes by being polite and humble, offering suggestions rather than direct criticisms, and framing his corrections as possibilities or further ideas, thus avoiding offense while guiding Think-Tank.

What did the Martians initially think books were?

Think-Tank initially believed the books were sandwiches, a staple food for Earthlings. Later, they considered them as communication devices.

How do these NCERT Solutions help students prepare for exams?

These solutions provide clear, rewritten answers to all questions, helping students understand the chapter's plot, characters, and themes thoroughly. They also offer insights into character motivations and communication strategies, aiding in analytical question preparation.

Important links

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