CBSE Class 9 English Chapter 2: The Adventures of Toto - NCERT Solutions

Reviewed by NCERT Help Editorial Team · Updated on 29 Jul 2026

NCERT Solutions PDF Class 9 PDF

This section provides comprehensive NCERT Solutions for Class 9 English, Chapter 2, 'The Adventures of Toto'. It delves into the mischievous antics of Toto, a monkey brought home by the narrator's grandfather. The solutions explore Toto's initial reception, his troublesome behavior with other pets like Nana the donkey, his peculiar habits such as bathing in hot water, and the eventual decision by the grandfather to give him away due to the chaos he caused. These solutions break down the narrative, helping students understand character motivations, plot development, and the underlying themes of animal companionship and responsibility. They are designed to aid students in grasping the story's essence and preparing effectively for their exams by offering clear explanations and insights into the text.

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Board	CBSE
Class	Class 9
Subject	English
Session	2026
Language	English
Type	NCERT Solutions
Chapter	2. The Adventure Of Toto

Chapter summary

NCERT Solutions for 'The Adventures of Toto' cover the story of a lively and mischievous monkey named Toto. The solutions explain Toto's journey from being bought by the grandfather to his integration into the family, highlighting his troublesome nature, his interactions with other animals, and his peculiar habits. Key events like his bath time escapades and his disruptive behavior are detailed, leading to the grandfather's final decision. These solutions focus on comprehension of the narrative, character analysis, and the author's portrayal of pet ownership challenges.

Learning outcomes

Understand the narrative structure and key events in 'The Adventures of Toto'.
Analyze the character of Toto and his impact on the family.
Identify instances of humor and mischief in the story.
Discuss the responsibilities and challenges associated with keeping pets.
Explain the author's perspective on animal companionship.

Topics covered

Paper topics

Character analysis of Toto
Narrative events and plot
Humor in literature
Pet ownership responsibilities
Animal behavior
Author's style
Comprehension of short stories
Character interactions
Consequences of actions
Family dynamics with pets

Important topics

Toto's mischievous nature and its consequences
The grandfather's character and his love for animals
The challenges of keeping wild animals as pets
Humor and satire in the story
Understanding narrative perspective

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Questions and Solutions

Q.1. Why did the author's grandfather decide to buy Toto?

Why did the author's grandfather decide to buy Toto? (Board Term 1,2012, ELI-016)

Solution: The author's grandfather was a great lover of animals. He saw Toto, a little monkey, tied to a feeding trough in a tonga-driver's possession. The monkey looked out of place and seemed to be suffering, prompting the grandfather to take pity on it and decide to buy him for his private zoo. He was quite impressed by Toto's appearance.

Q.2. Why could not Toto and Nana become friends?

Why could not Toto and Nana become friends? (Board Term 1,2012, ELI-019)

Solution: Toto and Nana could not become friends because Toto was an extremely mischievous and restless monkey. Nana, the family donkey, was a well-behaved and gentle animal. Toto would often tease Nana by biting her long ears with his sharp little teeth, which annoyed Nana greatly, preventing any possibility of friendship between them.

Q.3. How does Toto become a problem to grandfather while going to Saharanpur?

How does Toto become a problem to grandfather while going to Saharanpur? (Board Term 1,2012; ELI-020)

Solution: While traveling to Saharanpur in a bag, Toto behaved himself initially. However, when the grandfather was presenting his ticket to the ticket collector, Toto suddenly poked his head out of the bag and gave the collector a wide grin. This unexpected appearance led the ticket collector to insist that the grandfather purchase a ticket for Toto, thus creating a problem and an extra expense for him.

Q.4. Where was Toto kept immediately after grandfather got him? Why?

Where was Toto kept immediately after grandfather got him? Why? (Board Term 1,2012, ELI-020)

Solution: Immediately after grandfather brought Toto home, the monkey was kept in a closet. He was securely tied to a peg within the closet. This was done to keep Toto's presence a secret from the writer's grandmother, who did not like animals and would have likely caused a fuss if she knew about the new pet.

Q.5. Who was Nana? How did Toto tease Nana?

Who was Nana? How did Toto tease Nana? (Board Term 1,2012, ELI-023)

Solution: Nana was the family's donkey. Toto was kept in the stable along with Nana. Toto used to tease Nana by biting onto her long ears with his sharp little teeth. This constant teasing and biting annoyed Nana to the extent that she became fed up with Toto's presence.

Q.6. In what sense was Toto "a pretty monkey"?

In what sense was Toto "a pretty monkey"? (Board Term 1,2012, ELI-027)

Solution: Toto was described as a 'pretty monkey' due to his attractive physical features and expressive eyes. His eyes sparkled with mischief beneath his deep-set eyebrows. He had pearly white teeth, and his smile often conveyed a child-like innocence, though it was underlined with a hint of naughtiness and mischievousness, making him visually appealing yet unpredictable.

Q.7. How did Toto's love for taking baths almost lead to his being half-boiled?

How did Toto's love for taking baths almost lead to his being half-boiled? (Board Term 1,2012, ELI-030)

Solution: Toto had a peculiar fondness for bathing, especially in hot water. One day, when a kettle of water was kept on the fire to boil for tea, Toto, finding it warm enough, sat inside it. As the water began to boil, he tried to get out but found the outside air too cold. He then kept hopping in and out of the boiling water, eventually settling back in, which almost resulted in him being half-boiled.

Q.8. Why did the grandfather give away Toto, the monkey?

Why did the grandfather give away Toto, the monkey? (Board Term 1,2012, ELI-031)

Solution: The grandfather ultimately decided to give Toto away because the monkey's mischievous and destructive behavior had become unmanageable. Toto troubled everyone, upset the other pets, and caused significant damage by breaking dishes, tearing clothes, curtains, and wallpapers. His constant troublemaking made him too difficult to handle, leading the grandfather to part with him.

Q.9. Why did the grandfather hide Toto for some time when he brought him home?

Why did the grandfather hide Toto for some time when he brought him home? (Board Term 1,2012, ELI-035)

Solution: The grandfather hid Toto for some time because the grandmother was not fond of animals and used to create a lot of fuss whenever a new animal or bird was brought home. To avoid her displeasure and potential arguments, the grandfather decided to keep Toto's arrival a secret and only reveal it when she was in a good mood.

Q.10. Why did grandfather decide to take Toto along with him to Dehra Dun?

Why did grandfather decide to take Toto along with him to Dehra Dun? (Board Term 1,2012, ELI-042)

Solution: Grandfather decided to take Toto along with him to Dehra Dun because Toto's presence in the house had become disruptive. He would not allow other pets, including Nana, to sleep peacefully at night. To manage Toto's behavior and prevent further disturbances to the household and other animals, the grandfather made the decision to take him on the journey.

Q.11. Give the names of Grandfather's pets. Where did they live?

Give the names of Grandfather's pets. Where did they live? (Board Term 1,2012, ELI- 045)

Solution: Grandfather had several pets, including Nana the donkey and Toto the monkey. Other pets mentioned were a tortoise, a pair of rabbits, a tame squirrel, and a goat. These animals, except for Toto initially, lived together in a large cage located in the servant's quarters of the house.

Q.1. Write your views in the form of a short paragraph on the topic "Should animals be kept as pets". OR While keeping pets at home, what all things should be kept in mind?

Write your views in the form of a short paragraph on the topic "Should animals be kept as pets". OR While keeping pets at home, what all things should be kept in mind? (SA-1,2014-15 / Board Term, Sept 1,2013 K2G41GH)

Solution: When considering keeping pets at home, it is crucial to remember that animals cannot communicate their needs or dangers as humans do. Pet owners must be vigilant about potential hazards within the household that could harm their pets. This includes keeping pesticides, medicines, and cleaning supplies out of reach, as these can be toxic. Areas with open flames, like kitchens or fireplaces, and electrical cords should be made safe, and pets should never be left unattended near such hazards. Ensuring a safe environment is paramount for the well-being of any pet.

Common mistakes

Confusing Toto's actions with those of a typical pet.
Underestimating the challenges of managing a wild animal as a pet.
Misinterpreting the grandfather's affection for Toto.
Overlooking the subtle humor in Toto's destructive behavior.

Revision tips

Reread the story focusing on Toto's specific actions and their consequences.
List Toto's mischievous acts and the family's reactions to them.
Consider the grandfather's personality and his love for animals.
Think about the author's tone and how it contributes to the story's humor.
Reflect on the broader message about pet ownership presented in the chapter.

Practice MCQs

Q1. Why did the grandfather decide to buy Toto?

Q2. What was Toto's relationship with Nana, the donkey?

Q3. How did Toto cause a problem for the grandfather at the Saharanpur railway station?

Q4. Why was Toto initially kept a secret from the grandmother?

Q5. What peculiar habit did Toto have regarding bathing?

Q6. Why did the grandfather finally decide to give Toto away?

Frequently asked questions

What is the main theme of 'The Adventures of Toto'?

The main theme revolves around the humorous account of a mischievous monkey named Toto and explores the complexities and responsibilities involved in keeping wild animals as pets.

Who is Nana in the story?

Nana is the family's donkey, with whom Toto shares a rather antagonistic relationship, often teasing and biting her.

Why did the grandfather have to buy a ticket for Toto?

At Saharanpur, the ticket collector insisted on a ticket for Toto when the monkey poked its head out of the bag, as he was not recognized as a pet that could travel free.

What incident shows Toto's love for bathing?

Toto's love for bathing is shown when he sits in a half-boiled kettle of water on the fire, almost getting himself cooked, and later enjoys hopping in and out of the hot water.

How do these NCERT solutions help students?

These solutions provide clear, rewritten answers to all questions, helping students understand the story's details, characters, and themes, which aids in exam preparation.

What lesson can be learned from Toto's story?

The story teaches about the potential difficulties and chaos that can arise from keeping wild animals as pets, emphasizing the need for careful consideration and responsibility.

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