Clearing in the Sky by Jesse Hilton Stuart – American Writer

The chapter 2 Clearing in the Sky of Book 1 of 11th English is written by an American Writer Jesse Hilton Stuart (Birth: August 8, 1906 & Death: February 17, 1984). The short question answer of this chapter are given below. These notes are described comprehensively, and are to the point in this manner that they enable students to achieve maximum marks in terminal examination (HSSC examination of All Punjab Board).

11th English, Chapter 2: Clearing in the Sky by Jesse Hilton Stuart – American Writer

Short Questions/Answers of Chapter 2: Clearing in the Sky

Q 1: Why did not the old man follow the advice of the doctors?

Ans.  He had a strong will power. He wanted to get better with the help of will power.  The old man did not follow the advice of the doctors because he could not give up working. He had to earn for his family.

Q 2: What had the doctors told the old man?

Ans.  The doctors advised him not to walk the length of a city block.   They told the old man that he would not live very long and he should enjoy his short life as much as possible with his family. According to the doctors, his days were numbered.

Q 3: Where did the old man take his son?

Ans.  The old man took his son to the top of mountain where he had cleared a patch  of  land. He had
grown vegetable there. He was proud to be the owner of that land.  Moreover,  he wanted to show his
determination to his son.

Q 4: Has the son ever been there before?

Ans.  The son has been to top of mountain many times except for the last three years. He didn’t know about the secret garden planted by his father. It was a surprise for him.

Q 5: What was the name of vegetables the old man grew on his farm?

Ans.  The old man had grown Yams, potatoes and tomatoes on his farm. He was of the view that the
vegetables grown on that land bore a unique taste.  He also raised maize, pumpkin and cane. Despite of his illness, he improved his farms with his hard work and will power.

Q 6: Why did the old man take the steep path?

Ans.  He took the steep path only to show his physical  fitness.  Moreover, he wanted to prove the doctors wrong. Also, it gave him assurance that he was quite hale and hearty.

Q 7: Why did the son at the age of six cry?

Ans.  The son at the age of six cried because he had lost the plough made by his father for him. He liked that plough very much. Although his father made a new plough for him  yet  that second plough was not liked by him.

Q 8: What were the feelings of the old man at the age of seventy?

Ans. At the age of seventy, the old man wanted to go back to his past. He felt excited. He enjoyed the life full of warmth and real achievement.   He wanted to work hard because it gave him the flavor of his youth. He was in nostalgic mood.

Q 9: Why had the old man planted his secret garden?

Ans. The old man had planted his secret garden because it made him remember his past, his youth when he ploughed for the first time on this land. Moreover, this land being a unique  one, had a great sensation and taste in it. He believed that anything grown in new land like that had a better flavor.