Lesson A letter to God.

VSA (Very Short Answer) Questions

from “A Letter to God”
in Competency-Based Pattern

Based on

KNOWLEDGE-BASED VSA (1 mark)

Who was Lencho?
Ans: Lencho was a poor farmer.
Where was Lencho’s house situated?
Ans: It was situated on the crest of a low hill.
What crop was growing in Lencho’s field?
Ans: Corn crop was growing in his field.
What did Lencho compare the raindrops to?
Ans: He compared them to new coins.
What destroyed Lencho’s crops?
Ans: A hailstorm destroyed the crops.
To whom did Lencho write a letter?
Ans: He wrote a letter to God.
How much money did Lencho ask from God?
Ans: He asked for one hundred pesos.
Who read Lencho’s letter first?
Ans: The postmaster read the letter first.
How much money did Lencho receive?
Ans: He received seventy pesos.
What did Lencho call the post office employees?
Ans: He called them “a bunch of crooks.”

UNDERSTANDING-BASED VSA

Why was Lencho waiting for rain?
Ans: He needed rain for a good harvest.
Why did Lencho become sad after the storm?
Ans: The hailstorm destroyed all his crops.
Why did Lencho write to God?
Ans: He needed money to save his family from hunger.
Why did the postmaster decide to help Lencho?
Ans: He wanted to keep Lencho’s faith in God alive.
Why did Lencho not doubt God?
Ans: He had complete faith in God.
Why did Lencho become angry after receiving the money?
Ans: He thought some money had been stolen.
Why is the story called ironic?
Ans: Lencho blamed the people who actually helped him.
Why did the postmaster sign the letter as God?
Ans: So that Lencho would believe the money came from God.
Why did Lencho trust God completely?
Ans: He believed God knew everything.
Why did the employees contribute money?
Ans: They wanted to help Lencho in his difficulty.

APPLICATION-BASED VSA

What would you do if your crops were destroyed like Lencho’s?
Ans: I would seek help and work hard again.
How can people help farmers during natural disasters?
Ans: By giving financial and emotional support.
What lesson do we learn from the postmaster?
Ans: We should help needy people selflessly.
How can faith help a person in difficult times?
Ans: Faith gives hope and strength.
If you were the postmaster, would you help Lencho? Why?
Ans: Yes, because helping others is a noble act.
What should Lencho have done before blaming the employees?
Ans: He should have understood their kindness.
How can natural disasters affect farmers’ lives?
Ans: They can destroy crops and cause hunger.
What quality of Lencho can inspire people?
Ans: His strong faith and determination.
What message does the story give about humanity?
Ans: Humanity and kindness still exist in society.
How can communities support each other in difficult times?
Ans: By cooperating and helping one another.

SKILL / ANALYTICAL-BASED VSA

What does the phrase “an ox of a man” suggest about Lencho?
Ans: It suggests that Lencho was hardworking and strong.
What literary device is used in the ending of the story?
Ans: Irony is used in the ending.
What does the hailstorm symbolize in the story?
Ans: It symbolizes destruction and suffering.
What does Lencho’s second letter reveal about his character?
Ans: It reveals his blind faith in God.
How is the postmaster different from Lencho?
Ans: The postmaster is practical, while Lencho is blindly faithful.
What mood is created after the hailstorm?
Ans: A mood of sadness and hopelessness is created.
How does the author show the power of faith?
Ans: Through Lencho’s complete trust in God.
What type of conflict is shown in the story?
Ans: Man versus nature conflict is shown.
Why is the title “A Letter to God” suitable?
Ans: The whole story revolves around Lencho’s letter to God.
What makes the ending humorous as well as ironic?
Ans: Lencho blames the same people who helped him.

Long Answer Type Questions (L.A.)

from “A Letter to God”
Based on

KNOWLEDGE-BASED LONG ANSWER QUESTIONS

1. Describe the destruction caused by the hailstorm in “A Letter to God.”

Ans:
Lencho was a poor farmer whose entire life depended on his crops. His cornfield was ripe and ready for harvest. At first, Lencho welcomed the rain because it was necessary for a good crop. He compared the raindrops to new coins because he believed they would bring prosperity.

However, the rain soon turned into a terrible hailstorm. Large hailstones fell from the sky for about an hour. The hailstorm completely destroyed the cornfield, flowers, and all the crops. The field looked as if it had been covered with salt. Not a single leaf or flower remained on the plants.

The destruction brought great sadness to Lencho and his family. They feared hunger because they had no other source of income. Thus, the hailstorm ruined all their hopes and hard work.

2. Describe how the postmaster helped Lencho.

Ans:
The postmaster was a kind and generous man. When he read Lencho’s letter to God, he first laughed at it. But soon he became serious and was deeply moved by Lencho’s faith.

The postmaster decided to help Lencho so that his faith in God would remain unshaken. He contributed a part of his own salary and requested other employees of the post office to donate money. Although they could not collect the full amount, they managed to gather seventy pesos.

The postmaster placed the money in an envelope and signed it as “God.” He then mailed it to Lencho. His actions showed kindness, humanity, sympathy, and generosity toward a poor farmer in distress.

3. Narrate the story “A Letter to God” in your own words.

Ans:
“A Letter to God” is the story of a poor farmer named Lencho. He lived with his family in a lonely house on the crest of a low hill. His only source of income was his cornfield.

Lencho was waiting eagerly for rain because his crops needed water. Rain finally came, and Lencho became very happy. But suddenly the rain changed into a hailstorm. Large hailstones destroyed the entire crop. Lencho and his family were filled with sorrow because they feared starvation.

Lencho had strong faith in God. He believed that God could help him. Therefore, he wrote a letter to God asking for one hundred pesos. The postmaster read the letter and was greatly impressed by Lencho’s faith. He collected money from the employees and sent seventy pesos to Lencho.

When Lencho received the money, he became angry because the amount was less than what he had asked for. He believed the post office employees had stolen the remaining money. In his second letter to God, he requested the rest of the money and called the employees “a bunch of crooks.”

The story ends with irony because Lencho blamed the same people who had actually helped him.

UNDERSTANDING-BASED LONG ANSWER QUESTIONS

1. How does the story show Lencho’s deep faith in God?

Ans:
Lencho’s deep faith in God is the central theme of the story. After the hailstorm destroyed his crops, Lencho did not lose hope. Instead of blaming fate or becoming helpless, he turned to God for support.

Lencho believed that God knew everything and could solve all problems. He was so confident in God’s power that he wrote a letter asking for one hundred pesos. He even addressed the envelope directly to God without any doubt.

When Lencho received only seventy pesos, he did not think that God had failed him. Instead, he believed that the post office employees had stolen the remaining amount. This clearly shows that his trust in God was complete and unshaken.

Thus, the story beautifully presents Lencho as a man with extraordinary faith in God.

2. Explain the irony in the story “A Letter to God.”

Ans:
Irony is an important element in the story. The greatest irony lies in Lencho’s reaction after receiving help.

The postmaster and the employees of the post office collected money to help Lencho. They acted with kindness and generosity. The postmaster even signed the letter as “God” so that Lencho’s faith would remain alive.

However, when Lencho received only seventy pesos instead of one hundred, he became angry. Instead of thanking the post office employees, he accused them of stealing the remaining money and called them “a bunch of crooks.”

This situation is ironic because the people whom Lencho blamed were actually his helpers. The ending creates both humour and surprise for the readers.

3. Why is the title “A Letter to God” suitable for the story?

Ans:
The title “A Letter to God” is highly suitable because the entire story revolves around Lencho’s faith and the letter he writes to God.

After the destruction of his crops, Lencho faced a difficult situation. He believed only God could help him. Therefore, he wrote a letter asking for money. This letter became the turning point of the story.

The title also highlights the theme of faith. Lencho’s trust in God was so strong that he believed God would surely read and answer his letter. Even after receiving less money, he never doubted God.

Moreover, the title creates curiosity among readers because writing a letter to God is unusual and interesting. Hence, the title is simple, meaningful, and completely appropriate.

APPLICATION-BASED LONG ANSWER QUESTIONS

1. What moral lessons do you learn from “A Letter to God”?

Ans:
“A Letter to God” teaches many valuable moral lessons. First, it teaches the importance of faith and hope during difficult times. Lencho never lost hope even after facing complete destruction.

Second, the story highlights kindness and generosity through the character of the postmaster. He helped Lencho selflessly and showed sympathy toward a poor farmer.

Third, the story teaches that people should help one another during hardships. Humanity and cooperation can reduce suffering.

At the same time, the story also teaches us not to judge others without proof. Lencho wrongly accused the post office employees even though they had helped him.

Thus, the story inspires readers to develop faith, kindness, gratitude, and understanding.

2. Imagine you are the postmaster. Describe your feelings after reading Lencho’s second letter.

Ans:
If I were the postmaster, I would feel shocked, disappointed, and amused after reading Lencho’s second letter. I would be surprised because instead of thanking us, Lencho accused us of stealing money.

At first, I might feel hurt because we had helped him with good intentions. The employees had contributed money from their salaries to support him. Despite our kindness, Lencho misunderstood us completely.

However, I would also smile at Lencho’s innocent faith in God. His belief was so strong that he could never imagine God making a mistake. Therefore, he blamed the post office employees instead.

Finally, I would feel satisfied because our efforts had at least preserved Lencho’s faith and hope.

3. How can society help farmers during natural disasters?

Ans:
Farmers suffer greatly during natural disasters such as floods, droughts, and hailstorms. Society should support them in different ways.

First, the government should provide financial assistance, compensation, and crop insurance. This will help farmers recover from losses.

Second, people should donate food, clothes, seeds, and money to affected families. Communities should stand together during such difficult times.

Third, modern farming techniques and weather forecasting should be introduced to reduce damage caused by natural disasters.

Finally, emotional support is also important. Farmers should be encouraged not to lose hope.

Thus, society must work together to protect and support farmers because they play a vital role in feeding the nation.

SKILL / ANALYTICAL-BASED LONG ANSWER QUESTIONS

1. Analyse the character of Lencho.

Ans:
Lencho is the central character of the story. He was a poor but hardworking farmer who depended completely on his crops for survival. The author describes him as “an ox of a man,” showing his strength and dedication.

Lencho was also a deeply religious man. His faith in God was absolute. Even after the destruction of his crops, he believed that God would certainly help him. This faith gave him courage during difficult times.

However, Lencho was also naïve and simple-minded. When he received only seventy pesos, he immediately suspected the post office employees. He failed to understand their kindness and generosity.

Thus, Lencho is presented as a hardworking, faithful, innocent, and somewhat foolish man whose strong faith becomes both admirable and ironic.

2. Analyse the role of the postmaster in the story.

Ans:
The postmaster plays a very important role in the story. He represents kindness, sympathy, and humanity.

At first, he laughs at Lencho’s letter because writing to God seems unusual. But later he becomes deeply impressed by Lencho’s faith. He does not want such faith to be broken.

Therefore, he decides to help Lencho. He contributes part of his own salary and collects money from other employees. Although the amount collected is less than what Lencho requested, the postmaster still sends it with good intentions.

The postmaster’s actions show that human beings can act like God by helping others in times of need. He is generous, caring, and selfless. Even though Lencho misunderstands him, the postmaster remains an admirable character.

3. Discuss the themes of faith, irony, and humanity in the story.

Ans:
“A Letter to God” mainly deals with the themes of faith, irony, and humanity.

Faith is shown through Lencho’s complete trust in God. Even after losing everything, he strongly believes that God will help him. His faith never weakens.

Humanity is represented by the postmaster and the employees. They help Lencho out of sympathy and kindness. Their selfless action proves that goodness still exists in society.

Irony appears at the end of the story. Lencho accuses the same people who helped him. He calls them “a bunch of crooks” because he believes God could never send less money.

These themes make the story meaningful, emotional, and memorable for readers.

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