Q In 1953, Chuck Hooper was a favoured young man. Explain.
Ans Hooper was a favoured young man who had everything in life, popularity, success and a
respectable job. He was once a player of the university football team. Hooper was the Zonal Sales
Manager in a chemical company and was very ambitious.
Q Duke was an extraordinary dog. What special qualities did he exhibit to justify this? Discuss.
Ans. Duke was an extraordinary dog with special qualities, when Duke came from the kennel, he
jumped on Chuck and he knew instantly that he was never to jump on him again. From that moment,
he sat beside his master’s bed. Duke encouraged his master to get up by poking his nose under his
elbow and lifting it up. Finally, Chuck and Duke began walking together with Duke pulling the leash
and holding it tightly so that Chuck could be supported and take one step forward. What began as
one step at a time resulted in Chuck walking by himself. It was Duke’s effort which revived Chuck
Hooper.
Q Do you think that the story of Duke and Chuck is an inspiration for those who give up without
trying?
Ans The story conveys that, ‘when all is lost, future still remains’. All challenges, all tragedies and all
handicaps of life can be overcome with strong determination, persistent hardwork, patience and a
little co-operation form loved ones. They can help one change one’s destiny.
Q How was Chuck Injured in the accident?
Ans One evening in the autumn season, Chuck Hooper was returning home after the day’s work in
his car. Suddenly, another car, in front of him, applied brakes and Hooper’s car banged into it. Hooper
suffered severe brain injuries. Consequently, the left side of his body got paralyzed.
Q ‘Small wins help achieve big goals.’ Support, with evidence from the text, to show how this
applies to Chuck.
Ans. Chuck was seriously injured due to the car accident. Everyone including him thought his
comeback to be impossible. However, one day, Duke helped him stand up which was a small win for
him as it helped him realise that there was still hope for him. After that, he campaigned daily targets
for him as his objectives. Soon, he was able to walk outside his home, and he walked from one fence
post to another. These small wins added up, and helped him achieve a big goal at the end.
Q When a person loses something, he is shocked and gets into a state of denial leading to anger. In
such a situation coping well leads to acceptance and a changed way of living in view of the loss.
Taking clues from what happened or might have happened with Hooper, write your views in the
form of an article about’ ‘Coping with Loss’ in 120-150 words.
Answer:
Coping With Loss
Gain and Loss are the two facets of the same coin human life. Loss is inevitable. Man’s real courage,
perseverance or endurance is tested only when he loses something. The weak lose their balance of
mind. The strong and the brave accept the loss. And the acceptance leads to a changed way of living.
The protagonist of the story ‘A Dog Named Duke’ Hooper was a very dynamic, healthy and successful
man before he met with a terrible accident. The accident reduces him to a paralysed cripple. He is
forced to lie on bed. Despair leads him to helplessness. But Duke’s entry lifts his numb spirits. He
decides to cope with the loss and accepts the reality. The day he makes his first step, it rekindles
hope in him. He accepts a desk job at the headquarters. He declares that he will start doing a full
day’s work from March 1. He does succeed. His long patience, endurance and the ability to cope with
the loss is rewarded. He is appointed Assistant National Sales Manager of his company.
