The Enemy (Vistas Supplementary Reader)

Previous Years' CBSE Board Questions

MCQ (1 mark)
1. Select the option that aptly describes Hana as a wife:
(a) Hana is very possessive about her husband.
(b) Hana is a very caring and responsible wife.
(c) Hana is a very dominant wife.
(d) Hana is a very fussy and nagging wife. (Term I, 2021-22)
2. She did not wish to be left alone with the white man.
This thought of Hana reveals the fact that
(a) Hana hates white man
(b) White men are dangerous
(c) War makes people enemies
(d) Hana is timid and cautious (Term I, 2021-22)
3. ‘Suppose you were condemned to death and the next day I had to have my
operation?” The tone of the General indicates he is
(a) worried about Dr. Sadao as he is a good scientist.
(b) working against the law and order of the country
(c) uncertained about his death condition
(d) selfish and dependent on Dr. Sadao for his treatment. (Term I, 2021-22)
SA I (2 marks)
4. Why was Dr. Sadao not sent abroad with the troops? (2023)
SA II (3 marks)
5. How did Hana react when her servants decided to leave the house? (2019 C)
6. How did the writer indicate that Dr. Sadao’s father was a very traditional and
conventional man? (Delhi 2019)
7. What was his father’s chief concern about Dr. Sadao? (Delhi 2016)
8. Why was Dr. Sadao not sent abroad along with the troops? (Delhi 2016)
9. Where, when and how did Dr. Sadao meet Hana? (Delhi 2016)
10. What conflict in his mind troubled Dr. Sadao when he came to know that the
wounded man was an American POW? (Foreign 2016)
11. How did the General plan to get rid of the American POW? (Foreign 2016)
12. How did the servants react when they realised that Dr. Sadao was going to
save the life of an enemy? (Foreign 2016)
13. What role did the American professor play in bringing Hana and Sadao
together? (AI 2015)
14. What was Sadao’s father’s dream for him? How did Sadao realise it?
(AI 2015)
15. Who did Dr. Sadao think the survivor from the sea was when he first saw him?
(Foreign 2015)
16. Why did Dr. Sadao seek Hana’s help to treat the U.S. soldier?
(Foreign 2015)
17. On the seventh day after the American soldier was found by Dr. Sadao two
things happened. Why did Hana feel scared of the second?
(Foreign 2015)
LA I (5 marks)
18. Dr. Sadao emerges as a saviour of humanity. Substantiate your answer with
evidence from the text.
(2023)
19. Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow:
“You are well”, Sadao agreed. He lowered his voice. “You are so well that I think if I
put my boat on the shore tonight, with food and extra clothing in it, you might be
able to row to that little island not far from the coast. It is so near the coast that it
has not been worth fortifying. Nobody lives on it because in storm it is
submerged. But this is not the season of storm. You could live there until you saw
a Korean fishing boat pass by. They pass quite near the island because the water
is many fathoms deep there.’ The young man stared at him, slowly
comprehending. ‘Do I have to? he asked.
“I think so”, Sadao said gently. “you understand – it is not hidden that you are
here.”
(Term I, 2021-22)
(i) The arrangements of food and clothing by Dr. Sadao portrays him as
(a) a kind and compassionate person
(b) an experienced sailor
(c) a good event organizer
(d) a good advisor
(ii) ‘not been worth fortifying’ indicate that it _______.
(a) has been left uncared for and neglected.
(b) can be easily spotted by the Korean boats.
(c) will be easy for the white man to enter the island.
(d) is dangerous to stay there alone.
(iii) The speaker’s tone in the expression: “Do I have to?” is
(a) pleading
(b) commanding
(c) irritated
(d) fear and doubt
(iv) “But this is not the season of storm.” Dr. Sadao tries to
(a) explain the situation
(b) assure him of safety
(c) educate him on climate
(d) display his knowledge
(v) “............... it is not hidden you are here.” Dr. Sadao’s intention is
(a) to explain why he cannot stay there anymore.
(b) to remind him that he has tried to hide his presence.
(c) to explain that it is necessary and good for both of them.
(d) to assert that his house is not a hiding place.
20. What was the General’s plan to get rid of the American prisoner? Was it
executed? What traits of the General’s character are highlighted in the lesson ‘The
Enemy’? (AI 2014)
21. Explain the reactions of the servants in Dr. Sadao’s house when he decided to
give shelter to an enemy in the house.
(AI 2014)
LA II (6 marks)
22. How did Dr. Sadao resolve the conflict in his mind between his loyalty to his
country and his duty as a doctor?
(2020)
23. ‘The Enemy’ portrays the victory of humanity in a moment of crisis. Illustrate
this fact through the actions taken by Dr. Sadao for the enemy soldier.
(AI 2019)
24. Dr. Sadao is not only a competent surgeon but also a noble human being.
Comment.
(2019 C)
25. Good human values are far above any other value system. How did Dr. Sadao
succeed as a doctor as well as a patriot?
(Delhi 2017)
26. Dr. Sadao was a patriotic Japanese as well as a dedicated surgeon. How could
he honour both the values?
(Delhi 2015)
27. Dr. Sadao faced a dilemma. Should he use his surgical skills to save the life of a
wounded person or hand an escaped American P.O.W. over to the Japanese
police? How did he resolve this clash of values?
(AI 2015)
28. How did Dr. Sadao help the American POW to escape? What humanitarian
values do you find in his act?
(Foreign 2015)
29. How did the arrival of the prisoner destroy the peace of Sadao’s home?
(Delhi 2015C)
 CBSE Sample Questions
MCQ (1 mark)
1. Dr. Sadao matters the word ‘my friend’ while treating the American P.O.W. In
light of the circumstances, we can say that this was
(a) humourous
(b) climactic
(c) ironical
(d) ominous (Term I, 2021-22)
2. Sadao’s servants leave his house, but none of them betrays the secret of the
American P.O.W. Select the option that explains this.
(a) The servants truly believed that they must not be a part of the household
which sheltered a prisoner of war, but their love and loyalty to Sadao made them
keep the secret safe.
(b) The servants knew that any information about the P.O.W would result in
punishment for them and their families which is why they revealed nothing.
(c) The servants were superstitious and scared with a white man on the premises
and consequently, chose to remove themselves and stay silent about the situation.
(d) The servants did not want to incur the wrath of Dr. Sadao and lose their jobs,
therefore they chose to exit instead, and return later.
(Term I, 2021-22)
SA I (2 marks)
3. How do we know that Dr. Sadao was conscientious as well as loyal?
(2022-23)
4. Sadao’s acceptance of the general’s plan to assassinate Tom was counter
puncture to having put him on the path of recovery. Substantiate with reason/s.
(2020-21)
 ANSWERS
Previous Years' CBSE Board Questions
1. (b) Hana is a very caring and responsible wife.
2. (d) Hana is timid and cautious.
3. (d) selfish and dependent on Dr. Sadao for his treatment.
4. Dr. Sadao wasn’t sent abroad with the troops because the general needed his
assistance and no other surgeon could be trusted with the responsibility. He
stayed in Japan to assist the ailing General. He was also carrying on research to
clear the wounds altogether and so his presence in Japan was necessary.
5. Dr. Sadao and his wife Hana had chanced upon an injured American POW. And
despite their reluctance and patriotism, their humanity took over and they
decided to help the man get well even if that means housing an enemy secretly.
But at the same time, their intention wasn’t supported by their servants who
vehemently opposed their master’s decision to try to save the man.
So, all the servants decided to leave them on the 7th day of the wounded soldier’s
arrival. Hana took their exit in a graceful manner, paying and thanking them for
all they had done for her and her family. Even though their children’s nanny, Yumi
offered to come back if the baby cries too much, Hana decided in her mind that
she will deal with it herself.
6. Dr. Sadao’s father wanted his son to marry a girl who had been pure in her race.
Dr. Sadao and Hana had fallen in love in America but their marriage was arranged
by Dr. Sadao’s father in the traditional Japanese way only after he had approved
of Hana.
7. Dr. Sadao’s father’s chief concern was his education. He wanted Dr. Sadao to go
abroad for higher studies and to see him as the best surgeon in the world.
8. Dr. Sadao was an eminent surgeon and a scientist. He was perfecting a
discovery, which would render wounds entirely clean. Moreover, the old General
was being treated medically for a condition for which he might need an
operation. This is why Dr. Sadao was not sent abroad with the troops.
9. Dr. Sadao met Hana during his stay in America where he was studying
medicine. It was at Professor Harley’s house that Dr. Sadao met Hana for the first
time. The professor and his wife organised a party for their foreign students. Dr.
Sadao was reluctant to go. Nevertheless, he went there, literally by chance and he
met Hana, who was a new student.
10. When Dr. Sadao came to know that the wounded man was an American P.O.W.,
he was troubled by the conflict between patriotism and professional ethics. Dr.
Sadao was caught in the dilemma of handing over the wounded soldier to the
Japanese authority who would surely end his life and his humanitarian instincts.
11. In order to get rid of the American P.O.W the General planned to send private
assassins to quietly kill the prisoner in his sleep and then dispose off his body
without a trace.
12. When the servants realised that Dr. Sadao was going to save the life of an
enemy, the servants were not happy. In fact, they disapproved of their master
saving the wounded American soldier's life. They refused to serve the patient and
quit their job. They were worried for their lives and their master's and mistress'
too.
13. Dr. Sadao met Hana during his stay in America where he was studying
medicine. It was at Professor Harley's house that Dr. Sadao met Hana for the first
time. The professor and his wife organised a party for their foreign students. Dr.
Sadao was reluctant to go. Nevertheless, he went there, literally by chance and he
met Hana, who was a new student.
14. Dr. Sadao's father wanted him to go abroad for higher studies and become the
world's best surgeon. Dr. Sadao worked hard and became an eminent surgeon
and scientist. He was perfecting a discovery, which would render wounds entirely
clean.
15. When the survivor from the sea first came into Dr. Sadao's view, the doctor
thought that he was a fisherman from a nearby village who had been badly
wounded.
16. Hana had to wash the wounded soldier herself because Yumi, the nanny,
refused to wash the American soldier. She and the other servants were frightened
when they learned about the enemy being in the house. They did not want to get
into trouble of any kind. This is why they refused to help their master and
mistress.
17. On the seventh day, after the American soldier was found by Dr. Sadao, two
things happened. First, all the household servants quit their job and second, the
General's messenger in official uniform came to meet Sadao.
Hana felt scared of the uniformed messenger because she thought he had come to
arrest Dr. Sadao.
18. In the given circumstances, Dr. Sadao's final decision to help the American
soldier escape was the best possible decision, because Dr. Sadao was a
humanitarian. When Dr. Sadao saw the American soldier washed ashore near his
house, badly wounded, the doctor could have refused to treat him and handed
him over to the authorities instantly. He did not do so because he was duty bound
as a doctor to save the American soldier first, even prior to his motherland. Once
the soldier recuperated, Dr. Sadao did what he thought was best for his country.
He told the General about the American soldier, after all, he had saved an enemy.
Dr. Sadao let the General decide the soldier's fate and agreed with his decision to
get him murdered by assassins. However, compassion is a natural instinct in
humanitarians. Therefore, after waiting anxiously for the General's private
assassins for three consecutive nights, Dr. Sadao helped the American soldier
escape. To have him stay any longer with them was becoming a matter of concern
for Dr. Sadao. It could get him imprisoned for treason and jeopardise his family.
Besides, Dr. Sadao had already risen above the narrow prejudices of race, hatred
and war by saving the American soldier’s life. By letting him escape, the doctor
could assuage his conscience; had the General’s plan of the American’s
assassination been carried out, it would have bothered Dr. Sadao gravely.
19. (i) (a) a kind and compassionate person.
(ii) (c) will be easy for the white man to enter the island.
(iii) (d) fear and doubt
(iv) (b) assure him of safety.
(v) (c) to explain that it is necessary and good for both of them.
20. The General planned to get rid of the American prisoner by sending his
private assassins to kill him and then remove his body from Sadao’s house. The
plan was not executed since the General forgot his promise to send the assassins
because of his own pain.
The old General seemed to be a cold, calculated ruthless man. He had an unusual
sense of humour and seemed to generate fear in others’ hearts quite effortlessly.
In his interaction with Dr. Sadao, he comes across as a man who puts his self-
interest above everything else. The only reason he did not get Dr. Sadao arrested
for treason was because he feared that no other surgeon would be as good as Dr.
Sadao if ever the General is fatally wounded again.
To save Dr. Sadao from his unusual predicament, the General suggested getting
the American soldier killed by his private assassins and getting rid of his body off
at the same time. When he admitted to have forgotten to send the assassins, the
General asked Sadao not to speak about this carelessness. Nevertheless, the
General is not completely devoid of human considerations. He understood that
from a surgeon’s point of view, Dr. Sadao did the right thing by saving the
wounded soldier’s life, later he even promises reward to Dr. Sadao for proving his
loyalty and patriotism.
21. When Dr. Sadao decided to give shelter to the enemy, the servants in Dr.
Sadao’s house openly expressed their disapproval. The old gardener expressed
his concern saying the bullet and the sea wanted the enemy dead. They might
take revenge on their master for healing the white man. Although they remained
skeptical of their master’s loyalty, they did not disclose the secret to the world.
For them, the white man was an enemy who did not deserve their help. Yumi, the
nanny of the children, refused to wash the American POW. The wounds took time
to heal; Dr. Sadao and Hana took great care of the American soldier. However,
none of the servants tried to hide their displeasure and they voiced their opinion
loudly for Sadao and Hana to hear. They felt that since both Hana and Dr. Sadao
had lived in America for a while, they favoured the American P.O.W. over their
own countrymen. The servants constantly pressurised the Hoki family to
disclose the secret and get the American caught by the police. Finally, their
displeasure at their master’s decision made them leave his household.
22. When Tom, the prisoner of war, was found wounded, the first thing Sadao did
was to save his life. As a doctor, it was imperative that he should save his life.
Next, he completed his duty towards his nation by informing the General about
the presence of the prisoner. But finally, he helped the enemy escape. His
compassionate heart rose above the narrow confines of hatred and war. As a
doctor, Sadao could not have left the wounded prisoner of war unattended and so
he decided to operate upon him and save his life. However, at the same time, he
discharged his duty towards his nation by informing the General about the
enemy. And finally, the surgeon helped the enemy escape because his
compassionate heart forbade him to kill the same person whom he had saved.
This is how he resolved the conflicts between his loyalty to the country and his
duty as a doctor.
23. Dr. Sadao Hoki was not only a trained surgeon but also a fervent patriot who
dedicated himself to the cause of serving his country in the wartime through
scientific research. However, the dilemma that Dr. Sadao faced on the arrival of
the wounded American soldier at his doorstep was a clash between his duties as
a doctor and that of a patriotic citizen. Since Dr. Sadao was under the Hippocratic
oath to serve the mankind as a whole and put his professional duties first, he
decided to save the enemy at any cost. For this he faced difficulties at his home
from his wife and servants. He even endangered his own life and that of his
family. However, he was able to show his patriotism by informing the General
about the wounded American soldier and how he saved him. He requested the
General to do whatever was necessary in the matter and even agreed to the
arrangement of getting the enemy soldier killed by professional assassins sent by
the General. The fact that he informed the General about the American’s escape,
even though it was he who helped the soldier, is also a proof that Dr. Sadao was a
dedicated surgeon as well as a patriotic Japanese.
24. From the day Dr. Sadao found the wounded soldier outside his house, he had
been caught up in a web of conflicts and dilemma, mainly as a doctor and a
patriot. He was caught between his duty as a doctor and loyalty towards his
nation. Nonetheless, he chose his duties as a doctor first and treated the patient,
risking being a traitor to his people. Being turned over by his servants and
putting his own family at risk. As an ethical and sincere doctor, he saved the life of
the soldier and as a responsible citizen, he also informed the General about the
presence of the soldier. But when the General’s men did not arrive to kill the
enemy, Sadao was again caught in a conflict as to how to get rid of the white man.
His innate virtues of compassion and benevolence forbade him from killing the
man. Thus, he decided to let the prisoner escape by sending him off to an
unguarded island, thereby choosing humanity over patriotism. We can conclude
that all his actions show him as not only a competent surgeon but also a noble
human being.
25. Dr. Sadao Hoki was not only a trained surgeon but also a fervent patriot who
dedicated himself to the cause of serving his country in the wartime through
scientific research. However, the dilemma that Dr. Sadao faced on the arrival of
the wounded American soldier at his doorstep was a clash between his duties as
a doctor and that of a patriotic citizen. Since Dr. Sadao was under the Hippocratic
oath to serve the mankind as a whole and put his professional duties first, he
decided to save the enemy at any cost. For this he faced difficulties at his home
from his wife and servants. He even endangered his own life and that of his
family. However, he was able to show his patriotism by informing the General
about the wounded American soldier and how he saved him. He requested the
General to do whatever was necessary in the matter and even agreed to the
arrangement of getting the enemy soldier killed by professional assassins sent by
the General. The fact that he informed the General about the American’s escape,
even though it was he who helped the soldier, is also a proof that Dr. Sadao was a
dedicated surgeon as well as a patriotic Japanese.
26. Dr. Sadao Hoki was not only a trained surgeon but also a fervent patriot who
dedicated himself to the cause of serving his country in the wartime through
scientific research. However, the dilemma that Dr. Sadao faced on the arrival of
the wounded American soldier at his doorstep was a clash between his duties as
a doctor and that of a patriotic citizen. Since Dr. Sadao was under the Hippocratic
oath to serve the mankind as a whole and put his professional duties first, he
decided to save the enemy at any cost. For this he faced difficulties at his home
from his wife and servants. He even endangered his own life and that of his
family. However, he was able to show his patriotism by informing the General
about the wounded American soldier and how he saved him. He requested the
General to do whatever was necessary in the matter and even agreed to the
arrangement of getting the enemy soldier killed by professional assassins sent by
the General. The fact that he informed the General about the American’s escape,
even though it was he who helped the soldier, is also a proof that Dr. Sadao was a
dedicated surgeon as well as a patriotic Japanese.
27. Dr. Sadao Hoki was not only a trained surgeon but also a fervent patriot who
dedicated himself to the cause of serving his country in the wartime through
scientific research. However, the dilemma that Dr. Sadao faced on the arrival of
the wounded American soldier at his doorstep was a clash between his duties as
a doctor and that of a patriotic citizen.
Since Dr. Sadao was under the Hippocratic oath to serve the mankind as a whole
and put his professional duties first, he decided to save the enemy at any cost. For
this he faced difficulties at his home from his wife and servants. He even
endangered his own life and that of his family. However, he was able to show his
patriotism by informing the General about the wounded American soldier and
how he saved him.
He requested the General to do whatever was necessary in the matter and even
agreed to the arrangement of getting the enemy soldier killed by professional
assassins sent by the General. The fact that he informed the General about the
American’s escape, even though it was he who helped the soldier, is also a proof
that Dr. Sadao was a dedicated surgeon as well as a patriotic Japanese.
28. After waiting for several days for the General’s private assassins to come and
kill the American P.O.W., Dr. Sadao decided to help the latter escape. Dr. Sadao
arranged for a boat, provided fresh water, food, quilts, flashlight, etc. and
instructed him to go to the nearest deserted island. Dr. Sadao asked the soldier to
wait there for a Korean fishing boat. He also told him to flash the torch light twice
as signal in case he ran out of food.
Dr. Sadao also provided the American soldier with Japanese attire and covered
his blond hair with a black cloth as a part of his disguise. The young soldier shook
Dr. Sadao’s hand and left without a word. One can find universal value of
sympathy, humanitarian consideration, love for fellow human beings and
compassion in Dr. Sadao’s actions.
29. The arrival of the prisoner of war completely destroyed the peace of Sadao
household. The servants in Dr. Sadao’s house were against his action of
harbouring an American. Yumi refused to wash the wounded soldier. There was a
fierce look of resistance on her face. The cook and the gardener criticised Sadao,
saying that the sea and the gun wanted the white man dead so, why was Sadao
trying to save the enemy. They even threatened to leave the house. As the stay
prolonged, all the servants quit their jobs and left, it was only Hana, Dr. Sadao’s
wife, who stood by him. However, she too lived in constant fear. When the
General’s uniformed messenger came for Dr. Sadao, Hana thought that he had
come to arrest her husband. Hana feared that Dr. Sadao would be condemned as a
traitor. Sadao himself was in a dilemma. Being a patriotic Japanese, he doubted
whether his action was right since his professional ethics told him to save the
wounded American P.O.W. Later, Dr. Sadao had many sleepless nights when the
professional assassins did not come to get rid of the American as promised by the
General. Only after the American soldier left, things became normal in Sadao’s
household.

CBSE Sample Questions

1. (c) ironical
2. (b) The servants knew that any information about the P.O.W would result in
punishment for them and their families which is why they revealed nothing.
3. In the story, ‘The Enemy’, when Dr. Sadao came across the injured soldier
(American), he immediately saved his life. He fulfilled his responsibility as a
doctor and did what is right by saving humanity. Next, he proved himself loyal by
informing the General. He felt restless and guilty of betraying the American
soldier by informing them. After spending three sleepless nights, he deliberated
a flawless plan and let the American soldier escape. Finally, Sadao proved that
humanity is more important and above everything. He does all this with a proper
plan. Through the story, the author conveys the lesson of humanity, conscience,
and loyalty.
4. Dr Sadao informed the General about the presence of an American prisoner at
his house. The General decided that his private assassins would kill him and
would even take his body away. Sadao agreed to the General’s proposal. However,
the General’s assassins did not arrive for the next three days. This plan was
counterproductive because in the end, Sadao ended up treating his wounds,
taking care of him as a patient until he healed and by the time Tom was healed,
Sadao willingly helped Tom in escaping and thereby giving him another chance to
live.