The Laburnum Top – Questions & Answers

Very Short Answer Questions (1–2 lines each)

1. Who is the narrator of the story?
   Ans. The narrator is the young son of the family, recalling his childhood memories.
2. What was his favourite place in the garden?
   Ans. The Laburnum top in the garden, where he loved to climb and swing.
3. Why did the narrator like climbing the Laburnum top?
   Ans. He loved the view from the top and the feeling of freedom while swinging.
4. How did the father encourage the narrator?
   Ans. The father supported and praised his climbing, showing confidence in him.
5. Who were the other family members mentioned in the story?
   Ans. His father and mother.
6. What was the father’s attitude towards danger?
   Ans. He was calm, confident, and encouraged facing challenges without fear.
7. What did the narrator do at the top of the Laburnum tree?
   Ans. He sat, swung on a branch, and enjoyed the view.
8. What lesson did the narrator learn from climbing the tree?
   Ans. He learned courage, self-confidence, and the joy of daring adventures.
9. How did the father handle the narrator’s fear?
   Ans. He reassured him, showed trust, and encouraged him to be brave.
10. Why is the chapter titled “The Laburnum Top”?
    Ans. Because the top of the Laburnum tree was central to the narrator’s childhood experience and adventure.

Short Answer Questions (30–50 words)

1. Describe the narrator’s feelings when he climbed the Laburnum tree.
   Ans. The narrator felt excitement, thrill, and a sense of freedom. Climbing the tree gave him courage and joy. He enjoyed swinging on the branches and experiencing nature from a high vantage point, feeling fearless and confident under his father’s guidance.
2. How did the father encourage his son’s adventure?
   Ans. The father calmly guided him, praised his courage, and reassured him whenever he hesitated. His support helped the narrator face his fears and take risks confidently, teaching him the value of trust and encouragement in overcoming challenges.
3. Why did the narrator admire the father?
   Ans. The narrator admired his father’s calmness, bravery, and confidence. He respected how his father handled risky situations without fear and guided him with trust, inspiring him to be courageous and self-assured.
4. What role does the Laburnum top play in the story?
   Ans. The Laburnum top is the symbol of adventure, freedom, and courage. It serves as the place where the narrator faces challenges, learns bravery, and bonds with his father.
5. How does the story convey the theme of courage?
   Ans. Through the narrator’s climbing experience, guided by his father’s encouragement, the story shows that courage comes from confidence, support, and willingness to face challenges.
6. Describe the relationship between the narrator and his father.
   Ans. Their relationship is warm and trusting. The father encourages and guides, while the narrator looks up to him with admiration and respect. It reflects a bond of love, trust, and mutual respect.

Long Answer Questions (120–150 words)

1. Describe the narrator’s adventure on the Laburnum tree.
   Ans. The narrator loved climbing the Laburnum tree in his garden. Initially hesitant, he was encouraged by his father to climb higher and swing on the branches. The experience was thrilling, giving him a sense of freedom and joy. He admired the view from the top, felt brave, and learned the importance of courage and confidence. His father’s calm guidance and support made him feel safe despite the risk. This adventure became a memorable part of his childhood, highlighting how small experiences can teach important life lessons.
2. Explain how the father inspires courage in his child.
   Ans. The father inspires courage by being calm, confident, and reassuring. He encourages the narrator to face his fears, praises small achievements, and trusts him with challenging tasks. This guidance helps the child overcome hesitation and develop self-confidence. The story emphasizes that encouragement and trust from elders can instill bravery and resilience in children.
3. What is the central theme of “The Laburnum Top”?
   Ans. The central theme is courage and self-confidence. The story shows how facing challenges, supported by trust and encouragement, builds bravery. It also highlights the bond between father and child, demonstrating how love, guidance, and mentorship can shape a child’s personality and confidence.
4. How does the narrator reflect on this childhood experience?
   Ans. Looking back, the narrator recalls the Laburnum tree as a symbol of adventure and courage. He appreciates his father’s role in encouraging him and recognizes the life lesson it taught him about bravery, trust, and enjoying challenges. The memory remains vivid and inspiring.