English Language & Literature — CBSE Class 10 board question

Tricki's Condition Before Hospitalisation:
Tricki was in a pitiful state — hugely fat "like a bloated sausage with a leg at each corner," with bloodshot, rheumy eyes and a lolling tongue. He was listless, vomited frequently, refused food, and could barely walk. Mrs Pumphrey's excessive pampering — cream cakes, chocolates, Horlicks, malt, cod-liver oil, and almost no exercise — had made him critically ill.

Tricki's Condition After the Stay:
After a fortnight at the surgery, Tricki was completely transformed — "a lithe, hard-muscled animal," racing energetically with other dogs, ears flapping, tail waving. He leapt joyfully into Mrs Pumphrey's lap, full of life.

Role of Proper Care, Discipline and Environment:
The contrast shows that love without discipline is harmful. At the surgery, Tricki received no special food, regular activity, and a stimulating environment with other dogs — resulting in his full recovery. This highlights that proper diet, exercise, and a healthy environment are essential to well-being, while overindulgence, however well-intentioned, causes serious harm.

Source: A Triumph of Surgery, Footprints without Feet (Chapter 1)

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• Examiners expect a clear before-and-after contrast supported by textual evidence — use exact phrases from the passage ("bloated sausage," "lithe, hard-muscled animal").
• The third paragraph linking the contrast to care, discipline, and environment is what earns the analytical marks — don't skip it.
• Mrs Pumphrey calling it "a triumph of surgery" is ironic: no surgery was performed; simple discipline and proper environment cured Tricki. Mentioning this irony impresses examiners.
• Keep quotes brief and integrated; avoid long copying from the text.