TEACHER SUPPORT DOCUMENT
Subject: English Standard: X
Chapter: Mijbil the Otter
Resources
Teacher Support Document 1 Video 1
Worksheet 1
Summary
Gavin Maxwell lives in a cottage in Sandaig (Camusfearna), in the West Highlands in
Scotland. He is fond of keeping pets. After the death of his pet dog, he was too sad to
think of a dog again. The author is in Basra in Iraq on a visit. There a friend of his presents
him an otter. He takes this otter to England where he has a flat of his own. He has some
interesting experiences during his air journey from Basra to Paris and London.
Vocabulary:
Word Meaning
marshes wetlands
breakdown being out of order
squirmed being in the control of
fixation to move around a lot making small twisting movements, because you
are uncomfortable
emerged strong attachment
resembled came out
symmetrical looked like
armour shield
at length at last
christened named
hostile unfriendly
aloof alone
indifferent having or showing no interest in somebody/something
apathy lack of interest
plunging diving
static fixed
provoking causing anger
prospect possibility
accustomed habitual
appalling shocking
whimpered cried softly
shreds pieces
ricochetting changing direction
CB/X Mijbil the Otter Page 1 of 8
, TEACHER SUPPORT DOCUMENT
infuriated angry
retained kept
profound deep
resumed started again
terrapin shell shell of a small turtle
engrossed busy
ambush to attack suddenly
crouching keeping low
compulsive that is difficult to stop or control
frontage front side
barrage flood
affront insult
1. Answer the following questions in 30-40 words:
a. How did Maxwell learn of Mijbil’s love for water?
Mijbil loved to play in the water. Only once did the author lead him to the
bathroom. Next time he went to the bathroom on his own. He went wild in
water, plunged and rolled in e’, He shot up and down the bathtub and made
enough slosh and splash in it.
b. Describe some of the games Mij liked to play.
Mijbil invented his own game with a ping-pong ball. He used to keep the
basilica lid of the damaged suitcase which when closed, remained at a slope
from one end. He to play in the water and also liked to jump and gallop the
full length of the 30-yard school well.
c. How did Mijbil pass his time in London?
Mijbil on his way home every day used to tug Maxwell to the low wall of a
primary school opposite to his flat. Mij would jump on to it, gallop the full
length of its thirty yards and cause a hopeless distraction to both pupils and
staff within the primary school.
d. Describe the otter.
The otter was a small creature and it resembled with a medically conceived
dragon. It was coated with symmetrical seals at mud from head to the rip at
the tail.
e. What are ‘compulsive habits’? What does Maxwell say are the compulsive habits of
school children?
Things that one feels competed to do are ‘compulsive habits’. For example,
school children try to place their feet on the center of each paving block on
the way. They touch every seventh upright of the iron railings. Or, they pass
to the outside of every second lamp post.
CB/X Mijbil the Otter Page 2 of 8
Subject: English Standard: X
Chapter: Mijbil the Otter
Resources
Teacher Support Document 1 Video 1
Worksheet 1
Summary
Gavin Maxwell lives in a cottage in Sandaig (Camusfearna), in the West Highlands in
Scotland. He is fond of keeping pets. After the death of his pet dog, he was too sad to
think of a dog again. The author is in Basra in Iraq on a visit. There a friend of his presents
him an otter. He takes this otter to England where he has a flat of his own. He has some
interesting experiences during his air journey from Basra to Paris and London.
Vocabulary:
Word Meaning
marshes wetlands
breakdown being out of order
squirmed being in the control of
fixation to move around a lot making small twisting movements, because you
are uncomfortable
emerged strong attachment
resembled came out
symmetrical looked like
armour shield
at length at last
christened named
hostile unfriendly
aloof alone
indifferent having or showing no interest in somebody/something
apathy lack of interest
plunging diving
static fixed
provoking causing anger
prospect possibility
accustomed habitual
appalling shocking
whimpered cried softly
shreds pieces
ricochetting changing direction
CB/X Mijbil the Otter Page 1 of 8
, TEACHER SUPPORT DOCUMENT
infuriated angry
retained kept
profound deep
resumed started again
terrapin shell shell of a small turtle
engrossed busy
ambush to attack suddenly
crouching keeping low
compulsive that is difficult to stop or control
frontage front side
barrage flood
affront insult
1. Answer the following questions in 30-40 words:
a. How did Maxwell learn of Mijbil’s love for water?
Mijbil loved to play in the water. Only once did the author lead him to the
bathroom. Next time he went to the bathroom on his own. He went wild in
water, plunged and rolled in e’, He shot up and down the bathtub and made
enough slosh and splash in it.
b. Describe some of the games Mij liked to play.
Mijbil invented his own game with a ping-pong ball. He used to keep the
basilica lid of the damaged suitcase which when closed, remained at a slope
from one end. He to play in the water and also liked to jump and gallop the
full length of the 30-yard school well.
c. How did Mijbil pass his time in London?
Mijbil on his way home every day used to tug Maxwell to the low wall of a
primary school opposite to his flat. Mij would jump on to it, gallop the full
length of its thirty yards and cause a hopeless distraction to both pupils and
staff within the primary school.
d. Describe the otter.
The otter was a small creature and it resembled with a medically conceived
dragon. It was coated with symmetrical seals at mud from head to the rip at
the tail.
e. What are ‘compulsive habits’? What does Maxwell say are the compulsive habits of
school children?
Things that one feels competed to do are ‘compulsive habits’. For example,
school children try to place their feet on the center of each paving block on
the way. They touch every seventh upright of the iron railings. Or, they pass
to the outside of every second lamp post.
CB/X Mijbil the Otter Page 2 of 8
