This chapter of NCERT Solution for Class 10 English unfolds the themes of social justice and empathy in the story of Wanda Petronski. The chapter has the children know that Wanda is a girl who their classmates laugh at each day as she comes to school each day in her faded blue dress. Wanda, who has a very poor background, insisted that she had a hundred dresses at home from where it was evident that others had already begun to question her honesty. The chapter taught only compassion and kindness; the artistic picture of dressing made by Wanda finds pursuers in class, as the dresses in numbered lot are superbly and artistically detailed.
Students can access the NCERT Solution for Class 10 English Prose 5: The Hundred Dresses I. Curated by experts according to the CBSE syllabus for 2025–2026, these step-by-step solutions make English much easier to understand and learn for the students. These solutions can be used in practice by students to attain skills in solving problems, reinforce important learning objectives, and be well-prepared for tests.
What did Mr Petronski’s letter say?
Mr. Petronski’s letter was addressed to the school authorities, informing them that Wanda would no longer be attending school. The reason cited was their family’s relocation to a larger city. In the letter, Mr. Petronski assured that in the new city, nobody would tease Wanda by calling her funny names, as there were plenty of other children with unique names there as well. This letter marked the end of Wanda’s time at the school and hinted at a fresh start for her in a new environment.
Is Miss Mason angry with the class, or is she unhappy and upset?
Miss Mason’s reaction to the ill-treatment of Wanda was one of sadness rather than anger. She was deeply upset to learn that the students had mistreated Wanda because of her unfamiliar name. Miss Mason disapproved of the humiliation that Wanda faced because of her appearance, name, and looks. She wanted to convey a message to her students, urging them to reflect on their actions and treatment of others. Miss Mason emphasized the importance of treating everyone with respect and kindness, urging her students not to look down upon anyone in the class. Her response reflected her concern for the well-being and dignity of all her students.
How does Maddie feel after listening to the note from Wanda’s father?
Maddie experienced feelings of regret and shame for her actions towards Wanda, even though she never directly teased her. She felt remorseful because she didn’t intervene or speak up when Peggy repeatedly made fun of Wanda for her claim of owning a hundred dresses. Maddie recognized her passive role in the situation and felt guilty for not standing up for Wanda or stopping Peggy’s teasing.
Despite not actively participating in the teasing, Maddie understood that her silence contributed to Wanda’s distress and humiliation. This realization led Maddie to feel sorry and ashamed of her behavior, motivating her to reflect on the importance of speaking out against injustice and standing up for others.
What does Maddie want to do?
Maddie felt a strong desire to make amends for her past behavior towards Wanda and apologize to her. Upon learning that Wanda was moving to a larger city, Maddie resolved to visit her at her home in Boggins Heights. She hoped to extend her apologies to Wanda and express her appreciation for her talent. Maddie wanted to convey to Wanda that everyone valued her artistic abilities and that their previous treatment of her should not be taken to heart. This gesture reflected Maddie’s genuine remorse and her effort to mend their relationship before Wanda’s departure.
What excuses does Peggy think up for her behaviour? Why?
Peggy responded defensively, asserting that her actions indirectly inspired Wanda to explore her drawing skills. She pointed out that Wanda’s sketches of a hundred dresses for the drawing competition, which ultimately won her the contest, were a result of this inspiration. Peggy attempted to justify her previous behavior by suggesting that it had inadvertently motivated Wanda to discover and showcase her talent. While Peggy’s statement may have contained an element of truth, it also reflected her reluctance to acknowledge the hurtful impact of her teasing on Wanda. Her defensive stance indicated a reluctance to take full responsibility for her actions and their consequences.
What are Maddie’s thoughts as they go to Boggins Heights?
Maddie felt really sorry because she didn’t do anything when Peggy used to tease Wanda. She felt bad for not standing up for Wanda and stopping Peggy. Maddie was upset for both Wanda and herself. She wished she had stopped Peggy from being mean to Wanda. Maddie wanted to make things right and felt bad for not doing so earlier.
Why does Wanda’s house remind Maddie of Wanda’s blue dress?
Wanda wore the same old, faded blue dress to school every day. When Maddie saw Wanda’s house, it reminded her of the dress. The house looked a bit worn out, but it was still neat and tidy, just like Wanda’s dress.
What does Maddie think hard about? What important decision does she come to?
Maddie made a firm decision that she wouldn’t stay silent anymore when Peggy mistreated Wanda. She promised herself that she would stand up against any unfair treatment, even if it meant risking her friendship with Peggy. Maddie was determined to do what was right and protect others from injustice.
Why do you think Wanda’s family moved to a different city? Do you think life there was going to be different for their family?
Wanda’s family decided to move to a new city because of the racist and mocking behavior of the students at school towards Wanda and her brother, Jake. They were constantly teased for their unusual names and appearance. Jan Petronski, Wanda’s father, believed that life would be better in the new city because people there are usually more open-minded and less judgmental. He hoped that in the bigger city, they wouldn’t face the same kind of teasing and discrimination based on their names or background.
Maddie thought her silence was as bad as Peggy’s teasing. Was she right?
Maddie felt deeply remorseful for silently watching Peggy tease Wanda because she believed that ignoring unfair treatment was just as bad as committing the wrongdoing oneself. She felt ashamed for indirectly supporting Peggy’s hurtful behavior towards Wanda. Maddie realized that her inaction had only encouraged Peggy to continue humiliating Wanda. This realization weighed heavily on her conscience, leading her to feel a profound sense of shame and regret for not speaking up when she should have.
Peggy says, “I never thought she had the sense to know we were making fun of her anyway. I thought she was too dumb. And gee, look how she can draw!” What led Peggy to believe that Wanda was dumb? Did she change her opinion later?
Wanda never spoke up about Peggy’s mistreatment and pranks, which led Peggy to think she was mute. Despite this, Wanda would often talk about having a hundred dresses and sixty pairs of shoes, leaving Peggy puzzled about whether it was true. Peggy wondered why Wanda would wear the same old dress to school every day if she had so many clothes. However, Peggy’s opinion changed when she saw Wanda’s sketches. She was impressed by Wanda’s talent and was surprised when Wanda asked Miss Mason to give Peggy a sketch from her collection as a gift. This showed Peggy a different side of Wanda and made her reconsider her previous assumptions.
What important decision did Maddie make? Why did she have to think hard to do so?
Maddie made a decision to visit Wanda’s house in Boggins Heights along with Peggy to apologize for the mistreatment they had inflicted on her. However, when they arrived, they discovered that Wanda and her family had already left. Maddie felt disappointed and upset with herself, realizing that she had failed to stand up for Wanda when it mattered most. She recognized that her silence had allowed Peggy to continue insulting Wanda, and she regretted not taking action sooner. Determined to make amends, Maddie vowed to herself that she would never tolerate injustice or bullying again, even if it meant risking her friendship with Peggy. This resolution reflected Maddie’s growth and commitment to doing what was right, regardless of the consequences.
Why do you think Wanda gave Maddie and Peggy the drawings of the dresses? Why are they surprised?
When Maddie and Peggy wrote a friendly letter to Wanda, she likely understood their remorse for their past actions, including mocking her about the dresses game. To demonstrate her forgiveness and goodwill, Wanda asked Miss Mason to give two of her sketches to Maddie and Peggy. These sketches, featuring their faces, served as a gesture of reconciliation and showed that Wanda harbored no hard feelings towards them.
Maddie and Peggy were pleasantly surprised by this unexpected gesture, realizing that Wanda had forgiven them and valued their friendship despite their past behavior. This act of kindness and understanding helped mend the rift between them and strengthened their bond.
Do you think Wanda really thought the girls were teasing her? Why or Why not?
Wanda was well aware of the girls’ teasing and mockery directed towards her at school. Despite feeling humiliated by their behavior, she opted to remain silent. Frustrated with the constant ridicule, she invented a story about owning a hundred dresses and sixty pairs of shoes in her closet. However, when Wanda won the drawing contest, she displayed remarkable magnanimity by asking Miss Mason to give two of her sketches to Peggy and Maddie.
This gesture showcased Wanda’s generosity and forgiveness towards the girls who had often made fun of her, highlighting her broad-mindedness and resilience in the face of adversity.
Look again at the letter which Wanda’s father writes to Miss Mason, Wanda’s teacher. Mr Petronski is not quite aware how to write a formal letter in English. Can you rewrite it more appropriately? Discuss the following with your partner before you do so.
The format of a formal letter: How to begin the letter and how to end it; the language of the letter needs to be formal. (Avoid informal words like “holler” and fragments like “No more ask why funny name.”) Write complete sentences.
Given below is a sample formal letter that Wanda’s father could have written while addressing it to the school authorities:
Dear Teacher,
My children, Wanda and Jake Petronski will not come to school going forward as we are shifting to a big city soon. They were exposed to derogatory remarks due to their long and unfamiliar name in school. I’m hoping no one would complain of our Polish descent in the new city or make fun of our last name, as there are plenty of funny names in the city.
Yours truly,
Jan Petronski
