English Core Imp Question

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E R A T E
A C C E L
L I S H !
E N G
i. i.
MADE WITH
BY YASH GARG
CAUTION: READ BEFORE YOU PROCEED!!
Hello! Kaise ho sab ke sab?
This is Yash Garg, I run a YouTube Channel by the name, well,

‘Yash Garg’.
I’m a passout from Modern School, Barakhamba Road & scored 96% in my CBSE
Class 12 English Exams.
Now that you have this PDF, consider it to be a SUPERPOWER. If you’ve studied
something till now and still feel scared, good! If you haven’t studied anything, chill
kar rahe the, toh bhi no dikkat. Enjoy :)
This PDF Contains:
● Most Expected MCQ Questions for tomorrow’s exam (Shhhh..)

● Questions from CBSE Sample Question Paper 2021
● Questions from CBSE Question Bank 2021
● Crisp & Concise Summary of each chapter (Yes, you can skip reading
NCERT!)
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BRAHMASTRA
Before starting anything, learn the name of the chapter as well as their
authors/poets by heart. Har baar ek question dekha jaa rha hai isme se.
Consider Yash Bhaiya as your unfair advantage :)
● The Last Lesson (Alphonse Daudet)
● Lost Spring (Anees Jung)
● Deep Water (William Douglas)
● My Mother at Sixty – Six (Kamala Das)
● An Elementary School Classroom in a Slum (Stephen Spender)
● Keeping Quiet (Pablo Neruda aka Ricardo Eliécer Neftalí Reyes Basoalto)
● The Third Level (Jack Finney)
● The Enemy Pearl (Pearl S. Buck)

The Last Lesson
Mazedaar-Crisp Summary:
● Franz, a typical schoolboy, does not want to go to school because he has

not learnt the participles. He toys with the idea of whether to go or enjoy
the beauties of nature- the bright sunshine, the chirruping in the woods,
the bright warm sunny day, the Prussian soldiers drilling, but resisted and
went on to school.
● When he reaches school, he notices a change:

➔ Instead of noisy classrooms everything was as quiet as Sunday morning
➔ The atmosphere was solemn and melancholic
➔ The teacher does not scold him but tells him very kindly to go and sit down
➔ The teacher M. Hamel is dressed in his Sunday best- that teacher was
wearing his beautiful green coat, frilled shirt with a little black silk cap
having embroidery on it, this type of dress he usually wore on functions or
prize ceremonies only.
➔ Villagers occupy the last benches - Franz also noticed that the other
villagers including old Hauser, former Mayor and former postmaster were
also present in class- to pay tribute to M.Hamel for his 40 years of sincere
service and also to express their solidarity for France.
● M. Hamel announces that that would be the last French lesson - He

announced the notice which was served from Berlin that now onwards no
French would be taught in schools of Alsace and Lorraine, only German
would be taught in the schools of these two French cities and he
emotionally requested students to be more attentive for their last French
lesson. Franz now realized what was there on the notice board in Town Hall.
● These words of notice fall on Franz like a thunder clap. He couldn't believe
that it would be his last lesson that day. Franz realizes that he does not
know his own mother tongue and regrets not having paid attention in class
and not having taken his lessons seriously. He hardly knew how to read
and write French. His books that seemed like a burden to him now
appeared to him like old friends. Even his thoughts for his teacher M.
Hamel change thinking as he realizes that he would never see him
again as it was M. Hamel's last day in the school. He forgets about his
cranky nature and his cruel ruler. Now he knows that the teacher had
worn this dress in honor of his last lesson. He also understands why the
older people were present in class - they were repenting why they had not
gone to school more, they were there to show their respect to their teacher,
who served them for forty years; to show respect for the country that was
theirs no more.
● The pain and anguish is apparent amongst the students and the teacher
as they realize the value of their mother tongue. When Franz's name is
called to recite the lesson, he fears that his teacher will scold him for not
knowing the answer. Instead, his teacher politely tells him that he should
not waste his precious time under the illusion that there is plenty of time
and postpone the important things for the next day. He says that
situations and components of life are taken for granted till they are pulled
out of life as he goes on to admit that 'Alsace puts o learning till
tomorrow. "He tells his class to keep the mother tongue close to their heart
as it is the only key to slavery.
● How would he feel when someone would make fun of him that he was not
able to speak or write French despite being Frenchman? M. Hamel further
says that French was the most beautiful, clearest and most logical
language of the world. People should stick with their language; it will be
proven as the key to their prison in case they are enslaved. A magic
happened that day in class. The students understood everything very well,
because they were more attentive and the teacher was more patient and
polite on that day. The atmosphere in the class: the teacher was teaching
patiently and sincerely and the students were studying with utmost
sincerity.
● Franz wonders sarcastically whether the pigeons would coo in german.

This simple statement is symbolic of how the child's world is going to
change due to the Prussian military insurgence and illuminates how war
a ects and alters our own understanding and values. It also defines a
sharp contrast to the earlier pastoral imagery.
● M Hamel, finally with very heavy heart, stands up, and walks sadly to black
board, takes a chalk and writes on it "Vive La France" which means "Long
Live France and declares the class is dismissed.
Most Expected MCQ Questions:
(Abhi nahi toh kabhi nahi :P)
Extract (Q1-Q4): You ought to have seen how every one set to work, and how quiet
it was! The only sound was the scratching of the pens over the paper. Once some
beetles flew in: but nobody paid any attention to them, not even the littlest ones,
who worked right on tracing their fish-hooks, as if that was French, too. On the
roof the pigeons cooed very low, and I thought to myself, "Will they make them
sing in German, even the pigeons?"
1. "Will they make them sing in German, even the pigeons?" What does Franz mean
by this statement?
(a) Franz wonders if the Germans would go too far in their attempt at linguistic
chauvinism.
(b) Nature is governed by the laws of the ruling authority,
(c) Franz questions the imposition of German language on the people of Alsace.
(d) Both (a) and (c).
2. Choose the option that correctly resembles the sound of "scratching" of the
pens.
(a) Cacophony
(b) Screeching
(c) Shrill
(d) Jarring
3. Pick the correct option with reference to the two statements given below.
Statement-1: Linguistic chauvinism is the irrational belief in the superiority or
dominance of one's own language.
Statement-2: Imposing some other language on a nation is another way of
colonizing a culture.
(a) Statement-1 is true.

(b) Statement-1 is false.
(c) Both statements are true.
(d) Both statements are false
4. Why didn't the little ones pay any attention to the beetles?
(a) M. Hamel had reproached the class.

(b) It was the last French lesson as a result they were engrossed in their work.
(c) Everyone was trying to hold on to the remnants of their native by paying close
attention to the lesson.
(d) Both (b) and (c)
Extract (Q5-Q8): I started for school very late that morning and was in great dread
of a scolding, especially because M. Hamel had said that he would question us
on participles, and I did not know the first word about them. For a moment, I
thought of running away and spending the day out of doors. It was so warm, so
bright! The birds were chirping at the edge of the woods; and in the open field
back of the sawmill the Prussian soldiers were drilling.
5. The author of "The Last Lesson' was a novelist and short story writer.
(a) Spanish
(b) German
(c) Austrian
(d) French
6. Franz was late and wanted to skip going to school as he dreaded
(a) beating from M. Hamel.

(b) scolding from parents
(c) taunts from his classmates.
(d) scolding from the teacher
7. What would have M. Hamel questioned Franz about?
(a) adjectives
(b) writing skills
(c) the previous days' activities
(d) participles
8. Which of the outdoor activities were tempting Franz more than attending
school that day?
(a) chirping of the birds

(b) the drill practice by Prussian soldiers
(c) both (i) and (ii)
(d) children playing outside
Extract(Q9-Q12): Poor man! It was in honour of this last lesson that he had put on
his fine Sunday clothes, and now I understood why the old men of the village were
sitting there in the back of the room.
It was because they were sorry, too, that they had not gone to school more. It was
their way of thanking our master for his forty years of faithful service and of
showing their respect for the country that was theirs no more.
(CBSE Question Bank 2021)
9. Why does the narrator refer to M. Hamel as 'Poor man!'?
(a) He empathises with M. Hamel as he had to leave the village.

(b) He believes that M. Hamel's 'fine Sunday clothes' clearly reflected that he was
not rich.
(c) He feels sorry for M. Hamel as it was his last French lesson.
(d) He thinks that M. Hamel's patriotism and sense of duty resulted in his poverty.
10. Which of the following idioms might describe the villagers' act of attending the
last lesson most accurately?
(a) 'Too good to miss'

(b) Too little, too late'
(c) Too many cooks spoil the broth
(d) 'Too cool for school'
11. Choose the option that might raise a question about M. Hamel's 'faithful
service'.
(a) When Franz came late, M. Hamel told him that he was about to begin class
without him.
(b) Franz mentioned how cranky M. Hamel was and his 'great ruler rapping on the
table'.
(c) M. Hamel often sent students to water his flowers and gave a holiday when
he wanted to go fishing.
(d) M. Hamel permitted villagers to put their children 'to work on a farm or at
the mills' for some extra money.
12. Choose the option that most appropriately fills in the blanks, for the following
description of the given extract.
The villagers and their children sat in class, forging with their old master a
(i)_________ togetherness. In that moment, the class room stood (ii)____________ It was
France itself and the last French lesson a desperate hope to (iii)____________ to the
remnants of what they had known and taken for granted. Their own (iv)___________
(a) (i) graceful; (ii) still: (iii) hang on: (iv) country
(b) (i) bygone; (ii) up: (iii) keep on: (iv) education
(c) (i) beautiful: (ii) mesmerised: (ili) carry on; (iv) unity
(d) (i) forgotten; (ii) transformed; (iii) hold on (iv) identity
Extract(Q13-Q16): M. Hamel went on to talk of the French language, saying that it

was the most beautiful language in the world - the clearest, the most logical; that
we must guard it among us and never forget it, because when a people are
enslaved, as long as they hold fast to their language it is as if they had the key to
their prison. Then he opened a grammar book and read us our lesson. I was
amazed to see how well I understood it. All he said seemed so easy, so easy!
13. Which of the following can be attributed to M. Hamel's declaration about the
French language?
(a) subject expertise

(b) nostalgic pride
(c) factual accuracy
(d) patriotic magnification
14. Read the quotes given below.

Choose the option that might best describe M. Hamel's viewpoint.
1. Those who know nothing of foreign languages know nothing of their own.
2. Language is the road map of a culture. It tells you where its people come from
and where they are going.
3. A poor man is like a foreigner in his own country.
4. The greatest propaganda in the world is our mother tongue, that is what we
learn as children, and which we learn unconsciously. That shapes our
perceptions for life.
(a) Option (1)
(b) Option (2)
c) Option (3)
(d) Option (4)
15. "I was amazed to see how well I understood it." Select the option that does NOT
explain why Franz found the grammar lesson "easy".
(a) Franz was paying careful attention in class this time.

(b) M. Hamel was being extremely patient and calm in his teaching.
(c) Franz was inspired and had found a new meaning and purpose to learning.
(d) Franz had realized that French was the clearest and most logical language
16. Franz was able to understand the grammar lesson easily because he was
(a) receptive
(b) appreciative
(c) introspective
(d) competitive
17. Franz saw a huge crowd assembled in front of the bulletin board, but did not
stop. How would you evaluate his reaction?
(a) Franz was too little to care about the news of lost battles.
(b) Nobody in Franz's family was in the army, soit did not matter.
(c) Bad news had become very normal, so he went about his task.
(d) It was too crowded for Franz to find out what news was up on the board.
18. There was usually great bustle and noise when school began, but it was all
very quiet.
Which of the following describes Franz' emotions most accurately?
(a) shock and awe

(b) disappointment and anxiety
(c) confusion and distress
(d) curiosity and uncertainty
19. "I never saw him look so tall". Which of the following best captures M: Hamel
on the last day of school?
(a) cranky, miserable, dedicated, resigned

(b) patient, dignified, emotional, courageous
(c) calm, nostalgic, disappointed, patriotic
(d) proud, reproachful, persistent, heroic
Answer Key:
1. D
2. B
3. C
4. D
5. D
6. D
7. D
8. C
9. C
10. B
11. C
12. D
13. D
14. B
15. D
16. A
17. C
18. B
19. B
LOST SPRING
In Lost Spring: stories of stolen childhood, the author exposes a national shame
of child exploitation- Anees Jung unveils the utter destitution of the ragpickers of
Seemapuri, and the bangle makers of Firozabad. The author analyses the
grinding poverty and traditions sanctified by caste and religion which condemn
these children to a life of exploitation.
● Saheb's parents left their native place Dhaka and came to Delhi in 1971 as
their house and fields were swept away by repeated storms. They left
behind a life of poverty to earn a living in Delhi.
● His family earns a living by rag picking and lives in the slums of Seemapuri,
the squatters colony. Most of these are illegal migrants from Bangladesh
who live in structures of mud with tin and tarpaulin roofs, cramped
quarters devoid of sewage, drainage or running water. They live in
impoverished conditions, wear tattered clothes and are resigned to their
fate. They have no identity, no permits but ration cards that enable them to
put their names on voters' lists, get food and barely survive. They set up
these transit homes wherever they find food.
● Saheb, like many other children of the slum, was a rag picker. It was the
only way to earn a living, to survive. He too scrounged, rummaged and
searched in garbage dumps and tried to find gold. (For them they are gold
mines. They dig into them to find something valuable-say a one rupee note,
a coin or something that can sell.) The prospect of finding a one rupee
coin or even an occasional ten rupee coin excited them. These children
went about barefoot. They had no school to go to, no work to do. They
loitered about being uncared for by their parents as well as society. For
most of us they do not seem to exist.
● Saheb did not attend any school as there was no school nearby. He was
too poor to wear chappals. Saheb liked the game of tennis. Someone gave
him a discarded pair of tennis shoes. But he would never get the chance to
play the game himself. At last, Saheb got employed in a tea stall and was
paid Rs 800. He was not happy as he had lost his freedom. He was no longer
his own master and this loss of identity weighs heavily on his tender
shoulders. But he had no choice in the matter. He had to supplement
the family income.
● The author encounters Saheb every now and then. She feels sad looking at
the young boys wandering barefoot. She is pained to see Saheb, whose
name means ruler of the earth, lose the spark of childhood. She would want
him to go to school but as he told her there was none, but promises to join
if she opened one. Her description of her visit to Seemapuri is a
commentary on the impoverished conditions of these people and the
apathy of the social system.
● The life of Mukesh at Firozabad was no better. He belongs to a family of

bangle makers in Firozabad.
● Hazardous conditions to which children are exposed at a very young

age-glass furnaces with high temperatures - in dingy cells without air and
light-in which children slog their daylight hours and lose brightness of
their eyes Thousands of children are engaged in bangle making and many
of them lost their eyesight before becoming adults - worked in the light of
flickering oil lamps, welding pieces of colored glass, their eyes more
accustomed to darkness than light- They did not know that it was illegal for
children to work in that hazardous condition in the glass factories. The
story is the same in every family. Mukesh's father too had become blind
working in the factory. Similarly in another family, the husband was happy
that he had been able to make a house for his own family to live in but the
wife complained that she did not get a full meal in her whole life.
● The families have worked lifetimes yet have not managed to eat one full
meal a day lament that they have no money to do anything else, no money
to start a new enterprise except carry on the business of making bangles,
not even enough to eat -as Mukesh's grandmother said that it was their
karama or the result of their karma in the previous birth that they were
born into the caste of bangle-makers. So they were destined to make
bangles and they could not do anything else. Hundreds of years of slavery
had killed the initiative of people to think of a better life. They are caught
in a web of poverty, caste and middlemen.
● Mukesh lived with his elder brother who was a bangle maker. He wanted to
be a driver and a motor-mechanic, not at all eager to continue bangle
making. His grandfather despite of years of hard labor has failed to
renovate his house, send his sons to school - only taught family business.
Even though Mukesh did not know anything about a car he is determined
to learn how to drive one of the cars he sees hurtling down the
streets-to fulfill his dream he is content to walk long distances to go to a
garage and learn.
● They carried on their miserable life as they did not have the courage to
rebel against tradition; they are victims caught between two worlds-one by
the stigma of the cast they. were born in and if someone dared to start a
new line, there were police, middle-men, sahukars and politicians to
persecute them. Police, middle-men and others would not allow them to
take any other vocation. Justice after all is the right. the rich and the
powerful, not of the helpless like Mukesh. The condition of the life of Saheb
or Mukesh was far from desirable. It should not be allowed to continue. But
some people must bell the cat. The writer was happy when he came to know
that some young men like Mukesh were ready to take the plunge, rebel
against tradition and start a new life.
(Mehnat continues….)
Extract(Q1-Q5): Read the given extract to attempt the questions that follow:
"I have nothing else to do," he mutters, looking away. "Go to school," realising
immediately how hollow the advice must sound.
"There is no school in my neighbourhood. When they build one, I will go." "If I start
a school, will you come?" I ask, half-joking. "Yes," he says, smiling broadly. A few
days later I saw him running up to me. "Is your school ready?"
"It takes longer to build a school," I say, embarrassed at having made a promise
that was not meant. But promises like mine abound in every corner of his bleak
world.
(CBSE Sample Question Paper 2021)
1. Saheb's muttering and 'looking away' suggests his
(a) anger
(b) shyness
(c) embarrassment
(d) anxiety
2. Of the four meanings of 'glibly', select the option that matches in meaning with
its usage in the extract.
(a) showing a degree of informality

(b) lacking depth and substance
(c) being insincere and deceitful
(d) speaking with fluency
3. Who do you think Saheb is referring to as 'they', in the given sentence?
"When they build one, I will go"
(a) The o cials

(b) The inhabitants
(c) The teachers
(d) The journalists
4. Select the option that lists the feelings and attitudes corresponding to the
following:
(1) I ask half-joking

(2)...he says, smiling broadly
(a) (1) part arrogance, part seriousness (2) hesitation

(b) (1) part amusement, part irritation (2) submissiveness
(c) (1) part concern, part hurt (2) pride
(d) (1) part humour, part earnestness (2) self-belief
5. Select the option that lists reasons why Saheb's world has been called 'bleak'.
(1) The absence of parental presence

(2) The poor socio-economic conditions
(3) His inability to address problems
(4) His lack of life-skills
(5) The denied opportunities of schooling
(a) (1) and (4)

(b) (2) and (5)
(c) (3) and (5)
(d) (2) and (4)
Extract (Q6-Q9): "I want to be a motor mechanic." he repeats. He will go to a

garage and learn. But the garage is a long way from his home. "I will walk," he
insists. "Do you also dream of flying a plane?" He is suddenly silent. "No", he says,
staring at the ground. In his small murmur, there is an embarrassment that has
not yet turned into regret. He is content to dream of cars that he sees hurtling
down the streets of his town. Few airplanes fly over Firozabad!
6. Name the author of the lesson 'Lost spring'.
(a) Anees Jung

(b) Vikram Seth
(c) Tishani Doshi
(d) William Douglas
7. What does Mukesh's repeating of the sentence indicate of his character?
(a) his resolute trait.

(b) his determination
(c) both (i) and (ii)
(d) his disappointment
8. There is an embarrassment that has not yet turned into regret. This shows that
Mukesh:
(a) still has the ability to dream

(b) is positive about his aim
(c) has not given up on life
(d) all of the above
9. 'Few airplanes fly over Firozabad.' Choose the correct figure of speech for this
statement.
(a) simile
(b) alliteration
(c) contrast
(d) repetition
Extract(Q10-Q13): "Why aren't you wearing chappals?" I ask one. "My mother did not
bring them down from the shelf," he answers simply. "Even if she did he will throw
them o ," adds another who is wearing shoes that do not match. When I comment
on it, he shu es his feet and says nothing. "I want shoes", says a third boy who
has never owned a pair all his life.
Travelling across the country I have seen children walking barefoot, in cities, on
village roads. It is not lack of money but a tradition to stay barefoot, is one
explanation. I wonder if this is only an excuse to explain away a perpetual state of
poverty.
10. What is an excuse to explain away a perpetual state of poverty?
(a) Walking barefoot

(b) To term 'walking barefoot' a tradition
(c) To release the worn out shoes'
(d) Not to bring chappals out of shelf
11. Choose the correct option with reference to the two statements given below.
Statement 1: The boys had been subjected to humiliation when the narrator
questioned them.
Statement 2: The boys did not care for the condition of the shoes but only for
shoes.
(a) Statement 1 is true but statement 2 is false.

(b) Statement 2 is false but statement 2 is true.
(c) Both statement 1 and statement 2 cannot be inferred from the passage.
(d) Both statement 1 and statement 2 can be inferred from the passage.
12. The given lives do not indicate
(a) the loss of innocence

(b) the state of poverty
(c) the non-fulfillment of promises
(d) the desire of basic necessities
13. In which of the following options is the word 'perpetual' not used correctly?
(a) No society can make a perpetual constitution or even law.

(b) They lived in perpetual fear of being discovered and arrested.
(c) The country is in a perpetual state of anarchy.
(d) War, in its fairest form, implies a perpetual violation of humanity and justice.
Extract(Q14-Q17): She still has bangles on her wrist, but no light in her eyes. "Ek
waqt ser bhar khana bhi nahin khaya." she says, in a voice drained of joy. She has
not enjoyed even one full meal in her entire lifetime-that's what she has reaped!
Her husband, an old man with a flowing beard says, "I know nothing except
bangles. All I have done is make a house for the family to live in." Hearing him one
wonders if he has achieved what many have failed in their lifetime. He has a roof
over his head!
The cry of not having money to do anything except carry on the business of
making bangles, not even enough to eat, rings in every home. The young men
echo the lament of the elders. Little has moved with time, it seems in Firozabad,
years of mind-numbing toil have killed all initiative and the ability to dream.

14. 'She still has bangles on her wrist, but no light in her eyes.' This implies that
(a) she is married but has lost the charm in her eyes.
(b) she is a married woman who has lost her grace and beauty.
(c) though she is married, her eyes are devoid of happiness.
(d) she is a married woman who has lost her eyesight.
15. 'He has a roof over his head!' The tone of the author is
(a) pessimistic
(b) empathetic
(c) sympathetic
(d) optimistic
16. Choose the term which best matches the statement 'The young men echo the
lament of their elders.'
(a) acceptance
(b) reflection
(c) reiteration
(d) doubtfulness
17. Years of mind-numbing toil have killed all initiative and the ability to dream'.
This shows that
(a) the bangle makers are exhausted yet they are enterprising and have dreams.
(b) the drudgery of work has destroyed their willingness to improve their lot.
(c) the daily grind has stolen the dreams of the bangle makers and made them
dull.
(d) the bangle makers have been working so hard that there's no time to dream.
18. 'That's why they left, looking for gold in the big city.' Here 'gold' indicates:
(a) misfortune of circumstances.

(b) ample wealth.
(c) means of survival.
(d) a sign of luxury.
19. Choose the statement that is NOT TRUE about ragpickers in Seemapuri.
(a) Children are equally involved in rag picking as their parents.

(b) The ragpickers settle down in a place permanently.
(c) Rag picking has accomplished itself as a skill and form of art.
(d) Ragpickers live in unsteady shanties on the outskirts of Delhi.
20. Choose the correct option with respect to the statements given below.
Assertion: It is actually the lack of education that inculcates the lack of
knowledge about the law.
Reason: The knowledge of the law would have incited fear and this fear would save
the eye of innumerable people.
(a) Assertion can be inferred but the Reason cannot be inferred.

(b) Assertion cannot be inferred but the Reason can be inferred.
(c) Both Assertion and Reason can be inferred
(d) Both Assertion and Reason cannot be inferred.
Answer Key:
1. C
2. B
3. A
4. D
5. B
6. A
7. C
8. D
9. B
10. B
11. B
12. C
13. A
14. C
15. D
16. C
17. B
18. C
19. C
20. C
DEEP WATER
● William O. Douglas had a desire to learn swimming since childhood.

● At the age of three or four, he was knocked down and buried by a wave at a
beach in California.
● He developed a great aversion to water. .
● At the age of ten or eleven he decided to learn to swim with water wings at
the Y.M.C.A pool since it was safe at the shallow end.
● A misadventure:- while sitting alone and waiting for others to come at the
Y.M.C.A boy came and threw Douglas into deep end of the pool.
● Douglas swallowed water and went straight down to the bottom of the pool.
While going down he planned to make a big jump upwards but came up
slowly.
● Stark terror seized him. As he went down the pool second time, he tried to
jump upwards but it was a waste of energy.
● During the third trial he sucked water instead of air. Light was going out
and there was no more panic. So he ceased all e orts and he became
unconscious.
● When revived he found himself vomiting beside the pool.
● He was in the grip of fear of water and it deprived him of the joys of
canoeing, boating, swimming and fishing.
● Hired an instructor to learn swimming. The instructor taught him swimming
piece by piece.
● He went to di erent lakes to swim and found tiny vestiges of fear still
gripped him.
● He challenged the fear and swam. Swimming up and down the Warm Lake
he finally overcame his fear of water.
● He realized that in death there is peace and there is terror only in fear of
death.
● Will to live is stronger than fear of death.
(Himmat banaye rakhni hai….)
Extract(Q1-Q5): Read the given extract to attempt the questions that follow:
Tiny vestiges of the old terror would return. But now I could frown and say to that
terror, "Trying to scare me, eh? Well, here's to you! Look!" And o I'd go for another
length of the pool. This went on until July. But I was still not satisfied. I was not
sure that all the terror had left. So, I went to Lake Wentworth in New Hampshire,
dived o a dock at Triggs Island, and swam two miles across the lake to Stamp
Act Island. I swam the crawl, breast stroke, side stroke, and back stroke. Only once
did the terror return. When I was in the middle of the lake, I put my face under
and saw nothing but bottomless water. The old sensation returned in miniature.
1. Why did Douglas go to swim at Lake Wentworth?
(a) To showcase his skills for all who had doubted him.
(b) To honour the e orts of his swimming instructor.
(c) To build on his ability of swimming in a natural water body.
(d) To know for sure that he had overcome his fear of drowning in water.
2. Select the option that lists the correct inference based on the information in
the extract.
(a) Triggs Island and Stamp Act Island are both located in Lake Wentworth.
(b) Lake Wentworth is a part of Triggs Island.
(c) Stamp Act Island is two miles away from New Hampshire.
(d) Lake Wentworth is connected via docks to New Hampshire.
3. What was the reason for the 'return' of terror?
(a) Superstitions about the dock at Triggs Islands

(b) Recent reports about drowning incidents
(c) Prior drowning experiences
(d) Warnings by experienced swimmers
4. Douglas mentions that the old sensation returned in miniature. He means
that he felt the familiar feeling of fear
(a) at irregular intervals.
(b) on a small scale.
(c) repeatedly.
(d) without notice.
5. How did Douglas handle the 'old sensation'?
(a) Addressed it.
(b) Avoided it.
(c) Submitted to it.
(d) Stayed indi erent to it.
Extract(Q6-Q9): From the beginning however, I had an aversion to the water when I
was in it. This started when I was three or four years old and father took me to the
beach in California. He and I stood together in the surf. I hung on to him, yet the
waves knocked me down and swept over me. I was frightened. Father laughed, but
there was terror in my heart at the overpowering force of the waves.
6. Which phrase in the given extract indicates the author's dislike towards being
in water?
(a) Frightened
(b) Aversion
(c) Knocked
(d) Terror
Statement 1: At the age of three, the author was knocked down and buried by a
wave at a beach in California.
Statement 2: Despite the author's aversion to water, he wanted to prove to his
father that he can swim without any fear.
(a) Statement 1 is true but statement 2 is false.
(b) Statement 1 is false but statement 2 is true.
(c) Both statement 1 and statement 2 cannot be inferred.
(d) Both statement 1 and statement 2 can be inferred.
8. Name the author of the above extract.
(a) Louis Fischer
(b) A. R. Barton
(c) Stephen Spender
(d) William Douglas
9. The author of the above extract graduated in which of the following subjects?
(a) English and Science
(b) English and History
(c) English and Economics
(d) Science and Social studies.
Extract (Q10-Q12): It had happened when I was ten or eleven years old. I had
decided to learn to swim. There was the pool at the Y.M.C.A. in Yakima that o ered
exactly the opportunity. The Yakima river was treacherous. Mother continually
warned against it and kept fresh in my mind the details of each drowning in the
river. But the YM.C.A. pool was safe. It was only two or three fee deep at the
shallow end; and while it was nine feet deep at the other, the drop was gradual.
got a pair of water wings and went to the pool.
10. The depth of the pool at the other end was
(a) six feet

(b) nine feet
(c) twelve feet
(d) eight feet
11. Y.M.C.A stands for
(a) Young Men's Christian Association
(b) Young Men's Care Association
(c) Young Men's Christian Authority
(d) Youth Mentoring Christian Association
12. Mother always warned the author against the river Yakima. But she
recommended the Y.M.C.A. pool. Why?
(a) Because it was shallow.
(b) Because it was near his house.
(c) Because it was shallow and safe.
(d) Because she liked the pool.
Extract(Q13-Q16): Each time the instructor relaxed his hold on the rope and I went
under, some of the old terror returned and my legs froze. It was three months
before the tension began to slack. Then he taught me to put my face under water
and exhale and to raise my nose and inhale. I repeated the exercise hundreds of
times. Bit by bit I shed part of the panic that seized me when my head went under
water. Next he held me at the side of the pool and had me kick with my legs. For
weeks I did just that. At first my legs refused to work. But they gradually relaxed
and finally I could command them.
13. The given line show that the instructor was
1. patient
2. clever
3. optimistic
4. dedicated
5. domineering
6. understanding
(a) 2, 3 and 6
(b) 1, 4 and 5
(c) 1, 4 and 6
(d) 2, 3 and 4
14. Pick an idiom that does not describe the author's e orts to learn swimming.
(a) burn the candle at both ends
(b) go the extra mile
(c) Make headway
(d) Go the extra mile
15. Based on the given context, choose the option that illustrates when a person
'freezes' like the author 'froze'.
(a) A sudden terrible shriek froze the passenger to the spot.
(b) The low temperature of the region froze her.
(c) She su ers from the problem of a frozen shoulder and is taking physiotherapy.
(d) She froze up and refused to say a word.
16. The given extract does not talk about
(a) The expertise of the instructor
(b) The dedication shown by the author
(c) The process of removing fear
(d) The expertise gained by the author
Statement 1: Douglas tried his best to jump out of water.
Statement 2: After a while, Douglas was not anxious in the water.
(a) If Statement 1 is the cause, Statement 2 is the e ect.
(b) If Statement 1 is the e ect, Statement 2 is the cause.
(c) Both the statements are the e ects of a common cause.
(d) Both the statements are the e ects of independent causes.

18. Look at the statements given below. Choose the option that correctly
identifies which statements are fact and which are opinion:
(i) Douglas wanted to enjoy the water activities and spend time with his friends.
(ii) Douglas's desire to enjoy water activities sprouted from the fun his friends had.
(iii) Douglas really wanted to get rid of his fear.
(iv) Douglas should’ve hired an instructor in the first place to learn how to swim.
(a) Fact-(i) and (iv): inion - (ii) and (iii)
(b) Fact-(ii) and (iii); Opinion - (i) and (iv)
(c) Fact-(i) and (iii); Opinion - (ii) and (iv)
(d) Fact-(ii) and (iv); Opinion -(i) and (iii)
19. Choose the option that applies correctly to the two statements given below.
Assertion: Douglas' fear had stopped him from enjoying going out with his
friends.
Reason: Douglas learnt swimming with the help of an instructor.
(c) Both Assertion and Reason can be inferred.

20. Pick the quote that best describes the theme of the story.
(a) Develop success from failures. Discouragement and failure are two of the
surest stepping stones to success.
(b) Each of us must confront our own fears, must come face to face with them.
How we handle our fears will determine where we go with the rest of our lives.
(c) Fear is the main source of superstition and one of the main sources of cruelty.
To conquer fear is the beginning of wisdom.
(d) He who is not everyday conquering some fear has not learned the secret of
life.
Answer Key:
1. D
2. A
3. C
4. B
5. A
6. B
7. A
8. D
9. C
10. B
11. A
12. C
13. C
14. B
15. A
16. D
17. A
18. C
19. D
20. B
MY MOTHER AT SIXTY SIX
● The poet, in this poem describes her mother. She says that she is sixty six
years old and looks very weak and old.
● When the poet was returning from her parent’s home and was on the way
to the airport, her mother was accompanying her.
● She noticed her mother who was sitting with her at the back seat of the car.
She was sleeping with her mouth wide open, her face was the colour of ash.
It looked lifeless. This very thought disturbed her so much that she diverted
her mind and looked outside the car.
● She saw the trees by the roadside which seemed to be running. There were
young children running into the playground. All this symbolised life, energy
and happiness in contrast to her mother’s appearance.
● When she reached the airport, she again looked at her ailing mother who
looked old and dull like the weak moon in the winter season. The poet was
surrounded by the same fear that she had during her childhood – the fear
of losing her mother.
● She thought that may be this was the last time that she saw her mother
alive. Her mother was about to die. But then she tried to come out of the
sadness and smiled at her mother.
● She said that soon she would see her again. The poet wanted to be with
her mother again and did not want to lose her.
(Tumhare Parents apni mehnat se tumhe yahan laye hain,
continue karo parai)
Extract(Q1-Q4): ...I saw my mother,

beside me,
doze, open mouthed, her face
ashen like that
of a corpse and realized with pain
that she was as old as she
looked but soon
put that thought away...
1. Why was the realization painful? The realization was painful because
(i) It brought with it the distressing thought that she was also nearing the death.
(ii) The poet started thinking about the separation from her mother.
(iii) The poet has not seen anybody dying before.
(iv) The poet was not that close to her father as she was with her mother.
(a) (i), (ii) and (iii)
(b) (ii), (iii), and (iv)
(c) only (iv)
(d) both (i) and (ii)
2. Choose the book title that perfectly describes the condition of the poet's
mother.
Title 1: You're Only Old Once by Dr. Seuss

Title 2: The Gift of Years by Joan Chittister
Title 3: Somewhere Towards the End by Diana Athill
Title 4 The Book You Wish Your Parents Had by Philippa Perry Read
(a) Title 1
(b) Title 2
(c) Title 3
(d) Title 4
3. Choose the option that displays the same literary device as in the given lines of
the extract.
"her face ashen like that
of a corpse..."
(a) Just as I had this thought, she appeared and...
(b) My thoughts were as heavy as lead that evening when ...
(c) I think like everyone else who...
(d) I like to think aloud when...
4. Find the word from the passage which means the same as 'sleep lightly'.
(a) Doze
(b) Ashen
(d) Corpse
(c) Open mouthed
Extract(Q5-Q8): Driving from my parent's

home to Cochin last Friday
morning, I saw my mother
beside me,
doze, open mouthed, her face
ashen like that
of a corpse and realised with
pain
5. The name of the poet of the above lines is
(a) Sarojini Naidu

(b) Kamala Das
(c) Lily Chakrobarty
(d) none of the above
6. The mother's ashen face has been compared to a
(a) statue
(b) colour
(c) painting
(d) corpse
7. The daughter cringed with pain at the realisation that her mother
(a) had grown old and looked her age

(b) was her only support
(c) might not make it to the airport
(d) will have to live alone
8. Identify the figure of speech used in the above lines.
(a) alliteration
(b) repetition
(c) simile
(d) euphemism
Extract( Q9-Q12): Driving from my parent's home to Cochin last Friday morning, I
saw my mother, beside me, doze, open mouthed, her face ashen like that of a
corpse and realised with pain that she was as old as she looked but soon put that
thought away...
9. Choose the option that best applies to the given extract.
1. a conversation
2. an argument
3. a piece of advice
4. a strategy ROOM
5. a recollection
6. a suggestion
(a) 1, 3 and 6
(b) 2, 4 and 5
(c) Only 5
(d) Only 1
10. Choose the book title that perfectly describes the condition of the poet's
mother.
1. Title 1 You're Only Old Once! by Dr. Seuss

2. Title 2 The Gift of Years by Joan Chittister
3. Title 3 Somewhere Towards the End by Diana Athill
4. Title 4 The Book You Wish Your Parents Had Read by Philippa Perry
(a) Title 1 (c) Title 3
(b) Title 2 (d) Title 4
11. Choose the option that applies correctly to the two statements given below.
Assertion: The poet wards o the thought of her mother getting old quickly.
Reason: The poet didn't want to confront the inevitability of fate that was to dawn
upon her mother.

(c) Both Assertion and Reason can be inferred.
12. Choose the option that displays the same literary device as in the given lines
of the extract. her face ashen like that of a corpse ...
(a) Just as I had this thought, she appeared and...
(b) My thoughts were as heavy as lead that evening when...
(c) I think like everyone else who...
(d) I like to think aloud when…

13. The phrase 'old familiar ache' has been used to refer to fear, in this extract.
This phrase can also be used to
(a) compare physical pain with mental agony.
(b) elicit someone's unanswered queries.
(c) substantiate reasons for aches and pains.
(d) describe a longing one has been aware of.
14. The tone of the poet in the poem primarily a combination of _____ and is
1. dauntlessness
2. apprehension
3. Dejection
4. disappointment
(a) 1,2
(b) 2,3
(c) 3,4
(d) 1.4
Statement 1 The poet accepts with resignation that she may not be able to meet
her mother again. Statement 2 The poet's mother sees through the poet's smile.
(a) Statement 1 is true but Statement 2 is false.

(b) Statement 1 is false but Statement 2 is true.
(c) Both Statement 1 and Statement 2 cannot be inferred from the poem.
(d) Both Statement 1 and Statement 2 can be inferred from the poem.
16. Read the statements given below. Choose the option that accurately describes
the given statements.
Statement 1: The poem is about subtleties of human relationships.

Statement 2: The poet's mother represents everyone in their old age.
Statement 3 The poem talks about the acceptance of the natural order of death.
(a) Statement 1 is true, Statement 2 is false, Statement 3 cannot be inferred.

(b) Statement 1 and 3 are false, Statement 2 cannot be inferred.
(c) Statement 1 is true, Statement 2 and 3 cannot be inferred.
(d) Statement 1 is false, Statement 2 cannot be inferred, Statement 3 is true.
17. Choose the option that correctly categorises the given literary devices as
per the given analogy.
Merry children spilling:__________: :________: repetition
(a) personification; I look at her
(b) transferred epithet; smile and smile and smile
(c) metaphor; smile and smile and smile
(d) simile; I look at her
Answer Key:
1. D
2. C
3. B
4. A
5. B
6. D
7. A
8. C
9. C
10. C
11. C
12. B
13. D
14. B
15. A
16. C
17. C
AN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
CLASSROOM IN A SLUM
● This poem by Stephen Spender gives a vivid description of a school

classroom in a slum and the children in the class.
● The faces of the children are dull. Their appearance shows that they are
unwanted. The children have gloomy faces. Their heads hanging low in
sadness due to being poor. They have diseased bodies inherited from their
parents and are victims of poverty.
● At the dim end of the room, sits one child who has bright eyes which seem
to dream – of playing outside with squirrels. He is di erent from the others
in the dim, darkroom.
● The walls of the classroom are dirty. People have donated di erent charts
and images which have been put upon them. One of them is a picture Of
the great playwright Shakespeare. His head is bald and resembles the
rising Sun. The next poster is of the Tyrolese valley, full of churches and
flowers which symbolizes the beautiful creations of nature. Another one is a
map of the World. To these children, the world is not the one shown in these
pictures, but it is the one they see out of the classroom window.
● Comprehending these pictures is beyond their abilities. They hate

everyone and for them, Shakespeare is a wicked man. As no one loves them,
they dislike everyone.
● The desire for love and acceptance forces them to do crimes like stealing.
The children are so skinny that their clothes are like skin and their skeleton
is visible through them. This is due to a lack of nutrition. They have
worn-looking glasses made of steel which are cheap, heavy, and
uncomfortable.
● Their chances of fulfilling their dreams and moving out have been further
reduced by building bigger slums. Until they come out of the slums, they
will never know what the world looks like.
● The Government system which makes these slums is the cause for these
people to live in them. The education system is such that it forces them
to live in these slums. They are not given the right to dream beyond
these slums. They have been restricted to the slums.
● The poet requests the authorities to allow these children to go out of these
slums so that the maps on the walls of the classroom become a reality for
them. They should be taken to the green fields rather than the dim
slums.The sunny, warm sand of the beaches and the bright blue sky will
instill a hunger for knowledge in their minds. Then they will absorb all of it.
Then these children will become economically empowered.
● The poem ends with a powerful line – those who make history are the ones
who shine like the Sun.
(Full Marks laane hain na?)
Extract(Q1-Q5): Read the given extract to attempt questions that follow:
The tall girl with her weighed-down head. The paper-seeming

boy, with rat's eyes. The stunted, unlucky heir
Of twisted bones, reciting a father's gnarled disease.
His lesson, from his desk. At back of the dim class
One unnoted, sweet and young. His eyes live in a dream...
(CBSE Sample Question Paper 2021)
1. The poet draws attention to the problem while describing the boy as
paper-seeming.
(a) malnutrition
(b) untidiness
(c) isolation
(d) abandonment.
2. Which option has the underlined phrase 'rat's eyes'?
(a) He shut up like a clam when interrogated.
(b) She runs as swift as a gazelle.
(c) He is considered the black sheep of the family.
(d) She ran away chattering with fear.
3.Select the correct option to fill the blank.
The tall girl's head is weighed down due to the
(a) e ect of diseases
(b) need for concentration

(c) desire to remain unnoticed
(d) burdens of poverty
4. The literal meaning of 'reciting' refers to delivering the lesson aloud. What does
its figurative meaning refer to?
(a) Showing extra interest in the lesson.
(b) Carrying his father's disease.
(c) Resigning to his disease and condition.
(d) Voicing the poor conditions, he lives in.
5. How does the 'unnoted' pupil present a contrast to others?
(a) He appears to be in a world of dreams.
(b) He struggles with the fulfilment of dreams.
(c) He seems taller than most.
(d) He sits in the dimmest part of the classroom.
Extract(Q6-Q9): ...And show the children to green fields, and make their world
Run azure on gold sands, and let their tongues
Run naked into books the white and green leaves open
History theirs whose language is the sun.
6. What other freedom does the poet wish they should enjoy?
(1) Freedom of expression
(2) Freedom of writing
(3) Freedom of speech
(4) Freedom of acquiring knowledge
(a) Option 2
(b) Option 1 and 4
(c) Option 3
(d) Option 1,2,3 and 4
7. Does the poet dream and strive for the betterment of the slum children?
What opinion do you form as per the given extract?
(a) May be
(b) Yes
(c) May be not
(d) No
8. Pick out the option that best describes the given stanza.
(a) It is short unlike the other stanzas of the poem.
(b) It focuses only on hopelessness.
(c) It is full of optimism and shows a ray of hope.
(d) It is full of pessimism and darkness.
9. On the basis of the extract, pick the opinion that is closest to that of the poet.
1. The children should be given free time to play in the fields to develop their
creativity.
2. The children must be given freedom to experience the wholesome bounties of
nature.
3. The condition of the children can improve if they are shown the beautiful world
out of their window.
4. The children can spread light and awareness if they become morally
responsible.
(a) Option 1
(b) Option 2
(c) Option 3
(d) Option 4
10. Based on the poem, choose the correct option with reference to the two
statements given below.
Statement 1: The poet is in anguish at the plight of the children in slums and is
sympathetic towards them.
Statement 2 The poet presents an exaggerated version of the struggles of the
slum children, to garner sympathy.

(c) Both Statement 1 and Statement 2 are true.
(d) Both Statement 1 and Statement 2 cannot be inferred.
11. Pick the quote that highlights the contrasting image portrayed in the poem.
(a) 'The worst form of inequality is to try and make unequal things equal."
(b) 'An imbalance between the rich and poor is the oldest and most fatal ailment
of all republics."
(c) We must work together to ensure equitable distribution of wealth, opportunity

and power in our society."
(d) 'No amount of artificial reinforcement can o set the natural inequalities of
human individual.
12. Pick phrases that portray 'poverty and hopelessness' in the poem.
1. slag heap
2. spectacles of steel
3. gusty waves
4. run azure on gold sands
5. mended glass
6. squirrel's game
7. language is the sun
(a) 2, 4 and 7
(b) 1,3 and 5
(c) 3, 4 and 6
(d) 1, 2 and 5
13. A child in the slum experiencing the dreary life would have the least access
to:
(a) shelter
(b) information
(c) water
(d) education
Answer Key:
1. A
2. C
3. D
4. B
5. A
6. B
7. B
8. C
9. B
10. A
11. B
12. D
13. D
KEEPING QUIET
● “Keeping Quiet” is a peace poem written by the Chilean poet Pablo Neruda.
● The poet asks humanity to count numbers from one to twelve - twelve being
the number of hours shown in a clock or the number of zodiac signs.
● He requests everyone not to speak because languages create barriers
between people.
● The moment when everyone stops moving their body will be very special
and di erent as we have never experienced such a moment before.
● The poet says that in this period of inactivity the fishermen would not harm
the whales, the salt gatherers would not hurt their hands, those who are
busy destroying nature will adopt a new approach towards life.
● The men who are preparing for wars and victory based on deaths of
innocent people will join their enemy and stand in unity with them, doing
nothing.
● No one will harm himself or any other person. Everyone will unite and
ponder upon his acts and realize the results of his deeds.
● The poet clarifies his idea and says further that he does not want people to
stand idle. He wants that there should be no war because he does not want
to see trucks laden with dead bodies of the soldiers. He is promoting
Universal brotherhood and peace.
● The poet says that everyone is working continuously, to achieve one’s
goals. People are threatened by death and the fear forces them to work
endlessly so that they can achieve everything quickly. In this mad rush,
they do not realize the repercussions of their acts.
● He wants us to pause and come out of the mad rush. He wants us to be
happy about our achievements and celebrate them. He wants us to
overcome the fear of death and to relax for a while. We should know the
results of our deeds and celebrate our achievements.
● When the people will remain quiet for a while, they will realize the purpose
of their lives. Just like all the creations of nature undergo a rebirth with the
change of seasons, similarly, keeping quiet will be a rebirth for the human
soul. It will give a new meaning to our life.
● Again, the poet says that he will count till twelve and asks everyone to
remain quiet while he leaves.
(You’re Almost Done!)
Extract(Q1-Q4): It would be an exotic moment

without rush, without engines
we would all be together
in a sudden strangeness
1. Why do you think the poet mentioned words like "exotic" and "strangeness"?
(a) To highlight the importance of everyone being together suddenly for once.
(b) To indicate the unfamiliarity of a sudden moment without rush or without

engine.
(c) To emphasize the frenetic activity and chaos that usually envelops human life.
(d) None of these.
2. Choose the option which gives the correct full name of the poet.
(a) Neftali Pablo Neruda
(b) Neftali Reyes Neruda
(c) Pablo Neruda
(d) Neftali Ricardo Reyes Basoalto
3. The phrase 'without rush, without engines' is symbolic of
(a) trains
(b) industrialization
(c) the hubbub of big cities
(d) both (b) and (c).

4. Read the statements given below carefully. Choose the option that best
describes these statements, with reference to the poem.
Statement I: The poem 'Keeping Quiet' for change as much in the individual as
human society at large.
Statement II: The poem 'Keeping Quiet' implies that individual change will lead to
bigger societal change.
(a) Statement I is true, statement II is false.

(b) Statement I and II cannot be inferred.
(c) Statement I can be inferred, statement II cannot be inferred.
(d) Both the statements are true.
5. In 'Keeping Quiet' the poet does not want the reader to confuse his advice for
______________ with total inactivity.
(a) experimentation
(b) relaxation
(c) isolation
(d) introspection
6. Identify the tone of Pablo Neruda in the following line:
Perhaps the Earth can teach us....
(a) Confident and clear about the future events.
(b) Dramatic about the prediction he made.
(c) Convinced about the sequence of events to follow.
(d) Uncertain, yet hopeful about the possibility.

Extract(Q7-Q9): For once on the face of the Earth let's not speak in any
language, let's stop for one second, and not move our arms so much. It would
be an exotic moment without rush, without engines, we would all be together in a
sudden strangeness.
7. The poet uses the word 'let's' to
(a) initiate a conversation between the poet and the readers.

(b) invite readers as part of the poem's larger call to humanity.
(c) welcome readers into the world of the poem and its subject.
(d) address readers as fellow members of the human race.
8. Margaret Atwood said, "Language divides us into fragments, I wanted to be

whole." Choose the option that correctly comments on the b relationship between
Margaret Atwood's words and the line from the above extract - "let's not speak in
any language".
(a) Atwood endorses Neruda's call to not speak in any language.

(b) Atwood justifies Neruda's request to not engage in any speaking.
(c) Atwood undermines Neruda's intent to stop and not speak in any language.
(d) Atwood surrenders to Neruda's desire for silence and not speak in any
language.
9. Why do you think the poet employs words like "exotic" and "strangeness"?
(a) To highlight the importance of everyone being together suddenly for

once.
(b) To emphasise the frenetic activity and chaos that usually envelops human life.
(c) To indicate the unfamiliarity of a sudden moment without rush or without
engine.
(d) To direct us towards keeping quiet and how we would all be together in that
silence.
10. Read the statements given below carefully. Choose the option that best
describes these statements, with reference to the poem.
Statement I: The poem 'Keeping Quiet' calls for change as much in the individual
as human society at large.
Statement II: The poem 'Keeping Quiet' implies that individual change will lead to
bigger societal change.
Statement III: Neruda believes that when people come together as a
community, they will be able to bring a transformation in each person.
(a) Statement I is True, Statement II is False, and Statement III cannot be inferred.
(b) Statement I and II cannot be inferred, Statement III is True.
(c) Statement I is True, Statements II and III cannot be inferred.
(d) Statement I cannot be inferred, Statement Il cannot be inferred, Statement III

is False.
11. Choose the correct option with respect to the two statements given below.
Statement 1 Pablo Neruda focuses on all kinds of violence.
Statement 2 He mentions that fisherman fish for whales resulting in violence
against the environment.
(a) Statement 1 can be inferred but Statement 2 cannot be inferred.
(b) Statement 1 cannot be inferred but Statement 2 can be inferred.
(c) Statement 1 and Statement 2 can be inferred.
(d) Statement 1 and Statement 2 cannot be inferred.
12. What statement does Neruda make about wars? (CBSE Question Bank 2021)
(a) Wars are of varied kinds-internal, green wars, wars with gas, with fire, etc.
(b) Wars are wasteful and cause irrecoverable loss and damage to property and
life.
(c) Wars never yield any winners, and the loss is far greater than what can be
measured.
(d) War is unavoidable in the enduring struggle for human dignity and power.
13. "What I want should not be confused with total inactivity."
Choose the option that draws the most accurate parallel.

keeping quiet: total inactivity = .....
(a) reflection and death
(b) silence and chaos
(c) stagnation and introspection
(d) mindfulness and fear
14. "Now I'll count up to twelve and you keep quiet and I will go." Why does the poet
wish to go at the end of the poem? (CBSE Question Bank 2021)
(a) The poet does not believe people will be quiet.

(b) The poet has already invested enough time.
(c) The poet will move on and seek to inspire others.
(d) The poet is marking the end of the poem by leaving.
15. Choose the option that applies correctly to the two statements given below:
Assertion: The poet is against all kinds of immoral acts that destroy and damage
our surroundings.
Reason: Keeping quiet is about silence and not about inactivity.
(a) Assertion and Reason are True, but Reason is not related to Assertion.
(b) Assertion and Reason are True, but Reason is related to Assertion.
(c) Assertion is True, Reason is False.
(d) Assertion is False, Reason is True.
Answer Key:
1. B
2. D
3. D
4. D
5. D
6. D
7. B
8. A
9. B
10. A
11. C
12. C
13. A
14. C
15. A
THE THIRD LEVEL
● In New York, the Grand Central Station has two levels. Nonetheless, Charley
a 31-year-old city resident talks that there exists a third level. Also, he claims
that he has been there.
● To talk about this problem he visits a psychiatrist friend. He calls it a

“walking-dream wish fulfilment” and explains Charley’s psychology by saying
that “the modern world is full of fear, insecurity, war, and worry…..” and
everybody wants to escape to some “temporary refuge from reality.” As for
him, hobbies like stamp collection is an indicator of this escape.
● At times the Grand Central Station seems like a maze to Charley. While
taking the subway earlier he had lost his way a couple of times. One time
he entered the lobby of the Roosevelt Hotel. While the other time he
appeared at an o ce building that was three blocks away. However, this
time he loses his way and something unique occurs. Charley visits the third
level!
● In the silent hallway, Charley keeps walking, turning left, and sloping
downward, until he touches an architecturally old station, which is totally
di erent from the two familiar levels. Moreover, this old small room with
fewer ticket counters and train gates, a wooden information booth,
wavering open flame gas lights and brass spittoons.
● All this remind him of the architecture of the 1800s. Further, he sees people
in outdated outfits. When he noticed the date in the newspaper ‘The World’
he saw 11 June 1894. When he tries to buy two tickets, he realizes that he
needs old currency.
● He always wanted to travel to Galesburg with his wife, Louisa. Back in his
head, it is “a wonderful town still, with big old frame houses, huge lawns,
and tremendous trees….”
● The place has pleasant and long summer dusks and where people have
ample of time. Hence, the next day during lunch, he exchanges three
hundred dollars for old currency amounting to some two hundred only. In
addition, the amount doesn’t bother him as he believes that everything
there will be cheaper. However, he could never again find the corridor that
leads him to the third level.
● When her wife came to know about this she asked him to stop looking.
Unexpectedly, his friend Sam Weiner also disappears and his wife keeps on
looking for him on the weekends. Moreover, Sam was the one whom Charley
shared his idea about Galesburg.
● Charley inherited the hobby of stamp collection from his grandfather. And
someday while looking at the stamp collection, Charley finds a letter that
was earlier not there. Also, it has the postmark on a faded six-cent stamp
with a picture of President Garfield. Further, the envelop read as 18 July 1894
to Charley’s grandfather in Galesburg and it addresses Charley.
● In the letter, Sam tells Charley that he has reached Galesburg and he
invites Charley and Louisa there. After going to stamp and coin shop he
gets to know that Sam exchange eight hundred dollars for old currency
bills to establish his business in Galesburg. Besides, Sam was none other
than Charley’s psychiatrist!
(Bas 2 Chapter aur, jeet ki tayari!)
Extract(Q1-Q4): But I say there are three, because I've been on the third level of
the Grand Central Station. Yes I've taken the obvious step: I talked to a
psychiatrist friend of mine, among others. I told him about the third level at
Grand Central Station, and he said it was a waking-dream wish fulfillment. He said
I was unhappy. That made my wife kind of mad, but he explained that he meant
the modern world is full of insecurity, fear, war, worry and all the rest of it, and
that I just want to escape.
1. Who does 'I' refer to?
(a) Louisa
(b) the narrator
(c) psychiatrist
(d) clerk
2. What are the 'Three' that 'T' has seen?
(a) books
(b) shops
(c) levels
(d) Steps
3. The Grand Central Station in the passage refers to
(a) Houston
(b) New York
(c) Los Angeles
(d) Chicago
4. What was the obvious step, according to 'I'?
(a) Going back home..

(b) Counting the total number of levels.
(c) Waiting at the station for a friend.
(d) Consulting his psychiatrist friend.
5. 'The Third Level' refers to the third level at the Grand Central Station. As a
metaphor, which of the following would NOT be an appropriate explanation of
the title?
(a) The convergence of reality and fantasy.

(b) The bridge between the past and the present.
(c) The oppressive monotony of modern life.
(d) The need for an alternate plane of understanding.
6. How would you describe Charley's vision of his grandfather's life and times?
(a) wistful escapism

(b) idealised sentimentality
(c) nostalgic simplicity
(d) dreamy perfection
Statement 1: The narrator finds it strange EWI that only he could see the third
level.
Statement 2: The third level according to his friend is a place in the narrator's
mind.

(c) Both Statement 1 and Statement 2 cannot be inferred
(d) Both Statement 1 and Statement 2 can be inferred
8. How would you describe Charley?

(a) confused, happy-go-lucky
(b) escapist, adventurous
(c) imaginative, nostalgic
(d) friendly, responsible
9. Which of the following is a conclusion that can be drawn from the story?
(a) Reality is indeed stranger than fiction.

(b) With all its worries, modern life is not worth living.
(c) The past is undoubtedly better than the present.
(d) Imagination might be the only great escape.
Extract(Q10-Q13): Read the given extract to attempt questions that follow:
He said I was unhappy. That made my wife kind of mad, but he explained that
her meant the modern world is full of insecurity, fear, war, worry and all the
rest of it, and that I just want to escape. Well, who doesn't? Everybody I know
wants to escape, but they don't wander down into any third level at Grand Central
Station. But that's the reason, he said, and my friends all agreed. Everything
points to it, they claimed. My stamp collecting, for example; that's a 'temporary
refuge from reality. Well, maybe. but my grandfather didn't need any refuge from
reality.
10. Why did Sam's verdict make Charley's wife 'mad'?
(a) It made it di cult for her to accept that Charley would consult a psychiatrist.
(b) It seemed to suggest to her that she was the cause of Charley's unhappiness.
(c) It made her aware of Charley's delicate state of mind.
(d) It o ended her that Charley and Sam collectively accused her.
11. Sam's explanation to the reaction of Charley's wife was
(a) critical
(b) aggressive
(c) clarifying
(d) accusatory
12. Select the option that signifies the condition of people of the 'modern world'
mentioned in the extract.
(1) unsure (2) lazy (3) o ensive (4) anxious (5) afraid
(a) (1) and (3)

(b) (2) and (5)
(c) (2), (3) and (4)
(d) (1), (4) and (5)
13. Why didn't Charley's grandfather need refuge from reality?
(a) He was too busy to bother.

(b) He had chosen to deny his reality.
(c) He lived in peaceful times.
(d) He was a very secure person.
Extract(Q14-Q17): Sometimes I think Grand Central is growing like a tree,
pushing out new corridors and staircases like roots. There's probably a long
tunnel that nobody knows about feeling its way under the city right now, on its
way to Times Square, and maybe another to Central Park. And maybe - because
for so many people through the years Grand Central has been an exit, a way of
escape, maybe that's how the tunnel I got into... But I never told my psychiatrist
friend about that idea.
14. Choose the option that best describes the reason why the speaker did not tell
anything to his psychiatrist friend.
(a) Because his physiatrist would have gone to U.S.

(b) Because his psychiatrist would have rejected his claims
(c) Because his psychiatrist would have told everything to his wife
(d) Both a and c
15. The above extract is not an example of
(a) hyperbole
(b) analogy
(c) imagery
(d) metaphor
16. The idiom 'feeling its way' implies movement.
(a) swift
(b) circular
(c) cautious
(d) disorganised
17. Charley decided not to tell his psychiatrist friend about his idea. Choose the
option that reflects the reaction Charley anticipated from his friend.
(a) "That's such a lovely comparison. Why don't you become a writer, Charley?"
(b) "Oh Charley. It is so sad to see your desperation to run away! So very sad."
(c) "Maybe that's how you entered the third level. Who would have thought?"
(d) "You need help, my raving friend. You are way too invested in this crazy
thought!"
18. Classify (1) to (4) as fact (F) or opinion (O), based on your reading of The
Third Level.
(1) First day covers are never opened.

(2) Grand Central is growing like a tree.
(3) President Roosevelt collected stamps.
(4) Sam was Charley's psychiatrist.
(a) F-1,3,4; 0-2

(b) F-2 ; 0-1,4
(c) F-2; 0-1,3,4
(d) F-3,4; O-1,2
Answer Key:
1. B
2. C
3. B
4. D
5. C
6. B
7. D
8. C
9. D
10. B
11. C
12. D
13. C
14. B
15. B
16. C
17. B
18. A
THE ENEMY
● The story is set in Japan during World War II. Dr. Sadao Hoki, a skilled and
renowned surgeon and scientist, is not sent to combat because he is
needed to treat a prominent General. Thus, he and his wife Hana, also
Japanese but whom he met in America when both were studying abroad,
are at home one evening, looking out at the ocean and mist creeping
through the pines, when they spot a dark shape in the surf that turns out
to be a white man. He is a severely wounded soldier, his gunshot wound
worsened by the rocks.
● At first, they wonder if they should let him die, especially since they realize
he is an American and an escaped prisoner of war; then, they consider
whether or not to turn the man over to authorities.
● Sadao’s training as a doctor kicks in and neither can bring themselves to
let the man die, so the two agree to take him back to their home. Sadao will
treat his injuries as an act of humanitarian compassion consistent with his
professional ethics. He carries out an operation on the unconscious young
man, and even though the man is in poor shape, it is clear he will live.
● Sadao and Hana must inform their servants of this decision, who make no
secret of their belief that the man should have been left to die. Yumi, their
young children’s nurse, tells her mistress that the servants are worried.
● After a week of treating the white man and helping him recover from his
life-threatening injuries, the servants quit when their ultimatum that the
man be turned over to the authorities is met by the doctor’s steadfast
resolve and Hana’s pride of authority.
● Meanwhile, the soldier—who actually seems more like a boy of seventeen
now that he is clean and growing healthier—thanks the doctor for saving
his life. The doctor warns him not to be premature with this assessment,
insisting that he wants to know nothing about him—not even his name. The
young man understands; one day, however, he blurts out to Hana that his
name is Tom, and another day, he marvels to Sadao that if all “Japs”
were like him, maybe they wouldn't have gone to war.
● When a messenger arrives for Sadao, Hana is terrified that the servants
have spilled the beans and they are about to be punished. Instead, the
message directs Sadao to a patient consultation with the General. He is
very ill and will likely die without the surgical skill of the doctor. Sadao
chooses to confess to the General the situation with the injured prisoner.
The General, in a display of self-interest over duty, agrees to keep the
secret. After all, if he turns in the doctor, then Sadao will likely be executed,
and the General needs the doctor alive in order to prolong his own life.
They reach an agreement: the General will send his own private assassins
to kill Tom quietly and cleanly one night as he sleeps.
● After a few days, the prisoner not only has not been assassinated but has
also recovered much of his strength, which intensifies the doctor’s fear.
Since it seems the General has changed the plans they agreed upon,
Sadao takes it upon himself to arrange the man’s nighttime escape. He
tells Tom there is an abandoned island o the coast where he can wait to
be picked up by a Korean fishing boat. The doctor will provide him with
supplies and he can flash a signal using a flashlight if he needs more.
● Not long after that, Sadao is called in for emergency surgery to save the
General’s life; when the General is strong enough to receive the news,
Sadao tells him that his prisoner somehow “escaped” in the night. The
General confesses that he was worried about his own life to the degree that
he had completely forgotten the assassination agreement. He then laments
that it was simply a case of carelessness and most certainly not a
dereliction of duty or lack of patriotism. The two men strike a deal to keep
secrets secret, with the General promising Sadao that he will be rewarded.
● One night, the sun sets without a signal, informing the doctor that the
escape was successful. This, Sadao thinks, is his real reward. Other white
faces from his past in America come to mind, and he shudders at how
cruel, prejudiced, and simple many of them were. Then he muses to himself:
“Strange. I wonder why I could not kill him?”
(Ab 95% pakka hain, thanks comment kar dena :)
Extract(Q1-Q4): "Oh, how he is bleeding!" Hana whispered again in a solemn voice.

The mists screened them now completely, and at this time of day no one came by.
The fishermen had gone home and even the chance beachcombers would have
considered the day at an end. “What shall we do with this man?" Sadao muttered.
But his trained hands seemed of their own will to be doing what they could to
stanch the fearful bleeding. He packed wound with the sea moss that strewed the
beach.
1. How would you describe the tone of Hana in the given extract?
1. Elated
2. Serious
3. Jubilant
4. Concerned
5. Composed
(a) Option 2 and 4

(b) Option 1
(c) Option 3 and 5
(d) Option 1 and 5
2. A part of the extract has been paraphrased. Choose the option that includes
the most appropriate solution to the blanks in the given paraphrase of the
extract.
Hana was (i)_______ that the man was injured and said in a low voice that he was
bleeding. The mist had (ii)_______ now and the three of them could not be (iii)______
by anyone. Moreover, the fishermen and the ragpickers did not visit the place at
that time of the day.
(a) (i) carefree, (ii) diminished, (iii) spotted

(b) (i) composed, (ii) intensified, (iii) ignored
(c) (i) worried, (ii) intensified, (iii) spotted
(d) (i) relaxed, (ii) curbed, (iii)overlooked
3. The phrase 'The mists screened them...' means that
(a) the mist had protected them

(b) the mist had signaled them
(c) the mist had indicated them
(d) the mist had marked them
4. Choose the option which means the same as 'strewed'.
(a) Enclosed
(b) Unavailable
(c) Spread out
(d) Pile up
Extract(Q5-Q8): Sadao had taken this into his mind as he did everything his father
said, his father who never joked or played with him but who spent infinite pains
upon him who was his only son. Sadao knew that his education was his father's
chief concern. For this reason he had been sent at twenty-two to America.
5. The author of the lesson is
(a) John Updike

(b) Jack Finney
(c) Pearl S. Buc
(d) Tishani Doshi
6. This chapter revolves around the theme of
(a) war between Japan and America

(b) war between America and China
(c) war between Iran and America
(d) war between America and Israel
7. Sadao had been sent to America
(a) to earn a living

(b) to study surgery and medicine
(c) to buy property there
(d) to travel across the whole country
8. At what age did Dr. Sadao go to America?
(a) 28 years
(b) 20 years
(c) 30 years
(d) 22 years
Extract(Q9-Q12): The man moaned with pain in his stupor but he did not awaken.
"The best thing that we could do would be to put him back in the sea," Sadao said,
answering himself. Now that the bleeding was stopped for the moment he stood
up and dusted the sand from his hands.
"Yes, undoubtedly that would be best," Hana said steadily. But she continued to
stare down at the motionless man.
"If we sheltered a white man in our house we should be arrested and if we turned
him over as a prisoner, he would certainly die," Sadao said.
"The kindest thing would be to put him back into the sea," Hana said. But neither
of them moved. They were staring with curious repulsion upon the inert figure.
9. In which of the following options can the underlined words not be replaced with
'stupor'?
(a) She hung up the phone feeling as though she had woken up from a slumber.
(b) The manager complained about the employee's sluggishness.
(c) He seemed to be in a trance when the doctor called upon him last week.
(d) Seeing him in a daze, the lawyer decided not to place him in the witness box.
10. Pick the option that best describes Sadao and Hana in the passage.
(a) Sadao: scrupulous - Hana: wary

(b) Sadao: daring - Hana: prudent
(c) Sadao: prudent - Hana: suspicious
(d) Sadao: wary - Hana: daring
11. Pick the idiom that best describes on the situation in which Sadao and
Hana were in.
(a) To be like a fish out of water

(b) Like water o a duck's back
(c) To be dead in the water
(d) To be in hot water
12. Choose the correct option with reference to the two statements given
below.
Statement 1: Sadao and Hana cared about the soldier but were worried about
the consequences of being considerate.
Statement 2: Sadao and Hana wanted to shirk their responsibilities of looking
after an injured soldier, who could be an American.

(d) Both Statement 1 and Statement 2 are false.
13. Pick the quote that best describes the theme of the story. es the
(a) World belongs to humanity, not this leader, that leader or that king or prince
or religious leader. World belongs to humanity.
(b) You must not lose faith in humanity. Humanity is an ocean; if a few drops of
the ocean are dirty, the ocean does not become dirt.
(c) The purpose of human life is to serve, and to show compassion and the will to
help others.
(d) To deny people their human rights is to challenge their very humanity.
Statement 1 Sadao was an instinctive and a dedicated doctor.
Statement 2 Hana was aware that as a doctor Sadao was almost perfect.
(d) Both Statement 1 and Statement 2 are false.
Statement 1 Yumi's reaction to the news of the presence of the POW was fearful
for Hana.
Statement 2 Hana knew if anyone told about the presence of the POW to the
government, they would lose everything.
(a) Statement 1 is the cause of Statement 2.
(b) Statement 2 is the e ect of Statement 1.
(c) Statement 2 can be inferred from Statement 1.
(d) Statement 1 and Statement 2 are independent of each other.
16. "Those scars," she murmured, lifting her eyes to Sadao. The 'scars' DO NOT
indicate:
(a) torture perpetrated on prisoners of war.
(b) superiority of Japan over America.
(c) the quest for supremacy in war.
(d) the rumours of torture often heard.
17. 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.
18. Dr. Sadao mutters the word 'my friend' while treating the American P.O.W. in
the light of the circumstances, we can say that this was
(a) humourous.
(b) climactic.
(c) ironical.
(d) ominous.
Answer Key:
1. A
2. C
3. A
4. C
5. C
6. A
7. B
8. D
9. B
10. C
11. D
12. A
13. C
14. C
15. B
16. B
17. A
18. C
ALL THE BEST!
If you feel confident after reading this,
share this PDF on your friends’ WhatsApp
Group, class WhatsApp Group &
Instagram Stories.
Helping people before the exam will bring
good luck for you and help in enhancing
your marks :)
gooey
Love,
Yash Bhaiya

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A PDF which will take you from

0 to 95% in your CBSE English

This is Yash Garg, I run a YouTube Channel by the name, well,

This PDF Contains:

● Most Expected MCQ Questions for tomorrow’s exam (Shhhh..)

Consider Yash Bhaiya as your unfair advantage :)

● The Last Lesson (Alphonse Daudet)

● Lost Spring (Anees Jung)

● Deep Water (William Douglas)

● My Mother at Sixty – Six (Kamala Das)

● An Elementary School Classroom in a Slum (Stephen Spender)

● The Third Level (Jack Finney)

● The Enemy Pearl (Pearl S. Buck)

● Franz, a typical schoolboy, does not want to go to school because he has

● When he reaches school, he notices a change:

● M. Hamel announces that that would be the last French lesson - He

● Franz wonders sarcastically whether the pigeons would coo in german.

(a) Statement-1 is true.

(a) M. Hamel had reproached the class.

6. Franz was late and wanted to skip going to school as he dreaded

(a) beating from M. Hamel.

7. What would have M. Hamel questioned Franz about?

(a) chirping of the birds

(CBSE Question Bank 2021)

9. Why does the narrator refer to M. Hamel as 'Poor man!'?

(a) He empathises with M. Hamel as he had to leave the village.

(a) 'Too good to miss'

Extract(Q13-Q16): M. Hamel went on to talk of the French language, saying that it

(a) subject expertise

14. Read the quotes given below.

(a) Franz was paying careful attention in class this time.

(a) shock and awe

(a) cranky, miserable, dedicated, resigned

● The life of Mukesh at Firozabad was no better. He belongs to a family of

● Hazardous conditions to which children are exposed at a very young

1. Saheb's muttering and 'looking away' suggests his

(a) showing a degree of informality

3. Who do you think Saheb is referring to as 'they', in the given sentence?

"When they build one, I will go"

(a) The o cials

(1) I ask half-joking

(a) (1) part arrogance, part seriousness (2) hesitation

(1) The absence of parental presence

(a) (1) and (4)

Extract (Q6-Q9): "I want to be a motor mechanic." he repeats. He will go to a

6. Name the author of the lesson 'Lost spring'.

(a) Anees Jung

(a) his resolute trait.

(a) still has the ability to dream

10. What is an excuse to explain away a perpetual state of poverty?

(a) Walking barefoot

(a) Statement 1 is true but statement 2 is false.

12. The given lives do not indicate

(a) the loss of innocence

(a) No society can make a perpetual constitution or even law.

(CBSE Question Bank 2021)

(a) misfortune of circumstances.

(a) Children are equally involved in rag picking as their parents.

(a) Assertion can be inferred but the Reason cannot be inferred.

● William O. Douglas had a desire to learn swimming since childhood.

1. Why did Douglas go to swim at Lake Wentworth?

3. What was the reason for the 'return' of terror?