Amity International School, Pushp Vihar

English Worksheet - Class 12th

The Interview
By Christopher Silvester

Reference to context
Maybe I give the impression of doing many things. But in the end, I am convinced I am
always doing the same thing... And then I have a secret. Did you know what will happen if
you eliminate the empty spaces from the universe, eliminate the empty spaces in all the
atoms? The universe will become as big as my fist. Similarly, we have a lot of empty spaces
in our lives. I call them interstices. Say you are coming over to my place. You are in an
elevator and while you are coming up, I am waiting for you. This is an interstice, an empty. I
work in empty spaces.

(a) Read the questions given below. Imagine they were interjections raised by the
interviewer based on the above extract. Choose the option that correctly describes the
given questions.
1. If you are "always doing the same thing", isn't your work lacking in originality?
2. Could you elaborate on these larger ethical, philosophical interests that inform your
work
3. All writing happens in empty spaces. In fact, why don't I tell you about all my
experiences?

i. (l) is not relevant; (2) is appropriate; (3) is unnecessary

ii. (1) is appropriate, (2) is repetitive; (3) is useful information
iii. (l) is inappropriate; (2) is relevant; (3) is not relevant
iv. (l) is unnecessary; (2) is intrusive; (3) is extrapolatory

(b)Based on your reading of Part 1 of 'The Interview', which one of the following
may not be an appropriate title to the above extract?

i. The Empty Spaces of Umberto Eco

ii. Big Expose: Eco's Secret Revealed!
iii. "I am always doing the same thing": Eco's Echoes
iv. Umberto Eco, Mr Prolific!

(c)"I work in empty spaces". Choose the option that most accurately captures Eco' idea
of empty spaces.
1. management of time 2. Organisation of space
3. philosophical inclination 4. Command of thought
i. Options (1) and (2)
ii. Options (3) and (4)
iii. Options (1) and (3)
iv. Options (2) and (4)

(d) Umberto Eco states that 'empty spaces' actually fill spaces, and without them the
universe would be the size of the human fist. He also goes on to say that it is in an
interstice such as waiting, which the dictionary defines as a time for pause, that he
works. That is, passive waiting is essentially active writing time. Choose the literary
device that best describes what Eco does with the concepts of 'empty spaces' and
'waiting'.
i. Juxtaposition
ii. Irony
iii. Oxymoron
iv. Symbolism

(e) "Maybe I give the impression of doing many things". To whom does Eco say these
words and why?
i. He says these words to Mukund in reply to a statement made by the latter about
him being able to do many things.
ii. He says these words to himself as he had heard a statement about him being
able to do many things.
iii. Mukund says these words to Eco, to find out the truth about the statement he
had heard.
iv. Mukund says these words to himself while exclaiming about the ability of ECO
to do many things.

(f) 'Interstices' means the same as:

(i) Continuity (ii) Continuation (iii) Hiatus (iv) Progression

Short Answer Questions

1.In spite of the 'drawbacks', the interview is a 'supremely serviceable medium of
communication'. Justify the statement.
2.How is Umberto Eco's non-fictional writing a departure from his regular style?
3.'The Name of the Rose' is a very 'serious' novel. Yet it enjoyed a mass audience. Give
reasons for its popularity.
4.What secret does Umberto Eco point out to Mukund Padmanabhan in the interview?

Long answer type questions

1. Several thousand celebrities have been interviewed over the years, some of them
repeatedly. But still many of them 'despise the interview as an unwarranted intrusion in
their lives'. Describe opinions for and against the interview as mentioned in the lesson.
2. Imagine you are Christopher Silvester. You have been invited to a seminar series
titled - 'Ethics and Techniques of Interviewing'. The organisers would like you to speak
about the challenges of conducting interviews, and skills interviewers must have in
order to conduct good and ethical interviews. Based on your reading of The Interview,
Part 1 and 2, draft your speech. Include relevant details from the text in
support of your answer.