CH 1 THE LAST LESSON

Short Answer Type Questions (3 Marks, 30-40 words)

Question.1. What tempted Franz to stay away from school? (Delhi 2014;
Medtffot)
Answer. Franz feared a scolding at school as he had not prepared hte lesson
on participles, on which his French teacher M Hamel was to question the class
that day. Besides* the warm and bright weather, the chirping of birds and the
watching the drill of Prussian soldiers also tempted Franz to stay away from
school.

Question.2. What was unusual about M Hamel’s dress on his last day in
the school?
(Compartment 2014)
Answer. M Hamel had put on his ceremonial clothes on his last day in the
school. He was wearing a beautiful green coat, a frilled shirt, and a little black
embroidered silk cap. This was a special ceremonial attire which he usually
wore on days of inspection and prize distribution.

Question.3. Why is the order from Berlin called a thunderclap by Franz?

(Compartment 2014)
or
“What a thunderclap these words were to me!” What were the words that
shocked
and surprised the narrator? : (Delhi 2013)
Answer. M Hamel told his students that it was their last French lesson, as an
order had come from Berlin that henceforth only German was to be taught in
the schools of Alsace and Lorraine. This announcement seemed to be a
thunderclap to Franz. He was left in surprise and shock to learn that a new
master was going to arrive the next day and they would learn German instead
of their mother tongue.

Question.4. Who were sitting on the back benches during M Hamel’s last
lesson? Why? (Compartment 2014)
or
Why had the villagers come to school on the day of the last lesson?
(Foreign 2008)
or
Why were the elders of the village sitting in the classroom? (All India
2014)
Answer. Some of the elderly people from the village were sitting on .the back
benches during M Hamel’s last lesson. The villagers had come there to attend
his last lesson as it was their way of paying respect to the master, who had
given forty years of faithful service to the school.

Question.5. Why does M Hamel reproach himself for his students,

unsatisfactory progress in
Studies? (Compartment 2014)
Answer. M Hamel had been rather irregular as a teacher. He took leave
whenever he wanted to. Besides, he had often sent the students to water his
plants, and whenever he wanted to go fishing, he just gave them a holiday. So,
he reproaches himself for his students’ unsatisfactory progress in studies.

Question.6. What shows M Hamel’s love for the French language?

(Foreign 2014)
or
What did M Hamel tell them about the French language? What did he ask
them to
do and why? (Delhi 2013)
Answer. In his last lesson, M Hamel told the students that the French
language was the most beautiful language in the world—the clearest and the
most logical. He asked them to guard it amongst themselves and never forget
it, because when a people were enslaved, as long as they held fast to their
language, it was as if they had the key to their prison.

Question.7. What words did M Hamel write on the blackboard before

dismissing the last class?
What did they mean? (Compartment 2014)
Answer. Before dismissing the last class, M Hamel turned to the blackboard,
and wrote the phrase, ‘Vive La France!’ as large as he could. These words
meant ‘Long live France’, and spoke of M Hamel’s great love for his country
and his deep sense of patriotism.

Question.8. What made M Hamel cry towards the end of his last lesson?
(Compartment 2014)
Answer. M Hamel had taught French at the school for the last forty years. He
was emotionally attached to the school and everything in and about it. He was
really heartbroken to leave it all. Besides, his own predicament reminded him
that his country would soon lose its independence. All this made him cry
towards the end of his last lesson.

Question.9. How did Franz react to the declaration that it was their last
French lesson? (Delhi 2013)
or
What announcement did M Hamel make? What was the impact of this on
Franz?
(All India 2011)
or
‘‘This is your last French lesson.” How did Franz react to this declaration
of M Hamel? (Delhi 2010)
or
What changes came over little Franz after he heard M Hamel’s
announcement?
(All India 2010)
or
What did the French teacher tell his students in his last French lesson?
What impact did it have on them? (All India 2009)
Answer. The French teacher M Hamel announced that he would be teaching
his last French lesson that day because the orders had come from Berlin to
teach only German in the schools of Alsace and Lorraine. On hearing this, all
the students as well as Franz felt very sorry that they would not be learning
their mother tongue in future. Franz regretted not having learnt his lessons.
Earlier his books seemed a nuisance to him, but at that moment they became
very dear to him.

Question.10.What was the order from Berlin and what changes did it
cause in the school?
(AU India 2013)
or
What changes did the order from Berlin cause in the school? (Delhi 2012)
or
What was the mood in the classroom when M Hamel gave his last French
lesson?
(Delhi 2009)
Answer. The order from Berlin stated that only German will be taught in the
schools of Alsace and Lorraine. The order effected many changes, as an
unusual silence prevailed in the school, compared to the hustle and bustle
earlier. M Hamel became soft in speaking to the students, while the people
realised the importance of their language. The villagers even attended the
school to show respect to M Hamel.

Question.11. How did M Hamel say farewell to his students and the
people of the town?
(All India 2012)
Answer. At the end of his ‘Last Lesson’,. M Hamel stood up to say farewell to
his students and the people of the town. He tried to speak, but overwhelming
emotion choked his voice. He then wrote as large as he could on the
blackboard ‘Vive La France’; then he dismissed the class with a gesture with his
hand.

Question.12. What was Franz expected to be prepared with for the school
that day? (Delhi 2011)
Answer. Franz was expected to be prepared with participles that day. His
teacher M Hamel, was to question him on the topic. Franz had not learnt his
lessons and feared to be scolded by him.

Question.13. What had been put up on the bulletin-board? (Delhi 2011)

Answer. Since the last two years the bulletin-board had news of lost battles,
the draft and the orders of the commanding officer. On that day a notice had
been put up stating that orders from Berlin were to teach only German in the
schools of Alsace and Lorraine.

Question.14. Who did M Hamel blame for the neglect of learning on the
part of boys like Franz?
(Delhi 2011)
Answer. M Hamel blamed himself for the neglect of learning on the part of
boys like Franz. He himself was not quite regular and took leave whenever he
needed it, which reflected on the behaviour and studies of the students. He
also blamed their parents for not taking interest in their education.

Question.15. Franz thinks, “Will they make them sing in German, even the
pigeons?” What does
this tell us about the attitude of the Frenchmen? (All India 2011)
Answer. This shows that the Frenchmen were full of hatred and desperation
against the Germans. Besides, they feared German atrocities. They thought
that they would be forced to read German and no one will be spared.

Question.16. Mention two things about M Hamel that surprised Franz on

his last day at school.
(Foreign 2009)
Answer. M Hamel didn’t scold Franz for being late; instead he told him very
kindly to go to his place. Also, that day he was dressed in his best clothes; he
was in his beautiful green coat, frilled shirt and little black silk cap with
embroidery, which he wore only on inspection or prize days.

Question.17. How was the scene in the school in the morning of the last
lesson different from that
on other days? (Delhi 2008)
Answer. Usually, there used to be great hustle and bustle when the school
began. The din of opening and closing of the desks, lessons being repeated in
unison and the rapping of the teacher’s ruler on the table, could be heard out
in the street. But that day, it was all very quiet and still as on a Sunday
morning.

Long Answer Type Question (6 Marks, 120-150 words)

Question.1. What changes did the narrator find in the school when the
order from Berlin came?
(Ail India 2008)
Answer. The order from Berlin prohibited teaching of French in the schools of
Alsace and Lorraine. Instead, German was to be taught in the schools. Franz
was late for school that day. He noticed that the hustle and bustle was
missing. There was no opening and closing of desks, no repetition of lessons
or rapping of the teacher’s ruler on the table could be heard. It was all very
quiet and still.
Franz was further surprised because, instead of meeting an angry teacher, he
was welcomed by a kind and polite teacher, who was dressed in his best
clothes, a beautiful green coat, frilled shirt and an embroidered silk cap, which
he wore only on inspection and prize days. The back benches were occupied
by the village people who never came to school, as they were more concerned
about their livelihood. He was further astounded to know that , M Hamel was
going to teach his last lesson that day.
 CH 2 LOST SPRING
Short Answer Type Questions (3 Marks, 30-40 words)

Question.1. To which country did Saheb’s parents originally belong? Why

did they come to
India? (Compartment 2014)
or
Why did Saheb’s parents leave Dhaka and migrate to India?
(Compartment 2014)
or
Why had the ragpickers come to live in Seemapuri? (Foreign 2014)
Answer. Saheb’s parents belonged to Dhaka in Bangladesh, where they lived
amidst green fields. They and the other ragpickers left their homes many years
ago and migrated to India in search of a livelihood, as their homes and fields
were destroyed in storms. This forced them to come to India, where they
settled in the slums of Seemapuri.

Question.2. What job did Saheb take up? Was he happy? (All India 2014
Modified)
Answer. Saheb took up work at a tea stall, where he had to perform several
odd jobs, including getting milk from the milk booth. He was not happy, as he
had lost his independence. Though he earned ? 800, and got all his meals free,
he was no longer his own master.

Question.3. In what sense is garbage gold to the ragpickers?

(Compartment 2014)
or
Garbage to them is gold; why does the author say so about the
ragpickers? (Delhi 2008)
Answer. Garbage is gold to the ragpickers of Seemapuri because it provides
them items which can be sold for cash, which can buy them food and is a
means of survival. Moreover, it is gold also because the ragpickers can find
stray coins and currency notes in it.

Question.4. How is Mukesh different from the other bangle makers of

Firozabad? (Delhi 2014; Modified)
Answer. Mukesh has the courage to dream big in spite of all adversity,
whereas the other bangle makers of Firozabad have resigned to their fate, and
have suppressed all their hopes and desires. Mukesh refuses to follow the
‘God-given lineage’ of bangle making and wants to be a motor mechanic
when he grows up.

Question.5. Whom does Anees Jung blame for the sorry plight of the
bangle makers?
(Compartment 2014)
Answer. Anees Jung blames the middlemen, the policemen, the lawmakers,
the bureaucrats and the politicians for the sorry plight of the bangle makers.
These people conspire against and exploit the poor bangle makers. They pay
them meagre wages, do not let them form co-operatives, and compel their
children to join the same trade at an early age.

Question.6. What is Mukesh’s dream? Do you think he will be able to

fulfil his dream? Why? Why
not? (Compartment 2014)
or
What was Mukesh’s dream? In your opinion, did he achieve his dream?
(Foreign 2009)
or
Is it possible for Mukesh to realise his dream? Justify your answer. (All
India 2009)
Answer. Mukesh’s dream is to become a motor-mechanic. It is no doubt
difficult for Mukesh to achieve his dream, as he is torn between his desires and
his family tradition, which he cannot escape. Besides, he has to face a number
of obstacles in the form of sahukars, middlemen, bureaucrats, law makers,
politicians etc. However, his will to work hard, and his strong determination
could make him achieve his dream. ‘

Question.7. In spite of despair and disease pervading the lives of the slum
children, they are not
devoid of hope. How far do you agree? (Delhi 2013)
Answer. In spite of growing up amidst despair and disease, children who live
in the slum have the desire to achieve something big in life, like Mukesh. This
shows that they are not devoid of hope. Saheb, a ragpicker, is eager to go to a
school and learn. Mukesh, who works in dark, dingy cells making bangles,
dreams of becoming a motor mechanic, which is very much against his family
traditlbn.

Question.8. Who is Mukesh? What is his dream? (Delhi 2012)

Answer. Mukesh is a child labourer who Works in a glass bangle making
factory that is situated in Firozabad. Though Mukesh belongs to a poor family
which is engaged in bangle making, he dreams of becoming a motor
mechanic when he grows up.

Question.9. Why could the bangle makers not organise themselves into a
cooperative? (All India 2012)
Answer. The bangle makers could not organise themselves into a cooperative
because they were trapped in the vicious circle of sahukars, middlemen,
policemen, up bureaucrats and politicians. If they tried to organise themselves,
they would be beaten by up the police and put in jail.

Question.10. Mention any two hazards of working in the bangle industry.

(Foreign 2011)
Answer. The glass bangle industry offers a very unhealthy and hazardous
environment to the people working in it. They have to work in the glass
furnaces with high temperature in dingy cells
without air and light. Workers, including child labourers, lose their eyesight at
an early age.
Slogging for long, relentless hours also has adverse effects on their bodies.

Question.11. Why does the author say that the bangle makers are caught
in a vicious web?
(All India 2010)
Answer. The bangle makers in Firozabad are exploited at the hands of the
Sahukars, middlemen, policemen, law makers, bureaucrats and politicians.
They toil day and night, but are not
paid appropriate wages and are steeped in poverty. They cannot form
cooperatives for their betterment. Moreover, their children are also compelled
to join the same trade at an early age and cannot dare to take up any other
profession.

Question.12. Is Saheb happy working at the tea stall? How do you know?
(Foreign 2010, All India 2009)
Answer. Saheb is not happy working at the tea stall. He is paid a fixed wage of
Rs 800, and also receives all his meals free. But the author notices that his face
has lost its carefree look, which makes it evident that he is not happy. He has
lost his independence, and is no longer his own master.

Long Answer Type Questions (6 Marks, 120-150 words)

Question.1. Give a brief account of life and activities of the people like
Saheb-e-Alam settled in
Seemapuri. (Delhi 2011)
Answer. The author’s acquaintance with Saheb and other barefoot ragpickers
introduced her to Seemapuri. It is a slum area located on the periphery of
Delhi. The residents of Seemapuri consist of people who left Bangladesh in the
1971 War and are basically refugees. Saheb’s family is among them. The area
does not have facilities of sewage, drainage or running water. About 10000
ragpickers live here. Their only means of livelihood is ragpicking, and they
treat rags as valuable as gold. These ragpickers have lived here for more than
thirty years without any identity. They do not have permits but have ration
cards, with which they can get their names on the voter’s list and also buy
grains at subsidised rates.

Question.2.’Lost Spring’ explains the grinding poverty and traditions that

condemn thousands of
people to a life of abject poverty. Do you agree? Why/Why not? (All India
2011)
Answer. ‘Lost Spring’ is a good narration of grinding poverty and traditions to
which thousands of people have succumbed. The story revolves around the
pitiable condition of poor children who have been forced to live in slums and
work hard in dirty conditions. The story is divided into two parts. The first part
tells the writer’s impression about the life of poor ragpickers who have
migrated froin Bangladesh, but now have settled in the Seemapuri area of
Delhi.
The second part narrates the miserable life of the bangle makers in the town
of Firozabad. The stark reality of these families is that in spite of back-breaking
hard work that they put in, they cannot have two square meals a day. Besides,
they are victims of exploitation by those above them and also suffer the
consequences of blind belief in traditions.

Question.3. The bangle makers of Firozabad make beautiful bangles and

make everyone happy
but they live and die in squalor. Elaborate. (Delhi 2010)
Answer. Firozabad is the hub of India’s glass-blowing industry where families
have spent generations making bangles to adorn married women. The stark
reality of these families is that in spite of the back breaking hard work that
they put in, they cannot have two square meals a day.
They work in deplorable conditions and many lose their eyesight early. To top
it all, they live in unhygienic conditions where there is a lack of basic amenities
too.
The sad reality is that the workers cannot organise themselves into a
cooperative. They are devoid of all enthusiasm and do not dare to dream of
anything better. The fear of the police and lack of leadership among
themselves have confined them to a vicious circle of poverty, indifference and
greed. Thus, while they bring happiness to everyone’s life, their own life is
steeped in poverty and squalor.

CH 3 DEEP WATER
Short Answer Type Questions (3 Marks, 30-40 words)

Question.1. Which two incidents in Douglas’ early life made him scared of
water? (Compartment 2014)
Answer. When Douglas was three or four years old, his father took him to a
beach in California. There he was knocked down by strong waves, was almost
buried under water, and got breathless. Though he hung on to his father, he
was quite frightened. Secondly, when Douglas was ten or eleven, a big bully of
a boy tossed him into the deep end of the YMCA pool. He could not come to
the surface, in spite of all his efforts, and became panicky. These two incidents
made Douglas scared of water.

Question.2.Why did Douglas prefer to go to YMCA swimming pool to

learn swimming?
(Compartment 2014)
or
Which factors made Douglas to decide in favour of YMCA pool? (All India
2011)
Answer. According to Douglas, the YMCA pool was safer compared to the
Yakima River. The river was quite deep and there were several cases of
drowning reported about it. As against the uncertain depth of the river, the
pool was only two or three feet deep at the shallow end. Though its depth was
about nine feet at the deeper end, yet the drop was gradual, and Douglas
could rely on it.

Question.3.What did Douglas feel and do when he was pushed into the
swimming pool?
(Compartment 2014)
or
What were the series of emotions and fears that Douglas experienced
when he was thrown into the pool? (Foreign 2011)
Answer. When Douglas was thrown into the pool, he did not lose heart and
planned to push himself up with all his force. He thought that once he came to
the surface, he would paddle to the edge of the pool. Thrice, he tried to come
to the surface, but unfortunately his strategy did not work and terror gripped
him. His lungs were ready to burst; he was breathless and instead of air,
sucked water.

Question.4.How did his swimming instructor ‘build a swimmer’ out of

Douglas? (Compartment 2014)
or
How did the instructor turn Douglas into a swimmer? (Delhi 2013)
Answer. The instructor adopted a systematic method to turn Douglas into a
swimmer. He first made Douglas shed his initial fear of water by making him
cross a pool suspended by a rope attached to a pulley. The instructor held the
other end of the rope and relaxed and tightened it from time to time. Then he
taught the narrator to breathe while swimming, and finally the leg movements
and other strokes.

Question.5. How did Douglas make sure that he conquered the old
terror? (All India 2013)
Answer. After the instructor had trained Douglas in the art of swimming,
Douglas was still not sure of himself. He felt tiny vestiges of the fear now and
then. So, he went to Lake Wentworth and swam. Once when terror returned,
he challenged it and did not let it overcome him. Finally, Douglas went to the
Warm Lake. There he swam and the fear didn’t return to haunt him again.

Question.6. What efforts did Douglas make to get over his fear of water?
(Delhi 2012)
Answer. After several individual attempts to overcome his fear, Douglas finally
engaged an instructor. The instructor built a swimmer out of him. But Douglas
was not sure. To confirm that the terror would not strike him when he was
swimming alone, Douglas decided to go to Lake Wentworth in New
Hampshire. At last, he made his terror fly away by swimming across the Warm
Lake.

Question.7. Why was Douglas determined to get over his fear of water?
(DeM20ii, 2009)
Answer. The misadventure of having a near-drowning experience left a deep
mark on Douglas’ mind.
The phobia of water hampered all his joys of enjoying different water sports
like fishing,
canoeing, boating and swimming. He did not want to live with this handicap
and so was determined to overcome his fear of water.

Question.8. What did Douglas experience when he went down to the

bottom of the pool for the
first time? (Delhi 2011,2010)
Answer. When the author was going down to the bottom of the pool for the
first time, those nine feet felt almost like ninety feet. His lungs were ready to
burst, but somehow he summoned all his strength and sprang upwards,
hoping to reach the surface, but he didn’t pop up to the surface like a cork, as
he had imagined. When he opened his eyes he saw nothing but water, his
hands too grabbed only water.

Question.9. Why did Douglas go to Lake Wentworth in New Hampshire?

(Delhi 2011)
Answer. Douglas was not satisfied with his practice so he decided to go to
Lake Wentworth. There when he was swimming in themiddle of the lake, only
once did the terror return, but he finally overcame it, and it made him feel
better.

Question.10.When Douglas realised that he was sinking, how did he plan

to save himself?
(Delhi 2010)
Answer. When a big boy threw Douglas into the water, he went straight down.
He was completely frightened. Still, he did not lose his wits and thought of a
strategy to make a big jump when his feet touched the bottom, so that he
could reach the surface. He even thought that he would lie flat on the surface
and finally paddle to the edge of the pool.

Question.11. What sort of terror seized Douglas as he went down the

water with a yellow glow?
How could he feel that he was still alive ? (Delhi 2010)
Answer. When Douglas found himself deep down into the water with a yellow
glow, stark terror gripped him. The terror ripped him apart and he had no
control over it. He felt paralysed, stiff and rigid with fear. Even the screams in
his throat were frozen. It was only his throbbing heart that made him realise
that he was still alive.

Long Answer Type Questions (6 Marks, 120-150 words)

Question.1. “I crossed to oblivion, and the curtain of life fell.” What was
the incident which nearly killed Douglas and developed in him a strong
aversion to water? (Foreign 2014)
Answer. The incident which nearly killed Douglas occurred when he was ten
or eleven years old. He had decided to learn swimming at the YMCA pool, and
thus get rid of his fear of water. One . morning, when he was alone at the pool,
waiting for others, a big bully of a boy tossed him into the deep end of the
pool. Though he had planned a strategy to save himself as he went down, his
plan did not work. He went down to the bottom and became panicky. Thrice
he struggled hard to come to the surface, but failed each time. He was almost
drowned in the pool. He lost his consciousness and felt that he would die.
Though he was ultimately saved, this misadventure developed in him a strong
aversion to water.

Question.2. Douglas fully realised the truth of Roosevelt’s statement, “All

we have to fear is fear
itself.” How did this realisation help him brush aside his fear and become
an expert swimmer? (Foreign 2014)
Answer. Douglas had experienced both the sensation of dying and the terror
that the fear of death can cause. Strong will, hard determination, courage and
toil as well as honest labour won over all his terrors and fears. The will to live
brushed aside all his fears.
In reality all our fears are only psychological, and can be easily won over, if we
can control our mind. This realisation makes Douglas resolve to learn
swimming by engaging an instructor. This instructor, piece by piece, built
Douglas into a swimmer. However, his first step was to drive away Douglas’
fear of water, before training him in swimming techniques. When Douglas
tried and swam the length of the pool up and down, small traces of his old
terror of water would return. So, he went to Lake Wentworth, dived at Triggs
Island and swam two miles across the lake to Stamp Act Island. Finally, he was
certain that he had conquered his fear of water.

Question.3. Desire, determination and diligence lead to success. Explain

the value of these
qualities in the light of Douglas’ experience in ‘Deep Water.’
(Compartment2014)
Answer. The terror of water followed Douglas wherever he went. To get rid of
it, he made a strong determination. He decided to overcome his fear through
his “will.” He engaged an instructor who would perfect him in swimming. The
instructor first helped him drive away his fear, and then gave him many
exercises besides teaching him to exhale and inhale in water.
The practice went on for months together, during which his fear came back to
haunt him, but his desire and firm will made him persist in his- efforts. It was
only through sheer determination and diligence that Douglas could not only
counter his terror, but also become an expert swimmer.
He swam across and back lakes to ensure that his fear of water did not return.
He had now completely lost his fear. His desire, determination and diligence
succeeded in banishing his fear of water.

Question.4. How did Douglas develop an aversion to water? (Delhi 2012)

or
“…….there was terror in my heart at the overpowering force of the
waves.” When did Douglas start fearing water? Which experience had
further strengthened its hold on his mind and personality? (All India
2010)
Answer. Douglas developed an aversion to water in his early childhood, When
he was three or four
years old, his father took him to a beach in California. The waves knocked him
down and
swept over him. He was buried in water. He was frightened but his father was
laughing. Perhaps this was the moment his fear of water took root inside his
mind.
Further, when Douglas was ten or eleven years old, he decided to learn to
swim and went to
the YMCA pool. Here an incident took place that finally established his
aversion to water as a big fear. One day when Douglas was alone at the pool
sitting on the edge and waiting for others to come, a big boy of 18 years of
age threw him into the deep end of the pool.
What followed was a nightmarish experience for him. Douglas tried very, hard
and applied all his knowledge to come to the surface of the water but to no
avail. Somehow, he was saved. Thus after this fearful incident, his fear of water
got implanted in his heart and mind
permanently.
Question.5. How did the instructor make Douglas a good swimmer? (All
India 2012)
Answer. To overcome his fear of water, Douglas finally decided to get an
instructor to learn
swimming. The instructor started working with him five days a week, an hour
each day. The
instructor put a belt around Douglas. A rope was attached to the belt that
went through a pulley that ran on an overhead cable. The instructor held on to
the end of the rope and , along with Douglas went back and forth, across the
pool, hour after hour, day after day,
week after week. On each trip across the pool a bit of panic seized Douglas. It
took almost three months before the tension reduced.
Then the instructor taught him to put his face under the water and exhale and
to raise his nose and inhale. For weeks, his instructor made him kick with his
legs. Until, he was able to command his legs at his will.
In this way, piece by piece, his instructor made Douglas a swimmer. When
Douglas perfected each piece, his instructor put them together into an
integrated one. As a result, in nearly six months Douglas was able to swim,
dive, crawl and so on.

CH 4 THE RATTRAP
Short Answer Type Questions (3 Marks; 30-40 words)

Question.1. In what sense was the world a big rattrap according to the
peddler? (Compartment 2014)
or
Why did the peddler think that the world was a rattrap? (All India 2009)
Answer. The peddler was a very poor man who earned his living by selling
rattraps he made himself from the materials he got by begging. His mind,
thus, was always preoccupied with rattraps. One day, he suddenly thought of
the whole world was a big rattrap. He felt that the shelter, food, clothes, riches
and joys that the world provided were all baits set to entrap man just as a
rattrap offered cheese or meat to entrap rats. As soon as one was trapped,
everything came to an end.
Question.2. Why did the peddler derive pleasure from his idea of the
world as a rattrap?
(Delhi 2014; Modified)
Answer. The world had never been kind to the poor peddler. Wherever he
went, he was greeted with sour faces and was turned or chased away.
Therefore, he derived pleasure from thinking ill of the world in this way.
Moreover, he perhaps envied those whose lot was better than his, and was
rather amused to think that some day they too would be tempted by the bait
and be caught in the Tattrap.

Question.3. Why did the peddler knock on the cottage by the roadside?
How was he treated by the Owner Of the cottage? (Compartment 2014)
Answer. The peddler knocked on the cottage by the roadside to seek shelter
for the night. The owner of the cottage was a crofter who lived there alone. He
regarded the peddler as welcome company and treated him quite hospitably.
He not only put him up for the night, but also offered him food and played
cards with him.

Question.4. Why did Edla plead with her father not to sen’d the vagabond
away?
(All India 2014; Modified)
or
Why did Edla still entertain the peddler even after she knew the truth
about him? (NCERT)
Answer. Edla had always thought the peddler to be a poor, homeless tramp.
Therefore, she didn’t feel cheated when his true identity was revealed. Instead,
she felt very bad for him and his miserable condition, and pleaded on his
behalf. She and her father had promised him Christmas cheer, and she felt that
it would be wrong to send him away.

Question.5. What conclusion did the ironmaster reach when he heard that
the crofter had been robbed by the peddler? (Compartment 2014)
Answer. It was at the church th$t the ironmaster and his daughter heard that
the crofter had been robbed by a peddler, who, no doubt, was the one they
had sheltered at the manor house. The ironmaster at once concluded that the
peddler would probably have stolen all his silverware in their absence, and rdn
away.

Question.6. What was the content of the letter written by the peddler to
Edla? (Foreign 2014)
Answer. The peddler had written that since Edla had treated him like a
captain, he wanted to be nice to her in return. He did not want her to be
embarrassed at Christmas by a thief. He had requested that the crofter’s
money that he had stolen be returned. He further wrote that the rattrap was a
Christmas present from a rat who would have been caught in the world’s
rattrap, if he had not been raised to the status of captain, which motivated him
to reform himself.

Question.7. What were the contents of the package left by the peddler as
Christmas gift for Edla Willmansson? (Compartment 2014)
Answer. The package left by the peddler as a Christmas gift for Edla
Willmansson comprised a small rattrap with three wrinkled ten kronor notes in
it, which the peddler had robbed from the crofter. It also contained a brief
letter for Edla explaining the peddler’s conduct.

Question.8. Why did the peddler decline the invitation of the ironmaster?
(Delhi 2012)
Answer.The ironmaster has mistaken the peddler for an old regimental
comrade and invited him home. The peddler declined the invitation because
he was carrying the money he had stolen from the crofter. He knew that if the
ironmaster discovered his identity, he would hand him over to the police.
Therefore, for him, going to the manor house was like walking into a lion’s
den.

Question.9. Who was the owner of Ramsjo iron mills? Why did he visit the
mills at night?
(All India 2012)
Answer.The owner of the Ramsjo iron mills was an ex-army man and an
ambitious and prominent ironmaster. He was very particular about the quality
of his products, and visited the mills even at night to make sure that good iron
was shipped out from his mills.

Question.10.How did the ironmaster react on seeing the stranger lying

close to the furnace?
(All India 2012)
Answer. When the ironmaster saw a stranger in rags lying close to the
furnace, he went near him and removed his slouch hat to get a better view of
his face. Due to dim light in the forge and the peddler’s dirty appearance, he
mistook him to be Nils Olof, an old acquaintance of his regiment. He was
delighted to see him and invited him home for Christmas.
Question.11.Why did the stranger not tell the ironmaster that he was not
Nils Olof? (All India 2012)
Answer. The stranger did not tell the ironmaster that he was not Nils Olof
because he thought that if the gentleman believed that he was an old friend
or acquaintance of his, then he might take pity on him and help him with
some money.

Question.12.Why was the crofter so talkative and friendly with the

peddler? (Delhi 2012)
Answer. The old crofter was lonfly and leading a dreary existence as he had
no wife or children. He was happy to get someone to talk to and share his
thoughts with, even though it was a tramp. So he welcomed the peddler who
was quite a patient listener, and extended his hospitality to him.

Question.13.Why was the peddler surprised when he knocked on the

door of the cottage?
(All India 2011)
Answer. The peddler had never been treated kindly by the world. He was
meted out cold treatment wherever he went. He was pleasantly surprised
when the crofter greeted him with warmth and hospitality. Ordinarily, he
always met ‘sour faces’ when he knocked for shelter and food, and was usually
turned away.

Question.14.Why did the peddler keep to the woods after leaving the
crofter’s cottage? How did
he feel?(All India 2011)
Answer. After stealing the money from the crofter’s, the peddler was cautious
to. avoid the public, highway lest he be identified and caught. He got into the
woods but finally realised that it was a big and confusing forest. The end of
the forest was nowhere in sight and he felt lost. That’s when he recalled his
thoughts about the world being a rattrap and he realised that he had indeed
become a victim of a rattrap.

Question.15.What made the peddler finally change his ways? (All India
2010)
Answer. The peddler believed in giving back to the world what he received
from it. He was always treated with contempt and hostility and so he never did
anything good. However, Edla’s kind and caring behaviour finally changed
him. She had treated him with love and respect befitting a captain, even after
realising that he was a poor vagabond. The trust that Edla showed in him
made him change his ways and he decided to live with dignity and respect.
Question.16.Why was Edla happy to see the gift left by the peddler? (All
India 2010)
Answer. Edla felt very dejected when she came to know about the theft of the
crofter’s money by the peddler, but the gift left behind, which consisted of a
small rattrap and three wrinkled ten kronor notes, restored her faith in him.
She felt happy because her trust in him had been justified. Her kindness had
finally changed the peddler and brought out his essential goodness.

Question.17.”Edla sat and hung her head even more dejectedly than
usual.” Which two reasons
forced her to behave in that manner? (Foreign 2010)
Answer. Edla had shown kindness to the peddler even after knowing that he
was not a captain. This was.the reason why she felt all the more dejected when
she came to know that the peddler whom she had sheltered was actually a
thief, who had recently robbed a crofter. Secondly, she also felt bad because
the peddler had disproved the faith which she had shown in him.

Question.18. Why did the peddler sign himself as Captain von Stahle? (All
India 2009)
Answer. The peddler owed his transformation to the kind treatment meted
out to him by Edla. In spite of knowing the truth about him, she had honoured
and treated him like a captain. She had awakened the latent goodness in his
heart. He wanted to repay Edla for her kindness. His signing himself as Captain
von Stahle shows that he wanted to retain the dignity and respect accorded to
him.

Long Answer Type Questions (6 Marks, 120-150 words)

Question.1. How did the peddler feel after robbing the crofter? What
course did he adopt and
how did he react to the new situation? What does his reaction reveal?
(Delhi 2013)
Answer. The crofter had treated the peddler with hospitality, and had even
reposed his trust in the poor vagabond. Still the peddler robbed him and was
quite pleased with his smartness. However, the fear of getting caught haunted
him. So, he avoided the public highway and turned into the woods. It was a
big and confusing forest, and due to the approaching darkness, the peddler
lost his way. He got exhausted moving around the same place, and was filled
with despair. He began to feel that the forest was like a big rattrap and the
thirty kronor he had stolen were like a bait set to tempt him.
His reaction reveals that he was feeling guilty for having stolen the crofter’s
money. His , heart was filled with remorse and self-loathing for his act of
weakness. However, his thoughts are perhaps also a way of justifying his crime.

Question.2. The story, The Rattrap’ is both entertaining and

philosophical. Do you agree with
this statement? Why/Why not? (Foreign 2011)
Answer. The story, ‘The Rattrap’ is indeed, both entertaining and
philosophical. The fast-paced narrative in the third person, generous use of
dialogue by the author and different characters belonging to different
mindsets and locales make the story interesting and entertaining. Besides, the
author has managed to keep up the suspense till the end.
The incidents in the forge, with the ironmaster coming at midnight, hold our
attention. The peddler’s incessant refusals to the ironmaster to accompany
him, but his accepting Edla’s invitation in one go, the ironmaster’s realisation
of his mistake, and Edla’s sympathy and generosity, all make the story quite
gripping. While all the above events make the story interesting, there is also an
element of philosophy in the story.
Somewhere, the peddler’s theory of the world being a rattrap is true. One feels
caught up like a rat in the entrappings of the world. Some people fall into this
trap never to come out of it again. The story teaches us that, as human beings,
we are not above temptations.

Question.3. The story focuses on human loneliness and the need to bond
with others. Explain.
(Delhi 2010)
Answer. All. the characters in the story suffer from loneliness and are dreary
souls. First of all, the tramp appears to lead a sad, monotonous existence, left
to his own musings. He is always greeted by sour faces and cold words.
The old crofter’s fate has been somewhat kinder to him. Bereft of his wife and
children, he lives all alone in a cottage by the roadside, and is rather happy to
have visitors around.
We also have the ironmaster and his daughter, Edla, who have no company for
Christmas. The ironmaster’s wife is dead and his sons are settled abroad.
He, with his daughter, are happy to play hosts for his friend. Thus, all of them
have a strong desire for bonding and comradeship. The crofter is happy to be
friends with the peddler, although only for a nig^it. It is the bonding with the
ironmaster’s daughter that transforms the peddler. The love, understanding
and dignity that he gets from the girl makes him leave his dishonest ways and
redeem himself.
Question.4. Give examples from the story, The Rattrap’ to show how the
ironmaster is different from his daughter. (Delhi 2009)
or
Compare and contrast the character of the ironmaster with that of his
daughter.
(Delhi 2008)
Answer. The character of the ironmaster was very different from that of his
daughter. He was an ambitious and arrogant man. When he saw the peddler,
he mistook him for his old regimental comrade, and invited him home, but
this was more out of his sense of pride than out of sympathy or generosity.
When the ironmaster realised that he had been mistaken, he called the
peddler dishonest and threatened to call the Sheriff. When he learnt that the
peddler was a thief, he was ‘ worried about his own silverware.
On the other hand, Edla, the ironmaster’s daughter, was a kind and
compassionate lady who was really sympathetic and considerate towards the
peddler right from the beginning. She treated him with respect and dignity
even after knowing that he was not a captain. It was her generous attitude
which finally changed the peddler, bringing out the essential goodness of his
nature.

CH 5 INDIGO
Short Answer Type Questions (3 Marks, 30-40 words)

Question.1. Why did Gandhiji feel that taking the Champaran case to
court was useless?
(Delhi 2014 Modified)
Answer. When Gandhiji got to know about the plight of the peasant groups in
Champaran from his discussion with the lawyers, he came to the conclusion
that the poor peasants were so crushed and fear-stricken that law courts were
useless in their case. Going to courts overburdened the sharecroppers with
heavy litigation expenses. What really needed to be done was to make them
free from fear.

Question.2. How did the Champaran peasants react when they heard that
a Mahatma had come
to help them? (Compartment 2014)
Answer. When the Champaran peasants heard that a Mahatma had come to
help them, they assembled in Motihari in large number. Thousands of
peasants held a demonstration around the courthouse where Gandhiji was
supposed to appear. The crowd was so uncontrollable that the officials felt
powerless, and Gandhiji himself helped the authorities to regulate the crowd.

Question.3. What made the Lieutenant Governor drop the case against
Gandhiji? (Compartment 2014)
Answer. When Gandhiji was asked to appear in the court in Motihari,
thousands of peasants held a demonstration arounck the courthouse. The
officials felt helpless and the government was baffled. The trial was postponed,
as the judge didn’t want to aggravate the situation. He held up the sentence
for several days, after which Gandhiji was released without bail. All these
events made the Lieutenant Governor drop the case against Gandhiji.

Question.4. Why did Gandhiji oppose when his friend Andrews offered to
stay in Champaran and
help the peasants? (Foreign 2014)
or
Why did Gandhiji object to CF Andrews’ stay in Champaran? (Foreign
2009)
Answer. CF Andrews, an English pacifist, was a devoted follower of Gandhiji.
The lawyers thought that bejng an Englishman, Andrews could be of immense
help to them in their cause of fighting the battle of Champaran. Gandhiji,
however,.was against this because he felt that enlisting an Englishman’s help
showed weakness. Their cause was just, and they had to win the battle by
relying on themselves. This would make them self-reliant.

Question.5. Why do you think Gandhi considered the Champaran episode

to be a turning point
in his life? (All India 2011)
Answer. The Champaran episode began as an attempt to alleviate the distress
of poor peasants. Ultimately it proved to be a turning point in Gandhiji’s life
because it was a loud proclaimation that made the British realise that Gandhiji
could not be ordered about in his own country. It infused courage to question
British authority in the masses and laid the foundation of non-cooperation as
a new tool to fight the British tooth and nail.

Question.6. What did the peasants pay to the British landlords as rent?
(Foreign 2011)
Answer. The British landlords had entered into a long-term contract with the
farmers according to which they compelled all tenants to plant 15% of their
holdings with indigo. The sharecroppers had to surrender the entire indigo
harvest as rent.

Question.7.Why did Gandhiji decide to go to Muzaffarpur before going

to Champaran? (Foreign 2011)
Answer. Rajkumar Shukla had given quite a lot of information to Gandhiji
about the indigo sharecroppers of Champaran. However, Gandhiji wished to
obtain more complete information about the conditions than Shukla had
imparted. He visited Muzaffarpur, which was en route to Champaran, to
inquire from the lawyers there about the issue, as they frequently represented
the peasant groups in the court.

Question.8.Why do you think the servants thought Gandhi to be another

peasant? (Delhi 2010)
Answer. The servants knew that Rajkumar Shukla was a poor farmer who
pestered their master to help the indigo sharecroppers. Since Gandhiji
accompanied Shukla and was dressed simply, they mistook him for a peasant.
Gandhiji’s modesty and unassertiveness also led to the assumption that he
was a peasant.

Question.9.”The battle of Champaran is won!.” What led Gandhiji to

make this remark?
(Foreign 2010)
Answer. The lawyers first decided to return home if Gandhiji. was arrested. But
they soon realised their mistake. When they declared that they would fight for
the peasants’ cause in the event of Gandhiji’s arrest and volunteered to court
arrest for the cause of the sharecroppers, Gandhiji was very pleased and
exclaimed, “The battle of Champaran is won!.”

Question.10.Why did Gandhi agree to the planters’ offer of a 25% refund

to the farmers? (Delhi 2009)
Answer. Gandhiji agreed to a settlement of 25% refund to the farmers in
order to break the deadlock between the landlords and peasants. For him the
amount of the refund was not very important. The fact that the landlords had
been obliged to surrender a part of their money as well as their prestige gave
a moral victory to the farmers. Thus, Gandhiji not only made the landlords
accept their dishonesty but also made the farmers learn a lesson in defending
their rights with courage.

Question.11.How was Gandhi able to influence the lawyers? Give

instances. (All India 2009)
or
Hbw was Gandhiji able to influence the lawyers? (All India 2008)
Answer. Gandhiji’s sincerity towards the peasants’ cause and convincing
arguments and negotiations, thoroughly influenced the lawyers. He chided
them for overcharging the peasants and encouraged them to court arrest for
the peasants’ noble cause. He even rejected their proposal to seek Mr
Andrews help in their battle against the Britishers in order to be self-reliant
and independent.

Long Answer Type Questions (6 Marks, 120-150 Words)

Question.1. Why is the Champaran episode considered to be the

beginning of the Indian struggle
for independence? (All India 2014 Modified)
Answer. The Champaran episode was one of the major events in the struggle
for independence. It was in the course of this small but significant movement
that Gandhiji decided to urge the departure of the British from India.
A close examination of the problems of the Champaran peasants opened
Gandhiji’s eyes to the unjust policies of the British. He realised that people had
to be made free from fear and only then could they be freed from foreign
oppression. The spontaneous demonstration of the people proved that
Gandhiji had the nation’s support in his fight against the Britishers. It also
aroused patriotism in the heart of the Indians.
The triumph of The.civil disobedience at Champaran motivated the launching
of the movement on a large scale during the freedom movement. Gandhiji’s
winning the case of the sharecroppers proved that British authority could be
challenged. Hence, the Champaran episode served as a stepping stone to the
Indian struggle for independence.

Question.2.Gandhiji’s loyalty was not a loyalty to abstractions; it was a

loyalty to living human
beings. Why did Gandhiji continue his stay in Champaran even after
indigo sharecropping disappeared? (All India 2014 Modified)
Answer. After the Champaran battle was won and the land reverted to the
peasants, Gandhiji continued to stay on in the region. His loyalty was, indeed,
to living human beings and he realised that a lot needed to be done for the
upliftment of the peasants in the villages of Champaran. Gandhiji took the
initiative and began the work of eradicating their cultural and social
backwardness. Primary schools were started so that the poor peasants and
their children could be educated. Gandhiji appealed to teachers, and many of
his disciples, including his wife and son, volunteered for the work.
Health conditions in the area were also miserable. Gandhiji got a doctor to
volunteer his services for six months. All this-goes to prove that Gandhiji’s
loyalty was not to abstractions, but his politics was always intertwined with the
practical day to day problems of the millions.

Question.3.Describe how, according to Louis Fischer, Gandhiji succeeded

in his Champaran
campaign. (Compartment 2014)
Answer. The Champaran campaign was an attempt to free the poor peasants
of Champaran from injustice and exploitation at the hands of the Britishers.
Gandhiji succeeded in this campaign using his method of satyagraha and non-
violence. He visited Muzaffarpur to obtain complete information about the
actual condition of the sharecroppers. He first appealed to the concerned
authorities, but when there was no positive response, he organised a mass civil
, disobedience movement with the support of the peasants.
Gandhiji’s main objective was to remove the fear of the British landlords from
the heart of the poor peasants and mould a new free Indian, who could
participate in the freedom movement of the country.
He made the peasants aware of their rights and gave them a new-found
confidence for fighting their own battles. He also taught them to be self-
reliant by refusing to take the help of CF Andrews, his English friend.

Question.4.Why did Gandhiji agree to a settlement of 25% refund to the

farmers? How did it
influence the peasant-landlord relationship in Champaran? (All India
2ol3)
Answer. Under an ancient arrangement, the peasants of Champaran were
sharecroppers. The landlords forced the Indian tenants to plant 15% of their
holding with indigo and surrender the entire indigo harvest as rent.
After Germany developed synthetic indigo, the landlords wanted to dissolve
the agreement, as synthetic indigo would be cheaper. They asked the peasants
for compensation to release them from this arrangement. Most of them
signed it willingly, but felt cheated after they learned about synthetic indigo.
Gandhiji fought their case and the evidence that he collected was so
overwhelming that the landlords were asked to repay. When Gandhiji asked
for 50% repayment, the landlords offered to pay only 25%, as they wanted to
create a deadlock, and thus prolong the dispute. To everybody surprise,
Gandhiji agreed to a refund of only 25%. Gandhiji explained that the amount
of refundwas not important. What mattered was that the landlords were
obliged to surrender a part of their money and with it, part of their prestige.

Question.5. Give an account of Gandhiji’s efforts to secure justice for the

poor indigo sharecroppers of Champaran. (All India 2012)
Answer. In the course of his journey to Champaran with Rajkumar Shukla,
Gandhiji stayed at Muzaffarpur where he met the lawyers and concluded that
fighting through courts was not going to solve the problem of the poor
sharecroppers of Champaran. He declared that the real relief for them was to
be free from fear.
With this intention, he arrived in Champaran and contacted the Secretary of
the British Landlord’s association. The Secretary refused to provide him any
information. After this, Gandhiji met the Commissioner of the Tirhut division
who served a notice on him to immediately leave Tirhut.
Gandhiji accepted the notice by signing it and wrote on it that he would not
obey the order. He was even willing to court arrest for the cause of the
peasants.
After four rounds of talks with-the Governor, an official commission of inquiry
was appointed in which Gandhiji was made the sole representative of the
peasants.
Through this commission Gandhiji succeeded in getting 25% of the
compensation award for the poor sharecroppers from the British landowners.

Question.6. The Champaran episode was a turning point in Gandhiji’s life.

Elucidate. (All India 2012)
Answer. Gandhiji himself accepted the proposition that the Champaran
episode was a turning point in his life. It was then that he decided to urge the
departure of the British from India.
In fact the Champaran episode was the first experiment of civil disobedience in
India. When Gandhiji was on his way to Champaran, he stayed in Muzaffarpur,
where he met the lawyers who were fighting cases for the sharecroppers. The
peasants were so crushed and fear-stricken . that Gandhiji concluded that law
courts were useless. The real relief for them was to be free from fear. The
spontaneous demonstration by the peasants showed that they were instilled
with a new strength and spirit. Gandhiji showed the poor peasants how to
fight the British with ‘satyagraha’. He made them aware of their power and the
power of ahimsa.
All this laid the foundation of his future movements and served as a great
source of strength and motivation for all Indians.
 CH 6 POETS AND PANCAKES
Short Answer Type Questions (3 Marks, 30-40 words)

Q1. What kind of effect does Asokamitran’s style of writing have on the reader? (CBSE
QB, 2021)
Ans. His works are distinguished by their simplicity and clarity of thought, and they are
based on his professional and personal experiences. The majority of his stories are about
middle-class people. As a result, he was able to touch the hearts and minds of countless
readers both at home and abroad. His skill and imagination as a creative writer have led
several generations of Tamil readers to a greater understanding of their plight in today’s
world and, ultimately, a reflective assertion of their own humanity.
Q2.Discuss the significance of the make-up room in the chapter, ‘Poets and Pancakes’.
(CBSE QB, 2021)
Ans. A Bengali was the head of the make-up studio at first, but he outgrew Gemini Studios
and moved on to better opportunities. Ans was in charge after him. A Maharashtrian led the
charge, with help from a Dharwar Kannadiga, an Andhra, a Madras Indian Christian, an
Anglo-Burmese, and the usual local Tamils. The fact that people from various cultures
collaborated promotes the post-independence national integration scenario. It
demonstrates how people came together.
Q3.‘In all instances of frustration, you will always find the anger directed towards a
single person openly or covertly…’ Do you think it is right to direct our anger towards
someone who is not responsible for the cause of anger? Justify. (CBSE QB, 2021)
Ans. No, it is not appropriate to direct our rage at someone who is not the source of our
rage. We become angry when we encounter roadblocks on our path to growth, when
someone challenges our authority, when someone mocks us and our self-esteem suffers, or
when things are simply not the way we want them to be. Weaker people become the target
for our rage because it is assumed they will not retaliate.
However, this is a bad practice, and one should try to control one’s anger to the greatest
extent possible.
Q4. The people left in ‘utter bafflement’ after the English poet’s speech. Mention two
things the speaker could have kept in mind before addressing an audience to avoid
such a reaction. Give your rationale for it. (CBSE QB, 2021)
Ans. Stephen Spender was summoned to the Gemini Studios to speak with the staff about
Communism, but what he said was about his struggles as a poet. Regardless of what he
said, no one seemed to be listening. When Spender realized that his audience had not
followed his talk, he came to a halt in humiliation at having given a speech to a deaf
audience, while the Gemini staff dispersed in humiliation because Spender’s accent had
failed them.
So the speaker should have anticipated the audience’s interest and spoken accordingly.
Q5.Why was the Moral Re-armament Army welcomed at the Gemini Studios? (2010
Outside Delhi; 2011 Outside Delhi)
Ans. The Moral Re-armament Army was a sort of anti-International Communist movement.
Mr. Vasan, the CEO of Gemini Studios, literally played right into their hands. People at
Gemini Studios were opposed to communism. So the Moral Re-armament Army couldn’t
have asked for a better host in India than the Gemini Studios, which welcomed them with
open arms.
Q6. Give one example to show that Gemini Studios was influenced by the plays staged
by MRA. (2010 Outside Delhi)
Ans. ‘Jotham Valley’ and ‘The Forgotten Factor’ were staged by the MRA. These were
delivered in the most professional manner possible. Because of the fantastic sets and
costumes, the Gemini family of 600 people saw these plays several times. For years, the
Gemini Studios imitated the ‘Jotham Valley’ sets and costumes. Also for some years almost
all Tamil plays had a scene of sunrise and sunset in the manner of ‘Jotham Valley’.
Q7.How did the people of Madras and those at Gemini Studios respond to the plays
staged by the Moral Re-Armament Army? (2010 Outside Delhi )
Ans. The Moral Re-Armament Army performed two plays, ‘Jotham Valley’ and ‘The Forgotten
Factor,’ in an extremely professional manner. Gemini Studios employees saw the plays
numerous times. Though the message was simple, the costumes and sets were excellent.
These plays were performed several times in Madras and had a significant impact on the
studios and Madras in general. For many years, almost all Tamil plays imitated the scenes of
‘Jotham Valley’ at sunrise and sunset.
Q8.Account for Subbus importance in Gemini Studios. (2009 Outside Delhi)
Ans. Subbu was an all-around genius. He was a great poet, writer, and actor. He gave
Gemini Studios a new meaning and direction, as well as the art of filmmaking, by channeling
all of his energy and creativity into the company’s benefit. Furthermore, almost everyone
admired him for his noble and charitable nature.
Q9. Who was Subbu’s enemy? Why? (2008 Delhi)
Ans. The ‘boy’ in the make-up department was Subbu’s adversary. His rage and frustration
were directed at him. Subbu, the boy was convinced, was the source of his woes and
miseries. This ‘boy’ was envious of Subbu’s rising stars, success, and closeness to the boss.
Q10. What does Asokamitran’s narrative in Poets and Pancakes demonstrate about
Subbu? (CBSE Sample Paper 2022)
Ans. In “Poets and Pancakes,” Asokamitran’s narrative delves into the character of Subbu, a
young writer working for a magazine in Chennai. The story depicts Subbu’s struggles with
creative expression and the pressures of the literary establishment through his experiences.
Subbu is portrayed in the story as a talented but insecure writer who frequently clashes with
the conservative and commercially-driven ethos of his magazine. The story reveals the
complexity of Subbu’s character and the conflicting motivations that drive him through his
encounters with other writers and editors.

Long Answer Type Questions (6 Marks, 120-150 Words)

Q1. Author has used gentle and subtle humor to point out human foibles and
idiosyncrasies in the lesson ‘ Poets and Pancakes’. Elucidate.(CBSE Sample Paper 2019)
Ans. This piece contains several instances of gentle humor. The description of the make-up
department consuming truckloads of pancakes (which they did not eat, of course) is
particularly intriguing. The make-up room, complete with mirrors and lights, resembled a
hair salon. Because there was a gang of people from different parts of India, the make-up
department was a symbol of national integration. This gang of nationally recognised make-
up artists could transform any decent-looking person into a hideous crimson-colored
monster. The task of making actors look ugly was assigned to a strict hierarchy in the make-
up department.
There was a young man in the office (though he was not a boy but a grown up man of forty).
He had joined the Studios years before in the hopes of becoming a famous actor,
screenwriter, director, or lyricist. He came to the author to inform him of how great literary
talent was being squandered. The author, on the other hand, prayed for a crowd, shooting
all the time to get rid of a genius of a bore.
Q2.Why is Subbu described as a many-sided genius? Give a reasoned answer. (2013
Comptt. Outside Delhi)
Ans. The author depicts a caricature of the so-called “go-getters” who are not actually
talented but manage to create an aura of talent around themselves through the character of
Kothamangalam Subbu. Though he worked in the Story Department at Gemini Studios, he
was always with the boss. Subbu uses all of his energy and creativity to benefit his boss. He
successfully delves into the various spheres of filmmaking, giving the impression of being a
brilliant storyteller, a talented actor, and a man who is always ready with numerous
solutions to any problem. He makes the art of filmmaking appear simple to his boss.
Thus, Subbu, with his cunning, exploits his boss’s gullibility and presents himself as a multi-
faceted genius with multi-faceted abilities.
Q3.Subbu was ‘tailor-made for films’. How did he use his genius in various activities in
the Gemini Studios? (2008 Outside Delhi)
Ans. Subbu is portrayed by the author as a man with diverse abilities who can successfully
delve into various aspects of filmmaking. Subbu had mastered all aspects of filmmaking,
from storyboarding to poetry and character development. He had been ‘tailor-made’ for
filmmaking. Filmmaking appeared to be rather simple with an expert like Subbu walking
around, as he understood all of the minutiae and technicalities of filmmaking. Subbu was
the one who gave the Gemini Studios a “new direction and definition” during its golden
years. Subbu focused all of his energy and creativity on his boss, Mr. Vasan.
If his boss was unhappy with one scene, Subbu would offer him several alternatives. He was
familiar with all of the complexities of filmmaking and could demonstrate his talent in any
artistic arena.
Q4.How was the Moral Re-Armament Army welcomed at the Gemini Studios? (2008
Outside Delhi)
Ans. In 1952, Frank Buchman’s Moral Re-Armament Army, consisting of 200 people from
twenty different nationalities, paid a visit to Madras. The MRA was seen as a counter-
movement to international communism, and the Gemini Studios did not hold communism
or communists in high regard. But because Mr. Vasan, the boss at Gemini Studios, was
fascinated by the MRA, they couldn’t have found a “warmer” host than Gemini Studios in
India. The MRA performed two plays, ‘Jotham Valley’ and ‘The Forgotten Factor,’ in a
professional manner. Six hundred Gemini Studios patrons saw the plays several times.
Although the messages in these plays were simple, the sets and costumes were of the
highest quality.
Both the Tamil drama community and Gemini Studios were impressed. The sunrise and
sunset scenes from ‘Jotham Valley’ were copied for years.
Q5.‘Subbu was a troubleshooter.’ Do you agree with this statement? Give an account
of Subbu’s qualities of head and heart. (2012 Outside Delhi)
Ans. Subbu was a self-centered go-getter whose subservience brought him close to his boss
and propelled him to the number two position at Gemini Studios. He was a cunning
individual who preyed on his boss’s gullibility and portrayed himself as competent and
capable. Despite the fact that he was undeserving and lacked talent, he always maintained a
positive attitude and refused to let anything dampen his spirits. He had something nice to
say about everyone. With an expert like Subbu around, filmmaking appeared to be simple.
He put all of his energy and creativity to work for his boss.
Subbu was also a fantastic poet and actor. He wrote truly original poems for the masses,
and as an actor, he was better at playing secondary roles than the main actors. His
adoration for his boss earned him enemies. He also enraged many of these people, who
saw themselves as far more talented and deserving than him.
Q6. What political significance does Gemini Studios’ invitation to Moral Re-Armament
army and Stephen Spender show? (2012 Outside Delhi)
Ans. The Moral Re-Armament army was a counter-movement to Communism, and the
Gemini Studios had a natural dislike for Communists and Communism. They believed that
the Communists’ goal was to sow discord and violence. By acting as a “warm host” to the
Moral Re-Armament army, the Gemini Studios demonstrated a counter-movement to
Communism’s ideas. The Gemini Studios invited Stephen Spender to highlight how a
renowned English poet, who was once attracted to Communism, was later completely
disillusioned by it. This fueled their antipathy towards Communism, which they were able to
publicly express.
Q7. What was the Moral Rearmament Army? Describe their visit to the Gemini
Studios.
Ans. In 1952, Frank Buchman’s Moral Rearmament Army paid a visit to the Gemini Studios.
It was a theater company. In reality, it was an anti-international communist movement. It
had 200 participants and was billed as an international circus. The players were from twenty
different countries.They performed two plays in the most professional manner possible. The
plays were simple homilies with fantastic costumes and sets. Their play, “Jotham Valley,”
made an impression on the Tamil theater. For years, they imitated sunrise and sunset
scenes in their own unique way. The scenes were performed on a bare stage with a white
backdrop and a flute tune.
Though the MRA was anti-communist, and anti-communist sentiment existed at the Studios,
the arrival of the MRA had no effect on the bosses’ attitude; their businesses continued as
usual.
Q8.The ‘office boy’ of the Gemini Studios was not as blessed as Subbu. Explain.
Ans. According to the hierarchy in the make-up room, the ‘office boy’ was the junior-most
and thus was in charge of the make-up of the players who played the crowd. He wasn’t
exactly a ‘boy;’ he was in his early forties and had started working in the studios years
before in the hopes of becoming a star actor, screenwriter, director, or lyrics writer. The
‘boy’ felt that his great literary talent was being squandered in a department reserved for
barbers and perverts.
Subbu, on the other hand, had risen to the position of No. 2 at Gemini Studios solely
because he was a Brahmin. He’d started out as a make-up artist in the movies.He must have
had to deal with more uncertainty and difficulty because there were no well-established film
producing companies or studios when he began his career.
Q9.After reading this story, you are impressed by the author’s use of gentle humor to
point out human foibles. Evaluate whether using such humor contributes towards
bringing about change in people’s attitude and accepting their foibles. (CBSE QB,2021)
Ans. Asokamitran employs subtle humor and satire in the chapter ‘Poets and Pancakes’ to
highlight human foibles. Petty professional differences and insignificant differences not only
keep our minds occupied, but they also bring out a subtle humor that is spontaneous but
not superfluous. Subbu, the office boy, and the legal advisor are all played with a sense of
humor. Asokamitran’s chatty demeanor quickly shifts from one thought to the next. For
example, he mocks the makeup used by artists, which can transform any normal-looking
person into a hideous crimson-colored monster. Such references make people laugh.
Everyone is perplexed by the Moral Rearmament Army’s and the English poet’s visits. Satire
is also directed at those who are opposed to communism and will go to any length to
oppose it. The writer’s tone of mockery is devoid of any trace of mockery, which is
admirable.
In most cases, an individual’s use of such humor does not contribute to changing people’s
attitudes and accepting their flaws. Instead, it is shame or embarrassment that causes
emotional or mental distress. As a result, it causes more harm than good.
Q10.Imagine Asokamitran witnesses a film shooting and visits a film set of present
day Bollywood. As Asokamitran wrote a diary entry penning down the transformation
you notice between film making of yesteryears and today. (CBSE QB,2021)
Ans.
XX May, 20XX
Dear Diary, 8 p.m.
I went to Gemini Studios today and was completely taken aback. There has never been a
better time for aspiring filmmakers than now. Previously, films were stored in the form of
negatives, which required a lot of space, infrastructure, and money. There have been
instances where copies of films were destroyed due to natural and man-made disasters. We
can now write off the loss of a cinema print as a thing of the past. The process of showing a
movie has become simpler and less expensive. As a result, releasing a film across the
country at the same time has become commonplace. Previously, analogue prints had to be
physically delivered to various locations across the country.
As a result, not every location in the country had simultaneous access to a movie.
Moviegoers had to wait months to see a highly anticipated film. Digital prints can now be
sent via the infinitely simpler electronic route. Another significant benefit of cinema
digitization has been in post-production. Computerized non-linear editing has increased
flexibility and produced better results. Viewers’ cinematic experiences have been
transformed by the use of Virtual Reality (VR), Augmented Reality (AR), Mixed Reality (MR),
and advanced Visual Effects (VFX).
There is no reason why the final product cannot be good if the story is good and the
execution plan is good. The audio-visual content is no longer consistent.

CH 7 THE INTERVIEW
Short Answer Type Questions (3 Marks, 30-40 words)

Q1 Other than celebrities, what do some people think about an interview?

Ans. Other than celebrities, mostly common persons think that an interview is the only and
best source of truth. It, according to them, is an art.
Q2 In which way do the celebrities take an interview?
Ans. Celebrities find themselves as victims, they take interviews as an unwarranted
intrusion into their lives which somehow diminishes them.
Q3 How can we say that Umberto Eco had a wide range of writing?
Ans. Umberto Eco had an expertise in semiotics and other than this he started to write
fiction, literary fiction, academic texts, essays, children’s books, newspaper articles etc. So
his versatility in writing can be easily understood.
Q4 What made ‘The Name of the Rose’ a highly successful novel?
Ans. According to Umberto Eco, the most possible reason for the success of the novel was a
mystery and actually nobody could predict the exact reason for it.
Q5 What is Umberto Eco’s theory of interstices?
Ans. Umberto Eco says that if we eliminate the empty spaces from the universe, then the
universe would become as big as his fist. He stresses on the importance of the empty
spaces of time.
Q6 Umberto Eco does many things, but says, ‘I am always doing the same thing but
that is more difficult to explain.’ What does he mean to say?
Ans. Umberto Eco says that he has philosophical interests which reflect in all his writings,
fiction and nonfiction. In this way, he does the same thing, though he seems to pursue
various activities: writing notes for newspapers, teaching novels, writing essays, children’s
books etc.
Q7 Despite the drawbacks, the interview is a supremely serviceable medium of
communication. Explain.
Ans. Though an interview is an intrusion into the personal life of the interviewee, it is always
a supremely serviceable medium of communication. Through the interviews only we get
vivid impressions of our contemporary celebrities. We get a glance of their way of working,
their personal life and experiences.
Q8 What are some of the positive views on interviews?
Ans. Interview is considered as a reliable source of truth. Contemporaries and their success
can be read through the interviews. Nowadays, a very important part of journalism is
interviews.
Q9 Why do most celebrity writers despise being interviewed? (CBSE 2003, 2005, 2010)
Ans. Most celebrity writers despise being interviewed because they have faced the fright of
interview. Among them, the interview is regarded as an unwarranted entrance into their
privacy.
Q10 What do you understand by the expression “thumbprints on his windpipe”?
Ans. Thumbprints on his windpipe expresses the blockage to any person’s freedom and
privacy. It can be considered as a suffocation felt by the interviewees.
Q11 Do you think Umberto Eco likes being interviewed? Give reasons for your opinion.
Ans. Umberto Eco surely likes being interviewed as a part of his interview is presented in
this chapter. He answers every question asked by Mukund and never frustrates or criticizes
the interview like many other celebrity writers do.
Q12 How does Eco find the time to write so much?
Ans. Umberto Eco uses each and every moment of time. He is capable of utilizing the little
space of free time between different activities. So he calls it the usage of interstices, the
management of time.
Q13 What was distinctive about Eco’s academic writing style? (CBSE 2004)
Ans. Eco’s academic writing style can be said as a narrative which is personalised and
interesting. Eco’s writing style is not dull and boring like the others.
Q14 Did Umberto Eco consider himself a novelist first or an academic scholar?
Ans. Umberto Eco firstly considered himself as an academic scholar because he was a
professor and wrote many academic texts while he wrote his first novel at the age of 50,
that too, accidentally.
Q15 What is the reason for the huge success of the novel, The Name of the Rose?
(CBSE 2008)
Ans. ‘The Name of the Rose’ is a serious detective story but it delved into metaphysics,
theology and medieval history. The novel got huge success and the reason for its success is
perhaps, the favourable time of its publication.

Long Answer Type Questions (6 Marks, 120-150 Words)

Q1 Explain the word Interview and how many writers find favor with it.
OR
Why do you think Christopher Silvester describes the viewpoints of other writers and
authors when discussing the concept of an interview? Support your opinion with
reference to any one writer cited. (CBSE QUESTION BANK)
Ans. The word ‘interview’ is derived from the French derivative word “entrevue”. It is a
conversation between a journalist or broadcaster and a person of public interest. It is an
oral examination of an applicant for a job through the process of formal questioning. Since
the word has wider implications, it duly involves screening, interaction and introspection.
During the process, both the interviewer and the interviewee participate and the
interviewee has to face the horror of the interviewer.
The word interview was inserted 130 years ago. Since then it has become a commonplace in
journalism. In this world, all have to undergo the process of the interview. Thousands of
people are interviewed daily for one or the other kind. Depending on the merit of the
interview, people have claimed in its highest form as a source of truth and in its practice, it is
an art. H.G. Wells remained averse to ‘interview’ and in 1894 he referred to it as an ordeal.
But forty years later he himself was found interviewing Joseph Stalin of Russia. People view
that almost everything reaches us through asking the interviewer who holds a position of
unprecedented power and influence.
Q2 Mukund Padmanabhan was a reporter from ‘The Hindu’. In the context of the
chapter, reveal his traits as an interviewer.
OR
How would you evaluate Mukund Padmanabhan as an interviewer? Mention at least
two qualities he displays in his interview, supported by textual evidence. (CBSE
QUESTION BANK)
Ans. Mukund Padmanabhan was surely a successful and well thought-out reporter who
always used to ask answerable and dexterous questions to his interviewees. He used to plan
and prepare to conduct an interview of a celebrity. He never asked ugly or embarrassing
questions and on the other hand, the celebrity whom he interviewed always seemed to be
comfortable with his questions. Through the interviews, readers not only got the
information about the celebrities but many other important aspects of Mukund’s
personality also came in their knowledge. He asked brief and quality questions to his
interviewees scrupulously. He let the interviewees speak in their own manner and never
tried to interrupt or cross-questioned them.
His interviewees used to be free and frank with him. He was always a prepared interviewer.
Mukund, in advance arranged the information and personality traits of his interviewees and
then with full preparations started his sessions. In all we can say that Mukund
Padmanabhan was a disciplined and dedicated interviewer.
Q3 Several celebrities despise being interviewed. Is this justified? Why? Why not?
(CBSE 2010)
Ans. There are several celebrities mentioned in this chapter like Rudyard Kipling, VS Naipaul,
H.G. Wells, Saul Bellow, etc. who dislike interviews very strongly. They never became ready
to be interviewed. Most of them considered interviews as an unwarranted intrusion into
their lives. They did not want to reveal the secrets of their personal lives.
Even an interview is considered as an immoral activity, as a crime or sometimes as an
assault. They feel that the interviewers waste their precious time which can be used by them
for more creativity. On the other hand, the common mass takes interviews very positively as
they come to know about the inner and hidden things of their ideals. But interviews have
their drawbacks also.
Celebrities feel shy and disappointed when they are asked for interviews but they forget
that they become famous and wealthy through the successful interviews General mass
become their fan and devotee by knowing more and more about their ideals. Celebrities are
even worshipped. In this regard, it can be said that an interview cannot be termed as an
immoral activity.
Q4 Give a character sketch of Umberto Eco on the basis of the chapter ‘The Interview’.
OR
What do you think about Umberto Eco? Does he like being interviewed? Give reasons
in support of your answer. (CBSE 2008)
OR
What impression do you form about Umberto Eco as a scholar and writer on the basis
of ‘The Interview’? (CBSE 2010)
Ans. Umberto Eco, a university professor at the University of Bologna in Italy, is an
academician and a famous novelist. He, through various interviews, discloses his secret of
success in life and never hates the interviewers. He has his taste in various fields of writings
as academic texts. fiction and nonfiction, literary fiction essays, children’s books, newspaper
articles etc.
He always wanted to be called an academician not a novelist. He used to participate in
academic conferences, on the other hand, he avoided the meetings of writers and Pen Club
Members. He has written forty scholarly works and five novels. He used to denote time for
writing novels on only Sundays. He discovered a magical trick of working in interstices.

He used to use even the seconds of his time. He captured the empty spaces for writing
notes or any content. He had an expertise in Semiotics, the study of signs. He never became
a slave of pride as he openly admitted that his novel ‘The Name of the Rose’ got success
accidently and the time was in his favour. He didn’t have any celebrity attitude though his
novel was bought by more than 10 million of the readers

CH 8 GOING PLACES
Short Answer Type Questions (3 Marks, 30-40 Words)

Question.1. Why is Sophie attracted to Danny Casey? (Compartment

2014)
Answer. Danny Casey is a young and successful football player from Ireland.
He is also quite handsome, which adds to his popularity among his fans,
especially young giris of Sophie’s age. Naturally, Sophie is attracted to him.
Besides, her family members are also huge football fans and Casey is a hero
for them.

Question.2. How are Jansie and-Sophie different from each other?

(Compartment 2014)
Answer. Jansie and Sophie have contrasting characters and an altogether
different approach towards life. Jansie is quite practical and her feet are
grounded in reality, whereas Sophie is a daydreamer and lives in an imaginary
world. Jansie is mature and accepts the truth that people of their stature can
only become workers in a biscuit factory. On the other hand, Sophie tries to
escape from reality and dreams of becoming an actress, a manager or a
fashion designer.

Question.3. Why did Sophie long for her brother’s affection? (All India
2014)
or
Why did Sophie like her brother Geoff more than any other person?
(Delhi 2013)
Answer. Sophie found in her brother, Geoff a patient listener to all her
fantasies and also one she could confide in. The otjier members of her family
and even her friend Jansie made fun of her fantastic stories. This made her
quite fond of Geoff. She also looked upon Geoff as someone widely travelled.
His world remained a fascination for her and she longed that someday he
might take her thera

Question.4. Did Geoff keep up his promise? How do you know? (All India
2013)
or
Did Geoff keep his promise to Sophie? How do you know? (Delhi 2011)
Answer. Geoff didn’t keep his promise to Sophie. Sophie told Geoff about her
meeting with Danny Casey at the Royce’s. Geoff told the story to Frank who in
turn told his sister, Jansie, about it. However, Geoif never revealed the full
story, as he did not tell anyone about Sophie’s supposed’date’with Danny
Casey.

Question.5. Why was Sophie jealous of Geoff’s silence?

Answer. Geoff never spoke much. Sophie always pondered over the areas of
his life which he never talked about. His world remained a fascination for her.
She felt that when he was not speaking, his mind was away at some unknown
place, and so she felt jealous of him.
Question.6. Why did Sophie not want Jansie to know anything about her
meeting with Danny
Casey? (All India 2012)
or
Why didn’t Sophie want Jansie to know about her story with Danny?
(Delhi 2011)
Answer. Sophie did not want Jansie to know anything about her meeting with
Danny Casey because she knew that Jansie was a blabber mouth. The moment
Jansie knew of someone’s secret, the whole neighbourhood would get to
know of it. Sophie did not want to be ridiculed before others.

Question.7. How did Sophie’s father react when Geoff told him about her
meeting with Danny
Casey?(Delhi 2011)
Answer. Sophie’s father is a realist to the core. He does not believe in Sophie’s
story at all and dismisses it as another of her wild fantasies. When Geoff tells
him about Sophie’s chance encounter with Danny Casey, the Irish prodigy, he
expresses disdain and rubbishes her story. He changes the topic by saying that
he once knew a man who knew another famous English footballer named Tom
Finney. He warns Sophie that such concocted stories would land her intp
trouble some day.

Question.8. What thoughts came to Sophie’s mind as she sat by the

canal? (All India 2011)
Answer. Sophie felt doubts stirring inside her, as she sat by the canal waiting
for Danny Casey. When she saw no sign of him, she remembered Geoff’s
words that Casey would not come. She wonders what she would tell her
family. She thinks that Geoff would be disappointed. She is saddened by the
fact that she will never be able to show her family that they are wrong to cast
doubts on her.

Question.9. Which was the only occasion when Sophie got to see Danny
Casey in person?
(All India 2011)
Answer. The only occasion when Sophie got to see Danny Casey in person
was when she went to watch the match with her family. Sitting amongst the
spectators, Sophie saw Casey from a distance. The power of her imagination
was such that she concocted a story of her brief encounter with him and
almost got an autograph from him.
Question.10.Why did Jansie discourage Sophie from entertaining
thoughts about the sports- star,
Danny Casey? (All India 2011)
Answer. Jansie was a realist, and not a daydreamer like Sophie. She
discouraged Sophie from having such dreams because her dreams were wild
and impossible. She had neither the means nor the skills to achieve them. She
feels sad because she knows that both of them will have to work at the biscuit
factory after they pass out of school. It was preposterous for her to live in such
a dream world and it could lead to depression or low self-esteem.

Question.11.Why did Sophie wriggle when Geoff told her father that she
had met Danny Casey?
(Foreign 2011)
Answer. When Geoff told her father about Sophie’s chance encounter with
Danny Casey, Sophie wriggled because she knew that her father wouldn’t
believe it. Her father was a practical, realistic person and Sophie was sure that
he would be angry with her and reprimand her for concocting such stories.
She feared that she would have to add more details to the story to make it
sound authentic.

Question.12.”Damn that Geoff, this was Geoff thing, not a Jansie thing,”
Why did Sophie say so?
(Delhi 2010)
Answer. Sophie knew that her classmate Jansie poked her nose into every
matter, She was a rumour monger. Jansie came to know about the Sophie-
Casey encounter through Frank, her brother, who was friends with Geoff.
Sophie was annoyed with Geoff because this story was meant only for him.
Sophie knew that Jansie would spread this information like wildfire and it
could draw lots of people to her house to enquire about Casey.

Question.13.Does Geoff believe what Sophie says about her meeting with
Danny Casey?
(All India 2010)
Answer. Geoff does not believe Sophie’s story about her meeting with Danny
Casey, the Irish football star. Although he had a strong bond with his sister, as
she shared all her secrets with him, he dismissed the whole story as a most
unlikely thing. He does not hesitate to tell her that Casey would never keep his
promise of meeting her again to give her his autograph.

Question.14.What did Sophie imagine about her meeting with Danny

Casey? (All India 2008)
Answer. Sophie imagines that she has met Danny Casey, the Irish football
prodigy, at Royce’s. She cooks up details about his appearance and says that
she asked him for an autograph but could not get it as neither of them had
paper or pen. They talked for a while about the clothes in the shop. Casey
promised to meet her again next week.

Long Answer Type Questions (6 Marks, 120-150 words)

Question.1. Has Sophie met Danny Casey? What details of her meeting
with Danny Casey did
she narrate to her brother? (Delhi 2014 Modified)
or
Did Sophie really meet Danny Casey? (NCERT)
Answer. No Sophie has never re&lly met Danny Casey. She has just seen
Danny Casey on the field when she went to watch team United play a football
match. There, she was one of the spectators and could see Casey playing only
from a distance.
However, Sophie lives in an imaginary world. Casey was a young sportstar and
Sophie worshipped him as her hero. Her meeting with Casey was just another
of her wild fantasies. She was so engrossed in her daydreams that what she
imagined seemed real to her.
Sophie told her brother Geoff that she met Casey near Royce’s. As she was
looking at the clothes, Casey came and stood beside her. She wanted to take
his autograph for her younger brother’Derek, but neither of them had a pen or
paper. Casey then suggested that they could meet again next week, and then
he would also give his autograph.

Question.2. What were Sophie’s plans for her future? Why would you call
her dreams unrealistic?
(Delhi 2014; Modified)
Answer. Sophie planned to open a boutique after she passed out of school.
When Jansie told her that it would require a lot of money, she said that she
would become a manager and save money ! for her boutique. She later also
added that she would either become an actress or a fashion designer. For a
girl from a lower middle class family such dreams are certainly far from reality.
Sophie’s friend Jansie, who is quite practical, knows that they will ultimately
have to work in the biscuit factory. She even dissuades Sophie from indulging
in such childish fantasies. Sophie wants to materialise all those things which
were simply not possible practically. Never for once in the story does the girl
think practically or come out of her dream world.
Question.3. Sophie was a dreamer. The lesson ‘Going Places’ reminds us
that mere dreams will
not help us to accomplish anything. What qualities, do you think, would
help Sophie to realise her dreams? (Foreign 2014)
Answer. Sophie lives in a world of dreams, which is far from reality. It is not
unreasonable to have high hopes and ambitions for one’s future, but such
dreaming can be justified only when one is prepared to work hard to realise
one’s dreams.
Sophie too needs to work hard to achieve her dreams, instead of just
imagining a bright and successful future for herself, or fantasising about her
meeting with Danny Casey. She should accept the reality that she belongs to a
middle class working family. Initially, she would face some difficulties because
of her poor financial condition, but if she persists with sincere devotion, she
could certainly raise her status to the level from where she would actually have
the company of successful .people like Danny Casey. Besides, with better
educational qualifications, increased opportunities, hard work and more
savings, she could even own a boutique in futufe.

Question.4. Attempt a character sketch of Sophie as a woman who lives in

her dreams. (Delhi 2012)
Answer. Sophie has been portrayed as the central character in the story
‘Going Places’. She perfectly represents the girls of her age who live in poor
families.
Sophie always lives in a dream world, dreaming impossible things. The
opening scene of the story clearly tells what sort of girl she is. She is not ready
to accept the reality of her family’s condition and dreams of having a boutique
of her own.
She makes up the story of meeting Danny Casey, a charming and upcoming
footballer. Nobody believes her but she refuses to accept that it is her dream.
Rather, she starts believing that she has met him and to prove that she is
telling the truth, she makes up another story that she has fixed a date with
him.
She is so lost in her dreams that she actually goes to the canal and waits for
him. He does not show up. She knows that he will not come, but still she
becomes sad. Such is the character of Sophie.

Question.5.Contrast Sophie’s real world with her fantasies. (Delhi 2009)

Answer. The story ‘Going Places’ is a journey into the dream world of the
protagonist, a schoolgirl named Sophie who drifts from one dream to another.
The world of dreams is so fascinating for her that even her wildest thoughts
can find refuge it.
Sophie finds the reality of her life too harsh to accept. She belongs to a lower
middle class family where nobody encourages her to dream of better
prospects. Still she dreams of owning the best boutique, becoming a manager
in some store or at other times becoming an actress or a fashion designer.
In her dream world, she visits the Royce’s, meets Danny Casey, the sports icon,
and even fixes up a date with him. It’s all in her mind but she considers it true
and actually waits for him to show up at a specified spot and time. The flight
of her imagination is such that it flips from one dream to another, from one
place to the other.

POETRY

POEM 1 MY MOTHER AT SIXTY

SIX

Extract Based Questions (4 Marks)

Question.1. Read the extract given below and answer the questions that
follow.
I looked again at her, wan, pale
as a late winter’s moon and felt that old
familiar ache, my childhood’s fear,
but all I said was see you soon, Amma,
all I did was smile and smile and smile ……… (Foreign 2014; Modified)
(a) What was the poet’s childhood fear?
(b) What were the poet’s parting words?
(c) What is the poetic device used in these lines?
(d) Why did the poet smile and smile?
Answer. (a) In her childhood, the poet was insecure about losing her mother,
just as all young children often are.
(b) The poet’s parting words were, “See you soon, Amma”, which are
suggestive of the hope that they will meet again.
(c) The poetic device used in these lines is simile, where the mother’s dull and
lifeless face is compared to a late winter’s moon.
(d) The poet smiled and smiled (meaning that she smiled continuously)
because she was trying to hide her real feelings. She feared the fact that she
might not see her mother again, which left her almost in tears.

Question.2. Read the extracts given below and answer the questions that
follow.
……….but soon
put that thought away and
looked out at young
trees sprinting, the merry children spilling
out of their homes……………
(a) What thought did the poet drive away from her mind?
(b) What did she see when she looked out of the car?
(c) How do you know that the joyful scene didn’t help her drive away the
painful thought from her mind?
(d) What are the merry children symbolic of? (Compartment 2014;
Modified)
or
(a) Which thought did the poet put away?
(b) What do the ‘sprinting trees’ signify?
(c) What are “the merry children spilling out of their homes”, symbolic
of?
(d) Why does the poet make use of the images of ‘young trees sprinting’
and ‘merry children spilling’? (Delhi 2014; Modified)
or
(a) Who looked out at the young trees?
(b) Which thought did she put away?
(c) What do young sprinting trees signify?
(d) Why are the trees described as sprinting? (Delhi 2008)
Answer. (a) The poet drove away the painful thought of the distressing reality
that her mother was getting old and she might die anytime.
(b) When she looked out of the car, she saw young trees on the roadside,
which appeared to be moving. She also saw a group of children, merrily
rushing out of their homes to play.
(c) As the poet passed through security check at the airport and happened to
look at her mother, she was again haunted by the same fear of losing her to
death. This shows that the joyful scene earlier didn’t help drive away the
painful thought from her mind.
(d) The merry children are symbolic of the exuberance of youth. The energetic
and lively children present a contrast to the poet’s mother who has grown old
and pale.
or
Answer. (a) The poet put away the thought of the-distressing reality of her
mother getting old and of her impending death.
(b) The ‘sprinting trees’ signify time that has passed at a fast pace.
(c) The merry children epitomise bubbly youth. They represent the exuberance
and liveliness of young age.
(d) The poet makes use of these images to emphasise the contrast between
old age and youth.
or
Answer. (a) The poet Kamala Das looked out at young trees.
(b) Seeing her aged mother, she felt insecure about the fact that she might be
separated from her mother. The poet was also feeling guilty for neglecting her.
She wondered if she would see her mother alive next time. However, she soon
put these thoughts away.
(c) The young sprinting trees symbolise happiness, strength and vigour which
are the characteristics of youth in contrast to the dullness of old age.
(d) As the poet looked outside the window of her moving car, the trees
appeared to be moving fast in the opposite direction. So, they are described
as sprinting.

Question.3. Read the extract given below and answer the questions that
follow.
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 …
(a) Where was the poet driving to?
(b) Why was her mother’s face looking like that of a corpse?
(c) What did the poet notice about her mother?
(d) Why was the realisation painful? (All India 2013; Modified)
Answer. (a) The poet was driving to Cochin airport from her parent’s home.
(b) Her mother’s face had lost all its glow and colour. It was nearly lifeless. That
is why it was looking like a corpse’s face.
(c) The poet noticed that her mother was sleeping with her mouth open. Her
face looked like that of a corpse. She suddenly realised that her mother had
become very old.
(d) The realisation that her mother had grown very old was painful because it
brought with it the distressing thought that she was also nearing her death,
whose cruel hands would separate the poet from her mother.

Question.4. Read the extract given below and answer the questions that
follow.
…….and
looked but soon
put that thought away and
looked out at young
trees sprinting,
the merry children spilling
out of their homes,………..
(a) Name the poem and the poet.
(b) What did the poet realise? How did she feel?
(c) What did she do then?
(d) What did she notice in the world outside?
Answer. (a) The name of the poem is ‘My Mother at Sixty-Six’ and the poet is
Kamala Das.
(b) The poet realised that her mother was getting old and was nearing her
impending death. She felt afraid of losing her mother, the same fear which she
used to face in her childhood.
(c) The poet at once turned her face away from the harsh reality and looked
out of the window to divert her mind.
(d) The poet.saw green trees sprinting by. She also saw a group of children
who were exuberant, enthusiastic and were merrily coming out of their houses.

Question.5. Read the extract given below and answer the questions that
follow.
…………….and felt that old
familiar ache, my childhood’s fear,
but all I said was, see you soon, Amma,
all I did was smile and smile and smile
(a) What was the childhood fear that now troubled the poet?
(b) What do the poet’s parting words suggest?
(c) Why did the poet smile and smile?
(d) Explain, “that old familiar ache.” (Delhi 2009; Modified)
Answer. (a) As a child the poet was insecure about losing her mother and the
same fear has come again now when her mother has grown old.
(b) The poet, while parting, smiled and said to her mother that she would see
her soon. This expression of her suggests that though she was aware that her
mother was quite old and weak, yet she could not do anything about it. She
could not even communicate her true feelings to her mother.
(c) The poet smiled and smiled only because she wanted to hide her fears
from her mother. She was reassuring herself and also her mother that they
would meet again.
(d) “That old familiar ache” refers to the agony and pain of separation from her
mother that the poet felt in her childhood, as she feared that she might iose
her mother.

Short Answer Type Questions (3 Marks, 30-40 Words)

Question.1. How does Kamala Das try to put away the thoughts of her
ageing mother? (Delhi 2014; Modified)
Answer. Kamala Das finds the thoughts of her ageing mother very painful and
disturbing. It is hard for her to accept the fact of her mother growing old, as it
brings back to her mind her childhood fear of losing her mother. She makes a
deliberate effort to drive or put away such thoughts by looking out of the
moving car, at the trees ‘sprinting’ and the joyful young children rushing out
of their homes.

Question.2. What was the poet’s childhood fear? (All India 2014)
or
What were Kamala Das, fears as a child? Why do they surface when she is
going to the airport? (All India 2011)
Answer. As a child Kamala Das was insecure about losing her mother just as
all young children often are. The same feelings are evoked inside her while she
is on the way to the airport, as she sees her mother’s pale face, which is a sign
of her old age and impending death.

Question.3. What do the parting words of Kamala Das and her smile
signify? (Compartment 2014)
or
What do the parting words of the poet and her smile signify? (All India
2010)
Answer. The poet’s parting words and her smile are a facade to hide her
feelings of insecurity. The pale and senile appearance of her mother brings
back her childhood fear of losing her mother. She can definitely experience
the pangs of separation, yet she bids her farewell in a pleasant manner. She
reassures her mother that all will be well and they would meet again.
Question.4. Why has the poet’s mother been compared to the “late
winter’s moon”? (Delhi 2013)
or
Why has Kamala Das compared her mother to a “late winter’s moon”?
(Foreign 2011)
Answer. The poet has used this simile as ‘the late winter’s moon’ looks too
hazy and lacks brightness and lustre. Similarly, the mother, who is now sixty-
six, is pale and has a shrunken and ashen face. She is devoid of the
effervescence and exhilaration of youth.

Question.5. Why are the young trees described as ‘sprinting’? (Delhi

2012,2010)
Answer. The poet is travelling in a speeding car and the roadside trees seem
speeding past or sprinting in the opposite direction. The poet has contrasted
the ‘young trees’ which are moving fast to her mother, who is old and slow.

Question.6. What were the poet’s feelings at the airport? How did she
hide them? (All India 2012)
Answer. The poet was torn apart by the feeling whether she would see her
mother alive the next time or not. She hid her feelings by smiling reassuringly
at her mother.

Question.7. What do the parting words of the poet Kamala Das to her
mother signify? (All India 2012,2009,2008)
Answer. The parting words of Kamala Das to her mother signify her anxiety
and fear about her mother’s frail health. They also express the hope that her
mother would survive till they meet again. .

Question.8. Why has the poet brought in the image of the merry children
spilling out of their homes? (Foreign 2008)
Answer. The young children spilling out of their homes represent the
exuberance and vigour of youth. They are in complete contrast to the poet’s
mother. Perhaps the poet has used the image to bring out the pangs of old
age.

POEM 2 KEEPING QUIET

 Extract Based Questions (4 Marks)

Question.1. Read the extract given below and answer the questions that
follow.
“If we were not so single-minded
about keeping our lives moving,
and for once could do nothing,
perhaps a huge silence
might interrupt this sadness
of never understanding ourselves
and of threatening ourselves with death(Compartment 2014 Modified)
(a) Whom does ‘we’ refer to in the above lines?
(b) Why does the poet want us to ‘do nothing’ for once?
(c) What is the‘sadness’that the poet refers to in the poem?
(d) How can a huge silence do good to us?
Answer.
(a) ‘We’ refers to the human beings, who are always thinking about their own
progress and advancement.
(b) The poet wants us to ‘do nothing’ for once so that our mind can be at
peace and we are able to introspect and analyse our own actions.
(c) The poet refers to the ‘sadness’ which arises due to the fact that people fail
to understand themselves. They have no time to introspect about their actions
and their consequences.
(d) A huge silence can do good to us because we are able to achieve peace in
this silence. It helps us in analysing ourselves and our actions, interrupting the
sadness of threatening ourselves with death.

Question.2.Read the extracts given below and answer the questions that
follow.
Perhaps the Earth can teach us
as when everything seems dead
and later proves to be alive
Now I’ll count upto twelve
and you keep quiet and I will go.
(a) What does the Earth teach us?
(b) What does the poet mean to achieve by counting upto twelve?
(c) What is the significance of ’keeping quiet’? (All India 2013; Modified)
(d) What is always alive, even when everything seems to be dead?
or
(a) What does the Earth teach us?
(b) Why does the poet countupto twelve?
(c) What will keeping quiet help us achieve?(Delhi 2008 Modified)
(d) How does the Earth teach us that there is activity even in apparent
stillness?
Answer.
(a) The Earth teaches us how new life springs from dead remains, and how
there is life under apparent stillness.
(b) The poet wants to achieve peace by counting upto twelve. He wants us to
introspect in a moment of silence.
(c) Keeping quiet doesn’t mean just not speaking. It means that we should
avoid all activities which hurt nature and, in turn, hurt us.
(d) The Earth is always alive, even when everything else seems to be dead.
There is always some activity going on in nature beneath its apparent stillness.
or
Answer.
(a) The Earth teaches us how new life springs from dead remains. It gives us
lessons about sustaining and resurrecting life.
(b) The poet is initiating an exercise in meditation. When he counts upto
twelve, the meditator puts away all digressions and experiences bliss. He wants
all meditators to experience that bliss.
(c) Keeping quiet will help us introspect, reflect and experience silence and
peace. This will in turn help us find solutions to our problems.
(d) Though the Earth appears still, there are so many changes that keep
occurring beneath its surface. A seed that seems dead germinates under the
Earth and a new life springs from it.

Question.3.Read the extract given below and answer the questions that
follow.
For once on the face of the Earth
let’s not speak in any language,
let’s stop for one second,
arid not move our arms so much.
(a) Why does the poet want us to keep quiet?
(b) What does he want us to do for one second?
(c) What does he mean by “not move our arms”? (Delhi 2012; Modified)
(d) How can this moment of stillness help us?
Answer.
(a) The poet wants us to keep quiet in the hope that the moment of
tranquillity might help us in finding the answers to our problems.
(b) The poet wants us to be silent and motionless for one second.
(c) The poet means that we should be in a state of total stillness with no
physical activity at all.
(d) This moment of stillness can provide us physical and mental rest, during
which our mind will be at peace. We can analyse our actions and their
consequences and avoid rash or thoughtless behaviour.

Question.4. Read the extract given below and answer the questions that
follow.
It would be an exotic moment
without rush, without engines,
we would all be together
in a sudden strangeness.
(a) What will happen if there is no rush or running of engines?
(b) Why would it be called an exotic moment?
(c) How would we feel at tliat moment? (Foreign 2011; Modified)
(d) Name the poem and the poet.
Answer.
(a) It will be an ecstatic moment of tranquillity without rush or running of
engines.
(b) It would be called an exotic moment because it will be an instance of
universal peace and brotherhood. In that moment, all of us would initiate
introspection through meditation and the whole world will be enveloped in
quietness.
(c) We would feel very strange at that moment, because at that time everyone
will have a feeling of oneness with their fellow human beings. It will be a new
feeling altogether.
(d) The poem is ‘Keeping Quiet’, and the poet is Pablo Neruda.

Question.5. Read the extract given below and answer the questions that
follow.
Now we will count to twelve,
and we will all keep still.
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.
(a) How long does the poet want to stay still?
(b) What does he hope to achieve by keeping quiet?
(c) What does the poet mean by “not move our arms so much”? (All India
2009; Modified)
(d) Why does the poet suggest us not to sp,eak in any language?
Answer.
(a) The poet exhorts each one of us to count to twelve and then be quiet,
silent and motionless for a brief moment.
(b) He hopes to achieve and realise the value of quiet introspection. In this
silence, we shall feel that all are together and will experience a strange feeling
of togetherness.
(c) By this, he means that we should not make any physical movement, as
physical activity will stop dr interrupt our introspection.
(d) The poet wants us to simply be silent for a moment and utilise that time to
understand ourselves as well as others. Besides, language differences often
lead to conflict, which the poet, perhaps, wants to avoid.

Question.6.Read the extract given below and answer the questions that
follow.
Fishermen ip.the cold sea
would not harm whales
and the man gathering salt
would look at his hurt hands.
(a) What does the poet expect of the fishermen and why?
(b) While gathering salt, what will the man do?
(c) What do the hurt hands imply? (All India 2008;Modified)
(d) How would man and nature benefit in this moment of silence?
Answer.
(a) In the exotic moment of silence and introspection, fishermen will become
conscioi the fact that they are causing harm to the whales. The poet expects
this because he feels that at this opportune moment all evil will come to an
end.
(b) The man gathering salt will stop for a while at that quiet moment and look
at his hurt
hands.
(c) ‘Hurt hands’ means that human beings are oblivious of the pain they are
causing to themselves in the pursuit of amassing more and more comforts.
They have no time for themselves.
(d) In this moment of silence, man will not harm nature, and both human
beings and nature will get some time to attend to and recover from their
wounds.

Short Answer Type Questions (3 Marks, 30-40 words)

Question.1. Which is the exotic moment that the poet refers to in
‘Keeping Quiet’? (Delhi 2014)
Answer. The poet refers to the moment of stillness and quietness as an exotic
moment. It would be an exotic moment, as such a tranquillity will initiate
peace and brotherhood. There would be no movement, no talk, no activity and
consequently, no violence.

Question.2. What is the sadness that the poet refers to in the poem
‘Keeping Quiet’? (All India 2014)
or
What is the sadness that the poet refers to in the poem? (All India 2011)
Answer. The poet refers to the sadness which surrounds man due to not
having any time for himself, the pain of not understanding what he or his
fellow human beings want. He has no time for introspection; as a result, he is
unable to analyse his own actions and understand its consequences.

Question.3. Which images in the poem ‘Keeping Quiet’ show that the
poet condemns violence?
(Compartment 2014)
Answer. The images of fishermen not harming the whales in the sea and wars
leaving behind no survivors to celebrate the victory show that the poet
condemns violence. The poet wants the warmongers to change their blood-
stained clothes to clean ones. The poet’s refusal to have any association or
dealing with death also shows that he is not in favour of any form of violence.

Question.4. What symbol from nature does the poet use to prove that
keeping quiet is not total
inactivity? (Foreign2014)
Answer. The poet uses nature as a symbol to explain his idea that there can
be life under apparent stillness. According to him, keeping quiet is not total
inactivity. A seed may appear to be dead and inactive, but one day, the same
seed may turn into a fruitful tree.

Question.5. How, according to Neruda, can keeping quiet change our

attitude to life?
(Compartment 2014)
Answer. Keeping quiet and suspending all our activities for a brief moment
will give us time to introspect and analyse our own actions. We will develop a
new understanding of our surroundings and thus change our attitude to life.
We will check our destructive ways and try to be more positive and
constructive.
Question.6.What are the different kinds of wars mentioned in the poem?
What is Neruda’s
attitude towards these wars? (Delhi 2013)
Answer. The poet has written about wars against humanity and nature. Green
wars, wars with poisonous gases and wars with fire are the different kinds of
wars mentioned in the poem. Wars do good to no one. Pablo Neruda feels
that such wars may bring victory, but there are no survivors. It means that
there is heavy loss on both sides.

Question.7. How can suspension of activities help? (All India 2012)

Answer. The poet believes that suspension of activities will allow man to
introspect, which can help them in analysing their own actions, and in solving
many of their problems based on caste, religion or nationality. It will help them
develop a new understanding of their surroundings, and thus make them
mend their destructive ways.

Question.8. Do you think the poet advocates total inactivity and death?
(Delhi 2011)
Answer. No, the poet clearly states that his asking for stillness should not be
confused with total inactivity or death. He perceives life to be a continuous
process, where man’s activities should not lead to destruction of fellow human
beings or nature, but should be channelised in a resourceful way.

Question.9. According to the poet, what is it that human beings can learn
from nature? (All India 2010)
Answer. Life under apparent stillness in attitude is the thing which man can
learn from nature. The Earth is never in a state of total inactivity. Nature carries
on its work even where there is stillness all around. Winter is associated with
inactivity, but this is not actually true.

Question.10.What will counting upto twelve and keeping quiet help us to

achieve? (Foreign 2009)
Answer. The poet asks each one of us to count to twelve and then be quiet,
silent and motionless. This quietness will create a moment of togetherness
among all; a condition which is foremost for the survival of humanity, which is
indeed an achievement. It will also give us One to analyse our actions and
their consequences.
POEM 3 THE THING OF BEAUTY
Extract Based Questions (4 Marks)

Question.1. Read the extracts given below and answer the questions that
follow.
And such too is the grandeur of the dooms
We have imagined for the mighty dead;
All lovely tales that we have heard or read;
An endless fountain of immortal drink,
Pouring unto us from heaven’s brink
(a) Name the poem and the poet.
(b) What is the thing of beauty mentioned in these lines?
(c) What image does the poet use in these lines?
(d) What is the effect of this ‘immortal drink’ on us?
or
(a) Who are the ‘mighty dead’? How do we know about them?
(b) What images does the poet use to convey that beauty is everlasting?
(Foreign 2009, Delhi 2014; Modified)
(c) What is the effect of the immortal drink?
(d) Write the words from the extract which mean
(i) stories
(ii) magnificence
Answer.(a) The poem is ‘A thing of beauty’ and the poet is John Keats.
(b) The thing of beauty mentioned in these lines is the group of stories
celebrating the glory of our powerful ancestors, which we have read or heard.
(c) The poet uses the image of an ‘endless fountain’ coming down to us from
heaven. According to him, nature and other beautiful things around us are like
a gift from God, which give us infinite delight and Joy.
(d) The immortahtirrnk gives us immense joy, a joy that is everlasting, one that
will never come to an end.
or
(a) Our ancestors, who were great in their own ways and the dead emperors
have been referred to as the mighty dead. We come to know about them by
reading or hearing valorous tales, which speak of their innumerable sacrifices.
They are a source of motivation for all who go through them.
(b) ‘Endless fountain’ of joy is the image that has been used to convey that
beauty is everlasting. Things of beauty are an eternal source of motivation, a
precious gift from heaven which give us infinite pleasure and defight.
(c) The immortal drink that nature’s endless fountain pours on us gives us
immense joy and pleasure.
(d) (i) tales (ii) grandeur

Question.2. Read the extract given below and answer the questions that
follow.
Spite of despondence, of the inhuman dearth
Of noble natures, of the gloomy days,
Of all the unhealthy and o’er-darkened ways
Made for our searching: yes in spite of all,
Some shape of beauty moves away the pall
From our dark spirits.
(a) Name the poem and the poet.
(b) Why are we despondent?
(c) What removes “the pall from our dark spirits”?
(d) Explain, “the inhuman dearth of noble natures.” ’
or
(a) What are we doing every day?
(b) Which evil things do we possess and suffer from?
(c) What are the circumstances that contribute towards making humans
unhappy and disillusioned with life? (Delhi 2013; Modified, All India 2014;
Modified)
(d) What removes the pall from our dark spirits?
Answer. (a) The poem is’A thing of beauty’and the poet is John Keats.
(b) Human iife is full of trials and tribulations. We add to our troubles and
make our lives more difficult by following evil ways. We hurt others as well as
ourselves. This makes us despondent.
(c) The various objects of beauty around us remove the pall from our dark
spirits. Beautiful things have the power to make us happy.
(d) The poet here means that the world lacks in men of noble nature or
qualities. There are few people who are noble in character; most of the people
are self-centred and pursue evil ways.
or
(a) The memory of beautiful things remains in our minds and strengthens our
bond with the Earth. Every day, these bonds get strengthened by the flowery
bands that we prepare.
(b) Humans suffer from hopelessness and sadness. Our poor style of living
make us grim.
(C) Hopelessness, sadness and lack of noble ways are a part of human life. We
harm ourselves by following unhealthy and wicked paths. These circumstances
contribute towards making humans unhappy and disillusioned with life.
(d) Anything beautiful in our surroundings or even the memories of our
beautiful experiences removes the pall from our dark spirits.

Question.3. Read the extract given below and answer the questions that
follow.
“Some shape of beauty moves away the pall
From our dark spirits,”
(a) How does beauty help us when we are burdened with grief?
(b) Explain; “Some shape of beauty.”
(c) Identify the figure of speech in the above lines.
(d) Why are our spirits referred to as ‘dark’?
Answer. (a) Whenever we look at a beautiful object, we are filled with comfort
and joy. When we are burdened with grief, a thing of beauty comes as a ray of
hope, and makes us forget our sorrow and suffering at least for some time.
(b) Beauty is an abstract idea and has no specific shape. The poet here means
beauty in some form or some beautiful object which pleases us.
(c) The above lines present an example of metaphor. Our souls are steeped in
sadness and disappointment which are compared to a pall or shroud covering
the dead.
(d) Our spirits are dejected due to extreme sadness and disappointment which
may be the result of our own evil actions. So, the poet refers to them as dark,
because of the hopelessness we feel.

Question.4. Read the extract given below and answer the questions that
follow.
Therefore, on every morrow, are we wreathing
A flowery band to bind us to the Earth,
Spite of despondence, of the inhuman dearth
Of noble natures, of the gloomy days,
Of all the unhealthy and o’er-darkened ways
Made for our searching
(a) What are the flowery bands that bind us to the Earth?
(b) What message do the above lines convey? (Delhi 2009)
(c) Why is there an “inhuman dearth of noble natures”?
(d) What do you understand by “unhealthy and o’er-darkened ways”?
Answer. (a) Here beautiful and pleasant things have been referred to as
flowery bands. It is only those things which have beauty of some or the other
kind that bind us to this Earth, or in a way, keep us going. The memory of our
beautiful experiences helps us strengthen our bond with the Earth.
(b) The message that these lines convey is that the world is full of sorrow,
sadness and depression. People have become selfish,-and there is a scarcity of
noble people.
Despite this, life is possible because there are some beautiful things around,
which help us to look towards the positive side of life. It is the beauty of these
things which brings a smile on our face and gives us happiness in our lives.
(c) Today, there are few people who can rise above petty differences and be
generous towards others. These days people are mostly selfish and do not
think about others.
(d) The unhealthy and o’er-darkened ways refer to the trials and tribulations in
our life, and the dishonest and unfair means people adopt to achieve their
goals.

Question.5. Read the extract given below and answer the questions that
follow.
A thing of beauty is a joy forever
Its loveliness increases, it will never
Pass into nothingness; but will keep
A bower quiet for us and a sleep
Full of sweet dreams and health and quiet breathing
(a) How does a thing of beauty remain a joy forever?
(b) Mention any two sources of joy which a thing, of beauty provides to
us.
(All India 2008; Modified)
(c) Explain, “never pass into nothingness.”
(d) What is meant by‘bower’?
Answer. (a) A thing of beauty provides eternal and everlasting joy to us.
Whenever we are in a pensive mood we can relive the joyful experience and
happiness it gave us.
(b) A thing of beauty gives us a quiet bower to rest peacefully, and a blissful
sleep full of
pleasant dreams.
(c) The joy that a thing of beauty give us is eternal. It never loses its
importance, but it only increases with time.
(d) A ‘bower’ refers to a peaceful, quiet place under the shade of trees.

Short Answer Type Questions p Marks, 30-40 words)

Question.1. How do beautiful things help us to live a happy life? (Foreign

2014)
Answer. We derive comfort and happiness when we look at objects of beauty,
and the lasting impression they leave on our minds is a source of permanent
joy. Beautiful things bind us to the Earth and help us strengthen our
relationship with nature. They provide us relief from our everyday trials and
tribulations and help us live a happy life.

Question.2. What does Keats consider an endless fountain of immortal

drink and why does he
call its drink immortal? (All India 2013)
Answer. Keats considers nature’s beauty as an endless fountain of immortal
drink. He calls this drink immortal as the pleasure and delight given by it never
passes into nothingness. It only increases with time.

Question.3. According to Keats, what spreads the pall of despondence

over our dark spirits? How
is it removed? (All India 2013)
or
What spreads the pall of despondence over our dark spirits? How is it
removed?
Answer. John Keats says that pain and suffering are a part of life. These bring
us sadness and despondence. But still, we can find hope. The hope and
motivation come from nature and remove the pall of despondence from our
spirits. The beautiful sights give us inspiration to continue the journey of life.

Question.4. How does a thing of beauty provide shelter and comfort?

(Modified India 2013)
Answer. A thing of beauty provides shelter and comfort in many ways. It is like
a bower, a place under the shade of a tree where we can rest. It gives us a
sleep filled with sweet dreams. The streams and forests provide a cooling
covert for us in the hot weather.

Question.5. How is a thing of beauty a joy forever? (Delhi 2012)

Answer. A thing of beauty is a joy forever because it is a permanent source of
joy and inspiration and leaves a lasting impression on us. The pleasure and
happiness given by it never fades away but keeps on increasing.

Question.6. What makes human beings love life in spite of troubles and
sufferings? .
(Ml India 2012,2010; Delhi 2008)
Answer. Human beings suffer from hopelessness and sadness. Our style of
living often makes us hopeless and grim. We at times also, suffer due to the
self-centred and wicked nature of others. In spite of all our troubles and
sufferings, we are able to derive pleasure from our surroundings. The beautiful
objects from nature help us shed our gloom, give us a glimmer of hope, and
make us love life amidst all troubles.

Question.7. Why is ‘grandeur’ associated with the mighty dead? (Delhi

2011)
Answer. The mighty dead are those who have laid down their lives for a great
or noble cause. Their death is replete with intellectual and spiritual beauty.
Birth, growth and decay, all are inseparable. Each has its own. beauty. Their
death is grand or beautiful because it makes them immortal through the
grand tombs and memorials erected in their honour.

Question.8. What is the message of the poem, ‘A thing of beauty’?

(Modified India 2011)
Answer. The message of the poem ‘A thing of beauty’ is that beautiful things
are a source of constant joy and inspiration. They give us eternal pleasure and
leave an indelible image on our minds and, therefore, every beautiful thing
and aspect is worth being treasured.

Question.9. What is the ‘endless fountain’ and what is its effect? (Foreign
2011)
Answer. Here beauty has been referred to as an ‘endless fountain’, which is an
eternal source of motivation, an elixir of life and a precious gift from heaven. It
gives us infinite pleasure and delight, and motivates us to continue our
journey of life.

Question.10.What images does the poet use to describe the beautiful

bounty of the Earth? (Delhi 2010)
Answer. The poet uses the image of an ‘endless fountain’, which showers
bounties on Earth. He calls this an ‘immortal drink’ from heaven. The sun, the
moon, the trees, the daffodils, the lush green forests and streams, all reflect
the beautiful bounties which God has given us.

POEM 4 A ROADSIDE STAND

A. “No, in country money, the country scale of gain,
The requisite lift of spirit has never been found,
Or so the voice of the country seems to complain,
I can’t help owning the great relief it would be
To put these people at one stroke out of their pain.
And then next day as I come back into the sane,
I wonder how I should like you to come to me
And offer to put me gently out of my pain.” (CBSE QB, 2021)

1. The ‘country money’ contextually here refers to

A) money kept aside for rural development.
B) wealth accumulated by the whole country.
C) meager income earned by the countryside people.
D) riches collected by the ancestral farmers over time.
Ans. C) meager income earned by the countryside people.
2. Pick the option that mentions elements justifying the monetary aspect as the
‘requisite lift of spirit’.
1. confidence
2. ego
3. self-esteem
4. status
5. fame
A) 1, 2, 4
B) 2, 4, 5
C) 1, 3, 4
D) 1, 3, 5
Ans. D) 1, 3, 5
3. Choose the correct option with respect to the two statements given below.
Statement 1: The poet is agitated and depressed.
Statement 2: The poet realizes the futility of his thought about giving up
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
Ans. B) Statement 1 cannot be inferred but Statement 2 can be inferred.
4. Choose the option that correctly paraphrases the given lines from the above
extract.
“I can’t help owning the great relief it would be
To put these people at one stroke out of their pain.”
A) The poet wants to kill the impoverished people.
B) The poet feels that death is better than living such a miserable life.
C) The poet wants to eliminate poverty from society.
D) The poet states that it is important that these people become rich
Ans. B) The poet feels that death is better than living such a miserable life.
B. “The polished traffic passed with a mind ahead,
Or if ever aside a moment, then out of sorts
At having the landscape marred with the artless paint
Of signs that with N turned wrong and S turned wrong…” (CBSE QB, 2021)
1. The polished traffic in particular refers to the
A) sophisticated city dwellers in their vehicles.
B) shiny cars that the poet sees on the road.
C) extremely affluent people living in the neighborhood.
D) civilized manner in which traffic is coordinated.
Ans. A) sophisticated city dwellers in their vehicles.
2. ‘The urban and educated people have their minds ahead.’
Choose the option suggesting the correct meaning behind this line.

1 2
The people are well educated and The people are concentrating on the road that
knowledgeable about the condition of the poor. is ahead in order to drive safely.

3 4
The people are preoccupied only by the The people are focused on their goal of
thoughts of their lives and nothing else. bettering the country.

A) Option 1
B) Option 2
C) Option 3
D) Option 4
Ans. C) Option 3
3. What do the urban rich feel about the S and N signs that have been painted wrong?
A) Tolerant
B) Amused
C) Sympathetic
D) Annoyed
Ans. D) Annoyed
4. The passers-by find the sign artless but the landscape ___________.
A) animated
B) aesthetic
C) amusing
D) ancient
Ans. D) ancient
C. “The little old house was out with a little new shed
In front at the edge of the road where the traffic sped,
A roadside stand that too pathetically pled,
It would not be fair to say for a dole of bread,
But for some of the money, the cash, whose flow supports
The flowers of cities from sinking and withering faint.” (2009 Outside Delhi, 2010
Compartment Delhi)

1. Where was the new shed put up? What was its purpose?
Ans. A little house at one side of the road was extended and a shed was added to it to put
up a road stand. It was set up to attract passersby to buy things from them so that they
could earn some money.
2. Why does the poet use the word ‘pathetic’?
Ans. By using the word ‘pathetic’ the poet emphasizes on the fact that the condition of the
shed was most humble and that it presented a rather pitiable sight.
 3. Explain: ‘too pathetically pled’.
Ans. It was as if by putting up the shed the owner was desperately pleading to the rich city
folks to stop by at his roadside stand and buy things from there so that they could earn
some extra money.
4. Who are referred to as ‘the flower of cities’?
Ans. ‘The flower of the cities’ here refers to the rich and wealthy city-dwellers who can
afford the best things.

D. “Or beauty rest in a beautiful mountain scene,

You have the money, but if you want to be mean,
Why keep your money (this crossly) and go along.
The hurt to the scenery wouldn’t be my complaint
So much as the trusting sorrow of what is unsaid” (2010 Outside Delhi)

1. What attraction does the place offer?

Ans. The place offers a scenic view of the beautiful mountains.
2. What should one do if one wants to be mean?
Ans. If one wants to be mean he can keep his money and move on ahead.
3. What does the poet not complain about?
Ans. The poet does not complain about the landscape which has been spoiled because of
the artless painting done on the building.
4. What do you think is the real worry of the poet?
Ans. The poet’s real worry is the unexpressed sorrow of the people who have put up the
roadside stand.

E. “Sometimes I feel myself I can hardly bear

The thought of so much childish longing in vain,
The sadness that lurks near the open window there,
That waits all day in almost open prayer
For the squeal of brakes, the sound of a stopping car,
Of all the thousand selfish cars that pass.” (2004 Delhi, 2011 Outside Delhi)
1. What cannot be borne by the poet and why?
Ans. The poet cannot bear the thought of how these country folks are lured with false
promises which are never going to be fulfilled because he feels genuinely sad about so
much deprivation to these innocent people.
2. What is ‘childish longing’?
Ans. Like children, these country folk have many unfulfilled wishes and desires. So they
keep their windows open expecting some prospective customers to turn up so that some
good fortune can fall into their share.
3. Why the longing has been termed as ‘vain’?
Ans. The longing has been termed as ‘vain’ because it will never be fulfilled.
4. Why do the people driving in the cars stop sometimes?
Ans. The people driving in the car stop sometimes either to enquire about the way to their
destination or to ask for a gallon of gas if they ran short of it.
F. It is in the news that all these pitiful kin
Are to be bought out and mercifully gathered in
To live in villages, next to the theatre and the store,
Where they won’t have to think for themselves anymore,
While greedy good-doers, beneficent beasts of prey,
Swarm over their lives enforcing benefits
That are calculated to soothe them out of their wits,
And by teaching them how to sleep they sleep all day,
Destroy their sleeping at night the ancient way. (CBSE Sample Paper 2022)

1 What is the tone of the poet in the above lines?

(i) aggressive
(ii) tolerant
(iii) sarcastic
(iv) resigned
(v) sentimental
Choose the most appropriate option.
A. Only (i)
B. (ii) and (iii)
C. (i), (iv) and (v)
D. Only (iii)
Ans. D. Only (iii)
2 Identify the phrase from the extract, that suggests the following: No one bothers to
take ‘their’ consent before pushing the promise of a better life, their way.
Ans. “enforcing benefits”
3 What quality of the villagers can be inferred through these lines?
A. gullible
B. futuristic
C. hypocritical
D. ambitious
Ans. A. gullible
4 Complete the following analogy correctly. Do NOT repeat from used example.
greedy good doers: alliteration ::…………………………….. Oxymoron
Ans. beneficient beasts of prey
5 On the basis of the extract, choose the correct option with reference to (1) and (2)
given below.
(1) The city dwellers make promises for the betterment of the villagers.
(2) The city dwellers have ulterior motives.
A. (1) is true but (2) is false.
B. (2) is true but (1) is false.
C. (2) is the reason for (1).
D. Both (1) and (2) cannot be inferred from the extract.
Ans. C. (2) is the reason for (1).
6 Fill the blank with an appropriate word, with reference to the extract. ‘… calculated
to soothe them out of their wits’ implies that ‘them’ are being.
Ans. manipulated
 POEM 5 AUNT JENNIFER’S
TIGERS

Extract Based Questions (4 Marks)

Question.1. Read the extracts given below and answer the questions that
follow.
When Aunt is dead, her terrified hands will lie
Still ringed with ordeals she was mastered by
The tigers in the panel that she made
Will go on prancing, proud and unafraid
(a) Who is the aunt mentioned here?
(b) Why is she “ringed with ordeals”?
(c) What is the difference between her and the tigers?
(d) Why has Aunt Jennifer created the tigers so different from her own
character?
or
(a) Why are Aunt Jennifer’s hands terrified?
(b) Why did she make the tigers?
(c) What will happen to her tigers after her death? (Delhi 2012; Modified)
(d) How are Aunt Jennifer’s tigers different from her?
Answer.(a) The aunt mentioned here is Aunt Jennifer, the protagonist of
Adrienne Rich’s poem ‘Aunt Jennifer’s Tigers’; she is a woman going through
unpleasant experiences in her married , life.
(b) The ‘ring’ here refers to her wedding band or ring, which has brought with
it a host of family responsibilities. She feels so surrounded (i.e. ringed) by her
marital constraints that it seems like an ordeal to her.
(c) Aunt Jennifer is quite weak and submissive, whereas the tigers are strong,
bold and powerful. She is bound by the constraints of her married fife, while
the tigers are free to move about in the green woods.
(d) The tigers created by Aunt Jennifer are an expression of her desire to free
herself from the constraints of her married life. She wants to be bold and
fearless like her tigers.
or
(a) Her hands are ‘terrified’ (actually she is terrified) as she is passing through
the very hard and bitter experience of married life. Here the poet has used her
hands to represent her.
(b) She made the tigers because they are beasts of prey. They are chivalric and
confident and do not fear men, which is totally contrasting with her own
nature.
(c) The tigers will still keep prancing over the panel even when Aunt is dead.
They will
outlive her.
(d) Aunt Jennifer’s tigers provide a striking contrast to her. The old lady is
weak and- scared of men, whereas the tigers symbolise strength, power and
fearlessness.

Question.2. Read the extract given below and answer the questions that
follow.
Aunt Jennifer’s tigers prance across a screen,
Bright topaz denizens of a world of green
They do not fear the men beneath the tree,
They pace in sleek chivalric certainty
(a) How are Aunt Jennifer’s tigers described?
(b) Why are they described as denizens of a world of green?
(c) Why are they not afraid of the men? (Delhi 2010; Modified)
(d) What are her tigers symbolic of?
Answer. (a) Aunt Jennifer’s tigers have been described as golden yellow in
colour. The prance fearlessly across a screen in sleek chivalric certainty.
(b) They have been called as denizens of a world of green because they are
the natives of dense green forests.
(c) They are not afraid of men because they are brave, strong, fearless and full
of confidence.
(d) Her tigers are symbolic of Aunt Jennifer’s desire for freedom. They are also
symbols of strength and self-confidence.

Short Answer Type Questions (3 Marks, 30-40 words)

Question.1. What are the difficulties that Aunt Jennifer faced in her life?
(Delhi 2014)
or
What are the ordeals that Aunt Jennifer faced in her life? (Foreign 2009)
Answer. Aunt Jennifer was probjbly a victim of oppression at the hands of the
patriarchal society. She was subjugated by her husband and the weight of the
wedding band i.e. her wedding ring, felt heavy on her hand. She was so
terrified that her hands fluttered even when she carried something so light as
wool.
Question.2. How are Aunt Jennifer’s tigers different from her? (All India
2014)
or
How are the tigers different from her? (Foreign 2009)
Answer. Aunt Jennifer’s tigers are created by her on the tapestry. However,
they present a sharp contrast to their creator. While the Aunt is weak, meek
and submissive and is scared of expressing her feelings openly, the tigers are
strong, fearless and confident. They are bold creatures and are scared of no
one. The aunt is in bonded in matrimony and faces several restrictions. Qn the
other hand, the tigers move about freely.

Question.3. How does Aunt Jennifer express her bitterness and anger
against male dominance?
(Compartment 2014)
Answer. Aunt Jennifer is too terrified to openly resist the oppression that she
is victim of. She expresses her bitterness and anger against male dominance
silently through her art. She creates tigers on her tapestry; animals that are
symbolic of bravery, fearlessness and strength. Besides, she portrays these
tigers as creatures unafraid of the men around them. The tigers she creates are
wild and free from any kind of bondage.

Question.4.What will happen to Aunt Jennifer’s tigers when she is dead?

(Delhi 2013)
Answer. The tigers created by Aunt Jennifer are eternal. They will keep on
prancing even after her death. She probably wants to convey that the tigers
which represent the Aunt’s inner sense of freedom will stay forever.

Question.5.What lies heavily on Aunt Jennifer’s hand? How is it

associated with her husband?
(All India 2013)
or
What is the weight that lies heavy on Aunt Jennifer’s hand? How is it
associated with her husband? (Foreign 2010)
Answer. The weight that lies heavy on Aunt Jennifer’s hand is the wedding
band, which symbolises the weight of her married life. Probably, the weight
has burdened her so much that she feels subjugated. Aunt Jennifer had a
troubled married life with a dominating and oppressive husband.

Question.6. Why did Aunt Jennifer choose to embroider tigers on the

panel? (Delhi 2012, All India 2009)
Answer. Aunt Jennifer chose to embroider tigers on the panel because for her,
the tigers were the symbols of bravery, fearlessness and strength. These
creatures are not afraid of the men around them. Her embroidering the tigers
is perhaps an expression of her own bitterness and anger against male
dominance.

Question.7. How do the words, ‘denizens’ and ‘chivalric’ add to our

understanding of Aunt
Jennifer’s tigers? (All India 2012)
or
How do ‘denizens’ and ‘chivalric’ add to our understanding of the tiger’s
attitudes?
(Delhi 2011)
Answer. ‘Denizens’ denotes occupants or citizens and ‘chivalric’ points to
fearlessness, honour, bravery and majesty. Tigers are very possessive about
their territory. They live on their own terms and fear none, as they regard
themselves superior in their own domain, The poet finds similarities between
the propensity-of tigers and men.

Question.8.Why do you think Aunt Jennifer created animals that Die so

different from her own
character? What might the poet be suggesting through this difference?
(All India 2011)
Answer. Aunt Jennifer is a weak and terrified person who, all through her life,
was suppressed by the constraints of marriage. The animals that she is
creating in her panel are very different, as they are chivalric and do not fear
men. They are a symbol of strength, fierceness and beauty. They represent
Aunt Jennifer’s suppressed desire to become bold and fearless, and free from
oppression. The poet wants to emphasise the spirit and desire for freedom
which is innate in all human beings.

Question.9. How does the poet describe Aunt Jennifer’s tigers?(Delhi

2008)
or
Describe the tigers created by Aunt Jennifer. (All India 2008, Delhi 2009)
Answer. According to the poet, Aunt Jennifer’s tigers are golden-yellow in
colour. He describes them as prancing across the screen. They are denizens of
a world of green. The tigers are sleek, chivalric, majestic and elegant. Also, they
are brave and fearless.