THE LOST SPRING

MCQ s

1. “I have nothing else to do,” he mutters, looking away. “Go to school,” I say glibly, realizing
immediately how hollow the advice must sound.
“There is no school in my neighbourhood. When they build one, I will go.”
“If I start a school, will you come?” I ask, half-joking. “Yes,” he says, smiling broadly.
A few days later I see him running up to me. “Is your school ready?”
“It takes longer to build a school,” I say, embarrassed at having made a promise that was not
meant. But promises like mine abound in every corner of his bleak world.

Q.1 Saheb’s muttering and ‘looking away’ suggests his

A. anger
B. shyness
C. embarrassment
D. anxiety

Q.2 Of the four meanings of ‘glibly’, select the option that matches in meaning with its usage in
The extract.
11
A.
(1) part arrogance, part seriousness
(2) hesitation
B.
(1) part amusement, part irritation
(2) submissiveness
C.
(1) part concern, part hurt
(2) pride
D.
(1) part humour, part earnestness
(2) self-belief

A. showing a degree of informality

B. lacking depth and substance
C. being insincere and deceitful
D. speaking with fluency

Q.3 Who do you think Saheb is referring to as ‘they’, in the given sentence?
“When they build one, I will go”
A. The officials
B. The inhabitants
C. The teachers
D. The journalists

‘This morning, Saheb is on his way to the milk booth. In his hand is a steel canister. ―’I now
work in a tea stall down the road,he says, pointing in the distance. ―I am paid 800 rupees and
all my meals. Does he like the job? I ask. His face, I see, has lost the carefree look. The steel
canister seems heavier than the plastic bag he would carry so lightly over his shoulder. The bag
was his. The canister belongs to the man who owns the tea shop. Saheb is no longer his own
master!’
Q 4. ‘His face, I see, has lost the carefree look.’ This means as per the assumption of the author,
in his looks, Saheb is ……..
(A) Not burdened with responsibility
(B) Burdened with responsibility
(C) Burdened but without any responsibility
(D) Not burdened but feels responsible
Q 5. This paragraph highlights the curse of:
(A) Poverty
(B) Child Labour
(C) Corruption
(D) Purdah System

Q 6. Assertion: Saheb is no longer his own master.

Reason : The tea canister which he carries is his own property.
a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A.
b) Both A and R are true and R is not the correct explanation of A.
c) A is true but R is false. d) A is false but R is true.

Stand Alone MCQ S

Q 7. Assertion: The children of Seemapuri are living a life of exploitation.
Reason : Extreme poverty forces them to lead such a life.
a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A.
b) Both A and R are true and R is not the correct explanation of A.
c) A is true but R is false.
d) A is false but R is true.

Q 8. Choose the quote that resonates the wish of the narrator:

A. Summer will end soon enough, and childhood as well.
B. Children are the hands by which we take hold of heaven.
C. Childhood should be carefree, playing in the sun; not living in a nightmare in the darkness of
the soul.
D. Candy is childhood, the best and bright moments you wish could have lasted forever.

Q 9. Satement1: The ancestral heritage of bangle making of the people compels them to live in
perpetual poverty.
Statement 2: The baggage of ancestral heritage is further entrenched by the circle of
middlemen.
A. Statement 1 is true but statement 2 is false.
B. Statement 1 is false but statement 2 is true.
C. Both the statements cannot be inferred from the text.
D. Both the statements can be inferred from the text.

Q 10 Statement1: The young bangle makers could not organise themselves into a cooperative.
Statement2: They were caught in a web of vicious circle.
A. If Statement 1 is the cause, Statement 2 is the effect.
B. If Statement 1 is the effect, Statement 2 is the cause.
C. Both the statements are the effects of a common cause.
D. Both the statements are the effects of independent causes.

Q 11. Choose the appropriate statements for ‘Saheb is no longer his own master!’ (i) Saheb
carries his bag for rag picking.
(ii) Saheb works in a tea stall.
(iii) Saheb is paid 800 rupees.
(iv)Saheb carries the owner’s canister.
a) (i)(ii)&(iii)
b) (i)(ii)&(iv)
c) (i)(iii)&(iv)
d) (ii)(iii)&(iv)

Q12. “And daring is not a part of his growing up.” With reference to the given statement, which
of the following characteristics can be ascribed to the children of Firozabad?
(i) Cowardice
(ii) Hopelessness
(iii) Suppression
(iv) Exploitation

A. (i) and (ii)

B. (ii) and (iii)
C. (iii) and (iv)
D. (i) and (iii)

Q 13. Assertion: Garbage is wrapped in wonder for the elders in Seemapuri.

Reason : For the elders, it is a means of survival.
a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A.
b) Both A and R are true and R is not the correct explanation of A.
c) A is true but R is false.
d) A is false but R is true.

Q14. The title ‘Lost Spring’ signifies:

A. Lost opportunity
B. Lost childhood
C. Lost life
D. Lost wealth.
Q 15. Statement: 1: Exemplary punishment should be given by law to those who employ the
children to work in hazardous industries.
Statement: 2 : Child Labour is banned by law.
a) If Statement 1 is the cause, Statement 2 is the effect.
b) If Statement 1 is the effect, Statement 2 is the cause.
c) Both the statements are the effects of a common cause.
d) Both the statements are the effects of independent causes.