KENRIYA VIDYLAYA SANGATHAN

BHOPAL REGION

STUDY MATERIAL
CLASS : XII
SUBJECT : ENGLISH

Shri Dr. R. Senthil Kumar

Deputy Commissioner
KVS RO BHOPAL

Smt. Kiran Mishra Smt. Nirmala Budania

Assistant Commissioner Assistant Commissioner
KVS RO BHOPAL KVS RO BHOPAL

Shri Vijay Veer Singh

Assistant Commissioner
KVS RO BHOPAL
 KENRIYA VIDYLAYA SANGATHAN
BHOPAL REGION

MESSAGE FROM DEPUTY COMMISSIONER

It gives me immense pleasure to publish the study material for Class X/XII. I am sure that the
support material will definitely be great help to the Class X/XII Students of all KendriyaVidyalayas of
our region.

This students’ Support Maternal has been prepared to improve their academic performance.
This is a product of the combined efforts of a team of dedicated and experienced teachers with
expertise in their subjects. This material is designed to supplement the NCERT text book.

The support material contains all the important aspects required by the students. Care has
been taken to include the latest syllabus, summary of all the chapters, important formula, sample
question papers, problem solving and case-based questions. It covers all essential components that
are required for quick and effective revision of the subject.

I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the in-charge Principal and all the teachers
who have persistently striven for the preparation of this study maternal. Their selfless contribution in
making this project successful is commendable.

"An ounce of practice is worth tons of Knowledge. Students will make use of the material
meticulously to reap the best out of this effort.

With Best Wishes.

(R SENTHIL KUMAR)
DEPUTY COMMISSIONER
 From SANTOSH KUMAR PGT Eng.
PMSHRI KV KHANDWA
PASSAGE FOR READING COMPREHENSION

1. Read this passage carefully then answer the questions that follow. 12 M
If you're addicted to coffee and doctors warn you to quit the habit, don't worry and keep relishing the
beverage, because it's not that bad after all! In fact, according to a new study, the steaming cup of java
even beats fruits and vegetables as the primary source of antioxidants. A study by the University of
Scranton states that coffee is the number one source of antioxidants in the American diet and both
caffeinated and decaf versions appear to provide similar antioxidant levels.
"Americans get more of their antioxidants from coffee than any other dietary source. Nothing else
comes close to it.", said the study's lead researcher, Dr Joe Vinson, adding that high antioxidant levels
in food and beverages don't necessarily translate into levels found in the body. Antioxidants in general
have been linked to a number of potential health benefits, including protection against heart disease
and cancer, but Vinson said that the benefits ultimately depend on how they are absorbed and utilised
in the body.
The researchers analysed the antioxidant content of more than 100 different food items, including
vegetables, fruits, nuts, spices, oils and common beverages. The data was compared to an existing US
Department of Agriculture database on the contribution of each type of food item to the average
estimated US per capita consumption.
The results were surprising, Coffee came out on the top, on the combined basis of both antioxidants
per serving size and frequency of consumption. It outranked popular antioxidant sources like tea,
milk, chocolate and cranberries.
Of all the food and beverages studies, dates actually have the most antioxidants of all based solely on
serving size, but since dates are not consumed at anywhere near the level of coffee, the drink comes as
the top source of antioxidants, Vinson said. Besides keeping you alert and awake, coffee has been
linked to an increasing number of potential health benefits, including protection against liver and
colon cancer, type 2 diabetes and Parkinson's disease, according to some recently published studies.
The researchers, however, advised that one should consume coffee in moderation, because it can
make you jittery and cause stomach pains.

QUESTIONS
On the basis of your reading of the passage, answer the following questions.
1. On what basis does coffee rank as the top source of antioxidants?
(a) Due to its consumption (b) A study by the University of Scranton
(c) Because it is a primary source (d) Due to its potential health benefits
2. Potential health benefits of antioxidants include……………..
(a) protection against heart disease (b) protection against cancer
(c) Both (a) and (b) (d) Neither (a) nor (b)
3.The benefits of antioxidants depend on……….
4. Why have dates not made it the top of antioxidant rich foods?
5. Other popular sources of antioxidants include…………….
(a) tea (b) milk (c) chocolate (d) All of these
6. Potential Health benefits of coffee include protection against……………………..
(a) liver and colon cancer (b) type 2 diabetes
(c) Parkinson's disease (d) All of these
7. Which word in the second paragraph is the synonym of 'associated’?
8. The dates are not considered as the highest source of antioxidants because…………
9. Which of the following words in the first paragraph means the same as 'enjoying'?
(a) Delighting (b) Steaming (c) Relishing (d) Tasting
10. If one drinks too much coffee……………….
11. The benefits of consuming coffee are dependent on
(a) consumption (b) portion size (c) utilization (d) Both (a) and (c)
12. The word 'possibilities' means the same as the word. given in the PASSAGE.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

PASSAGE FOR CBT

1.Read this passage carefully then answer the questions by choosing the correct option. 10 M
These days, it is not unusual to see people listening to music or using their electronic gadgets while
crossing busy roads or travelling on public transport, regardless of the risks involved. I have often
wondered why they take such risks: is it because they want to exude a sense of independence or is it
that they want to tell the world to stop bothering them? Or is it that they just want to show how cool
they are?
Whether it is a workman or an executive, earphones have become an inseparable part of our lives,
sometimes even leading to tragicomic situations. The other day, an electrician had come to our house
to fix something. We told him in detail what needed to be done. But after he left, I found that the man
had done almost nothing. It later turned out that he could not hear our directions clearly because he
had his earphones on.
Hundreds of such earphones addicts commute by the Delhi Metro every day. While one should not
begrudge anyone their moments of privacy or their love for music, the fact is 'iPod oblivion' can
sometimes be very dangerous. Recently, I was travelling with my wife on the Delhi Metro. Since the
train was approaching the terminus, there weren't too many passengers. In our compartment, other
than us, there were only two women sitting on the other side of the aisle. And then suddenly, I spotted
a duffel bag. The bomb scare lasted for several minutes. Then suddenly, a youth emerged from
nowhere and picked up the bag. When we tried to stop him, he looked at us, surprised. Then he took
off his earpieces, lifted the bag, and told us that the bag belonged to him and that he was going to get
off at the next station.
We were stunned but recovered in time to ask him where he was all this while? His answer: he was in
the compartment, leaning against the door, totally immersed in the music. He had no clue about what
was going on around him. When he got off, earplugs in his hand, we could her strains of the song.
QUESTIONS : On the basis of your reading of the passage, answer any ten of the following
questions.
1.The reason for people listening to the music or using their electronic gadgets while crossing busy
roads or travelling on public transport is that they…………………
(a) do not want to be disturbed (b) want to show how fashionable they are
(c) want to show their independence (d) All of these
2. Why had the electrician done nothing?
(a) Because he hadn't heard them. (b) Because he was listening to music
(c) Because he was not interested in the job.
(d) Because he couldn’t understand what needed to be fixed.
 3.The electrician episode is explained by the narrator as -
(a) infuriating (b) exasperating (c) tragicomedy (d) disgusting
(4.) The synonym of 'absorbed' used in Paragraph 4 is-
(a) stunned (b) recovered (c) immersed (d) not sure
5. Which of the following correctly list the tone with which the author had written the passage?
(1) Humorous (2) Sarcastic (3) Serious
(4) informative (5) Resentful
(a) 1 and 5 (b) 2 and 4
(c) 3 and 5 (d) 1 and 4
6. The author says that we should not resent people -
(a) Indulging in their love for music (b) wanting privacy
(c) Both (a) and (b) (d) Neither (a) nor (b)
7. Why did the bomb scare happen?
(a) because of unattended bag (b) because of colour of bag
(c) because the bag was in a train (d) not given in the passage
8. The passengers were stunned because………….
(a) the youth was careless
b) the bag contained a bomb
c) the youth had not been visible anywhere near the bag earlier
(d) None of the above
9. Pick the option showing the CORRECT use of 'stunned' as used in the passage.
(a) The animals are stunned before slaughter.
(b) The robber stunned the guard by banging him on the head.
(c) Many cinema-goers were stunned by the film's violent and tragic end.
(d) The impact of the ball had stunned her.
10. The word……………… in the passage is an antonym of absorb.
(a) exude (b) bothering (c) commute (d) stunned
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
 Comprehension Passage- For Class XII
Emma Raducanu had sprung from nowhere at Wimbledon, defeating a string of higher-ranked players
in a startling run that captivated the nation. Promoted to No 1 Court – and the front pages – for a
fourth-round match against AjlaTomljanović of Australia, the 18-year-old suffered dizziness and
breathing difficulties, and retired. ―I think the whole experience caught up with me, she said later.
Dr. Claire-Marie Roberts was watching with a pang of recognition. Roberts, 43, was a promising
teenage swimmer, who once qualified for the 100m breaststroke at the 1996 Olympics. But she had
done so despite almost crippling competitive anxiety.
―I‘d be vomiting in the toilets before races with so many self-doubts and ridiculous scenarios playing
out in my mind,‖ she says. ―I‘d worry about letting my dad and coach down, and think everyone was
much better than me. Sometimes I‘d visualize myself with armbands on, struggling even to swim to
the end of the pool.
Happily, and unusually for the time, Roberts had a sports psychologist to turn to for help: ―In the
early 90s nobody really even knew what a sports psychologist was.‖ It was only then that she was
able to start managing her anxiety and qualify for Atlanta with Team Great Britain.
When a pre-Games injury snuffed out her Olympic dream, Roberts‘ experience inspired a job swap.
She is now a sports psychologist at the University of the West of England in Bristol, and learning and
development manager at the Premier League.
Dr. Andrea Furst, a sports psychologist who works with England Rugby and the Australian sailing
team, says the discipline to focus on what needs to be improved is what separates elite athletes and
mortals. ―Many of the things that are needed to be elite are not particularly complex, but it‘s the
requirement for them to be done day after day that makes supreme performers,‖ she says. ―One of
the best pieces of advice in everyday life would be to pick one thing to focus on to change and stick at
it.
―The performances we love the most are the ones where we can see huge hearts, deep character and
the mastery of skill at an inspiring level; where we can see ‗humanness‘ – not robotic perfection or
emotionless ‗execution‘,‖ psychologist Pippa Grange says. ―There is something for all of us to take
from that.
When the recent England-Italy Euro final went to penalties, Dr. Geir Jordet, a sports psychologist,
grabbed a notepad. His analysis, covering more than 45 years of shootouts, has revealed that when a
team only needs one more successful penalty to win the match, the player who takes it will score 92%
of the time. When a team loses the match by missing the next penalty (for example, Bukayo Saka‘s
turn for England), the player taking that penalty scores only 62% of the time. ―In life, it‘s about
considering the positive consequences of what you‘re doing rather than dwelling on the negative
consequences if you mess up,‖ he says.
- Source BBC
On the basis of your reading of the above passage, answer the following questions by choosing
the best option among the four choices given after each question:
1. ‗Emma Raducanu had sprung from nowhere‘ means
a) A player like her could be found nowhere
b) She was a famous player at that time
c) She was an aggressive player
d) She was neither famous nor expected to win
2. Assertion: Emma dropped out of the 4th round match.
Reason: All of a sudden, she was severely injured.
a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A
b) Both A and R are correct and R is not the correct explanation for A
c)A is correct, R is not correct
d)A is false, R is correct e) Both A and Rare false
3. Assertion: Dr. Claire Roberts was surprised to see whatever happened to Emma.
Reason : She was able to overcome a similar situation in her youth.
a) Both A and R is true and R is the correct explanation of A
b) Both A and R is correct and R is not the correct explanation for A
c)A is correct, R is not correct
d)A is false, R is correct
e) Both A and R is false
4. When Dr Roberts was a young swimmer, she was worried about
a) Being injured in the match b) disappointing her father & her coach
c) facing much stronger opponents d) being disqualified for some violation
a) a and b
b) b and c
c) c and d
d) a and d
5. Back in the 90s,
a) there were many sports psychologists
b) every Olympic team had a sports psychologist
c) sports were not highly competitive
d) one was lucky to find a sports psychologist
6. Assertion: Claire Roberts went on to become a sports psychologist.
Reason: She had won an Olympic gold medal.
a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A
b) Both A and R are correct and R is not the correct explanation for A
c)A is correct, R is not correct
d)A is false, R is correct e) Both A and Rare false
7. To become a top sports person
a) one must possess many complex skills b) one must have excellent equipment
c) one must focus on what needs to be developed d) the efforts to improve must be consistent a) a
and b b) b and c
c) c and d d) a and d
8. The most inspiring sports performances are achieved through
a) The spirit to crush the opponent b) force of character
c) Mechanical perfection d) large heartedness
a) a and b b) b and c
c) c and d d) b and d
9. Match the words in the first column with those in the second column
A- Crippling 1. To live at a specified place.
B-Elite 2. Causing a severe difficulty.
C-Dwell on 3.Top class or highly superior
4. To talk or think about something.

a) A- 4 B- 2 C- 1 b) A -2 B -3 C -4 c) A- 3 B -4 C- 3 d) A -1 B- 1 C- 2
10. Which of the following statements is about penalty shootouts and the lesson they teach?
1 Penalty shootouts are very common in international matches.
2 The chances of winning are better when only goal is required to win.
3 The chances of winning are comparatively lower when missing means a loss.
4 Concentrate on positive results& do not worry about negative consequences.
a) 1, 2 and 3 b) 1, 2 and 4 c) 1, 3 and 4 d) 2, 3 and 4
Answers Key:
1. d) She was neither famous nor expected to win
2. c) A is correct, R is not correct
3. e) Both A and R are false
4. b) disappointing her father & her coach
5. d) one was lucky to find a sports psychologist
6. c) A is correct, R is not correct
7. c) c and d
8. d) b and d
9. b) A -2 B -3 C -4
10. d) 2, 3 and 4
UNSEEN PASSAGE FOR COMPREHENSION
Q.1. Read the passage carefully and answer the questions that follow. 12m
1. In the democratic countries, intelligence is still free to ask whatever question it chooses. This
freedom, it is almost certain, will not survive another war. Educationists should, therefore, do all they
can while there is yet time to build up in the minds of their charges, a habit of resistance to suggestion.
If such resistance is not built up, the men and women of the next generation will be at the mercy of
that skillful propagandist who contrives to seize the instruments of information and persuasion.
Resistance to suggestion can be built up in two ways. First, children can be taught to rely on their own
internal resources and not to depend on incessant stimulation from without. This is doubly important.
Reliance on external stimulation is bad for the character. Moreover, such stimulation is the stuff with
which propagandists bait their books, the jam in which the dictators counsel their ideological pills. An
individual who relies on external stimulation thereby exposes himself to the full force of whatever
propaganda is being made in his neighbourhood. For a majority of people in the west, purposeless
reading, purposeless listening to radios, purposeless looking at films have become addiction,
psychological equivalents of alcoholism and morphinism. Things have come to such a pitch that there
are many millions of men and women who suffer real distress if they are cut-off for a few days or even
a few hours from news- papers, radio and music or movie pictures. Like an addict to a drug, they have
to indulge their vice not because their indulgence gives them any real pleasure but because, unless
they indulge they feel painful, subnormal and incomplete. Even by intelligent people, it is now taken
for granted that such psychological addictions are inevitable and even desirable, that there is
nothing to be alarmed at in the fact that the majority of civilized men and women are now incapable of
living on their own spiritual resources, but have become exactly dependent on incessant stimulation
from without.
2. How can children be taught to rely upon their own spiritual resources and resist the temptation
to become reading addicts, hearing addicts, seeing addicts? First of all, they can be taught how to
entertain themselves, by making things themselves, playing musical instruments, by purposeful
study, by scientific observation and by the practice of some art and so on. But such education of the
hand and the intellect is not enough. Psychology has its Gresham‟s law, it is: that bad money that
drives out the good. Most people tend to perform the actions that require least efforts, to think the
thought that are easiest to fill, the emotions that are most vulgarly commonplace, to give rein to the
desires that are most nearly animal. And they will tend to do this even if they possess the knowledge
and skill to do otherwise. Along with the necessary knowledge and skill must be given the will to use
them even under the pressure of incessant temptation to take the line of least resistance and become
an addict to psychological drugs. Most people will not wish to resist these temptations unless they
have a coherent philosophy of life, which makes it reasonable and right for them to do so. The other
method of heightening resistance to suggestion is purely intellectual and consists in training young
people to subject the diverse devices of the propagandists to critical analysis. The first thing that
educators must do is to analyze the words currently used in newspapers, on platforms by
preachers and broadcasters. The critical analysis and constructive criticism should reach out to the
children and the youth, with such clarity that they learn to react to forceful suggestions the right way
at the right time.
 3. What, for example, does the word „nation‟ mean? To what extent are speakers and writers
justified in talking of a nation as a person? In what sense can a nation be described as having a will
or national interest? Are these interests and will, the interests and will of the entire population? Is it
not only advisable but also essential to think in terms of all the above details so that meaningful
progress is promoted, thus making democracy thrive better?
Answer the following questions, based on the above passage :
1. Children should be taught to rely on their [1]
(a) own internal resources (b) intelligence
(c ) communication skills (d) teachers and parents
2. In the West, purposeless reading, purposeless listening to radios and watching films have become [1]
(a) very common
(b) their second habit
(c ) a psychological addiction
(d) a part of their lives
3. Majority of civilized men and women have become exactly dependent on [1]
(a) newspapers, radios and films
(b) external sources of entertainment
( c ) constant stimulation from without
( d) their own spiritual resources
4. The critical analysis and constructive analysis should reach out to [1]
( a) children ( b) children and adults
(c) adults only (d) none
5. How can children be helped from becoming reading, hearing and seeing addicts ? [1]
6. How can critical analysis help us? [1]
7. When will people be able to resist the psychological temptations? Explain in about 40 words. [2]
8. What were the different meanings attributed to the concept ‟Nation‟? [2]
9. Find a word from the passage which mean the same as the following : [2]
(a) Continuing without interruption ( para 1)
(b) Logical and consistent (para 2)

*************************************************************************************
 The Last Lesson
Introduction
The Last Lesson is written by Alphonse Daudet. Born in 1840, he was a French novelist and short-
story writer.
The Last Lesson is based on the backdrop of the Franco-Prussian War of the 1870s. During the war,
France was defeated by Prussia which consisted of Germany, Poland, and various parts of Austria. The
France cities Alsace and Lorraine have been conquered by the Prussian men and it’s the last lesson of
M.Hamel in France.
Summary
The narration of this story is by a French boy, Franz. Franz is a lazy boy. However, in spite of his laziness,
Franz likes to play and is of a sensitive nature. An order has come from Berlin after taking over the
districts of Alsace and Lorraine in France that the German language rather than the French should be
taught in the schools there. Furthermore, it is the school French teacher M. Hamel’s last day. This teacher
has been working there for forty years. Moreover, the teacher has feelings of patriotism. He is also full of
nostalgia and grief. The village men also attend his ‘last lesson’ so as to honour and respect him. The
village is regretting and is sad that they didn’t learn their mother tongue in their childhood.
Franz receives a big shock when he learns that this is his last lesson in French. He is shocked because he
does not know French. Furthermore, on learning about the last lesson, a sudden interest arises in him for
learning French. Moreover, he pays careful attention and learns everything taught on this last day.
Instantly, he develops liking for the teacher M. Hamel. His feelings of hatred for him suddenly came to an
end. Moreover, Franz develops respect for the hard work and sincerity of his teacher. Franz is sad and
ashamed for being unable to recite his lesson.
Hamel explains that they all are at fault for lacking eagerness to learn. Furthermore, he also includes
himself in this fault. He blames himself for lack of sincerity in teaching them.. He says that the French
language is the most logical and beautiful language in the world. It seems that M. Hamel got emotional on
this occasion. Franz feels that it is impossible to remove one’s language from a person. This is because it
is something that is natural to a person. This means that no matter how hard the opposition may try, they
will fail to remove one’s language.
Main Points
• In 1870, during the France-Prussian War, Prussia (Germany, Poland, and parts of Austria)
conquered two French districts, Alsace and Lorraine. After the conquer, Berlin ordered the
French districts to stop teaching French in all the schools across the districts and hire new
teachers who could teach German, instead of French.
• Franz, as usual, is late for the class and on the way notices Prussian soldiers drilling, people
hanging on the bulletin board to check the updates of the war, and a solemn classroom. He
notices that the area around the school is very silent.
• M Hamel, the teacher in a school of the Prussia conquered states informs his students that this
was his last French lesson because of the orders from higher authorities. M Hamel does not
scold Franz that day for being late to the class and for not learning his lessons. Instead, he
starts recalling memories when he used to scold students for doing the same and how all of
them behaved in a manner that they had sufficient time to learn French. He further talks about
French being a beautiful language. M Hamel wears his special suit, the one he carries on Sunday
morning and on special occasions only.
• After entering the class, Franz notices that the last benches that were usually empty were that
day filled by the villagers. On hearing about the orders from Berlin, he realized that all of them
were there to applaud M Hamel for his dedicated forty years of faithful service, and to feel
sorry for not taking French classes and not going to school.
• That day all of them did their class work and listened to M Hamel with full attention,
dedication, and devotion since they were aware of the fact that they were never going to learn
French again and M Hamel was never going to teach them again.
 • As the clock struck twelve and noises of Prussian soldiers were audible to them, M Hamel with
a very heavy hard wanted to bid goodbye to his classroom, his students, his French lessons. But
the tears in his eyes and heaviness in his heart choke him and force him to not say a word.
• He takes the chalk in his hand and writes on the blackboard ‘Vive La France’, which means
Long Live France’. With utter anger and grief, he asked the students to go and said that the
class was dismissed.
Theme
The Last Lesson aims at showcasing the longing for your mother tongue, and culture when lost in the
war. It tries to explain the pain, sadness, and grief of all those who lose their lands, language, culture
during wars. The lesson further takes a step ahead in showing what impact the political situation of a
country has on children. Here, Franz suddenly developed love and affection for his mother tongue,
culture, and teacher. It explains that it is the behavior of a human to feel attached to something that
he/she is about to lose, and that same thing isn’t given much importance, love, and attention when is
freely and readily available.
Extract Based Questions
Instruction- Based on the passages given below answer the questions that follow..
Question 1
But now it was all so still! I had counted on the commotion to get to my desk without being
seen; but, of course, that day everything had to be as quiet as Sunday morning. Through the
window I saw my classmates, already in their places, and M. Hamel walking up and down with
his terrible iron ruler under his arm.
1. ‘Counted on’ means___________
a. To count numbers
b. To depend on
c. To borrow
d. To think
2. Find a synonym of disturbance.
3. Why did the narrator want to reach his desk without being seen?
a. He was afraid of his classmates.
b. He was afraid of being caught by the teacher.
c. He was afraid of the enemy soldiers.
d. He was afraid of villagers
4. Why was everything quiet on a Sunday morning?
Question 2
Ah, that’s the great trouble with Alsace; she puts off learning till tomorrow. Now those fellows
out there will have the right to say to you, ‘How is it; you pretend to be Frenchmen, and yet you
can neither speak nor write your own language?’ But you are not the worst, poor little Franz.
We’ve all a great deal to reproach ourselves with.”
1. what is Alsace?
a. A girl
b. A district
c. not mentioned
d. Both a and b
2. Who are ‘those fellows’?
3. Why does he call Franz poor?
4. ‘A Great deal’ means
a. A big issue
b. A big business deal
c. both a and b
d. None of these
Question 3
Then, from one thing to another, M. Hamel went on to talk of the French language, saying that it
was the most beautiful language in the world — the clearest, the most logical; that we must
guard it among us and never forget it, because when a people are enslaved, as long as they hold
fast to their language it is as if they had the key to their prison. Then he opened a grammar and
read us our lesson. I was amazed to see how well I understood it. All he said seemed so easy, so
easy! I think, too, that I had never listened so carefully, and that he had never explained
everything with so much patience.
1. How can we guard a language?
2. How is our language the key to the prison?
3. Why on that day Franz understood the lesson?
a. It was easy
b. He listened carefully
c. Teacher had taught with patience
d. b and c
4. Find a synonym of surprised.
Answers
Question . 1-
1a
2 commotions
3b
4 It was quiet on a Sunday morning because it was a holiday in the school.
Question 2
1b
2 The enemy German soldiers.
3 Franz is called poor because he has not learned his mother tongue.
4. a
Question 3.
1. we can guard a language by learning it and by using it in our daily lives.
2. One's mother tongue or language helps one stay connected to the mother land and unites all
countrymen because it is a unique thing that is shared by the people of one country.
3. d
4. Amazed
Short Questions
Question.1. What was unusual about M Hamel’s dress on his last day in the school?
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.2. Why is the order from Berlin called a thunderclap by Franz?
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.3. Who were sitting on the back benches during M Hamel’s last lesson? Why?
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.4. What was Franz expected to be prepared with for the school that day?
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.5. What had been put up on the bulletin-board?
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.6. Franz thinks, “Will they make them sing in German, even the pigeons?” What does
this tell us about the attitude of the Frenchmen?
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.7. What words did M Hamel write on the blackboard before dismissing the last class?
What did they mean?
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?
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 BANK
TOPIC- THE LAST LESSON
MCQs-
1. What does THE LAST LESSON signify?
a. Loss of power and language
b. Loss of freedom and power
c. Loss of freedom and language
d. Loss of life and language
2. Why was Franz reluctant to go to school?
a. Wanted to enjoy warm sunlight
b. Wanted to see soldiers’ drill
c. Wanted to sleep more
d. Had not prepared his lesson
3. Who occupied the back benches in the class?
a. Weak students
b. Teachers
c. Village elders
d. Monitors of the class
4. ASSERTION (A) Franz was filled with repentance and guilt on the last day of French class.
REASON (R) – He did not study French when he had time.
a. Both A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation of A
b. Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A
c. A is true but R is false.
d. A is false but R is true.
5. Expression “THUNDERCLAP” in the lesson means____________.
a. Startling and unexpected
b. Loud and clear
c. Loud but not clear
d. Unpleasant
ANSWERS-
1. c
2. d
3. c
4. b
5. a
SHORT ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS-
1. Franz thinks, “Will they make them sing in German, even the pigeons?” What does this
tell us about the attitude of the Frenchmen?
2. “What a thunderclap these words were to me!” – Which were the words that shocked
and surprised Franz?
3. When Franz reached his school, what unusual situation did he observe?
ANSWERS-

1. During his last French class Franz hears the pigeons cooing and wonders if the Prussians would
make them sing in German too. His thought reveals the Frenchmen’s fear of complete domination by
the Germans whereby they would try to enslave even their minds.
2. When M.Hamel mounted on the chair and announced that he was there to teach his last French
lesson that day, Franz was shocked and surprised. He felt very guilty for deliberately ignoring to learn
his native language and he suddenly developed a strange fascination for his language and his school.
3. The usual hustle and bustle of the morning hours could not be seen on the day of the last lesson. It
was all very still and quiet as it used to be on a Sunday morning. The din of opening and closing of
desks and the rapping of the teacher’s ruler on the table could not be heard. The students had already
taken their places and even the village elders had gathered there.
LONG ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS
1. Analyse Franz’s feelings towards school and education at the beginning and end of the story.
What events lead to his change in perspective?
2. Justify the title ‘The Last Lesson’

ANSWERS -
1. At the start of the story, Franz did not like going to school much. He was more interested in
playing and having fun than learning. He prefers spending his time outside, playing and
enjoying himself rather than sitting in a classroom. The idea of going to school and facing his
teacher, M. Hamel, especially when unprepared for his French lessons, fills him with dread. He
views school as a chore rather than a place of learning and growth.
By the story’s end, Franz sees things differently. He learns it’s the last French lesson because of
new rules. This news makes him see how important his language and learning are. He notices
M. Hamel is very sad and the villagers respect the lesson a lot. This makes Franz realize he is
losing something big. He wishes he had paid more attention in class. Franz now values learning
more and regrets not using his chance to learn better.
2. The title The Last Lesson’ is significant and conveys the central theme of the story. The title
highlights the fact that sometimes even the most precious things in our lives are taken for
granted by us. The people of Alsace never gave much thought or importance to their mother
tongue. They did not insist that their children should give it wholehearted attention. They did
not encourage regular attendance of their children in French classes. They thought there was
plenty of time to learn it. They preferred their children to work and earn rather than learn.
They received a severe jolt when orders came from Berlin to ban French and make German
compulsory. This brutal order from Prussians made them realise the importance of their
mother tongue. So they came in full force to attend M. Hamel’s last lesson. In fact, the story
shows the awakening of the turn to the importance of their mother tongue. This was displayed
by them by attending the last person of the French. Thus, the title The Last Lesson’ reveals the
theme of the story and is fully justified.

Prepared by –Mrs. Neelam Choure

PGT English
PMSHRI KV SEHORE
 Study Material
Lost spring
Made by- Abhilasha Umahiya
PM SHRI KV Tikamgarh
Region- Bhopal

Introduction
Lost spring is the true reflection of young children living and suffering in perpetual poverty and
ignorance. The poor strata of the society these children come from toils hard for meagre sum of
money, live in an unhygienic environment and are ignored by the system. But these children have
dreams just like all other children of the world. Their impoverishment and inaccessibility to resources
renders them unable to fulfill these dreams.
Summary
Saheb’s family lives in Seemapuri, a place on the periphery of Delhi yet miles away from it,
metaphorically. About 10,000 ragpickers live in structures of mud, with roofs of tin and tarpaulin,
devoid of sewerage, drainage or running water. They live here without an identity, without permits
but with ration cards that get their names on voters’ lists and enable them to buy grain. Food is more
important for survival than an identity. Wherever they find food, they pitch their tents that become
transit homes. Children grow up in them, becoming partners in survival. And survival in Seemapuri
means ragpicking. Those who live here are squatters who came from Bangladesh (Dhaka) back in
1971. They left their beautiful land of green fields and rivers because repeated floods swept away
their fields and homes leaving them on the verge of starvation. So, they came to India for better
livelihood opportunities. Firozabad is dominated by bangle industry. Most families are engaged in
making bangles. People have spent generations working around furnaces, welding glass and making
bangles. Mukesh’s family is among them. Working in the glass bangles industry is physically and
mentally hazardous but no one dares to do anything else. About 20,000 children work in the glass
furnaces with high temperatures, in dingy cells without air and light. Their eyes are more adjusted to
the dark than to the light outside. That is why they often end up losing their eyesight before they
become adults. There is possibility of skin burn also. They live in stinking lanes choked with garbage,
in hovels with crumbling walls, wobbly doors, no windows, crowded with families of humans and
animals coexisting in a primeval state. In spite of hard labour, many of them do not enjoy even one full
meal in their entire lifetime. The cry of not having money to do anything except carry on the business
of making bangles, rings in every home.
Main Points to remember
• Saheb’s way of living and his longing to go to school
• Saheb’s loss of independence when he starts working at a tea stall
• Seemapuri and the people living there- poor, unhygienic conditions, no identity- struggle for
survival
• Mukesh’s dream of becoming a motor mechanic
• Plight of the bangle makers of Firozabad
Theme
The theme of the lesson is to make the readers aware of the fact that in this economically fast growing
world, the existence of places like Seemapuri and Firozabad is also a reality where people, especially
the young children suffer in poverty and ignorance. It is the need of the hour to bring the
impoverished children like ragpickers of Seemapuri and bangle makers of Firozabad into the
mainstream society.
Extract based questions
I. My acquaintance with the barefoot ragpickers leads me to Seemapuri, a place on the
periphery of Delhi yet miles away from it, metaphorically. Those who live here are
squatters who came from Bangladesh back in 1971. Saheb’s family is among them.
Seemapuri was then a wilderness. It still is, but it is no longer empty.
a) How is Seemapuri miles away from Delhi?
 Seemapuri is different from the rest of Delhi. Delhi is a metro city with modern
amenities whereas Seemapuri is a poor and underdeveloped area.
b) Why have the people in Seemapuri being called sqatters?
They have been living there without permission.
c) What does the word ‘acquaintance’ mean?
Someone you know
II. And in dark hutments, next to lines of flames of flickering oil lamps, sit boys and girls with
their fathers and mothers, welding pieces of coloured glass into circles of bangles. Their
eyes are more adjusted to the dark than to the light outside. That is why they often end up
losing their eyesight before they become adults.
a) Which people are being talked about in the given extract?
Banglemakers of Firozabad
b) Mention the working conditions of these children?
dark basements with no ventilation- suffocation
c) Write a word that means the opposite of ‘flickering’.
stable/still/unwavering
SAQs- Answer the following questions in 40-50 words:
a) What keeps the young ragpickers happy in spite of the poverty they endure?
The young ragpickers often find small treasure in the garbage. They roam about freely
unaware of what they are missing in life. They feel independent. They loiter around in
groups enjoying each day in spite of their miserable life.
b) Often helplessness is disguised as tradition as in the case of barefoot children. Comment.
People cannot afford foot-ware for their children in poor localities and villages all over
the country and in order to escape the bitter truth they call going barefoot a tradition.
This also helps them save their dignity.
c) What can help children like Saheb and Mukesh flourish?
Children like Saheb and Mukesh face dire impoverishment and inaccessibility of
resources. They should be provided with basic necessities like clean places to live,
healthy food, education, etc. This will help them fulfil their dreams and flourish.
d) Why do the bangle makers of Firozabad feel trapped in a perpetual state of poverty.
The bangle-makers of Firozabad are poverty-stricken.They have to continue the
traditional profession. Further, the society has formed a harsh circle around them. The
money – lenders, middlemen, policemen, law – keepers, officers and politicians
altogether form a barrier around them and tie them in the grip of poverty. They cannot
escape from it.
 Deep Water
William Orville Douglas

William Orville Douglas (1898 –1980)

William Douglas (born October 16, 1898 Maine, Minnesota – died January 19, 1980 Bethesda,
Maryland, USA) after graduating with a Bachelors of Arts in English and Economics, spent two years
teaching high school in Yakima. However, he got tired of this and decided to pursue a legal career. He
met Franklin D. Roosevelt at Yale and became an adviser and friend to the President. Douglas was a
leading advocate of individual rights. He retired I 1975 with a term lasting thirtysix years and remains
the longest-serving Justice in the history of the court. This excerpt is taken from Of Men and
Mountains by William O. Douglas. It reveals how as a young boy William Douglas nearly drowned in a
swimming pool. In this essay he talks about his fear of water and thereafter, how he finally overcame
it. We can notice the autobiographical part of the selection is used to support his discussion of fear.
Brief Introduction of the Lesson
Deep Water summary will assist you in understanding the meaning of this chapter. It is an extract from
the book ‘Men and Mountains’ by William Douglas. Over here, the author tells us about how he overcomes
the deep-rooted fear of water. We learn that the author develops fear of water following two very dreadful
incidents. In this first one, he is four years old when a wave knocks him down. Similarly, in the second one,
he is 11 years of age. A bully throws him in the deep end of the pool and almost drowns. Thus, having gone
through such scary experiences, he fears water deeply. However, he does work really hard to overcome it.
Finally, we learn about the measures he takes to overcome this fear. Moreover, he accomplishes in
overcoming the fear and gives us all a great lesson of determination and will power.
Short Summary
Deep Water is about the writer’s journey of overcoming the fear of water, which is deeply rooted in him
since childhood. The author started fearing water since the age of four. It starts when he was visiting
California with his father. He visits a beach where a wave knocks him down and sweeps over him. This
terrifies the author, although the father laughs at this knowing it was no danger. However, this
experience terrifies him and develops a fear of water. After that, when the author is 11 years old, he
experiences another incident which escalates his fear.
He is at a swimming pool in Yakima, trying to learn swimming. On one fine day, a bully decides to pull a
dangerous prank. He pushes him in the deep end of the pool which frightens the author. He reaches nine
feet into the water and starts struggling desperately to hold on to something.

Moreover, he yells for help but he starts feeling paralyzed and only his heart was moving now. Thus, he
gives up and readies himself to die but wakes up at the side of the pool. However, the terror he
experiences while drowning never goes away. It continues to haunt him for many years and even spoiled
his future expeditions concerning canoeing, swimming, fishing and more.
He even visits Marine Lakes, Columbia, New Hampshire and more but is not able to enjoy it. Thus, he
decides to overcome this fear by hook or by crook. He enrols himself in a swimming class and tries to
learn from the instructor. The instructor teaches him many tips and tricks for swimming. He begins with
the inhaling and exhaling part then he practices it for many weeks.
Further, he moves on to the kicking the legs on the side of the pool. Finally, he combines all this with the
final move of swimming. Although the author knows how to swim, he is still terrified of water. Thus, in
order to get rid of the fear, he decides to confront it. He mocks it by thinking what can it really do?
Consequently, he plunges in to the water and to his surprise, his fear goes away. He faced it in many
places and at last, manages to conquer it.
Conclusion of Deep Water
To sum up, Deep Water summary, we learn that if we are determined enough and have the courage, we
can overcome any fear that comes our way without letting the fear overpower us.
 Main points to remember

Theme / Central Idea

In Deep Water' Douglas recounts a childhood experience of terror. He also described his
determination of conquering that terror. Douglas' efforts and determined struggle are symbolic and
suggestive. All terrors and obstacles can be overcome through persistent efforts. His experience can
serve a useful lesson for others to succeed even in the most hostile circumstances.
A big bully of a boy tossed him into the deep end of the Y.M.C.A. pool. He felt suffocated. His legs
became rigid. His lungs ached and heart throbbed. Then a stark terror seized him. He crossed into
oblivion. When he came to senses he found himself lying beside the pool.
Finally, an instructor gave him thorough training and made him a swimmer. But still old signs of fear
would return. He went to Lake Wentworth and dived off a dock. He swam two miles across the lake. At
last, he was able to conquer his fear of water.
For Douglas the experience had a deeper and symbolic meaning. He had experienced both the
sensation of dying and the fear of it. Finally, what matters is the will to live As Roosevelt said, "All we
have to fear is fear itself."
Extract based questions
Extract:
With that he picked me up and tossed me into the deep end. I landed in a sitting position, swallowed
water, and went at once to the bottom. I was frightened, but not yet frightened out of my wits. On the
way down I planned: When my feet hit the bottom, I would make a big jump, come to the surface, lie
flat on it, and paddle to the edge of the pool.
Questions :-
Q.1 Who picked up and tossed the narrator into the deep end ?
(a) His father (b) His friend (c) His teacher (d) His coach
Q.2 What did the narrator do on the way down to the bottom of the pool ?
(a) He screamed for help (b) He flailed his arms
(c) He planned his escape (d) He closed his eyes
Q.3 Complete the sentence appropriately.
The phrase “frightened out of my wits” suggests that ___.

Q.4 Pick evidence from the extract that helps one infer that the narrator had some swimming skills.
Q.5 Which of the following headlines best suggests the central idea of the extract ?
(a) A Boy’s First Encounter with Water
(b) A Father’s Attempt to Teach His Son Swimming
(c) A Boy’s Struggle to Survive in the Pool
(d) A Father’s Mistake That Traumatizes His Son
Q.6 Complete the sentence with ONE word.
The phrase “I landed in a sitting position” suggests that the narrator was _____________.
Extract:
a) "And then sheer, stark terror seized me, terror that knows no understanding, terror that knows no
control, terror that no one can understand who has not experienced.
i) Name the lesson and its writer.
ii) Who does 'me' refer to? Where was he?
iii) Why was he gripped with terror?
iv) What does the word 'sheer' mean?
Use it in a sentence to bring out it meaning.
b) "Then all effort ceased. I relaxed. Even my legs felt limp; and a blackness swept over my brain. It
wiped out terror."
i) Which effort is the writer talking of here?
ii) Which words here suggest that he was falling unconscious?
iii) Why did he feel relaxed?
iv) Which words in these lines mean
Stopped, Weak
c) "But I was not finished I still wondered if I would be terror -stricken when I was alone in the pool. I
tried it. Tiny vestiges of the old terror would return.
i) Which pool is mentioned here?
ii) What had the narrator learnt? Why does he say '-I was not finished?
iii) What was he sti'll haunted by?
iv) Which word in the above lines means remaining or remnant?
d) "The experience had a deep meaning for me as only those who have known stark terror and
conquered it can appreciate. In death there is a peace. There is terror only in the fear of death, as
Roosevelt knew when he said "All we have to fear is fear itself".
i) Who is the narrator? Which experience is he talking of here?
ii) Which fear was he gripped with?
iii) Explain 'In death, there is peace'?
iv) According to president Roosevelt, what is it that always fills us with fear?

Long Answer type Questions

Q.1 How does Douglas make clear to the reader the sense of panic that gripped him as he almost
drowned? Describe the details that have made the description vivid ?
Q.2 Failure is often one of the paths leading ultimately to success. Elaborate wite reference to The
chapter Deep Water ?

Short Answer type Questions

Q.1 Why did Douglas go to Lake Wentworth in New Hampshire ?

Q.2 How did Douglas remove his residual doubts about his fear of water ?
Q.3 Douglas says : “The instructor was finished. But I was not finished.” Why did he utter such words ?
 Extract Based MCQ
1. “It had happened when I was ten or eleven years old. I had decided to learn to swim. There was a
pool at the Y.M.C.A. in Yakima that offered exactly the opportunity. The Yakima River was
treacherous.”
i. What opportunity did Y.M.C.A provide?
a) To swim in turbulent waters b) To swim with Dolphins
c) To swim in safe waters with life guards d) To explore deep waters
ii. What happened when the author was 11?
a) He went on a trip to a beach at California b) He was knocked down by a wave.
c) He had a misadventure at YMCA pool. d) He visited Yakima river with parents.
iii. Why was Yakima river referred to as treacherous?
a) Its waters were deep b) Its current was too strong
c) It had claimed many lives d) It was unpredictable
iv. Choose a word which is near the meaning of
“treacherous”
a) precarious b) reliable c) safe d) loyal
2. “He and I stood together in the surf. I hung on to him, yet the waves knocked me down and swept
over me. I was buried in water. My breath was gone.”
i. Who is referred to as 'he'?
a) The writer's brother b) The writer's uncle
c) The writer's grandfather d) The writer's father
ii. How old was he at the time the beach incident ?
a) He was 4 years old b) He was 5 years old
c) He was 10 years old d) Hewas11 years old
iii. Who saved him at the beach?
a) His uncle b) His friend c) His coach d) His Father
iv. Another word for “surf” is ...
a) Ocean b) Paddling c) Wave d) Foam
3. “Thus, piece by piece, he built a swimmer. And when he had perfected each piece, he put them
together into an integrated whole. In April he said, “Now you can swim. Dive off and swim the length
of the pool, crawl stroke.”
i. How did the instructor make Douglas a good swimmer?
a) by planning b) with the help of ropes
c) by pushing him into the pool d) with the help of ropes and belts
ii. What lesson did Douglas learn from his experience of
drowning?
a) learnt swimming b) love for swimming
c) Swimming is not difficult d) Face the fear
iii. “Thus, piece by piece, he built a swimmer” what does
the narrator mean by this statement?
a) Step by step b) Slowly c) With patience d) One by one
iv. “he put them together into an integrated whole” What did he put together?
a) All the styles and strokes of swimming learnt by Douglas
b) All his equipment c) All the ideas d) None
4. “The experience had a deep meaning for me, as only those who have known stark terror and
conquered it can appreciate. In death there is peace. There is terror only in the fear of death, as
Roosevelt knew when he said, “All we have to fear is fear itself.”
i. In the essay William Douglas talks about his fear of
a) fire b) lizards c) snake d) water
ii. How did the author’s fear vanish?
a) With courage, guidance and determination b) With care
c) With mother’s words d) With guidance
 iii. “All we have to fear is the fear itself”, who said these words?
a) William Douglas b) Trainer c) His Father d) Roosevelt
iv. “In death there is peace. There is terror only in the fear of death” it means…..
a) Death brings an end to all our fears b) Death is peaceful
c) Thought of death creates fear in us d) All of the above
5. My breath was gone. I was frightened. Father laughed, but there was terror in my heart at the
overpowering force of the waves. 46 | P a g e My introduction to the Y.M.CA. swimming pool revived
unpleasant memories and stirred childish fears. But in a little while I gathered confidence. I paddled
with my new water wings, watching the other boys and trying to learn by aping them. I did these two
or three times on different days and was just beginning to feel at ease in the water when the
misadventure happened.
i. Choose the correct option with reference to the two
statements given below
Statement 1: the author’s father laughed to mock his son's inability to swim
Statement 2: the author wanted to swim just to prove his father that he can swim
a) Statement 1 is true but statement 2 is false
b) Statement 1 is false but statement 2 is true
c) Both statement 1 and statement 2 is cannot be inferred
d) Both statement 1 and statement 2 is inferred
ii. The misadventure that took place right after the author felt comfortable was that
a) The author slipped and fell into the swimming pool
b) A bully toasted him into the pool for the sake of fun
c) His coaching forget to teach him how to handle deep Water
d) His father couldn’t help him from drowning into the water
iii. The chap that threw him into the pool was just for the sake of fun. Choose option mentioning the
personality traits of this chap
1. Persuasive 2. Irresponsible 3. Domineering 4. Manipulative 5. Callous
a) 1, 2, 4 b) 2, 4, 5 c) 2, 3, 5 d) 1, 3, 5
iv. What does the word ‘ape’ mean in the context?
a) Emulate b) Primate c) Prototype d) None of these
 The Rattrap
Summary
The story is based on the life of a rattrap seller who used to sell rattraps of materials he collected from
begging and petty thievery. One day he went to a cottage alongside the road looking for a place to
spend the night. He took thirty kronor from the old man’s house and started looking for a place to
hide. Now, how did the rattrap save himself after stealing the money, and what happened next is
explained in detail in the summary presented below. The story is based on the interesting fact that the
entire world is a rattrap (cage) where baits like cheese and pork(wealth, money) are offered to the
rats (humans).
The story is based on the theme of human behavior. How a human with some evil thoughts can be
forced to perform an act that is good in nature, by showering him/her with some love, and affection,
and giving him/her some amount of care and warmth. It explores human behavior and differences in
the thinking process of humans to an extent that will leave you falling in love with each character.
Multiple Choice answer type Questions
Q. Why does the peddler knit up various kind of thoughts?
a) because of greed b) because of travelling
c) because of loneliness and poverty d) none
Ans. C
Q. In peddler’s view, what does the world look like?
a) a rat b) a jungle c) a jigsaw d) a Rattrap
Ans. D
Q. According to the seller what leads us to various miseries?
a) attractions b) people c) friends d) wishes and greed of comfort
Ans. D
Q. Why did the peddler have to take shelter?
a) because of his wishes b) because he wants to steal
c) because he wants to be with his friends d) because he had no home
Ans. D
Q. Who offered shelter to the Peddler?
a) a beggar b) a friend c) a milkman d) An old Crofter
Ans. D
Q. What made the Peddler finally change his ways?
a) Edla’s beauty b) His mistaken identity c) his greed d) kindness and care
Ans. D
Q. What does the metaphor Rattrap in the lesson signify?
a) humans b) thieves c) attractions d) Human greed and distractions
Ans. D
Q. What lightens the seriousness of the lesson?
a) Peddlar’s greed b) Peddlar’s gossip c) Peddlar’s tricks d) Peddlar’s sense of humour
Ans. D
Q. What earns the sympathy of the reader towards the peddler?
a) his actions b) his stories c) his face d) his sense of humour and innocent acceptance
Ans. D
Q. From where did the Peddler get the idea of the world being a Rattrap?
a) from his friends’ situation b) from Crofter’s behavior
c) from Edla’s words d) from his circumstances and miserable life condition
Ans. D
Q. Why was he amused by his idea of a rattrap?
a) it was a bad joke b) it was a good comparison
c) it was the exact situation and was humorous d) none
Ans. C
Q. Why was the Crofter so talkative and friendly with the Peddler?
a) because he knew him. b) he was his friend
c) he was his neighbourer d) because of his resemblance to one of his old friend
Ans. D
Q. Why did Elda bring the Peddler to her house for Christmas cheer?
a) because she knew him b) he was very funny
c) he was goodlooking d) because of his resemblance to her father’s old friend
Ans. D
Q. Why did the Peddler leave the stolen money in a Rattrap?
a) Because of his plan b) to deceive them
c) because of fear of Iron master d) none
Ans. C
Q. How is the Peddler influenced by meeting the Crofter and Edla?
a) he was encouraged to steal money b) he became a rattrap seller
c) his heart was changed d) none
Ans. C
Q. What doubts did Edla have about Peddler?
a) his behavior b) his words
c) his fear and appearance d) none
Ans. C
Q. Why did Peddler not reveal his true identity?
a) because of fear b) he didn’t want to hurt them
c) in the greed of getting money d) none
Ans. C
Q. Why did the Peddler feel that he had fallen into the Rattrap?
a) because he fell into a pit b) because he fell in love with Edla
c) because his heart is changed d) because of his greedy action and pitiable circumstances
Ans. D
Q. Why did Crofter show 30 Kronor to the Peddler?
a) to boast b) to flaunt
c) because he considers him a friend d) to share his feelings of pride
Ans. D
Q. Why did the Peddler have to resort to begging and thievery?
a) poverty b) miserable life
c) because of non-profiatability of his business d) none
Ans. C
Q. Who used to make rattraps?
a) Crofter b) Edla c) Crofter and Edla d) Pedlar
Ans. D
Q. From where did the Pedlder get the material to make rattraps?
a) shops b) roads c) streets d) stores
Ans. D
Q. How did Crofter treat the Peddler?
a) very rudely b) in a strange manner c) friendly manner d) none
Ans. C
Q. Why did Peddler sign himself as Captain Von Stahle?
a) he didn’t want to hurt them b) because of love and care
c) because of mistaken identity d) none
Ans. C
Q. Why did iromaster realise his mistake?
a) because of Edla b) because of pedlar’s words
c) because of his friend d) because of uncertain reflections and Edla
Ans. D
Q. What made the Peddler finally change his heart?
a) Edla’s words b) Edla’s appearance
c) Edla’s father d) Edla’s goodness and care
Ans. D
Q. What was the Peddler’s profession and who he was?
a) selling, traveller b) begging, traveller
c) stealing, thief d) none
Ans. C
Q. Why did the Peddler feel like stealing?
a) greed b) poverty
c) miserable life d) others’ indifference to his needs
Ans. D
Q. How did the Crofter tempt the Peddler to steal his money?
a) by his kindness b) by his warm care
c) by showing him money d) none
Ans. C
Q. Why did the Peddler decline the invitation?
a) because he had stolen money b) he wanted to run
c) he wanted to hide money d) he wanted to go back to his place
Ans. D
Q. How much money had the peddler stolen from Crofter?
a) 20 kronors b) 10 kronors c) 40 kronors d) 30 kronors
Ans. D
Question 1. Why did the peddler sign himself as Captain von Stahle?
Answer: Edla Willmansson had been rather nice to the peddler and had treated him with the honour
that was due to a Captain. The peddler, through this mistaken identity, got an opportunity to raise
himself and get above the petty temptations of the world. So he signed himself as Captain von Stahle.
Question 2. Why did the peddler think that the world was a rattrap?
Answer:The peddler considered the whole world as a big rattrap, its sole purpose being to set baits for
people. The joys and riches of this world are nothing but tempting baits and anyone who is tempted
by them was captured by the rattrap which completely closed in on him.
Question 3. Why was Edla happy to see the gift left by the peddler?
Answer: Edla was happy to see the gift left by the peddler as he had respected her faith in him. Edla
had retained him in her house even after knowing his real identity and he, in turn, had shown her that
the guest she had honoured was as honourable as the Captain. The latent goodness of his heart had
been awakened and he had been able to overcome the bait of the rattrap.
Question 4. Which act of the crofter surprised the peddler? Why?
Answer: The peddler was always shunned away wherever he went. No one treated him with kindness
and so he had lost all hope of being shown any kind of warmth. But when he approached the crofter’s
roadside cottage he was surprised by the latter’s warm welcome and generous hospitality.
Question 5. How was the peddler treated at the crofter’s cottage?
Answer: At the crofter’s cottage the peddler was welcomed warmly and received generous hospitality.
The crofter was an old and lonely man and the prospect of getting the peddler’s company overjoyed
him. So he poured all his warmth and friendly courtesy on the peddler.
Question 6. Why was the crofter so talkative and friendly with the peddler?
Answer: The crofter was lonely. He lived alone in his cottage without a wife, a child or any companion.
Since he suffered from acute loneliness he was extremely happy when he got the peddler’s company.
That is why he was so talkative and friendly with the peddler.
Question 7. Why was the peddler surprised when he knocked on the door of the cottage?
Answer: At the crofter’s cottage the peddler was welcomed warmly and received generous hospitality.
The crofter was an old and lonely man and the prospect of getting the peddler’s company overjoyed
him. So he poured all his warmth and friendly courtesy on the peddler.
Question 8. What made the peddler finally change his ways?
Answer: The peddler was touched by Edla’s kind treatment. She treated him like a Captain in spite of
knowing his real identity. This awakened the latent goodness of his heart because he wanted to show
Edla he was worthy of the honour she had given him. So he finally changed his ways.
Question 9. Why did the peddler keep to the woods after leaving the crofter’s cottage? How did
he feel?
Answer: The peddler discards the public highway and keeps to the woods after leaving the crofter’s
cottage because he wants to avoid being caught with the thirty kronors that he had stolen from the
crofter’s house. He walks through mazes of forest paths but lands nowhere. When he realizes he has
been trapped he feels extremely tired and sinks to the ground in despair.
Question 10. Did the stranger agree to go to the ironmaster’s house? Why or why not? Answer:
Initially the stranger declined the ironmaster’s invitation. He had the stolen thirty kronors on him and
thought it was like going into the lion’s den. But then he accepted the ironmaster’s invitation because
Edla’s sympathy and compassion allayed his fears and her friendly manner made him to have
confidence in her.
 ‘Indigo’ by Louis Fischer
Introduction
The story is based on the interview taken by Louis Fischer of Mahatma Gandhi. In order to write about
him, he had visited him in 1942 at his ashram- Sevagram where he was told about the Indigo
Movement started by Gandhi. The story revolves around the struggle of Gandhi and other prominent
leaders in order to safeguard sharecroppers from the atrocities of landlords. This is an excerpt from
his book “The Life of Mahatma Gandhi”. The book has been reviewed as one of the best books ever
written on Gandhi.
Theme
The leadership qualities displayed by Mahatma Gandhi to secure justice for the oppressed people
through the method of the truth and non-violence.
Sub- theme: Contributions made by anonymous Indians to the freedom movement.
Literary Devices
Irony:
Example: When Gandhi, a prominent figure, is refused water from a tap due to his perceived social
status as an “Untouchable,” it highlights the absurdity and injustice of the caste system. The irony lies
in the fact that a man advocating for justice and equality is himself subjected to discrimination.
Example: The irony lies in the fact that while synthetic substitutes from Germany bring an end to
indigo farming, the land remains in the clutches of British owners who demand payment for
relinquishing ownership rights. The very innovation that brings hope also perpetuates exploitation.
Symbolism:
Example: Indigo serves as a powerful symbol throughout the chapter. Indigo represents exploitation,
oppression, and the struggle faced by the Indian peasants. It becomes a metaphor for their fight
against British landlords.
Imagery:
Example:
Descriptions of the fertile lands of Champaran and the peasants’ plight.
Fischer’s vivid descriptions transport readers to the heart of the struggle. The emaciated visitor, the
gloomy days, and the synthetic blue evoke powerful mental images, the lush fields, the suffering of the
sharecroppers, and the oppressive conditions they endure.
Characterization:
Example: The portrayal of Rajkumar Shukla and Gandhi. Through their actions, dialogue, and
interactions, we learn about their personalities, motivations, and the impact they have on each other.
His determination to seek justice and his unwavering commitment to Gandhi’s cause showcase his
character and resilience.
Conflict:
Example: The conflict between the Indian peasants and the English landlords. The struggle for justice
and freedom becomes the central conflict, driving the narrative forward.
Parallelism:
Example: The parallel between the fight against British oppression and the global context of World
War I. By drawing this parallel, the author emphasizes the significance of the peasants’ struggle within
a broader historical context. Lesson at a Glance Situation of Sharecroppers in Champaran Large Indian
states were owned by the British who forced the poor peasants to grow indigo on 15% of their
holdings and pay as rent. Germany developed synthetic indigo; the British landlords demanded
compensation from the peasants to free them from the old agreement. Poor peasants were beaten,
tortured for not obeying the orders of the British landlords. Rajkumar Shukla met Gandhi at Annual
Convention of Indian National Congress in Lucknow in 1916. Rajkumar Shukla told Gandhi about the
plight of poor peasants at the hands of British landlords and invited him to Champaran. Gandhi was
busy but Shukla didn’t leave Gandhi and kept following him wherever he went. Gandhi was impressed
by Shukla’s tenacity, persistence and determination. Gandhi accompanied Shukla to Rajendra Prasad’s
house, where he was treated like a poor yeoman, and not allowed to take water from the well
perceived as untouchable. He then left for Muzaffarpur to gather more information about the case of
indigo peasants. The lawyers briefed Gandhi and mentioned about fighting for their cause and the fee
they charged from the peasant. Gandhi chided the lawyers for charging a big fee from the poor
peasants. When Gandhi asked what would be their course of action, they were clueless. Later, they
realised their mistake that Gandhi being an outsider was ready to go behind the bar for the poor
peasants, they decided to follow Gandhi in jail. Gandhi visited the Secretary of the British landlord’s
association but was denied to get any information being termed as an outsider. He called on the
British Official Commissioner of the Tirhut division; he is bullied and asked to leave the district. He
proceeded to Motihari, the capital of Champaran, continued his investigation. .He got a notice to leave
Champaran. He disobeyed the order and was summoned by the court. During the court trial, he called
it ‘conflict of duties’ but listened to his ‘voice of conscience’. He received a letter from the Magistrate
that the case was being dropped -civil disobedience had triumphed. A commission was set up to look
into the matter. Gandhi was appointed as the lone representative from the peasants' side. He
demanded 50% refund to poor sharecroppers but agreed to 25%. He explained that the amount of
refund was less important. More important fact was that the British had to subdue a part of their
prestige with the amount. Peasants got 25% refund; in due course of time their land was reverted.
Indigo sharecropping completely disappeared. Peasants were free from fear, learned courage and
realised that they had rights and defenders to protect their rights. Champaran, a turning point in
Gandhi’s political career After resolving the political issue, Gandhi aimed at improving the social,
cultural and economic condition of poor peasants. He invited people to offer voluntary service as
teachers, doctors, and social activists. His wife and son also joined him. Kasturbai taught the women
about personal hygiene and cleanliness. The lawyers wanted CF Andrews to help in the Indian
freedom struggle, Gandhi vehemently refused, and taught everyone a lesson of self-reliance. Gandhi’s
foresight and political acumen was based on day-to-day problems of poor people rather than abstract
ideals.
Extract Based Questions (6x1= 6 Marks) Read the given extract and answer the questions that follow:
QI. He had gone to the December 1916 annual convention of the Indian National Congress party in
Lucknow. There were 2,301 delegates and many visitors. During the proceedings, Gandhi recounted,
“a peasant came up to me looking like any other peasant in India, poor and emaciated, and said, “I am
Rajkumar Shukla. I am from Champaran, and I want you to come to my district!” Gandhi had never
heard of the place. It was on the foothills of the towering Himalayas near the kingdom of Nepal.
(i) Who does ‘he’ refer to in the above extract?
a) Rajkumar Shukla b) Mahatma Gandhi c) Rajendra Prasad d) None of the above
Ans. b) Mahatma Gandhi
(ii) What was ‘he’ doing in Lucknow?
Ans. He was attending the annual convention of the Indian National Congress Party.
(iii) In this part of the story, Gandhi recounts…………………………
Ans. He recounts about a poor emaciated peasant who had come up to him and asked him to visit
Champaran to help the sharecroppers.
(iv) Complete the given analogy: Confident: Diffident Emaciated:………..
Ans. Healthy & strong/ corpulent / fat / chubby
(v) Rajkumar Shukla’s met Gandhi in Lucknow because
a) He was a great admirer of Mahatma Gandhi and wished to join India’s freedom struggle.
b) He wanted Gandhi to visit Champaran to look into the problems faced by the poor peasants.
c) He had come to attend the annual convention of the Indian National Congress Party.
d) Both b and c.
Ans. b) He wanted Gandhi to visit Champaran to look into the problems faced by the poor peasants.
(vi) “Gandhi had never heard of the place.” What do you infer from the above statement?
Ans. It suggests that Gandhi was not familiar with the place Champaran and its location.
PRACTICE QUESTIONS:
QII. Gandhi decided to go first to Muzaffarpur, which was enroute to Champaran, to obtain more
complete information about conditions than Shukla was capable of imparting. He accordingly sent a
telegram to Professor J.B. Kriplani, of the Arts College in Muzaffarpur, whom he had seen at Tagore’s
Shantiniketan school. The train arrived at midnight, 15 April 1917. Kriplani was waiting at the station
with a large body of students. Gandhi stayed there for two days in the home of Professor Kriplani, a
teacher in the government school. “It was an extraordinary thing in those days, Gandhi commented,
“for a government professor to harbour a man like me.” In smaller localities, the Indians were afraid to
show sympathy for advocates of home-rule.
(i) Gandhi went to Muzaffarpur……………………….
(ii) Whom did he contact in Muzaffarpur?
(iii) Gandhi arrived in Champaran on:
a) 15th April 1917 b) Night of 15th April 1917 c) Midnight of 15th April 1917 d) Midnight of 15th
April
(iv) Gandhi commented, “It was an extraordinary thing in those days for a government professor to
harbour a man like me.” Explain the phrase ‘a man like me’.
(v) Find the odd one out which does not convey the same meaning as “Harbour” as used in the
extract:
a) Shield b) Shelter c) Anchorage d) Refuge
(vi) In smaller localities, the Indians were afraid to show sympathy for advocates of home rule
because: ………………………………………………………..
QIII. They thought, among themselves, that Gandhi was a stranger, yet he was prepared to go to the
prison for the sake of peasants; if they, on the other hand, being not only the residents of the 100
adjoining districts but also those who claimed to serve these people, should go home, it would be
shameful desertion. They accordingly went back to Gandhi and told him they were ready to follow him
into jail “The battle of Champaran is won”, he exclaimed. Then he took a piece of paper and divided the
group into pairs and put down the order in which each pair was to court arrest.
(i) Who are ‘They’ in the first line?
(ii) ‘They’ were ready to follow Gandhi into jail.’ What do you infer from this?
(iii) What do you understand by the ‘Battle of Champaran’?
(iv) Gandhi said, “The battle of Champaran is won.” What does he mean by this?
Choose the correct option:
I) Gandhi won the trust of lawyers of Champaran and they gave him full support.
II) The lawyers realised Gandhi’s determination towards the peasants’ liberation.
III) The lawyers were reluctant about Gandhi’s plan to fight against the British.
IV) The lawyers were seeking the help of C F Andrews in India’s freedom struggle.
a) Only I and III b) Both I and II c) Only IV d) I, II, and III
(v) What is being referred to as ‘shameful desertion’?
a) Mahatma Gandhi’s arrest by the British authority.
b) The lawyers fighting the case of poor peasants charging high fee.
c) The lawyers’ decision to go home if Gandhi was imprisoned.
d) Extortion of money from the poor peasants by the British landlord.
(vi) ‘Gandhi took a piece of paper and divided the group into pairs and put down the order in which
each pair was to court arrest.’ What does this statement suggest about Gandhi’s style of working?
QIV. The news of Gandhi’s advent and of the nature of his mission spread quickly through Muzaffarpur
and to Champaran. Sharecroppers from Champaran began arriving on foot and by conveyance to see
their champion. Muzaffarpur lawyers called on Gandhi to brief him; they frequently represented
peasant groups in court; they told him about their cases and reported the size of their fee. Gandhi
chided the lawyers for collecting a big fee from the sharecroppers.
(i) The ‘Champion’ as used in the extract refers to: …………………………..
(ii) Why did sharecroppers arrive at Muzaffarpur?
a) To fight for their cause in the court of law.
b) They were ardent admirers of Gandhi.
c) The sharecroppers wanted to see Gandhi.
d) They were taking out a protest rally against the British.
(iii) Pick out the statement which is NOT TRUE in the context of the extract.
a) Sharecroppers arrived at Muzaffarpur on foot and by conveyance.
b) The lawyers met Gandhi to brief him about the case.
c) The lawyers were representing the sharecroppers in court.
d) Gandhi applauded the lawyers for collecting a big fee.
(iv) Find a word from the extract which means the same as ‘Arrival’.
(v) Arrange the following statements in the sequence of their occurrence:
I. Sharecroppers from Champaran arrived on foot and by conveyance.
II. Gandhi chided the lawyers for collecting a big fee from the sharecroppers.
III. Muzaffarpur lawyers called on Gandhi to brief him.
IV. The news of Gandhi’s advent and of the nature of his mission spread quickly.
V. The lawyers frequently represented peasant groups in court.
a) I, II, III, V, IV b) III, IV, I, V, II c) IV, V, I, II, III d) IV, I, III, V, II
(vi) Find a word from the extract which is opposite of the word, ‘Appreciated’.
QV. Gandhi’s lawyer friends thought it would be a good idea for Andrews to stay in Champaran and
help them. Andrews was willing if Gandhi agreed. But Gandhi was vehemently opposed. He said, “You
think that in this unequal fight, it would be helpful if we have an Englishman on our side. This shows
the weakness of our heart. The cause is just and you must rely upon yourselves to win the battle. You
should not seek a prop in Mr. Andrews because he happens to be an Englishman.” “He had read our
minds correctly.” Rajendra Prasad comments, “and we had no reply…….Gandhi in this way taught us a
lesson in self-reliance.”
(i) How was the Champaran episode a turning point in Gandhi’s life?
a) He taught peasants a lesson of self-reliance b) It was Gandhi’s final triumph c) It gave a spark to
Civil Disobedience Movement d) It kickstarted Quit India Movement
(ii) C F Andrews was …………………………………………….
a) a social activist b) an English pacifist c) a regimental officer d) a British landlord
(iii) Gandhi’s words in the above extract reflect…………………
(iv) The ‘unequal fight’ here refers to:
(v) Find a word from the above extract which means same as ‘Strongly’:
(vi) “This shows the weakness of our heart.” What do you infer from this statement?
Short Answer Type Questions (40-50 words) 2 Marks
Q1. ‘Rajkumar Shukla was an unlettered peasant from Champaran but he was resolute to take up the
cause of poor sharecroppers at the Congress convention.’ Justify this statement on the basis of your
reading the chapter.
Ans. Rajkumar Shukla was an unlettered peasant from Champaran who decided to complain about the
injustice done to the poor sharecroppers by the British landlords at the Congress Convention in
Lucknow. Somebody asked him to meet Gandhi. He met Gandhi and invited him to Champaran to see
the plight of poor peasants. He is described as being resolute because even after being told about the
prior engagements of Gandhi at Cawnpore and other parts across the country, he did not quit. He
continued to accompany Gandhi everywhere. Furthermore, he persistently asked Gandhi to fix a date
for his visit to Champaran. Gandhi was impressed with his resolution and determination, and finally
complied with his request to visit Champaran.
Q2. There are many events in the text that illustrate Gandhi's method of working. Can you identify
some instances of this method and link them to his ideas of Satyagraha and non-violence?
Ans. There are many instances in the narrative that can be linked to Gandhi's idea of non- cooperation
and Satyagraha. One such instance is Gandhi's refusal to obey the court order asking him to leave
Champaran immediately. Besides that, Gandhi's protest against the delay of the court proceedings is
also an instance of his belief in civil disobedience. Furthermore, Gandhi does not falter to plead guilty
in front of the court. He accepts his guilt but presents a rational case as to what made him disobey the
law. For him, truth is above everything and, thus, he decides to follow the voice of conscience and
obey the "higher law of our being".
 Poets and Pancakes
Poets and Pancakes Summary
In this lesson, Asokamitran talks about Gemini Studios and all that helps in keeping it in the spotlight.
He starts by making a mention about ‘Pancakes’, the famous make-up brand which Gemini Studios
ordered in truckloads. He then talks about the plight of actors and actresses who have to bear too
many lights on their face while getting ready in the make-up room. The make-up department,
according to him, used heaps of make-up to turn them into ugly-looking creatures. Shockingly, he talks
about the office boy of the make-up department whose task is to slap paint onto the faces of players at
the time of crowd-shooting. He was a poet and had joined the Studio in the hope of becoming an actor,
screenwriter, director or a lyricst. In those days, the author used to work inside a cubicle and had the
task of collecting newspaper cuttings which, according to others was insignificant. Thus, office boy
would come in time again, to bother him with his complaints. He was well-convinced that the reason
behind his misery was Subbu. He thought Subbu had an advantage because he was born a Brahmin.
Subbu was a resourceful man whose loyalty made him stand out. He was tailor-made for films and it
was difficult to imagine film-making without him. He was very welcoming and was known for his
hospitality. Just like many others at the Gemini Studios, he also did poetry. He worked for the story
department which also consisted of a lawyer. People generally called him the opposite of a legal
practitioner. He was a logical and neutral man amidst a room full of dreamers. Asokamitran then
describes how Gemini Studios got a chance to host a group of international performers called Moral
Rearmament Army
Though the plots and messages were not complex, their sets and costumes were near to perfection so
much so that for many years, Tamil plays displayed sunset and sunrise in a way inherited from
‘Jotham Valley’. Then another guest, Stephen Spender comes to visit Gemini Studios. People had
hardly heard of him and they couldn’t even connect with him due to linguistic barriers. It was not until
a few years later that Asokamitran saw his name in a book and realised who he actually was.

Question and Answers (Short answer questions)

1. What does the writer mean by ‘the fiery misery’ of those subjected to make-up’?
A. By ‘the fiery misery’ of those subjected to make-up, the writer is trying to throw light upon the
difficulties actors and actresses have to face because of half a dozen mirrors surrounded with large
light bulbs. The bulbs generated a lot of heat and were definitely not a pleasure for the eyes.
2. What is the example of national integration that the author refers to?
A. At first, a Bengali was the head of the make-up studio but then he outgrew Gemini Studios and left it
for better opportunities. After him, it was supervised by a Maharashtrian who was assisted by a
Dharwar Kannadiga, an Andhra, a Madras Indian Christian, an Anglo-Burmese and the usual local
Tamils. The fact that people from different cultures worked together puts forward the post-
independence national integration scenario. It shows that people were united way before All India
Radio and Doordarshan raised the concept.
3. What work did the ‘office boy’ do in the Gemini Studios? Why did he join the studios? Why
was he disappointed?
A. The ‘office boy’ had the duty of slapping paints on the faces of players at the time of crowd-shooting.
He joined Gemini Studios with a dream of becoming a first-rate actor, screen-writer or producer.
Long –Answer questions
1. The author has used gentle humour to point out human foibles. Pick out instances of this to
show how this serves to make the piece interesting.
A. The author portrays the make-up artists and the usage of the pancakes in an interesting way. Even
the caricature of Subbu is hilarious. The way he tries to help his principal is quite amusing. The
episode of the legal adviser that inadvertently causes the end of an actress’s career is yet another
example. The frustration of the office boy, the superficial praising of Gandhi, hatred of Communism
and the ‘mystery’ surrounding Stephen Spender are some of the instances where the author has
incorporated gentle humour.
2. Why did the office boy and not the chief make up man do the make up of the crowd?
A. The office boy was less skilled in comparison to the chief make up ma. So, he did the make up of the
crowd while the chief make up man attended the chief actors and actresses
In those days I worked in a cubicle, two whole sides of which were French windows. (I didn’t know at
that time they were called French windows.) Seeing me sitting at my desk tearing up newspapers day
in and day out, most people thought I was doing next to nothing. It is likely that the Boss thought
likewise too. So anyone who felt I should be given some occupation would barge into my cubicle and
deliver an extended lecture. The ‘boy’ in the make-up department had decided I should be enlightened
on how great literary talent was being allowed to go waste in a department fit only for barbers and
perverts. Soon I was praying for crowd-shooting all the time. Nothing short of it could save me from
his epics.
Extract Based Questions
Read the Passage and answer the questions that follow –
Pancake was the brand name of the make-up material that Gemini Studios bought in truck-loads.
Greta Garbo must have used it, Miss Gohar must have used it, Vyjayantimala must also have used it but
Rati Agnihotri may not have even heard of it. The make-up department of the Gemini Studios was in
the upstairs of a building that was believed to have been Robert Clive’s stables. A dozen other
buildings in the city are said to have been his residence. For his brief life and an even briefer stay in
Madras, Robert Clive seems to have done a lot of moving, besides fighting some impossible battles in
remote corners of India and marrying a maiden in St. Mary’s Church in Fort St. George in Madras.
(i) The author of the above extract is:
(a) Anees Jung (c) Asokamitran (b) Alphonse Daudet (d) Selma Lagerlof
(ii) 'Pancake' here refers to:
(a) the make-up department of Gemini Studio (b) the trendy make-up brand
(c) the make-up artist of Gemini studio (d) the delicious and fluffy cakes
(iii) Which of the given sentences replicates the meaning of 'Pancake' as used in the extract?
(a) Dolly quickly whipped up pancake dough (b) Form the sand so it resembles a Pancake
(c) Simran applied the Pancake on her face carefully
(d) There was barely a breeze and the water was as flat as a pancake.

(iv) "Rati Agnihotri, the late 20th-century actress, may not have used it." Give an appropriate reason
for the statement.
(v) The tone of the narrator in the above lines is:
(a) Formal (b) Optimistic (c) Motivating (d) Humorous
 8. Going Places
By A.R. Barton
The story deals with fantasising and daydreaming. The story tells us about the teenage period where
people are often found dreaming which is far from reality. This period is all about desires and achieving
the impossible. In addition, teens usually have a hero they look up to or adore in this age. Hero worship is a
natural phenomenon of juvenile stage but needs guidance and monitoring. Life is to realize our dreams
with our potential, possibility, and limitation. Since, when reality hits, it may shatter the dreams.

Prose extract from the book Flamingo, to assess comprehension, interpretation, analysis, inference
and evaluation. (6x1=6Marks)
Passage # 1
“―When I leave, Sophie said, coming home from school. I am going to have a boutique. Jansie,
linking arms with her along the street ; looked doubtful.”
a) Sophie is going to leave soon ………………….
1. Her home 2. Her college
3. Her school 3. Her friends home.
b) Sophie’s immediate plans after leaving school ………………………..
1. Going to open a boutique 2. Going to open a biscuit factory.
2. Going to open a beauty parlour 4. None of the above
c) Who is Jansie?
d) Choose the option that marks the differences between the personalities of Sophie and Jansie,
even though both of them belong to impoverished families.

e) Why does Sophie want to be an actress?

a. To earn money
b. To become famous
c. To become a fashion designer
d. To earn a lot of money and open a boutique to be a famous fashion designer
f) Name the lesson from which this extract has been taken and the author.
Passage # 2
2. “She thinks money grows on trees, don’t she, Dad?’ said little Derek, hanging on the back of his
father’s chair. Their mother sighed. Sophie watched her back stooped over the sink and wondered at
the incongruity of the delicate bow which fastened her apron strings. The delicate-seeming bow and
the crooked back. The evening had already blacked in the windows and the small room was steamy
from the stove and cluttered with the heavy-breathing man in his vest at the table and the dirty
washing piled up in the corner. Sophie felt a tightening in her throat. She went to look for her brother
Geoff.
 a. Whose bow did Sophie watch and what did she feel?
b. What did Sophie feel in side the house?
c. Choose the correct option about Sophie’s parents based on the extract given above.
1. Sophie’s parents’ marriage was an example of harmony and affection.
2. Sophie’s relationship with her parents was warm and friendly.
3. Sophie’s mother was subdued while her father was detached.
4. Sophie and her brother didn’t like to stay with their parents.
d) Choose the option that supports the contention coming through Derek’s dialogue, “She
thinks money grows on trees, don’t she, Dad?”.
1. Derek thought his sister to be unreasonable at times.
2. Derek had no faith in Sophie’s abilities to open a boutique.
3. Derek thought of his sister as someone who was not realistic.
4. Derek was not at all happy about Sophie’s habit of day dreaming.
e) It could be inferred that Sophie’s mother was fatigued and burdened. Choose the option
listing the elements that form the basis of this inference.
1. her sigh
2. her delicate bow
3. her apron’s strings
4. her crooked back
1) 1, 2
2) 3, 4
3) 2, 3
4) 1, 4
f) “Sophie felt a tightening in her throat.” Pick the option that lists Sophie’s feelings in this
context.
1. anxious 2. annoyed 3. uneasy 4. terrified
1. Options 1 & 3 2. Options 2 & 3
3. Options 1 & 4 4. Options 2 & 4
Passage # 3

3. On Saturday they made their weekly pilgrimage to watch United. Sophie and her father and little Derek
went down near the goal — Geoff, as always, went with his mates higher up. United won two-nil and
Casey drove in the second goal, a blend of innocence and Irish genius, going round the two big
defenders on the edge of the penalty area, with her father screaming for him to pass, and beating the
hesitant goalkeeper from a dozen yards. Sophie glowed with pride. Afterwards Geoff was ecstatic.

a) Their visit to the match was like a ‘weekly pilgrimage’ refers to

1. strong bond as a family.
2. love for a fixed routine.
3. similar feelings of devotion.
4. excitement for the match.

b) Based on the following statements, choose the correct option.

Assertion: “Geoff, as always, went with his mates higher up.”
Reason 1: Geoff was not very close to his family and lived in his own world.
Reason 2: Geoff was rude and indifferent towards everyone around him and didn’t care
about anyone at all.
1. Reason 1 and Reason 2 both can be inferred from the assertion.
2. Reason 1 can be inferred but Reason 2 cannot be inferred from the assertion.
3. Reason 1 cannot be inferred but Reason 2 can be inferred.
4. Reason 1 and Reason 2 both cannot be inferred.
 c) ‘Sophie glowed with pride.’ Her pride is the result of
1. belonging to a region where everyone thought of Danny as a hero.
2. watching her father cheer and support Danny.
3. The information she gathered from her brother, about Danny.
4. being an avid fan and her sense of closeness with Danny.
d) Choose the option listing the situation in which one would be ‘ecstatic’.

Scenario 1 Scenario Scenario 3 Scenario 4

Going to an old age Being seated next Going to a dog Coming home and
home and listening to your favourite show and losing finding that there
to them share pop singer during your pet there. are 11 messages
stories from the a short flight. from your
past. Principal in your
email inbox.
1. Scenario 1 2. Scenario 2 3. Scenario 3 4. Scenario 4
e) Find a similar meaning word for ‘reluctant’
1. ecstatic. 2. Hesitant 3. Pilgrimage 4. scream
f) What was their weekly pilgrimage?
1. To go to watch a movie 2. To go to a Temple
2. To go to watch the match of United 4. To go to watch the cricket match.
Competency Based Questions
1. Sophie is caught between the world she lives in and the world she wants to live in. Elucidate.
2. Why didn’t Sophie want Jansie to know about her meeting with Danny Casey?
3. What was the only occasion in which Sophie got to see Danny Casey in person?
4. How did Sophie’s father react when Geoff told him about Sophie’s meeting with Danny Casey?
5. Why was Sophie jealous of Geoff’s silence?
6. What thoughts came to Sophie’s mind as she sat by the canal?
7. Why did Sophie wriggle when Geoff told her father that she had met Danny Casey?
8. ”Damn that Geoff, this was Geoff thing, not a Jansie thing,” Why did Sophie say so?
9. How has Geoff helped in developing her fantasy about Danny Casey?
10. Why did Sophie like her brother Geoff more than any other person?
Long Answer Type Question.
1. How does Sophie include her brother Geoff in her fantasy of her future?
2. Jansie is just as old as Sophie but she is very different from her. Bring out the contrast between
the two friends citing relevant instances from the story, “Going Places”
3. Why did Sophie enjoy living in a world of dreams? Describe some of her dreams.
4. It is not unusual for a lower middle-class girl to dream big. How unrealistic were Sophie’s
dreams?
5. Every teenager must dream big. Yet the dream should also be rooted to the ground. Write a
character sketch of Sophie in the light of this remark.
Answers: Passage # 1
a) 3. Her school
b) 1. Going to open a boutique
c) Jansie is a friend of Sophie. Jansie is considerably more realistic and pessimistic than Sophie.
d) 2
e) d. To earn a lot of money and open a boutique to be a famous fashion designer.
Going Places ; A R Barton
Answers: Passage # 2
a) Her mother sighed. Sophie watched her back stooped over the sink and wondered at the
incongruity of the delicate bow which fastened her apron strings. The delicate-seeming bow
and the crooked back.
b) Sophie felt uneasy and dryness in her throat, so she moved to look for brother Geoff in the next
room.
c) 3. Sophie’s mother was subdued while her father was detached.
d) 4. Derek was not at all happy about Sophie’s habit of day dreaming.
e) 4) 1, 4
f) 1. Options 1 & 3
Answers: Passage # 3
a) 3. similar feelings of devotion.
b) 2. Reason 1 can be inferred but Reason 2 cannot be inferred from the assertion.
c) The information she gathered from her brother, about Danny.
d) Scenario 2
e) 2. Hesitant
f) To go to watch the match of United
Competency Based Questions
1. Ans. Sophie belongs to a low-midle class family. She lives in a small room which tells its own
story of grim porverty. She therefore creates a world of her own fantasy where she fancies to
own a boutique and also meet an iconic football player like Danny Casey.
2. Sophie didn’t want Jansie to know about her meeting with Danny Casey because she was
telling a story that was just for Geoff. Besides, she feared that Jansie would spread the secret
across the whole neighbourhood. It would embarrass her greatly and she would have to bear
with public humiliation.
3. Ans. The only occasion in which Sophie saw Danny Casey in person was when on that Saturday,
she went with her father and brothers to watch the football match in which Casey’s football
team 'United' played.
4. Ans. Sophie’s father termed it as another of her 'wild stories' when Geoff told him that Sophie
had met Danny Casey. He didn’t believe her for a minute. He turned down the possibility of
Sophie's meeting Danny Casey outrightly. He further added that she was going to talk herself
into a trouble in future.
5. Sophie always shared his all secret with his brother, but Geoff did not talk openly with her and
any discussion. he was a patient listener. Sophie jealous to his brother's silence because she
wants that his brother also share his secret with her as she do.
6. Sophie considers the spot along the canal the best place for a date, as it is away from the rush of
the city. As she sits by the canal she is lost in the world of her dreams. She imagines Casey
coming along the river and her own excitement thereafter.
7. She wriggled when Geoff told her father that she had met Danny Casey because she was well
aware of her father's short-tempered nature. She knew that he would scold her for spreading
wild stories. Moreover, she was aware that no one would believe her.
8. 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.
9. Geoff was always the first to share her secrets. So, she told him about meeting Danny Casey.
She also told him about her plan to meet him next week. She suspected areas of his life about
which she knew nothing.
10. Sophie liked her brother, Geoff, more than anybody else because he was not in the habit of
talking much and remained lost in his own thoughts. She envied his silence and thought that he
had access to an unknown world.
 Long Answer Type Question.

Q.1. Geoff was always the first to share her secrets. So, she told him about meeting Danny Casey. She
also told him about her plan to meet him next week. She suspected areas of his life about which she
knew nothing. She longed to know them. She wished that someday he might take her with him. She
saw herself riding there behind Geoff Sophie was jealous of the fact that her brother had access to the
world outside. She fantasises about going to these places with him some day in the future wearing a
yellow dress. She fantasises that the world would rise to greet them.
Q.2. Sophie and Jansie were classmates and friends. They both came from families with modest
means. However, they had very different personalities. Sophie loved to daydream and often got lost in
her own imaginative world. She didn’t like to face reality and dreamt of having her own boutique,
becoming an actress, or a fashion designer.
On the other hand, Jansie was very practical and down-to-earth. She knew that their financial situation
was not ideal, and she believed that achieving big dreams required a lot of money and experience,
which they didn’t have. Jansie advised Sophie to be more sensible and not indulge in unrealistic
fantasies.
Their personalities also differed in how they interacted with others. Sophie only shared her dreams
with her brother Geoff, keeping them to herself mostly. Jansie, on the contrary, was quite nosy and
enjoyed learning about other people’s lives. She often shared stories she had gathered with the whole
neighbourhood.
Q.3. Sophie, like many girls her age, enjoyed escaping into her daydreams. These dreams offered her a
safe haven from her ordinary middle-class life. In her imaginative world, she pictured a life she longed
for, filled with everything she desired and people she admired but couldn’t connect with in real life.
Sophie’s dreams included opening her own stylish shop once she finished school, a shop that would be
the best in the city. She also dreamed of becoming an actress or a fashion designer. She felt aware of
the vast world waiting for her, and she believed she could easily fit into it.
In her dream world, Sophie even imagined meeting the famous footballer Danny Casey. She went so
far as to plan a meeting and travel to the place, eagerly waiting for him to arrive. In her world of
fantasy, Sophie’s mind jumped from one dream to the next.
Q.4. Sophie was an adolescent girl who always lived in a make–believe world of her own. She always
had the unrealistic expectation that she will have a successful career as a boutique owner store
manager actress or even a fashion–designer. This was totally unrealistic as she was from a working
class family and would have to work in the local biscuit factory after passing out from school. Similarly
she unrealistically imagined that a famous footballer like Danny Casey would date her. She even went
to the extent of waiting beside the canal for him. After he did not turn up she realised that this was
only her dream and Danny would never date her. Even then she is lost in her dream world becoming
sad that Danny did not come. This shows how unrealistic were her dreams.
Q.5. Sophie has been portrayed as a central character in the story 'Going Places'. She represents the
girls her age from poor families. As in reality they can't have the things they want, so they dream
about them. So is the case with Sophie. She always lives in her dreams.
She always dreams impossible things which are far removed from reality. She makes up the story of
meeting Danny Casey, a young 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. To show that
she is telling the truth, she makes up another story that she has fixed a date with him. He does not
show up her. Her dreams have become an integral part of her life, and she cannot distinguish between
her world of imagination and the real world.
Prepared by
Dhanraj Bhalerao
PGT English
K V Sarni WCL
 GOING PLACES
WORKSHEET
Q.1. Multiple Choice Questions:
i) What theme does Barton explore in ‘Going Places’?
a) Children’s happiness b) Adolescent fantasising and hero worship
c) Elderly people’s happiness d) Individual happiness
ii)What is the sub theme of the story?
a)Relationships- family and friends b) Friends c) Family members
d) Adolescents
iii)The story revolves around whom?
a)A fat boy b) An old couple c) Sophie- her family and friends d)None
iv) What does Sophie dream about?
a)Becoming an actor b) Becoming a manager c) A sophisticated person d)
Becoming rich and sophisticated
v) Who are Sophie and Jansie?
a) Teenagers who are friends and classmates b) Neighbours
c) Colleagues d) Actors
Q.2. Short Answer Questions:
i)Where was it most likely that the two girls would find work after school?
ii) What were the options Sophie was dreaming of ? Why does Jansie discourage her from having such
dreams?
iii) Why did Sophie wriggle when Geoff told her father that she had met Danny Casey?
iv) Did Sophie really meet Danny Casey?
v) Why didn’t Sophie want Jansie to know about her story with Danny?
Q.3. Long Answer Questions:
i)How different is Jansie from Sophie?
ii) How would you describe the character and temperament of Sophie’s
father?
iii) Why did Sophie like her brother Geoff more than any other person?
From her perspective what did he symbolise?
iv)Sophie’s dream and disappointments are all in her mind. Explain.
v) What socio- economic background did Sophie belong to? What are
the indicators of her family’s financial status?
 About the Author
A.R Barton is a modern writer, who lives in Zurich and writes in English. In the story Going Places,
Barton explores the theme of adolescent fantasizing and hero worship.
Introduction
The theme of this story is adolescent fantasizing and hero worship. It is quite natural for teenagers to
have unrealistic dreams especially when their families are not well off. It is because the socioeconomic
background plays a leading role in the lives of the youths for choosing a particular profession. The act
of fantasizing may lead to miseries in case it is beyond our approach. It is useless to build castles in the
air.
Characters
1. Sophie: a school going teenager
2. Jansie: a friend and classmate of Sophie
3. Geoff: an elder brother of Sophie
4. Derek: a younger brother of Sophie
5. Danny Casey: A young Irish football player
6. Tom Finney: A great football player
7. United: name of the football team
8. Father & mother of Sophie
GIST OF THE LESSON

· The lesson explores the theme of adolescent fantasies and hero worship.
· Sophie and Jansie are both in the last year of high school and both knew that they were destined to
work in the biscuit factory as they belong to a working-class family.
· Yet, Sophie, always dreams of big and beautiful things, glamour, and glory.
· Her ambitions are not rooted i.e., have no relation with the harsh realities of life.
· In contrast is Jansie, Sophie’s friend, a realistic and practical girl.
· Sophie lives in male-dominated family where her mother was only a shadow. The men were football
fans and the conversations around the dinner table were about Danny Casey, their Hero.
· Sophie wants some attention from her father and brother and telling them that she met Casey, was
her way of drawing their attention towards her.But she carries her fantasies too far when she starts to
live them.
SUMMARY
Future plans of Sophie
Sophie and her friend Jansie are two friends, about to complete school. They belong to working-class
households. One day, on their way back home, Sophie expresses her desire to open a boutique or to
become an actress or a fashion designer. She wishes to rise above her middle-class status and to
obtain sophistication. Jansie, however, being more realistic, shuns her friend’s ambitions. This is
because Jansie is aware of the fact that they have been ‘earmarked’ for the biscuit factory.
Sophie’s family and its opinion of her dreams
Sophie lives in a small house with her parents and two brothers, Geoff, and Derek. Her parents are not
pleased to hear her unrealistic career goals. Her father feels that a decent house of their own is what
they need and not fantastical dreams about owning sophisticated things.
Sophie’s admiration for Geoff
Geoff is Sophie’s elder brother. He is a handsome young boy working as an apprentice mechanic in a
garage, situated far away from their house. He is an introvert and does not speak much. Sophie envies
her brother’s silence as she thinks that he has access to a world which she never got a chance to visit.
She longs to be a part of her brother’s world. Sophie shares all her secrets with her brother.
Sophie’s story of her encounter with Danny Casey
One day, Geoff is engrossed with a part of his motorcycle. Sophie, probably in an attempt to gain his
attention, tells a story about accidentally meeting Danny Casey at the Royce’s. Geoff refuses to believe
her. Sophie then describes his physical appearance to make Geoff believe in what she said. She tells
her brother that she was also willing to get an autograph for little Derek, but she did not have a pen or
paper for the same. Then, Sophie claims, the two of them discussed about the clothes at Royce’s. She
ends her story by telling her brother that Danny has promised to meet her again. Despite all her
attempts, Geoff refuses to believe her story and tells about it to the family.
Sophie watches Danny play at the football match
On Saturday, the family goes to watch Casey play for the United team. Sophie and her little brother sit
with their father near the goal while Geoff goes to sit with his friends in the higher rows. Sophie and
Geoff feel elated at the victory of United at the hands of Danny Casey. This is the only instance in the
story where Sophie has a look at Danny Casey in the real world.
Jansie interrogates Sophie about the encounter with Danny
Soon Jansie comes to know about Sophie’s alleged romantic encounter with Casey. Sophie does not
like the fact that Geoff betrayed her secret to others. She feels embarrassed and fears that Jansie will
tell the story to others too. But she feels relieved when she finds out that Jansie is not aware of her
second ‘date’. Consequently, Sophie tones down her story into a casual incident for Jansie.
Sophie’s belief
Sophie decides to fulfil her ‘date’ with Danny Casey and goes to wait for him at her favourite spot
along the canal. Furthermore, she imagines Danny coming to meet her on his bike and her own
excitement on meeting him. However, after waiting for some time, she starts struggling between her
dream and reality. Sophie feels sad and miserable at the thought of having to face the disappointment
of her family because they may lose faith in her stories. Although she is pained by her dream, she is
not willing to give it up and accept the reality.
Sophie’s fantasy wins over the reality
While walking sadly towards her home, Sophie notices her father’s bicycle parked outside the pub.
She is overjoyed as she does not need to rush back home. Consequently, she again withdraws to her
fantastic world and imagines meeting Danny Casey once again at the Royce’s. She imagines herself
telling Danny about his fans in her family. Then she imagines asking him for an autograph once again.
But this time too, she fails to get one. She feels her affinity to him in her imagination and is fascinated
to think of his existence as a human similar to, but of a different capability than, her. Eventually, she
loses herself in the memories of the match where she had for once seen him in actuality.
Analysis
Going Places is a story which reflects an adolescent’s desire for going places. “Going Places” is an
idiomatic phrase which refers to a promising young person’s likelihood of becoming successful and
famous (e.g.” She’s going places” meaning she is going to be successful). The title Going Places
captures the essence of the story. Sophie, the protagonist of the story is always imagining of ‘going
places ‘ – of being rich and famous and it is from this point of reference that we can understand her
nature and the reason why she acts the way she does.
Her conversation with Jansie in the beginning of the story hints at her tendency to romanticize about
the future. She is indecisive about her career and switches from owing a boutique to be an actress to
be a fashion designer because she has done “something sophisticated”.
However, her vague dreams of ‘going places’ is cut short when she enters her house. The small,
cluttered house she lives in show that her economic condition is not at all sound. This is a drastic
change of world Sophie inhabits. Earlier, we had seen her indulge in intense daydreaming. The
moment she opens the door of her house, she is rudely awakened to the harsh reality she lives in and
all her castles built in the air collapse. Consequently, she feels a little tightening on her throat. Also,
soon after this realisation, she goes to Geoff’s room and again begins indulging in the world of fantasy.
Her constant fantasizing of things therefore is not only a means of deriving pleasure but is also her
desperate attempt at escaping from the reality she lives in. Simply put, her fantasizing and hero
worship is also a means of escapism.
The reader is provided an object where Sophie’s emotion is projected. Sophie identifies with the
delicate bow on her mother’s crooked back. Not only has she been toying with the idea of becoming a
fashion designer, Sophie has also just witnessed the ‘crooked back’ of reality- her small, cluttered
house where the presence of her delicate dreams is completely out of place (incongruity of the
delicate bow). This technique of projecting a character’s emotions onto an existing physical object
shows the effective use of a literary device which makes the use of an objective correlative. The
delicate bow on the crooked back becomes an objective correlative of the complex emotions Sophie
has at the moment.
Her conversation with Geoff also betrays her fantasizing of the future. Geoff is set as a foil to Sophie’s
character. Not only does he have character traits completely opposite to that of Sophie’s, he has seen
the real world and knows that the world is not as fancy as it might seem to be. Sophie on the other
hand dreams of a “world waiting for her” and a world rising to greet her. She is still obsessed with the
idea of going places. One must try to understand her hero worship of Danny Casey in this context. It is
not Danny Casey the person who interests her. It is the idea of Danny Casey which has captured her
imagination. This is because Danny, the football prodigy, is definitely ‘going places. Sophie wants to go
places and Danny becomes a figure on whom she can project her desire.
Sophie’s fantasizing is a naive and harmless activity so long as it does not distort her perception of the
real world. However, there are times when she her imagination completely takes over her. A case in
point is the scene where Danny scores a goal. “Sophie glows(ed) with pride”. In reality, she has
nothing to feel proud about. It is Danny’s goal, not hers. However, she has internalized the hero
worship to such an extent that she seems to locate a personal connection with the player where none
exists. We see the full display of this tendency by the end of the story where Sophie believes her story
and acts on it by actually going to meet Danny.
Going Places explores the different realms of expectation, fantasy, desire, and perception of an
adolescent. In all probability, Sophie never met Casey; her temperament as seen in her interaction
with Jansie, her visit to the park and Danny’s absence all point towards the fact that her interaction
with Danny on Royce’s window also never happened, except in her head. However, whether she did
or did not actually meet Danny is not the issue. What is more important is the display of how one’s
fantasy and desire colour one’s perception and shapes reality. Though Sophie might not have met
Danny, she believes that she did, to the extent of going to the park and actually expecting him to
arrive. This speaks volumes on the subjectivity of human experience and the perception of what
constitutes the real.
Textual Questions and Answers
Think-as-you-read Questions
Question 1. Where was it most likely that the two girls would find work after school?
Answer: Both the girls belong to poor families. As per their economic background, they would find a
job in a biscuit factory after schooling.
Question 2. What were the options that Sophie was dreaming of? Why does Jansie discourage her from
having such dreams?
Answer: Sophie was dreaming of opening her own boutique. She believed that she was as efficient and
original as Mary Quant. So, she would easily get a job of a manager in a shop or would become an
actress. In this way, she would earn money and then would open her own boutique. Jansie was a
practical girl. She knew that all these were Sophie’s dreams which were not possible, so she
discouraged her from having such dreams.
Question 3. Why did Sophie wriggle when Geoff told her father that she had met Danny Casey?
Answer: When Geoff told his father that Sophie had met Danny Casey, she wriggled because she knew
that her father would not believe it. He would take it as a story that she had made up.
Question 4. Does Geoff believe what Sophie says about her meeting with Danny Casey?
Answer: Initially, Geoff is doubtful but when Sophie starts adding the details, he starts believing in her
story. But when she tells him about the proposed date with Danny Casey, Geoff becomes sceptical.
Question 5. Does her father believe Sophie’s story?
Answer: Sophie’s father does not believe her. He knows that she is a dreamer and lives in a world of
imagination. She is used to make up stories to impress him.
Question 6. How does Sophie include her brother Geoff in the fantasy of her future?
Answer: Geoff is a person who speaks very little. Sophie knows that he has his own world which is far
away from her. She believes that he visits places she has never been to. She hopes that in future, he
would introduce her to the beautiful and glamorous world which is the most appropriate place for
her.
Question 7. Which country did Danny Casey play for?
Answer: Danny Casey, an Irish sports star, used to play for the Irish team.
Question 8. Why didn’t Sophie want Jansie to know about her story with Danny?
Answer: Sophie did not want Jansie to know about her story with Danny for two reasons. First, it was
meant to be something special just between her brother Geoff and herself. Secondly, Jansie would
have told the whole neighbourhood about it.
Question 9. Did Sophie really meet Danny Casey?
Answer: No, Sophie did not meet Danny Casey, but she liked fantasising that she had met him.
Question 10. Which was the only occasion when she got to see Danny Casey in person?
Answer: The only occasion when she got to see Danny Casey in person was in a football match on a
Saturday. Sophie along with her father and little brother Derek went to watch United. They saw
champion Danny Casey there to play football.
Understanding the text
Question 1. Sophie and Jansie were classmates and friends. What were the differences between them
that show up in the story?
OR
How different is Jansie from Sophie?
Answer: Sophie and Jansie were classmates and friends but were very different from each other.
Sophie was filled with fantasies and desires. She lived in her world of dreams which was far away
from reality. She wanted to open a boutique or become either an actress or a manager. Though she
came from a humble background, she wanted to be part of a rich, sophisticated circle. Moreover, she
liked the football star Danny Casey so much that she started hero-worshipping him. Her wild fantasies
forced her to imagine not only talking to Danny Casey but to even going for a date with him. She is so
much engrossed in her world of fantasy that she starts hallucinating about Danny Casey.
On the contrary, Jansie is more realistic and practical. She is well aware of her family background. She
knew that both she and Sophie would have to work in a biscuit factory after passing out the school.
She kept on reminding Sophie of her reality but all in vain. Unlike Sophie who was all the time lost in
her own world, Jansie was nosey to know everything. Sophie never shared her secrets with her
because she knew that Jansie would blab around her secrets.
Question 2. How would you describe the character and temperament of Sophie’s father?
Answer: Sophie’s father is symbolic of a typical poor class family man. He works hard to fulfil the
needs of his family. He is rough in manners and is described as a ‘heavy breathing man in his vest’. He
never believes any of the Sophie’s stories and knows that she is not to be believed due to her
characteristic fantasies. When Geoff tells him about Sophie’s meeting with Danny Casey, he gives an
expression of disdain and calls it another of her wild stories. He is a practical man who does not like
his daughter getting too much involved in her fantasies. As a father, he knows his daughter’s
temperament very well. That is the reason he does not believe in Sophie’s story of having met Danny
Casey. Rather he becomes aggressive and warns Sophie that one day she would get into a load of
trouble.
Question 3. Why did Sophie like her brother Geoff more than any other person? From her perspective,
what did he symbolise?
Answer: Sophie liked her brother Geoff more than any other person. She hero-worships him. Geoff
was three years out of school and was working as an apprentice mechanic. She used to confide in him
all her secrets. Geoff was silent most of time and Sophie was curious to know the areas of his life about
which she knew nothing. In fact, she wanted to be admitted more deeply into her brother’s affections
and hoped that someday he would take her along with him.
She wanted to be part of the other world which Geoff belonged to. She wanted to visit that world
riding with her brother on his motorcycle. He would be in new, shining black leathers and she would
wear a yellow dress and then the entire world would applaud and rise to greet both of them. Thus, for
Sophie, her brother Geoff was very close to her heart.
Question 4. What socio-economic background did Sophie belong to? What are the indicators of her
family’s financial status?
Answer: Sophie belonged to a poor family. Her parents managed the household with difficulty. Her
father was a typical poor class family man, rough in his manners and indiscipline. The marks of the
sweat on his face indicated that he had to work hard throughout the day to earn his livelihood.
Sophie’s mother was an average housewife who was burdened with the family’s responsibilities. She
was busy with household chores. She had a crooked back due to constant hard work and the
incongruity of the bow clearly showed that she was not a sophisticated lady.
Even the younger brother Derek’s comment on Sophie that “she thinks money grows on trees”
emphasized the importance of money in the family. The family was living in a small house with
minimum requirements, including very old furniture. All those things indicate that Sophie came from
a family with a humble background.
Talking about the text
Question 1. Sophie’s dreams and disappointments are all in her mind. Explain.
Answer: No doubt Sophie’s dreams and disappointments are all in her mind. As a young girl she is
engrossed in the world of fantasy. She talks about buying a shop and having her own boutique. In
order to earn money, she would work as an actress or a manager. She imagines meeting Danny Casey,
the Irish football star, and even fantasises going for a date with him. She goes to the wharf and waits
for him. But he does not come, and she feels sad and disappointed.
In fact, it is all in her mind. She herself has created a story in her mind and finally starts hallucinating.
But finally, when she realises that it is all her fantasy, she feels disappointed. Both the things take
place in her mind. Thus, her dreams and disappointments are all in Sophie’s mind.
Short Answer Type Questions: 3 Marks (30-40 Words)
Question 1: What was Sophie’s ambition in life? How did she hope to achieve that?
Answer: Sophie’s ambition in life was either to come an actress, a fashion designer, or a boutique
owner. She had not made any plan about how she was going to achieve her ambition.
Question 2: Why is Sophie attracted to Danny Casey?
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 girls of Sophie’s age.
Naturally, Sophie is attracted to him.
Question 3: How are Jansie and Sophie different from each other?
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.
Question 4: Why did Sophie long for her brother’s affection?
Answer: Sophie found in her brother, Geoff, a patient listener to all her fantasies. The other members
of her family and even her friend Jansie did not believe her and made fun of her dreams and future
plans. This made her quite fond of Geoff and long for his affection.
Question 5: Did Geoff keep up his promise? How do you know?
Answer: Geoff did not keep his promise to Sophie. Sophie told Geoff about her meeting with Danny
Casey at the Royce’s and requested him not to tell anyone about it. However, Geoff told this to Frank
who in turn told his sister, Jansie.
Question 6: Why was Sophie jealous of Geoff’s silence?
Answer: Geoff never spoke much, and this made Sophie ponder 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 his silence.
Question 7: What is unrealistic about Sophie’s dreams of her future life?
Answer: Sophie was born in a poor family and was bound to work in a biscuit factory after passing out
from school. However, she dreamt about having a lot of money, and owning a boutique. This was
unrealistic about her dreams.
Question 8: Why did Jansie discourage Sophie from having dreams?
Answer: Jansie discouraged Sophie from living in a world of fantasy as her dreams were wild and
impossible. She told her that they belonged to poor family and were earmarked to work in the biscuit
factory after passing out from school.
Question 9: How do we know that Sophie’s family lived in poor circumstances?
Answer: We know that Sophie’s family lived in poor circumstances as her father worked as a labourer
and they lived in a small, cramped, and suffocated house.
Question 10: Why did Sophie not want Jansie to know anything about her meeting with Danny Casey?
Answer: Sophie did not want Jansie to know anything about her meeting with Danny Casey because
she knew that Jansie cannot keep a secret. Once she gets to know about something, she tells the whole
neighbourhood about it.
Question 11: How did Sophie’s father react when Geoff told him about her meeting with Danny Casey?
Answer: When Geoff told his father about Sophie’s chance encounter with Danny Casey, he expressed
disdain and rubbished her story. He changed the topic and warned Sophie that such made up stories
would land her into trouble someday.
Question 12: What thoughts came to Sophie’s mind as she sat by the canal?
Answer: Sophie felt doubts stirring inside her, as she sat by the canal waiting for Danny Casey. When
she says no sign of him, she remembered Geoff’s words that Casey would not come. She thought what
she would tell her family.
Question 13: Which was the only occasion when Sophie got to see Danny Casey in person?
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.
Question 14: Why did Jansie discourage Sophie from entertaining thoughts about the sports star,
Danny Casey?
Answer: Jansie was a realist, and not a daydreamer like Sophie. She discouraged Sophie from
entertaining thoughts about the sports star, Danny Casey, because her dreams were wild and
impossible.
Question 15: Why did Sophie wriggle when Geoff told her father that she had met Danny Casey?
Answer: When Geoff told her father about Sophie’s meeting with Danny Casey, Sophie wriggled
because she knew that her father would not believe it. Sophie was sure that he would be angry with
her on hearing about the incident.
Question 16: What did Sophie tell Geoff about her meeting with Danny Casey?
Answer: Sophie told Geoff that she met Danny Casey at Royce’s and said that she asked him for an
autograph but neither she nor Danny had a pen or paper. She also said that Danny promised to meet
her next week.
Question 17: “Damn that Geoff, this was Geoff thing, not a Jansie thing.” Why did Sophie say so?
Answer: Sophie had told Geoff about her chance meeting with Danny Casey expecting that he would
keep it to himself. Sophie said this as she was annoyed that Geoff had leaked her secret and feared that
now Jansie would tell everyone about it.
Question 18: Does Geoff believe what Sophie says about her meeting with Danny Casey?
Answer: Geoff did not believe Sophie’s story about her meeting with Danny Casey. He dismissed the
whole story as a most unlikely thing and told her that Casey would never keep his promise of meeting
her again to give her his autograph.
Question 19: What did Sophie imagine about her meeting with Danny Casey?
Answer: Sophie imagined that she had met Danny Casey at Royce’s and asked him for an autograph
but could not get it as neither of them had paper or pen. Casey promised to meet her gain next week.
Question 20: Write a character sketch of Jansie.
Answer: Jansie is a practical and realistic girl who knows her limitations. belongs to a poor family and
is aware of the fact that she would work at the biscuit factory after passing school. She is also nosey.
Long Answer Type Questions: 6 Marks (120-150 Words)
Question 1: Every teenager has a hero/heroine to admire. So many times, they become role models
for them. What is wrong if Sophie fantasises about Danny Casey and is ambitious in life?
Answer: Sophie was a girl having unrealistic dreams. She felt that would become either a boutique
owner, shop manager, actress or a fashion designer, though her friend Jansie realised that with their
background and education, they would just become workers in a biscuit factory.Like every young girl,
Sophie also had a strong desire of knowing the unknown, seeing the unseen and even dating famous
people like Danny Casey. So, she visited the perfect place for lovers and sat on the solitary wooden
bench under the tree waiting for Danny, but there was no sign of him. So, she became burdened with
sadness. This kind of fantasising may lead to depression among teenagers, as their life’s ambitions are
not fulfilled. It is not wrong to be ambitious in life. However, being over-ambitious like Sophie leads to
failure and frustration in life. Hence, once should set practical goals in one’s life.
Question 2: Teachers always advise their students to dream big. Yet, the same teachers in your
classrooms find fault with Sophie when she dreams. What is wrong with Sophie’s dreams?
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 is prepared
to work hard to realise one’s dreams.Sophie too needs to work hard to achieve her drams, 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 future.
Question 3: Sophie lives in a world full of dreams which she does not know that she cannot realise.
Comment.
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 depicts 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 a story of meeting Danny Casey, a charming and upcoming footballer. Nobody
believes her but she refuses to accept that it is her fantasy. 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. Danny does
not show up. She knows that he will not come, but still she becomes sad. Such is the character of
Sophie.
Question 4: It is not unusual for a lower middle-class girl to dream big. How unrealistic were Sophie’s
dreams?
Answer: Sophie always lived in a make-believe world of her own and had the unrealistic expectation
that she will have a successful career as a boutique owner, store manager, actress or even a fashion
designer. This was totally unrealistic, as she was from a working-class family and was bound to work
in the local biscuit factory after passing out from school. Similarly, she imagined that a famous
footballer like Danny Casey would date her. She even went to the extent of waiting beside the canal for
him. After he did not turn up, she realised that this was only her dream and Danny will never date her.
Even then, she is lost in her dream world, becoming sad that Danny did not come. This shows how
unrealistic were her dreams.
Question 5: How different is Jansie from Sophie?
Answer: Sophie and Jansie were classmates as well as friends. They both belonged to lower middle-
class families. But that is where their similarity ends. There is a striking contrast between their
characters. Sophie is a daydreamer and Jansie is practical. Sophie lives in a world of dreams and does
not want to come out of this fairyland. She is an incurable escapist and dreams of having a boutique,
becoming an actress or a fashion designer. Jansie, on the other hand, is very grounded. She has her
feet firmly planted on the ground and knows they are both ‘earmarked for the biscuit factory’. She
knows big things require big money and experience which they lack desperately. She advises Sophie
to be sensible and not entertain wild dreams. Sophie and Jansie’s temperaments differ greatly. While
Sophie shares her dreams only with her brother, Geoff, Jansie on the other hand is nosey. She takes an
interest in learning new things about others and can spread stories in the whole neighbourhood.
Question 6: Has Sophie met Danny Casey? What details of her meeting with Danny Casey did she
narrate to her brother?
Answer: No, Sophie never really 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 lived in an imaginary world. Casey was a
young sport-star 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 7: What were Sophie’s plans for the future? Why would you call her dreams
unrealistic?Answer: Sophie planned to open a boutique after she passed out of school. When Jansie
told her that opening a boutique would require a lot of money, she said that she would become a
manager and save money for her boutique. She latter 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. But
Sophie wants to materialise all those things which were simply not possible practically. Never for once
in the story does Sophie think practically or come out of her dream world.
Question 8: Draw a character sketch of Sophie’s father.
Answer: Sophies’ father is a happy-go-lucky and carefree man. He does not appear to be either soft or
even sophisticated. He is a heavy breathing man. He usually sits in his vest at the table. Sophie, it
appears, fears him. He does not believe in his daughter’s wild stories and so he ignores her completely
and prefers to watch television than listen to her. Even when his son Geoff tells him that Sophie had
met the Irish prodigy, Danny Casey, he completely ignores the news. He is extremely interested in
football and, like all his children, he also adores Danny Casey. He is a middle-class man who goes to
the pub on his bicycle to celebrate his team’s victory and the fact that Casey had scored a second goal.
He is a rather dominating person and a typical representation of the lower-middle family of that time.
Value Based Answer Type Questions: 6 Marks (120 – 150 Words)
Question 1: Sophie lives in her fantasies. She hopes to make it big. You realise that the modern-day
youth are also like that. You decide to write an article about the need to dream and how it can prove to
be harmful sometimes.
Answer:
We all hope to achieve our inner dreams and desires someday. Dreams are like a guiding light; they
make us work harder. It is only when we dream big that we can achieve something great in life,
because every dream precedes the goal. It is well said that one who does not dream cannot reach his
goals. But how much living in fantasy world is good? The modern-day youth has the tendency to drift
away in their wild fantasies without realising the reality. Being always in a dream world actually does
more harm than good.This does not mean that we should be afraid to dream. What is needed is a
balance. We must never forget the difference between imagination and reality. It is important to
dream, because only then can we strive to achieve our goals. Just forgetting reality in the pursuit of
dreams is harmful.
Question 2: Now I have become sad, she thought. And it is a hard burden to carry this sadness. Sitting
here waiting and knowing he will not come I can see the future and how I will have to live with this
burden. They of course will doubt me, as they always have, but I will have to hold up my head
remembering how it was. Already I envisage the slow walk home and Geoff’s disappointed face when I
tell him, “He didn’t come, that Danny.” And then he will fly out and slam the door. “But we know how it
was,” I shall tell myself, “Danny and me.” It is a hard thing, this sadness.Sadness is really difficult to
carry. And more difficult is to carry unfulfilled desires.
After reading the above statement and ‘Going Places’ who far do you feel that sadness and unfulfilled
desires can’t be carried for a long time? Elucidate.
Answer: Sadness and unfulfilled desires are both difficult to carry. Their burden produces more and
more sadness and frustration. Therefore, one needs to be happy and not think about the unfulfilled
desires and move on in life. Sophie, the protagonist of the story ‘Going Places’ has been nurturing her
dreams since her childhood. She dreams of becoming a fashion designer, a manager, or an actress
when she grows up. Besides, she has taken a fancy for Danny Casey, a young footballer, and often
imagines being with him. She has been telling stories regarding her imaginary meetings with Danny.
To create twists in something which has not happened is really painful, as one is cheating oneself only.
Her poverty, her shattered dreams and unfulfilled desires are very painful as she has to carry them
permanently. In real life too, if one is sad and there is no way to mitigate this sadness, every passing
moment adds to more and more sadness, and unfulfilled desires are often a source of sadness.
Therefore, one needs to be happy and not think about the unfulfilled desires and move on in life.
 Group Assignment for PGT ENGLISH of Bhopal Region
Revision of Study Material My Mother at Sixty-Six
My Mother at Sixty-six Summary in English
The poet was driving from her parent’s home to the Cochin airport last Friday morning. Her mother
was sitting beside her. She was sixty six years old. The old lady was dozing. Her mouth remained open.
Her face looked pale and faded. It was grey like ash. It looked lifeless like a corpse (dead body).
The lifeless and faded face of her mother pained her heart. The old lady seemed to be lost in her own
thoughts. The poet turned away her attention from her mother and looked outside. The world outside
was full of life and activity. The young trees seemed running fast. The children looked happy while
moving out of their homes
5 MCQS:
1. Which literary device is prominently used when the poet compares her mother‟s face to that of a
corpse?
A) Metaphor B) Simile C) Personification D) Hyperbole Answer: B) Simile
2. What emotional competency does the poet exhibit when she chooses to focus on the outside
scenery instead of her mother‟s aging? A) Empathy B) Emotional regulation C) Assertiveness D)
Optimism Answer: B) Emotional regulation
3. How does the poet's observation of the young trees and merry children contribute to the theme of
the poem? A) It highlights the contrast between youth and old age. B) It suggests a sense of
hopelessness. C) It indicates the poet's lack of concern for her mother. D) It creates a setting of
tranquility and peace. Answer: A) It highlights the contrast between youth and old age.
4. What does the poet‟s act of smiling and saying "See you soon, Amma" at the end of the poem reveal
about her coping mechanism? A) Avoidance of reality B) Acceptance and hope C) Denial of her
mother‟s condition D) Indifference to her mother‟s feelings Answer: B) Acceptance and hope
5. In what way does the poem "My Mother at Sixty-six" demonstrate the poet‟s ability to confront
difficult emotions? A) By expressing anger towards aging B) By depicting a realistic and tender
portrayal of her mother C) By ignoring her mother‟s aging and focusing solely on her own life D) By
seeking professional help for her emotions Answer: B) By depicting a realistic and tender portrayal of
her mother
3 SAQs
Question 1. What do the young trees and merry children symbolize in the poem? Answer: The young
trees and merry children symbolize youth, vitality, and the vibrancy of life, creating a stark contrast to
the poet‟s mother‟s aging and deteriorating health. Question 2 Kamala Das speaks of „an old familiar
ache... .‟ What do you think is the reason for this feeling?
Answer: The "old familiar ache" refers to the poet‟s deep-seated fear of losing her mother and the
pain of inevitable separation. This feeling is rooted in past experiences of loss and the universal
anxiety of parting from loved ones.
Question 3: How does the poem reflect the theme of aging and mortality?
Answer: The poem reflects the theme of aging and mortality through the poet‟s observation of her
mother‟s physical decline, the use of contrasting imagery of youth, and the emotional struggle of
facing inevitable loss.
2 Long Answer Type Question Answers
1. Bring out the significance of the title, “My Mother at Sixty Six.” Answer: The title "My Mother at
Sixty-six" holds deep significance as it encapsulates the central theme and emotional core of the poem
by Kamala Das. It reflects a poignant moment of realization and introspection for the poet as she
contemplates her mother‟s aging and the inevitability of mortality. At sixty-six, the poet‟s mother is
depicted as fragile and vulnerable, symbolizing the universal process of aging. The title immediately
sets the tone for a personal and emotional exploration of the bond between the poet and her mother.
It highlights a specific age that marks a transition into the later stages of life, where the physical signs
of aging become more pronounced and the fear of losing a loved one becomes more real. The poem
delves into the poet‟s internal conflict and her struggle to reconcile with her mother‟s mortality. The
imagery of the mother‟s face, described as "ashen like that of a corpse," and the contrasting lively
scenes outside the car, underscore the emotional turmoil and the passage of time. By focusing on the
age sixty-six, the title draws attention to a significant moment of reflection, evoking empathy and a
sense of shared human experience. It underscores the inevitability of aging and the accompanying
emotional challenges, making it a universal theme that resonates with readers. The title, thus, not only
introduces the subject of the poem but also evokes the depth of love, fear, and acceptance inherent in
the relationship between a mother and her child.
2. In today‟s fast-paced world, the distance between children and their aging parents can grow
unintentionally, leading to feelings of neglect and loneliness for the elderly. Kamala Das‟s poem "My
Mother at Sixty-six" poignantly captures the essence of this emotional distance and the pain
associated with aging and separation. How can children nurture a loving and inclusive bond with their
elderly parents, ensuring they feel valued and cherished? Answer : In Kamala Das‟s poem "My Mother
at Sixty-six," the poet vividly captures the emotional distance and pain associated with aging and
separation from loved ones. To ensure that aging parents feel valued and cherished in today‟s fast-
paced world, children can take several steps to nurture a loving and inclusive bond. Firstly, they
should make a conscious effort to spend quality time with their parents, engaging in activities that
they enjoy and that allow for meaningful conversations. Regularly visiting or calling them, even
amidst a busy schedule, can make a significant difference. Listening attentively and showing genuine
interest in their stories and experiences can help parents feel valued and respected. Encouraging their
participation in family events and decisionmaking processes fosters a sense of belonging. Additionally,
children can support their parents' interests and hobbies, whether by accompanying them to social
gatherings, helping them learn new technologies, or simply being there as a companion. Offering help
with daily tasks and showing appreciation for their contributions, past and present, reinforces their
sense of worth. Empathy and patience are crucial, as aging can bring about physical and emotional
challenges. By showing understanding and compassion, children can create a nurturing environment
where their parents feel loved and included, strengthening the familial bond and enriching their lives
with emotional warmth and connection.
Prepared ByDr. Asha Rai
PGT ENGLISH
P.M. SHRI KENDRIYA VIDYALAYA RAJGARH
 Keeping Quiet
Summary in English
This poem emphasizes the importance of self-introspection and silence. Furthermore, these two can
transform the life of an individual. Moreover, they can also transform the face of the earth. The poet says
that self-introspection and silence do not take much time to look within. Any individual can do it and
examine oneself. This is easy and takes only as long as it will take someone to count to twelve. During this
time of introspection (self-examination), it is important for the individual to keep quiet. The individual
must say nothing at all. Without silence and keeping quiet, self-introspection will not work. Silently
introspecting will give the individual a strange feeling of unity and togetherness with all others.
In the beginning, it will certainly feel a little strange. However, eventually, it has the power to bring us all
together. This silence will be free from the annoying sounds of engines. Furthermore, this silence will also
be free from the people rushing to get their work done. The author feels contentment while imagining the
change that will take place in those moments. The men who have to deal with the pain while collecting
salt will get a little relief. Even the people who desire war and destruction will put on clean clothes and an
opportunity to walk among their brothers. They will get to experience a life that is free of enmity and
hatred. There will be a halt to their destructive and dangerous activities. Peace and tranquility will
prevail everywhere once such harmful activities come to a stop, even if it is for a short time.
The poet clarifies that his wish should not mean “total inactivity”. The poet only desires to interrupt the
violent, cruel, and sad activities taking place all over the world for a few moments and let individuals
introspect their actions. In fact, there is a connection to what he says with life rather than death. Activity
is the very essence of life whereas inactivity is symbolic of death. However, for a new, improved, and
useful activity, a little stillness is quite important.
The poet makes use of the image of the earth to explain how life exists in things that seem dormant. In
winter, the earth becomes very silent and it seems to be dead. The Earth becomes lively again in spring.
Furthermore, in spring, the addition of fresh new beauties and colours takes place. In a similar fashion,
man can resume his activities in a better manner after a little silence and quietness.
MCQs
Question 1. The poetic device used in the last line ‘when everything seems dead and later proves to be
alive’ is
(a) imagery (b) irony (c) paradox (d) transferred epithet.
Answer - c
Question 2. The poet evokes a symbol in order to invoke that there can be life even with stillness. The
symbol is
(a) earth (b) rain (c) storm (d) cloud
Answer - a
Question 3. What will counting up to twelve help us with?
(a) achieving harmony, brotherhood (b) achieving goals and ambitions
(c) fulfilling wishes (d) winning a race
Answer –a
Question 4. A man should be – with nature
(a) totally compatible (b) at war (c) confused (d) irresponsible
Answer - a
Question 5. The man looking at his hurt hands is a
(a) salt gatherer (b) diamond cutter (c) rag-picker (d) surgeon
Answer – a
Q1. What will counting up to twelve and keeping still help us achieve?
Ans: Counting up to twelve takes very short time. Keeping still for this brief interval of time gives us a
momentary pause to introspect and review the course of action. It is generally observed that most of
the ills and troubles of the world are caused by our rush or hurry. Violence is caused by anger.
Keeping quiet and still will give us necessary respite and ensure peace.
Q2. Do you think the poet advocates total inactivity and death?
Ans: No, he doesn’t advocate either total inactivity or death. He makes it quite clear that ‘stillness’
should not be confused with “total inactivity or equated to it. Total inactivity brings death. But Neruda
has ‘no truck with death’. His stillness means halting of harmful and hostile human activities.
Q3. What is the ‘sadness’ that the poet refers to in the poem? [All India 2014]
Ans: Man’s sadness is formed out of his own actions and thoughts. It is quite ironical that man who
understands so much fails to understand himself and his action. Rash actions prove harmful and
disastruous. Man is the creator of all disasters. He is always threatening himself with death because of
his thoughts and actions. This is the tragedy of his life.
Q4. What symbol from Nature does the poet invoke to say that there can be life under apparent
stillness?
Ans: The poet wants to prove that there can be life under apparent stillness. The poet invokes the
earth as a living symbol to prove his point. The earth never attains total inactivity. Nature remains at
work all the time even under apparent stillness. It keeps earth alive. This idea is beautifully illustrated
by the following lines:“as when everything seems dead and later proves to he alive.”
Q4. What symbol from Nature does the poet invoke to say that there can be life under apparent
stillness?
Ans: The poet wants to prove that there can be life under apparent stillness. The poet invokes the
earth as a living symbol to prove his point. The earth never attains total inactivity. Nature remains at
work all the time even under apparent stillness. It keeps earth alive. This idea is beautifully illustrated
by the following lines:“as when everything seems dead and later proves to he alive.”
 A Thing of Beauty by John Keats
The Theme of the Poem
The poem A Thing of Beauty by John Keats delivers the concept that beauty can be discovered anywhere
and at any time. The content of this poem is mostly concentrated on nature and the unexpected beauty
that it brings. The topic of this poem is that beauty may be discovered anywhere and, when appreciated,
can be used to lift one’s spirits in times of adversity. Any beautiful object is always kept in our minds
since it brings us permanent and everlasting happiness. The enjoyment that a beautiful object brings
never fades away, but multiplies many times over anytime it returns to our mind.

5 MCQs…..
Q1- From where has this poem A Thing Of Beauty been taken?
A) From Keats work- Endymion- A poetic Romance
B) Ode to a Nightingale
C) Ode on Melancholy
D) Ode on Beauty
Answer : A) From Keats work- Endymion- A poetic Romance
Q2 - Who is Endymion?
A) a worker
B) an office boy
C) a young child
D) a young shepherd
Answer : D) a young shepherd

Q 3- What are the things of beauty mentioned in the poem?

A) Sun and Moon
B) Young trees and streams
C) flowers
D) All these
Answer : D) All these
Q 4- Why are our spirits referred as dark?
A) because of dark clouds
B) because of spirits around
C) because of shady trees
D) because of sadness and disappointments
Answer : D) because of sadness and disappointments
Q37- What does morrow mean?
A) morning time
B) present time
C) noon time
D) the next day
Answer : D) the next day

Short answer type questions….

Q) which things make us sad?
A…. Disappointments , shortage of great and inspiring people , sad Memories and negative way of life
make us sad .

Q) which things remove the cover of sadness

A…. the Sun, the moon, the trees young and old, gentle sheep , clear stream of water, blooming musk
rose and Daffodils make us happy and remove the cover of sadness .
 Long answer type questions….

Q) what is the role of our ancestors… or Why is grandeur(glory) associated with mighty
dead(ancestors or previous generations)
A…. our anscestors have also achieved great heights in their life and their achievements are great
source of comfort , satisfaction , happiness and inspiration. Just as the beauties of nature provide us
joy , comfort and inspiration so their sacrifices and achievements are also source of motivation.

Q) What is endless fountain of immortal drink?

It is a metaphor because beauties of nature is compared with fountain. Nature is a gift of God and it
comes from heaven so it is a fountain of immortal drink because it provides us eternal, endless or
perennial joy and satisfaction.
 A Roadside Stand
Summary
THE POEM A Roadside Stand, deals with the lives of poor deprived people. Furthermore, the poet
contrasts the struggling lives of the countryside people with the insensitive life of the city dwellers. The
city dwellers don’t even bother to ponder on the harsh condition of the roadside stand people. The city
dwellers don’t think about the struggles these roadside people have to go through in order to sell their
goodies. These poor people have nothing to do except wait for the passing cars to stop and purchase their
products. If at all a car stops by, it is to know about directions or to make complain about something. The
poet deeply sympathises with these impoverished people and feels compassion for them. This sympathy
is evident in the portrayal of the roadside sheds in a poignant manner.
1. What sad condition of the rural people is depicted in the poem ‘A roadside stand’?
(A)They are barely noticed by their more fortunate counterparts
(B)They wait in vain for the passing cars to stop, for selling their products
(C)They have a had to mouth living
(D)All of the above
Answer - D
2. What stood on the edge of the road, as in the poem ‘A roadside stand’?
(A)Small shop
(B)Small old house
(C)Poor people
(D)None of the above
Answer - A
3. What did the small old house have, as in the poem ‘A roadside stand’?
(A) huge doors & windows
(B)a tiny newly constructed shelter
(C)cemented walls
(D)All of the above
Answer - B
4. Why was it a busy road, as in the poem ‘A roadside stand’?
(A)because of the heavy traffic that sped across
(B)because of a lot of vehicles moving around
(C)because of a special market on the sides
(D)None of the above
Answer - B
5. What did the road stand do to sustain itself, as in the poem ‘A roadside stand’?
(A)Offer good discounts
(B)Offer a wide range of products
(C)Offer good price structure
(D)beg pathetically for financial assistance
Answer – B
A Roadside Stand Important Questions
CBSE Class 12 English
1. Answer each of the following questions in about 30-40 words:
Question 1.Why do the people who run the roadside stand wait for the squeal of brakes so eagerly?
Answer:The “squealing of brakes” means that a car has stopped at their roadside stand. It raises their
hopes that the city-folk have stopped there to buy something from their roadside stand and some city
money will come into their hands.
Question 2.Explain: “soothe them out of them wits” with reference to the poem The Roadside Stand’.
Answer:The powerful men approach the country folk with false promises of providing them with
better living conditions and a better life. These innocent and simple rustics repose blind faith in their
false claims and feel soothed and satisfied. They fail to see through their crookedness and selfishness.
Question 3.Why does Robert Frost sympathise with the rural poor?
Answer:Robert Frost feels an unbearable agony at the plight of the rural poor who are ignored and
neglected by the rich politicians. The Government and the party in power are indifferent to their
welfare. They fool them by making false promises and then fully exploit them to suit their own selfish
interests.
Question 4.What was the plea of the folk who had put up the roadside stand?
Answer:The folk who had put up the roadside stand pleaded to the city dwellers to stop and buy their
wares so as to enable them to earn some extra money for a decent living. They wanted that the rich
people who passed from there in their cars should stop there and buy some goods from them. The
money that these folks would earn from the rich people would help them to lead a better life.
Question 5.What is the ‘childish longing’ of the folk who had put up the roadside stand? Why is it ‘in
vain’
Answer:The ‘childish longing’, the poet refers to, is the dreams and desires of the rural folk who have a
child-like longing for a better life that they hope to live with the help from the city dwellers. Their
longing is in vain because the city folk are not willing to help them and so their ‘childish longings’ are
not likely to be fulfilled
 AUNT JENNIFER’S TIGERS (POEM by Adrienne Rich)
CLASS XII
Main points : 1. The author of the poem Aunt Jennifer's Tigers is Adrienne Rich, one of the key
pioneers in the feminist movement of the 20th century.
2.As suggested by the poem's title, it is about an old married lady who is trapped in a male-dominated
marriage and how her art enables her to flee her unhappy union.
3. "Aunt Jennifer's Tigers" by Adrienne Rich is how the power of the patriarchy controls women's
bodies but not their minds.
4.The poem makes this point by presenting the wild, exotic, powerful tigers embroidered by Aunt
Jennifer and contrasting them with Aunt Jennifer herself.
5.Aunt Jennifer is, probably, terrified of the oppression of her chauvinist husband.
6. She lives her life under constant pressure of duties and responsibilities of a married lady.
7. The image of the wedding ring, even after her death, suggests that there is no escape whatsoever
from the conventions of her marriage and that she had to succumb to them.
8. Aunt Jennifer is, probably, terrified of the oppression of her chauvinist husband.
9.She lives her life under constant pressure of duties and responsibilities of a married lady.
10.The image of the wedding ring, even after her death, suggests that there is no escape whatsoever
from the conventions of her marriage and that she had to succumb to them.
SUMMARY: Aunt Jennifer’s Tigers prance and jump across a screen. They are bright coloured like the
shining yellow topaz. These denizens’ or the dwellers of the green forests are brought in the panel by
Aunt Jennifer. She creates them through her own hands. They don’t fear the men standing under the
tree. They pace in ‘sleek’ and ‘chivalric’ certainty.
Aunt Jennifer’s hands are moving about her wool. But the movement is not smooth and effortless.
Aunt finds it quite hard to pull even the ivory needle. The heavy weight of the marriage band that
bonded her with her husband sits heavily upon her hand. She still feels tied down by that weight.
Her terrified hands’ will tell the whole story of her unhappy life even when aunt is dead. Hardships
and sufferings were the parts of her married life. These crushed her. She was in the grip of very tough
life. But the tigers she has made in the panel will go on jumping ahead, proud and unafraid.
THEME : Desire for Freedom:
Aunt Jennifer's tigers symbolize her yearning for freedom and strength. The contrast between the
vibrant, powerful tigers and Aunt Jennifer's own life highlights the disparity between her aspirations
and the reality of her existence.
Long Answer
1 How do ‘denizens’ and ‘chivalric’ add to our understanding of the tiger’s attitudes?
Ans. Like all beasts of prey, the tigers are the denizens of forest. They live far away from human
settlements. They are called 'chivalric.' This indicates the majestic and honourable position that they
occupy in the world of animals. So the use of the words 'denizens' and 'chivalric' adds to our
understanding of the tigers' attitudes.
2 What is suggested by the image ‘massive weight of Uncle’s wedding band’?
Ans. The 'wedding band' that the poet talks about was the wedding ring worn by Aunt Jennifer. The
image 'massive weight of Uncle's wedding band' suggests that she was overburdened with duties and
responsibilities, post her marriage.
3 What are the ‘ordeals’ Aunt Jennifer is surrounded by? Why is it significant that the poet uses the
word ‘ringed’? What are the meanings of the word ‘ringed’ in the poem?
Ans. The poem addresses the experiences of marriage in the midst of constrictions. The word ‘ringed’
is significant. It suggests that the vicious grip or her unhappy married life is still holding her tightly.
The word ‘ringed’ has been used in two ways. First is the conventional
use. Here ring is a symbol of the sacred bond of marriage. The other is the figurative use of ‘ringed’. It
means encircled or surrounded.
Short answer type
1 Why did Aunt Jennifer choose to embroider tigers on the panel?
Ans. Aunt Jennifer chose to embroider tigers on the panel because of the nature of the tigers. They
symbolize strength and splendour which was in sharp contrast to her own meek nature. The massive
weight of the wedding band that sits heavily on
2. What difficulty does Aunt Jennifer face while making her tigers and why ?
Ans: Aunt Jennifer is making her tigers in the panels. She is using ivory needles. Her fingers are
fluttering through the wool. She finds it difficult (hard) to pull even the ivory needles. The reason is
obvious. The weight of unhappy and unfortunate experiences of her married life sits heavily on her
hands.
3. Of what or of whom is Aunt Jennifer terrified with in the third stanza?
Ans. Even after death, Aunt would carry her fear of her domineering husband as she would yet bear
the burden of the wedding band on her finger. The ordeals faced by her in an oppressive marriage
would continue to terrify her.
4. What are the 'ordeals' Aunt Jennifer is surrounded by? Why is it significant that the poet uses the
word 'ringed'? What are the meanings of the word 'ringed' in the poem?
Ans. Aunt Jennifer has been living her life in accordance with the rules laid down by her husband. Her
life lacks expression and is overburdened by the demands and duties of her married life. Although old
and weak, she still has to face oppression by her husband. These are the ordeals that the poet talks
about.
5 Interpret the symbols found in the poem.
Ans .Adrienne Rich’s ‘Aunt Jennifer’s Tigers, is rich in symbolism. ‘The massive weight of wedding
band’ symbolizes ordeals, hardships and worries of married life. ‘Terrified hands’, and ‘ringed with
ordeals’ also indicate those unpleasant experiences that are still clinging to Aunt Jennifer physically
and mentally.
MCQs
1. What are tigers doing in this poem?
[A]. Dancing
[B]. Jumping
[C]. Sleeping
[D]. Hunting
Ans. B, JUMPING
2.….. are free from oppression according to poet?
A]. Married men
[B]. Married women
[C]. Tigers
(D) Children
Ans. C, TIGERS
3 The poet describes the colour of the tigers as
A Black
B Light Brown
C Bright Topaz
D Dark Brown
Ans. C, BRIGHT TOPAZ
4 Bright Topaz denizens of a world of green' indicates
A colour of the tigers
B territory of the tigers
C .power and influence of the tigers
D. none of the above
Ans. C, POWER AND INFLUENCE OF THE TIGERS
5. The poem 'Aunt Jennifer's Tigers' is written by
A. Elizabeth Arden
B. Adrienne Rich
C. Kamla Das
D. Sarojini Naidu
Ans. B, ADRIENNE RICH
CBT QUESTIONS
1. . Aunt Jennifer’s fingers fluttering through her wool Find even the ivory needle hard to pull.
The massive weight of Uncle’s wedding band
Sits heavily upon Aunt Jennifer’s hand.
Questions
(a)What were Aunt Jennifer’s fingers fluttering through?
(b)How was she pulling the needle?
(c)What was lying heavily? Where?
(d)What was upon Aunt Jennifer’s hand? How did it sit there?
Answers:
(a) Aunt Jennifer’s fingers were fluttering through her wool.
(b) She was finding even the ivory needle hard to pull.
(c) The weight of Uncle’s wedding band was lying heavily on her hand.
(d) There was uncle’s wedding band upon Aunt Jennifer’s hand. It sat heavily upon.
2. 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.
Questions
(a) Why are Aunt Jennifer’s hands called ‘terrified’’?
(b) What are they still ringed with?
(c) Where did she make the tigers?
(d) What will happen to her tigers after her death?
Answers:
(а) Her hands are called terrified because they passed through very hard and bitter experience of
married life.
(b) They are still ringed with those hard and testing difficulties which possessed her dining her life.
(c) She made the tigers in the panel.
(d) Her tigers will go on jumping ahead, proud and unafraid even after her death.
3. . 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.
Questions
(a) Name the poem and the poet of these lines.
(b) What are Aunt Jennifer’s tigers doing? How do they look like?
(c) Where do they live? Are they fearless? Give an example.
(d) How do they pace?
Answers:
(а) The poem is Aunt Jennifer’s Tigers. The poet is Adrienne Rich.
(b) They are jumping across a screen or a wall. They look like shining yellow topaz.
(c) They live in green forests. They are fearless. They don’t fear the men under the tree.
(d) They run with a well-groomed, honourable confidence.

ALKA BAJPAI ( PGT ENGLISH) PMSHRI K.V. SEONI MALWA

 Vistas
THE THIRD LEVEL
-by Jack Finney
SUMMARY:
"The Third Level" by Jack Finney is a thought-provoking story about Charley, a 31-year-old New York
City resident who stumbles upon a hidden third level at Grand Central Station. Unlike the modern first
and second levels, the third level transports him to the year 1894. Charley is fascinated by this
discovery, as he finds solace and peace in the simpler, more tranquil life of the past, away from the
stress and anxiety of contemporary times.

Charley shares his experience with his psychiatrist friend, Sam Weiner, who attributes the vision to
Charley's escapist tendencies and the stress of modern life. Sam suggests that Charley is seeking
refuge in a fantasy world to cope with his problems. Despite Sam's skepticism, Charley is determined
to revisit the third level and even plans to take his wife, Louisa, with him. However, his efforts to find
the third level again prove futile.

In a surprising twist, Charley later discovers that Sam himself has found the third level and has
traveled to 1894. He learns this through a letter Sam sends from the past, which Charley finds in his
stamp collection. This revelation blurs the lines between reality and fantasy, leaving readers to
ponder the existence of the third level and the allure of escaping to a simpler time.

LITERARY DEVICES:

1. Imagery:
● Finney uses vivid imagery to describe the third level at Grand Central Station. For
example, the detailed descriptions of the 1894 setting—gaslights, brass spittoons, and
 people dressed in old-fashioned clothes—help readers visualize the scene and contrast
it with the modern world.
2. Irony:
● There is a situational irony in Charley's quest. Despite modern advancements, Charley
longs for the simplicity of the past. Additionally, the fact that Sam, a psychiatrist who
dismisses Charley's experience as a figment of his imagination, ends up traveling to the
third level himself is deeply ironic.
3. Symbolism:
● The third level symbolizes an escape from the pressures and complexities of modern
life. It represents an idealized past where life is perceived as simpler and more peaceful.
● Grand Central Station itself is symbolic of life's journey, with its multiple levels
representing different paths or dimensions of existence.
4. Foreshadowing:
● Early in the story, Charley's descriptions of his longing for a simpler life foreshadow his
discovery of the third level. His conversations with Sam about the stress of modern
living hint at the possibility of seeking refuge in the past.
5. Allusion:
● The story alludes to historical events and settings of the 1890s, providing a sense of
authenticity to the third level's existence. These allusions help ground the fantastical
elements of the story in a recognizable reality.
6. Suspense:
● Finney builds suspense through Charley's attempts to find the third level again and his
discovery of Sam's letter. The uncertainty of whether the third level truly exists keeps
readers engaged.
7. Paradox:
● The story presents a paradoxical situation where a modern, rational man like Charley
experiences something fantastical and seemingly impossible. This paradox challenges
the boundaries between reality and imagination.
8. Metaphor:
● The third level can be seen as a metaphor for escapism and the human desire to retreat
from life's difficulties. It represents an unattainable ideal that people yearn for but
cannot permanently achieve.
 “QUESTION BANK”
THE THIRD LEVEL
-by Jack Finney
Multiple Choice Questions:
1. What thematic conflict does Charley face in the story?
A) Man vs. Machine B) Past vs. Present
C) Good vs. Evil D) Freedom vs. Confinement
2. How does the setting of Grand Central Station contribute to the story's atmosphere?
A) It symbolizes progress and technology.
B) It represents a historical landmark.
C) It provides a sense of mystery and discovery.
D) It signifies urbanization and development.
3. What role does Louisa play in Charley's quest to find the third level?
A) She encourages him to pursue his dreams.
B) She doubts the existence of the third level.
C) She accompanies him on his journey.
D) She seeks professional help for Charley.
4. What thematic message does the story convey about nostalgia?
A) Nostalgia is a dangerous illusion.
B) Nostalgia helps people cope with hardships.
C) Nostalgia prevents personal growth.
D) Nostalgia offers a gateway to the past.
5. How does the story's resolution impact the reader's interpretation of the third level?
A) It confirms the third level's existence as a historical phenomenon.
B) It leaves the third level's existence open to interpretation.
C) It dismisses the third level as a figment of Charley's imagination.
D) It reveals the third level's true purpose as a time-travel experiment.

ANSWERS WITH EXPLANATION

1. B) Past vs. Present. Charley is torn between the allure of the peaceful past (the third level) and
the pressures of his modern-day life.

2. C) It provides a sense of mystery and discovery. Grand Central Station serves as the gateway to
the third level, a hidden realm within a bustling modern setting.

3. B) She doubts the existence of the third level. Louisa remains skeptical about Charley's
experience and worries about his mental well-being.

4. D) Nostalgia offers a gateway to the past. The story suggests that nostalgia can provide comfort
and solace by revisiting happier times.

5. B) It leaves the third level's existence open to interpretation. The story's ambiguous ending
allows readers to decide for themselves whether the third level is real or imagined.
SHORT ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS:
1. Describe Charley's journey to the third level. What triggers his discovery, and how does he
realize he has traveled into the past?
2. What motivates Charley's desire to buy tickets to Galesburg, Illinois, in 1894?
3. What significant discovery does Charley make in his stamp collection, and how does it relate to
his friend Sam?

ANSWERS
 1. Charley takes the subway home, gets lost in Grand Central Station, and accidentally stumbles
upon the third level. The presence of gaslights, brass spittoons, and a Currier & Ives train clues
him in, confirmed when he checks an old newspaper from 1894.

2. Charley believes Galesburg in 1894 offers a more peaceful life without the turmoil of modern
times. He envisions longer summer evenings, tranquil neighborhoods, and the absence of
World Wars, hoping to share this idyllic life with his wife.

3. Charley finds a first-day cover postmarked July 18, 1894, with a letter from Sam expressing his
love for 1894 Galesburg. The letter reveals Sam's successful transition to the past and his
intention to set up a new business.

LONG ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS:

1. It’s easy to judge others and give advice, but much more difficult to apply it to ourselves.’
Elaborate with reference to the character of Sam in The Third Level.
2. Imagine that you come across Louisa’s diary. What might you find in it about the third level?
Compose at least one diary entry based on any of the events from the story, ‘The Third Level’.

ANSWERS:
1. In the narrative of "The Third Level," the character of Sam initially presents a stance steeped in
skepticism and doubt regarding Charley's conviction that the third level of the Grand Central
Terminal serves as a gateway to the past. He readily scrutinizes Charley's assertions and
provides logical explanations for what initially appears to be an implausible phenomenon.
Nevertheless, as the story unfolds, a transformation occurs within Sam. He progressively
becomes captivated by Charley's unwavering fixation on the third level and commences to
entertain the possibility that there may be validity to his friend's claims. This evolution in
Sam's perspective culminates in his personal voyage of discovery, wherein he, too, encounters
the third level and embarks on a journey through time, thereby substantiating Charley's
convictions.
Sam's trajectory throughout the narrative illuminates a poignant lesson on the challenge of
applying one's counsel and beliefs to their own life experiences. In spite of his rational
disposition and initial skepticism, Sam ultimately embraces the notion of time travel and the
actuality of the third level. This narrative element underscores the notion that modifying one's
own preconceived notions and beliefs can be a far more intricate endeavor than offering advice
or solutions to others. It exemplifies the complexity of reconciling personal skepticism with an
openness to the extraordinary, and the transformative power of direct experience in reshaping
one's perspective.
2. Dear Diary,
Today was a day like no other. My husband, Charley, came home with an astonishing tale of a
hidden third level within the Grand Central Terminal. He claims that this mysterious level can
transport a person back in time. Initially, I dismissed it as a fanciful notion or perhaps a sign of
undue stress. Charley's enthusiasm for this idea was infectious, though, and as he began to
present evidence, such as the antiquated currency he obtained from our bank, doubt began to
creep into my mind.
What struck me most was Charley's unwavering conviction. He believes in this third level so
profoundly that he has withdrawn a substantial portion of our savings to invest in outdated
currency. This decision has me deeply concerned about our financial security, but it also
kindles a spark of curiosity within me. What if Charley's extraordinary theory holds some
truth? What if it's possible to journey into the past?
In truth, I find myself torn. Part of me is apprehensive about the risks Charley is taking, while
another part is captivated by the allure of time travel. Charley's steadfast belief is a stark
 contrast to my own tendency to question and doubt. It makes me wonder if I should embrace
such resolute convictions, even if they entail significant risks.
The future is uncertain, but it holds the promise of adventure and discovery as Charley delves
further into the enigma of the third level. Perhaps, in time, I may find myself joining him on a
remarkable journey through the annals of history.
Yours truly, Louisa
The Tiger King
Summary in English
This story refers to the Maharaja Sir Jilani Hung Bahadur of Pratibandapuram. Astrologers predict his
future when he was just 10 days old. Astrologers say that a tiger will kill him. On this, surprisingly the 10-
day old prince said: “Let tigers beware!” The boy grows up just like any other royal child raised. Such as
by drinking the milk of white cow and looked after by English nanny and watching English movies.
When he was 20, he was crowned king and came to know about the prediction about his death. So, then
onwards he started killing a tiger and put a ban on the tiger hunt in his state. According to the astrologers
he needs to be careful with the 100th tiger even if he successfully kills 99 tigers.
One time a high ranking British officer visits his state and wants to go for a tiger hunt. However, the
maharaja declined his wish. And in order to secure the state from the wrath of the British officer. The
maharaja sent 50 diamond rings to the officer’s wife whose worth was Rs 3 lakh.
Within ten years the maharaja successful slays 70 tigers. But after that, there were no tigers left in
Pratibandapuram. Hence, to complete his target of killing a hundred tigers he marries a girl from the
royal state that has more tigers so that he can complete his target. Whenever he visits his in-laws, he
makes sure that he kills 5-6 tiger each time. In addition, in this way, he was able to kill 99 tigers but he
was unable to find the 100th tiger. On not finding the 100th tiger the maharaja became violent and
threatened the Dewan. In order to save himself from the fury of the king, the Dewan got an old tiger from
the circus and with great difficulty put him in the forest.
He told Maharaja about the tiger. So, maharaja went on a hunt and shot the tiger and felt victorious and
happy. But then again, he didn’t know that his bullet miss and the tiger was alive and he only collapsed
out of fear. No one has the guts, to tell the truth to the king so they killed the tiger and brought it in a
grand procession.
Lastly, the maharaja was joyful and happy. So, on his son’s birthday, he buys a wooden tiger as a gift for
him. The tiger had rough edges and while playing with it he gets a woodcut in his hand which later on
advances into an infection. And because of it, he dies. Therefore, fatefully the 100th tiger although made
of wood take its revenge and killed the king.
Question 1.How many surgeons were summoned to attend the king?
(a) 3 (b) 7 (c) 9 (d) 13
Answer: (a)
Question 2. The wooden tiger was carved by
(a) A master craftsman (b) An unskilled carpenter
(c) The shopkeeper himself (d) A British carpenter
Answer - b
Question 3. The original cost of the present was
(a) 2 annas and a quarter (b) 2 annas and a half
(c) One and a half annas (d) 3 annas
Answer - b
Question 4. How old was the King’s son?
(a) One year old (b) Three years old
(c) Five years old (d) Seven years old.
Answer - b
Question 5. The 100th tiger had __
(a) been shot dead (b) fainted (c) disappeared (d) been set free
Answer - b
Question 6. The old tiger had been brought from____
(a) Calcutta Park (b) Business Park (c) Leisure Park (d) People’s Park
Answer - d
Question 7. The frustrated Tiger King asked the Dewan——–
(a) to resign (b) to go to far off places in search of a tiger
(c) to invite the British Officer (d) to get a tiger from the Madras zoo
Answer - b
 Class 12 Chapter 2
The Tiger King Short Answer
Questions
Q1 What various titles were bestowed upon the Pratibandapuram King?
Ans The Pratibandapuram ruler was referred to by a variety of names. His Highness Jamedar-
General, Khiledar-Major, Sata Vyaghra Samhari, and Maharajdhiraj Visva are possible titles for him. Sir
Jilani Jung Jung Bahadur, Bhuvana Samrat, M.A.D., A.C.T.C., or C.R.C.K.
Q2 How did the Tiger King get the name he had? (CBSE 2009)
Ans As it had been predicted that the 100th tiger would kill the king of Pratibandapuram, he was
known as the Tiger King. As a result, he made the decision to kill 100 tigers before engaging in any
other activities. He was renowned as the Tiger King because he killed so many tigers.
Question: How did the tiger king acquire his name?
Answer: The Maharaja of Pratibandapuram was known as the Tiger King. He got the name Tiger King
as tigers dominated his life and his mission to live. He killed seventy tigers in ten years and married a
girl from a state with a large number of tigers to kill the next 30 tigers.
Question: What happened to the tiger provided by the Dewan Saheb?
Answer: The tiger provided by the Dewan Saheb was old and agile. It was passive and exhausting. The
Tiger King did not take careful aim at the hundredth tiger. The tiger fainted due to the sound of the
bullet and fell into a crumpled heap. No one wanted the Maharaja to know this. It was a hunter who
shot the tiger later.
Question: Why, do you think, was the Maharaja in danger of losing his throne?
Answer: A high-ranking British officer wished to go tiger hunting, but he declined permission from
the Maharaja. The officer then requested to be photographed with a tiger killed by the Maharaja. The
Maharaja rejected that request also. Turning down a senior British officer’s request twice could have
put the Maharaja in danger of losing his throne.
Question: What led the Maharaja to start on a tiger hunt?
Answer: The chief astrologer had predicted that a tiger would cause the Maharaja’s death, and he
should be particularly wary of the hundredth tiger. So the Maharaja banned the hunting of tigers in his
State, and those who violated this law had to hand over their wealth and property to the kingdom
while the Maharaja himself started a tiger hunt.
Question: How did the hundredth tiger take its revenge on the King? (Comptt. All India 2010)
Answer: The Maharaja of Pratibandapuram, who was also known as the Tiger King, tried to go against
what destined in his fate? The result was tragic and ironic. The chief astrologer had predicted that a
tiger would cause the King’s death, and he should especially be wary of the hundredth tiger.
The vain King banned the hunting of tigers in the State by everyone except himself and was able to kill
ninety-nine tigers. He thought he had killed the hundredth tiger also, but somehow the bullet missed
its mark, and the hundredth tiger survived.
Then on his son’s birthday, the King bought him a wooden tiger which he felt was a perfect gift for his
son. A splinter in it pierced the King’s hand, and the infection spread all over his arm, causing his
death. Ironically, despite killing all the tigers in his kingdom, the King finally became the victim of the
hundredth tiger, and the astrologer’s prediction came true.
 CBT Question Bank
on
Journey to the end of the earth
Q. No. 1) Multiple Choice Questions based on an extract:
You lose all earthly sense of perspective and time here. The visual scale ranges from the microscopic
to the mighty: midges and mites to blue whales and icebergs as big as countries (the largest recorded
was the size of Belgium). Days go on and on and on in surreal 24-hour austral summer light, and a
ubiquitous silence, interrupted only by the occasional avalanche or calving ice sheet, consecrates the
place. It’s an immersion that will force you to place yourself in the context of the earth’s geological
history. And for humans, the prognosis isn’t good.
i. The ‘visual scale’ refers to
a. a measuring device b. range of things one can see
c. visionary’s belief d. the magnitude of preparation
Ans. Option (b)
ii. Four people give a reason for the author’s feeling while traveling.
Choose the option that correctly summarizes it based on your understanding of the extract.

Person 1 Person 2 Person 3 Person 4

As far as I can judge,

I think the author is According to me,
Tishani is being
being paranoid about she is bewildered In my opinion, she is amazed by the
hypocritical because
leaving her by the travel grandeur of the icy region.
she is comparing the
hometown. duration.
two places.
a. Person 1
b. Person 2
c. Person 3
d. Person 4
Ans. Option (d)
iii. Select the option that correctly fits the category of ‘microscopic to the mighty’ out of the ones given
below.
1. trace of a skin cell: trace of a bird’s egg
2. a grain of rice: field of wheat
3. a scoop of ice cream: an ice cream cone
4. a drop of water: Pacific Ocean
a. 1, 2
b. 3, 4
c. 1, 3
d. 2, 4
Ans. Option (d)
iv. Choose the option listing the elements that influence one to think of earth’s physicality.
1. breakage of an iceberg from a glacier
2. midges and mites
3. a regularly seen avalanche
4. summer light in the Southern Hemisphere
a. 1, 2
b. 3, 4
c. 1, 4
d. 2, 3
Ans. Option (c)
Q. No. 2) Read the given extract and answer the questions given:
Climate change is one of the most hotly contested environmental debates of our time. Will the West
Antarctic ice sheet melt entirely? Will the Gulf Stream ocean current be disrupted? Will it be the end of
the world as we know it? Maybe. Maybe not. Either way, Antarctica is a crucial element in this debate
— not just because it’s the only place in the world, which has never sustained a human population and
therefore remains relatively ‘pristine’ in this respect; but more importantly, because it holds in its ice-
cores half-million-year-old carbon records trapped in its layers of ice.
(Journey to the End of the Earth)
i. How does the absence of a human population in Antarctica make it significant in the climate change
debate?
Ans. This makes it an important reference point for understanding the effects of human activities on
the environment and the potential impacts of climate change.[The absence of a human population in
Antarctica means that the region is relatively pristine and has not been subject to the same levels of
human impact as other areas of the world.]
ii. Why is "climate change" described as a "hotly contested" issue in the extract provided?
This is so, because there _____.
a. is universal agreement on the causes and implications of climate change
b. is a planned path ahead about how to address climate change
c. are differing views on the causes and implications of climate change
d. are minimal reports of fresh threats to climate change
Ans. Option (c)
iii. The analogy of a time machine is an appropriate analogy for the role of carbon records in the study
of climate change because ________________________.
Ans. ... just like a time machine would allow us to observe past events, carbon records allow us to
observe past climate conditions. [ Carbon records allow us to study past climates by analyzing the air
bubbles trapped in ice cores. They provide a glimpse into the Earth's atmospheric conditions at the
time the ice was formed and can help scientists understand how the climate has changed over time.]
iv. Give one reason why the writing style of the extract can be called factual and informative.
Ans. (Anyone)
• ...because the writer presents information in a straightforward and objective manner
• ...because the writer applies a third-person point of view and avoids the use of personal
opinion or emotional language
• ...because the writer uses a logical structure to present their argument (starting with the
importance of Antarctica as a relatively pristine location, and then moving on to explain the
significance of the ice cores and carbon records found there)

Q. No. 3) “Antarctica is a crucial element in this debate — not just because it’s the only place in the
world, which has never sustained a human population and therefore remains relatively ‘pristine’ in
this respect...”
With respect to the given statement from the text, choose the option to replace the underlined set of
words.
a. stays as it is throughout the year.
b. becomes a perfect place to travel.
c. is left to be an uncorrupted area.
d. abides by the strict laws of nature.
Ans. Option (c)
Q. No. 4) Students on Ice, the programme I was working with on the Shokalskiy, aims to do exactly this
by taking high school students to the ends of the world and providing them with inspiring educational
opportunities which will help them foster a new understanding and respect for our planet. It’s been in
operation for six years now, headed by Canadian Geoff Green, who got tired of carting celebrities and
retired, rich, curiosity-seekers who could only ‘give’ back in a limited way. With Students on Ice, he
offers the future generation of policymakers a life-changing experience at an age when they’re ready
to absorb, learn, and most importantly, act.
i. Students on Ice is …………. headed by Geoff Green. Select the option to fill in the blank correctly.
a. a travelogue b. an expedition c. a globetrotting d. a tour
Ans. Option (b)
ii. Choose the option that marks the ODD ONE OUT based on your reading of the above extract.
a. Sumit donates 10% of his monthly income to environment-friendly NGOs.
b. Manmeet and her twin plant a new plant on their birthday every year.
c. Vivek invests in eco-friendly cosmetics that are packaged in plastic containers.
d. Afsana plans to devise a machine that recycles biodegradable wastes from home.
Ans. Option (c)
iii. Pick the option that characterizes the celebrities based on your understanding of the extract.
1. overachiever
2. zealous
3. miserly
4. impassive
a. 1, 2
b. 3, 4
c. 1, 3
d. 2, 4
Ans. Option (b)
iv. Choose the option that lists the reasons for Green’s program.
1. making youngsters realize the gory reality of the planet.
2. provoking the youth to think about the future earnestly.
3. giving a chance of exploring the north pole to the young generation.
4. providing travel opportunities to students that were unfortunate.
a. 1, 2
b. 3, 4
c. 1, 3
d. 2, 4
Ans. Option (a)
Q. No. 5) Students on Ice, the programme I was working with on the Shokalskiy, aims to do exactly this
by taking high school students to the ends of the world and providing them with inspiring educational
opportunities which will help them foster a new understanding and respect for our planet. It’s been in
operation for six years now, headed by Canadian Geoff Green, who got tired of carting celebrities and
retired, rich, curiosity-seekers who could only ‘give’ back in a limited way. With Students on Ice, he
offers the future generation of policy-makers a life-changing experience at an age when they’re ready
to absorb, learn, and most importantly, act.
(Journey to the End of the Earth)
i. Complete the sentence appropriately, with reference to the extract. The writer refers to educational
opportunities as ‘inspiring’ because _____.
Ans. These educational opportunities would motivate them to work towards the good of the planet /
allow them to observe first-hand that the planet needs to be respected/nurtured rather than abused.
ii. Which of the following would NOT be a life-changing experience?
a. Being given the lead role in a play.
b. Going on an adventure trip.
c. Playing a video game.
d. Meeting a great leader, you admire.
Ans. Option (c)
iii. Select the most suitable title for the given extract.
a. Adventure with a Mission
b. Adventure – The Spice of Life
c. The Wanderlust
d. Students of the Future
Ans. Option (a)
iv. Why does the writer refer to ‘act’ as more important than ‘absorb’ or ‘learn’?
Ans. Because having the right knowledge or inclination/ understanding is just half the job done. It fails
to have an impact till it is applied/practiced/put to use in our actions.
Q. No. 6) ‘Take care of the small things and the big things will take care of themselves.’
Choose the option stating the significance of this statement depending on the textual context.
a. We should try to focus on smaller regions like Antarctica to improve the rest of the world.
b. We should tend to smaller grasses which eventually become a part of the food chain in order
to expect bigger things like animal and human lives to change.
c. We should give more opportunities to the younger generation than the older generation if we
want to see a change in the world.
d. We should save a little every now and then in order to explore bigger opportunities in terms
of travel and tourism.
Ans. Option (b)
Q. No. 7) Choose the option that correctly represents the Venn diagram based on the statement given
below.
‘Antarctica is the cosmic view of whatever is happening to our planet.’

a. Option 1
b. Option 2
c. Option 3
d. Option 4
Ans. Option (c)
Q. No. 8) The central idea of the text is given below as told by four students. Choose the correct option
of the ones given below.

Student 1 Student 2 Student 3 Student 4

The author is keen on The author throws
The author wants to The author is trying to
drawing a comparison light on the crucial
invigorate a spirit in delineate the beauty of
between South India and issues of our planet
the readers to travel Antarctica as compared
Antarctica in terms of their through this
and explore. to the rest of the world.
weather. narrative.
a. Student 1
b. Student 2
c. Student 3
d. Student 4
Ans. Option (d)
Q. No. 9) Choose the correct option with respect to the statements given below.
• Statement 1: Antarctica is a lesson in itself for the readers of the text.
• Statement 2: Antarctica gives an insight into the damage being done to Earth by humanity.
a. Statement 1 can be inferred but Statement 2 cannot be inferred from the text.
b. Statement 1 cannot be inferred but Statement 2 can be inferred from the text.
c. Both Statement 1 and Statement 2 can be inferred from the text.
d. Both Statement 1 and Statement 2 cannot be inferred from the text.
Ans. Option (c)

The Enemy
Summary in English
The Enemy is a story written by Pearl Sydenstricker Buck. It is about a Japanese surgeon, Sadao. He went
to study in America and meets a Japanese girl, Hana, there. He marries her and brings her back to Japan
to settle down. This was the time of World War II. Thus, all the doctors were called upon to serve the
Japanese army. However, they allowed Sadao to stay back. It was because he was tending to the old
General who was on his death bed. However, one night, an incident changes his life. He encounters an
American Navy-man who is injured by a gun-shot and dying.
Although Sadao was in no mind to help the enemy, he takes in the young soldier and provides him with
medical assistance. He keeps him at his house to avert any danger coming his way. However, he knew he
has opened doors to danger by helping the enemy. His servants decide to leave Sadao too. As the days
kept passing, the soldier was now beginning to gain his health back. Now that the soldier was no longer
Sadao’s patient, he decides to kill him off in his sleep. He informs the General of the American and thus
the General reciprocates. They decide to send private assassins to kill the American soldier.
While waiting for the assassins, Sadao starts noticing it was delaying. However, during this course,
humanity in Sadao arises. He realizes that he is a human being at the end of the day. He now recognizes
the value of human life as well as universal brotherhood. Thus, this opens his mind which was limited to
race, boundaries, and wars. Finally, he comes to the conclusion that the American soldier is not his enemy
just because he belongs to another country. Thus, he rises above his prejudices and does the right thing
by helping the American soldier escape, thus saving his life.
Question 1.
Sadao had been a victim in America, of
(a) racial prejudice
(b) unruly mob
(c) impartial teachers
(d) unfriendly classmates
Answer
Answer: (a) racial prejudice
Question 2.
The General, in not sending the assassins, had been
(a) unpatriotic
(b) patriotic
(c) selfish for himself
(d) helpful towards Sadao
Answer
Answer: (c) selfish for himself
Question 3.
He told the prisoner to eat only
(a) raw fish
(b) ripe fruit
(c) cooked food
(d) raw vegetables
Answer
Answer: (a) raw fish
Question 4.
The escape for Sadao would be in
(a) a Korean fishing boat
(b) a Russian fishing boat
(c) a Chinese fishing boat
(d) a Japanese fishing boat
Answer
Answer: (a) a Korean fishing boat
Question 5.
The General wanted to send his private assassins to
Sadao’s house to
(a) kill Hana
(b) kill Sadao
(c) kill the prisoner
(d) kill the gardener
Answer
Answer: (c) kill the prisoner
Question 1.
Why did the General spare the American soldier? (All India 2009)
Answer:
The General had his own selfish interest in sparing the American soldier. He knew Dr. Sadao was
indispensable to him and did not want him to be arrested. He did not trust other surgeons. In his capacity
as a General he should have had the American soldier arrested but he refrained from it in his personal
self-interest.

Question 2.
Why was Dr. Sadao not sent to the battlefield? (All India 2009)
Answer:
Dr. Sadao was a skilled and reputed surgeon who was in the process of perfecting an invention of
rendering wounds totally clean. Moreover, he was treating the old General who could need an operation.
So he was not sent to the battlefield as his valuable services could be needed at any time in his
hometown.
Question 3.
Why did the messenger come to Dr. Sadao? What did Hana think about it? (All India 2010)
Answer:
The uniformed messenger comes to Dr. Sadao to inform him that the old General was in pain again. Hana
felt relieved to hear that the messenger had come only to inform Dr. Sadao about the General’s ill-health.
She had earlier feared that the servants had informed the police who had sent the man in the uniform to
their house.

Question 4.
What forced Dr. Sadao to be impatient and irritated with his patient? (All India 2010)
Answer:
His patient was badly wounded and this was a cause of worry, concern and vexation for Dr. Sadao. Saving
him was a challenge for his skills as a doctor and harbouring him in his house could lead to Dr. Sadao’s
arrest and his treatment was the ultimate test of the doctor’s patience.
Question 5.
In what context does Hana remember General Takima? What does she infer? (All India 2010)
Answer:
Hana remembers General Takima who at home used to beat his wife cruelly though no one now
mentioned it ever since he had fought a victorious battle in Manchuria. She inferred that if a man like him
could be so cruel to a woman in his power, he would be extremely cruel to the wounded American
soldier.

Question 1.
Dr. Sadao faced a dilemma. Should he use his surgical skills to save the life of a wounded person or hand
an escaped American P.O.W. over to the Japanese police? How did he re-solve this clash of values? (All
India 2015)
Answer:
Dr. Sadao gives priority to his professional ethics over his patriotism and uses his surgical skills to save
the life of a wounded man even though he belonged to the enemy’s camp. He rises above narrow
prejudices and realizes his duty as a doctor. The surgeon in him instinctively inspires him to operate
upon the dying soldier and save his life. But he is also a responsible and patriotic citizen of his country so
he decides to inform a senior Japanese Army General about the prisoner’s presence in his house and even
agrees to have him killed by the General’s assassins. He even spends three restless nights waiting for the
assassins to carry out their job. But the assassins did not arrive. In this way, Dr. Sadao is able to resolve
the clash of his values and appease his conscience of having done his duty as a responsible citizen of his
country.

Should Wizard Hit Mommy? Summary in English

The story begins by telling us about Jack has two little kids. The kids are Jo and Bobby. Jo’s wife, Clare was
pregnant with their third one. Thus, to put her daughter to bed, Jack would make up stories for her
daughter. This story-telling tradition started when Jo was 2 and thus continued ever since. Jack makes
sure that he tells a different story every time. However, a small creature was always common, Roger. For
instance, it was either Roger Fish or Roger Chipmunk. Roger goes to the wise old owl with problems that
would send him to a Wizard. Thus, the Wizard’s spell would solve the problem after payment of pennies.
Now that Jo is growing up, it is getting difficult to put her to bed for nap time in afternoons. Thus, one day
Jack decides to tell her a story about Roger Skunk. In this story, there is a little skunk that always smelt
very bad. It is so bad that no animals play with him and is always alone. Thus, Roger Skunk decides to go
to the wise old owl. As usual, the owl sends him to the Wizard. The Wizard with his spells asks Roger
Skunk about his wish. He expresses he wishes to smell like roses to which the Wizard agrees. After that,
all the animals start playing with the Skunk and he plays till it gets dark. Finally, Roger Skunk goes home
to his mommy. Jo thinks the story is over when Jack continues.
After reaching home, the mummy notices the awful smell and asks Roger who did this. Roger Skunk tells
her that he did not like the way he smelled so he asked the Wizard to help him smell like roses. This
infuriates the mother and tells him to accept himself for what he is. She goes to the Wizard all angry and
asks him to return the skunk smell after hitting him.
Thus, the Wizard reverses his spell and Roger Skunk is back to smelling like he did before. However, this
new ending does not please Jo. She asks Jack to change it to the Wizard hitting the mommy back. Jack did
not like this protest and Jo kept insisting to change the ending tomorrow when he comes with another
story. She does not listen and follows Jack back downstairs but now Jack is infuriated and threatens to
give her a beating. She goes back disappointed and Jack sits with his wife in a quandary.
Should Wizard Hit Mommy MCQ
1. Jack felt being——— suited him
(a) an old man (b) an Owl (c) a Skunk (d) a kid
2. Wizard’s magic things were all jumbled up in a big dusty ———-
(a) bag (b) box (c) corner (d) heap
3. What did Roger Skunk want to smell like?
(a) Roses (b) Lilies (c) Lavender (d) Jasmine
4. Jack ended the chant with the word ———-
(a) magic (b) abracadabra
(c) hocus-pocus (d) bingo
5. What did Jack mistakenly call Roger Skunk?
(a) Roger Rabbit (b) Roger fish
(c) Roger squirrel (d) Roger monkey
6. Roger Skunk had only———- pennies
(a) 2 (b) 4
(c) 6 (d) 8
1.Who is Jo? How does she respond to her father’s story-telling?
Ans. Jo is the shortened form of Joanne. She is the four year old daughter of Jack and Clare. For the last
two years, her father, Jack, has been telling her bed-time stories. Since these stories are woven around
the same basic tale and have the same characters and turn of events, Jo takes so many things for
granted and takes active interest in the story-telling session. The protagonist (main character) is
always named Roger. It may be Roger Fish, Roger Squirrel, Roger Chipmunk or Roger Skunk. The
other characters are the huge, wise, old owl and the thin small wizard. The creatures of the forest—
small animals—also take part in playing with Roger and liking/disliking him.
2.What do you think was Jo’s problem?
Ans. Little Jo had been accustomed to the happy ending of the stories of Roger, where the wizard was
helpful to him in fulfilling his wish. At the request of Roger Skunk, the wizard had changed his awful
smell to that of the roses. Other small animals liked it and played with Roger Skunk happily. She could
not digest the ending of the extended story where Roger Skunk’s mother hit the wizard on the head
and forced him to change Skunk’s smell to the earlier foul one.
Jo could not accept Skunk’s mother’s stubbornness e.g. hitting the wellwisher of her son, Roger Skunk.
Jo insisted that her father should tell her the same story again the next day with changed ending. The
wizard should hit that unreasonable mommy on the head and leave Roger Skunk emitting the pleasant
smell of roses. In the beautiful world of a child’s imagination, fairies and wizard’s are more real than
reality itself. She could not digest the harsh realities of life. She did not like the rude mother who hit
the benefactor of her own son.
READING WITH INSIGHT
Q1. What is the moral issue that the story raises?
Ans.The story raises a moral issue—should parents always decide what the children should do or let
the children do what they like to do. There is an evident contrast between an adult’s perspective on
life and the world view of a little child.
Jack, the father, defends the behaviour of Roger Skunk’s mother who forced the old wizard to restore
the natural but offensive smell to Roger Skunk. He sums up the issue in one sentence: ‘She knew what
was right’. As to why the little skunk agreed to her mother’s proposal, Jack says that the little skunk
loved his mommy more than he loved all the other little animals. Jack cites an instance. When Roger
Skunk was in bed, Mommy Skunk came up, hugged him and said he smelled like her little baby Skunk
again and she loved him very much.
Little Jo, the spokesperson of children, does not agree with her father’s view. She feels that the Skunk’s
mother should not have robbed the pleasure of her little son and deprived him of the pleasant smell of
the roses. She insisted that the wizard hit that mommy on the head and did not change that little
skunk back. She calls the little skunk’s mother “a stupid mommy”. She realised that her father was
defending his own mother to her, or something odd.
Jo stuck to her view point. She insisted that her father should tell her the story the next day in a
different manner. It was the wizard that took the magic wand and hit that mommy.
 On the Face of It
Summary in English
The story starts with a teenage boy (Derry) who enters a garden. Due to an accident when acid befell on
his face and got burned on one side. He was afraid of facing people that’s why he has gone there to hide.
Because other people tease him for having such a face. Upon entering the garden he finds someone
already presents there. Hence, he tries to leave but the old man, Mr. Lamb (owner of the garden) stops
him.
Not arriving without permission Derry feels guilty. However, Mr. Lamb welcomes him in his garden and
tells him not to leave just because of his presence. People don’t like his face that’s what Derry think and
that’s why he wants to leave. Then again Mr. Lamb asks him to stay there. After that, they start having a
conversation that how no one like Derry and how he hates people behaving like this with him. Also, Mr.
Lamb attempts to console him.
Mr. Lamb state to him that he has a tin leg and how kids make fun of him. Yet he enjoys his life to the
fullest. Their conversation went on and on and reveal various things about Derry’s fear, hatred, and
depression about being in such a condition. Also, Mr. Lamb keeps on telling him to think about the
positive things. Before long they became friends and Mr. Lamb asks Derry to assist him in plucking the
crab apples of his garden.
Derry state to him that he had come too far from his home and hadn’t told anything about this to his
mother. So, Mr. Lamb asks him to take permission from his mother. Bur Derry finds it difficult and this
leads to a small argument between both of them. Eventually, Derry agrees and tells Mr. Lamb that he
would come back after asking permission from his mother. However, his mother does not want him to go
but he came back to fulfill his promise.
In the meantime, Mr. Lamb climbs a ladder on his own to pluck the crab apples as he was sure that Derry
would not return. Moreover, because of his disability, it was difficult for him to climb. So, he slips from the
ladder and dies. On the other hand, Derry returns to the garden to help him but on entering the garden he
sees him lying on the floor. Further, he attempts to move him but didn’t get any response from him. In the
end, he came to know that he is dead and starts crying.
Question 1.What qualities of Mr. Lamb attracted Derry to him?
Answer:Derry suffers from a terrible complex. But his meeting with Mr. Lamb is a turning point in his
life. He gives confidence to Derry and encourages him to develop a positive attitude towards life.
Derry’s life now has a new meaning and purpose and for this all the credit goes to Mr. Lamb’s
motivation and words of encouragement.
Question 2.What did Derry’s mother think of Mr. Lamb?
Answer:Derry’s mother did not think very highly of Mr. Lamb and claimed to have heard not really
good things about him. She had been told and warned by people about Mr. Lamb and so she tells Derry
not to go back to him. She also tried to hold him back but he does go back to Mr. Lamb.
Question 3.What consolation did people give when they saw his acid burnt face?
Answer:Derry’s face was burnt by acid on one side. When people saw Derry’s acid burnt face they
tried to console him by telling him fairy tales. They said that it was not important what he looked like.
Derry knew that people lied and showed sympathy only to comfort him and that he would not change
and would continue to look like a ‘monstrous beast’.
Question 4.Mr. Lamb told Derry the story of a man who hid himself in his room. Why did the man do
so and with what result?
Answer:Mr. Lamb told Derry the incident of a timid man who hid himself in his room and refused to
come out lest he should meet some fatal accident. But, ironically, he died in his room itself because a
picture hanging on the wall fell off it, landed on his head and killed him.
Question 5.Why does Mr. Lamb leave his gate always open? (All India 2011)
Answer:Mr. Lamb always keeps his gate open because he does not mind strangers entering his house,
He is an extremely social person and is ever ready to welcome anyone who enters his garden.
Evans Tries an O-level Summary in English
The story begins with a criminal named Evan. Evan is already famous for breaking out from many
prisons thus he is now at Oxford prison. We see that the secretary of the Examination Board gets a call
from H.M. Prison’s governor. He learns that Evan has begun with night classes in O Level German. Thus,
he wishes to get an academic qualification. So, they all make the necessary arrangements for this same.
On inquiry, they learn Evan has no record of violence instead he is rather amusing. Finally, they decide to
host the exam in Evan’s room and send for an invigilator from St Mary Mags. The Governor is very
vigilant throughout as he knows what Evans is capable of pulling off.
Thus, the authorities do their best to help Evans excel at the exam. They hire a German tutor for him. He
teaches Evans for six months and Evan even befriends him during that time. The tutor wishes him luck
but feels that he does not stand a chance to clear the exam. However, Evans tells him that he may surprise
everybody. Thus, the day of the exam arrives and his cell is being inspected now. The officers take away
anything that he may use to injure himself.
They try to take the hat away but Evan’s insists saying it is his lucky charm. Moreover, they also bugged
Evan’s cell for the Governor to listen through everything. The searched the invigilator and then he
reaches his cell to carry out the exam. An officer kept peeping in the cell to make sure everything was
alright. The exam executes without any trouble and Stephen escorts the invigilator out to the main gate.
In Evan’s cell, they find out that the invigilator is lying injured.
They went in search of Evans but find out that he has escaped prison. Moreover, when they do not find
the invigilator in the hospital, they go to visit his residence. They reach there to find out that it was a
fraud. Finally, the Governor puts together the missing pieces of the puzzle. He learns that the invigilator
was Evans friend and he swapped places with him and fooled everyone. They immediately go to the hotel
where Evans was staying ad capture him. The Governor becomes happy thinking his game is over and
sends him to a prison van. However, Evans manages to pull off one last stunt as the prison officer and
prison van were also part of his plan. Finally, he becomes a free man.
Q1- What kind of a person was Evans?
A) Kleptomaniac
B) pleasing personality and a tendency to mislead
C) stealing habit
D) All these
Q2- Why was Evans called ‘Evans the break?
A) because of his pleasing personality
B) because he keeps hat on his head
C) for escaping from prison thrice
D) All these
Q3- Why did Evans drape a blanket around his shoulder?
A) A) to conceal his efforts of changing dress to look like MCleery
B) bcause he was feeling cold
C) to hide himself from the police
D) All these
Q4- What two purposes did the correction slip serve?
A) to give correct name of hotel to Evans and exact date and time of exam to Evans
B) to help Evan escape
C) to inform Evan Gang his plan of escape
D) All these
Q7- How did Evan escape from the jail?
A) by jumping the wall
B) by befooling the watchman
C) his friend Prison officer released him
D) all
1. What kind of a person was Evans?
Answer. Evans was a young, clever prisoner. He had escaped thrice from the prison for which he was
known ‘Evans the Break’. He was not a violent sort of a person. He was quite a pleasant person and
was a star at the Christmas concert.
2. What were the precautions taken for the smooth conduct of the examination?
Answer. For smooth conduct of the examination, various precautionary measures were taken. All
sharp instruments like razor nail scissors were removed. The Governor, senior prison officer Jackson
and officer Stephen were put on duty. A special invigilator was arranged. A microphone was fitted in
the prison cell where the examination was to be conducted.
3. Where did Evans go?
Answer. After deceiving the police intelligently, Evans went to the hotel Golden Lion located in
Chipping Norton.
3. When Stephens comes back to the cell he jumps to a conclusion and the whole machinery blindly
goes by his assumption without even checking the identity of the injured ‘McLeery’. Does this show
how hasty conjectures can prevent one from seeing the obvious? How is the criminal able to predict
such negligence?
Answer. Evans was a smart and perceptive criminal. He hadassessed the weaknesses of the jail
officers successfully. Stephen was new recruit to the prison set up. When he saw the injured Mcleery
in the cell he was so overwhelmed that he did not even check who he really was and neither did
anyone else. It did not occur to anyone to question how there could there be two persons – one in the
cell and the other who had been escorted out by Stephens. It was for this very reason that friends of
Evans, who, posing as the Governor on the phone, have directed Stephens that he himself should
escort the parson out, when the exam is finished. The Governor and his officers, in effect actually lead
Evans out of the prison. The question paper is left behind to mislead the Governor. This shows that
Evans the criminal had enough time to study the behavior patterns of the jail officers and plan their
strategy well.
4. While we condemn the crime, we are sympathetic to the criminal. Is this the reason why prison staff
often develops a soft corner for those in custody?
Answer. ‘Crime’ and ‘criminals’ are usually considered synonymous. However, our perception
changes when we see a criminal suffering or serving his punishment. This is what happens with the
prison staff. Noticing a criminal suffer in the prison, they unwittingly develop a soft corner for him in
their hearts. They look at him as a human being and not as a mere criminal. They start noticing and
appreciating their mental capabilities rather than just remembering their crime.
In the story, Jackson lets Evans keep his hat after knowing that he considered it to be his lucky charm.
Evans knew of the emotional side of Jackson and so hit it directly through his talk about “lucky
charm”, and managed to fool the stern and practical officer. Even the Governor could not help noticing
his intelligence when he caught him in the hotel. Thus, he was not cruel or stern with Evans, and
regrettably, took him leniently.
 STUDY MATERIAL
MEMORIES OF MY CHILDHOOD
PREPARED BY -MANOJ KUMAR YADAV
PGT ENGLISH
KV SHEOPUR

LONG ANSWER QUESTIONS

Q1. How did Bama’s brother explain the elder’s behaviour to her? What was her
immediate reaction?

Ans. Bama’s elder brother, Annan, told her that the big man was not being funny when he
carried the package by the string for his landlord. The upper caste people believed that others
must not touch them. If they did so, they (people belonging to upper caste) would be polluted.
That was why he did not touch the contents but held the packet by its string. Bama didn’t want to
laugh any more now. She felt terribly sad. She could not understand how the vadai, first wrapped
in a banana leaf and then parcelled in a paper, would become disgusting if one of them held that
package in his hands. She felt so provoked and angry that she wanted to touch those vadais
herself straightaway. She wondered why they had to fetch and carry for these people. She was
infuriated that an important elder of theirs went meekly to the shops to fetch snacks and then
handed them over reverently, bowing and shrinking to the fellow who sat there and stuffed them
in his mouth. She felt that they too were human beings. Their people should not do petty jobs for
the miserly rich upper castes. They should work in their fields, take home their wages and leave it at
that.
Q2. Why did Zitkala-Sa feel oppressed in new establishment?
Ans. Since the day, the author was taken away from her mother, she had suffered extreme
indignities. People had stared at her. She had been tossed about in the air like a wooden puppet.
Her blanket had been removed from her shoulders. She felt that she was immodestly dressed.
She was so shocked and oppressed that she felt like sinking to the floor. Later, her soft
moccasins were taken away. These were the traditional footwear of the local Indian American.
They were replaced by squeaking shoes. She saw other Indian girls in stiff shoes and tightly
sticking dresses. The small girls wore sleeved aprons and shingled hair. The worst indignity she
suffered was the cutting of her long hair. The coward’s shingled hair made her moan with
anguish. She felt she was not a human being but one of the little animals driven by a herder. The
systematic erosion of their culture and disrespect to women was quite oppressive.
SHORT ANSWER QUESTIONS
1.THE CUTTING OF MY LONG HAIR
1.How did Zitkala Sa ‘s first day in the land of apples begin?
It was a bitterly cold day.The snow had covered the ground,A large bell rang for
breakfast.There was a clatter of shoes on bare floors.A pale face woman placed
Zitkala Sa in a line of girls.All of them marched into the dining room.

2. What does ‘eating by formula ‘mean?

All students stood by their chairs in dining hall.The tap of a small bell was heard.The
pupils took their seats on the chairs.There was another bell.A man at one end of
the hall said some words while the pupils hung their heads over their plates.When
the man stopped his mutterings ,there was a third bell.Now everyone picked up
their knife and fork and began to eat.Zitkala Sa called it ‘eating by formula’.

WE TOO ARE HUMAN BEINGS

3.When did Bama first come to know of the social discrimination faced by the people
of her community?
Bama saw an elder of her community carrying a packet of vadais by its string.The
packet was for the landlord.For Bama,it was a funny sight.But her brother told her
that they were not supposed to touch the upper caste people.It was only then that
Bama knew of the social discrimination faced by their community.
.
MCQS
Q1- Who is the author of the lesson Memories of childhood?
A) Zitkala-Sa and Bama B) Emily Brontë C) Charles Dickens D) None
Ans. A
Q2- What does the story present?
A) An autobiography of the author B) An autobiography of a man
C) An autobiographical episode from the lives of two women D) None
Ans. C
Q3.We have to submit because they are strong’. These words were said by
(a) Zitkala-Sa (b) Judewin (c) Marry-Ann (d) Christine
Ans.B
Q4.What was the name of the school where Zitkala studied?
(a) Carlisle Indian school (b) Carlisle Western school
(c) Carlisle Indonesian school (d) Carlisle American school
Ans. A
Q5.What was Bama victim of?
(a) gender prejudice (b) violence (c) child abuse (d) caste system
Ans . D

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