The Tale of Melon City Extra Questions and Answers Class 11 English Snapshots

Here we are providing The Tale of Melon City Extra Questions and Answers Class 11 English Snapshots, Extra Questions for Class 11 English was designed by subject expert teachers.

The Tale of Melon City Extra Questions and Answers Class 11 English Snapshots

The Tale of Melon City Horse Extra Questions and Answers Short Answer Type

Question 1.
Many people are mentioned in the poem. Who do you find the most humorous other than the king?
Answer:
The wisest man who ordered the arch to be hanged. The wisest is the most stupid or humorous.

Question 2.
What did the workmen say in their defence when the king ordered them to be hanged?
Answer:
When the king ordered them to be hanged, the workmen blamed the masons.

Question 3.
Why did the king order that the chief of builders be hanged?
Answer:
The king ordered the chief of builders to be hanged because the arch was low. The king’s crown got knocked off as he passed under the arch.

Question 4.
Who did the chief of builders blame?
Answer:
The chief of builders blamed the workmen (labourers).

Question 5.
Show how the blame for the arch was transferred from person to person.
Answer:
The chief of builders blamed the workmen. The workmen blamed the masons. The masons blamed the architect. The architect said the king himself had made alterations.

Question 6.
Who was the wisest man? What did he say?
Answer:
The oldest man of the city was considered to be the wisest. He said that the arch should be hanged.

Question 7.
Why did the King succumb to the public demand? What was the criterion for choosing a man to be hanged? Who was found fit?
Answer:
A man had to be hanged because the public expected it. The people were restless and angry. Any man who fitted the gallows would be hanged. The king was hanged because he fitted the noose.

Question 8.
Why did the king order that someone must be hanged immediately?
Answer:
The king ordered that someone must be hanged immediately because the nation wanted a hanging. Finer points like guilt need not to be considered before someone must be hanged.

Question 9.
How was the new king chosen?
Answer:
The new king was chosen at the word of the next man who entered the city gate. He happened to be an idiot.

Question 10.
Why did the idiot say “A melon”? What was its consequence?
Answer:
An idiot was asked who should be the king. ‘A melon’ was the idiot’s standard answer to all questions one asked. As a consequence a melon was crowned the king of the city.

Question 11.
Why were the people happy with their Melon King?
Answer:
The people were happy because the king did not really rule. He allowed the people to do what they wanted to do. Therefore they enjoyed peace and liberty and were happy.

Question 12.
Give two instances each of humour and irony from the poem ‘The Tale of Melon City’.
Answer:
Humour

  • The king built an arch to improve the morals of the people.
  • The method of selecting the king.

Irony

  • The king himself had to be hanged.
  • In order to maintain harmony in the state the king ought to be without intelligence or will, like a melon.

Question 13.
What did the common people feel about a melon king?
Answer:
The commoners were satisfied with the melon king. They were rather happy because the king did not interfere with their lives.

Question 14.
Vikram Seth has made brilliant use of irony in The Tale of Melon City. Give three examples of it.
Answer:
The three examples of irony are:

  • The old man is the wisest. Age does not necessarily make a person wise.
  • A king who does not govern (The Melon King) is the best.
  • The King himself was hanged by his own orders.

Question 15.
Justify the title of the poem ‘The Tale of Melon City.
Answer:
‘Melon City’ was ruled by a melon. Melon was an ungoverning king. Events leading up to this have been described. Melon City is governed by a non-governing figure. People of the city are happy. The title is satirical but appropriate.

Question 16.
Did you enjoy reading the poem? Write about any two points which contributed to your enjoyment.
Answer:
Yes, certainly the poem is enjoyable. The passing of the blame and the selection of a new king are important points of interest. It makes the story more interesting. Providing a folk flavour to the narration.

Question 17.
Comment upon the verse form used for narration in the poem ‘The Tale of Melon City’.
Answer:
The couplet form has been used for narration in the poem. The couplet is a set of two rhyming lines.

Question 18.
What is the principle of‘Laissez Faire’? How is it established in the poem ‘The Tale of Melon City’?
Answer:
It is the principle regarding governance. Government should not interfere in the lives of the ordinary people. Government should let people live their own life.

Question 19.
Why did the king order the construction of an arch? Does it tell you something about the tone of the poem?
Answer:
The tone of the poem is satirical. The king ordered the construction of an arch for ‘edification’’ or improvement of mind and morals of people.

The Tale of Melon City Horse Extra Questions and Answers Long Answer Type

Question 1.
Narrate ‘The Tale of Melon City’ in your own words, highlighting its message.
Answer:
The Melon City
A king ordered an arch to be constructed to ‘edify’ the people. The arch was low and the king lost his crown when he passed under it. The king ordered the execution of the chief of the builders, but the latter blamed of the workers. The workers laid the blame on the bricks because they were of the wrong size. So the masons were called. They blamed the architect, but the architect said that the king himself had made some alterations.

At this the king sought the counsel of the wisest and oldest man in the country, who advised that the arch should be hanged. The arch was not hanged because it had touched His Majesty’s head. The king said that they will hang whoever fitted the gallows. By chance, the king himself fitted best and was hanged. The king’s ministers decided that the next man who passed the City Gate would be their king.

As it happened, an idiot was the next man to pass the City Gate. He said a ‘melon’ should be the king. So the ministers crowned a melon and the people were happy. As a political satire it brings out the absurdity of people as well as the king in a humorous way. The poet Vikram Seth has successfully portrayed the typical blame game played out by the powerful people, and the poor and idiotic governance by the king and his ministers.

Question 2.
Discuss ‘The Tale of Melon City’ as a humorous as well as an ironical poem with the help of examples from the poem.
Answer:
‘The Tale of Melon City’ is truly a very humorous as well as an ironical poem. It is humorous that the arch was constructed to ‘edify’ people. The oldest man of the city was considered to be the wisest, which is both ironical and humorous. It was ordered that whosoever fitted the gallous shall die, which again humorous. Then, it is highly funny and unbelievable that the king himself was hanged because the blame fell on him.

The selection of the new king, a melon, is extremely humorous. It is highly ironical how one can order death sentence for a minor offence. The King himself was so indecisive. Then, the process of selection of the new king adds both to the humour and irony. Finally, it is seen that people were living happily under a king who did not govern. The whole poem revolves around fun and laughter.

Question 3.
How did the city come to be named Melon City? Describe the events that led to its naming.
Answer:
The king of a city ordered an arch to be made which, on completion, was found to be too low. When the king rode under this arch, he lost his crown due to its low height.

The king ordered the chief builder to be hanged but the latter pointed out that it was someone else’s fault. This blame game went on till it was found that the king himself had to be hanged by his own order. The city was without a king after the king’s execution.

The ministers decided that the next man to pass the city gate would be their king. As it happened the next man to pass was an idiot. He said that a melon should be king. He said so because he was very fond of melons. The ministers put a melon on the throne. Thereafter the city was known as Melon City.

Question 4.
‘The Tale of Melon City’ consists of a series of humorous incidents. Describe the events that led to the hanging of the king by his own order.
Answer:
A king ordered an arch to be constructed to ‘edify’ the people. The arch was low and the king lost his crown when he passed under it. The king ordered the execution of the chief of the builders, but the latter said it the was the fault of the workers. The workers laid the blame on the bricks because they were of the wrong size.

So the masons were called. They blamed the architect, but the architect said that the king himself had made some alterations. At this the king sought the counsel of the wisest man in the country. The oldest man alive was brought and he advised that the arch should be hanged. The arch was not hanged because it had touched His Majesty’s head. The king said that because the nation wanted a hanging they will hang whoever fitted the gallows. By chance, the king himself fitted best and was hanged.

Question 5.
Which part of the poem do you find most humorous? Narrate the incident and say what part it plays in the story.
Answer:
In my opinion, the most humorous part is the selection of a new king. The last of the incidents where the ministers decide that whoever will be able to pass the city gates would be hailed as their king. As luck would have it, the man who passed the gate was an idiot who was extremely fond of melons.

For every question asked, his answer would be ‘melon’. On asking, who should be the king, he said that a ‘melon’ should be the king. So it was! The ministers promptly put the melon on the throne and accepted it as their king. The ‘Melon’ becomes crucial to the story as the city comes to be known as the ‘Melon City.’

Question 6.
‘The Tale of Melon City’ tells the story of a king who either does not govern or misgoverns. It is a satire on a ruler who has no concern for justice or welfare of the people in his kingdom, blame gets shifted from one to the other.
Do you think the poem echoes the misgovernance prevailing in modern India? Write an essay in 100 words giving your suggestions of what steps the people and the government need to take to put the country on the track of progress and growth.
Answer:
Does the ‘Melon City’ reflect the state of the Indian nation? Is there no concern for justice or welfare of people? Are these people happy with the king/government that does not govern?

The answer to the first two questions is “Yes”, to the last, a big “NO”. Decades of free India have rarely seen bright spots of good governance. The evils of misgovernance are all there. Corruptio’n, inflation, crime, sinking economy, exploitation of natural resources are the various faces of misgovernance and non-governance.

But not any more. People have had enough. Everyone wants a change. Every new face when it appears brings hope, which is invariably belied. In a democracy, people get a chance to change their rulers or law makers every five years.

People with a record of clean service are now entering politics, as candidates from political families have proved to be failures. The honest public servant gets the support of the common people. The judiciary stands for the right and the correct. Most powerful of all is the media. It spreads awareness among people.
Indians do not wish to be governed by a ‘Melon King’ any more.

NCERT Solutions for Class 11 English Snapshots

The Ghat of the Only World Extra Questions and Answers Class 11 English Snapshots

Here we are providing The Ghat of the Only World Extra Questions and Answers Class 11 English Snapshots, Extra Questions for Class 11 English was designed by subject expert teachers.

The Ghat of the Only World Extra Questions and Answers Class 11 English Snapshots

The Ghat of the Only World Extra Questions and Answers Short Answer Type

Question 1.
Why has the narrator mentioned 25th April 2001?
Answer:
Shahid first spoke about his approaching death to the author on 25th April, 2001. It was in a routine conversation when he mentioned he could not see anything and whether it meant he was dying.

Question 2.
Why did Agha Shahid Ali want Ghosh to write about him?
Answer:
Agha Shahid Ali wanted Ghosh to write about him after his death because he wanted to be known and remembered through the written word not merely but through spoken memories of friendship and time shared together.

Question 3.
What did Shahid ask the narrator to do for him? Why did he make this request?
Answer:
Shahid asked the narrator to write about him when he was dead. The narrator was shocked and tried to say usual comforting things. Shahid laughed and ignored his words, the narrator understood he was serious. Shahid wanted to be remembered through the written word. Shahid knew the narrator would avoid writing and therefore wanted a promise while there was still time. The narrator promised.

Question 4.
Write about any two interests that the narrator and Shahid shared.
Answer:
There was an atmosphere of festivity in the gatherings at Shahid’s house, it has been said that he was the centre of a perpetual carnival. The narrator and Shahid had several common interests. They both liked poetry, had common friends, were fond of good food and music. They both disliked cricket. All these interests became very poignant because Shahid’s condition was already serious when they became friends.

Question 5.
What was the plan for an ‘adda’ hatched by the narrator and his friends?
Answer:
‘Adda’ is a gathering with no fixed agenda other than a friendly interaction. The narrator, Shahid and their friends decided that they should get together often. They used to enjoy poetry, good food and music. He was usually the host, many poets and writers joined him. Once a television crew came with a camera and was welcome. Addas were synonymous with good times and warm intellectual get-together. They took place because of Shahid’s gregariousness.

Question 6.
In spite of having lived in the United States for many years, show how Kashmir was still alive in Shahid’s heart.
Answer:
In spite of having lived in the United States for many years. Shahid had immense love for Kashmir. He used to visit Kashmir often in order to see his parents. He also wrote about Kashmir. He would get Kashmiri food cooked at home. He also wanted to die in Kashmir.

Question 7.
What kind of music did Shahid like?
Answer:
Shahid liked the music of Roshnara Begum and Kishore Kumar. He loved the gazals of Begum Akhtar. He had met her when he was in his teens. She was a great influence on his life.

Question 8.
What were Shahid’s views on religion?
Answer:
Shahid respected religion and believed that religion and politics should not be mingled. He was broadminded and wished to include all religions. He had a broadminded upbringing. When he was a child, his mother had helped him set up a temple in their house.

Question 9.
Give an example to show that Shahid was broad-minded in religious matters.
Answer:
Shahid was broadminded and wished to include all religions. He had a broadminded upbringing. When-he was a child, his mother had helped him set up a temple in their house.

Question 10.
What do you know of Shahid as a teacher?
Answer:
Shahid taught at several colleges in the United States. He taught at Penn University, where he ‘grew’ as a poet and a reader. Later Shahid taught at Arizona where he met James Merill. He also took a degree in creative writing, then taught at Hamilton College, University of Massachusetts at Amherst and at University of Utah as Professor and briefly at New York University. He also taught at Manhattan’s Baruch College in the Spring Semester of 2000. The students adored him. They dedicated a magazine to him.

Question 11.
What is the ‘ghat’ described in this essay?
Answer:
Shahid’s apartment overlooked the East River showcasing a view of Manhattan skyline. Brooklyn waterfront slipped into the East River like the steps of a ‘Ghat’ leading to a river. This view he called a ‘ghat’. His farewell poem contained the line ‘I dream I am the Ghat of the Only World’. ‘Being at the Ghat’ meant that he was slipping away towards death.

Question 12.
How did James Merrill influence Shahid’s work?
Answer:
Shahid met Merill while at Arizona where Shahid took a degree in creative writing. Merill influenced him greatly and changed the direction of his poetry. He started writing in strict metrical forms and patterns.

Question 13.
What was the style of the writing of The Country Without a Post Office?
Answer:
The Country Without a Post Office is a collection of Shahid’s poems published in 1997. It is quite impressive. The voice of the poet was disciplined but lyrical, engaged and yet deeply inward. It is not prose like as modern poetry is. The style and words are deeply poetic.

Question 14.
What do the words ‘Shahid’ and ‘Shahid’ mean? How did the narrator’s friend live both these meanings in his life?
Answer:
Shahid (pronounced Shahid) means a witness. Shahid (pronounced Shaheed) means a martyr. The poet Shahid was both. As a witness, he saw and was pained at the destiny of Kashmir. In his poetic images, death, Kashmir and Shahid/Shaheed are interwoven.

Question  15.
Why did Shahid say for himself, “A National poet may be, but not a nationalist poet”?
Answer:
National poet means a representative poet of his native land, expressing its culture and spirit. Shahid was a poet of this type. ‘Nationalist’ poet has a political meaning. His vision was never political.

Question  16.
“Shahid had a sorcerer’s ability to transmute the mundane into the magical.” Bring out the truth of this statement.
Answer:
Shahid had gone to the hospital to undergo a surgical procedure to relieve the pressure on his brain. After the procedure, he insisted he would walk out of the ward but couldn’t. He collapsed but when the wheelchair came he became jovial. He told the Eucadorian hospital attendant that he wanted to learn Spanish. His jovial remark changed that tense moment to a jovial one.

Question 17.
‘The Ghat of the Only World’ is a befitting tribute paid by Amitav Ghosh to Agha Shahid Ali. Validate with reference to the lesson.
Answer:
Ghosh has given a comprehensive picture of the personality of Agha Shahid Ali as well as a warm account of their relationship. In the story Amitav Ghosh has highlighted Shahid, his career, his likes and dislikes, his gregariousness and hospitality. Amitav Ghosh also shares his relationship with Shahid. They shared interests in literature, music and food.

Question 18.
“Shahid was legendary in his prowess in the kitchen.” Write about this aspect of his personality with suitable examples.
Answer:
Shahid was extremely fond of good food. He made it a point to serve choice dishes to his friends. He would spend days planning meals. He himself gave instructions about the preparation in the kitchen.

The Ghat of the Only World Extra Questions and Answers Long Answer Type

Question 1.
The journey from the foyer of Shahid’s building to his door was a voyage between continents. Show how this is true.
Answer:
For the narrator, the journey from the foyer of Shahid’s building to his door was a voyage between continents. The narrator made this remark in the context to the fragrance of good food that invaded the elevator and transformed the United States into India. The aroma of rogan josh and haak would invade the door, grey interior of the elevator. The foyer was the United States, but by the time one reached Shahid’s door, fragrance of food, tea, songs in the background and endless mela of talk, laughter, food and poetry would transform it into India (Kashmir). Shahid would personally take care of the meal being cooked and used to give his instructions and directions to the cooks.

Question 2.
Trace Shahid’s career as a teacher in the United States.
Answer:
Shahid taught at several colleges in the United States. He taught at Penn University — where he ‘grew’ as a poet and a reader. This was the happiest time of his life. He became associated with a vibrant group of students — many Indians among them. Later Shahid taught at Arizona where he met James Merill. He also took a degree in creative writing, then he taught at Hamilton College, University of Massachusetts at Amherst and at University of Utah as Professor and briefly at New York University. He also taught at Manhattan’s Baruch College in the Spring Semester of 2000. The students adored him. They dedicated a magazine to him.

Question 3.
Comment on the title ‘The Ghat of the Only World’.
Answer:
The title ‘The Ghat of the Only World’ is the most appropriate one for this story. It is connected to the protagonist Shahid—an Indian Kashmiri poet living in the United States. Shahid’s apartment overlooked the East River showcasing the view of Manhattan skyline. Shahid loved the view of the Brooklyn waterfront slipping, like a ghat, into the East River, under the glittering lights of Manhattan. The journey from the foyer of Shahid’s building to his door was a voyage between continents.

In his farewell poem, Shahid most explicitly prefigured his own death. One of the lines of this poem contained, ‘I Dream I Am At the Ghat of the Only World’. In this line, ‘Being At the Ghat’ meant that time was slipping by and with each passing day, he was getting closer to death. So, throughout, the story emphasizes and stress has been laid on the word ‘Ghat’. There could not have been a better title than this.

Question 4.
Shahid, was ‘the centre of a perpetual carnival’. Explain.
Answer:
There was an atmosphere of festivity in the gatherings at Shahid’s house. It has been said that he was the centre of a perpetual carnival; the narrator and Shahid had several common interests. Some of them were poetry, common friends, good food and music. They both disliked cricket. All these interests became very poignant because Shahid’s condition was already serious when they became friends.

Adda is a gathering with no fixed agenda other than a friendly interaction. The narrator, Shahid and their friends, decided they should get together often. They used to enjoy poetry, good food and music. He was usually the host and would invite many poets and writers. Once a television crew came with a’ camera and was welcome. Addas were synonymous with good times and warm intellectual get-together. They took place because of Shahid’s gregariousness.

NCERT Solutions for Class 11 English Snapshots

The Adventure Extra Questions and Answers Class 11 English Hornbill

Here we are providing The Adventure Extra Questions and Answers Class 11 English Hornbill, Extra Questions for Class 11 English was designed by subject expert teachers.

The Adventure Extra Questions and Answers Class 11 English Hornbill

The Adventure Extra Questions and Answers Short Answer Type

Question 1.
What was Gangadharpant’s experience in the Azad Maidan? Did it have any effect on his life?
Answer:
Gangadharpant was keen to address the people at Azad Maidan. He spoke as if he was presiding over a public meeting. People did not allow him to speak. This happened in the freak ‘adventure’ that he lived through. As a result, he decided in his real life never to preside over any public function or to address a gathering.

Question 2.
Why do you think Prof. Gaitonde decided never to preside over meetings again?
Answer:
Prof. Gaitonde decided never to preside over meetings again as he had a bitter experience at one of the lectures going on in the Azad Maidan.

Question 3.
Who was Professor Gaitonde? Why was he surprised to see the name of East India Company on an imposing building in Bombay?
Answer:
Prof. Gaitonde was a history professor living in Poona in the 20th century. He was surprised to see the name of East India Company on a building in Bombay because it belonged to the 18th and 19th centuries when the Company was ruling India. It did not exist in the present time.

Question 4.
What was a vital piece of evidence that Prof. Gaitonde had with him to show that he had really experienced a different reality?
Answer:
Prof. Gaitonde had a page from the history book Bhausahebanchi Bakhar that he was reading in the library in Bombay.

Question 5.
Gangadharpant could not help comparing the country he knew with what he was witnessing around him. Explain briefly.
Answer:
Mumbai was different. Gangadhar Pant saw the East India Building and mostly Anglo-Indians, Parsee. and British officers-Railway by the name of Greater Bombay Metropolitan, Railway Stations looked remarkably clean. He was living in the late 20th century. What he saw was India under the British.

Question 6.
What sights did Prof. Gaitonde encounter to feel that he was going to a different Bombay?
Answer:
Prof. Gaitonde feels that he was going to a different Bombay because the trains had marking of G.B.M.R with the Union Jack printed on them. The station looked neat and tidy. He could see British offices on the platform. There was also the building of East India company. He came across many shops and office buildings.

Question 7.
What important discovery did Prof. Gaitonde make on reading history books?
Answer:
Professor Gaitonde found that the Marathas had won the Third Battle of Panipat and that was a turning point in India’s history.

Question 8.
Why was the consequence of the Battle of Panipat important for the Peshwas?
Answer:
The victory established the supremacy of the Marathas in northern India and later over the rest of India East India Company was confined to some areas near Bombay, Calcutta and Madras.

Question 9.
How did the Peshwas keep in step with the changing times in the 20th century?
Answer:
The Peshwas kept apace with the changing times in the 20th century by setting up centres of science and technology. They were highly inspired by the West, India moved towards a democracy. For technology development, they also accepted help from the East India Company.

Question 10.
What information did Prof. Gaitonde get from ‘Bhausahebanchi Bakhar,‘?
Answer:
From ‘Bhausahebanchi Bakhar’, Prof. Gaitonde got the information about Vishwasroa. He got to know that Vishwasrao was not killed in the battle. Moreover, Vishaswasrao guided his horse to the battle.

Question 11.
How did Prof. Gaitonde behave in the Azad Maidan? Why did he behave so?
Answer:
Prof. Gaitonde went on the dais and sat on the unoccupied presidential chair. He refused to vacate and started speaking into the mike. He behaved so because he was drawn by the empty chair.

Question 12.
What is ‘the catastrophe theory’?
Answer:
Catastrophe Theory means ‘a critical event’ which happens in a different way. This changes the entire course of history.

Question 13.
How did ‘the catastrophe theory’ work in the battle of Panipat?
Answer:
Catastrophe Theory in Panipat is that Vishwasrao did not die. Marathas won the battle. As a result, Marathas became the dominant power, the British were contained.

Question 14.
What have we been told about the quantum theory in the story ‘The Adventure’?
Answer:
Because of the lack of determinism in quantum theory, the bullet missed Vishwasrao and the Marathas were victorious.

Question 15.
Why was Prof. Gaitonde going to Bombay?
Answer:
Professor Gaitonde was going to Bombay to read history books and to find out how the present state of affairs was reached.

Question 16.
Who was Professor Gaitonde? Why was he surprised to see the name of East India Company on an imposing building in Bombay?
Answer:
Prof. Gaitonde was a professor of history in Puna. He lived in independent India. He was surprised to see the name of East India Company, as it had been wound up after 1857.

The Adventure Extra Questions and Answers Long Answer Type

Question 1.
‘Gangadharpant had not been to this Bombay before.’ Show how this Bombay is different from the one he knew.
Answer:
Bombay had completely changed for Gangadharpant. The Bombay he now visited had the trains that now paned through the suburban rail traffic. The blue carriages had the marking of G.B.M.R with the Union Jack printed on them. The station looked remarkably neat and clean. The staff included mainly Anglo-Indians and Parsees along with a few British officers. There was an imposing building of the East India Company. Walking about Hornby Road, Gangadharpant could find a different set of shops and office buildings. The British rule was prevalent only in Bombay. All the other parts of the nation were not under the rule of The British.

Question 2.
Gangadharpant was able to find the precise moment ‘where history had taken a different turn for India’. What was this moment? How did it affect India and the Indian people?
Answer:
The precise moment where history had taken a different turn for India was the moment when Gangadharpant learnt that Marathas had won the Third Battle of Panipat. Their victory in the battle was not only a great morale booster to the Marathas but it also established their supremacy in northern India.

It was also clear that Vishwasrao was not killed in the battle. To its dismay, the East India Company met its match in the new Maratha ruler, Vishwasrao. He and his brother, Madhavrao, combined political acumen and expanded their influence all over India. The East India Company was reduced to pockets of influence near Bombay, Calcutta and Madras, just like its European rivals, the Portugese and the French.

Question 3.
How did Rajendra Deshpande explain Gangadhar Pant’s experience? Write in detail.
Answer:
Prof. Rajendra explained Prof. Gaitonde’s theory on the basis of catastrophe theory and the lack of determinism in the quantum theory. He applied catastrophe theory to the Battle of Panipat. Both the armies were’well-equipped, so, a lot depended on the leadership and the morale of the troops. He said that the point at which Vishwasrao was killed proved to be the turning point. Whether he was killed in the battle or survived was not known that time.

But, the troops were in constant stress of losing their crucial leaders. They lost their morale and fighting spirit. Now, when the bullet missed Vishwarao, the battle took the other way, and the troops felt encouraged. It boosted their morale and they applied a lot of efforts to lion the battle.

This happened due to the lack of determinism in quantum theory which means that you cannot predict the behavior of anything, even the outcome may be vasthy different. Prof. Gaitonde was able to experience a different reality because he made a transition to the other India where the Marathas had won the Battle of Panipat. The transition occurred because at the moment of the collision, Prof. Gaitonde was thinking of the catastrophe Theory and the Battle of Panipat.

Question 4.
Gangadharpant could not help comparing the country he knew with what he was witnessing around him. Explain briefly.
Answer:
Mumbai, that Gangadharpant was familiar of was completely different when the train stopped beyond the long tunnel, at a small station called Sarhad, Gangadharpant was stunned to see an Anglo-Indian in uniform checking permits. He got to know that this was the place from where the British rule began.

For Gandadharpant, this was the new Mumbai. When the train paned through the Suburban rail traffic, he noticed blue carriages with the marking, GBMR and the tiny Union Jack painted on each carriage. The station looked so spick and span. The staff included Anglo-Indians and Parsees along with some British officers. He also noticed the building to be East India Company along with some different shops and office buildings. Bombay was now completely under the influence of British rule.

NCERT Solutions for Class 11 English Hornbill Prose

Childhood Extra Questions and Answers Class 11 English Hornbill

Here we are providing Childhood Extra Questions and Answers Class 11 English Hornbill, Extra Questions for Class 11 English was designed by subject expert teachers.

Childhood Extra Questions and Answers Class 11 English Hornbill

Childhood Extra Questions and Answers Short Answer Type

Question 1.
How does the rain describe itself in the poem ‘The Voice of the Rain’?
Answer:
The rain describes itself as the ‘poem’ of the earth.

Question 2.
Who are the speakers in the poem? Which lines give you this information?
Answer:
The poet and the rain.
And who art thou? said I to the soft-failing shower,
Which, strange to tell, gave me an answer, as here translated:
lam the Poem of Earth, said the voice of the rain,

Question 3.
To what does Whitman compare the formation of rain and why?
Answer:
Walt Whitman compares rain to a song. The rain forms in the sea and the earth and returns with love just as a song issues from the singer and returns to him with love from the listeners.

Question 4.
Why does the rain descend ‘on the earth’?
Answer:
Rain descends on the earth to wash off the drought, remove the dust and dirt and clean and purify the earth. It comes down to germinate the seeds lying on the ground.

Question 5.
Explain “I give life to my own origin” in the poem ‘The Voice of the Rain’.
Or
How does rain give back life to its own origin?
Or
Why does the rain say, “I give back life to my own origin”?
Answer:
The rain falls to the earth where it rose from. The falling of rain gives life to seeds and plants which support all life on the planet.

Question 6.
What is the parallel drawn between rain and music in the poem ‘The Voice of the Rain’?
Or
There is a parallel drawn between rain and music in the poem ‘The Voice of the Rain’. Explain.
Answer:
Rain and music are similar because they return to the place of their origin and spread happiness all round. Rain returns to the earth and brings new life and happiness. The pleasure created by music enriches the singer with love and admiration of the listeners.

Question 7.
What does the rain do to the earth?
Answer:
As the rain descends on the earth, it settles the dust on its way. It washes the earth, infuses life into the sepds, makes the earth clean and beautiful by generating life into the latent seeds.

Question 8.
What does the voice of the rain say in the poem?
Answer:
The rain says that it is the Poem of the earth. It rises up in the air, gets vapourised and then falls again as rain. During this process, it washes and brings life to Earth.

Question 9.
How do rain and song make the places of their birth more beautiful?
Answer:
Both rain and the song make their places of birth more beautiful—the rain washes the earth and creates life on it. The song gives pleasure to the singer and brings him appreciation.

Childhood Extra Questions and Answers Reference-to-context

Read the extracts given below.

Question 1.
And who art thou? said I to the soft-failing shower,
Which, strange to tell, gave me an answer, as here translated:
I am the Poem of Earth, said the voice of the rain.
Eternal I rise impalpable out of the land and the bottomless sea…

Answer the following.

(i) These lines have been taken from ………………… composed by …………………..
(ii) “I am the Poem of Earth” was spoken by ……………………
(iii) ‘It’ rises from the land and the ocean. [True/False]
Answer
(i) ‘The Voice of the Rain’; Walt Whitman:
(ii) The voice of the rain
(iii) True

Question 2.
And who art thou? said I to the soft falling shower,
Which, strange to tell, gave me an answer, as here translated:
I am the poem of Earth, said the voice of the rain,
Eternal I rise impalpable out of the land and the bottomless sea.

Answer the following.

(i) T here refers to ……………..
(ii) The rain describes itself as …………………….
(iii) ……………. is the figure of speech used in these lines.
Answer:
(i) the rain
(ii) The poem of Earth
(iii) Personification

Question 3.
And who art thou? said I to the soft-falling shower,
Which, strange to tell, gave me an answer as here translated:
I am the Poem of Earth, said the voice of the rain

Answer the following.

(i) The lines have been composed by ………………
(ii) ‘I’ refers to in the third line of this extract.
(iii) The expression “Poem of Earth” means the rain is as beautiful as a poem. [True/False]
Answer:
(i) Walt Whitman
(ii) The Voice of the Rain
(iii) True

Question 4.
I am the Poem of Earth, said the voice of the rain,
Eternal I rise impalpable out of the land and the bottomless sea.
Upward to heaved vaguely form’d altogether changed whence and yet the same.

Answer the following.

(i) The sources of rain are …………….
(ii) The poetic device used in the last line of the extract is …………………
(iii) Find a word from the extract that means ‘that cannot be felt physically’.
Answer:
(i) the land and the sea
(ii) oxymoron
(iii) impalpable

Question 5.
I descend to lave the droughts, atomies, dust-layers of
the globe,
And all that in them without me were seeds only, latent,
unborn;
And forever, by day and night, I give back life to my
own origin,
And make pure and beautify it;

Answer the following.

(i) ‘I’ on descending washes the dust away and gives life to …………….
(ii) ‘I’ causes the seeds ……………….
(iii) The last line means that the rain washes the earth clean and makes it beautiful by covering it with plants. [True/False]
Answer:
(i) the earth.
(ii) to germinate.
(iii) True

Question 6.
And forever, by day and night, I give back life to my own origin,
And make pure and beautify it;
(For song, issuing from its birthplace, after fulfilment, wandering
Reck’d or unreck’d, duly with love returns.)

Answer the following.

(i) ‘I’ gives life to its origin by causing the seeds
(ii) The rain has been compared to a song because like the song it makes the place of its origin beautiful. [True/False]
(iii) The last two lines mean that the song is not loved and admired by people. [True/False]
Answer:
(i) to germinate
(ii) True
(iii) False

NCERT Solutions for Class 11 English Hornbill Poem

The Voice of the Rain Extra Questions and Answers Class 11 English Hornbill

The Voice of the Rain Extra Questions and Answers Class 11 English Hornbill

Here we are providing The Voice of the Rain Extra Questions and Answers Class 11 English Hornbill, Extra Questions for Class 11 English was designed by subject expert teachers.

The Voice of the Rain Extra Questions and Answers Class 11 English Hornbill

The Voice of the Rain Extra Questions and Answers Short Answer Type

Question 1.
How does the rain describe itself in the poem ‘The Voice of the Rain’?
Answer:
The rain describes itself as the ‘poem’ of the earth.

The Voice of the Rain Extra Questions and Answers

Question 2.
Who are the speakers in the poem? Which lines give you this information?
Answer:
The poet and the rain.
And who art thou? said I to the soft-failing shower,
Which, strange to tell, gave me an answer, as here translated:
lam the Poem of Earth, said the voice of the rain,

The Voice of the Rain Extra Question and Answer

Question 3.
To what does Whitman compare the formation of rain and why?
Answer:
Walt Whitman compares rain to a song. The rain forms in the sea and the earth and returns with love just as a song issues from the singer and returns to him with love from the listeners.

Question 4.
Why does the rain descend ‘on the earth’?
Answer:
Rain descends on the earth to wash off the drought, remove the dust and dirt and clean and purify the earth. It comes down to germinate the seeds lying on the ground.

Question 5.
Explain “I give life to my own origin” in the poem ‘The Voice of the Rain’.
Or
How does rain give back life to its own origin?
Or
Why does the rain say, “I give back life to my own origin”?
Answer:
The rain falls to the earth where it rose from. The falling of rain gives life to seeds and plants which support all life on the planet.

Question 6.
What is the parallel drawn between rain and music in the poem ‘The Voice of the Rain’?
Or
There is a parallel drawn between rain and music in the poem ‘The Voice of the Rain’. Explain.
Answer:
Rain and music are similar because they return to the place of their origin and spread happiness all round. Rain returns to the earth and brings new life and happiness. The pleasure created by music enriches the singer with love and admiration of the listeners.

Question 7.
What does the rain do to the earth?
Answer:
As the rain descends on the earth, it settles the dust on its way. It washes the earth, infuses life into the sepds, makes the earth clean and beautiful by generating life into the latent seeds.

Question 8.
What does the voice of the rain say in the poem?
Answer:
The rain says that it is the Poem of the earth. It rises up in the air, gets vapourised and then falls again as rain. During this process, it washes and brings life to Earth.

Question 9.
How do rain and song make the places of their birth more beautiful?
Answer:
Both rain and the song make their places of birth more beautiful—the rain washes the earth and creates life on it. The song gives pleasure to the singer and brings him appreciation.

The Voice of the Rain Extra Questions and Answers Reference-to-context

Read the extracts given below.

Question 1.

And who art thou? said I to the soft-failing shower,
Which, strange to tell, gave me an answer, as here translated:
I am the Poem of Earth, said the voice of the rain.
Eternal I rise impalpable out of the land and the bottomless sea…

Answer the following.

(i) These lines have been taken from ………………… composed by …………………..
(ii) “I am the Poem of Earth” was spoken by ……………………
(iii) ‘It’ rises from the land and the ocean. [True/False]
Answer
(i) ‘The Voice of the Rain’; Walt Whitman:
(ii) The voice of the rain
(iii) True

Question 2.
And who art thou? said I to the soft falling shower,
Which, strange to tell, gave me an answer, as here translated:
I am the poem of Earth, said the voice of the rain,
Eternal I rise impalpable out of the land and the bottomless sea.

Answer the following.

(i) T here refers to ……………..
(ii) The rain describes itself as …………………….
(iii) ……………. is the figure of speech used in these lines.
Answer:
(i) the rain
(ii) The poem of Earth
(iii) Personification

Question 3.
And who art thou? said I to the soft-falling shower,
Which, strange to tell, gave me an answer as here translated:
I am the Poem of Earth, said the voice of the rain

Answer the following.

(i) The lines have been composed by ………………
(ii) ‘I’ refers to in the third line of this extract.
(iii) The expression “Poem of Earth” means the rain is as beautiful as a poem. [True/False]
Answer:
(i) Walt Whitman
(ii) The Voice of the Rain
(iii) True

Question 3.
I am the Poem of Earth, said the voice of the rain,
Eternal I rise impalpable out of the land and the bottomless sea.
Upward to heaved vaguely form’d altogether changed whence and yet the same.

Answer the following.

(i) The sources of rain are …………….
(ii) The poetic device used in the last line of the extract is …………………
(iii) Find a word from the extract that means ‘that cannot be felt physically’.
Answer:
(i) the land and the sea
(ii) oxymoron
(iii) impalpable

Question 4.
I descend to lave the droughts, atomies, dust-layers of
the globe,
And all that in them without me were seeds only, latent,
unborn;
And forever, by day and night, I give back life to my
own origin,
And make pure and beautify it;

Answer the following.

(i) ‘I’ on descending washes the dust away and gives life to …………….
(ii) ‘I’ causes the seeds ……………….
(iii) The last line means that the rain washes the earth clean and makes it beautiful by covering it with plants. [True/False]
Answer:
(i) the earth.
(ii) to germinate.
(iii) True

Question 6.
And forever, by day and night, I give back life to my own origin,
And make pure and beautify it;
(For song, issuing from its birthplace, after fulfilment, wandering
Reck’d or unreck’d, duly with love returns.)

Answer the following.

(i) ‘I’ gives life to its origin by causing the seeds
(ii) The rain has been compared to a song because like the song it makes the place of its origin beautiful. [True/False]
(iii) The last two lines mean that the song is not loved and admired by people. [True/False]
Answer:
(i) to germinate
(ii) True
(iii) False

NCERT Solutions for Class 11 English Hornbill Poem

The Browning Version Extra Questions and Answers Class 11 English Hornbill

The Browning Version Extra Questions and Answers Class 11 English Hornbill

Here we are providing The Browning Version Extra Questions and Answers Class 11 English Hornbill, Extra Questions for Class 11 English was designed by subject expert teachers.

The Browning Version Extra Questions and Answers Class 11 English Hornbill

The Browning Version Extra Questions and Answers Short Answer Type

Question 1.
Why did Taplow go to school on the last day?
Answer:
Taplow teacher Mr Crocker-Harris had asked him to come to school as he had missed a day at school on account of illness. He had to compensate for that by going to school on the last day.

The Browning Version Questions and Answers

Question 2.
Why did Crocker-Harris not disclose Taplow’s result?
Answer:
Crocker-Harris did not disclose Taplow’s result because he wanted the latter to come to school even on the last day of the school. Taplow had missed some classes and needed to come to school to make up for the missed classes.

The Browning Version Hornbill Questions and Answers

Question 3.
For whom is Taplow waiting and why?
Answer:
Taplow is waiting for Crocker-Harris. Crocker-Harris had asked him to come to school even on the last day as he had missed his class one day due to sickness.

Question 4.
Why did Taplow go to school and did he respect Crocker-Harris?
Answer:
Yes, Taplow respected Crocker-Harris. He went to the school because he had to do extra work on the last day of the school. He had missed a day the previous week. So, on orders of Crocker-Harris, he had to compensate by going to school on the last day. He had gone out of respect for Crocker-Harris.

Question 5.
Why did Taplow have to stay back at school?
Answer:
As punishment from Crocker-Harris, Taplow had to do extra work for having missed a day of school.

Question 6.
Why is Taplow bitter?
Answer:
Taplow is bitter because he has been called to school on the last day. He would rather be playing golf.

Question 7.
Why is Taplow in school at 6.30 p.m. on the last day of school?
Answer:
Taplow has been called by Crocker-Harris to do extra time because he had missed a class earlier. Therefore, Taplow is in school on the evening of the last school day.

Question 8.
Why does Mr. Frank envy Mr. Crocker- Harris?
Answer:
Frank envies Crocker-Harris because of the respect students have for him in spite of the harsh discipline he imposes on them. Though Taplow is given the punishment of coming to school even on the last day, he defends his teacher by saying Crocker-Harris not a ‘sadist’. He says that that he rather likes his teacher.

Question 9.
Why could Taplow not understand Crocker’s joke? Why did then he laugh at it?
Answer:
Taplow could not understand Crocker-Harris joke because he had not read the book in question. He laughed just to humour Crocker-Harris.

Question 10.
What impression of Frank do you get as a teacher?
Answer:
Frank continues to talk and ask about Crocker-Harris but maintains the dignity of a teacher. When Taplow gets carried away and speaks a bit disrespectfully, Frank points it out. He seems to want to know what kind of a person Crocker-Harris is.

Question 11.
What does Taplow feel about Mr Crocker-Harris?
Answer:
Taplow does not like Crocker-Harris. He says ‘he’s hardly human’—but does not want to ‘cut’ or go away without permission. He feels Crocker-Harris is different from other teachers not being a sadist.

Question 12.
Where did Millie send Taplow? What was her purpose?
Answer:
Millie sent Taplow to get a prescription filled from a chemist’s shop. She wanted to free him from the obligation of waiting for her husband, Mr Crocker-Harris, who was going to be indefinitely late.

The Browning Version Extra Questions and Answers Long Answer Type

Question 1.
What kind of a teacher do you think was Crocker-Harris? Do you think Taplow hated him? Justify your answer on the basis of your reading of the play.
Answer:
As a teacher, Crocker-Harris is a strict-disciplinarian. He called Taplow even on the last day of school to make up for the missed class. He is fair with all his students, give marks according to what they deserve. He shows marks only on the day of result. He is strict but not a sadist. He is a teacher who abides by all the school rules.

Taplow has some resentment and anger for Mr. Crocker-Harris as he has been called for an extra class. He is also afraid of him. He thinks that Crocker-Harris is devoid of feelings. But, Taplow still respects him and likes him for being a man of his words and his discipline.

Question 2.
What impression do you form of Millie, the wife of Mr. Crocker-Harris?
Answer:
Millie, the wife of Mr. Crocker-Harris is very cool and easy-going. She is pretty surprised to see Taplow waiting for so long. She even remarks that she would have fled off by now. She suggests Taplow to run around and relax for sometime as Crocker-Harris will return after sometime. She is not that strict as compared to Mr. Crocker. At last, when Taplow is not ready to go, she hands over a prescription and asks Taplow to go to the chemist.

Question 3.
Mr Crocker-Harris commands respect from his students because of his discipline and fairness to students. Some lines of a teacher’s prayer run like this:
Teach me to feel another’s woe,
To hide the fault I see;
That mercy I to others show,
That mercy show to me.
An ideal teacher is rare to find today. What is your concept of an ideal teacher? Write an article in about 100 words.
Answer:
(Choose your points)
In my opinion, an ideal teacher should be

  • knowledgeable
  • concerned about his students
  • fair to his students
  • hardworking
  • disciplined
  • should practise what he teaches
  • kind and loving to his students
  • any other qualities you feel should be included

Question 4.
Mr Crocker-Harris commands respect from his students, but respect for one’s teachers is fast disappearing. In fact, the student-teacher relationship does not exist nowadays. Teachers do not love their students any more and the students do not wish to listen to their teachers. Write an essay in about 100 words on what has caused deterioration in such a vital relationship.
Answer:
(Choose your points)
Except for the very young, students don’t have much regard for their teachers. It is sad, because this is a very precious relationship which enriches both the parties. The causes of the decline are that teachers fall short of the students’ expectations and do not care for knowledge as much as for money.
Teachers — in schools do not teach — abuse students when they can — have become corrupt and money minded.
Students — prefer to cheat rather than learn — have become arrogant because of father’s money
or position — have become keen on joining politics while still in college — Alternative sources for gaining knowledge are available.
Conclusion — Urgent need for both parties to work to improve the relationship.

NCERT Solutions for Class 11 English Hornbill Prose

Landscape of the Soul Extra Questions and Answers Class 11 English Hornbill

Landscape of the Soul Extra Questions and Answers Class 11 English Hornbill

Here we are providing Landscape of the Soul Extra Questions and Answers Class 11 English Hornbill, Extra Questions for Class 11 English was designed by subject expert teachers.

Landscape of the Soul Extra Questions and Answers Class 11 English Hornbill

Landscape of the Soul Extra Questions and Answers Short Answer Type

Question 1.
What is the difference between Chinese and European view of art?
Or
What is the essential difference in the nature of Eastern and Western painting styles?
Answer:
The Chinese and the European arts are in direct contrast to each other and represent two contrarian views of art. Western figurative paintings depict scenes exactly as they are, whereas Eastern painters depict inner space—spiritual and conceptual. The European painter wants the viewer to understand his art exactly as he sees it, whereas Chinese painter wants the viewer to use his prudence, enjoy the art and come out with his inference.

Landscape of the Soul Extra Questions and Answers

Question 2.
Briefly recount what happened to the painter Wu Daozi?
Answer:
The painter Wu Daozi lived in the eighteenth century. He was showing his painting of a beautiful landscape to the Emperor who was all praises for it. Wu Daozi then clapped his hands before the cave in his painting and its entrance opened. The painter entered the cave and disappeared along with the cave and painting leaving the astonished Emperor speechless!

Landscape of the Soul Short Answer Type Questions and Answers

Question 3.
How was Quinten able to marry the painter’s daughter?
Answer:
Quinten was a blacksmith who wanted to marry a painter’s daughter. The painter did not think he was a suitable match, as he was not an artist. Quinten painted a fly on one of the painter’s canvases. It looked so real that the painter tried to kill it. When he realised that Quinten had painted it, he allowed him to marry his daughter.

Question 4.
Give .two examples to show that figurative Western painting reproduces an actual view.
Answer:
Flemish artist did not draw the dragon’s eye for fear it would come alive; so lifelike was the dragon. Quinten Metsys painted a fly on artists’ canvas — artist swatted it thinking it was a real fly.

Question 5.
What are Yang and Yin? What do they represent?
Answer:
‘Yang’ represents the mountain or the vertical element which is stable, warm, dry and masculine. ‘Yin’ represents the water or the horizontal element that is fluid, moist, cool and feminine. The interaction of Yang and Yin is the fundamental notion of Daoism.

Question 6.
Explain the significance of the “middle void” with reference to the lesson ‘Landscape of the Soul’.
Or
What is the Middle Void? Why it is important?
Answer:
The ‘Middle Void’ is the empty space between ‘Yang’ and ‘Yin’. Their interaction takes place here. It is represented by white unpainted space in Chinese paintings.

Question 7.
Why is the white unpainted space important in Chinese art?
Answer:
White space represents the Middle Void where the interaction of Yang and Yin takes place. Man has an important role here. He becomes the conduct of communication between both poles of the universe.

Question 8.
Who is Nek Chand? What is his achievement?
Answer:
Nek Chand was an untrained artist, renowned for his masterpiece sculpted work with stone and recycled material—the Rock Garden of Chandigarh. He was an exponent of raw art which received worldwide recognition.

Question 9.
How was Nek Chand honoured?
Answer:
Nek Chand was made the Director of his creation—‘The Rock Gardens’. He was honoured by the Swiss Commission of UNESCO by way of a European exposition of his works. There were interactive shows ‘Realm of Nek Chand’ held at leading museums in Switzerland, Belgium, France and Italy.

Landscape of the Soul Extra Questions and Answers Long Answer Type

Question 1.
Illustrate with examples the difference in the nature of Eastern and Western paintings?
Answer:
The essential difference between Eastern and Western paintings is that the Eastern painting is not factual; it does not represent an actual view as a Western figurative painting does. It has a dimension of time. The viewer can ‘enter’ the painting and thereby the artist’s mind. The landscape is an inner one having spiritual and conceptual space. He gave the viewer various entry points to let him enjoy the journey from his perspective. Wu Daozi, the Chinese painter, was not satisfied with the emperor’s appreciation of his art. His art had a much deeper meaning which he wanted the viewer to comprehend by entering his mind. The European paintings were to be viewed from a specific angle and exactly the way the artist wanted you to see it.

Question 2.
What are the elements of ‘shanshui’? Explain in detail.
Answer:
The Chinese painter brings out the concept of Shanshui in his work. Literally it means mountain and water. The mountain is symbolic of the male and the water is symbolic of’ the female element in creation. This is the fundamental notion of ‘Daoism’. In between there is the Middle Void where their interaction takes place and is also the space for man. Thus the Chinese painter’s landscape has a spiritual character.

The author has compared the concept of ‘Shanshui’ with the yogic practice of ‘Pranayama’ breathe in, hold, breath out—the time of the suspension of breath is the void when meditation occurs. This middle void is crucial-as nothing can happen without it.

Question 3.
In what way is the participation of the viewer both physical and mental when he looks at a Chinese painting?
Answer:
The Chinese view of art is quite different from the European view. The Chinese artist does not paint a landscape from one point of view only. He writes to the viewer to participate in his landscape both physically and mentally. This mens that the viewer can enter the painting, not physically but mentally and spiritually.

The participation in the Chinese paintings is not from a single point but from various points. The artist does not want you to borrow his eyes but he wants you to enter wholly through his mind. He creates a path for the viewer to travel it up and down and then back again. This requires the active participation on the part of the viewer who has to decide himself at what pace, he would travel through the painting —this participation is both physical and mental.

Question 4.
Who was the untutored genius who created a paradise and what is his contribution to art?
Answer:
‘Outsider art’ was mooted in 1940 by a French painter named Jean Dubuffet. It is the art created by those who have not received any formal training in art. India’s Nek Chand is an exponent of this genre and has won worldwide acclaim.

He made a garden sculpted with stone and recycled material— that would be anything and everything from tin, broken bangles, to a sink to a broken down car. Any discarded material could be a work of art for Nek Chand which he took to dizzying heights. His art has been highly acclaimed worldwide — how a single man’s vision can make a difference and produce a unique art. UNESCO honoured him and his work has been displayed in the leading museums of Switzerland, Belgium, France and Italy.

NCERT Solutions for Class 11 English Hornbill Prose

Birth Extra Questions and Answers Class 11 English Snapshots

Birth Extra Questions and Answers Class 11 English Snapshots

Here we are providing Birth Extra Questions and Answers Class 11 English Snapshots, Extra Questions for Class 11 English was designed by subject expert teachers.

Birth Extra Questions and Answers Class 11 English Snapshots

Birth Extra Questions and Answers Short Answer Type

Birth Class 11 Questions And Answers

Question 1.
Why was Joe Morgan waiting for Andrew even though it was nearly midnight?
Answer:
Joe’s wife was about to give birth to a child. She was middle-aged and weak.

Birth Extra Questions and Answers

Question 2.
What were Andrew’s thoughts as he waited for the childbirth? Why were they heavy and muddled?
Answer:
Andrew was thinking of the state of marriages of his friends and acquaintances. Most marriages were dismal. One wife was shrewish, another was cheating on her husband, another lived apart. But when he thought of Christine, his love, he thought marriage was idyllic.

Birth Extra Questions and Answers Short Answer Type

Question 3.
Was Andrews Mason depressed about his marriage?
Answer:
Andrew Manson was depressed about his marriage. He had seen many failed marriages and feared for his own marriage with Christine. He thought she was sweet. His idea about marriage at the moment was that it was idyllic.

Question 4.
What was Andrew’s view of marriage? Why was he resentful and confused?
Answer:
Andrew had seen his friends’ marriages fail. The wife of one of his friends was deceiving her husband and of another was a shrew. This made him uncertain about his own coming marriage to Christine. He wanted it to be idyllic.

Question 5.
What dilemma did Andrew face when the child was born?
Answer:
Andrew was in a dilemma whether to save the child or the mother. The mother was critical so he gave the child to the nurse and turned to the mother.

Question 6.
What had the nurse done with the child while Andrew was attending to the mother?
Answer:
The nurse had given up the baby for dead and put it under the bed with sodden newspapers.

Question 7.
What did the child look like when Andrew pulled it out?
Answer:
The child looked like a perfectly formed boy, white and limp with smooth and tender skin. His head was lolling on a thin neck.

Question 8.
What was the child suffering from? What treatment did Andrew apply?
Answer:
Due to asphyxia or suffocation, the child had become unconscious. Andrew tried a special method of respiration. He plunged him in basins of hot and icy water alternately. He also pumped his heart and Was able to revive him.

Question 9.
What efforts did Andrew make to revive the newborn baby?
Or
What did Andrew do to restore life in the stillborn child?
Answer:
Andrew found the baby apparently lifeless. He rubbed the child with a rough towel and pumped his chest. He immersed the child in steaming hot and icy water alternately. He was able to relieve the child of asphyxia and bring him back to life.

Question 10.
How did Dr Andrews feel when he saw the stillborn child? How did he save the child’s life?
Answer:
When Dr. Andrew saw the stillborn child, he was horrified. He also had to save the mother. Later he tried to save ,the child. He plunged the child alternately in basins of hot and cold water. He rubbed the baby vigorously and began a special method of respiration, crushing and releasing the little chest with both hands. Miraculously, the baby responded.

Question 11.
What unexpected miracle took place to turn Andrew’s desperation into joy?
Answer:
Andrews desperation turned into joy when the baby started breathing. Andrew was able to save both the mother and the child.

Question 12.
What did the room look like when Andrew had finished?
Answer:
After Andrew finished his treatment of the child, the room was in a mess with sodden newspapers on the floor. The basins of hot and cold water were lying across the room.

Question 13.
How important was this evening’s work in the career of Dr Andrew at Blaenelly?
Answer:
This evening established his name as an efficient doctor because he brought back the baby from the point of death. It won him the goodwill of the villagers.

Question 14.
What were Andrew’s thoughts after he had successfully overcome the crisis?
Answer:
Andrew was grateful to God. He was satisfied and happy that he had done something. His heart was . filled with the feeling of having achieved something great.

Question 15.
Give the character sketch of Andrew Manson.
Answer:
Andrew Manson was a dedicated doctor who believed in saving the life of his patients. He went beyond the normal expectations from a doctor to save the wife and the baby of Joe Morgan. He used unconventional methods to save the baby’s life by immersing him alternatively in steaming and icy waters. He did not give up till he had saved both the mother and the child.

Question 16.
Do you think the title of the story ‘Birth’ is apt? If yes, why?
Answer:
The central event in the story is the birth of Joe Morgan’s baby. The crisis comes when Dr Andrew finds that the newborn is almost dead. His efforts to revive the baby and his success are the main points of focus of the story. Therefore, the title ‘Birth’ is appropriate.

Question 17.
Do you think that at the end of the story Andrew is justified in saying “I’ve done something?”
Support your answer suitably.
Answer:
Andrew says ‘I’ve., .at last’ because he had just revived an almost dead newborn baby and saved his mother. The baby was very precious because the couple had been childless for about 20 years.

Birth Extra Questions and Answers Long Answer Type

Question 1.
What impression of Andrew Manson do you form on the basis of the story ‘Birth’?
Answer:
Andrew Manson was a young doctor trying to establish his practice in a village. Andrew was dedicated to his profession and wished to restore his patients to health. Andrew was called to assist in childbirth. Mrs. Morgan was to deliver her first child after twenty years of marriage.

It was a difficult case. Mr. Morgan started sinking after giving birth to an apparently lifeless child. Andrew revived her with great difficulty. Then he turned to the newborn and to his horror found him on the ground almost lifeless. Andrew understood that the baby was asphyxiated.

He rubbed him with a towel, thumped his chest, but to no avail. Then he tried something unconventional. He immersed the baby alternately in steaming hot and icy cold water. With great effort he revived the baby. Thus he saved both, the mother and the child and established his reputation as a doctor who cared for his patients.

Question 2.
If you work to respect the feelings, yearnings and desires of others, success is always yours. Explain on the basis of the lesson ‘Birth’ by A. J. Cronin.
Answer:
Dr. Andrew Mason respected the feelings of the Morgan family. He had gone there to assist Mrs. Morgan in childbirth. It was a difficult task because Mrs. Morgan was going to deliver her first baby after twenty years of marriage. She was no longer young. Therefore, Andrew understood that the baby was very precious to the family. He knew he would have to save both, the mother and the baby for the family’s happiness.

Dr. Andrew soon discovered how tough the task was. Mrs. Morgan started sinking and the child looked as if it was stillborn. He gave the baby to the midwife and concentrated on reviving the mother. When he had secured the mother’s life, he turned to save the child. Working with great dedication and bringing his experience and knowledge to the fore, he was able to revive the child.

Question 3.
What qualities help Andrew Manson help Morgan family?
Answer:Andrew Manson helped the Morgan family by saving the lives of Mrs Morgan and her baby. Dr. Andrew Manson was a competent and a determined man. He would not give up. He was intelligent and bold enough to try unconventional ways. Dr. Andrew Manson had to help Mrs Morgan in childbirth.

He struggled with the case. The baby was born seemingly lifeless. Dr. Andrew gave the baby to the midwife and turned his attention to the mother who was sinking. Dr. Andrew worked relentlessly and pulled her out of danger. He then turned his attention to the baby.

He understood that its condition was due to asphyxia. He remembered an unconventional treatment and took the bold decision to try it out. He immersed the baby alternately in icy and hot water. Thus, due to his competence, determination and willingness to take bold decisions, Dr. Andrew Mason was able to save the mother and the child.

Question 4.
Why was Joe Morgan relieved to see Andrew? Did Andrew justify his hope?
Answer:
Joe Morgan was walking up and down the road, wating for Dr. Andrew to arrive from work. Joe Morgan’s wife was about to deliver a baby. She was not young. They had been married over 20 years and this was their first child. He didn’t want to take any risk and wanted to make sure that everything went on smoothly.

Andrew took charge of the patient and reassured Joe Morgan and an old woman in the house. After some struggle the child was born lifeless and the mother started sinking. Andrew first revived her then took the child who the nurse had put under the bed as dead. With great effort he was able to revive the child.

Question 5.
What response did Andrew get when he asked, “Where is the child”? Describe what followed.
Answer:
The midwife was frightened because she had put the baby under the bed thinking it was dead. Andrew took it out from a mass of sodden newspapers. First he gave Mrs Morgan, who was sinking, some injections and pumped her heart. Then he turned to the baby who had been given up for dead. He found that the child had been suffocated and was unconscious due to lack of oxygen. He tried some unconventional treatment. He immersed the baby alternately in hot and cold water. Then he tried to quicken the baby’s heart. Miraculously the baby responded and started breathing.

Question 6.
“Andrew had no premonition that that night would influence his whole future in Blaenelly.” How did this happen?
Answer:
Andrew had no premonition that that night would influence his future in Blaenelly. That night he saved the life of Mrs Morgan and her baby ; this won him the eternal gratitude of Joe Morgan and L established him firmly in the good books of the villagers.After harsh labour, Mrs Joe Morgan delivered an almost lifeless child. Her own condition was critical. I Andrew had to work fast to save the baby and the mother. He handed the baby to the nurse and turned to the mother.

He gave her some injections and pumped her heart. Then he turned to the baby who had been given up for dead. He saw that the child had suffocated and was unconscious due to lack of oxygen. He tried some unconventional treatment. He immersed the baby alternately in hot and cold water. Then he tried to quicken the baby’s heart. Miraculously the baby responded and started breathing.

Question 7.
A doctor must remain committed to saving life. Unfortunately, this commitment is rarely to be seen nowadays. Comment.
Answer:
When a medical student is awarded the degree after completing his studies, he has to take an oath that he will always try to save the life of his patients. That is why the medical profession is considered noble and doctors are widely respected. Unfortunately, in the present times, doctors seem to have forgotten their oath.

They look at their patients as a source of income. They subject them to needless expenses by advising unnecessary investigations. Often they conduct surgery which is not needed and make hefty sums of money. Child birth rarely takes place without surgery. Even heart procedures are done without any actual need.

The new description of doctors is that they are ‘greedy’. Their avarice has given rise to such malpractices as tricking patients into surgery and removing their kidneys for sale, sex determination of foetus and illegal abortions. We need to examine the situation seriously. Even though the entire society has become extremely greedy, doctors cannot afford to give up their noble ideals as they deal with human lives.

NCERT Solutions for Class 11 English Snapshots

Albert Einstein at School Extra Questions and Answers Class 11 English Snapshots

Albert Einstein at School Extra Questions and Answers Class 11 English Snapshots

Here we are providing Albert Einstein at School Extra Questions and Answers Class 11 English Snapshots, Extra Questions for Class 11 English was designed by subject expert teachers.

Albert Einstein at School Extra Questions and Answers Class 11 English Snapshots

Albert Einstein at School Extra Questions and Answers Short Answer Type

Question 1.
Do you think Albert is being impolite while answering the history teacher’s questions? Give your reasons.
Answer:
Albert was not being rude to his history teacher. He was honest enough to tell the teacher what he thought of the subject.

Albert Einstein at School Extra Questions and Answers

Question 2.
What characteristic of Einstein’s nature is highlighted in the exchanges between him and the history teacher?
Answer:
Einstein’s honesty is highlighted in his exchange with the history teacher. He does not hide his dislike for learning facts.

Albert Einstein at School Extra Questions and Answers In English

Question 3.
What was Einstein’s chief objection against learning history?
Answer:
Einstein’s chief objection against learning history was that there was no point in learning dates arid facts. They could easily be looked up in the books. It would be more useful to learn the reasons behind the facts.

Question 4.
What did Mr Koch think of Albert?
Answer:
Mr. Koch thought very highly of Albert. He knew that Einstein was brilliant. He said soon Einstein would be in a position to teach him. He recommended him for higher studies in mathematics.

Question 5.
How was the history teacher and math teacher’s opinion about Albert different?
Answer:
The history teacher thought that Einstein was rude and impudent. He did not make any attempt to learn historical facts. On the other hand, the maths teacher, Mr. Koch, thought Einstein was brilliant. He had taught him all he could. He gave him a reference for admission to a college or an institute.

Question 6.
Who is Elsa? What advice does she give to Albert to clear the diploma?
Or
Who was Elsa? What advice did she give to Einstein?
Answer:
Elsa is Albert’s cousin. She lives in Berlin and comes to Munich from time to time. She advises him to learn enough so that he can repeat the lessons in the diploma exams and pass.

Question 7.
Why did Yuri call Einstein the world’s worst liar?
Answer:
Yuri sent Einstein to meet Dr Weil, a new doctor, for a certificate. He said this because he knew that Einstein could not lie, therefore he told Einstein to be absolutely truthful with Dr Weil. In fact, world’s worst liar was not an insult. It highlights Einstein’s honesty and his inability to lie.

Question 8.
What was Yuri’s advice to Albert regarding his meeting with Dr Ernst Weil? Give two reasons why Yuri advised Einstein so.
Answer:
Yuri advised Albert not to lie to Dr Ernst Weil. He said so because he knew Dr. Weil could not be deceived by lies. Secondly, Einstein was the world’s worst liar, so he should not even try deception.

Question 9.
Why was Albert nervous when he met the doctor? What does this nervousness indicate about his nature?
Answer:
Albert was nervous when he met the doctor because he could not decide what to tell him. We know that he was a truthful person and was nervous when there was a possibility that he would have to lie.

Question 10.
Einstein was not happy in his lodgings. What disturbed him the most?
Answer:
Albert’s room was in the poorest quarter of Munich. The most unbearable element in his environment was slum violence. His landlady used to beat the children and was in turn beaten up by her husband.. This was extremely repulsive to Einstein.

Question 11.
Why does the biographer refer to Albert’s interest in music as a comfort’?
Answer:
Interest in music was a ‘comfort’ to Einstein because it gave him some solace. He found the school as well as his lodgings detestable. He had no friends except Yuri. Playing his violin was the only source of comfort to him.

Question 12.
What was Albert’s plan for further education after leaving the school at Munich?
Answer:
Einstein planned to continue his education in Milan in an Italian college or institute. To secure admission there, he would get a certificate from his maths teacher.

Question 13.
How did Albert hope to get admission to an Italian college without a diploma from the German school?
Answer:
Albert hoped to get admission to an Italian college on the strength of the reference his maths teacher Mr. Koch would give him as his maths teacher has a very good opinion about him as a student of maths. He praised his mathematical prowess and wrote a glowing reference for Albert.

Question 14.
Finally, the head of the school and Albert were in agreement about a matter. What was it?
Answer:
Albert Einstein and the head teacher were in agreement over the matter of the former’s leaving school. Einstein wanted to leave the school because he hated it. The head teacher wanted him to leave because he was too rebellious and disturbed teachers and students.

Question 15.
Why did the head teacher at Munich school expel Albert?
Answer:
The head teacher expelled Einstein from school because he felt the latter was rebellious and did not allow studies to progress in class. The teachers found him argumentative and obstructive

Question 16.
What reasons did the head teacher offer for expelling Albert from school?
Answer:
The head teacher said Einstein would have to leave because the teachers could not teach their classes due to his attitude and behaviour. He said Einstein was in constant rebellion and hindered regular work.

Albert Einstein at School Extra Questions and Answers Long Answer Type

Question 1.
What are Einstein’s views on education as revealed in his conversation with the History teacher?
Answer:
Einstein got into an argument with his history teacher. He was extremely honest about what he thought about various study subjects. He told the history teacher point blank that he did not see any advantage in learning dates. If one needed to know, dates could always be found in books.

It was not just dates, but he found no advantage even in learning facts. He did not think learning facts was education at all. He felt it would be more important to know the reasons behind the facts, for example, why battles were fought. His history teacher sarcastically called his views as Einstein’s theory of education.

Question 2.
Why did Einstein consider the school ‘a hateful place’?
Or
Why did Einstein want to get away from school?
Answer:
Einstein did not like his school at Munich at all. He considered it a hateful place where he did not wish to go back to the next morning. Most of the days were filled with unpleasant experiences. He had been sent there to take his diploma, but he wished he could leave the school.

He was expected to learn things by heart, which he did not like. The teachers were unsympathetic and sarcastic. There was hardly any study of science at school. The only subject he liked was maths, His maths teacher was extremely happy with him. After six months, Einstein got so fed up with the school that he wanted to get away.

Question 3.
Write a brief essay on Albert Einstein’s unhappy days in his school.
Answer:
Einstein did not like his school at Munich at all. He considered it a hateful place where he did not wish to go back to the next morning. Most of the days were filled with unpleasant experiences. He had been sent there to take his diploma, but he wanted to leave the school.

He was expected to learn things by heart, which he did not like. The teachers were unsympathetic and sarcastic. There was hardly any study of science at school. The only subject he liked was maths. His maths teacher was extremely happy with him. After six months, Einstein got so fed up with the’ school that he wanted to get away.

Question 4.
Albert Einstein found himself miserable both in the German school and his quarters at Munich. What were the reasons for his misery and how did he attempt to get out of the situation?
Answer:
Einstein did not like his school at Munich at all. He considered it a hateful place where he did not wish to go back to the next morning. Most of the days were filled with unpleasant experiences. He had been sent there to take his diploma, but he wished he could leave the school. His living quarters were shabby and squalid. The food was bad. Above all this, there was an atmosphere of slum violence.

Einstein knew that if he ran away from school, he would be sent back by his father. Therefore, he wanted to leave school ‘officially’, with a valid reason. If he could get a certificate from a doctor that he had suffered a nervous breakdown and that he needed rest for a long time, he could get away with it. His friend, Yuri, was a medical student. He asked him to find a doctor who would be willing to give him such a certificate. Einstein felt that if he had to live longer in Munich and study in the school, he would really have a nervous breakdown.

Question 5.
Were the teachers interested in understanding Albert and bringing out his potential?
Answer:
At the school, the teachers did not seem to be interested in helping Einstein and in bringing out his potential as his history teacher signified traditional style of learning and did nothing to bring out the talent of Albert and even could not convince him of the relevance of his subject and became sarcastic. Only the maths teacher cared for Einstein and helped him and truly recognized the potential of Albert. He was impressed by his phenomenal talent and gave him a reference for admission to a college in Milan.

Question 6.
What was Einstein’s plan to get away from school? How was Yuri of help to him?
Answer:
Einstein knew that if he ran away from school, he would be sent back by his father. Therefore, he wanted to leave school ‘officially’ with a valid reason. If he could get a certificate from a doctor that he had suffered a nervous breakdown and that he needed rest for a long time, he could get away with it. His friend Yuri was a medical student. He asked him to find a doctor who would be willing to give him such a certificate. Einstein felt that if he had to live longer in Munich and study in the school, he would really have a nervous breakdown.

Question 7.
Comment on the role of Yuri as described in the extract.
Answer:
Yuri was a good friend of Einstein. He was a medical student himself. Einstein felt very close to him. In fact, he was the only one for whom Einstein had any feeling. Yuri tried to keep his spirit up. When Einstein wanted to leave school in a manner that he would not be sent back, he asked for Yuri’s help. He wanted Yuri to find a doctor who would certify that he was suffering from a nervous breakdown and needed rest for at least six months. Yuri introduced him to Dr Ernst Weil who had recently acquired a medical degree. Thus, Yuri was extremely helpful.

Question 8.
Show how Albert did not finally need the certificate from Dr Weil.
Answer:
Albert Einstein was sick and tired of his school at Munich and desperately wanted to leave. He thought of obtaining a certificate from Dr Ernst Weil saying that he was suffering from a nervous breakdown and needed rest for six months. After obtaining this certificate, he wanted to meet the head teacher. He was surprised, however, to be summoned by the head teacher. He thought he would be punished for laziness and bad work.

The head teacher informed him that his work Was so terrible that he could not be tolerated in the school any more and he would have to leave. He said that his presence in the class made it impossible for the teachers to teach and for the students to learn. He was being expelled for being in constant rebellion. Thus, he did not need the medical certificate at all.

Question 9.
Keeping the whole story in mind, briefly discuss Einstein’s character as it is revealed here.
Answer:
Even as a student Einstein had a mind of his own. He was honest enough to tell the history teacher what he thought of the subject. He was interested in the study of science and mathematics. He could not simply cram facts and was sure to fail in the examination. He hated violence.

He loved maths and music which soothed his troubled nerves Albert was sure of his potential and had self¬pride. He did not bow down before Mr. Braun or the head teacher. They branded him as a rebel or mischief maker: It was only his maths teacher who understood and appreciated his mathematical abilities. On the whole he detested the school.

NCERT Solutions for Class 11 English Snapshots

Mother’s Day Extra Questions and Answers Class 11 English Snapshots

Mother’s Day Extra Questions and Answers Class 11 English Snapshots

Here we are providing Mother’s Day Extra Questions and Answers Class 11 English Snapshots, Extra Questions for Class 11 English was designed by subject expert teachers.

Mother’s Day Extra Questions and Answers Class 11 English Snapshots

Mother’s Day Extra Questions and Answers Short Answer Type

Question 1.
How did Mrs Fitzgerald try to help Mrs Pearson?
Answer:
Mrs. Fitzgerald is the only person behind transforming and emboldening Mrs Pearson. She magically changes her own personality with Mrs. Pearson. While enacting as Mrs. Pearson, Mrs Fitzgerald acts tough with her husband and children. She made Mrs. Pearson realize her own importance in the family. Rather, she inspired Mrs Pearson to stand for her rights and refuse to be ordered about by her family members.

Mother’s Day Extra Questions and Answers English Snapshots

Question 2.
What advice does Mrs Fitzgerald give Mrs Pearson regarding being the boss in her family?
Answer:
Mrs. Fitzgerald encourages Mrs. Pearson to be the mistress in her own house. She acquaints Mrs. Pearson with her rights in the family. She tells her that her husband and children should share her work, the value of her work should be acknowledged by all her family members. Mrs. Pearson is realized of her status in the family. She is told to put her foot down and be the boss of her family. Her family is expected to learn to treat her properly.

Mother’s Day Extra Questions and Answers English

Question 3.
How does the changed Mrs Pearson behave with her daughter Doris?
Answer:
The changed Mrs. Pearson talks to her daughter in a cool incisive manner. She has not kept tea. ready for her and refuses to iron her yellow dress. She criticises her boy friend Charlie.

Question 4.
Why does Doris say, “Mum-what’s the matter with you?”
Answer:
Doris, Mrs. Pearson’s daughter, finds that her tea is not ready. Moreover, Mrs. Pearson tells her to iron her dress herself. She announces that she might go out to Clarendon for a meal. All this is unusual for Doris and she gets irritated.

Question 5.
What is Doris’ reaction when Mrs Pearson says she will work only forty hours a week?
Answer:
On hearing that Mrs. Pearson will work only forty hours a week, Doris cannot believe her ears. She asks her mother where will she go for a weekend? She wonders if all this crazy talk is the result of an accident or a hit on the head.

Question 6.
Doris says, “You’ll see” to her father. What does she mean?
Answer:
When George asked Doris why she was crying Doris said this, meaning he would see for himself how Mrs Pearson had changed. She was refusing to work for the family and talking tough to the family members.

Question 7.
How does Mrs Pearson express her disapproval of Charlie Spence?
Answer:
Mrs. Pearson comments that Charlie Spence has buck teeth and is half-witted. Mrs. Pearson feels that had she been there in Doris place, she would have found someone better.

Question 8.
Mrs Pearson says, “I’ve joined the movement.” What does she mean?
Answer:
Mrs. Pearson says, “I have joined a movement”, while talking to her son Cyril. She further says that when Cyril doesn’t want to do something, he doesn’t be it at home or office. Similarly, she will also do what she feels like.

Question 9.
How is George Pearson treated at the club?
Answer:
At the club, George Pearson is always mocked at by the members. He is called Pompyompy Pearson because they think him to be slow as well as pompous.

Question 10.
What does Mrs Pearson tell her husband about her visit to the bar?
Answer:
Mrs Pearson had not prepared tea and George did not want any, yet he was annoyed that tea was not available. Mrs Pearson asked him if he had ever shouted at the bar for not keeping something he didn’t want.

Question 11.
Why is Mrs Pearson always ordered about by her family members?
Answer:
Mrs. Pearson is always ordered about by her family members because she never asserts herself. She is very submissive and serves her family like a servant. She never raises her voice at them. She avoids creating an unpleasant situation. Her family has started taking her for granted.

Question 12.
George, Doris and Cyril were all ungrateful. How?
Answer:
George, Doris and Cyril were all ungrateful. They did not acknowledge or appreciate the labour and concern of Mrs. Pearson. They took her for granted. They even bullied her, never thought that she should get her rightful place of honour in the family.

Question 13.
What advice does Mrs Fitzgerald give to Mrs Pearson after they change back personalities?
Answer:
After they changed their personalities, Mrs. Fitzgerald tells Mrs. Pearson not to give any explanations, not be meek or soft with her family. Instead, she should give a stern look or speak in harsh tone from time to time.

Question 14.
How does the Pearson family spend the evening finally?
Answer:
The evening was spent the way Mrs. Pearson wanted. It was her children who prepared the dinner. She simply relaxed and was busy playing a game of rummy. She was also busy chit-chatting with her husband.

Mother’s Day Extra Questions and Answers Long Answer Type

Question 1.
Not only in Pearson’s family, but in most families mothers are taken for granted. They do all work and get no respect. Based on your reading of the story, write a paragraph on the topic: ‘The Need to Respect Mothers.’
Answer:
“Mom; why do you make the same old food every day?”
“Hey’Mom, couldn’t you iron my clothes?”
“I feel you are partial to your youngest, my naughty brother.”
Such comments are commonplace in families. Like the prime minister of a country, the mother is held responsible for all big and small matters. There is very little appreciation of the woman who works tirelessly for the family. We should get out of this mindset and give our mothers the respect they deserve. For a change, we could enjoy the healthy food she prepares, iron our clothes ourselves and help her with household chores. Mothers offer selfless love which lasts through all ordeals and through our lives. A mother is God’s blessing and we should recognise her worth.

Question 2.
What last warning did Mrs Fitzgerald give Mrs Pearson?
Answer:
Mrs. Fitzgerald was a bold and creative lady. Her presence in Mrs Pearson’s life holds great importance. Had she been missing from Mrs. Pearson’s life, Mrs. Pearson would never have changed. She advised Mrs. Pearson to remain firm and not to allow her children to be bossy and authoritative. She told her, never to get bullied by her children and husband. She asked her to fight for her rights. She also told her to be confident as well as courageous. Mrs. Fitzgerald painted out that, let her family realize her significance for which she needed to maintain her family position. She was made to realize that nothing is above self-respect and self-esteem of a person.

Question 3.
What impression do you form of Mrs Annie Pearson? How does Mrs Fitzgerald bring about a change in her personality?
Answer:
Mrs Annie Pearson by nature was a quiet, submissive person, who thought her prime duty was to serve the family and look after their needs. Consequently her husband, son and daughter bullied her and ordered her about. Mrs Fitzgerald thought Annie Pearson should not allow this to happen and should assert herself. Mrs Fitzgerald exchanged personalities with Annie Pearson. Now Annie was bold, assertive, even rude to her family members. They soon came to their senses and understood that they should not burden her with work. Mrs Fitzgerald thus helped Annie in a big way.

Question 4.
Mrs Annie Pearson and Mrs Fitzgerald are totally opposite to each other in their attitudes. Show the difference between their personalities.
Answer:
In their attitudes, Mrs. Pearson and Mrs. Fitzgerald are poles apart. They have a totally different nature. Mrs. Pearson is diffident, soft, timid and fearful. She obeys the orders of all her family members meekly. She never questions them. She works in her own house like a servant. She is often bullied by her husband and children.

In short she keeps on suffering quietly and hates unpleasantness. On the other hand, Mrs. Fitzgerald is a strong, dominating, confident and courageous woman. She is well-acquainted with her rights. She demands respect and help from others. She speaks her mind and asserts herself. In the play, she also establishes the identity of woman as an important person. Overall, she is a true exemplar of the contemporary woman.

Question 5.
How does the behaviour of Mrs. Pearson change towards each family member — Doris, Cyril and George?
Answer:
Mrs. Pearson’s behaviour towards Doris—In front of Doris, Mrs. Pearson smokes and tells her to make tea for herself. She tells Doris to eat outside, iron her yellow dress herself, condemns and criticizes her boyfriend Charlie Spence. Mrs. Pearson’s behaviour towards Cyril—When Cyril comes from outside and demands tea, he is not provided tea.

She announces that she has joined a movement and won’t keep working. She asks Cyril to take out his things himself. She doesn’t want to do any mending for him. She announces that she wouldn’t work on weekends. Mrs. Pearson’s behaviour towards George Mrs. Pearson denies him tea. She asks him to prepare it on his own. She says that she find him too funny and pokes fun at him by telling him that the club members rightly call him pompy-ompy. This way Mrs. Pearson’s behaviour undergoes a drastic change with one and all.

Question 6.
How does Mrs Pearson deal with her husband in her new personality?
Answer:
In her altogether new personality, Mrs. Pearson pokes fun at her husband. She tells George that his friends at the club laugh at him. He has never been a perfect husband, as he leaves his wife alone at home to do household chores. She checks George when he speaks disrespectfully to Mrs. Fitzgerald.

Mrs. Pearson warns her husband not to misbehave with Mrs. Fitzgerald and says that she would slap him in front of Mrs. Fitzgerald. On seeing such an unexpected bold behaviour, George gets completely shocked and baffled. On seeing his own daughter, Doris weeping, George couldn’t help her, He feels too helpless and nervous to speak up. George stares at his wife in bewilderment. He finally gives up and moves out of the room.

Question 7.
What is the main idea of the play? Has it been brought out effectively by the writer?
Answer:
The main idea of the play is that a woman has some rights in the family — her husband and children should share her work. The value of her work should be recognized — she has an important status in the family. It has been effectively brought out in the play. The playwright has used an extraordinary method for doing so. Here, the personalities of Mrs. Pearson and Mrs. Fitzgerald are exchanged.

Question 8.
What is the difference between Mrs Pearson and Mrs Fitzgerald? How do they complement each other?
Answer:
Mrs Pearson is a timid and diffident woman. She continuously slogs for providing comfort to her son, daughter and husband. She is always given orders by her family. She is a highly devoted and dedicated mother as well as wife but, gets no thanks or gratitude in return.

On the other hand, Mrs Fitzgerald is assertive and flushed with confidence. She is enjoying her life without compromising her self-respect and individuality. She advises Mrs. Pearson to assert herself and stop working like a slave for her family. Both of them have dissimilar qualities but still, they complement each other. Mrs Fitzgerald gives Mrs Pearson the courage and will to assert herself.

NCERT Solutions for Class 11 English Snapshots