Class:XI

Sub: English Core (301)

HORNBILL

POETRY
POEM -1 PHOTOGRAPH BY SHIRLEY TOULSON

Summary:

The poem, ‘A photograph’, contrasts the eternal state of nature and the transitory state of human beings.
The poet describes a photograph that captures interesting moments of her mother’s childhood when she
went for a sea holiday with her two girl cousins. The poet draws a contrast between the nature, changing at
a snail’s pace and the fast changing human life.
The poet recollects how her mother laughed at the photograph and felt disappointed at the loss of her
childhood joys. The sea holiday was her mother’s past at that time, while her mother’s laughter is the
poet’s past now. With great difficulty and at different periods of time, both reconcile with their respective
losses and the pain involved in recollecting the past. For the poet, the death of her mother brings great
sadness and an acute sense of loss. The painful ‘silence’ of the situation leaves her with no words to express
her grief. Thus, the ‘silence silences’ her.
The three stanzas of the poem depict three different stages of life i.e. early adolescence (girlhood),
adulthood and death.

EXTRACTS
Stanza-1
The cardboard shows me how it was
When the two girl cousins went paddling
Each one holding one of my mother’s hands,
And she the big girl- some twelve years or so.
All three stood still to smile through their hair
At the uncle with the camera.
1. Explain the contrast given in the last two lines of the first stanza.
Ans. The contrast is between the sea and the human life. The sea had remained the same for all these
years, but the humans have undergone changes. The poet’s mother grew up and now she had been
dead for some time.

2. What does the word ‘cardboard’ denote in the poem? Why has this word been used?
Ans. The photograph in the poem is called cardboard because it is too difficult to call it a photograph.
Having lost its colours and having lost the clarity of its images in it, the photograph is now just a
cardboard.

3. What had the camera captured?

Ans. The camera has captured some happy moments from the childhood of the poet’s mother. It was a
scene taken from a beach where she had gone with her cousins and her uncle for a sea holiday. The
girls stood huddled together, the poet’s mother in the middle, held tightly by her cousins Betty and
Dolly.

4. What scene from mother’s childhood has been captured in the photograph? Who had taken the
photograph?
Ans. The scene that has been captured in the photograph is from the poet’s mother’s childhood when she
went for paddling with her two cousins. The uncle had taken the photograph.
Stanza 2
A sweet face, my mother’s, that was before I was born
And the sea, which appears to have changed less
Washed their terribly transient feet.
1. Where was the poet’s mother when the photograph was clicked?
Ans. The poet’s mother was on the sea shore with her cousins, posing for a photograph.

2. When did this incident take place?

Ans. This incident took place when the poet’s mother was twelve years old.

3. How is the poet able to remember her mother’s childhood?

Ans. The poet is able to remember her mother’s childhood by looking at the photograph.

4. What has stood the passage of time and what has not?
Ans. The sea has stood the onslaught of time. It is still the same. However, the poet’s mother and her
cousins underwent changes. Her mother grew up to be an adult and now she is no more.

5. What has not changed over the years? Does this suggest something to you?
Ans. The sea has not changed over the years. It is still the same. The sea symbolizes immortality against
the transient existence of other creatures in the nature.

Stanza 3
Some twenty- thirty- years later
She’d laugh at the snapshot. “See Betty
And Dolly,” she’d say, “and look how they
Dressed us for the beach.”
1. Who would laugh at the snapshot after twenty – thirty years?
Ans. The poet’s mother would laugh at the snapshot after twenty – thirty years.

2. How did the mother remember her past?

Ans. The mother remembered her past with nostalgia. Each time she looked at the photograph, she felt
sad about her lost childhood and adolescence.

3. Who were Betty and Dolly?

Ans. Betty and Dolly were cousin sisters of the poet’s mother and they had gone with her to the beach for
paddling.

4. The poet’s mother would have laughed at the snapshot. What did this laughter indicate?
Ans. The poet’s mother would have laughed at the photograph because she saw how strangely and how
out of fashionably they had been dressed up for the holiday trip on the beach.

Stanza 4
The sea holiday
was her past, mine is her laughter. Both wry
With the laboured ease of loss.
1. Who went for the sea holiday in the past?
Ans. The poet’s mother had gone for the sea holiday in the past when she was a young girl.

2. What does ‘both’ refer to?

Ans. Both’ refers to the poet and her mother.

3. How does the poet feel when she remembers her mother?
Ans. The poet experiences great sorrow when she remembers her mother who died many years ago.

4. How does the poet feel when she remembers her mother’s sea holiday?
Ans. The poet feels sad when she remembers the sea holiday of her mother.
Stanza 5
Now she’s has been dead nearly as many years
As that girl lived. And of this circumstance
There is nothing to say at all,
Its silence silences.

1. What does ‘this circumstance’ refer to?

Ans. This circumstance refers to the grave, silent memories of loss that the photograph brings to the poet
whenever she looks at the photograph.

2. Why has the poet nothing to say about this circumstance?

Ans. The poet has nothing to say about this circumstance as the memory of it brings pain to her.

3. What impact has the photograph on the poet?

Ans. The silence of the photograph silences the poet. She experiences the great loss of her mother.

4. Why doesn’t the poet want to think about the photograph any more?
Ans. The poet doesn’t want to think about the photograph any more because it brings the pain of loss to
her mind.

SHORT ANSWER QUESTIONS

Answer the following questions in not more than 30-40 words.

1. What does the word ‘cardboard’ denote in the poem? Why has this word been used?
Ans. ‘Cardboard’ refers to the photograph only. In the past photographs used to be fixed on a cardboard
and hung from the wall for everyone to see it.

2. What has not changed over the years? Does this suggest something to you?
Ans. The sea has not changed over the years. It suggests the immortality of sea as compared to the mortal
human beings whose life comes to an end finally.

3. The poet’s mother laughed at the snapshot. What does this laugh indicate?
Ans. The poet’s mother laughed at the snapshot. This is an indication of the fun and joy she had
experienced during the beach holiday and she had fond memories of that particular incident. It
brought joy to her when she looked at the snapshot.

4. What does ‘this circumstance’ refer to?

Ans. ‘This circumstance’ refers to the loneliness and the sense of loss that the poet suffers as she
remembers her mother who is no more.

5. What do you learn about the poet’s mother from the photograph?
Ans. The poet’s mother had been a fun loving girl who had taken great delight with her cousins at the
beach and had the fond memories of the holiday that she cherished even when she was a grown up.

6. What has the camera captured?

Ans. The camera has captured some happy moments from the childhood of the poet’s mother. It was a
scene taken from a beach where she had gone with her cousins and her uncle for a sea holiday. The
girls were paddling in the water.

7. The poet’s mother laughed at the snapshot. What did this laugh indicate?
Ans. This laugh indicates her remembering her past. She looked back to her childhood with nostalgia
and remembered the innocent joys of her childhood days.

8. What is the meaning of the line “Both wry with the laboured ease or loss”
Ans. ‘Both’ refers to the sea holiday as remembered by her mother and the poet remembering her
mother’s laughing face. Both these now belong to the past. Her mother is no more now.
9. What scene from mother’s childhood has been captured in the photograph? Who had taken the
photograph?
Ans. The scene that has been captured in the photograph is from mother’s childhood when she went
paddling with her two cousins. Mother’s uncle had taken the photograph.

10. How did the cousins accompany mother for paddling?

Ans. Her cousins accompanied mother by holding her hands when they went for paddling.

11. Explain the contrast given in the last two lines of the first stanza.
Ans. The contrast is between the sea and the humans. The sea had remained the same for all these years,
but the humans have undergone changes. Her mother grew up and now she had been dead for the
past twelve years.

12. How does the poet feel when she remembers the sea holiday of her mother?
Ans. The poet feels sad when she remembers the sea holiday of her mother. Her mother died twelve
years ago.

13. Why doesn’t she want to think about the photograph anymore?
Ans. She doesn’t want to think about the photograph anymore because it brings the pain of loss to her
mind.

14. The three stanzas depict three different phases. What are they?
Ans. The three stanzas depict three different phases of life. The first stanza refers to the childhood of the
poet’s mother. The second stanza refers to the adulthood of the poet’s mother. The last stanza refers
to the last phase of life – the death of the poet’s mother.

EXTRA QUESTIONS FOR PRACTICE

EXTRACTS
Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow:
1. The cardboard shows me how it was When the two girl cousins went paddling, Each one holding
one of my mother’s hands, And she the big girl - some twelve years or so.
a) What does the cardboard ‘show’ to the poet?
b) Who is ‘she’ in the last line? Why did the two girl cousins hold one of her hands’?
(Hint-affection, security etc.)
c) What has happened to ‘she’ now?

2. All three stood still to smile through their hair At the uncle with the camera. A sweet face My
mother’s, that was before I was born.
And the sea, which appears to have changed less,
Washed their terribly transient feet.
a) Who are ‘the three’ referred to in the line?
b) Where are they standing and why?
c) Why are their feet referred to ‘terribly transient’?
d) When and why is the poet recollecting this moment?

3. Now she’s been dead nearly as many years As that girl lived. And of this circumstance There is
nothing to say at all.
Its silence silences.
a) What do you think was the age of’ that girl’ in the photograph?
b) What does the word ‘circumstance’ mean in the poem?
c) How has ‘this circumstance’ affected the speaker?
d) What does ‘silence silences’ refer to here?

4. The sea holiday

Was her past, mine is her laughter.
Both wry With the laboured ease of loss.
a) Which sea holiday is the poet talking about?
 b) What are the two losses the poet is talking about?
[ Hint:- for poet it is mother’s death, for mother it is loss of girlhood]
c) Explain: ‘laboured ease of loss’.
[Hint:- Both the mother and the poetess labour to bear the loss with ease)

SHORT ANSWER QUESTIONS

Answer the following questions in not more than 30-40 words.
1. What has the camera captured?
2. Why did mother laugh at the snapshot?
3. In what context has the phrase” their terribly transient feet” been used?
4. What does the poet tell us about the sea?
5. What does ‘this circumstance’ refer to?
6. Both the poet and her mother experience losses in their lives. What are those losses?
7. ‘Its silence silences’, says the poet. What has silenced the poet?
8. The three stanzas depict three different phases. What are they?
9. What impressions do you form of the poet’s mother after reading the poem, ‘A Photograph’?
10. Describe the three girls as they pose for the photograph.
11. The poet’s mother laughed at the snapshot. What did this laugh indicate?
12. What has not changed over the years? Why?
13. What are the feelings of the poetess when she sees her mother’s photograph?
14. What philosophy of life does the poem reflect?
15. Comment on the tone of the poem. [NOSTALGIC]

POEM-2 THE LABURNUM TOP BY TED HUGHES

Summary:
The poem starts with a description of the Laburnum tree whose top was still and silent. Its leaves had
turned yellow and seeds had fallen down. It was a daytime in the month of September when the tree was
standing still and death-like.
The life-less tree becomes alive by the arrival of the Goldfinch bird. She came to feed her younger ones who
are on the thickness of the branch. The tree is her shelter. She arrives at the end of the branch with the
chirping sound. She further moves to the other side of the branch with rapid and precautionary movement
like a lizard. As soon as she arrives, her younger ones start chirping like a machine and vibrating and
flapping their wings. The death-like tree becomes alive and it trembles and shakes.
After feeding them, she flies to the other side of the branch. Her dark coloured face with the yellow body
was barely visible as she vanished behind the yellow leaves. She flew away in the sky, leaving the tree
death-like again.

EXTRACTS:
Stanza 1
“The Laburnum Top is silent, quite still
in the afternoon yellow September sunlight,
A few leaves yellowing, all its seeds fallen.

1. Why is the laburnum top silent?

Ans. The top of the laburnum tree is silent because the goldfinch nestling(s) in the nest is/are anxiously
awaiting its/their mother’s return with food.

2. What is the significance of ‘yellow’ in the poem?

Ans. As the poem highlights the high security that the mother bird ensures for her babies, yellow has
great implications in the poem. Both the laburnum tree and the goldfinch’s feathers yellow in
colour, the babies escape being noticed by any predator with the camouflaging effect.
3. How does the laburnum ensure security for the nestlings?
Ans. Apart from the popular belief that the laburnum seeds and even its bark and leaves are poisonous,
the laburnum top, rather than its bottom, is a safe area for the nestlings. With the yellow flowers
and the yellowing leaves and a yellow breed of goldfinches, the babies are safer than elsewhere.
Stanza 2
Till the goldfinch comes, with a twitching chirrup
A suddenness, a startlement, at a branch end.
Then sleek as a lizard, and alert and abrupt,
She enters the thickness,and a machine starts up
Of chitterings, and of tremor of wings,and trillings
1. What happens to the laburnum when the goldfinch mother returns?
Ans. On the mother’s return, a sudden movement stirs the tree. Her little ones are excited over her
arrival and they start chirruping.

2. Why is the goldfinch stealing into her nest?

Ans. The cautious mother goldfinch enters the tree with great care that no predator would spot her
babies securely housed in the nest.

3. What is the machine that starts up with the mother’s entry?

Ans. The machine in the poem is the combined effect of the love for mother and for food born by the
nestlings in the nest along with the excited chirrups that they create to welcome their mother and
their food.

Stanza 3
The whole tree trembles and thrills
It is the engine of her family.
She stokes it full, then flirts out to a branch-end
Showing her barred face identity mask.
1. What is the engine of the machine? What is its fuel?
Ans. The nest is the engine of the goldfinch family. With the little ones inside, chirruping and eating and
playing with each other, the mother bird gets her life of it. As fuel to an engine, the goldfinch
family’s fuel is not just the food that the mother brings, it is the mother’s love as well.

2. Why does the bird flirt out to a branch end showing her barred face identity mask?
Ans. The mother bird is over cautious about safety but at the same time it is eager to reveal her identity
to her babies. A barred mark behind the neck is her mark of recognition. By showing them this
identity mark, the mother bird is calling their attention to her, reminding them that she is their
mother.

Stanza 4
Then with eerie delicate whistle-chirrup whisperings
She launches away, towards the infinite
And the laburnum subsides to empty”.
1. Where does the mother bird fly to?
Ans. Probably the mother bird is leaving the babies for more fuel, food, before they grew hungry again.

2. What happens to the laburnum with the mother’s departure?

Ans. With the mother bird’s departure, the laburnum tree shrinks to silence again.

SHORT ANSWER QUESTIONS

Answer the following questions in not more than 30-40 words.
1. She launches away, towards the infinite’. Explain the given line.
Ans. ‘She’ stands for the goldfinch whose arrival on the tree has suddenly transformed it into a noisy
place. After having fed her young ones and having made the tree active and full of life, the
goldfinch flies away towards the infinitely vast sky.

2. Why is the image of the engine evoked by the poet?

Ans. The poet creates the imagery of a machine starting up when the goldfinch arrives in the tree. The
sudden noise and movements produced by the young ones are like the starting of a machine. The
stoking of the engine is actually the act of feeding the young ones and imparting energy and life
into them.
3. Describe the laburnum top.
Ans. The leaves of the laburnum top are turning yellow due to the autumn. Its seeds have fallen and
there is a silence prevailing over the tree. There is no movement at all.

4. What happened when the goldfinch came to the laburnum tree?

Ans. The arrival of the goldfinch brought about a sudden change in the tree. The young ones started
twittering and there was a lot of noise, commotion and movement on the tree.

5. Why has the poem been named ‘The Laburnum Top’?

Ans. The poem has been named ‘The Laburnum Top’ because the top of the tree has been described in
detail by the poet and the second part is a vivid description of the transformation that the tree
undergoes. The entire scenario revolves around the tree.

6. Explain the first three lines of the poem 'The Laburnum Top'.
Ans. The laburnum is the tree whose top part is silent due to lack of movement. There is no breeze and
hence there is no rustling of leaves. The time of the day is afternoon. The month is September, and
the season is autumn season. The leaves of the tree have started decaying and turning yellow as
they are about to fall. The seeds of the laburnum fruit have also fallen.

7. How is the tree transformed during the bird’s visit? Write the line that shows this transformation.
Ans. The tree suddenly starts trembling and moving as if a machine has started up. This is due to the
arrival of the goldfinch in her nest in order to feed her young ones. The young ones start their
chitterings. There is a tremor of wings. The line that shows the transformation is ‘a machine starts
up, of chitterings, and a tremor of wings, and trillings- the whole tree trembles and thrills.

8. To what is the movement of the goldfinch compared? What is the basis for the comparison?
Ans. The goldfinch’s movement is compared to that of a lizard. The basis of the comparison is the sleek,
abrupt and alert movements of a lizard. The same kinds of movements are observed when the
goldfinch arrives on the laburnum tree.

9. What does the phrase ‘her barred face identity mask’ means?
Ans. This is an example of the poetic device – transferred epithet. The laburnum tree has flowers that fall
like bars and when the bird sits behind the flowers the shadow on her face looks like she is wearing
a mask that has bars on it. So, barred – is actually an adjective for the flowers and has been
transferred from there and applied to the bird.

10. ‘The whole tree trembles and thrills’. Explain the poetic device used by the poet.
Ans. The poetic device used is ‘alliteration’. Tree trembles and thrills signify that the arrival of the
goldfinch on the laburnum top is responsible for the movement and the activities on the tree. The
tree has suddenly sprung to life and there is shaking and thrilling movement on it. Personification is
also used as a poetic device in ‘Tree trembles’.

11. ‘It is the engine of her family, she strokes it full.’ Explain the significance of these lines.
Ans. The goldfinch has been called the engine of her family. Just as the engine starts up the machine, her
arrival in the nest has suddenly started up the silent machine i.e. the young ones have started
chittering and making noise. The expression 'She stokes it full' means that she has fed the young
ones who now have the energy to become active and make noise.

12. Explain the line ‘And the laburnum subsides to empty’.

Ans. This is the last line of the poem depicting the sudden silence which falls over the laburnum tree
when the goldfinch flies away after feeding its young ones. It had been on the tree for some time
and the tree had suddenly become lively and noisy but after its departure, the tree becomes silent
again.

13. ‘Then sleek as a lizard and alert and abrupt, she enters the thickness’ . Explain the given lines.
Ans. The lizard is a quick moving animal. It is also very alert and its movements are jerky and abrupt. In
the same manner, the goldfinch enters in the thickness of the branches of the tree and feeds her
young ones.
14. What do you notice about the beginning and the ending of the poem?
Ans. The beginning of the poem describes a silent laburnum tree which has no noise, movement or life.
The ending is also similar where the goldfinch flies away into the vast sky. But the middle part of
the poem shows us a totally transformed tree with noise of the young ones compared to a machine.

15. Why did the goldfinch enter the thickness of the laburnum tree? Quote the line or words that
support your answer.
Ans. The goldfinch entered the thickness of the laburnum tree because it had to reach its nest where its
young ones were waiting to be fed by her. The lines that support the answer are ‘a machine starts
up’, ‘of chitterings and a tremor of wings and trillings’.

EXTRA QUESTIONS FOR PRACTICE

EXTRACTS
1. A few leaves yellowing, all its seeds fallen
Till the goldfinch comes, with a twitching chirrup
A suddenness, a startlement, at a branch end.
a) What has happened to the tree?
b) How does the mood change on the arrival of the goldfinch?
c) There is a comparison of the goldfinch with an animal. Which animal is that?

2. Then with eerie delicate whistle-chirrup whisperings

She launches away, towards the infinite
And the laburnum subsides to empty.
a) Who has been described in the first line?
b) What impression is created by the description?
c) What effect does the last line create?

3. Then sleek as a lizard, and alert and abrupt,

She enters the thickness, and a machine starts up
Of chitterings and a tremor of wings, and trilling
The whole tree trembles and thrills.
a) Who is ‘she’ in the first line? Where does she enter?
b) What is the ‘machine’ referred to in line 2 ?
c) Explain the meaning of the last line.

4. The laburnum top is silent, quite still

In the afternoon yellow September sunlight,
A few leaves yellowing, all its seeds fallen.
a) Name the poem and the poet.
b) Describe the laburnum tree.
c) What is the mood in these lines?
d) Pick out the words that create the mood.

5. It is the engine of her family

She strokes it full, then flirts out to a branch end
Showing her barred face identity mask
a) Why has the word ‘engine’ been used to describe her family?
b) Who is ‘she’? How does she stroke the engine?
c) What does the bird look like?
SHORT ANSWER QUESTIONS
Answer the following questions in not more than 30-40 words.
1. Why is the laburnum tree silent?
2. What does the third line in the poem suggest?
3. Who perches on the tree?
4. Which season has been described in the poem?
5. How is the tree before the arrival of the mother bird?
6. Why is the bird startled? Why does the tree become noisy?
7. What type of mother is the bird?
8. How do the baby birds behave on the arrival of the mother bird?

POEM-3 THE VOICE OF THE RAIN BY WALT WHITMAN

Summary:
The Voice of the Rain’ celebrates rain and the accompanying water cycle that supports life and benefits the
Earth. The poet recounts a ‘conversation’ he had with the falling raindrops. He asks the rain, ‘And who art
thou?’ and strangely, the rain answers, calling itself ‘the Poem of Earth’. The rain says that it is born in the
form of intangible vapours that rise eternally from the earth’s land and deep water bodies. It then reaches
upwards towards heaven in the form of clouds, impalpable, vaguely formed and altogether changed. Yet,
at its core, it remains the same as it was at birth. It, then, returns to its origin, the Earth, as rain drops to
wash away the dust and rejuvenate the drought-ridden and. dry land.
The poet compares the rain to a poem/song. A song is born in the heart of a human and after giving
pleasure and joy to one and all comes back to the creator in the form of appreciation. Similarly, rain
originates from the Earth and the bottomless sea; soars up to heaven taking the form of clouds and comes
down to give joy to its birthplace (Earth) and makes it clean, pure and beautiful.

EXTRACT:
A) 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,
Upward to heaven, whence, vaguely form’d, altogether changed,
and yet the same.
1) In what sense is rain the poem of the earth?
Ans. Rain is the poem of the earth because a poem is music. Like a piece of music requires lyrics
and accompaniment, the soft falling rain is musical to ears. Each rain drop is a sound played
for accompaniment and when all the sounds are collectively taken, it is like a grand music
with endless number of music instruments.

2) What are the permanent qualities of the rain?

Ans. Rain is permanently water although it changes its shape first to vapour and then become
clouds.

3) Where does rain rise from?

Ans. Rain rises from land and bottomless seas in the form of vapour.

4) Explain, “altogether changed, and yet the same.”

Ans. During evaporation, water turns into vapor and ascends to the sky and becomes clouds.
Though clouds are different in appearance yet they are originally water.

5) How does water change its shape?

Ans. When vapour reaches the the sky, it changes its appearance complete to form clouds of
abstract, changeable shapes. Yet, at its core, it remains the same as it was at birth.
B) I descend to lave the droughts,
atomies, dust-layers of the globe.
And all that in them without me
were seeds only, latent, unborn

1) How does rain descend? What for?

Ans. Rain descends by falling from the clouds. It falls for the unborn seeds, for laving the
droughts and for cooling the dust layers of the earth.

2) What is the effect of the rain?

Ans. When it rains, water returns to the earth as little droplets which penetrate into the dust and
rejuvenate the drought-ridden, dry land. New plants find life which would have otherwise
remained hidden and unborn inside the land as mere seeds. Thus, this perpetual cyclic
lifestyle ensures that the rain returns to its origin, the earth, giving it life, and making it pure
and beautiful.

3) What is feared to happen in the absence of rain?

Ans. If rain absents itself, the seeds buried in the earth will not grow to plants. The earth will be
dusty and drought-hit all the time. Besides, without the purification process (evaporation),
the seas and rivers will be stagnant and polluted.

4) At one point rain sounds a little proud of itself? Explain.

Ans. The rain feels extremely proud of itself. It claims that life is not possible without it. It clearly
says that all the seeds will remain unborn in its absence. The earth will suffer from drought
and famine.

C) And forever, by day and night,

I give back life to my own origin,
and make pure and beautify it;

1) How does water purify itself and the earth?

Ans. Rain purifies itself through evaporation and condensation. Boiling and then cooling is the
best practice of purification. Water purifies the earth by pouring down on hills and valleys.
During this process, water cleanses the polluted air as it falls as rain and washes the dirt
away from the face of the earth. It also replaces the stagnant water of the lakes and seas with
newly purified water.

2) What is rain’s own origin? How does rain give its origin back?
Ans. Rain’s own origin is the state of water. By going through the process of rain, it goes up to the
sky, remains there for a while and the it returns to the earth and that way it turns back to
water again.

D) (For, song, issuing from its birth-place, after fulfilment, wandering,

Reck’d or unreck’d, duly with love returns.)

1) Explain, “recked or unrecked.”

Ans. Reck means having care or regard. Here rain says that it is not waiting for anyone to regard
it, give thanks to it or have concern for it. Whether people love or hate, wait for it or do not
wait for it, the rain is bound to rain.

2) How is rain’s life similar to that of a song?

Ans. The poet realizes that the rain’s life is similar to that of any song. A song’s birth place is the
poet’s heart. Once complete, it is passed on (wanders) from one person to another. A song
may be well regarded or unnoticed. Similarly, the rain may be loved or hated by people but
rain doesn’t mind if it is disregarded.
SHORT ANSWER QUESTIONS :
Answer the following questions in not more than 30-40 words.
1. There are two voices in the poem. Who do they belong to? Which lines indicate this?
Ans. The two voices in the poem are the voice of the rain and the voice of the poet. The lines are “And
who art thou? Said I ……..” and ‘I am the poem of Earth’.

2. What does the phrase ‘strange to tell’ mean?

Ans. The phrase ‘strange to tell’ means that it is an unusual and extraordinary answer given by the rain
drops to the poet who asked who ‘it was’.

3. What is the similarity between rain and music?

Ans. They both return to the place of their origin after fulfilling their tasks.

4. How is the cyclic movement of rain brought out in the poem?

Ans. The poet explains that the rain drops in the form of water vapour rise up from land and sea and
then descend again on the earth and dry land in order to wash it down and hence comes back to its
origin. This is the cyclic movement explained by the poet.

5. Why are the last two lines put within brackets?

Ans. The last two lines are put within brackets because they do not form the voice of the rain or the poet.
They only contain a general observation made by the poet about the course of a song.

6. What does the rain do to the things day and night?

Ans. The rain falls on the earth, and washes away the drought, it also helps the seeds to germinate and
bring forth new life on the earth. Without it, all life on earth would become lifeless.

7. What answer did the rain give to the poet about its origin?
Ans. The rain answered that it was the poem of the earth. It rose eternally out of the land and bottomless
sea into the sky. There its form changed but essence remained the same.

8. On what does the ‘rain descend’? What does it do to the things on which it falls?
Ans. The rain descends on droughts, atoms and dust particles on the surface of the earth. It also falls on
everything that is on the earth. It gives life to the things on which it falls. The things that do not get
rain remain like seeds latent and unborn.

9. ‘Behind the apparent simplicity, the poem hides a deep meaning’. What exactly does the poem
convey to the reader?
Ans. The poem conveys that like a poem, the rain is also everlasting and has an unbreakable chain of life
cycle. It rises from the earth, comes back to it. The song also issues from its birth place, wanders
here and there, whether heeded to or not, returns with love to its own origin.

EXTRA QUESTIONS FOR PRACTICE

EXTRACTS
Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow:
1. 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.
a) Name the poem and the poet.
b) Why does the rain call itself ‘the Poem of Earth’? (Hint-Originates from earth and later
beautifies it.)
c) What gives eternity to rain?

2. Upward to heaven, whence, vaguely form’d, altogether

changed, and yet the same, I descend to lave the draughts,
atomies, dust-layers of the globe, And all that in them
without me were seeds only, latent, unborn;
 a) Who does ‘I’ refer to? In what way does T altogether change?
b) How is T useful to the world?
c) Explain: ‘latent, unborn’.

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 heaven, whence, vaguely form’d, altogether changed, and yet the same.
a) In the first line, who does ‘I’ refer to?
b) Name the figure of speech used in the phrase ‘Poem of Earth’.
c) In what way is the rain altogether changed?

4. 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 birth-place, after fulfilment,
wandering Reck’d or unreck’d, duly with love returns.)
a) Where and in what form does the ‘song’ return to its origin?[ Hint:- Composer in the form of
fame/criticism]
b) What is the ‘birth place’ of the ‘song’?
c) ‘I give back life to my own origin’. How does the ‘rain’ do so?

SHORT ANSWER QUESTIONS :

Answer the following questions in not more than 30-40 words.
1. How does the rain define itself?
2. Why does the rain call itself ’impalpable’ in the poem?
3. What happens to the ‘Poem of Earth’ when it goes upward to heaven?
4. What happens when the rain descends in the form of rain showers?
5. What message does the poem give to its readers?
6. What surprises the poet in the beginning of the poem?
7. There are two voices in the poem. Whom do they belong to?
8. What is the parallel drawn between rain and music in the poem ‘The Voice of Rain’?
9. Name the two origins of the rain.
10. How is the cyclic movement of rain brought out in the poem?
11. Why are the last two lines put within brackets?
12. The rain is the harbinger of life. Do you agree? Why or why not?

POEM-4 CHILDHOOD BY MARKUS NATTEN

Summary:
In the poem ‘Childhood’, Markus Natten depicts the reality of childhood innocence gradually transforming
into adult rationality, hypocrisy and individuality. The poem begins with the poet wondering when did his
childhood go - was it the day he ceased to be eleven; was it the day when he could distinguish between
fantasy and reality by realizing that heaven and hell don’t exist since they are not found in geography
books; was it the day when he could understand the hypocrisy of adults by realizing that people were not
all that they pretended to be; or was it the day when he became conscious of his own growing individuality
by realising that he had a mind of his own and that he was capable of producing thoughts and opinions
that were different from other people.
In the final lines, the poet concludes the speculations in his mind regarding his lost childhood. He now tries
to understand where his childhood has gone. Though he is not aware of the day he lost his childhood, he
knows that it has gone to some forgotten place, that is, on the face of an infant. The poet believes that
though his childhood has become a memory for him, it has become a reality for some other child.
Childhood is a cyclic process, where it leaves one person and goes to another.

EXTRACT
Stanza-1
When did my childhood go?
Was it the day I ceased to be eleven,
Was it the time I realized that Hell and Heaven,
Could not be found in Geography,
And therefore could not be,
Was that the day!
1. What is the age of the poet?
Ans. The poet is an adult.

2. What is the poet’s mood?

Ans. The poet is sad and helpless. He is lamenting/ sad that he has been stripped off of his childhood’s
innocence.

3. Why does the poet suspect science in connection with his losing his childhood?
Ans. The poet blames science for his losing his childhood. As a child he had strong belief in God and
Heaven, all that he had learnt in his catechism/moral training classes but when he attended school,
teachers told him that Heaven was not found in Geography so he concluded that Heaven and God
were just lies.
4. What did the poet realize when he was twelve years?
Ans. At the age of twelve, the poet learnt that Hell and Heaven were not real but mere stories and that
science didn’t support the existence of Hell and heaven.

Stanza-2
When did my childhood go?
Was it the time I realized that adults were not
all they seemed to be,
They talked of love and preached of love,
But did not act so lovingly,
Was that the day!
1. How were the adults responsible for the poet’s sadness?
Ans. When the poet was a child, the adults he had looked up at as models, like his parents, were too full
of love. His parents taught him to love each other but when he grew up, he saw the complex
hypocrisy that they exhibited. He also noticed that love was good to be preached at but in practice,
adults had no love.
2. What did the poet realize about adults?
Ans. The poet used to believe that his elders were sincere about relationship and love. But later he
realized that their love was not real. He saw that the adults were only talking about love but never
loved anyone.
3. What misunderstandings did the poet have about adults till he became one?
Ans. The poet, until he was himself an adult, had thought that the grown up people had real love for
others. He believed that their love was true and they were ready to die for their loved ones.

4. How did adults ‘seem’ to the poet when he was a child?

Ans. When the poet was a child adults seemed to him as messengers and poets of love. He heard them
singing love songs and talking endlessly about love and romance.

Stanza-3
When did my childhood go?
Was it when I found my mind was really mine,
To use whichever way I choose,
Producing thoughts that were not those of other people,
But my own, and my alone,
Was that the day!
1. What did the poet discover about his mind? What was the impact of this discovery?
Ans. The poet discovered that he was different from others hence an independent person. This discovery
paved the way to his self-centrism and ego. He ceased to be listening to other people because his
ideas started clashing with those of others.
2. What happened to the poet when he was aware of his ego?
Ans. At the end of his childhood, the poet realized that he too was a separate individual. He began to
take his own decisions. He seldom listened to his elders because he began to place himself at the
center of everything.

Stanza-4
Where did my childhood go?
It went to some forgotten place,
That’s hidden in an infant’s face,
That’s all I know.
1. How is the last stanza different from all the preceding stanzas?
Ans. All the four stanzas present different questions but only the last stanza has answers to the question
raised in it. The first three stanzas ask questions whereas only the last has any answer.

2. Where does the poet find his lost childhood? How can he get it back?
Ans. The poet, a specimen of the counterfeit/fake personality, finds his lost childhood on the face of a
child. He can get it back only when he commits to be child again, forgetting the complex adult
concepts and pseudo/fake maturity perceptions.

3. How do social interactions kill a child in a child?

Ans. A human being is supposed to live as innocent as a child throughout his life but it is very hard in a
society that believes “complexity is maturity and science is the final word.” When the child grows
up, he hears, sees, understands and accepts new codes of behavior and new concepts of growth.

Short Answer Questions

Answer the following questions in not more than 30-40 words.
1. How does the poem expose man and presents him in true colours?
Ans. Childhood symbolizes innocence, purity, softness and love. As a child grows, these qualities start
receding. Man becomes impure, cunning, shrewd and hypocrite. Grown-ups become blatant liars.
They talk of love but practice hatred. They preach brotherhood of mankind but perpetuate hatred
and killing. Simplicity and honesty evaporate into thin air, the moment man crosses the threshold of
innocent childhood.

2. What is the poet’s feeling towards the childhood?

Ans. The poet regards childhood as a period of heavenly innocence. A child sincerely feels that there is
god above. He is free from all earthly evils. He believes that there is really a Heaven and a Hell. He
is truly religious in his soul. A child knows no hypocrisy. He always means what he says. There is
no difference between his thoughts and actions. A child is free from any sense of ego. He does not
think himself to be different from or superior to others. In short, childhood is a state of heavenly
innocence and purity of heart.

3. What according to the poem, is involved in the process of growing up?

Ans. As a person grows up, he becomes a rationalist, an egoist and a hypocrite. He accepts nothing that is
not logical. He loses faith in God. He does not believe in Hell or Heaven. He becomes very
conscious of his self. He wants to follow his own desires and ideas. He becomes an egoist. He talks
of love and preaches of love, but is not so loving in his actions. In short, he loses all his innocence of
his childhood.

4. How does the poet describe the process of being grown up?
Ans. The process of being grown up develops the critical thinking and analytical point of view in the
person. It makes the person rationalized and abled to take his decision by virtue of his seat of
reasoning.

5. How does the poet repent on his loss of childhood?

Ans. He expresses concern over his childhood’s disappearance. Childhood cannot be regained. It keeps
our life aloof from the world of hypocrisy, bitter reality and materialism.
6. The poet has asked two questions one is about the time and other is about the place. Why has he
used these questions?
Ans. He has used these two questions to interpret the time and place of way of going his childhood away.
“When” points out the process of being rational at a particular time and “where” states the place
where the innocent world of childhood resides.

7. What does the Hell and heaven stand for?

Ans. It stands for the world of imagination that fascinates only small children. These are nothing but the
product of our imaginative mind that helps the person to escape from reality.

8. What contrast did he find in adult’s behaviour?

Ans. They talked of human values but did not practise in their day to day life.

9. Bring out the hypocrisy that the adults inhibit with regards to love.
Ans. Adults talk too much about love and almost every aspect of the adult life is closely connected with
love; movies, plays, novels and songs. But the poet believes that the adults are hypocritical about
love because in practice they do not have true love for others.

10. Why does the poet think that he had lost his childhood?
Ans. The poet, Markus Natten, believes that he has lost his childhood. He believes so because he has lost
the innocence and purity of his childhood. When he was a child, he used to believe in the existence
of Hell and Heaven. He also believed that adults had real love. In his childhood he didn’t have any
egoistic attitude.

EXTRA QUESTIONS FOR PRACTICE

EXTRACTS
Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow:
1. When did my childhood go?
Was it the time I realised that adults were not
All they seemed to be,
They talked of love and preached of love,
But did not act so lovingly,
Was that the day!
a) Name the poem and the poet.
b) What does the poet realise about adults?
c) What is the poet’s mood in the given stanza? [ Hint:-disillusion]

2. Was it when I found my mind was really mine.

To use whichever way I choose,
Producing thoughts that were not those of other people
But my own and mine alone Was that the day!
a) How does the poet realise he has grown up?
b) The words , ‘my’ and ‘mine’ have been used seven times in the given stanza.
What does this indicate? [Hint:- realisation of individuality]
c) ‘....my own and mine alone’. What is the poet referring to here?

3. Was it the day I ceased to be eleven,

Was it the time I realised that Hell and Heaven,
Could not be found in Geography, And therefore could not be, Was that the day!
a) According to the poem when did his childhood go?
b) What does Hell and Heaven stand for?
c) Find words from the stanza which mean the following: i) ended ii)understand.

SHORT ANSWER QUESTIONS :

Answer the following questions in not more than 30-40 words.
1. How does the poet realise he has grown up?
2. What do the phrase ‘my mind was really mine’ mean?
3. The first three stanzas of the poem end in exclamation marks. Why do you think the poet does so?
4. What is the poet’s attitude towards childhood in the poem of the same name?
5. Adulthood is a stage that follows childhood. Explain.
6. What is the theme of the poem?
7. What different questions does the poet ask in the poem?
8. Why does the poet take 11 years as the age of demarcation?
9. What is the poet’s conclusion about Hell and Heaven?
10. What does the poet observe about the behaviour of adults? How is the observation significant?
1. What does the poet discover about his mind? How is the discovery important?
12. What are the changes involved in the process of growing up?
13. Where can the poet find his lost childhood? Is it lost irrevocably?
14. What notion of childhood emerges out of the poem?

POEM -5 FATHER TO SON BY ELIZABETH JENNINGS

Summary:
Father to Son’ describes the troubled relationship between a father and his son. The poem talks about
generation-gap between the father and the son and voices the father’s pain and helplessness in failing to
understand his child. The father wants the same kind of bond with his son as he had when the son was a
little child. But now, silence is what surrounds their relationship and there is a complete lack of
communication between them. Though they have lived in the same house for years, they behave as
strangers. The father sees his son as the ‘the prodigal son’ who would soon return to his father’s house
which was once his very own. The father is unable to understand why in his grief he becomes angry with
his son. As there is still love between both of them, they try to find out a way to resolve their differences but
that seems futile. Elizabeth Jennings says that fathers and sons all over the world should learn to live on the
same globe and same land. The poem talks about the universal problem - lack of communication and
understanding.

EXTRACTS:
Stanza 1
I do not understand this child
Though we have lived together now
In the same house for years. I know
Nothing of him, so try to build
Up a relationship from how
He was when small.
1. Why doesn’t the father know anything of his son? Or – Give reasons for the failure of the father
son relationship.
Ans. The father has failed to understand his son because he could not grow with his son. When the son
grew differently, the narrow-minded father felt uneasy and indifferent. He didn’t make any attempt
to understand the changed world where his son grew up.

2. What sort of a relation is the father trying to build with his son? What will be drawback of this
relation?
Ans. The father, having failed to know the height of his son’s emotional growth, is trying to understand
him as a child rather than attempting to understand what his son is at the moment. This sort of a
relationship that the father is trying to build with his son will do more harms than any good
because the father will always think that his son is a little child and will not understand his actual
person.

3. Where did the father fail? How could have he escaped the failure?
Ans. The father failed to understand his son. Instead of growing with his son, he attempted to build a
relation with him understanding him as a little child whom he used to know and used to love.

Stanza 2
Yet have I killed
The seed I spent or sown it where
The land is his and none of mine?
We speak like strangers, there’s no sign
Of understanding in the air.
1. What is the mood of the father? Why?
Ans. The father’s mood is one of helplessness because he is sad about the gap between his son and
himself.

2. Do you think the poem would have appeared the same if written by the son? How?
Ans. No, if the poem were written by the son, it would not have been the same. If the son were as
temperamental as his father, he would have said that his father understands him as a little child.

3. Why does the father think that he has killed the seed that he spent?
Ans. The father had always wanted his son built as per his design but the son went astray and became
what he wanted. The sun made a design for himself and lived a life that he designed. For the father,
the son was his seed that he expected to grow and take branches under his shade but now he finds
that his expectations from his son have all gone waste.

Stanza 3
This child is built to my design
Yet what he loves I cannot share.
Silence surrounds us.
1. The child is built to my design. Explain. From where did the building go different?
Ans. The father in the poem had a great expectation from his son but the son didn’t grow up to his
expectations and designs. This deviation started when the son found his father’s design for him
inappropriate and designed his own life in his way.

2. The father here seems to be highly egoistic. Explain.

Ans. The father of the son appears to be self centered because of a few reasons. He, in the first place, has a
design for his son because he believes that the son would not be able to design his own life.

3. Bring out the pun in the line, “Yet what he loves I cannot share.”
Ans. The line has got multiple meaning which is a pun. Here, while “what he loves” may refer to the
things, trends and people that the son loves, “I cannot share” has got more than just a single
meaning. In the first place it means the father is ashamed of mentioning his son’s crazes and in the
other, the father is not allowed to or not willing to share what his son uses.

Stanza 4
I would have him prodigal, returning to
His father’s house, the home he knew,
Rather than see him make and move
His world. I would forgive him too,
Shaping from sorrow a new love.
1. How does this stanza present the abnormal yet extreme love and care of a father?
Ans. No father in his senses would wish his son go away from him, ruin himself, struggle and get lost.
The father in the poem, surprisingly, wishes that his son go away from him because he believes that
one day his son would return as the prodigal son in the Bible.

2. Why is the father ready to see his son go prodigal?

Ans. It is out of his extreme attachment with his son that the father wishes his son go away from him, like
the prodigal son in the Bible. Just like the Biblical son had to go through a lot of struggles to finally
realize his father’s love for him, the father in the poem also wants his son go from him for some
time only to return to his love.
3. What is the significance of the Biblical reference, the parable of the Prodigal Son, in the poem?
Ans. The Biblical story of the Prodigal Son is presented here to show a father’s endless, unconditioned
love for his son. The father lets him slip away from him, imagines the hardship he must be going
through and expects his return. This father in a story told by Jesus is the perfect example of a loving
father who has failed to form his son in the right way.

4. How is the father in the poem different from the father of the Prodigal Son?
Ans. In the case of the Prodigal Son, the father’s love for his son was unconditional. He never wanted his
son go so that he could learn bitter lessons. The father in the poem is different. He appears to be a
muddled-head. Rather than reaching a settlement with his son (who doesn’t blame his father), the
father is taking dramatic solutions that may yield unpredictable consequences.

5. What does the father mean by ‘a new love?’

Ans. A new love refers to his son’s realizing his father’s love that he had failed to understand earlier.

Stanza 5
Father and son, we both must live
On the same globe and the same land.
He speaks: I cannot understand
Myself, why anger grows from grief.
We each put out an empty hand,
Longing for something to forgive.
1. The father wishes to live with his son but this rude inflexibility alone is the cause of all the
troubles. Explain.
Ans. The father in the poem is double-standard. On one side he has failed to accept his son with all his
shortcomings and on the other he is not ready for reaching a compromise. Having failed on both
lines, he is trying to justify his own shortcomings, failures and the great generation gap he himself
widened between his son and himself.

2. The root cause of the generation gap presented in the poem lies in the fact that it is the father
talking to his son rather than hearing or understanding him. Explain.
Ans. One of the reasons of generation gap is absence of communication. In this poem, we hear only what
the father has to say – his complaints about his son. There is nothing in the poem as the son’s
complaints. The father presents his son’s limitations but he doesn’t say a word about his own faults.
It is therefore certain that the father is highly diplomatic, tyrannous and one-sided. If the father has
the magnanimity/openness to listen to his son, the two would not have drifted such far away.

3. What do the father and son long to forgive?

Ans. The father and son are both concerned about the widening gap in their midst. The father believes
that his son has run away from him so he longs to forgive his son’s abandoning him. On the other
hand, the son may be longing to forgive his father’s rigid ways and uncompromising demands from
him.

SHORT ANSWER QUESTIONS

Answer the following questions in not more than 30-40 words.
1. Why is the father unhappy with his son?
Ans. The father is unhappy with his son as there is no interaction between the two. They don’t
understand each other and are like strangers. Though they live under the same roof, yet they have
nothing common between them. Their thinking and outlook are totally different. So they remain
separated from each other. So, the father is deeply troubled.

2. What does the father long for?

Ans. The father is much more tense and upset. He fails to see where he made a mistake. He wants to
make peace with his son and keep him in the same house. He is willing to forget and forgive the
boy. He is only waiting for an excuse.
3. Can you suggest a solution to the widening gap between father and son?
Ans. The tussle between the aged and the youth is very old and universal. Elders see young ones as their
property and try to impose their will on them. As a result the son revolts. The father must try to
understand and respect the demands of the son. Not rod but the language of love can bridge the
gap and avert the clash.

4. Who do you sympathize with—the father or the son?

Ans. Being a youngster, I also often revolt against the authoritarian attitude of elders. They have ego
problem. They demand total obedience from young ones. I know that the relationship between
father and son is strong yet delicate as well. I would humbly advise grown-ups to be a bit more
flexible and liberal in their attitude. In bending, they both will win.

5. How is the father’s helplessness brought out in the poem?

Ans. The father is not only sad but also angry. But he feels helpless. He is ready to patch up with the son,
forgive him and bring him back home at any cost. He wonders why they have now become
strangers. He is ready to overlook his son’s wasteful habits. He is extending his empty hand to get
an excuse to welcome the boy into his old home. But the son looks adamant. Ego problem persists.

6. Why is the father unable to understand his son in Father to Son”?

Ans. The father is unable to understand his son due to generation gap. It is a psychological and
emotional gap between parents or elder people and the young ones. This creates misunderstanding
and lack of attachment between the parents and children. The success lies in how effectively the
parents can avoid the generation gap or ignore difference with their children.

7. ‘I would have him prodigal’. What does the father mean by this?
Ans. Prodigal means wastefully extravagant. In the Bible there is a story, where a father inherits property
and gives it to his sons. The younger son wastes a lot but returns to his father’s home. His father
forgives him and takes him back home. Here in the poem the father is ready to accept his prodigal
son and he may start living with him under the same roof.

8. What does the poet mean by `silence surrounds us?

Ans. The father is troubled because there is no interaction between them. Though they have been living
under the same roof for years but they do not understand each other and live like strangers. Their
outlook and temperament are different. They have a communication gap along with the generation
gap. So both are unhappy and want to come closer but they can’t help it.

EXTRA QUESTIONS FOR PRACTICE

EXTRACTS
Read the extracts given below and answer the questions that follow:
1. I do not understand this child
Though we have lived together now
In the same house for years. I know
Nothing of him, so try to build
Up a relationship from how
He was when small
a) Name the poem and the poet
b) Explain’I know nothing of him’.
c) How does the father’try to build a relationship’?

2. Yet have I killed

The seed I spent or sown it where
The land is his and none of mine?
We speak like strangers, there’s no sign
Of understanding in the air—
a) Who does I stand for?
b) What do the words ‘seed’ and ‘land’ stand for?
c) Why do they speak like strangers?
3. Silence surrounds us.
I would have Him prodigal, returning to
His father’s house, the home he knew,
Rather than see him make and move
His world. I would forgive him too,
Shaping from sorrow a new love.
a) Explain ‘silence surrounds us’.
b) What is meant by, ‘I would have him prodigal’?
 c) How would the father shape a new love from sorrow?

SHORT ANSWER QUESTIONS :

Answer the following questions in not more than 30-40 words.
1. What kind of relationship exists between father and his son?
2. What does father mean when he says ’We speak like strangers’?
3. Why does the father say ‘Silence surrounds us’?
4. Explain ‘This child is built to my design, yet what he loves I cannot share’.
5. Why does the father think that he has killed the seed that he spent?
6. How is the father’s helplessness brought out in the poem?
7. Give reasons for the failure of the father-son relationship.
8. The father wishes to rebuild a cordial relationship with the son. Why doesn’t he succeed in doing
so? (Hint- Does not walk his talk)
9. Who do you think is responsible for the deterioration in the relationship - the father or the son? Give
reasons for your answer.
10. The poem is a commentary on generation gap. Do you agree with the statement? Support your
answer.
11. How does the father feel about his separation from the son?
12. Bring out the pathos in the last stanza of the poem.

LESSON -1 THE PORTRAIT OF A LADY BY KHUSHWANTH SINGH

Summary:
The Portrait of a Lady’ is written in first person and is in the biographical mode. In this story, the writer
gives a detailed account of his Grandmother with whom he had a long association. Khushwant Singh
recalls his Grandmother as short, fat and slightly bent. Her silver hair was scattered untidily on her
wrinkled face. She hobbled around the house in white clothes with one hand resting on her waist and the
other telling the beads of her rosary. Khushwant Singh remembers her as not very pretty but always
beautiful. He compares her serene face to that of a winter landscape.
During their long stay in the village, Grandmother woke him up in the morning, plastered his wooden
slate, prepared his breakfast, and escorted him to school. While he studied alphabets, she read the
scriptures in the temple attached to the school. On their way back home she fed stale chapattis to stray
dogs.
The turning point in their relationship came when they went to live in the city. Now, the author went to a
city school in a motor bus and studied English, law of gravity, Archimedes’ principle and many more
things which she could not understand at all. Grandmother could no longer accompany him to school nor
help him in his studies. She was upset that there was no teaching of God and scriptures at city school.
Instead he was given music lesson which, according to her, was not meant for gentlefolk. But she said
nothing.
When Khushwant Singh went to a university, he was given a separate room. The common link of their
friendship was snapped. Grandmother rarely talked to anyone now. She spent most of her time sitting
beside her spinning wheel, reciting prayers, and feeding the sparrows in the afternoon. When the author
left for abroad, Grandmother did not get disturbed. Rather, she saw him off at the railway station. Seeing
her old age, the narrator thought that it was his last meeting with her. But, contrary to his thinking, when
he returned after a span of five years, Grandmother was there to receive him. She celebrated the occasion
by singing songs of the homecoming of warriors on an old dilapidated drum, along with the ladies of the
neighbourhood.
Next morning she got ill. Although the doctor said it was a mild fever and would go away soon, she could
foresee that her end was near. She did not want to waste time talking to anyone. She lay peacefully in bed
praying and telling the beads till her lips stopped moving and the rosary fell from her lifeless fingers. To
mourn her death thousands of sparrows flew in and sat scattered around her body. There was no
chirruping and when Khushwant Singh’s mother threw breadcrumbs to the sparrows, they took no notice
of the bread. They flew away quietly when the dead body of Grandmother was carried away for last rites.

SHORT ANSWER QUESTIONS(40-50 words)

1. Describe the grandmother in your own words.
Ans. The grandmother was a deeply religious woman. She was also kind hearted. She was not pretty to
look at, yet she was beautiful. She was graceful and dignified in her bearing. She had perfect control
over her emotions. She used to feed the dogs and birds.

2. How were the narrator and the grandmother good friends in the village?
Ans. Grandmother woke him up every morning and got him ready for school. She would bathe and dress
him up. She gave him breakfast, got him his slate, ink-pot and accompanied him to school. While he
learnt at school, grandmother used to read the scriptures in the temple. When the school was over,
they would walk back home together and feed the village dogs on the way.

3. What was the turning point in their friendship?

Ans. Their arrival in the city was the turning point in the friendship of the author and the grandmother.
She no longer accompanied him to school as he used to go by bus. She could not help him in his
studies. They saw less of each other. The common link of friendship was snapped and the distance
grew.

4. Why was the author’s grandmother unhappy with the city's education?
Ans. The grandmother did not like the teaching at English school in the city. She was sad that they did not
teach anything about God and the religious scriptures. Nor was she interested in science. She hated
music lessons given in the school.

5. Why did the grandmother hate music?

Ans. Grandmother considered that music was indecent and was meant only for harlots and beggars. It was
not meant for gentle folk or school children from respectable families.

6. Draw a comparison between village school education and city school education.
Ans. In the city school English and Science were taught. Music was also one of the subjects. There was no
teaching about God and scriptures. The village school was attached to a temple. The priest himself
acted as the teacher and taught the children the alphabet and the prayer.

7. What used to be the happiest moments of the day for the grandmother?
Ans. The happiest moment of the day for grandmother was the time when she would feed the sparrows. In
the afternoon, she sat in the verandah breaking the bread into little bits. Hundreds of sparrows
collected around her. Some came and perched on her legs, others on her shoulders. Some even sat on
her head. She smiled but never shooed them away. This used to be happiest moment of the day for
her.

8. What was “the last sign” of physical contact between the author and the grandmother?
Ans. When the author was going abroad for further studies, his grandmother came to see him off at the
railway station. She kissed his forehead silently. That was the last sign of physical contact between the
author and the grandmother as he thought that at her age one could never tell whether he would find
her alive after five years.

9. How did the grandmother celebrate the homecoming of her grandson?

Ans. Grandmother was overjoyed at the homecoming of her grandson. She collected the women of the
neighbourhood, beat the drum and sang for hours about the homecoming of warriors. She even
forgot to pray.

10. Why did the grandmother stop talking before her death?
Ans. The old lady was taken ill. She had a mild fever. The doctor told her that she would be alright soon.
But the grandmother declared that her end was near. She forgot to pray last evening. She was not
going to waste any more time talking to them.

11. What could have been the cause of grandmother’s falling ill?
Ans. When the author came back from abroad after five years, grandmother collected the women from the
neighbourhood. She kept singing and thumping a drum for several hours. This overstrained her body
and she fell ill.
12. How did the sparrows mourn the death of grandmother?
Ans. Hundreds of sparrows gathered around grandmother’s dead body. They did not chirrup and touch
the breadcrumbs thrown to them. They seemed to mourn her death in silence and flew away when
her body was taken away for cremation.

13. How can you say that the grandmother was a kind- hearted woman?
Ans. Grandmother was a kind-hearted woman. When she lived in the village, she used to feed dogs. When
she came to the city, there were no dogs in the streets. So she took to feeding sparrows in the
courtyard.

14. The grandmother has been portrayed as a very religious lady. What details in the story create that
impression?
Ans. Her lips were always moving in silent prayer. Her one hand was always telling the beads of her
rosary. She also read scriptures at the village temple. When she knew her end was near, she lay
peacefully in bed praying and telling her beads till death.

LONG ANSWER QUESTIONS(120-50 words)

1. Describe the narrator’s grandmother as a very religious and kind-hearted woman.

Ans. The writer’s grandmother was a very religious and kind-hearted woman. She is a God-fearing
woman and feels delight in reading scriptures. In the temple she has the habit of reading the scripture
till her grandson remains in the school. In the house she was always busy in telling the beads of her
rosary. Her lips always moved in silent prayer. When she used to bathe her grandson, she would say
her prayers in a singsong manner so that the author would learn them by heart. She kept on praying
and telling the beads of her rosary till her last breath.
She always treated her grandson with love and affection. She used to feed the village dogs with stale
chapatis. When she moved to the city, she took delight in feeding the sparrows. They would perch on
her legs, shoulders and head but she never shooed them away. Her joy knew no bounds, when her
grandson returned from abroad. She was a woman of noble nature, kind and tender heart.

2. Write a character sketch of the author’s grandmother.

Ans. The author’s grandmother was an affectionate and caring lady. She had boundless love for her
grandson. When they lived in the village, she would wake him up in the morning and get him ready
for school. She accompanied him to school. While the author sang the alphabet with other children,
she sat inside the temple reading scriptures. They would walk back home after school.
The grandmother was kind and benevolent. In the village she used to feed dogs. When she came to
the city, there were no dogs in the streets. So she took to feeding the sparrows. In the afternoon, she
would sit in the verandah, breaking the bread into small bits. Hundreds of sparrows would gather
round her. Some even sat on her head. She smiled but never shooed them away.
The grandmother was a religious lady. Her lips were always moving in silent prayer. Her one hand
was always telling the beads of her rosary. When she was in the village, she went to the temple to read
scriptures. When her end was near, she lay in bed praying and telling her beads till death stole upon
her.
The grandmother was a strong woman. When the friendship between her and the author was
snapped and they saw less of each other, she bore all this ungrudgingly. Even when the author
decided to go abroad for further studies, she did not show any feeling.

3. How did the grandmother receive the author when he returned from abroad?
Ans. When the author went abroad for higher studies, the grandmother went to the railway station to see
him off. The author thought that it would be his last meeting with her. But he was wrong in his
supposition. When he returned after five years, she came to the railway station to receive him. She
celebrated his home-coming in a grand way.
In the evening she collected the women of the neighbourhood, got an old drum and started singing.
She went on doing this for several hours and overstrained her. The next morning she was taken ill
and she knew that her end was near. But she went on praying and telling her beads. Then her lips
stopped moving and the rosary fell from her lifeless fingers. A peaceful pallor spread on her face and
she was dead.
4. The grandmother herself was not formally educated but was serious about the author’s education.
How does the text support this?
Ans. Although the grandmother had no proper schooling and was not formally educated, she was serious
about the author’s education. The author’s parents had shifted to the city. He lived in the village with
his grandmother. She would wake him up in the morning and get him ready for school. She would
accompany him to the school and back. When the author’s parents were well- settled in the city they
called them also. The author was sent to an English school.
Now his grandmother could not come to school with him. She continued to wake him up and get him
ready for school. When he came back she would ask him what the teacher had taught him. She could
not help him with his lesson. She was distressed that there was no teaching about God and the
scriptures. She was disturbed when she was told that they were being given music lessons at school,
but she said nothing. Later, she did not get sentimental when the author decided to go abroad for
further studies. Actually, she did not want to stand in the way of the author’s education.

5. Gradually the author and the grandmother saw less of each other and their friendship was broken.
Was the distancing in the relationship deliberate or due to the demand of the situation?
Ans. Gradually, the author and his grandmother saw less of each other and their friendship was broken.
This distancing was due to the demand of situation, not deliberate. When they came to the city, the
author was sent to an English school. His grandmother no longer came to school with him as he used
to go in a motor bus. Nor could she help him with his lessons because she did not know the things
they taught at the English school. In fact, she was not happy with the things taught at school. For
instance, she was shocked to learn that they were given music lessons at school.
According to her music was the monopoly of harlots and beggars and not meant for gentle folk.
Consequently, there was a communication gap between them. They rarely spoke to each other, though
they shared the same room. Then the author went to a university. He was given a separate room of his
own. When the author went for higher studies for a period of five years, the distance increased all the
more. Thus, the common link of relationship between them was snapped.

EXTRA QUESTIONS FOR PRACTICE

Extract:
Her silver locks were scattered untidily over her pale, puckered face, and her lips constantly moved in
inaudible prayer. Yes, she was beautiful. She was like the winter landscape in the mountains, an expanse of
pure white serenity breathing peace and contentment.

1. Identify the figures of speech used in the given line: “She was like the winter landscape in the
mountains, an expanse of pure white serenity breathing peace and contentment”
a. Irony
b. Metaphor
c. Simile
d. Personification
2. “She was like the winter landscape in the mountains”. Elucidate .
3.Pick out the words that mark her age.
a. puckered
b. Silver locks, pale
c. Silverlocks, pale, lips in prayer
d. Puckered, pale , silver locks
4. The author had known her ______________ years.
5. The word that doesn’t fit in the place of serenity as per the extract given above .
a. We must live in serenity and peace .
b. The psychology marks are very serene.
c. Pacifist live a life filled with serenity.
d. Birds live in the nest with serenity.
SHORT ANSWER QUESTIONS(40-50 words)

1. Why does the narrator call his grandmother a ‘winter landscape’?

2. How did Khushwant Singh portray his Grandfather in the lesson?
3. Which stories of Grandmother did the author treat as ‘Fables of the Prophets’? Why?
4. The author and his Grandmother were good friends in the village. Support your answer with suitable
examples from the text.
5. Describe the happiest half-hour of the day’ for Grandmother.
6. ‘We protested. But she ignored our protests’. Who protested and why? What was the result?
7. How did the sparrows react at the death of the author’s Grandmother?
8. Mention instances from the lesson to prove that Grandmother was considerate towards animals.
9. Why was it hard for the author to believe that his Grandmother had once been young and pretty?
10. Grandmother had a divine beauty. How does the author bring this out?
11. Why did Grandmother always accompany the author to school in village]
12. Compare and contrast the routine of Grandmother in the village with that of it in the city.
13. Why did Grandmother disapprove of the ‘things they taught’ at the English school?
14. How did the move to the city prove to be the turning point in the grandmother-grandson
relationship?
15. What change did Khushwant Singh’s return from abroad bring in grand mother’s routine? What does
the sparrow’s behaviour highlight?
16. Mention some of the incidents from the lesson to show that Grandmother was very fond of her
grandson.

LONG ANSWER QUESTIONS(120-50 words)

1. Describe the changing relationship between the author and his Grandmother?
2. “Animals do recognize and value a relationship established with human beings”. Write an article on
“Animals and Human Beings” on the basis of the above statement.
3. The grandmother is a silent voice in the story. However, her actions reveal her personality. Draw a
character sketch of Grandmother citing examples from the text.
4. What light does the lesson throw on Indian family values?
5. ‘When people are pious, kind hearted and God fearing, even nature mourns their death’. Justify this
statement with reference to The Portrait of a Lady’.
LESSON-2 WE’RE NOT AFRAID TO DIE—IF WE CAN ALL BE TOGETHER
BY GORDON COOK AND ALAN EAST
Summary:
The story, ‘We’re Not afraid to Die—if We Can All Be Together’ is a story of extreme courage and skill
exhibited by Gordon Cook, his family and crewmen in a war with water and waves for survival. In July
1976, the narrator, his wife Mary, son Jonathan and daughter Suzanne set sail from Plymouth, England to
duplicate the round-the-world voyage made 200 years earlier by Captain James Cook. They took the
voyage in their professionally built ship, the Wavewalker, accompanied by two experienced sailors - Larry
Vigil, an American and Herb Seigler, a Swiss, to tackle one of the world’s roughest seas - the Southern
Indian Ocean.
The first part of the journey, that is, about 105,000 kilometres up to Cape Town passed off very, pleasantly.
On second day out of Cape Town, -they began to encounter strong gales. Gales did not worry the narrator.
But the size of the waves was alarming - up to 15 metres, as high as the main mast. On 25th December, the
writer’s ship was in the southern Indian Ocean, 3500 kilometres to the east of Cape Town. The family
celebrated their new year on board the ship.
At dawn on January 2, the waves were gigantic. Unfriendly weather and gigantic waves compelled the
sailors to slow their speed, drop storm jib and take other precautions. The danger was so obvious that the
sailors completed life-raft drill, attached life lines and life jackets.

SHORT ANSWER QUESTIONS(40-50 words)

1. What preparations were made by the narrator before their round the world Voyage?
Ans. The writer wanted to go around the world voyage as captain James Cook had done about 200 years
earlier. For about 16 years, both he and his wife used to spend all their free time improving their
sailing skills on the British sea. They made a 23 m long boat wave walker, with great skill. They tested
it in the roughest weather. Finally, they started their Voyage in July 1976.

2. How did the first leg of the journey pass? What happened to them immediately after they left?
Ans. The first leg of the journey was from Plymouth (England) to Cape Town (Southernmost tip of Africa).
It was a journey of 1,05,000 kilometres. It passed quite pleasantly. But after leaving Cape Town, they
had to face strong gales.

3. How does the author describe Wave walker?

Ans. Wave walker was the name given to the narrator's boat. It was professionally built. It was a 23-metre
long, wooden-hulled 30-ton boat. The narrator spent months fitting it out and testing it in the
roughest weather.

4. What did the travellers find at dawn on 2 January and what preparation did they make?
Ans. On this dawn, the waves were gigantic. The ship rose to the top of each wave that came their way.
There was fear of shipwreck. So they made all possible preparations to save the ship and themselves
as follows :
1) They dropped the storm jib to slow down the ship.
2) They secured everything rightly.
3) The attached lifelines to the life-rafts.
4) They put on their oilskins and life-jackets.

5. We are not afraid to die. “Who speaks the words and when ?
Ans. The narrator' Son Jonathan, 6 years old, made this remark when his father went in to comfort the children. "But
Daddy," he went on, "We aren't afraid of dying if we can all be together- you and mummy, She and I".

6. How did she make her father laugh when the situation was almost hopeless?
Ans. The situation was hopeless and the parents were still tense. She made a card and drew their caricatures, laugh.
The card also thanked them and gave a message of hope.

7. What did you notice about the difference between the way in which the adults and the children reacted
when faced with danger?
Ans. Both the adults and the children stand together when faced with danger. There is not much difference in the way
they react. The only difference is that children can't fight the sea like adults. But they don't panic at all. They
don't add difficulties to the elders. They show rare courage, as Jon Says to his father, "We are not afraid of dying
if we can all be together". It adds to the father's determination to fight the sea. Mary, Larry and Herb — all play
their role heroically.

8. How does the story suggest that optimism helps to 'endure the direct stress?
Ans. One who is optimistic has no fear of failures. Nothing is too difficult or impossible for him. He goes on and on
with the hope that he will succeed. Gordon Cook's story conveys the same idea. It was only his courage and
optimism that did n't let him give up. He kept fighting the storm with courage; he never gave up hope of success.
Any other person would have given up in despair and died on the sea. Thus the story proves that optimism helps
to endure the direst stress.

EXTRA QUESTIONS FOR PRACTICE

Extract:
There, before heading east, we took on two crewmen — American Larry Vigil and Swiss Herb Seigler — to
help us tackle one of the world’s roughest seas, the southern Indian Ocean. On our second day out of Cape
Town, we began to encounter strong gales. For the next few weeks, they blew continuously. Gales did not
worry me; but the size of the waves was alarming — up to 15 metres, as high as our main mast.

(i) To whom does the word ‘we’ refer to in above extract?

(a) author and two sailors

(b) two crewmen and builders of ship

(c) author, his wife and their two kids

(d) none of the above

(ii) The two crewmen belonged to

(a) England and Switzerland

(b) India and USA

(c) USA and Switzerland

(d) Africa and England

(iii) Which of the words used in the extract mean ‘to face’?

(a) tackle

(b) encounter
(c) both the above

(d) none of the above

(iv) The author was worried about

(a) strong gales

(b) fast gales

(c) moving waves

(d) size of waves

(v) What was the height of the mast of the ship?

(a) 10 meters

(b) 15 meters

(c) 20 meters

(d) very high

SHORT ANSWER QUESTIONS(40-50 words)

1. What preparations were made by the. narrator before their round the world voyage?
2. Comment on the mood of the sea on 2nd January 2010? What plans did the crewmen - the narrator,
Larry Vigil & Herb have to face it?
3. List the steps taken by the Captain
a) to protect the boat when rough weather set in.
b) to check the flooding of Wavewalker.
4. How did the children’s presence and behavior during the crisis influence the narrator?
5. What are Mayday calls? Why was the boat getting no replies to its Mayday calls?
6. Why were the electric pumps not working?
7. Describe Larry Vigil and Herb Seigler’s role in facing the disaster.
8. Why was Amsterdam, the most beautiful island for the crew of Wavewalker?
9. What do we learn from the story, ‘We’re not afraid to Die....?
10. What drove the parents of the children to undertake such a voyage full of dangers?
11. What damage did the gigantic wave cause to the Wavewalker?
12. How did the waves injure the Captain?
13. How badly was Sue injured? Why did she not report the full extent of her injuries to her father?
14. Which words, uttered by Jonathan, left the narrator speechless and why?
15. Describe the efforts made by the captain to protect the ship from sinking.
16. Why was it felt that the Mayday calls would go unanswered?

LONG ANSWER QUESTIONS(120-50 words)

1. Highlight the tremendous courage and stoicism shown by the two children during the struggle.
2. Describe the shifts in the narration of the events as indicated in the three sections of the text.{ Hint:-
Preparation of the journey, enjoying the sail, facing the fury of nature and averting the disaster.]
3. How does the story suggest that optimism helps to endure ‘the direst stress’?

LESSON-3 DISCOVERING TUT: THE SAGA CONTINUES

BY A. R. WILLIAMS
Summary:
Discovering Tut: the Saga Continues’ gives an insight into the mystery surrounding the life and death
of Tutankhamun, the last teenage ruler of the powerful Pharaoh dynasty that had ruled Egypt for
centuries. He was the last of his family’s line, and his funeral brought an end to this powerful dynasty.
Not much is known about his family. Tut’s father or grandfather, Amenhotep III was a powerful
pharaoh who ruled for about four decades during the dynasty’s golden age. His son, Amenhotep IV
shocked the country by attacking Amun, a major God, smashing his images and closing all his
temples. He changed his name toAkhenaten and promoted the worship of Aten or the sun disk. After
his death, a mysterious ruler, Smenkhkare appeared briefly and exited with hardly a trace. When Tut
took over, he changed his name from Tutankhaten to Tutankhamun and restored the old ways.
However, Tut ruled for nine years and then died mysteriously and unexpectedly.
In order to unravel the mystery of his death, King Tut’s mummy was scanned after a thousand years,
thus opening new perceptions regarding the cause of his death. In 1922, his tomb was discovered by
Howard Carter who used all kinds of means to remove Tut’s mummy from the coffin. The ritual
resins had hardened, thereby cementing Tut to the bottom of his solid gold coffin. Carter finally had
to chisel the mummy away having no other option. Every major joint was severed. In 1968 an
anatomy professor X-rayed the mummy and revealed that Tut’s breast bone and front ribs were
missing. Such a revelation would not have been possible without technological precision. This fact
gives us a clue that Tut, in all likelihood did not die a natural death. Tut’s mummy was scanned in
2005 under the supervision of Zahi Hawass, Secretary General of Egypt’s Supreme Council of
Antiquities. The Computed Tomography Scan couldn’t solve the mysterious death of Tut but gave us
clues for sure.
The lesson also provides a comprehensive awareness about ancient Egyptian culture. The ancient
Egyptians believed that there was life after death. That is why the Pharaohs were buried with
tremendous amounts of wealth including things of daily use so that they could use them in their life
after death. It was also believed that gold would guarantee their resurrection.

SHORT ANSWER QUESTIONS(40-50 words)

1. Who was Tutankhamun?

Ans. Tutankhamun was a pharaoh of ancient Egypt. He was the last heir of the royal family that had ruled
Egypt for centuries.

2. How did Carter Separate Tut's mummy from Coffin?

Ans. The solidified resins had commented Tut's mummy to the bottom of his coffin. Carter tried to loosen
the resins in the sun's heat, but could n't succeed. At last, he used a chisel to separate Tut's mummy
from the coffin.

3. Why was Tut's body buried along with gilded treasures?

Ans. In Tut's time, the royals thought that they could take their riches to the after life. So Tut's body was
also buried along with a lot of gold and things of everyday need.

4. Why did the boy king change his name from Tutankhaten To Tutankamun?
Ans. Amun was a major God in ancient Egypt. But the previous king had made his people worship the sun
God Aten. He smashed all images of Amun & closed his temples when young Tut took the throne, he
restored the old ways He changed his own name from Tutankhaten to Tutankhamun which means
living image of Amun'.

5. What startling fact was revealed about Tut in 1968?

Ans. In 1968, Tut's mummy was X-rayed. It revealed a startling fact that the breast bone and the front ribs
were found missing in the chest. ?It suggested that Tut might not have died a natural death. He could
have been murdered.

6. What did Amenhotep IV do when he became pharaoh?

Ans. Amenhotep made his people worship the sun god Aten. He smashed all the images of Amun and
closed his temples. He even changed his religious capital from Thebes to the New City of Akhetaten..

7. Explain the statement, "King Tut is one of the first mummies to be scanned in life as in death.
Ans. Tut became a king when he was only nine years old. He ruled for eight years and died at the age of
eighteen. How he became a king and how he died has been a mystery. When his mummy was found
in 1922; it was scanned to know the facts related to life as well as death. It was one of the first
mummies that was used for such a probe.

EXTRA QUESTIONS FOR PRACTICE

Extract:

The world’s most famous mummy glided head first into a CT scanner brought here to probe the lingering
medical mysteries of this little understood young ruler who died more than 3,300 years ago. All afternoon
the usual line of tourists from around the world had descended into the cramped, rock-cut tomb some 26
feet underground to pay their respects.

i. Which part of the mummy was first put into the CT scanner?
a. Hand b. Head c. Legs d. None of the above
ii. Which word as used in the extract means ‘investigate’?
a. Lingering
b. Descended
c. Probe
d. Understood
iii. The tomb was constructed in____________.
a. Earth
b. Wood
c. Gold
d. Rock
iv. To whom is ‘younger ruler’ being referred to in the above extract?
a. A king
b. Tut
c. A new scale
d. The operator of CT scanner
v. How deep was the tomb?
a. 3300 years
b. 26 feet
c. About 26 feet
d. None of the above
SHORT ANSWER QUESTIONS(40-50 words)

1. What are the two biggest questions still lingering about Tutankhamen?
2. What was the Pharaoh’s curse?
3. What were the funerary treasures found in the pharaoh’s tomb?
4. What does the presence of funerary treasures in Tut’s tomb tell us about the beliefs of ancient
Egyptians?
5. Why did Ray Johnson describe Akhenaten as ‘wacky’?
6. What were the findings of the CT scan of Tut's mummy?
7. Who was Tut? Why was his demise a big event?
8. How do you know that King Tut was buried in March/April?
9. What superstition do Egyptians associate with mummies?
10. King Tut’s body has been subjected to repeated scrutiny. Why?
11. Why were the Pharaohs buried with tremendous amounts of wealth?
12. Why did the boy king change his name from ‘Tutankhaten’ to ‘Tutankhamun’?
13. Carter had to chisel away Tut’s mummy. How did he justify it?
14. Why was Carter’s investigation resented?
15. What were the results of the CT scan?
16. Mention any two aspects of ancient Egyptian life as portrayed in the lesson?

LONG ANSWER QUESTIONS(120-50 words)

1. Do you think Carter was justified in removing the hardened resin deposits on Tut’s mummy?
Why? Why not?
2. What is the Egyptian Mummy Project? How successful has it been?
3. Describe the Egyptian rulers that you find mentioned in the lesson.
4. Explain the statement - ‘King Tut is one of the first mummies to be scanned -in death, as in life
moving regally ahead of his countrymen’.
5. What picture of Egyptian life and beliefs does the lesson portray?
6. Knowledge about the past adds to our knowledge of the world we live in. Do you agree? Why?
Why not?

LESSON-7 THE ADVENTURE BY JAYANT NARLIKAR

This fictional narrative by Jayant Narlikar belongs to the genre of science fiction and deals with the much
intriguing aspect of time. Time travel has been a much used theme with never ending possibilities. The
protagonist of this story, Professor Gaitonde, a historian is preparing for his thousandth presidential
address in which he would speak on the topic “What course history would have taken if the result of the
Battle of Panipat had gone the other way?”
While on an evening stroll he is hit by a truck. In his state of unconsciousness his mind travels back into
time where he experiences a different perspective of history from the prevalent one. After he gains
consciousness he is able to recall all these probabilities and possibilities very clearly. Rajendra Deshpande,
his scientist friend, offers a scientific expla-nation of his strange experience. He says that professor
Gaitonde was living in the present but was experiencing different worlds. This shift from the present world
to another was based on catastrophe theory. According to this theory small changes in circumstances lead
to a sudden shift in behaviour.

SHORT ANSWER QUESTIONS(40-50 words)

1. Who was Professor Gaitonde? What was his plan in Bombay?

Ans. Professor Gaitonde was a historian. He had written five volumes on History. He was on his way to
Bombay. He planned to go to a library and consult the history books there to find out how the present
state of affairs was reached.

2. What for did professor Gaitonde enter the Forbes building? What was his experience there?
Ans. The professor went to Forbes building to meet Vinaya Gaitonde, his own son. The receptionist
reached through the directory of employees. But there was no person bearing that name. It was a big
blow. He felt that so far everything had been shocking so the non-existence of his son was not totally
unexpected.

3. What did the professor do in the Town Hall Library?

Ans. The professor consulted the history books that he himself had written. There was no change in the
events upto death of Aurangezeb. The change had occurred in the last volume. He read the
description of the battle of Panipat. Aadali was defeated by the Maratha army led by Sadashivrao
Bhau and his nephew. Vishwasrao. It established the supremacy of the marathas. They set up their
science research centres. They accepted the help of English experts.

4. What did the professor wish to find out in history books?

Ans. He wished to find the answer to his question how Marathas won the Battle of Panipat. He found a
clue in the book titled Bakhars. Vishwasrao had a narrow escape from being killed by the bullet that
brushed past his ear. This boosted the morale of the Maratha army and they won the battle.
5. 'But why did I make the transition? What explanation did Rajendra give to the professor?
Ans. Rajendra guessed that the transition must have been caused by some interaction. Perhaps the
professor had been thinking at the time of collision about Catastrophic theory and its role in wars. The
professor admitted that he had been wondering at that time what course history would have taken if
the Marathas had won the Battle of Panipat.

6. How did Rajendra Deshpande apply his theory of Catastrophic experience regarding the Battle of
Panipat?
Ans. Gangadherpant narrated to Rajendra his experience at the Azad Maidan meeting. For two days he
was in a coma. He had met with an accident. He asked Rajendra Prasad to explain where he had
spent those days. He admitted that he had been thinking of the catastrophic theory before the
collision and how it could charge the history course. He produced a page from the Bakhar to prove
that his mind was working normally. The page described that Vishwasrao had not escaped the bullet,
rather he had been killed. It was just contrary to what his own history book said. And he wanted to
know the facts.

7. How did Rajendera explain the concept of reality with the example of movement of an electron?
Ans. Rajandra Deshpande tried to rationalise the professor's experience on the basis of two scientific
theories. Gangedharpant had passed through a strange catastrophic experience. The juncture at which
Vishwasrao was killed in the Battle proved to be a turning point. The Marathas lost their morale and
lost the battle.
Rajendra then moved to his second explanation. Reality is not exactly what we experience directly
with our senses. It can have other manifestations also e.g., the electron does n't follow the laws of
science. It is called lack of determinism in quantum theory. It can be found in different places & each
is real. It happens by transition. Professor also experienced two worlds, one that was present, and
another that might have been.
EXTRA QUESTIONS FOR PRACTICE

Extract:
“If I knew the answer I would solve a great problem. Unfortunately, there are many unsolved questions in
science and this is one of them. But that does not stop me from guessing.” Rajendra smiled and proceeded,
“You need some interaction to cause a transition. Perhaps, at the time of the collision you were thinking
about the catastrophe theory and its role in wars. Maybe you were wondering about the Battle of Panipat.
Perhaps, the neurons in your brain acted as a trigger.”
1. Does Rajendra know about the professor’s transition?
2. What was the professor doing at the time of collision?
3. Why do you think Rajender said that professor needed a transition?
4. Give the synonyms for:
a. Neuron b. trigger
SHORT ANSWER QUESTIONS(40-50 words)

1. Why was Professor Gaitonde going to Bombay?

2. What was the plan of action in professor Gaitonde’s mind as his train approached Bombay?
3. What important discovery was made by Gangadharpant on reading history books?
4. Professor Gaitonde could not complete his thousandth address at Azad Maidan. why?
5. What explanation was given by Rajendra Deshpande for professor Gaitonde’s transmission from one
world into another?
6. What is reality according to Rajendra Deshpande?
7. How did Gangadhar Pant behave at Azad Maidan? What was the reaction of the audience?
8. Why did professor Gaitonde consult history books? What did he discover in the ‘Bhausahebanchi
Bakhar’? Why was he shocked?
9. How did Rajendra Deshpande try to rationalise Gangadhar Pant’s experience at Azad Maindan
scientifically?

LONG ANSWER QUESTIONS:(120-50 words)

1. Describe Gangadharpant’s journey by train from Pune to Bombay.

2. Give a detailed account of Gaitonde’s stay and study of the history books at the Town Hall Library.
What riddle was he keen to solve?
3. How did Rajendra Despande apply his theory of catastrophic damage during the Battle of Panipat?
4. How did Rajendra explain the concept of reality with the example of the movement of an electron?

LESSON-8. SILK ROAD BY NICK MIDDLETON

Summary:
The lesson ‘Silk Road” is an extract from the author’s travelogue. Here the author describes only a small
part of his journey from Ravu, a small mountain village to Darchen which is at the foot of Mt. Kailash. The
journey describes the scenic beauty of the mounting, the nomads in splendid isolation and the Tibetan
mastiffs which were popular in China as hunting dogs.
The author, Nick Middleton, left Ravu in the company of Daniel and Tsetan. Before leaving the place,
Lhamo gave him a gift. She gave him a long-sleeved sheepskin coat. Their next destination was Mount
Kailash and Tsetan said he knew a shortcut. He said the journey would be smooth if there was no snow. As
they passed by the hills, they could see the lonely ‘drokbas’ tending their flocks. They were men and
women who would pause and stare at their car, occasionally waving as they passed.
As they passed the nomad’s tents there were the Tibetan mastiffs. They would start barking as they neared
the tents; chased the car for some distance and then went silent. The turns became sharper and bumpier,
and sudden and unexpected snowfall started blocking their way. The author and Daniel got out of the car
for Tsetan to drive it safely. The icy top layer of the snow was very dangerous; the car could slip off the
road, and the snow continued blocking their way.
They reached a guesthouse in Darchen. The author had a very troubled night. His sinuses were blocked
and he was not able to get enough oxygen and he could barely sleep. The next day Tsetan took him to the
Darchen Medical College. The doctor told the author that it was just cold and the altitude was causing him
trouble. He gave him some medicine and that night he was able to sleep well.
Tsetan left the author in Darchen and went away to carry on with his work. He was a good Buddhist and
believed in life after death. However, Tsetan was worried it could affect his business, as he may not get
more tourists and may cause his business to fail terribly. The author was worried as Tsetan left, he felt
lonely and deserted in Darchen.
The author wanted to reach Mount Kailash to do kora but he did not want to do it alone. He was busy
looking for someone who could speak English as it would be easier to communicate. In a cafe, Middleton
met Norbu, originally a Tibetan who was working in Beijing at The Chinese Academy of Social Sciences.
He too was there to do the kora but he was not religious. The author decided to accompany Norbu to climb
Mount Kailash.
SHORT ANSWER QUESTIONS(40-50 words)

1. Who was Lhamo? What farewell gift did she give to the author?
Ans. Lhamo was a Tibetan woman who had set up a tent for pilgrims near Raru. She was honest and
helpful. She offered a long sleeved sheepskin coat as a farewell gift.

2. Who did the party come across after leaving Raru?

Ans. From the gently rolling hills of Raru, the author's car came to vast open plains. They saw a few
antelopes grazing and further on, they saw a herd of wild ass raising a pall of dust. As the car
approached them, they galloped away.

3. What does the author tell you about Tibetan mastiffs?

Ans. The Tibetan mastiffs were huge block dogs with rough hair. They were very ferocious. They barked
furiously and appeared fearlessly in front of the vehicle for there very qualities they became popular
in China's imperial courts as hunting dogs.

4. What impression did the two towns Hor and Darchen leave on the author's mind?
Ans. Hor was a small town, close to Mansarovar lake. It was a miserable place, with no greenery. The
author found the place in contrast to the accounts he had read about lake Mahasrovar. He drank some
herbal tea in the cafe there.
The author's next half was at Darchen. It was also a dusty place with heaps of rubble and litter lying
here and there. His cold had become worse and he could not breathe. He stayed awake all right. The
town had a couple of general stores which sold Chinese goods.

5. Who was Norbu? How did the other strike friendship with Norbu?
Ans. Norbu was a Tibetan scholar who used to write articles about the holy lake. He was working at an
academy in Beijing. It was his first to the place. He knew a bit of English. This brought him closer to
the author. He was n't practising Buddhist. He suggested that they should hire some yaks to carry
their luggage and start their journey. He turned out to be an ideal companion.

EXTRA QUESTIONS FOR PRACTICE

Extract:
Tsetan took me to the Darchen medical college the following morning. The medical college at Darchen was
new and looked like a monastery from the outside with a very solid door that led into a large courtyard. We
found the consulting room which was dark and cold and occupied by a Tibetan doctor who wore none of
the paraphernalia that I’d been expecting. No white coat, he looked like any other Tibetan with a thick
pullover and a woolly hat. When I explained my sleepless symptoms and my sudden aversion to lying
down, he shot me a few questions while feeling the veins in my wrist.
1. Where was Nick taken and by whom?
2. Differentiate the journey from Hor to Darchen.
3. Which medicines did he receive for his complicated health issue?
4. Give the synonym for:
a. Monastery
b. Paraphernalia
SHORT ANSWER QUESTIONS: (40-50 words)

1. Why were Tibetan mastiffs popular in China’s imperial courts?

2. Why had Hor been described as a miserable place by the narrator?
3. Who was Norbu? How did Narrator feel on meeting him?
4. How did cold and altitude effect the narrator?
5. Why was the narrator’s experience at Darchen disappointing?

LONG ANSWER QUESTIONS: (120-50 words)

1. Justify the title of the Lesson “Silk Road”?

2. What was the purpose of the author's journey to Mount Kailash? How did Tsetan help him during the
journey?
3. Compare the narrator’s experience at Hor to the earlier accounts of the place given by travellers?
4. Describe the difficulties faced by the narrator during his journey to Mount Kailash?
5. What difficulties did the author encounter and overcome when he set out to reach Mount Kailash?

SNAPSHOT (Supplementary Reader)

LESSON 1. THE SUMMER OF THE BEAUTIFUL WHITE HORSE

BY WILLIAM SAROYAN
Summary:
The story illustrates how the family plays an important role in the upbringing of the children. The children
always remember the lessons taught in the family. They look for role models in the elders of the family. The
family in the story belongs to a tribe known for its values of trust and honesty. Aram and Mourad take
possession of Mr. Byro’s horse to fulfill their yearning/desire of riding a horse but later return it to the owner
to preserve the honour of their families.

SHORT ANSWER QUESTIONS (40-50 words)

1. Why was Aram surprised when he saw Mourad in the Morning?
Ans. Aram was surprised to see Mourad because he had come so early in the morning that too with a
beautiful white horse. He could not believe that a boy of his tribe could buy or steal a horse.

2. Who was uncle Khosrove? Why was he considered the craziest member of his tribe?
Ans. Uncle Khosrove was a relative of Aram who was an enormous man. He was short tempered and
impatient by nature. His standard response to all the problems was". It is no harm : pay no attention
to it.

3. Why was John Byro sad?

Ans. John Byro was sad because his horse was stolen and now he had to go on foot for long distance as him
surrey was useless without a horse.
Ans. Mourad belonged to a tribe which was known for its honesty. He could not t
4. Why did Mourad return the horse?
olerate John Byro's expressions when he seemed to have recognised the horse. It was no more charming
and challenging task for him to keep the horse after this incident.

5. Why did John Byro not accused Mourad of stealing the horse, though he recognise his horse?
Ans. Though John Byro could recognise the horse, he did not blame Mourad of stealing because he knew
his parent well. He knew that Mourad's family and tribe was famous for honesty.

6. Why do you think Mourad came so early in the morning? What information do you gather about
the Garoghlanian tribe?
Ans. Aram could not believe his eyes when he looked out of the window.
EXTRA QUESTIONS FOR PRACTICE

Extract:
Mourad was sitting on a beautiful white horse. I stuck my head out of the window and rubbed my eyes. Yes, he
said in Armenian. It’s a horse. You’re not dreaming. Make it quick if you want to ride. I knew my cousin
 Mourad enjoyed being alive more than anybody else who had ever fallen into the world by mistake, but
this was more than even I could believe.
1 How is Mourad associated with Aram
A) Real Brother
B) Cousin
C) Father
D) Son

2 What did Aram get to see?

A) His cousin was sitting on a dog
B) His cousin was sitting on a bike
C) His cousin was sitting on a horse
D) His cousin was sitting on a car

3 Why could Aram not believe what he saw?

A) For they were rich and could afford a horse
B) For they were poor and could not afford a horse
C) For they were poor but could afford a horse
D) None of these

4 Which tribe did Aram and Mourad belong to?

A) Steward
B) Crofter
C) Garoghlanian
D) Australian

SHORT ANSWER QUESTIONS(40-50 words)

1. How did the boys justify their act of stealing?

2. Which place was used by the boys for hiding the horse? Why?
3. Who was John Byro? What was his reaction on seeing the two boys with the white horse?
6. Do you agree with the statement ‘Mourad has a special fondness for animals’? Give reasons.
4. Why did the narrator and his cousin return the horse?
5. How did Aram conclude that Mourad had stolen the horse?
7. Comment on the observation ‘Uncle Khosrove was a crazy person.’
8. What consideration(s) did the boys have in making a choice of the place to hide the stolen horse?
9. What happened during the narrator’s solo ride?
10. Were the boys able to prove the hallmarks of their tribe? Why/Why not?

LONG ANSWER QUESTIONS(120-150 words)

1. Fear or / and Conscience - what worked behind the boys’ decision of returning the stolen horse?
2. Mourad was considered the natural descendant of Uncle Khosrove. What traits had he inherited from
his uncle?
3. Describe in detail the first ride Aram and Mourad enjoyed together on the summer morning.
4. Trust and honesty were the hallmarks of the tribe the two boys belonged to. Illustrate with examples
from the text.
5. Do you think the boys were right in returning the horse? Give reasons.
6. Why do people have to tell lies sometimes? Do you think telling lies sometimes can be justified?
Why? Why not?
7. How did Aram and Mourad feel during the ride on the beautiful white horse?
8. Briefly sum up Mourad’s character in your own words.

LESSON- 2. THE ADDRESS BY MARGA MINCO

Summary:
The story depicts how in war situation relations get adversely affected. The trauma of war causes death,
fear and even vitiates human relationships. Death and destruction are caused by war for both the sides,
There is no victory without loss. The girl in the story loses her family in the war but learns that her life must
go on. She wanted her mother’s belongings to comfort her and goes looking for them. However, she
resolves to forget the distressing memories and lead a new life, giving up her past.

SHORT ANSWER QUESTIONS(40-50 words)

1. Why did the narrator go to Mrs. Dorling's house?

Ans. The narrator went to Mrs. Dorling's house to collect her valuable belongings which her mother had
given to her during war time. She wanted to renew her past memories.

2. Why was the narrator confident that she had reached the correct address?
Ans. The narrator remembered house No. 46. She recognised her sweater with its buttons. On seeing her
cardigan with Mrs. Dorling, she was confident that she had reached the correct address.

3. Under what circumstances, was the author’s family forced to allow the possessions to be carried
away?”
Ans. The author’s family was under the fear of war. Every second was unpredictable as they could be
forced to move from their house. At a time like this, Mrs. Dorling, an old acquaintance/friend of the
author’s mother, turned up and offered to ‘help’ them by keeping most of their precious belongings
safely in her house. So, in order to save their possessions, the author’s mother agreed to send all their
possessions with Mrs. Dorling.

4. Why was the narrator’s mother glad to have Mrs. Dorling to help the family?
Ans. The narrator’s mother was an innocent woman. To her, Mrs. Dorling’s offer to help the family by
carrying their valuables to her own home was a blessing. She believed that Mrs. Dorling would return
the family’s valuables once the war ended. Besides, the two of them had been friends years ago so
trusting an old friend at the time of great crisis seemed appropriate.

5. Why did the author first hesitate to claim her belongings from Mrs. Dorling?
Ans. When the war was over and the narrator began to feel a little secure, she felt like missing her family
belongings. On a second thought, she began to suspect that the presence of her family articles would
remind her of her dear ones who were no more with her so she hesitated to claim those articles from
Mrs. Dorling’s house. Besides, she lived in a poor room that looked the oddest place to accommodate
her expensive possessions.

6. How did Mrs. Dorling's daughter treat the narrator?

Ans. Unlike Mrs. Dorling, the daughter invited the narrator inside her house. She offered her a cup
of tea.
7. Why did the narrator decide not to collect her belongings?
Ans. The narrator was disappointed after recognising her belongings in a stark and dirty
environment. She didn't feel comfortable seeing all those valuable articles in Mrs. Dorling's
house.

8. Why did the narrator's mother ask her to remember the address by heart?
Ans. The narrator's mother asked her to remember the address by heart because she gave a number
of household valuable articles to Mrs. Dorling during the war time. She thought that her
daughter would collect all that after the war was over.

9. What were the narrator’s emotions when she stood in the midst of things that once belonged
to her?
Ans. The first emotions experienced by the narrator were pain and guilt. As she walked into the
living room, she saw all of the belongings with which she had grown up. This drives a pain of
loss and pain of separation into her mind. At the same time, she was haunted by a feeling of
guilt. She felt guilty of having not cared for the family possessions that used to be hers. She had
been asked to mend a cut mark on one of the tables but she had not paid any attention to it.
 Now, with all her dear possessions owned by a betrayer, the narrator plunges into the depth of
guilt.

EXTRA QUESTIONS FOR PRACTICE

EXTRACT:
My mother seemed to notice that I was not entirely convinced. She looked at me reprovingly and after that
we spoke no more about it. Meanwhile I had arrived at the station without having paid much attention to
things on the way. I was walking in familiar places again for the first time since the War, but I did not want
to go further than was necessary. I didn't want to upset myself with the sight of streets and houses full of
memories from a precious time.

In the train back I saw Mrs Dorling in front of me again as I had the first time, I met her. It was the morning
after the day my mother had told me about her. I had got up late and, coming downstairs, I saw my mother
about to see someone out.

1. Express in your own word the nostalgia that Mrs S daughter felt down the streets.
2. Whom she see when she as in the train?
3. What made her sure that she was correct?
4. Give the synonym of the word disapproval”.
SHORT ANSWER QUESTIONS(40-50 words)

1. Why was Mrs. Dorling surprised to recognise the author?

2. What helped the author to recognise Mrs. Dorling during her first visit?
3. Why did the author feel upset on her first visit to Mrs. Dorling’s house?
4. How did the author feel towards the ‘stored stuff at Mrs. Dorling’s house? Why did she feel so?
5. What type of a girl was the author? How did you form this opinion? [Hint:-Possessive.]
6. Describe the author’s meeting with Mrs. Dorling’s daughter?
7. What type of traumas do wars cause?
8. What was the girl thinking when she was travelling home by train?
9. Why did she resolve to forget the address?
10. ‘I resolved to forget the address. Of all the things I had to forget, that would be the easiest.’ Comment.
11. Which address had the narrator remembered for years? Why?
12. Why did the narrator desire to see the ‘stored stuff” after so long?
13. What do you gather about the character of Mrs. Dorling in the story?
14. Describe the incident of Mrs. Dorling’s daughter opening the box of cutlery.
15. Why did the author not wait to meet Mrs. Dorling?
16. ‘The address was correct. But I didn’t want to remember it anymore.’Why did the narrator say so?
17. What important lessons of life do we learn from the story ‘The Address?

LONG ANSWER QUESTIONS(120-150 words)

1. Do you think the title of the story ‘The Address’ is appropriate?

2. Comment on the statement ‘The Address is a story of post - war human predicament.’
3. After reading the story, what opinion do you form about the narrator’s character?
4. It is not easy to let off past memories and possessions. Do you agree? Why/Why not?
5. Past whether good or bad is gone. We must never worry about it. All we need to do is make the best
of our present. Explain with reference to the story ‘The Address’.
6. Why did the narrator find herself in a room that she knew and didn’t?
7. What are the contrasting elements in the characters of Mrs. Dorling and Mrs. S?
8. Why did the author decide against claiming her family possessions from Dorling?
9. Justify the title of the story, “The Address.”
10. Mrs. Dorling is a typical example of betrayal’. Discuss.

LESSON-5 MOTHER’S DAY-J.B.PRIESTLEY

Summary:
‘Mother’ is the pivot of her family. It is her effort to keep all the family members happy and for this she
looks after each of them. In turn, the others also must pay due consideration to her needs and regard her for
all that she does. She deserves to be respected and appreciated. Others should own up responsibility and
contribute in the household work. Thus, the family will have a higher level of understanding, love and
mutual respect. How a friend helps the other also must be noticed and is worth emulating.

SHORT ANSWER QUESTIONS(40-50 words)

1. How was Mrs. Pearson different from Mrs. Fitzgerald?

Ans. Mrs. Pearson was a pleasant but worried looking woman in her forties. Mrs. Fitzgerald was older,
heavier and had a strong and sinister personality. Mrs. Pearson was soft spoken with a touch of
suburban while Mrs. Fitzgerald had a deep voice with an Irish accent.

2. How does Mrs. Fitzgerald planned to deal with the family of Mrs. Pearson?
Ans. Mrs. Fitzgerald changed their bodies through magic spell. Now Mrs. Fitzgerald look like Mrs.
pearson, while Mrs. Pearson looked like Mrs. Fitzgerald. Mrs. Fitzgerald in the body of Mrs. Pearson
dealt with the family very sternly.

3. How do the members of the club treat George Pearson?

Ans. The members of the club used to call George Pearson, pompy-ompy Pearson because they use to
think that he was slow and pompous.
4. What was wrong in the Pearson family?
Ans. Annie Pearson’s family was an ideal one when observed from outside its fence but essentially
something was wrong inside. The life of the family, Annie Pearson, had reached an alarming level of
intolerance and impatience. She had her grunt unheard but wanted it heard by all. She had been
living like a slave in the family, doing work for her husband and children. She wanted them to
acknowledge her worth, at least recognize her presence in the family but she was too scared of
speaking out lest a spark of ill feeling flew in the family.

5. What went well in the Pearson family?

Ans. When observed from outside, Annie Pearson’s family was an ideal one. The center of the family was a
silent mother and wife so everything turned and moved silently. Her husband and children were free
to live their lives unquestioned and they enjoyed a business class life, half spent at workplaces and
half spent with society. They got their food prepared and served in time and got their clothes washed,
mended and ironed by someone who never complained.

6. Why is Mrs. Fitzgerald insisting upon Mrs. Pearson’s being the boss of her family?
Ans. Mrs. Fitzgerald insisted upon Mrs. Pearson’s being the boss of her family because Mrs. Pearson’s
husband and children considered her as a housemaid rather than a loving and caring mother and
wife. They demanded everything from her, ordered her to make tea to tiffin and never thought of her
pleasure and liking. They thought that it was her duty to work for them while they never considered
her work as work.

7. How was Annie Pearson responsible for her fate?

Ans. To a certain level, Annie Pearson was herself responsible for her fate. She was, besides the other
things, loving and caring. He loved and cared for her children and husband so much that they failed
to understand her value and worth. She had wished to correct them but for fear of hurting them, she
didn’t mention it.

8. How did Doris and Cyril consider their mother?

Ans. Both Doris and Cyril are employed so they are aware of the workload issues yet they had never got
time to consider doing work. They took her for granted. They learned what their mother had wanted
them to learn. Though their mother worked harder and longer, without a word of appreciation or
salary, they could not see the essential worth and hardship of the work she did.

9. What was Mrs. Fitzgerald’s unusual idea for helping Annie out?
Ans. Mrs. Fitzgerald suggested equipping Annie with a bolder and stricter personality by means of magic.
She offered to infuse her character into Annie in exchange for the latter’s weak character. By doing
this, Mrs. Fitzgerald hoped to bring Annie’s family to encounter a change in the family system.
10. What were the immediate effects of the magic spell?
Ans. Mrs. Fitzgerald’s magic had far and near repercussions. When it was spelled, the two women stirred
out of their selves and transformed into contrasting characters. Annie became the bold Fitzgerald and
visa-versa. With the change of character, they also got additional features such as sound and
movement.

11. Why didn’t Fitzgerald – as Doris’ mother – like her going out with Charlie Spence?
Ans. Fitzgerald was of the opinion that Charlie Spence was not a pence worth young man to go out with.
With buck teeth and half-witted, Spence was not the right man for a girl like Doris. She was also of the
opinion that it was wise to give a man like him and go for a sensible one.

12. Do you agree that Doris and Cyril’s behavior with their mother was extremely rude and unheard
of?
Ans. There have never been a son and daughter in stories or in real life who were as aggressive with their
mother as Doris and Cyril had been. Their asking “is tea ready” and “you are going to iron it for me”
are rude and out of the ordinary. When they are informed that tea was not ready and the dress was
not ironed, their responses are equally unexpected. They talk like tyrants ordering to their slaves.

EXTRA QUESTIONS FOR PRACTICE

EXTRACT:

‘‘Mrs. Pearson: I might. Who d’you think?

Doris [Staring at her] :Mum—what’s the matter with you?
Mrs. Pearson: Don’t be silly. Doris [Indignantly] It’s not me that’s being silly— and I must say it’s a bit much when I’ve
been working hard all day and you can’t even bother to get my tea ready. Did you hear what I said about my yellow
silk?
Mrs. Pearson :No. Don’t you like it now? I never did.
Doris [Indignantly]: Of course I like it. And I’m going to wear it tonight. So I want it ironed.
Mrs. Pearson :Want it ironed? What d’you think it’s going to do—iron itself?’’
(i) Identify the tone in which Mrs. Pearson talks.
(a) Cool and incisive
(b) Flattering and apologetic (c) Brave and strong
(d) Taunting and angry
(ii) Why is Doris consistently reacting ‘indignantly’ towards her mother Mrs. Pearson?
(a) The mother is not listening to her.
(b) The mother is angry at her as well.
(c) The mother is acting unusual.
(d) All of the above.
(iii) Choose the words that describe Doris’s personality, on the basis of the passage.
I. Spoilt
II. Independent
III. Bad tempered
IV. Kind
(a) I and II
(b) I and III
(c) II and IV
(d) II and III
(iv) What does the passage reflect upon the relationship between Doris and Mrs. Pearson?
(a) Doris only talks to her mother to get her work done. (b) Doris cherishes her mother and likes to spend time with
her. (c) Doris uses her mother’s dresses to look better.
(d) Both (b) and ©
(v) Mrs. Pearson is ………… Doris for getting over dependent on her.
(a) taunting
(b) scolding
(c) hinting
(d) comical
SHORT ANSWER QUESTION(40-50 words)
1. What help did Mrs. Fitzgerald offer to Mrs. Pearson?
2. How was George treated by the other members of the club?
3. In what ways Mrs. Pearson and Mrs. Fitzgerald differ from each other?
4. What remarks did Mrs. Pearson make about Charlie Spence?
5. Why did Doris say - ‘Did you fall or hit yourself with something’?
6. Why does Cyril call his mother barmy when he returns home?
7. What changes do you observe in the Pearson family by the end of the play?
8. What problems did Mrs. Pearson face with her family?
9. What is the first impression you gather about Mrs. Fitzgerald?
10. Mrs. Fitzgerald acts a savior to Mrs. Pearson’. Comment.
11. How did the two ladies exchange their personalities?
12. What made Doris cry?
13. How do Doris and Cyril react to their mother’s changed behaviour?
14. Why did Mrs. Pearson talk of forty two hours a week job?
15. What social message does the play, ‘Mother’s Day’ convey? How relevant is it in the present day
context?
16. Does the ending of the play provide a feasible solution? Discuss.

LONG ANSWER QUESTIONS(120-50 words)

1. Do you think that the issues raised in the play have any contemporary relevance? Give reasons.
2. The play is an ironical portrayal of the status of the mother in a family. Do you agree? Give reasons.
3. What personal and family values are dear to Mrs. Pearson? How do they create problems for her?
4. Do you think the title of the play ‘Mother’s Day’ is appropriate? Give reasons for your answer.
5. A mother’s work is never done. Do you agree? Explain on the basis of the play and day to day life.

LESSON-7 BIRTH BY A.J. CRONIN

Summary:
The doctor in the story is an exemplary figure. Brushing aside his personal issues and disturbed state of
mind, he performs his role with utmost dedication and sincerity. He makes all the possible efforts to save
the life of Mrs. Morgan and the still born baby. His presence of mind and action yield remarkable results.
One must not lose hope and depend upon one’s learning and use it in real life. Satisfaction and
contentment of people around give one happiness and a sense of achievement.
SHORT ANSWER QUESTIONS(40-50 words)

1. Who was Joe Morgan? Why was he waiting for Dr. Andrew Manson?
Ans. Joe Morgan was a driller in Blaenelly, a minning town. He and his wife Susan, were married for
nearly twenty years and now they were expecting their first child. He was waiting for the doctor to
help Susan in the delivery of the child.

2. Why did a shiver of horror passover Andrew?

Ans. Dr. Andrew Struggled for more than an hour to help the mother Susan Morgan for the safe delivery of
the baby. But when the child was born he was lifeless. As Andrew gazed at the still born baby, a
shiver of horror passed over him.

3. What did the elderly midwife think of the young doctor?

Ans. The midwife in the story remains doubtful about the young doctor’s success throughout the story. She
was skeptic about modern medicine on one side and quite worried about the glowing demand for
modern doctors in front of her eyes, quite experienced and not ready to accept a change. Her act of
placing the stillborn under the cot cements this suspicion about her character. She was indirectly
establishing the failure of modern medicine by doing so.

4. Why was Susan’s case one that called all Dr. Manson’s attention?
Ans. Susan Morgan was about to bring forth her first baby after fifteen years’ of married life. Susan herself
was keenly particular that the baby should survive any danger during her labor, even at the cost of
her life. The miner family had been awaiting this childbirth and therefore, from the old woman to the
rest, everyone trusted Dr. Manson’s entire potential and skill for the baby’s safety.

5. Why was Dr. Andrew Manson’s mind heavy when he rushed to attend a case at Joe’s Morgan’s?
Ans. Dr. Manson was already a lot exhausted, physically from his work and mentally because of his
doubtfully considering marriage. He was worried about his own marriage that was yet to happen on
one side and on the other he had to answer to the shattered and meaningless married life of his
friends.

6. Why did Joe Morgan come to Dr. Andrew Manson’s residence? (2 marks)
Ans. Though it was nearly midnight when Andrew reached Bryngower, he found Joe Morgan waiting for
him, walking up and down with short steps between the closed surgery and the entrance to the
house. At the sight of him the burly driller’s face expressed relief. “Eh, Doctor, I’m glad to see you. I
been back and forward here this last hour. The missus wants ye — before time, too.” Andrew,
abruptly recalled from the contemplation of his own affairs, told Morgan to wait.

EXTRA QUESTIONS FOR PRACTICE

EXTRACT:
Down in the kitchen he drank the tea which she gave him. Overwrought as he was, he knew he could not
snatch even an hour’s sleep if he went home. He knew, too, that the case here would demand all his
attention. A queer lethargy of spirit came upon him. He decided to remain until everything was over.
1. What were the thoughts that preoccupied Dr Manson?
2. Describe the atmosphere of the night at Morgan’s house.
3. Explain the expression:
a. demand all his attention
b. queer lethargy of spirit
4. Why did he not begin the surgery?
5. Give the synonym of
a. Overwrought
b. queer
SHORT ANSWER QUESTIONS(40-50 words)

1. Eh Doctor, I’m glad to see you.’ Why did Joe Morgan say this to Dr. Andrew Manson?
2. What thoughts (related to marriage) were running in Andrew’s mind?
3. How do you conclude that the meeting between Andrew and Christine was an unpleasant one?
4. How was Joe’s house maintained?
5. Why did Susan not want to be injected with chloroform?
6. ‘As he gazed at the still born a shiver of horror passed over Andrew.’ Explain How was Susan
brought back to consciousness?
7. The old lady offered Andrew a cup of tea. Why did he smile at her offer?
8. What decision did Andrew make as he drank the tea?
9. Why were Andrew’s thoughts on marriage confused and resentful?
10. ‘She’s awful set upon the child. Ay, we all are, I fancy’ Why did the old lady say so?
11. What dilemma was faced by Andrew when he saw the still born child?
12. Why was the midwife frightened about being asked for the stillborn child?
13. How did Andrew revive the stillborn child?
14. What made Andrew say, ‘I’ve done something real at last’?
LONG ANSWER QUESTIONS(120-50 words)
Answer the following questions in not more than 120 words.
1. Describe at length how Andrew revived the stillborn child.
2. What made Andrew exclaim, ‘I have done something; Oh God!’?
3. Justify the title of the story, ‘Birth’.
4. What does the story highlight about the essence of true happiness and fulfillment through Dr.
Andrew’s experience? Discuss with reference to the story.
a) The greatest lesson we can learn from Dr. Andrew’s life is, ‘Never give up’. Do you agree? Give
reasons in support of your answer.
b) He had no premonition that this night call would prove unusual, still less that it would influence
his whole future in Blaenelly.’ Comment.

LESSON-8 THE TALE OF MELON CITY BY VIKRAM SETH

Summary:
An aware and participatory citizenry is the key to a successful governance. A disinterested public does not
ensure a welfare state . Peace, freedom and liberty exist for a public if a king is just and placid. A reasonable
and a rational king best serves the interests of the public. Also, the presence of opportunist ministers harms
the public interest.

SHORT ANSWER QUESTIONS(40-50 words)

1. What kind of king was the one who ruled over the state? What did he proclaim?
Ans. The state was just and placid. For the welfare of the workers he proclaimed that an arch should be
built up which would extend across the major thoroughfare.

2. Why did the king ride down the thoroughfare and what was the result?
Ans. The king rode down the thoroughfare to edify the spectators there. Since the arch was built too low,
the lost his crown under it. He felt himself disgraced.

3. How was the new ruler of the state selected?

Ans. After the king the ministers sent the messengers to proclaim that the next man to pass the city gate
would choose the ruler of their state. An idiot happened to pass the gate. His standard answer to all
the questions was 'A Melon'. So when he was asked to decide about who will be the king, he replied
'A Melon' . Ministers declared that a melon would be their new ruler.

4. Do you think that the king was indeed a placid king? Support your answer with evidences from
the poem.
Ans. No, the king was not a placid king. In fact he was a furious, short-tempered and cruel king. It is very
evident from his sentencing his workers for a very insignificant fault on their side. Not only that he
was arrogant, he was too thoughtless and reckless.

5. The poem is a satire. What is a satire? What does the poem satirize?
Ans. A satire is a poem or story that uses humor, irony, exaggeration, or ridicule to expose and criticize
people’s stupidity or vices. The target people are usually rulers, politicians, religious leaders, etc.
EXTRA QUESTIONS FOR PRACTICE

EXTRACT:

In the city of which I sing

There was a just and placid King.

The King proclaimed an arch should be

Constructed, that triumphally

Would span the major thoroughfare

To edify spectators there

1. What did the king proclaim?

2. Where did he want an arch to be built ?
3. Give the synonyms of:
a. Placid
b. Spectators
c. edify
SHORT ANSWER QUESTIONS(40-50 words)

1. What proclamation did the king make? Why?

2. How did the chief builder, workmen and masons pass the blame onto each other?
3. How did the king react to the explanation given by the architect?
4. What was the criterion for the choice of “the wisest man.” What was his verdict?
5. Who was ultimately hanged? Why?
6. Do you think the king was really ‘just and placid’? Why/Why not?
7. What message does the poet give through the use of irony and humour in the poem? Describe the
custom of the city to choose the king.
8. The poem portrays the principles of ‘laissez faire’. Discuss.
9. Why was the wisest man called by the king?
10. How did the choice of the person ‘to be hanged’ become ironical for the king?
11. Why was the melon crowned as the next king?

LONG ANSWER QUESTIONS(120-50 words)

1. Why was the arch blamed at the first instance? Who was ultimately punished? The poem is full of
humour and irony. Cite examples.
2. How has the poet made fun of the system of governance by using the phrase ‘just and placid’ for the
king?
* * *

Drafted by Mrs Syed Tabassum Razvi 19.6.2023