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TBSE Class XII English Chapter-8 (Book: Vistas): Prose:- Memories of Childhood

 

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

Questopn.1. Why was Zitkala-Sa in tears on the first day in the land of apples? (All India 2014)
Answer. Zitkala-Sa was in tears on the first day in the land of apples because she was forced to part with her heavy, long hair. To avoid it, she even hid herself under the bed but she was soon found out and tied fast to her chair. She cried in protest but it all went in vain and she felt the blades of the scissors against her neck and heard them gnaw off her thick braids.

Questopn.2. What comic incident did Bama narrate to her brother? Why was he not amused?
Answer. While walking back home from school, Bama saw an elder of her street walking towards the landlord, carrying a food packed by its strings without touching it. This made her shriek with laughter. When she narrated the incident to her brother, he was not amused and told her that people of their caste were considered untouchables and that is why the elder carried the packet by its string.

Questopn.3. Which words of her brother made a deep impression on Bama? (Delhi 2014)
Answer. Bama’s brother had told her that because they were born in a particular caste, they were stripped off all honour and dignity. For them, the only way to get their due respect was to make progress by studying hard. Bama took her brother’s words very seriously and excelled in academics to stan^first in her class.

Questopn.4. What is common between Zitkala-Sa and Bama? (Compartment 2014)
Answer. Both Zitkala-Sa and Bama had experienced discrimination in their childhood. While Zitkala-Sa had been a victim of oppression at the hands of the whites in her boarding school, Bama felt and experienced untouchability early in life for being born a ‘dalit’,

Questopn.5. What sort of shows or entertainment attracted Bama? (All India 2013) or
Which activities of the people would Bama watch keenly in the bazaar? or
Which actions of the people would Bama watch keenly in the bazaar? (Foreign 2011)
Answer. The bazaar on the way home was always buzzing with activities. The snake charmer, street plays, puppet shows and stunt performances were a few interesting things going on there.
Bama used to love all these things.

Questopn.6. What were the articles in the stalls and shops that fascinated Bama on her way back
from school? (All India 2013)
Answer. On her way back from school, Bama witnessed a variety of interesting things which fascinated her. She saw the dried fish stall, the sweet stall and the stall selling fried snacks. Then there were wild lemurs, needles, clay beads and instruments for cleaning out the ears on sale. She loved to watch the waiters cool the coffee and the chopping up of onions.

Questopn.7. What did Zitkala-Sa feel when her long hair was cut? (Delhi 2011)
Answer. When her long hair was cut, Zitkala-Sa felt anguished and pained. She thought that she was a wooden puppet who had been tossed about in the air. She was really distressed by the fact that nobody came to comfort her like her mother did. She missed her mother very much and felt like an animal driven by a herder.

Questopn.8. What was the advice that Annan gave to Bama? Did she follow it? (All India 2011)
Answer. Annan told Bama that because they were born in a particular community, they were stripped of all honour, dignity or respect. The only way to get all this back was to study hard and make progress. Annan told Bama that education was the key to acceptance by the society so she must learn her lessons really well. Yes, Bama paid heed to his advice and stood first in her class.

Questopn.9. “I felt like sinking tcffhe floor,” says Zitkala-Sa. When did she feel so and why?
Answer. When Zitkala-Sa’s shawl was removed from her shoulders, she felt very embarrassed due to her c.linging dress. That was when she felt like sinking to the floor. She considered herself as one of the little animals driven by a herder.

Questopn.10.What did Judewin tell Zitkala-Sa? How did she react to it? (All India 2011)
Answer. The hostel authorities were going to cut the long hair of girls. Wearing short hair was against Zitkala-Sa’s culture. Judewin told her that they would have to submit, for they could not fight the strong authorities. However, Zitkala-Sa disagreed and decided to put up a fight and resist it.

Questopn.11.What does Zitkala-Sa remember about the first day in the land of apples? (Foreign 2011)
Answer. the first day in the Ian8 of apples was a ‘bitter-cold one’ firstly because the snow still covered the ground and the trees were bare. Secondly, die atmosphere of the school was not at all cordial. It was dictatorial and regimental. The author did not understand the language spoken there or the cuiture followed.
She detested the way in which even the day to day activities like eating and dressing up were done ‘by formula’. Even the teachers seemed to be ruthless.

Questopn.12.Why was Zitkala-Sa so averse to having her hair cut ? (Foreign 2011)
Answer. Zitkala-Sa did not wish to get her hair cut because her mother’s words were deeply embedded in her mind. Her mother had told her that only the hair of prisoners of war was shingled by captors. In their culture, short hair was worn by mourners and shingled hair by cowards.

Questopn.13.Why did the landlord’s man ask Bama’s brother on which street he lived? What was
the significance? (Delhi 2010)
Answer. One day, when Annan was returning home from the library, one of the landlord’s men approached him and asked him his name. Thereafter the man asked him in which street he lived. He specifically asked this question because it was aimed at finding out his caste. Annan narrated this incident to Bama to let her know the indignity and humiliation their community had to suffer.

Questopn.14.Why was Zitkala-Sa terrified when Judewin told her that her hair would be cut short?
(All India 2010)
Answer. Zitkala-Sa is an American Indian. In her culture, short hair is worn by mourners. As it is, she was disturbed and embarrassed by the rooms of the school. She got all the more terrified when Judewin told her that her hair would be cut short.

Questopn.15.Why did Bama take thirty minutes walking home from school when she could have
covered the distance in ten minutes? (All India 2009)
Answer. On her way back from school, Bama got attracted by the little trivialities on the street. The buzzing market, the snake charmers, the lemurs in cages etc., all caught her attention. Thus, it took Bama thirty minutes to return from school, when she could have covered this distance in ten minutes.

Questopn.16.When did Bama first come to know of the social discrimination faced by the people of
her community? “(Delhi 2009)
Answer. Bama was a Tamil Indian belonging to the dalit community. She first came to know about the social discrimination faced by the people of her community when she was a student of class three. She saw, on her way back from school, an elderly man carrying a small packet containing some eatables by a string without touching it.
She found it very funny but was shocked to know from her brother that since that bag was for the landlord, it was not to be touched by the dalit who was carrying it. Thus it was carried in such a manner.

Questopn.17.How did Zitkala-Sa try to prevent the shingling of her hair? (Delhi 2009)
Answer. To escape from her hair being cut, Zitkala-Sa crept upstairs unnoticed. She entered a large room and crawled under the bed in the dark. However, she was ultimately found, was dragged out, carried downstairs and tied to a chair. Finally, despite her fierce resistance, her long braid were chopped off.

Questopn.18.Describe the experience Bama had on her way back home which made her feel sad.
(Foreign 2009)
Answer. One day, when Bama was on her way back home, she saw that an elder of ‘her street’ was carrying a small packet of vadai or green banana bhajji. He was holding the packet by its string without touching it. This was because he was an untouchable and his touch would have rendered it unfit for the consumption of the upper caste landlord.
This experience made her feel sad because the incident portrayed that from the beginning, our society has been divided on rigid caste lines. The lower castes have suffered untold miseries and humiliations by the upper caste people.

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

Questopn.19.What activities did Bama witness on her way back from school? (Compartment 2014)
Answer. Bama’s home was a ten-minute walking distance from her school but it usually -took her from half an hour to an hour to reach. On her way back, many activities and sights caught her attention.
Bama got attracted to many novelties and oddities on the street like the performing monkey, the snake charmer’s snake, the wild lemur in a cage, the cyclist and spinning wheels, the Maariyaata temple and its huge bell, etc. She also noticed the pongal offerings being cooked in front of the temple. There was a dried fish stall near the statue of Gandhiji. There was a sweet stall and a stall selling fried snacks.
Puppet shows, street plays, public meetings of political parties were other entertaining activities. She would see the waiters pouring coffee and vendors chopping onions. She admired the various fruits that flooded the market according to the seasons.

Questopn.20.What are the similarities in the lives of Bama and Zitkala-Sa though they belong to
different cultures? (All India 2009)
Answer. Bama and Zitkala-Sa belong to different cultures. But both have experienced oppression and discrimination in their childhood.
Bama was born a ‘dalit’ and was upset to see the humiliations borne by the members of her community. They were considered untouchables, were made to live apart, run errands and bow humbly to people of the upper castes.
On the other hand, Zitkala-Sa was a victim of severe prejudice that prevailed against the native Americans. In the boarding school, her blanket was forcibly taken off her shoulders. At the same time, the forced cutting of her long hair only made her feel like a defeated warrior, for in her culture, short hair was only worn by mourners.
Thus, both Bama and* Zitkala-Sa have suffered as young members of marginalised communities.

Questopn.21.What oppression and discrimination did Zitkala-Sa and Bama experience during their childhood? How did they respond to their respective situations? (All India 2008)
Answer. Zitkala-Sa was a native American who was forcibly sent to a Christian school. She resisted the strict regimentation of the school. She hated cutting of her hair because in her culture short hair is worn by mourners. When her friend Judewin told her that they would have to give in, she disagreed and decided to fight against it.
Bama, on the other hand, belonged to a marginalised, untouchable community. She was upset to know the discriminatory treatment meted out to the members of her community. She was infuriated at this inhuman practice of casteism.
Both Zitkala-Sa and Bama refused to accept any type of oppression, exploitation or victimisation. Zitkala-Sa throughout her career as a writer criticised dogma and dedicated her entire life to fight against tryanny and oppression. Bama became a Tamil dalit writer and ushered a newness and freshness in her writings. Both of them tried to shed light on the atrocities committed by the oppressors on the hitherto marginalised communities.

 

TBSE Class XII English Chapter-6 (Book: Vistas): Prose:- On the face of it.

 

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

Question.1. Why did Mr Lamb help Derry? (Compartment 2014)
Answer. Mr Lamb and Derry were both victims of physical impairment or deformity. However, unlike
Derry, who became enr^ittered because of it, Mr Lamb was always full of life. His physical suffering had failed to damper his spirit. Thus, Mr Lamb helped Derry because he wanted him to change his perspective towards life and enjoy every moment of it.

Question.2. In what sense is the friendship between Mr Lamb and Derry fruitful? (Compartment 2014)
Answer. The friendship that flourished between Mr Lamb and Derry was indeed fruitful. Mr Lamb’s unending enthusiasm and unceasing zeal to live life despite all odds helped Derry change his outlook towards life. Derry, who was just carrying on an unhappy existence, was able to see some meaning to his life after meeting Mr Lamb.

Question.3. If you were to give a different ending to the story, ‘On The Face of It’ how would you
end it? (All India 2013)
Answer. The ending of the story, ‘On the face of It’ is very sad as Mr Lamb is probably dead. In my opinion, such a beautiful story should not have such a tragic ending. In the end, Derry should have saved Mr Lamb from falling by holding the ladder at the last moment. This would have given a message of hope.

Question.4. How does Mr Lamb keep himself busy when it is a bit cool? (Delhi 2012)
Answer. Mr Lamb was a person who could survive and enjoy in all circumstances and seasons. When it got cooler, Mr Lamb kept himself busy by breaking the crab apples from the trees in his garden and making jelly from them.

Question.5. Why does Mr Lamb leave his gate always open? (All India 2011)
Answer. Mr Lamb always left his gate open because he did riot mind strangers entering his house or garden. Probably also because he was not afraid of anything.

Question.6. What is the bond that unites the two—Mr Lamb, the old and Derry, the small boy?
How does the old man inspire the little boy? (Foreign 2011)
Answer. It is physical disability in different forms, the empathetic feeling that creates a bond, which unites the old man and Derry. Although both face the same problem, there is a vast difference in the attitude to and perception of the problem.
The old man has an upper hand #n life and experience due to his age, which gives him the zest to inspire the little boy.

Question.7. What qualities of Mr Lamb attracted Derry to him? (All India 2009)
Answer. Mr Lamb was aperson full of life. Sadness or negativity found no place in his world. His physical impairment and people’s humiliating remarks had failed to dampen his spirit. His undying optimism and ever friendly attitude drew Derry towards him. For Derry, Mr Lamb was his source of inspiration.

Question.8. What did Derry’s mother think of Mr Lamb? (All India 2009)
Answer. When Derry informed his mother of Mr Lamb and that he wanted to sit with him, she did not like it. She thought that he was not a good man and she did not want her son to remain in touch with him for any purpose.

Question.9. How does Mr Lamb try to remove the baseless fears of Derry? (All India 2008)
Answer. Mr Lamb tries to remove the baseless fears of Derry by telling him that nothing in this world is so worthless that it deserves to be considered as trash. Even weeds have their own value. He advises Derry to ignore people’s comments and think of beautiful objects. He tells him to hear only those things that are worth hearing. It is attitude that matters.

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

Question.10.What is the bond that unites the two—the old Mr Lamb and Derry, the small boy?
How does the old man inspire the small boy? (Delhi 2013)
Answer. Derry, a small boy, had a side of his face burnt as acid had fallen over it. Thus he grew up to be withdrawn arid defiant.
The old Mr Lamb got one of his legs blown off in a war and had a tin leg in place of it. He lived alone, but unlike Derry, he did not let his handicap rule his life.
The physical impairment somehow united the feelings of both of them. But their attitudes to their respective situations were totally different. Mr Lamb came as an angel in the sad life of Derry. He told Derry that beauty is not limited to looks but it is in how you feel from inside. He taught him to enjoy life to the fullest.
Mr Lamb’s encouraging words elevated Derry’s confidence. For the first time in his life, he wanted to live for himself. Thus he was inspired by the old man.

Question.11.The lesson, ‘On the Face of It’ is an apt depiction of the loneliness and sense of
alienation experienced by people on account of a disability. Explain. (VBQ)
Answer. Mr Lamb and Derek both were victims of physical impairment. Mr Lamb had an artificial leg made of tin and Derek had a scared face. Undoubtedly, both had suffered humiliations in life on account of their handicaps.
Derek, however, suffered not only from his handicap but also from low self-esteem, lack of confidence, desolation and withdrawal. He felt that nobody wanted him or loved him. They feared looking at his ugly face.
Looking at Derek’s example, we feel that people with physical impairment need genuine concern. They can perform better than average individuals who do not suffer from any disability, provided they get the right opportunities to prove themselves.

Question.12.Derry and Mr Lamb both are victims of physical impairment but their attitudes
towards life are completely different. Explain. (Delhi 2009)
Answer. Derry, a fourteen year old boy, did not expect anything out of life. A pessimist, he had lost all self-regard and led an isolated existence. He felt unwanted because he had a scared face. Mr Lamb, on the other hand, was full of life. Although he lived alone and had a tin leg, he kept himself busy by tending to his garden, his bees and making toffee and jelly. He welcomed everybody to his house and garden. He enjoyed sitting in the sun, reading books and gardening. Although kids mocked him by calling him ‘Lamey Lamb/ he did not bother about it. He was an apostle of optimism, enthusiasm and hope.
Thus we see that there is a striking contrast between Mr Lamb and Derry.

Question.13.Do you think Derry’s chance meeting with Mr Lamb would prove meaningful to him?
Answer giving valid reasons. (Foreign 2009)
Answer. When Derry met Mr Lamb, he was a fourteen year old boy who had lost all zest for life. He had lost all self-regard and suffered from a terrible inferiority complex due to his scared face. He hated meeting people and remained withdrawn.
After meeting Mr Lamb, Derry was filled with enthusiasm for life. Mr Lamb’s words had a profound effect on him and he changed drastically. He was not overtly conscious of his ugly face any longer. We could get a reflection of Derry’s transformation in Scene two, when he reached his house after a brief encounter with Mr Lamb.
He told his mother, “You shouldn’t believe all you hear.” He categorically told her that he wanted to go back to Mr Lamb to listen to bees singing and him talking.
In the end, he rushed to meet his mentor to keep his promise to the old man. Looking at these developments, one is bound to conclude that Derry hopefully would not become secluded once again. Derek would certainly be confident and happy in the future.

Question.14.How did Mr Lamb’s meeting with Derry become a turning point in Derry’s life?
(Delhi 2008)
Answer. Derry’s brief association with Mr Lamb changed him from a bitter, pessimistic and complex-ridden boy to a mature and confident person. His attitude towards life underwent a transformation.
He got encouraged by Mr Lamb’s unending enthusiasm and unceasing zeal to live life. Thus Mr Lamb’s unfailing optimism helped transform Derek completely. Mr Lamb’s conversation with him about everything and everybody being essentially the same, his notion of beauty being relative, his talk about pretty girls and love, his concept of the world and friendship and the incident of the timid man, all fascinated and inspired Derek.
Gradually, Derek was able to shed his old self and rediscover life. He was able to experience the joy of little things of life like rain drops falling pitter-patter on the roof. He even told his mother, “You shouldn’t believe all you hear.”
Thus, Derek’s brief association with Mr Lamb became a turning point in his life.

 

TBSE Class XII English Chapter-2 (Book: Vistas): Prose:-The Tiger King

 

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

Question.1.What gave the astrologers the greatest surprise of their life while they were studying
the horoscope of the ten-day old prince? (Foreign 2014)
Answer. When the astrologers were reading the horoscope of the little prince, they were taken by surprise when the ten-day old infant asked about the manner of his death. When the chief astrologer told him that a tiger would be the cause of his death, the baby retorted with arrogance, “Let the tigers beware!”

Question.2.How did the Maharaja please a high ranking officer? (Compartment 2014)
Answer. A high ranking British officer visited the state of Pratibandapuram and sought permission for tiger hunting from the Maharaja. The Maharaja declined his request, but as he did not want to upset the officer, he sent fifty diamond rings to the officer’s wife which cost the king three , lakh rupees.

Question.3.Why did the Maharaja ban tiger hunting in the state? (Delhi 2014)
Answer. As the prince was crowned the king, the astrologer’s prediction regarding his (the king’s) death by a tiger reached his ears. This prompted the Maharaja to kill a tiger but the astrologer informed him that he had to successfully kill hundred tigers to escape the prophecy. Thus, in order to reach that mark, the Maharaja banned tiger hunting in the state except for himself.

Question.4. Why did the Maharaja decide to get married? (Compartment 2014)
or
What is the reason lor the Tiger King’s sudden decision to marry? (Compartment 2014)
Answer. In order to defeat the astrologer’s prophecy, the Maharaja had to kill a hundred tigers. He had already killed seventy tigers and the tiger population in his state neared extinction. For this reason, he wished to marry a girl in the royal family of a state with a rich tiger population, where he would kill the rest of the tigers.

Question.5. Why did the Maharaja double the land tax? (All India 2014)
Answer. The Maharaja had successfully killed ninety-nine tigers but struggled hard to find the hundredth tiger. Once, there came a news of a tiger being spotted at a hillside village but it turned out to be untrue. This infuriated the Maharaja, who ordered the dewan to double the land tax in order to punish the villagers for the false news.

Question.6. How did the Tiger King become the victim of the hundredth tiger? (Foreign 2014)
or
How did the Tiger King meet his end? What is ironical about his fate? (All India 2009)
Answer. The Tiger King met his end through the wooden tiger, which he had bought as a gift for his son on his third birthday. While he was playing with his son, a splinter of the poorly made toy tiger pricked the king’s hand. The infection turned into a sore, which spread all over his arm. In spite of the best surgeons, the king’s life could not be saved.
The irony is in the fact that in spite of killing nearly all the tigers in the area, he had to face his death by a toy tiger.

Question.7. What, sort of hunts did the Maharaja offer to organise for the high-ranking British
officer? What trait of the officer does it reveal? (All India 2013)
Answer. Tiger hunting was banned in Pratibandapuram. When the British official came with a tiger hunt request, the Maharaja told him that he may conduct a boar hunt, a mouse hunt, even a mosquito hunt, but not a tiger hunt. In reply to this, the British officer said that he only wanted to be photographed holding a gun and standing ewer the dead body; the tiger could be killed by the Maharaja. This shows the shallowness of character of the officer.

Question.8. Why was the Maharaja so anxious to kill the hundredth tiger? (AR India 2012)
Answer. When the Maharaja was barely ten days old, the chief astrologer had predicted that a tiger would be the cause of his death. When the Maharaja was twenty, he killed one tiger. When he asked his astrologer, the astrologer said that he would kill ninety-nine tigers, but he should be fearful of the hundredth tiger. That was the reason why the Maharaja was so anxious to kill the hundredth tiger.

Question.9. What warning did the astrologer give the Tiger King when he killed the first tiger?
Did the prediction of the astrologer come to be true? (Foreign 2011)
Answer. When the Maharaja boasted about killing the first tiger, the astrologer said that he may kill ’ ninety-nine tigers, but must be “very careful with the hundredth tiger.” Yes, the astrologer was absolutely true in this prediction, because finally the Maharaja was killed by the hundredth tiger.

Question.10.How did the Dewan manage to arrange the hundredth tiger for the Maharaja?
(Foreign 2011)
Answer. The Dewan had brought a tiger from the People’s Park in Madras and kept it hidden in his house. When the Maharaja threatened him with dire consequences, he understood that the only way to save himself was to ‘plant’ a tiger for the kill. So, he and his aged wife dragged the tiger to the forest where the king was hunting. The king took aim and the beast soon collapsed.

Question.11.Why was the Maharaja sunk in gloom even after having killed seventy tigers?
(Foreign 2011)
Answer. During ten years, the Maharaja had managed to kill seventy tigers. As a result, the tiger population became extinct in his kingdom. This made the Maharaja anxious because he thought he would not be able to achieve his target of killing a hundred tigers and so his life would be in dangSr.

Question.12.What led the Maharaja to start out on a tiger hunt? (All India 2010)
Answer. The Maharaja knew the old saying that killing even a cow in self-defence was no sin. So, in order to save his own life and prove the astrological prediction wrong, he started shooting all his enemies, i.e. the tigers he found in the forests of his state and nearby regions.

Question.13.When did the Tiger King stand in danger of losing his kingdom? (Delhi 2010)
Answer. Once, a high-ranking British officer visited Pratibandapuram. He was very fond of hunting tigers and being photographed with them. However, the Maharaja refused to give him permission to hunt tigers because he feared that other British officers too would turn up with the same request. It was because of his refusal that the Maharaja stood in danger of losing his kingdom.

Question.14.What happened to the tiger provided by the Dewan Saheb? (Delhi 2009)
Answer. The tiger provided by the Dewan Saheb was very old and stood in complete submission. The Maharaja look aim and fired, but-actually the bullet missed the tiger and the tiger only fainted from the sharp sound of the bullet. As nobody wanted the Maharaja to know about it, one oflhe hunters himself shot the tiger later on.

Question.15.Describe the efforts made by the Tiger King to achieve his target of killing a hundred
tigers. (All India 2009)
Answer. The Tiger King made numerous efforts to fulfil his target of killing a hundred tigers. He stayed in the forest for many days. He fired many of his officers for not getting him tigers. He had to spend a ransom of three lakh rupees to impress the British official and discourage him from killing the tigers. He even went to the extent of marrying to kill the population of tigers in the neighbouring state to meet his target. In a way, he did all he could to achieve his goal , of killing a hundred tigers.

Question.16.Did the Tiger King shoot the hundredth tiger? Give reasons for your answer.
(Foreign 2009)
Answer. The Tiger King actually did not shoot the hundredth tiger. The tiger being a weak one, fainted from the shock of a bullet whizzing past him and the ignorant king celebrated his achievement. Later, when the hunters took a closer look at the tiger, it woke up as if from a deep slumber.

Question.17.How did the Tiger King celebrate his victory over the killing of the hundredth tiger?
(Delhi2008)
Answer. When the Maharaja thought that he had killed the hundredth tiger, his joy knew no bounds. The elated king returned to his capital and ordered his staff to bring the dead tiger in a grand
procession. The tiger was buried and a tomb was erected over it.

Question.18.What was the Dewan’s tiger like? How did he take it into the forest? (Delhi 2008)
Answer. The Dewan’s tiger was old and had been brought from the People’s Park in Madras. It was kept hidden in the Dewan’s house. At midnight, the Dewan with his wife dragged the tiger to his car and thrust it onto the seat. With great difficulty, the tiger was pushed out of the car and planted in the forest to be shot by the Maharaja.

Question.19.Why did the Dewan decide to give up his own tiger to be killed by the Maharaja?
(Delhi 2008)
Answer. The Maharaja refused to leave the forest unless he killed the hundredth tiger that had been sighted by the villagers. The Maharaja was funous and sacked many officers. He ordered the Dewan to double the land tax of the village and when the Dewan tried to stop him, the Maharaja asked him to resign. So, to save his job, the Dewan decided to arrange for a tiger to be killed by the Maharaja.

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

Question.20.How did the Tiger King stand in danger of losing his kingdom? How was he able to
avoid the danger? (Delhi 2012)
Answer. Once a high ranking British officer visited Pratibandapuram. As he was fond of hunting tigers, he expressed his wish of tiger hunting to the king but the king refused permission. Then the British officer (^quested that he only wanted to be photographed holding gun and standing over the dead body of the tiger; the Maharaja could kill the tiger. However, the Maharaja denied him this permission also, fearing that it would lead to further similar requests from other officers.
As the Maharaja did not want to upset the British officer and risk losing his kingdom, he sent a fifty diamond rings to the wife of the officer. The lady kept all the rings and sent him a note of thanks. In this way, the king managed to save his kingdom.

Question.21.The astrologer’s prediction about the death of the Tiger King came to be true. Do you
agree with this statement? (All India 2008)
Answer. I agree with the statement that the astrologer’s prediction about the death of the Tiger King came to be true.
The astrologer had predicted that Tiger King would be killed by a tiger and he should be wary of the hundredth tiger.
This statement of the astrologer forced the king to go on a killing spree. The hundredth tiger was not killed by the king himself but by the hunters, who found out that the old tiger had not died by the bullet of the king but only fainted by the bullet whizzing past him. .
The hundredth tiger was a wooden toy tiger which the king had presented to his three-year old son. It killed the king merely by a sliver of wood protruding form it that pierced his right hand. The wound developed pus and it soon spread all over the arm. The best surgeons failed to save the king and thus, the astrologer’s prediction about the death of the Tiger King proved to be correct.

 

TBSE Class XII English Chapter-3 (Book: Flamingo): Poetry:- A thing of Beauty

 

Extract Based Questions (4 Marks)

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

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

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

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

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

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

Question.1. How do beautiful things help us to live a happy life? (Foreign 2014)
Answer. We derive comfort and happiness when we look at objects of beauty, and the lasting impression they leave on our minds is a source of permanent joy. Beautiful things bind us to the Earth and help us strengthen our relationship with nature. They provide us relief from our everyday trials and tribulations and help us live a happy life.

Question.2. What does Keats consider an endless fountain of immortal drink and why does he
call its drink immortal? (All India 2013)
Answer. Keats considers nature’s beauty as an endless fountain of immortal drink. He calls this drink immortal as the pleasure and delight given by it never passes into nothingness. It only increases with time.

Question.3. According to Keats, what spreads the pall of despondence over our dark spirits? How
is it removed? (All India 2013)
or
What spreads the pall of despondence over our dark spirits? How is it removed?
Answer. John Keats says that pain and suffering are a part of life. These bring us sadness and despondence. But still, we can find hope. The hope and motivation come from nature and remove the pall of despondence from our spirits. The beautiful sights give us inspiration to continue the journey of life.

Question.4. How does a thing of beauty provide shelter and comfort? (Modified India 2013)
Answer. A thing of beauty provides shelter and comfort in many ways. It is like a bower, a place under the shade of a tree where we can rest. It gives us a sleep filled with sweet dreams. The streams and forests provide a cooling covert for us in the hot weather.

Question.5. How is a thing of beauty a joy forever? (Delhi 2012)
Answer. A thing of beauty is a joy forever because it is a permanent source of joy and inspiration and leaves a lasting impression on us. The pleasure and happiness given by it never fades away but keeps on increasing.

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

Question.7. Why is ‘grandeur’ associated with the mighty dead? (Delhi 2011)
Answer. The mighty dead are those who have laid down their lives for a great or noble cause. Their death is replete with intellectual and spiritual beauty. Birth, growth and decay, all are inseparable. Each has its own. beauty. Their death is grand or beautiful because it makes them immortal through the grand tombs and memorials erected in their honour.

Question.8. What is the message of the poem, ‘A thing of beauty’? (Modified India 2011)
Answer. The message of the poem ‘A thing of beauty’ is that beautiful things are a source of constant joy and inspiration. They give us eternal pleasure and leave an indelible image on our minds and, therefore, every beautiful thing and aspect is worth being treasured.

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

Question.10.What images does the poet use to describe the beautiful bounty of the Earth? (Delhi 2010)
Answer. The poet uses the image of an ‘endless fountain’, which showers bounties on Earth. He calls this an ‘immortal drink’ from heaven. The sun, the moon, the trees, the daffodils, the lush green forests and streams, all reflect the beautiful bounties which God has given us.

TBSE Class XII English Chapter-3 (Book: Flamingo): Poetry:- Keeping Quiet

 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Question.5. How, according to Neruda, can keeping quiet change our attitude to life?
(Compartment 2014)
Answer. Keeping quiet and suspending all our activities for a brief moment will give us time to introspect and analyse our own actions. We will develop a new understanding of our surroundings and thus change our attitude to life. We will check our destructive ways and try to be more positive and constructive.

Question.6.What are the different kinds of wars mentioned in the poem? What is Neruda’s
attitude towards these wars? (Delhi 2013)
Answer. The poet has written about wars against humanity and nature. Green wars, wars with poisonous gases and wars with fire are the different kinds of wars mentioned in the poem. Wars do good to no one. Pablo Neruda feels that such wars may bring victory, but there are no survivors. It means that there is heavy loss on both sides.

Question.7. How can suspension of activities help? (All India 2012)
Answer. The poet believes that suspension of activities will allow man to introspect, which can help them in analysing their own actions, and in solving many of their problems based on caste, religion or nationality. It will help them develop a new understanding of their surroundings, and thus make them mend their destructive ways.

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

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

Question.10.What will counting upto twelve and keeping quiet help us to achieve? (Foreign 2009)
Answer. The poet asks each one of us to count to twelve and then be quiet, silent and motionless. This quietness will create a moment of togetherness among all; a condition which is foremost for the survival of humanity, which is indeed an achievement. It will also give us One to analyse our actions and their consequences.

 

TBSE Class XII English Chapter-1 (Book: Flamingo): Poetry:- My Mother at Sixty Six

 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Question.3. What do the parting words of Kamala Das and her smile signify? (Compartment 2014)
or
What do the parting words of the poet and her smile signify? (All India 2010)
Answer. The poet’s parting words and her smile are a facade to hide her feelings of insecurity. The pale and senile appearance of her mother brings back her childhood fear of losing her mother. She can definitely experience the pangs of separation, yet she bids her farewell in a pleasant manner. She reassures her mother that all will be well and they would meet again.

Question.4. Why has the poet’s mother been compared to the “late winter’s moon”? (Delhi 2013)
or
Why has Kamala Das compared her mother to a “late winter’s moon”? (Foreign 2011)
Answer. The poet has used this simile as ‘the late winter’s moon’ looks too hazy and lacks brightness and lustre. Similarly, the mother, who is now sixty-six, is pale and has a shrunken and ashen face. She is devoid of the effervescence and exhilaration of youth.

Question.5. Why are the young trees described as ‘sprinting’? (Delhi 2012,2010)
Answer. The poet is travelling in a speeding car and the roadside trees seem speeding past or sprinting in the opposite direction. The poet has contrasted the ‘young trees’ which are moving fast to her mother, who is old and slow.

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

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

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