English Core XII Question Bank PDF

Question Bank Class 12 English Core  Foreword With a view to support teachers in the endeavour to move away from a culture of rote learning and impact pedagogy in the classroom, CBSE is delighted to share this Resource for Teachers in English Core for Cla...

Question Bank Class 12 English Core  Foreword With a view to support teachers in the endeavour to move away from a culture of rote learning and impact pedagogy in the classroom, CBSE is delighted to share this Resource for Teachers in English Core for Class XII. Exemplar questions from each chapter of both the books have been prepared. These exemplar questions are for the question number 3,4,5,10,11,12, and 13 of the Sample Question Paper 2020-21 and have been numbered accordingly. This resource will equip teachers and learners to become familiar with the new patterns and understand, acquire and practice the requisite skills and competencies listed in the curriculum. It will also serve as a guideline for teachers to prepare a question bank individually and collaboratively. As you will observe, the questions in the document are not based on mere recall or rudimentary comprehension. Rather, they have been designed to foster in students the skill to think critically and creatively with a focus on inferential abilities. It is important to note that the larger intent of this resource is providing to teachers an indicative framework to conceptualise and practice analysis-based learning and problem solving. It is hoped that the questions herein will also enable teachers to reflect on their teaching practices, and promote a movement away from ‘teaching to the test’ towards a focus on the process of discovery, openness, imaginative engagement and activity-based learning in ways that they bring the text to the child, as much as the child to the text. It is our belief that the potential of the English Core curriculum, to stimulate learners and teachers, can be glimpsed in this Resource. We hope that teachers will welcome this document as a reminder of this potential, and find in it a ready resource not only to equip their students, but to jumpstart their own thinking and engagement processes. L-1 The Last Lesson Text-Flamingo Q3 Multiple Choice Questions based on an extract A. Poor man! It was in honour of this last lesson that he had put on his fine Sunday clothes, and now I understood why the old men of the village were sitting there in the back of the room. It was because they were sorry, too, that they had not gone to school more. It was their way of thanking our master for his forty years of faithful service and of showing their respect for the country that was theirs no more. i Why does the narrator refer to M. Hamel as ‘Poor man!’? a) He empathizes with M. Hamel as he had to leave the village. b) He believes that M. Hamel’s “fine Sunday clothes” clearly reflected that he was not rich. c) He feels sorry for M. Hamel as it was his last French lesson. d) He thinks that M. Hamel’s patriotism and sense of duty resulted in his poverty. ii Which of the following idioms might describe the villagers’ act of attending the last lesson most accurately? a) ‘Too good to miss’ b) ‘Too little, too late’ c) ‘Too many cooks spoil the broth’ d) ‘Too cool for school’ iii Choose the option that might raise a question about M. Hamel’s “faithful service”. a) When Franz came late, M. Hamel told him that he was about to begin class without him. b) Franz mentioned how cranky M. Hamel was and his “great ruler rapping on the table”. c) M. Hamel often sent students to water his flowers, and gave a holiday when he wanted to go fishing. d) M. Hamel permitted villagers put their children “to work on a farm or at the mills” for some extra money. iv Choose the option that most appropriately fills in the blanks, for the following description of the given extract. The villagers and their children sat in class, forging with their old master a (i) _____ togetherness. In that moment, the class room stood (ii) _____. It was France itself, and the last French lesson a desperate hope to (iii) ______ to the remnants of what they had known and taken for granted. Their own (iv) _______. a) (i) graceful; (ii) still; (iii) hang on; (iv) country b) (i) bygone; (ii) up; (iii) keep on; (iv) education  c) (i) beautiful; (ii) mesmerised; (iii) carry on; (iv) unity d) (i) forgotten; (ii) transformed; (iii) hold on; (iv) identity B. M. Hamel went on to talk of the French language, saying that it was the most beautiful language in the world — the clearest, the most logical; that we must guard it among us and never forget it, because when a people are enslaved, as long as they hold fast to their language it is as if they had the key to their prison. Then he opened a grammar book and read us our lesson. I was amazed to see how well I understood it. All he said seemed so easy, so easy! i Which of the following can be attributed to M. Hamel’s declaration about the French language? a) subject expertise b) nostalgic pride c) factual accuracy d) patriotic magnification ii Read the quotes given below. Choose the option that might best describe M. Hamel’s viewpoint. (i) Those who know nothing of (ii) Language is the road map of a foreign languages know nothing of culture. It tells you where its their own. people come from and where they are going. – Rita Mae Brown – Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (iii) A poor man is like a (iv) The greatest propaganda in the world foreigner in his own is our mother tongue, that is what we country. learn as children, and which we learn unconsciously. That shapes our – Ali Ibn Abi Talib perceptions for life. – Marshal McLuhan a) Option (i) b) Option (ii) c) Option (iii) d) Option (iv) iii “I was amazed to see how well I understood it.” Select the option that does NOT explain why Franz found the grammar lesson “easy”. a) Franz was paying careful attention in class this time. b) M. Hamel was being extremely patient and calm in his teaching. c) Franz was inspired and had found a new meaning and purpose to learning.  d) Franz had realized that French was the clearest and most logical language. iv Franz was able to understand the grammar lesson easily because he was a) receptive. b) appreciative. c) introspective. d) competitive. Q 5. Stand-alone MCQs i Franz saw a huge crowd assembled in front of the bulletin board, but did not stop. How would you evaluate his reaction? a) Franz was too little to care about the news of lost battles. b) Nobody in Franz’s family was in the army, so it did not matter. c) Bad news had become very normal, so he went about his task. d) It was too crowded for Franz to find out what news was up on the board. ii There was usually great bustle and noise when school began, but it was all very quiet. Which of the following describes Franz’ emotions most accurately? a) shock and awe b) disappointment and anxiety c) confusion and distress d) curiosity and uncertainty iii “I never saw him look so tall”. Which of the following best captures M. Hamel on the last day of school? a) cranky, miserable, dedicated, resigned b) patient, dignified, emotional, courageous c) calm, nostalgic, disappointed, patriotic d) proud, reproachful, persistent, heroic iv Look at the table below. Column A provides instances from the story ‘The Last Lesson’. Column B provides titles of some famous English language poems. Choose the option that correctly match items of Column A with Column B. Column A Column B 1. M. Hamel distributed new copies (i) ‘Remorse is memory awake’ that looked like little French flags, (Emily Dickinson) and ended the class with an emphatic “Vive La France!”. 2. Hauser sat at the end of the class, (ii) ‘A House called Tomorrow’ thumbing his primer, desperately (Alberto Rios)  trying to learn with the children, even as he cried. 3. M. Hamel shared how Alsace (iii) ‘For Whom the Bell Tolls’ (John always put off learning, and how its Donne) people always thought they had plenty of time. 4. Class ended when the church- (iv) ‘Do Not Go gentle into that clock struck twelve. And then the Good night’ (Dylan Thomas) Angelus. Simultaneously, Prussian trumpets sounded under the school windows. a) 1 – (i); 2 – (ii); 3 – (iii); 4 – (iv) b) 1 – (ii); 2 – (iii); 3 – (iv); 4 – (i) c) 1 – (iii); 2 – (iv); 3 – (i); 4 – (ii) d) 1 – (iv); 2 – (i); 3 – (ii); 4 – (iii) Q10 Answer in 30-40 words i If this had been M. Hamel’s first lesson, how do you think the school experience of the students might have been impacted? ii Little Franz is the narrator of the story. The name ‘Franz’ means ‘from France’. In what way does the story being told as a first-person narrative of Franz impact your reading and understanding of the story? Provide at least one evidence from the text to support your opinion. iii At the end of his last lesson, M. Hamel decides to leave a little note for each of his students for them to find the next day at their desks. Based on your reading of the story, what might his note to Franz read? You may begin like this: Dear Franz, I know you have always preferred to run in the open fields … Q12 Answer in 120-150 words i Though tempted by the bright day, Franz stated that he had “the strength to resist, and hurried off to school.” As the story progresses, the reader realizes that Franz, M. Hamel and the villagers would perhaps need “the strength to resist” much larger forces. Discuss how the story provides strategies for resistance and protection of one’s identity and community through its events and characters. Provide relevant textual details to support your argument. ii On the day of the last lesson, Franz felt that the “whole school was strange”.  Throughout the story, the reader encounters Franz’ account of how school usually was, and what it was like on the last day of class with M. Hamel. This contrast comes across through events, and the actions and viewpoints of various characters. In what way can the story be seen as a comment on schooling in general? Does Franz’ description of school life resonate with your own experience? Do you think the story might also provide advice on what good education entails? Substantiate your argument with relevant instances from the text. Answer key for MCQs Q3 A i – c ; ii – b ; iii – c ; iv – d B i – d ; ii – b ; iii – d ; iv – a Q5 i – c ; ii – b ; iii – b ; iv – d L-2 Lost Spring Text-Flamingo Q3 Multiple Choice Questions based on an extract. A “I will learn to drive a car,” he answers, looking straight into my eyes. His dream looms like a mirage amidst the dust of streets that fill his town Firozabad, famous for its bangles. Every other family in Firozabad is engaged in making bangles. It is the centre of India’s glass-blowing industry where families have spent generations working around furnaces, wielding glass, making bangles for all the women in the land it seems. Mukesh’s family is among them. None of them know that it is illegal for children like him to work in the glass furnaces with high temperatures, in dingy cells without air and light; that the law, if enforced, could get him and all those 20,000 children out of the hot furnaces where they slog their daylight hours, often losing the brightness of their eyes. Mukesh’s eyes beam as he volunteers to take me home, which he proudly says is being rebuilt. i The simile ‘dream looms like a mirage amidst the dust of streets’ indicates that his dream was a) a reality, yet seemed distant. b) lost in the sea of dust. c) illusory and indistinct. d) hanging in the dusty air. ii ‘I will learn to drive a car,’ he answers, looking straight into my eyes. This sentence highlights Mukesh was 1. determined 2. fearless 3. hopeful 4. valiant 5. ambitious 6. stern a) 1&5 b) 2&4 c) 2&5 d) 3&6 iii Which of the following statements is NOT TRUE with reference to the extract? a) Children work in badly lit and poorly ventilated furnaces. b) The children are unaware that it is forbidden by law to work in the furnaces. c) Children toil in the furnaces for hours which affects their eyesight. d) Firozabad has emerged as a nascent producer of bangles in the country. iv Every other family in Firozabad is engaged in making bangles indicates that  a) bangle making is the only industry that flourishes in Firozabad. b) the entire population of Firozabad is involved in bangle making. c) majority of the population in Firozabad is involved in bangle making. d) bangle making is the most loved occupation in Firozabad. B She still has bangles on her wrist, but no light in her eyes. “Ek waqt ser bhar khana bhi nahin khaya.” she says, in a voice drained of joy. She has not enjoyed even one full meal in her entire lifetime-that’s what she has reaped! Her husband, an old man with a flowing beard says, “I know nothing except bangles. All I have done is make a house for the family to live in.” Hearing him one wonders if he has achieved what many have failed in their lifetime. He has a roof over his head! The cry of not having money to do anything except carry on the business of making bangles, not even enough to eat, rings in every home. The young men echo the lament of the elders. Little has moved with time, it seems in Firozabad, years of mind-numbing toil have killed all initiative and the ability to dream. i ‘She still has bangles on her wrist, but no light in her eyes.’ This implies that a) she is married but has lost the charm in her eyes. b) she is a married woman who has lost her grace and beauty. c) though she is married, her eyes are devoid of happiness. d) she is a married woman who has lost her eyesight. ii ‘He has a roof over his head!’ The tone of the author is a) pessimistic. b) empathetic. c) sympathetic. d) optimistic. iii Choose the term which best matches the statement ‘The young men echo the lament of their elders.’ a) acceptance b) reflection c) reiteration d) doubtfulness iv ‘Years of mind-numbing toil have killed all initiative and the ability to dream’. This shows that a) the bangle makers are exhausted yet they are enterprising and have dreams. b) the drudgery of work has destroyed their willingness to improve their lot. c) the daily grind has stolen the dreams of the bangle makers and made them dull. d) the bangle makers have been working so hard that there’s no time to dream. Q5 Stand Alone MCQs i ‘But promises like mine abound in every corner of his bleak world’. This suggests that a) there is no dearth of promises which remain unfulfilled. b) there is a scarcity of people promising things for betterment. c) people make a lot of promises which are often fulfilled. d) promises made, live up to the expectations of people. ii From this chapter, it is evident that the author has an attitude of a) sympathy. b) apathy. c) empathy. d) bewilderment. iii ‘That’s why they left, looking for gold in the big city.’ Here ‘gold’ indicates a) misfortune of circumstances. b) ample wealth. c) means of survival. d) a sign of luxury. iv Choose the statement that is NOT TRUE about ragpickers in Seemapuri. a) Children are equally involved in rag picking as their parents. b) The ragpickers settle down in a place permanently. c) Rag picking has accomplished itself as a skill and form of art. d) Ragpickers live in unsteady shanties on the outskirts of Delhi. Q10 Answer in 30-40 words i Why do you think Mukesh is content to dream of cars and doesn’t dream of flying a plane? ii Do you believe that ‘God-given lineage can be broken’? Support your position with a rationale. iii How do you think the author’s life might have been impacted after her interactions with the children and their families mentioned in ‘Lost Spring’? Q12 Answer in 120-150 words i How does the story, ‘Lost Spring’ highlight the apathy of society and those in power to end the vicious cycle of poverty? Support your answer with textual evidence. ii Certain traditions and lineage, condemn thousands of children to a life of abject poverty and choke their aspirations.  Do you agree? Explain. How can we change this? Suggest some ways to tackle this issue. Answer key for MCQs Q3 A. i – c); ii - a); iii – d); iv – c) B i – c); ii – d); iii – c); iv – b) Q5 i – a); ii – a); iii – c); iv – c); v – b) L-3 Deep Water Text-Flamingo Q3 Multiple Choice Questions based on an extract A My breath was gone. I was frightened. Father laughed, but there was terror in my heart at the overpowering force of the waves. My introduction to the Y.M.CA. swimming pool revived unpleasant memories and stirred childish fears. But in a little while I gathered confidence. I paddled with my new water wings, watching the other boys and trying to learn by aping them. I did this two or three times on different days and was just beginning to feel at ease in the water when the misadventure happened. i Choose the correct option with reference to the two statements given below. Statement 1: The author’s father laughed to mock his son’s inability to swim. Statement 2: The author wanted to swim just to prove to his father that he can swim. a) Statement 1 is true but Statement 2 is false. b) Statement 1 is false but Statement 2 is true. c) Both Statement 1 and Statement 2 cannot be inferred. d) Both Statement 1 and Statement 2 can be inferred. ii “My introduction to the Y.M.CA. swimming pool revived unpleasant memories and stirred childish fears.” It can be inferred that this was a clear case of a) suppression b) oppression c) depression d) repression iii The misadventure that took place right after the author felt comfortable was that a) the author slipped and fell into the swimming pool. b) a bully tossed him into the pool for the sake of fun. c) his coach forgot to teach him how to handle deep water. d) his father couldn’t help him from drowning into the water. iv Choose the option that describes the equipment used by the author while learning to swim.  a) Option 1 b) Option 2 c) Option 3 d) Option 4 B Then all effort ceased. I relaxed. Even my legs felt limp; and a blackness swept over my brain. It wiped out fear; it wiped out terror. There was no more panic. It was quiet and peaceful. Nothing to be afraid of. This is nice... to be drowsy... to go to sleep... no need to jump... too tired to jump... it’s nice to be carried gently... to float along in space... tender arms around me... tender arms like Mother’s... now I must go to sleep... I crossed to oblivion, and the curtain of life fell. i Choose the correct option with reference to the two statements given below. Statement 1: The author tried his best to jump out of water. Statement 2: After a while, the author was not anxious in water. a) If Statement 1 is the cause, Statement 2 is the effect. b) If Statement 1 is the effect, Statement 2 is the cause. c) Both the statements are the effects of a common cause. d) Both the statements are the effects of independent causes. ii The ‘curtain (of life) fell’ corresponds to an aspect of a) Geometry. b) History. c) Sports. d) Drama. iii The purpose of using “…” in the above passage is to a) show omission. b) indicate pauses. c) shorten a dialogue. d) replace an idea. iv Which option indicates that the poet lost consciousness? a) ‘It was quiet and peaceful.’ b) ‘I crossed to oblivion.’ c) ‘Tender arms like Mother’s.’ d) ‘It wiped out fear.’ Q5 Stand Alone MCQs i The most appropriate justification for the title of the chapter ‘Deep Water’ is that a) it's about the dangerous depth of the swimming pool. b) It reveals the author’s lack of surety about overcoming his fear of  swimming. c) it underlines the author’s fear of water and how he overcomes it. d) it includes the methods of the author’s coach to overcome the fear of deep water. ii Choose the quote that DOES NOT resonate with the central idea of the chapter. a) Option 1 b) Option 2 c) Option 3 d) Option 4 iii Samuel has a phobia of heights but is scared and can’t overcome it. Choose the option that displays an advice. 1 2 3 4 Go to the If I were you, I’d Unbelievable! Fear is a major swimming pool begin small. Like What’s the issue if you let it and jump in it spending 10 problem? I’ve control you. I from the highest mins. looking done bungee think it will take diving board that down from my jumping! It’s a a firm grip on you see there. balcony, each piece of cake. you if you don’t day, for a week. address it soon. a) Option 1 b) Option 2 c) Option 3 d) Option 4 iv The chap that threw me in was saying, “But I was only fooling.” Choose the option mentioning the personality traits of this ‘chap’. 1. persuasive 2. irresponsible 3. domineering 4. manipulative 5. callous  a) 1, 2, 4 b) 2, 4, 5 c) 2, 3, 5 d) 1, 3, 5 Q10 Answer in 30-40 words i Seemingly small everyday wins are actually the greatest learnings of life. Comment on the statement with reference to the chapter “Deep Water”. ii If you could give the chapter a new title, what would it be? Support your answer with reference to the chapter “Deep Water”. iii Getting rid of fear is an extremely difficult task. Elucidate with reference to the chapter “Deep Water”. iv Discus the significance of the references to the natural world in the chapter “Deep Water”. v Describe both the physical and emotional impacts that the misadventure at the YMCA pool had on the narrator. Q12 Answer in 120 - 150 words i Imagine that the bully who threw Douglas into the pool, reads this chapter and realizes his mistake. As the bully, write a dairy entry penning down your response to Douglas’ perseverance and your own feelings of guilt and regret. ii Douglas’ mother writes to the YMCA authorities holding them accountable for the mishap as well as demanding that the authorities employ a team of guards near the pool for supervision of the children. As the mother, write a letter to the authorities with reference to the case of your son. You may begin like this: Sir Subject: Negligence on Premises This is with reference to the incident of near fatal drowning of my son, William on your premises. We were… Answer key for MCQs Q3 A. i. (c) ii. (d) iii. (b) iv. (d) B. i. (a) ii. (d) iii. (b) iv. (b) Q5 i.(c) ii. (b) iii. (b) iv. (c) v. (c) L-4 The Rattrap Text-Flamingo Q3 Multiple Choice Questions based on an extract A. “Since you have been so nice to me all day long, as if I was a captain, I want to be nice to you, in return, as if I was a real captain — for I do not want you to be embarrassed at this Christmas season by a thief; but you can give back the money to the old man on the roadside, who has the money pouch hanging on the window frame as a bait for poor wanderers. The rattrap is a Christmas present from a rat who would have been caught in this world’s rattrap if he had not been raised to captain, because in that way he got power to clear himself. “Written with friendship and high regard, Captain von Stahle.” i Which of the following CANNOT be attributed to the peddler, according to the above extract? a) indebtedness b) reform c) self-pity d) self-awareness ii Why did the peddler gift a rattrap as a Christmas present? a) It was all the peddler had that he could give away, and represented his turn to honesty. b) It symbolized his successful escape from entrapment as he returned the stolen money. c) It served as a reminder for Edla to be wary of the dangerous temptations of the world. d) It was a practical and convenient present that the lady of the house could effectively use. iii The word ‘frame’ has been used to indicate a rigid structure that surrounds something such as a picture, door, or windowpane. There are other meanings of ‘frame’ too. Choose the option that DOES NOT list the meaning of ‘frame’. a) Option (1) b) Option (2) c) Option (3) d) Option (4) iv This communication includes 1) a promise  2) regret 3) an apology 4) shame a) only 4 b) only 1 c) 1 & 3 d) 2 & 4 B. …it was a big and confusing forest which he had gotten into. He tried, to be sure, to walk in a definite direction, but the paths twisted back and forth so strangely! He walked and walked without coming to the end of the wood, and finally he realised that he had only been walking around in the same part of the forest. All at once he recalled his thoughts about the world and the rattrap. Now his own turn had come. He had let himself be fooled by a bait and had been caught. The whole forest, with its trunks and branches, its thickets and fallen logs, closed in upon him like an impenetrable prison from which he could never escape. i How would you characterise the mood of the above extract? a) mysterious, restful b) ominous, despairing c) thoughtful, whimsical d) philosophical, anguished ii By what bait had the peddler been fooled? a) He had chosen to take the ‘safe’ forest route. b) He had decided to avoid the public highway. c) He had stolen money from the trusting crofter. d) He didn’t realize the power of his rattrap analogy. iii The consequence of ‘his own turn’ having come was that the peddler had ___________ a) got irreversibly lost in the thick, warped forest. b) been fooled and imprisoned in a hopeless prison. c) been walking around the same part of the forest. d) walked the whole forest without finding the end. iv The above extract richly employs literary devices. Look at the table below. Choose the option that correctly matches the instances/ examples in Column A with the literary devices in Column B: Column A Column B 1. The forest closed in upon the (i) Imagery peddler like an impenetrable prison. 2. The big and confusing forest with (ii) Allegory its twisted paths, trunks, branches,  thickets and fallen logs. 3. The lost peddler was reminded of (iii) Metaphor the world and the rattrap. 4. It was a big and confusing forest (iv) Simile which he had gotten into. The peddler had been fooled and was trapped in the forest. a) 1 - (i) ; 2 – (ii) ; 3 – (iii) ; 4 – (iv) b) 1 – (iv) ; 2 – (i) ; 3 – (ii) ; 4 – (iii) c) 1 – (iii) ; 2 – (iv) ; 3 – (i) ; 4 – (ii) d) 1 – (ii) ; 2 – (iii) ; 3 – (iv) ; 4 – (i) Q5. Stand-alone MCQs i Imagine that the peddler from ‘The Rattrap’ turned his life around, and decided to write of his experience. Which of the following is likely to be the peddler’s book, from the popular books shown below? a) Option (i) b) Option (ii) c) Option (iii) d) Option (iv) ii “Left to his own meditations”, one day the peddler fell into “a line of thought, which really seemed to him entertaining”. What does the peddler’s conception of the world as a rattrap, signify about him? a) The peddler had a lot of time on his hands, with nothing much to do. b) The peddler was a reflective man whose wisdom did not depend on his status. c) The peddler was a lonely vagrant trying to make sense of his fortunes. d) The peddler was a rattrap seller, and his work deeply inspired him. iii “Yes, that was a fine fellow you let into the house,” said her father.  What light does the given line throw on the ironmaster as a father? a) The ironmaster was disapproving of Edla’s decision to let the peddler stay. b) The ironmaster blamed his daughter for harbouring a criminal at home. c) The ironmaster was being playful with Edla, and supported her decisions. d) The ironmaster loved Edla but thought her to be too naïve and idealistic. iv Though the reader does not meet Captain von Stahle in person, they encounter the captain symbolically. How? a) The ironmaster misidentifies the peddler as his old friend, the Captain and invites him home. b) The reader realizes the peddler is actually Captain von Stahle when he signs off the letter. c) Edla attends to the peddler as respectfully, caringly and kindly, as she would have the Captain. d) The peddler accepts the error of his ways, and displays the qualities expected of a Captain. Q10 Answer in 30-40 words i If the world is “nothing but a big rattrap” as the tramp stated in the story ‘The Rattrap’, who might the rattrap peddler be? Discuss. ii Despite his philosophical insights, the vagabond fails to resist temptations. What would you attribute this to? Explain with reference to any instance from the text. iii Do you think the story reinforces a stereotype that women are more trusting, forgiving and less practical than men? Comment with reference to Edla’s actions in the story. iv What might be the significance of setting the story’s events during Christmas? Justify your opinion. Q12 Answer in 120-150 words i How would you compare the peddler’s actions in relation to the crofter and Edla? Would you say kindness does not always beget kindness, and that the conditions for receiving kindness are important for it to truly transform people? Elaborate. Provide relevant textual details to support the analysis. ii Imagine that you overheard the following snippet of an interaction between the valet and the housekeeper at the ironmaster’s mansion at the end of the story. Speaker 1 - Trust is a difficult choice, which may or may not be rewarded. Speaker 2 – Yes, indeed. Ms. Willmansson really believed in that fellow, didn’t she? And he didn’t disappoint. She was so happy reading his letter, oh her tears of joys filled my heart with so much admiration for her. Such a kind,  wonderful young lady. Speaker 1 – Absolutely. But I wonder, what if that vagabond had run away with the silver spoons? Would you speak so glowingly of Ms. Willmansson then? Our master’s daughter was a bit too gullible. Wouldn’t you say? Speaker 2 – But she did what was right. That must count for something. It’s Christmas, and she helped that poor man. It didn’t matter what he did. Surely the choice of right and wrong does not depend on the outcome. Speaker 1 – Wouldn’t it? I should jolly well think so. How would you respond to the questions raised in this conversation in relation to the story? Write your response in the form of an entry in your daily journal. Answer key for MCQs Q3 A i – c ; ii – a ; iii – d ; iv – c B i – b ; ii – c ; iii – a ; iv – b Q5 i – b ; ii – c ; iii – a ; iv – d L-5 Indigo Text -Flamingo Q3 Multiple Choice Questions based on an extract A They thought he would demand repayment in full of the money which they had illegally and deceitfully extorted from the sharecroppers. He asked only 50 per cent. “There he seemed adamant,” writes Reverend J. Z. Hodge, a British missionary in Champaran who observed the entire episode at close range. “Thinking probably that he would not give way, the representative of the planters offered to refund to the extent of 25 per cent, and to his amazement Mr. Gandhi took him at his word, thus breaking the deadlock.” This settlement was adopted unanimously by the commission. i Gandhi knew that he would not get an agreement on the demand for 50% repayment. Choose the option that offers the correct justification for the assumption made above. a) He had anticipated the negotiating tactics of the planter’s representative. b) He had been informed about the depleting funds of the planters. c) He had taken the advice of the Reverend on board. d) He had evaluated the commission’s attitude towards Indians. ii Given below are four real-life situations. Choose the option that perfectly describes a deadlock. Situation 1 Situation 2 Situation 3 Situation 4 Tariq is unable Sunita cannot get The bank Harpreet was to manage the a job because employees stuck between front-end and she has no started deciding the backend experience and protesting whether to go forums at his she can’t have against their to the USA or company any experience receding annual the UK for without any because she has salary and other higher studies. support. no job. incentives. a) Situation 1 b) Situation 2 c) Situation 3 d) Situation 4 iii Based on the given context, choose the option that exemplifies a deceitful extortion, out of the examples given below. 1. The artisans demonstrated for 2. The head of the artisan union their rights, peacefully, on the pretended to address all the streets. problems faced by them. 3. The head of the artisan union 4. The artisans in Hafrgunj came with goons and took all the decided to sell their wares directly assets of the poor artisans. to the government outlets.  a) Option 1 b) Option 2 c) Option 3 d) Option 4 iv The deadlock broke because a) Gandhi’s settlement offer was worth considering. b) All commission members agreed to adopt the representative’s offer. c) Reverend J. Z. Hodge’s intervention brought both parties together. d) The sharecroppers refused to be convinced by the commission. B But Champaran did not begin as an act of defiance. It grew out of an attempt to alleviate the distress of large numbers of poor peasants. This was the typical Gandhi pattern — his politics were intertwined with the practical, day- to-day problems of the millions. His was not a loyalty to abstractions; it was a loyalty to living, human beings. In everything Gandhi did, moreover, he tried to mould a new free Indian who could stand on his own feet and thus make India free. i Choose the option listing the sentence that is the most appropriate example of an ‘act of defiance’, from the following: She picked up the telephone terrified of what was about to come. She could hear nobody on the other side. Meanwhile, there was a thud at the door loud enough to scare her. Curious as she was, she wanted to open it as soon as possible. Her mother tried to stop her several times, but she went ahead, nevertheless. a) She picked up the telephone terrified of what was about to come. b) Meanwhile, there was a thud at the door loud enough to scare her. c) Curious as she was, she wanted to open it as soon as possible. d) Her mother tried to stop her several times but she went ahead nevertheless. ii Choose the correct option with reference to the two statements given below. Statement 1: His was not a loyalty to abstractions; it was a loyalty to living, human beings. Statement 2: Gandhi was a humanitarian at heart. a) Statement 1 is the cause of Statement 2. b) Statement 2 is the effect of Statement 1. c) Statement 2 can be inferred from Statement 1. d) Statement 1 and Statement 2 are independent of each other. iii The given extract DOES NOT talk about  a) details of the daily problems faced by human beings. b) efforts to relieve suffering of the common people. c) the reason for the occurrence of Champaran. d) Gandhi’s principles in the field of politics. iv Which option showcases an example of action (A) -result (R), from the passage? (1) A= defiance (2) A= free Indians R= poor peasants R= free India (3) A= free India (4) A= defiance R= defiance R= free Indians a) Option 1 b) Option 2 c) Option 3 d) Option 4 Q5 Stand Alone MCQs i In the light of the following statement, pick the option that lists characteristics of Gandhi. “Gandhi never contented himself with large political or economic solutions. He saw the cultural and social backwardness in the Champaran villages and wanted to do something about it immediately.” 1. pragmatic 2. obedient 3. compassionate 4. philanthropic 5. patient 6. dramatic a) 1, 3, 6 b) 2, 4, 5 c) 1, 3, 4 d) 2, 5, 6 ii Complete the statement about the form of the chapter, ‘Indigo’. The chapter ‘Indigo’ is __________ a Louis Fischer book. a) a preface to b) the blurb for c) the foreword of d) an excerpt from iii Gandhi’s protest in Champaran is most appropriately a great model of a) power.  b) leadership. c) charity. d) sponsorship. Q 10 Answer in 30-40 words i The peasants were themselves the most crucial agents in the success of the Champaran Civil Disobedience. Expand. ii Gandhi makes it clear that money and finance are a secondary aspect of the struggle in Champaran. Comment on aspect that you think was most important for Gandhi. iii Gandhi was a lawyer himself. Examine how his professional expertise helped in Champaran. iv Explain the possible reasons for Gandhi’s quick popularity among the peasants of Champaran. Q 12 Answer in 120-150 words I Imagine Gandhi were to deliver a speech to students in present day India showing them the path to becoming responsible world leaders. Based on your understanding of Gandhi’s own leadership skills, write a speech, as Gandhi, addressing the students about the qualities that every leader and politician should nurture. Dear students, you are all leaders of social change. I see many bright and enthusiastic faces that assure me that our future is in good hands. I have learnt from my own experience……………(continue)…………. ii Let us assume it was Rajendra Prasad who informed Charles Freer Andrews of Gandhi’s decision and the reasons for other leaders’ support of him. Thinking creatively of how Andrews would have responded and pen down the discussion you think would have taken place between Rajendra Prasad and Andrews. Answer key for MCQs Q3 A. i. (a) ii. (b) iii. (c) iv. (b) B. i. (d) ii. (c) iii. (a) iv. (b) Q5 i. (c) ii. (a) iii. (d) iv. (c) v. (b) L-6 Poets and Pancakes Text-Flamingo Q3 Multiple Choice Questions based on an extract. A His success in films overshadowed and dwarfed his literary achievements-or so his critics felt. He composed several truly original ‘story poems’ in folk refrain and diction and also wrote a sprawling novel Thillana Mohanambal with dozens of very deftly etched characters. He quite successfully recreated the mood and manner of the Devadasis of the early 20th century. He was an amazing actor-he never aspired to the lead roles-but whatever subsidiary role he played in any of the films, he performed better than the supposed main players. He had a genuine love for anyone he came across and his house was a permanent residence for dozens of near and far relations and acquaintances. i Which of these statements is NOT TRUE about Subbu? a) His literary accomplishments stole the limelight from his films. b) He was a gifted poet and writer and his literary works were noteworthy. c) He was selfless in nature and was empathetic towards others. d) He never hankered after lead roles and performed minor roles in films. ii The word ‘sprawling’ has been used with the word ‘novel’. Pick the option with which the word ‘sprawling’ CANNOT be used. a) metropolis b) handwriting c) campus d) portrait iii The phrase ‘deftly etched’ shows that Subbu a) created the roles delicately. b) was skilful in creating the characters. c) pondered beyond necessity about the characters. d) gave very little thought to the characters. iv Pick the option that best describes Subbu according to the extract. 1. benevolent 2. powerful 3. accomplished 4. witty 5. generous 6. temperamental a) 4, 5 & 6 b) 2, 3 & 4 c) 1,3 & 5 d) 3 ,4 & 6 B Barring the office boys and a couple of clerks, everybody else at the Studios radiated leisure, a pre-requisite for poetry. Most of them wore khadi and worshipped Gandhiji but beyond that they had not the faintest appreciation for political thought of any kind. Naturally, they were all averse to the term ‘Communism’. A communist was a godless man-he had no filial or conjugal love; he had no compunction about killing his own parents or his children; he was always out to cause and spread unrest and violence among innocent and ignorant people. Such notions, which prevailed everywhere else in South India at that time also, naturally, floated about vaguely among the khadi-clad poets of Gemini Studios. Evidence of it was soon forthcoming. i Pick the option that uses the same figure of speech as ‘A communist is a godless man.’ a) She is as determined as Gandhi when it is a fight against injustice. b) She is a Gandhi when she raises her voice against ‘hinsa’ or violence. c) She, like Gandhi, feels that the earth is crying for deliverance. d) She lives a life of opulence and calls herself a follower of Gandhi. ii Based on the extract, choose the correct option with reference to the two statements given below. Statement 1: At Gemini Studios, the poets had a profound knowledge about Communists. Statement 2: Communists were responsible for anarchy and discontent in the country. a) Statement 1 is true but Statement 2 is false. b) Statement 1 is false but Statement 2 is true. c) Both Statement 1 and Statement 2 cannot be inferred. d) Both Statement 1 and Statement 2 can be inferred. iii Why do you think leisure is a pre-requisite for poetry? a) Poetry means freedom of expression. b) One can enjoy poetry when there’s free time. c) In order to write poetry, one needs free time. d) Poetry means freedom from work. iv Asokamitran says that leisure is a pre-requisite for poetry. He says this because poets a) need to relax for a period of time before composing lines. b) maintain a leisured pace in all tasks they do. c) are creative and need to have free time to weave their thoughts. d) begin poetic compositions in rushed way and end in a relaxed manner. Q5 Stand Alone MCQs i ‘In any case, there was this man in the make-up department who would wish the direst things for Subbu’. Here ‘direst things’ refers to something that is  a) urgent. b) desperate. c) disastrous. d) dreadful. ii Pick the quote which best describes Subbu’s role in Gemini Studios based on the story. 1. Life’s too short to hang out with people who aren’t resourceful. 2. The more a person limits himself, the more resourceful he becomes. 3. Success is not about your resources. It’s about how resourceful you are with what you have. 4. Resourcefulness: Seeing where you want to go and taking the first step. a) Option 1 b) Option 2 c) Option 3 d) Option 4 iii ‘An extremely talented actress, who was also extremely temperamental, once blew over on the sets’. Pick the idiom that matches best with ‘blew over’. a) At one’s wits end b) Get bent out of shape c) Have the blues d) Experience pins and needles iv ‘Often he looked alone and helpless- a man of cold logic in a crowd of dreamers…’. It can be inferred that the man a) rationalised every thought before it was spoken. b) failed to consider human emotions and social dynamics. c) was critical of what others did around him. d) egoistic and always thought others lacked reason. Q10 Answer in 30-40 words i What kind of effect does Asokamitran’s style of writing have on the reader? ii Discuss the significance of the make-up room in the chapter, ‘Poets and Pancakes’. iii ‘In all instances of frustration, you will always find the anger directed towards a single person openly or covertly…’ Do you think it is right to direct our anger towards someone who is not responsible for the cause of anger? Justify. iv. The people left in ‘utter bafflement’ after the English poet’s speech.  Mention two things the speaker could have kept in mind before addressing an audience to avoid such a reaction. Give your rationale for it. Q12 Answer in 120-150 words i Imagine Asokamitran witnesses a film shooting and visits a film set of present- day Bollywood. As Asokamitran write a diary entry penning down the transformation you notice between film making of yesteryears and today. ii After reading this story, you are impressed by the author’s use of gentle humour to point out human foibles. Evaluate whether using such humour contributes towards bringing about change in people’s attitude and accepting their foibles. Answer key for MCQs Q3. A. i. (a) ii. (d) iii. (b) iv. (c) B. i.(b) ii. (d) iii. (c) iv. (c) Q5. i.(d) ii. (c) iii. (b) iv. (b) L-7 The Interview Text-Flamingo Q3 Multiple Choice Questions based on an extract A. Maybe I give the impression of doing many things. But in the end, I am convinced I am always doing the same thing… And then I have a secret. Did you know what will happen if you eliminate the empty spaces from the universe, eliminate the empty spaces in all the atoms? The universe will become as big as my fist. Similarly, we have a lot of empty spaces in our lives. I call them interstices. Say you are coming over to my place. You are in an elevator and while you are coming up, I am waiting for you. This is an interstice, an empty space. I work in empty spaces. i Read the questions given below. Imagine they were interjections raised by the interviewer based on the above extract. Choose the option that correctly describes the given questions. (i) If you are “always doing the same thing”, isn’t your work lacking in originality? (ii) Could you elaborate on these larger ethical, philosophical interests that inform your work? (iii) All writing happens in empty spaces. In fact, why don’t I tell you all about my experiences? a) (i) is not relevant; (ii) is appropriate; and (iii) is unnecessary b) (i) is appropriate; (ii) is repetitive; and (iii) is useful information c) (i) is inappropriate; (ii) is relevant; and (iii) is not relevant d) (i) is unnecessary; (ii) is intrusive; and (iii) is extrapolatory ii Based on your reading of Part I of ‘The Interview’, which one of the following may NOT be an appropriate title to the above extract? a) The Empty Spaces of Umberto Eco b) Big Exposé: Eco’s Secret Revealed! c) “I am always doing the same thing”: Eco’s Echoes d) Umberto Eco, Mr. Prolific! iii “I work in empty spaces”. Choose the option that most accurately captures Eco’s idea of empty spaces. (i) management of time (ii) organization of space (iii) philosophical inclination (iv) command of thought a) Options (i) and (ii) b) Options (iii) and (iv) c) Options (i) and (iii) d) Options (ii) and (iv) iv Umberto Eco states that ‘empty spaces’ actually fill spaces, and without them the universe would be the size of the human fist. He also goes on to say that it is in an interstice such as waiting, which the dictionary defines as a time for pause, that he works. That is, passive waiting is essentially active writing time. Choose the literary device that best describes what Eco does  with the concepts of ‘empty spaces’ and ‘waiting’. a) juxtaposition b) irony c) oxymoron d) symbolism B. Saul Bellow, who has consented to be interviewed on several occasions, nevertheless once described interviews as being like thumbprints on his windpipe. Yet despite the drawbacks of the interview, it is a supremely serviceable medium of communication. “These days, more than at any other time, our most vivid impressions of our contemporaries are through interviews,” Denis Brian has written. “Almost everything of moment reaches us through one man asking questions of another. Because of this, the interviewer holds a position of unprecedented power and influence.” i How would you describe Denis Brian’s opinion on interviews? Choose the most appropriate option. (i) appeasing (ii) utilitarian (iii) approving (iv) praising a) Options (i) and (ii) b) Options (iii) and (iv) c) Options (ii) and (iii) d) Options (i) and (iv) ii According to Saul Bellow, interviews are like thumbprints on his windpipe. What emotion might best describe such an image? a) sadness b) frustration c) pain d) fear iii Denis Brian states that the interviewer occupies a position of power and influence as ___________ a) everything reaches us through one man asking questions of another. b) the interview is a supremely serviceable medium of communication. c) our most vivid impressions of our contemporaries are through interviews. d) interviews are like thumbprints on the interviewee’s windpipe. iv The use of the word “serviceable” implies that interviews are _________ a) significant. b) powerful. c) advanced. d) useful. Q 5. Stand-alone MCQs i According to Christopher Silvester, the interview can be “in its highest form, a source of truth”. Choose the option that does NOT enable this? a) An interview allows for discovery of new knowledge about the interviewee and/ or the subject being discussed. b) An interview enables the interviewer to probe deeply, seek clarifications, and confirm understandings. c) An interview represents an opportunity to open doors to experiences that may not otherwise find a voice. d) An interview requires the interviewer to have in-depth prior knowledge of the interviewee and the subject. ii Column A below describes Rudyard Kipling’s views on interviews. Column B provides fictional descriptions of some of Kipling’s works if they were about interviews and interviewers. Choose the option that correctly matches interview attributes given in Column A to the works in Column B: Column A Column B 1. immoral (i) ‘The Mark of the Beast’ – An illicit tale of unforgivable offences against man and society. 2. cowardly (ii) ‘The Jungle Book’ – A journey into the corrupt jungle of information where conscience and principles do not exist. 3. vile (iii) ‘The Light that Failed’ – A story of audacious truth being left in the dark alleys of craven scandal and misrepresentation. 4. criminal (iv) ‘The Man Who Would be King’ – A saga of evil depravity of a man who ruled over heroes and became a villain. a) 1 – (i); 2 – (ii); 3 – (iii); 4 – (iv) b) 1 – (ii); 2 – (iii); 3 – (iv); 4 – (i) c) 1 – (iii); 2 – (iv); 3 – (i); 4 – (ii) d) 1 – (iv); 2 – (i); 3 – (ii); 4 – (iii) iii Mukund Padmanabhan mentions that much like his novels, Umberto Eco’s “scholarly work has a certain playful and personal quality about it.” To what is this attributed? a) Eco thought regular academic style was depersonalised, dry and boring. b) Eco presented his first Doctoral dissertation in Italy in this style. c) Eco realized that scholarly books should tell the story of the research. d) Eco identified himself with the academic and scholarly community. iv Umberto Eco mentioned that he was not puzzled by the tremendous mass popularity of his novel, The Name of the Rose. What does this tell you about Umberto Eco? a) He believes he understands readership trends well, and writes accordingly to ensure mass appeal. b) He elevates himself above publishers and journalists who were surprised by the success of the book. c) He respects and understands that there are variations in people’s reading choices and experiences. d) He feels that the success of a book is a mystery, and there was no point pondering over it. Q10 Answer in 30-40 words i Why do you think Christopher Silvester describes the viewpoints of other writers and authors when discussing the concept of an interview? Support your opinion with reference to any one writer cited. ii How would you evaluate Mukund Padmanabhan as an interviewer? Mention at least two qualities he displays in his interview, supported by textual evidence. iii Christopher Silvester shares authors’ reservations about interviewing. Bearing that in mind, would you interview a writer of your choice? If so, what would you pay particular attention to in interviewing the said writer? Q12 Answer in 120-150 words i Imagine that you are Christopher Silvester. You have been invited to a seminar series titled – ‘Ethics and Techniques of Interviewing’. The organisers would like you to speak about the challenges of conducting interviews, and skills interviewers must have in order to conduct good and ethical interviews. Based on your reading of The Interview, Part I and II, draft your speech. Include relevant details from the text in support of your answer. ii Mukund Padmanabhan was gifted the ‘Penguin Book of Interviews - An Anthology from 1859 to the Present Day’ edited by Christopher Silvester, after interviewing Eco. He shared his thoughts on his personal blog exploring his own concerns about interviewing a distinguished writer like Eco, followed by an evaluation of the interview in light of his reading. As Mukund Padmanabhan, write the blog post. iii Part I of ‘The Interview’ is an excerpt from the Penguin Book of Interviews. Do you think that the extract fails to present a balanced perspective about interviews? Substantiate your answer with relevant textual details.  If this were the entire introduction, what would your expectation from the book be? Answer key for MCQs Q3 A. i – c ; ii – b ; iii – c ; iv – b B. i – c ; ii – c ; iii – a ; iv – d Q5 i – d ; ii – b ; iii – c ; iv – c L-8 Going Places Text-Flamingo Q3 Multiple Choice Questions based on an extract A “She thinks money grows on trees, don’t she, Dad?’ said little Derek, hanging on the back of his father’s chair. Their mother sighed. Sophie watched her back stooped over the sink and wondered at the incongruity of the delicate bow which fastened her apron strings. The delicate-seeming bow and the crooked back. The evening had already blacked in the windows and the small room was steamy from the stove and cluttered with the heavy-breathing man in his vest at the table and the dirty washing piled up in the corner. Sophie felt a tightening in her throat. She went to look for her brother Geoff. i Choose the correct option about Sophie’s parents based on the extract given above. a) Sophie’s parents’ marriage was an example of harmony and affection. b) Sophie’s relationship with her parents was warm and friendly. c) Sophie’s mother was subdued while her father was detached. d) Sophie and her brother didn’t like to stay with their parents. ii Choose the option that supports the contention coming through Derek’s dialogue, “She thinks money grows on trees, don’t she, Dad?”. a) Derek thought his sister to be unreasonable at times. b) Derek had no faith in Sophie’s abilities to open a boutique. c) Derek thought of his sister as someone who was not realistic. d) Derek was not at all happy about Sophie’s habit of day dreaming. iii It could be inferred that Sophie’s mother was fatigued and burdened. Choose the option listing the elements that form the basis of this inference. a) her sigh b) her delicate bow c) her apron’s strings d) her crooked back a) 1, 2 b) 3, 4 c) 2, 3 d) 1, 4 iv “Sophie felt a tightening in her throat.” Pick the option that lists Sophie’s feelings in this context. 1) anxious 2) annoyed 3) uneasy 4) terrified  a) Options 1 & 3 b) Options 2 & 3 c) Options 1 & 4 d) Options 2 & 4 B On Saturday they made their weekly pilgrimage to watch United. Sophie and her father and little Derek went down near the goal — Geoff, as always, went with his mates higher up. United won two-nil and Casey drove in the second goal, a blend of innocence and Irish genius, going round the two big defenders on the edge of the penalty area, with her father screaming for him to pass, and beating the hesitant goalkeeper from a dozen yards. Sophie glowed with pride. Afterwards Geoff was ecstatic. i Their visit to the match was like a ‘weekly pilgrimage’ refers to a) strong bond as a family. b) love for a fixed routine. c) similar feelings of devotion. d) excitement for the match. ii Based on the following statements, choose the correct option. Assertion: “Geoff, as always, went with his mates higher up.” Reason 1: Geoff was not very close to his family and lived in his own world. Reason 2: Geoff was rude and indifferent towards everyone around him and didn’t care about anyone at all. a) Reason 1 and Reason 2 both can be inferred from the assertion. b) Reason 1 can be inferred but Reason 2 cannot be inferred from the assertion. c) Reason 1 cannot be inferred but Reason 2 can be inferred. d) Reason 1 and Reason 2 both cannot be inferred. iii ‘Sophie glowed with pride.’ Her pride is the result of a) belonging to a region where everyone thought of Danny as a hero. b) watching her father cheer and support Danny. c) The information she gathered from her brother, about Danny. d) being an avid fan and her sense of closeness with Danny. iv Choose the option listing the situation in which one would be ‘ecstatic’. Scenario 1 Scenario 2 Scenario 3 Scenario 4 Going to an old Being seated Going to a dog Coming home age home and next to your show and losing and finding that listening to them favourite pop your pet there. there are 11 share stories singer during a messages from from the past. short flight. your Principal in your email inbox.  a) Scenario 1 b) Scenario 2 c) Scenario 3 d) Scenario 4 Q5 Stand Alone MCQs i Choose the option listing the possible titular justifications for the chapter ‘Going Places’. 1. It includes the system of going to watch the football game on a regular basis. 2. It expresses Sophie’s deepest desire to go out with Danny Casey. 3. It is about a girl named Sophie who is an idealist and often dreams of going to various places. 4. It is an idiomatic expression that refers to Sophie going ahead in her career, trying to beat poverty. a) 1, 2 b) 2, 3 c) 3, 4 d) 1, 4 ii Choose the option that marks the differences between the personalities of Sophie and Jansie, even though both of them belong to impoverished families. Sophie Jansie Sophie Jansie a) realist c) fantasized about a) idealist c) realist becoming an b) fantasized actress b) dreamt d) practical about about having a d) imaginative owning a house boutique (1) (2) Sophie (1) Jansie Sophie Jansie (2) a) fantasized c) impractical a) irrational c) dreamt (3) (2) about about owning a becoming an d) irrational b) unreasonable boutique actress d) gossip-monger b) rational c) (3) (4)  a) Option (1) b) Option (2) c) Option (3) d) Option (4) iii “He said little at all, ever, voluntarily. Words had to be prized out of him like stones out of the ground.” Choose the option that states the characteristics of the person being talked about in the above lines. 1) rigid 2) stubborn 3) distant 4) invincible 5) reserved a) 1, 4 b) 2, 5 c) 2, 3 d) 3, 5 iv “Jansie, knowing they were both earmarked for the biscuit factory, became melancholy.” Choose the option that DOES NOT make the correct usage of the word ‘earmarked’. a) The money in the locker had been earmarked for another purpose. b) The investments made in the share market were earmarked for two years. c) Lakshay and Samrat were earmarked for behaving notoriously in the classroom. d) My family had been earmarked since we had shifted from our old home. Q10 Answer in 30-40 words i The story is written in a manner that it makes it difficult to point out clearly if Sophie met Danny Casey or not. Suggest possible reasons for such writing. ii “Sophie felt a tightening in her throat. She went to look for her brother Geoff.” In the light of this quote, discuss the relationship Sophie shared with Geoff. iii Sophie is caught between the world she lives in and the world she wants to live in. Elucidate. iv Evaluate the two different perspectives to life that Jansie and Sophie represent. v According to you, should Sophie have continued to dream, or should she  have stuck to the path that had already been chosen for her? Justify your choice in detail. Q12 Answer in 120-150 words i Imagine Sophie’s father finds out about Sophie’s going to the canal to meet Danny Casey which leads him to think that she has lied to everyone about the whole affair. He is infuriated and prohibits Sophie from going anywhere except to school. As Geoff, write a diary entry disapproving of your father’s punishment by citing your reasons for being sympathetic to Sophie. You may begin this way: Monday, 2 September 1940 9 PM I cannot get myself to stand with father in his tirade against Sophie. Sure, she is not the most… ii Imagine Sophie meets Danny Casey after several years. Write a dialogue exchange between them where Sophie explains what that meeting means to her. Answer key for MCQs Q3 A. i. (c) ii. (c) iii. (d) iv. (a) B. i. (c) ii. (b) iii. (d) iv. (b) Q5 i. (c) ii. (b) iii. (d) iv. (a) P-1 My Mother at Sixty-six Text-Flamingo Q4 Multiple Choice Questions based on an extract A 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 realized with pain that she was as old as she looked but soon put that thought away… i Choose the option that best applies to the given extract. 1) a conversation 2) an argument 3) a piece of advice 4) a strategy 5) a recollection 6) a suggestion a) 1, 3 & 6 b) 2, 4 & 5 c) Only 5 d) Only 1 ii Choose the book title that perfectly describes the condition of the poet’s mother. Title 1 Title 2 Title 3 Title 4 You’re Only The Gift of Somewhere The Book You Wish Old Once! Years Towards the End Your Parents Had Read by Dr. Seuss by Joan by Diana Athill Chittister by Philippa Perry a) Title 1 b) Title 2 c) Title 3 d) Title 4 iii Choose the option that applies correctly to the two statements given below. Assertion: The poet wards off the thought of her mother getting old quickly. Reason: The poet didn’t want to confront the inevitability of fate that was to dawn upon her mother. a) Assertion can be inferred but the Reason cannot be inferred. b) Assertion cannot be inferred but the Reason can be inferred. c) Both Assertion and Reason can be inferred. d) Both Assertion and Reason cannot be inferred. iv Choose the option that displays the same literary device as in the given lines of the extract. her face ashen like that of a corpse… a) Just as I had I had this thought, she appeared and… b) My thoughts were as heavy as lead that evening when … c) I think like everyone else who… d) I like to think aloud when … B And looked out at Young Trees sprinting, the merry children spilling out of their homes, but after the airport’s security check, standing a few yards away, I looked again at her, wan, pale as a late winter’s moon and felt that old familiar ache… i What is the most likely reason the poet capitalised ‘Young Trees’? This was to a) convey a clearer meaning. b) highlight the adj.-noun combination. c) enhance the contrast. d) draw a connection with the title. ii Choose the option that appropriately describes the relationship between the two statements given below. Statement 1: The poet knows her mother has aged. Statement 2: The poet feels the pain of separation. a) Beginning – Ending b) Cause – Effect c) Question – Answer  d) Introduction – Conclusion iii Choose the option that completes the sentence given below. Just as the brightness of the winter’s moon is veiled behind the haze and mist, similarly, __________________. a) the pain of separation has shaded mother’s expression. b) age has fogged mother’s youthful appearance. c) growing up has developed a seasoned maturity in the poet. d) memories warm the heart like the pale moon in winter. iv Choose the correct option out of the ones given below. a) Option 1 b) Option 2 c) Option 3 d) Option 4 Q5 Stand Alone MCQs i The phrase ‘old familiar ache’ has been used to refer to a fear, in this extract. This phrase can also be used to a) compare physical pain with mental agony. b) elicit someone’s unanswered queries. c) substantiate reasons for aches and pains. d) describe a longing one has been aware of. ii The tone of the poet in the poem is primarily a combination of _________ and ________. 1. dauntlessness 2. apprehension 3. dejection 4. disappointment a) 1, 2 b) 2, 3 c) 3, 4 d) 1, 4 Q10 Answer in 30-40 words i The pain of separation is expressed both literally and metaphorically in this poem. Elucidate. ii Comment on the tone of the poem with references to “My Mother at Sixty- Six”. iii Imagery was an effective literary device to bring out the contrast between the “merry children” and mother. Comment. iv The poet does not directly mention the fear of her mother’s death and yet she is successfully able to convey the same through different poetic techniques. Discuss. Q12 Answer in 120-150 words i Imagine the mother gets to know of the poet persona’s fears. Write a letter, as the mother, telling the daughter why she must not dwell on these fears. You may begin this way: Pallipuram Cochin, Kerala 22 August ‘60 My dear Kamala I am writing to you because when you left me at the airport, I felt something wasn’t right. Judging by how little you spoke that day ………………………. ………………………………………(continue)………………………………… With love Amma ii Imagine you are the poet’s friend. Write a dialogue exchange between yourself and the poet where the latter confides in you about her fears and asks for your advice. What would your advice be –to face her fears, to ignore them or something else? Answer key for MCQs Q4 A. i. (c) ii. (c) iii. (c) iv. (b) B. i. (c) ii. (b) iii. (b) iv. (d) Q5 i. (d) ii. (b) P2-An Elementary School Classroom in a Slum Text-Flamingo Q4 Multiple Choice Questions based on an extract. A Far far from gusty waves these children’s faces. Like rootless weeds, the hair torn around their pallor: The tall girl with her weighed-down head. The paper- seeming boy, with rat’s eyes. The stunted, unlucky heir of twisted bones, reciting a father’s gnarled disease, his lesson, from the desk. At back of the dim class one unnoted, sweet and young. i The phrase ‘weighed-down head’ DOES NOT refer to being a) burdened by poverty. b) ashamed at her plight. c) distressed due to difficulties. d) dizzy with a headache. ii Pick the option that matches the words / phrases with the literary device. Word/ phrase Literary device 1. like rootless weeds A. metaphor 2. paper-seeming boy B. pun 3. reciting C. synecdoche D. simile a) 1-A, 2-D, 3-C b) 1-D, 2-B, 3-A c) 1-D, 2-A, 3-B d) 1-B, 2-A, 3-C iii Pick the option that enumerates the tone of the poet in this extract. 1. apprehensive 2. compassionate 3. resentful 4. thoughtful 5. disillusioned 6. woeful a) 2, 4 and 6 b) 1, 4 and 5 c) 3, 5 and 6 d) 1, 3 and 6 iv The ‘gusty waves’, most likely, indicate a) survival and struggle. b) verve and brightness. c) drudgery and dullness. d) animation and alertness. B This map becomes their windows and these windows That shut upon their lives like catacombs, Break O break open till they break the town And show the children to green fields, and make their world Run azure on gold sands, and let their tongues Run naked into books the white and green leaves open History theirs whose language is the sun. i Pick the option that is NOT TRUE according to this extract. a) The children should be allowed to read books and form their opinions. b) Education without breaking the shackles of poverty, is meaningless. c) The policy makers show the reality of the real world to the children. d) The children see the world of poverty and misery through the windows. ii Pick the options that matches best with the phrase ‘break o break open’. 1. break free 2. break silence 3. break out 4. break even 5. break through 6. break ground a) 1, 3 and 5 b) 2, 3 and 6 c) 1, 4 and 6 d) 2, 3 and 5 iii Look at the given book covers. Pick the option that reflects the meaning of ‘catacomb’ in the extract. a) Option 1 b) Option 2 c) Option 3 d) Option 4 iv On the basis of the extract, pick the opinion that is closest to that of the poet. The children must be given The children should be freedom to experience the given free time to play in wholesome bounties of the fields to develop their nature. creativity. (1) (2) The condition of the The children can spread children can improve if light and awareness if they they are shown the become morally beautiful world out of responsible. their window. (3) (4) a) Option 1 b) Option 2 c) Option 3 d) Option 4 Q5 Stand Alone MCQs i Based on the poem, choose the correct option with reference to the two statements given below. Statement 1: The poet is in anguish at the plight of the children in slums and is sympathetic towards them. Statement 2: The poet presents an exaggerated version of the struggles of the slum children, to garner sympathy. a) Statement 1 is true but Statement 2 is false. b) Statement 1 is false but Statement 2 is true. c) Both Statement 1 and Statement 2 are true. d) Both Statement 1 and Statement 2 cannot be inferred. ii A child in the slum experiencing the dreary life would have the least access to a) shelter. b) information. c) water. d) education. iii Pick the quote that highlights the contrasting image portrayed in the poem.  a) ‘The worst form of inequality is to try and make unequal things equal.’ b) ‘An imbalance between the rich and poor is the oldest and most fatal ailment of all republics.’ c) ‘We must work together to ensure equitable distribution of wealth, opportunity and power in our society.’ d) ‘No amount of artificial reinforcement can offset the natural inequalities of human individual.’ iv Pick phrases that portray ‘poverty and hopelessness’ in the poem. 1. slag heap 2. spectacles of steel 3. gusty waves 4. run azure on gold sands 5. mended glass 6. squirrel’s game 7. language is the sun a) 2, 4 and 7 b) 1, 3 and 5 c) 3, 4 and 6 d) 1, 2 and 5 Q10 Answer in 30-40 words i If you were given the responsibility to ensure that children of the slums have a life of mental and physical freedom, what would be the first few things you would do towards the same? ii Voicing one’s opinion against injustice is the first step in the struggle for equality. Comment with reference to the poem. iii Compare the change in the poet’s attitude from being angry and aggressive in the second stanza to being cynical in the third. Q12 Answer in 120-150 words i You have been asked to deliver a speech in the assembly on the role of the youth in bridging the gap between the rich and the poor. Write the speech draft. You may begin like this: Dear friends I stand before you today, to voice my thoughts on… ii You are a member of the ‘Interact Club’ of your school that conducts ‘Teach the Young’ programme in the slums in the neighbourhood. It is a programme to teach young children living in the slums. Write a diary entry to share your experience of teaching these children and your interactions with them. Combine your ideas with those revealed in the  poem. Answer key for MCQs Q4 A. i. (d) ii. (c) iii. (a) iv. (b) B. i.(c) ii. (b) iii. (c) iv. (b) Q5 i.(a) ii. (b) iii. (b) iv. (d) P-3 Keeping Quiet Text-Flamingo Q4 Multiple Choice Questions based on an extract A. 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. It would be an exotic moment without rush, without engines, we would all be together in a sudden strangeness. i The poet uses the word “let’s” to _______ a) initiate a conversation between the poet and the readers. b) invite readers as part of the poem’s larger call to humanity. c) welcome readers into the world of the poem and its subject. d) address readers as fellow members of the human race. ii Margaret Atwood said, “Language divides us into fragments, I wanted to be whole.” Choose the option that correctly comments on the relationship between Margaret Atwood’s words and the line from the above extract – “let’s not speak in any language” a) Atwood endorses Neruda’s call to not speak in any language. b) Atwood justifies Neruda’s request to not engage in any speaking. c) Atwood undermines Neruda’s intent to stop and not speak in any language. d) Atwood surrenders to Neruda’s desire for silence and not speak in any language. iii Why do you think the poet employs words like “exotic” and “strangeness”? a) To highlight the importance of everyone being together suddenly for once. b) To emphasize the frenetic activity and chaos that usually envelops human life. c) To indicate the unfamiliarity of a sudden moment without rush or without engine. d) To direct us towards keeping quiet and how we would all be together in that silence. iv Choose the option that correctly matches the idioms given in Column A with their meanings in Column B. Column A Column B 1. On the face of the earth (i) In existence 2. What on earth (ii) To do all possible to accomplish something 3. Move heaven and earth (iii) To express surprise or shock 4. The salt of the earth (iv) To be good and worthy  a) 1 – (i); 2 – (iv); 3 – (iii); 4 – (ii) b) 1 – (i); 2 – (iii); 3 – (ii); 4 – (iv) c) 1 – (ii); 2 – (i); 3 – (iv); 4 – (iii) d) 1 – (iv); 2 – (ii); 3 – (iii); 4 – (i) B. 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. i Look at the images given below. Choose the image to which the above extract can be seen as an appropriate response. a) Option (i) b) Option (ii) c) Option (iii) d) Option (iv) ii What do you think is the mood of the poet in the above extract? a) gloomy, cynical b) reflective, inspired c) introspective, aware d) critical, demotivated iii Pick the option that DOES NOT complete the given sentence suitably, as per the extract. Threatening ourselves with death __________ a) feeds on the fear of death. b) challenges finiteness of life. c) keeps us rushing through life. d) makes us restless and impatient. iv What might the “huge silence” signify?  a) melancholy b) understanding c) discomfort d) flexibility Q5 Stand-alone MCQs I Read the statements given below carefully. Choose the option that best describes these statements, with reference to the poem. Statement I – The poem ‘Keeping Quiet’ calls for change as much in the individual as human society at large. Statement II – The poem ‘Keeping Quiet’ implies that individual change will lead to bigger societal change. Statement III – Neruda believes that when people come together as a community, they will be able to bring a transformation in each person. a) Statement I is True, Statement II is False, and Statement III cannot be inferred. b) Statement I and II cannot be inferred, Statement III is True. c) Statement I is True, Statements II and III cannot be inferred. d) Statement I cannot be inferred, Statement II cannot be inferred, Statement III is False. ii “What I want should not be confused with total inactivity.” Choose the option that draws the most accurate parallel. keeping quiet: total inactivity = ______ : ______ a) reflection and death b) silence and chaos c) stagnation and introspection d) mindfulness and fear iii What statement does Neruda make about wars? a) Wars are of varied kinds – internal, green wars, wars with gas, with fire etc. b) Wars are wasteful and cause irrecoverable loss and damage to property and life. c) Wars never yield any winners, and the loss is far greater than what can be measured. d) Wars are unavoidable in the enduring struggle for human dignity and power. iv “Now I’ll count up to twelve and you keep quiet and I will go.” Why does the poet wish to go at the end of the poem? a) The poet does not believe people will be quiet. b) The poet has already invested enough time.  c) The poet will move on and seek to inspire others. d) The poet is marking the end of the poem by leaving. Q10 Answer in 30-40 words i In a world that is constantly running after ‘more’ chasing the next new thing, would it be fair to think of Neruda’s call as merely a fanciful idea? ii The world has become a global village, and people across boundaries, nationalities and communities are now connected to one another. With the advancement of technology, and the advent of social media, do you think that the task of keeping quiet, as envisaged by Neruda, has become easier or more complicated? Justify your stance. Q12 Answer in 120-150 words i It could be said that the poem ‘Keeping Quiet’ presents the poet’s philosophy for a different kind of world. If you were asked to highlight elements of Neruda’s vision that resonate in your specific social, political and cultural context, which three main ideas would you engage with? Use relevant textual details to support your analysis. ii The last two years of school tend to be about planning for life after school. This can be motivating, overwhelming or encouraging for some, and stressful for others. Write a diary entry recording your thoughts on the following: Neruda’s ideas in ‘Keeping Quiet’ as a guide in this situation. Thinking differently about your decisions with reference to Neruda’s ‘Keeping Quiet’. Answer key for MCQs Q4 A i – b ; ii – a ; iii – b ; iv – b B i – d ; ii – c ; iii – b ; iv – b Q5 i – a ; ii – a ; iii – c ; iv – c P4- A Thing of Beauty Text-Flamingo Q4 Multiple Choice Questions based on an extract. A 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: yes, in spite of all, Some shape of beauty moves away the pall From our dark spirits. i In which of the following options can the underlined words be replaced with ‘despondence’? a) The man paced about the room showing restlessness. b) A chat with a close friend can take away our blues. c) I was in jitters, seeing the boy trapped in the trench, d) Being dogged is what led him to negotiate the challenges. ii Pick the option that is NOT an example of ‘unhealthy and o’er darkened ways.’ a) A person who is egoistic and looks down upon others. b) A person who seeks God’s help for all his problems. c) A person who is uses evil ways to deceive others. d) A person who is corrupt and manipulative. iii Pick the option that enumerates what ‘noble natures’ would include. 1. selflessness 2. insensitivity 3. enthusiasm 4. aggression 5. meticulousness 6. judiciousness a) 1, 4 and 5 b) 2, 3 and 6 c) 2, 4 and 5 d) 1, 3 and 6 iv Based on the poem, choose the correct option with reference to the two statements given below. Statement 1: The earth without the beautiful things is a place full of despair and unpleasantness. Statement 2: The ornate band created by human beings; ushers hope in their lives. a) Statement 1 is true but Statement 2 is false. b) Statement 1 is false but Statement 2 is true.  c) Both Statement 1 and Statement 2 can be inferred. d) Both Statement 1 and Statement 2 cannot be inferred. B Rich with a sprinkling of fair musk-rose blooms; 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 the heaven’s brink. i Pick the quote that matches best with— ‘And such too is the grandeur of the dooms we have imagined for the mighty dead.’ a) In the night of death, hope sees a star, and listening love can hear the rustle of a wing. b) When a great man dies, for years the light he leaves behind him, lies on the paths of men. c) Endings are not always bad, most times they’re just beginnings in disguise. d) Cowards die many times before their death; the valiant never taste of death but once. ii Pick the option that refers to what ‘an endless fountain of immortal drink’ suggests. 1. inspirational deeds of great men 2. a ceaseless series of dreams 3. an infinite source of strength 4. an elixir of life for upliftment of the soul 5. an eternal source of delight 6. a boundless gift of love a) 1, 4 and 5 b) 2, 3 and 5 c) 1, 2 and 6 d) 2, 4 and 6 iii Pick the option that pairs the TRUE statements based on the extract, from the list below. 1. The bushes with fragrant flowers lift the human spirit and bring joy. 2. Death is inevitable and everyone faces it no matter how powerful. 3. Immortality is achieved by man when he drinks the nectar of joy. 4. Legendary heroes and their heroic deeds instil inspiration in us. a) 1 and 2 b) 2 and 4 c) 1 and 4 d) 2 and 3 iv Pick the option that uses the same literary device as the ‘mighty dead’. a) sleepless nights b) deafening silence c) glaring lights d) time is a thief Q5 Stand Alone MCQs i On the basis of the extract, pick the opinion that is NOT TRUE about the theme of the poem. Beauty doesn’t dispel A thing of beauty darkness and is transcends time and surrounded by evil. doesn’t fade away. (1) (2) A thing of beauty is not A beautiful thing has a only physical but spiritual therapeutic quality and as well. brings in a ray of hope. (3) (4) a) Option 1 b) Option 2 c) Option 3 d) Option 4 ii Pick the option that matches the words / phrases with the literary device. Word/ phrase Literary device 1. simple sheep A. imagery 2. gloomy days B. metaphor 3. bower quiet C. symbolism D. transferred epithet a) 1-C, 2-D, 3-B b) 1-B, 2-A, 3-D c) 1-D, 2-B, 3-C d) 1-C, 2-A, 3-B iii Pick the statement that contradicts the idea of beauty as expressed by the  poet. a) People are beautiful not in looks but just in what they are. b) Beautiful people have known suffering, struggle and loss. c) We must think of all the beauty that is left around us and be happy. d) We must dwell on the beauty in life and be inspired by it. Q10 Answer in 30-40 words i If you were given an opportunity to share your perception of beauty, what would you say? Explain. ii ‘Beauty is best left undefined’. Support your position on this statement with your rationale, coupled with ideas in the poem. iii Artists, singers and musicians have a different perception of beauty as compared to people who are in other professions. Comment. Q12 Answer in 120-150 words i We have often heard the phrase: ‘Beauty is skin deep’. In spite of that, we often see people idolising actors and celebrities who are good looking and attractive. You have a conversation regarding this with your friend who believes that