LOST SPRING

BY

ANEES JUNG- (Part-3)

 Sometimes I find a rupee in garbage

● The poor conditions and traditions that push children to live a

life of exploitation.
● They are also denied education and face hardships quite early in
their lives.
● Saheb and other rag pickers have settled in Delhi to earn their
livelihood.
● They all have settled in Seemapuri. They have no identification
other than a ration card.
● These children can’t afford to go to school but get excited when
they find a coin or even a ten rupee note while rummaging in
the garbage.
● This is their only way of earning.
● Saheb, a ragpicker, whose name means the lord of the universe
but he is not even in command of his own life.
● Poor children have lost their childhood and roams barefooted
with friends.
● The author comes across Saheb in a tea stall. He is sad as he
realizes that he is no longer the master of his own destiny and
the loss of identity weighs heavily on his tender shoulders.
I want to drive a car

● The author sheds light on another victim of child labour,

Mukesh, who dreams of becoming a motor mechanic.
● But the child has always worked in the glass making industry.
● They get exposed to many health hazards- as a result lose their
eyesight as they work in appalling conditions, in dark and dingy
cells.
● Mukesh’s father is blind and even his father and grandfather
were blind.
● The bangle makers of Firozabad are so burdened that they have
stopped dreaming, unlike Mukesh who wants to drive a car.
● The politicians, policemen, middlemen and bureaucrats
obstruct their way of progress.
● Most women in such families think that this is their fate and
just follow the tradition.
● Children live in dingy cells and work around hot furnaces that
make them blind when they enter adulthood.
● Since they are weighed down by debt, they cannot think or find
any way to escape this trap.
● The garage is quite far from his house but he shall walk.
 LOST SPRING (MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS)
A. Vocabulary Quiz
1. SLOG THEIR DAYLIGHT HOURS
a. be lazy and not work b. study during the day
c. spend time in working during the day d. do only some specialized work

2. LOOKING FOR
a. identifying b. scrounging
c. finding d. establishing

3. PERPETUAL STATE
a. mortal state b. continuous state
c. emotional state d. difficult state

4. DARK HUTMENTS
a. dark encampment of huts b. dark shrunk huts
c. black and dirty huts d. dark and dirty huts

5. IMPOSED THE BAGGAGE ON THE CHILD

a. gave load to the child to carry b. established child labour by force
c. supported child labour d. asked the child to carry one bag at a time
 LOST SPRING (MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS)

A. Vocabulary Quiz
1. SLOG THEIR DAYLIGHT HOURS
a. be lazy and not work b. study during the day
c. spend time in working during the day d. do only some specialized work
_______________________________________________________________________________________
2. LOOKING FOR
a. identifying b. scrounging
c. finding d. establishing
_______________________________________________________________________________________
3. PERPETUAL STATE
a. mortal state b. continuous state
c. emotional state d. difficult state
________________________________________________________________________________________
4. DARK HUTMENTS
a. dark encampment of huts b. dark shrunk huts
c. black and dirty huts d. dark and dirty huts
__________________________________________________________
5. IMPOSED THE BAGGAGE ON THE CHILD
a. gave load to the child to carry b. established child labour by force
c. supported child labour d. asked the child to carry one bag at a time
________________________________________________________________________________________
6. THE RAG PICKERS CAME FROM ___ TO ___.
a. Bengal – Bangladesh b. Seemapuri - Bangladesh
c. Delhi - Seemapuri d. Bangladesh – Seemapuri

7. EXPLAIN- RAG PICKING IS A GAME OF TREASURE-HUNTING

a. Elders teach treasure hunt to the children b. elders hunt for treasure in garbage
c. children are told to do treasure hunt d. children hope to find money in the garbage

8. SOMETIMES SAHEB CAN BE FOUND OUTSIDE THE CLUB-WHY?

a. he watches people play tennis so he can learn b. he is interested in playing tennis
c. he is interested in using the swing and also likes the game d. he wants the tennis racquet

9. SAHEB NOW WORKS IN

a. a tea-shop b. milk booth
c. garbage segregation centre d. bakery

10. SAHEB WAS NOT HAPPY ON GETTING A JOB IN THE TEA STALL-
a. the salary was less b. the work was very difficult
c. he could not make more money there d. he felt the loss of freedom
6. THE RAG PICKERS CAME FROM ___ TO ___.
a. Bengal – Bangladesh b. Seemapuri - Bangladesh
c. Delhi - Seemapuri d. Bangladesh – Seemapuri
________________________________________________________________________________________
7. EXPLAIN- RAG PICKING IS A GAME OF TREASURE-HUNTING
a. Elders teach treasure hunt to the children b. elders hunt for treasure in garbage
c. children are told to do treasure hunt d. children hope to find money in the
garbage
________________________________________________________________________________________
8. SOMETIMES SAHEB CAN BE FOUND OUTSIDE THE CLUB-WHY?
a. he watches people play tennis so he can learn b. he is interested in playing tennis
c. he is interested in using the swing and also likes the game d. he wants the tennis racquet
________________________________________________________________________________________
9. SAHEB NOW WORKS IN
a. a tea-shop b. milk booth
c. garbage segregation centre d. bakery
________________________________________________________________________________________
10. SAHEB WAS NOT HAPPY ON GETTING A JOB IN THE TEA STALL-
a. the salary was less b. the work was very difficult
c. he could not make more money there d. he felt the loss of freedom
_________________________________________________________________________________________
11. THE BANGLE MAKERS OF FIROZABAD DIDN’T WANT A CO-OPERATIVE AS-
a. they knew they were doing illegal work b. they did not know what was the purpose of it
c. they were afraid of everyone around them d. they did not know any other job
______________________________________________________________________________________________
12. SIGNIFICANCE OF THE PHRASE ‘FEW AIRPLANES FLY OVER FIROZABAD’
a. Mukesh wants to fly planes one day b. he is satisfied with the more tangible and attainable dream.
c. he is only fond of cars d. one day he will learn to fly planes too
______________________________________________________________________________________________
13. SIGNIFICANCE OF THE TITLE ‘LOST SPRING’-
a. the spring season is missed b. children have lost their innocence in life’s struggle
c. children have no money and lost everything d. the springs are missing
______________________________________________________________________________________________
14. THE CITY OF FIROZABAD IS FAMOUS FOR-
a. motors b. slums
c. bangle-making d. cottage industry
______________________________________________________________________________________________
15. PEOPLE MIGRATED FROM DHAKHA TO DELHI IN-
a. 1971 b. 1965
c. 1970 d. 1972
________________________________________________________
11. THE BANGLE MAKERS OF FIROZABAD DIDN’T WANT A CO-OPERATIVE AS-
a. they knew they were doing illegal work b. they did not know what was the purpose of it
c. they were afraid of everyone around them d. they did not know any other job
_________________________________________________________________________________________
12. SIGNIFICANCE OF THE PHRASE ‘FEW AIRPLANES FLY OVER FIROZABAD’
a. Mukesh wants to fly planes one day b. he is satisfied with the more tangible and attainable dream.
c. he is only fond of cars d. one day he will learn to fly planes too
___________________________________________________________________________________________
13. SIGNIFICANCE OF THE TITLE ‘LOST SPRING’-
a. the spring season is missed b. children have lost their innocence in life’s struggle
c. children have no money and lost everything d. the springs are missing
___________________________________________________________________________________________
14. THE CITY OF FIROZABAD IS FAMOUS FOR-
a. motors b. slums
c. bangle-making d. cottage industry
___________________________________________________________________________________________
15. PEOPLE MIGRATED FROM DHAKHA TO DELHI IN-
a. 1971 b. 1965
c. 1970 d. 1972
16. DIFFERENCE IN LIFE OF MUKESH AND SAHEB.
a. Saheb sacrificed his freedom but Mukesh insisted on being his own master.
b. Saheb wanted to do rag picking while Mukesh wanted to fulfil his dream
c. Sahib was happy at the tea stall and Mukesh with the idea of becoming a motor mechanic
d. Mukesh was financially better off than Saheb
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
17.THE RAG PICKING DID NOT MEAN THE SAME THING FOR PARENTS AND CHILDREN
a. children played in the garbage while elders worked
b. only elders worked there to earn money while children hunted only for money .
c. both worked as rag pickers but children enjoyed it too
d. parents supervised the children’s work
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
18. WHILE WORKING IN THE GLASS FURNACES__
a. they often lose their eyesight before they are adults b. only children get affected
c. everyone wears glasses d. not everyone gets affected as they soon get adjusted
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
19. IN SPITE OF HARDSHIPS, THE BANGLE MAKERS DIDN’T WANT TO LEAVE THEIR PROFESSION---
a. it was more beneficial b. their eyes were used to darkness
c. they believed in destiny and god-given lineage. d. it was easy to do this job
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
20.TWO HURDLES THAT MUKESH FACED TO UNDERTAKE DIFFERENT PROFESSION WERE-
a. convince his family and society b. it was a taboo to dream big and fight his family
c. middle men and sahukars d. all the above

_____________________________________________________________________________
16. DIFFERENCE IN LIFE OF MUKESH AND SAHEB.
a. Saheb sacrificed his freedom but Mukesh insisted on being his own master.
b. Saheb wanted to do rag picking while Mukesh wanted to fulfil his dream
c. Sahib was happy at the tea stall and Mukesh with the idea of becoming a motor mechanic
d. Mukesh was financially better off than Saheb
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
17.THE RAG PICKING DID NOT MEAN THE SAME THING FOR PARENTS AND CHILDREN
a. children played in the garbage while elders worked
b. only elders worked there to earn money while children hunted only for money .
c. both worked as rag pickers but children enjoyed it too
d. parents supervised the children’s work
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
18. WHILE WORKING IN THE GLASS FURNACES__
a. they often lose their eyesight before they are adults b. only children get affected
c. everyone wears glasses d. not everyone gets affected as they soon get
adjusted
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
19. IN SPITE OF HARDSHIPS, THE BANGLE MAKERS DIDN’T WANT TO LEAVE THEIR PROFESSION---
a. it was more beneficial b. their eyes were used to darkness
c. they believed in destiny and god-given lineage. d. it was easy to do this job
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
20.TWO HURDLES THAT MUKESH FACED TO UNDERTAKE DIFFERENT PROFESSION WERE-
a. convince his family and society b. it was a taboo to dream big and fight his family
c. middle men and sahukars. d. all the above
REFERENCE TO CONTEXT:
MULTIPLE CHOICE
RTC-1

‘I have nothing else to do,’ he mutters, looking away.

(a)Who is the speaker and with whom is he speaking?

i)The speaker is Saheb and he is speaking to the author, Anees

Jung.
ii)The speaker is Mukesh and he is speaking to the author, Anees
Jung.
iii)The speaker is Saheb and he is speaking to his mother.
iv)The speaker is Mukesh and he is speaking to his grandmother.
RTC-1

‘I have nothing else to do,’ he mutters, looking away.

(a)Who is the speaker and with whom is he speaking?

i)The speaker is Saheb and he is speaking to the author,

Anees Jung.
ii)The speaker is Mukesh and he is speaking to the author,
Anees Jung.
iii)The speaker is Saheb and he is speaking to his mother.
iv)The speaker is Mukesh and he is speaking to his
grandmother.
RTC-1

‘I have nothing else to do,’ he mutters, looking away.

(b)What does the speaker do ?

i)Saheb is a ragpicker from Seemapuri.

ii)Saheb is a ragpicker from Firozabad.
iii)Saheb is a budding tennis player from Seemapuri.
iv)Saheb is a bangle maker from Seemapuri.
RTC-1

‘I have nothing else to do,’ he mutters, looking away.

(b)What does the speaker do ?

i)Saheb is a ragpicker from Seemapuri.

ii)Saheb is a ragpicker from Firozabad.
iii)Saheb is a budding tennis player from Seemapuri.
iv)Saheb is a bangle maker from Seemapuri.
RTC-1

‘I have nothing else to do,’ he mutters, looking away.

(c)Where did the speaker come from and why?
i)Saheb is a refugee from Dhaka,Bangladesh. He came to India
with his parents because their fields and homes were swept away
by many storms.
ii)Mukesh is a refugee from Dhaka,Bangladesh. He came to India
with his parents because their fields and homes were swept away
by many storms.
iii)Saheb is a refugee from Dhaka,Bangladesh. He came to India
with his parents because of political riots.
iv)Saheb came from Pakistan with his parents because their fields
and homes were swept away by many storms.
RTC-1

‘I have nothing else to do,’ he mutters, looking away.

(c)Where did the speaker come from and why?
i)Saheb is a refugee from Dhaka,Bangladesh. He came to India
with his parents because their fields and homes were swept away
by many storms.
ii)Mukesh is a refugee from Dhaka,Bangladesh. He came to India
with his parents because their fields and homes were swept away
by many storms.
iii)Saheb is a refugee from Dhaka,Bangladesh. He came to India
with his parents because of political riots.
iv)Saheb came from Pakistan with his parents because their fields
and homes were swept away by many storms.
RTC-1

‘I have nothing else to do,’ he mutters, looking away.

(d)What advice was given to the speaker by the addressee?

i)The author advised him to join a school instead of ragpicking.

ii)The author advised him to join an NGO instead of ragpicking.

iii)The author advised him to go and stay with her.

iv)The author advised him to look for a permanent job.

 RTC-1

‘I have nothing else to do,’ he mutters, looking away.

(d)What advice was given to the speaker by the addressee?

i)The author advised him to join a school instead of ragpicking.

ii)The author advised him to join an NGO instead of ragpicking.

iii)The author advised him to go and stay with her.

iv)The author advised him to look for a permanent job.

RTC-2

‘Can a god-given lineage ever be broken?’’.

(a) Who is the speaker and with whom is she speaking?

i)The speaker is Mukesh’s grandmother and she is speaking to the

author, Anees Jung.
ii)The speaker is Mukesh’s grandfather and he is speaking to the
author, Anees Jung.
The speaker is Mukesh’s elder brother and he is speaking to the
author, Anees Jung.
The speaker is Mukesh’s sister-in-law and she is speaking to the
author, Anees Jung.
RTC-2

‘Can a god-given lineage ever be broken?’’.

(a) Who is the speaker and with whom is she speaking?

i)The speaker is Mukesh’s grandmother and she is speaking to

the author, Anees Jung.
ii)The speaker is Mukesh’s grandfather and he is speaking to the
author, Anees Jung.
The speaker is Mukesh’s elder brother and he is speaking to the
author, Anees Jung.
The speaker is Mukesh’s sister-in-law and she is speaking to the
author, Anees Jung.
RTC-2

‘Can a god-given lineage ever be broken?’’.

(b)What is this ‘god-given lineage’?

i)The ‘god-given’ lineage is the art of bangle-making.

ii)The ‘god-given’ lineage is the art of pottery-making.

iii)The ‘god-given’ lineage is the art of wood-carving.

iv)The ‘god-given’ lineage is the art of handcrafted work.

RTC-2

‘Can a god-given lineage ever be broken?’’.

(b)What is this ‘god-given lineage’?

i)The ‘god-given’ lineage is the art of bangle-making.

ii)The ‘god-given’ lineage is the art of pottery-making.

iii)The ‘god-given’ lineage is the art of wood-carving.

iv)The ‘god-given’ lineage is the art of handcrafted work.

RTC-2

‘Can a god-given lineage ever be broken?’’.

(c)What is the speaker’s attitude?

i)The speaker is very optimistic in her attitude.

ii)The speaker is very pessimistic in her attitude.

iii)The speaker is very positive in her attitude.

iv)The speaker is very hopeful in her attitude.

RTC-2

‘Can a god-given lineage ever be broken?’’.

(c)What is the speaker’s attitude?

i)The speaker is very optimistic in her attitude.

ii)The speaker is very pessimistic in her attitude.

iii)The speaker is very positive in her attitude.

iv)The speaker is very hopeful in her attitude.

RTC-2

‘Can a god-given lineage ever be broken?’’.

(d)Where does the speaker belong to?

i)The speaker belongs to Firozabad.

ii)The speaker belongs to Delhi.

iii)The speaker belongs to Seemapuri.

iv)The speaker belongs to Faridabad.

RTC-2

‘Can a god-given lineage ever be broken?’’.

(d)Where does the speaker belong to?

i)The speaker belongs to Firozabad.

ii)The speaker belongs to Delhi.

iii)The speaker belongs to Seemapuri.

iv)The speaker belongs to Faridabad.

RTC-3

Even if we get organised, we are the ones who will be hauled up

by the police, beaten and dragged to jail for doing something
illegal.

(a)Why would they be hauled by the police?

i)They would be hauled by the police because they have

employed underage children.
ii)They were following illegal work ethics and working conditions.
iii)Only (i)
iv)Both (i) and (ii).
RTC-3

Even if we get organised, we are the ones who will be hauled up

by the police, beaten and dragged to jail for doing something
illegal.

(a)Why would they be hauled by the police?

i)They would be hauled by the police because they have

employed underage children.
ii)They were following illegal work ethics and working conditions.
iii)Only (i)
iv)Both (i) and (ii).
RTC-3

Even if we get organised, we are the ones who will be hauled up

by the police, beaten and dragged to jail for doing something
illegal.

(b)Why is it important to get organised?

i)Doing bangle making business for generations,no leader to voice

their issues
ii)Mind numbing work,
iii)Being exploited by middlemen, sahukars, bureaucrats,
politicians etc
iv)All the given options.
RTC-3

Even if we get organised, we are the ones who will be hauled

up by the police, beaten and dragged to jail for doing
something illegal.

(b)Why is it important to get organised?

i)Doing bangle making business for generations,no leader to

voice their issues
ii)Mind numbing work,
iii)Being exploited by middlemen, sahukars, bureaucrats,
politicians etc
iv)All the given options.
RTC-3

Even if we get organised, we are the ones who will be hauled up

by the police, beaten and dragged to jail for doing something
illegal.

(c)What are the listener’s thoughts after hearing the above

statement?

i)Sees their miserable world, no respite

ii)Move from one difficult situation to another, two distinct worlds-
family caught in web of poverty, burden of caste
iii)vicious circle of money lenders, middlemen etc
iv)All the given options.
RTC-3

Even if we get organised, we are the ones who will be hauled up

by the police, beaten and dragged to jail for doing something
illegal.

(c)What are the listener’s thoughts after hearing the above

statement?

i)Sees their miserable world, no respite

ii)Move from one difficult situation to another, two distinct worlds-
family caught in web of poverty, burden of caste
iii)vicious circle of money lenders, middlemen etc
iv)All the given options.
RTC-3

Even if we get organised, we are the ones who will be hauled up

by the police, beaten and dragged to jail for doing something
illegal.

(d)Name the lesson and its writer.

i)The Lost Spring by Anees Jung.

ii)Lost Spring by Anees Jung.

iii)The Last Lesson by Alphonse Daudet.

iv)The Lost Autumn by Anees Jung.

RTC-3

Even if we get organised, we are the ones who will be hauled up

by the police, beaten and dragged to jail for doing something
illegal.

(d)Name the lesson and its writer.

i)The Lost Spring by Anees Jung.

ii)Lost Spring by Anees Jung.

iii)The Last Lesson by Alphonse Daudet.

iv)The Lost Autumn by Anees Jung.

EXPLANATION
“… an army of barefoot boys who appear like morning birds and
disappear at noon”-Explain.

Due to poverty, these boys cannot afford slippers or shoes but are free spirited and
enjoy and revel their freedom like birds.These boys call it a tradition to walk
barefoot, but in reality they cannot afford slippers or shoes. Their condition is poorer
than the priest boys who could get shoes in life after a few decades but the
rag-pickers suffer from deprivation for generations and there is still no hope of
change for them.Their parents have put the tradition word in their minds.Parents
would rather spend money to have food on their plates than slippers on their feet.
“The steel canister seems heavier than the plastic bag he would carry
so lightly over his shoulder…… Saheb is no longer his own
master”-Explain.

The life of Saheb as a rag-picker was very difficult but his life as a child labourer
became even worse.Earlier he was master of his own time but now he is
answerable to his employer and the money that he earns now has to be given to his
parents.From being a spirited, carefree child answerable to none, he has become
an overworked unhappy child with no trace of childhood left in him. His dreams
got lost in the struggle for survival and crushed under the weight of the “canister”.
“…….his name “Saheb-e- Alam” ……. Lord of the Universe”-Explain the
irony in the name.

Saheb’s full name is Saheb-e-Alam meaning “Lord of the Universe”. But Saheb is a
poverty-stricken, bare-footed, homeless ragpicker who scrounges the garbage
dumps of Seemapuri on the outskirts of Delhi to earn his livelihood. His name is in
total contrast to his adversity-thus it is ironical.
…..garbage has a different meaning ……..For the children it is
wrapped in wonder, for the elders it is a means of survival-Explain.

Garbage is gold to these ragpickers. For the elders it is a source of their daily
bread and a roof over their head even if it is leaking. For the children, it is a
surprise as they may get a rare ten rupee note in the garbage.
 “I Want to Drive a Car.”(Part-2)

“His dream looms like a mirage amidst the dust of streets that fill his
town, Firozabad, famous for its bangles”-Explain.

The dream of Mukesh to become a motor mechanic is like a mirage-something so

far-fetched that it appears almost impossible. It is because he is worker in the
bangle making factory and has very less chances to change his present occupation
which he has got in heredity.
“Few aeroplanes fly over Firozabad.”Explain

The condition of workers in Firozabad is so poor that they couldn’t even think of
high things even in their dreams. Becoming a motor mechanic is a great challenge
for Mukesh, he could never (even in his dreams) think of becoming a pilot.
SHORT QUESTIONS
1.Where is Saheb coming from? Why did he have to
leave his country?

Ans. Saheb is a rag picker who lives in Seemapuri on the

Delhi-UP border. He came to Seemapuri from Bangladesh
with thousands of others forced by natural calamities there.
2.Why did the author realize that her advice was 'hollow?'

Ans. On meeting Saheb the author advised him to go to

school. But as an afterthought the author realized that the
thought of going to school had never occurred to children like
Saheb. For them ragpicking was more meaningful than
schooling and learning.
3. How is Mukesh different from the other bangle makers
of Firozabad?

Ans. Mukesh has the courage to dream big in spite of all

adversity, whereas the other bangle makers of Firozabad
have resigned to their fate, and have suppressed all their
hopes and desires. Mukesh refuses to follow the ‘god-given
lineage’ of bangle making and wants to be a motor mechanic
when he grows up.
4. Why could the bangle makers not organise themselves into a
cooperative?

Ans.The bangle makers could not organise themselves into a

cooperative because they were trapped in the vicious circle of
sahukars, middlemen, policemen, bureaucrats and politicians. If
they tried to organise themselves, they would be beaten by up
the police and put in jail because they had employed underage
children.They didn't have the courage to stand against the
society.
5. Mention any two hazards of working in the bangle industry.

Ans.The glass bangle industry offers a very unhealthy and

hazardous environment to the people working in it. They have to
work in the glass furnaces with high temperature in dingy cells
without air and light. Workers, including child labourers, lose their
eyesight at an early age. Slogging for long, relentless hours also
has adverse effects on their bodies.
6.Why was the author embarrassed when Saheb asked her if
her school was ready?

Ans.Seeing Saheb ruining his childhood picking waste, the author

once asked him if he would join her school if she started one.
Saheb gave her a positive answer. Another day when the two
met, Saheb asked her if her school was ready. The author
suddenly felt speechless as she had not meant to
start a school as Saheb had expected.Her offer was a casual
statement but Saheb took it literally.
7. How does Anees Jung explain the over sensitivity of the
poor rag pickers to the rich men's promises?

Ans.Anees Jung strongly believes that the poor people are over
sensitive to the promises of the rich.She had experienced this in
the case of Saheb who believed the promise of starting a school
by her.
8. Garbage to them is gold; why does the author say so
about the ragpickers?

Garbage is gold to the ragpickers of Seemapuri because it

provides them items which can be sold for cash, which can
buy them food and is a means of survival. Moreover, it is gold
also because the ragpickers can find stray coins and currency
notes in it.
9. Whom does Anees Jung blame for the sorry plight of
the bangle makers?

Ans. Anees Jung blames the middlemen, the policemen, the

lawmakers, the bureaucrats and the politicians for the sorry
plight of the bangle makers. These people plot against and
exploit the poor bangle makers for their own gains.
LONG QUESTIONS
1.‘Lost Spring’ explains the grinding poverty and traditions that condemn thousands
of people to a life of abject poverty. Do you agree? Why/Why not?

● ‘Lost Spring’ is a good narration of grinding poverty and traditions to which

thousands of people have succumbed.
● The story revolves around the pitiable condition of poor children who have been
forced to live in slums and work hard in inhuman conditions.
● The first part tells the writer’s impression about the life of poor ragpickers who
have migrated from Bangladesh, but have now settled in the Seemapuri area of
Delhi.
● The second part narrates the miserable life of the bangle makers in the town of
Firozabad.
● The stark reality of these families is that in spite of back-breaking hard work that
they put in, they cannot have two square meals a day.
● Besides, they are victims of exploitation by those above them.
● They suffer the consequences of blind belief in traditions.
2. Describe the difficulties the bangle makers of Firozabad have to face in
their lives.
● The bangle makers of Firozabad are exposed to multiple health hazards
while working.
● Many of them are children who work near hot furnaces during daylight, often
losing their eyesight before adulthood.They are more used to the darkness
than the outside light.
● Years of mind-numbing toil have killed their initiative, will power and the
ability to even think of taking up another profession.
● They are not able to organise themselves into a cooperative due to bullying
and exploitation by the politicians, authorities, moneylenders and
middlemen.
● They live in stinking lanes choked with garbage, having homes with
crumbling walls, wobbly doors, no windows, overcrowded with families of
humans and animals coexisting in a primeval state.
● They have not even enjoyed one full meal in their entire lifetime because of
their poverty.
 3. How is Mukesh’s attitude towards his situation different from that of Saheb?
Why?
● Mukesh belongs to a bangle making family, but he is not content with this profession.
● He dares to dream of becoming a car mechanic.
● He has strong will power and wants to achieve what he dreams, unlike other people in
his family.
● Mukesh dares to want to break free from tradition.

● Saheb is a ragpicker who is content with his life.

● He becomes unhappy when he gets a job at the tea-stall, even though now he earns
more and on a regular basis.
● Saheb is unhappy because he has lost his independence, which he had as a ragpicker.
● Saheb accepts his new situation.

This is because Mukesh is more courageous and determined than Saheb.

4. The bangle makers of Firozabad make beautiful bangles and make everyone
happy but they live and die in squalor. Elaborate.

● Firozabad is the hub of India’s glass-blowing industry where families have spent
generations making bangles to adorn married women.
● The stark reality of these families is that in spite of the back breaking hard work that
they put in, they cannot have two square meals a day.
● They work in deplorable conditions and many lose their eyesight early in their life.
● To top it all, they live in unhygienic conditions where there is a lack of basic amenities.
● The sad reality is that the workers cannot organise themselves into a cooperative.
● They are devoid of all enthusiasm and do not dare to dream of anything better for
themselves.
● The fear of the police and lack of leadership among themselves have confined them to
a cruel circle of poverty , indifference and greed.
● While they bring happiness to everyone’s life, their own life is steeped in poverty and
squalor.
Questions for Practice:

Short Questions:
1. Why did the ragpickers come to Seemapuri?
2. Explain, “Garbage to them is gold.”
3. Was Saheb happy with his new job? Why/why not.
4. Who is Mukesh? What was his dream?
5. What are the two hazards of working in the bangle making industry?

Long questions:
1. ‘Seemapuri is on the periphery of Delhi, yet miles away from it.’
Elaborate.
2. Firozabad presents a strange paradox. Contrast the beauty of the
glass bangles of Firozabad with the misery of the people who produce
it.
 Question Bank Class 12 English Core (FROM CBSE WEBSITE 2021-22)
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.
 Question Bank Class 12 English Core (FROM CBSE WEBSITE 2021-22)
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.
Question Bank Class 12 English Core Contd...

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.
Question Bank Class 12 English Core Contd...

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.
Question Bank Class 12 English Core Contd...
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.
Question Bank Class 12 English Core Contd...
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.
Question Bank Class 12 English Core Contd...
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.
Question Bank Class 12 English Core Contd...
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.
Question Bank Class 12 English Core Contd…
Q 5 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.
Question Bank Class 12 English Core Contd…
Q 5 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.
Question Bank Class 12 English Core Contd...

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.