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CLASS-12TH MARATHON SERIES

Vistas, Flamingo & Poetry Practice Sheet
The Last Lesson 15. Why do bangle makers lack initiative and ability to
dream?
1. What was the thunderclap the narrator received as
M. hamel began the lesson?
16. Mukesh is a Rebel do you agree give reason to
support your answer.
2. "We have all a great deal to reproach ourselves
with." Explain?
17. Plums are the Ugly under Belly of all the big cities
the world over describes the contrasting worlds of
3. Why did M hamel insist that people of Alsace heaves and have not inhibiting these two worlds.
should hold on to language?
18. Politicians exploit all people and situations to their
4. How was M hamel prove to be an ideal teacher? own benefit comment in the terms of Seemapuri.
5. When people are enslaved as long as the hold fast to 19. For most women bangles have dream in glass but
their language it is as if they had the key to their for bangle makers in Firozabad they are wishes
prison Comment on the basis of the story last lesson. circle that they cannot wriggle out of?
6. The story The Last lesson is all about linguistic 20. Bring out a contrast between Mukesh and his
chauvinism. Comment. father's grandfather and elder brother what values in
qualities of Mukesh at likely to help change the
7. A teacher should be friend philosopher and guide course of life.
for his peoples do you think Mr and hamel fits into
the image of a teacher. Deep Water
8. How did Procrastination in learning French because 21. Describe the big Bully? Why do you think he threw
the front people dearly. Douglas?

Lost Spring 22. I jumped with everything I had. Why did Douglas
jump did the jump make any difference.
9. How is Sahib's name full of irony?
23. Describe the method adopted by the instructor to
10. Despite being refuges how do people in Seemapuri give a sense of security to Douglas at the pool.
have ration card?
24. Why does Douglas say: 'The Instructor was finished.
11. Why does the author describe children of slum as But I was not finished?' How did he overpower tiny
partners in Survival? vestiges of the old terror?

12. How has garbage a different meaning for Rag picker 25. What larger meaning did the experience have a
and for children? Douglas.

13. Saheb wanted to be the master of his own destiny 26. Why does Douglas as an adult recount a childhood
comment. experience of terror and his conquering of it? What
larger meaning does he draw from this experience?
14. How are Saheb and Mukesh different from each
other? 27. Fear is mankind’s greatest handicapped. Do you
agree give reasons in support of your answer?
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42. Sophie and Jansi are classmates and friends. What

The Rattrap are the differences between them that are shown in
the story?
28. The crofter can be called a good host why?

29. The story has many chances of unexpected reactions 43 Despite life is not very kind to him sophie's father
from the character to other behaviour pick out the has a positive approach what different values from
ex-chances of these surprises. him to have such a propose towards life?

30. How does the metaphor of rattrap serve as the My Mother at Sixty-six
highlight of human predicament?
44. What did Kamala Das think when she looked at her
mother ?
31. The story is both entertaining and philosophical.

Indigo 45. Brings out the significance of the title my mother at 66.
32. What made the peasant identity agreement with the
British landlords to pay compensation demand their 46. What is this symbolic of the significance of the
money back from British. security check.

33. How were the Britishers shown that their dreaded 47. How do you think the poem reflects the skip it
and unquestioned authority could be challenged by tendency of the poet.
Indians?
Keeping Quiet
34. Why did Gandhiji oppose the idea of requesting
English Pacific Charles free Andrews to stay in 48. What would be an exotic movement for men?
champaran?
49. What is the poet trying to convey through fisherman
35. Why did Gandhiji consider freedom from fear more
in men gathering salt?
important than legal justice for Poor present of
Champaran?
The Tiger King
36. How did civil disobedience triumph?
50. Why did the 10-day old Jan Jan Bahadur uttered the
words let Tigers beware?
37. Gandhi's loyalty was not to abstractions, but the
living people explain.
51. Do you agree with Maharaja statement you may kill
Going Places even a cow in self defence did that King kill all
tigers early in self defence.
38. What does Sophie mean when she says words are to
be priced out of him like stones from the ground?
52. Do you find any element of irony in the statement it
was celebration time for all the Tigers in
39. What is referred to as a weekly pilgrimage for the Pratibandhpuram seem easier to find a tiger's milk
family and why? rather than tiger.

40. What does Sophie mean when she say that this was
a day of thing and not a Jansi thing? 53. The story is a satire on the conceit of those and
power how does the author employee the literary
41. Sophie's dreams and disappointments are all in her device of dramatic irony in the story.
mind discuss.
54. How did the tiger king meet his end what is ironical
about his death?
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The Enemy On the Face of It

55. What makes doctor Sadao comment this man must 60. It's all relative beauty and the Beast what does Mr
have extra ordinary vitality? Lamb means by the statement.

56. This man there is no reason under heaven why he 61. What conversation did the two women at the bus
should leave why does doctor Sadao make the stop have how did direct feel about it how does
statement about the American man? mind the conversation?

57. Do you agree with the observation of the American 62. What answer did Mr lamb give to Delhi when he
professor that ignorance of human body is a asked him about his friends?
surgeons Cardinal sin?

58. Why did Sadabahar feel that the general wasn't farm
of his hand?

59. What are your views about the indifferent attitude of

the general towards the presence of the American
Prisoner of War in the doctor's house?

Hints and Solutions
The Last Lesson
1. Explanation:
The narrator received a bolt from the blue when the
teacher, M. Hamel mounted on the chair and
announced that he was there to teach his last lesson
in French that day. They had received orders from
Berlin and consequently teaching of French was
being barred. Only German would be taught in the
schools of Alsace and Lorraine.
2. Explanation:
He meant that its the fault of everyone who haven't
learnt their own language. He blamed himself too
that he took holiday when he wants to do fishing or
send any student for his own work instead teaching
him. He also blamed the people of lorraine for the
habit of leaving studies for tomorrow. This all made
him to say this.
3. Explanation:
M. Hamel insisted on making the people of Alsace
realise what they were losing upon by not learning
their lessons in time. He urged upon them to be
conscious of the fact that French was the most
beautiful language of the world - the clearest and the
most logical one. They should guard their language
and must not let it die as it was the key to their
prison and a symbol of their identity.
4. Explanation:
M. Hamel was an ideal teacher as he selflessly
dedicated himself to the cause of teaching not only
the children but also the adults of Alsace for forty
long years. Right from starting school to delivering
his last emotionally charged lesson arousing
patriotism among all present, he religiously and
conscientiously devoted himself to his profession.
5. Explanation:
Mother tongue helps a person to express his feelings
and thoughts most lucidly and intimately.
Conquerors try to subdue and control the people of
the enslaved territory by enforcing many measures
such as use of force to crush dissent and imposing
their own language on them.
From time immemorial the victorious nations have
imposed their own language on the conquered
people and taken away their own language from
them. The Romans conquered many parts of Europe
and replaced the local languages by their own
language— Latin. Later on, Spanish, Pourtuguese,
Italian and French developed from Latin. The
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Muslim invaders-imposed Arabic and Persian in the
countries of Asia overpowered by them. In many
Arab countries the local religion and language have
disappeared. In India, a new language Urdu
developed from the mixture of Persian and Hindi.
6. Explanation:
Linguistic chauvinism is the name for the belief of
people that their native language is the superior
among all the other ones present worldwide. It is
reflected in the chapter "The last lesson" very
frequently by the teacher M. Hamel as he believes
his mother tongue/native language, French, to be the
most beautiful and complete language in the world.
He was deeply in love with the language and was
determined to teach it to his students so that they
can remember who they actually are in the times of
war.
Language is a medium for the people to cling to
their nationality and their culture which the whole
chapter gives a message about. M. Hamel wants to
teach all he knows about French to the citizens of
Alsace and his students, so as to when the Germans
ask them about their identity, they can respond to
them in their own language, not in the language
which they are made to learn due to fear.
7. Explanation:
M. Hamel, the French teacher, emerges as an
epitome of an ideal teacher in the story "The Last
Lesson". He is introduced by the narrator as a ruler-
wielding stereotyped teacher, who is strict and
domineering. He is very particular that his students
learnt their lessons. At this point the reader feels
that, like all teachers, he is insensitive to the feelings
of his students and takes pride in his affirmative and
empathetic tone. M. Hamel, however, emerges as a
true facilitator, a guide and a philosopher for his
pupils when he teaches his last lesson. His concern
about the education of his students becomes more
prominent. Like a friend and guide, he advises the
innocent villagers to shift their priorities and pay
more attention to learning at school. As a patient
teacher he makes Franz realise why he insisted on
learning in time and not postponing the learning. He
is also seen as a true patriot for he loves his country
and the language native to it. He calls upon them to
shake off their procrastination and safeguard their
language as it was the key to their prison. We see
him as a man of deep emotions when he proudly
writes 'Vive La France' on the blackboard in the end.
M. Hamel is, thus, an ideal teacher, true guide,
philosopher and patriot to the core.
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8. Explanation: the vicious circle of poverty and exploitation for

The vice of procrastination can be overcome by generations.
specifying and teaching the importance of the Saheb, on one hand, has lost his freedom to a life of
concept. Until people will not get the need of a responsibility, poverty, and exploitation, Mukesh,
particular thing, they will develop a habit of on the other hand, dreams to break out of the circle
procrastinating and taking things lightly. of poverty and become a car mechanic one day. He
is ambitious and is even willing to walk all the way
Lost Spring to the garage to achieve his dream.
9. Explanation:
15. Explanation:
Saheb's full name is Saheb-e-Alam meaning 'lord of
Bangle makers lack initiative and an ability to
the universe' But Saheb is a poverty stricken,
dream due to hard work. The bangle makers spend
barefooted, homeless ragpicker who scrounges the
their lives in working hard. As a result, they do not
garbage dumps of Delhi to earn his livelihood. His
have time to dream. After working so hard, their
name is in total contrast to his adversity. Thus it is
income is not much to support new ideas or to fulfill
deeply ironical.
their dreams.
10. Explanation:
16. Explanation:
The refugee population of Seemapuri represents a
Yes, he might be considered as a rebel as he dreams
large vote bank for various political parties and at
of opposite occupation compared with his lineage.
some stage these illegal occupants of government
the wishes to be a motor mechanic while his family
land around cities are provided ration cards to
consists of only bangle makers.
benefit political sharks in the election process.
Using these cards they can get grains from
17. Explanation:
government agencies.
Slums and ghettos are the ugly reality of our world.
Their presence in, around or near the big cities is an
11. Explanation:
ugly reminder to the entire mankind that all is not
The children of slums like Seemapuri are offsprings
well! They remind us that all the technological
of homeless ragpickers. Due to extreme poverty,
advancements, development in infrastructure, new
their parents are unable to provide for them and they
educational institutes, the ever-increasing growth
end up picking up rags at an early age for their
rate, launching of new models of cars and bikes
survival and as support to their parents. Thus, they
don't mean anything to the slum dwellers. They
contribute to the struggle for survival right from the
make the onlookers feel miserable. The government
beginning.
policies fail to deliver them out of their plight. The
donations of the rich prove terribly insufficient.
12. Explanation:
What a paradox! The rich and the poor living on the
Garbage means 'gold' to the poor rag pickers
same planet, same environment, inhaling the same
because some of it can be sold for cash, thus
air, basking under the same sun, still their ways of
becoming a means of survival for the children of
life are diametrically opposite. The rich living in all
Seemapuri and for their parents. It is providing them
the abundance of food, clothes, enjoying all the
their daily bread and a roof over, their heads.
luxuries of life; the poor on the other side, live
deprived, always famished, ill clad; their
13. Explanation:
surroundings dirty, stinking with squalor. The
Sick of rummaging through the garbage, Saheb
government and the affluent people joined together,
wanted to go to school and to play like affluent
must do something to deliver these less fortunate
children. But abject poverty forced him to take up a
people out of their miserable existence.
job at a tea-stall in an attempt to be master of his
destiny. Unfortunately, this change further enslaved
18. Explanation:
him.
Seemapuri was a place on the periphery of Delhi yet
miles away, metaphorically speaking. Those who
14. Explanation:
lived there were squatters who had come from
Saheb is a rag-picker from Seemapuri who leads a
Bangladesh back in 1971. Saheb, a barefoot
carefree life until he starts working at the tea stall. In
ragpicker, and his family were one of them.
contrast, Mukesh comes from the community of
bangle makers in Firozabad, who have been stuck in

Seemapuri had been a wilderness back then but that
was not the case anymore. Mud structures with roofs
of tin and tarpaulin, devoid of sewage, drainage or
running water had been turned into a colony of ten
thousand ragpickers. They had lived here for more
than thirty years without an identity or permits but
with ration cards such that the politicians could get
their names on voters' lists. It also got them grain
from ration shops considering food was more
important for survival than identity. The politicians
exploited the weakness of the refugees, playing to
the gallery and giving them just enough to survive
such that they got their work done, which was to add
to their votebank. These people had left their
beautiful land of green fields and rivers to set up a
shack in faraway Seemapuri because here they got
something to eat and feed their families, there was
no work back home.
19. Explanation:
It is quite true for most women, bangles are dreams
in glass but for bangle makers of Firozabad, they are
a vicious circle they cannot wriggle out of Bangle
makers are trapped in a vicious circle of the
shahukars, the middlemen, the policemen, the
keepers of law, the bureaucrats and the politicians.
20. Explanation:
There is a marked contrast between Mukesh and his
father, grandfather and elder brother. Mukesh is not
satisfied with the family work of bangle-making. He
wants to become a motor mechanic for various
reasons. He does not like working in dingy,
unhygienic conditions inside suffocating rooms
where glass blowing process is done.
Over the years he has seen his father and
grandfather waste their life in this industry; in spite
of having worked so hard they have not been able to
provide a good house to their family. His children
have remained uneducated. His brother, though
young, appears to have accepted the fate of a
bangle-maker.
Mukesh wants to break this tradition of working as
bangle makers. So, in order to lead a better life he
wants to become a motor mechanic.
Deep Water
21. Explanation:
The 'big bruiser of a boy' who tossed little Douglas
into the pool had a hairy chest and rippling muscles.
He was very proud of his impressive physique. This
inconsiderate and irresponsible boy foolishly threw
Douglas into the pool out of sheer fun and to mock
at his underdeveloped muscles.
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22. Explanation:
Keeping his wits intact, Douglas jumped with all the
force at his command expecting to be pushed out to
the surface. But to his great disappointment rather
than bouncing out speedily, he came up slowly and
all his efforts to rescue himself proved to be futile.
23. Explanation:
Realising Douglas's mortal fear for water, the
instructor devised a novel way of helping him. He
attached a rope to the belt worn by Douglas which
went through a pulley that ran on an overhead cable.
Holding the end of the rope in his hand, he made
Douglas go back and forth in the pool without any
acute sense of fear. Next, he taught him breathing
technique and different swimming styles.
24. Explanation:
William Douglas says so because the work of the
instructor to build him into a swimmer piece by
piece was done. However, he wondered if the fear of
water would resurface when he was alone in the
pool. So, in order to be sure of himself and
overpower tiny vestiges of the old terror, he decided
to swim alone in two lakes. Whenever the terror
momentarily crept up, he stood up to it and
controlled it. Finally, when he swam to the other
shore and back at Warm Lake, he knew that he had
overcome his fear.
25. Explanation:
The almost drowning experience taught Douglas
that death itself is not terrifying, instead it is
peaceful. It is the fear of death that is torturous.
Therefore, it is imperative to get over fear and keep
it at bay, otherwise man may have to die many
deaths before his life actually comes to an end.
26. Explanation:
William Douglas’ misadventure at the pool haunted
him from time to time and thus he decided to
overcome it. This childhood experience is of
significance because it was his determination, will
and consistency which enabled him to conquer the
terror. He says, “In death there is peace. There is
terror only in the fear of death.” The greater
meaning that he drew out of it is that the fear of
death can terrorise us. However, if the will to live is
stronger than the fear of death, then one can be free
from this terror and enjoy one’s life.
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27. Explanation: most— peace of mind in the face of life’s constant

People often hesitate from trying something new unpredictability.
because of fear. Fear of failure; fear of not being
able to complete something; fear of poor outcome; The Rattrap
fear of change; fear of making mistakes−this fear of
28. Explanation:
taking risks in life impedes the progress of a lot of
The crofter is a wonderful host is proved from the
people, especially those who have tasted success in
fact that he not only treats the peddler very kindly
the past. Successful people like to win and achieve
and offers him food and 'shelter willingly, but also
high standards, so they become deeply interested in
reposes full faith in him and shows the thirty
only achieving continuous success. They don’t care
kroners’ he had with him.
to put their reputation as a ‘winner’ at stake—so
they stay in their comfortable cocoon, missing all
29. Explanation:
kinds of opportunities for an even brighter future.
The first instance is that of the crofter’s hospitality
Yet again, childhood fears and phobias also act as
to the peddler. The rattrap peddler, used to being
deterrents in our way of progress. Fear of darkness
shooed away, was surprised at the friendly
may prevent a person from enjoying the beauty of
behaviour of the crofter. The peddlar was also
the right sky. Fear of heights, the view of the world
surprised at the sudden invitation given by the
below, and fear of water like Douglas, will deprive
ironmaster, who was himself shocked to realise his
one of enjoying various pleasures that is provided
mistake in recognising the peddler, the next day.
by water sports. Fear of failure prevents us from
Another unexpected reaction, for both the peddler
trying to move towards, success. In short fear of
and the ironmaster, is Edla’s intervention to seek
every nature is a handicap. Change needs resilience,
peddler’s presence for Christmas. However, the
and resilience is born of confidence. One’s
most unexpected reaction is from the peddler when
confidence is highest when things are going well.
he leaves the package and the letter for Edla,
You’ll cope with any setbacks far better when
showing gratitude to the girl’s hospitality and
you’re doing so from a position of strength. If you
respect for him.
wait until life has dealt you some bad blows, those
necessary changes will need to be made under time,
30. Explanation:
pressure and stress. That’s a bad time to make
The metaphor of the rattrap signifies that the world
decisions. The more stressed and frantic you are, the
exists only to trap people by setting baits for them.
more likely you are to make mistakes— and the less
Whenever someone is tempted by the luxuries, he
you’ll be able to recover from them. Corporations
ends up being caught in a dangerous trap. The
often make the same error. They get complacent
author, thus, makes a much deeper comment on the
when the product line is selling well and profits are
woeful plight of those in pursuit of the worldly
high, only thinking about new ways to please their
pleasures, which often lead them to unfortunate
customers when those customers are already going
situations. The story helps in realising the
elsewhere. Achievement is a powerful value for
importance of general goodness and kindness. The
many successful people. Each fresh achievement
peddler is saved from the snare of the huge rattrap
adds to the drive to achieve in their lives. Failure
called world only when he appreciates the kindness
becomes the supreme nightmare: a lurking horror
to him by Edla.
that they must avoid at any cost. And the simplest
way is never to take a risk. It is important to
31. Explanation:
understand that failure is in fact the pillar to success.
The story is told in the form of a fairy tale with a
Be it J.K. Rowling, Steve Jobs, Thomas Alva
happy ending. The narrative is interesting with
Edison, Albert Einstein, King Bruce and William
many surprises and attention-grabbing dialogues.
Douglas from the chapter ‘Deep Water’, all of them
The twists and the unexpected reactions of the
had failed multiple times to achieve success in life.
characters often astonish the reader making the story
In fact, constant failure was what pushed them
entertaining.
towards success. A little failure is essential to
However, the author has carefully managed to
preserve everyone’s perspective on reality. Fear is
weave philosophical elements into the storyline. The
the greatest destroyer of human life and happiness.
rattrap peddler’s comparison of the whole world
If you’re successful, but constantly afraid of failing,
with a giant rattrap makes this an interesting
all your success hasn’t bought you what matters the
commentary on how such people end up getting
trapped in the giant chasm.

The story also makes an observation on the inherent
goodness of people. It also showcases how goodness
and kindness shown by some people can change
others’ perspective.
Indigo
32. Explanation:
The entire harvest of indigo, the chief commercial
crop produced by the peasants in the 15% of their
land was paid as rent to the British landlords. Now
that Germany had developed synthetic indigo and
brought a steep fall in indigo prices, the landlords
very cleverly wished to give up this arrangement
and get a compensation for releasing the farmers'
land.
33. Explanation:
When Gandhiji was summoned to the court for
flouting (refusing to obey) the official orders to quit
Champaran, the peasants in thousands flocked to the
courtroom to support Gandhiji. The crowds became
unmanageable. This show of strength and solidarity
showed that Indians no longer dreaded the Britishers
and they could challenge their authority.
34. Explanation:
Gandhiji was opposed to C.F. Andrews helping him
in Champaran because he wanted the Indians to be
self- dependent and self-reliant in their struggle
against injustice, He told him that Indians were
strong enough to fight their own battle and had the
capability to win it. Therefore, Gandhiji refused his
help.
35. Explanation:
In the story, Gandhi makes it possible for the
sharecroppers of Champaran to shed their fear of the
British landlords. According to Gandhi, freedom
from fear is the first step towards self-reliance.
However, it is unfortunate that the poor of the
country are not free from fear, even decades after
the independence. Their actions, work, etc. are still
under pressure; they are under the mercy of the
bureaucratic system. Furthermore, the poor live in a
continual fear of the police, who instead of taking
care, often end up maltreating them. The already
poor farmers are becoming poorer, because of
globalisation and the craze for the foreign products.
This leaves them in the fear of further destitution.
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36. Explanation:
A case against Gandhi was initiated for disregarding
government orders. The spontaneous demonstration
of thousands of peasants baffled the officials. The
judge was requested to postpone the trial. Gandhi
refused to furnish bail. The judge released him
without bail. Several days later Gandhi received an
official letter. The case against him had been
dropped. Thus, civil disobedience triumphed.
37. Explanation:
Gandhiji was not satisfied with mere political and
economic solutions, so he wanted to bring about a
change in the social and cultural conditions of
Champaran. He noticed the unhealthy living
conditions and poor sanitation in the village. He also
realized the need for literacy. He decided to stay in
Champaran even after the disappearance of Indigo
sharecropping. A small farmer, Rajkumar Shukla,
from a small district of Champaran, helped bring
about a prominent change. He opened up schools in
six different villages and several of his disciples and
family members volunteered as teachers. Being a
staunch believer of passive resistance, he
championed the cause of the Champaran movement.
His wife, Kasturba, worked on the personal
cleanliness and community sanitation of the place.
Gandhiji also hired a doctor for the improvement of
the health conditions.
Thus, we can say that Gandhiji's was not loyal to
abstractions. It was a loyalty to living human beings.
This also made him keen to eradicate the social and
cultural backwardness of Champaran. Gandhiji
exulted over them and made the villages feel self-
dependent and undaunted.
Going Places
38. Explanation:
Sophie had cooked up the incident in order to
impress Geoff who was such a great fan of Casey.
The news she knew would thrill and excite this
lovable brother. Moreover, she felt that he would
keep her secret. She did not want her friend, Jansie
to know about it because she was a gossip-monger
and would make a mountain out of the molehill.
39. Explanation:
The author calls the family's weekly visit to watch
the 'United' as a pilgrimage to highlight the hero
worship of the family. They religiously came to
watch the football match as they were deeply
interested in the game and being absolutely
fascinated by Danny Casey, they loved to see him in
action.

40. Explanation:
Sophie had cooked up the incident in order to
impress Geoff who was such a great fan of Casey.
The news she knew would thrill and excite this
lovable brother. Moreover, she felt that he would
keep her secret. She did not want her friend, Jansie
to know about it because she was a gossip-monger
and would make a mountain out of the molehill.
41. Explanation:
Sophie is a young school-girl belonging to a lower
middle-class family. She wants to rise from the
situation in which she finds herself. She is an
incurable dreamer and escapist. She dreams of
opening a boutique. Her classmate Jansie, who had
her feet firmly planted on the ground, tells Sophie
that opening a boutique requires a lot of money and
experience and she has neither of them. Sophie, who
floats in a dreamy world of her own, dreams of
becoming an actress or a fashion designer. She has
dreams of a hero also. She develops fascination for
Danny Casey, the wonder-boy of football. She sees
him in action only once when he scores the second
goal for United. She imagines him coming to her
and tells her brother about the meeting. She goes on
waiting for him on the next date but he does not turn
up. She becomes sad and carries the burden of
44.
sadness all the times. Thus, her dreams and
disappointments are the creations of her mind.
42. Explanation:
Sophie and Jansie were different from each other.
Sophie was a dreamer who enjoyed creating her
own fantasy world using her imagination. She
showed an urge to transcend her working-class
status and attain sophistication by pursuing the
45.
ambition of a fashion designer or an actress. Jansie,
on the other hand, was more practical and realistic
than Sophie. She tried to pull Sophie back to reality,
but all in vain. Jansie’s sensibility and maturity are
evident in her attempt to remind her friend that they
were earmarked for the biscuit factory, and
expensive dreams were inappropriate to their
financial status.
46.
43 Explanation:
Sophie's father can be considered a hard core
realistic person because of his practical and
pragmatic approach to life. Here are the reasons why
this answer is correct:
Realistic approach: Sophie's father is portrayed as
someone who does not believe in fantasies or
unrealistic dreams. He is rational and logical in his
thinking, always basing his decisions on facts and
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reality. This is evident in the way he advises Sophie
to focus on her studies and not get carried away by
her imagination.
Practicality: Sophie's father values practicality and
practical solutions to problems. He believes in
taking action and finding practical solutions rather
than dwelling on idealistic or impractical ideas. This
can be seen when he encourages Sophie to pursue a
career in medicine, which he considers a practical
and stable profession.
Lack of sentimentality: Sophie's father does not
appear to be overly sentimental or emotional. He is
not swayed by sentimental or romantic notions and
instead focuses on what is practical and logical. This
is evident in his reaction to Sophie's dreams of
becoming a writer, where he advises her to consider
a more stable and secure career path.
Focus on responsibilities: Sophie's father is
depicted as someone who takes his responsibilities
seriously. He prioritizes his role as a parent and
wants what is best for Sophie's future. This is
reflected in his emphasis on her education and
career choices that will provide her with stability
and success.
My Mother at Sixty-six
Explanation:
When the poet looked at her mother, she saw that
her mother had grown old and her face looked like
that of a corpse. She tried to distract herself from
this realisation but the waning and pale face of her
mother brought the thought of losing her mother
back to her mind. She felt the fear of one day losing
her mother due to old age.
Explanation:
The title is very apt as the subject of the poem is the
poet's aged and frail mother. It at once establishes the
context in which Kamala is writing - the mother's
unexpressed pain and the poet's worry about her
mother's frail health, old age and perhaps, imminent
death. The title prepares us for the frail old mother and
her daughter's concern for her.
Explanation:
The symbolic significance of security checks at the
airport is that 'it's time to bid farewell'. Security
checks are meant to put the passengers at ease with
flying and make them feel secure. However, as the
poet passes the security checks it symbolises her
rising fear and insecurity of losing her mother. It
signifies that the passenger can see her mother for
the last time.

47. Explanation:
The poem, "My Mother at Sixty-six" does reflects
on the escapist tendency of the poet, Kamala doesn't
want to accept the reality of her mother's aging, she
is having a hard time accepting that her mother is
getting old and that one day she will loose her
mother, she tries to avoid these thoughts and looks
out of the window to distract herself from the
reality. At the airport she makes a hollow promise to
assure her mother and herself, she chooses comfort
from her hollow promise over the harsh reality.
Keeping Quiet
48. Explanation:
The poet feels that if man keeps quiet for some time
and indulges in introspection, doing away with his
progressive attitude, he would experience an exotic
moment. In this exotic moment he will enjoy the
bliss of silence away from the din of modern life.
49. Explanation:
Through these images the poet is highlighting the
harm, man is causing to Nature and himself in his
effort to add comforts to his life. The fishermen
cause harm to the whales and the men at sea hurt
their hands in their effort to gather salt.
The Tiger King
50. Explanation:
The ten-day-old prince asked the astrologers to
reveal the manner of his death. The wise men were
baffled at this miracle. The chief astrologer said that
his death would come from a tiger. The young
prince growled and uttered terrifying words: 'Let
tigers beware!'
51. Explanation:
I disagree with the Tiger King's statement. He thinks
it's not wrong to kill a tiger if it's okay to kill a cow
in self defence. Mankind, on the other hand, has a
long history of killing life on Earth, especially
wildlife, because of their lack of care.
52. Explanation:
Kalki writes that "it was a celebration time" for the
tigers of the State because tiger hunting by anyone
except the Maharaja was banned. A proclamation
issued to this effect stated that if anyone dared to
even fling a stone at a tiger, his entire wealth and
properties would be confiscated. However, it was no
celebration time for the tigers because the king
indulged in systematic wiping out of the tigers.
Thus, the statement is ironical.
10
53. Explanation:
The story is a satire on the conceit of those and
power how does the author employee the literary
device of dramatic irony in the story.
54. Explanation:
The king was killed by a wooden toy tiger. It is very
much ironical that he had killed ninety nine tigers,
but one toy tiger had taken revenge upon the king.
One of silvers of wood pierced the right hand of the
king and caused infection, which ultimately brought
his death.
The Enemy
55. Explanation:
The American prisoner of war was bullet-ridden and
his survival under all adverse conditions was
nothing short of a miracle. Any other man would
have collapsed due to gaping wounds, excessive
bleeding and excruciating pain. So, the doctor
rightly says that the man has 'extraordinary vitality'.
56. Explanation:
He knew if he got caught saving life of enemy
soldier, he would be declared a TRAITOR. This
dilemma caused Sadao utter these words. But
humanity in his heart overcame his patriotism and
he decided to help enemy soldier.
57. Explanation:
I do agree with this observation. A surgeon's main
field of activity is the human body and if he does not
have its thorough knowledge, he has no right to
operate on it and if he does so, he is committing a
"cardinal sin." "It is nothing short of committing a
virtual murder.
58. Explanation:
Dr. Sadao felt that the General was in the palm of
his hand i.e. his control because he was
indispensable for the General's well-being and
survival. The General did not trust any other doctor.
He knew, that if he is arrested and tried for saving
and sheltering an enemy sailor, the General will in
his own interest, see to it that no harm comes to
Dr.Sadao.
59. Explanation:
The General was totally governed by self-
absorption. He was a patient of Dr Sadao and did
not trust anyone except him when it came to his
health. He could not take the risk of living
unguarded if the doctor was executed for treachery.
 11

He had personal assassins whom he promised to use 62. Explanation:

for killing the injured soldier Even when he asks Mr. Lamb to name his friends,
Mr. Lamb fails to give him any name. Mr. Lamb
On the Face of It refuses to admit his loneliness. Also he asks Derry
questions he does not understand. There are no
60. Explanation:
curtains at the windows in his house.
Lamb says to Derry; 'it's all relative, beauty and the
beast', what essentially does he mean by that?
Suggested Answer / Value Points‐ Mr. Lamb tells
Derry that it all depends upon people's individual
perceptions. A thing is a beauty for one while that
beauty may be a beast for others.

61. Explanation:
Once Derek had overheard two women at the bus-
stop talking about him. One woman looked at him
and whispered to the other "Look at that, that's a
terrible thing. That's a face only a mother could
love." Derek happened to overhear this conversation
and felt it was cruel. When he recounted it before
Mr Lamb, the latter tried to remove Derek's upset by
saying that the women's conversation might not
have been as cruel as he thinks. He dismisses it as a
casual conversation which Derek ought not to have
taken so seriously or sensitively.

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