CBSE Class 12

NCERT Solutions for Class 12 English Vistas Chapter 8 Memories of Childhood is a detailed account of what you will learn in Class 12 English Vistas Chapter 8 Memories of Childhood. To successfully pass CBSE Class 12 English exam and get an excellent grade on your report card at the end of it all you need a thorough understanding and comprehension of NCERT Solutions for Class 12 English Vistas Chapter 8 Memories of Childhood which we have made sure covers everything important!

Memories of Childhood NCERT Solutions for Class 12 English Vistas Chapter 8

Memories of Childhood NCERT Text Book Questions and Answers

Memories of Childhood Reading with Insight

Question 1.
The two accounts that you read above are based on two distant cultures. What is the commonality theme found in both of them?
Answer:
The main theme is the universal hatred against discrimination (both, racial and class discrimination) and oppression. This barrier is across time and space, which is clear from the two accounts given here of women belonging to two cultures, different places and in different times. The commonality lies in both of them being autobiographical accounts of women of marginalised communities.

Both excerpts talk about the prejudices and humiliation faced by the oppressed class from mainstream culture. Both the women bravely use their talent and education to stand up not only for their own, but also their community’s rights. Both use the power of pen to fight oppression.

Question 2.
It may take a long time for oppression to be resisted, but the seeds of rebellion are sowed early in life. Do you agree that injustice in any form cannot escape being noticed even by children?
Answer:
The world has been gripped in the web of stratification, oppression and discrimination at many levels. While the adults have grown used to this, the innocence of childhood does not understand hatred and prejudice. However, their keen observant eye is capable enough to notice any form of injustice and discrimination. When subjected to such evil . practices, their sensitive minds and hearts are deeply affected. Perplexed, they often resist in their own simple ways.

In the lesson, the two girls describe their encounters with inequality. Zitkala-Sa, in the very first line reports that her first day in school was “bitter-cold”. For her, it not only describes the weather, but also represents the cold and unwelcome atmosphere of the boarding school.

The overly disciplined students of the school and the European staff were unfriendly or “cold” towards her, and the vain struggle against her hair being shingled was a “bitter” experience for her. On the other hand, Bama walked on her brother’s footsteps to protest against the practice of untouchability through education. She studied wholeheartedly to reach a position where people would forget her “caste” and feel proud to befriend her.

Question 3.
Bama’s experience is that of a victim of the caste system. What kind of discrimination does Zitkala-Sa’s experience depict? What are their responses to their respective situations?
Answer:
Zitkala-Sa is the victim of social discrimination beloging to a tribe of native Americans. The white-skinned settlers of Europe consider local tribes as inferior. They treat them like animals. Both Bama and Zitkala-Sa refuse to bow to the injustice they are subjected to. Both protest in their own way. Zitkala-Sa does not want her hair to be shingled as amongst her tribe, shingled hair is regarded as a sign of cowardice. She struggles with all her might, when she was tied to a chair. Towards the end, however, the little one has to give up. Bama, on her part, decides to work hard in her studies, so that others realise her worth and become her friends.

Memories of Childhood Extra Questions and Answers

Memories of Childhood Short Answer Questions

Question 1.
How was Zitkala-Sa different from the other Native American students?
Answer:
Zitkala-Sa was a Native American girl. She had great love for her tradition and culture. She was proud of her beliefs. She held these beliefs close to her heart and felt hurt when the rest of the girls followed the foreign culture without any hesitation.

Question 2.
Mention any two reasons because of which it would take thirty minutes to an hour for Bama to reach home?
(Memories of Childhood—We too are human beings)
OR
What would take ‘Bama’ half an hour to cover ten minutes distance?
Answer:
There were many reasons why Bama took long to reach home. She would watch all the fun and games going on the road, she would also look at the shops and bazaars; she loved looking at the performing monkey and the snake charmers. The various food stalls, the street plays, the political meetings, the Maariyaata temple, the pongal offerings being cooked in front of the temple she could just go on and on looking at the beautiful sights.

Question 3.
Why was the girl tied to a chair in Memories of Childhood?
Answer:
The girl, Zitkala-Sa was refusing to accept the school’s decision to shingle the hair of all girls. According to her traditions and customs, a girl’s long hair was shingled only when captured by enemy, in mourning or for cowards. She felt insulted and hid herself. She was finally caught and forcefully tied to a chair and her long hair was chopped off.

Question 4.
Why did Zitkala-Sa not want her hair to be cut short?
Answer:
Zitkala-Sa belonged to a Native American warrior tribe. Their tradition was to keep long and heavy hair. Only those warriors, captured by the enemy, had their hair shingled. Short hair was worn by mourners, and shingled hair by cowards. Therefore, for her, this was absolutely atrocious.

Question 5.
When did Bama first come to know of the social discrimination faced by the people of her community?
Answer:
Bama came to know of the social discrimination when she was in class 3. On her way back from school, she saw an elder from her community carrying a small packet of eatables by a string without touching it. She found it very funny that a huge elderly man was carrying a small packet so strangely. Later on, she discovers from her brother that the real reason was that the landlords were of a higher class and they thought that their food would get polluted, if touched by people from her caste.

Question 6.
How did Zitkala-Sa try to prevent the shingling of her hair?
OR
Describe how Zitkala-Sa tried in vain to save her hair from being cut. Why did she want to save her hair?
Answer:
Zitkala-Sa went upstairs and crawled under a bed to hide herself. But to her plight, she was caught and brought downstairs and tied to a chair. Though she made many voluble protests, they were not fruitful. She cried, shook her head all the while but could not avoid her hair from being shingled.

Zitkala-Sa belonged to a Native American warrior tribe. Their tradition was to keep long and heavy hair. Only those warriors captured by the enemy had their hair shingled. Short hair was worn by mourners, and shingled hair by cowards. Therefore, for her, this was absolutely atrocious.

Question 7.
What are the similarities in the lives of Bama and Zitkala-Sa though they belong to different cultures?
OR
What kind of discrimination did Bama and Zitkala-Sa experience? How did they respond to their respective situations?
Answer:
Both Bama and Zitkala-Sa are victims of racial discrimination. Zitkala-Sa was a Native American and their community was treated poorly. The white skinned settlers of Europe considered local tribes as inferior. Similarly, Bama was a Dalit and was treated badly by the higher caste people.

Both of them have painful experiences as they were subjected to humiliation merely as they belonged to backward tribes or communities. Both of them protest in their own ways and try their best to overcome all these humiliations. Zitkala-Sa fights against the shingling of hair by hiding, voicing out her protests aloud. Bama tries to study hard and be successful.

Question 8.
How was Zitkala-Sa’s hair cut?
Answer:
Zitkala-Sa’s hair was cut even after her resistance and strong opposition. It was all in vain since her stiff resistance was met with equally stiff efforts. She was tied to a chair and amidst her loud disapproval, her hair was cut.

Question 9.
Why did the landlord’s man ask Bama’s brother, on which street he lived? What was the significance?
Answer:
The street on which a person lived signified the caste of a person. Each street was dominated by a particular caste.

Question 10.
What did Zitkala-Sa feel when her long hair was cut?
Answer:
Zitkala-Sa was terribly shocked. She was in tears. She cried for her mother. However, no one came to comfort or reason out with her.

Question 11.
Why was Zitkala-Sa terrified when Judewin told her that her hair would be cut short?
Answer:
Judewin had overheard a talk about shingling of hair of all girls. Zitkala-Sa belonged to a native American warrior tribe. Their tradition was to keep long and heavy hair. Only those warriors captured by the enemy had their hair shingled. Short hair was worn by mourners, and shingled hair by cowards. Therefore, for her, this was absolutely atrocious and terrifying. Therefore, she decided to rebel by hiding herself.

Question 12.
What advice did Annan offer Bama?
Answer:
Annan asked Bama to study hard and to top all exams. He also told her that if she was successful in life, people would come to her of their own accord.

Question 13.
At the dining table, why did Zitkala-Sa begin to cry when others started eating?
Answer:
Zitakala-Sa was not used to eating by formula. She was confused and sat down when others stood up and vice versa. She felt out of place and embarrassed in the school. The matron was angry with her and kept staring at her. This made Zitkala-Sa more uncomfortable and she started crying when the others started eating.

Question 14.
How did Zitkala-Sa’s first day in the land of apples begin?
Answer:
The first day in school was a bitter and cold day. The noise made by the breakfast bell, the clatter of the shoes and the constant murmuring voices in a foreign tongue annoyed Zitkala-Sa. She saw girls marching into dining room wearing tight fitting clothes. Zitkala-Sa found this immodest.

Question 15.
According to Zitkala-Sa, what does ‘eating by formula’ mean?
Answer:
There was a fixed procedure for breakfast. With the first bell, everyone had to pull the chairs, at the second bell, everyone had to sit down. Finally, at the third bell, everyone had to start eating with forks and knives. Zitkala-Sa called it eating by formula. She felt out of place and started crying.

Question 16.
What were the indignities that Zitkala-Sa had to suffer for being from a marginalised community?
Answer:
Zitkala-Sa was tied with the chair and her braids were gnawed off. She became helpless. She felt herself like a wooden puppet tossed in the air. She felt herself like one of those sheep (cattle) driven by a herder.

Memories of Childhood Long Answer Questions

Question 1.
Describe how the narrator in ‘The Cutting of My Long Hair’ resists and fights against ‘ the attempt of shingling her long and heavy hair. How is she ultimately made to lose her distinct cultural identity?
Answer:
The narrator’s friend Judewin gave her a terrible warning. She knew a few words of English. She had overheard the ‘pale-faced woman’. She had talked about cutting the long and heavy hair of Native American girls. It was a shocking news. Their mothers had taught them that shingled hair was worn only by cowards. Judewin advised her to submit. The narrator had made a decision. She was not to submit. She was to struggle and fight against that oppression.

The narrator disappeared unnoticed. She crawled under the bed and cuddled herself in the dark corner. She shuddered with fear, whenever she heard footsteps nearby. Voices became louder.

They stormed into the room. She was dragged out. She resisted by kicking and scratching wildly. She was carried downstairs and tied fast to a chair. Then they gnawed off her long and beautiful hair. No one came forward to help her. Nor was anybody present there to console her. Thus, the narrator lost her distinct cultural recognition and identity. Now, she was only one of the many little animals driven by a herder.

Question 2.
The narrator in ‘We Too Are Human Beings’ is amused at the way the elder of her street carried the food packet by its string without touching it. But the same girl is provoked and becomes angry when Annan makes her aware of the social inequality and untouchability in the social system. Describe how the narrator attains honour and dignity in spite of her humble birth.
Answer:
The narrator in ‘We Too Are Human Beings’ passes through different phases of mental and physical development. The role of her elder brother (Annan) in shaping her personality can’t be minimised. He inspired her to fight against inequality and untouchability. The narrator saw a threshing floor set up at one corner of her street. An old man of her street attracted her attention. The elder came along from the direction of the bazaar.

He was a big man carrying a small packet of food by its string without touching it. She thought it quite funny. She narrated the incident to her elder brother, but he was not amused. The man was not being funny. He belonged to a ‘low caste’. He couldn’t touch the food packet. She
felt terribly sad. She felt provoked and angry that she wanted to touch those vadais herself straightaway. Annan described that the people of their caste were not respected and given importance.

Education, learning and prosperity bring honour and dignity.The narrator was inspired by his words. She studied hard and stood first in the class. Then many friends came to her on their own accord.

Question 3.
Both Bama and Zitkala-Sa are victims of discrimination that is practised in the society. What kind of experience did both of them go through?
Answer:
The lesson, ‘Memories of Childhood’ deals with the autobiographical accounts of women of marginalised communities. Both narrate the prejudices and humiliation faced by them from mainstream culture. The former is a victim of racial discrimination, whereas the latter is a victim of caste discrimination.

 

A learner needs to read stories thoroughly and accurately to score better in CBSE Class 12 English exams. NCERT Solutions for Class 12 English Vistas Chapter 8 Memories of Childhood has been answered by experts to ensure that the story can be easily understood. 

English is a difficult subject for many people to learn. Some students may become frustrated and give up, but NCERT Solutions for Class 12 English Flamingo Poem 6 Aunt Jennifer’s Tigers can help you maintain your momentum! This Class 12 English Flamingo Poem 6 Aunt Jennifer’s Tigers will provide all necessary information needed in order to study Class 12 English successfully at home or school.

Aunt Jennifer’s Tigers NCERT Solutions for Class 12 English Flamingo Poem 6

Aunt Jennifer’s Tigers NCERT Text Book Questions and Answers

Aunt Jennifer’s Tigers Think it out

Question 1.
How do ‘denizens’ and ‘chivalric’ add to our understanding of the tiger’s attitudes?
Answer:
Like all beasts of prey, the tigers are the denizens of the forest. They live far away from human settlements. They are called ‘chivalric’. This indicates the majestic and honorable position that they occupy in the world of animals. So the use of the words, ‘denizens’ and ‘chivalric’ add to our understanding of the tiger’s attitudes.

Question 2.
Why do you think Aunt Jennifer’s hands are ‘fluttering through her wool’ in the second stanza? Why is she finding the needle so hard to pull?
Answer:
Aunt Jennifer’s hands are ‘fluttering through her wool’ because she is an old lady on whom age has taken its toll. The fluttering of Aunt Jennifer’s fingers also signifies her oppressed mental condition which makes it difficult for her to even pull an ivory needle . while embroidering.

Question 3.
What is suggested by the image ‘massive weight of Uncle’s wedding band’?
Answer:
The ‘wedding band’ that the poet talks about is the wedding ring worn by Aunt Jennifer. The image ‘massive weight of Uncle’s wedding band’ suggests that she was overburdened with duties and responsibilities, post her marriage.

Question 4.
Of what or of whom is Aunt Jennifer terrified with in the third stanza?
Answer:
Even after death, Aunt carried her fear of her domineering husband as she would yet bear the burden of the wedding band on her finger. The ordeals faced by her in an oppressive marriage would continue to terrify her.

Question 5.
What are the ‘ordeals’ Aunt Jennifer is surrounded by? Why is it significant that the poet uses the word ‘ringed’? What are the meanings of the word ‘ringed’ in the poem?
Answer:
Aunt Jennifer has been living her life in accordance with the rules laid down by her husband. Her life lacks expression and is overburdened by the demands and duties of her married life. Although old and weak, she still has to face her husband’s oppression. These are the ordeals that the poet talks about.

The use of the word ‘ringed’ in the poem is significant and appropriate because it correctly represents the vicious cycle created by the norms of society, from which Aunt Jennifer is unable to free herself. The word ‘ringed’ not only indicates that she is wearing her wedding ring but also that she is bound by the responsibilities, fear and oppression of her marriage for entire life and probably, after it too.

Question 6.
Why do you think Aunt Jennifer created animals that are so different from her own character? What might the poet be suggesting, through this difference?
Answer:
The timid and fearful Aunt Jennifer creates an alternative world of free and fearless tigers to express her longing for freedom, a medium of escape from her grim marriage. The ironical contrast underscores a warning by the poet against acceptance of subjugation by women as it crushes their dreams, individuality and a full life.

Question 7.
Interpret the symbols found in this poem.
Answer:
Wedding band: Symbol of oppression in an unhappy marriage. Marriage is social and legal binding, making women silently accept their subjugation and male domination, . especially in a patriarchal society. Its weight refers to the burden of gender expectations. Ringed means encircled or trapped, losing individuality and freedom.

Aunt Jennifer: A typical victim of male oppression in an unhappy marriage, who suffers loss of individuality, dignity and personal freedom silently. She becomes dependent, fearful and frail.

Tigers: Tigers symbolise untamed free spirit. Here, they are antithesis of their creator’s personality. The use of colours implies that Aunt Jennifer’s tigers and their land are more vital and enjoy a sense of freedom far greater than her. Yellow (bright topaz) connotes the sun and fierce energy, while green reminds of spring and vitality. The tigers pace and prance freely, proudly, fearless, confident and majestic in their bearing.

Embroidery: It is a symbol of creative expression. The artwork expresses the Aunt’s suppressed desires and helps her escape the oppressive reality of her life.

Aunt (last stanza): As opposed to Aunt Jennifer, it shows that she has lost her identity completely, thus, lost even her name.

Question 8.
Do you sympathise with Aunt Jennifer? What is the attitude of the speaker towards Aunt Jennifer?
Answer:
Yes, the character of Aunt Jennifer wins our sympathy as readers. Her ordeals and sufferings move the reader. Even the speaker in the poem shows sympathy and pity towards her. The speaker says that even after Aunt Jennifer’s death, she will be terrified of her husband and the ordeals of her marriage.

Aunt Jennifer’s Tigers Extra Questions and Answers

Aunt Jennifer’s Tigers Short Answer Questions

Question 1.
What ideology does Aunt Jennifer’s poem propound?
Answer:
The poem, ‘Aunt Jennifer’s Tigers’ is critical of the male world. It criticises the male society for terrifying and oppressing women like ‘Aunt Jennifer’.

Question 2.
How has Aunt Jennifer created her tigers? What traits of tigers do they reveal?
Answer:
Aunt Jennifer has embroidered the tigers on a panel with an ivory needle and wool. The tigers that she has created are wild and free bright golden yellow denizens of the green forest. They are fearless and bold, jumping around with confidence, totally opposed to her own character.

Question 3.
What do you mean by the certainty that the tigers possess?
Answer:
The tigers used to fear the men. But once they were made by Aunt Jennifer, they learnt courage. In their new birth, these tigers feel at ease and confident. Now, they do not have to run away from anyone. They move slowly and run ferociously.

Question 4.
How does the poet describe Aunt Jennifer’s tigers?
Answer:
The poet describes Aunt Jennifer’s tigers as ‘bright topaz denizens of the green forest’. They are fearless. They pace in ‘sleek’ chivalry.

Question 5.
What will happen to Aunt Jennifer’s tigers when she is dead?
Answer:
The tigers created by Aunt Jennifer are eternal. They will keep on prancing even after her death. These tigers are born out of her imagination in response to the oppression she goes through in the patriarchal society.

Question 6.
What is the weight that lies heavy on Aunt Jennifer’s hand? How is it associated with her husband?
Answer:
Aunt Jennifer had a troubled married life with a domineering and oppressing husband. She tries to find refuge in art to fight these demons, but even here, there is no respite. This makes her hand quiver so much that she finds it hard to knit.

Question 7.
How are the tigers different from her?
Answer:
The tigers of Aunt Jennifer are quite different from her. In fact, they are exactly opposite of her oppressed, submissive personality. The tigers are a symbol of strength, fierceness and beauty.

Question 8.
What picture of male chauvinism (tyranny) do we find in the poem, ‘Aunt Jennifer’s Tigers’?
Answer:
It shows constraints that a married woman experiences. Uncle’s wedding band on Aunt Jennifer’s hand symbolises oppressive band of patriarchal society. Aunt Jennifer is forced to live in accordance with the rules laid down by her husband. She does not have any freedom.

Question 9.
Aunt Jennifer’s efforts to get rid of her fear proved to be futile. Comment.
Answer:
Aunt Jennifer’s efforts to get rid of her fears proved futile. She embroiders tigers, a symbol of her desire of a free spirit. But her inner spirit has been jailed by the patriarchal society. The society did not show any concern for the Aunt’s suffering, or even her death. Her loss of freedom was her own loss.

Question 10.
In the poem ‘Aunt Jennifer’s Tigers’, what is the contrast between the reality of Aunt’s life and her imagination?
Answer:
Aunt Jennifer is timid, nervous and living a fearful existence in a male dominated atmosphere, whereas her tigers are bold, proud, fearless masters, prancing freely in their

 

It is important for a learner to read stories thoroughly and accurately in order to score better in Class 12 English exams. NCERT Solutions for Class 12 English Flamingo Poem 6 Aunt Jennifer’s Tigers have been given by experts to ensure that the poem can be easily understood. 

NCERT Solutions for Class 12 English Flamingo Chapter 6 Poets and Pancakes is a detailed account of what you will learn in Chapter 6 Poets and Pancakes Class 12 English. To successfully pass CBSE Class 12 English exam and get an excellent grade on your report card at the end of it all you need a thorough understanding and comprehension of NCERT Solutions for Class 12 English, Flamingo Chapter 6 Poets and Pancakes which we have made sure covers everything important! 

Poets and Pancakes NCERT Solutions for Class 12 English Flamingo Chapter 6

Poets and Pancakes NCERT Text Book Questions and Answers

Poets and Pancakes Think as you read

Question 1.
What does the writer mean by ‘the fiery misery’ of those subjected to make-up?
Answer:
The make-up room had incandescent lights at all angles. These lights gave fiery heat. Sitting in the make-up room with these lights was sitting near furnace. It was a fiery misery the boys and girls had to endure.

Question 2.
What is the example of national integration that the author refers to?
Answer:
The make-up department included people from all parts of India. Initially a Bengali headed it. He was succeeded by a Maharashtrian who was assisted by a Dharwar Kannadiga, an Andhra, Madras Indian Christian, an Anglo-Burmese and the local Tamils. So it presented a picture of national integration.

Question 3.
What work did the ‘office boy’ do in the Gemini Studios? Why did he join the studios? Why was he disappointed?
Answer:
The office boy painted the faces of the actors who acted for crowd. He had joined the studios years ago with the hope of becoming a star actor or a top screenplay writer, director or lyricist. However, he was disappointed as he felt his great literary talent was being wasted.

Question 4.
Why did the author appear to be doing nothing at the studios?
Answer:
The writer used to sit at his desk and cut newspapers clippings. So everyone thought that he was doing nothing.

Question 5.
Why was the office boy frustrated? Who did he show his anger on?
Answer:
The office boy had the belief that he possessed a great literary talent. He was frustrated as his talent had not been recognised and he was given work fit only for barbers and perverts. He showed his anger on Kothamangalam Subbu who was No. 2 at Gemini Studios. The office boy thought that Subbu was responsible for this neglect.

Question 6.
Who was Subbu’s principal?
Answer:
The producer was Subbu’s principal.

Question 7.
Subbu is described as a many-sided genius. List four of his special abilities.
Answer:

• Subbu had the ability to keep cheerful every time.
• He was tailor-made for films.
• He could completely identify himself with his principal.
• He possessed a great poetic talent.

Question 8.
Why was the legal adviser referred to as the opposite by others?
Answer:
Others referred to him as ‘illegal adviser’ as he did not help others. On the contrary, he created legal hurdles for others.

Question 9.
What made the lawyer stand out from the others at Gemini Studios?
Answer:
Every member of the story department where the lawyer worked wore khadi dhoti and an oversized khadi kurta. However, the lawyer wore pants and a tie. Sometimes, he even wore a coat. Thus, he looked different from others.

Question 10.
Did the people at Gemini Studios have any particular political affiliations?
Answer:
They did not have any particular political affiliations. However, they were averse to communism.

Question 11.
Why was the Moral Rearmament Army welcomed at the Studios?
Answer:
The Moral Rearmament Army was welcomed as they presented two plays in the most professional manner. The staff of the Gemini Studios used to have a nice time hosting two hundred people of at least twenty nationalities.

Question 12.
Give one example to show that Gemini Studios was influenced by the plays staged by MRA.
Answer:
The MRA depicted beautiful scenes of sunrise and sunset in their play, ‘Jotham Valley”. The studios were greatly impressed by these scenes, and imitated it for years to come.

Question 13.
Who was the boss of Gemini Studios?
Answer:
Mr. Vasan was the boss of Gemini Studios.

Question 14.
What caused the lack of communication between the Englishman and the people at Gemini Studios?
Answer:
The audience at Gemini Studios did not understand what the Englishman talked about as his accent was different.

Question 15.
Why is the Englishman’s visit referred to as unexplained mystery?
Answer:
The Englishman had been a poet. It became quite difficult to understand as to why he had come in a film studio that made Tamil films for simple people. They could have no taste for English poetry. The author even thinks that the Englishman too was baffled by this incongruity.

Question 16.
Who was the English visitor to the studios?
Answer:
The English visitor to the studios was a poet called Stephen Spender.

Question 17.
How did the author discover who the English visitor to the studios was?
Answer:
A notice came out in the Hindu announcing a short story contest organised by a British periodical named The Encounter. The writer wanted to join the contest. As he had no idea of the periodical, he went to the British Council Library. There he located The Encounter. Its editor was Stephen Spender. Immediately, he realised that Stephen Spender was the poet who had visited Gemini Studios.

Question 18.
What does ‘The God that Failed’ refer to?
Answer:
“The God that Failed” is a collection of six essays by separate men of letters. They portray about the writers’ visits into Communism and their disillusioned return.

Poets and Pancakes Understanding the Text:

Question 1.
The author has used gentle humour to point out human foibles. Pick out instances of this to show how this serves to make the piece interesting.
Answer:
The office boy depicts an example of a man who had been in the studios for years, but did not rise. However, all the time he dreamt of becoming a star actor or director or lyrics writer. This was not a mere dream. His talent seemed to be all rolled in one. He thought himself to be a poet who could write long poems and pestered the author by reciting his boring poems to him. He often used to complain that his talent went waste in the make-up department as it was fit for only barbers and perverts. The author only prayed that shooting went on all the time so the office boy was busy and did not have time to recite his poems to him. Oddly enough he held Subbu responsible for his neglect. In reality, he was frustrated and required someone to direct his anger to.

Question 2.
Why was Kothamangalam Subbu considered No. 2 in Gemini Studios?
Answer:
Though Kothamangalam Subbu had been a member of the story department, he had always been seen with the boss. The boss gave him prominence as he was a talented person. Subbu’s opinion was taken on every problem. Subbu was always ready with suitable suggestions and with Subbu film making was not a problem.

Question 3.
How does the author describe the incongruity of an English poet addressing the audience at Gemini Studios?
Answer:
The Gemini Studios’ films were for simple folks in Tamil. These movie-goers were not expected to develop a taste for English poetry. The author did not understand what an English poet was doing in Gemini Studios. Further surprise was that even the boss knew very little about the Englishman as his speech was mostly in general terms.

Englishman’s speech baffled everybody as his accent made it difficult for them to understand what he said. Even the Englishman perhaps felt baffled by the incongruity of his presence among the simple members of Gemini family. The purpose behind his visit to the studios was an unexplained mystery.

Question 4.
What do you understand about the author’s literary inclinations from the account?
Answer:
This story tells that the author had the capability of writing in gentle satire. His job had +been to cut newspaper clippings on wide variety of subjects. It gave him an opportunity to read a lot and know a lot. He had been a prose writer and sent his articles and stories to several newspapers. He even sent a short story to The Encounter to take part in the contest. Being a good reader, he did not give up his habit even after he had retired. He saw a low-priced book The God that Failed and purchased a copy to read immediately.

Poets and Pancakes Talking about the Text

Discuss in small groups taking off from points in the text.

Question 1.
Film-production today has come a long way from the early days of the Gemini Studios.
Answer:
Nowadays, film production is more technical than before. Earlier, only five per cent of the shooting was done outdoors, but nowadays outdoor shooting is no more limited to such a negligible percentage. The cameras and other equipment are more advanced. This makes the presentation more varied and accurate. Even the quality of make-up has improved a lot from the days of the Gemini Studios, where only pancake was used. Nowadays, the people involved in various departments are experts in their specialised work, be it the director, producer scriptwriter, lyricist or the actors.

Question 2.
Poetry and films
Answer:
In India, poetry and films are intricately linked. The people at Gemini Studios claimed to have the talents of a poet because it was their monotonous and leisurely life at the studios. However, they were not knowledgeable or educated to be poets. Films can be enjoyed by people with little resources, unlike poetry.

Question 3.
Humour and criticism
Answer:
The story is interspersed with instances dipped in subtle humour. The humorous instances, however, make interesting and relevant comments on the behaviour of general people. A humorous story has more readers, a humorous film has more viewers. This is because they provide entertainment and a respite from the tedious existence. Criticism by means of humour is more effective, hence writers and film-makers often use humorous elements in their works and make sarcastic comments and criticism.

Poets and Pancakes Extra Questions and Answers

Poets and Pancakes Short Answer Questions

Question 1.
Describe the make-up room of Gemini Studios.
Answer:
The make-up room of Gemini Studios looked more like a hair-cutting salon with incandescent lights at all angles and half a dozen large mirrors. The lights made the room so hot that those subjected to make-up had to put up with its ‘fiery misery’.

Question 2.
How was strict hierarchy maintained in the make-up room?
Answer:
Each make-up man was allotted his task according to his designation. The chief make¬up man put make-up on the chief actors and actresses, his senior assistant attended to the “second” hero and heroine, the junior assistant the main comedian. The actors who played the crowd were the responsibility of the office boy.

Question 3.
Why did the office boy go to the author? Why was the author praying for crowd s*hooting?
Answer:
The author worked in a cubicle, apparently with nothing to do. The office boy, frequently barged in to enlighten him on how Gemini Studios was allowing his great literary talent to go waste in a department fit for barbers and perverts. The author’s only hope of reprieve was to pray that make-up for crowd shooting would call him away.

Question 4.
What advantage did the office boy think Subbu had?
Answer:
The office boy believed that Subbu’s advantage was by virtue of being born a Brahmin. This would have given him greater exposure to a more affluent society, greater opportunities and better openings.

Question 5.
What were Subbu’s literary achievements?
Answer:
Subbu was an accomplished poet who addressed his poetry to the masses, in spite of being talented enough to write higher forms of poetry. His works included several ‘story poems’, and a full length novel, ‘Thilana Mohanambal’.

Question 6.
Who was Subbu’s enemy? Why?
Answer:
Subbu’s success and his undisputed position as No. 2 of Gemini Studios made the office boy his enemy. He firmly believed that Subbu was responsible for all his woes, humiliating neglect, and ignominy.

Question 7.
Subbu was charitable and generous. Why did he have enemies?
Answer:
Subbu’s closeness to the Boss and his desire to please him, made him appear to be a sychophant. His readiness to say nice things about everyone was misconstrued as cunning. So Subbu had enemies like the office boy who wished the direct things for him.

Question 8.
How did the legal advisor ruin an actress’ career?
Answer:
When an extremely talented but temperamental actress lost her temper and blew up the producer on the sets, the lawyer quietly recorded the outburst. He then played back the recording. Utterly shocked and dumbfounded, this actress was unable to deal with the shock and terror she experienced, and her career ended.

Question 9.
How did the lawyer lose his job?
Answer:
The lawyer lost his job when the story department of Gemini Studios was closed down. This was the first time in human history that a lawyer lost his job because the poets were asked to go home.

Question 10.
What did the khadi clad poets believe about Communism?
Answer:
Though none of them had any abiding political ideology, they worshipped Gandhiji and were averse to Communism. To them, a Communist was a man with no filial or conjugal love, could easily kill his parents and children, and was always out to spread unrest and violence.

Question 11.
What role does the MRA play in the narrative?
Answer:
Frank Buchman’s Moral Rearmament army was a kind of counter-movement to international Communism. They presented two plays in the Gemini Studios, with simple and homely messages, in an effort to counter the spread of communism in southern India.

Question 12.
Why was the English poet who visited Gemini Studios as baffled as his audience?
Answer:
The poet was baffled to address an audience that was utterly dazed and silent. No one understood his accent or the content of his speech. The audience was baffled as they had no idea why an English poet had been invited to a film studio that made Tamil films for the simplest sort of people.

Question 13.
Why did Stephen Spender visit Gemini Studios?
Answer:
Stephen Spender was a disillusioned communist. He had been invited to talk on his journey into Communism and his disillusioned return to the people of Gemini Studios who too were anti-communism.

Question 14.
Why does Asokamitran say that prose writing is not the true pursuit of a genius?
Answer:
Asokamitran feels that prose writing requires a lot of patience and perseverance.The prose writer’s mind should be so shrunken that no rejection can disappoint him. Nothing breaks his resolve to keep making fresh copies of his prose writings to send to one editor after, another.

Question 15.
The boss of Gemini Studios had nothing to do with Spender’s poetry but not with his ‘God that failed’. Explain.
Answer:
Years later, the mystery of Stephen Spender’s visit to Gemini Studios became clear to the author when he chanced upon the book,‘The God That Failed’, and read Spender’s essay. He realised that the Boss, S.S.Vasan, had deliberately brought the English poet to Gemini Studios to destroy all illusions about Communism among its simple inmates.

Question 16.
What does the author refer to as Pancake? Name the actresses who must have used it.
Answer:
Pancake was the brand name of a make-up material. Truckloads of this material were used by Gemini Studios. Greta Garbo, Miss Gohar and Vyajayantimala might have used it. But Rati Agnihotri might not have even heard of it.

Question 17.
Where was the make-up department of the Gemini Studios? Does the author think the building was what it was believed to be?
Answer:
The make-up department was located in the upstairs of a building that was believed to have been Robert Clive’s stables. But the author does not think it was actually so. There were many buildings in the city supposed to have been Clive’s residences.

Question 18.
In what sense was Subbu loyal to the boss?
Answer:
Subbu was totally loyal to the boss. He fully identified himself with him. He put all his creativity to the benefit of his boss. He felt inspired whenever commanded. He could suggest to the boss a number of ways to deal with a difficult scene or situation in a film.

Question 19.
In what way was Subbu better than the office boy?
Answer:
Subbu was No. 2 at Gemini Studios. However, in reality he was in no better position than the office boy. He had to face more difficulties. But Subbu had more affluent exposure and many abilities.

Question 20.
What was the poet’s preconceived idea about a Communist?
Answer:
The poet’s thought that a Communist was a godless person. He loved neither his children nor his wife. He was a terrorist, always prepared to cause violence and unrest among innocent and ignorant people.

Poets and Pancakes Long Answer Questions

Question 1.
Describe the make-up department of the Gemini Studios. How did it prepare the players for a movie?
Answer:
The make-up department of the Gemini Studios was located in the upstairs of Robert Clive’s stables. They bought and lavishly used truckloads of a make-up material called Pancake. The make-up room contained large mirrors and bright lights set at various angles. It looked like a hair-cutting salon. It was a terrible experience for an actor or actress to undergo the make-up.

The lights generated intense heat. The members of the make-up department represented different parts of India. It symbolised national integration. Ninety-five per cent of the shooting of a film during those days was done on the sets. It demanded that every pore of the actors’ faces should be closed. Thus, they were painted, and looked ugly. A strict hierarchy was maintained. The chief make-up man made the hero and the heroine ugly. The office boy painted the crowd players ugly.

Question 2.
What was Moral Rearmament Army? Describe their visit to the Gemini Studios.
Answer:
Frank Buchman’s Moral Rearmament Army visited the Gemini Studios in 1952. It was a
drama company. In reality, it was a counter movement to international communism. It had two-hundred players and was called an international circus. The players belonged to twenty different nationalities.

They presented two plays in the most professional manner. The plays represented simple homilies and the costumes and sets were superb. Their play, ‘Jotham Valley” impressed the Tamil theatre. They imitated the sunrise and sunset scenes in their manner for years. The scenes were played on a bare stage with a white background and a tune played on the flute.Though the MRA was anti-communist and the anti-communist feeling existed at the Studios, the coming of the MRA had no impact on the attitude of the bosses; their enterprises went on as usual.

 

A learner needs to read stories thoroughly and accurately to score better in CBSE Class 12 English exams. NCERT Solutions for Class 12 English Flamingo Chapter 6 Poets and Pancakes has been answered by experts to ensure that the story can be easily understood. 

NCERT Solutions for Class 12 English Vistas Chapter 7 Evans Tries an O-level is a detailed account of what you will learn in Class 12 English Vistas Chapter 7 Evans Tries an O-level. To successfully pass CBSE Class 12 English exam and get an excellent grade on your report card at the end of it all you need a thorough understanding and comprehension of NCERT Solutions for Class 12 English Vistas Chapter 7 Evans Tries an O-level which we have made sure covers everything important!

Evans Tries an O-level NCERT Solutions for Class 12 English Vistas Chapter 7

Evans Tries an O-level NCERT Text Book Questions and Answers

Evans Tries an O-level Read and Find out

Question 1.
What kind of a person was Evans?
Answer:
Evans was a young, clever prisoner. He had escaped thrice from the prison for which he was known ‘Evans the Break’. He was not a violent sort of a person. He was quite a pleasant person and was a star at the Christmas concert. Smart and cunning, he was deft at deceiving the cops, and escaping from captivity.

Question 2.
What were the precautions taken for the smooth conduct of the examination?
Answer:
The Governor of Oxford Prison took precautions for the smooth conduct of the examination. The examination had been arranged in the prisoner’s cell itself. The door of the cell had been locked one day before the examination. Even the cell was thoroughly searched. Steps were taken to ensure checking of ways that could help him in his escape. Jackson, the senior prison officer, had himself conducted the search.

Evans’ nail scissors, nail file and razor were also removed. The room was bugged and the Governor himself sat in the office all the time to listen in. McLeery, the invigilator was frisked thoroughly before the beginning of the examination. Stephens was positioned at the door of the cell throughout the exam.

Question 3.
Will the exam now go as scheduled?
Answer:
The examination had been scheduled to start at 9.15 a.m. However, it did not go on as per schedule as Stephens took time to frisk McLeery who had come to invigilate. It was already 9.18 a.m. When the examination was about to begin, Evans objected to Stephens’ presence in the cell. It was 9.20 a.m. by then. The Governor then asked Jackson to get Stephens out of the cell. At last, the examination started at 9.25 a.m. Being a two-hour examination, it got over at 11.25 a.m.

Question 4.
Did the Governor and his staff finally heave a sigh of relief?
Answer:
Evans was a shrewd man who allowed only a momentary sigh of relief to the Governor and his staff. The exam was supposed to have ended peacefully, but when Stephens rechecked Evans’ cell, he was stunned to see the profusely bleeding McLeery still in the cell. He concluded that the man he had escorted to the gate was actually Evans.

Question 5.
Will the injured McLeery be able to help the prison officers track Evans?
Answer:
No, McLeery did not help the prison officers track Evans. Instead, they were misguided by him. Evans was impersonating as McLeery and therefore, tricked the police officers into believing that Evans had run away. In reality, Evans was sitting right in front of them in the guise of McLeery and laughing at their credulous nature.

Question 6.
Will the clues left behind on the question paper, put Evans back in prison again?
Answer:
The clues in the paper were meant to trick the prison officials especially, the over¬confident Governor. The Governor is led to a hotel, where he finds Evans. Evans, however, befools him and escapes again.

Question 7.
Where did Evans go?
Answer:
Evans went to a hotel named Golden Lion in Chipping Norton.

Evans Tries an O-level Reading with Insight

Question 1.
Reflecting on the story, what did you feel about Evans’ having the last laugh?
Answer:
‘Having the last laugh’ symbolises gaining victory over one’s rival towards the end. Evans too had the last laugh in this story as he succeeded in fooling the jail officials from the beginning till the end. However, the last act of fooling the Governor was quite surprising. As he was handcuffed and pushed into the police van by the prison officer, it seemed as if it was all over for him. However, ‘Evans the Break’ still had an ace up his sleeve. The van driver and the prison officer taking him away were his own men.

As the prison van turns right from Chipping Norton, the prison officer unlocked the handcuffs and ordered the driver to drive fast. The driver enquired where they had to go. Evans recommended that they go to Newbury, since it was the place that the Governor would ever think of searching. So we see how Evans has the last laugh at every turn in this story.

Question 2.
When Stephens comes back to the cell he jumps to a conclusion and the whole machinery blindly goes by his assumption without even checking the identity of the injured ‘McLeery’. Does this show how hasty conjectures can prevent one from seeing the obvious? How is the criminal able to predict such negligence?
Answer:
As Stephens comes back to the cell, he gets shocked by what he sees inside. He saw a man fallen back in Evans’ chair. The front of his closely combed hair was full of fierce red’blood which had already dripped through his small black beard. Stephens feels that McLeery has been injured by Evans. He shouted wildly for Jackson. When Jackson came, he at once sent Stephens to call the police and the ambulance.

When McLeery tells that he knows where Evans has gone, the Governor readily believes him. The Detective Superintendent Carter took McLeery to his car and went to nab Evans. Nobody cared to check the identity of McLeery. So we visualise that hasty conjectures can prevent one from seeing the obvious. The criminal, on the other hand, predicts such negligence as he thinks of his plans calmly and does not make hasty conjectures.

Question 3.
What could the Governor have done to securely bring back Evans to prison when he caught him at the Golden Lion? Does that final act of foolishness really prove that “he was just another good-for-a-giggle, gullible governor, that was all”?
Answer:
The Governor recollected the contents of the correction slip and was able to trace Evans at the Golden Lion. He realised how Evans had cleverly fooled all of them all day long. Thus, he should have taken no liberties. When he was able to nab him at the Golden Lion, he should have taken full force arrangements for his arrest and should have accompanied him to the prison himself. However, he handed him over to a prison officer who did not even salute him and whom he had never seen earlier. Thus, Evans was able to escape once again. Thus, we can say that the Governor was just a good-for- a-giggle, and gullible person.

Question 4.
While we condemn the crime, we are sympathetic to the criminal. Is this the reason why prison staff often develops a soft corner for those in custody?
Answer:
It is common to say that we should hate the sin and not the sinner. Nobody can be perfect in the world. If we see a sinner suffering for his sin, we feel sympathetic towards him as a human being. Likewise, a criminal is sent to jail for his crime, the prison staff should treat him as a human being and not as a criminal. The crime he committed becomes a thing of the past. Now, we can see his suffering.

Thus, the prison staff often develop a soft corner for those in jail. When Evans wishes to give O-level German exam, they help him by making preparations for the same. They wish him luck. Even though the Governor and the rest of the staff were befooled by Evans, the Governor wishes him goodbye just like an old friend with a wish to see him again.

Question 5.
Do you agree that between crime and punishment it is mainly a battle of wits?
Answer:
In every battle, the stronger side wins and this strength could be physical or mental. However, after reading the story, we can conclude that between crime and punishment, it is mainly a battle of wits. The side which outsmarts the other, wins. It is not always that a criminal gets punished. In the given story, although well trained, the police officials were easily fooled by the clever Evans, who managed to escape right under their nose.

Evans Tries an O-level Extra Questions and Answers

Evans Tries an O-level Short Answer Questions

Question 1.
How did McLeery explain the semi-inflated rubber ring in his suitcase? How was the ring ultimately used?
Answer:
McLeery carried a brown suitcase with him into the examination room which consisted of all. that he would need for his examination duties. However, when asked to explain what the semi-inflated rubber ring was for, he told the authorities that he suffered from Haemorrhoids and therefore, needed the ring to sit on as he was not comfortable sitting for long period.

Question 2.
Who do you think has outwitted the other—Evans or the Governor? How?
Answer:
Undoubtedly, Evans outwitted the Governor in the end. The Governor after decoding the numbers given in the question paper was able to recapture Evans, but the latter was again able to give a slip to the prison officials.

Question 3.
What clues did the answer sheet of Evans provide to the Governor?
Answer:
The clues left on the question paper were actually part of a well-laid outplan. It was meant to mislead the police and kind of mock at them. The clue pointed out that Evans had hit McLeery though it was Evans who was impersonating McLeery. This also made the police look for Evans in Newburry, when he was in fact at Hotel Golden Lion in Chipping Norton.

Question 4.
How did the Governor react to the two phone calls he received in quick succession?
Answer:
The Governor reacted sharply but in a positive way. He was informed by the secretary for modern languages that there was a correction slip to be informed to the candidate. He allows and the correction is explained to Evans. He does not doubt anything.

Question 5.
Who was Carter? What did the Governor ask him to do?
Answer:
Carter was the detective superintendent. The Governor told him to take McLeery along with him. He took McLeery with him to look for the absconder. The Governor then asked who had seen Evans out at the prison gate. Mr Stephen told him that it was he who had taken him out.

Question 6.
What were the contents of the small brown suitcase that McLeery carried?
Answer:
The contents of the small brown suitcase that McLeery carried were a sealed question paper envelope, a yellow invigilation form, a special ‘authentication’ card from the Examination Board, a paper knife, a Bible, a copy of ‘The Church Times’ and a small semi-inflated rubber ring.

Question 7.
What did the Detective Superintendent inform the Governor about Evans?
Answer:
McLeery had spotted Evans drive off along Elsfield Way. They had got the number of the car and had given chase immediately. But they had lost track and assumed that Evans must have come back into the city.

Question 8.
Who do you think made the call to announce a correction in the question paper? What was its purpose?
Answer:
One of Evans’ accomplices would have called impersonating as the Assistant Secretary from the examination board. The real purpose was to include information about the escape plan.

Question 9.
What could the Governor have done to securely bring Evans back to the prison from the ‘Golden Lion’?
Answer:
The Governor could have brought the police force with him. Another thing that he could have done was to travel in the van that was taking Evans back to the prison. He should have also checked the credentials of the officials escorting him to the prison.

Question 10.
How does Evans escape from the jail?
Answer:
Evans decided to appear for O-level Examination in German. For the same, the Governor sought permission from the Board. McLeery the parson from St. Mary Mags came to invigilate.

In reality, he was an accomplice of Evans and had imprisoned the real parson. In the cell, the two exchange places. This was made possible because Evans had covered himself in a blanket. At the end of the exam, Evans walks out a free man disguised as the parson.

Question 11.
How did the Governor, Oxford Prison describe Evans to the Secretary Examination Board?
OR
What opinion of Evans did the prison authorities convey to the Secretary, Education Board?
Answer:
The Governor describes Evans to be a pleasant sort of a chap. He calls him one of the stars at Christmas concert. The Governor further says that Evans is not a violent person and his only vice is that he is a congenital kleptomaniac.

Question 12.
What was his German teacher’s opinion of Evans’ proficiency in German?
Answer:
Evans’ German teacher was doubtful of Evans’ language ability. He felt that Evans could not even understand basic pleasantries in German.

Question 13.
Which article in McLeery’s suitcase played perhaps the most significant role in
Evans’ escape and how?
Answer:
The semi-inflated ring that carried the pig’s blood to feign injury was the article that played a significant role in Evans’ escape. Also, there was the question paper that provided the escape plan while misguiding the jail authorities who moved in a totally different direction.

Evans Tries an O-level Long Answer Questions

Question 1.
What kind of a person was the governor of the prison in ‘Evans tries an O-level’?
Mention any four lapses in his arrangement for Evans’ O-level exam that helped Evans escape?
Answer:
The Governor of Oxford prison has been characterised as an intelligent and able prison officer, but in the end, he turned out to be a ‘good-for-a-giggle-Governor’. The Governor tries to exert all caution but Evans eventually manages to escape. This was mainly due to the lapses in communication and execution of work.

• He did not verify the credibility of the German teacher.
• Also, no one checked the identity of the injured person and eventually, it is found out that the injured ‘McLeery’ was in fact Evans.
• ‘McLeery’ had a tube with pig blood in it. It was successfully smuggled inside the prison because prison officials were credulous and believed what McLeery said rather than check the tube thoroughly.
• Though McLeery is thoroughly searched, things like beard and a double set of clothes are not revealed.

Question 2.
What purpose did the question paper and the correction slip serve? How did they help both the criminal and the Governor?
Answer:
The real purpose of the cleverly superimposed photocopied sheet on the question paper was to give the final details of the escape plan to Evans. It was also meant to make the authorities believe that the wounded man was actually ‘McLeery’ and that he wanted to help them rearrest the escaped prisoner.

At 9.40 a.m., the Governor got a call from the Assistant Secretary with a special responsibility for modern languages regarding a correction in the question paper. Presumably, it was an accomplice of Evans in the office of the Secretary of the Examinations Board, who wanted to tell Evans that after his escape from the prison, he should go to Hotel Golden Lions.

The information was meant for the Governor also. The Governor thought about the six-digit reference (index number and centre no. put the two together and with the help of ‘Ordinance Survey Map for Oxfordshire’ reached the hotel. Leaving the question paper behind was certainly not a careless blunder. Everything was a part of the master plan to confound the prison authorities, particularly the Governor. He was allowed to trace Evans because the planners knew that they had a cover for every eventuality and in the long run, Evans leaves the Governor wringing his hands and runs away.

Question 3.
How was the ‘injured’ McLeery able to befool the prison officers?
Answer:
Injured McLeery spoke slowly and in broken phrases that he knew where Evans was. He asked the prison officers to get the police and not to worry about the ambulance. He found the German question paper on the table. He told Jackson to get the Governor. He drew the attention of the Governor to the German text on photocopied sheet on the last page. The Governor slowly translated it. The words from Elsfield Way drive to the Headington roundabout caught his attention.

The Examination Board was in Elsfield Way. Meanwhile, the police arrived. Before the Governor could explain anything, McLeery told the officer to go Elsfield Way. The Governor told Detective Superintendent Carter to take the injured McLeery with him. McLeery was helped inside the car. He helped the police to follow the direction indicated in the German text, all the while laughing at their credulous nature, for he was in fact Evans.

 

A learner needs to read stories thoroughly and accurately to score better in CBSE Class 12 English exams. NCERT Solutions for Class 12 English Vistas Chapter 7 Evans Tries an O-level has been answered by experts to ensure that the story can be easily understood. 

Class 12 English NCERT Solutions Flamingo and Vistas

English is a difficult subject for many to learn. Some students may become frustrated and give up, but the NCERT Solutions for Class 12 English Textbook Questions and Answers of Flamingo and Vistas can help you maintain your momentum! This NCERT Solutions for Class 12 English Flamingo and Vistas will provide all the necessary information needed to study English successfully at home or school.

NCERT Solutions for Class 12 English Flamingo

NCERT Solutions for Class 12 English Flamingo Prose

• Chapter 1 The Last Lesson
  • About the author, Alphonse Daude
  • Class 12 English The Last Lessons Sample Questions
• Chapter 2 Lost Spring NCERT Solutions
• Chapter 3 Deep Water NCERT Solutions
  • About the author, William Douglas (1898 – 1980)
• Chapter 4 The Rattrap NCERT Solutions
  • The Rattrap Class 12 English sample questions
• Chapter 5 Indigo NCERT Solutions
• Chapter 6 Poets and Pancakes Class 12 English NCERT Solutions
• Chapter 7 The Interview Class 12 English NCERT Solutions
• Chapter 8 Going Places Class 12 English Flamingo NCERT Solutions

NCERT Solutions for Class 12 English Flamingo Poetry

• Poem 1 My Mother at Sixty-six Class 12 English Flamingo NCERT Solutions
  • Poem 1 My Mother at Sixty-six author, Kamala Das
• Poem 2 An Elementary School Classroom in a Slum Class 12 English NCERT Solutions
  • Author, Stephen Spender
  • An Elementary School Classroom In A Slum Poem Analysis
• Poem 3 Keeping Quiet Class 12 English NCERT Solutions
  • Keeping Quiet Poem Analysis
  • Sample questions
• Poem 4 A Thing of Beauty
  • A Thing Of Beauty Poem Analysis
• Poem 5 A Roadside Stand
• Poem 6 Aunt Jennifer’s Tigers
  • Aunt Jennifer’s Tigers Poem Analysis

NCERT Solutions for Class 12 English Vistas

• Chapter 1 The Third Level
• Chapter 2 The Tiger King
• Chapter 3 Journey to the end of the Earth
• Chapter 4 The Enemy
• Chapter 5 Should Wizard hit Mommy
• Chapter 6 On the face of It
• Chapter 7 Evans Tries an O-level
• Chapter 8 Memories of Childhood

A learner needs to read lessons thoroughly and accurately to score better in CBSE Class 12 English exams. NCERT Solutions for Class 12 English Flamingo and Vistas has been answered by experts to ensure that the lessons can be easily understood. 

NCERT Solutions for Class 12 English Vistas Chapter 6 On the face of It is a detailed account of what you will learn in Class 12 English Vistas Chapter 6 On the face of It. To successfully pass CBSE Class 12 English exam and get an excellent grade on your report card at the end of it all you need a thorough understanding and comprehension of NCERT Solutions for Class 12 English Vistas Chapter 6 On the face of It which we have made sure covers everything important!

On the face of It NCERT Solutions for Class 12 English Vistas Chapter 6

On the face of It NCERT Text Book Questions and Answers

On the face of It Read and Find out

Question 1.
Who is Mr Lamb? How does Derry get into his garden?
Answer:
Mr Lamb is an old man. Probably, he had served in the army where one of his legs was blown off in the war. Now, he has a tin leg. He stays in a big house and has a garden. He even keeps the gate of his garden open. Everyone is welcome in his garden. Most of his time is spent in reading books or sitting in the garden.

Mr Lamb has adjusted himself with his physical impairment, and had rather got over it with the passage of time. He has learnt how to keep himself steady on the ladder while plucking apples from the branches. Children call him ‘Lamey-Lamb’ when he goes down the street but he is undisturbed, taking it as fun. Thus, they are not afraid of him. They come into his garden for apples and pears. So, Mr Lamb has a jolly good time. Derry gets into his garden by climbing the wall even though the gate is open. Perhaps, he does not want to be noticed by the people while entering through the gate.

Question 2.
Do you think all this will change Derry’s attitude towards Mr Lamb?
Answer:
Before coming into contact with Mr Lamb, Derry showed signs of loneliness and disillusionment. He felt alienated due to the behaviour of the people. Initially, he thought Mr Lamb was like other people, so he drew back from him. But he found Mr Lamb to be different from others. Mr Lamb said peculiar things which Derry was unable to comprehend, yet he felt that these things did matter.

Mr Lamb was able to inspire in him self-confidence and the determination to overcome his physical impairment. Derry, who regarded Mr Lamb as a crazy old man, initially was filled with love and admiration for him towards the end of the play. This is quite obvious as he wept over the death of Mr Lamb.

On the face of It Reading with Insight

Question 1.
What is it that draws Derry towards Mr Lamb inspite of himself?
Answer:
Mr Lamb boosted Derry’s morale through his talk. He made him realise that there was more to life than being stuck on with a handicap or a burnt face. The ridicule of the . people did not matter. Life is a challenge and one should face it. It is important to move on in life and have a positive attitude in life. We should not be affected by the petty prejudices and reaction of other individuals.

Question 2.
In which section of the play does Mr Lamb display signs of loneliness and disappointment? What are the ways in which Mr Lamb tries to overcome these feelings?
Answer:
At the end of the play, Mr Lamb shows signs of loneliness and disillusionment. Derry desires to go back home otherwise his mother would be worried. However, he promises to come back. Left isolated, Mr Lamb says to himself, “We all know. I’ll come back. They never do, though. Not them. Never do come back.” We discover Mr Lamb showing signs of loneliness and disappointment.

However, these feelings do not overpower him. He has evolved certain ways to overcome his feelings. He has reconciled himself to live , with his physical impairment. He has accepted the reality of having a tin leg. Thus, he doesn’t get disturbed when children call him ‘Lamey-Lamb’. Instead, he feels amused and regards it as a game. Likewise, he spends time by sitting in his garden or reading books. The gate of his garden is always open. Children could come there for apples, pears and toffees. Everyone who wanted to come to his garden was welcome.

Question 3.
The actual pain or inconvenience caused by a physical impairment is often much less than the sense of alienation felt by the person with disabilities. What is the kind of behaviour that the person expects from others?
Answer:
A disabled person is regarded as an outcaste. People do sympathise with him. However, they are not accepted in the mainstream life. The disabled person feels alienated from the society. The feeling of alienation is truly more depressing than the actual pain or inconvenience as a result of physical impairment. A physically impaired person wants others to regard him as a human being and not as an object of pity.

He does not like others to be overprotective towards him. He does not even want any special treatment. He puts in extra labour to make up for his physical impairment. He even expects people to provide him an opportunity to explore and prove his worth rather than just discarding him as a useless person.

Question 4.
Will Derry get back to his old seclusion or will Mr Lamb’s brief association effect a change in the kind of life he will lead in the future?
Answer:
Mr Lamb’s brief link with Derry was a turning point in the life of Derry. Before meeting Mr Lamb, he led a secluded life due to the behaviour of the people. People would get horrified and withdraw as they looked at his burnt face. So he began to avoid people and lived in seclusion. He came to Mr Lamb’s garden stealthily by climbing the walls even though the gate was open as he did not like to be seen by people. Over there, he came in contact with Mr Lamb, who like him, was physically impaired.

Mr Lamb had a tin leg as the real one was blown off in the war. Mr Lamb who was like him had inspired Derry to face the world inspite of his physical impairment. Instead of brooding over his burnt face, he should regard himself lucky that he had got two arms, two legs, and eyes and ears, a tongue and a brain. If he set a goal to do something, his burnt face would not stand in the way and he could do even better than all others. So Mr Lamb infused a new spirit and zest of life in Derry who now got a new meaning to his life. This was evident from the fact that he went back to Mr Lamb’s garden despite stiff resistance from his mother.

On the face of It Extra Questions and Answers

On the face of It Short Answer Questions

Question 1.
How does Mr Lamb keep himself busy when it is a bit cool?
Answer:
Mr Lamb collects crab apples and makes jelly out of them, when it is cooler. He leaves his gates open to welcome whoever wishes to come into the garden.

Question 2.
Why does Derry tell Mr Lamb that he is afraid of seeing himself in the mirror in the story, ‘On the Face of It’?
Answer:
Derry’s face had become scarred due to acid burns. This terrified him and brought in bad memories of the incident. In order to avoid them, he avoided seeing himself in the mirror.

Question 3.
Mr Lamb’s advice to Derry was the product of his goodness of heart or to befriend him to overcome his loneliness. Give reason.
Answer:
Mr Lamb genuinely liked Derry and wanted him to overcome his inhibitions towards life. He did not want the boy to suffer and have a poor self-esteem because he had a burnt face. He gave his example only for him to understand what can be done to overcome loneliness and to make him understand that a disability should not stop one from enjoying life.

Question 4.
People are insensitive to those who have disabilities. Give instances from the story, ‘On the Face of It’.
Answer:
People generally pity the handicapped or react with disgust when they see them. For instance, people would stare at the burnt face of Derry and comment on it. He even heard two women commenting, looking at his face that only a mother could love a person with such a face. Even his own family was worried about his future. Similarly, Mr Lamb was also stared at by people, and children even called him Lamey-Lamb.

Question 5.
How does Mr Lamb try to remove the baseless fears of Derry?
Answer:
Mr Lamb gave confidence and courage to Derry. He suggested that Derry should get over his physical impairment instead of brooding over his burnt face. He told Derry that he still has two hands, legs, eyes, a tongue and a brain, and if he puts them to right use by setting his mind to it, he can get on better than all the rest.

Question 6.
What did Derry’s mother think of Mr Lamb?
Answer:
Derry’s mother did not have a good impression of Mr Lamb. She thought he was not a good man. She did not want Derry to associate with him in any way.

Question 7.
What consolation did people give when they saw his acid burnt face?
Answer:
Derry’s face was burnt by acid on one side. When people looked at his face, they drew back in horror. They pretended to show sympathy as if he was an object.

Question 8.
Mr Lamb told Derry the story of a man who hid himself in his room. Why did the man do so and with what result?
Answer:
The man was afraid of everything. He felt that he would die if he went out and so he hid himself in a room. In the end, a picture fell off the wall on his head and killed him.

Question 9.
Why does Mr Lamb leave his gate always open?
Answer:
Mr Lamb leaves his gate always open to welcome children. He did not have his own children. He has an apple orchard. He offered them apples and its jelly.

Question 10.
What peculiar things does Derry notice about the old man, Lamb?
Answer:
Unlike the other people, who were horrified on looking at Derry, Mr Lamb did not show any dislike or horror at the way Derry looked. This surprised him. He also found it strange that even though the man himself was handicapped, he lived happily. He had a zest for life and encouraged him in ways no one had. He made him aware of his strengths and the importance of not pitying oneself.

Question 11.
If you were to give a different ending to the story ‘On the Face of It’, how would you end it?
Answer:
The story could end on a happy note. In another ending, Derry sees Mr Lamb on the ground, rushes to him and sees that he is hurt. He rushes for help and is finally able to get some help in order to revive the old man. Mr Lamb is happy to see that Derry had overcome his inhibitions and rushed to bring help for him. In the next spring season, not only Derry and Mr Lamb, but other children are also seen in Mr Lamb’s garden, happy and collecting crab apples together.

Question 12.
How does Derry interpret the fairy tale ‘Beauty and the Beast’? What does he feel about himself?
Answer:
Derry knows that the theme of the fairy tale is to love inner beauty of a person, irrespective of the outside appearances. However, Derry thinks it to be all a farce. He finds the whole idea of transformation into a prince, unrealistic. He is very pessimistic and fears that he would have to live alone for the rest of his life. In his fight with the world, he has forgotten to appreciate and love himself. He has forgotten that appearances are secondary.

Question 13.
How does Mr Lamb react when Derry enters his garden?
Answer:
Lamb is an open-minded man. His broadmindedness makes him welcome Derry to his garden. As he stays alone, Lamb is happy to get someone to talk to in his loneliness. He treats Derry as his friend and speaks freely with him.

Question 14.
What kind of garden does Mr Lamb have? Why does he like it?
Answer:
The garden of Mr Lamb was unkempt. There were both plants and weeds present. There were crab apple trees with golden and orange ripe apples ready for plucking. There were beehives too. The gate remained open as everyone was welcomed to give solace to him in his loneliness. He enjoyed the warm sunshine and nature there.

Question 15.
How do people react to Derry’s face?
Answer:
When people see Derry’s face, they pity on him. They say that it is the ugliest thing they have seen and run away from him. They don’t wish to speak to him or be friends with him.

Question 16.
How do people console Derry when they look at his face?
Answer:
People used to console Derry by saying that it is not how you look, but it is how you are inside that matters. Handsome is as handsome does. They used to tell him about the fairy tale, ‘Beauty and the Beast’ that how when beauty kissed the beast, he turned into a handsome prince.

Question 17.
Why does Mr Lamb say, “So you are not lost, are you? Not altogether?”
Answer:
Mr Lamb says so in order to make Derry feel that his thinking is not negative when he says that he likes the raindrops on the roof. He says so because Derry always hates people and has lost faith in people. Mr Lamb further comments that some humanness is still left.

Question 18.
Why does Derry’s mother not want him to go back to visit Mr Lamb?
Answer:
Derry’s mother did not want her son to interact with Mr Lamb, or go back to his house because he was new to the place and nobody had any information about his personal and private life. On the contrary, people were heard to be making adverse remarks about Mr Lamb. Lamb was leading a lonely life with no contact with the outside world. Children used to tease him and call him Lamey-Lamb because he was handicapped. The worried mother, therefore, thought that it would not be in the interest of her child to befriend the stranger.

On the face of It Long Answer Questions

Question 1.
Do you think Mr Lamb leaves Derry with a positive frame of mind in the end? Mr Lamb dies but leaves his spirit behind.
OR
Describe how Mr Lamb and Derry’s conversation bring about a change in the views of Derry, towards life.
OR
What benefits did Derry reap from his associations with Mr Lamb?
Answer:
The interaction between Derry and Mr Lamb had been short but the impact on Derry was very powerful. Mr Lamb tried to show Derry that life is much more than his obsession with his disability. It is good to know one’s limitations but limiting oneself because of the limitations is wrong. To prove his point, Mr Lamb gave example of other people’s lives and also his own. He wanted to show that disability is not in the body but in the mind and the moment it engulfs the mind, one loses out on oneself.

Mr Lamb does not ask Derry the reason behind his disfigured face, something which everyone else had done. Mr Lamb’s apparent disregard for his own disability also amazes him. For someone who was fixated with his own disability and who had in fact started pitying himself, it was a shock. Mr Lamb, without overtly advising him, through his actions and behaviour, his benevolent nature and through his optimistic attitude towards life, made Derry realise that there is more to life than being forever concerned with oneself. The old man instilled a new hope in Derry to live life on his own terms.

Question 2.
How did Mr Lamb’s meeting with Derry become a turning point in Derry’s life?
OR
Derry sneaked into Mr Lamb’s garden and it became a turning point in his life. Comment.
Answer:
Mr Lamb turned Derry into a confident boy from a self-pitying one. Both were physically handicapped but had a different outlook towards life. Derry had a pessimistic attitude and felt that life cannot be lived happily with a handicap. Derry was a defiant and withdrawn boy who hated socialising. He felt frustrated with people, their staring and their jibes at him. Meeting Mr Lamb had a positive effect on Derry. Mr Lamb, though handicapped, had a very optimistic outlook towards life. He felt that life can be lived happily irrespective of whatever one’s handicap was.

Derry could be himself in front of Mr Lamb and Mr Lamb never pitied him. Mr Lamb did not have a leg and even then he was happy with his life. He taught Derry to take life the way God had given and live to the full rather than just being forlorn and complain throughout.

Derry made his mother understand that his handicap was something immaterial and would not affect his happiness or hamper his progress in life. Meeting Mr Lamb had in fact led him to turn a new leaf in his life.

Question 3.
Both Derry and Lamb are physically impaired and lonely. It is the responsibility of society to understand and support people with infirmities so that they do not suffer from a sense of alienation. As a responsible citizen, what would you do to bring about a change in the lives of such people?
OR
How is Derry and Mr Lamb’s behaviour and attitude different towards people because of their physical impairment?
Answer:
Derry’s main problem was his burnt face. One side of his face was eaten up by acid. He suffered from a tremendous sense of inferiority complex. He was always conscious that his face was “bad”, “terrible” and “the ugliest thing”. People were “afraid” of him. He tries to escape people. He allows himself to be alienated from the world. On the other hand, Mr Lamb doesn’t allow his physical disability to come in his way. He accepts life as it comes. He has a positive attitude towards life, things and people.

He doesn’t find solace in escapism. Children tease him by calling “Lamey-Lamb” but he doesn’t mind it. One of his legs was blown off in the war. But he is full of life and enjoys it at his best. He enjoys sitting in the sun, reading books and growing weeds and flowers. Derry is withdrawn and defiant. He doesn’t trust people.

He thinks that no one will ever love and kiss him except his own mother. He can’t stand people staring at him or passing uncharitable remarks. He is touchy and hypersensitive. Mr Lamb is open- minded and open-hearted. All were welcome in his house. He loves everybody and everything. He teaches Derry how to handle people and things.

Question 4.
The lesson, ‘On the Face of It’ is an apt depiction of the loneliness and sense of alienation experienced by people on account of a disability. Explain.
OR
Both Derry and Lamb are victims of physical impairment, but much more painful for them is the feeling of loneliness. Comment.
Answer:
Man is vain, selfish and prejudiced. He does not cherish anything that is incomplete or impaired. This nature of man, creates a vaccum in the life of human beings who are handicapped, for no fault of theirs. A war veteran, an accident victim, a polio affected, or a person born handicapped is looked upon by the so called ‘Normal’ people with a false sense of sympathy, disgust or repulsion. As a result, the injury that is physical becomes secondary to the injury that is caused to the mind, and psyche of the person. They become pessimistic, feel lonely and alienated.

Question 5.
Mr Lamb and Derry are two different sides of the same coin. Do you agree? Justify your answer with evidence from the text.
Answer:
Both, Mr Lamb and Derry suffered from physical impairment and both were lonely. Lamb was optimistic but Derry was pessimistic. Lamb ignored his challenge while Derry magnified his ugly look. Lamb was not concerned about what people say while Derry was very much taken up by the signs of fear and desire to avoid him, from people. He did not like being pitied when people called him ‘poor boy’ or gave him uncalled for advice. Even when Derry’s mother kissed him only on the right side, he felt that she did that out of sheer duty.

Lamb had positive attitude towards life. He did not mind people calling him ‘Lamey-Lamb’. He did not want to shut out the world or have the bitterness and hatred that Derry had. Lamb taught Derry the art of discovering beauty and leading a happy life. All these qualities of each made them different from the other.

Question 6.
Optimism in one’s attitude helps deal with all the challenges of life. Prove the statement by referring to the character Mr Lamb from the chapter, ‘On the Face of It’.
Answer:
Mr Lamb is an apostle of optimist, enthusiasm and hope. He is different from Derry. Though both are suffering from physical impairment, yet the latter is full of optimism and zest. People call him ‘Lamey-Lamb’ but he never reacts to it. He is a warehouse of knowledge. Although he lives alone, he keeps himself busy reading books. He enjoys sitting in the sun. He makes toffees and jellies. He is a nature lover. He has an open approach towards life. “The gates are open” shows his welcoming nature.

He is an inspiring and practical man. Mr Lamb is a person with high self-esteem and positive approach. Though he too feels alienated and lonely, he never lets it know to anyone. He is an extrovert. He guides Derry to face the challenges of life by accepting it. He helps gloomy and defiant Derry to come out of his cocoon by his witty remarks. This optimistic protagonist really catches the attention of the readers towards them.

 

A learner needs to read stories thoroughly and accurately to score better in CBSE Class 12 English exams. NCERT Solutions for Class 12 English Vistas Chapter 6 On the face of It has been answered by experts to ensure that the story can be easily understood. 

NCERT Solutions for Class 12 English Vistas Chapter 5 Should Wizard hit Mommy is a detailed account of what you will learn in Class 12 English Vistas Chapter 5 Should Wizard hit Mommy. To successfully pass CBSE Class 12 English exam and get an excellent grade on your report card at the end of it all you need a thorough understanding and comprehension of NCERT Solutions for Class 12 English  Vistas Chapter 5 Should Wizard hit Mommy which we have made sure covers everything important!

Should Wizard hit Mommy NCERT Solutions for Class 12 English Flamingo Chapter 5

Should Wizard hit Mommy NCERT Text Book Questions and Answers

Should Wizard hit Mommy Think as you read

Question 1.
Who is Jo? How does she respond to her father’s story-telling?
Answer:
Jo was a four-year-old, who loved listening to her father’s stories. Jo would be immensely engrossed in the story. She liked the way her father told the story, particularly the dramatisation and the various gestures and voice modulations. The whole story would unfold slowly in front of her and the characters would come alive. She would twitch and twist in delight and feel upset when the character was upset. She loved the predictability in her father’s stories.

Question 2.
What possible plot line could the story continue with?
Answer:
From the perspective of Jo, the story should have ended with a happy note of Roger Skunk getting rid of the foul smell forever and being able to play with all other children. However, from the perspective of Jack, the story may not have such an innocent fairy tale ending. In the process of story telling, it was evident that Jack got nostalgic about his own childhood and his mother. Thus, he brought in his own perspective.

His sense of belongingness to his mother and his experience of dealing with reality resulted in a mature and compromising end, where the reality limited the scope of fiction. As he associated himself with Roger Skunk of his story, he avoided getting into the problematic situation of identity crisis and of blaming his mother.

Question 3.
What do you think was Jo’s problem?
Answer:
Little Jo was accustomed to the happy ending of the stories of Roger, where the wizard . was helpful to him in fulfilling his wish. At the request of Roger Skunk, the wizard had changed his awful smell to that of the roses. Other small animals liked it and played with Roger Skunk happily. She could not digest the ending of the extended story where Roger Skunk’s mother hit the wizard on the head and forced him to change Skunk’s smell to the earlier foul one.

Jo insisted that her father should tell her the same story again the next day with changed ending. She wanted the wizard to hit that unreasonable mommy and leave Roger Skunk emitting the pleasant smell of roses. She could not digest the harsh realities of life.

Should Wizard hit Mommy Reading with Insight

Question 1.
What is the moral issue that the story raises?
Answer:
The moral issue of the story is the conflict between two generations on what is right. It is about whether a child or an adult decides the future of a child. Is it ok for an adult to take all the decisions on behalf of a child or would it kill the curiosity and the will of the child to learn

Question 2.
How does Jo want the story to end and why?
Answer:
In Jack’s story, the protagonist, Roger Skunk, is shown as an obedient child. He meekly goes with his mother to get his previous smell back. This was against his wishes and he would have rather wished the smell of roses, since it would have enabled him to have friends to play with. Jo is a child and from a child’s perspective, playing with friends is very important. Therefore, she wanted it to end with Roger Skunk smelling like roses and being able to play with his friends. She also wanted the wizard to hit the mother.

Question 3.
Why does Jack insist that it was the wizard that was hit and not the mother?
Answer:
Jack has the typical parental attitude. He is of the opinion that the parents know what is the best for their children. He asserts the parental authority to stifle her objections and amendments to the story of the foul smelling Skunk related by him. He defends the attitude of Roger Skunk’s mother. She does not approve of the unnatural, unskunk like smell that Roger has. She calls the sweet smell of the roses an awful smell. Earlier, the little Skunk smelled the way a little Skunk should.

She wants the natural characteristic – the foul smell – restored. He says that she knew what is right. Secondly, the little Skunk loved his mommy more than he loved all the other animals. That is why, he took his mommy to the wizard. She hit the wizard and forced him to change the smell of roses to his earlier bad odour. He is insisting on this ending to emphasise the concern of the parents for children and their role in bringing them up on proper lines.

Question 4.
What makes Jack feel caught in an ugly middle position?
Answer:
Jack could not decide what was right. Do parents have the right to decide about the future of their children? Or should the children be allowed to decide their own career? When his pregnant wife wants his attention and his daughter also wants him, he is torn between the two. He is also torn between the imaginative world (of the various Rogers and their problems; the owl and the wizard) that he has created for his daughter and the real world full of responsibilities.

Question 5.
What is your stance regarding the two endings to the Roger Skunk’s story?
Answer:
In Jack’s story, the protagonist, Roger Skunk, is shown as an obedient young one. He . meekly goes with his mother to get his original smell back. This was against his wishes and he would have rather wished the smell of roses, since it would have enabled him to have friends to play with.

Jo is a child and from a child’s perspective, playing with friends is very important. Therefore, she wanted it to end it with Roger Skunk smelling like roses and being able to play with his friends. She also wanted the wizard to hit the mother.
Jo’s story is more to do with poetic justice, where all wishes are fulfilled and everyone is happy.

Jack’s story talks about how the world is full of individual differences and how important it is to preserve one’s identity. It also shows parents in the limelight rather than the child. Jack’s story stresses on the importance of parents knowing what is good or bad for the child, irrespective of what the child feels. It also looks at the philosophical aspect of accepting life with all its good and bad aspects.

Question 6.
Why is an adult’s perspective on life different from that of a child’s?
Answer:
The story, “Should Wizard Hit Mommy?” written by John Updike, revolves around the conflicting views of a child and a parent on the child’s future. Parents express their own expectations. They desire that their children should grow up as per their expectations. However, children have their own ambitions and aspirations.

Jack used to tell bedtime stories to his little daughter Jo. When she grew a little older, she asked a number of questions. For some time, Jack was not able to invent new stories. Thus, the basic story was the same, but its hero changed. The hero, a small animal known as Roger, meets a wizard. The wizard solved the problem with his magic wand. Roger felt good.

He played along with animals of the woodland. But when his father used to come back, he went back home to have supper with him. Jo feels happy with this ending. Later, her father told the story of a little animal called Roger Skunk. Just like other heroes of his stories, even Skunk has a problem. He used to smell awfully bad. The wizard made him smell like roses, and little animals began to like him and played with him. Jo was again happy. However, Skunk’s mother wanted Skunk to smell as he used to smell.

She took him back to the wizard. The wizard again made Skunk smell as awful as ever. Skunk’s mother was happy. However, Jo was not happy. She desired that wizard should hit the stupid mother. However, Jack defended the mother’s action.The story, thus, tells us the difference in the perspectives of adults and that of children. Adults normally accept things as they exist. They do not have the zeal to change the way they live. But children have ideals, are progressive and they desire to pursue their ideals.

Should Wizard hit Mommy Extra Questions and Answers

Should Wizard hit Mommy Short Answer Questions

Question 1.
Why did Roger Skunk go in search of the wizard?
OR
Why did Roger Skunk go to the wizard?
Answer:
Roger Skunk had no friends to play with, since he smelled very bad. Everybody made fun of him. This upset him. He went to the owl to ask for help, who directed him to the wizard.

Question 2.
How did the Skunk’s mother get Roger Skunk’s old smell back?
Answer:
Roger Skunk’s mother went to the wizard and hit him on his head and asked him to give back Roger Skunk’s smell. The wizard obliged and gave the baby skunk’s smell back.

Question 3.
What help did Roger Skunk get from the wizard?
Answer:
The wizard helped Roger Skunk by casting a spell onhim, which made him smell like roses. This helped Roger Skunk get friends to play with and made him happy.

Question 4.
Why did Jo disapprove of Jack’s ending of the story of Roger Skunk? How did she want it to end?
Answer:
In Jack’s story, the protagonist, Roger Skunk, is shown as an obedient child. He meekly goes with his mother to get his previous smell back. This was against his wishes and he would have rather wished the smell of roses, since it would have enabled him to have friends to play with. Jo is a child and from a child’s perspective, playing with friends is very important. Therefore, she wanted it to end it with Roger Skunk smelling like roses and being able to play with his friends. She also wanted the wizard to hit the mother.

Question 5.
What impression do you form of Jack as a father in the story, ‘Should Wizard Hit Mommy?’
Answer:
Jack is portrayed as a loving father, who loves telling stories to his four-year-old daughter, Jo. He brings in the dramatic element in his otherwise lame and boring story by using a lot of gestures and dramatic voices. This thrills his daughter, which eventually thrills him. Everything is fine till one day his daughter starts questioning his stories. She views each statement that her father makes with a critical eye and has a lot of questions. Instead of pacifying her by answering her questions, Jack tried to enforce his views on her. Therefore, we can say that Jack is loving and responsible but slightly an immature father.

Question 6.
Why did Jo think Roger Skunk was better off with the new smell?
Answer:
Jo thought about Roger Skunk and his wish to smell better in order to play with his friends from a child’s perspective. For her, it was important that wishes are fulfilled, and a wish of being able to play was foremost.

Question 7.
Why was Roger Skunk’s mummy angry with him? What did she finally tell him?
Answer:
Roger Skunk’s mother was angry with him since he no longer smelled the way all skunks smelled. Though the other animals felt it to be a stink, for her it was an identity. Finally, she asked Roger Skunk to go along with her to the wizard to revoke the spell.

Question 8.
How did Roger Skunk pay the wizard?
Answer:
Roger Skunk only had four shillings to pay the wizard. The wizard wanted seven shillings. On seeing Roger Skunk’s sad face, the wizard takes pity on him and directs him for the remaining three shillings. Roger Skunk goes in search of them and eventually pays the wizard the money.

Question 9.
What did Jo want Roger Skunk’s mother to be punished for?
Answer:
Jo believed that the mother was insensitive, cruel and unfair. Roger Skunk’s mother didn’t let him retain the smell of roses which he had got from the wizard. It would have helped him make friends.

Question 10.
Which do you think is a better ending of Roger Skunk’s story, Jo’s or her father’s? Why?
Answer:
A better ending of Roger Skunk’s story would have been Jo’s—for Roger Skunk to smell like roses forever. The mother need not have interfered in the matter. Roger Skunk would have, over a period of time, understood himself whether it was right or wrong. I believe that Jo’s idea of the wizard hitting the mother is wrong, just like it was wrong on the part of the mother to hit the wizard.

Question 11.
What was the basic plot of each story told by Jack?
Answer:
The basic plot of the Jack’s story was about a small creature, named Roger, who had a problem and he went to a wise owl to solve it. The owl guided him to a wizard, who found the solution after asking for more money than Roger had but he told Roger where to find the money. All the stories had a happy ending with Roger’s father coming home to Boston.

Question 12.
Having got rid of his stink, what problem did Roger Skunk face?
Answer:
Roger Skunk’s smell of roses was not liked by his mother. She wanted to know who had changed his original smell. She went to the wizard with an umbrella and hit the wizard right over his head. Roger Skunk then was given back his former smell.

Question 13.
What problem did Roger Skunk face when he went to play with his friends? How did he solve it?
Answer:
Roger Skunk smelt so bad that none of the other woodland creatures would play with him. They would make fun of him and call him ‘Roger stinky skunk’ and run away. He would just stand there alone and cry. He went to the owl, sitting on a big tree and was asked to go to the wizard’s house near a river. On his request, his smell was changed into that of roses.

Question 14.
What is mother Skunk’s role in the story?
Answer:
Mother Skunk is there to make Roger realise the importance of originality, individuality and identity. Roger Skunk is not to be ashamed of his natural attributes. She is also a decisive and protective parent, who does not hesitate to hit the wizard on his head for this reason.

Question 15.
Give an example to show that Jo was a sensitive child.
Answer:
When Jo’s father started telling how all the other animals used to tease Roger Skunk and would run away leaving him alone, Jo felt the pain felt by Roger Skunk and became sad and tears rolled down from her eyes.

Question 16.
What story did Jo want to hear the next day and why? What was father’s reaction to it?
Answer:
Jo wanted to listen that wizard hits the mommy straight into the middle of her head because Jo, being a four-year-old girl, always lived in a rose-tinted world. For the wizard, mommy is not a good mommy, who is hitting the wizard for changing his smell. Jack’s reaction was one of the disdains. He was in a dilemma what to do.

Should Wizard hit Mommy Long Answer Questions

Question 1.
Roger Skunk’s mother hit the wizard on his head. Do you think it was right on her part to do so? Should the wizard hit Roger Skunk’s mother?
Answer:
Roger Skunk’s mother was angry at the wizard for changing the smell of her young one. The smell was what made a skunk different from the other animals. In fact, this was what created the individuality which she was so proud of. For her, it was more important to retain that individual characteristic rather than having friends. So when the wizard changed Roger Skunk’s smell into the beautiful smell of roses, it made her very angry. In her anger and without waiting for any justification from her son, she marched towards the wizard’s house, hit him on his head and demanded the young Skunk to be given back its smell.

In my opinion, it was wrong on the part of Roger Skunk’s mother to hit the wizard, since the wizard did not force Roger to change his smell and was in fact abiding by his wishes, trying to make him happy. Instead of checking up on the reason, she went and hit, which I believe was absolutely wrong. She could have instead talked and sorted it out with him.

No, it would be wrong for the wizard to hit Roger Skunk’s mother. First, her actions were a result of her love for her young one. Second, hitting in response would have only made it a bigger issue and then there would have been no end to the whole thing.

Question 2.
Draw the character sketch of Jack.
Answer:
Jack is the protagonist of the story, ‘Should Wizard Hit Mommy?’ This story examines the issue of parenting, the adult tendency to suppress the curiosity of a child and the belief that the viewpoint of the adult represents the only valid one. Jack is conscious of his duties as a father and husband. He had been telling stories to his daughter Jo since she was two years old, before her Saturday and evening naps, but now two and a half years later, he was fatigued and confused by her constant questioning, pointing out errors (Roger fish instead of skunk), asking for clarifications and suggesting alternatives. He has the typical parental attitude and opinion that parents know what is best for their children and stifles her objections and amendments shown by his defending the skunk’s mother (and indirectly his own). Jack feels caught in an ugly middle position physically,

emotionally and mentally. He did not like women to take anything for granted, to the extent that he extends the story, changing the ending, giving it the face that he wants to. Jack is someone who is not used to his authority being questioned and so is confused by Jo’s questioning. Though a loving parent, he finds it hard to accept the fact that Jo now has a mind of her own. His insensitivity and impatience comes across in his dealings with his daughter, and the fact that an adult’s viewpoint is different from a child’s perspective.

Question 3.
Why does Jo want that the wizard should hit the mommy? Does her stand reflect a child’s perspective on life? What is your choice?
Answer:
Children look at the world from a different perspective. They look at people and things quite differently than the way adults do. Their perspective on life reflects simplicity and innocence. Jo has deep sympathy for Roger Skunk. Roger’s bad smell kept all little animals away from him. The little Skunk stood alone and wept. The wizard made Roger smell of roses which made him very happy. Other little animals were now attracted towards him. They now played and danced with him.

Jo’s main anger is against the Roger Skunk’s stupid mommy. It was she who forced the wizard to make Roger Skunk smell very bad again. The hero of the story is always a role model for children. The tender-hearted Jo is shocked at the attitude of the ‘stupid’ mommy. She wants Roger’s mommy to be punished. The wizard must hit on her head hard with his magic wand.

I think Roger’s mother doesn’t deserve such a bad punishment. For her, Roger must smell like her young one. She is shocked when he starts smelling of roses. A mother always loves her child. His complexion and smell don’t count for her at all. Her love transcends all such minor things.

Question 4.
Do you think Jack shared an affinity with Roger Skunk? Explain.
Answer:
No, Jack did not share any affinity with Roger Skunk. Jo’s constant question and her non acceptance of Jack’s ending of the story appears to be a threat to his authority. He believes that adults know best! Jack feels threatened by Jo’s attitude and when he finds that she is restless after he has come downstairs, he uses the ultimate weapon of adult authority—does she want him to spank her, he asks.

He is reminded of his own upbringing. He was told that Mother is always right. So, the message is clear—adults know best. He tries to enforce his views on her. He has the typical parental attitude and opinion that parents know what is best for their children and stifles her objections and amendments shown by his defending the Skunk’s mother (and indirectly his own).

Question 5.
What made Jack realise that his custom of telling a story was turning futile?
Answer:
Jack had been telling bedtime stories and Saturday nap time stories since his daughter, Jo was two. Now, she was four. All these years, she never questioned anything and would go off to sleep listening to the story. Through his stories, he also wanted to inculcate his values in her and this included not questioning anything. However, Jo had started questioning everything.

Now, she questioned not only the story but also every statement that her parents made. She had also developed a critical eye for the things. All this made Jack realise that his custom of story-telling was turning futile.

Question 6.
At the end of the story-telling session, why does Jack consider himself ‘caught in an ugly middle position’?
Answer:
Jack was in the habit of telling stories to his child Joanne during the evenings and on Saturday afternoons. The story on that particular day was about Roger Skunk, who is shown to be a meek and obedient child. According to the story, Skunk, who smelt dirty, was transformed by a wizard who makes him smell like roses.

Mother Skunk is livid, she goes to the wizard, slaps him, and orders him to restore the smell of her child. Joanne did not approve of the ending. It was for the first time that she was opposing her father. That is why, Jack considers himself‘caught in an ugly middle position’.

Question 7.
How does Jo show her independent thinking in the story, ‘Should Wizard Hit Mommy’?
Answer:
Jo shows her interest in the story right from the beginning. When he selected the ‘Skunk’, she reminded of the creature taught them in the school. She interrupts the normal rhythm of the story asking questions and pacifying her queries. She gives her independent thinking specially when Jo gives the ending to the story.

Being a child of four years old, she thinks that ‘Mommy’ is protective always but when she beats the wizard, who solved the problem of the Skunk by changing him in rose smell, she becomes infuriated and her individual thinking forces her to argue with her father to change the story. Her individuality says that what children demand should be done as children are away from harsh reality. Her independent thinking makes the father disturbed because she lives in a ‘rose-tinted world’. That’s why, she insisted wizard should hit the mommy.

 

A learner needs to read stories thoroughly and accurately to score better in CBSE Class 12 English exams. NCERT Solutions for Class 12 English Vistas Chapter 5 Should Wizard hit Mommy has been answered by experts to ensure that the story can be easily understood. 

English is a difficult subject for many people to learn. Some students may become frustrated and give up, but NCERT Solutions for Class 12 English Flamingo Poem 5 A Roadside Stand can help you maintain your momentum! This Class 12 English Flamingo Poem 5 A Roadside Stand will provide all necessary information needed in order to study Class 12 English successfully at home or school. 

A Roadside Stand NCERT Solutions for Class 12 English Flamingo Poem 5

A Roadside Stand NCERT Text Book Questions and Answers

A Roadside Stand Think it out

Question 1.
The city folk who drove through the countryside hardly paid any heed to the roadside stand or to the people who ran it. If at all they did, it was to complain. Which lines bring this out? What was their complaint about?
Answer:
The city folk who drove through the countryside hardly paid any heed to the roadside stand. If at all they did, it was only to complain. The following lines bring this out. “then out of sorts. At having the landscape marred with the artless paint Of signs that with N turned wrong and S turned wrong”

Question 2.
What was the plea of the folk who had put up the roadside stand?
Answer:
Their complaint was that the artless and clumsy paint painted on the roadside stand spoiled the whole landscape. They were also irritated that even signs like N and S were turned wrong.

Question 3.
The government and other social service agencies appear to help the poor rural people, but actually do them no good. Pick out the words and phrases that the poet uses to show their double standards.
Answer:
The men who put up the roadside stand pleaded pathetically for some customers to come as they wanted to earn money from them. They desired that the city folk passing through the countryside would stop there to buy something from them. It was the intention with which the roadside stand was set up.The government and the party in power were quite indifferent to the welfare of the poor rural people. Even other social service agencies did not do any good to them. The following are the words and phrases that show their double standards:
“While greedy good-doers, beneficent beasts of prey
Swarm over their lives enforcing benefits
That are calculated to soothe them out of their wits,”

Question 4.
What is the ‘childish longing’ that the poet refers to? Why is it ‘vain’?
Answer:
The poet thinks that the people who are running the roadside stand suffer from a childish longing. They are always waiting for their prospective customers. They keep their windows open to attract them. But when no one turns up, they become sad. They are always waiting to hear the squeal of brakes—the sound of a stopping car. But everything goes in vain.

Question 5.
Which lines tell us about the insufferable pain that the poet feels at the thought of the plight of the rural poor?
Answer:
The poet feels that all the pains from which the poor rural people suffer must be removed at one stroke. The following two lines express his feelings:
“I can’t help owning the great relief it would be
To put these people at one stroke out of their pain.”

A Roadside Stand Extra Questions and Answers

A Roadside Stand Short Answer Questions

Question 1.
Why does the poet refer to the roadside stand as pathetic?
Answer:
The poet refers to the roadside stand as pathetic because it looked awkward and unattractive to the eye. Naturally, it failed to attract the sophisticated city people who drove past, without even a second glance.

Question 2.
Who do these pitiful kin refer to? Why will they be mercifully gathered in?
Answer:
These pitiful kin refers to the villagers who have been deprived of their home and land. They will be mercifully gathered in to live in villages near the theatre and the stores.

Question 3.
What is the party in power keeping from these rural poor?
Answer:
The government, and the civic authorities who appear to help them but actually end up harming them are relocating them to the vicinity of the towns near the theatre and the shops which is a great disservice to the people. They will be thus, robbed of their voices and their freedom and ability to find solutions to their problems.

Question 4.
What is the childish longing that the poet refers to? Why is it vain?
Answer:
Childish longing seems to emanate from the roadside shed, for a life that is described in ‘ the movies, a life so far removed from their life in the village. The thoughtless occupants of a car who stop at the shed to buy a gallon of gas, speaks of the disconnect that exists in the perceptions of town people with regard to the villagers.

Question 5.
What does the poet wish he could do for these people? Why does he change his mind?
Answer:
The poem is an expression of the rage that the poet feels on behalf of the farmers, with whom his sympathies lie. Enraged, the poet wishes he could put the farmers out of their pain at one stroke. However, he immediately checks himself and wonders how he would react if someone offered to do the same to him.

Question 6.
What kind of support do the country folks expect to receive from city dwellers?
Answer:
The country folks starved of cash, look for financial support and patronage from city dwellers. They feel that if they could have some cash with them, then they could lead a much better and prosperous life.

Question 7.
How does the poet criticise the city ways?
Answer:
According to the poet, the city folks are mean and selfish. They refuse to extend any kind of support to the rural poor. Although they are rich, yet they are very possessive about their money. The city folks are so carried by their lifestyle that they have no time to stand and appreciate the nature’s beauty. They show no compassion and concern for the poor villagers.

Question 8.
What empty promises are made to the country people?
Answer:
The people in power use the media to assure the country folks that they would be soon pulled out of their poverty. Such tall promises turn out to be false as they are never fulfilled.

Question 9.
Give examples of contrast and irony in the poem.
Answer:
The use of expressions ‘greedy good-doers’ and ‘beneficent beasts of prey’ bring out the use of irony and contrast by the poet.

Question 10.
What is the ‘open prayer’ made by the country folks?
Answer:
The people in the rural areas make an open appeal to the people of the city. The rural folks pray that they should not be so selfish. Instead, they should stop at the roadside stand and help them lead a better life.

Question 11.
State the reasons for which the cars from the city halt at the roadside stand.
Answer:
The people from the city halt their cars at times to plough the grass and use the yard to back and turn around. Sometimes, they stop to ask for the right way and path. At times, they stop to enquire about a gallon of gas.

 

It is important for a learner to read stories thoroughly and accurately in order to score better in Class 12 English exams. NCERT Solutions for Class 12 English Flamingo Poem 5 A Roadside Stand has been given by experts to ensure that the poem can be easily understood. 

English is a difficult subject for many people to learn. Some students may become frustrated and give up, but NCERT Solutions for Class 12 English Flamingo Poem 4 A Thing of Beauty can help you maintain your momentum! This Class 12 English Flamingo Poem 4 A Thing of Beauty will provide all necessary information needed in order to study Class 12 English successfully at home or school. 

A Thing of Beauty NCERT Solutions for Class 12 English Flamingo Poem 4

A Thing of Beauty NCERT Text Book Questions and Answers

A Thing of Beauty Think it out

Question 1.
List the things of beauty mentioned in the poem.
Answer:
The things of beauty that Keats refers to in his poem are the sun, the moon, the trees, the innocence of the sheep, the blossoming of the daffodils in the meadows, the musk- roses blooming, the mass of ferns and the clear streams among mountains.

Question 2.
List the things that cause suffering and pain.
Answer:
The things that cause suffering and pain are despondency, dearth of noble nature, gloomy days and overdarkened ways. The pain and suffering that Keats had experienced in his life made him realise that sadness, pain and suffering are present in everybody’s life. Hence, Keats could not remain indifferent to the pain and hopelessness on account of the inhuman dearth of noble nature on earth. Even the hostile and inhuman attitude makes our days gloomy and darkens our ways.

Question 3.
What does the line, ‘Therefore are we wreathing a flowery band to bind us to earth’ suggest to you?
Answer:
Man has always shared a special bonding with all beautiful things. Though the world is a beautiful place to live in, there is a lot of pain and suffering too. This can be enjoyed by treasuring the happiness and joy that beautiful things give us. Man lives for beauty, seeks and experiences beauty. Keats believes that man and nature are woven into an unbroken bond. He believes that beautiful things present around us are like beautiful flowers and we should wreathe them into a flowery band that keeps us connected to the earth.

Question 4.
What makes human beings love life in spite of having troubles and sufferings?
Answer:
Life is to be lived meaningfully. In spite of all the sufferings, we have to find something that will make our existence meaningful in this world. Something beautiful happens that removes all the gloom and darkness from our lives and fills it with beauty and happiness. The things of beauty bring love and happiness in life by removing sadness and troubles. As nature is the best healer, it helps man to bear the sorrows and strengthens the belief to continue living despite sufferings.

Question 5.
Why is ‘grandeur’ associated with the ‘mighty dead’?
Answer:
‘Grandeur’ is associated with the ‘mighty dead’ because certain tombs and other grand constructions are created in the memory of the dead.

Question 6.
Do we experience things of beauty only for short moments or do they make a lasting impression on us?
Answer:
John Keats believes that beautiful things always have a lasting impression on the human mind. All beautiful objects are a source of joy forever. This beauty survives the trials and tribulations of time and exists continuously in our thoughts. A thing of beauty never ceases to be and never passes into nothingness.

Question 7.
What image does Keats use to describe the beautiful bounty of the Earth?
Answer:
The poet uses the expression ‘an endless fountain of immortal drink, pouring into us from the heaven’s brink’. Through these lines, the poet describes the earth and its beautiful bounties that cannot be replaced by anything.

A Thing of Beauty Extra Questions and Answers

A Thing of Beauty Short Answer Questions

Question 1.
What is the source of the endless fountain and what is its effect?
Answer:
“Endless fountain” refers to the unending beauty of nature. This is a gift from the creator. Our life is full of trials and tribulations, but the beautiful things of nature soothen our sorrows and give us the motivation to move on.

Question 2.
What spreads the pall of despondence over our dark spirits? How is it removed?
Answer:
Trials and tribulations of life spread the pall of despondence over our dark spirits. Loss of faith and disappointment are the results of our own making. We can remove it by making life worthwhile with the beautiful things of life that lift the veil of gloom, paving way for optimism and hope.

Question 3.
What is the message of the poem,‘A Thing of Beauty’?
Answer:
The message of the poem is that a beautiful object is treasured in our mind because it provides us eternal and everlasting joy. Therefore, let us keep the natural beauty intact. Let us not destroy it.

Question 4.
How is a thing of beauty a joy forever?
Answer:
A thing of beauty is a joy forever because its loveliness increases. A beautiful thing is
perennial and constant. It sustains human spirit in all ages and stages. It never passes into nothingness. In fact, it moves away the pall from our dark spirits and makes life worth living.

Question 5.
Describe any three things of beauty mentioned in the poem, ‘A Thing of Beauty’.
OR
According to Keats, what moves the pain and suffering away from human life?
Answer:
Everything in nature is a thing of beauty and a source of pleasure. Some of them are the sun, the moon, old and young trees, daffodil flowers, small streams with clear water, the green pastures and the blooming musk-roses. All of them are things of beauty. They are the constant sources of joy and pleasure, and remove the gloom of life.

Question 6.
What does Keats consider as an endless fountain of immortal drink and why does he call its drink immortal?
Answer:
God has created so much beauty around us; everywhere it is endless. In nature, there is divine beauty, a fountain of eternal joy. Keats considers the beauty of nature as an endless fountain of immortal drink. That immortal drink has to be poured into the heart and soul of man.

Question 7.
What does a thing of beauty do for us?
Answer:
A thing of beauty brings joy and removes the gloom. It makes life worth living in spite of being despondent. Its loveliness keeps on increasing, providing a pleasant and quiet place for us.

Question 8.
Mention any four things of beauty that add joy to our life.
Answer:
‘The things of beauty that Keats refers to in his poem are the sun, the moon, the trees, the innocence of the sheep, the blossoming of the daffodils in the meadows, the musk-roses blooming, the mass of ferns and the clear streams among mountains.

Question 9.
Mention any two things which cause pain and suffering.
Answer:
The things that cause pain and suffering are despondency, dearth of noble natures, gloomy days and overdarkened ways.

Question 10.
Which objects of nature does Keats mention as sources of joy in his poem, ‘A Thing of Beauty’?
Answer:
Everything of nature is a thing of beauty and a source of pleasure. Some of them are the sun, the moon, old and young trees, daffodil flowers, small streams with clear water, mass of fern and the blooming of musk-roses. All of them are things of beauty. They are the constant sources of joy and pleasure.

Question 11.
How can ‘mighty dead’ be things of beauty?
Answer:
The ‘mighty dead’ can be things of beauty as the inspirational deeds of martyrs are not only splendid but continue to live as guides, enhancing the quality of life.

Question 12.
In the hot season, how do man and beast get comfort?
Answer:
In the hot season, man and beast take shelter in the green world where clear rills a quiet bower, and the mid forest brake rich with springling of fair musk-roses blossom.’

Question 13.
What rich bounty has the heaven given us?
Answer:
Heaven has blessed us with unending beauty in nature that encircles and makes our life beautiful eternally whenever we think of it. Like an eternal fountain from the brink of heaven, beauty blesses us with joy forever.

Question 14.
How does Keats show his unhappiness with his fellow human beings?
Answer:
Keats shows his unhappiness by saying that there are only few people, who are noble in character and who rise above pretty differences by being magnanimous and generous. There is a dearth of such noble souls on our earth; as man is selfish and self-centred. Trials and tribulations of life spread the pall of despondence over our dark spirits. We can remove it by making life worthwhile by enjoying the beautiful things of life bestowed upon us by nature, but we are keen on destroying them.

Question 15.
How does Keats define a thing of beauty?
Answer:
Keats says that a thing of beauty is eternal and is forever. It does not fade with time, and our love for it enhances with time. He says that thing of beauty acts like a soothing, relaxing shade of trees that helps us sleep peacefully and enjoy good health.

Question 16.
What troubles and sufferings do human beings face in life?
Answer:
In life, humans face adverse circumstances and gloomy days which cause suffering. Malice and disappointment dampen our spirits. Lack of noble qualities, death and bad health bring sadness in life.

 

It is important for a learner to read stories thoroughly and accurately in order to score better in Class 12 English exams. NCERT Solutions for Class 12 English Flamingo Poem 4 A Thing of Beauty has been given by experts to ensure that the poem can be easily understood. 

Indigo Lesson NCERT Solutions for Class 12 English Flamingo Chapter 5

NCERT Solutions for Class 12 English Flamingo Chapter 5 Indigo is a detailed account of what you will learn in Chapter 5 Indigo Class 12 English. To successfully pass CBSE Class 12 English exam and get an excellent grade on your report card at the end of it all you need a thorough understanding and comprehension of NCERT Solutions for Class 12 English Flamingo Chapter 5 Indigo which we have made sure covers everything important! 

Indigo NCERT Text Book Questions and Answers

Indigo  Think as you read

Question 1.
Strike out what is not true in the following.
(a) Rajkumar Shukla was:
(i) a sharecropper
(ii) a politician
(iii) delegate
(iv) a landlord

(b) Rajkumar Shukla was:
(i) poor
(ii) physically strong
(iii) illiterate
Answer:
(a) a politician, a landlord
(b) physically strong

Question 2.
Why is Rajkumar Shukla described as being‘resolute’?
Answer:
Rajkumar Shukla requested Gandhiji to go with him to his area called Champaran. Gandhiji was engaged at that time. However, Shukla did not let go of Gandhiji. He followed him wherever he went. Finally, Gandhiji had to arrange and fix time to go with him. This shows that Shukla was resolute.

Question 3.
Why do you think the servants thought Gandhi to be another peasant?
Answer:
Gandhiji was quite simple in his dress and manners. He never thought himself as a great leader. That is why, servants believed him to be another peasant.

Question 4.
List the places that Gandhi visited between his first meeting with Shukla and his arrival at Champaran.
Answer:
Gandhiji visited the following places: Patna, Rajendra Prasad’s house, Muzaffarpur, Professor Malkani’s home and lastly Champaran.

Question 5.
What did the peasants pay the British landlords as rent? What did the British now want instead and why? What would be the impact of synthetic indigo on the prices of natural indigo?
Answer:
The peasants had to grow indigo on 15 per cent of their land. This product was submitted as rent to the British landlords. Synthetic indigo was developed by Germany. The landlords thus, did not need to raise indigo on their land any longer. They demanded compensation from the peasants for freeing them from the indigo-raising agreement.

Question 6.
The events in this part of the text illustrate Gandhi’s method of working. Can you identify some instances of this method and link them to his ideas of satyagraha and non-violence?
Answer:
Gandhiji had always followed the voice of his conscience. He never supported anything immoral. He followed this principle all through his fight against the British injustice. He never paid evil for evil. He followed the principle of non-violence even as the authorities raised blows on him. His path was that of satyagraha non-violence for truth. Dandi March was a good example.

Question 7.
Why did Gandhi agree to a settlement of 25 per cent refund to the farmers?
Answer:
The whole situation in front of Gandhiji was a deadlock. He wanted to break this deadlock somehow. The British planters wanted some excuse for prolonging the dispute with the peasants. However, Gandhiji proved too wise for them. The deadlock was ended by accepting what the planters wanted.

Even so the British had to compromise with their pride. Gandhiji agreed to a settlement of 25 per cent refund to the farmers; in fact, the amount was less important than the fact that the landlords had to be forced to return part of the money and with it, part of their pride and prestige.

So far the planters had behaved as if they were above the law, they had to realise that Britishers were not above the law. The peasants now saw that they too had rights and defenders, and they learned courage. The peasants were also saved from the trouble of spending time and money on court cases. Within a few years, the British planters abandoned their estates and left. The land came back to the peasants and this was the end of indigo sharecropping.

Question 8.
How did the episode change the plight of the peasants?
Answer:
The peasants now had courage. They believed that they had rights which they could defend. Gradually, the British planters left their estates. These estates now came back to the peasants. Indigo sharecropping disappeared permanently. They were no longer indebted to the British planters.

Indigo Understanding the Text

Question 1.
Why do you think Gandhi considered the Champaran episode to be a turning point in his life?
Answer:
Gandhiji considered the Champaran episode a turning point in his life because this episode released the peasants from the mortal fear of British landlords and made them aware of their rights. Not only this, the farmers got back 25% of the compensation money. They also developed courage.

This episode proved to be the beginning of the cultural, social and economic transformation of the poor and badly exploited and terrified peasants. Thus, the British planters were forced to leave the land of the peasants and they became the owners of their lands. This was an attempt to fight injustice and remove sufferings of the peasants. It ignited the feelings of patriotism among simple farmers. It became the first success of Non-cooperation Movement for Gandhiji.

Question 2.
How was Gandhi able to influence lawyers? Give instances.
Answer:
The lawyers desired Andrews to stay in Champaran and help them. However, Gandhiji opposed them. He said that taking the help of an Englishman would be their weakness. They should learn to win the battle with their own strength. They should learn to be self-dependent.

Question 3.
What was the attitude of the average Indian in smaller localities towards advocates of ‘home rule’?
Answer:
The average Indian in smaller localities felt afraid to show sympathy for advocates of ‘home rule’. They probably feared the consequences.

Question 4.
How do we know that ordinary people too contributed to the freedom movement?
Answer:
The ordinary people stood with Gandhiji at every juncture. At Motihari, they flocked
in thousands as they learnt that Mahatma had some trouble with the authorities. The ordinary people supported in their own little way. Rajkumar Shukla and Professor Malkani defied all odds and contributed to the fight. Prof. J. B. Kriplani motivated a large number of students, and welcomed Gandhiji at Muzaffarpur railway station at midnight. The spontaneous demonstration outside the court was also quite significant. Civil disobedience could triumph in India only because of the unity of ordinary people.

Indigo Talking about the Text

Question 1.
“Freedom from fear is more important than legal justice for the poor.” Do you think that the poor of India are free from fear after Independence?
Answer:
In the chapter, Gandhi makes it possible for the sharecroppers of Champaran to shed their fear of the British landlords. According to him, the first step towards self-reliance is freedom from fear. Unfortunately, the poor people are not free from fear even after the Independence. The poor people live in a continual fear of the police, who instead of taking care, often end up maltreating them. Due to globalisation and the craze for the foreign products, the poor are becoming poorer.

Question 2.
The qualities of a good leader.
Answer:
A good leader is the person who leads the minds and convinces people to follow his set of ideas or beliefs. He thinks for the people and works for them. He should be sincere in his approach and should be a man of principles. A good leader inherits some qualities that set him apart from the rest. Truth, honesty, patriotism, morality, spirit of service and sacrifice are the qualities of a good leader. He should be courageous in the face of adversity and should never quit. He should encourage and motivate others to bring out the best in them, and should appreciate the efforts of others without being bias or partial.

Indigo Extra Questions and Answers

Indigo Short Answer Questions

Question 1.
How did Gandhiji react to the Commissioner’s advice? Where did he go?
Answer:
Gandhiji was asked to leave the Tirhut division at once by the commissioner. He did not leave, instead, he proceeded to Motihari, the capital of Champaran.

Question 2.
Why did the servants think Gandhiji to be another peasant?
Answer:
Gandhiji was a simple man and he used to dress in a dhoti, which was the dress that the farmers in India used to wear. Hence, the servants thought Gandhiji to be another peasant.

Question 3.
“The battle of Champaran is won!” What led Gandhiji to make this remark?
Answer:
Gandhiji said these words when he was able to win the lawyers’ trust. Earlier, these lawyers had certain misconceptions about Gandhiji, but as they saw his determination towards the peasants’ liberation, they came in his full support.

Question 4.
Why did Gandhiji go to Lucknow in December 1916? Who met him there and why?
Answer:
Gandhiji went to Lucknow to attend the annual convention of the Indian National Congress. A poor peasant named Rajkumar Shukla met him there. He was from Champaran. He wanted Gandhiji to come to Champaran to help the poor sharecroppers.

Question 5.
Why did the landlords compel the peasants to do as per the terms of a long-term contract?
Answer:
The landlords forced peasants to plant indigo on 15 per cent of their land. All the indigo produce had to be surrendered as rent. The peasants felt sour about it.

Question 6.
What did the British planters try to do when they came to know that synthetic indigo had been developed by Germany?
Answer:
The British planters realised that it was no longer profitable to produce natural indigo. The synthetic indigo was much cheaper. Thus, they compelled the peasants to give them compensation for not having to plant indigo on their land.

Question 7.
What happened when the British planters asked the peasants for compensation for releasing them from the 15 per cent agreement?
Answer:
The sharecropping agreement seemed irksome to the peasants. Therefore, many of them signed it willingly. However, others engaged lawyers to fight their cases. So the landlords hired thugs.

Question 8.
How was Gandhi treated at Rajendra Prasad’s house?
Answer:
Since Gandhiji was quite simple in his dress and manners, Rajendra Prasad’s servants mistook him to be a peasant. They did not allow him to draw water from the well lest it be polluted. They let him stay on the grounds.

Question 9.
What were the terms of the indigo contract between the British landlords and the Indian peasants?
Answer:
The fertile land was divided into large estates owned by Englishmen and worked by Indian tenants. The peasants had to grow indigo on 15 per cent of the land. This product was submitted as rent to the British landlords.

Question 10.
Why was Gandhiji opposed to C.F. Andrews helping him in Champaran?
Answer:
Gandhiji was opposed to C.F. Andrews helping him in Champaran because he was a foreigner. C.E Andrews was a social worker in Champaran. He was a close follower of Gandhiji. He felt that a foreigner’s help should not be sought to free India of foreigners. According to him, self-reliance was of utmost importance.

Question 11.
When Gandhi got the wholehearted support of the lawyers, he said, ‘The battle of Champaran is won’. What was the essence behind his statement?
Answer:
The essence behind this statement was that now he would be able to defeat Britishers who were exploiting poor peasants and would make the lawyers help poor sharecroppers to’ get back their lost respect and money as well. Further, Gandhiji was ready to tutor all the lawyers how to fight this struggle.

Question 12.
Though the sharecroppers of Champaran received only one-fourth of the compensation, how can the Champaran struggle still be termed a huge success and victory?
Answer:
The Champaran struggle was termed a huge success and victory because Gandhiji was able to make the landlords surrender part of the money and their prestige by making them agree to handover 25% of the money as compensation. More important was the fact that peasants understood that they also had rights and people to defend them if they had problems. They learnt to be courageous when they stood behind Gandhiji to break the deadlock between the farmers and the landlords.

Question 13.
The lesson, ‘Indigo’ highlights Gandhiji’s method of working. Can you identify them and link them to his ideas of Satyagraha and non-violence?
Answer:
Gandhiji opposed unjust laws; his politics addressed day-to-day problems of the common man. He showed a willingness to oppose laws and even go to jail. His disobedience was always peaceful, and for truth and justice. He led through embarrassing people who were hypocrites (lawyers).

Question 14.
How did Mahatma Gandhi uplift the peasants of Champaran?
Answer:
Gandhiji gave them economic relief, made them overcome fear and to be united, taught them courage, provided solutions for their cultural and social backwardness, and improved their health and sanitary conditions.

Question 15.
Why is Rajkumar Shukla described as being resolute?
Answer:
Rajkumar Shukla was a poor, illiterate peasant from Champaran. When he came to know that Gandhi was in Lucknow, he decided to meet him and ask him to help the poor sharecroppers of Champaran. He requested Gandhi to come to Champaran but Gandhi was not free. He had appointments in Cawnpore and in other parts of India. Shukla followed him everywhere and even to his Ashram at Ahmedabad and urged him to fix a date. Finally, Gandhi had to agree to visit Champaran. This clearly shows that Shukla was resolute.

Indigo Long Answer Questions

Question 1.
The Champaran episode was a turning point in Gandhiji’s life. Elucidate.
Answer:
Before the Champaran episode, Gandhiji was not aware of the reality of the peasants of his motherland. ,On the insistence of Rajkumar Shukla, a sharecropper, Gandhiji went to Champaran and saw the miserable condition of the poor illiterate farmers. It was an eye-opener for him. The Britishers exploited the farmers to grow indigo. When it was not needed, they had to render compensation in order to be freed from old agreement.

Gandhiji was shocked to see them going to the court. He gathered them. This was the first step to free them from their fear of the British. The officials felt powerless without Gandhiji’s co-operation. He made them realise that the power of the British could be challenged by Indians.

The peasants were made to realise that they too had rights. The British landlords left the estate to the peasants and returned to their land after some time, thus ending indigo sharecropping. Through the Champaran episode, he made it clear to the British that they could not order Indians in their own country and through his personal example taught masses to be self-reliant and motivated them into civil disobedience.

Question 2.
Why did Rajkumar Shukla invite Gandhiji to Champaran? How did Gandhiji solve the problem of the indigo farmers?
OR
Why did Gandhiji consider freedom from fear more important than legal justice for the poor peasants of Champaran?
Answer:
Rajkumar Shukla was a poor peasant from Champaran. Under an old agreement, the peasants were compelled by the British to grow indigo on 15% of their land and part with it as rent. For this, Rajkumar Shukla had been advised to speak to Gandhiji who he was told, would be able to do something about their problem.

The landlords had learned that Germany had developed synthetic indigo. They forced the sharecroppers to sign agreements to pay them compensation to be freed from the 15 per cent arrangement. The sharecroppers, who refused, engaged lawyers. The information about synthetic indigo reached the peasants who had signed the agreements. They wanted their money back.

Gandhiji organised a gathering of the peasants at Motihari around the court. This was the beginning of their liberation from fear of the British. Though Gandhiji co-operated with the British and regulated the crowd, but it was a clear proof that their might could be challenged. He inspired the lawyers to fight for justice for the sharecroppers.

After the inquiry committee’s report, the peasants expected the entire sum of money as refund, but Gandhiji asked for 50% only. He was offered a refund of 25%. Gandhiji accepted it.According to Gandhiji, at that stage, money was less important. The landlords had to surrender their prestige and the peasants realised that they too had rights. This was their first lesson in courage. This is how their problem was solved.

Question 3.
Which factors helped the fear-stricken peasants of Champaran to achieve freedom?
Answer:
There were several factors in which Gandhiji’s contribution was remarkable.
The peasants were sharecroppers with the British planters. According to an old agreement, the peasants had to produce indigo on 15 per cent of the land and give it as rent to the landlords. Around 1917, it was told that Germany had developed synthetic indigo. So the British planters now no longer desired the indigo crop. To release the peasants from the old agreement, they demanded compensation from them. Most of the illiterate peasants agreed to it. However, others refused. Lawyers were engaged to go to the court.

At that time, Gandhiji appeared in Champaran. He fought a long battle for the poor peasants for one year and managed to get justice for them. The peasants now became courageous and became aware about their rights. Along with the political and economic struggle, Gandhiji worked on the social level also. He made arrangements for the education, health and hygiene of the families of poor peasants by teaching the lesson of self-reliance. It was one of the ways to forward the struggle for Indian independence.

The peasants now had courage. They believed that they had rights which they could defend. Gradually, the British planters left their estates. These estates now came back to the peasants. Indigo sharecropping disappeared for all times to come.

Question 4.
Give an account of Gandhiji’s efforts to secure justice for the poor indigo sharecroppers of Champaran.
Answer:
Gandhiji went to Champaran on receiving reports of exploitation of the poor sharecropper peasants at the hands of British planters. He began by trying to get the facts. The British landlords as well as commissioner of Tirhut were non-cooperative. Lawyers from Muzaffarpur briefed him about the court cases of these peasants. Gandhiji and the lawyers collected depositions by about ten thousand peasants. Notes were made on other evidence. Documents were collected. The whole area throbbed with the activities of the investigators and forceful protests of landlords.

The lieutenant governor summoned Gandhiji. After four protracted interviews, an official commission of enquiry was appointed to look into the indigo sharecroppers’ situation. Gandhiji was the sole representative of the peasants. The official enquiry assembled huge quantity of evidence against the big planters.

They agreed in principle to make refunds to the peasants. After consolation, a settlement of 25 per cent refund to the farmers was agreed upon. This was a moral victory for the peasants. They recognised their rights and became courageous. Within a few years, the British planters gave up tVieir estates. These now went back to the peasants. They became the master of the land. Thus, indigo sharecropping disappeared.

Question 5.
How was the Champaran episode a big success? Elucidate.
Answer:
The fight and the success of Champaran was the success of Civil Disobedience Movement started by Gandhiji. It was the attempt of the poor peasants who were helpless to the fraud met out to them. One of them contacted Gandhiji. Gandhiji’s presence in Bihar raised a huge row in Champaran. Thousands of peasants held a demonstration to protest against the government. The government was baffled. The orders for Gandhiji to quit Champaran were disobeyed by him. Afterwards, an enquiry commission was set up which ordered the sharecroppers to get 25 per cent of their money. The cruel landlords were made to surrender the partial amount of the extorted money. The efforts of Gandhiji and the peasants made the government realise its mistake.

Question 6.
Exploitation is a universal phenomenon. The poor indigo farmers were exploited by the British landlords to which Gandhiji objected. Even after our independence, we find exploitation in unorganised labour sector.
What values do we learn from Gandhiji’s campaign to counter the present day problems of exploitation?
Answer:
The weak are exploited and the strong prey on them is a universal fact. In the case of the poor illiterate indigo farmers, they were exploited by the British landlords. Gandhiji objected to it and freed the farmers from the agreement and brought an end to indigo sharecropping. In his manner of tackling the issue, he went
stepwise:

• he gathered information
• fearlessly he stated’his points
• in the final negotiations, he did not bother about the money; it was the submission of the opponent’s pride and prestige.

Similarly, we can proceed with such issues as Gandhiji’s method of solving the problem has universality about it. Today, we can follow it this way: one must be fully aware of one’s weaknesses and must try to overcome them, find ways of getting justice, never give in to any kind of exploitation, if trapped, try to come out of it wisely, get united when in trouble and seek help. Do not compromise your self-respect, values or dignity at any cost. Try to come out of the darkness of ignorance as soon as possible. Mistakes once made, must not be repeated.

Question 7.
Though Rajkumar Shukla was an illiterate peasant; he was resolute and was able to bring a change in the lives of the people of Champaran. Taking hints from the text, write an article on the topic, “Grit and Determination can take you a long way”.
Answer:
Grit and determination plays a very important role in one’s life. A person who doesn’t give up too easily and has tendency to step ahead without thinking too much about the difficulties is able to accomplish anything. We can take the example of Rajkumar Shukla. He wanted Gandhiji to go with him to his area called Champaran. Gandhiji was engaged at that time.

However, Shukla did not leave Gandhiji. He followed him wherever he went. Finally, Gandhiji had to arrange and fix a time to go with him. Shukla’s resolute nature led to a change in the lives of the people of Champaran. His persistence bore fruit. It is important to pursue our goals with grit and determination to be successful. The will to succeed, will one day result in triumph. It is possible that it might take a long time to succeed but success will definitely be achieved.

Question 8.
‘Dialogue and not violence can resolve situations of conflict and injustice’. Prove the statement with reference to the lesson, ‘Indigo’.
Answer:
Gandhiji met Rajkumar Shukla, a poor peasant from Champaran at Lucknow. Shukla wanted Gandhiji to come to Champaran to help the poor sharecroppers who were compelled by the British to grow indigo on 15 % of their land and part with it as rent. Since the development of synthetic indigo, the cultivation of indigo had become a waste. The landlords wanted sharecroppers to sign agreements to be freed from the 15 percent arrangement by paying compensation. After understanding the problem, Gandhiji wanted to meet the secretary of the British Landlord’s Association, but he was refused.

Then he tried to meet the Commissioner of Tirhut who bullied him and ordered him to leave. However, he defied the order and organised a gathering of the peasants around the court. Gandhiji proved that British power was no longer unchangeable. The authorities got afraid and postponed the case.

Gandhiji was released on bail. He inspired the lawyers to fight for justice for the sharecroppers. The case was dropped and Gandhiji agreed for 25% refund as was agreed by landlords. Finally, indigo sharecropping was abandoned and land was given to peasants. This became the first success of Non-cooperation Movement for Gandhiji.

 

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NCERT Solutions for Class 12 English Vistas Chapter 3 Journey to the end of the Earth is a detailed account of what you will learn in Class 12 English Vistas Chapter 3 Journey to the end of the Earth. To successfully pass CBSE Class 12 English exam and get an excellent grade on your report card at the end of it all you need a thorough understanding and comprehension of NCERT Solutions for Class 12 English Vistas Chapter 3 Journey to the end of the Earth which we have made sure covers everything important!

Journey to the end of the Earth NCERT Solutions for Class 12 English Vistas Chapter 3

Journey to the end of the Earth NCERT Text Book Questions and Answers

Journey to the end of the Earth Read and Find out

Question 1.
How do geological phenomena help us to know about the history of humankind?
Answer:
The geological phenomenon of separating various continents and water bodies from one compact landmass tells us about the age of existence of human race on the earth. Six-hundred-and-fifty million years ago, no human race existed on the earth because the environment was not favourable. After the time when the dinosaurs were wiped out, the mammals started existing and after the separation of landmass, the human race started flourishing on the earth.

Question 2.
What are the indications for the future of humankind?
Answer:
The future of the humankind can get in danger if the emission of carbon-dioxide and other poisonous gases go on in the same manner. These gases deplete the ozone layer and allow the ultra-violet rays of the sun to enter the earth’s environment. This causes the rise in temperature of the earth and giving rise to the phenomenon called global warming. Increased temperature can melt the ice of the Antarctica, and cause other environmental problems, thus, jeopardising the future of human kind.

Journey to the end of the Earth Reading with Insight

Question 1.
‘The world’s geological history is trapped in Antarctica’. How is the study of this region useful to us?
Answer:
There was a giant southern super continent six-hundred-and-fifty million years ago. It was called Gondwana. Around 500 million years ago, Gondwana disordered into countries which exist today. Antarctica then was at the centre of Gondwana. The study of Antarctica gives us knowledge about where we have come from, and where we are heading. It may help us to know the significance of Cordilleran folds, pre-Cambrian granite shields, ozone and carbon, and evolution and extinction.

Question 2.
What are Geoff Green’s reasons for including high school students in the Students on Ice expedition?
Answer:
Geoff Green had always carted celebrities and retired rich people to Antarctica. He visualised that they would give back in a very limited way. He thus, took school students in his expedition as they would be the future policy-makers. At that age, they were competent to absorb, learn, and to act. By taking those students to the end of the world, a new understanding and respect for our planet would be fostered.

Question 3.
“Take care of the small things and the big things will take care of themselves.” What is the relevance of this statement in the context of the Antarctica environment?
Answer:
Antarctica has simple ecosystem and lacks biodiversity. Every change has huge repercussions there. This is easily seen in Antarctica. For instance, the tiny single-celled grasses and phytoplankton use sun’s energy to synthesise organic compounds. They help to sustain the whole food chain in the southern seas. And by chance, if they die, it would cause depletion of ozone layer, as they may not assimilate carbon and make organic compounds, the whole food chain will collapse. Take care of phytoplankton, the entire food chain may take care of itself.

Question 4.
Why is Antarctica the place to go to, to understand the earth’s present, past and future?
Answer:
During the short period of his stay on earth, man has led to confusion. He founded cities and towns, ruined nature and wiped out many species. By burning fossil fuels, he increased the global temperature. Its effects are readily visible on the Antarctica. Besides, half-a-million-year-old carbon records lie buried in the ice cores there. Thus, Antarctica is the right place to go to, if we have to, study the earth’s present, past and future.

Journey to the end of the Earth Extra Questions and Answers

Journey to the end of the Earth Short Answer Questions

Question 1.
What was Akademic Shokalskiy? Where was it headed and why?
Answer:
Akademic Shokalskiy was a Russian research vessel which was heading towards Antarctica, the coldest, driest, windiest continent in the world to become a part of Geoff Green’s ‘Students on Ice’ programme.

Question 2.
Describe the author’s emotions when she first set foot on Antarctica.
Answer:
Tishani Doshi’s initial reaction was relief as she had travelled for over hundred hours. This was followed by wonder at Antarctica’s white landscape and uninterrupted blue horizon, its immensity, isolation and at how there could have been a time when India and Antarctica could have been a part of the same landmass.

Question 3.
How is present day Antarctica different from Gondwana?
Answer:
Gondwana was a giant amalgamated southern supercontinent. The climate was much warmer, hosting a huge variety of flora and fauna. Gondwana thrived for about 500 million years. Subsequently, when dinosaurs were wiped out and the age of mammals happened, the landmass separated into countries, shaping the globe as we know it today.

Question 4.
Why does the author say that to visit Antarctica is to be a part of history?
Answer:
It is only when you visit Antarctica that you realise all that can happen in a million years, where we have come from and where we could possibly be heading. We understand the significance of Cordilleran folds, pre-Cambrian granite shields, ozone and carbon, evolution and extinction.

Question 5.
Why does Tishani Doshi describe her two weeks’ stay in Antarctica ‘a chilling prospect’?
Answer:
Accustomed to the warm climate of South India, being in a place where ninety per cent of the earth’s total ice is stored was a chilling prospect literally and metaphorically. It affected her metabolic and circulatory systems as well as her imagination.

Question 6.
Why does one lose all earthly perspective in Antarctica?
Answer:
The author compares it to walking into a giant ping-pong ball, devoid of any human markers. There are no trees, billboards, or buildings. The visual ranges from the microscopic to the mighty, from midges and mites to blue whales and icebergs.

Question 7.
Describe the brightness and silence that prevail in Antarctica during summer.
Answer:
Days go on and on in surreal twenty-four hour austral summer light, and an ubiquitous silence prevails, interrupted only by the occasional avalanche or calving ice-sheet.

Question 8.
Explain: ‘And for humans, the prognosis isn’t good’.
Answer:
The human civilisation has been around for a mere 12,000 years—barely a few seconds on the biological clock. Yet we have managed to etch our dominance over nature with concretisation, battling for limited resources, and unmitigated burning of fossil fuel. This has created a blanket of carbon dioxide around the world, which is increasing average global temperature.

Question 9.
Why is Antarctica a crucial element in all debates on climate change?
Answer:
Antarctica is the only place in the world that has never sustained a human population and is therefore, relatively ‘pristine’. More importantly, it holds in its ice cores half¬million-year-old carbon records trapped in its layers of ice.

Question 10.
What was the objective of the ‘Students on Ice’ programme?
Answer:
The ‘Students on Ice’ programme aims to take high school students to the ends of the world. It provides them with inspiring educational opportunities which fosters in them a new understanding and respect for our planet. It offers the future generation of policy makers a life-changing experience at an age when they are ready to absorb, learn and act.

Question 11.
What are the reasons for the success of the ‘Students on Ice’ programme?
Answer:
The author says that it is impossible to go so near the South Pole and remain unaffected. When you visibly see glaciers retreating and ice shelves collapsing, you begin to realise that the threat of global warming is very real.

Question 12.
What does the author describe as her best Antarctic experience?
Answer:
Just short of the Arctic Circle, this group of fifty-two people were made to walk on the ocean. The experience of walking on ice that seemed to stretch out forever, with the living, breathing ocean underneath, was nothing short of a revelation.

Question 13.
How did the Antarctica amaze the writer when she first saw it?
Answer:
The Antarctica is perhaps the coldest, and the driest continent. The writer felt wonder struck by its immensity, its isolation, its uninterrupted blue horizon. She was amazed as to how there was a time when India and Antarctica were part of the same landmass.

Question 14.
What was Gondwana? How did it look 650 million years ago?
Answer:
Gondwana was a super continent in the South. It was centred around Antarctica. 650 million years ago, there were no humans. The climate was much warmer, and a variety of flora and fauna thrived.

Journey to the end of the Earth Long Answer Questions

Question 1.
What is the significance of the title, ‘Journey to the End of the Earth’?
Answer:
Tishani Doshi calls it a Journey to the end of this Earth’ because her journey was an educational one to Antarctica. She travelled aboard the ‘Academic Shokaskiy’, a Russian research vessel, along with a group of high school students, to learn more about the real impact of Global Warming and the future of planet Earth. They went to the coldest, driest, windiest continent in the world. Also, for the author, her journey started from Madras 13.09 degrees north of the Equator.

She crossed nine time zones, six check points, three bodies of water and as many ecospheres. After travelling for almost one hundred hours, in a car, aeroplane and a ship, she actually set foot on the Antarctic continent, which is in the extreme southern part of the earth, almost at its end. The warning signals that Antarctica gives are shocking and make the author realise that “the end of the earth” may become a metaphorical reality before long, unless humans take timely action.

Question 2.
Describe the impact of Antarctica on the author.
Answer:
Tishani Doshi describes her Antarctica experience as “nothing short of a revelation”. It was a mind boggling experience to travel to reach the coldest, windiest, and driest part of the world. She was filled with wonder at its vastness, seclusion and geological history. Its isolation and immensity made it difficult to understand that there may have been a time when India and Antarctica were a part of the same landmass. Spending two weeks where day and night merge in an austral summer light, where the only sounds are that of avalanche or calving ice-sheets was a transcending experience.

It gave her – an invaluable realisation: if we take care of small things, the big things will automatically fall into place, that everything is interconnected. Her experience of a walk on the ocean over a metre thick ice, with 180 metres of sea underneath, was an eye-opening one. She came away, marvelling at the beauty of balance in nature, and a realisation of the pressing need to preserve it.

Question 3.
What do we know about the geological history of Gondwana? How did the Antarctica become cold and barren?
Answer:
There was a super continent in the south about six-hundred-and-fifty million years ago. In the south, about 500 million years ago there were several changes. Dinosaurs were wiped out. Mammals began to develop. Gondwana was forced to break up into smaller landmasses. India drove away and jammed against Asia. It buckled its crust to form the Himalayas.

South America broke and drifted to join North America. It opened up the Drake Passage to create a cold current round the south pole. It left the Antarctica cold, isolated and barren. It is the coldest continent, having 90% of the earth’s total ice.

Question 4.
How is man blamed for despoiling the earth and climate changes? How can you see the effect of these changes in Antarctica?
Answer:
Human civilisation is new. However, during the short period man has lived, he has created confusion and disturbances. He gained dominance over nature by building cities, towns and villages. Since human population is ever increasing, the need of natural resources also increases. Man has been conflicting with other species to grab these exhaustible resources. He has burnt fossil fuels. This has led to a blanket of carbon dioxide around the earth. It has raised the average global temperature.

The rise in temperature has led to climatic changes. We cannot fully appreciate the effect of these changes. If you go to the Antarctica, it has not been spoiled by man. Its ecosystem is simple. Any change easily affects it, and is easily visible. That is why, the narrator involved students on ice expedition to save future generations.

 

A learner needs to read stories thoroughly and accurately to score better in CBSE Class 12 English exams. NCERT Solutions for Class 12 English Vistas Chapter 3 Journey to the end of the Earth has been answered by experts to ensure that the story can be easily understood.